In 1930 a new shelter, restrooms and refectory were built on the northeastern corner of the lake formally known as Calhoun. A couple years later, the Works Progress Administration built some lovely shore protection walls along portions of the eastern shore. I think it was about 1938 that three fishermen sitting along the wall were surprised when a big yellow perch begged them to reel in their lines and go home. When the fishermen balked the perch revealed herself to be a mermaid and told them she would grant each a wish if they would forgo fishing for the day so she could bring her family safely through the channel that led to Lake of the Isles. They talked it over for some time before they finally agreed. The first fishermen wished that he could just quit gambling. The habit had caused his pocket book pain and brought him little pleasure. The second one wished he could be faithful. His third marriage was falling apart and his mistress was demanding money. The third fishermen, who had been bald since the age of twenty-three wished he had hair again. The mermaid looked at the men on the wall for a moment then she crossed her arms, twitched her nose back and forth and turned them all into women. The little refectory building has undergone all sorts renovations over the years. When I was a kid the place employed all sorts of squirrelly teens to serve ice cream, popcorn and soda pop to the summer crowds. In 1988 it was remodeled to operate as a seasonal restaurant. The popular Tin Fish Restaurant leased the spot for 14 years. In November of 2017, The park board unanimously approved a five-year lease with Lola’s Café to operate a restaurant called Lola’s on the Lake.
