People Protecting the Lake
Since 1885.
Lake George
Association – P.O. Box 408 – Lake George, NY 12845
(518) 668-3558 – Fax
(518) 668-4702 – www.lakegeorgeassociation.org
October 8, 2007
For
Immediate Release
Contact: James Hood
Communications Coordinator
Lake George Association
Phone: (518) 668-3558
InAUGURAL ROWING EVENT DONATES PROCEEDS TO LGA
Lake George, NY – The Lake George Association (LGA) has announced that the non-profit conservation group was the recipient of proceeds raised from the 1st Annual Milford Lester Memorial Cup Race. The donation in the form of a check for $310 was made at a recent presentation at the LGA’s office. A silver trophy cup with the names and times of the winners was also given to the LGA for permanent display.
Held on May 19th of this year, the recreational rowing event featured competitors from as far away as Ohio, Maine and Ontario, Canada.
Race organizers said that the event was started to honor Milford Lester, a Saratoga Springs resident, who passed away in December of 2006 after a valiant struggle with pulmonary fibrosis. The event ties together two of Lester’s interests: rowing and the protection of Lake George.
“We wanted to honor Milford’s zest for life, his love of Lake George, and his passion for rowing,” said Bob Tarrant, Race Chairman.
According to Tarrant, Milford Lester was an avid oarsman. Although he did not take up the sport until he was in his mid-50s, Lester competed successfully in rowing, traveling extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
As a longtime summer resident on Assembly Point, Milford became a strong advocate for protecting the health and vitality of Lake George. This led him to become a dedicated volunteer for the Lake George Association for over 10 years.
“Milford was an inspiration to all of us,” said Walt Lender, the LGA’s Executive Director. “It’s nice to know that his love for the lake will be a real legacy that lives on.”
Held under the auspices of the International Recreation and Open Water Rowing Association (IROW), competitors rowed from Million Dollar Beach at the southern end of Lake George, around the northern tip of Diamond Island and back. This year’s race featured competition in 4 classes including Women’s Singles, Men’s Singles, Women’s Doubles and Men’s Doubles.
The winners in each category for the inaugural race were:
Carla Richards of Saratoga Springs;
Bob Tarrant, Saratoga Springs;
Debbie Arenberg and Jeanne Thorvaldsen of Eliot, Maine; and
Dave Powers and Ageo Frizzera, Saratoga Springs.
Next year’s event will be held in May on the Saturday of the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend.
The LGA is a not-for-profit membership organization of people interested in working together to protect, conserve, and improve the beauty and quality of the Lake George Basin. Interested in becoming an LGA member? Contact the LGA at (518) 668-3558 or check out LGA on the web at www.lakegeorgeassociation.org.
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