The Whippoorwill Award is presented each year to an LRA member who has demonstrated his/her love for Lake Rabun by many years of service to and involvement in lake activities. Recipients of this award have demonstrated a strong spirit of volunteerism but may not have been publicly recognized for his/her contributions.
Criteria
Any LRA member can nominate an eligible member for the Whippoorwill by completing the nomination form and submitting it no later than August 1st to Mike Swink by email or mail as noted on the form.
2022 WHIPPOORWILL AWARD RECIPIENT
Thad Warren
This years worthy recipient is Thad Warren.
Thad’s contributions include committee work on virtually every committee conceived by the LRA:
• Tour of Homes
• Water Safety
• A relentless volunteer and chain-saw man for both annual lake clean-ups
• Save the Hemlocks
• A valued member of the Board for the Lake Rabun Foundation
• An active participant and contributor to our Centennial Book
• LRA golf tournament, LRA Historian, and Wooden Boat Parade
Thad has moved through the chairs of the LRA serving as President and Chairman of the LRA Board of Trustees. Thad was also instrumental in the purchase of property and building of our Lake Rabun Pavilion.
Thad’s dad rebuilt the marina in 1983 and Thad graciously accepted the Whippoorwill Award in memory of his dad.
Thad, congratulations on this well-deserved award! For those that don’t know, Thad is the guy on the right receiving the award from another Lake Rabun legend, Charlie Arp!
The Whippoorwill Award has been awarded annually since 1991. LRA members will likely recognize or know personally most of the following past recipients because of their long-term service and volunteerism in the lake community.
Past Recipients
| 2021 | Helen McSwain |
| 2020 | Laura Rhodes |
| 2019 | Anne Pledger & Bob Pledger |
| 2018 | Bob Voyles |
| 2017 | Barbara Roper |
| 2016 | Steve Raeber |
| 2015 | Marie Brownlow |
| 2014 | Mike Swink |
| 2013 | Rick Asbill |
| 2012 | Libby Matthews |
| 2011 | Kirk Knous |
| 2010 | Penny Burkitt Marshall |
| 2009 | Felicia Lease |
| 2008 | Charlie Arp |
| 2007 | Dave & Jeanne Cowan |
| 2006 | Denny & Ann Webb |
| 2005 | Carole Raeber |
| 2004 | Jim Funk |
| 2003 | Jean Sheldon |
| 2002 | Joe Hamiliton |
| 2001 | Betty R. Moore |
| 2000 | Jack King |
| 1999 | Buz Stone |
| 1998 | Clayton Rich |
| 1997 | Patty Gray |
| 1996 | Lib Kennedy |
| 1995 | Ben Noble |
| 1994 | Roses Longino |
| 1993 | Winnie Brown |
| 1992 | Herta Schartle |
| 1991 | Stuart Witham |
