Our Mission
Lake Rabun Association was organized exclusively for the purpose of promoting conservation and preservation of Lake Rabun and the surrounding community as an aesthetic, recreational and educational resource for the general public residing in the Lake Rabun community or otherwise making use of Lake Rabun.
Our History
The Lake Rabun Association, Inc. was chartered on 25 October 1928 as a succeeding organization to the Lakemont Boat Club. The list of charter members reads like Atlanta’s Who’s Who of the 1920’s.
An organizational meeting was held on 15 November 1928 with Mr. Rutherford Lipscomb elected the first President. The by-laws set the annual dues at $10.00. Annual meetings were the third Tuesday in May. Records indicate a meeting was held in May of 1929. No other records are found so it is believed the original LRA became inactive thereafter, possibly due to the Great Depression.
Initial LRA Charter Members
August Andreae
George Bellinger
S. F. Boykin
Mrs. A. W. Calhoun
Henry Collier
Dan Conklin
E. E. Crow
Beaumont Davidson, Jr.
J. L. DeGive
S. C. Dobbs
A. A. Doonan
Mrs F. S. Ellis
Ewell Gay
Hugh Gordon
J. R. Gray
Andrew Hansel
W. P. Heath
Lindsay Hopkins
Joel Hurt
A.A. Jamison
Casper Johnson
Earnest Kontz
Mrs. Lamar Lipscomb
Rutherford Lipscomb
Winship Nunnally
W. R. Prescott
B. W. Sinclair
W.R. C. Smith
F. O. Stone
E. D. Wright
J. R. Stuart Witham
1970's
The predecessor to our current Lake Rabun Association was formed as a non-profit corporation on 4 September 1970. The initial Board of Directors were John W. Lundeen, Jr., Ira Longino and Jack King. The first President was John Lundeen elected for the term year 1971–1972.
During the initial years the LRA leadership had property security as their primary concern. At that time the crime rate was so high on the lakes that Rabun County ranked second in property crimes in Georgia counties. Georgia Power hosted a meeting in Atlanta with Fred Stewart and representatives from the lakes to discuss moving Mountain Patrol from Highlands, NC, to service the three lakes here. Mountain Patrol opened in November of 1973 and in one year the property crime rate dropped by 90%.
For many years lake residents held church services (of many denominations) in homes and on top of boathouses. In 1972, after lots of coffee klatch conversations at Guy Hall’s, Boat Church was started in cooperation with Clayton First United Methodist Church. Rev. Hal Brady was the first Boat Church pastor. Guy Hall’s boathouse and a pontoon boat donated by Tom McNeely provided the first site.
In 1975, the LRA membership had grown from 100 to 110 plus, remaining at this level for a few years until it grew to more than 130 in 1979, as more houses were built on the lake. Although previous maps of Lake Rabun had been created by Georgia Power and other individuals, including one in 1957 by Guy Hall and George Kollock, the first LRA map of the lake was published in 1975. The LRA map was updated in 1980 through the efforts of Norwood Griffin, Betty Ann Griffin and Jimmy Dunlap. Updated Lake Rabun maps were also published for LRA members in 1988, 1991, 1997, and 2004 thanks to the dedication of Frank Smith. Lisa Hinson headed up the effort to publish an LRA map in 2009 and Frank’s daughter, Jenny McClure, took this to the next level in 2012 by creating an interactive map that is accessible on the Lake Rabun Association website.
The latter 70s saw a few other additions and changes. In 1977, LRA members began to receive a subscription to the Clayton Tribune. Beginning in 1978, it became evident that most of the membership wanted more activities, in addition to the continued purposes of protection and being a collective voice in Rabun County. President Stan Ashley organized the first annual Roadside Cleanup. Lib Kennedy started the Ladies of the Lake Bible class and The LRA provided clogging lessons. Early Thanksgiving gatherings were held by the Warrens, the Griffins and subsequently went on to other homes.
1980s
LRA members began to get into the swing of creating new traditions. In 1980, Vice President Ray Warren, at the suggestion of Jud Laws and Jack Stroud, implemented a July 4th Wooden Boat Regatta. Jud and Jack organized and led the first Wooden Boat Regatta which has become an annual event showcasing Lake Rabun’s incredible fleet of wooden boats. Later in 2001, a special one day issue Commemorative Post Office Stamp was created by Libby Mathews honoring the Regatta. The John Lundeen Family still owns the oldest original “Woodie” on the lake, a 1936 Triple Cockpit Chris Craft. This boat was delivered by the Tallulah Falls Railroad to the Lakemont Depot for Preston Arkwright, president of Georgia Power, and then transported to the lake.
During this same time, LRA member Gene Cofer found a copy in his Mother’s library of the 1926 Annual Report of the Georgia Railway and Power Company giving the history of the building of the chain of hydroelectric power generating lakes on the Tallulah and Tugalo Rivers. John Lundeen and Ray Warren, working together, had exact duplicates reproduced for all LRA members.
In 1981 LRA identification plaques were first provided to members, the first LRA tee shirts were sold, and Dale Herndon built the LRA bulletin board that was installed at Hall’s Boat House. In addition, two major new traditions were started that year. Winnie Brown chaired the first annual Flea Market which netted $1,692 for the Lakemont-Wiley Fire Department. LRA’s first annual fireworks display was also begun that year as a part of the 4th of July celebration. The LRA budget for fireworks was very small at that time (about $1,500) so the initial displays were done v-e-r-y slowly so they would last for 20 minutes. Membership had grown to 170 plus.
In 1982 and 1983, President Ralph Williams and President Charlie Arp, faced new challenges in the potential encroachment of commercialism on Lake Rabun Road between Whetrock Lane and Appaloosa Lane. The LRA took legal action against a lake property owner desiring to change a personal residence to a multi-unit rental lodge. Besides quality of life issues there were septic tank issues and water quality issues. Even though LRA did not win the case, the property owner dropped his plans, and a message was sent to all that the LRA would oppose any further commercial activity on the lake.
LRA membership continued to grow reaching 200 plus in 1982, as more lake residents recognized the advantages of the LRA sponsored activities and the LRA community protection and preservation efforts. When a further commercial threat occurred in 1983, it was to the marina. Georgia Power stepped in and bought the land to insure that there would be public facilities, including docking and launching facilities. Charlie Arp organized Hall’s Boathouse, Inc., with the help of Stan Ashley and 18 other LRA investors. They leased the land from Georgia Power and then rebuilt and operated the Marina. The rebuilt Marina opened in 1983.
In 1983 the Young Peoples Auxiliary was organized by Dale Herndon to help the young folks on the lake meet each other. The Auxiliary is no longer in existence but it did lead to the beginning of Saturday Night Bingo which continued for a number of years, was dropped for a while, and was revived in 1999 by Thad and Darlene Warren. Bingo Night is currently enjoyed by many families at the Pavilion. Other attempts have been made to provide opportunities for young folks to gather like Youth Night in 1999 that was begun by Nan Troutman and Steve Wright.
In 1984, Brandon Mill Road on the backside of the lake was completed through a joint effort with Rabun County and Georgia Power. More lakefront lots were available and more homes built. LRA membership soon exceeded 250.
Presidents Dale Herndon, Buz Stone and Denny Webb were confronted with a new multifamily commercial rezoning attempt during 1985-86, which required the participation and monetary support of the full LRA membership. The ruling from the initial Rabun County Zoning Commission meeting in December 1985 went against LRA but by the time the County Commission Meeting occurred about a month later, LRA members had all been contacted by phone or letter and the courthouse was packed. The rezoning failed and everyone felt good about it but they were worried about the possibility of a lawsuit. A $50,000 Contingency Fund to provide for future lake protection efforts was established the same year. This event proved again, the continuing need for a strong Association to protect the lake from high density development and emphasized the need to strengthen a positive visible community relationship in Rabun County.
Later in 1986, President Pete Halter realized that the Lake Rabun Association had shown that it had a voice in the community but that it now needed to find a way to bring the community and the association closer together. Pete suggested that a scholarship be given to a Rabun County student and Buz Stone took on the job of establishing the LRA Foundation, known as the Lake Rabun Fund. The first college assistance scholarship was presented in 1987 and efforts to raise funds to give back to Rabun County ensued. The first Annual LRA Golf Tournament benefiting the Lake Rabun Fund was held the same year.
In 1987 upon the death of Antonina Hansell Looker, her large estate of 38.726 acres with over 3000 feet of shoreline containing historical “Bluebird Cottage”, Hillhouse and the White House Lodge became the object of potential unwanted development. LRA officers realized this threat and successfully negotiated with the Looker Estate to sell to a developer, an LRA member, who came up with a low density plan that was the most amenable to all. That plan resulted in the creation of 20 lots that exist today across the lake from Hall’s Marina and Witham Point.
Lake Rabun was not only growing in the 1980s, it was also becoming better known outside of the Lakemont community. Evidence of the growth and the recognition are seen in the following events. The Boat Church Boathouse was completed in 1984, the first fireboat was active on the lake in 1985 and Gay Davidson organized the first ladies Lake Brunch later known as Lunch Bunch in 1988. That same year the Thanksgiving Gathering had grown so large that it moved to Glen–Ella Springs and was hosted by owners Barrie and Bobby Aycock. Winnie Brown, Spring Asher and Tom Asher were instrumental in the publication of the LRA Cookbook entitled Lake Rabun Days in 1988. In the late 1980s a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie, Decoration Day, starring James Garner, was filmed at the lake home of Marilyn McNeely. In addition, Ben Noble, Jr. and Olin Jackson co-authored an article on Lakemont for the North Georgia History magazine and released their book, Take to the Hills: Lakemont, GA: The Early Years in 1989.
1990's
In 1991 the first annual Appreciation Award was implemented and presented to Stuart Witham. It was named the “Whippoorwill” after Stuart Witham’s boat and a carving of a whippoorwill was created by Norwood Griffin. Each year, a replica of the original carving is presented to the recipient. The award is given to an LRA member who has shown a spirit of volunteerism and demonstrated his or her love for Lake Rabun by many years of service to and involvement in lake activities, and not necessarily been recognized for his/her contributions. A list of recipients is in this directory.
Mary Evans was elected the first female President of the Association in 1990. During that year, the LRA persuaded the US Forest Service to put a moratorium on clear cutting of forestlands near the lake. Also, Elaine Hughes and Frank Smith spent hours driving around the lake, both in cars and boats, to update the membership roster for the upgraded LRA map. In 1990, LRA membership exceeded 300 for the first time.
A new fund raiser for the Lake Rabun Fund was added in 1993. The first annual Tour of Homes was held with Ann Webb as chairman and lots of member volunteers. After several years of playing with the timing of the Tour, sometimes doing both the Tour and the Flea Market in the same summer, the decision was made to begin alternating the Flea Market and the Tour of Homes on Father’s Day weekend in 1999 – 2000.
The impact of technology emerges onto the lake scene in the mid-1990s. George and John Pope computerized the list of members to be used for the LRA directory and Betty Moore began the Lake Rabun Waves newsletter in 1995 .
In 1995, proceeds from the ever growing annual Flea Market allowed the Lakemont-Wiley Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a state of the art fireboat, setting a model for lake community fire and rescue services. The Flea Market netted over $30,000 in 1996, so in 1997 the Lakemont-Wiley Volunteer Fire Department installed twenty-two standpipes in strategically marked locations covering the lake. Several LRA members installed private standpipes as well. The installation of the standpipe system enhanced the ability to fight fires.
In 1997, the Lake Rabun Association celebrated its 25th Anniversary Celebration in conjunction with the Glen–Ella Springs 10th Anniversary. Tables with green checked tablecloths and flowers dotted the meadow and a beautiful buffet of food was served on the decks.
In 1999, Betty Moore worked closely with Barry McWhirter and the Jet Ski committee he had formed in 1998, to address the member concerns regarding Personal Watercraft and Water Safety on the Lake. A successful program was set up to support the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with funds for additional personnel in an effort to be visible more often on the Lake.
Also, in 1999, the Articles of Incorporation were restructured to bring the LRA into conformance with actions of the association, thereby making the Lake Rabun Association, Inc. a 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organization. The Lake Rabun Fund continued as a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.
The problem of trash had long been an issue for lake residents and 1999 saw two improvements. The Adopt-A-Highway clean-up program that began with Lake Rabun Road was expanded to include Old Hwy. 441; however, the greatest accomplishment related to the problem of household garbage. Joe Hamilton worked with the County Commissioners to get approval for the construction of a trash/recycle center off Hwy. 441 just north of Tallulah Falls. Many LRA members affectionately refer to this center as “The Joe”.
2000's
As the LRA moved into the new millennium, lake residents again faced the issue of Property Tax Assessments and subsequent increases – the last reassessment having been done in 1990. The key difference this time was Georgia Power’s decision to begin passing property taxes on to leaseholders.
At that time, LRA had 491 members and a successful new party tradition of Pickin’ & Grinnin’ was begun at Fred’s Shed on Labor Day Weekend coordinated by Betsy Bairstow Morse. The Lake Rabun Fund expanded its philanthropy beyond worthy Rabun County Student College Scholarships. Funds were provided for projects such as: F.A.I.T.H., Rabun County Humane Society, Rabun County Library, Foxfire, Courthouse Landscape Beautification, Lakemont-Wiley Volunteer Fire Department, the Food Bank, the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences and many other charitable needs in the community.
In 2001, President Carol Raeber worked to implement Libby Mathews’ idea of installing Memorial Plaques at Hall’s Boathouse to honor deceased members of the LRA and/or their immediate family members. Carol has continued to be the contact person for this popular project that honors many of Lake Rabun’s most dedicated citizens.
LRA continued its move into the world of technology in 2003, when Alan Price coordinated with John King to establish the LRA website – lakerabun.org. In addition, DSL internet service was brought to the lake and some members were able to take advantage of the flexibility to telecommute with their jobs .
Another wonderful Lake Rabun cookbook was published in 2003 with Betsy Bairstow Morse & Nancy Pruitt as co-chairs. Lake Rabun Dockside Delights cookbook featured wonderful recipes, Bruce Schnaak’s boathouse photography and the beautiful artwork of Libby Mathews.
In 2004, property containing an old house behind historic Hall’s Boathouse was purchased by business men who wanted to build a dry stacked, boat storage facility. Neighbors and others on the lake were opposed and a zoning fight was imminent. The LRA officers: Alan Price, Dave Cowan, Rick Asbill, Kirk Knous, and Thad Warren discussed the situation and Thad threw out the idea that LRA acquire the land to construct a meeting place for the Association. They established a Pavilion Committee of ten people to investigate the possibilities.
In 2004-2005, President Rick Asbill, working with the Officers and Trustees, the owners of Hall’s Marina, and the Pavilion Committee, coordinated the establishment of the Pavilion Project to acquire the land and build a new pavilion for use by the Rabun County community. Rick was very instrumental in putting together a unique ownership capability for the pavilion in conjunction with the North Georgia Community Foundation, so the donations would be tax deductible. As an attorney, he was also involved in the development of the supporting legal structure. Thad Warren was involved with the building facility — overseeing the design, meeting with the architects and interviewing the builders. Kirk Knous was the finance and organization man .
During 2005-2006, President Kirk Knous led the Pavilion Committee in its fund raising and building activities for the new pavilion. The Pavilion was completed in 2006 and the inaugural event was the BBQ dinner during the July 4th weekend with over 700 people.
In 2007 change was on the horizon. A new bridge was built below Seed Dam and LRA members were able to fully utilize the Pavilion to enhance many of the traditional activities and establish some new ones. In addition to all the traditional July 4th activities, Sandy O’Brien established a new fund raiser and family event – The Rabun Ramble Road Race. That year, laminated Boating Safety Bulletins were provided to be posted in each member’s boathouse, updated lake maps were printed and new LRA identification discs were distributed. In 2007 LRA had over 500 members .
By 2008, LRA was about $50,000 short of paying off the million dollar debt for the new pavilion so a plan was hatched for the Memorial Day General Meeting. It was announced that the mortgage burning would take place – but they needed a few more commitments to pay the final balance. Plants in the audience started the challenge, the remaining dollars were raised, and the “ceremonial mortgage was burned”.
Also in 2008, Bob Voyles and Annie Westermann worked together to advance the restoration of downtown Lakemont. In addition, as president, Bob instituted the Beach Music Weekend, a wonderful new tradition that brings all ages together for dancing and singing.
Advancing the scope of communication within our membership was a focus during 2008-2009. President Nan Troutman worked with John King to upgrade the LRA website. The same year, James Jernigan and Craig Kettles spearheaded an on-line membership survey that was completed by 76% of the members. The survey results showed that 96% of the members receive LRA emails and there was strong approval and support for Boater Safety classes, CPR/First Aid classes, and LRA sponsored social events. Furthermore, communication was enhanced with an improved LRA directory under the leadership of Warner Veal who took over the production of the directory with Felicia Lease and Clay Battle.
Other special events occurred in 2009. Lakemont University (LU) was established by John King and Professor Emeritus Dr. Lea Richmond. Three programs were offered during LU’s first year: “Astronomy at the Lake”, “The Geology of Northeast Georgia”, and “Snakes and Other Neighbors”. Lakemont University was established to get lake residents together each summer for interesting programs related to the lake environment.
In 2009 members also began to learn about a threat to our environment – the hemlock woolly adelgid – that was killing the native hemlock trees. Bob Pledger began providing information for members and started a program to train LRA hemlock facilitators who in turn helped their lake neighbors treat their trees. Volunteers had to become mountain goats on steep terrain in November 2011 and March 2012 when they treated a large stretch of hemlock trees in the narrows. Buz Stone and his dedicated LRA volunteers gathered again in 2014 to complete a second treatment.
2010's
During the winter of 2009–2010, Rabun County faced a terrible economic recession and a brutal winter. LRA and its members raised over $20,000 for Rabun County family assistance which included things like heaters, blankets, and food. That summer was marked by a renewed focus on boating safety. The Boating Safety Committee led by Ridley Williams did an outstanding job promoting safety through communications and training programs and developed and executed a “fireworks plan” for an orderly departure from the July 4th fireworks display.
In 2010-2011 LRA continued to give to those less fortunate. The Labor Day meeting started with a “Food 2 Kids” effort that gathered food items and money to support the local program to help insure children have food for the weekends. An entire boat was filled with nonperishable food items for these needy children.
LRA celebrated the Lake Rabun Foundation (LRF) passing the one million dollar mark in providing scholarships and charitable assistance in Rabun County in 2011. Under the careful stewardship of Buz Stone, the Lake Rabun Foundation grew from providing a single scholarship in 1987 to awarding 8 scholarships in 2012. Going forward LRF will be providing over $50,000 each year to Rabun County students in scholarship assistance. Having reached that milestone, Buz announced his intention to retire in 2012. Steve Raeber agreed to serve as Associate Director for one year and then take the reins as Executive Director of the Foundation from Buz.
At the Labor Day General Meeting, Buz Stone was honored for his 25 years of service to the Foundation. Lisa Longino led a group of LRA members in a quiet effort to create a fund to honor him. Thanks to the generous response from hundreds of LRA members $77,000 was raised to endow the annual presentation of THE BUZ STONE “LAKE RABUN CARES” AWARD. The first recipient of the award was Buz, himself, who directed the $2500 award to Foxfire.
In 2012 the LRA fiscal year was changed to a traditional calendar year and Bob Pledger completed the conversion of the financials to a QuickBooks financial structure compliant with the requirements for non-profit tax reporting. Anita Pittman, LRA member and certified CPA, assisted Bob in this transition and then volunteered in 2014 to take on the role of bookkeeper for the association. This “first” for the association insures the on-going accuracy and consistency of the LRA financials and tax reporting .
Other technology transitions also occurred at this time. John King was recognized for the development of LRA’s first website and 15 years of managing the service. Tim and Veanne Smith and their company, SolTech, took the website to the next level by developing, implementing and servicing the new LRA website which came on line in early 2013. More technology advances were realized when Al Battle oversaw the installation of DSL at the Pavilion. This feature allowed people to conveniently charge goods and services at the Pavilion.
Lake residents living in the Narrows were delighted when Rabun Beach Grocery and Marina was acquired by Rabun Boathouse LLC (aka Hall’s Boathouse) in 2013. Plans included building six boat slips, remodeling the store and once again selling gas at that end of the lake.
The Pavilion saw its first Lake Rabun Drama Camp and performance the summer of 2013. This same summer the lake community celebrated a milestone reached when the 100th student from Rabun County was awarded an LRA scholarship. A new program of named scholarships was begun this year, which are fully described on the LRA website.
Under the leadership of Bob Voyles the planning for the Centennial Celebration accelerated in 2014. Stories and pictures were collected, inventoried, and formatted to bring to life the history of the lake in a Commemorative Book to be unveiled in 2015. In conjunction with the book, forty people were videoed to record days gone by in the words of people who lived them. A compilation of these stories is being produced in a Centennial DVD. As a salute to the upcoming 2015 centennial celebration, six historic homes were selected for the 2014 Tour of Homes and a teaser preview of the DVD was shown at the kick-off of the tour .
As a result of added activities for the general membership, 2014 dues were increased from $200 to $250. Past history indicates that dues were $125 through 2006 and were increased to $200 in 2007.
In early 2014 a project was started to replace the 16 bottom hinged, steel framed, wooded spillway gates at Mathis Dam with pneumatic operated steel gates. Using temporary bulkheads, so as not to impact lake elevations, each gate was removed and new hinge mechanisms were installed prior to setting large rubber bladders and new steel gates. Work is estimated to be completed by May 2015.
Under the leadership of Bob Voyles, planning for the Centennial Celebration accelerated in 2014. Stories and pictures were collected, inventoried, and formatted to bring to life the history of the lake in a Commemorative Book. In conjunction with the book, a DVD was created by interviewing forty people to record days gone by in the words of people who lived them. As a salute to the upcoming 2015 Centennial Celebration, six historic homes were selected for the 2014 Tour of Homes.
2015 – Lake Rabun Celebrated 100 years! The Centennial Celebrations began in May2015, with two special dinners held at the Pavilion. The first dinner honored the local community leaders, plus the Georgia Power Company, and the second dinner honored all the LRA Presidents. On Memorial Day weekend the Centennial DVD was available for purchase and the Lake Rabun Photo Contest neared completion. On Father’s Day Weekend there was a Centennial Birthday Party for children of all ages at the Pavilion and a wooden boat show/display with great boat rides at Hall’s. That evening the special event was an art auction, cocktail party, and dancing. The month of July featured an enhanced Fireworks display and spectacular Wooden Boat parade with boats flying the new Centennial Lake Rabun banner. Finally, the spectacular Lake Rabun Centennial book – Georgia’s Lake Como –arrived in the fall.
In 2016 at the Labor Day Meeting, Bob Pledger, Chair of the Lakemont-Wiley Volunteer Fire Department Committee, announced that our existing fireboat, purchased in 1998, had problems. One of the 21-year-old outboard engines needed a new powerhead and the pump capacity of the fireboat was no longer in compliance with the ISO rating requirements. Fortunately, by the end of September, through the joint efforts of Station 4, Captain, John Murray and Ben McCracken at Rabun Boat House we had a replacement powerhead and the fireboat was back in service. However, a new ISO compliant fireboat was still needed, so a Capital Campaign was launched.
Simultaneously, Captain Murray began working with other County Fire Services Officials to gain their support and to develop the specifications for the properly outfitted new fireboat. The new boat was manufactured by Lake Assault Boats in Superior, Wisconsin. Phase Two of this project focused on ways to enhance fire protection for the upper end of the lake. It was initiated in 2016 by the LWVFD Committee and Captain Murray.
On Monday, August 21, 2017, Rabun County was the Solar Eclipse Capital of Georgia when the “Line of Totality” crossed Georgia’s NE corner. Alan Price was chair of the “Solar Eclipse Coordination Committee” for Rabun County. LRA members joined friends and family on their boathouses for a front row seat at this fabulous solar event.
In 2017, classes that taught the new CPR techniques were offered and an initiative was started to encourage AED’s to be installed at the Pavilion and at Hall’s Marina. In addition, Sandy Strong worked with the fire department to arrange for special AED pricing in 2018, and lake residents were encouraged to purchase AED’s and let surrounding residents know of its availability.
Sunday morning, April 29, 2017, the call came that the new fireboat that was being trailered down from Wisconsin, was close by, and would be heading down Lake Rabun Road to be launched at Hall’s Marina within the hour. The Lakemont-Wiley Fire Department Squad truck with Lt. Bonnie Flick and Chris Wright led the fireboat in with lights flashing, siren activated, and Lake Rabun residents cheering along the road. Once the boat was launched, Captain John Murray climbed over every inch of the fireboat checking out the boat and its equipment. During the following days, the LWVFD firefighters received training on the new fireboat. The boat was christened following the Memorial Day Meeting on May 28, 2017.
In 2018, the first Whippoorsnapper Award was presented at the Labor Day Meeting to recognize and encourage the contributions and volunteer efforts to the Lake Rabun Community by a deserving young person. The award was fashioned after the Whippoorwill Award, and gives credit to younger LRA members that are volunteering at the lake. Forrest Kennedy was the first recipient of this award.
The beautiful new Lake Rabun cookbook, Gatherings at Lake Rabun, was released in conjunction with the Tour of Homes in 2018. After LRA members spent countless hours submitting, testing and tasting recipes, Mary Boland, Publisher and Editor, created the layout for this wonderful collection of favorite recipes that celebrate family ties and friendships.
On October 29, 2018 the North Georgia Community Foundation (NGCF) honored the Lake Rabun Foundation and Chris Clay at their Celebration of Community event held at the Dillard House in Dillard, Georgia. This marked the first time that NGCF’s annual celebration of philanthropy was held outside of the Gainesville area. The Woodrow Stewart Leadership in Philanthropy Award was presented to the Lake Rabun Foundation. Accepting on behalf of the Foundation was Steve Raeber, Executive Director and Buz Stone, Director Emeritus. Caroline Wallace, Executive Director of F.A.I.T.H. spoke on the effect that the Lake Rabun Foundation has had on non-profits in Rabun County and Sherrie Stockton, Rabun County High School Counselor, shared stories and played video testimonials from several Lake Rabun Scholarship students. Additional scholarship students and representatives of non-profits were recognized in the audience.
In addition, Lake Rabun member, Chris Clay, was awarded the Gus Whalen Young Philanthropist Award at the NGCF Celebration of Community. Chris’s generosity has included sponsoring a Golf Tournament and donating the funds raised to help the Little League and Recreation Department, waving his normal fee when he built the Lake Rabun Pavilion and the Lake Burton Grocery, and supporting Habitat for Humanity.
For about two decades (from the 80s to the early 2000s) Dr. Jim Funk took on the responsibility of testing our lake water for e-coli to make sure it was clean and healthy. Dick Simms took over this role in 2019 and sent his first sample to UGA that June. The results were excellent. Testing is done in multiple locations. Areas of concern include old septic tanks, densely populated areas and landscaping where chemicals are used.
2020's
The year 2020 was an unusual year. The Covid-19 Pandemic changed the world and life on Lake Rabun. Scholarship interviews were held using Zoom and the students were introduced to LRA members in an eblast, instead of getting to meet the members at the Memorial Day Meeting. The officers of the Lake Rabun Association faced decisions that had no precedence. To protect the members they had to cancel all large, in person events and parties. Creativity was used to preserve some outdoor, small group activities. Sandy Strong found an innovative way to hold a virtual Rabun Ramble with folks signing up for the race and running on their own. T-shirts were distributed at Hall’s Boat House on the honor system. The Wooden Boat parade was still held since individual family/friend pods could ride in the same boat together. Wanda Gray modified the routine for the ladies kayaking group and had everyone bring their own water and lunch so they could meet and kayak together. Labor Day weekend the Whippoorwill group and some of the LRA officers, wore masks and social distanced at the Pavilion so they could announce and honor the winners of the Whippoorwill award and the Buz Stone Lake Rabun Cares award. Each family searched for ways they could safely see their friends and family. Factors like age of the individuals, numbers of people, ventilation, length of time, and size of interior spaces, made each families’ solutions unique. Regardless of the paths that each family took, they all agreed that they were lucky to be at Lake Rabun.
Despite the challenges of Covid19, the LRA officers and the Lake Rabun Community worked together to protect the Lake community, to continue to support charitable organizations in Rabun County, and to maintain fellowship among the members.
