1974 E.G. Sorsoleil
1975 Newton Castle
1976 Herbert M. Hill
1979 George Annand
1982 Karl Smither
1984 Marjorie Patterson
1998 Janet Willings
2000 Helen Ingerson
2002 Ed St. George
2005 John Weakley
2007 Michael Foley
Exceptional Service to LYRA
Like most volunteer staffed organizations, the Lake Yacht Racing Association has been fortunate over its long history with people who have unselfishly provided their time, experience and skill to help continue the mission of LYRA and give something back to the sport of sailing. Among the hundreds who have served as Officers, Committee Chairs and filled other volunteer needs, there have been some who have gone above and beyond the basic expectations of their tour of duty or what they were asked.
About 27 years ago, George Annand, then serving as LYRA Registrar, believed that a special award was needed to recognize those who provided extra and noteworthy service to the organization. Together with his home club of Queen City YC, George utilized a unique collection of LYRA Annual Regatta pins, donated by Mr. Blake VanWinkle, to create The Blake VanWinkle Trophy. It was presented by QCYC to LYRA in 1973.
As the deed of gift declares, the trophy is to be presented from time to time by the Officers of the LYRA to a member of the Association who has served LYRA with special distinction. This trophy is not to be awarded for sailing competition and it shall be awarded at the Annual Regatta.
From 1974 until 1984, the trophy was presented to 6 individuals who had served LYRA in a wide variety of capacities. For reasons unknown, the trophy slipped into obscurity and for the Officers serving the Association in the late 1980s and throughout most of the 1990s, the trophy and its purpose weren't even known about. Then, in 1998, Trophy Chairperson Marjorie Hare of National YC learned of its whereabouts, uncovered its purpose and was able to once again bring the trophy back into use for consideration.
With no hesitation, the LYRA Executive proudly chose to award the trophy in 1998 to National YCs Janet Willings for her over 15 years of visible service as LYRA Race Management Chair (in the years before host clubs assumed that responsibility at the annual Regattas), Vice President and then as President of LYRA, 1995-1996. In addition to her LYRA involvement, she was also very active in race management within the Canadian Yachting Association and trained many others in the conduct of races.
In 2000, the LYRA Officers again considered the award and easily arrived at another very worthy recipient - Helen Ingerson of the Rochester YC. Helen is widely known in both the local and national sailing scene and has distinguished herself in both. Nationally, she has served on the USSA Board and as Director of Area E. Within LYRA, she was Secretary, VP and then President from 1982-1983. Over the last 10 years or so, she has continued her service as the LYRA rep to USSA and most recently as our current Appeals Chairperson.
Edward St. George, of Sodus Bay Yacht Club, received the award in 2002. Ed was recognized for over 17 years of service to the Association, including Secretary, Treasurer, VP and then President, 1991-1992. Among other contributions, Ed co-chaired the historic 1990 Port-to-Port LYRA Regatta and led LYRA through a significant event format change after the poor turnout at the 1991 Regatta. Since then, he's continued to remain active, helping in a variety of ways, including creation of the LYRA Boat of the Year award and its rules in 1995, Trophy Chairperson 2000-2002, Officer Nominating Committee and general advisor. In addition, for his home club, he was the Co-Chair of the 1993 LYRA Regatta at SBYC and then chaired the Regatta when SBYC again hosted in 2000.
John Weakley from Port Credit Yacht Club was the 2006 recipient of this honor. John has been a fixture on LYRA race coursed over the years. He has been instrumental in the development of the NOR and sailing instuctions over the years. John also began the first LYRA website in order to inprove communications between clubs.
Michael Foley, of Sodus Bay Yacht Club recieved this award in 2007. Michael was recognized for service over the last 9 years as Vice President and eventually President from 2004-2006. Mike has been instumental in developing LYRA on the web and has developed many of the regatta programs and yearbooks. Mike continues to remain active on the LYRA Executive committee as webmaster.
LYRA and its sailors and member clubs have indeed benefited from the extraordinary service of those who have been honored to date with this special award – the Blake Van Winkle Trophy
