MID-SUMMER 2008Newsletter of the Lake Rabun Association, Inc.Newsletter of the Lake Rabun Association, Inc.

Photo courtesy of Peter McIntosh

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Lake Members:

We have just had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. The BBQ was a tremendous success, as was the Rabun Ramble, the Boat Parade and the fireworks which were enjoyed by all! The purpose of this newsletter to our greater community is to remind folks of the remaining events on the lake this summer, as well as to focus our eyes on safety issues related to the lake.

Growing up in California, and having learned to swim at an early age, participating in swim team activities, as well as lifeguarding and teaching water safety instruction courses, water safety has always been a part of my second nature. When my children were young, the issue of wearing life vests in the boat, as well as restrictions on swimming and boating was not always well received by my kids. Having observed several near

fatal accidents involving water skiers and boaters on lakes in Southern California while a teenager, galvanized my concerns about boating safety. All that said, familiarity with conditions, coupled with the distraction of driving a boat, has caused “near misses” with me as a driver in recent years as certain areas of our lake have become more crowded with activity.

The tragic accident of several weeks ago in our cove occurred due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, and one which underscores the need for more careful precaution and vigilance by both swimmers and boaters alike. To that end, we hope that every family on the lake will take this occurrence as both a reminder of the potentially dangerous conditions that exist on the lake (particularly between swimmers and boaters), as well as an opportunity to sit down and talk to our children (whatever their age) and those who swim or operate our boats to remind them about the “ABC”’s of boating safety. In this newsletter there is a special reminder about safety, with the request that everyone take these reminders to heart. Please do it. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Bob VoylesPresidentLake Rabun Association

Lake Rabun Association 2

Beach Music DANcESaturday, August 2, 2008 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Pavilion Featuring The Dirk Howell Band from Athens, GA

Bring your best date, shagging dance steps, and the libation of your choice! No ticket required.

“If the proportion of people who stay late at a party is any indication of how successful a party is, then our party was a HUGE success.”Annita Hunt – Madison, Georgia

“The truth is, Dirk Howell will bend over backwards to please his audience…”Athens Daily News – Athens, GA

“They played at our daughter’s wedding at the Lake, and are the best beach music band I’ve heard since the “Reggie Sadler Review” at the Phi Delt House at University of Virginia in 1973”!Bob Voyles

Beach Music DANcE

3 Lake Rabun Association

REMAINING LRA EVENTS 2008

Lake Rabun CPR/AED/First Aid Class

For dates and times, please contact Michael Crowe at bigmountain@alltel.net

Saturday, July 26th N. Georgia Arts Guild Show

Pavilion

Saturday, August 2nd

LRA Beach Music PartyPavilion

Saturday, August 9th

BingoPavilion

Saturday, August 30th LRA Trustee Meeting

Pavilion

Saturday, August 30th

LRA Labor Day BBQPavilion

Sunday, August 31st LRA General Membership

Meeting Pavilion

Friday, November 28th Day After Thanksgiving

Community Dinner Pavilion

LRA Labor Day

BBQFeaturing the Dillard House

Saturday, August 30th from 6 – 10 p.m.

Music provided by The Mystery Band

(a 5-member dance band)Adults: $20.00

Children (under 12): $10.00

Reservations due by August 22nd (after that date the

cost will be $25.00/adult)Contact Nan Troutman at

nan@numail.org

For additional BoATING SAFETy INFoRMATIoN, call the Department of Natural Resources at 1.800.366.2661

or visit their website at www.gadnr.org.

Lake Rabun Association 4

officers and Trustees

2007 – 2008officersPresident ........................................ Bob VoylesVice President ...........................Nan TroutmanSecretary-Treasurer......................... Ron Hinson

TrusteesChairman ........................................ Kirk KnousVice Chairman ............................ Thad WarrenPavilion Chairman ............................ Rick Asbill

Clay Battle ................................................... (2)Wallace Bruce ............................................. (3)Lynda Green ............................................... (1)Kitty Hartley................................................. (3)Charlie Helms .............................................. (1)Lee Keeler ................................................... (1)Craig Kettles ................................................ (3)Lisa Longino ............................................... (2)Maggie Miley .............................................. (3)Joe Mims .................................................... (2)Mary Pat Monfort ........................................ (1)Pat Pittard ................................................... (2)Nancy Pruitt ................................................ (1)Janet Saltmarsh ........................................... (2)Dick Simms ................................................. (3)Mary Louise Stark ........................................ (3)Dick Stormont ............................................. (1)Myra Stromquist .......................................... (2)Warner Veal ................................................ (1)Ridley Williams ............................................ (3)Stuart C. Witham ......................................... (2)

*number in parentheses indicates years of service remaining

LRA Foundation ...............................Buz Stone

Lake Rabun Pavilion CommitteeRick Asbill – Chairman

Charlie Arp, Joe Hamilton, Kirk Knous,Carol Raeber, Buz Stone, Nan Troutman,

Bob Voyles, Thad Warren and Ann Webb

FOURTH OF JULY WEEKENDKudos go to Nan Troutman and the many volunteers who made the 4th of July 2008 weekend one of the best ever on the Lake! Beginning with a successful golf tournament on Thursday (the low net team winners for the event were Thad Warren, Sandy Bowen, Reid Freedman, and Steve Harris). This event was followed up on Friday evening by over 700 folks at the second annual Pavilion BBQ. This amounts to a 700% increase over the participant level at Fred’s Shed just four short years ago. Saturday morning’s Rabun Ramble hosted by Sandy and Miles O’Brien, also did extremely well, doubling the number of runners from last year

(over 475), raising over $10,000 for the Lake Rabun Association. Finally, one of the most beautiful fireworks shows ever on Saturday night, and a successful 30+ participants for the Boat Parade on Sunday capped off a great weekend. Thanks to Commodore Kirk Knous and his flotilla which helped make this holiday tradition a great success.

Thanks to Kathy Hamdy-Swink and Peter McIntosh for these 4th photos