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Loon center raffles unique Hornbeck canoe

This unique Hornbeck canoe, with a loon on each side, will be raffled by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. (Provided photo — Dan Way)

SARANAC LAKE — The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is raffling off a one-of-a-kind Hornbeck canoe.

Peter Hornbeck invited his fellow members of the League of Extraordinary Adirondack Gentlemen (LEAG) to build this special boat in August 2020 when, due to COVID-19 limitations, they were unable to go on their annual camping expedition. The boat is signed by each LEAG member and displays a loon on each side of the boat.

Hornbeck was a environmental advocate and an elementary school teacher by profession. He started building boats as a hobby in 1971 and eventually left teaching to devote himself full-time to the craft. For decades he built his small Kevlar canoes, enabling thousands of people to explore Adirondack waterways, where he also greatly enjoyed paddling. He unexpectedly passed away in December 2020, but his legacy of building lightweight canoes continues on, thanks to the dedicated staff of Hornbeck boats.

“We are extremely grateful to Pete and the LEAG members, including Dan Berggren, Tom Bessette, Tom Curley, Neal Estano, Mike Prescott, and Dr. Daniel Way, for building this fantastic canoe to help support our loon conservation efforts in the Adirondacks,” said Dr. Nina Schoch, ACLC’s Executive Director. “We hope people will help us honor Pete’s memory by making this raffle a huge success.”

Raffle tickets cost $20 each, or six for $100. To download a form to purchase raffle tickets, or to learn about and see photos of Hornbeck and of the boat being built, visit www.adkloon.org. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 518-354-8636.

Peter Hornbeck holds up a piece of fabric signed by members of the League of Extraordinary Adirondack Gentlemen who contributed to building a one-of-a-kind Hornbeck boat, which will be raffled by the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. The fabric list was installed into the boat’s hull. (Provided photo — Dan Way)

The winning ticket will be drawn on Oct. 10. Attendance is not required to win.

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation is a nonprofit organization based in Saranac Lake that conducts scientific research and educational programming to promote and inspire passion for the conservation of common loons in and beyond New York’s Adirondack Park.

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