That’s if Sue Dyer and her daughter Kathy (watch what you say, she’s an attorney) have anything to say about it –and they have everything to say about it, because they are the movers and the shakers behind the whole big deal.

Sue, the dynamic, long time executive director of the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce, is back in town, and now that dynamic duo is attending every civic and municipal meeting in the area to drum up support.

Sue and Kathy sent me a copy of the Enterprise story of July 6, 1965 about the races:

“The July Fourth weekend in Saranac Lake shaped up today as a busy one, full of activities watchers and doers.

“Howard Ellithorpe was decidedly enthusiastic about the entries in the Hanmer Boat Race. Race Chairman Tom Cantwell hurried over this morning with a list of entries (printed below).

“Plans were completed for the community picnic set for Sunday, to go hand and hand with the guideboat and canoe races. It again will be held at the Fish and Game Club field.

“The serving of the hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, beans and other barbecue fare, and beverages, will begin at 1 o’clock and continue until the tables are clear.

“The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club and the Fish and Game Club.

“Added fun features will be booths, games and other entertainment to keep the picnic goers happy during the race period.

“The boats and canoes will begin their competition at 1 o’clock also, setting out

from Baldwin Park on Lake Flower and skimming down Lake Flower, carrying across the Main Street Bridge and into the Saranac River to the Fish and Game Club grounds, site of the finish line. Prizes will be awarded at the picnic site immediately following the race.

“Food and beverages will be served by members of the Rotary. Tickets for the full dinner course are available, but a special a la carte table has been prepared this year for children and those who wish only certain items on the menu.

“As in past years, the Rotary and Fish and Game club members assure everyone of a good time, with all the proceeds going to the Matty League.

“In the guideboat race Tony Duprey winner of the 1964 event will be defending his title and aiming for the $100 prize award. He is sponsored by WNBZ Radio.

“Competing against him will be six other entries: Wayne McGinnis representing Baker Boat Landing; Glenn Corl sponsored by the Blue Line Sports Shop; James Bickford will race for Lusa’s Gifts; Eric Thompson for the Hathaway Boat Shop; James Latour for Casier Appliances and Bill Golden for the Cedar Post Restaurant.

“The following were announced for the Junior Canoeing: Terry Morgan and Robert Farrington; Tom Leonard and Peter Barton of North Creek and Paul Merkel and Randy Seifried.

“Canoe-Class C: Edgard Fletcher and Tony Mercurio, Tupper Lake; Ronald Wilson and Guy Little; James Pelkey and Glenn Arnold; James Betters and Barry DeFuria; Peter Martin and Martin Shubert.

“Also, Joseph Bascom and Frank Clark, Canton; Bruce Goetz and Terry Aubin; James Richer and Peter LaRocque, Tupper Lake; Michael Luce and Howard Riley.

“Jerry Mangles and Philip Duprey; Gerald LaFountain and James LaFountain; Tony Munn and Bruce McNamara; Steve Morgan and Bernie Kentile’

“Kayak Folboats; Carl W. Berry, Norwalk, Conn, and Alan McKibbon, Burlington, Vt.

“Juniors: Barry Cantwell and Bill Cantwell.

“Double Folboat; Gale Cantwell, Sue Cantwell and Nancy Griebsch.

“Mixed Canoes; John Deissler, Saranac Lake and Cindy Denson, Delmar, N.Y. the only entry.”

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Brief history of the races

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Following is an excerpt from my column of July 16, 2011. Read the entire history of the Hanmer races on page 22 of Volume II of my book,, “You Know What.” There! That ought to sell a few more copies.

“I wish I had the answer as to why the Willard J. Hanmer Memorial race, first run on July 4th, 1963, and hitting age 50 in 2013, is just hanging on for dear life.

“There are many answers, all of which are really guesses, not answers; so here are parts of an answer as reported in a ‘Play-by-Play’ column (1967) in The Enterprise, written by our pal and long-time sports editor of the Press Republican, Bob Goetz.

“The forthcoming fifth edition of the Willard Hanmer boat races will be a big success this year, and if anyone should be singled out for exceptional work above and beyond the call of duty, it would have to be Bill McLaughlin.

“Bill, as the prime means of promotion through the news media, is unsurpassed in serving the publicity needs of the Hanmer Regatta. Pay attention now. Publicity is a chief factor in the success of anything, whether business or entertainment.

“Without the proper advertisement the public is unaware. No one person, not even the competitors themselves, knows the rules, the course and the past history of the race better than Bill. It was his idea that established the races.”