The Doyle Family Clan (Photo provided)

To the editor:

My family and I have just returned home after visiting and participating in our third Willard Hanmer Guideboat and Canoe Race (2022-2024). This Saranac Lake community event linked to the Fourth of July weekend is a unique time for me to come back and visit family and old friends. I remembered the early 1960s guide boat races; later on in the 1980s and 1990s witnessed my younger brother Tim get involved with guide boats as a builder, racer and promoter.

Coming back in 2022 was a memorable event for our family to celebrate with that year race dedicated to Tim.

In honoring Tim’s desire to make the guide boat and canoe races fun for everybody in the community, this year, seven Doyle family members participated in the guide boat competition categories and 13 in the other categories. Three family generations from Washington state, Idaho and Massachusetts joined local family members to share in this fun event (family photo at the race finish included).

Hats off to the lead race officials, Sue and Kathy Dyer, and their all volunteer race crew for planning and implementing this event. Besides the race itself, this group of volunteers hosted the guide boat exhibit in the Hotel Saranac over the long holiday weekend. This was a great place for me to observe guide boat design and construction and to meet old neighborhood and school friends I hadn’t seen in 40-50 years.

The Willard Hanmer Guideboat and Canoe Race event is a very special and unique event for the community on par with the fabled Winter Carnival. The Doyle Family Clan will be back in 2025 to enjoy and participate in this fun and meaningful event.

Jim Doyle

Bellevue, Washington