Take the Lake / Labor Day Swim Registry

To contribute information, contact Mark Gilchrist: click here

 

Picture
2010: Route: Dam to McNeill pier (39 complete the swim*)
Conditions: Choppy. Light wind came from the E-NE most of the way, and light clouds kept the sun off safety guides. *Includes two men who swam the weekend prior in a pilot for a possible one-day “extreme” event with all four PECs.

At left, Austin Hanson Takes the Lake by water in 2010
  1. Missy Anderson (Sanford)
  2. Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
  3. Whitney Burk (Lake Waccamaw)
  4. Brandon Carter (Lake Waccamaw)
  5. Stanley Carter (Lake Waccamaw)
  6. Shawn Duncan (Hallsboro)
  7. Nicole Ferguson (Wilmington)
  8. Elizabeth Flynt (Apex)
  9. * Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville, swam Aug. 28)
  10. Kevin Glenn (Charlotte)
  11. * Brett Gore (Whiteville, swam Aug. 28)
  12. Coke Gray (Whiteville)
  13. Austin Hanson (Hampstead)
  14. Dana Mauldin (Shallotte)
  15. Jenny Michal (Wilmington)
  16. Julie Nesbit (Wilmington)
  17. Louie Nye (Lake Waccamaw)
  18. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  19. Madison Parker (Whiteville)
  20. Hunter Parsons (Charlotte)
  21. Joe Plasky (Kinston)
  22. Anne Powell
  23. Coburn Powell (Whiteville)
  24. John Rix (Raleigh)
  25. Council Rix (Raleigh)
  26. Ajay Sadey (Wilmington)
  27. David Schultz
  28. Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
  29. Bill Sessoms (Wilmington)
  30. Mary Smith (Wilmington)
  31. Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
  32. Taylor Ann Smith (Spartanburg)
  33. Ginger Spansel (Sunset Beach)
  34. Matt Stephens (Wilmington)
  35. Alicia Uhl (Wilmington)
  36. George Vlahos
  37. Kacie Wallace (Durham)
  38. Whitney Wells (Morrisville)
  39. Natalee Whitaker (Wilmington)


Picture
To celebrate the first official year of Take the Lake, 38 veteran Labor Day Swimmers gathered at the McNeill pier on the Friday evening before the big weekend in 2009.
2009: Route: Dale’s to Dam (28 complete the swim)
This is the first year the Labor Day Swim becomes a part of Take the Lake
Conditions: Rough, with consistent wind out of the northeast, which improved speed slightly, but created heavy waves and pushed swimmers to western shore.
  1. Yoel Balter (Wilmington)
  2. Joseph Biebl (Whiteville)
  3. Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
  4. Cheryl Chauncey (High Point)
  5. Missy Cooper (Sanford)
  6. Mariah Cox (Raleigh)
  7. Rich Crutchfield (Greensboro)
  8. Matthew Davis (Durham)
  9. Gina Deans (Whiteville)
  10. Nicole Ferguson (Wilmington)
  11. Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
  12. Brett Gore (Whiteville)
  13. Kelly Hoffman (Whiteville)
  14. Diane Lauritsen (Mt. Pleasant)
  15. Meredith Mccormick (Lake Waccamaw)
  16. Sandy Mcneill (Whiteville)
  17. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  18. Joe Plasky (Kinston)
  19. Nichole Rodriguez (Belville)
  20. Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
  21. Bill Sessoms (Wilmington)
  22. Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
  23. Mary Smith (Nakina)
  24. Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
  25. Robert Troxler (Broadway)
  26. Michael Tutwiler (Whiteville)
  27. Jeremy Ward (Whiteville)
  28. Alex Watkins (Waxhaw)

- Also, Julie Stocks and Kay Pope swim as a team in the pilot year for the Silver Swim Relay, open to veteran Labor Day Lake Swimmers 55 and older.


2008: Route: Dale’s to Dam (7 swimmers)
  1. Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
  2. Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
  3. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  4. Mark Gilchrist (Whiteville)
  5. Andrew Powell (Whiteville)
  6. Samantha Lane (Whiteville)
  7. Diane Lauritsen


Information below was submitted by Walter Palmer
Except by otherwise referenced sources

2007: Route: Dale’s to Dam (11 swimmers)
  1. Janine Sellers (Whiteville)
  2. Russell Smith (Lake Waccamaw)
  3. Robbie Johnson (Lake Waccamaw)
  4. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  5. Daniel Thurston (Wilmington)
  6. Brett Gore (Whiteville)
  7. Michelle Mroczka (Raleigh)
  8. Brianna Johnston (Whiteville)
  9. Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
  10. Richard Guthrie (Wilmington)
  11. Joe Plasky (Kinston)


2006: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
  1. Anna Wayne – Double Crossing (per Marianne Wayne) (Wilmington)
  2. Courtney Steed (Lake Waccamaw)
  3. James Palmer (Hendersonville)
  4. Rachel Pence (Cleveland)
  5. Nancy Wayne Crabtree (Whiteville)
  6. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  7. Ashley Heath (Raleigh)
  8. Julie Stocks (Lake Waccamaw)


2005: Route: McNeill’s Pier to Dam (9 swimmers)
  1. Anna Wayne
  2. Sam Norris
  3. Jan Palmer
  4. Walter Palmer
  5. Kea Gray
  6. Allison Moore
  7. Charley McArthur
  8. John Triplett
  9. Joe Plasky


2004: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
  1. Sam Norris (Charleston SC)
  2. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  3. Ashleigh Heath Poling (Raleigh)
  4. Joe Plasky (Kinston)
  5. Dave Tiller (Raleigh)
  6. Blair Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
  7. Ken Stephens (Great Falls Vir.)
  8. 1 other not listed in paper


2003: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (6 swimmers)
  1. Eric Brandt (Lake Waccamaw)
  2. Walter Palmer (Whiteville)
  3. Jan Palmer (Whiteville)
  4. Ashleigh Heath (Raleigh)
  5. Joe Plasky (Kinston)
  6. NCSU Swim Team (Raleigh)


2002: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (17 swimmers)
  1. Charles Veronee
  2. Susan Bliss
  3. Jamie Doyle
  4. Rich Crutchfield
  5. Walter Palmer
  6. Samuel Norris
  7. Joe Plasky
  8. Grayson Harris
  9. Jayne Gore
  10. Justin Stepps
  11. Henry Stapp
  12. Seth Hoffman (NCSU) 92 minutes
  13. Claire Nicholls (NCSU)
  14. Chris Nixon (NCSU)
  15. Ben Humphrey (NCSU)
  16. Bill Booth (NCSU)
  17. Scott Rushfeldt (NCSU)


2001: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (11 swimmers*)
  1. Walter Palmer
  2. Beau Memory
  3. Sally Hewett
  4. Jayne Gore
  5. Joe Plasky
  6. Samuel Norris
  7. Lorraine Baur
  8. Eric Gagnaux
  9. Vince Patrick
* Plus 11 members of NCSU swim team
(1 other not listed in paper)


2000: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (12 swimmers)
  1. Lina Lawrence
  2. Nick Cook
  3. Larry Fowler
  4. Gary Shelby (triple crossing)
  5. Charles Veronee
  6. Walter Palmer
  7. Wes Gray
  8. Coburn Powell
  9. Ann Powell
  10. Joe Plasky
  11. Samuel Norris
(5 others not listed in paper)


1999: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
  1. Gary Shelby (triple-crossing)
  2. Patti Kirchoff
  3. Walter Palmer
  4. Joe Plasky
  5. Annie Lacks
  6. Robert McNeill
  7. Anna McNeill
  8. Bill Sessoms III (Source: B.S.)
(News Reporter did not list all participants)
1998: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
  1. Linda Lawrence
  2. Jasmine Gardiner
  3. James Palmer
  4. Walter Palmer
  5. Joe Plasky
  6. Heather Hooks
  7. Joseph Hooks
  8. Jean Thompson
  9. Chris Morgan Black


1997: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (18 swimmers)
  1. Gary Shelby (double-crossing)
  2. James Palmer
  3. Patti Kirchoff
  4. Russell Smith
  5. Walter Palmer
  6. Betsy Logan
  7. Bill Miller
  8. Mary Frances Burns McMillian
  9. J.B. Lee III (double-crossing)
  10. Elizabeth Lee (double-crossing)
  11. Julie Stocks
  12. Sandy McNeill
  13. Jenny McNeill
  14. Joe Plasky
  15. Diane Lauritsen
  16. Jean Thompson Stephens
  17. Chris Thompson Black
  18. Lina Lawrence (Youngest Swimmer)


1996: Route: Dale’s to Dam (14 swimmers)
  1. Scott Atkinson
  2. James Palmer
  3. Sally Logan
  4. Walter Palmer
  5. Mary Frances Burns McMillan
  6. Betsy Logan
  7. Mary Bennon Gray
  8. Daniel Miller
  9. Ashleigh Heath
  10. Leslie Picklesimer
  11. Joe Plasky
  12. Russell Smith
  13. Lauren Gillam
  14. Mary Elizabeth Runyon


1995: Route: Dale’s to Dam (15 swimmers)
  1. Scott Atkinson
  2. Brandon Stocks
  3. Stephen Yodersmith
  4. James Palmer
  5. Trevor Mickey
  6. Walter Palmer
  7. Russell Smith
  8. Helen Yodersmith
  9. Anna Hurd
  10. Joe Plasky
  11. Katy Simmons
  12. Julie Stocks
  13. Elizabeth Lee
  14. J.B. Lee III
  15. Faith Gladden


1994: Route: Dale’s to Dam (13 swimmers)
  1. Jennifer Everson
  2. Scott Atkinson
  3. Brandon Stocks
  4. Heather Garrell
  5. James Palmer
  6. Walter Palmer
  7. Julie Stocks
  8. Stephen Yodersmith
  9. Helen Yodersmith
  10. Jason Everson
  11. Jenny Stallings
  12. Joe Plasky
  13. Anna Hurd


1993: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
  1. Jason Everson
  2. Brandon Stocks
  3. Scott Atkinson
  4. Bruce Shell
  5. James Palmer
  6. Walter Palmer
  7. Nancy Wayne
  8. Russell Smith
  9. Betsy Logan
  10. Jenny Stallings
  11. Anna S. Hurd
  12. Joe Plasky
  13. Ashleigh Heath
  14. Benjamin Ward
  15. Billy Chatham
  16. Julie Stocks
  17. Byrne Stocks
  18. Lisa Greer
  19. Stephen Yodersmith
  20. Helen Yodersmith


1992: Route: Dale’s to Dam (22 swimmers)
  1. Andrei Belyi
  2. Scott Atkinson
  3. Brandon Stocks
  4. James Palmer
  5. Walter Palmer
  6. Nancy Wayne
  7. Jenny Stallings
  8. Julie Stocks
  9. Stephen Yodersmith
  10. Helen Yodersmith
  11. Caroline Powell (now Veronee)
  12. Eric Brandt
  13. Vickie Williamson
  14. Anna Hurd
  15. Joe Plasky
  16. Ronnie Bradshaw
  17. Gail Crutchfield
  18. Lisa Greer
  19. Abby Nicholson
  20. Jessica Hatch
  21. Karen Hatch
  22. Victoria Hatch


1991: Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
  1. Andrei Belyi
  2. Brandon Stocks
  3. Linda Reisz
  4. James Palmer
  5. Walter Palmer
  6. Jennifer Logan
  7. Betsy Logan
  8. Ginger Stocks
  9. Joe Plasky
  10. Russell Smith
  11. Martin Scott
  12. Ronny Bradshaw
  13. Ralph Powell
  14. George Floyd
  15. Elizabeth Harrelson
  16. Anna Hurd
  17. Sandy McNeill
  18. Julie Stocks
  19. Mary Bennon Gray
  20. Helen Yodersmith


1990: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (20 swimmers)
  1. Bob Houseman
  2. Stephanie Tadlock
  3. Brandon Stocks
  4. Linda Reisz
  5. Robert Monds
  6. Sally Hewett
  7. Susan Shelley
  8. Brianna Johnston
  9. Mark Nicholson
  10. Brett Gore
  11. Sandy McNeill
  12. Joe Plasky
  13. Ginger Stocks
  14. Ashleigh Heath
  15. Karen Hatch
  16. Chris Allen
  17. Russell Smith
  18. Jim Overton
  19. Walter Palmer
  20. James Palmer


1989: Route: Big Creek to McNeill’s Pier (13 swimmers)
  1. Linda Reisz
  2. Jim Overton
  3. Robert Creech
  4. Martin Scott
  5. Coke Gray
  6. Lisa Greer
  7. Brandon Suggs
  8. Walter Palmer
  9. James Palmer
  10. Anna Vick
  11. Ben Holt
  12. Russell Smith
  13. Joe Plasky


1988: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (9 swimmers)
  1. Julie Stocks
  2. Jennie Stocks
  3. Ralph Powell
  4. Joe Plasky
  5. Gil Vick
  6. Robert Creech
  7. Walter Palmer
  8. James Palmer
  9. Russell Smith


1987: Route: Dam to McNeill’s Pier (8 swimmers)
  1. Linda Riesz
  2. Robert Creech
  3. Ben Holt
  4. Joe Plasky
  5. Dan Joye
  6. Diana Lauritsen
  7. Walter Palmer
  8. James Palmer


1986: Route: Scott’s Pier to Dupree Landing (10 swimmers)
  1. Linda Reisz
  2. Brent Young
  3. Donnie Peacock
  4. Beverly Beck
  5. Al Ball
  6. Joel Holt
  7. Beth Holt
  8. James Palmer
  9. Walter Palmer
  10. Brian Nicholson


1985: Route: Dam to McNeill’s pier (26 swimmers?)
  1. Russell Smith Source: R. Smith
  2. Elizabeth Harrelson
  3. Lucy Lytton – she swam the lake soon after Lundy Lytton was born. Walter Palmer was in the boat and watched his aunt swim. I think he has swum the lake every year since. Source: Rome G Lytton.


1984: Route:
  1. Caroline Powell (Now Veronee) Source: E. Flynt

1982: Route:
  1. Elizabeth Powell (Now Flynt) Source: E. Flynt
  2. Caroline Powell (Now Veronee)
  3. Diane Lauritsen


1981: September 5
  1. Kaye Thurston (now Pope) Source: DM
  2. Pickett Council – (I’m guessing it was because only one of my medals was inscribed with my name and date). Youth is wasted on the young – I had planned to swim the lake again. Not quite sure why; I guess just because, but very wisely decided that it would be OK to go out the night before. After a VERY late night, I woke up early for The Big Swim and felt like I had stayed out way too late, I might add. But physical exertion works wonders, because by the time I finished the swim I felt fine. Again, we set out on the dam side. My friend Teresa Williamson (now Teresa Williamson Morgan) rode in the boat with Daddy and Dotty. She had been my partner in crime the night before. As a result of Daddy quizzing her about our whereabouts the night before, what time we got home, etc., she actually jumped in the water and swam some to escape Jack’s Inquisition! Source: Pickett Council
  3. Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen


1980:
  1. Lee J. Greer Sr. (37th swim) Source: The NR
  2. Rick Sessions – “I swam the lake in 1980, the only time I’ve done it. As I recall, the first one to finish that year was a guy who worked for one of the banks in Whiteville, named Louis Tudor, I think. I was the 2nd to finish, in a time of, as I recall, 2 hours and 10 minutes. I’m afraid I don’t remember who else swam that year.”
  3. Diane Lauritsen Source: D. Lauritsen
  4. Sheri Davenport McCleney (Late) Source: R. Smith

1978: September 4
  1. Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee)
  2. Pickett Council – Caroline Powell (now Caroline Powell Veronee) and I, best friends all our lives, decided to swim the lake together. We “rained” by swimming it ahead of time! Her parents’ boat (I can’t remember if Monty drove or if Annette did that day…) accompanied us, and we set out on the dam side. We swam it with basically no problems, so we felt confident for the official swim. Is youth wasted on the young, or what?!?! When Labor Day arrived, we were instructed to begin on the “town” side of the lake. Rough waves forced Mr. Greer to change gears, though, and all swimmers packed up and drove / rode to the dam side. So the swim got started a bit later than planned but it wasn’t called off (however it was discussed, given the winds). It was VERY rough!!! But we persevered, Caroline accompanied by her boat and Daddy (Jack) in our boat accompanying me. Source: Pickett Council


1976:
Swim is conducted on the Fourth of July as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. They had considered starting at 1 p.m., but decided on a 9 a.m. start to avoid afternoon weather. Below is the coverage in The News Reporter.
  1. Jane Kratochvil, 15, Goldsboro, 2:10
  2. Karen Valetine, 14, Mill Valley, CA, 2:39
  3. Deborah Swarts, 14, Wilmington
  4. Michael Basinger, 14, Elizabethtown
  5. Mark Hoffman, 16, Lake Waccamaw
  6. Randolph Straugh, 13, Whiteville
  7. Robbie Lee, 12, Whiteville
  8. J.B. Lee III, 22, Whiteville
  9. Valerie Swarts, 11, Wilmington
  10. Ralph Melville, 15, Lake Waccamaw
  11. Judy Bowen, 30, Whiteville
  12. Jimmy Pierce, 17, Evergreen
  13. Greg Wood, 17, Whiteville
  14. Jack Meares, 13, Fair Bluff
Picture
Picture
Picture

 

Picture
Maggie Will
1975:
The News Reporter proclaims this as the Eighth Annual Lake Waccamaw Labor Day Swim, which means it would have "officially" begun in 1967.
(14 swimmers)
Start at dam (at 9 a.m.) and swam to the "Boys & Girls Homes Pier"
  1. Michael Basinger, 13, Elizabethtown
  2. Wendell Boone, 14, Whiteville
  3. Jerry Glenn Dixon, 22, Benson
  4. Lisa Douglas, 14, Lake Waccamaw
  5. Melinda Edwards, 11, Whiteville
  6. Lesley Harvey, 14
  7. Nancy Harvey, 17
  8. Jane Kratochvil, 14, Goldsboro (left B&G Pier at 8:15 to become first female to swim both ways. Finished first leg in 1:54.)
  9. Kim Lewis, 10, Whiteville
  10. Jack Meares, 12, Fair Bluff
  11. Jeanette Nabell, 11, Wilmington
  12. Lisle Nabell, 15, Wilmington
  13. Mark Nabell, 14, Wilmington
  14. Maggie Will, 10, Whiteville - Will became a professional golfer with the LPGA for many years, and after living for some time on the east coast of Florida has returned to North Carolina to help coach golf for N.C. State (2010)

Picture
Picture

1974
SOURCE: Lee Creekmore
  1. - Joseph Richard Creekmore
  2. - Raymond Lee Creekmore Jr.


1973
SOURCE: Susan Joyner Murphy and The NR
“I pulled out an old News Reporter article from one of the years I swam the lake. I earned the Lee J Greer award two years. The article is from 1973 and mentions that 18 completed the swim that year. Of those, there is a photo of myself and three others. I also know an older brother of one of those in the photo also made the swim.

The participants’ names I know of are:”
  1. Susan Joyner
  2. Glenn Joyner
  3. Ricky Harris
  4. Dean Alsup
  5. Keith Alsup


1972 - September 4. Conditions "Rough"
  1. Susan Joyner
  2. Elizabeth Paige Whitley (now Walker) Age 10 (Born Nov. 23, 61) Is the "Second youngest girl to swim the lake"
Paige wanted to swim the previous year, but couldn’t. “I swam (in 1972) because (in 1971) we only had 2 boats, and since I was the youngest of the three, I had to wait. I was 10; I just missed being the youngest girl at the time! Our grandparents had a house on the lake. We spent lots of time there. We grew up in Wilson, NC. Our grandparents names: Fred and Eva Mae Stevens of Whiteville. Our parents names: Bill and Hilda Whitley of Wilson. Lynn now lives in Raleigh, NC (2009). John lives in Wilmington, NC (2009). I live in Hickory, NC (2009).

Picture
Certificates were awarded in 1972, with this one given to Elizabeth Paige Whitley.

1971
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
  1. Gretta Stanley (now Evans)
  2. Lynn Whitley (now Joyner) – Age 14
  3. John Whitley – Age 12


1970
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill
  1. Kathy Stanley (now Watkins)
  2. Mary McNeill (now Hooks)
  3. Teresa Duncan (now Andrews)
  4. Jenny Hammonds (now Morantz)
  5. Paula Sellers (now Bullock)
  6. Michelle Turner

Picture
John Council of Lake Waccamaw has listed the names of the swimmers he can remember in the above photograph: Front row, L-R. Steve Douglass, ?, Kathy Stanley (Watkins), ?, ?, John Council, Mary McNeill (Hooks), Chris Council, Michelle Turner, Jenny Hammonds (Marantz). Back row, L-R. Johnnie McNeill, Lee Greer, Rome Lytton, Teresa Duncan (Andrews) I believe, Matt Layman, ?, ?.

1966
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill and Jean Claire Gault
The first official "Lake Waccamaw Labor Day Swim?" See 1975
  1. Burlon Gault – Swam in August at age 10 and 7 months. Father, Frank Gault and Lee Greer escorted him. With this passage, Gault captured Bubba Greers title as the youngest swimmer.


1966
SOURCE: Deborah McNeill and Gean Claire Gault
  1. Burlon Gault – Swam in August at age 10 and 7 months. Father, Frank Gault and Lee Greer escorted him. With this passage, Gault captured Bubba Greers title as the youngest swimmer.


1960
  1. Lee Jackson (Bubba) Greer Jr. (Youngest to date at age 10) Source: The NR


1960
  1. Lee Jackson (Bubba) Greer Jr. (Youngest to date at age 10) Source: The NR


1953
SOURCE: The NR
  1. John Ward Jr.
  2. John “Billy” Cole, son of Willard Cole

Picture
Lee J. Greer, center, with John Cole, left, and John Ward Jr., right, after the two boys swam across Lake Waccamaw on an event that had them out after dark!
Picture
From left, Lee J. Greer, John Ward Jr., John Ward, Mary Cole, John Cole and Willard Cole. It is not known whether Greer swam or just coached the boys across the lake.

1951
  1. Paul “Paulie” Williamson Jr. of Whiteville, swam the lake at age 15, some time in August. His father, local car dealer Paul Williamson, took Pauli after the swim to the New York Cafe in downtown Whiteville and fed him a huge steak dinner. Paulie, so exhausted from the swim, finished the meal and went to sleep in the booth. (Bob High)


"I was reminded again of the history and significance of the roots to Columbus County agriculture our Labor Day Swim and Take the Lake has when Laura Greer Vick's husband told my husband that Mr. Lee Greer had started his swimming lessons because Columbus County led the state in farm pond drowning deaths." 
Ashleigh Heath Armstrong, Sept. 8, 2011


Picture