August 16, 2024 LGLC Honors Six at President’s Reception

Bolton Landing, NY – More than 120 people gathered at the Top of the World in Lake George as honored guests of the Lake George Land Conservancy’s (LGLC) 11th annual President’s Reception, Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

The evening included the presentation of the LGLC’s highest honors: the Apperson Society, and the Henry M. Rowan Conservation Award.

The LGLC’s Rowan Award is given annually to recognize exemplary individuals and organizations for their conservation efforts around Lake George, following the spirit of its namesake, Henry M. Rowan, who received the inaugural award in 2003.

This year’s Rowan Award was presented to Cornelia Van Dyck Wells, who is retiring from the LGLC in September after working for the LGLC for 18 years as its Finance and Office Manager. Mike Horn, the LGLC’s Executive Director, described Mrs. Wells as the “glue that keeps everything together in our organization.” She also has multi-generational ties to Lake George and its conservation. Her parents were very involved in organizations protecting the lake, and her daughter is a member of the LGLC’s NextGen Committee.

Mr. Rowan’s daughter, Ginny Rowan Smith, who is also a member of the LGLC Advisory Board and Director Emeritus, presented the evening’s award to Mrs. Wells.

Mrs. Smith said, “This year the award is particularly unusual because it’s being given to an individual who is on the staff of the Lake George Land Conservancy, who just happens to be retiring. But, this is not about that; this is recognizing a special individual for her commitment and her contribution to the Land Conservancy as it protects the land that protects Lake George, and she’s been a major part of that success.

“Behind every great organization is a great individual who holds it all together, through thick and thin. That individual is our own Cornelia Wells. Cornelia is kind-hearted, dependable, and is always willing to lend a hand to others when they need it. It truly is difficult to put into words what she has meant to this organization.”

In accepting the award, Mrs. Wells said, “It has been a privilege for me to work at the Land Conservancy, and I’m hoping that my being there helped to advance the mission — that’s been my goal, to protect the land that protects the lake. It is a lake I have loved all my life.”

Following the Rowan Award presentation, LGLC President Paul Bell introduced each of this year’s Apperson Society inductees.

Judy Larter, Marissa Mandel and Laren Johnson, and the Markel Corporation were each awarded a bronze medal, and the Margaret A. Darrin Charitable Trust received a gold medal.

LGLC Board President Paul Bell said, “Each of our Apperson honorees have in their unique ways moved our organization forward, placing our conservancy in a position to respond to land conservation opportunities throughout the Lake George basin. We are truly grateful for their generous and steadfast support. With their help our Apperson honorees have helped to keep the LGLC in a strong position to protect the land that protects the lake.”

The Apperson Society was created by the LGLC in honor of John Apperson’s passionate land conservation efforts for Lake George. To carry on Apperson’s vision of a wild and protected Lake George, Apperson Society members are individuals, families, foundations, or organizations that donate leadership gifts valuing $100,000 or greater to support land conservation in the Lake George watershed.

The LGLC thanks the Feeney Family of Top of the World, Kim Feeney London and Kevin London, for their gracious hospitality, and Lora and Craig Treiber for underwriting the President’s Reception each year.

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