HAMBURG, N.Y., – February 28, 2020 – Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York Inc. (SWA) (www.southtownswalleye.com) held its annual Harry A. Smith installation dinner for its Officers and Board of Directors. The organization which boasts over 1,000 members annually supports kids fishing, philanthropic and conservation programs for the Great Lakes region and was instrumental in pushing for the removal of gill netting on Lake Erie, helping to make it the great fishery it is today.
This year’s event took place on February 15, 2020 at Lucarelli’s Banquet Facility located in Lackawanna, NY for the official swearing in of its newly elected officers and board members. It also recognizes various members of the community and the club for outstanding service and dedication to furthering the organization and Great Lakes fishery.
Sue Guenther President of Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York, Inc. presented her Presidents Awards for 2019 to the following members:
- John Llgnos – Curly’s Restaurant and Catering
- Brian Plecas – Marketing, Web Development and Visual Communications
- Peggy Sue Shiesley – Kitchen Volunteer and Leadership
- John Taylor – Kitchen Volunteer and Leadership
Additional awards for 2019 honoring the following individuals were given to:
- Senator George Borrello – Conservationist of the Year Award
- Tom Biskup– 13 lb. walleye – Lou Podger Senior Angler Award
- Parker Endress – Youth of the Year Award
- Lizzie Skoczylas – Youth of the Year Award
- Senator Rob Ortt – Elected Official of the Year Award
- Senator Chris Jacobs – Elected Official of the Year Award
- Rich Davenport – Public Servant of the Year Award
- Rick Pilarski – Larry Scheffler Memorial Award
- Randy Scott – Volunteer Recognition Award
- Carol Scott – Volunteer Recognition Award
- Ultimate Outdoors of WNY – Sponsor Award
- Barcelona Harbor – Sponsor Award
- Town of Hanover – Sponsor Award
- Town of Evans – Sponsor Award
- Larry Guilds – James Ridge Memorial Award
Previous year Harry A. Smith Award Winner Tim Kuczka presented this year’s award to:
- Tom Chiavetta – Harry A. Smith Memorial Award
We would like to thank each of these individuals for their continued support and dedication to improving our fishery and our organization, and look forward to more great work from our membership and the community.
Southtowns Walleye Association of Western New York, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving fishing opportunities in the region for all individuals. With a clear focus on kids, community, conservation, and philanthropy our various programs support these pillars for a strong future generation of outdoorsmen and women and our fishery. For a complete listing of descriptions of each of these awards and to learn more about our organization, please visit www.southtownswalleye.com or stop by our facility located at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg, NY 14075, Tel.: 716.649.8202. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm and are open to the public.