The paddle of the sexes

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THE REGATTA

The first-ever Saranac Lake Mayor's Cup Regatta will be held this weekend.

Races begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with competition class heats and fun runs, with last-minute registration at 9:30 a.m.

Spectator stands stretch from Lake Flower down the Saranac River.

Saranac Lake has planned special events throughout the weekend, including music, a Farmers Market, sidewalk sales and special arts activities.

For a schedule of events, see today's Community Calendar, Page A8.

Related Photos

Saranac Lake Village Board members dressed up to represent the fun times planned for the first Mayor's River Run Regatta, to be held Saturday in Saranac Lake. In the canoe are Deputy Mayor Jeff Branch, Mayor Clyde Rabideau and Village Trustees Allie Pelletieri, Tom Catillaz and John McEneany. The races will be held on the Saranac River, accompanied by land festivities. More information can be obtained by calling 891-4150 or at www.saranaclakeny.gov.
Soon-to-be married, Tom Sharlow and Jessie Lyon have launched a groomsmen vs. bridesmaids challenge in the Mayor's Cup Riverwalk Regatta, to be held Saturday in Saranac Lake.

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August 20, 2010

Bride-, groom-to-be to face off in first Saranac Lake regatta

By KIM SMITH DEDAM Staff Writer The Press Republican Fri Aug 20, 2010, 03:28 AM EDT

SARANAC LAKE — The trip down the aisle doesn't usually involve a canoe challenge — unless, of course, you live in the Adirondacks.

With nuptials set for September, Jessie Lyon added a trophy wish to her wedding list.

And fiancé Tom Sharlow obliged — except he wants one, too.

This Saturday, the couple will fill two boats with wedding attendants for the Mayor's Cup River Walk Regatta, ladies versus gentlemen.

FACING OFF

"You know who's going to win," Tom said, tipping a tuxedo-style baseball cap. "The guys are. Although, you know, they (the women) probably have a trick up their sleeve. They're going to get us somehow."

Standing unfazed beside the burbling Saranac River, Jessie whipped out a baseball cap fixed with a plume of tulle and laughed.

The veil tossed in the wind.

"We're not worried," she said. "We just want to have fun."

Tom's best man, Charles Segard, will be among the guys' four-man team, while Jessie added Tom's sister, Jessica, one of her bridesmaids, to her canoe coterie, gaining an inside edge.

"I want to have a string of cans floating behind our boat," Jessie said, "maybe lashed together trailing under a sign that says 'getting married.'"

Or "done fishin'."

She's sure the festive addition won't slow the boat down much.

Despite spirited undercurrents, they both think the day will deliver boatloads of fun before their vows.

It's kind of in their nature.

Both bride-to-be and her groom grew up here.

"We figured this is something we would have a great time with," Jessie said. "Of course, we're (the women) in it to win."

The two have been engaged since Christmas, when Tom asked his high-school sweetheart to marry him.

"All of a sudden, he got down on one knee," Jessie said with a misty smile.

"I'm old school," Tom said, "I asked her dad."

The wedding is planned for Sept. 11 at St. Paul's Church in Bloomingdale.

ON TO SHOWER

Church decorations aren't up yet, but their boats are being readied this week for the Mayor's Cup Regatta.

The series of races field heats for kayaks, canoes and even a float for inner tubes down the Saranac River.

For the bride, this will be one race to remember.

Mayor's Cup is a pre-cursor to her bridal shower later in the afternoon.

All of the bridesmaids in the boat will have on veil-topped baseball hats; the groomsmen, bow-tied caps.

The wedding party is looking forward to a wedding row.

"We are, we're ready," Jessie said.

E-mail Kim Smith Dedam at: kdedam@pressrepublican.com