Michael Folsom appointed to NY State Tourism Industry Assoc. Board of Directors

Michael J. Folsom

CLAYTON, New York (December 5, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that Michael J. Folsom has been appointed to the New York State Tourism Industry Association’s (NYSTIA) Board of Directors, representing the ABM and New York’s Thousand Islands region.

Folsom joined the ABM in March 2013 as Director of Marketing & Communications and oversees all marketing and communication functions, as well as overseeing the museum store and special events, including the annual Antique Boat Show & Auction. In addition, he works closely with the ABM’s more than 150 volunteers.

Frederick H. Hager, the ABM’s Executive Director, commented: “We are extremely proud to have Mike on the Board of this top-level, State-wide tourism organization.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Mike professionally and for the ABM as an institution.”

Prior to joining the Museum, Folsom was best known throughout the Thousand Islands region for operating the website, The Ship Watcher (www.theshipwatcher.com), which is considered a news source for St. Lawrence Seaway shipping information. He also founded the heavily attended Sailing Seaway Clayton festival at Frink Park in downtown Clayton in 2011. During the first four years of the festival, he helped to lure more than 28,000 people to the 1000 Islands region by bringing historic tall ships, live music, DockDogs competitions and more to the riverside park.

Folsom currently serves as a Board member for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he serves on the steering committee of the international tourism organization, 1000 Islands RiverQuest. He is a recent past Board member of the Lynx Educational Foundation, operators of the tall ship Lynx.

His term on the NYSTIA Board will begin in 2015 and expire in December 2017.

About NYSTIA

NYSTIA is a 501c6, New York State not‐for‐profit corporation with more than 150 members which was created for the purpose of bringing together New York State tourism industry interests to: advocate government policies and programs which will strengthen the industry; to raise the level of professionalism within the industry; to encourage the development of cooperative relationships and partnerships among its members; and to raise consumer awareness and appreciation of travel and vacation opportunities in New York State. For more information, visit nystia.org.

About ABM

Located on the St. Lawrence River, along the Canadian border of upstate New York, the ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. The Museum is home to the world’s largest runabout of its kind and a 111 year old gilded-age two-story houseboat. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51^st annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running such show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

Museum Parade Float to Carry Special Guests: Local Military Family & TV Personalities

Photo: Gadfly, antique boat.

LOCAL MILITARY FAMILY & TELEVISION PERSONALITIES TO SERVE AS GUESTS OF HONOR ABOARD MUSEUM PARADE ‘FLOAT’

CLAYTON, New York (December 2, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that a local military family and two of the North Country’s well-known television personalities will ride aboard the Museum’s parade ‘float’ during this Saturday’s [12/6/14] annual Clayton Christmas Parade.

The family of 3rd Brigade Combat Team Executive Officer, Major Sean Morrow, will ride aboard the Museum’s 33-foot sedan commuter, Gadfly, serving as special guests of the Museum. Sean, and his wife Meghan, will be joined by their three children. Sean currently serves our country with the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum.

In addition, local television personalities Anne Richter and Brian Ashley of WWNY-TV (7News - Watertown) will join the Morrows. Anne and Brian have served as longtime North Country household names while spending the past 30 years in front of the camera. The wife/husband news team has engraved their ties to the community through various contributions to organizations which they devote their time and efforts toward. Both also share a strong passion for the water and spend an ample amount of time sailing on Lake Ontario.

“We are honored to have the Morrow family, along with Anne and Brian, join us for this festive holiday tradition in Clayton,” Executive Director Frederick Hager shared. “This is our small way of recognizing them for all that they do.”

Gadfly, built in 1931 by Hutchinson Boat Works of Alexandria Bay, will serve as the Museum’s parade float. Donated to the Museum by Margaret H. Wallace in 1994, the boat recently underwent restoration work and returned to service this past August.  Serving as part of the Museum’s in-water fleet and a flagship vessel of the ABM, Gadfly has provided hundreds of Museum patrons with the opportunity to enjoy traveling on the River. The boat recently represented the ABM at the Antique and Classic Boat Society’s International Boat Show in Skaneateles this fall.

This will be Gadfly’s first appearance in the Clayton Christmas Parade.

Located on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands, the Antique Boat Museum features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51^st annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running such show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

Thousand Islands Life Magazine > Latest Issue Features Loon article by Patty Mondore

Loon photo by Patty Mondore

The very popular online magazine, Thousand Islands Life, is currently featuring an article by Patty Mondore reporting on her encounters with Loons on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands. Be sure to check it out for great pictures and videos, along with many other excellent articles. Go direct to her article through the following link:

Songs in the Night, by Patty Mondore

... <>< ...

CROSS-RIVER, CROSS-BORDER (USA/Canada) FIELD TRIP COMING to Antique Boat Museum

Ontario, New York State, St. Lawrence River from space.

Photo courtesy of NASA.

CLAYTON, New York (October 9, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, will host a cross-river, cross-border field trip on Tuesday, October 14.

Students from the Gananoque Secondary School in Gananoque, Ontario will venture across the St. Lawrence River aboard a Gananoque Boat Line tour boat to the ABM for an educational visit.

As part of an outreach program being offered by the newly formed Thousand Islands Boat Museum (TIBM) in Gananoque, students in wood shop classes (grades 9 through 12) will be working on building an International Optimist Dinghy, better known as Opti, throughout the school year. The goal will be to have a small fleet of boats ready for use in a sailing program at the TIBM in 2015.

The primary objective of the trip will be to introduce and educate students about the Opti and to expand their knowledge of the unique boating history in the region, which touches international borders, through their visit to the ABM. The field trip will be led by ABM Educator Julie Broadbent, along with staff of the TIBM.

This will mark the second trip in as many years for Gananoque students.

Located on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands, the Antique Boat Museum features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51^st annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running such show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

Taking the Gold, by M.A. Noble - Exciting new book with Singer Castle as its setting.

Author M.A. Noble presenting Singer Castle president Tom Weldon with her new book, Taking the Gold. Set on a tall ship, the plot culminates with numerous scenes in Singer Castle.

Maybe you know about Singer Castle’s hidden levers and secret passages. Maybe you know the manicured north lawn hides tons of imported topsoil. But have you ever wondered what that dirt conceals? Have you heard claims of a ghost that stalks the grounds on full-moonlit nights?

Fact blends with fiction in M. A. Noble’s novel Taking the Gold, set on a tall ship returning to the 1000 Islands. The author, also known as Margaret (Mag) Hockett, fell in love with the castle as a young woman employed by Dr. and Mrs. Harold Martin in the 70s to do housecleaning.

“Every detail of this replica of an old English castle and its island setting arouses a sense of romance, mystery, and magic. I was thrilled when Tom Weldon invited me to revisit the castle. I learned things I never knew as I dusted and vacuumed each room.”

Margaret worked for several educational publishers in California before returning to the North Country. She now writes novels, nonfiction, and lyrics. In her first novel, Taking Hart, also set in the Islands, teenaged Corey Worder solved the mystery of his War-of-1812 ancestry and his mother’s disappearance. Now, in Taking the Gold, he must set sail to face his father. As they race to find the British gold, an SOS from Singer Castle means Corey must forfeit the treasure. Or does it? The castle holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed.

Blount Small Ship Adventures Catalog and Singer Castle

Image of Blount Small Ship Adventures 2015 catalog.

Click on catalog link below to see actual catalog online.

Singer Castle on Dark Island is featured on the cover of the 2015 Blount Small Ship Adventures Cruise Catalog.  

Blount’s elegant ships, the Grande Mariner and the Grande Carribe stop at the castle during September and October each year bringing visitors from all over the US and from as far away as Australia. The ships also stop at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY.

Classic Boats Cruise to Singer Castle

Photo by Jean Papke

(Click on image to see it enlarged)

On Saturday, September 27^th a group of 24 classic boat enthusiasts took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and cruised from the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton to Singer Castle on Dark Island for a tour of the castle.  The five classic boats looked right at home tied up at the castle’s South Boathouse while the group enjoyed the tour. 

---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to the president at Singer Castle, Dark Island Tours.

Antique postcard picturing the South Boathouse & castle on Dark Island.

Antique Boat Museum GOES PINK IN OCTOBER FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

CLAYTON, New York (September 30, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that it will “go pink” in the month of October as part of the annual nationwide push of breast cancer awareness and its ties to the North Country.

Beginning Wednesday, October 1 and running throughout the entire month, the ABM will seek donations at the Museum’s Admissions Desk to benefit the Samaritan Circle of Hope Cancer Awareness Fund. Visitors making a donation will receive a pink ABM logo cutout to sign their name to, which will be displayed in the front lobby.  Any visitor making a $10 or greater donation will also receive a free commemorative 50^th Boat Show or National Motorboat Show pint glass.

In addition, the ABM will be hosting a select number of breast cancer survivors in October, via Samaritan Medical, for a relaxing cruise on the St. Lawrence River.

About Samaritan Circle of Hope Cancer Awareness Fund

The mission of the Samaritan Circle of Hope Cancer Awareness Fund is to raise funds and allocate those funds toward improving the health and well-being of all cancer patients throughout Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. 

Samaritan's Circle of Hope Cancer Awareness group hosts an Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner, which will be held on October 16. For more information, please visit samaritanhealth.com.

About Antique Boat Museum

Located on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands, the Antique Boat Museum features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51^st annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running such show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

Antique Boat Museum ANNOUNCES FALL/WINTER DATES OF OPERATION & RATES

 

CLAYTON, New York (September 29, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, has announced its Fall/Winter dates of operation. The ABM also announced that the Workboat Show originally scheduled for Saturday, October 11 has been cancelled.

The ABM will again lengthen its operating season into December with a Fall/Winter calendar beginning on Tuesday, October 14 and extend through Friday, December 19. The Museum will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday.

Also, the ABM will again launch “B is for Boat,” an education-based program featuring nautical-related books and crafts for pre-school age children. The program will be offered weekly on Monday mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. beginning on October 20.

The extended calendar will take the Museum through more than 200 days of operation in 2014.

Fall/Winter Dates of Operation

Tuesday, October 14    Fall/Winter Season Begins.

Friday, December 19    Museum and Bowline Boutique Close for the Season.

Hours of Operations

Tuesday-Saturday                                           10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday, Monday                                              Closed

Fall/Winter Admission Rates

Adult                                     $8.00                                  
               Youth                                    $4.50                    

Child (under 6 yrs)           FREE                                      

Groups Call for pricing

Active Military & Immediate Family            FREE                                      

Retired Military                                               FREE

Military Spouse                                                $7.00    

Note: Select summer season discount offers do not apply

The Bowline Boutique will also remain open through December 19, allowing for visitors to shop during the holiday season.

Thus far in 2014, the ABM has seen a nearly 15% increase in attendance, including a 10% boost in the month of August compared to 2013 totals. In addition, the annual antique boat show entertained more than 7,400 visitors this year.

Located on the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands, the Antique Boat Museum features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51^st annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running such show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM JOINS SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE’S MUSEUM DAY LIVE!

Free admission for visitors presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket on September 27

CLAYTON, New York (September 15, 2014) — The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, proudly announced today that it will again open its doors free of charge as part of Smithsonian magazine’s tenth annual Museum Day Live!, which will be held on Saturday, September 27. A nationwide event, Museum Day Live! offers free admission to visitors presenting a Museum Day Live! ticket at a participating museum or cultural institution.

Inclusive by design, the event represents Smithsonian’s commitment to make learning and the spread of knowledge accessible to everyone, giving museums across all 50 states the opportunity to emulate the admission policy of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. Last year’s event drew over 400,000 participants, and this year’s event expects record-high participation.

“We are honored to once again be a part of this nationwide program and believe the Smithsonian magazine has cultivated a fantastic idea to engage new or repeat museum visitors,” said Michael Folsom, ABM Director of Marketing and Communications.

Located along the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands region of upstate New York, the ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts, making it the premier boat museum in the country. This past August, the Museum will hosted its 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show in North America.

The Museum Day Live! ticket is now available to download at Smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the Museum Day Live! ticket at the ABM will receive free admission for two (2) on September 27, 2014 only. One (1) ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Museum Day Live! tickets presented on a smartphone at the ABM will be accepted. A Museum Day Live! ticket is required in order to take advantage of this offer.

For more information about Museum Day Live! 2014 and a list of participating museums and cultural institutions, please visit Smithsonian.com/museumday/venues . 

About Smithsonian Media

Smithsonian Media comprises of its flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, as well as Air & Space, goSmithsonian, Smithsonian Media Digital Network, and the Smithsonian Channel. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visit the museums annually.

Tall Ship Peacemaker sails through 1000 Islands

Peacemaker passing by Singer Castle, Dark Island,

Photo by Patty Mondore.

(Click on photos to see them larger).

The tall ship passing by Sisters Island Lighthouse,

Photos by Bob Mondore 

Sailing vessel under way in the St.Lawrence River.

Video clip: Patty Mondore.

... ><> ...

TBF EASTERN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP FISHING TOURNAMENT COMES TO CLAYTON NY SEPTEMBER 10-12

Free admission to the Museum for visitors during tournament days

 CLAYTON, New York (September 5, 2014) — The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, proudly announced today that it will serve as the host site of The Bass Federation (TBF) Eastern Division Championship fishing tournament this September 10-12, 2014.

The ABM, along with the Town and Village of Clayton, and the Clayton Chamber of Commerce have worked closely to coordinate the tournament’s selection of Clayton as the host community and ensure a successful event.

“The ABM and Clayton community are excited to welcome anglers and fishing enthusiasts from across the Northeast. This community cherishes the opportunity to play host to such events and is best known for providing top of the line hospitality,” explained Michael Folsom, ABM Director of Marketing & Communications. “Anglers and spectators will not be disappointed in what Clayton has to offer during their stay.”

Anglers will begin to arrive in the region this weekend for the chance to test the waters and locate their fishing hot spots. On Tuesday, anglers will gather at the Museum for registration and a banquet, which will feature a classic St. Lawrence River shore dinner put on by Clayton fishing guide Jeff Garnsey.

Beginning Wednesday, September 10 through Friday, September 12, all visitors to the ABM will receive complimentary admission as the Museum plays host to the event. The public is invited to gather each afternoon starting at 2:30 p.m. for tournament weigh-ins, which will take place on the main campus.

Boats will take-off from the ABM and Mary Street Dock each morning around 6:30 a.m.

About The Bass Federation

TBF is the oldest broad-based, independent, grassroots organization in bass fishing, and considered to be the backbone of the sport. The success of the Federation in improving and furthering the sport of fishing has been monumental and continues to be felt worldwide. Efforts put forth by Federation members in conservation have included everything from habitat projects, to fighting polluters, to working with fish and game departments, to weighing-in on local, state and federal legislation.

Antique Boat Museum Volunteers Recognized

On Thursday evening, the Antique Boat Museum (Clayton NY) honored their volunteer corps of more than 150. The event, hosted on the grounds of the Museum, included a catered dinner by Savory Downtown, live music by the Sam Hopkins Band, a red carpet entry, and a photo booth.

ABM Volunteers of the Year – Mike & Phyllis Deruytter.
Paddle art award by artist John Miller III.

ABM Top Ten Volunteers, contributing the most individual hours, (left to right) Barton Haxall, Mike Michelson, Vicki Doyle, Warren Stewart, Pat Sheldon, Duane Chalk, Rob Goodyear, Steve Bull, George Ronson, and Linda Schmitt.

In 2014, ABM volunteers documented nearly 11,000 work hours. Total likely exceeds 12,000 if undocumented totals were turned in. Between Boat Show and Regatta alone, ABM volunteers logged roughly 2,000 work hours over the span of 600 work shifts.

Snowy Owl shows up at Singer Castle Wedding

Joanna Mills and Michael Treon

Photo credit: Tammy Kukula of Remember When Photography

(Click on photos to see them larger)

On a recent sunny Saturday afternoon Joanna Mills whose
family summers of Halfway Island and Michael Treon were
married surrounded by family and friends in a Rose
Garden Ceremony at Singer Castle. The ceremony was
followed by a catered reception on the Castle Green.

Snowy Owl on Dark Island

Photo by Scott Garris

Shortly after the bride arrived on Dark Island to
prepare for the ceremony a fisherman pulled up to the
dock and told castle staff that a large white bird was
on the ground near the west side of the island and we
were able to get pictures of the Snowy Owl there.

Snow Owl attends wedding at Singer Castle

Photo by Scott Garris

As soon as the wedding ceremony commenced the Snowy Owl
flew up and perched on the roof of the Squash Court
with a bird’s eye view of the proceedings. Then the
owl flew around the grounds to perch east of the
Pergola. It continued watching the festivities all
through the evening allowing staff and wedding guests
to take numerous photos as the day went on. As soon
as all of the wedding guests departed, the owl flew
away and has not been seen since.

The following morning Mike mentioned to castle staff
members that the Snowy Owl had been his late mother's
favorite bird.
             
      ---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant, Dark Island

NEW MOVIE BEING FILMED AT SINGER CASTLE on Dark Island in the 1000 Islands

Jonathan Dee (Director and co-writer) , Meg Wechter (Producer), 

and Diana Golts (Co-Producer) on location at Dark Island.

Photo by permission from Jonathan Dee.

The Columbia University film crew is filming a new movie on location at Singer Castle. The movie is titled "The Year I Grew An Inch" and the film's setting is a French castle during WW2. 

WWNY 7 News reports: 

"'It's the story of a young boy who is trying to get in the resistance to fight against the evil Nazis,' said Ferran Mendoza Soler, assistant director. In the movie, a young boy falls in love with the daughter of a Nazi who owns a castle in France. In reality, the castle is actually Singer Castle on Dark Island on the St. Lawrence River. ... 'It's great having them here because it gives exposure not only to us, but to the region and the Thousand Islands,' said Thomas Weldon of Dark Island Tours. ... The movie will be shown at the Columbia Film Festival in 2015."

For more details, check out these links:

WWNY 7 News

IndieGoGo

Facebook: The Year I Grew An Inch

World Record Holding Speedboat MY WAY to Appear at Antique Boat Museum [CANCELLED]

"My Way" on the St. Lawrence River

Photo by Lillian Cooledge

CLAYTON, New York (August 4, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that My Way, a 50-foot Mystic catamaran with twin Lycoming T-55 turbine engines, will make an appearance on the ABM docks this Thursday, August 7.

[ Update 8/6/14....

It’s just not going “MY WAY”. The Antique Boat Museum has learned that due to some complications with the boat, My Way will not appear on Thursday, August 7 as originally scheduled. Owner Bill Tomlinson informed the museum earlier this afternoon and shared his regrets. ]

Owned by Bill Tomlinson of Ottawa, Canada, My Way currently holds the world record as the fastest propeller powered boat after clocking a pass at 224 mph in August 2013 at Lake of the Ozarks.

My Way’s visit to the ABM is part of the upcoming Raceboat Regatta festivities, which officially kick-off on Friday, August 8 at 8 a.m.

The ABM is home to North America’s largest antique boat collection with more than 300 boats and over 1,000 boating artifacts. In addition, the Museum is known as the birthplace of the antique raceboat regatta, which will run August 8-10. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

New York State Lt. Governor Bob Duffy and friends visit Singer Castle

On Saturday, August 2nd Jack and Connie Pease, summer residents of Morristown brought a group of long-time friends for their first visit to Singer Castle,  They were given an extended tour by Castle Guide Audrey Pease. 

Pictured from Left to Right:

Jack and Connie Pease, Lynn and Bill Walker, Barb and New York State Lt. Governor Robert "Bob" Duffy and Chris and Doug Burgasser.

---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant, Singer Castle

DANIELLE WILLS JOINS ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM STAFF

CLAYTON, New York (July 27, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today the hiring of Danielle M. Wills as Membership and Finance Assistant.

Wills joins the Antique Boat Museum where she will play a key role in both the membership and finance departments, focusing on member and donor relations, as well as general office management.

A North Country native, Wills attended SUNY Buffalo and currently resides in Redwood, NY.

The ABM, now open daily 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., is home to North America’s largest antique boat collection with more than 300 boats and over 1,000 boating artifacts. In addition, the Museum is also host of the longest running antique boat show, which will celebrate its 50th year this August 1-3, and is known as the birthplace of the antique raceboat regatta, which will run August 8-10. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

Award-Winning Game Designers Visit Singer Castle - Inspired designing of new game!

Left to right: Brenda and John Romero,

Dan and Kim McAuliffe.

Photo by Tom Weldon, President of Dark Island Tours

Awarding-winning game designers Brenda Romero and John Romero recently visited Singer Castle on Dark Island. The Romeros were accompanied by their close friends and fellow game developers Kim and Dan McAuliffe. While at the castle, the four are drawing inspiration from the Castle’s mystique, beauty and environment to create a new board game.

“Having grown up in the North Country, there is no place more beautiful in the summer months,” said Brenda Romero, a native of Ogdensburg, NY.” This visit home, we decided to fulfill a childhood dream of mine and stay in Singer Castle.” The couple rented the castle for several nights and already has plans to return. According to Scott Garris, caretaker of Singer Castle, the Romeros even requested Jreck’s subs be delivered to the Castle. “The castle provides a wonderful dinner for us, but if I’m home, I want Jreck’s.”

John Romero is best known for creating the first person shooter genre with games like DOOM, Quake and Wolfenstein 3D. He has created over 140 games, founded 10 game companies and won every major game industry award. Brenda Romero, on the other hand, worked on the Wizardry series, Dungeons & Dragons and has recently achieved notoriety with a series of analog board games. One of those games, Siochan Leat (The Irish Game), is in the National Museum of Play at The Strong in Rochester New York. Kim McAuliffe is a senior game designer at Microsoft and is working on the critically-acclaimed game Project Spark, a game which allows people to create their own game worlds complete with quests and stories. Dan McAuliffe is studio director, executive producer and veteran mobile game developer who has worked on dozens of major game titles. He is currently forming his next venture.

“The castle on Dark Island is so beautiful and provides great inspiration for game ideas,” says John Romero. “So, we are all collaborating on multiple game ideas based on the mystery and history of the castle.”

---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant, Singer Castle

And what would we do without the following update?! ...

 John Romero (right) visits Dave Johnson, 

owner of Jreck Subs, Alexandria Bay NY.

Photo by Cindy Johnson.

Singer Castle Displays Wood Carvings by carver Clifford Yates

Cliff Yates and his latest carvings.

A new collection of wood carvings by noted carver Cliff Yates is on display in the Gift Shop at Singer Castle on Dark Island in the 1000 Islands.  Cliff and his wife NeNe have spent their summers on Elm Tree Island in Chippewa Bay for the past fifty-nine years.  He is a self-taught woodcarver who specializes in birds, fish and wildlife.  In 1997 after a serious stroke left Cliff partially paralyzed and unable to use his left hand, he was unwilling to give up carving. Cliff underwent extensive physical therapy and worked until he was able to walk, talk and carve again.  The new collection shows how well he has succeeded in developing his art.

 ---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant, Singer Castle

“From Cordwood to Castles” - Judy Keeler - Cornwall Brothers Store & Museum

Cornwall Bros. Store & Museum

Photo courtesy of Jerrye & Roy Klotz MD, Wikipedia

SINGER CASTLE HISTORIAN

JUDY KEELER

WILL MAKE THE FINAL GALLERY PRESENTATION OF THE 2014 SEASON

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 AT 7:00 P.M.

AT THE

ALEXANDRIA TOWNSHIP

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CORNWALL BROTHERS STORE & MUSEUM

36 MARKET STREET

ALEXANDRIA BAY, NY

CALL (315) 482-4586 FOR INFORMATION

Complete Guide for Antique Boat Show/Auction and Raceboat Regatta

GUIDE TO THE 50^th ANNUAL ANTIQUE BOAT SHOW & AUCTION and 12^th ANTIQUE RACEBOAT REGATTA

PRESENTED BY RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Largest show in 50 years expected to draw people from near and far

CLAYTON, New York (July 23, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today a complete guide to the longest running Antique Boat Show in North America, to be held Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3 and the running of the 12^th Antique Raceboat Regatta on Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10.

The 50^th edition of the annual Antique Boat Show & Auction presented by RBC Wealth Management will feature a wide variety of antique and classic boats from near and far. In addition, the Marketplace returns with more vendors than in 2013, unique forums will be held, the popular boat auction conducted by Antique Boat America will take place on August 2 at 1:00 p.m., and the ABM education department has lined up an assortment of children’s activities throughout the weekend. Plus, live music rocks the Museum campus on Friday and Saturday.

Also, the ABM will host the 12^th edition of the Antique Raceboat Regatta, an event that was cultivated in Clayton in 1992.

BOAT SHOW BY THE NUMBERS (as of July 23):

Exhibitors – boats (water and land display) and engines: 117

Cumulative boat lengths: More than 1,950-feet

Oldest registered vessel: Circa 1890

Registrations from across North America: CT, FL, IA, IN, MA, 

ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TX, VT, Ontario, Quebec    

For a complete guide, including days and times and events, 

click on the following:

Antique Boat Museum Complete Guide PDF

Singer Castle on Dark Island Redesigns Website

Singer Castle's redesigned webpage.

A redesigned Singer Castle webpage was just launched online. The webpage provides information about castle tours and hours of operation as well as weddings, special events and overnight stays in the Castle's Royal Suite. Visit www.singercastle.com and enjoy the updated photos, slideshows and videos.

---Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant, Singer Castle, Dark Island.

Of course, stay tuned to this blog too for quick updates, anecdotes, photos and nature scenes from the Thousand Islands, plus your own stories and photos are welcome.

ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM ANNOUNCES BOARD OF TRUSTEES RE-ELECTIONS/APPOINTMENTS

CLAYTON, New York (July 18, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today re-elections and appointments to the Museum Board of Trustees.

Re-elected to three-year terms, through 2017, during the Museum’s annual membership meeting on Friday, July 18:

Donald S. Ames

Robert G. Easton

Daniel J. French

Edward C. McNally

Mark E. Quallen

Paul J. Regan, Jr.

George C. Textor, Jr.

In addition, Charles S. Crow was appointed to a seat formerly held by Susanne Richter, who has been given an Honorary Trustee position, representing the Thousand Islands Antique Boat Museum Trust and serving as the Director of Strategic Planning for the Thousand Islands Boat Museum in Gananoque, Ontario.

Appointed as Officers for 2014-2015 at the Museum’s Board Meeting on Friday, July 18:

Harold B. Johnson, II – Chairman

Rick W. Tague – Vice Chairman

Kathleen R. Cross – Secretary/Treasurer

The ABM, now open daily 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., is home to North America’s largest antique boat collection with more than 300 boats and over 1,000 boating artifacts. In addition, the Museum is also host of the longest running antique boat show, which will celebrate its 50th year this August 1-3, and is known as the birthplace of the antique raceboat regatta, which will run August 8-10. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

Oh, Say Can You See That Beautiful Wedding at Singer Castle?

(Be sure to click on photos to see them larger).

Oh, Say Can You See That Beautiful Wedding at Singer Castle?

Here at Singer Castle on Dark Island, various weddings and events are, while always exciting and unique, a rather common occurrence. On July 5 of our current 2014 summer season, however, a wedding all in its own rite came to our beloved castle. Amanda Nagle, from New Jersey and Cole Streit, from the Canton-Pierrepont area, honored us with their presence for their especially patriotic wedding ceremony. Not only was this wedding delightfully nationalistic due to the couple’s chosen date, just one day after the anniversary of America’s independence, and the groom's graciously appreciated service in the American Navy, but also because of their chosen colors. The groom and his best man, also the groom’s twin brother and fellow Navy member, were dressed in their dress whites. The bride was dressed in a lovely blue dress, with her maid of honor in red. As the bride walked down the rose garden isle to the tune of festive bagpipes magic filled the air. “It was a very patriotic wedding,” says Corbin Clemons, a tour guide at here at Singer Castle, “we were honored to have it here and to help facilitate their special day. It was very beautiful, filled with red, white, blue and love.”

---Meredith Ouderkirk, Tour Guide at Singer Castle.

The minister was my father, Craig M. Streit, he was also in the Navy years ago, the best man was Craig W. Streit my twin brother who is in the Navy and myself. The brides maid was Amanda's (Nagle) sister Brittany L. Nagle and the flower girl was my 2nd cousin Clair Polniak.

---Cole Streit, Groom.

Photos by Scott Garris, caretaker of the castle on Dark Island.

NORTH COUNTRY NATIVE TURNED HOLLYWOOD ACTOR TO APPEAR AT 50TH ANNUAL ANTIQUE BOAT SHOW

Mark Valley, actor: Boston Legal, et al.

CLAYTON, New York (July 2, 2014) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that Hollywood actor and North Country native Mark Valley will appear at the upcoming 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction presented by RBC Wealth Management.

Valley, a native of Ogdensburg, NY is expected to appear on Friday, August 1 from 2 – 4 p.m.

Best known for his role on the hit series Boston Legal, which he played Brad Chase alongside William Shatner, Valley has endured a longtime acting career playing characters on television shows such as Crisis, Body of Proof, Harry’s Law, Fringe, Human Target, and Days of Our Lives.

In addition, to name a few of his movie roles, he was the lead role in Jericho, the voice of Cyclops in the animated movie Shrek the Third, and had an appearance in the 2012 box office hit Zero Dark Thirty.

“It is exciting to welcome Mark back home to the North Country and a pleasure to have someone of his celebrity status eager to be a part of our historic event this August,” Michael Folsom, Director of Marketing and Communications said. “Coordinating Mark’s visit at the show has been enjoyable and we look forward to having him at the Museum.”

As a graduate of West Point and a former military service member, Valley and the ABM will utilize his appearance at the Boat Show as a fundraiser for River Hospital’s River Community Wellness Program, a program already supported by the Museum in various forms. Autographs and photo opportunities will be available and a donation is strongly encouraged.

Valley currently lives in Los Angeles and is active with several veterans advocacy groups including Volunteers of America, GI Film Festival, VFT Advisory Board, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild Armed Forces Committee.

About Antique Boat Museum

The Museum, now open daily 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., is home to North America’s largest antique boat collection with more than 300 boats and over 1,000 boating artifacts. In addition, the Museum is also host of the longest running antique boat show, which will celebrate its 50th year this August 1-3, and is known as the birthplace of the antique raceboat regatta, which will run August 8-10.

For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.

About River Community Wellness Program

The River Community Wellness Program (RCWP) at River Hospital provides intensive outpatient behavioral health services for active duty military personnel stationed at Fort Drum. RCWP provides continuity of care for soldiers transitioning from an inpatient stay. It also serves as an intensive intervention option for mental health services locally to reduce potential admissions of service members to an inpatient level of care, focusing instead on building coping skills and supports in the community. It is the only program of its kind in the United States. The program keeps military members close to home while they are healing and learning to cope, using multiple forms of therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Group and Individual Therapy, Movement Therapy, Peer to Peer Therapy, Imaginal and In Vivo Exposure Therapy, as well as Psychiatry and Medication Management.