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.