Singer Castle on Dark Island Press Release/ Summer Schedule

Left to right: Tom Weldon (President of Singer Castle).

Authors: Patty Mondore and Bob Mondore.

Singer Castle photo.

The 2016 Season has begun with an increase in visitors, Royal Suite reservations and activities at Singer Castle.  Now that Summer is here, Castle staff is busy gearing up to great new and returning visitors sharing the story of Frederick G Bourne and his “small hunting lodge.” 

Several activities have been scheduled to highlight the season.  From 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 2^nd Robert and Patty Mondore will be at The Hexagon on the corner of James and Church Street in Alexandria Bay NY to sign copies of their books Singer Castle and Singer Castle Revisited.  They will also have copies of their updated video Dark Island's Castle of Mysteries available for purchase.

From 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22^nd a Guitar Workshop will be held at the castle by internationally known guitar players Loren Barrigar and Mark Mazengarb.  Cost $125 - Registration is limited to 20 participants and can be made by e-mailing chippewacommunityclub@yahoo.com or calling Scott at (607) 377-1726.  A deposit of $75 will hold your reservation.

Fri., Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Hammond Historical Society will host a Victorian Tea Party.  Singer Castle Historian Judy Keeler will speak about the role of women at the castle. Cost $30. Reservations are required as seating is limited to 32 guests.  Contact the Hammond Historical Society for additional information and to make reservations.

From 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24^th the Plein Air Painters will be at Singer Castle.  Rain date is Thursday, August 25^th.

From 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 24^th Spay/Neuter Now will host an event at the castle.

Come for a visit or join in one the events.  We look forward to seeing you.

Official Singer Castle press release and photo by Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to the president of Singer Castle on Dark Island.

Girl Scout Troop Visits the 1000 Islands and spends the night at Singer Castle

Back Row left to right :  Holly Streetman, Crystal Reed, Emberlein Disalvo

Front Row: Christy Streetman, Samantha Reed and Liane Bakeley and Ember Disalvo

(Click on photo to see it enlarged).

Senior Girl Scout Troop 115 from Upper Marlboro, MD spent the week of June 20^th in the 1000 Islands.  The trip was planned to be the senior outing for the girls who began meeting when most of them were four years old. Their adventure was to begin with camping at Kring Point State Park but Monday’s severe thunderstorms postponed the setting up of camp until Tuesday.  On Wednesday afternoon the group took the Uncle Sam Boat cruise to  Singer Castle where they spent the night and had a grand time exploring all of the rooms and secret passageways.  They will finish out their 1000 Islands visit camping at Kring Point and touring other regional attractions.

Picture by Scott Garris

Article by Jean Papke, Administrative Assistant to the President of Singer Castle. 

Antique Boat Museum: 1000 ISLANDS FAMILY DAY RETURNS ON JUNE 11. 2016

CLAYTON, New York (June 6, 2016) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, NY, invites everyone to come to Clayton on Saturday, June 11 for a fun-filled day of activities for the whole family.

The popular free admission 1000 Islands Family day, brought to you by Watertown Savings Bank and Fidelis Care, is set to take place at the Antique Boat Museum on June 11 featuring free admission all day and special event activities between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Activities will include free skiff rowing, $5 antique boat rides, light picnic lunch for nominal fee (while supplies last), face painting, crafts and games for kids, tours of the historic houseboat La Duchesse, and much more.

Below is a list of some of the booths and activities expected at the event:

Aquatarium

Brush Strokes by Melina – face painting

Clayton Opera House

Cold Stone Creamery

Cross Island Farms

Fidelis Care

Friends of Hawn Library

Garnsey’s Classic Island Cruises – kids fishing

Minna Anthony Nature Center

NYS Troopers

Sam's Club

Save the River

Thompson Park Zoo – animals

Thousand Islands Art Center

Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Services

Thousand Islands Land Trust

Watertown Savings Bank – face painting and balloons

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

As part of 1000 Islands Family Day the ABM will host a third annual “Boating on the Border” forum beginning at 1:00 p.m. on the Gaffney Porch. The Boating on the Border forum is presented by representatives of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency along with representatives from other government entities who work in marine patrol along the St. Lawrence River. Each organization will introduce their mission of work on the River. Boaters from both sides of the River are encouraged to come with questions regarding: crossing procedures, any recent changes in policy, safe boating practices, enforcement, and more. This forum has proven to be a good opportunity to dispel myths and educate boaters about how to safely and legally navigate and enjoy both sides of the River along the international border.

For more information, contact the ABM at 315-686-4104.

About ABM

Located on the St. Lawrence River in upstate NY, the ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats, among thousands of recreational boating artifacts, including the world’s largest runabout, Pardon Me, and a 113-year old gilded-age two-story houseboat, La Duchesse. In addition, the ABM plays host to the longest running antique boat show in North America and is considered the birthplace of antique raceboat regattas. The Museum will open for the 2016 season on Friday, May 6. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.