NORTH COUNTY TROOPERS ASSISTING TROOPS ANNOUNCES MILITARY RECOGNITION DAY 9/18/16

PUBLIC INVITED TO CLAYTON NY TOWN DOCKS ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016, 1:00 PM, TO SHOW APPRECIATION TO OUR SOLDIERS

ACTIVE DUTY FORT DRUM SOLDIERS ENCOURAGED TO SIGN UP  

In April 2013, the North Country Troopers Assisting Troops (NCTAT) was formed by a group of local New York State Troopers in collaboration with U.S. military members. The mission of this group is to raise local and regional awareness, as well as to provide local recreational activities and events for Fort Drum service members, and other Armed Forces Members (active or retired), that were wounded, injured, or became ill while protecting our freedom and country. We have further been able to help the families of these service members, often during times of personal tragedy.  

Throughout the summer, this group, with the support of many local organizations, persons, and businesses, has successfully raised the necessary funds to provide a day of recreational activity to soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division, other former or active Armed Forces Members, and family members of fallen soldiers. On September 18, 2016, selected guests of North Country Troopers Assisting Troops will partake in a day of fishing on the St. Lawrence River. Every year we have grown this event, and this year approximately 25 Professional Fishing Guides from Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay have agreed to assist us in taking approximately 100 of our heroes on a chartered fishing trip. The Fishing Captains will depart their home town docks, with our guests, at approximately 9 AM.

We will honor our heroes’ arrival by fishing charter boat at the Village of Clayton Town Dock (Riverside Drive-East End) at about 1:00 PM. Local emergency responders will assist us in making this a special day in honor of our Service members, and their arrival to Clayton will be memorable.

Our guests will then be taken to an outdoor event tent on the lawns of the beautiful Harbor Hotel, Clayton, NY, where we will prepare for them and Old Fashioned Shore Dinner, prepared by the Fishing Guides, and provide them an opportunity to enjoy the day.   

We are inviting and encouraging the public to assist us with this event, by showing their support for our Armed Forces Service members when they arrive at the Clayton Town Dock at approximately 1:00 PM on September, 18, 2016. The attending public actively participated in this event last year when technical difficulties resulted in approximately 50 people holding our Nations flag, on the shore. This was a spectacular sight in honor of our arriving guests.   

Last year's successful event in Clayton NY

Currently, Ms. Erin K. Barrett, Special Events Coordinator/Installation Gift and Donation Coordinator, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, 10783 Chapel Drive, Fort Drum, New York 13602, 315-772-0789, is assisting us to secure 60 Active Duty Fort Drum Soldiers that wish to participate in this event. Active Duty Fort Drum Members, E-6 and below, are encouraged to contact Ms. Barrett to secure a spot to fish with us on this date, as available spots are filling fast. There is no cost to this program, and transportation will be provided from Fort Drum. Troopers Assisting Troops only ask that you sign up, join us, and have a great day, as we, and the community, show our appreciation for your service.    

If you wish to learn more about North Country Troopers Assisting Troops, information is available on our web site: www.nnytroopers.com. This web site was recently re-designed by Checkpoint Graphics, and it contains many memorable pictures of the day’s events, from past years. We can further be contacted through the “Contact Link” on this web site, and we would encourage anyone to contact us for more information, or to offer support in the form of donations for our soldiers. All money raised by our organization stays local to support our Service members, Active or Retired.  

This is the fourth year North Country Troopers Assisting Troops has hosted this event, and our fiscal growth has allowed us to provide monetary assistance to soldiers, and support their families, during troubled times. It is our desire to continue to provide like events and support to the Armed Forces members who make sacrifices protecting our freedoms.

Submitted by Michael Pastuf

Secretary - North Country Troopers Assisting Troops

This blog's article for this event from last year (includes video and photo): 
http://singercastle.blogspot.com/2015/09/troopers-assisting-troups-photo-by.html

GUIDE TO THE ANTIQUE RACEBOAT REGATTA AT THE ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM 8/19-21

CLAYTON, New York (August 11, 2016) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today a complete guide to the home of vintage and historic racing, the Antique Raceboat Regatta, to be held Friday, August 19 through Sunday, August 21.

The 13^th edition of this biennial event is a sanctioned event of the Vintage and Historic division of the American Powerboat Assocation and will feature a wide variety of vintage and classic raceboats including outboards, tunnel drives, jersey speed skiffs, and hydroplanes.  On Friday visitors can tour the grounds and see the raceboats on display on land and at the docks for the price of regular Museum admission. The main action of the Regatta will be on Saturday and Sunday when the raceboats take to the water of French Bay to run demonstration fly-bys according to boat class. The Museum will also come alive with vendors, unique forums, an auction featuring racing memorabilia, a very special exhibit opening with longtime Regatta attendee Buddy Byers, and the popular Legends Banquet on Saturday night.

SHOW HOURS

Friday, August 19             9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Land displays and test runs

                                Saturday, August 20        9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Vintage fly-bys

                                Sunday, August 21           9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vintage fly-bys

Note:     ABM will remain open to visitors until 5:00 p.m. on August 20 & 21

ADMISSION RATES         

Museum Members                                         Free

Adult                                                                     $14 (Friday); $15 (Saturday/Sunday)

                                Youth (7-17)                                                       $8 Friday (Friday); $10 (Saturday/Sunday)

                                Child (6 & under)                                              Free

                                Military w/ ID (Active, retired, veteran) Free

                                Military Spouse                                                 $10 (each day)

                                Military Youth                                                    $5 (each day)

                                Adult 3-Day Pass                                              $30

                                Youth 3-Day Pass                                             $20

ADMITTANCE TO THE REGATTA

Visitors will be directed to the ABM’s Boat Shop located on the corner of Mary Street and Alexandria Street to purchase admission bracelets or check-in as a member.

The south side of Mary Street and the Marketplace will remain open to public access at all times throughout Regatta.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES                        

Kids ages 9-12 have the opportunity to learn to drive a raceboat! A J-Class course will be taught on Friday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. (check-in at 8:00 a.m.). The course will be taught by four world-record drivers and will feature time spent in the classroom followed by the opportunity for kids to actually learn to drive the boats on the water. Pre-registration is required; contact Educator Deb Rantanen at 315-686-4104 x235. $50 registration fee + $20 fee for an APBA one-time event fee. A parent or guardian must attend the course with their child.

                                                               

                                                                An auction featuring racing memorabilia will be held on Friday at 5:00 p.m. outside the Morgan Building on the south side of campus. Admission is free to attend the auction; a cash bar and light snacks will be provided.

                                                                Immediately following the conclusion of the auction, a reception will be held in the Morgan Building to celebrate the opening and dedication of the exhibit featuring the original artwork of the Antique Raceboat Regatta posters along with historic photographs and memorabilia of legendary raceboat driver Buddy Byers. Admission to the reception is free and all are encouraged to attend; complimentary refreshments will be provided.

                                                                On Thursday two instructional forums will be held in the Cox Theatre: at 10:00 a.m. Marv Hart will make a presentation for Drivers & New Drivers, at 1:00 p.m. Rich Evans will make a presentation for Inspecting Your Boat, Owners, & Prospective Inspectors.

On Saturday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. the Legends Banquet will be hosted in the ABM Tent. Dinner will be served by The Clipper Inn. Tickets must be purchased in advance, $35 per person.

PARKING                                             Free Shuttle during Antique Raceboat Regatta available at Guardino Elementary and Lions Field Lot (Webb Street).

Village street parking is permitted, however the ABM asks that you be considerate of our neighbors and avoid blocking sidewalks and driveways.

The ABM Community Lot located on Riverside Drive behind Watertown Savings Bank will be utilized by the Museum and should remain clear of all vehicles and trailers beginning on Thursday, August 18 through Sunday, August 21 at 5:00 p.m.

DOCKING                                            Minimal docking is available for visitors coming to the show by boat. Dock space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis on the south side of the Mary Street Municipal Dock. All boaters will need to check-in through admissions in the Boat Shop before proceeding into the event.

No docking will be permitted on the ABM docks, including the seawall, for the general public during Regatta.

                                                               

BOATER SAFETY                                Boaters cruising the water of French Bay should not cross the race course while the course is active. Boaters should look for picket boats and patrol jet skis who will direct them safely around the course. For the safety of the raceboats running on the course, boaters are asked to proceed slowly and minimize their wake.

SMOKING                                           Smoking is allowed only in limited areas of the event. Absolutely no smoking is allowed on the interior of campus. Smoking is allowed on the street except in proximity of the parking lot (Inboard Pits).

DOGS                                                    Dogs will only be allowed in the Marketplace and street-side areas of the event grounds. No dogs will be permitted into buildings or the interior main campus of the ABM, including dogs in carriers.  Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dog and keeping them leashed at all times.

NOTES OF INTEREST                        The main entrance to the Regatta will be at the ABM Boat Shop on the corner of Alexandria Street and Mary Street. All visitors must obtain wristbands or badges to enter.

Mary Street Closed – the stretch of Mary Street between Alexandria and Theresa Streets, in front of the ABM, will be closed to traffic throughout the show, including overnight hours.

Clayton Public Boat Ramp will remain accessible via Theresa Street throughout the event.