Happy New Year's Eve Walleye Drop! Gifts for you (see details below)!

Happy New Year 2012 to you! I am accepting any interesting stories or photos regarding the Thousand Islands area or the St. Lawrence River that will help us get through this winter. Interesting stories from other parts of Upstate or Northern New York State (and nearby Canada) will be considered too, especially if it relates to river, lakes, castles or nature themes.

If I choose your story or photos to run here, while supplies last, you will win a brand-new 1GB USB Flash Drive, also known as a Thumb or Jump Drive. (Once per person, although your submissions are always welcome). It is a full gigabyte in capacity! Great for transferring data from computer to computer, or for storage. If you don't need a flash drive, ask me for my huge list of other free gifts available. (This offer may be discontinued at any time without notice). This blog concentrates on the area's two famous castles (Singer Castle and Boldt Castle), but the whole area is tied in together and therefore relevant. Please email submissions or questions to: mailbox [at] gold-mountain [dot] com (remember the dash), or send to P.O. Box 123, Jamesville NY 13078.

For our diehard fishing fans (and for anybody looking for something very unique), have you ever watched the New Year's Eve walleye fish drop in Port Clinton, OH at midnight on the web?  Or you can watch NewYork City's famous ball drop on your computer. Yes, its a wonderful life indeed!

Merry Christmas!

For your online Christmas celebration, here is an extraordinary site with all kinds of interesting links: Peggy's Christmas Place.

 

Veterans Day 2011 - Heroes Amoung Us

We have so many heroes among  us, so to put a face on it, I will focus on one among us. Pictured in this blog is Todd Torrance from central New York State. He served in the U.S. Army with Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan and Iraq.  I am using him to represent all of our veteran heroes: past, present and future. One day in Iraq he was on a security mission to protect the funeral procession for an Iraqi official. During this time his Humvee hit an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) which exploded his world. But let us hear it directly from him, as the New York Times featured a fascinating article by him which you can read by clicking here: New York Times, by Todd Torrance.

Above is pictured a tattoo on Todd's right shoulder, which dates his "alive date", the day he survived the road side bomb which took out his Humvee. Note the purple heart, and the 1/71 refers to his unit, the 1-71 Cavalry.

This aftermath of his alive date has culminated in having his date with Danielle, now his fiancée. If this were a movie, one could say this is the fitting ending to an amazing story, but alas, it is the beginning of great things to come for a survivor.

When I asked Todd to make a final statement for this blog, his final answer was to flash another tattoo for the camera. Click on his picture to see it larger. If the tat sounds familiar, you may also see it in 1 Thess. 5:24. 

In thanks to Todd and to all of our veterans, please view the following video, Thank you for my Freedom:

New logo for Thousand Islands Regional Dock (Frink Park) in Clayton NY.

New Dock logo above, this just in from Michael Folsom:

Clayton, New York (October 17, 2011) – The ShipWatcher, in conjunction with the Village of Clayton, unveiled today a new marking for the Thousand Islands Regional Dock in downtown Clayton in an effort to begin promotion of the dock and village.

The Thousand Islands Regional Dock is located in downtown Clayton at Frink Park and has hosted a wide variety of vessels in recent years. This past summer alone the dock hosted two tall ships, two US Coast Guard Cutters, numerous yachts, as well as regular visiting tugs from the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. Looking ahead, the village hopes to attract small regional cruise ships. The 300-foot plus dock is intended for the use of large visiting vessels.

The Thousand Islands Regional Dock is a certified Port of Entry by the US Department of Homeland Security.

The new marking includes the iconic Calumet Island tower, which can be seen from the dock in Clayton; an anchor, which is a fixture in Frink Park; and rolling waves, which represent the St. Lawrence River. The logo concept was created by Michael Folsom and final design work was completed by LogoNerds.com.

Happy July 4th weekend!

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

It has been said that the price of freedom is not free. Throughout the years it has required a lot of work and sacrifice to maintain our freedoms.

Below is a picture of the making of parachute harnesses in July 1942 with a Singer Sewing machine (during World War 2). Location: Manchester, Conn. USA.

Next we have our allies on the British Western front in France using Singer Sewing machines to repair army boots during WW2.

The Saint Lawrence River Rats - Mystery at Singer Castle

There is a new book out with Singer Castle on Dark Island (St. Lawrence River) as its backdrop. Titled: The Saint Lawrence River Rats and the Mystery at Singer Castle, it is for kids and the young at heart. (I have not had the opportunity to read it, but with the subject matter involved I'm sure it must be captivating). The author, Michael Harwood of Brewerton NY, says it will be part of a series that will be uplifting to the Thousand Islands region. Further information may be found as follows. Mail: Choose Liberty Ventures, 5750 Mud Mill Rd, Brewerton NY 13029, Phone: 315-440-4032, Email: SLRrats@gmail.com

Alert! - Last Chance to vote Clayton NY as Coolest Town in America!

This is your last chance to vote for one of our own small towns, Clayton NY, to be declared America's Coolest Small Town.

Click on the following link to vote (you can vote from anywhere in the world): VOTE.

Voting closes on Feb. 11, 2011, so you can make a difference today only. Clayton has moved way up to within the top 3, so if we keep it there it will create a lot of good buzz for the area. Just click on the aforementioned vote link, then click on the blue dot in the Northern New York State area and click on Add to Ballot. Then click on Cast Your Ballot. There is no need for filling in any name or email boxes, no fuss - no muss!

Clayton NY 13624 is like a living Norman Rockwell painting, so let's help them out; our entire area will benefit!

New Year gifts for you! And the Walleye Drop for New Year's Eve (Midnight).

Happy New Year to you! I am accepting any interesting stories or photos regarding the Thousand Islands area or the St. Lawrence River that will help us get through this winter. If I choose your story or photos to run here, you will instantly win a brand-new 1GB USB Flash Drive (also known as a Thumb or Jump Drive). It is a full gigabyte in capacity! Great for transferring data from computer to computer, or for storage. This blog concentrates on the area's two famous castles (Singer Castle and Boldt Castle), but the whole area is tied in together and therefore relevant. Please email to: mailbox [at] gold-mountain [dot] com (remember the dash), or send to P.O. Box 123, Jamesville NY 13078.

For our diehard fishing crowd (and for anybody looking for something very unique), have you ever watched the live walleye fish drop in Port Clinton, OH at midnight on the web? ("Live" meaning you can see it in real-time through their webcams on the web). If you are watching the New Year's Eve ball drop down in New York City on your TV anyway, you can have this on your computer going at the same time. Yes, a very exciting life indeed!

Cool News from Boldt Castle!

Boldt Castle across the River from this blogger.

The Watertown Daily Times reported today that Boldt Castle is working on having an online ticket sales system with Gateway Ticketing Systems Inc. that will go live before the next operating season. You will be able to buy tickets to Boldt Castle at anytime from your computer. The new system will cost the owners (the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority) $171,000. 

Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island (St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay NY), is also making major dock repairs (at a cost of $16,600), as well as building a new movie room, all to be completed before the next tourist season. This is all great news for such a popular destination spot.

Merry Christmas!

For your online Christmas celebration, here is an extraordinary site with all kinds of interesting links: Peggy's Christmas Place.

Beaver sets up winter home at Singer Castle, Dark Island

Scott Garris, the caretaker of Singer Castle (and therefore the king of the castle for the winter) has a new subject. A beaver has set up shop in Singer Castle's South Boat House which also houses Dark Island's Gift Shop. The beaver photo above is courtesy of Wikipedia. The report and actual pictures of the beaver's new home below are from the scene by Scott Garris.

"The south boat house had part of it decked over to make room for a gift shop. The boat bay is under the decking. I have noticed that a beaver has been taking small trees and branches for a few weeks  now, but have not seen him. There is snow on the ground now and I have not seen any tracks. I thought he was gone.

On December 18, 2010 I was letting the boat warm up. The sun was shining and I could see a pile of branches in the boat slip under the gift shop. I know that the wind has been blowing down stream so I wondered how long the branches had been there. As I looked further in I could see a small beaver home in the back on the right. I have also been seeing short branches (8 to 12 inches long) with no bark and sharp on both ends, floating in the boat house for the last week. I guess I have a  guest for the winter." 

---Scott Garris, Singer Castle on Dark Island

Below is a picture of the South Boat House with Singer Castle looming in the background.

Castle photo by Robert J. Mondore. Click on the photos to see them larger.

Exclusive Report - A Thanksgiving special Day in Upstate New York

This report is off-topic, but I have an exclusive on it and it needs to be told. It is Thanksgiving Day and The Father's Heart Ministries in Syracuse NY (quarterbacked by Pastor James Gebhardt) has done an amazing thing. He opened his ministry to the feeding of hundreds of the less fortunate and poor. And right there in the midst of those doing the yeoman's work of serving the destitute were members from the Syracuse Police Department. May I share some of my photos from this incredible event? Click on the photos to see them larger.

Syracuse Police Officer Al Thompson serving the poor.

Some of the hundreds receiving a full Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings and dessert.

Pastor James Gebhardt, the man behind The Father's Heart Ministries.

Musical message: Tracey Dubuc (left), Minji Cho, and Patty Mondore (right).

Syracuse Police mixing with the crowd.

Giving thanks on Thanksgiving.

Paul Sofranko (right) hard at work helping the less fortunate. His wife, Linda (not shown), was a major organizer for this event.

Volunteer Joe Pfohl with Pastor James Gebhardt.

More of Syracuse's finest, volunteering to help the poor.

Servants of the less fortunate.

James Pannafino, also on the front lines of helping.

Medical Student, Minji Cho, sharing her musical talents with the less fortunate.

Peace Warrior. Officer Al Thompson. This is such a great shot!

There were many others too, non-police as well as police, serving others on this Thanksgiving Day. This was a wonderful thing that these folks have done. So I am happy to give you this exclusive report so you can be aware of this awesome event in this area.

St.Lawrence Gallery - Salmon Run Mall, Watertown. Open now through the New Year.

We made a special trip up to the new opening of the St. Lawrence Gallery in Watertown, NY 13601 at the Salmon Run Mall. Kevin and Marsha Topa have again put together a wonderful museum-quality shop featuring Michael Ringer's famous artwork, as well as many other great gift items (you will want them for yourselves).

And now a short word from our sponser. ;-) (That would be me). Yes, they are also stocked with our Singer Castle documentary DVD called "Dark Island's Castle of Mysteries" and the new book that is a hit in the Islands: Singer Castle Revisited. Other Gold-Mountain inspirational Thousand Islands items are also in stock, such as the River-Lations music video and Proclaim His Praise in the Islands (both on DVD), as well as the book: A Good Paddling by Patty Mondore.

Being just off from the easy access point of Route 81, Kevin says he expects to see many folks visit from Canada and Fort Drum as well as from all other points. It is only open now through shortly after Christmas. Pictured below is Kevin Topa manning the helm of the new shop. (Click on the pictures to see them larger).

Veterans Day - November 11, 2010

November 11 is Veterans Day, a U.S.A. legal holiday honoring all veterans of the armed forces. (Memorial Day honors those soldiers who perished in wars, Veterans Day honors all who served).

Below is a memorial located in Alexandria Bay, NY that honors Pfc. Jack T. Sweet (located across the St. Lawrence River from Boldt Castle). He gave his life on Feb. 8, 2008 in Iraq at the age of 19 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His home was in Alexandria Bay and his home base was at Fort Drum, Watertown NY (10th Mountain Division). Click on the photo to see it larger. (Photo by Bob Mondore).

The well known phrase (author unknown) is apt: "The price of freedom is never free."  It reminds me of the ultimate sacrifice for freedom: Galatians 5:1.

Vintage and Classic Street Meet - today in Clayton NY

The 13th annual Classic Car Meet took place today in Clayton, NY. Here are a few photos from this very popular event (growing every year). There appears to be hundreds of cars, running the entire length of the main business street and beyond.

International Clean Up Weekend - in Clayton NY

Did you know this weekend is International Clean Up The World Weekend?

Clayton, NY was awash today in divers dredging up junk from the bottom of the St. Lawrence River. Found were shopping carts, tires, and many other items including a park bench! There were at least 14 divers in the area and more located in Alexandria Bay. Below find yours truly, Bob Mondore, with Clayton's Mayor, Norma J. Zimmer, along with some of the amazing array of junk being pulled up. Note all of the attached zebra mussels to the items. Click on the photos to see them larger.