New: Patty Mondore's video trailer for her new devotional book series!

All dynamic video and pictures by Patty Mondore © and captured mostly in the Thousand Islands.

More information at Gold-Mountain.com.

Click here for Patty's personal pages. 

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Free Entry to Antique Boat Museum for Clayton Residents August 27 & 28, 2013

CLAYTON, New York – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, invites residents of the Museum’s home town to visit free of charge during Clayton Community Days at the Antique Boat Museum on Tuesday, August 27 and Wednesday, August 28, 2013.

The Clayton Community Days initiative has been created to welcome residents from within the 13624 zip code to the ABM, free of charge, as a thank you for being our neighbor and to provide them with the opportunity to explore the Museum, which sits in their own backyard.

“The Clayton community has played a key role in the growth of the Museum for years,” explained Michael Folsom, Director of Marketing and Communications. “We want thank those who live in Clayton for all of their time, devotion, and strong sense of community which has helped to lure visitors from across the world to small town Clayton, NY and our Museum. This is just a small gesture, but we believe the local community should see and experience the Museum just like so many others have.”

Clayton residents wishing to take advantage of this offer should visit the ABM admission desk on August 27 or August 28 and present valid identification indicating residency within the 13624 zip code. Pieces of mail or other non-official documentation will not be accepted. In addition, any youth visitor under the age of 16 with an adult guest from Clayton will be permitted free as well. Summer residents of Clayton without a valid identification within the 13624 zip code are not permitted through this special offer. This offer is intended for full-time Clayton residents only.

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 August 2014, the Museum will host the 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show inNorth America. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org. 

Flora and Fauna Series: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Patty Mondore managed to capture these hard to get beautiful pictures of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) found in New York State. These photos are unretouched, yet I was struck by the artistic look and clarity in these photos. Be sure to click on the photos to enjoy them in larger size. Appropriately, the flowers are called the Butterfly Bush.

This is part of the new Flora and Fauna series exclusively found on this blog, SingerCastle.blogspot.com. Previous photos include the American Eagle found in the Thousand Islands. Check back often for many more forthcoming super shots.

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YNN's "The Getaway Guy" has released a new book, which features the ABM!

Click on book image above to see it larger.

CLAYTON, New York (August 16, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that it has been featured in the newest book by Mike O’Brian, better known across New York State as The Getaway Guy on Time Warner Cable’s regional news network.

The Getaway Guy: 50 MORE Day Trip Getaways with Mike O'Brian features 50 exciting destinations across New York State. From hidden waterfalls to family-friendly parks and discoveries, as well as haunted getaways, O’Brian leads you throughout the state by highlighting unique and exciting locations. Whether you're looking for adventure, a historical experience, or just a relaxing day with someone special, there's something for everyone and this new book provides details and information to make coordinating a trip easier.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with Mike in preparing his newest book and having the ability to highlight the Museum,” explained Michael Folsom, ABM Director of Marketing and Communications. “Mike has an outstanding track record with providing readers and viewers with excellent information necessary for planning an adventure and it’s an honor that he has recognized the Museum as a must-see destination.”

The ABM is featured on pages 14 and 15 of the new book, which includes information, pricing, and photographs. 

“The Antique Boat Museum is one of the best kept secrets on the southern banks of the St. Lawrence River," shared O’Brian.

In addition to authoring books, O'Brian is host of YNN's popular travel segment, The Getaway Guy, which is seen in more than 2 million homes across New York.

The Getaway Guy: 50 MORE Day Trip Getaways with Mike O'Brian is available for purchase at the Antique Boat Museum Store, which is open daily 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Museum admission is not required to shop.

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 August 2014, the Museum will host the 50th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show in North America. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ENCOURAGES VISIT TO ABM AS PART OF NEW YORK STATE PATH THROUGH HISTORY PROGRAM

CLAYTON, New York (August 11, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has recognized the ABM as a destination of significance.

Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo highlighted several scenic and historic transportation destinations and encouraged New Yorkers to consider taking a midsummer trek through the state’s rich history. The destinations are part of the Governor’s Path Through History program that highlights historically and culturally significant sites and events throughout New York State.

“From the untamed beauty of Niagara Falls, all along the Erie Canal, and on to the soaring peaks of the Adirondacks, New York State has a multitude of historic attractions that deserve a visit to experience,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release. “Our state has played a particularly important role in the development of transportation industries and technology, and the Path Through History program is a great way to appreciate them. Whatever your interests, New York is rich with incredible destinations that will make any trip around the Empire State an unforgettable experience.”

The ABM was recognized by the Governor for its extensive collection of more than 300 finely-crafted boats and thousands of boating artifacts, all of which played an important role in transportation history across New York State and beyond.

Path Through History, introduced by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, builds on New York’s already robust heritage tourism attractions. The initiative is currently focused on 13 themes including: Arts & Culture, Natural History, U.S. Presidents, Women’s Rights, Canals & Transportation, Civil Rights, Colonial History, Immigration, Innovation & Commerce, The Revolutionary War, Native American Heritage, Sports History and the War of 1812. Important heritage sites and events across the state were selected with input from leading historians. For more information, visit http://paththroughhistory.ny.gov/.

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 August 2014, the Museum will host the 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show in North America. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

1000 Islands RiverQuest by Helicopter

This is a 3-minute sampling of the finest video ever captured of the 1000 Islands region. It was made possible thanks to Singer Castle's Tom Weldon and (Captain) RiverQuest's Lyne Roberge who raised the $100K budget with several visionary RiverQuest partners when our Aquatarium's budget proved insufficient. Doug McLellan, CEO of McLellan Group and creator of our iPad eBook "One in a Thousand" was the creative director aboard a twin-turbine Eurocopter that usually shoots gigs like The Amazing Race and the Superbowl. A $700K Red EPIC 4K HD remote controlled camera with a Gyron stabilizer (one of only two such setups in the world) were the final ingredients to finally do justice to this most amazing place. Enjoy!

---Ian Coristine, One In a Thousand

10 Years of Staff on Dark Island

Photo by Tom Weldon, President of Singer Castle

Singer Castle on Dark Island is in its tenth season of tours. Pictured here are staff from the first summer opening in 2003 to the present day. Between the three Sheridan siblings, the family worked at the castle from 2003 until 2011. Chelsea Milsap, a family friend of the Sheridan's, who is currently on her sixth summer at Singer Castle, gave the family a tour when they came to visit Dark Island last weekend.

Left to right: William and Amanda Sheridan, Krista Sheridan, Thomas Bianci, James Sheridan, Chelsea Milsap, Sarah Sheridan, and Dennis Grabowski.

MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE 11Oth BIRTHDAY OF ICONIC HOUSEBOAT, La Duchesse

ABM photo: La Duchesse with Number Boat

CLAYTON, New York (August 8, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that it will host a day of celebration in honor of the 110^th birthday of the iconic houseboat, La Duchesse.

Visit the Museum on Wednesday, August 14 and enjoy a guided tour aboard one of the region’s most recognizable and historic vessels. Anyone touring the houseboat on August 14 will be entered into a drawing to win a one-of-a-kind hand-painted Thousand Islands Picture Paddle of La Duchesse done by well-known river artist John Miller III.

In addition to the drawing, refreshments will be served throughout the day and the cutting of her birthday cake will take place at 1:00 p.m. Visitors are also encouraged to attend in gilded-age or unique nautical attire.

Museum admission required.

La Duchesse is a 106-foot houseboat constructed in 1903 for George Boldt and was in constant use by her three owners until becoming the ABM’s largest artifact. She was donated to the Museum in 2003 by Andrew McNally III, former President of Rand McNally, who’s family used La Duchesse as their summer home from 1947-2001. She would later open to the public for tours at the Museum in 2005 and has become one of the most sought after pieces for viewing at the ABM.

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 August 2014, the Museum will host the 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show in North America. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

CANAL SCHOONER LOIS McCLURE TO DOCK IN CLAYTON

CLAYTON, New York (August 8, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that the replica 1862-class canal schooner, Lois McClure, will dock at the Museum and be open for tours on August 27 and 28.

The schooner Lois McClure is a full-scale replica of an 1862-class sailing canal boat, constructed in Burlington, VT and launched in 2004. The 88-foot vessel is operated by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and is currently on a War of 1812 bicentennial tour across upstate New York, as well as Ontario, Quebec, and northern Vermont.

The 33-foot, tugboat C.L.Churchill will escort the Lois McClure to the ABM, as it does anytime the schooner is navigating waterways.

Earlier this summer, the Lois McClure made news as it was stranded along the Erie Canal system due to high water levels and flood damage. The schooner resumed its scheduled appearances in mid-July, nearly a month later than planned, which has slightly altered its originally scheduled appearance dates at the ABM.

The Lois McClure and C.L.Churchill are expected to be docked at the ABM on Tuesday, August 27 and Wednesday, August 28. Tours of the vessel are included in admission rates to the Museum on those days during Museum hours.

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 August 2014, the Museum will host the 50^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running show in North America. For more information please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

Astonishing Drone Video of Niagara Falls!

This is one of the most amazing videos of Niagara Falls that you will ever see! No, wait, I mean it, you have never seen the likes of this. It is not your regular tourist or news reel film. 

How is this related to the St. Lawrence River? According to the Niagara Parks website, water from Niagara Falls flows eventually through the St. Lawrence River, i.e., through the 1000 Islands: 
The water flows from streams and rivers that empty into the Great Lakes, from Lake Superior down through Niagara to Lake Ontario, then into the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. Water always flows down to the sea, and the land slopes downward through the Great Lakes Basin from west to east, but the Niagara River actually flows north.

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