Antique Boat Museum & River Hospital To Be Honored For Collaboration

CLAYTON, New York (March 29, 2015) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that the Museum and River Hospital, located in Alexandria Bay, will be honored during the 7^th annual Nonprofit Awards for their 2014 collaboration relating to the River Community Wellness Program (RWCP) for soldiers suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

In May 2014, the ABM and River Hospital kicked-off a publicity campaign highlighting the importance of the RWCP and for the first time provided public access to the emotional compositions created by soldiers in the program.

The RCWP at River Hospital was instituted to provide intensive outpatient behavioral health services for active duty military personnel stationed at Fort Drum, while providing continuity of care for soldiers transitioning from an inpatient stay. It also serves as an intensive intervention option for mental health services locally to reduce potential admissions of service members to an inpatient level of care, focusing instead on building coping skills and supports in the community. RCWP is the only program of its kind in the United States and keeps military members close to home while they are healing and learning to cope, using multiple forms of therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, Group and Individual Therapy, Movement Therapy, Peer to Peer Therapy, Imaginal and In Vivo Exposure Therapy, as well as Psychiatry and Medication Management.

Through this partnership, the artwork and creative writing that had been created in recent years as part of Creative Arts Therapy went on display to the public at the ABM in an effort to share the pain and effect of being a soldier. Also, participants in the RCWP were given the opportunity to explore the region’s beauty by climbing aboard one of the Museum’s in-water fleet boats to cruise the islands for relaxation and meditation time, as required by the program.

In addition, River Hospital served as the Official Sponsor of the Armed Forces at the Museum throughout the 2014 season, underwriting admission fees for more than 500 soldiers, as well as the admission fees of all active and retired military members during the historic 50th annual Antique Boat Show which was held August 1-3. As part of the Boat Show festivities, Boston Legal actor Mark Valley made an appearance to sign autographs and help raise funds for RCWP.

The 7^th annual Nonprofit Awards are presented by M&T Bank, with support from Business Journal News Network, ABC Creative Group and BizEventz. The awards luncheon will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the SRC Arena on Onondaga Community College campus, Syracuse.

Singer Castle on Dark Island in the Winter Time - 2015

These photos by Scott Garris (caretaker of Dark Island) and Jean Papke (Administrative Assistant) were recently taken of Singer Castle. Be sure to click on the photos to see them larger.

Singer Castle photo by Scott Garris

Photo by Jean Papke (Elm Tree Island foreground, Dark Island background). Camera perspective from the river's shore makes them look much closer together than they actually are. Note that the St.Lawrence River is totally iced over.

Singer Castle photo by Scott Garris

Singer Castle photo by Scott Garris

To tremble from cold in the icy snow,
In the harsh breath of a horrid wind;
To run, stamping one's feet every moment,
Our teeth chattering in the extreme cold    ...

We tread the icy path slowly and cautiously, for fear of tripping and falling.
Then turn abruptly, slip, crash on the ground and, rising, hasten on across the ice lest it cracks up.
We feel the chill north winds course through the home despite the locked and bolted doors...
this is winter, which nonetheless brings its own delights.

---Vivaldi, the Four Seasons sonnets, 1700s

DANIELLE M. WILLS APPOINTED TO NORTH COUNTRY ARTS COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Danielle M. Wills

CLAYTON, New York (March 13, 2015) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that Danielle M. Wills has been appointed to the North Country Arts Council’s (NCAC) Board of Directors.

Wills joined the ABM in June 2014 as Membership & Finance Assistant, a role in which she is heavily involved in both the membership and finance departments, focusing on member and donor relations, as well as general office management.

Frederick H. Hager, the ABM’s Executive Director, commented: “We are extremely proud to have Danielle on the Board of this important regional organization. This is a wonderful opportunity for her personally and professionally, and for the ABM as an institution.”

"Danielle's degree in Art History, her track record as a team player, and her obvious love of the arts, makes her a perfect choice to join the NCAC board," explained Kris Marsala, NCAC Board President. "Danielle understands that it's not just the quality of the art work in your gallery or arts center that can help you succeed. Financial responsibility, creative marketing, and building positive relationships in your community are also important components of success in the art world."

Wills is a 2003 graduate of Alexandria Central Schools and a 2012 graduate of SUNY College at Buffalo where she received a B.A. in Art History. Prior to joining the ABM she was Executive Assistant at Martin House, the Frank Lloyd Wright historic landmark in downtown Buffalo. Wills currently resides in Alexandria Bay.

About NCAC

The North Country Arts Council (NCAC) began as the North Country Artists' Guild in 1948. It served the area by providing opportunities to fine artists. In 2009, the mission was expanded to promote growth in and through all creative art forms including, but not limited to, music, theater, dance, literature, and visual arts. A non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, the NCAC is a tool for developing and celebrating cultural opportunities in the community, making it a better place to live.

About ABM

Located on the St. Lawrence River in 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 51st 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.

ONE-OF-A-KIND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE COMING TO THE DOCK OF THE ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM THIS AUGUST 2015

CLAYTON, New York (March 12, 2015) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, announced today that the Caravan Stage Company will dock and perform at the Museum this coming August.

The Caravan Stage Company (www.caravanstage.org) will float into the dock at the ABM this coming August 14 & 15, 2015 for two nights of high-flying, mesmerizing aerial acrobatics and a world-renowned theatrical performance that is sure to be the talk of the 1000 Islands this summer season.

Since its founding in 1970, the Caravan has provided invaluable opportunities for young people from all sectors of their multi-faceted society and has traveled the globe reaching audiences of all walks of life. The Caravan embodies a long tradition of traveling theatrical productions with their combination of innovative stylistic staging, imaginative music and dance, and colorful entertaining themes. The shows are all original productions expressing the issues and concerns of people inhabiting the environment of the 21st century.

 One of the most unique aspects to this theatre is that all of the performances are done aboard a 100-foot long, 90-foot tall ship, which serves as their stage.

“The uniqueness of the Caravan is unmatched in the region and we are privileged to be the host site of these fascinating performances,” said Michael Folsom, ABM Director of Marketing & Communications. “Nowhere else will you find the opportunity to enjoy a summer evening along the water’s edge while being caught up in an exciting performance with music, lights, and aerial acrobatics. By bringing this show to the Museum, we are able to serve a different form of cultural importance in the North Country, while combining it with our everyday cultural role.”

The Clayton shows will be the only scheduled shows in Northern New York and on the United States side of the St. Lawrence River, making these shows more special and unique to the region.

The Caravan performance known as ‘Hacked: the Treasure of the Empire’ integrates text, poetry, video, humor, music, movement, masks, props and special effects into a magical theatrical experience that is both compelling and inspirational.

Tickets for the show are only $20 and can be ordered online at abm.org or by calling the ABM at 315-686-4104. In-person ticket purchases can be made when the Museum reopens on May 1. This event is lawn seating only and it is suggested to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

The event is supported in part by Watertown Savings Bank, Bella’s of Clayton, Vintage Doors, and 7News/Fox28.

About ‘Hacked’ by Caravan Stage Company

'Hacked: the Treasure of the Empire' plot revolves around the machinations of the Mammon trying to find the stolen treasure, the whereabouts known only to the Hackers. The Mammon must find it or else the Mammon Corp Regime will collapse.

This original Caravan show explores the quest for freedom of expression, in political & social discourse, within the world of the internet & virtual media; examines the ubiquitous presence of surveillance in our lives; and probes the ethics of the dissolution of the public, democratic control over the justice and penal systems.

'Hacked' features the entire pallet of Caravan theatrical stereographic treats such as passionate characters, poetic lyrics, exotic and melodic music, multiple video screens with a global array of imagery and visual trickery, unique aerial acrobatics, surreal lighting and sound, and a giant mega puppet that spies, swags, savages, swears, swoons and sings.

A video trailer of the show can be seen here - https://vimeo.com/119560599

About ABM

Located on the St. Lawrence River in 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 112-year old gilded-age two-story houseboat. In 2015, the ABM will host the 51st 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.

Singer Castle on Dark Island open dates for 2015. Employment applications accepted.

Singer Castle on Dark Island in the Thousand Islands will be open for tours during the 2015 season from Saturday, May 16^th to Sunday, October 11, 2015. Details as follows:

May 16th – June 20, 2015 The castle will be open 4 days a week: Saturdays and Sundays 10-5 with the last tour of the day at 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 4 pm. Tours are also available by appointment for groups.

June 26th through Labor Day, Monday, September 1^st, the castle will be open seven days a week 10-5 with the last tour of the day at 4 p.m.

After Labor Day, the castle will be open 4 days a week: Saturdays and Sundays 10-5 with the last tour of the day at 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 4 pm. Tours will also be available by appointment.

The last scheduled day of operation for the 2015 season is Sunday, October 11th.

Call 1-877-327-5475 or 315-486-3275 for more information.

Applications are being accepted for employment during the 2015 season.  Please e-mail tom@singercastle.com to request an application.

Information per Dark Island Tours.