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:

Business After Hours at Singer Castle

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Business After Hours event at Singer Castle on Thursday, July 21^st.  One Hundred Eighty-two chamber members from businesses all over the Watertown-North Country area cruised downriver from Alexandria Bay on Uncle Sam Boat Tours “Island Dutchess.” While enjoying their cruise to Dark Island, Singer Castle Historian Judy Keeler shared some of the castle’s history and they were treated to a delicious supper catered by RJs Catering from Adams Center. 

Upon arrival at Singer Castle one half of the group joined castle staff members for a tour while the other half was treated to dessert and coffee on the South Dock.  After the first group of guests completed their tours and returned to the main dock for dessert, the remaining guests had their chance to tour the castle.  In spite of the high temperatures all of those involved enjoyed the experience.

 

The After Hours Event was cooperatively sponsored by Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours, Watertown Sam’s Club, River Bank Gallery and Blue Heron Coffee, RJs Catering and Singer Castle. Uncle Sam’s provided transportation. Bottled water, set ups and desserts were provided by the Watertown Sam’s Club.  Coffee was provided by the Riverbank Gallery and Blue Heron Coffee, RJs catering provided the evening meal and Singer Castle provided the destination.

Above dispatch and picture received direct from Dark Island.

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 (the last Monday of every May), we remember those who gave up everything for us.

Above is a memorial located in Alexandria Bay, NY overlooking the St. Lawrence River and Boldt Castle on Heart Island. The memorial is a testament to PFC Jack T. Sweet, a soldier who gave his life on Feb. 8, 2008 in Iraq at the age of 19 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jack Sweet was from Alexandria Bay and his home base was Fort Drum in Watertown, NY (10th Mountain Division).

Photos by Bob Mondore

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).

Borders Bookstore book signing success!

Thanks to all of you folks who showed up at our book signing at Borders Bookstore today in the Salmon Run Mall, Watertown, NY. We had a lot of fun and good conversation. And many of you received some great surprise gifts from us (including 1 gigabyte thumb drives!). That's what happens when you support our brand; random gifts coming your way! The next book signing will be at the Singer Castle itself on Dark Island July 3rd. Details coming later.

And another special thanks to the crew at Borders Bookstore. They treated us like royalty. What a great bunch of people at the Salmon Run Mall!

Authors book signing at Borders in Watertown NY

I happened to be browsing in the Borders Bookstore in the Salmon Run Mall at Watertown NY a few days ago and saw the above notice on their corkboard.

Surprise, we (Robert and Patty Mondore) will be at the Salmon Run Mall Friday, June 18, 2010 from 4 p.m to 7 p.m autographing copies of the hot new book, Singer Castle Revisted. Mention that you saw this blog and you will receive a great gift from me with the purchase of this book!

The book is published by the famous historical press, the Arcadia Publishing Company. Super reviews are coming in from the initial readers. If you want to be inspired and have any interest in Singer Castle on Dark Island or the Thousand Islands, this book, chock-full of pictures, is a must-see.

North Country St. Patrick's Day Special

In keeping with the St. Patrick's Day holiday, here is a video from WPBS-TV featuring these Irish Dancers. The goal of this Northern New York Irish Festival is to raise money to bring children from Ireland to Northern New York for four weeks in the Summer time. See their NNY Irish Festival website for details.

Text describing the above video says it is raw footage of dancers from the Johnston School of Irish Step Dancing who are visiting and performing during the WPBS Spring into March Membership drive being held March 6th through March 14th. The dancers are representing the celebration of the 25th North Country Goes Green Festival being held March 11th through March 14th at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown, NY. The school holds classes in Syracuse, Fayetteville, Watertown, and Utica, NY.