Thanksgiving in the United States is just around the corner. Time to sit back and read our e-zine from cover to cover.
This month, historian, Bonnie Wilkinson Mark, who lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania provides an in-depth history of her great grandfather’s
Hutchinson Boat Works in Alexandria Bay; Fisher’s Landing’s Robert Matthews returns with more Thousand Islands memorabilia
First Airplane Service in the Islands; Alan Lindsay, from Amherstview, ON, bring us
Building the Bridge to Somewhere; Grenell Island’s Lynn McElfresh expresses what it is like
Marrying into Island Life; Bud Andress, who lives on Hill Island, ON returns to
TI Life with important news of
The Eagle Watch Update; And I present a book review of Tom Massey’s “
Truths, Half Truths & Damn Lies” now available in Rockport shops or on line.
Mike Folsom our “shipwatcher” brings us two articles in one - Don’t Spill The Beans: A River Grounding. His ‘Not Easy Being On A Ship’ series, which was originally scheduled to return this month, will now return with Part II in December.
We also have two new contributors: Hunter Grimes with Blue Lips and Goose Bumps; and George Bailey takes us Around Lake Ontario.
Kim Lunman’s article for this month…TILife Editor Named 'Keeper of the Islands.'… is a surprise to me. When I received an invitation to attend the Gananoque’s Chamber of Commerce Awards and I knew I would be away, I asked Kim, as a member of our TI Life Team to accept the honour on our behalf. I have to admit that I had no idea that it was I who was being recognized and I admit I am extremely proud. The Thousand Islands is a special year round home to many, a boating destination for others, or, as with our family - a special summer place. It is special because of each one of us cares. Sharing our stories with our readers is not difficult, and the truth is, our TI Life Team, our authors and photographers, as well as our proof reader, Jane Taylor, and Kingston editor, David Ray - make me look good. Thank you all!
New Contributors
| | Hunter Grimes - Blue Lips and Goose Bumps Hunter Grimes served in the Navy from 1966-1970. In 1968-70 he was with UDT 21 and Navy Seals. He is currently owner of Diverse Construction Group, LLC. He attended SUNY Oswego, University of Alaska at Fairbanks and Syracuse School of Forestry. Hunter is certainly a genuine River Rat – a reliable term given for those who spend their lives on, in or under the River. In 1989 Canadian author, Shawn Thompson wrote his book, “River Rats: The People of the Thousand Islands”. Page 68 has the Hunter Grimes story. Hunter and his wife Martha have devoted their lives to their community, both being recognized for their volunteer and leadership. |
| | George Bailey - Around Lake Ontario Photojournalist George Bailey is from Niagara Falls, Canada. For the past 13 years he's been writing a regular travel column for QMI Agency. This is a network of 41 daily newspapers found across Ontario, including the Toronto Sun. In addition to this, his stories appear in several on-line travel sites. George was the marketing manager for The Niagara Parks Commission for 25 years. He has published four guide books on Niagara Falls and is one of the 400 or so writers that have written a book on Marilyn Monroe. He also writes a weekly blog for the Niagara Falls Tourist Association on Niagara Falls. |
Readers Exchange Jane DeMeis shares her shots Jane DeMeis and her husband Joe drive up to the River for day trips from Fairport, NY starting in early spring and then stay at the Edgewood Resort in Alex Bay for holidays. They are already members of “Save the River” and joined the “1000 Islands Museum”. Jane works as the Director of Staff Development and Education at CDS, Inc in Webster. She also loves to take photographs and sent us these.   
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Dudley Danielson – Preparing for Spring TI Life received a notice from Clayton’s TIYLO (Thousand Islands Youth Leadership Organization) announcing a bulb planting program that took place in October. 1,200 bulbs were planted in public spaces around the town. We sent the notice to Dudley Danielson, who has left the River, but who still has a passion to improve the landscape. (Dudley spent many years publishing a local newspaper, “Relax in the Thousand Islands”.) Soon after I received a note from Dudley with these beautiful photographs which are a series of Clayton Bulbs from the past! “Thank you Susan for forwarding this wonderful improvement. For more years than I can now recall I have planted bulbs in the fall BECAUSE for me they represent HOPE and FAITH in the future”. Dudley Danielson |
Rex, what an excellent story! Ephraim Myers was my second cousin (6 generations removed). I never knew the reason why he embezzled from the bank, but now I understand his motivation - thank you!
It might interest your readers to know that the National Bank building which Myers worked at and stole the funds from, actually still stands on State Street in Carthage. The building is lucky enough to have survived the fire that leveled much of State Street a few years ago, and has recently been renovated into apartments. (
(Photo appears on left )Here is a photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/army_arch/3079141779/.
It may also interest your readers to know that Ephraim's grandfather Richard Myers was one of the first settlers at Deer River, just a few miles from Carthage, over the Lewis County line. He erected a stone mill there in 1824, and for a while the settlement of Deer River was known as "Myer's Mills." Many of the large stone homes along the main street in nearby Denmark were once occupied by Richard's children and grandchildren.
Richard and his brother Henry Myers (my ancestor) were sons of Corick Myers and Lydia Higsbee or Schodack, Rensselaer Co., New York. Readers interested in the genealogy of this Myers family can find more details on my website at: http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~legends/myres.html . Thanks again for a great story! Mark Wentling
Feedback from an October 2009 story
A year after we published Brian Johnson’s Silent Rapids of Long Sault we received this wonderful feedback:
Thanks for a great article about the past. I just read it for the first time today. Unfortunately, I did not visit the St. Lawrence River until 1960. The Seaway construction (and destruction) had been completed by that time. As often as possible, Juliet and I paddle DOWN the St. Lawrence River. To date, we've covered almost the entire river, from Kingston/Cape Vincent NY to Lancaster, Ontario. It's always a trip WITH the current and sometimes with a large umbrella at the bow, serving as an improvised sail. In our travels we encounter many reminders of what the river was like before 1957. Fortunately, the zebra mussels have made the water crystal clear, allowing us to gaze at foundations of of abandoned homes, streets and railway beds that are no longer traveled, and hulks of ships that met with some sort of misfortune. Hills that were once along the shore are now reduced to islands. We occasionally occupy them for a pleasant overnight stay in our tent.
The fast currents near Ivy Lea create eddies, the sometimes brisk tailwinds make whitecaps and the wakes from passing motorboats and freighters make for some very memorable moments.
We do not paddle upstream: I hitchhike to get back to where I've left my pickup truck. If you see a guy with a paddle in hand and a little white dog standing at his feet beside NY 37 or Ontario Hwy. 2, give him a lift - that's me.
Nick Wolochatiuk, Williamstown, Oct 19/10
I wrote Nick to thank him, and he sent me these photographs.
Conclusion
We look forward to your contributions. Is there a particular area of interest that you would like to see us cover? We may not have room for all, but we encourage contributions that will increase our knowledge and appreciation for this very special place we call the Thousand Islands. With over 200 square miles, there is much more of it than any of us can possibly know intimately. The magazine can help fill that gap. If you are interested in providing content to TI Life, please review our guidelines. Each month we also receive notifications publicizing Thousand Islands happenings - these are posted on our Events page, so check these out often.
And be sure to become a fan of our Facebook page. We encourage you to post photographs, comments or questions!
Susan W. Smith, Editor susansmith@thousandislandslife.com