Norma Zimmer Clayton's Citizen Of The Year

Clayton NY:

Mayor, Norma Zimmer was recognized tonight as Clayton's Citizen of the Year. 250 well wishers gathered tonight at the Clipper Inn and Restaurant to recognize Norma.  I was asked to take a ride on the Clayton Fire Departments 100' aerial  Ladder to shoot some video and take some pictures of tonight's award location.  Some wanted a different perspective of this yearly event.  Even though I am not a big fan of heights, I accompanied Clayton  fireman Scott Johnson as we ascended upwards to the full extension of fire truck number #14. For me it was an interesting experience, and many thanks to Scott for being patient with my phobia.  Congratulation to Mayor Zimmer....

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Selective Reporting by the TI Sun

Alexandria Bay:

On May 14th I wrote a story about an Energy Audit that was conducted by Troy & Banks for the Village of Alexandria Bay.  An audit that stated very clearly that the village was actually loosing money by using Ambit Energy an ESCO company [an alternate energy supply company].

Personally I really do not care who saves the village money and/or for what ever utility.  But I do take exception to selective reporting.  I was at the same meeting that the TI Sun Pamela McDowell attended on May 14th.  The Sun reported her story in their May 22nd edition that Trustee Henry thanked Ambit energy  representative and village resident Jim Costello for savings on the electric bills  of village buildings.  The Sun also reported that Mr. Costello boasted that Ambit saved electric costs for the Reformed Church and the hospital and town offices.

But at no time did the TI Sun ever mention the results of the energy audit performed by Troy and Banks that Mayor Jury read at the May 14th board meeting.  I did however share my audio recordings of the negative findings of the audit and also the rebuttal of those findings as stated by Mr Costello of Ambit Energy.

I accurately reported  both sides of this story and even admitted that I may have been wrong about Ambit Energy.  The TI Sun however chose to edit out everything but  Trustee Henry's  comments and  ignored anything about the Troy & Banks Energy Audit and Mr. Costello's rebuttal.

I am sure that the story was accurately submitted to the Sun, but as we all know, the editor has the final say!



Related Stories: Village Energy Audit and Ambit Retort

                         Ambit Savings in the Bay

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Opening Celebration @ Bay House Artisans

Alexandria Bay:

This past Saturday, The Bay House Artisans hosted an opening celebration, artist meet and greet and the opening show of the "Out of the Box " project. Entertainment was provided by Beautiful Wreck with special guest, blues guitarist Wendell Amisimak, Wine was poured by Venditti Winery of Theresa .

Thousands Islands Life.com wrote an article Explore Bay House Artisans which explains what this group is all about.  You can also visit the Bay House Artisans web site by clicking on this link.

The video below features some the local artists work as well as some great blues music.

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Don't Miss A Thing A.B.M. 2013 Slogan

Clayton NY Antique Boat Museum:

Sneak Peak at the up and coming Billboard Blitz...

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Curb Your Horse

Alexandria Bay:

Our village like most other communities has an ordinance that requires owners to clean up after their pets potty.  What about horses?  This Amish buggy meandered through the village today.  According to witnesses  the horse left trails of poop along village streets.  One person noted how unsanitary and gross it was to be walking along the street and see a steaming pile of horse dung.  Another commented that the village is thinking of restricting dogs from the park and Casino Island, but this [horse dung] is a larger more disgusting issue.

It is impossible for the drivers of the buggy to not notice that their horse just defecated.  He does have a birds eye view of that end of the horse.  And the lifting of the horses tail is another clue, along with the inevitable passing wind.

HORSE DIAPER used in most cities

Ordinance and a Fine

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Bay House Artisan Opening Celebration

Alexandria Bay,

This coming Saturday, May 25, Bay House Artisans is hosting an opening celebration, artist meet and greet and the opening show of the "Out of the Box " project from 7pm to 9pm. Entertainment will be provided by Beautiful Wreck, wine will be poured by Venditti Winery of Theresa and munchies will be provided.

Everyone is invited to attend and have a great time! Mark your calendars!

Friend them on Facebook:

Bay House Artisans

Venditti Vineyards

Beautiful Wreck

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The WIND and The Petals

Alexandria Bay:

The Beauty is Stolen by the WIND. Tonight, the wind wreaked havoc....

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Panoramic View From State Office Building

Watertown, NY:

Sean commented: "Had to meet a roofing contractor at the office for some thermal surface readings tonight. This is the sunset from 12 stories up, it  is pretty cool."
Photo by Sean Hennesey

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Rowing To Church

Alexandria Bay:

This morning my son, Conner and his uncle Joel rowed from Brown Bay Wellesley Island to Alex Bay, approximately 3.5 miles in just under 40 minutes.  They went to Mass at St. Cyrils Church.  The video below is their return trip back to Brown Bay.  It was a little touch and go as they both maneuvered into the shell, I held my breath a couple of times hoping that they said their prayers to Saint Warhol, patron to rowers.

In a few weeks, they plan on rowing around Wellesley Island...... At almost $4.50 a gallon  at the docks, it is cheaper than boating.

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T.I. Youth Hockey Flower Sale

Help Support this program with a Spring Flower Purchase:

Color your deck, patio, or gardens with
an assortment of these:

6 Packs: Alysuum, Impatiens, Salvia , Petunias, Begonias, Marigolds, Dusty Miller, Dahlias, Lobelia, Pansies, and more!

Premium Pots, Hanging Bags, Patio Pots, 10" Combo Baskets, and 12" Combo Baskets.

Today, May 18th from 8am to 4pm
Sunday from 8am to 3pm.

Located at the Clipper Inn parking lot, Rt. 12 Clayton NY.  Contact Tom Turgeon @ 778-1037 for further info.

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Town Alexandria Council Seat To Remain Vacant

Town Of Alexandria:

Councilman Durand, a Republican, resigned in January of this year.  The board was deadlocked for several months with Councilman Williams [R] and Beaudin [D] favoring one of the two candidates chosen by the republican party. Councilman Sweet along with Supervisor Hunneyman chose to back candidates that were not approved by the local Republican Party. As of this meeting, the seat will remain vacant till the November General Election.

I was going to write a synopsis of everything that has transpired over the past few months.  In my view, this has been one huge FUBAR!  The TI Sun did a fabulous job of editing out  remarks except for those of their chosen one.  I offer you the entire unedited conversations from the 5.8.13 meeting.

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Village Energy Audit & Ambit Retort

Alexandria Bay:

Once again I find myself posting information about Ambit Energy.  Several weeks ago I conceded that Ambit Energy an ESCO which is an alternate Energy Supply Company had saved the village money on their electric consumption.  According to Ambit, the village has saved a significant amount over the past few months.

Energy Auditors Troy and Banks claims that the village is actually loosing money by  using Ambit as their electric supplier. Ambit Spokesman Jim Costello disputed  these findings by Troy & Banks.  But Troy & Banks claims that they can assist the village  by obtaining better quotes from other ESCO's besides Ambit.

Quotes? What a novel idea..... listen to the audio from tonight's meeting

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Hail In The Bay

Alexandria Bay:

Today's Cold weather Gave the Bay some Hail Tonight

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Preparing The War Memorial Park

Alexandria Bay:

Lots of work went on this past week to prepare the American Legion John B. Lyman Post 904 War Memorial Park  for Saturday's  dedication of the Fallen Hero Monument.



A related story I posted from last March. Shannon Bartlett makes a commitment to the Fallen Hero Project.

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Not Just About Old Boats And Old Men

Clayton N.Y.

Recently I was invited to a Media Advisory Event hosted by the Antique Boat Museum.  When I arrived, there were the usual Main Stream Media reporters in attendance. News Papers, TV-Radio personalities,  reps from the TI Tourism Council and local Chambers of Commerce, and myself.... the Blogger!

After a brief meet and greet, we were all ushered into to the media room.  Short presentations were given by Michael Folsom: Director of Marketing, Fritz Hager: Executive Director, and Lora Nadolski: Director of Public Programming.  More on those at another time.  

During the 30 minute presentation, several comments caught my attention, but one seemed to hang in the air. "The Antique Boat Museum is NOT just about old boats and old men".  I guess that was always my perception and probably yours too.  At the end of the event I realized it was a misconception.  Over the next few weeks I will be doing a series of posts.... What The ABM is Really About.

Old Boats Move FAST!  We were treated to a ride in the Miss Thousand Islands II, a Hacker-Craft triple-cockpit runabout.  I volunteered to sit in the aft pit, knowing that spot would be the lowest in the water.  We took a smooth teaser trip around Calumet Island. Watch The Video, it isn't stuffy at all....

I Found An Island In Her Arms....

Break On Through To The Other Side

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Calumet Island-Clayton NY

A trip around Calumet Island on the Miss Thousand Island II.  Below are a  couple  of my photo captures from a soon to be released video.... Clayton Antique Boat Museum.

Related Story: 2013 Antique Boat Museum Schedule

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Antique Boat Museum 2013 Events Schedule

CLAYTON, New York (May 9, 2013) – The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater nautical museum based in Clayton, New York, has announced its 2013 dates of operation and event schedule.

The ABM will kick-start the 1000 Islands summer season this Friday at 9 a.m. when the Museum officially opens and begins the countdown to the 49^th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction, the longest running antique boat show in North America, to be held August 2-4.

This season will include new events and activities, as well as an extended operations calendar, which will take the Museum through more than 200 days in 2013.

2013 Dates of Operation

Friday, May 10                                                   Summer Season Begins

Tuesday, October 1                                         La Duchesse Closes (seasonal exhibit)

Sunday, October 13                                        Rideboat Operations Conclude

Monday, October 14                                      Fall/Winter Season Begins*

Friday, December 20                                      Museum and Museum Store Close for the Season

* Hours and dates to be finalized

2013 Event Schedule

Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 12              Opening Weekend

Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19              ACBS/ABM Symposium

Thursday, May 23                                            “Call for Volunteers” Breakfast

Friday, May 24                                                   Reception for New Exhibit Opening

Saturday, June 8                                               Free Admission Family Day

Sunday, June 16 – Saturday, June 22       International Steamboat Flotilla “Blow Off Steam”

Sunday, June 30                                               Free Vessel Inspections, courtesy of USCG Auxiliary, 9-1 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3                                          July Jubilee

Saturday, July 13                                              3^rd Annual 1000 Islands Concours d’Elegance Classic Car Show

Friday, July 19                                                    Movie Under the Stars, showing Night at the Museum

Friday, August 2 – Sunday, August 4        49^th Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction

Saturday, August 17 – Sunday, August 18

                                                                                Schooner Lois McClure Visits*

Friday, August 23                                             Movie Under the Stars, showing Pirates of the Caribbean

Thursday, September 5                                 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

* subject to change

The Museum will also announce new winter and off-season events at a later date.

In 2012, the ABM welcomed more than 30,000 visitors through the gates for various events, weddings, facility rentals, and museum admission.

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. The Museum also offers visitors a number of unique opportunities each summer to get out on the water and experience the St. Lawrence River aboard speedboats, skiffs, and sailboats. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at ABM.org.

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Constituents Cry Disappointment

Town Of Alexandria:

The hot topic at tonight's Town Meeting?  Who would fill the vacant councilperson's seat?  All I can say is that some were disappointed that councilmen D. Williams and A. Beaudin did not side with Councilman B. Sweet and Supervisor D. Hunneyman. Creating a 2/2 tie.  Some chastised Beaudin and Williams as if they were kids that had done something to embarrass a parent.... Really? Really? More on this later....

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El Capitan Cinco De Mayo

Alexandria Bay:

Having a little fun with our very own El Capitan Gordo Bastardo

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Raising The New Flag Pole

Alexandria Bay:
This morning at the Alexandria Bay American Legion John B Lyman Post 904 War Memorial Park the new flag pole was raised with some help from The Alexandria Bay Fire Department.  Work will continue throughout the week, with the addition of pavers.

Related Story: Girl Scout Makes Commitment to Fallen Heroes.

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Beautiful Wreck

Beautiful Wreck is not a sunken ship nor is it a femme fatale.  It is a new name for local musical duo Dan Hammond and Jess Pierce who were formerly known as Tongue & Groove.  Dan and Jess wanted to start another on stage chapter that would take their talents in  new directions.  They were looking for a way to kick start that engine and get them moving.




A little make over is all that was needed.  Dan and Jess contacted me late in 2012 and we set a recording date for their new promo vid in January.  Sound engineer Phil "Crush" Dumond captured  the audio, editing and mastering the songs over the next few months. In  late March, Phil gave me the mastered tracks and I had the nerve racking task of syncing his audio with my video.  Lots of editing followed  along with many many revisions.  The result is the promotional video below.  You can become a fan of Beautiful Wreck on Facebook by clicking here.

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