From the Editor, April 2025
Seaway is open, River is flowing, sun is shining, and yes, the season is starting.
A lot can happen in a month. I don't have to remind anyone about the news, but as you will see in another article, this month the spirit of the River is very much on our minds. I want to thank those who have written to express their concerns and rather than writing too much, I do have one happening that I want to share.
I learned that a group of guys from a small North Country town have coffee together every morning. A week or so ago, they drove across the border to Kingston, ON. They found a local bar and proceeded to buy every Canadian a beer! Yes, the spirit of the River is alive and well! Thanks to everyone who is going out of their way to prove that point.
James R. Miller captured the best news of the winter - St. Lawrence Seaway bouy placement in the Islands, April 2, 2025.
Good news all around
Every month we learn that some of our River organizations have gone above and beyond, and are recognized for their efforts. This month we have two announcements:
TILT is given NY Conservationist of the Year Award
1000 Islands History Museum, Gananoque
The 1000 Islands History Museum was the winner in the Best of Kingston & Area 2025 contest in two categories. Best non-profit organization and Best Museum. The staff and volunteers at the museum are gearing up for a busy summer. Last year they registered over40,000 in attendance. This Museum is open all year.
Founded in 1995, the 1000 Islands History Museum is a family-friendly waterfront museum where you can experience ten thousand years of Canadian history in the Thousand Islands. From rum runners to River Rats, explore the people, places, and heritage of Gananoque and the St Lawrence River through year-round interactive exhibits, lively community events, hands-on children’s activities, and a quality gift shop.
Reminder of Upcoming Events
Already lots happening on both sides of the River. These are just a few special activities.
Gan Arts Network
In addition to many activities held throughout the month, the Gan Arts Network published this schedule for weekly activities:
Knitting Circle – Enjoy coffee and conversation while you stitch your beautiful items. Sunday mornings, 9 to 11am. We've now added added Thursday afternoons to our knitting circle from 1:30 to 4:00pm. We also welcome any kind of crafters to our knitting circle as well or just come for a coffee and a chat with us.
Casual Jam - An acoustic afternoon sharing favourite tunes. Get out of the basement and have some fun. Sunday afternoons 2-4 pm (please note: no jam on April 20 (Easter Sunday).
Saturday mornings for kids – The kids’ Saturday program, a free hangout art time, runs through to June, every Saturday 10 – 12pm. Lots of awesome activities!
Thousand Islands Arts Center, Clayton, NY
Aquatarium in Brockville
This popular destination will celebrate Easter weekend with opportunities to have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny and join the traditional egg scavenger hunt. Check out the event and plan to visit the many Aquatarium interactive exhibits.
Remington Museum, Ogdensburg, NY
Museum hours through May 14 are Thursday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
The Frederic Remington Art Museum invites the public to the next Sketching in the Gallery class on Saturday, May 11 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm in the Museum’s Albert P. Newell and Addie P. Newell Galleries. Participants will get a chance to spend some time with Frederic Remington’s artwork in the galleries, while honing their own drawing skills.
“Art Highlights & Tea” also May 11. Taking place on Mother’s Day weekend, this is the perfect way to celebrate all of the moms in your life and treat them to a memorable cultural and culinary experience at the Museum. The program will begin with a gallery talk by Museum Experience Manager & Educator Julie Pratt and Museum Docent Anne Skelly at 2pm to be followed by an elegant tea in the Museum’s parlors at 3pm. Julie Pratt and Anne Skelly will lead a talk focusing on Remington’s depictions of animals and North Country landscapes, exploring artworks featured in the current Centennial Exhibition.
Book Celebrations
TI Life will review both books as they are prime examples of 2025 must haves.
Join local author Paul Côté as he discusses his latest work, "The Shaping of Gananoque 1787 - 1880." Through a series of early maps, Paul will walk us through the development of Gananoque, as it took shape over the first hundred years. Books will be available for sale by the author for $45, with signing following the presentation. Refreshments will be provided.
Thousand Islands author John Lefever, has a new thriller out on Amazon. “The Solutionist: Crypto Heist” (A Nick Dalton Thriller). Book 1 is available on Kindle and Book 2 and 3 will be available in the summer and fall. John’s previous novels were about the Islands, while this one takes place in Washington DC and will be appreciated in today’s America.
L: Ted Mowers shares a drive with Larkin on March 30, 2025 on Wellesley Island after the ice storm; M: On April 2, Jay Levine's dog, says, "Soon I will be swimming." (I agree!) and R: on April 3, 2025 Chelsea Hogan told us, "Two happy pups & a beautiful sunset tonight. Blessed to call this place home."
Conclusion
That's it for April 2025. Let us know if there are celebrations or events that we should know about as we start Summer 2025 in the Thousand Islands.
Please send comments to me on any article and I will post them... Our comment system is still being adapted.
By Susan W. Smith, Editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
And the TI Life Team:
Elspeth Naismith is the "Real Editor"; Georgia Barker, Dane Zabriskie, and Rick Taylor are our proofreaders. In addition, Jennifer Caddick has taken over social media; Dan Mathias posts events; Beth Lavos is posting books; Marie-Anne Erki is our illustrator; and Allison Burchell-Robinson has joined the team, and last but not least, Mike Cox is our IT Magician.
April "From the Editor" header is by photographer: Ted Mowers
Our April 2025 Thousand Islands Life webpage header is a popular photograph taken by Ian Coristine several years ago. It is provided courtesy of © IanCoristine/1000IslandsPhotoArt.com