From the Editor, February 2025
by: Susan W. Smith
It's mid-February and days are actually getting longer and we can look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. This issue is filled with articles meant to cheer you up and enjoy our winter scenes.
Yes, A New Look for TILife
We thank our IT Magician, Mike Cox, for updating our TI Life Software to give us a whole new look - In the past you could only see a small number of each author's articles at one time. Now you will see them all. Be sure to "Poke about" and let me know if you see something that needs updating - and/or have questions.
Annual Bird Count
Yes, it is that time of year - join the Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), February 14–17, 2025. Watch the video to learn more about the count. (And if you capture some with your camera, send the photos to info@thousandislandslife.com)
Since 2013, the GBBC has been an annual global event where scientists, amateur birders, students, and families participate in the four-day count. The 2025 count is February 14–17. Be sure to view this video which combines the work of The Cornell Lab, Audubon, and Birds Canada.
Tribute to John Peach, 2025 Friend of the River
John Peach, retired Executive Director of Save the River, with the presentation of the 2025 Friend of the River Award. This is a special award that means a lot to those who receive it. I know as John Peach presented me with the award during the covid Winter Conference in 2021. See the presentation for 2025 here: YouTube links: https://youtu.be/hDwhY7aYLok?si=fYSqHBFyD8Wc2C_b; and https://youtu.be/U7q1WWAlcRI?si=BFqknA_Dw-MJEElB
Big River Summer News
Every three years, the Tall Ships come back to Brockville and the Thousand Islands. So mark your summer calendar with the dates, June 20-22, 2025. It is a chance to see those big boats up close!
The River Chose Ian
Each month TI Life's header page has a photo that was taken by the late Ian Coristine. Ian died on February 15, 2020 at his home in Brockville, ON. It is hard to believe that five years have flown by and this editor remembers the happy days we spent together talking and planning special TI Life stories. When Paul Malo, who founded TI Life in 2006, died in 2008, Ian took on the responsibility of not letting Paul's work disappear. In March 2020, we dedicated the issue to the memory of our friend. I hope you will go back and enjoy that tribute issue.
And join us throughout the year as we continue to share River memories, history, essays, sports, nature, and a Sudoku or two!
Stay safe my friends and yes, please THINK SPRING for March!
By Susan W. Smith, Editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
Plus the TI Life Team: Elspeth Naismith is the "Real Editor, " and our proofreaders are Georgia Barker, Dane Zabriskie, and Rick Taylor. In addition, Jennifer Caddick covers social media, Dan Mathias posts events, Beth Lavos posts books, Marie-Anne Erki is our illustrator, Allison Burchell-Robinson has joined the team, and last but not least, Mike Cox is our IT Magician.
L: Header photo by Sarah Ellen Smith, [©2025]; R: Winter warmth by Sarah Ellan Smith. [©2025]
