From the Editor, January 2025
Winter weather is here for real. Those of us on the River over the past few weeks have experienced lake effect snow and very cold temperatures. And, if you visit a local Dollar Store, you will confirm that Christmas decorations are gone and have been replaced by Valentine hearts and Green Shamrocks! Personally, I am looking forward to the displays for Canada Day and then the 4th of July! However, until then, there is lots to do in the Thousand Islands! Check it out –
Kingston Live! "Kingston Live is an independent, volunteer-run, community media organization covering local and live music in Kingston, ON."
Gananoque Events: listing events in Gananoque from festivals, markets and entertainment.
Brockville Tourism: Things to do, Eat & Drink, Places to Stay, and Shows & Events!
Cape Vincent: Welcome, Business Directory, Visitor's guide, Local Events and Chamber Information
Lynda Crothers, who lives on Wolfe Island year-round, often captures these visitors and shares her photos on her Facebook page.
1000 Islands International Tourism Council: Experience, Events, stories, places to stay - on both sides of the border.
Clayton: Chamber of Commerce 2025 Featured Events.
Alexandria Bay: Ice Fishing, Polar Bear Dip!
North Country NOW: Calendar, Weather and Jobs.
Be sure to check out our TI Life Events page too.
Winter Conference Memories!
This editor is old! I am old enough to have attended many of the first Save the River and the Thousand Islands Land Trust winter conferences. I remember one STR meeting organized by Bill Danforth in Syracuse. Many of us stayed in a hotel near the University. In the middle of the night, the fire alarm went off, and there we were – the Thousand Island’s finest – all standing in the Lobby in our PJs!
Some of the first TILT Winter Gathering events were held in New York City. One year, Sissy Danforth arranged for us to have dinner at the famous University Club. We were given instructions: no jeans, ladies must wear skirts, and no photographs could be taken. We all got gussied up! Men included. Upon arrival, we did not see jeans, but we saw women in pants and suits. Why the change? President Clinton had frequented the Club that year, and Mrs. Clinton only wore pantsuits. At the end of the evening, we celebrated a birthday with a cake. The waiter offered to take some photos. Why the change? The Club members changed the rules that year because many wanted to have their photo taken with the President.
Seriously, these events bring us all together. They are important and I hope as many as possible will take advantage by attending them this year.
Ice Discs on the Gananoque River
Deb Keogh, shared her Facebook post on January 8, 2025: "Started the day with a few photographs after daybreak and ended the day with a few others. Delighted to see this rare phenomenon up close." She also added, "But boy it was freezing!"
Deb Keogh shares her January 8th excursion to the Gananoque River featuring Ice Discs.
Deb's explanation reads,
Info about this phenomenon: These ice circles, pans, discs or pancakes go by a variety of names, so pick your favorite! These ice discs are a unique phenomenon that occur in rivers, streams and creeks in various places around the world. They are rare and form in eddies of slow moving rivers when the river dips either to OR below freezing, and the surface of the water freezes into a thin layer of ice. As the eddy currents rotate in a circle, a force called rotational shear separates the ice over the surface of the eddy from the more stable ice covering the more still waters near the shoreline. The pieces of ice then rub against the surrounding ice as it turns, which makes the circles edges smooth! Pretty amazing sight to see.
Deb says, "Pretty amazing to see!" and this editor is in total agreement! (Thanks for sharing your wonderful discovery.)
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Conclusion:
Enjoy our January 2025, and stay safe and well. Summer 2025 is on its way.
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.
A special YouTube by Kingston's Mike HIll, (Known as Aerosnapper) shared for your pleasure.
Header photos by Deb Keogh Photography