Memories of the North Country & the River

I recently read an article by Tom King regarding the American Boat Line. This brought back many memories of the 1950's-1970s of the North Country and "The River.” My brother, Cary Brick, wrote a TI Life article,  “A Stroll To Reinman's Newsstand on Clayton's Memory Lane” in January 2019. I suggest you read his article as opposed to me bringing back some of the same memories. With his journalistic background, his writing is much better than mine.

My first job was working during the summer of 1955 at age 15, at Reinman's Newsstand on the main drag in Clayton, NY. In addition to my brother's memories, I would like to add that Charlie Reinman wanted all cash in the register to face the same direction. I still do that today in my wallet. Drives me crazy when I get change and the bills are facing every other which way! 

Next door to the Newsstand was a furniture store owned by Murray Reinman, Charlie's son. Our family had a cottage on Steele Point in Clayton, and that was the beginning of my love for "The River." As an adult, I moved to Syracuse, and people referred to the Thousand Islands as Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay or A-Bay. To those who lived here, it was The River, the Cape, and the Bay. 

Our cottage was across from Round Island, where I spent a lot of time. I had a small 12-foot boat with an outboard motor to get back and forth. Freem Powers, the Athletic Director and Basketball Coach at Watertown High School, had a cottage on the island with his wife and six daughters. In the summer, Freem worked as a fishing guide out of the Barracks Club in Sackets Harbor.  

Additional memories include Tiffy's, McCormick's, Foxy's, Edgewood, Adventure Town, Aubrey Bowling Alley, and the Hubbard Hotel, owned by Harold Bertrand—also, the Clayton Movie Theater and the Golf Course. 

In the summers, my high school science teacher, Vic Remorino, stood on the street in front of the tour boat dock next to McCormick’s, selling boat tour tickets. The tour boat Adonis, the first double-deck tour boat in the area, was a big deal. 

I made many friends with some of the locals, including Jimmy Reinman, Gary Bertrand, and many more. On Round Island, there was a Post Office (Frontenac) that distributed mail in post office boxes to the summer residents. A mail boat delivered mail each day for distribution. (Who knew then that my career would be working for the Syracuse Post Office for 32 years!)

On the July 4th weekend, there was an outboard boat race from the Bay to Clayton and back.  We spent a lot of time in Foxy's at Fishers Landing on that weekend. 

Born and raised in Watertown, NY, I lived adjacent to Thompson Park. There was a big wading pool and a large swimming pool for summer activities. Each summer, there was a Can-American Swimming Meet where my father was the starter for the races.  

What about winter? That brought tobogganing, sledding, and skiing with a rope tow to take you back to the top of the hill. The street at the bottom of the hill was known as Park Circle, which the city recreation department would close for ice skating. There was a shed with a wood-burning stove to keep you warm and change into your ice skates. Before long, trucks selling popcorn would show up.

‘Enuff’ already from this 85-year-old trying to live in the past. But I am sure you will agree that memories of the North Country and the River are the best!

By Mike Brick

bio to come