February Thousand Islands Life is now online
We are a few days early so that you can join the world-wide Great Backyard Bird Count, which begins tomorrow, February 13th, and runs until February 16th.
Wonder why we like February? Well, there is Valentine’s Day and daylight is lasting a wee bit longer . . . But I must admit, many of us are starting to make plans for Summer 2026. We are talking boats, grills, and yes, island maintenance. At this time of year, it’s all exciting!
Volume 21, Issue 2, February 2026 is now online
From the Editor, February 2026 – by Susan W. Smith
Regional news, photos and explanations . . . plus an invitation to view the drama crime series, The Borderline and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF) . . .
February 13-16, 2026 – Great Backyard Bird Count – by Susan W. Smith
Over the next four days, we invite people to spend time in their favourite places to watch, count, and report as many birds as they can find . . .
Photo by Lynda Crothers, Wolfe Island.
A Rock By Any Other Name – by Tom Robbins with Illustrations by Sarah Coate
Shoals! They’re everywhere on the St. Lawrence. So numerous that it’s unknown how many there actually are . . .
February Cartoon – by Paul Reichert
Meet Paul Reichert and see his first cartoon for the February issue of TI Life. . .
Stained Glass Window Series: Mr. & Mrs. W.R. Cummings – By Cindy Rusho Hagemann
Will and Addie Cummings are perfect examples of the hard-working people who lived on Grindstone Island and who dedicated their lives . . .
"Crystal Willow", Photo by R. Butch Reifensnyder
Team Rubicon Goes to Jamaica – By Michael Leprade
It took two days to get there, with an overnight in Dallas, TX, at what the cool kids call the NOC (National Operation Center) for TR (Team Rubicon) . . .
The Pike-Edick-Hudon Field Guide – By Brian Hudon
Pike’s journals tell of days with no food, where the only thing keeping them alive was his refusal to fail . . .
The Casali Family on the River – 2025 - by Rick Casali
My family and I had lots of great times and memories cruising the St. Lawrence in 2025 . . .
Cholera on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario – by Richard Palmer
As cholera surged through the Great Lakes region it caused widespread panic . . .
James R. Miller shows us that winter can be beautiful too.
Learning the Land: A Volunteer’s Journey with TILT – By Owen Trela
Meeting landowners, hearing their stories, and sharing a mutual appreciation for the River underscored an important truth . . .
Recap: 37th Annual Winter Environmental Conference – By Collin Hill
We want to take a moment to highlight the incredible speakers and award winners who made this weekend unforgettable . . .
Reprint: Site of the 1000 Islands Charity Casino (2001) – By Blu Macintosh
An Ontario government Charity Casino is being built, scheduled to open in 2002. This is just short of two hundred years since . . .
Sudokus for February 2026 – Dan LeKander
If you are living in a cold location, this would be a good time to bundle up, sharpen your pencil and have some good Sudoku fun . . .
Enjoy and stay safe,
Susan W. Smith, Editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
Erin McCarty Greene captures a familiar summer scene covered in snow!