13th Annual Paddle For Betterment

Alexandria Bay:

The paddling started at 9:am this morning

The Foundation for Community Betterment is a national organization dedicated to engaging individuals of all ages in community enhancement by creating an immediate, positive impact on the lives of individuals or organizations that share our philanthropic vision, but who currently lack the means to succeed.

Corfu Couple Get Engaged At Clipper

Clipper Inn Clayton NY:

Michael and Laurie Ann are from the village of Corfu located in Genesee County in Western New York State. How they made The Clipper their destination is unknown. After making dinner reservations Michael popped the question to Laurie Ann and presented her with a huge rock.  The staff at the Clipper were quick to pick up on this momentous event and  commandeered the bill board to share their event.  Congratulations to you both...

Nick Of Time- The Band

The bands frontwoman is Lisa Forshaw, who has a voice that is both sweet and spicy. Harmonizing with Lisa  is acoustic/electric guitar player Ron Sacci [a childhood friend of mine].  Ron schooled me on music appreciation even tho to this day I can not play an instrument or carry a note.  Jim Wiley brings a blend of keyboards [with synth bass] as well as adding an unusual dimension to the sound of the band when he swoons the audience with his saxophone. Last but not least is David Donley, an eclectic percussionist that keeps the beat going with his hands more than  the traditional drummers sticks.

Nick Of Time will be performing at the Top Of The Bay this Friday night, starting at around 8:30pm .  Enjoy the sampling of the band in the videos below...

This Wednesday Concert In The Park

Alexandria Bay Chamber Of Commerce:

Concert in the Park Series July 24th from 7:pm till 8:30 at the Scenic View Park Pavilion featuring the Beautiful Wreck Trio: Jess Pierce, Dan Hammond and Dave Donley.  Bring a folding chair, some snacks and beverages and kick back and listen to some really great music with the best view on the St. Lawrence River.  Admission is FREE!

Upcoming Concerts Schedule click here!

Apollo 11 Walking On The Moon

44 Years Ago:

On July 16th 1969 Apollo 11 rockets fired and the rocket was on its way to the moon.  Four days later on July 20th the LEM landed on the moon.  Several hours later on July 21st Neil Armstrong was walking on the moon....

This is a video I made featuring the vocal talents of Phil "Crush" DuMond......

Thunder Heads - Touch Of Grey

Alexandria Bay:

The Greatful Dead say that Every Silver Lining Got A Touch Of Grey.... The Thunder Heads that traveled across Canada with the potential of producing tornado's lost their steam as they approached the Mighty St. Lawrence River.  It is what the River does.... pulverizing menacing storms such as this one.  We certainly dodged a bullet on this one.... eerie but beautiful.....

Recording Artist Dave Maswick Live In The Bay

Crush-A-Palooza, Alex Bay -

Crush-A-Palooza was an event that featured 7 very talented musicians. On June 9th, Top Of The Bay was the epicenter of some really great music.  Members from The Shadows and Double Axle played along with recording artists Emilie Cardinaux and Dave Maswick......

I will be doing more stories on that 5 hour concert, but this post features Dave Maswick.  Dave is a graduate of Potsdam Crane School of Music and taught music for a short time at Henderson Schools in the late 70's. In 1980 Dave joined the Albany based band Blotto as bass guitarist Chevrolet Blotto.  Blotto members had cool first names like Lee Harvey, Cheese, and Broadway followed by Blotto.  If you are 50 something then Blotto may sound familiar.... remember "I Wanna Be A Life Guard"?  Video Killed The Radio Star was the first video aired on MTV, Blotto's I Wanna Be A Life Guard was number 34.

In the mid 80's Dave left Blotto and joined the Stony Creek Band.  The Glen's Falls  band has been playing since the 70's and recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.  They are described as an eclectic Americana sound which mixes covers and originals and have played with Poco, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and The Charlie Daniels Band.

Although Dave still plays with the Stony Creek Band, he also has a solo career and has released two CD's. His first, All The Lies of Spain, released in 2005 and The News From Here, released this year.  His newest CD was recently reviewed by The Times Union which described Dave as "a fine, formidable songwriter with a way with melody and words."

Crush-A-Palooza organizer, Phil "Crush" DuMond kept telling me.... this guy {Dave Maswick} is the real deal when it comes to singer/songwriter/musician.  Phil was not kidding,  Check out this video I made of Dave performing his song Norveline off his first CD All The Lies Of Spain.  To think all this happened under a little tent in Alex Bay!



The next video When My Baby Come Home is also from his first CD,,,,

Her Name Was Latte` And We Loved Her

For as long as she could remember, she knew her name was Latte`.  As time went on her family called her Te`Te`. She loved the sound of both, especially when the man would call her name.   She knew his name as well as her own.... Dad. Latte` loved the lady  mom and their boy she had been told was her brother.  Latte` always suspected that they were not really her family but they certainly loved her as much as one of their own.

She wondered what happened to her sister Glory, the one that looked just like her.  Latte` remembered that she fell asleep out in the snow covered yard one day and a nice big man carried her into the car. Glory never came back.  Latte` whimpered,  hoping she would come back..... She thought  maybe one day she would see Glory again.

The snow melted and summer came.  Latte` loved to play fetch with her tennis ball.  Secretly, she really liked to tease her mom when she stole her gardening gloves. Latte` never meant to make mom mad at her, just having fun she thought.  As the days moved along, Latte` noticed that she easily got tired and could not play fetch as much as she would have liked.  Her dad seemed to notice this too.  Latte` never realized it but there was something growing in her chest, pushing against her lungs and heart.

A couple of weeks ago after a visit to the Vet, things changed for Latte`.  Her family whispered things and she could see sadness in their faces.  She did not understand what was happening, although she did know that it was becoming harder to breath.  Her meals changed and she loved the taste of the chicken and steak that she was getting mixed with her other food.  Latte` had no idea what Velveeta cheese was, all she knew was that it was better than any treat she ever had.  However, she was getting wise that there was something hidden in that cheese, maybe a bitter pill or two.  To Latte`,  the cheese was to good to worry about what might be inside.

Days went by and Latte` felt weaker and weaker.  She worried about her family,  not throwing the tennis ball for her, she thought it was good exercise for them to repeatedly pick the ball up and throw it for her.

Yesterday her brother hugged her and said good-bye and got in the car with dad, she wondered if she would see the boy again.... she loved him.  She remembered her sleeping sister Glory being put in a car, and she never came back.  Latte` started to worry about her boy.  Later her dad returned without her boy, but by now she was to weak to worry.  Instead, she just closed her eyes and dreamed of running in circles, faster and faster.....

Bloggers Note:  I don't have the heart or the energy to finish this piece, it is more therapy for me than it is a story for you.  The inevitable happened today.  Lets just say that my wife and I did what needed to be done. Latte` is pain free and running with Glory, Sienna and Bianca.  I also do not mean to imply that the loss of a pet is the same as the loss of a person.  Those of you that are pet people know that there is a special place reserved in our hearts for loving a pet.  It is a different love and therefore a different grief when a pet passes. Latte` was only 5 and the tumor was growing and severely restricting her lungs.  Many thanks to the Staff at the Watertown Animal Hospital especially  Dr. Rebecca Reynolds, who helped reassure us at this most difficult time.

I looked into Latte`s eyes and said I was sorry

Easy Listening Top Of The Bay

Alex Bay:

Hot and Humid where you are?  Not here on the St. Lawrence River.  Our river is Mother Natures Air Conditioning.  I venture as close to the river on these unbearably hot days.  One of my favorite destinations is Cavallario's  Top Of The Bay.  Refreshing beverages overlooking the river with the TI Bridge in the background, it can not be topped.  Or maybe it can....

For years the Top of the Bay has been catering to those who love music, free music, never a cover charge! Multi-genre musicians can be heard almost every afternoon and evening of the week playing on the second story outdoor patio.  Songs to please the ears and the mouth watering aromas of Clams, shrimp, pizza and the new Italian Nachos, can not be ignored.

In this post, I am featuring musician Ryan Grant,  a Friday afternoon regular.  He will be playing this Friday from 4 till 7 pm.  Ryan will be followed by Ben Wisner and Swag starting at 8.  Complete entertainment schedule can be found HERE!

The Bone Collector

Bay House Artisans, Alexandria Bay:

He is a character... I am referring to Wendell Amisimak Stalker, an Inupiat Eskimo who now resides on Rossie NY and is one of the 40 artisans that displays their work at the BHA.  Wendell is a carver of bone, ivory and baleen creating Eskimo hunting scenes, jewelry, and much more.  He is also a blues guitarist and has played with Muddy Waters and B.B. King.

He and the other artisans create an oasis of culture in our community.  Check out the video of his demonstration...


Photos

Fireworks Emergency Kit

Mother Nature may not cooperate with today's 4th of July Festivities.  The 70% chance of rain is supposed to diminish to 40% by this evening.  Just in case the weather does not break, I have a backup plan but only play this video if all else fails....

Marina Make-Over

Alexandria Bay:

The Wagoner Family Marina recently purchased Rogers Marina.  The Wagoner's have been busy giving the place a fresh look and a new name, Back Bay Marine.

Old Look

Fresh Look

Artisan Carver: Ivory, Bone, and Baleen

Bay House Artisans, Alexandria Bay:

Demonstration by Wendell Amisimak Stalker, read more by clicking Here.

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