Ship Bible Editor to Appear

Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Casinkette’s Lofink Ford announced today an appearance by Roger LeLievre, editor of the well-known ‘ship bible,’ Know Your Ships.

“We are excited to bring Roger to the 1000 Islands and have the opportunity to show off this beautiful region that so many of us get to enjoy every day,” said event organizer Michael Folsom. “His knowledge of the shipping industry and appreciation for is truly unprecedented and his appearance in our community will allow us the opportunity to showcase the St. Lawrence Seaway.”

 LeLievre has held the position of editor and publisher of Know Your Ships since 1995, but has been involved in its publication much longer than that: LeLievre was 14 when his first boat picture was published in the 1968 edition of the book. LeLievre has spent 30 years in the newspaper business in Michigan, much of that at the Ann Arbor News. Besides his work on "Know Your Ships," he is also a writer and editor for annarbor.com, Great Lakes Seaway Review/Great Laker magazine and Greenwood's Guide to Great Lakes Shipping.

President of the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, LeLievre was voted recipient of the group's Historian of the Year Award in 2006. He is also vice president of Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping On-line Inc., the non-profit Web site more commonly known as BoatNerd.com and an associate member of the International Shipmasters' Association.

LeLievre will visit Clayton during the weekend of June 15-17 to explore the region in hopes of capturing photos for upcoming editions of the book. In addition, he will visit the Sailing Seaway Clayton festival in Frink Park on June 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the Antique Boat Museum from 2-4 p.m. to meet readers and sign copies of the book.

Festival Schedule Announced

Clayton, NY (May 31, 2012) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Casinkette’s Lofink Ford announces this year’s event schedule.

Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Caskinette’s Lofink Ford kicks-off on the evening of Thursday, June 14 at 6 p.m. with the Grand Arrival of tall ship Fair Jeanne. The ship is expected to be escorted into Clayton by a “parade of boats” from the Antique Boat Museum, Garnsey’s Classic Island Cruises and the Clayton Fire Department’s fireboat, Last Chance.

The festival weekend officially kicks-off on Friday, June 15 at 9 a.m. when Seaway Splash presented by TIMIS takes flight at Frink Park. Dogs from across the Northeast, including Quebec, Ontario and Vermont, will compete in a high-flying DockDogs competition.

In addition, school children from across the North Country have been invited to tour tall ship Fair Jeanne between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. The ship will open to the public, free of charge courtesy of Caskinette’s Lofink Ford, from 12Noon until 5 p.m. Other activities throughout the day on Friday include a display by the Department of Veteran Affairs, Farmer’s Market vendors and live music.

Saturday, June 16 will be known as ‘Seaway Day’ presented by Freighters of Clayton and feature dog jumping competitions throughout the day, including the Good Dog Charlies EXTREME VERTICAL event at 6 p.m. Also, Fair Jeanne will be open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., vendors will be on hand, book signings by author Silvana Gargione (St. Lawrence ABCs) and Editor Roger LeLievre (Know Your Ships), live music with Bad Husbands Club presented by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce at 7 p.m. and additional vessels on display.

Finally, the second-annual festival will wrap up on Sunday, June 17 with ‘Father’s Day at Frink Park’ presented by Reinman’s Ace Hardware. Fair Jeanne will be open for tours from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with the first 50 dads taking a tour receiving a free admission pass to the Antique Boat Museum. Plus, the Caskinette’s Throttle Shop SPEED RETRIEVE dog competition takes place beginning at 9 a.m. and dock jumping will continue throughout the day. The festival will conclude with the Grand Departure of Fair Jeanne in the early evening hours.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce, Antique Boat Museum and Watertown Savings Bank will provide free shuttle service around Clayton with three (3) stops along the route. Clarence Henry Coach will pick up/drop off at Frink Park, the Antique Boat Museum and Cerow Arena (site of the Food & Wine Festival).

Bleacher seating will be available at the site of Seaway Splash and parking on the former Frink America property is free of charge throughout the weekend (no overnight parking is permitted).

Visitors attending the Grand Arrival or live music events are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Dog owners are still encouraged to register their dog for the various DockDogs competition events. Registration will continue online through June 12 and is open to all dogs. On-site registration will occur, but for an additional fee. All dog competition events are run by DockDogs Inc. of Medina, Ohio.

Bad Husbands to Perform Good Music

Bad Husbands Club performs at Frink Park in June 2011

Clayton, NY (May 22, 2012) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Casinkette’s Lofink Ford announced today that live music will again be a part of the event, thanks to the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

Bad Husbands Club, a well- known band throughout the region, is set to perform on Saturday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at the all-new Frink Park Pavilion as part of Seaway Day presented by Freighters of Clayton & Z93 during the second-annual festival.

What began nearly 10 years ago as a party band consisting of family members and friends, the Bad Husbands Club has managed to burst onto the club scene on its way to becoming one of Central and Northern New York’s premiere rock bands. Band members with local ties to the region include Bryan Honeywell of Cicero (native of Clayton), guitar and vocals; Glen Pickert of Alexandria Bay, guitar and vocals; and Len Senecal of Cato (native of Alexandria Bay), bass and vocals. Bill McGillivray of Syracuse (drums) and Tom Wilson of Cato (keyboard) make up the remainder of the group.

The self-managed band also performed during the 2011 edition of the festival helping to draw a large crowd to Frink Park to hear tunes covering the likes of U2, Santana, the Doors, Allman Brothers and many more, to go along with a number of their own originals.

Lawn chairs and blankets are welcomed in the park during the performance.

Children's Book Author to Appear

Clayton, NY (May 18, 2012) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Casinkette’s Lofink Ford announced today that new children’s book author Silvana Gargione will be appearing at the Frink Park pavilion in Clayton on June 16 and 17.

Gargione, a long-time summer visitor to the Thousand Islands, introduces a new and unique look at the region through her first-ever children’s book – St. Lawrence ABCs. With illustrations by Megan Gaffney – also a seasonal resident of the area – St. Lawrence ABCs takes you on a non-fictional journey down the St. Lawrence River. The book shares beautiful illustrations, simple prose, colorful maps, and a historical glossary; all with the intention of not only educating its young readers, but to also become a cherished keepsake for adults and children alike.

"We are excited to again highlight an author with a passion for the region during our festival," said organizer Michael Folsom. "This new book is sure to be a hit."

Gargione is a native of Lawrenceville, New Jersey and a graduate of Emerson College, where she obtained a degree in Theater Arts. She has gone onto an acting career and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. This is her first book, which is published by ThreeSmallRooms publications.

For more information on St. Lawrence ABCs, visit www.stlawrenceabcs.com or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/StLawrenceABCs.

Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Caskinette’s Lofink Ford kicks-off June 14 with the Grand Arrival of tall ship Fair Jeanne.

Tall Ship to Offer Viewing for Local School Groups

Clayton, NY (May 16, 2012) – Michael Folsom, organizer of Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Casinkette’s Lofink Ford, announced today that visiting tall ship Fair Jeanne will be available to local school groups for complimentary deck tours.

Fair Jeanne, a 110-foot sail training vessel based out of Canada, will be the highlighted tall ship of the 2012 edition of Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Caskinette’s Lofink Ford, which will take place June 14 through June 17 in downtown Clayton.

As part of the ship’s scheduled appearance, school groups are invited to visit the ship at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock, free of charge, on Friday, June 15 between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.

 “The folks at Bytown Brigantine, operators of the ship, understand the importance of educating children,” said Folsom. “Their outstanding crew and staff will be sure to engage with those children that visit the ship and ensure they leave with a better understanding of sailing and life on the water.”

The second-annual festival officially kicks-off on the evening of Thursday, June 14. A number of antique boats from the Antique Boat Museum, along with Clayton’s fireboat Last Chance will take part in the Grand Arrival of tall ship Fair Jeanne around 6 p.m.

Those school groups looking to visit the ship should email their school name, potential number of students and contact information to theshipwatcher@yahoo.com.