Friday, April 29, 2011
Sailing Excursion Space Going Fast
Earlier this week, it was announced that the 2 p.m. slot on Saturday, June 18 had sold out a mere fifty days prior to the start of the event. Today, all remaining space for other sailing excursion time slots are shown to be filling quickly.
As of 1 p.m. on April 29, limited excursion space remains during the following: June 15 at 2 p.m. (10 spots) and at 5:30 p.m. (6 spots), June 17 at 2 p.m. (13 spots) and June 19 at 2 p.m. (11 spots).
Plenty of space remains during the following excursions: June 17 (5:30 p.m.), June 18 (5:30 p.m.) and June 19 (5:30 p.m.).
Two-hour sailing excursions are only $55.00 per person (seniors and military are $45.00 and children 12 and under are $30.00). Excursion fees benefit the Lynx Educational Foundation. To book an excursion, be sure to visit www.sailingseawayclayton.com or call 1-866-446-5969.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
American MetalCraft Marine Named Title Sponsor of Seaway Day

Clayton, New York (April 28, 2011) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty announced today that American MetalCraft Marine of Clayton, New York has been named title sponsor of Seaway Day on Saturday, June 18.
American MetalCraft Marine Seaway Day will feature tall ship Lynx, along with local vessels on display including tugboat Bowditch and former military landing vessels Thors Hammer and Maple Grove. The day will be capped off with a live performance by Bad Husbands Club at 7 p.m. in Frink Park.
In addition to the vessels on display at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock, American MetalCraft Marine will open their doors to the public as they host an Open House at their location on Riverside Drive in Clayton. The public is invited to stop in and check out the work performed by this small, but growing local boat manufacturing operation. Based in Kingston, Ontario, MetalCraft Marine is best known in this area for the construction of Clayton’s fireboat Last Chance, as well as the Jefferson County Sherriff’s patrol boat and the new St. Lawrence Seaway Pilot boat based out of Cape Vincent, both of which were constructed at the Clayton facility.
Those interested in employment opportunities with American MetalCraft Marine are encouraged to bring along their resume on June 18. American MetalCraft is currently accepting resumes for a wide range of manufacturing-sector positions.
“American MetalCraft Marine is a wonderful asset to the community, and their future looks very bright indeed,” said Michael Folsom, organizer of Sailing Seaway Clayton. “We welcome them as an event sponsor and key community contributor.”
“We are pleased to help assist in bringing the historically significant Lynx to Clayton, while MetalCraft Marine continues to add new chapters to the long history of boat building along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River” said Brendan Cameron of American MetalCraft Marine.
American MetalCraft Marine’s high speed patrol boats, fire boats, rescue boats and work boats are all built on the St. Lawrence River, including United States Navy tow boats, which are currently in production on Riverside Drive.
First 50 Fathers on June 19 Receive Free Admission Pass to the Antique Boat Museum

Clayton, New York (April 28, 2011) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty announced today that Clayton’s world-famous Antique Boat Museum has partnered with the event and will giveaway museum admission passes on Sunday, June 19.
The first 50 fathers to take a deck tour of tall ship Lynx on Father’s Day, June 19 at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock will receive a voucher good for free admission that day at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, while supplies last.
“We are very excited about this partnership and the wonderful job that Mike Folsom of ‘The Ship Watcher’ has done to help bring this attraction of boating history to the Clayton community. This is what your museum is all about, getting people in touch with preserving and interpreting boating history,” said Fred Schmitt, Executive Director of the Antique Boat Museum.
Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty officially kicks-off on Tuesday, June 14 at 12 Noon with the Grand Arrival of Lynx hosted by The Ship Watcher. For more information, log onto www.sailingseawayclayton.com.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sailing Excursion Space Limited
“Fifty days prior to the start of the first-year event, we are excited to say that we have filled the first of our 8 scheduled excursion time slots,” explained organizer Michael Folsom. “This says a lot about the community’s interest in the upcoming visit by Lynx and we expect remaining excursion space to go fast.”
Space remains on June 15 (2 & 5:30 p.m.), June 17 (2 & 5:30 p.m.), June 18 (5:30 p.m.) and June 19 (2 & 5:30 p.m.). Availability on June 15 is limited during both excursions.
Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty officially kicks-off on Tuesday, June 14 at 12 Noon with the Grand Arrival of Lynx hosted by The Ship Watcher. Two-hour sailing excursions are only $55.00 per person (seniors and military are $45.00 and children 12 and under are $30.00). Excursions can be booked in advance by visiting www.sailingseawayclayton.com or by simply visiting the ship during the week.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Bad Husbands Club To Rock Clayton This June
Clayton, New York (April 22, 2011) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty, along with The Ship Watcher and Clayton Chamber of Commerce, announced today the addition of live music in Frink Park on Saturday, June 18 as part of the event.Bad Husbands Club, a well- known band throughout the region, is set to perform on Saturday, June 18 at 7 p.m. in Frink Park as part of Seaway Day during the first-ever Sailing Seaway Clayton event.
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.
"Playing in my hometown, in front of familiar faces and guests of the village, is always fun for me. Playing in such a great setting down by the river makes it even more special,” Honeywell said.
The self-managed band can be found performing in various venues nearly every weekend in the Thousand Islands while covering the likes of U2, Santana, the Doors, Allman Brothers and many more, to go along with a number of their own originals.
“The Clayton Chamber of Commerce is very excited that The Ship Watcher’s Mike Folsom has selected Clayton to host Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty,” explained Chamber President Christopher Bogenschutz. “Mike has done a phenomenal job organizing the event and we’re pleased to partner with him to bring the Bad Husbands Club to Frink Park.”
Thursday, April 21, 2011
USCG Auxiliary To Participate
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand during the afternoon of Friday, June 17 in Frink Park providing safe boating information and vessel checks at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock. The Auxiliary will also be on hand on Saturday, June 18.
The Flotilla, which is a seasonal volunteer organization, works side-by-side with US Coast Guard Station based in Alexandria Bay. The group meets once a month at the Coast Guard Station between April and October. Member participation comes from all over Jefferson County, with the majority of members living along the St. Lawrence River in Cape Vincent, Clayton and Alexandria Bay.
“We are happy to have this great group of volunteers take part in the event and share their boating knowledge in an effort to ensure boaters are smart and responsible,” said event organizer Michael Folsom.
The Auxiliary will provide boating information and safety guidelines to visitors, as well as perform boat safety checks at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock.
Plein Air Artists To Paint In Frink Park
The Plein Air Painters of Thousand Islands Region (PAPTIR) is a group of individuals from the North Country who enjoy the freedom of painting outdoors and capturing the beauty of the region. The group is looking forward to the arrival of tall ship Lynx and having the opportunity to get up close and perhaps capture some of her exquisite detail.
Bob Hedden of PAPTIR says “it will be exciting to see the cumulative production. There should be a wide range of individual artistic interpretations since each artist incorporates their individual experience and techniques in their work. We are lucky we live near the River and a Town like Clayton that can attract subject matter like the tall ship Lynx.”
Last summer, the PAPTIR hosted an afternoon of painting on Dark Island, home of one of the Thousand Islands most intriguing man-made masterpieces, Singer Castle.
While painting on-site in the presence of a subject like the Lynx, listening to the sounds of sails and water, member Jan Byington feels “a connection is made that brings an emotional dimension to the artwork."
Member Faye Ingerson painted the tall ship Roseway last year and said "people love to watch and ask questions about your painting. They want to know who you are and how long you have been painting, they also want to know what plein air is. I love painting en plein air, because I love the outdoors and I love nature and her beauty."
The artists are expected to be at Frink Park on the Wednesday, June 15 and Friday, June 17 of Sailing Seaway Clayton.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Watertown Daily Times Named Official Media Partner
Watertown Daily Times has entered into an agreement with Sailing Seaway Clayton to promote the new and unique waterfront event in the village of Clayton, which features an appearance by the War of 1812 replica tall ship Lynx.
Watertown Daily Times will be known as the ‘official news print partner’ of the event. Through their partnership, Watertown Daily Times has been named a sponsor of Father’s Day/Antique Boat Day at Frink Park on Sunday, June 19.
“We are thrilled to partner with Sailing Seaway Clayton to host the “Father’s Day / Antique Boat Day” in Frink Park on June 19th. Sailing Seaway Clayton is a wonderful community asset and we are honored to help them bring the tall ship, Lynx, to Clayton and the St. Lawrence River,” said John B. Johnson, General Manager, Watertown Daily Times.
In addition to their official status and other promotional aspects, Watertown Daily Times will provide their readers with event information and news stories about Lynx and Captain Jamie Trost, who recently appeared on National Geographic.
“The Watertown Daily Times has an outstanding reputation in the North Country and we are excited to partner with them,” said Michael Folsom, organizer of Sailing Seaway Clayton. “Their interest and desire to ensure that events such as this are successful shows their continued commitment to their readers and communities that they serve.”
Watertown Daily Times joins Froggy 97 and WWNY/WNYF as the official media sponsors in the respective categories.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Froggy 97 Named Official Media Partner
Clayton, New York (April 14, 2011) – Sailing Seaway Clayton presented by Davidson Auto Group and Lake Ontario Realty announced today that local radio station Froggy 97 has been named an official media partner of the first-year event. Froggy 97 has entered into an agreement with Sailing Seaway Clayton to promote the new and unique waterfront event in the village of Clayton, which features an appearance by the War of 1812 replica tall ship Lynx.
Froggy 97 will be known as the “official radio partner” of the event and will be at Frink Park on Saturday, June 18 as part of “Seaway Day,” which will also be known as “Froggy Fun Day at Frink Park.” Mr. Froggy, mascot of Froggy 97, is also expected to be on hand throughout the event.
“Froggy 97 is proud to be a part of Sailing Seaway Clayton to help provide a unique community event to the Thousand Islands area,” said Mark Gaines, General Manager of Stephens Media Group.
“We are excited to partner with Froggy 97,” said Michael Folsom, organizer of Sailing Seaway Clayton, “the group at Froggy 97 are enjoyable to listen to and there is no doubt that is what makes them the top station in the north country. We look forward to teaming up with them for this event.”
Froggy 97 joins WWNY/WNYF as official media sponsors in the respective categories.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wounded Warriors To Tour Tall Ship Lynx
Davidson Auto Group will host soldiers from Fort Drum for a relaxing evening at Frink Park in downtown Clayton. The group of Wounded Warriors will be invited aboard the tall ship Lynx for deck tours at the Thousand Islands Regional Dock.
“The Davidson Auto Group is very proud to sponsor the Sailing Seaway Clayton event and in particular hosting the Warriors for an evening of fun and relaxation aboard the Lynx,” said Dwight Davidson, owner of the Watertown auto dealership group. “In addition to highlighting the Clayton river community, this event allows us to honor the sacrifices our soldiers have made for us.”
Jeffrey Woods, Director of Operations, Lynx Educational Foundation said, “We are honored to have the Wounded Warriors from Fort Drum aboard Lynx, better known as ‘America's Privateer.’ For it is because of their sacrifices and courage that we have our freedom today. Welcome aboard!"
"In teaching about the War of 1812, we talk a lot about conflict and armed struggle aboard Lynx, so being able to show our gratitude to those who have seen real action and made true sacrifice in the service of our nation is not only relevant, but a great reward," Lynx Captain Jamie Trost added.
Davidson Auto Group is based in Watertown, New York and has been a proud member of the North Country for over 50 years with five locations in Central and Northern New York.