By Linda Schmitt, Recording Secretary
Our Thousand Islands Chapter enjoys life on the St. Lawrence River in many wonderful ways. If you’re lucky enough to have a summer cottage on an island or on the shore, you have endless views of international freighters, work boats, tour boats, occasional cruise ships, sailing yachts, kayaks, skiffs, every variety of modern pleasure crafts, and of course, beautiful, vintage wood boats! We also enjoy views of the “1000 islands”, an International Bridge, various shore birds, abundant, mature trees, and so many Island homes from simple summer “camps” to huge and beautiful mansions.
Our members summer on the River (US and Canadians) from Cape Vincent (where Lake Ontario meets River, to Brockville, Ontario where the “Seaway” continues to Montreal and eventually out to the Atlantic. Right in the middle is Clayton, the location of the 2025 ACBS International show!
Our local Chapter enjoys mid-week cruises to various locations on the River. Our President, Randy Fletcher, leads the parade of member boats, on a picturesque cruise to an Island, town, or park (both US and Canada) where we dock our boats and proceed to a popular spot for lunch and time to visit.
We have our Chapter meetings included in our monthly “Rendezvous”. Announcements, current issues, and our Boat Show updates are presented by President, Randy Fletcher, VP, Larry Asam and Treasurer, Heidi Szonn. Members volunteer their island or shore home and docks for a social gathering to share “pot luck” dishes and beverages, conversation, and comradery. Sometimes hosts offer a specialty main dish (steak roast, hots and burgers, smoked meats, pizzas, and recently, a mid-day brunch!)
Our June Rendezvous was held at the Grindstone Island home of Kevin and Emily Wood. Seven boats (35 guests) arrived at noon with their brunch contributions. Hostess, Emily, had prepared French Toast Casseroles and Corned Beef Hash! What makes things even more special is the night before’s huge thunder/lightning storm left many without power…including our Hosts! They had a generator running for the necessities, but the main dishes were “baked” on the outdoor grill! Amazing! Everyone enjoyed a festive, bountiful and memorable River Brunch!
We are now preparing for our annual In-water ACBS Boat Show (*see our website www.1000islandsacbs.com ) and the Friday night kickoff party to get things started!