The 1000 Islands by Ian Coristine

Wallpaper May 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:00:00 GMT

It’s always a tough call choosing a winner, particularly when there are several good stories submitted.

Wallpaper April 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

No shortage of correct identifications of the March image and many stories including three great ones from Peter Mabee, Allen Benas and Robert Charron, all of whom just have to receive a set of prints for their efforts, but ultimately there is room for just one "official" winner.

Wallpaper March 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Many responses correctly identified last month’s scene, including this one from Dean Evans of LaFayette, NY:

Wallpaper February 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:17:34 GMT

I received only a few guesses attempting to identify January’s image and only two were correct. Jim Pontious of Murrysville, PA was one, but the award and the six prints has to go to Steve Franzeim of Hudson, Mass.

Wallpaper January 2008

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:05:13 GMT

While I figured November’s scene would prove elusive and didn’t, December’s was one I was fairly sure would be easy to recognize, particularly as it included a “down bound” ship passing Singer Castle in the distance, yet only two people picked up on those clues to identify this as the foot of Grenadier Island.

Wallpaper December 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:39:58 GMT

It is getting ridiculously tough to find scenes that don’t instantly get identified by a lot of you. I would have thought November’s would have been difficult, but apparently not.

Wallpaper November 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 05:24:14 GMT

Another summer on the River has come to a close - reluctantly, as summer’s warmth lingered far later than in years past. It’s always difficult being away but as last winter, I’ve left the Internet Camera running (click on “CAM” in the menu bar) so that you can visit the River anytime you wish during daylight hours. Hopefully, no gremlins will get in the way and it will run flawlessly until spring.

Last spring I left you pondering this image of a place very dear to my heart. Coincidentally, the view overlaps the Internet CAM's, aiming slightly more to the south. It is a spot I affectionately call “the dining room” as that’s its primary function when weather allows. In sharing this image, I hadn’t expected any correct IDs except from friends and visitors who know it well and therefore could not be counted, yet amazingly Bill Stock of Glen Cove, NY who has never been on the island was right on the money with this response:

“I believe it is a shot taken from the Canadian side of the river looking upriver towards Dark Island. The islands in the middle are Ingall, Robinson, Big, etc. and they are between the American and Canadian Channels. The island in the foreground on the right hand side is Princess and not visible behind it is the entrance to Jones Creek. The points of land past Princess Island are Whitney and Sifton Points. The photo most likely was taken from your island, Raleigh. I have been coming to the Thousand Islands to go fishing since I was a teenager, which means I have been coming every summer for more than 40 years. I always used to stay in Alexandria Bay. I remember that by 9PM you could literally lie down in the middle of the road and not be run over by a car till the next morning in the middle of the summer. We used to eat every night in a local restaurant run by a Greek fellow by the name of Pete Schortis. His place stayed open late in the summer and was frequented by many of the local fishing guides. From hanging around the guides we obtained a lot of really good fishing information, much of which we didn’t know was good until many years later when we realized these guys were telling us the truth. One of the areas the guides told us to try was upriver past Chippewa Point across from Blind Bay on the Canadian side. The guides always told us to make sure we had our Canadian licenses or run the risk of having the boat impounded and being fined. Back then we had an old rickety boat with a small outboard and it took us nearly an hour to get to these islands. But boy was it worth the trip as the fishing was fantastic. One time while fishing off Sifton Point, the rod doubled over and while reeling in a fish we didn’t even notice the small unmarked green canoe that paddled up alongside side of us. The guy in the canoe, who looked like a local fisherman, asked how the fishing was and identified himself. I looked over and noticed he was carrying a large revolver. To make a long story short I’m glad we took the guides’ advice about both the fishing and the importance of getting a Canadian license. We showed him our paperwork and the fish we had on board which were all legal. He was on his way and we were back to catching more fish. I still fish these islands today although they are not as prolific as in the past. It’s still a lot of fun and the view looking down the channel reminded me of the long trip we would have to make against the west wind to get back to Alex Bay in those days.”

Well done Bill, and a great story. A set of 6 prints is on its way. I’ve had several requests for prints of this particular image and perhaps with Christmas looming I should mention that this scene and any other under Albums or Neighborhoods are available as 13 x 19 or 24 x 35 inch giclée prints intended for framing. If you find one you’d like for yourself or as a gift for a friend or neighbor, simply click on the tiny shopping cart icon at the bottom left of the image or email me using the email icon beside it that will send me (or anyone else) a link to the image you or they might be interested in.

You will find a number of new images and postings throughout the site, with the main updates listed (as always) at the bottom of the Home page, one of which points to a feature article in the current issue of Lakeland Boating Magazine which you might enjoy should you see it in the stands. If you miss it there, it's also posted under "Media", one of the buttons below the main window.

I’m curious to see how many people might be able to identify this month’s 1000 Islands “wallpaper” scene. As usual if you know it, please take a moment to share any stories you may have about this area to keep the local lore coming. A set of six 8x10 prints awaits the most interesting response.

Wallpaper 1152 x 864
Wallpaper 1280 x 800 (Wide Screen)
Wallpaper 1680 x 1050 (Wide Screen)

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine

Wallpaper May 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:09:16 GMT

I was quite certain that very few 1000 Islanders would recognize last month’s scene as it is the extreme western tip of the 1000 Islands region, exposed to the waves and weather of Lake Ontario, where only very brave or very foolish boaters venture unless it is extremely calm. I was wrong. A surprising number of correct IDs arrived, again with several interesting stories, but alas only one, Hugh Cowan, can be the winner - for this:

Wallpaper April 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Fellow 1000 Islanders,

And I thought last month’s photo would be tough to identify. Not so, it would seem. Several correct answers with good stories again makes the decision the tough part. I seem to have put myself into something of a hot seat trying to select winners, judging by all the complaining I’m hearing from the “non-chosen”. My further role as sensor at least allows me to shield our winners from the intense jealousy and verbal abuse of all these sore losers. In truth, it’s all very much tongue in cheek and I appreciate that so many of you seem to enjoy these monthly postings sufficiently to want to participate.

Last Month's Wallpaper

Marilee Sherry is this month’s winner thanks to this:

“Oh my, what a wonderful pleasure to receive photos of the place my heart calls home in March, when the wind is blowing right out of the Arctic! And how wonderful to read the story my river neighbor Jack Patterson wrote last month. We are on Red Top Island, and I know the scene in this month's photo ever so well. I sit on our front porch day after day, and I see Belittler and Belabourer Islands through all kinds of weather and all times of day.

So this is in the Lake Fleet, looking upriver with Belittler, Belabourer, Iwo Eden, Troughten, Cole's, Shetland (we used to just call it Monroe's), and the head of Psyche just on the left. Scorpion is in the distance.

My family has been coming to the St. Lawrence since the late 1930's. My grandmother, Anne Phillips, told me that she first visited the St. Lawrence on her honeymoon, with her new husband Charles Phillips, in 1929. She was so excited by the River that she took her shoes off to go wading. Little did she know that not too many years later, she would be spending so much time at the River.

My grandparents first rented on Wyoming (just upriver from this photo) for a couple of summers and just fell in love with the St. Lawrence. They then bought Psyche with another couple. When they decided to sell Psyche, my grandmother was so distraught that she sank a pair of her shoes so that a part of her would always be at the River. I don't think she ever told my grandfather that she did that!

They bought Red Top Island in 1942 for the princely sum of $645! The house had been built in 1911 by Frank Moore. The island had not been used for several years and was sold for back taxes, so the family lore goes.

My grandparents quickly met their neighbors on Axeman Island, but there were not many people on the River during the war. My grandfather's brother, Wilbur Phillips and his wife Frances bought Island 45, just across the channel from Red Top. As more people came to the River during the summers, my grandparents forged friendships with the folks on neighboring islands. These friendships have spanned several generations.

As time passed, the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of Anne and Charles Phillips have fallen in love with Red Top. My grandmother used to say that she didn't own Red Top, she just took care of it. For me, that says it all!”

I think your family’s attachment Marilee, sums up how so many of us feel about this magical place, wherever we may be within it. Summers on the River are a privilege and those with properties or islands are less owners than stewards.

On another note, my good friend Paul Malo (whose three historic books; Boldt Castle, Fools’ Paradise and A Floating World wonderfully recapture the golden era of the islands), is beginning the recovery process following surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital on March 28^th. The initial diagnosis was pancreatic cancer but as it happens, the operation successfully removed a tumor before it actually reached the pancreas, so the outlook is very positive. Paul has spent a lifetime selflessly sharing his love, wisdom and knowledge of the place through his books, his teaching and the many organizations and individuals (including me) he has encouraged and supported along the River. The road back now begins and I'm certain any warm thoughts, messages of encouragement or good cheer that you might wish to share would be much appreciated. Paul’s email address is: phmalo@syr.edu.

For this month I’ll leave you to ponder this 1000 Islands scene and count on some interesting lore to go along with the location. If you attended February’s Save the River winter banquet, please disqualify yourself, as you’ll recognize this as one of the images that I shared during my keynote. I don’t want any more whining from sore losers than I’m already getting!

This Month's Wallpaper:

Wallpaper 1152 x 864
Wide Format Wallpaper 1280 x 800

Large Wide Format Wallpaper 1680 x 1050

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine

Wallpaper March 2007

ian@thousandislandsbooks.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Fellow Thousand Islanders,

I’m hoping that those of you who didn’t win last month’s photo ID won’t be discouraged from trying again. There were many worthy stories which made the call unusually difficult, but I thought this one from Jack Patterson of Axeman Island which salutes a departed and special friend of the River, deserved the laurels:

"Could I not know the land of my birth, having come to the river every year since that event in 1938? NO!! And while I had to ponder the scene for perhaps ten or so minutes, it eventually came clear.

Last Month's Wallpaper:

Here we are looking out from Grindstone (West by Northwest) over Deathdealer, the Punts and Barge and the International Boundary to Jolly and Webster Point then beyond over to Parks Canada, Leek Island (Thwartway on the charts) and Huckleberry where the world's largest Muskellunge (69 odd pounds) was caught on rod and reel and the Thirty Acre Shoal off the head of Leek as well as Howe Island and the Canadian mainland, etc., beyond.

Leek was originally owned and developed by the Runions who also long ago owned Axeman Island - all in the Lake Fleet Group (with Barge, The Punts, Deathdealer, etc.) The Runion family also owned and ran the Golden Apple restaurant in Gananoque for many, many years. During WWI - and after, Leek was given over for use as a rehabilitation hospital/hospice for wounded soldiers under the auspices of the family and the New York Stock Exchange.

My grandfather's business partner and subsequently my great uncle, Arthur Singmaster purchased Jolly Island (and Little Jolly or Perch) back in the twenties and built on it using granite from Grindstone for the house and outbuildings including a hilltop gazebo which Bill Danforth recently, wonderfully, resurrected with more Grindstone Island granite and other specialty materials in honor of his wonderful wife, Sissy who we lost to cancer last spring.

Sissy, who many islanders knew as the long time Director of the Thousand Island Land Trust and was active for so many years with all the Beadel - Danforth - Munro family on the river in river causes, was honored by the State of New York by having the new gazebo at Picnic Point on Grindstone (which she was instrumental in having reconstructed) named after her.

Finally, last Fall I went down the 'chute' between Leek and Jolly in a jaunty new Grumman skiff - by myself - that my sister's son in law purchased for his daughter. Whoops! We were overpowered and taking my focus off the throttle handle, the long little skiff suddenly turned 180 degrees and neatly put me over the side into October's St. Lawrence River. Oh My!"

I hope you’re warm and dry now Jack. Many thanks for the story. Six 8 x 10 Thousand Islands prints are headed your way.

If you’re missing the River, perhaps it’s worth mentioning that the web site's live camera went down on the 1^st of February because of a power failure. I’m pleased to say it’s back up and running again so you can watch spring’s approach in real time. Click on "CAM" on the website. I've also added a new area to explore under Albums - Neighborhoods – Jones Creek Area, or you can use this direct link: http://www.1000islandsphotoart.com/Albums/tabid/55/AlbumId/41/Default.aspx

The 1000 Islands seems like a small enough place that we all believe we know it well, but we are wrong. I suspect you’ll be surprised to discover how many scenes in these Neighborhood Albums you hadn’t previously known. I'll keep updating them as time allows.

For this month, I’ll leave you with a scene which probably isn’t quite as easily identified as last month’s.

This Month's Wallpaper:

Wallpaper 1152 x 864

Wide Format Wallpaper 1280 x 800

Large Wide Format Wallpaper 1680 x 1050

Enjoy!

Ian Coristine