About Jefferson County, NY

The broker of any company is thrilled to see their agents and associate brokers succeed and thrive in their careers. I am no different! I was so proud when my top producer, Mary Adair, was named 2009 Realtor of the Year at our Jefferson-Lewis Board of Realtors Installation Dinner last week. Mary began her career in real estate 5 years ago with another firm and came to Exit More Real Estate in 2007. Mary is so deserving of the honor. She excels at listing and selling real estate, is always helpful and kind to our new agents, participates as the treasurer for the Board, and every years runs the "One Warm Coat" program in the community to collect coats for those in need. Her clients and fellow agents appreciate and respect her.

Mary has continued to grow in her career and participates in every training opportunity and office function that comes along. This is the second year in a row that Mary has won the "free convention registration" production based contest and will be accompanying me to the Exit Annual Convention in Washington DC at the end of the month. At convention Mary attends all the break-out sessions possible and networks with other agent to grow her referral database. So..for my first-ever active rain blog post I want to publically recognize Mary Adair, Exit More Real Estate Assoc. Broker as one fine Realtor and one fine friend. I am honored to have her at Exit More

       Alex Bay

Alexandria Bay, as well as the surrounding area, has always been a location that was noted for its beauty, its vast resources and its spiritual being. Long before Europeans sailed over and settled into North America, the tribes of the Iroquois Indians called this area home. They lived and flourished richly off the treasures found in the waters and on the land. It is estimated that European settlers and missionaries began venturing into Upstate New York in the late 1500’s or early 1600’s and they too fell in love with the paradise.

James LeRay, a landholder in the early 1800s, had this area surveyed. He liked what he found and created a settlement. Alexandria Bay was founded at this time (1817 – 1818) and named for his son Alexander. Because of the location it didn’t take long for the little settlement to become a busy port. During the late 1800’s Alexandria Bay became a bustling community and a major fueling stop for steam ships traveling the St. Lawrence River.

Alexandria Bay continued to grow and at times seem to burst at the seams with affluent visitors from all over the country wanting to soak up the luxury offered at the extravagant hotels or on the opulent boats cruising the river. Prosperity was the norm and this was the composition of Alexandria Bay, until the depression hit. The depression was devastating to this area. The once wealthy visitors no longer had any money so they no longer visited the area. Businesses closed, many people lost jobs and the economy of the area, like the rest of the nation, crashed.

After The Great Depression Alexandria Bay never regained her grandeur again. Some of the grand homes remain today but many of the homes burned during the depression, some of them under suspicious circumstances. The luxury hotels are also gone with only the written accounts of the grand parties and beautiful people remaining.

A large boost to the area economy occurred in the 1950s with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway which linked the Great Lakes region to global markets. Work on the Seaway began in September 1954. This was a mammoth project. New bridges were either modified (without disrupting traffic) or built, new channels were dug and existing ones dredged. Excavators uncovered rock formations so tough that new methods and stronger machinery were needed. The related power development flooded 100 square miles; land was expropriated and entire communities were resettled. Some 6,500 people were moved to new homes and approximately 550 dwellings were moved. Completion of the joint U.S.-Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway navigation project was completed in 4 short years.

Today Alexandria Bay and the 1000 Islands Region is an international destination for a wide variety of tourists. The waters of the St. Lawrence River have a year-round beauty, perfect for the nature lover and the sportsman. On shore you will find quaint shops, restaurants and things to do that will fill a day in a blink of an eye! Whether you are looking for family activities, world-class fishing, romantic evenings, top-notch dive sites or just a little rest or relaxation, then Alexandria Bay is the place to be!
 

Jeri Winkler
The Secret Assistant
Jeri@TheSecretAssistant.com

2008

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN ALEXANDRIA BAY

February

23 Polar Bear Dip at Bonnie Castle Benefit of River Hospital Foundation

March

April

4 - 6 Blue Grass Weekend
Thousand Islands Blue Grass Preservation Society
Bonnie Castle Year-Round Resort
7pm Friday & Saturday evenings, Jam Session on Sunday
Admission at the door; for more info call 315-482-4511

May

9 Antique Boat Museum Opens to the Public (9:00am to 5:00 pm daily)

10 Boldt Castle Opens for the Season

15 Antique Boat Museum Volunteer Breakfast

17 6th Annual Music Fest
Redwood United Methodist Church
Redwood Fire Hall from 2pm-9pm
Free Admission, Children's Activities, Bake
Sale, Silent Auction POC Pastor Helen

19 Victoria Day, Canada

23 - 25 Grand International Ragtime Jazz Festival
Pine Tree Point Resort

24 Grape Blossom Festival
Thousand Islands Winery
For more information, call 315-482-9306

25 28th Annual Blessing of the Fleet
Have your boat blessed before the Summer season begins! 1:00 pm

25 A Day with the Fishing Guides
Benefit River Hospital Foundation
For more information call 315-482-4976

26 Memorial Day

31 Village Wide Yard Sale

June

4 Citizen of the Year Dinner

14 1000 Islands Family Miracle Day

Antique Boat Museum in Clayton
FREE admission (12pm-4pm)
Benefit Children's Miracle Network

19 AUSA River Day

20-22 Alexandria Bay Poker Run
A gathering of the hottest, fastest, & most
exotic powerboats in North America

21 Summer Book Sale at Macsherry Library; (regular library hours)
For more information call 315-482-2241

21 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Historical Society - Cornwall Museum
Meet at the Cornwall Museum & Store for a reception
and then off you go for dinner! For more information call (315) 482-4586

27-29 2nd Annual Thousand Islands River Run -
Motor Cycle Rally
3 day event featuring Bands, Poker Run,
Vendors, Dyno Machine, Vertical Outlaws and much more

July

1 Canada Day

4 Fireworks over Boldt Castle
Celebration of Independence Day...9:45 pm

5 Alexandria Bay Fire Dept. Barbecue
Located at the Fire Hall on Walton St ; For more
information call 315-482-2121

5 Posh Picnic & Fireworks at the Antique Boat Museum
Clayton; Featuring boat rides, a gourmet
picnic and dancing under the stars.

9 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

10 River Hospital Auxiliary Fashion Show

10 4th Annual Silent Auction,
Wine & Cheese Reception
at Macsherry Library, featuring local artwork
and crafts. To benefit the Library

11 - 13 31st Annual Vintage Boat Show

12 5th Annual Winery Birthday Bash
Thousand Islands Winery
For more information, call 315-482-9306

16 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

16 Historical Society Guest Exhibitor

Fan Exhibit by Cecile Horkheimer
collection of fans dating back to the 17th Century,
will speak on fans used through the ages and will
evaluate fans brought to the presentation. At Cornwall Brothers Store

17 "Motor Boating Magazine Illustrations"
by Rebecca Hopfinger
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

18 Silent Auction & Reception
Macsherry Library - 7 pm to 10 pm

19 - 20 Annual Summer Craft Fair
Scenic View Park Pavilion
Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm

19 Thousand Islands Winery Birthday Bash

23 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

24 "Diving on the Wreck, The Islander" by Ken Kozen
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

25 Victorian Tea & House Tour at Casa Blanca
Benefit Historical Society; for tickets call 315-482-4586

26 Carri"BAY"in Day
Steel Drum band performances at Scenic View Pavillion

26 - 27 Dingman Point River Artists Studio Tours
Four area artists, Mary Compeau, Hans Junga,
Michael Ringer, and Sherman Ward, have opened their
studios for tours. Each studio will feature a guest artist
as well. These studios are located on or near
Dingman Point Road , Alexandria Bay , New York

27 Festive Evening - Joey's Thousand Island Restaurant
Benefit River Hospital Foundation
For more information call 315-482-4976

30 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ..7 pm

31 "The History of Singer Castle " by Patty Mondore
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

August

1 - 3 2008 St. Lawrence River Rustic Show
Bonnie Castle Recreation Center
Benefit River Hospital Foundation
For more information, call 315-482-4976

1 - 3 44th Annual Antique Boat Show & Auction
at the Antique Boat Museum - Clayton

6 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

7 "Classic Boats of the 1000 Islands "
by Anthony Mollica, Jr.
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

8 - 17 Bill Johnston Pirate Days
10-day event featuring Pirate Invasions.
Family entertainment daily

13 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

14 "History of Pullman Island " by Richard Calabrese
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

15-17 Antique Raceboat Regatta 2008
Antique Boat Museum - Clayton

20 Concert in the Park
Scenic View Park ...7 pm

21 "Seasons of the St. Lawrence:
A Photographic Exposition" By Tom Weldon
Historical Society Gallery Presentation...
Cornwall Brothers Store

22 Victorian Tea & House Tour at Casa Blanca
to benefit Historical Society
Call 315-482-4586 for more information & tickets

23 Gala at Boldt Castle
To benefit the River Hospital Foundation
For more information or tickets call 315-482-4976

23 Book Signing by Authors of the 1000 Islands
Benefit Historical Society... Cornwall Brothers Store
For more information call 315-482-4586

27 Concert in the Park

Scenic View Park ...7 pm

Aug. 28 - 8th Annual Blues in the Bay

Sept. 1 Wrap up your summer with this annual event.
The fabulous five-day music festival staged
throughout the village and features spectacular
waterfront views, a pleasurable atmosphere and
fantastic blues music

Aug. 30 - Annual Fall Craft Fair

Sept. 1 Scenic View Park Pavilion
Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday & Monday, 10 am - 5 pm

September

1 Labor Day

6 Village Wide Yard Sale

6 Book Sale Bonanza
Historical Society...gently used books
(bargains to best sellers)

6 Blues In The Bay Party
Thousand Islands Winery
For more information, call 315-482-9306

13 & 14 1000 Islands Concours d'Elegance

October

1 Fall Mixer

4 5th Annual Oktoberfest
Thousand Islands Winery
For more information, call 315-482-9306

11-12 Grand International Ragtime Festival

Pine Tree Point Resort

13 Antique Boat Museum Exhibits Close for the season
Museum Store & Offices remain open

13 Columbus Day

13 Thanksgiving Day, Canada

19 Boldt Castle closes for the season

November

11 Veterans Day

11 Remembrance Day, Canada

27 Thanksgiving Day

December

5 Chamber of Commerce and Hearts for Youth

Christmas Social

6-7 Kris Kringle Market
Located at the Thousand Islands Winery
indoor Christmas Market; call 315-482-9306
for more information

6 Holiday Craft Show

Macsherry Library; 10am to 5pm

13 Christmas Light Judging Contest
for the Town of Alexandria

25 Christmas Day

31 New Year's Eve