Clayton, NY, May 13, 2013 — The New York wine industry is booming. According to the New York Wind and Grape Foundation, five million people visit New York wineries every year. The industry generates almost $4 billion.

The New York Farm Bureau is pushing for an official designation for a new Adirondack Wine Coast Trail to bring enthusiasts to seven vineyards in Clinton County.

A lot of the credit for New York wines can go to a team of researchers that's doing what you might call "extreme winemaking": Breeding grapes that survive the North Country's frigid winters and still make delicious wine.

They hope names like Frontenac and Marquette will one day be as popular as Cabernet and Merlot.  Go to full article

May 10, 2013 — Spring means life on St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands is coming back to life. One of the region's anchor destinations, the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, opens for the season this weekend.

Fritz Hager is the museum's executive director. "We've got a lot going on here. We've got a lot of boats under restoration here," says Hager, "including our gigantic 110-foot houseboat, La Duchesse, which will be in restoration for a couple of years. So there's always a lot going on here boat-building wise. We also have boat rides, sailing classes, and other educational programs, and it all starts on Friday."  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Oct 12, 2012 — A company that wants to erect 48 wind turbines in the town of Clayton recently announced it would seek permitting through the state's Article X, not the town council. Another company did the same thing in nearby Cape Vincent earlier this year.

Article X is a law passed last year. It gives a state board the authority to green light new power plants, including wind farms, possibly over local objections.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jul 25, 2012 — Rowboats are a common sight on the St. Lawrence River, but a paper skiff is making its way through the Thousand Islands and down river to Montreal this week. The 17-foot boat was made by a group of New York City artists at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.

The urban artist/boat builders spent the last two weeks using the museum's collection and resources to build a new boat and learn more about the boating culture on the St. Lawrence. Their residency is a partnership with the museum's current exhibition of maritime-inspired art, called "Floating Through: Boats and Boating in Contemporary Art."

The artists are members of a Brooklyn collective called "Mare Liberum" and approach boat building in a non-traditional way: cheaply and quickly. With a little help from experts at the museum, they completed the boat in two weeks. But, a skiff made of paper? Could it really be rowed 168 miles past islands, through shipping channels and the St. Lawrence Seaway? Todd Moe stopped by the Antique Boat Museum late last week during the final stages of construction.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jun 13, 2012 — Family, kids, work and aging are all fair game at the Clayton Opera House tonight (7:30). Jan McInnis and Kent Rader will host an evening of Baby Boomer Comedy. The show advertises itself as a "clean, fun night." Both in their 50's, Jan says she and Kent cover all the topics common to their generation.

Todd Moe spoke with Jan McInnis, who began her career in the corporate world before turning to comedy. She's been a full time comedian for more than 16 years.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Mar 23, 2012 — People in the Thousand Islands village of Clayton are watching several projects that could transform an abandoned waterfront industrial site into a new community hub.

The site used to be home to Frink America, a snowplow manufacturer and a major employer in the small town. Before that, it was the village train station, where Golden Age vacationers would arrive to be ferried to luxury hotels on nearby islands.

The grand plan now in the works includes new docks, a pavilion, and a multi-story hotel. Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Feb 24, 2012 — Jennifer Caddick has led the environmental protection and education organization Save the River for the past six years. But she's announced now she'll be stepping aside. Reporter Joanna Richards stopped by the offices of the organization to speak with Caddick about the issues that have defined her tenure at the organization and what priorities a new leader will be facing as the group begins a new chapter.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jul 29, 2011 — The Clayton Opera House hosts performances of one of Oscar Wilde's masterpieces: The Importance of Being Earnest tonight and tomorrow night. The play tells the tale of two young men who have taken to bending the truth, and is full of insights into the flamboyant lifestyle of the British upper classes. Todd Moe spoke with British actor Guy Oliver-Watts, who plays Algernon, about the show's witty script, and the Aquila theater group's new take on a classic play.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jul 20, 2011 — We are co-hosting a storytelling event at the Clayton Opera House next Wednesday night. The Moth Mainstage is great stories, told live without scripts or props. It will feature storytellers from The Moth Radio Hour and the North Country. Todd Moe spoke with Moth producer Maggie Cino about the radio show and the live event in Clayton on the 27th. She says the Moth's style of storytelling is "magical".  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jun 28, 2011 — Italian pianist Francesco Attesti gives a benefit concert Wednesday night (7 pm) at the Clayton Opera House. The concert, sponsored by local Rotary clubs, will feature selections from Chopin, Liszt and Verdi. The recital will benefit ShelterBox, a worldwide disaster relief organization. Todd Moe spoke with Rotary volunteer Tom Deuson, of Henderson, who helped organize the concert. Deuson says ShelterBox was founded by Rotarians.  Go to full article