When spring is in the air can summer be far behind?  It is that time of year when visions of the River and boats begin to surface within!

At the Alexandria Bay Vintage Boat Show, the annual Renaissance Award will be awarded to that boat which best symbolizes the renaissance of the antique or classic boat to our River heritage!  Over the years the personal story of each of these renaissance boats has assumed a micro-culture of its own and as such each has become an integral part of our river legacy.

We hope that you will consider this invitation as an opportunity for your boat to be recognized as the RENAISSANCE BOAT OF THE YEAR!  We also encourage the membership to nominate boats, even those other than your own, to be considered for Renaissance Award recognition.

The Renaissance Award registration form (see below) should be returned to the Show Chairman by July7th to be considered by the Renaissance Society for Award recognition at the Boat show award ceremony.

Previous Winners of the Renaissance Award:

• 1991 - "Pep", Bob Wagoner
• 1992 - "Lizzy", Liz and Tony Mollica
• 1993 - "Just Because", Ted Storey
• 1994 - "Comet III", Riggs Smith
• 1995 - "Birch Hill", Phoebe Tritton
• 1996 - "Fawn", Shirley and John Wells
• 1997 - "Missy II", Marian LeFevre
• 1998 -  Andy Rae
• 1999 - "Times a Wastin", BJ & Alex Mosher
• 2000 - "Her Mink", Pat & Bob Toole
• 2001 - "Christine", Mark Armstrong
• 2002 - "Flox", Paul & Twyla Webb
• 2003 - "Pouff", David Taylor

  2004 - * Please inform us if an award was presented this year or if so, who won.  

                 Please use the "Contact Us" tab on the left.

  2005 - "Monitor", Dick Calabrese

  2006 - "Heyday", Stuart and Helve Clough AND "Nelda", Don Babcock

  2007 -   Not presented this year

  2008 - "River Runner", John and Pat Peach

  2009 - "Tonerta", Daphne and Ian Angus

  2010 -

 Read the story of Hey Day as written by Stu and Helve Clough. Click here.

THOUSAND ISLANDS RENAISSANCE AWARD

                                                    By Daniel H. Gregory, M.D.

The antique boat has significantly contributed to the cultural-economic growth and development of the Thousand Islands-St. Lawrence River region.  Today, many of these boats are being rediscovered and appropriately recognized by regional boat shows and local museums.  Such recognition, however, usually focuses only on beauty and structure while ignoring the full functioning historic value of these boats.  It seems that their real significance is to be found in the daily lives of river families that have owned and operated them over the years;( i.e. fishing, hunting, transport, healthcare, entertainment, touring , weddings, shopping, business, mail delivery, racing, etc.).  Clearly, this is a unique river cultural legacy that must be preserved for the generations yet to come.

To assure the preservation of these river boat values the Thousand Islands chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society presents The Renaissance Award at its annual boat show as a special award to recognize a specific boat for its river heritage.  It is hoped that this special cup award will stimulate a spirit of creativity and regenerate future sparks of enthusiasm that will elevate the value of these boats above and beyond the gathering of show points.

CRITERIA FOR RENAISSANCE AWARD COMPETITION:

Only individual boat owners will be eligible for award competition and will be generally recognized by the award committee as individuals who have significantly contributed to boating in the Thousand Islands region over an extended time period.  The competing boat must be registered in the show and classified as an antique boat.  The link between boat and river activity must be documented and may take many forms including: photo album, video tape, movies, scrapbook, press clippings, poster display, etc. at the time of judging.  The creativity of this presentation, historic value of the boat, uniqueness of its function and condition will constitute the judging criteria as detailed below: