Summer 2014

www.eriecanalcamillus.com
Camillus Erie Canal Park - Founded 1972

TOWPATH DAY "THE ERIE CANAL

AND THE

CIVIL WAR "

On Towpath Day, the Camillus Erie Canal Park will be celebra ng "The Erie Canal and the Civil War." Fun for
all, young or old. Bring your family, bring your friends.
Saturday August 9 10:00

- 4:00

The fes vi es begin with the Fourth Annual Camillus Rotary Mule Skinner 5K Run/Walk at 9:00
. Fun at
the Canal begins at 10. At 11:30
and 1:30
there will be a visit from Abe Lincoln, portrayed by Jack
Baylis, who will address the crowd from the back of a railroad car fabricated by a senior volunteer group
called the "Silver Hammers." There will be historical gures mingling among the crowd. We will feature the
12th NYS Regiment Reenactment group who will hold demonstra ons.
In addi on there will be a steam engine exhibit, wagon and boat rides, demonstra ons, vendors, kids stu,
make and take, Morris Dancers, pe ng zoo, great food, raes, and great music: Blue Grass, Diamond
Someday, and Dixieland Jazz by the Soda Ash Six.
Towpath Day is a great way to introduce families to the history and recreational opportunities of the Erie Canal.
We'll be looking for all the volunteers to help out. On the average we have close to 100 volunteers
par cipa ng. We need everyone. Put on your "canal duds" and come on down. For more informa on, please
contact Liz Beebe at 391-7020.
A A

,A

DOT G

FOURTH ANNUAL CAMILLUS, SOLVAY, GEDDES ROTARY MULE

SKINNER 5K RUN/WALK
Fourth Annual Camillus, Solvay, Geddes Rotary Mule Skinner 5K Run/Walk benets
community organiza ons. This is a USATF cer ed 5K course beginning at the Camillus
Firehouse on Newport Road with a trail through Erie Canal Park, passing Sims Store.
Entry Fee: Postmarked by August 5: $15 per person, Postmarked a er August 5: $20 per person. Registra on
form can be downloaded at h p://www.csgrotary.org/Mule_Skinner_2014.pdf
Packets and Late Registra on: 7:30 - 8:55
at the Camillus Firehouse on Newport Rd. Race starts at 9:00
, walk starts at 9:10. T-shirts will be given to the rst 150 entries. The Awards Ceremony will be held
immediately a er the race. For more informa on please call George Mango at 952-2256.
Towpath Day 2014 is made possible in part with funds from the Decentraliza on Program, a
regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew
Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.
We also received addi onal funding in the form of a gi from the Erie Canalway Na onal Heritage Corridor.

Page 2

DEDICATION OF THE JEAN CARRINGTON

VOLUNTEER/MEMBER CHICKEN BBQ PICNIC

BOAT

HOUSE

AND

ANNUAL

Dedica on of the Jean Carrington Boat House and Annual Member and
Volunteer Chicken Barbecue Picnic will take place
Saturday July 19 beginning at 11:00
We will meet at the new boathouse on Route 173 (Warners Rd.) at the foot
of the canal. The dedica on will feature music by Don Meixner. Parking is
available at Reed Webster Park and handicapped parking is available across
the street from the boathouse.
Then be sure to join us at 12:00
back at Sims Store for our Annual Member and Volunteer Chicken
Barbecue Picnic. Please bring a dessert to pass. For more informa on, please call Liz at 391-7020.

DINNER CRUISES

Please Tell Your Friends about the Great Dinner Cruises

Wednesdays, July 9 - August 20
Thursday, July 17 and Thursday, August 14
Call and reserve your space now, so you won't be le standing on the dock.
Our cruises hold 24-25 people and leave from the Sims Store at 6:00
and return
about 8:15. (Please note the time change from 6:30 to 6:00
.) Help us spread
the word. It is ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, office groups, and other special
occasions. This is a great way to spend a lovely summer evening on the Canal. Our low price of $26 includes
delicious dinner choices of prime rib, stuffed breast of chicken, or vegetable primavera with red sauce, provided by
Ernie's Lakeland Cafe. Entertainment is included. Call Vicky at 487-7895. She will gladly take your reservation.
Volunteers are needed for set up, pick up, as servers, and cleanup. Call Sherry at 751-6012 if you can help.
Proceeds from the cruises help maintain the Aqueduct.

CHICKEN BBQ FOLIAGE CRUISE

A special Chicken BBQ Foliage Cruise will take place
Saturday September 20 2:00
Reserve your place now!

SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS, DEAR OLD GOLDEN RULE DAYS

Here at Sims Store, we may not have hickory sticks, but we surely have wonderful experiences. For
nearly six weeks groups came from as far north as Fulton, far south as Cortland, far west to Aurora,
and east to East Syracuse. From our own district, classes came from East Hill, Stonehedge, and BOCES.
In all, they represented 15 school districts. We all enjoyed hearing the children sing the Erie Canal
Song as they came back from their boat trip over the aqueduct. The students also enjoyed seeing the
museum and lock demonstration, including lock gates, as well as visiting the original Clinton's Ditch,
Lock Shanty, and stump puller.
All of our volunteers have been involved in the educa on eld and love what they do! We are indebted to
their ingenuity and crea vity. We especially wish to thank Joe Menzel and Gary Dixie for xing the Lock
Demonstra on. Those par cipa ng this year are Ruby and Ma Adams, Marge Becra , Paul Bertan, Ann
Ciccarelli, Janet Conners, Fred Cossick, Mary Ellen Hoag, Paul Hurst, Becky Jackson, Garry Klink, Ann
McDonell, Marie Miczan, Doug Neilson, Sue Paddock, Dodi Palumbo, Tom Pisano, Aileen Reynolds, Paul
Shea, Jim Thrall, Vicky Viccaro, Linda Vishnesky, Lonnie Warner, Dan Willis, Helene McNeer, and Dave & Liz
Beebe. A job well done. Thank you!!

NEW YORK PARKS

AND

RECREATION TREK

FROM

BUFFALO

TO

ALBANY

Page 3

Mark this date on your calendar

Wednesday July 16
Over 500 bicyclists from all corners of the United States and some from foreign countries
will descend upon Sims Store as their pit stop before spending the night in Syracuse.
Linda Vishnesky, our Canalway Trail representa ve, has taken the trip twice. Among the
ameni es we have to oer are delicious baked goods, postal service, boat rides, and cool
refreshing water.
Volunteers are needed to meet and greet our guests, and to work in the snack bar and in the museum. We
would also appreciate baked goods, especially brownies and cookies. They may be delivered on Wednesday
morning or when you come to help. Volunteer shi s are 8:30 - 10:00 , 10:00
- 12:00
, 12:00
- 2:00 , and 2:00 - 3:30 . If you can help, please let Liz know at 391-7020.

TUESDAYS

ON THE

TOWPATH

Have you ever thought you would just like to try a short bicycle ride on the canal? We have the
answer for you. A series of eight recrea onal bike rides on the Old Erie Canal State Historic
Towpath are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays, May thru August. Camillus Erie Canal
Park will be the host
Tuesday August 12 6:00
The ride will be about eight miles total, star ng from Sims Store and heading to the Aqueduct.
At the Aqueduct Dave Beebe will talk about its historic signicance. We will con nue to Rte. 173 and then
return westward, stopping at Sims Store to learn about its history. The group will press on to Warners
Community Park and return to Sims Store. Call Linda Vishnesky at 869-8419 for further informa on.

THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY TAKE

BOOK, RETURN

BOOK

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected by the Camillus

Libraries to be the site of a Li le Free Library.
What is a Li le Free Library? It's a "take a book, return a book" gathering place
where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories. In its most basic
form, a Li le Free Library is a box full of books where anyone may stop by and
pick up a book (or two) and bring back another book to share. You can, too!
Our Li le Free Library is located by the side door of Sims Store where it is under shelter.

THE RETURN

OF THE

CHRONICLES

OF

MAUDE

AND

EMORY

Back in the fall of 1991 we began to publish excerpts from Aunt Maude's Diary, wri en by Marshall Bishop, in
each issue of The Mule. These excerpts con nued un l the passing of Mr. Bishop in 2001. Each entry gives us
a small glimpse into what life was like along the Erie Canal.
Now for your enjoyment we are republishing these wonderful tales. With the next issue of The Mule, we will
again be running excerpts from the Chronicles of Maude and Emory.

The Mule is the Quarterly Newsle er of Camillus Erie Canal Park and the Camillus Canal Society
Town of Camillus, 4600 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031

Town of Camillus Erie Canal Park

109 East Way
Camillus, NY 13031

Camillus Canal Society, Inc.

New Membership or Renewal Applica on
Yes, I Want to Be a Member
Please Renew My Membership
Individual Adult - $15.00
Senior Ci zen (Age 60 and Over) - $8.00
Family - $35.00
Suppor ng - $40.00
Sustaining - $50.00
Sponsor - $100.00
Make check payable to Camillus Canal Society, Inc.
Name:
Address:
City, State Zip:
Phone:
Cell Phone:
Please Contact Me About Volunteering
Mail To: Gail Banks, 25 First Street, Apt. 2, Camillus, NY 13031
New Memberships Received a er June 1 Will Pay Half Price for That Year.
The Half Price Feature Does Not Apply to Renewals.