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Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway

~ …a bridge to our communities

Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Early Frontier

21 Saturday Sep 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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bateau, Frontier, Gateway Landing Park, interpretation, Mohawk Towpath Byway, Stockade

The Mohawk Towpath Byway’s latest kiosk will be dedicated on Saturday, September 28 at 11:30 AM. The kiosk is located strategically near the bike/pedestrian path entrance to the City of Schenectady at Gateway Landing Park. The kiosk describes the role the historic Stockade area played as the early Frontier. The reverse panel explains the role of bateau as the preferred watercraft before the Erie Canal improved navigation along the Mohawk Valley.

Join us for a tuly unique historical experience! Together we’ll reflect on and celebrate the renaissance of Schenectady’s waterfront. The 2nd Albany Militia, expert 18th century re-enactors, will be on station to show off their reproduction bateau. Of course, well have complimentary refreshments!

Nearby, the Stockade Historic district will be running its biennial Walkabout – a showcase of music, costumed interpreters well as many of the oldest and most beautiful homes in Schenectady (tickets $25 each). Truly, it will be a full-day celebration of Schenectady’s storied past.

The kiosk was funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the New York State Scenic Byways Program at the New York State Department of Transportation. A local match for this funding was provided by the coalition of municipalities along the Byway corridor including Waterford, Cohoes, Halfmoon, Colonie, Clifton Park, Niskayuna and Schenectady. Content for the interpretive message was a joint effort by the Stockade Association, Schenectady County Historical Society, miSci, and Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. Schenectady County Department of Public Works installed the kiosk during the summer.

To get to the Gateway Landing Park from State Street in Schenectady take the exit ramp on the right as you approach the Western Gateway Bridge. Look for the Rotary International sign on the right. From Scotia take the first exit ramp on the right to Schenectady County Community College and keep turning right under the approach to the Western Gateway Bridge. Gateway Landing Park will be on the left.

Raconteur

11 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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Birding on the Byway, Hamilton, Raconteur, Story Telling, The Peace Maker

Each of us needs to be a story teller when we describe the Mohawk Towpath Byway or one of the features on the Byway. We need to convey authenticity, provide a personal perspective, inject a bit of humor, if appropriate and entertain.

We have several who live within the Byway corridor who are really good at this: Russ Van Dervoort, John Scherer and Stephanie Bandosik come to mind.

With all the focus recently on birding on the Byway, I have a great deal of reverence for John James Audubon (1785 to 1851). The subject of ornithology came up recently at a Byway event and John Scherer said, “Audubon. Wasn’t he the guy that went around a couple of centuries ago shooting birds and then painting dead birds?” The comment put the life and times in perspective leaving a memorable impression on those listening.

Hamilton has been all the rage on the Byway with the production of the musical at Proctors Theater at the western end and Cherry Hill the Albany residence of Alexander Hamilton for a couple of years. My family is not of the “Virginia Hamilton” clan, but I can share the views of freedom for all. I remember Russ Van Dervoort making the comment, “Didn’t Alexander Hamilton own slaves?”

The story of the Peace Maker and the Cohoes Falls is a fascinating one. If you ask a Native American Elder who knows the story he would say quite reverently that you are not ready to hear the story …leaving me to feel that I am not worthy. Stephanie Bandosik with reverence will put your mind at ease and in a relaxing, soothing way convey the story, but it may take longer than you wish to devote to the story.

In addition to all the other demands of a good story teller, we must be a good raconteur.

The dictionary says raconteur, (rä,kän’tar), is a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way. The word comes from early 19th century from the French “raconter” meaning to relate or recount. I realize that I have been pronouncing the word, or at least the last syllable incorrectly by making it sound like “tour”.

Try your hand at story-telling and see if you can bring your audience back for more! Be a bit of a raconteur.

Canal Fest

13 Saturday Jul 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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Canal Fest at the Mabee Farm Historic site was a hoot!

Harvesting winter wheat. Note the riders on the Canalway Trek in the background.
Thanks to Mary MacDonald (pictured) and Nancy Papish for the help telling the Byway’s stories. This is an excellent opportunity to reach an audience interested in experiences offered along the Mohawk Towpath Byway.
Canal Fest included an opportunity to take a short excursion in a bateau. Three centuries ago these small craft were the way to navigate the shallow waters of the Mohawk River. There were many shops in Schenectady that would build you one for your trip west.

The festivities also included live music, kayaking, food, craft beer, and wine, craft vendors, heirloom gardens, free Stewart’s ice cream, and family-friendly tours of the historic Mabee house, summer kitchen, smithy, and restored Dutch barn. The museum was also open for those that have not seen the most recent additions.

And the hoot? A wildlife rehabilitation was also exhibiting with some of the more people friendly animals and birds including two species of owls and several raptors that have been rescued from life threatening situations.

All together these made a memorable, family-friendly experience.

Itinerary Published

05 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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American Road, American Road Magazine

During June, July and August American Road Magazine has a Mohawk Towpath Byway itinerary posted on their website. Our itinerary is the only one they have published in the northeastern U S, so it is near the top of the page.

Check it out!

American Road Magazine has a quarterly magazine that highlights the unique and sometimes unusual features along America’s roadways. Their audience is that portion of the traveling public who seek unique experiences along their journeys on the back roads and byways.

Hits to the Mohawk Towpath Byway website, our calls to our self guided tours, Facebook page likes, and brochure requests all peak during the summer travel season. It will be interesting to see if this American Road posting will provide an additional boost to these metrics.

Water Trail Guidebook

21 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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My copy of the New York State Canalway Water Trail Guidebook arrived!

I could not resist reading word-for-word the sections I am most familiar with. Seeing these beloved sections of the Water Trail described in such detail by someone else’s eye is inspiring. The print makes for an easy read and the three color maps are uncluttered, but of sufficient detail.

The superb black and white photographs accompanying the text are included to help tell the history of the area and entice the reader to take their own photographic memories.

The spirally bound document is not small enough to fit in a back pocket reminiscent of the Long Trail Guidebook I treasured in my youth, but it is much easier to read and use planning my next outing. Packaged with the guide is a set of four neatly folded full color maps that will fit in your pocket. These can be refolded to the section of the water trail that you are navigating. They’re water and tear resistant and have all the details you need once on your planned water adventure.

What a treasure. I can visualize the Guide proudly displayed on my coffee table in twenty years, well worn and dog eared, open to a favorite section of the water trail that I would like to explore again.

I recommend you get a copy of the complimentary Guidebook from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and let’s start planning a Paddle the Byway event this summer! How is that for a Canalway Challenge?

Canalway Challenge

23 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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Canalway Challenge

The next meeting of the Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway will be at the historic Grooms Tavern in Rexford on Tuesday April 9 at 7 PM. Our Guest Speaker will be Jean Mackay from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Her topic will be the new initiative “Canalway Challenge”. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Canalway Challenge: tracking history, tracking miles.

This is a challenge to discover the recreational and historic resources of the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor. Conquer 15 miles at a time on foot, bicycle, kayak and remember the line, “…15 miles on the Erie Canal.”

Join us as we learn about this challenge; how to register; how to start; how to earn a patch; how to get others involved. Refreshments will be served.

We will have additional agenda items.

Action Required!

26 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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There is a bill due for markup in the House Transportation and Commerce Committee that would strengthen the National Scenic Byway Program.

HR 5158 would direct the Secretary of Transportation to request nominations for roads to be designated under the national scenic byway program. A as one of America’s Byways® we stand to gain additional partnerships, a broader network of scenic byways across the country, and a broader base to market our Byway with residents, visitors, and even international tourism.

Take a few minutes and click on this link… www.scenic.org/HR5158  it will bring you to a page from which you can generate a letter to your Congressman.  Edit the letter as you see fit and to personalize it to be more effective.  But do it now.

Was it Ben Franklin who commented on “The power of the pen.”  Now is your chance to use the power!

State of the Byway

20 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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What is the Mohawk Towpath Byway?

…the road between Waterford/Cohoes and Schenectady that follows the historic route of the Erie Canal.  Traveling the route you uncover the “waterway west” and the role our communities played in the westward expansion and Industrial Revolution.

Whats a Byway?

Bike the Byway with the Mohawk Valley to the west.

Bike the Byway with the Mohawk Valley to the west.

…a public road having special scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, archaeological, and/or natural qualities that have been recognized as such through legislation or some other official declaration.

The Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition is a not-for-profit with our 10 municipal members and a representative from Schenectady County.  The Coalition oversees the implementation of our corridor management plan.  Not only are we one of the network of roads in New York State’s system of scenic byways, but we are one of America’s Byways® a collection of 150 scenic byways across the U S that tell a unique part of the America’s history and culture.

Assets:

  • Self Guided Byway Tour of features along the driving route well marked by way-finding signs.
  • A series of Interpretive Kiosks along the Byway corridor.
  • Recreational assets in each of the ten municipalities. 
  • A website and Google Voice 518-406-8610 contact phone number.
  • A cadre of enthusiastic volunteers.

Liabilities:

  • Cell Phone operational platform

    MabieCanalFest3

    Sharing the Byway stories at Canal Festival at Mabee Farm Historic Site.

  • Printing marketing and tourist oriented materials
  • Maintain way-finding signage
  • Sustain a vibrant and fresh web presence
  • Keeping volunteers engaged and rewarded.

What’s going on along the Byway? 

It seems like every weekend there is a local festival or event (see the calendar) or a work party.  There will be events through the fall and winter.  And then spring comes and we celebrate the opening of the Erie Canal for another season with Canal Days in Waterford Harbor.

What projects are you involved with?

One of our top priorities along the Byway is to raise community awareness.  We have such rich history within our communities.  We have some great recreational opportunities, natural history, cultural centers.

Another major project is our scenic conservation initiative.  This revolves around what we want the Byway to look like for our next generation.  Change is inevitable.  There are small changes that occur every day.  It is important that as these changes occur that we do not loose the character of our communities and our sense of place.

The Byway Is Run by Volunteers

How can we help?

Friends of the Byway clean up ready for the summer season.

Friends of the Byway clean up ready for fall events.

  • Roadside and canal cleanup by youth groups, neighborhood associations, fraternal organizations, and businesses.
  • Scout Projects to expand recreational opportunities
  • Improve assess to historic features
  • Hosting local events and festivals

What is the Vision?

We have this vision of being a tourist destination, regional, national and international.  With all the levels of history, unique recreational assets, cultural centers …we have so much to offer in this area that we take it for granted.  As more and more people become aware of what we have, the more we will want to maintain the character of our communities and our heritage. 

Summary

Even as federal and state funding are declining the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway remains a vibrant community of volunteers who have a strong sense of place esteem.  Can we show you around, and share a story or two?

Sharing the Stories

15 Sunday Jul 2018

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

IMG_0426The Canal Fest at the Mabee Farm Historic Site has to be one of the most unique spaces in which to share the stories of the Mohawk Towpath Byway.  The barn provides a period setting, a large audience of all ages and interests, and a relaxed atmosphere.  Here Mary MacDonald (behind a visitor) shares stories, experiences, and sense of place with a small, but interested group.  I estimate that several hundred people stopped at our booth in the four hours we were there.  The only attraction that garnered more interest was the free Stewart’s Ice Cream offered in the kitchen!  Next year won’t you join us?

 

Last Chance to Register

16 Wednesday May 2018

Posted by Eric Hamilton in Uncategorized

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StoryTellingSummitRegister now for the Mohawk Towpath Byway Story Telling Summit on June 6.  This fast moving series of four panel discussions with a line up of guest speakers on how to tell the compelling stories of the Mohawk Towpath Byway.  The day starts with the principles of story telling, folklore, and interpretation and wraps up with modern story telling techniques using social media, documentaries, and cell phone.  We will share some great food, stories, camaraderie, and a key note inspiration from Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors.

Register now!

 

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Officers:

Paul Olund, President
John Loz, Vice President
Maryanne Mackey, Treasurer
Eric Hamilton, Secretary

Board Members

Mary MacDonald
Jeffrey Slater
Lawrence D. Syzdek

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