Written by
Susan W. Smith posted on December 14, 2018 12:59
2018 is drawing to a close - 129 Articles later! When I started to count the work of so many volunteer authors – for one year only,
I could not help but stop and read many again. A friend asked me why I keep at it every month and I realize what a wealth of material we have given to readers and those who just fall upon an article thanks to Google. I do have one request – please go back and see what was your favorite. I bet you appreciate some even more than reading it the first time. (There are 1468 articles in total.)
And… I would be remiss if I did not stop and thank all those who help with proof reading, editing and of course adding commas! Georgia Barker, Rick Taylor, Dane Zabroski and Bill Stallan… You are all amazing.
I also thank Mike Cox. He is our IT magician and has just returned from a two weeks trip on a humanitarian mission. 
He went by air from Ottawa, ON to Patagonia in the Southern Hemisphere with Rally for the Rangers. He, and a dozen others, delivered brand new motorcycles to the Patagonia Park Rangers.
Rally for Rangers say, “The only thing more rewarding and exhilarating than riding 1,500 kilometers of dirt, mud, and river bottom is handing over the keys to an (almost) new motorcycle so these rangers can better protect the incredible resources of their national parks”
“Merry Christmas” with 15 Articles:
Ian Coristine agonized over the 7th Annual Photo Contest. He suggests that it is one of the hardest tasks of the year. Enjoy: 7th Annual Photo Contest and Honorable Mentions. (We also thank Sarah Ditterline for creating our medal graphics.)
Lynn McElfresh gives us a history lesson in crime in The Sheriff of Grenell. Linda Twichell shares another Early Westminster Park Families: The Goss Family. and Bob Anderson remembers special summer visitors selling Native Baskets (Do you have some? Tell us about them.) 
Each December, we ask two authors for special submissions. Chas MacLean Cochand always provides a unique link to the Islands and this year’s story is no exception; The Boy with the Box of Candles, 1918; and Doctor Richard Withington (Round Island) lets us ride along on rescue missions in 2018 in The Withington 2018 Review: Fire, Groundings… etc.
We want to bring attention to Will Salisbury, who has created a unique website in Gift to the River, I introduce two artists, Brockville’s Brenda Clarke, Artist and the talented Frank Shattuck, Tailor and More, from Sackett's Harbor.
There are lessons by Chris Murray’s Depth of Field: The Story Behind the Image and Nicole Hartshorn’s The River Gal: The Maritime Mimosa. (She even suggests a winter break with a visit to a boat show). and hold on, Dan LeKander once more challenges us – this is his Sudoku Puzzle #47. (How many have your completed?)
Linda Twichell also gives 31-day book recommendations in Books galore. Linda’s lists and TI Life’s Books Tab, will keep you busy throughout 2019, so Happy New Year!
Santa Arrives in a Boat
The 4th Annual Santa Day took place on Saturday, December 16 in Alexandria Bay. Thanks to the Doug Tulloch and his many elves from the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce the day was wonderful for all. A perfect temperature and dozens of happy children.
WWNYTV, Chanel 7 News Captured the fun…
Please Remember
We certainly appreciate having you hit the button at the top of each article and Supporting TI Life – although we: Authors, Photographers, Proof Readers and Editors – including this one(!) all publish TI Life as Volunteers, there are costs, including our Email Program - Constant Contact, and our software, now working in its 11year. (I say that each month… but now we are almost there. We will need some volunteers to help us on our way, so stay tuned!)
We also encourage you to Remember our Facebook
page throughout the month, as we post information and photographs, and follow us on 
.
I thank those who send photographs for TI Life – they really are better than 1000 words… Always send photos of interesting happenings to info@thousandislandslife.com
And, this Editor is looking forward to receiving new submissions throughout the year. I bet our readers are too!
By Susan W. Smith, Editor, info@thousandislandslife.com
