New life for old Irvin L. Clymer pilot house on Duluth pier
Duluth, MN – Jeff Foster and Toni Fladmark-Foster love the waterfront. And now, they are making it even better in a new way. They and their loyal volunteers from the Sundew have spent the past year cleaning up the old pilot house that sits at the end of the timber pier.
The couple bought the pier a couple of years ago, and the pilot house was part of the deal.
New life for an old pilot house. It used to be part of the Great Lakes freighter Irvin L. Clymer. “This ship was built in 1917. Just imagine all of the changes that the industry has seen. It’s really interesting to see how far we’ve come in just a short time,” Fladmark-Foster told us.
They removed plenty of rust and added some paint. The original wood inside looks pretty well preserved. Danny Schlies, a volunteer, said, “It’s incredible the amount of people who’ve heard about this, and are happy we’re bringing it back to life. It’s a part of history, and I’m a history buff.”
Jeff Foster added, “It takes a village, with Danny and Toni and this amazing group of people. We are all boaters and love the area. We love the waterfront and need to reflect the pride we have in the area.”
As for the final plan for the house, they’re not sure yet. But that’s part of the fun. “It’s definitely been a labor of love,” Fladmark-Foster added.
See photos and watch a video at this link: https://www.wdio.com/news/pilot-house-waterfront-pier/6204092/?cat=10335&fbclid=IwAR1CocSrmS8NqeWkT7PLTZSdU9t3QDhJoEPss_oMOtPY56l3j0Yjm_nWHjg
National Museum, tour boat join up to explore Great Lakes history by land and water
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes and The Sandpiper passenger tour boat are collaborating to provide more opportunities to explore Great Lakes history both by land and water with a new “Ship & Shore package” and an onboard Port of Toledo: Then & Now exhibit.
On Saturday, August 28 and Saturday, September 11, the museum and passenger boat are teaming up to offer two days featuring an “Ultimate Great Lakes History Day”—a special combination ticket including full access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes and a trip along the Maumee River aboard The Sandpiper. In addition, the museum is installing a Port of Toledo online exhibit onboard The Sandpiper which uses QR codes to help cruisers visually compare and learn the history behind various spots along the river’s banks. “The Ship & Shore experience provides a way to explore Great Lakes history all day long,” explains Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s Director of Education and Visitor Experience. “Guests receive full day access to the National Museum of the Great Lakes—including our world-class, family-friendly exhibits, a 617-foot iron ore freighter and a lake class tugboat—along with a mid-day trip aboard The Sandpiper departing and returning from the museum docks.”
In addition, NMGL has developed an ongoing way to interact with Great Lakes history along the Maumee River with a soon-to-be installed exhibit map onboard The Sandpiper. The magnetized map uses QR codes to guide Sandpiper Cruise guests through a historic exploration of various Port of Toledo images they may pass while onboard their tour.
“The collaboration with The Sandpiper and the installation of this “mini-exhibit” is such a great way for our museum to expand the reach of our Port of Toledo: Then and Now virtual exhibit,” says Kate Fineske, the museum’s Senior Director of Institutional Advancement. “It was a natural partnership between two entities deeply connected to the Maumee River, and a partnership we hope to continue and expand in the years to come.
Ship & Shore: The Ultimate Great Lakes History Day is offered two Saturdays this summer—August 28 and September 11. Tickets must be purchased in advance at nmgl.org or by calling 419-214-5000. For additional information visit nmgl.org/event/shipshore
WHAT: Ship & Shore: The Ultimate Great Lakes History Day
WHEN: Saturday, August 28 and Saturday, September 11, 2021; 10am-5pmWHERE: National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo, OH
ADMISSION: Adults $40, Children $25; GLHS/NMGL Members: Adults $25, Children $12. FREE for Children 2 and Under
Port halts construction after city requests restraining order
Oswego, NY – The Port of Oswego Authority is again halting construction on a controversial grain storage building after the city asked a judge for a temporary restraining order to stop portions of the project while the case plays out in court.
The city of Oswego and the Port of Oswego Authority (POA) have been locked in a dispute since late June regarding the construction of a steel-frame structure blocking views of the iconic West Pierhead Lighthouse and Lake Ontario from portions of the east side of the Oswego River. City officials late last week requested a temporary restraining order to stop construction as the court hears arguments in a lawsuit filed by the city that claims the POA altered the scope of the project and failed to properly navigate the approval process.
Attorneys for the city and POA appeared before State Supreme Court Judge Gregory Gilbert in Syracuse Monday morning to address the city’s request, and the two parties came to an agreement that will see the Port “cease all construction activity on the structure” in question, known as Dome 4.
Oswego Mayor William Barlow Jr. on Wednesday called the stipulation, or agreement between the two parties, a success, noting it would stop the construction on the grain storage structure while the court reviews the city’s lawsuit.
The state Supreme Court is tentatively set to hear oral arguments on the city’s Article 78 challenge on September 7. An Article 78 lawsuit asks a state court to review decisions or actions of government or public authority.
City officials said the Article 78 lawsuit was filed after it became clear the Port was building a larger structure than originally designed and approved by the POA Board of Directors last year. According to the city, the original structure was a dome-shaped 124-foot diameter and 55-foot-high building. The building currently under construction measures roughly 150 feet by 150 feet and is at least 70 feet high.
City officials have argued the larger building is positioned in a way that eliminates the view of the historic lighthouse from the Great Lakes Seaway Trail.
