Hamilton, NY — The 51·çÁ÷ Bookstore will host Debbie Stack and Captain Ronald Marquisee in the Class of 2003 Event Room (third floor) on Saturday, April 26, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., to present a reading and conduct a discussion of their book, ‘Cruising America’s Waterways: The Erie Canal.’ The event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
‘Cruising America’s Waterways: The Erie Canal’ focuses on the joys of traveling the canals of New York State, including the world’s most famous canal, the Erie. This book, unlike most books that concentrate on canal history, is about the canals and the Hudson River as they are today: how to ‘use’ them if you’re cruising on them; how their unique locks, guard gates, and dams work; and how to enjoy the cultural, recreational, and scenic opportunities they offer along their routes. Published by Media Artists Inc., the book features over 225 color photographs accompanied by informative text that clearly conveys the canal system’s evolution from an industrial transportation route to an exciting recreational waterway. ‘Cruising America’s Waterways: The Erie Canal’ introduces readers to communities along the Erie and its sister canals ‘ the Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca ‘ that have been busy developing waterfront restaurants, boater services, and tourist attractions designed to welcome and entertain travelers exploring the waterways, whether by boat or by land.
Debbie Daino Stack is Project Coordinator for Media Artists Inc.’s award-winning video series, ‘Cruising America’s Waterways,’ broadcast nationally on PBS. For nine years she was Program Coordinator for the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse, New York, where she edited the book, ‘Always Know Your Pal: Children on the Erie Canal.’ She has written many articles focused on the canal system, and women’s history. She is also president of Syracuse Scenic Tours, a travel organization.
Captain Ronald S. Marquisee, producer of the ‘Cruising America’s Waterways’ video series, is president of Media Artists Inc., which he founded in 1969 to produce film, video and multi-media projects. Prior to this he was a tenured associate professor at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications, teaching courses in writing, production, and management. An award-winning writer and photographer, Ron is licensed as a United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine Master.
Founded in 1819, 51·çÁ÷ is a highly selective, residential, liberal arts college enrolling nearly 2,750 undergraduates. Situated on a rolling 515-acre campus in central New York State, 51·çÁ÷ attracts motivated students with diverse backgrounds, interests and talents.
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