FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2009
Canal Corporation Announces Availability of 2009 Tug Urger Free Educational Program for New York’s Fourth-Graders
Historic Tugboat to Travel Canal System to Promote History of New York’s Canals
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the Tug Urger
Educational Program schedule is now available for the 2009 school year. The
program is available during the spring and fall months to all New York State
schools at no cost. The spring program kicks off on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at
Lock O-8 in Oswego, NY.
Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said, "The Canal Corporation
is proud to once again offer this informative educational program for New York’s
schoolchildren as a way to promote the significant history of the Canals and
their impact on the development of our State and nation. We encourage educators
from throughout the State to take advantage of this free program to provide
students with a hands-on look at life on the Canal."
The Urger, the Corporation’s flagship vessel, was christened the
Henry J. Dornbos in Michigan on June 13, 1901. The Tug Urger,
property of the New York State Canal Corporation, has served as the official
ambassador for the New York State Canal System since 1992.
In September 2001, the Urger was placed on the State and National
Registers of Historic Places.
The Urger now serves as the focal point of a program to educate school
children about the importance of New York's historic Canal System and the role
that inland waterways have played historically, and continue to play, in the
lives of people who live along them.
In the spring and fall, the Urger visits communities along the Canal
System where students in fourth-grade classes at local schools take field trips
to the Tug and participate in "hands-on" educational sessions. There they learn
about the history of the Canals and the role construction of the Erie Canal
played in making New York the "Empire State."
For the complete Tug Urger schedule, please visit the Canal Corporation’s website at the following link: http://www.nyscanals.gov/cculture/tugboat.html
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The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.