Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
9 Jun 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
4
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Details
Description
Enjoy day to day life on the Saint Lawrence River, on the Canadian border, with my small family and me as we develop a not for profit artists'retreat. We are open minded, diversity-friendly, peace loving artists and teachers making the best use of a small parcel of earth that surrounds our mobile homes. Preference will be for those who enjoy learning painting and gardening or have such experience. We're planning to paint murals, design and build stained glass windows, and we've started making jewelry.
The Workawayer's living quarters are within the three building home of artists who appreciate a nature loving lifestyle in a private, river front corner of a seasonal park. Helpers, one or two at a time, should have an appreciation for art, wildlife, music and diversity. Assisting with household chores on an equal level with us is expected. Cooking skills are appreciated but not required, however kitchen and house maintenance is distributed and should occur naturally. Painting, glasswork, music appreciation, dance, healthy cooking, river exploration, yoga, laughter are commonplace as is a desire to learn and grow from one another. We dabble in video editing, and we'd love to have a guest who can help bring us up to speed using design apps on the computer. We also need help learning to post more interesting content and organizing my Instagram.
The Workaway guest house is a 1956 Spartan Imperial Mansion; a 2BR - 1B mobile home with a gorgeous view of the islands. We continue to transform the interior of the home into a bright and comfortable artists' studio and the gardens will eventually provide for a healing not for profit retreat.
In exchange for 4 hours of help 5 days per week (although this is flexible because we take advantage of beautiful weather for the beach and the River), workawayers will be provided with meals. We also love venturing into the village as a group! We will likely be cooking together most days as we expect to be enjoying one another's company. We do fairly well adhering to a healthy, vegetarian/pescatarian diet. Workawayers will stay in the guest unit. We only invite Workawayers who are not continually distracted by their cellphones.
Workawayers may also have access to WiFi, kayaks, fishing from the dock (with reasonably priced NY State fishing license), and tours of the Thousand Islands Region. There are abundant tourist attractions; island castles, restaurants, entertainment, wineries, breweries, etc. Canada is very close to us and offers many additional places to explore.
I am a Spanish language learner, so Spanish-fluent applicants are welcome to apply, especially if a mutual tutorial experience can be realized. Cigarette smoking is strongly discouraged as is unreasonable use of alcohol, excessive and unnecessary noise, etc. Our Workawayers have loved it here! If you're seriously interested, we will happily provide you with a virtual tour.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Writing
Plant care
Performing arts
Music
Languages
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Carpentry
Art & design
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Fitness
Dancing
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Hosts are teachers and enjoy being creative each day; painting, stained glass window construction, choreographing dance, arranging flowers, cooking, playing ukulele, repurposing projects, stained glass, kayaking, mountain biking, yoga, cooking, wine or beer tasting or exploring the islands. As career teachers, we love helping others learn the English language.
Help
Travelers will assist with building garden. The small gardens need ongoing attention and a funky, open air space that doubles as an art and repurposing workshop needs to be kept semi orderly by sweeping up leaves, grass clippings, etc. We need an extra hand staining a deck, and we are converting a room in a small storage barn into a stained glass workshop. Workawayers would benefit most from staying for 3-4 weeks. Extended stays are negotiable after an opportunity to assess how well matched the guest and hosts are. This conversation will occur within one week of arrival. It's SO COOL to work while enjoying amazing views of the river!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I often travel to Spanish speaking communities. I wish to strengthen my Spanish speaking skills. I have enjoyed a career as a teacher, so I love to teach English!
Accommodation
Workawayers will stay in a cottage or the 1956 Imperial Mansion mobile home. There is a double bed in the back bedroom and a twin bed in a second, tiny (but pretty) bedroom. We have installed an air conditioner in the living room and bedroom. We are very sensitive to unnecessary waste and insist that, like us, our guests seek to minimize power consumption, water use, etc. We also don't approve of flagrant intoxication of any kind. Keeping the spaces tidy is essential as is respecting our neighbors by adjusting voice volume in the evening, especially near the river as sounds travel easily. There is a laundry within a mile of us, and there's a dryer and a clothes line on site for your use. We'd prefer not to share our space with cigarette smokers.
What else ...
Workawayers should plan to stay with us for 4 or more weeks. Longer stays may be considered depending upon need.
There's so much to do and see in the Thousand Islands region; boat tours, castle and light house visits, fishing, art galleries and classes, restaurants, wineries, breweries, hiking, kayaking. The bridges to Canada are about 15 minutes away by car. Several cities, including Syracuse, NY, are about 90 minutes away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
WiFi access is dependable
Can possibly accept pets
Small, friendly dogs are welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Feedback (2)
Mario arrived with boundless energy and ambition. He was eager to understand our goals for improving our property and assist with prioritizing… read more
What can I say. I not only had a total blast working with Kevin at this gorgeous location but I also left the river with a new friendship that will last a lifetime.
If you are lucky enough to be invited into Kevin and Tamara’s life be ready for a real treat. They are the… read more
Teaghan approached all tasks at a consistent pace and with a… read more
I was met with patience, flexibility, and thoughtful accommodation while I helped them with their projects.
Whether you’re a gardener, artist, builder, or elderly companion - there’s likely something for you to work on here at this beautiful waterfront oasis.… read more
Photos
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Mario arrived with boundless energy and ambition. He was eager to understand our goals for improving our property and assist with prioritizing… read more
What can I say. I not only had a total blast working with Kevin at this gorgeous location but I also left the river with a new friendship that will last a lifetime.
If you are lucky enough to be invited into Kevin and Tamara’s life be ready for a real treat. They are the… read more
Teaghan approached all tasks at a consistent pace and with a… read more
I was met with patience, flexibility, and thoughtful accommodation while I helped them with their projects.
Whether you’re a gardener, artist, builder, or elderly companion - there’s likely something for you to work on here at this beautiful waterfront oasis.… read more
