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7 Ways to Celebrate the Erie Canal’s 200th Birthday

By U.S. News & World Report

When construction began in 1817, the proposed 339-mile-long Erie Canal connecting the Hudson River at Albany, New York, to Lake Erie at Buffalo, New York, was designed to move cargo arriving in New York City from the Atlantic westward across the expanding U.S. The hand-dug Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825. Through additions and improvements, today’s 524-mile system has 57 locks and 17 lift bridges. As the Erie Canal turns 200, here are seven special ways among many events to celebrate its role in the explosion of new ideas and commerce.

[See: 10 Cheap Summer Vacation Destinations.]

Listen to Music in Albany

It all began at Lock 1 near Jennings Landing, the easternmost end of the Erie Canal in Albany. The state’s Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration takes place from July 2 to 8 in partnership with the Albany Symphony, which will perform newly commissioned works by American composers. “Water Music New York” comprises seven barge concerts along the canal, which other boaters (or drivers) can follow for a week of canalside celebrations. The concert barge sails from Albany to Schenectady, and then to other destinations across New York, including Amsterdam, Little Falls, Baldwinsville and Brockport and ends at Lockport on July 8.

Tie the Knot in Lockport

The unusual Flight of Five (Locks 67-71 built in 1838) between the Hudson and Niagara Rivers in Lockport is an engineering marvel that’s been fully restored. The Erie Canal Discovery Center, which is open daily from May to October, and on Fridays and Saturdays from November to April, presents an in-depth history lesson about their engineering significance, including an interactive video. In summer, secure your lock on a loved one by getting married aboard a Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises tour, while being raised 50 feet as three million gallons of water flows into locks 34 and 35.

In addition to celebrating the canal’s 200th anniversary, explore the region’s past as a center of innovation and technology. The local Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride paddles a flat bottom boat up the tunnel that funneled waterpower from Niagara Falls to factories during the Industrial Revolution. Nikola Tesla’s concept for AC current is highlighted at the free and fascinating Niagara Power Authority museum. John Percy, CEO of Niagara Falls USA Tourism, says history fuels the county’s $608 million annual tourism industry. “It’s a region where adventure come naturally at the magnificent Niagara Falls and at lesser known historic adventures like Fort Ticonderoga and the Erie Canal,” he adds.

Explore the Canal by Train

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad traverses the national park that includes stretches of 308-mile-long Ohio and Erie Canal connecting Lake Erie to the Ohio River. This portion was hand-dug by German and Irish immigrants who earned about 30 cents a day plus a jigger of whiskey, food and shelter. The Valley Railway, which began in1880 to transport coal, allows riders (and bicyclists) to tour the length of the canal or board at multiple locations along the trail. Younger kids will enjoy the special themed railroad events such as Thomas the Tank Engine and Polar Express that take place throughout the year.

[See: 7 Summer Vacation Ideas for Every Type of Traveler.]

Celebrate Environmental Regulations Along the Ohio & Erie Towpath Trail

The Randy Newman song “Burn On” made Ohio’s Cuyahoga River famous after the badly polluted water caught fire and burned for 24 minutes in 1969. It became a symbol of the nation’s failure to safeguard the environment and led to the establishment of the 1972 Clean Water Act and anti-pollution regulations. Watch people fish and swim today from one of Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s trailheads, and hike the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail to see old locks and other canal structures. The Canal Exploration Center is at Lock 38. The, Boston Store Visitor Center, which dates back to circa 1836, tells the story of canal-boat building in the valley. Continue south to Lock 27, named Johnnycake Lock after a canal boat ran aground, forcing passengers to survive on corn meal “johnnycakes” until their rescue.

Bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath in Cleveland

The 9-mile urban canal section managed by Cleveland Metroparks‘ Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation includes the northernmost section of the restored towpath. From Harvard Road, bikers connect to an 84-mile-long paved trail which leads over two cable style suspension bridges that recall the song “Low Bridge, Everybody Down.” Thomas S. Allen wrote the canal’s unofficial anthem in 1905, because the steam engines that replaced mule power moved so quickly, many passengers forgot to duck as barges passed under bridges. Right in the city center, stop by the pier over the Cuyahoga River where cargo ships call from all over the world; the water is now so clean that you can watch fish swim by as you celebrate the Erie Canal’s birthday.

Ride a Restored Canal Boat

Between 1826 and 1836, the $4.7 million spent connecting Lake Erie to the Ohio River spawned 27 new villages in Stark County, Ohio, including what would become Canal Fulton in 1832. Today, the town operates the St. Helena Heritage Park which includes a Canalway Visitors Center (open seasonally) and the restored “St. Helena III” canal boat, pulled by two Percheron horses walking the towpath on one-hour canal tours. Among several themed cruises, the fun for kids Pirates Cruise sails the weekend of June 17, when the Canal Fulton Players board the barge looking for booty, as passengers enjoy dinner from the Canal Grille. There are twice daily trips during weekends in May, September and October; and Tuesday to Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Best of all, children under 5 can enjoy free admission. Plus, there’s always a historian guide on board, and activities peak during the annual Olde Canal Days festival from July 14 to 15.

[See: 9 Last-Minute Memorial Day Getaway Deals.]

Spend the Night on an Erie Canal Houseboat

They call it “life in the past lane” when you sleep aboard a Canal Cruises houseboat sailing from Seneca Falls, New York. Houseboating on the Erie Canal and Finger Lakes is popular with families who bring along fishing gear and take advantage of the inner tubes, bicycles and swimming spots for history-themed vacations. The company’s three 42-foot houseboats have heating, air-conditioning, TVs, cooking facilities and sleep six guests in two staterooms and a double berth. Canal Cruiser rates, including fuel, canal passes and more, range from $2,696 to $2,995 depending on the season, for a one-week rental.

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7 Ways to Celebrate the Erie Canal’s 200th Birthday originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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