TCH News

Issue date: 12/17/07 Section: News

Most local residents have at least heard of the Tock's Island Dam, but for those who haven't, local filmmaker Nick Patrick wants to help you learn the history of our area. Patrick is in the midst of filming his documentary, "Ghost Waters," about the historical events that took residents by storm many years ago and still threatens the area.

In 1962, construction of a dam, later named Tock's Island, was authorized. The purpose was to create a 37 mile long reservoir to help flood control and water supply. Tock's Island was intended to take up seventy thousand acres of land. Thousands of people were kicked out of their homes and given only a small amount for their properties. Residents and environmentalists fought the dam project and won.

The land is now preserved and known as the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area. Many residents of our area are unaware of this history, and Patrick wants to make sure that the past is kept alive for all to know. "So many stories follow the Tock's Island history," Patrick said. "Community members fought back, over a 20 year conflict."

Patrick started production of "Ghost Waters" in 2005 but the main push of production was in late 2006 into early 2007. Production is on hiatus right now due to weather and funding. "We are organizing some funding events in Sussex, Pike and Monroe counties as well as in New York City. We are also planning on some short screening events in hopes to get some more funding," Patrick said.

Patrick is not alone in the filming efforts; he calls it a two-man production. "I am the detail person. I make all the contacts and I organize and plan for the movie," Aimee Lacy said. She went on to explain, "This is not a history class type of movie. This documentary is very creative and will draw in a wide audience." They are hoping that when the movie is completed, schools will show students this important view of our area's history. "This film is not one-sided at all. Both angles with unbiased truth are shown without choosing sides," Lacy explained.

"Ghost Waters" was screened at this year's Black Bear Film Festival in Milford. The response was incredible. It was standing room only in the tent where the film was being shown. Patrick is planning an even bigger showing of the completed film at Black Bear in 2009.

Patrick, who is a Sussex County native and attended SCCC for two years, has a true love of this area. It was, in fact, a SCCC English professor that opened him up to film making. After attending the School of Visual Arts in NYC, this has become something that he has a deep passion for and his work is compelling. A big accomplishment had recently come their way as well. Patrick and Lacy were accepted into the International Documentary Association. That is a big honor in the documentary filmmaking field.

Although there are many books about Tock's Island, the uniqueness and quality of this part of history has yet to be seen in this medium. "There are still people that are for the dam to this day," Lacy said. The topic of Tock's Island comes to view every ten years or so. Patrick and Lacy are projecting a 2009 release date for the completed film, and they plan to enter it into as many film festivals as possible. They are confident that it will be accepted.

For more information or to donate funds for the completion of the film, go to www.ghostwaters.com.

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