10 years ago July 11, 2011: NoCasino Thousand Islands, a local anti-gambling organization disbanded in 2009, soon may regroup in response to a recent proposal to convert the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center into a $140 million racino. With the help of an entertainment/casino development company, the owners of Bonnie Castle Downs Inc. plan to transform the recreation center into an âupscale racinoâ with a harness-racing track, a 30,000-square-foot casino and a 125-room hotel. 25 years ago July 11, 1996: The U.S. Senate has confirmed Croghan native Donald J. Planty as ambassador to Guatemala. He will be sworn into office July 18 and will leave for Guatemala City in early August. Mr. Planty, 51, a career foreign service officer, was selected by President Clinton this spring as the next U.S. envoy.