March2015mohawkvalleylivingweb

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MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING

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2nd annual

Local Maple Syrup Guide! mv skating rinks

march chicks

vultures in the valley

irish heritage

ben and judy’s sugarhouse

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contents 5 10 13 16 17 19 22 24 25 26 27 30 34 36 40 43 45 47 50 53 56 61 64 71 74 75 76

Oneida County Historical Society ADK Journal: St. Regis Mtn. 3 Consignment Shops MV Music Downloads At the Market: Cheesemakers Ilion Little Theater Irish in the Valley MV History Spotlight CD: Tony Touris MV Astronomical Society Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse Local Maple Syrup Guide Blackbirds of March March is for Chicks Artist Lutz Scherneck Open Mic Venues Milkweeds for Monarchs Local Skating Rinks Golden Artist Colors, Inc. Slow Food: The Copper Turret Vultures in the Valley Herkimer County Historical Society Tales from Shawangunk Gallery Guide for March MV Comics Live & Local Music featuring “Loyalty” Advertiser Directory

Next Issue:

April 1st

Available at our sponsors and your closest Stewart’s Shop. Visit our website for a complete list of pick-up locations.

Back Issue Bonanza

by Sharry L. Whitney We are thrilled that many new people have discovered our magazine. Advertising works.

The only downside (though flattering) is the number of phone calls and emails we get from people looking for back issues. We also get calls from people lamenting that they lent a certain issue to a friend or relative without stipulating that it was a loan.

So if you’re missing an issue or two of our first 17 editions—in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day—you’re in luck! We will make extra copies we’ve had printed available at a “Back Issue Bonanza” at the Oneida County Public Market from 9am-1pm on Saturday, March 14 and Saturday, April 11 located at Union Station in downtown Utica. So if you’re missing Part 6 of “Our First Year,” or heard about Denise’s irresistible Asparagus Fridge Pickles recipe in the May 2014 issue, or your wife accidentally recycled Part 2 of the Unadilla Valley Railway issue, come on down to the market and complete your collection. You might also run into some of our writers and meet a couple of the farmers we’ve featured in the magazine. While you’re there you can gather some great local produce and products, too. See you at the market!

MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING MAGAZINE MARCH 2015

PUBLISHERS Lance and Sharry Whitney EDITOR Sharry L. Whitney DESIGN & LAYOUT Lance David Whitney ASSISTANT EDITOR Shelley Delosh ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Collea (315) 292-3905 email: scolleamvl@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS Peggy Spencer Behrendt, Jorge Hernandez, Brian Howard, Suzie Jones, John Keller, Melinda Karastury, Frank Page, Susan Perkins, Matt Perry, Cynthia Quackenbush, Denise Szarek, Gary VanRiper CONTACT US (315) 853-7133 30 Kellogg Street Clinton, NY 13323 www.MohawkValleyLiving.com mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com

FREE Back issues of most of our Magazines Available Sat., March 14th & Sat., April 11th Oneida County Public Market Utica’s Union Station

Mohawk Valley Living is a monthly magazine & television show exploring the area’s arts, culture, and heritage.

Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of Mohawk Valley Publishing.

Printed at Vicks in Yorkville, NY.

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The area’s colleges benefited from the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944

Mohawk Valley Learning:

Oneida County’s G.I. Bill Schools from the Oneida County Historical Society

by Brian Howard, Executive Director Oneida County has a rich history in higher education, dating back to the establishment of the Hamilton-Oneida Academy by missionary Samuel Kirkland in 1794. Kirkland’s original vision was for the school to educate the local Native American population, as well as the children of settlers. In 1812, the Academy was recast as Hamilton College; now two centuries later, Hamilton is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher learning.

In 1896, a school for business education was established in downtown Utica by Thomas J. Risinger. First located in the Oneida National Bank building (next to APAC Customer Services on Utica’s “Busy Corner”), the Utica School of Commerce has trained thousands of the area’s residents for entry

into the business world. Today, Risinger’s great-grandson, Philip Williams, heads up this venerable entity. Eight years after USC was founded, the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing also was created in the city. Construction on the hospital in South Utica was finished in 1917; the actual school of nursing and residences for the student nurses was built in 1926.

Hamilton, USC and St. E’s were joined by two new colleges in 1946, both of which benefited from the Serviceman’s Read-

Inset: Franklin Square in downtown Utica on V-J Day, August 9, 1945

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justment Act of 1944—also known as the G.I. Bill. Of course, we know them today as Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) and Utica College.

World War II fundamentally altered the course of American society. Technological innovations led the way, but concepts like social justice, individual freedoms and the country’s new position as a world leader demanded a better informed populace. This was recognized during the war when Congress pushed through the G.I. Bill. The legislation was developed to assist the nation’s 15 million servicemen to transition from the military back into civilian life via government-sponsored business and home loans, unemployment insurance and tuition assistance.

Nationwide, millions of veterans took advantage of their benefits. Accordingly, institutions of higher learning grew or were created to meet the demand.

Mohawk Valley Community College What became Mohawk Valley Community College was established in 1946 as the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Utica—quite a mouthful! Within a few years the college was rebranded as the Mohawk Valley Technical Institute. In 1950, the Institute became a part of the recently-established State University of New York, with a focus on technical and semi-professional education. Its curriculum went hand-inhand with the burgeoning tech boom in the Mohawk Valley, as companies like General Electric and Univac replaced the dying textile mills as the region’s major employers.

MVCC was the first community college in New York State and was a part of an experiment in higher education in the postWorld War II years. Its classrooms were full of former servicemen who were looking to prepare themselves for life in the new “high-tech” age—something that could hardly have been envisioned before the war. Classes were initially held in temporary locations in New Hartford and in downtown Utica. A campus in Rome was added in 1954. In 1960, the school relocated to its

From top to bottom: MVCC was established as the NYS Institute of Applied Sciences in 1946, the first community college in New York State; Two of the MVCC Campus structures in 1972 (courtesy of Dr. Frank Baum Collection, OCHS); Plymouth Congregational Church on Plant St. was one of many buildings used by Utica College in the Oneida Square neighborhood between 1946 and 1961.

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new campus along the Memorial Parkway in Utica, where it remains a vibrant and vital part of the region today.

Utica College Utica College’s roots go back to the 1930s, when Syracuse University offered extension courses in the city. Like MVCC, Utica College came to be in 1946 when community leaders partnered with SU to open a permanent school. UC held its first classes in Oneida Square and grew into a fouryear institution; MVCC was (and remains) a two-year school. It was no surprise that the bulk of the first few classes were comprised of former servicemen attending school on the G.I. Bill.

By 1947, Utica College had an established athletic council and drama club. A few years later, the school expanded its curriculum to provide upper level courses and a continuing education program for non-traditional students.

UC grew as the city expanded. In spring 1961, the school opened its new campus on Burrstone Road. In 1995, Utica College split from Syracuse University and exists today as a stand-alone institution.

Bucking population trends and the decline of the industries that spurred their creation, both MVCC and Utica College—our area’s G.I. Bill Schools—have grown and thrived over the last seven decades. Today they are internationally-recognized institutions that continue to prepare students for the “real world.” •

From top to bottom: Utica College Commencement at Oneida Square location in Utica; Utica College Men’s Basketball Team Oneida Square location; Utica College White Hall, 1968 (Utica College photo courtesy of Dr. Frank Baum Collection, OCHS)

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Mike Faraino, Frank Nelson, Fritz Scherz, Gabe Vaccaro

the music never stops

frtiz’s polka band by john keller

Fritz’s Polka Band is a little band with a big reputation and huge following. As their press says, they are not your average “oompah-pahpah” polka band. Fritz Scherz Jr. and the boys have been performing for nearly 40 years with no signs of stopping. Playing standard polka tunes with a fresh bend, as well as country, blues and rock songs, FPB is without a doubt a true party band. They have been nominated for many awards and have won several. Their songs have been in the soundtrack of the popular television show Breaking Bad. FPB also has obtained corporate sponsorship. And they have performed virtually everywhere throughout New York State and beyond.

I first met Fritz a few years ago when we asked his band to play for an event the music organization I was in sponsored. Not a single person remained seated. All were on the dance floor. You just can’t help it. Their music, song selections and band energy are exciting and contagious.

I was pleased that Fritz took a few moments out of his busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions for us.

Fritz, to begin, can you give us a short history of the band?

In brief, the band was formed in 1978 by my dad, the late Fred Scherz Sr., my brotherin-law, Gabe Vaccaro, Al Reber and me. We play everything from modern-style polka to country to rock and even blues.

Let’s talk about the members of Fritz’s Polka Band. Where did you find them and

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what other bands had they been with?

Current members of the band other than me, include the aforementioned Gabe on bass, Frank Nelson on guitar and Mike Faraino on drums. Years ago Gabe was in the Marshmallow Steamshovel. Other bands he played in included The Retro Rockers and Fuzzy Dice. Frank Nelson used to play in the Nelson Brothers. The unique thing is, back in the ’60s, my dad was in a band with Frank’s dad, Jimmy Nelson. So to think that Jimmy’s son is now in FPB is pretty cool. Rounding out the band is drummer Mike Faraino. Mike had played in quite a few different bands, with the most recent ones being Floating Noah and Lot 6.

Your music is an interesting mix of traditional polka styles and party rock. Was this a conscious effort from the onset, or did that develop though the many years on the road?

This evolved over time. When we first formed, we more traditional polka but have evolved over the years into a band that still plays polka obviously, but one that also mixes in waltz, country, rock and even some blues.

We enjoy being an eclectic band. Gigs where we can cut loose and really mix musical styles are always extra fun.

Who writes the original material for the band?

I have written the most of our original tunes, with my dad having written quite a few.

Gabe, Frank and Mike have contributed some, as well.

How do you decide which cover songs to include? Who does the arranging?

As far as cover songs go, it’s sort of a mixed bag. We each have different influences and favorites, so we’re pretty open minded when it comes to learning cover tunes. Regarding arranging, if I write a song, I usually have an idea of how I want it played, at least the basic structure. However, the guys do a fantastic job of learning the songs and adding their own flair to them, which is pretty cool.

How many recordings have you released?

Are they all available and where?

We have released 18 recordings over the years, ranging from records (both 33s and 45s), cassettes and CDs. They are available at www. fritzspolkaband.com. Some are available at CD Baby, iTunes, etc.

What led to your sponsorship with Jagermeister? How does that work? What do they have to do and what are your responsibilities?

Back in 2002, I saw an ad for Jagermeister in a magazine. It said “Do YOU have what it takes to be a Jager band?” So, I figured, why not try? I sent a press kit in and waited and waited.

After a month or so went by, I sent a follow-up email. The next day, their director of sponsorships at that time, Adam Grayer, called me and said “Fritz, I have to be up front with you in that we are not polka people. However, having said that, your band does not sound like any other polka band we have ever heard. We dig it! You have a unique sound and we want to give 9 you

a trial run. Over the next few months, show us how your band and Jagermeister connects.” So, that’s what we did. We had a contest for fans to submit pictures that tied in FPB with Jagermeister. We literally sent hundreds of photos to Jagermeister that showed people wearing FPB shirts while drinking Jager, holding FPB CDs while having shots of Jager, etc. So, it was a day or two after Christmas 2002 that Adam called me back and said how impressed they were with all the work we had done over the prior few months showing the FPB/Jager connection.

Thus, they gave us a full sponsorship. Since that time, they have made a few banners for us, three CDs, three or four different posters and some custom shirts, among other giveaway items. We owe a great deal of gratitude to Adam for believing in us and giving us that shot.

You’ve received so many accolades over the years (SAMMY award, Just Plain Folks awards, etc.). What do you feel is your greatest achievement?

My band is truly appreciative for all the accolades we won over the years and we never take it for granted. The different awards we won were cool and having a few of our tunes in the hit TV show Breaking Bad during season 4 was

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pretty cool, too. However, for me personally, my greatest achievement is having played in the band with my dad for over 30 year.! When he passed away in 2009, it left such a huge void.

To this day, there are times when I get choked up thinking about him. He made that huge of an impression with me. When he was in the band, it always made me feel good when people who did not necessarily follow polka gave him compliments on how great he played. I vividly remember backstage at B.B. King’s Club in New York City when we became the first polka band to play there, that some rock ’n’ roll artists were chatting him up and telling him how great he played. I was beaming with pride.

Many bands are short-lived, but you continue to have an amazingly long career. What do you attribute to your longevity?

Yes, my band is lucky to have played for so many years. If it was not for the people who come out to see us, it would not be possible. I think what has helped us is that the guys in FPB (both current and former members) have enjoyed per-

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I thank you for your time. In closing, is there anything you have yet to accomplish that’s topping your to-do list?

I just want to be able to keep my band going and going. Each time I play, I know I’m lucky to be able to do that. The guys in FPB feel that way as well. We have such a fun time playing. No two gigs of ours are the same, as we always mix up the set list. I hope we can keep playing, get to some states we have yet not played in, gain some new fans and keep writing music. •

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forming. That helps, if people see you having a good time on stage, I think they’re more likely to feed off that. Of course, it does come down to song selection and the talent of the musicians, too. That goes without saying. The other thing that I think is important is that we’re all down to earth and realize that there are so many other things people could be doing instead of watching us, buying our CDs, shirts, etc. So, to think that they support us, it’s very flattering and we are so very, very thankful.

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Approaching the St. Regis summit

ADK Journal

St. Regis Mountain

AStoryTwo for One Hike and Photos by Gary VanRiper The first time I hiked St. Regis Mountain, it had just snowed. It was early in October, but that’s the way it is in the Adirondacks, particularly at higher elevations. I was on vacation in the region and needed the mountain to complete the Fire Tower Challenge – a quest established by the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, requiring the ascent of 23 of the fire tower mountains in the Adirondacks and all five in the Catskills. At that time, there was also concern that the fire tower could soon be removed, having been designated as a non-conforming structure in the St. Regis canoe area. So “summit fever” kicked in, and despite the snow, I decided to go for it anyway. The trees and trails were awash in autumn colors and ascending from the trailhead there mounted the observable evidence where two seasons met. The snow-dusted summit was socked in with fog, and there was no panoramic view. But it did not matter. The walk up through a wintry wonderland of snowladen branches with orange and red and yellow leaves made it one of my favorite hikes – ever. Plus, I figured the mountain wasn’t likely to move, so I could return one day for the view.

Several years later, when the launch of a brand new quest

The fire tower is still closed to the public as it awaits restoration, but the views from the summit itself are still spectacular

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was announced, the Saranac 6, it gave me the perfect excuse to revisit St. Regis. To satisfy the requirements for this quest, six mountains in and around Saranac Lake had to be summited, including Baker, Ampersand, Haystack (at Raybrook), Scarface, McKenzie and – St. Regis.

Also, according to the rules, successful hikes made up each mountain before the quest had been established did not count. So, I had to do it again.

This time it was summer and just after dawn in the cool morning air, without the mesmerizing views to slow me down almost every step up the trail as it was that snowy autumn day, the 3.4 miles to reach the top was a relative breeze. And what a view! On a clear day, it is possible to see in every direction without climbing the tower (which is no longer endangered but is still closed in need of serious repair) and take in some 200 mountains and 30 lakes.

For those who are into quests, St. Regis Mountain is one of the few mountains that can now satisfy two challenges in the Adirondacks with a single hike. It is about a three-hour drive to Paul Smiths (near where St. Regis is located) from Utica and depending on your hiking shape a

Each step upward manifested mounting evidence of the collision between two seasons

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90- to 120-minute, 6.8 mile round trip hike, making it a great and full day trip from the Mohawk Valley area.

You will want to avoid mud season, but with spring on the way as winter slowly loses its grip, it can be an opportune time for unique experiences that can come with the collision between two seasons.

Special Note: Visit the active www.friendsofstregis. org for how to become involved in the fire tower restoration project on St. Regis Mountain. A special meeting of the well-established organization is planned for Tuesday evening, March 3, at Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) located one mile north of Paul Smith’s College. For more information on the meeting and the Friends of St. Regis contact the Cochair of the steering Committee for the Friends of St Regis at DavidPetrelli@yahoo.com. •

On a clear day it is possible to see in every direction without climbing the tower and take in some 200 mountains and 30 lakes

Gary VanRiper is an author, photographer, and pastor at the Camden Wesleyan Church. He has written 13 children’s books with his son, Justin.

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The Everyday Adventures of Mohawk Valley Girl:

a visit to

3 consignment shops in the valley I love consignment shops. For one reason, you never know what you might find. For another reason, when you do find something, it is usually at a good price. If these aren’t enough reasons, you get that little frisson of virtue because it is an example of reduce, reuse and recycle.

On a recent Saturday, I set out to do a little consignment store shopping. I did not have anything particular in mind that I was looking for. Perhaps some new (to me) clothes. Perhaps a book or two. Perhaps something completely different.

Or perhaps I would have a good time browsing and leave with the satisfaction of saving my money.

I started at the Cornerstone Shop in Ilion. The store takes up a whole house: two floors plus an enclosed porch. I walked past racks of children’s clothes toward the porch to look at books. No books tempted me, but I saw a pair of shoes I liked on top of one shelf. I did not try them on, though, because I was not sure how many of my clothes they would go with. Now that I think about it, I may go back and see if they’re still there. They were cute. I can surely find something to wear them with. But it will probably be too late. With consignment stores, if you snooze, you lose!

I spent a little time in an upstairs room that had sewing and craft things. I was fascinated by several pill bottles containing assorted buttons. I remember my mom’s Button Box

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You’ll find a collection of buttons at the Cornerstone Shop in Ilion (as we called it), a round tin filled with all different sizes and colors. It was a joy of my childhood to go through that tin, looking at the different styles. My favorite was a little purple one with a rhinestone (I called it a diamond).

After my little trip down memory lane, I headed into Herkimer and Gypsy’s Closet on North Main Street. The sign out front said the store would soon be under new management as Linda’s Place. When I went in, the clerk told me they were having a sale: 50% off red tag items, 70% off hot pink tags and if you bought two items you could pick something for free from the dollar rack.

The store looks more like a regular store than the Cornerstone, with one room plus a dressing room and a back room with gowns. They carry mostly clothes with some jewelry and

The large interior of Valley Exchange in Herkimer

Gowns at Linda’s Place in Herkimer accessories. I considered a silver evening bag then wandered through the clothes, thinking I was really more in a browsing than a buying mood.

Then I saw a beautiful gray men’s coat. I love men’s coats. I have a large selection of men’s blazers in my wardrobe, which I have been collecting since the mid 1980s.

I tried this one on. It fit perfectly, and by perfectly I mean too big. I do enjoy roomy outerwear. I went into the dressing room to look in the full-length mirror. “I think I’m in love,” I said to the clerk. The coat has a red tag – 50% off! Full disclosure: I don’t need a coat. I have plenty of coats. Now I have one more.

After completing the transaction, I thought I would round out my shopping trip with a stroll though Valley Exchange, only a few doors down. Valley Exchange has everything imaginable: furniture, clothes, books, decorations and more. Items range from antique to recently manufactured. At various times, my husband, Steven, and I have purchased a couple of dressers, an old-fashioned kitchen table for my computer (you didn’t think I used an ordinary computer desk, did you?), a bag of ladies’ gloves, several books and a couple of beautiful stuffed Santa Clauses (we love Santa Claus).

This visit I did not find anything I could not resist. Another custom-

er was giving her name and number to the clerk. They will happily take your information and contact you if you are looking for a particular item. Steven has been down for a hard plastic light-up snowman for a couple of years now. One hasn’t shown up yet, but we still hope.

The customer said she would be back, “Now that I know you guys are here.”

“Oh, you gotta come back periodically,” I told her, “and see what’s new.”

That is true of any consignment store.

Like I said, you never know what you might find. •

The Cornerstone Shop 68 Morgan St., Ilion (315) 894-0477

Linda’s Place (formerly Gypsy’s Closet) N. Main St., Herkimer (518) 844-3051

The Valley Exchange 138 N. Main St., Herkimer (315) 866-0115

Cynthia M. Quackenbush, a.k.a. “Mohawk Valley Girl,” writes a daily blog about her everyday adventures in the Mohawk Valley. Follow her frugal fun at: mohawkvalleygirl.wordpress.com

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at the market

mohawk valley cheesemakers by denise a. szarek New York’s cheese industry began in the 18th century right here in the Mohawk Valley. In 1851, Jesse Williams set up the first cheese factory in America in Oneida County. The demand for cheese beyond the Empire State influenced the building of the Black River and Erie Canals.

Today, we are enjoying a resurgence of cheesemaking in the Mohawk Valley, and we are profiling four of the great area cheesemakers you can find at Mohawk Valley farmers markets.

Three Village Cheese In 2008, Tom Felio’s dad, Art, started talking about cheese. Whenever Tom called home his dad would tell him about cheesemaking classes or visits his parents had taken to creameries throughout New York, Vermont, and Ontario. They e v e n travelled to Italy to learn to make real Parmesan. Art was hooked on the idea of making cheese on their farm. To him, it seemed like it could be the perfect fit to help his dairy farm stay viable, create a few jobs, and keep him (and his wife) busy in their fledgling retirement. It turned out he was totally correct.

From the humble beginning of making cheese in Tom’s family’s repurposed commercial soup kettle, they learned to make dozens of different varieties. Since their family is Scandinavian,

they started with three cheeses that share their heritage: havarti, Swedish farmer’s cheese, and Nokkelost. They also make a French variety called tomme and sascadita, an aged Spanish-style cheese made with goat’s milk.

All of their cheeses are made with raw milk and aged in their cave.

Cheesemaking has brought the family together, as well. Over the past three years, Tom and his two sisters have moved back to Newport to help keep up with the curds. Tom’s dad taught him to make cheese and now he’s passing that knowledge on to his sisters. An addition to the cheese plant is being built, and they hope to have a grand opening in the spring. You can find Three Village Cheese at the Oneida County Public Market and at the Slate Creek Farm booth at the Westmoreland Farmers Market and at several other farmers markets in the Mohawk Valley.

Jones Family Farm Peter and Suzie Jones were both born and raised in Wisconsin. When they moved to Herkimer 10 years ago, they started their farm with a small herd of meat goats. Although the meat goat business treated them well, far more customers were interested in goat cheese. So they purchased a herd of Nubian (dairy) goats, built a cheese plant and started making cheese. Demand for the cheese quickly outstripped Peter

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and Suzie’s ability to produce enough milk, so they found talented farmers all around them who were happy to find a market for their high quality milk. A happy medium was found.

Jones Family Farm specializes in fresh cheeses like chèvre (fresh goat cheese), feta, and Farmhouse cream cheese. They also make aged and semi-aged cheeses using neighbors’ goat, sheep, and cow milk.

Hoping to utilize even more of their neighbors’ milk, the Joneses applied for (and won) a USDA Rural Development Grant to expand their cheese plant and purchase an ice cream freezer.

They now make artisan gelato and sorbet using as many seasonal local ingredients as possible.

The diversified, small-scale model of farming and selling direct to the consumer via local farmers markets is central to Peter and Suzie’s overall philosophy. “As farmers, I suppose we’ll never be rich,” Suzie says. “But knowing our customers and where our food is going is absolutely priceless. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You can find Suzie at the Oneida County Public Market, Clinton Farmers Market, and several others in the Mohawk Valley.

Poplar Hedge Farm and Creamery Located at the head of the beautiful Unadilla Valley in West Winfield, NY, Poplar Hedge produces goat milk cheese, beef, pork, turkeys, along with eggs and meat from their free-range chickens.

Owners Tim and

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Cindy Powers introduced their goat milk cheese in 2010 when they received their NYS Ag & Markets cheese plant license. For three years prior, they constructed their cheese plant as time and money allowed. During that time, they learned cheesemaking under the tutelage of Shannon Rice Nichols, Peter Dixon, and classes at Morrisville College. They started out making a soft goat cheese in six flavors and have since added a feta. They are currently working on their third cheese, The Markam, (the name refers to a local landmark), which is a cross between a Gouda and a havarti. Poplar Hedge currently milks 16 goats (Alpine and LaMancha) and plans to keep the farm on a true small scale. They only use the milk from their own goats, as they believe they can control the quality of the milk used in their cheese. After a visit to cheesemakers Don and Shirley Hitchman, they took their advice to heart: “Make just a few cheeses, but learn to make them very, very good.” In October 2014, that advice paid off when their plain goat’s milk Feta took first place at the American Dairy Goats Association Cheese Contest in Portland, ME. As they milk seasonally, from mid April to the end of October, their goats’ diet is mostly native pasture, which they feel you can taste in their cheese. Milk quality, as well as fat and protein content, is what Poplar Hedge feels makes a great cheese. You can find them at the Westmoreland Winter Farmers Market, Whitesboro Farmers Market, and Poolville Farmers Market.

They’d love to visit with you, talk about their goats, pigs, cows, chickens, turkeys, and---sheep? Stay tuned! Hmmm, hope that means we might be in for some sheep’s milk cheese?

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Stoltzfus Family Dairy

Vern Stoltzfus tells us that the Stoltzfus Family Dairy is made up of a partnership with his dad, Jonas, his brother and two cousins. Three family farms all within 10 miles of the Dairy in Vernon Center, NY supply all the milk for production.

Which came first, the cheese or the curd?

Of course, it’s the curd, and in this case Stoltzfus has taken curd to the extreme. For the purist like myself, their natural cheese curd is at its squeaky best, but for those who like to up the ante, you have nine other flavors to choose from. One of these extreme cheese curd flavors is horseradish. Stoltzfus runs an intensive water quality program at the cheese plants. One day, one of the water testers was in the plant just as a fresh batch of horseradish curds was coming off production, when Vern asked if he liked horseradish and offered him a nice fresh, moist horseradish curd. It brought the poor man to tears!

A few years ago, they introduced their Farmstead cheeses, a cross between cheddar and a Monterey Jack, just to up the flavor experience.

They come in six different flavors. This cheese makes wonderful grilled cheese.

In addition to cheese, Stoltzfus Dairy also makes a line of non-homogenized whole milk yogurt using Vern’s mother’s yogurt recipe, many with fresh fruit. You will find Stoltzfus Dairy at many farmers markets in the area.

Next time you are at a farmers market in the Mohawk Valley make sure you check out the many local cheesemakers carrying on the tradition of cheesemaking, which started right here in the Mohawk Valley back in 1851. •

Recipe Maple Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

By Denise Szarek Sweet and savory, this is the epitome of comfort food. It’s warm and gooey and packed with nutrition. The butternut squash is a good source of vitamin A, and the maple syrup naturally adds zinc, riboflavin and manganese. This is a favorite at our farm.

2 cups butternut squash, roasted 1 onion, diced 2 T. butter ¼ cup Maple Syrup 1 cup milk 1 lb. elbow macaroni 1 cup shredded cheese (my favorite to use is Three Village Swedish Farmstead) 1 tsp. paprika Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 cup mozzarella, shredded (Jones Family Farm makes a lovely fresh mozzarella) 1 cup bread crumbs

Place the squash on a cookie sheet, rub with olive oil and prick with a fork in several places.

Roast in the oven at 350 degrees for about an hour. Let cool, peel back the skin and remove seeds. Measure out 2 cups of flesh; set the rest aside to cool and freeze later.

In a large saucepan, sauté the onions in butter until transparent, add the 2 cups of squash and maple syrup and stir for about a minute.

Add milk. Simmer for five minutes. In the meantime, cook the macaroni using package directions until al dente. Drain and place in a greased casserole dish. Set aside. Using an immersion blender, blend the squash and onion mixture until smooth. Pour over the macaroni, add cheese, paprika, and salt and pepper. Mix well. Sprinkle mozzarella and bread crumbs on top and bake at 325 degrees until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Denise A. Szarek and her husband, Bernard, own Szarek’s Greenhouses in Clinton.

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The Everyday Adventures of Mohawk Valley Girl:

bUSYbODY

a visit to the Ilion Little Theatre I sometimes find myself with a lot on my plate because I am susceptible to flattery. This susceptibility recently got me involved in a major Mohawk Valley adventure that took a lot of time and energy away from my other adventuring. It was also fun, memorable and rewarding.

The adventure involved the winter production of the Ilion Little Theatre (ILT), a group to which I have belonged since 2009. I had not been on stage since 2013 and was not thinking of auditioning for the next one. Then, last November, two theater members contacted me separately to encourage me to audition for Busybody, the winter production. There was a part I would be really good at, one member said in a Facebook message. The other person wrote in an email that he would love to see me on stage again. I allowed myself to be persuaded and found myself with a part of over 500 lines (the director counted; I foolishly did not make a note of the exact number).

Some of the advance publicity for the play says it centers on Detective Superintendent Harry Baxter. That is not really true. The play centers on Mrs. Piper, the busybody cleaning lady. Other characters include the fresh-faced Constable Goddard; the intimidating boss, Mr. Marshall, and his beautiful wife, Claire; Marshall’s private secretary, Miss Selby; the well-spoken accountant, Robert Westerby; and the man-crazy typist, Vicki.

I would just like to mention that ILT auditions are not like the high school auditions I suffered through roughly a hundred years ago, with an auditorium full of kids, mostly female, vying for a miniscule number of speaking parts (my memory perhaps exaggerates, but I did go to a large high school). Adults have busy lives and it seems fewer and fewer have the time, energy and chutzpah to get up on stage.

The sad fact is, sometimes ILT has a problem fielding a full cast

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for a production. After auditions, pleas go out over Facebook, phone calls are made and emails fly. It usually works out eventually, but the process is nerve-wracking. The last production I was in suffered a postponement, a near cancellation and a rewrite of three scenes due to casting problems (I flatter myself I did an excellent job on the re-write... oh, dear, will that get me in trouble with the publisher? Don’t turn me in!).

Still, I was flattered when after auditions the director, Rick Vroman, approached me and said he’d like to make me the leading lady. I was even more pleased when he mentioned that the second lead would be played by Dick Douglass, a fellow I’ve worked with before and absolutely love. Dick did not audition the same night I did, so this was a very pleasant surprise.

I later found out that Dick did not actually audition but was recruited for the role. He was perhaps a trifle misled about the size of the part he was to undertake. Dick prefers a small but memorable role. Well, I won’t judge Rick. Community theater directors do what they have to do.

The night of the read-through, I was delighted to see that we had a full cast. Vicki was to be played by Kaylynn Iglesias, who has been in several recent productions and is very talented. I met Kaylynn when she told a ghost story for Herkimer Now’s Halloween on Main Street. Kelly Stone, who was also the assistant director, would play Claire. I’ve worked with Kelly before and was happy to have another opportunity be on stage with her. I looked forward to working with several newcomers. The script was strong and very funny. The characters were interesting, the mystery was intriguing and the dialogue was crisp. Would this be the glitch-free production I hoped for?

Naturally, things had gotten complicated by the first rehearsal. We lost three cast members due to scheduling and script problems. Luckily, the first two scenes only required three characters, none of whom had quit. I made the acquaintance of Andy Vogel, a fresh-faced young man with seemingly a wealth of experience. I was later to learn that he is 31, a good 10 years older than he looks, and has a dangerous sense of humor.

Scripts and pencils in hand, we went through

the scenes on a stage that still held most of the set from the last production. That made things awkward. The door we used was sort of where the door would be, but there were two steps down that would not be in the final set. Many years ago, when I was assistant director for a play, I made copious use of the phrase “You’re an actor, deal with it!” It is a good mantra for community theater.

By the next rehearsal we had replaced Miss Selby, the private secretary, with Suzanne Murdock, who had just been in ILT’s fall production. I quickly realized she would do a marvelous job with the part. I felt it was fortunate that we had met and chatted before rehearsal and liked each other, because our characters did not get along. It is so much fun to be bitchy on stage then hug it out later.

The other two parts were a little more difficult to fill. We went through three actors before getting James Willsey for Robert Westerby. We called him Robert IV for a while. James’ casting was a case of serendipity. His sister impulsively stopped by Butternut Barn Primitives, a shop run

by Kelly and her mother. While they were chatting, James’ name came up. Kelly remembered him and wondered if he would be interested. The sister made a phone call and our Robert was set.

Our Mr. Marshall, Dave Abruzzo, had wanted to do a play with ILT for some time. Kelly and Rick approached him after seeing him in a production to benefit a Relay for Life team. At last, the timing was right and we had our Mr. Marshall.

Once we had a full cast, things got more fun. Soon, we even had the right set. Rick DeJohn was our light and soundman, as he is for many ILT productions. We are lucky to have him. There are a few moments in Busybody where if the stage is not plunged into darkness, things would be a bit

Ilion Little Theatre’s permanent home is the “Stables” behind Remington Arms.

awkward. Rick never lets us down.

The play ran the last weekend in January and the first weekend in February to very appreciative audiences. I was happy I had taken on my role, even if it meant lots of time at rehearsal and learning lines outside rehearsal. I felt happy to get my life back after the show was over, but I knew I would miss my friends. Then again, there’s always another play coming up sooner or later. Maybe I won’t have to be flattered into auditioning for the next one. •

If I have whetted your appetite for community theater, and I hope I have, visit ILT’s website at www.ilionlittletheatre.org.

You can also Like Ilion Little Theatre Club on Facebook.

The 2014-15 season continues with The Psychic on March 20, 21, 22, 17, 18, 29; and Don’t Say You’re Harry on May 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17.

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Irish in the Valley from the Oneida County Historical Society

By Joan Klossner There seems to be a resurgence of interest in Irish culture in the Mohawk Valley. The establishment of the Great American Irish Festival in 2004 has brought the music, dance and food from the “old sod” back into prominence. New restaurants springing up on Varick Street, like Celtic Harp and Nail Creek Pub and Brewery, feature Irish dishes on their menus. However, the influence of Irish culture is not new to the area.

The Irish first arrived in the Utica area over 200 years ago. Two families who ultimately contributed a great deal to the community settled here after being driven from their homeland by the Irish rebellion against the British in 1798. The Devereux brothers prospered as merchants and shared their good fortune by establishing the Savings Bank of Utica. They also contributed to the establishment of the first Roman Catholic parish in the area, which was the fourth parish established in New York State. The church is known today as Historic Old St. John’s.

William Kernan, who left Ireland in 1800, settled in New York, where he fathered nine children. He later joined his sons in the Utica area, where they practiced law.

One of them, Francis Kernan, was elected to the United States Senate in

Son of an Irish immigrant, Utica’s Francis Kernan became a US Senator in 1875

1875. Francis’ grandson Michael represented Oneida County in the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate.

The second group of Irish immigrants numbered over 3,000 and were recruited to build the Erie Canal. They had a reputation for being the best “ditch diggers” and, by some accounts, are given credit for single-handedly building the canal. It was difficult work because they had to clear trees as well as dig the canal. Pay ranged from thirty-seven to fifty cents a day with room and board. They began arriving in 1817, and since the canal construction began between Rome and Utica, many of them settled here. Some became involved with the construction of the Utica and Schenectady Railroad, which was built after the canal.

The next large emigration occurred during the Irish Potato Famine of 1845-49. When disease wiped out their major crop, families were forced to leave their homeland. Because of the industrialization in this country, they were able to find work. The establishment of cotton and woolen mills in this area enticed them to locate here.

Florence, a town located in the northwestern corner of Oneida County, was at one time predominantly populated by Irish who were escaping the potato famine. They worked as lumbermen and tanners. The Grove Hotel, which was opened in the mid-1800s by Irish immigrants, was the center of activity in town. It continued in operation into the late 20th century. Its owner, Paul Clark, a descendant of the original proprietors, would help customers who came to learn about their ancestors.

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Maher Brothers’ store on Columbia St., colorized by Carl Saporito

St. Patrick’s Church, located at the corner of Columbia and Varick Streets in Utica

The Grove Hotel in Florence, NY was opened in the mid-1800s by Irish immigrants

Although their beginnings were humble and they weren’t always readily accepted by other community members, in time the Irish began to establish themselves as businessmen, merchants and professionals. As their numbers grew, two additional Catholic parishes were founded in Utica: St. Patrick’s in West Utica and St. Agnes in East Utica. In Rome, St. Peter’s parish began in 1835 and served eight counties. Utica Council #189 of the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal service organization that provided charitable services and promoted Catholic education, was founded in 1896 and was almost exclusively Irish-American well into the 20th century. The local is still active today.

Among the early contributions of the Irish were the publications of two of the most prominent newspapers in the 19th century. The Baker brothers, William and Thomas, founded The Utica Daily Press, which was published from 1882 until 1969, and The Saturday Globe which first appeared in 1885 and stopped publication in 1924. George Dunham, an Irish-American, was one of the first editors of the Press and was responsible for the pro-immigrant stance that the paper took.

The Oneita Knitting Mills, who made the one piece undergarment known as a “union suit,” and Utica Knitting Company had Irish owners.

Many local businesses bore Irish names: Maher Brothers, a clothing store that became known for making uniforms; Doyle Hardware, which served the community for over 50 years; and Donalty’s Restaurant, which was known for its sparkling windows and refusal to allow women inside the restaurant.

As the years passed and other immigrant groups began to arrive in the area, the focus on Irish culture began to diminish. Organizations like the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, which were established in the

19th century, began to die out, but The Clinton Fire Department participates in they were resurrected during the the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Utica 20th century. The first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was held in 1824 with John Devereux as Grand Marshall. That tradition also dwindled, but it was revived in 1978 by John Oakes, who was the owner of Shoe Two Pub on Varick Street (where “every day was St. Paddy’s Day”) and the president of the Emerald Society, which only had two other members. Over the years, other groups have sponsored the parade, but today it is under the auspices of the Great American Irish Festival. It’s considered one of the largest in New York State.

The revival of interest in all things Irish includes the establishment in 1978 of a local chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an organization whose purpose is to preserve Irish music, dancing and culture. In 1998, the Ancient Order of Hibernians initiated the construction of a Celtic cross that was dedicated at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The cross honors the victims of the Irish Potato Famine.

On a less serious note, there continue to be celebrations in addition to the traditional parade. Last March, the Utica Comets hockey team hosted an Irish Night with green beer and Irish music. On April 3rd of this year, the Stanley will be hosting an Irish Night with the Elders, an Irish-American folk rock band from Kansas City, performing.

Their numbers may have dwindled, but their influence remains strong.

On St. Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish!

The Dugan Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann hosts monthly open session the 1st Tuesday at 7:30pm at Nail Creek Pub, 720 Varick St., Utica and 3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm at Stockdales, 103 River St, Oriskany. Ceili dance classes are held the 3rd Friday at 7pm at Seton Center, Our Lady of Lourdes, Corner of Sunset and Barton Ave., Utica. More information at: www.

Staff of Saturday Globe founded by uticairish.org •

the Baker brothers in 1885

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MV history spotlight:

Historic Old St. John’s Church

Check out the Oneida County Historical Society’s current exhibit of colorized historical photographs!

from the Oneida County Historical Society

Historic Old St. John’s Church in Utica - The church is the third one to be built on this site. The basic structure of the church was constructed in 1868-69 and dedicated in 1872. The twin steeples were added during the 1890s when the entire interior was remodeled and renovated, galleries removed and side chapels erected and a 10-bell chime installed. St. John’s parish, formed in 1819, is the oldest Roman Catholic parish west of Albany. The original black and white photo was digitally colorized by Carl Saporito of the Oneida County Historical Society (available for sale at the OCHS).

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new CD review

Tony Touris

By John Keller

Tony Touris is virtually a household name in Central New York. From fronting the hard-rocking band Touris in the ’80s and ’90s to operating his recording studios to teaching guitar, Tony lives and breathes music. This is further proven by his latest CD release, Blood Brothers. This may be a slightly mellower Touris but has just as much bite. Ably assisted by local music legends Joel Ciotti, Devin Garramone and Robert Acquaviva, with former CNY native, now national sensation, Ant Cee on drums, Blood Brothers is one of the finest albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to in recent years.

The album is, in essence, a concept piece, a look back at a past filled with summer days, brotherhood, faith and letting go of the unnecessary. As it progresses song by song, it tends to draw you further into Tony’s memory, reliving his happy times and his regrets. Each song speaks out to every one of us. We can see ourselves remembering our fathers’ words, finding our Never Never Land to be happy and ending at that one spot where your friends meet once again.

Beginning with “At Midnight,” Tony tells a tale of getting away to try and forget the past. The title track speaks of holding and trusting in family. “Cranberry Lake” is vivid with memories of lost, but remembered, love and includes the line “And no one knew that the water held secrets we made.” My personal favorite, “To Be Happy,” is about escaping to a more pleasant time and place when the rat race gets you down.

The melding of Touris’ lyrics and music is amazing. Every song feels personal, yet is fully relatable. They are deep, yet easily accessible. Do your ears a favor and buy this CD. This is the perfect album to take on a long trip to the country. Not only will you be singing along with Tony, but once you hit the wide open road, you’ll appreciate his words of wisdom all that much more. •

Bob Aqcuaviva, Ant Cee, Tony Touris and Devin Garramone

Turn to page 16 to learn how to download FREE mp3s from

Tony Touris!

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25

Left: This daytime picture of the Sun shows the International Space Station (ISS) as it passed overhead just outside of Oriskany Falls, NY on January 19, 2012.

ISS was orbiting Earth, and at this moment passed between the Oriskany Falls location and the Sun. The ISS moved from the bottom of the image to the top, and was 513 miles away and only 26 degrees above the horizon.

The entire event – the transit of ISS – took around 1.3 seconds.

Mohawk valley astronomical society

FLYING FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET by carol higgins

Look, up in the sky: It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s the International Space Station (ISS) traveling faster than a speeding bullet, with a crew of six humans on a mission of research and discovery. And guess what? Many evenings you can see the ISS flying right over the Mohawk Valley.

The size of a football field, the ISS is about 240 miles above Earth and travels 17,500 mph – so fast that it circles Earth 16 times each day.

Why have a space station? Because it’s a oneof-a-kind research laboratory. To survive in space, we have to study the harmful effects of microgravity, find ways to protect crews and supply sufficient food and water to name just a few challenges.

Experiments on the ISS translate to inventions on Earth, including a precision robotic surgical device, new osteoporosis and cancer treatments, and water purification systems.

Fifteen countries worked together to create ISS, a partnership that has stayed strong. Over 200 astronauts from the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan and European countries have worked aboard the ISS. The first module launched in November 1998, and two weeks later Space Shuttle Endeavour delivered the second. Spacewalking astronauts connected the two, installed components and bravely entered the new station for a few days of system tests. The first official crew arrived in November 2000, staying 136 days. Since then several modules, airlocks, trusses and solar arrays were added.

The last module arrived in February 2011.

The ISS crews change every six months; three

astronauts arrive and Photo by MVAS member Chuck Higgins three return to Earth. March 27 marks a notable day. Two of the arriving crew, Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko, will begin a one-year stay to study the effects of living in space long term.

Scott and his identical twin brother, astronaut Mark Kelly, suggested the mission to look for genetic differences during the year, with Scott in space and Mark on Earth. It’s a unique medical research opportunity, and a remarkable proposal by the brothers. Stay tuned.

Want to see the ISS? Although it isn’t visible every night, visit the NASA website: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov for the next date, time and sky location the ISS will fly over your town. When it does, you’ll see a bright moving object you may think is a plane, but it does not blink.

It steadily moves across the night sky then disappears. The light you see is sunlight reNASA photo of the International flected off the solar panels, and its brightness Space Station (ISS) depends on where the ISS is relative to you.

The higher in the sky, the brighter.

MVAS members will help find the ISS at a free stargazing event at Barton-Brown Observatory in Waterville on March 14 starting 7:30 pm. Visit www.mvas-ny.org or follow MVAS on Facebook for details.

Wishing you clear skies! •

FREE stargazing event at Barton-Brown Observatory in Waterville on March 14th at 7:30pm

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Ben &Judy’s Sugarhouse Keeping the tradition flowing by sharry whitney

Maple syrup runs through Ben Benjamin’s veins. You can tell when you visit Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse in West Edmeston, NY. Blue tubing zig-zags through the woods and down to their pretty little sugarhouse. Inside, everything is neat as a pin, and the stainless steel evaporator is gleaming in anticipation of the coming maple season. There is a collection of antique tree taps, an old sap barrel, and family photographs, newspaper clippings and a framed illustration of Ben Benjamin’s late uncle’s sugarhouse on the wall. We’re greeted by Ben and Judy. Lance and I are here to interview Ben for the March TV episode of Mohawk Valley Living.

He apologizes that things aren’t up and running yet. “It’s going to be a late year,” he laments. “We’ll have plenty for Maple Weekend. We always reserve some from last season so we don’t run out, but we’ll be lucky to be boiling by then.”

Maple farmers have to contend with the fickle weather. Tony Tophoven, the Benjamins longtime friend, neighbor and maple syrup assistant points out, “This time of year two years ago we were sitting outside on the porch swing in T-shirts!” The cold February weather this year is similar to last year’s late syrup season in New York State. Last season was 20% shorter than the 2013 season, which was a record-breaking year of syrup production. The ideal conditions are when temperatures at night are in the low 20s and daytime temperatures reach about 40 degrees.

The Benjamins are well-equipped to deal with the fluctuating weather. They have large barrels of syrup in reserve so the maple syrup will keep flowing for guests of their annual pancake breakfasts. “We serve between 1,000 and 1,400 breakfasts,” Judy says. “We look forward to the activity and our family’s help.”

“We couldn’t do it without them,” Ben adds, referring to his two daughters, Karen and Tracy, and their husbands, Bob and Ken. “They take care of the tapping and tubing. It’s a lot of work. They walk the woods and maintain the lines that might get chewed by squirrels or damaged by branches taken down by snow.”

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Judy and Ben Benjamin are carrying on the tradition set forth by Ben’s uncle Murray C. Benjamin, a NYS maple pioneer.

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Ben is quick to thank those who help in the process. I observe that the notes he has written down for his TV interview consist mostly of thank yous. At the top of the list is his uncle Murray C. Benjamin. His sugarhouse in Burlington, NY, was built in 1932 and didn’t look like much, but in the 1960s it was considered the largest operation in the United States. “One year he produced over 5,200 gallons,” Ben says. “That’s without the oil-fired evaporators and reverse osmosis machines we use here today and we average 1,000 gallons a year. My Uncle Murray and Aunt Florence were pioneers of New York State maple.”

As a boy, Ben remembers helping his famous uncle collect and make syrup. In the 1980s, when Ben and Judy’s daughters were about 8 or10 years old, they started in the family tradition of making syrup. The first few years they made about seven gallons annually in a small sugarhouse, using a wood-fired evaporator. They would haul barrels through town behind their lawn mower. In the early ’90s they added more taps, increasing to about 3,600 taps on their 50 acres.

“We only put one tap, or at most two, per tree. That’s a lot

Inset photos clockwise: An illustration by Bernie Nonenmacher capturing a snowy scene of the sugarhouse belonging to maple pioneer Murray C. Benjamin; the late Murray C. Benjamin produced over 100,000 gallons of maple syrup in his lifetime; In the 1980s, the Benjamin family used to haul sap barrels through town behind their lawn tractor.

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Ben’s collection of old taps includes a couple of Native American taps.

of trees to tap, but it’s better for the tree to limit the number of taps.” He shows us a huge cross section of an old tree mounted on the wall that shows decades of tapping scars in the rings. “They didn’t know better back in the old days.

We now know how to better preserve the trees for the future.”

The Benjamins added on to their sugarhouse in 2005, making room for their new modern evaporator.

They now have more room for large picnic tables for their pancake breakfasts and to accommodate school groups and Christmas open houses. Judy has delved into value-added products such as maple candy, cream, granulated maple sugar and jelly. She also makes custom maple baskets for people who like to ship maple products to friends and relatives in “maple-starved” areas of the country.

Around here we take maple syrup for granted.

Even when the season’s late we can always count on our local maple producers, like Ben and Judy, to come through for us. And like dozens of producers in our area, they will welcome us on Maple Weekends to share their golden harvest. Punxsutawney, PA, may have their groundhog, but around here, steam coming from the sugarhouse is our sure sign of spring! •

Photos from top: Ben stands in front of his modern and efficient oil fired evaporator; Judy has expanded their maple offerings to include maple candy, cream, and jelly; The Benjamins serve over 1,000 breakfasts during Maple Weekends at their sugarhouse in West Edmeston.

Maple barrel from the mid-1800s

See our guide to local maple producers on the next page!

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Other Lenten options offered-

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mohawk valley

maple syrup producers Maple Syrup Weekends!

March 21, 22 & 28, 29, 2015

ALP Farms

Operated by the Popp family since 1932.

Open year round Saturdays 1-5pm 383 Murray Hill Road, St Johnsville (518) 762-1182

Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse

Following in the maple footsteps of Murray C. Benjamin.

Open Maple Weekends 8am-1pm. Products available at several locations including Peter’s Cornucopia, New Hartford.

770 Beaver Creek Road, West Edmeston (315) 899-5864

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Burt Homestead Farm

In the Burt family for over 200 years and recognized as a Century Farm in 2002.

Please call ahead. Will host tours for groups/schools.

200 Burt Road, Cold Brook (315) 826-3949 www.burthomesteadfarm.com

Cook’s Maple Syrup

Three generation maple farm Open Maple Weekends 10am-4pm 247 County Rd 20, Sherburne (607) 674-9593 ww.cooksmaple.com

Frasiers Sugar Shack

Bruce began making maple syrup with his father, Cy, in 1972 with 200 taps. He now taps about 1,500.

Open Maple Weekends 10am-4pm 144 Church Street, St. Johnsville (518) 568-7438 www.frasierssugarshack.com

Grant Maple

Available at local craft shows and on site. Please call ahead.

3784 Mohawk Street, New Hartford (315) 737-5014

Link Maple Farm Open year round

Grimm’s Maple Products

Please call ahead.

3546 Fishcreek Landing Rd, Blossvale (315) 571-5151

New York State Blue Ribbon winner 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Maple season hours through April 4th, Mon-Wed: 2:30-5pm, Thurs & Fri: 9am5pm, Sat: 9am-1pm. Annual Open House last weekend in March for free tours: 10am-4pm 4045 MacFarland Road, Taberg (315) 336-3030 www.linkmaplefarm.com

Ingles Maple Products

Meadow View Farm

Produced in Bill Ingles’ family for more than a hundred years.

Open Maple Weekends and most weekdays: 8am-9pm and weekends: 8am5pm. Please call ahead.

382 State Highway 28, Richfield Springs (315) 858-0368 www.inglesmapleproducts.com

Lincoln Davies

Maples syrup making supplies.

Open Mon-Fri: 7-5, Sat: 7-4, Closed Sunday 8689 Summit Road, Sauquoit (315) 839-5740 www.lincolndavies.com

NEW

Breakfast, Lunch, “Grab-and-Go!” 1st Floor Deliveries, 8am-2pm Take Out & Catering!

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Open: Mon-Fri 9-2 185 Genesee St 2nd Floor, Utica

315 735-7676

At local farmers markets and shows.

126 Meckler Road, Frankfort (315) 797-0860

Mill Creek Maple Supply

All the supplies you need to make maple syrup.

Open Mon-Fri: 8am-4:30pm 1551 County Highway 20, Edmeston (607) 965-6920

Millers Mills Maple

Please call ahead.

955 Richfield Hill Road, Richfield Springs (315) 858-2855

SHAW'S B&F MAPLE PRODUCTS Milk Center

Coffee, Cappucino, Milk, Lottery Tickets, Groceries and more!

Fresh bagels and donuts every Sunday!

Open 7 days a week (315) 736-6857 38 Roosevelt Dr., Whitesboro

Brenda’s Natural Foods Something Good & a Lot of It! www.brendasnaturalfoods.com

Natural Food Cafe Now Open!

Featuring: Gluten-free options and homemade soups!

Natural Groceries • Supplements • Local Foods Organic Produce & Plants

236 W. Dominick St., Rome (315) 337-0437 M-F 9:30-6, Sat 10-3

Open House

March 21, 22 and 28, 29, 10-4

Come and take a tour of our sugarhouse. Watch the sap being boiled and sample our maple cotton candy and other maple products. Stir your own maple cream and enjoy.

Call 315-725-0547

7945 Maxwell Rd., Clinton (follow the signs) 31

Mud Road Sugar House

Operated by four generations of the Duesler family. Host of the Upper Hudson Maple Producers Tree Tapping Ceremony March 20th at 1:00pm, refreshments and maple hors-d’oeuvres.

Call ahead, open year round.

Open Maple Weekends, Tours and wagon rides.

278 Mud Road, Ephratah (518) 863-6313 www.mudroadsugarhouse.com

Murcray Sugar Shack

Please call ahead.

155 East Elwood Road, Fort Plain (315) 868-8219

Paradise Maple

Open Maple Weekends. Will host tours for groups/schools. Available at local farmers markets and shows.

291 Newville Road, Little Falls (315) 823-3436 or (315) 717-8595

2049 N. Madison St., Rome

Open Mon-Sat 9-5 • 315-338-3237

Come see us for Maple Weekends!

March 21st & 22nd, 28th & 29th 8874 Tibbitts Rd., New Hartford 315-793-3114 www.facebook.com/tibbittsmaple www.tibbittsmaple.wordpress.com

Trenton Station

LIQUORS & WINES

Welcome to a historic landmark with an inviting atmosphere & exceptional customer service!

Good Friends Good Times Good Wines

An extensive selection of NY State, imported wines and liquors.

Half & Full case discounts Owners Chris Buck and Terry Hudon Like us on facebook!

Open Mon-Sat: 9-9, Sun: 12-6, 8231 Route 12, Barneveld (315) 896-4444 32

Shaw’s Maple Products

Open Maple Weekends. Available at local farmers markets including Westmoreland Winter Market (1st Sat. of month 9am-Noon),Whitesboro Market (1st and 3rd Mondays) and at Clinton Tractor and Deansboro Superette.

7945 Maxwell Road Clinton (315) 853-7798 www.shawsmapleproducts.com

Stannard’s Maple Farm

Try their maple jelly.

166 Stannard Hill Road Cherry Valley (607) 264-3090 Open Maple Weekends, also pancake breakfasts every Sat & Sun through April 19th. All kinds of maple products, producing over 1,000 gallons annually.

Open weekends. Please call ahead.

847 Hall Road, Cold Brook (315) 826-7873

Located around the corner from Revolve

A 3rd generation farm operated by the Bartlett family for 80 years.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm. Please call ahead.

147 Bartlett Road, Cooperstown (607) 435-5701 www.ringwoodfarmsmaplesyrup.com

Stone House Farm

Renodin’s Produce

Handmade Gifts!

Ringwood Farms Maple

GREAT FAMILY FUN! Discover the pure taste of maple!

305 Lynk Road, Sharon Springs (518) 284-2476 www.thesaphouseatstonehousefarm.com

Tibbitts Maple

Open first Maple Weekends. 4 generations and growing.

8874 Tibbitts Road, New Hartford (315) 793-3114 or (315) 794-2752 www.tibbittsmaple.wordpress.com

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School 5275 State Route 21, Verona

V.V.S. FFA Maple Market

Open Maple Weekends 7:30am-1pm. Free student-guided wagon rides to sugarbush woodlot and tours of maple sap house.

5275 State Route 31, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School, Verona (315) 829-2520 or (315) 335-0887

Visit the American Maple Museum (315) 346-1107 • 9756 State Route 812, Croghan, NY americanmaplemuseum.org

V.V.S. FFA

Maple Weekend 2015 Saturday & Sunday, March 21, 22, 28, 29

Ben & Judy’s

Sugarhouse

Pure maple products.

We can ship anywhere!

Call (315) 899-5864 to purchase products or schedule a tour!

Mark Your Calendars!

NY State Maple Weekends

March 21st & 22nd, 28th & 29th

Pancake Breakfast Each Day 8am-1pm Offering Free Tours & Maple Samples!

We will be boiling, weather permitting Benefit Breakfast for ECS Sophomore Class Sat. March 14th, 8am-1pm Also available at: Peter’s Cornucopia, Twin Orchards, and Stoltzfus Family Dairy 33

770 Beaver Creek Rd., West Edmeston • Find us on Facebook!

“A statewide event devoted to the recognition of the New York State Maple industry”

Daily Schedule: 7:30am-Noon

Pancake breakfast with real maple syrup V.V.S. High School cafeteria Adults: $7, Seniors & Children under 12: $5, Pre-schoolers: Free

9am-3pm

Maple sap house tour and open house

11am-3pm

Saphouse Barbecue Stop by for a maple barbecue!

11am-3pm

V.V.S. FFA Saphouse

10am

Queen and Princess Presentation Cooking with maple V.V.S. High School cafeteria

9am-3pm

Free Wagon Rides to the Maple Sugarbush & Sale of Maple Syrup products

Sunday, March 29 only events

11am Official 2015 Maple Tree Tapping Ceremony 11:15am Maple coloring contest award winners V.V.S. High School lawn

Male Common Grackles vie for position at the feeder

MV Nature

Blackbirds of March

The sun brings out the iridescence of the Grackle’s plumage

by Matt Perry

March weather is especially variable in the Mohawk Valley. The month can be a rollercoaster ride of freezes and thaws. There may be a few large snow storms, a stray hot day and quite possibly the season’s first thunderstorm, all taking place within a few weeks. March is a chameleon – sometimes it retains the cloak of winter, sometimes it masquerades as spring, and occasionally it even manages a plausible impression of summer. In some years, rafts of woodland wildflowers start blooming by the end of the month, but in other years March remains firmly entrenched in winter and no flowers dare to show their heads through a lingering snow cover. However, it seems no matter what the Blue-winged Teal are atmosphere is one of many migrant doing, the first

waterfowl species

wave of migrant birds begins returning to the Mohawk Valley right on schedule. Waterfowl begin seeking out the region’s available open water and the blackbirds appear at the wetlands and at bird feeders.

When winter conditions persist, backyard feeders can become inundated with vibrant blackbird flocks, all desperate for sustenance after their long journeys. Most of the earliest returning flocks consist primarily of adult males who are eager to be the first to reach their breeding territories and start staking out their boundaries. The females and juvenile members of their tribes will follow in a few weeks, traveling north in their own flocks. Though the males will soon become each other’s fierce rivals, for now they observe a prolonged truce. Indeed, these bachelor flocks are comprised of congenial fellow travelers that have a common cause. They respectfully assist each other to discover food resources and spot danger, such as the kind that comes from hawks.

Predators like the sharp-shinned hawk and the similar Cooper’s hawk will shadow a blackbird flock

An emerging bloodroot flower huddles in the snow

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34

and wait for an opportunity to isolate an individual member and procure it for their supper. One of the most important values of flocking behavior is to detect these deadly stalkers. Certainly, the flock’s many pairs of eyes increase the chances of spotting hawks early, and by remaining in the thick of a dynamic flock, an individual blackbird greatly lessens its chance of being singled out and taken as prey.

The incessant babble of the blackbird flock is not akin to bickering. Instead these harsh “krack” calls are contact notes given to help keep the members together and interested in preserving the flock’s integrity. There are primarily four species that make up our region’s blackbird flocks. The most numerous are the common grackle and the red-winged blackbird.

Brown-headed cowbirds are also a dues-paying member of the fellowship and, although they are not true blackbirds, we might consider European starlings to be honorary members of the club. Sometimes rusty blackbirds are also contained in these flocks, but they are by no means regulars. In 2013, in the Town of Kirkland, we picked out a rare yellow-headed blackbird traveling amongst a large flock of mostly grackles.

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Sharp-shinned Hawks prey on blackbirds and other songbirds These flocks as a rule are skittish and “flighty” – meaning they are only too quick to take heed of any individual in their ranks that would give the (imperceptible) signal to flee. The loud “whoosh” sound of hundreds of birds simultaneously taking to the air is impressive and is often startling enough to scatter any other songbirds in the vicinity.

It seems as though the cry of wolf is always taken as legit, even if there was no actual “wolf” the last 40 times the alarm was sound-

ed. Better safe than sorry would seem to be the motto of the blackbird flock. Though their dramatic take-off was synchronized, when they return to forage only a minute later, they filter back gradually like they are being lazily dispensed by a pepper shaker.

The beauty of the common grackle’s plumage is not usually apparent until the sun hits it and kindles each feather’s iridescence. And then what appeared only moments before as flat toned, their lackluster feathers are profoundly transformed. Glossy shades of blue-violet on the head transition into gold and green at the shoulder and base of the wing, while deep shades of purple accent the bird’s wing feathers and flanks. If this isn’t enough, a pale gold eye sits like an unexpected jewel on the bird’s face. The common grackle is larger and somewhat taller than the other blackbirds with which it keeps company.

They have noticeably longer tails that flange out at the ends. They also have longer bills that are slightly down-curved.

The blackbird flocks may remain for a week

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Feb. 28 Mar. 13, 14, 15

Beyond The Stars Dance Competition Saturday, February 28th, 8am - 10pm (All day event) VIP Dance Competitions Friday, March 13th, 8:30am-11pm (All day events) Saturday, March 14th, 8:30am-11pm Sunday, March 15th, 8:30am-11pm

Mar. 21

“Support The Stanley” Fundraiser Event!

Featuring The Todd Hobin Band, The Justice McBride Band & The Dust Devil Band Saturday, March 21st, 7:30pm

Mar. 27

“An Artistic Discovery” Congressional High School Art Competition Friday, March 27th, 6pm-7:30pm

Mar. 28

80’s Dance Night at The Stanley featuring the Movie ‘Footloose’ Saturday, March 28th, Dance Party 6:30pm, Movie 8pm

Apr. 3

Irish Night at The Stanley Featuring The Elders, Hair of The Dog & The Blarney Rebel Band Friday, April 3rd, 7:30pm

Apr. 7&8

Beauty & The Beast Presented by Broadway Theatre League of Utica Tuesday, April 7th, 7pm Wednesday, April 8th, 7pm

* Schedule subject to change 261 Genesee Street l Utica, NY 13501 l Box Office 315.724.4000 l www.TheStanley.org

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Specialty Cakes and Lunch!

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Tues-Sat 8-4, Sun 9-2 • 315-334-4444

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o r they may stay for a month; it all depends on the weather and on the fickle character of the months of March and April.

If spring comes early, we expect the grackles and red-winged blackbirds to cut their stays short and head directly to their breeding grounds (either locally or in the north country), but if the snow and cold persists, the blackbirds will remain faithful to their flocks. They may, however, begin commuting between good prospective breeding territory and a reliable feeding station; that is, until the weather breaks and spring finally reclaims the land. •

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On the farm with Suzie:

march is for chicks

by Suzie Jones

March is Women’s History Month—on our farm women outnumber men 3 to 1—but it’s also the month for baby chicks. Despite the still very chilly temperatures, March is when we pick up our first batch of chicks for the year. On March 10, we will pick up 300 tiny, peeping puffballs that will quickly grow up to be 3-4 lb. chickens ready for processing and your dinner table. It will be the first of 13 such pickups over the spring and summer, meaning we will raise close to 4,000 meat chickens this year.

Our farm is specially licensed to grow and butcher as many as 20,000 chickens per year.

Chickens, whether for eggs or for meat, are fairly easy to grow and I would highly encourage anyone interested to try it for themselves. There are entire websites, magazines and easy-to-follow how-to books available for the small-scale or home grower. And, fortunately, the start-up costs and other inputs are minimal. Imagine having your very own eggs for breakfast every morning or the satisfaction of seeing your children or grandchildren enjoy the simple pleasure of gathering eggs. It is important to recognize, however, that chickens are a commitment. Make sure that you are ready to give them a safe home and a happy life.

There are a few things you need to get started. For their first few weeks of life, baby chicks are extremely vulnerable. Newly hatched chicks must be kept in a “brooder,” where the temperature is kept at a constant 90-95° F. They should also be kept dry and comfortable, which means changing the bedding (or adding new) regularly and keeping them from getting crowded as they grow. The brooder should also be free from drafts, yet well-ventilated and keep the babies safe from predators, such as cats, weasels or rats.

Happy chicks are healthy chicks. Stressors such as chilling, overheating and dehydration can prevent them from developing a healthy immune system. But how can you tell if the chicks are “happy,” you ask? The key is careful observation. Unhappy chicks will tell you—in their own subtle

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2014-15 Season

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Sunday, March 8th at 3pm Free Admission

See Remington firearms and artifacts from the 1800s to today and shop for clothing, hats, and souvenirs in our Country Store.

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14 Hoefler Avenue, Ilion (315) 895-3200 • FREE ADMISSION! • Mon-Fri 8-5 (store closes 4:30)

Heather Buchman conducts the Hamilton College Orchestra in the annual Brainstorm! concert. The program will include Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat, K. 495, with Caroline D’Ambro, horn.

Box Office information and tickets

(315) 859-4331

www.hamilton.edu/college/performingarts

CELEBRATING 120 YEARS

WITH THE NEXT GENERATION.

SPRING WILL BE HERE CELEBRATING 120 YEARS BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! ways—that something is not quite right. By observing your chicks’ behavior and asking yourself a few simple questions, you can address any issues before they become a real problem: Are they spread out in the brooder, or piling up in bunches? If they are piling up, they are very unhappy. Check temperature, add dry bedding and make sure there are no drafts or anything else upsetting them.

Do they all gather directly underneath the heat lamp or are they avoiding it altogether? It is either too hot or too cold. Adjust the height of your heat lamp(s) accordingly.

Are they panting? They are too hot and possibly overcrowded.

Are they peeping softly, very loudly or not at all? You want soft peeping. Very loud peeping or even silence indicates fear and unhappiness. Check to make sure everyone has access to fresh water and is eating.

Are they damp? Add dry bedding and assess the source of the dampness. Check if their waterer is leaking. Had they had run out of water and then rushed the water bowl when you refilled it? Be sure they have a constant source of clean water going forward. If they are damp from being overcrowded and have wet bedding, give them more room and, again, more bedding.

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© 2015 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. New Holland Construction is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.

The Jones family experimented with many types of brooders before finding one suited to their needs.

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SUNNYBROOK FARM Before you bring your chicks home, you will have to build (or buy) yourself a proper brooder. We have experimented with many different types of brooders over the years. In the beginning, we started with a large tub, complete with heat lamps hung from above. The chicks quickly outgrew their home, however, and the contained odor was not pleasant. Our next attempt at a homemade brooder was a floor-less wooden box with a lid that we regularly moved around our grassy yard. This design was great in that we saved money not having to purchase shavings for bedding, but we quickly learned our yard was not perfectly level anywhere and chicks were able to squeeze out through the gaps.

We also tried a brooder made from hay bales, kept in the barn. It was nice in that we were able to quickly and easily expand the brooder as needed, but our clever barn cats learned how to squeeze through the gaps and feast on the baby chicks. We next tried what is called an “Ohio brooder,” an open-sided box on short stilts that sits low to the floor with heat lamps affixed to the underside. The design sounded ideal because with the open sides, the chicks can escape the heat as needed, with food and water placed outside of the dry bedding, helping it stay clean. What we didn’t anticipate, however, was our inability to observe the chicks’ behavior under the box.

After much trial and error, we eventually found a nice little system that works for us. We finally settled on two brooding “rooms,” each approximately 10 feet by 10 feet, in our machine shed. Each room has a dedicated area for very young chicks with a hinged “lid” from which the heat lamps are hung. (The lid is hinged to facilitate gathering the chicks when it is time to put them out on pasture and to make cleaning of the brooder much easier.) We use repurposed old windows as the fourth wall of the baby chicks’ brooding area, which allow us to quickly and easily gain access to their food and water and, at a glance, observe their behavior. As the chicks outgrow their space and need less heat, we begin to remove the repurposed windows, allowing them access to the rest of the room.

Our meat chicks will leave their brooder and be put out on pasture when they are about three weeks old, assuming the weather has sufficiently warmed up. As with brooders, there are many options for housing grown birds. Each type will depend on what types of chickens you own, what predator problems you may encounter and how much work you ultimately want to do. That, however, is a story for another day.

Suzie Jones and her husband, Peter, own Jones Family Farm in Herkimer. Together, with their children, they produce specialty goat cheeses and gelato. Find them at local farmers’ markets and at: www.anotherjonesfamilyfarm.com

(315) 841-4910

Grass-fed Beef, Pastured Poultry & Pork Winter Hours: M-F 8-4, Weekend by appt. only.

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Local Arts:

Lutz ScHerneck by sharry whitney

Lutz Scherneck’s math and science skills took him to Syracuse University after high school on an Industrial Design track, but after his first year of drawing and painting classes, and an introduction to classical artists and French impressionists, he changed course. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in 1976. Work and raising a family moved painting to the side, but never out of his life. After his family was grown, painting became more than a hobby, Lutz turned into a full-time artist, building a studio next to the house—and small koi pod—he shares with his wife, Darlene, in Dolgeville, NY. Inspired by nature’s colors, patterns and rhythms, Lutz’s work is organic, but doesn’t depict nature. Part of his artist statement asserts: “To the same degree that a musician does more than imitate the call of birds, a painter should do more than merely illustrate nature.”

The decision to show his work publicly stemmed from his concern that many galleries were only displaying contemporary art that relied solely on literary depiction and not the qualities he personally considers important.

Lutz is inspired by contemporary American artists Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Hans Hofmann, and Milton Avery.

He works with very fluid acrylic paint that often requires him to paint on the floor, which also allows him to work from all sides. The painting is moved along by the artist’s intuition rather than calculation. At times he finds the work frustrating. “When things don’t go well it can be troubling,” he says, “but I do it anyway.”

Locally, he has shown at the Stanley Theatre, Utica; the Delavan Art Gallery, Syracuse; the Rome Art and Community

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Center; and the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts in Little Falls. He was recently commissioned by the city of Little Falls to create a mural. The Albany Street Mural Project took him about a year to plan. With the help and support of many volunteers, an 8 foot by 55 foot mural was completed on a cement retaining wall and now greets visitors when they enter the city.

Little Falls is also where Lutz enjoys teaching. In his painting classes at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts, he strives to help people understand the basic principles of the masters and what makes the work successful.

“It’s important for them to see, to learn what the art is doing first. The technique will find itself, “he explains. “It’s not good enough to render what you see and put it on paper, like putting borders or a frame around a sunset. You have to go beyond the three dimensions. You have to amplify... push the experience, the emotions!”

When he sees his students begin to understand it makes him ns happy. o says, reaffirms my ctio efle“It oHen R ll Mbelief Fuown in art.” •

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Lutz Scherneck’s canvases are sometimes tipped 45 degrees. Last summer Lutz was commissioned to create a mural for a cement retaining wall in the city of Little Falls

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Local Open Mic Venues

mv music

Open mics

by John Keller

The open mic is a very popular and important tool for most musicians. It is also a great way for music fans to hear their favorite local artists or hear new, different and up-and-coming performers.

I have honed my skills in front of audiences by performing at many of these events. I also have hosted many open mic nights over the years. They can be fun, socially and professionally advantageous, and provide building blocks in any musicians’ career.

The following is a brief, informative run-through on the open mic scene and a few dos and don’ts regarding this performance platform. There is also an updated list of some of the local open mic venues to check out, whether as a musician or music fan.

There are several things that every musician needs – reliable equipment, good songs, inspiration, and a place to perform, among others. One way to utilize all of these is on an open mic night. The open mic can be considered the life’s blood for many musicians. No matter what the skill level, the open mic is essential.

Beginning musicians can use it to work out their strengths and weaknesses, learn to perform in front of an audience and learn from others. Intermediate performers can use the open mic format to interact with like-minded musicians, find jamming or permanent band members and pick up new techniques.

Advanced and professional players use the open mic to “road test” new material, promote upcoming gigs and gather new fans.

Performing for an audience can be nerve-wracking and scary for new performers. Open mics help to overcome these fears. Most of the audience is there to listen to the acts. The musicians and audience members may lend encouragement to newer performers, as well as providing advice and criticism. Accepting

Mohawk Village Market

1105 Lincoln Ave., Utica 315-732-8257, Garrett

Go to our website for a list of great tips for musicians who are new to open mics!

creative criticism is a career-strengthening and growing necessity.

Much of a music career is built on connections. A great many of these connections can be made at an open mic. Other club owners visit these events, as well as other musicians who could pass your name around to other venues and fellow bands that may be looking for new band members.

If the venue books acts, an open mic is an excellent way to audition. The management gets to hear your music, see how you interact with an audience and observe how the audience responds to you. It’s best to present your strongest material, and perhaps some of your weakest that needs polishing, to represent all you are, musically.

It also must be noted that several open mics are not exclusive to music. Spoken word and performance artists also may come to practice their art as well.

This further expands perfection for the artist and exposes audiences to alternative forms of art.

There are many venues that offer an open mic within their schedules. The following is a list of some of the places to present your musical self. I’m sure this list is not complete. I apologize if I have missed any places; if so, please contact me and I will add them to a future column. Some of these venues are for ages 21 plus, others are for all ages. Some places require advance sign-up. Please call the venue prior to heading out to ensure the time of event and a time slot. Also, call to make sure the event is still taking place that night, as things (weather, illness, holidays, etc.) do happen.

Good luck and good playing! •

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Sunday The Tramontane Café

Tramontane also has a Spoken Word Open Mic on Thursdays

The Good Life Tavern

69 Main St., Camden 315-245-9984, Bob Fleming

Wednesday McGeary’s Irish Pub

4 Clinton Sq., Albany 518-463-1455, MotherJudge

Thursday The Snubbing Post

221 Rome/Westernville Rd. Rt. 46N, Rome 315-337-1021, Chad Plantz

The Snubbing Post also has an acoustic Open Mic on Sundays hosted by Marcus Larabee

Kellish Hill Farm

3191 Pompey Center Rd., Manlius 315-682-1578, Kathy Kellish

Kellish Hill Farm also hosts an afternoon Sunday Jam

The Dev

41 Devereux St., Utica 315-732-1340 3rd Thursday of the month only

Utica Brews (at the Shoppes at the Finish Line)

809 Court St., Utica 315-733-0533, Ryan Quinn Last Thursday of the month only

6 on the Square

6 LaFayette Sq., Oxford 607-843-6876 3rd Thursday of the month only

Friday Sunset Grill

1319 Main St., Sylvan Beach 315-761-0855

Mohawk Valley Blues Society

Hosts weekly Blues Jams contact them for more info: www.mohawkvalleyblues.org

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Get your Sfingi and Zeppole for St. Joseph’s Day! Easter is early this year. Hop to it and order your Cassata and Easter bread today!

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mv gardens

Milkweeds for Monarchs

By Denise A. Szarek

On February 9, 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched a major new campaign aimed at saving the declining monarch butterfly. The Service signed a cooperative agreement with the National Wildlife Federation, announcing a major new funding initiative with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and pledged an additional $2 million for on the ground conservation projects around the country.

Milkweeds and nectar sources are declining due to development and the widespread use of herbicides in croplands, pastures and roadsides. Development in the U.S. consumes habitat for monarchs and other wildlife at a rate of 6000 acres a day; 2.2 million acres per year. That’s roughly equivalent to the size of the state of Illinois every 16 years!

What Can We Do To offset the loss of milkweeds and nectar sources, we need to create, conserve and protect monarch butterfly habitat.

Monarchs cannot survive without milkweeds; their caterpillars only eat milkweed plants and monarch butterflies need milkweed to lay their eggs. Please plant milkweed to support monarch populations, and their incredible migration! Planting milkweed is a great way to help other pollinators too, as they provide valuable nectar to

bees and other butterflies. You can help by creating “Monarch WayStations” in home gardens, at schools, businesses, parks, zoos, nature centers, along roadsides and on other unused plots of land. Creating a waystation can be as simple as adding milkweeds and nectar sources to existing gardens or maintain natural habitat. No effort is too small to have a positive impact.

“If we all work together – individuals, communities, farmers, land managers, and Key Components of garden habitat: •Garden should be planted in sunny local, state and Federal agencies – we can spots, with some protection from the wind ensure that every American child has a •At least one milkweed species that chance to experience amazing monarchs in is native to the area will provide food for their backyards”, said NWF President and monarch caterpillars. (Northeast varieties: CEO Colin O’Mara. “ By taking action common milkweed, swamp milkweed, today and addressing the growing threats that are affecting so many of America’s butterfly milkweed, poke milkweed) •A variety of nectar plants with stag- treasured wildlife – habitat loss, pesticide overuse and Climate change – we will pregered bloom times give butterserve monarchs and America’s rich flies and other pollinators wildlife legacy.” a continuous food Let’s grow milkweed source. Include a Free milkweed and create monarch waycombination of seeds available at stations all over the Moearly, middle and hawk Valley this spring.

Westmoreland Winter late blooming Visit www.Monarchspecies to fuel Farmers Market Watch.org/waystations butterfly breedApril 4, 9am-12pm to get involved! • ing and migra-

w/instructions & certification info!

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Weeden’ s Mini Mall

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Mon-Sat: 7am-6pm, Sun: 7am-5pm Find us on Facebook!

Baking all natural breads – available throughout New York State

45

Shop Little Falls, NY! Stocking Fine Alpaca Products The Largest Selection in Central NY!

Alpaca is Water, Odor, Stain and Wrinkle resistant. Plus, alpaca breathes better than other natural fibers!

Alpaca Sweaters starting at $59.95

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Little Falls Antique Center

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MV family fun

skating rinks

By Melinda Karastury

The sun was bright and the air frigid. Do we live in the Arctic? was the universal question. The sun danced on the ice crystals that covered every surface. In the spirit of cold and ice the family ventured out for an ice skating adventure at the Whitestown Ice Rink during winter break. An adventure it would be, with twists and turns at every corner.

We pay our admission and rental skate fees, and we walk down a hallway of proud teams, figure skater pictures, newspaper articles, events, schedules and plaques. We see before us huge double-glass doors and the lightening movements of ice skaters off in the distance. All four of us line up immediately to get our skate rentals. We each have different preferences; half of us like figure skates and the other half hockey skates. We each get the appropriate size and take a seat at the bench. As we begin to put on our skates, a favorite movie comes to mind as I chime, “toe pick.” The kids look at me wide-eyed with “Huh?” We make plans to watch Cutting Edge later, cozy and warm all together curled up on the couch.

We each begin the lacing up of our skates nice and tight, criss-crossed, and even a good lace tie around the ankles is best. Otherwise, wobble, wobble we all fall down! After some size exchanges and lacing trial runs, we are all ready to begin skating. With our coats, hats, gloves and scarves on, we are ready for the cold. In synchronicity we all stand from our bench as a young boy of 6 valiantly yells out, “Ready, it’s ME versus the ICE!”

We all can’t help but smile and laugh at the young child’s remark. Tentative and in single file we all approach the slick shiny ice. We each take a deep breath, hop onto the ice and glide. The music echoes over the load speaker: “The Eye of the Tiger” by Katy Perry and it gets us motivated. Roar, we can do this!

Ice skating is much like a bicycle: Once you get back out there, forget any doubts you have, you will glide across the ice. The cold wind of your own speed kisses your nose and face, turning them rosy. I observe happy faces and people of all ages and abilities. Maybe even a few old tricks flood back to the mind and body-a twirl, weaving, backward, a toe-pick walk, the possibilities are endless and exhilarating. The music helps get you into a groove, too, as we playfully dance and sing to a few of our favorites. We also find ourselves holding hands and playing with our breath as the white vapor drifts into the air.

I watch as the minutes pass and the confidence builds: zoom, zig, zag. I can barely keep up. A few tumbles here and there, a good laugh, and with a helpful hand we try again. I take a few moments in the penalty box area to take it all in. Moments like this bring me back to my childhood growing up in Clinton, NY, a hockey town where ice skating was a must-know skill in the small town. My friends and I would all meet and skate, laugh, share some snacks and stories. As a child during the long winter months the Clinton Arena was our haven for good energetic family, friends and fun.

Left: Alexandra Kiesel of Sauquoit, age 9, enjoys a day at the rink.

Above from top: The “MV Family” group out on an adventure at the Whitestown Ice Rink; The girls strike a pose (l-r) Bella Christian, Sauquoit, age 10, Alana Karastury, Sauquoit, age 10, and Emilee Clarey, Sauquoit, age 10; Jeff Gaffner and daughter Erin of Whitesboro enjoy taking leisurely laps around the rink. The Whitestown Ice Arena is especially busy during school breaks.

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The warming room and snack bar is a wonderful break to catch your breath, grab a snack or maybe even feel your toes again. About an hour in, the kids need a warm-up break and us adults a reprieve.

The kids venture to the snack bar and want ice cold Slushies, sending a chill up my back. I shiver at the thought of a Slushy, and they smile at me with bright blue teeth and tongues. They also share buttery popcorn, which turned into a game of throw it up in the air, or across to the other person, and catch it in your mouth game, exclaiming “Score!” The games are over now, and we’re off for a bathroom break and runny nose remedy. Back on the ice and time tick tocks and before we know it two hours pass. The buzzer sounds everyone off the ice. The ice clears off quickly and the Zamboni begins to clean the ice, turning it back into a smooth, shiny, icy surface again. We exit after the Zamboni show. The kids are rosy, breathless and ask immediately, “Can we go ice skating this weekend, next week…?” We look at each other smile and unanimously say, “Yes, of course!”

Ice skating is truly a family bonding experience. We held hands, helped one another up when we fell, laughed, danced and embraced the freedom of ice and speed on two tiny blades. We are about to make our exit when we are embraced with bear hugs and thank yous. The word of the day

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is “AWESOME,”I think to myself, “A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” The words of that unknown author of that thought certainly ring true. •

Clinton Arena

36 Kirkland Ave Clinton, NY(315) 853-5541 www.townofkirkland.org Public skating through March 12

Morrisville Ice Plex

105 Madison Road, Morrisville, NY (315) 684-6425 iceplex.morrisville.edu Call ahead for March schedule, varies day to day. Open throughout the year

New Hartford Recreation Center Ice Skating

1 Mill St., New Hartford, NY (315) 724-0600 www.newhartfordtown.com/NHParks.htm Open for skating through March 31st

Whitestown Ice Arena

Whitestown Community Center 1 Championship Way Whitesboro, NY (315) 768-6047 town.whitestown.ny.us Open year round. Call ahead for schedule, varies day to day.

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Our one year anniversary!

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PO Box 292, McBride Ave. Clinton, NY Fax: 315.853.4751

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MOHAWK ANTIQUES MALL Saturday March 14th!

Over 50 vendors on 2 1/2 floors!

Architectural/Salvage Dept. located in the Gallery!

St. Patrick’s Day Flea Market and Irish Festival Karaoke Contest!

Mon, Wed-Sat: 10-5, Sun: 11:30-4:30 100 E. Main St., Mohawk (Thruway Exit 30) Closed Tuesdays (315) 219-5044

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Deli • Bulk Foods & Cheese • Chocolate Items Coffee (ass’t. blends) • Baking Supplies & Much More!

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MV road trip

golden artist colors in new berlin

By Melinda Karastury

We begin our family adventure today traveling through the rolling hills on Route 8 south to New Berlin, NY. The Mohawk Valley is frigid, and the air takes your breath away. The snow crystals on every surface refract the sunlight and sparkle.By WeMelinda take inKarastury the white blank canvas as we drive. Then, as if out of nowhere, appears a colorful gem of a company, Golden Artist Colors, Inc. We pile out into the tundra and quickly make our way to the 31,000-squarefoot paint factory. We enter the doors and are greeted by the very friendly receptionist. Almost immediately, the unassuming building on the outside comes to life as every wall is covered with company pride and the passion for paint. We called ahead to schedule our tour guide and are immediately greeted by Emma, the Golden family granddaughter. The tour is very personal with more than 30 years of heritage speaking on behalf of this beloved company.

We are each fitted with plastic clip-on tour tags, and our free tour begins. The kids are quiet and attentive as they listen to Emma share the tale of her grandparents Sam and Adele Golden. Sam had worked at a paint company in New York City called Boucour. Through his experimentation and trial and error, the first artist acrylic paint was ready for production; it was called “Magna.” Sam eventually developed a more popular waterborne version of the acrylic, “Aquatec.” He continued to refine the chemistry of acrylic paints by working with artists for the next 20 years. After 30 years in the paint-making business, Sam retired and moved to picturesque New Berlin. Sam planned to fish and golf, but quickly grew bored with retirement and at the age of 67 decided to come out of retirement. “I would rather die of passion than of boredom,” to quote Vincent van Gogh.

Golden Artist Colors, Inc. began in June of 1980 in a 900-square-foot renovated barn. A humble man, Sam described his work simply as “making tools for artists.” We were all intrigued by the legacy of the Golden family’s beginnings, sacrifices, struggles and love for the arts. We continue on the tour to the paint drying area, the smell of fresh acrylic permeating the air. We all cannot help but touch the mound of dried acrylics of all colors and shapes displayed on a podium along the tour. Smiling faces and diligent workers greet us all. A silent crew we are, no questions asked, we are only observers and listen attentively.

Colors of every kind, consistency and quality cover every surface. There is a twinkle in the children’s eyes as visions of endless possibilities for their masterpieces dance through their heads. Of all the acrylic products Golden Paint sells, our daughter is very happy to receive a dried color palette to take home. Oftentimes, a trip to the hardware store results in a collection of color palettes in her pocket to later paste, color and create with; today, Golden Paints gives out an entire pamphlet of colors and she is delighted! We ask both children to look over the colors and to pick out a few for later in the tour. We are advised to assess a child by their level of maturity when using the products, and each Golden product has a unique symbol, the round marble, which means that it is suitable for children.

Our children are very familiar with acrylic paints and each have a brand new Christmas gift easel set up at home ready for some new Golden acrylics. We hope to venture to the gift shop at the end of our tour. Then on to the packaging section, and our eyes follow shelf after shelf, to the ceiling, filled and all ready for delivery to budding, developing and prolific artists. There is so much pride within this com-

Photos from top: Aerial view of the Golden Artist Color, Inc. in New Berlin; Packing and Storage room at Golden Artist Color, Inc.; The company produces the largest line of acrylic colors available to artists; You can call and schedule a guided tour of Golden Artist Color’s manufacturing facilities in New Berlin.

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pany and now I truly understand why. Golden Paint is internationally known but is employee owned. It became an employee owned company in 2002, and in 2010, employees became the majority owners of the company.

Despite worldwide distribution, the Golden product is still created on the grounds of the original barn in New Berlin, using the highest standards for consistency and quality. We continue down a hallway where paint production visuals aides flank the walls. Emma describes in detail the chemistry and the tools used in the painting-making process. We are unable to go into the factory due to safety concerns.

We learn more than any of us ever knew about acrylic paint and have a renewed appreciation for the ingenuity, perseverance, and passion behind this beautiful product.

We venture down hallways of artists’ work.

We stand before each painting, take it in and move on to the next, each one evoking some sort of reaction and emotion. The reason we decided to take this unique Golden Paint tour was to encourage our children not only to appreciate the beauty of acrylics but also to purchase the paint we utilize from a locally owned business, the catalyst to creativity, right here in the Mohawk Valley. After all, as Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he is grown up.”

Next, we venture into the beautiful Sam and Adele Golden Gallery whose mission is the exhibition and presentation of artworks that focus on the explorations and investigations by artists of the painting media of the 20th and

21st centuries. The Friedel Dzubas exhibition “Monumental Works” from the mid ’70s to the early ’80s, features several large-scale paintings, nearly 10 feet tall and more than 20 feet wide. Dzubas’ work represents an important benchmark with the physical limitations of a “portable” painting, a painting that can be disassembled and rebuilt for exhibitions.

These works represent some of the artist’s finest examples of his ability in working with the very unique Magna acrylics developed by Sam Golden. The works are large and impressive with subtle colors in rectangular shapes.

Dzubas demonstrates an undeniable skill in moving colors in a way that 40 years later they feel as fresh as the day they were painted. It is clear that the incredible power these paintings project hope to ignite a renewed interest in the brilliant works of Dzubas. The exhibition will continue through March 28, 2015.

We also learned that Golden Paint has certified working artists who are independent, professional artists that have undergone an extensive Golden-directed, six-month, threephase acrylic product education. The training consists of an in-depth study of the technical aspects of acrylics, recommended archival painting practices and a vast exposure to teaching tools for artists ranging from beginner watercolorists, mixed media artists to accomplished professionals. The Golden-certified working artists are contracted by Golden to conduct lectures on Golden Acrylic products.

They offer many free lecture demonstrations: “The Golden ‘A to Z’ of Acrylics.”

One of the most exciting parts of the tour for the kids was picking out their new paints in the expansive Golden Marketplace Shop.

There are so many varieties to choose from: Golden acrylic colors, fluid acrylics, fluorescent, heavy body acrylic, high flow acrylic, iridescent and interference colors, matte fluid acrylic, molding pastes, gels and other mediums, among others. The expansive list goes on and on. We feel like kids in a candy store with a mix of Christmas morning. We each purchased a few of our favorite Golden acrylic paint. We gather our new purchases and thank our wonderful tour guide, Emma, for a very informa-

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tive and inspirational tour. We also would like to tip our hat to the entire Golden family and employees who for more than 35 years have fueled the passions, hearts and souls of artists young and old. We are delighted that right in the rolling hills of the rural Mohawk Valley in New Berlin is home to a flourishing and creative driving force. This paint factory treasure is not only in our backyards but also internationally renowned and utilized by artists of all abilities all over the world. Remember the words of poet and writer Maya Angelou: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” •

Golden Artist Colors, Inc. 188 Bell Road, New Berlin, NY 607-847-6154, 800-959-6543 www.goldenpaints.com

Watch our tour of Golden on the March TV episode of Mohawk Valley Living!

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The Copper Turret in Morrisville highlights locally-sourced maple syrup in their dishes .

Edible Education:

The copper turret in morrisville

by Franklin Sciacca , Slow Food Mohawk Valley To coordinate with the maple theme of this issue, we went in search of restaurants that highlight locally-sourced syrup in their dishes. While a number of eateries fit the bill, we were immediately attracted to the menu offerings of the Copper Turret. They featured three maple syrup infused entrées, so we hit the road.

Located at the edge of the State College campus in Morrisville, the Copper Turret is housed in an 1814 building that was renovated to include the signature copper-clad turret. The restaurant functions as a “learning laboratory” for the students of the Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts programs who rotate, respectively, through all the front and back stations. The current cohort of 15 Culinary Arts students will experience all the zones of the kitchen—salad prep, pantry, fryer, grill and sauté stations. The Management students serve as waiters, bar tenders and greeters.

The Copper Turret might well be the only restaurant in Central New York whose

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Exe c - utive Chef, Kerry Beadle, is a full-time professor. When he greeted us soon after arrival, he had just finished teaching a class in a room attached to the kitchen. In our discussion with him, we witnessed the passion and pedagogical approach that he brings to the position.

Chef is constantly experimenting with twists on fermentation, smoking and modernist cooking techniques. For example, he’s exploring curing meat using a long-forgotten method with cornmeal. (For St. Patrick’s Day the staff will be curing corned beef in house.) But he also is fond of applying scientific methods to update traditional recipes. The old NYS standby of barbecues wings has been modernized with an extruded celery-juice noodle.

Chef takes great pains to source locally as much of the produce and meats as possible, from Alambria Springs, Mosher, Five Roses and Canaseraga farms, among others. The maple syrup is purchased from Loomis’s Maple Homestead, just down the road in town.

The restaurant was founded on the prin-

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ciple of local sourcing Advantage is from its taken of the inception extensive some nine agricultural years ago, one of the activities of the first in the college. area to do so.

Advantage is taken of the extensive agricultural activities of the college.

Cheese is made from milk produced on campus, basil, tomatoes and lettuce are harvested at the aquaponics unit, and this year the college will start raising rabbits, goats and sheep, some of which will appear on the Copper Turret’s menu.

The restaurant atmosphere is most congenial, with an energetic youthful vibe—many of the patrons are the students of the college itself, since the Copper Turret functions as one of the cafeterias on campus where they can swipe their meal cards to dine.

As our conversation with the chef continued, the food started to arrive. Al-

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though it didn’t include maple syrup, we couldn’t resist the day’s appetizer special, fried wontons with sweet chili and wasabi crème fraiche served on a bed of local micro-greens. Chef Beadle suggested we also sample the fried cheese made from cheddar curds produced from the milk of the college’s dairy farm, an outstanding way to start our meal. Then the maple

dishes arrived—maple-glazed pork belly topped with candied bacon and spicy bock beer mustard on house-made pretzel rolls.

Salty-sweet-melt-in-your-mouth heaven! This was followed by grilled maple-glazed salmon; the absolutely fresh filet just arrived from Foley Fish in New Bedford, MA. Sad to say, we had no room to sample the maple-grilled sweet potato sandwich, but if the salmon preparation was any indication, the student grill staff is being trained in expert style.

In lieu of dessert, Chef offered us a tour of the kitchen and extensive preparation zones, where we observed the collaboration between professionals and students in full operation. The enthusiasm that we witnessed from the students and chef-professor offered full proof of what a fine education, and a fine meal, one can get at the Copper Turret. •

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A majestic Turkey Vulture glides overhead

MV Nature:

vultures in the valley

Egbert Bagg II (1850-1915) was the first person to keep detailed notes on all birds occurring in the Mohawk Valley

story and photos by matt perry These days it is far too easy to find examples of wildlife in peril. Around the world, countless species are facing the loss of critical habitats; many have been pushed to the edge of extinction. Environmentalists, conservationists and wildlife advocates perpetually have their hands full. They must wage battles on ever-expanding fronts – everywhere from the tropics to the poles and from ocean depths to alpine slopes. For the committed conservationist, it seems there is rarely any good news that breaks through the cacophony of gloom and manages to bolster our spirits. I can assure you that there is some encouraging news out there. And some of it even flies close to home.

The very essence of nature is change. Preserving habitats and ecosystems means affording them the opportunity to evolve. As they change, new wildlife communities establish themselves and in turn create opportunities for even more species. Wild animals are pioneers in the truest sense, and most species are apt to spread from areas where they are established into new frontiers and fresh habitats where they can settle and breed. During my own lifetime, I have witnessed numerous “new” animals come in to colonize

the Mohawk Valley. In most cases, these creatures were indigenous and their arrival represented a reclaiming of territory long since vacated. Other cases involved wildlife species that, according to the historical record (as incomplete as that is), had never before resided here.

Some of the most dramatic recoveries of wildlife populations involve birds of prey.

This includes some of the hawks, eagles, falcons and vultures. The cause for the resurgence of raptors is multi-fold, but mainly it can be linked to the recovery of their traditional prey and to an increase in the available breeding habitat. Laws that led to a cessation of persecution by hunting cannot be discounted either, nor can the banning of pesticides like DDT, which had a devastating effect on some raptors.

When I was a teenager in the 1970s and early ’80s bald eagles, ospreys, turkey vultures and peregrine falcons in the Mohawk Valley were not something that happened with any regularity. In the 1960s, turkey vultures began occurring in increasing numbers to the west of us, in Oswego and Onondaga Counties. But it wasn’t until the mid-1970s that they started pushing east of Oneida Lake. I recall that I began seeing them in New Hartford in the late ’70s, and I was duly impressed. Seeing an eagle-sized bird was quite a novelty back then, and when a vul-

After DDT was banned, Osprey populations rebounded 56

ture was spotted in the sky, it was sure to cause some excitement. Whether or not the vulture’s range originally encompassed our region of the Northeast is not known. Bird records from the American Colonial period are incomplete at best and, as a general rule, if a bird wasn’t a useful menu item, its presence wasn’t noted by our utilitarian forbears.

Egbert Bagg II (1850 – 1915), Utica businessman and local bird expert, was the first person to publish detailed records of all bird species in the Mohawk Valley. Back in 1886, he co-authored the Annotated List of the Birds of Oneida County and Immediate Vicinity. A revised edition was published in 1911. In his notations, Bagg claimed that the turkey vulture was very rare in the region and cited only two records in which specimens were obtained (meaning shot) – one from Westmoreland in 1879 and one from Marcy in 1896. Those early occurrences of vultures in the region most

likely involved wayward birds, perhaps blown off-course by storms. If they were early pioneers testing out the region for the purpose of colonization, their enterprise was cut short by the guns of collectors.

A full century later, in the 1990s, the turkey vulture had become a fairly common sight in the region, particularly during migration, but there was mounting evidence that they were remaining to breed. Their population surge was very much linked to the growth in population of white-tailed deer. As more and more road-kill deer (and other animals) became available, the vultures had all they needed to set up housekeeping and stay through the summer. With sport hunting of raptors and vultures eliminated by law, and with plenty of habitat available, the red carpet had finally been rolled out for this species.

Though they look quite beautiful when soaring overhead on wings nearly six feet wide, the turkey vulture is unlikely to win any beauty contests. Its scaly, featherless head makes the bird look quite homely, but this adaptation fits its lifestyle well. Vultures need to be able to submerge their entire head into the carcasses they feed on. Feathered heads would tend to get covered in gore and would be hard to keep clean. The vulture finds its food primarily by smell. In fact, they have a highly developed olfactory sense, which is keener than that of virtually any other bird species. They often will be seen flying low over terrain as they try to pick up the scent of a potential meal. Their ability to remain healthy after consuming large quantities of rotted and sometimes diseased flesh has served them well and has saved them from competing for food with other scavengers that have more discerning tastes. Do turkey vultures ever take live prey? The answer would seem to be a categorical “no.” They are in fact ill-equipped to catch and dispatch their own prey. Their feet are relatively weak and unable to securely grasp live animals in the way that raptors such as hawks and owls do.

From the underside, a soaring turkey vulture appears black or dark brown, but its long

Turkey Vulture scavenging on a road-kill Opossum

Bald Eagles have begun nesting again in the region

Sharp-shinned Hawks once rare, now a common backyard raptor primary feathers have a silvery cast. The way the vulture flies is very distinctive. They don’t hold their wings straight out from their bodies like most hawks and eagles. Instead, their wings are kept slightly elevated, and this gives their profile a shallow “V” shape. They also tend to teeter from side to side as they soar.

This wobbling motion may help them locate the source of a scent, or perhaps they move in this way to make the best use of fluctuating air currents. On the ends of their wings, their long primary feathers remain fanned out. These finger-like “sensors” react to the slightest updrafts and help the birds to gauge the air flow. They also enable the birds to fine tune the shape of their air foil (wing), thus increasing their flight control. Turkey vultures are one of nature’s ul-

timate gliding machines. Their exploitation of air currents, like rising thermals, enables them to glide more efficiently than any non-pelagic (non-ocean-living) species in our skies. Other than when lifting off from the ground or from a perch, you will rarely see a turkey vulture flap its wings.

It seems only too clear that the vulture tries to get through life without any great exertion.

From their dedication to low energy flight to their commitment to “free-lunch” scavenging, it seems that vultures have perfected the art of easy living like few other wildlife species have ever come close to realizing.

In the air the turkey vulture may be all grace, but on the ground it has somewhat of a shaggy and disheveled appearance, which is not at

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Far Left: Our large Deer population has led to an upsurge in scavengers Left: Merlins (small falcons) have also enjoyed a resurgence

all helped by its bald head, strange loping gait and, of course, by the gruesome way the bird makes a living. In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to closely observe some of their social interactions, which typically occur at the site of a carcass. Like many birds, the vultures have a pecking order. At one carcass site that I monitored over a period of several days, some of vultures in a flock of eight would be actively kept away from the food until others had their fill. From what I saw, there was never any instance of outright fighting. Instead, birds of apparent higher rank used physical intimidation and bluster to get their way with their fellows.

Vultures are known as silent birds (they lack a syrinx, the organ present in birds which is the

equivalent of the larynx or voice box in humans), but they are capable of making hissing sounds, which is something I heard for the first time only recently. They vocalize primarily at feeding sites during close interactions with competitors and when protecting their nests.

I was familiar with the turkey vulture’s habit of standing on a high perch with its wings fully open like a sail, but I was surprised to see it doing this on the ground and in such close proximity to a meal. After feeding, about half of the group turned to face the northwest and aligned their fully extended wings into the prevailing wind. Vultures typically spread their wings in this manner to warm up or to dry their wings before taking to the air.

Turkey vulture nest sites are mostly found on hard to reach cliffs, but these birds are versatile enough to accept nesting situations in trees, tree stumps, collapsed buildings, barns and other such places. The main criterion for the site is that it be hard for predators to reach.

They don’t normally build a conventional nest, but instead lay their eggs on the bare ground or on a rock or wood surface. Sometimes they might gather up some scant amount of wood chips or other debris to use for nest insulation.

Turkey vultures usually lay two eggs, which both parents take turns incubating for 28 to 40 days. The parents feed the young by regurgitating food. Granted, this is a hard thing for us to contemplate, but the vulture nestling take to it most eagerly. The young birds will fledge after 65 to 88 days. This means that the parents’ most intensive period of chick rearing can last over four months, which represents a monumental effort on their part. Parent vultures also protect their young by regurgitating food in the direction of any would-be predators that dare to come too close to the nest. As you might imagine, this is a great disincentive for visitors to come knocking. I, for one, would happily intercept the spray of a skunk before

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I volunteered to be hit by the partially digested disgorge of a vulture.

One of the most primeval sights one can come across in the wild is a flock of turkey vultures perched in the branches of a craggy old tree. That’s what I encountered while approaching our beaver pond one morning during the summer. This vulture family group was apparently enjoying a siesta. The sky was overcast and that meant that warm air currents (thermals) were not offering the vultures a free lift. The grounded birds seemed to be making the best of things, though; they were preening and lounging in the tree tops and looking like macabre Halloween decorations.

The scene made me recall an experience I had about 16 years earlier – a time I nearly broke my neck right in front of flock of turkey vultures. Talk about feeding the birds! It was a bright July day and I had taken my bicycle out on a local wilderness trail in search of birds.

After cycling for a few miles, I reached an area where the terrain was too rough for my tires. I got off my bike and proceeded on foot. Soon I was tromping over a massive rock outcropping that was riddled with deep crevices. Of course, instead of paying attention to where my feet were going, I was looking up, watching the curious behavior of a flock of low flying vultures. Directly above me, about nine of

the large birds were flying in tight circles. They were obviously exploiting the warm air rising off the stones and getting in a good morning glide. Frequently, they crossed each other’s paths and it seemed only by some miracle they avoided colliding with each other. The group was casting shadows that swirled about in all directions and slid wildly over the rock faces.

The combined effect produced by the birds in the air and the shadows on the rocks was mesmerizing. Well, you can probably guess what’s coming next: Still walking, I stepped right into a crevice and fell straight down. Fortunately for me, my descent abruptly halted when the bicycle I had been carrying over my shoulder hit the top of the crevice’s walls and bridged the gap between them. With my feet dangling, I managed to pull myself up and onto the surface. Obviously, that day the vultures lost out on a rather stringy meal and I survived to wonder if they did that to me on purpose. Were they trying to hypnotize me? I’ve never heard of this “dazzling” tactic described in any naturalist journal. Perhaps no victim has ever survived to tell the tale.

For the last four years I’ve been watching a pair of turkey vultures that have apparently adopted a collapsed farm building as a breeding site. I haven’t seen the nest itself, but the birds’ presence there for consecutive breeding sea-

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A pair of Turkey Vultures perch together near the nest site

sons suggests that there is one. I thought about getting permission to access the site in order to confirm the nest, but the truth is that I’d rather not risk being thrown up on, so I think I’ll curb my curiosity just this once. Perched so close together on a nearby barn roof, the pair appears quite devoted to each other. Still, they make strange and ungainly lovebirds. Seriously though, turkey vultures are committed partners. A pair will mate for life and only take another partner if one of them dies. Their courtship behavior is interesting and has long been something I’ve wanted to study. Thankfully, as far as I know there is no regurgitation involved.

The part of courtship that I have observed is the

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The Northern Harrier also flies with its wings held in a shallow “V” profile

flight display that consists of the male closely following behind the female and occasionally engaging in some aerial dives. However, what really intrigues me is the bizarre courtship dance that turkey vultures allegedly perform.

The ritual can involve several participants (or witnesses) – all standing in a circle. Displaying birds hop around the circle while alternately lifting their feet up high and holding their

wings out. It sounds like quite the spectacle to me! Perhaps it’s the vulture’s answer to square-dancing.

Turkey vultures have few natural enemies.

Their most vulnerable time is when nesting, and that puts nest predators at the top of the list of the creatures they must guard against.

Pilfering difficult-to-access nests is primarily a job for that most agile masked bandit – the raccoon, but other notorious egg stealers like the Virginia opossum won’t pass up a chance to partake of a large unguarded egg. The great horned owl may attack a nesting parent at night while he or she sits on the nest, but few other predators show any interest in taking on vultures. Occasionally, they are illegally shot.

Last spring one wounded bird took refuge in a barn after it was peppered with buckshot. The unfortunate bird was brought to a wildlife rehabilitator, but it didn’t survive. Vultures, eagles and other scavengers are also subject to poisoning when they ingest lead pellets while feeding on carcasses of game not recovered by hunters. One thing is for certain, as long as the use of lead ammunition continues, raptors will continue to perish unnecessarily.

The Derby Hill Hawk Watch site in Oswego is one of the country’s premier sites to observe migrating raptors. I highly recommend a visit there, particularly on spring days that

feature strong winds out of the south. From the last few days of February through the first days of June, thousands of hawks belonging to at least 15 species will pass by Derby on their way north along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

For most of them, their destinations are breeding grounds in Canada. In spring 2014, a total of 56,531 raptors were counted by the official hawk counter at Derby Hill. Of that number, precisely 22,438 were turkey vultures. That ranked as the highest tally ever recorded at Derby for a single spring season. Last year on April 2nd alone, a count of 4,318 vultures was logged, which also set a record for the number of vultures counted in a single day. Clearly, turkey vultures numbers have come a long way from the two that were recorded by Egbert Bagg in the late 1800s. • Matt Perry is Conservation Director and resident naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in Clinton. He manages a 260 acre nature preserve which is open for tours by appointment. Matt is also regional editor of “The Kingbird”, which is a quarterly publication put out by the New York State Ornithological Association. Matt writes a weekly blog about the nature preserve, which can be found at: talesfromthewilds.blogspot.com

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Herkimer county historical society

women of the valley

by Sue Perkins

This year marks the 35th year of celebrating Women’s History Month and Women’s History Project. I have chosen four women who lived in Herkimer County: a teacher/principal, a genealogist, a musician and a philanthropist.

Teacher/principal–Margaret Tuger (1864-1929) was the daughter of German immigrants, Adam (1833-1864) and Eva Tuger Compa (1832-1907). Her father, Adam, was killed at Hatcher’s Run during the Civil War, leaving Eva to raise Margaret and her sister, Marian (1862-1927). Eva remarried Frederick Compa in 1867.

She graduated from Baldwinsville High School and went to LaPorte, IN, to work in a mill sewing buttons. She came back to New York State, where she taught school in Lysander, Amboy and Baldwinsville. In August 1891, she came to South Side School in Herkimer to become a principal and teacher. The enrollment rose in 1916, and she gave up the teaching position and became full-time principal. The school was attended by immigrant children who were frightened, usually poorly dressed and rarely spoke English. Margaret helped them assimilate into the community and their new country.

Tuger was a disciplinarian, exchanging her rattan cane for her “Old Faithful” (wooden

stick), which was used on students who misbehaved. She was also a very patriotic person and loved a parade. She organized a school drum and bugle corps.

On Jan. 25, 1932, South Side School was named Tuger School. A portrait and bronze tablet were unveiled with fitting tribute in her honor.

She also was very active in the Red Cross.

She became the first secretary of the Red Cross Board in 1917. She was a soloist in St. Francis choir and a member of Court Halpin, Catholic Daughters of America. She also sold Liberty Bonds.

Tuger died in Oct., 1939 at Herkimer Hospital. Her first funeral service took place on Oct. 7th at St. Anthony’s. Her remains were then moved to the Tuger school gymnasium to repose in state. The Tony R. George Post served as honor guard. Her remains were then taken to Burns Funeral Home for visitation.

The second funeral service took place on October 9th at St. Francis de Sales. She was laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Baldwinsville.

Genealogist – Hazel Patrick (19012000) was the daughter of Bert H. (1872-1965) and Mary E. (Rasbach) Crill (1872-1946). Patrick had a brother, who died young, and sisters Edna and Ruth. She graduated from Herkimer High School in 1918 and Albany State College in 1922. She taught school in Middletown and Herkimer, and married Andrew Patrick (19051969) in 1926. They lived on Pine Grove Road in East Herkimer.

Patrick was an active member of the Herkimer Reformed Church, Order of the Eastern Star and the General Nicholas Herkimer Chapter of the D.A.R. She was a staff member at the Herkimer County Historical Society, where she spent many hours doing genealogical research, answering requests and indexing newspaper obituaries and marriages from 1825-1930. Patrick wrote and compiled seven genealogies about Mohawk Valley families, including Rasbachs (her family), Bellinger, Casler, Harter, Herkimer, Kast and Petrie.

She died in 2000 at the Mohawk Homestead. After her death, two file cabinets of genealogical material were donated to the historical society for future generation to use. She was an amazing lady with a kind heart.

Musician – Mary Zoller, a.k.a. Polly Jenkins, (19031983) was the daughter of George (18771955) and Bessie Riley Zoller (1882-1942).

Zoller had siblings George, Charles, Iola, Ve r o n i c a s ,

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Zoller was educated in Mohawk schools.

She first played piano professionally at the Bates Theater in Mohawk when she was 13 years old. In the 1920s, she and her family lived on Elizabethtown Road in the Town of Columbia. By 1930, they were living at 18 W. State Street in Ilion.

She formed a partnership with Erlau Wilcox of Ilion. He had a stock group that performed from Maine to Florida. At various times, she worked for area radio stations, including WRUN and from 1935-37 for WIBX as staff pianist, where she starred in “Musical Miss,” “Mary at the Piano” and, finally, “Polly and Uncle Dan’s Breakfast Club.” That was the first time she used the name Polly Jenkins. In 1938, the group made a movie with one of her Plow Boys, “Uncle Dan”, a.k.a. Erlau Wilcox, and Gene Autry called “The Man from Music Mountain.”

During World War II, Polly and the Plowboys entertained on hundreds of USO tours.

Some of the repertoire they played included “Let’s Stop Feuding, Sarah Jane,” “Beyond the Rio Grande” and “In a Little Deserted Town on the Prairie.” The group broke up in the late 1940s.

After the breakup of the group, Zoller taught piano and accordion for 13 years in Ilion. She was a member of the Christian Science Church in Herkimer and taught Sunday school there and, of course, played piano. One year she was my Sunday school teacher. I never knew her stage name of Polly Jenkins until I worked at the Herkimer County Historical Society.

Philanthropist – Helen Curtis Marshall (ca. 1832-1910) was born in Mohawk in 1832, the daughter of Alfred (1802-1888) and Susan (Peterson) Curtis (ca.1801-1879). She had two brothers, General James E. Curtis and Lieut.

Lewis Curtis.

Marshall was educated in Mohawk schools. She married Alphonso Delos Marshall (ca. 1819-1881) of Mohawk at the home

of her parents in Mohawk on Sept. 20, 1877, by the Rev. J.G. Lansing of the Mohawk Reformed Church. The Marshalls never had any children. Their home was located on East Main Street in Mohawk, where the property extended back to what is today Marshall Avenue.

After her death, the Odd Fellows bought the Marshall home for their temple.

Marshall travelled worldwide and brought back special plants and flowers to plant in her garden in Mohawk. Her favorite flower to lecture on was the “passion flower.” She was even a Class N Judge for flowers and plants at the Herkimer County Agricultural Fair Sept.

14-16, 1880.

She also was a member of the Mohawk Reformed Church, serving as officer of the various societies.

A destitute teacher had approached her for aid, thus prompting Marshall to organize a group of ladies to get them interested in establishing a home for retired teachers. She also was the founder and president of the Old Ladies Home in Mohawk. The home of Thomas Cunningham was purchased for the home, which was chartered on Oct. 19, 1895, and incorporated on Jan. 6, 1896. The Board of Directors was made up of 17 Board of Managers: Emma S. Morgan, Flora Snell, Ella Stone, Eliza Fox, Minnie Van Allen, Helen Marshall, Ella Churchill, Marcella Usher, Ellen Searles Munger, Elizabeth Gilbert, Helen Case Waite, Addie Rasbach, Amanda Rudd, Ellen Harter, Helen Ingham, Alice Harter and Harriet Russell. Marshall was elected as its first president; she was reelected every year until her death in 1910. On Oct. 28, 1896, Sallie Howlett became the first resident, but the home didn’t officially open until 1897. On Oct. 18, 1897, a celebration took place for the opening of the home, which

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subsisted mainly on residents’ room and board payments, donations and revenue from various fund-raising events.

The mortgage was burned in August 1904; at that time there were 12 rooms. In 190607, the east wing was built; now there was room for 27. In 1962, another addition was added. In 1967, the name changed to the Mohawk Homestead. By 1977, there were 39 rooms. Another addition was built in 1984. In 1991, it was an ambulatory care home for adults with a fee for service. The 100th anniversary of the home was celebrated in 1995 with room for 42 residents.

Marshall died at the home of Truman and Flora Getman Snell on March 5, 1910. She died without a will. • Sources for this month’s article: Little Falls Journal & Courier dated August 17, 1880 and October 19, 1915, “Happy Birthday Mohawk 150th 1844-1994” by Lillian Gaherty 1994, and the 1850-1940, obituaries, and surname files.

Sue Perkins is the Executive Director of the Herkimer County Historical Society and historian for the town of Manheim.

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Sara Goodney (far right) shops at Tim’s Crafts Shoppe—now moved to our tool shed at Shawangunk (with Tim, Peg, and our three daughters)

Chapter 6

TALES FROM

SHAWANGUNK

Shawangunk nature preserve, cold brook

by Peggy Spencer Behrendt In 1974, Tim and Peggy Spencer Behrendt set off on an adventure. They began a new life in the woods of Cold Brook, NY, without modern conveniences like electricity or indoor plumbing. These are excerpts and reflections from Peggy’s journal chronicling their adventures. See issues 1-12 for her diaries from their first year.

“Sap’s a-Runnin’!” it says on my old tea towel. “With warm days and freezing nights, sweet impetuous life stirs in the woods.” With a long auger, we bore into a few soft maples by our house and tap in some spouts to collect this elixir. Like nursing children we lick the first drops on the spouts. It is faint with maple essence and even fainter in sweetness but deliciously fresh and pure.

We boil it on the wood stove; our cottage fills with fog and the windows steam

64

up. When it starts to rain inside from evaporated water dripping from the ceiling, we decide to just enjoy an occasional glass of un-concentrated maple sap. (It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.)

When I married Tim, we had no idea we’d end up here at Shawangunk, a deep forest wilderness where our community and nearest neighbors consist of wild animals, annoying but beautiful bugs and melodious birds; where the nearest grocery store is in the garden and root cellar; our church is the cathedral dignity of ancient hemlocks; our ablutions are in fresh, flowing spring waters; and Tim’s Fair Trade Crafts Shoppe is a short walk down a balsam-scented woodland path to a corner of our tool shed.

When we first married, we lived in a busy village parsonage where Tim had created a little village farm with a large, organic garden, two sheep, two chickens and a sweet lit-

tle pony, who unfortunately met a painful demise by eating too many green apples from the tree by his corral.

Tim had just guided his church through an extensive and expensive restoration project with the expertise of Ed Hinge and Bill Bradbury. It attracted a loosely-knit, alternative community of people drawn together by opposition to the Vietnam War and concern about growing environmental degradation.

A cute restaurant called the Greenhouse Café was started by our feminist friend, Annie in 1972. A big work party helped get an old dance studio spruced up, and soon we were all drinking herbal tea, playing acoustic music and savoring original natural foods concoctions the three ladies of the Greenhouse, Annie, Penny and Cathy, created in the upstairs kitchen.

Across the street was the Sunflower Natural Foods Store that my former roommate,

From top to bottom: •1975 Peg washes our quilts by hand in the woods •The community gets together to fix up Annie’s Cafe, 1972 •1973 Tim in his village Fair Trade Crafts Shoppe •Tim winks at Peg in the middle of the fun at the Greenhouse Cafe

Beth, also started in 1972 with $50 investments Tim helped solicit from friends.

In the back was Tim’s Crafts Shoppe with hand-crafted Third World items that helped support destitute native people around Dr. Theo Binder’s hospital in Peru.

The community hall held the New School, dances, drama workshops and a Friday Night Youth Center that Tim and Gary chaperoned, sponsoring occasional dances for huge numbers of lively area teens with rock music that reverberated throughout the center of the village.

We even offered our own candidate for Mayor. “This Town Needs a King!” was the slogan, as indeed, our candidate’s last name was King. But I guess they didn’t want a king. He didn’t get elected.

Tim and our friend Barb started a town recycling program that was one of the seeds that started the Herkimer/Oneida County Recycling Program.

One couple in our community had been arrested for pouring cattle blood on the Pentagon steps to symbolize the Vietnam slaughter. (Attempts to hose it off simply caused it

to spread). Tim participated in the first anti-war protest march in Utica with only a handful of people, closely supervised by disapproving police.

He formed a “Citizens for Clean Water Committee” to stop toilet paper and raw sewage from some dwellings that were illegally empting into the creek where his and other children played. If newspaper notices and personal letters to the offenders offering financial help to put in leach fields got no reaction, he and some friends stopped up the pipes with plastic after 30 days. As a result, the creek eventually became clean and safe.

My new husband was in the middle of this all, orchestrating, implementing, supporting, speaking out and creating controversy. I simply enjoyed it, singing and playing tunes by John Denver, Joni Mitchel, Judy Collins and, like some of my new friends, attending church in bare feet when it was warm enough. One Sunday, to comfort the older folks who were unhappy with the appearance of the youth with their patched and raggedy jeans, long hair, and bell bottoms Tim announced: “Clothes aren’t important; it’s the qualities we embody that are.” But some thought he was advocating public nudity. When a bearded stranger was seen streaking (nude) through the village, some thought it might be Tim and, of course, it wasn’t!

All this controversy finally caused too much stress and we realized it was time to move on. There were other churches that would need ministerial help and re-construction projects.

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Tim hanging quilt, 1975

we moved in 1974. It took time for us to adjust, but the chickens instantly loved it. Henny and Penny were totally calm, contentedly scratching and clucking from the moment they arrived.

We wondered, at first, if the darting squirrels, birds and rabbits with their head jerks and sudden stretches to look about constantly were in a state of fearful paranoia. No, we eventually realized. Like we do when we’re driving a car, they are simply practicing automatic survival alertness to movements, light changes and tiny sounds that are beyond our

awareness. Eventually, we, like them, would become more sensitive and aware of the subtleties of this wild land.

“What’s that rustling noise over there?”

“Yeah! It sounds big.”

“Do you think we should run inside or go investigate?”

We investigate. Ha! It’s just a returning robin scratching and tossing around dry leaves in melted patches of forest to search for sleepy bugs and worms awakened by the warm spring sunlight.

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running back in fright from a twilight walk along the old Shawangunk road, breathlessly telling us about the huge animal he heard stalking him in the woods. When he stopped, it stopped. When he moved, it moved. Again, we investigate. It turns out to be a porcupine walking further into the woods, in the same direction, moving and stopping with our friend at the same time to avoid notice.

We moved Tim’s Fair Trade Crafts Shoppe down a balsam-scented trail to a cute little corner in our tool shed where the children and I could purchase gifts, and our

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Your independent Cub Cadet dealer •Expert service •Locally owned for 26 years!

Service on most makes and models of snow, lawn, and garden equipment.

Custom Woodcraft Quality Cabinetry & Furniture Crafted exclusively for you 2509 Perry Shumaker Road Munnsville (315) 843-4243

1-800-843-3202 66

Winter: Open by Request

sheep were adopted by Laurie Roberts, who stayed up long nights in spring helping the adorable little lambs come to birth. We continued to shop at the Sunflower, where we bought much of the food we couldn’t grow and paid our daughters to work there occasionally, getting valuable job experience and giving the shopkeepers much needed time off.

In spring, now, I wash winter quilts and blankets in the fresh waters we pull from the brook in buckets. We’d sold our hand-pumped, antique washing machine to buy land, so I use special plungers or my hands to swish and agitate the items in a large, round galvanized tub. I love doing laundry outdoors by hand that Tim helps hang on the line by the woodpiles where the sun is bright.

I hear the returning song of lofty geese in the distance and my heart soars with them. Yes, it’s time to return to the earth. It is spring after the long cold. Water is dripping madly off our roof and Misty Brook is so excited by seeping snow melt trickling from everywhere, it’s hard to tell where her intangible borders begin and end.

The geese get closer and louder until they sail right overhead, almost touching the tops of the swamp alders. I reach up as if to touch them and hear the swish of their wings beating a gentle rhythm between the triple forte of their calls.

I make narrow plant boxes out of cedar clapboards. It’s comforting to handle soil again and watch little seedlings emerge, white necks curving upward toward the light, lifting tiny heads with a cap of seed hull From top to bottom: •1987 our daughters work at the Sunflower Natural Food Store •Peg with one of our new lambs

GARRO DRUGS 704 Bleecker Street, Utica NY 315.732.6915

PRESCRIPTIONS • COMPOUNDING DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FREE Prescription Pick Up & Delivery We accept ALL Medicaid managed care plans including Fidelis, Excellus BCBS, United Health Care. We also accept CVS Caremark, Veterinary Prescriptions for your pets, We process No Fault and Worker’s Compensation Claims

Serving “The Heart of Utica” Since 1910 67

clinging tenaciously on the growing green leaves.

I must constantly move them about so they don’t cook to death on sunny days in the windows of the hot loft but it’s our only good source of light.

1983. We’ve been here for nine years and would like to get a phone, but it’s too expensive to have a line brought down our road a whole half mile. Tim’s friend Patrick Harney offers to help buy a spool of cable, and the phone company gives us permission to hook it up.

One spring day, Pat shows up with it sporting a WWI aviator’s helmet for the auspicious occasion. We find it can’t be rolled, it has to be dragged and wrestled for many exhausting hours through heavy brush and brambles, around, over and under fallen trees, through swamp and bog and, finally, over Misty Brook.

At long last, Pat’s expertise gets us connected. We hear a dial tone and are ecstatic. We call our kids, our parents….

“Guess what! We have a phone at last! Yes, we can hardly believe it, too! Isn’t it wonderful, we can talk whenever we want!”

We can hardly stop laughing and decide it calls for some toasts. I have some sherry a wedding couple gave us.

We’re tired and hungry but surprisingly, Tim (who did all the heavy work) is still bubbling over with joy. I just start thinking that I’ve never seen him so happy, when his gleeful face suddenly transforms to abject misery and he announces: “I don’t feel well! I don’t feel well at all!”

He’s exhausted and dizzy. We didn’t realize sherry is more concentrated than wine and we’re not accustomed to drinking much anyway.

He needs to rest, but he can’t climb into the loft by himself. Finally, I push with my shoulders while he weakly struggles up and moans into bed.

We have a rainbow mix of five old VWs sprinkled among the trees near our parking

area. It helps to have free car parts on our skimpy budget. I’m a little embarrassed, but we pretend they are decoration. I despise the task of towing them. It’s a dangerous, hair-raising experience of stress and terror. If you start up with a jerk, you could pull a bumper off, or even tear apart a frame. And how to avoid a rear-end collision if the tow car brakes too suddenly or you’re coasting downhill?

On the way home from Rome in a sudden snow storm, a State Trooper stops us and takes pity when he sees our situation. I’m taking my turn in the tow car, peering out the open window in the cold wind, blinking away snowflakes, and Tim is trying to keep a steady pull on rapidly freezing and snowy roads.

Tim works hard to fix up the best one to sell. Our friend Henry is interested in something that would be easy to park in Utica. He squeezes his bulky frame behind the wheel while Tim points out the great mileage and maneuverability of a VW. “And this one has a classy sun roof you can look through!” Tim declares like a used car salesman.

Henry leans back to look up. The Bondo glue Tim used to secure his seat to the floor of the car bursts loose and suddenly Henry’s knees are up in the air and his head is resting on the back seat.

“Yes, you do get a good view through it,” he notes optimistically.

Together, we push him back upright and head off for the test drive. As it nears dusk, Henry turns on the headlights.

“Oh, I can see the tops of the trees!” he exclaims in delight. One of the headlights is pointing up, offering a well-lit view of tree tops that Henry, once again, seems to appreciate rather than be troubled by. (He is more inclined toward artistry than practical issues.)

Tim promises to fix the problems, assur-

A special dinner at the Greenhouse Cafe after our wedding

ing him that the brakes, tires, engine and frame are good, and Henry buys it. We don’t think it gets much use, though, because we see it in the same parking lot in Utica, gathering dust and fallen leaves for months to come.

We learn that everything is an experiment and an adventure with ups and downs that we ride through as best we can with courage, grace and good humor, forgiving the hurt and learning from the mistakes. As Joni Mitchell wrote in her song “Woodstock”: “Life is for learning.”

Look for more from Peggy’s memoirs next month.

The Shawangunk Nature Preserve is a deep ecology, forever wild, 501©(3), learning and cultural center. Tim and Peggy still live there and can be contacted through their website.

www.shawangunknaturepreserve.com

Simply Blue-tiful!

9663 River Rd., Marcy

Fresh Haddock • Giambotta

Serving all your favorite homemade comfort foods!

Breakfast Served All Day! 4662 Commercial Drive, New Hartford • 736-0662

Gold • Diamonds • Gems • Custom Designs • Repairs

Take Out & Delivery!

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2/6/15 12:47 PM

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Mushroom Stew • Chicken & Biscuits Meatloaf Goulash & More!

Mon.-Th. 6am-2pm, Fri. 6am-8pm, Sat. 6am-1pm, Sun. 7am-1pm

Spring is Here!

Just don’t look out your window,

Look in our Window! if you miss “Click” and “Clack”, come and visit the maugeri brotherstom and mike!

It doesn’t matter if the noise is “ga-zing ga-zing” or “thumpity, click click”, the Maugeri Brother’s team Knows what’s wrong with my car!

Tim Reed

on the web: www.maugerisauto.com and facebook!

Utica, NY

For Complete Auto Engine Repair & Maintenance: 501 Albany St., Utica (315) 733-5033 For Collision Repair & Body Maintenance: 402 State St., Utica (315)735-4488

Pulse LMR ad Rev 3.75x5_Layout 1 5/21/2014 1:36 PM Page 1

LUXURY

Tuesday-Saturday: 11am-5pm, Thursday til 6pm

11 W. Park Row, Clinton 853-5299 Like us on facebook @ The Village Crossing

Try our wood fired brick oven pizzas!

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Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at our new full bar additionYou’ve worked hard to plan a beautiful outdoor event, the right Luxury Mobile Restroom can make it perfect.

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Black Dog Saloon!

t& Take Oeury!

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DiCastro’s BRICK OVEN

Call 336-0671

615 Erie Blvd. W., Rome Open M-Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10, Sun 12-8

Lead paint poisoning affects over one million children today.

Learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech delays, violent behavior and, in rare cases, seizures and even death: these are just some of the effects lead paint poisoning has on young children. If your home was built before 1978, lead paint on your walls, doors, windows and sills may be dangerous. And it’s not just large paint chips that can cause damage. In fact, three granules of lead dust are enough to poison your child. Let’s make all kids lead-free kids. To learn more about the simple steps you can take to safeguard your family, log on to LEADFREEKIDS.org or call 800-424-LEAD.

70

Oneida County Health Department under leadership of Oneida County Executive, Anthony J. Picente, Jr. For more information contact Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 315-266-6147.

march

GAllery Guide From House Pets to Endangered Species: Prints and Drawings by Beth Van Hoesen

Neal H. Allen “Skylines & Shorelines�

March 1-June 14, 2015

Cherry Branch Gallery

Arkell Museum

2 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, NY (518) 673-2314 www.arkellmuseum.org

March 7- April 1, 2015 25 Main Street, Cherry Valley (607) 264-9530 www.cherrybranchgallery.com

THIS, Collage by Kyle Riecker

Foothill Weavers & Fiber Arts Guild March 28- May 2, 2015 Opening reception March 28 , 4-6pm

March 4-April 4, 2015 Opening reception Wed., March 4, 6-8pm Electronic musicians, White Noise

Barrett Fine Art Gallery

The Dev

41 Devereux St., Utica, NY (315) 732-1340 www.thedevutica.com

Utica College, 1600 Burrstone Road, Utica, NY (315) 792-5289 www.utica.edu/gallery

A primitive mix of new and old purposeful clutter, handmades including wreaths, dolls, ornies, grubby prims, cabinets, framed prints, bird houses, finds, signs, seasonal wares & one of a kinds!

Kountry Market Your Source for:

Bulk Foods & Spices Canned Goods, Candies, Jams, Deli Meats & Cheeses, Yogurt, Baked Goods, Outdoor Furniture, Gifts & More!

6170 Valley Mills St., Munnsville (315) 495-2470 Tue - Sat: 10-5, Sun: 11-4

Kiln Dried Hardwoods

4/4 to 8/4 all grades

Delivery Available Greater Utica & Mohawk Valley

The Olde

w

For price sheets: (607) 286-9201 or PO Box 386, Portlandville, NY 13834 Manufacture Outlet Hours: M-Fri: 8-4:30, Sat: 8-12

145 County Highway 35A, Portlandville, NY

6505 Route 5, Vernon, NY 13476 (315) 829-3035 Mon-Wed 9-5, Thur-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4

71

Phyllis Pratt Watercolors

MVCC Faculty Select Student Show

March 5-27, 2015 Opening reception: Thursday, March 5, 5-7pm

March 10- April 3, 2015 Art lecture/reception: Tues., March 10, 1pm

Fusion Art Gallery

Juergensen Gallery

Information Technology building, MVCC Campus 1101 Sherman Drive Utica, NY www.mvcc.edu/gallery

8584 Turin Rd, Rome (315) 338-5712 www.photoshoppeofrome.com

Guess Who? Community Art Project Through March 27 Closing reception: March 27, 2015 5-7pm

Kirkland Art Center

9 1/2 East Park Row, Clinton, NY (315) 853-8871 www.kacny.org

Tina Betz, Martha Deming & Leigh Yardley March 2 -27, 2015 Opening: Wed., March 4 4:30-6:30pm

Traveling Perspective, Rachel Boucher

Gannett Gallery

Kirkland Town Library

March 2-30 , 2015 Opening reception: March 5, 6-8pm

Kunsela Hall SUNYIT, Utica, NY (315) 792-7819 www.sunyit.edu

55 1/2 College Street, Clinton, NY (315) 853- 2038 www.kirklandtownlibrary.org

Coming Soon to

The new movie theater in Rome everybody is talking about!

234 W. Dominick St.

ROME CAPITOL THEATRE Frank Capra’s

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON Friday, March 27, 7:00 pm Sat., March 28, 2:30 & 7:00 pm

Capra’s Capitol Hill classic comes to the Capitol Screen. Starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains.

Adults $6.50, Capitol Friends $5.50, Children (12 & under) $2.50.

Rome

Part of the Capitol Theatre’s New Arts Complex

Independent movies, art films, foreign films, and old favorites you can’t see anywhere else in Oneida County! Presented with new, state-of-the-art digital projection at popular prices!

The World Famous GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

Friday, April 24, 7:00 pm

Playing the all-time greatest hits of the 1930s & ‘40s. Sponsored by the Gunther Group. RESERVED SEATING Adults $22, Seniors (62+) $16, Capitol Friends $13, Children (12 & under) $8.

Rome Arts Hall of Fame Sunday, April 26, 4:00 pm

SHOWTIMES THURSDAY THRU SUNDAY at 7:30 pm 4:00 pm MATINEES SATURDAY & SUNDAY.

For tickets, call 72

(315)

337-6453.

Paying tribute to those who have influenced the arts in Rome, New York.

Refreshments will be served.

Adults $15, Students $10, Family Rate $40.

For full schedule or to buy tickets online, visit

www.romecapitol.com

Annual Figurative Show & Exhibits

Student Art Show

Through March 28, 2015 Featuring the work of Mary Fragapane, Maggie Alerding, and Alyssa Mitchell

Extended to March 31, 2015 Featuring MVCA student artists.

Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts

Rome Art & Community Center

401 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY (315) 823-0808 www.mohawkvalleyarts.org

308 West Bloomfield Street, Rome, NY (315) 336-1040 www.romeart.org

Honoring the Life & Work of Sunithi Bajekal

Mindscapes: A solo exhibition by Joel Young

Through March 28, 2015 Opening reception: Friday, March 6, 6-9pm Reception will include: · works for sale, proceeds to go to The Other Side and special trust established in Sunithi’s name · Dedication of The Other Side gallery space · Poetry reading · Indian refreshments

Studio PK101 247

March 2-April 3, 2015 Artist reception March 6, 7-9:30pm Erie Blvd West, Rome, NY (315) 271-1667 www.studiopk101.com

The Other Side

2011 Genesee St. Utica, NY www.theothersideutica.org

Alice Valenti: Branches

Looking Back: images inspired by lost treasures and antique photographs

Through April 5, 2015 Winner of last year’s Winter Air exhibit, Valenti describes her work “to exist as an independent world, with its own rhythm of light, color, form, and line that unifies the viewer’s visual experience.”

Through March 31, 2015 Featuring new work by Stu Eichle, Denise Allen and Pat Mallinson

View

Picture Perfect Gallery

3273 Route 28, Old Forge, NY (315) 369-6411 www.viewarts.org

5 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, NY (518) 673-3066 www.pictureperfectartgallery.com

Having an art opening? Let us know. Email: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com Fairy Gardens!

Your Hometown Florist!

Come Grow with Us! Seeds and Seeds Starting Supplies

Palm Sunday Open House

March 28 & 29, 10-5 • Lilies, Hyacinths, Daffodils, Tulips Gift Cards!

Gift Shoppe!

Open 10am-5pm 7 days a week

2774 Oneida St., Sauquoit, NY (315) 737-8181

MV Comics Featuring Rome artist & “Bob the Squirrel” creator, Frank Page!

Catch Bob every day in the Rome Sentinel or at www.BobtheSquirrel.com

Foothills Mercantile

The BIG RED BARN filled to the rafters with antiques and vintage pieces, collectibles, glassware, furniture, accessories, and dealer supplies in all price ranges.

Over 20 Vendors!

Open Thursday-Sunday: 10-5:30 8124 Route 12, Barneveld (315) 896-2681 74

COSMIC BOWLING Friday Nights 9:30pm to 12am Saturday Nights 10:30pm to 1am

OPEN BOWLING DAILY!

Bowling Birthday Parties!

Pizza $8.95 Happy Meal $9.95 per child We do Adult Parties too!

STATE BOWL

17 E. State St., Ilion • 315-894-4862 www.statebowlingventer.com

GENESEE JOE’S LIVE & LOCAL:

hip hop artist “loyalty” Antonio Harris is his given name, and Loyalty is what he goes by. Either way, his story is impressive. Born HIV free to a mother with AIDS and to a dad who died from the disease, Loyalty was the man of the house at age 6. He lived in New Jersey and took care of his mom until OCFS sent him to Utica and the House of the Good Shepherd. It was through his years there that he started to write the poetry that turned into his songs. By the time Loyalty became an adult, he had produced and released albums and designed his own clothing line. He also earned an associate’s degree along the way.

When it comes to music, Loyalty released four albums. Soldier was first and 5-25-89 second. It is about growing, becoming better known, and gaining a following and audience. That marked the transformation from Antonio to Loyalty.

CD three was I Made It. This album is about the emergence from the House of the Good Shepherd and the system to Loyalty’s existence as a respectable, artistic and cool guy living his life in his 20s. That life includes regular jobs fueled by his passion for music.

As a longtime musician who has been around musicians and bands my whole life, I may not be a hip-hop aficionado, but I know

when I hear a record that has “IT.” Loyalty definitely has “IT,” that special quality.

His songs can be heard on ReverbNation; they sound ready for more radio play.

His tunes have already played on KISS FM. Loyalty’s latest endeavor is Built 2 Win. This fourth album seems to be not only his new CD’s title but his motto for life as well.

In a recent conversation, Loyalty said he has some big works on the horizon, and I know some major labels have met with him.

He has some ground to cover and leg work to do but, if anybody can do it, this is the guy. Loyalty--remember that name. Check out Loyalty on Facebook www.facebook.com/loyalty2you?fref=ts and ReverbNation http://www.reverbnation.com/loyaltysnation.

Listen to Loyalty’s new song “Bad Boy,” among others.

Listen to Genesee Joe live on 92.7FM, The DRIVE.

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Advertiser Directory please support Our sponsors, they make this magazine possible Alpaca Products Paca Gardens, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Awards & Engraving Speedy Awards, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Animal Sanctuary Spring Farm CARES, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Bakeries & Pastry Shops Bazan Bakery, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cafe Divino, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe, Utica . . . . . . . . . . .

Florentine Pastry Shop, Utica . . . . . . . . . . .

Heidelberg Baking Company, Herkimer . . . .

Remsen Country Bakery, Remsen . . . . . . . . . .

Star Bakery, Whitesboro and Utica . . . . . . . . .

Antiques Back of the Barn, Remsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Bittersweet Pines, Westmoreland . . . . . . . . . 76 Black Cat Antiques, Earlville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Foothills Mercantile, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . 74 Little Falls Antique Center, Little Falls . . . . . . 46 Mohawk Antiques Mall, Mohawk . . . . . . . . . 49 Newport Marketplace, Newport . . . . . . . . . . 37 Oneida Commons Vendor Mall, Oneida . . . . 60 The Potting Shed Antiques, Whitesboro . . . . . 49 Treasures Lost & Found, New Hartford . . . . . 9 Vernon Variety Shoppes, Vernon . . . . . . . . . 45 Vintage Furnishings & Collectibles, Utica . . . 9 Weeden’s Mini Mall, Blossvale . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The White House, Holland Patent . . . . . . . . . . 44 Art Classes Full Moon Art Center, Camden . . . . . . . . 41 Art Galleries Full Moon Art Center, Camden . . . . . .

Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . .

Picture Perfect, Canajoharie . . . . . . . . . .

View, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41 51 18 55

Art and Picture Framing Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Fynmore Studios, New Hartford/Boonville . . 48 Auto Dealerships Steet Ponte Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Automotive Repair Clinton Collision, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Maugeri’s, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Precision Unlimited Car Care, Kirkland . . . . 77

52 35 44 62 45 57 48

Bike Shops Dick’s Wheel Shop, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Bowling State Bowl featuring Cosmic Bowling, Ilion . . . . . 74 Books Berry Hill Book Shop, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . . 9 Life Discovery, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Cabinets and Kitchens Custom Woodcraft, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Knotty By Nature, Bridgewater . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Camping and Hiking Supply Plan B, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Catering A Movable Feast, New Hartford . . . . . . . . .

Cafe Crete, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Club Monarch, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DiCastro’s Too, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dominick’s Deli & Catering, Herkimer . . . . .

Kikko’s Bistro and Wine Bar, Rome . . . . . . .

Knuckleheads Brewhouse, Westmoreland . . .

Maria’s Pasta Shop, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mano a Bocca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Papa Joe’s, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rosa’s Trattoria, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Roso’s Cafe & Catering, Utica . . . . . . . . . . .

22 12 54 20 52 24 26 20 58 29 20 31

Spressos, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cheese Jake’s Gouda Cheese, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . . 37 Three Village Cheese, Newport . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clothing Paca Gardens, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 The Village Crossing, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 White Begonia, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Coffee Shops Cafe Divino, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Spressos, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Utica Brews, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Colleges and Schools Morrisville College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Comics Ravenswood Comics, New Hartford . . . . . . 17 Consignment The Queen’s Closet, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Treasures Lost & Found, New Hartford . . . . 9 The Village Basement, New Hartford . . . . . . 60 Delis Kountry Kupboard, Madison . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Olde Kountry Market, Vernon . . . . . . . . . . 71 Diners Charlie’s Place, CLinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Liz’s Mohawk Diner, Mohawk . . . . . . . . . . 11 Riverside Diner, Marcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Village Diner, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Wendy’s Diner, Cassville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Dry Cleaners M & M Cleaners, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

COSMIC BOWLING Cleaners, Inc. Shirt Laundry, Cold Storage & More! (315) 733-0461 Utica: 1323 Rutger St. and 2524 Oneida St. Barneveld: Mapledale Plaza, Rt. 12 North

Under new ownership

76

315-853-3490 clintoncourier.com

Pre-owned Furniture & Decor

Friday Nights 9:30pm to 12am Saturday Nights 10:30pm to 1am

BITTERSWEET PINES

OPEN BOWLING DAILY!

4900 St. Rt. 233, Westmoreland 853-3677 (1.2 mi south of Thruway Exit 32)

Bowling Birthday Parties!

Pizza $8.95 Happy Meal $9.95 per child We do Adult Parties too!

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New subscribers mention this ad and receive 15% off

Nothing captures the essence of your personal creative flair like...

17 E. State St., Ilion • 315-894-4862 www.statebowlingventer.com

Berry Hill Book Shop

Over 75,000 used books!

www.utica-rememberwhen.com

2349 Rte 12-B, Deansboro, NY 315-821-6188 Open Tues-Sat 10-5 dls@berryhillbookshop.com

Estate Sales Attic Addicts, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Potting Shed Antiques, Whitesboro . . . . 49 Events and Entertainment & Open Houses The Capitol Theatre, Rome . . . . . . . . . . .

Hamilton College Performing Arts, Clinton . .

The Stanley, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

White Begonia, Open House: Feb. 28 . . . .

72 37 35 61

Farm Equipment Clinton Tractor, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 White’s Farm Supply, Waterville/Canastota . . 80 Farm Produce and Meats Jones Family Farm, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . .

Redmond’s Red Deer Farm, Holland Patent . . . .

Szarek Farm & Greenhouses, Westmoreland . .

Stoltzfus Family Dairy, Vernon Center . . . . .

Sunnybrook Farm, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . . . .

41 19 65 62 39

Financial Services Turnbull Insurance, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 23 Van Meter & Van Meter, Little Falls . . . . . . . . 73 Fitness Apparel Sneaker Store, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Flooring D&D Carpets of Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Enjem’s Carpet, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Tru-Line Hardwood Flooring, Whitesboro . . 41 Florists Clinton Florist, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Michael’s Greenhouse, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . 73 Village Floral, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Forest Equipment Hud-son Forest Equipment, Barneveld . . . . 28 Funeral Services Nunn & McGrath, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Furniture Adirondack Furniture, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Ironwood Furniture, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Jeff ’s Amish Furniture, Jordanville . . . . . . . . . 15

Furniture Makers Custom Woodcraft, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Garden Centers and Greenhouses Michael’s Greenhouse, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . 73 Szarek Greenhouses, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Gift Shops Artisans’ Corner, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Between Us Sisters, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . .

Butternut Barn, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . .

Cobbler and Company, Sharon Springs . . . . .

Country Connections, Boonville . . . . . . . . . .

The Crafty Hand Craft Mall, Rome . . . . . .

Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hummingbird Kreations, Rome . . . . . . . . .

Life Discovery, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . .

Little Falls Antique Center, Little Falls . . . . . .

Mystical Dragonfly, Richfield Springs . . . .

Newport Marketplace, Newport . . . . . . . . . .

Oneida Commons Vendor Mall, Oneida . . . .

Paca Gardens, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pathway of Pearls, Schuyler . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Remington Country Store, Ilion . . . . . . . . .

Signature 81, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Shoppes at the Finish Line, Utica . . . . . . . .

Sticks n Stones, Waterville . . . . . . . . . . . . .

White Begonia, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Little Falls Fuel, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Hobby Shops Locomotion Hobby, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Hot Air Balloon Trips Royalty Ballooning, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . 21

67 71 66 42 49 58 51 32 53 46 60 37 60 46 49 37 62 37 36 61

Independent Living Acacia Village, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Golf and Recreation Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club, NY Mills . . 62

Manufactured and Modular Home Builders G & I Homes, Utica/Vernon/Oneonta . . . . . 15

Grocery/Convenience Stores B & F Milk Center, Whitesboro. . . . . . . . . .

The Country Store, Dolgeville . . . . . . . . . . .

Deansboro Superette, Deansboro . . . . . . . . .

Meelan’s Market, Clark Mills . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mohawk Village Market, Mohawk . . . . . . .

Olde Kountry Market, Vernon . . . . . . . . .

Reilly’s Dairy, Inc., Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maple Syrup Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse, West Edmeston . .

Lewis County Maple Tourism . . . . . . .

Shaw’s Maple Products, Clinton . . . . . . .

Tibbits Maple, New Hartford . . . . . . . .

VVS FFA Maple Weekend . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

31 17 13 34 43 71 40

Hardware/Farm & Home Earley Farm and Hardware, Inc., Madison . . . 63 Lincoln Davies, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Morgan’s Hardware, Waterville . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Turner Lumber, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Heating Oil

Insurance Turnbull Insurance, New Hartford . . . . . . . 23 Iron Work - Architectural & Ornamental Raulli’s Iron Works, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Jewelry Clinton Jewelers, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fall Hill Bead & Gem, Little Falls . . . . . . . . .

Goldmine Jewelers, New Hartford . . . . . . .

Lighting Mills Electrical Supply, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22 46 68 63

Liquor Stores and Wine Lotto Liquors, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Seneca Liquor, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Trenton Station Liquor & Wine, Barneveld . . . 32

. . . . .

. . . . .

33 30 31 32 33

Media 1450 WKAL, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

92.7 The Drive WXUR, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Clinton Courier, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Weekly Adirondack, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . .

FOX33/WUTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21 75 20 48 44

Monuments Yorkville Memorials, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

NYS INSPECTIONS • OIL CHANGES • TUNE UPS • COLLISION WORK • AC

Complete Collision and Mechanical Repair Since 1987

7509 Route 5 • Clinton, New York 13323 • Phone 315-853-8804

WWW.UTICAROCKS.COM 77

Museums Goodsell Museum, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Remington Arms Museum, Ilion . . . . . . . . . 37 View, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Natural Food Stores Brenda’s Natural Foods, Rome . . . . . . . . . . .

Cooperstown Naturals, Cooperstown . . . . . .

Peter’s Cornucopia, New Hartford . . . . . . . . .

Sunflower Naturals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tom’s Natural Foods, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . .

31 14 41 35 57

Olive Oils/Balsamic Vinegars Adirondack Oil Co., New Hartford . . . . . . . 52 Opticians Colonial Optical, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Towpath Vision Care, Little Falls . . . . . . . 21 Pet Memorialization and Cremation Forget-Me-Not Pet Memorialization . . . . . . 39 Pet Services One Paw at a Time Pet Salon, Whitesboro . . . 24 Not Just Poodles Pet Salon, Whitesboro . . . 13 Pet Shops Wild Things, New York Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Pharmacies Garro Drugs, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Physical Therapy Inertia Physical Therapy, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Northern Physical Therapy, Utica . . . . . . . . 34 Photography Fusion Art/The Photo Shoppe, Rome . . . . . 51 Pizzerias Bazan Bakery, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 DiCastro’s Brick Oven, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Portable Restrooms Mohawk Ltd., Chadwicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Primitives Between Us Sisters, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . 71 Butternut Barn, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . . . 66 Quilt and Yarn Shops Stash Away Quilt Shoppe, Rome . . . . . . . . 29 Tiger Lily Quilt Co, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

RecordStores Off-Center Records, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ReImagine Records, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 5 Restaurants and Cafés Ann St. Deli, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Black Cat, Sharon Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Cafe Crete, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Cavallos, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Club Monarch, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Copper Moose Ale House, Little Falls . . . . . . 61 DiCastro’s Brick Oven, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Dominick’s Deli, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Georgio’s, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Heidelberg Baking Co., Herkimer . . . . . . . . 45 Hotel Solsville, Solsville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Karam’s Middle East Bakery, NY Mills . . . . 9 The Knight Spot, Frankfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Knuckleheads Brewhouse, Westmoreland . . 26 Mitsuba Hibachi, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . 35 Ohio Tavern, Cold Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Papa Joe’s Restaurant, New Hartford . . . . . . 29 Phoenician Restaurant, New Hartford . . . . . 18 Piccolo Cafe, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Quack’s Village Inn, Madison . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Rosa’s Trattoria, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Roso’s Cafe & Catering, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Sammy & Annie Foods, Utica . . . . . . . . . . 11 Spaghetti Kettle, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Spressos, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Recreational Vehicles CJ Motor Sports, Boonville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Seamstress & Tailors Libbey’s Sew Blessed, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Shoes Karaz Shoes, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Sneaker Store, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 52 The Village Crossing, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . 69 Ski Resorts McCauley Mountain Ski Center, Old Forge . . . 42

Small Engine Repair J.B.’s Small Engine Works, Utica . . . . . . . . 66 Stiefvater Outdoor Power, New Hartford . . . 58

Specialty Wood Wightman Specialty Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Support Groups Obsessive Compulsive, Utica, Mon: 6:30pm . . . 18

Tax Services Briggs Tax Service, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Tourism Lewis County Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Towing Services Clinton Collision, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Trailers, Custom Blizzard Manufacturing, Inc., Boonville . . . . 55 Travel Agencies The Cruise Wizards, Whitesboro . . . . . . . . 43 Websites Utica Remember When . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Utica Rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Weddings and Banquets Cavallos, New Hartford . .

Club Monarch, Yorkville . .

DiCastro’s Too, Rome . . . .

Twin Ponds Golf & Country

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Club, NY Mills . . .

11 54 20 62

Wellness/Alternative Health Therapy Mystical Dragonfly, Richfield Springs . . . . 60 Pathway of Pearls, Schuyler . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Windows RA Dudrak, Holland Patent . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Window Treatments Joan’s Draperies, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . 14 Wine Bars and Ale Houses Cavallos, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Copper Moose Ale House, Little Falls . . . . . 61 Kikko’s Bistro and Wine Bar, Rome . . . . . . . . 24 Wineries Pailshop Vineyards, Fly Creek . . . . . . . . . 24

Soap Cranberry Ridge Goat Milk Soap . . . . . . . . . 25

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3036 State Route 28 Herkimer, NY 13350 (315) 866-5080

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Kubota

More Power Kubota to You! Sales Event More Power to You! Kubota Sales Event More Power to You! Sales Event

Power your projects with Kubota’s Z100 Series residential zero-turn mowers.

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36 36 36

Power your projects% with Kubota’s Z100 Series residential zero-turn mowers. $Power your projects with Kubota’s Z100 Series residential zero-turn mowers. * Down , Financing for up to Months % Financing * Down, , % for up to Months Offer ends 3/31/15. $ $ Down Financing for up to Months* A.P.R.

A.P.R.

A.P.R.

Offer ends 3/31/15.

Offer ends 3/31/15.

White’s Farm Supply, Inc.

4154 Route 31 Canastota (315) 697-2214

962 Route 12 Waterville (315) 841-4181

8207 Route 26 Lowville (315) 376-0300

www.whitesfarmsupply.com

*$0 down,*$0 0%down, A.P.R. for up to on purchases of new Kubota VSSeries) Series)isisavailable available to qualifi ed purchasers from participating 0%financing A.P.R. financing for36 up months to 36 months on purchases of new Kubotaequipment equipment(excluding (excluding VS to qualifi ed purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock throughthrough 3/31/2015.

Example: A 36-month monthly installment term atat0% 0%A.P.R. A.P.R.requires requires payments of $27.78 per $1,000 dealers’ inventory in-stock inventory 3/31/2015.

Example: A 36-month monthly installmentrepayment repayment term 36 36 payments of $27.78 per $1,000 nanced.

0%interest A.P.R. interest is available to customers no dealer documentationpreparation preparationfee fee is charged. charged. Dealer forfor document preparation fee shall in be in financed. fi0% A.P.R. is available to customers if noifdealer documentation Dealercharge charge document preparation fee be shall accordance stateInclusion laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment result a higherblended blendedA.P.R. A.P.R. Not Not available National Accounts or Governmental customers. accordance with statewith laws. of ineligible equipment maymay result in ainhigher availableforforRental, Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers.

0% A.P.R. and low-rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebateequipment offers.Financing Financing is through Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 down, 0% A.P.R. nancing for up tobe36 months on ofinstant new Kubota (excluding VS Series) is Kubota available to qualifi ed purchasers fromDel participating 0% *$0 A.P.R. and low-rate fifinancing may not available withpurchases customer rebate offers. is available available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del Amo Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval.

Some exceptions apply.

Offerexpires expires 3/31/2015. usus forfor details on on these otherother low-rate options or$1,000 in-stock inventory through 3/31/2015.

Example: A 36-month monthly installment repayment term See atSee 0% A.P.R. requires 36and payments of $27.78 per Amodealers’ Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit approval.

Some exceptions apply.

Offer 3/31/2015. details these and low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information.

Optional equipment may be shown. financed.

0% A.P.R. for interest available toOptional customers if no dealer www.kubota.com moreisinformation. equipment maydocumentation be shown. preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in kubota.comgo to kubota.com accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. Not available for Rental, National Accounts or Governmental customers.

0% A.P.R. and low-rate financing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del

© Kubota © Tractor Corporation, 2015 Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015

© Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015