The Country Editor East 5.8.13

The

May 8, 2013

Countryy Editor

Volume 1 Number 4

East

Just good reading

Chicken Check-in ~ Page 3

Happy Mother’s Day!

Bush library exhibits ~ Page 10

Takee a hike Moss Island

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by Richard M. Barrett If you’re looking to spend a few quality hours communing with nature in the great outdoors, a recreational oasis awaits along the scenic walkways and waterways that bisect the City of Little Falls.

The James W. Miller ‘Miracle Mile and a Half’ walking and biking trail runs parallel to the Mohawk River and Erie Canal, and makes up a portion of the 365-mile long New York State Canal Way Trail System that stretches from Buffalo to Albany.

The trail is accessible from trail heads at two different locations — Fincks Basin Road along Route 169, and also from Flint Avenue off Route 167 near the Little Falls Canal Harbor marina.

Across the river, there’s also an approximately mile-long access road leading from Benton’s Landing near the Canal Place historic district to a hydroelectric power plant, with tiny Moss Island and Lock 17 a little further beyond. The towering black sheer cliffs that line the trail have become a popular spot for rock climbing and bouldering, and there are picnic tables available to have lunch.

On weekends, an experienced climber is sometimes available to give basic rock climbing lessons, and equipment is available on loan.

If your timing is right, you may also have the opportunity to watch a boat lockthrough, navigating the dramatic 43-foot height differential between the canal’s upper and lower water levels found at Lock 17. It’s the biggest differential found along the entire canal’s lock system and it’s captivating to watch the process in action.

Hiking Page 3

The towering black sheer cliffs that line the trail have become a popular spot for rock climbing and bouldering.

Photo by Richard M. Barrett

It had been a funny day, light-wise. Periods of grim gray light gave way to brilliant sunlight like a duel several times during the morning.

Intermittently, a half-hearted rain sprinkled out of the sky.

When the rain became heavier around noon, I knew I couldn’t let the chance to see a rainbow go by. I jumped into the car and headed for open country, i.e., Plain Road. There the brilliant sun hung just above the hills to the west, and the rainy black sky to the east brewed the perfect recipe for a rainbow. Driving north from Route 2 there was no sign of a rainbow.

I kept going slowly, turning onto Plain Road looking eastward.

There are a few good fishing spots or if paddling floats your boat, you can put in a kayak or canoe at the nearby marina.

Photo by Joan Kark-Wren

Suddenly across the fields and forests of an unfamiliar unworldly landscape, a rainbow appeared. Its ends reached all the way to the earth. Its clear bright colors gleamed. At intervals another small rainbow would appear, pulsing near the bottom of its right side, then disappear.

A couple drove onto the field next to me to soak in this phenomenon, camera in hand. We opened our car windows and laughed and shared our total delight in this loveliness.

I asked myself why I was so thrilled. Yes, a rainbow is a rare and beautiful thing, but I couldn’t understand the feeling I experienced while looking at it. And that’s okay. It was rare and beautiful and I drank it in.

The Rainbow

by Robin Panagakos

Page 2 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

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Page 3 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Chicken check-in

by Kelly Gates In the city of Eugene, OR, there are an estimated 6,000 citizens who raise chickens in their backyards.

Unlike rural farmers, most of these urbanites cultivate produce and raise chickens as a hobby.

And unlike full time farmers, city dwellers often take vacations during the summer months, requiring chicken sitting or boarding services while they are away.

Enter Bill Bezuk, owner of The Eugene Backyard Farmer, an urban farming supply store in downtown Eugene.

“We started offering chicken sitting services a few

The Nest offers two chicken choices. A standard stay at the hotel runs $2 per night and includes access to a private chicken run, a fresh coop, and clean water. The deluxe package runs $3 per night and includes all of the above, plus organic seeds, chopped organic vegetables and a nightly “turndown service.”

Photos courtesy of “The Nesting Place”

years ago, but it often lengthened our work days to nearly 16 hours since we had to let our clients’ chickens out of their coops at dawn and put them back at dusk,” Bezuk said. “That was way too much work, so we decided to invite people to bring their chickens to us.”

The Eugene Backyard Farmer already housed a chicken run and coop on the property to house five egg-laying hens. The hens are not for sale. They simply act as the company’s mascots and live props as part of a chicken products display just outside the main retail store.

When Bezuk decided to open his overnight poultry place, he added two more chicken runs and two new coops to the site, dubbing them the “Blue Andalusian Suite” and “The Gold Campine Suite” — both named after species of chickens.

Then, he posted news of the grand opening of his chicken hotel, aptly named “The Nest,” on Facebook.

“One of our Facebook fans is a newscaster and once a story ran on television locally, calls started coming in nonstop,” he said. “We have one of the chicken suites booked through Christmas already this year and we are taking reservations constantly for the second coop.”

The Nest offers two chicken choices. A standard stay at the hotel runs $2 per night and includes access to a private chicken run, a fresh coop, and clean water.

The deluxe package runs $3 per night and includes all of the above, plus organic seeds, chopped organic vegetables and a nightly “turndown service.”

“Our turndown service entails the scattering of a handful of meal worms near the end of the run next to the coop, coaxing the chickens to willfully enter the coop after enjoying a delicious evening snack,” said Bezuk. “Both of our suites are split level coops with nest boxes upstairs. They also have removable panels so we can open up the coops and clean them thoroughly.”

This cleaning process is important to ensure that biosecurity hazards do not arise. The Nest is also careful to keep each chicken suite and its overnight visitors in separate, private runs and coops to avoid unsavory social interactions between unrelated flocks.

The Nest was established nearly one year ago. And based on the high demand, Bezuk is already making

For now, the staff at The Eugene Backyard Farmer is happy taking reservations and tending to the guests that stay in The Nest’s existing accommodations. They also text chicken owners pictures of their poultry while they are away and manage a “valet” service that enables owners to conveniently drop off and pick up their chickens in boxes or crates.

plans for possible future expansion.

“Our entire property is about 20,000 sq. ft. and our store only takes up 2,000 sq. ft. of that. We also have the chicken coops, bee hives and a few other structures, but the bulk of the space is currently parking lot,” he noted. “We could easily expand to two more suites and private runs or more, but only if business continues to grow.”

For now, the staff at The Eugene Backyard Farmer is happy taking reservations and tending to the guests that stay in The Nest’s existing accommodations. They also text chicken owners pictures of their poultry while they are away and manage a “valet” service that enables owners to conveniently drop off and pick up their chickens in boxes or crates.

Hiking from 1

by Richard Barrett Either of these trails offers a little something for everyone. You can take a leisurely stroll, ride a bike, or roller blade on the paved, relatively flat trails, which wend their way through steep, monolithic rock formations on one side and the scenic Mohawk River on the other. The distinctive stone and brick architecture making up the Little Falls “skyline” is visible in the distance.

Photographers should remember to bring their cameras,

since there are an abundance of photo opportunities.

There are a few good fishing spots along here too, or if paddling floats your boat, you can put in a kayak or canoe at the nearby marina, located on the Southern Avenue Extension, across from Little Falls Lumber. And when everyone is tired and thirsty at the end of the outing, head over to Canal Place, where you’ll find quaint restaurants and eateries, browse antique stores, or relax in a café and enjoy a coffee, cold beverage or an ice cream cone.

You can spend just an hour or two here, or pack a lunch and make an entire day of it.

There’s plenty to do, lots of variety and the scenery is spectacular, especially during the fall when autumn’s vibrant colors are on full display. Another fun time to visit is during the city’s annual Canal Days festival, which is held in August and features a 10k road race, kiddy rides and amusements, a fishing derby, local music, barbecue, water sports, and an antique car show.

Even though it may feel like you’re out in the country, in fact, you’re smack dab in the middle of Herkimer County’s only city, lovely Little Falls, with its unique geography, small town charm, and awesome natural beauty, is There are breathtaking views, photographers should remember to another diamond in the rough, ripe for bring their cameras. exploring.

Photo by Joan Kark-Wren

On weekends, an experienced climber is sometimes available to give basic rock climbing lessons, and equipment is available on loan.

Photo by Richard Barrett

Page 4 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Hitler’s food taster tells of poisoning fears

by Kirsten Grieshaber, Associated Press the horror, pain and dislocation BERLIN (AP) — They were feasts of endured by people of all sides who sursublime asparagus — laced with fear. vived World War II. And for more than half a century, Only now in the sunset of her life has Margot Woelk kept her secret hidden she been willing to relate her experifrom the world, even from her hus- ences, which she had buried because band. Then, a few months after her of shame and the fear of prosecution 95th birthday, she revealed the truth for having worked with the Nazis, about her wartime role: Adolf Hitler’s although she insists she was never a food taster. party member. She told her story as Woelk, then in her mid-twenties, she flipped through a photo album spent two and a half years as one of 15 with pictures of her as a young young women who sampled Hitler’s woman, in the same Berlin apartment food to make sure it wasn’t poisoned where she was born in 1917. before it was served to the Nazi leader Woelk first revealed her secret to a in his “Wolf’s Lair,” the heavily guarded local Berlin reporter a few months ago. command center in what is now Since then interest in her life story has Poland, where he spent been overwhelming.

“But this constant School teachers wrote much of his time in the final years of World War and asked her for fear — we knew II. photos and auto“He was a vegetarian. graphs to bring histoof all those He never ate any meat ry alive for their studuring the entire time I Several poisoning rumors dents. was there,” Woelk said of researchers from a and could never the Nazi leader. “And museum visited to ask Hitler was so paranoid for details about her enjoy the food. that the British would life as Hitler’s taster. poison him — that’s why Every day we feared Woelk says her he had 15 girls taste the association with Hitler food before he ate it himbegan after she fled it was going to be self.”

Berlin to escape Allied With many Germans air attacks. With her our last meal.” contending with food husband gone and ~ Margot Woelk shortages and a bland serving in the German diet as the war dragged army, she moved in on, sampling Hitler’s food had its with relatives about 435 miles to the advantages. east in Rastenburg, then part of “The food was delicious, only the Germany; now it is Ketrzyn, in what best vegetables, asparagus, bell pep- became Poland after the war. pers, everything you can imagine. And There she was drafted into civilian always with a side of rice or pasta,” she service and assigned for the next two recalled. “But this constant fear — we and a half years as a food taster and knew of all those poisoning rumors kitchen bookkeeper at the Wolf’s Lair and could never enjoy the food. Every complex, located a few miles outside day we feared it was going to be our the town. Hitler was secretive, even in last meal.” the relative safety of his headquarters, The petite widow’s story is a tale of that she never saw him in person —

Margot Wöelk is pictured with her husband Karl, who she married quickly in 1939 before he was deployed with the Wehrmacht. They didn’t see each other again until 1946 when he returned from being a prisoner of war. only his German shepherd Blondie girls,” she said. It was after Soviet and his SS guards, who chatted with troops overran the headquarters in the women.

January 1945.

Hitler’s security fears were not When she returned to Berlin, she unfounded. On July 20, 1944, a trust- found a city facing complete destruced colonel detonated a bomb in the tion. Round-the-clock bombing by U.S. Wolf’s Lair in an attempt to kill Hitler. and British planes was grinding the He survived, but nearly 5,000 people city center to rubble. were executed following the assassinaOn April 20, 1945, Soviet artillery tion attempt, including the bomber. began shelling the outskirts of Berlin “We were sitting on wooden benches and ground forces pushed through when we heard and felt an incredible toward the heart of the capital against big bang,” she said of the 1944 bomb- strong resistance by die-hard SS and ing. “We fell off the benches, and I Hitler Youth fighters. heard someone shouting ‘Hitler is After about two weeks of heavy fightdead!’ But he wasn’t.” ing, the city surrendered on May 2 — Following the blast, tension rose after Hitler, who had abandoned the around the headquarters. Woelk said Wolf’s Lair about five months before, the Nazis ordered had committed suicide. His successor her to leave her surrendered a week later, ending the relatives’ home war in Europe. and move into an For many Berlin civilians — their abandoned school homes destroyed, family members closer to the com- missing or dead and food almost gone pound.

— the horror did not end with capituWith the Soviet lation. army on the Like millions of Germans and other offensive and the Europeans, Woelk began rebuilding war going badly her life and trying to forget as best she for Germany, one could her bitter memories and the of her SS friends shame of her association with a crimiadvised her to nal regime that had destroyed much of leave the Wolf’s Europe.

Lair.

She worked in a variety of jobs, She said she mostly as a secretary or administrative returned by train assistant. Her husband returned from to Berlin and the war but died 23 years ago, she went into hiding. said.

Woelk said the With the frailty of advanced age and other women on the lack of an elevator in her building, the food tasting she has not left her apartment for the team decided to past eight years. Nurses visit several remain in times a day, and a niece stops by freRastenburg since quently, she said. their families Now at the end of her life, she feels were all there and the need to purge the memories by it was their home. talking about her story.

“Later, I found “For decades, I tried to shake off out that the those memories,” she said. “But they Wöelk, who is 95 is only recently speaking about her experiences as one of Hitler’s food tasters. Russians shot all always came back to haunt me at Photos courtesy of Spiegel Online, www.spiegel.de of the 14 other night.”

(BPT) — “What is that rattling? Is it serious?”

We all can get a little paranoid about a new sound our car is making.

Those sounds can certainly be annoying, but what people don’t realize is sometimes those sounds may be linked to something more serious.

About 7 percent of car crashes are caused by some kind of vehicle failure, with tire degradation and brake system failures topping the list, according to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But tire and

brake failure aren’t the only types of vehicle problems that can lead to accidents — engine, steering system and suspension failures also cause crashes.

“Getting your oil changed, tires rotated and brake pads checked regularly not only helps keep your car running smoothly, but it also helps keep you and your family safe,” said Matt Myers, senior vice president of claims with Erie Insurance. “It’s also important to check your car’s transmission fluids and get the 50,000-mile and 100,000-mile checks. It might sound

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like a lot, but regular preventative maintenance is the best way to keep those strange car noises — and accidents — to a minimum.”

Here are six common car noises people hear and what they could mean: Humming or Groaning When you hear humming while driving at faster speeds, it’s a sign there probably is some wear on your tires, which can lead to serious issues. It could be located on the insides of your tires, which is hard to diagnose on your own, but not having it checked is a risk, because the steel belts in the tire might be coming apart.

Growling This noise could change or even go away when you turn the wheel, but it is usually caused by a defective front wheel bearing. The change in noise could be a result of the shift in the weight of the car as you

turn.

Whining and Creaking You might hear these noises backing up or turning. It could be the result of a ball joint or tie rod seizing up.

Squeaking This can be a highpitched, steady annoyance that lets you know it’s time to get your brake pads checked or replaced.

Grinding

This sound means two pieces of metal are touching when they shouldn’t be. This sound could be a multitude of things: brakes, powertrain, suspension or something else. Whatever the case, a grinding sound means you need to get your car checked out as soon as possible.

Hissing A hissing sound might occur after you turn off

your ignition and can sometimes be followed by smoke from under your hood.

The next time you hear strange noises coming from your car, don’t just turn up the radio to drown them out — get them checked by a mechanic. Ignoring those noises today could lead to a dangerous and expensive situation tomorrow.

Erie Insurance urges drivers to pay attention to strange car noises before you end up stranded on the side of the road.

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Page 5 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Rattling down the highway?

What those common car noises mean

Page 6 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Fast fixes and tips for a summer-ready car (BPT) — With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get-your car-

these five fast fixes and inspections to cruise through the summer and

To check tire tread, see if the built-in “wear bars” are visible. These are

in tip-top shape to withstand hot days and long road trips. Summer driving requires your car to run differently; some adjustments and inspections are important to ensure your vehicle lasts season to season. Follow

avoid roadside headaches.

Tire Care Tires perform differently in different weather conditions, so as the weather changes, it’s important to check tire pressure and tire tread.

narrow strips of rubber across the tires that appear when the tread is

Home Country

by Slim Randles When the Rafter E branded recently, a bunch of us went out to help. It’s a badge of pride to have worked your way up the branding ladder.

As a kid, you flank the calves; you grab them, throw them and hold them down. This is conducive to abrasions, muscle strain, and involuntarily changing the color of your shirt.

As you get older, you get to handle the branding iron, then move up to giving shots. After that comes earmarking.

When you reach the pinnacle of branding, that is, when you own the calves, then you get to rope the calves and drag

them up to the fire.

It is a swirling cauldron of heat and hooves, excited cowdogs and bawling cows. There is the smell of manure and singed hair and sweat and corral dust.

At the Rafter E, I wielded a syringe as the youngsters got their teeth rattled by the heavy stuff.

Wasn’t the first time I’d given the shots, though.

Once during a branding at the Triangle Cross, I was about to immunize a calf when the calf jumped and I stuck the needle into my thumb.

Hurt like the dickens, of course, but at least it was effective. I haven’t had black leg since.

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worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch. If you can see wear bars, your tires need to be replaced.

De-winterize Your Car De-winterizing your car is easy and affordable. First, check all the fluid levels — coolant, transmission, differential, power steering and brake fluid — to make sure there aren’t any leaks. It’s also a good idea to change the oil between seasons, as oil gets thick and collects condensation if it sits in the engine all winter.

It’s also important to thoroughly clean the-undercarriage of your car after a long winter, especially if you live in a snowy climate. To avoid spending extra money on detailing, clean the undercarriage yourself using a basic water hose or high-pressure cleaning system. In just a few minutes, you can ensure your vehicle is ready for

Automotive the new road conditions and help you avoid any unnecessary issues.

Check the AC Your air conditioning system will be working overtime in the summer, so take time to test it to make sure it’s working properly. Since the vehicle’s refrigerant is under high pressure and harmful to the atmosphere, it’s best to leave any inspection or maintenance to a qualified professional. Mechanics can easily trap and recycle used refrigerant with the proper tools, and you can drive off with confidence you’ll stay cool all summer.

Inspect Hoses and Belts The key to comfortable, safe summer driving is keeping the engine cool, and hoses and belts play a huge part in helping your engine run properly. Hoses pump

coolant to and from the engine block, and belts run the fan that cools the system further. If the hoses crack or the belts snap, the radiator will quickly overheat, leaving you stranded. Check hoses for cracks, leaks and loose connections.

Hoses should be firm, never soft and malleable, and belts can be visually checked for damage. If anything is noticeably wrong, get it fixed immediately, before you’re stranded in the summer heat.

Vehicles need updating and maintenance through the changing of the seasons, but a few easy steps can prevent a summer of unexpected issues and repairs. Start now on these preventative maintenance tips and you’ll be cruising smoothly all season long.

by Dean Fosdick, AP Sometimes the best view isn’t what you see through a window but what catches your eye underneath it.

Window boxes deliver color, edibles and fragrance. They’re practical, too, as raised-bed gardens that elevate their contents to within easy reach.

“Window boxes are convenient containers,” said David Trinklein, a horticulturist with University of Missouri Extension. “Plant them with herbs, for example, and you won’t have to go outside to bring in the harvest.”

If you have room for a window box, you have room for a garden. Win-

dow boxes are ideal for small, shallow-rooted plants like radishes, lettuce, marigolds, impatiens, pansies, begonias, parsley, basil, sage and thyme.

“Mix and match flowers with vegetables,” said Rhonda Ferree, an extension educator with the University of Illinois.

“They need the same soil types and have the same water preferences. Plant flowers toward the front for curb appeal; position vegetables toward the back for easier access.”

The location of the window box usually dictates what you can grow, Trinklein said. “Window boxes that get a blistering afternoon sun require one thing. Window

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boxes in shade require another.”

Fern Richardson, author of “Small Space Container Gardens” (Timber Press, 2012) describes herself as “a big believer in creative window boxing.”

“There’s nothing stopping window box gardeners from adding garden ornaments to their boxes,” Richardson said.

“Small gazing balls tucked between the plants can add a little sparkle to a shady area.

Gardeners can even use short shepherd’s hooks to plant a hummingbird feeder in a window box.”

Window boxes work especially well: • As theme gardens.

Find flowers that display your school colors, patriotic mixtures that show the flag or plants that complement the paint on your house.

• At delivering fragrances. Fill window

boxes outside bedrooms with evening primrose, four o’clocks (Mirabilis) and moonflowers for perfume-like scents on still summer nights.

• For four-season gar-

pers, strawberries and chives in summer; flowering kale and pansies for color through fall and winter.

• To showcase houseplants. Display your fa-

color and pattern inspiration.”

Be careful, though, when watering windowbox gardens, Trinklein said.

“Most plants die from

dening. Grow daffodils, grape hyacinth and tulips in spring; ornamental edibles like pep-

vorite potted plants in empty window boxes during the summer growing season. That will free up some shelf space indoors while enhancing things outdoors.

“If there is no room in the budget for a highstyle window box, thrifty gardeners can use spray paint and even stencils to upgrade inexpensive plastic window boxes into something that is one-of-a-kind,” Richardson said. “Current fashion trends are always a great place to look for

overwatering in containers, but window boxes can dry out quickly from exposure to wind and hot weather,” he said.

“Add a soilless medium like vermiculite or peat moss to the mix that drains well yet retains moisture and lightens their weight.

“Window boxes will need tending maybe three times a week, but that’s a small price to pay for what they add in the way of attractiveness to the home,” Trinklein said.

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Page 7 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Window boxes are raised-bed gardening writ small

May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Page 8

Fresh take on how to eat too many hard-boiled eggs

by J.M. Hirsch, AP Food Editor Hard-boiled eggs always seem to go to waste in my house.

It’s my own fault.

When I think to make them, it somehow strikes me as silly to go to the trouble for just two or three eggs. And since it requires no more time or effort to boil up a dozen, I usually go that route, assuming the extra will make convenient snacks and meals for the next few days.

Except I quickly lose interest in them or forget about them, and they get relegated to the back of the refrigerator until they smell.

When I recently found myself with an abundance of hard-boiled eggs, I decided to be proactive and come up with a delicious way to use them up right away.

The result was a delicious egg salad that I spread on slabs of toasted baguette, then topped with thin slices of smoked salmon. I used it as an appetizer, but it was delicious enough to convert into a main meal.

The trick is to make the egg salad a bit in advance, even up to a day ahead. This allows the flavors in the dressing to really develop. And if you’re not a fan of smoked salmon, smoked trout, smoked shrimp or even just plain cooked shrimp would be a delicious substitute.

Egg Salad Sandwich with Smoked Salmon Start to finish: 45 minutes (15 minutes active) Servings: 4 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 sauce

teaspoon

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1/2 cup finely chopped cornichons 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 8 hard-boiled eggs, cooled and roughly chopped Salt and ground black pepper

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4 large slices sourdough bread 4-ounce package thinly sliced smoked salmon In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, smoked paprika and hot sauce. Stir in the cornichons and celery. Gently stir in the chopped hardboiled eggs, then season with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate at

least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

When ready to serve, lightly toast the slices of sourdough bread. While the bread is still warm, spread a quarter of the egg salad over each slice, then top with a quarter of the smoked salmon.

Serve immediately.

Nutrition information per serving: 590 calories; 190 calories from fat (32 percent of total calories);

21 g fat (4.5 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 375 mg cholesterol; 67 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 30 g protein; 1660 mg sodium.

J.M. Hirsch is the food editor for The Associated Press. He blogs at www.LunchBoxBlues.co m and tweets at http://twitter.com/JM_Hi rsch

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they should attend college after high school.

Hello Again,

I maintain that too much effort is spent on encouraging college education and too little on preparing for a successful life if a student decides that college is not for him.

Isn’t experience supposed to be the great teacher? Let’s stop and chat about this for a while. England, France, Spain and, more recently, Soviet Russia spread their wings over an ever-growing number of countries until they nearly went broke. Even the great Roman Empire stirred up the world with a wooden ‘pudden’ stick and ended up not amounting to a row of beans.

Can’t we Americans ever learn from the experience of other countries?

I believe we – the USAhas military bases in over 190 countries. Who do we think we are? It appears we are supporting countries all over the world with borrowed money.

Can you imagine that?

With borrowed money?

Now let’s take a not-solong-ago look at a situation in this country.

When I was in high school in Cooperstown, NY during the 1950’s I was the owner of a 1942 Chevrolet Club Coupe car, a Western Auto Doodle Bug scooter, a Harley Davidson 125 motorcycle and a new Olds Studio model trumpet. Oh yeah, a double-barreled shot gun too. Graduated from Cooperstown Central High School. During all of my high school years, I had a part time job which paid the minimum wage set by state law at 60 cents per hour. I received no financial assistance from anyone. I earned the money, by working, and with earned money purchased those items. In addition to those goodies, I also had money in my pocket, and paid cash in full at the time of each purchase.

By now you must be wondering, am I tooting my own horn or is there a more meaningful reason?

Recently it has been reported that the New York State education department is faced with a serious problem. A large number of high school students are dropping out of school permanently. It seems our educators are doing a magnificent job of teaching both parents and students that

Now let’s get back to my high school years with the 60 cent per hour minimum wage. Remember – I had a job and was able to purchase, with my own earned money, not a handout from Dad or Mom. You might be asking why don’t high school students do the same today? The answer is simple, straightforward, and honest. They could not find a part time job now if they wanted one. Why? Who or what employer is going to shell out over $10. per hour to hire a high school student?

Now – I ask how many of the dropouts would continue school if they had a part time job? It seems reasonable to me if they do not have the goal of college ahead and they do not have any money now, why wouldn’t they think about dropping out and finding some kind of job?

Wouldn’t it make good sense to set a minimum wage at $5 per hour for students? With that parttime job, they would have spending money and possibly would even finish high school.

At the $5 wage scale, employers would look more favorable on hiring a high school or college student and the student would learn what earned money really means and have pride. With the present proposed system, the student would not have a job nor any earned money.

At the present time both our president and our governor are pushing for a raise in minimum

wage. The only thing that will happen with a new higher minimum wage – fewer people will be employed, and students will be able to read about the good old days when their age group could hold down part-time employment.

doctor replied, “You will probably have a 40 percent chance of living and

a 60 percent chance that you won’t.”

The Herkimer Home near Little Falls is steeped in history – well

Jack up college costs and eliminate part-time employment, can you imagine what kind of an idiot would include that in his platform to run for a national or state office?

While on the subject of education, little Johnny was complaining about attending Sunday School.

He said, “I don’t believe Daddy had to go to Sunday School.” “You can believe he did,” his mother said, “every Sunday.”

“Well ok,” he grumbled, “but I don’t believe it will do me any good either.”

My father’s doctor was a weather predictor on radio before he graduated from medical school.

When Dad asked him for his assessment on his health problem, the doctor replied, “There is a 60 percent chance you will get better and a 40 percent chance you won’t.”

Dad then asked, “What will happen if the 60 percent doesn’t work?” The

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Page 9 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

May 4, 2013

Page 10 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Dining

Bush library exhibits: 9/11, war, Katrina, recount

by Jamie Stengle, Associated Press DALLAS, TEXAS (AP) — A tour of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum begins in a bright area representing his early domestic agenda, but with one turn, visitors find themselves in a darkened room surrounded by chilling reminders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

This contrast, symbolizing Bush’s abrupt shift in priorities less than eight months into his first term,

is among the most poignant exhibits at a museum that also chronicles the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Hurricane Katrina, the Florida recount and various other historical events.

Bush told The Associated Press recently that he wanted to make sure the part of the museum devoted to 9/11 was powerful enough to remind visitors of how much the world changed that day.

“It’s very emotional and very profound,”

Bush said. “One of the reasons it has to be is because memories are fading rapidly and the profound impact of that attack is becoming dim with time, and we want to make sure people remember not only the lives lost and the courage shown but the lesson that the human condition overseas matters to the national security of our country.”

The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes the library and museum along

with 43rd president’s policy institute, was dedicated recently on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas. All the living presidents, including President Barack Obama and Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, attended. It opened to the public on May 1.

The museum uses everything from news clips to interactive screens to artifacts to tell the story of Bush’s eight years in office. A container of chads — the rem-

nants of the famous Florida punch cards — is part of an exhibit about the 2000 election, which Bush won after the Supreme Court ordered Florida to stop its recount process more than a month after Election Day. In the 9/11 display, called the “Day of Fire,” video images from the attacks flash around a twisted metal beam recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The exhibit also includes the bullhorn Bush used days later to

address a crowd of rescue workers at ground zero: “I can hear you.

The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.”

Longtime Bush adviser Karen Hughes was standing just a few feet away from the president when he began making the unplanned speech.

Hughes said she remembers turning to Federal Emergency Management

over 5,000 acres of land south of the Mohawk.

American cause and was commissioned Brigadier General.

shrine to an early American hero and well worth a visit.

torical places.

us this beautiful valley to live in. If you see the red bike (roadster), be sure to wave.

During the summer of 1777 in an attempt to ward off a British attack at Ft. Stanwix, General Herkimer was seriously wounded in the leg. Six days later, his leg was unskillfully amputated.

He died a few hours later.

His residence, the Herkimer Home, is a true

We have often been told about residents of New York City who have never visited the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. I wonder how many Mohawk Valley natives have never visited the Herkimer Home, went for a boat ride on the Mohawk River, or other his-

Bush 11

Hello from 9 worth a visit. It is located at 200 State Route 169, Little Falls, NY or NYS Thruway Exit 29A, site entrance is the first right after the toll booths.

Phone: 315-823-0398.

The Herkimer family local history started with John Jost Hercheimer in 1725. He was an industrial farmer and trader.

As a major Mohawk Valley landowner, he aquired

By the 1770’s, his son Nicholas Herkimer had become the wealthiest member of the Mohawk Valley’s American-German Community.

Nicholas Herkimer gained military experience as a captain in the French and Indian Wars, at the outbreak of the revolution.

He fully embraced the

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The old time farmers believed in spring tonics.

The one I recommend, “Go to church on Sunday.

It could offer the elixir which will greatly improve your life.”

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Agency Director Joe Allbaugh and saying, “That’s going to be in his

the Bushes as the museum’s exhibits were developed, said the idea was

Photo by Eric Draper

library someday.”

Brendan Miniter, who served as the liaison for

to present the facts and “let them speak for themselves.” He said

they also did not want to shy away from more controversial aspects of the administration.

“I suspect that people would have thought that we wouldn’t have talked about say enhanced interrogation techniques or the decision to create the prison in Guantanamo,” he said, adding that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is featured in a video about why the administration felt both were necessary.

Visitors also are taken through a timeline of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. A display at the end makes the case against Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, including that he ignored 17 United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding he disclose his weapons programs and fired at British and American pilots monitoring the U.N.imposed no-fly zone.

The exhibit also acknowledges the biggest controversy about the justification for war: No weapons of mass destruction were found.

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A “Decision Points Theater,” lined with rows of interactive screens, seeks to put visitors in the shoes of a president.

It provides facts for them to decide such questions as whether to invade Iraq or provide bailout money during the financial crisis.

“It’s conflicting,” Miniter said. “You go to the Capitol Hill and somebody will say you need to provide some resources to stabilize the financial industry, and then somebody else will say no, work let it work itself out, don’t do anything.”

A “Freedom Wall” in the museum features pictures including a soldier greeting children, former first lady Laura Bush supporting women’s rights and the Bushes meeting with freedom advocates.

The impact of AIDS around the world — a focus of Bush’s international outreach efforts — is illustrated with a large map of the world. Small photographs of the faces of those suffering from the disease are placed

Dining into the shapes of the continents of the world, with those with more AIDS cases, including Africa, looming larger.

The museum also features a section on life at the White House, displaying a ball that obviously got some heavy use by the Bushes’ late dog Barney. A full-scale replica of the Oval Office leads outside to an actual rose garden. The center also features a 15acre park recreating a Texas prairie.

Bush said his focus will continue to be the George W. Bush Institute, which has featured programs focused on education, economic

growth, global health and human freedom.

Through the institute, his activities have included yearly bike rides with wounded military veterans and traveling to Africa as part of an effort among several groups to fight cervical and breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

He also recently took up oil painting, inspired by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Bush, who was the 43rd president, signs his works ‘43.’

“I’m a beginner and I tell people that the signature on my paintings is worth more than the paintings,” Bush said.

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Page 11 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Bush from 10

May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Page 12

by Tom Turpin, Professor of Entomology, Purdue University Did you ever wonder why butterflies are called butterflies? For one thing, they fly, and that explains the last part of the name.

That is the same reason that many other insects such as dragonflies, fireflies, lanternflies and dobsonflies have ‘fly’ in their names.

Even though these insects are called flies they are not really flies, according to scientists. Real flies are the insects that are classified in the order Diptera. There are hundreds of species of real flies in the world. House flies, deer flies, black flies, blow flies and mosquitoes are all real flies.

So why do butterflies have the word butter in their name? It apparently was partially associated with the time that the first of these scale-winged creatures appeared each year. At least in the temperate regions of the world, that time is the early spring.

Early spring was historically known in Eng-

lish-speaking parts of the world as the butter season. That is because new plant growth provided forage for grazing mammals such as cows, goats and sheep. Humans used milk from these animals to drink and make butter, so increasing milk supplies during the spring resulted in the time period being called the butter season. Hence, these insects were called flies of the butter season — or butterflies. The German word for butterfly shows a similar connection to milk. That word — Schmetterling — is based on the word for cream.

Some people have suggested that the yellow color of one of the first butterfly species to appear in spring might have contributed to the name as well. These yellow butterflies are generally known as alfalfa butterflies, because their caterpillars feed on legumes, including alfalfa. They are pest insects, but the butterflies are still pretty. Their color could have been suggestive of homemade butter.

The name butterfly has

not been an entirely adequate term for the one type of insect that most people admire. To prove this point, more than one

even music. So it is not surprising that a number of terms have surfaced to describe this genre of insects as something other

that fly.” Frost also connected butterflies and flowers in his poem, “My Butterfly,” with these words: “thy emulous fond

wore short skirts and bobbed their hair, mostly as a sign of rejection of the social standards.

Flapper as a name for

cartoonist has produced a drawing of a stick of butter with wings to represent a butterfly.

Butterflies, with their large wings and beautiful colors, flutter throughout art, design, poetry and

than a product of a churn.

Leave it to the wordsmiths to come up with something better than butterfly for this type of insect. Because of the color of both butterflies and flowers, a comparison seems the thing to do. French lyric poet P. D. E. Lebrun wrote, “The butterfly is a flying flower.” In like manner, science-fiction writer R. H. Heinlein opined, “Butterflies are self-propelled flowers.” In his poem, “The Butterfly,” J. B. Tabb described these insects as, “Leafless, stemless, floating flower.”

Robert Frost, in his poem “Blue-butterfly Day,” referred to butterflies as “sky flakes” and “flowers

flowers.”

It has been suggested that one of the early common names for butterflies might have actually been flutter-by. Such a term is descriptive of the way butterflies fly, or at least the way they fly when they are not in a hurry.

Two unknown poets incorporated the flutter-by idea in the following lines, “Butterflies go fluttering by” and “Flutter by, butterfly, floating flower in the sky.”

Butterflies have also been called flappers. To most of us the word flapper is associated with the Roaring ‘20s when the term was used to describe young women of the time.

These human flappers

women apparently is not related to use of the word to describe butterflies.

However, there is one iconic image of that time period that incorporates both the human and insect flappers. This was a painting, “The Flapper,”

by F. X. Leyendecker. The image adorned a Life magazine cover in 1922 and featured a flapper woman sporting antennae and swallowtail butterfly wings.

I don’t know about you, but I kind of like the name butterfly. It sure beats something like scale-winged, day-flying lepidopteran with knobbed antennae — the way that scientists describe butterflies!

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Page 13 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Tis the butter (fly) season

by Tom Turpin, Professor of Entomology, Purdue University Most people don’t think of insects as artists. However, as these six-legged creatures go about their daily lives, some end up creating things. A few humans consider these renderings art, or at least something of decorative value.

where the hornets raise the next generation.

Each nest is established in the early summer by a queen hornet that has spent the winter hibernating in some protected place, such as leaves on the floor of a woodlot.

Bald-faced hornet nests are constructed of a paper-like material made of chewed wood mixed with insect saliva.

The number of hornets

nets. Each of those hornets can sting and is prepared to do so, if something bothers the nest. That is why stirring up a hornet’s nest is never, ever a good idea.

Wormwood is another insect-related item that could be considered art.

As the name suggests, this is a wood product.

tree. The infamous elm bark beetle, which transmits the Dutch elm disease, is an example.

The emerald ash borer is another beetle that feeds under the bark of the tree. This small, bright-green insect is classified in the family Bupresidae.

Another type of beetle with simi-

Emerald Ash Borer

Wormwood

Hornet nest

One of the most common insect-created items that finds a place in our decorations is the bald-faced hornet nest.

These grey-and-white mottled nests are created during the summer months. The nest is

increases during the season, and the nest is enlarged to accommodate the growing multitude. By summer’s end, such a nest sometimes exceeds a basketball in size and might be home to nearly 700 adult hor-

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lar feeding habits, which also creates wormwood, is the long-horned beetle. These beetles have long antennae — appendages sometimes called horns — and are members of the family Cerambycidae.

But watch out; everything called wormwood is not insect-related. For instance, tree logs that

lie submerged in water for a period of time can be damaged by a mollusk called the teredo worm, and the result is termed wormwood.

There is also a plant known as wormwood, but the name has nothing to do with insects.

This plant, Artemisia, is the source of an aniseflavored spirit known as absinthe.

Some people have enlisted insects to help create works of art. One approach is called maggot art. Here’s how it works.

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Wood with this name has served as a food source for insect larvae and the feeding scars remain.

Many of the insects that cause wormwood are beetles.

Some wormwood creators are called bark beetles. This name reflects that they feed just under the bark in the cambium layer of the

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Page 14 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Some insects produce artistic renderings

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Fly maggots are dipped in nontoxic paint and then allowed to crawl on paper. As you can imagine, these maggots leave a colored trail as they go.

Several maggots dipped in different colors and released on the same paper results in — well, maggot art!

Steven R. Kutcher has created a gallery of bug art. Kutcher creates his work, or rather has insects create the work, by dipping their six little

Some 15

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by Pastor Dan West Why do people do so many things that harm themselves and others? We hear people saying things about others that come from wrong impressions or misunderstandings, and they are stated as fact. Reputations of innocent people have been ruined by this gossip. James, the half brother of Jesus, likens the tongue to a fire. “See how great a matter a little fire kindles,” he says.

The Apostle Paul addressed the same issue in Ephesians 4 with this solution: your words should “be good to the use of edifying, that [they] may minister grace to the hearers.” That means we should be sure our words build up others, not tear them down.

Aristotle said “. . . who we are is the total of what we do . . . therefore excellence is not a single act but a practice.” What you say about others will affect what others say about you.

Stamps feature five New England lighthouses PORTLAND, MAINE (AP) — Five New England lighthouses are about to be featured on U.S. postage stamps.

Howard Koslow, an artist based in Toms River, NJ, was commissioned by the Postal Service to paint each of the lighthouses.

The stamps feature Maine’s oldest lighthouse, the Portland Head Light, which was established in 1791.

Others to be featured are the nation’s oldest, the Boston Harbor Light, along with Portsmouth Harbor Light in New Hampshire, Point Judith Lighthouse in Rhode Is-

land and New London Harbor Light in Con-

necticut.

The so-called “forever”

stamps will be issued this summer.

movie scene.

West Lafayette, IN, resident and clay sculptor Linda LeMar often creates sculptures inspired by what she sees in nature. In one such sculpture, LeMar has incorporated nests of organ-pipe mud dauber wasps.

These mud daubers use wet soil to create nests that resemble the pipes of a church organ, hence the common name of the insect.

Each pipe contains a number of individual cells, which the mud daubers provision with spiders as a food source for the developing baby wasps. The wasps spin a cocoon in the fall, and the following spring chew through the cell wall to emerge and start a nest of their own. That is why old nests have round holes in the side of many cells.

LeMar collected abandoned nests of some mud daubers and tested them to see if they would hold up during the kiln firing process used to create clay sculptures.

The nests survived, and LeMar incorporated some into a sculpture, as the hair and arms of a human figure. How is that for an insect and an artist teaming up to produce a work of art?

Some from 14

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feet in paint and then letting them go for a stroll on a canvas.

Kutcher has enlisted the aid of several species of insects in this endeavor, including darkling beetles, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, honey bees and butterflies. As an insect wrangler for Hollywood movie producers, Kutcher got the idea for such art when Steven Spielberg requested that he create fly tracks for a

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Page 15 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

The Country Preacher

Page 16 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Whatchamacallits This sheep shearing tool is called a blade shear.

Blade shears work similarly to scissors except that the hinge is at the end farthest from the point instead of the middle. Blade shears are still used today but in a more limited way.

Blade shears leave some wool on a sheep and this is more suitable for cold climates where the sheep needs some protection from the elements.

Blades are more commonly used to shear stud rams.

Machine shears are a mechanical tool used in sheep shearing, sometimes known as handpieces. They operate similarly to human hair clippers. A power-driven toothed blade is driven

back and forth over the surface of a comb and the wool is cut from the animal.

Sheep are shorn in all seasons, depending on the climate, management requirements and the availability of a woolclasser and shearers.

Ewes are normally shorn prior to lambing, but consideration is typically made as to the welfare of the lambs by not shearing during cold climate winters. ~~~ Have your own Whatch-amacallit? Send picture and description to eenger@leep-ub.com.

Visit our Facebook page each week to see if you can figure out what the upcoming Whatchamacallit is!

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by Amy Davidson, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Coordinator, University of Vermont Extension May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, so designated with the goal of encouraging individuals, families and communities to develop or maintain routines of regular physical activity and practice sound nutritional habits.

Because spring is a time for renewal, there is no better time to start taking control of your health. Consider trying some new, healthy recipes. Commit to a fitness routine, try out a new sport or simply explore the outdoors.

Choose activities that are

right for you. Here’s why.

Approximately onethird of youths and twothirds of adults are overweight or obese in this country. Instances of overweight and obesity are correlated with numerous health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. This trend can be prevented by increasing the amount of time engaged in physical activities, reducing the amount of time spent in sedentary activities and eating a balanced diet, including lean sources of protein, whole grains, reduced fat dairy products and plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Being active on a regular basis offers health and wellness benefits for everyone, such as in-

creased strength, improved mobility and enhanced mood and longevity. How much we need depends on our age and other factors.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity for children and adolescents and at least 30 minutes for adults five or more days a week. Even 10minute bursts of this kind of activity can add up to your daily total.

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SuperTracker web site at www.supertracker.usda.g ov for your personalized nutrition and fitness plan as well as tips to stay on

PUBLIC CONSIGNMENT AUCTION

track. Be sure to check with your doctor or healthcare professional before starting an exercise program.

Here are some ideas for getting active this spring: • Form a walking group with friends, neighbors or workmates.

• Challenge yourself to hike as many local mountain peaks as you can.

• Ride a bike on some of the region’s many trails, recreation paths and back roads.

• Plant a home or community garden.

• Do yard work including raking life back into the lawn.

• Join a community sports league or just get outside for some active play with the kids.

Try to choose activities that are accessible and fun for you. That way you are more likely to stick with it.

Sat., May 11th - 8:30 AM

# NEW # Fri. Evening 5:00PM to 8:30PM Flowers-Shrubs ONLY Location: Mohawk Valley Produce Auction 840 Fords Bush Rd., Fort Plain, NY 13339 518-568-3579 • 518-568-2257 Fri. Evening: Flowers-Shrubs 5:00 to 8:30PM Saturday:

8:30 - Shrubs, Crafts, New Furniture, Quilts 8:45 - Misc, Garage, Attic, Appliances 9:30 - Lawn & Garden, Building Materials, Sheds 10:30 - Farm Equipment 12:00 - New Tools, Horse Tack, Followed by Horses and Small Animals

Flowers, Shrubs and Trees: Expecting a larger than normal selection of these products both local and from Sauders in PA. Crafts & Furniture: Steam bent hickory rockers, double rockers, swivel gliders, corner shelf, hall tree, etc. New small crafts, pine furniture, and lots more coming.

Quilts: Star in a square 100x110, fabric quilt 105x92, fabric quilt 104x108, white star in a square top 97x110, patch quilt top 106x114, lots more quilts coming from various quilters.

Sheds: 10x12 mini, 10x12 cottage, 8x12 quaker, 10x12 quaker, 8x12 cottage.

Building Materials: stairways, metal roofing and more.

Farm Equipment: Papec Silage Cutter; Ford 8N, nice condition; 48” Taylor tiller, like new; log splitter; FarmBilt 16’ flat wagon; single horse cart; 4, 6, 2 horse hitches; 48” Agri-Fab brush hog; New Idea manure spreader; 4 star tedder w/Honda engine; BR7050 New Holland round baler, new in 2011; Massey Ferguson 40HP power unit; Reese 8’ mower; Duetz 65HP power cart; 2 fore carts; 10 wheel V-rake w/12 volt hydraulic; Farmland round bale wagon; (2) 2-row NI corn pickers, nice condition; 56, 256, 258 NH side rakes; New from AZ 16” produce brusher w/Honda engine; New 2, 3, 4 and 6 horse hitches; camper trailer; roller harrows from Mud Creek Sales; 12 volt freezer, good condition; Taylor ice cream machine; L-30 Mighty Ox log splitter; 3500 Mighty Ox logging winch; 5500 Mighty Ox chipper; Hydra-Feed 3pt hitch; 27+ Millcreek manure spreader; antiques, corn shellers; grain grinders and more coming.

New Tools: New Dewalt cordless tools; misc used tools; New Dewalt electric tools; lots of misc. shop related equipment.

Horse Tack: Dewormers, snaps, brushes, whips, leads, halters, corner feeders, buckets, muck tubs, forks, brooms, shovels, harnesses, and much more.

HORSES: Looking for quality road horses, draft horses, mules, ponies, miniature horses.

Small Animals: Our usual run of sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, exotic poultry, calves, and ponies. Also hay, straw and grain.

All horses must have current Coggins test and must be in good and usable condition. $20.00 non-refundable consignment fee will be charged at time of consignment. 6% commission capped at $150 will be charged to seller.

Call To Compare Prices!

To learn more, check out “Physical Activity — It’s Essential,” a University of Vermont Extension publication at

Page 17 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Spring into action during Physical Fitness and Sports Month

www.uvm.edu/extension/food/pdfs/in-yourhands/physicalactivity.pdf.

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TAKING CONSIGNMENTS WED., MAY 8TH TO FRI., MAY 10TH, 8:00 TO 5:00.

Plenty of Homemade Food All Day • Food Proceeds go for local hospital bill Phone Wed., Thurs., Fri. & Sat., May 8th to 11th 518-568-3579 Auction Barn For Consignment info call Benuel Fisher 518-568-2257 or Melvin Miller 518-993-4734 Auctioneers:: Benuel Fisher Auctions,, Elam Kauffman, Sam Swarey, Marcus Beiler, David Stoltzfus, Ed Leaman, Wilmer Fisher, Elmer Stoltzfus Breakfast ready by 7:00AM Saturday • Homemade Food Available 4:00 to 8:30PM Friday.

All Announcements day of sale will take precedence over printed materials.

132 East Main St. Frankfort, NY

315-894-4328 (HEAT) • 315-732-4328 (HEAT) HarborpointEnergyProducts.com

May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Page 18

Family Fundamentals: Trouble talking to teen? Try some of these ideas Q: We have a teenage daughter who seems to be withdrawing. We barely talk. I’m worried about what will happen when she deals with a stressful situation. If we can’t talk about everyday stuff, how will we talk when it’s really important?

A: Communicating with teenagers, whether they’re girls or boys, can feel like an exercise in frustration. But it doesn’t have to be. And you’re right, the better you are at communicating with each other on a normal, day-to-day basis, the easier it will be to

talk about serious issues when they arise.

First, you should realize that it’s perfectly normal for teens to withdraw emotionally from their parents. The teen years are when people develop a sense of independence and self-awareness. At the same time, teens need to feel connected with parents, family members and peers. It can feel like a tug-of-war sometimes, but understanding that push and pull can help you not take your daughter’s behavior personally.

What can you do to help? One of the best

things parents can do is to create an atmosphere for open communication.

When your daughter does express herself, take care that you show in your reaction that you accept and value her perspective and respect her opinions. Don’t automatically respond with a story from your past; instead, summarize what she says, and ask questions to keep the conversation going.

If you’re not already doing so regularly, it can be difficult to start having conversations with your teen on a daily basis. Try to arrange a reg-

Paw’s Corner

by Sam Mazzotta Getting a Pet-Sitter Dear Paw’s Corner: I recently got a new job, and I need to have someone come and feed my cats and walk the dog because I don’t get home until late at night. How can I find a pet sitter I can trust? — Missing My Pets Already Dear Missing: DogVacay.com, a pet boarding service, recently put out a list of five things you should do when considering a potential pet sitter.

Hopefully these will help in your search: • Interview the pet sitter, and have your pet interview him or her as well. See how the sitter and pets interact.

• Ask for references at the very least. While pet sitters aren’t required to be licensed or insured, they should have references you can contact — typically other clients.

Some pet sitters will have

a certification through a professional organization like Pet Sitters International, meaning they have taken additional pet-sitting and business courses offered by that organization.

• Ask basic but important questions. Nothing’s too trivial for your pets.

What time will the sitter come? Where will your dog be walked? What’s a typical visit like?

• Give the sitter as much info as possible about your pets. Once you’ve decided to take on a sitter, make sure he or

she knows your pets’ particular habits, favorite foods, specific medications and when to take them, etc.

• Monitor your pets.

When you get home, how do your pets react to you?

Do you notice behavioral changes? Are they handling your absence well?

Pets might not take to a new schedule right away, but if they don’t adjust, you may need to consider a new sitter or a different pet-care option. (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

“Who is your favorite musician? What do you like about his or her music?” “Have you ever had a friend who you later realized was a bad influence? How did you handle it?”

For more ideas for “Conversations on the Go,” see a blog post by an Ohio State University Extension program coordinator in family and consumer sciences: http://go.osu.edu/teenconvs.

For even more information, download “Communicating with Your Teen,” an OSU Extension fact sheet, at http://go.osu.edu/teencommPDF. Also, “Understanding Teens,” a fact sheet from New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, provides background on development stages during adolescence. Download it at http://aces.nmsu.edu/p ubs/_f/f-122.pdf.

Bible trivia

called “the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience?” Galatians 1, Ephesians 2, Colossians 3, Titus 4 4.

What widowed prophetess was 84 years old on seeing the young Jesus in the temple?

Anna, Jezebel, Hagar, Abigail 5. Which of these books foretold of the Messiah being born in

Bethlehem?

Ezra, 1 Kings, Amos, Micah 6. From Genesis 35:22, how many sons did Jacob have? 1, 3, 6, 12

by Wilson Casey 1. Is the book of James in the Old or New Testament or neither?

2. From 2 Samuel 18:18, who erected a memorial to himself because he did not have a son?

Onesimus, Absalom, Spartacus, Isaiah 3. Where is Satan

Ilion True Value Hardware

Openn Mondayy - Fridayy 7am-8pm;; Satt 7am-5pm m • Sundayy 7am-4pm

Weekly Sales Every Monday starting at 12:30 with Misc. & small animals, 1:00 Dairy. Call for more info and sale times. Our Volume is increasing weekly - join your neighbors & send your livestock this way!

Monday, April 29th sale - cull ave. .66 Top cow $.81, bulls/steers $.83 - $1.06, bull calves top $1.65, heifer calves top $1.00, dairy feeders $.40 - $.60, feeder bulls up to $1.24, Feeder heifers up to $1.17, feeder steers - none. Dairy cows up to $1,450.

Monday, May 13th - Monthly Heifer Sale.

Monday, May 20th - Monthly Sheep, Lamb, Goat & Pig Sale.

Monday, May 27th - Memorial Day - We will be open. We will be starting at 10:00AM with flowers, plants, shrubs. If you want to participate in consigning to the plant sale contact us as soon as possible. Note the time of sale!

LOOKING TO HAVE A FARM SALE OR JUST SELL A FEW - GIVE US A CALL. ** Trucking Assistance - Call the Sale Barn or check out our trucker list on our Web-Site.

Call to advertise in any of these sales it makes a difference.

Directions: Hosking Sales 6096 NYS Rt. 8, 30 miles South of Utica & 6 miles North of New Berlin, NY. www.hoskingsales.com Call today with your consignments.

607-699-3637 or 607-847-8800 cell: 607-972-1770 or 1771

Due to our explosive growth we need more space. Come visit our new beautiful location at 205 West Main Street in Ilion at the end of May. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL ME TODAY.

39 W. Clark St., Ilion, NY 13357 (315) 894-5274

Paintt & Paintt Supplies g Supplies Plumbing n Repair Glasss & Screen Thermopane e Replacement Gass & Electric c Waterr Heaters

Answers: 1) New; 2) Absalom; 3) Ephesians 2; 4) Anna; 5) Micah; 6) 12 Comments? More Trivia?

Visit www.TriviaGuy.com (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

We’re Moving!

Scott Grates, Agent Bus: 315-894-2886 www.insurethevalley.com

HOSKING SALES • WEEKLY SALES EVERY MONDAY

Tom & Brenda Hosking 6096 NYS Rt. 8 New Berlin, NY 13411

ular time when you’re both free to talk. The idea is to provide opportunities for your daughter to share what’s going on in her world, without making her feel pressured.

In addition, think up some conversation-starting questions to ask when you’re in the car with your teen or otherwise have the opportunity.

Some examples: “What was the nicest compliment you ever received from an adult?”

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Rice University Students Work with NASA to Provide Orbiting Astronauts the Perfect Cup HOUSTON, TEXAS — It’s hard to get a perfect cup of coffee in space.

But Rice University freshmen are trying to fix that.

The engineering students charged with the task of making a better coffee condiment system for the International Space Station (ISS) have come up with a solution they believe will please the astronauts.

The students, Robert Johnson, Colin Shaw and Benjamin Young, were told of astronauts’ longtime frustration over getting coffee the way they like it. They chose the project offered

through the Texas Space Grant Consortium as part of their Introduction to Engineering Design class in the fall and continued to perfect their product this spring.

“The issue is that they only have four set ratios of coffee, creamer and sugar,” Shaw said.

“They have coffee black, coffee with a lot of sugar, coffee with a lot of creamer and coffee with a lot of both. It’s all premixed.”

The freeze-dried blends are in aluminum pouches. Astronauts rehydrate their java with 70-degree Celsius water from a dispenser on the ISS and drink it through a leak-proof straw that keeps stray drops from floating around the station, where they could do

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serious damage.

“That syrupy coffee tastes pretty terrible,” Shaw said. “So we developed this system that allows astronauts to customize their coffee. If they know what they like on Earth, they know what they like in orbit.”

Their adviser at Johnson Space Center’s Space Food Systems Laboratory set few constraints. “He gave us a variety of plastic and aluminum pouches and adapters, and just said, ‘Go,’” Shaw said. “Our solution had to be small, lightweight, function in

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Page 19 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Space coffee gets an upgrade

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microgravity and proportion condiments accurately. We felt it was best addressed by making a system that supplemented the existing solution, as opposed to totally reinventing it.”

The students’ fourpart system works with existing black coffee pouches. They used twoply, heat-sealed pouches supplied by NASA for the sugar and creamer and a roller system to squeeze just the right amount through an adapter to the coffee pouch without leaking. The two-element roller was made on a 3-D printer at Rice’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, where they worked with advisers Ann Saterbak, a professor in the practice of bioengineering education, and engineering lecturer Matthew Wettergreen.

The students’ design was inspired by similar devices that squeeze the last drop of toothpaste out of a tube.

Since the condiment bags can’t be reused, the students wanted to get maximum efficiency

from each. “We want to have one set of pouches able to serve two cups of coffee with two cubes of sugar and two packets of creamer for two astronauts in one day,” Young said.

Gauges applied to the pouches allow for accurate dispensing. “We did a lot of testing for accuracy,” Johnson said. The team determined the system could deliver 10 milliliters of creamer or sugar within a 5 percent margin of error.

The students would love the opportunity to test their invention themselves aboard the ISS, but would be happy with a thumbs-up from the astronauts.

“I was reading an interview with an astronaut on Reddit the other day,” Shaw said, “and he was asked, ‘What’s your favorite thing up in orbit?’ He said it was the Russian shrimp and tartar sauce, because it’s crunchy and has a lot of flavor. We hope that coffee will soon be on that list.”

Antiques & Collectibles 15 W. Main Street, Mohawk Estate Sales • Appraisals Looking for Costume Jewelry & Antique Prints.

315-866-7120

Page 20 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Country Editor Number / Classification 20 Air Compressors 25 Air Tools 35 Announcements 45 Antiques 55 Appraisal Services 75 ATV 80 Auctions 82 Auto Body 110 Bedding Plants 120 Bees-Beekeeping 130 Bird Control 155 Building Materials/ Supplies 157 Building Repair 160 Buildings For Sale 161 Bulk Foods / Spices 165 Business Opportunities 170 Butchering Supplies 173 Carpentry 175 Cars, Trucks, Trailers 180 Catalogs 182 Catering 190 Chain Saws 195 Cheesemaking Supplies 205 Christmas 210 Christmas Trees 214 Clocks & Repair 215 Collectibles 216 Clothing 235 Computers 253 Consignment 265 Construction Equipment For Rent 270 Construction Equipment For Sale 275 Construction Machinery Wanted 277 Construction Services 280 Construction Supplies 312 Crafts 325 Custom Butchering 330 Custom Services 360 Deer-Butchering & Hides 370 Dogs 410 Electrical 415 Employment Wanted 440 Farm Machinery For Sale 445 Farm Machinery Wanted 447 Farm Market Items 460 Fencing 470 Financial Services 480 Fish 483 Flooring 490 For Rent or Lease 500 For Sale 510 Fresh Produce, Nursery 525 Fruits & Berries 527 Furniture 530 Garden Supplies 535 Generators 537 Gifts 575 Greenhouse Supplies 585 Guns 587 Hair Styling 589 Hardware 600 Health Care/Products 605 Heating 610 Help Wanted 653 Hotel / Motel 683 Jewelers 700 Lawn & Garden 711 Lessons 760 Lumber & Wood Products 790 Maple Syrup Supplies 805 Miscellaneous 810 Mobile Homes 811 Monuments 812 Multi Media 813 Music 815 Motorcycles 817 Nails 820 Nurseries 910 Plants 950 Real Estate For Sale 955 Real Estate Wanted 960 RVs & Motor Homes 975 Rentals 980 Restaurant Supplies 1040 Services Offered 1075 Snowblowers 1080 Snowmobiles 1109 Thrift 1140 Trailers 1147 Trains 1148 Travel 1155 Tree Moving Services 1165 Trees 1170 Truck Parts & Equipment 1180 Trucks 1187 Vacuum 1190 Vegetable 1200 Veterinary 1205 Wanted

Announcements

Announcements

ADVERTISING DEADLINE Friday • 2:00 PM For as little as $4.00 - place a classified ad in

The

Country Editor

Call Peg at 1-800-836-2888

or 518-673-0111 or email classified@leepub.com Announcements CHECK YOUR AD - ADVERTISERS should check their

ads on the first week of insertion. Lee Publications, Inc. shall not be liable for typographical, or errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of the first weeks insertion of the ad, and shall also not be liable for damages due to failure to publish an ad. Adjustment for errors is limited to the cost of that portion of the ad wherein the error occurred.

Report any errors to 800836-2888 FREE: Cat needs a good home. Gray & White tiger, female. Nice cat, litter trained and friendly. 315-867-0208 or 315-219-2939

Bedding Plants Annuals, Perennials, Herbs & Baskets are ready now! Heirloom veggie plants. Visit our garden center today! www.BrickHouseAcres.com 315-737-5635

Books

L

K

LOOKING FOR An edition from the 1700’s-1800’s, The History of Herkimer County.

315-894-0955

Building Materials/Supplies

PHOTO ENLARGEMENTS 8x10 - $2.00 • 11x17 - $5.00 • 12x18 or 13x19 - $7.00.

Come see us at Lee Publications, 6113 State Rt. 5, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 518-673-3237

INSULATION: All Types. New/ Existing Buildings.

Free Estimates. Fully Insured. Call Upstate Spray Foam Insulation 315-822-5238. www.upstatesprayfoam.com

Antiques

Cars, Trucks, Trailers

ANTIQUE Barber Chair, 1948, excellent condition. Moved to Florida, must sell, $800. 518221-7707

FOR SALE: Antiques, Collectibles, Shabby Chic, Amish Baskets, Primitives, Jewelry, Country, Re-purpose, Handcrafted Items, Adirondack Décor, Unique Gifts and Much More! “Newport Marketplace” 7583 Main St, Newport “Gift Certificates now available”

ATV ATV TRAILERS by Bosski Industries first automatic “Dump Assist” trailers GVWR 800lbs.+ 1600lbs. models available. Come check them out at North Creek Auto 315-866-3698

1968 ELCAMINO SS 396, 4speed, all original, very, very nice, serious only, $18,000/ OBO. 315-429-3253 1993 CORVETTE convertible, triple black, 6 speed, leather, both seats electric, CD & cassette player, no rain w/cover, 36,000 miles, $15,000. 315271-3602 2008 CHEVY Uplander Van, low mileage, 53,000 miles, new tires, excellent, $9,500.

315-737-7901 FOR SALE: 1995 Eagle Talon, 2 door, asking $2,500.00. Call after 5:00 pm 315-895-0117

Collectibles RECORDS WANTED: We’ll buy your old records from 1930- 1970. 45’s, 78’s, Albums, Rock-N-Roll, Blues, R&B, Country, etc. Call Pete 518-673-2384.

PO Box 121, 6113 State Hwy. 5 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 800-836-2888 • Fax: 518-673-2381

classified@leepub.com Custom Services

For Sale

COLOR GLOSSY PHOTO CALENDARS: Only $12.00 includes tax. Send us your digital prints and we will make a beautiful keepsake calendar for you. You may also bring in your photos on a disc or thumb drive.

If you would like us to mail it is a $5.00 extra fee.

Only 3 day turnaround time. bsnyder@leepub.com Lee Publications 518-673-0101

ThermoPride High Boy oil furnace, model#OH3-72 75kBTU. Serious inquiry only, $500. Joe 315-894-5204 Frankfort

FRAN’S PAINTING & STAINING. Lead Certified. Spray or brush. Free estimates. 315717-2061

NEED BUSINESS CARDS? Full color glossy, heavy stock. 250 ($45.00); 500 ($60.00); 1,000 ($75.00).

Call Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101 or bsnyder@leepub.com PHOTO CALENDARS now available right here at Lee Publications. 6113 State Hwy. 5, Palatine Bridge, NY 518-673-3237. Choose up to 24 photos. Only $12.00 for digital photos and $15.00 if we scan them.

STAG PARTY TICKETS Call Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101. Questions bsnyder@leepub.com Free Shipping TURN your wedding, baby, graduation, scenery photos into beautiful canvas prints starting at only $40.00. Call Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101 or email bsnyder@leepub.com

Dogs YORKSHIRE TERRIERS, 3 females, ready to go, May 10th. ACA registered, vet checked. 1st shots. $500 each. 315-271-3521.

For Sale Adorable MINI LOP BUNNIES! Our purebred babies are sweet & friendly. Pedigrees available. $25.00 each 315-737- 5635

Furniture

Furniture

UDA D WOODWORKING G & CHAIR R HOSPITAL Furniture Repair & Regluing • Countertops • Speaker Cabinets “Formica Work Is Our Specialty”

John F. Duda 734 Lafayette Street Ph. & Fax (315) 733-4715 dudawood@roadrunner.com Utica, NY 13502

Furniture

Hair Styling

BIG Dupa’s breaking your chairs? Call Duda Woodworking & Chair Hospital.

734 Layfayette St., Utica.

315-733-4715. Custom Formica Counter tops too!

HAIRDRESSER: In Home Ser vices. Experienced.

Perms, Cuts, Colors & Sets.

Call Pam H. 315-725-9404

CUSTOM FORMICA Countertops. Cash & Carry or Installed. Duda Woodworking & Chair Hospital, 734 Lafayette St., Utica 315-7334715 “Quality Work for Over 33 Years!”

HORSE HAY: Round bales $40.00 per bale. Mohawk Valley Produce Auction.

518-568-2257

Hay - Straw For Sale

Hide-a-bed couch; rocking chair; end table, coffee table set; dining room set, 11 pieces/insets; mirror; bookcase; set: womans chest with mirror, mens 5 drawer chest; 21” TV; all-in-1 printer; floor lamp; fur coat; set of china; set of Oneida flatware. 315-2199021

OPENING NEW CAFE SOON - Valley area. Looking for parttime wait staff and short order cook. Call 315-985-5462.

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Writers Wanted We are looking for freelance writers for our weekly publication, The Country Editor.

Articles should be general human interest, appealing to a broad national audience.

Submitted articles should be 500 words or less.

Photo essays welcome as well.

CRAFTMATIC “twin” bed, $200.00; electric wheelchair, approx. 24 hrs. on it, $1,000.

Call 315-894-3385

Each article will be considered for its interest to the publication’s readers.

FOR SALE- MOVING: Guilbransen Organ Double Keyboard, needs some work, $200/firm. Call 518-993-2069

Please submit articles via e-mail to Joan Kark-Wren at jkarkwren@leepub.com

PORTABLE Carry-On BOAT air conditioner & cover, $800.00. 315-376-6639 leave a message.

Questions ? Call 518-673-0141

Lawn & Garden

Motorcycles

Services Offered

VALLEY LAWN SERVICE. Mowing, shrub trimming, mulch and clean-ups. Fully insured, free estimates. 315894-4331.

2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON 1200 XL Custom Vance & Hines Pipes, Vance & Hines Fuel Pak, Stage 1 EFI Kit, Black, 8,500 Miles, $7,500.

Excellent Condition!

PATRICIA’S SERVICE TO SENIORS: Helping you at home with shopping, meals, housekeeping. Pat 315-2977063

518-378-3279 Lessons ERNIE BALL, D’ADDARIO, Dean Markley GHS guitar strings (lessons available).

Imagineering Drum & Guitar Shop. 27 West Main St. Little Falls. 315-823-1500

FOR SALE: 2000 LS Suzuki Savage, 11,000 miles, leather saddle bags, color green, excellent condition.

518-573-7468, 518-5732969. Or trade for 4 wheeler or snowmobile.

TED’S Painting and Home Repairs: Book now through April 30th get FREE power wash w/deck staining, good for April, May, June only. Call 315-429-3253

classified@leepub.com

L I A M L L A C OR

HEMLOCK LUMBER, Siding Boards, Framing Lumber, Beams. Miller’s, 6027Cty.Hwy. 18, WestEdmeston. 6miles south ofU.S.Rt.20

Magnets BUSINESS CARD MAGNETS only $75.00 for 250. Free Shipping. Call Beth at Lee Publications 518-673-0101 or bsnyder@leepub.com Please allow 7-10 business days for delivery

ADIRONDACK CAMP in park, Speculator area, redone, nice & clean, 2/3 bedroom, private beach access, $1,100 yearly lot rent. Your weekend getaway. Won’t last long, only $29,950. 315-868-9207 for details.

Music EVANS, REMO DRUMHEADS, drumsticks by ProMark, Zilojian, On Stage.

Imagineering Drum & Guitar Shop. 27 West Main St. Little Falls. 315-823-1500

GREG BENNETT Guitars.

Authorized dealer. Imagineering Drum & Guitar shop.

27 West Main St. Little Falls.

315-823-1500

Recreational Vehicles & Motor Homes BLUE-OX TOW BAR Aventa11, Cover, Cables, $200.00; bike rack for ladder, $20.00.

315-269-8582

Country Editor

$4.00/

10 ACRES. Bridgewater,NY. Outstanding Views. Electric. $32,000.00. 845-783-8408 Fo r S a l e B y O w n e r. c o m #23928210 TEN ACRES West Canada Schools, wooded, pond, electric at road, eight miles to Utica, broker/ owner financing with 20% down. $32,900. 315796-4425

The

PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 • Ph: 518-673-3011 OR 800-836-2888

Real Estate For Sale Lumber & Wood Products

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Deadline Friday 2pm - Fill Out This Form OR Call Us To Place Your Reader Ad • CLASSIFIED READER AD FORM • Tires & Tire Repair Service FOR SALE: 2 11R22.5 tubeless radial truck tires, like new, $200; 6 lowboy trailer tires, 750-15, 12-14 ply, mounted on 6 hole rims for a tiltbed Miller trailer, $275.00. 315429-8010 leave message.

USED TIRE SALE: Huge Inventory, mounting & balancing FREE. No appointment necessary! Save money call Auto World, 534 North Perry Street, Johnstown 12095 518762-7555

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(First 14 words $4.00 each additional word 10¢)

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Tractors MASSEY FERGUSON 65 tractor/ backhoe with front end loader and extra rims, $4,000 or best offer. Dan 518-706-0249

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Name (Print): ____________________________________________________________________ Farm/Company Name: ______________________________________________________________ Street: __________________________________________ County: ________________________ City: __________________________________________ State: __________ Zip: ______________ Phone #:______________________ Fax #: __________________ Cell #: ____________________ Email Address: ____________________________________________________________________ Payment Method: K Check/Money Order K American Express K Discover K Visa K MC Card #: ____________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ____________ MM / YY

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Mail: The Country Editor, PO Box 121, Palatine Bridge, NY 13428

Page 21 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

Country Editor

PO Box 121, 6113 State Hwy. 5 Palatine Bridge, NY 13428 800-836-2888 • Fax: 518-673-2381

Page 22 May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

Happiness for mom is a toasted cheese sandwich

by Elizabeth Karmel, Associated Press Happiness is...a warm cheese sandwich.

It’s a sentiment as true today as when I read it as a child in my very first cookbook, the “Peanuts Cook Book.” It described the simple joy of slapping cheese on a slice of bread, topping it with tomato and oregano, then waiting patiently as it toasted to a bubble.

In my family, the sandwich evolved. The bread was replaced by English muffins. The American cheese became cheddar or mozzarella. We kept the slab of tomato and sprinkle of dried oregano, which made all the difference in the world once it meshed with the bubbling juices of the tomato and the melted cheese.

As it cooked, the kitchen smelled divine and I remember looking into the glass of the toaster oven trying to will the cheese to melt faster.

Once it was done, it was essential to wait a bit for it to cool down or it would burn the roof of your mouth.

Though I haven’t made these sandwiches in a while, they came to mind recently as I thought about Mother’s Day. It’s perfect to eat in bed. It’s simple enough for the kids to make. And it’s deliciously comforting.

There are two secrets

to maximum happiness in this sandwich.

First, always open the English muffins with a fork so that you preserve the nooks and crannies.

Otherwise, it’s just flat bread. Second, pre-toast the English muffins without any toppings so that they are a bit crunchy before you put the cheese and tomato slice on top. This takes a little longer but vastly improves the texture of the finished sandwich.

Also, the cheese must go beneath the tomato, otherwise the tomato slice will make the bread soggy. I add a small sprinkle of cheese to the top, too, because it looks finished and because I love the taste of browned cheese on the warm tomato. You can use your favorite cheese or try freshly grated Parmesan like I do.

And if you don’t like oregano, use your favorite dried herb or a combination of herbs.

And while I favor the simple version in the recipe below, it obviously is easily adapted. Consider these add-ons: • Whole-grain mustard • Crisped bacon (or Canadian bacon) • Seared kielbasa slices • Pesto • Cooked spinach (well-drained) • Jarred banana peppers or jalapeno peppers

• Fresh arugula • Jarred roasted red peppers (drained and patted dry) • Mango chutney • Tapenade English Muffin Cheese and Tomato Sandwich Start to finish: 20 minutes Servings: 4 4 English muffins, split with a fork 8 slices of cheddar cheese 8 center slices of tomato Dried oregano

to is hot and cooked through. Let cool for several minutes before serving.

Nutrition information per serving: 380 calories; 190 calories from fat (50 percent of total calories); 21 g fat (12 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 60 mg cholesterol; 28 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 21 g protein; 580 mg sodium.

Elizabeth Karmel is a grilling and Southern foods expert and executive chef at Hill Country Barbecue Market restaurants in New York and Washington, as well as Hill Country Chicken in New York.

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Heat the toaster oven or conventional oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet or pan with foil.

Toast the English muffins halves until lightly colored, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Top each muffin half with a slice of cheese, then a slice of tomato, a sprinkling of oregano and a bit of the Parmesan cheese. Arrange the muffins on the prepared baking sheet, then return them to the oven and toast for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly at the edges and the toma-

Bros.

Coal • Propane • Oil

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PROPANE 315-429-3266

OIL 315-429-7361

4

Heating / Air Conditioning & Plumbing Installation Sales & Service

315-360-5233 Kane Vincent Owner/Operator 20 Summit St. Newport, NY 13416 Kanesenergysolutions@gmail.com

NEWPORT MARKETPLACE 7583 Main St. Newport, NY 13416 • (315) 845-8822 OVER 40 VENDORS New Items Arriving Daily

• PRIMITIVES • COLLECTIBLES • TREASURES • ANTIQUES • UNIQUE GIFTS OPEN 7 • AMISH BASKETS • COUNTRY CHIC • VINTAGE • JEWELRY • ADIRONDACK URPOSE • SHABBY CHIC • HANDCRAFTED ITEMS • LOCAL CHEESE DAYS • RE-P • HONEY • MAPLE SYRUP • YOGURT • GLUTEN FREE • NATURAL • GOURMET FOODS AND MUCH MORE!

Newly Expanded Wing “VINTAGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP”

Household & Garage Auction 33 South Columbia Street, Mohawk, NY

Sat., May 11, 2013 @ 10:00 AM

Selling: Tool Shop w/8 Attachments, 1930’s dresser set w/mirrors, brass bed, old trunks, 5 leaf dining room table, washer & dryer, refrigerator, freezer, dishes, old glass, silver, 1907 high chair, corner china cabinet, rocking chairs, jackknife collection, old tin boxes, cast iron toys & figurines, Adirondack chairs, tools and tool chest, buck saws, table saw, radial arm saw, old license plates, water yoke, 100# nails, 34’ & 40’ ext. ladder, anvil, vise, Yardman rider, milk bottles, bicycles, 1969 Plymouth Fury Convertible w/24,000 miles, and much much more.

TERMS: cash or check, 10% buyers premium.

Armitstead Auctions • 518-993-2290 Goodyear Direct Dealer

Energy y Co.

Kane’s Energy Solutions

Authorized Tire Center

Seasons

Truck, Tire & Auto Center

A n m a i erican n e v o l S Spring Fling Sunday, June 2 from 1-6 p.m.

DeCarlo Staffo Post Loomis Street Extension, Little Falls

100 Spruce St., Ilion • Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5

(315) 894-5087

$20 per person (children under 10 FREE)

Full Line Commercial Truck, Industrial - OTR Tires

Includes: 2 p.m. roast beef buffet dinner with all the fixings. Homemade Slovenian potica for dessert.

Live music, dancing, reminiscing, and good times with friends!

Discount Tires • Fleet Accounts Welcome • Goodyear National Accounts & Credit Cards Accepted • All Light Truck & SUV Tires on Sale • Retreading Available & Sold • Cooper - Bridgestone/Firestone • Power Trans Service • Power Coolant Flush • Air Conditioning Service & Recharging

Advance ticket reservations are required

by Wednesday, May 15.

Live Slovenian polka music by Frank Svet and friends!

Enjoy homemade Slovenian potica for dessert!

Contact Janet at 315-868-1522 to purchase your tickets by May 15!

Tickets are also available at the Decarlo-Staffo.

by Samantha Mazzotta Wood Deck Stain vs.

Water Seal Q: The house I just bought has a wooden deck in the back that has turned gray over the years. It’s otherwise structurally sound. My question is, should I seal the deck against further water damage, or just stain it to the color I want and not worry about sealing it? — Judy H., Waycross, GA A: It’s really up to you.

Just staining the deck will give you the color you want, although in high-traffic areas the stain could wear away quickly. Many deck companies recommend using a combination stain/sealer product, which is basically a sealer with pigment added.

The advantage of this, they say, is the sealer provides additional protection against water and weather damage, while the stain helps re-

duce fading from UV rays.

Sealers should last at least a year, with some lasting up to three years.

You have a choice of either water-based or oilbased sealer; many professionals recommend oil-based products, which last longer.

Since you’ve just purchased the house and might not know when the deck was last maintained, consider having a professional deck contractor in-

spect it. Find out if there are any hidden issues, whether the deck needs maintenance prior to staining or sealing it. The deck will likely need to be cleaned and may need to be sanded and pressurewashed prior to sealing or staining.

Once you’ve inspected and cleaned the deck, you can apply a stain or sealer (or both). If you decide to stain, pick a few sample colors that are a few shades darker

or lighter than the shade you want. This is because different types or different conditions of deck wood can cause the color of the stain to appear different from the swatch color. Test each sample in an inconspicuous place and pick the best color for your wood.

Apply the stain or sealer on a dry day when the temperature is above 50 degrees F. Don’t apply it in direct sunlight. Ideally, two dry days will help the stain or sealer dry completely and evenly, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly.

Stir the sealer (don’t shake it — bubbles will form in it) or stain and apply a thin coat to a couple of boards at a time using a long-handled paint roller. Don’t overapply — the finish will not dry correctly and will feel tacky for days, at least.

If the finish puddles up, use another roller or

a broom to spread out the puddles. To stain or seal corners, use a paintbrush. If you feel a second coat is needed, apply it in the same way, very thinly. Let the finish dry for at least 24 hours.

A note about cleanup: Any rags or cloths used to clean up spills or excess should not be piled up together. The evaporating finish can ignite and cause a fire. Wash rags by hand — if you applied a water-based finish, use soapy water; if you applied an oilbased finish, use mineral spirits or paint thinner, then rinse — and hang them outdoors to dry, spaced well apart.

HOME TIP: Every few months, check to make sure your deck is still sealed by pouring a small amount of water on the wood. If it beads up, the deck is fine. (c) 2013 King Features Synd., Inc.

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by AMERICAN HOUSECRAFT

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Page 23 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST • May 8, 2013

This is a hammer

May 8, 2013 • THE COUNTRY EDITOR EAST •

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