Mohawk Valley Living 122 Jan 2024 by Mohawk Valley Living

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Senatro Nudo. Night. 2023. Acrylic on canvas.

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Senatro Nudo. Night. 2023. Acrylic on canvas.

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Next Issue:

February 1st

Family Time by Sharry L. Whitney

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contents 4 Contest Answers 6 Matt Perry’s Nature 13 Restaurant Guide 16 Antiques Guide 19 Nature in January 21 MV Restaurant 24 MV Crossword 25 On The Farm with Suzie 29 ADK Journal 31 Valley Girl 33 MV Astronomy Club 34 MV Classical 35 MV Arts 37 Gallery Guide 39 Oneida County History Center 41 Tales from Shawangunk 46 Advertiser Directory

A good habit for starting out the new year is forgiving yourself for the things you didn’t accomplish the previous one—at least I’m implementing this new practice starting this year. The end of 2023 was a bit too busy for me. It was no one’s fault but my own. I volunteered a bit too much of my time. All of the pursuits worthwhile, but at the sacrifice of time with family and friends and many home improvement projects. As I write this, the reality that this isn’t going to be “my” Christmas has sunk in. I enjoy finding the perfect gifts for people, but my favorite tradition is finding new, creative ways of wrapping and presenting them each year. It’s my thing. But I ran out of time this year. So, as we prepare to welcome our children and extended family home for the holidays, I have come to accept that I won’t have time to do the things I usually do to prepare, but I know in my heart that it really won’t matter. We will all be together, and that’s what everyone is looking forward to. I comfort myself by thinking of the line from How the Grinch Stole Christmas: “It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags...What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” I will embrace the time with my family this week. Will I be sad if someone mentions that I didn’t do my over-the-top gift wrapping? Maybe a little (and maybe more so if they don’t) but that’s okay. In a couple days I’ll ring in the new year. First, I’ll raise a glass to 2023. Second, I’ll forgive myself. •

Riggie is roaming around and hiding in the advertising areas of the magazine. Next to him you’ll find a letter. Find all the Riggies and rearrange the letters to answer this riddle. Submit your answer by the 15th of the month to be entered in drawing for a $100 shopping spree at the advertiser of your choice!

MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING MAGAZINE January 2024

PUBLISHERS Lance and Sharry Whitney EDITOR Sharry L. Whitney DESIGN & LAYOUT Lance David Whitney ASSISTANT EDITOR Shelley Malenowski CONTRIBUTORS Peggy Spencer Behrendt, Carol Higgins, Suzie Jones, Rebecca McLain, Cassandra Miller, Matt Perry, Cynthia Quackenbush, Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo, Gary VanRiper CONTACT US (315) 853-7133 30 Kellogg Street Clinton, NY 13323 www.MohawkValleyLiving.com mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com Mohawk Valley Living is a monthly magazine and television show that explore the area’s arts, culture, and heritage. Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of Mohawk Valley Living, Inc.

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(Excluding media and banks) One entry per household per month. Mail to: Riggie’s Riddle, 30 Kellogg St., Clinton, NY, 13323 or email: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com NOTE: Please enter Riggie’s Riddle and crossword puzzle in separate emails.

What’s in store for year 2024? One thing’s for sure: more. Hint: 2 words, 8 letters

The answer to last month’s riddle about a holiday that is a “close second” in Europe is: Boxing Day.

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A Year in the Life of the Spring Farm Beavers (part 1)

story & photos by matt perry 6

Neako, a visitor to the preserve, gives Pippin a sweet potato

We began the season with seven Beavers in the Spring Farm Beaver colony. This includes Tippy and GenLo—the colony’s matriarch and patriarch (both 11-year-olds); Hazelnut—the colony’s only two-year-old; and four yearlings —Pippin, Tosh, Fuji, and Mitsu. The Beavers were living in a large double-domed lodge jutting out from the south shore of Julia’s Pond. The pond was named for Julia, the colony’s former matriarch. A warming trend in the last days of December melted all the snow and a fair portion of the ice covering the Beavers’ ponds. Rain on January 3rd and 4th, coupled with relatively mild temperatures, made for a convincing simulation of spring. The remainder of the pond ice melted and the Beavers experienced a respite from their winter confinement. Straight off, they resumed working on their lodge and dams. Blonde branches, which they had eaten the bark off, had collected beneath the ice and were recycled as building materials. The Beavers also resumed traveling outside their ponds to replenish their food cache. At this time, all the Beavers were coming out in mid-afternoon, and all seemed healthy. They had gotten over an uncharacteristic timidness from the week before, which I believe was brought on by unwelcome visitations to the ponds by predators. Trail cam footage revealed nighttime visits by Coyotes and a Bobcat—not that either species represents a significant threat to an adult Beaver. Regardless, in early January,

the Beavers were back to their gregarious selves, paddling about the pond in broad daylight and occasionally coming to me to ask for treats. Before a mid-month freeze, the Beavers had been making foraging forays into the surrounding meadows. I followed one of their well-worn logging trails from where it emerged on the northwest bank of the pond to where it branched out into lesser trails in the hilltop meadow. The pencil-point stumps of saplings and small trees were evidence of the Beavers’ ongoing logging operations. Where their main trail went through an overgrown hedgerow, several large Sugar Maple trees had been chewed at their bases. Their work didn’t betray their intent to fell these trees; it was indicative of Beavers snacking on bark before proceeding up the trail. A camera mounted alongside the trail captured still photos and video clips of the Beaver’s nocturnal expeditions. With a waddling gait, a Beaver plods into the field with a mission in mind. He returns, gripping in his teeth and dragging behind a sapling, a bundle of aspen whips, or a log. Harvested materials are destined for the underwater food cache—to be drawn on after the inevitable freeze-up occurs and the Beavers are once again pond-bound. During the last week of January, the Beavers’ emergence was in flux. Tippy and GenLo came out in the early morning for a few days and then abruptly switched to coming out only in the afternoon with the younger Beavers.

Hazelnut, the only two-year-old in the colony, emerges from the pond On the morning of February 1st, I found the beaver ponds frozen for the first time in several weeks. I broke a three-foot diameter hole in the ice near the shore to see the Beavers when they emerged. On the previous day, before the freezeup, I saw GenLo and Tippy mating.I don’t often witness this since they normally perform their intimacies under the ice and more often at night. This was important since it allowed me to estimate when the season’s new kits would be born. The Beaver gestation period is approximately 100 days, which placed birthing time in the second week of May. This is consistent with the breeding schedule Beaver colonies in the Northeast normally adhere to. Many are under the misapprehension that Beavers, as rodents, produce many litters per year as mice and voles do. In a Beaver colony, only the matriarch produces young and does it only once a year. Depending on her age, she will produce one to seven kits

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in the spring—typically three to six. Very young mothers and older mothers usually produce smaller litter sizes. During the early breeding season, adult males, driven by hormones, can become quite cranky and may be difficult for other family members to be around. GenLo was certainly no exception, and for a few weeks, he was barging around the pond, the embodiment of impatience and preoccupation. When he wasn’t seeking out his mate, he was causing younger family members to scramble out of his way. Most knew to avoid him and made quick, splashy dives underwater when they saw him coming. We experienced the coldest day of the year on February 4th. In the pre-dawn hours, the temperature dipped as low as -19° F. It had warmed to a balmy -15° when I arrived at 7:00 AM. That morning, the Beavers wisely decided to stay inside. Inside the beaver lodge, the colony remains warm even in subzero temperatures. The typical beaver lodge is well-insulated by a thick wall of mud and sometimes by an additional layer of snow. Body heat generated by the Beavers provides enough warmth to keep the lodge’s inner chamber well above freezing on the coldest nights. The poplar branches I left around their ice hole the previous afternoon had not been taken and were embedded in the thick ice. On February 8th, I noticed a hole in the dam at Julia’s Pond. The hole, possibly the work of a Muskrat, did not go all the way through the structure, but it was a problem; it potentially rep-

resented an existential threat to the colony. Fixing the dam or patching holes can be difficult or impossible in winter since the cold tends to render their building materials unpliable or unavailable. Fortunately, we had entered another spate of mild weather, so repair was feasible. Had the hole gone all the way through the dam, and they failed to fix it, the effect of water rushing through could cleave a gap in the dam straight down to the stream bed. If that happened, the pond would drain and force the Beavers to move to another pond without a lodge or food cache. Ten days after I noticed the hole, it was repaired, and a potential catastrophe averted. Most of February was seasonably mild and often spring-like. Not only were the Beavers able to work on their projects, but they could access their other ponds and go onto land to forage. Their most frequently used foraging route began in the middle of the dam at Julia’s Pond. A ramp-like trail led over the dam and into the lower pond (Lucy’s Pond). From Lucy’s Pond, the Beavers accessed several of their logging trails. I had placed a trail cam at the bottom of the ramp to monitor the Beaver’s nighttime movements. Photos showed Beavers hauling saplings up the ramp and back into the main pond. There were also pictures of muskrats and ducks that often utilized the ramp. The Beavers weren’t only traveling over the ramp and into the lower ponds,

they were also going upstream to the headwater’s ponds. A Black Willow, one I had planted more than twenty years before, was showing signs of Beaver attention. The tree’s trunk was spared, but all its lower branches had been pruned off. What was most remarkable was how high up the Beaver could reach. Beavers cannot scale tree trunks that rise perpendicular to the ground, so how did he manage it? Standing on top of the snow and ice sometimes gives Beavers additional reach, but there had been only a few inches of snow on the ground for the last several days. Wintry conditions prevailed during the first week of March, and the Beaver ponds were icing up again. However, it was thin ice and easy for the Beavers to bust up. On the evening of March 3rd, a winter storm brought four inches of heavy wet snow. While this was not appreciated by the freshly returned songbirds, the

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Beavers and the waterfowl were not so inconvenienced. The above-freezing temperatures and lack of ice allowed their full mobility on the ponds. March was turning out to be the most winter-like of winter months. Although the pond ice was still not a significant issue for the Beavers, snow was piling up in the meadows. A nor’easter began on the 13th and deposited a foot of new snow on top of the six inches we already had. Strong winds caused significant drifting, hampering my mobility around the sanctuary. I could still reach the beaver ponds, and the Beavers remained active. Perhaps due to their depleted food cache, on the afternoon of the 14th, Tippy seemed particularly anxious to get her treat; she came up the trail, plowing her way through the deep snow to meet me. I’ve mentioned in previous articles how proficient Beavers are at snowplowing. Driven by their immensely powerful hind legs, Beavers push snow with their front paws and chests and wield their bulkiness to great effect. They move snow better than any other wild animal I’m acquainted with. Considering how skilled Beavers are at snowplowing, I’m surprised I don’t see them do it more often. Beavers typically opt not to plow in favor of walking on top of the snow or avoiding it all together. Hazelnut was the only two-year-old in the colony. His littermate had prematurely dispersed the previous year, and now it was getting close to his turn to leave. It’s not exactly a hard and fast rule that Beavers must leave their home colonies at age two, but it is mostly adhered to. I was sad to see him go, and most probably, so was the colony. He had been a tireless worker in the best Beaver tradition. His contributions to the upkeep and the winterization of the lodge, his dam work, and his efforts as forager, were assets to the colony. Regardless, soon he would take his skills to another territory, and if he survives, he is well equipped to become the patriarch of his colony. On March 23rd, rain and snowmelt swelled the stream leading into the beaver pond system. The strong current put significant stress on the dam at Julia’s Pond, but it held firm. Young Beavers often disperse during the first high water period in spring, and I wondered if Hazelnut had taken the opportunity to leave. I checked along the sanctuary’s streams for signs of him. I looked around the old pond system—most of which had transformed back into a stream. I headed upstream, eventually reaching where the creek crosses under Route 12. I was concerned to find Beaver signs in the form of a few peeled branches next to the large culvert. While looking around, I saw a Beaver tail disappear into a secondary culvert under our foot

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A Bobcat visits the pond for a drink 9

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trail. Was it Hazelnut? Was he trying to set up shop in a dangerous place so close to the road? Maybe it was one of the yearlings. Whoever it was, I couldn’t coax them out into the open—not even with a sweet potato! On the morning of March 28th, I had a rather large surprise waiting for me by our trailhead parking area. A two-year-old Beaver was sitting behind our birdseed barrel. It was the Beaver glimpsed hanging around the culvert. Why he was in our parking area nibbling on a willow branch, I couldn’t possibly fathom. There was snow on the ground, so I could see where he had walked. Much to my dismay, it was clear he had crossed the highway from Spring Farm’s large parking lot. For a few minutes, I assumed he was Hazelnut—the Beaver I presumed to have dispersed a week or two earlier. However, upon closer inspection, I soon determined he was not Hazelnut. One thing for sure, it wasn’t safe for him to remain at the creek near the culvert or in a parking lot. Even if he made it to one of our beaver ponds, our colony would not accept him. I decided to capture him and bring him to Woodhaven Wildlife Center. There he would have his health assessed by wildlife rehabilitator, Judy Cusworth. With help from one of my sanctuary colleagues, we corralled the Beaver into a dog crate without much difficult. After a physical assessment and a day of observation, the young Beaver was deemed healthy. He was released into a safe habitat where, with luck, he might remain and prosper. On the night of April 5th, we received a tremendous amount of rain. No one expected it, and flooding had not been in the forecast. Still, close to three inches of rain fell. Some of our footbridges were washed away or dislodged. One bridge that remained in place was transformed into an impressive waterfall. As for the Beavers’ infrastructure, the dam at Julia’s Pond appeared intact, although the pond’s water level had dropped a couple of feet, which meant there had to be a rupture somewhere. The dams of the smaller ponds in the Julia’s Pond system suffered more damage, but nothing seemed beyond the Beavers’ ability to repair in the short term. Mid-April was unseasonably hot with four days in a row of temperatures in the 80s. The heat caused over half the trees in the region to leaf out prematurely. The apple trees burst into bloom at least two weeks ahead of schedule. At the ponds, the Beavers had switched up their schedule again and were active in the morning after sunrise. One morning, Tippy was working on the dam at Julia’s Pond. Her work wasn’t just symbolic like most other colony matriarchs—it didn’t consist only of the casual placement of a single stick onto the structure. She was shifting sizable amounts of dredged mud and patching different sections of the dam. As Tippy went about her tasks, the yearlings had begun acting uncharacteristically shy. Three were coming out in the afternoons but were hesitant to come close to shore and were easily startled. Once again, a review of trail cam footage from the ramp trail showed both a Bobcat and a Coyote making nighttime visits to the pond— surely enough of an inducement to unnerve young Beavers. By the end of April, Tippy was getting close to producing her litter, but that was impossible to confirm since Beavers give birth inside the lodge. The yearlings were getting over their timidness

Tippy, the colony’s matriarch, emerges from the ice

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The yearlings come over for treats

and wrestling with each other in the evening. I had been having difficulty distinguishing the yearling Beavers from each other. That changed in early May when I finally found a method based on behavior more than appearance. Pippin would approach me unreservedly, waddle up on shore, stand on his hind legs, and gently take a potato slice in his teeth. When he accepted it, he would lightly touch my hand with his fingers. Tosh would do something similar, but without trying to hold my hand. Also, Tosh has a physical characteristic differentiating her from the other two—providing one gets a close look. Like her mother, Tippy, the end of her tail

is flat and not rounded like those of her littermates. She also has a tiny notch on the side of her tail. Behavior-wise, Fuji is the odd man out. He confidently approaches me like the other two, but before coming over he abruptly halts, waits a few beats, and then quickly charges at me. Right after he does it, he takes his potato as gently as the other two. But what of Mitsu? I realized that I hadn’t confirmed the presence of our fourth yearling in quite some time. From this, I concluded that she dispersed from the colony. On the morning of May 13th, Tippy was out working on the dam again. When she came close to shore for her treat, I could see she had begun lactating. That meant she had new kits in the lodge— kits I was unlikely to see for a couple of months. That’s how long it takes for the young to wean and begin coming out of the lodge. In the short term, I expected to hear them calling and begging inside the lodge chamber. Beavers are very vocal animals, and new kits are especially so. They converse with their parents, older siblings, and each other. By the end of May, the Beavers were becoming serious about working on the dam at Julia’s Pond. Tippy, GenLo, and at least one other yearling were out each morning working. The mud they added to the dam was obviously dredged up

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from the middle of the pond, because there was a bloom of air bubbles that broke over where they dredged. A narrow stream of breaking bubbles led to the dam, where a Beaver emerged with their arms full of dark mud. The mud was shoved up against the dam and plastered on by hand. On the morning of the 23rd, I watched GenLo do this for about 30 minutes straight. He was so involved that he had no interest in coming over for a sweet potato break. Perhaps some of his incentive to work was the presence of new kits inside the lodge, which I heard calling for the first time that morning. GenLo knows that tightening up the dam causes the pond’s water level to rise; that, in turn, puts the lodge’s entrance holes in deeper water, and makes the kits inside safer from predators. Part two of the Spring Farm Beavers’ story will appear in the February issue of this magazine. Matt Perry is Conservation Director and Resident Naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in Clinton. He manages a 260 acre nature preserve which is open for tours by appointment. His nature videos and photos can be found on the Spring Farm CARES’ Nature Sanctuary Facebook page.

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Mon-Thu 6am-1pm, Fri 6am-7pm, Sat 6am-Noon, Sun 7am-Noon

Happy Hour Daily 4-7, $2.75 Drafts & $3 Well Mixers

Tuesday: All-U-Can-Eat Spaghetti Wednesday: Pasta and Wings Specials Thursday: All-U-Can-Eat Chicken Riggies

Happy New Year!

409 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro • (315) 736-7869 Catering & Banquet Facilities Available • www.69steakhouse.com

Sheri’s

Wishing Everyone A Happy, Healthy, Safe And Blessed New Year 2024!! Thank You For Continuing To Support Us , We Look Forward To More Years To Come!!

EASTSIDE DINER

Breakfast, Lunch, Deliveries, Take Out & Catering!

Breakfast • Lunch Homemade & Fresh Daily!

Outside Seating & Grab-and-Go Available!

Check out our weekly specials on facebook and at www.rososcafe.com

Open: Monday-Friday: 8-2 185 Genesee St 2nd Floor, Utica

315 735-7676 14

Call us for your work or family gatherings

Friday Fish Fry • Breakfast Served All Day

Call, (315) 896-2173, To Place Your Pickup Orders!!

2199 Bleecker St., Utica (315) 790-5250 Open 7 Days a Week, 7am-2pm

best burgers around!

“We are your home town pizzeria!”

Order online or on our app!

Clinton: (315) 853-4310

New Hartford: (315) 736-4549

www.tonyspizzeriaclinton.com

www.tonyspizzeriaanddeli.com

41 College Street

4462 Commercial Dr.

Breakfast Sandwiches Deli-Style Wraps/Sandwiches Salads, Soups & more! Homemade Baked Goods & Multi-Color Bagels - a kid’s favorite!

2 Locations: 219 N. Genesee St., Utica 1401 Oriskany Street W., Utica

(315) 790-5353 • Open 7 Days a Week

Free Delivery (min. $25) • Family Owned & Operated!

Friday Fish Fry!

11:30am-8pm

Open friday for Dinner!

1717 Rt. 8, Cassville (315) 839-5000 Hours: Mon-Thu: 7a-2p, Fri: 7a-8p, Sat: 7a-1p, Sun: 7a-12p (Breakfast only)

Contemporary American • Private Functions • Reservations Recommended

900 Culver Ave., Utica • 315-765-0271 • Open Wed-Sat 4:30-8pm Visit www.willowsofutica.com

mv living

antique shopping guide Little Falls

Get out of the house and explore our local antique shops!

Herkimer

SHOWCASE

TO HERKIM

Antiques of CNY K

OHAW

TO M

Mohawk

Little Falls

Antique Center

MOHAWK ANTIQUES MALL Celebrating 25 years in business!

Attic Addicts The Queen’s Closet

Pristine, Practical, and Priced Right!

Specializing in estate sales, large and small. Conducted with respect and dignity.

Call for a consultation: (315) 736-9160

Consignment at its Finest!

Clothing, Jewelry Household Items, Furniture

A primitive and country mix of old purposeful clutter and handmades Furniture, Vintage Linens, Warm Glow Candles (USA made) & more!

It’s our 20 Anniversa th ry!

Winter Hours: Tues-Fri 11pm-5pm, Sat 10:30am-3pm, Closed Sun & Mon

Facebook: The Queens Closet & Attic Addicts

Multi Dealer Antique Shop

Primitives • Furniture • Artwork Smalls • Antique Accessories

New consignment by appt. only

22 Oriskany Blvd., Yorkville (315) 736-9160 16

BlackCat

ANTIQUES & GIFTS

14 East Main St. Earlville 315-691-5721

Tues-Fri: 9-4, Sat: 9-2, Closed Sun & Mon

Wed-Sat: 10-4, Sun: 11-3 • (315) 264-1755

4803 Rt. 31, Vernon

Little Little Falls Falls

Antique Center More than 50 vendors on 2 floors!

Antiques • Art • Crafts Open 6 days a week, 10-5, Closed Tues Handicapped-accessible • 315-823-4309 Thruway Exit 29A, 25 West Mill St., Little Falls www.littlefallsantiquecenter.com

All kinds of Unique Vendors under one roof! Vendors Wanted

Artisans, Crafters, Antiques to Retro including Food Items.

We wish everyone a Healthy & Happy New Year!

Like us on Facebook!

Also home of

315-628-1506 www.renewedandrescued.com

142 North Main St., Herkimer • 315-219-9195

Open Tues-Fri: 10-4:30, Sat: 10-4, Closed Sun & Mon • www.mohawkvalleycommunitymarket.com 17

Happy New Year!

Over 160 Vendor booths and display cases!

We would like to thank all of our great customers and we know that 2024 will be the BEST year EVER!!!

100 E. Main St., Mohawk (Thruway Exit 30)

(315) 219-5044 www.mohawkantiquesmall.com

MOHAWK ANTIQUES MALL

MADISON INN ANTIQUES FURNITURE • TOOLS • BOOKS • COLLECTIBLES GLASS • PRIMITIVE

7417 State Route 20, Madison 315-893-7639 • Open Thursday-Sunday 10-5

coins

antiques

jewelry

THE POTTING SHED ANTIQUES

ALL U.S. COINS WANTED

Buying and Selling Coins, Large Selection of Jewelry (gold, silver, costume), and Antiques. Buying scheduled by appointment. Thurs & Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4, Closed Sun-Wed • www.thepottingshedantiques.com

315-736-5214

Don Hartman, 52 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro (Next to Kinney’s)

Victorian Rose

Vintage, Antiques, Crafts & Collectibles January & February winter hours: Open Friday-Sunday: 10am-4pm

315-893-1786

3371 Maple Ave., Bouckville • www.victorianrosevintage.com 18

Mon, Wed-Sat: 10-5, Sun: 11:30-4:30 Closed Tuesdays

uuuuuuuuuuu u u u u u u u BUYING & SELLING Antiques, u u Mid-Century, and Vintage thru 1975 u u OPEN Every Day 11AM-4PM, Closed Wed. u u *5,000 sq.ft. Multi-Dealer Store u u *BEST Variety of UNIQUE Finds u *103 SHOWCASES u u *26 DISPLAY BOOTHS u u u *1,000’s of Affordable “Smalls” For Sale u u *Get on our Monthly CUSTOMER WANT LIST u u (315) 823-1177 u u 375 Canal Place, Little Falls u u Next Door to Ann Street Deli u u u uuuuuuuuuuu

showcase antiques

Weeden’ s Mini Mall

Loaded with Antiques, Vintage, Collectibles, & many unique items! Over 40 years in business! Over 100 shops under one roof! 8056 Route 13, Blossvale (Located 4 miles North of Sylvan Beach) (315) 245-0458 • Open 10-5 every day • www.weedensminimall.com

MV NATURE

january story and photos by Matt Perry

Snow, depending on its consistency, can be an excellent medium to record detailed footprint evidence of wildlife. Of course, all impressions recorded in snow are ephemeral. Snow melts and/or morphs over time, causing prints to become distorted or to vanish altogether. A set of prints may also become covered with new snow or get overwritten by other prints. The best way to preserve a set of pristine prints is to photograph them—preferably with measuring tape laid alongside or some other object of standard size for comparison purposes. When consulting a field guide or an internet source to identify a set of footprints, accurate measurements are as crucial as knowing the number and the configuration of the print’s toes or information regarding the animal’s straddle and stride. Footprint evidence does something remarkable—it provides the naturalist with the near complete wintertime list of mammals active in an area. In contrast, it also gives us a good idea of which animals are not present. This is how we know we have Fishers, Porcupines, and Bobcats, but do not have Cougars or Wolves. Not only can footprints indicate which species are around, but they can also provide a fair amount of behavioral information. Following footprints laid down by a Coyote can give a candid view of an otherwise secretive animal—one that is largely nocturnal. In many ways footprints

provide more insight into an Differentiating between tracks of a mink (pictured here) and animal’s behavior than one those of a skunk is easy if you understand the animals’ habits can gain by seeing the creature in person. It’s a fact that a wild animal that knows it’s being observed often behaves quite different- text, would I have recognized what raptor ly than one oblivious to its audience. If I see species they belonged to? Probably not. As a Fisher in the wild, almost invariably, it sees it happens, sometimes context is important me first, and reacts by curtailing his activities when determining the identity of the footand running away. However, if I come upon print maker. Indeed, on a ledge high up on tracks of a Fisher and follow them, I can get a city building, footprints of a raptor have a a complete itinerary of everything he does. high probability of belonging to a Peregrine I can see how he forages and hunts; I can Falcon. A similar set of footprints found on learn how he navigates around obstacles like the ground in a suburban yard, would most streams or ponds. I can discern much about probably belong to a different species of his decision-making process. In many ways, raptor—a Cooper’s Hawk or a Red-tailed footprints on a snowy landscape are like sen- Hawk. Both species prefer that habitat and tences written on paper; the animal is literally regularly interact with prey on the ground. Context is not so helpful when identifywriting out its own life history. Virtually every animal active in winter- ing footprints created by related species with time will, at some point, leave evidence of similar habitat preferences and overlapping its presence in the snow. Even birds we asso- ranges. For instance, I have yet to find a reciate only with traversing the sky or flitting liable method to distinguish Red Fox from around in trees will occasionally leave legi- Gray Fox footprints in areas where both speble footprints on the ground or on a branch cies occur. At our nature sanctuary, I regularor ledge. A good example is our Peregrine ly come across footprints of both fox species, Falcons in downtown Utica, which have left and usually, I can only make a guess at which footprints in the snow on the ledges they fre- one left the tracks. My guess is based on quent. I recall seeing one of the Utica Per- probabilities and what species I’ve encounegrine’s footprints on one of the nestbox’s tered visually in the same area. It’s not just side platforms and thinking how interesting foxes; all canids (members of the dog famthey looked. If I had seen them out of con- ily) are hard to distinguish from each other

Bossone’s Sausage & Meat Co.

Utica’s Pork Store

Try our Famous Sausage!

Deli items • Beef • Steaks • Cheeses • Dry Goods Catering Trays Made to Order Sundays: Fried Meatballs & Fried Dough!

711 Bleecker St., Utica

(315) 765-6409 Open: Thurs & Fri: 9-4, Sat: 8-2, Sun: 8-Noon

Ron’s

Sharpening

Get your scissors ready for holiday crafts and your hardworking tools sharpened and ready for next season!

(315) 737-0105

Mon-Fri 10-5 • 9454 Paris Hill, Sauquoit

Expert Scissor Sharpening Scissors-Fabric & Hair Clippers- Hair & Animal Knives- Kitchen & Hunting Joiner & Planer Blades Circular SawsCarbide & Steel Chain Saws and Drill Bits Hedge ClippersHand, Electric & Gas Lawn Mower Blades Lawn Tools 19

conclusively by footprints. Scale is helpful, but there is a great amount of overlap in the size of prints laid down by domestic dogs, Coyotes, and Wolves. The tracks of some smaller dog breeds can also overlap with foxes. When it comes to the mustelids (members of the weasel family), most leave tracks that are easy to identify from each other. Although their five-toed prints and “V” shaped pads look similar regardless of which weasel made them, in most cases, size alone can help sort out their identities. In our region the smallest weasel tracks typically belong to an Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel). Intermediate sized prints belong to Mink or Striped Skunk, and the largest weasel tracks belong to Fisher or River Otter. Differentiating between Striped Skunk prints and Mink prints is easy when you consider the pattern of the prints. The Skunk is virtually never in a hurry, and its gait reflects that. His back feet and front feet come down in an evenly spaced pattern of four which is repeated along his trail. The other weasels tend to gallop and frequently vary their gait. Most often, the Mink and Fisher lay down prints in tight groups of four, which are not evenly spaced—each grouping appearing six inches to a foot or more distant from its antecedent. Looking for footprints of wildlife in the snow can be an excellent outdoor activity on a January morning. When all around seems still and lifeless, you can discover evidence of a winter world that is anything but dead. On white, icy pages you can read what the animals themselves have so helpfully written out. •

LIQUORS & WINES Welcome to the Station!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm

HALF & FULL CASE DISCOUNTS

Raise a glass to a New Year & New Beginnings!

Cheers to 2024!

8231 State Route 12, Barneveld (315) 896-4444

An Eastern Screech Owl sleeping by day

Turkey tracks A Turkey trots across the meadow Tracks of a red fox are hard to distinguish from those of a gray fox

A dense collage of Mallard footprints

Visit Our Showroom!

•Carpet •Hardwood •Laminate

•Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Vinyl Tile

Michael SanFilippo Owner

315-733-3697 Why pay more? Come to Mike’s Floor Store!

3 Main St., Whitesboro • EMAIL: mikesfloorstore@gmail.com

Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support!

www.benandjudyssugarhouse.com Available at: Peter’s Cornucopia, Twin Orchards, Stoltzfus Dairy 770 Beaver Creek Rd., West Edmeston • (315) 899-5864 • Find us on Facebook! 20

mv restaurants

Street Corner Urban Market in utica

by Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo “Want the Goods? We’ve got ‘em.” That’s the motto of Street Corner Urban Market. Located on the corner of Genesee and Bleeker St, this inner-city confluence meets the needs of residents, students, and professionals who dwell around downtown Utica. Established in 2019 by owner Enessa Carbone as part of The Westwood apartment complex, Street Corner sells Grab-and-Go meals, fresh produce, grocery items, and gift baskets. Carbone said, “I opened Street Corner to provide young people and professionals with what they needed so they could live downtown.” When approaching the Street Corner front entrance, guests hear the outdoor stereo play smooth melodies in tune with the concrete surroundings and the humming sound of traffic. It’s easy to understand the appeal of eating here, where one can enjoy a perfect view of the new Liberty Bell Park Mural that platforms directly across the street. The atmosphere has a busy social vibe that reflects the customers’ high-spirited enthusiasm and civic pride, which is enough to arouse a hearty appetite. The majority of the meals and merchandise available are from locally made products such as Utica Coffee, Cora Products, Memory Laine Sweets, It’s A Utica Thing Sauce, Maple Syrup, Symeon’s Spices, Cafe Canole, Karam’s Middle Eastern Deli, and The Matt Brewing Company. “I am very interested in featuring Utica products,” said Carbone. Many customers come from Utica University’s downtown campus since Street Corner offers free coffee to students. Breakfast burritos and sandwiches prepared by Darlene Kelly and Kathi Randall are popular morning selections. “Dar and Kathi run the kitchen, and they’re passionate about the food,” Carbone said amid the shuffling exchange of scurry-

The Street Corner Urban Market in Utica is bustling during the work week

Darlene Kelly and Kathi Randall managers of Street Corner kitchen and grocery store

PULASKI MEAT MARKET

Homemade Polish Foods Variety of Kielbasa • Cold Cuts Pierogi • Golabki

1201 Lenox Ave., Utica • (315) 732-8007

www.polishfoodutica.com • Mon-Fri:9-5, Sat: 9-4:30, Sun Closed 21

ing students, “They know all of their regular orders and have them ready and waiting in the morning. Most of the students come back for lunch.” At my visit, I watched Kelly and Randall preparing tuna and celery salad for sandwiches which can be paired with the soup special of the day: tomato basil bisque. Watching them work happily behind the counter and exchanging pleasantries with Central New York’s promising youth is uplifting. Professionals who work in the Clark City Center building are another group of frequent customers. They often get the Grab and Go items and quickly head back to the office. Seen looking over the deli display case is an influential public figure. Although unable to make an official endorsement, his zealous reach toward the Grab and Go from Karam’s Middle Eastern Deli speaks for itself. Other popular Grab-and-Gos are pasta dishes prepared with It’s a Utica Thing Sauces including Marinara, Vodka Riggie, Chicken Riggie, and Roasted Garlic. Made in-house items include Chicken Dumplings with Sweet Chili Rice, Mashed Potato Bowls, and Southwest Chicken Salad. If you have a desire for sweets, Street Corner’s dessert display refrigerator offers many options to choose from. Cakes include German Chocolate, Carrot, Cheesecake, Red Velvet, Pineapple Upside Down, Strawberry Swirl, and White Chocolate. There are also pastries such as Bear Claws, Danishes, Chocolate Bombs and Key Lime Pie. Fresh pizza is always on hand in a glass 3-tier pizza

Street Corner’s salads and Grab-and-Go meals

Ana Rodriguez and her camera shy husband enjoy Street Corner’s pizza, fresh salad, and fresh grapes

Pasta dishes are made in-house by Kathi Randall and Darlene Kelly

Shop Here First! Happy New Year! Avoid Regret Later. Shop around, but don’t buy until you check out our collection of beautiful furniture! No regrets.

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Thank you to all of our amazing customers for your continued support throughout the past year.

AMISH MADE

7686 Route 5, Clinton • (315) 853-7300

Open Mon -Sat: 10am-5pm • www.ironwoodcny.com Shop Our In-Store Inventory! Jelly Cupboards • Bookcases • Hutches • Tables • Bedroom Sets • Benches • Coffee/End Tables • Hoosiers & much more!

NEW HARTFORD SHOPPING CENTER 315.797.0025 k a ra z s h o e s . n e t

Unleash Your Creativity 9 ½ East Park Row PO Box 213 Clinton, NY 13323

Mike Betro resident of The Westwood loves the pizza

POTTERY BEYOND CENTERING

with Martha Redmond Move beyond the basics of wheel throwing, discuss efficiency in technique and build your skills. This class focuses on throwing practice and training, though students may leave with 2-3 finished pieces. Final pieces can be picked up two weeks after final class. All materials included. Ages 18+ Saturdays: 10am-noon 4-part series: Jan 6, 13, 20, & Feb 3 $175 for the series

Utica University students, Carter Iannotti, Conner Crossley, Kelley Hedrick, Nola Slvea, Michael Milankovic, Jake Bowen, and Spencer Borghardt, enjoy the convenience of the Street Corner Market warmer, and there is a variety of local beers in the market to complement this crowd-pleasing staple. Mike Betro, a resident of The Westwood apartment complex said, “I like not having to leave home when I want Saranac beer and pizza.” The Westwood residents also have the convenient option of buying gifts on-site. Neatly packaged All Things Utica Baskets and Daisy Design Cutting Boards with traditional Utica fare recipes on them are displayed throughout the store. These are also frequently purchased by out-of-town guests from the Nexus Center and by locals who want to bring a taste of home to their Utica native loved ones who have moved away. There are little Street Corner outlets in the Oneida County Courthouse and State Office Building with fresh edibles for working folks unable to get to the market. Although Street Corner Urban Market was originally off to a slow start because of the pandemic, recent months have seen it evolve into an active social hotspot. “We’ve been open for a while, and we are glad to see that it’s coming around now,” said Carbone. “Of course, it’s coming around. This place is great,” interjected an anonymous patron. Carbone graciously responded, “From your lips to God’s ears.” •

Street Corner Urban Market 167 Genesee St, Utica • 315 624-9276 Open: Mon-Sat: 7:30am-8pm, Sun: 10am-6pm streetcornerutica.com Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo is a poet and freelance creative writer. She is an active member in the Oneida Chapter National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She enjoys history, writing, public speaking, ballroom dancing and line dancing.

ART SPARKS

with Cate Reynolds Spark your daily art practice at this weekly nonchalant gathering. No pressure—just some arty playtime for anyone 18+. Materials and sparks provided. Ages 18+, Open sessions twice a week Wed/Thurs 6:30-7:30pm. Begins Jan 17 No registration required $10 per session

BLOCK PRINTING

with Tim Rand Linocut is a relief printmaking technique. Tim will work with each student through the process from designing and sketching to carving and printing an edition to take home with you. Ages 18+, February 6,13, 20, & 27 Tuesdays 6:30-8pm (4-part series) No experience necessary $95 for the series

BEYOND BEGINNER POTTERY

with Martha Redmond Intermediate pottery for teens who have a basic understanding of throwing on the pottery wheel. We will discuss efficiency in technique and build a great deal of skill. This class is focused on throwing practice and training, though students may leave with 2-3 finished pieces. Final pieces can be picked up two weeks after the final class. Ages 14+, Thursdays: 3-5pm 4-part series: Jan 11, 18, 25, & Feb 1 $175 for the series

mv crossword

january Crossword Answers found in the pages of this magazine! Solution will appear in next month’s issue

Across 1. Sharry’s source for her favorite Baklava. See page 13 5. What you might hold this winter to see which of your neighbors makes the best bread 7. Spring Farm Cares’ Beaver colony’s matriarch 9. Utica’s hopping Urban Market 11. Not near 12. Royal residence and our featured artist 14. The products from this new farm in Sherburne will make your charcuterie tray the talk of the town! Down 2. This street in little falls has the best sandwiches! See page 12 3. What kind of cuisine does Mohawk Valley Girl enjoy this month? 4. If you’re a birdwatcher, you can be a part of this Project 6. What to look for in the winter to know what animals are around 8. In what kind of tree might one find a partridge? 10. A noble beverage on a grey day? 13. Where Comets fly (for short)

Since 2010

MG Recoveries A local collection agency with a professional touch.

MVL Crossword Puzzler:

On a crisp, cool, winter night, we are sometimes privileged to this delight. Hint: 2 words Unscramble the letters in the yellow boxes then email your answer to: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com by the 18th of this month. You’ll be entered to win an MVL Mug and a bag of delicious, fresh-roasted FoJo Beans coffee!

• children’s bookstore • reading tutoring • arts enrichment • literacy enrichment • birthday parties

Thank you for Shopping Local!

Mark E. Griffing, M.D., Proprietor collectbymgrecoveries@gmail.com 1900 Genesee St. Suite 202, Utica, NY

Office: 315-624-9278 Cell: 315-679-3776 24

Mon: 10-2, Tues-Fri: 10-7, Sat: 10-4

(315) 765-6262 • 587 Main St., New York Mills

On the farm with Suzie Saudade Farms developed their signature Fennel Seed Salami by leaning heavily into Filipa Rodrigues’ Portuguese background

My Market Neighbor:

Saudade Farms New farmers and new parents Filipa Rodrigues and Ilya Kuperman of Saudade Farm in Sherburne 34

in Sherburne by suzie jones

Filipa Rodrigues and Ilya Kuperman of Saudade Farm in Sherburne

It is always an enormous treat for me to meet fellow farmers. I love to learn about their operations and shared passions and how they’ve met the many challenges of farming. Imagine how excited I was to meet a young couple—recent transplants to Central New York—who are almost entirely new to farming. Filipa Rodrigues and Ilya Kuperman started Saudade Farms in Sherburne less than three years ago (during the height of the pandemic, no less!) with the goal of raising heritage-breed animals, preserving the land, and sharing their love of good food. Together, the couple raises KuneKune pigs, Navajo-Churro sheep, Highland cattle, and Babydoll Southdown sheep. They work with a local USDA processor to make cuts of pork, lamb, and beef available directly to consumers and via small farm stores like the Kriemhild Kupboard in Hamilton and Jones Family Farm in Herkimer. The meat is flavorful and cuts beautiful—a testament to both the farmers and the processor. But what has really caught the attention of local food lovers is Saudade Farms’ salamis. Leaning heavily into Filipa’s Portuguese background, the couple worked closely with a sausage maker in Massachusetts to develop their signature Fennel Seed Salami and have just released two new flavors: Hot Soppressata and White Wine & Garlic. The KuneKune pork, coupled with the farm’s pasture-based management, makes for a mouthwatering and delightful cured sausage— perfect for special occasions or a simple midnight snack. I recently sat down with Filipa and Ilya to find out a bit Saudade Farms aims to raise heritage-breed animals and preserve the land

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Rome • 315-571-5398

Available 0% APR financing for up to 84 months on purchases of new eMax 20 S Open Station & Cab, Max 26 XLT HST, 1626 Shuttle & HST, 1635 Cab & 1640 Cab, and 2638 Cab Mahindra tractors made from November 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023. Subject to approved retail installment credit with Mahindra Finance USA LLC. Attachments, taxes, freight, set up and delivery charges could increase the monthly payment. Monthly payment may exclude tax, title, administration fees and other dealer fees and charges. Available at participating U.S. dealers. Price and model availability vary by dealer. Not all customers will qualify. All credit subject to review and approval and other terms and conditions. All financing is in Mahindra Finance USA LLC’s sole discretion.

GOODSELL MUSEUM Local Adirondack History

2993 State Route 28 Old Forge, NY 13420

315-369-3838 www.webbhistory.org Headquarters of the Town of Webb Historical Association

Saudade Farms plans to expand their charcuterie line and hopes to someday ship their products directly to their customers’ doorsteps more about their experiences as new farmers in Upstate New York: “We moved to New York from Texas in 2021 after looking at properties in the Northeast for more than a year. It was a tough time to move, not only because of the distance but mainly because the prices were so high. Most properties were out of our reach. “After browsing house listings daily for months, we stumbled upon our farm in Sherburne by pure luck. The location was simply stunning and we were amazed to find the property was bordered by a state forest. It just felt right when we saw it. We didn’t know anyone in New York State or have family here, but we were determined to take on this challenge and move to the right property. We were so fortunate to find this place! “Since neither of us had a farming background, nor did anyone in our families, we have relied on continuous education to hone our animal husbandry practices and improve our land management skills. Much of our education comes from free webinars by farm extension programs, books, and mentorship from other farmers. And because breed preservation is one of our passions, we belong to associations like the American KuneKune Pig Society to stay abreast of important developments. “We knew this transition from Texas to New York wouldn’t be easy, and each season has presented unique obstacles. Our passion for raising livestock (even when our animals won’t cooperate!) is the main factor that keeps us going. Every new challenge helps us improve what we do. “Our salami is sold primarily locally throughout Central New York at general stores, cheese shops, farm stores, and restaurants. We are beyond grateful for all the business owners who have embraced and shared our product with their customers. “Above all, we love working with our livestock and seeing customers enjoy our products. In the future, we hope to ship our product directly to our customer’s doorstep and expand our charcuterie line.” For more information, be sure to check out their website: www.saudadefarms.com • Suzie Jones and her husband, Peter, own Jones Family Farm in Herkimer. Together, with their children, they produce specialty goat cheeses and gelato. Find them at local farmers’ markets and online at www.anotherjonesfamilyfarm.com

Now that the decorations are put away, relax and enjoy friends, conversation, laughs, and pastries & cookies! From our family to yours, may we all have a healthy and happy 2024!

Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe 707 Bleecker Street, Utica, New York 315-735-9712 Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat: 7am-3pm, Sunday: 7am-Noon, Closed Tues

Northeastern ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION

315.534.6118 Owned and operated in Utica, New York www.northeasternroofs.com

Kitchen & Bath Cabinets Hardwood Flooring & Countertops

Cabinetry for Every Budget!

FREE In-Home Estimates Installation Available

315-822-0010

Corner of Rte. 8 & 20, Bridgewater Showroom Open Tues 11-6, Wed-Sat 11-4 or by appt. www.knottybynature.com

Cabinetry by Shiloh, Aspect & Waypoint

adirondack journal

Project FeederWatch

Priscilla looks over at us

story and photos by Gary VanRiper

Since birdwatching is such a popular hobby, I am guessing many of our readers already have feeders stocked and are luring in their seasonal friends and winter entertainers. For those interested in taking their hobby to another level, there is an opportunity to contribute to the growing body of scientific knowledge (as well as increasing your own!) through an annual program of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology located in Ithaca, New York. Launched in the late 1980s, Project FeederWatch now boasts more than 20,000 participants from throughout the United States and Canada and “is a proven tool for monitoring the distribution and abundance of winter bird populations.” The program officially runs from November through April, but speaking with staff member Heidi Faulkner, I learned it is possible to join in at any time. According to the Project FeederWatch site, data collected help scientists understand such things as changes in the winter ranges of feeder birds; foods and environmental factors that attract birds, and how disease is spread among birds at feeders. Have you ever wondered why in some years there seems to be an abundance of a particular species present at your feeder completely missing in the following years? For example, dozens of Evening Grosbeaks quickly empty your

Short-eared Owls are an occasional irruptive species. Scientists are curious and have many questions about these migration events. 40

Evening Grosbeaks are an irruptive species. Among other irregular visitors at feeders can be Pine Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, Common Redpolls, Purple Finch, and many more.

New this year for Project FeederWatch, participants have the option of including mammals. 29

feeding station along with your wallet. But the next year? Not one shows up! That is because Evening Grosbeaks are among irruptive species. Irruptions among bird species usually occur when an increase in the number of birds collides with a decrease in a necessary food source—and so the species migrates in search of sustenance. Through Project Feederwatch, scientists also want to learn the timing and extent of such winter irruptions of these and other species. Heidi mentioned some new optional features have been added to the count this year including the recording of any mammals visiting feeders. For detailed information on the program and what those who join FeederWatch will receive, visit and explore ProjectFeederWatch.com. The program is supported almost entirely by those who participate—$18 for U.S. residents and $15 for Lab members. With the number of birds and mammals we have managed to attract right here in the center of our village with a single feeder, I plan to join this year as well! •

According to data through Project FeederWatch, the Dark-eye Junco is the most common feeder bird in all North America.

Gary VanRiper is an author, photographer, and pastor at the Camden Wesleyan Church. He has written 19 children’s books with his son, Justin. Learn more at: www.adirondackkids.com Short-eared Owl Pulse LMR ad Rev 3.75x5_Layout 1 5/21/2014 1:36 PM Page 1

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The Everyday Adventures of Mohawk Valley Girl

Tren de Villa Mexican Restaurant in Mohawk

by Cynthia Quackenbush

Waitress/bartender Valentina pours Cynthia (AKA Mohawk Valley Girl) and her friend Kim a class of wine

I have always loved the Mohawk Station building on the corner of Route 5S and Main Street in Mohawk. I was very interested visit the Tren de Villa Mexican Restaurant when it opened there and discovered another great place to eat in the Mohawk Valley. They do my favorite thing in a Mexican restaurant —they bring chips and salsa to the table right away. And what chips! They are made in-house and still warm when you get them. So good! The salsa is just the right amount of spice, at least for me. All the food is fresh and not too spicy. For those who like things really hot, I am sure you can ask for hot sauce or whatever it takes. I went to Tren de Villa the first time alone for lunch and enjoyed soft shell tacos with chicken. I brought leftovers home, including the chips and salsa I had not finished. I knew I would return soon with my friend Kim Darling in tow. Naturally, I share all my best finds with my bestie! One Saturday afternoon, Kim and I stopped for a snack in between Mohawk Valley adventures. I tend to get a bit peckish in the afternoon. We sipped Margaritas, and I tried the Mini Chimichangas from the appetizer menu. Yum! I felt I would be hard-pressed not to order them every time I dine at Tren de Villa. However, when Kim and I went there for dinner, the full-size Chimichangas were the special. The dinner includes refried beans, rice, and guacamole salad. Did you say guacamole? My favorite! OK, I have a

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lot of favorites. I chose shredded beef for the meat in the chimichanga to go with the Cabernet Sauvignon I was drinking. Tren de Villa has a full bar. I even saw a bottle from Dikin Durt Distillery of Herkimer. Drink local! While we ate, I was loving the lively Mexican music that played. Valentina, our waitress, was busy, but found time to be friendly. We sat at the bar while Kim sipped her Margarita, I sipped my wine, and we tried not to get too stuffed on the yummy food. I love having leftovers to heat up later! Before or after you eat, you can shop at The Factory Store, which is in the same building. The store carries brands such as Columbia and Woolrich and offer coats, hats, gloves, pajama bottoms, long johns and more. There is even some vintage jewelry in the display case. Kim purchased a couple of rings when we were there on Saturday afternoon. Hours are subject to change. It is associated with The Factory Store in Cooperstown. •

The chimichanga dinner includes refried beans, rice, and guacamole salad

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Mohawk valley astronomical society

sky hunter by carol higgins

Winter officially arrived a few weeks ago on December 21 and will be with us until March 19. It is a time of year that skiers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy, and despite the typical cold temperatures, snow storms, and pesky lake effect clouds from Lake Ontario, most astronomers look forward to it as well. Why? Cool air holds less moisture, so the “seeing conditions” for stargazing on cloudless nights are excellent compared to humid and hazy summer nights. Also, winter is the best time to observe one of the most popular constellations of the whole year—Orion, the Hunter! Of the 88 constellations, Orion is one of the easiest to find. Look in the southeastern sky after sundown and you’ll see the large and mighty hunter standing tall. Wielding a club held high in his right hand and a shield in the left, there is a sword hanging from the three stars of his belt as shown in the inset illustration. Orion’s unique shape is formed by several interesting stars that are quite different than our Sun. Meissa is considered Orion’s head and is comprised of two stars inside a ring of gas. The reddish-orange star in his left shoulder is red supergiant Betelgeuse, one of the ten brightest stars in the night sky. It is so large that if it took the place of our Sun, its edge would reach out to Jupiter’s or-

bit which averages about 483 Constellation Orion, the Hunter million miles away. ClassiImage credit: Carol Higgins fied as a semiregular variable star that occasionally dims, one incident stands out from all the others. Known as the Great Orion Nebula, a beautiful sight in binDimming Event, Betelgeuse dimmed oculars! A dense cloud of dust and gas to about 60 percent of its usual bright- where thousands of stars are forming, ness from October 2019 to April 2020. the fuzzy patch glows from the light of four Image bright stars known as the A subsequent investigation revealedHanny’s the Voorwerp. Credit: NASA, ESA, W. Keel, GalaxyTrapeziZoo Team star had expelled a significant amount of um Cluster. Orion’s two feet are Saiph and Risurface plasma that created a huge dust cloud, temporarily blocking sunlight. gel. They are both blue-white supergiThe other shoulder is Bellatrix, a blue- ant stars but Rigel is the most notable. white giant star with a surface tempera- It is part of a three-star system, the fifth ture of 40,000° Fahrenheit—four times brightest star in our sky, and almost 80 times the diameter of the Sun. About hotter than our Sun. At the center of the constellation 860 light-years away from Earth, the are the three prominent stars of Ori- light we see left the star around the time on’s belt. Alnitak is a triple-star system when Genghis Khan was born in the with a well-known neighbor just be- early 1160s. So, put on your winter coat and boots low it. The Horsehead Nebula, shaped like a horse’s head and made famous and head outside to observe the constelby a Hubble Space Telescope image, lation Orion. You’ll be surprised what is a stellar nursery where new stars are you can see using a small pair of binforming. The central belt star is Alnil- oculars or telescope. Or better yet, our am, a hot star that emits high-energy MVAS astronomy club hosts at least ultraviolet radiation and is over 300,000 one astronomy-related program and times brighter than our Sun. The third stargazing event each month that are alis Mintaka, a five-star system with three ways free and open to the public. Visit stars that orbit together and two com- our www.mvas-ny.org website for the schedule. panion stars. Wishing you clear skies! • The three main stars of the sword are found below the belt. In the center is the

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htee mu Hometown: Utica, NY Instrument: Piano Age when began music: 7 Education: Music Education, Emphasis in Piano from Andrews University in Michigan. Current Position: Director of Music at Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary Mother of our Savior Parish in Utica Collaborations: I am an active accompanist and collaborative pianist with local ensembles, schools, and churches. Influences: Since I was young, classical music was played in my house through the radio all day, every day. Given the opportunity to learn classically when I moved to the States was such a blessing. Even though I grew up playing classical music, some of the musicians who have influenced my musical journey would have to be; John Williams, Gustav Dudamel, Martha Argerich, and Frank Sinatra.

Upcoming Performance B# Musical Club Sunday, April 28, 3pm Sinnott Family Bank of Utica Aud. Munson, 310 Genesee St., Utica munson.art

Htee Mu rehearses on the organ (3M Allen Organ 66 stops) in the organ loft of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary Mother of our Savior Parish in Utica 34

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Artist Daniel Buckingham by Cassandra Miller

Daniel Buckingham’s eight-year bicycle trip across more than 60 countries was a self-education that has inspired his art practice for the past 40 years. “I had an urge to go on a quest and see in person what I was learning about in art history books,” he said. “I wanted to ride my bike through the history of art, literally.” “I’ve seen cave paintings on five continents,” he said. “There’s only awesome cave painting because it was so important. There was no Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, so they had to find pigments from the landscape. … I’m in love with archaeology and anthropology and study it all the time because it’s the root of art.” That passion for intercultural exchange and the history of art is palpable in the Clayville-based artist’s work and in his role as Professor of Sculpture at Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica. “Faculty are like shamans in nomadic tribes. We have the stories and creation myths to offer students,” he said. Buckingham has a special interest in the history of the Silk Road and reinterprets it through his multimedia sculptures, five of which are in the exhibition, “Magic Carpet,” on view through Feb. 1 at The Westwood, the satellite gallery of 4 Elements Studio. “I’m fascinated with history and ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ type stuff,” he said. Getting to the contemporary gallery in The Westwood in downtown Utica is its own journey. After entering through the door next to Jimmy John’s sandwich shop, walk past a small market to the back of the building and descend a staircase to the windowless gallery. It is a striking setting for Buckingham’s pieces, which prominently feature neon he shapes by hand that intertwines with traditional Persian rugs. “Light is the primary material of the universe,” he said. “When I plug in my art, I’m connecting it to the largest industrial matrix in the U.S. I

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Installation of “Magic Carpet” at The Westwood Satellite looks Galleryover of 4atElements Priscilla us Studio

Daniel Buckingham giving a tour of Griffiss International Sculpture Garden to Hamilton College students standing in front of Jonathan Kirk’s Argonaut Photo credit: Sculpture Space

The exhibit “Magic Carpet” lights up the gallery windows at night in downtown Utica

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love that. I’m a little DNA part in this big system.” Buckingham’s work explores play and cultural exchange within a contemporary context. In his statement for “Magic Carpet,” he explains how large woven carpets are the centerpieces of storytelling in Arab homes. “These intricate hand-made objects are the European equivalent of formal gardens made from the sheep, camel and silk thread that was harvested and traded on the Silk Road from 3000 B.C. to 1900 A.D.,” he writes in the exhibition description. “As a whole, carpets are the historical documents, encyclopedia, and visual dictionary woven to bind the Arab tribes and enable them to survive.” Buckingham exhibits his work throughout the United States and abroad. His large-scale public commission entitled “Tower of Bells” is in Quito, Ecuador. His solo exhibitions include “Secret Invitation” (2014) at the Everson Museum in Syracuse and “Memoryscape” (2020) at Munson in Utica. In addition to teaching at Pratt Munson, Buckingham has been a board member of Sculpture Space for 20 years. •

Childhood Adventure by Daniel Buckingham, part of the installation “Memoryscape” at Munson in 2020

“Magic Carpet,” Daniel Buckingham Solo Exhibit Through February 1, 2024 4 Elements Studio, The Westwood Satellite Gallery at 167 Genesee St., Utica

Cassandra Miller is a writer, editor, publicist, and marketing professional based in Utica and Oneonta. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Baltimore Magazine, The Daily Star, and elsewhere. Her main areas of interest include arts and culture, entertainment, education, and tourism.

Daniel Buckingham with students Photo credit: Pratt Munson

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Don’t miss all the exhibits at View in Old Forge this month and next. This is a detail of a weaving in the exhibit Common Threads featuring the Foothills Weaving and Fiber Arts Guild, showcasing weaving, knitting, and stitching.

Magic Carpet, Daniel Buckingham

Members Show 2023

Through February 1, 2024 The Westwood Satellite Gallery at 167 Genesee St., Utica

December 9, 2023 - January 27, 2024 Reception: Sat., December 9, 1-4pm This popular annual event is devoted to works in any medium created by artists who are or wish to become KAC members.

4 Elements Studio

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Northern Lights

Tales of Terra: A Lee Brown Coye Retrospective

Through March 23, 2024

Explore a wide variety of media showcasing the wonder and variety of light in art. Includes Neon, Glass, Metal, felt and more!

Through March 3, 2024

Central New York artist Lee Brown Coye (1907–1981) is recognized mostly for his unsettling illustrations in horror anthologies and pulp magazines.

Common Threads

Picker Art Gallery

Through March 9, 2024

Colgate University 13 Oak Dr E Ext, Hamilton, NY

An exhibition featuring the Foothills Weaving and Fiber Arts Guild, showcasing weaving, knitting, stitching and more!

Riisa Gundesen January 26-February 22, 2024 Reception: Friday, January 26 , 3-5pm

The Art of Craft

The Pratt Munson Gallery at Munson

Exhibit explores art forms rooted in practicality through design, innovation, and skill.

Through March 23, 2024

310 Genesee Street, Utica, NY (315) 797-0000 munson.art

View

3273 Rt. 28, Old Forge, NY (315) 369-6411 • viewarts.org

Having an art opening? Let us know for a free listing in our monthly guide! Email: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com E

Art Craft The

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Fiber Punch Needle

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NY artists exploring art forms rooted in practicality through innovative design and extraodinary skill

Figurative Vessel II David MacDonald

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Additional Exhibitions on Display: Common Threads Northern Lights

December 2-March 9 Showcasing the wonder and variety of light in art

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December 2-March 9 Featuring fiber arts including weaving, knitting, felting, and stitching

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oneida county history center Portrait of Best in the Tharratt Gilbert Best Library of the History Center

Tharratt Gilbert Best Oneida County Renaissance Man by Mary Pat Connors, Research Librarian When you visit Oneida County History Center, you will see that the research library is named after Tharratt Gilbert Best (1892-1969). You might wonder who this man was and why he was so honored. Best came from a long line of esteemed citizens of Oneida County. His great-grandfather, John Brinckerhoff, came from England in 1826, and later established a private bank that became First National Bank. One grandfather, Brinckerhoff C. Tharratt, settled in Boonville after the Civil War. He had a mercantile and coal business there, owned 400 acres, and served as president of the First National Bank of Boonville. His other grandfather was an engineer and architect who constructed the federal building in Utica, the Utica Steam and Mohawk Valley Cotton mills, and all of the wooden bridges on the line of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. As a child, Best lived in Utica and Boonville. He was educated at the Boonville Grammar School, the Cecily Baker Grammar School, and Utica Free Academy, graduating in 1910. He went to Princeton University and later MIT, studying electrical engineering.

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During World War I, Best served in many capacities. First, in the Field Ambulance contingent as one of the first 500 Americans in combat on French soil. His unit was changed to ammunition supply work. Captain Best participated in the Malmaison offensive of October 1917, where he was gassed at Vailly and honorably discharged shortly after. However, this did not stop his desire to support the war effort. He joined the American Red Cross (militarized), and served on several war fronts as a transportation officer. He was discharged after his service in France only to join the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of colonel. He returned to Utica after his Army service and was a civil engineer, land surveyor, and, eventually, a banker. He followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and was elected president of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Boonville. He returned to the U.S. Army during World War II and served as Lt. Colonel at Fort Slocum, NY, as part of the NY Port of Embarkation. This was a vital command responsible for the movement of troops and supplies from the U.S. to overseas locations. Not only was Best a respected soldier, business leader, and engineer, but he also authored history books such as Boonville and its Neighbors: The Chronicle of an American Community, and A Soldier of Oriskany. He was the 28th president of the Oneida County Historical Society and inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2007. The History Center has his diaries from 1902-1969 in its collection, many written in French. Thankfully, his daughter Virginia Best Clarendon translated many entries in her book, Early Memoirs of a Country Gentleman (1976). She related, “I knew him as my father, my mother’s husband, a country banker, land surveyor, scholar, civic leader, linguist, historian, poet, soldier, writer and patriot. His type of man is oldfashioned now.” With all these attributes, one might consider him a “renaissance man” and worthy to be honored with his name on our library. •

Oneida County History Center

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Tharratt Gilbert Best from his 1945 Diary

Tharratt Gilbert Best in military uniform courtesy Schenectady Digital Historic Archives

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Shawangunk nature preserve, cold brook Trees frosted with “vanilla ice” along Black Creek

Our four children with Tim on their first winter vacation in the Forest Cottage

TALES FROM

SHAWANGUNK

by Peggy Spencer Behrendt Happy New Year and waes hael (good health) from Peg and Tim

In 1974, Tim and Peggy Spencer Behrendt set off on an adventure. They began a new life in the woods of Cold Brook, NY, without modern conveniences like electricity or indoor plumbing. These are excerpts and reflections from Peggy’s journal chronicling their adventures and also her childhood memories growing up in Westmoreland.

Some winter days make our forest look like the Candy Land I used to make up stories about when I was a young babysitter. We open our eyes in the early morning to a world of confectionary sugar. Every twig and branch of our maple, black cherry and birch trees are laced with vanilla ice. Where the sleepy sun touches treetops, they glow in magenta shades from rose to deep ruby. An abundance of marshmallow snowballs adorns the lower alder trees and bushes, and our towering evergreens drip with vanilla ice cream below a canopy of baby blue bubble gum sky with clouds of whipped cream. All these delicacies abound atop an earth coated with vanilla frosting. The pink dissipates quickly as the sun rises, or perhaps we should say, the earth turns, but the frozen beauty of our world remains. I often think of winter as a season of harsh realities: intense cold, blustering blizzards, and slippery roads, but it also has this benevolence of magical beauty, intense stillness, and majestic dignity.

1974 was our first winter at Shawangunk. We spent the long, dark nights of solstice marveling at our rustic carpentry: the hooked branch handle attached to a little silverware drawer I’d built in our kitchen, the comfortable couch made from an old table and equally old cushions, the hardwood floor made of picnic tables discarded at one of our churches (we didn’t mind the cold drafts of air floating up between the boards), the essential ladder to the loft (a 4x4 cherry post with four rungs), our dining table and chairs made from old pews and hand carved with a Three Bear theme picture. We were self-taught novice carpenters and couldn’t be more tickled and amazed that we were living in

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Tim pops corn on the wood stove where we also make toast

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Peg’s embroidery of our 1950 Willies Jeep, “Isaiah”

Tim chops through snow and ice to get water from the creek

something we put together out of other people’s scrap lumber. To this rustic and humble dwelling, our four children came to spend their first winter holiday vacation in the woods, taking a bus from where they went to school in PA, riding from the Utica train station in our 1950 Willies Jeep (three rode on an old bus seat with a seat belt in the truck bed with a half canopy—see picture), then hiking a half mile from the paved road to our cottage, lugging and dragging their suitcases through the snow. Four of us slept in the little loft on two mattresses, and two slept on the couch and a cot downstairs. The kids quickly learned to scurry up and down the primitive ladder like happy little squirrels. The sleeper on the cot downstairs had the worst of it, with drafts from the picnic table floor below. We’d put it away for the day and crowd onto the big couch and two cushioned chairs for meals and discussions.

Over oatmeal, tea and toast, with maybe some fried tofu marinated in tamari sauce, we’d hear about their lifestyle in Pennsylvania where they had hot showers and central heat, and it was easy to find ice to skate on nearby in fields and ponds because they didn’t get as much snow cover as us. Dave was trying to keep his weight down enough to stay in a particular wrestling category in high school. The three younger girls had music lessons and crushes on boys to talk over. “Did he notice me?’ “Isn’t he cute?” As the eldest, Dave had the privilege of having the only radio in his room there. When his sisters heard a pop song they particularly liked, they’d knock on his door asking to come in to listen. “Ok, but just for this song,” he’d benevolently reply, and they’d creep in with gratitude. Since we didn’t have electricity, I made our breakfast toast by putting bread slices on a cookie rack sitting an inch or less from the top of the wood stove, carefully watching it so it didn’t burn. We’d coat it with peanut butter or tamari and a big spoonful of unsweetened wild applesauce I’d canned. I recently learned a bit about the history of toast. Until the 17th century, a piece of bread grilled (toasted) by the fire was likely to be put into a cup of wine or ale while you drank

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Tim reading on the couch

Becky eats oatmeal by the kerosene lamp.

it. It added flavor and nutrition and was often spiced with herbs like borage. A toast to a particular person was like saying that person enhances and flavors the situation the way toast flavors the wine. Hence, a particularly popular person might become the “toast of the town.” Our brief winter day in the forest was filled with meaningful chores: meal preparations, cleaning up, and deep knee bending into the root cellar for food. We shoveled the paths to the woodshed and creek so we could get firewood and water. I think Tim’s favorite chore may have been descending our snow-chiseled steps for the essence of life—water flowing secretly beneath inches of ice. He chopped a hole through it with an axe or a long, heavy iron rod with a blade on the end. “Whack! Whack!” We’d look out to see shards of ice

flying out from the creek like bees out of a beehive. Pushing down the remaining ice chunks to be swept downstream revealed gently flowing, pure water in which to dip his stainless-steel bucket. If it was a little too full, some would splash onto the floor when he brought it in. Some was poured into the galvanized sprinkling can on the wood stove to heat up for showers, but most went to the five-gallon storage bucket on the sink where we’d dip a pitcher and do dishes with the icy cold water. It was important each day to carry out the ashes from the wood stove so the fire could burn effectively. We stored them safely outside in a metal garbage can because often there were still live coals in them. Because our tiny budget couldn’t cover gas for trips just for fun, the big outing for the day was the half-mile walk through the snow to the mailbox on the plowed road. It was always interesting and refreshing to get away from the dry wood heat and indoors. Sometimes nothing stirred, as if every twig, pine needle, and beech leaf had petrified into stone, and all we could hear was our footsteps crunching snow. Sometimes it was a dancing monochrome of murmuring snowflakes and genuflecting evergreens. In my memory, except for the lack of a telephone and our economic situation that

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limited their ability to socialize with their friends, everyone took this rustic lifestyle in stride and good humor without whining about the cold or cramped quarters. I admire them for their tolerance and flexibility, and since they all turned out to be wonderful, responsible people, it must not have hurt them. According to Dan Jurafsky in his book “The Language of Food” (also my source on the origins of toast), one of the things the Elizabethans drank with toast was wassail, a hot spiced ale. Waes hael meant—be healthy. In the apple-growing West of England, people would ‘wassail the trees,’ placing a piece of toast soaked in cider in the trees and singing around them as a good luck ritual. So in this new year, never to have been before or ever will be again, we wassail to you kind people, our beautiful planet and all its amazing inhabitants. •

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

www.shawangunknaturepreserve.com

Valentines BOOK FOLDING Workshop Saturday, January 27, 2024, 10–2

Learn to follow a pattern to fold and sculpt the pages of an old book to form a dimensional heart. This craft technique is easy, fun, and has lots of creative options. The heart pictured is an old juvenile edition of Heidi by Johanna Spyri which I purchased at a thrift store for about fifty cents. You will need a sharp pencil and a stiff ruler with clear measurements in centimeters. The book you bring must be hardcover, with 227 to 300 pages, and 7.5 – 8” in height. There is no materials fee. If finding this size book and ruler is problematic, let me know when you call a week ahead to reserve your place in the class. Bring your lunch!

support Our sponsors, Advertiser Directory please they make this magazine possible! Antiques Attic Addicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black Cat Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . The Bull Farm Antiques . . . . . . . . . Little Falls Antique Center . . . . . . . Madison Inn Antiques . . . . . . . . Mohawk Antiques Mall . . . . . . . Mohawk Valley Community Market . . . The Potting Shed Antiques . . . . . . . Showcase Antiques . . . . . . . . . Victorian Rose . . . . . . . . . . . Weeden’s Mini Mall . . . . . . . . . .

16 16 16 17 18 18 17 18 18 18 18

Art Classes Kirkland Art Center . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Art Galleries/Museums MUNSON . . . . . . View Arts . . . . . .

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. . . . . 3 . . . . . 38

Auto Dealerships Steet-Ponte Auto Group . . . . . . . . . 47 Automotive Repair and Towing Clinton Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Bakeries and Pastry Shops Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe . . . . . . . . Karam’s Middle East Bakery . . . . . Wicked Sweets by Alyssa . . . . . . . Bike Shops Dick’s Wheel

Shop

28 13 11 .

Books Berry Hill Book Shop. . . . . . . . . 7 Treehouse Reading Room . . . . . . . 24 Books, Local Authors Berry Hill Book Shop.

Cabinets and Kitchens Custom Woodcraft . . . . . . Knotty By Nature . . . . . . Camping and Outerwear All Seasons Outfitters . Catering RoSo’s Cafe Willie’s The

. . .

. .

30 28

& Catering . . . . . . . . Original Bagel Cafe . . . .

14 15

Cheese (See Produce, Local) Charitable Organizations MV Community Action

Classes Educational and Movement Acrobats for Kids and Parents . . . . . Stretching for Dancers and Skaters . . . .

32 43

Collection Agencies MG Recoveries .

Agency

Clothing Paca Gardens . . . . . . The Queen’s Closet . . . . Contractors Ed Smith Contractor

and

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. . . . . 5 . . . . . 16

Handyman

Dog Sitting Barney’s Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Doors, Residential & Commercial JM Door Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Estate Sales Attic Addicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Potting Shed Antiques . . . . . . . . 18

Events, Entertainment, and Activities Goodsell Museum . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Hamilton College Performing Arts . . . . . . 36 Old Forge Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Farm Equipment Clinton Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Hobby Hill Farm Sales . . . . . . . . . 27 White’s Farm Supply . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Monuments & Memorials Yorkville Memorials . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Natural Food Stores Cooperstown Naturals . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Peter’s Cornucopia . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Paint and Painting Supplies Urbanik’s Paint & Wallpaper

Co.

Farm Markets Horn’s Family Farm . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Physical Therapy Inertia PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Financial Institutions Bank of Utica . .

Financial Services Van Meter & Van

Meter

Portable Restrooms Mohawk Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Primitives Between Us

Flooring Mike’s Floor Store . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Florists LaBella’s

Flowers

Funeral Services Prince-Boyd & Hyatt . . . . . . . . . . 35 Furniture Ironwood Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Jeff’s Amish Furniture . . . . . . . . . . 8 Furniture Makers Custom Woodcraft

General Contractors Ed Smith Contractor

and

Handyman

Gift Shops/Shopping The Artisans’ Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Between Us Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Grocery Stores, Co-ops, and Delis Bonnie’s Country Store . . . . . . . . . . 7 Bosonne’s Sausage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Little Italy Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Olde Kountry Market . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Pulaski Meat Market . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Hardware/Lumber/Farm & Home Lincoln Davies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Morgan’s Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Turner Lumber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Wightman Specialty Woods . . . . . . . . 9 Insurance HBE Group, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Turnbull Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Sisters

Produce, Local Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse . . . . . . . . . 20 Horn’s Family Farm . . . . . . . . . . 37 Jewett’s Cheese . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Shaw’s Maple Products . . . . . . . . . . 37 Stoltzfus Family Dairy . . . . . . . . . . 42 Tibbits Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Quilt and Yarn Shops/Services Tiger Lily Quilt Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Restaurants, Diners, and Pizzerias Ann St. Deli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Black Stallion Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Charlie’s Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 DiCastro’s Brick Oven . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Karam’s Middle East Bakery . . . . . . . 13 Ohio Tavern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Primo Pizzeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Riverside Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 RoSo’s Cafe & Catering . . . . . . . . . . 14 Route 69 Steakhouse . . . . . . . . . 14 Sammy and Annie Foods . . . . . . . . 14 Sheri’s Eastside Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tailor & The Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Tony’s Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Wendy’s Diner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Willie’s The Original Bagel Cafe . . . . . . 15 The Willows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Roofing Northeastern Roofing & Construction . . . . . . 28 Swarey Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sharpening Services Ron’s Sharpening . . Shoes Karaz Shoes . .

Storage Sheds & Garages Pleasant View Structures . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Ironwork Raulli’s Iron Works . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Transportation Services Adonis-Avanti Transportation . . . . . . . . . 7

Jewelry Alison’s Jewelry & Repair . . . . . . . . 36

Tree Services and Tree Farms Rick Turk Tree Service . . . . . . . . . 8 Ron’s Tree Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Interior Design/Custom Window Treatments The Added Touch Drapery . . . . .

Lighting Mills Electrical Supply . . . . . . . . . . 33 Liquor Stores and Wine Ilion Wine & Spirits . . . . . . . . . . 31 Prospect Falls Winery . . . . . . . . . . 35 Trenton Station Liquor & Wine . . . . . 20

Truck Caps and Trailers Boulevard Trailers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Yogurt Stoltzfus Family Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Happy New Year from the Steet and Ponte Families! As we kick off 2024, we thank our customers, both new and old, and our incredible team of employees for another great year in Central New York! We ended the year strong with our annual Steet Ponte Season of Giving events. Our 6th Annual Coats for Kids Coat Drive gathered a record breaking 910 items of winter outerwear for 6 local school districts within each of our dealership’s communities: Utica, Rome, Herkimer, CVA, Johnstown, and Fonda-Fultonville Elementary Schools. We collected a total of 375 winter coats, and the rest in snow pants, winter boots, gloves, hats and scarves! We started this Coat Drive in response to our now, 16th annual Holiday Toy Drive. Year after year, we were getting overwhelming requests for winter coats and snow pants instead of toys and gifts. Finally, in 2018, we decided to create the Coats for Kids Coat Drive, so our local children in need are ready for the winter weather! Our 11th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 2,800 items of non-perishable food and most needed food items for our local food pantries in Oneida, Herkimer, and Montgomery Counties. Carly Steet Mathias and her brother, Joe Steet Jr. started the food drive as a way to give back to our communities during the Thanksgiving season. It has grown immensely, from our first year of filling up one vehicle, to now over 2,000 items being donated in eight vehicles! Finally, our 16th Annual Holiday Gift Drive successfully donated 475 gifts for children through our local, non-profit agency, ICAN, as well as the Johnstown City School District in Johnstown, NY. We started our holiday drive many years ago internally by adopting families through different school districts in our area. Once we started getting more people wanting to be involved, we turned this into a public event in the form of Giving Trees, where participants can take a tag off of the tree and return it with a gift to be donated from each of our showrooms. We have seen such a great response from the community and our employees, and are so thankful to have had such a successful Season of Giving! Once again, we thank you all for your continued support of our local and family owned and operated businesses! We are looking forward to seeing what 2024 has in store for all of us! Steet Toyota

Steet-Ponte Ford Lincoln

United Auto Sales

Steet Toyota of Johnstown

Steet-Ponte Mazda

Steet-Ponte Volkswagen

Steet-Ponte Chevrolet

Steet-Ponte Nissan

Yorkville (315) 736-8241

Yorkville (315) 927-5081

Yorkville (315) 736-3381

Yorkville (315) 736-8291

Yorkville (315) 736-3361

Herkimer (315) 866-5080

Johnstown (518) 762-7222

Yorkville (315) 864-7500

w w w. s t e e t p o n t e a u t o g r o u p . c o m 45

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