Mvldec2015issue27web by Mohawk Valley Living

free magazine! MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING MAGAZINE december 2015

Home forinThe autumn the

adirondacks Holidays and more stories from the valley!

Celebrating the season in the mohawk valley!

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contents 6 9 11 13 16 21 26 29 33 36 40 42 47 50 57 61 65 72 75 83 88 89 90 91

Oneida County Historical Society Classical MV The Music Never Stops ADK Journal Holiday Shopping MV Road Trip Rhoads Hospital Artist Cathy Marsh December Nature On the Farm with Suzie MV Gardens & Recipes Dinner & Massage MV Restaurant Spotlight Restaurant Guide Holiday Fun Guide Antiques Shopping Guide Valley’s Original Bird Men Herkimer Co. Historical Society Tales from Shawangunk, Part 15 Gallery Guide MV Astronomy Club MV Comics Live & Local Advertiser Directory

Holiday Memories are a Snap! by Sharry L. Whitney Remember, as a kid, when Christmas used to take for-ev-er to get here? Now it seems the day after Halloween the holiday dash begins. That precious time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, that we always intend to savor, flies by. Last year, I made a concerted effort to slow down and experience some of the area’s seasonal celebrations. One of the more memorable events I attended was Candlelight Evening at the Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown. We have run ads for this event on the MV Living TV show for many years, but last year I finally went. I invited my friend—and now our salesperson extraordinaire—Susan Collea to go with me. It’s only one evening a year (this year it’s Sat., Dec. 12) and we discovered it’s not to be missed. Some of our favorite parts of the evening were the wagon rides, the Living Nativity, hot wassail (Susan couldn’t get enough of the sweet, spicy stuff), and the hundreds of flickering candles that created a magical effect. It was also nice to see hundreds of families creating lifelong memories. Of course, we saw occasional selfie poses, but cold weather often reduces the increasingly common practice. I often hear parents complaining that their kids live on their cell phones, but I look at it this way: Whenever they take a selfie or snapchat they are collecting experiences. So if you take your family somewhere and the kids want to “share” it, think of it as a success. In this issue, I’ve compiled a guide (page 57) to just some of the area’s special events for families this holiday season. You also will find in these pages hundreds of small shops and restaurants that are experiences in themselves (see our Shopping Directory page 91 and Cynthia’s column, page 16). Why not give your kids many reasons to “snap” a memory or two this year? It will be your gift of a beautiful collection of experiences.

MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2015

PUBLISHERS Lance and Sharry Whitney EDITOR Sharry L. Whitney DESIGN & LAYOUT Lance David Whitney ASSISTANT EDITORS Shelley Delosh Jorge Hernandez ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Susan Collea Bill Gruby CONTRIBUTORS Peggy Spencer Behrendt, Carol Higgins, Jorge Hernandez, Brian Howard, Suzie Jones, John Keller, Melinda Karastury, Frank Page, Susan Perkins, Matt Perry, Cynthia Quackenbush, Denise Szarek, Gary VanRiper CONTACT US (315) 853-7133 30 Kellogg Street Clinton, NY 13323 www.MohawkValleyLiving.com mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com Mohawk Valley Living is a monthly magazine & television show exploring the area’s arts, culture, and heritage. Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of Mohawk Valley Publishing.

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Paris Furnace from the Oneida County Historical Society by richard sanders allen The following passage on Paris Furnace—predecessor to today’s village of Clayville—was excerpted from a larger monograph titled “Old Iron Furnaces of Oneida County: a Brief Historical Account.”. It was researched and written by Richard Sanders Allen* of Ballston Lake, NY, a historian and prolific author, who passed away in 2008. Allen donated this work to the Oneida County Historical Society, where researchers can find it in the “Iron Works” folder in our Historical Information File. All illustrations come from the society’s collection. -Brian Howard, Executive Director, OCHS Up until 1849, the village of Clayville was known as Paris Furnace, and for good reason. A prominent early land owner and promoter, Judge Jedediah Sanger (1751-1829) of New Hartford, NY, planned and financed the building of the Paris Furnace, beginning in 1800. The presence of good water power on Sauquoit Creek was a prime consideration in choosing the Paris site. Between the narrow valley where the works were built and Utica, the stream falls some 580 feet. Nearby forests for making charcoal appeared limitless, and limestone was also available in the vicinity. Iron ore deposits were close, too. The ore for Paris was probably hauled from the Norton mine just west of Clinton, NY, in the town of Kirkland, and from other smaller diggings along the outcroppings of Clinton oolitic ore that surface in Oneida County. Much of this ore was to be transported much farther than to Paris during the next few decades. The size and dimensions of Paris Furnace are not known, but it was probably not large. In addition to pig

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Cast iron pots made at the Paris Furnace during the 1820s; these are in the historical society’s collection and were donated by Miss Alice Gray in 1926. Alice was a relative of world-renowned botanist Dr. Asa Gray of Sauquoit.

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iron, the Paris Furnace Company poured molten metal directly into molds to make potash kettles and smaller pieces of hollowware. There was considerable local demand, but the main outlet was Albany. Gardner Avery (1774-1849) was long identified with Paris Furnace as its financial manager. Avery was a Monson, MA, man of little means, “bound out” by his father for ten years until he reached his majority. Employed in 1801 as a hotel steward in Albany, he attracted the attention of Judge Sanger during one of the latter’s frequent visits to the capital. For $100, Avery volunteered to cross the half-thawed Hudson River to deliver a sum of money for an Albany banker. He accomplished the trip with the aid of hoop poles for weight distribution, and a strong pike with which to vault over air holes and weak spots in the ice. The money was secured on his head. Judge Sanger witnessed the successful exploit and offered Avery responsible work at his new furnace in the woods of Oneida County. The young man quickly accepted. Avery, short on experience, but long on initiative, soon joined an experienced founder, Eliphalet Sweeting (1756-1828), at the site of Sanger’s Paris Furnace. Sleeping in the forest on horse blankets, the workmen had the stone stack finished and in blast by the fall of 1801. Avery absorbed the details of iron manufacture from Sweeting and also developed into a shrewd businessman. Paris Furnace prospered. In 1816, Avery became a prime mover in the building of Lenox Furnace in Madison County. For several years he managed both Lenox and Paris. In addition to these duties, he was superintendent of the Seneca Turnpike, first postmaster at Paris Furnace, and served in the State Assembly. During the winter of 1824, Colonel Avery (the title appears to have been honorary) sent his son Eli with a load of potash kettles to Montrose, PA, where they were soon disposed of. For the return journey, the wagon was filled with a load of anthracite coal. Avery used it experimentally in a small cupola or “pot” furnace to remelt pig iron for the making of hard plow points. This is the first recorded use of anthracite in Oneida County. Though Avery represented the iron works owned by Judge Sanger, Sweeting actually planned and built Paris Furnace, and was even more intimately connected with its early operation. His title was “Judge” because he was considered to be the best judge of iron ores in the county. After the furnace was put in blast he served on as foreman, while young Avery was put in charge of finances and the sales of pig iron and “kittles.” Judge Sweeting married a widow and helped bring up her seven children. A step-son ran the tavern opposite Paris Furnace, and Sweeting and many of the husky furnace hands boarded there. One evening in the bar a farmer

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Top photo: No images of the original Paris furnace are known to exist. The remains of this 18th century furnace in Salisbury, Connecticut may be a guide for how the one in the Town of Paris appeared. Bottom: Here’s a scan of a page from the 1828 Utica directory, specific to factories along the Sauquoit Creek. The Paris Furnace isn’t specifically mentioned, but this is the earliest reference to the site that I have found. -Brian Howard

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bragged of the drawing capacities of his span horses. Sweeting wagered him that he had four men that could wheel on a barrow--up the hill to the top of the furnace stack--more pig iron than the team could haul there. Sure of his bet, Sweeting selected the four Green Brothers, Napoleon, Joseph, Nathan, and Hiram, to secure it. Each of the men loaded a barrow (the lightest reported to have weighed 1,480 pounds!**), and wheeled it up the hill and back. Then they loaded the farmers’ wagon with the heavy pigs. The team could scarcely move the load on level ground, let alone tug it up the hill. Another iron worker who learned his trade at the old Paris Furnace was Connecticut-born Daniel Blackman (1801-188?). While still a young man Blackman is said to have gone to Squankum, NJ, to run an iron furnace in 1822. (This site may well be the Howell Iron Works, or Monmouth Furnace, acquired in 1822 by James P. Allaire of New York City. Today this is a well-known New Jersey State Park; the “deserted village” of Allaire.) At Squankum, Blackman claimed to have been the first to reduce the New Jersey bog ores by using anthracite instead of charcoal, but this is unsubstantiated. He later worked at the famous West Point Foundry*** in Cold Spring, NY, where he was an early advocate of hollow-cast cannon. In 1835 he returned to Oneida County to establish a small foundry of his own at Willowvale. After this failed, Blackman was reduced to hiring out at odd jobs in his old age. Paris Furnace was run until about 1832. Toward the end, Horace Luce, a step-son of Judge Sweeting, put the furnace in blast for a few years, and a large scythe and screw factory was run in conjunction with it. The site of the furnace has long been obliterated by later manufacturing establishments. For many years it was occupied by the Paris Furnace Works, which were engaged in making

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Two of the subjects of Allen’s narrative, Eliphalet Sweeting and Gardner Avery, appear on the same page of the 1825 Town of Paris census. Sweeting is identified as the owner of an ‘Iron Works’ in this document. Incidentally, three spaces above Sweeting is ‘Deacon’ Joseph Howard, who operated the earliest recognized brewery in Oneida County! -Brian Howard hoes in connection with David J. Millard’s scythe manufactory farther upstream. The furnace stood at the foot of the mill pond just east of the southernmost Main Street crossing of Sauquoit Creek in present-day Clayville.• *Please note that Richard Sanders Allen is not the same Richard Allen who served as the Oneida County Historical Society’s executive director and board president between 2006 and 2009. **Editor’s Note: The figure of 1,480 pounds—nearly ¾ of a ton—is almost certainly an exaggeration, perhaps posited to embellish the Green brothers’ incredible feat. ***The West Point Foundry is also notable as the maker of the Oneida County Historical Society’s 1861 Parrott Rifle cannon, which was restored in 2011. It is displayed under a pavilion in front of the society’s building on Genesee Street in Utica.

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Louis Angelini Name: Louis Angelini, composer Hometown/current town: Born in Utica/ now living in New Hartford Instruments: Piano, clarinet At age 8 began piano lessons and occasionally making small piano compositions. Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from Ithaca College. Studies at Cornell University. Masters in Music Theory and Ph.D. in Composition from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. Graduate Assistantship in Orchestration at the Eastman School. Studied conducting with Pierre Monteux at the Domaine School for Conductors. Accomplishments: awarded the Koussevitzky Prize in composition at Tanglewood, the Berkshire Music Center. Fulbright fellowship in composition for work in Italy. Ford Foundation fellowship as a composer-in-residence in the Contemporary Music Project. Grants from Meet the Composer sponsored by the NY State Council for the Arts. Works published by the Contemporary Music Project. Received the Distinguished Teaching award at Utica College. Current status: retired Professor of Music Emeritus at Utica College, coordinator for the arts. Collaborations: Compositions include music for instruments and voices, chamber music, choral works, structured improvisation plans, music theater works and orchestral works. Music performed by American and European professional ensembles, college, school and community ensembles, including radio and television performances. Performers and organizations presenting music include flutist Bonita Boyd, artist-teacher at the Eastman School of Music, the Utica Symphony Orchestra, Nuova Consonanza in Rome, Italy, Amici String Quartet, Steven Heyman artist-in-residence at Colgate University and faculty member of the School of Music at Syracuse University, Sar Shalom Strong, Lecturer in Piano at Hamilton College, Dr. Tina Toglia, pianist, the Madison String Quartet, Players of Utica, Utica College Music Theater Ensemble, Society for New Music, Eastman Wind Ensemble. Personal Quote/Influences: Composers always express their own particular pleasures and skills in shaping sound. So many composers have come before us, have created and given us the rich and broad language of music. This is a marvelous legacy, a sea of meaning and method, the best of all possible influences. In all cases we, composers and listeners alike, are shaped by it. In turn, we composers shape all that we do through it as we add to it. In the deepest sense, we are all connected, related through it. A program of Louis Angelini’s music will be a part of an upcoming Utica College Lunch Hour Series www.utica.edu/jackson www.louisangelini.com

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the music never stops

Taryn jessen by john keller

Taryn Jessen burst on the local music scene like a storm, with fiery vocals, thunderous chords, and songs that rain on one’s ears in subtle droplets of reason. Her bopping country is a welcome breath of freshness in the hard rock atmosphere of the Mohawk Valley. She first performed her songs armed with an acoustic guitar and a surefire stage presence. Shortly after, she added a Telecaster to her arsenal, then a full band, writing songs that belie her young age. Whether it’s a benefit like Animal for Animals, or on the road with the band, she brings the hands together and the feet dancing. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her musical growth in this community and getting to know her and the band over the past couple of years. Taryn has an agenda in mind, and is out to achieve her goals. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Taryn Jessen! Are you originally from the Mohawk Valley area? I’m not. I’m kind of from all over. I’m originally from the Hudson Valley, then Washington State, then back to the Hudson Valley, and then to Utica. And now I’ve just relocated to Buffalo, and bouncing back through Utica. But Utica was where I spend my formative years, you could say. Have you had any formal music or vocal training? Somewhat. I took chorus for two years in high school and vocal lessons my senior year and the year following, but at that point, I was starting to write songs so we worked on my vocals in that specific context. How long have you been a performing artist? Just about three years.

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How did you get interested in pursuing a music career? It all started with the initial interest in music in general. In high school, I really immersed myself in listening to music as an emotional outlet and once I started playing guitar, I discovered that an even greater outlet existed in writing my own music. I guess it snowballed from there. I recall that you brought your music to Nashville. What was that experience like? It was...revealing. It was amazing, but I really wasn’t ready to go out

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on my own. I didn’t know anyone at all, I didn’t know anything about living on my own, and it was 16 hours away from everyone I knew. But it really is such a cool place down there, such a different experience. Would you do it again? Yeah, I mean it was essential to becoming more aware of where I was actually at, where I wanted to be, and how to realistically get to that place. I definitely feel a pull to go back and try again but not yet. Smaller steps. You began as a solo artist and morphed into a full band. How did you meet the members of The Taryn Jessen Band? The band consists of Colin Jewett on drums and Jason Roberts on bass. Long story short, we met at the Tramontane Café. In particular, the story of how I met Colin is quite lengthy and synchronous in a really cool way. But anyways, after meeting at the Tram, Colin and I started collaborating just for the fun of it. Not long after, he started a band with Jason and a couple of others (The Rooftop Escape) and that’s how I met Jason. We started sharing bills and things morphed into what they are now. Let’s talk about your music. Who are your major influences? What is it about them that attracted you? I think all of my influences can be traced back to two sources: my dad and Mumford & Sons (indirectly). Growing up my dad always had music playing and he would kind of quiz me on who was who and what not. Because of him, I started listening to a lot of Neil Young and Tom Petty. He equipped my first mp3 player with Wings and Fleetwood Mac. Mark Knopfler is one of my very, very favorite guitarists, vocalists, and lyricists. He’s such an emotive guitar player, which to me is my own goal with the guitar. Mumford & Sons led me to Dawes, Laura Marling, Haim, Blake Mills, Ben Howard, and Bruce Springsteen ... all of whom are just amazing musicians to me. And what attracted me mostly, I think, was the rawness in them all. They’re all really unique in their techniques of communicating musically and I’ve gleaned a lot from all of them.

ing. From where do you pull your ideas? My songwriting is mostly based on my own personal experiences, but also from books. Growing up I was a pretty voracious reader. I was so interested in how it was all composed, all the different connotations a word can evoke. So I think I’ve just been really attentive to that. Who arranges your songs? Songs like “Solitude” have a very unique feel. Arrangement is definitely a collaboration. I think that’s largely what makes us a real band rather than me with a backing band. I write the songs alone and kind of arrange their general structure, but we all come into practice with ideas. Colin and Jason are hugely influential on the arrangements. A lot of the things that have characterized the arrangements have been their ideas. Jason came up with the whole intro to “Solitude” and in one of our newer songs, “I Can’t Stay Awake,” Colin arranged all the dynamics. It really made the song come alive in a way that I hadn’t really pictured, but was perfect. They’re both really amazing at all that. A couple of your earlier songs “Ain’t No Man” and “The Factory” are my favorites. They seem to come from a weary soul. One that’s of the “been there, done that” world. How did you get so wise to these ideals? Hah, well, I suppose in a way it’s come from a tendency to feel a lot even when the situation doesn’t necessarily call for so much emotion. I’ve really been pretty blessed in life. The experiences I have had, while they’ve been pretty mild, have elicited some pretty strong responses within myself. But I think I’ve been able to learn quickly from my own experiences and observing others’ experiences, which is a blessing in itself. Maybe being timid and quiet has allowed me to be more observant. Where would you like to see yourself, and the band, in the near future? Touring would be ideal. At this point, we’re focused on getting this record done because it will really enable us to be gigging consistently and hopefully in a larger geographic area. We also definitely would like to be expanding our catalog and having the ability to create consistently. In any event, this is most certainly a long-term endeavor

for us all. What are your thoughts on the local music scene? What can be improved upon? There’s definitely some really great talent locally and I think in the right places, the community is definitely interested in what’s going on musically and originally. Places like the Tram offer an awesome outlet for musicians. The Dev also fosters a really attentive environment and, of course, The Utica Music and Arts Fest has a very intentional focus on local music. But I think the biggest thing is that we need more places like that; we need to be able to cultivate more connection with the non-musical community. That’s really difficult in most bars because people don’t tend to go to bars for music, and it can be easy for musicians to get discouraged. Venues that support and encourage live, original music definitely help a lot. Lastly, what advice do you have for someone, such as yourself, in approaching a career in music? Starting out it always pretty much the same, you know, you have to hone your skills first to some degree (a lot of skill-honing happens when playing out too, though). The best place to start is open mics. And again, I keep saying this, but the Tram is a great place for that. People are really respectful and there are a lot of other musicians whom you can connect with and get feedback from. But, yeah, open mics are the springboard. From there I think it’s largely a matter of keeping your head up, especially when you get into the bar scene. A lot of nights the audience isn’t going to care, but that’s not really a good apparatus for measuring your success all the time. Those are not times to get discouraged and it’s important to understand that every show is a unique experience and learning platform. Check in with yourself and your motivation often. Don’t let the desire to be successful override the desire to create because then you lose, I think, your ability to be successful, if that makes sense. It makes perfect sense. Thank you, Taryn, for talking with us. You can keep updated on Taryn and The Taryn Jessen Band through their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tarynjessenband

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Peaking Ahead to 2016 Story and Photos by Gary VanRiper

Looking back over 2015, I can see how it snuck up on me... and I don’t mean my age (61 and counting)! It began with a bushwhack up Blue Ridge Mountain in the Indian Lake region – the 55th highest peak in the Adirondacks at 3,860 feet. Despite being stung by 10 bees near a streambed that day, I was also bitten with the desire to ascend all 100 of the highest peaks in the park. Blue Ridge was then followed by a bushwhack up Kilburn (the 51st highest peak at 3,881 feet) and then another day up Slide (the 83rd highest peak at 3,576 feet), both near Lake Placid. What I thought would be my final hike for the fair-weather season was Puffer (the 91st highest peak at 3,480 feet). Then we were given the gift of fair weather in November, so I went back into the Indian Lake region for Lewey Mountain (the 69th highest peak at 3,742 feet). While becoming a 46er in 2007, and then later completing the Fire Tower Challenge that features several of the mountains on the 100-highest list, I had never given serious consideration to that particular goal. It wasn’t until this year that the mystique was taken out of hiking peaks without trails and I realized I had ascended 68 of the 100, and that maybe the century mark might actually be within reach. One of the biggest obstacles in ascending many of these

Top photo: Gear for this bushwhack up Puffer Mountain in 29 degree temperatures included a facemask and safety glasses. Middle: On many of the peaks without trails you find your own way around spots with cliffs. Bottom: Taking a break with Mark Lowell near one of several Martin traps we discovered on a bushwhack up Lewey Mountain.

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peaks is the absence of maintained trails. I have been fortunate to have a hiking buddy and best friend these last eight years who is a master with map and compass and who is patiently teaching me the skill. No one should attempt any off-trail hiking without it. And then there is the bushwhack itself with many stretches of ground littered with blow down (trees that are lying on the forest floor, often in a tangle) or thick with standing coniferous trees. That is why you don’t see many photographs on these pages of hikes up these mountains. It is hard to keep a camera handy with thick gloves on and in one piece while battling branches slapping at your face, or while scrambling up a steep slope. And, for a number of these peaks, when you get to the top there is no panoramic view – just more trees. This might lead some to ask, “Why in the world hike six to twelve hours in those conditions to get up and down a mountain in a day, often without a view?” Some of it, I have to say, is the adventure. On one hike, we were moving along a ridge toward the mountain summit and discovered

Sometimes following a streambed is a welcome option to pushing through dense vegetation. This photo was taken on a descent of Kilbourn Mountain with Mark Lowell and Penny Stuart.

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a battered blue tarp draped over a shelter with walls that were made from newspaper printing plates duct-taped together. The plates were from the Press Republican in Plattsburgh, NY, dated 1984. During our last hike, we stumbled across an abandoned line of martin traps. Some of it is the challenge of navigating the terrain and finally reaching the true summit. But mostly, it is the sensation of walking about the wild on the soft earth where no one has walked in maybe 100 years – or ever. As another hiking buddy of mine who also has a passion for journeying off the trails recently put it, “I love the total immersion of mind and body in nature.” 2016 is around the corner, with just 32 more peaks to go…. •

Even with peaks without views from the top, there may be peeks along the way. Photo taken on the descent of Lewey Mountain.

Resources: The Adirondack 100 Highest Facebook Page: www.facebook. com/adirondack100highest The Other 54: A Hiker’s Guide to the Lower 54 Peaks of the Adirondack 100 Highest, (second edition) by Spencer Morrissey Note: I want to say a special thank you to the many folks my wife, Carol, and I were able to meet at the Clinton Arts & Craft Fair in November. Your kind and thoughtful comments about the Mohawk Valley Living show and the magazine and our books were very much appreciated. And for those of you who stopped to say you are aspiring 46ers… do go for it!

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The Everyday Adventures of Mohawk Valley Girl:

The “green” people on your shopping list will appreciate a thoughful vintage item.

Shop Home for the holidays Being, as I am, Mohawk Valley Girl, I like to shop local for Christmas whenever possible. For one reason, you can often find that unique gift that not just anybody can give. For another, there’s that little frisson of virtue from putting money into the local economy. For me personally, I can usually get a blog post out of the shopping trip (to be published after the gift is opened, in case the recipient reads my blog). My favorite shopping destinations are worth a visit even if I don’t find the gift I’m hoping for. At the top of that list is the Herkimer County Historical Society on N. Main Street at Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners. They are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If I have time, I go through and peruse the displays in the Suiter Building. If not, I confine myself to the gift shop in the Eckler Building. I usually find books and occasionally a DVD I’d like Steven to purchase for me but, of course, my primary purpose this time of year is shopping for others. I’ve found a jigsaw puzzle of local historical sites as well as a deck of cards for my mother, and I got a fun coloring book for one niece. Many times I have purchased postcards there. The postcards are for me, but eventually I send them to other people, so I think they count. Moving down Main Street in Herkimer, I come to two re-sale shops I like, Linda’s Consignment Shop, 152 N. Main St., and Valley Exchange, 138 N. Main St. Buying gifts at a re-sale shop is tricky, because you don’t want people to think you’re cheaping out and giving used goods. On the other hand, your greener friends will applaud you for being part of reduce, re-use, recycle. More importantly, you can often find unique vintage items that some people love. A good example of this was a birthday present Steven got for me from Valley Exchange (Steven often gives me Christmas -themed gifts for my birthday). It was a very old stuffed Santa Claus with plastic face, gloves, and boots. He was very similar to a Santa Claus my parents have that they purchased when my older sister was a baby. It is a family joke that one day Steven is going to leave my parents’ house with that Santa Claus in his suitcase or under his coat. If I really want to purchase something new and unusual in Herkimer, I like to visit Gems along the Mohawk, located directly across from the

Gems Along the Mohawk has “all things local” all in one place.

The country store at Remington Arms in Ilion can help you check a few people off your shopping list.

REMSEN

COUNTRY BAKERY

Babying Babies Since 1985!

All Breeds Welcome! Baths • Nails • De-Shedding • Day Care Cat Brush Outs • Teeth Brushing Pet Apparel & Supplies

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Famous for our homemade donuts & bread and dinner rolls (order for your event or banquet)

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Thruway exit. Gems houses a variety of vendors from throughout the area, including retail stores and tourist attractions. They have a great selection of books, toys, clothing, and gifts. In the center of the store is a large jewelry case filled with gorgeous pieces featuring the famous Herkimer diamonds. Wandering further out you can find soaps the look like stones, works from various artists, memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz, and Red Rose tea, just to name a few things. You can find items from Remington Arms, but I like to take a short drive to Ilion and visit the Remington Country Store, located right next to the factory at 14 Hoefler Ave. For one reason, I like to wander through the Remington Museum first and look at the history of the gun manufacturer. I’ve found lots of fun gifts in the store: T-shirts and hat for nieces and nephews, a beer glass for my dad and a shot glass for Steven, to name a few. My dad puts the beer glass in his freezer to enjoy a frosty mug of brew, but Steven only collects shot glasses. He hasn’t actually poured a shot in years. Also in Ilion, I like to drive out Otsego Street to the Ilion Farmers’ Market at Clapsaddle Farm. The market is open year round on Fridays and Saturdays in the Victorian barn. It’s a wonderful place that I visit regularly just for my own entertainment. As with most farmers’ markets, vendors vary, but I’ve found homemade jewelry, sewn and knitted items and home-jarred food such as pickled asparagus and garlic pickles. My favorite items, for myself and for gifts, are prints by folk artist Jim Parker. Jim and his family own the property and run the market as well as Parker’s Cider Mill. Jim is often on hand to chat about art, local history and anything else that comes to mind. His art includes detailed local, historical scenes. Steven and I have prints of a winter scene and the Herkimer, NY, Bicentennial Painting that we have purchased for each other. I’ve also gotten T-shirts and packets of notecards to give as gifts. Coffee mugs are also available (and on my Christmas list, Steven, in case you’re reading this). If you purchase a print and would like to have it framed locally, I recommend The Frame Place at 1 Columbia St. in Mohawk. They offer a variety of prints for purchase as well. There are other local spots to shop; these are just a few of my favorites. I mean to be hitting them all and discovering new ones this Christmas. I think I’ll start by perusing the ads in Mohawk Valley Living. • Cynthia M. Quackenbush, a.k.a. “Mohawk Valley Girl,” writes a daily blog about her everyday adventures in the Mohawk Valley. Follow her frugal fun at: mohawkvalleygirl.wordpress.com

Don’t forget to check out local winter farmers markets for preserves, maple syrup, and other hand-crafted items that make perfect gifts.

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Artisan Cheese handmade by the Felio Family and sold locally throughout the Mohawk Valley!

For locations visit: www.threevillagecheese.com Also see us every Saturday at the Oneida Co. Market at Utica’s Union Station!

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Farm Market & Bakery

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Crochet &chèvre Vive le France!

Story and photos by Melida Karastury

Winter days are cold and short. Getting the motivation to venture out into the dark silence of a wintry evening can sometimes be hard, but when an evening class of creativity is scheduled, it can be the best therapy in the world. Spending time out with friends can quickly chase away the winter blues. A trip to Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford is our first stop on our way to an evening crochet class in Clinton. We bought some fresh-made local bread and some Jones Family Farm chèvre with fig and stop at Seneca Wine and Liquor to find a complementary wine. There are over 90,000 bottles in stock from around the world, so where do we begin? Fortunately, manager Dan Donohue personally helps us select a wine. He is knowledgeable and determined to find the wine best suited for our goat cheese and bread. Quickly, it is narrowed down to a bottle of red wine. After further discussion Dan recommends a Sirah for the perfect pairing. The final selected wine is HandCraft by Cheryl Indelicato Aristan Collection Petite Sirah, a vintage 2013 California wine. Evening manager Darin Toy arrives for his shift and, after introductions, agrees with Dan’s choice. The guys at Seneca Wine and Liquor certainly took away the worry of

Cushman’s Jewett’s Cheese House

A family business since 1970 NY State aged cheddar 1-20 years old! Over 400 items of cheese & gourmet foods.

(800) 638-3836 934 Earlville Road, Earlville (between Poolville and Earlville) Open Mon-Fri: 9:30-5, Most Sundays 10:30-3, closed Sat. www.jewettscheese.com

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103 Main St., Whitesboro, NY 768-1462 Tues-Fri 6-2 Sat & Sun 6-1

1212 Catherine St., Utica, NY 733-6603

MUSEUM

Tues-Sun 6-2

& COUNTRY STORE

See Remington firearms and artifacts from the 1800s to today. Shop for clothing, hats, and souvenirs in the Country Store. 14 Hoefler Avenue, Ilion (315) 895-3200 FREE! Mon-Fri. 8am-5pm (store closes 4:30pm)

The News Source of Old Forge, Inlet and Surrounding Communities FREE Newspaper Available in the Greater Old Forge Area! www.weeklyadk.com

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making a decision and we feel confident in the selection. We drive on to Signature81, located at 13 College St. in Clinton, for a crochet class this evening. The “Basically Hooked Crochet” for all levels class is taught by artist Maria Vallese. We arrive early to check out the shop next door that redefines retail with handmade home decor, furniture, jewelry, gifts, and vintage finds. Signature81’s name is inspired by owner Crystal Maury’s birth year, and all items in the shop are one of a kind, handmade by local artists, and each item has its very own “signature.” “I opened Signature81 to bring a connection between local artisans and buyers, and to provide a space for creativity and expression,” Crystal says of the shop she opened in March 2013. There are so many fantastic handmade items in this quaint little shop that a trip back before the holidays is a must. Crystal most recently added the class space at 17 College Street, and it offers a variety of classes from origami, jewelry making, yoga, quilting, paint, wine, and a variety of kids’ classes. A food spread of Bazan Bakery olive bread, and chèvre cheeses is laid

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Cheese and so much more!

Fresh “Squeaky” Cheese Curd every Thursday Think of us for your Holiday Shopping needs:

•Mail Order Gift Boxes •Gift Baskets to order •Selection of Gourmet Foods •Wine and Cheese Accessories & Kitchen and Home Decor

Mail Order Too! Order Online or Call 1-800-211-3345 Visit our stores: 8190 St. Rt. 12, Barneveld (next to Family Dollar) and 13 W Park Row, Clinton or shop www.adirondackcheese.com

Darren Toy and Dan Donohue at Seneca Wine & Liquor’s can help you find the perfect wine anytime.

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This holiday season share good food, happy memories, and your plans... Visit us for preplanning options.

Yorkville Memorials

(315) 736-1781 1309 Champlin Ave, Yorkville 23

Maria Vallese assists Amber Brockett with crochet.

(Left to right): Becky Hammes, Melinda Karastury, Andrea Crissey, Rebecca Palmer, & Amber Brockett proudly display their crochet class coasters.

Country

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out for all to enjoy during class and a toast is made to the crochet class before we begin. Instructor Maria gives each of us a crochet hook and a choice of yarn color. She asks if any of us have ever crocheted before and all but one says, “No.” She tells us that we will learn how to crochet a single-stitch granny square coaster that we can take home at the end of class. We learn the word crochet comes from the French words croc or croche, meaning hook. Crochet is the art of creating “fabric” by pulling loops of yarn or thread through other loops with a crochet hook. Starting with a simple chain as a foundation, various stitches are added until the crocheted piece has basically been built upon itself. Maria is very patient and takes the time to individually help each of us with our stitches. Crocheting is a challenge for all of us. It is a slow start and the two hours zip by. The experience is relaxing, fun, and a bonding experience. “The chèvre is really, really yummy, too,” Amber says. The room is filled with laughter, jokes, frustration, and pure excitement when the stitching begins to form a coaster. Crochet class is a challenge, but it is a fun class in a laid-back atmosphere. We all look forward to coming back again with more friends. Andrea says, “we’ll have to turn it into a regular ladies’ night!” We thank Maria and before our departure we can’t help but laugh and show off our attempts at single-stitch coasters. Becky is the only one amongst us who successfully completed a double-stitch granny square coaster after attending only her second crochet class. The class captures a stitch in time for each of us and we are happy to have the knowledge and foundation of crocheting. This skill, and the endless creative possibilities it offers, will help us get through the cold, dark winter evenings ahead. •

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Rhoads General Hospital in utica by dick williams

In addition to Rome Air Depot, which became Griffiss Air Force Base, the other major military presence in Oneida County during World War II was Rhoads General Hospital on Burrstone Road in Utica. Approximately eleven months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Army announced the selection of 175 acres, the former Hatfield farm on Burrstone Road, as the site for the construction of an Army hospital. This was in late October 1942. In early November 1942, site work and construction of the first of 180 buildings began by the John A. Johnson Construction Company of Brooklyn, NY. It was a bad winter for building, but the work plodded on through severe, near record cold, snow, and wind. Col. Austin J. Canning was named commanding officer; in November 1942 he set up temporary offices on Seward Avenue in the Sauquoit Paper Company building, later occupied by Divine Brothers Company. By July 1943, the hospital was ready to open and originally had 1,750 beds. Two hundred wounded soldiers arrived on Aug. 25, 1943 from Halloran General Hospital on Staten Island, NY. Some of those men had fought at the Salerno Beachhead in the invasion of Italy. The hospital was designated for patients who needed convalescent care and rehabilitation. It was an active Army post with all the usual operations in addition to its hospital mission. Patients arrived on special medical trains on the New York, Ontario, and Western tracks, which came into a siding in back of the hospital. The medical facilities and equipment were considered the finest available at the time for the wounded, sick, and injured patients. The aim of the treatment was to return soldiers to active duty. Concerning medical facilities, there were four major operating rooms, a fracture room, four other specialized operating rooms, an X-ray department, a physical therapy department with circulating baths and heat therapy, an infirmary, occupational therapy room, and a dental surgery unit. Medical doctors, surgeons, and dentists, along with nurses, comprised the professional staff. All sorts of support personnel both civilian and military also worked there. Dietitians supervised meal preparation for the staff and patients, and served them from five separate kitchens with a crew of 50 chefs, cooks, bakers, and butchers. Two patient mess halls seated 300 soldiers who were served cafeteria-style. A limited number of convalescing soldiers had table service. In addition, an officers’ mess, nurses’ mess and enlisted men’s mess provided for the staff. Chaplains provided counseling and religious services for Catholic, Protestant,

Gifts of Distinction

Convalescing soldiers on a U.S. Army medical train at Rhoads Approximately eleven months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the US Army announced a site in Utica for the construction of an Army hospital

Heartworks Quilts & Fabrics Full Service Quilt Shop

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Medical Staff at Rhoads Hospital

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and Jewish patients. The chapel, which served all faiths, was a whitespired building with a cathedral-type ceiling. It was the scene of many weddings. The chaplains also assisted with morale problems and helped with personal difficulties. The Red Cross was a major player in the operation of the hospital. It had its own building, the only two story one on the grounds. A large contingent of Red Cross Gray Ladies were trained and provided patients with many auxiliary services, such as visits, writing letters home, helping in the library, and being present at social activities. Sun rooms, adjacent to the wards, were furnished by local clubs and organizations; these gave patients a place to play games, read magazines and papers, listen to the radio, and entertain family and friends. In this regard, it was often noted how the people of Utica and the surrounding area gave such tremendous support and possessed such a generous attitude toward the patients and staff. The social life of the patients was well taken care of by the Red Cross, with numerous activities at their building and the post exchange, which had a snack bar, tables, and a beer bar (no beer for the patients, however!). A large auditorium in the Red Cross building had a stage and projection booth. There was also a library and a reading room. There were movies twice a week for enlisted men and ambulatory patients. Local talent put on weekly shows and USO shows were performed twice a month. Thursday evening dances were held and Fridays often saw boxing and wrestling exhibitions. Sports gave patients, when able, a chance to participate in PingPong, basketball, softball, baseball, and even checkers. To accommodate sports activities, Rhoads Gym was built. This structure was 162

This year, pass down

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feet by 80 feet by 33 feet high--full size with maple block flooring. Today, it survives as the only building remaining on its original site. It was used for many years as the gym for New York Mills High School, the site of many home basketball games. Rhoads had its own publications: Cross Rhoads and The Mohawk Rhoadsman, the latter a monthly that published 22 times. It had many pictures and articles on the staff and patients. A post radio station was also in operation. Some celebrities visited or performed at Rhoads, including Ida Lupino, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, Alan Ladd, Anne Baxter, and Eddie Cantor. Politicians such as Vice President Henry Wallace, NY Sen. James Meade, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt also toured the post to spread cheer. The Army post had six heating units and nine miles of pipe to heat 180 buildings. All the buildings had sprinklers and fire hydrants were abundant on the grounds. A 60-man fire department protected the post from its own station with two pieces of equipment. Normal departments included a post office, a telephone center to allow patients to call home, enlisted men and officer quarters, post theater, chapel, motor pool, civilian personnel office, laundry, bake shop, sewing shop, carpenter shop, cadet nurse quarters, quartermaster warehouse, nursesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; quarters, barracks, wards, Red Cross building, the post exchange with a barber shop and tailor shop, financial office, and the post engineer. The post had civilian employees, WACs (Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army Corps), medics, a cadet nurse corps, enlisted men, officers both medical and administrative, and Army nurses. In September 1944, about 100 patients were sent to the former National Youth Administration complex on Chaminade Road in the

town of Marcy; here the soldiers could have more intensive physical training and medical monitoring to hasten their return to active duty. Some ambulatory patients went to a retreat, Mohican Manor, in Cooperstown as guests of owner Ambrose Clark, a member of the prominent family that had a founding interest in the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Colonel Rhoads Rhoads Hospital was named for Col. Thomas Leidy Rhoads, a career Army surgeon. He, too, was a Pennsylvanian, being born in Bayertown in 1870. He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1893. After being a contract (civilian) surgeon during the Spanish American War, he was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps in 1900. He was stationed at West Point, Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, Fort Bliss in Texas, the Philippines, and Governor’s Island in New York Harbor. He served in the White House under President William Howard Taft and was sent by President Woodrow Wilson in 1913 to Dayton, OH, in an attempt to avert disease after a major flood. In World War I, he was the surgeon for the 80th Division and saw action at St. Mihiel, Meuse, and the Argonne offensive. After the war, he was posted to Fort Dix, NJ, and received the rank of full colonel in 1926. He retired in 1933 and died in 1940.

Rhoads Hospital was described in The Mohawk Rhoadsman in 1945 as “one of the great orthopedic hospitals of the US Army,”

While described in The Mohawk Rhoadsman in December 1945 as “one of the great orthopedic hospitals of the US Army,” the end of World War II drastically altered the needs of the Army and the complex closed for good. The land and all the buildings were declared “war surplus” and eventually sold by the government. The former chapel was moved across Burrstone Road and was designated The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Several years later it was enlarged and given a brick exterior. Other buildings were demolished. Some survive as camps and homes; two were used by the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary as Christian education buildings. The Catholic Diocese of Syracuse bought 20 acres of the Rhoads site in 1960. Notre Dame High School buildings and athletic fields are there now. The New York Mills High School on Marauder Boulevard, the Elihu Root Army Reserve Center, Holiday Inn, Slocum Dickson Clinic, and many office buildings occupy the Utica Business Park that sits on the former hospital grounds, 175 acres of the original Hatfield farm bordered by Burrstone and French Roads. From 1942 to 1946 Rhoads Hospital made significant impact on patients, staff and the whole area. The economic impact was notable as the finance office disbursed $25,000,000 for salaries, products, food, and supplies. The construction of the hospital cost $44,000,000 and the monthly payroll was $175,000. Serving more than 25,000 soldier patients, Rhoads Hospital was important to their recovery and to the war time economy of the area in World War II. Additionally, many Uticans were employed there and others served as volunteers. Finally, while most of the buildings are history, the land has been developed extensively. One may assume that most people traveling by there would never know that it was once the site of such a large, cutting-edge hospital. • Stoneware Ikebana Vases Col.Handmade Thomas LeidyandRhoads Bonsai, Bonsai Supplies and Soil

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cathy marsh story and photos by sharry l. whitney

Artist Cathy Marsh is surrounded “I love to break things,” says artist Cathy Marsh as she by mosaic art in the workshop at smashes a salvaged golden-yellow bowl into pieces. But what she likes even more than breaking things is putting Plymouth Bethesda Church in Utica them back together. She is working on a mosaic floral design using pieces of colored pottery and glass. She’s surrounded by mosaic products in various stages of completion in a workroom located in the Plymouth Bethesda Church on Oneida Square in Utica, NY. If you ask Cathy when she began mosaic art she won’t be able to tell you. It slowly evolved out of the love of art she has had since she was a child. It is a skill encouraged by her mother and a childhood neighbor who used to hang her artwork on his walls. “I lived in the art room in high school,” Cathy recalls. She was always involved in music and art and worked on stage backdrops for the school theater department. Originally from Washington State—where she went on to major in music and minor in art and education in college—it was her son’s passion for skating and ice hockey that brought her family to the Utica area more than 26 Conner Marsh years ago. arranges glass pieces “We followed our son’s skating coach who moved to Clinton,” she says. into a design that will “And New York State sounded interesting.” Cathy now lives in Whitesboro with her husband, Norman. become a mosaic Since relocating to the area, she has studied scenic art with Rachel Keebler of Cobalt studios in the Catskills and has been involved in various community art projects like designing backdrops for the Leatherstocking Ballet and working with the Kirkland Art Center. She is frequently commissioned by homeowners to do wall finishes, stenciling, tile, and mural work, all the while keeping a busy schedule of private piano lessons with dozens of students. So what did this busy person do when her church group met to discuss Karl Dimock prepares the substrate of a planter plans for its Oneida Square Project in that will be decorated with mosaic glass

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2010? She suggested and volunteered to head up a mosaic trash can program. “We wanted to fix the garbage problem,” she says. “So we decided we needed more trash cans and I thought, ‘Why not make them beautiful?’” When the Cornerstone Community Church moved from New York Mills to the historic Plymouth Bethesda at Oneida Square in 2007, Cathy says her pastor believed “If you’re a part of a community you should make it better,” so in 2009 they launched the Oneida Square Project, a nonprofit program aimed at beautifying the city. Cathy takes me on a tour of the large Gothic church that is now home to her church. The walls are stenciled with border designs, faux finishes, trompe-l’œil windows and doors, and stenciling of encouraging Bible quotes. We bump into Pastor Mike Ballman, and I remark that Cathy has been busy redecorating the place. “It’s her canvas,” he says. “When we moved in I told her ‘to go at it!’” We continue through room after room, hallway after hallway, decorated with her art. “I never think small,” Cathy laughs. “But I’ve obviously had some help.” We

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enter a corridor that feels like a subway tunnel. “This was inspired by the Paris métro,” Cathy says. “Complete with mock French theater posters.” Cathy takes us through a large room with giant columns painted with faux finishes that make them resemble marble. We pass through hallways painted with inspirational messages stenciled from floor to ceiling, and finally back to the workroom where we find employee Karl Dimock busy coating substrates. The forms will be use to create mosaic outdoor planters that will be sold to raise money for the Oneida Square Project. In addition to solving the garbage problem, the mosaic trash can program--known as Oneida Square Public Art and Design—“also provides jobs for people with significant barriers to employment,” says Cathy. “Not only are they working, but they’re creating something they can be proud of.” In a partnership with the local not-for-profit Incarcerated Flavors, the Oneida Square Project helps people who have recently been released from prison gain employment through community rehabilitation programs like the Public Art and Design program. “It’s like mosaic,” Cathy says. “Making beautiful things out of broken pieces.” •

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Above: An old door has a new life as a tree mosaic. Right: The walls of the Plymouth Bethesda Church are Cathy’s “canvas.” One corridor has been transformed into the Paris Métro.

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Elizabeth Phillips Storm, ca. 1845, Ammi Phillips, oil on canvas. Fenimore Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton E. Weber. Seated Young Girl Working on an Album (American, ca. 1845-50). Tinted sixth plate daguerreotype. Collection of Jane Katcher.

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December Walk in the White Coral Forest story and photos by Matt Perry Last year on a late December morning, I skied out to the nature preserve’s old woods and found the place completely transformed from the previous day. A foot of fresh snow had fallen overnight and covered not only the ground, but the tree branches as well. Every branch right down to the smallest twig had been plastered with layers of ice and snow. The trees were uniformly coated from the lowest branches to the high canopy. The result was a forest resembling a cathedral of white coral. The trails themselves were rendered unfamiliar as some trees that normally go unnoticed were suddenly highlighted by the thick frosting. In some places a few of the more heavily loaded trees leaned over into the path and I was forced to move them aside or divert around them. A close examination of a tree branch revealed that one side had initially

Some Moosewood Trees had snapped like matchsticks

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been glazed with a layer of ice, and then over two inches of snow had glommed onto that ice, giving each twig its thick, coral-like appearance. The forest was an amazingly silent place that day. Snow makes excellent sound-proofing, and having as much in the trees as on the ground effectively muffled all extraneous sound. The usually omnipresent sound of traffic from distant roads and highways was canceled out, and this lent the coral forest an even more solemn air. As I progressed up the ridge, breaking trail the whole way, the sound produced by my own skis as they sloshed and squeaked through the snow was almost deafening. And then when I stopped moving forward, my own heartbeat and breathing immediately filled the auditory void. But the longer I remained paused, the more the quietness enveloped me. However, I soon learned that it still wasn’t a perfect silence, but this time it was my own ears that betrayed me. A constant ringing in my ears (tinnitus), which is barely noticeable in the presence of any background sound, became as subtle as a fire detector alarm and was nearly as difficult to ignore. Interestingly, the snow-induced stillness diagnosed my condition as effectively as any hearing test could have. Pressing on through the woods the

noise of my skis didn’t bother me so much anymore, and I began to hear sounds other than those I was producing. Suddenly, I heard a loud crack that sounded like the retort of a rifle. It came from the ridge above me. It was the sharp sound of wood breaking. This could only mean that the heavy load of snow in the high part of the forest was taking its toll on the trees. I worried about the possible scene of devastation that awaited me, but at the top of the ridge, all I found to be broken were a few Northern Striped Maples. Still, this was a distressing discovery since that species is relatively uncommon at the preserve

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Cedar Waxwings struggle to find food in the “coral forest” and it’s a great favorite. Everything from the spray of greenish flowers it produces in spring, to its leaves, which more closely resemble those on a grape vine than those from a maple tree. The Striped Maple or “Moosewood” trees have vertically striped greenish bark. The bark has shallow flat ridges, which to the touch make it feel like a relief map. Moosewood tree trunks are popular rubbing posts for antlered deer and a specimen is rarely found that has no scars on it. Two of the trees that snapped that day were part of a grove of several and were among the largest of their species on the prop-

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erty. An eight-inch diameter truck doesn’t sound like much in a forest habitat dominated by Sugar Maples, American Beech, and other comparative giants, but for Moosewood that would be considered a healthy girth. I suspect that natural disasters, much like the one that created this picturesque coral forest, inevitably cull the larger Striped Maples and prevent them from attaining greater size. As hard as it was to accept the loss of those trees, I was pleased that the damage seemed to be limited to only one species and one location. It turned out that I spoke or thought too soon. Going back by way of our main coniferous reforestation field, I found that many of our fine young White Pines had lost major branches–many split at their base but still remained attached to their trunks. The ice and snow load on the pine’s long needles was massive and obviously it was too much for the trees to bear. Unlike the leafless deciduous trees that had been transformed into coral-like

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structures, the pines, and spruces for that matter, looked more like an improbable cross between lumbering white mammoths and cumulus clouds. I’d planted many of these trees myself nearly 15 years before, and now I found myself collecting up pieces of them from the ground that were hundreds of times larger than the original seedlings planted. Fortunately, these trees were now large enough to handle such losses. In this field, the White Pines’ neighbors are White Spruce Trees. What a difference design makes. The spruce trees handled the

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heavy snow load much better than the pines. Though the short needles of the spruce are not as effective at collecting solar energy as the long pine needles, they are in much less jeopardy of amassing a critical buildup of snow. Also, the pyramidal shape of the spruce enables it to shed snow effectively–an adaptation that allows this family of species to inhabit sub-arctic and alpine regions where other trees fear to tread. On cold winter days like this, one might be lulled into believing that all of nature is asleep. Although a considerable portion may be dormant, for a certain set of creatures it’s just another day of living close to the edge of survival. For the birds that spend the winter with us, finding an adequate amount of food is their primary objective. They must keep their caloric intake high enough to allow them to maintain a high body temperature, which in turn will keep them actively flying and foraging. Their feathers provide the best insulation known, and so their ability to retain heat is second to none, but they still need to continually feed their internal furnace or else they may not survive the night. The “coral forest” brought insult upon injury for winter foragers like the chick-

adees – not only was there a scant amount of food in the woods that December, but what was present had become covered by ice and snow and became inaccessible. As I skied back down the trail, I noticed that I was picking up followers; flat, fluttering sounds and high “chik” notes filled the air around me. My movements had piqued the interest of Black-capped chickadees, which no doubt have come to associate me with the spontaneous appearance of sunflower seeds and peanuts. For cold-hardy

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species like the chickadees, being able to supplement their wild diet with reliable offerings of sunflower seeds has made their lives much easier. The handouts provide them with a buffer against shortages of their natural food. Not all birds are so lucky. Species that cannot be satisfied by a bird feeder are forced to seek out alternative food resources. This may require moving to another part of the preserve or even flying to some far-off region where weather conditions and food reserves may differ greatly. Nomadic visitors like Cedar Waxwings and American Robins are often forced to move around frequently during the winter months as they seek out supplies of wild fruit and berries. Last year, it seemed that waxwings and robins were never able to unpack their suitcases, since the berry crop was poor and other fruits were non-existent. That day, as I departed the woods, I heard a few robins call as they flew over the forest. There would be nothing for them in the white coral cathedral. No doubt, they would be forced to fly some distance to where the woods were less beautiful, but hopefully more welcoming. •

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On the farm with Suzie

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Twenty years ago this month—New Year’s Eve, to be exact—my husband, Peter, and I got married in a former convent in South Minneapolis, MN. We were both 25 years old. Friends of ours had recently purchased the building and were converting it into an art space, renting the small dorm rooms that had formerly housed nuns to fledgling artists. The small chapel was perfect for our informal ceremony and the common room was lit with white Christmas lights for the reception. It was a frigid, winter Minnesota night. For our vows, Peter and I took turns telling our story—how we met, how our friendship evolved, what that evening’s promises meant to each of us. We then asked our guests to chime in, adding their own voices to our tale. I had expected most of our friends and family to decline the invitation to stand up and say something deeply personal about the two of us, but they didn’t. One by one, sometimes several at a time, our guests stood up and told the crowd a funny anecdote or how knowing the two of us had affected their lives. Virtually everyone added their voice to the ceremony that night, including my mother-in-law, who is no longer with us. It was a little overwhelming. At the reception downstairs, we served pies in-

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stead of cake. (I much prefer pie!) We ordered spring rolls and steamed dumplings from our favorite Dinkytown restaurant, the Camdi. We broke a piñata, which I had made just for the occasion. Instead of hiring a photographer, we asked our friends to give us copies of their pictures. It was simple and sweet and perfect. That was New Year’s Eve 1995. tractors NEW bring farming and efficiency to a Boomer™ 46Dcomfort and 54D tractors feature the industry-leading EasyDrive™ Upgraded Fast-forward toPowerStar™ 2003 when Peter started talking about farming. Scratch that. He had Series II T4.65 transmission. You’ll work with comfort and control than ever completely new level. Both the 64-hp PowerStar™ andgreater 75-hp T4.75 are always talked about farming, but then he before in a compact tractor. EasyDrive™: The name says it all. builtto New Holland SMART started really mean it. “Search for proper-with: ties online,” I suggested. “If something looks • Control your speed with one pedal and good, we’ll take a look.” Again, I didn’t exEasyDrive™ automatically adjusts to • XL COMFORT: VisionView™ cab provides pect much to happen. But it did…and quickly. match load conditions industry-leading comfort, visibility and Farm properties in our home state of Wiscon• Change direction convenience wide-opening doors, a with the convenient sin were out of our pricewith range,two so Peter foshuttle lever to left of steering wheel cused his attention on the Mohawk Valley. We flat-deck platform, a 10-vent climate system, had CommandArc™ driven through the area on I-90 on Jan. • Standard cruise control and speeds up console, left-hand power 15, 1996, two weeks after getting married, to 18.6 mph to get jobs done fast shuttle and more. on our move tolever Massachusetts. The rolling NEW Boomer™ 46D and 54D tractors feature the industry-leading EasyDrive™ • Choose 46- or 54-hp models with open hills dotted with dairy farms reminded usTier of 4B engines Seriesplatform II transmission. work with greater comfort and control than ever • XS OPERATING COSTS: withor the You’ll ROPS Best in Class Northwestern Wisconsin, near the Minnesota before in a TM tractor. EasyDrive™: The name says it all. SuperSuite factory-installed cab advanced common rail technology delivercompact border. Charming, charming, charming! precise for optimal andyour fuel The first few fueling farms we visited were either response • Control speed with one pedal and EasyDrive™ automatically adjusts to too perfect and super-expensive or too ramefficiency with industry-leading, 600-hour match load conditions shackle and super affordable. But then our service interval. • Change direction with the convenient real estate agent brought us up a winding, shuttle lever to left of steering wheel seasonal road to aNew small farm overlooking the • Choose Holland to save you money, Clinton Tractor & Impl Co Westdowntime Canada Valley.and I wasprotect completelythe dis- environment. • Standard cruise control and speeds up to 18.6 mph to get jobs done fast tracted by all the work that had to be done to 31 Meadow Street clean the place up. Although the price seemed • Choose 46- or 54-hp models with open State Route 12B ROPS platform or the Best in Class about right, I thought it was all too much for TM SuperSuite factory-installed cab Clinton, NY 13323 us to take on. But Peter could see past the two collapsing buildings, the broken windows, (315) 853-6151 the carpeting in the kitchen (yikes—that was www.clintontractor.net some scary stuff!), and declared that we had found Our Farm. Everything we have done here since that Clinton Tractor & Impl Co fateful day has been part of his greater vi- © 2015 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countr by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. New Holland is a trademark 31Construction Meadow Streetin the United States and many ot sion—he was the one who wanted meat goats owned countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. State Route 12B and then sheep. He wanted to raise chickens. It was Peter who wanted to milk goats and Clinton, NY 13323 make cheese. He built his very own cheese (315) 853-6151 plant. He wanted a tractor and hay-making www.clintontractor.net equipment and proceeded to make hay. In so many ways, I’ve been along for the ride. He comes up with ideas of how to expand or © 2015 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland Agriculture is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, make things better, and as a team, we make it owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates. New Holland Construction is a trademark in the United States and many other

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happen. Well, somewhere along the way, I’ve fallen in love with our little farm. It may have been his idea to raise goats, sheep, and chickens, but it has become my passion to learn everything there is about how to raise them and to keep them healthy. It may have been his idea to put in a cheese plant, but I adore the cheeses we make and have devoted my life to gelato. My infatuation with the foods we raise and our farm life has turned into an all-out obsession—so much so that my love and connection to this farm have become fiercely personal. Writing this column has been a wonderful release and outlet for me to explore and share this love of farming that, 20 short years ago, I never knew existed. I love this farm as much—if not more—than my husband does and cannot bear to think of the day when we can’t do it anymore due to age, financial constraints, or an unforeseen circumstance. And because we must plan for the unforeseen, we have to plan for what would happen if tragedy ever strikes. Would I continue to farm if something happened to Peter? I haven’t the slightest idea. I know that to lose the two greatest loves in my life—my husband and my farm—would be devastating. In many ways, farming is not that different from a marriage. First and foremost, it is a partnership between the farmer, her animals, and her land. (I like getting farming advice from folks about as much as I like getting marriage advice from strangers. Ha-ha!) It takes a fair amount of work, patience, and understanding. Getting mad doesn’t fix things; in fact, it often makes things worse. There’s no place I’d rather be—it’s hard to leave the farm, even for an afternoon. Finally, it’s a relationship that evolves over the years, better today than when we first started out. Happy Anniversary, Peter, and thank you for taking me along on this wonderful ride! •

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

Utica: 1420 Champlin Ave Utica, NY 13502 (315) 732-2350

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the Forgotten Vegetables:

Rutabagas, Turnips, Parsnips, and Celeriac By Denise A. Szarek

I’m betting these four vegetables are not on your top ten list of plants for your garden. But you’d be missing some great nutrition and flavor for your winter soups and stews, especially since these vegetables store well. In fact, you can even over-winter them in your garden with some simple tricks and you will be rewarded, because they get sweeter after a frost. Celeriac or Celery Root--Begin harvesting in your garden in October. It’s an excellent source of soluble fiber to help lower cholesterol. Rich in iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin K, and phosphorus, it’s also a good source of vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. Here in the Northeast, if you cover your parsnip, celeri-

ac, rutabagas, and turnips with reemay fabric over a layer of straw, you may be lucky enough to enjoy these veggies from your garden all the way to spring. Celeriac’s tough outer surface is usually sliced off because it is too tough to peel. Often used to flavor soups and stews, it can also be used on its own, usually mashed, or in casseroles, gratins, and baked dishes. Chefs have popularized celeriac over the past few years as the local food movement broadened the availability of this forgotten vegetable. If you own a dehydrator, celeriac makes a great veggie chip. I like to pair it with caramelized onions or pears. Parsnips–Parsnips are related to the carrot, but are much paler and

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sweeter in flavor. The parsnip harvest begins after the first frost and ends when the ground freezes over. In Roman times, parsnips were believed to be an aphrodisiac. In the mid-19th century, potatoes won the popularity contest over the parsnip brought to North America by British colonists. Rutabagas–This root vegetable is a cross between cabbage and turnips. With its simultaneously sweet and slightly bitter taste, it was the bane of my existence as a child. Every week it appeared in my mother’s grocery cart, all orange and purple and gnarly and covered with a heavily waxed coating. Who knew where it came from or when it was grown! But there it was every week.

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It always appeared on the Sunday dinner table in the same pristine manner: boiled to death, mashed with butter, salt, and pepper. Thank goodness I was brave enough to try it again a few years ago, and to my surprise, the difference in taste from the fresh nonwaxed vegetable coming from our garden is much different that the gnarly vegetable that kept showing up in the shopping cart of my childhood. The rutabaga first showed up in Eastern Europe in the 17th century and it is one of the few vegetables to survive long Scandinavian winters. Rutabagas got a really bad reputation during WWI, during the German steckrubenwinte (Rutabaga Winter) of 1916-17, when large parts of the population were kept alive on a diet of rutabaga and little else. For those of you who are still a little hesitant to try this forgotten root vegetable, I have a wonderful recipe to share with you, to ease you into trying it (see end of article). Turnips–I think the older we get, the more willing we are to try vegetables that we never used to like as kids. The more willing we are seems to depend on how much info we receive on how beneficial the nutrients are – something we didn’t give a hoot about when we were kids. Turnips are well known for their bitter flavor if not prepared correctly. When boiling your turnip, and to avoid having to change the water, place a potato or two in the water and cook right with the turnips. Then you will notice there is no bitter taste. You can peel, chop, and quarter before cooking – or they can be cooked in their skin (they are said to be sweeter this way). If you are baking turnips, leave the skin on. The “hot” flavor associated with turnips makes them particularly well suited to mix-

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ing and matching with other root veggies. My favorite way to eat turnips is mixed in with a mash of potatoes and carrots, a dish Bernie and I served at our wedding dinner. So as you are perusing all those seed catalogs and planning next year’s garden, leave some room for the forgotten root veggies. Here’s some heirloom varieties we recommend and will have available at the greenhouses next spring: Celeriac or Celery Root: Celeriac Giant Prague – grown for its large, white roots, this variety was introduced in parts of Europe in 1871. Parsnips: Half Long Guernsey Parsnip-- this variety was the most popular of the 19th century introduced prior to the 1850s. Flavorful flesh gets sweeter after a good autumn frost. Rutabagas: Collet Vert Rutabaga, finely flavored, popular in France since the 19th century; Joan Rutabaga—the flesh is dense, crisp, and mild, having a delicate sweet flavor, especially after a light frost. Turnip: Boule D’or Turnip, an old French variety; Purple Top White Globe Turnip, a popular market variety (pre-1880) or try a Japanese hybrid Hakurei, which is wonderful eaten raw, sweet and fruity. The texture is crisp and tender. •

MADE IN NEW HARTFORD

Now let’s get cooking with these forgotten root veggies. I have two recipes for you this month using two of these forgotten root veggies and pairing them with honey.

Rutabaga Honey Cake

Adapted from Marina Stein 1½ C. flour 2 tsp. ginger 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ 1/2 C. apple, peeled, cored, and cubed 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt (I use sea salt) 3/4 C. milk 1/4 C. butter 1/3 C. honey (and more for drizzle) 1 C. rutabaga, raw, peeled, chopped, and cubed Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9 x 9” baking pan. Whisk together flour, spices, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat honey and melted butter until smooth. Mix dry ingredients into wet on medium speed until just moistened, then add rutabaga, and apple and gently fold in by hand until evenly combined. Batter will be thick. Spread mixture into prepared pan, smoothing surface with spatula and tamping to make sure batter is even. Bake in pre-heated oven for 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven, place on cooling rack and drizzle honey evenly over surface of the warm cake. Let cool 20-30 minutes before slicing.

Root Veggie Gratin

By Denise Szarek 1½ lbs. of turnips, rutabaga, parsnip, and celeriac, peeled and sliced thinly Sea salt and fresh ground pepper 1/2 tsp. fresh leaves of thyme 3 ozs. Gruyere cheese, grated 1½ C. heavy cream Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9 x 9” baking pan or 2 qt. baking casserole. Place the sliced vegetables in a large bowl, season generously with salt and pepper. Add the thyme and toss together. Arrange the vegetables in the baking dish, add cream, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Bake for 45 minutes, occasionally pressing the vegetables down into the milk with the back of a spoon. After 45 minutes, add cheese, and stir to incorporate. Return to oven and bake another 30-45 minutes, stirring, and pressing every 10 minutes until gratin is nicely browned and most of the liquid is absorbed.

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A Break from the Holidays story and photos By Melinda Karastury

December is a busy time for all and often a mad dash to the end of another year. Family and friends gather for the “holidaze” and write up their shopping lists for the season of giving. The whirlwind of the holidays often leaves our bodies depleted and stressed. Taking time for ourselves is often an afterthought but yet very important to the overall wellness of our body and spirit. A reprieve from the hustle and bustle can boost well-being and ease stress, tension, and the lingering problems within our bodies. Don’t forget that during the season of giving to give yourself the gift of a break. Sharry Whitney and I scheduled a 3:30 p.m. appointment at Zensations with owner and licensed massage therapist April Cacciatori and licensed massage therapist Tara J. Tucker for a massage and a Perfect Sense paraffin treatment. Zensations Therapeutic Massage, located at 316 N. Washington Street in Rome, is a wonderful place to relax and unwind amongst all of life’s chaos and experience your zen. The term ‘zen’ refers to an approach to religion, arising from Buddhism, that seeks religious enlightenment by meditation in which there is no consciousness of self. Owner and licensed massage therapist April chose the name “Zensations” with the hope that her clients will relax and lose themselves in the sensation of massage. Zensations specializes in Swedish massage, orthopedic, hot stones, fassage, pregnancy, heated bamboo fusion, spa treatments, and more. The space is calming with a delightful aroma and the walls are adorned with the artwork of local artists that changes throughout the year. Arriving at least 5-10 minutes before an appointment is advised to fill out paperwork. The LMT asks for an overall body profile to create a personalized therapeutic massage. The three massage rooms are affectionately named Big Blue, Little Blue, and the Oyster Room. Sharry’s room is the private Little Blue Room with soft music playing and soft lighting. Her treatment begins with the Perfect Sense Paraffin Foot Nourishment, delivered in a single use “footie.” The paraffin is heated and produces hydration and protection for sore, cracked, irritated, and tired feet. Sharry has also chosen the natural bamboo massage, with seasonal cranberry oil. Originating from China, the bamboo stick massage is a powerful technique and its main goal is to strengthen the connective tissues, to reactivate and clean lymph nodes, and to provide a deep relaxation level. Movements are slow, and the bamboo makes a special sound that helps you reach a meditative state. “I love my job because there is always something new to learn,” Tara says. She learned the bamboo technique from April, who always encourages her to

LMTs Tara Tucker and April Cacciatori of Zensations Therapeutic Massage in Rome

Hot Stone massage is just one of the many treatment options at Zensations

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learn new techniques. I am scheduled in the nearby Big Blue Room with April. The room is softly lit and relaxing. My treatment begins with the Perfect Sense Warm Paraffin Hand Nourishment. The paraffin inside a hand mitt is very warm and feels like the soft wax of a candle on your skin. It is complemented by my first-ever hot stone massage. The water-heated stones are used to rub away tension. Volcanic basalt stones and cranberry oils are incorporated into the massage to loosen and soothe tightened and congested muscle tissue. The stones are also placed on energy lines and the acupressure points to balance the Chi. The hot stones feel like heaven and melt away all of my tension and ease my muscle stiffness. The treatment is designed to increase circulation and metabolism and promote deep muscle relaxation. My body is so relaxed I’m practically drooling. April finds every problem area and I can’t remember the last time my body felt like this. It’s a very therapeutic experience for me. After our massages, Sharry and I meet in the sitting room to sip a warm cup of tea feeling relax, quiet, and peaceful. “My feet feel amazing, invigorated and soft,” Sharry says. I am at a loss for words, smiling, and loving the tingling sensations all over my body. Zensations has some December specials such as an Ultra Hydrating Cranberry Massage, Candy Canes & Cocoa Massage, and Peppermint & Chocolate Massage. After the massage clients can relax with a cup of peppermint hot cocoa. Therapeutic massage is truly an experience that brings you to a Zen place. As we reluctantly snap back to reality we thank April and Tara for the amazing massages. We both can’t ignore our stomachs and agree dinner at Delta Lake Inn sounds like a perfect complement. Located on Fish Hatchery Road in Rome, the inn was constructed in 1903 to house the men who built Delta Dam and was called Delta Dam Hotel. After the completion of the dam, the hotel remained open as a stage coach station and in the 1920s as a speakeasy. In the 1950s, Delta Lake Inn was reopened as a restaurant. The current owners have completely renovated the inn with an Adirondack Lake decor that reflects a warm and festive atmosphere. Delta s flectionBamboo ReMoroccan treatment provides a nourishing treatment of Lake Inn features five dining rooms, a bar, a piano bar, and a second-floor banquet Full MoonThe hall. Diners can also enjoy a great view of the Palisades. The historic inn is open Moroccan argan oil, bamboo, eucalyptus, and Moroccan red clay. Art Center for weekly buffets, retirement dinners, business meetings, weddings, and banquets.

Visit us today for all your holiday needs!

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We are seated in the heated patio area with windows that are blackened by the twilight sky. Server Mike DePasquale greets us and takes our drink orders. Sharry orders a glass of Pinot Noir with ripe cherry nose and I order a Thirsty Owl Riesling with ripe and candied peach flavors, musk melon, and green apple. Mike is helpful in recommendations on the menu. Sharry orders us appetizers of Italian greens and fried calamari to share. The greens have a crunch and are mildly spicy and very flavorful. The fried calamari is crispy and lightly browned with homemade cocktail and marinara dipping sauces. Manager Karie Asmus comes to the table to ask us how the appetizers are and shares some of her personal favorites for entrees. Sharry orders the recommended wasabi salmon topped with cucumber salsa, wasabi sauce, and served over tomato-parmesan risotto with gourmet vegetables. I order the chicken riggies and both of us order the crab bisque soup. Warm bread with butter is brought to us and we both dip the crusty bread into the soup, soaking up the savory creamy broth. Sharry and I share and sample from each of the two entrees. The salmon is perfectly cooked, flaky, and has a delightful wasabi kick! The chicken riggies are delicious with a tangy, mild, and creamy sauce. I add a little more spice by cutting up the cherry pepper and mixing it into the pasta. We are not sure if we still have room in our stomachs but we can’t help ourselves and order a dessert to share of white chocolate bread pudding with a cinnamon stick. Wow! The bread pudding is the perfect comfort food — warm, gooey, buttery, and just heavenly! The Delta Lake Inn is a great place for gatherings large or small. The historic restaurant has a nice atmosphere for enjoying good food and company. In the busy time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and in preparation for those long winter months ahead, take some time for yourself to unwind, de-stress, and pamper your body and soul. •

Delta Lake Inn overlooks Rome’s Delta Lake and all its changing seasons

Delta Lake Inn is becoming known for its Italian dishes

Homemade soups are the perfect warmup this time of year

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The Phoenician story and photos By Jorge Hernandez

Leave it to descendants of the ancient Phoenician civilization along the Mediterranean coast of the Middle East that introduced the alphabet to know the ABCs of good food. Our visit to The Phoenician on French Road in New Hartford, proves just that. Dining starts with an “A” for abundance: The appetizers and kebob entrées arrive in heaping mounds of savory goodness. Then there’s the “B” of being bound to heritage: The fare at this Lebanese bistro hallmarks the traditional cooking of the mother country. And follow that with a “C” for complement: the food from beginning courses to main courses to desserts intermingle with each other to create the flavors of the Middle East. On the day of this recent personal tasting experience, owners Theresa and George Karam of New Hartford beam, awaiting our arrival. Each swish of the in-and-out doors to the kitchen introduce the hosts bearing the late afternoon meal, beginning with a septet of appetizers: tabbuli (wheat, parsley, onion, and tomato salad), hummus (chickpea dip), baba ghanouge (mashed grilled eggplant), falafil (croquettes of ground fava beans and chickpeas), labni (smooth yogurt cheese dip), stuffed baby eggplants, and stuffed grape leaves. Entrées of chicken, pork, and kafta (ground lamb and beef) kabobs over rice pilaf follow. The meal ends with a trio of desserts: halawa (sesame seed and pistachio fudge), baklawa, and rice pudding, served with rakwi (cardamom-infused Lebanese coffee). “Good cooking comes from the person seasoning and tasting— not from recipes,” George says. “It’s the cook that makes the food good.” Food at the Phoenician is made from fresh produce, no shortcuts, and no canned goods. “I can taste the difference between hummus made from canned chick peas or fresh ones soaked overnight like mine,” he says. “And we buy local produce only,” Theresa says. “From the farm markets in North Utica and the summer’s farmers’ markets in the area.” George boasts that everything he serves is popular, but the chicken kebobs and chicken breast entrées are the best-sellers. It seems to him all the appetizers are equally popular as he tries to tick off on his fingers what customers order the most. The restaurant’s name is not happenstance. George recalls how the Phoenicians were noted for the first galley boat with multi-tiered oars (the restaurant’s logo) and the first phonetic alphabet. “Our DNA goes back to the Phoenicians. I’m proud to be descended from such a culture,” he says. The 33-year-old restaurant, 25 years in its journey at this third site in the region, owes its fame to the hard work and dedication of its owners. “We offer good food and good presentation, but our hospitality, that’s important to us—that we treat out customers like family,” Theresa says. Both Karams are warm and welcoming, even affectionate. While waiting to be seated, some patrons demand the expected hugs from the owners to acknowledge their visits. Theresa protects and coos like a mother hen scooping more

Theresa and George Karam are in their element as hosts of their restaurant, The Phoenician

The Utica Scramble game is coming in January. TM

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun and fast paced for all ages, and you just may learn some Utica history!

In cooperation with Mohawk Valley Living, 92.7TheDrive, WUTR and the Oneida County Historical Society. Playable on computers, tablets and phones.

hummus and baba ghanouge onto each diner’s plate at the special tasting, spearing hand-crafted kabobs to replenish empty spaces on the dishes. George radiates pride recounting how he cooks from the heart. “We cook our food here like we cook it at home,” George says. “So many customers say the food is closest to Grandma’s. They don’t say it’s better than Grandma’s, of course, but I’d say we are second to that.” The Karams love story begins like this: George, born in Lebanon, and Theresa, a second-generation Lebanese, met in Lebanon; every summer she went on vacation to visit family. George still goes back whenever he can to visit his father, who is 95, and 86-year-old mother. He left Lebanon in 1976 to escape war in the Mideast. “I love my culture, but the United States is first on my list,” George, now a citizen, says. “People take this country for granted. I am proud to be here. It’s been good to us.” “It was his dream to open a business,” Theresa says. And so they did in 1982. Theresa worked side by side with George. “I would bring in the baby, and while I rolled the grape leaves, the baby would sit in his carriage right next to me.” Eventually, six sons continued to tender help in the restaurant. These days, George and his second oldest son, also named George, do all the cooking. “The Phoenician was always and still is a family business where all the boys always helped out whenever we needed them,” Theresa says. Theresa says the family never forgets its roots here and gives back at every opportunity. “We love Central New York. It’s been good to us. We donate gift certificates for charities, food to the Refugee Center food bank, whatever it take to give something to someone else,” Theresa says. “Home is home.” Our party departs with gushes of thank yous from both sides. Later that evening, Theresa ends a text request for factual clarification: “George and I enjoyed your company today and are so happy we can call you our friends, too. You’re wonderful people.” I know that on our next visit we will be privileged to a gracious welcome-home hug as well. •

Holiday Decorating!

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees! Balsam Fir Douglas Fir Fraser

We Ship Wreaths!

Owner Michael D. Jones, Jr.

• Gift Certificates • Maple Syrup & Honey • Garland

• Beautiful Fresh Centerpieces • Wreaths -decorated & plain

Candella’s GREENHOUSES 9256 River Road, Marcy • 736-8782 Open Daily, Including Sunday

the mvl

barneveld

restaurant

HOME STYLE COOKING

•Daily breakfast & luncheon specials •Ask about our family bowling special!

guide

8125 Rt.12, Barneveld, NY

clinton

(315) 896-2871 Open early everyday!

Cold Brook Where good friends Meet to Eat! Enjoy breakfast or a quick lunch!

MVL Ad_Layout 1 7/8/15 3:05 PM Page 1

8170 Seneca Tpke., Clinton (315) 732-3631

Ohio Tavern’s fried pumpkin ravioli in maple bacon balsamic sauce with cilantro & lime

Mon-Fri 6am-2pm, Sat & Sun 6am-1pm 1

Primo Pizza #

at the Kettle

315-381-3231

The Most Unique Upside Down Pizza You Ever Tasted!

20 Years of Pizza Making! Order your rolls for the Holiday Season!

Sausage $10.95 Spinach $9.95 Antipasto $11.95 Sausage & Greens $12.95 Eggplant $10.95

Weekday Specials

Life is Good at The Ohio Tavern!

Tues- 20” X-Large Cheese Pizza . . . . $9.95 (Toppings 2.25 ea, X-Cheese 2.95)

Wed-Small Cheese Pizza & 20 Wings . . . $14.95 Thurs- 2 Large Cheese Pizzas . . . . . $16.00 +Tax / Toppings Extra

Pizza and Wing Specials Sm. Cheese & 20 - 17.95 Lg. Cheese & 25 - 22.95 Lg. Cheese & 50 - 32.95

forestport

WIGWAM TAVERN NY 28, Forestport 315-392-4811

(plus tax. celery, blue cheese, toppings extra)

Clinton & local delivery 4:30-9pm

Tues-Thurs: 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm, Sun: 1pm-8pm

7756 State Route 5, Clinton Located inside Spaghetti Kettle www.primopizza1.com 50

2755 State Rt 8, Cold Brook, NY 13324 • 826-5050 Mon. 4 - 9pm • Tues. Closed • Wed. - Sun. 12 Noon - 9pm Great Food • Great Spirits • Great Times

Find/Friend us on Facebook and check out our daily specials and upcoming events!

forestport

NOW OPEN!

The Historic

RESTAURANT Prime Rib • Hand Cut Steaks • Seafood • Poultry • Pasta • Roast Dinners

Entrée’ Salad • Specialty Burgers • Petite Dinners • Great Sandwiches Homemade Soups and Desserts

Now Open Tues, Wed, Thurs: 4-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 12-8pm, Closed Mon

10626 North Lake Rd., Forestport, NY (315) 392-6607 www.buffaloheadrestaurant.com

Frankfort

Herkimer

The Grill Kitlas

Restaurant

Accommodating Parties up to 65 Owned & Operated by the Call for selections and pricing: same family since 1939 New American Pub Dinner Menu including 16 oz. NY Strip Steak, Salad, & Side: Only $16.95! House Desserts Reasonable Prices

Lunch: Mon-Fri: 11:30-2, Dinner: Mon-Sat: 4:30-9, Party accommodations up to 65 Rte 5S, Turner St. Exit (1/4 mi. east of Pitcher St. Post Office) (315) 732-9616

Don’t forget the dinner rolls!

Serving Breakfast and Lunch M-F: 7am-2:30pm FREE WI-FI

Let me create a culinary experience for you! “At home” dinners our specialty!

by Chef Dominick Scalise

(315) 866-7669 122 W. Albany St., Herkimer

Celebrating 30 Years! Serving healthy and delicious salads, grilled sandwiches, and homemade soups.

Heidelberg Bread & Café 3056 Rte 28 N., Herkimer (315) 866-0999

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

Baking all natural breads – available throughout New York State

little falls

Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat & Sun 7-4

Known throughout The Valley for hearty homemade soups, traditional Italian and zesty Mexican dishes!

piccolo cafe 823-3290

Breakfast, Lunch, Homemade Soups & Sandwiches and our delicious Desserts Including our Famous Cream Puffs!

Check out our tempting specials on facebook every week!

Lunch Monday-Friday, Dinner Wednesday-Sunday 365 Canal Place, Little Falls www.piccolo-cafe.com

S. Ann St., Canal Place, Little Falls

Great food served in a relaxing atmosphere.

marcy 9663 River Rd., Marcy

27 draft beers on tap featuring many NY state craft beers.

518 East Main Street, Little Falls (315) 508-5156

Open Mon-Sat: 4pm-10pm facebook.com/CopperMooseAleHouse

new hartford

Fresh Haddock • Giambotta

Breakfast Served All Day!

Mushroom Stew • Chicken & Biscuits Meatloaf Goulash & More!

Hard Ice Cream Available All Year! Take Out & Delivery!

797-7709

Mon.-Fri. 6am-8pm, Sat. 6am-1pm, Sun. 7am-7pm, Ice Cream 11-9 Daily

Homemade comfort foods Full menu available til 2am!

21 beers on tap, specializing in NY State craft beers!

Voted “Best of the Best” for fish frys & wings!

10 Clinton Rd., New Hartford

Mon-Sat: 10am-2am, Sun: 12pm-2am www.killabrewsaloon.com

Give the Gift of Good Taste! Buy a $25 Gift Card & Get a $5 bonus card! This Merry Christams Deal expires 12/31/15

Enjoy a full Mediterranean experience in our new dining room! Let us cater your graduation or private party.

601 French Road, New Hartford (315) 765-0504 www.cafecrete.com • facebook.com/cafecrete

Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm, Fri & Sat 10am-10pm Lunch Buffet (regular menu available) Mon-Fri: 10:30am-3pm, Sat: 11am-3:30pm

Mitsuba Japanese Cuisine

17 Ellinwood Dr., New Hartford (The Orchard Plaza)

(315) 768-8266

Serving Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week

www.mitsubarestaurants.com

Phoenician R E S TAU R A N T

Enjoy authentic Lebanese Cuisine

Full Buffet & Salad Bar served Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30 Wednesday Night Buffet 4:30-8:30 Serving Lunch & Dinner Mon-Sat Full Menu Available Mon-Thurs 11:30-9pm, Fri & Sat 11:30-10pm

623 French Road New Hartford (315) 733-2709

Georgio’s Village Cafe’

62 Genesee Street New Hartford NY

792-1111

“We are your home town pizzeria!”

past 5 years! Voted #1 pizza for

(315) 736-4549 • Open 7 days a week • 4462 Commercial Dr., New Hartford

www.tonyspizzeriaanddeli.com

C o m e E x p e r i e n c e G e o r g i o’s !

Order Holiday Trays Early! Menu Online: www.georgiosvillagecafe.com

Open for Lunch Open for Dinner Open for Dinner Tuesday-Friday Tuesday-Thursday Friday & Saturday 11:30AM to 3PM 5PM to 9PM 5PM to 10PM Closed Sunday & Monday

Private Parties or Business Affairs and Luncheons

Daily lunch and dinner take-out Mon-Fri Call 768-7037 8411 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford

And visit our NEW cafe at 116 Business Park Dr., Utica! Take out M-F: 8am-3pm Visit us on facebook for daily specials

Locally Owned & Operated

1700 North James St., Rome (315) 336-1111 Breakfast & Lunch daily 7am-3pm

Book Your Holiday Parties Now!

Catering Available • Homemade Desserts Every Day

2634 Genesee St., South Utica (315) 724-6795 Breakfast & Lunch daily 7am-3pm Dinner Wed - Sat 5pm-10pm

4784 Commercial Dr., New Hartford (315) 736-1363 Breakfast & Lunch daily 7am-3pm

www.raspberriescafeutica.com • Facebook: Raspberries Rome / Raspberries Utica • Kids Menu Available

newport

oNEIDA

Main Street Gift Shoppe

Newport’s Best Kept Secret for Primitive Gifts!

Lakeview Restaurant and Bar

Primitive Christmas Open House! Saturday, December 5th from 11:30 am - 4 pm Complimentary refreshments and door prizes!

Barn Stars, Candles, Folk Art, Textiles, Lighting, Signs, Olde Century Colors Paint, Furniture and more!

7431 Main St Rt. 28 Newport, NY 315 845-8835

OPEN: Wed thru Sat 11:30am til 8pm www.mainstreetristorante.com Check out our popular Ristorante on site!

Open to the Public!

Open Year Round

1017 Golf Course Lane, Oneida • Only 4 miles off Rte 5 in Sherrill • 315-361-6113

Tues: 11:30am-2:30pm, Wed-Fri: 11:30am-9pm, Sat: 4-9pm • www.lakeviewrestaurantandbar.com

rome

Boyz Italy from

Italian-American Cuisine Restaurant & Pizzeria Family-owned and operated for 24 years!

315-334-4832

262 W. Dominick St., Rome

Open 7 Days a Week 11-9 www.TheBoyzfromItaly.com

MVL Ad Color_Layout 1 10/15/15 8:45 AM Page 1

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

Natural Food Cafe Now Open! Featuring: Gluten-free options and homemade soups!

Natural Groceries • Supplements • Local Foods Organic Produce & Plants

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

Homemade Soups • Hot Daily Dishes • Gourmet Coffee

BALLISTER’S Dine-In or Take Out

GOURMET SANDWICHES

SIDE SALADS • SOUPS • BREAKFAST SANDWICHES COOKIES • MUFFINS • DESSERTS

Open 7 Days A Week • 10am-6pm

ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

307 N. James St., Rome

315-281-8889 PH • www.ballistersbistro.com

Try our wood fired brick oven pizzas! Weekend ck H Haddcoials Spe

Weekend Specials Prime Rib Every Saturday Night!

Homemade Pasta and Sauce H

Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at our new full bar addition-

We specialize in classic homemade Italian, fresh Italian-American and gluten free. All of our recipes and cooking techniques stem from gener-

Black Dog Saloon!

t& Take Oeury! Deliv

A Family Tradition

DiCastro’s

ations of family memories in the kitchen, where the love of food begins. After all, “life is too short not to enjoy good wine and great food!”

the

BRICK OVEN

229 E. Dominick St., Rome 315-533-5447

Call 336-0671

Open Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 10pm Sunday 12pm - 9pm

615 Erie Blvd. W., Rome

www.thevignetorome.com Facebook: The Vigneto Restaurant

Open M-Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10, Sun 4-9

sauquoit Valley/Cassville

sharon springs

Put on your fat pants and head to Wendy’s Diner!

Innovative food made with local & organic ingredients whenever possible, and exceptional service and warm atmosphere. Mon-Thurs 11-3, Fri-Sun 8-3 195 Main St., Sharon Springs (518) 284-2575

Wendy’s Diner

www.blackcat-ny.com

1717 Route 8, Cassville (315) 839-5000

M-Thurs 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-8pm, Sat 6am-1pm, Sun 6am-12(breakfast only)

salisbury

The Country Store with More!

www.countrystoreny.com

‘tis the season!

Snacks, Beer, Pizza, Wings, Subs, Gas, Diesel, Non-Ethanol Gas, Gifts and much, much more!

2114 Rte 29, Salisbury 315-429-3224 Open 7 Days a Week 55

utica

Place Your Christmas Orders Now!

KARAM’S Middle Eastern Bakery & Restaurant

NEW

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

Handmade Italian Cookies

Struffoli

Pitta ‘nchiusa

Christmas Cookie Trays Available

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

Traditional Lebanese fare for breakfast & lunch!

Handmade Italian Specialties: Cookies, Struffoli, Pitta ‘nchiusa, Turdilli, Italian Torrone, Croccante, Panettone, and more! Always Fresh, Never Frozen!

Middle Eastern Specials and Groceries Pita and Flat Bread • Spinach & Meat Pies • Baklawa

Tues - Fri: 9am -5pm, Sat: 9am - 3pm

(315) 736-1728 137 Campbell Ave, Yorkville www.karamsbakery.com

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

315 735-7676

Call to order for all your holiday catering needs! Including- Greens, Eggplant “Parm”, Meatballs & more! (315) 896-2173 • Seasonal Hours: Open M-F 8am-6pm • www.sammyandanniefoods.com

westmoreland www.knucklheadsbrewhouse.com

Knuckleheads BREW HOUSE

Homestyle American Fare From Wings to Prime Rib! Check out our daily specials including Friday fish fry and Saturday wood smoked prime rib!

Specializing in Weddings & Banquets

Happy hour every day 4-7pm featuring craft beers and a full bar.

EXCEPTIONAL CUISINE • COMPETITIVE PRICING PROFESSIONAL WAIT STAFF ACCOMMODATIONS UP TO 200 GUESTS WEDDING RECEPTIONS • REHEARSAL DINNERS • BRIDAL & BABY SHOWERS FAMILY REUNIONS • BUSINESS MEETINGS • ALL OCCASION PARTIES

Friday night dinners featuring our famous fresh haddock fish fry! Full menu available - Serving every Friday 4-8:30

16 Erie St. Yorkville, NY 13495 (315) 736-9359 www.clubmonarch.net

Serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week. Open til 2am 7362 East Main Street, Westmoreland (315) 853-1351

Utica Dance performs with the Hamilton College Orchestra

holiday Family fun Nutcracker Puppet Show

Rome’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 9:30am & 10am Thursday, Dec. 3 at 9:30am & 1pm Friday, Dec. 4 at 9:30am & 10am

Friday, Dec. 4, 5:30-7:30pm Help Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree, free movie, Trinkaus Village display, free bike giveaways, food, fireworks, and live music.

Annual production of The Nutcracker and The Night Before Christmas Puppet Show

Kirkland Town Library

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

City of Rome

Intersection of Court and James Streets, Rome www.romechamber.com

the

Kountry Kupboard II

Mohawk Acres Plaza • 1756 Black River Blvd., Rome Phone: 315-533-5974 • Fax: 315-533-7027

A division of Earley Farm & Hardware, Inc.

“Always a Great Deal More at the Kupboard!”

Mon-Fri: 8am - 6:30pm, Sat: 9am - 3pm, Sun: Closed email: store6572@theupsstore.com

Deli • Bulk Foods & Cheese • Chocolate Items Coffee (ass’t. blends) • Baking Supplies & Much More! Phone (315) 893-7437 Fax (315) 893-1854

Open M-F 8-5, Sat 8-4, Closed Sundays

Route 20 in Madison, New York www.earleyfarm.com

15 Seymour Lane, Westmoreland, NY

We’re here to help! Printing Services • We Pack & Ship UPS, USPS & DHL Service Providers Mailbox Services • Freight Services • Fax Services • Notary Services • Shredding

Over 200 Aquariums!

Veterinary Care Boarding Grooming by Toni Bartolomie 315-853-2408

www.cnyveterinary.com

Home of Dr. Heather’s House Calls

Salt Water & Fresh Water Fish, Reptiles and Small Mammals

582 Main St., New York Mills, M-Sat 11-6 315-768-6465 www.wildthingspetshop.com 57

Mohawk Valley Ballet performs The Nutcracker

Wonderland of Lights Through Jan. 1 (Closed Dec. 24)

Masonic Care Community

Saturday, Dec. 5 at 7:30pm Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2pm

Acacia Village Entrance Welsh Bush Road, Utica www.wonderlandoflights.info

The Stanley Center for the Arts 259 Genesee St., Utica Tickets: (315) 724-4000 www.thestanley.org

The O’Neill Studio of Dance Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker

Come visit with Santa! Sunday, Dec. 6, Noon-3pm

Fri., Dec. 11 and Sat., Dec. 12 at 7pm

Naturewood Knoll Tree Farm Christmas Shop

Capitol Theatre

220 W. Dominick St., Rome (315) 337-6453 www.romecapitoltheatre.com

2408 State Route 169, Little Falls (315) 823-1133 www.christmastreesny.org/custom/ naturewood

BUY ONE Wedge ge ¾lb Farmstead Cheese Wedg

GET A SECOND

½ OFF

GARRO DRUGS 704 Bleecker Street, Utica NY 315.732.6915

Gift Baskets

Available!

Offer valid in store only at Stolzfus Dairy location through h 12 12-31-15. 31 1 Limit i i one per customer.

Visit ou our store for homemade breads, granola and farm fresh free range brown eggs!

Locally Produced Freshness Guaranteed

6300 Skinner Rd., Vernon Center, NY Open: Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-1 (315) 829-4089 | www.stoltzfusdairy.com (3

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

Serving “The Heart of Utica” Since 1910

Scrooge Friday, Dec. 11 at 7:30pm & Saturday, Dec. 12 at 2pm

Presented by Players of Utica. Directed by Peter Loftus and starring Richard Enders as Ebenezer Scrooge

The Stanley Center for the Arts

259 Genesee St., Utica (315) 724-4000 www.thestanley.org

Candlelight Evening The Farmers’ Museum Saturday, Dec. 12, 3-7pm

Draft horses, music and live performances, caroling, “Living Nativity,” Catskill Chamber Singers, dramatic reading of “A Christmas Carol,” visit Saint Nicholas, free rides on carousel, complimentary wassail.

The Farmers’ Museum

5775 Highway 80, Cooperstown www.farmersmuseum.org

Holiday Hoot at the Utica Zoo Saturday, Dec. 12, 1-3pm

Bring the whole family to have pictures with Santa! Enjoy meet & greets with our educational animals. Free hot drinks, cookies, and candy. Bring gifts for our animals from our wish list: uticazoo.org/wishlist. Holiday Hoot is included with Zoo admission.

Utica Zoo

One Utica Zoo Way, Utica (315) 738-0472 www.uticazoo.org

Family Fun Series: “It’s a Wonderful Life” Sat., Dec. 12, Noon, Sat., Dec. 19, Noon and Sat., Dec. 20, 2pm Screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” Followed by a holiday-themed reception and a special photoshoot with Santa Claus, $1 popcorn

MVCC Utica Campus

Information Technology Building 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica (315) 792-5400 http://calendar.mvcc.edu

Christmas in Little Falls Saturday, Dec. 12, 3-7pm

Historical tours, free horse and carriage rides, visit with Santa Claus, caroling, indoor farmers’ market and an artisans’ fair.

City of Little Falls

www.christmasinlittlefalls.com

Hamilton College Orchestra and Utica Dance perform The Nutcracker

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 13 and 14 Hamilton College Orchestra provides live accompaniment for the evening performances. Free admission.

Wellin Hall, Schambach Center Hamilton College, Clinton www.hamiltonpa.org

Cheese and so much more!

Fresh “Squeaky” Cheese Curd every Thursday Think of us for your Holiday Shopping needs:

•Mail Order Gift Boxes •Gift Baskets to order •Selection of Gourmet Foods •Wine and Cheese Accessories & Kitchen and Home Decor

Mail Order Too! Order Online or Call 1-800-211-3345 Visit our stores: 8190 St. Rt. 12, Barneveld (next to Family Dollar) and 13 W Park Row, Clinton or shop www.adirondackcheese.com

Melodies and Memories Victorian Yuletide Celebrates Christmas Carols

Holiday Card Making Tuesday, Dec. 15, 3:30pm

Make holiday cards to send. For ages 8-13

Through Jan. 3, 2016

Utica Public Library

Fountain Elms

303 Genesee St., Utica (315) 735-2279 ww.uticapubliclibrary.org

Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute 310 Genesee Street, Utica (315) 797-0000 www.mwpai.org

The Polar Express Movie

Mohawk Valley Choral Society Concert: Rejoice!

Friday, Dec. 18, 6:30pm

Free admission, all are welcome! Hot chocolate, pizza and holiday treats for sale. Proceeds benefit the Clinton Pool. Wear your pajamas and bring pillows. Doors open at 6:30, movie starts at 7.

Sun., Dec. 13, 3-5pm

Grace Church

6 Elizabeth St, Utica Corner of Genesee and Elizabeth St. Tickets at: 823-1615 or online at: www.mvchoral.org

Kirkland Town Library

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

Prince-Boyd & Hyatt Specializing in Buyer Representation & Relocation We have a wide range of listings and can search thousands more to help you find what you’re looking for. We can assist with purchases of homes, vacation homes, farms, land, investment property or rentals. Contact us today. Office: 315-858-2110 Cell: 607-282-0315

The Utica Harbor LockLic. guard gateBroker is used for flood control Joann Christmann, R.E.

164 Main Street, Richfield Springs www.scenicbywayrealty.com Equal Housing Opportunity

Helping Buyers & Sellers Meet Their Goals

Home For Funerals, Inc.

Home-like surroundings for your convenience & comfort. Pre-arrangement Plans with prey-payment or no payment options.

210 West Court St. Rome • 336-1510 Handicapped Accessible

www.princeboydhyatt.com

FRIENDLY BAKE SHOP

Merry Christmas!

Place your holiday orders now!

1222 E. Main St., Frankfort

thefriendlybakeshop.com (315) 894-8861 Tues-Fri: 7-5, Sat: 7-3, Sun: 7-12:30

Personalized Gifts are Twice as Nice

Fynmore’s

CUSTOM FRAMING Master Picture Framers Conservators & Restorers of Art Needlework Specialists Custom Mirrors

New Hartford: 8502 Seneca Turnpike (315) 735-9066 Open Mon, Thurs, Fri: 10-6; Tues & Wed: 10-5; Sat: 10-3

Boonville: 143 Main Street (315) 942-4049 Open Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-3

www.fynmorestudios.com

Awards

and Engraving Inc.

8411 Seneca Turnpike Crossroads Plaza New Hartford ~ 738-0808 CROSS Pens Desk Items Clocks Frames Photo Gifts Jewelry Boxes

Wine Boxes Keyrings Photo Ornaments Flasks Custom IPhone Covers Baby Gifts

Thinking of adopting a cat, kitten, or bunny rabbit? Spring Farm CARES Animal Sanctuary www.springfarmcares.org

mv living

antique shopping guide Businesses Est. 1998 - Mary T. Gearhart, sole proprietor

BlackCat

Attic Addicts The Queen’s Closet

Pristine, Practical, and Priced Right!

Specializing in estate sales, large and small.

Conducted with respect and dignity. We take the pressure out of estate liquidation, moving, or downsizing. Call for a consultation:

(315) 736-9160

ANTIQUES

We’re letting the cat out of the bag!

Consignment at its Finest!

Black Cat Antiques is the destination for Antique Furnishings, Vintage Clothing, Jewelry, Accessories, and Primitive Handmade Gifts!

Clothing Jewelry Household Items Furniture Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm Sat: 10:30am-3pm New consignment by appointment only

22 Oriskany Blvd., Yorkville (315) 736-9160 www.thequeenclosetatticaddicts.com

5th & 6th

Open Daily 10-5

10242 Route 12N, Remsen, NY 13438

(315) 831-8644

www.backofthebarnantiques.com

Canal House Antiques Multi-Dealer Shop

Specializing in antique furniture, glassware, jewelry, books, linens, and primitive rug hooking accesories

(315) 893-7737

Open Thurs-Mon 10-4, Closed Tues & Wed

6737 Route 20, Bouckville, NY

14 East Main St. Earlville (315) 691-5721

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

Cool Stuff Consignment Shop Antiques, collectibles, rare, weird, and unusual. Always accepting your old treasures

7505 Rte 5, Kirkland • 315-725-0360 (intersection of Route 5 and Route 233)

Facebook: Cool Stuff Consignment Shop Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Over 30 Vendors!

Foothills

Mercantile The BIG RED BARN filled with antiques & vintage pieces, collectibles, glassware, furniture, accessories. New items arriving daily. Visit our gift shop!

Holiday Open House

Fort Plain Antiques WE ARE EXPANDING!

30% - 50% OFF Sticker Price Storewide Through JAN 1!

50% off TEXTILES, BOOKS, MAGAZINES, RECORDS, & HUNDREDS OF OTHER SELECT ITEMS!

Antiques: Thur - Fri 12 - 6 Sat 12 - 5 — Salvage: Tue - Wed - Sat 12 - 4

Sat. Dec 5th & Sun. Dec 6th 10 am-5:30pm Vendor Discounts, Door Prizes & Refreshments!

Open 6 days: 10-5:30 , closed Tues. 8124 Route 12, Barneveld (315) 896-2681

The Gallery Antiques at Pinebrick

55 WILLETT ST., FORT PLAIN, NY • 518-993-1045 • 518-332-0395 •www.fortplainantiques.com

Little Falls

Antique Center

A multi-dealer shop specializing in advertising, petroliana, lamps, furniture, glass, & quality smalls.

Look for our 1960s Texaco sign! (315) 893-7752

6790 Route 20, Bouckville www.thegallerycoop.com Over 160 Vendor booths and display cases!

More than 50 vendors on 2 floors! Canal Place, Little Falls Open Every Day 10-5 www.littlefallsantiquecenter.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

CHRISTMAS CAROL KARAOKE PARTY

SANTA CLAUS WANTS YOU TO SING YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TUNE! $50 MAM GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE WINNERS!! SANTA AND HIS SLEIGH WILL BE ON HAND. BRING YOUR CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPH YOUR KIDDIES WITH THE REAL DEAL!! 100 E. Main St., Mohawk (Thruway Exit 30)

(315) 219-5044 www.mohawkantiquesmall.com

MOHAWK ANTIQUES MALL

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

THE POTTING SHED

NEWPORT MARKETPLACE

ANTIQUES

Top Notch Garden Center Rt 28, 7583 Main St., Newport (315) 845-8822

OVER 48 VENDORS! NEW ITEMS ARRIVING DAILY! Antiques • Vintage • Re-Purposed Handcrafted Items • Unique Gifts • Honey • Cheese • Muck Boots • Garden Accesories Holistic & Local Food Store • Grass Fed Beef, Lamb & Pork

Christmas Ornaments from Germany & Poland Custom Live Wreaths

Christmas Gifts

For those who crave the unique!

Antiques make great gifts! Check out our inventory and our House Sale Schedule: www.thepottingshedantiques.com

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John Wicks and Egbert Bagg II The Valley’s Original Bird Men are Remembered 100 Years Later by matt perry

Reverend John Bartlett Wicks of Paris Hill Sometimes when I’m out on the land observing nature, my thoughts go to two men who did something similar but had a great head start on me: the Rev. John Bartlett Wicks (1836-1915) and Egbert Bagg ll (1850-1915), who both explored the varied terrain of the Mohawk Valley in the latter half of the 19th century independently of each other. One was an Episcopal priest and the other a Utica businessman–neither was a professional scientist, and only pursued their interest in nature as a hobby. Both men died 100 years ago in 1915, but the work they did compiling information on nature, and on birds in particular, provided us with a greater understanding of the distribution of wildlife

in that era. From the species that were present here, we can deduce much about the past state of local ecosystems and how they’ve changed over time. The two men’s commitment to their “hobby” was a precursor to society’s evolving attitudes toward nature, and their writings and advocacy helped usher in an era when the first strong laws were enacted to protect wildlife. Wicks had a keen interest in wildlife and especially in birds. This fascination spanned his whole life, but he only began writing about them in his later years as the 20th century dawned. As pastor of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paris, NY, Wicks didn’t only have people in his congregation, he also had the wild birds, which he referred to as “my bird parishioners” (the title of his first book, published in 1897). Observing winged creatures in nature while hiking the countryside was Wick’s favorite pastime, though few in his day shared a similar passion. His contemporaries who were looking for birds were more apt to be out collecting them as specimens or worse, using them for target practice; they certainly weren’t observing their behavior through binoculars as Wicks was doing. In the foreword to Wicks’ first book, Bishop F.D. Huntington compared his fellow priest and good friend to Saint Francis of Assisi. He wrote that Wicks “does not so much concern himself with the scientific structure, anatomy or nomenclature of

E Bagg II in the field with collecting gear his subjects. He deals with his parishioners in the forest and field as he does with his parishioners in the church. He takes them, watches them, and studies them alive.” In his two books, Wicks wrote about the birds that shared the neighborhood with him on Paris Hill. In his writing he mentioned the last vestiges of the original forest that, when he was a young boy, still remained standing to the east of his family’s farm. He knew the value that woodland had as a bird habitat and he understood what its loss meant to the region’s species diversity – although he didn’t put it in precisely those terms. For the most part, Wicks wrote about birds as if they were his cherished neighbors; he stated

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they differed little from their counterparts settling other parts of the country; but at that point in time, Upstate New York was the young nation’s new frontier. To those pioneers, the natural world was not something that required a biological survey, or something to be respected for its pristine beauty or valued for the habitat it provided; it simply needed to be tamed. It went without In little more than a generation, the ancient forest was saying that all forests rereplaced by farm fields and pastures quired clearing to make way for farm land; predators needed to be exterminated lest they threaten that each species had their place in “the economy of nature” and he considered their loss or domestic livestock, and the loss of native biodecline in number as an unfortunate event and diversity was of no consequence at all. In the something to be lamented by the community. course of little more than a single generation, Wicks considered the widespread view that the Mohawk Valley had been transformed some birds were good and some harmful to from an almost unbroken old-growth forest to be false and outdated thinking. He maintained a nearly unbroken quilt of agricultural fields that all birds including the oft vilified birds of and pastures. The ecology of the region had prey had roles to play in the environment and been turned on its head, and no one at the time that their presence was, on whole, a beneficial thought to put pen to paper to record the effects this monumental change had on the birds one. Wicks’ attitude toward nature was quite and other wildlife. extraordinary given the world in which he John inherited some of his respect for the grew up. During his boyhood in the 1830s natural world from his father, Charles Wicks. and 1840s, the region’s pioneer spirit was still Charles was a farmer, orchardist and onetime very much intact. His grandfather Capt. John Justice of the Peace. Reputedly, he also had a Wicks, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, certain amount of knowledge of wild plants was an early settler on Paris Hill–traveling and mushrooms. This came from a life of from Connecticut with his wife, Sarah, via working outdoors and being curious. Apparoxcart. The family farm was on the original ently, the interesting or novel behavior of wildpioneer road that traversed Paris Hill. Right life wasn’t entirely lost on him as it was on his across the road from their home stood the neighbors. Oren Root (1803-1885), professor house of the village’s very first settler of Euro- of Mathematics, Mineralogy and Geology pean descent. Of course, there was no inherent at Hamilton College, was also an influence conservationist ethic that came with the peo- on the Wicks children–though not from the ple that began populating the Mohawk Valley vantage point of a desk in a classroom. The in the last decade of the 1700s. In this way, professor’s occasional plant-collecting for-

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Wicks was the pastor of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Paris

ays into the cedar swamp behind the Wicks’ Farm would often involve the boys. These adventures into the world of botany were remembered fondly by both John Wicks and his younger brother, Russel. Professor Root was reportedly amazed at the sheer variety of plants that could be found in the swamp, and thus the Wicks children received some lessons in species diversity that they would appreciate

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The Wicks’ family farm on Paris Hill

for the rest of their lives. In Wicks’ time, the birds and other wildlife that inhabited the countryside around Paris were for the most part not the same species we see today. Common birds for him were the Eastern Meadowlark, Bobolink, Vesper Sparrow, and the Red-headed Woodpecker. In short, these were virtually all birds of open country–species that breed in and around hay fields and pastureland. This meant that by the mid-1800s the pendulum had swung to the opposite extreme from where it had been a half-century before, during the reign of the old forest. In this new paradigm, formerly abundant woodland species like the warblers, vireos, and thrushes were relegated to woodlots,

inaccessible gorges and some forested margins between properties. Grassland birds–some from the western plains, moved in and claimed Central New York as new territory. The field cultivation methods as well as the types of crops grown in the 1800s were conducive to successful breeding for grassland species and so these newcomers proliferated. Wicks wrote species accounts for most of the birds that he knew well and appreciated. His writings were poetic, and some would say fanciful, but usually they included some good insight into the species’ behavior. His use of common and sometimes colloquial names for birds and his habit of anthropomorphizing his subjects would perhaps make some modern audiences roll their eyes. His failure to mention some of the more difficult to identify species (like many of the warblers) creates room for doubt about his skill as a birder–at least when compared to the modern standard. However, we should take in consideration the state of optical equipment in that period and the availability (or lack thereof) of identification field guides. Still there’s no taking away the fact that Wicks provided a valuable snap-

The Eastern Meadowlark was once a common bird in the area’s high fields and meadows

shot of most of the bird life that existed at a certain time and place in the Mohawk Valley, and his contribution was unique. Wicks was very much part of a fledgling movement to grant North American birds legal protection. Before 1900, they had none and virtually all bird species regardless of class or size of population were being relentlessly plundered by feather hunters, egg collectors, market hunters, specimen collectors, and recreational hunters. The result was that the countryside was quickly being emptied of much of its birdlife. Wicks supported the Lacey Act, which was a well-intentioned first attempt by American lawmakers to pass nationwide legislation to protect native wildlife

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Bagg’s Hotel, a longtime fixture of society’s awakening to the importance of in Downtown Utica. Generations birds and the natural ecosystems that support of the Bagg family were very them. Indeed, it was at this point in time that a much involved in the commerce conservationist sentiment began welling up all and the societal institutions of around the country. Instead of looking at wildtheir city. life and wilderness from a strictly utilitarian Egbert became interested standpoint, a growing number of people were in nature at an early age. He was a beginning to assign a value to nature’s aespatience observer and kept a jour- thetics. This shift in perspective was fostered nal where he faithfully record- in part by the writings of Thoreau, Emerson, ed details of the wildlife he was and by the naturalist John Burroughs. In 1887, studying. These journal entries Bagg and his colleague, Dr. William Ralph, of Collections of wild bird eggs were once very popular were accompanied by his metic- Holland Patent, published An Annotated List ulous illustrations of birds, bird of the Birds of Oneida County and Immediate nests, caterpillars, and whatever Vicinity. The list represented a thorough acelse he encountered. and plants from wholesale exploitation. In Regular vacations to the family’s 1900, the act became law but proved weak in An account of a the area of protecting birds and was ultimate- camp at Pine Lake in the Adironrare Blue Grosbeak ly superseded by the much stronger Federal dacks instilled generations of the provided the only Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which came into Bagg children with a great appreconnection between full effect in 1918. Wicks didn’t live to see ciation of nature. That appreciaWicks and Bagg that law enacted, but no doubt, he would have tion eventually inspired Bagg to approved of the real protection it granted his create the first ever systematic and full accounting of Mohawk cherished songbirds. Egbert Bagg II was a businessman from Valley bird life. a prominent Utica family. His great-grand- These kinds of regional bird father Moses Bagg Sr. was an early pioneer lists began popping up in New who settled in Utica in 1794. Moses Sr. was York State in the latter part of a blacksmith and tavern keeper. On the site the 1800s. Their appearance at of his original tavern would eventually stand this time could be taken as a sign

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counting of all bird species that the two men made an identification error. Having the actual had records for in and around Oneida County. bird specimen also allowed it to be carefully Birds were listed under their scientific name measured and to have its stomach contents and each was arranged in the most up-to-date examined. This provided information on the taxonomical order as established by the new- birds’ feeding preferences, which in turn gave ly founded Amerian indication of can Ornithologists’ how they interUnion (AOU). This acted in their was serious stuff, environment. and it was clear that Valuable conBagg and Ralph had tributions to produced a useful bird knowledge and well researched aside, the rouscientific work. To tine killing and complete their task, collecting of they cultivated a birds (as well as network of reliable collecting their sources of bird inforeggs and nests) A diagram of a bird’s anatomy from E Bagg’s mation from across for scientific early journal the region, and each purposes seems reporter dutifully an anathema forwarded data back and certainly at to the two men. Much of the information odds with the our modern conception of wildsubmitted came from dead specimens, which life appreciation and conservation. It can be for serious naturalists was the gold standard difficult for modern audiences to read some of the day. A major justification for procuring of the accounts of birds in these early lists specimens was that it increased the accuracy on account of their goriness. Birds rare and of identifications. And certainly with a bird in common alike were being shot out of the sky hand, it was hard to argue that an observer had merely to prove that they occurred in a certain

place at a certain time. An argument could be made that naturalists were part of the problem in that they were contributing to the depletion of birds by their incessant collecting. In fact, Bagg’s colleague and co-author Ralph had assembled one of the largest collections of wild bird eggs in the entire country. Of course, few naturalists/conservationists of the time thought there was an inherent inconsistency in collecting and conserving bird populations. Controversies about data collecting methodology aside, what Bagg and Ralph gave us with their Oneida County bird list was the first ever accurate accounting of bird species in the region. It provided details on what birds bred here, migrated through, and/or spent the winter here. For the first time regional rarities were identified and some trends of population growth or decline were duly noted. Bagg’s account of the now extinct Passenger Pigeon was particularly interesting and important, as it gave us a window onto that lost species’ behavior in Central New York. Wicks’ account of the same species was also invaluable. A few years back while researching Wicks and Bagg, I became curious if they’d ever met each other or even if they’d been friends. Initially, the closest connection I could find was that during the Civil War, Wicks had served in

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the 117th Regiment of volunteers with Bagg’s father (the original holder of the unusual name of “Egbert”). The regiment saw a great deal of action in that war. Egbert Bagg Sr. attained the rank of major and was in command during several battles. Wicks served as a sergeant, so it’s quite likely that he knew the elder Bagg– whether during their service or post-war when both were active participants in veteran groups. Still, there was no obvious connection to the major’s son. Locally, Egbert Bagg II and Wicks were considered to be authorities on birds and both gave bird-themed lectures around the region. Both men authored articles in the local papers, of which there were many in those days. Bagg occasionally wrote for ornithological journals including one called The Auk, which is published by the AOU. Wicks was particularly prolific, and besides writing articles for the Utica newspapers, he also kept up a regular column in the Waterville Times. In that column he mixed local bird news with the recent scuttlebutt from the human residents of Paris Hill. Bagg’s articles could also be entertaining; in one that appeared in a Utica paper he divulged the secret on how to observe birds. It read: “Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut.” Unsurprisingly, this sage advice still holds true today. It turned out that the only tangible information I could find that linked the region’s two seminal bird men was a snippet from a brief correspondence that took place between them. Bagg included this in a revised version of his Oneida County bird list (published in 1911). Apparently Bagg had noticed a column that Wicks had written in which he mentioned having seen a rare Blue Grosbeak on Paris Hill. Since this was a bird Bagg had no records for, he contacted Wicks and requested further details of the sighting. These Wicks provided. I admit that it wasn’t quite the legendary interaction I had imagined. I wanted evidence of a shared hike or birding excursion, but I could find no record of such contact, which of course doesn’t rule out the possibility that there was one. In retirement, the Rev. Wicks moved

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from the rectory at Saint Paul’s down the main road (Route An illustration of a bird’s nest from E. Bagg’s journal 12) a few miles to his in-law’s farm at Chuckery Corners. As it happened, this was the Potter’s farm that bordered Spring Farm–the same location where our Nature Preserve is today. In his writings, he spoke about the “bird paradise” that once existed in the forested gorges on the land just east of his family farm. His description of that long-lost transcendent place inspired Spring Farm’s own mission to preserve and create a wildlife habitat and, in a way, build a new bird paradise. It seems completely appropriate that our restoration projects are taking place on the hills he would have seen from the porch in the last place he lived. Unlike Wicks who lived to a respectable 78 years old, Bagg died relatively young at the to gain inspiration from. Just as the country age of 65. Fortunately, his intense interest remembers its fathers of American ornitholin birds carried though the family line. His ogy–those original citizen-scientists, Alexgrandson E Bagg IV even updated the Oneida ander Wilson (a poet and weaver) and John County bird list, and in the second half of James Audubon (a shop keeper and painter), the 20th century was very involved in birding the Mohawk Valley should recall its own faand in local conservation issues. In this era, thers of ornithology, John Bartlett Wicks and there are now many people that believe birds Egbert Bagg II. They helped to bring about a and wildlife have an intrinsic value and are change in society’s views and brought nature well worth going out of their way to protect study and nature appreciation squarely into and keep records on. Data collection on birds the mainstream. • is now done mostly by volunteers, a.k.a. “citizen scientists,” and it has become an integral Matt Perry is Conservation part of monitoring the health of populations Director and resident naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in and of safeguarding their habitats. Clinton. He manages a 260 acre As I continue with my own excursions nature preserve which is open along the hills and byways of this region and for tours by appointment. Matt note the continuing changes that take place is also regional editor of “The Kingbird”, which is a quarterly with habitats and with resident wildlife, I feel publication put out by the New a kinship with my brother naturalists who York State Ornithological Association. Matt writes a preceded me and made an effort to share their weekly blog about the nature preserve, which can be found at: talesfromthewilds.blogspot.com information. For them, they had no such predecessor to compare their findings against or

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Standard made roll top desks which were very popular in the 1890s. They also manufactured typewriter desks. In 1957, Standard was the world’s largest producer of wooden office equipment. At one time, many of the desks in Congress were made in Herkimer. Standard Desks made in Herkimer maybe found throughout the world, in offices, also in foreign embassies. Thus, it could be said the “Standard desks circle the planet.” • Source: History of Standard Furniture 1886-1966, newspaper clippings, Draheim Scrapbook and book “Herkimer County at 200” published by the Herkimer County Historical Society in 1992.

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Picture of Forest Cottage in winter taken from a treetop.

CHAPTER 15

TALES FROM

SHAWANGUNK Shawangunk nature preserve, cold brook

by Peggy Spencer Behrendt

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

We are time travelers working in worlds far distant than the mere measurement in miles. The portal begins as we pass through Louie Muzyk’s fields. His cows ponderously mill about on the road, like mythic herbivores benevolently guarding our imaginary gate to the dramatic cultural change we experience each time we pass through. If we are patient, they will step aside quietly and let us pass. We have come from a highly illumined world, with vehicles and household machines roaring noisily about us, and now enter one of rustic calm and sedate quiet, punctuated with natural events of great drama, when hearty storms shake the forest inhabitants to their very roots.

Each cultural direction has its good and bad points. When we return home, it’s a relief to have quiet and lack of movement, but after a while it feels too quiet and boring. A day of acclimation puts us back into the slower rhythm of nature, and we are once again at peace. Going back to the city, to civilization, is exciting and interesting, but exhausting. It is hard, at first, to move and think so quickly. People talk so fast! Gradually, we also speak and move faster; and sometimes, we influence others to go slower. Winter Solstice I wake up in a dawn of dusky light but lie in the loft under a pile of quilts, meditating on whether I should get up and start the fire, trembling in the cold while I put on clothes like an accelerated silent movie actor; or try to get Tim to do it. This requires considerable contemplation. Meanwhile, the

earth turns enough to allow sunlight from below the horizon to illumine the snow-pregnant clouds overhead, encompassing the forest in a transitory rainbow magnificence of magenta, gold and pink. I decide it’s probably Tim’s turn. We have only a few hours of daylight to eat, cook and do our chores. First, we shovel fresh snow off the paths before we step on them, so we won’t create hard boot prints of condensed snow to trip over later. Next, a hole must be chopped through the ice over our little brook so we can bring in buckets of pristine water flowing secretly under winter’s eiderdown. The night’s chamber pot must be emptied and cleaned; then wood split with explosive whacks that echo between the trees. We load the inside wood-bin, empty the ashes, and mop up the bark and sawdust mixed with melted snow left behind on the floor. The sprinkling can is filled and heat75

ed on the wood stove so we can take a very quick shower in the outdoor shower stall. Then, I cook the morning oatmeal with cinnamon and dried wild apples and boil some water for tea made from peppermint we found in summer streamlets. The long solstice night begins in the afternoon. In the golden glimmer of flickering candles and kerosene lamp, I make a light supper of beans and rice with a cabbage salad. Afterward we read, write letters, play music or reminisce. Not long after supper we fill the wood stove for the last time, and close it down as best we can so it will burn slowly. We sit quietly, waiting for the initial burst of heat to calm down so we can climb into the loft without getting cooked in the oven like heat that has risen. Wood fibers snap with combustion, the kerosene lamp flame hisses softly; wax languidly trickles off the candle edge to the metal saucer beneath. “Why did you become a minister?” I ask Tim. In his eyes I see him travel to another place and time. “Oh, Peg!” He replies. “Are you sure you want to hear that story?” “It’s the longest night of the year. I need a long story!” I grin. He is silent and finally heaves a gigantic sigh. “It was traumatic for me. I was in the last semester in my senior year of undergraduate school, when I suddenly realized I didn’t want to become a full-time Phys Ed teacher, track and football coach. I was tired of pretending to be a dumb jock, a role I’d become very good at, to compen-

Located at the Shoppes at the Finish Line Mon: 9:30 - 8, Tues - Fri: 9:30 - 5 Sat: 10- 4 76

sate for feelings of inferiority to my brilliant father and brother, but didn’t know what else I could do. I was also worried and feeling guilty about a girl I’d been seeing who suddenly dropped out of school. It was a stressful time. “A close relative was also experiencing deep emotional changes and stress at his college, so I couldn’t talk to him about my challenges. This seriously upset me. He’d always been important to me, the essence of kindness and tolerance. “Still, I had to see him, so skipped classes and took off in my car on a trip that was surreal. If I’d read William James book Varieties of Religious Experience, I’d have understood that what was about to happen was not so strange.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all!

Tim chops a hole in the ice to get our water.

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“During the long trip, I picked up and dropped off five hitchhikers. One was a decrepit, blearyeyed old man, a wino, who told me how he collected bottles from garbage cans and such so he could turn them in for the deposit money and buy his wine. ‘What a sad way for a man to spend his old age,’ I thought. “Another was a homosexual man who had rope burns on his neck. He’d tried to kill himself because the prejudice against people like him at that time (the 1950s) was so profoundly oppressive and humiliating. “A third was a young man in a leather jacket with what we called ducktails: hair combed in a way that indicated his rejection of society. He was silent, brooding and emanated rage. ‘Shouldn’t the time of youth be more hopeful,’ I thought? “The fourth was an African American. It was hard for him to find work, and he told me how he and his people had to keep on his side of the tracks in his town or risk being beaten, abused, even tortured if found outside of their territory by the wrong people. I’d had many African American friends, and played football with them, but never

Peg talks to her Chickadees in the winter

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realized the problems they had to deal with. “The fifth was into religion. He talked about the coming of a new age according to the book of Timothy in the Bible.” “It’s getting cold down here, let’s go into the loft now,” I suggest gently. “And you can finish your story there.” We blow out the lights and pull ourselves up the rungs made of round tree branches nailed to the pole in the middle of our cottage. “These will never hold up,” I emphatically told Tim when he first nailed them in. Now they are shiny and smooth from so much use. It’s still incredibly hot in the loft, so we strip off our clothes as quickly as possible, tossing them down onto our chairs, ready for equally fast redressing in the morning when it will be freezing down there. The sauna effect in the loft feels great for about a minute until we begin to sweat. Tim reaches over and opens the little window on his side and we stretch out on the bed, luxuriating in the combination of heat and fresh air. “I went into emotional shock when I saw my relative so ill. I was already exhausted and ill with a high fever and throat infection after a wild and foolish trip to Fort Lauderdale with my college buddies during Spring Break. We’d had no money for adequate food or a warm place to stay (everything was full anyway), and had to sleep in the bushes of a church yard. It was humiliating to be kicked

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(Additional contact information) MVILR Office Campus Center (Suite 221) Phone: 315-792-7192 & 792-7292 Fax: 315-792-7278 Visit our website: www.sunyit.edu/mvilr MVILR is a 501(C)(3), organized and facilitated by volunteers, with support services by SUNY Poly.

SUNY Poly is handicapped accessible, but there are circumstances that may require walking some distances. MVILR admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

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Learn More about MVILR at www.sunyit.edu/mvilr or Call 315-792-7192 SUNY Poly Campus Center Suite 221 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY

The magnificence of winter’s first light

out early Easter morning by the church custodian. “Anyway, I was overwhelmed with anxiety and confusion as I drove back to campus after seeing my relative. Just as dawn began to dispel the night, I stopped at the peak of a hill, where there was a panoramic view of the river valley below. Fluffy white clouds filled the valley, blossoming from grey to pink; frog calls and bird songs filled the air around me; golden light from the sun nearing the horizon burst across the sky. “Heaven is on earth!” I realized, with an effusion of joy and relief, and all my anxiety and fear dissipated with the darkness. “In the days that followed, I realized that I wanted to help bring in the new age my fifth hitchhiker had talked about:

Tim #42 carries the ball (white helmet in the center) against Western Michigan during Homecoming at Ohio U. Stadium

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peace on earth and the awareness of how precious and beautiful our planet is. I started reading the Bible, talking about it to the other students, giving away my money and clothes because

according to the book of Matthew: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God.” They thought I’d gone off the deep end: ‘Who is this guy?’ ‘This is not Tim the jock!’ “Meanwhile I began to quietly apply to theological seminaries to study religion. I would end up dedicating much of my ministry to the issues I learned about from my five hitchhikers.” I wait patiently as his thoughts race

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forward. “Oh, my!” he sighs deeply. “Seminary is a whole ‘nother story…,” he concludes, in a sleepy voice with a big yawn. I pull up the covers now and we cuddle together for warmth and solace as the light from an eternity of stars illuminates the temporal, and tender features of this visionary, my husband who so dearly wants peace on earth for all creatures, great and small. •

Look for more from Peggy’s memoirs next month. The Shawangunk Nature Preserve is a deep ecology, forever wild, 501©(3), learning and cultural center. Tim and Peggy still live there and can be contacted through their website.

www.shawangunknaturepreserve.com

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december

GAllery Guide

Beginning from “Rural New York” by photographer Wells Horton, one of the photographs on display this month at the Earlville Opera House

Recent Photographs by Pamela Karaz Through Dec. 31, 2015

Silent Night Community Art Show

Adirondack Art & Picture Framing

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Annual Holiday Group Exhibit December 5 - 31, 2015 Opening: Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-7pm Libations and goodies, live music and good cheer!

Cherry Branch Gallery

25 Main Street, Cherry Valley, NY (607) 264-9530 www.cherrybranchgallery.com

Holiday Show & Sale Through December 23, 2015

Cooperstown Art Association 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-9777 www.cooperstownart.com

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Wells Horton - The Seasonal Beauty of Central New York Through December 20, 2015 Mixing color, light, and weather, photographer Wells Horton captures New York Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscapes.

Earlville Opera House

18 East Main Street, Earlville, NY (315) 691-3550 www.earlvilleoperahouse.com

A Perfect Likeness: Folk Portraits and Early Photography Through December 31, 2015

Fenimore Art Museum

5798 Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-1400 www.fenimoreartmuseum.org

Utica Art Association Group Art Show December 3, 2015 - January 4, 2016 Opening: Thursday, Dec. 3, 4:30-6:30pm

Gannett Gallery

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

International Small Works Exhibition Through December 18, 2015

The exhibition features 100 works of art from 50 artists.

Kirkland Art Center

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

Student Art Show 2015 December 5 - 26, 2015 Opening: Sat., December 5, 2-4pm

Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts 401 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY (315) 823-0808 www.mohawkvalleyarts.org

European Masterworks on View Through January 3, 2016 Distinguished collection of paintings and sculptures created by pioneers of major 20th-century artistic movements such as Cubism, Futurism, and Surrealism and representing each artist at the height of his powers.

Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute 310 Genesee Street, Utica, NY (315) 797-0000 www.mwpai.org

All Creatures Great and Small by Barbara Morris December 1-30, 2015 Opening: Saturday, Dec. 12, 12-2pm

Kirkland Town Library

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Window on Winter

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Rome Art & Community Center

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

Surprise the ones you love with a cruise vacation! Cruises from 3 days and longer to fit your schedule & budget!

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Second Saturday Open House Saturday, Dec. 12, 11am-6pm

Tarat Studio

84 Utica Street, Clinton, NY www.trandart.com

Karen Hampton: The Journey North and Renée Stout: Tales of the Conjure Woman Through December 20, 2015

Wellin Museum of Art

Hamilton College 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY (315) 859-4396 www.hamilton.edu/wellin

Common Ground: A Ceramic Invitational

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Through April 3, 2016

Closing Reception: Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6-8pm

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

Holiday Shopping at the Remington Country Store Located inside the Remington Arms Museum on Catherine St. in Ilion, NY “Red Hot” RED DOT Scope SALE – Bushnell TRS-25 - $50 ea. thru 12/23/15 3x9x32 & 3x9x40 Scopes on SALE @ $20 ea. Gun Stock SALE – Model 700 Synthetic in Camo, Wood Grain & Black $50 ea. Polo Shirt SALE (Men’s & Women’s) Ladies “BLING” T-Shirt SALE FREE PADLOCK(S) WITH EVERY PURCHASE (while supplies last) We stock many styles of Hats, T-shirts, Hoodies, Jackets, Polo Shirts, Button Down Shirts &. We carry youth sizes too! Air Pistols - Air Rifles – Knives - Gun Cleaning Supplies - Gun Cleaning Kits - Gun Safe Humidifiers - Ammo Boxes - Decorative Wall Tins - Dog Toys & Supplies - Trigger Locks – Drinkware - Christmas Ornaments – wide selection of Giftware (key chains, flashlights, pens, etc.) While supplies last!

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Westmoreland Winter Farmers Market Mark your calendar for these Saturdays: 12/12/15, 1/2/16, 2/6/16, 3/5/16, 4/2/16

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Mohawk valley astronomical society

Amazing Auroras

Aurora over Colgate University, October 2013 by Dr. Thomas Balonek

The Northern Lights

by carol higgins

Since ancient times, the night sky has been the source of fascination, imagination, and discovery. It provides a calendar for planting and harvesting, serves as the root of religious beliefs and folklore, inspires scientists, artists and musicians, and even guides wayfaring sailors. One of the most spectacular sights you can see isn’t a star, planet, or galaxy, it’s an aurora – also known as aurora borealis or “northern lights” – and on occasion you can see one above the Mohawk Valley. An aurora is a colorful and mesmerizing display of light in the night sky. They can occur any day, and are most often seen near the polar regions. When an aurora is under way, you may see a waving or shimmering curtain of bright light, streamers or pillars that shoot upward, or what appears to be a colored fog bank or cloud. The most common color is green, sometimes as bright as a lime-colored neon bulb. You may also see shades of red, purple, and blue. The earliest known written account of an aurora was in China around 2,600 B.C. by Fu-Pao, who described seeing

Aurora over Deerfield Hill in Utica, March 1997, by Faith Thompson

“strong lightning” and light that “illuminated the whole area.” There are also 30,000-year-old aurora drawings in caves. The Greeks, Romans, and others recorded aurora sightings, and many stories, superstitions and myths are attributed to the strange sky show – including beliefs in evil spirits and sky fires. But, what causes an aurora? The answer: Earth’s magnetic field and high speed particles from our Sun. One of the first to make a breakthrough and explain what causes auroras was Norwegian Kristian Birkeland. In the 1890s he began experimenting on his theory that is still accepted today – auroras occur when charged solar particles reach Earth and interact with our magnetic field. The Sun continuously blasts particles, called the solar wind, out into space in all directions. These particles speed along at more than 1 million miles per hour, are mainly electrically charged electrons and protons, and travel far into the outer solar system. Fortunately, when the solar wind reaches Earth, we have a natural shield that helps protect us. Earth has a big magnet inside of it, easily detected while looking at a compass. There is a north and south magnetic pole (tilted at 11 degrees from the geographic poles), and magnetic field lines radiate out from the poles and connect to each other. This magnetic field is called the magnetosphere, and it deflects most of the Sun’s harmful particles. However, some of these charged particles do enter

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the magnetosphere and get directed toward the north and south magnetic poles. The electrons collide with oxygen and nitrogen in our atmosphere creating light – and voila, an aurora. Most auroras are from 60 to 200 miles up in the atmosphere. The colors you see depend on the atoms encountered and the altitude. For example, oxygen creates green, while nitrogen produces reds and blues. Auroras can be seen at lower latitudes if there is high solar activity. There have been a number of notable cases, such as September 1859 when telegraph systems in the U.S .failed and auroras were visible as far south as Cuba. In March 1989, a huge solar storm caused a blackout in Quebec and auroras in Florida. •

Keep looking up!

Auroras can be seen from the Mohawk Valley, too, and you can get aurora forecasts at www.spaceweather.com and http://www.gi.alaska.edu Join us at our free stargazing event at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. AMAZING AURORAS – The Northern Lights Wishing you clear skies!

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(315) 896-2631 Vanderkemp Ave., Barneveld

Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5pm, Sat: 7:30am-Noon

GENESEE JOE’S

live & local Ho, ho, ho! Happy holidays and lift that snow with your knees, you don’t want to hurt your back. December has a few cool bits of news. First up, local rockers, is The Swamp Drivers, who make their own instruments out of garden tools and what not. Recently, they made the trip to NYC and auditioned for NBC’s America’s Got Talent. “We all loaded up in a van and headed to Queens College. First thing, security took my hoe. The lines were crazy, not just long but seeing a lot of crazy acts. I saw a very big guy who whistled dressed up in a very tight Captain America costume, and a guy who put a balloon through his mouth and out his nose and blew it up. People were singing all over the place,” Terry Johnson says. “After hours of waiting we finally got to try out with about three other acts. It seems like one judge enjoyed it. He was bopping his head and at the end he clapped. With the thousands of people who are trying our across America, the chances of making it to the show are slim but what the hell, we gave it a shot,” Terry says. Good luck to the Swamp Drivers! Look them up on Facebook and at www.theswampdrivers.com News ’n’ Notes 92.7 The Drive congratulates Mike Parker of Whitesboro on his winning The Drive’s ultimate man cave contest. Welcome to Trash Gordon! A new punk outfit is up and running. Trash Gordon is a three- piece rock ’n’ roll group that’s as quirky as it comes. Anthony Anguilli (Elephant in the Room) slays vocals and guitar, while Brian Premo (noted solo artist for Draculatron and The Archipelagos)

lays down bass, with Justin Parker on drums. They recently opened for Wicked. Check them out with two more acts at The Dev on Dec. 11. The new band of Old Friends, Return to Ashes features Max Scialdone, Anthony Zee Donaldson, Pete Franchell, and Dave Snediker. check them out here https:// www.facebook.com/Return-To-Ashes for music and links to their new CD out soon. Look for new music and a CD release from After Earth. This North Country rock band is a power house and may be the next band to go somewhere. Keep an eye on them. https:// www.facebook.com/AfterEarthMusic The Lightkeepers hail from Syracuse and have a new CD. Aaron Freid sent this link, www.lightkeepersmusic.com. Check out the Sound Garden in Armory Square in Syracuse for copies, too. Look for the band Rise Above the Halo on YouTube. Check out Ground Rules and Disparity, too. Support your local music scene of cover bands and original bands, it’s all worth a listen. For more recent local releases check out John Keller at Off Center Records in its newly remodeled building at 116 Bleeker St., Utica, NY. Thank you all for another great year for me, be it on the air at 92.7 The Drive, on stage with Thunderwatt, or right here in the pages of Mohawk Valley Living. I appreciate all the folks whom I meet daily. Your support and kind words are great. Happy Holidays!• Listen to Genesee Joe live on 92.7FM, The DRIVE.

Advertiser Directory please support Our sponsors, they make this magazine possible Antiques Back of the Barn, Remsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Black Cat Antiques, Earlville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Butternut Barn, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . . 61 Canal House Antiques, Bouckville . . . . . . . 61 Cool Stuff Consignment, Clinton . . . . . . . 61 Foothills Mercantile, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . 62 Fort Plain Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Little Falls Antique Center, Little Falls . . . . . . 62 Mohawk Antiques Mall, Mohawk . . . . . . . . . 62 Newport Marketplace, Newport . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Online Exchange, Dolgeville . . . . . . . . . 63 Outlet Center, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 The Potting Shed Antiques, Whitesboro . . . 63 Showcase Antiques, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . 64 Treasures Lost & Found, New Hartford . . . . . 64 Vernon Variety Shoppes, Vernon . . . . . . . . . 64 Vintage Furnishings & Collectibles, Utica . . . 64 Weeden’s Mini Mall, Blossvale . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Westmoreland Antique Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 The White House, Holland Patent . . . . . . . . . . 64 Apple Orchards North Star Orchards, Westmoreland . . . . . . . 20 Twin Orchards, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . 44 Art Classes & Supplies Full Moon Art Center, Camden . . . . . . . . . 44 The Old Blacksmith Shop, Schuyler Lake . . 81 Art Galleries Adirondack Art & Framing, Barneveld . . . . 9 Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown . . . . 32 Full Moon Art Center, Camden . . . . . . 44 Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 The Gallery Antiques, Bouckville . . . . . . . . 62 The Old Blacksmith Shop, Schuyler Lake . . 81 View, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Art and Picture Framing Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Fynmore Studios, New Hartford/Boonville . . 60

Artists Local At Last Pottery & Plants, Poland . . . . . . . 28 Clinton Pottery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Zinn Brilliant Ornaments, Cooperstown . . . 27 Auto Dealerships Steet Ponte Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Automotive Accessories Custom Creations, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Automotive Repair Clinton Collision, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Cushman’s Automotive, Stittville . . . . . . . . . 21 Precision Unlimited Car Care, Kirkland . . . . 92 Awards & Engraving Speedy Awards, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . 60 Bakeries & Pastry Shop Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Florentine Pastry Shop, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Friendly Bake Shop, Frankfort . . . . . . . . . . 60 Heidelberg Baking Company, Herkimer . . . 51 Karam’s Middle East Bakery, Yorkville . . . . 56 Remsen County Bakery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Star Bakery, Whitesboro and Utica . . . . . . 21 Bike Shops Dick’s Wheel Shop, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . 28

Camping and Hiking Supply Plan B, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Catering A Movable Feast, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . 53 Cafe Crete, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Club Monarch, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 DiCastro’s Too, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Dominick’s Deli & Catering, Herkimer . . . . . 51 Knuckleheads Brewhouse, Westmoreland . . . 56 Maria’s Pasta Shop, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 RoSo’s Cafe & Catering, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Cheese Adirondack Cheese, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . 23 Cranberry Ride Farm, Williamstown . . . . . . 71 Jake’s Gouda Cheese, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . . 6 Jewett’s Cheese, Earlville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Jones Family Farm, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Three Village Cheese, Newport . . . . . . . . . . 19 Chiropractors Dr. Michael Tucciarone, Clinton . . . . . . . . . 25 Christmas Trees Candella’s Greenhouses, Whitesboro . . . . . 49 Cider Mills Fly Creek Cider Mill, Fly Creek . . . . . . . . . . 45

Bowling Adirondack Diner and Lanes, Barneveld . . 50 State Bowl with Cosmic Bowling, Ilion . . . . . 41

Clothing Mira’s Boutique, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . 83 The Village Crossing, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Walk-in Closet, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Books Berry Hill Book Shop, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . 26

Conference & Event Center DiPaolo’s Conference & Event Center . . . . . 63

Cabinets and Kitchens Custom Woodcraft, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Knotty By Nature, Bridgewater . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Consignment The Online Exchange, Dolgeville . . . . . . . . . 63 The Queen’s Closet, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Revolve Consignment, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Interior Painting by

Dennis Polanowicz

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

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2349 Rte 12-B, Deansboro, NY 315-821-6188 Open Tues-Sat 10-5 dls@berryhillbookshop.com 91

Second Chances, Van Hornesville . . . . . . . 8 Treasures Lost & Found, New Hartford . . . 64 The Village Basement, New Hartford . . . . . 64 Walk-in Closet, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Szarek Farm & Greenhouses, Westmoreland . . 76 Stoltzfus Family Dairy, Vernon Center . . . . 58 Sunnybrook Farm, Deansboro . . . . . . . . . 70 Twin Orchards, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . 44

Delis Kountry Kupboard, Madison . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Olde Kountry Market, Vernon . . . . . . . . . . 83

Feed and Farm Needs Pohl’s Feed, Vernon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Diners Adirondack Diner and Lanes, Barneveld . . 50 Charlie’s Place, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Riverside Diner, Marcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Wendy’s Diner, Cassville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Dry Cleaners Dapper Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 M & M Cleaners, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Electrical City Electric, Marcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Estate Sales Attic Addicts, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 The Potting Shed Antiques, Whitesboro . . . 63 Events, Entertainment, and Activities Children’s Museum, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Christmas in Little Falls, Dec. 12 . . . . . . . . 37 Earlville Opera House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown . . . . . 32 Hamilton College P.A., Clinton . . . . . . . . . . 66 The Stanley, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 View, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Farm Equipment Clinton Tractor, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Hobby Hill Farm, Lee Center . . . . . . . . . 19 Springfield Truck & Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 White’s Farm Supply, Waterville/Canastota . . 96 Farm Produce Grassy Cow Dairy, Remsen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Jones Family Farm, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 North Star Orchards, Westmoreland . . . . . . . 20 Oneida County Public Market, Utica . . . . . . 14

Financial Institutions Adirondack Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bank of Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Financial Services Turnbull Insurance, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 7 Van Meter & Van Meter, Little Falls . . . . . . . . 18 Fireplaces Hearth Shop, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Fitness & Gyms Curves, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 TeamFit, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Flooring D&D Carpets of Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Tru-Line Hardwood Flooring, Whitesboro . . 44 Florists Clinton Florist, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Michael’s Greenhouse, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . 84 Village Florals, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Funeral Services Enea Funeral Service, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . 72 Nunn & McGrath, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Prince-Boyd & Hyatt, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Gift Shops/Shopping Artisans Corner, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Between Us Sisters, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . . 81 Butternut Barn, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . . 11 The Cat’s Meow, Sherburne . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Clinton Pottery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Cobbler and Company, Sharon Springs . . . . 77 Country Connections, Boonville . . . . . . . . . . 24 Fusion Art Gallery, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Hummingbird Kreations, Rome . . . . . . . . . 42 The Indigo Tree, NY Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Krizia Martin, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Little Falls Antique Center, Little Falls . . . . 62 Main Street Gift Shop, Newport . . . . . . . . 54 Mystical Dragonfly, Richfield Springs . . . . . 70 Newport Marketplace, Newport . . . . . . . . . 63 The Old Blacksmith Shop, Schuyler Lake . . 81 Oneida Community Mansion House . . . . . 34 Outlet Center, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Pathway of Pearls, Schuyler . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Paca Gardens, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Remington Country Store, Ilion . . . . . . . . 86 Signature 81, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Village of Hamilton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 White Begonia, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Golf and Recreation Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club, NY Mills . . 22

Furniture Adirondack Furniture, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Ironwood Furniture, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Jeff ’s Amish Furniture, Jordanville . . . . . . . . 46 John Froass & Son, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Just Lean Back, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . . . 22

Grocery/Convenience Stores B & F Milk Center, Whitesboro. . . . . . . . . . . 71 The Country Store, Dolgeville . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Deansboro Superette, Deansboro . . . . . . . . 16 Meelan’s Market, Clark Mills . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Mohawk Village Market, Mohawk . . . . . . . 15 Olde Kountry Market, Vernon . . . . . . . . . . 83 Reilly’s Dairy, Inc., Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Furniture Makers Custom Woodcraft, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . 78

Guitar and Music Stores Nicoter’as Music, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

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

Complete Collision and Mechanical Repair Since 1987

7509 Route 5 • Clinton, New York 13323 • Phone 315-853-8804 92

Garden Centers and Greenhouses George’s Nursery & Garden, Clinton . . . . . 17 Michael’s Greenhouse, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . 84 Szarek Greenhouses, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Top Notch Garden Center, Newport . . . . . . 63

Off-Center Records, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Hardware/Farm & Home Lincoln Davies, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pohlig Enterprises, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Pohl’s Feed, Vernon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Morgan’s Hardware, Waterville . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Turner Lumber, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Harley Davidson Speed/Service Center Hillside Motorcycle & Machine, Munnsville . . 67 Heating Oil Ber-Mor Gas, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Little Falls Fuel, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Hobby Shops Locomotion Hobby, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Home Goods Chapter Designs, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Insurance Gates-Cole Insurance, New Hartford . . . . . 25 Farm Family Insurance, Boonville . . . . . . . . . 12 M L Croad Insurance, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Turnbull Insurance, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 7 Iron Work - Architectural & Ornamental Raulli’s Iron Works, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Jewelry Clinton Jewelers, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Fall Hill Bead & Gem, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . 30 Goldmine Jewelers, New Hartford . . . . . . . 40 Lawn Mowers J.B.’s Small Engine Works, Utica . . . . . . . . 78 SD Outdoor Power, New Hartford . . . . . . . 31 Springfield Truck & Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Learning in Retirement MVILR at SUNYIT, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Lighting Mills Electrical Supply, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Liquor Stores and Wine Bostwick Liquors, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Liquor Express, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Seneca Liquor, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Trenton Station Liquor & Wine, Barneveld . . . 87

Tom’s Natural Foods, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Westmoreland Winter Market . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Mailing and Shipping Services The UPS Store, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Office Supplies Hummel’s Office Plus, Rome & Herkimer . . 22

Manufactured and Modular Home Builders G & I Homes, Utica/Vernon/Oneonta . . . . . 46 Leisure Village, Taberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Olive Oils/Balsamic Vinegars Adirondack Olive Oil Co., New Hartford . . . 25

Maple Syrup Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse, West Edmeston . . . . 13 Shaw’s Maple Products, Clinton . . . . . . . . . 35 Tibbits Maple, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Massage, Therapeutic Effleurage Day Spa, New Hartford . . . . . 44 Zensations, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Painting, Interior/Exterior Dennis Polanowicz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Production Painting Services of CNY . . . . 70 Pet Memorialization and Cremation Burdick & Enea Memorials, Clinton . . . . . . . 80

Media 1420 The Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 1450 WKAL, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 92.7 The Drive WXUR, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Weekly Adirondack, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . 21 WCNY, Syracuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 FOX33/WUTR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Pet Services Not Just Poodles Pet Salon, Whitesboro . . . . 16 One Paw at a Time, Whitesboro . . . . . . . . 24

Milk Cedar Park Farm Goat’s Milk . . . . . . . . . . 49

Pharmacies Garro Drugs, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Monuments & Memorials Burdick & Enea Memorials, Clinton . . . . . . 80 Yorkville Memorials, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Photography Fusion Art/The Photo Shoppe, Rome . . . . . 37

Museums Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown . . . . . . . . 32 Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown . . . . . 32 Goodsell Museum, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Munson Williams Proctor School of Art . . . 10 Remington Arms Museum, Ilion . . . . . . . . 86 View, Old Forge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Natural Cleaning Products Essential 8 Handmade Natural Products . . . 41 Natural Food Stores Brenda’s Natural Foods, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Cooperstown Naturals, Cooperstown . . . . . 18 Peter’s Cornucopia, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 77 Sunflower Naturals, Barneveld . . . . . . . . . . 70

Libbey’s Stitched with Prayer!

Optometrist Towpath Vision Care, Little Falls . . . . . . . 74

Sew Blessed

Also visit our Christian gift shop!

Sewing, mending, alterations, embroidery, custom work, upholstery, and sewing classes. Quality work from first stitch to finish! Weddings, proms, dance, skate, cheer & more! 77 East State Street (Route 5), Sherrill

Regular Hours: Tues-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3, Sun & Mon by Appt. (315)361-5323 www.mysewblessed.com

Pet Shops Peterson’s Pets, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Wild Things, New York Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Physical Therapy Inertia PT, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Pizzerias DiCastro’s Brick Oven, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Primo Pizzeria, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Tony’s Pizza, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Portable Toilets and Bathrooms Mohawk Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Primitives 1890 Farmhouse Primitives, Earlville . . . . . 42 Between Us Sisters, Munnsville . . . . . . . . . 81 Butternut Barn, Richfield Springs . . . . . . . . 61 Main Street Gift Shop, Newport . . . . . . . . . 54

Let us host your Special Event. From 200 people in our Main Lodge to intimate gatherings of 160 or less in Tavern 230. Two great venues! (315) 348-8456 4173 West Rd., Turin, NY Like us on Facebook! www.snowridge.com

Public Service Oneida County Health Department . . . . . 82 Quilt and Yarn Shops Heartworks Quilts & Fabrics, Fly Creek . . . . 26 Stash Away Quilt Shoppe, Rome . . . . . . . . 28 Tiger Lily Quilt Co, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Real Estate Coldwell-Banker, Diane Lockwood . . . . . . 81 Scenic Byway Realty, Richfield Springs . . . . 60 Record Stores Off-Center Records, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Restaurants and Cafés Ann St. Deli, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Ballister’s Bistro, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Black Cat, Sharon Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Boyz From Italy, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Buffalo Head Restaurant, Forestport . . . . . . 51 Cafe Crete, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Candlelight Restaurant at Snow Ridge . . . . . 42 Club Monarch, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Copper Moose Ale House, Little Falls . . . . . 52 Delta Lake Inn, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 DiCastro’s Brick Oven, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Dominick’s Deli, Herkimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Georgio’s, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Heidelberg Baking Co., Herkimer . . . . . . . . 51 Karam’s Middle East Bakery, Yorkville . . . . 56 Killabrew Saloon, New Harttford . . . . . . . 52 The Kitlas Restaurant, Frankfort . . . . . . . 51 Knuckleheads Brewhouse, Westmoreland . . 56 Lakeview Restaurant and Bar, Oneida . . . . 54 Main Street Ristorante, Newport . . . . . . . . 54 Mitsuba Hibachi, New Hartford . . . . . . . . 52 Ohio Tavern, Cold Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Phoenician Restaurant, New Hartford . . . . 52 Piccolo Cafe, Little Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Raspberries Cafe, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 RoSo’s Cafe & Catering, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sammy & Annie Foods, Utica . . . . . . . . . . 56 The Vigneto Restaurant, Rome . . . . . . . . . . 55 Wigwam Tavern, Forestport . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Recreational Vehicles CJ Motor Sports, Boonville . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Hobby Hill Farms, Lee Center . . . . . . . . . . 19

Schoff Polaris, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Salons/Haircutters The Cutting Crew, Utica . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Heads R Turning Salon & Spa, Ilion . . . . . . 43 Nikki Fraccola at Schuyler Commons . . . . . 74 Scrapbooking/Photo Organizing Inetntionegrity, Utica area . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Seamstress & Tailors Libbey’s Sew Blessed, Sherrill . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Sheet Metal Fabrication/Welding Custom-Fab Metal Fabrication, Marcy . . . . 74 Shoes Karaz Shoes, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . . The Village Crossing, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . Small Engine Repair J.B.’s Small Engine Works, Utica . . . . . . . . Springfield Truck & Tractor . . . . . . . . . . .

78 37

Snowmobiles Schoff Polaris, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Soap Cranberry Ridge Goat Milk Soap . . . . . . . 71 The Indigo Tree, NY Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Specialty Wood Wightman Specialty Woods . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Websites Utica Remember When . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Weddings and Banquets Club Monarch, Yorkville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 DiCastro’s Too, Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club, NY Mills . . 22 Wellness and Alternative Health Therapy Effleurage Day Spa, New Hartford . . . . . 44 Heads R Turning Salon & Spa, Ilion . . . . . 43 Mystical Dragonfly, Richfield Springs . . . . . 70 Pathway of Pearls, Schuyler . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Windows RA Dudrak, Holland Patent . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Wine Bars and Ale Houses Copper Moose Ale House, Little Falls . . . . 52 Killabrew Saloon, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . 52 Wineries Pailshop Vineyards, Fly Creek . . . . . . . . . 17 Yogurt Chobani . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Stoltzfus Family Dairy, Vernon Center . . . 58

Tourism Old Forge, Town of Webb . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Towing Services Clinton Collision, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Trailers Blizzard Manufacturing, Boonville . . . . . . 20 Travel Agencies The Cruise Wizards, Whitesboro . . . . . . . . 85 Tree Farms Massoud’s Tree Farm, Sauquoit . . . . . . . . 36

When plan “A” fails, go to...

PLAN B

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Do great things withwith Kubota’s BB Series Do great things Kubota’s Seriescompact compact tractors. tractors.

% % Financingfor 60 0 Down 60 Months Months 0 $Down , 0 0Financing

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Do great things with Kubota’s B Series compact tractors. Offer ends 12/31/15.

0 Down, 0

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% Financing for A.P.R.

60 Months

White’s Farm Supply, Inc. Offer ends 12/31/15.

Canastota

4154 Route 31 (315) 697-2214

Lowville

8207 Route 26 (315) 376-0300

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962 Route 12 (315) 841-4181

www.whitesfarmsupply.com *$0 down, 0% A.P.R. for 60 months on new Kubota B Series Equipment is available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through *$0 down, 0% A.P.R. for 60 months on new Kubota B Series Equipment is available to qualified purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stock inventory through 12/31/2015. Example: A 60-month monthly installment repayment term at 0% A.P.R. requires 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to 60-month installment repayment termfee at shall 0% A.P.R. requireswith 60 payments of $16.67 per $1,000 financed. 0% A.P.R. interest is available to customers if no dealer 12/31/2015. documentationExample: preparationAfee is charged.monthly Dealer charge for document preparation be in accordance state laws. Inclusion of ineligible equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. 0% A.P.R. and low-rate financing may be available with customer rebate offers. Financing isfee available through customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee not is charged. Dealer chargeinstant for document preparation shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2015 Kubota Credit Corporation, U.S.A., 3401 Del AmoinBlvd., Torrance, CA 90503; subject to credit and approval. Somefiexceptions apply.not Offer expires 12/31/2015. See us forinstant rebate offers. equipment may result a higher blended A.P.R. 0% A.P.R. low-rate nancing may be available with customer available through *$0 down, 0% for 60options months new Kubota for B Series Equipment is equipment availablemay to be qualifi ed purchasers from participating dealers’ in-stockFinancing inventoryisthrough details on these andA.P.R. other low-rate or goon to www.kubota.com more information. Optional shown.

kubota.com

KubotaACredit Corporation, 3401 Del Amo Blvd.,term Torrance, 90503;requires subject to approval. Some exceptions apply. Offer expires 12/31/2015. for 12/31/2015. Example: 60-month monthlyU.S.A., installment repayment at 0%CA A.P.R. 60credit payments of $16.67 per $1,000 ﬁnanced. 0% A.P.R. interestSee is us available to details on these and other low-rate options or go to www.kubota.com for more information. Optional equipment may be shown. customers if no dealer documentation preparation fee is charged. Dealer charge for document preparation fee shall be in accordance with state laws. Inclusion of ineligible kubota.com equipment may result in a higher blended A.P.R. 0% A.P.R. and low-rate ﬁnancing may not be available with customer instant rebate offers. Financing is available through