32 minute read
Matt Perry’s Nature
Utica Peregrines 2020 update
Part 2 story & photos by matt perry
Advertisement
We always feel a sense of apprehension when hatching time approaches and this year was no exception. It had been a particularly cold early spring and even though we saw no significant gaps in incubation, we wondered if the parent falcons had been able to keep the eggs warm enough. On April 29th, we had reached 32 days of incubation, which is one day less than the maximum number of days Peregrine eggs typically take to hatch. Late that morning we noticed that Astrid had been doing a lot of egg jostling. She does this to compel chicks inside the eggs to move around and begin breaking out of their shells. Though she regularly shuffled the eggs, she was not lifting off them completely, so we had a difficult time discerning if any had started to hatch. Finally, we got a short glimpse at the clutch and could see that one egg (laid back on March 23rd) had a “pip” in it. A pip is a small hole a chick inside the egg pounds out with its egg tooth. Later in the afternoon, we began to hear the chick calling from inside its shell and that meant hatching could occur at any time. As it happened, the hatch took place in the pre-dawn hours on April 30th, at somewhere between 3:00 and 5:00 AM. At 5:30, we were able to make out broken pieces of eggshell on the floor of the nestbox in front of Astrid. She shifted when Ares came into the box and we got our first look at the new chick. It was already dry and clad in pure white down feathers. Ares had come to the nest several times, sometimes with food, but each time his mate sent him away.
At 6:11 AM, Astrid was calling into the canyon. She had been sitting on the nest for many hours and she seemed ready for Ares to take over. Ares flew through giving a screech call. He came to the box, hopped in, but then had to muscle a reluctant mother off her nest. That is correct, despite asking to be relieved only moments before, Astrid needed to be pried off the nest! She loathes leaving when there are chicks to tend. As she flew into the canyon, Ares gave an incredulous look at the new chick and then noticed there was a prey item placed in the middle of the clutch. Astrid had been keeping breakfast warm! He picked at it a few times before settling down and brooding. Of course, his object was to cover the new chick and all three eggs at the same time. That was easier said than done. He settled back onto the clutch but left two of the eggs out in the
Astrid checks on the nestlings
Shop now for the Holidays! Layaway available
Alyssa Sadallah, Executive Pastry Chef Zeus & Xena flying together
Give the gift of comfort!
Custom Cakes, Cookies & Gourmet Pastries Taking holiday orders now! Seasonal Cupcakes & Cookies, Truffles, & More!
12 Erie St., Yorkville (315) 864-8124 • Tues-Fri: 9-4, *Sat: Open for order pickups only wickedsweets@hotmail.com • Find us on Facebook: Wicked Sweets by Alyssa
CHAIN LINK WOOD ALUMINUM VINYL AGRICULTURAL
Route 5 , Sherrill 363-3131 www.froassfurniture.com Mon-Wed: 9-5:30 Thurs & Fri: 9-8:30; Sat: 9-5
cold. Fortunately, he adjusted a few more times and managed to cover everything. Astrid came back to take over only a few minutes later. At 7:30 AM, we saw the first feeding of the new chick. As the wobbling nestling stretched its head upwards, Astrid tore minuscule pieces of meat and gently placed them into the chick’s gaping bill. At that time, we had a decent look at the eggs and none of the remaining ones had been pipped.
We went the next couple of days with no additional hatches and we began to wonder if there would be only a single nestling this season, which would have been unprecedented for the Utica nest. The weather had been persistently cold, and Astrid was staying tight on the nest and that afforded us few opportunities to scan the eggs for pips. The falcons continued to be plagued by interlopers during this period and on the morning of May 2nd, an unknown female Peregrine caused Astrid to abruptly vacate the nest. While she was gone, Ares came in to take over incubation/brooding. Astrid promptly chased off the intruder and was back to relieve Ares only minutes later. Evidently, it had only been a short-term fix, and in the early afternoon, Astrid was back to dealing with what appeared to be the same persistent intruder. According to a witness on the ground, Astrid was seen spiraling high into the sky and then repeatedly diving down on her nemesis like a projectile. No one knew if she actually hit the bird, but her efforts to drive it out of the canyon appeared to work.
As each day went by there were decreasing chances of another hatch. By the morning of May 3rd, we had almost given up hope of having more than one nestling in the box. At 5:30 AM, Ares took over brooding from his mate. Astrid came back a few minutes later with food she drew from one of Ares’ pantry ledges on the State Building. She began tearing off pieces of the carcass while Ares was still in place on the nest. For a few minutes it looked like she was going to feed Ares instead of the chick beneath him! He looked legitimately confused and so were we! Finally, he got off the nest and flew out. Astrid then fed the chick. By 9 AM we noticed that one of the eggs (it was the third egg laid in the clutch) was pipped. Soon after, we heard the faint sound of the chick calling from inside the egg. A few hours later the second chick hatched. We became aware when a large piece of eggshell suddenly appeared in front of Astrid. She then shifted on the brood and we could see the new nestling. It was still wet and pink. After eating some of the cast-off eggshell, Astrid tucked the chick beneath her and continued to brood. By early afternoon, Astrid feeds the first nestling to hatch
Ares broods the two chicks
We are not JUST a Drapery Store.
Cell Shades Wood Blinds & Shutters Vignettes & Pirouettes Silhouettes & Woven Woods Vertical Blinds & Panels Roller & Solar Shades Also a complete line of upholstery for bedspreads, draperies and upholstered headboards, etc, 1 Genesee St, New Hartford, NY Now in the New Hartford Shopping Center! 315-793-1994
Serving Rome & Utica Since 1946
CHOOSE AN IMAGE
YOU KNOW YOUR BUSINESS WE KNOW HOW TO HELP YOU INSURE IT.
With everything you need to accomplish in a day insurance protection for your business might be the last thing on your mind. You do recognize, however, that a one-size-fits-all insurance policy isn’t the smart way to run a business. Our AGRIBUSINESS INSURANCE PROGRAM can provide you with a flexible farm package that allows you to customize a policy to match your individual needs.
Contact me to find out more:
LINDA FOX, FSCP
Agent 239 Academy St Boonville, NY 13309-1329
linda.fox@american-national.com 315.942.3073
Products and services may not be available in all states. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply. Property and casualty products and services may be underwritten by Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company or United Farm Family Insurance Company, both of Glenmont, New York.
18-114.274097.V1.11.2018
103 Main St., Whitesboro (315) 768-1462 Wed-Fri 6-2, Sat & Sun 6-1, Closed Mon & Tues Wholesale Orders Call (315) 733-6603
Raulli’s Iron Works Custom hand-made iron railings, fences & gates. www.raullis.com 133 Mill St., Rome, New York 315-337-8070
Easier
We have the sweetest stocking stuffers!
531 Varick St., Utica 765-6463 Please call for hours sosweetcandycafe.com
Easier
Breakfast Sandwiches Breakfast & Lunch Catering Available Deli-Style Wraps/Sandwiches
Salads, Soups & more! Homemade Baked Goods &
Multi-Color Bagels - a kid’s favorite! Free Delivery(min. $25) • Family Owned & Operated! 219 N. Genesee St., Utica (315) 790-5353 • Open 7 Days a Week
the new nestling’s feathers had dried off and it appeared cottony-white like its sibling. At 2 PM, Astrid was back at the box with food. She conducted a feeding of the older chick. The newly hatched nestling was still too uncoordinated to handle vying for food. At one point it toppled onto its back and was unable to right itself for several minutes. The size difference between the two nestlings was very great and we wondered if the smaller one would be able to successfully compete for food with its giant nestmate. As it happened, in the succeeding days, there would be no additional hatches, and there remained a stark size difference in the two chicks. All fears aside, the smaller nestling got more than an adequate amount of food. Time and time again, when Astrid conducted feedings, she took care to feed the smaller one.
With more than enough nutrition, both nestlings developed quickly and by the time they were two weeks old, they had become ambulatory in the nest. They were also showing the beginning of dark flight feathers emerge from their white wings and tails. As expected, Ares was bringing a great variety of prey species back to the nest. Interestingly, the prey he brought back told us where he been hunting. One day he brought back a Virginia Rail which is a denizen of cattail marshes; another day he brought back a Solitary Sandpiper and then a Least Bittern. These were all birds most likely caught at the Utica Marsh, which is less than a mile away from the downtown canyon and well within Astrid and Ares’ territory. For most of the period the young are in the nest, it is Ares’ job to provide food for the family. However, when it comes to doing the actual feeding of the chicks, that job falls to Astrid. In recent years that strict gender-based task assignment seemed to erode and Astrid was letting Ares get in an increasing number of feedings. However, for whatever reason, this year she seemed to backtrack, and she didn’t allow him to do any feedings until the chicks were over two weeks old. It is true that female falcons are control freaks and Astrid is certainly no exception. Given the persistent presence of interlopers in the territory and the constant construction work going on in the canyon, Astrid’s response was to exert what control she had over her nest and family. Unfortunately, for Ares, that additional control seemed to come at his expense. I should add here that male Peregrines love to feed nestlings. They don’t typically do it as well as the females, but they do enjoy the process. On May 17th, in the late morning, we heard Ares’s cries ringing through the canyon. Astrid had done a feeding not long before and was absent from the nest. Ares stopped at the box
Pulse LMR ad Rev 3.75x5_Layout 1 5/21/2014 1:36 PM Page 1
Zeus and Xena start to explore beyond the nest
LUXURY
MOBILE RESTROOMS
A Division of Mohawk Ltd.
TM
The Olde w Kountry Market
You ’ ve worked hard to plan a beautiful outdoor event, the right Luxury Mobile Restroom can make it perfect.
Our restrooms are outfitted with the following amenities... • Onboard water system • Air conditioned/heated environment • Standard size electric flushing toilets • Complete stereo system • China sinks with hands free faucets • Plus much more
Rental information and reservations call 315-570-6548 Rental information and reservations call 315-737-7328 ext 6544
www.mohawkltd.com/lmr
Your Source for: Gift Boxes-Shipped! Homemade Pies Bulk Foods & Spices Canned Goods, Candies, Jams, Deli Meats & Cheeses, Yogurt, Baked Goods, Outdoor Furniture, Gifts & More!
6505 Route 5, Vernon, NY 13476 (315) 829-3035 Mon-Wed 9-5, Thur-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4
to check on the nestlings and then was out again. Ten minutes later he returned with a Goldfinch in his talons. He looked around when he stepped onto the lip of the box. We think he was expecting Astrid to barge in and grab the food from him, but she was nowhere in sight. This was Ares’ big chance! It was a small meal, but he was able to feed it to the chicks with no interruptions. After the meal was done Ares went out onto the long perch and gave some satisfied-sounding screech calls. The next day, Astrid allowed her mate to conduct yet another feeding. Ares had come to the box with prey and attempted to feed a couple of very disinterested chicks. Despite her proximity to the nest, Astrid wasn’t intervening. Ares chirped at the nestlings to get them to start feeding. This is something Astrid does all the time and it probably doesn’t seem like a big deal, but we had never seen Ares do it before. As Astrid knows only too well, vocalizing prompts the nestlings to bend their heads back and gape their bills. During a pause in the feeding, one of the chicks pointed its tail towards Ares, bent over, and scored a direct hit of “whitewash” on Ares’ wing. He didn’t seem to notice and, after a short visit to the cross perch, he hopped back into the box to serve out the remainder of the food. It had not been a large meal, but it was extraordinarily successful for father and nestlings.
We experienced more than our share of hot sunny days in the latter part of May, and this became a concern for the parent falcons who were keen to protect their nest-bound young from the heat of the afternoon sun. On May 20th, the afternoon was hot and sunny with temperatures reaching 80 degrees. Ares was in the box doing shading duty. The only trouble was, he was shading just the eggs and not the nestlings. As for the chicks, they were huddled together in a shady corner, so it wasn’t of any consequence that their father spent a few hours protecting two unviable eggs from the harmful effects of the sun. By late afternoon, the light flooding the box had shifted and the eggs were in the sun again. Despite that, Ares continued acting like a parasol and perhaps he thought he was keeping something cool. As for the chicks, they still preferred the back corners of the box. However, by early evening, they did take advantage of Ares’ shadow. The unseasonably hot weather continued that
week and both parents put in time doing shading duty. During that time Ares’ shading technique improved and he began ignoring the eggs and concentrating on shading the chicks. By this time, the nestlings had developed dark face masks, tan cheek patches, and half-grown flight feathers made a dark fringe around their wings and tail.
The nestlings received names on May 22nd. The first to hatch (female) was named Xena and the small- The nestlings get names: Zeus and Xena er one (male) was named Zeus. The chosen names were among many submitted to the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project (UPFP) during our annual naming contest. The size difference between them would help us to discern the juveniles from each other. The intense heatwave continued through the last week of May and just as the nestlings were becoming more independent and rambunctious in the nest. The parents ratcheted down the amount of food they were providing Feeding time at the nest to the nest; they seemed to be purposely fasting the chicks during the hottest part of the day. This made the nestlings more At the close of May, and as the fledging winirritable. When a parent would land on the nest- dow crept closer, Astrid was getting increasingly box’s cross perch to check on them, they would touchy about any human activity that took place be charged at by ravenous squealing monsters. in the proximity of the nest. It took little provocaLate in the day, when it became cooler and more tion for her to give alarm calls or actively swoop bearable in the nest, food brought to the box was by a floor of windows. If someone in one of the often grabbed and taken to a back corner by one adjacent offices dared to look out their window, of the nestlings (usually Xena). By this time, the that would be reason enough for Astrid to haze young birds were becoming more adept at feed- the building. She was also not happy about the ing themselves, although Astrid would continue continuing construction work on the nearby to conduct feeding sessions when she was al- apartment building roof and by the work taking lowed. place on the State Building. Also contributing to
Mohawk Your old-fashioned,
Village Market full service butcher! Butcher Block Meats (no pre-packaged meats) Specialty cuts - Storemade Patties & Salads Complete Grocery Line
Open Monday-Saturday! 24 West Main St., Mohawk (315) 866-3344 Follow us on Facebook! Call ahead for Curbside Pick-Up
Come see us for all your maple syrup products! 8874 Tibbitts Rd., New Hartford
315-793-3114
www.facebook.com/tibbittsmaple www.tibbittsmaple.wordpress.com
Off-Center Records
All things music - New & quality used Records, CDs, tapes, books, tees, memorabilia, guitars & accessories, drum accessories and more! We are YOUR Downtown Music Connection! Hours M-Sat 11-6 116 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501 315-738-7651
her anxious state was the fact that nearly every time she tried to feed the nestlings, she first had to have a tug-o-war with Xena.
The Utica Peregrine Falcon Project’s official fledgewatch began on June 5th. It had been 37 days since Xena had hatched and the chance of a fledge (either accidental or intentional) by one of the chicks was becoming increasingly likely. Despite what the calendar said, the nestlings did not look ready to leave. Although their white body feathers had given way to the dark plumage of juvenile Peregrines, both retained a fringe of white down on top of their heads. As the fledgewatch volunteers began their vigil in the church parking lot, the shedded white feathers were floating around the canyon like silk parachutes of milkweed seeds. The Peregrine nest box was like a snow machine on the 15th floor of the bank building. Every time one of the nestlings practiced flapping their wings, a flurry of white feathers would billow from the box and precipitate into the canyon. The young birds were doing a lot of wing exercising, and on the second day of fledgewatch (June 6th), both took their first cautious steps away from the haven of the nestbox. Xena was first. She hopped onto the lip of the nestbox and then jumped back into the box. Feeling her power, she did it a few more times. Meanwhile, the parents were demonstrating how the nestlings could get onto the side platforms (or “verandas”) located on either side of the nestbox. They would land on the box’s cross perch and then hop back and forth between it and the verandas, showing the nestlings precisely how to do it. It worked, and by early evening, first Xena and then Zeus had scrambled onto the east veranda for the first time.
That day the parents were doing a lot of flying. These showy flights were also demonstration performances for the benefit of the nestlings. At one point during the morning, we watched Astrid and Ares as they circled the canyon while gliding easily on the wind. Their flight paths converged occasionally as they rose and descended with only the slightest wing movements. They were showing their young how to fly like Peregrines. For two hours straight we watched them rising on thermals, soaring high above the canyon, setting out on hunting runs, executing dives, and stalling into landings. They both deXena maneuvers around a pillar
Xena displaces Astrid from her perch
SO MUCH MORE THAN A HARDWARE STORE.
8689 Summit Rd., Sauquoit, NY LincolnDavies.com | (315) 839-5740
KITCHENS STARTING AT Kitchens $159/mo
Starting at $159 /MO 12 MONTHS NO INTEREST WHEN PAID IN FULL
Original glassware
Colorful hand-knits
Infant Tag Alongs
Fun signs from Kym’s Pallet Custom orders too!
Original paintings by Anita Fitzgerald Hand-painted antiques
Paintings, Photography, Drawings, Jewelry, Candles
Fleece, Felted & Woven Garments, Knitwear, Wood Carving, Pottery, Baskets, Tinware, Lighting, Stained Glass, & much more!
Open 7 days a week at 1 College St, Clinton (315) 853-1453 Facebook: Artisans’ Corner of Clinton NY
Zeus finds a railing to perch on after fledging
liberately made landings on the wide window ledges on the State Building. This is something that especially Astrid rarely does unless she is in demonstration mode. Undoubtedly they were trying to show the young birds the safest and easiest places to land after fledging from the nest. One thing the parents weren’t doing was trying to encourage the nestlings to fledge by withholding food or by using prey to lure them out of the nest. In fact, they were continuing to feed the chicks in the nest or on the verandas. From this we gleaned that Astrid and Ares did not yet want the young to fly, but instead desired them to remain at the nest area where they could continue to exercise their wings and refine their jumping skills. Over their seven-years of nesting experience, the parents seemed to have learned that the more successful fledglings are those that have practiced and exercised the longest.
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2020 breeding season, was the behavior of Xena. Unlike most pre-fledging female Peregrines, she was not timider than her male sibling. In fact, she kept parity with him in all activities. Granted, she was a few days older than he, but in our experience, the female nestlings hold back and are not so eager to explore outside the confines of the nest. This doesn’t apply to accepting food from the parents, in which case there is no hint of shyness with females. Xena was bold about going onto the perches, the verandas, and then onto the window ledges beyond the box area. Although she was not the first one of the nestlings to fledge, she was the first to take a flight that could have easily led to fledging. On the morning of June 12th, Xena was making her way east along the window ledges and well away from the nestbox. A couple of years ago, we had a perch installed outside of Deb Saltis’ office window. Xena made it all the way over to that perch and there she did some wing exercising and jumping between perches. Zeus and Xena It was an extremely windy day and the fledgewatchers knew only too well that any miscalculation made during exercise, any mistake in judgment on a nestlings part, and they would have been swept into accidentally fledging. High winds notwithstanding, Xena stood out on the newly discovered perch, spread her wings, let go her grip on the wooden perch and let the wind lift her. I was on the sidewalk below her at the time and I thought for sure she was going to sail off into the canyon, instead, she exhibited great control over her untested feathered airfoils. She hovered two feet above the perch and then lowered herself right back onto it a few seconds later. Almost immediately after landing, she made her way east along the window ledges and back towards the nest. She wasn’t going to fledge that day, but she was making great strides. On June 16th, more than a week after we began the fledgewatch vigil, at a couple of minutes after 10 AM, Zeus fledged. It was deliberate on his part. He had recently hopped up onto the roof of the nestbox (followed closely by his sister) and had been staring out into the canyon with a look of determination. He flew out towards the Grace Church steeple, attempted a landing on its sheer walls, failed, recovered, headed north over Genesee Street, and was soon out of our view. Two of us ran after him and, a few minutes later, we found him perched on a rooftop located on the same block as the Adirondack Bank building. He had come down on a rooftop approximately 10 stories high and seemed to be in a good place. He was undamaged and within ten minutes he was exploring his new realm. Meanwhile, Xena was stretching her wings on top of the box. Astrid was monitoring Zeus from Hotel Utica and Ares was watching her from a perch on the steeple. Xena’s gaze was fixed on some point in the canyon, and then, as her brother did only 20 minutes before, she decided to trust her wings and jump into the sky. With intense wing flapping, she crossed over Elizabeth Street and tried to land on the steeple. Again, just like her brother did, she found no viable landing place. The nearly vertical masonry offered nothing to grip on. She tumbled down about twenty feet before her wings caught the air and she was able to resume powered flight. She then circled towards the east, flying high over the parking lot of the County Building. She attempted to land on the roof of that building but came in a little low and landed on top of a thin pillar just short of the roof. There she hung on with wings partially spread out against the building. Fortunately, she had enough strength to scramble onto the roof and to safety. Her mother visited her shortly after.
Only a half-hour after fledging, Zeus was flying again. This time his flight took him west and onto the roof of Hotel Utica. It was a good flight. For most of the way, his mother flew above him as an escort. His wing-flapping was intense as he made the transit. Typically, juvenile Peregrines new to flying do little to no gliding or soaring. As it happened there was little “typical” about the fledge day. The siblings made several flights through the afternoon and into the evening. Normally, newly fledged young fly little on their first day. Zeus did something unprecedented for a new fledgling. He ascended high over the canyon and made a few wide circles. He was alternating between flapping and gliding. He was soaring! He may have continued circling a few more times if Astrid didn’t decide he had enough and forced him into a landing. Xena also made news on that day. She did it by flying over and displacing her mother from her perch. Upping a parent like this is often done by older fledglings to compel a parent to provide a meal. There was no doubt that Xena and Zeus were progressing very quickly. And they would continue to hone their skills for the next month before ultimately leaving their parents domain and striking out on their own. Our fledgwatch volunteers continued gathering at the church parking lot to monitor their behavior. We were all prepared to mount a rescue if one was needed. Thankfully, none was ever needed. Finally, first Zeus and then his sister moved away from their parent’s territory. They were gone by the end of July.
Thanks to all this season’s Fledgwatch volunteers and thanks to all those who helped us out during the falcon’s 2020 breeding season. As usual, I am most grateful to Deb Saltis, co-founder of UPFP and proprietrix of Falcon Heart Rescue, for contributing a great deal of the behavioral data that makes detailed narratives like this possible. The young falcons may be well on their way to South America by the time this article is in print, but their parents will remain in the canyon throughout the winter. If you are in their downtown neighborhood, come down and say hello. They may just dip their wings to you. •
Matt Perry is Conservation Director and resident naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in Clinton. He manages a 260 acre nature preserve which is open for tours by appointment. Matt is also regional editor of “The Kingbird”, which is a quarterly publication put out by the New York State Ornithological Association. Matt’s short nature videos can be viewed on the web. Look for Spring Farm CARES Nature Sanctuary on Facebook.
growing salads in winter
by Denise A. Szarek
Since it looks like we will be spending more time indoors together this winter, why not start an indoor garden and grow your own salad! Enjoy tender salad greens indoors, in recycled plastic containers under a couple of inexpensive fluorescent shop lights. Seriously, it’s not hard to grow salads all winter long! Here’s how!
First We Need Light
You will need a couple of two bulb shop lights outfitted with full spectrum grow lights and suspended by chains from the ceiling. You could hang your lights in an attic, basement, or even a large closet. As long as the space can maintain average temperatures of around 50 degrees F and has an electrical outlet for the lights, you can grow nutritious greens.
For planting containers, you can recycle some of those plastic takeout containers we all seem to be collecting during the quarantine. I do not recommend using foam or paper containers. Fill them with a mixture of a half good quality soilless potting mix and half compost.
What Greens to Plant
The simple answer: almost any type of salad or cooking greens – the faster growing the better! If you have leftover seeds from your spring-summer planting mix them together, diving them into categories with similar germination and growth habits: · Various leaf lettuces · Pea shoots · Kale, arugula and leafy Asian greens (bok choi, mizuna, tatsoi, etc) · Spinach, chard, and beet greens
If you’re buying new seeds for winter planting, I suggest one of the fast-growing mesclun or braising mixes sold by most seed companies.
Scatter the seeds thickly across the soil surface, cover with paper towels and water well. This is the only time overwatering is not a real issue, as long as your seeds are not drowning in water. However, under-watering will result in poor or no germination. A germinating seed must remain moist. If the seedbed, and therefore the seed, is allowed to dry out, the process will halt and your seeds will no longer be viable.
Care and Harvest
Turn the lights on when you get up in the morning and shut them off around supper time. Water them every couple of days, when the top of the planting medium feels dry. Every week or so water with a weak solution of seaweed and fish emulsion (available at garden centers).
This is a great way to get the kids involved in gardening and in eating more nutrient-dense greens. Everything they learn planting in containers can be transferred in the spring to the garden. As the plants get to be about 2 inches tall, harvest the greens throughout the entire container with clean scissors (I wipe the blades with alcohol before each cutting). Make sure to leave the growing tips to produce another crop.
After about 5 weeks of growth, six to eight containers of greens will begin producing robust, two-person salads, three to four times a week for about 6 weeks as well as a few handfuls of greens to throw into winter soups.
Berry Hill Closed in January Book Shop
Over 75,000 used books!
2349 Rte 12-B, Deansboro, NY 315-821-6188 Open Tues-Sat 10-5 dls@berryhillbookshop.com
The News Source of Old Forge, Inlet and Surrounding Communities FREE Newspaper Available in the Greater Old Forge Area! www.weeklyadk.com
SHAW’S MAPLE PRODUCTS
Find our sweet syrup and products at local stores and our shop at 7945 Maxwell Rd., Clinton (visit our website for retail locations) See us at the Farmers’ Markets! www.shawsmapleproducts.com 315-725-0547
The Gallery Antiques at Pinebrick
A multi-dealer shop specializing in advertising, petroliana, lamps, glass, furniture & quality smalls.
Look for our 1960s Texaco sign!
MVL RECIPES Autumn Greens Salad
By Denise A. Szarek This is one of my all-time favorite salads and when it’s made with our own spinach it tastes so much better!
2 cups baby spinach (or any greens you have) 2 large apples, granny smith and gala are my go-to apples (but you can also make with a pear and apple of your choice) ½ small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced 1 cup mix toasted walnut, & pecan halves and slivered almonds 2/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins 5 oz crumbly goat, feta, or blue cheese Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil ¼ c apple cider vinegar 2 T lemon juice 1 T Dijon mustard 1 T honey A generous pinch of salt & black pepper
Add greens, apples, red onions, nuts, cranberries, and half the crumbly cheese in a large bowl. To mix the vinaigrette, add all the ingredients in a mason jar and shake to combine. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining cheese. Enjoy! This salad is pretty enough for your holiday table but easy enough for your kids to make on a weeknight for dinner. To make it a meal, add some cooked chicken, turkey, or cubed ham!
LIQUORS & WINES
Happy Thanksgiving!
Welcome to the Station!
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm
HALF & FULL CASE DISCOUNTS 8231 State Route 12, Barneveld (315) 896-4444
Local wine, gifts, and more!
400 Academy Street Prospect, NY 13435 Wed-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-6 315-205-4045 ProspectFallsWinery@gmail.com Facebook.com/ProspectFallsWinery @WineB4Wildrness “Wine Before Wilderness”
JEFF’S HANDCRAFTED AMISH FURNITURE
We can customize any of our new pieces of furniture! Fine furniture made in the USA (315) 858-1010 • 1058 Route 28, Jordanville, 13361 Mon-Tues & Thurs-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4pm, closed Wed www.jeffsamishfurniture.com
W
Edward Smith Your personal handyman! A quick solution to your everyday problems. Contractor • Custom Woodworking INSURED • CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE (315) 750-0903 • Frankfort
GatesCole.com
Tinctures Lotions & More! MANY OF OUR CBD PRODUCTS MADE IN NEW YORK CBD OIL
CBD OFFERS RELIEF FROM JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN, HEAD AND NECK TENSION, AS WELL AS RELIEF FOR SLEEPING DISORDERS AND MUCH MORE!
You’ve seen the news stories, now try it for yourself!
THC-FREE AND TRACE THC AVAILBLE
Have questions? Our friendly staff are waiting to serve you today! VISIT US TODAY: NEW HARTFORD • HERKIMER • ROCHESTER WWW.UTICAHEMPCO.COM OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK! Specializing in Weddings & Banquets
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
Now Booking Parties! Friday Night Fish Fry: 4-8pm Our Dining Room is Open! Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!
