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IN THE VALLEY CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
EXPLORING THE ARTS, HISTORY AND CULTURE OF OUR REGION
97
DECEMBER 2021
Let us light your way to a new home, this holiday season! Susan Schwartz Alberico* c. 315-723-0892
Wishing everyone prosperity & peace in the New Year.
Paul Sacco* c. 315-525-1377
Theresa Bova* c. 315-796-5369
Mary Mizzi Wilcox* c. 315-796-1111
Colleen Egresits* c. 315-601-4445
Lisa Viscosi Tehan* c. 315-749-4120
Janet Giacovelli* c. 315-404-7108
David Meislin* c. 315-725-4520
Azza Giorgi** c. 315-534-2709
M Deanna Hameline* c. 315-723-8721
141 Genesee Street . New Hartford . New York 13413
Kathleen Hanna** c. 315-795-5677 * Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Jared Miller* c. 607-437-2386
**Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker
Home Made Here
Next Issue:
by Sharry L. Whitney
January 1st
Available exclusively from our sponsors.
contents 6 9 10 14 17 18 22 24 26 27 32 33 37 43 45 46
Oneida County History Center ADK Journal Restaurant Guide Antiques Guide Mohawk Valley Girl Nature in December MV Gardens Home Made Here MV Astronomy Club Family Fun Classical MV On The Farm with Suzie Matt Perry’s MV Nature Gallery Guide Advertiser Directory Contest Answers & Sponsor News
I often think about Utica and how it is branded. I’ve never been thrilled with the “Foothills of the Adirondacks” byline. The Adirondack region is an awe-inspiring destination, and we are lucky to have such close access, but Utica is not the Adirondacks. We are much more than a welcome mat to the mountains. Regions love to market their natural wonders, but one of our greatest was taken away 120 years ago in favor of a hydroelectric powerhouse. Though I am a fan of electricity, I sometimes daydream about what Utica would be like if we still had our glorious Trenton Falls. They say it nearly rivaled Niagara Falls as a tourist magnet. When I first came to Utica as a bright-eyed young adult in the late 1980s, the thing that surprised me the most was the food. There was so much that I had never tasted, seen, or even heard of. I had a pretty limited palate at that time, so this was a thrilling new adventure for my tastebuds. When Lance and I started the TV show in 2005, that opened up even more culinary adventures! Recently I was discussing branding with Richard Viti, owner of Utica Bread. He was telling me about his world and the challenges of making handcrafted bread and pastry and educating consumers about the labor-intensive process. He is aware that his company is following in the footsteps of a long line of Utica bakeries. I told him that I think that is our region’s “natural wonder.” Food. He agreed. I told him I’d like to feature some of our local food treasures in our magazine. He agreed to have Utica Bread sponsor it. So, I have been given the opportunity to go on more food adventures-- to uncover and write about the deep roots of the traditional, homemade foods of our region. The food that makes our city “home.” I hope you’ll enjoy coming along. Until we get over this electricity fad and turn scenic Trenton Falls back on, I’m happy to brand Utica, “Home Made Here.” •
MVL Crossword Returns Next Month - Plus the writings of Richard Enders!
MOHAWK VALLEY LIVING MAGAZINE December 2021
PUBLISHERS Lance and Sharry Whitney EDITOR Sharry Whitney DESIGN & LAYOUT Lance David Whitney ASSISTANT EDITOR Shelley Malenowski ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Susan Collea CONTRIBUTORS Peggy Spencer Behrendt, Carol Higgins, Suzie Jones, Melinda Karastury, Rebecca McLain, 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 and television show that explore the area’s arts, culture, and heritage. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of Mohawk Valley Living, Inc.
watch mvl every sunday! 7:30am and 11pm on wfxv 11:30am on WUTR 20
Riggie is roaming around and hiding in the advertising areas of the magazine. Next to him you’ll find a letter. Find all the Riggies and rearrange the letters to answer this riddle. Enter by the 15th of the month to be entered in a $100 shopping spree at one of our advertisers! (Excluding media and banks) One entry per household per month. Mail to: Riggie’s Riddle, 30 Kellogg St., Clinton, NY 13323 or email: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com NOTE: Please enter Riggie’s Riddle and crossword puzzle in separate emails.
Utica is well known for its food, Riggies, greens, tomato pie, half-moons... But on cold evenings we get in the mood for this savory soup on our spoons! HINT: 12 letters, 2 words See the answer and winner to last month’s riddle on page 46!
Mohawk Valley Living is brought to you by
Steet-Ponte autogroup
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 7:00PM to 12:30AM with fireworks show at midnight
genesee street, between bank place and devereux street
BANK OF UTICA AND THE CITY OF UTICA WILL RING IN THE NEW YEAR DOWNTOWN with an outdoor street party for A NIGHT OF FREE ENTERTAINMENT
NEW YEAR’S EVE! Presented with the city of utica and its public safety departments
Police Department Utica Utica Utica Fire Department
ENJOY LIVE performances from Grupo Pagán, the Ladies of Soul and their gentlemen, Leon Etienne, Atlas, and more! FEEL THE BURN OF FIRE AND ICE WITH ICE CARVING competitions, A FIRE AND ICE TOWER, AND AN ICE THRONE ENJOY food and DRINK SPECIALS FROM NEARBY PARTNERS, INCLUDING F.X. Matt Brewing Company, Utica Coffee Roasting Company, Delta by Marriott, Mōtus, Griffin’s Pub, Irwin’s Fine Food, Golden’s, and more!
...starts with YOU
Tuesday, December 31st
NEW THIS YEAR: Horse and carriage rides and UPD/UFD Chili Cook-off
for more information and detailed schedule of events, visit
7:30pm to 12:30 am with fireworks show at midnight Genesee Street, between Bank Place and Devereux Street
Hosted by megHan fraser mcgrogan with bank of utica vp Barry Sinnott, Mayor robert Palmieri, UPD Chief Mark Williams and UFD Chief Scott Ingersoll
Musical Entertainment WWW.HBEGROUP.COM Classified, Ladies of Soul, the Dovetones, lillie ruth,
M
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
and other live acts!
Food/Drink Specials at various local businesses for more information and detailed schedule of events, visit
www.bankofutica.com
Insurance...We Can Help Superior Protection for your Car, Home and Business
DOLGEVILLE 315-429-3181
HERKIMER 315-866-3140
NEWPORT 315-845-8253
the Oneida County History center
Christmas in Utica, 1921 By Lou Parrotta
ONEIDA COUNTY HISTORY CENTER VOLUNTEER & CITY OF UTICA HISTORIAN The Christmas season one hundred years ago was most likely similar to the one that will be celebrated this month. Shoppers finished their Old Main (Utica State Hospital) decorated for the holidays last-minute gift buying, and the commercial aspect of the holiday gave way to the true meaning of the season. Back in 1921, snow arrived on Christmas Eve morning. Iconic Grace Church led off the solemnity of the season with carols sung by two different choirs at the entrances of their church. They then proceeded to sing carols as they walked the neighborhood. At 9 pm Christmas Eve, the city lit its tree as First Presbyterian Church carolers performed. When the ceremonies were finished, the carolers, under the direction of Mrs. Walter Gibson, traveled throughout downtown to the Homeopathic Hospital to perform for the patients. There were numerous church services held between Saturday evening December 24 and Sunday, December 25, 1921. Some of these included midnight mass at St. Luke’s Protestant Episcopalian Church and a pageant titled “At the Sight of the Star” presented under the direction of Mrs. Florence Jones at Bethesda Church. At St. Anthony of Padua Church in East Utica, the congregation was formally presented with a memorial bell during Christmas morning services to mark the 10th Anniversary of the church’s opening. St. Anthony received its memorial bell at the same time, and Calvary Baptist received one for its pulpit from a parishioner in memory of his deceased wife. Places like Church of the Redeemer, St. Mary of Mount Carmel, St. Paul’s Lutheran, and Bethany Presbyterian A pageant was held at Bethesda Church on Christmas Eve, 1921 churches, among many others, held special services. Utica had numerous homes for orphans, the aged, and the sick. There was no shortage of charitable works performed at these locations. Among the actions taken to ensure the idea of Christmas spread to all, both spiritual and commercial, special religious services took place at places like the Masonic Home, St. Luke’s Home and
The Tepee, no longer a stop along the way. It’s the destination!
A Unique Array of Sweet Treats!
CHERRY VALLEY NEW YORK Since 1950!
7632 Hwy. 20 607-264-3987 CALL FOR HOURS www.thetepee.biz 6
New Name, New Products!
Christmas Open House • Dec. 11th, 11am-6pm Giveaways, Samples, & Special Sales!
531 Varick St., Utica • 315 765-6463
Open Tues-Fri 11-6, Sat 11-4 • www.facebook.com/sosweetcandyshoppe
Hospital, the Home for Aged Men, and the Utica State Hospital. At Utica State Hospital, the Knights of Columbus brought its quartet to perform under the direction of Frank Lyons and teamed up with the YMCA to present gifts and a Christmas tree for shell-shocked veterans of World War I. Father Prendergast of St. Patrick’s Church held a midnight mass at both St. Joseph’s Infant Asylum and St. John’s Orphan Asylum, while choir music was sung at the Children’s Home under the direction of Mrs. MacRitchie. Utica’s Mayor James K. O’Connor’s staff assembled over 100 baskets of food, mittens, clothes, and toys for those in need at City Hall. Those who were less fortunate in Utica had their Christmas made a bit brighter with 200 baskets collected by the SalvaMayor O’Connor’s Christmas tion Army collected, 100 put together by the Rescue Mission and 20 or so filled by the American Legion. Charles Jones, the secregesture remains an tary to the Board of Assessors, chaired the city’s committee and inspiration to this day. worked side-by-side with Ward B. Edwards, the Commissioner of Charities in Utica to distribute the baskets. Mayor O’Connor, when all the holiday cheer was distributed, received a last-minute letter from a boy with four siblings and a father out of work. He wrote, “Dear Mayor – Will you be our Santa Claus this year again. You have been so good to us always that you are the only Santa Claus I know. Papa is out of work because the mill is closed down. We have no clothes, no coal and our groceries are all gone and we can not get any more. There are five of us children and our mama and papa, but mama doesn’t want anything only to see that we are happy. Please do not give my name to the papers because all the children in the school will laugh at us.” In less than 20 minutes, Mayor O’Connor was on his way to that East Utica family to present a basket full of food, toys, and clothes. He was swept up in a barrel of gratitude by the five children and their parents when he delivered the basket. Seeing the poor conditions this family was in, Mayor O’Connor reached in his pocket and gave the family some money to help turn the heat back on in the home We should all be like Mayor James K. O’Connor this holiday season! •
Oneida County History Center 1608 Genesee St, Utica (315) 735-3642
Open Tues.-Fri. 10-4, Sat 10-2 www.oneidacountyhistory.org
Have a Happy & Healthy Holiday Season!
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!
Merry Christmas! Friday Night Fish Fry: 4-8pm
Our Dining Room is Open!
16 Erie St. Yorkville, NY 13495 (315) 736-9359 www.clubmonarch.net
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adirondack journal
Books to Inspire the Desire to Explore the Great Outdoors
by Gary VanRiper
Mills Electrical Supply Over 50 Years in Business
U
Your Headquarters for All Your Electrical & Lighting Needs! LI
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em
ll B e a d & G
SHOP ONLINE OR IN-STORE
411 Canal Place • Little Falls (315) 823-0454
DI
Hi
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315-337-5760 Open M-F 7-5 739 Erie Blvd West, Rome www.millselectricalsupplyny.com
LE FAL TT
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www.fallhillbeadandgem.com Fa
• Electrical Supplies • Indoor/Outdoor Lighting • Commerical and Residential • New Contractors Welcome
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I recently received a question from a fan of our children’s book series who recently purchased property in the Adirondacks and has two young sons. This is a brand new environment for the family and he wanted to know what other books about nature and camping in the Adirondacks or North Country areas I might recommend to boys ages 8-12 who are, “intellectually and scientifically curious (but perhaps not the most athletic nor, as of yet, very independent).” He also asked if there were any “unmissable classics” that had inspired our writing. With the holidays and a season of gift-giving upon us, I thought this would be a perfect time to offer some suggestions to encourage and inspire young people to read and explore the great outdoors. This 6-million-acre park is such a unique place and so much has been written about it - its history, geography, wildlife, you name it. There are of course guidebooks and field guides and maps giving insight into every nook and cranny inside the Blue Line. The Adirondack Mountain Club (www.adk.org) publishes many titles including the recently revised, Kids on the Trail: Hiking with Children in the Adirondacks, with guidance in preparing to hit the trails and features more than 70 hikes for kids of various ages. Views from on High: Fire Tower Trails in the Adirondacks and Catskills is a great introduction and guide to the various hikes sprinkled throughout the Park. This often leads to the Fire Tower Challenge for goal-oriented families looking for a quest to embark on together (www.adk.org/play/earn-a-patch/fire-towerchallenge/). Another adventure series for kids set just north of the Blue Line is, Adventures with Stoney, written by Mark Manske of Adirondack Raptors. There are three in the series so far starting with, The Great Snowy Owl Caper. Visit Mark’s site: www.adirondackraptors.org/adventures-with-stoney for more information. We have some 2,000 volumes in our children’s library in our home, but if we had to pick books that originally inspired our writing it would be, for adventure, The Hardy Boys Series; and for wholesomeness and humor, Beverly Cleary’s, Henry Huggins series. Each of the characters in our books also has a favorite story which reflects some of our own classic favorites as well including Treasure Island, The Hobbit, and the original, The Wizard of Oz. (Did you know Dorothy’s slippers were actually silver?) As mentioned in last month’s edition of Mohawk Valley Living, many middle-school age young people have been riveted by Gary Paulsen’s classic outdoor survival story, Hatchet, and the sequels known as The Brian Books. When searching for books in print, please do consider supporting a local bookstore if you have one! Wishing you and your family a wonderful and joyous holiday season and a safe and happy New Year! •
Gary VanRiper is an author, photographer, and pastor at the Camden Wesleyan Church. He has written 19 children’s books with his son, Justin. Learn more at: www.adirondackkids.com
Give the Gift of Peace of Mind! Preplanning Options Available Gift certificates available for spring cleaning.
Gina Trzepacz-Timpano 10
Family Monuments • Mausoleums Pre-need Memorials • Columbariums
(315) 736-1781 1309 Champlin Ave, Yorkville
the mvl restaurant guide
cassville n Ope or ay f frid er! n in D
Friday Fish Fry 11:30am-8pm
1/2 lb. Juicy Angus Burgers!
1717 Route 8, Cassville (315) 839-5000
Open Mon-Thur 6am-2pm, Fri 6am-8pm Sat 6am-1pm, Sun 7am-Noon , Breakfast Served til Noon
CLINTON
Visit our New website!
1
#
Primo Pizza
Where good friends Meet to Eat! Enjoy breakfast or a quick lunch!
Enjoyprimopizza.com
315-381-3231
The Most Unique Upside Down Pizza You Ever Tasted!
Celebratining 13 Years ! Clinton
8170 Seneca Tpke., Clinton (315) 732-3631 Mon-Fri 7am-2pm, Sat & Sun 7am-1pm
MVL Ad_Layout 1 7/8/15 3:05 PM Page 1
cold brook
Weekday Specials Tues- 20” X-Large Cheese Pizza . . . $11.95 Wed- Sm. Cheese Pizza & 20 Boneless Wings $19.00 Thurs- 2 Large Cheese Pizzas . . . $18.99
Specialty Rolls
2755 13324 826-5050 2755 State State Rt Rt.8,8,Cold ColdBrook, Brook,NY NY• (315)•826-5050
Mon. 4 -Open 9pm • Thurs, Tues. Closed Wed. - Sun.Sun 12 Noon Fri &•Sat 12-9, 12-8- 9pm Great Food • Great Spirits • Great Times Not taking
LifeOffering is Good atFare The& Ohio Tavern!Reservations Pub Daily Specials!
Forestport
(plus tax / toppings extra)
S a u s a g e . . . . . . . . $12.00 S p i n a c h . . . . . . . $11.50 A n t i p a s t o . . . . . . $14.00 Sausage & Greens . . $15.00 S t r o m b o l i . . . . . . $12.00
Tomato Pie
Please order one day in advance $9.50 +tax
Holiday Hours!
Christmas Eve ‘til 4pm New Year’s Eve ‘til 8pm, New Year’s Day 1-7pm
Tues-Thurs: 11am-8:30pm, Fri & Sat: 11am-9:30pm, Sun: 1pm-8pm
7756 Route 5, Clinton Located next door to Spaghetti Kettle • Enjoyprimopizza.com
lEE Center
us o m Fa Food! for
Over Port sized ions
STEAKHOUSE Lunch • Dinner American Fare • Full Menu Available
R
Prime Rib Special - Fri & Sat T-Bone Special - Daily
Open: Wednesday & Thursday: 4-8, Friday, Saturday & Sunday: Noon-8:30
10626 North Lake Road, Forestport • 315-392-7077
Book your Holiday party today! (315) 533-7229
Dine In & Take Out
Quality Food • Fresh Ingredients Relaxing Atmosphere • Offering Daily Specials! 5345 Lee Center-Taberg Rd., Lee Center
New Hours! Thurs 3-9, Fri 12-9, Sat 3-9, Sun 3-8, Closed Mon-Wed • www.gonecoastalrestaurant.com
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little falls
Open Daily 7am-3pm
New Hartford
MARCY
823-3290
9663 River Rd., Marcy
Breakfast, Lunch, Homemade Soups & Sandwiches and our delicious Desserts Including our Famous Cream Puffs! Canal Place, Little Falls Next to Showcase Antiques
Order your Christmas Cookie Trays now! Take Out & Delivery!
315-797-7709
Fresh Haddock Giambotta Mushroom Stew Chicken & Biscuits Meatloaf Goulash & More!
Phoenician R E S TAU R A N T Please wear mask until you are seated. Call ahead for parties of 5-10.
We are excited and hope to see everyone soon! Specials and our full menu available for takeout and curbside pickup.
Mon-Thu 6am-1pm, Fri 6am-7pm, Sat 6am-Noon, Sun 7am-Noon
Mon-Sat 11:30am - 8pm 623 French Road New Hartford (315) 733-2709
New Hartford
Homemade comfort foods Full menu available til 2am!
23 beers on tap, specializing in NY State craft beers!
Call us today for your Holiday Party Catering! Also booking Holiday Office Happy Hours!
10 Clinton Rd., New Hartford • (315) 732-9733 Mon-Sat: 10am-2am, Sun: 12pm-2am www.killabrewsaloon.com
rome
“We are your home town pizzeria!”
(315) 736-4549 • Open 7 days a week • 4462 Commercial Dr., New Hartford www.tonyspizzeriaanddeli.com
Utica
Dine In & Take Out
past 5 years! Voted #1 pizza for
Taking orders for Pies & Holiday Cookie Trays!
Thank you for your support! Reservations appreciated
Gluten Free Appetizers, Pastas, Entrees, & Desserts! (315) 33PIZZA
615 Erie Blvd. W., Rome
Open: Mon & Thurs: 4-8pm, Fri: 4-9pm Sat: 12-9pm, Sun: 3-8pm, Closed Tues & Wed
ates Gift Certific Available
DiCastro’s BRICK OVEN
Offering Grab-n-Go meals, Salads, & Deli items! Wed-Sun: 7am-2pm UTICA: 1256 Albany St. • 315-790-5200 Hours: Wed-Fri 10am-2pm WHITESBORO: 103 Main St. • 315-768-1462 Hours: Sat & Sun 7am-1pm
Utica -Regular Order Pickups HoursMonday Through Friday -9:00 AM To 1:00 PM*Extended Hours Closer To Christmas* *Other Pickup Times Available ,If Necessary* Please Place Christmas Orders By December 14th!!
-Merry Christmas-Order Our Handmade Italian Christmas Specialties; Assorted Cookies, Struffoli, Pitta 'nchiusa And More!! Also Order Our; Jarred Products, Greens, Eggplant “Parm” And Other Items!! Call To Order And Schedule A Pickup Date And Time!!
Sheri’s
EASTSIDE DINER Breakfast • Lunch Homemade & Fresh Daily!
Breakfast & Lunch Catering Available
Breakfast Sandwiches Deli-Style Wraps/Sandwiches Salads, Soups & more! Homemade Baked Goods & Multi-Color Bagels - a kid’s favorite!
Friday Fish Fry • Breakfast Served All Day
-www.sammyandanniefoods.com-
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2199 Bleecker St., Utica (315) 790-5250 Open 7 Days a Week, 7am-2pm
Free Delivery(min. $25) • Family Owned & Operated!
219 N. Genesee St., Utica (315) 790-5353 • Open 7 Days a Week
Utica
A gift certificate to a local restarant is the gift everyone “loves to return!”
Outside
Breakfast, Lunch, Seating & Grab-and-Go Deliveries, Available! Take Out & Catering! Check out our weekly specials on facebook and at www.rososcafe.com
Open: Monday-Friday: 8-2 185 Genesee St 2nd Floor, Utica
315 735-7676
Contemporary American • Indoor Dining Open • Reservations Only
900 Culver Ave., Utica • 315-765-0271 • Open Wed-Sat 4:30-8pm
We can’t wait to see you again!
O
All staff wearing masks, please wear yours until seated. Visit www.willowsofutica.com
Vernon
whitesboro
Serving Lunch & Dinner Lunches Served Friday & Saturday
Classic Italian to Creative Nightly Specials! The Vullo Family has been catering to your needs since 1972
Happy Hour Daily 4-7, $2.75 Drafts & $3 Well Mixers
Tuesday: All-U-Can-Eat Spaghetti Wednesday: Pasta and Boneless Wings Specials Thursday: All-U-Can-Eat Chicken Riggies
Call us for your Holiday catering needs!
Dine In, Take Out, & Curbside Pick-Up!
409 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro • (315) 736-7869 Catering & Banquet Facilities Available • www.69steakhouse.com
We welcome your Holiday Celebrations!
Yorkville
Call for Reservations
KARAM’S Middle Eastern Bakery & Restaurant
Traditional Lebanese fare for breakfast & lunch! Middle Eastern Specials & Groceries • Pita & Flat Bread • Spinach & Meat Pies • Baklawa
5656 Route 5, Vernon • (315) 829-2203
www.theblackstallionny.com • Open Wed & Thurs 3-9, Fri & Sat 3-10, Closed Sun, Mon & Tues
(315) 736-1728 • 137 Campbell Ave, Yorkville Tues - Fri: 9am -5pm, Sat: 9am - 3pm • www.karamsbakery.com 13
the mvl
antique shopping guide Antiques & Art
Westmoreland Formerly of Barneveld
Now Open!
5475 State Rt 233, Westmoreland Artsy1Antiques@GMail.com
7000 Sq. ft Multi Dealer Store! Furniture: Victorian to Mid-Century Lots of Art! Architectural Salvage Primitives Records, Books, & Collectibles
Open Wed- Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 10-4
BlackCat
ANTIQUES & GIFTS
Specializing in estate sales, large and small.
Consignment at its Finest!
Clothing, Jewelry Household Items Furniture
Conducted with respect and dignity. We take the pressure out of estate liquidation, moving, or downsizing.
Open Tues-Fri: 11am-5pm Sat: 11am-3pm New consignment by appointment only
Call for a consultation:
(315) 736-9160
22 Oriskany Blvd., Yorkville (315) 736-9160 Facebook: The Queens Closet & Attic Addicts
Richfield Springs, NY Open Most Every Day: 10-5
Broad St. Flea Market 601 Second Street, Utica (315) 941-0925 • Wed-Fri 10-5, Sat & Sun 10-4, Closed Mon & Tues
Indoor & Open Year Round!
Large selection of vendors with an even larger variety of items!
Christm New Handmade Soy Candles, Lucky Bamboo, CBD Products to Incense, Jewelry, Zippo & Holidaas y Lighters, Craft Items, Furniture & Household Items! Large selection of DVDs & CDs Items!
Come in and register now for an opportunity to win a 4ft filled Christmas stocking! Drawing on Dec. 19th.
Inventory always changing-Stop in often! Vendor applications accepted.
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Pristine, Practical, and Priced Right!
Offering Seasonal Goods & Antiques Reflecting Simpler Times
Furniture, handmade felt wall hangings and pillows, silk wreaths & arrangements, Warm Glow candles and more!
Open Tues-Fri: 9-4, Sat: 9-2, Closed Sun & Mon
Attic Addicts The Queen’s Closet
An Early Style Christmas Begins Dec. 4th
A little bit country, a little bit primitive!
14 East Main St. Earlville (315) 691-5721
Celebrating 23 years in business!
Like Us!
Multi Dealer Antique Shop
Primitives • Furniture • Artwork Smalls • Antique Accessories Wed-Sat: 10-4, Sun: 11-3 • (315) 264-1755
4803 Rt. 31, Vernon
Canal House Hazel Mae’s Antiques Located in the Shoppes Multi-Dealer Shop
Specializing in antique furniture, glassware, jewelry, books, linens and so much more.
at Johnny Appleseeds 3402 Old State Rd, Erieville Rug Hooking • Punch Needle Wool • Supplies • Classes
6737 Route 20, Bouckville (315) 893-7737 Open Thursday - Sunday 10-4
Fort Plain Antiques & Salvage
Dawn Marie’s Treasures Vintage & New Gifts
Holiday Open House 13 College St., Clinton December 3rd-5th Giveaways, Treats (315) 796-9099 • Open every day: 10-6 & more!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Clinton & at Johnny Appleseed! Open in Clinton daily: 10-6 & at Johnny Appleseeds Wed-Sun: 10-5 We have unique and unusual items that make it worth the trip!
Happy Shopping! Gift cards also available!
Follow us on Facebook!
The Gallery Antiques at Pinebrick A multi-dealer shop specializing in advertising, petroliana, lamps, glass, furniture & quality smalls.
Look for our 1960s Texaco sign!
(315) 893-7752
6790 Route 20, Bouckville
An antique treasure hunt makes a perfect gift! Buy a gift certificate at one of our antiques shops!
MADISON INN ANTIQUES FURNITURE • TOOLS BOOKS • COLLECTIBLES GLASS • PRIMITIVE Antiques make Great Gifts!
LLC
Attention Shoppers! HOLIDAY HOURS
BIG 0 3 % OFF
Holiday Sale
Friday, Dec 24 — 10 - 2 We will be Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day
REGULAR SHOP HOURS: Wed - Sat — 10 - 5 CLOSED Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day
Like Us On Facebook!
55 Willett St., Fort Plain, NY • www.fortplainantiques.com • 518-993-1045 • 518-332-0395
Little Falls
Antique Center
7417 St Rte 20 • Madison 315-893-7639 Open Thurs-Sun: 10-5
The Online Exchange, LLC We Can Help You Buy, Sell, & Trade Globally! Now an FFL dealer!
6338 St. Rt. 167, Dolgeville
(315) 429-5111
Registered user of ebay
Shop for the Holidays Now!
More than 50 vendors on 2 floors!
Layaway & Gift Certificates Available!
Antiques • Art • Crafts Open 6 days a week, 10-5 Closed Tues
Handicapped-accessible
315-823-4309 Thruway Exit 29A, 25 West Mill St., Little Falls www.littlefallsantiquecenter.com
Like us on Facebook!
Over 160 Vendor booths and display cases!
Discover our many unique treasures and find the perfect Holiday Gifts!
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
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ESTATE & HOUSE SALES APPRAISALS ALWAYS BUYING
Holiday Open House 2021
Also the home of...
All kinds of Unique Vendors under one roof. Artisans, Crafters, Antiques to Retro including Food Items. Vendors Wanted
142 North Main St., Herkimer • 315-628-1506
Open Tues-Fri: 10-4:30, Sat: 10-4, Closed Sun & Mon www.mohawkvalleycommunitymarket.com • www.renewedandrescued.com
Not Your Average Auction House.
Our international clientele are buying & collecting. Call today for information on our appraisal and auction services.
Thurs-Sat between Thanksgiving & Christmas We are following Covid guidelines. Masks preferred. To allow for social distancing we are extending our Open House sale. Mention this ad for the 50% off discount or download the coupon from: www.thepottingshedantiques.com
Vintage, Gold, & Sterling Silver Jewelry, Coins, Glass, China, Furniture, Americana, Advertising, Art, Lighting, and more! Bring Friends & Family Make Holiday Memories!
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View our upcoming auctions online!
Don & Nancy Hartman, 52 Oriskany Blvd., Whitesboro (Next to Kinney’s)
Victorian
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Weeden’ s Mini Mall
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Whistle Post Antiques
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The Everyday Adventures of Mohawk Valley Girl
Little Touch of Country in herkimer
I discovered Little Touch of Country gift shop quite by accident. I was running on South Washington St. in Herkimer, NY, where I hardly ever run, and there it was. “Hey!” I said. “There’s a place I’ve never been!” This was good news for Mohawk Valley Girl. Also, it kept me distracted from my body’s urging me to stop running, which the best of bodies will do on occasion (yes, I know I do not have the best of bodies). It was on a subsequent Saturday that my husband, Steve, and I made it back to check things out and start our Christmas shopping. What a charming place! We chatted up Barbara Weber, the owner, and found out she opened in July. How remiss of me not to find it sooner! I guess I need to run on the south side more often. There were a good number of tasty-sounding dip mixes available. Barbara puts together all kinds of custom gift baskets with no charge for local delivery. She had recently sold the sample basket right off the counter. We walked around the shop several times, admiring all kinds of decorations and gifts. We saw snowmen, Santas, and rag dolls. We laughed at the blocks with cute sayings like, “Dear Santa… I can explain.” There were many beautiful pictures and other decorations. I can’t say if we purchased any Christmas presents (my family reads this magazine, after all), but we got two things for us. One was a little block that said, “Cardinals appear when angels are near.” with two cardinals painted on it. Steve loves cardinals. I love the legend that when you see a cardinal, it represents a loved one who has passed coming to visit. We also got a small garland of mittens on a clothesline. •
Mohawk Valley Girl discovered a new little shop in Herkimer on her run, Little Touch of Country
Little Touch of Country
312 S. Washington St., Herkimer Open Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cynthia M. Quackenbush, a.k.a. “Mohawk Valley Girl,” follow her frugal fun at: mohawkvalleygirl.wordpress.com
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Jewett’s Cheese House
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Barney’s Angels
Little Touch of Country is filled with country farmhouse decor and goodies
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MV NATURE
nature in december story and photos by Matt Perry Looking out onto a December landscape, it often appears desolate and lifeless. Where are all the birds? We have 60 to 70 bird species that spend at least part of the winter in the Mohawk Valley but finding most of them can present a challenge. Of course, many of us rely on the birds coming to us and visiting our yards and feeding stations. That often works for seed-eating songbirds like Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, and American Goldfinches, but what about the birds that have no interest in birdseed? Where are they apt to be found? To go about searching for birds in winter, one must first consider the basics all animals need to survive. Like all animals, birds require food, water, and shelter. Many bird species also crave community and being a member of a flock. The purpose of a flock is as much for safety as for the comradery it provides. Birds within a flock benefit from each other’s ability to find food and perceive predators. Individuals in a flock have a much better chance of surviving a predator attack than a single bird would have on its own. Another way birds survive the deprivations of winter is by not wasting energy. In winter, when food is in short supply, each energy expenditure needs to be justified. And so, for the most part, birds will avoid areas where
they are unlikely to find any of their necessities. Of course, that relegates much of the human-adapted landscape to flyover country. Large snow-covered yards and fields offer few birds a chance to make a living. The notable exception is some large agricultural fields where corn or other grain crops have been harvested. Fields in higher elevations may be perpetually windswept and areas of open ground can create foraging opportunities for birds. To increase the fertility of soil, some farmers spread cow manure on their fields in winter. The undigested seed in the manure is sought out by several bird species including Wild Turkey, Canada Goose, American Crow, Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur. Of those species, it’s often the Snow Buntings that are the most appreciated by birders. Snow Buntings are sparrow-sized finches with stark black and white (and rust) plumage. Single flocks can contain as few as 25 or as many as several hundred individuals. They often sweep low over fields while keeping in tight formation. They remind me of a living snow flurry as individuals within the flock undulate with each pump of their wings. On the ground they
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Male Northern Cardinal
move together, foraging as a unit and always advancing. Of course, wherever opportunities exist for prey species, opportunities are created for predators. The same high fields that bring in the buntings and their allies tend to be attractive places for hawks and other raptors to station themselves. As you scan a field for the grain-eaters, check the tops of trees, telephone poles, and fence posts for raptors. In our region, the most encountered raptors in wide-open spaces are Red-tailed Hawks. Occasionally one can find other species like Cooper’s Hawk, American Kestrel, Merlin, and Northern Harrier. The rarer finds include the Rough-legged Hawk, Snowy Owl, and Short-eared Owl. Increasingly in the Mohawk Valley, we are seeing Turkey Vultures during the winter months. They too frequent the larger fields but, unlike the raptors, they are not hunting living birds or looking for small rodents. They are looking for roadkilled animals or for any creature that may have faltered during its fight for survival in
the harsh elements. Overgrown orchards and dense berry-laden thickets are natural refuges for birds since these places offer food as well as cover. Apple trees, Crabapples, hawthorns, dogwoods, viburnums, buckthorns, and wild grapes are among the more common fruit-producing constituents of thickets in our region. In December, the birds I most expect to see in habitat of this kind are American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, White-throated Sparrows, Ruffed Grouse, and the occasional Rufous-sided Towhee, or Brown Thrasher. These birds, which feed primarily on insects and other invertebrates during the summer, switch to a mostly fruit-based diet in the winter. Wintering flocks of American Robins travel the region in search of fruit-rich groves. When they discover a laden thicket, they may stay until every last berry is stripped from its branches. Forests and larger woodlots provide shelter and food for most of the region’s non-migrant bird species. In a stand of mixed deciduous forest, five (sometimes six) species of woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted Nuthatches, Tufted Titmice, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Brown Creepers, and three species of owl might be found. In a larger forest tract, it can be difficult to locate the songbirds, but fortunately for the searcher, this diverse set of songbirds prefer to forage together in a single mixed flock. If you can locate the noisiest ones (typically the chickadees and titmice) you stand a good chance of encountering the quieter members of the flock – the creepers and kinglets. In my experience, looking and listening for them in the morning is much more productive than doing it in the afternoon. In the morning, particularly the early morning, birds
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are eager to break their overnight fast and be actively seeking food. By afternoon, they tend to be satiated and are more likely to be looking for a safe place to spend the long, cold night. Open water, whether it’s moving water on a stream or river or an ice-free inlet of a pond, is crucial habitat for several bird species that overwinter in the region. Every winter, a few Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, and Common Mergansers remain in the Mohawk Valley, all confident that there will be some open water available where they can catch fish. If we visit a stretch of the West Canada Creek or the Mohawk River, even on the coldest December day, we are likely to see these birds plying their trade. Along with the mergansers, other fish-eating (or Diving Ducks) may sometimes be found. Hooded Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, and Lesser Scaup are uncommon in winter but might be spied on by a vigilant surveyor. Once rare, now expected, Bald Eagles perch close to creeks, rivers, and open inlets to ponds and lakes. They may also be found in border trees around large fields. The eagles are not looking to prey on the Snow Buntings and their allies but, like the vultures, they watch for roadkill. December transitions into January and to what is traditionally the coldest time of year. This is the time when many of the less hardy birds are forced to leave the Mohawk Valley in favor of less harsh environments to the east and south. However, there is always wildlife to be found and some leave a record of their wanderings in the form of footprints and other signs. Tracking our wild denizens in the snow will be part of the focus of next month’s nature article. •
Turkey Vulture
American Robin
The Olde
Juvenile Bald Eagle
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mohawk valley Gardens & recipes
Cabbage for Christmas by denise A. Szarek
Cabbage has always been part of every holiday that I can remember. Cabbage Salad was a staple on the Thanksgiving and Christmas table. On Halloween it was colcannon. And we were sure to have a good old-fashioned New England boiled dinner sometime during the winter. My grandmother’s German coleslaw always found its way to every summer family picnic and I remember there being a crock of sauerkraut in her kitchen as soon as cabbage was harvested. Now that I’m married to Bernie, golumpki is made as soon as we start to harvest cabbage from the fields. Cabbage cultivation began 3000 years ago in Western Europe. And eventually made its way across the Atlantic. In the United States, monthly cabbage consumption peaks in March due to the popularity of Corned Beef and Cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day. Coleslaw is often featured at summer picnics and BBQ’s and black-eyed peas and cabbage is typical Southern fare to celebrate the New Year. As a cold crop, cabbage is harvested from early fall through
spring, supplying us with a source of leafy greens throughout the winter months. Its tough outer leaves can withstand a hard frost, so it can be grown earlier and later than other vegetables. Green, Red, and Savoy cabbage are all varieties of brassica oleracea. Napa cabbage and bok choy, brassica napa, are closely related and considered cabbage. There are certain times of the year that I just crave cabbage! During the holidays especially! Cabbage salad was always a part of our Christmas dinner, no matter what the protein might have been. What’s the difference between cabbage salad and coleslaw, you might ask? There is a distinct difference. Coleslaw is made with a mayonnaise base, while cabbage salad is vinegar-based. Both make a great pairing with turkey, beef, or ham. Always served in a cutglass bowl, handed down through the family, it held a place of honor on our holiday table. Consider it for a place at your holiday table this season!
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MVL RECIPES
Holiday Cabbage Salad By Anne Tucker (my mom)
14 oz shredded cabbage & carrots (yes you can cheat & use a bagged salad mix) ½ cup red onion (one small) chopped ½ c apple cider vinegar ½ c olive or canola oil 1 T Dijon mustard ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 1 clove minced garlic 2 T granulated sugar
In a mason jar, add the vinegar, oil, mustard, salt & pepper, minced garlic, and sugar. Cover jar and shake vigorously to mix. Toss the cabbage and onions and carrots together in a bowl, pour in the dressing and toss to coat well. Store in an air-tight container a couple of days ahead. When ready to serve, bring out that fancy bowl to bring to the table. If you want to change up this recipe, add some raisins or nuts! Hope all your holidays are warm and steeped in your family traditions! Cheers to a Happy New Year for everyone!
Holiday Gift Baskets, Christmas Trees (Pre-Cut and U-Cut!), Wreaths, Cookie Trays, & Stocking Stuffers! North Star Orchards Farm Market & Bakery
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Home made here
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Caruso’s
Pitta ‘nchiusa
Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe, est. 1958
Pastry chef Michal Paniccia has been making P’s and Q’s for over 30 years
Like a magical flower that blossoms only once a year, the pitta ‘nchiusa at Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe will bloom this year on December 10th. One day, and then they’re gone. Known colloquially as “P’s and Q’s,” this Christmas pastry from Calabria (the southernmost tip of Italy) has been a tradition at Caruso’s for nearly 40 years. It is a seasonal delight consisting of honey-drenched rosettes baked into golden caramelized “flowers.” “The recipe came from Aunt Tina,” says Michael Paniccia, the pastry chef at Caruso’s. “She and her brother Carmen Caruso came from Calabria.” Michael’s family also hails from that region of Italy. He started preparing the traditional Italian pastry shortly after he began working at Caruso’s 40 years ago. He has perfected the dessert over time. “It’s is made throughout Italy, with regional adaptations. I like to keep it simple...the way they make things in Italy.” The labor-intensive dessert has deceptively simple ingredients—basically raisins, honey, walnuts, oil, sugar, and cinnamon—all rolled up in a pastry dough. “It’s an unusual dough because the water is added at the end,” Michael says. He makes it ahead of time then lets it rest overnight. In the morning, he rolls the dough out on a huge 8’ long pastry table until it’s
The dough is rolled out paper-thin and then cut into strips
After the dough is brushed with oil, it is topped with cinnamon, raisins, and nuts, then drizzled with honey
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nearly translucent. He lines each pan with a thin layer of dough—an adaptation he developed to help hold in all the ingredients. He then rolls out more dough and lightly brushes oil over the surface. Then comes the cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts. “We go through a ton of walnuts,” he says. Then he cuts the dough into strips, rolls them into rosettes, and arranges them snuggly into doughlined pans. Honey is drizzled over the top before they go into the oven. A half-hour later he takes them out and adds more honey. “If you get a dry pitta ‘nchiusa, it’s because someone didn’t take the time to add more honey.” It’s one of the many ways Michael has perfected the pastry over the years. “The honey also acts as a natural preservative giving the dessert a long shelf-life. You can even freeze it for up to a year,” he says. From start to finish, the process of making pitta ‘nchiusa takes about three days. So why do people call them P’s and Q’s? Michael is not sure. “If you ask ten different people what they call it, you’ll get ten different answers,” he says. But whether you call it P’s and Q’s, pitta ‘nchiusa, pitta ‘mpigliata, Italian Christmas cake, or rosettes, one thing is for sure, you’d better call ahead to reserve one, because after December 10th, they will be gone for another year. •
The nut and raisin-covered strips of dough are rolled into rosettes
The rosettes tucked neatly into pans and baked to a glistening, golden-brown
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Mohawk valley astronomical society
New Eyes in the Sky by carol higgins
The long-awaited big moment is almost here. It occurs at 7:20 A.M. (EST) on December 18, when the world’s astronomical community will be intently focused on the start of an exciting, nail-biting, nerve-wracking event that has been 32 years in the making. It is the launch of the largest and most complex space telescope ever built – NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The idea for a next-generation space telescope evolved from a meeting of a group of astronomers and engineers in 1989. Discussions continued about the telescope’s goals and capabilities, and in 1996 an agreement was reached. An international partnership was formed with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Canadian Space Agency, private sector companies, and the academic community, and NASA awarded contracts in 2002. Construction got underway in 2004. Overall, thousands of scientists, engineers, and technicians from 14 countries and 28 U.S. states spent over 400 million total hours designing, building, and testing JWST. The telescope is an engineering marvel 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope. With its highly sensitive science instruments and the extraordinary light-gathering capabilities of its revolutionary gold-covered 21-foot wide mirror, the telescope will look deeper into space and therefore further back in time than ever before. Our universe is estimated to be
about 13.7 years old, and Webb will give us our first look at young galaxies that evolved a few hundred million years after the infant universe began to form. Artwork of the James Webb Space Telescope. Aboard the infrared telescope are camCREDIT: Northrup Grumman eras, spectrographs, and coronagraphs to help researchers achieve the mission’s four primary goals: search for the first galaxies The telescope will launch on an Ariane and stars that formed in the early universe; V rocket from ESA’s Guiana Space CenHanny’s Voorwerp. Credit:Guiana. NASA, ESA, W. Zoo Team ter inImage French A Keel, fewGalaxy hours after determine how galaxies form and evolve; study star life cycles and learn how planets launch, the telescope begins a month-long form; observe planetary systems and inves- harrowing and critical process that slowly takes it from the origami-stage to a fully tigate the potential for life. Designing a telescope to gather data to outstretched and operational configuration. meet those goals required solving several The mission team calls that phase “29 Days seemingly impossible engineering chal- on the Edge” because every one of the 50 lenges. The result? New materials, instru- major deployments and 178 release mechments, and components were invented. anisms including springs, gears, motors, For example, JWST is the size of a tennis pulleys, and cables must work perfectly. court and as tall as a 3-story building so it At the end of the deployment, the telescope will not fit inside of a 15-foot wide payload will have reached its destination, 1 million fairing (“nose cone”) at the top of a rocket. miles from Earth! The solution? Engineers designed the ob- For the next five months, the obserservatory to fold origami-style so it fits for vatory cools to its operating temperature, launch, then slowly unfolds itself once it and all instruments and systems are tested. After successful completion of the testing gets into space. Another example is its sunshield. JWST phase, the science mission gets underway. will be in sunlight all of the time during its NASA will provide live coverage of the 5 to 10-year mission. But, its infrared in- mission so you can join the excitement of struments need to operate at a frigid -380 launch day, and follow along as JWST goes degrees Fahrenheit! The solution? An in- through its unfolding process and testing novative, very thin 5-layer sunshield was phases. Visit the mission website at www. invented to block sunlight and keep the in- nasa.gov/webb for information. struments and mirror at the required cryo- Go JWST! Wishing you clear skies! • genic temperatures.
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FURNITURE
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The Mohawk Valley Choral Society performs a “Christmas Collage” on Sunday, December 12th
december
family fun Mohawk Valley Performing Arts: The Nutcracker
Come visit with Santa! Saturday, Dec. 4, Noon-3pm
Naturewood Knoll Tree Farm Christmas Shop
Friday, Dec. 10, 7pm Saturday, Dec. 11, 7pm Sunday, Dec. 12, 2pm
2408 State Route 169, Little Falls (315) 823-1133 Open through Dec. 23, Wed-Sun: 12-3 www.christmastreesny.org/custom/ naturewood
The Stanley Center for the Arts 259 Genesee St., Utica
Tickets: (315) 724-4000 www.thestanley.org
Friday, Saturdays and Sundays Through December 19th, 5-7pm
Mohawk Valley Choral Society: Christmas Collage
Featuring all sorts of holiday fun such as caroling, food trucks, hot drinks, Santa, and numerous light displays!
A series of individual pieces of the season under the direction of Mr. Randy Davite
Bright Nights at the Utica Zoo
Sun., December 12, 3pm
Utica Zoo
One Utica Zoo Way, Utica (315) 738-0472 • www.uticazoo.org
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
2222 Genesee St, Utica • www.mvchoral.org Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Tickets may be reserved by emailing the Chorus at: mail@mvchoral.org or by calling (315) 826-3092
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Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe
Janice Wnuk, Garden Mentor
707 Bleecker Street, Utica, New York 315-735-9712
Facebook.com/HyperJanice • email: HyperJanice@yahoo.com 28
Mon 7-3, Wed-Sat 7-3, Sun 7-Noon
PULASKI MEAT MARKET
Homemade Polish Foods Variety of Kielbasa • Cold Cuts Pierogi • Golabki
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Tree Farm
Open Nov 3 through Dec 23 Wed.-Sun., 10am - 6pm
2408 St. Rt. 169, Little Falls (315) 823-1133
Moving to 4576 Middle Settlement Rd. in January! (Just south of Lowe’s) 433 Coventry Ave., Utica • www.alisonsjewelry.net 315 733-7676 Tues-Fri: 10:30-5, Sat: 10:30-1:30
Mon-Fri Open Daily, Sat & Sun 9-6
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Christmas Open House!
Gift Baskets!
Naturewood Knoll Trees, wreaths, greens, fine art, toys, ornaments, stocking stuffers!
Fresh Wreaths Customed Designed by Order!
Massoud’s
Holiday trays made to order!
Weekends Nov 27-Dec 19 Sat 9-4, Sun 12-4 (or call for appt.)
www.benandjudyssugarhouse.com
Available at: Peter’s Cornucopia, Twin Orchards, Stoltzfus Dairy 770 Beaver Creek Rd., West Edmeston • (315) 899-5864 • Find us on Facebook!
See Santa!
Sat., December 4, 12-3
at Florissante Christma–s 2021 –
Holiday Family Tours Dec. 4 & 5 • Dec. 11 & 12 Dec. 18 & 19 11am – 5pm No cover charge - however donations are appreciated! We reserve the right of admission. Group tours (10+) must register in advance. Bus groups accommodated Thursdays & Fridays with advance registration. Space is limited and tours will be conducted accordingly.
4036 Lyons Falls Rd. • Lyonsdale, NY 13368
315 348-4417 www.florissantethemansion.com
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Are you prepared for winter?
Generac whole house generators will keep you up and running during blustery weather. Call to schedule a free site inspection and estimate.
See us for the best prices & service in CNY!
Visit our large showroom in Deansboro Gas inserts • Fireplaces (wood, coal, pellet, or gas) Stoves (wood, coal, pellet, or gas) • Furnaces (wood, coal, pellet, or gas) Hot water tanks • Water softeners • Space heaters Fire pits & patio furniture All our products are installed and serviced by certified in-house technicians.
BUELL FUELS Hearth & Home
2676 Route 12B, Deansboro • (315) 841-3000 w w w.bu el l f u el.c om
Available in December.. Fantastic Apples!
Including Crispin, Empire, MacIntosh, Jonagold, Ever Crisp and many more. Also Pears, Butternut Squash, Potatoes & Cabbage.
Fresh Sweet Apple Cider! Local maple syrup, honey, and Adirondack cheese! Also Frontier Soups, and Utica Coffee!
Gifts of distinction for women, men, children and infants.
clothing and giftware for men, women, children and infants
20 West Park Row, Clinton, NY 315.853.3650 www.kriziamartin.com Open: Mon-Sat 10-6, and Sundays after Thanksgiving
LIQUORS & WINES
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
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 Artisan Cheese Curd Our Cows, Our Milk, Our Cheese
Family Owned for 70 Years 4695 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY (315) 736-5883 Open Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5
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Complimentary gift wrapping!
Farm store open dailyaged cheese, ground beef, eggs and more. (315) 831-3276
Check our website for new Holiday shipping options.
9628 Prospect Rd., Remsen
www.grassycowdairy.com
Hamilton College Special Events Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert Friday, December 3, 7:30pm
Chamber Ensembles Winter Concert
Saturday, December 4, 7:30pm
Christmas in Little Falls • Friday & Saturday, December 10 & 11
Hamilton Voices Katie Kring’s Forgotten Voices
Celebration of Lights Friday at Canal Place. 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
based on texts by homeless members of the Springfield Street Choir in Springfield, MO.
Sunday, December 5, 7:30pm
Hamilton College Choir
Victorian Yuletide at Fountain Elms
Wednesday, December 8, 7:30pm
Through January 2, 2022
Hamilton College Orchestra Winter Concert
Celebrate the holiday season with the annual Victorian Yuletide exhibition.
Fountain Elms
Friday, December 10, 7:30pm
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute 310 Genesee Street, Utica (315) 797-0000
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center Hamilton College, Clinton www.hamiltonpa.org
Give a Gift that’s Warm & Fuzzy POINSETTIAS FRESH CUT FRASIER FIR � BALSAM CHRISTMAS TREES KISSING BALLS � WREATHS CANDY CANES AND CROSSES HOLIDAY CENTERPIECES CHRISTMAS GARDENING GIFTS GIFT CERTIFICATES Keep thier fingers toasty in the popular “Bernie” mittens!
Home & garden accents, fine art, photography, jewelry, clothes, accessories, soaps and candles, children’s items & much more!
Open 7 days a week at 1 College St, Clinton • (315) 853-1453 Follow us: Artisans’ Corner of Clinton, NY
8442 St. Hwy. 28
Richfield Springs
(315) 858-0955 31
classical mv
“Doctuh” Michael Woods Hometown/current town: Akron, Ohio/Clinton, NY Instruments: electric bass, upright bass, and music composition Age when began music: Started playing violin at age 8 or 9. By age 11, he was earning money performing. Education: Majored in composition and minored in string bass at Indiana University (M.M.) and the University of Oklahoma (D.M.A.) Current position: Professor of Music at Hamilton College Collaborations: I have collaborated with dancers... I have played bass for choirs... I have interpreted paintings... I have backed up singers... I have had my compositions played by solo pianists and orchestras. Influences: Duke Ellington, Christian MacBride, Joshua Redman, James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Yalonda Adams, Walter Hawkins, Jaco Pastorius, Igor Stravinsky, Béla Bartók, and Richard Strauss Upcoming performance: “Doctuh” Michael Woods will present a suite of new pieces on Friday, April 1, 2022 at Wellin Hall in the Schambach Center at Hamilton College. The concert is free.
In cooperation with
I am always trying to write and play music that is designed to make people happy in a deep intrinsic way. As a black man, I want to create a vortex of happy, funky, informed sounds. Photo: Sharry Whitney
Kitchen & Bath Cabinets Hardwood Flooring & Countertops
Cabinetry for Every Budget!
FREE In-Home Estimates Installation Available
315-822-0010
Corner of Rte. 8 & 20, Bridgewater Showroom Open Tues 11-6, Wed-Sat 11-4 or by appt. www.knottybynature.com
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Cabinetry by Shiloh, Aspect & Waypoint
Over 30 years in Business
Lessons Repairs Layaway Rentals Sheet Music Lighting L SHOP LOCA AND SAVE BIG!
Layaway now for Christmas!
School Instrument Rental Programs New & Used Musical Instruments WE BUY USED EQUIPMENT
(315) 732-3502
8441 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford www.bigapplemusic.net
We Will B Any Catalo eat g or M Order Pric ail e
On the farm with Suzie
windows by Suzie Jones
I love windows and, in particular, clean windows. I don’t relish washing them, necessarily, but I’d gladly argue that a crystal-clear, clean window is one of life’s simplest pleasures. I recently spent a warm(ish) week in November washing all 19 windows and a set of French doors on the house and squeegeed several dozen windows in the barn. A clean window lets in so much more light! And with cobwebs dusted away, my indoor world is brighter and air—a change in both environment and attitude that will help carry me through the long, dark winter to come. Maybe it’s because we spend so much of our time outdoors during the warmer months of the year or maybe because I don’t particularly enjoy being “cooped up” indoors, but I have always loved the way windows bring the outside into my home. To maximize the effect, the windows of our house are unadorned with curtains or blinds. Yes, that means our east-facing bedroom is flooded with early morning light in
Young Harper washes windows for her mum
Located at the Shoppes at the Finish Line Mon: 9:30 - 8, Tues - Fri: 9:30 - 5 Sat: 10- 4
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All!
Visit Our Showroom!
•Carpet •Hardwood •Laminate
•Linoleum •Ceramic Tile •Vinyl Tile
Michael SanFilippo Owner
315-733-3697 Why pay more? Come to Mike’s Floor Store!
3 Main St., Whitesboro • EMAIL: mikesfloorstore@gmail.com 33
Suzie with baby sister Erika, 1976 the summer and that we can see what is going on outside no matter what the weather. It also means that anyone driving by our house in the evening can see into our well-lit living room and perhaps even see what we’re watching on TV. That has never bothered me. In fact, I see it as a worthwhile trade-off and rather like keeping tabs on the sporadic traffic on our seasonal road! My love of windows goes back to early childhood. My young parents first rented a basement apartment— damp, dark, and uninteresting with inadequate natural light. But then we moved to an old farmhouse on a small pig farm in Iowa and it was full of tall, old-fashioned windows—the kind with mullions and divided glass panes. They seemed so grand! My earliest memories are of watching the farmers moving equipment around the yard or of petting the barn cats in the warm sunlight pouring in from those windows. My dad had an easel set up on the enclosed porch where he would dabble in oils on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The light and the warmth provided by those windows give me warm and fuzzy feelings to this day. Even then, I appreciated a clean window. During the last weeks of my mother’s pregnancy with my younger sister, Erika, I decided I would wash windows for my exhausted mum. I didn’t ask permission; I thought I’d surprise her! Unfortunately, five-year-old me chose to use her favorite bottle of perfume and used the curtains to do the wiping. (Who wouldn’t want their house to
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Quality. Experience. Inspiration. • Kiln Dried Hardwoods and Softwoods • Hardwood and Pine flooring • Mouldings • Wall Coverings • Siding
Now Buying Hardwood Logs Follow us on facebook Wightman Specialty Woods
Phone: 607-286-9201
www.wightmanspecialtywoods.com Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 4:30pm Sat: 8:00am - 12:00pm
146 County Highway 35a Portlandville, NY 13834 35
Wine & Spirits Ilion
10 East Main St., Ilion • (315) 894-8142 Open Mon-Sat: 9-9, Sun: 12-5 • All credit cards accepted
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smell of Emeraude?) The big green bottle seemed perfect for the job. Not surprisingly, Mom didn’t appreciate my efforts! Since moving to our farm, I’ve discovered that barn windows represent a great deal of work and upkeep. Younger goats like to jump onto window sills and older goats like to lick or scrape ice off of glass panes with their front lower teeth. We’ve had our fair share of broken glass and busted mullions over the years and every year we try to fix windows or outsmart animals. I’d say we’re not overly successful at either! One year, I replaced broken panes and re-glazed nearly 20 windows in the barn, carefully leaning the freshly glazed windows against the building to “set” before painting and putting them back in their rightful places. The next morning, to my extreme disappointment, I found that our free-ranging chickens had discovered my fresh glaze and pecked it all out! They ate every last bit of glazing they could reach. When customers come to our farm store, they are treated to a wall of windows looking into our cheese plant. The added natural light and ability to look out is good for us cheesemakers and our spirits, but even better to shed light on the work we do here. Customers can see what we’re working on and ask questions about our processes. We will often slide the windows open to check on newcomers or chat with regulars. I can’t imagine having a solid wall between us and the outside world; windows are so much more welcoming. Letting the world in feels so good, especially if the windows are sparkling clean. •
Suzie Jones and her husband, Peter, own Jones Family Farm in Herkimer. Together, with their children, they produce specialty goat cheeses and gelato. Find them at local farmers’ markets and online at www.anotherjonesfamilyfarm.com
Christmas Bling!
Come in and fill out a wish list! Check TheGoldMineJewelers.com for Our Special Holiday Hours
4662 Commercial Drive, New Hartford • 315-736-0662
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Mohawk Valley nature
Camping in Woodpecker Park story & photos by matt perry
Call for pick-up
315-793-3114 Gary chases Astrid
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895 Babcock Hill Rd., West Winfield (315) 822-5135
urbanik’s paint co. Best Paint! Best Prices! Best Service! 1420 Oriskany St. W., Utica • (315) 724-5129 Mon-Fri: 8am-5:30pm, Sat: 8am-1pm • www.urbanikspaintco.com
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During the summer I did some camping at a lake park in northeastern Ohio. I went with my girlfriend Wendy and her family. We also planned to meet up with fellow vegans that had reserved several camping sites in the same park. I had never camped in a public camping area before, so it was bound to be an interesting experience. Being in a public camping ground is something like being in a suburban neighborhood if you took all the houses away, leaving only people, yards, and driveways. I also couldn’t shake the feeling I was living in a diorama, the kind you might see in a natural history museum; one that illustrates how ancient people lived. So, I lived in a diorama for two days, and during that time I got to observe how wildlife and people shared the same space. Two bird species that have become rarities in the Mohawk Valley are common in Northeastern Ohio. Those species are the Red-headed Woodpecker and the Red-shouldered Hawk. While I was in the park, I heard both fairly frequently. As it happened, my notion of Red-headed Woodpeckers as a shy retiring species was completely upended by what I found and heard. Around the park, they were the opposite of reserved. They were boisterous. They shrieked, gave chase, hawked for insects, and banged on trees in the finest woodpecker tradition. Out of the six woodpecker species I found in the park, the Red-headed was the most common. The composition of the forest was woodpecker-friendly. Shagbark Hickory, Red Oak, and American Beech were common trees, and all seemed poised for a large nut production year. As for the Red-shouldered
Hawks, I had to exercise caution identifying them by sound since most Blue Jays in the area mimicked their cries. The whole time I was camping, I was keenly aware of all the birds inhabiting the trees around us. As far as I could tell, virtually everyone else was oblivious to the world of birdlife around them. I’d point something out, something like the whistled call of an Eastern Wood Pewee, or a sharp cackle of a Pileated Woodpecker, and it would elicit little or no reaction. Non-bird people are strange. It made me wonder what people like about camping. I assumed it was nature itself. It can’t be the food, right? Speaking of food, vegans don’t go in for a lot of weenie roasting. They can since vegan hotdogs and hamburgers exist. There are even vegan marshmallows available for those vegans that refuse to deprive themselves of a legitimate S’more experience. Regardless, our first camping meal was a gourmet Indian dish – certainly not your typical camping fare. Wendy prepared the meal using the startlingly well-appointed kitchen station she made in the back of her van. Late in the morning, we had a visit from Richard, the fellow that set up the vegan group camp. Richard was a big blond guy who looked like he could be cast in the role of Leif Erickson in a low-budget production of a Nordic Saga. Richard gave us a cheery welcome to the campgrounds. However, he did express his disappointment that our group was so far separated from the other vegan campers. They all had adjoining lots at the top of the park road we were on. We considered
Pileated Woodpecker being with them until we found out that their lots contained no trees and more resembled a croquet lawn. We had instead opted for a spot in a much more wooded section. Our choice didn’t go over well with Richard, but it was the only way that we would’ve considered participating in the enterprise. We wrapped up our meeting with Richard with a promise that we would join the vegans for a potluck dinner on their croquet lawn the following day. We would be bringing some unlikely Indian food and Richard promised a dish he called lasagna soup. After dinner and cleanup, Wendy’s family and I settled down to doing whatever it is camping people do. This is always the hardest part for me since I don’t do downtime very well. My default position is to work on naturalist projects, but I had
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come to experience quality time with the family and spending hours alone looking at plants or tapping away on a laptop would not have gone over well. I thought about playing my guitar, but there was no way I was going to be the guy that plays guitar around a campfire. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Instead, I opted to play a game with the kids. They had gotten out a deck of cards and, following a few rounds of some inexplicable game they tried to teach me, I taught them how to play poker. We retired to our tents fairly late and when we did, I listened hard for the sounds of nocturnal creatures. I don’t think fifteen minutes had passed before a cleanup crew of raccoons began systematically working their way through the campgrounds. None of them tried to enter the tents. They just sniffed around outside, snarfing up any tidbit of food they found. They probably don’t get curried cauliflower very often, so hopefully, they appreciated the treat. At about four in the morning, from the tree canopy above our tents, I heard the whistled calls of Eastern Wood Pewees. Flycatchers like the pewees could make a good living on the many flying insects that buzzed around the lake’s woods. Initially, the Pewees weren’t singing their full songs (a swooping whistled “peeee-a-weeee”) but began with shorter whistles and soft trills. Their namesake song didn’t get going until after 5:30 AM. By then, Red-headed Woodpeckers had entered the chorus with quick shrieks and raspy “chur” notes. Blue Jays were calling as well, and most mimicked the harsh cries of Red-shouldered
Hawks. Two actual Red-shouldered Hawks were also calling from somewhere not far off. Indeed, even this late in July, the woods were alive with bird activity. At 6 am, I eagerly exited my tent, grabbed my binoculars, and set out to find out what else was happening in nature. Unfortunately, there were no good foot trails in the park, only access roads, and areas that were cleared for games and other activities. To cover more ground, I decided to borrow Wendy’s bicycle and pedaled through houseless suburbia, and took the roads that weaved through the park. High in the leafy branches of the trees along the roadside flitted chickadee-sized birds called Warbling Vireos. The olive-colored insectivores were giving nasal-sounding alarm calls, probably in reaction to a family of jays that had entered the tree line. Vireos were done breeding by this point in July, but these parents still had young to protect. Of course, the young had been out of the nest and were practically indistinguishable from their parents. At that stage, they were no longer vulnerable to nest-robbers like jays. A little further up the road, I could make out a large bird perched on top of a dead snag. It was an adult Osprey, and she was using her prominent hooked bill to dig into a fish held tightly in her talons. She gave a few short, whistled calls in reaction to my presence, but held her place and continued feeding. She was obviously accustomed to park visitors gawking at her. There was a strong likelihood that she had a nest nearby – perhaps on the other side of the lake. Later, I scanned the opposite shore and could just
make out a cell tower that held a heavy stick nest. Perhaps that was hers. After a few minutes of observing the Osprey, I climbed back onto the bike and headed up the road and towards the beach park. Along the road, willows and other scraggly trees rose high above the ditch. From those trees emanated the distinctive metallic call notes of a songbird called a Blue Gray Gnatcatcher. Like the vireo, the gnatcatcher is a species inhabiting riparian grove habitat – essentially, wooded rivers and lakesides. Over the past two decades, both the vireo and gnatcatcher have become far less common in the Mohawk Valley, so it was good to find them here. After scanning with my binoculars for a few minutes I picked out the gnatcatcher. She was actively flitting below the crown of a willow
Osprey
315-853-5001
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Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 8-1, Tues & Wed by appt.
SHAW’S
Cold Cuts, Pecorino Romano, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Imported Provolone, & much more! Visit us for all your Italian Favorites! You’ll love our prices!
1150 McQuade Ave., Utica Mon, Thurs, Fri: 8-4, Wed: 8-3, Sat: 8-Noon, Closed Sun & Tues • 315-724-5578
MAPLE PRODUCTS Find our syrup & products at local stores and our new store at 7945 Maxwell Rd., Clinton (visit our website for retail locations)
Visit our new store! Open Thurs & Fri: 10-4, Sat: 10-2, or call anytime! 315-725-0547 • www.shawsmapleproducts.com
Bossone’s Sausage & Meat Co. Prince-Boyd & Hyatt 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
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Utica’s Pork Store
Try our Famous Sausage!
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tree. Her movements were almost dance-like as she navigated through the branches and foliage. As she snapped up insects, she jerked her long, white-bordered tail from side to side. Her adult-sized young remained mostly concealed in the foliage behind her. At one point the whole family darted across the road and vanished into the woods. My next stop was at a pull-off which opened into a large meadow. At the far edge of the meadow, I saw a doe with three spotted fawns. All but one fawn followed their mother into the woods when they saw me. That fawn had an inflated sense of his own power. He was trying to get me to leave. He gradually came closer; stopping occasionally to vigorously stomp his front right hoof on the ground. I’ve seen adult deer perform this kind of intimidation tactic many times, but I’ve never seen a fawn do it. He must have just learned this technique. Perhaps he had some success with it chasing off a rabbit that was vying for his dandelion greens, and now he thought he would try it on a park monkey. He came ludicrously close to me, stomping the entire time. Finally, he decided I was far scarier up close. He turned and ran back across the meadow to join his family, his long white tail flagging as he bounded. Before reaching the beach park, I passed a marina. Watercraft of various shapes and sizes crowded the docks. Beyond that were some picnic grounds and the beach. I took an access road that went through a wooded area. When I emerged from the trees, the first thing that struck me was the dramatic sunrise. The sun hung over the water like a volcanic jewel set in an ashen sky. The sun appeared to torch the lake beneath it with a fire that blazed a jagged path across the water. As it happened, the haze was caused by the ensuing western wildfires. For weeks, smoke from the fires blanketed the Great Lakes States including Ohio and New York. It seriously compromised our air quality while providing us with dramatic sunrises and sunsets. It dawned on me that we hadn’t picked the best weekend to camp outdoors. In the early morning, few people were in the park. The place seemed to be wholly in the possession of the animals. Canada geese, Ring-billed Gulls, Killdeer, and Gray Squirrels walked confidently among the trees, buildings, and playground equipment. Most rewarding for me was seeing an influx of Red-headed Woodpeckers. It had been so many years since I had seen anything close to this. At least a dozen were in the park’s older trees, foraging, drumming, and chasing after each other. Some were juvenile birds hatched earlier in the summer. The youngsters lacked the red plumage on their heads, but their overall pattern was like their parent’s. These were not the retiring Red-heads that I had known in the Mohawk Valley. These birds were not afraid to show themselves. They were obvious as they hung on the sides of tree trunks and nearly as obvious as they foraged for acorns in the treetops. On the beach, I saw the remains of a large sandcastle. To my surprise, it was one I was familiar with. Wendy’s children had made it the day before and had shown me pictures of it. It was now in the possession of an occupying goose army. They stood around it, preening, and conversing in low honks. Swallows dove and darted over their heads, skimming the water,
Canada Geese take over the sandcastle
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and scooping up flying insects. Their odd squeegee-like vocalizations told me they were Barn Swallows. Further down the beach, I perceived a handful of migrant sandpipers, all freshly arrived from their arctic breeding grounds. Collectively referred to as “peeps”, these sparrow-sized shorebirds were feeding on invertebrates plucked from the wet sand at the edge of the water. The flock kept in loose formation as they trotted along the shore. Occasionally, they would all flush into flight, only to land together, 20 or 30 feet further up the beach. The cryptic coloration and the pattern of their plumage make them difficult to identify from a distance, but bill shape and size, along with leg color helped me to discern species. Four of them were Least Sandpipers. Their bills were relatively long and down curved, and their legs
Warbling Vireo
were light. One was a Semipalmated Sandpiper. It had a more tubular shaped, black bill, and dark legs. Along with the geese and gulls, the pint-sized sandpipers owned the beach, but things were changing fast. The park’s human residents were now awake, and they were slowly filtering onto the beach. I looked out into the water and saw what looked like a distant boardwalk covered with erect dark figures. I first thought it was a line of cormorants, standing stoically on a break wall, and drying off after a breakfast swim. But they weren’t birds; they were human fishermen, all standing in their boats. The boats comprised a flotilla of probably 50 strong. Lake fish beware, these folks meant business! At around eight o’clock the flock of Ring-billed Gulls that had been occupying the east section of the parking lot began to shift. As a group, they lifted into the air and careened across the sky in front of me. Simultaneously the geese were dispossessed from their section of the beach. They trotted into flight with noisy excitement and quickly formed a flock. They went one way, and the gulls went another. Back at camp, we had arranged to meet up with the vegans at their campground for a potluck meal. At noon we prepared food and walked over to join them. Following introductions, everyone sat in a circle to share conversation and some unlikely vegan camping foods. At one point I became distracted by a Red-shouldered Hawk that called from the tree border. It was definitely not a jay! I seemed to be the only one in the group that noticed the shrieking cries. At one point the
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hawk noisily exited the tree line and flew towards the south. Once again, nobody even turned their head to see it. Would there have been a similar non-reaction had it been a Pterodactyl? Richard talked to us for a little while. He had a mountain of cob corn roasting on an open fire near his seat. I asked him about his journey to veganism. Was it because of the considerable damage that raising billions of animals for food does to the environment? Was it because of the inhumane treatment of animals inherent in factory farming? Was it due to the destruction of ocean life brought about by relentless industrial fishing? Nope, none of that came into play for him. Veganism for him seemed to be nothing more than a fad diet. Oh well, at least he was helping the environment, however unwittingly. At one point Wendy and I followed Richard over to see his camping rig. It was a compact pod trailer that seemed modern and sophisticated. I could almost imagine it packed with astronauts and hanging in low orbit around the planet. I was afraid to touch any of the buttons on the control panels for fear of launching us. While he was talking to us, he told us he had a boat and offered to take us out for a ride around the lake. I was intrigued since there was a potentially bird-rich swamp on the east side of the lake – a place I had been unable to get near on foot. Perhaps I could see it from his boat. So, Wendy and I agreed to go out with him. Fifteen minutes later we were making our way to the marina where his boat was. He started the boat’s gas engine after we pushed away from the dock. Proceeding slowly, he ma-
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neuvered the craft through the marked channels pecker. It was perched on the side of a tall snag. that led away from the marina. From there he He ratcheted his way up the trunk until he was out started heading out toward the center of the lake. of our view. He then made a low swooping flight I wanted him to take us to the swamp, but he had to another dead tree that stood further out over the other plans. When we reached the middle of the water. As he flew, we saw the bold blue and white lake, he let out the throttle and we started tear- pattern on his wings and back. With his solid red ing along at what seemed like head, the bird looked like 1,000 MPH (It was probably a flying piece of patriotic only 35 MPH). I started quickbunting – red, white, and ly scanning the water for birds blue. There was a Wood that might be un-flighted and Pewee in another tree could be disturbed by the boat and a statue-like Great or its wake. I expressed my Blue Heron hunting the concern about the birds, but I shallows, but few other wasn’t even sure he could hear birds were around. It was me over the screaming engine. midafternoon and not the “Birds get out of the way,” was best time to experience what Richard said and hopefulbird diversity. We soon ly that would be true. He did called it a day and hiked say he liked birds at one point back to our camp. which was mildly encourag The next day was Least Sandpiper ing. The truth is, I didn’t really Sunday and the morning know what birds were breeding was devoted to packing around the lake – not all the speup. By the afternoon we cies anyhow. Besides the geese and Wood Ducks would be checking out of the park. We weren’t that I saw with young that morning, there may alone. Virtually every family in our camping have been young cormorants or grebes that were neighborhood was doing the same thing. It was flightless and on the lake. a mass exodus. Instead of being compelled by After our boat trip, Wendy and I got dropped the storm surge of a hurricane or an encroachoff at a wooded cove that a park attendant had ing forest fire, this evacuation was spurred by informed me of earlier in the day. The man told the coming of the workweek. Down came the me he had found it packed with birdlife. In the tents and assorted camping paraphernalia. All cove, we immediately saw a Red-headed Wood- were systematically stowed by our novice team
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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.
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of disassemblers. I noticed that we seemed to be accomplishing our task more slowly than the campers around us. One by one, they abandoned their lots, leaving us increasingly isolated in the woods. As the people ceded the territory, animals came in – primarily birds and squirrels. Blue Jays swooped in and investigated each vacated camping area, seeking stray tidbits and snacks. Gray Squirrels and American Crows also ransacked these areas and seemed less discerning about what discovered morsel was edible. Blackbirds, Robins, and an adult male Baltimore Oriole, also filled the trees around us. What their objective for being there was not clear to me, but they certainly made the habitat a far more interesting place. Camping had been an interesting adventure and one we may repeat sometime in the future. I will look forward to it and to recounting the experience on these pages. •
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Free Performances
Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert • Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30pm
Monk Rowe directs the Hamilton College Jazz Ensemble in their winter concert. Free
Hamilton Voices • Sunday, December 5 Songs from the Streets Documentary at 6pm Performance at 7:30pm
Charlotte Botha conducts Hamilton Voices in Katie Kring’s Forgotten Voices based on texts by homeless members of the Springfield Street Choir in Springfield, MO.
Hamilton College Choir • Wednesday, Dec. 8, 7:30pm
Charlotte Botha directs the Hamilton College Choir in Together, a program celebrating the choir’s endurance and commitment to one another during the rigid restrictions on singing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hamilton College Orchestra Winter Concert • Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30pm Heather Buchman conducts the overture to Carl Maria von Weber’s opera, Oberon, and Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) by Missy Mazzoli.
Contact me to find out more:
LINDA FOX, FSCP
Box Office info & tickets
Agent
239 Academy St Boonville, NY 13309-1329 linda.fox@american-national.com
(315) 859-4331
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
Wellin Hall, Schambach Center for Music and the Performing Arts
Vaccination and masks required
www.hamilton.edu/college/performingarts
december
GALLERY GUIDE
The exhibit The Winter 46 at View Center for the Arts is an inspiring collection of still photography marking the first time anyone has ever documented the entire Winter 46 in high definition for the public.
The Holiday Show & Sale Through December 23, 2021
Paintings, jewelry, apparel, cards, ornaments, ceramics, photography and so much more, all made by the local and regional artists in our membership.
Cooperstown Art Association Main St., Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-9777 www.cooperstownart.com
Fritz Vogt Drawings: A Sense of Place Through December 30, 2021
Architectural portraits representating the region’s architecture, commerce, and social history.
Arkell Museum
2 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie, NY • (518) 673-2314 • www.arkellmuseum.org
Elegant New York
Christmas House Featuring a Variety of Vendors
Through December 31, 2021 23 garments drawn from the Museum’s collection, displaying the taste and elegance of denizens and dressmakers of New York City and upstate through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Through December 2021 Fusion Art Gallery
8584 Turin Road, Rome, NY (315) 338-5712 www.photoshoppeofrome.com
Fenimore Art Museum 5798 Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-1400 www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
eflections Full Moon R Art Center et 80 Main Stre 13316 Camden, NY 9 (315)820-426
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Street
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Small Works 2021
David ‘RC’ Oster
Through January 8, 2022
Through December 31, 2021 Meet the Artist: Sat., Dec. 11, 12-4pm
A gallery favorite featuring works on a small scale. Includes a diverse array of styles and themes.
Kirkland Art Center
Open: Tues & Thurs: 10-2, Sat: 1-4 E. Park Row, Clinton, NY (315) 853-8871 • kacny.org
Isabelle de Borchgrave: Fashioning Art from Paper Through January 9, 2022
Twenty-five finely detailed freehand ink illustrations of buildings and architectural landmarks.
MV Center for the Arts
401 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY (315) 823-0808 www.mohawkvalleyarts.org
The Winter 46 December 3, 2021-March 19, 2022
Nearly 100 intricately detailed artworks celebrating more than 500 years of fashion history created using only paper and hand painting to dazzling effect.
Exhibit brings to life the journey of emerging photographer Jonathan Zaharek, who climbed all 46 High Peaks in a span of just 3 months during the height of winter.
MWPAI
View
310 Genesee Street, Utica, NY (315) 797-0000 www.mwpai.org
3273 Rt. 28, Old Forge, NY (315) 369-6411 • www.viewarts.org
Having an art opening? Let us know so we can list it here for free! Email: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com
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Advertiser Directory please support Our sponsors, they make this magazine possible Antiques Antiques & Art Westmoreland . . . . . . . . . Attic Addicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black Cat Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Broad Street Flea Market . . . . . . . The Bull Farm Antiques . . . . . . . . . . Butternut Barn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Canal House Antiques . . . . . . . Dawn Marie’s Treasures. . . . . . . . . Fort Plain Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . The Gallery Antiques at Pinebrick . . . Little Falls Antique Center . . . . . . . Madison Inn Antiques . . . . . . . . Mohawk Antiques Mall . . . . . . . Mohawk Valley Community Market. . . The Online Exchange, Dolgeville . . . . . . . The Potting Shed Antiques . . . . . . . Showcase Antiques, . . . . . . . . . Victorian Rose . . . . . . . . . . . Weeden’s Mini Mal . . . . . . . . . . Whistle Post Antiques . . . . . . . . .
14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 16 15 16 16 16 16 16
Antique Auctioneers Nye & Company Auctioneers . . . . . . . . . . 16 Apples, U-Pick North Star Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Art Galleries/Museums Full Moon Reflections . . . . . . Fusion Art Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . Fountain Elms at MWPAI . . . . . . . . . Yorkville Framing & Art Gallery . . . . .
43 29 . 3 43
Art and Custom Framing Fusion Art Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Heartwood Gift Barn . . . . . . . . . 25 Yorkville Framing & Art Gallery . . . . . 43 Art and Pottery Classes Azure Arts Pottery . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Awards and Engraving Speedy Awards and Engraving . . . . . . 25 Auto Dealerships Steet-Ponte Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . 47 Automotive Repair Clinton Collision . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Bakeries and Pastry Shops Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe . . . Karam’s Middle East Bakery Ramon’s Bakery . . . . . . Utica Bread . . . . .
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Bike Shops Dick’s Wheel Shop . . . . . . . . . . 17 Books Berry Hill Book Shop. . . . . . . . . 46 Treehouse Reading Room . . . . . . . . 22 Cabinets and Kitchens Custom Woodcraft. . . . . . . . . 20 Knotty By Nature . . . . . . . . . 32 Candy So Sweet Candy Shoppe . . . . . . . . . 6 Catering Club Monarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 RoSo’s Cafe & Catering . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Willie’s The Original Bagel Cafe . . . . . . 12 CBD Products RAW ADK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Utica Hemp, New Hartford . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Charities House of the Good Shepherd . . . . . . . Cheese Grassy Cow Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Jewett’s Cheese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Stoltzfus Family Dairy . . . . . . . . . . 41
Christmas Trees Massoud’s Tree Farm . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Naturewood Knoll . . . . . . . . . . . 29 North Star Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Clothing Paca Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Queen’s Closet . . . . . . . . . . 14 Consignment The Online Exchange . . . . . . . . . 15 The Queen’s Closet . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Contractors Ed Smith Contractor and Handyman . . . . . . . 22 Delis and Meats Bosonne’s Sausage . . . . . . . . . . . . Little Italy Imports . . . . . . . . . . . Meelan’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . Mohawk Village Market . . . . . . Olde Kountry Market . . . . . . . . . Pulaski Meat Market . . . . . . . . . . . Diners Charlie’s Place . . . . Riverside Diner . . . . Sheri’s Eastside Diner . . Wendy’s Diner . . . .
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Janice Wnuk, Garden Mentor . . . . . . . . . 28 Krizia Martin, Clinton . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Shoppes at the Finish Line . . . . . . . . . 18 The Tepee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Whistle Post Creations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Grocery Stores, Co-ops, and Convenience Stores Deansboro Superette . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Little Italy Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Olde Kountry Market . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mohawk Village Market . . . . . . . 41 Richfield Springs Community Food Cooperative . . . . . 25 Handyman/Repairs Ed Smith Contractor and Handyman . . . . . . . . . 22 Hardware/Lumber/Farm & Home Lincoln Davies . . . . . . . . . . Morgan’s Hardware . . . . . . . . Turner Lumber . . . . . . . . Wightman Specialty Woods . . . . . . .
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Hearth Shops and Fuel Buell Fuel Hearth & Home . . . . . . . . . . 30 Insurance Farm Family Insurance . . Gates-Cole Insurance . . HBE Group, Inc. . . . . . . Turnbull Insurance . . .
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Dog Sitting Barney’s Angels . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Interior Design/Custom Window Treatments The Added Touch Drapery . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Doors, Residential & Commercial JM Door Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Ironwork Raulli’s Iron Works . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Estate Sales Attic Addicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Potting Shed Antiques . . . . . . . . . . 16
Jewelry Alison’s Jewelry & Repair . . . . . . . . . 29 Fall Hill bead & Gem . . . . . . . . . . 9 Goldmine Jewelers . . . . . . . . 36
Events, Entertainment, and Activities Florissante The Mansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Goodsell Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Hamilton College Performing Arts . . . . . . . . 42 MWPAI, Victorian Yuletide at Fountain Elms . . . . . 3 Farm Equipment Clinton Tractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Hobby Hill Farm Sales . . . . . . . . . . 35 White’s Farm Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Farm Markets Cooperstown Farmers Market . . . . . . . Horn’s Family Farm . . . . . . . . Oneida County Public Market . . . . . Twin Orchards . . . . . . . . . . .
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25 27 28 30
Financial Services Van Meter & Van Meter, . . . . . . . . . . 19 Flooring Mike’s Floor Store . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Funeral Services Prince-Boyd & Hyatt . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Furniture Ironwood Furniture . . . . . Jeff ’s Amish Furniture . . John Froass and Son . . . Shoppes at the Finish Line .
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42 26 38 18
Furniture Makers Custom Woodcraft . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Garden Center and Greenhouses Casler Flower Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Green Lakes Home and Garden . . . 31 North Star Orchards . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Szarek’s Succulent Shack . . . . . . . . . 46
Lighting Mills Electrical Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Liquor Stores and Wine Ilion Wine & Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Prospect Falls Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Trenton Station Liquor & Wine . . . . . . . . . 30 Maple Syrup Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Shaw’s Maple Products . . . . . . . . . . 39 Tibbits Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Meats (See Delis) Monuments & Memorials Yorkville Memorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Musical Instrument Sales, Rentals, Lessons Big Apple Music . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Natural Food Stores Cooperstown Naturals . . . . . . . . 22 Peter’s Cornucopia . . . . . . . . 44 Optometrists Towpath Vision Care . . . . . . . . . 10 Paint and Painting Supplies Urbanik’s Paint & Wallpaper Co. . . . . . . . 37 Physical Therapy Achievement Therapy & Wellness . . . . . . . 21 Inertia PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Pizzerias DiCastro’s Brick Oven . . . . . . . . . . 12 Primo Pizzeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Tony’s Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
General Contractors Ed Smith Contractor and Handyman . . . . . . . . . 22
Portable Toilets and Bathrooms Mohawk Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Gift Shops/Shopping Artisans’ Corner . . . . . . . . . Between Us Sisters . . . . . . . . . . Building Stones Fair Trade Shoppe . . Casler Flower Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . Fusion Art Gallery . . . . . . .
Primitives Between Us Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Butternut Barn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Casler Flower Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
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Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse . Grassy Cow Dairy . . . . Jewett’s Cheese . . . . . . Shaw’s Maple Products . . . Stoltzfus Family Dairy . . Tibbits Maple . . . . . . .
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Quilt and Yarn Shops/Services Heartworks Quilts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Tiger Lily Quilt Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Real Estate Agents Howard Hanna .
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Restaurants and Cafés Ann St. Deli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Black Stallion Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . Buffalohead Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . Club Monarch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DiCastro’s Brick Oven . . . . . . . . . . . Gone Coastal . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karam’s Middle East Bakery . . . . . . . Killabrew . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ohio Tavern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phoenician Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . Riverside Diner, Marcy . . . . . . . . . . RoSo’s Cafe & Catering . . . . . . . . . . Route 69 Steakhouse . . . . . . . . Sammy and Annie Foods . . . . . The Tailor and The Cook . . . . . . . . Wendy’s Diner, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Willie’s The Original Bagel Cafe . . . . . . The Willows . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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last month’s crossword solution
sponsor news
Alison’s Jewelry & Repair Moves to New Location in January!
This January, Alison’s Jewelry will welcome shoppers to their new location at 4576 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, just south of Lowe’s Home Improvement. They will offer the same services, jewelry, and quality work, including the jewelry repair that they have specialized in since 1985. Also available is a wide selection of gold and silver, engagement and wedding rings, and unique fashion jewelry. Visit them soon at their new location in New Hartford!
Alison’s Jewelry
4576 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford (315) 733-7676 www.alisonsjewelry.net
Szarek’s Succulent Shack Jump-start your garden with our plant starts!
Our shack is stocked with: Oliver’s Organic Eggs, Kriemhild butter, Jones Family Farm cheeses, Shaw’s Maple products, Heartsease Hill honey, Kelly’s Jellies, and more! Fresh veggies & scones on Saturdays!
7443 E. South St., Clinton 315.853.5901 • Open Daily 9-4
Answer to last month’s puzzle,“‘Tis the season to ____ ____” : SHOP SMALL Winner: Nicole Kneedham of Mohawk
MV Living Crossword will return next month! 46
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
Raulli’s Iron Works
Custom hand-made iron railings, fences & gates.
www.raullis.com 133 Mill St., Rome, New York 315-337-8070
We had hundreds of entries in our annual $250 Village of Clinton Shopping Spree! Congratulations to our winner: Adara Wilczak of Clinton Thank you for all the entries!
Keeping Mohawk Valley Living on the road for years!
Welcome to the Steet-Ponte Auto Group family, Steet-Ponte Nissan! Steet-Ponte Nissan
4967 Commercial Drive • Yorkville (315) 864-7500 www.SteetPonteNissan.com
Steet-Ponte autogroup
Stop in today and see why it’s so easy to do business with Steet-Ponte! www.steetponteautogroup.com
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