AccordingtoIroquoisoriginlore,
Have you ever tapped a sugar maple? You should!
When I was eleven, my family moved from the suburbs of Syracuse to the Tug Hill plateau. The house we moved into had a huge evaporator just outside the back door. So, of course, that first spring we tapped about a dozen maple trees and made maple syrup. Everyone we knew received jars of maple syrup and my sisters and I gained a new appreciation for the work involved in making maple syrup. The old evaporator was removed the following year as my parents made home improvements, but for many years after, a local maple producer tapped dozens and dozens of sugar maples on our property, and, like magic, we had an endless supply of maple syrup—labor-free! (At least for us). When Lance and I moved our own young family to the village of Clinton to a small property (1/2 an acre instead of the 200+ acres I grew up on), we were happy to discover a lone sugar maple. Our three boys helped tap our tree and gather the sap. They learned quickly how much work it is to make such a small amount of syrup. We found the smallest little jars we could and labeled them “Lone Maple Farm maple syrup” and proudly shared our liquid gold with family and friends. •
A year ago, I embarked on a mission to chronicle the life history of a group of White-tailed Deer living at our nature sanctuary. Seeking an understanding of their behavior, I immersed myself in their society. I dedicated time to deciphering the subtle “language” of gestures they used to communicate with each other, employing these cues to gain acceptance within their ranks. The narrative that follows encapsulates a year’s worth of experiences, primarily centered around a group of does I labeled “the Clique.” As of January 2023, the clique’s regular members include: Daisy (five years old), Donkey (six years old), Daffodil (five years old), Mallow (four years old), Pickles (Mallow’s yearling offspring), and Olive (Mallow’s fawn). Throughout the year, these deer maintained regular visits to an overgrown grove of apple trees situated near the shore of our principal beaver pond. With unwavering dedication, they frequented the area once or twice daily, foraging for fallen fruit or curiously inspecting any provisions I brought down for the resident beavers. This shared routine provided a unique lens through which I could observe their interactions and behaviors against the backdrop of the pond and grove.
Discerning individual deer from one another posed less of a challenge during the colder months – roughly September through May. This was when most of my interactions with them occurred and was when their distinctive winter coats provided clear visual cues. In the warmer
months, deer develop sleeker, ruddier coats that lack the distinctive markings present in winter. Unique features, such as eye-rings and nose markings, which stand out prominently during the winter season, become somewhat indistinct in the spring and summer. Instead, I had to rely more on behavior to recognize and differentiate individuals at that time of year.
Daisy, distinguished by a deeply split left ear, maintained her unique identity irrespective of the seasonal changes in her coat. Beyond her ear slit, she stands out as a classically beautiful doe, exhibiting ideal markings and proportions. During the colder months, like most deer, her coat takes on a sandy brown hue, accentuated by well-defined white eye rings. Notably, the lower portion of her tail is black and remains that way throughout all seasons. Donkey resembles Daisy in markings and coloring, yet her broader nose and relatively slender tail set her apart. Daffodil shares facial markings and fur coloring with the other two but has a more exotic appearance due to her wide-set eyes. Like Donkey, her tail lacks any black portion. Mallow dons a sand-colored winter coat and lacks the typical light eye rings seen in most deer. This unique feature amplifies the effect of her dark eyes, making them appear more prominent. Similar to Daisy, the lower half
of Mallow’s tail is black. Mallow’s daughter, Pickles, was a beautiful fawn that appeared quite lamb-like or like a plush toy version of a Deer. As a yearling going on two, she resembled her mother in facial and tail markings, but her winter coat was of a paler shade.
Each deer exhibits distinctive behavior, much like dogs or cats. Daisy stands out as the most audacious, often approaching me closely and deliberately seeking attention with exaggerated head nods. She was the only one of the group bold enough to rifle through my produce bag when it was hung up in the Beaver Pond shelter. She once took out some of its contents and dropped them into the pond – in effect, feeding the beavers! As for Donkey, she exhibited a repertoire of head gestures like no other deer. Indeed, while other deer utilize their entire bodies to carry on their gesture-based language with each other, Donkey seems to be able to convey all she needs via jerky head motions. Daffodil is
known for her even temper and steadfast companionship with Donkey. Mallow stood out as an exceptional mother, maintaining bonds with her fawns (Pickles and Olive) longer than most does. Pickles inherited her mother’s sweetness and family loyalty. She easily captured the affection of the entire clique. She exhibited a playful, almost dog-like demeanor, bounding up with golden retriever-like enthusiasm, a distinctive behavior within the group.
A clear pecking order was in place among the does. Donkey held the undisputed leadership role, with Daffodil acting as her loyal lieutenant. Daisy, though high-ranking, had a more fluid position in the hierarchy. The top three does—Donkey, Daffodil, and Daisy—rarely engaged in internal disputes. By contrast, Mallow occupied a lower rung in the hierarchy, occasionally facing intimidation, particularly from Donkey. Interestingly, Mallow’s offspring were generally spared bullying. There seemed to be a general understanding that the offspring of clique members, while not entirely immune to scolding, received deference.
In mid-winter, the Deer Clique and a few aspiring members began congregating at the bank of Morton’s Pond, the Beavers’ former main pond. There they vied for access to the birdseed we provided for the ducks. This feeding ritual was instigated by a non-clique member known as “Sleepy”; an amiable adult doe recognized by her perpetual squint. Soon after, Donkey and Daffodil established dominance over the feeding
area, compelling Sleepy and other non-clique members to wait until they had their fill before permitting them to feed.
On the afternoon of February 4th, the Deer clique focused on something noteworthy on the opposite side of the pond. Donkey and Daffodil heightened the suspense by emitting loud bugling calls and engaging in foot stomping. While they didn’t appear poised to flee, their behavior kept the group on high alert. As it turned out, they were reacting to the sight of a Fisher sprinting along the north shore of the pond. Despite the raccoon-sized weasel posing no threat to White-tailed Deer, they all recognized the animal’s predatory behavior, and it sparked their collective interest. To my surprise, Donkey and Daffodil ventured up to the spot where the Fisher had been. They inspected the area and even followed the Fisher’s tracks for a few hundred feet. This incident highlighted the often-underestimated curiosity of Deer.
In late February, Daisy developed a limp favored her left front leg. A closer examination revealed no obvious injury or visible abnormalities in her leg. It was probably just a sprained muscle. Despite her physical challenge, she seemed capable of keeping pace with the group. On the morning of the 26th, Daffodil and Donkey had a little scuffle, a rarity considering their usual amicable interactions. Perhaps their testiness was fueled by the presence of a couple of unknown does that had come into the territory earlier in the day and had to be chased off.
Pickles ceased joining her family and the closeknit group on March 1st, leaving me curious about her sudden absence. Reflecting on that day, I recalled encountering a lifeless deer along Route 12, close to Spring Farm. Initially, I didn’t connect the dots, but eventually, I grew certain the deer was Pickles. By the time I attempted to verify it, the highway department had removed her.
In late March, a handful of new deer joined the Clique, at least on a temporary basis. Most were fawns. I named one “Scruffy” paying homage to her scruffy appearance and the profusion of frilly hair growing from her ears. Another newcomer was a male fawn I dubbed “Milo”. He was distinguished by tiny antler buds. Notably, Milo soon formed a strong bond with Olive, and the two fawns were frequently seen together, even in the absence of the other Clique members. What set Milo apart was his unique status
as the only male deer to integrate as a regular member of the Clique. Scruffy occasionally enjoyed the privilege of feeding beside Donkey. It’s conceivable the alpha doe perceived her as Daisy’s fawn. Indeed, Scruffy appeared like a slightly tatty, scaled-down version of Daisy. Meanwhile, Daisy’s leg was improving and every week she exhibited less of a limp. At around this period, an adult Doe I named “White Stockings”, or “Whitey” started appearing with the Clique. Whitey, distinguished by her unique white legs, didn’t seem eager to establish a regular presence within the group. However, whenever she did make an appearance, I couldn’t help but notice the respect she commanded, likely attributed to her age and size.
By the third week of April, the deer began to show up at the beaver ponds less frequently. With grasses growing again and woody plants leafing out and available for browsing, the world had become the deer’s salad bar once again, and there was no need to scrounge around in the orchard for the previous year’s fruit. Most of the does appeared noticeably pregnant by this time. They were also looking very ragged, as their winter coats sluffed off in patches. By late spring, they would all don sleek, reddish coats, once again making it challengimg to distinguish one from another.
Visits to the pond by members of the disbanded Clique dwindled significantly by the second week of June. Occasionally, I would come across individual members, sometimes with fawns in tow. Although I couldn’t easily recognize them in their new coats, sometimes their behavior gave away their identities. One day in a reforestation field, I identified Donkey by her emphatic head gesturing. That morning, she was accompanied by a young fawn. On June 15th, after a few weeks of not seeing her, Daisy greeted me at the beaver pond. Like the previous summer, Daisy was plagued by flies, although noticeably fewer than she suffered the previous year.
As September transitioned into October, the Clique had not reconvened, likely due to the plentiful wild food supply around the sanctuary. Only Mallow occasionally visited the pond, while Daisy was spotted in other areas. I sometimes encountered Daisy in our Pine/Oak Reforestation Field, where she displayed her usual sociable demeanor. Of course, with the onset
“Tales from Shawangunk” Book 3 is now available for a $15 donation to SNP at Peter’s Cornucopia, The Sunflower, Little Falls Community Co-Op, and Shawangunk Nature Preserve. It also may be borrowed through Mid-York Library from the Poland Library.
of October came the deer archery season, bringing that perennial concern for the animals’ well-being.
On October 13th, Mallow showed up in the afternoon with Olive and her new fawn. It was the first time I had seen Olive since the spring, and she had undergone a significant transformation. She had grown ten inches in height and a foot in length. She had also gained at least twenty-five pounds. She was no longer a fawn but a gangly yearling. Just like the previous fall and winter, it seemed that Mallow would remain tight with her offspring from the previous season (as she had done with Pickles). That morning, Mallow and Olive ate some apples off the ground. Her new fawn was too shy to come close to the grove while I was there.
On the last day of October, Donkey showed up at the pond accompanied by Mallow and her young. It appeared that the familiar Clique was finally reforming. Donkey displayed her signature head gestures in her interactions with me and the other deer. It was clear she was still the leader.
On November 1st, there was an incident involving a doe shot with an arrow on the adjacent property. Despite a thorough search, I was unable to find her. I was concerned that it could be Daisy, since she often went near the sanctuary boundary, but I was immensely relieved to spot her on the morning of the 4th. She had made her way to the grove and was healthy and well. Following behind her were Donkey and Mallow. All engaged in a long mutual grooming session, licking each other enthusiastically. It seemed that Mallow had edged up in rank in the intervening months since the spring.
By the beginning of the second week in November, the Clique had not yet reached its full strength in terms of membership. Regular attendees included Mallow and family, Donkey, and Daisy. A yearling started appearing with Daisy. It was Scruffy – the stray fawn that had joined the group during the previous winter. In the intervening time, Scruffy had grown to resemble Daisy even more, raising the possibility that she had originally been Daisy’s fawn. Daffodil was also back in the fold, and she had a fawn with her. In contrast to Mallow, the other adult does in the clique had never retained their fawns into the fall season. However, now Daffodil joined Mallow in defying this trend.
By the onset of the third week of the month, coinciding with the commencement of deer rifle season, the familiar Clique regrouped at the beaver pond, making daily visits. Witnessing the reunion of the old group was heartening, although the absence of Pickles was keenly felt. Donkey was back in the company of her trusted lieutenant, Daffodil. Daisy and Mallow were present, accompanied by Mallow’s yearling, Olive, and her new fawn, now named Aloysius. Aloysius, a shy creature with distinct light eye rings and a white patch on the nose, bore little resemblance to her mother or half-sister. The gathering also included Daffodil’s fawn, now called Achilles. A slightly swollen area on her lower right leg was responsible for her Homeric name. Other unidentified fawns and yearlings joined the assembly, and Donkey asserted her alpha status, posturing and occasionally striking out with her front hooves to keep discipline in the ranks. However, she displayed tolerance towards Aloysius and Achilles, recognizing them as the offspring of accepted Clique members. Daisy also exhibited some alpha behavior, and on one occasion, she expressed it with me, stomping her feet in protest of a sudden movement I had made.
On the inaugural day of the rifle season, Daisy showed up at the pond with a bloody spot on her neck. Fortunately, it appeared to be from a
superficial scratch and nothing more serious. She otherwise was in good health and behaved normally. Both Mallow and Daffodil, accompanied by their fawns, displayed heightened protectiveness. It was evident that all had a sense of the danger they were facing, with hunters now concealed in areas just across the border.
On Saturday, November 25th, the air resonated with numerous close shots from a neighboring property. One sequence of three shots struck a particularly ominous chord with me, sparking a deep unease that something dreadful had occurred. Unfortunately, my concerns proved true—Mallow vanished and was never seen again. I speculate that she fell victim to a hunter after making the fateful choice to cross the border and venture into a cornfield. Perhaps, following the initial shot, she attempted to retreat to the safety of the sanctuary, but then two additional shots brought her down. Olive and Aloysius, accompanying her, managed to reach safety.
The loss of Mallow was a profound challenge for her family and the Clique. She had been a delightful friend to all and easily the most devoted mother in the group. Mallow consistently retained her fawns longer than any other clique member, and I was eager to observe if this behavior would persist as she matured. Following the loss of their mother, it took some time for Olive and Aloysius to reintegrate into the Clique. Olive finally approached the others as they browsed around the grove in early December. Aloysius, showing more boldness, danced around the older does while they fed. As the days passed, the two orphans’ positions in the group normalized. Olive eventually assumed her mother’s role in the clique’s hierarchy and even bemulated some of her behavior in the group dynamics. Daisy, Daffodil, and Donkey showed exceptional kindness towards Olive. Daisy stepped in as a surrogate mother for Aloysius, and from that point on, both Olive and Aloysius were rarely seen outside of her company.
During the last weekend of the 2023 Deer rifle season, I observed all the members of the extended Clique. By this point, all were easily startled. I couldn’t lift my hand without making everyone jump. Fortunately, by the end of Sunday, it became evident that Donkey, Daisy, Daf-
fodil, Scruffy, Olive, Achilles, Aloysius, Whitey, Sleepy, and several other semi-regular members of the extended Clique had successfully made it through the rifle season. When the last of the Deer hunting seasons ended on January 1st, my belief we had only suffered a single casualty from the Clique was shattered. Sadly, Daffodil fell victim to a hunter on the very last day of the season.
As we embark on the new year, the Deer Clique I’ve known for over three years will undergo profound changes, with numerous potential new members vying for positions in the group. Uncertainty surrounds whether Donkey will retain her alpha status or if Daisy will step in to assist her as Daffodil had. At least in the short term, Olive has begun to fill her mother’s subservient position, adopting similar behaviors and forming analogous interrelationships. Scruffy remains in Daisy’s orbit, accompanied by Mallow’s two orphaned offspring, Olive and Aloysius. Achilles predominantly associates with Donkey, while other adult does, such as White Stockings and Sleepy, appear poised to become regular Clique members.
I’ve always been an admirer of White-tailed Deer. These native creatures are remarkable, and we are fortunate to be able to share the land with them. Once hunted out of the region during the post-colonial era, they staged a dramatic comeback in the 20th Century, exhibiting an ability to thrive even in habitats left damaged and degraded. Despite what their detractors say – considered habitat disruptors by conservationists, nuisances to landscapers and farmers, traffic hazards for motorists, and game for hunters –they are captivating beings worth respect and understanding. •
Matt Perry is Conservation Director and Resident Naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in Clinton. He manages a 260 acre nature preserve which is open for tours by appointment. His nature videos and photos can be found on the Spring Farm CARES’ Nature Sanctuary Facebook page.
In March, a prominent indicator of seasonal change is the appearance of buds on tree branches. Surveying the tree line from a distant vantage point atop a hill, subtle shifts in the hues of treetops become apparent compared to what they looked like just weeks prior. With lengthening daylight hours and a gradual uptick in average daytime temperatures, sap begins to flow, and buds on deciduous trees begin to swell. The protective scales encasing them loosen, hinting at the emergence of new flowers and foliage within. Some trees show more advancement than others; notably, the bulging flower buds of Silver Maples and Red Maples appear most eager to burst forth. Likewise, the leaf buds of willows and poplars exhibit noticeable swelling, to the extent that an inevitable late March snowfall will bring some of their bud laden boughs to the ground—and with them, our premature hopes of spring.
In the Mohawk Valley, the spectacle of waterfowl migration typically unfolds in March, offering an exhilarating display of nature in motion. During this period, various species of waterfowl embark on their westward and northward journeys, either returning to their breeding grounds or making pit stops at traditional migratory stopover locations. Their migration aligns with the gradual thawing of lakes and wetlands across the region. Large lakes and expansive marshes might hold gatherings of diverse waterfowl, including dabbling
ducks, diving ducks, grebes, coots, loons, geese, and swans. Conversely, on more humble bodies of water, such as beaver ponds, the diversity of species is more modest, typically comprising only those intent to settle and breed.
The return of Wood Ducks to our sanctuary in March is a sure sign of spring. The Wood Ducks are known for their vibrant plumage, intricate markings, and distinctive behaviors, making them a favorite among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Upon arrival, they almost immediately get down to the business of courtship and territoriality. The courtship rituals of Wood Ducks are elaborate and visually stunning. Male Wood Ducks, adorned with iridescent hues of green, purple, and bronze, engage in elaborate displays to attract females. These displays may involve head bobbing, wing flapping, and occasionally rearing up on the water. Female Wood Ducks, though not as flamboyantly colored as their male counterparts, possess distinct charm and have an integral role in the courtship process. They carefully evaluate the merits of potential mates before choosing a partner. Once a pair has formed, the ducks engage in synchronized behaviors, swimming closely together and establishing a bond. The distinctive calls of both males and females echo across the serene beaver ponds –the male’s call a reedy whistle, the female’s, a
more robust wale. Wood Ducks are more arboreal than most northeastern duck species, and it’s not unusual to see them perched high in the treetops while they call to each other.
The choice of beaver ponds for these courtship rituals is not incidental. Beaver ponds provide a secluded and tranquil environment for Wood Ducks. The flooded out, dead trees located in and around the ponds serve as ideal nesting sites. If possible, a female Wood Duck will choose a tree cavity close to the pond to lay her eggs. She usually selects a nest hole originally excavated by a Pileated Woodpecker – since their cavities are large enough to accommodate a mother duck and a clutch of between 6 and 16 eggs. Sometimes, a nest cavity is more than twenty feet high, but that doesn’t discourage the hen Wood Duck from using it. Her flightless ducklings, shortly after hatching, one by one, will be compelled to make a perilous plunge to the water (or land) below – a feat they usually survive.
In March, flocks of Canada Geese begin to arrive on our beaver ponds. The comradery individual members of the flocks enjoyed during the winter quickly starts to break down as territoriality comes into play. Any bonded pairs
with prior claims on the habitat exercise their rights, and work to evict other would-be nesters. Goose pairs that still retain offspring from the previous year will abruptly and unceremoniously cut their familiar ties and chase them off, all before getting down to nesting. The courtship rituals of Canada Geese are elaborate and often begin shortly after arrival on the breeding grounds. Potential partners use a variety of honks, grunts, and other vocalizations to communicate and display their vocal virtuosity. They also engage in head movements of bobbing and stretching their necks upward. These movements are some of the visual cues they use to demonstrate fitness. One of the most striking courtship behaviors is the “triumph ceremony,” where the male stretches his neck upward while honking loudly, followed by the female’s response. This synchronized calling helps reinforce the pair’s bond and communicate their readiness to breed. Males may raise and flap their wings in a display of strength and vitality, while females respond with similar gestures. Once a pair has formed, they engage in various bonding behaviors, such as mutual preening, swimming together, and engaging in synchronized movements.
March is a wonderful time to observe nature in action. From the forest floor to the treetops and from the fields to the wetlands, habitats pulsate with the energy of renewal as countless dramas unfold, marking the beginning of a new cycle of life. •
Astronomy is such a fun hobby. Whether you enjoy stargazing, seeing stunning photos of the cosmos, or learning interesting facts from data collected by telescopes, satellites, and missions exploring other worlds, there is something for everyone of any age or experience. But there is another side of astronomy, one that took me quite by surprise when I was getting started about 26 years ago. It is the emotional side--very special moments that leave me breathless and evoke powerful feelings that are deeply moving and extremely difficult to explain. On April 8, you can experience one of those moments – a total solar eclipse will cross western and northern New York State, a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people.
Total solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight and casting a dark shadow known as the “path of totality” on parts of our planet. If you are in the shadow, the Moon completely covers the Sun for some time. That is the totality phase, one you will likely never forget. I know I’ll always remember my eclipse experience.
My husband and I were near Glendo, Wyoming for the August 21, 2017, total solar eclipse. Armed with solar eclipse glasses and solar filters on our cameras, we were in a massive field with hundreds of fellow eclipse hunters. It took an hour and a half from the time the Moon initially blocked the edge of the Sun until totality. At first, we didn’t notice anything unusual on that bright sunny day,
but over time there were marked changes –not like a cloudy day, just an odd light level dimming. As we inched closer to totality, everything had an intensifying coppery-orange glow.
During totality the area was dark, but you could still see, and just above the horizon were very rich and yet “soft” colors of varying shades of deep reds, oranges, yellows, and blues. The temperature drastically dropped, and the strong wind that was blowing all morning, completely stopped. It was eerily still, except for people occasionally loudly cheering or softly talking.
The sky above turned black, and the Sun’s very bright and wide corona (atmosphere) with its ghostly fingers of whites and grays appeared along with a couple of stars, a very bright Venus, and rose-colored prominences on the edge of the Sun. It was breathtaking. As totality ended and the Sun peeked from behind the Moon the area quickly brightened. All of those dynamic changes made the whole experience a sensory overload!
The April 8, 2024, total eclipse path begins in Texas and ends in Maine. It enters western New York at 3:15 pm EDT, crossing Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, and Tupper Lake before exiting at 3:29 pm.
If you are outside of the path, the Moon will not completely block the Sun but you will see definite daylight dimming.
Whatever you do, protect your eyes! DO NOT look at the Sun without approved solar eclipse glasses! Using sunglasses will per-
manently damage your eyes. For important eye safety tips, detailed path maps, eclipse information, and many useful links, visit the American Astronomical Society’s Eclipse America 2024 https://eclipse.aas.org website.
We will post eclipse information on our MVAS Facebook page, with links to live broadcasts and any local events. Regional eclipse viewing events may be scheduled and announced by local media outlets. The edge of the path of totality will be only about 20 miles from Utica, so check the eclipse maps and start planning now for April 8 because the next New York total solar eclipse will occur in 2079! Keeping my fingers crossed for a beautiful sunny day.
Wishing you clear skies! •
Hanny’s Voorwerp. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, W. Keel, Galaxy Zoo Team
When I was a kid, I loved playgrounds--the swings, the slides, the monkey bars ( I could never manage to climb very high). So fun! On a recent outing with my great-nephew and -niece, Sheppie and Evie, I found I can still have a lot of fun!
It was an unseasonably warm Saturday, not yet spring but felt like it, when my sister Cheryl (Sheppie and Evie’s grandmother) invited me to the playground with them. They picked me up and we drove the short distance from my house to the Arc Park on German Street in Herkimer. It is a wonderful playground with many fun things to climb on, slide down, walk over, and ride. I especially like the rubberized groundcover. I can fall down (which I did, but only once) without breaking a hip, something of a consideration at my age.
I was soon running around with the kids, climbing on this, sliding down that. The twisty slides are my favorite. I participated as much as possible for someone of my years and weight. I pushed Evie and another child on the merrygo-round for a while, saying I would get dizzy if I rode it. Nevertheless, Evie wanted me to sit down so she could push me. I did not know Cheryl intended to photograph the event!
I did not try everything. For one reason, I am too tall. Also, gripping bars with my weight hanging by my hands is not comfortable. Maybe if I went back on the South Beach Diet. Sheppie and Evie, however, seemed to be able to do anything!
I climbed on a kind of a rope tower with Evie. When I told her I could not climb as high as she could, she kindly suggested I get down. At one point a little boy I did not
Valley Girl
Cynthia M. Quackenbush, a.k.a. “Mohawk Valley Girl,” follow her frugal fun at: mohawkvalleygirl.wordpress.com
Arc Park opened in June 2017,a collaboration between Arc Herkimer and the Village of Herkimer
know made it to the top but did not think he could make it down. I encouraged him to take it one step at a time. I don’t know if I was especially helpful to him, but he did make it to the ground. Cheryl asked Evie what she could see from the top, and Evie answered, “Everything!”
There were a lot of people enjoying the park, parents and children. Everybody was friendly, and the kids were good about taking turns and helping each other.
One family was cooking hot dogs on a grill in one of the picnic pavilions. Ooh, it smelled good! We’ll have to do that on another visit. There are also plenty of places to sit down when one gets tired, which I am afraid I did. Still, I managed to get lots of exercise.
Speaking of exercise, there is a path that goes around the park with exercise equipment at intervals. When I was still running (must start doing that again), I used to run around the Arc Park occasionally but never stopped to try any of the equipment. Cheryl, the kids, and I tried a couple of the contraptions. This could help my upper body strength! Cheryl and Sheppie continued to walk around the path, but Evie wanted to go back and play, so I followed her back to the rope tower. I got a little farther up it that time!
Cheryl had a good laugh at me “reliving my childhood,” as she put it. I guess at my age, one can be excused for having a second childhood. I think the number might be a little higher for me, but I had fun. •
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https://park.archerkimer.org
Completely accessible for all ages and abilities
Okay Evie, that’s fast enough!
Even adults have fun at Arc Park, though maybe not reaching such lofty heights
Answers found in the pages of this magazine!
Across
4. Where you’ll find Sharry’s favorite hummus. See ad on page 13.
7. This tavern in Cold Brook is a favorite haunt of people from Utica and it’s suburbs.
8. This cosmic event happens next month. (2 words)
11. If you like finding treasure in the garret you might be an ____ addict!
12. This local banjo player performs a tribute to Earl Scruggs at Unity Hall this month.
14. What you’ll find at the end of a rainbow.
Down
1. Suzie’s Farm Neighbor this month.
2. These ducks are birdwatchers’ favorites.
3. Matt refers to a group of deer he follows as the ____.
5. What you’ll need if a leprechaun reports that 14 Across is missing.
6. Special Weekends in March
9. Boys
10. What you’ll become if 14 Across is true?
11. This “Shed” has an annual “March is Madness” sale in Whitesboro.
14. Mohawk Valley Girl has fun at this park in Herkimer.
On the farm with Suzie
March marks a real turning point in our long, upstate winters. Snowstorms and frigid temps suddenly and miraculously give way to baby chicks and greenhouses filled with tender seedlings. It is a time of hope!
It is also the time of year I start to dream of the season’s first strawberries, and salivate at the thought of anything fresh and green plucked from local soil.
Friend and fellow farmer Jason Townsend of Kingfisher Farm in Sauquoit is in the thick of things this time of year, preparing for the season ahead. Jason grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits on his 10-acre certified organic farm, selling via CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares*, two farmers’ markets, and online ordering via Kingfisherfarm.com and Local Foods Mohawk Valley.
Jason’s farm stand at the Clinton Farmers’ Market is always a popular stop, with mounds of gorgeous greens, organic apples, and plump tomatoes. Due to his laser-focus on soil health and its continued improvement, Jason grows some of the highest quality produce found in CNY.
Jason and I chatted a bit about his farm and its origins, and what he sees for his farm’s future:
“We started our farm in Spring 2015. Prior to that, my wife and I had taken jobs in California where I was a manager on a large organic CSA farm. We took a good, long look at California but decided we’d much rather settle in the Northeast, upper Midwest, or Canada. A number of opportunities came up here in the Mohawk Valley—my wife took a job at Hamilton College, and I found a job at Cornell Cooperative Extension. At the same time, I connected with Nancy Grove of Old Path Farm who had acreage she wanted to lease.
“After looking at a number of other farms in the area, we decided the opportunity Nancy was presenting was a perfect fit. Nancy and I worked out a “99-year ground lease,” which is a much more common agreement between Land Trusts and tenants than private parties, but it gives me confidence to truly invest in the property, and plenty of time to figure things out!
“The first thing I planted was strawberries, and we started our first season with just 10 CSA members and one farmers’ market. The strawberries were a great way to jump into the local market and helped establish Kingfisher Farm as a source for high-quality and real organic produce. We also planted a 500-tree fruit orchard, and those trees are now really coming into their own.
“We received NOFA-NY organic certification in 2018 and have been certified every year since. I am not a fan of what the USDA has done to water down organic standards for mega-farms, however, I still think it is very important for small farms to do everything they can to distinguish themselves as the true, soil-focused origins of organic produce. I would encourage anyone to check out the Real Organic Project. We are also cer-
tified by them, and they are doing fantastic outreach work on this issue.
“Looking forward, I am very excited to produce cider. We received a micro-enterprise grant through Mohawk Valley EDGE to get a commercial kitchen and small-scale cidery going. Our plan is to produce both sweet and hard cider. I’m especially excited about hard cider. We are in the process of receiving our “Farm Cidery” license from NY State, which will allow us to sell our hard cider at farmers’ markets.
“I think our cidery will really be set apart by our use of organic apples, wild-foraged apples, and the part of the orchard I set aside for traditional English cider varieties. I’m very happy with our earthy “Pétillant Naturel” or Pét-Nat ciders this year. It’s the simplest, freshest way to make a very delicious, low- to medium-alcohol cider, in a French traditional way, that really puts the flavors of the orchard out front. We also grow currants, raspberries and blueberries and would like to do some multi-fruit ciders. We will also be making batches of more typical higher alcohol content Americanized cider, more on the sweet side, and that has its place, too!
“I have two very talented and local-foods-devoted people working with me at the farm: Jackie Mancuso, General Manager and Andrew Sblendorio, Field Manager. A lot of the expansion of the farm over the last few years, and the consistent quality we are able to produce, is a result of their work. Both of them are great farmers and can tackle any job. I’m very lucky that they are a part of the farm.
“We love our lives in CNY and being a part of the growing local foods scene. It’s a fantastic place to raise a family. People are down to earth, giving, and there is so much natural beauty to enjoy. The farmland is high quality, and the Adirondacks are wonderful and close. There are also so many incredibly talented mechanics, builders, and long-term farmers to work with and learn from here.
“I absolutely love being outdoors and seeing things grow. I love the ecology of the farm, seeing how plants respond to the different approaches we take to soil preparation, fertility, and landscape health. Local foods are much better for personal, environmental, and community health. Once people discover this way of eating, I don’t see them going back to the lifeless, industrial foods that fill the grocery stores. Local foods are a pathway to health.”
Kingfisher Farm can be found at the Oneida County Public Market in Utica throughout the year, at the Clinton Farmer’s Market during the summer season, and online. Be sure to check them out! •
*For those unfamiliar with the concept, a CSA is a fantastic way to enjoy the bounty of a local farm. Customers can buy a “share” of the farm’s produce for a defined season or set number of weeks. The farmer, in turn, gets money up front to cover the expenses of spring planting.
Sign-ups usually happen in the early spring, although some farms also offer fall and winter shares.
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
tatoes, gravy, and cheddar cheese. Tonight’s Sandwich special is French Dip. Specialty wine, beer, and canned cocktails from William Hill, Coastal Ridge, Barefoot, Natura, Fetzer; Trivento, Malbec, and Purple Cowboy are offered tonight.
Waitress Maya Virgil, the owner’s teenage daughter, cheerfully greets the first-timers and directs them into the cozy dining room where a lit fireplace warms the air. The knotty pine tables are set with charming paper placements picturing evergreen trees that mirror the OT’s surrounding scenery.
Seated near the fireplace is Michael Rieggler celebrating his 47th birthday with his sons. “I always check the specials on their Facebook page,” Mike said, “They do a really nice job.” Rieggler’s sons usually order from the kids’ menu since all of the kids’ meals include ice cream for dessert.
Owners Becky and Dan Virgil take a break to share the restaurant’s story. “I worked here as a cook for the previous owner, and I fell in love with the place,” said Becky Virgil, “This is home.”
Home is a fitting description for OT since customers feel so welcome and comfortable. Further, watching the Virgil daughters Maya and Luci work with ease and self-assurance is evidence of the restaurant’s efficiency. With heartwarming affection, Becky Virgil gratefully acknowledges their contributions, “They’re so good. Maya started washing dishes when she was twelve, and when she was sixteen she bought her first car.”
Another key to OT’s popularity has been in keeping some menu selections offered by the previous owner when OT was a
German restaurant (1950s to 1990s). Two favorite examples are the Pork Schnitzel, which is featured as a Thursday Night entree, and the Reuben Sandwich.
Other menu favorites are Becky’s Riggies, Chicken Parmigiana, Chicken Florentine, Chicken with Ohio Greens, Snow Crab Legs, Pork Osso Bucco, Shrimp and Sausage Fra Diavolo, NY Strip Steaks, French Onion Filet Mignon, Tavern Steak (Certified Angus Beef strip loin), and Jack Daniel’s Salmon. All entrees come with salad, bread, and Ohio Tavern homemade pickles.
In March, OT will offer seasonal favorites: Irish Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, and Lenten Fish Fries.
Homemade desserts are always available. This evening offered Crème Brulee Cheesecake and Chocolate Lava Cake.
The OT occasionally has entertainment and is a popular place to host small gatherings and parties. Many local businesses and clubs use the OT for their venue.
Dan Virgil looks forward to the Ohio Tavern’s future with some fun and exciting ideas to improve the restaurant and please his customers. For example, he hopes to add an outdoor dining pavilion, a chicken barbecue grill, and a smoker for brisket. He said, “We have ideas every day. Some are down the road, but we’ll get there.” •
2755 NY-8, Cold Brook, NY
Open Wednesday-Saturday: 12-9pm, Sunday 12-8pm (315) 826-5050
Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo is a poet and freelance creative writer. She is an active member in the Oneida Chapter National Society of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She enjoys history, writing, public speaking, ballroom dancing and line dancing.
One of
Valley is
appearance of maple syrup buckets hanging from the sides of sugar maples. Maple syrup was first introduced to Europeans by the indigenous peoples of North America. The full moon in March was celebrated by the Iroquois as the first sign of spring—inviting the robins to return and the maple sap to flow.
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(607) 674-9593 • www.cooksmaple.com
The Farmers’ Museum
Sugaring Off Sundays, March 3. 10, 17, 24: 8:30am-1pm
Activities: 9am-2pm
5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown (607) 547-1450 • www.farmersmuseum.org
Heartwood Maple
Maple products
maple syrup equipment for maple enthusiasts
8072 State Hwy 12, Sherburne (607) 674-2500 • www.heartwoodmaple.com
Ingles
Maple
Lincoln Davies
Tree
Millers
Open
Maple
Unity Hall will present Syracuse native Tony Trischka on Friday, March 22 at 8pm. This is a rare opportunity for local music fans to see banjo great Trischka in a small, intimate venue close to home. He is considered the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world.
According to the NY Times “Tony Trischka is known as the father of modern blue grass.” For more than 50 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians with the many voices he has brought to the instrument.
In this performance, Tony will be honoring the music of Earl Scruggs, pioneer of the three-finger banjo style and one of the most important musicians in bluegrass, or, in Tony’s opinion, in any genre. Trischka recently came into possession of extremely rare recordings of jam sessions with Scruggs and John Hartford, and he’s transcribed and recorded Scruggs’s note-for-note solos from a number of these. Many songs that Earl had never recorded.
An album of this music is in production with a new label formed by some of the founders of Rounder Records and includes a few bluegrass luminaries.
Together with his ace band—Michael Daves on vocals and guitar, fiddler Nate Lee, and bassist Jared Engel—they will trace the story of Scruggs from his childhood to his final years. This show debuted at Joe’s Pub in New York City which drew lots of interest including an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, a rarity for a banjo player these days.
“Earl is my North Star, a lifetime pathway. And I’m not alone,” says Trischka, a banjo innovator and educator who has influenced everyone from Béla Fleck to Steve Martin. “Through his music, this shy kid from Flint Hill, North Carolina went on to enrich countless thousands of lives. At the age of 13, when I first heard 16 notes of Scruggs-style banjo playing, I put down my folk guitar and mercilessly pestered my parents to buy me a banjo. Once in my hands, that 5-string became my obsession and
has been for 60 years.”
He adds, “the depth of his genius becomes ever more apparent when I transcribe his solos, which I’ve been doing my entire musical life and with renewed vigor. Discovering new twists and turns in his playing is pure joy and in fact the inspiration for this tribute show and album.”
This event is made possible with membership support by the Unity Hall Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 to maintain the 1896 Hall as a center for arts and community activities. Additional sponsorship support for this performance was made by Saranac, PowerTech, HUD-son, the Tailor & the Cook, Slingco, and Mohawk Valley Living
The 2024 Performance Series is made possible in part with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program through the New York State Council on the Arts, with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts. •
Friday,
As spring arrives, it’s time for Maple Syrup making. Long before Europeans came to New York, the Native Americans were making maple syrup. It’s not hard to imagine how it was discovered. If the weather is just right, when the sap begins to run, you sometimes find Maple icicles on Maple trees, often from a broken twig or where a squirrel has chewed on a twig. They are A delicious sweet treat when you can find one.
Native Americans collected sap by making several cuts into the bark of the tree and allowing the sap to flow. It was collected and boiled down using hot rocks and wooden troughs or containers made of birch bark. It could be made into syrup, or boiled down further to make solidified maple sugar.
Maple sugar was a viable substitute for the imported cane sugar which was produced in the inhumane plantations of the West Indies, often by enslaved individuals. By producing syrup within America, our nation could achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on foreign countries that profited from our need for sugar.
From where the town of Booneville got its name, Gerrit Boon was interested in creating large-scale maple sugar production. Financed in part by the Holland
Land Company, Boon acquired thirty-thousand acres of land near Barneveld, New York, in 1792 and soon began improving the maple forest. He dreamed that this “free” sugar would be so plentiful that his business would thrive and produce a great return for his investors.
Instead of using buckets or modern plastic tubing, he built a series of troughs between the trees to collect the sap, which would then be boiled down in large iron cauldrons. Unfortunately, this tenuous design of troughs through the forest was subject to trouble when snow would fall or freeze, and thawing would cause the troughs to leak. The precious sap fell to the ground and was wasted.
After a terrible first season, Boon had some explaining to do to his investors. The few hundred pounds of maple sugar he had produced cost the company the equivalent of over $100,000 in today’s money.
He planned to improve his harvesting technique the following year. Boon, who was from Holland, didn’t understand how tapping Maple trees worked and thought you could harvest maple sap all year round—his first year of experiments taught him otherwise.
Boon had been trying to make his sugar project work for two years, but his financial backers had finally had enough. They ordered the land to be put up for sale and wrote off the entire venture, incurring a great loss. As a result, Boon abandoned the sugar project and decided to pursue the logging trade instead.•
In 1974, Tim and Peggy Spencer Behrendt set off on an adventure. They began a new life in the woods of Cold Brook, NY, without modern conveniences like electricity or indoor plumbing. These are excerpts and reflections from Peggy’s journal chronicling their adventures and also her childhood memories growing up in Westmoreland.
March weather is reliably variable. The snow is melting more than accumulating now, and our forest realm is no longer pristine white. Once virgin snow becomes ornamented with sprinkles of green and orange pine needles, and there are little, brown, disassembled pinecones in tiny mounds left by the red squirrels. They are having grand games of tag, spiraling around and around huge hemlock trunks at dizzying speed.
Dark drifts of black pepper stipple the melting snow, often accumulating in our footprints. The first time I looked at these closely I jumped back, alarmed. The specks were alive and were jumping! Were they fleas, ticks, or something worse? I was afraid to look too closely without my glasses for protection.
I learned that they are aptly named “springtails” because they can jump over 100 times their size and do not bite or carry disease. They’re always here but are more noticeable in the snow. I’m distressed to think that I am smashing many of them with every step I take! Now I understand why the Jains of
India sweep bugs off the path in front of them. But how can I avoid this?
I can’t, so I rationalize that because the snow is soft, maybe they’re just getting pushed in. But I must accept that one can’t totally eliminate causing harm to other creatures and live. One can only minimize it. Anyway, perhaps they are an important early source of food for the birds! Our fickle March weather deceives us into thinking Spring is imminent, then buries us with a lengthy and intense winter storm. Despite the fascination of seeing our world turned into a dancing monochrome of murmuring snowflakes and evergreens performing incredible gymnastics in swirling winter winds, I need some color and time spent dreaming of
spring teaming with emerging life. I partly satisfy this need by perusing a seed catalog with its pictorial panorama of rich texture, shapes, and color. There is the added anticipation of fresh, gastronomic delights. My favored catalog since 1974 has been Johnny’s Selected Seeds of Albion, Maine. It started with three idealistic guys and is now a huge, employee-owned company. Besides the reliability of seeds produced in a similar zone to ours, the detailed growing advice freely given for each vegetable has been enormously helpful, particularly in the years before the internet, when our only other source of information was Rodale’s Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, and we considered ourselves lucky to own that!
Not only do the colorful pictures entice me, but the names also. I want to grow and taste almost everything I see. There are erotic-sounding varieties of sweet corn, such as Temptress, Allure, Essence, Illusion, and Sugar Buns! Or perhaps I’ll buy this counter-cul-
ture-sounding cucumber, “Cool Customer.” Storybook pepper choices include Ace, Red Knight, and King Arthur, and there are eggplant varieties named Hansel, Gretel, and Fairy Tale. Hippy-like pumpkin names are adorable: Spark, Pipsqueak, Baby Bear, Naked Bear, Mellow Yellow, Orange Smoothie, and Sunlight. They give me a chuckle.
In the late 1970s, we were also entertained (since we had no TV or internet then) by the avant-garde Banana Republic catalog. This had lengthy descriptions of world travel and adventures one might experience with each clothing item they offered.
Then we get an ice storm, and every bare twig and sheath of bark glistens with iridescent shades of every imaginable color. When it begins to melt during the day, each droplet of melting water becomes a miniature rainbow in the sun, cascading from the high limbs in showers of miniature lights, sounding like little waterfalls or rice being poured into an empty pan. It drenches all who dwell below. It’s unlucky if you’re passing under an evergreen when breezes shake the wet limbs, dumping their showers of frigid wetness on top of you. Chunks of sharp-edged ice also break loose, creating miniature ice storms under the forest trees, tinkling like broken glass. I wonder how the squirrels and birds can
deal with it. For us, it would be like being bopped by ice hunks the size of a lounge chair. Do they ever get knocked out? Or even killed?
Since it’s a bad time to do things outside, I do some sewing while Tim reads to me from our old journal of significant events in our lives.
In our early years together, we couldn’t afford new clothes or patterns, so I used our old clothes as models for the new. This resulted in some quirky garments with irregular hems and pockets. I have a picture of Tim wearing a winter jacket I made, and you can see that things are pretty crooked. Fortunately, he didn’t care and gracefully accepted and used anything I made for him. I’m delighted to see our ten-year-old great-granddaughter Sylvia also sewing. She makes little garments and quilts by hand with fabric scraps –pants, skirts, tops, and dresses for a doll or stuffed animal.
Tim and I purposely wanted things crooked when we built our cottage. It seemed romantic to us, like storybook stuff, but we learned that it’s much trickier to build a solid crooked construction than it is to build a straight one. Still, it’s been lots of fun improvising with support and appreciation for each other’s creativity. This has been an important part of our relationship.
Tim reads from our Journal from 1981: · [Peg writes.] I get strep throat followed by laryngitis which leaves me unable to speak. I don’t know if this is permanent. I can only whistle yes or no to questions.
We discontinue the use of added salt and sweeteners in our diet. We also eliminate the use of all animal products in our diet and our lifestyle, i.e., no leather shoes or belts, no wool blankets or clothing. We replace these with synthetic materials and decide to live as vegans. Can we survive without animal products here? We are learning about vegetarian sources of protein like beans combined with whole grains, tofu (used in Asia for centuries), nuts, and beans. We would like to grow all our food if we can. I (Peg) am eager to start learning about all the wild plants around us as soon as the snow melts--for food, for medicine, for love of their tenacious beauty.
· 16 acres is purchased. It is the blueberry meadow on the northwest corner of Shawangunk and Sunset Lodge Roads.
· Peg learns tool sharpening from Mayo Levesque of Poland, a retired professional lumber camp saw sharpener.
· We get a sunny winter day and are sitting on our tiny porch to enjoy the heat trapped by the semi-clear plastic we put up over the screens.
“Too bad our whole house isn’t warming up like this,” I say to Tim.
“We wouldn’t have to cut so much wood,” he sighs.
“What if we could?” We both think out loud and start fantasizing about eliminating the whole wall on the south side. We have three categories for such discussions: a Fantasy, a Proposal or a Plan. In the Fantasy stage, we can’t critique each other, so it leaves us free to imagine and hypothesize on a new idea. A Proposal means you’re seriously interested and must accept feedback. A Plan is something we’ve both agreed on and want to go forward with.
We soon develop a Proposal. As soon as it’s warm enough, we want to rip out the south wall and put glass in instead. It’s a scary idea. Will it make us colder when the sun’s not out? Will it diminish our privacy, and expose us to stray bullets from hunters on adjacent properties? Where can we put the big piano that’s there?
In June we rip out our south wall, put in some recycled glass, and never regret it.
Before we built our scrap wood home in the woods, Tim and I read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography called The Story of My Experiments with Truth. This concept inspired us. An experiment based on your best judgment and intuition may work out the way you hope, or not, but you won’t know unless you try. With each other’s support, we’ve trusted our intuition in lifestyle experiments that have required flexibility, creativity, tenacity, and courage, and it’s gotten us through times as crazy as March weather. •
The Shawangunk Nature Preserve is a deep ecology, forever wild, 501©(3), learning and cultural center. Tim and Peggy still live there and can be contacted through their website.
www.shawangunknaturepreserve.com
Saturday,
Made entirely of lovely, soft, natural wool in a choice of colors you’ll learn how to sculpt your bunny or chick with a special long, barbed needle. It’s easy to do but can be tricky to get the shape you want.
It’s fun whatever happens!
Materials are $15.
Call by March 16th to reserve your spot:
315 826-7405
217 Shawangunk Rd., Cold Brook
White’s Farm Supply welcomes new Service Manager, Jeff Jasek
White’s Farm Supply, Inc. is excited to welcome Jeff Jasek as our Service Manager at our Waterville location. Jeff grew up in Waterville, NY, attended SUNY Morrisville, and studied Automotive Technology. He brings 14 years of management experience in the Automotive Industry. When Jeff isn’t working, you will find him bass fishing and enjoying time with his family, Jaxson, Avrey, Joyce, Hailey, and his wife, Melissa. Jeff is looking forward to serving our customers and can be reached at 315-841-4181 for all of your service needs.
