17th Annual Steet Ponte Auto Group Holiday Gift Drive!
To benefit families in ICAN throughout Oneida and Harkimer Counties! Stop down to any of our 8 showrooms to take a tag from our Giving Trees. Simply return the unwrapped gift with the tag attached by December 16th.
Thank you for helping us spread joy and hope through the holiday season to our neighbors in need! Visit SteetPonteAutoGroup.com for more information.
Little Falls Antique Center
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Unwrap the gift of creativity, and spread joy through the arts at Munson!
MUNSON MEMBERSHIP
With the holidays drawing near, now is a great time to gift membership for friends and family. Here are some suggestions that make it easy to create a unique and special gift!
Individual Gift Membership ($50)
Household Gift Membership ($85)
MEMBERSHIP + GIFT TOTE
Includes an individual or household membership, Munson branded swag, and a set of Walter Launt Palmer notecards.
Individual + Gift Tote ($83)
Household + Gift Tote ($133)
30% discount on Museum Shop merchandise.
MUNSON MUSEUM SHOP
Discover curated collections of handcrafted jewelry, unique home decor, and artistic wonders that will make a wonderful gift this holiday season. All Members receive 10% off at the Museum Shop.
GIFT CARDS
Let your loved ones pick their own artistic endeavor, ensuring a holiday season filled with creativity and joy!
Gift cards can be purchased online at munson.art/gift-guide, by calling 315-797-0000, or at the Museum welcome desk.
Saturday, December 14th • 10am to 5pm
Refreshments Served HolidayDJplayingChristmassongs
Santa Claus visits 12- 2pm
Holidaytrainshowfeaturing 500feetofoverheadrunning trackwiththree“Ggauge”trains allrushingtotheNorthPole!
Over 160 Vendor booths and display cases!
And of course, a huge array of vendors, with wonderful Christmas merchandise at special HOLIDAY sales prices!
Fun for the whole Family!
Next Issue: January 1st
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Christmas Gift Time
by Sharry L. Whitney
It’s the holiday shopping season again. As much as I promised myself last year that I would get an early start this year, I now have a month until Christmas with scarcely anyone checked off my shopping list. That’s okay. Breathe—time to focus.
If you have people on your list who “have everything,” I believe the best gift to give them is time. I like to give gifts that involve time spent together creating memories, so tickets to an event or destination are a great idea. Be creative. Think of something they enjoy doing and build your gift around that. I like to find a memento that is a clue about the outing—a “pre-souvenir.” I once bought someone a box of Turkish delight with tickets to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on stage. Ideas I have this year:
Packaged soup or cookie-making kits. I found cookie kits with a corresponding cookie cutter attached so my granddaughter and I can bake cookies together. I found them at The Artisans’ Corner in Clinton; they included a Mermaid, Fire Truck, Cardinal, and many other themed packages.
Plant some tulips. Really! You can buy potted forced bulbs, but I read on Cornell’s website that you can plant tulips in January and even February! What a crazy, memorable activity! When you are out Christmas shopping, scoop up any discounted garden bulbs (squeeze them to ensure they are still firm/viable). To plant: clear away snow and loosen dirt. If the ground is frozen, cover the cleared area with clear plastic and let the sun warm the soil for a few days. Gently set in bulbs and cover with at least 2-4 inches of mulch or compost. Who won’t remember this experience, especially when the flowers emerge in the spring!?
Give a puzzle or craft kit and plan a time to work on it together. I see that Grey Fox Felt-
Riggie is roaming around and hiding in the advertising areas of the magazine. Next to him you’ll find a letter. Find all the Riggies and rearrange the letters to answer this riddle. Submit your answer by the 15th of the month to be entered in drawing for a $100 shopping spree at the advertiser of your choice! (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.
Christmas Eve custom, a Polish tradition from afar. Twelvedishesarepresented, withthefirsteveningstar.
Hint: 1 word, 7 letters
The winner of last month’s $250 Clinton Shoppers’ Spree is Adara Wilczak of Clinton!
Answer to last month’s puzzle about an annual holiday extravaganze: FEZTIVAL of TREES The winner is Frances Borruso of Utica
2 by matt perry
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31ST 6:30pm to 12:00am WITH FIREWORKS SHOW AT MIDNIGHT Genesee Street, between Bank Place and Devereux Street HOSTED BY Bank of Utica’s BARRY SINNOTT, Utica Mayor MICHAEL GALIME, and KARI PULEO, Executive Director of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce.
ENTERTAINMENT
Soul Injection, J-Easy, The Shawn Smith Band, and other live acts!
FOOD/DRINK SPECIALS
AT VARIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES
For more information and detailed schedule of events, visit BANKOFUTICA.COM
Astrid stares into the PTZ camera lens
Part two of the Utica Peregrine Falcons’ 2024 breeding season picks up from last month’s installment. Astrid and Ares are tending to a clutch of three chicks in the nestbox, busily feeding and protecting them. As happens every season, the chicks developed with astonishing speed, and by the end of May, we were already gearing up for fledging time.
For our friends and supporters at Grace Episcopal Church, the Utica Peregrine Falcon Project chose names for this season’s nestlings inspired by clergy and staff. The eldest chick, a female, was named Caris; the middle chick, a male, was named Vol; and the youngest, a female, was named Richae.
On the morning of June 3rd, Vol ventured out of the nestbox onto its east-side platform. He was the first nestling to make this move. None of us witnessed his initial attempt, so we were unsure if he encountered difficulties. This “ledging” behavior marked an important milestone in the nestlings’ development, bringing them closer to fledging and, ultimately, independence.
On June 5th, Vol had not only mastered the verandas but was also venturing onto the box’s crossperch. His sister, Caris, followed his lead, albeit about a day behind. This was notable, as female Peregrines often take longer to mature both physically and in terms of adventurous behavior than their male counterparts. By contrast, the younger female—
Richae, was content to stay in the nestbox and showed little sign of her siblings’ adventurousness.
Late in the afternoon, Vol was hiding— on a window ledge west of the nestbox. We couldn’t see him with our cameras until he began flapping his wings. As he was pumping his wings and clinging to the ledge, a sudden gust of wind lifted him and forced him into flight. He had fledged! He flew eastward, quickly disappearing from camera view. No volunteers were on the ground, so his maiden flight went unwitnessed.
After several minutes of scanning with our PTZ camera, I spotted Vol. He had landed on one of the lower parts of the Grace Church roof. Though he appeared uninjured, he was in a challenging position. The metal roof was steep, preventing him from gaining traction as he attempted to walk up. He could only move along the edge of the roof or along the metal conduits that ran parallel to it. His parents were aware of his location, but there was little they could do to assist him except fly by, seemingly encouraging him to climb higher or take off. Vol, however, didn’t seem able to do either.
By this point, Deb Saltis and I were onsite, monitoring from the street below and prepared to mount a rescue if Vol came down. We posted an urgent call for ground volunteers on our social media, which prompted a
MEAT MARKET
Caris, Vol, and Richae await their parents return to the nest
reader to contact the Utica Fire Department. The fire chief quickly responded, arriving with a lift truck.
None of the firefighters had experience rescuing an endangered raptor—so we gave a quick tutorial to the two men operating the lift on how to catch a falcon in a net and transfer it to a carrier. Understandably, they were apprehensive, but we reassured them that fledgling Peregrines tend to stand still when approached with a net.
Just as the operation was about to begin, a rainstorm swept through the canyon, bringing strong winds and briefly delaying the rescue. A sudden powerful gust lifted the pet carrier we had prepared for Vol and sent it tumbling
down the street. Once the storm passed, the two responders secured Vol with little trouble. As predicted, he didn’t move a muscle, only staring at his rescuers as they positioned themselves over him and deployed the net.
Once the bucket returned to the street, I took the carrier containing Vol and placed it in the back of Deb’s vehicle. She took him to her raptor rescue facility, examined him, and fed him. Deb said he was in top shape and could be released in the morning.
First thing the next morning, we planned Vol’s release. With two nestlings still in the box, releasing him through the back of the nestbox, as we’ve done with other rescues, was not an option. Instead, we decided to release him on the roof.
Astrid seemed to anticipate our plans and began swooping over the bank roof even before we entered the building with Vol’s carrier. After several quick sorties, however, she settled on the State Building near Ares. By 9:30, I was on the roof with Vol’s carrier. Ares positioned himself on an east window ledge near the box, guarding the nest, while Astrid resumed low hazing flights over the roof. I quickly placed the carrier below the partition wall near the south edge, removed the cage door, and left. Vol would be able to leave whenever he was ready. Astrid let out a short volley of alarm cackles, and both parents swooped over the roof. Fortunately, they soon calmed down and went to perch on the State Building.
Back at the nestbox, the two nestlings called out. As for Vol, he still hadn’t left the carrier even an hour after we departed. Finally, at 11:20 Vol cautiously stepped out onto the roof. He had mustered the courage to fly again. He spread his wings and, with a mix of flight and hovering, descended to the east veranda. It was a skillful, controlled flight—a remarkable feat for a novice.
The next day, June 9th, fledgewatch began, with volunteers stationed in the church parking lot, keeping an eye on the nest area. At 6:30 PM, Vol was perched on the roof of the nestbox, but when he attempted to fly down to the crossperch, he missed and fell through the gap between the bars. He had accidental
ly fledged a second time! However, instead of flying right away, he clung to the underside of the ledge where the box was mounted, hanging there awkwardly, unable to pull himself up or let himself down. He stayed in this precarious position for a few minutes before releasing his grip. His wings caught the air, and he flapped his way towards the Grace Church steeple. Vol then changed course and flew north, heading back towards the bank. Ares accompanied him, flying so closely alongside that their wings nearly touched as they banked around the nest building and disappeared behind its east face.
Following a short search, I spotted Vol. He was on a narrow 14th-floor window ledge on the north face of the bank. Just as we began to wonder if he would be stuck on his new perch for an extended time, he took off again—dashing out laterally and banking around the building. He initially headed southeast toward the County Building but soon changed course, flying northwest over the parking lot where the watchers were stationed. He attempted to land on the State Building’s roof but came in short and tried to grab onto the vertical wall. He didn’t lose his nerve; he recalculated, found his wings, and on his next approach, skillfully landed on a high window ledge. It was a solid flight and a successful landing.
The following day, June 11th, the excitement continued unabated. At 8:00 AM we noticed Caris was missing. Vol, who had recently returned to the nest, and Richae were both screaming for food, but Caris was nowhere to be seen. Judging by how active she had been earlier, it seemed almost certain she had taken her first flight—and had done so without any fledgewatch volunteers there to witness it.
Finally, at about 8:30, I spotted Caris, perched safely on a 7th-floor window ledge on the north face of the State Building. Although we hadn’t seen her maiden flight, it seemed plausible that she’d copied one of Astrid’s demonstration flights, which may have led her to land on a safe, wide ledge.
Caris stayed on her windowsill perch through the night, but just before dawn on June 12th, she flew—again, with no one there to witness her journey. However, Deb was able to locate her at around 6:45 AM. Caris was perched on the roof of the Clarke Center, directly above the mural featuring prominent depictions of Astrid and Ares, as well as some downtown Utica landmarks.
Ares soon returned and delivered food to her, marking her first meal in two days. Meanwhile, Vol had been getting plenty of flying practice that morning but took a break to visit with Caris. It quickly became apparent that Astrid did not approve of the new hangout her offspring had chosen. Being only a few stories high, it was uncomfortably close to people and vehicles in the parking lot below, and Astrid made her discon-
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Caris and Vol engage in their first aerial sparring match
Vol and Caris reunite on the Clarke Center roof
tent known with hazing and cackling. Despite Astrid’s agitation, the other falcons continued with business as usual. By late morning, Richae made a bold step in her development by venturing onto the east veranda. She was a few days behind her siblings, but her progress was unmistakable.
After a day filled with eating, playing with her brother, and taking baths on the Clarke Center roof, Caris decided to attempt flying again. At 5:15 PM, with Astrid and Vol flying escort, she competently flew to the steeple and landed on a light pole—a relatively low but safe perch.
Caris spent the night on the steeple’s light pole, lying flat on the light fixture. By 5:00 AM on June 13th, she was awake, active, and flapping her wings. While I was keeping an eye on Richae, Caris launched from her perch and quickly flew out of view. Half an hour lat-
er, she was relocated on the bank roof with Vol. Ares flew in and made a food drop to them. Caris was quick to claim the meal, and Vol didn’t contest.
With their oversized yellowish feet, Juvenile Peregrines can resemble ungainly parrots, and their exaggerated swagger and prominent blue bills enhance that effect. At one point, Vol lay down to rest, but Caris wanted to play. She stomped on him, prompting him to get up. Vol then darted off the roof, diving about thirty feet in pursuit of a feather. Following that, Caris launched from the bank roof and gracefully sailed to a landing on the west veranda, joining her sister, who had recently returned from a window ledge. It was the first time Caris had come back to the nest area since fledging.
The next day, June 14th, Vol and Caris had their first aerial sparring session together. Just after 8:00 AM, Astrid was flying around with prey, enticing the juveniles to chase her. Vol took her up on it, and he and his mother nearly executed the season’s first mid-air food transfer. Vol briefly inverted—flying upside down beneath Astrid, extending his talons—but wasn’t able to grasp the prey. Just before dawn the next morning, June 15th, Caris and Richae were at the nest area while Vol was nearby on the bank roof. Richae hopped over to join her sister on the west veranda but soon decided to return to the nest. In doing so, she misstepped on the
crossperch and fell into flight. She had accidentally fledged. Once again, it happened too early in the morning for any fledgewatch volunteers to witness.
By 6:00 AM, we still hadn’t located Richae. Astrid was perched on the hotel, which could mean Richae was somewhere in that direction. At 6:20 AM Deb spotted her on the northwest corner of the Clarke Center roof. It was a relatively low rooftop but safe. About 30 minutes later, Vol joined Richae on her inaugural perch, and the two birds enjoyed a lively reunion, complete with beak swiping and juvenile Peregrine big-footed antics. By
Richae on an architectural sculpture on the façade of the Doubletree Inn
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8:20, Vol had departed, and it looked like Richae was gathering the courage to fly again. That she did and her flight took her northwest, behind the hotel, where she quickly went out of view.
I set out on foot to search for Richae, scouring the canyon and focusing especially on the hotel but came up empty-handed. At noon, I had to leave and wouldn’t be back until evening, hoping the missing fledgling would reappear by then. When I returned in the early evening, Richae was still missing.
In the evening when I returned the fledgewatch volunteers were downcast, all wrestling with the possibility that we might have lost a fledgling. The last time we experienced this was in 2015 when an intensive search for the fledgling Orion ended with the tragic discovery that she had been killed after colliding with a window.
The next morning, Sunday, June 16th, the action in the canyon began early, but it only involved the parents and two juveniles, Vol and Caris. Richae was still unaccounted for. After arriving on site around 8:00 AM, I resumed searching. I didn’t get far—only to the Adirondack Bank parking lot— when I found her. She was on a 15th-floor window ledge on the bank’s north side, her talons caught in a window screen. Both Caris and Vol flew over to check on their struggling sister. Astrid swooped close to Richae, encouraging her to pull herself free. Vol mimicked his mother’s tactic, buzzing by his sister. Richae leapt into flight—her talons releasing from the screen. Her flight took her to the hotel, where she landed on a wide ledge.
Richae spent the rest of the day on the hotel and was visited by her parents and siblings. In the evening, all three juveniles were lounging together. Soon after, Caris and Vol engaged in another long sparring session. At one point, Ares flew above them, seeming to proctor their aerial play. Around 7:00 PM, Richae took flight from the hotel, headed south, and made a clean landing on the bank roof. Moments later, she took off again, flying confidently with strong, steady wingbeats to a high window ledge on the State Building. She made a solid landing, proving that our latest fledgling was getting the hang of things.
In the days that followed, the three juvenile falcons made steady progress toward independence and self-sufficiency. As they honed their skills, they ventured farther into their parents’ territory, no longer limiting themselves to the downtown canyon. They began spending more time around the Mohawk River Floodplain, where there was plentiful prey and ample opportunity to interact with other birds in a diverse landscape. Vol was the first to leave, making the break from his parents’ support in mid-July. Caris followed a week later, and Richae departed a few days after her. Although Vol was the only one we confirmed catching his own prey, both females were seen practicing their predatory skills, clearly on their way to becoming formidable hunters. By the end of July, Astrid and Ares were empty nesters once again. They resumed performing ledge displays at the nest, making their claim on the box where they had successfully raised young for eleven consecutive years. Even at this early stage—half a year before the next breeding season—they were making it clear they fully intended to do it all again. •
is open for tours by appointment. His nature videos and photos can be found on the Spring Farm CARES’ Nature Sanctuary Facebook page.
Matt Perry is Conservation Director and Resident Naturalist at Spring Farm CARES in Clinton. He manages a 260 acre nature preserve which
the mvL restaurant guide
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december Crossword
Answers found in the pages of this magazine!
Across
3. Suzie now does this with bones before making broth.
5. Sant’s right-hand man?
9. This couple has raised broods for eleven consecutive years ___ & ___ (ladies first)
11. For quilters or quilt-lovers on your gift list, visit Tiger ___ Quilt Co. in Utica
12. Mohawk Valley Girl visits this boutique on Main St., Little Falls
15. You haven’t lived if you haven’t tried Bee Sting pizza from this Brick Oven in Rome, NY
Down
1. This month marks the grand finale of this NASA mission: ___ Solar Probe
2. Suzie shares a recipe for this style chicken soup.
4. Utica used to hold this event every January 6th. ___ Night
6. America’s 3rd favorite apple.
7. Old driver St. Nick is ___ and quick!
8. This Mediterranean Restaurant is the American Dream of the Zeinas.
10. Italian “sweet life”: ___ vita
12. CBC Stands for Christmas Bird ___
13. I’m dreaming of a ___ Christmas
14. Santa’s leader (before Rudolph, of course!)
16. The Little Drummer Boy’s first beat.
MVL Crossword Puzzler:
Forfourdecades(through1991)thisdestinationinOriskanyattracted thousandsofvisitorsforitsfamouslightdisplays.(2words,13letters)
Unscramble the letters in the yellow boxes then email your answer to: mohawkvalleyliving@hotmail.com by the 18th of this month.
You’ll be entered to win an MVL Mug and a bag of delicious, fresh-roasted FoJo Beans coffee!
The Annual Christmas Bird Count
& photos by matt perry
The National Audubon Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is not only the longest-running citizen science project in history, but it is also a unique conservation effort that has contributed invaluable data to ornithology for over a century. Founded in 1900, the Christmas Bird Count was the brainchild of Frank Chapman, a noted ornithologist and early Audubon member. At the time, a popular Christmas holiday tradition known as the “side hunt” involved competing to shoot as many birds and other animals as possible, often with no regard for conservation or species population status. Chapman, concerned about the declining bird populations he was witnessing, saw an opportunity to redirect this tradition into a productive, conservation-focused activity. He proposed that, instead of hunting, participants count and identify birds, transforming a harmful pastime into a lasting contribution to science and environmental awareness.
That first count was small, consisting of just 27 birders across 25 locations in the United States and Canada. Despite its modest beginnings, the event recorded around 90 species, setting a precedent for what would grow into a nationwide phenomenon. Chapman’s idea resonated widely, and the annual count soon began to attract increasing numbers of participants and count locations. This simple, yet revolutionary, initiative evolved into one of the largest, longest-running community
science projects globally, and today, the Christmas Bird Count includes tens of thousands of participants from North and South America, as well as additional count circles in the Caribbean and beyond.
The CBC is conducted over three weeks from December 14th to January 5th, with each location counting on a designated day within this window. Volunteer birders work within “count circles,” each with a 15-mile diameter, and cover as much of this area as possible to record every bird they can identify by sight or sound. Each circle is assigned a compiler, a volunteer who organizes the count and submits the data to the Audubon Society, ensuring consistency and accuracy nationwide. The method has remained largely unchanged since its inception, allowing for a consistent and comparable dataset stretching back over 120 years. This vast trove of data is critical for understanding changes in bird populations and provides insight into larger ecological shifts across the continent.
One of the most significant aspects of the Christmas Bird Count is its contribution to our understanding of long-term trends in bird populations. Because of the CBC’s continuity and scope, scientists have detected trends that would be nearly impossible to observe through individual studies or short-term monitoring. The data gathered over decades has shown, for example, how certain species have shifted their ranges
northward in response to climate change, revealing a clear pattern of adaptation and migration due to warming temperatures. Analysis of CBC data has also shown declines in various bird populations, helping conservationists prioritize species and regions in need of protection. For example, species such as the American Kestrel and Rusty Blackbird have shown noticeable population declines in CBC data, flagging them for further study and conservation.
The CBC has also provided crucial insights into broader ecological health and biodiversity. Because birds are sensitive to environmental changes, they often serve as indicators of ecosystem health. For instance, changes in bird populations can indicate shifts in habitat quality, prey availability, and the effects of pollutants. Through the CBC, researchers have detected declines in grassland bird species, pointing to habitat loss and agricultural changes as potential causes. Similarly, declines in insectivorous birds such as swallows and flycatchers may be linked to decreases in insect populations, which could
Downy Woodpecker: One of the most commonly encountered woodpecker species in December
be related to pesticide use and climate impacts. By tracking these changes, the CBC allows scientists to monitor the health of entire ecosystems, offering an early warning system for biodiversity loss.
One of the CBC’s most inclusive features is that anyone can participate, from beginners to seasoned birders. Volunteers are often grouped with experienced bird watchers, allowing newcomers to learn identification skills and understand the importance of data collection. Over time, many participants develop a deeper appreciation for birds and the natural world, often returning to participate year after year. This continuity not only builds valuable expertise within communities but also fosters a sense of stewardship and connection to local ecosystems.
For over a century, the Christmas Bird Count has been an invaluable tool for understanding and protecting North America’s bird populations. It stands as a testament to the power of community science and the dedication of thousands of volunteers who, each winter, brave the cold to count birds in the name of conservation. The CBC has transformed the way scientists study birds and engage the public in environmental stewardship, and its impact will undoubtedly continue to shape conservation efforts for generations to come. As the climate and natural world continue to change, the CBC remains an essential record of avian life, reflecting both the beauty of nature and the persistence of human curiosity and commitment to preservation.
There are several Christmas Bird Counts that take place in the Mohawk Valley including the Clinton (Utica) Count which I have been the compiler of for the last 25 years. Visit the National Audubon Society’s website to find a Christmas Bird Count that takes place near you and find out how to get involved. •
Black-capped Chickadee: A winter favorite reliably found by nearly all our teams in the field
Blue Jays: Their numbers tend to vary greatly from year to year and that’s reflected in our count data
Pine Siskin: A tiny and elusive finch – often missed by our intrepid bird counters
I’ve been asked many times over the years how I prefer to make chicken stock at home. (I am a chicken farmer, after all!) Do I prefer to simply boil raw chicken bones or roast them first? My “stock” response (harhar) has always been “I do it both ways and don’t have a preference.”
ALL LIES! The truth is, I had never roasted the bones first. Why? I don’t know…I have bones, water, some onions, and celery, what else do I need? Good grief, why make it complicated?!
But I recently wanted to make a boatload of stock to put in the freezer and felt it was high time I experimented.
I use chicken stock in the kitchen for all sorts of recipes—sometimes only needing a few tablespoons and often end up using the jarred better-than-bouillon type to save time. The result is usually waaaay too salty and lacking body. Chicken-y without being delicious. I was done with it.
Our farm sells 10-pound bags of chicken bones (a mix of carcasses, back, wing tips, and a couple feet) that I package for restaurants. I grabbed one of those and roasted the entire 10 pounds at 350° until they were golden brown and glorious. (The kitchen smelled amazing!) I then loaded my big, black canning pot (the largest pot I own) with roughly chopped onion, carrot, celery, the bones, and spices (sage, rosemary, thyme), and covered it with water nearly to the rim. First bringing it to the boil, I then let that pot simmer for a few hours, until ev erything was falling apart.
After cooling a bit, I strained the liquid and load ed up 2-quart plastic tubs, labeled them, and slipped them into my freezer. I made 15 quarts of stock that day!
I have to say, that was the best stock I’ve ever made. The best I’ve ever tasted. Roasting is the way to go, hands down. And since hub
We didn’t have to improve load lift capacity by up to 22%. We already had the competition beat. And we didn’t have to increase the backhoe’s digging depth by 30%.* But we did. And now, after more than a 1000 hours of testing from the scorching heat of Texas to the frigid air of Michigan, the new 2024 MT2 models are here. Proven and ready to outperform expectations of what tractors this good should cost. Start Blue. Stay Blue.
back, wing tips, and a couple feet) perfect for making broth.
Start Blue. Stay Blue.
by Peter has to watch his salt intake, I didn’t add a smidgen of salt. (Seasoning can always be added later, anyway!)
Quick & Easy Thai-Style Chicken Soup
Once you have your own homemade chicken stock on hand, you’ll be excited to make some soup. This modified recipe from America’s Test Kitchen is bright and satisfying, and quick enough to pull together with very little prep other than having some fresh ingredients on hand. Perfect for soup season.
For the soup: Oil
3 stalks lemon grass, bottom few inches only, trimmed & sliced thin
3 large shallots, chopped
8 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped
3 Tbs fish sauce
4 C chicken stock
2 cans coconut milk
1 Tbs sugar
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
1lb boneless chicken—tenders, breast, or thigh, cut into thin slices juice of 2 limes
2 tsp red curry paste
Garnish:
1/2 C loosely packed cilantro leaves
2 Thai, serrano, or jalapeno peppers, seeds removed & sliced thinly
2 scallions, sliced thin lime wedges
Instructions:
Heat 1 tsp oil in large saucepan over medium heat; add lemon grass, shallots, cilantro, and 1 Tb fish sauce and cook, stirring frequently until just soft. 2-5 minutes.
Stir in the broth and 1 can coconut milk and bring to the simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce to low, and simmer 10 minutes. Pour broth through fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids.
Return the soup to the saucepan and return to a simmer. Add remaining can coconut milk and sugar, stirring to combine. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Add chicken slices and cook, stirring constantly, until no longer pink. Remove soup from heat.
Whisk remaining fish sauce, lime juice, and curry paste in small bowl, then blend into soup. (For a spicier soup, add more curry paste.) Ladle into individual bowls and top with garnish, serving with lime wedges on the side. For step-by-step instructions on how to make your own chicken stock at home, check out
Naples Taupe Suede Leather
the grapevine restaurant in new hartford
by Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo
At The Grapevine Restaurant in the New Hartford Shopping Center, people can savor the delicious seasonings of healthy Mediterranean cuisine in a casual chic ambiance.
Originally from Lebanon, husband-and-wife team, Louie and Mirna Zeina now consider CNY their home. They find joy and embrace all things American whilst simultaneously sharing the culinary traditions of their native country.
Louie Zeina began his hospitality career in 1981 when he was a teenager enrolled at Utica Free Academy. His food cart was placed outside the NY State Office Building in downtown Utica where he sold hot dogs. Pointing to an old photo, Louie says: “I liked being outside meeting people. It’s fun!” In 1987-1988, Louie took a romantic trip back to Lebanon to court Mirna, his future bride. His optimism and enthusiasm for America were contagious so Mirna gladly yielded to Louie’s direction. When returning to Utica, Louie said, “She learned to speak English and adjusted very quickly.” Their social life centered around Saint Louis Gonzaga Church, where their cooking was highly appraised. Customer Janine Shaheen said: “They are very nice hard workers who care for people.” She adds, “I am a vegetarian, so I like falafel (chickpeas, lettuce, tomato, pickled turnips).”
Early on, Mirna raised their children and worked behind the scenes preparing tasty condiments, sides, and sauces such as tahini, hummus, tabouli, baba ghanoush, and khyar bil-laban.
In the late nineties, Louie moved his food stand to Home Depot where his gyro sandwiches gained popularity, and his pleasant personality earned him many friends and business connections. Invitations to be a food vendor at festivals and events came often. Regular customer Virginia Petras says, “He’s very well known. I see him all
Louie Zeina reminisces about the early 1980s and his hotdog stand in downtown Utica
Louie Zeina shows off his wife Mirna’s flowers. This year, with the mild autumn, they transitioned right from flowers to Christmas decorations.
Chicken Gyro Bowl
over... the Clinton Farmers Market, the Mediterranean Festival, the Garlic Festival in Little Falls, and the Remsen Barn Festival.” She further adds: “I usually get the Beef (or chicken) Chawarma (spiced lean meat wrapped in pita bread, tomatoes, tahini, onion, parsley).” Other food cart options are: Gyro Bowl, Tabouli and Hummus, and Kafta.
When the Zeina children grew up, Louie and Mirna Zeina were finally ready to open a restaurant, so in 2012, The Grapevine was established. Its name is derived from outdoor dining areas in Lebanon which have grape vines climbing the supports and overhead trellises to shade the tables.
They chose the New Hartford Shopping Center for its extensive parking lot, but the large open clearance funneled a strong gust of wind that shocked the customers every time the entrance door opened. Louie quickly corrected the problem with a beautiful glass partition which leads to an extended dining area and event space. It also serves as a mini greenhouse with potted herbs like mint, chives, and parsley, con sequently creating a pleasant aroma and lovely aesthetic.
The walls are colored in a vibrant olive green because “there are a lot of olive trees in Lebanon,” says Louie. “And olives with feta cheese are available as a side dish, and in the Greek Salad.” Other salads are falafel, blackened salmon salad; vegetarian antipasto salad; and chicken fatouche. The salads are often paired with warm pita bread and hearty soups like Leb anese chicken and rice or lentil.
The menu has two entree cate gories labeled Louie’s Cart Classics and Mirna’s Specialties. They are spin-offs from the menu options avail able on Louie’s original food cart now served formally on attractive tableware
Louie Zeina starts the Christmas decorating, but says his wife, Mirna, is the decorator.
The Grapevine team, (l-r) Sarah Hennadiy, Darlene Jackson, owner Louie Zeina, and Justin Moeller
with a side of rice pilaf, salad, warm bread, sauces, and vegetables. Exam ples are: chawarma, shish lahmi, chicken taouk, kafta platter, grape leaves platter, kibbeh platter, Lebanese rice bowl, gyro platter, and a vegetarian platter.
Beverage options include: soda, tea, coffee, and specialty waters. Louie says, “People can bring their own beer or wine.” This makes customers happy by reducing costs and ensuring that they can enjoy their favorite.
A children’s menu is available along with sweets such as baklava and pistachio cookie baklava.
In 2017, actor Jeff Goldblum was in town filming a movie tain and practicing the piano for the Jeff Goldblum and Mildred Snitzer Or chestra at Center Stage Piano, a former tenant in a neighboring suite at the New Hartford Shopping Center. While there, Goldblum thrilled the staff and customers when he stopped in to order The Grapevine’s favorite menu item, the Trip to the Middle East (hummus, tabouli, baba ghanoush, falafel, kibbeh, grape leaves, and pita bread). Louie says, “It’s so popular because people get to try everything.”
Louie delights in the American celebration of Christmas and goes all out decorating The Grapevine, playing holiday music, hosting parties in his event space, and catering with his food platters around town. However, although Louie works very long hours, he will still make time for his friends and family at home. Louie smiles and says, “My wife gets the biggest tree every year, and I have to climb a ladder to put the star on top, just like Charlie Brown.” He adds with youthful wonderment, “I love America. It’s like heaven on earth.”
The Grapevine Restaurant
New Hartford Shopping Center, 120 Genesee St., New Hartford (315) 733-0257 • Tuesday to Saturday: 10am–8pm • grapevinenewhartfordny.com
Trays of assorted mini-pastries or cookies for gift-giving to clients, customers and friends. Order mini-pastryyour & cookie trays early!
Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo is a poet and creative writer that enjoys history, collecting antiques, and dancing in participation with the Patrician Ballroom Dance Club, The KAC Line Dancers, The Edelweiss Schuplatlers, and The Craobh DuganO’Loony Irish Dancers.
December Concert Schedule
presented by the Hamilton College Department of Music
Free Performances
Winter Jazz Concert Saturday, December 6, 7:30pm
Choir Winter Concert Saturday, December 7, 7:30pm
Chamber Ensembles Sunday, December 8, 7:30pm
Hamiton College Orchestra Friday, December 13, 7:30pm
Student Soloists Concert Saturday, December 14, 6pm
The ever-popular gyro with eggplant fries
Olives and feta cheese appetizer
Turkish coffee served in fancy Lebanese teacups
Chickweed Boutique in Little Falls
I first noticed Chickweed Boutique when it was a small booth in the Shops at 25 West in Little Falls and I have been following them on Facebook, watching with interest their move to Main Street. One day I finally stopped in.
I paused outside to take a picture of the sign, noting all the types of merchandise listed. As soon as I walked in the door, I inhaled lovely scents from candles. Then I stopped short because I saw a bunch of interesting books, cleverly displayed on an old card catalog (for younger readers, that is how we used to look things up at the library, back in the olden days). It was a few minutes before I could tear myself away and explore the rest of the store.
The proprietress, Kelly Scarano Grcic greeted me.
“I came in to see your new digs,” I said.
It is a beautiful space, in the building that used to house the German Maennerchor. I especially admired the original hardwood floors. Big windows looked out on Main Street and let in a lot of sun. I took my time walking around.
As I looked through the clever cards (no mass-produced stuff here!). I was delighted to see cards by Huckleberry Letterpress, who used to have a shop further down Main Street. Kelly told me they do more of an online/wholesale business now. I was pleased to hear they were doing well. They are such nice people, and I love their stuff.
Chickweed Boutique has beautiful hardwood floors that add to the pleasant shopping experience
Owner of Chickweed Boutique, Kelly Scarano Grcic
Chickweed carries things by local artists and artisans: soaps, jewelry, candles, home decor, and more. I looked over some of the clothes and footwear, but I need to clean out my closet before I add any more. I looked longingly at the earrings, which I truly do NOT need more of. Full disclosure: I purchased a pair anyway.
I asked about the card catalog. Kelly told me her husband had found it in pieces, and her father had restored it. It certainly is a handsome piece now. I confessed to being a huge library geek, and we chatted about local libraries for a while.
I enjoyed my visit there and told Kelly I would make it a regular stop on my visits to Little Falls. I will certainly return for Christmas shopping! I saw a few books my great-niece and -nephew would like, and jewelry or candles are nice for others on my list. Or maybe a sign with a cute saying, or some honey, or a serving board, or… Purchase something else for me? It’s a possibility! •
Chickweed Boutique
Hours are subject to change. Follow them on Facebook for updates.
grande finale
by carol higgins
Winter officially begins in the Mohawk Valley at 4:24am on Saturday, December 21. With only 8 hours and 59 minutes of daylight, it is the shortest day of the year. For comparison, the first day of summer has 15 hours and 22 minutes of sunlight. December also marks the start of the last phase of one of NASA’s premier missions – the grand finale of the daring Parker Solar Probe spacecraft!
Launched August 12, 2018, the Parker Solar Probe (PSP) is on an ambitious and risky 7-year journey to unravel several intriguing mysteries about the Sun that have puzzled scientists for almost a century. The top three investigations focus on the mechanics, forces, and components of our nearest star: why is the atmosphere (corona) millions of degrees hotter than the surface; how is the solar wind (stream of charged particles from the corona) accelerated; how and where do the high-energy particles originate.
The mission plan calls for 24 elliptical orbits and close encounters with the Sun, along with seven flybys of planet Venus to adjust the spacecraft’s trajectory and send it closer and closer to the surface and deeper into the corona with each pass. So far, 21 solar orbits have occurred, and all seven Venus flybys are complete – the most recent occurring on November 6 when the spacecraft was just 230 miles above the planet’s surface. The PSP is currently
building up speed and on its way to close approach #22 in December.
Carrying four science instrument suites, five communications antennas, and a carbon-composite heat shield to protect the platform and instruments from scorching temperatures as high as 3,000° Fahrenheit, the spacecraft continues to meet its science goals. It is literally flying into the Sun’s upper atmosphere, and in that unexplored zone, it will sample particles and measure magnetic fields.
Not only is the spacecraft healthy and gathering data and images, but scientists have already announced several discoveries. For example, PSP discovered switchbacks, zig-zag patterns created by rapid flips of the Sun’s magnetic field loops, that originate on the surface. Switchbacks are believed to contribute to heating the Sun’s charged particles and their acceleration out into space. This new data is helping solve one of the long-standing puzzles about the solar wind. Other observations found small “jetlets” in the lower part of the atmosphere that lift million-degree plasma higher, a process that may help answer questions about the coronal heating mystery.
But its discoveries are not limited to the Sun. To minimize the exposure to the Sun’s high temperatures and volatile environment, the PSP follows a wide elliptical orbital trajectory that takes it to Venus as
mentioned earlier. During those periods, the spacecraft still collects data and images. During two of the Venus encounters, the Wide-Field imager (WISPR) captured startling images of the planet that revealed surface details. The camera could “see” through the planet’s thick clouds in infrared, and now scientists anxiously look forward to new images from the November 6 Venus flyby for additional data.
The grand finale – a trio of three close approaches of the Sun to complete the prime mission – begins December 24, Christmas Eve. The final two occur on March 22, 2025, and June 29, 2025. As the fastest spacecraft ever built, PSP continually broke its own speed records. So far its top speed is 394,700 miles per hour. During the grand finale, the spacecraft will be only 3.8 million miles above the solar surface and traveling an astounding 430,000 miles per hour. To learn more about the remarkable spacecraft and its daring mission to explore and solve mysteries about our favorite star, visit the https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu website.
Wishing you clear skies!
Hanny’s Voorwerp. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, W. Keel, Galaxy Zoo Team
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe illustration Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben
farm market report
Spinach Madeline
by Nat Levin
For many years, I dreaded the Thanksgiving meal. Not the gathering itself, but the food: as a life-long vegetarian, I felt that an event focused on the ritual consumption of an animal missed the point for me, and—she’s not here to read this—my grandmother’s stuffing was always dry, and the mashed potatoes were lumpy. In 2017, I decided to take charge and volunteered to host for the first time. For a festive vegetarian main, I stuffed a hollowed-out pumpkin with sourdough cubes, caramelized onions, herbs, and gruyere, then poured cream over the whole thing and baked it until the pumpkin began to sink into itself. But the real star was the array of sides, which spanned a range of flavors, from creamy-carby to tart-light. Spinach Madeline, a fiery creamed spinach, ended up being the star of the show. It is rich and creamy, but the spice prevents it from being stodgy. It has since become a classic in my family, a staple requested for every celebratory dinner, from Thanksgiving to Christmas and beyond. I hope it becomes the same for your family as well.
This recipe is adapted from one originally published in River Road
Recipes, the Junior League of Baton Rouge’s community cookbook, and republished on www.allrecipes.com.
Spinach Madeline
4 pounds fresh spinach or 1 bunch collards or kale
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 small to medium onion, finely chopped 4 large cloves of garlic, minced 1 5-oz can evaporated milk
1 8-oz block Cabot habanero cheddar*
1.5 teaspoons celery salt Lemon juice
1 cup buttered breadcrumbs (melt three tablespoons butter in a pan, then add 1 cup breadcrumbs and lightly toast until completely coated in butter. They will continue to cook in the oven) For kale or collards, chop finely and put to boil in salted water for ten minutes, until completely soft. Drain, cool, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. For spinach, blanch one minute, then drain, cool, squeeze, and chop finely.
Melt the butter in a sauté pan or ov enproof braiser over medium-low
www.localfoodsmohawkvalley.com
heat. Make the roux: add the flour to the melted butter and stir until completely smooth. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the evaporated milk slowly, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until smooth and thick, then slowly add the grated cheese and stir until cheese is completely melted. Add the greens and salt, some pepper, and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Add more salt and lemon juice to taste. If not using an ovenproof pan, transfer to baking dish and top with breadcrumbs and bake for 15 minutes at 375. Use the broiler at the end if you need to further brown the breadcrumbs.
*If you can’t find habanero cheddar (Walmart in New Hartford typically has it), sub a block of pepper jack and half a jar of pickled jalapeños that you drain and chop finely. •
Jack Riffle and Natalie Levin of Local Foods Mohawk Valley
december 2024 GALLERY GUIDE
VanHoesen
Through December 29, 2024
Van Hoesen distinguished herself as a major figure in twentieth-century printmaking. capturing the essence of animals, flowers, people, and everyday objects in a realistic manner.
Arkell Museum
2 Erie Blvd, Canajoharie, NY (518) 673-2314 arkellmuseum.org
Detail of “Snowmobile Trail,” a photo by Kurt Gardner, part of the exhibition, AstrophotographersoftheAdirondacks, opening December 7 at View in Old Forge.
Through December 29, 2024
An exhibition of original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients, “runner-up” Honor books, and other award-winning artists.
Fenimore Art Museum 5798 Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-1400 fenimoreartmuseum.org
December 7, 2024–January 27, 2025
Reception: Sat., December 7, 1–4pm Kirkland Art Center 9½ E Park Row, Clinton, NY (315) 853-8871 kacny.org
Legacy– EdwardChristiana
December 6–28, 2024
Reception: Fri., Dec. 6, 5–7pm
Finissage: Sat., Dec. 28, 1pm
The Other Side 2011 Genesee St., Utica, NY theothersideutica.org
Hours: Thurs: 12-3pm, Sat: 12-3pm
Utica’s Twelfth Night Bonfire
by Alecia Pendasulo History Center Volunteer and Board Member
In the heart of winter, Utica’s Twelfth Night celebration stood as a cherished tradition in the 1930s, eagerly anticipated by families across the city. Held each year on January 6th, the event marked the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas. A time for one last festive gathering before officially saying goodbye to the holiday season. At the center of this celebration, organized by the Young Men’s Board of Trade, was a grand bonfire ignited in Roscoe Conkling Park.
Preparations for Twelfth Night began as soon as Christmas trees were taken down in homes throughout Utica. After the ornaments and tinsel were carefully put away, residents placed their dried-out Christmas trees by the curb, ready for collection. Young Men’s Board of Trade members coordinated citywide efforts, sending teams to collect the discarded trees. The old evergreens were gathered and carefully stacked in the park, building up a massive pile that sometimes totaled as many as 3,000 trees.
The bonfire was a stunning yet carefully managed spectacle. Built near the skating rink in Roscoe Conkling Park, the massive pile of trees was strategically placed to offer a good view for skaters, skiers, and spectators alike. The city’s public safety commissioner ensured fire trucks were stationed nearby, with firefighters on standby to monitor
Toboggan sledding at Roscoe Conkling Park in Utica
the blaze. Two policemen stood guard to prevent any interference with the pile of trees.
As the evening wore on and the crowd gathered, anticipation built for the lighting of the bonfire. At 8 p.m., the ceremony began with a bugle call from the Boy Scouts. Then, with a torch in hand, the mayor of Utica would step forward to ignite the fire. The entire stack would roar to life as soon as the dry branches were touched. Cheers erupted as the bonfire crackled and blazed, an exhilarating sight as flames leaped high into the chilly winter night.
The Boys Club Band would play holiday music that filled the air with cheer, while the Boy Scouts ensured everyone stayed safe so families could enjoy the night. Snowballs flew, and special effects like gasoline and flashlight powders sometimes intensified the spectacle, making the fire’s glow even more dramatic.
As the flames died down and the last notes of holiday music drifted into the night, Utica’s Twelfth Night celebration left everyone with warm memories. More than just a goodbye to the holiday season, it brought the community together simply and joyfully. Though the bonfire no longer burns each January, those who remember it still cherish the warmth and spirit that once brought the city together each winter. •
by Peggy Spencer Behrendt
In 1974, Tim and Peggy Spencer Behrendt set off on an adventure. They began a new life in the woods of Cold Brook, NY, without modern conveniences like electricity or indoor plumbing. These are excerpts and reflections from Peggy’s journal chronicling their adventures and also her childhood memories growing up in Westmoreland.
The long nights of the winter solstice season when the dark is darkest and cold is coldest is the time for storytelling. Tim has been telling stories since elementary school and his classmates loved them. I share one here that was likely inspired by our true-life experiences living without electricity, plumbing, and central heat in our scrap-wood forest cottage when we were young adults in the 1970s. As he told it to the children in one of our congregations, I made a spontaneous illustration with pastels.
A Winter Solstice Tale by Timothy Hume Behrendt
People began preparing for the winter holidays shortly after Thanksgiving by shopping, decorating, and sending out the best winter holiday wishes. But amidst all the hurry and scurry of the holiday rush most of them seemed rather bored and tired of it all but they did what they were expected to do. Meanwhile, the carols in all the stores sounded tinnier than ever and the season drearily trudged on.
This ho-hum atmosphere made Santa worry:
“What can I do to help out these glum
people? Most of them already have so much. Why, according to my gift log,” said Santa, “some children have as many as ten to one hundred stuffed animals. Some have a dozen dolls, and I see that some have numerous toy cars, talking puppets, and video games!
“Most look well-fed. Their closets are full of clothes. Their homes and apartments are large, welllit, and heated twenty-four hours a day! Some of the children know the song “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” so well that they yawn when they sing or hear it. My, my, what can I do?”
He consulted with his tiny toy-making elves, his beautiful reindeer that always traveled with him, and, of course, Mrs. Claus, his highly respected companion. They left the red and green staff meeting room with bright eyes and smiles. They had found a solution they knew would cheer people up!
If you promise not to tell anyone except at this solstice time each year, I will share their secret remedy. Okay?
A our unfinished cottage, winter 1974
The children’s first visit to our cottage, 1974
Peg illustrated Tim’s story as he told it to the congregation
In a wink of an eye, Santa made all the toys and most of the food in pantries and refrigerators disappear leaving only a little bit. He shrunk the homes and apartments to one small room, and cut off the electricity and heat, leaving them but one candle per night. All of their TVs, computers, telephones, and even their vehicles including trucks, cars, snowmobiles, buses, trains, planes, even bikes and sleds evaporated as quickly as I speak these words.
The adults and children were in shock at first. “What kind of life is this?” they exclaimed. It was outrageous beyond one’s worst imaginings. Slowly, they realized that if they didn’t do something soon, they would freeze and starve. They took the few meager food products left on the shelves and rationed them carefully so each had a little daily nourishment. There was no waste, not even a crumb, for it could mean starvation. When the long, dark
many
Also Butternut Squash, Potatoes & Cabbage.
night of winter solstice fell upon them, they all gathered around the one small candle Santa had left them and peered into its fragile, flickering light being very careful not to blow it out.
They stayed close to each other to keep warm and made coats of the few blankets that had been spared. At bedtime, the coat-blankets were used for bedding on their simple sleeping mats.
With no way to travel and no electronics, they began telling each other stories, making some up, or reliving past times of plenty and sharing hopes for the future as well.
The children made shadow puppets on the walls from the light of the candle. Even the wax drippings were not wasted, as some little ones molded it into little figures while the wax was still soft.
There were no vehicles so they began taking walks during the daylight hours noticing things they never noticed before. Sometimes they took walks at night when the moon lit the subtly blue winter landscape, and the earth sparkled with diamond dust crystals of ice. They made do with what they had and bravely survived those dark days of the winter solstice that lasted for seven days. When Christmas Eve came they all lay on their simple mattress beds covered by their coat-blankets. There were no Christmas trees, no gifts or decorations. Stomachs were growling a bit. The night was very dark and still.
As the big silvery moon rose over the hill, Santa flew over with his sleigh and reindeer and brought back all that he had magically taken from them.
When everyone awoke that Christmas morning, they were in their old homes which seemed so much bigger than they used to. The lights were blindingly brilliant, like liquid gold. The refrigerators had heaps of food; the closets had loads of clothes for all seasons. It was truly a grand and joyous Christmas morning.
All the people of this magical tale looked upon their re-discovered old life in a new way. They were no longer gloomy, but were extremely grateful for what they had, for they had much, and now they knew it.
Tim gets water for us from the creek
It is said to this very day, that all who lived through this mysterious event gather each year around a single candle on December twenty-first. They then retell what happened to them many years ago and how grateful they became to have just what they have. And they lived happily, sadly, meanly, and sacredly ever after. The End.
And here is a true story of the first December holiday after Tim and I married that we spent with his four children in our newly handbuilt one-room forest cottage deep in Shawangunk Forest. They took a bus from their home in PA, and rode in the open truck bed of our
1950 Willy’s Jeep truck wrapped in blankets, from Utica to Shawangunk. The last half-mile hike through the deep snow was exhausting as we all were carrying groceries and dragging their luggage. But it was also an enchanted avenue of fairyland, framed with mystic evergreens, and mantled in snowy plumes of white. It was bitter cold and our breaths rose in hoary steam if we spoke.
It was frigid, but we warmed up quickly as we followed each other with only the crunch of our footsteps breaking the woodland stillness. We could still see our breath when we entered our frozen, silent, one-room cottage, soon filling with youthful voices and glowing with
bright, orange flames roaring in the little wood stove creating blessed warmth that slowly, so slowly penetrated the furniture, walls and its new inhabitants.
It was already starting to get dark, and since candle and kerosene lamplight left much of the room in deep shadow, we went through a quick orientation.
“Two can sleep in the loft, one on the couch, one on the cot, and if you have to go to the bathroom during the night, use the chamber pot on the porch.”
And so, our first long winter’s night drifted through many dreams until long rays of sun and shadow through the forest of morning
woke us.
Everyone stayed in bed until the fire was started, then dressed as quickly as possible and crowded around the stove, slowly rotating to warm the cold parts and cool the parts that were too hot.
We’d jump away with a yelp if we got too close. We had to move carefully around each other in the crowded room.
I cooked oatmeal on the wood stove while plans were made.
“When can we go to town, Dad? We want to see our friends!” they all asked.
“Why don’t we stay here and have our holiday? Maybe tomorrow we can take you in.”
“Awwww!” they groaned. “So, what do we do now?”
“Well, we have to bring in some wood, I have to chop a hole in the ice to get water, and we need to tidy up so we don’t trip over stuff. And then we’ll exchange our gifts!”
“Yayyyy!”
I had crocheted elf-like slippers for each of them out of wool from their pet sheep with long curly toes. The younger kids liked them at least. There were comic books, a MAD magazine, a big book of fairy tales, and some natural food treats.
The children gave Tim a new budget book, as he is constantly filling them up and running out of space. I received a new scarf
“How about playing something on the piano?” I asked.
“C’mon Jen, let’s do a duet” suggested Becky.
And so, we filled their vacation with chores, music, reading, and exploring the forest. In the long twilight, some cuddled on the couch while others enjoyed getting toasted next to the fireplace. Sometimes they climbed the ladder to the warm loft and basked in the heat that rose. When they got curious about what was happening below, their wee faces peeked over the edge; pink cheeks flushed with heat; lush, long, dark hair swishing below. We made up stories, always ending with; “and they lived happily, sadly, meanly, and sacredly ever after.” We made up games, talked about our feelings, cooked food, drew pictures, and read fairy tales.
I made up lively tunes on the piano I called Forest Dances for the girls to dance to. There were plenty of hugs, interspersed with complaints about an “accidental” poke from an elbow, or a foot in someone’s face as we read and talked in such intimate quarters.
Heidi loved playing with the hot wax on the top of the candle.
“Stop playing with the wax, Heidi! You’ll get burned!” we all admonished, over and over. But her fingers were continually and irresistibly drawn back to that warm magma.
I’m sure they were bored and uncomfortable quite a bit, but they didn’t complain. I admired that. This holiday together required a spirit of tolerance, understanding, sharing, and cooperation which ultimately drew us closer together as a family with me as the new member.
We all learned to enjoy playing with the candle wax. It was malleable and warm, sometimes too warm, but so much fun to pull off and convert to tiny shapes like balls, squares, people, animals... and full hearts. Like the people in Tim’s story, the time we and our children spent “without” helped make it possible for us to truly appreciate, savor, and be grateful for all that we have. •
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
ing sells at-home kits or you can sign up for one of her classes at the Kirkland Art Center or another location: greyfoxfelting. com, or buy some fun chunky yarns and corresponding crochet hooks and take a crochet class together at a nearby library or art center. You make matching scarves or
hats for a souvenir.
And, of course, presentation is everything! Tie a mermaid or fire truck ornament to your cookie-making gift; include a cluster of silk tulips or a new garden spade or gloves on top of your bulb-planting gift; crochet a chain for a “ribbon” or felt a cou-
ple of Christmas bulbs to adorn your crochet or felting-time gift.
When you give someone the gift of your time, you let them know how special they are to you. What better gift is there? •
There is no rebate on the �rst implement purchased. Offers expire 09/30/24. Terms subject to change. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety and product information see dealer or KubotaUSA.com. Your Kubota Limited warranty gives you speci�c legal rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any liability from the use of this material. For complete warranty, disclaimer, safety and product and incentive offer information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the Owner’s Warranty Information Guide for the Kubota limited warranty on all products. Visit KubotaUSA.com/disclaimers for more information. **Based on EDA/UCC Data from 01/01/2019 - 12/31/2023 for sales of new tractors 0-200 HP in the USA. © Kubota Tractor Corporation, 2024. $0 Down,
Your Kubota Limited warranty gives you speci�c legal rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state. This material is for descriptive purposes only. Kubota disclaims all representations and warranties, express or implied, or any
complete warranty,
