YOUNG AT ART: A Selection of Caldecott Book
Illustrations
September 14 - December 29
Through picture books, readers embark on visual journeys that engage all of the senses and encourage curious, imaginative, and thoughtful interactions with the world around them. Since 1938, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, has recognized the significant impact of art on early reading experiences, awarding the Caldecott Medal for excellence in this area. This exhibition includes original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients and from “runner-up” Honor books, as well as other illustrations by award-winning artists.
Elizabeth O. Jones (1910-2005), Prayer for a Child, 1944; watercolor, 6 1/2 x 5 3/8 inches; Courtesy of Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University
NEW YORK TO PARIS:
Street Photography by Todd Webb
September 21- December 29
AMERICAN MASTERWORKS through December 29, 2024
BOUNDLESS SPIRIT
American Folk Art at Fenimore Art Museum
September 14 – December 29, 2024
ART OF THE EVERYDAY
American Genre Painting
September 28 – December 29, 2024
Right: Snowy Day in Boston, 1907-1910, Maurice Brazil Prendergast, oil on canvas, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York, Gift of the Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw Charitable Trust. N0021.2023. Photograph by Richard Walker.
Courtyard Rue Vercing’toria, Paris, 1950, Todd Webb, gelatin silver print, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York. Museum purchase. N0013.2022(09).
2024–2025 MUNSON SEASON PREVIEW
KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS®
Dances for the Ears
Saturday, Sept. 7 | 7:30 p.m.
A Few of Our Favorite Things Saturday, April 5 | 2 p.m.
ROBIN SPIELBERG
Music and Mental Health
Saturday, Sept. 28 | 7:30 p.m.
HALF MOON ORCHESTRA: HOLIDAY CONCERT
Classical Orchestra Saturday, Dec. 21 | 7 p.m.
ANTONIO
SÁNCHEZ: BIRDMAN LIVE
Percussionist Saturday, Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m.
LOVE ON THE ROCKS
Victorian Love Stories and Cocktails Thursday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m.
DANÚ
Traditional Irish Ensemble Thursday, March 6 | 7:30 p.m.
AN EVENING WITH JOHN WATERS
Filmmaker and Cultural Icon Thursday, April 10 | 7:30 p.m.
LIVE FROM LAUREL CANYON: SONGS AND STORIES OF AMERICAN FOLK ROCK
Folk Rock Ensemble Saturday, May 10 | 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS 315-797-0055 or 1-800-754-0797 munson.art stop by the welcome desk 310 Genesee St., Utica, N.Y. | munson.art
222 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502
315-797-2700 | Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
ALPACA SOCKS ARE THE ANSWER! Looking for the “ULTIMATE” Hiking and Running socks?
Stocking Hats, Mittens, Gloves, Headbands, Over “50” Styles of Alpaca Socks, Fur Slippers, Animals, Rugs & Pillows, Sweaters, Jackets, Vests, Sport Bags & more.
ALPACA is for Year-Round Comfort *Up to 3X cooler than Cotton (in the heat) *Naturally Water & Odor Resistant *Highly Anti -microbial *Softer than Cashmere *Alpaca keeps your feet cool and dry in the Heat, but Warm in the Cold
Lightweight Sock A Thin Lightweight sock for daily wear. 70% Baby Alpaca. 13 Colors.
Stocking over 2200 SqFt of Alpaca Products
Alpaca Socks are the BEST choice in the Heat or Cold!
Next Issue: October 1st
Important Things by
Sharry L. Whitney
Sometimes life gets in the way of work, or work gets in the way of life. In those times, decisions about what’s important have to be made. During our final week of production on this month’s magazine, I was in the hospital with a senior family member. We were told initially that everything was fine, but the days turned into a week. Thoughts of the magazine deadline kept burrowing into important family discussions.
I began to sympathize with other small business owners and how they cope in situations like this. I felt blessed that my business is not a retail store with set hours or a typical 9-5 business. We’ll be fine, I thought. We can work nights and weekends. I started budgeting out our time and making schedules.
As fate would have it (how does the saying go about best laid plans going awry?), the same day one family was released, another arrived in an ambulance. As I sat in the emergency room–knowing I had a group meeting scheduled in an hour–a sudden calm washed over me. I am where I am supposed to be. This is important. Be here. The thoughts of Skyping into the meeting and working on my phone/laptop evaporated. I let it all go, and with help from Wynn Hospital’s kind and capable nurse Jamie, cared for the person in the now.
The next day, family members arrived from afar. I was updated that the meeting went well and our printer graciously gave us an extra day to finish the magazine.
I know the next time I arrive at a small business and find a hand-written note that reads, “closed for a family emergency,” instead of feeling inconvenienced, I will understand they are handling more important things. •
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.
The answer to last month’s puzze about the 247th anniversary of this general’s fateful trip is: General Herkimer Our winner is: Kathy Carney of Madison
Mary Leonard with her daughters Kristin Leonard and Dana Sanders, environmental scientists and co-owners of Origins Cafe
FALL EVENTS 2024
Harvest Festival
September 14-15 | 10AM-5PM
Included with museum admission Blacksmithing Weekend
September 28-29 | 10AM-5PM
Included with museum admission
FALL HOURS: TUE-SUN, 10AM-4PM THROUGH OCT 31 (CLOSED MONDAYS)
Tractor Fest
October 12-13 | 10AM-5PM Included with museum admission Things That Go Bump In
October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Various times | Register online
Where the Wild Things Are Now
by matt perry
Porcupine sightings are on the increase in the Mohawk Valley
In many ways, the wildlife of the Mohawk Valley and Central New York has transformed significantly over the past sixty years. Many species commonly encountered in 2024 were either absent or extremely rare in the 1960s and 70s. When I was a child, there were no resident turkey vultures. There were also no wild turkeys, bobcats, coyotes, fishers, or river otters in the region. Additionally, bird species like the tufted titmouse, red-bellied woodpecker, common raven, bald eagle, osprey, and peregrine falcon were not present. These species, and several others, are relatively recent settlers in our region. Almost all of them are returning former residents that had disappeared due to anthropogenic reasons, such as overhunting, over-trapping, habitat destruction, human/ wildlife conflicts, and the use of pesticides.
Even without human influence, the geographic ranges of wildlife are in a near-constant state of flux. As some species find new opportunities and expand their territories, others face shrinking habitats and declining populations. These changes might be barely discernible yearto-year, but when the data is examined over decades, the trends become much clearer. Understanding these long-term
trends is crucial for effective conservation efforts and for ensuring the resilience of local ecosystems in the face of ongoing environmental changes.
Porcupines Arrive
One of many significant range changes I’ve noted in recent years involves the porcupine. Porcupines are the second-largest rodents in North America, characterized by their distinctive quills, which serve as a defense mechanism against predators. They are primarily nocturnal and herbivorous, feeding on a diet of leaves, twigs, and bark. Porcupines are well-adapted to a range of habitats, including forests, shrublands, and even some urban areas. Historically, Porcupines were found throughout much of the northern United States and Canada. However, in the Northeastern US, in the last two centuries since European settlement, their populations have been patchy, with fewer sightings reported in some regions
including in the Mohawk Valley. Over the past few decades, observations and reports indicate that Porcupines are increasingly common here.
Warming temperatures and milder winters in Central New York have created more favorable conditions for Porcupines. As relatively cold-sensitive animals, Porcupines benefit from shorter and less severe winters, which reduce the risks of hypothermia and starvation. Many parts of the Northeast have seen a resurgence of forested areas due to the decline of
agriculture and the return of abandoned farmlands to natural vegetation. These regenerating forests provide ample food sources and suitable habitats for porcupines. While urbanization can negatively impact many species, porcupines have shown a degree of adaptability to human-altered landscapes. They can often be found in suburban areas, where they may feed on ornamental trees and shrubs. However, this adaptability can lead to conflicts with humans, particularly when porcupines cause damage to property.
At our nature preserve, I’ve been observing porcupines and finding their sign for about two decades. During this time,
the frequency of encounters has steadily increased. Last winter, I discovered that a porcupine was regularly using the same game trail night after night, apparently traveling from a denning site to a favorite feeding area. Although I had come across porcupine tracks semi-regularly in past winters, I had never known one to repeatedly use the same path. This summer, for the first time, we found evidence of porcupines breeding on the property, and the female involved was likely the same individual I had been tracking during the winter. One early summer day, we were fortunate to see her nursing a single small kit, with both parent and kit making their species’ characteristic peculiar vocalizations. Of course, discovering that an animal is breeding in an area is an irrefutable indication that the habitat is conducive to hosting the species.
Black Vultures Arrive
The presence of turkey vultures in the
Mohawk Valley has exploded over the last fifty years and now they are a common resident species. A similar phenomenon may now be underway with a related vulture species – the black vulture. Traditionally a resident of the southeastern United States, the black vulture has been steadily moving northward and is now being spotted in Central New York with increased frequency.
Black vultures are highly adaptable and can exploit a variety of food sources. Increased roadkill, agricultural practices, and human waste provide ample foraging opportunities in more populated areas. The abundance of food sources (carrion) along highways and suburban environments has facilitated their spread.
Black vultures are medium-sized raptors, known for their distinctive black plumage, short tails, and broad wings. They have a wingspan of about five feet and are easily recognizable by their silver-gray wingtips. Black vultures are even more social than turkey vultures, often occurring in large flocks. Vultures, generally, are not considered birds of prey, since they don’t make their living by catching live animals. Indeed, most vultures are scavengers, feeding primarily on carrion. However, unlike turkey vultures, black
vultures will occasionally prey on live small animals. In our region, black vultures first established a modest colony in Little Falls. This occurred about a decade ago, and now they appear to be making inroads in other parts of the valley.
River Otters Make a Comeback
The North American river otters are semi-aquatic mammals known for their playful behavior, sleek bodies, and webbed feet, making them excellent swimmers. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and small mammals. River otters thrive in a variety of aquatic habitats, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal shorelines, where they require clean, unpolluted water and abundant food sources. Historically, river otters were widespread across North America, but by the early 20th century, their populations had drastically declined in many regions due to habitat loss, water pollution, and over-harvesting for fur. In the northeastern US, including Central New York, river otters became scarce. However, concerted conservation efforts over the past few decades have led to a significant recovery and expansion of their range.
Several factors have driven the recovery of river otters in the Northeast. One is the recovery of the Beaver in these areas and the proliferation of Beaver-created wetlands. Indeed, they are one of many species that have benefited from the industry of those aquatic, hab
River Otters recently returned to the Mohawk Valley
role in river otter recovery. States such as
able habitats and monitoring their progress. Efforts to clean up waterways and reduce pollution have created healthier habitats for river otters. Legislation such as the Clean Water Act has helped improve water quality, making rivers and lakes more hospitable for otters
As apex predators, river otters play a vital role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. They help control invertebrates, thereby contributing to balanced food webs. River otters are considered indicator species, meaning their presence reenvironments. Their return signals improved water quality and ecosystem health. The
of dedicated efforts to protect and restore wildlife. As these charismatic mammals reclaim their historic range, they bring renewed ecological vitality to the region’s aquatic environments.
The Return of the Bald Eagle
The bald eagle, the United States’ national bird, has made a remarkable comeback in the Northeastern US, including the Mohawk Valley. Once on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting, bald eagles are thriving thanks to concerted conservation efforts. Their resurgence is one of the most inspiring wildlife recovery stories in North America.
Bald eagles are large raptors with distinctive white heads and tails, powerful
A juvenile Bald Eagle soars over a beaver wetland
Bald Eagle nests have become increasingly common in the Mohawk Valley
The Olde Kountry Market
Your Source for:
Gift Boxes-Shipped! Homemade Pies
Bulk Foods & Spices
Canned Goods, Candies, Jams, Deli Meats & Cheeses, Yogurt, Baked Goods, Outdoor Furniture, Gifts & More!
6505 Route 5, Vernon, NY 13476 (315) 829-3035
Mon-Wed 9-5, Thur-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4
Bobcats reclaim lost territory through adaptability and conservation
beaks, and a wingspan that can exceed seven feet. They are primarily fish-eaters but are also known to hunt small mammals and birds and scavenge carrion. Bald eagles prefer habitats near large bodies of open water, such as lakes, rivers, and coastal regions, where they can find abundant food and suitable nesting sites.
Historically, bald eagles were widespread across North America, including the northeastern US. However, by the mid-20th century, their population had plummeted due to several factors. The widespread use of the pesticide DDT led to eggshell thinning and reproductive failure in Bald Eagles. Additionally, deforestation, wetland drainage, and urbanization destroyed critical nesting and foraging habitats. Also, despite their national symbol status, bald eagles, like other birds of prey, were ruthlessly hunted and killed due to perceived threats to livestock and fisheries.
Several key conservation initiatives contributed to the resurgence of bald eagles. The federal ban on DDT in 1972 was a crucial step in their recovery. This pesticide had caused severe reproductive issues, and its removal from the environment set the stage for eagle populations, as well as the populations of osprey and peregrine falcon to rebound. Furthermore, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act provided strong legal protections for bald eagles, prohibiting hunting, killing, or disturbing these birds and their nests. Efforts to restore and protect critical habitats, such as wetlands and forested areas near water bodies, have provided safe nesting and feeding sites for eagles. Conservation organizations and government agencies have worked to preserve these habitats through land acquisition and management.
Captive breeding and reintroduction programs have been instrumental in bolstering bald eagle populations. Young eagles raised in captivity were released into the wild, helping to establish new breeding pairs and expand their range. Public education campaigns have raised awareness about the importance of eagle conservation, leading to increased support for protection efforts and reduced human disturbances near nesting sites.
The range expansion of Bald Eagles in the Northeast is a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the power of dedicated conservation efforts. From the brink of extinction to a symbol of ecological resilience, Bald eagles are again soaring in our skies, enriching our natural heritage and reminding us of the importance of protecting our wildlife and natural environments.
The Return of the Wildcat
The bobcat, a versatile and resilient predator, has been experiencing a dramatic range expansion in the northeastern United States, including Central New York. Once constrained by habitat loss and hunting pressures, bobcats are now reclaiming territories from which they had been absent for decades. This resurgence reflects the adaptability of these elusive felines and the success of conservation efforts aimed at preserving their natural habitats.
Bobcats are medium-sized felines distinguished by their tufted ears, short “bobbed” tails, and spotted coats. They are highly adaptable carnivores, preying on a variety of animals, including rabbits, rodents, birds, and other mostly small prey. Bobcats thrive in diverse habitats, from forests and swamps to semi-deserts and suburban areas. They prefer areas with dense cover for hunting and denning, such as thickets, forests, and rocky outcrops. Historically, bobcats were widespread across North America, including
the northeastern US. However, by the mid-20th century, their populations had declined considerably due to several factors. Unregulated hunting and trapping for their fur were primarily responsible for the bobcat’s decline. However, the species’ perceived threats to livestock also played a part in reducing their numbers. Another major cause of their decline was the transformation of formerly forested land into agricultural land that occurred post-European colonization. That led to the destruction and fragmentation of bobcat habitats.
newly renovated
Bobcats are highly adaptable animals capable of thriving in a range of environments, including suburban areas. Their ability to exploit various food sources and habitats has expanded their range. In recent decades, bobcats have been making a strong comeback in the Northeast. As abandoned farmland reverted to forests and conservation initiatives restored natural habitats, suitable environments for bobcats were reestablished. These forests provide the cover and the prey base that bobcats require. Importantly, regulated hunting and trapping have helped bobcat populations become sustainable. Lastly, increased awareness and appreciation of wildlife conservation have led to efforts to protect bobcat habitats and reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Education campaigns and conservation programs have promoted coexistence with these predators.
In Conclusion
The resurgence of wildlife in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York over the past sixty years highlights the success of dedicated conservation efforts and the
resilience of nature. Species like porcupines, black vultures, river otters, bald eagles, and bobcats enrich regional biodiversity and bring ecological balance as they reclaim their historic ranges. Their adaptability to changing conditions, including urbanization and climate shifts, underscores the importance of ongoing conservation and harmonious coexistence. Continuous monitoring and habitat preservation are essential to ensure their continued success, safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations. The revival of these species exemplifies the positive impact of committed conservation efforts and inspires hope for protecting our shared environment. •
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.
Turkey Vultures moved into the Mohawk Valley in the 1980s
the mvL restaurant guide
Photo: Oneida County Tourism
Antique Find
This fascinating piece is at Showcase Antiques in Little Falls. This “Fraternal Secret Society” was composed of Englishmen and their descendants. Founded in 1871 in Scranton, PA, members were required to believe in a supreme being, have high regard for the Bible, and be loyal to America. It reads: Honi soit qui mal y pense, a dialect spoke by the medieval ruling class in England that translates to: “shamed be whoever think ill of it”
give curling a whirl utica curling club
There is no ice at the Utica Curling Club in Whitesboro. The liminal space stands silent and dark—a stark contrast to its rich heritage. The walls are adorned with a vibrant tapestry of the club’s history, as trophies, photographs, and newspaper clippings chronicle 156 years of curling.
This space will be bustling with life again once the season begins again this October, a tradi tion that started in 1832 when Scottish and En glish textile workers organized games in Clark Mills. Benjamin Allen, a Scottish immigrant and skilled stonemason, introduced the sport to Utica. Passionate about curling, he played on various local ice surfaces. In 1855 the sport moved to lower Campbell Pond (now Twin Ponds) in New York Mills where it thrived for another two decades. In 1868, Allen founded the Utica Curling Club and eventually built a dedicated rink. The club merged with the New York Mills Curling Club in 1874, becoming a prominent member of the Grand National Curling Club.
Utica hosted the first televised curling matches on NBC’s “Wide World of Sports” in 1956. It was the first U.S. city to host the Silver Broom World Curling Championship in 1970 and has also been the stage for numerous national championships in various divi sions.
New members are essential to ensure the Utica Curling Club’s longevity. Every October, the club welcomes people to try the sport during their annual open house. Those interested in learning the sport can register for a 2-hour intro-
Curling stone from the 1800s, uncovered in a field in Clark Mills, juxtaposed to a modern stone
Curling stones stored away until the new season begins in October
The Utica Curling Club in Whitesboro can trace its heritage back to 1832 in Clark Mills
Curling is a social sport that keeps participants active during the winter months
Munson Challenge Cup, 1907
Learn the basics of curling including how to how to deliver a stone during Utica Curling Club’s “Fall Try Curling” sessions
New curlers are surprised how easy it is to walk on ice with special grippers on their shoes
Sign up for Utica Curling Club’s “Fall Try Curling” sessions.
Sign up for a 2-hour block with an instructor on the ice.
Thursday, October 10, 5:30 and 7:30pm Friday, October 11, 5:30 and 7:30pm Saturday, October 12, 11am and 1pm
$25 per person, pre-registration required to reserve your slot.
Register online: uticacurlingclub.org/uticacurlingclub or call: 315-736-1724
Utica Curling Club, 8300 Clark Mills Rd, Whitesboro, NY
ductory class on the ice. Instructor Mitch Rubinovich says most people are amazed not only by how slippery the ice is when they have Teflon sliders on their shoes, but also by how “unslippery” the ice is with special grippers. “People are always surprised that they can walk normally on the ice with their grippers on their shoes,” he says.
The majority of people who sign up for instruction know little, if anything, about curling Rubinovich says. “Most people don’t know the rules, so we start from zero.” New curlers are shown how to “deliver” the curling stone, how to “sweep,” and what the markings on the ice mean. He says that even if people don’t become curlers, many benefit from the introductory class by better understanding the sport so they can watch competitions and understand what’s happening.
Rubinovich encourages people to check out the sport this October. He says it’s relatively inexpensive and fills the winter with socialization and exercise in a controlled atmosphere. Rubinovich started curling 12 years ago and says curling is a great exercise during the season which runs from October to March. “Some curling club members go to the gym during the off-season to keep in shape,” he says, “curling builds leg strength and flexibility.
“It’s a “warm” 40° in the rink compared to the outside in the winter,” he says, “and an 8 ender (like an inning in baseball) tournament gets in 2 miles of walking.”
After an introductory class, those who want to join the club have many membership options. “People can make curling as much or a little of their winter as they want,” says Rubinovich, “there’s daytime curling that is good for retirees. Full members can curl any time, every day if they want.” There is also the “Little Rockers” for children and young adults ages 6-18. “There are many teams people can join based on ability and what they are looking for,” he says.
Tournaments (known as Bonspiels) are held at the rink all season. Some teams choose to travel on the weekends to participate in regional tournaments.
Curling is a social sport. Fostering lifelong friendships is part of the curling experience and at the core of the organization’s longevity.
“You can make friends from all over the country,” Rubinovich says, “and the winning team always buys the losing team the first round. It’s tradition.” •
Fall Fun Guide
Opens Sat., September 7th Open daily 10am to 6pm (315) 867-3878 587 Cullen Rd., Richfield Springs www.cullenpumpkinfarm.com
Hayrides, talking pumpkin, displays, concessions, bouncy house, family cornfield walk.
Opening Day: Friday September 13 Thurs: 4-8:30pm, Fri: 4-9pm, Sat. 10am-9pm, Sun. 10am-8pm, Columbus Day: 10am-8pm
1175 Hillsboro Road, Camden (315) 245-0104 or 225-1638 www.cackleberrycastle.com
Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts
September 28-29
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
Gymnanfa Welsh hymn sing. Sunday at 2:30pm at the Stone Meeting House on Prospect Street remsenbarnfestival.org
Apple Picking at North Star Orchards
Apple picking starts
Mid-September 7 days a week from 8a-6pm. Varieties: McIntosh & Cortland (lower left) Gala, Macoun, Fuji, Empire (hillside right) (315) 853-1024
4741 Rte 233, Westmoreland www.northstarorchards.com
Windy Hill Orchard
September Music Events: 9/14 - The Posers
9/22 - Matt Grainger Under 12: $6
Opening Day: September 7th
Open 7 days a week:
Mon–Fri: 10am-5pm; Sat & Sun: 9am-5pm 577 East St., Cassville, NY (315) 822-0046
facebook.com/WindyHillOrchardWEST
Lincoln Davies Fall Festival
Face Painting, Bounce Houses, a Bake Sale, Food Trucks, a Pumpkin Patch, a Corn Maze, a Corn Hole Tournament, & more
Sat., Sept 14: 11am-6pm Sat., Sept. 21: 11am-9pm Sat., Sept 28: 11am-9pm Sat., Oct 5: 11am-6pm 8689 Summit Rd, Sauquoit, lincolndavies.com/fall-festival
Pumpkin Junction
Pumpkins, Halloween store, Cornfusion Corn Maze
Open daily: 9am-8pm (315) 794-4604
2188 Graffenburg Rd., Sauquoit www.pumpkinjunction.com
Check out some of these fall happenings in September!
Afternoon Movie/Adults
Tues., Sept. 3 at 2-4pm
Kirkland Town Library
55 1/2 College St., Clinton (315) 853-2038 kirklandtownlibrary.org
Fall Festival Of Quilts
Fri. & Sat., Sept. 6-8
Fri. & Sat.: 10-5, Sun.: 10-3
Admission is $5.
Utica Curling Club 8300 Clark Mills Rd., Whitesboro
Create with Clay Sept. 6 at 10-11am Ages 7+, Registration required. Dunham Public Library 76 Main St., Whitesboro facebook.com/DunhamPublicLibrary
WHEY Back in the Woods! Fri., Sept. 6, 4-11:30pm Whey Jennings WSG Caitlin May & Eric Ashley, Sam Lowe and Justin Jeansonne, 21+, Gates open at 4pm. Tickets $50 183 Rasbach Road, Clayville Info at: eventbrite.com
13th Annual St. George
Mediterranean Festival
Sat. & Sun., Sept. 7 & 8
Sat.: 12-8pm, Sun 12-5pm Free admission.
St. George Orthodox Church 350 Higby Rd. New Hartford facebook.com/StGeorgeMediterraneanFestival
Hike the Boonville Canal Trail with Tramp & Trail Club
Sat. Sept. 7, 12pm
5 mile easy hike on the canal Leader: Mike Huss 315-7687374, Co-Leader: Janice Huss 315-941-2831
Meet At: Burger King, Boonville
Munson Keyboard Conversations: Dances for the Ears
Sat., Sept. 7 at 7:30-10pm Tickets: $15.00 - $30.00 Munson, 310 Genesee St., Utica munson.art/keyboard-conversations
Harvest Tea Party
Sat, Sept. 14, 12-2pm
A delightful afternoon of tea, treats, and good company.
3 Rutger Park, Utica Register: uticalandmarks.org/programs-events
Our Common Roots at Smoking Guns Saloon
Sat., Sept. 14, 8:30pm
OCR return for some boot stompin’, some spittoon spittin’, and probably some ruckus.
3900 Oneida St., New Hartford Garlic & Herb Festival
Sat., Sept. 14, 10am-5pm Canal Place, Little Falls mvghf.com
Moss Island Bike & Hike with the Tramp & Trail Club
Sun. Sept. 15, 10am
20 miles, moderate bike from the marina to Lock 17 in Little Falls, followed by an exploration of the potholes on Moss Island Leader: Ron Carvin 315-841-3550
Co-Leader: Walt Pillar 315-7946770 Meet At: Ilion Marina, Ilion
Royalty and Rogues
Renaissance Festival
Sept. 28 & 29, 11am-6pm
Rome Art & Community Ctr. 308 West Bloomfield, Rome romeart.org
A Taste of Compassion
Thurs., Sept. 19, 6-9pm
Come and enjoy an evening filled with food, music, and more, including raffle baskets!
By Utica Food Pantry Monarch Banquets 16 Erie St., Yorkville uticafoodpantry.org
Food & Music Night w/Super Natural, Santana Tribute band
Fri., Sept. 27, 5pm Irish Cultural Center 623-601 Columbia St, Utica iccmv.org
O & W Chocolate Train Wreck Annual Celebration
Sun., Sept. 29, 2pm
At the park east of the Hamilton Fire Department, Lebanon St., Hamilton
Family Owned, Family Grown Happiness Grows Here!
A family oriented U-Pick apple orchard where you and your family can create memories year after year.
Our cider is produced with homegrown apples. You can taste the full flavor of the fruit! Once you have picked your apples be sure to stop in browse the country market. Enjoy farm fresh fudge, homemade jam, country crafts, mums, pumpkins, aged NY cheese, local maple syrup, local honey, fresh made cider donuts, refreshing apple cider and of course our cider slushies.
We invite you to start a family tradition at locally owned Windy Hill Orchard.
September Music Events: 9/14 - The Posers • 9/22 - Matt Grainger
Opening Day: September 7th from 9am-5pm Visit our Facebook page for more info about Orchard Events! 577 East St., Cassville, NY (315) 822-0046
www.facebook.com/WindyHillOrchardWEST
September in the Mohawk Valley marks a period of subtle transformation in the forest, where the first hints of autumn emerge. For birders and nature enthusiasts, this time of year offers a unique opportunity to observe and interpret the behaviors and movements of birdlife as they respond to the changing season. The forest, alive with the quiet hustle of preparation and migration, reveals much about the lives of its avian inhabitants.
As summer fades, so does the exuberant chorus of birdsong that had defined the warmer months. In September, the forest soundscape begins to quiet, with many of the summer breeders having already raised their young and started their migration journeys southward. The relentless energy of nesting season has subsided, leaving a more subdued and contemplative atmosphere. Yet not all voices have disappeared. Resident species like black-capped chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, tufted titmice, and various woodpecker species, continue to call, their vocalizations punctuating the stillness of the forest. These birds, who will remain through the winter, are busy caching food and staking out winter territories. The activities of these residents are a reminder that, even as many birds depart, life in the
forest persists.
One of the most fascinating phenomena to observe in September is the formation of mixed-species foraging flocks. These songbird flocks, which often include a variety of warblers, vireos, chickadees, and other small songbirds, offer a rare and fleeting opportunity to see a dazzling array of species moving together through the forest. Mixed flocks serve multiple purposes. For the birds, traveling in a group provides increased vigilance against predators, as well as greater foraging efficiency. For the observer, these flocks offer a concentrated burst of avian activity, where a single tree might hold a dozen different species, each exhibiting their unique behavior. The sight of a mixed flock, moving like a wave through the treetops, provides us an inkling of the forest habitat’s vital importance to its inhabitants.
America. While identifying warblers in spring can be a challenge, fall presents its own set of difficulties. Many warblers molt into less vibrant, more cryptic plumage for their journey south, making them harder to distinguish. Yet, this challenge only adds to the excitement of the season. Spotting a Blackburnian warbler, a Northern parula, or a Cape May warbler in its muted fall colors is the reward for those taking the time to scan the treetops and listen carefully for the distinctive chip-like call notes that signal their presence.
September is a peak time for bird migration in the Northeast, and the forest becomes a crucial stopover for many species on their southward journey. The chickadee-sized warblers are on the move, passing through the region as they head to their wintering grounds in Central and South
As the forest birds prepare for migration or winter, their behaviors offer clues about the seasonal changes underway. Jays and woodpeckers are seen gathering beechnuts, acorns, and other nuts, stashing them in hidden caches that will help sustain them through the winter. Sparrows and finches feed on the abundant seeds of thistles, goldenrods, and asters, their numbers swelling
A migrating Solitary Sandpiper stops at a local wetland
as they gather in flocks. In the wetlands and along streams, one might encounter migrant shorebirds, herons, or even egrets—resting and refueling before continuing their southward journeys. These sightings remind us of the incredible distances these birds must travel, and the vital role that intact wild habitats play in supporting them along their way.
In mid-September, the skies above the forest offer the occasional glimpse of raptors on the move. Broad-winged hawks, ospreys, and bald eagles begin migrating, soaring on thermals as they make their way to wintering grounds far to the south. These awesome birds of prey, often seen in larger numbers at migration hotspots, occasionally pass over the varied habitats of the Mohawk Valley, their presence revealing the broad, complex networks of migration routes that span continents.
Interpreting birdlife in the forest during September in the Mohawk Valley requires a keen eye and an understanding of the subtle shifts that mark this transitional time. The forest is quieter, the birds less conspicuous, but the richness of the avian world is still very much present. It’s a time of both departure and preparation, where each species—whether resident or migrant—plays its part in the larger drama of the changing seasons. •
The Blackburnian Warbler’s plumage is duller in
september Crossword
Across
2. The recovery of beaver populations in the northeast has led to an increase in these semi-aquatic mammals. (2 words)
5. This species of vulture is growing in number locally.
6. This family farm celebrates 20 years this year, see page 35.
9. This furniture store in Sherrill has been in business for over 130 years. See page 40.
11. The name os Shawangunk’s new Preserve Center. 2 words
12. The 4th ingredient in this month’s recipe.
13. Need flowers delivered? Call this florist. See page 38.
14. This cafe in Cooperstown is located in a greenhouse.
Down
1. This local club started in Clark Mills in 1832 (2 words)
3. A blue, humanoid creature that lives in a small village of mushroom houses in the forest.
4. This spacecraft sends data to Earth from over 15 billion miles away!
7. This local editor and businessman has a patent for a floating dry dock. See Oneida Co. History.
8. This local garden center offers bulk canning produce during September. See page 27.
10. This diner is on Utica’s “east side.”
12. A tavern that serves seafood enchiladas and chiles relleno? Yes! See page 18.
It has been 20 years since Peter and I bought our farm and moved to the Mohawk Valley. I can hardly believe it myself! It seems like just yesterday that I was scraping wallpaper off the walls with our daughter, then, only three years old. The year was 2004 and we were so excited by the possibilities of our beautiful new home. Time has since flown by—as it does.
This auspicious anniversary has allowed me to look back at some of the articles I have written for Mohawk Valley Living over the years. The following excerpt is from “The Ties that Bind”, published in August of 2015 that I found particularly sweet:
“My husband and I moved here just over ten years ago and started our little farm with the idea that we would build a simpler life, doing the things that we loved. We left corporate jobs and steady paychecks, 401ks, paid vacations, and employer-provided health insurance. We both enjoyed what most people would call “Success”… careers, travel, and steady advancement. But something was missing. My commute to work demanded that I leave home before our baby daughter woke in the morning, and my long day and return commute meant that she was asleep for the night before I returned. My job provided no true sense of ownership but offered plenty of stress. Was it really what I wanted?
Fast forward ten years to today. Balancing life and work has not necessarily sorted itself all out now that we are farming. In fact, we find ourselves in a never-ending battle to choose what is best both for our farm business and our family. And because the two are so thoroughly interwoven, perhaps it is even more difficult.
One of the most interesting challenges we have faced is defining what “Success” means to us. If I were to listen to many others, “Success” would mean selling our product in New York City, distributing regionally, or even nationally. What about national awards or winning a cheese competition? That certainly would be a sign of success. But what hole would that fill and to what end? Would it make us successful and ultimately, would it make us happy?
Fortunately, my husband and I decided fairly early on that we would produce food only for our immediate community. The decision was entirely practical at first: We simply didn’t produce enough food on our little farm to warrant traveling very far. But that small circle we drew on the map so many years ago—with barely a 30-mile radius—has proven to be a virtual mantra for our farm business. We want to be part of a healthy, local agricultural network that feeds its citizens. To be part of a community, and in that sense, playing a vital role in feeding that community, provides a greater feeling of accomplishment than any traditional definition of “Success” ever could.”
In many ways, not much has changed since I wrote those words. The concept of a work/life balance still eludes me, although I’ve grown to accept it if not completely embrace it. We still love being a part of a close community and feeding our neighbors delicious foods produced on our farm, although our distribution area has widened quite a bit over the years.
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.
But what struck me the most was my focus (at the time) on “success” and how to define it. It’s a bit of an old trope, but I’d love to go back to 43-year-old me and Start Blue.
origins greenhouse cafe in cooperstown
by Maryann Vanderpool-Imundo
Origins Greenhouse Cafe in Cooperstown exceeds the expectations of its catchphrase “Celebrate Origins” by providing education, culture, yoga, music, and fresh food prepared from local produce in a lovely botanical setting.
The cafe, embraced inside the Carefree Gardens greenhouse, is owned and operated by two sisters and environmental scientists, Kristen Leonard and Dana (Leonard) Sanders. The greenhouse was established in 1984 by their parents Mary and Brent Leonard. Together, this talented family nourishes the minds, bodies, and souls of everyone who visits the multifaceted establishment.
Flowers and shrubs line the walkway leading to the cafe’s entrance, where inside, guests are awestruck by the beautiful green expanse punctuat ed with colorful exotic tablecloths. The aesthetics blend with the background music and the sound of a trickling water fountain, prompting relaxation and ease.
The cafe has a new menu daily. Dana Sanders, co-founder and executive chef, prepares today’s menu:
Starters: Local Cheese Board, Tomato Peach Gazpacho, and Peach Burrata Salad.
Entrees: Chilled Sesame Peanut Noodle Salad (organic buckwheat noodles, snap peas, cucumber, peanut sauce, and kimchi), Ratatouille Rosemary Polenta (squash, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, green beans, and basil), Chicken Provincial (shallots, white wine, olives, and black cherries), and Garden Harvest Lasagna (zucchini, rainbow chard, tomato, basil pesto, ricotta, tomato sauce, and baguette).
Desserts: Summer Fruit Trifle (peaches, blueberries, lemon curd, shortcake, whipped cream), Lemon Olive
Guests at Origins Cafe in Cooperstown enjoy locally-sourced foods in a greenhouse setting
Chilled Sesame Peanut Noodle Salad
Oil Cake (with candied ginger and whipped cream) Peach Cobbler a la Mode, and Lemon Blueberry Cake.
The beverage options include: cold drinks, coffees, loose-leaf tea, mocktails, craft brews, wines, and cocktails.
Great care is taken in the food’s presentation. Dishes are artfully decorated with pretty herbs and flowers from the greenhouse.
The sisters conceived the idea for a greenhouse cafe in 2012 while climbing Machu Picchu’s 15th-century Incan citadel. “It was when we were on top looking down that we hatched the idea for Origins,” said Sanders in the YouTube video titled, “We Are Pure Catskills: Origins Cafe.”
Displayed is a painting of New York State with a swollen heart marking Cooperstown’s location and the inscription: Loyal to Local. It is a fitting reflection of the Leonard family’s values and love of community.
Kristin Leonard says, “The cafe aims to be a space where people can experience harmony from the peace of the gardens, the integrity of the food’s ingredients, and the music that fills the air. We intend to connect people with the origins of their food by sourcing ingredients from local farms. This will have the most positive impact on the environment by helping biodiversity thrive and small farms prosper.” The farmers are listed on the menu accordingly.
Origins Cafe orients with the Slow Food Movement, an organization that believes that food should be grown and bought locally, prepared with care, and consumed with appreciation. The organization originated in Italy by Carlo Petrini in 1986 as an antithesis to Fast Food.
Kristin Leonard is the director of a charitable organization that operates on-site called Origins Community Foundation (a 501c3).
Debra Creedon having Chocolate Mousse (said it’s the best mousse ever)
Nancy and Chip Northrup are frequent customers Summer Fruit Trifle
Butch Bellows enjoys a BLT, his favorite
Peach Burrata Salad
It focuses on two projects: The Harmony Garden Music Festival and Growing Leaders.
The Harmony Garden Music Festival is a series of concerts in the greenhouse featuring music from foreign countries like Argentina, Afri ca, Cuba, Brazil, and Korea. “We have a very vibrant music scene here,” says Kristin.
Growing Leaders is an inspirational and empowering youth garden and cooking education program that explores world cultures. Kristin says, “The student program is involved in helping prepare and serve food that is aligned with the cultural theme of the musicians that we are featuring in the series of Harmony Garden Music Festival concerts.” Her mother Mary Leonard adds: “I’m very impressed by the students because kids can be very shy at that age. It’s really a good learning experience.”
“We have Community Harvest Dinners every Wednesday evening with a new seasonal menu and a natural wine pairing,” Kristin says. That menu is posted on their website. They also have a Sunday brunch with music.
Adjacent to the dining area is an open space for special events like weddings, family reunions, showers, and yoga classes. Mary Leonard says, “It’s a lot of fun, and it changes all the time.” Her daughter adds, “I’m currently planning my twentieth high school reunion here!”
The cafe and greenhouse season runs from May to mid-October. When it closes, Kristin Leonard and Dana Sanders travel abroad to purchase artisanal goods to bring back to their Fair Trade Shop located near Origins reception area. Some items are from Turkey, Peru, Guatemala, Africa, and Thailand. The goal of Fair Trade is fair wages, good working conditions, and sustainability sourced materials. Kristin says, “We want to do that on a local scale. It also aligns with the Slow Food Movement’s goals of good, clean, and fair for all.”
Nancy and Chip Northrup have been frequent customers ever since the cafe opened. “There’s nothing like dining in a nursery,” says Nancy Northrup. Chip Northrup adds, “The family has been very generous. When the girls first opened, they gave meals away or just asked people to pay whatever they wanted.”
Server Savannah Crowley says, “I feel so lucky to work for the Leonards. They love and support the community in so many ways.” The gratitude is reciprocated. “We have been very blessed with our help,” says Mary Leonard, “They’re happy people and they return year after year.” With serenity, confidence, and a gentle smile, Mary Leonard summarizes Origins’ ethos, “It’s about harmony, kindness, slow down, take your time, and appreciate everything you’ve got.”
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.
Origins Cafe offers the perfect setting for friends and family to gather to enjoy local food (l-r) Christina Gilliland, Kylie Loforte, Katherine Varadi, Rebecca Peakes, Sharon Bertuccio
The founders of Origins Cafe believe that food should be grown and bought locally, prepared with care, and consumed with appreciation.
Lemon Blueberry Cake Chicken Provincal
INTERSTELLAR DRAMA
by carol higgins
Out in the cold and dark area beyond the outer region of our solar system, an event occurred that triggered a tense 5-month drama starting on November 14, 2023. That day, NASA’s Voyager 1 mission team discovered their 46-yearold spacecraft had stopped sending treasured science and engineering data back to Earth. This month we take a look at the remarkable spacecraft – operating with a Computer Command System (CCS) main computer built in Utica, NY – and the extraordinary efforts needed to diagnose an attempt to fix the serious problem from over 15 billion miles away.
News of the Voyager 1 data loss sent shock waves rippling through the scientific community. To understand why, start with the original mission goals then follow the spacecraft’s record-breaking journey up to that November day. The Voyager program called for two identical spacecraft to launch in 1977 to take advantage of a rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune that occurs once every 175 years. The alignment allows a spacecraft to significantly reduce the propellant and flight time needed to reach those distant outer planets by using the gravity of one planet to slingshot the spacecraft on to the next planet, a maneuver known as “gravity assist”.
The twin spacecraft, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, are equipped with 10 science instruments, two cameras, three computers, three Radioisotope Thermoelectric
Generators fueled by plutonium-238 to produce heat and electrical power, thrusters for orientation changes, and a highgain dish antenna for communications. Both Voyagers had a 5-year mission and the same goals: study Jupiter and Saturn and several of their moons. Voyager 2 launched on August 20, 1977, reaching Jupiter in July 1979 and Saturn in August 1981. Voyager 1 launched on September 5 on a faster trajectory, flying past Jupiter in March 1979 and Saturn in November 1980. Voyager 2 continued on to explore Uranus and Neptune, the only spacecraft to visit those two planets. Voyager 1’s path to study Saturn’s moon Titan took it on a route that prevented a Uranus and Neptune visit.
The planetary flybys were extremely successful, exceeding expectations and returning a treasure trove of images and new discoveries. But then what? Both spacecraft were healthy, so NASA extended their mission. Some instruments were turned off to conserve power and data collection continued. An unprecedented milestone was reached in August 2012 when Voyager 1 crossed the edge of the Sun’s influence and entered interstellar space. Voyager 2 arrived in November 2018. They are the only functioning spacecraft to ever enter this region!
When the November 2023 event occurred, Voyager 1 was over 15 billion miles away. At that distance, it takes 22 ½ hours for a signal to travel between Earth
of Voyager 1 in Interstellar Space Image Credit: Caltech/NASA-JPL
and the spacecraft, adding to the challenges of finding and fixing the problem. The team was up to the task with its many years of experience in delicately managing power usage and the four instruments still operating, while continuing to meet unique science objectives in this new frontier.
After five months of searching through 48-year-old technical documents, studying the spacecraft’s special assembly-language software, and analyzing the troubleshooting data the spacecraft was sending, they determined a small area of the Flight Data System (FDS) computer memory was corrupt. Without the benefit of a matching hardware and software setup to test their proposed fix, the team uploaded a workaround on April 18, 2024, then anxiously waited 45 hours to hear from the spacecraft. The result? Success! By May 22, the spacecraft resumed normal operations.
Thanks to the Voyager spacecraft data, scientists continue working to uncover the mysteries about the interstellar environment. For the latest mission news, visit the science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager website.
Wishing you clear skies! •
Hanny’s Voorwerp. Image Credit: NASA, ESA, W. Keel, Galaxy Zoo Team
Long-Cooked Oven Vegetables
by Nat Levin
When your counters and fridge are overflowing with vegetables; when the thought of turning on the oven seems inviting rather than daunting, and when the golden light of September encourages you to linger outside a bit longer, I suggest you try this dish. Twenty minutes of prep time and two hours in the oven will yield a large portion of meltingly tender vegetables that can be enjoyed with garlic-rubbed toast, on polenta, with cheese (dollop ricotta or burrata on the side, or add feta in chunks during the last thirty minutes of the bake), mixed with pasta, or even as a sandwich or omelet filling. It’s a forgiving dish that can accommodate the withered pepper hiding in the back of the vegetable drawer, the extra ear of corn you thought you’d eat but didn’t, or the two small potatoes that fell out of the carton. What matters is that the vegetables are cut into roughly evensized pieces, that they are seasoned generously with salt and olive oil, and that they’re cooked for as long as you can tolerate, until they begin to fall apart. For an extra kick, add something spicy— a sprinkle of chili flakes, a spoonful of crushed hot pepper, a splash of chili oil, or a dash of cayenne. It’s especially delicious with warm spice blends like ras el hanout, berbere, or baharat.
Notes: Because this calls for a long bake, I like to
Long-Cooked Oven Vegetables
1.5 pounds zucchini or summer squash, sliced into thin rounds
1.5 pounds tomatoes, cut into a rough dice
1 pound cauliflower, cut into a rough dice
1 medium onion, any kind, sliced thinly 1 bell pepper, cut into a rough dice
6 large cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 tablespoons crushed cherry pepper ¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons spice blend of your choice (optional)
Preheat oven to 475°. Add all the prepared vegetables to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt and spices, if using. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands, then drizzle with olive oil. Taste a bit of tomato and correct seasoning. It should be well-salted. Mix until all the vegetables are coated in salt, oil, and spices, then turn into a 9x13 baking dish and put into preheated oven. Check the dish after 30 minutes and stir to com bine juices. Lower the heat to
450, and continue stirring at 30-minute increments to ensure the top layer of vegetables doesn’t burn. Continue cooking for another hour, or until the juices are bubbling and the vegetables are completely tender. This dish can also be cooked at 300° for four to five hours, yielding an even softer and more luxurious result, but perhaps less suitable for a weeknight.
Other vegetable additions to consider are fennel, eggplant (salted and drained before adding), green beans, radishes, kale or chard, and chickpeas or white beans. Cover quickly; the until all the spices are covered in oil, then remove utes to infuse. Strain the spices out and pour half the oil, about two tablespoons, over the relish, and stir to combine. Reserve the rest of the oil for another batch. Best served chilled.
Babaghanoush , Taboulie, Grape leaves, Spinach pies. Since1967
6am-6pm, Sat: 6am-5pm, Closed
Jack Riffle and Natalie Levin of Local Foods Mohawk Valley
“This exhibition took my breath away!”
“Just beautiful!”
On view through September 22
Historical Society.
Louis Rémy Mignot (1831–1870), The Harvest Moon, 1860. Oil on canvas. New-York Historical Society, The Robert L. Stuart Collection, the gift of his widow Mrs. Mary Stuart, S-160
Presenting Sponsor: Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy; Lead Sponsors: Andrew Britton and David Grey; Christian and Cheryl Heilmann; Elizabeth R. Lemieux, Ph.D.; Family of F. X. Matt II; Hon. Beverly Tobin (ret.), in memory of Edwin J. Tobin; Sponsors: Joseph A. Abraham; John Brown; Coldwell Banker Faith Properties; Ricky and Leiter Doolittle; MJ and Colleen Gaetano; Cheryl and Fred Haritatos; Melany and Chris Welch; Laura and Todd Wetzel, MD
september 2024 GALLERY GUIDE
ASenseofEuphoria, Lutz Scherneck
September 21–November 2, 2024
Reception: Sat., Sept. 21, 1–3pm
The world is confusing. The arts can offer some clarity to what it means to be human.
Earlville Opera House
8 East Main Street, Earlville, NY (315) 691-3550 www.earlvilleoperahouse.com YoungatArt:ASelectionof CaldecottBookIllustrations
5798 Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY (607) 547-1400 fenimoreartmuseum.org Detail of a painting by Lutz Scherneck. The exhibition, A Sense of Euphoria, opens September 21st at the
September 14–December 29, 2024
An exhibition of original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients, “runner-up” Honor books, and other award-winning artists.
Fenimore Art Museum
Join Sculpture Space for their biggest fundraiser of the year, CHAIRity Art Auction!
Acquire original art and functional objects from national, international, regional, and local artists. Your support helps keep Sculpture Space thriving.
The online auction will run from September 14-20, ending with a live Wrap Party and auction close on September 20 at 5pm.
Mark your calendars, support art, and MAKE ART HAPPEN!
TICKETS: $75 www.sculpturespace.org/chairity
Earlville Opera House.
Samuel Dana Dakin
By Mary Pat Connors
Oneida County History Center Research Librarian
Many of the early “movers and shakers” of our county were multitalented and influential in diverse areas in our community. One such man was Samuel Dana Dakin.
Samuel was born in 1802 and attended Hamilton College where he studied a traditional classical curriculum of Latin, Greek, philosophy, theology, history, and math. He graduated in 1821 at the age of nineteen. He was one of the founders of the Hamilton College Association of Alumnae (1825) and served as vice president and secretary, paving the path for his five sons who were also Hamilton graduates.
After graduation, he worked as a tutor in the home of a southern planter in Maryland, where educated young men such as Dakin were in demand for this purpose. After a few years, he returned to his home in New Hartford, where he pursued legal studies, clerking in the office of Judge James Kirkland. He later practiced law in the City of Utica. The Oneida County History Center holds an original docket (1836-1844) from his tenure as Justice of the Peace. While still a law student, Dakin made a name for himself in the newspaper business of early Oneida County. He was interested in starting a newspaper but became an editor of the Utica Sentinel under publisher William Williams. His desire to plunge further into journalism did not diminish, so in 1825, he and his fellow law student and Hamilton alum, William J. Bacon, purchased the Columbia Gazette, merged it with the Sentinel, and called it the Utica Sentinel and Gazette. They also purchased The Patriot, bringing together three of the earliest papers of the city. They served as owners and editors of this 4-page paper that included ads, state and local news, some national and foreign news, editorials, and the occasional poem. In 1829, Dakin sold the paper to the printers Northway and Porter.
Dakin’s literary interests extended beyond the world of journalism. While at Hamilton College, he was a member of their literary society, which encouraged debate programs. He was a member and secretary of the Utica
Local newspaper editor, businessman, and inventor Samuel Dana Dakin holds a patent (with Rutherford Moody)
Lyceum, “a debating society… a profitable and entertaining place of weekly resort for the more cultivated of both sexes.” He was also mentioned as a “minor member “of the “Knickerbockers,” a leading literary group at that time that included Washington Irving and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In his obituary, it was said that “Mr. Dakin wrote with force, polish, and ease, both in prose and verse.”
Mr. Dakin was active in the political sphere, where no doubt his debate skills became useful. In 1829, he participated in the process of nominating candidates for members of the New York State Assembly and Senate and was a member of the Republican Young Men of the County of Oneida.
Lawyer, literary figure, politician, and to these Dakin added inventor and businessman. He and Rutherford Moody hold two patents for a floating dry dock (1843) and a dry dock (1844.) He had vast business enterprises in this area, constructing two floating dry docks for the U.S. Government, one in Portsmouth, NH, and the other in Pensacola, FL. His book, Brief Sketch of Plan and Advantages of a Sectional Floating Dry-Dock is an example of his extreme interest and technical knowledge on this subject.
These facts all speak to his achievements, but the obituary in “The Knickerbocker” speaks to Samuel Dana Dakin as a man. “His was a noble, just, generous, gentle spirit…in his habits, he was genial, in his conduct unimpeachable, in his feelings warm and affectionate…a more tender, loving husband, a more affectionate father, or a more generous, steadfast friend was never taken from mourning survivors to ‘another and a better world.’”
He died suddenly from a heart attack at age 50 in 1853. He is buried
In 1825, Samuel Dana Dakin and William J. Bacon purchased the ColumbiaGazette, merged it with the
by Peggy Spencer Behrendt
When Covid began to spread in the Spring of 2021, we hurried back from our Florida winter camping routine and never returned. Instead, we spent the next two winters in our children’s guest house, comfortable with all the modern amenities of running hot and cold water, flush toilet, central heat, electric lights, and heaps of inside space. They’d purchased this house when it went for sale, even though they didn’t need it, because it’s in the middle of the Preserve and they are as dedicated as we are to keeping it peaceful and protected. This has been a huge commitment and sacrifice by them. After going through quite a few difficult rentals to help pay the mortgage, they invited us to live here year-round. We moved back and forth each spring and fall for a couple of years, but this was a big hassle, so we are staying here full-time now. They romantically call it “Whispering Pine”. We call it “The Home for Tired Behrs.”
Our former rustic lifestyle in the woods for the last 50 years is a complicated lifestyle for anyone, much less people of advanced age and I’ve decided that it’s a bit too much
for us to deal with at age 75 and 87. Tim would move back in a blink but is amiably flexible.
We are completely com fortable and supremely grateful for our new abode, but we miss our old handbuilt cottage with all its quirks. We love being next to sweet little Misty Brook, witnessing her changes in mood season to season, hour by hour. We love roaming our rustic walk ways wending among the forest trees noticing the coming and going of the undergrowth and wood land flowers that have been our companions in life. We love tending the garden we created with hard labor, wrestling out tree roots, carrying in buckets of soil, gathering moss and mulch, and maintaining a sturdy fence. Every tree, every trail, and every piece of recycled wood in our buildings has a comforting familiarity.
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.
Our old cottage still stands after 50 years of habitation
Whispering Pine, Shawangunk Nature Preserve’s new preserve center
I’m grateful that we got to spend so many years living our vision. Grateful for my husband who made this manifestation possible by working with me in equal partnership. Grateful for our children who now make it possible for us to live right next door. This place, Whispering Pine, is now the Preserve Center, a comfortable, safe place for work
shops and an office. Every day I’m amazed and delighted to have hot water pouring out of a faucet at the flip of a lever, to have our body waste disappear in a toilet instead of taking a shovel and hiking into the woods to find a space between tree roots soft enough to dig a hole. It’s a treat to take a hot shower as long as I want it instead of making do with
no more than one and a half gallons tilted out of a sprinkling can, heated on our gas stove. Even that was considered a luxury to us after showering daily outside in all seasons before we had a makeshift indoor shower stall.
I used to think our two-room forest cottage felt like a mansion when we returned after living in our 12’ camper for nearly 3 months in Florida. Whispering Pine feels like a castle in comparison, complete with rock walls! We feel, somewhat guiltily, like we are living in luxury. Not that long ago, even the wealthiest only had drafty, cold castles to live in, fresh vegetables and fruits only in season, questionable water supplies, and even more questionable waste systems. Now masses of people have these options and we have
Whispering Pine kitchen sitting room
Sparkling glass art by Marcelie Rollinger
somewhat reluctantly joined them.
We miss the multiple daily treks down crooked stone steps to the brook to bring water up in a bucket, but we don’t miss worrying about the possibility of a false step or disastrous tumble. We like to greet a certain toad that lives next to the steps or give a friendly scratch on the chipmunk hole in a hollow tree along the way to see if he’ll peek out. Looking into the gently flowing water with sparkling light from the sky intermingled with waving shadows of alder leaves, we might see a crawdad shuffling under a rock or an unattached claw, likely the result of a skirmish during the night. Nearly invisible multi-
legged striders of various sizes scurry across the water’s surface, barely noticeable except by their shadows darting along the creek bottom, and there are usually some shimmering, sleek young trout darting among the amber water ripples flowing around little rocks, twigs, and branches that rest on the sandy bottom. Since we are only a short walk away, we go back almost daily and feel lucky that our retirement home can be so close by, still in our beloved Preserve with trusted, dear family members as our closest neighbors. We spend a lot of our inside time in front of a huge window at least two stories up looking out on a broad, green lawn bordered
by emerald forest. It feels like the original dream I had of building a tree house to live in. We look down on bird feeders, colorful bushes, and flowers I’ve planted. We are entertained by daily visits from gorgeous, graceful deer and their young, a delightful variety of birds, and an occasional visit from an adorable, furry black bear. (We keep our distance.) Brown and white striped chipmunks scurry across the yard, a porcupine occasionally languidly strolls through, and above the majestic balsam and spruce trees, we witness the daily flow of weather through the earth’s “troposphere”. (I looked it up!). Clouds are lovely to meditate on.
Workshops in the new Preserve Center are homey, comfortable and spacious
We are in a new season of life. We’d like to model a wise, kind, and graceful attitude: to not focus on what we miss or have lost but to embrace the present and the opportunities available to keep our values and interests while adjusting to new circumstances and realities. •
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
Upcoming Workshops at SNP
Sept 14, 9:30am–Noon
Shaker Cheese Basket with Peggy Behrendt
Weave a traditional rattan cheese curd & whey straining basket in a challenging & attractive hexagonal weave pattern. Makes a lovely fruit basket. Materials $15. Meet at 217 Shawangunk Rd (Whispering Pine), Cold Brook. Call 315 826-7405 by Sept 10th to reserve a place.
Sept 28, 11am–1pm
Crocheted Wind Spinner with Kimberly Behrendt
Create this clever & fun wind spinner with colorful yarns to twirl in the breezes. It’s helpful if you have basic crochet skills but not necessary. Please bring a 3.5 – 4mm crochet hook if you can. We will also have some to loan. Materials $15. Meet at 217 Shawangunk Rd (Whispering Pine), Cold Brook. Call 315 826-7405 to reserve a place.
Sept 28, 2pm
Woodland Medicinals, & Sustainable Wildcrafting with Jessica Maureen Hinsdill, herbalist of Wild Soulstice LLC
Take a stroll on a nature trail in the preserve with Jessica to identify and learn about the medicinal benefits of our indigenous plants. We’ll learn about ethical harvesting and the benefits of growing your own woodland medicinals. A donation of $10 is welcomed and rewarded with some ready-to-plant stratified Ginseng seeds to take home. Meet at 217 Shawangunk Rd Cold Brook, NY. Please call 315 826-7405 to reserve your place.
“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.
This birding-themed backpack is available to sign out at select libraries and includes binoculars, field guide, and other items to help people get out and explore the Tug Hill Region
SPONSOR news
Library Tug Hill Backpack Program
The Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust is lending out backpacks filled with nature exploration tools to libraries in Oneida and Herkimer counties. The backpacks include colorful field guides, recording sheets, and binoculars, each focusing on one of four themes: birds, animal tracks, insects, and ponds/ streams.
This program aims to get people outdoors and explore the Tug Hill region. They are looking for sponsors to donate $150
per backpack to provide them to more libraries. This suggested donation will include an acknowledgment of your support. Current library locations with backpacks: Woodgate, Poland, Remsen, Westernville, Barneveld (and others in the Tug Hill region)
Contact for sponsorship: Linda Gibbs at 315-779-8240 or lgibbs@tughilltomorrowlandtrust.org •
There is
on the �rst implement purchased. Offers
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.
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
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,
