NNY Living February 2014 by NNY Business

FEBRUARY 2014 | NNY LIVING

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CONTRIBUTORS Varick Chittenden is the founding director of Traditional Arts in Upstate New York and a SUNY Canton professor emeritus. In ‘Modern Folklore,’ he reflects on how times have changed on many north country farms. (p. 14)

Michelle Graham is the wellness director for the downtown YMCA. She lives in Watertown. She writes about how adding weight training to any workout routine will build core strength and lead to greater overall fitness. (p. 16)

Chairman of the Board John B. Johnson Jr.

Katie Stokes is a blogger and freelance writer who lives in Hounsfield with her husband and two children. In ‘The NNY Life,’ she writes about how to take a positive break from Facebook while also keeping real friends in perspective. (pg. 18)

Lenka P. Walldroff is a former museum specialist, conservator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and curator of collections for the Jefferson County Historical Society. She writes about the 1877 murder of a north country native in a small Texas town. (p. 24)

Boo Wells is a chef and owner of the Farm House Kitchen, a catering company and cooking school in Sackets Harbor. She shares a recipe for pastry puffs that will help make the best of snow days when children are home from school. (p. 36)

Norah Machia is a former Watertown Daily Times reporter and freelance writer. For our cover story, she writes about three stay-at-home moms who inspire others. In features, she writes about the 50th anniversary of a Watertown monastery. (pgs. 26, 34)

PuBlishers

John B. Johnson Harold B. Johnson II

VP news oPerations Timothy J. Farkas

magazine editor

Kenneth J. Eysaman

staff writer / editorial assistant

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MARKETPLACE

A Cozzi & Company ........................... 28 Americu Credit Union ........................... 2 Bach & Company ............................... 19 Body Pros ............................................... 3 Budget Blinds ........................................ 6 Cesario Family Dental Center ........... 17 Chiappone Tire ................................... 38 Clayton Dental Office ........................ 29 Clayton Opera House ........................ 33 Clipper Inn ........................................... 30 Community Performance Series ....... 25 Crouse Hospital ................................... 10 D&D Power Sports ............................... 13 DANC — Development Authority of the North Country ........................... 37 Doctor Ludwig Khoury, M.D. .............. 17 Dr. Estella Verdouw ............................ 28 Feed the Soul Nutrition ....................... 17 Fuccillo Automotive ........................... 31 Gerald A. Nortz ................................... 31 Gold Cup Farms .................................. 30 Green Thyme ...................................... 17 Hospice of Jefferson County ............. 33 Immaculate Heart Central Schools .... 6 Jefferson Lewis Board of Realtors ........ 9 Kay Dreyer Watkins .............................17 Ken Piarulli/Ameriprise ....................... 30 Macar’s .................................................. 7

Morgia Masonry .................................. 19 NNY Community Foundation ............. 15 Nortz & Virkler ...................................... 31 Number One Speed ........................... 31 Phinney’s Automotive ........................ 31 Reinman’s Department Store ............. 25 Ren Rumble Roofing ........................... 19 River Day Spa & Salon ........................ 17 River Hospital ...................................... 28 River Wellness Center ......................... 17 Robert’s Automotive ........................... 31 Rusty Johnson Masonry ...................... 19 The Little Barn Bulk Foods ................... 23 Thomas Excavating ............................ 19 Thousand Islands Realty .................... 22 Three C’s Limousine ............................ 39 TPACC .................................................. 11 Vantassel’s Snow & Ice ...................... 12 Waite Motor Sports ............................. 35 Waite Toyota ....................................... 33 Watertown Family YMCA ................... 17 Watertown International Airport ........ 27 Watertown Savings Bank ................... 38 Watertown Spring and Alignment .................................... 31 WWTI TV 50 ............................................. 8 Yester Years Vintage Doors ............... 40 Ziebart Tidycar .................................... 31

ON THE COVER

or many north country stay-at-home moms, the reward is greater than money. Our photographers caught

up with three women who inspire others. From left, Erin Brown, Lowville, Edith D. Frazer, Canton and Tai Badalato. [p. 26]

Grace E. Johnston

PhotograPhy

Norm Johnston, Justin Sorensen, Jason Hunter, Melanie Kimbler-Lago, Amanda Morrison

direCtor of adVertising Michael Hanson

magazine adVertising manager Matthew Costantino

ad graPhiCs, design

Brian Mitchell, Heather O’Driscoll, Scott Smith, Todd Soules, Rick Gaskin

CirCulation direCtor Mary Sawyer

NNY Living (ISSN 2165-1159) is published six times a year by Northern New York Newspaper Corp., 260 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, a Johnson Newspaper Corp. company. © 2011-2014. All material submitted to NNY Living becomes property of Northern New York Newspaper Corp., publishers of the Watertown Daily Times, and will not be returned.

suBsCriPtion rates Six issues are $10 a year and 12 issues are $15 for two years. Call 315-782-1000 for delivery. suBmissions Send all editorial correspondence to keysaman@wdt.net adVertising For advertising rates and information in Jefferson and Lewis counties, email mcostantino@wdt.net, or call 661-2305 In St. Lawrence County, e-mail bward@ogd.com, or call 661-2507 Printed with pride in U.S.A. at Vanguard Printing LLC, Ithaca, N.Y. a Forest Stewardship Certified facility. Please recycle this magazine.

>> Inside FEBRUARY ’14

26 24 COVER STORY | 26 A LABOR OF LOVE For three north country stayat-home moms, rewards are much greater than money. |

SOCIAL SCENE | 12 SEEN IN, AROUND NNY From bridal shows to ‘Arts and Apps’ see who’s there. |

WELLNESS | 16 ADD WEIGHTS, STRENGTH Boost core strength with a new weight training routine. |

DESTINATION | 20 VERMONT’S QUEEN CITY Head east and discover cosmopolitan Burlington.

FOOD | 36 PERFECTING PUFFS Looking for the perfect treat to beat the winter blues? Try this simple recipe for puffs. DEPARTMENTS

4 CONTRIBUTORS

HISTORY | 24 CRACKING THE CASE After 137 years, the murder of a NNY native intrigues.

4 MARKETPLACE

FEATURES | 34 A PRAYERFUL MILESTONE The Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery celebrates 50 years of service in NNY.

7 NEWS & NOTES

6 EDITOR’S NOTE 7 UPFRONT 9 CALENDAR 10 BOOKS 12 SOCIAL SCENE

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

FOLKLORE | 14 MODERN-DAY FARMING Reflections on how north country farms have changed. |

THE NNY LIFE | 18 UNFRIENDING FACEBOOK Taking a break from Facebook might be just what you need.

EDITOR’S NOTE

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WOMEN WHO CHOOSE TO STAY at home and make child-rearing a fulltime profession are wonderful assets to nonprofit organizations that thrive with volunteers to help operate and maintain programs and services. Many local agencies could not provide all the help that is needed without these women. As writer Norah Machia puts it in this issue’s cover story, which begins on page 26, “Many stayat-home moms who choose to volunteer their time bring years of experience to the table. It gives women who have left the paid Ken Eysaman workforce an opportunity to use their skills and education to benefit others, and in many cases, oversee volunteer committees more efficiently than some private businesses.” n n n SOCIAL SCENE — This month’s Social Scene section, which begins on page 12, features 18 faces from across Northern New York. On Jan. 5, we joined Farview Images and WBLH radio Tunes 92.5 at the Dulles State Office Building in Watertown for the annual Northern New York Bridal Showcase. On Jan. 6, we joined the North Country Arts Council for “Arts & Apps” at Sboro’s Restaurant & Chop House in Watertown. Despite the blast of wintry weather, the evening was a

chance to meet several of the people who work to keep the arts going strong in Northern New York. n n n BEST OF NNY — Our March/April issue will include details and a ballot for our series of seasonal “bests” that will culminate in an annual “Best of NNY” edition later this year. We will share information on how you can help us pick some of the finest that Northern New York has to offer in a variety of categories. Keep checking in with us online at nnyliving.com or visit our Facebook page for updates. n n n CHANGES FOR 2014 — Thank you to all of our readers who have patiently waited for this issue to arrive. Starting in March, you can expect to see NNY Living back on its every-other-month publication frequency. We will publish five more issues this year, which means readers can expect another issue of NNY Living in mid-March. Following this issue, future issues will hit newsstands in March, May, July, September and November. As always, if you have any suggestions, feedback or story ideas for NNY Living, email me at keysaman@wdt.net or call me direct at (315) 661-2399. Warm regards,

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE n our March/April issue we feature stories on healthy living and how you can learn to live your best life by making good choices.

Also coming in our March/April issue: n WHERE ARE THEY NOW? We catch up with some women who participated in the American Heart Association’s BetterU Campaign and share their progress and results. n DESTINATION VERONA: We travel to the New York’s Central Leatherstocking regionand Verona for some fun close to home.

n MIND YOUR BEE’S WAX: Despite its challenges, beekeeping is a fast- growing hobby for many local-food minded residents. n PLUS: Social Scene, Modern Folklore, Arts, Food, Wine, Wellness, The NNY Life, History, Homes, My NNY and much more. n FOLLOW US ON Twitter for updates at @NNYLivingMag and visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NNYLiving. Catch exclusive previews and unique content on our website at www.NNYLiving.com.

[ NORTH COUNTRY NEWS & NOTES ] SLC Arts Council opens new gallery space

A new art gallery in Clarkson University’s Old Snell Hall will attract renowned artists from the region, the country and the world if the St. Lawrence County Arts Council’s plans for the next few years come together. The council is in much better financial shape now than it was a year ago, according to council Director Rebekah L.Wilkins-Pepiton. It has received grants from multiple organizations. Shutting down retail space and the gallery on Market Street in September and moving to Snell Hall is expected to save about $12,000 a year. The location change and other factors also led to a partnership with the North Country Children’s Museum to create the Regional Arts and Interactive Learning, or RAIL, program. “We spent a lot of time talking and working together in 2013, and just realized that we had a lot of shared goals and shared vision for the community and the region,” Ms. Wilkins-Pepiton said. “It just became a sort of natural ally position.” The two organizations will share their space in Snell Hall. The museum will develop permanent exhibits, and the Arts Council plans to create more artist studios on the second floor while turning the first into a full-fledged gallery. This gallery will showcase regional artists, but Ms. Wilkins-Pepiton said she hopes it also will house traveling ex-

hibits by nationally and internationally recognized artists. On the second floor, the council will double the number of studios, adding four, along with a new workshop teaching space. The state recently announced a $92,000 grant for RAIL to develop an online education program. The Arts Council will use its portion of the funds to help train artists and artisans to use websites and social media to promote their work. There is no firm timetable for these improvements, and things are still in the very early stages, Ms. Wilkins-Pepiton said. The online education programs will be implemented this year, and the council is working with several sources to secure funding for the gallery and new studios. “Our hope is that in the next two years we’ll start to see this really happen,” she said.

Art, food, music kicks off ‘Arts & Apps’

A full house of patrons braved the elements to enjoy food, a silent auction, live music by Ryan Grant and art painted live by Robert P. Hedden, of Wellesley Island, and Jan Byington, of Clayton on Monday, Jan. 6 to kick off the North Country Arts Council 2014 schedule. Monday’s event was the first of its kind for the Arts Council, which, according to its website, was established in 1949 as the North Country Artists’ Guild. Even though the winter weather

UPFRONT diminished turnout slightly, Mr. Marsala, Arts Council President and Ms. Scanlin, council Secretary, saw the event as the beginning of a yearly tradition. “We want to have this event kick off every year,” Ms. Scanlin said. Arts & Apps was not the first event of its kind for Sboro’s, though, as both Mr. Hedden and Ms. Byington said they have painted at similar events at the restaurant hosted by the Samaritan Auxiliary. Ms. Byington was impressed by the first-time event. “I think the event is really nice,” she said. “I love the music.” The art Mr. Hedden and Ms. Byington were to paint will be on display at the Arts Council’s Arts on the Square space, at 52 Public Square.

Calendar features north country artists’ work

Copies of the Fine Art Up North calendar, featuring reproductions of north country artists’ works, will be for sale by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council and available at Clarkson University Bookstore, 8 Clarkson Ave., and Potsdam Food Co-op, 24 Elm St.,both in Potsdam. The cost is $12. They may be preordered for shipping, for $16.79 each, by sending a check to SLC Arts, P.O. Box 252, Potsdam, NY 13676, or through the website, www.slcartscouncil.org. Call 265-6860 for more information. For the month of February, the featured artwork is ‘Drift,’ a color woodcut by Melissa Schulenberg.

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FEBRUARY 2014 | NNY LIVING

CALENDAR

[ ARTS, MUSIC, THEATER, CULTURE ] CANTON FRIDAY, FEB. 28 n Pennsylvania bluegrass band “Cabinet,” at St. Lawrence University’s Java Barn. Tickets and info: facebook.com/JavaBarn.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 n Cabin Fever Coffee and Dessert night, 7 to 9 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 17 Park St. To benefit The Women of Grace Widows’ Fund. Live music by jazz pianist Matt Bullwinkel. Raffle tickets, $12 for 10; $20 for 20. Admission: $5, includes coffee, tea, sampling of sweets. Information: Linda Potter, 386-4364, Ellen Grayson, 322-5669 or WomenOfGraceWidowsFund.org.

CAPE VINCENT THURSDAY, MARCH 13 n Irish Pub Night, 6 p.m., Cape Vincent Community Library, 157 N. Real St. For adults and high school patrons. Irish music, dance, food and poetry. Information: the library, 654-2132.

CLAYTON TUESDAYS, FEB. 25 TO MARCH 25 n Wheel Thrown Pottery, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thousand Islands Arts Center Home of the Handweaving Museum, John St. Information: Thousand Islands Arts Center, 686-4123.

FINEVIEW SATURDAY, MARCH 29 n Pack basket workshop, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, Wellesley Island State Park, County Route 100. Instructor: Kim Cullen. Cost: $75; members, $65, includes all materials. Register by Saturday, March 22: nature center, 4822479. Information: friendsofthenaturecenter.com.

HENDERSON HARBOR SATURDAY, MARCH 22 n Hospice Round and Square dance, 7 to 11

p.m., Henderson Fish and game Club. Music by “Misfits,” $5 per person. All proceeds stay in Jefferson County, sponsored by Henderson Harbor Committee. Information: 938-5069.

MALONE SATURDAY, MAR. 8 n ’80s Night at Titus Mountain, 6 to 10 p.m., Entertainment ’80s music by DJ M-n-M. Best ’80s outfit receives three $25 gift cards (Mo’s, Titus, and Mountain Mart). Prizes/giveaways sponsored by Miller.

POTSDAM FRIDAY, FEB. 28 n Creative movement classes for ages 3-6, Ages 3-4 meet from 4:00 to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6 meet from 4:45-5:15 pm at Downtown Snell Hall, 41 Elm St, room 230. Teacher, Katie Binder will blend dance and creative movement and lead children in joyful expression and improvisational skill activities. Classes meet on Friday afternoons starting February 28 through March 21 for $20, or through April 25 for $35. Children must be toilet-trained and able to follow simple instructions to attend these classes. Contact SLC Arts to pre-pay and register: 2656860, www.slcartscouncil.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 n Writer’s Club, 6 to 8 p.m., Room 230, Downtown Snell Hall, 41 Elm St. By A.J. Best, local author. Ages 16 to adult. Free. Bring writing suppies. No preregistration required. Information: SLC Arts, 265-6860, www.slcartscouncil.org>Classes.

SARANAC LAKE SATURDAY, MARCH 1 n 30th annual Colby Classic Ice Fishing Derby, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2, Lake Colby, Village of Saranac Lake. Preregistration at Blue Line Sports Shop, Saranac Lake. Registration on day: 6:45 a.m. Lake Colby beach house, across from Adirondack Medical Center, Route 86. Prizes, door prizes and raffles. Cost: $7; both days, $10; children 15 and younger, $3; chil-

dren 15 and younger both days, $5. Bait available at Blue Line Sports Shop, Saranac Lake, and river Road Bait Shop, Bloomingdale. Information: Cecilia Martin, derby chairman, 518-9392; or Dave Bodah, (518) 891-5989.

TUPPER LAKE SATURDAY, MARCH 15 n South of Tupper Lake. Beginner’s mountain. Possible hike if weather is warm. Fairly easy. Offered by Adirondack Mountain Club, Laurentian Chapter. Contact: Marianne Hebert, 265-0756, hebertm@potsdam.edu.

WATERTOWN TUESDAY, FEB. 25 Slip, Slide & Skate, 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.,Tuesdays and Wednesdays Feb. 25 through March 26, Watertown Municipal Arena, 600 William T. Field Drive. Learn to skate program. All ages welcome. Professional instructors. Fee: $25; rental skates, $2, pair. Helmets required for children 5 and younger. Register: www.watertown-ny.gov/ rec. Information: 785-7763.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26 n Winter Farm & Craft market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays Jan. 15 through April 30, bottom floor, Stream Building, 146 Arsenal St. Information: 788-4400, watertownny.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 n Rob Auler, Piano concert, 3 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 227 Sherman St. Tickets: preferred seating, adults $16 (advance, $14), senior citizens 62 and older and military, $14 (advance, $12); general admission, $14 (advance, $12), senior citizens 62 and older and military, $12 (advance, $10); students kindergarten through 12th grade and college, free. Information: www.trinityconcerts.org. TELL US ABOUT IT — Have an event you’d like to include in NNY Living? Email us at NNYLiving@ WDT.net with the details or visit www.NNYLiving. com and click Events.

Dream It, Live It, Own It in Northern New York.

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F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

It is a great time to buy or sell real estate. The Jefferson-Lewis Board of REALTORS invites you to visit www.nnymls.com, then contact one of our members and let them show you how to

BEST BOOKS BETS Top titles by checkout

1) “Cross my heart” by James Patterson 2) “Gone” by James Patterson 3) “Sycamore row” by John Grisham 4) “Never go back” by Lee Child 5) “King and Maxwell” by David Baldacci

Top e-books at Flower

1) “Honeymoon” by James Patterson 2) “Mind Over Matter” by Nora Roberts 3) “Tough Guys Don’t Dance” by Norman Mailer 4) “Fetching Raymond” by John Grisham 5) “Busted” by Karin Slaughter

Books of local interest

Watertown native Dr. Delos “Toby” Cosgrove, chief executive officer and president of the Cleveland Clinic, has written the book “The Cleveland Clinic Way: Lessons in Excellence from One of the World’s Leading Health Care Organizations” published by McGraw Hill Education. Using stories of real patients treated at Cleveland Clinic, the book examines what sets the clinic apart from other hospitals and health care organizations and how one of the world’s best hospitals is shap-

[ MOST READ, LOCAL AUTHORS ] ing the future of medicine by working toward one goal: putting patients first. Dr. Cosgrove also describes eight trends that will make health care in this country more efficient, more effective and more affordable than it is today. “The Cleveland Clinic Way” sells for $30 and is available at online bookstores and as an ebook at about half that price. n n n Joyce Carol Oates, who has set many of her novels in upstate New York, has titled her latest book “Carthage.” The novel, published by Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins, is about a young girl’s disappearance, which rocks a community — a fictionalized town called Carthage — and a family. The publisher calls it a “stirring examination of grief, faith, justice, and the atrocities of war.” Ms. Oates, who was born in Lockport, Niagara County, has set several of her novels in upstate New York. On the website www.goodreads.com, Ms. Oates says, “I’m drawn to write about upstate New York in the way in which a dreamer might have recurring dreams.” The writer mixes fictional and real-

life locations in “Carthage.” The book’s prologue mentions the fictional Nautauga State Forest Preserve which is “bounded at its northern edge by the St. Lawrence River and the Canadian border and at the southern edge by the Nautauga River, Beechum County.” “Carthage” sells for $26.99 and under $15 as an ebook. n n n SUNY Press has released the novel “The Truth and Legend of Lily Martindale” by Mary Sanders Shartle. The novel is about a successful New York City resident who returns to her birthplace in the Adirondacks to escape a tragic life by living as a recluse. But she is plagued by a secret, and on a winter day in 1990, she opens fire on a military flyover. As word of her actions gets out, she is forced to confront her years of isolation and sadness. “The Truth and Legend of Lily Martindale” is the debut novel by Ms. Shartle, who lives in the Albany area. The novel sells for $24.95 and is available at www. sunypress.edu.

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MAR. 3 • MAR. 20

SOCIAL SCENE

[ Northern New York Bridal Showcase ] Dulles State Office Building

From left, Michelle Murray and Megan Hazen, IT Works Global, Potsdam.

From left, Jessica Price, Tupperware, Watertown/Fort Drum, and Amanda Balser, Scentsy, Watertown/Fort Drum.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

F E BRU ARY 2 0 1 4 | N NY LI VI NG

From left, Julie Schmeling, Mary Kay, Liverpool, Barbara Yerdon, Mary Kay, Sackets Harbor, and Michelle Parks LaBrake, Mary Kay, Watertown. Farview Images and WBLH Radio Tunes 92.5 presented the NNY Bridal Showcase on Jan. 5 at the Dulles State Office Building.

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KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

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[ North Country Arts Council Arts and Apps ] Sboro’s Restaurant & Chop House, Watertown

Bobby Perkins, Wagner’s Agenda, and Taylour Scanlin, North Country Arts Council and Carthage Area Hospital.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

From left, Lindsay Williams, North Country Arts Council board of directors, and Anita Prather Harvell, vice president, North Country Arts Council.

SOCIAL SCENE

From left, Kris Marsala, incoming president, North Country Arts Council, and Advanced Physical Therapy of Watertown, and Mike Miller, outgoing president, North Country Arts Council.

KEN EYSAMAN PHOTOS | NNY LIVING

From left, Elizabeth Hurst, coordinator of arts education, North Country Arts Council, and Catherine Ellsworth, North Country Arts Council board of directors.

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

MODERN FOLKLORE

The times (on the farm), oh how they have changed

FEB RU ARY 20 14 | NNY L IVI NG

BY VARICK CHITTENDEN

I’VE NEVER BEEN A FARMER BUT HAVE always been surrounded by them. It started early for me. Glen Parker, Herb Jones, Johnny Burgess, Curtis Benham, and my uncle Lyndon Miller are long gone now, but my memories of them from the 1950s and ’60s are still vivid. They kept small farms around my hometown in St. Lawrence County that produced enough to feed their families and bring in some cash for taxes and extras. I was reminded of them and their way of life when I participated in a very interesting project this past year. For a program managed by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress (the Archie Green Fellowship), Traditional Arts in Upstate New York was awarded a grant to document with oral histories and photography changes that have occurred in work on dairy farms in Northern New York in the past few decades. Eventually, 15 farms from four counties agreed to participate. Folklorists from TAUNY recorded more than 30 hours of interviews with 40 farmers, family members and their employees on farms that ranged in size from 35 milkers to one with more than 1,200. What we learned about changes was amazing to me. I personally worked with three families on farms of varying sizes. As fifth and sixth generations, Clark and Nancy Decker and their two sons operate their family farm in West Stockholm that goes back to 1849. They now milk 150 cows and own about 700 acres. They also produce a significant amount of maple syrup annually. Kevin and Phyllis Acres of Madrid milk 330 cows, own about 700 acres, and employ four men — two from Guatemala — on a farm they acquired from his father in 1982. Each in its own way is a modern farm. All of the owners are college graduates, most specializing in agriculture or related courses and continuously educating themselves about latest trends. They utilize up-to-date methods and equipment, with cost effectiveness and the market always on their minds. The farms I remember of only 60 years

ago were hardly like these. Typically, the farmstead included a small-but-substantial farmhouse, a “hip roof” barn with a silo and hayloft, several outbuildings for horses, pigs, chickens, a milk hose, a corn crib, and machine sheds, and maybe 100 acres of meadows, pastures, a woodlot and, quite likely, a sugar bush. Many still used draft horses; some had small tractors and a few machines for mowing and raking hay or “thrashing” grain. What they knew about farming they learned from their fathers or from “ag” magazines and Grange. A milk truck would come by a couple of times a week to haul away a few cans of milk to a local cheese or butter factory. Farm wives helped with milking or haying, kept a garden and chickens for meat and eggs, canned and pickled for the winter food supply and “kept house” for the family. Some worked outside the home to supplement the family farm income. Since that time, I confess I did not pay a lot of attention to changes on local farms. Of course, I had noticed the “For Sale” signs as many had gone out of business, often for lack of family to carry them on. It seemed to me that far fewer cows were put out in pastures than I remembered and much more corn was being raised on large fields. Large refrigerated tanker trucks loaded with milk are now common on local roads and the photogenic old barns found on bank calendars were disappearing, being replaced by long, low sheds that look like plant nurseries. Because it was so different from the farms I’d remembered, it was the third farm I visited — Adon Farms of Parishville — owned by brothers Andy and Tony Gilbert with help from their mother Adrienne and nephew Nick — that really opened my eyes to the most dramatic changes in dairy farming. While there are several other dairies that are larger in the area, the Gilberts’ operation represents what is happening now in their industry. Adon is now a big business, with Andy and Tony, both Cornell graduates, overseeing anything

Now showing WHAT: “Every Single Day: Life on North Country Dairy Farms,” An exhibit of photographs by internationally known documentary photographer Martha Cooper and text from interviews by TAUNY folklorists and “Celebrating Family Farms of the Tug Hill Region,” watercolor paintings by Loretta Lepkowski. WHEN: Through early summer WHERE: The TAUNY Center, 53 Main St., Canton. INFO: Visit www.TAUNY.org or call 386-4289 for details, times or group visits.

a good farmer today is a good manager, a survivor when others have given up or gone under. But whatever their size and their methods, they agreed they share certain things in common: while production and efficiency matter for survival, they do the hard, constant, and risky work because they love it more than anything else they can imagine doing. That doesn’t change and they don’t think it will. VARICK CHITTENDEN is senior folklorist and director of special projects for Canton-based Traditional Arts in Upstate New York and Professor Emeritus of Humanities at SUNY Canton. He lives in St. Lawrence County.

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

related to the animals and fields and crops, respectively. Here are some highlights from my conversations with the Gilberts about their farm today: n One of only two dairy farms still left in their township; they estimate there may have been at least 40 or 50 at one time. n Milk about 1,200 cows daily, keep another 1,000 or so heifers and young stock; about 100 calves are born each month n Own or rent about 3,000 acres of tillable land in four towns; that means about 40 former small family farms in a radius of more than 15 miles. n Maintain several large, open, free stall barns, spread over several acres, with specialized uses for milkers, heifers, calving; no silos or haylofts as they store feed in trenches n Plant 1,500 acres of corn and cut 3,000 acres of hay each year. n Milk cows 24 hours a day in three shifts, shipping about 90,000 pounds of milk every day to cheese plants. n Employ about 30 to 40 men and women; all are local and the Gilberts train them on the job to develop skills needed for the operation. This is unusual, as most other large operations employ significant numbers of migrant workers, often Hispanics. n Cows are not put out to graze in pastures; they are kept indoors year round in climate-controlled conditions n Specialists themselves, Andy and Tony also hire contractors to provide specialized services, some of whom are on the farm as frequently as daily: a veterinarian, a nutritionist, artificial inseminators, a hoof trimmer, a genome tester, a manure management planner, and others. n Six days a week three tractor-trailers haul loads of liquid manure to spread on distant fields as natural fertilizer for crops. n Records are all computerized; information on each cow’s daily milk production,

feeding, and health is constantly updated. n Equipment is large, high-tech, and expensive; for example, a self-propelled feed mixer to feed all the animals individually daily from computer-generated information and operated by one man, arrived in 2013, costing $390,000. This is just a glimpse at what we learned about local dairy farming in recent years in the north country. Change has come fast to all the farms we talked to. Nick Gilbert, now 24 and two years out of Cornell himself, remembers as a child on the farm that they were milking just 90 cows and had a few hundred acres. All agreed that

WELLNESS

Add weight training to see gains Improvements in core strength can boost overall endurance

F E B RU A RY 2 01 4 | N N Y LI V I N G

BY MICHELLE L. GRAHAM

WHY SHOULD I INCORPORATE weight training exercises into my fitness routine? In the fitness and health world we are often inundated with limitless information. It’s sometimes difficult to interpret what the experts recommend. People often ask me why they should bother to add a weight training routine to their already awesome cardiovascular fitness routine. We know that doing sustained endurance work is wonderful for the heart. But the benefits of engaging in muscle work are oftentimes underestimated. Incorporating a sound weight training routine can have some excellent benefits for you and your body. As I look back over the years there have been certain people who have had a vast impact on the fitness world. People like Jack Lalane was engaging in weight

training and fitness long before it was ever the cool thing to do or was researched to the extent that it is today. He was a crucial role model for many of us and was light years ahead of his time. He lived a life that motivated and inspired. He aged well and exercised throughout his life. We can certainly learn from how he lived, exercised and ate over the course of many beautiful years. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing how teaching people to exercise can really impact and enhance their life. Research is the backbone of what we do. A Harvard University study found that even 10 weeks of a sound strength training program can in fact decrease depression and elevate one’s mood. North country winters are long and can keep us home bound. What a great way to combat the winter blues by making exercise — specifically weight training — part of who we are and what we do in our day. Other benefits of strength training include gaining lean muscle mass. As we age, the natural course is that we lose lean muscle mass. By engaging in and including a sound strength program we can actually slow the process down. Another great benefit of weight training is that it can help control your weight. Again, by improving lean muscle, this will have a direct correlation with calorie burning throughout the day. The leaner we are, the more efficient we are at burning calories effectively. Become a lean, mean calorie burning machine. Decreasing the risk of osteoporosis is also a great reason to make weight training part of your overall fitness plan.

Improving or maintaining bone health is critical as we age, and what better way to stall the aging process than to train with weights. You will also notice better balance, which can decrease your risk of falling or even breaking a bone. Improvements in strength can boost overall endurance, improve energy and decrease fatigue. This can also enhance mental sharpness. Better body mechanics are affected along with improvements in posture. These traits are necessary to help move us along throughout our busy day. One of my favorite facets of strength training is posting improvements in overall activities of daily living. Having great strength can help us live better and feel stronger and fitter. This also allows us to do all the things we love and enjoy. Improvements in activities of daily living can help with even simple tasks like getting groceries and climbing stairs. The benefits of weight training are amazing. Why not find your inner strength today? Not only can you improve your physical image, but you can also enhance your mental and social image. Of course, before you start any exercise program ask your physician what may or may not be appropriate for you and your own physical health. Enjoy the winter and make strength training part of your overall wellness plan. In the next issue I will focus on more specifics about how to find the right individual training program. MICHELLE L. GRAHAM, MS, is wellness director for Watertown’s Downtown YMCA. Contact her at ymca_mgraham@yahoo.com. Her column appears in every issue.

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THE NNY LIFE

My bold Facebook experiment

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

BY KATIE STOKES

DURING MY EARLY YEARS AS A mom, Facebook was a highlight of my day-to-day existence. Instead of feeling isolated at home alone with two small children, it was easy for me to keep in touch with my family, see photos of my friends and all their thousands of posts about their offspring and hobbies and careers in a way I found more meaningful and valuable than pretty much any other form of communication. Recently though, I took a break from Facebook. Facebook had somehow devolved into something that felt off. Here are the top three tidbits I took away from my little experiment: Celebrities: They’re just like us, except way more important (according to Facebook’s Newsfeed algorithm) The part of my mental hard drive that had once catalogued Academy Awards contenders’ resumes has now been taken up by the fact that we need laundry detergent and mouthwash at our house. I no longer have the time or mental capacity to watch every Oscar-worthy performance for the year, but thanks to Facebook, I still found myself passively outraged that

Justin Bieber was arrested for drunken driving. First, doesn’t the little twerp have access to a limo, and next, why do I even know this? I’ll tell you why: Because in one moment of Jennifer Lawrenceinduced weakness, I followed HuffPost Celebrities, and now Facebook deems Mr. Bieber more important than, say, anything and everything I actually care about. Once I realized how much play celebrity shenanigans, and other Internet black hole portals were receiving in my Newsfeed, I performed a search and destroy operation on any “news sources” that included cute animal videos, weird crimes, or mention of the petition to deport Justin Bieber. A reaction is NOT the same as an opinion The “Like” button. God help us. It has certainly helped me identify tastes I wasn’t aware I had, but I’m not so sure this knee-jerk opinion-forming power has benefitted me in any way, shape, or form. For example, on Thanksgiving, a Facebook friend shared a link about an awful woman who belligerently complained that she was going to be late for her next flight on a plane full of holiday travelers preparing for a tardy take-off. Do I really like the jerk who tweeted about his subsequent note-writing confrontation with the woman during their flight, which culminated in him telling her to perform a sexual act, which then led to her striking him? Do I? At the time, I “liked” the post because it was framed as story about a regular guy putting a rude and selfish person in her place. I later realized they were both behaving atrociously, and that I should think before I “Like.” People aren’t honest. But so what? This is one of the main reasons I had to take a break. The constant chipper-ness was really getting to me. Everyone was so happy, all the time. I couldn’t take it. I knew that in real life, some of these smiling faces were going through major crises. I couldn’t tell which person to believe — the one I knew, or the one I was seeing

online smiling maniacally in their most recent selfie? It made me wonder about what was really happening with everyone. I became jaded and cynical about every family portrait, every cheery spin on awful circumstances. But after walking away and thinking about it, I decided that each and every person has a right to convince themselves by convincing others that everything will be OK. Still, the unfriend button and I are no strangers. It felt good to take a break, but I noticed right away that there were some drawbacks to not using Facebook. When you get right down to it, Facebook is a heck of a convenient way to stay in touch. I am “Friends” with more than 100 family members, more than 80 childhood friends, and dozens of other people I am interested in, but not in a “I-think-I’ll-pick-up-thephone-and-call-text-them” kind of way. So, instead of dropping social media completely, I’ve decided to be more actively aware of what I’m letting come into my world through my Newsfeed, as well as what I put out there. I don’t even share a quarter of what I document for myself, and I try to take everything I see with a grain of salt. And now instead of HuffPost Celebrities, I’m following sites like “Brain Pickings” (“a human-powered discovery engine for interestingness”) and “Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media” (an organization “at the forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes in children’s media and entertainment”). In the face of just how enormous Facebook has become in our culture, these moves seem small — even boring — in print, but I can assure, they are making a big impact on the way I experience life inside and outside of my time in my social network. KATIE STOKES is an Oklahoma native who has called Northern New York home for more than a decade. She is a freelance writer and blogger and the mother of two children. She and her family live in Hounsfield. Visit her blog at www.NNYLife.com. Her column appears in every issue of NNY Living.

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Clockwise from top, paddle boarding during a sunset over Lake Champlain from the Burlington waterfront. (Paul O. Boisvert) Fall foliage in Vermont woods. Church Street Marketplace, Burlington. Jeffery Domoto, conductor for the Vermont Youth Orchestra, leads the orchestra at the Flynn Center during the 29th First Night 2012 Festival in Burlington. (Joshua Lambert) A woman shops for flowers at the Burlington Farmers Market during the 2012 season. Burlington nightlife. (Burlington Brew Tours)

36 HOURS

Head east for the magnificent Green Mountains Burlington beckons urban adventurers

epicenter for it all. It might just be the perfect small city. FRIDAY 1 P.M., STRETCH YOUR LEGS AND RUBBERNECK First thing’s first — Church Street Marketplace. With its eclectic mix of students, activists, artists, families and professors, Burlington offers some interesting peoplewatching. Take in the sights on a wide, four-block pedestrian-only concourse that is the city’s social center and home to more than 100 shops and restaurants. The pace is slow, leisurely and crowded, so be sure to leave plenty of time to explore. We recommend popping into Sweet Lady Jane, for funky women’s clothes and accessories; Frog Hollow, to check out treasures created by Vermont artists and Lake Champlain Chocolates, where a hot chocolate doubles as a meal. www.churchstmarketplace.com, www.sweetladyjane.biz, www.froghollow.org, www.lakechamplainchocolates.com 3 P.M., TROLLEY THROUGH BURLINGTON’S HISTORY Historical Trolley Tours of Burlington

offers exciting, educational and scenic tours of the city narrated by an “old timer” named Wilber, explaining the history of the city and its local landmarks. A little of what they feature covers a whole lot. Enjoy fantastic scenic views of the lake and mountains, historic homes of the 1800’s, learn about the history of snowboards and Burton’s story, the mystery of Champ, Lake Champlain’s sea creature, and the story of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain boys. www.trolleytoursvt.com/Historical-ToursBurlington-VT 5 P.M., A LITTLE BIT OF PARIS Head back to Church Street for a dash of French flair at Leunig’s Bistro. With its cherub lamps, cozy booths and alfresco dining, it is a social centerpiece. Go for a traditional beef bourguignon or spice things up with tangerine and yellow curry scallops. www.leunigsbistro.com 7 P.M., CATCH A SHOW The Flynn Center is a member of the League of Historic American Theatres

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

VERMONT’S LARGEST AND ARGUABLY most cosmopolitan city, Burlington beckons with the perfect blend of old New England charm, small city sophistication, and stunning natural beauty. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain and nestled between the Adirondack and Green mountains, Burlington is one of those places you can’t help but fall in love with. It is no surprise that Burlington, a city whose biggest exports include the jam band Phish and the most microbrews per capita in the nation, has a chill, socially conscious vibe. But for all its worldliness, Burlington keeps it local. With a resident population of nearly 42,000, Burlington has earned its title as Vermont’s Queen City, offering a wealth of cultural activities, lovely Victorian architecture, and a well-educated community with the University of Vermont as its flagship institution, situated within a stunning view of the lake and mountains. Whether a passion for the outdoors grips you, or an interest in the arts or a day filled with browsing boutiques and antique hunting, Burlington is the

TEXT BY GRACE E. JOHNSTON

and is the largest Historic Performing Arts Center north of Boston and one of the largest in all of New England, hosting more than 300 events a year. Flynn is also home to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra as well as the Lyric Theater Company. Shows as varied as “Seussical” the Musical, Keb’ Mo’, Golden Dragon Acrobats, and Green Day’s “American Idiot” can be seen at this world class theater. Check out what’s playing at www.flynncenter.org. 9 P.M., CAFFEINATED BREW If there are three things that Burlington does well, they are live music, beer and coffee. And the fact that not many tourists know about this place, should say it all. Radio Bean, a coffee bar with exposed brick walls covered with local artworks has all three. Try the Five Dollar Shake, a brilliant concoction of stout, espresso and maple syrup that satisfies your desire to drink beer, stay awake and sweeten up all at the same time. www.radiobean.com

FEBRUA RY 2 01 4 | NNY LIVING

11 P.M., BED & BREAKFAST IN STYLE Stay at the Willard Street Inn, a lovely Victorian mansion located in Burlington’s quaint hill section. This historic inn boasts

14 elegant rooms, each with a private bath and some with lake and mountain views. Enjoy a chef-prepared breakfast served in a magnificent solarium overlooking 1.5 acres of lawn and English gardens. You’ll be within walking distance of the city’s college campuses, the Lake Champlain waterfront, and Church Street restaurants and shopping. www.willardstreetinn.com SATURDAY 10 A.M., GO LOCAL The Burlington Farmers’ Market is the place to be on Saturday mornings. Head out to Memorial Auditorium at the corner of South Union and Main Street, and check out the year-round market. Treat yourself to a surprising array of hardy locally grown produce, sweet and savory treats, handmade crafts and meats and cheeses from more than 50 vendors. Sheltered from the snowy Vermont weather, this indoor marketplace bustles with locals and visitors every other Saturday from November to April. www.burlingtonfarmersmarket.org NOON, BIKE IT, RUN IT, WALK IT A beloved Burlington jewel is its bike path. Converted from the Central Ver-

mont Railway to a bike path in the 1970s, the Burlington bike path is a 7.5-mile recreational route that links six major waterfront parks around the city and offers spectacular views of Lake Champlain as it follows the shoreline, the Adirondack Mountains to the west and the city itself. For information and a map of the bike path, visit Cycle the City Guidebook www.localmotion.org/programs/ islandline/trail. And while you’re passing through, stop off at the always bustling Leddy Park for an ice skating break at the Gordon H. Paquette Arena. www.enjoyburlington.com/leddypark 3 P.M., GET WILD ON THE CITY’S WATERFRONT The Burlington waterfront is a must see for visitors. In the summer months, bask on a lakeside beach, take the Burlingtonto-Port Kent ferry, rent a canoe, kayak or sailboat, or watch the sunset from a lakeside deck. In winter, enjoy skating on the frozen bays, ice fish, or invite some locals out for a pick up hockey game. Check out all that the waterfront has to offer year round: www.enjoyburlington.com/water front.cfm

Crossing time for the ferry is approximately one hour, 10 miles across, seasonal. www.ferries.com/crossing-schedulerates/burlington-to-port-kent-ferry. 4 P.M., MIGHTY MONSTERS AND LOCAL SHIPWRECKS Lake Champlain isn’t just what makes Burlington so picturesque. It’s a huge ecosystem that is home to hundreds of species of fish and plants. The ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center explores the scientific, ecological and cultural and historical importance of the lake with hands-on exhibitions, including the remnants of an old shipwreck. The center even explores Lake Champlain’s biggest mystery: Is Champ a mythical lake monster or real? www.echovermont.org 6 P.M., UNLEASH YOUR INNER WORD NERD Reading and recycling are art forms in Burlington, and no place combines both better than the Crow Bookshop. Stroll on the creaky wooden floor and browse a treasure trove of used and rare books as well as publisher’s overstocks, ranging

has become Burlington’s preeminent live music lounge, and the home of what have got to be the world’s best gravy fries. www.liveatnectars.com

from gardening guides to gently used copies of Shakespeare. www.crowbooks.com 7 P.M., WHEN IN ROME If one were to take Tuscany and add a splash of Vermont, the result would be this hearty, yet crunchy menu from L’Amante. Try the bruschetta of local baby squash and New York strip with white beans, tomato and Swiss chard. It’s sleek and low-lit, yet somehow informal with an expensive wine list that leans heavily on Italian reds. www.lamante.com 9 P.M., WORLD’S BEST A long-standing landmark on Main Street in Burlington, Nectar’s restaurant and bar has been the headquarters for thousands of local, regional and national music acts. From Phish to Northern New York favorite Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, to reggae and rock, Nectar’s is the place to see live music in downtown Burlington. The stage became legendary when a group of then-unknown local musicians known as Phish began to play regularly, sowing the seeds of their enormous following. Since then, the room

” y l i a D n “Ope

SUNDAY 11 A.M., BEER TOUR For beer enthusiasts, Burlington Brew Tours is a must. Guides and admitted beer geeks walk you through each step of the brewing process from start to finish. From pilsners to stouts, you’ll be introduced to beers of all styles, colors and flavors. Tour includes lunch and 18 to 23 samples of beer. www.burlingtonbrewtours.com GETTING THERE From most points in Northern New York, Burlington is a little more than four hours. From points west, follow U.S. Route 11 north/east to Rouses Point. Take U.S. Route 2 east and cross the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge to Vermont. Follow U.S. Route 2 east to State Route 78 east and merge onto Interstate 89 south. Take exit 14 west and merge onto U.S. Route 2 west/Main St. toward Burlington. Follow Main Street into the city. GRACE JOHNSTON is staff writer and editorial assistant for NNY Magazines. Contact her at 6612381 or gjohnston@wdt.net.

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HISTORY

A Texas murder mystery

FEBRUARY 2014 | NN Y LIVIN G

After 137 years, death of Northern New York native ‘Diamond Bessie’ still intrigues small town

IF YOU’VE EVER HAD THE CHANCE to visit the town of Jefferson, Texas, you may already be familiar with the story of Diamond Bessie — she’s one of its most famous residents. Her murder in 1877 and the subsequent trial that was held in this former frontier town about 20 miles west of the Texas-Louisiana border were a media sensation that captivated people across the country. While the town of Jefferson, Texas, has since adopted Diamond Bessie, she was originally from Jefferson County, New York. Many sources claim that she was from Syracuse, but in fact she was born in Burrville, on Sept. 3, 1854, as Annie Stone. Her family moved the short distance to Watertown sometime thereafter and lived on Factory Street where her father worked as a shoemaker. Described as a “smart and beautiful girl,” at the age of 15 she was seduced by the son of a prominent local family. By all accounts, Annie was now a ruined woman. Social consequences were swift and severe: not only had she brought shame on her family, but she also ruined her own prospects for a good, respectable marriage. Victorian women were not given the opportunity to support themselves and therefore relied on their fathers or husbands to provide for them. The only options available to Annie and other “fallen” women were to remain a mistress, join a convent or turn to prostitution. In the end, Annie Stone decided to set out on her own and join the world’s oldest profession. Her family disowned her immediately and never spoke of her again. Annie moved to Syracuse before her 16th birthday, adopted her former lover’s surname — Moore, and set up shop. As a beautiful, young woman, Annie Moore was quite successful in her new trade. She traveled across the United States working in some of the most fashionable “houses of ill repute” in the country. It was at some point during her tenure in the broth-

COURTESY JEFFERSON LIONS CLUB (JEFFERSON, TEXAS)

A sketch of Jefferson County, New York, native “Diamond” Bessie Moore (nee Annie Stone), who was murdered in Jefferson, Texas, in 1877.

els that Annie began going by the name “Bessie.” She built up a wealthy clientele who showered her with expensive gifts, including diamond jewelry. With time and the continued generosity of her patrons, Bessie Moore (nee Annie Stone) became a woman of some means. It was in one such establishment in Hot Springs, Ark., that Bessie met and became the mistress of Abraham Rothschild — the son of a wealthy Cincinnati jeweler named Meyer Rothschild, a distant relative of the powerful European banking family. The relationship was troubled from the start. Mr. Rothschild was unapologetically abusive to Bessie and in one instance so brutally beat her that he was arrested. In 1876 Bessie told Mr. Rothschild that she was pregnant although her autopsy later confirmed that she was not. Uncomfort-

able with the difference in their social statuses but hard-pressed by the situation, Mr. Rothschild reluctantly agreed to marry her. The two were married Jan. 10, 1877, in Danville, Ill., and left soon thereafter for a honeymoon in the frontier town of Jefferson, Texas. The well-dressed couple arrived in Jefferson on the evening of Jan. 19, 1877, with matching sets of luggage, and Bessie wearing “enough jewelry to open a jewelry store.” They registered in a local hotel as “A. Monroe and wife.” Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild spent the following two days in Jefferson with all outward appearances suggesting that they were a happily married couple. On account of the copious amount of diamond jewelry that Bessie wore, and that Mr. Rothschild introduced his new wife only by her first name, townspeople gave her the moniker “Diamond Bessie.” On Sunday, Jan. 21, 1877, Mr. Rothschild bought two picnic lunches and, unbeknown to Bessie, an automatic revolver from the local hardware store. That afternoon the couple set off for a picnic in the countryside — that was the last time anyone ever saw Bessie alive. A few hours later, Mr. Rothschild was seen returning to town by himself. When asked of his wife’s whereabouts, he replied that he left her in the country to visit with friends and that she would return by herself on Tuesday for their departure. On the day of their scheduled departure witnesses reported seeing Mr. Rothschild boarding an early train alone with both sets of luggage. In the coming week, Jefferson was covered with a blanket of snow. Sarah King, a local woman out looking for a lost cow, came across the body of a welldressed woman sitting against a tree with the remains of a picnic lunch nearby. Ms. King recognized the woman immediately as Diamond Bessie, noted that Bessie’s conspicuous jewels were missing, and that

LENKA P. WALLDROFF is former curator of collections for the Jefferson County Historical Museum. She is a former museum specialist and conservator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. She lives in Jefferson County with her husband and two children. Her column appears in every issue.

FE B RU A RY 2014 | N N Y L I V I N G

she had suffered a lone gunshot wound to the head. Bessie was only 22. Authorities eventually followed a trail of Bessie’s jewelry that began in a pawn shop in Jefferson and ended in Rothschild’s hometown of Cincinnati. When Mr. Rothschild learned that Texas authorities were looking for him in connection with Bessie’s murder he attempted to commit suicide with his revolver but succeeded only in blowing out his left eye. After recovering from his suicide attempt, Mr. Rothschild was extradited to Texas in March 1877 to stand trial. The trial was a media frenzy. The circumstances of the case — the Rothschild fortune, Bessie’s profession, and her reputed pregnancy at the time of her death — fueled the media fire. The first trial took two and a half years to complete and produced a guilty verdict with the sentence of death by hanging. It was appealed on the grounds of a clerical error made during jury selection and a mistrial was declared. The second trial introduced new, if not shaky, testimony that was enough to produce an acquittal on Dec. 30, 1880. Following the trial, Abraham Rothschild returned to Cincinnati where it appears that he was disowned by his family. He stayed in Cincinnati for about a year following the trial and then disappeared altogether from the public record. While Mr. Rothschild faded from public knowledge, back in Jefferson, Bessie drew more and more attention. Following her death, Jefferson residents were unable to find any of Bessie’s living relatives to claim the body so they pooled their money to pay for a humble grave. Strangers have shown Bessie much kindness over the years: in 1890 an anonymous donor gave the cemetery caretaker money for the care of her grave. In the 1930s a headstone appeared on the grave where there had previously been none, and in the 1960s the local garden club had an iron fence installed around the grave’s perimeter. The town of Jefferson still honors Bessie to this day — hosting an annual reenactment of the trial. Flowers, placed by an anonymous person, appear on Bessie’s grave every year on her birthday and the anniversary of her death.

COVER STORY

A lasting

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F E B RU A RY 2 0 14 | N NY LI VI N G

STORY BY NORAH MACHIA | NNY LIVING

THE UNPAID LABOR OF STAY-AThome moms can be found in many places outside their own households. Between numerous household chores, errands, transporting children, paying bills, keeping the family’s medical appointments and helping with homework (to name just a few things), there are many stay-at-home moms who also volunteer their time to help others in their community. Women who have chosen to stay at home and make child-rearing a full-time profession can be a great asset to nonprofit organizations who need volunteers help to operate their valuable programs and services. Often these agencies could not provide all the help that is needed without these women. Many stay-at-home moms who choose to volunteer their time bring years of experience to the table. It gives women who have left the paid workforce an opportunity to use their skills and education to benefit others, and in many cases, oversee volunteer committees more efficiently than some private businesses. There were five million stay-at-home moms in 2011, according to the U.S. Census. That year, 23 percent of married couples/family groups with children under the age of 15 had a stay-at-home mom. That’s an increase from 21 percent

in the year 2000. NNY Living caught up with three of them in the north country.

rin Brown, 44, is married to Robert Brown, also 44, who works as a corrections officer for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department. Their three children attend Lowville Academy and Central School — Gabriel, 12, Jacob, 10, and Natalie, 8. They both grew up in Lowville and were high school sweethearts. After they were married in 2000, they decided to make their home in Lowville. Mrs. Brown had worked for The ARC, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, an agency that serves the developmentally disabled and their families, for 10 years prior to having children. She decided not to return to work after the birth of her first child. “I could not bring myself to go back” because she believed it was important to be a stay-at-home mother, she said. As a way to earn some extra income and be at home with her children, Mrs. Brown opened a licensed family day care in 2002. “Our household is far from perfect, but we try to keep a consistent schedule with the children and make them responsible for chores to make the household run smoothly,” she said.

She and her husband will sometimes designate one of their children as “the kid of the day,” allowing for that child to have some “one-on-one time with Mom or Dad,” she said. The special day also includes picking the meals for the family and doing a special family activity. “Staying at home has tremendous benefits,” Mrs. Brown said. “I am able to participate in many of their school activities. I am the first person they see in the morning and also as soon as they get home from school.” Her husband usually works the third shift so he can also have time to spend with the children during the day, she said. Mrs. Brown began her volunteering at her church, the First United Methodist Church, Lowville. She helped to organize fundraisers and events, and served on their board of trustees. “The wonderful fellowship that comes from working with the congregation is very rewarding,” she said. “You get to meet a lot of great people, who are positive and generous of their time and talents.” She later became involved with the food pantry that was located in the church basement and overseen by a council of churches. “I took a leadership role with two other volunteers and absolutely loved

Erin Brown, right, with Brodi the beagle in the Lewis County Humane Society kennel and helpers, from left, Jacob O. Brown, Natalie A. Brown, Gabriel Brown, Mackenzie Aquilo, and Chloe the dog. AMANDA MORRISON | NNY LIVING

it,” Mrs. Brown said. “My children and daycare children would often go with me to take inventory, unload trucks and serve customers.” She also volunteered for the thrift store run by the council of churches, and helped to deliver food to those who could not get transportation to the food pantry, as well as working to obtain more donations and grant funding for the operations. “At this time I became aware of a homeless population in Lewis County,” she said. “It never occurred to me that there was such a need until I started volunteer-

ing. I was surprised to learn many of the clients were living in tents at local parks.” Mrs. Brown then started volunteering for Kindred Homes, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping the homeless secure housing and other basic necessities. “We packed supplies up and distributed them directly to people at the park,” she said. “I am still a board member of Kindred Homes, and work to educate the public to this problem.” Mrs. Brown, who calls herself “a big animal lover,” has volunteered for the

Lewis County Humane Society for the past 10 years, helping with the agency’s newsletter, adoption events, donation jars, poster boards showing pets up for adoption, and shelter cleaning. “They are very flexible and allow me to come by whenever I have time or do a project from home,” she said. “In most instances, the children are allowed to come with me and help in their own way.” She has taken her children to adoption events, and they have also helped care for animals that are temporarily placed in their home, typically a pregnant dog or

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cat whose litter will need special attention before being ready for adoption. Mrs. Brown said that having the children participate in the volunteer work with her helps them to “understand the needs of these animals and become more empathetic as a result.” The family also made a project of creating outdoor shelters for tray cats by insulating Tupperware totes, cutting holes for entry, and filling them with hay. “I would guess we have made about 25 of those shelters and given them away free to people who notice stray cats in their area,” Mrs. Brown said. She also volunteered for an organization called Spay Neuter Now, which operates in Hammond. Mrs. Brown has raised money to help periodically bring the organization’s mobile van to Lewis County at certain time to offer veterinary services at a discounted price, such as vaccinations and spay or neuter surgery. “I couldn’t pick a favorite organization, I loved them all,” Mrs. Brown said. But she stopped volunteering for many of them after suffering a tragic loss in her family last year. In March of 2013, the couple’s newborn son died from a rare form of pneumonia. He was only one month old. “Due to the death of our son last March, I cut back a lot on volunteering,” Mrs. Brown said. “I just couldn’t seem to pull myself out of bed, let alone clean the house and go volunteer.” She has since returned to doing some volunteer work, particularly with the Lewis County Humane Society. The organization offers volunteer opportunities that allow for her children to participate with her as well, Mrs. Brown said. For some projects, she has also been able to have the children in her daycare participate as well, such as making donation jars. Without this type of arrangement, “I would not be able to donate my time,” she said. “The parents of my day care children are always pleased when their children do a charitable project,” Mrs. Brown said. “Being a daycare provider, I see the struggles two working parents have. It has made me even more grateful to be a stay-at-home mom.” “I am so very blessed not to be forced into that situation,” she said. “Being a stay-at-home mom was the best decision for me and my family and I have never regretted it for one second.” She added “I think the volunteering has made all of the children better people. I have to admit sometimes I volunteer for a very selfish reason — it makes me feel so good.”

dith D. Frazer, 58, is married to Michael J. Frazer, also 58, owner of Frazer Computing Inc., which designs and sells software for independent used car dealerships. They have two children, Luke D., 15, and Lindsey C., 12, who are students in the Canton Central School District. Her husband is a native of Potsdam, but Mrs. Fazer is originally from Knoxville, Tenn. The two met while attending Emory University in Atlanta. “After having our son Luke, we decided to look for a place to live with a slowerpaced lifestyle,” Mrs. Frazer said. After attending a Frazer family reunion 12 years ago in Hannawa Falls, they decided “Canton would be the perfect place to live,” she said. Mr. Frazer had been building his own software company while in Atlanta, but decided to expand it into a full-time operation when the couple relocated to the north country. At the time they moved to Canton, Mrs. Frazer was still working full-time as a Sales Director for Tellabs, Inc., a telecommunications company based in Chicago. She was traveling throughout the Northeast to meet with customers, and regularly flew out of the Ottawa airport. But as the telecommunication industry declined, Mrs. Frazer was asked to manage more territory, including Texas and California. “I knew this extensive travel schedule would not work for my family and I opted to take a severance package,” she said. “Since then, I have been staying at home with my children.” One of the most important benefits of a stay-at-home mom is “being there when the kids get home from school,” she said. As their children have grown older and become more involved in activities, both Mrs. Frazer and her husband share in the transportation, meals and all the other parenting responsibilities.

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Edith D. Frazer, Canton, volunteers as president of the St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club.

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Mrs. Frazer is sharing her skills, experience and education to help with several volunteer efforts in St. Lawrence County. One of those organizations is the St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club, which Mrs. Frazer served as the volunteer basic skills coordinator and is now the president of the organization. She became interested in working with the organization after her daughter started skating at age 5. “From my work experience, I brought the attention to customer service to the club and the board has created some new programs for the community of skaters,” she said. Last month the organization hosted an event called “It’s Great to Skate” with the Canton Recreation Department, which attracted more than 150 people “for a fun day of promoting the sport of skating with games and prizes,” she said. Mrs. Frazer is also a member of the Canton Free Library Board of Trustees, and said “the library is an integral part of the Canton community.” “They have programs for children, youth and adults,” she said. “It is a vibrant group of employees with creative ideas, and I wanted to be a part of supporting them in their offerings for our town.” She has also been a volunteer girl’s lacrosse coach for her daughter’s age group in the Canton Pee Wee Organization for the past few years. “I am learning the sport along with them and I love seeing the girls master the skills and being a part of a team,” she said. “All the sports at this level are run by volunteers, and I wanted to join in the commitment to sports in Canton.” Mrs. Frazer has been a member of the elementary and middle school parent groups, and has volunteered to serve as treasurer and building council representative. This volunteer work gives her the opportunity to “support the school, the teachers and the children,” she said. “We have raised money to provide field trips, author visits and other extra events for the schools,” Mrs. Frazer said. She is also a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and the First Presbyterian Church on the Park, where she volunteers for the Care Committee to welcome new members into the church and organize events for current members. All her volunteer work revolves “around people and the advancement of the quality of life for the community,” Mrs. Frazer said. “We love raising our family here and want the area to grow and prosper,” she said. “The north country is a wonderful place to live with the natural resources,

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husband’s business allows him to be home during the evening hours,” she said.

Tai Badalato in front of Sherman Elementary School, Watertown, where she is a regular volunteer and president of the PTO. She is also active in the parent/teacher organizations at her children’s other schools in the district. JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY LIVING

FE BR UA RY 2014 | N N Y LIVIN G

the four colleges within a 20-mile radius, the sports offerings and fine arts like the Crane School of Music.” Mrs. Frazer said she probably spends an average of 8 to 10 hours a week volunteer-

ing, but it does not interfere too much with family time because most of the volunteer work is done during the school days. “Some events and meetings do take away from family time at night, but my

ai Badalato, 33, and her partner, Rowland Mesina, 36, have three children in the Watertown City School District — Nicholas Mesina, 13, Angelina Mesina, 10, and Ava Mesina, 8. Ms. Badalato, a 1998 graduate of Watertown High School, has several years of experience working as a production assistant in the motion picture industry in California. It was that work that helped her develop the organizational skills needed to work under pressure and meet deadlines, she said. She met Mr. Mesina, a New York City native, when they were both attending college in the city. After the birth of her first child, she decided that she wanted to be a stay-athome mother. Raising her three children “has been fulfilling for me” in the best way possible, and was the right choice for her and her family, she said. When her children were younger, she also did some part-time bookkeeping work for her grandfather’s business, but stopped several years ago to focus full-time on her family and her volunteer work. Mr. Mesina owns Advance Mobile Solutions, which specializes in consulting for networking solutions and the integration of mobile applications into small businesses, along with Web design and domain hosting. They have lived in Watertown for nearly 13 years. “Making my household work is a matter of finding a balance that works for all five of us,” said Ms. Badalato. “Planning ahead is key to making my life run as smoothly as possible.”

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Their children have very busy schedules with both sports and extracurricular activities, and “having a very systematic approach to my day helps me to stay on top of the logistics,” she said. “I feel blessed that I was given the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mother and not have to miss a minute of my children growing up,” she said. “Another benefit to my decision to stay at home is that is takes a lot of the household pressures off my partner, so he can focus on and further pursue his career.” At the same time, “my partner realizes how much time I put into keeping our family life in order, along with how much time goes into extracurricular activities, planning out meals and maintaining the household duties,” Ms. Badalato said. “He is very supportive of my volunteer efforts, and will help with the daily grind whenever possible,” she added. Being a stay-at-home mother has allowed her to be involved with her children’s school activities during the day, both in the classroom and after school as well. She is not only focused on her children’s education, but is also volunteering her time to help many other children in the Watertown City School District. Ms. Badalato is president of the Sherman Elementary PTO, and is also active in the parent/ teacher organizations at her children’s other schools in the district. “The three other Sherman PTO board members, along with the many parent volunteers, have accomplished many wonderful things” at the elementary school, she said. The organization raised money to build a rock climbing wall in the school gym that can be used by children in all the grade levels. The PTO volunteers have also worked to bring authors to Sherman

School “to speak and interact with our children,” Ms. Badalato said. They have conducted fundraising efforts to “enhance our school” with numerous things, including technology, magazine subscriptions, books for the library, replacing the school’s sign in front of the building, and helping with school field trips, she said. There are many “day-to-day” tasks that are also performed by the volunteer parents as well, she said. These include making copies of school papers for teachers, working at the school store and book exchanges, and providing the children with free ice cream each month. Volunteers also help at the school’s book fairs, picture days, family picnics and art and science fairs, Ms. Badalato said. “The successful operation of the Sherman PTO would not be possible without the parents and teachers who graciously volunteer their time and support to further enhance our children’s school experience,” she said. Making a “positive impact in the school community is important to me, not only to benefit my children, but for other children as well,” she said. “I’m passionate about everybody’s education,” she said. “Every child deserves the best possible school experience.” Volunteering is also a way to “teach my children that we all are responsible for the well-being of our community and our schools,” Ms. Badalato said. This year her volunteer efforts will be expanded when she joins the annual Festival of Trees fundraising committee, and may expand to other community organizations in the future, she said. NORAH MACHIA is a freelance writer who lives in Watertown. She is a 20-year veteran journalist. Contact her at norahmachia@gmail.com.

F EB RU ARY 20 14 | N N Y L I V I N G

FEATURES

A half-century of devotion Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery celebrates 50 years of prayerful service in Northern New York

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

W 34

STORY BY NORAH MACHIA | NNY LIVING

WHEN THE SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS Blood Monastery was established in Watertown, the year was 1963 and the rules for the cloistered nuns were pretty strict. Any contact with the “outside world” was very limited. Only specially designated nuns could leave the building, but that was just to take care of very specific errands. Fifty years later, their mission remains virtually unchanged and is still being carried out at the Pratt Street monastery. Their lifestyle focuses on daily prayer for people worldwide. “The world is changing, but our mission stays the same,” said Sister Marilyn McGillan, Sister Superior. “The Adoration of the Precious Blood and Prayers for the World.” The sisters receive donations by mailing religious articles and writing letters to those in need asking for their spiritual help. They also create their own prayer cards, which are sold with other items in the monastery’s gift shop. Another way they support themselves is by packaging altar bread for north country churches. But the nuns also take part in recreational activities, such as riding bicycles and walking in their gardens. They also have a beloved pet at the monastery, a black Labrador retriever named Molly, who typically accompanies the sisters to the chapel for their daily prayers. While their time outside the monastery is still limited, the nuns have embarked in recent years on an outreach campaign to recruit women into their religious vocation. These efforts have included the develop-

ment of a website (www.sisterspreciousblood.org) and a television appearance several years ago on the Eternal World Television Network, to let the “outside world” know more about their purpose and mission. They were also filmed as part of a video that was made about the life of their foundress, Mother Catherine Aurelia. Nowadays people can use the website to send emails to the sisters to ask for special prayers or to request a copy of their latest newsletter, Cloister Echoes. Confession guides and vocation brochures can also be ordered online. The outreach was needed because, like many other religious orders, the Sisters of the Precious Blood face big challenges in recruiting new people into their vocation. “We are finding that people are hearing God’s call” to enter into a religious vocation later in life, said Sister Marilyn, who entered the Sisters of the Precious Blood order at the age of 17. Today, it’s very unusual for people to enter religious professions right after high school; what’s been more common is people who have committed themselves to a life of prayer and devotion after having a “professional career” for many years, she said. That was the case with the most recent recruit to the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery, who took the name Sister Mary Catherine after receiving her habit during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the monastery held in late November at St. Patrick’s Church in Watertown. Sister Mary Catherine — her birth name

was Hoa Pham — received the habit at the age of 47. She is now one of the five nuns who reside at the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery. A native of Vietnam, Sister Mary Catherine arrived in California in the early 1980s after spending several months in refugee camps. She had embarked on a dangerous journey to the United States with several of her siblings to receive a better education and to more freely practice their Catholic faith. At that time, a person could face religious persecution for practicing Catholicism in Vietnam, she said. “When I left, being Catholic was not a popular thing,” she said. “But my mother was a very pious woman. She wanted her children to be able to practice their faith, and she wanted them to get a good education.” Sister Mary Catherine was one of the last “boat people” to escape Vietnam, but she had to leave her parents behind. She and her siblings stayed with an aunt in California, where she attended high school and college, later earning a degree in biochemistry. After working for several years as a research scientist with Beckman Coulter Laboratories in California, Sister Mary Catherine started to think she was supposed to be doing more with her life. She went on a missionary trip in 2007 to Vietnam, and after seeing the dedicated work of the Catholic missionaries in her homeland to help the poor and sick, she decided it was time to pursue a different path. “It was God’s call,” Sister Mary Catherine said. “I knew in my heart I needed to

try the religious life.” Her spiritual journey eventually brought her to Watertown, although it was a shock coming from sunny California to the cold and wintery north country, she joked. She found the monastery after a search on the Internet, and spent a year living with the Sisters before receiving her habit. Sister Mary Catherine joined another Sister from Vietnam, Sister Linh, who received her habit last year. Although both women are natives of Vietnam, they did not meet until arriving in Watertown. They joined the three other long-time Sisters of the Precious Blood, Sister Marilyn, Sister Martha and Sister Rose Mary. Although they spend the majority of their time at the monastery, the cloistered nuns have reached people throughout the world with their messages of faith. Their prayers keep up with the needs close to home as well. In recent years, they have been saying daily prayers for the Fort Drum troops stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq. One man called the monastery from San Diego looking for prayer cards to give out to others in his church whom he believed were in need of spiritual guidance. Another person, a bus driver from New York City, called and requested copies of prayer cards so he could put them in buses throughout the city to remind people about the importance of daily prayer, Sister Marilyn said. Over the years, many people have also found their way to the Watertown monastery to ask the Sisters for help. They have received requests for prayers from both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, Sister Marilyn said. “People come here because they have a big worry, and they are looking for peace in midst of problem they are experiencing,” Sister Marilyn said. “They are looking for faith.” The Sisters of the Precious Blood have a “very quiet but very powerful presence in Watertown,” said the Rev. Donald A. Robinson, pastor of Watertown’s St. Patrick’s and St. Anthony’s churches. “Even a lot of non-Catholics know about them.”

JUSTIN SORENSEN | NNY LIVING

Sister Mary Catherine receives a blessing from Bishop Terry LaValley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. Sister Mary Catherine — her birth name was Hoa Pham — received her habit during the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the monastery held in late November at St. Patrick’s Church, Watertown. She is now one of the five nuns who reside at the Sisters of the Precious Blood Monastery.

Their monastery is a “quiet place, and many people go there asking for prayers,” he said. “It’s such a wonderful environment, the chapel is so peaceful,” Father Robinson added. Father Robinson was one of several priests who joined Bishop Terry LaValley of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg in celebrating the Sisters of the Precious Blood “Golden Jubilee” celebration in November. The celebration was organized with the help of the Sisters of the Precious Blood Auxiliary, a group of volunteers who have supported the Sisters for nearly as many years as they have been in Watertown. The volunteers help with mailings and other projects, along with organizing special occasions. The current president is Myrajean Koster. “We could not carry out our mission and reach as many people without the help of our auxiliary members,” said Sister Marilyn.

NORAH MACHIA is a freelance writer who lives in Watertown. She is a 20-year veteran journalist. Contact her at norahmachia@gmail.com.

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The Sisters also have a chaplain, Monsignor Paul Whitmore, who resides at the Holy Family rectory, but provides daily chaplain services at the monastery. Seven sisters left their monastery in Manchester, N.H. to establish an order in Watertown in 1963 after being invited by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. Monsignor Robert J. McCarthy was instrumental in helping to bring the Sisters of the Precious Blood to Watertown, and was referred to as the “Father Founder.” They established their first monastery at Keyes Avenue, but later moved to the Pratt Street location. Today the Watertown monastery is one of six Precious Blood monasteries in the United States. The others are located in Brooklyn, Lafayette, Ind., Portland, Ore., Portland, Maine, and Manchester, N.H.

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pens to be the place where I am most patient and can endure the rambunctious shenanigans of Thing 2 and Thing 3. The kitchen is the most logical place for me to tackle the “Snow Day Blues” head on. Children love to cook and there isn’t much that is more engaging than creating something from “nothing.” Pate Choux is a lovely smooth egg batter that is used to create the crispy shells of cream puffs and éclairs. Baking is a science.

After 24 minutes of kitchen cleanup the magic is complete. The timer sounds and it’s with nervous trepidation that we open the oven door to inspect our creations. Success!

F E B R U A RY 2 0 1 4 | N N Y L I V I N G

Look, up in the sky … It’s a bird … It’s a plane … Never mind … It’s just snow … lots and lots of snow.

AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN RURAL CONNECTICUT, A snow day was a real novelty. Back in the day, we had to turn on the television and watch the bottom of the screen as a scrolling list declared which schools were closed due to snow. It was a slow and painful wait, especially if you happened to look away just as it got to your school’s letter in the alphabet. Today, we can check our cell phones while we are still warm and cozy in bed. I get a text from my son’s school informing me of a closing or delay. It’s great — I can stay in bed and send the boys a text that they can stay in bed. Often times, Patrick and Tucker (affectionately called Thing 2 and Thing 3) know that school has been canceled before I do, their phones vibrating with instant messages and Facebook updates. Despite the technology, the excitement of an unexpected day off is still thrilling. The joy of having nothing to do — no teachers, no books, no gym class — was and still is, enormous. This winter, the unusual number of snow days has posed a new challenge. The first couple of snow days the boys were content with sleeping in, getting cozy on the couch and watching old movies and playing outside. By the third snow day, bored and argumentative boys ruled the roost. It was time to get creative. I am the most capable and inspired in the kitchen. It also hap-

Baking requires attention to detail and accuracy, especially when it comes to measuring the ingredients. Once you have mastered accurate measuring, the rest of the process feels like magic. First we boiled the water and butter mixture, then added the flour and gently cooked it. It takes a little elbow grease to get the flour and water mixture to come together. When steam vapors subside it’s time to add the eggs one at a time. This is work. At first the mixture completely separates (and Thing 2 accuses Thing 3 of ruining everything) but slowly it combines and becomes smooth. Then it’s time to add the rest of the eggs one after the other (more accusations of failure). When the eggs have all been added and the batter is smooth and slightly elastic, we filled a pastry bag with the golden batter and pipe small blobs onto parchment paper-lined sheet trays. Into the oven the sheet trays go. After 24 minutes of kitchen clean-up the magic is complete. The timer sounds and it’s with nervous trepidation that we open the oven door to inspect our creations. Success! The small yolk-colored blobs of egg batter have turned into large, golden brown, perfectly crispy, completely delicious puffs. For a few moments the arguing and bickering stops, there is silence as the puffs are admired. Then the moment is gone and it’s time to decide what to fill our creations with. BOO WELLS is chef and owner of the Farm House Kitchen, a catering company and cooking school in Sackets Harbor. Contact her at sacketsfarm housekitchen@gmail.com or visit www.thefarmhousekitchen.com.

Cream puffs INGREDIENTS 1 cup water 3 ounces (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces 1 Tablespoon sugar Pinch salt 1 cup all-purpose flour Exactly 1 cup eggs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; about large eggs, at room temperature 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 Tablespoon sugar INSTRUCTIONS Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400Â°F. Line a baking sheet with kitchen parchment. In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the flour and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth. Remove from the heat and beat with a wooden spoon just until the steam stops rising, about 1 minute. The mixture will smooth out and pull away from the sides of the pan. Add one egg and beat well with the wooden spoon. The batter will seem to break apart, but keep working until it becomes smooth. Add the second egg and beat again until the mixture is completely smooth. Scoop the batter into a pastry bag. Hold the bag about 1 inch above the parchmentlined baking sheets and pipe out mounds about an inch in diameter. Bake until the pastries are puffed and deep golden, 22 to 24 min. After they have been removed from the oven, gently pierce each puff with the tip of a small paring knife to release the trapped steam. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Whip the heavy cream and sugar with a hand held mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently spoon the whipped cream into a pastry bag. Using the small hole you made to release the steam, insert the pastry bag tip and fill puff.

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Puffs are an easy-to-create treat on any day, especially an unexpected day off from school with children.

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