Member Profile:
Mike and Marilyn Arman Dorian Hyland
I
n 1990, Mike and Marilyn Arman and two friends bought 48 acres in Prattsburgh because they were attracted to the immense views from the top of the hill, the beauty of the land, the lure of the forests offering great hunting opportunities with their abundant wildlife, and the perfect spot for a seasonal cabin. They built the seasonal cabin and enjoyed their piece of paradise, but after 19 years only Mike and Marilyn were still interested in part-time living there and they bought out the other owners. These days they spend more than half the year, from March to November, in the house they both built on the highest point on the property. It sits on about a one acre site, and opens to a 180 degree view looking east towards
Penn Yan and Hammondsport. By day they ride around on their UTV and at night they sit on their deck enjoying the unbelievably beautiful night sky. Surrounding their property are 40 forested acres of former farmland, and some orchards. The land consists of 30 acres of red oak, red maple, sugar maple, white ash, beech, and scattered white pines. Beech brush is becoming established as the understory and ten acres consist of mostly white pine, red maple, aspen, and white ash. Invasive species, such as multiflora rose, honeysuckle, and autumn olive grow along the periphery. Wild apple, grey dogwood, white ash, and aspen make up the remaining seven acres. Throughout the land they maintain trails for recreational use and for
The house helps integrate all the activities and needs for owners and property. A place to stay while working, relaxing, and enjoying the fruits of labors, and space to strategize for the projects yet to be accomplished.
www.nyfoa.org
Marilyn Arman awaits a favorable change in the weather so she and husband Mike can settle into their summer home atop their woodland hill in Prattsburgh.
forestry pursuits, with a generally flat to gentle topography allowing good drainage. The Arman’s met at Alfred State where they both attended college. Later, Mike went to the Rochester Institute of Technology then began working for Xerox in sales, while Marilyn worked for Kodak. They both were born in upstate NY; she in Elmira, spending most of her childhood on the family farm in Potter, and he was born in Horseheads. Mike retired from Xerox three years ago after a 38 year career in sales. He and Marilyn restored an old farmhouse 50 miles north of their woods on ten acres in Mendon, NY, with Marilyn taking responsibility for much of the care and repair as Mike was often on the road for work. At home in Mendon, Mike volunteers for the Fire District and for the non-profit Equi Center, a 200 acre horse ranch nearby that provides therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities, veterans, and at risk youth. Add to that the care and enrichment of 48 acres in Prattsburgh in Steuben County and he is one busy retiree. continued on page 22
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