The Chatter for April 2012
Content
Vol. 2 . . . . . . Avril 2012 . . . . No. 4 GOOD ADVICE – DON'T BE A FOOL April 1st is a day we should all beware of the jokers amongst us. This is a day when you might want to consider all you hear and see. So, after the month begins so significantly we head into the high holy days leading up to Easter on the 8th. Earth Day is on the 22nd and Take Your Daughter to Work Day on the 26th.
Locally, April brings us closer to the Garden Party, the American Hotel staff is rested and ready to reopen and we head off to Paris to gather some chatter.
LOOKING BACK BEFORE GOING AHEAD ~ and A BIT OF HISTORY On March 19th the Sharon Historical Society began its season. Emily Lang, a graduate student at the Cooperstown Graduate Program gave a talk about, “The Jewish Tourists of Sharon Springs.” She has been interviewing residents, searching archives and sleuthing to gather information for her thesis. Jewish visitors have been coming to Sharon Springs since the 1870's. This was one of the few places that
was accepting – a number of resort brochures were clearly marked, “No Hebrews” or would have a statement about, “rides to church.” In 1954 New York State outlawed discrimination. The synagogue was built in 1904. The Mikveh (bathing house for Hasidic women) was built in 1960. The Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum was the catalyst for the Hasidic migration to Sharon Springs, He was originally from Hungary but moved to the U.S. in 1947. The hope was to build a community here, similar to those found in Eastern Europe. There is a very grainy – almost film noir – video of Rebbe Joel in Sharon Spring. You can view it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkoQc4puy0
In the 1950's Germany began paying reparations to Jewish survivors of The Holocaust. There were only two
spas chosen, Sharon Springs and one in Europe. The number of Jewish visitors began to decline in the 1980's. By 2005 the Russian Orthodox were the majority of visitors to the village.
To learn more about this fascinating topic you can talk with Emily during the upcoming Garden Party. She will give a presentation and tour of the synagogue. Tickets are available at www.beekman1802.com. The tours will be at 10 AM and 2 PM, they are limited to 25 people each tour.
The Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies is a collaboration with The New York State Historical Association and the State University of New York College in Oneonta, NY. You can read more about it at: http://www.nysha.org/nysha/cooperstown_graduate_program
BEEKMAN MANSION FOR SALE Farm of 185 acres, Sharon, Schoharie Co. half mile from the Cherry Valley R.R. and about 8 miles from Sharon Spring. Known as the “Judge Beekman farm” It's proximity to the springs, the condition of the buildings and grounds renders it more than anyone can desire.
From a 1800's Schoharie newspaper contributed by Josh and Brent. The selling price of the property, is unknown. Any guesses?
SHARON SPRINGS REAL ESTATE – STILL AFFORDABLE ! If you are looking for a great village home, 115 Washington Street is the one for you. This two-story Victorian is a fine example of Italianate architecture. The Italianate house is a classic style popular in the 19th century characterized by flat or low-pitched roof lines and wide eaves with brackets and cornices.
The home suggests romantic villas of Renaissance Italy. This three-bedroom, two- bath home features a newly renovated kitchen, pantry and laundry room. Added amenities include all appliances, a two-car
garage, a double village lot (.5 acre), perennial gardens and front and back porches. The wrap-around front porch is the perfect spot to while away a summer's day enjoying village life. It is listed for $145,000 Interested?
~ Contact Michelle Curran/RealtyUSA.Phone 518-296-8300 ext 206 email [email protected]
There is no place like
Home !
WELCOME GARDEN CREATIONS ! Garden Creations, owned and operated for 11 years by Beth Gray as a perennial garden design and maintenance business is now changing course. "Adding beauty and value to your life is what we do."
Sisters Beth Gray and Julie Santoro, lifelong residents of Schoharie County, will be opening the new
gardening and exterior decorating centered store in The Roseboro Hotel, on Main Street in Sharon Springs. Garden Creations will offer beautiful annuals, select vegetables & herbs, hanging baskets, shade perennials, and even fruit trees in the spring.
Customers will find pottery and containers, garden lanterns, handmade terrariums along with indoor /outdoor pillows and candles, and even a few unique furniture pieces. We really wanted to create a beautiful shopping experience that's a little different from your average gift store or garden center. The idea
is really all about getting people to connect more closely with nature. To grow things, and focus on the beauty that can be created in your own living space. To celebrate and enjoy life in the great outdoors, no matter how much space you have. And bring the outdoors in when you can. Creating your own get away, with personal style, is what it's all about. No one should look out their
window and see an empty colorless deck if you ask us. The store will be seasonal, and will also offer fresh hand made holiday decorations at Christmastime. We will be closing for winter after the Victorian Christmas Celebration in December. "It's a Beautiful Life...a division of Garden Creations" is also here to provide custom designed container gardens, and exterior decorating services for special events, and porch and patio makeovers for everyday outdoor living. Store hours will be Thurs.- Mon 10-6, closed Tuesday's and Wednesdays.
Please visit us at www.itsabeautifullife.org where you can read a little about our background and what we do outside the store.
Congratulations Beth and Julie ~ Welcome to the neighborhood ! MORE WISDOM FROM NORMAN Our neighbor, Norman, passed away years ago but he left us his volumes of folklore knowledge. As we near planting season here are some of his tips that have proven to be spot on.
*Salt your asparagus bed – it will kill the grass but the asparagus loves it * *Plant potatoes before the full moon – the waning moon will pull them down into the earth making for a stronger plant. * * Plant your cucumbers when the blackberries are in bloom *
HER-STORIAN’S CORNER ~ Nancy Pfau, Town Historian Should you wander through our little village, the sparkling windows of Cobbler and Company – one of the most delightful gift shops anywhere – is sure to catch your eye. This unique gem is right next door to the
Village Hall Gallery [home of The Chatter] and across the street from The American Hotel [subject of next month’s column!]
Cobbler and Co. was built originally as a one story structure to house the milliner’s shop of Florence Fonda and Mrs. Guy Swift in the 19th century during the heyday of the Spa era, when no lady would be caught
out of doors without the requisite hat and gloves. A second story was added at first as an apartment for Florence Fonda and then later additional rooms were added to rent to tourists. Frank D’Amico purchased
the building from Florence Fonda and continued to call it “Florence Cottage”, operating a shoe repair shop on the first floor while renting rooms [under Italian Management as the sign indicated, i.e. “Not Kosher”]. During the D’Amico years, the family lived on the first floor behind the shop. The Shoe Repair business operated into the 1960’s. After several years of abandonment and neglect, the property was bought by Maureen Lodes who opened Cobbler and Company in 1997. She has kept the old shoe repair equipment, gear, polish, and signs including the original cash register so shoppers can experience the past while
browsing through a huge variety of fun products including garden and outdoor items, collectibles, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, scarves, and Sharon Springs souvenir items. The perpetual Christmas room has a charming selection of ornaments while the original bathroom is decorated with fragrant soaps and other bath products. Not to be missed is the greeting card room with its large selection of cards for all occasions, cocktail napkins, journals, plaques and more.
Maureen said, “I want the shop to be something fun to come to. I want to give people a reason to come to Sharon Springs.” Her philosophy remains the same, if anything today’s shop has an even bigger mixture of uniqueness in fourteen charming little rooms. Shopping in our charming little village is an opportunity to step back in time as you browse through shops set in historical buildings, this one a Queen Anne gable front house. Come see for yourselves now that Spring has arrived!
Cobbler & Co. is open year round.
May – December everyday – 10-6 during off season January - April Thursday – Monday 10-6 .SHARON SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S APRIL MEETING GOES ON TOUR For the April 16th meeting, the group will be touring Adelphi Paper Hangings and The Anonymous Bookbinder at 7 pm. They are located at 102 Main Street in Sharon Springs (in the building where Doug and Garth got started in the restaurant biz – remember The Rockville Cafe?) After the tour there will be a meeting and refreshments at the Library Community Room. Everyone is invited !
* You can read about Adelphi Paper Hangings in the August 2011 issue and The Anonymous Bookbinder in the September 2011 issue of The Chatter.
THE SHARON SPRINGS FARMER'S MARKET . . . is looking forward to reopening this summer. We survived a wet and difficult growing season in 2011 but are optimistic about this year's early start on spring! Plants are already in the ground and in the greenhouses, beds are being prepared for crops later this season, chicks are peeping and egg production is booming. We believe everyone should be able to eat great local food; and as part of our commitment to that idea, last year we received grant funding to support a "SNAP match". This provided a little extra buying power for families who receive SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) to increase access to fresh healthy
local foods. This year we are reapplying for that grant, but we are also trying for funds to add some great
community events like a cook-off contest, canning demonstrations, kids activities, yoga, and more. But in order to get there we are hoping for a little help- we need to come up with 25% matching funds in order to reach our goal.
If you can find it in your pocket, in these tight times, we would greatly appreciate a small donation to help us buy canning jars, a grill to do the demos, and several other items. All donors get a "proud supporter" sign for your business, are listed on our website, in our annual "thank you" advertisement in the Times Journal, and
at
the
market.
If
you
have
[email protected],
questions, send
a
please message
feel
free via
to our
email
us
website
at at
www.sharonspringsfarmersmarket.com or call Kate at 518 935 0940. We look forward to seeing you all in June, from 9am-2pm every Saturday on Main St.
Thank you, Kate. And . . . we are looking forward to seeing you at the Market!
If you want to be happy for a short time, get drunk; happy for a long time, fall in love; happy forever, take up gardening ~ Chinese Proverb
SAVOR THE SEASON Through the winter months, most of us as animals have felt the need for some kind of hibernation. We have been early to bed and late to arise, less willing to leave the house in the evening once we’re tucked in, and we have preferred warm and heavy comfort foods such as meaty stews, breads and pastas, and starchy vegetables. All this heaviness is good protection from the evolutionary possibility of starving in the winter but in these modern times we are left with a few extra pounds and feeling less than energetic as spring awakens in March. Fortunately, April opens the door to many remedies for this annual period of sloth. It turns out that the best foods to eat to help us clear the sludge from our digestive systems and cleanse all of
our bodily humors are those that either naturally grow with the renewed warmth of the sun or those that can be planted during this changeable season. Some of the best include: alfalfa and most bean sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, carrots and dandelion root and greens, endive and
other lettuces, Swiss chard, kale, spinach and mustard greens, celery and chicory, onions, garlic and radishes, parsley and peas, green beans, mushrooms and watercress. It also helps to eat a low-fat diet and to enjoy apples, dried fruits and raw honey for sweeteners. And naturally, April showers remind us to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Any Ayruvedic nutrition or cook book can give you a much more complete list of the best foods to consume during Spring. I highly recommend two websites for their integrity and excellence when it comes to
integrative medicine and nutrition: www.lifespa.com from John Douillard and www.drweil.com from Andrew Weil. Fill-up half of your plate with fresh, organic plants to help crowd out those now passé heavy foods that filled your plate all winter. These will put a “spring” back into your step! Next month: The great news about chocolate ! Linda Keller has been an educator, research scientist, and public health practitioner for over three decades.
She has a BS in Public Health and an MS and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and a Certified
Integrative Nutrition and Health Counselor through Columbia University Teacher’s College. Through Bassett Healthcare Network, Dr. Keller directs a New York State, Office of Rural Health, Network Development grant that provides education toward living a healthy lifestyle. She offers individual and group counseling, as well as nutrition workshops, cooking classes, and integrative nutrition consulting to a variety of community, worksite and school venues.
For more information, contact Linda by email: [email protected] , or phone: (607) 643-2773.
APRIL FOOLS' PRANK BACKFIRES . . . When I was in my very early twenties, and just starting out in the advertising business, my writing partner, John, and I decided to pull an April Fools' prank on our fairly staid agency. It was the early 1990's and drug
testing was a hot topic. (Bill Clinton had recently not inhaled.) John and I typed up an official looking memo - email wasn't in use yet - and slipped it into everyone's mailbox early on the morning of April 1st before anyone had reported to work.
Memo Subject: "Mandatory Drug Testing Today." The rest of the memo instructed each staff member to visit a specific restroom as soon as they reported to work, where she or he would find a plastic cup and sharpie marker. They were to fill the cup with urine, write their full name on it, and leave it on the counter to be picked up. John and I had also "staged" the restroom counters with several cups full of diluted apple juice
labeled with the names of a few top executives. We'd thought that when employees saw the names of their bosses, that they would be more likely to quickly comply before the ruse was discovered.
It actually worked. By 10:30 am, there were several dozen or "samples" left on each restroom counter. Those who had fallen for the gag could never deny it because their names were lined up right there on the counters, in permanent ink.
We were uncovered as the culprits shortly before noon. Unfortunately, the head of the Human Resources did not think the prank was a funny as we did. In fact, by noon, it looked as if we might not be allowed to finish the day as employees. Our boss, however, felt it was hilarious, and reached a compromise with HR. Which is why, at 2pm on April 1st, 1993, John and I found ourselves with hastily made "Bio Hazard Team" signs pinned to our dress shirts, dumping cup-fulls of our colleagues' urine down the toilet. We may have had the first laughs of the day, but the last were definitely on us.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
My sister in-law loved (note past tense!) playing jokes on April 1 st. She went to great lengths to fool family, friends and unsuspecting neighbors who had no idea what lay under her extra friendly, helpful smile.
It was some years ago when she and her family lived in a – not gated – but heavily controlled uptown neighborhood in Pittsburgh. She called a neighbor to express her concern about a property that was up for
sale. With great authority she told this man about the drug rehab center that would be opening in his backyard. By evening a committee had been organized to meet and take it to City Hall. When she was contacted about the upcoming meeting she had to fess up. I don't know if that is why they eventually moved or if they truly loved the new house . . .
~~~~~~~~~
The origin of April Fools' Day varies. One story is that in the 1500's Pope Gregory, with the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calender some people refused to acknowledge (or didn't know about the
change) January 1st as New Year Day. These rebels continued to celebrate on April 1st but were the subject of great mockery and were sent on “a fools' errand.”
BUSINESS UPDATES, NEWS, HOURS and EVENTS My Sisters’ Place Café will be closed for vacation until April 20th. They will reopen on Saturday, April 21st Hours will be 8-3 ~ Thursday – Sunday Saturday morning YOGA with Colleen at Studio North 11:30 – 12:30. Begins March 24th. 37.50 for the session or 7.50 per session (if you can't commit – join us when you can) Or you can add the yoga class
your class rotations and the price is even less! Studio North at 518-284-3340 [email protected] Cherry Valley Artworks has extended the deadline for the Sculpture Trail to April 15th. For further information and/or to download an application go to www.cvartworks.org
THE GARDEN PARTY ~ MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 26TH & 27TH . . . 9-5 For information about the weekend events go to: www.enjoysharonsprings.com If you are interested in being a vendor, there is an application to download and submit. Events and details will be updated as we get nearer to the date. There will shuttle buses running from Route 20 to the center of the village – check back for schedules. The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce offers free package pick-up so you can leave your purchases at the tent until you are ready to leave. Be sure to stop in the local businesses for special sales, events, shopping and eating!
PORTRAIT EXHIBITION AT VILLAGE HALL GALLERY opens May 1 st Over the past 20 years I have taken portraits for exhibitions, for the heck of it and for hire. As Spring cleaning began I revisited my collection of portrait photographs. Most of these photos were exhibited for a few weeks and then never seen again. There is a bit of self consciousness about having an exhibition of my work at the gallery, so I ask for your indulgence. To paraphrase Will Rogers, “I've never met a portrait
subject that I didn't fall in love with.” Over the years farmers have taken me on tractor rides, strangers have welcomed me and the camera into their homes, their personal spaces and many good stories. All of the
photos were taken in the surroundings of the person's life. They all chose the spot that held meaning for them. The 3 exhibitions represented are, May The Circle be Unbroken(1998)Sacred Spaces in Everyday Life
(2000) and The Heart of the Country.(2002). A number of the people have since passed on, so in part, it is an acknowledgment of their lives, in part it continues the history of documenting the grace of everyday life and last of all – a final salute to black and white film photography.
Send you stories, curiosities and musings to: [email protected] The Chatter is a free paper, but donations are appreciated. Thank you ! Gallery hours: Thursday – Monday 10-4 284-2402
Locally, April brings us closer to the Garden Party, the American Hotel staff is rested and ready to reopen and we head off to Paris to gather some chatter.
LOOKING BACK BEFORE GOING AHEAD ~ and A BIT OF HISTORY On March 19th the Sharon Historical Society began its season. Emily Lang, a graduate student at the Cooperstown Graduate Program gave a talk about, “The Jewish Tourists of Sharon Springs.” She has been interviewing residents, searching archives and sleuthing to gather information for her thesis. Jewish visitors have been coming to Sharon Springs since the 1870's. This was one of the few places that
was accepting – a number of resort brochures were clearly marked, “No Hebrews” or would have a statement about, “rides to church.” In 1954 New York State outlawed discrimination. The synagogue was built in 1904. The Mikveh (bathing house for Hasidic women) was built in 1960. The Rebbe Joel Teitelbaum was the catalyst for the Hasidic migration to Sharon Springs, He was originally from Hungary but moved to the U.S. in 1947. The hope was to build a community here, similar to those found in Eastern Europe. There is a very grainy – almost film noir – video of Rebbe Joel in Sharon Spring. You can view it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkoQc4puy0
In the 1950's Germany began paying reparations to Jewish survivors of The Holocaust. There were only two
spas chosen, Sharon Springs and one in Europe. The number of Jewish visitors began to decline in the 1980's. By 2005 the Russian Orthodox were the majority of visitors to the village.
To learn more about this fascinating topic you can talk with Emily during the upcoming Garden Party. She will give a presentation and tour of the synagogue. Tickets are available at www.beekman1802.com. The tours will be at 10 AM and 2 PM, they are limited to 25 people each tour.
The Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies is a collaboration with The New York State Historical Association and the State University of New York College in Oneonta, NY. You can read more about it at: http://www.nysha.org/nysha/cooperstown_graduate_program
BEEKMAN MANSION FOR SALE Farm of 185 acres, Sharon, Schoharie Co. half mile from the Cherry Valley R.R. and about 8 miles from Sharon Spring. Known as the “Judge Beekman farm” It's proximity to the springs, the condition of the buildings and grounds renders it more than anyone can desire.
From a 1800's Schoharie newspaper contributed by Josh and Brent. The selling price of the property, is unknown. Any guesses?
SHARON SPRINGS REAL ESTATE – STILL AFFORDABLE ! If you are looking for a great village home, 115 Washington Street is the one for you. This two-story Victorian is a fine example of Italianate architecture. The Italianate house is a classic style popular in the 19th century characterized by flat or low-pitched roof lines and wide eaves with brackets and cornices.
The home suggests romantic villas of Renaissance Italy. This three-bedroom, two- bath home features a newly renovated kitchen, pantry and laundry room. Added amenities include all appliances, a two-car
garage, a double village lot (.5 acre), perennial gardens and front and back porches. The wrap-around front porch is the perfect spot to while away a summer's day enjoying village life. It is listed for $145,000 Interested?
~ Contact Michelle Curran/RealtyUSA.Phone 518-296-8300 ext 206 email [email protected]
There is no place like
Home !
WELCOME GARDEN CREATIONS ! Garden Creations, owned and operated for 11 years by Beth Gray as a perennial garden design and maintenance business is now changing course. "Adding beauty and value to your life is what we do."
Sisters Beth Gray and Julie Santoro, lifelong residents of Schoharie County, will be opening the new
gardening and exterior decorating centered store in The Roseboro Hotel, on Main Street in Sharon Springs. Garden Creations will offer beautiful annuals, select vegetables & herbs, hanging baskets, shade perennials, and even fruit trees in the spring.
Customers will find pottery and containers, garden lanterns, handmade terrariums along with indoor /outdoor pillows and candles, and even a few unique furniture pieces. We really wanted to create a beautiful shopping experience that's a little different from your average gift store or garden center. The idea
is really all about getting people to connect more closely with nature. To grow things, and focus on the beauty that can be created in your own living space. To celebrate and enjoy life in the great outdoors, no matter how much space you have. And bring the outdoors in when you can. Creating your own get away, with personal style, is what it's all about. No one should look out their
window and see an empty colorless deck if you ask us. The store will be seasonal, and will also offer fresh hand made holiday decorations at Christmastime. We will be closing for winter after the Victorian Christmas Celebration in December. "It's a Beautiful Life...a division of Garden Creations" is also here to provide custom designed container gardens, and exterior decorating services for special events, and porch and patio makeovers for everyday outdoor living. Store hours will be Thurs.- Mon 10-6, closed Tuesday's and Wednesdays.
Please visit us at www.itsabeautifullife.org where you can read a little about our background and what we do outside the store.
Congratulations Beth and Julie ~ Welcome to the neighborhood ! MORE WISDOM FROM NORMAN Our neighbor, Norman, passed away years ago but he left us his volumes of folklore knowledge. As we near planting season here are some of his tips that have proven to be spot on.
*Salt your asparagus bed – it will kill the grass but the asparagus loves it * *Plant potatoes before the full moon – the waning moon will pull them down into the earth making for a stronger plant. * * Plant your cucumbers when the blackberries are in bloom *
HER-STORIAN’S CORNER ~ Nancy Pfau, Town Historian Should you wander through our little village, the sparkling windows of Cobbler and Company – one of the most delightful gift shops anywhere – is sure to catch your eye. This unique gem is right next door to the
Village Hall Gallery [home of The Chatter] and across the street from The American Hotel [subject of next month’s column!]
Cobbler and Co. was built originally as a one story structure to house the milliner’s shop of Florence Fonda and Mrs. Guy Swift in the 19th century during the heyday of the Spa era, when no lady would be caught
out of doors without the requisite hat and gloves. A second story was added at first as an apartment for Florence Fonda and then later additional rooms were added to rent to tourists. Frank D’Amico purchased
the building from Florence Fonda and continued to call it “Florence Cottage”, operating a shoe repair shop on the first floor while renting rooms [under Italian Management as the sign indicated, i.e. “Not Kosher”]. During the D’Amico years, the family lived on the first floor behind the shop. The Shoe Repair business operated into the 1960’s. After several years of abandonment and neglect, the property was bought by Maureen Lodes who opened Cobbler and Company in 1997. She has kept the old shoe repair equipment, gear, polish, and signs including the original cash register so shoppers can experience the past while
browsing through a huge variety of fun products including garden and outdoor items, collectibles, kitchen gadgets, jewelry, scarves, and Sharon Springs souvenir items. The perpetual Christmas room has a charming selection of ornaments while the original bathroom is decorated with fragrant soaps and other bath products. Not to be missed is the greeting card room with its large selection of cards for all occasions, cocktail napkins, journals, plaques and more.
Maureen said, “I want the shop to be something fun to come to. I want to give people a reason to come to Sharon Springs.” Her philosophy remains the same, if anything today’s shop has an even bigger mixture of uniqueness in fourteen charming little rooms. Shopping in our charming little village is an opportunity to step back in time as you browse through shops set in historical buildings, this one a Queen Anne gable front house. Come see for yourselves now that Spring has arrived!
Cobbler & Co. is open year round.
May – December everyday – 10-6 during off season January - April Thursday – Monday 10-6 .SHARON SPRINGS HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S APRIL MEETING GOES ON TOUR For the April 16th meeting, the group will be touring Adelphi Paper Hangings and The Anonymous Bookbinder at 7 pm. They are located at 102 Main Street in Sharon Springs (in the building where Doug and Garth got started in the restaurant biz – remember The Rockville Cafe?) After the tour there will be a meeting and refreshments at the Library Community Room. Everyone is invited !
* You can read about Adelphi Paper Hangings in the August 2011 issue and The Anonymous Bookbinder in the September 2011 issue of The Chatter.
THE SHARON SPRINGS FARMER'S MARKET . . . is looking forward to reopening this summer. We survived a wet and difficult growing season in 2011 but are optimistic about this year's early start on spring! Plants are already in the ground and in the greenhouses, beds are being prepared for crops later this season, chicks are peeping and egg production is booming. We believe everyone should be able to eat great local food; and as part of our commitment to that idea, last year we received grant funding to support a "SNAP match". This provided a little extra buying power for families who receive SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) to increase access to fresh healthy
local foods. This year we are reapplying for that grant, but we are also trying for funds to add some great
community events like a cook-off contest, canning demonstrations, kids activities, yoga, and more. But in order to get there we are hoping for a little help- we need to come up with 25% matching funds in order to reach our goal.
If you can find it in your pocket, in these tight times, we would greatly appreciate a small donation to help us buy canning jars, a grill to do the demos, and several other items. All donors get a "proud supporter" sign for your business, are listed on our website, in our annual "thank you" advertisement in the Times Journal, and
at
the
market.
If
you
have
[email protected],
questions, send
a
please message
feel
free via
to our
us
website
at at
www.sharonspringsfarmersmarket.com or call Kate at 518 935 0940. We look forward to seeing you all in June, from 9am-2pm every Saturday on Main St.
Thank you, Kate. And . . . we are looking forward to seeing you at the Market!
If you want to be happy for a short time, get drunk; happy for a long time, fall in love; happy forever, take up gardening ~ Chinese Proverb
SAVOR THE SEASON Through the winter months, most of us as animals have felt the need for some kind of hibernation. We have been early to bed and late to arise, less willing to leave the house in the evening once we’re tucked in, and we have preferred warm and heavy comfort foods such as meaty stews, breads and pastas, and starchy vegetables. All this heaviness is good protection from the evolutionary possibility of starving in the winter but in these modern times we are left with a few extra pounds and feeling less than energetic as spring awakens in March. Fortunately, April opens the door to many remedies for this annual period of sloth. It turns out that the best foods to eat to help us clear the sludge from our digestive systems and cleanse all of
our bodily humors are those that either naturally grow with the renewed warmth of the sun or those that can be planted during this changeable season. Some of the best include: alfalfa and most bean sprouts, asparagus, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, carrots and dandelion root and greens, endive and
other lettuces, Swiss chard, kale, spinach and mustard greens, celery and chicory, onions, garlic and radishes, parsley and peas, green beans, mushrooms and watercress. It also helps to eat a low-fat diet and to enjoy apples, dried fruits and raw honey for sweeteners. And naturally, April showers remind us to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Any Ayruvedic nutrition or cook book can give you a much more complete list of the best foods to consume during Spring. I highly recommend two websites for their integrity and excellence when it comes to
integrative medicine and nutrition: www.lifespa.com from John Douillard and www.drweil.com from Andrew Weil. Fill-up half of your plate with fresh, organic plants to help crowd out those now passé heavy foods that filled your plate all winter. These will put a “spring” back into your step! Next month: The great news about chocolate ! Linda Keller has been an educator, research scientist, and public health practitioner for over three decades.
She has a BS in Public Health and an MS and Ph.D. in Immunology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City and a Certified
Integrative Nutrition and Health Counselor through Columbia University Teacher’s College. Through Bassett Healthcare Network, Dr. Keller directs a New York State, Office of Rural Health, Network Development grant that provides education toward living a healthy lifestyle. She offers individual and group counseling, as well as nutrition workshops, cooking classes, and integrative nutrition consulting to a variety of community, worksite and school venues.
For more information, contact Linda by email: [email protected] , or phone: (607) 643-2773.
APRIL FOOLS' PRANK BACKFIRES . . . When I was in my very early twenties, and just starting out in the advertising business, my writing partner, John, and I decided to pull an April Fools' prank on our fairly staid agency. It was the early 1990's and drug
testing was a hot topic. (Bill Clinton had recently not inhaled.) John and I typed up an official looking memo - email wasn't in use yet - and slipped it into everyone's mailbox early on the morning of April 1st before anyone had reported to work.
Memo Subject: "Mandatory Drug Testing Today." The rest of the memo instructed each staff member to visit a specific restroom as soon as they reported to work, where she or he would find a plastic cup and sharpie marker. They were to fill the cup with urine, write their full name on it, and leave it on the counter to be picked up. John and I had also "staged" the restroom counters with several cups full of diluted apple juice
labeled with the names of a few top executives. We'd thought that when employees saw the names of their bosses, that they would be more likely to quickly comply before the ruse was discovered.
It actually worked. By 10:30 am, there were several dozen or "samples" left on each restroom counter. Those who had fallen for the gag could never deny it because their names were lined up right there on the counters, in permanent ink.
We were uncovered as the culprits shortly before noon. Unfortunately, the head of the Human Resources did not think the prank was a funny as we did. In fact, by noon, it looked as if we might not be allowed to finish the day as employees. Our boss, however, felt it was hilarious, and reached a compromise with HR. Which is why, at 2pm on April 1st, 1993, John and I found ourselves with hastily made "Bio Hazard Team" signs pinned to our dress shirts, dumping cup-fulls of our colleagues' urine down the toilet. We may have had the first laughs of the day, but the last were definitely on us.
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My sister in-law loved (note past tense!) playing jokes on April 1 st. She went to great lengths to fool family, friends and unsuspecting neighbors who had no idea what lay under her extra friendly, helpful smile.
It was some years ago when she and her family lived in a – not gated – but heavily controlled uptown neighborhood in Pittsburgh. She called a neighbor to express her concern about a property that was up for
sale. With great authority she told this man about the drug rehab center that would be opening in his backyard. By evening a committee had been organized to meet and take it to City Hall. When she was contacted about the upcoming meeting she had to fess up. I don't know if that is why they eventually moved or if they truly loved the new house . . .
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The origin of April Fools' Day varies. One story is that in the 1500's Pope Gregory, with the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calender some people refused to acknowledge (or didn't know about the
change) January 1st as New Year Day. These rebels continued to celebrate on April 1st but were the subject of great mockery and were sent on “a fools' errand.”
BUSINESS UPDATES, NEWS, HOURS and EVENTS My Sisters’ Place Café will be closed for vacation until April 20th. They will reopen on Saturday, April 21st Hours will be 8-3 ~ Thursday – Sunday Saturday morning YOGA with Colleen at Studio North 11:30 – 12:30. Begins March 24th. 37.50 for the session or 7.50 per session (if you can't commit – join us when you can) Or you can add the yoga class
your class rotations and the price is even less! Studio North at 518-284-3340 [email protected] Cherry Valley Artworks has extended the deadline for the Sculpture Trail to April 15th. For further information and/or to download an application go to www.cvartworks.org
THE GARDEN PARTY ~ MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 26TH & 27TH . . . 9-5 For information about the weekend events go to: www.enjoysharonsprings.com If you are interested in being a vendor, there is an application to download and submit. Events and details will be updated as we get nearer to the date. There will shuttle buses running from Route 20 to the center of the village – check back for schedules. The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce offers free package pick-up so you can leave your purchases at the tent until you are ready to leave. Be sure to stop in the local businesses for special sales, events, shopping and eating!
PORTRAIT EXHIBITION AT VILLAGE HALL GALLERY opens May 1 st Over the past 20 years I have taken portraits for exhibitions, for the heck of it and for hire. As Spring cleaning began I revisited my collection of portrait photographs. Most of these photos were exhibited for a few weeks and then never seen again. There is a bit of self consciousness about having an exhibition of my work at the gallery, so I ask for your indulgence. To paraphrase Will Rogers, “I've never met a portrait
subject that I didn't fall in love with.” Over the years farmers have taken me on tractor rides, strangers have welcomed me and the camera into their homes, their personal spaces and many good stories. All of the
photos were taken in the surroundings of the person's life. They all chose the spot that held meaning for them. The 3 exhibitions represented are, May The Circle be Unbroken(1998)Sacred Spaces in Everyday Life
(2000) and The Heart of the Country.(2002). A number of the people have since passed on, so in part, it is an acknowledgment of their lives, in part it continues the history of documenting the grace of everyday life and last of all – a final salute to black and white film photography.
Send you stories, curiosities and musings to: [email protected] The Chatter is a free paper, but donations are appreciated. Thank you ! Gallery hours: Thursday – Monday 10-4 284-2402
