Spring 2016

Bike Ride and Mother’s Day Brunch

Competitive cyclists, casual bicycle riders and those looking for a mouth-watering Mother's day brunch are invited to the annual Amberations' Bike Ride, Open House, and Mother's Day Brunch set for Sunday, May 8, in Marietta, NY. Entertainment will include local musicians and children's activities.

Register online (amberations.org) or register on the day of the ride beginning at 8 a.m. at the Otisco Lake Community Center, 2223 Amber Road, adjacent to Amberations' barn. Cyclists will depart at 9 a.m.

Brunch is complimentary for registered cyclists. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of categories including but not limited to fastest, most colorful, and last place. The fastest riders complete the 17 mile course in under an hour. Participant fee for the scenic ride around Otisco Lake is $20 per person and $40 per family with all proceeds going to support Amberations. This annual event, sponsored by The Bikery of Baldwinsville and supported by Wegmans, attracts a group of strong cyclists who never fail to provide an exciting finish to the course. Non-competitive riders enjoy a tour of the area, a popular cycling route because of the views of the lake and the quiet country roads.

The Mother's Day Brunch, an extravaganza of food that includes quiches, French toast, fruits, oatmeal, pastries, potatoes, meats and beverages, will be open from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch costs $12 for non-cycling adults and $6 for children under 12.

Throughout the brunch you will be entertained by the guitar and flute of Harvey Nusbaum and Lana Stafford and the dynamic duo of Alison and Zoe. You can interact with the farm animals, hike on nature trails, partake in a scavenger hunt and participate in the rubber duck race set for 1 p.m. Guides will be available for first time visitors.

Amberations’ Newest Board Member

We are happy to welcome James Plochocki to our Board as Vice president.

Tell me a little about yourself:

I was born and raised in Marcellus, and now live on a 150 year old chicken farm in Elbridge. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

I have worked for Onondaga County’s Department of Water Environment Protection for nearly a decade. I am now the Chief Operator of the Brewerton Water Pollution Control Plant.

How did you learn about Amberations?

I learned about Amberations through Gloria Wiley, who had spoken before the Marcellus Optimist Club, of which my family has been a part for about 45 years. Like the Optimist club, I could tell that Amberations involved a group of volunteers who truly cared for the
community and its young people.

What made you consider joining our Board of Directors?

After spending the day with my family at the Amberations Fall Festival, Gloria had asked if I wanted to come to their Annual meeting to possibly get more involved with the group. During that meeting, the former Vice President stepped down due to other obligations, and I was asked if I would like to be the new Vice President. I said that I would be honored, and the Board voted me into office.

What are your thoughts on Amberations’ future?

I see great things for the future of Amberations. The day will come when Amberations will become a household name across Central New York. As it grows to be an integral part of the Amber community and economy, Amberations will be able to reach out to better serve youth of all abilities from across the region, bringing them and their families closer to nature.

Do you have any specific goals you would like to see us attain?

As Amberations continues to serve our community, there are some goals that I would like to see it attain. One of these goals is that it will soon raise enough funds to get proper drainage installed around the barn for the diversion of rainwater. Another goal is that Amberations will soon raise the funds needed to make a larger portion of the property wheelchair accessible. A longer term goal that I would like to see achieved is for Amberations to have a large organic community garden where people from all walks of life can come together side by side and grow closer to nature with their families.

Animal Update

Last May we faced a challenge in our animal care: Joe our donkey had an infected hoof and needed special attention as well as a drier pasture. Our volunteers rallied to the cause, we enclosed a new pasture and Jim Frary took great care of Joe’s feet.

Joe continues to do very well. However, we lost two of our older animals this winter: Billie, the goat, and Katie, our sheep.

They were on in years and despite very good care and vet visits, their time with us ended.

A bevy of Guinea Fowl, our goat Boo and our wonderful barn cats, Happy and Shadow, continue to do well along with Joe.

We are considering what animals we might add to our barn this year.

We are also looking for funds that would help us undertake the diversion of the water in the pasture and the creation of a pond with frogs and other fun creatures for our visitors.

Animal care takes approximately $2,000 a year. Consider adopting one of our animals and sending a monthly pledge payment for their upkeep or bring some carrots as a special treat for Joe and Boo when you Visit.

Why a Capital Campaign?

For over ten years Amberations has been providing opportunities; we have been many things to many people.

For group homes we are a place to visit, hike and bond with animals. For senior citizens we trigger a stroll down memory lane. Inner city youth are some of our most enthusiastic guests and the questions they come up with highlight the importance of providing nature experiences in their lives. For locals Amberations is a safe and secluded place to enjoy nature.

Giving back to the community has always been first and foremost in our hearts and we have asked little in return.

In order to continue to meet the needs of our guests, Amberations has identified needed improvements. A weatherproof visitor center with a full-time caretaker who can meet and direct newcomers is at the top of our list. A space for craft activities, group meetings, and educational workshops is needed. Access to running water and electricity would benefit our animals’ care, safer for all and help keep predators at bay.

The answer to all our dreams is right in front of us—literally.

A few months ago the large building directly in front of Amberations’ barn became available for sale. This large residence and shop would ideally fulfill so many of our needs. It would make financial, aesthetic, and logistical sense to replace the small house we acquired last year with this larger building.

This would enable us to house a full-time caretaker as well as provide a large meeting area to nurture healthful activities and interactions for our guests.

The spacious garage area would be perfect for group activities and provide an ideal gallery to showcase wares. Amberations could host a participant run shop to teach and nurture life skills, and/or open a small café, providing additional opportunities for experience and learning while at the same time producing revenue. The fine musicians who support Amberations at our festivals could provide entertainment year round. With better parking and wheelchair accessibility, individuals who require more reachable accommodations could join their peers for regular visits, workshops, support groups—the possibilities are endless.

The grounds that accompany this house would be ideal for grazing and allow new playmates to our farm family.

One of the original founding families of our organization, the Brittenhams, produced a short video. Please enjoy it and share with friends and family. Consider helping.

All tax deductible donations are appreciated no matter how big or small. The future of Amberations is in your hands.

Simple Roast Coffee

At our upcoming Otisco Lake Bike Ride and Mother's Day Brunch, Amberations will be serving fresh roasted gourmet coffee from local CNY based company, Simple Roast Coffee!

Simple Roast was started in 2013 by roaster/owner Matt Peirson. Matt went to college for business and always wanted to have his own. Tired of working a regular 9-5 job, coffee loving Matt started roasting his own coffee as a hobby along with brewing beer. He spent his free time learning as much as he could about coffee beans and the roasting process, and after becoming pretty good at it, he decided to try selling at a local farmer's market one day. He surprisingly sold out, and after nothing more than a $500 initial investment, the company took off from there.

Matt will tell you that the best coffee comes from using the best green coffee beans possible. What makes Simple Roast Coffee better is the amount of work and care that goes into roasting. All the beans they roast have been vetted and cupped numerous times to ensure the right qualities and favors are present. The beans they purchase and roast are certified fair trade and organic, so your conscience can rest easy while you enjoy every cup.

One of the main benefits of drinking fresh roasted gourmet coffee is being able to experience what coffee is truly supposed to taste like. When roasted correctly, coffee naturally has a variety of different flavors, and after trying fresh roasted, you'll understand where descriptions such as “smooth” and “acidic” come from.

Coffee is considered stale just 14 days from its roast date, so finding anything close to fresh at grocery stores or coffee chains would be extremely difficult. Simple Roast’s coffee beans are roasted to order and guaranteed fresh, ensuring you'll enjoy the most delicious, high quality cup of coffee possible. You'll also be supporting a local small business, as Matt does everything himself, from purchasing the beans, to roasting, grinding if you prefer, packaging and sending every bag.

Make sure you try a cup at the Bike Ride and Brunch! Simple Roast Coffee can now be found at multiple farmer's markets and specialty shops in the area.

Summer Odyssey 2016

Yes, summer camp is back this year at Amberations! Last year we offered our first ever Amberations’ Summer Odyssey camp. A small group of enthusiastic campers participated and each child brought a unique perspective as well as individual talents to the experience.

Everyone involved enjoyed the camp immensely, in fact so much so, that we have decided to offer the camp again and hopefully expand this summer. We plan to start with the first week of August, and depending on enrollment, carry on through the remainder of the month.

Amberations Summer Odyssey is an all inclusive outdoor experience welcoming any child ages 4th-7th grade. Last year, we featured activities including hiking, visiting with animals, fort building, terrariums, sand sculpting, arts and crafts. These are only a few of the fantastic adventures enjoyed by campers during our flexibly scheduled week of fun.

Campers appreciated having input as to how their day would unfold. They would often come forward with spontaneous ideas for fun that we would work into the basic structure of the day. The children worked together to build a fort in the upper fields to play in during our time together.

The camp will be offered Monday through Thursday 10am-4pm. starting the first week of August. We provide experienced certified staff who love working with kids. Visit our grounds to see what Amberations has to offer for your child’s camp experience. For registration information contact Marcellus Parks and Recreation Department at 315-673-3269.