Spring 2008

Thanks SUNY-ESF

For the second year in a row students from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry sent volunteers to Amberations in celebration of their Campus Day of Service. On April 12th, eleven hard working students spent five hours working on trails.

A great beginning was made on a path connecting our barn site to the upper fields. Half the volunteers worked on this while the other half cleared an existing walkway beside our barn leading to a comfortable little resting spot in the hillside. Visitors should enter the woods to the right of the barn, just past the sheep's fence, to enjoy the new trail. Our helpers seemed enthusiastic about joining us again next year for this annual day of service.

Bike Race

On May 31st at 9:00 am Amberations will host what will be their 3rd annual Bike Race. The course is a 17 mile loop around Otisco Lake, starting and ending at the Otisco Lake Community Center (2223 Amber Rd.) adjacent to Amberation’s barn.

Registration for the race begins at 8:30 am. The $20.00 fee (additional donations welcome) will go to support Amberations, Inc. a 501 (C-3) not-for-profit organization. In keeping with our general outlook, we always keep it fun. Prizes will be awarded.

Family and friends are invited to enjoy a leisurely ride on one of the shorter routes we’ll have mapped out. Non bikers are welcome to visit with our animals, play in the stream, hike our trails, or enjoy the playground equipment at the center. Come early if you would like to observe our sheep shearing (see story pg. 6).

Barn Life

Our barn renovations provided our small farm family with a comfortable winter. For those not familiar with our progress, last spring we adopted two sheep, two kitties, ducks and chickens.

Visitors to the barn during this first winter found everyone quite cozy even on the coldest days. Morning and evening times during the winter proved the most entertaining for the chickens as that’s when they are especially vocal and active. Guests are always amused to see the hens climb a miniature ladder to reach their nighttime perch. The kitties are just plain snuggly and loving all the time.

The ducks are fun to watch as they splash and waddle in the stream, occasionally chasing the chickens or kitties.

While the sheep are still a little shy, they love to tickle your hand if you offer them some “sheep treats”. With some advance notice you can join us for a “sheep walk”. Soon we hope to invite visitors to lead them on their leashes.

This spring we hope to adopt an alpaca or llama as well as possibly adding another type of foul. Anyone who hasn’t yet visited our barn is sure to be warmly welcomed by our critters.

Sheep Shearing Spring is Here

This spring our sheep, Katie and Smiley, will be getting their first shearings at our site.

Melissa Stahl has agreed to knit something special from the wool for our Fall Festival. Anyone is welcome to join us for this momentous occasion.

Jim Frary will be doing the honors at 8a.m. the morning of our annual Bike Race, May 31st. Anyone who witnessed our inexperience in wrangling the sheep for their annual rabies shots knows they're in for quite an entertaining sight.

Outhouse News

Thanks to an anonymous donor, Amberations will be placing an outhouse in our upper garden area this year. Kennedy Hardwoods is working on building an ADA compliant structure that will be placed by our parking area, nestled in the evergreens. Call for digging opportunities--shovels provided.

Spring is Here

It’s that exciting time of year again! Spring time! New life! Before you know it, the daffodils are everywhere and the buds are opening as you watch them.

The same is true at Amberations and along with the beauty comes spring clean up! We're looking for YOU to be a part of creating the new flower and herb gardens this season. Just call Jody if you have time to rake, weed, prune, dig, or decide what to plant.

We need information: deer abound at Amberations, which is a good thing. They love our perennial flower garden. We are looking for lots of information on deer resistant plants, shrubs, ground covers, tips and tricks, old wives' tales... Send to 2345 Amber Road, Marietta, NY 13110 or email information to: info@amberations.org. Better yet, come to the barn, visit our grounds, and add to our library.

Updates

We are always looking for individuals to help with gardening, trailblazing, animal care, networking, guides, letter writing, etc. If you have some time and a desire to help, please let us know.

Amberations mission statement

Our purpose is to provide opportunities for the mentally and physically challenged to impact and interact with the natural environment. When we wrote that, we gave lots of thought to the "mentally and physically challenged" part. While some of us are really hoping to attract individuals from group homes and others are thinking of children with disabilities, it was always agreed upon that we are all mentally or physically challenged. (If someone knows anyone that's not, we'd love to meet that person.)

Amberations exists for anyone. As we evolve we are finding that individuals and groups are benefiting from our site that we had never considered. That is what we intended...for Amberations to be a work in progress and for it to evolve as the needs of our community determine.

So often even the founding members are rushing, rushing, rushing and barely have time to stop and enjoy what we have built. When we do finally steal an hour or two to pull weeds, rake, or clear brush the sense of joy, peace and contentment is overwhelming.

That’s what we are about...supporting mental health through interaction with the natural environment...for everyone. Please join us.

Growth

Amberations is working on documenting a plan of growth and development for our grounds. Some areas that we are giving attention to are a gathering structure in the upper field area, a composting toilet for the barn site, further development of our pathways, garden growth, signage and improvements to our access roads. Any individuals wishing to become
involved are encouraged to contact us.

Tree Dedication

A tree will be planted on Amberations grounds in memory of Bob Brittenham. He was a generous supporter of the vision of Amberations.

Campfires

This year Amberations will be hosting campfires on Sunday evenings beginning June 1st @ 7pm. All are welcome to join us at the barn site.

Amberations Yearly Operating Expenses

Insurance: $2800.00
Porta Potty: $950.00
Animal care: $750.00
Newsletters/mailings $220.00
Total $4720.00

Amberations exists because some very supportive friends and family believed in our dream. We need your help to keep it going.