Fall 2021
Fall Festival 2021
This year, the community surrounding Amberations will be coming together to support each other. The Otisco Lake Community Association, Amber Inn and Amberations will be working together to bring back the Amberations’ Fall Festival at the Community Center. We are excited to announce an excellent line-up of musicians for the festivities. See below for more information.
A lot of effort has gone into this collaboration. As this long-awaited newsletter goes to print, we are very busy making this event the best ever. We will be hosting a day filled with community, fantastic music, great food, sweet treats, crafts, games, animals, raffles, our fun duck race and more. Please mark your calendars so you don’t miss this fun day.
Sunday, October 3rd from 1 – 5pm at the Otisco Lake Community Center - 2223 Amber Road in Marietta and Amberations’ adjacent grounds. Follow us on Facebook for updates.
Interested in helping? Call or text 315-636-7166, email info@amberations.org or fill out the form at amberations.org/volunteer.
Fall Festival Musicians
Repeat guests will be happy to hear we are fortunate to once again host the magical marimbas of Kambuyu Marimba Ensemble. This mesmerizing group has been together since 2004 playing the lively traditional tunes of the Zimbabwe region. Young and old can’t resist moving from the time the music starts until the last note is played. Truly a unique band.
Bob Lyna and his popular folk-a-delic jug rock band, Nuclear Ukulele, will also be joining our stage again. This talented group is popular on the Central New York scene and we are fortunate to have them supporting our cause. They are truly a treat to behold with a sweet selection of folk and rock tunes.
Harvey Nusbaum is our loyal musical coordinator as well as a talented local legend. He will be performing for the first time with his group Little Jazz Trio. They cover a huge amount of the jazz spectrum on trumpet, guitar and electric bass. Another unique band.
Rounding out the program is Joe Henson who is very well known to folks who frequent area music venues. Before the pandemic he was MC at the weekly Green Gate Inn open mic. He may play solo or with the best area musicians. As of right now we don’t know!
Thanks…and looking forward
After starting the process in March 2020, Amberations was selected to receive a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation to hire a consultant and further develop the mission and vision of Amberations. We would like to formally thank the Central New York Community Foundation for their generous support.
With the funding provided, we hired a consultant. During the in-depth process that ensued, we were able to recognize that Amberations’ success will require a strong board of directors and many committed volunteers. To that end, we put together a search committee to find dedicated individuals. The primary prerequisite will be a passion for what Amberations stands for - fostering community and connecting with nature.
Visit amberations.org/positions to find out more about the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communication Director and Executive Director roles. Please spread the word to help us find the best people to move Amberations forward.
Volunteer Spotlight
Amberations was founded on principles of community and sharing. No one speaks louder of these concepts than Jim Frary. When we asked our volunteers to write a little something about themselves, Jim did not. Jim prefers to spend his time getting hay and bedding for our animals, caring for them, caring for his own gardens and just generally being a caretaker for those in need in our community. As he harvests his own vegetables, Jim shares them with anyone he knows and brings extras to Amberations’ barn to share with our visitors. Jim exemplifies the spirited, compassionate and giving personality we hope to attract as we move forward in our search for a strong administrative team.
Volunteering for a selfish reason
Sue Magee
Hello. I am a mother of 5, a stepmom of 1 and a very proud grandmother of 4. I was born, raised and continue to reside in the Fairmount/Camillus area. I started volunteering at Amberations for a quite selfish reason actually, me. I know, I know, it sounds terrible but it's true. I saw a request for feeders on Facebook and I knew I had to do it. I needed something in my life to give me purpose, to bring me joy. My children are grown. My job is...well, a job. I needed to do something just for me. Maybe it sounds cliche but it's the truth. I needed a "reason.” And I found it at Amberations, feeding and cleaning up for a donkey and 4 goats. Their presence brings me joy. When I'm there, every care falls away. I cherish every moment with them and I am beyond thankful for this little barn of love. I hope everyone has a chance to come see our crazy little crew, walk around and enjoy the view, listen to the babbling brook and find peace among the beautiful tall trees. Volunteer when you can and find joy in what you do!!!
A true family blessing
Jill Woods
I volunteer at Amberations as an animal feeder with my four children Josslyn, Jay, Jackson, and Jessa. Amberations has been a true blessing to our family and a place we hold dear for so many reasons. It is the place where we find connection. Connection back to nature and the earth, connection to the sweet animals that call it home, and the connection to our community that we cherish. It is a place where we have all learned many beautiful life lessons. Moreover, a place where we find peace and solace. It is our safe place. We are beyond grateful to Amberations, the animals, and all the people who take part in keeping this incredibly special place alive as well as honored to be a part of the team.
Our connection to nature
Carrie Empie
Hello Friends! This year marks our third year as volunteers at Amberations. “Amberations on Tuesdays” serve as our connection to nature, each other, hard work and stillness. We enjoy beautifying the property, giving Big Joe his top to bottom beauty treatments, feeding the goats and hiking the trails on the property.
When asked about their favorite part of volunteering at Amberations, my 7 year old daughter Sonia said, “we go to the barn to feed the goats and big Joe, clean his hooves, and plant stuff! My favorite part is seeing the animals and Big Joe. I love Big Joe.” My 10 year old daughter Ayla said, “I like to comb the goats to stop them from being uncomfortable when they shed.”
We plan on volunteering indefinitely as we adore everything Amberations stands for and have made this part of our family life.
Capturing Thursdays
Angela DiFant
Hi! I’m Angela DiFant and I am a feeder along with my 7 year old daughter Emily. We just began coming to Amberations a few months ago and we fell in love with the animals right from the start. Emily loves all the animals and dreams of having her own farm one day. So, being a caretaker makes her feel like it is partly “her barn.” This has been a great experience and she has been learning so much. I’ve been working for a human services agency in the Syracuse area for the last 14 years since I moved from Lewiston, NY. We provide support to those with developmental disabilities, and helping others is something I’m passionate about. Emily and I live in Cicero, along with my husband/Emily’s daddy, Jeff, and our 2 year old daughter, Cecilia. We love traveling and going on adventures regularly. I am also a part time photographer, so you may catch me at Amberations capturing some shots of the animals when I bring my camera!
A special little spot
Maggie McSweeny
We are new to Amberations. We found our place here during COVID when the world shut down. We tried to get creative with getting the kids out of the house and active, while staying safe. Amberations was a beautiful retreat for us to visit with the animals, catch some frogs or just pack a picnic and relax. After a few weeks of visiting, we contacted Amberations and asked how we could give back! We started our 9 year old and her buddy with barn duty once a week. The girls fell in love with the animals, and we did too! We continue to go several times a week to sit, hike and enjoy nature. It is such a special little spot.
“A child needs the same things a tree needs: earth, water, sun, air.”
—Unknown
Finding richness in the soil
Shannon Delaney
Tuesdays and Thursdays at Amberations are in full Spring and Summer bloom. The gardens are bountiful with a wide variety of goodies thanks to the love and support of Bob Whipple, who tilled our soil and shared his gardening secrets, and to Black Brook Organic farm in Skaneateles, who showed up with a box full of plants and seeds to get us started. You still have a chance to see the gardens, they are an oasis of pure happiness!
Our community garden was tended by our Tuesday and Thursday morning and afternoon crew of amazing peeps that show up rain or shine to PLAY! Amberations is such an amazing place for exploration and connection to the land as we build community! Come join us! Every week is something new to discover.
I was introduced to Amberations through a friend who told me about it. After going once, I knew it was home because it brought such a sense of peace. I wanted to give back somehow to the experience so my young son and I started volunteering to feed. I’m not particularly drawn to barn animals but now I couldn’t imagine my life without it. I’m rich.
“Ladon, Violet, and Silas look forward to visiting Amberations each week; they love visiting with and caring for Joe and the goats (especially Louie). When asked why they enjoy volunteering they excitedly tell you all of the fun things to do and beam with pride that they are able to help maintain somewhere that is part of our weekly rhythm.”
—Lacy Clifford
Happiness found in volunteering
Chelsea Allen
I stumbled upon this wonderful volunteer opportunity as I am a frequent visitor at Amberations and am so very lucky to get to visit on a daily basis and walk the trails with my dogs. When I heard of this opportunity, I thought what a great idea and learning opportunity for my nieces and nephews. I shared the idea with them and they couldn’t have been more excited to get to work. I oversee my nephews, ages 11 and 2, and my nieces, ages 14, 10 and 3, every Monday night - feeding the animals and doing various other barn chores. I thought this would be a great way for the kids to learn about giving back to their community and at the same time learning what it means to be responsible and respectful.
Each one of the kids has made a special connection with the animals and that bond they have made is something I feel they will forever cherish. This is a great learning experience for the kids as they are learning to work as a team and learning how to work through something that may be challenging. Each time we feed, we get to enjoy our time with each other, the animals and the outdoors. The kids never forget that the most important thing to do before leaving is to always give Big Joe a hug; they haven’t forgotten once! We feel very blessed to have such a wonderful place in our community to learn and grow!
“We love Big Joe and the goats. They always teach us things we need to know. The horses up top are wonderful too. It’s a gift to be allowed to share this space. Thank you to all who share in the love of Amberations and all its offerings.”
—Marie Thornton
