Spring 2007
It’s Time! Amberations’ Grand Opening
After a lot of hard work by a number of devoted volunteers, Amberations is ready for an official Grand Opening. Our day of celebration will be June 10th, in conjunction with our annual spring bike-a-thon. The day will begin with racer registration starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Otisco Lake Community Center (2223 Amber Road, Marietta) adjacent to Amberations’ barn. Competitors will depart on their 17 mile journey at 9:00 a.m. Anyone wishing to enjoy a shorter, leisurely ride is invited to enjoy one of the scenic routes we will have mapped out at the center. All bikers are eligible for the prize for most colorfully attired but only race participants will receive the awards for first, middle, and last place. We are requesting a $20 fee for competitors. If anyone would like to collect pledges for their participation, it all goes to a good cause. Back at the barn we hope everyone will take this opportunity to greet Katie and Smiley, Amberations newest family members. Smiley is a three legged sheep and Katie is her “baby” (we hear Katie is now the bigger of the two). As this letter goes to print we are making the final arrangements for their move from Lollypop Farm in Rochester. Join us on the 10th and see what other cuddly surprises we have in store for you. The barn is looking great and the deck is feeling quite comfortable.
Our official ribbon cutting will take place at 11:30, giving the bikers plenty of time to return. Refreshments will be available.
Don’t forget the perennial and herb gardens while you are here. Enjoy a scenic walk through our upper woods and field area.
In the event of severe storms, the race will be postponed until June 17th.
Thanks
A profuse thank you to the many individuals that have hoisted logs, cleared shrubs, hammered and pulled nails, cut boards, picked up trash etc. For the first time there are too many to name. We would especially like to thank Tony Summa and his group from the CNYDSO, including Tommy and Omar, for their work cleaning up the entry to our barn. They did a great job. ESF also sent an amazing crew for their campus day of service on April 14th. You folks are making dreams into reality.
Info Sessions
For those that would like to learn more or share Amberations with a friend we will be hosting weekly info sessions, beginning June 12th. Tuesdays at two and Saturdays at noon, join us at the barn and learn all about our operation. 315-636-7166 if you'd like to let us know you're coming.
A Place to Enjoy
Reminder, our goal is to make Amberations a place for all. We invite everyone to enjoy our grounds and take a part in our development. If you have a favorite plant, flower, tree, or vegetable you'd like to plant, we have a home for it. Have you always dreamed of sculpting a unicorn from sticks and stones, now is your chance? Dream big, enjoy and join.
You will find our new brochure enclosed (and yes, that is Smiley and Katie). Go to our website if you'd like to print more.
You Asked
We have repeatedly been asked if there were specific items individuals could donate. Since our needs are ever changing we have worked out an arrangement with some of our favorite local businesses. If anyone would like to visit Lee’s Feed on Milburn Avenue in Syracuse or Nightingale Mills on South Street in Marcellus, those businesses have agreed to keep a list of items we need. Our animals will require an ongoing supply of hay, straw, bedding, grains, etc. Right across from our barn is D&R Convenience Corner; while they do not carry animal supplies you will be able to find garden supplies and other necessities for our operation there. They too will keep a list on hand and while you're there, they have
great ice cream and pizza.
Another painless way to help...about a mile north of Amberations at 2542 Otisco Valley Road is T&T Redemption Center. Their hours of operation are Saturday 9-5. If anyone would like to donate the proceeds from bottles and cans T&T has agreed to start a fund on our behalf: You can also stop at T&T’s Elbridge location-1862 Route 5 East (open the same hours on Saturday). Just remember to mention our name when you stop.
Upcoming Events
Amberations Win/Win Restaurant Exchange
Our own idea in the pursuit of painless giving, here’s how it works. Fifty restaurants donate $50.00 gift certificates (in exchange they get a $50.00 business card sized ad). We will sell only fifty tickets for the restaurant exchange for $50.00 each. All purchasers will be guaranteed at least a $50.00 restaurant certificate and the opportunity to win $500.00. If successful, Amberations could raise enough funds to cover most of our annual insurance premium and all participants could walk away winners. We call it...supporting mental health through diversity in dining. If you know any restaurants willing to participate please let us know. We'll keep you posted and aim to announce the recipients at our Fall Festival.
Fall Festival
Our Fall Festival this year will be held on October 7th. We are pleased to announce that Diamond Someday will be joining the Kambuyu Marimba Ensemble, and Harvey Nusbaum and Friends for our musical lineup. More to come on that later...
T-Shirts
They’ve been quite popular at our Fall Festival. Our T-shirts combine the technology of silk screening on the back, with a prominent display of our web address; and our own unique method of hand painting on the front. Now you can order one specifically crafted to your design or come out and create one on your own. See enclosed order form and please make sure to get all orders in by June 12th.
Campfire and Music Nights
We are designating Friday nights as our Campfire and Music night starting June 15th. Bring a friend and enjoy a campfire at our barn. If you play an instrument, bring that along. If this gets too popular we'll move into our upper field area, site of our future pavilion.
