Fall 2019
Join in on the fun!
Do you make a great pot of chili? Do you use a special recipe that everyone loves? Make a pot of your favorite chili-whatever type it might be—vegetarian, beef, vegan, pumpkin, and help us to raise money for Amberations. Anyone can be a judge and choose which they think is the best chili. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall winners. Don’t miss out! You could be the next Amberations’ Chili Cook-Off Champion!
To enter the Chili Cook-Off, bring your hot chili in a crockpot with a serving spoon. Name your chili if you like, but don’t give away your identity. Please bring a list of the ingredients that you used to make your chili. Along with the Chili Cook-Off Contest, we will be selling bowls of chili to folks who attend the Fall Festival. Contact Nancy Lee if you have any questions. See you at the festival!
Joe might tell you he does all the work for Fall Fest—but there fee are a few other fine folks who help to make it happen! Meet some of Joe’s Herd:
Gannon's Ice Cream
Whether in a bowl by itself, or on top of some of our warm apple crisp, is always a favorite at our event. John and Eileen Gannon started Gannon’s Ice Cream in 1982 on little more than a whim. We are glad they did. Gannon’s Ice Cream has consistently been voted the Best in Syracuse. The amazing cartoon murals that adorn the walls and tables at their shop are an added treat. Every year our request for a donation of ice cream for our Fall Festival is met not just with a yes, but with warm and kind smiles and wishes for success. John and Eileen are as special as the ice cream they serve.
Green Hills Grocery
Green Hills Grocery in the valley south of Syracuse is known as one of the best groceries in Syracuse. We know why. Since Amberations’ first festival over a decade ago, Green Hills has donated all the delicious peppers and onions used in our Pumpkin Chili; that’s a lot of greatly-appreciated and much-enjoyed produce.
Deer Run Farms
There are a lot of orchards in the area, but Deer Run Farms is definitely our favorite. Every year our request for apples for our apple crisp is met with friendly faces and delicious apples. Even though Deer Run has over 2,000 trees and 13+ varieties of apples, they’re small enough that you can park right by the front door and expect a friendly greeting—they know their customers. They’re also home to the Original Apple Fritter...delicious!!!
Nojaims in Marcellus
Nojaims in Marcellus has always been supportive of Amberations’ events. Whether it’s ordering cases of beans at the last minute or letting us use their freezer space, they always say yes. We never know what Amberations will need next, but we’re sure Nojaims will be there, willing to help us out.
Jane Wiley
No Amberations' event would be complete without the delicious baked goods of Jane Wiley. Months before our Fall Festival, Jane starts preparing. Her chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies are the best we've tasted and the molasses pumpkin cookies just fly off the table. Jane has perfected her gluten-free recipes so they’re just as amazing as the traditional cookies. The best part is that each and every cookie is baked with a generous helping of love.
HABA USA
The HABA USA toy store in Skaneateles has been owned by the Habermaass family for over 80 years. In 2002 it was revamped from a manufacturing facility into a sales, marketing and distribution office. Every year the company donates one of their classic, feel-good toys to our festival’s raffle. It’s a fun prize and always appreciated by the little ones.
Molly O’Hara and Kaley McHale
Molly O’Hara and Kaley McHale are talented art teachers. They enjoy hosting paint parties and events on their own and have agreed to provide face painting for our festival. Stop by for some artful decoration and family fun.
Cazenovia Tractor of Lafayette
It’s usually at the last minute when we remember how popular the John Deere tractor is on our raffle table, and realize we never got it. The emergency trip to Cazenovia Tractor of Lafayette always gets us a thoughtful donation of a nice toy for our youngest fans, a warm smile, and good wishes from the kind staff there.
Balsam Rose Soap Company
Amberations is fortunate to have an eclectic and talented group on their board of directors. A key figure on that board is Nancy Lee, who, together with her husband, Bob, runs the Balsam Rose Soap Company. Their 100% natural, handcrafted soaps are made with only aromatherapy essential oils and natural plant colorants right here in the Finger Lakes region. Look for their exceptional products at our festival.
Anne and Paul Brittenham
Amberations’ co-founders, Anne and Paul Brittenham, live and work in a log cabin they built themselves with a little help from their three daughters. The surrounding forest provides them with inspiration and raw materials for their unique artwork that ranges from wood bumed stash boxes to rustic dog-feeding stations. For the first time ever their creations will be on display and available at our Fall Festival.
Hannah Wnorowski
Hannah Wnorowski is an artist, humanitarian and entrepreneur from Syracuse. She is best known for her latest project, The Deck of Character. The Deck of Character is a modem oracle teaching people around the world that your insights matter. We are happy to announce that she will be on hand at our Fall Festival to guide visitors through their own personal readings. Hannah has spent the last eight years on cross-country road trips observing the symbolism in the world around us. Her creation of The Deck of Character is an anthropology of everything she has experienced, and we're delighted that she will be sharing The Deck of Character with us.
Robin, of Giulian Lyn
Local artisan Robin, of Giulian Lyn, has become a regular at Amberations’ events and we are quite proud of that fact. Her creations includes earrings, rings, necklaces, pendants, nose-rings, toe-rings and more comprised mostly of sterling silver, copper and brass with an assortment of gems and crystals. Words do not do her exquisite pieces justice, be sure to visit her booth during our event.
Raven Magill
Amberations is excited to welcome Raven Magill and her family to town, and to Amberations. Raven 1s an artist who'll be offering her orginal watercolor paintings, prints, and handmade journals at our festival. As an intuitive reader and painter, Raven creates commissions reflecting her subject’s one-of-a-kind energy, as well as energetically-inspired abstracts.
Miranda and Brien Bianchi
Miranda and Brien Bianchi of Oberon Knits inspired, eclectic, and enchantingly knitted shawls, bags, and fantasy-inspired accessories are going to be available this year from story-weavers Miranda and Brien Bianchi of Oberon Knits. You can find them on Instragram at @oberonknits and start compiling a wishlist.
Becky Hudson and Mimi Wagner
When Becky Hudson retired from her career as a nurse it was with the intention of helping Amberations. Becky has fulfilled her dream. Initially she helped with animal care but has now found her niche as our Event Beautification Specialist. Whether adorning an antique iron to use as a doorstop, or arranging freshly cut flowers, Becky uses her eye for beauty to make our events visually joyful. After every small detail has been seen to you'll almost always find Becky next to her friend, Mimi Wagner, selling tickets for our duck race and raffles. Mimi is the helper who’s regularly decked out as a duck.
Outdoor Life Learners
The Outdoor Life Learners have regularly been bringing the wonder and joy of youthful learning to Amberations grounds. During our Fall Festival this group will be hosting games, crafts and animal loving at the barn. Learn more about the Outdoor Life Learners and what they have to offer at outdoorlifelearners.com or facebook.com/outdoorlifelearners.
The MOST, The Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Redhouse Theater, Hangar Theater in Ithaca, Syracuse Stage
Additionally, the MOST, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Redhouse Theater, Hangar Theater in Ithaca and Syracuse Stage have consistently provided tickets for our raffles so look for these names on our raffle tables as well.
Finders Keepers Mining
New this year, Finders Keepers Mining is a place located night in the heart of Marcellus where you can pan for gemstones, fossils, minerals and a whole lot more. We are excited to announce that Finders Keepers Mining will be joining our festivities this year.
Daniel's Grill
We are so excited to be including a Gift Certificate for Daniel’s Grill in our raffle this year. Not only is Daniel’s one of our most favorite restaurants in town, Dan has supported Amberations since its inception.
Kambuyu
Music is such an important part of Amberations’ Fall Festival. Repeat guests will be happy to hear that we're fortunate to once again host the magical marimbas of Kambuyu. This mesmerizing group has been together since 2004, playing the lively traditional tunes of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. Young and old can’t resist moving from the time the music starts until the last note is played.
Bob Lyna and Nuclear Ukulele
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’re fortunate to have them supporting our cause. They are truly a treat to behold with a sweet selection of folk and rock tunes.
The Perennials: Harvey Nusbaum, Bob Elfenbein, Jacqui McCarthy
Harvey Nusbaum is our musical coordinator extraordinaire as well as a talented local legend. He will be performing with his group The Perennials. They are a trio of multi-instrumentalists joyously playing an eclectic variety of music including Celtic fiddle tunes, the Great American Songbook, folk rock, and their own creative originals. Bob Elfenbein and Jacqui McCarthy add their talents on guitar, fiddle, electric bass, mandolin and banjo.
Jodogs: John Dancks, George Newton, Joe Henson
Jodogs combines the longtime, well-known and respected trio of standup bassman John Dancks, pedal steel-man George Newton, and guitar hero Joe Henson. They'll be bringing their brand of rhythm and bluegrass, reckless background music, jazzy, folkin’, shit-kicking originals and unusual versions of unusual cover tunes to this year’s Fall Festival. We couldn’t be more excited!
New To Amberations? Some call it magical—We like to think so!
Amberations is an almost fifty acre site on the western edge of Onondaga county, just east of Otisco Lake. Formed as a not-for-profit almost fifteen years ago, our goal is to support healthy humans by encouraging interaction with our natural environment. To that end we maintain our grounds including hiking trails, streams, a pond and a small family of farm animals. We host woods to play in, streams in which to get wet, and open areas for dogs to run. Our animals include Big Joe—our donkey and herd leader; our five goats: Boo, Maree, Uncle Louie, Jam Jam and Matilda; Luna our bunny (aka numerous other names); our full-time kitty Shadow, part-time kitty Happy and elusive stray Blackie; and our one remaining guinea hen Survivor. In our upper fields you will find Q and Chi Chi, two horses housed on our grounds for our guests to enjoy.
We are open to the public. Amberations is supported 100% by volunteers and donations. We recommend that first time visitors coordinate a tour with one of our volunteers. Once you understand the layout and concept, our grounds are here for you to enjoy. We ask that visitors treat the space as their own, with respect.
The Fall Festival is our single biggest fundraiser. The money raised goes to insurance, animal feed, animal care and grounds maintenance. Our yearly expenses are approximately $7,000 and our Fall Festival brings in about $2,000. We are so grateful for your support, and look forward to seeing you at the Fall Festival.
We are here for you! Thank you!
—The Folks and Animals at Amberations
