Hard copies of the Tapestry will be available to those who do not receive the Tapestry electronically at Community Connections at Findley Lake in their office in the Community Center. These will be available from 10am to 3pm Monday-Friday.

Congratulations

Volunteer of the Week.

Tom Ayers...

the crazy guy you see around town at 5:00 in the morning watering the plants and emptying trash cans .. SHOUT OUT TO TOM!

MEANDERING, FORAGING AND BRINGING THE PAST INTO THE PRESENT

Written for The Tapestry by Destiny Kinal



It has been observed that when a new people immigrate into another stable population that the disturbance may take as much as 1000 years to settle down.  If the disturbance of 1492 marks the entry of white people to this continent, we should be seeing the beginnings of the disturbance smoothing out.

What would that look like?  

The earliest settlers on this continent, the French and Dutch for  instance, married into Native families, naturally.  Their children,  metis (or mixed bloods,) may have represented our continent’s best way to smooth the disturbance.  When a later and perhaps more straight-laced wave of immigrants, like  the English and Germans arrived with their wives, the evidence of this earlier comity was erased.  My friend of Dutch ancestry (her family owned property in early Manhattan) says that the photo of her great great grandmother—clearly a Native woman—was minimized.  It served this new wave of immigrants to style the Native People “savages” (even though most Native People spoke several languages including European tongues as well) to justify a land grab.

In the Penn-York Valley of the Susquehanna where my husband and I spent 35 years, companionable  relations between the Native People and settlers became untenable when George Washington sent troops to invade.  The matrilineal Queen Catherine and her sister Queen Esther fled to Canada, their homes, crops and orchards in flames behind them, just at harvest time.

Native Americans gradually lost their homelands to unscrupulous realtors like the Dutch East India Trading Company.  Native Americans have no tolerance for alcohol and --after the loss of Buffalo Creek--could be found drunk in the streets of my hometown Buffalo, for instance. The prophet Handsome Lake (1735-1859), half brother to Cornplanter--after a lifetime of alcoholism and poverty--espoused the Longhouse Religion based on the Code of Handsome Lake,  which restored traditional practices.

This brings up the practice of sustainability, citing again Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Honorable Harvest outlined in her “Braiding Sweet Grass.”

When harvesting from nature, don’t pick the first you see.  Ask permission. Don’t take everything.  Give thanks. 

Why am I telling you this, now?  We have been told that Native People understand that you can’t take everything in your foraging harvest.  Are we getting over our instinct to use it all up if we can?  A friend of mine is reducing his walleye take from 100/year to 70/year; he supplies many households.

When my cousins’s patrilineal search for our ancestors was coming up with a dead end, we found what we longed for in a box in Olean, in the attic of the daughter of the daughter of the daughter of the original immigrant family.  This gave my cousin the meat he needed to continue his research in a productive way: our family’s photo albums, letters exchanged between parents and their grown children across different continents, the family Bible with inscriptions on births and deaths.  

Always the novelist, I found a brochure describing the “crime”  of the Allegheny River running free, the water power that it could yield being “wasted” by an undammed river. Pymatuning Dam was built and ancient villages—where Handsome Lake and Cornplanter’s People practiced their traditional ways—were buried under water.

Today, dams are being decommissioned and taken down, rivers allowed to run free once again (with some restrictions against extreme flooding).  Perhaps the remains of Handsome Lake’s villages and Cornplanters Grant will surface again, and be restored to the Seneca, part of their sacred lands.

I usually close with a recipe but what wild crop do I forage at this time of year that is greater than the blackberry?

Humans and bears share a love for this wiid berry, common from coast to coast, to bring delight to our winter tables.  I don’t even have to offer a recipe, as you all have your own.  (My experiments with reducing the ratio of sugar to berries is a success, I think, but ask my sister: she prefers my preserves sweeter.). Increasingly, I am using maple syrup to sweeten, though my husband feeds the hummingbirds a solution with sugar.

Destiny will be writing a column for The Tapestry. Destiny lives part of the year on her famly homestead outside of Findley Lake and the other part in the San Francisco Bay area. Her most recent work The Textile Trilogy of novels tells the true story of how our suffragist foremothers were influenced by their Seneca and Haudenosaunee neighbors, a matrilineal way-of-life where men and women have always shared power. You can reach Destiny at destinykin22@gmail.com.

July 28th Findley Lake Triathlon Festival

PLEASE NOTE JULY 28 IS THE CORRECT DATE

JULY 31

4th Annual Don't Tell Shirlee Concert in the Pines

Follow Pine Junction's

Facebook Page for updates!

Kayak around the lake collecting a card from 9-10 designated docks. Best 5 card hands win cash prizes! Registration starts at noon in the state parking lot. Tickets available at Alexander's and Twin Docks for $10. Day of event, tickets will be $15.

Findley Lake Watershed Foundation

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED

THE CAMP AT FINDLEY IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP RUN THE KIDS' AREA FOR HARVEST FEST. PLEASE CONTACT BARB COOPER at villagephotography@yahoo.com for times and dates!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Make sure to check Community Connections Facebook Page for scheduled events. Monday-Friday at 8:45 AM Zoom Yoga. In Person Yoga every Friday. Every Tuesday Mahjong at 1:00pm in the Community Tea Room.

Please visit Community Connections website!

https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

or on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/CommunityConnectionsatFindleyLake.org

July and August Findley Lake Library Summer Reading Program. .

July 27 Findley Lake Library GEODES! 11AM Join us in the library for a story and a snack. Then we'll smash some geodes and see what we find inside!

Note: This activity is meant for older kids, but there is an alternative for our youngest patrons!

July 27 Findley Lake Library Garden Club 11AM-Noon. Join us in the library garden to see what's in bloom, and help pull some weeds! If it's raining, we can go inside and swap garden stories, successes and failures, and share pics of your garden. Or you can snag some seeds from our Seed Library!

July 27 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rankin & Schell 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

July 27 Peek'n Peak Gazebo Grill Stage Live Music with Bear The Bronze 5-9PM; Bistro 210 Live Music with Rick Magee & The Roadhouse Rockers 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 28 - Findley Lake Triathlon JULY 28 IS THE CORRECT DATE

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/FindleyLake/FindleyLakeTriathlonFestival

July 28 - August 2 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Camp Grades 1-8, day camp 9am-5PM

July 28 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Tyler McClain 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 30 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Sarah Haggerty 7-9PM

July 31 Findley Lake Library "Could You Be a Grape Farmer?" 10-11AM

Josie Allen from the Cornell Cooperative Extension will be here to see if we have what it takes to be a grape farmer. This event is held for the kids attending the Summer Recreation at the Mina Community Center, but all our patrons are welcome to join in! 

July 31 - 4th Annual Don't Tell Shirlee Concert in the Pines at Pine Junction

Opening Acts: Garrett Owens and Chris Higbee. Check Pine Junction's Facebook page for hints!

EVENT INFO HERE BUY TICKETS HERE

August 1 Community Connections - A visit from Tamarack Wildlife Center and their LIVE animal ambassadors! 1PM. RSVP 716-769-2473

August 2 Community Connections BINGO at 1PM in the Communi-Tea Room. Reservations are required call Christy at 716-769-2473 to reserve your spot!

August 2 Findley Lake Church VBS 5-8PM. All Children 4-12. 716-769-7532

August 2-3 Peek'n Peak Honky Tonk Weekend: Friday, The Swamp Yankees in Bistro 210 9:30PM-12:30AM; Saturday, Apple Jack Country Band on the Gazebo Grill Stage 5-9PM and Honkey Tonk Heroes in the Bistro 9:30PM-12:30AM.

INFO HERE

August 6 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tommy Link 7-9PM

August 7 Findley Lake Library Soil Erosion Demonstration 10-11AM

Josie Allen is back for our last Wednesday with the kids from Summer Recreation. This week she'll teach us about soil health and the problems with soil erosion. This event is held for the kids attending Summer Recreation at the Mina Community Center, but all our patrons are welcome to join! 

August 9-11 Findley Lake's Bicentennial Celebration See flyer above. More info coming.

August 9 Peek'n Peak Singin' in the Peak Karaoke Gazebo Grill 6-9PM; Bisto 210 Jim & Scott Acoustics 9:30PM-12:30AM.

August 10 Kayak Poker Paddle. Sponsored by Findley Lake Forward. See info on flyer above. Registration 12-1; Poker Paddle 1-3.

August 10 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Blues Beaters 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

August 10 Peek'n Peak Bonfires and Brews Live Music on the Gazebo Grill Stage with Electric Stingray 5-9PM; Bistro 210 Iron Eyes Maybee 9:30PM-12:30AM

August 13 ERIE GIVES CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

August 13 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Matthew Texter 7-9PM

August 15 Community Connections meet for a Narrated Boat Tour of Findley Lake at 1:00PM at the docks across from Alexander's. RSVP is required as space is limited call 716-769-2473.

August 16 Peek'n Peak Singin' in the Peak Karaoke Gazebo Grill 6-9PM; Bistro 210 Live Music with Garrett Owens 9:30pm-12:30AM

August 17 Alexander's OTL Backyard BBQ with Live Music Osborn Nash 5-8PM

August 17 The Camp at Findley - Awake Music Fest

August 17 Peek'n Peak Bonfires & Brews Live Music at the Gazebo Grill Stage with A Strange Kind of Sunshine 5-9PM; Bistro 210 Rick Magee & The Roadhouse Rockers 9:30PM-12:30AM.

August 19 Community Connections Full Moon Kayak Ride. Meet at the south end of the big island at 8PM. Weather permitting. Call christy if you need help or for more information 716-769-2473.

August 20 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Acoustics by Fudge 7-9PM

August 21 Community Connections Sunset Sounds on the Lake 6-7:30PM at the Gazebo in Findley Lake. Live music with Abbey Road. Bring your lawn chairs.

August 22 Community Connections "Summer Goodness" Let's Cook With Chris Again. Join us at 11AM in the kitchen of the community center. RSVP 716-769-2473

August 23 Community Connections BINGO at 1PM in the Communi-Tea Room. Reservations are required call Christy at 716-769-2473 to reserve your spot!

August 23 Findley Lake Artists In Residence (FLAIR) 6PM-until dark. Artist Meet Up/Plein Air Experience. McDonald Home 2588 Sundyside Road, Findley Lake (come up the hill). Gardens galore, forested property and Buesink Creek will provide inspiration. This is a private property; bathrooms will be available. Please do not bring pets/animals. Flair_FindleyLake@gogglegroups.com

August 23 Peek'n Peak Singin' in the Peak Karaoke Gazebo Grill 6-9PM; Bistro 210 Live Music with Interstate Daydreams 9:30PM-12:30AM.

August 24 Peek'n Peak Bonfires and Brews Live Music with Hellz Bellz on the Gazebo Grill Stage 5-9PM; Bisto 210 Music Lopaka Rootz Duo 9:30PM-12:30AM.

August 27 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tyler McClain 7-9

August 30, 31 September 1 Findley Lake Harvest Festival

Findley Lake Library Annual Book Sale During Harvest Fest

Music lineup so far: Friday evening Shady Side; Saturday Juvenile Characteristics, Theory of Evolution; Sunday Gabe Stillman. MORE TO BE ADDED

August 30 Peek'n Peak Gazebo Grill Singin' At the Peak Karaoke at the Gazebo Grill 6-9; Bistro 210 Live Music with Tyler McClain 9:30PM-12:30AM

August 31 Peek'n Peak Bonfires and Brews Live Music with Apple Jack 5-9PM

September 1 Peek'n Peak Bonfires and Brews Live Music with Theory of Evolution 5-9PM. Bistro 210 Erica & Jesse 9:30PM-12:30AM.

September 3 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Ion Sky 7-9PM

September 7 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rankin & Schell 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

September 7 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Interstate Daydream 9:30PM-12:30AM

September 8 PINE JUNCTION Myron Elkins 1PM and Smilo & The Ghost 2PM

Ticketed Event. BUY TICKETS CLICK HERE

September 14 Chautauqua County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day 9AM-2PM Chautauqua County DPF Building, 454 North Work, Falconer

MORE INFO HERE

September 14 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Dual Identity 9:30PM-12:30AM

September 28 Free Fishing Day in NY State.

September 28 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Duke Sherman 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food Available for purchase. BYOB

September 28 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Acoustic Jukebox 9:30PM-12:30AM

October 1 Alexander's OTL Halloween Trivia Night

October 5 Findley Lake Short Walk For Dwarfism Awareness - More Info to Come.

October 12-13 & 19-20 Peek'n Peak Fall Fest 2024

October 26 Findley Lake Artists In Residence (FLAIR) 9:30AM-11:30AM Artist Meet Up/PleinAir Experience. Findley Lake Historic Cemetery, Rt. 426 Findley Lake, NW corner at the blinking light). No bathroom at this location, use waterwheel building 2 blocks away. Historic cemetery with a view of the lake. Flair_FindleyLake@gogglegroups.com

November 2 Findley Lake Library Fall Craft Show 10AM-4PM in the Findley Lake Fire Hall.

November 2 Peek'n Peak Wurst Party Ever. Bistro 210 Music with Apple Jack 9:30PM-12:30AM.

November 5 Alexander's OTL Thanksgiving Trivia Night

November 10 Findley Lake Nature Trails Veterans Day Dinner at the Community Center 1:00-3:00PM. RSVP 814-899-8228

November 11 Veterans Day Free Fishing Day in NY State

November 12 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef TBA

November 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 Peek'n Peak Medieval Feast Dinner Theater

The Retreat Dinner Theater Info Here November 15 Bistro 210 Music DJ Felix, November 16 Bistro 210 Music Acoustic Jukebox, November 22 Bistor Music DJ Felix, November 23 Music Interstate Daydream - 9:30PM-12:30AM

November 23 & 24 Secret Cubby's 11th Annual Vintage Christmas

November 30 Alexander's OTL 2nd Annual Turkey Trot

December 3 Alexander's OTL Christmas Trivia Night

December 7 & 8 Findley Lake Christmas Through the Village

December 10 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef TBA

January 19, 2025 Findley Lake Annual Tree Burn at dusk.

Links to the Town of Mina

Upcoming Meetings, Agendas, Minutes

Laws, Forms, and Resolutions

can all be found on the Town of Mina Web Page.

Town of Mina Home Page

http://www.townofmina.info/

Minutes, Board and Zoning Board Meeting Packets & Agendas (not necessarily in order by date due to edits check date of report)

http://www.townofmina.info/minutes--agendas.html

Town of Mina Publications

http://www.townofmina.info/publications.html

Town of Mina Stormwater Retrofit Study Report -

CLICK HERE

Forms, Budgets and Laws

http://www.townofmina.info/forms-budgets-laws.html

Legal Notices and Resolutions.

This is where notices are recorded for meetings, resolutions.

http://www.townofmina.info/legal-notices--resolutions.html

Findley Lake Community Foundation Information -

https://findleylakecf.org/

Findley Lake Forward Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556008632813

Visit Findley Lake Community Website https://www.visitfindleylake.com/home

New York State Freshwater Fishing Regulations Guide

https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/fishguide.pdf

Little Yellow Cottage Lake Cam Link - Live camera link of the lake. NEW

Link to Little Yellow Cottage Cam

Jack'n Sherri's Twin Docks Dam Cam - Live camera link

Link to Twin Docks Cam

Community Connections Website https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Company Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/FindleyLakeVolunteerFireDepartment/

Findley Lake Watershed Foundation Website https://www.findleylakewf.org/

Alexander Findley Community Library Website https://www.findleylibrary.org/

Findley Lake and Mina Historical Society http://findleylakehistory.weebly.com/

Link to New Facebook Page

NY Department of Environmental Conservation https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/26958.html

Findley Lake Nature Trail Network Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FindleyLakeNatureCenter/

Events throughout Chautauqua County https://www.tourchautauqua.com/

Clymer Central School District https://www.clymercsd.org/

Sherman Central School District https://www.shermancsd.org/

Please check Visit Findley Lake Community Website https://www.visitfindleylake.com/home

or on Visit Findley Lake Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/visitfindleylake

Please contact The Tapestry at

TapestryFindleyLake@gmail.com

or write Town of Mina

Attn: The Tapestry

PO Box 38

Findley Lake, NY 14736

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND MEMORIES, STORIES, PHOTOS, COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS, EVENTS TO tapestryfindleylake@gmail.com

Links for earlier editions of The Tapestry can be found on www.visitfindleylake.com

(not all of the back issue links are available at this time they will be available shortly. If you are looking for a specific Tapestry please email tapestryfindleylake@gmail.com and a link can be sent to you directly. Thank you.)