The Tapestry

Findley Lake, New York

The Tapestry is brought to you by

and the Town of Mina

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.

Volunteers are needed for the Beer Crawl

June 11 4-7PM; Pre-registration, sell tickets and stuff gift bags.

June 13 5-7PM; Pre-registration and sell tickets.

June 15 11AM-12PM; Set up Fire Hall, Tent & Stage for band and vendors. Put up tables for registration and put out trash cans.

June 15 12-1:30PM; Registration table coverage.

June 15 5-6PM; Clean up.

Please see Lori at Twin Docks, call/text 267-307-2572 or email findleylakeforward1@gmail.com

Meandering, Foraging and Daydreaming

the Past into the Present

Written for The Tapestry by Destiny Kinal

Last Tapestry, I introduced my themes for this column/blog: 

Meandering, like a stream, cutting through a landscape with a kind of mathematical precision.  Following one’s Instincts or nose for personal (and perhaps universal) meaning.

Foraging, harvesting the wild or semi-cultivated, with permission from either nature or from a landowner.  See Robin Wall Kimmerer’s rules for Honorable Harvest. ( Ask permission. Don’t take it all. Be grateful.)

Daydreaming the Past into the Present 

I write historical fiction, the purpose of which--according to one of my writing heroes Milan Kundera-- is this:  We re-inhabit the past to illuminate the present.  Some of Findley Lake‘s truly original characters must be remembered (so that we don’t lose our tolerance for eccentricity.)  Things have disappeared that perhaps should be valued and restored… or located in place and time even if they remain invisible.

The first forager I ever consciously identified as such (aside from my grandfather and maple sugaring) walked in our door on Greenman Road like an archangel.

My three year old daughter Gilian and I had come to “the farm,” our family home, for me to recover fully from a shattered femur.  We didn’t have a car but the Bluebird bus at the top of Greenman on Station Road could be depended on for longer trips to Jamestown and Dunkirk, and longer, to  Erie and Buffalo.  (Our family had been train people in the earlier generations; we were often put on the train between Erie and Buffalo to spend time with either family there.)

I put my daughter on the back of a bike to ride into Findley Lake but she tore her heel on the chain.  It looked serious and I was soaking it, wondering what to do, when that felicitous knock came at the door.

Two elder men stood at the door and casually acknowledged “hearing” my silent call for help.  One, Johnny Gibbons’ father- in-law, Les Hurlburt, was to play a large role in my family’s future.  Gibbons raised Appaloosa horses on a Sunnyside property on the east side of the road, a large sunny fenced meadow where the legendary breed of horses could often be seen grazing.

He introduced his friend as Furple, named after a famous boxer in the 1920’s or 30’s.  The pair of old men (were they 60?) knew just what to do with my daughter’s heel. Furple revealed that he was foraging for elder blossom to make elderblo’ wine as well as for Mayapples to make jam.  Now that I am older than they were then, I reflect he may have been pulling my leg.  Since then, I always look under the whirling colonies of Mayapples to see if I can find flowers and then, the small fruit that ensues.  It seems to me that the little foragers of the forest floor must always beat the human being to that (perhaps medicinal) fruit, once it ripens.

Here is a recipe for elderblo’ wine, one I have used many times since then, this one from Winemaking Talk.

In a gallon jar, 25 heads of elder flower, 200 grams of sultana raisins, chopped, 1 lemon, both juice and zest, 1 kilo of sugar, 75 ml. cold black tea (for tannin I’m guessing.) Water to top.  How soon?  3-4 months.  Sparkling and dry.

If you are too impatient, an elderflower cordial from St. Germaine can quickly accustom you to the indescribable taste of this concoction made from the flowering shrub in your back forty or along the shoulder of a country road.

Of course, harvesting the flower means fewer berries, rich in Vitamin C, to quaff as autumn colds threaten.  (Remember the Honorable Harvest.)

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.

FINDLEY LAKE

NATURE TRAILS NETWORK NEWS!

The FL Nature Trails Network was hard at work today. With the fabulous indispensable volunteer help from Cummins Engineering and Bentley Tree Care, we began rebuilding what was the amphitheater along the Nature Trail. Machines and men with hand tools worked as one preparing the space and constructing the new benches. Tim Ferranto helped with the design and materials list. Here's a glance of the goings on in the Nature Trails woods. Stay tuned to next week’s Tapestry to view the finished venue. Not pictured: Kent Bright and Tim Ferranto.

Mercyhurst Rowing on the Lake

Photos by Terri Gross

Alexander's On The Lake

Presents Celebrity Bartending Night

June 8th 5-8PM

with the FINDLEY LAKE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

15% of ALL food proceeds during the event will go to the FLVFD!

Findley Lake Library Fundraiser alert!

We are raffling off a beautiful 67″x84″ quilt.

If you would like to be included in a map of Yard Sale locations, email Barb C @ villagephotography@yahoo.com no later than Sun., 6/23. Include your address and day(s) you will be participating.

FLARES FOR THE 4TH

The flares are $4.00 each. They are available at French Creek Store, Findley Lake Hardware, Twin Docks, Findley Lake Marine and the Library.

All proceeds benefit the Findley Lake Library. On July 4th at 9:30PM the flares are put around the lake and lit (when you hear the fire whistle sound) before the fireworks at 10PM. Photo Credit Nancy Bracken Roche

JULY 31

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

Follow Pine Junction's

Facebook Page for updates!

FUNDRAISER FOR THE FINDLEY LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Pine Junction is excited to announce this Fundraiser in conjunction with our 4th Annual Don’t Tell Shirlee Concert that will support The Findley Lake Fire Department! This is brought to you generously from Dave Warren Auto Group, Bentley Tree Care, Bentley Initiative LLC, Alexander Construction Co, Chautauqua Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning and Snap Fitness NE: K.O. Boxing Bootcamp!

Tickets can be bought in person at Pine Junction (cash only).

His and Her Bintelli E-Bike Set valued at $3698.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.

Winner will be drawn at our 4th Annual Don’t Tell Shirlee Concert in the Pines on Wednesday, July 31st. (Need not be present to win, however if you are present at the concert and are the lucky winner you will receive a bonus prize!!)

Thank you again to our generous sponsors and local businesses who are supporting one another! We are so thankful to our Findley Lake Community!

Findley Lake Watershed Foundation

Safe Kids Southern Tier New York

FREE LIFE JACKETS FOR KIDS! We are offering free virtual training for children and parents on open water and boating safety. Kids who live in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, or Allegany counties and complete this training will receive a free U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. This training can be found at CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Email our Program Coordinator at safekids@sthcs.org with any questions.

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

June 4 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tommy Link 7-9PM

June 5 Small Business Information Event 4-5:30 at Dutch Village. See flyer above.

June 7 Community Connections BINGO at 1:00PM. RSVP 716-769-2473

June 8 Chautauqua County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day 9AM-2PM

City of Dunkirk Department of Public Works, 19 Lucas Avenue, Dunkirk

MORE INFO HERE

June 8 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rick & The Roadside Rockers 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

June 8 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 music with DJ Felix 9:30PM-12:30AM

June 11 FLAIR (Findley Lake Artists In Residency) Meeting at 5:30 at the Community Center. Anyone interested in the arts is welcome to attend.

June 11 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Sarah Haggerty 7-9PM

June 12 Community Connections Sunset Sounds on the Lake in the Gazebo in Findley Lake. Music by Jesse Taylor Smith 6-7:30PM. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy.

June 13 Community Connections welcomes back Mike Ganske at 1PM. "The Would Be Spy" The story of retired USAF Master Sergeant, Brian Regan, who offered classified information to Iran, Iraq, and Libya. RSVP 716-769-2473

June 13 Findley Lake Library Arts & Crafts for Grownups at 3PM Join Barb Cooper of FLAIR as she teaches shaving foam marbling & stenciling.

June 15 Findley Lake Beer Crawl 1-5PM Registration at noon at the Gazebo on Main Street. Join us for the ultimate beer lover's experience! Enjoy beer, listen to great music while enjoying the beauty of Findley Lake! Ticket will be $25 if purchased before the event at link below or in Twin Docks or Our Own Candle Company. Tickets will be $30 the day of the event. Live music, 8 breweries. Ticket includes sampling and a commemorative mug. Music in town with Rankin & Schell 1-3PM; Derek Davis 3-5PM.

BUY TICKETS HERE FACEBOOK EVENT HERE

June 16 PINE JUNCTION Father's Day with Duke Sherman Band 2-5PM Free Event.

June 18 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Matt Boland 7-9PM

June 20 Community Connections Live and Learn Series 1PM in the Tea Room. New York State Tick Blitz with Kelly McDonald. Learn about ticks and the research happenng in our community. RSVP 716-769-2473

June 20 Findley lake Library Book Club at 6PM. Discussion of June's book Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

June 21 Community Connections BINGO at 1:00PM. RSVP 716-769-2473

June 21 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Jesse Smith 9:30PM-12:30AM

June 22 Alexander's OTL Pig Roast at 2PM with live music 3-5PM.

June 22 FULL MOON Kayak Ride with Community Connections at 8:30PM. Meet at the south end of the big island. Call Christy at 716-769-2473 for updates, and if you need a place to put in your kayak or canoe.

June 22 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Interstate Daydream 9:30PM-12:30AM

June 22 Bison Trace Luxury Camping 3PM All About French Creek with Judy Archer

June 25 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Brooke Surgener 7-9PM

June 27 Community Connections Live and Learn Series at 1PM. Meet Dr. Zachary Blakeslee, Blakeslee Chiropractic to discuss headaches, migraines, TJM pain, and neck pain caused by misalignment of the Atlas and neck. RSVP 716-769-2473

June 28, 29, 30 Findley Lake Around the Lake Yard Sale 9AM - 3PM

June 28 & 29 The Camp at Findley will be participating in the Yard Sale 9AM-3PM

Yard Sale Fundraiser. Rain or shine, we are inside. We have been blessed by many donations, so we can bless those who attend The Camp at Findley.

June 29 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with SHADYSIDE 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

June 29 Peek'n Peak Bonfires & Brews Theory of Evolution on the Gazebo Grill Stage 5-9PM

June 29 & 30 Free Fishing Days NY State.

June 30 - July 3 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Mini Camp Grades 1-6, overnight or day camp options

July and August Findley Lake Library Summer Reading Program. More info to come.

July 2 Alexander's OTL Live Music with OsbornNash 6-9PM

July 4 - July 4th Celebration Day of Events

Duck Race, Boat Parade, Flare Lighting, Fireworks

Live Music at Alexander's OTL 1-4PM

July 5 Bison Trace Luxury Campground Live Music with Northern Accents 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

July 5 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Garrett Owens 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 6 19th Annual Race Around the Lake Findley Lake Nature Trails Network Details on their Facebook Here

July 6 Bison Trace Luxury Campground Live Music with Miranda Wilcox & The Line 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase. BYOB

July 6 Peek'n Peak Bonfires and Brews Nick Magee & The Roadhouse Rockers 5-9PM on the Gazebo Grill Stage.

July 7-12 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Camp Session Grades 1-8 day camp, 9am-5pm.

July 9 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Mike and Marie 7-9PM

July 12-14 Peek'n Peak Jimmy Buffett Tribute Weekend: Friday, Pirate Dreams on the Gazebo Grill Stage 5-9PM; Saturday Sun of Beaches on the Gazebo Grill Stage 5-9PM; Sunday Key west Express Lite 12-4PM on the Gazebo Grill State.

July 12 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Lopaka Rootz Duo 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 13 Peen'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with Neville Francis & The Riddim Posse 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 14-19 The Camp at Findley Teen Mission Camp Grades 7-12, overnight camp.

July 15 - August 8 Summer Recreation Program. Packets will be available in late May.

CCS website, Dutch Village, Clymer Library and Findley Lake Library will have Registration Packets.

July 16 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Jesse James Weston 7-9PM

July 20 Alexander's OTL Hawaiian Night. More info to come.

July 20 Peek'n Peak Gazebo Grill Live Music with The High Life 5-9PM; Bistro 210 Live Music with Pendleton Station 9:30PM-12:30AM

July 21-27 The Camp at Findley Family Bible Camp

July 23 Alexander's OTL Live Music TBA 7-9PM

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

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

August 9 Peek'n Peak Singin' in the Peak Karaoke Gazebo Grill 6-9PM

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 Flight 5-9PM; Bistro 210 Iron Eyes Maybee 9:30PM-12:30AM

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

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

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

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.

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 8 PINE JUNCTION Mark your calendars.. more info to come!

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

MORE INFO HERE

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

October 1 Alexander's OTL Halloween Trivia Night

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

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

November 2 Peek'n Peak Wurst Party Ever

November 5 Alexander's OTL Thanksgiving Trivia Night

November 10 Findley Lake Nature Trails Network 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 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

FINAL REPORT CULVERTS AND STORM WATER APRIL 18 2024 HERE

PRINCETON HYDRO FINAL REPORT NUTRIENT STUDY APRIL 24 2024 HERE

Forms, Budgets and Laws

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

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Proposed Amendment to Zoning Law HERE

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://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/donors/give-today/give-to-a-nonprofit/findley-lake-community-foundation

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

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

Link to Dam 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.)