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.

This parking and public access area at the north end of Findley Lake is one of the targets for improvement currently included as a project in the Town of Mina’s New York Forward application.

Public meeting Saturday for input into Findley Lake downtown grant application

A public meeting is set for Saturday morning to explain and receive input about a host of downtown-focused Findley Lake projects that are being proposed for inclusion in a state grant application the Town of Mina is preparing for an October submission.

The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the Mina-Findley Lake Community Center. Anyone who cannot attend the meeting but who wishes to provide input, can email supervisor@townofmina.org by Friday, Oct. 4.

The application is for the “New York Forward” program, through which two communities will be selected from the Western New York Region of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Allegany and Niagara counties, for $4.5 million each to be applied towards strengthening their downtown business districts.

The projects currently included in the Town of Mina’s application are considered “preliminary.” If the town is selected as one of the two regional grant recipients, the proposed projects in 2025 will go through a “targeted, community based planning process” facilitated by state-funded consultants, during which projects can be added, deleted or modified, and then will be further reviewed by a multi-agency state team before a “final subset” of projects will be awarded state funding.

Written and submitted by Steven Bishop

Findley Lake Watershed Foundation Info

Lowering the lake for the winter will begin on October 15th.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

 Greg Madsen

The reader is due a spoiler alert. This romance did not end well. Further, my ardor was never returned. So it some-times goes. Alas.

Early in the summer of ’61, I stepped out the screen door of Milly’s Diner, again having enjoyed the world’s best grilled cheese sandwich accompanied by a fountain Coke with a squirt of lemon syrup--a combo my Dad claimed to have invented.

And there she was! Over six feet tall, her wide grin reflecting the sunlight, certainly broad in the beam, and at 3900 pounds, perhaps a bit overweight. The Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department was selling its 1948 Buick Roadmaster ambulance!

With the streamlining of a Hippopotamus, the fortitude of a Patton tank and, at 21 feet, 2 feet longer than a 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood (and to this day, longer than any car on the road) I had to have her! 

After brief negotiations with Chief Pete Howard, she was mine, siren not included.

(I’ve always suspected that this huge chrome-plated siren

landed in a man-cave. I had intended to cover the gap it left behind with buck antlers, but never found a set that matched the generous dimensions of the beast.)

There were initial alarms from neighbors when I first visited the Thomas farm out North Road. Via the party phone line: “Is everyone OK over there?” “All’s fine. That’s just Greg getting thrown off Admiral. Again.”

Tom and Danny Smith and I, plus a few other delinquents, smuggled the wheeled gurney into the skating rink one night, quickly setting a fresh definition for “Hell on wheels.” Boots Burmaster quickly let us know we were having entirely too much fun and literally gave us the boot.

I drove the “‘Bulance” back and forth to my pool manager/lifeguard job on Erie’s west side that summer. There was one hill the Dynaflow transmission wouldn’t let us top unless I pushed her to 30 miles over the speed limit.

My guess that no cop would stop an ambulance for speeding proved to be true.

The college I would attend in the fall didn’t permit freshmen to have cars. My plan was to turn her over to a family friend for brake work and a tranny rebuild, then store M’lady in my Granddad’s garage. After another summer, I would become the only sophomore with very distinctive wheels.

But I had not planned for my Father’s sage foresight.

To save a ton of money in insurance premiums, she was registered in his name. He had also made several allusions to not wanting his son to be known for driving, “…a motel on wheels.” (Wished for, but never fulfilled, by the way.)

I remember standing in the dorm phone booth feeling my knees weakening as I heard, “Sold your ambulance. Too expensive to fix. Dangerous. Nothing but trouble. You broke even.”

I mourned her passing for weeks.

Singer-songwriter Neil Young was the proud owner of a 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse/ambulance. “Mort” died under him in 1961, ironically the same year I celebrated my conjoinment.

In 1976 Young wrote a touching metaphoric elegy to Mort: “Long May You Run.”  The final lyric:

Long may you run, long may you run

Although these changes have come

With your chrome heart shining in the sun

Long may you run

Who wouldn’t wish this for themselves? For everyone?

If anyone from the Fire Department has the VIN maybe we could let Greg know what happened to his "lost love".

Fire Department News

The Post-Journal published an article about Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department members receiving their EMT certifications.

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.
• Cornhole Thursdays at 10AM in the Community Center Gym!
• NEW TUESDAYS 9-10AM COFFEE HOUR in the Communi-Tea Room Starts October 8

Please visit Community Connections website!

https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

or on Facebook here:

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

September 28 PUBLIC meeting to review and explain the Downtown Grant proposed projects, and to receive input for any additional proposed projects related to Findley Lake, will be held Saturday, Sept. 28 at 9 a.m. in the Mina-Findley Lake Community Center (see more info at top of Tapestry)

September 28 Free Fishing Day in NY State.

September 28 Findley Lake Library Garden Club 11AM.

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

October 1 Alexander's OTL Halloween Trivia Night

October 4 Community Connections Bingo 1PM in the Communi-Tea Room at the Findley Lake Community Center. RSVP required 716-769-2473

October 5 Findley Lake Short Walk For Dwarfism Awareness -

Meet at Alexander's, 10417 Main Street, Findley Lake. Registration starts at noon. Walk at 1:15. There will be a 50/50 raffel and a chance auction including children's items. Games and coloring sheets for kids!

https://www.facebook.com/events/968085694960519/

October 8 Community Connections Coffee Hour 9-10AM, every Tuesday. Join your neighbors and friends. Coffee, tea and water supplied. NEW PROGRAM

October 12-13 & 19-20 Peek'n Peak Fall Fest 2024 https://www.pknpk.com/special-events/fall-fest-2024/ Live music October 12 bistro 210 Hyde & Seek 9:30PM-12:30AM. Live music October 19 with Rick Magee & The Roadhouse Rockers

October 12-13 & 19-20 Compass Bar & Grille, Community Vendor & Craft Fair, and Compass catering showcase. 11AM-5PM, Taking vendor applications, $50 per weekend for more info contact compassbarandgrille@gmail.com deadline is October 1, 2024.

October 13 Pine Junction Pop Up Shop 11AM-5PM in their pavilion ft. Burnt Sage Boutique, Radically Rooted Homestead and Designs By Lines.

October 17 Community Connections Join us with guest Jamie Mattswell, DPT from Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers for a Neck & back Presentation at 1PM.

October 17 Findley Lake Library Book Club at 6PM. Join us in the library for a discussion of October's book, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

October 18 Community Connections Bingo 1PM in the Communi-Tea Room at the Findley Lake Community Center. RSVP required 716-769-2473

October 19 & 20 Pine Junction Pop Up Shop 11AM-5PM in their pavilion ft. Burnt Sage Boutique, Radically Rooted Homestead and Designs By Lines.

October 21 Community Connections Meet Willow and Sierra at 1PM. Why a Bernese Mountain Dog? With Scott Benza

October 25-27 Peek'n Peak Halloweekend. Oct. 25th Bistro 210 Karaoke Contest & Dance party with DJ Felix 9PM-12:30AM. Oct. 26th HalloBash at Bistro 210 with live music by Crush 9PM-1AM. Costume Contest. Oct 27 Halloween Breakfast Buffet, Erie Ghostbusters Photo Op 9am-12, with kids' craft station and trick or treat scavenger hunt.

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

October 26 Community Connections Halloween Party SEE MORE INFO IN FLYER ABOVE Reservations required (costumes also!) RSVP 716-769-2473

November 1 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Live Music with John Bindley & Honkey Tonk Jukebox. 9:30PM-12:30AM

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. https://www.pknpk.com/special-events/wurst-party-ever-2024/

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 Bistro 210 Music DJ Felix, November 23 Music Interstate Daydream - 9:30PM-12:30AM

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

November 25 Pine Junction Ladies' Sip 'n Shop Night 5-8PM. Bars open and limited apetizers. Over 15 local crafters and vendors.

November 27 Peek'n Peak Thanksgiving Brunch 10AM-3PM RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

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, Specials throughout the stores, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus walking Main Street Findley Lake.

December 7 & 8 Peek'n Peak Breakfast with Santa. Seatings starting at 8am. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

December 10 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef TBA

December 25 Peek'n Peak Christmas Holiday Plated Meal Noon-8PM. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

December 31 Peek'n Peak New Year's Eve Prime Rib Buffet & Masquerade Party. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

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

April 20 Peek'n Peak Sunday Easter Brunch 10Am-3PM. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

May 10 Findley Lake Mother's Day Wine Walk. 1-5PM. more info to come.

May 11 Peek'n Peak Mother's Day Brunch 10AM-3PM. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

May 25 Pine Junction Drafts and Crafts Festival 11AM-5PM featuring live music with Small Town Revolution from 2-5PM.

June 14 Findley Lake 2nd Annual Father's Day Beer Crawl. More info to come.

June 15 Peek'n Peak Father's Day Breakfast Buffet. RSVP required. 716-355-4141 ext. 7146.

July TBA Pine Junction's 5th Annual Don't Tell Shirlee Concert in the Pines. More info coming soon.

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

Links to other local, county and state information:

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.

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 Trails Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556878222611

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

Events throughout Chautauqua County https://mychq.org/

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.)