What a nice way to say "Thank You" to past and current American Veterans! The Blue Heron Inn in Findley Lake is participating in B & B Free Vets Night. Only one room still available (as of 9pm on 10/18/10). The free night is on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. If you are local, this could be a nice stay-cation. If you live further away, maybe you can add on a few more days and enjoy the peace and quiet of our small town. Plenty of scenic drives, local wineries, Peek 'n Peak, and just plain laid back time to relax.
Here's the link: http://www.theblueheroninn.com/special-events.html
Don't wait too long to check availability and book your stay.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Cheaters Piss On The Rural Community
I've thought about this all day today. Cheating, cheap community members can't find their way clear to pony up $5 to participate in the Community Yard Sale that was held today. It's the same every year. One year it was a Town Board member. For several years it's been a judicial clerk. Every year it's been people who like to benefit from the community organizing that is done to promote the event but can't pay a lousy $5 to help defray the advertising costs and be put on the map. I've got news for you low life's - everybody who joins or has a map knows who you are. You are talked about all over town. Yes, we are nice to your face but behind your back, we know that you cheated. Part of the "rural characteristic of the community" is that we care about our neighbors. Here's a suggestion. Next year care enough to sign up, pay your extremely modest $5 and get on the map. Quit being a deadbeat neighbor.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Xenophobia?? In Findley Lake??
In my opinion (hereafter IMO), restricting voting membership to only Town of Mina residents is patently wrong on several levels. The easiest way to understand the issue is to look at a situation. The boundaries for Town of Mina stretch about 2 miles towards Erie, 3 miles towards North East, 5 miles towards French Creek, and maybe 6 miles towards Sherman. You can live about three miles from Findley Lake, within the Mina boundaries, pay your "membership" dues to the Watershed Foundation, and have a vote at the annual meeting. You can live 2 miles from Findley Lake, just over the border in PA, give all the money in the world to the Watershed Foundation, and have no vote because technically you can't be a "member".
You may be seriously in love with Findley Lake (the Lake that is). You may have interests and abilities that would benefit and augment the organization. However, if you don't live in Mina, you not only can't be a voting member, your desire to be a voting member is construed to mean you want to take over the board ... and do what????
Do we hear the words xenophobia and good old boys club yet? Time to grow up and grow a set. The Foundation needs it's membership to grow. Most people join organizations to support them. Most people don't want to be on the board (which meets monthly by the way). Most people don't want to have to attend a hot, long annual meeting and go through the dog and pony acts of presentations and reports. However, most people don't want to be second class citizens. If I live in Mina, donate to a non-profit, and get to vote, then someone who lives 2 miles away in PA, donates to the same non-profit, should have the right to vote. In fact, they may be more passionate about the lake than I am.
Time to realize that it's not a private lake any more. Time to realize that accepting Town, County, and State funds means access for all. Blather that allowing condo owners to become real honest to god okie dokie members would cause an influx in people wanting boats allowed through the gate on weekends shows just how "old boy" this network is. You say no member is allowed to get the gate unlocked while another guy is bewailing how much time it took over the holiday weekend to let boats through the gate. In other words, you do it for the current member but you don't want to do it for non-Mina members (should we ever have any). Look at your own rules and ask why you go against them. Its the way you've always done it!! Wake up, move on, get out of your rut.
As a non-profit, you should be open to anyone willing to pay the "membership". Every paid membership should have a vote at the annual meeting. And by the way, every board member should have paid their dues before the first January meeting or withheld their voting on the board until such time as they do pay them, since membership is determined by PAID DUES, not just because you fill a board slot.
Of course, the above is only my opinion. I'll keep paying my dues until they really piss me off with the good old boys, outsiders need not apply attitudes. Then I'll gladly keep my money at home.
You may be seriously in love with Findley Lake (the Lake that is). You may have interests and abilities that would benefit and augment the organization. However, if you don't live in Mina, you not only can't be a voting member, your desire to be a voting member is construed to mean you want to take over the board ... and do what????
Do we hear the words xenophobia and good old boys club yet? Time to grow up and grow a set. The Foundation needs it's membership to grow. Most people join organizations to support them. Most people don't want to be on the board (which meets monthly by the way). Most people don't want to have to attend a hot, long annual meeting and go through the dog and pony acts of presentations and reports. However, most people don't want to be second class citizens. If I live in Mina, donate to a non-profit, and get to vote, then someone who lives 2 miles away in PA, donates to the same non-profit, should have the right to vote. In fact, they may be more passionate about the lake than I am.
Time to realize that it's not a private lake any more. Time to realize that accepting Town, County, and State funds means access for all. Blather that allowing condo owners to become real honest to god okie dokie members would cause an influx in people wanting boats allowed through the gate on weekends shows just how "old boy" this network is. You say no member is allowed to get the gate unlocked while another guy is bewailing how much time it took over the holiday weekend to let boats through the gate. In other words, you do it for the current member but you don't want to do it for non-Mina members (should we ever have any). Look at your own rules and ask why you go against them. Its the way you've always done it!! Wake up, move on, get out of your rut.
As a non-profit, you should be open to anyone willing to pay the "membership". Every paid membership should have a vote at the annual meeting. And by the way, every board member should have paid their dues before the first January meeting or withheld their voting on the board until such time as they do pay them, since membership is determined by PAID DUES, not just because you fill a board slot.
Of course, the above is only my opinion. I'll keep paying my dues until they really piss me off with the good old boys, outsiders need not apply attitudes. Then I'll gladly keep my money at home.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
More on Ice Fishing Findley Lake NY
Here's some more information about ice fishing on Findley Lake. I stumbled on this video on YouTube and it gives you a great understanding of the lake and how to ice fish here. The animated map is super! First and foremost, you don't have to walk the length of the lake. It's obvious that these guys parked in greater down town Findley Lake and started walking (and fishing) heading south. Note that where they really started to catch fish was near the "waist" of the lake almost half way between the ends. On the east side right at the waist are the public picnic tables and parking area that parallels Sunnnyside Rd (Rt. 426 heading out of town towards Corry PA). Just park there and you will be near the best area that they found.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfpy8O7StM&feature=related[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMfpy8O7StM&feature=related[/url]
Friday, January 22, 2010
Ice Fishing Is Nice Fishing
If you are an ice fisher person or know one, here are two websites that have bulletin boards/blogs touching on current ice fishing in Findley Lake.
http://www.grizzlygary.com
http://www.IceShanty.com
I've been posting comments to both regarding access so for all of you ice fisher persons, here's where to park and ice fish on Findley Lake:
1. At the public picnic tables (concrete) on Rt. 426 south of greater downtown Findley Lake located about half way down and at the narrows between the two "ponds"
2. Along the side of the same road (also called Sunnyside) across from the church camp, Camp Findley.
3. At public parking area in downtown Findley Lake next to the market. Right now, access to the shoreline may be impeded by piles of snow. Also, for what it's worth, I just don't see people setting up and ice fishing there.
Not being an ice fisher person, I can't give you first hand info on conditions but I can tell you what I see.
At the narrows (#1), parking will definitely allow at least three pickup trucks to be parked parallel to the road but nicely off the road as the state has cut out a strip for public parking there. I've seen both shanties and just tip ups there. Because of the location at the narrows and because of the depth, it doesn't seem like people go far off shore to find a nice spot. Access on foot is through a cut out in the retaining wall. Persons with mobility impairment may find this a little challenging as the "steps" are deep.
Down at the church camp, you are parked on the berm so be careful exiting or entering your vehicle's drivers seat. Walking down to the ice may be easier, I'm not sure here. I do notice that some people go fairly far out into the lake before setting up shop.
Temperature right now is 33 degrees. The Dunkirk Observer had a short report 1/21/10 that said ice fishing on Findley Lake was producing some nice pike using small suckers and large golden shiners. Again, not my area of expertise. Here's a link to the DEC rudimentary fishing map of Findley Lake: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/findlkmap.pdf
Findley Lake Sporting Goods/Hardware just north of the blinker on Rt. 426 carries worms and fishing supplies in case you forget something. The local restaurants (downtown and out of town) serve good food, beer, or just a nice hot cup of coffee. If you can come for more than a day, consider staying locally. Plenty of shopping and recreational activities for the non-fisher people in the family.
Hope to see you around town, with your stringer full and a tail to tell.
http://www.grizzlygary.com
http://www.IceShanty.com
I've been posting comments to both regarding access so for all of you ice fisher persons, here's where to park and ice fish on Findley Lake:
1. At the public picnic tables (concrete) on Rt. 426 south of greater downtown Findley Lake located about half way down and at the narrows between the two "ponds"
2. Along the side of the same road (also called Sunnyside) across from the church camp, Camp Findley.
3. At public parking area in downtown Findley Lake next to the market. Right now, access to the shoreline may be impeded by piles of snow. Also, for what it's worth, I just don't see people setting up and ice fishing there.
Not being an ice fisher person, I can't give you first hand info on conditions but I can tell you what I see.
At the narrows (#1), parking will definitely allow at least three pickup trucks to be parked parallel to the road but nicely off the road as the state has cut out a strip for public parking there. I've seen both shanties and just tip ups there. Because of the location at the narrows and because of the depth, it doesn't seem like people go far off shore to find a nice spot. Access on foot is through a cut out in the retaining wall. Persons with mobility impairment may find this a little challenging as the "steps" are deep.
Down at the church camp, you are parked on the berm so be careful exiting or entering your vehicle's drivers seat. Walking down to the ice may be easier, I'm not sure here. I do notice that some people go fairly far out into the lake before setting up shop.
Temperature right now is 33 degrees. The Dunkirk Observer had a short report 1/21/10 that said ice fishing on Findley Lake was producing some nice pike using small suckers and large golden shiners. Again, not my area of expertise. Here's a link to the DEC rudimentary fishing map of Findley Lake: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/findlkmap.pdf
Findley Lake Sporting Goods/Hardware just north of the blinker on Rt. 426 carries worms and fishing supplies in case you forget something. The local restaurants (downtown and out of town) serve good food, beer, or just a nice hot cup of coffee. If you can come for more than a day, consider staying locally. Plenty of shopping and recreational activities for the non-fisher people in the family.
Hope to see you around town, with your stringer full and a tail to tell.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Never Ending Bowl Weekend
So far, we've watched the "Mixing Bowl", the "Porcelain Bowl", and now we are watching the "Soup Bowl". With probably 20" of new snow on the ground and still falling, watching Bowl games is an normal way for folks to spend the holiday.
Unfortunately, I apparently lack the gene necessary to have a favorite team. I root for the underdog and for any team that doesn't have Brett Farve. While this was a less pronounced aberration before high definition TV, now it has become very obvious. Much to my husband's dismay, I find sports games in high def to be totally disorienting. The players look like Foosball players. I almost see the handles as the little plastic players mindlessly run around the field.
I wasn't always this way. When the Yankees and the Dodgers were both in NYC, I was rooted to my transistor radio listening to the games. Games were played in the daylight back in my day. Once the Dodgers moved, the heart went out of the game. It became just another money maker for high muckimucks and the little people, the ones who used to fill the bleachers, became just another pocket to be fleeced and tossed away.
I've spent my free time today doing laundry (oh - I guess I was doing the "Washing Bowl") and making Spicy Lentil Soup (for filling our Soup Bowls once Pittsburgh manages to lose their lead and the game in the fourth quarter).
Pretty soon we will go out and try our hand at clearing off the snow in front of the garage.
Such is life in Findley Lake in the winter.
OOPS, an addenda to above. Got the plowing done and now are watching the "Toilet Bowl". I guess tonight we will move to garage verbiage for the "Carburetor Bowl". Now if that doesn't get your sports blood fired up, you are welcome to come watch You Tube videos with me.
Unfortunately, I apparently lack the gene necessary to have a favorite team. I root for the underdog and for any team that doesn't have Brett Farve. While this was a less pronounced aberration before high definition TV, now it has become very obvious. Much to my husband's dismay, I find sports games in high def to be totally disorienting. The players look like Foosball players. I almost see the handles as the little plastic players mindlessly run around the field.
I wasn't always this way. When the Yankees and the Dodgers were both in NYC, I was rooted to my transistor radio listening to the games. Games were played in the daylight back in my day. Once the Dodgers moved, the heart went out of the game. It became just another money maker for high muckimucks and the little people, the ones who used to fill the bleachers, became just another pocket to be fleeced and tossed away.
I've spent my free time today doing laundry (oh - I guess I was doing the "Washing Bowl") and making Spicy Lentil Soup (for filling our Soup Bowls once Pittsburgh manages to lose their lead and the game in the fourth quarter).
Pretty soon we will go out and try our hand at clearing off the snow in front of the garage.
Such is life in Findley Lake in the winter.
OOPS, an addenda to above. Got the plowing done and now are watching the "Toilet Bowl". I guess tonight we will move to garage verbiage for the "Carburetor Bowl". Now if that doesn't get your sports blood fired up, you are welcome to come watch You Tube videos with me.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wrapping Up The Year
My thoughts on a few topics:
Zoning - the gift that keeps on giving. Trying to thread the needle of protecting individual rights while avoiding deterioration of the neighborhood. With the wonderful citizens who took the time (repeatedly) to go sit through boring meetings, monitor proposed changes, actually READ the zoning law and promote good ideas - hurray for you. The zoning law seem to be finally getting near birth (rebirth?) and I actually am OK with most of it. Kudos to my significant other and friends for sitting through repeated rants as I sorted out the proposed law and it's ramifications.
Deer - really smarter than we hunters. Have spoken with numerous veteran hunters who were skunked this year. Now (of course), the deer are eating the foundation plantings, standing along the roads, and being very visible. Only one small deer in our freezer but I wanted three.
Death - it's been a hard year for friends and family. Step children's Mother died after a long illness, sister-in-law's Mother died unexpectedly but due to long standing health issues, and good friend's Father died after a slow fade for several years followed by a quick downward spiral.
Money - always short but at least the mortgage is paid off.
Wildlife - been a good year for seeing Eagles, Swans, Deer (except during hunting season), birds, and other small mammals.
Sweatshirts - bought three at Blair in Warren PA and couldn't be happier. Just couldn't find what I wanted in the chain stores.
Food - can't beat the prices at Erie County Farms. It will be open January 5th. Super assortment of greens and veggies, good prices on meat. What I really liked was going there about noon, then getting home early enough to cook up some of what I bought and freeze it as complete meals (pork/kale/sweet potato). Stuff to buy at Sam's Club include gluten free crackers and cocoa coated almonds. Real food and actually good for you. Don't forget the packs of Orbit or Trident Gum with Xylitol. Helps prevent cavities by preventing bacteria from adhering to your teeth. One kind of Trident will actually help build up the enamel too.
Dog - he's only ten years old but I'm already starting to mourn in advance of him dying. He's become more and more a family member. Don't know how he could be doing that but he is. He's funny, slightly OCD, and thinks that he has a vote in family decisions. Did I mention that he is funny?
Zoning - the gift that keeps on giving. Trying to thread the needle of protecting individual rights while avoiding deterioration of the neighborhood. With the wonderful citizens who took the time (repeatedly) to go sit through boring meetings, monitor proposed changes, actually READ the zoning law and promote good ideas - hurray for you. The zoning law seem to be finally getting near birth (rebirth?) and I actually am OK with most of it. Kudos to my significant other and friends for sitting through repeated rants as I sorted out the proposed law and it's ramifications.
Deer - really smarter than we hunters. Have spoken with numerous veteran hunters who were skunked this year. Now (of course), the deer are eating the foundation plantings, standing along the roads, and being very visible. Only one small deer in our freezer but I wanted three.
Death - it's been a hard year for friends and family. Step children's Mother died after a long illness, sister-in-law's Mother died unexpectedly but due to long standing health issues, and good friend's Father died after a slow fade for several years followed by a quick downward spiral.
Money - always short but at least the mortgage is paid off.
Wildlife - been a good year for seeing Eagles, Swans, Deer (except during hunting season), birds, and other small mammals.
Sweatshirts - bought three at Blair in Warren PA and couldn't be happier. Just couldn't find what I wanted in the chain stores.
Food - can't beat the prices at Erie County Farms. It will be open January 5th. Super assortment of greens and veggies, good prices on meat. What I really liked was going there about noon, then getting home early enough to cook up some of what I bought and freeze it as complete meals (pork/kale/sweet potato). Stuff to buy at Sam's Club include gluten free crackers and cocoa coated almonds. Real food and actually good for you. Don't forget the packs of Orbit or Trident Gum with Xylitol. Helps prevent cavities by preventing bacteria from adhering to your teeth. One kind of Trident will actually help build up the enamel too.
Dog - he's only ten years old but I'm already starting to mourn in advance of him dying. He's become more and more a family member. Don't know how he could be doing that but he is. He's funny, slightly OCD, and thinks that he has a vote in family decisions. Did I mention that he is funny?
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