Author Archives: Gene

The hunting song (by Tom Lehrer)

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Ah, how clearly I remember, twas a year ago November

I went out to shoot some deer, on a morning bright and clear

I went and shot the maximum, the game laws would allow

2 game wardens, 7 hunters, and a cow

I was in no mood to trifle, I took down my trusty rifle

And went out to stalk my prey.  What a haul I made that day.

I tied them to my fender, and brought them home, somehow

2 game wardens, 7 hunters, and a cow

The law was very firm, it took away my permit

The worst punishment I ever endured

It turned out there was a reason, cows were out of season.

And one of the hunters wasn’t insured

People ask me how I do it, and I say there’s nothing to it.

You just stand there looking cute, and when something moves, you shoot

And there’s 10 mounted heads in my trophy room right now.

2 game wardens, 7 hunters, and a pure bred Jersey cow.

Springwater Trail, Sugarbush Hollow, Sunday, November 9, 2 PM

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How does a brisk, mid fall hike, along the nearby, familiar Springwater Trail, followed by some good chicken and biscuits, while watching the Bills win another one, sound?

Park along Coates Road, near the intersection of the road to the late Chuck Winship house, where there is a seasonal access to the Springwater Trail.

Climbers will walk down Coates Rd., cross Pardee Hollow, and enter the loop trail access, which will lead to the main trail.  Make a left on the main trail, which should take you back to Pardee Hollow Rd., where you will cross and re-enter the trail.  When you get to the seasonal access, go left, which will take you back to Coates Rd., and your cars.

Tourists will walk up Coates Rd. (away from Pardee Hollow), to the main trail entrance.  Enter the main trail, take it to Pardee Hollow Rd., and turn right on it.  Here you have a choice.  You can either spot cars at the sugarhouse, or you can walk down Pardee Hollow, turn right on Coates and walk back to your cars.

Naturalists will spot a return car at the sugarhouse.  They will enter the seasonal access, which leads to the main trail, where they will go right and follow it up to Pardee Hollow Rd., and go right, to the sugarhouse.  Hike leaders will be provided with marked maps, and will receive their marching orders, before the hike.

After the hikes, you have the option of enjoying good food and fellowship of your fellow hikers, at the Mountain View Inn, in Atlanta.  Their Sunday special is chicken and biscuits.  They also have burgers, salads and their beverages include a large assortment of beers and wines.

From Springwater, go north on 15A, right on Wheaton Hill Rd. (CR 16), which becomes Tabors Corners Rd.  Go left on Pardee Hollow Rd.  On the corner, is the Punky Hollow Farm, where this year’s Fiddlers Fair was held.  Continue on PHR, by going right at the T.  Take a left on Coates Rd. and look for our sign, parked cars and your fellow hikers.  I’ll try to get there by 1:30.  For the Mountain View Inn, go to PHR and go left.  Go till it ends at Rowe Rd. (CR 38) and go right to SR 21.  Go left, and then, right, into Atlanta.

Looking forward to seeing you happy troopers on Sunday.

Giant puffball, a recognizable edible mushroom

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This rainy summer has produced a bumper crop of mushrooms, that we will encounter on our hikes, the next several weeks.  While not consuming wild mushrooms, unless you’re absolutely sure of its identity, remains a very strong recommendation, the giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea) has a very unique appearance, and is considered to be a choice edible by many.  There is nothing else that looks like it.

Giant, is a good descriptive name.  They are roundish and can get up to a foot in diameter.  If you find one, at the right stage, its flesh can feed many people.  First, it must be white and firm, throughout.  If the inside flesh is not pure white and firm to the touch, it is no longer edible.  If you remove the outer layer, the inside flesh will also be clean.

There are many ways to enjoy your find.  One way, is to cut slices, about a half inch thick.  Dip the slice into an egg and milk mixture, and then into Italian bread crumbs.  Saute in butter until golden brown, serve, and enjoy.  You can also puree the flesh in a blender with a soup or sauce, before cooking, to give it a mushroom flavor.  Try it, and bring to a social, for your dish to pass.  Happy hunting.

Cohocton Town Park washout, August 3

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We had a great event of hiking and swimming scheduled, at the Lawrence Parks Cohocton Town Park, perfect for a hot, sunny, midsummer day.  The weather, at 4 PM, on Sunday, August 3, turned out to be anything but that.  About 8 hearty souls arrived, in the downpour, and conferred on Atlanta Back Rd., to avoid paying the $1.00 admission charge for the park.  Decision was unanimous that there was little motivation for hiking, under the conditions.

Gene and Georgia subsequently invited everyone to bring what they brought and convene for camraderie at their humble residence in beautiful downtown Wayland.  We enjoyed a good afternoon of dining and ST fellowship, well sheltered from the elements, and well enhanced by such items as Katherine’s delicious hot Italian soup, with sausage and vegetables, and Linda’s superb mozzerella and fruit kababs.

Undaunted ST troopers, Gene and Marty, are planning to offer this event again, in June, when there may also be enough water in the Cohocton River for a kayak venture.  Meanwhile, Springwater Trails is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and flogging of the ST member who offered margerine to Mother Nature.