Monthly Archives: December 2013

Holiday Hike

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Friday

Sunday Snow

Sunday

Monday Snow

Monday

On December 15, fourteen hikers braved the snow to enjoy the Springwater outdoors at Schribner Rd. Linda led half of the group to the top of the hills providing a view of the Mehlenbacher fields.  Cold winds blowing across the fields quickly sent the hikers back into the woods for the continuation of the hike around more protected fields.  Mark led the rest of the group around the fields on the east side of the creek.  Duffy was a bit skeptical about hiking through 12 inches of snow in temperatures in the 20s, but Joan and Bob created a good trail for him with their snowshoes and we were able to investigate many of the different trees on the property.  The evergreens were dominated by White and Red pines, but also included Scotch Pine, Larch, Spruce trees.  Gene pointed out that Spruce trees have Spruce Cones, not Pine Cones!

Following the hike, we were joined by five additional friends for good food and good conversation.  Joan announced the hikers who had earned a membership in Springwater Trails, Inc for 2014 by completing 20 hikes with the group or by coordinating our hikes for a season.  Joan provided each new member with a cross stitch ornament. Congratulations to Gene, Georgia, Char, Pati, Melissa, Bob, Linda, Mark, Joan, Ann, Pam, Dena, Jerri, Bonnie and Nanette.  We also want to thank all hikers who joined Springwater Trails for a Sunday hike during 2013.  It is your encouragement and friendship that energizes the entire group.

Meanwhile, it continues to snow in Springwater.

Weather Update – Dec 15, 2013

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Click for Springwater, New York Forecast

Nine inches

Nine inches

Updated on Sunday.  It snowed about six inches on Saturday, but not much last night.  The road is plowed but please come from Tabors Corners to the south.  See directions here.

Bring your skis or snowshoes and we will enjoy a nice winter hike.  Please dress warmly.

Dreaming of a white Christmas

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I’m dreaming of a white Christmas

Just like the ones I used to know

The famous opening lines of what is still one of the favorite songs of the December holiday season.  Did you know what inspired this song and who it was dedicated to?

This can be better understood if you get to know the writer.  He was born Israel Baleen, in Poland, and came to our side of the big lake, with is parents, at the age of 5.  It wasn’t long before he discovered his extraordinary talent for writing music and lyrics.  Some say it was to piss off Hitler that he changed his name after Germany’s capitol city, Irving Berlin.

Events in history often inspired him to compose.  In 1941, learning about the persecution of his people, in Nazi occupied Poland, including some of his own family, that he felt inspired to dedicate a song to his adopted country, that had given them freedom.  God Bless America is still learned by children today and, in 1941, copies of the famous recording of it, by Kate Smith, were flying off the shelf.

As December of 1942 approached, we had begun a series of Pacific island hopping, to bring the war back to Japan.  A detachment of US Marines were engaged in a fierce battle on a Solomon Island, called Guadalcanal.  Most of them were boys, between 18 and 20, about to spend their first Christmas, away from the loving comfort of their families, fighting to stay alive in this tropical hell hole.  And so, Berlin wrote the words and music to this iconic seasonal song, dedicating it to these young man, fighting on Guadalcanal.  Most people learned the song when sung by Bing Crosby in the movie, Holiday Inn but, now you know about its inspiration and dedication.

Next year will mark the centennial of the Christmas miracle of 1914.  More about that in this column, a year from now.

 

Schribner Rd Hike and Holiday Social – Dec 15, 2013 at 2:00PM (42.605,-77.541513)

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1952 or 53. Note the apple tree at a slant in the upper left.

Future pond site – 1952 or 53.
Note the apple tree at a slant in the upper left.

Please come and enjoy hiking the hills and valleys of East Springwater.  Following the hike, join us for the Springwater Trails Annual Holiday Social.  Linda will cook a ham. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage (or contribute to the social fund).  Everyone is welcome to hike and socialize with Springwater Trails, although you may have to listen to some announcements from the Executive Board of Springwater Trails Inc.

Pond looking west, Labor Day, 1971.

Pond looking west, Labor Day, 1971.

Sixty one years ago, my father purchased land on Schribner Rd and taught his six kids how to enjoy and care for the land.  Our hike this Sunday will explore the private land in this area with specific focus on the impact of man and nature on the property.

Linda will lead the Climbers across the valley and up the hill to the Potato fields at the top.  You will enjoy the views to the south and see the contours the farmers have followed since the 30’s.  Also, take some time to see the number of stones farmers have pulled out of the fields over the years.  After coming back down through the hardwood forest, there will be see the pines planted in the 30’s, the 50’s and finally in the 60’s after which we learned that the fields were disappearing and needed to be preserved for their own sake.

Pond looking south, 1970s.

Pond looking west, 1980s.

Mark will lead the Tourists and Naturalists around the three ponds on the property, up the stream to the old pine woods and then back through the fields to enjoy longer views.  This hike may involve some bushwacking, depending on the weather, but will avoid long uphill hikes.

Please check the weather prior to the hike and dress in layers.  If there is snow on the ground, snowshoes will be very beneficial.

The hike will start at the intersection of Giles and Schribner Roads.  Both roads are seasonal north of the hike, so please make sure you come up Schribner Rd from Tabors Corners.  Please park on Schribner Rd or near the barn if the driveway is clear.  We will meet at the red ranch house behind the garage. You may bring your dish for the social into the house prior to the hike.

Pond, October 28, 2011

Pond, October 28, 2011

From Wayland: From Rt 15, head east on Rt 21 toward North Cohocton for 3 miles. Turn left on Tabors Corners Rd (Steuben Co Rd 37).  After 2 miles, turn left on Schribner Rd (the second left).  The driveway is on the left one mile up Schribner Rd and about 10 feet before the intersection with Giles Rd. Bear right at the intersection, turn around and park along the road. Or come into the driveway and park between the garage and the barn. Hint: In case it is getting dark when you leave, you may find it easier to back into a parking space at 2:00.

Detailed directions from other locations are available here.