Author Archives: Gene

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.

 

Stony Brook State Park, November 10, 2013

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IMG_0404On a crisp, 40 degree, late autumn afternoon, 22 hikers joined the Springwater Trails hiking group to go hiking on the trails of the hunter safe Stony Brook State Park, south of Dansville.  IMG_0414_WebWe began at our meeting spot, the main parking area at the lower (north) entrance.  Our trek lead us 500 feet, up to the top of the gorge, at the upper (south) end.  13 hikers in the fast group, lead by Mark and Duffy, went up the woodland trail on the east side, and down to the start, via the gorge trail.  Your writer, helped by Nicky and Tasha, lead the remaining 9 hikers, up the gorge trail, and back by the woodsy trail on the west side.

IMG_0400IMG_0411The views, on these trails, were among the most spectacular, of the trails we’ve been hiking.  For many, the highlight was the the 3 magnificent waterfalls.  We constantly heard the sound of clicking camera shutters, to capture this beauty and, a few of the best pictures taken by Char, are included in this report. (Just click on any image if you would like a larger, higher resolution version).

IMG_0407IMG_0396_WebThe hardwood trees had, by now, shed their summer leaves.  Looking on the ground, as we negotiated the steep trails, helped by steps, we could identify leaves of red oak, white oak, sugar maple and beech.  However, the tree, that populated well over 50% of this forest, was the coniferous eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis.  While these hemlocks looked beautiful and healthy, there is, unfortunately, a serious threat to them, looming east of here, as close as Schuyler County.  This is the invasive insect, the hemlock wooly adelgid, Adelges tsugae, which has already killed thousands of hemlock trees.  Their damage can be seen by walking into the east end of Watkins Glen State Park.  Unless ways can be found to stop their westward advance, the Stony Brook forest will look very different, in the not too distant future.

IMG_0395Many of the hikers liked the idea of a future hike in this park.  A good time to return might be in the midst of next summer, where we get relief from the heat in the swimming pool, that was created by damming up the brook, and enjoy the great picnic area, after hiking.  IMG_0399And maybe a railroad hike – “a ‘sploring Hike Plan for Stony Brook” in the early spring before the weeds are too high.

IMG_0396_WebFinally, a partial answer to the source of the stream Stony Brook (from Google Maps). Two creeks enter the south end of the park. The eastern stream is called Stony Brook and comes up from the south near the Girl Scout camp Pinewood.  A bit north of the camp, Mill Creek joins the brook from the east.

Stony Brook State Park, November 10, 2 PM

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Stony Brook This Sunday, we return to Stony Brook State Park, south of Dansville.  Being it’s a state park, we won’t be competing with hunters, who might mistake you for a deer, wearing a bright orange cap and jacket.  This park features a fairly steep trail up a beautiful gorge, with 3 waterfalls and surrounding forests.

I have received word that they are no longer collecting an admission charge.  Therefore, we can meet at the parking lot at the first (north) entrance.  From Springwater, take 390 to exit 4 and turn right, going south on 36.  Park entrance is on your left.


Their most scenic trail is the one that follows the gorge, passing the 3 waterfalls.  This trail can be treacherous when icy and is, therefore, closed in the winter.  Next Sunday, it may, or may not, be open.  If it’s open, we will take this trail to the top, and descend down the west rim trail, through the late autumn forest.  If it’s closed, we can ascend by the east rim trail.  Total is about 2 miles.  Those, who would like to hike longer can go halfway up the east rim trail, and back, adding another mile.  Those, who would prefer to not make the steep climb up the gorge, can carpool to the south entrance parking lot and hike down the gorge or west rim trail.

Click for Dansville, New York ForecastAfter the hike, those, who would like, can enjoy the fellowship and fine fare at the Sunrise Restaurant in Dansville.  Turn right, out of the park entrance, going north on 36.  Go straight across Main St, 1 more block, and turn left.  Go 1 & 1/2 blocks to the large parking lot in back of the Sunrise, on your left.

See you there.  Put in your order for a sunny and crisp November day.

Directions: Click here for detailed directions.  Take I390 to Dansville, NY, Exit 4. At the end of the exit, turn right on Rt 36S. The park is on the left, less than 2 miles south. Follow the park road to the parking lot.

For Google directions, click here.

On your GPS use 42.526417,-77.696533 as your destination.

Fading Footsteps and Falling Leaves

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The autumn leaves, drift by my window

Those autumn leaves, of red and gold

A lot of water evaporates from hardwood tree leaves.  During the summer, roots absorb water from the soil, which is transported to the leaves, where it combines with carbon dioxide to form sugars and other organic compounds (photosynthesis).  In winter, water can not be absorbed by roots, and flow up the trunk, when it’s frozen so, in order to prevent dehydration from water loss through leaves, the trees shed them for the winter, and grow new ones when the weather gets warmer.

Leaves have several pigments in them but, in the summer, the dominant one is the green chlorophyll, which is needed for the photosynthesis process that goes on in them.  When leaves start dying, in the fall, chlorophyll is the first pigment to decompose,  For a short time, the red anthocyanins and yellow carotines are present and, with the chlorophyll gone, these pigments can be seen, till they decompose and the leaf dies and breaks off.  Sumacs are rich in anthocyanins, and turn a deep red.  Sugar maples have both pigments and show a brilliant orange.  Besides giving us syrup in the spring, they bring lots of tourists to enjoy the “Turkish carpet” on the hills by the Finger Lakes.

Animals, too, need to prepare for the cold season.  If they aren’t endothermic, and make their own body heat, like birds and mammals, the rest of the animals, being ectothermic, need to spend the winter in some state of dormancy.  No protection from ticks or mosquitoes is needed in the weeks ahead.

So, join us on the Sunday afternoons ahead, and enjoy being a part of this annual transitional season.

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall