Despite the discouraging weather forecast, four intrepid hikers made the journey to Big Flats for the Sunday Hike.  Their fortitude was rewarded. What awaited was a winter wonderland of ice coated trees and soft snow which truly enhanced the serenity.

The steward of the preserve, Bob Corneau, met us at the trailhead and hiked with us through the forest. The deep wet snow slowed our pace which allowed for many observations we might have missed on the fast track.  Bob provided much history and many personal stories, having spent countless hours in these acres.  He tuned us in to the pulse of the forest and its wildlife as we pondered about pine species, animal tracks, and “yellow snow”.  His extensive knowledge of the terrain, the trees, and the reptile population made the two and a half hours fly.

Our education continued during a hearty post-hike  feast at the local eatery, Tag’s Tavern.  The food, beer, and conversation provided a pleasant conclusion to our adventure.

If you have the opportunity to visit this unique preserve in any season, you will not be disappointed.  Read about it at fllt.org/preserves/steegehill-preserve  Springwater Trails will definitely be making a return visit.

The Springwater Bicentennial Committee kicked off the bicentennial year with a successful Founders’ Day celebration and welcomed many natives and non-natives to the area at the Springwater Fire Hall on Sunday in several events that began with a community church service and ended with cake and coffee after an extremely busy day. All agreed that the day was perfect; the weather was the one variable none of us could predict and Mother Nature cooperated fully.

The blue azure skies, balmy spring breezes sweeping down over the valley, and esprit de corps of all who participated lifted spirits, eradicated the pre-event butterflies we all felt this past week as last-minute details were tended to and brought smiles and many thumbs up from those who doubted we would ever see the day come to fruition.

Many thanks to all who helped make this day successful. The ministers who put their collective resources to work and provided an uplifting service for the more than 400 people who filled the fire hall to capacity with standing room only and even spilled out into the back yard of the fire department; the citizens who supported the efforts of the committee by pitching in cooking, serving, and cleaning up afterward; the elected officials who left prior commitments and drove long distances to attend the afternoon reception bringing their family members who seemed to enjoy the event as much as the residents. Young and old brought history and harmony to this milestone event that ended with many hiking through town with the Springwater Trails Hiking Group.

Even though every attempt is made to thank those who help make these events successful, the committee wants everyone to know that even the smallest effort is greatly appreciated and none of our events would be successful without your constant support and generosity.

A special request from the committee to all who attended Sunday’s events. If you took pictures during the events, would you please share them for the town’s historical record? They can be e-mailed to me at [email protected]. Please allow us to credit your pictures by adding your name.

Saturday evening, Dr. Valgene Dunham, spoke at the monthly meeting of the Springwater-Webster Crossing Historical Society in the Springwater American Legion. Dunham has written books on the New York Volunteer units that served in the Civil War; primarily the 187th, 188th, and 189th Regiments where many men from this area to Wellsville in Allegheny County volunteered. New York Regiments were citizen-soldiers –precursors to the National Guard – and served as reservists without much training before being dispatched to theaters of war. In fact, it is documented that only a third of the men had ever loaded or fired a musket before they served in battle and many learned how to perform these task during battle.

Eighteen people attended the program and many spoke to the author and purchased copies of his two books afterwards. Dunham’s ancestors hail from Allegheny County and although a retired molecular biologist by training, he became enamored to write about these military units after his family discovered a bundle of letters written by an ancestor from the battle front to his loved ones during the Civil War.

The next event for the SWCHS will be May 7th at the museum on S. Main Street. This annual event includes a pre-Mother’s Day flower and bake sale and all proceeds go to support the museum. The museum will also be open for tours that day with knowledgeable docents available to explain the displays.

May 3, the Bicentennial Committee will meet to discuss upcoming events and finalize plans for their participation in the two-day 17th Annual Springwater Gala scheduled for the weekend of June 4th. Guest speaker for that evening will be John Kenney who has donated a new kayak that will be raffled off on Saturday, June 4, at the Gala. Tickets are now available at the Springwater American Legion for the Kayak Raffle. They are $5 each.

After looking for months for commercial space in Springwater, two women with Springwater connections have opened a new store at 1923 Lake Road in Lima N.Y. KJ’s Thrift Shop owned by Kelly McDermott of Kellogg Road and Jennifer Crane, who also works at the Springwater Quik Stop, offers clothing, furniture, and household merchandise with discounts for veterans and anyone who donates goods. They also carry a variety of new goods crafted by local vendors, and a play space for little ones while adults shop. The shop is open seven days a week from 9-6:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday, and 9-8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. We wish them much success in this new endeavor.

William McGlynn, a geologist at the Hampton Corners Salt Mine, will offer a talk on the history of the underground expansion and development of the American Rock Salt Company on April 21, 2016 at 201 Newton Hall, on the Geneseo Campus at 7:00 p.m.

The Wayland Free Library will begin offering free blood pressure readings every third Wednesday of the month beginning this week on April 20th from 11-1:00 p.m. This is a joint effort of the Wayland Free Library and the U of R/Noyes Health.

Word was received this weekend of the passing of Springwater native, Norman Fox, Jr., who grew up on School Street and was the son of the late Norman (2010) and Marie (Hansen) Fox. The family relocated to the Cherryville, S.C. area when the senior Mr. Fox was transferred by his company several years ago. Norm Jr., was a long-time member of Springwater American Legion Post 905 and lived in Germany. He had been ill for quite some time. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.