Pancakes, Bluebirds and Monkeys

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Join us to celebrate NY Maple Syrup with a Pancake lunch at Stoney Ridge Farms in Farmington, NY, followed by a hike through Victor parks to burn off any excess calories.
Pancake lovers will meet inside the Pancake tent at 12:00.  Pancakes are $12 and are all you can eat.  Included is syrup and butter for the pancakes, plus bacon or sausage and juice and coffee.  While you are there, take a tour of the Sugar House to learn more about the process of making syrup and meet the owners Melinda and Chris Rodas. Pancakes are available until 2:00.
Plan to finish your tour of the farm by 1:30 for a 15-minute drive to the MaryFrances Bluebird Haven.
All hikers will meet at the trail parking lot for MaryFrances for a 2:00 hike start.  See directions below. There is overflow parking south of MaryFrances off of Springdale Ct.  Note, please dress accordingly for the conditions, as the trails will likely be wet and muddy at times.
The Climbers will head south about 500ft along Victor Egypt Rd to the entrance to Monkey Run trails. These trails follow the White Brook creek and go up and down the small hills around the creek. Climbers will start on the White trail that passes behind several homes on Springdale Ct. We will turn left onto the Red Trail and follow it to a cleared route for a pipeline. Crossing the pipeline takes us to the yellow trail. From there we will loop back to the red trail (left turn on Red) and the to a left turn on the white trail. We will continue past a Blue intersection to the right and a Blue intersection to the left (which goes out to Valentown Rd). At the next blue trail, we will go right for a short side trail up to a picnic table, and then back to the white trail. From there, stay on the white trail heading east back to the entrance. From there, walk back up the Victor Egypt Rd (each hike should watch for traffic when crossing) to a trail heading south from the MaryFrances parking area. Stay on this perimeter trail around the park. The trail is close to the park boundary, so you will see posted signs. As usual, stay on the trail and quietly say thank-you to landowners when the trail wonders onto the adjacent land.
The Naturalists will follow the Perimeter Trail* (Blue) around the MaryFrances Bluebird Haven. If time permits, they will walk from the parking area down to the lodge and pond.
*Note the trail will likely be wet and muddy for about half of the outer perimeter of the trail. Please dress accordingly.
Our social this week will be at Stoney Ridge farm BEFORE our hike.
Directions to the Hike:
From Stoney Ridge: Head west on Rushmore Rd for 1.7 miles. At the T, turn right on Sheldon Rd (for 0.7mi) and then the first left on Holtz Rd. In 0.6mi the name changes to Martz Rd for 0.6mi. At the next T, turn left on Hook Rd (for 0.4mi) and take the first right onto Yahn Rd. At the next intersection (0.9mi) turn right onto Weigert Rd, then left (in 0.6mi) on Brownsville Rd.  The road turns right and becomes Cline Rd, but you will quickly turn left onto Gillis Rd. At the stop sign, turn right on Victor Egypt Rd. In 1.1 miles, just before Valentown Rd on the left, turn right into the MaryFrances entrance. The parking lot is immediately on the right.
From Springwater and Honeoye: travel NY Rt 15A northbound (to just s of hamlet of Hemlock) ; turn right/eastbound onto NY Rt 20A (eventually passing through the hamlet of Honeoye, and continuing on NY Rt 20A northeasterly to just south of the hamlet of Bristol) ; turn left/northbound onto Co Rd 2 aka Oakmount Rd, pass through the hamlet of Bristol and continue straight on what will eventually become Oakmount Ave, crossing NY Rt 20 <USE FOREMOST CAUTION at this crossing!> to jct with Main St in Village of Bloomfield ; turn right/eastbound on Main St ; turn left/northbound onto NY Rt 444 (aka Elm St which becomes Victor Holcomb Rd which becomes Maple Ave) to jct with NY RT 96 aka East Main St in the Village of Victor ; turn right/eastbound onto NY Rt 96 aka East Main St ; turn left/northbound onto Church St ; Church St becomes Victor-Egypt Rd aka Co Rd 9 ; travel to 235 Victor-Egypt Rd where Mary Frances Bluebird Haven driveway is located ; turn right onto the entrance driveway. The parking lot is immediately on the right.
From Canandagua: Head north on NY 332. Turn left on NY 96. In 2.3 miles at the traffic circle, turn right onto Lynaugh Rd. In 1 mi, turn right onto Victor Egypt Rd. In 2.3mi, turn right onto the MaryFrances driveway. The parking lot is immediately on the right.
From Naples: Head north on NY 21. At the junction with NY 64, continue straight onto NY-64. Continue for 13 miles. At the light, turn left onto US-20. In 1.2 miles, turn right on NY-444 into Victor. In 6.8 miles, turn right onto NY Rt 96  and then turn leftonto Church St ;  travel to 235 Victor-Egypt Rd where Mary Frances Bluebird Haven driveway is located ; turn right onto the entrance driveway. The parking lot is immediately on the right.
To Stoney Ridge before the hike: (43.0088, -77.2764):
Stoney Ridge Farms is located at 625 County Road 28 in the Town of Farmington (PO Palmyra) New York.
From Canandaigua: Head north on Route 332. Turn right on County Road 28. Go 7.6 miles. Stoney Ridge Farms is 1 mile past the thruway overpass on the right. Turn right on Rushmore Road and park.
From Springwater and Honeoye: Follow US 20A E for 7 miles.  Turn left on NY 64 for 3.7miles.  At the light, turn right on US 20. After 2.9 miles, bear left onto Buffalo St Extension.  In 2.6 miles, turn left on Rt 332 (N Main St).  In a half mile, turn right on North St (CR 28) for 7.6 miles.  Turn right on Rushmore Rd and immediately into the Sugar House parking area.
From the East
From Thruway Exit in Manchester, take Route 21S in Manchester to Rt. 96N. Go 3 miles, turn right on County Road 28, go 2 miles to Stoney Ridge Farms, turn right onto Rushmore Road and park.
From the West
From 490E, take last exit to Rt. 96S in Victor. Follow Rt. 96S, 8 miles to County Road 28, turn left. Go 2 miles to Stoney Ridge Farms on right. Turn right on Rushmore Road and park.
From the North
From Fairport and Palmyra take Rt. 31. Turn on to County Road 28 (Macedon Rd.) Follow to Rushmore Road, turn left and park.

And The Children Shall Lead Us

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Africa Bridge announces the publication of And The Children Shall Lead Us by Barry Childs – a heartfelt and fascinating account of 23 years of Africa Bridge, the sustainable, cooperative agricultural model transforming rural villages.  

This book is published to share the success of the Africa Bridge model – based on both field experience and academic research – and to raise awareness of its powerful potential to lift the most vulnerable children out of poverty.  

And The Children Shall Lead Us tells the engrossing story of how the project works, how it came about and was implemented, and what has been learned during its 23 years of operation.  This work is not simply “charity”; it’s a proven community-led model that could redefine ethical development in Africa. The book is destined to become recommended reading for the social sciences.  

Barry Childs is the founder of Africa Bridge. He spent his childhood in Tanzania and returned later in life to commit himself to helping his homeland.  Passionate about the project, Barry has stories to tell.  Contact Africa Bridge at [email protected] if you would like to learn more about the book and to schedule a speaking event.

What they say about Africa Bridge:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, writing in 2005

‘I was moved when Barry Childs spoke to me some years ago of his dream to help children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and their families in Tanzania.  By helping the most disadvantaged, Africa Bridge performs much needed divine work, letting the poorest of the poor know they are loved.  There is no higher calling.’

Dr Heath Prince, PhD Director, Ray Marshall Center, University of Texas at Austin and Senior Development Economist at La Isla Network

‘Africa Bridge does what precious few other programs have managed to do – it lifts children out of poverty, allowing them to tap into their full potential, and setting them on a course to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty that have robbed them and their communities of the opportunity to live lives of their own choosing, rather than those determined by privation.  Founded on love, ingenuity, and dedication, Africa Bridge’s impressive success gives the lie to the lazy assertions that the problem of poverty is unsolvable.’

Paperback and eBooks are Available for preorder on Amazon, with eBooks also on Kobo. To order from bookshops, (ISBN 9781739379377). Expect a delivery date of April 8, 2024.  Price for the eBook is $8.99, and the paperback is $18.

PS. Springwater Trails supporters can give a small extra boast to Barry’s project by using the preorder option on Amazon or at your book store. This helps to make April 8 an extra successful sales day.

Updated Hike switched to Canadice Lake

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Since our thaw has generally eliminated our snow, Rick checked out the conditions at Harriet Hollister Spencer Park today and found the “groomed” trails were now simply ice.  For safety reasons, he has switched our hike to Canadice Lake.

All hikers will meet at the North end of Canadice Lake at the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions. Plan to arrive early in case you need to park on Purcell Hill Rd and walk into the parking lot.

Hikers who wish to do a through hike along the lake side trail to the South end should meet at the South entrance by 1:40 to leave cars.  You then can carpool to the North end, leaving at 1:45.

All hikers will head south from the parking lot at 2:00 and will continue for one hour. If cars are available at the south end, hikers may continue south.  Otherwise, turn around and return to the cars at the north end.  NOTE: Do not continue south after 3:10 unless you have confirmed a ride back to your car with a specific driver; a complete loop around the lake will end in the dark.

The Social

Following the hike, please join us at the Tee&Gee restaurant at  6028 Big Tree Rd, Livonia. This is a switch from the Birdhouse because that restaurant it closed for a week.

Fishers Park Hike

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Join us on Sunday February 18th for a hike around Fisher Park . Located in the hamlet of Fishers, this 93 acre park is a diversity of passive and active recreation opportunities. Visitors can see a multitude of wildlife from deer, squirrels, and other woodland creatures to waterfowl and trout that spawn in the spring. Trails meander through the park across wooded ridges, through wetland areas, and along the banks of Irondequoit Creek.

Everyone will meet at the parking area at 7938 Main St, Fishers(Victor),  at 1:45 for a 2PM start.

 

The Hike:

Naturalists will explore mostly the outer perimeter on the White and Red trails. Included will be nice wide trails, a vista at a high point with a beautiful view looking out over the western side of the park, a stroll along Irondequoit Creek, and trail maps every so often showing your present location. Hikers will then loop back to the parking lot.

The hike length is about 1.5miles with an option to add (we will vote on it) some small inner trails to extend hiking time.

Climbers/Tourists will also head out on the White trail but will cover more of the Yellow trails with rolling hills, ending on the Red trail along Irondequoit Creek and then loop back to the parking lot.

Hike length is about 3 miles.

 

The Social:

The social afterwards is at the Cottage Hotel in Mendon, at the 4 corners in Mendon at 1390 Pittsford Mendon Road.

 

Directions:

Directions from Springwater and Honeoye:  take County Road 37 north from Route 20A about 7 miles north to Route 5 and 20 in West Bloomfield.   Route 65 begins there.  About a half mile north Route 65 makes a sharp left turn.  Do not go left, go staight onto County Road 35, otherwise known as West Bloomfield Road.  Go about 6 miles up to Route 251 and turn right.  You will come to the traffic light at the 4 corners of Mendon.  Go straight ahead  to Mile Square Road.  There is no road sign at Mile Square Road so look for some bright lime green home made signs on either side of the road in about 1/2mile.  Turn left onto Mile Square Road.  Main Street Fishers will be the third road on your right.  After you pass Old Dutch Road on the right look for a green house at 7937 Main Street.  The sign for the entrance to the Park is right after that house on the right.

Directions from Canandaigua and Farmington:  Take Route 332 north to Route 96. Go north on Route 96 through the village of Victor  all the way to a large intersection with a Valvoline, a Burger King, a car wash and a Chili’s Restaurant at the corners.  Rowley Street goes to the right but turn left onto County Road 42.  Go through the little hamlet of Fishers past the old Firehouse on the left and past Wangum Road on the left where the first entrance for Fishers Park is.  You want the second entrance to the park farther down the road on the left.

Directions from Rochester:  Take Route 495 East all the way to the Victor exit.  It will take you right onto  Route 96 South.  At the first large intersection with Chili’s Restaurant on the right hand corner, turn right.  Drive through the little hamlet of Fishers and after the old fire house on the left you will see a sign for the first entrance to Fishers Park on Wangum Road.  Do not turn there.  Go a little farther until you see the second entrance to the park on your left.

Directions to the Cottage Hotel:

Turn left (west) out of the parking lot of Fishers Park and go all the way to the end of Main Street. Turn left onto Mile Square Road.   Turn right onto Route 251.   Drive to the 4 corners of Mendon to the light.   The Cottage Hotel is on the right.