The Tapestry

Findley Lake, New York

Hard copies of the Tapestry will be available to those who do not receive the Tapestry electronically at Community Connections at Findley Lake in their office in the Community Center. These will be available from 10am to 3pm Monday-Friday.

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MINA MEMORIES

Greg Madsen

Back when Ike and Dick were running the show, if you obeyed the speed limit—and everyone did—you could drive the entire main street of Mina, NY in thirty seconds.

Not unlike “Gunsmoke’s” Dodge City, you could find everything life required, but not much more. Future eras introduced roadside attractions.

A boat-bound Sheriff replaced Matt Dillon, a chiropractor stood for Doc Adams, Milly’s counter—never empty—was the only place to eat, and the town’s only gathering place.

You bought your Musky fishing license in the County Clerk’s living room. Cottagers who tried to pay a cheaper fee by claiming residency were met with a cold-eyed glare and a terse cross-examination: “Where do you vote?” 

Flimflammery was not abided in Chautauqua County! 

The Postmaster reigned over a space that five customers filled. If you wandered through the Mina Corners Cemetery, you’d discover that some postal patrons names matched tombstone inscriptions. Chock-full of Civil War veterans and casualties, bountiful victims of antique diseases, far too many children, the oldest marked grave honored John Bart’s passing in 1801, two years after George Washington died.

My favorite resident rested under a shattered stone typically used for Revolutionary War veterans. No date, no tributes, this was David Mad*en—unlikely, but maybe “Madsen”?

Gassing-up offered one incentive to pause in “the Village,” what most summer people called Mina. There were three opportunities. Bradley’s Garage had Fleet Wing at a two cent per gallon discount (nearly ten percent!) offered only if Katy recognized you. 

Pure Oil flowed at the McGoon brothers’ station across the street from Rex Proctor’s Chevrolet. Many smirked at their practice of rolling defunct classic cars into equally defunct chicken coops.  There’s no doubt in my mind that some of these rescues are now displayed at Concourse D’Elegance events.

Or, you could fill up at Wink and Milly’s and relish the world’s best short order grilled cheese sandwich. Kind, soft-spoken Milly, the first Native American I came to know. Wink: town entrepreneur, renowned storyteller, the savviest Musky fisherman in Chautauqua County.

Legally blind, Wink lived in world of light and shadow. He preferred trolling alone at night, navigating the lake flawlessly.

A double storefront housed Mr. Ten Hagen’s two businesses, a funeral home and a barbershop. My Father had a favorite wry observation: “Ten Hagen is the only barber I’ve known who has me lie down while he cuts my hair.”

There was a pond next to the one stall firehouse that was a secret source for minnows. My sister and I would throw in a trap, then wander over to the nearby grain mill on Shadyside Road to enjoy a frosty nickel Coke from the cooler.

Sitting on edge of the small porch, legs swinging, we’d bear silent witness to the town’s comings and goings. Guys in dusty coveralls always reminded us not to take the bottles.

If the minnows were slow to bite, we’d roam the town, always stopping for a solemn reading of the bronze plaque commemorating the Chautauqua-Erie Telephone Company. Moving on, we would press our noses to plate glass to ogle Proctor’s flock of brand new Chevies.

We knew which spider-webbed window to peek through to spot Ten Hagen’s disabled antique hearse. Close by, the family disputes within the Keith family’s bird colony, at least a hundred Martins, were always interesting—and perpetual! However, we gave wide berth to the cement bomb shelter Wink had built beneath his birds. (After all, we were the “Duck and Cover” generation.) 

Bait gathered, we would dedicate the rest of the day to floating among the lily pads, eyes fixated on red and white bobbers, hoping a big-mouthed bass was in the mood for a snack.

On a perfect day, the skating rink doors would be open and we could faintly hear Mary Roberts’ vigorous organ performance. “The Teddy Bear’s Picnic” always seemed to bring good luck.

PUBLIC HEARING ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Thursday, January 25 at 7:00 PM

TOWN OF MINA

DRAFT 2024 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TOWN OF MINA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

APPENDIX

HOLIDAY HOURS

• The Findley Lake Library will be closed Saturday, December 30th.

• Alexander's will be open New Year's Eve 11am- 12am; New Year's Day 11am-9pm.

• Pine Junction will be open normal hours New Year's Eve.

• Toast Wine & Spirits will be open Dec. 29 12-6; Dec. 30 10-6; 12-4PM New Year's Eve; closed New Year's Day.

• Our Own Candle Company will be open New Year's Eve 10:30am-3pm, and Closed New Year's Day.

• Twin Docks Will be closed New Year's Day.

• Secret Cubby New Year's Eve open 10am-3pm. Closed New Year's Day. Winter hours Thursday-Monday 10-5, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Please check other stores/restaurants websites or facebook pages for their information.

Click on the picture and it will take you to NEST website. It takes a few seconds to load!

NEST is "touchy" you may need to try more than once to get it to load. The "LIVE" word in the top left corner should be blue, and you click on the play arrow. It may say not available, you might have to try a few times. If you are still having issues go to the Watershed website and try loading it from there.

https://findleylakewf.org/

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Make sure to check Community Connections Facebook Page for scheduled events. Monday-Friday at 8:45 AM Zoom Yoga. In Person Yoga every Friday. Every Tuesday Mahjong at 1:00pm in the Community Tea Room.

Enjoy playing Scrabble? Thursdays at 10:30AM in the Tea Room.

Please RSVP 716-769-2473

Please visit Community Connections website!

https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

or on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/CommunityConnectionsatFindleyLake.org

December 28 Bistro 210 at Peek'n Peak - Music 9:30PM Rick Magee & The Roadhouse Rockers

December 29 Bistro 210 at Peek'n Peak - Music 9:30PM Two For Flinching and

December 30 9:30PM Pendleton Station

December 29 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

December 30 Live Music with Paul Hoefler Piano Comedy 9PM-12AM

December 31 New Year's Eve at Alexander's 5:00 PM - Masquerade Bash

December 31 New Year's Eve at Peek'n Peak

Activities for everyone starting at 5:00PM

DETAILS HERE

December 31 New Year's Eve at Compass Bar & Grille DJ/karaoke from 10PM-1AM

Drink specials and party favors provided.

2024

January 5 Community Connections Bingo at 1:00PM, Community Center Tea Room.

January 5 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Music Tyler McClain 9:30PM-12:30AM and

January 5 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

January 6 Live Music with Chris Higbee 9PM-12AM

January 6 Peek'n Peak Sports Bar in the Sugar Shack Music Dual Identity 6-10PM; Bistro 210 Music DJ Felix 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 11 at 7PM Town of Mina Organizational & Regular Board Meeting

January 12 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 DJ Felix 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 12 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

January 13 Live Music with Garrett Owens 9PM-12AM

January 13 & 14th Peek'n Peak Weekend Freestyle Camp

DETAILS ON FACEBOOK HERE

DETAILS ON PEEK WEBSITE HERE

January 13 Peek'n Peak Sports Bar, Sugar Shack Music with Tyler McClain 6-10PM

and Bistro 210 Music with Tiny Music 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 14 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Music with Brown Dog Acoustics 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 15 Community Connections Food for Thoughts 2024 11:30am-1:00pm

You give us your thoughts we give you "food" Reservations required 716-769-2473

January 18 Community Connections Discussion - Service Dogs with Scott Benza

1:00PM in the Tea Room to talk about Cloe and how she served him.

RSVP 716-769-2473

January 18 FLAIR - Findley Lake Artists In Residence Meeting at 5:30PM

In the Community Center. Newly formed Art Council. Please join us.

January 19 Community Connection Bingo at 1:00PM in the Tea Room

January 19 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Music DJ Teets Magee 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 19 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

January 20 Live Music with Derek Davis 9PM-12AM

January 20 Peek'n Peak Sports Bar, Sugar Shack Live Music Jesse Smith 6-10PM and Bistro 210 DJ Felix 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 20 & 21 Peek'n Peak Alpine Ski Race Camp

DETAILS ON FACEBOOK HERE

DETAILS ON PEEK WEBSITE HERE

January 20 Winterfest and Annual Tree Burning

Hosts Findley Lake Garden and Landscaping & Alexander's On the Lake

January 21 The Camp at Findley Family Fun Day! Free family fun event including sled riding & hot cocoa bar, also Teen Mission Camp and Youth Camp reunion. No snow, no problem, hello paint ball!

January 25 Community Connections "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" at 1:00PM

Join JoAnn and Andy Travis to discuss their bicycling tour of Holland

January 25 Town of Mina Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan at 7:00PM

January 26 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

January 27 Music with SHADYSIDE 8PM-11PM

January 26 Peek'n Peak Bistro 210 Music with Jesse Smith 9:30PM-12:30AM

January 27 Peek'n Peak Sports Bar, Sugar Shack Music Doug Phillips Duo 6-10PM and Bistro 210 Tyler McClain 9:30PM-12:30AM

February 2 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

February 3 Live Music with Garrett Owens 9PM-12AM

February 3 Peek'n Peak Chili Cookoff

MORE INFO HERE

February 9-10 The Camp at Findley Marriage Matters

https://www.thecampatfindley.com/

February 9 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

February 10 Live Music with Acoustic Jukebox 9PM-12AM

February 16 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

February 17 Live Music with Derek Davis 9PM-12AM

February 23 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

February 24 Live Music Juvenile Characteristics 9PM-12AM

March 1 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

March 2 Live Music with Paul Hoefler Piano Comedy 9PM-12AM

March 8 Compass Bar & Grille DJ & Karaoke 9PM-12AM and

March 9 Live Music with Derek Davis 9PM-12AM

March 17 Compass Bar & Grille

End of Season St. Patrick's Day Bash with Chris Higbee 2PM

March 31 - The Camp at Findley Easter Sunrise Service 7AM All welcome!

March 31 Peek'n Peak Easter Prime Rib Brunch 10AM-3PM

MORE INFO HERE

April 8 Total Solar Eclipse! Findley Lake will be in the path of totality for a total solar eclipse. For nearly four minutes, the afternoon sky will go dark.

Parital starts at 2:02:25PM Ends 4:30:51

Full starts at 3:16:22PM Ends 3:20:05 Maximum coverage will be at 3:18:14PM.

100% Obscuration. Findley Lake will be in100% totality for 3 minutes 43 seconds.

Make sure to have eye protection! What an awesome opportunity to be in Findley Lake.

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2024-april-8

April 27 The Camp at Findley Clean-up Day 9AM-4PM

April 27 Peek'n Peak - The Coffee & Chocolate Festival

Facebook Event Here

May 10-11 The Camp at Findley Mother/Daughter Retreat

https://www.thecampatfindley.com/

May 12 Peek'n Peak Mother's Day Prime Rib Brunch 10AM-3PM

MORE INFO HERE

May 25 The Camp at Findley Open House

May 26 Pine Junction Drafts & Crafts Festival

Craft Show 11AM-5PM; Small Town Revolution 2PM-5PM

MORE INFO HERE

June 28, 29, 30 Findley Lake Around the Lake Yard Sale 9AM - 3PM

June 28 & 29 The Camp at Findley will be participating in the Yard Sale 9AM-3PM

Yard Sale Fundraiser. Rain or shine, we are inside. We have been blessed by many donations, so we can bless those who attend The Camp at Findley.

June 30 - July 3 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Mini Camp Grades 1-6, overnight or day camp options

July 4 - July 4th Celebration Day of Events

Duck Race, Boat Parade, Flare Lighting, Fireworks

July 6 Findley Lake Nature Trails Network 19th Annual Race Around the Lake

July 7-12 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Camp Session Grades 1-8 day camp, 9am-5pm.

July 14-19 The Camp at Findley Teen Mission Camp Grades 7-12, overnight camp.

July 21-27 The Camp at Findley Family Bible Camp

July 28 - Findley Lake Triathlon

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/FindleyLake/FindleyLakeTriathlonFestival

July 28 - August 2 The Camp at Findley Youth Summer Camp Grades 1-8, day camp 9am-5PM

July 31 - 4th Annual Don't Tell Shirlee Concert in the Pines at Pine Junction

Pine Junction Events

August 9-11 Findley Lake's Bicentennial Celebration more information to come

August 17 The Camp at Findley - Awake Music Fest

August 30, 31 September 1 Findley Lake Harvest Festival

Links to the Town of Mina

Upcoming Meetings, Agendas, Minutes

Laws, Forms, and Resolutions

can all be found on the Town of Mina Web Page.

Town of Mina Home Page

http://www.townofmina.info/

Minutes, Board and Zoning Board Meeting Packets & Agendas (not necessarily in order by date due to edits check date of report)

http://www.townofmina.info/minutes--agendas.html

Town of Mina Publications

http://www.townofmina.info/publications.html

Forms, Budgets and Laws

http://www.townofmina.info/forms-budgets-laws.html

Town of Mina Adopted Budget 2024

Office of State Comptroller Application Findley Lake Sewer District

Legal Notices and Resolutions.

This is where notices are recorded for meetings, resolutions.

http://www.townofmina.info/legal-notices--resolutions.html

Findley Lake Community Foundation Information https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/donors/give-today/give-to-a-nonprofit/findley-lake-community-foundation

Visit Findley Lake Community Website https://www.visitfindleylake.com/home

Community Connections Website https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Company Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/FindleyLakeVolunteerFireDepartment/

Findley Lake Watershed Foundation Website https://www.findleylakewf.org/

Alexander Findley Community Library Website https://www.findleylibrary.org/

Findley Lake and Mina Historical Society http://findleylakehistory.weebly.com/

New Facebook Page: Link to New Facebook Page

NY Department of Environmental Conservation https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/26958.html

Findley Lake Nature Trail Network Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FindleyLakeNatureCenter/

Events throughout Chautauqua County https://www.tourchautauqua.com/

Clymer Central School District https://www.clymercsd.org/

Sherman Central School District https://www.shermancsd.org/

Please check Visit Findley Lake Community Website https://www.visitfindleylake.com/home

or on Visit Findley Lake Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/visitfindleylake

Please contact The Tapestry at

TapestryFindleyLake@gmail.com

or write Town of Mina

Attn: The Tapestry

PO Box 38

Findley Lake, NY 14736

Links for earlier editions of The Tapestry can be found on www.visitfindleylake.com

(not all of the back issue links are available at this time they will be available shortly. If you are looking for a specific Tapestry please email tapestryfindleylake@gmail.com and a link can be sent to you directly. Thank you.)

The Tapestry is brought to you by

and the Town of Mina