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.

Aerial View of Newell Farm September 1982

Ed-Em Farm…Just Over the Hill

by Emily Doumaux Newell

Driving over the hill toward Sherman is a large dairy farm. Its history reads like this: 

During the early 1900's, the land with house and barn (and outhouse!) was farmed by Hiram and Ethel Bauer. As the folks grew older, their son Bob took over the reins during the 1940's and worked the farms' 200 acres and 50 cows. Small by today's standards, the farm was perfect for Bob, who made some major changes, adding silos and the size of the barn. But when Bob suddenly died, an uncle purchased the farm, eventually putting it up for sale. It had good, well-drained gravel soil which was essential for growing crops. And in late 1962, Ed-Em Farm began. 

Edward and Emily Newell met at Cornell University - he an Agriculture student and she at the Home Economics school. Em was from Long Island, NY and Ed, grew up on a family farm in Sherman. They married in March of 1963 and moved Ed's 21 cows and calves that he had raised to their new farm in Findley Lake. A big challenge! They had limited resources until they could buy some of the necessary equipment previously borrowed from Ed's dad. Hard work indeed! They hired a young high school student boy to help - he stayed at their home. 

Slowly, with a 10-year plan, the herd grew and grew. Fast forward to 1971, the couple decided to build a new and more modern facility called a drive through free-stall barn to accommodate their now 100 cow herd. It was quite an innovative barn which included a milking parlor and a huge bunk silo (horizontal, instead of vertical). Many other farmers doubted the huge investment and potential successfulness. But they were proved wrong! 

Dairy farming was a 24/7, 365 day a year job. Some obstacles included weather like living in the snow belt, droughts, insect infestation, and rodents... to name a few. It's impossible to conquer Mother Nature...but coping and adapting helped. 

But there were also rewarding circumstances. For instance, each year we welcomed the local third grade students for an annual guided tour of the farm during June Dairy Month. They got free ice cream, too and loved it! 

Another annual summer undertaking was growing sweet corn. Picked early every morning, with the dew still clinging to the stalks, ears (and us!) an entire crew, including our son and daughter (Randy and Lisa) picked bushels of corn to sell at our roadside farm stand and occasional deliveries to Paradise Bay Campground. The cost was $1 for a baker's dozen! It became a very popular enterprise and the profits became part of the kids' college funds and first car purchases. Again, hard work paid off!

When we decided to retire, after 34 years of farming, we received helpful guidance from a Cornell program called NY FarmLink which matched young farmers wanting to purchase a dairy farm with retiring farmers. The young Beckerink couple would work the farm with help and guidance from us and after several years the transfer was complete. We could retire knowing our farm was in very capable hands. Emotional, of course, but also rewarding that the program was so successful. Thus, is the story of that dairy farm just over the hill. The challenges, the hard work, the adventure and the commitment were all so rewarding.

Especially in this Bicentennial year, the Findley Lake & Mina Historical Society is gathering stories and special memories about the families who currently live or who have lived in the Town of Mina. To share your “Sentimental Journey”, contact Rebecca Brumagin at brumagin@fairpoint.net or 716-969-7757. Your history is our history.

Newell Family – from left to right: Randy, Lisa, Emily & Ed.



DEC Reminds New Yorkers

Annual Residential Brush Burning Prohibition

Starts March 16 through May 14

Earlier Than Usual Spring Conditions Leading to More Fires

FINDLEY LAKE

WATERSHED FOUNDATION

Education is key when you have a lake like ours. The FLWF provides education on boating safety, education on buffer gardens and how to reduce the amount of your land waste making it into the lake and education on what phosphorus does to the lake. We all love Findley Lake and it’s important to keep it safe and healthy. Education is one way to help do that, so we plan to do a lot more of it. 

Get to know us a little better here:  : MORE INFO HERE

The gate is back in the dam and the lake level is beginning to increase.

Change of Name: Was the Spring Fest, but after this season we renamed it

WORST WINTER EVER PARTY MARCH 16th DETAILS HERE

Peek'n Peak update:

UPDATE THE PEEK HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE SLOPES FOR THE 2023/2024 SKI SEASON.

Alexander's OTL March Celebrity Chef — The Benzas

March 26th, starting at 5:00 pm, we will be featuring homemade Chicken & Pork Spiedies prepared by Penny & Scooter Benza. Served on Italian bread with a side of baked beans.

Call ahead for reservations at 716.233.4000! We hope to see you all then!

Please check VRBO and AirBNB for local rentals in Findley Lake!

Check our local Campgrounds also!

Ever wonder what summer camp has to offer?

Join us for our FREE Camp Open House and

get a taste of all the fun!

We will have a fishing competition, kayaks and paddleboats, crafts, guided hikes, hayrides, S'More station, scavenger hunt, and free lunches for all!

Spread the word and bring a friend! Nobody should miss out on the chance of making life long memories at camp!

In person registration for all summer camps will be available as well.

MORE INFO CLICK HERE

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.

Please visit Community Connections website!

https://www.connectionsatfindleylake.org/

or on Facebook here:

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

March 16 WURST Winter Ever St. Patrick's Day Party (Spring Fest is canceled)

Music Lodge Deck 12-4PM with DJ Mark; St. Patrick's Day Party at Bistro 210 with Live Music by Hyde & Seek 9:30PM-12:30AM, Cardboard Box Derby at 11AM Main Ski Lodge, and more

REGISTER AND MORE INFO HERE

CARDBOARD DERBY INFO HERE

March 16 Alexander's St. Patty's Day Live Music with Ange & Shani Acoustics 7-9PM Food specials all weekend.

March 17 Compass Bar & Grille

St. Patrick's Day Bash starts at 10AM. Live Music with Chris Higbee 2PM $15 cover. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090155855096

March 20 Community Connections Zoomers Social Hour 3-5PM at Alexanders OTL. Join friends for social time. Food and beverage available RSVP 716-769-2473.

March 21 Findley Lake Library Book Club 6-7PM

Join us for a discussion of March's book, A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley

March 22 Community Connections BINGO at 1:00PM Reservations are required please call Christy at 716-769-2473 to reserve your spot.

March 23 Findley Lake Library Agricultural Literature Storytime.

Reading Love Strawberries by Shannon Anderson

March 26 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef Night at 5PM with The Benzas

March 28 Community Connections in partnership with Findley Lake Artists In Residence (FLAIR) Meet Judy Zurinski as she demonstrates painting Pysanky Eggs at 1:00PM

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 4 Community Connections at 1:00 PM Meet Chemical Engineer, Michael Lambert, as he will be discussing the upcoming total solar eclipse. Lin Baylis will discuss photography safety during the solar eclipse.

RSVP for a seat 716-769-2473

April 4 Alexander's OTL Taco & Trivia Night @ 6PM. 5 free rounds of trivia. 1-4 per team.

April 6 Findley Lake Library Solar Eclipse Storytime at 11AM.

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 8 Pine Junction Come over to The Dark Side of the Pines and watch the Solar Eclipse with us. We will be open 11AM-10PM. Full Menu with Solar Exlipse Specials, and a Party in the Pines. New beer featured from Bent Run, Music from Adam McKillip from 2-5PM and more! FREE Parking in our snowmobile Lot for overflow crowd!

PINE JUNCTION EVENTS HERE

April 8 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Bushan & The Magic Beans 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase.

April 8 Peek'n Peak will be open to the Public for Eclipse viewing. Main Lodge Deck starting at Noon. Fire pits, Music, and drinks from the J Bar. Six View Stations around the Resort. After the eclipse Blue Moon After Party in Bistro 210.

Peek' N Peak Eclipse Party Info Here

April 12-14 & 19-21 Peek'n Peak Pump Boys & Dinettes Dinner Theater.

MORE INFO HERE

April 13 Town of Mina Public Meeting at 9AM with Barton & Loguidice Engineers, and Princeton Hydro riveiew final reports on DEC grants. Followed by meeting to discuss grant opportunities.

April 20 Findley Lake Nature Trails Network Earth Day Clean-up around town.

Meet at Gazebo at 9:00AM

April 27 Town of Mina Special Town Meeting and Open House at the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Company to mark the 200 years from the first town board meeting.

Kick off the Bicentennial Celebration at 1PM.

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

https://www.thecampatfindley.com/spring-camp-clean-up

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

Facebook Event Here

May 4 Findley Lake Library Spring Craft Show 10AM-4PM in the Findley Lake Fire Hall. See flyer above.

May 4 Findley Lake Garden & Landscape Greenhouse opens for season.

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

https://www.thecampatfindley.com/

May 11 Findley Lake Mother's Day Saturday Wine Walk 1-5PM

Wine Sampling, Vendors, Live Music with Dan Barney. Raffles.

FACEBOOK INFO WINE WALK LINK TO PURCHASE WINE WALK TICKETS HERE

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

MORE INFO HERE

May 25 The Camp at Findley Open House 10AM-2PM

May 26 Pine Junction Drafts & Crafts Festival

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

MORE INFO HERE

May 26 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Bushan & The Magic Beans 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase.

May 28 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Ethan Foulk 7-9PM

June 4 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tommy Link 7-9PM

June 8 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rick & The Roadside Rockers 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase.

June 11 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Sarah Haggerty 7-9PM

June 15 Findley Lake Beer Crawl 1-5PM Registration at noon at the Gazebo on Main Street. Join us for the ultimate beer lover's experience! Enjoy beer, listen to great music while enjoying the beauty of Findley Lake! Ticket will be $25 if purchased before the event at link below or in Twin Docks or Our Own Candle Company. Tickets will be $30 the day of the event. Live music, 8 breweries. Ticket includes sampling and a commemorative mug. Music in town with Rankin & Schell 1-3PM; Derek Davis 3-5PM.

BUY TICKETS HERE FACEBOOK EVENT HERE

June 18 Alexaner's OTL Live Music with Matt Boland 7-9PM

June 22 Alexander's OTL Pig Roast at 2PM with live music 3-5PM.

June 25 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Brooke Surgener 7-9PM

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 29 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with SHADYSIDE 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase.

June 29 & 30 Free Fishing Days NY State.

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

July and August Findley Lake Library Summer Reading Program. More info to come.

July 2 Alexander's OTL Live Music with OsbornNash 7-9PM

July 4 - July 4th Celebration Day of Events

Duck Race, Boat Parade, Flare Lighting, Fireworks

Live Music at Alexander's OTL 1-4PM

July 5 Bison Trace Luxury Campground Live Music with Northern Accents 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase.

July 6 19th Annual Race Around the Lake Findley Lake Nature Trails Network Details on their Facebook Page coming soon.

July 6 Bison Trace Luxury Campground Live Music with Miranda Wilcox 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase.

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

July 9 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Mike and Marie 7-9PM

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

July 16 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Jesse James Weston 7-9PM

July 20 Alexander's OTL Hawaiian Night. More info to come.

July 21-27 The Camp at Findley Family Bible Camp

July 23 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Honeybabe 7-9PM

July 27 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rankin & Schell 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase.

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 30 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Sarah Haggerty 7-9PM

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

Opening Acts: Garrett Owens and Chris Higbee

EVENT INFO HERE BUY TICKETS HERE

August 6 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tommy Link 7-9PM

August 9-11 Findley Lake's Bicentennial Celebration See banner above. More info coming.

August 10 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Blues Beaters 6-9PM. Open to the public. Food available for purchase.

August 13 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Matthew Texter 7-9PM

August 17 Alexander's OTL Backyard BBQ with live music Osborn Nash 5-8PM

August 17 The Camp at Findley - Awake Music Fest

August 20 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Acoustics by Fudge 7-9PM

August 27 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Tyler McClain 7-9

August 30, 31 September 1 Findley Lake Harvest Festival

Findley Lake Library Annual Book Sale During Harvest Fest

September 3 Alexander's OTL Live Music with Ion Sky 7-9PM

September 7 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Rankin & Schell 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food available for purchase.

September 28 Free Fishing Day in NY State.

September 28 Bison Trace Luxury Camping Live Music with Duke Sherman 6-9PM. Open to the Public. Food Available for purchase.

October 1 Alexander's OTL Halloween Trivia Night

October 12-13 & 19-20 Peek'n Peak Fall Fest 2024

November 2 Findley Lake Library Fall Craft Show 10AM-4PM in the Findley Lake Fire Hall.

November 2 Peek'n Peak Wurst Party Ever

November Peekn' Peak Medieval Fest TBA

November 5 Alexander's OTL Thanksgiving Trivia Night

November 10 Findley Lake Nature Trails Network Veterans Day Dinner at the Community Center 1:00-3:00PM. RSVP 814-899-8228

November 11 Veterans Day Free Fishing Day in NY State

November 12 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef TBA

November 23 & 24 Secret Cubby's 11th Annual Vintage Christmas

November 30 Alexander's OTL 2nd Annual Turkey Trot

December 3 Alexander's OTL Christmas Trivia Night

December 7 & 8 Findley Lake Christmas Through the Village

December 10 Alexander's OTL Celebrity Chef TBA

January 19, 2025 Findley Lake Annual Tree Burn at dusk.

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

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

Findley Lake Forward Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556008632813

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

Jack'n Sherri's Twin Docks Dam Cam - Live camera link

Link to Dam Cam

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/

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/

Peek'n Peak Conditions Report

REPORT HERE

NYSSA PUBLIC TRAIL MAP HERE

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

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND MEMORIES, STORIES, PHOTOS, COMMUNITY INTEREST ITEMS, EVENTS TO tapestryfindleylake@gmail.com

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