Happy Retirement Brad Harris

 Reported originally by the Smithtown Historical Society, Brad Harris long time town historian is retiring.  Brad is extremely knowledgeable and his absence will definitely be felt.  Best wishes and a happy well earned retirement, Brad! 

Greenburgh Nature Center

Todays entry found us visiting the Greenburgh Nature Center.  Located in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York.  This nature center features a few trails for hiking, a barn area for classic farm animals like goats, sheep and chickens and a nice indoor museum which also has a wide variety of animals.  The staff is very friendly and allowed the kids to pet the furrier animals in the indoor section and the all wood playground provided a nice way to allow the kids to burn off energy.  Plenty of parking located on site, an easy going trip for a very low price.  (You only pay for the indoor section, the grounds are free to roam.)

 

Little Merrit’s Tomb

 On August 1, 2022 myself and an old friend embarked on a road trip to see a county upstate neither of us had ever traveled too.  We picked a destination based off of local history.  Not far from the banks of the Chenango River.  Located in Oxford, New York (Chenango County) we found ourselves visiting the final resting place of Little Merrit Beardsley.  The cemetery is off a quiet road with a NYS historic marker showing it’s sight.  What makes this tomb unique was when Little Merrit passed away back in the 1800’s he apparently told his father he was afraid of the dark. His father doing what all good fathers would do, devised a way to install a window on his tomb.  So little Merrit would never be in the dark.  

The tomb has survived vandalism over the years and thanks to the work of a local high schooler, has been restored.  A unique piece of history in an old school New York County.  

Green Lakes State Park

 

After a bit if a hiatus thanks to COVID, I found myself traveling up to Onondaga County to visit Syracuse and Green Lakes State Park.  I had read much about Green Lakes and seen countless videos online, but seeing it in person is another level of splendor.  

First, located in the Village of Fayetteville, NY in Onondaga County is the State Park.  You arrive and if in season pay a parking fee.  Life guards were on duty and the swimming/beach area was open.  There was also a large playground for the kids and areas where you can BBQ.  

The real sight though is the trail which covers the 2 lakes.  Green lake and round lake.  Both lakes are glacial lakes whose mineral properties give them a unique green color.  They’re mimetic lakes, of which there are only 30 like them in the world.  A real treasure to have, right here in New York State.  

I hope 2021 is finding you well.  Restrictions are easing and the public is returning to normal.  Stay tuned as I attempt to cover more things NEW YORK!  

Wilklow Orchards

 

As you can see from the above photos, we found ourselves visiting Wilklow Orchards to pick apples yesterday.  Located in the Town of Lloyd, Hamlet of Highland in Ulster County New York the day is guaranteed fun for the whole family.  

Due to COVID-19, reservations are required and allow you to deduct the $5 fee from your entrance price.  Children under 5 are free.  Dogs are welcome and the orchard is very pet friendly.  Face masks are also a requirement for anyone entering.  

Parking is free and plentiful across the street at Highland high school.  The set up is very nice with many tables outside, live music, a bakery selling apple pie and cider donuts and even a cart which sells beer and hard cider.  The orchard itself is on a hill, and can be steep at some points but the trees are plentiful offering many different kinds of apples.  Paper maps were handed out when we paid showing where they’re located.  Arriving at the top of the orchard you have a very pretty view of the surrounding foliage as you look down on what you just walked up.  

I highly recommend it for Apple picking lovers and anyone looking to have some fall out door fun. 

Elmira, New York

 Elmira

Pictured above is the Mark Twain study, which is where the famous author Mark Twain wrote stories like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  

A road trip this week took me to a part of New York I had never visited.  I traveled to The City of Elmira (Chemung County) and visited the nearby Town and Village of Horseheads.  

I was pleasantly surprised at the size of Elmira, having only read about it online and in books.  The city boasts its Mark Twain heritage, and signs around the area are found nick naming it Mark Twain Country.  In fact, the author himself, whose real name was Samuel Clemens is buried in his family plot in Woodlawn Cemetery also located in Elmira.  

The city is made up of classic quaint houses that scream upstate New York.  Elmira College is located within the confines of the city and has a decent sized student population as well.  

On the corner of Roe and College Avenue was a great eatery known as Central Hots serving among other things the famous Garbage Plate.  Which while we know originated in Rochester, was still pretty enjoyable.  A very clean establishment with friendly service.  

I then ventured over to the nearby Town and village of Horseheads.  Named for the bleached horse skulls left behind after the revolutionary war that the native Americans then lined up calling the area the Valley of the Horseheads.  I was pleasantly surprised with how nice this town was, with very clean looking houses and a nice Main Street.  

Overall, I recommend Elmira and surrounding Chemung County for a visit.  It’s a scenic County with a lot of history behind it.  Definitely worth a visit for New York Fans.  

Shelter Island

A few days ago I had the opportunity to check out Shelter Island, New York (Suffolk County).  This place has been on my bucket list for a while but i never got around to it.  

We arrived with car to board the North Fork ferry which is out of Greenport.  The ferry is drive on and runs every 15-20 minutes.  It’s a quick ferry ride and you arrive on Shelter Island.  

Shelter Island feels very much like an older New England town.  Quaint houses and boutiques are found everywhere.  The island feels like it runs at a much slower pace and you can easily forget you’re still in Suffolk County.  Upon researching, I discovered the island has about 2,000 year long residents.  While I’ve never seen it, I imagine it must be beautiful in the snow.  

If you have kids, there’s plenty of things that you can do including many nature walks/ hikes and even an interactive farm that is fun to explore for the whole family.  Come check out and discover this hidden gem of a town and allow yourself to be transported away to Shelter Island.