After reading the wonderful, well-researched article by Charles Alsheimer (Fall 2011), I’m reminded of the roaring laughter that my family would have on our small farm during the fall outside Bolivar, New York.
Our table by the kitchen window had a view that looked out to our apple orchard. It was not unusual during the fall to see up to a dozen deer eating away at the apple droppings, and even some on the lower branches.
Due to the fermentation of the droppings, these deer would actually become inebriated. They would stagger, fall on their knees and even sit down. This hilarious show would go on for an hour and our laughter could surely be heard for a great distance.
I hope that Charles can photograph this fun show as it is still happening somewhere, without a doubt.
Bob Tripp, Arkport
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the article in your Summer 2011 issue, “The Sounds of Summer” by Ralph DeFelice. I had to laugh when he wrote, “Personally, I have never eaten one (cicada), but I learned that most insects are very sweet.” Sweet indeed. On a business trip to China a couple of years ago, I was entertained wonderfully.
Dinner was an array of foods, which of course I had to sample. One particular dish was delectable shrimp – I must have eaten about six. The translator asked me if I liked them. I replied that these were some of the best shrimp I had ever eaten. As he translated for the dinner group, I knew by their smiles and nods, something was not right. “Oh no,” he said, “these are not shrimp, they are cicada.” I replied “C-i-c-a-d-a!”
Then I smiled, dabbed my mouth with my napkin and spooned some jelly onto my plate and ate it quickly. “Ah, he said, “You like the jellyfish too!” The joy of travel.
Catherine Richard
Bethel, Connecticut
I have to say that your magazine is one of two in which I read the ads as much as I do the articles. I love to learn of new restaurants, shops to visit and wines to taste. Fascinating articles, too.
Having grown up on South Hill in Ithaca, I had no idea that Morse Chain once made World War I aircraft (Fall 2011). And Boiceville looks tempting. Perhaps Schickel will build some retirement homes like those. My parents were among the first to buy in Eastwood Commons, his dad’s condominium complex. Great magazine.
Jim Miller, Syracuse
I really enjoyed Kay Thomas’ article on Mt. Morris (Fall 2011). She did a great job getting a different point of view on the project. Thank you for highlighting the transformation of a small town in rural New York.
Louise Wadsworth, Geneseo
Here in the Finger Lakes, we clearly must accelerate our efforts to grow a more robust and sustainable economy based on the region’s rich natural resources, strong academic institutions, diversified agricultural economy, thriving tourism sector, and the inherent strengths of our populace. However, given the current technology and practices, we believe the proposed widespread use of hydrofracturing and horizontal drilling for natural gas poses unacceptable risks to the future well-being of this region and its residents. The lure of near-term economic gain is substantially outweighed by the potential for long-term harm to the region’s land and water resources as well as its economic competitiveness.
We strongly encourage New York State to fully address serious concerns before allowing the use of hydrofracturing and horizontal gas drilling techniques, and to work with the federal government and the natural gas industry to develop extraction techniques that are compatible with conservation of the region’s natural resources and its natural resource-based economies.
Andrew Zepp, Executive Director,
Finger Lakes Land Trust
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