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I Ran into a Snowsnake the Other Day
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I’ve encountered rattlesnakes, garter snakes, and
black rat snakes while playing in the outdoors but this was my first
snowsnake. And, true to its name, the snowsnake was out in the snow when
other snakes were hibernating. Other than being long and narrow, the
snowsnake didn’t resemble other snakes. It slid rather than slithered and
required no periodic feeding on rodents.
Snowsnake,
is a traditional game played by the Iroquois Indians for over 500 years.
The game began as a means of communicating between the winter
encampments of the Iroquois people on the North and South shores of Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario.
It was the duty of the warriors to keep a snowy track clear of debris
so a stick with a message written in charcoal, could be relayed along the
track. When there were no messages to be sent, the warriors competed for the
farthest slide in the snow track, thus beginning a gaming tradition.
I saw my
first snowsnake track and handmade snowsnakes at the Ganondagan Winter
Festival (www.ganondagan.org/) in
Victor. Fred Kennedy, a Seneca, supervised the building of a
track and brought out his snowsnake collection. He demonstrated his
technique and patiently assisted an endless line of children as each tried
their hand at this winter game. Fred’s throws traveled 0.2 mile over a
track limited by the amount of snow available. In
competition the snowsnakes travel 1.5 to 2 miles in 3 minutes.
Building
the Track
To
build the track, Fred piled and packed snow to a height of about 30" at
the head of the track.
He continued to pile snow in a straight line that gradually decreased
in height to just above ground level.
A log 4" in diameter and 20' long was placed on the pile of snow
and slid back and forth to form a trough 5" deep.
Then the log was dragged with a rope, the length of the track as the
sides were reinforced with more snow.
Making
a Snowsnake
The
snowsnakes themselves are carved from wood. The most popular choices are
hard maple, June berry, ironwood and hickory. Two lengths of stick are
allowed. The
long stick is approximately 7 feet and the short stick, called a mudcat, is
approximately 3 feet. The wood is cut into a 1" square block and then
carved into the desired shape. Then the stick is sanded and polished. The
balance and weight developed are determined by the weather conditions each
stick will be used in. The tip is then carved into a special design created
by the carver and a liquid metal is poured through a paper funnel onto the
carved area. This metal is allowed to harden and is shaped and polished to
form an arrow-like point. The point adds weight and serves as protection for
the stick. In the opposite end, a u-shaped indentation is carved for a
finger hold. The stick is then ready for a finish of shellac.
On game day the "Shiner," the man responsible for the
"Medicine" or wax that will be rubbed on the stick, carefully
considers the weather conditions before making his selection.
Playing
the Game
Any
number of teams, called “Corners,” may play in a game. Each team is
allowed four throws per round.
A "Marker" stands at the end of the track and marks the
distance the stick travels down the track. To win a game a team must acquire
four points. A point is awarded to the Corner whose stick travels the
farthest per round. A second point is awarded if the same Corner has the
second farthest stick. A "GameOut" is called if the same team has
all four sticks in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the same round. To
make the tournaments more interesting, each team might bet some money and
the winning Corner takes all.
For
information on Snowsnake programs, contact Fred Kennedy (716) 532-5644, legacy_kennedy@hotmail.com.
More
Pictures (Click on each to enlarge)
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Cycling
the Erie Canal this Summer
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People come from all over the world to explore our Erie Canal. Have you
ignored this historical gem that's in our own back yard. If so, this might
be the summer to go see what it's all about. Both Pack, Paddle, Ski
Corporation and New York Parks and Conservation Association offer supported
bike trips along the canal. Visit these web site links for full details.
Pack, Paddle, Ski:
http://www.packpaddleski.com/230705.htm
New York Parks and Conservation Association:
http://www.nypca.org/canaltour
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A
New Twist on Rail Trails
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Everyone's heard of Rail Trails. We have quite a few in central and western
New York where abandoned railroad beds have been converted to multi-use
trails. A newer concept is rails-with-trails. Instead of building the trail
on an abandoned railroad bed, the trail is built parallel to an existing,
active railroad. Often this is critical to linking a network of trails in
the Mid-Atlantic States where populations and development density are high.
Nationally there are over 1,000 rail-trails covering about 12,000 miles. Of
these, close to 70 (covering 600 miles) are rails-with-trails. While the
numbers may seem low, sharing a railroad bed may be the only viable option
in a dense urban area. Rails-with-trails are located, on average 25 feet
from, and adjacent to, active rail lines. Initially the rail companies were
apprehensive about sharing rail corridors with trails. But, restricted
railroad corridors often invite illegal trespass, dumping and vandalism.
Railroad officials have been surprised at how much cleaner and safer their
lines become when a trail is developed parallel to the tracks. Better
yet, there has never been an accident associated with this type of trail.
New York State has a few rails-with-trails. In our area, trails parallel
railroads for very short sections on the Ontario Pathways Trail in downtown
Canandaigua and a section of the Erie Canalway Trail east of Fairport.
Further
north in Plattsburgh a trail parallels the tracks used twice a day by the
Amtrak train called "Adirondack." This has been called one of the
most scenic trains in the US.
In Saranac Lake there is a 0.5-mile section of what is proposed to be a
9.1-mile rail-with-trail: the Lake Placid to Saranac Lake Bike Trail. It
runs parallel to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.
The Orange Heritage Trail in the Hudson Valley is currently 10.5 miles long
from Goshen to Blooming Grove. The trail will eventually extend 19 miles
from Middletown to Harriman. It runs along an active rail corridor
that was the first to bring California produce to New York City in 1867.
Finally there's the Town of Ballston Bicycle Path, a 3.5-mile long paved
path that runs the length of Ballston Lake, along its west side. It's built
on the grade of the trolley operated by the Schenectady Railway Company in
the late 1800s and early 1900s. The trolley ran from Schenectady to
Saratoga Springs, where riders went to take the curative waters from the
world famous mineral springs in the City of Saratoga Springs. The trail runs
alongside the railroad tracks of the former Delaware & Hudson Railroad
(now owned by CP) which are still actively used by freight and passenger
service.
Sue Freeman
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Head
East for a Bicycle Adventure |
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"The Northampton-Amherst
(Massachusetts) area is arguably the best bicycling in North America."
-- Richard Fries, Publisher of The Ride Magazine.
Now there's a B&B on a rail-trail in Northampton, Massachusetts that is
themed to rail-trail users. Craig Della Penna, the New England
representative for Rails to Trails Conservancy and his wife bought an old
fixer upper 8 feet from the Northampton Bikeway rail-trail in late 2001 and
spent 15 months rebuilding it and converting it into a B&B.
The Inn sits directly adjacent to the Northampton Bikeway, which in a few
years will be open all the way to New Haven, Connecticut - some 80
miles distant. In addition to the rail-trail, the community is also
nationally recognized by both Bicycling Magazine and The Ride
Magazine as having among the best places to bicycle in the eastern US.
Sugar Maple Trailside Inn
http://www.sugar-maple-inn.com/pages/1/index.htm
Map of the Northampton Bikeway and Norwottuck Rail Trail (1.75 and 8.5
miles)
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/paths/webnorw.htm
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Put Fido to Work??
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Dog-Powered Sports are new and exciting ways to exercise, train, and spend
time with your dog. When these sports - Hiking, Biking, Skiing,
Rollerblading, Sledding and Carting - become dog-powered, they take on new
dimensions and challenges. DO IT with your DOG! Let dogpoweredsports.com
show you how to get connected to your dog safely, simply, and quickly and
get rolling on your Dog-Powered adventure ... www.dogpoweredsports.com
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Bird
of Prey Week
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Spring migration is here! Join the festivities
at Braddock Bay Bird of Prey Week, April 11-19.
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INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY FESTIVAL
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Over a dozen organizations in the Rochester area are
banding together to hold an International Migratory Bird Day
(IMBD) festival. BirdCOR, the Bird
Coalition of Rochester, is organizing the festival to call attention to the
urgent need for conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
The festival will be held in Braddock Bay Park on Saturday, May 10th
from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
At the festival, there will be demonstrations with live
birds, including the bald eagle Liberty, educational talks, fun activities
for the kids and family, crafts, nature-related entertainment, food, and
many opportunities to learn about migratory birds and the organizations that
support their conservation.
International Migratory Bird Day is an invitation to
celebrate and support migratory bird conservation.
Like any day of recognition, IMBD exists to focus attention on a
valuable resource — the nearly 350 species of migratory birds that travel
between nesting habitats in North America and wintering areas in South
America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Migratory birds are some of the most beautiful,
observable, and remarkable wildlife that share our world.
Many of us know migratory birds as symbolic harbingers of spring and
melodic songsters of the woods. Migratory
birds are also an important economic resource, controlling insect pests and
generating billions in recreational dollars.
Unfortunately, research has shown that many migratory
bird species are in decline, facing a growing number of threats on their
migration routes and in both their summer and winter habitats.
Thus, IMBD, in addition to being a day to foster appreciation, is a
call to action.
In the weeks leading up to the Rochester festival,
BirdCOR members will conduct programs on birds at schools and at public
meetings throughout the Rochester area.
After the festival, projects and conservation activities planned and
carried out as part of IMBD will leave a lasting legacy to benefit the
area’s birds.
BirdCOR and the Rochester International Migratory Bird
Day Festival are coordinated by Environmental Education and Conservation
Global (EECG), Inc. For more
information, contact David Semple at dsemple@eecg.org(585 482-2063) or Ed McCrea at
emccrea@eecg.org (315 524-3358).
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Buffalo
Area Recycle-A-Bicycle Swap Meet
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The Western New York Mountain Biking Association (WNYMBA) has partnered with
Recycle-A-Bicycle of Greater Buffalo (RAB) for the 5th Annual Swap Meet at Buffalo State College's Sports Arena on April 27, 2003 from 10AM - 2PM.
Recycle-A-Bicycle (RAB) teaches local youth problem solving skills and creates trained bicycle mechanics while positively
impacting our environment by reducing the amount of unused bicycles going to the waste stream,
curtailing car emissions and circulating bicycles back into the community to
those who otherwise could not afford one. At the swap meet RAB will be offering clinics to teach basic bicycle maintenance. In addition, the event
will offer the Western New York community an opportunity to bring in their
used bicycle to RAB for our first community wide bicycle drop-off day.
The Swap Meet is intended for the entire bicycling community to gather for a
day to buy, sell or trade bicycle related items in preparation for the 2003 bicycle season. Local bike shops, clubs and vendors will be provided a venue
in which to display discontinued closeout items or good used equipment. In addition, a bicycle corral will allow for the sale of used bicycles
where anyone may be able to find a great deal. Admission is free!
With thoughts of spring just around the corner and a looming war with Iraq that has caused gas prices to escalate now is the time to invest in a new
or used bicycle or donate your old one for someone in need! Join WNYMBA and RAB
for the 5th Annual Bike Swap on April 27th and fill your bicycle needs. For more information please call Justin Booth at 851-4052 or e-mail
jbooth@ch.ci.buffalo.ny.us
or visit http://www.wnymba.org/index2.shtml.
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FREE
Spring Bicycling and Pedestrian Safety Workshops
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FREE spring bicycling and pedestrian safety workshops being held around the state. Visit http://www.nybc.net/programs/Spring2003Workshops.shtml
for more details.
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April
Slide Shows and Classes |
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April 1, Tuesday, 7-9 PM
 Birding
for Everyone class
Pittsford Recreation, 35 Lincoln Ave., Pittsford 14534
call 248-6280 for registration,
We sit smack dab in the middle of a very important bird migration route
and seasonal habitat for an impressive number of bird species. In this course,
experienced outdoorsman Norman E. Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central
& Western New York", will provide an informative and thorough presentation of
what is happening in the skies overhead and in the trees around us. Learn how have fun feeding, raising and watching birds.
April 3, Thursday, 7-8 PM, FREE
Attracting and Keeping Birds
Swan Library, 4 N. Main St., Albion, 585-589-4242
Learn how have fun feeding and watching birds from Norman Wolfe.
April 5, Saturday, 9:15-10 AM
Birding for Children class
Pittsford Recreation, 35 Lincoln Ave., Pittsford 14534
call 248-6280 for registration, $5
In this course, experienced outdoorsman Norman E. Wolfe, author of Birding
in Central & Western New York, will help children understand how to
enjoy bird watching.
April 10, Thursday, 7 PM, FREE
 Mini
slide show on local bike trails
Borders Books & Music (Henrietta)
1000 Hylan Drive, Rochester , NY 14623
Phone: (585) 292-5900
"Take Your Bike - Family Rides in the Rochester Area" is now in
its second edition. It has been fully revised and expanded to cover over 300 miles of
biking trails in 42 locations. It now covers trails in Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Livingston, Cayuga, Ontario and Seneca Counties. Join
authors Rich & Sue Freeman for a book signing and short slide show on
biking in the greater Rochester area.
April 16, Wednesday, 7 PM, FREE
Mini slide show on local bike trails
Borders Books & Music (near Eastview)
30 Square Drive, Victor , NY 14564
Phone: (585) 421-9230
"Take Your Bike - Family Rides in the Rochester Area" is now in
its second edition. It has been fully revised and expanded to cover over 300 miles of
biking trails in 42 locations. It now covers trails in Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne,
Livingston, Cayuga, Ontario and Seneca Counties. Join authors Rich & Sue
Freeman for a book signing and short slide show on
biking in the greater Rochester area.
April 17 and 24, two Thursdays, 7-9 PM, call (585) 473-2590 to
register (price TBD)
Nature Photography class (a 2-part class)
Writers and Books, 740 University Ave., Rochester
Norm Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central & Western NY - Best
Trails and Water Routes for Finding Birds" will present a workshop on how to
take good nature pictures. The two evening seminars will include hands-on
experience.
April 22 and 29, two Tuesdays, 7-8:30 PM, call 349-5150 to
register ($14 residents, $17 nonresidents)
Nature Photography class (a 2-part class)
Spencerport Adult Education, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport 14559
Norm Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central & Western NY - Best
Trails and Water Routes for Finding Birds" will present a workshop on how to
take good nature pictures. The two evening seminars will include hands-on
experience.
April 23 and 30 two Wednesdays, 7-8:30 PM, call
585-256-2048 to register
$48 ($42 members)
Nature Photography -
Why Pay Top Dollar for Beautiful Nature Photos When You Can Take Them
Yourself?
(2-part class)
Rochester Info Courses, 1150 University Ave. Rochester
There are plenty of stunning landscapes and
exciting wildlife in the Rochester area, and vacation spots add even more
visual splendor to our memories. You
can learn how to preserve these moments in photos once you learn some of
the basics of nature photography. This 2 session course has all of the
essentials of nature photography using conventional and CD format
including how to:
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How
your cameras and other equipment work
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Set
up and take great nature photos
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Do
printmaking and enlarging
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Enjoy
nature even more through photography
April 24, Thursday, 7-9 PM, call (585) 473-2590 to register
(price TBD)
Birding for Everyone class
Writers and Books, 740 University Ave., Rochester
We sit smack dab in the middle of a very important bird migration route
and seasonal habitat for an impressive number of bird species. In this course,
experienced outdoorsman Norman E. Wolfe, author of "Birding in Central
& Western New York", will provide an informative and thorough presentation of
what is happening in the skies overhead and in the trees around us. Learn how have fun feeding, raising and watching birds.
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