(Fabius, NY – Sept. 2011) Photography on the Edge: Between Realism and Abstraction will be on view at the Gandee Gallery Sept. 16 through Oct. 23 and features photographs by Central New York artists that address the relationship between realistic representation and abstract concepts.

Participating artists include: Willson Cummer, Bob Gates, Elisabeth Groat, Peter Mahan, Yolanda Tooley, Jeanann Wieners, Diana Whiting, and Jamie Young. The opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 6 to p.m. is free and open to the public.

The co-curators, Jen Gandee and Syracuse-area photographer, Bob Gates, in selecting work for this show, were looking for images that are true to the perennial conflict in the history of photography between representational and non-representational images.  The same conflicting impulses that have shaped other forms of art—realism, impressionism, expressionism, abstraction, surrealism–have had their adherents among photographers.  The works in this exhibit show how some photographers in Central New York respond to or participate in that complex history.

The Gandee Gallery is located 20 minutes south of Syracuse, in the village of Fabius, on Rt. 80. It’s open 11-6 Thursday-Saturday, 11-4 Sunday or by appointment. Visit www.gandeegallery.com.

Pictured is Jeanann Wieners’ “Rest Stop.”

Cook up ideas in class, produce them at Nelson Farms and Ag Incubator

Two products will be introduced at tasting event at Copper Turret May 6

(Morrisville, NY – May 2011) Sweet N Spicy Apple Mustard, Apple Splashers—these and other tasty temptations are making their way to consumers’ palates.

The new products join a savory line of goods being cooked up by students in Morrisville State College’s agricultural business development bachelor degree program.

Also making a spicy debut is a new all-purpose seasoning, Apples N Spice and Everything Nice. Consumers can spot the college’s product line under a new label, Morrisville Fresh LLC, a business formed this semester, the operating entity of the Agriculture Business program, which is putting goods within their reach.

They’ll be available this summer at various local farmers markets and also at Nelson Farms, the college’s small-scale food processing plant, where the product line is produced.

Consumers will have a chance to check out two of the new products, Sweet-N-Spicy Apple Mustard and Apples N Spice and Everything Nice, during a tasting event at the Copper Turret Restaurant on West Main Street in Morrisville May 6 from 4-6 p.m.

In addition to adding flavor to local diets, Morrisville Fresh LLC spells opportunities for students and will provide another avenue for local farmers to market their products.

“Students (the LLC) will purchase produce and other commodity products from area farmers, Sheila Marshman, assistant professor of agricultural business, and chair of the Department of Agriculture Science, said. “Students will add value to these products then market them at area farmers’ markets, specialty stores and restaurants.”

Adding value to agriculture commodities means adding value to the rural economy. A goal of Morrisville Fresh is to stimulate the growth and development of the rural economy through the foods system.  “With Apple Splashers, for example, apples will continue to be purchased from New York apple growers,” Marshman said.  “The grower spends the money in the rural community then value is added to the apple at Nelson Farms through packaging and shelf life extension.”

Morrisville Fresh now offers a line of six savory recipes: Slather Sauce (original, hot, and smoke); Maple Madness, a topping for fruits and ice cream; Pina (pineapple) Salsa; Apple Splashers, sliced apples with caramel dip (made at Nelson Farms) or peanut butter; Sweet N Spicy Apple Mustard; and Apples N Spice and Everything Nice, an all-purpose rub/seasoning. The college’s own hydroponic butter crisp lettuce is also available through the LLC.

To cheese connoisseurs’ delight, cheese curds are also being added to the mix. Students in the Agriculture Business Management class, along with the Morrisville Collegiate Future Farmers’ of America (CFFA) are churning out cheese at the college’s Agribusiness Dairy Incubator. There’s garlic, plain and hot flavors to choose from. A cheese curd route in Madison County is also in the works, along with an online ordering website.

The public will have a chance to purchase Morrisville Fresh LLC products this summer at Hamilton and Chenango farmers’ markets and at the Regional Market in Syracuse, and at the Nelson Farms Country Store, located on Route 20 in Nelson. The Country Store highlights some of the products produced in the kitchens of Nelson Farms in addition to Pride of New York products from all regions of New York state.

“Morrisville Fresh LLC is proving to be an excellent avenue for students to showcase and develop their leadership and managements skills,” Marshman said. “Students are utilizing the financial management skills, their public speaking skills and their team building skills.”

Ag business students are the main ingredient behind Morrisville Fresh LLC. They’re responsible for making the products and seeing them to fruition, from production to labeling and marketing them, with assistance from Nelson Farms.

Dave Evans, director of Nelson Farms, and his staff are assisting with teaching everything from marketing and distribution techniques to working with specialty food products and labeling laws.

“I enjoy working with students very much, teaching them about FDA (Food and Drug Administration) training, Food Safety and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) training, concepts and procedures,” Evans said. “The ability for me to work with them on a one-on-one basis at times is very important.”

Nelson Farms has a statewide marketing program for shelf stable Pride of New York products and offers Morrisville Fresh products throughout the state giving them exposure outside of just central New York.

“This statewide program assists in expanding the Morrisville Fresh products market penetration of these unique products and it also gives exposure to the agriculture programs offered by Morrisville State College,” Evans said.

The overall experience is broadening horizons for Jen Masters, of Marcellus, an agricultural business development major who went back to college to learn more about running an agricultural business.

“The classes I am taking are really helping me look at all of the details of producing a product,” Masters said.  That includes the marketing, financial, operations, management and human resources aspects that go along with running a business.

Masters, who runs a small farm with her boyfriend in Fabius, and plans to work with local farmers servicing their crop needs, has had her hands in a variety of pots at Morrisville. Her involvement at Nelson Farms producing some of the products for Morrisville Fresh has spirited her own entrepreneurial endeavor there.

Masters is producing an old-fashioned country crunch (peanut brittle coated with chocolate and ground nuts) from a 1940 recipe that belonged to her grandmother.

Still in the development phase, she hopes to have her product out this year.

Morrisville has taken Masters even farther. She was chosen to participate in the GROWMARK, Inc., (regional retail farm supply and grain marketing co-op) Internship Program.

Experiences are opening doors for all students involved in the Morrisville Fresh LLC venture.

“Besides rewarding their hard work with extra income from the business’s profits, this enhances students’ educational experience as they learn economics and career skills through these activities,” Marshman said. “By taking an active role in the running of a business, they learn more about economics than they would ever learn sitting in an economics lecture.”

Marshman said the college’s next step is to set up a web page and e-bay store to sell items online.

For more information about the Morrisville Fresh LLC product line, e-mail MorrisvillefreshLLC@morrisville.edu.

Products Offered through Morrisville Fresh LLC

1.      Slather Sauce: original, hot and smoke

2.      Maple Madness (a topping for fruits and ice cream)

3.      Pineapple Salsa

4.      Apple Splashers (sliced apples with caramel dip (made at Nelson Farms), or peanut butter

5.      Sweet N Spicy Apple Mustard

6.      Apples N Spice and Everything Nice (all-purpose rub/seasoning)

7.       Hydroponic butter crisp lettuce

Art classes and plant sale also scheduled

(Fabius, NY – May 2011) In the Garden, on view at the Gandee Gallery May 6 through June 19, presents an eclectic mix of styles and art media, which all celebrate the joys of the garden. The paintings and photography in the show depict floral motifs and backyard vistas. Ceramic planters and
sculptural forms complement and enhance any outdoor space. The jewelry and wearable pieces reflect the colors, patterns, and styles inspired by the gorgeous flowers that make us THINK SPRING!

The opening reception is Saturday,May 7 from 6-8 PM.
Participating artists include: Jenny Pope, Lucie Wellner, Nancy Kramer, Rodger DeMuth, Zach Dunn, Melissa Montgomery, Kathy Barry, Jen Gandee. Sarah Panzarella, Lynn Yenkey, Lorna Meaden, Ron DeRutte, Lori Hawk, Amy Francher, and Errol Willett.

Two events are planned to correspond with In the Garden. Syracuse-area artist and gardener, Melissa Montgomery, will lead a Hypertufa Planter workshop Saturday April 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday May 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.  at the Gandee Gallery. This is a 2-part class; attending both sessions is necessary to complete the project.

The Gandee Gallery will also be sponsoring the 2nd Annual Plant Sale and Seconds Sale to benefit the Fabius-Pompey Outreach on Memorial
Day Monday May 30 and will be accepting donated plants through the month of May.

For more information or to register for the workshop, email: jen@gandeegallery.com or call 315 416 6339, or stop by the gallery.

The Gandee Gallery is located 20 minutes south of Syracuse, in the village of Fabius, on Route 80. Itʼs open 11-6 Thursday-Saturday, 11-4 Sunday or by appointment.

www.gandeegallery.com

Art classes and plant sale also scheduled

(Fabius, NY – May 2011) In the Garden, on view at the Gandee Gallery May 6 through June 19, presents an eclectic mix of styles and art media, which all celebrate the joys of the garden. The paintings and photography in the show depict floral motifs and backyard vistas. Ceramic planters and
sculptural forms complement and enhance any outdoor space. The jewelry and wearable pieces reflect the colors, patterns, and styles inspired by the gorgeous flowers that make us THINK SPRING!

The opening reception is Saturday,May 7 from 6-8 PM.
Participating artists include: Jenny Pope, Lucie Wellner, Nancy Kramer, Rodger DeMuth, Zach Dunn, Melissa Montgomery, Kathy Barry, Jen Gandee. Sarah Panzarella, Lynn Yenkey, Lorna Meaden, Ron DeRutte, Lori Hawk, Amy Francher, and Errol Willett.

Two events are planned to correspond with In the Garden. Syracuse-area artist and gardener, Melissa Montgomery, will lead a Hypertufa Planter workshop Saturday April 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday May 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.  at the Gandee Gallery. This is a 2-part class; attending both sessions is necessary to complete the project.

The Gandee Gallery will also be sponsoring the 2nd Annual Plant Sale and Seconds Sale to benefit the Fabius-Pompey Outreach on Memorial
Day Monday May 30 and will be accepting donated plants through the month of May.

For more information or to register for the workshop, email: jen@gandeegallery.com or call 315 416 6339, or stop by the gallery.

The Gandee Gallery is located 20 minutes south of Syracuse, in the village of Fabius, on Route 80. Itʼs open 11-6 Thursday-Saturday, 11-4 Sunday or by appointment.

www.gandeegallery.com

Intoxication and cell phone use cited as contributing causes for collision

(Lakeport, town of Sullivan, NY – March 10, 2011) Sullivan-based state police charged Robert C. Kramek, 49, of No. 5 Road West, Fabius, with driving while intoxicated after an investigation into a two-car personal injury accident at the intersection of State Route 31 and Lakeport Road in the town of Sullivan around 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

According to police, Kramek was northbound on Lakeport Road and stopped at the flashing red light at the intersection of State Route 31, then pulled into the intersection and failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming eastbound vehicle operated by Wayne E. Devaul, 33, of Syracuse Herald Avenue, Lenox.

Kramek was transported to Oneida Healthcare Center for treatment of minor injuries and released after submitting to a DWI blood test.

Police investigation revealed that Kramek was intoxicated and was distracted by talking on his cell phone when he pulled into the path of the Devaul vehicle. Kramek was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to yield the right-of-way and using a cell phone while driving.

He was issued traffic tickets to appear in the town of Sullivan Court.

Trooper George R. Cameron is lead agent in the case.

Intoxication and cell phone use cited as contributing causes for collision

(Lakeport, town of Sullivan, NY – March 10, 2011) Sullivan-based state police charged Robert C. Kramek, 49, of No. 5 Road West, Fabius, with driving while intoxicated after an investigation into a two-car personal injury accident at the intersection of State Route 31 and Lakeport Road in the town of Sullivan around 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

According to police, Kramek was northbound on Lakeport Road and stopped at the flashing red light at the intersection of State Route 31, then pulled into the intersection and failed to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming eastbound vehicle operated by Wayne E. Devaul, 33, of Syracuse Herald Avenue, Lenox.

Kramek was transported to Oneida Healthcare Center for treatment of minor injuries and released after submitting to a DWI blood test.

Police investigation revealed that Kramek was intoxicated and was distracted by talking on his cell phone when he pulled into the path of the Devaul vehicle. Kramek was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to yield the right-of-way and using a cell phone while driving.

He was issued traffic tickets to appear in the town of Sullivan Court.

Trooper George R. Cameron is lead agent in the case.

Guest Column

By Nancy Larrine Hoffmann

New York farmers are finding out that a law passed in 2005 gave the power of eminent domain to the gas industry, making it easier for them to obtain the rights to gas deep under our land.

It is just plain unconstitutional to give such power to a private industry, but the way the gas companies managed to get the law passed – in the dead of the night on the last day of session – offers a pretty good insight to the gas industry tactics when it comes to dealing with farmers.

The Compulsory Integration Law allows the gas companies, through their agents, the landmen, to obtain leases on all the land in a target area, called a spacing unit, after they have leased 60 percent. The remaining land is then “integrated” into the spacing unit.

The landowners get compensated, but at a rate below their neighbors who signed leases.

Who determines the spacing unit? The gas companies. As a fifth-generation Erie County farmer said last week at the New York Farm Show, “They are gerrymandering their districts, so they know who they can get to sign and hit the 60-percent mark.”

There are many examples of coercion: “Sign this, or I’ll get your gas anyway, and you won’t be paid as much.”

Sometimes the landmen just don’t want to talk to certain farmers at all, so they lease land around them and the Compulsory Integration Law finishes the job.

State lands are being leased for gas-drilling too. The same state that enacted the Compulsory Integration Law allows its state agencies to sign leases, triggering the 60-percent mark and forcing farmers into lease arrangements against their will.

Isn’t this a conflict of interests?

No other state in the nation has a law that treats farmers so disrespectfully. This must change!

Join with The Land Stewards of NY, farmers and other landowners, and demand repeal of the Compulsory Integration law. Enact a Landowner Bill of Rights to govern the conduct of the landmen, and require that gas companies disclose the true nature of horizontal gas drilling, including the chemicals used which might affect a farm’s water supply forever.

Establish a Compensation and Remediation Fund to address damage to private lands and municipalities that may occur as a result of gas drilling.

Farmers are the backbone of New York state, as well as the nation. We are still the number-one industry in our state. We should have been at the table, shaping policy in daylight, to find reasonable ways for gas drilling to take place.

The actions of the industry relative to our rights can only make us suspicious of everything they tell us now.

Blame also lies with our state government for enacting laws that allow practices which disrespect and take advantage of farmers. We are the Stewards of the Land. We pay taxes in amounts unimaginable for most people but use far few services than our urban and suburban neighbors.

Cities and towns in New York depend upon us. We manage our lands for the benefit of everyone. We protect the water safely drunk by people miles away.

Add your voice to the Land Stewards of NY, and tell our elected representatives in Albany that it is time for them to correct their bad mistakes. Tell them to show respect for the Land Stewards of New York.

For more information, visit landstewardsofny.org.

Former state Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann prepared this piece for the Feb. 28 edition of American Agriculturist. Hoffman served as state senator for 10 terms, serving as ranking minority member of the Agriculture Committee for 14 years until changing parties in l998, after which she served her final three terms as chairwoman. Hoffmann also served on the Environmental Conservation Committee during her full 10 terms.

Guest Column

By Nancy Larrine Hoffmann

New York farmers are finding out that a law passed in 2005 gave the power of eminent domain to the gas industry, making it easier for them to obtain the rights to gas deep under our land.

It is just plain unconstitutional to give such power to a private industry, but the way the gas companies managed to get the law passed – in the dead of the night on the last day of session – offers a pretty good insight to the gas industry tactics when it comes to dealing with farmers.

The Compulsory Integration Law allows the gas companies, through their agents, the landmen, to obtain leases on all the land in a target area, called a spacing unit, after they have leased 60 percent. The remaining land is then “integrated” into the spacing unit.

The landowners get compensated, but at a rate below their neighbors who signed leases.

Who determines the spacing unit? The gas companies. As a fifth-generation Erie County farmer said last week at the New York Farm Show, “They are gerrymandering their districts, so they know who they can get to sign and hit the 60-percent mark.”

There are many examples of coercion: “Sign this, or I’ll get your gas anyway, and you won’t be paid as much.”

Sometimes the landmen just don’t want to talk to certain farmers at all, so they lease land around them and the Compulsory Integration Law finishes the job.

State lands are being leased for gas-drilling too. The same state that enacted the Compulsory Integration Law allows its state agencies to sign leases, triggering the 60-percent mark and forcing farmers into lease arrangements against their will.

Isn’t this a conflict of interests?

No other state in the nation has a law that treats farmers so disrespectfully. This must change!

Join with The Land Stewards of NY, farmers and other landowners, and demand repeal of the Compulsory Integration law. Enact a Landowner Bill of Rights to govern the conduct of the landmen, and require that gas companies disclose the true nature of horizontal gas drilling, including the chemicals used which might affect a farm’s water supply forever.

Establish a Compensation and Remediation Fund to address damage to private lands and municipalities that may occur as a result of gas drilling.

Farmers are the backbone of New York state, as well as the nation. We are still the number-one industry in our state. We should have been at the table, shaping policy in daylight, to find reasonable ways for gas drilling to take place.

The actions of the industry relative to our rights can only make us suspicious of everything they tell us now.

Blame also lies with our state government for enacting laws that allow practices which disrespect and take advantage of farmers. We are the Stewards of the Land. We pay taxes in amounts unimaginable for most people but use far few services than our urban and suburban neighbors.

Cities and towns in New York depend upon us. We manage our lands for the benefit of everyone. We protect the water safely drunk by people miles away.

Add your voice to the Land Stewards of NY, and tell our elected representatives in Albany that it is time for them to correct their bad mistakes. Tell them to show respect for the Land Stewards of New York.

For more information, visit landstewardsofny.org.

Former state Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann prepared this piece for the Feb. 28 edition of American Agriculturist. Hoffman served as state senator for 10 terms, serving as ranking minority member of the Agriculture Committee for 14 years until changing parties in l998, after which she served her final three terms as chairwoman. Hoffmann also served on the Environmental Conservation Committee during her full 10 terms.

Guest Column

By Nancy Larrine Hoffmann

New York farmers are finding out that a law passed in 2005 gave the power of eminent domain to the gas industry, making it easier for them to obtain the rights to gas deep under our land.

It is just plain unconstitutional to give such power to a private industry, but the way the gas companies managed to get the law passed – in the dead of the night on the last day of session – offers a pretty good insight to the gas industry tactics when it comes to dealing with farmers.

The Compulsory Integration Law allows the gas companies, through their agents, the landmen, to obtain leases on all the land in a target area, called a spacing unit, after they have leased 60 percent. The remaining land is then “integrated” into the spacing unit.

The landowners get compensated, but at a rate below their neighbors who signed leases.

Who determines the spacing unit? The gas companies. As a fifth-generation Erie County farmer said last week at the New York Farm Show, “They are gerrymandering their districts, so they know who they can get to sign and hit the 60-percent mark.”

There are many examples of coercion: “Sign this, or I’ll get your gas anyway, and you won’t be paid as much.”

Sometimes the landmen just don’t want to talk to certain farmers at all, so they lease land around them and the Compulsory Integration Law finishes the job.

State lands are being leased for gas-drilling too. The same state that enacted the Compulsory Integration Law allows its state agencies to sign leases, triggering the 60-percent mark and forcing farmers into lease arrangements against their will.

Isn’t this a conflict of interests?

No other state in the nation has a law that treats farmers so disrespectfully. This must change!

Join with The Land Stewards of NY, farmers and other landowners, and demand repeal of the Compulsory Integration law. Enact a Landowner Bill of Rights to govern the conduct of the landmen, and require that gas companies disclose the true nature of horizontal gas drilling, including the chemicals used which might affect a farm’s water supply forever.

Establish a Compensation and Remediation Fund to address damage to private lands and municipalities that may occur as a result of gas drilling.

Farmers are the backbone of New York state, as well as the nation. We are still the number-one industry in our state. We should have been at the table, shaping policy in daylight, to find reasonable ways for gas drilling to take place.

The actions of the industry relative to our rights can only make us suspicious of everything they tell us now.

Blame also lies with our state government for enacting laws that allow practices which disrespect and take advantage of farmers. We are the Stewards of the Land. We pay taxes in amounts unimaginable for most people but use far few services than our urban and suburban neighbors.

Cities and towns in New York depend upon us. We manage our lands for the benefit of everyone. We protect the water safely drunk by people miles away.

Add your voice to the Land Stewards of NY, and tell our elected representatives in Albany that it is time for them to correct their bad mistakes. Tell them to show respect for the Land Stewards of New York.

For more information, visit landstewardsofny.org.

Former state Senator Nancy Larraine Hoffmann prepared this piece for the Feb. 28 edition of American Agriculturist. Hoffman served as state senator for 10 terms, serving as ranking minority member of the Agriculture Committee for 14 years until changing parties in l998, after which she served her final three terms as chairwoman. Hoffmann also served on the Environmental Conservation Committee during her full 10 terms.

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Onondaga County Courier Staff