Green Trust Fun

Clean, Green, Water Fun

2007-06-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

A new twist on the old pedal bikes from old, Check out the itBike!

A fast, nimble, and very stable platform, "it" weighs less than 75 lbs, and disassembles easily for storage or transport. Pricey, at $2500, but not out of line for this application.

No TV, No Fun?

2007-06-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

We recently traded in the kids TV (with their blessing) for a 15' trampoline. with side netting and spring covers, it prevents the usual injuries. They are getting more exercise, more friends are hanging out at our house (where we can supervise their activities), and using less electricity. Wins all around!

Snowshoeing with friends

2007-02-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

It was a much needed weekend to relax. Linda and I spent Friday night at a friend's Bed & Breakfast (White Pillars) near Canton NY, had a wonderful homecooked breakfast the next morning, then met my friends and coworkers for snowshoeing near Harrisville NY that afternoon. The weather started turning bad towards evening, and it took 2 hours to drive the 60 miles home in blinding snow and greasy roads. Saw one car in the ditch, but no one was hurt.

Steven Spence, Bobsledding with Randy LaJoie & Geoff Bodine

2007-01-07T19:31:00.000-08:00

My son Steven, who is in the National Guard, won second place in the Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge Race with Randy LaJoie in Lake Placid this weekend. Randy was on steering, Steven was on brakes. More pics are coming. See http://www.bodynbobsled.com/ for more info.

A Merry Christmas Was Had By All

2006-12-31T06:22:00.000-08:00

Our families came together, at least the ones who could make it, and we all had a wonderful time. First Steven was off to El Paso with friends for Christmas, so we had a early Christmas with him. Then Michelle and Jeremy came the week before, as they have Christmas with Jeremy's family this year (we alternate), so we had a early mini-Christmas with them. So finally on Christmas day, we had our "real" Christmas with the rest of the family. No snow, that came two days later, but it was a good time anyway. We started with the reading of Luke 2, opened presents, and ate a wonderful dinner. An afternoon of games, and then we all went home right before the ice arrived. No it will takes weeks to take off the extra weight from Thanksgiving and Christmmas dinners, snacks, and leftovers.

A Thanksgiving Dinner that couldn't be beat ...

2006-11-25T06:37:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, with friends and family gathered round. My daughter arrived at 3am two nights earlier from college with her newly engaged fiance in tow. They have been dating for 5 years, and plan on getting married once both are out of college. I was bound and determined to cook on the woodfired cookstove. Although it was in the 20's when I woke up and started cooking, it headed up into the 50's during the day, and we basted ourselves at a balmy 98 degrees with windows open and fans running. Need to save that stove for very cold days.

Thanksgiving Dinner over a Wood Fire

2006-11-21T04:44:00.000-08:00

We have been learning how to cook with the wood-fired cook stove, and are getting better at it. A oven thermometer was a big help, as the thermometer in the door of the stove reads low. Putting aluminum foil over items keeps the surface from burning before the food cooks through. We believe we are ready for Thanksgiving dinner, and will try not to disappoint the 20 some folks showing up.

GardenShare Potluck

2006-11-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful potluck dinner Thursday night, produced by Gardenshare . This is an annual Local Harvest Dinner with the focus on local food production and community supported agriculture. We brought a Chicken and vegetable stew made with 100% local food on our wood fired cook stove. The main speaker was Bill McKibben, a very entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. He spoke on "Think Globally, Act Neighborly".

Today Linda and I are making applesauce and apple butter from local apples.

New Reading Material

2006-10-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

I picked up two "new to me" magazines this weekend on the way home from Woodhenge, The Backwoodsman and Permaculture Magazine. The Backwoodsman had two great articles on reusing old drums, one for a wood fueled cookstove and the other for a small kayak type boat with outriggers. Permculture also had a article on reusing old drums, a bit whimsical claims the author, but intriguing none the less. Permaculture also had a good article on building compost bins out of old pallets, similar to the Joe Jenkins design.

Hiking the deep woods

2006-10-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon a group from our church went for a nice hike near Colton NY. The woods were ablaze in fall colors, and the waterfalls and boiling rapids provided a symphony of sounds to complement the gorgeous views. Part way through the hike, Steve twisted his ankle, and had to soak it in the river for a while till he could limp back to the trail head.

Potsdam NY Food Co-Op, Annual Open House

2006-09-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

33 years ago, the Potsdam Food Co-Op opened it's doors. My parents were early members. I remember re-packaging bulk foods and slicing cheese as a kid. This year's annual open house was a big success. Soap Samples from Sunfeather, bread from the Co-Op owned woodfired oven bakery, healthy soda alternatives made with juice. Homemade icecream and applecider, stew and salad, all made with organic food from the co-op. The live music was good, the rain held off, and the temps were in the mid 70's. Hazy and overcast, it was a lot of fun for the whole family.

B-24 & B-17 Walkthrough

2006-08-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my sons and I went to Massena NY to see the B-17 and B-24 on display. These planes were flown in under their own power, and are working units. We received a full tour inside these big birds, and were able to participate in the Veterans Salute given by the local Veterans Groups. My Dad is a Korean War Vet, and was part of the celebration. The planes are owned and operated by The Collings Foundation, and the B-24 "Witchcraft" is the only operating B-24 in existence.

Community Go-Karting

2006-08-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

Last wednesday, the Potsdam NY Chamber of Commerce held a community go-karting event for local businesses and organizations. This annual race is held at the Colonial Village Fun Park. My wife and I were driving for Canton-Potsdam Hospital. I won my heat, but dropped out in the semi-finals when I was pushed into the wall by another kart in a corner.

White Water Rafting

2006-07-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

It would have been nice if they told us it was a Class 4 before we entered the water! Just kidding. We had lots of fun. The memorable quote of the day was "I saw my mom, and she's been dead for 2 years" .......