The Sweet Stuff
Posted on Tuesday March 20th, 2007 at 3:45 PM (March 20th, 2007)
You know it's Springtime in Central New York when the maple sap flows. Warm days and freezing nights are needed in order to induce sap flows. Any kind of maple can produce sap but usually only Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) are "tapped" because of the high sugar content in the sap.
A maple syrup production farm is called a sugarbush or the sugarwoods. Sap is boiled in a "sugar house" (also known as a "sugar shack" ), a building which is louvered at the top to vent the steam from the boiling maple sap.
The process is slow, because most of the water has to boil out of the sap before it is the right density. It takes approximately 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup, and a mature sugar maple produces about 10 gallons of sap during the 4-6 week sugaring season.
eXplore! was invited to bring a camera to one of the areas finest sugar shacks. We enjoyed the hospitality of Tibbitts Maple Products of New Hartford NY.
We encourage eXplore! viewers to celebrate the arrival of Spring by enjoying some LOCALLY produced maple syrup.
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So What's A Sleigh Rally ?
Posted on Monday February 12th, 2007 at 1:07 PM (February 12th, 2007)
You know the words... " Dashing though the snow...in a one horse open sleigh...o'er the fields we go, laughing all the way..." that my friends is what did when we went to eXplore! the Cherry Valley Carriage Association's 25th annual Sleigh Rally at Lorenzo State Historic Site. The public is invited to watch as well as get a free sleigh ride.
About 9 or so sleighs, mostly antique pulled by a stunning variety of horses around the front lawn of Lorenzo. We met the owners and drivers and were offered rides on several sleighs. Director Walt as usual found ways to get an unique POV (Point of View). Check out our photo page.
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Snowfari the Winter Party
Posted on Friday February 9th, 2007 at 12:34 PM (February 9th, 2007)
A week ago eXplore! was invited to bring camera, crew and producer to document the FUN at Snowfari '07. And fun we had. We started getting some shots on Friday afternoon as volunteers prepared for the event. The miniature golf course was designed and the snow spray-painted green. A mound of snow was shoveled high for the Big Air Competition and Bales of hay were put in place. the big question remaining... what would the weather be.
Saturday morning eXplore arrived at the Parkway about 9:30 am ready to catch the action. There was plenty for us to tape and the weather was perfect. Director Walt started out interviewing the team from DIRTWERKS and followed them up the slope to tape some of the "SNOWBALL SOFTBALL GAME". Cameraman Brian got busy with miniature golf, obstacle course and whatever else caught his attention. eXplore! producer made friends with some of the families brining in cardboard sleds for the CARDBOARD SLED RACES. Walt, Kim and Brian then went over to tape some of Snow-boarders at the BIG AIR COMPETITION.
The highlight of event is the CARDBOARD SLED RACES and eXplore! cameras were there to catch some of the spectacular crashes, as well as the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". We even saw some friends including one of our first eXplore! families - the Mistric Family. Before the producer had time to react, Director Walt had commandeered a seat in their cardboard sled and captured the soon to be broadcast footage from the Cardboard Cup Crash CAM. It was all in good fun and for a good cause - the Utica Zoo. Check it out on eXplore! the real reality show...then consider participating in this fun filled family event next year.
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North to the Seaway ...
Posted on Sunday November 19th, 2006 at 8:21 PM (November 19th, 2006)
The eXplore! crew recently returned from videotaping a family eXcursion with Dyana and Senna Ohlsson. They came to our studios in New York Mills, like all of our family excursion eXplore! families, ready for an adventure, but not sure where they would be taken to.
We announced that we would be heading north - first to Sackets Harbor to visit the Seaway Trail Discovery Center. Then we drove the eXplore! Ford Expedition to Clayton NY for an afternoon of art at the Handweaving Museum. Senna had an opportunity to "throw some clay on the wheel"l and to practice weaving a rag rug on a hand loom. The day ended with a visit to the "bead bar" where Senna made a lovely bracelet for her mom.
The eXplore! crew had a great time learning about some of the things that the Villages Sackets Harbor and Clayton have to offer. We promised our new friends at the Seaway Discovery Center and The Handweaving Museum that we'll return with another "family" and continue to eXplore!
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Musings from above
Posted on Thursday November 16th, 2006 at 9:36 AM (November 16th, 2006)
Hangin' out of a helicopter at an average of 500 feet AGL (above ground level) it's easy to see why Central New York is blessed. Rich land; abundant water, and a well-built terrestrial transportation system are always in view. Well almost always.
Today's mission is for Adam from Aviation Services Unlimited to take the Jet Ranger across the North Country to obtain aerial footage of the harvesting operations at Seaway Timber. Adding to the beautiful view at hand is the fact it is perfect peak in the Adirondacks. Backlit deciduous canopies in rare hues make it hard to blink. Pat, a principle of Seaway Timber picked the perfect sky-blue, puffy cloud, multicolored Adirondack day to perform aeronautical leaf peeping. As we near the next site somewhere near Auseable Gorge, Adam starts our decent to just over the pines and maples. Below about a dozen men are operating cutter benchers, skidders, chippers and 18-wheelers deep in the woods. The terrestrial transportation system once part of the terrain hasn't been seen for the past five miniatures. Only dirt logging roads. Cruising at about 120 miles an hour that calculates to pretty far in. Adam slows us to a slow forward speed of maybe thirty miles an hour. I lean out the door rolling tape as we cruise over the chipper site. It's nearly windless at this speed. Then right door of the Jet Ranger was removed before takeoff and I place a lot faith in my seatbelt as I place my weight against it and park my right foot out on the skid rung. As we sweep the brief moment of warmth due to the lack of wind is welcome. The treetops nearly tickle my toes as Adam yaws the chopper slightly to enhance my forward view. The camera is squared securely to the shot, the red light is on and the vista neatly slides beneath the frame. Adam cuts a perfect line through the ops area just as we had discussed thru the headset before starting the approach. Thanks to a good pilot, a good producer, and a pretty good cameraman, we roll another perfect shot. The craft banks right, hanging me nearly out in space. We start searching for what will prove to be a very elusive cutter buncher. Even lookin straight down the power of nature easily masks the million-dollar machine that harvests 15 full-grown trees in as many minutes. We finally locate it and execute a turn about a point that requires a few g's. Our producer isn't happy at my call to the pilot to keep the hard turn. We're directly over the boss's machine and I want to make the shot right. Over the phones I hear him call off the maneuver and hear a sigh of relief from Adam. It's not wise to push too hard at low altitude even if it does make great video. We break off for the next shot. Two skidders are crossing each other's path on way back to the chipper. I ask Adam for the line up the shot with yaw, and even though he barley has us straight and level, he swings the bird into position putting me back into the wind. The salty sweat that had just built up in the previous minute now serves to remind me of Mother Nature's reach. I brace the chill, hit the button look for the red light, line up the shot and say a silent prayer thanking God for this wonderful place we live in and this wonderful opportunity.
Posted by Walt, Videographer and eXplore! Director
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Don't call them dogs!
Posted on Thursday October 19th, 2006 at 9:53 PM (October 19th, 2006)
While sitting in a clients office in Hamilton, I spy a local paper. Since I have a few minutes to kill, I look at the events section. This catches my attention: " Sunday 9:30 The Blessing of the Hounds - Limestone Creek Hunt." After a quick chat with director Walt, I call Laura, the club president and receive an invitation to eXplore!
LCH promotes fox viewing, drag hunting and the enjoyment of equestrian activities. From August through December, members "foxhunt" wearing traditional clothing. (Yes, red or black coats.) They can be seen galloping across the fields of Cazanovia and Clinton etc. Our new friends shared their passion with us and even invited us to a hunt breakfast (Breakfast after the "hunt") Their form of hunting doesn't hurt any creature...they are more interested in getting a viewing of the fox. They are outdoor lovers. Many possess a Keen ear, and can hear the hounds (Don't call them dogs!) and the calls of the hunt master in the distance and seem to know what is happening in the field. We barely heard the hounds.
for more information check out limestonecreekhunt.org
Oh yes, there was a blessing... a local minister came out and blessed the hounds, horses and riders.
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eXplore! goes primative
Posted on Monday October 9th, 2006 at 2:20 PM (October 9th, 2006)
Date: October 8,2006
Place: Moose River Plains Wilderness Area just north of Inlet
Event: 15 Annual NYSMLA Primitive Rendevous
The Rendevous was started as a way for trappers and hunters to sell hides and beaver pelts for supplies. The fur trade is reenacted by many in North America at events known as "Rendezvous. eXplore! visited an empampent of the time period 1740 - 1840. We met mountain men, indians, pioneers, trappers and hunters. The Rendevous was started as a way for trappers and hunters to sell hides and beaver pelts for supplies. We were warmly greeted and invited to bring our cameras to document demonstrations of tomahawk throwing, muzzleloading and dutch oven cooking.
We learned that these folks participate in experimental archeology - that is trying an event such as a 2 day trek into the wilderness taking with them "authentic" gear.
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No tricks but Lots of TREATS!
Posted on Tuesday October 3rd, 2006 at 8:47 AM (October 3rd, 2006)
The cooler weather - the changing of the seasosn has put our eXplore! producer in a FALL mood. Our first secret (fall) location was off to Critz Farms with the Gary Family. Next we took the Leslie Family of Oriskany Falls to the Erie Canal Village. In October the Erie Canal Village is transformed into a Halloween Village. We found that this is especially lots of fun for families with younger children. They offer pony rides, train rides, and several chances to get "treats".(visit eriecanalvillage)
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A Perfect Day At Critz Farms
Posted on Tuesday September 19th, 2006 at 2:09 PM (September 19th, 2006)
Hi... So 9AM Saturday Sept. 16th, The Gary Family of Utica NY arrived as scheduled to the eXplore! Headquarters in New York Mills. They were ready for an adventure, but didn't know where they would be chauffeured to (in the official eXplore! vehicle a 2006 Ford Expedition). Then the producer (me) told them that they were selected to visit Critz Farm in Cazanovia. Cazanovia is in Madison County, the geographic center of the state and is "exactly where you want to be"). The family was excited to visit this pumpkin farm - where they were given VIP hospitality. The enjoyed cider and apple fritters, fudge and a petting zoo. Then they had fun getting lost in a 8 acre corn maze. Their trip ended with a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch where each the the 6 Gary's selected the best pumpkin. (visit critzfarms.com)
eXplore! has other trips in store. Maybe your family will be selected to receive VIP treatment as you eXplore! with us. Register today. (at contact explore-tv.net)
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Flying Bathtubs, The Missing Chicken Head and Skunk Riding
Posted on Sunday August 27th, 2006 at 7:34 PM (August 27th, 2006)
Hey, it's been a busy week. We're shooting in a variety of places - getting ready for out September 9th premier on Utica.TV.
The art lovers will appreciate a trip to Sculpture Space visit sculpturespace.org. We met several artists working on their installations. Sculpture Space is unique in North America for its support given to artists who come to Utica, NY to create on a scale which they otherwise might not be able to at home. Watch www.explore-tv.net to see the flying bathtubs.
Our eXplore! cameras went behind the scenes at Water Safari with Danny, David and Katie. We wanted to eXplore! how a water theme staff keep the water flowing and everything working. Artist Steve showed us a "chicken head" that came off the Gingerbread House.
On Saturday September 26, eXplore! drove a family (in our official production vehicle, a 2006 Ford Expedition) to the Farmers Museum in Cooperstown. One member of our our "eXplore family" rode a skunk. Ok it's not as bad as it sounds... it was one of the animals on the New York State Carousel. visit farmersmuseum.org
Summary:
Hey, it's been a busy week.
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You Make eXplore! Happen
Posted on Monday August 7th, 2006 at 7:56 PM (August 7th, 2006)
Hi - thank you for visiting this web site.
We are looking for "eXplore! families .
Register with us, if selected, your family or small group will have an opportunitey to eXplore!. We'll drive you to a secret location in our Ford Expedition, add in a few (nice) surprises and our TV crews will tape as you eXplore!
Be part of the eXcitement!
eXplore!
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You never forget how to ride a bike ...
Posted on Sunday August 6th, 2006 at 9:07 PM (August 6th, 2006)
It's a beautiful day in Inlet, NY. A perfect day..warm and sunny but with a nice breeze. We're in Inlet to shoot a segment of "eXplore!". We gathered at 9:30AM at Pedals and Petals on Rt. 28 (visit pedalsandpetals.com) for the Inlet Community Bike Ride. We were escorted to the Carter Station Loop trail head. This trail is designated as easy, and that is true for most bikers but not for this TV producer.
We had our "eXplore! Ford Expedition" on the trail traveling with the bikers. We also had Cameraman Brian on a bike trying to position himself ahead of the pack. At some point, he decided that the camera slowed him down and that he should ride in the Expedition. What to do with the bike? Like any good producer, I told him to go in the vehicle and that I would take care of the bike. So that's how I found myself teatering on a mountain bike, trying to figure out how the gears work and suddenly remembering that it's been at least 30 years since I've been on a bike. I'm glad the crew wasn't around to video me but I'm also glad that I had a chance to bike again. After a mile or so, I felt more at ease and stated to enjoy the scenery.
After the ride was over, eXplore! guests and crew headed back into Inlet for lunch at the Moose Caboose.
I hope you'll watch eXplore! on Utica.TV as we show you some new places and ways to eXplore!
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We hustle at Camp Russell
Posted on Saturday August 5th, 2006 at 11:05 AM (August 5th, 2006)
Every time I drive past Camp Russell on White Lake NY on my way to Old Forge I turn my head to try to get a peek as I drive by.
Camp Russell (http://www.adkventures.org/), operated by Revolutionary Trails Council BSA, is one of the premier camps in the USA and serves more than 1000 youth each summer.
eXplore! TV crews were allowed to visit Camp Russell while camp was in session. There are many activites to keep scouts busy. We visited merit badge classes in wood working, swiming and small boat sailing.
Thank you Camp Director and Staff for leting us eXplore! Camp Russell. You can eXplore! with us by watching eXplore! on Utica.TV starting September 9, 2006.
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Mixing it up @ the Music Mix
Posted on Sunday July 16th, 2006 at 9:39 AM (July 16th, 2006)
Wow ... we love Hamilton NY.
We arrived at The 5th Annual Hamiliton Music Mix about 11AM with an "eXplore! family. Hamilton rolled out the red carpet for us. Our family received a goodie bag with gifts from the Colgate Bookstore, Maxwell's Chocolates and Ice Cream, The Hamilton Movie Theater, The Peppermill, Adventure Bikes and Boards and the Partnership for Community Development. ( www.partnersatwork.org/). But thats not all - the family and crew were treated to lunch at the Parkside Deli and Dinner at the Colgate Inn.
There was so much to do at the Music Mix - check it out on "eXplore!" starting September 9, 2006 on Utica.TV (http://www.wutr20.com/).
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eXplore! with us!
Posted on Friday July 14th, 2006 at 3:30 PM (July 14th, 2006)
Thank you for checking us out at http://www.explore-tv.net.
eXplore! is Central New York's "Real Reality" Show. Real Reality as in Real people having a Real good time. We start airing September 9, 2006 on Utica.TV. We have lots of exciting ideas for shows ... but we welcome and need suggestions from you. We want to promote the Central New York lifestyle. We know what a fantastic place this is to live and that there is so much to do here.
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