Category: Hidden Gems

Hidden Gems: Wild Wings Bird Sanctuary

Have you ever wondered whether the owls in Harry Potter could actually carry a Nimbus 2000? Or maybe you just want to see some birds of prey up close?

Why You Should Go

Wild Wings is a charming non-profit raptor rehabilitation center located about 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY. Nestled in Mendon Ponds Park, the facility is home to bald eagles, hawks, owls (big-and-super small), and other birds-of-prey who’ve been injured and rehabilitated and can’t be released back into the wild.

Be sure to note the hours. Wild Wings is only open Fridays through Tuesdays.

Meet ‘Barf’

They have a friendly, welcoming staff who are more than happy to give you the inside scoop on the different birds—‘Barf’ the Turkey Vulture, for instance, got his name because of a particularly unusual (and gross) defense mechanism.  The facility is totally family friendly (even the gift shop!) any time of year. During the spring and summer, they have beautiful gardens and in the colder months they offer hot cocoa to warm up your adventure.

My son insisted on taking home a stuffed Turkey Vulture from the gift shop. I was afraid what would happen if he squeezed it.

What to do

There’s a lot to see in a small space. Ask the trainers if they’ll be taking any of the birds out for socialization or educational programs. The times we’ve gone, my kids have been lucky to see many of the animals out of their cages.

The owls at Wild Wings are always a big hit.

Don’t Miss

You’ll probably only spend 20 minutes or so exploring the facility (especially if you’re with little ones), so be prepared to make a day of it in the surrounding Mendon Ponds Park. Pack some bird seed—but not for the Wild Wings birds (once you’ve seen a Bald Eagle’s talons up close, you’ll understand why). Right outside the bird sanctuary is the Bird Song Trail, where you can hand feed chickadees, nuthatches, and other tiny, wild birds. Just be careful of the squirrels. I had one run up my leg and into my kid’s diaper bag to get at my bounty of bird seed.

The Songbird Trail, located just a few yards from the sanctuary, is a great place to get up-and-personal with some feathered friends.

The Details

Location: Mendon Ponds Park, 27 Pond Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472
Hours: Open year-round; Friday – Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (If the weather is really bad they may put some of the birds inside.)
Suggested donation: Admission is Free, but they recommend a $5 per family donation
For more: Go to http://www.wildwingsinc.com

Hidden Gems: Lamberton Conservatory

As a born and raised Western New Yorker, I fully understand that snow and wintry weather can live anywhere from October to April and everywhere in between. And by the end of March (or February, or January…) it starts to get old. That’s why the Lamberton Conservatory is my favorite hidden gem in Rochester.

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A little nature goes a long way – all year long.

Located on Reservoir Avenue in Highland Park in Rochester, the Lamberton Conservatory is open year round. My favorite times to visit are winter and early spring, when colorful plant life is the perfect escape from the white and cold and gray.

When you enter, you’ll be greeted by coat hooks, a small counter shop, and a fish tank filled with anything from plecostomus to baby turtles. Hang up your coats, because the next door will take you on a warm journey through greenhouses heated to sustain flora from warmer climates.

Follow the brick path through tropical and desert lands. You’ll see red flowers, green cacti, and hanging moss. Breathing in the warm air and seeing plants of blue and purple and every other color is sometimes exactly what I need to soften the edge of winter. There’s even a coffee plant, if you’ve ever wondered what your java looks like in its natural habitat.

Beyond the plants

The Conservatory is one of my two-year-old’s favorite places, though I suspect his reasons are different from mine. If we go anywhere near Highland Park, he asks to see the “turtles and birdies.” Two ponds within the greenhouses are home to piles of turtles. While I’m guessing a “pile” is not the technical term for a group of turtles, visit the pond in the tropical room and you’ll see what I mean. My wild child son, whose constant energy never ceases to amaze me, will happily sit quietly and watch the turtles.

The “birdies” are a handful of quail who may cross your path at any point before entering the desert room, which my son has renamed the “Hop on Pop” room. It makes sense if the only other place you’ve seen a cactus is a Dr. Seuss book.

And if those aren’t enough reasons to visit, there’s also a tortoise named Chuck Norris. I’ve never seen him do martial arts, but word on the street is he’s the strongest shelled citizen around. His need to prove his strength made it necessary to separate him from the rest of the tortoise settlement of Shellville. I’m not making this up.

The Details:

So if you need an escape from a snowy or rainy or otherwise gray day, here’s what you need to know before you stop by:

Location:
Lamberton Conservatory
Highland Park
180 Reservoir Ave
Rochester, NY 14620

Hours:
Open daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Cost:
Kids 5 and under are free
Kids 6-18 and seniors 62+ are charged $2
Adults 19 – 61 pay $3 for admission

Turmeric makes dishes healthier and taste better

Hidden Gems: Turmeric

It all started with this stew. Scanning the ingredient list, I saw a spice I’d never cooked with before: turmeric. I was hesitant at first but decided to try it. I picked up the bright yellow-orange spice from the grocery store and got cooking on a cold, winter day. While the stew simmered, wonderful smells of warmth wafted through my home. While eating, my head and heart were filled with words of comfort –like savory, cozy, rest. It was amazing.

Turmeric is an ingredient in a buttnernut, sweet potato and red lentil stew

Erika tries her hand at “Cozy Butternut, Sweet Potato, and Red Lentil Stew”

That was it. I became obsessed. Each week, I hunted for one or two new recipes that included turmeric as an ingredient. Our house became regularly filled with the comforting smell while making curried coconut pumpkin soup with chicken and Afghan braised chicken in yogurt. I soon discovered turmeric could also be added to tea, smoothies, milk, and even ice cream. I’m looking forward to making these next, and trying out turmeric in the crockpot.

What’s the secret?

Haven’t cooked with this spice before? I was wary too, at first. Turmeric is bright orange and smells very different from the spices and seasonings I grew up with (salt, pepper, basil, oregano).

But if you love comfort food or eating things that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, you’ll probably love turmeric too.  

A delicious stew made with turmeric simmering on the stove.

A delicious stew made with turmeric simmering on the stove.

The Details

Turmeric (pronounced either “ter-mer-ic” or “tu-mer-ic”) is a member of the ginger family. It has been used for centuries in Asian and Indian cuisines. Turmeric has an earthy, warm flavor that is slightly peppery and a little bitter. You can find it at your local grocery store, either ground or fresh (which looks a lot like ginger root).

Turmeric is available at all major grocery stores

Turmeric is available at all major grocery stores

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, preliminary studies have demonstrated that turmeric and curcurmin (a component of turmeric) may improve many health conditions ranging from arthritis to skin irritation.  Should it be considered a “miracle cure-all” spice? Well, recent research suggests more robust studies are needed to know for sure.  Ready to try it?

Turmeric Highlights:

Erika hard at work on her stew with turmeric as the hidden gem

Erika hard at work on her stew with turmeric as the hidden gem

Cooking with turmeric, as well as other spices from basil to vanilla, can help lower your intake of fat, salt, and sugar. Cooking with a spice, for example, is often healthier than cooking with a high-fat ingredient, such as butter.

“Most spices are also very low in calories and inexpensive for the small amount used in most recipes,” said Pat Salzer, registered dietitian, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Personally, when I cook with turmeric, I find I also eat more vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. I love breaking out of my spice comfort-zone while making delicious, healthy food for my family.

Don’t Miss:

These delicious and easy recipes starring turmeric:

Mealime – Curried Coconut Pumpkin Soup with Chicken
Mom’s Kitchen Handbook – Afghan Braised Chicken in Yogurt
Oh She Glows – Cozy Butternut, Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Stew

 

Hidden Gems: Corbett’s Glen Nature Park

What’s the Secret?

You can find me at Cobb’s Hill Park in Rochester, N.Y., on the regular, so it was quite a surprise to discover Corbett’s Glen Nature Park—a stone’s throw from Rochester city limits. I first went to Corbett’s when I joined a Hikyoga session and I continue to go back because:

It’s peaceful. Not many people are around and the park is a good distance from city noise, so you can really experience the wonderfulness of nature. Two miles of 8-foot wide trails makes Corbett’s easy to navigate. Plus there’s a creek with waterfalls—perfect for photographs and dipping your toes in!

It’s cool.  If you take the Penfield Road entrance, it may seem like any old walk in the park at first. Don’t be fooled like I was—you’ll eventually come upon the most incredible train bridge. It was constructed in the late 1800s and is still in use today. The original landowner’s house is backed up to the park too, giving you a glimpse into what it was like back then.

Hidden Gems: Corbett's Glen

One of the interesting structures that you’ll find at Corbett’s Glen.

The Details

Address: 165 Park Ln, Rochester, NY 14625

Corbett’s Glen Nature Park was dedicated in 1999, after the surrounding community rallied together to get the Town of Brighton to purchase the land. Read more about the park’s preservation and history.

The park also features:

  • 52 acres
  • A boardwalk area
  • A deck viewing area
  • A seating area overlooking Postcard Falls
  • There are NO restrooms and garbage receptacles

The park is open year-round, from dawn until dusk. If you’re going, I recommend entering the park via the Penfield Road trailhead. It’s at the intersection of Penfield Road and Forest Hills Road and includes an eight-car parking lot. The other entrance is located off of Glen Road, near Route 441. This entrance is great if you’re not feeling a hike or want to get to the train bridge right away. In this case, park on the road before the tunnel. Walk through the tunnel to get to the trails.

Don’t Miss.

The train bridge.  It’s enormous and mind boggling how it was constructed without modern technology! If you’re feeling brave, you can climb the steps (that lead to nowhere) on the right side of the bridge for a bird’s eye view of the park.

Hidden Gems: Corbett's Glen Train Bridge

A view from underneath the train bridge at Corbett’s Glen.

Must-see Sculptures - Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

Hidden Gems: Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

What’s The Secret?

We “discovered” the park during one of our impulsive drives along Route 20, just south of Syracuse, NY.

We drove along with no particular destination in mind. But then we noticed a small sign a couple miles east of the village of Cazenovia, Madison County, telling us to take the next right to Stone Quarry Hill Art Park.  Neither my partner John nor I had ever heard of the park, so we decided to check it out.

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What we found off Stone Quarry Road was a delightful fusion of art and the outdoors. Surrounded by farmland and wooded hills, Stone Quarry Hill Art Park consists of 104 acres of open land, where you can follow four miles of hiking trails to take in both countryside vistas and about 100 large sculptures.

The Details

Location: 3883 Stone Quarry Road, Cazenovia, NY 13035
Hours: Park open year-round; indoor gallery open May through October
Suggested donation: $5 per person; children 16 and under are free
For more: Go to sqhap.org

The Highlights – Where Art Meets Nature

The nonprofit art park was founded in 1991 by Dorothy Riester, a sculptor, and her husband, Robert. Although the land originally displayed mainly Dorothy’s works, the park over time began to add creations by other on-site artists.  An indoor gallery holds additional temporary exhibitions during the summer and fall months, while the outdoor museum remains open year-round.

Natural materials make up some of the sculptures, which means that they change and perhaps even decompose with the seasons. This, and the ability to experience the park in different seasons, makes the park a place where art lovers of all ages can explore over and over again.

Stone Quarry Hill Art Park also hosts artistic events each year, such as the Syracuse Ceramic Guild Pottery Fair and a “Snow Drawings” event during Cazenovia’s Winter Festival on Feb. 11, 2017. It’s also become an increasingly popular site for weddings.

Don’t Miss

Don’t miss joining “Contemplating Man,” a sculpture that surveys the view of the countryside from his vantage point at the top of the hill.

"Contemplating Man" - Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

“Contemplating Man” – Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

Hidden Gems: Take a Stroll Along Rochester’s Secret Walk

There is no sign. You just have to know it’s there.

What’s the secret?

A few blocks up from Ontario Beach Park in Rochester, New York, is a secret walk through some of the most scenic backyards in the city. Starting near Beach Avenue and Tamarack Street is a three-block public sidewalk that borders Lake Ontario. The path seemingly goes right through the backyards and gardens of some of Rochester’s most prized real estate.

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It feels a bit odd, but it’s perfectly legal to follow the sidewalk as it turns toward the shore and navigates along this city-owned right of way open to the general public. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful lakefront houses, lush landscaping, sailboats on the lake and lots of birds. At the end of the walk partially off to the side is a statue of the Virgin Mary; it’s believed to have once belonged to the nuns who were former residents of a nearby house long since demolished. The nuns may be gone, but the statue remains, covered with rosaries from those who’ve strolled along the secret walk over the course of many decades.

Don’t Miss

Stretch your legs a little more and walk a half mile down to where Lake Ontario meets the Genesee River and enjoy a delicious custard at Abbott’s Frozen Custard, ride the historic Dentzel Menagiere Carousel and stroll through the Port of Rochester Ferry Building.

Strap on your winter boots: The secret stroll can also be a great option for the colder weather months. (Although Abbott’s and the carousel might be closed for the season! )

CoreLife Eater Review

Hidden Gems: CoreLife Eatery Review

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What’s the secret?

I was intrigued by the idea of a fast food place that served healthier food. That’s why I found myself on a recent Saturday with my sister at CoreLife Eatery at 100 Marketplace Drive, Suite #520, in Henrietta, Monroe County.

I wasn’t disappointed. They actually served a variety of fresh ingredients that you don’t often see in fast-casual restaurants. For example, they had actual whole avocados, entire ginger roots, scallions, soy beans, and beets. In addition, all ingredients are free of “GMOs, trans fats, artificial colors, sweeteners and other artificial additives.” Similarly, the chicken and steak are sustainably raised and never given antibiotics or hormones. They also buy local ingredients when possible. Check out the “local wall” for what ingredients came from your area.

The Details:

CoreLife Eatery was founded in North Syracuse in 2015. Their mission is to connect busy people with healthy, quick meals.

Upstate N.Y. Locations: Clarence, Greece, Henrietta, Ithaca, New Hartford, Syracuse, Vestal and Webster
Coming Soon: Amherst, Brighton, and Dewitt
Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Average price: $ – $$
Nutrition information available at eatatcore.com

Highlights:

  • The menu is divided into green bowls (salads), grain bowls, and broth bowls (soups). Select a bowl from the menu or build your own.
  • I loved the Chicken and Rice Noodle Broth Bowl. You could taste the freshness of the ingredients, especially the vegetables. Most of all, I liked the freshly cooked chicken rather than the overly processed “chicken” served at other fast-casual places.
  • Large portions. My sister, for example, saved half of her Thai Chicken and Rice Noodle Grain Bowl for later.
  • I spent around $10 for my meal and drink. It was well worth it, considering the quality of organic ingredients and portion size!
  • I was eating my food within 10 minutes of getting there. The speedy service would make this place a great choice for workday lunch breaks, too.

Don’t Miss:

  • An impressive selection of freshly squeezed lemonades with flavors like Cucumber Basil and Cranberry Cayenne.

Looking for a healthier dinner to make at home instead? Check out this recipe for Chicken and Garlic Zoodles.