Having fun at Cracker Box Palace Faire
By Melissa White

We are having so much fun this year going to the events in the area. Last Saturday, we came out to Alasa Farms to see the animals and learn more about the Cracker Box Palace. The Cracker Box Palace is a non-profit farm animal rescue and the Faire was to raise funding and awareness. There was no charge to attend but a donation was welcome.

There is a wish list if you would like to help out: www.crackerboxpalace.org

There were so many tents to stop at for information: Morgan Stanley for financial advising, the Sodus Chamber of Commerce, and Animal Cruelty Investigators, as well as the Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Network and the Humane Society of Wayne County.

The craft tents were filled with beautiful one of a kind items, stoneware, cards and country decor. Many rescue groups were there as well, the Wild Wings Inc., a non-profit organization that cares for permanently injured birds of prey, NYS Scottish Terrier Rescue Association of Northern New York, and Brightstar German Shepherd Rescue of Rochester. It was interesting to speak to people and find out exactly what their groups are doing and how we can help them.

It was of course fun to visit the animals on the farm: a l,000 lb. pig, the huge Belgian horse who seemed to come right to the fence when he saw the camera. A sheep Ernie and a goat Sophie came right to the fence when they saw Oscar. He, however, was not so sure he wanted to be friendly right away. They are much bigger then he is.

Chuck Winship had a booth filled with bottles of golden maple syrup. All we needed was the pancakes. He is the 2004 winner for the I love my Farmer Award and owns Sugarbush Hallow LLC which is located in the Town of Springwater Wayland area www.sugarHouseSyrup.com

Chuck has products available year round and has tours during March and April or by appointment. He sells Maple Syrup as well as walnuts and granulated sugar.

Oscar really found the booth owned by Dog-Gone-It Gourmet Dog Treats to be of interest. I asked if they had a tester so they knew the biscuits were what dogs were looking for. They have a professional taster in their home. Their cockapoo tries and loves them all. I have never seen so many different flavors , carob coated , bbq. Ron and Lori are from Hilton and can be reached by email ron-gavigan@yahoo.com

If you'd like to write to find out about the varieties: 280 Lake Ave. Hilton NY 14468

Beginning this summer, the Alasa Academy will have Summer Workshops for children and an after-school program . Children will have workshops and learn about the Math in Nature, history of the area and do science experiments, just to mention a few. The workshops are for kids 8 and up integrating the sciences, math and technology with nature and the farm environment.

There were Heluva Good cheese samples at the Cracker Box Palace tent; a Dog Obedience Demonstration sponsored by Hammond's School of Obedience of Phelps; the Horse Tack Auction sponsored by the Village Auction Company of Wolcott.

It was a fun , informative and busy day of farm tours, hayrides, fossil walks and visiting with the people at the booths, something for everyone. We enjoyed every minute.

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