By Heather Skinner
COBLESKILL- The Empty Pockets Ranch annual Sunflower Festival ran for two days over Labor Day weekend after being a one-day event in previous years. Schoharie County residents, as well as visitors from NYC and as far as Florida came out to enjoy the flowers, music, and locally-crafted products and foods from vendors and the Ranch’s store. Josh & Lori Davis and their children, owners of Empty Pockets Ranch, work hard all year to make this event possible and kept everything running smoothly.
The view from The Mountain Eagle & Schoharie News table was spectacular.
Families that visited our table got to experience being Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporters for the Day.
Eloise E. (age 11 ½) interviewed Magician Alan Edstrom. Eloise wanted to know how Edstrom does magic and reported Edstrom’s response about the importance of reading books, learning from other magicians, and practicing. Edstrom shared card, rope, and ball tricks with Eloise, and the quote, “Two kinds of books kids check out of libraries most: joke books and magic.” Edstrom can be found at Alanedstrom.com, where you will also find he’s a Jack of all trades with a long list of additional credits including voiceover work.
Gemma S. (age 9) noticed Wren’s Earth Refillery (that reduces single-use products with the option to refill eco-friendly and high-quality soaps, reusable towels and Swedish dishcloths, and offers safe, all-natural product alternatives for things like deodorant) also had fairy houses for sale. Gemma relayed a quote from Wren (age 8), “You can get a free letter from a fairy if you buy a door.” Refillery owner, Kate, confirmed that in addition to their regularly available products, they usually also have one-of-a-kind craft options available when vending on-location that has included journals and felted plant pots. You can follow them on Facebook and at www.wrensearth.com.
Gemma S. also shared a business card from Whispering Willow Wild Care after enjoying their Live Bird Education about a crow, raven, and owls on August 30th. Their website is www.whisperingwillowwildcare.org and their shows are available for schools, birthdays, festivals, libraries, tours, events, etc.
Honor Bilby (age 8) found reporting exciting; enjoying the social aspect of it he expressed, “I feel popular.” Honor interviewed 2 vendors, starting with Waxing Gibbous Esoterics owner, Renée Bilby. Bilby was offering crochet catnip toys, coasters, and hats, as well as Intention Oil Rollers and Crystal Chip Tealights for protection, grounding, love, and meditation. Honor’s interview answered Bilby’s products what?, “Powerful potions and whimsical notions,” why? “to share My Magick with others,” and how? “made by hand with love and Magick.” Waxing Gibbous Esoterics is on Facebook & Instagram @waxing.gibbous.esoterics and via email at waxinggibbousesoterics@gmail.com .
Honor’s interview with Tracy Russell of Moon & Leaf Magic allowed Russell to share a love of helping people feel better in a natural way with their loose leaf tea and herbal mixtures. Honor captured Russell’s quote, “I hope you have a tea-rrific day!” Moon & Leaf Magic is on Facebook and you can sign up for their newsletter at moonleafmagic.com .
Gavin (age 3) and his mom spoke with injured animal helper, Jason, about Wildlife Alive! Empty Pockets Ranch referred to this organization and its Director, Wes Laraway, on Facebook as, “A true local hero for those without a voice.” Jason said, “Animals need help just like us!” Their interview spotlit that Wildlife Alive! helps all kinds of animals and on August 31st, they brought a falcon, hawk, turkey vulture, and owls with them to the Sunflower Festival. These wildlife rehabilitators are based in Middleburgh, they offer education programs, donations are greatly appreciated, and they’re online at nywildliferescue.org. Email laraway@midtel.net, and their Facebook page is New York Wildlife Rescue Center.
Isabella Sero and mom, Nadia Zafar, interviewed Emily Bennett of LC Creations. They asked, “What is it that you are selling at the tent?” Bennett responded, “Clothes, activities, tumblers.” Isabella found out, “Why do you do what you do?” Bennett explained, “Just for fun.” And in response to, “How did you get started doing this?” Bennett said, “In-laws bought a cricket and it escalated from there!” Schoharie business LC Creations is on Facebook.
Evelyn Murphy (age 3), Lily (age 6), Aubrie Murphy (age 6), and Merit (age 6) made a fantastic reporting team speaking with Michelle Netoskie of Michelle’s Rose (Hand Sewn Yo-Yo Quilting Circles, 518-423-4004, mnetoskie.bhci@gmail.com ). Netoskie crafts to relax and once, “Made 700 circles over the course of 12 weeks which I used to make 125 barrettes.” Netoskie was taught sewing at 8 years old by her grandmother.
Mountain Eagle Jr. Reporters for the Day highlighted some of their favorite Sunflower Festival experiences and noted they think the news is important because it tells you what is happening (-Eloise E), lets people know the latest events (-Gemma S.), and so people know what to expect (-Honor B.). Gavin enjoyed where being a reporter can take you because this experience gave him a chance to, “see the animals!”
Empty Pockets Ranch shared on Facebook, “We started this back in 2020 with a tiny patch of sunflowers, and over the years it has become a family favorite to come back to year after year.” They welcome everyone and offered thoughtful handicap parking and bathroom accessibility during the Festival. The Ranch also offered face painting, dahlias, and zinnias.
The Ranch’s Dinner in the Sunflower Field event (advance tickets required) was so popular this year, it also expanded from 1 day to 3 different event days on August 16th, 23rd, and the last one for the season will be on September 27th.
Visit Empty Pockets Ranch at 5172 state Route 145 during their farm store, U-pick flowers, and petting zoo open hours, which they update on their Facebook page and website, emptypocketsranch.com . After this year’s event, the Ranch posted on Facebook, “Thank you all for another successful Sunflower Festival! Special thanks to all of our vendors, performers, food team, and most of all thanks to all of you who came out in droves on both days! It takes a village to make this a success!” Adding, “The Sunflower Festival is one weekend a year but we are open every day 10-6 ! We have boneless chicken breast, whole chicken, soup parts, sausages, ground beef, chicken pot pies, soups, and more! As a reminder, FLOWER SEASON ISN'T OVER! We keep our U-Pick open as long as we have flowers, which is usually into October! We aren't done yet, we still have dinner in the sunflower events, private parties, and events with our flowers on deck.”
Collage of Sunflower Festival goers (top row photos left to right): Photo by Sharon B. Duchaine of Wren and Kate of Wren’s Earth Refillery being interviewed by Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporter For the Day-Gemma Skinner, Magician Alan Edstrom performing tricks for a captive audience including Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporter For the Day Eloise E. (in hoodie), and Waxing Gibbous Esoterics owner Renée Bilby who was interviewed by Honor Bilby- Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporter For the Day in bottom left collage photo. Ryker Ullman was excited to pose for a newspaper picture with his family and sunflower finds in the photo above another attendee happy with their sunflower bouquet. Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporters For the Day joined by their moms included Gavin and Isabella Sero (with mom Nadia Zafar), and the group photo of Jr. Mountain Eagle Reporters For the Day includes Lily, Merit, and Evelyn & Aubrie Murphy.
It was a joy to see people stop and support neighboring booth, The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, whose 50th Anniversary will be celebrated at Grapevine Farms on September 13th (tickets to attend can be purchased at the Shelter or at Grapevine Farms).
More of the over 22 vendors included Sunstruck Farm ( www.sunstruckfarm.net ), Gs Kettle Corn & more (is on Facebook (FB)), Da Bracelet Corner (@dabraceletcorner on FB & Instagram (IG)), Fluid Art By Tiffany (on FB & email tifdiamond@hotmail.com ) & Sierra Custom Wood Burning (518-763-9891), JH Gifts (on FB & IG & www.jhgifts.shop ), K&M Woodcrafting (handcrafted decor and more text Megan at 518-231-5968), Custom Muti-Media Artworks (crochet macrame, jewelry, home décor, sustainably sources osteo-art and more on FB and IG, call 518-832-3510), Dreams of Wonderland ( www.dreamsofwonderland.us ), Windswept Farm & Apothecary (on FB and windsweptapothecary.etsy.com ) Casey Beal Designs (on FB and www.caseybealdesigns.com ), and Stelherdaiz Dog Treats (on FB).
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