Good News for ALASA Academy

A recognition of the importance of education is something I share with my husband's family. His sisters have all been involved in the education field at one time or another and Griff's mother always loved the summer program which was held at the farm for many years, known as the ALASA Center.

Four years ago Alasa Farms became the host to a new program,(see previous post) which, under the capable direction on Sharon Maher, set out to prove that learning can be fun and rewarding. ALASA Academy, Alternative Learning Academy for Student Achievement, Inc., identifies its vision as follows:

We seek to provide a small, flexible, cooperative learning environment that educates the whole person and promotes physical and mental well being. We believe there are many ways to learn and that all learning starts with play. We believe that individuality, creativity and self-expression must be recognized and supported and that every individual has an equal right to be heard. We believe in supporting and encouraging personal excellence. We believe that trust and communications are more important than rules. We believe that to be successful as an adult, one must balance individual freedom with responsibility to the natural environment and to the community.

What started with a 2-week summer program has grown to include some weekend activities but Sharon has always had a much larger dream. She is currently working on the establishment of some after-school activities with the ultimate goal being the establishment of a full-day school, that would offer a unique learning environment for kids struggling in the traditional classroom. As described on the website:

The ALASA Academy Full Day School will follow the Sodus School District calendar and will begin with children from ages 8-9 through completion of high school credits and/or sufficient skill development to move on into society. Curriculum will focus on personal skill development, academic growth through hands-on integrated activities, satellite courses and customized skill development and evaluation. All work will be correlated to the New York State Education Standards. Students will work at their own pace with benchmarks to identify growth, and evaluation to confirm skill mastery—including passing appropriate New York State Regents exams and standardized tests. Community service will be a strong component of the curriculum, enabling students to work with adults in various Wayne County businesses/organizations, developing the skills of giving, teamwork, self-worth and pride. The number of students enrolled is expected to be small (based on the rural nature of Wayne County), but is expected to grow over time.

Sharon is completely committed to this project but she faced a major obstacle to moving forward in the implementation of a year-long program since many of the classes were held on the farmhouse porch, outside, or in one of the barns. For a couple of years she has been singularly focused on obtaining the necessary financing to purchase a small piece of property from the farm where a building could be constructed to house the school. So when I received her email earlier this month, I was thrilled for her, the kids of Wayne County, all the tireless volunteers, as well as Griff and Nancy--my mother-in-law.

Saturday’s raw winds and steady downpour weren’t about to dampen anyone’s spirits as dozens of people streamed on to the large, welcoming porch of the Mangan family’s home at Alasa Farms. Only a couple of days before, word had been received that Senator Nozzolio wanted to meet with organizers of ALASA Academy and members of the community who have participated in the Academy’s programs over the past four years.

Their summer workshops for children were expanded to three, one-week sessions this year and offer a completely new and fresh approach to a summer day-camp experience. Awareness of and concern for the environment, interpersonal skills, team building, importance of community service, and personal pride are only a sampling of the values that ALASA Academy reinforces while providing a real-world opportunity to make math, science, journaling, and other areas of academia a part of each child’s life that they can relate to day to day.

A primary goal has been to purchase 10 acres of property at Alasa Farms, where the Academy could erect its own building and enable them to conduct programs for children all year. Senator Nozzolio beamed as he lauded the efforts of ALASA Academy and their dedication to the children of Wayne County. “You are helping kids to engage in the right activities, to get a good start in life, to do the right thing,” Nozzolio said, and shared his thoughts on the importance of providing the children of Wayne County with such a unique learning opportunity. One of the facets of the Academy’s program that is of particular significance to Senator Nozzolio is that of their partnership with Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven, which also resides at Alasa Farms. An integral part of the Academy’s curriculum is daily hands-on experience with the animals at the haven, many of which have been rescued from cruelty, abuse, and neglect.

A hush came over the crowd as Senator Nozzolio addressed Sharon Maher and the other Alasa Academy volunteers and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the children of Wayne County, and a look of total disbelief came over everyone’s faces as he presented Sharon with a grant for $30,000 – the amount necessary to purchase the land and begin building their school.

I wish everyone at ALASA Academy the best. Now, Sharon, I only hope the path to fulfilling my dream is as successful as yours has been. Congratulations, this is a huge step toward achieving your goal.

My Love for Flowers

I have been fairly well-occupied with packing the last week and have not had a lot of time to enjoy the last of the early summer flowers on the farm. But I needn't worry because each day

Mother makes sure the house is filled with fragrant blooms essentially bringing the outdoors inside for me to experience. Her enjoyment of the gardens is a joy to watch and made me realize where I learned to love flowers.

The first time I visited Alasa Farms, was when I was still in college at Colorado State University, and Griff invited me to spend some time with him one summer. I still remember my wonder at having gardens filled with flowers, enough so that cutting some to be enjoyed indoors was not only possible but expected. It seemed a little like I was a character in a Jane Austen novel, cutting blossoms, carrying them to a garden sink, where a wonderful selection of vases were arrayed on the shelves above, just waiting to be selected.

This was a new experience for me since our Colorado gardens had always served a more practical purpose and were never abundant enough to allow for indiscriminate harvesting for indoor decoration. So I had never seen the joy my mother and I share for wandering through the gardens, basket and clippers in hand, selecting blooms that won't be missed but can still add such brightness to a bedroom or the kitchen. It is so much easier to do one's work when surrounded by the beauty of flowers.

Much later, when Griff and I were finally married (that is a story for another day) and I moved into the farmhouse, which I had visited all those years before, one of my greatest pleasures was the abundance of flowers for cutting and that is something I will miss.

More from Alton, New York

Friday was Griff's birthday and Cheri, Burt and lots of other volunteers from the Cracker Box Palace, hosted a barbecue supper for him and we had a splendid turnout.


The evening was beautiful and it was especially fun for me, since I had the chance to visit with friends I had not seen in quite awhile.

I'm not sure who -- the girls or Griff -- is enjoying his new recycled 3-wheeled bicycle more. The residents of the Alasa Farm community saved it from the junk heap, acquiring it in trade from the prior owners, who agreed to provide a home for an abandoned pig.








Such is life on the farm.












For me the packing continues. What a mess!!



I don't think I'll miss this Art Deco chandelier, although it is certainly a conversation piece.

Alasa Farms on Sodus Bay

After the two-week trek my pod of 4 adults and 2 dogs finally reached our destination of Alton, NY situated on Sodus Bay which opens onto Lake Ontario. Alton and Sodus Point -- the two small villages which the farm is associated with -- lie nearly halfway between the metropolitan cities of Rochester and Syracuse, NY.

This is a beautiful time at the farm. The roses lining the fence of the pool are in full bloom, along with the peonies, dogwood, alium and numerous other wildflowers. The apples and peaches are just beginning to fill out and exhibit the potential which lies within for developing into a sweet, juicy, crisp piece of fresh fruit. Strawberries are the current fruit of choice at the numerous farm markets and cherries are nearing perfection.

This is Sophie and Sadie's first trip east and they have not stopped running, sniffing, exploring, and absorbing all the new sensations which are available to members of the canine species on a farm. Cats, llamas, goats, sheep, horses and who knows what else have given these two town girls a whole new perspective on life.

As the volunteers of Alasa Academy prepare for their summer classes, I am faced with the daunting task of deciding what stays and what goes. Where does one begin?

I feel a massive shift of culture between this nearly 300 year old Shaker home and all the history that it contains -- years as the Sodus Shaker Community; followed by the utopia-seeking Fourierites, and their attempts at communal living; later becoming the showplace farm of the 30s and 40s, owned by Alvah Griffin Strong (my husband's grandfather and grandson of the first President of Kodak), with it's herd of show cattle, Standard-Bred horses, massive barns with tongue and groove siding inside, acres of forest and bay front property and apple and peach orchards; then its continuing legacy as a Shaker historical site and educational center operated by Griffy, his mother and family -- Shaker Days, Alasa Center, Fiber Days and Pick and Picnic (u-pick apples) which included my small contribution of Simple Gifts, the farm's gift shop; and now is home to Cracker Box Palace (a farm animal rescue organization) and Alasa Academy (an alternative educational program).

How does any of this history translate to South Texas? I'm not sure and there is a lot more room to accumulate things in a 4 story, 6 bedroom, farmhouse than what a 1400 sq. ft. South Padre Island house can hold. I ponder this as I sit at my desk, where I used to enjoy dabbling with watercolors and peruse the shelves of books spanning from Griff's great grandparents library of the 1880s through my additions of the early 21st century. Where will they all go, and will I ever have enough space for new books?

And then there is my collection of Beanie Babies and Griff's Titanic memorabilia. I am so-o confused and overwhelmed. and I thought living here was overwhelming, leaving seems to be equally as challenging. Well, I suppose I need to get started. More later.

Alasa Farms

In an earlier post I explained how I sometimes wish I could use the subtle knife from Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy to travel between my worlds as easily as Will was able to move between his. But with the wonder of technology this blog can take us from the Gulf Coast to the shores of Lake Ontario with the click of a mouse. I don't think moving my stuff will be that easy but that is a subject for another day.

I found this description of Alasa Farms at the Cracker Box Palace web site. This is another group which makes its home at the farm. The article actually makes me a little homesick.

Cracker Box Palace � Farm animal sanctuary offering rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and sanctuary for abandoned, abused and neglected farm animals

Alasa Farms, a historic treasure waiting for you...

High on the rolling hills overlooking Great Sodus Bay, Alasa Farms has been an integral part of the area’s history since the early 1800’s. In 1826, a group called The United Society for the Believers of Christ’s Second Coming, more commonly known as the Shakers, purchased the almost 1400 acre property. Their community grew to a population of 148 and prospered, remaining at the site until 1836 when the property was purchased by the Sodus Canal Company. The Shakers rehabilitated many of the existing buildings and erected new ones and cleared hundreds of acres of land for farming. The property changed hands several times, and finally was purchased by Alvah Griffin Strong in 1924 and it remains in his family today. Mr. Strong, the grandson of Eastman Kodak’s first president, named the estate Alasa Farms; the name is the combination of the first two letters of the name Alvah and the first name of Asa McBride, a friend and partner

The stately Manor House, or Church Family Dwelling House as it was known within the Shaker community is a focal point of the farm. It was built in 1833 and housed as many as 60 people. It is now the residence of Mr. Griff Mangan and his wife Joni.** Mr. Mangan is a descendent of Mr. Alvah Strong. The three story home features nine bedrooms, a large meeting room that was used for prayer services, comfortable sitting rooms with open fireplaces, an enviable colonial-style kitchen, and even a bell tower. Breezy, shaded screened in porches invite you sit down and relax on hot summer days. Tours of the Manor House can be arranged with advance reservations.

The farm once featured 50 buildings, including specialty buildings like the Poultry House, Creamery and Aviary. Most notable, though, is the incredible, panoramic view of Great Sodus Bay, which has been an important part of the farm throughout its history. A writer of the 1920’s observed, "Here in his own front yard, so to speak, Mr. Strong has a water frontage of four miles and in the summer, sleek yachts, fast motor boats and other water craft dot the farm harbor. And as if this were not enough, Mr. Strong has built a large outdoor swimming pool adjoining the Manor House." The pool is still in use today, and its water supply is refreshed from the waters of Second Creek, as are the water hydrants that provide a water supply to the barns.

In 2004 the Mangan family invited the Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven rescue and rehabilitation organization to move their facility to Alasa Farms and lease the barns and pastures. Once again, the farm is bustling with activity and is now a home for over 200 farm animals.

Alasa Farms won the 1999 New York State Agri-Tourism Award, and when you visit, you’ll see why! Farm tours are available for groups large and small. Special events are scheduled throughout the year (Calendar of Events) and the fall season’s Apple Pick and Picnic days are a family favorite. We invite you to visit this historic jewel in Wayne County. We’re only a 25 minute drive from Rochester. Pack a picnic, put on your hiking shoes, and enjoy an unforgettable day in the country.

**emphasis mine