Blustery weather didn’t keep the people away from Millers Mills pond on Sunday to enjoy the annual Ice Harvest.
“I thought it would be great to come out and bring the family and have a good time,” said Vicki Cusworth.
Cusworth and her nephew, Hayden Dooley, 4, worked on sawing up the blocks of ice that has become an annual tradition. She took turns helping her nephew and her friend’s daughter Madison Obreza, 5, cut up the blocks of ice.
Jessica Shea, of Jacksonville, Fla., said she wanted to come out this year because she remembers going as a kid, and wanted her children to experience it. Shea, formerly of Mohawk, said sawing was a little difficult at first, but then it got a little easier. She had the help of her sons, Hayden, 5, and Ethan, 10. Her mother, Florine Wagner, of Mohawk, also enjoyed the outing.
“I thought I could at least experience doing some cutting,” said Angela Hamilton, of Herkimer. She and her twin sister Renee Hamilton both did some sawing.
“It really worked your biceps,” said Renee Hamilton.
Visitors dressed up in scarves, mittens and heavy winter coats, walked down to the pond and gathered around to watch and take turns with sawing up the blocks of ice. Some brought their children out, bundled up and taking a ride on a sled. One festival-goer even took out their snowmobile across the pond. People took out their cameras to photograph the event. Some nervously stepped near where the blocks had already been drawn.
Members of the Community Baptist Church up the road from the pond served chili and also held a flea market. Food and drinks were also provided at the nearby Grange Hall, who runs the Ice Harvest.
Mark O’Sullivan said he’s volunteered at the harvest about six times and enjoys seeing kids getting outdoors and working with the saws.
“Having them walk away with a smile, that’s the best,” said O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan estimated the ice blocks were between 11 to 13 inches thick. The harvest had to be canceled two years ago when the ice was only five inches thick. He said a hatchet was used to start the cutting of the first block. An antique, gas-powered machine scores the ice before the harvest, so blocks are even in size and easier to cut and handle. The blocks are then taken by horse-drawn sleigh to a nearby shed, where it is packed in snow and sawdust.
The horses are provided by the Eastern Regional Draft Horse Association and its members steer the sleigh. Besides hauling the ice, the team also provided sleigh rides.
The tradition was started in the community two centuries ago by Millers Mills founder Andrew Miller, who needed to preserve food and cool farmers’ milk into the summer months. The harvest has become an annual tradition in the small community. The event was started by the community church as a fundraiser, but it is now run by the Millers Mills Grange.
The Ice Harvest is held the second Sunday of February each year. This year, it landed on Valentine’s Day, so a Sweetheart-themed raffle was held with prizes provided by Villa Isidoro Bed and Breakfast Ristorante and Don Parsons sleigh rides.
For more information about the ice harvest, go to www.millersmillsny.com.
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Blustery weather didn’t keep the people away from Millers Mills pond on Sunday to enjoy the annual Ice Harvest.
“I thought it would be great to come out and bring the family and have a good time,” said Vicki Cusworth.
Cusworth and her nephew, Hayden Dooley, 4, worked on sawing up the blocks of ice that has become an annual tradition. She took turns helping her nephew and her friend’s daughter Madison Obreza, 5, cut up the blocks of ice.
Jessica Shea, of Jacksonville, Fla., said she wanted to come out this year because she remembers going as a kid, and wanted her children to experience it. Shea, formerly of Mohawk, said sawing was a little difficult at first, but then it got a little easier. She had the help of her sons, Hayden, 5, and Ethan, 10. Her mother, Florine Wagner, of Mohawk, also enjoyed the outing.
“I thought I could at least experience doing some cutting,” said Angela Hamilton, of Herkimer. She and her twin sister Renee Hamilton both did some sawing.
“It really worked your biceps,” said Renee Hamilton.
Visitors dressed up in scarves, mittens and heavy winter coats, walked down to the pond and gathered around to watch and take turns with sawing up the blocks of ice. Some brought their children out, bundled up and taking a ride on a sled. One festival-goer even took out their snowmobile across the pond. People took out their cameras to photograph the event. Some nervously stepped near where the blocks had already been drawn.
Members of the Community Baptist Church up the road from the pond served chili and also held a flea market. Food and drinks were also provided at the nearby Grange Hall, who runs the Ice Harvest.
Mark O’Sullivan said he’s volunteered at the harvest about six times and enjoys seeing kids getting outdoors and working with the saws.
“Having them walk away with a smile, that’s the best,” said O’Sullivan.
O’Sullivan estimated the ice blocks were between 11 to 13 inches thick. The harvest had to be canceled two years ago when the ice was only five inches thick. He said a hatchet was used to start the cutting of the first block. An antique, gas-powered machine scores the ice before the harvest, so blocks are even in size and easier to cut and handle. The blocks are then taken by horse-drawn sleigh to a nearby shed, where it is packed in snow and sawdust.
The horses are provided by the Eastern Regional Draft Horse Association and its members steer the sleigh. Besides hauling the ice, the team also provided sleigh rides.
The tradition was started in the community two centuries ago by Millers Mills founder Andrew Miller, who needed to preserve food and cool farmers’ milk into the summer months. The harvest has become an annual tradition in the small community. The event was started by the community church as a fundraiser, but it is now run by the Millers Mills Grange.
The Ice Harvest is held the second Sunday of February each year. This year, it landed on Valentine’s Day, so a Sweetheart-themed raffle was held with prizes provided by Villa Isidoro Bed and Breakfast Ristorante and Don Parsons sleigh rides.
For more information about the ice harvest, go to www.millersmillsny.com.
