Latest news with #FoodandFarmShowcase
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Food and Farm Showcase: New Leaf Cider Co
PORT CRANE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – This Food and Farm Showcase features a craft beverage maker riding a Renaissance in hard cider production. New Leaf Cider Co in Port Crane makes a wide variety of hard ciders, ranging from sweet to dry and including a number of creative flavors. It's original brew, First Leaf, is still a staple, but its most popular variety is Caramel Apple. New Leaf was founded by Dustin and Leann Beagell in 2018 and opened its tasting room on Nowlan Road just before the pandemic began. Dustin says COVID was a blessing in disguise as it gave him more time to work out the business model. In addition to its year-round flavors, New Leaf produces seasonal varieties as well as some weekly one-offs like Sweet Mango, Pink Lemonade, and Fruity Pebbles. Beagell says he especially loves turning cider skeptics into cider lovers. 'Cider has changed so much in the last 5 to 10 years. The variety and styles of cider has changed so much that there are a lot more options that people just haven't had a chance to try and have that stereotype in the back of their head. Or maybe think that they don't like it because they had a real sweet one 10 years ago and just decided that's what cider is,' said Beagell. Beagell says he was interested to learn that hard cider was very popular in the US before Prohibition and that it's been making a comeback over the past decade. A home brewer of beer, Dustin says he first tried his hand at cider for fun and because Leann didn't care for his beer. He says the food production industry was completely new to him, but he was encouraged by New York State's farm beverage legislation that reduced the cost and paperwork. 'It made it much easier to go out and give it a shot when I wasn't sure, it was more of an experiment. At the time, we just wanted to give it a try, and that made it really easier to get into. I may not have done it if that wasn't an option,' said Beagell. All of New Leaf's cider comes from New York State grown apples, and the tasting room has become popular with folks interested in agri-tourism. Beagell says all of the ciders are based on the same juice, which is pressed by the orchard and tested for consistency in terms of sugar content, acidity, and tannins. New Leaf is a family affair with Dustin's brother Kyle serving as the head cider maker, and his father Greg helps out in a variety of ways. They've even planted a small orchard on the Beagell farm to produce a special small batch each year. For more information, visit Event at Binghamton City Hall brings local Haitian-American community together Owego man walks 16 miles to work to raise money for veterans Food and Farm Showcase: New Leaf Cider Co Vestal senior appointed to Naval Academy Elizabeth Church Manor up for sale by United Methodist Homes Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owego man walks 16 miles to work to raise money for veterans
(WIVT/WBGH) – An Owego man trekked through the heavy rain to raise money for a local veteran's agency. Mark Cooke is a Bedding Buyer for Olum's Furniture and Appliances. On Friday, he participated in the company's second annual 'Walking for Clear Path' fundraising event. Cooke once again walked from his home on Lisle Road in Owego to the Olum's in Vestal. Overall, he walked 16 miles to work. Cooke says last year, the event raised $6,500 for Clear Path for Veterans. This year, the goal was set at $10,000. Clear Path for Veterans supports veterans and active-duty service members. It offers free access to vital programs and services as well as peer support. Cooke says, 'Thank you' to those who have served. 'Veterans don't really get the recognition they deserve, particularly after service. Whether you believe in conflict or don't, the fact is people put their lives on the line for us, and they deserve more,' said Cooke. Donations have been made by sponsors, bedding companies, and community members. Cooke says presenting the check is the best part of the event. Olum's is still collecting money. To donate through Venmo, click here. Donations can also be made in person at the Vestal location by cash or check. Event at Binghamton City Hall brings local Haitian-American community together Owego man walks 16 miles to work to raise money for veterans Food and Farm Showcase: New Leaf Cider Co Vestal senior appointed to Naval Academy Elizabeth Church Manor up for sale by United Methodist Homes Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Food and Farm Showcase: Coles Maple Syrup
TOWN OF TRIANGLE, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Our Food and Farm Showcase returns with a look at how the sap is running at a local maple syrup farm. Coles Maple Syrup in the Town of Triangle is a perennial winner at the New York State Fair, having won three Best of Show awards and multiple ribbons at the State Fair and Broome County Fair. Owner Gary Coles grew up making syrup with his brother in a bathtub. In 1995, he started tapping trees on his 400 acres and in 2019 took the operation to another level with the installation of a reverse osmosis system and an oil-fired evaporator. These days, he produces anywhere from 500 to 1,000 gallons a year, enough to be able to sell his product year-round. Coles says when the sap is flowing, it must be boiled down immediately or it risks spoiling. That can mean up to eight hours a day spent in the sugar house. 'This is kind of my retirement. It keeps me out of mischief because I get bored sitting and watching the TV like a lot of people who are retired go sit there. I probably wouldn't survive. At least keep active,' said Coles. Coles currently taps 2,000 trees, but at age 75, he says he's looking to slow down a bit. He also operates a Christmas tree farm, and cuts lumber on his property. Coles says he won't judge this year's season until it's over, but it's bucking the recent trend of maple season coming earlier in the year. He says for people seeking locally produced, all-natural products, you can't beat maple. 'I have pancakes every Sunday night. I test my product every Sunday night. That's my standard Sunday night meal. Make the pancakes from scratch, get my maple syrup out. I've taken my maple syrup when I was in Australia and New Zealand and that type of stuff. I'll probably take it to Africa when I'm going this year,' said Coles. Coles says he'll be in Africa this year during the state fair, but he's already asked a fellow sugar maker to bring his syrup to the competition. Coles sells a variety of grades of syrup, maple cream, sugar shapes and granulated sugar out of his home on Route 206. For more information, go to Trump takes victory lap during Justice Department speech 10 Democrats help Republicans advance GOP funding bill to avoid shutdown Dr. Oz grilled at Senate hearing Leadership Alliance CEO discusses Broome Tech Park at BU Trump suggests federal government take over DC if local leaders 'can't do the job' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Big Dipper 2 opens for the season
CONKLIN, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Now that the weather is turning, pitmasters are firing up the grills and gearing up for seasonal barbeque. It's opening day for Big Dipper Barbeque 2 in Conklin. Co-owner, Dan Godfrey, considers Big Dipper's opening day as the unofficial start to Springtime. He says they're offering the full menu, including pulled pork, spiedies, ribs, barbeque chicken and more. Godfrey says new this year is a lunch special of a third of a rack of ribs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and coming soon, is a family dinner special that can feed up to five people. He takes pride in his cooking process, saying his rubs and sauces compliment one-another. 'You get the tenderness, the juiciness from the slow cook process. And that's not something, you could throw a chicken breast on the grill, hammer it for ten minutes, and it's a dried-out piece of chicken. If you slow cook that over the course of two hours and basting it while it's being cooked, the results are completely different,' said Godfrey. Big Dipper 2 also sells ice cream, and Godfrey says new this year, is a larger ice cream machine to keep up with the demand. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day and closes at 7. You can call ahead and order takeout. The number is (607)775-1508, and their website It's located at 1167 Conklin Road. Leadership Alliance CEO discusses Broome Tech Park at BU Big Dipper 2 opens for the season HCA hosting annual tasting fundraiser Food and Farm Showcase: Coles Maple Syrup Suspect charged with murder in death of JR Gaudet Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HCA hosting annual tasting fundraiser
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Join a local nonprofit organization in celebrating the disability community while trying out some of the Southern Tier's tastiest treats. Helping Celebrate Abilities is hosting the 17th Annual Tasteful Day for HCA on March 21. The fundraiser features food and beverage tastings, vendors, auctions, live music, educational opportunities, and more. Money raised during the event will go to the HCAs pre-school expansion project. The project will add classroom space and an indoor playground while making the building more accessible for everyone. Marketing and Development Coordinator Alexis Sorbello says the individuals at the HCA look forward to volunteering and meeting new people. 'It's so important for them to get out into the community so people know they're no different than anybody else. And don't be scared to talk to them when you see them out in public or at this event. They're normal people, they just think a little differently than we do,' said Sorbello. The event will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Binghamton. Tickets are $30 dollars in advance. To purchase, visit Leadership Alliance CEO discusses Broome Tech Park at BU Big Dipper 2 opens for the season HCA hosting annual tasting fundraiser Food and Farm Showcase: Coles Maple Syrup Suspect charged with murder in death of JR Gaudet Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
