Tag: road

Light, Hope

The post describes a photographic expedition featuring a sunflower field and maples at Frear Memorial Park, and explores the notable Frear family’s history in Ithaca, New York.

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Descending Hayts Road toward Cayuga Lake in the course of a photographic scouting expedition I spotted a mature linear maple tree planting forming the western edge of Frear Memorial Park. This day Pam and I headed out at day’s end, stopping here to capture the turning maples.

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A sunflower field was a hidden surprise. The 24 mm “wide angle” lens was mounted on a Canon EOS 5D Mark IV dslr on a light carbon fiber tripod.

The Frear family has a notable presence in Ithaca, New York’s history. One significant member was William Frear, a well-known businessman who lived his entire life in Ithaca. He ran a candy store and a photograph gallery, and was involved in the county fair. William passed away in 1915 at his daughter’s home on East Buffalo Street in Ithaca​​.

In terms of the Frear family’s broader historical context, the name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920, with the most Frear families in the USA recorded in 1880. Remarkably, in 1840, about 67% of all recorded Frear families in the USA were living in New York, indicating a significant concentration of the family in the state​​.

The family tree of William Frear includes his parents Baltus Frear (1793–1881) and Lavina Westerveldt Frear (1800–1868), his spouse Ann Amelia Hopkins Frear (1838–1906), and his children Baltus W Frear (1865–1885), Donna Frear Luker (1868–1929), T Wilbur Frear (1874–1874), and Edward Hughson Frear (1876–1910)​​.

This snapshot of the Frear family in Ithaca provides a glimpse into their lives and contributions to the local community during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Additionally, there is a Frear Park in Troy, New York. Donated by the family of William H. Frear in June, 1917, Wright Lake and Bradley Lake, located in the park were named for members of the Frear Family. The Frear Family was originally from France where the name was as Frere. The Frere’s moved to England to escape prosecutions, where the spelling of the name was changed to Frear. The family was founded in the United States by Joseph Frear, Grandfather of William H. Frear of Troy, New York.

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Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved http://www.MichaelStephenWills.com

Lengthening Shadows

Sere Goldenrod

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West Hill, Ithaca, resolves to this plain here sere goldenrod, abandoned barn, silo, distant hills. We headed out from home as sunset approached.

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Mizpah and Mitzvah

I was reading the story of Jacob and Laban and encountered the word “Mizpah” is Hebrew for “watchtower”. It is used to refer to an emotional bond or covenant made between two people with God as their witness, often symbolized by a pile of stones marking an agreement​​. Mizpah sounds similar to “Mitzvah,” often used to mean “a good deed,” and is related to the Aramaic word “tzavta,” which means to attach or join. This term is commonly used to describe any charitable act and has deep roots in Jewish tradition and texts, such as the Jerusalem Talmud.​​

The relationship between “Mizpah” and “Mitzvah” seems to be more linguistic and symbolic rather than direct. Both terms originate from Semitic languages and carry connotations of connection and covenant. “Mizpah” symbolizes a bond overseen by God, while “Mitzvah” refers to actions that connect individuals through good deeds, potentially strengthening communal bonds.

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Copyright 2023 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved http://www.MichaelStephenWills.com
Bostwick Road, October

Connecticut Hill Retrospective

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Bostwick Road, October
Connecticut Hill Autumn View with Cayuta Lake
Across the Plain
Autumn Fields, Finger Lakes
Connecticut Hill Autumn
Sere Cornfield

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Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
Connecticut Hill Autumn

Connecticut Hill Autumn

dramatic sky

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Connecticut Hill from Harvey Hill Road on a late October afternoon. Newfield of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

Connecticut Hill Autumn
Connecticut Hill Autumn

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Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
Autumn Fields, Finger Lakes

Autumn Fields, Finger Lakes

Hay Bales!!

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The land opens up on the slopes of Connecticut Hill, Newfield of the Finger Lakes Region of New York State.

Autumn Fields, Finger Lakes
Autumn Fields, Finger Lakes

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Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved Michael Stephen Wills
Across the Plain

Across the Plain

Sere grasses

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The Finger Lakes are formed by a series of inclined planes spread across central New York State.

Here we look northwest across the land between Cayuga and Seneca lakes, all forests and farm land. Seneca Lake is not visible,15 miles distant, and the Finger Lakes National Forest in between.

The only town is Hector, New York, population 4,854 in the 2,000 census. The foreground are sere grasses, a field of beef cattle and pond.

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  • Across the Plain
    Across the Plain
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Autumn Apple Orchard, landscape orientation

compare portrait vs. landscape orientation.

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Unharvested apples on the ground and branches of this apple orchard off Black Oak Road on the slopes of Connecticut Hill, Newfield in the Finger Lakes of New York.

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  • Autumn Apple Orchard, portrait
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Autumn Apple Orchard, portrait orientation

apples cling into winter

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Unharvested apples on the ground and branches of this apple orchard off Black Oak Road on the slopes of Connecticut Hill, Newfield in the Finger Lakes of New York.

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  • Autumn Apple Orchard, portrait
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Connecticut Hill Autumn View with Cayuta Lake

Black Oak View

Autumn Ridge

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Black Oak Road approaches Connecticut Hill from the north. At this point a long view to west opens up that include Cayuta Lake and the distant highlands of Seneca Lake.

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Bostwick Road, October

Autumn Road

A Long View

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Here we have a vista of Bostwick Road descent off West hill into the Enfield valley and, then, in the distance, up Harvey Hill. Late autumn foliage graces the scene.

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  • Bostwick Road, October
    Bostwick Road, October
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