Lucky Day Homestead
Lucky Day Homestead
Workshops Teach Self-Sustaining Practices Based on Century-old Family Traditions
For Emily Tingue, owner of Lucky Day Homestead in Machias, there are some things that just get better with time. Whether it’s a family recipe passed down for generations, the beautiful hay barn that’s been part of the family homestead for 120 years, or the age-old art of blending spices and teas by hand,
Tingue has not only kept these traditions alive, but she’s made them her own. Now, visitors have the opportunity to visit Lucky Day Homestead and learn some of Tingue’s favorite self-sustaining practices, from cooking classes to herb-blending classes, and so much more.
While Tingue has hosted private classes at Lucky Day Homestead in the past, workshops that are open to the public are new this year. No stranger to the area, she is a certified New York State nature guide and has served as a guide throughout the Ellicottville area for several years. However, there’s no placeTingue knows better than the 30-acre homestead that she is proud to call home. “I’m seventh generation on the homestead,” said Tingue. “For 35 years, I’ve been venturing this land. I bought it 12 years ago, and I know it like the back of my hand!”
Those who have been to Lucky Day Homestead may know it best for its famous pie stand, which is open year ‘round and filled with baked goods that are baked fresh daily. “Our coconut cream pie is our flavor favorite right now,” she noted. “Our French chocolate silk is also a hit.”
While these traditional flavors are popular, Tingue’s unique flavors, like her Dark Cherry Crumb, Bourbon Chocolate Pecan, Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake, Mushroom Goat Cheese Quiche, and more that keep people coming back to see what’s new! For the weekly and daily flavors, follow Lucky Day Homestead on Facebook. Special orders may also be placed by contacting Tingue at 716-353-0193.
“We have been home processors since 2013,” she explained. “We’ve been certified by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to bake and supply herbs and baked goods to the public.”
Currently, Tingue is working with some local farmsteads and potentially some local restaurants, and most recently, Cupcaked of Ellicottville has been carrying Lucky Day Homestead’s baked goods and pies.
Later this year, Tingue is looking forward to completing construction of a new farm stand, which will allow her to share even more fresh foods and herbs with the public.
“We are dedicated and passionate about teaching people how to be self-sustaining and work with nature,” she said. Currently, Tingue is hosting winter workshops in her beautiful country home on the farmstead. Those who have been fortunate to enjoy Tingue’s baked goods at the Homestead or her cooking as former owner of the Ashford Station Bistro are sure to enjoy her farm-to-table cooking workshops. On January 28th at 4:00pm, Tingue’s workshop is a cinnamon apple pork loin. This three-hour class in Tingue’s own kitchen walks students from start to finish through the entire meal, including snacks, sides, the main course, and dessert.
Other winter workshops include her grape vine wreaths and terrariums workshop on January 29th at 10:00am. There, guests will craft their own grape vine wreath with locally foraged straw flower, dried herbs, wheat, and other naturally gathered items and build their own terrarium for small plants and succulents.
“Creating something like this keeps folks enjoying nature,” she pointed out. “I also like that it helps people, especially women, learn how to create something that they can have fun making and even sell for extra money. We’re really encouraging of that kind of self confidence off the land.”
On Saturday, February 11th at 2:00pm, Tingue will be hosting a workshop for blending spices and loose- leaf teas. Guests will learn different mixtures, including some for meats and some for dressings. Tingue will also discuss pour-over loose-leaf tea, its health benefits, and different kinds of herbs and edible flowers that she dries and how to use them throughout the year. To register for a workshop, call 716- 353-0193. For upcoming workshops and the latest news, follow Lucky Day Homestead on Facebook or call to be placed on their mailing list.
When warmer weather arrives, Tingue is looking forward to hosting larger workshops in the spacious hay barn that is part of the original homestead, which was built in 1850. Gardening workshops, guided hikes, and more are slated for the coming year, as well as hunting confidence courses in trailing and tracking led by Tingue’s boyfriend, Rodney Ehman.
Tingue continues to teach private classes; for those who may have family or friends coming into town or would like to do a family hike, she encourages them to contact her to schedule. Couples looking to get away can make it a weekend-long event by booking a night or two in the tiny house, “Lucky Day Cabin, located on the Homestead at 5111 Roszyk Hill Road in Machias, which can be rented via Airbnb.