NYS Power Authority Wildlife Fest

Reptile
Poisionous snake

fishing

Liberty the Bald Eagle

Liberty the Bald Eagle

Yesterday my husband and I went with our youngest son to the New York State Power Authority Wildlife Festival at the Power Vista in Lewsiton. It's in it's 25th year, however, this was actually the first time we've attended.

They had a nice aware of displays and booths both outdoors and inside the visitor's center that focused on wildlife and conservation. We learned about birds of prey, like hawks and eagles, along with owls. Our son had the opportunity to shoot a bow and arrow and fish. Since he is a Cub Scout, he was able to earn a patch by visiting ten of the displays and learning something from each.

Nickle City Reptiles and exotics put on a good show with a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. My son also had fun looking at the energy displays that are part of the Power Vista's permanent displays.

A visit to the George Eastman House

Yesterday my husband and I took a drive to Rochester and went to see the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, which we haven't been to for a number of years. In my opinion, this museum is one of our region's treasurers. Eastman's mansion has been restored to it's grandeur and here are changing exhibits in nine galleries throughout the museum and home. There is also a theater here, the Dryden Theater, which shows vintage films.

The exhibit that brought us to Rochester was Colorama, which runs through Oct. 17. This exhibit focuses on the colorama advertisements that were put by Kodak in Grand Central Terminal from 1950 to 1990. It is a really interesting exhibit, which also includes a short video describing how the coloramas were made.

We also went on the guide tour of the house and the guided tour of the garden, which I highly recommend. These tours are included in the cost of admission. Admission is $10 for adults ($9 with AAA discount) It is worth every penny! The museum is open Tues.-Sat 10-5, and Sunday 1-5.

George Eastman House, 900 East Ave., Rochester 585-271-3361, http://www.eastmanhouse.org/

St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute celebrates 150 years

This morning I attended the sesquicentennial opening liturgy at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute on Kenmore Ave. in Kenmore. St. Joe's celebrates their 150th year this year. It was a lovely outdoor Mass (it was a bit cold out, but at least it wasn't raining!) with Bishop Kmiec.

All the boys in the school,along with the chorus, alumni, teachers, and parents were in attendance. Near the endof the Mass, Bishop Kmiec blessed the sesquicentennial historic marker, which will be placed on the grounds of the school.

The celebration continues tonight with a tent party at 6:30, which kicks off the gift gathering for St. Joe's annual auction in February. Tickets are $15 at the door, plus a auction gift donation. (party for people 21 and older)You'll get a Chiavetta's BBQ dinner, beer, wine and soft drinks ,and music by the St. Joe's Jazz Lab Band.

Chautauqua Bon Vivant

I received this press release the other day and thought I'd pass along information about this interesting fund raiser. The write up is kind of long, but take the time to read through it as it sounds like a nice event

CHAUTAUQUA BON VIVANT CELEBRATES FALL HARVEST FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Luxurious weekend features Masters of culinary, wine and spirits to benefit the Centaur Stride Therapeutic Riding Facility in Chautauqua County

NEW YORK, NY, September 14, 2010 – The Chautauqua Bon Vivant is set to revel in the Fall season with a lavish weekend of tastings, seminars and luncheons beginning on September 24th through Sept 26th. Tickets are presale only and proceeds from the luxurious three-day event will benefit the Centaur Stride Therapeutic Riding Facility. This not-for-profit organization provides services for riders with and without disabilities, in an integrated setting. Full details about the riding programs and the weekend events can be found on the website www.CentaurStride.org.

Karlyn Monroe, the festival’s founder and organizer states, “This County has so much to offer, and can collaborate to help sustain not only the riding center, but area businesses and the wine industry. It makes sense to generate buzz and celebrate its resources. It takes a few years to build this kind of event, and we’re confident that each year will add new elements. This year is going to be fabulous! We have some expert people on board, and are thrilled to expose them to the bounty of Chautauqua.

This event also allows people to experience the culinary and premium spirits cultures as well. Cocktails have become gourmet libations using fresh and premium ingredients, and the combinations of food and drink has become an art that even the most distinguished chefs and mixologists aspire to perfect. This festival is a taste of the newest trends in the world of food and drink”. Remy Cointreau USA is a lead sponsor in the event- donating premium brands such as Remy Martin Cognac, The Macallan Scotch, Cointreau Orange Liqueur and Mount Gay Rum.

Monroe was born and raised in Westfield and has spent the last 11 years in NYC working in the marketing field of the premium beverage industry. She has planned and executed successful experiential festivals in many large cities across the United States. She has been on the Board of Directors for Centaur Stride for the past two years, and has been instrumental in developing initial marketing tools such as the website, and proposed a sustainability plan for Centaur Stride. Thus was born the concept of “Bon Vivant”.

“Chautauqua County has great opportunity and is the ideal location for this year’s Bon Vivant. We have an expanding Wine Trail and rich agricultural heritage. This event can really promote our county. We already have great plans for next year’s event." says Monroe.

An impressive roster of talented culinary, wine and spirit professionals will entertain and enlighten guests at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel & Expo Center and other surrounding venues. This year, the Chautauqua Bon Vivant features Executive Chef Jonathan Haloua—of La Fleur, the first and only restaurant in Western New York to receive the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award two years in a row; Hush Professional Mixologists, Bek Allen and Erin Williams, who have opened some the most prestigious cocktail bars in the country and have trained with influential cocktail luminaries recognized world-wide; Heidi Merino and the Liquid Chef Team—the expert mixologists are noted for creating cocktails internationally- including cruise ship lines and Mayor Bloombergs own private events; and the illustrious Master of Wine, Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan—one of only five women in the United States to obtain that degree, the most rigorous and highest wine title in the world. ( The fifth woman joined the elite group last Friday!) Simonetti has trained thousands of industry experts and has been featured on Fox News, Bloomberg TV, and the New York Times and in Wine Enthusiast Magazine. She has also launched a 24 episode educational DVD series “The Everyday Guide to Wine”, and is about to release her first book.

The three-day festival will begin with ‘Vintage Cocktails and Artisan Discoveries’ at The Art Loft where guests will be enlightened by local artist, Al Newman, as he tells about his travel and studies with great artists. Johnson Estate Wine, The Macallan Scotch, Remy Martin Sidecar Cocktails and Hor d’oeuvres will delight the palate while the eyes and mind indulge in the appreciation of artistic expression. Local artist, Dan Swackhammer has donated one of his signature framed and matted photographs of the Chautauqua Institute Bell Tower for auction. Warren and Bonnie Beyer, of the Art Loft, will also graciously donate 10% of the evening sales to Centaur Stride. Guests can wander through five beautifully restored spaces within an early 1900’s lumber mill and discover the talents of over 100 local and national artists. Rustic beams, forty foot high rafters and country charm mix with contemporary sophistication to welcome you at every turn.

Saturday afternoon boasts a lavish lunch featuring wines paired exquisitely by Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, Master of Wine. Guests will enjoy a complete four-course lunch as Jennifer teaches you how to focus your palate, takes you through pairing “dos & don’ts”, and how to discern when to follow the “rules of thumb” to allow your senses to take you to the ultimate gratification. This is truly a unique educational experience, facilitating the greatest dining pleasure. Olive’s is a four season destination, AAA 3 Diamond Rated Dining.

“Wines of the Region” is an educational seminar featuring Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, Master of Wine and includes seven delectable New York wines, including wines from our very own Lake Erie Wine Trail. This seminar highlights the area’s grape and wine making history, the pursuit of quality, the unique characteristics given their distinct terroir, how far local wines have come and what to look forward to in the future. New York State is the third largest wine producing state in the US. Novices will learn to distinguish fine wines and connoisseurs will gain insight for new prodigies. This educational seminar is a must for any wine making enthusiast, vintner, consumer, as well as the discerning collector. Featured wines include:

§ Riesling, Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes- NY
§ 2009 Traminette, Johnson Estate Winery, Chautauqua- NY
§ Pinot Noir, Red Tail Ridge Winery, Finger Lakes- NY
§ Seyval Blanc, Johnson Estate Winery, Chautauqua- NY
§ Gewurztraminer, Hermann T. Wiemer Vineyard, Finger Lakes- NY
§ Proprietors Reserve, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Chautauqua- NY
§ 2006 Ice Wine of Vidal Blanc, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Chautauqua- NY
Saturday evening is the Grand Reception and Tasting Event at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel & Expo Center. The monumental event takes place in the venue’s 20,000 square foot banquet hall. Guests will enjoy an array of enticing signature samplings at this festive walk-around tasting including delectable cuisine, fine wines and innovative cocktails created from the finest premium spirits-featuring the region’s best restaurants and wineries. Music will be featured by the debut of an entrepreneurial band, “Wild Card”, a young group of outstanding musicians. Each guest will also receive a complimentary gift bag filled with an assortment of useful and exciting items provided by the sponsors.

To further support Centaur Stride, guests will have the opportunity to bid on items in the silent auction and take chances on the various prizes offered during the Grand Reception and Tasting Event. One very special item is a painting created and donated by two of the facilities riders, Derek and Sophia, titled “Freedom Run”. ( made possible via the iExpress Art Program from The Resource Center)

On Sunday, the Grand Finale boasts one more day of culinary and cocktail delights. A short journey from the Suites to the Red Brick Marketplace, guests will enjoy a savory brunch prepared by Chef Jonathan Haloua, paired with Champagne, Champagne cocktails and Champagne punches, created by the Master Mixologists of Hush Cocktails. Discover and enjoy the unique atmosphere of La Fleur, set in a historic Victorian home adorned with French countryside décor and surrounded by lavish gardens. La Fleur has been awarded the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award for the second consecutive year and joins a select group of only 48 AAA Four Diamond winners in New York State. La Fleur utilizes the best seasonal ingredients sourced through a variety of local farms and suppliers or grown in their own garden!

Individual tickets to the event are available as well as all-access passes, which are priced from $25-220, advance purchases only. Tickets can be purchased online at www.CentaurStride.org, La Fleur, the Art Loft, Chautauqua Suites, Centaur Stride, or Johnson Estate Winery. Special hotel rates at the Chautauqua Suites Hotel are also available upon request for guests attending the Bon Vivant.

Then see how this all started. Tour Centaur Stride Therapeutic Riding Facility and see riders in action. Several riders have volunteered to ride during this tour, so that people can see first-hand just how beneficial and fulfilling this is.

The Bon Vivant’s beneficiary, Centaur Stride, is a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit therapeutic and recreational horseback riding facility. Located in rural Westfield, NY, in Chautauqua County, Centaur Stride provides access to the benefits of horseback riding to a broad spectrum of individuals with disabilities. Programs are designed to improve many facets of the lives of riders, their families and the individuals working with them. Today, more than 150 individuals benefit annually.

Claudia Monroe, physical therapist and co-founder of Centaur Stride, says the improvement in a participant’s quality of life is awe-inspiring. “There’s a bond that every rider has with the horse. It’s so different than in a clinic. The horse is real, alive, interactive, non-judgmental, aims to please and is a great tool to facilitate great outcomes, across all domains- physical, social, emotional and cognitive. That’s something everyone should want to make sure we can sustain. ”

Fun time at the Lewiston Peach Festival

Saturday we went to the Lewiston Peach Festival for the very first time. what a fun event! I'm sure we will go again next year. My daughter was marching in the parade with the Mount St. Mary Academy Marching band. I think it was the longest parade I ever attended...over two hours!

After the parade there were all sorts of things to do in Academy Park, including rides, games, food vendors, peaches for sale, and more. We even had peach short cake and peach pop. The weather was great too.