Chautauqua Lake Erie Art Trail Nov. 13

Here is a press release I recently received about an interesting upcoming event.

Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail Set for November 13

The North Shore Arts Alliance presents its signature event, the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail (CLEAT), on Saturday, November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Held for the first time in the fall, the November Art Trail offers the public an opportunity to visit the studios of northern Chautauqua County’s leading artists.

The trail extends from Silver Creek to Westfield along the Lake Erie shoreline,and moves inland to include artists’ studios in Sherman, Chautauqua Institution, Dewittville, Forestville, and South Dayton among other locations.The art trail occurs twice yearly (Memorial Day Weekend and Veterans Day Weekend), and incorporates professional sculptors, photographers,ceramicists, painters, jewelers, wood turners, stained glass and other mixed media artists.

There are 22 participating artists including Audrey Kay Dowling, James Hoggard, Alberto Rey, Tom Malinoski, Nancy Nixon, Cynthia Norton, Ron Nasca, and George Petrella.During the studio tours, visitors are invited to watch ceramics and jewelry demonstrations, see paintings and drawings in various stages of completion, and to view where artists live and create art work.

Hands-on demonstrations include opportunities for visitors to make their own hand-pulled prints and to manipulate photo film. Art work will also be available for sale.According to CLEAT President James Hoggard, the November trail was scheduled to coincide with the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

“We’re hoping that people will see this as an opportunity to support the local economy. It also gives people a chance to purchase unique, high-quality pieces made by local artists,” Hoggard stated.“Besides,” Hoggard continues, “where else can you find that one-of-a-kind gift while also supporting the arts?”

Founded in 2008, the North Shore Arts Alliance is a co-operative marketing and promotional effort on behalf of 25 professional working artists. It has an open but juried regional membership, and it works to create and enhance year-round opportunities for the arts in western New York – especially opportunities to show work.

The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail is a free, family-friendly event. A Google map of the studio tour locations, a downloadable printer-friendly version of the brochure, and information about all the participating artists can be found at www.ChautauquaArtTrail.com.The Trail also has a Facebook page. For additional information or to request a brochure, please call Thomas Annear at 716-679-9254.

Trick or Treat at the Amherst Museum

Tonight we went to the annual Trick or Treat event at the Amherst Museum. It's been a few years since the last time we went, but now out youngest is at the prefect age to enjoy it. We were impressed with the number of people that were there and the nice quality of the decorations.

They have it again tomorrow. Admission is by timed ticket only. see http://www.amherstmuseum.org/ for more information. See some of my photos posted with this blog.

Creature Comforts book review

Creature Comforts, a new book self-published by Erie County SPCA vet tech and naturalist, Joel Thomas, discusses nuisance wildlife and what we perceive to be nuisance wildlife. According to Thomas, behaviors we see as a nuisance are actually normal behavior for wildlife. In the book, Thomas, an East Amherst, NY native, offers some suggestions on how to remove some of these creatures from your property using natural animal behaviors, without having to call a trapper. He cites real life situations that he has actually experienced in his line of work. In addition, his tales are often told with a touch of humor.

For example, he writes about removing a family of raccoons from a picnic shelter by leaving on bright lights and a loud radio station on all night. By morning, the raccoons were gone, as they didn’t like these conditions. He also talked about getting a mother squirrel to move her babies by exposing them to the elements; she came back to move them to a place more sheltered.

There is a whole chapter on deer, as well as one on birds, which covers hawks, raptors, and even wild turkeys. In the chapter on opossums, he gives an example of playin’ possum that he experienced when he was a lad. Opossums are actually North America’s only marsupial.

If bunnies munching on your plants have gotten you down, mix up a batch of all natural and safe, “Bunny Stay Away” which is described in the chapter on rabbits. Rodents, raccoons, squirrels, and skunks are also discussed in the book. He also has a recipe for getting rid of skunk odors if your dog happens to tangle with a skunk.

In the chapter on snakes, Thomas describes the time when he was a youth and his black rat snake went missing in this house. After the family turned in for the night, he knew the snake had been found when the silence was pierced by this mother screaming his first and middle names. The reptile was located in her closet.

The book can be found on http://www.amazon.com/ and will also be carried at USA Bird Supply’s retail store, located at 11163 Main Street in Clarence. The retail price of the book is $14.95 For more information, see his website http://www.creaturecomfortsbook.com/

Made in America Store

Yesterday my husband and I took a drive to Elma to see the Made in America Store. We have heard good things about it and thought we'd check it out. It's located just off the 400 Expressway at the Maple street exit.

What makes this store unique is that everything they carry is 100% made in America, including the packaging and even the shelves in the store! The idea behind the store is to promote America and save American jobs. They also support our armed forces; veterans and active duty military personnel get a 5% discount. They carry a variety of items, from jeans and T-shirts, socks, flags, candles, flag pole holders and more.

There is a selection of classic toys, like slinky, silly putty, crayons, playing cards, and even tiddly winks. There is a large section of food items, with locally made items, like Perry's ice cream, Webber's mustard, and Chef's sauce, along with items made in other parts of the Untied States.

They have hammocks and these unique metal chairs that were almost too heavy to move. They would never blow over in the wind! They also carry a handful of local interest books, including several of Mason Winfield's books and I'm happy to say that they carry my book, Western New York Explorer's Guide.

The store will be having a Veteran's Day celebration on November 11th, from 11am-8pm. There will be live musical entertainment by Nashville recording artists, Ricky Lee, along with a outdoor BBQ, a display by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, and a shuttle bus to the Veterans Day parade in Buffalo (reservations 652-0024).

Made in America Store, 900 Maple Road, Elma 716-652-4USA http://www.saveourcountryfirst.com/ The store is open Mon.-Sat 8am-8pm and Sunday 11am-4pm.

Grape Discover Center Progress

Here is a press release I just got from the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau. Sounds like a nice event. I won't be able to get to it, but thought I'd pass the information on, as it is open to the public. They just ask that you RSVP so they can plan enough refreshments.

Viewing of Grape Discovery Center Progress Set

Westfield, NY - The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association will hold a public viewing of the progress made on developing a regional Grape Discovery Center as it kicks off a public fund-raising campaign to complete the center.

The “Discover Our Grape Progress” event will be held on October 28th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the future home of the Grape Discovery Center located at 8305 West Main Road (Route 20), one mile west of the Village of Westfield.

The event will include a tour of the remodeled building and presentation on the progress and plans for the future. Refreshments made with local grape products will also be served. The viewing is open to the public. Reservations are appreciated to help plan for the event and can be made at www.concordgrapebelt.org.

The Grape Discovery Center was inspired by the Cranberry Discovery Center in Wisconsin and other similar attractions. When fully complete it will be a destination where visitors can learn about the grape heritage of the region, serving as the Visitors Center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area under the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.

It should also serve as a place where visitors can be directed to other attractions in the area, including shopping, dining, historic, recreational and natural areas. Plans for the Grape Discovery Center include a gift shop and retail area highlighting local arts and crafts, a tasting area for local grape products, and an exhibit area which will tell the story of the grape industry and local communities. Future plans include development of broader learning experiences for youth and adults, complimenting Chautauqua County ’s branding initiative as “The World’s Learning Center ”.

Later in the evening the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Awards Banquet with quest Roger Brooks who will be speaking about the new branding initiative. Persons planning to attend the Chamber’s dinner will have time to preview the future Grape Discovery Center on their way to the event.

Known as America ’s Grape Country, the Concord Grape Belt extends approximately 60 miles from Silver Creek , New York to Harborcreek , PA along the eastern Lake Erie shoreline. It is home to 30,000 acres of vineyards and is the oldest and largest Concord grape growing region in the world. The Concord Grape Belt industry directly employs over 2000 people and contributes an estimated $340 million annually to the local economy.

Old Falls Street Octoberfest Oct. 23

Here is a press release I received from Jen Noble of the Conference and Event Center in Niagara Falls. It sounds like a fun event and I'm glad to see that downtown Niagara Falls, NY is offering events like this.

For immediate release
(Niagara Falls, NY) – Raise your beer stein high in the air as we “Prost” the announcement of the 1st Annual Old Falls Street Oktoberfest in downtown Niagara Falls USA, on Saturday October 23rd. The Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association, Inc (D.N.F.B.A) and Global Spectrum are teaming up to host an authentic German Oktoberfest.

Join us from on the newly rebuilt cobblestone Old Falls Street for great German beer, wine and food. Admission is free so bring a crowd. Friends, family, and having a GREAT time! That is what the “Ultimate Oktoberfest Experience” is all about. Check out the KIDTOBERFEST Kids Zone including a rock climbing wall, make your own craft stations, and more.

For the over 21 Oktober-festers, six different German beers and a variety of sausages, sauerkraut and other German delights are sure to please. Live from the Legends Stage polka down to “Buffalo’s Big German Band” the German American Musicians Association followed by traditional Alphorns and then Die Almudlers, a fun German ”yodel-rock band”, sure to rock your Lederhosen.

“The DNFBA is proud to host Oktoberfest and expand our annual festival season in the City of Niagara Falls. We intend for this festival to become an annual event with a growing number of attendees, while attracting future development and entrepreneurism in the downtown area.” Dominic Verni, DNFBA Chair & General Manager of the Hard Rock Café.

Mayor Paul Dyster will get the festivities started with the ceremonial tapping of the Keg at 12noon. Roll –out –the barrel and join us on Old Falls Street for the ultimate Oktoberfest in downtown Niagara Falls USA. For more information visit www.FallsStreet.com or join out page on facebook “Falls Street Oktoberfest”
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A few more scarecrow photos

Here are a few more scarecrow photos from Lewiston

Fun day in Lewiston looking at the scarecrows

Since my husband and our older two son were at the Bills game and our youngest son went to the Great Pumpkin farm with a friend, my daughter and I headed up to one of my favorite places, Lewiston, for lunch and a fall foliage drive.

We decide to eat at Ashker's Juice Bar and Cafe because we had a coupon and it looked like a nice place. The food was really good. She had a grilled chicken Caesar salad, while I had a grilled chicken and red pepper panini, which came with a delicious side salad. They have a variety of smoothies and fresh mixed juices on the menu. I tried the twister, a mixture of orange, carrot and spinach juices. It was pretty tasty.

Afterwards, we walked around Lewiston and looked at all the scarecrows some of the local businesses have on display along Center Street until the end of the month. See http://www.niagarariverregion.com/ for more details. See some of my photos above. We also stopped by the Lewiston waterfront, which is really pretty this time of year.

On our way home we stopped at Smith's Orchard in Pendleton to get some apples and cider. The cider was really fresh as the clerk said we'd have to wait a few minutes, as the cider was still being made. It's really good. They are located at 4960 Mapleton Road http://www.smithsorchard.com/