The tulips are in bloom

Recently, my friend Leesa Perazzo sent out a note that there is a campaign of no negativity toward Schenectady and I couldn't agree more that we need to leave negativity behind and promote the positive things in Schenectady #noverbalgraffiti. I have been very bad about keeping this blog up but not because I don't love Schenectady but because I ABSOLUTELY do and am constantly out and about enjoying all it has to offer. So it is with renewed vigor that I write today.

One of the reasons I like posting to the blog is that I get to say a few things that I love about Schenectady and this area. It is Spring time and with all the good things in Schenectady, I thought I would share my weekend thus far.

Last night, I stopped by my favorite chicken wing locale to have the best wings in Schenectady (at least in my book) at 20 North Broadway Tavern. If you haven't been there, it is a must stop locale, good food, great friendly atmosphere. It can be a little noisy but a home town pub without a little noise just doesn't have the same warm feeling. Since I love chicken wings, feel free to voice a little competition if you think there is somewhere better, I will try them and get back to you.

Today, my morning started with breakfast with the family at Scotia Diner, my son is a big fan, especially of their ultimate hobo breakfast and if it satisfies him, the rest of you will love it. If you try the ultimate hobo, let me know if it meets your expectations also :)

Then off for a walk with my dear friend Carmel and our constant walk companion Louis, he is such a good boy. Anyway, pictured below is just one of the stops on are walk through Schenectady. We do always try to remember to take a moment to see the best things and it is important to stop and smell the tulips until the roses bloom!



Continued on our walk and here is one of the Central Park Rose Garden, all clean and ready for the roses to start their journey, I for one can't wait!



Stay tuned because tonight I am off to Saratoga so will highlight my adventures there also.

Central Park Rose Garden

So I have been very bad in posting and it isn't because I haven't been finding fun and great things to do in Schenectady, it is because I have been out doing them! Recently had a friend ask me why I stopped writing because they would often view my posts and make plans to follow in my footsteps so to speak, so here I am and hopefully I will be more diligent in posting so that you may also make plans and enjoy where you live as much as I do. One of the things that I enjoy doing every week (and sometimes several times a week) is to take a walk around Schenectady. Today I will highlight one of the places that I walk and that is Central Park. Central Park, is so peaceful, has a beautiful pond and a lot of wildlife. A few weeks ago, a goose decided to join my friend Carmel and me on our walk. It is always fun to have a new friend along.

As Carmel and I continued on our walk, and certainly no walk through Central Park is complete without a stop at the Central Park Rose Garden. If you have never been, then please in the next week or two make it a priority. I promise you, it is worth the trip and don't forget to bring along your camera because there are some lovely photo opportunity locations. I have seen several wedding parties there this summer! Let me know how your visit was and please share a photo also.

After the snow - February 9, 2013

Sometimes time has a way of just passing by so fast. I haven't written on this blog for quite some time and I am unsure why since the reason I started it was to highlight all that is good here in Schenectady and I still love this area and all that is has to offer. So have decided to jump back in. Today, was just another wonderful day in the City of Schenectady. Between Friday night and Saturday morning, we received almost a foot of snow, making everything look clean and new. My morning began by shoveling the driveway and walk, after that I took a walk over to More Perreca's for a lovely breakfast of eggs, sausage, and slices of their fresh bread toasted to perfection with Elaine Kemner (my son's girlfriend).  After that, a quick walk over the Schenectady County Public Library for a new book. This year's One County One Book is The Art of Racing in the Rain, and if you are looking for a good book, I highly recommend this one. We are blessed with so many good things here in the City of Schenectady and today was just another great day. I love to read and if you do too, I suggest a stop at the Schenectady Library for something new and if you decide to have breakfast before going, I say stop by More Perreca's on your way and enjoy your day!

May 28, 2012 Memorial Day - A day in the air!

Wow, what a fabulous weekend.  The weather was fantastic and today I crossed another item off my bucket list.  A couple of years ago, during a live auction at a charity event benefitting Family & Child Service of Schenectady, I purchased a half hour scenic helicoptor tour and today, I made good use of it and went up in a helicoptor for a tour of Lake George. 

Just a quick 50 minute ride to the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Warren County (about 10 minutes from Exit 19 off I87) in the Town of Queensbury is where we met our pilot Bruce Mowrey from North Country HeliFlite.   Of course, I had to ask Bruce how long he had been flying (just trying to do my due diligence) and he has been flying for over 15 years and has taken more than 2500 visitors on scenic flights in the region.  We started by going to south end of Lake George and working our way back.  We flew up to the top of Black Mountain, which looms 2300 feet above Lake George and where we waved to all the hikers down below.  I have added this hike to my bucket list.  Will be good to get it the view from the perspective of the hiker :) 

All in all, this was a fabulous experience and while it may be a little on the pricey side, remember that the helicopter can hold up to 3 individuals (besides the pilot) so you could share this with friends and cross it off your list as well. 

I will definitely do this again!!!  Let me know if you try it. 

P.S. - We will be auctioning another ride this year so why not come to FCSS 7th Annual Golf Ball Drop on September 14 and bid on this fabulous experience.
   

May 26, 2012 - A day of high ropes adventure

I love to explore the region and find new things to experience.  Today my friend Patty and I decided to tackle a new adventure so we headed to the new Howe Caverns High Adventure Park complete with a high ropes course and zip lining.  Howe Caverns is less than 30 miles away from Schenectady with just a quick hop on I-88 you will be there in under 1/2 hour.  Upon arrival we purchased our combination ticket that included both the high ropes course and ziplining for a cost of under $25 a person.  We decided to begin our day with the ropes course, so after getting all harnassed up in a protective backpack with a locked in rope that clips to the course as a safety measure.  The course is a multi-level course with many various levels of difficulty.  I decided to take the most difficult course and the one thing I would recommend is bringing a pair of gloves because after doing the course the 4th time, I was beginning to get blisters on my pinkies from the ropes.  We spent about 1.5 hours on the course and had a blast.

Once we finished our playtime on the course, we changed out of our protective backpacks and into a harness and it was off to our next adventure and on to the zipline.  The zipline consists of 4 separate lines encircling the course with the length of the line increasing at each level.  This doesn't take long to complete but you are able to do the entire course twice for the price of admission and the staff was very helpful and extremely friendly.  There is a lovely park complete with picnic tables so you could bring along a picnic and have a full day out with the family for the typical price of dinner and a movie.  I also think this would be a great team building exercise for a group.  With each turn around the course, our confidence level increased and at the end,we were barely using the safety teather for balance. 

If you decide to do this, I would love to hear how your day went. 


  

Sunday morning walk

Are you looking for that perfect Sunday morning walk that just refreshes and reenergizes you for the wonderful day ahead?  Then I have just the spot.  It starts at Blatnik Park, which is located in the Town of Niskayuna.  You drive to the back of the park, lots of parking to be had and then begin your walk on the wonderfully kept bike path.  Here is a view from the top of the path.  No matter what lies ahead for your day, this is the perfect view to start the day with.

You walk approximately 1.5 miles (it might be less, takes under a 1/2 hour) and then you run into Niskayuna Lock 7.  Now there are picnic tables set up and you can bring the family for a day of fishing and it is also just fun in the summer to watch boats go through the locks but if you happen to be there and it is not yet quite the picnic season, it is just the perfect place to sit and relax.  Below is a photo taken from the Lock.

Now I don't know about you but I know this was the perfect start to my Sunday morning last week and tomorrow is looking like another gorgeous day.  Give it a try, it is a nice walk and if you really want to get that heart racing, my friend Scott and I on the return walk, powerwalked up the hill back to the parking lot, that will surely get your heart up.  Enjoy the day!

Empire State Youth Orchestra at Troy Music Hall

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s (ESYO) Gala which began with lunch at Franklin Plaza and then continued to a show featuring the ESYO at Troy Music Hall.   The Troy Music Hall is one of those other wonderful gems that so many don’t seem to know about.  While the seating is not the most comfortable, the acoustics are amazing and you can tell how much work went into creating this venue.  Find out more about its history by clicking the link above.

ESYO is a group of more than 300 very talented students between grades 4-12 from more than 75 schools in the Capital Region.  The performances given by these amazing children are so memorable and it is such a treat to listen to them create their own special magic.  Perhaps you have heard these children if you have ever attending Melodies of Christmas at Proctors.  If you cannot catch one of their performances at Troy Music Hall, I encourage your attendance at Melodies.

Below is a photo of my fabulous dates for this event, my little sister Emily and friend Thomas.  Thomas plays the trumpet so was very interested in the music and Emily has now indicated an interest in the violin, perhaps inspired by today’s experience.  Thomas was also very excited to be the happy winner of a nook from the silent auction held to benefit ESYO and their many musical programs.