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.

Cafe Madison (Albany)

With Albany being just a hop, skip and a jump away (my grandmother's words), I met my friends Norman and Peter for breakfast at this amazing little cafe.  Cafe Madison is located at 1108 Madison Avenue, Albany.  So we arrive at 9:15 for breakfast and were told that we had a 20 minute wait for a table (they don't accept reservations).  While waiting I ran into my friend Amanda who frequents the restaurant and she gave me the best tip of the day when I asked what she believes the best breakfast is, she, without hesitation, said "you must try the oatmeal raspberry pancakes".  The wait was exactly 20 minutes and we were seated at a front table and the staff and the service was fabulous.  Taking my friend Amanda's suggestion, I ordered the oatmeal rasperry pancakes and if you decide to try this little cafe, I suggest you try them as well, absolutely delicious.  I am sure I will run into there as I definitely will be adding this locale to my list of favorites. 

Their website says they are a culinary gem in the heart of Albany and I certainly agree.  Take a trip to Cafe Madison and share your experience with me, I would love to hear what you think.

Jersey Boys at Proctors

I often talk about how much I love Schenectady and this region and this weekend was another one of those great weekends filled with friends and fun.  Friday night was spent with my friends Amy, Scott, and Sue.  First we started with dinner at Bangkok Thai and instead of ordering entrees we decided to try an assortment of appetizers for our dinner.  My personal favorites were the crab angels and the curry balls, so if you decide to stop over, I suggest an order of those.  Next we were off to see Jersey Boys at Proctors. 

If you haven't gotten your tickets yet to the show then I suggest you run not walk to the box office at Proctors'.  The show is about the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their trials and tribulations on the road to fame.  I am one of those people that see a show once and am happy but don't really ever feel the need to see it a second time but I must say that Jersey Boys is one of the shows that I would see again.  The music and actors, the social environment, all of it, is worth a second go around.  I did purchase the sound track just to hear that wonderful music over and over again!

Getting excited for Jersey Boys

In less than 24 hours I will be sitting in the third row watching Jersey Boys at Proctors.  I have heard so many positive reviews, I am sure I will enjoy the show.  Additionally, I was at the preview party several months ago, so I have been very patient in waiting for my night to arrive.  Will give a full review after the event but in the meantime, I just have to say how wonderfully lucky we are to have such an amazing venue in Schenectady where we can see Broadway shows just minutes from our homes. 

Just a little bit of history about Proctors Theater:

Proctors began as a vaudeville theatre in the early 20th century is now the Capital Region’s destination for major Broadway shows, cutting-edge film festivals, exciting special events, and everything in between.

Built in 1926 by F. F. Proctor, the “Dean of Vaudeville,” Proctors on State Street in Schenectady was a popular theatre that used a method of continuous performance to draw huge crowds and numerous famous vaudevillians of that era. In 1930, Proctors hosted the first public demonstration of television with the help of General Electric. Learn more about the history here. 

Van Curler Room at SCCC

If you love trying new things as much as I do then I suggest trying out the buffet at the Van Curler Room at Schenectady County Community College.  On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, my friends Amy and Scott joined me for dinner as we headed to SCCC for the Mardi Gras buffet.  The culinary arts students put together a wonderful assortment of foods in this themed buffet dinner.  The cost to attend is $20 per person inclusive of tax.  Since the program is put on by the students, gratuity is not required nor suggested.  I have been told that gratuities may be made and that the money is used for special programs for students, so I suggest making a small donation.  The children learn how to prepare, organize, serve and create this event. 

If you have ever been on a cruise where you enter a dining room and are seated with others (the tables are set for 8), that is the atmosphere you will enter.  We were seated with 2 older couples and the evening was such a success, they were knowledgeable and entertaining and we had some wonderful conversations.     

It is so wonderful to have this culinary institute in our backyard where you can enjoy a wonderful meal while students are working toward a degree.  Next week, it’s off to try their Italian Buffet.  Another reason I love where I live!

Brandon's Steak & Seafood Restaurant

Schenectady is always serving something up and last week was Restaurant Week.  On Monday, February 20, as part of Restaurant Week in Schenectady (a week in which area restaurants serve a $20.12 menu including appetizer, entrée and dessert) my friend Denise and I decided to try the new Brandon’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant on 1702 Chrisler Avenue in Schenectady.  The restaurant is a bit smaller than I had expected but the food was delicious and the service well above par.   I had the fried calamari as an appetizer, and the Chicken Angelina (sautéed egg battered chicken medallions topped with shrimp and finished with a lemon Chardonnay cream sauce and served over fresh sautéed spinach) and to complete the meal, a delicious rice pudding.  While the meal was delicious, one of the best things about Schenectady Restaurant week is the ability to spend an evening with a good friend, enjoying a great meal while checking out a new restaurant, all for $20.12, wow, I love Schenectady. 

GE's Big Game Video from Schenectady just released

Hey All - You know I love Schenectady and I also love my job working with Internal Communications at GE right here in town.  Yesterday, they released a copy of their Big Game video (filmed right here in Schenectady) with local employees and I thought you all might like to check it out.  Gives a whole new meaning to "this Bud's on me"...  Check it out here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DgNStjaxOCM