Sunday Afternoon Vespers

May 23, 2010

Yesterday during a lull in the Niska-Day Parade, Doug Lohnas - world renowned Emcee Extraordinaire of Niska-Day Parades - made a shameless plug for the Organ  Concert at the First Reformed Church of Schenectady on Sunday at 5:00.  Since Doug is not a member of the First Reformed Church - you may wonder why the interest - well don't wonder long - the organist was none other than Susan Lohnas!

So of course we had to go- that and we do really like organ music!

It was a very enjoyable, relaxing hour- spent in a beautiful, historic church in the Stockade district of Schenectady.  According to the church website, "The First Reformed Church is Schenectady’s oldest congregation. Founded by Dutch settlers, Schenectady’s first colonists, the Church has long enjoyed an ethnically and ecumenically diverse membership". 

And it is a "Welcoming Congregation".  Nice!

The church is beautiful- inside and out. The woodwork amazing and the windows are gorgeous. I - of course - did not have my camera. Until I get some of my own pictures of this lovely church - I'll just have to show you a couple from their website.

The Organ Concert - really - Organ Vespers was quite enjoyable. 

Susan started with Fanfare and Processional -written by Douglas Wagner.  Interspersed with poems and conversation, she played for about an hour.  I think my favorite piece was Suspended Gardens -something she listed as a piece she - "cannot play at church" -  I think we all agreed that indeed it could be played in church - it was simply beautiful.

If you want to see the First Reformed Church of Schenectady's website and hear the concert:  http://www.1streformed.com/mod/media/view-library.php?cat_id=1&item_id=129

Niska-Day Dinner!

May 22, 2010

Headed to Craig School to partake in Giffy's Bar-b-Que.  Yummy.

What a beautiful day it was - a bit overcast - but nice.  Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  The new location (well new last year I think), works out great.  Good parking and lots of room.  The only thing I worry about is the kids walking Balltown Road.... Oh and the picnic area needs garbage cans....

Niska-Day Parade

May 22, 2010

I LOVE A PARADE!

And there is no rain! - The 2010 Niska-Days Parade started at St Helens and zig-zagged its way up to Knott -then past Balltown and into the St James Plaza.  We had a vantage point right next to the Reviewing Stand and across the street from Emcee Doug Lohnas (who had the best view from the roof of the Co-op!)

Enjoy the pictures and we'll see you down at Craig School for the bar-b-que.  (No I am not riding the mechanical bull).

Jazz Concert

May 21, 2010

If you missed the Jazz Concert at the Blackbox theater last night -  too bad.  You missed a good time!
Sean Lane (1980 graduate of Linton HS) played piano - with Sean Kibel (woodwinds), Mike Moss (bass) and Paul DiNaise (drummer). Paul is also a graduate of Linton High, as was the vocalist Jody Shayne.  For more on Sean Lane please visit- http://seanlanemusic.com/slane/

The concert was a fund raiser for the Schenectady City School District Education Foundation. The Foundations awards mini grants to teachers in the Schenectady School District to fund special projects and items not normally covered by typical funding methods.  Walt Adams, host of the Jazz Brunch Show on 101.3, did a nice job as Emcee.

In addition there were three local musicians playing Trombone, Trumpet and Sax...2 high school students and a young man from the Schenectady area....unfortunately, I did not catch their names so if anyone has them - send them to me and I'll add them in.
I also did not bring my camera so I don't have pictures. - just this one of Sean off his website.

Baseball Hall of Fame - Cooperstown NY

May 15th, 2010

This was not our first trip to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame, but it was a unique trip!  I signed us up to participate in a "Discovery Day of Learning", sponsored by the Discovery Channel.  What fun it was!  The sessions were all held at the Baseball Hall of Fame and we ate lunch in the ballpark.

Tons of information was shared about the Discovery Network as well as using Web 2.0 tools in teaching.  Everyone had laptops and cameras and we got lots of ideas and websites to explore.

But enough about the reason for going, the destination was the big draw.  We love the Cooperstown area.  We camped at Glimmerglass one trip and stayed at the Inn at Cooperstown on another.  Talk about polar opposites.  Today we drove in - just for the day. 

Glimmerglass is a state park - beautiful and quiet, but it has no electric and you have to 'dry camp'.  We love it.  We want to return and bring the canoe. 
On the other hand, The Inn at Cooperstown is a five star resort! And of course we loved that as well.  We are open minded people after all....

The activities for the two trips matched the choice of accommodations.  While camping at Glimmerglass - http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/28/details.aspx -the highlight of the trip was the "Beverage Trail" - Breweries, Wineries and Hard Cider.  Yummmm. www.thisiscooperstown.com/beverage-trail-farm-markets.cfm

While staying at "The Inn", http://www.innatcooperstown.com/, we visited the Fenimore Art Museum, http://www.fenimoreartmuseum.org/ , and the Farmers Museum, http://www.farmersmuseum.org/ .

Today we worked and played in the BBHOF itself.  Lunch was at Doubleday Field.  Where we just happened to catch the set up of a reenactment ball game.

New York State Museum

April 25, 2010

Kind of a cloudy, rainy day today.  A perfect day for an indoor activity.  We made our first visit to the New York State Museum.  A trip I highly recommend.  For free (or a suggested $2 donation), you can explore their exhibits all afternoon.

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/

Today we specifically went to see 'Seeing Ourselves: Masterpieces of American Photography from the George Eastman House Collection'. The show is at the museum through May 9th, 2010. If you can get there - go.

I've seen some of the pictures displayed -iconic photos depicting the depression, war, politics, scenery.  But the quality and depth are worth seeing them up close and personal.  I love Ansel Adams' work. I know - I know - how easy - he's probably the best known - but I cannot get past the depth of field and clear focus...amazing.

The display 'Women Who Rocked the Vote' is also showing in the lobby

By the way- parking is free on weekends and after 3:00.

Shameless Plug- Studio Orlo 4th Anniversary Bash

My hair dresser's studio had a big four year anniversary bash on Saturday, April 24th.  It was a nice party and customers, guests, staff and family were present. Even the Albany Trolley made an appearance!

No kidding though- the ladies in the shop do a great job and are so friendly.

If anyone is looking to get their hair cut in Niskayuna, I highly recommend them. 

When George and Jeanne visited for a weekend, we had appointments.  George mentioned he needed a trim so I sent him off to the shop with Carol.  He loved the attention and the girls just loved George....go figure!  http://www.studioorlo.com/

In the picture to the left is Alice - She owns the shop.  She is standing with her daughter Angela and her sister.

                  In the right hand picture and to the right - the lovely young lady is Sarah- Our wizard of a Hair Dresser!  Sarah is talking to her mom.  

                                                                                                                                               

The dapper man responsible for bringing the Albany Trolley to the event is Sarah's dad. He just got off work and brought it home with him! 

International Night Schenectady City School District

April 22, 2010

There is so much good happening with kids that no one ever hears about. We went to the International Night at Schenectady High School on Thursday April 22nd. It was nice! And entertaining!

They booked some fine entertainment; a Dance Troupe from Union College, Steel Drum Band from Hamilton Hill, Talented Dance Performer from SHS and an equally talented SHS Piano Player!

The World Languages Department added in some booths encouraging kids to take a foreign language.  Informative and tasty! Yummy a Creperie!  And of course, food - lots of food!

Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve - Another visit!

April 19, 2010
I do like walking after work. Its been cool but the sun was out to start with- the clouds started to gather as evening matured. We went back to the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve. We don't walk far but we do get out there. This time we went into the Preserve from the Whipple Iron Truss Bridge. It’s a restored 1852 bridge over the old Erie Canal.

The area between the old canal and the Mohawk is wetland. We heard a lot of birds but will need to bring the binoculars next time to see them.

Vischer Ferry Nature & Historic Preserve

April 17, 2010

Stopped for lunch.  The Half-Moon Diner was a pleasant surprise! We enjoyed the diner, the service and the food. We both ordered 'Greek' which caught the attention of our waitress. She told us all about the upcoming Greek Festivals in Albany (May) and Troy (June). She also gave a resounding recommendation for the September Greek Festival at her own church St George's in Schenectady.

Drove the Scenic Byway home -- we stopped at Clute's Dry Dock entrance to the Vischer Ferry Nature Preserve. We walked along the canal for a little while following the old tow path. Though a cold day, the sun was out and the wind was quiet.

Another neat Capital Region attraction, the Nature Preserve is 600 acres and includes the area between Riverview Road and the Mohawk River in the Town of Clifton Park. It contains a section of the original 1825 Erie Canal and Towpath (where we entered). The preserve is open from dawn to dusk.

There are several points of entry from Clute's Dry Dock site to Ferry Drive in Vischer Ferry. The main entrance is at the intersection of VanVranken and Riverview Road. We entered at Clute's Dry Dock.

There were Forget-me-nots and Dogwood trees.

We have to go back in a few weeks because much of the path is lined with day-lilies.