Tuesday, December 8, 2009

GIRL’S NIGHT OUT – SATURDAY, DEC 12, 2009

merrycocktail


YOU’RE INVITED!!!

Sat, Dec 12th
5:00 - 9:00 pm

Celebrate the season at GIRL'S NIGHT OUT at the Blue Heron Inn & Nostalgia in Findley Lake, NY!

The evening will feature:

  • Wine Tasting
  • Hand Massages
  • Gift Certificate Give-aways
  • Mystery Discounts
  • Purchases earn "Blue Heron Bucks"
  • "Wish List" Gift Registry
  • Register to WIN an Overnight Stay
    @ the Blue Heron Inn!

Holiday drink specials – we’re serving Tom & Jerry's!

RSVP by Dec 11th to receive a free "goodie bag"
Bring your friends – the more the merrier!


 store window - edited Happy Holidays from

the Blue Heron Inn!

Bruce, Tobi, Hillary and

the Blue Heron Inn Staff

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Season to Give Thanks

CGB953 
“Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace,
a celebration of work and the simple life …
a true folk festival  that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons,
the beauty of the harvest, the ripe product of the year and the deep connection of all these things”
                              
~  Ray Stannard Baker

Thank you for your continued patronage and best wishes from our family to yours for a Thanksgiving filled with love, light & abundant turkey! 

Bruce, Tobi and Hillary Ahlquist
and the staff at the Blue Heron Inn

Saturday, November 21, 2009

This is a TEST

This is a test blog entry. My system has gone AWOL & I’m trying to get it back in order.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

** Weekend Up-date **

The Chautauqua County hillsides are beginning to blaze with bold Autumn color.  The Fall Festivals & Special Events have begun as well. Sorry for the late notice – we don’t want you to miss weekend’s line-up!

WINE COUNTRY HARVEST FESTIVAL 
September 25-27, 2009
North East, PA
2009 marks the 28th year of the Wine Country Harvest Festival. This event is a chance for the region to showcase its grape growing industry, heritage and fine wines. Over the years the Wine Country Harvest Festival has evolved into a regional event that encompasses the entire town of North East for 3 full days; it has grown into one of the regions largest and most loved festivals.

7 wineries will be serving wine more than 40 varieties of wine by the glass. Dance to some of the regions best music and browse through the fine arts and crafts. You might even try your skill as a grape stomper – a festival tradition.

Leave the driving to us. The festival provides free shuttle service to the wineries and to other attractions in town. Simply park free at either festival location and then ride free as often as you like on Saturday and Sunday.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT “NIGHT LIGHTS”
Saturday, September 26, 2009
9:00 p.m.

NIGHT LIGHTS at The Heron
The Heron, 2361 Waits Corner Road
The American People (http://www.myspace.com/theamericanpeople)
will play at the CafĂ© in the Woods at NIGHT LIGHTS located in Sherman, NY.The Pennsylvania-based quartet brings their American rock music to Chautauqua County’s newest attraction which will surely make it a fun evening.

The American People consists of four musicians with different backgrounds and musical projects. Reese Campbell,  was the co-founder of The New Dylans, a critically acclaimed band that garnered the attention of MTV, and numerous guardians of the 1980’s alt rock world. Paul Liuzzo was one of the founding members of “The Mills” who later went on to become 10,000 Maniacs. He continues to play in various musical projects, often with Bill Ward or Stan Barton. John McGuire and Dan Warmbrodt were recently teamed up in the roots rock sensations Big Leg Emma. 

NIGHT LIGHTS is a unique outdoor light show attraction that is set throughout the forests and ponds of the Blue Heron property in Sherman, NY.  In the evening, guests walk a series of paths through a forest that is transformed with light and sound installations using different colors and tones inspired by the natural world. NIGHT LIGHTS is a one-of-a-kind attraction in North America. Opening is at dark, around 7:45pm.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Shine on Harvest Moon!


The Harvest Festival was a huge success and the event closed with an unforgettable firework display that danced by the light of the moon. It’s quiet by the lake; now is the time to enjoy a relaxing day or overnight stay in Findley Lake at the Blue Heron Inn.
Summer is officially over, the kids are back in school and we’re adjusting to our new Autumn schedules. Soon the night air will pick up a chill, the grapes will be ready for harvest and the hillside will be ablaze in the gorgeous colors of the fall foliage.
In no time at all the holidays will be knocking at our door. It’s not too soon to think about holiday gifts; gifts for the kids, your significant other, hostess gifts, teachers’ gifts and of course, gifts for oneself (my favorite!)

New items are arriving daily at Nostalgia ~ the coolest store in town:
     --  new Melissa & Doug toys & games are on their way
     --  hand-crafted Findley Lake coasters, magnets & ornaments
     --  unique baby gifts for the youngest members of the family
         and much more

HOURS
Shop Hours:
Tues – Sun – 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Fri & Sat ‘til 8:00 pm
Restaurant Hours:  (until Oct 11th – new hours to be announced)
Tues – Sun – 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Thurs/Fri/Sat – dinner from 5:00 – 9:00 pm
Sun – dinner from 5:00 8:00 pm

sunflowers


Thanks to our guests, patrons and friends
for another great Findley Lake summer!

Cheers! Tobi & Bruce

Friday, September 4, 2009

SEE US IN SEPTEMBER!

The month of August passed me by in terms of this blog. It’s now September - the kids are back in school and I pause to wonder,
“where did the summer go?” Fear not - September is one of the year’s most beautiful months in Findley Lake. The roadside stands are brimming with fresh fruits & vegetables,the days are summer-like yet the nights are cool and sweet. In a matter of weeks the grapes will be ready to harvest and the hillside will soon break into a brilliant jewel-toned dance of color, as if to say, “Welcome Fall in all your glory!”

There's a lot to do in and around Findley Lake this Labor Day weekend! The forecast is in our favor - we're looking forward to warm, sunny days all weekend long. Here are a few highlights:

FINDLEY LAKE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Fri thru Sun, Sept 4th - 6th

Join in the festivities at the 12th annual Findley Lake Harvest Festival. The event kicks off on Friday and concludes with a grand fireworks display as part of Chautauqua County’s “Light up the Lakes.” The event features live music, farmer’s market, crafters, samples from local wineries, kid’s crafts and much more.

Throughout the weekend talented singers will vie for the coveted title of “Findley Lake Idol” accompanied by a  $1,000 grand prize. New this year is the first annual Findley Lake “Idol Jr. Talent Show” and first annual “Pretty Baby” contest. Flares will be lit around the lake at 9:30 p.m. followed by the countywide fireworks show at 10  p.m. Admission is free and the event takes place rain or shine.

Sun night

9:30 pm - Lighting flares around the lake
(purchase at Findley Lake Market, Findley Lake Marine, FLACC booth) 
10:00 pm -  “Light the Lakes” fireworks 
More info: www.findleylakeinfo.org

BLUE HERON "NIGHT LIGHTS"


Fri, Sat & Sun evenings

“Nights Lights” opens at dark, (approx 8:15 pm) and closes at 11pm. 
Cost: $10/person, $5/children, 6 and under free. The Cafe-in-the-Woods will have hot beverages, sodas, snacks & Night Lights and Blue Heron merchandise.

Saturday night

9:00 pm (approx) --  WNY Ghost Expert and author, Mason Winfield, will share some WNY paranormal stories that pertain to the woods and outdoor environment.
More info: http://www.heronnightlights.com/topics/press-releases

Sunday night

Drummers from the Blue Heron Rhythm Experiment will lead a drum circle, in which first-time drummers, as well as experienced percussionists are welcome to participate. There will be drums available to play for those who do not own a drum. The drum circle will be lead by Bill Anderson.

Green Heron Growers will have EGGS, processed CHICKENS, scallions, garlic and mushrooms for sale all weekend.

PEEK 'N PEAK RESORT & SPA

Sat, Sept 5th

GLOW MINI GOLF - begins at Dusk 
200 luminaries will light the course while glow sticks will light up the flagpoles. Cost: $5/adults, $4/children & seniors (65+)

Mon, Sept 7th

GOLF DISCOUNTS:  Play 18 holes on the Upper or Lower and your discount is your age! Valid on 18 holes greens fee, cart is additional. Cart is required, $14 cart fee. Call 716.355.4141 to schedule tee times. More info: www.pknpk.com

IRISH SUNDAY

Sept 6th - 1:00 'til 3:00 pm

This Sunday happens to be "Irish Sunday". That's when a group of  Irish players from all corners of the region sit in for a live jam session at the Blue Heron Inn. Come listen as they play; join us for lunch, tip a pint & taps your toes!

sunflowers

“In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil. And at no season, safe perhaps in Daffodil time, do we get such superb colour effects as from August to November.”  ~ Rose G. Kingsley

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY!

We’re approaching the end of the coldest & wettest July in many years. The weather has resembled a cool rain forest - torrential downpours followed by considerable rain, over and again each day. Of course it keeps the air conditioning bills down so it’s not all bad; we hope August bows in with more traditional summer temperatures!

"OUT OF THE IN-BOX”
We recently received the following e-mail from Linda K., who lives near Buffalo, NY.:

Linda wrote, "I spent the summers of the 1950s as a child on a dock on Shadyside  at our (Smith)  family cottage then called the "Chip Inn" (the original house of the sawmill family who started the Lake as we now know it....later we sold it to the Deinzer Family and then it went to a well-known construction family from Erie Pa..... we walked to "The Village" daily to "Winks" for ice cream...and listened to the music from the Roller Rink just across the Lake from our cottage... the 4th of July was really special...the fireworks over the Lake and Yes, the boat parade was a big thing....I remember the Stetson Family were our neighbors down the street.(always had great boats)...my Dad and Uncles always spent hunting season at  Findley...we were thrilled when the NYS Thruway finally connected it so efficiently to Buffalo...but we loved our old ride through route 5,  Silver Creek to Sherman etc until we saw beautiful Findley Lake... We had a family slogan after the long ride as children, "Findley Finally!!"...Peek N Peak came many yrs later....it's still an Idyllic place ... The Blue Heron Inn really helps keep it alive!"

Thanks for sharing the memories, Linda!

“NIGHT LIGHTS AT THE HERON"   
A very cool outdoor attraction in Sherman, NY, “NIGHT LIGHTS at the Heron” will open this Friday, July 31st. Located on the Great Blue Heron Music Festival Site, this venture will be North America’s only rural outdoor lightshow walking attraction. People will walk, un-guided, along an easy one mile trail (on smooth paths) through a series of colorful and creative lighting environments. The walk is meant to be a slow stroll through the landscape. NIGHT LIGHTS at the Heron will be open on Friday and Saturday nights from Friday, July 31, 2009 to Saturday, October 5, 2009. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids 7 to 12 years old and free for 6 years old and under. For more information, contact Doug Sitler at 716.984.7595 or e-mail nightlights

“AMERICA’S GRAPE COUNTRY WEEK”
America's Grape Country is located along 50 miles of Lake Erie bordering southwestern New York State (right here in Chautauqua County) and southwestern Pennsylvania. The Lake Erie Grape Region is home to the oldest and largest Concord grape growing region in the world and the largest grape growing region in the United States outside of California.  In 2006, the Lake Erie Grape Region became the first agriculturally themed Heritage Area in New York State.
MERICA'S GRAPE COUNTRY WEEK  
August 15-23, 2009

 Lyric & Gracie

Lyric Russell, whose grandmother is Findley Laker Pat Russell, won the "Name the Giraffe contest. She chose the winning name “Gracie”. Congratulations Lyric!


Many new products:

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Findley Lake Cruise In

Classic Cars & Boats
Shopping . Food . Music . Family Fun
in
Findley Lake, NY
Sun, July 19, 2009
10:00am - 3:00pm 

The 3rd annual Findley Lake Classic Car & Boat Cruise-in will take place in downtown Findley Lake on Sunday, July 19th from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Organizers are expecting 150 cars and this year's event will also feature antique & classic wooden boats which will be docked by the public ramp for all to enjoy.

The day will feature live DJ entertainment at the Gazebo and food vendors will be setup through the town. The Findley Lake shops, specializing in gifts for giving & gifts for keeping, will be open all day long, many offering special cruise-in promotions.

Dine on the Blue Heron deck!
Join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner from 9:00 am - 8:00 pm.
It's going to be another great day in Findley Lake!
(no fee to participate and dash plaques will be provided to all who register)


Simple Summertime Pleasures

  • walk, bike or row the lake
  • tour the wineries
  • schedule a massage
  • spend a day at Chautauqua
  • visit the Lucy-Desi Museum
  • tour the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
  • hit the beach at Presque Isle
  • go berry picking
  • play miniature golf
  • visit a brew pub
  • experience Lily Dale

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Cheers to summertime in Findley Lake!

Tobi & Bruce

- Findley Lake, NY -

“close to home but far from everyday life"

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

IT’S SUMMERTIME & THE LIVING IS EASY …

Holy cow - it ‘s July!
There’s so much going on – here’s the low-down on the holiday weekend and beyond:

Findley Lake 4th of July
-  Chicken BBQ – FL Fire Hall – noon ‘til gone
-  Duck Race – 12:30 pm -- buy a duck for $2 or 3 for $5
-  Boat Parade - 2:00 pm patriotic hat
-  Flares around the Lake – 9:30 pm
-  Lakefront Fireworks – 10:00 pm

Blue Heron Inn
4th of July Weekend
Fri, Sat & Sun, July 3, 4 & 5
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
9:00 am – 9:00 pm (later on the 4th)
Come watch the fireworks from our deck!

Peek ‘n Peek Resort & Spa
-  4th of July weekend
    offering discounted tee times

-  Art, Jazz & Wine Festival @ the Peek
   Sat, July 11; 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
   Enjoy artistic talent while sipping on a variety of wines from
  
  
Vetter Vineyards, Blueberry Sky Farms & Winery, Merritt Estate 
   Winery and more. Info: 7
16.355.4141 or www.pknpk.com

Great Blue Heron Music Festival
-- located in the Amish countryside of Sherman, NY --
Fri, Sat & Sun, July 3, 4 & 5image
Featuring over 100 performers including Donna the Buffalo, Rusted Root & The Horseflies
- Main Stage/Large Dance Tent
- Old-time Jams/Songwriter’s Circle
- Instrumental Workshops
- Drum Circles/Dance Instruction
- Children’s Activities 
- Marked hiking & Biking trails
- Swimming pond
For more info:  Great Blue Heron Music Festival

Findley Lake Cruise-In
Sun, July 19, 2009; 10:00am-3:00pm  image


Classic & Antique Cars & Boats
Stroll the street, browse the shops, enjoy music & a variety of vendors. No admission free & no registration fee - the public is welcome to register their vehicles.

 

New at Nostalgia

        

Check out our cool new Findley Lake tie dye tees!

 


The flavored Crickets and Scorpion & Worm lollipops have been a BIG hit! Casey, Austin & Braydon say the salt & vinegar crickets are the very best of the 3 flavors; they say "they taste like sunflower seeds". YUM -- thanks for being our taste-testers guys! 

Lots of new items are arriving daily -
come check out the “coolest store in town!”

Findley Lake “Friday Nights”
Although the Blue Heron Inn offers year ‘round Friday night dining, shopping & lodging, the big news is that the rest of Findley Lake is now open for business on Fri nights this summer.

The restaurants are serving 'al fresco' and the local shops are now open until 8:00 pm every Friday night. Take advantage of the great weather - relax with a cocktail or dine on the Blue Heron deck. There are lots of reasons to kick off your weekend 'Findley Lake-style'! Come browse your favorite shops - we've stocked the shelves with fine gifts for giving and great gifts for keeping!

Add one of several new charms to your collectible Findley Lake charm bracelet. Plan an overnight stay; look around the shops, take in a game of golf, tour he wineries or the travel the Art Trail the next day. Make Findley Lake part of YOUR summer season!

    o . o . o . o . o . o . o

We love this Deborah Devonshire quote we found the other day :

        "It's not how far away you go. It's how far away you get!”

Whether you’re planning to go far or stay put, we wish you a warm & wonderful holiday celebration with your families & friends. And as we celebrate our independence we give 3 cheers to those who keep us safe, both here and abroad.

Cheers to a happy & safe 4th of July!
Tobi & Bruce

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

AFTER THE “CRASH”

Yes, I’m finally back to update the blog. My laptop’s hard drive crashed 2 weeks ago & required 2 new hard drives to get the system up & running. No thanks to DELL – this experience left much to be desired as far as their customer service is concerned. Not the front line techs – they were great. But the mid-management know-nothings and their “Dell doesn’t do that” mantra have finally pushed me across the isle – my next computer purchase will be a MAC.

Dell has forgotten that the only difference between computer companies is the service they offer – as a Gold level service account I was subject to mistakes, defective hardware & a lot of excuses. This was NOT a Gold service event! I spent close to 36 hours installing drivers, removing drivers, re-installing programs (twice) in the effort of restoring my system. And this was over Memorial weekend – the kick-off to the summer season! It was a nightmare & I will not soon forget Dell’s lackadaisical attitude. Nor will I forget to spread the word …

But I do have to sing the praises of www.mozy.com - they saved my life! I cannot stress strongly enough how important it is to back up your files. I bought an extra external hard drive years ago but because I couldn’t understand how to configure it I never used it. BAD move! So when I read about mozy.com’s on-line back up service (costs $6.00 per month) – I signed up. The account is set up to automatically back up my files every day. Although the restore feature wasn’t flawless ( my fault – for crying out loud I don’t know where all my files live!) I was able to restore my document files, e-mail & e-mail contact files & guest reservation database. For the life of me I just couldn’t find my payroll database so I was forced to recreate it – but I’m sure the problem was on my end. Run, don’t walk, to sign up for a mozy account – it’s sure to be the best $72.00 you ever spent!

FINDLEY LAKE “FRIDAY NIGHTS”
Although “Nostalgia” is open on Fri & Sat nights almost year ’round, the big news is that the rest of Findley Lake is now open for business on Fri nights throughout the season!

The restaurants are serving 'al fresco' and the local shops are now open until 8:00 pm every Friday night. Take advantage of the great weather - relax with a cocktail or dine on the Blue Heron deck. There are lots of reasons to kick off your weekend 'Findley Lake-style'! Come browse your favorite shops - we've stocked the shelves with fine gifts for giving and great gifts for keeping!

Add one of several new charms to your collectible Findley Lake charm bracelet. Plan an overnight stay; look around the shops, take in a game of golf, tour the wineries or the travel the Art Trail the next day.

Make Findley Lake part of YOUR summer season!

IN THE NEWS
Just thought I’d share a little blurb that came my way via the Findley Lake, NY “google alerts” that I set up on my computer:

“Showcase” Dining capsules
Published: June 11. 2009 12:01AM

BLUE HERON INN. Dinner at the Blue Heron Inn in Findley Lake, N.Y., is a pleasant way to spend a late-summer evening. Daily specials are offered, but the main menu has ample options. Graze on a "whole earth salad" made with fresh greens, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and raisins. Or satisfy a strong appetite with a 12-ounce New York strip steak.
I ordered the New England clam chowder followed by a mixed grille entree of a half-rack of barbecued ribs and half a chicken with Cajun seasoning. The ribs are parboiled, then char-grilled. I love them.
My companion's Middle East plant, consisting of spiced ground lamb kebabs, homemade hummus, and a small Greek salad with feta cheese, met with her approval. Her husband's crab-cake sandwich was the day's special, and in fact it proved to be very special. If you're inclined to breakfast at the inn, chef and owner Bruce Ahlquist makes a delicious Belgian waffle Benedict and cinnamon French toast with multigrain bread.
The skinny: Blue Heron Inn, 10412 Main St., Findley Lake, N.Y.
(716) 769-7852. 
www.theblueheroninn.com. No smoking. Reservations appreciated for dinner. All credit cards accepted except American Express. Wheelchair accessible.

Full review appeared Aug. 21, 2008. www.goerie.com
-- by Floyd Lawrence

It’s crazy to think that we’re already staring at the middle of June! The year is flying by - hope you’re summer is progressing “swimmingly” (pun intended)!

Cheers to the lazy, hazy days we all love!

Tobi & Bruce