Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Blog on the Move

A note to those who follow "Musings from Main Street" and to those who'd like to start:

I've moved the Blue Heron Inn blog "Musings from Main Street" from blogger.com to wordpress.com. Follow the new blog at: http://blueheroninnfindleylakeny.wordpress.com/

Keep up with the latest at the Blue Heron Inn and in Findley Lake at large!
Thanks, Tobi

Monday, September 20, 2010

Busy Times in Chautauqua County!

The leaves are changing - it's official - we're into the swing of Fall. There's something for everyone in Chautauqua County this weekend. Make the Blue Heron Inn your home away from home while you enjoy all the pleasures we have to offer!

Thurs, Sept 23, 2010 - 7:30pm

REO SPEEDWAGON

Jamestown Savings Bank Arena
P: 716-484-2624
Click here for ticket information


Sun, Sept 26, 2010  11:00am - 5:00pm
BUSTI APPLE FESTIVAL
One of the largest festivals in region. Arts/Crafts vendors 19th-century life-skill demos 1838 grist mill tours apple cider & apple favorites. Ready to eat & take-home concessions farmers market. Mill Tours.
Busti Grist Mill  3443 Lawson Rd., Busti, NY 14701; 
P: 716-483-0134


Fri, Sept 24 - Sun, Sept 26, 2010
QUILTING AROUND CHAUTAUQUA 2010
The seventh Anniversary of Quilting Round Chautauqua.  800+ quilts on display and 65+ vendors.  September 24 pre-show class day.  Website has complete details for hands-on classes. More than 800 quilts and 60 vendors on the on display and visit over 60 vendors. 
P: 814-866-8227; Website


Fri, Sept 24 - Sun, Sept 26, 2010
WINE COUNTRY HARVEST FESTIVAL
2010 marks the 29th year of nearby North East, PA's Wine Country Harvest Festival. This event showcases its grape growing industry, heritage and fine wines. Although it started as a small affair WineFest has grown into one of the regions largest and most loved festivals. 9 wineries will be represented in the wine tent (80 x 100 in size) this year, serving more than 40 varieties of wine.

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 event  provides free shuttle service to the wineries and to other attractions in town. Free parking at either festival location and then ride free as often as you like on Saturday and Sunday. Website

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Well done Brother-USA!

More often than not Customer Service is a source of endless frustration - it's typically inadequate and problems are seldom resolved to a satisfactory conclusion. Unfortunately
 it's become a way of life. So I am very happy to share the excellent customer service I recently received from Brother-USA.

          The product in question?    A 4-year old color, multi-function inkjet printer (MFC)
          The problem:   black ink didn't print

I've used both Brother-brand and generic cartridges in the printer and never had a problem.
 However, when I called Brother's Customer Service and admitted I wasn't currently using their proprietary products they recommended  that I switch over to their brand of consumables. After replacing the cartridges with Brother-brand cartridges the problem still existed. I tried all the diagnostics and solutions outlined in the operation manual but didn't have any luck getting the black ink to print. I called Brother's Customer Service again and we fiddled with their more advanced diagnostics/solutions to no avail. Then the unexpected happened - the phone technician created a work order that arranged to have my printer serviced locally AT NO CHARGE! A few days later my printer was fixed and ready to be picked up. Not only was the machine repaired but Brother also threw in a free black cartridge for my convenience!

This isn't the first Brother product I have purchased; as a matter of fact I have been happy with the other Brother products I own. However, this kind of attention to customer satisfaction has made me a real believer. So much so that when my office MFC printer needed to be replaced last week I selected a Brother color laser MFC.


Thank you for a reason to sing your praises, Brother-USA and congratulations on a job well done!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Suddenly September

And the colors are much brighter now. It's like they really want to tell the truth
We give our testimony to the end of the summer.  It's the end of the summer.
You can spin the light to gold            -- Dar Williams

Like a shock to our systems it's suddenly time to move from the lazy hazy days of summer into a life of less forgiving S.C.H.E.D.U.L.E.S. Yes, it's time to pick up where we left off not so long ago. The college kids have moved back into their dorms & apartments after a flurry of spending and packing; our co-ed left yesterday and today our home is suddenly quieter than before she left. School is starting and with it comes schedules for sports, clubs, lessons of all kinds and the carpools that revolve around them.

But wait - let's not forget that autumn is famous for some of the most beautiful weather of the year. Fall festivals take center stage as we enjoy the fruits of summer's bounty. The air becomes cooler, the grapes are ready for harvest, leaves begin to show their brilliant colors. Don't miss out on Chautauqua County's many autumn splendors - we're ready to dazzle you with our wines, art, galleries, shops and restaurants. 

Come for the day or an overnight stay
we're close to home but far from everyday life



Calendar of Events




Friday, September 3 - Sunday, September 5, 2010
13th Annual Findley Lake Harvest Festival

Join us as the fun begins Friday night with auditions for the Annual Findley Lake Idol contest. The weekend-long 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. And don't forget about the 2nd annual "Jr Idol" Talent Show and "Pretty Baby" Contests. We'll celebrate the close of another fun summer with flares at 9:05 pm and an amazing firework display at 9:30 pm. Information & entry forms can be found at http://www.findleylakeinfo.org




 Sunday, September 5, 2010
"Light the Lakes" celebration

The 3rd Annual "Light the Lakes" will take place during Labor Day weekend with the big “take-off” on Sunday, September 5. Celebrate the spectacular 3rd Annual Light the Lakes on Sunday, September 5 as multiple locations around Chautauqua Lake take part in an explosion of color and noise and blast off at 9:31 pm in one of the largest fireworks displays in North America!





Saturday, September 4, 2010    4:00 - 6:00 pm
Sunday, September 5, 2010       5:00-7:00pm
Nostalgia @ the Blue Heron Inn

Area columnist and author Elizabeth Rose Way will read and discuss her 2nd book, "And I Will Love You from Heaven".









Friday, September 3 - Sunday, September 5, 2010

A 3-day weekend retreat filled with drumming, dance and personal growth workshops. All on the gorgeous grounds of the Great Blue Heron Music Festival in Sherman, NY.

Presented by Jim Donovan  and the folks that bring you The Great Blue Heron Music Festival. Information: http://www.greatrhythmrevival.com/




July 30 through October 2, 2010

“Nights Lights” at the Heron opens at dark, (approx 8:15 pm) and closes at 11pm. The Cafe-in-the-Woods will have hot beverages, sodas, snacks & Night Lights and Blue Heron merchandise. http://www.heronnightlights.com

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Irish are Coming!

Sun, June 6, 2010; 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Irish Sunday at the Blue Heron Inn

On the 1st Sunday of the month a group of Irish players from all over the region gather for an impromptu jam. Come listen as they play and discover your own "little bit o' Irish"! Join us for lunch, tip a pint and tap your toes! Blue Heron Inn, Main Street, Findley Lake, NY. For info & reservations: P: 716.769.7852 or stay@theblueheroninn.com

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Findley Lake Merchants promote 3/50 Project with “I’m Here to Shop Local” promotion

Findley Lake has taken the National 3/50 Project one step further. “I’m Here to Shop Local” is a shopping program open to customers who make a purchase while visiting Findley Lake, NY. The premise is simple, we want to show our appreciation and offer a potential reward to the customers who make our businesses successful:
1. Buy any item in participating shops and restaurants
2. Fill out an entry form each time you make a purchase
3. Each month the entry forms will be collected and one lucky patron will win $100 Findley Lake “Fun Money”.
A new drawing will be held each month, so Shop Often, Stay Often, Register to Win Often!

The 3/50 Project

The 3/50 Project is a national movement that supports locally-owned businesses by inspiring consumer loyalty to the storefronts that directly fund their communities.

The 3/50 Assertion

Think about which 3 independently own businesses you miss most if they were gone. of Stop in. Say hello. Pick up a little something that will make you or someone else smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around. If half the employed US population spent a total of $50 each month in independently-owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if ¾ of the employed population did that. Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

The 3/50 Mission

• To promote and strengthen independent brick and mortar businesses owned by people in the community
• To thank consumers for their patronage
• To expand local revenue streams by showing how a small dollar amount can translate into enormous financial stability
• To shine a light on the stark contrast between what an independent, locally owned brick and mortar business contributes to the local economy versus the significantly lower amount big boxes, franchises, chains, and internet purchases return. For more information, please visit www.The350Project.net

Findley Lake, located in Chautauqua County, NY, is situated in the scenic southwest corner of New York State, just inside the NY/PA state line. One mile south of Interstate 86, exit #4, Findley Lake is less than three hours, less than one tank of gas, from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Rochester, Niagara Falls and Toronto and within an easy drive from Buffalo and Erie. Findley Lake is around the corner from Peek ‘n Peak Resort and Spa and is convenient to the Chautauqua County Snowmobile, Wine and Art Trails. Findley Lake’s downtown shops, restaurants and Inns sit on Findley Lake’s picturesque north shore and offer a year ‘round destination perfect for a single day’s pleasure or a relaxing overnight stay. For more information, please visit www.findleylakeinfo.org.

Monday, May 24, 2010

The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail "2010 Annual Open Studio Tour"

Did you know that Chautauqua County, NY is the home of a community of 2 dozen artists? Read on for more information about this weekend's Open Studio Tour, sponsored by the Chautauqua Art Trail. Make the Blue Heron Inn your "home base" while discovering our talented local artists, wineries, shops, & restaurants. There's a lot to love about Chautauqua County!


The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail
2010 Annual Open Studio Tour
Memorial Weekend - May 29 & 30
10:00 am - 5:00 pm - No Charge


The 2010 Chautauqua- Lake Erie Art Trail (CLEAT) Open Studio Tour will take place Memorial Day weekend. CLEAT runs from Silver Creek, NY to Sherman, NY, and features 25 artists and 35 art related businesses. The artists work in a variety of art forms, including paintings, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, fabrics, stained glass, pottery, jewelry, drawings and wood turning.


A Personal Invitation
As artists, the work we do is always personal – our responses to the world in which we all live – responses that take a variety of forms: paintings, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, fabrics – myriad, creative, expressive, beautiful forms. Now is your opportunity to see for yourself, to visit the personal places where we live and create our work, and get to know us. We live in and find our inspiration in one of the most beautiful, picturesque regions of New York State. As you travel to visit us, see what we see every day - verdant vineyards and fields, lush forests, rolling hills, and a spectacular Lake Erie shoreline. There are plenty of places to eat and find lodging along the way so come and visit, and stay awhile. For information and downloadable maps, go to www.ChautauquaArtTrail.com or P: 716.679.9154.


Make a weekend of it!
Enjoy a 2-night stay at the Blue Heron Inn along with the following amenities:
   Full breakfast each morning
   $50 dinner voucher for two in the Blue Heron dining room
    (menu includes soup or salad to start, choice of dinner entree and dessert)


Add Sunday night to your stay and enjoy breakfast while watching Findley Lake’s annual Memorial Day parade from the comfort of our lake view deck!


Package Rates:
  2-night package: $299 per couple
  (cost does not include alcoholic beverages, sales tax or gratuity)
  3-night package: $349 per couple
  (cost does not include alcoholic beverages, sales tax or gratuity)


Reservations: P: 716.769.7852  *  E: stay@theblueheroninn.com  *  Web: www.theblueheroninn.com

Sunday, May 16, 2010

An Evening with Claudia Schmidt


The Blue Heron Inn welcomes acclaimed singer/songwriter Claudia Schmidt this Friday, May 21st. Schmidt, who plays 12-string guitar and mountain dulcimer, has been performing for almost four decades and has released 14 albums that explore folk, jazz, and blues.

Work in clubs, theaters, festivals, TV, radio has added depth and dimension, and since she has always included her original work along with very personal versions of the work of others, what you get is a unique look at the world from someone who says what she sees with clarity, humor, and wonder. The San Francisco Bay Guardian said: Schmidt's shows are a lot like falling in love. You never know what's going to happen next, chances are it's going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory and you know you'll never be the same again." Having appeared on "Prairie Home Companion" Garrison Keillor said "when Claudia sings a song, it stays sung".

Seating is limited and cost is $14 per person. Cash bar & light bar fare will be available. Advanced ticket purchases are available at: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/667505527, by e-mail: stay@theblueheroninn.com or by phone: 716.769.7852.

Join us for a magical evening!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Libation Vacation on Lake Erie's Shore

By Carl Francis Penders
Published: April 25, 2010


The words “lake effect” can have a chilling consequence on Western New Yorkers. But for grape growers along its shore, Lake Erie provides the opportunity to fill glasses with delightful fruits of the vine. And through New York’s Chautauqua County, and Pennsylvania’s Erie County, that fruit turns into some excellent wine.

With 30,000 sandy soil acres dedicated to growing grapes, the region enjoys a mild climate moderated by “lake effect” weather. Cool springs keep buds from growing too soon, and warm late summers and mild autumns extend the growing season while reducing the risk of frost.

In recent years, more wineries have taken root in the area, and more wine lovers have been drawn to follow the Chautauqua Wine Trail.

A recent addition to the trail is Liberty Vineyards ( www.libertywinery.com , 672-4520), where innovative branding ideas flow as freely as wine. Owner Gary Burmaster is a fifth-generation grape grower. Burmaster said his daughter Beth produced “a fully integrated plan for the marketing of a winery” for her 2005 master’s thesis at St. Bonaventure University. This academic endeavor spurred his decision to expand from grower to wine entrepreneur. Beth, who now joins her parents in the enterprise, said, “It’s great seeing things I put on paper are now actually being used.” Burmaster exhibits a flair with words in naming his wine offerings. His Liberty Vineyards markets brands like White Side of the Moon, a white wine with a fruity, sweeter taste. He said his Purple Haze “is a fun little way of promoting the Concord grape,” and Lucy in the Sky is a white wine made from diamond grapes, which the winemaker terms “an old Native American variety.”

In their vineyards in the town of Sheridan on Route 20, the Burmasters grow 13 grape varieties on 93 acres. They produce 21 wines, including a 2008 Pinot Grigio and 2009 Riesling and Diamond, which won gold medals in the 2010 Grand Harvest Awards in Sonoma, Calif. Open every day for tasting and tours, Liberty also has a gift shop selling nonalcoholic products like Concord Grapeseed Oil and Concord Grape Pie Filling & Topping.

Behind the tasting bar is an antique oak humidor. Now used for display, the case was built in Buffalo by A. F. Meyer& Sons, formerly at 404-408 Broadway, and hails from a Dunkirk tobacco shop. Liberty now counts among its customers the 93-year-old daughter of the owner of that tobacco shop.

The nearby Woodbury Vineyards ( www.woodburyvineyards.com , 866-691-9464) on South Roberts Road off Route 20, won the Taste of Buffalo’s 2009 Best Wine award for its cherry wine. Woodbury also offers blueberry and cranberry fruit wines. Woodbury opened as a  winery in 1980, and its pavilion is a popular setting for weddings, picnics or parties that call for libation to augment the occasion. The Chautauqua Wine Trail continues southwest on Route 20 to Westfield, where Vetter Vineyards ( www.VetterVineyards.com , 326-3100), 8005 Prospect Station Road, operates a boutique winery. We were greeted by owner Barbara Lancaster and her mother, pitching in on a busy Wine and Art weekend. Set in a wooded area, the winery provides an opportunity to sample some of the 25 wines from more than a dozen grape varieties grown on 23 acres. Westfield’s Noble Winery ( www.noblewinery.com , 326-9463) is a farm winery, and its wines are produced exclusively from New York State grapes. Pete and Diane Noble invite visitors to drink in their spectacular Lake Erie view, along with their award-winning Seyval Blanc. Almost 50 of their farm’s 65 acres are dedicated to growing grapes for Mogen David wine. At Johnson Estate Winery on Route 20, (www.johnsonwinery.com , 800-374- 6569) the grapes are grown in French “chateau tradition.” “This is a process in which the vineyard manager, winemaker and owners collaborate so that we make the vines happy, and harvest the best fruit,” said Jennifer Johnson. Johnson’s is New York’s oldest estate winery. It has 110 acres, producing 11 grape varieties, resulting in 30 wines, including award-winning ice wines. The bright red winery building, circa 1920, was originally built by co-owner Frederick Johnson’s grandfather as a cold storage facility for apples and other fruit. Today fruit is made into wine in a production area where grapes are crushed, pressed and fermented. After aging in barrels and stainless steel drums, the wines are bottled and put to the test in the tasting room out front. The space serves as a welcome center and gift shop, featuring a complete line of wine accessories.


A newcomer to the trail is Ripley’s Quincy Cellars ( www.quincycellars.com , 736-2021), where winemaker and chef Kevin Daughrity pairs his wines with specially prepared winemaker’s dinners. Each of four courses is served with its own wine, as Daughrity explains the pairings and how the dishes were prepared. The wine-and-dine outing includes bread baked on the premises, dessert and coffee.

Stepping even further back in time, and into Northeast, Pa., is Mazza Vineyards’ South Shore Wine Company ( www.mazzawines.com , 814-725-1585), 1120 Freeport Road. Established in 1864 by grape-growing pioneers William Griffith and Smith S. Hammond, South Shore’s magnificent wine cavern, modeled after a French wine cellar, features a tasting room with a bar made from poured concrete. The structure has room for production, a banquet hall upstairs and a seasonal cafe, open from April to October. Presque Isle Wine Cellars ( www.piwine.com , 814-725-1314), 9440 West Main Road, Northeast, Pa., is set in a wooded area alongside Twelve Mile Creek. Known as “the dry red people,” the PresqueLuebbert took us out along the water, to the pressing and crushing area. Stems are taken out, Luebbert said, “because they can add bitterness and off flavors.” Presque Isle also caters to home winemakers, shipping supplies all over the country; it even exports its wares to customers in Japan.

We didn’t have time to stop at two other vineyards in northern Chautauqua County, but they are worth mentioning, and a visit: Merritt Estate Winery ( www.merrittestatewinery.com ; 965-4800), 2264 King Road, Forestville, has been a functioning winery since 1976. On June 12 and 13, it will hold its 30th annual Strawberry Festival. Legendary Buffalo Bills wide receiver Andre Reed will be at the winery to sign autographs and raise money for Ali’s Rally Foundation. Willow Creek Winery ( www.willowcreekwines.net ; 934-9463), 2627 Chapin Road, Silver Creek (between Routes 20 and Route 5, off Center Road), has its tasting room in the original farm house, built in the early 1800s. Its 10th annual Willow Fest, a family event with music, crafts and rides, is June 24-26.

If you go: The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail consists of 21 wineries, and runs from Silver Creek to Northeast, Pa., along Routes 5 and 20. Maps are available at the Wine Trail web site: www.chautauquawinetrail.org or by contacting individual wineries. The Chautauqua Wine Trail puts on several special events, including a Wine and Cheese weekend May 1 and 2, featuring cheese from Corfu’s Yancey’s Fancy. Harvest Weekends are scheduled for Nov. 6-7 and 13-14.


Monday, April 19, 2010

Celebrate Earth Week!

PROTECT THE PLANET WE LIVE ON

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
 we borrow it from our children" 
   ~   Native American Proverb



While our hearts are in the right place when it comes to the earth and its inhabitants, beauty can still be a fairly difficult world to navigate as an eco-conscious gal. While no brand broadcasts that they test on animals or use parabens, the ones that are earth and animal friendly don’t always scream it from the rooftops either.


  100% Natural
100% Natural means the products are sourced from plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Check the seal to be sure, but most likely if it’s natural you’ll be avoiding ingredients such as synthetic chemicals like parabens, pthlatates, sulfates, petrochemicals, GMOs, fragrances and dyes. From concealers to lipsticks, you can rest assured all of these products are natural.  


  Certified Organic
Certified Organic is one step beyond 100% Natural. So they’ve got those Natural ingredients as mentioned above, but have also passed the test of a regulatory agency which means the only ingredients included are grown organically. No pesticides. No fertilizers. To make it easy on yourself, make sure to look out for the seal of approval:  
  70% Made with Certified Organic Ingredients
A USDA-accredited certifying agent grants this seal to products with at least 70% organic ingredients. May contain some synthetic ingredients.
 
                95% USRDA Organic

When you see this seal, you can be assure the U.S. Department of Agriculture has guaranteed that this product contains at least 95% organic ingredients.
  95% U.K. Soil Association
When you see this seal, this means the U.K. Soil Association has certified these products also contain at least 95% organic ingredients. The U.K. Soil Association Seal certifies products contain at least 95% organic ingredients.


  Vegan
If a product is deemed Vegan, you can be positive that there are absolutely no animal-derived ingredients in the product. Animal or insect by-products to avoid are lanolin, shellac, honey, beeswax, musk, and squalene.


  Paraben Free
If your skin is sensitive to preservatives like parabens, then you may want to choose products with paraben-free formulas. These products do not contain any parabens, including methyparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, benzylparaben and their sodium salts. Look for the seal to easily identify these products.  


  Certified Cruelty Free
A note about “Certified Cruelty Free” – those words aren’t always proof positive— the only way to be sure is if the brand is gifted by the seal of Leaping Bunny or PETA.


  Leaping Bunny
For a product to be certified by Leaping Bunny, it means absolutely no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. A-lister brand Dermalogica is certified by that cute little Leaping Bunny.
                PETA
A PETA seal ensures that the companies do not conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations, or finished products – and never will. From eye shadows to mascaras, Anti-Animal Cruelty group PETA approves these products.


  Environmentally Responsible
The practices of Environmentally Responsible brands include using sustainable ingredients, packaging from managed forests or recycled packaging, alternative energy, fair trade or co-op farms. The greener the operation, the cleaner the air and healthier the planet.




Excerpted from Blush - http://newsletters.blush.com/advertorial/earthDay/index.htm

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Jaerv in Concert


Jaerv (from Sweden) in Concert



Date:
Jaerv in Concert
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Time:
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Location:
Jamestown Community College Sharmann Theater (www.sunyjcc.edu)


Jaerv plays extroverted, vigorous and heartfelt folk music. Instruments include fiddle, flute, guitar, nyckelharpa and percussion. Jaerv offers a varied stage performance where the five members blend their tunes with energetic dances and free improvisations.

For a sample of their music go to: www.sonicbids.com/jaerv







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