CATS

Cats (stylized as CATS) is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as "the Jellicle choice" and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.

This evening Joan and I entered the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's presentation of CATS to find a full house. Perplexed at first in attempting to find a storyline we finally just settled in and were awed by the dance and music.

Pop singer Taylor Dayne in the role of Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, delivered a riveting rendition of the standard, "Memory".

Melinda Johnson's interview of Taylor Dayne.

Even the downpour that greeted the theater goers as they were departing could not dampen the enthusiasm generated by the cast.

Tony Curulla's Review in The Post-Standard.

David Wilcox’s Review in The Citizen.
James MacKillop's Review in The Syracuse NewTimes.

Other shows of this season:
Singing in the Rain
The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Legally Blond 

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Hank Williams: Lost Highway

Eaton Birding Society - Clark's Ridge

The Eaton Birding Society visited the Clark's Ridge Trail at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge today. This is a new trail, not yet open to the public, except on a scheduled trip and for the Muckrace. Volunteers and staff put the trail together; particularly David Marsh who painted the blazes, and Ruth and Don Kalen who spread the gravel.

View from the trail head parking area.

Steve and Linda Benedict led a group of 26 members. The beginning of the walk took the group along a well-developed pathway.

Few bugs were encountered. While not overwhelmed with birds at this time of year, high points were a yellow-throated vireo and a heard cerulean warbler.

Photo from under the canopy.

The highlight for me was seeing the hacking tower. According to Chuck Gibson this tower was built in 1976. Here the first eaglets were released in New York State. Hacking has been one of the most successful methods of bald eagle re-introduction.

Hacking Tower

The last leg of the hike was made over a mowed pathway.

Some members took advantage of the berries found along the pathway.

A green dragonfly caught my attention.

Linda Benedict compiled the bird list for the trip:
- ceder waxwing
- red-winged blackbird
- bobolink
- gray catbird
- northern cardinal
- American robin
- American crow
- blue jay
- eastern wood-pewee
- black-capped chickadee
- downy woodpecker
- red-eyed vireo
- green heron
- white-breasted nuthatch
- bald eagle
- cerulean warbler
- Baltimore oriole
- brown creeper
- tree swallow
- yellow-throated vireo
- American goldfinch
- common yellowthroat
- osprey
- pied-billed grebe
- trumpeter swan

At the conclusion of the hike several members had breakfast in Waterloo at the Star Restaurant.

Another great day for birding.

Week Thirty-Five - 17 To Go

DaVinci Code took on the Catholic Church; Fate takes on the Freemasons.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Touring the Erie Canal - Emita II - Day Two

After putting our luggage outside our motel room door we made our way to the Newark dock. There Lil and I discovered a geocache and Gail took our photo. So began Day Two. Day One's photos.

Once underway and having been served a buffet breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, bagels, creamy banana pudding and watermelon slices, Dan gave a talk on the history of the Erie Canal.

Passing the Palmyra NY we viewed our favorite luncheon restaurant, Muddy Waters,  on the street-side of the public dock.

After roping on at Lock 29 Dan invited the voyagers to inspect the working of a lock.

Locking through Lock 30.

Many of us found the bow to be one of the better observation points.

Captain Dan docked at Fairport to honor his Dad, The Skipper, and allow us to wander the village.

Proceeded to Pittsford where we did a U-turn. The Sam Patch also was touring today.

After having dinner we docked at the Mid-Lakes Marina.

Once on the bus, Carl, our bus driver, swiftly returned us to Syracuse where we said our good-byes and drove on home.

Touring the Erie Canal - Emita II - Day One

On this Monday morning at 9:45 AM Joan and I arrived at Duchman's Landing in Baldswinsville NY. We were the next to last to board the Emita II since we did not read the fine details in the brochure. Captain Dan Wiles and his crew gave us a warm welcome.

Captain Dan

Leaving the dock we made our way northwest through the Seneca River. The first canal users we came upon were two kayakers.

Our first lock passage was Lock 24 at Baldwinsville.

Island in Cross Lake

Bridge at Mosquito Point

Richmond Aqueduct

Low Bridge - Clyde NY

Lock 28

Historic Lockmaster's House - Lock 28 Lyons NY

Arriving at Newark we checked into the hotel (the only hotel/motel in Wayne County). After figuring the combination for the entry door to our room and the technique to turn on the shower, we spent a peaceful night's rest.

After  getting coffee in the lobby we continued our journey along the Erie Canal.

Week Thirty-Four - 18 To Go

Reread this Grisham work after watching the film. Now realize why Grisham could be considered one of the best legal thriller writer around when he is on his game.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

Week Thirty-Three - 19 To Go

This is a powerful “must-have” identification tool for anyone eager to identify or learn about insects in North America. For the enthusiast this book will be one of the most frequently used in their personal library.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013

41st annual Finger Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club of America Car Show

Pontiac Super Chief
 

The 41st annual Finger Lakes Region Antique Automobile Club of America Car Show rolled into downtown Auburn today. The show brought hundreds of antique cars to the Genesee Street and Loop Road area of downtown Auburn.

 Matt Cheche's 1941 Cadillac Fleetwood

Carl B. Hering's 1954 Kaiser Darrin

 Charlie & Nancy Davis's 1956 Studebaker President

Loren Buschle's 1926 Chevrolet Sedan

Dick & his Shelby

Week Thirty-Two - 20 To Go

A departure from his usual legal thrillers. But a great way to spend a summer day reading on the front porch.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2013