2012 Founders Day

Pomeroy Anvil Monument

Since its inception in 2009, the annual downtown Auburn celebration known as Founders Day has been a well attended event. Not wanting to miss out went downtown in the mid-morning hours.

First, photographed the newly installed Pomeroy Anvil Trail monument. Theodore Pomeroy served as Auburn's mayor in the 19th century.

Then made my way east on Genesee Street to catch some tunes from the Infrared Radiation Orchestra.

Members of the Auburn Doubledays were signing autographs in front of M&T Bank.

City streets were full of candy-colored classic and custom cars.

The judges' choices in the Founders Day car show classic division was Jim Hutchinson's 1957 Chevrolet.

One heavy Chevy owner had this display of license plates.

Making my way home noticed a group of bikers forming a queue in the OTB parking lot.

Joan and I had half of a Wegmans Assorted for our lunch and then headed out on our road trip.

Random Bird Sightings

Knox-Marsellus Marsh

Double-crested Cormorant

Trumpeter Swans

View from Benning Marsh

Goldfinch

Downy Woodpecker

Great Egret

Barn Swallow Juvenile

Solitary Sandpiper

 Lesser Yellowlegs

Bank Swallow

Common Gallinule

American Coot

 Hoopes Park

 

Ludovico Sculpture Trail

After birding the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge auto-drive and purchasing fresh peaches at Sauder's Store, made my way to the Ludovico Sculpture Trail in search of a letterbox.

Parking just off the street at the head of the trail followed the Letterbox clue and began walking toward the letterbox destination. Encountered several sculptures along the way.

Susanne (Pluretti) Hawker

Designated as the "Protector of the Trail" this bust of Susanne Hawker greets you at the trailhead. On September 11, 1994, Hawker was appointed as the first female police officer of the Village of Seneca Falls Police Department, which was established in 1831.

"The Status of Women"

Next comes the trail’s first sculpture created by Trumansburg artist Betty Boggs. These two large tablets with a carved chain link  feature six symbols representing the right to vote, the right to hold property, the first Women’s Rights Convention, the right to higher education, equal pay for equal work and fair and equitable divorce laws.

Diana Smith

Diana Smith was elected in 2004 as the first female Mayor of the Village of Seneca Falls, NY since its incorporation in 1893.

Bloomers

The original bloomers were an article of women's clothing invented by Elizabeth Smith Miller of Peterboro, New York an early pioneer of the vulcanized rubber girdle, but popularized by Amelia Bloomer in the early 1850s (hence the name, a shortening of "Bloomer suit"). 

Mary Baker Eddy

Finally came upon the canal worker sculptures that were hiding the letterbox.

But to my disappointment it was a no find. Perhaps the canal has washed the box away.

Week Thirty-Two - 20 to Go

If the island in this novel truly presents a picture of modern Greece, no wonder the Greek economy is struggling. In today's world the populace as well as the novelist has to work at a faster pace.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012

Sarah Palin Flashback 6/6/09

Gov. Sarah Palin Visits Auburn, NY

Todd Palin, Willow Palin & Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin set aside politics briefly Saturday (6/9/09) to help Auburn, N.Y. officials celebrate their inaugural Founders Day and raise money for a museum honoring William Seward, the U.S. secretary of state who acquired Alaska in 1867. More than 20,000 people turned out to see Palin lead a parade through downtown Auburn and sign a proclamation honoring Seward, the secretary of state who negotiated the $7.2 million deal with Russia for Alaska, which is celebrating its 50th year of statehood.

MGR Flashback 9/14/09

 Buddy - The BUDDY HOLLY Story

Buddy Holly was truly a pioneer in the music business.

His career, while short, served to inspire numerous future music legends.

This evening (Monday, September 14, 2009) Joan and I attended the Merry-Go-Round presentation of Buddy. Erik Hayden reprised his role as Buddy in his return to the MGR. He was just as good of not better this time as he was two years ago.

The action in the play takes place in Lubbock,Texas; Clovis, New Mexico; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City  and Clear Lake, Iowa between January 1956 and February 1959.

Act I seem to start off key but once The Crickets sand That’ll Be the Day in Decca Studios in Nashville the production took off.

The Last Scene in Act II was the show stopper. Set in The Surf Ball Room in Clear Lake Scene 6 included Chantilly Lace performed by Ryan G. Dunkin as the Big Bopper and La Bamba sang by Ernie  Pruneda as Richie Valens. Hayden concluded with True Love Ways.

The entire company took the stage for an encore playing  Johnny B. Goode. By this time Joan and I and several others including Bill Cowmey were dancing n the aisles.

This musical tribute to a legendary rock ‘n roller should never be missed if it is playing near where you live.

MGR Flashback 10/12/09

I LEFT MY HEART

A Salute to the Music of Tony Bennett

This evening (Monday, October 12, 2009) Joan and I attended the Merry-Go-Round presentation of I Left My Heart.

Not knowing what to expect we were pleasantly surprised by the energies of Pat Roberts, Rob Sutton and Marty Thomas. From the opening set to the last blast these three gentlemen did good by Tony Bennett.

Their efforts were enhanced by the orchestra which shared the stage throughout the production. Corrinne Aquilina (piano), John Eckert (trumpet), Terry Squires (Bass) and Tristan Marzeski (Percussion) allowed the actors to present the Bennett songbook without a hitch.

The setting of a night club, a concert hall and a recording studio added to the magic of the performance.

The Film Set in Act II featuring The Days of Wine and Roses, As Time Goes By and The Shadow of Your Smile was a great segment.

Heading to the parking lot you could not help by hear the audience humming their favorite Bennett tune.