Urger Visits Seneca Falls NY

The tugboat Urger near the Statue of Liberty in New York City

As part of the New York State Canal Corporation's annual educational outreach tour, Urger — the tugboat — spent four days docked in the Seneca Falls Canal Harbor.

After spending the first 20 years of its existence carting fishermen around Lake Michigan, the Urger — originally dubbed the Henry J. Dornbos — traveled to New York to serve as a maintenance tugboat until 1986.

Following four years of retirement, the Urger sailed into a new profession by serving as a museum to teach children of all ages about New York's historical canal systems.
 
"The Urger is an enduring symbol of the rich history of the Erie Canal and our greatest ambassador for promoting tourism along this vibrant, scenic waterway," Howard P. Milstein, chairman of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation, said. "We are proud to share this iconic vessel and her compelling history with visitors and residents in the Finger Lakes region, and we encourage anyone who can to come aboard for a tour."

Today, Wednesday August 22nd, Joan and I went to visit the Urger. Our main goal was to visit with Heather's life-long friend Capt. Wendy Marble. Wendy and Heather took summer jobs as deckhands working for Mid-Lakes Navigation. Both went on to obtain captain licenses with Wendy making it a career.

Wendy and her crew, Deckhand Gary Nelmes, Deckhand Michael, and Engineer Rick Marcellus gave us the royal tour.

Urger Wheelhouse

At the conclusion of our visit Wendy mentioned that several members of Clan Cameron had been on board earlier in the day.

Wendy & Joan

John Cameron Remembers

Sandra Schulberg, who restored her father's film into the documentary "Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today [The Schulberg/Waletzky Restoration]," sits with World War II veterans Christopher Spagnola, center, and John Cameron, both of Auburn, at the Auburn Public Theater before the documentary is shown.

Veteran John Cameron of Auburn joined others in the Auburn Public Theater to watch the restored documentary.

"I knew some about it — what they showed us, but not too much," Cameron said. "I often wondered why we didn't hear more about it."

Cameron said he served in the Army in the Pacific during World War II.

Week Thirty-Four - 18 to Go

Burke seems to be writing with a sense of finality as both he and Dave Robicheaux age. This may render an elegiac melancholy between Burke and his readers’ relationship.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012

Week Thirty-Three - 19 to Go

A typical Roger the Chapman mystery. Sedley as always provides an entertaining read with a satisfactory conclusion.

Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks in 2012

Elizabeth Visits Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Today Emily and Michael took Elizabeth for her first visit to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. Joan, Heather and I tagged along.

We were impressed by the cleanliness and well organized trails thorough the zoo grounds. The convenience of strategically placed restrooms also got an A+ plus from us. Being summertime the zoo was filled with camp groups of children as well as family visitors but the walkways and exhibits never seem overcrowded.

Some of the birds and mammals we saw on our zoo journey:

Laughing Kookaburra

African Pied Crow

Humboldt Penguins

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Asian Elephant

Mali & Chuck

Spectacled Bear

aka Dewey

Elizabeth & Heather viewing Dewey

Navajo/Jacob Sheep

Joan & Michael

Asian Elephant

Caspian Tern

Macaw

Himalayan Monal

After our visit Emily provided an assortment of sandwiches from Dorian's for lunch.

The Dukes of September Rhythm Review 2012

The Dukes of September Rhythm Review 2012:

Donald Fagan, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs

Arrived at Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) located on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College, in Canandaigua, NY to find a somewhat empty parking lot. On the concourse early arrivals were taking advantage of the summer concert venue by purchasing food (Dinosaur barbeque to gelato) and drink (wine and beer) from various vendors. Joan and I found our seating and settled in.

The three hit-making artists, Donald Fagen (Steely Dan), Michael McDonald (The Doobie Brothers) and Boz Scaggs, appeared right on time and began with an assortment of their signature mix of blue-eyed soul, rock, jazz and R&B which included ‘Reelin’ in the Years,’ ‘Takin’ It to the Streets’, and "Lido Shuffle'.

The Dukes were accompanied a stellar band: Jon Herington (guitar); Freddie Washington (bass); Shannon Forest (drums); Michael Leonhart, Walt Weiskopf and Jay Collins (horns); Jim Beard (organ); plus background singers Carolyn Leonhart and Catherine Russell.

The audience (if there were patrons under 40 - Joan and I did not see them) seemed to enjoy the idea of hearing an old tune that they could remember when. Carolyn Leonhart covered Gladys Knight and the Pips’ “Heard It Through the Grapevine.”  Catherine Russell took the lead on Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart".  Boz Scaggs delivered a triumvirate: Muddy Waters' "The Same Thing," Teddy Pendergrass' "Love TKO," and Buck Owens’ “Love’s Gonna Live Here.” Boz dug into his catalog to bring forth this nugget "Miss Sun".

Michael McDonald, for his part, picked up an accordion and gave Chuck Berry’s "You Never Can Tell" a Cajun twirl and then put some real soul into his lead vocal on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now" as well as a great cover of Arthur Conley's "Sweet Soul Music".

The band members also put out the staple tracks like McDonald’s “I Keep Forgettin’,” Scaggs’ “Lowdown” and Steely Dan’s “Peg.” These songs haven't lost their appeal even after you've heard them a million times before. For my money this was a superb musical event.

The headliners and their supporting cast were musicians of the first order. Plus they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

The concert followed by the sandwiches at Eddie O'Brien's put a nightcap on Founders Day.

Footnote: Live Concert videos were recorded by RTMorasonMD2 at The Dukes of September's performance at CMAC in Canandaigua, NY on Saturday, August 11th, 2012.

Bella Rose Bed & Breakfast

After a pleasant cruise along Rt. 5 & 20, Joan and I pulled into the parking lot of the Bella Rose B&B. Ringing the front door bell we were greeted by the B&B keepers, Chris Miller and Renee Scorsone.

Once settled in, we took advantage of the front porch. Main Street Canandaigua was busy. It kept us entertained.

After a brief rest we had the other half of our Wegmans Assorted at the bistro table on the side porch.

Headed out for the Dukes of September concert arriving to a somewhat empty parking lot. We found our seating and settled in for what would prove to be a superb musical event. The headliners and their supporting cast were musicians of the first order. Plus they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Exiting the parking lot was a work of patience. But once back on Rt. 5 & 20, it was an quick drive to Eddie O'Brien's where were had a great waitress and splendid sandwiches - Joan had Chicken Parm and I had a Caesar wrap.

Sleeping was no problem. The bed was just right and thanks to having lived at 63 formerly 77 I was used to street traffic.

Before breakfast I took a walk around downtown Canandaigua:

St John's Episcopal Church

The Last Pay Phone

Working on Sunday

Eddie O'Brien's in the daylight

At breakfast we were joined by two other couples, Toni and Michael from Upstate NY and Chris and Heather, he was from Toronto and she lives in Illinois (their marriage was conceived on eHarmony).

Renee & Chris both brought us coffee and juice. Renee then served a Sensational Scone with blueberry jam. A fruit compote consisting of blueberries, white grapes and locally grown plums was served next. The main course was a Chili-Egg Puff ramekin with slices of chicken-feta sausage and new potatoes. Coffee was continually poured. The table conversation was lite with Chris and Heather expressing interest in purchasing property in New York State.

After repacking the car and saying goodbye to Chris and giving Renee a hug left the driveway and headed home on Route 5 & 20.