Tuscarora Nation 172nd Field Day/Picnic July 8th, 2017 and WATER MUSIC and FIREWORKS OVER the CANAL

Even though I grew up here, so close to the Indian reservation, I never attended this event.  Pam told me about it a year or two ago, and I have wanted to attend it since then.  It is not highly advertised.

When I found out the dates, I asked Pam if she wanted to go and she agreed, but she cancelled out due to other obligations.  Mary Ann seemed happy to learn of it and eager to go.  She offered to drive.  We found the location easily enough.  They were offering food (mostly regular American items, but one booth offered fry bread.)  There were lots of vendors offering American Indian items, mostly jewelry and beaded items like these. 

There was a short parade and then a procession to a stage. 

In the evening, Elaine picked me up and we went down to the Big Bridge area to set up our chairs for WATER MUSIC.  The Albany Symphony played from a barge. 

The event was very crowded, but we got there early enough to get front row seats along the northern side of the canal.  We met up with Nancy there. 

Later on, while walking down to Lake Effect Ice Cream, we met up with Janie and the boys and then we located Mike and Kim and Vincent. 

As soon as the music stopped, the fireworks began.

It was a very nice display.  

Friday July 7, 2017 CONCERT AND CANAL ADVENTURE

Elaine mentioned a concert tonight at the Erie Canal Discovery Center (FUN, FOOD and FOLK by the Might Erie Canal).   I met her there. 

They were offering Chiavetta's Chicken Barbecue so I purchased that for my supper.   THE TRAVELLING TOWPATH TROUBADORS performed and they were great. 

After the concert, we decided to walk down by the canal to see the newly built replica boat.  We waved to Kay and Bill McDonald (of the Troubadors) and Kay invited us down!!!!

Elaine said she was kind of tired and thought had had enough for one day, but I told her that we might not ever get an opportunity like this again, so she agreed.  Kay gave us a tour of the houseboat they are renting

and we also met Susan and Rich, who have a tugboat and were docked behind the McDonalds.  We had a tour of their boat. 

Here are Bill and Kay

I think the official name of their band is OLD HIPPIES.

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF BUFFALO, NY 7/6/17

Mary Ann and I decided to go to the Science Museum in Buffalo today.  We never saw the front of it, since we drove in a real parking lot.  I found this postcard online: 

The museum is more than just a science museum, many of the exhibits seem to have more to do with natural history.  My complete set of pictures can be seen here:
www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157683108672834

We were looking for a place to have lunch and drove past LAKE EFFECT DINER

and then turned around and found our way back.  We enjoyed this vintage diner immensely even though it took a really long time for our food to be prepared.  I had the pulled pork poutine.

My Fourth of July 2017

I deliberately planned a "down day" today because my recent days have been chock full of activity and tomorrow will be very busy,too.

In the morning and early afternoon I puttered around the house, sorting through piles of paperwork and putting it away, paying bills, and various other organizational tasks. 

I finished reading Kelsey Grammer's autobiography  SO FAR

and that inspired me to see if I could find CHEERS online, since I never watched it when it was on TV.  I found that NETFLIX offers all of the seasons, so I watched a few episodes of Season One.

Late afternoon, I decided I needed some FOOD.  I went to Niagara Produce and picked up a steak, but then decided I wanted FAST FOOD, so I went to Reids and got a chocolate shake, a burger and fries, and brought them home to eat.  I will prepare my steak tomorrow. 

I normally skip going to the fireworks because I am a bit uncomfortable leaving the house since so many people crowd onto my street to watch them.  But this year, I decided to walk down to the west end of the street and watch part of the display.  I was headed in that direction when someone called my name.  It was Ken Belfield, who was with his son Matt, and granddaughter Brooklyn.  Ken asked if there was a spot close by where they could watch the fireworks and I said YES, right here in my front/side yard.  So we all watched together!  It was a great display. 

'

July 3, 2017

I ran a few errands this morning.  As I was leaving the library, I was offered a free bag lunch by two woman.  It was lunch time, and I offered to pay for one, but they would not let me.  So, I took one and headed to Faith Tab where I was scheduled to do some volunteer work for a few hours.  When I arrived, several people were working on the floats for tonight's parade.

After checking out the visitor cards in the sanctuary and replacing those that have been taken, I went upstairs and had my lunch.  I "manned" the office after Judy left, which meant I was responsible to answer the phone (it rang once) and I cut up some small notices about our "LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES" series.  I left at 3:30.

After a short nap, Betty picked me up so we could go to the parade.  We took folding chairs and got a great spot at the small part between Walnut and Washburn Streets.  The parade was very good. 

My complete set of pictures of the parade can be seen here:  www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157685733597556

Sunday July 2, 2017

I love July at Faith Tab.  This month Craig does LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES.  He weaves his sermon around a movie, and we have refreshments! 

Later on in the day Marlene and I took a nice long walk along the north side of the canal, heading towards Gasport from the parking area on the north side of the canal, across from Widewaters. 

On the way home, I stopped here:

hoping to get a pastelillo for supper, but they were all out 

I guess I have to go earlier in the day!

Pelicano's

After visiting Carrie in Lewiston, I went to Customer Appreciation Day at Pelicano's Market

They were offering free hot dogs and Utz Chips.  On the way back to Lockport, I stopped at Hoover's for Perry's frozen custard.