Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Vidler’s Old Time Five and Dime
Want to go back to the day when you could pop in to a local Five and Dime store and pick up anything you could possibly want for a reasonable price? What if I were to tell you that you CAN? And, that the place you can do it is possibly the largest variety store in the world…..I mean, this place is B-I-G!!! Well, you just may want to visit Vidler’s 5 & 10 in East Aurora, NY! I did just that this week for the very first time! A friend and I wandered around this place for about an hour and a half and, while I think we say “most” of the store, I know there were sections we didn’t get to at all and others that we just glanced at!!! When they say whatever it is you want, you can find it under the awning, they aren’t kidding! And, it is like stepping back in time and walking into an old time Five and Dime store…..just like the ones every town had and every family shopped at…..only MUCH larger!
Here are a few photos I took while I was there……and, you can visit their web site by clicking here and taking the virtual tour of the store to see so much more of it!
Love the kindly shop clerk who welcomes all who pass by or enter the store!
Window display – considered getting a Where’s Waldo shirt and hat!
Any kind of old fashioned soda you could want….including some odd flavors, like Bacon and Peanut Butter & Jelly!!!
Into character items? If they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist!
I was like a little kid with all these funky hats to look at! LOOK – there’s a pink flamingo one!!!
Here I am trying on a purple “Princess” tiara….and practicing my pageant wave!!!
Love this motto!!!
These photos were all taken in just the first section we walked through……I got so involved in looking at all the cool stuff, I realized I had stopped taking photos, so scroll back up and click on their web site link to take the virtual tour to see what I missed getting photos of! There is an office supply and stationary section that would put Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples together to shame……and a whole section with some of the cutest fairy garden supplies ever…….and aisles and aisles of stuff that would make any kid (big or little) squeal with excitement…..and old fashioned candy treats galore…..and so much more!!! And then, downstairs, the kitchen section goes on and on and on and on – with every gadget, utensil, pot, pan, and virtually anything you could ever want to use to cook or bake with that you could possibly think of…..and then there is a zillion more you’d never even consider!!!
Do yourself a favor and go experience this store at least once…..but, allow a good couple of hours to take it all in!!!
As Seen on the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July – a gorgeous day – one that just begged to be enjoyed to the fullest! So, this morning I finished up some yard work I started yesterday, read a little, wrote a little, and then took off for a long drive to see what might catch my eye! It was a very pleasant day, for sure!
Here is what caught my eye along the way:
First, I went to Mount Albion Cemetery to water the crocks and drive around a little.
This is the first time I noticed this family plot with the dog monument!
How sweet is this?
Then, I headed toward Medina.
Sign in front of a Mexican restaurant
On the side of a building facing the canal
Wide spot in the canal
Lots of people were out enjoying the canal
Then, I headed south looking for Indian Falls and Indian Lake just past Basom…..I found the falls, but never did find the lake – guess I just don’t remember how to get there!
Then I made a stop in Alabama…..what? I said I went for a LONG drive! Yes, I said Alabama……well, to be honest, it was Alabama, NY! hehehe
I drive past the Alabama Cemetery all the time and often think of stopping and seeing if there is anything cool to look at in there…..well, here is what has been calling to me all these years!!! This is a cement monument and it is way cool in person!!!
Cat tails along the side of the road at the Alabama Swamps
Then, on the way home, I spotted a few other things worth noting.
An airplane parked right on the side of the road
And, the Walmart geese
The geese do love the retention pond in front of our Walmart!!!
So, that was my day…..hope everyone enjoyed the celebration of the birth of our great nation!!! Happy Fourth of July to you all!
First Friday – Marti’s On Main Art Gallery
I have been back home for almost four years, now, and I still keep finding all these wonderful treasures in and around little ole Albion, NY! I have to confess – this is one I have been meaning to stop in to see for quite some time and just kept forgetting to attend when there is a First Friday event! Definitely my loss and a big loss for anyone else who hasn’t made the time to check it out!
Marti’s On Main is an art gallery owned and operated by Kim Martillotta Muscarella – life long Albion resident with deep family roots in the Albion community – her father and uncles owned the elegant Marti’s restaurant and night club back in Albion’s hay day, her brother, Joe, renovated the old Club 469 into the beautiful Crooked Door restaurant, and her son, Jeremiah, showcases his amazing wood working in his shop on Main St, Knight’s Pride. Kim has the soul of a true artist – she opened the art gallery to showcase her own art and that of other local artists and is a founding member of the Art Circle – a group of local artists.
Friday, July 3rd was July’s First Friday event. I stopped in to snap some photos for an interview I am working on with Kim for the Albion High School Alumni Foundation Blog and decided that the evening was enough of an adventure to include on this blog! So, here are the photos I took last night of Kim, her gallery, and the featured artists of the night!
The gallery is open on the First Friday of every month from May to December plus a few other special event showings during the month. But, you can visit the gallery any time – just call Kim at 585-589-6715 to be sure she’s going to be home and she’s more than happy to open up the gallery to show you around! My sister-in-law, Lylace, and I stopped by to see her on Thursday to show Kim some of Lylace’s paintings and we had a wonderful time talking and touring the gallery! Kim said she is always happy to meet new local artists!
The gallery is located at 229 North Main Street in Albion – just north of the canal lift bridge on Main St. Her home is a beautiful duplex with loads of charm – perfect for an art gallery!
The sign on Friday announced the featured artists for the evening – Laurie Kemler and Jen Scott. It also reminds attendees that they can also view art on display by local artists in the Art Circle Group and Kim’s own signature pieces.
I asked Kim to pick a favorite piece of her own work to stand by for a photo. She chose this piece – one she loves dearly, but said that she finds many people don’t seem to take to it as well as she had hoped. I’m not sure why – I think it is stunning – the colors reach right out and grab you – this photo does not do it justice at all! But…..as they say, art is a very personal thing and what one person falls in love with, another might walk right by without much notice.
Kim also does collage work and sculptures – mostly using odd items she recycles into art, including many sentimental items from family members. In this photo, Kim is standing by a piece she has hanging at the top of the stairs – the first thing you see when you head upstairs to view her work and the work of other local artists. The first time I went up the stairs, I was really taken with this piece – I instantly pictured it hanging on the wall in the beautiful log home that one of my dearest friends built and currently lives in!
This is Jen Scott – one of the event’s featured artists. Jen teaches Art in Medina High School and had several stunning pieces on display. Following are photos of just some of Jen’s work – in addition to the ones she is standing by. My very favorite one is the one to Jen’s left in this photo – the writer using a quill pen is writing “one size will fit all” over and over – it is just one of her paintings demonstrating her stand against standardized testing, such as common core. I like it not only for the message it sends, but also because I fancy myself a writer and it just spoke to me!
I immediately took to the large piece on the left, as well as the light bulb in the center. The larger piece was interesting and really cool looking – I couldn’t stop looking at it! But, I liked it even more when Kim mentioned that it was a water bottle!
This painting of shoes is also from Jen – I loved this one, too! I wish it was in a location that would have allowed me to take a better photo of it!
This is Laurie Genagon Kemler – also one of the featured artists for this event. Laurie is an illustrator and her work is very “Norman Rockwell-ish”. Kim told me that she has recently written a children’s book and Laurie did the illustrations for the book! I’m looking forward to getting a copy of this book once it is published – I’m sure it will be amazing! Laurie is a Visual Arts teacher at Mental Health Assoc of Orleans County and Hillside Children’s Center and the Art Director at Forrestel Farm Riding and Sports Camp. This photo was taken beside her most recent piece to her left – this piece was my favorite, although it was difficult to choose a favorite.
I had a hard time getting a good shot of Laurie’s work because of the glare on the glass. Laurie was thrilled to mention that the piece to the far left in this shot was sold – it is a painting she did from a black and white photograph!!!
And….Laurie’s daughter, Anya Groth, also had a piece in the show, as well…..chip off the old block, as they say!
The piece is called “Inspiring Words”, but the ones written in the orange/yellow pool – “Bring color to your day” – was the message I related to!
Admiring Laurie’s work!
This room displayed a mix of artists – Laurie Kemler to the right, Jen Scott to the left, a couple of Kim’s sculptures in the center, and (though I didn’t get a good shot of them) some amazing stuffed animals called “Second Hand Critters” created by Terry Vick from old clothing to give comfort to their lucky recipient!
A closer look at Kim Martillotta Muscarella’s sculptures in the downstairs gallery.
Upstairs, Kim has a book of water color flowers she has done – don’t you just love the daffodil with the fireplace frame?
This room is devoted to Kim’s work – the piece on the left was created from an old pair of garden shears that I believe she said belonged to an aunt of her’s (or maybe her grandmother – I forget – maybe she will remind me and I will update this). She looked at them and just knew they would make a great bird – along with a few other materials! I wish I had taken notes while I was there, but my main goal was photos for the interview I will be doing at a later date – I just got so excited about the event that I decided to also do a post for THIS blog! So, I’m not sure what relation the donor of a fur lined rain coat was that ended up the focus of the piece in the center.
Kim has done several works using old guitars and guitar necks – the blend of music and art is simply wonderful!
Another beautiful use of an old guitar!
And then there are the “sisters”! These really made me smile!
So……if you haven’t discovered Marti’s On Main, yet, you really need to! This month, the featured artist’s work will be up all month until the July 24th show closing reception – 5:30 – 9:00 on the 24th. There will also be a poetry reading event on Monday July 20th at 2:00 pm featuring Nicki Martillotta McFarland. August will bring a new First Friday event on the 7th and a musical event on the 22nd. The flyer listing all the events through the end of August is posted below – a new flyer with events from September thru December will be available soon! Please attend these events or just call Kim and go tour the gallery whenever you can – show our local artists that we value them, even if only by viewing and admiring their work, but also by purchasing something that speaks to you!
Watch for my interview with Kim at http://albionalumni.org/ sometime soon. Also, watch for photos from the August First Friday event here on this blog…..but, don’t just come here to look at the photos after the fact — go see for yourself the night of the event – Friday August 7th 5:30-9:00 – BE THERE!
Sunday Shots – Birds and More
I sat out on my porch to see what I could catch for practice shots with my new camera……the bird buffet I have set up out on the front yard island tends to give me some great opportunities, if I can just sit out there at the right time! Tonight, I got some nice shots – a couple good ones with birds in mid flight to get to the feeders! But, the blue jays that were feasting on peanuts just a few minutes before I went out never came back while I had camera in hand…..buggers!!!
So, here are tonight’s practice shots:
FROM THE BIRD BUFFET:
FROM THE BACK YARD:
New Toy
I got a new toy…..a Nikon D3200 camera!!! Oh, I love the photos I take with my iPhone – it takes great photos, it is easy to use, and I always have it with me! But….there’s always a “but”…..there are situations where I don’t get the best photo I could if I had a more professional camera. for instance – night shots with or without the flash tend to be somewhat grainy and when I zoom way in the photo is often blurry because it is difficult to hold the iPhone perfectly still zoomed in at the max distance. So, I have debated with myself for a couple years about getting a better camera – the debate always ends with “why spend the money on a fancy camera when probably 80-85% of the time the iPhone does the trick very nicely?”. So, now another “but”……but, every time I don’t get the quality photo I want from a night or distance shot, I start the debate all over again and try to convince myself that if I really want to get into photography as seriously as I think I do, then I really do need a better camera!
So……the research has been going on – off and on – for several years! I didn’t want to have to mess with all the manual adjustments every time I want to snap a photo, but I also didn’t want to get a regular point and shoot type camera – they are only slightly better than the iPhone! I asked many of my photography buff friends and read a TON of articles and decided that a DSLR was the type of camera for me…..auto point and shoot capability with the quality of a more professional camera and the option to learn about the fancier settings for even BETTER photos as I get more involved with it! Ok – so, I knew the TYPE of camera I wanted, but which one? I decided based on feedback from friends and reviews and articles about each of the main cameras I was looking at that the Nikon D3200 was the one for me — a good beginner DSLR with high quality results!
Once I made the decision, I started looking for the best price…..I found a great deal at Best Buy online – a package deal that came with extra lenses and accessories for about the same price as the suggested retail price of the camera alone (no lenses, camera bag, memory card, etc…..)! So, I thought I would do good with that purchase and went for it!!! It came and I immediately took it all out of the packaging and my heart sank……the sight of all the buttons and features and settings and information was extremely overwhelming!!! Then, I got to the information on using the “auto” settings and felt instant relief!!!
I charged the battery and went out on my very first practice photo shoot last night! Of course, I chose the spot I call “one of my most favorite places on earth” – Point Breeze! I wanted to see if I could capture some good sunset shots and see what I could do with the camera!
Here are some of the results – I took over 200 photos, trying all kinds of shots! They certainly aren’t perfect and I definitely have a lot more learning and practicing to do, but I think they came out pretty darned good considering it was the first time I every used a DSLR and the first photos with this particular camera!!!
It was a gorgeous night at the Point……clear skies, beautifully colored lake, and just slightly on the chilly side due to a very strong breeze. Some of the photos really show how windy it was! I did not brighten or adjust any of the photos in any way — they are just as the camera captured them!
I’m off to learn and practice!!!
The Bread Man
Last night I went to a very enjoyable event at the Pullman church in Albion. The event was put on by the Friends of the Swan Library as a fundraiser. I had planned to go, but neglected to put it on my calendar, so…..as with anything that I don’t remember to put on my calendar……I forgot about it! Thank goodness that the friend who told me about it sent a text and reminded me — I am so very glad I didn’t miss it!!!
So, what is a Bread Man event? The Friends group arranged for Chet Fery – a.k.a. “The Bread Man” – to come and do one of his programs for us. Chet lives in Brockport and is originally from Buffalo. He is a former teacher, counselor, and school administrator who now travels all around the area telling “Bread Time Stories” and baking bread just so that he can give it away! His main goal is to promote random acts of kindness and believes “the world can be changed one loaf of bread at a time; one act of kindness at a time”.
Last night, Chet shared many stories of warm memories of family, friends, and people he’s met along the way. He talked about life as a child in the old neighborhoods in Buffalo where family was the most important thing in life and memories of things like home made bread fresh from the oven and the joys of making making those memories together. He also talked about the people he encounters in his travels and some of the memories they shared with him…..and how it made them (and him) feel to talk about those memories. He showed us how to make bread, shared some slices of warm bread with us, and we all left with a loaf of bread he had made that morning – fresh just for us!!! It was a wonderful experience that conjured up a few tears and a lot of memories of my own!
To read more about The Bread Man and his hobby of sharing bread and kindness, visit his web site – click here!
Here are a few of the photos I took at the event:
Concert on the Canal – 06-18-15
Tonight kicked off this year’s Concerts on the Canal series. Every Thursday until August 13th there will be a free concert right there on the canal at the end of Platt Street behind the fire department and Village Hall in good ole Albion, NY. Just come, bring a lawn chair, and enjoy the music! Tonight, the Albion Merchants Association sponsored a Chicken BBQ and the Fire Department had hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks. From now on, the Fire Department will continue to have the hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks available – all at a reasonable price! Scan down after the photos for the line up of bands scheduled for the season.
It was a perfect night to be out enjoying the weather with the temperature about 72 or so, a nice gentle breeze, and just enough sun to keep it warm, but not hot – there was a possible thunderstorm forecast, but we didn’t see any signs of it, except for a passing dingy cloud or two! The band for the kick off concert was the Dady Brothers playing bluegrass, folk, and Irish tunes. Mom and I went for the Chicken BBQ and enjoyed a gorgeous evening sitting on the bank of the canal before I had to leave to attend a meeting.
Nice size crowd listening to the Dady Brothers
Hey, there’s the right idea – pull up in your boat, dock, and enjoy the music without having to lug along a lawn chair or blanket……
The first bay is the fire dept grilling hamburgers and hot dogs…..down at the third bay is the Albion Merchants Assoc serving up Chicken BBQ!!!
You know I can’t be near the canal without snapping a photo of it – here is a tug and a cabin barge docked on the north side of the canal right across from the band stand!
Sooooooo – come out and enjoy some summer music and see who you can run into to talk to. The music plays from 6:00-8:00 every Thursday evening. Here is the planned line up of bands for this season:
- June 18 – Dady Brothers
- June 25 – Triple Play Band
- July 2 – The Who Dats
- July 9 – Creek Band
- July 16 – Jonesie & The Cruisers
- July 23 – The Lonely Ones
- July 30 – The Dirty White Boys
- Aug 6 – Julie Dunlap & High Maintenance
- Aug 23 – TBA
Sponsored by the Village of Albion. Other sponsors include Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, Albion Agencies, Hazy Jade Gift Shop, and Jim Babcock Construction.
2015 Albion Strawberry Festival
This past weekend our town enjoyed the much anticipated annual Strawberry Festival! Every June the village puts on a huge celebration marking the start of the strawberry season with a two day festival and the best and largest local parade in the area! Here are just a few of the photos taken over the course of the two days that give a hint of the fun and excitement had by all:
Lunch crowd at the food court – Day One:
Lunch crowd at the food court – Day Two (after parade):
The parade:
The Hitmen entertaining the crowd awaiting the parade:
Lots of local groups, like these little leaguers…
…and these dance students
…and fun drill teams, like the Kendall Lawn Chair Ladies:
….and clowns:
…and a lot of local “flair”:
….and lots of marching bands….
…and, OF COURSE, our own Albion HS Purple Eagles Marching Band:
The festival:
Lots of variety of music throughout both days:
….and games and fun for kids:
….and adults:
….and….the main attraction….FOOD….LOTS of FOOD….
Dedication and unveiling of the International Peace Pole:
Located at the Albion Presbyterian Church, this International Peace Pole, one of over 200,000 around the world, is a symbol of international peace. This particular peace pole is 8 feet high and includes the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight different languages representing many of the immigrants who settled in and helped build Orleans County – including: Italian, Polish, English, Gaelic, Spanish, German, Latin and Hebrew.
See you next year!!!
Pink Flamingos
I always used to think having pink flamingos in your yard was corny – something you see in retirement communities in Florida or your grandparents home……in fact, I do believe I remember my grandparents having pink flamingos adorning a bird bath at their summer cottage! But, lately, I seem to be drawn to them! Maybe they’re making a come-back so they are around more…..or maybe I just seem to have a new interest in them so I see them more…..don’t know, but I find I see them everywhere I go and I LOVE THEM!!! All of a sudden, I find them to be a symbol of fun and nostalgia and I can’t seem to get enough of them!
Here are some recent examples of ones that have caught my eye:
A fashionable flamingo found at the Kazoo Factory Museum in Eden, NY
Found at a yard ornament vendor at the Albion Strawberry Festival
Another one at the same vendor – I like this one much better – so fancy!
I couldn’t resist putting a set of mini flamingos in my fairy gardens
Soooooooo…….I finally broke down and purchased a pair for my gardens!!! But, I couldn’t just put a regular old set of plastic pink flamingos out there……nope…..they had to be ones with a little personality!!! Meet Priscilla and Penelope – the newest residents in my lovely gardens:
Priscilla
Penelope
And…..I’ll close with this……I could not resist trying on Priscilla’s glasses!
Have a great day and smile at every pink flamingo you see…..
As seen along the way….
What fun is an adventure that only has one focus? I typically like to expand my fun on the way, around, and on the way back, if at all possible! You never know what you might find along the way!
When I drove to Eden, I set Gabby to avoid toll roads so she wouldn’t keep trying to get me to go on the thruway – nothing great to see on the thruway! As usual, it paid off……here are a few of the things I discovered along the way:
The coolest looking Subway shop I’ve ever seen!!! This was in Eden just before I got to the kazoo factory.
An army helicopter and war memorial at the American Legion Post in Eden!
A lovely park across the street from where I had lunch!
Every little railway town has a depot – the one in Eden Center is in really nice shape!
I had lunch at the Four Corners Cafe in Eden – love the corner focus of the building!
And, the building on the opposite corner of the same intersection was cool looking, too!
Notice the name of the pizza parlor next door to the Four Corners Cafe – if you can’t read the sign, it says “Eatsa Pizza”…..hahaha!!!
Now, on to Hamburg, NY…..this wall mural of a train over a tressle was between Eden and Hamburg!
This optometrist in Hamburg has a cool sense of humor……giant glasses in the trees!!!
Love the art work in front of this veterinarian in Hamburg!
These two wall murals were in an alley in downtown Hamburg!
I sat on a bench to rest while wandering around downtown Hamburg across from this beautiful building – it was once a lodge of some kind and is now used as an assisted living home – note all the residents out on the patio enjoying the sun and watching the world go by!
I usually love to find horse or cow statues – none to be found on this trip, but this buffalo on top of a restaurant roof was a good substitute!!!
That’s all for now…….
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