Kim's Thoughts
Just a few thoughts I feel worthy of jotting down!
Spring Drive – 04-16-16
A dear friend was visiting from out of state and it was a gorgeous Spring day, so we hopped in the car with my dog, Megan, and took a drive to Point Breeze and along the Lake Ontario Shoreline. It was a lovely day…..and there were lots of other people out enjoying it, as well – fishing, walking, motorcycling, and taking drives, just like us!
That’s all…..
2016 Daily Photo – April 3-5
Unfortunately, this may be my last Daily Photo post for a while…..hopefully, I’m wrong and back at it sooner than I think, but for now, it is going on hiatus. My Mom has been quite seriously ill and my heart just isn’t in it right now! I tried to keep up with some “easy pickin’s” shots on days that I was able, but it just isn’t working for me. Rest assured, I am not abandoning the challenge or the “Architecture and/or History” theme…..it is just going to have to wait until things settle down…..whenever that may be!
So……here is what I did take, so far.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2:
No Photo
SUNDAY, APRIL 3:
“Orleans County Courthouse”
I had intended to take a more creative/artsy photo of the courthouse, but copped out for the easy shot I could take from the car window really quick.
The Greek Revival style structure was completed in 1858 and was designed by architect, William V. N. Barlow.
MONDAY, APRIL 4:
“Stately Medina Home”
Medina, NY has many huge, beautiful homes, of which I think this is one of the most impressive! I knew nothing about this house, other than it has caught my eye on many visits to Medina over the years – it is STUNNING! I have since learned from a couple different comments from friends on Facebook that it was built around 1860 by Augustus Ives and it was a private residence for many years, but has been empty for a long time, now….how sad is that!!!???
TUESDAY, APRIL 5:
“Albion First Presbyterian Spire”
This 175 foot tall spire that tops the Albion First Presbyterian Church is the tallest structure in Orleans County.
The church was built in 1874 and is constructed of Medina Sandstone.
Bonus Shot for April 5:
“Morning Visitor”
With all that is going on with Mom, I find it quite comforting to see the cardinals at my feeders to remind me that they represent a visit from loved ones.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 and THURSDAY, APRIL 7:
No Photos
Hope you enjoyed these and I hope to be back, soon…..when I can focus on the project and do the photos justice! 🙂
2016 Daily Photo – April 1
So……I do believe that April will be my favorite month for daily photos, so far, and will likely go down as my favorite over all! Time will tell on that one…..I just may come up with a theme I like more, but it is highly doubtful. I have chosen to combine two of the things I love about Albion and the surrounding area: 1) the stunning architecture and 2) the rich and fascinating history and call the theme for April “Architecture and History”! Here’s how I think it is going to work – my daily photos will either be an example of beautiful or otherwise interesting architecture – old or new – or something that has historical significance of some kind – and sometimes (likely a lot of times) the daily photo will represent BOTH architecture and historical significance! I plan to focus on local points of interest (in and around Albion), but won’t limit myself to that, in case I am off on an adventure and something that fits the theme catches my eye. Where possible, I will do a little research to find the back story, but that will depend on my time, resources available to me, and whether or not I have somewhere to start searching….so, not going to promise every photo will be a history lesson or have an interesting story – it just may be a really cool photo!
I wanted to kick the month and the theme off with a photo with some Wow Factor behind it. I knew when I first started thinking about doing a month about architecture and/or history that I wanted to include a certain home on one of the days. I happen to know the owner – he’s a classmate of mine from high school – so I sent him a note and asked permission to use a photo of his home and to get a little history about the house. Here’s what I ended up with:
FRIDAY, APRIL 1:
“Excelsior Farms”
The official Photo of the Day for April 1st
The current home of the Bannister Family, Excelsior Farms, and Bannister Beef
I adore this house!!! Every time I go to Point Breeze (which is pretty often, since it is one of my most favorite places on earth), I slow down as I pass by to admire the beautiful details of this amazing home. I picture myself sitting and reading on that incredible front porch while watching the traffic go by to and from the lake or curled up in a window seat or comfortable chair in that gorgeous bay window on the north side. (Don’t worry, Roger, I’m not a weirdo stalker, I promise!)
Some history on the house:
The house was built in 1860, just a year before the Civil War started, by John Pratt (1816-1901) for his wife. The house was built on the farm that the Pratt’s owned and operated for some years, where they originally lived in a house that, as the story goes as per the history page on the Excelsior Farms website, Mrs. Pratt was embarrassed by – hence the new, impressive home he built for her. The farm was owned by the Pratt family for over 60 years. John Pratt was not only a successful farmer, he was also an astute businessman. He also built the Pratt Building on Main Street in Albion in 1882 and the elaborate Pratt Opera House, located on the third floor of the Pratt Building (which will surely be featured as a daily photo sometime this month).
In 1900, Melvin Garrett purchased Excelsior Fruit Farm and owned it until 1958.
In 1958, LeRoy and Doris Bannister purchased the farm to make a home to raise their seven children. The farm was renamed Oak Orchard Angus Farm, where the Bannister family raised corn, cucumbers, apples, 30 Angus cattle, and over 100 sheep. A fire one windy, stormy night in May 1976 destroyed the barns, along with all the sheep and a few replacement heifers. Mr. Bannister built a successful farm focusing on beef cattle.
In 1985, LeRoy’s son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Christine Bannister, purchased the farm and renamed it to its former name of Excelsior Farms. Roger, Christine, and their five children have continued to expand and run the farm with great success and are still the proud owners. They currently maintain 54 fruit tree acreage and 68 head of cattle. And, I can personally attest that the beef purchased from Bannister Beef is incredible and the peaches are the best anywhere around!
Here are a few bonus shots of the house from different angles and one zoomed in on the gorgeous detail work along the roof lines:
Check out the web site links above to read more about Excelsior Farms and Bannister Beef and be sure to make the trip to pick up some peaches when they come in season……or just drive by and drink in the beauty of this incredible home – you’ll surely fall in love with it, like I have!
OH……and, another point of interest for me – when I discovered that the house was built by John Pratt, of the Pratt Opera House fame, I realized that one of his descendants was the beloved Gaines Town Historian and author, J. Howard Pratt (1889-1988), who just happened to be one of my Grandmother’s teachers when she was a young girl and someone she greatly admired throughout her life. Here are two photos of them together in May 1982 – Grandma (Ada Miles Freeman) is 66 and J. Howard Pratt is 92:
2016 Daily Photos – March 27-31
Well, this wraps up the month of March for the 2016 Daily Photo Challenge! It was a cool month for photos – using the alphabet for my inspiration on the first 26 days was a lot of fun and the last few days definitely had a nature theme (mostly of the winged variety). So, here are the last five daily photos for March:
SUNDAY, MARCH 27:
“Grace and Beauty”
I watched this swan travel from the point where the Oak Orchard River meets Lake Ontario at Point Breeze, NY down the river and out of sight in a matter of no time at all! She was on a mission to get somewhere, for sure! Since it was Easter Sunday, perhaps she was late for dinner with the family!
MONDAY, MARCH 28:
“Angry Graffiti”
Found on the side of a building in Batavia. I thought it was cool!
As it turns out, it also sorta fits in the “nature, mostly winged” theme cause it looks like the face of an Angry Bird! hehehe
TUESDAY, MARCH 29:
“Sunbathing by the Pool”
Discovered while driving down Riches Corners Rd in Albion
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30:
“Hello, there!”
Several from the morning breakfast crowd came up to my window to say good morning, but this was the only lovely lady who stayed long enough to get her photo taken…..and then she ran off…..no time for a second shot in case the first didn’t come out! 🙂
THURSDAY, MARCH 31:
“First Daffodil Bloom”
It is only 1/2 open, but I was still so very excited to discover this in my yard this morning! The others all have buds just aching to pop open any day now!
So…..there we have March! What will be the theme for April? You’ll have to wait and see! hehehe
Easter Sunday Drive
Sunday was an incredibly beautiful sunny 60+ degree day! I couldn’t resist getting out and soaking some of it up. So, I took a Sunday drive…..cruising and singing along with some of my all time favorite tunes on the radio.
First stop was the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, then I drove some back roads through the country side and ended up at Point Breeze. It was a day full of peace and tranquility and the total enjoyment of all that nature has to offer. And, I wasn’t the only one out enjoying these amazing locations – I ran into several friendly walkers and gazers along the way. Of course, I had my camera with me and I snapped well over 200 photos. Here are a few of my favorites and ones that show just how perfect the day was.
IROQUOIS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to take in nature at its most beautiful – located just a few miles south of Medina, NY near Alabama, NY. I have not ventured out on any of the trails, yet, but even just stopping by the overlooks and catching a hawk in the trees near the main road is an incredible experience. CLICK HERE for a link to their brochure and HERE for their web site. On this day, I sat on the bench at just one of the overlooks and relaxed while listening to the noises of nature and watching the waterfowl play.
COUNTRY ROADS
I left the refuge and headed towards Point Breeze. I took Knowlesville Road north all the way across Ridge Road and planned to turn on Route 18 to cut over to the Point. At some point (not sure if it was there at the Ridge or some point further) the road turned into Townline Rd. When I got to Rt. 18, I noticed that Knowlesville Rd continued north, so I decided to see where it took me. I came upon a sign that said “no outlet”, but I could see the lake from where I was, so I kept going to see what was there at the very end of the road…..this was what I found – the road literally ends right there at that Dead End sign…..along with several cute little cottages!
So, I turned around (obviously, I didn’t want to go for a swim) and went back to the first intersection, which was Lake Shore Road. I debated going on to Route 18, but it was a day of exploration, so what the heck, I took the Lake Shore Road hoping maybe it ran right along the shore line so I could see the water. It didn’t, but that’s OK – still a nice country drive!
I was sure I had never been on that road before, but I was soon reminded that I HAVE taken it many, many times when I was a young girl. I discovered that Harris Road dead ends on Lake Shore Road and soon after that intersection, I passed the entrance to Sunset Beach where my grandparents had a summer cottage for many years (and I rented with a friend one summer). I didn’t typically get to that road from this direction, but it is the way I got there when I’d ride my bike from my house to the cottage – just not sure I ever knew the name of the road and how far it went in the direction I came from on Sunday.
POINT BREEZE
I hoped to see more geese, ducks, and swans….kind of sparse in that regard. But, I did see one swan, a few geese, some seagulls, several people, and a boater!
The water was so calm – like glass!
See the white thing coming up the river? It is a swan that made quick time going from the point where the river meets the lake, right past me, and then on up the river out of sight! He was a swan on a mission…..maybe he was late for Easter dinner with the family!
And, there he goes….
And, so the end of a peaceful day…….
2016 Daily Photos – March 22-26
I made it……through the entire alphabet……26 days…….26 letters……..26 photos…….not a single one stumped me and had to be skipped! YAY!!!!
And, so, here are the final alphabet inspired daily photos for March 22-26 representing the letters, V, W, X, Y, and Z:
TUESDAY, MARCH 22:
“V is for Veggie Variety”
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23:
“W is for Wine and Wicker”
THURSDAY, MARCH 24:
“X is for……hey, sometimes an X is just an X!”
FRIDAY, MARCH 25:
“Y is for YMCA”
Orleans County YMCA in Medina, NY
The building that now houses the Orleans County YMCA was built in 1901 as the Medina Armory.
It was the home of the New York Army National Guard until 1977 when it was closed and the YMCA took over the building.
And, last, but certainly not least……the period at the end of the sentence……the last sound you hear at the end of a long hard day……the letter ZZZZZZZ!
SATURDAY, MARCH 26:
“Z is for Zig-Zag Road, Albion, NY”
So, now that the alphabet is done, but there are still days in the month, I think I’ll take a break from themed photos and just snap whatever catches my eye for the remaining five days in March. I have to decide between two possible options for the theme for April, but I have five days to make that decision……you’ll find out on April 1st!
2016 Daily Photos – Celebrating “U”
OK, so…..unless this is the first time you’ve ever visited my blog and this is the only post you’ve gotten to, so far, you know that I’ve challenged myself to do a photo a day throughout 2016 and that for March, I have chosen the Alphabet as my inspiration. When I started, I thought there may be some letters that I may just have to skip because I wasn’t sure how in the world I would find something local to photograph to represent them….but, I was determined to not let that happen. Early on, I had ideas for X, Y, and Z – the ones I assumed would be the toughest. Q came to me fairly early on, as well. So, I have had those ideas ready for when those days came and I could get out and capture the photos I had in mind…..unless a better idea came along in the mean time. But, I have to say that U has turned out to be the most difficult one right up until the bitter end! Three days ago, it hit me that Umbrella would be PERFECT…..but, not until AFTER I used a photo of an umbrella for R (Red Rain Repellent)…..DANG!!!
Then…..last night and this morning, a flood of ideas poured into my brain! Why didn’t I think of any of these sooner and save myself from Unnecessary stress? So – since U looked like it was going to be the most challenging and ended up being a really fun one to do, I decided to devote a whole blog post to showcase the letter U! And, now, without further ado, here is my CELEBRATION OF THE LETTER “U”:
Yes, it looked like U was going to be the Underdog – a Unique letter creating mostly Under Utilized words that, for the most part, are typically adjectives I could Use to describe something, but not many that I would likely find locally and easily to Utilize for the subject of a photo! I don’t think I know anyone named Ursula, so that idea was out…..I already Used an Umbrella and my main rule was to ensure each photo was Unusual – not the typical subject you’d think of for each letter or any repeats, so that was no longer an option…..I thought of finding a Utility worker in a bucket high on a Utility pole, but I knew I couldn’t count on finding one (and, as it turns out, I didn’t see a single one anywhere, today — must be a Utility worker holiday or something). So, Under the circumstances, as the day came closer and closer and the Utmost Urgency to find a U photo closed in, I wondered if U would Unfortunately end up getting swept Under the carpet and skipped over!!!??? Um….NO! I found this option to be Utterly Unacceptable…..I am Unstoppable…..I knew I would Ultimately prevail…..and, I did! I went around town, today, having Unbelievable fun going through my list of ideas and giving my Undivided attention to the Letter U!
First Up – the photo that Ultimately became the official March 21st photo to represent the Letter U that was posted to Instagram and Facebook:
MONDAY, MARCH 21:
“U is for Upstairs at the Hoag Library”
And, now for all the Uniquely wonderful alternates:
“U is for Unfinished Puzzle”
“U is for Uno”
“U is for Utensils”
“U is for Umbrellas”
Yeah, I know – this is a duplicate I said I wouldn’t use…..so sue me!!!
“U is for UnCola”
“U is for Underpass”
“U is for Universalist Church”
Now a museum and part of the Cobblestone Society that is primarily used for tours and special occasion services. I was married in this church on June 21, 1985.
Built in Childs, NY (then called Fairhaven, NY) in the early 1800s, it is the oldest cobblestone church in the country.
“U is for Universalist Church….again”
Built in the early 1890s, the Pullman Universalist Church was built in Albion and the congregation moved from the cobblestone church in Childs to this new building.
And, now…..drum roll…..for the fun photo of the day……all you dirty minds out there, hold the giggles in – its not like you can’t see these in any Walmart in the country…..hehehe!!!
“U is for Unmentionables”
I hope you enjoyed this celebration of the letter U and I hope it helped show that nothing is impossible if you put a little (or a lot) of thought into it!!!
Oh, boy – just looked ahead and tomorrow will be the letter V……gotta get that thinking cap on, again! 🙂
2016 Daily Photos – March 17-20
Well, we’re winding down the end of the alphabet – one week to go after these photos – then, I’ll have to decide how I want to finish up the month after the alphabet runs out!
Anyway – here is the next set of Daily Photos for March 17-20, representing the letters Q, R, S, T:
THURSDAY, MARCH 17:
“Q is for Quarterback”
Well, what do ya know!!!??? Peyton Manning showed up in Albion to pose for my “Q” photo!
And, he wore an Xpress Fitness T-shirt!
FRIDAY, MARCH 18:
“R is for Red Rain Repellent”
After I posted this on my “R” day, I thought ooppss – should have saved this idea for my “U” photo!
Wonder what I’ll do for “U” now…….
SATURDAY, MARCH 19:
“S is for Silos”
SUNDAY, MARCH 20:
“T is for Time”
2016 Daily Photos – March 14-16
Next up on the 2016 Daily Photos is March 14-16, representing the letters N, O, P!
MONDAY, MARCH 14:
“N is for Nighty Eight North”
a.k.a. Main Street, Albion, NY
TUESDAY, MARCH 15:
“O is for Otter Creek”
This section of Otter Creek flows by Otter Creek Cemetery. I walked to the west edge of the cemetery to get this photo. When I was much younger, my brother and I used to walk from behind our house through the corn field and down a steep bank to get to “the crick”. I would also go sit on the bank and listen to the water flowing when I wanted to think and relax! Later, I’d often use it as the place I went to in my mind when I needed to clear my head or find calming thoughts……I still find it calming to think about and it is part of many wonderful memories!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16:
“P is for Puzzle Pieces”
I love puzzles!!! Don’t do them very often, anymore, but I do enjoy it when I do!
M is also for Medina Sandstone
I took a TON of photos while out looking for my Daily Photo Challenge for the letter “M”. I opted for the fun shot of the Meggie Moo’s sign for the official Photo of the Day, but ended up with several wonderful shots of Medina Sandstone that I HAD to share!!! I kept my sandstone photo options to two shining examples out of several outstanding buildings constructed of the gorgeous stone quarried in Orleans County – The Pullman Memorial Universalist Church and the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church – the two that I feel have the best examples of rich colored sandstone.
The first grouping of photos are of the Medina Sandstone used to construct the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church on the corner of Main and East Park Streets in Albion. This church was commissioned by George Pullman (of the Pullman Railroad Car fame) in honor of his parents. It was built in the early 1890s and formally dedicated in January, 1895. It is the home of several stunning Tiffany Stained Glass windows, but these photos showcase the beautiful pink Medina Sandstone that is so prevalent in our area.
The following photos were taken of the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, showing off a unique mixture of colorful and more typical shades of Medina Sandstone. The Catholic Diocese closed this church in 2007 and merged the congregation with the St. Joseph Catholic Church on Main and West Park Streets, creating the new Holy Family Parish. St. Mary’s was built by Polish immigrants in the early 1890s on the corner of Moore and Brown Streets and contains many incredible stained glass windows and murals. It is now the home of Our Light of Victory congregation.
So, yes……M is also for Medina Sandstone!
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