New York: The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie

The Arkell Museum was created by the founder of Beech-Nut Packing Company Bartlett Arkell. He collected works by some of the premier American artists of the late 19th and early 20th century. Unfortunately, many of them were not on display when we visited. I certainly would have loved to see the Mary Cassatt!! 

What we did get to see were two exhibitions that were set up to celebrate the anniversaries of the Women’s Rights movement and the Erie Canal. In spite of our disappointment at not getting to see more paintings from their collection, we did enjoy our visit here. I did like having a face to put on some of the women who worked so hard to get the vote for women.

Given our experience, I would suggest checking their website to see what actually will be on display when you plan to visit.
They don't allow you to use photos of their collections, you need permssion and I believe they charge.

England: Seeing Shakespeare in Stratford on Avon

I have been to Stratford on Avon several times, by several I mean 5 or 6. Part of any visit to Stratford is taking in a play at the RSC. Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC ) is a repertory theater company. What this means is that the plays rotate and that the same actors must learn multiple roles in multiple plays. It is not every actor who is up for this challenge so you can expect to see the best of the best.

The RSC has been operating under the name Royal Shakespeare Company since 1961 but it has been around under different names for over 125 years.

It was in 1875 that a local brewer, Charles Edward Flower first decided that Stratford being Shakespeare’s home needed to have a Shakespearean Theater. It was opened four years later but it took them over 20 years to attract major names to their productions. They were granted a royal charter in 1925 but the theater was destroyed by a fire the following year.

A worldwide campaign was launched and a new theater was constructed. By the 1940′s major actors were performing in Stratford. Many names are ones we all recognize, Vivien Leigh, Michael Redgrave, Sir John Gielgud and Sir Laurence Olivier.

The sixties saw the name RSC attached to the company and it is now considered a great honor to be one of their players. A new crop of actors has sharpened their skills here including Judi Dench, Ian Richardson, and Trevor Nunn.

The Swan Theater was added in 1986 and used part of the shell of the 1926 building. The main theaters in Stratford are the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Swan. The Swan is a much smaller more intimate venue.

While you are in Stratford, take the time to visit Shakespeare’s grave which is in the church an easy walk from the theater complex. Walk along the river Avon, feed the ducks get to know the city that Shakespeare knew. It is a bit of a tourist trap but in a good way.



I am a great Shakespeare fan and have enjoyed many Shakespearean plays but the one that will always stick in my mind was the one I saw on September 11, 2001, it was Hamlet and it was in Stratford. A very modernistic version with the sound of a whirling helicopter and the exceptional cast made for an unforgettable night, especially given what had occurred in the U.S. on that day.

In 2006 I saw the Canterbury Tales Part I at the Swan Theater and it was so good that when the RSC brought Part 2 to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., it was a no-brainer whether to go and was well worth the trip.

There is nothing quite like seeing Shakespeare performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and if you want to see the best there is, make an effort to see a performance. They do travel the world so you may not need to go to Stratford, but in my opinion, nothing else compares.

Of course, while you are there you can see the homes that are a part of the story of the life of the bard and even visit his grave.

Oklahima: Fun things to do in Tulsa in the fall

Tulsa is a city that has lots to do in any season and the fall is no exception. You can enjoy the state fair, Oktoberfest and a whole lot more. If you want to know all the fun things to do in Tulsa in the fall these events will get you started.

The Tulsa State Fair is the kickoff event for the fall season. Beginning in late September and running into early October this 11-day event is an old-fashioned agricultural fair with lots to do for the entire family. The Oklahoma and Muscogee Stages offers live entertainment, there are special children’s events and attractions, lots of rides and exhibits and so much more.

The Just for Kids Adventure offers a schedule of things for kids to do at the Creative Stations, the Superplay Activity Center and Tulsa’s largest sandbox. Some of the other favorites are the Picking and Fiddling Championship and the Oklahoma State Sugar Art Show. Come to the Tulsa State Fair to see the animals, the horse show, the oversized fruits and vegetables and the baked goods. It is all great fun.

Oktoberfest will come to Tulsa for the 39th time in 2017. It happens late in the month of October, the 19-22 in 2017 from Thursday through Sunday and celebrates all things German. It has been named one of the 10 Best Oktoberfests in North America by USA Today. The annual event features food, drink, music, and lots of German culture. This is the place to try schnitzel, soft German pretzels and lots of other German foods.

Plenty of typical festival type foods such as funnel cakes and kettle corn will also be offered. Come to enjoy the German Music and dancing and much more for the entire family. Arts and crafts vendors are available as well selling a variety of items. Of course, being a German festival, beer will play an important part in the celebration.

In addition to all the special events that happen in the fall, there are all the usual things that are enjoyable to do. With the weather getting cooler it is a perfect time to visit one of the many parks around the city to enjoy the outdoors. Miles of hiking trails await and the River Parks offer a great place to walk or bike the trails that go along the river.

If you want to head out of the city a short drive will bring you to orchards and farms where you can pick your own apples and pumpkins and get lost in a corn maze.

Fall is a great time to enjoy all the outdoor activities that Tulsa is so well known for and as the fall turns into winter, there will be all the Christmas events to look forward to.

Hotel Review: Staybridge Suites Corning, New York

I loved this hotel from our first experience with the desk staff, they were so welcoming and willing to go the extra mile to make everything about your stay perfect. We opted for a two bedroom suites and we were asked what floor we preferred. We chose three since we don’t like to have people above us. The room has a very nice setup. You enter into the kitchen which has everything but an oven but they provide a toaster oven. The table has four chairs and the living room has a couch, chair and coffee table.

#staybridgesuitescorningny

One bedroom had a queen bed and the other had two doubles. The two doubles is a huge room. We, however, we took the smaller room and it was fine. The sink and vanity are in the bedroom so the bathroom is small but the shower pressure was amazing, loved that shower. Everything was very clean and we enjoyed playing cards at the table provided. The suite has three TVs as well. one in each bedroom and one in the living area, the selection of shows was good. 

Breakfast is included and is the standard fare, scrambled eggs or omelets, sausage or bacon, oatmeal, make your own waffles, cold cereal, juice, coffee, bread, bagels, muffins and some sweet things. Certainly, adequet and the dining area is large and was never overcrowded even though the hotel was busy.

They have a very nice pool area and a hot tub which we enjoyed using. 

Location is perfect if you plan to visit the Corning Museum of Glass, it is walking distance for most people. Lots of really good dining within a mile on Market Street downtown. 

I would highly recommend this hotel for great service, clean and comfortable rooms and great location. 

Fall happenings in Little Rock

As the weather starts to get a little brisk and the leaves begin to change color, all over the United States people know that fall has arrived. The same is true in Little Rock. The kids have gone back to school, the summer clothes have been packed away, and now it is time to get out and do some of the fall activities that Little Rock is known for.

Adult Only

Lots of activities are family friendly in Little Rock in the fall. North Little Rock Taste for Business isn’t necessarily one of them. It has been happening early in the fall for the last 22 years. For 2018, it will be on September 27th at Verizon Arena from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

This event is a chance to sample food and drink from some of the best restaurants, beverage distributors and caterers that the area has to offer. Over 1000 people will pay $20 each in advance and $25 at the door to enjoy two hours of great food and drink.

Arkansas State Fair

For ten days every fall, the Arkansas Fairgrounds come to life with the sounds of the midway, livestock, entertainment and beauty competitions. Livestock is an important component of this fair and the judging and award presentation are well attended. October 11-21, 2018.


Main Street Food Truck Festival

September 8, 2018 will see the 8th Annual Main Street Food Truck Festival from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Over 50 food truck will be offering a wide selection of food. Additionally, there will be music, artists, and vendors on Main Street It will again span six blocks North and South along Main Street and three blocks East and West along Capitol Avenue.

Harvest Fest

Head to the historic Hillcrest neighborhood for a full day of family fun on November 3, 2018. It starts early with a bird walk in Allsopp Park at 7:00 a.m. The pancake breakfast starts at 9:00 a.m. and the farmers market will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. The festival opens at 11 a.m. and goes on into the evening with live entertainment. The Kids Zone is a favorite destination for the youngsters. Check out their website for places and times.

Pumpkin Patch

Motley's Farm Pumpkin Patch September through October 31 on the weekends. Pick a pumpkin, take a tractor-drawn carriage ride, jump on the hay bales and enjoy the animals on the farm. Feed is for sale if the kids want to feed them.

 Arkansas Cornbread Festival

The fifth edition of the Arkansas Cornbread Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct 27, 2018, brings local flavor, live music, and vendors to South Main Street. Come early and plan to stay all day enjoy everything that will be offered including musical acts, local breweries, and vendors selling Arkansas-made food, crafts, and gifts.

When it comes to fall happenings in Little Rock, you will find yourself overwhelmed by the number of choices. Overwhelmed in a good way, that is.


More information:

http://nlrchamber.org/chamber-news/a-taste-for-business-3

http://www.heart.org/lrwinefestival

www.motleyspumpkinpatch.com/index.html

Best destinations on the east coast to view foliage

As the days get shorter and the air gets crisper, the leaves start to turn to colors of red and gold. Every year Americans decide to take to the road to catch the best glimpses of color. Where are the best east coast destinations for viewing fall foliage? If you ask five people you will get five different answers. Here are just a few of my favorites.



Vermont

Vermont is the favorite choice of leaf peepers everywhere. Knowing this, accommodations need to be booked well in advance and if possible avoid the weekends and the most popular spots. Head to the areas that are quintessentially Vermont and off the beaten track.

Depending on how far north you want to go that can mean going to the delightful town of Wilmington in the south or up to Barnet in the north. You will want to also check on the availability of activities beyond leaf peeping in the area.

Fall festivals, church fairs, apple orchards, and cider mills are all favorite places to spend some quality time. To find out how the leaves are doing visit Vermont's tourism site and for up to the minute news on where the color is best in New England visit yankeefoliage.com

Pocono Mountains Pennsylvania

f you think that the Pocono's are just about honeymooners you need to rethink that attitude. The Delaware Water Gap offers great opportunities to see some bright colors in an already scenic location. The Water Gap circles through over forty miles of old growth trees and you can spend a day hiking in places like Bushkill where the hundred foot main falls have been attracting visitors for over 100 years.

Mid-October the Pocono's host the Shawnee Autumn Timber Festival at the Shawnee Mountain Ski area in Shawnee on Delaware, Penn. Check their website for more information.

Shenandoah Valley Virginia

Staunton Virginia is a favorite spot of leaf peepers who want to take part in their Fall Foliage Bike Festival. Enjoy the sight while biking over ten miles or one hundred miles of trails designed for all levels of expertise. Check out their website for details.

While you are in Staunton you can see a performance at the Blackfriars Playhouse where some of the best Shakespeare in the country is offered or visit the house where Woodrow Wilson was born.

Up and down the Shenandoah Valley you will find fall, harvest and pumpkin festivals. Check out their website for dates and times of all the events this area has to offer.

From Mid-September to mid-November the leaves along the east coast of the United States will be offering their best color. Visit any of the areas suggested or find one of your own but be sure to make your reservations early.

New York: Mount Hope Cemetery Rochester

While doing my research for this trip to Upstate New York I read that Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony were both buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. I was not surprised about Susan B, Anthony since Seneca Falls is not all that far away but I had no idea about Frederick Douglass. It seems that he made Rochester his home for many years.

Sunday, after visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Eastman House and Museum we decided to pay a visit to these very historic figures.

I tried to find a map of the cemetery online unsuccessfully but by using find a grave was able to determine what section they were buried in. While looking through brochures at the Metropolitan Museum I found one of Mount Hope Cemetery that very clearly marks where the graves are located. It does make it very much easier when we have a map.

Mount Hope also puts signs with arrows to make it easier to locate these famous final resting place. The first one we visited was Frederick Douglass who is buried between his two wives. It was a very touching moment and it started to rain on us making it even more exciting.

By the time we found Susan B. Anthony in a totally different section it was raining quite hard but we didn’t let that deter us. She is buried with her siblings and we ended up finding her and having to run back to the car with thunder and lightning flashing.

We have visited many cemeteries over the years and we always leave feeling that we know the person better for having seen their final resting place. 

Hotel Review: TownePlace Suites New Hartford Whitesboro, NY

I chose these particular TownePlace Suites for the location and price. Located slightly outside Utica, New York it is within easy proximity to dining. We could not walk to a restaurant but the short drive, about a mile, to Carmella’s was well worth the effort.

We wanted to have a two-bedroom suite and TownePlace does offer these, however, unlike Residence Inn, you don’t have a private bathroom with each bedroom, there is one bathroom that is shared.

The suite has an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, table with four chairs, sofa, chair and ottoman in the living room and two bedrooms. The two bedrooms are both on the same side, one closer to the bathroom and one off the living room. It was very modern and comfortable and frankly works great for a family, not quite as well for friends traveling together.

Both rooms had a queen bed and extra towels and pillows were provided per my request as part of every booking. Great mattresses, plenty of pillows and the room was very clean. 

We were in a corner of the building which is where the two bedroom units are all located. When we were in the hall we could hear our neighbors quite distinctly but when in the room, all was quiet. We liked the fact that our windows opened a little so we could let in the fresh air.

I loved the TV, it has the option for Internet TV built right in and you can watch NetFlix, Hulu or YouTube as long as you have a subscription. The suite had three TVs, one in the living room and one in each of the bedrooms. 

Breakfast is included and is the typical buffet with omelets or scrambled eggs, sausage, make your own waffles, cereal, yogurt, oatmeal and things to toast. Not the greatest selection but since it is included, we are not complaining.

Wi-Fi is also free and easy to access. It is available throughout the building. A small gym and a pool are also available for guests to use.

Staff was friendly and we enjoyed our stay here and would recommend it to anyone traveling to the area. 

Hotel review: Sara Glen Motel Glens Falls New York

Located on the outskirts of Glens Falls New York, the Sara Glen Motel offers a respite from the hecticness of the day and has the charm of the quaint motels that we remember from our childhood with the modern amenities that all of us have come to expect.



Sonny the owner is charming and our welcome was warm and genuine. With our bottles of cold water, we headed to our rooms, #9 and #10. Both of them were identical inside, two beds, a table with two chairs, adequate lighting, atmospheric fake fireplace, flat screen TV mounted on the wall, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Plenty of plugs to charge your devices and a closet to store your gear.



The bathroom is brand spanking new, with a pedestal sink, hair dryer, bright lights and shower with good pressure and plenty of hot water.

Outside the room, there are two Adirondack chairs and many guests were taking advantage of them to enjoy the late summer weather. The rooms each have air conditioning, we turned it off and opened the rear window and were very comfortable. 

The bed has a firm mattress with white bedding. We all slept very well. The rooms looked and smelled clean. Wi-Fi is available but in all honestly,, I didn’t use it while I was here so I can’t really comment on it.



We had a great night’s sleep both night and would not hesitate to come here again and recommend it to our family and friends. Sonny will give you recommendations and show you menus if you ask and ice is available in the office as well as soft drinks for sale, not at elevated prices either. We used this location to visit Saratoga and certainly, the prices were much more reasonable and the drive was easy. If you are an art lover, The Hyde Collection in downtown Glens Falls is just a few miles away.

Give Sonny a call to book, you will be glad you did.