Holiday Decorations in Medina, NY

While driving through Western New York I stopped in Medina.

I love seeing towns decorated for the holidays. See the wreaths in the windows?

Who knew you could visit the North Pole while in Medina, NY?

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This past week I accompanied my friend as she got her annual mammogram. Every woman should get a baseline mammogram before she turns 40 and then get one once a year once she's 40, earlier if there's a family history of breast cancer.

Boobs: They could use your support!

Wheee! My friend's mammogram came back normal! Tell all your female friends to get their mammograms- save the ta-tas!

Cabot Stops in Coffeyville, Kansas

Coffeyville, Kansas was settled in 1869 and originally was an Indian trading post. At that time, what is now the state of Oklahoma, was the Indian Territory. The town was named after Col. James A. Coffey.

Coffeyville is probably most noted as the place where the Dalton gang was shot and killed in 1892 after they tried to rob 2 banks there simultaneously. Here I am in front of one of those banks that still stands today.

 

I'm in front of the Midland theater which up until 1998 still ran as a movie house. It was built in 1928.

The Midland Theater Foundation is endeavoring to raise funds to restore it to it former glory.

We stopped by the Brown Mansion, but it's closed on Sundays so we weren't able to go inside.

Completed in 1907 by W. P. Brown, the four-floor, 16 room Mansion contains the original furniture, wall and floor coverings. The main floor has nine rooms, including the dining room featuring a signed Tiffany chandelier. The second floor houses the sleeping quarters with five bedrooms and three full l baths, and a ballroom graces the entire third floor. A full basement features the butler quarters, laundry, heating system, walk-in ice box and storage spaces.

  

That's one big house!

On our way out of town we stopped to admire this old steam engine that was on display.

Too bad we can't take a ride.

Beer Bonanza!!

The little grocery store 2 minutes away from me had a beer tasting Friday night. How could I not attend?

Custom Brewcrafters is a local brewery. They were giving samples this evening.

Look at these lovely brews. This gentleman told me all about the different beers. Of the ones I tasted, I enjoyed Canandaigua Lake Ale the best.

Cabot Visits the Daisy Air Gun Museum

While exploring Rogers, Arkansas I found the Daisy Air Gun Museum. Rogers has been the manufacturing home of the Daisy BB gun since 1958!

Growing daisies?

According to the Daisy website, Daisy actually had its beginnings back in 1882 as Plymouth Iron Windmill Company, a manufacturer of windmills in Plymouth, Michigan; however, by the late 1880s the windmill business was changing and the struggling company began looking for new ways to attract customers.

In 1886, Plymouth inventor Clarence Hamilton introduced a new idea to the windmill company. It was a combination of metal and wire, vaguely resembling a gun that could fire a lead ball using compressed air. Lewis Cass Hough, then president of the firm, gave it a try and, after his first shot, enthusiastically exclaimed, "Boy, that's a daisy!"

 

The name stuck and the BB gun went into production as a premium item given to farmers when they purchased a windmill. The gun was such a huge success that Plymouth Iron Windmill soon began manufacturing the Daisy BB gun in place of windmills! On January 26, 1895 the company's board of directors officially voted to change the name to Daisy Manufacturing Company, Inc.

The sturdy little Daisy BB gun quickly became a staple with American youth and youngsters all across the land cut their shooting teeth on a Daisy. Competition was keen at the time, with guns such as Bulls Eye, Dewey, Hero, Dandy, Atlas and others appearing almost overnight and disappearing just as quickly. Over the years Daisy has continued to improve and expand our line of airguns, putting model after model within the reach of every young shooter's pocketbook and skill level.

I'm a cowboy!

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

There is so much to see here!

Cabot Visits The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

Springdale, Arkansas is located between Rogers and Fayetteville here in Northwest Arkansas. In 1840, a small settlement was established around a log church known as the Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church, giving the town its original name. The community grew big enough to need a post office. However, Arkansas already had a town named Shiloh. Due to the abundant local springs, “Springs in the Dale” was suggested. The town was incorporated officially as Springdale in 1878. Today Springdale is a big part of the growing and prosperous economic powerhouse that is Northwest Arkansas. The challenge for the future involves balancing rapid growth with preserving the natural resources and beauty that first drew people here.

 

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History serves the public by providing resources for finding meaning, enjoyment, and inspiration in the exploration of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Most of what you'll see at the museum highlights the real shapers of Ozark history - the everyday men, women, and children who lived in our towns and rural communities. Along with exhibits, you can explore six historic buildings on the museum grounds. We also have a research library with a collection of over 500,000 photographs of Ozark life.

This is outside on the grounds of the Shiloh Museum.

Can I drive?

Behind me is a “spring house” – underneath it in the back is a stone basement that houses a well – this is where the early settlers could keep things cool.

This is what was once a real working outhouse!!!

Notice the large metal tub hanging on the outside of the outhouse – that was their bathtub!!!

It's a two seater!

German Fest!

Spencerport, NY celebrated German culture this past weekend.

Tee Hee. Look, I'm a little German girl!

I'm learning how to pour beer!

I'd better get some food!

Hmmmm. What to eat?

Yummm.  Bregenwurst, pretzel, and German beer!

You must have a German band!

Let's dance!

This fellow is wearing a traditional German costume. Sadly, they didn't have any lederhosen in my size.

This lady has a traditional costume too!

Goodbye and thanks for the wonderful hospitality!

My Birthday at America's Grape Country Wine Festival

Today was my birthday and I celebrated by attending America's Grape Country Wine Festival. I had such a wonderful time last year, I knew it would be great fun again. Look at all the vendors and people!

Wineries come from all over the state to be at this event. Here I am at the Seven Vines Winery booth.

It's not just wines here. These are some lovely flavored olive oils from D'Avolio. The blood orange one was amazing!

This lovely lady came all the way from the Catskills! She brought some wonderful pasta sauces from Grandpa Pete's Gourmet Sauces...may I recommend the Sunday Vodka Sauce?

Nothing's more refreshing on a hot day than freshly squeezed lemonade.

Here I am at Louie's Lemonade, ready to quench my thirst.

All that food and wine was making me hungry. I decided on a Cuban sandwich for lunch. It was amazing!

Nothing like a little music with your meal.

I attended two seminars on pairing wine with foods and cheeses. Mmmmmm. Cheese!

And sip...

These wine bottles are just my size! They're from Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

All packed up and ready to go.

Too bad we can't take a train home.

Now, where did we park?