Our Hometown | The Beauty Around Us

Breakfast and a Walk in the Park

Around 9:00 pm on the evening of August 4th our friend Nic from Virginia sent a Facebook message to Bob, asking if we were home. He and Denise were in our area for a short time and wanted to see us.
The next morning we met Nic and Denise for breakfast at The Plaza Restaurant.

We ate Breakfast at The Plaza Restaurant.

We had a good time catching up some on each others’ lives, while eating good food. It had been over a year since we saw each other.

After breakfast we drove the short distance to Crescent Park, where we walked from the Four Flags to the Crescent Park Healing Garden.

This girl statue looks ready for Winter.

The Healing Garden was dedicated in May this year, and it was our first visit there. The garden is tranquil and peaceful.

I am thankful that we were able to spend a couple hours with Denise and Nic. We are very good friends, but don’t see each other as often as we would like.

Overnight Guests

We had overnight guests last night—our friends Sandy and Jim from Canada. We met Sandy and Jim through the Vulcan Riders and Owners Club (VROC) and have, over the years that we have known each other, attended a few motorcycle rallies together in such places as Maggie Valley, NC; Richmond, KY; Eureka Springs, AR; and Interlochen, MI. In between rally meet ups, we keep in touch via Facebook.

Sandy and Jim arrived at our house in Warren PA around 5:00 pm yesterday. Shortly after their arrival, we drove downtown and ate dinner at The Plaza Restaurant.

Across from The Plaza Restaurant is an area known as The Point.

Located at The Point is a flatiron building
and the Heritage Fountain.

Here are a couple pictures of Sandy and Jim at the Heritage Fountain.

Jim and Sandy will be joining us on a travel adventure. Please stay tuned!

P.S. Jim maintains a blog too, “Skid and Sandy on the Road”. You may read about their drive from Sudbury to our house, as well as his evening in Warren here.

Our Twin Granddaughters’ Fifth Birthday Celebration

Harper and Juniper’s 5th birthday was earlier this month. Yesterday, Stacey hosted a party to celebrate her daughters birthdays.

The girls’ birthday party was held at Betts Park, here in Warren PA, from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

Bob grilled hot dogs,
which were accompanied by light refreshments.

The party had two themes: Trolls and Beauty & the Beast. If I remember correctly, Juniper chose the Trolls theme and Harper chose the Beauty & the Beast Theme. Both girls, however, like Trolls and Beauty & the Beast. Stacey’s choice of pavilion was excellent, as it was close to a playground. All the children had a great time playing on the playground equipment, while waiting on the hot dogs to cook.

Highlights of the birthday party included a pinata filled with toys, an appearance by Belle & her Prince, and the opening of presents.

Juniper hit the pinata.
The pinata fell but did not break open.

Belle and her Prince with some of the birthday party attendees

Juniper wasn’t thrilled with Belle and her Prince.

Lastly, here are three pictures of the girls opening birthday presents. The girls were thrilled with each present that they received.

The party was well attended by all three sets of grandparents, as well as other family members, and Harper and Juniper’s friends.

Monumental Publication

A new booklet, which was published by the General Joseph Warren Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of Warren, PA, contains photographs that I took.

I thank the local DAR chapter for asking for my participation in this project of documenting monuments that the General Joseph Warren Chapter DAR of Warren, PA have established over the years.

Pure Prairie League Concert

My stepdaughter works as a reporter for our local newspaper. Stacey had a job assignment yesterday afternoon at Struthers Library Theater to interview members of the country-rock band, Pure Prairie League. Bob accompanied Stacey to the interview. The interview was scheduled for 4:00 pm. Bob said it was close to 5:00 pm, though, before the interview commenced. Prior to the interview Bob and Stacey watched the band, as they went through sound check and kind of a short rehearsal. Bob said it was cool to watch the band set up and interact with each other.

As a result of meeting with the band, Bob and I had an unexpected date night. While at the Pure Prairie League interview, the bass player gave him two tickets for the show. The tickets were for the rear balcony row k seats 10 and 12.

This is the bass player, the band member who gave the show tickets to Bob.

The Pure Prairie League concert began at 8:00 pm and ran straight through until approximately 9:45 pm. They played an additional 10-15 minutes in an encore performance.

I was not familiar with the band. I can’t recall ever hearing the name of the band. I did recognize two songs, though, during the concert — “Let me Love You Tonight” and “Amie”. The concert was very good. Thank you, Stacey, for inviting your dad along on the interview. Thank you to the bass player, too, for the complimentary tickets. We had an awesome date night!

Music in the Park: Border Ride

Each summer, residents and visitors alike have the opportunity to attend free Music in the Park concerts held on most Friday evenings at Soldiers and Sailors park, located along the banks of the Allegheny River, in the heart of downtown Warren. This year’s Music in the Park program began on June 3 and ends on September 2. Music genres includes rock, country, bluegrass, and jazz. Bob and I attended this past Friday night’s Border Ride concert.

Border Ride

Members of the band are: Cathy Pearson (fiddle), Scott Pearson (mandolin and fiddle), Jimmy Metz (banjo, Dobro and vocals), Darla Evans (bass and vocals), and Nelson Boosel (guitar and vocals).

Border Ride is a bluegrass band. We enjoyed very much listening to the 2-hour concert. Each band member performs passionately. In addition to the music, we enjoyed the dynamics of the band. Border Ride has fun, while performing.

Here is a short video clip that I created from three video captures. The video will give you some idea of Border Ride’s impressive musical talent. Be sure to click on HD for best video quality.

If you would like to learn more about this wonderful bluegrass band, you may do so by visiting the Border Ride website. If you enjoy bluegrass music and have the opportunity to do so, please take in one of Border Ride’s concerts. You will not be disappointed!

First Friday

According to a Wikipedia article, “First Friday is a name for various public events in some cities (particularly in the United States) that occur on the first Friday of every month.” My hometown of Warren, PA hosts First Friday events. Downtown businesses come together under a fun theme, with special discounts and offers, on every First Friday.

Bob and I, along with friends, attended this month’s First Friday event in downtown Warren. The theme of this month’s First Friday event was classic cars, hot rods and vintage bikes. Our friends Paul, Shawn, Dave and George rode their vintage bikes to the event.

I took this picture shortly after our arrival on Liberty Street.

After parking our motorcycles we walked along Liberty Street, admiring the cars. I took only a few pictures of the cars that participated in this First Friday event.

There was a good turnout for this month’s First Friday event.

After admiring the cars parked along Liberty Street, we ate dinner at The Plaza Restaurant. Later in the evening we went to Dairy Queen for ice cream.