Bird Island

Traveling over the Ferry Street Lift Bridge gives you access to the Bird Island Pier. This spot is popular mostly for fishing. The southern tip of Squaw Island is connected to a long, narrow stone pier that extends south under the Peace Bridge and into the mouth of the Niagara River. This pier has been rebuilt and the surrounding area is currently under construction. Bird Island Pier has been in existence since 1860. (Bird Island Pier Notes)

Driving past this pier frequently for work I was excited to finally have the chance to walk it a few weeks ago with my Mom and niece. It was overcast and a little windy, but a nice enough day to take a stroll on the pier and look at the Miss Buffalo and other boats that cruised by. Being under the Peace Bridge was pretty cool as well.

If you're ever looking for a place to take a walk or just relax check out Bird Island, there is construction going on, on site, but  don't let that steer you away, once you hit the walkway you can't even hear the noise.

-B

South Pier

Located on Buffalo's South Pier sits the main Lighthouse built back in 1818. People from all over WNY and beyond can stop by and walk around the site. Street parking is located on Route 5 and a pedestrian walkway is located along the Coast Guard Station and Outer Harbor, giving you beautiful views of Lake Erie and Downtown Buffalo.

When I went for a visit it was a little cloudy and gloomy of a day, but that didn't stop cyclists and families from taking a stroll out to this historic landmark right in "their backyard."

For more information on the Buffalo Lighthouse or to make a donation to help preserve the area go here: http://buffalolight.org/home.html

And for more history on the lighthouse you go here: http://www.buffalohistoryworks.com/light/preservation.htm

-B

Decorator's Showhouse

From April 27 to May 19 you can see a variety of different designers who gave the Knox Summer Estate at Knox Farm in East Aurora a new look. The Decorator's Show House is sponsored by The Buffalo News and The Junior League of Buffalo.

Each room was re-designed by multiple designers. I had never been to the Knox Estate prior to this showing- all I knew about the estate was it was owned by the Knox Family until 2001, so I was pretty excited to have the opportunity to see the home.

The house is beautiful! Each room has its own character that is unique and different. While walking through the tour the one downfall I noticed was some volunteers in the rooms weren't as "personable" as others were about the history and what the rooms were used for prior to being "revamped" for the show. Each volunteer was provided a "cheat sheet" that had information about each room and what it was used for when the Knox Family was residing in the home and what the designer chose to do with the room for the showing. Some spoke when guests were in the room and others didn't say a word unless you asked them a question. While I was there I did however find out that the designers come back and take there displays down after the show is over. For me personally, to get more out of it I would have preferred a private tour of the home so I could have learned more about the history of estate.

Overall, it was a beautiful home and all the decorator's did a wonderful job. You can still go see the house through the weekend. Go here for ticket and parking information: Decorators Show House Tickets

-B

East Side History

A beautiful Church called St. Stanislaus Bishop & Martyr Church is located at 348 Peckham St., in the East Side of Buffalo, known as the Polonia District. Growing up in this area and attending grammar school here (unfortunately, the school is no longer open) this Church holds a special place in my heart. While the area around the Church is not anywhere near where it used to be, it still remains the oldest Parish in the Diocese of Buffalo and is the oldest in New York State.

Being founded in 1873, this year is a special year as St. Stans is celebrating 140 years. Upon entering the Church you will be amazed by the architecture, the stained glass windows and the incredible statues and altar. Tours are available (for more information on them click here).

It doesn't matter what religion you are or how religious you may be, this building is a beautiful place and if you ever have time to stop by and take a look inside you will know why.

-B

What is Dyngus Day?

With it being a week since the Polish festivity I thought I would write about what Dyngus Day really is. Dyngus Day is a celebration held on Easter Monday in Poland. In tradition, boys dump water over girls they like and then spank them with pussy willows. In modern times, it is known as guys squirting girls they like with squirt guns and the girls chasing them away with the pussy willows. This tradition has been traced back to the 15th century. Dyngus Day in America is most notably known in Buffalo, NY according to Wikipedia. Other big Dyngus Day celebrations take place in Chicago, IL. "The Buffalo Dyngus Day celebrations only started in the 1960s as an effort by the Polish-American community in the city to find a new focus for its identity. It proved hugely successful, to the point that a local newspaper claimed that "everybody is Polish on Dyngus Day. It has become a fusion of Polish and American traditions, with polka bands and Polish food accompanying American patriotic songs sung in English.Party-goers dress up in the red-and-white colors of the Polish flag and carry balloons saying "Happy Dyngus Day" in English." (Wikipedia.com)

While there are a variety of places to go for Dyngus Day in Buffalo the east side of Buffalo is one of the biggest hot spots to go for the celebrations. The parade kicks off at the Broadway Market and makes its way down Fillmore Ave. to the Central Terminal grounds where this year they were host to the festivities outside the building due to renovations taking place. Below are some pictures of the new set-up. Food trucks lined the outskirts of the entrance before you made your way into one of the tents that served a wide array of alcohol and food.

Like people say "everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day." Mark it in your calendars, next years Dyngus Day is Monday, April 21, 2014.

-B

125 Years at the Broadway Market

Located in the heart of the East Side of Buffalo stands a 125 year business. The Broadway Market. The market has served as a place where immigrants flocked to as they looked for the continuation of old world customs in a new and unfamiliar environment. While they wanted the mainstream city life, they also sought to preserve their Eastern European traditions and heritage. The Broadway Market would prove to serve these needs quite well.

For myself it's always been a pleasure to visit the Broadway Market. I grew up on Fillmore and since I was a little child I always visited the market, especially during Easter time. While I don't get down to the market as often as I'd like to, I still enjoy walking around the building. You can feel the history that lies in the walls and those old world customs that fill the building. The only disappointment for me is seeing the dwindling neighborhood around the market. It isn't nothing like it used to be when I was a little kid. Abandoned homes, graffiti, litter and police cars surround the market. While the market faces these challenges, it still is amazing that it has been around for 125 years.

Throughout the year their will be a variety of events taking place to highlight the history of the historic building. For more information you can find it here. The market serves as a place for local delis, candy shops, bakeries, specialty shops and services for the Broadway and Fillmore area.

I encourage anyone and everyone to visit the market at least once, whether you grew up in the area or not. You may find some unique "treasures" while your there.

-B

The Buffalo Chophouse

I've only had the opportunity to eat here once and it was a few years ago. I'll never forget the bill came to over $900! The biggest bill I had at a restaurant to date (granted there was a group of us) but still it was expensive. I remember the food being amazing and the staff, friendly. A few weeks ago I had to stop in to purchase a couple gift certificates for work, while I was there I took a couple pictures. Take a look below.

If you ever have the opportunity to eat there, don't pass it up! The food is out of this world, the restaurant is one of a kind and the owner, Mark Croce, is all for making Buffalo a better place. You can't pass that up.

-B

My trip to the Tri-Main Center

The other day I had to drop off giveaway items to Bubbles & Berries Boudoir for the upcoming Boutique. Bridal. Party being held at the end of the month. Bubbles & Berries Boudoir is located in the Tri-Main Center on Main St. in Buffalo. I have never been inside this building so I didn't know what to expect.

When you walk in you will immediately see the space is filled with diverse occupants. The building is home to studio and industrial spaces along with office spaces which continues to make it one of Buffalo's landmark buildings. As you walk down the wide hallways you can see the history that lays in the walls and floors making it feel very industrial, but at the same time you can also see the renovations and modern touches that have been added as well. Each tenant has there space set-up differently creating an overall one of a kind building space that you don't find just anywhere.

Some of the Center's occupants besides Bubbles & Berries Boudoir are the Buffalo Arts Studio, Buffalo City Ballet and Landies Sweets & Treats. I am so lucky I had the chance to stop inside and see this building. It opened my eyes to some of Buffalo's history and also introduced me to some new businesses that I will be back to visit.

-B