Performing at Make Music Upper Perk 2024

By Nate Feldman

The keyboard at the Chibi Cafe 

For the third consecutive year, I performed music at the Make Music Upper Perk festival, which celebrates local musicians on June 21, the International Day of Music.  I played two venues.  The first was Chibi Cafe on Main Street in East Greenville, PA.  The second event, also in East Greenville, was at the Center at Open Link, a community center for mostly seniors in the surrounding area.  

I played the Chibi Cafe from 9-9:30 AM.  I performed a number of songs all related to a season of the year.  I started with songs related to summer.  Then, I did my fall medley and followed that with six Halloween-related tunes.  I concluded with my Winter Medley.  

From 10:45-11:15, I performed at the Center at Open Link.  At this event, I showed three videos I have posted on you tube during the past year.  This was my first time showing videos at a public event, so I was very excited to show that side of my creative pursuits.  The three videos were Nate's News March-April 2023, A Snowy Week in PA, January 15-21, and Nate's Frightenin Films, Episode 1.  I concluded by playing my summer related tunes on keyboard for the audience.  

After I was done my performance, I enjoyed having lunch at the center with visitors and April, a volunteer with Make Music Upper Perk.  Afterwards, I stayed around to watch the next performance by Steve Walker, a local guitarist who makes enjoyable, and often quite amusing, songs.  

As usual, my time playing with this venue was enjoyable and I met some very friendly and supportive people, both at the Chibi Cafe and the Center at Open Link.  I am hoping to play at both places again soon in the future.

My Trip to Upstate New York

 By Nate Feldman

Background: I came to upstate New York to bring my daughters, Sara and Sofia, to their mother who lives in Clarence, a suburb of Buffalo.  The girls go to school in Berwyn throughout the year, but they spend summers with their mother, step-dad, and two siblings.  I agreed to drive the girls up here after I was permitted to have them for Father's Day.  

Day 1:

We left Berwyn around 8 AM and headed up I-476 North which connects with I-81 north, taking us into New York around Binghamton.  I-81 heads into downtown Syracuse, which is famous for its university.  The girls and I stopped for lunch in the downtown area at a restaurant called Panini.  I ordered a vegetable panini, and they had a Chicken Caesar Salad wrap.  

After finishing lunch, I headed out of Syracuse on I-690 West and connected with I-90 West, which takes you into Buffalo.  I got off the highway before Buffalo to take the girls to their mother's home in Clarence.  Then, I headed into downtown Buffalo, where I am spending the night at a hotel on Delaware Avenue.

Delaware Avenue by coincidence plays a very important role in American history.  William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901.  He was shot on September 6 and died eight days later on September 14 due to complications from the bullet wound that was initially thought not to be life-threatening.  The place where he died is on Delaware Avenue.  His then Vice-President, Theodore Roosevelt, took the oath of office on Delaware Avenue as well and became the 26th President.  The spot where he became President is now a National landmark.  Theodore, AKA "Teddy" Roosevelt, became one of the most iconic Presidents in American history.  

In the evening, I jogged along Delaware Avenue to Delaware Park, a beautiful recreational area beside a lake, sports fields, and trails through the woods.  For dinner, I ordered Chile Poblanos and a Guacamole Salad from the Taqueria Ranchos Dos Mexican restaurant on Delaware Avenue.  

Downtown Syracuse, NY

Statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the Inauguration Site

Day 2:

I stayed in Buffalo until 12 PM and then headed south towards Hammondsport, a small town along Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes in New York.  Along the way, I had a couple of stops.  

I bought homemade maple syrup at Kehl's Farm.  Upstate New York is well-renowned for its maple syrup, and Kehl's has been well-publicized.   

I stopped for lunch at the Vertical Cafe in Warsaw.  I ordered a signature salad with almonds, craisins, and blue cheese and had coffee and a gluten free cookie.  The cafe has a nice homey feel, and you can sit on leather seats and enjoy a book while having your meal.  

Across the street from the cafe is Homemade Treasures, an antique store that has all kinds of vintage furniture, books, movies, paintings, records, tape cassettes and more.  I bought some books and a mug.  I enjoyed this shop and highly recommend it.  

From there, I drove through the town of Mount Morris, where I briefly stopped to film a scene for a movie I have been working on.  Then, it was onto Hammondsport.  I checked-in at my hotel along the 54 state highway and then spent the late afternoon and early evening at Depot Park along the shore of Lake Keuka.  You can relax here and take in the breathtaking view of the lake.  You also can go swimming in the lake in the roped-off section allotted for swimmers.  I don't recall the last time I went lake swimming, so it was an amazing experience.  

I ordered things from the Hammondsport Grocery Store in town, a local supermarket, and had dinner at the hotel.  

The swimming area at Depot Park, Lake Keuka

  

Homemade Treasures in Warsaw, NY

Day 3:

I spent the morning in Hammondsport.  For breakfast, I went to Vern's Bakery.  They make freshly made pastries each day.  I ordered a blueberry scone, croissants filled with spinach and feta, and some coffee.  The owner said that the croissants had been made the day before, so he was giving them away for free, something I really appreciated.  

I left around noon and headed East on I-86 towards Binghamton.  Before Binghamtom, I-86 connects with I-81.  In the Binghamton area, I stopped at Otsiningo Park, a very scenic place with a walking trail along a river, multiple picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields.  According to a sign, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes previously, and that the name the area was called Otsiningo by the tribes living there.  

After finishing my picnic, I walked around, practiced hitting some softball on a sports field, and then headed back onto I-81 and back into Pennsylvania.  

A pond at Otsiningo Park

A sign with the history of Otsiningo Park

A Day at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli, PA

 By Nate Feldman

If you want a great way to enjoy scenic countryside in Pennsylvania, take a trip to Ontelaunee Park in the small town of New Tripoli, located in the northwestern part of Lehigh county.  When you get there, you should do many different things.  First, after you park your car in the parking lot, go up the hill to the soccer field.  You can play there with friends or family.  Below the hill, there is a playground with a swing set, seesaws, and a jungle gym.  After that, take a walk around the park.  There is a 1.1 mile trail that loops around the area.  Go to the covered bridge above the creek and begin your walk.  The trail goes through a wooded area and past the Ontelaunee Creek.  Also, there is a dog park.  If you have a dog, you should bring it there to play with other people's dogs.  In addition to its natural scenery, Ontelaunee Park has a lot of events throughout the year, such as the Pioneer Apple Fest and the Native American Intertribal Pow Wow.  So, if you are traveling in the Lehigh Valley, make sure you stop by Ontelaunee Park and have a wonderful time.

A Day at William B. Umstead Park

By Nate Feldman

If you are ever visiting Raleigh, North Carolina, or anywhere in the research triangle area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill), William B. Umstead Park is a great way to enjoy local nature.  There are many great things to do there.  Walk along its many trails.  There are different paths that go throughout the heavily wooded park.  The foliage is very dense, so you will not believe you are anywhere near a city.  Also, have breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the park's many picnic shelters.  There is a lake in the middle of the park, so you should rent a boat.  If you want to learn about the history of the area, you should go to the visitor's center.  It gives information about the park and the entire area.  Finally, spend the night at the park.  You can rent a cabin for the night and stay there with family.  So, if you are in North Carolina, make sure to stop and visit William B. Umstead Park for a day.  It is a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery the state has to offer.  

Dorney Park Opens Iron Menace to the Public

 By Nate Feldman

The 2024 summer season is upon us, and Dorney Park in Allentown, PA has a new roller coaster for the first time in many years.  Iron Menance drops riders at an almost 90-degree angle.  Before that, the car freezes for five seconds with people looking straight down.  The ride is very fast-paced and exciting and quite smooth. 

Iron Menance, a new roller coaster at Dorney Park

Three Great Things about Marsh Creek State Park

 By Nate Feldman

There are many good places for micro-adventures in my area.  One place I like is Marsh Creek State Park.  Here are three great things about this place.

1. It’s a beautiful place with a lake.  You can row a boat there, or you can kayak.  You also can rent a motorboat.  It has beautiful views at sunset.

2. There are woods with lots of trails, so you can go hiking there.  

3.  It offers many fun activities for people with children.  There is a playground in a wooded area.  You can also have a picnic because they have benches and places to grill food.  Also, there is a public swimming pool.  You can go there during the summer.  

Marsh Creek State Park is a great place for people to visit and have a wonderful day at.  

A Day at Ryers Farm for Aged Equines and Marsh Creek State Park

 By Nate Feldman

Today, I spent my day at two amazing places in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  First, I visited Ryers Farm for Aged Equines.  This farm dates back to the 1800s and is the home of retired and or abused horses, donkeys, and mules.  

It is open every day from 10 AM-4 PM for visitors to come and see the animals, either in their stalls or out in the fields.  While you are there, for $3, you are able to purchase a bag with food that you can feed the animals with your own hands.  In addition, there is a nice gift shop with a lot of memorabilia you can take home with you that helps support the farm and its mission.

Ryers Farm is a fabulous place for people who love horses and donkeys.  The animals are friendly, and the ability to interact with them is wonderful.  If you are interested, you are able to sponsor one of the animals, which gives you an opportunity to interact with the horse or donkey on a one-on-one basis.

Avery, one of the horses at Ryers'

After spending time at Ryers and grabbing some coffee and a brownie at the Collective Coffee and Bakery in the Ludwig's Village Market on route 100, it was on to a brief stop at Marsh Creek State Park.  

This park has a large lake and many wooded areas with trails people can hike or jog on.  There are also many recreational activities, such as a large swimming pool open during the summer months, areas for cookouts, and a place where you can rent boats and kayaks to go out on the lake.

I arrived about a half-hour before sunset, so I was able to get a nice view as it was a clear day.

If you are spending a day in Chester County, I strongly recommend both places as a way to enjoy your time with friends and family and to interact with animals and nature.  

Sunset at Marsh Creek State Park