Greetings from Canada, Three Great Things to do in Hamilton

 By Nate Feldman

For the first time in 31 years, I visited Canada, albeit very briefly.  I was in the city of Hamilton, Ontario for a night.  Here are three great things one can do while spending time there.  

1. Enjoy Great Parks

Hamilton has nice parks where you can spend your time at.  I visited the Waterfront Trail, which goes along the shores of Lake Ontario.

Another great park I passed by was Gage Park.  It's very large with a green house people can go inside and see many types of plants.  

2. Have Great Food

Hamilton is a multi-ethnic town with high-quality cuisine from throughout the world.  When I was there, I enjoyed some food from the Pizzeria Bros. restaurant near my hotel, a Canadian chain that specializes in quickly made pizzas with fresh ingredients.

I also had an amazing iced coffee with a scone at the Mulberry Coffeehouse on James Street North.  This is a very popular place for coffee and food.

3. Enjoy the Local Art Scene

In addition to having many art galleries, Hamilton is home to the Art Crawl, an event on the second Friday of Spring and Summer months where James Street North closes down for the evening and artists of all sorts gather to sell their work.  

A Short Biography of Cora B. Steigerwalt by Wardell F. Steigerwalt

*Below is an excerpt from a biography my grandfather was working on about his family.

By Wardell F. Steigerwalt 

Cora Belle Steigerwalt was born December  26, 1881: the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Howerter, the youngest of eleven living children.  At that time, the family lived in the "Eile Dahl," or "Owl Valley" in Lynn Township, Lehigh County, PA.  She attended the one-room school sometimes known as Rausch's School.  

She was undoubtedly a bright child and a good student and was probably also the family favorite.  Her mother was 43 years old when she was born and may have already been suffering from diabetes, so Cora was for the most part raised by her older sisters, Alice and Elizabeth. 

Cora was raised in a family in which only Pennsylvania Dutch was spoken.  They attended the New Jerusalem Church every Sunday, where her father was the church organist for some 30 years, and in which German was the spoken language.  Her father, who was literate in German, subscribed to a weekly German newspaper.  

Professional Fastpitch Softball League: Atlanta Smoke 7, New York Rise 5

 

By Nate Feldman

Bill Edwards Stadium, Hempstead, NY

The Atlanta Smoke held on to defeat the New York Rise 7-5 in the final match of a three-game series on Saturday night.  The Smoke got off to a strong start, scoring seven runs in the first two innings, leading 7-1 at one point.

The Rise didn't go out quietly, however.  In the bottom half of the third, they began a rally, scoring three runs and loading the bases.  The Storm were able to get out of the jam, and from there, both team's pitchers settled down and didn't give up a run for the final four innings.  

The Smoke took two out of three in the series.  The two teams will meet again next weekend for another series, this time in Atlanta.  

New York Rise vs. Atlanta Smoke

Family Trips Presents, A Day at the Seneca Landing Special Park

 By Nate Feldman

Over eight years ago, in March, 2017, I spent an afternoon with Sara and Sofia, my daughters, in Washington, DC and at the Seneca Landing Special Park in Poolesville, Maryland.  I recently found a collection of photos and videos I took that day and made a You Tube video out of it with newly composed music.

This is what I remember about that day.  I remember that it was a Sunday in early March.  As shown by the video, the trees were still bare and everyone was wearing coats, so it was chilly outside.

We didn't go to the park first.  We first went to have lunch at Guapo's, a Mexican restaurant chain in the DC area.  We went to the branch in Tenleytown, close to American University where I graduated from. 

After lunch, we headed out west on River Road, which heads west along the Potomac River.  The Seneca Landing Special Park is located at about mile marker 23 on the C&O towpath, a huge trail that connects downtown Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland in the far western part of the state.  I had been familiar with this park since my university days when I used to drive out there for afternoon joyrides.  Although it isn't all that far from the DC metro area, it is quite pristine and bucolic out there.  

The Seneca Landing Special Park has the Seneca Creek Aqueduct, which meets at where Seneca Creek goes into the Potomac River.  The C&O Towpath crosses the Aqueduct, and you can either head towards Washington by turning left or away by turning right.  After the Aqueduct is a picnic area along the banks of the river.  Listening to the videos again, I can hear Sara asking me twice if the water in the Potomac is deep or not.   

After spending time in the picnic area, we went to the Seneca Stone Cutting Mill on the other side of the trail.  This was the old site of the Seneca Quarry, which has unique reddish pink rocks that were used in the construction of many iconic structures in the Washington, DC area, most notably the Smithsonian building.  All that remains now are its walls and an inside area that resembles a courtyard.  In the video, you can see Sofia climbing up a wooden post that was slanted and leaning against something (most likely the wall).  On this day, Sara called this structure the cavern, and as we are leaving at the end of the video, you can hear her shout out, "We need to say goodbye to the cavern!" 

We later hiked along the C&O Towpath.  At the time, the towpath was made of dirt, not the typical gravel that makes up most trails.  The views of the river are splendid along it.  You can see Sofia and Sara found a hollow log and decided to climb into it.  

Before we headed home, we headed back to the picnic area as the sun began to descend over the river.  There is a beautiful shot of Sofia sitting in a tree, basking in the waning sunlight.  

I have very fond memories of both this day and this time period when the girl were younger and used to go on a lot of adventures with me.  A lot has changed in the past couple of years since they entered adolescence and a messy custody case with their mother (which was decided in my favor but at the cost of the relationship we used to have).  Looking back, I wish I had enjoyed moments like these more while they were happening.  It's a great lesson for us all to heed.  

My Trip to Upstate New York, Part 2

By Nate Feldman

It is the end of the school year, so once again I had to drive my daughters Sara and Sofia from our home in Berwyn, PA to Clarence, NY, where their mother, stepdad, and siblings live.  Here is a summary of my trip:

Day 1: Monday, June 16, 2025

I left Berwyn with the girls around 9 AM.  We stopped at a Royal Farms around Kulpsville, PA on the northeast extension of the PA turnpike and then went north.  We got off the turnpike at exit 95 and headed west on I-80.  I-80 eventually meets up with I-15, which takes you into downtown Williamsport, PA.  The weather in Pennsylvania was gloomy and rainy throughout the entire trip.

In Williamsport, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant called Vinnie's Eatery.  The girls ordered a hoagie with a drink and chips, and I had stuffed shells with a salad and breadsticks.  Afterwards, we picked up some desserts from Le Chocolat, right around the corner.  

After lunch, we continued on I-15 north through a heavily mountainous part of Lycoming county into Tioga county in PA.  This area is quite pristine and unpopulated, and it's really fascinating to see a part of Pennsylvania which is so different from the heavily suburbanized area I come from.  I-15 takes you into New York state.  

Eventually, we caught up with I-86 west around the town of Corning and connected with 390 north towards Rochester.  Afterwards, I used other routes, including route 63 and 33.  We reached Clarence around 6 PM.  At some point in New York, we got away from the clouds and rain and got into bright, sunny weather.

From Clarence, I went to my motel in Lockport, NY, about 12-13 miles away.  The motel's rooms are very impressive and quite affordable.  

My room at the Lockport Inn and Suites 

In the evening, I went to the Erie Canal Trail and ran for about an hour.  Being further north and west than my home in PA, I noticed that the sun stays out longer here.  At about a quarter to ten at night, there were still shades of light in the sky.

The Erie Canal Trail near Lockport, NY

I got some food at the Tops surpermarket in Lockport for dinner and ate at my hotel while watching the NBA finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.  

Day 2: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Downtown Lockport, NY

I had breakfast at the Steamworks cafe in downtown Lockport.  I had an amazing cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee.  Afterwards, I walked briefly on a portion of  the Erie Canal Trail going through the middle of the town.

Breakfast at Steamworks Cafe in Lockport, NY

Afterwards, I went to Niagara Falls and spent the afternoon there.  I was on the American side of the iconic falls and got spectacular views.  I also walked besides the rapids that head towards the falls and took a trolley tour of the entire park.  

 

A view of Niagara Falls 

For lunch, I went to a Nepalese restaurant and ordered steam veggie Momos, a famous dish from Nepal.  I had it with naan bread and mango lassi.  

After my day at Niagara Falls, I returned to my motel, and I ran again on the Erie Canal Trail before watching the Stanley Cup finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers in my room.

Niagara Falls upclose 

Day 3: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

I jogged in the streets of Lockport in the morning before checking out of my motel.  For breakfast, I had a bagel sandwich and coffee at B&D bagels in the downtown area.  

Afterwards, I took 63-S and drove through towns, such as Batavia.   Eventually, around the town of Mt. Morris, 63-S connects with 408-S, which in turns connects with 390-S.  This took me to 86-E, and from there I took 15-S into Pennsylvania.

In Tioga county, I stopped for lunch in the town of Mansfield, which has a university.  There, I visited the Bearly Enough Quilt and Gift Shop on Main Street, where I got a get well card with golden retrievers on it.  At this shop, the owner talked about notable things about the town of Mansfield. 

Afterwards, I continued on 15-S through Williamsport and eventually returned to my home in Berwyn.  

Highlights of the Trip:

*Visiting Niagara Falls for the first time in 31 years 

*The cinnamon roll and cold brew coffee at Steamworks 

*Being given free naan bread at the Nepali restaurant 

*Jogging on the Erie Canal Trail 

*The gift shop in Mansfield, PA  

Crabby Creek Park in Berwyn, PA

 By Nate Feldman

I quite often visit Crabby Creek Park in Berwyn, PA.  What amazes me most about it is that it is a piece of untouched nature in the middle of a heavily suburbanized area.  I like to take Kipper, my golden retriever, there for walks.  

Here are some videos I have done throughout the years in which Crabby Creek Park has appeared: 

Great Adventures in the Northeast

By Nate Feldman

A painting at the MOMA museum

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)

On Monday, February 24, I did a day trip to New York City to visit the Museum of Modern Art, or MOMA, in Manhattan.

Before I arrived there, I bumped into six of my students from the ELS language center I teach at, and we sat together for a while.

At the museum, I saw both older and contemporary works of art, ranging from Vincent Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night to works by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and other famous artists.  

Some paintings that really stuck out to me included Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans paintings.  He painted all of the types of Campbell's Soup he had eaten over the years.  It made me think of things I often eat and if I should paint or draw pictures of them as well.

Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans series of paintings

There is also the Sun Mad Raisins painting, that shows the Sun Maid woman, found on all Sun Maid Raisins products, but as a skeleton.  It says on the painting: Unnaturally Grown with Pesticides.  What is interesting about that is that for years I ate the Sun Maid Raisins, but I specifically always got the Organic kinds to avoid that very issue.  The artist was depicting something I had always wondered about Sun Maid products.

An afternoon at the MOMA is a great way for both art enthusiasts and others to enjoy their time in New York City. 

Ryers Farm for Aged Equines

On Monday, March 10, I visited Ryers Farm for Aged Equines in Chester County, PA.  Since 1888, this farm has been a refuge for retired and disabled horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies.  The animals have stalls where they reside, and during the day, they are able to graze and relax in the scenic fields on the farm's property.

Visitors are able to come between 10-4 PM on a daily basis and can feed the animals treats as well as pat them if they animals permit it.  In addition, people are able to volunteer, and if they desire, they can sponsor one of the animals for $500 a year.  This gives a person access to the animal of their choice.  They can groom and get one-on-one time with them.

Walking throughout the farm, I find it enjoyable feeding and interacting with these amazing creatures and strongly recommend people come and visit and do the same.

A horse at Ryers' Farm

Kalmus Beach in Hyannis, MA

Kalmus Beach

On a trip to Cape Cod in Massachusetts last June, I spent a couple of days in the town of Hyannis.  In Hyannis, there is a place called Kalmus Beach, located on Nantucket Sound on the southern part of the Cape.  I went there several times during my stay, and I found the atmosphere relaxing and enjoyable.  It is not a particularly large beach, but people who go there will more than likely have a good time.

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg, PA

Riverfront Park in Harrisburg in the spring

At the beginning of spring in 2024, I visited Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, for an afternoon and took a walk in Riverfront Park, along the Susquehanna River.  The view was splendid, and it happened in the middle of March, so the spring flowers were blooming. 

Trees blooming at Riverfront Park

Here is a video that accompanies this story: