Celebrate fall 2015: Arcade and Attica Railroad

credit: Wikimedia Commons/
US Army

The Arcade and Attica Railroad, located at 278 Main St. in Arcade, has some fall events scheduled for October that would make for great family outings or a great weekend date night.

Fall Foliage Runs are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, October 2-4, October 9-11 and October 16-18, plus Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day). These two-hour trips go through some of Wyoming County’s most scenic countryside as you enjoy the beauty of fall behind a steam engine. The trips take place October 2 and 16 at 1 p.m., October 9 at noon, Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 3 p.m., and October 12 at noon; reservations close Thursdays at 4 p.m. for that weekend’s excursions. Tickets are $15 per person.

A Wine Tasters Special runs Saturday, October 3, departing at 6 p.m. The trip features a sampling of premium wines, a lecture from WNY Wine Tastings’ Josh Blumberg and hors d’oeuvres. This 21-and-over event is $27 per person pre-paid (reservations required). Bloomberg will also host “Ale on the Rails” on Saturday, October 17; also a 21-and-over event, the train departs at 6 p.m. and costs $27 per person (reservations required).

The Halloween Haunted House takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25 at noon and 3 p.m. both days. The Currier Depot is turned into a haunted train station, and visitors are encouraged to come in costume. Tickets are $16 per person.

For more information on these and other events, visit www.aarailroad.com. 

Five Things to do in October 2015

Fall is in full swing, and Halloween is on a Saturday this year – plenty of reason to party! (This is Buffalo, after all!) If Halloween isn’t your thing, check out a new restaurant or sample some new brews at one of October’s events.

Local Restaurant Week – from October 19-26, some of the best locally-owned and operated restaurants in the Western New York area will be offering special menus for lunch and/or dinner – options range in price from $20.15, $30.15 and $40.15, and can be for one or two people. Check out the full listing of restaurants at www.localrestaurantweek.com.

Dining Out For Life – another annual event centered around some of the area’s best restaurants, Dining Out For Life, taking place Tuesday, October 6, is a fundraising event raising money for AIDS service organizations. Participating restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner to these organizations – find a complete listing here.

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

RiverWorks Oktoberfest – RiverWorks is becoming one of the hottest multi-use entertainment venues in the Buffalo area – if you haven’t checked it out yet, they’re hosting an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, October 3 from noon to 10 p.m. They’ll have music from the Auslanders and the Frankfurters, and a “Battle of the Breweries.” Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the festival- find out more here.

Buffalo on Tap Harvest Festival – happening Saturday, October 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center on Franklin St., the festival will feature more than 150 brews from some of the country’s best craft breweries. Standard tickets for the 21-and-over event are $40 in advance ($50 at the door) and includes a souvenir sampling glass, live entertainment and four hours of sampling – get more information here.

Rocky Horror Picture Show – do the “Time Warp” at this annual party at the RivieraTheatre, 67 Webster St. in North Tonawanda. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. with a 10 p.m. pre-show and a midnight showing of the cult classic. Tickets for the party are $17 pre-sale, $20 at the door – see the movie for just $5.

Celebrate fall 2015: Holiday Hollow

credit: Wikimedia Commons/jkb

Located at 1410 Main Rd. (Route 5) in Corfu, Holiday Hollow hosts a “Halloween Shire” in a Renaissance Faire environment. The Hollow is hosting its annual Halloween Festival on Saturdays and Sundays from October 3-25, plus Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. all days.

Pass the day watching some or all of the shows at the Festival, including the comedy/action Captain Hook and Mr. Smee Show, the Talking Pumkin Show, the Wacky Witch Show, and the Victorian Villains Show. The shows take place outdoors in the “Shire” is the weather cooperates, or moves indoors to the theatre if the rain comes down. There is also Hook’s Hideout Dark Maze, the Photoshire, the Haunted Parlor, Admiral Portley’s concessions for food, and Treasure Island and Cricket Cottage for gifts and toys.

Admission is $13 for ages 11 and up, $12 for ages 3 to 10, and children 2 and under are free – visit the website listed below for a $1 off coupon; some activities do require additional charges. For more information on the Halloween Festival, visit www.holidayhollow.com or call 585-762-8160 or 716-474-4300.

Celebrate fall 2015: Nightmare Hayride on Sommerville St.

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
hyena reality

The Nightmare Hayride on Sommerville St. takes place at 6319 Sommerville Valley Rd. in Ellicottville (home of the Ellicottville Rodeo) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from October 2 through November 1, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. each night.

The night begins with a 25-minute long tractor-drawn hayride featuring live “creatures,” leading to the gothic chamber and haunted wooden maze. When you’ve made your way through the maze, you end up at the haunted barn, which features a vortex tunnel. The entire experience takes less than 45 minutes. The Nightmare Hayride also features a post-spooking cook shack and pavilion with seating to share the tales of your haunting.

Reservations are not necessary; tickets are $18 each, kids under 5 are free. For more information go to www.nightmarehayride.com or call 716-699-4839.

For more information on Ellicottville, including information on the Fall Festival weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11, visit www.ellicottvilleny.com.

M&T First Friday: October 2, 2015

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dave Pape

On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank. This Friday, October 2, the Gallery hosts a performance of African drumming and storytelling at 8:30 p.m.

• Homeschooler Art Class – 10 a.m. to noon for ages 11-17 – fall session (October-December) is $30 for non-members and free for members in the education classrooms.
• Homeschooler Art Class – 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 5-10 – fall session (October-December) is $30 for non-members and free for members in the education classrooms.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1 to 3 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – free for members and $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building at 1:30 p.m.
• What’s Your Vision tour – free one-hour tour at 4 p.m.
• Drop-in Art Activity for Families –5 to 7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music from the Bates/White Project and drink specials in the AK Café from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Performance with Young Audiences WNY: Miche Gambro, “Finding Your Own Voice” – 6 p.m. in the Auditorium.
• African Drumming and Storytelling with Daughters of Creative Sound – 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium - $5 for non-members, free for members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org and www.mandtfirstfridays.org.

Celebrate fall 2015: District of the Dead

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/hyena reality

District of the Dead has a new home for 2015 – 1881 Ridge Rd. in West Seneca – and a new haunted experience where you get to choose your own fate – twice. Opening night for the haunt is Friday, October 2. A portion of the profits from this year’s haunt will benefit Make-A-Wish.

In 2015, District of the Dead features the haunt Quarantine: Reloaded. Quarantined: Reloaded tells the story of underground biological experiments gone wrong, but the twist is that you choose your own escape route. Not happy with the results? You can go through twice – each time with different starting and ending points.

All ages are welcomed to visit District of the Dead, but it is recommended that children under age 12 be accompanied by an adult, according to the website – find out more here.

Tickets are $13 and are available online here. District of the Dead is open through October 31; exact dates and times can be found here.  Find out more details at www.districtofthedeadbuffalo.com. 

The Botanical Gardens in October 2015

Renovations are ongoing at the
Botanical Gardens
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo, celebrates fall with these events in October:

• Arcangel Gallery: Eileen Graetz – now through October 4.
• Shayne Dark: Natural Conditions Art Exhibit – part of the Albright-Knox Public Art Initiative, now through October 4
• Succulent Show – now through October 4 – the popular show returns with new ways to display succulents and cacti.
• Arcangel Gallery: Buffalo Museum of Science Camera Club –October 10 through November 22.
• Mums – October 17 through November 8 – celebrate the fall season with different colors and varieties of mums.

For more information on these events and others at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, visit www.buffalogardens.com. 

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in October 2015

Buffalo sports fans are excited at this time of the year: the Bills are back on the field and the Sabres are back on the ice! Here’s when the Bills, Sabres and other Buffalo teams will be playing in October.

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
John Kasawa

Buffalo Bills

• Sunday, October 4 – at home against the NY Giants (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, October 11 – on the road against the Tennessee Titans (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, October 18 – at home against the Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m.)
• Sunday, October 25 – on the road in London, England against the Jacksonville Jaguars (9:30 a.m.)

Buffalo Sabres

• Thursday, October 1 – preseason on the road against the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m.)
• Friday, October 2 – preseason at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, October 8 – at home against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 10 – at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning (1 p.m.)
• Monday, October 12 – at home against the Blue Jackets (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, October 15 – on the road against the Florida Panthers (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 17 – on the road against the Lightning (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, October 21 – at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m.)
• Friday, October 23 – at home against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 24 – at home against the New Jersey Devils (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, October 27 – on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, October 29 – on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m.)
• Friday, October 30 – at home against the Flyers (7 p.m.)

UB Bulls Football

• Saturday, October 3 – at home against Bowling Green (3:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 17 – on the road against Central Michigan (TBA)
• Saturday, October 24 – at home against Ohio (TBA)
• Thursday, October 29 – on the road against Miami (Ohio) (7:30 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Ice Hockey

• Saturday, October 3 – exhibition at home against Wilfred Laurier University (3 p.m.)
• Friday, October 9 – on the road against St. Lawrence University (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 10 – on the road against Clarkson University (7 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, October 23-24 – at home against Robert Morris University (both games 7 p.m.)
• Friday, October 30 – at home against Cornell University (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 31 – on the road against Cornell University (7 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Ice Hockey

• Sunday, October 4 – exhibition at home against Ontario Institute of Technology (4:05 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 10 – at home against Penn State (7:35 p.m.)
• Friday, October 16 – at home against Bowling Green (7:35 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, October 23-24 – at home against Holy Cross (both games 4:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, October 30-31 – on the road against Sacred Heart (both games 7:05 p.m.)

Celebrate fall 2015: Frightworld

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Witthaya Phonsawat

Frightworld returns for its 14^th season to scare Buffalonians with its unique brand of haunting on Friday, September 25. In a new location, 800 Yong St. in Tonawanda (formerly BJ’s) for the 2015 season, Frightworld features five haunted houses spread across thousands of square feet.

Previously voted one of the best haunted attractions in the country, this Eerie Productions haunt allows visitors to explore all five haunted houses under one roof (the entire attraction is indoors). Returning this year are Grindhouse, Eerie State Asylum, Condemned and Insanity; new for 2015 is Night Stalkers, an interactive flashlight experience.

It is recommended that children 10 and under be accompanied by an adult – find answers to other frequently asked questions here.

Tickets are $25 for admission to all haunted houses, $33 for the VIP Frightpass or – brand new for 2015 - $15 for admission to any two houses; tickets are available at the website listed below, and a $3 off admission coupon is also available on the website. Group rates are also available – check the website listed below for information on registering your group.

Frightworld is open various nights through Sunday, November 1, including 11 days straight from October 22 through November 1 (for exact dates and times, click here). More information is available at frightworld.com. 

Celebrate fall 2015: House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/hyena reality

House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs returns for the 2015 Halloween season at Union Consumer Square, 3757 Union Rd. in Cheektowaga (next to Sam’s Club). This year’s haunted attraction, which opens Friday, September 25, includes six haunted houses.

The haunted houses making up the House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs this year include Hell House, Killer Theater, The Infected, Where Evil Dwells, Zombie Apocalypse Shooting Gallery and Mark of the Beast. The houses are recommended for teenagers and adults, and it is suggested that children under 10 be accompanied by an adult. Find other FAQs here.

Tickets for the House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs start at $23, with a VIP Speedpass available starting at $33 (no waiting in line); group admission for 20 or more people is also available. Discount coupons are available online here.

The House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs is open various dates and times from now through Saturday, November 7, including 10 straight days from October 22-31 – find the complete schedule here. Find out more about House of Horrors and Haunted Catacombs at www.houseofhorrorsbuffalo.com. 

Celebrate fall 2015: Medina Railroad Museum

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Medina Railroad Museum, located at 530 West Ave. in Medina, has a number of fall foliage runs and Halloween trains scheduled for October that would be a great fall family outing or a fun night for couples.

Fall Foliage Excursion Trains will run Saturdays, October 3 and 10 (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.), Wednesday, October 14 (11 a.m.) and Saturday, October 17 (11 a.m.) from Medina. There is also a Lockport departure on October 3 and 10 at 12:45 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $20 for children ages 2 to 17; fares include Museum admission as well.

There will also be a Spring Lake Winery Vineyard Express Murder Mystery excursion – “The Merlot Murders” – on Sunday, October 11. The trip runs from 1 to 7 p.m. and begins at 25 Michigan and Park Ave. in Lockport. Tickets are $69 per person or $125 per couple and include train ride, Museum tour, dinner and one beverage.

On Saturday, October 17, the Museum presents Blues and Booze from 1 to 5 p.m. featuring wine from Schulze Vineyards and Winery and beer from Barker Brewing. Tickets start at $45.

The Medina Railroad Museum will also host the Jumpin’ Pumpkin Jamboree on Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a bounce house, face painting, arts and crafts, costumes and more, plus two train departures: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $23 for kids.

Also on October 24, Terror on the Tracks runs from 4 to 7 p.m. (train leaves at 5 p.m.). Tickets start at $45 and include dinner and choice of wine or beer.

For more information on these events and the Museum, visit railroadmuseum.net.

Discover Buffalo 2015: Botanical Gardens’ Succulent Show

On Saturday (September 19), I visited the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens for their annual succulent show. I love succulents, but I do best with the ones that a winter-hardy and stay outdoors – like many houseplants, I kill succulents indoors…just not cut out for houseplants!

This was one of my favorite displays – a unicorn! Because unicorns are cool, and so are succulents.

I also loved all these little shells planted with succulents. I tried that once, but mine didn’t look nearly as cute as these!

Here are a few more photos from the Gardens – the show runs through October 4, so there’s still time to check it out!

No, it's not a succulent, but it's my all-time favorite flower at
the Botanical Gardens!

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

BfloGirlBake: Amish Cinnamon Bread

I looooooove cinnamon, so when I saw a recipe one of my friends posted on Facebook for Amish cinnamon bread, it was a must-try – especially since it made two loaves! I did make one adjustment for my personal tastes – I added vanilla, because it’s sweet bread and it needs vanilla…it just does!

Amish Cinnamon Bread (adapted from Recipes, DIY & Cool Stuffs on Facebook)

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups buttermilk (make your own – 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice, add milk to make 2 cups)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Grease two loaf pans (or line with parchment paper). Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. 

Cream together butter, 2 cups sugar and eggs. Add buttermilk and vanilla, stir. Add flour and baking soda, mix well. In a separate bowl mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. 

Fill each loaf pan half-way (1/4 of the batter in each pan), then sprinkle 1/2 to 3/4 of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top. Add remaining batter evenly to each pan, then sprinkle remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture; swirl top with a knife or spatula. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until tester comes out clean. Cool in pan for about 20-30 minutes before removing.

photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Smithsonian’s Museum Day Live!: September 26, 2015

The Buffalo History Museum is one of the
museums you can visit for free on
Saturday, September 26
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Smithsonian Magazine presents Museum Day Live! on Saturday, September 26 across the country. Museum Day Live! is an annual event where participating museums open their doors to anyone with a Museum Day Live! ticket free of charge. Each ticket – print yours here – is good for admission for two people.

The following WNY-area museums are participating in Museum Day Live!:

• Niagara History Center – 215 Niagara St. in Lockport (14094)
• Burchfield Penney Art Center – 1300 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo (14222)
• Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum – 180 Thompson St. in North Tonawanda (14120)
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site – 641 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo (14202)
• Albright-Knox Art Gallery – 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo (14222)
• Nash House Museum – 36 Nash St. in Buffalo (14204)
• Buffalo History Museum – 1 Museum Ct. in Buffalo (14216)
• Colored Musicians Club Jazz Museum – 145 Broadway St. in Buffalo (14203)
• Steel Plant Museum – 100 Lee St. in Buffalo (14210)
• Forest Lawn Cemetery – 1411 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo (14209)
• Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village – 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd. in Amherst (14228)
• Erie Canal Discovery Center – 24 Church St. in Lockport (14094)
• Buffalo Harbor Museum – 66 Erie St. in Buffalo (14202)
• Museum of disABILITY History – 3826 Main St, in Amherst (14226)

For more information on Museum Day Live! visit www.smithsonianmag.com. 

Celebrate fall 2015: Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion

credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion, located at 151 Charlotte St. in Canandaigua, has a few fall-inspired events coming up before the facilities close for the season on Saturday, October 31 – take a road trip for one of these fun events.

History Symposium: Gone Fishin’ – Saturday, September 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patricia Tice, curator of Genesee Country Village’s John L. Wehle Gallery talks about the Village’s latest exhibit, Gone Fishin’: The Artist and the Angler. Event includes lunch and park admission. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Fall Day Car and Motorcycle Cruise – Sunday, October 4 from noon to 4 p.m. Music, food, classic cars, bikes and wine tastings are in order on this fall day. Vehicle registration is $6 per vehicle before September 30 or $12 the day of the show; registration begins at 10 a.m. Admission to the show is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (60+) and AAA members, $6 for students and military with ID and youth ages 13-17, $1 for kids 4 to 12 and free for ages 3 and under.

Fall Gardening Symposium – Saturday, October 10 features a day-long seminar with Wayne Cahilly of the New York Botanical Garden on historic landscapes around the U.S. as well as a guided tour of the Sonnenberg arboretum. Admission is $75 for Sonnenberg members, $85 for the general public.

Mansion Mysteries – Friday through Sunday, October 16-18 and Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 to 6 p.m. on October 18. Take part in a "whodunit" at Sonnenberg: guests can take part in this live-theater event by uncovering clues that will solve the mystery and bring the guilty party -or parties- to justice! Guests are welcome to attend in costume if desired. Tickets are $24 for general admission and $20 for Sonnenberg members and youths 12 to 18.

Haunted Garden Stroll – Sunday, October 25 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Hear strange Sonnenberg tales and encounter spooky characters during the walk. $5 per person, children under 5 free.

Find more information about these events and Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion at www.sonnenberg.org. 

Celebrate fall 2015: Mason Winfield ghost walks and pub crawls

Mason Winfield, the author of a number of books on the paranormal and supernatural in upstate New York, will host a variety of ghost walks and haunted pub crawls beginning this weekend and leading up to Halloween.

Take a ghost walk through Larkinville
on Tuesdays
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

On Tuesdays in October from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a new tour of Larkinville begins at the Flying Bison Brewing Company (840 Seneca St.) as part of Larkinville’s Food Truck Tuesdays. The tour costs $15 for adults, $10 for kids 7 to 12 and free for kids under 7.

On Wednesdays and Fridays through October 30, Haunted History Ghost Walks of Canalside run from 10 to 11:30 p.m. The tours begin at the VIP Tent on the Dart Lawn and cost $15 for adults, $10 for kids 7 to 12 and free for kids under 7.

Ghost walks through the Village of Williamsville take place every Thursday in October from 7to 8:30 p.m. Groups will meet at the Old Mill on Spring St. and tours are $15 for adults, $10 for kids 7 to 12 and free for kids under 7.

The popular Haunted Pub Crawls happen Saturdays in East Aurora (meet at Tony Rome’s Globe Hotel at 711 Main St.) beginning September 26 and running through October 31.  The Pub Crawls run from 7 to 9 p.m. (registration begins at 6:30 p.m.).

This is only a sample of the upcoming programs offered by Mason Winfield for the Halloween season, and there are programs offered throughout the year. Visit www.masonwinfield.com for more information on these and other events.

2015 Buffalo Sabres pre-season schedule

• Monday, September 21 – at Minnesota Wild – 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 23 – v. Ottawa Senators – 7 p.m.
• Friday, September 25 – at Toronto Maple Leafs – 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 26 – at Ottawa – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 29 – v. Toronto – 7 p.m.
• Thursday, October 1 – at Minnesota – 8 p.m.
• Friday, October 2 – v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 7 p.m. 

Celebrate fall 2015: U-pick harvests in WNY

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Scott
Bauer-USDA

Fall in Western New York is about more than craft fairs, fall festivals, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating. Many local farms offer “u-pick” opportunities for families, giving kids and adults the fun of picking crops in the garden without all the work of tending the garden itself. Here are just a few of the area’s pick-your-own-harvest spots – take a road trip this weekend!

Stonehill Orchard, 2356 Shirley Rd. in North Collins (14111), offers u-pick and already-picked apples and grapes; open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – call 716-337-2380 for more information.

Falcone Farms, 1707 King Rd. in Forestville (14062), offers u-pick apples (September 3 through November 1) and Concord grapes (September 20 through October 20), as well as some already-picked produce; open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – call 716-965-2503 for more information.

Meadows Farm, 10459 Prospect Rd. in Forestville (14062), offers u-pick and already-picked apples; open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – call 716-965-2674 for more information.

Becker Farms, 3724 Quaker Rd. in Gasport (14067), offers a variety of fruits and vegetables available in store, plus a u-pick pumpkin patch; also offers homemade baked goods and fudge plus on-site winery and brewery. Visit www.beckerfarms.com or call 716-772-2211 for more information and hours.

Blackman Homestead Farm, 4472 Thrall Rd. in Lockport (14094), offers u-pick apples, pumpkins, grapes and pears (in season). Check out www.blackmanhomesteadfarm.com or call 716-434-7116 for more information.

Murphy Orchards, 2402 McClew Rd. in Burt (14028), offers u-pick apples, plums and more; visit www.murphyorchards.com or call 716-778-7926 for more information and hours.

Greg’s U-Pick, 9270 Lapp Rd. in Clarence Center (14032), offers u-pick berries (in season) and pumpkins. Call 716-741-4239 or visit gregsupick.com for more information.

A great source for finding pick-your-own areas in Western New York and throughout the United States is www.pickyourown.org; some of the information is not updated, but it will give you addresses, phone numbers, and websites when applicable. Also check out www.nyapplecountry.com. 

Celebrate fall 2015: Kelkenberg Farm

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
digidreamgrafix

Kelkenberg Farm, at 9270 Wolcott Rd. in Clarence Center, will open for Fall Pumpkin Fun Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, September 19 through Saturday, October 31, plus Columbus Day (Monday, October 12). Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Columbus Day.

Admission is $11 and includes a hayride, pony rides for the kids, a farm tour, a straw maze and a pumpkin from the pick-your-own patch. Birthday party rentals are available at the farm as well: $11 per guest (children and adults) plus a $75 barn rental fee for three hours.

There will be baked goods, cornstalks, gourds, pumpkins, apples, cider and squash available for purchase, and refreshments are also available. Visit kelkenbergfarm.com for more information.

BfloGirlGarden: Khaleesi’s Garden wrap-up

This was my fun project for the year, and for years to come as well. From collecting “dragons” to finding the perfect wind spinner to telling the story of the garden to anyone who would listen, I loved my little corner of Sci-Fi/Fantasy in the garden (my kind of geekery!). Since this was the first year for the large garden (it was previously much smaller), I learned a few things, like:

Hedwig gets MUCH BIGGER than Lord Voldemort (remember, the “t” is silent!).

Hedwig (left) and Lord Voldemort (right)

The Red Witch has a BIG ego (she must go to the background next year – sorry, sweetie!).

yes, that is just one coleus plant!

Belarion was engulfed by these Black Dragon coleus.

there is a dragon in there...

Bunnies like the Dragon Blood sedum…1) must buy more, 2) must cover them earlier!

munching bunnies lead to...strawberry basket covers!
(I kinda miss those types of strawberry baskets!)

And a few more photos of the garden in its glory:

 

Apocolypse...sooooo need that movie already!!

 

King Peter's Unicorn protecting his end of the garden

Baby Dragon :)

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Celebrate fall 2015: Cambria Corn Maze

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Vlado

In the heart of Niagara County, the Cambria Corn Maze, located at 5274 Lockport Junction Rd., Rt. 270 in Lockport, features two corn mazes in a 12-acre field as well as pumpkins, refreshments, local products and produce for sale. The Cambria Corn Maze is open Saturday, September 19 through Saturday, October 31.

In addition to the corn mazes, there will be a corn cannon, specialties at the Wine Trail Italian Bistro, kettle corn, cupcakes and cookies. Become a fan of their Facebook page to learn more about upcoming events at the Corn Maze.

The Cambria Corn Maze is open Thursdays through Sundays. Hours are 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; the last tickets are sold one hour prior to closing. Tickets are $10 for adults (15+), $5 for kids 5 to 14 and free for kids 4 and under – cash only please; on Halloween (October 31), wear a costume for half-off admission! Find out more about this maze at www.cambriacornmaze.com. 

Celebrate fall 2015: Darien Lake Harvest Fest

credit: Wikimedia Commons/
Whit Andrews

Darien Lake Amusement Park presents Harvest Fest on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20 and September 26-27. Located at 9993 Allegheny Rd. in Darien Center, Harvest Fest features fun for all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Families will enjoy harvest-themed decorations and activities, crafts, the Haymazing Adventure maze and scavenger hunt, the Harvest Fest Express and more. On Saturday, September 19 and 26, the park will present the Ignite the Night Laser Show at the Laser Lawn at 8 p.m.

There are live performances scheduled throughout the park on both weekends, featuring music, dancers and martial arts, and food trucks and arts and craft vendors will be on hand as well.

The park is offering camping packages for Harvest Fest starting at $59 per night – for more information, visit www.darienlake.com or call 585-599-4641.

Curtain Up! Buffalo – September 18, 2015

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/scottchan

The 34^th annual Curtain Up! Buffalo celebration kicks off the theatre season on Friday, September 18 at more than a dozen professional theatres in the Buffalo area. The festivities include dinners, performances and a post-performance party in downtown Buffalo.

Attendees may choose to start the evening off with dinner at any one of the Theatre District's numerous restaurants, or attend the Gala Dinner, taking place on the main stage of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the Gala Dinner, which begins at 5:30 p.m., are $95 per person and $180 per couple.

After dinner, check out a show at one of more than a dozen of Buffalo's outstanding professional theatres. Shows on stage that night include:

• For Heaven’s Sake! By Laura Pedersen at 710 Main Theatre (710 Main St. in downtown Buffalo)
• Doubt by John Patrick Shanley at Buffalo Laboratory Theatre (5200 South Park Ave. in Hamburg)
• A Little Night Music at Irish Classical Theatre Company (625 Main St. on downtown Buffalo)
• Monty Python’s Spamalot at Lancaster Opera House (21 Central Ave. in Lancaster)
• Ten Days to Happiness by Donna Rae Davidson at O’Connell and Company in residence at The Park School (4625 Harlem Rd. in Snyder)

The free Theatre District street party kicks off when the shows are over and lasts until 1 a.m. The party features live music, dancing, street performers and more. 

Get a full schedule of events for Curtain Up! 2014 at the Curtain Up! website.

25 Things to do Before Halloween

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/num_skyman

Looking for an adventure in the Buffalo-Niagara region? Here are 25 events to see and places to go to before the end of October.

• Curtain Up! 2015 – celebrate Buffalo’s theatre season.
• Becker Farms – plenty of things for kids of all ages (don’t forget Vizcarra Vineyards and the Becker Brewing Co. too!).
• Visit the Buffalo Zoo – Luna’s new digs are open!
• Catch the Succulent Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
• Visit the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence.
• Take a fall foliage ride on the Medina Railroad.
• Pick your own apples and more at one of the area’s u-pick farms.
• Scare yourself silly at one of the area’s haunted houses.
• Support your favorite local restaurant or discover a new one during Local Restaurant Week (October 19-25).
• Take a tour a Forest Lawn.
• There’s still time to check out a farmers’ market in the area!
• Take a ride on the Arcade and Attica Railroad.
• Visit Pumpkinville in Great Valley (near Ellicottville).
• While you’re there, go on a Nightmare Hayride on Sommerville St.
• Or check out the Fall Festival in Ellicottville.
• Can the Sabres put it together this year? Find out in October as the Blue and Gold begin the 2015-16 season.
• Need more frights? How about the Haunted Fortress at Old Fort Niagara?
• Or maybe some Zombies in Lancaster?
• Or find out the haunted history of some of Buffalo’s most historic places?
• Looking for something fun for the kids? How about the Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Museum’s Trick or Treat?
• Or the Scarecrow Festival in the Clarence Hollow?
• Enjoy a great meal and help a great cause at Dining Out for Life (October 6).
• Spend a leisurely day or weekend at Letchworth Park and enjoy their Arts and Crafts Show.
• Celebrate Buffalo Beer Week (September 25-October 4).
• Get your German on at an area Oktoberfest (more beer!).

Celebrate fall 2015: The Great Pumpkin Farm

credit: Wikimedia Commons/jkb

The Great Pumpkin Farm, located at 11199 Main St. in Clarence, is full of fall fun for families, especially on festival weekends. The Farm is open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk from Saturday, September 12 through Saturday, October 31, but the weekend festivals are what really draw in the crowds.

The Farm will open Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13 for a free preview weekend, with activities available for a small fee. The Farm also hosts the Zombie Mud Run on Saturday, September 12 – the event is held separately from the festival; get more information at buffalozombiemudrun.com.

“Oinktoberfest,” taking place Friday through Sunday, September 18-20, is the annual BBQ cook-off at the Farm. Friday is preview night, with free admission from 5-9 p.m., but the Farm’s activities will not be open; admission on Saturday and Sunday is $7 each day. In addition to great food, there will be live music all three days.

On Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, check out the World Pumpkin Pie Eating Championship, plus Pig Races throughout the weekend.

The famous World Pumpkin Weigh-Off weekend is Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4. The weekend will also feature the “Mutt-alica" Dog Show and the Just Horsing Around Show both days.

Columbus Day weekend (Saturday through Monday, October 10-12) features the Pumpkin Olympics, plus the annual Pumpkin Drop on Monday.

The High School Trebuchet Contest takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, where local high school building their own pumpkin catapult for the distance contest.

Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25, is the final weekend for 2015. A costume contest will be held both days, and all attractions will be running.

Tickets for all Great Pumpkin Farm festivals are available in advance at Wegmans; admission during non-festival days is free. For more information on the Great Pumpkin Farm, visit www.greatpumpkinfarm.com or call 716-759-8483 or 716-759-2260.

BfloGirlGarden: Proven Winners wrap-up

This is the time of year I both hate and love: I hate it because the gardens start looking a little shabby, but I love it because I can look back, see what worked and what didn’t, and start planning for next year!

Receiving the Proven Winners preview box was one of my garden highlights this year. Not everything made it, but it was a weird summer as far as periods of rain and dryness, and temperatures fluctuated from one week to the next.

One of my favorite plants was a sedum called Lemon Coral (available spring 2016), which looked great in the stone-like planter! In spite of losing one, I really liked it and will look for it in stores.

I also liked Superbells Holy Moly! calibrachoa – I added it to a couple of containers, along with Campfire Fireburst bidens (both available spring 2016). I love the colors of the cali – the pink and yellow flowers are very unique!

The three Meteor Shower verbenas (available spring 2016) were a little lanky for my tastes – they got tall and seemed to grow wild, with very little structure.

I was really looking forward to Summerific Perfect Storm hibiscus (available spring 2016), but it wasn’t long for the world – not sure what happened, it just stopped growing :(

The Magic Show Enchanted Indigo veronica (now available) landed in my Sci-Fi/Fantasy garden and did well, so it will be staying there for next year.

The Fun and Games Leapfrog heucherella (now available) is doing quite well in my “air conditioner” garden on the west side of my house.

I planted Tuff Stuff hydrangea (now available) on the east side of the house (my garden project for next year!), because my neighbor has hydrangea on the east side of her house – and they’re beautiful. I’m not sure how big it should be after the first year, because I have no experience with hydrangeas, but it looks full and healthy.

The Pink Mink clematis (now available) needed a little TLC after the bunnies wouldn’t leave it alone – it was placed in a container for the time being, and will be replanted somewhere else before the fall. It looked sad when it was replanted, but is flourishing now :)

Double Play Red spirea (available spring 2016) has found a home in my lilac/butterfly bush garden, but I’ll need to weed out some of the “volunteer” butterfly bushes that are trying to choke it out.

Proven Winners provided me with the above-mentioned plants. All ideas and opinions are my own.

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com (taken throughout the summer)

Celebrate fall 2015: Pumpkinville

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Lusitana

For a fun family adventure in the fall of 2015, visit Pumpkinville, located at 4844 Sugartown Rd. in Great Valley, just minutes away from Ellicottville and Holiday Valley Resort. Pumpkinville is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Saturday, September 12 through Saturday, October 31.

Pumpkinville features hayrides, “pumpkin jumpin’ pillows,” a six-acre corn maze, gem mining, farm pedal carts, a cow train and more (some charges apply – visit website for complete details). There are also a variety of harvest treats available at Pumpkinville, including weekend chicken BBQs, kettle corn, homemade pies, fresh fudge and the Pumpkinville Grill. Apples and apple cider are also available for purchase, and visitors can even watch the cider being pressed in the antique cider press.

Everyday admission to Pumpkinville is free, but charges may apply for some festivals and activities. For information on group trips, festivals, harvest treats, and more, visit www.pumpkinville.com or call 716-699-2205.