From Niagara This Week:
As Sue Forcier looks around the city and sees residents enjoying the season and all the festivities happening throughout Niagara Falls, she can’t help but think about being in Ottawa in two months time to claim the top prize in a contest measuring holiday spirit.
“I want to win, I have a feeling we are going to win,” said Forcier of the WinterLights Celebration, a frozen version of the popular Communities in Bloom.
Judges visited Niagara Falls on the weekend, putting the city under the microscope in five categories and taking all winter activities into account, not just the famous Winter Festival of Lights.
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I would say that Niagara has the most spirit…what else would make someone like me come up TWICE during the Festival of Lights??
YES. I will be in Niagara once again before the year is out. We decided last night that we’re making reservations at the Fallsview Casino for Boxing Day. : ) That will make a record 5 TRIPS to Niagara this year (one was the American side - does that count?). Anyway, I’ll be doing a little gambling, some fine dining, and a LOT of shopping. I’ll do what I can for the Canadian economy.
It looks like Penn Centre is open ’til 7pm, does anyone know anything about Niagara-on-the-Lake store hours…if they’re open at all?
No Karen, the American side doesn’t count
So how did you find the American side and what did you do there. I’ve haven’t been to that side (apart from passing through) since Rainbow Mall days. I’ve been meaning to get there one day and check it out. The Cave of Winds really looks like an adventure.
As for the Pen Centre, it may sound fun now but boxing day is a nightmare at this place. If you really want to go I would say go after three when most of the shoppers are done (although you may miss those early morning discounts if that’s what you’re going for).
Enjoy your trip to the falls!
Dan, my coworkers think I’m crazy because I laughed out loud for no apparent reason. Little did they know I was laughing at your dismissal of my American side trip. That was my FIRST time staying on the American side, although we have jumped the bridge on many of our Niagara trips. What can I say…I LOVE Three Sisters Islands.
To sum up the trip… it was just an overnighter at the Seneca Casino. I am an amateur photographer (I bought a new tripod so it looked like I knew what I was doing) - so I don’t do many of the “wet” things in Niagara to protect my equipment. I took tons of pictures on Goat island and Three Sisters. I did go to the bottom of the gorge via the observation tower. It was BONE DRY and I got right up to the top of the walkway and got the closest view of the falls from below than I ever had! It was breathtaking!
Aside from that I spent the evening at the Seneca - didn’t get to eat a decent meal because all of the places at the casino were full. I’m usually a valet parker - but that was full as well. I don’t think that the casino was THAT FULL based on being on the gaming floor. I just think things were poorly run!!! I didn’t buy a damn thing. So the casino got a “donation” - but aside from some parking bucks…the USA didn’t make any $$$$ on me.
I’ll try again to figure out the photo gallery thing so i can share some of the pictures I got from the trip!
Question for all you lucky locals….
I was on the fallsview webcam tonight, around sundown, saw Seneca in the background, are those Xmas lights lighting up the night or did they finally get a permanent display?
I couldnt believe how bright it was.
Hi, Niagara!
Although I am not a local, I can answer your question.
Sad but true, that is a permanent display!!! Leave it to us Americans to come up with something tacky like that. Excuse the pun, but it ranks right “up there” with the hot air balloon!!! I cringe every time I look across the gorge and see both those eyesores! What a blight on such a majestic landscape………..
LMAO karen ..you silly bugger….i laffed SO hard when you mentioned the hot air balloon…lol…sorry hon..had to do it…are ANY of you goin for new years eve??
oh hell!!…sorry karen’s mom…it was YUR entry…
Sue - I don’t believe my mom has ever been called a “bugger” before. LMAO! My mom and dad are the original “silly buggers” and I proudly take after them.
I too hate the balloon and the display on the casino is quite unique to casinos in general…the only other casino with lights like that I can think of - if I recall correctly - is Harrah’s in AC. Even Vegas lets the buildings speak for themselves.
And had to do this unique thing over our beautiful falls. Ironically I think the display is supposed to mimic them. Remember to be fair - that the Fallsview Casino has a more subtle changing light display, too. It is a more elegant solution but these casinos have be flashy - to attract attention - and to distract us from the fact that we are giving them our money.
I blogged before that the angle of the fallscam had changed in recent years and I couldn’t see the sky…now maybe I know why. Maybe Donnie the webmaster was sparing us THAT view.
As I mentioned I will be up for Boxing Day and not for New Year’s…so you locals try to keep those temperatures up for me! Let’s face it a White Christmas is a longshot at this point…so let’s at least keep it nice, warm and dry for some safe travelling!
Wow, the I cant believe thats a perm. display. Thats really, really ugly. On the fallscam I was kind of suprised the American side had any sort of decorations, then I remembered good ‘ole Seneca is there. What an eye sore.
OMG - as long as we’re on the subject of the “American” Festival of Lights… anyone who was asking about the first years of that event - have I got a treat for you…
I was just reorganizing my office - and you can’t move photo albums without opening them - I found pictures of the displays from inside the convention center. Which we now know of course as Seneca Niagara! How’s that for full circle?
I will scan this stuff in and put it up somehow. Just to keep the suspense - it will have to wait until after Christmas as I catch up on all my holiday duties…and get back from my Niagara trip!
Omg I didn’t realize there was a Karen’s mom and a Karen!! How long have I not noticed this??? My apologies to everyone.
Speaking of eyesores we have one on the Canadian side! The one thing I can’t stand when I look at the horseshoe falls is the Marineland Skyscreamer in the background. The view of the falls need to stand alone - out of sight of the developing urban construction. No building imo can stand beside Niagara Falls and look just as good.
P.S. This isn’t a shot at Marineland - just a thought.
Sorry to get off topic, but I’m logged in to the forums and there is no way to add a new topic or reply. Is anyone else having the same problem?
I actually havent gotten around to posting anything in the forums just yet.
Dan, I believe you can only post a new topic after you enter a MAIN forum topic, you can’t add a new MAIN forum topic - I believe Graham is the only one with that ability. If you are signed in and enter a main forum topic, you should be able to see the list of topics already there as well as a “New Topic” link. Hope that helps. Seems to be working as it should though.
I just checked out the fallscam… OMG!!!! That thing at the casino is nasty! I was having some trouble with the webcam - does that thing BLINK?!?!?! As for the Canadian eyesore - we saw that on our last trip. Didn’t know what it was - but definitely not a nice backdrop to the falls. I had asked hubby what it was, he had no idea. Ended up coming home and zooming the fallscam in on it and saw what it was. I think there are certain landscape concerns that should be brought up with any falls additions. I didn’t like the way the trees were taken out between the park and the Fallsview casino either. Have they been letting them grow back? Or is there still a big gaping hole leading to the casino from the park. I always liked how the tourist trap and the falls area were separated by the trees.
Hi, Dan!
No need to apologize….and, yes, I am Karen’s mom!
What you saw was the first time I have blogged on this site. All along I have just been scoping you guys out!
I read THE blog every morning while drinking my coffee and if I have something to say….I will pop in!
…..and, Sue, Karen was right! I have never been called a “bugger” before!!! I will definitely, however, add it to my list of other things I have been called!!!!
Yes - my mom and dad have logged on as “karen’s mom” and “karen’s dad” - as if they couldn’t exist in the blogging world without relating to me in some way. Kind of backward, huh? : )
It crossed my mind in the eyesore discussion that the Americans can’t be happy with their view across the gorge in recent years either. Then again they are mostly looking SIDEWAYS, I guess. (LOL - I just realized that I referred to Americans as “they”) Granted, I’ve enjoyed my share of “fallsview” rooms over the years and they just can’t be anywhere else - let’s face it. Americans will never be able to offer fallsview rooms. Then again I’ve had many good times at the Flamingo back on Lundy’s, too. Now I’m just arguing with myself.
I guess we have to take the good with the bad - or in this case the sublime with the bad. To a large extent I’m able to block this stuff out and enjoy many of the same things I’ve always enjoyed, and take on the new stuff as it comes.
In those old pictures that I mentioned before - it was amazing to see JUST the Panasonic (so named at the time) and the Skylon up there. These days you can barely tell that the Minolta tower IS a tower among all the hotels. Newbies probably wonder why that hotel looks so funny.
And Dan - I don’t think there IS such a thing as “off topic” around here! : ) I haven’t been back to the forums in a while. I think people check in here for THE NEWS so often that they start talking about any ol’ thing. Or is that just me?
Well at least I don’t feel bad anymore Karen family. Yes, I noticed that the comments go waaay off track sometimes… remember the what I think was the “fight at dragonfly” ended up with over 40 comments?!?! I confess I help take the topic off track. Sorry Graham… it’s just you get talking and one thing leads to another.
The forums have become a hassle for me. Word Press for some reason has trouble remembering my password and everytime I want to post (which I still can’t do) I have to have them send me a new password.
Anyway I wanted to comment on the dining forum and ask if anyone noticed a “Falls and Firkin” restaurant open just outside the Fallsview Casino foodcourt? I’ve never heard of these places but my sister told me there are “Frogs and Firkin” all over the place. Also coming to the casino are a Tim Hortons in the food court and a Shoeless Joe’s (another chain I haven’t heard of, but they have all over the GTA). Any comments or feedback?
See Dan…maybe it is just me. : ) I started off that 40 comment string with a 2 short disparaging lines. Sometimes a comment can touch a nerve on something that everyone is ready to talk about. In this case it went from my Second festival of lights/Boxing Day trip - to the American “Festival of Lights” display - which is actually the Seneca Casino and not the Festival of Lights at all….and now eventually, we’re here. Talking about food. It’s all good. : )
I just realized that I’ve been to the Falls 3.5 times (the half for the American trip - OK Dan?) in 4 months as I try to remember what I’ve seen and when. That’s probably more than most locals. Here’s what I’ve seen at the Casino…
I did notice the “Falls and Firkin” in September - it looked more like a bar or pub to me so I didn’t wander over. I’m not big on alcohol, but I know I have friend who would appreciate it being on the property. I usually hit the Italian restaurant down there - and the ice cream place for the Maple ice cream I can’t get in Pittsburgh.
I enjoyed Noir 17 in April and Canyon Creek Steakhouse in September. The Famous is great except at breakfast - but then again my breakfast standards are pretty high. Their coleslaw is phenomenal - and I don’t even LIKE coleslaw as a rule.
I know there’s a Starbucks on the property somewhere - not well placed I guess since even I don’t know where it is. I’m not a coffee drinker, though. I know I’ve enjoyed some hot chocolate at the Starbucks at the Embassy Suites which is the next property over. How silly is that? I hope Tom Horton’s wins that battle. And I hope to see more things I can’t get in Pittsburgh or at Pen Centre. As of September the Canadian Artisan store was closing. I was very sorry to see that unique store close as a common “Cotton Ginny” was opening. I expect something unique from my Casino donations!
The ‘Firkin” chain is a Canadian chain that is just breaking into the US market. Each outlet is named ‘the ??? and Firkin’. My wife and I were at the Falls and Firkin a few weeks ago. It has the exact look and feel of a British pub, quite small and somewhat cramped. The fare is a Canadianized version of the British, ie. bangers and mash with a Blue Lite or chicken fingers with a Guinness, etc. All in all, a very pleasant experience.
Shoeless Joe’s is another Canadian chain, similar in food to Kelseys, Applebees, etc.
Dan,
BTW, I have the same problem with the forums. Look but don’t touch ;~)
Rick, I think I have our solution. Check out what I wrote under the General Forum.
Off topic???? What’s that? LOL Personally, I like how conversation is on here, it’s just so friendly!! I’ve been adding RSS feed links to my reader hoping I can find everything no matter where everyone goes on the site. Seems to be working great!
So, since we seem to have recently been on “Food” as a topic… the one thing hubby and I have trouble with is where to find a decent, reasonable breakfast. We had actually been told to NOT go to Denny’s. Any suggestions?
Actually we once went to the Flying Saucer just to check out their 99 cent breakfast and it was actually quite good. They are located on Lundy’s lane. But the best Dinner and Dessert we have had was at Betty’s Restaurant.
Try Travelers Delight, its very nice.
I shouldn’t say this…I want to keep the secret. It’s the reason my breakfast standards are so high….NO! NO! I CAN’T - I can’t tell you - It’ll get even more crowded - and it’s mine, dammit - MINE! MWAHAHA!!!
I’ll give you a hint though. “When you try the breakfast - you’ll fall for it - in a manner of speaking.”
If anyone guesses correctly I’ll send you a prize - I’m not kidding!
MOM AND DAD YOU CAN’T GUESS : ) Our family has been there so much they thought we were locals! We’re on a first name basis with some of the waitresses.
I’ll fall for it….
Falls Manor. Lundy’s Lane.
Dammit, I knew it was too easy. Ask for Ceil. : )
I am an artist, and this lucky person just won one of my prints.
I was going to write more but work just kicked up (yes I do work!) We’ll figure out how to get in touch with each other so you can collect your prize. : ) I’ll check in later!
We did the flying saucer once as well. It was pretty good, we’d go there again. We’ve done George’s on the American side. One of our visits staying on the American side, hubby asked a mailman where the locals go for a good cheap breakfast. And we’ve had the hotel breakfasts at a couple places. We don’t usually make it up Lundy’s Lane, we’ll have to venture that way next trip.
Looks like Chris is an artist too. (Nice photos Chris!) Karen, do you have a website with your art?
I did once, and I will again. I had some techincal difficulties and had to scrap it for a while. I got some new hardware, software and a plan on what I want to do with it. Now if I just had some time. Maybe if I didn’t go to the falls so often - lol!
I have a few things listed here and haven’t got around to putting up more:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=83528
Very nice, I love the ones of the Falls and the flowers Karen!! I’m a bit of a slacker too. I have a website, but haven’t gotten and of my pics on it yet…. I’ll get to it one of these days…