"Praise the Lord, O my soul
Praise the Maker of heaven and earth"
If there was a day to complain about rain in Johnstown, it was Friday, June 23, 2017. It rained and rained and rained.
As I made my way over Ligonier Mountain, my Subaru was surrounded by streams and pools. There is a damper and dread to summer rain, but when you have a 2-year-old, positivity prevails.
Upon getting home, she was ready to go for a walk. I put on my rain jacket. She decided to put on two rain jackets. We were poised to pick out puddles and then let our feet do the work. We stomped and stomped and stomped. While much of the community was under cover, this twosome was circling Saint Michael's church in a silly, puddle search.
Meanwhile, the rumble of Thunder in the Valley was getting washed out. I would never get on a motorcycle. There would be no thrill in that travel and I know too much tragedy and not enough triumph associated with the motorcycle. Still, Thunder is good for Johnstown. We need to draw people in - bikers, hikers, kayakers, runners, festival folk, college kids, and more. There are a lot of community members making that push. While I cannot comment on how this year's motorcycle rally was, I applaud the event organizers and volunteers who put time and energy into the experience. The only way to become a destination is by being as relentless as Friday's rain.
By Sunday, the rain was a memory. That same daughter of mine was strapped in my hiking pack as we sang our way through Stackhouse Park. Rain or shine, she is excited by animal sightings. Before any critters crawled out, she passed out. In a sweeping motion, I extracted her from the pack and into my arms. Onward to the pavilion, I carried that blonde, 30+ pound sack of potatoes. The sun shined bright.
When I made it to the heart of the park, I found refuge on a stream bench. With no concept of time, I listened to the water rush by. It was a blessed moment to sit back and soak it in - a sleeping 2-year-old, a beautiful landscape, a grateful Dad.
Our post-nap hike had the animal attractions we were waiting for - dogs, birds, chipmunks, and even a snake to spice things up. As the animal expert, I was asked if the snake was a Daddy, Mommy, or baby snake. With only a few seconds to classify the slithery reptile, I went with Daddy. Our uphill exit from Stackhouse included an overview of the animal kingdom we discovered.
My 2-year-old hiker was rewarded with Shaffer's Frosty Freeze once we returned to civilization. We reunited with Mom and Baby Sis and off we went to the greatest ice cream stand in all the land. Just when the excitement level couldn't get any higher, we saw six turkeys hanging out in a field on Coon Ridge Road with a rainbow peaking out of the clouds. Our weekend was complete.
The next time it rains, and I am sure it will be soon, I am going to imagine that little girl putting on two rain coats.
Sometimes the dreariest of days bring out those who shine the brightest.
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
A Father's Day Feast
Fatherhood has treated me well. With two healthy girls and a super wife, I do not have much to complain about. My 2017 Father's Day weekend was a frenetic, food themed extravaganza...
Meat and Potatoes
On Friday evening, our family brigade headed to the Community Arts Center in Westmont. Our 3-month-old stayed with her grandparents, while our family of three arrived on scene, not to eat, but to listen. Meat and Potatoes is a local music trio and the Community Arts Center served them up as the first course in the Coffee House Series. It was a relaxing atmosphere with one surprise to spice up the event.
Lilly, a turtle mascot, greeted the crowd and is expected to make appearances throughout the summer. My 2-year-old reveled in the presence of this reptile. She was unsure of whether it was a real tortoise or a girl trapped inside a turtle. I mistakenly called the mascot a frog. This identification mistake was deemed hilarious by my zoological child. She laughed at my "silly"attempt to meet the animal /girl. After seeing the cotton shell, I felt very silly about my frog talk.
We danced a little with Lilly as Meat and Potatoes combined guitar and banjo. We plan on coming back to the Arts Center later this summer to support more local musicians. Lilly is indeed a turtle and made my daughter's night.
The Leftovers
On Saturday morning, it was a change of pace, from leisure to litter retrieval. Our Mother of Sorrows Service Saturday is a monthly event where my goddaughter and I climb the hills of Stackhouse Park to rescue animal and plant life from the litter lunacy of mankind. I do not know why so many people throw objects (glass, plastic, metal ) into a park. One man's forest-tossed trash is another man's and 9-year-old's service mission.
Especially along the hillside that connects Brownstown to Westmont, there is a smorgasbord of garbage. There was a smorgasbord. My goddaughter is a mountaineer when it comes to OMOS Service Saturday. She talks almost nonstop while she climbs and carves her way through the park. She enjoys getting to the hidden bottle and soda can stuck in the stream. I enjoy our can-to-can communication that never comes close to a complaint.
It is sweaty, stinky service.
And we love it.
If you choose to litter, know we will be out there; scaling Stackhouse, seizing the day and what should never end up in the wilderness.
Thanksgiving
Almost every Sunday, my wife and I spend time at Mill House Cafe with friends and people of faith. Cafe Sundays have become a part of our faith journey. The second verse of the Father's Day Psalm read, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving". In my fatherly balance of life, finding gratitude is critical. I am so lucky to celebrate Sundays in the community I call home.
It would be foolish to overlook the coffee part of this spiritual equation. Fatherhood has without a doubt increased my coffee intake. I would have never entered the gates of Mill House if it were not for the desire for coffee. Thank you, coffee.
Do I connect a resurgence in my Christianity to coffee? Yes.
Have I ever thrown a coffee cup into Stackhouse Park? No.
Free Donuts
The Roxbury Bandshell is a strange looking "house of rock". From the street, it is hard to tell what it is. Kind of like Lilly. I thought she was a frog, but once I got close, I realized she was a turtle. Well, once you get close to the Bandshell, you realize it is a sweet place to play music. Since I do not have musical talent, listening to music works for me.
Free Donuts was the band on stage Father's Day evening. The 2017 AMERISERV concert series at the Bandshell is a great place to see local acts on a historic stage. Our Sons Restaurant is catering the concert series and my 2-year-old and I took advantage of their presence. We bought one of their monstrous $1.00 pickles. There is nothing like sharing a pickle with your 2-year-old, rolling around in the grass, listening to a band called Free Donuts.
That is fatherhood, folks.
And that is all.
Johnstown has a lot to offer this summer. You can support local in so many ways.
Meat and Potatoes
On Friday evening, our family brigade headed to the Community Arts Center in Westmont. Our 3-month-old stayed with her grandparents, while our family of three arrived on scene, not to eat, but to listen. Meat and Potatoes is a local music trio and the Community Arts Center served them up as the first course in the Coffee House Series. It was a relaxing atmosphere with one surprise to spice up the event.
Lilly, a turtle mascot, greeted the crowd and is expected to make appearances throughout the summer. My 2-year-old reveled in the presence of this reptile. She was unsure of whether it was a real tortoise or a girl trapped inside a turtle. I mistakenly called the mascot a frog. This identification mistake was deemed hilarious by my zoological child. She laughed at my "silly"attempt to meet the animal /girl. After seeing the cotton shell, I felt very silly about my frog talk.
We danced a little with Lilly as Meat and Potatoes combined guitar and banjo. We plan on coming back to the Arts Center later this summer to support more local musicians. Lilly is indeed a turtle and made my daughter's night.
The Leftovers
On Saturday morning, it was a change of pace, from leisure to litter retrieval. Our Mother of Sorrows Service Saturday is a monthly event where my goddaughter and I climb the hills of Stackhouse Park to rescue animal and plant life from the litter lunacy of mankind. I do not know why so many people throw objects (glass, plastic, metal ) into a park. One man's forest-tossed trash is another man's and 9-year-old's service mission.
Especially along the hillside that connects Brownstown to Westmont, there is a smorgasbord of garbage. There was a smorgasbord. My goddaughter is a mountaineer when it comes to OMOS Service Saturday. She talks almost nonstop while she climbs and carves her way through the park. She enjoys getting to the hidden bottle and soda can stuck in the stream. I enjoy our can-to-can communication that never comes close to a complaint.
It is sweaty, stinky service.
And we love it.
If you choose to litter, know we will be out there; scaling Stackhouse, seizing the day and what should never end up in the wilderness.
Thanksgiving
Almost every Sunday, my wife and I spend time at Mill House Cafe with friends and people of faith. Cafe Sundays have become a part of our faith journey. The second verse of the Father's Day Psalm read, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving". In my fatherly balance of life, finding gratitude is critical. I am so lucky to celebrate Sundays in the community I call home.
It would be foolish to overlook the coffee part of this spiritual equation. Fatherhood has without a doubt increased my coffee intake. I would have never entered the gates of Mill House if it were not for the desire for coffee. Thank you, coffee.
Do I connect a resurgence in my Christianity to coffee? Yes.
Have I ever thrown a coffee cup into Stackhouse Park? No.
Free Donuts
The Roxbury Bandshell is a strange looking "house of rock". From the street, it is hard to tell what it is. Kind of like Lilly. I thought she was a frog, but once I got close, I realized she was a turtle. Well, once you get close to the Bandshell, you realize it is a sweet place to play music. Since I do not have musical talent, listening to music works for me.
Free Donuts was the band on stage Father's Day evening. The 2017 AMERISERV concert series at the Bandshell is a great place to see local acts on a historic stage. Our Sons Restaurant is catering the concert series and my 2-year-old and I took advantage of their presence. We bought one of their monstrous $1.00 pickles. There is nothing like sharing a pickle with your 2-year-old, rolling around in the grass, listening to a band called Free Donuts.
That is fatherhood, folks.
And that is all.
Johnstown has a lot to offer this summer. You can support local in so many ways.
Monday, June 12, 2017
Sounds of Spring
During the opening of a Johnstown June, a mix of music could be heard...
"Praise the Lord. Clap your hands. Shout for joy."
The polka dates back to the 19th century, a simpler time for sure. In 2017, Johnstown Polkafest celebrated a genre of music with simplicity - some music, some food, and an outdoor mass under the St. Mary's pavilion. The Rhinelanders were the polka choir for the ceremony. My two-year-old seemed to appreciate the freedom of an outdoor mass, particularly the idea that dancing and clapping was encouraged.
" ________ is a ray of sunshine in my life. ________ is a ray of sunshine!"
On the corner of Diamond Boulevard in Westmont, a collection of small businesses celebrate the first Tuesday of each month. Inside Paprika Rose, Mill House Cafe, and Church Mouse Emporium there is a certain community buzz during this monthly event. Like bees to honey, neighbors swarm these three spots for coffee, crafts, music, and more. Local musician and friend, Dan Becker, entertained the coffee crowd with spiritual numbers and sing-a-longs this time around.
His "sunshine in my life"anthem struck a cord with my two-year-old daughter with the elephant mind. Our family walked into this song and walked out with it stuck in all our minds (maybe not our soon to be three-month-old / not sure what goes on inside that cranium). We summoned this tune for the remainder of the week. Just fill in someone's name and let it fly.
On Saturday, that crafty two-year-old brought "sunshine" out at just the right time. We were strolling in our fourth 5K together this year and the first annual Cuddles for Kids race. The event, held on the streets of Old Westmont, supported a charity that helps local youngsters. Cuddles got great weather for their trial-run-run. Congratulations to the event organizers and volunteers who successfully launched this event into the Johnstown running calendar.
My daughter was stoic and supportive as always. She sang Dan's catchy sunshine song and excitedly talked to me about what the lollipop options would be post-race. My little elephant will never forget her first post-race lollipop; thus, every race needeth a lolli.
Stroller Dad and daughter finished in 3rd place overall. That daughter did not care about places. She earned her lollipop...and banana.
"What it all comes down to, is that everything's going to be quite alright"
In my 33-year-old existence, I cannot remember ever venturing to Summerhill. If there was ever a time to do so, it was for the 125th anniversary of this borough. With babysitters secured, us parents had springtime fun in Summerhill.
The fire department appeared to be the center of the three-day-celebration. My wife and I were there for the Saturday festivities that featured a dynamite sister duo. The acoustics of Jill and Leah could be heard over top a herd of wine tasters. It was a showcase of local vineyards and the sound of two talented musicians.
Their cover of the above Alanis Morisette song summed up our day in Summerhill. I now know how to get there. Thanks Summerhill for a relaxing day in the neighborhood.
"Hey Ya!"
A week of music concluded with the Battle of the Acoustics Winners Showcase at Flood City Cafe on Saturday night. The Evergreens, another local and awesome female duo, kicked off the event and covered this 2003 Outkast chart topper. The Evergreens take this hip hop hit and turn it into a soft and slowed down ballad. It was a hypnotic harmony to wrap up a well-worth it music week.
Thanks to the music men and women who carried Johnstown June tunes.
"Praise the Lord. Clap your hands. Shout for joy."
The polka dates back to the 19th century, a simpler time for sure. In 2017, Johnstown Polkafest celebrated a genre of music with simplicity - some music, some food, and an outdoor mass under the St. Mary's pavilion. The Rhinelanders were the polka choir for the ceremony. My two-year-old seemed to appreciate the freedom of an outdoor mass, particularly the idea that dancing and clapping was encouraged.
" ________ is a ray of sunshine in my life. ________ is a ray of sunshine!"
On the corner of Diamond Boulevard in Westmont, a collection of small businesses celebrate the first Tuesday of each month. Inside Paprika Rose, Mill House Cafe, and Church Mouse Emporium there is a certain community buzz during this monthly event. Like bees to honey, neighbors swarm these three spots for coffee, crafts, music, and more. Local musician and friend, Dan Becker, entertained the coffee crowd with spiritual numbers and sing-a-longs this time around.
His "sunshine in my life"anthem struck a cord with my two-year-old daughter with the elephant mind. Our family walked into this song and walked out with it stuck in all our minds (maybe not our soon to be three-month-old / not sure what goes on inside that cranium). We summoned this tune for the remainder of the week. Just fill in someone's name and let it fly.
On Saturday, that crafty two-year-old brought "sunshine" out at just the right time. We were strolling in our fourth 5K together this year and the first annual Cuddles for Kids race. The event, held on the streets of Old Westmont, supported a charity that helps local youngsters. Cuddles got great weather for their trial-run-run. Congratulations to the event organizers and volunteers who successfully launched this event into the Johnstown running calendar.
My daughter was stoic and supportive as always. She sang Dan's catchy sunshine song and excitedly talked to me about what the lollipop options would be post-race. My little elephant will never forget her first post-race lollipop; thus, every race needeth a lolli.
Stroller Dad and daughter finished in 3rd place overall. That daughter did not care about places. She earned her lollipop...and banana.
"What it all comes down to, is that everything's going to be quite alright"
In my 33-year-old existence, I cannot remember ever venturing to Summerhill. If there was ever a time to do so, it was for the 125th anniversary of this borough. With babysitters secured, us parents had springtime fun in Summerhill.
The fire department appeared to be the center of the three-day-celebration. My wife and I were there for the Saturday festivities that featured a dynamite sister duo. The acoustics of Jill and Leah could be heard over top a herd of wine tasters. It was a showcase of local vineyards and the sound of two talented musicians.
Their cover of the above Alanis Morisette song summed up our day in Summerhill. I now know how to get there. Thanks Summerhill for a relaxing day in the neighborhood.
"Hey Ya!"
A week of music concluded with the Battle of the Acoustics Winners Showcase at Flood City Cafe on Saturday night. The Evergreens, another local and awesome female duo, kicked off the event and covered this 2003 Outkast chart topper. The Evergreens take this hip hop hit and turn it into a soft and slowed down ballad. It was a hypnotic harmony to wrap up a well-worth it music week.
Thanks to the music men and women who carried Johnstown June tunes.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Thanks and Tour
Downtown Johnstown was alive and well the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. For the fourth springtime, Taste and Tour has been a circuit of success. Local businesses - 35 in all - came together to make a map full of food, fun, and fellowship.
My experience began on the Inclined Plane. I rode that vehicular wonder down the steep track. As I waited to board, two kayakers were getting off the Inclined after a day in the Stonycreek water. On my descent, a wedding party was waving from below; small kids shuffled toward the gate. The sun was out. It was a great day to head downtown.
In line with my memories from previous years, Taste and Tour 2017 was a maze of family, friends, and neighbors bouncing from business to business. There is a spirit and sprint to it all - make the most out of four touring hours in the city. Those hours flew by and the businesses stayed. Tomorrow was another day for the small business owner.
Taste and Tour is an eye-opener to the hard work and dedication happening on the streets surrounding Central Park. Do not limit yourself to one day a year downtown. Days after Taste and Tour, my wife and I turned the same touring streets into our 4th wedding anniversary celebration. We ate lunch at Flood City Cafe. We got a couples massage at The Vault. We were happy, Johnstown parents blessed by eager babysitters and another sunny day in the neighborhood.
Before picking up our daughters and after an excellent meal at Back Door Cafe, the happily married man and woman looked out over the Inclined Plane observation deck. Looking down at the city below, I remembered our Peoples Natural Gas Park wedding reception. Our celebration was the venue's first ever wedding reception. Four years and two children later, I've got so much more to celebrate. I'm still dancing. My ankles might crack and my hips might have less swivel, but I am still dancing.
In one month, my brother gets married at another outstanding Johnstown venue - The Grand Halle on Broad Street. Seven days after that, I will be back at Peoples Natural Gas Park for a coworker's wedding reception. Just like those kids shuffling toward the Inclined Plane, I am excited for the summer ahead.
Our growing family has been blessed by the city they call home; by the businesses who provide food, entertainment, and relaxation; by the business men and women who make a living on the historic streets of my hometown.
Downtown Johnstown and Cambria City have some gems. They are not hiding.
Celebrate. Support. And of course, dance.
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