The Boston Winery...

         The Boston Winery:  A hidden gem worth experiencing (even if you have to trudge through a blizzard). The Boston Winery is located on the Boston/Dorchester line. Created with one thing in mind: To offer people the unique opportunity to enjoy making their own wine with family and friends. 

Our adventure begin with a tour at 3PM to see how  wine is made, later we all enjoy a tasting of three wines.  Here you can make superb wine in a historic location with some of the finest Californian and European wine makers to guide you.  The newly renovated 12,000 square foot facility is located in the Port Norfolk area of Boston.

After the tour we walked next door to the prestigious Venezaia Waterfront Restaurant Where we enjoyed a meet-and-greet in the bar area, followed by an intimate gathering for dinner.

THE BOSTON WINERY

* AND * 

THE VENEZAIA   

WATERFRONT RESTAURANT

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Make them Your next destination for fun !

BROADWAY in BOSTON

Today's 'daytrip adventure' brought me to
BOSTON
First....cocktails with friends !

 Then on to...
Boston's Shubert Theartre to enjoy the  
acclaimed new Tony Award-winning production of

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES

that enchanted Broadway audiences is now taking the rest of America by glittery storm starring the one and only

George Hamilton

George is the suave owner of a glitzy drag club on the French Riviera. Partnered romantically with his high-strung star performer, Albin (who goes by the stage name Zaza), the pair live a charmed life until Georges' son, Jean-Michel, turns up engaged to the daughter of a conservative right-wing politician who's coming to dinner.

With a glorious score of hummable melodies and a dynamite cast featuring the "notorious and dangerous Cagelles," LA CAGE is an indisputable musical comedy classic.
La Cage aux Folles is a great example of theater's ability to bring a subject matter to the forefront with comedy and entertainment.  Theater teaches empathy and can open your eyes and your mind.
It can take songs like "I Am What I Am' to help society evolve.
Enjoy some of Boston's finest this holiday season at
CiTi performing Arts Center.
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As good as the show was, it was time for dinner ! We hurried down to a local seafood restaurant and finished of the evening with some delicious fish!  It all ended with ..... CHOCOLATE !
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Happy Holidays Everyone!

Local HISTORY fun...

Massachusetts Historical Society

Founded in 1791 

One of the nation's preeminent independent research libraries. 

Its collections contain millions of rare manuscripts and artifacts that provide a vibrant record of the entire course of American history.

 Through its resources, publications, and programs, the MHS strives to enhance the understanding of our nation's past and its connection to the present.

 The MHS invites anyone with an interest in the events and peoples that have shaped our country to become a member.

Enjoy Members-only events and publications while helping the MHS secure a future for our past.

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The Society Today

In the two centuries since the founding of the MHS, its mission has remained constant: to collect, preserve, make accessible, and communicate manuscripts that promote the study of Massachusetts and the nation. The institution today encompasses five programmatic areas: Library, Publications, Research Programs, The Adams Papers, and Education and Public Programming. The MHS is a member of the Independent Research Library Association (IRLA).

Through publications, digital images of materials presented at their website (http://masshist.org/), and documentary television programs and films, important historical materials from the Society's collections reach local, national, and international audiences. Now in its third century as a publisher, the Society has brought hundreds of books into print, most of them drawn from or reflective of the archive's holdings.

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For more information or to join online, visit www.masshist.org/join.

1154 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02215

Dining out....

Lately I've been meeting up with friends for some enjoyable evenings together for dinner, drinks and laughs.  

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Most recently we've enjoyed a delightful evening at Chez Pascal.
A cozy neighborhood restaurant
located on the East Side of Providence, RI.

A warm inviting establishment where Matthew and Kristin Gennuso, owners of Chez Pascal, cater to you, the diner.

From the moment we entered we were greeted with a smile. Escorted to a comfortable table, where the atmosphere was quiet and inviting. The wait staff were very attentive, polite and knowledgeable about the variety of delecies from the

'American(New)French style' menu. 
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I began with the - Escargots a la Bourguignonne with Warm Garlic & Parsley Scented Brioche.
A ~ traditional escargot baked with garlic, parsley and pernod butter ~
Followed by

 Sautéed Bomster Scallops with Roasted Potatoes, Fennel, Mushrooms

& Green Olives

   Scrumptious!

Drinks, appetizers and entries that can't be beat.
Service was impeccable.
The attire is casual with convenient on street parking.

So call your friends and go OUT for dinner
 to
Chez Pascal
Providence, RI.

Dinner is served Monday from 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 -9:30pm,

Friday and Saturday 5:30-10:00pm.

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 We’ll be back very soon!

The Big E * 2011 *

                                                              The Big E, the largest fair in the Northeast, is home to The Big E Cream Puff & Craz-E Burger.  It's a New England extravaganza with top name entertainment.  The Big E Super Circus, The Avenue of States, Storrowton Village Museum, animals, competitive exhibits, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade, and foods from around the world. It's the last blast of summer  -- celebrate THE BIG E in West Springfield, Massachusetts   

**   WE DID   **

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The true Fair experience just isn’t complete without a visit to
The Big E’s Midway ! 
The smell of cotton candy fills the air as you stroll among the glowing neon lights, scream on mind-bending rides and try your hand at winning enormous stuffed animals.    All this gives you an apatite for traditional midway foods like freshly battered corn dogs, golden fried dough with powdered sugar, and tindy donuts….. Yum !

The finest livestock shows in the East, the biggest names in entertainment and unique foods, make The Big E one of the most sought after destinations for visitors from throughout the region.  It all started in 1916 the events founder, Joshua L. Brooks, convinced the National Dairy Show to hold its event in West Springfield.  Since then, the Exposition has remained true to its roots hosting premium agricultural shows and educational events including regional and national 4-H and FFA participation.  The 17 day Fair is filled with new and exciting entertainment and exhibits for all to enjoy. 

The daily parade and The Mardi Gras Parade continue to delight fair goers.

The Big E Mardi Gras Parade, sponsored by Mohegan Sun. This classic American event features bands, marching units, various animals, and the famous Hallamore Clydesdales. 

A huge part of The Big E is showcasing New England’s agriculture. There is competitions for livestock

and produce as well as horse and oxen pulling. All sorts of animals from goats, dairy and beef cattle to alpacas and rabbits are featured at the fair.

The Eastern States Exposition            HORSE SHOW !

The Eastern States Exposition Horse Show is full of thrills for everyone involved, whether you’re sitting high in the saddle or watching the excitement from the grandstands.  Horses and riders train endlessly for the chance to be recognized in this world-class contest of equestrian excellence.  This action-packed competition gives fair goers a chance to see some of the best riders in New England as they vie for top honors in the coliseum

It’s a sight to behold as these 2,000 pound, 7 foot tall beauties fill the Coliseum with their tremendous strength and elegance.  Clydesdales, Shires, Percherons, and Belgians perform in cart classes, teams, unicorns, obstacles and more;
complete with the $30,000 Big E Draft Horse Showdown!

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The Massachusetts Building.  Though America was at war in 1918 and the Eastern States Exposition temporarily halted, Joshua L. Brooks used this powers of persuasion to convince the Massachusetts Legislature and a highly skeptical governor to spend $50,000 to erect the Massachusetts Building. Architect James H. Ritchie was hired to design an almost perfect replica of the old Massachusetts Statehouse.  The building was dedicated in 1919 by then Gov. Calvin Coolidge and marked the official launching of the Avenue of States.  Today the building features performing groups from throughout the state.  You'll also find a variety of home-grown tastes, from scrumptious cranberries to selections from the sea, as well as Massachusetts-crafted products and travel information, in the Massachusetts Building.

You can visit all six New England States in less than one hour.  Visit The Big E, the only fair in the country with multiple states participation!  Take a stroll along the Avenue of States and see impressive replicas of each New England state's original statehouse sitting on land actually owened by that state.  Take a step inside and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes and of quintessential New England. 

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See you next year !