Class of '64 docked during the Bemus Bay Pops

During the years of the Bemus Bay Pops many boats, new and old, along with kayaks and the Chautauqua Belle were seen in and around the floating stage during the many concerts. When you heard the Belle captain blow the whistle you knew it was nearby. This 60s era classic mahogany Chris Craft with its aqua and white interior was often seen in Bemus Point throughout the Bemus Bay Pops era. The name chosen for this boat could be because the owner graduated from the Class of '64, the boat was manufactured in 1964 or .. both.

                        Chautauqua Lake Twin Tier Chapter of the ACBS Boat Show

A Beautiful Chautauqua Belle Sunset

Be Safe.  This featured story is #100!

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

Waffle Miracle co-owner, Alexandra Watkins

"Waffles with a side of art" .. that's the motto of one business in Erie, PA. A Waffle Miracle serves up homemade sweet and savory waffles with unique artistic toppings from this brightly painted food truck.

Owners Alexandra Watkins and Jessica Peirson started the business in 2018 and still manage full-time jobs of their own.

                                       "Honestly, it's a miracle that we're doing this."

"Our waffle is like the blank slate and we like to paint all over it." 

"A crafty journey that hasn't always been easy."

"We definitely have had our trial and error periods," Watkins said adding that at times were told they'd fail. It actually made me feel like I can do this.  No matter how much it takes .. you can always get to where your dreams can come true."

Waffle Miracle wants to inspire other entrepreneurs to reach their own sweet success.

"We are hard-working, strong, entrepreneur women who have made our dreams come true!  We built our food trailer out of nothing inside and out!  You can definitely taste our hard work in every bite!"

Alexandra Watkins, the chef, has a culinary arts degree and has created all homemade recipes and one of a kind waffle batter that will blow you away!  She makes creative creations on both their sweet and savory waffles.  When she met Jessica Peirson who has a desire to do the business side then the whole dream came true!  Both 25 year old women didn't let anything get in the way of their dreams. They spread the waffle word and then watched their life and business grow!

"We are all about waffles, but not JUST waffles.  We can make anything possible!"



And with Alexandra and Jessica's vision I have no doubt they will make anything possible!

In 2019, I came to know these 2 entrepreneurs and their love of food.  They enjoyed coming to the Chautauqua Lake Pops as food vendors to sell their product and to enjoy being at the lake.  Thanks for coming to us from nearby Erie PA.  See  you in 2021.


Be Safe. 

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

Deputies Jeff Hover and Jon Desernerk

Security is an important part of the Pops organization and for this Dan turned to 2 deputies with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.

On the evening this photo was taken Jeff gave me a nice smile. Even these officers were given disco glowsticks to put around their necks as the concert was the disco band from Montreal .. Boogie Wonder Band.


"I did security for the Chautauqua Lake Pops concerts in 2019.  It was the best part-time job I ever had.  The organization, the venue and the concerts were world class!  The concert goers were all well-behaved and made the job effortless.  I look forward to the 2021 Pops season."

Jeff Hover, Deputy with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department



Be Safe.  Thank you Gentlemen.


Pat Locke
Maestro Muse

 

It's hard to believe that on September 13 we had the return of Bills football with the Bills playing the NY Jets in Rich Stadium/Orchard Park. It all seemed normal until the cameraman showed the seats throughout the stadium. Viewers soon realized there wasn't a fan in sight except the Bills mascot, Billy Buffalo.  The quarterback calls on the field could clearly be heard with no roar from the fans.  So a kickoff that most of us thought would never happen .. actually happened at 1:00 on that Sunday afternoon.

So the 2020 NFL season has begun and we can all feel like we are back to normal yet it's a "new normal" with some players on both teams wearing helmets with different messages such as STOP HATE and BLACK LIVES MATTER or BREONNA TAYLOR.  

The players on both teams chose to show a sign of solidarity by staying in the locker rooms during the singing of our National Anthem.  

For those of us who enjoy the game of football take pleasure in the emerging season that will take us into a new year and hopefully produce a safe and effective virus allowing us to, once again, join our friends and family at the Chautauqua Lake Pops.  Make It Mayville 2021.

Be Safe.

Pat Locke

Maestro Muse 

"It's 5:00 Somewhere"

Parrots of the Caribbean is a quintet of finely seasoned players hailing from "tropical" Dayton, Ohio.  The band is a salute to the sun/surf music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band.  Though you would be hard pressed to find any palm trees in Dayton, Ohio or Mayville, NY the swaying island music will make a believer out of ya'!

This group is second to none! These musical troubadours have traveled and performed across the United States, Mexico, Canada as well as with the U.S.O in Okinawa, Japan entertaining troops.

Parrots has earned its acclaim as the #1 Jimmy Buffet tribute act in the country!  

When the band starts to play the party begins!  Playing a mixture of band originals will make your feet tap along with the music as you sip a tall cool drink with a tiny colorful umbrella. It is a concert loved by "Parrot Heads" everywhere!

P.O.T.C is a band you won't want to miss experiencing on the floating stage.  They are entertaining, exciting and fun .. no matter what age group.  So in 2021, put on your favorite island shirt, shorts, sandals and parrot hat allowing the music to take you to .. Margaritaville or Cheeseburger In Paradise!  Along the way we might stop in Key Largo and say hello to Lauren Becall and Humphrey Bogart who starred in the 1948 movie classic, Key Largo .. "sailin' away to Key Largo"

Dave Albrecht, lead singer

"Fins to the left .. Fins to the right"

She came down from Cincinnati

It took three days on the train

Looking for some peace and quiet

Hoped to see the sun again

But now she lives down by the ocean

She's taking care to look for sharks

They hang out in the local bars

And they feed right after dark

Can't you feel them circling, honey?

Can't you feel them swimming around?

You got fins to the left, fins to the right 

And you're the only girl in town

This tribute band would have appeared on the floating stage ..August 2.


In and out of the water..

Be Safe.

Pat Locke
Maestro Muse