Roads Scholars

Rosemont Day 3 - Rochester, Seneca Falls, Dinner Theatre & Hotel Utica

2007-04-23T03:11:00.000-05:00

We were all anxious about the weather reports, but having been a veteran of New York State weather, I wasn't very concerned, although I was working on a, 'worst case scenario'.

We checked out of the hotel and the two buses proceeded to Rochester to visit the Susan B. Anthony House and Mount Hope Cemetery where we would lay a wreath at the graves of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass.

The first bus visited the home while the second visited the cemetery and then we reversed the visits.

Paula Savage of the Greater Rochester Visitor Association, Inc. was particularly generous by offering not only goodies including three 'coffee table' books about Rochester , but the services of Dr. Anderson, an expert on Frederick Douglass who was to accompany each bus to Mr. Douglass' grave. Her colleague met us at the house to present these.

The wreaths were beautiful and the colors were chosen in honor of Women's Suffrage, and Rosemont's school colors of blue and gold. We decided on silk rather than fresh to withstand the cold weather.

The docents at the Susan B. Anthony House were extremely gracious and informative. Their gift shop is superb.

Joan Hunt of the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery guided us around to the Anthony family plot, it was also near the graves of Bausch and Lomb, but you needed glasses or contacts to see it!

We then traveled to Victor for our lunch at the Eastview Mall. We were greeted by Ms. Schmitt, from the Finger Lakes Region who gave us cookies in the shape of New York State and had our location indicated on the icing! New York apples were also available. The manager of Tom Wahl's also met us and gave the group 2 for 1 cheeseburger coupons. (I received an official Tom Wahl's cap.) His staff were friendly and efficient. The hospitality was outstanding! I should also tell you that the burgers and rootbeer were great!

Then onto Seneca Falls for a National Park Ranger-led walking tour of the Women's Rights National Park. There was an hysterical film on women's rights at the visitors' center. We had a glimpse of the Cayuga and Seneca Canal, which is an off-shoot of the Erie Canal. (I wasn't able to take photos because Larry, my bus driver, and I had to get some water for the group.)

The on to Beck's Grove Dinner Theatre near Rome, NY. We were given private performance of their Songs of the Erie Canal. Each time I looked over at Mr. C-C during the show, she was scribbling notes on her placemat! There was a great deal of information woven into the show.

After that, we ended our day at the Hotel Utica. Everyone loved it! They had cookies and punch for us upon our arrival. Many famous people had stayed at the hotel during its colorful history. It has been restored beautifully and the staff was wonderful!

It started to sleet as we unloaded our luggage!

Rosemont Day 2 Niagara, Wheatfield, Lewiston, Buffalo

2007-04-23T02:04:00.000-05:00

We visited the New York Power Authority's Power Vista named in honor of New York's master planner, Robert Moses. We learned about the generation of power and electricity.

After viewing the falls and the Niagara River from Three Sisters Island, we headed for lunch hosted by Summit Mall. Peter Green, of Summit Mall, had been one of our guides and arranged for the lunch and a meeting with Wheatfield Town Supervisor, Mr. Timothy Demler. Mr. Demler generously gave his time to answer questions and gave out pins to each of us. Naturally, the lunch included Buffalo Wings!

Summit Mall also had a large mural in tribute to our troops depicting all branches of the military. In addition they had a box for prayers which interested several students.

After lunch, we embarked on am Underground Railroad tour/ The outside reenactment was canceled due to the cold and icy weather, but there was one reenactor at the Michigan Street Baptist Church in Buffalo. We learned about Harriet Tubman and Freedom Crossing at the Whirlpool Bridge as well as had the opportunity to see the hiding place for runaway slaves under the stairs of the church, which had served as a 'station'.

We had supper at Old Country Buffet and had time for shopping, photos of the illuminated Falls, and swimming.

Rosemont Day 2 :1 - Niagara Photos

2007-04-22T00:07:00.000-05:00

The photos above were taken first thing in the morning of the second day.

It was cold, but not as cold as the previous day.

I managed to get the students to the middle of Rainbow Bridge within 10 feet of the Canadian Border so they could get the best view of the falls.

We also visited Three Sisters Island off Goat Island in the Niagara River before the falls to obtain our water.

There was a great deal of ice floating down the river and over the falls.

The photos covering lunch and the Underground Railroad are on the next post.

Failed Experiment: The Trials, Tribulations, and Terrific Teens on Tour

2007-04-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

The best laid plans of mice and men...

It had been suggested that parents and other interested parties would like to follow the trip through a website; all we needed was a laptop and a way to download the photos.

Sounded reasonable.

Well it ain't that easy!

Since I did not have a laptop, I was using someone else's and it was difficult to coordinate a time when we both could be free from our official duties to sit down and post. It became impossible at a couple of hotels where there didn't seem to be any signal or it was slower than molasses dripping in a blizzard.

Then there were some late nights due to weather delays and two theatre productions (Songs of the Erie Canal and Mary Poppins)

By the time we rolled into the hotel, and completed the room checks etc. , we were too pooped to post!

However, the students were troopers and had a blast; they were truly an inspiration. The ones on my bus were almost angelic - really! (I LOVED them!)

Naturally the recent tragic events at Virginia Tech were sobering and also lead to the cancellation of our appearance on the CBS Morning Show. (All the morning shows in New York canceled their outdoor activities, out of respect).

Even the Statue of Liberty was closed down!

But we soldiered on!

So I'll be spending part of the weekend downloading photos with a bit of commentary. (Perhaps some students will stumble upon this and add their own observations.)

Stay tuned

Day Two and Three: Interesting weather!

2007-04-16T06:25:00.000-05:00

Well, the best laid plans...

Hi!

Sorry for the delay, but our Niagara Hotel did not have any internet access! And then, we were getting in a bit late.

Here's the scoop!

We had a brilliant full day in Niagara Falls! The weather was being generous and I was able to take the students to the middle of Rainbow Bridge at the Canadian Border (we were not permitted to put even a toe in Canada) to take photos of the Falls. (The teachers etc. could not accompany us because they did not have passports!) So be prepared for some spectacular shots!

We were joined by Peter Brown who teamed upwith Kevin Cottrell to give us a tour of the area. One of our stops was Three Sisters Island off Goat Island in the Niagara River, literally. We gathered water to bring down to Ellis Island for a Marriage of the Waters ceremony, in honor of the opening of the Erie Canal.

It was Earth Day and there was a lot of activity at the Robert Moses Generating Plant's Power Vista. There were several booths there representing the towns and counties in the area. One of them were giving out Mardi Gras beads which most of the group ended up wearing.

After the tour we went to Summit Mall in Wheatfield where we were given lunch and the mayor (supervisor) of the town greeted us and gave us pins!

Then onto the Underground Railway Experience where we saw the bridge Harriet Tubman used to cross into freedom. The day ended with a reenactment in the Michigan Street Baptist Church as well as getting a glimpse of a hiding place used by runaway slaves when the church was part of the Underground Railroad.

Some of the students took photos of the illuminated Falls and other opted for swimming.

The next morning we checked out and headed fror Rochester. We experienced a mixture of rain and snow flurries. We visited the Susan B. Anthony House and Mt. Hope Cemetery. The City Of Rochester sent a representative and gave the school a coffee table book about the city as well as other goodies! They were also generous enough to give us the services of Dr. Anderson, who is an expert on Frederick Douglass. We layed wreaths at the graves of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. mrs. Joan Hunt of the Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery made all the arrangements.

The wreaths had silk flowers (because it would last in the cold) and the colors were symbolic of both Womens Rights and Rosemont.

Lunch was fantastic! We ate at Eastview Mall and were given two-for-one coupons at Tom Wahl's. The Manager actually came in on his day off to serve us. He gave us all free frozen cookie dough as a treat. Great burgers! And they make their own root beer on the premises.

The tourism representative for the Finger Lakes Region also met us to give us cute cookies in the shap of New York State with a glaze that indicated where we were and a maple leaf for the maple-flavored icing!

The National Park Rangers at the Women's Rights National Park were superb. It was a wonderful museum, great tour, and a somewhat funny movie about women's rights.

Our dinner was at Beck's Grove Dinner Theatre. We had a private performance of the history of New York State and the Erie Canal. There was a lot of history, bad jokes, and great songs - we even had a couple of sing-alongs! The food was good and the hospitality was tremendous.

We pulled into the hotel late. It started to sleet as we unloaded luggage and I had to explain what sleet was. The Hotel Utica is very famous. Many well-known Americans have stayed there. The rooms are spacious.

Well, we're through with breakfast.

It's snowing!!!!

We're off to the Basesball Hall of Fame, Watervliet, Troy, and West Point.

I'll try to get back to you - IF they have internet!

Rosemont Day One - Erie Maritime Museum and Old Fort Niagara

2007-04-13T20:20:00.000-05:00

Today we visited the Erie Maritime Museum and learned about the War of 1812; drove along Lake Erie and the Niagara River; glimpsed the Falls; enjoyed an interactive program at Old Fort Niagara; and we topped off the day with dinner at the Hard Rock Café. Weather conditions: Frigid.

Here are some student observations:

"I learned how to command the British Army!" - Daniel C.
"Today I learned a lot of new things, although it's really cold. This week is going to be so much fun!" - Hannah P.
"One cubic square of glacial ice is equal to 680,000,000 tons [We're checking this out.]" - C.J. S
"I really enjoyed going to Fort Niagara and learning how to shoot a musket." - Alex M.
"It was freezing when we visited Fort Niagara and we learned about how the British Army worked and how to load and use a musket." - Camille
"Today I learned that the British received one pork ration and dried peas. Later, seven men would take all the rations and mix them in a pot and divide them up evenly. After they were done cooking it, they kept the food underneath, waited until it hardened, and ate it as a snack when on guard." - Daniella K.
“I really enjoyed learning how to do things the British Army had to do, like marching and using rifles.” - M.H.
“I learned today that hogs heads means barrels.” – Eli M.
“Today, our first day of the trip, we learned that Old Fort Niagara is still here after 300 years.” – Miji K.
“Today, I enjoyed seeing the boat and seeing the different quarters and what they are used for.” – Terra M.
“I really enjoyed listening and learning about the muskets at Old Fort Niagara.” – Janice L.
“It was very interesting to learn more about the War of 1812 and Niagara Falls.” – Regina
“Going to Fort Niagara was a lot of fun and being able to have the opportunity to learn more about New York is a chance of a lifetime.” – Jessica K.
“I very much enjoyed learning the basics of learning how to handle a musket.” – Connie
“We learned how the British soldiers loaded and fired their muskets in battle. We were also taught how to march like soldiers.” – Paige F.
“I thought it was a lot of fun to learn how to be in the British Army; We learned how to march, how difficult it was being in the war, and how to shoot a gun.” – Dana G.
“I liked playing with the fake muskets and learning about the positions.” – Janet K.
“I learned that even though New York is moist, rainy, and cold, landslides don’t occur.” – Pauline M.
“Today was a great day and we traveled around the Great Lakes and the U.S.–Canadian border.” – Megan F.

The Importance of Journals

2007-04-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of working with a parent who remembered me as her tour guide on her eighth grade trip! She was accompanying her son, who was part of his school's trip!

After the initial shock that I had been in the business long enough, and old enough, for such an encounter, I asked her what she remembered from the trip.

"Oh, I remember you! I have a photo of you with the boys; on July 4th, you dressed up as the Statue of Liberty! You said they were shower curtains and you were sweating! It's here, in my journal!"

She had kept the looseleaf journal of the trip since 1986 and had brought it on her son's Washington, DC trip!

Her journal was the requirement of one of my most beloved teachers from Corona, CA, who tragically, died last year. (The above photo was sent to me by my teacher's husband.)

But this journal was a very thoughtful one that covered not just the background history and events of the trip, but her feelings concerning each stop, her budgeting, her purchases, the new foods she tried, the weather, news reports on TV, and headlines in the newspapers, revelations about her friends (one snored loudly and kicked while she slept), and the interaction amongst her roommates and classmates.

Each evening on the way to the hotel, I had her read something from the journal that applied to what we had done. We had discussions about the social interaction amongst the roommates on her trip as well as the one we were on.

I was impressed by the engaging way it was presented, the perspective of the trip from an eighth grader, and the life lessons learned.

There's a real difference between a group that has a journal and one that hasn't. As a rule, the ones with journals are far more appreciative of the trip and more focused during it. I don't have the discipline problems with a journal group as opposed to the non-journalers.

It's also nice that they can reference what they are about to experience in advance so that there aren't blank faces staring at the guide, docent, or ranger; journal groups get more respect and content from these providers.

Journals also give some busy work on the bus during long drives as well as help to get the students settled in their rooms in the hotel. There is less likely to be horseplay in the room if they have a paragraph or two to write, or need to get their budgets in order.

Journals come in all sizes and shapes; the presentation of information and the required work all varies according to the respective teachers.

Some journals were put together during the school year by the students themselves and contain reports on the sites and aspects of history. Others are put together by the teachers. Some are strictly academic, others have crossword puzzles and games attached. Many of my faith-based groups include scripture and prayers for each site.

I have just received the journal for Rosemont. Mrs. C-C has compiled a wonderful one that also includes a 'Getting to Know You Bingo', since several classes are combined. There is background information which can be reviewed five minutes before we reach the site and questions.

And there are pages for their thoughts.

I reinforce the importance of journals and even talk of some of the great diaries and journals. students today understand this concept more than they did ten years ago before MySpace, Xanga, and blogs existed.

But it is bittersweet to reflect that the first teacher I encountered that had journals for her students is now gone, although she is remembered in at least one of those journals.

Her name was Nancy Lynde from Corona, Ca. and I miss her.

New York State History, Facts, Figures, and Jamestown Controversy

2007-04-07T02:36:00.000-05:00

New York State History from Infoplease

Giovanni da Verrazano, an Italian-born navigator sailing for France, discovered New York Bay in 1524. Henry Hudson, an Englishman employed by the Dutch, reached the bay and sailed up the river now bearing his name in 1609, the same year that northern New York was explored and claimed for France by Samuel de Champlain.

In 1624 the first permanent Dutch settlement was established at Fort Orange (now Albany). One year later Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan Island from the Indians for trinkets worth about 60 Dutch guilders and founded the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (now New York City), which was surrendered to the English in 1664.

New York's extremely rapid commercial growth may be partly attributed to Gov. De Witt Clinton, who pushed through the construction of the Erie Canal (Buffalo to Albany), which was opened in 1825. Today, the 641-mile Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Thruway connects New York City with Buffalo and with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania express highways. Two toll-free superhighways, the Adirondack Northway (linking Albany with the Canadian border) and the North-South Expressway (crossing central New York from the Pennsylvania border to the Thousand Islands), have been opened.

The great metropolis of New York City is the nerve center of the nation. It is a leader in manufacturing, foreign trade, commerce and banking, book and magazine publishing, and theatrical production. A leading seaport, its John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. New York is also home to the New York Stock Exchange, the largest in the world. The printing and publishing industry is the city's largest manufacturing employer, with the apparel industry second.

Nearly all the rest of the state's manufacturing is done on Long Island, along the Hudson River north to Albany, and through the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and Southern Tier regions to Buffalo. The St. Lawrence seaway and power projects have opened the North Country to industrial expansion and have given the state a second seacoast.

The state ranks seventh in the nation in manufacturing, with 586,400 employees in 2005. The principal industries are printing and publishing, industrial machinery and equipment, electronic equipment, and instruments. The convention and tourist business is also an important source of income.

New York farms produce cattle and calves, corn and poultry, and vegetables and fruits. The state is a leading wine producer.

Major points of interest are Castle Clinton, Fort Stanwix, and Statue of Liberty National Monuments; Niagara Falls; U.S. Military Academy at West Point; National Historic Sites that include homes of Franklin D. Roosevelt at Hyde Park and Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay and New York City; the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls; National Memorials, including Grant's Tomb and Federal Hall in New York City; Fort Ticonderoga; the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown; and the United Nations, skyscrapers, museums, theaters, and parks in New York City.

Capital: Albany

State abbreviation/Postal code: N.Y./NY

Governor: Eliot Spitzer, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: David Paterson (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Charles E. Schumer, D (to Jan. 2011); Hillary Rodham Clinton, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 29

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Lorraine Cortés-Vásquez (apptd. by governor)

Comptroller: Thomas P. DiNapoli

Atty. General: Andrew M. Cuomo, D (to Jan. 2011)

Entered Union (rank): July 26, 1788 (11)

Present constitution adopted: 1777 (last revised 1938)

Motto: Excelsior (Ever upward)

State symbols:

animal	beaver (1975)
fish	brook trout (1975)
gem	garnet (1969)
flower	rose (1955)
tree	sugar maple (1956)
bird	bluebird (1970)
insect	ladybug (1989)
song	“I Love New York” (1980)

Nickname: Empire State

Origin of name: In honor of the Duke of York

10 largest cities (2005 est.): New York, 8,143,197; Buffalo, 279,745; Rochester, 211,091; Yonkers, 196,425; Syracuse, 141,683; Albany, 93,523; New Rochelle, 72,967; Mount Vernon, 67,924; Schenectady, 61,280; Utica, 59,336

Land area: 47,214 sq mi. (122,284 sq km)

Geographic center: In Madison Co., 12 mi. S of Oneida and 26 mi. SW of Utica

Number of counties: 62

Largest county by population and area: Kings, 2,486,235 (2005); St. Lawrence, 2,686 sq mi.

State forest preserves: Adirondacks, 2,500,000 ac.; Catskills, 250,000 ac.

State parks: 176

Residents: New Yorker

2005 resident population est.: 19,254,630

2000 resident census population (rank): 18,976,457 (3). Male: 9,146,748 (48.2%); Female: 9,829,709 (51.8%). White: 12,893,689 (67.9%); Black: 3,014,385 (15.9%); American Indian: 82,461 (0.4%); Asian: 1,044,976 (5.5%); Other race: 1,341,946 (7.1%); Two or more races: 590,182 (3.1%); Hispanic/Latino: 2,867,583 (15.1%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 75.3; 65 and over: 12.9; median age: 35.9.

Read this! This is a controversy concerning Jamestown, VA versus New York!

This is a difficult call for me - since I was born in New York City and have lived in Virginia (where my father's family lives) for over half my life. The article seems rather unfair to Jamestown; I feel that both places are significant and should be celebrated! What's your opinion?

2009 will be a watershed year,

marking the 400th anniversary of Hudson and Champlain's voyages along the river and lake that bear their names -- and the 200th anniversary of Fulton's successful steamboat voyage and establishment of steam commerce on the Hudson River. From the Canadian border to New York harbor, a wealth of exciting events and activities is being planned for you. We invite you to join this spectacular extravaganza that will draw people from all over the world.

Hudson's and Champlain's voyages laid the groundwork for Dutch settlement of the Hudson Valley and French settlement of the Champlain Valley and Canada. Soon this region would become the center of a trade network linking the New World with the old. New traditions of freedom were forged here. And countless immigrants first set foot on these shores pursuing the American dream. Nearly 200 years later, Fulton's journey would strengthen the region's ties to the world, while heralding a new era of innovation which distinguishes the Northeast to this day.

Erie Canal Resources

2007-04-07T01:15:00.000-05:00

"The Marriage of the Waters" by C.Y. Turner, 1905 -- A mural decoration in the DeWitt Clinton High School, N.Y.C . depicting Governor DeWitt Clinton pouring water from Lake Erie into the ocean at New York in a ceremony celebrating the "Marriage of the Waters" between Lake Erie and the Atlantic in 1825.

We will also be partaking in our own Marriage of the Waters ceremony. On the second day of the trip one student from each bus will take water from the Niagara River and empty it into Upper New York Bay at Ellis Island. The bay flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately, current airline restrictions prohibit water to be transported on the airline - or the students could have brought water back from New York and emptied it into the Pacific!

For the history of the Canal, please consult this site.

We will also be partaking in our own Marriage of the Waters ceremony. Please consult this site for the music that accompanies the following poem.

"Monument of Progress"

Yet it is not that wealth now enriches the scene
Where treasures of Art and of Nature convene;
It is not that this Union our coffers may fill:
Oh! No! It is something more exquisite still.
‘Tis that Genius had triumphed and Science prevailed
Where prejudice flouted and envy assailed
It is that the Vassels of Europe may see
The Progress of Mind in a Land that is free.

-- from The Meeting of the Waters of Hudson and Erie, by Samuel Woodworth, 1825; sung by Mr. Keene at the Grand Canal Celebration, respectfully dedicated to His Excellency, DeWitt Clinton.

Here's a famous song about the Erie Canal:

I've got a mule and her name is Sal
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal
She's a good ol' worker and a good ol' pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
We've hauled some barges in our day,
Filled with lumber, coal, and hay,
And we know ev'ry inch of the way
From Albany to Buffalo.

Chorus:
Low bridge, ev'rybody down!
Low bridge, for we're comin' to a town!
And you'll always know your neighbor,
You'll always know your pal,
if you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal.

We better get on our way, old pal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal,
Fifteen years on the Erie Canal.
Get up there mule, here comes a lock,
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock,
One more trip and back we'll go,
Right back home to Buffalo.

Fun Facts About Niagara Falls

2007-04-03T01:36:00.000-05:00

Niagara Falls

Fun Facts

The word “Niagara” was derived from the Iroquois Indian word “Onguiaahra” meaning “The Strait”.
Age of Niagara Falls: 12,000 yrs old.
Niagara Falls are the second largest falls in the world next to Victoria Falls in Southern Africa. The highest falls in the world are “Angel Falls” in Venezuela, measuring 979 m (3212 ft) high. What makes Niagara Falls so spectacular is the combination of their height and volume.
3 different Falls make up what we call “Niagara Falls”: The Canadian Horseshoe Falls, The American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.
Number of tourists who visit the Falls every year: 12 million.
Size of the Falls: The rim of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls measures about 792 m (2200 ft). The American Falls measure about 323 m (850 ft). The Bridal Veil Falls measure about 15m(50 ft). Both The Canadian Horseshoe Falls and The American Falls measure 57 m (188 ft) in height to the Niagara River below.
Volume of water going over the American Falls: 567,810 L/second (150,000 gallons/second)
Volume of water going over the Horseshoe Falls: 2,271,240 L/second (600,000 gallons/second)
Source of water going over Falls: The 683,760 km² (264,000 square miles) of water that plunges over the Falls comes from four of the great lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie. Once the water flows over the Falls, it travels down the Niagara River to Lake Ontario, where it then flows into the St. Lawrence River and finally into the Atlantic Ocean.
Depth of Falls: Before the upper waters were used for the generation of power, the depth of the water on the rim was about 3 m (10 ft). Today, the water over the Falls measures an average of 0.6 m (2 ft) along the entire rim.
Deepest section of Niagara River: 52 m (170 ft), just below The Falls.
Number of Nights The Falls Are Lit Up: 365. During the summer, the Falls are lit up between 9 pm and midnight. At other times of the year, the Falls are lit up when it gets dark.
Length of Whirlpool Rapids: 1.6 k m(1 mile) . This is where the water drops 15 m (50 ft), and speeds can reach as high as 9 metres per second (30 feet per second).
Date first steam powered boat was launched into the waters beneath the Falls: It was on May 1846, that the Maid of the Mist was launched into the swirling waters.

Mark Your Calendars: CBS Morning Show Thursday April 19th, 8 AM -9 AM

2007-04-02T23:55:00.000-05:00

Parent Homework: Miscellaneous Posts for Reference

2007-04-02T23:49:00.000-05:00

Perhaps some of you would like to know what we'll be doing on the bus?

First off, the students will learn some new terms known as 'Tour Talk' which is a set of code words. For those of you who would like a sample, please refer to The Tour Marm post entitled: Codes and Catch Phrases.

There will also be a couple of short talks concerning American Art; one has to do with the exhumation of a mastodon in the Hudson River Valley of New York, and the other about three friends who were proponents of preserving the beautiful, pristine 'wilderness' of New York. The paintings, explanations, interesting links, and personal asides are in : Charles Willson Peale: Renaissance Man and Kindred Spirits.

We will also be listening to historic folk music and watching a couple of movies - perhaps West Side Story and/or Mary Poppins.

Rosemont Middle School Itinerary - New York State of Mind Tour

2007-04-02T14:34:00.000-05:00

Rosemont Middle School

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Depart Los Angeles International Airport

Friday, April 13, 2007

Arrive Cleveland

Meet your Educational Tour Conductors at baggage claim

Breakfast - included

Erie Maritime Museum and USS Niagara

Lunch - included

Old Fort Niagara – The King’s Army Program

Dinner at Hard Rock Café

Hotel Check-in

Early lights out!

Saturday April 14, 2007

Breakfast at the Hotel

Niagara Falls State Park

Power Vista - Water Power and Generation Program

Lunch - included

Underground Railroad Tour and Interactive Experience

Dinner – included

Niagara Falls by Night – Light Display on the Falls

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Breakfast - included

Check out of hotel

Susan B Anthony House

Mt. Hope Cemetery- Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas Graves

Lunch - included

Women’s Rights National Historical Park- Wesley Chapel Program

Beck’s Grove Dinner Theater - Erie Canal and New York State in Song

Hotel Check-in

Monday, April 16, 2007

Breakfast - included

Check out of hotel

Baseball Hall of Fame – Educational Programs

Lunch - included

Troy Industrial Revolution Tour - Arsenal Program at Watervliet

Dinner - included

9:00 PM Hotel Check-in

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Breakfast - included

Check out of hotel

USMA West Point HistoricTour

President Grant National Memorial (Grant’s Tomb)

Lunch - included

Early Hotel Check-in to Change

Dinner - included

Broadway Show – “Mary Poppins”

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Breakfast - included

Statue of Liberty Photo Op and Ellis Island Visit

Lunch – included

‘Ground Zero’ and St. Paul’s Chapel – September 11^th Shrine

Guided Civil War Tour of Manhattan and Brooklyn

Dinner – included “Fraunces Tavern”

Linda Russell Balladeer - Songs of Immigration and the Civil War

Evening with Mark Twain

GE Building – Top of the Rock

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Check out of hotel

Breakfast - included

CBS Early Show 8-9:00 AM

New York Historical Society – Slavery in NY Educational Program

Lunch - included

Depart for Newark Airport

Check group in for flight

Dinner (cash handout) – included at airport

Depart for Los Angeles Int’l Airport

(Check the flight)

Tour Bob - Gold Bus

2007-04-01T23:59:00.000-05:00

While Tour Marm will preside over the Blue Bus, Tour Bob will govern the Gold Bus.

Tour Bob has been conducting tours around the world for over 30 years and is based between Toronto, Ont. Canada and Tucson, AZ. He is originally from Colorado.

A grumpy old man from birth, he takes his profession seriously. He has many interests, but he is known throughout North America as an avid naturalist and historian. He has just completed a study of the Fur-bearing Trout, a near-extinct cross between a fish and a mammal which is only found in Canadian and the Pacific Northwest glacial lakes and rivers. (Don't ask him about it, it takes over 35 miles of constant lecturing.)

It is best that students laugh at his lame attempts at jokes, to humor him, for their own good.

There might be a contest at the end of the trip as to who is grumpier, Tour Bob or Mr. M!

The Tour Marm - Blue Bus

2007-04-01T23:13:00.000-05:00

Welcome!

Because I would like to keep some privacy online, I am withholding my name - simply refer to me as The Tour Marm! (Those of you whom are involved with your school's trip, already know my name! I shall also protect the privacy of your children by referring to them by first name, and teachers by the initials of their last names.)

I was born and raised in New York City, but have spent over half of my life in Virginia, near Washington, DC.

My interests are varied: History; Education; Theology; Politics; Art; Architecture; Theatre; Music; Travel (duh!); Interior Design; Cooking, Entertaining; Conversation; Reading; Writing; and Generally Being Silly.

But most of all, I'm a passionate advocate of curriculum-based student travel!

I have been connected with educational student travel programs for over twenty-five years; first as an educational 'trip leader' for the former Educational Field Studies, and then as a tour guide for several other student tour operators.

After having started my profession with EFS, the gold standard of educational student tours, I became disenchanted with the quality of student travel programs offered by most student tour operators. Most programs offered through large student tour operators have lost their educational value and are reduced to perfunctory sightseeing tours.

Twenty-five years of travel, mainly centered in the United States and Canada with both students and adults, has given me the breadth of practical knowledge of historic sites and venues that cannot be found with most sales people in large student tour companies.

When the student tour industry came to a full stop after September 11th, I had time to consider other professions, but the success stories (many of them quite poignant) pointed me back to be of service to students and teachers. I decided to become a professional student travel planner and work with such student travel providers as Educational Discovery Tours in Truckee, CA.

My planning skills, logistical expertise, love of history, and understanding of curriculum-based education brought me to the realization that I could fill the void. Your student's trip is actually the result of a close collaboration with the teachers and administrators to design educational travel programs that would reflect their curriculum, align with SOL's, enhance teaching plans, and meet objectives.

I was fortunate to find Educational Discovery Tours and together we have combined to present a unique product in the student tour industry: Customized, curriculum-based student travel programs.

By partnering with the teachers and administration has produce your school's program. No two programs are alike. In fact, many schools opt to change destinations each year!

We value your sons and daughters; pleased be assured that safety and comfort is our number one priority.

So without further ado, look up the name of your school and follow our progress. (We will try to download a few photos each evening upon our return to the hotel.

Oh. I also have a blog! http://www.tourmarm.blogspot.com

The Tour Marm

This Site will be up April 13th 2007

2007-03-18T05:04:00.000-05:00

This site will not be active until April 13 2007!
Until then, feel free to read my blog:
http://www.tourmarm.blogspot.com

COUNTING DOWN TO THE FIRST TOUR!

2007-02-12T19:15:00.000-05:00

FIRST TOUR STARTS IN APRIL!
See you then!