Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Wine Enthusiast magazine has named New York “Wine Region of the Year.” Citing the quality of New York wines, the tremendous growth of the industry, and improved business climate, the state was selected over Champagne, France; Chianti, Italy; and Sonoma, California. The award will be presented at the Wine Star Awards gala dinner on January 26 at the New York Public Library. Western New York is home to a number of wine trails, including Lake Erie Wine Country – the largest grape growing region east of the Rockies, which also includes five Pennsylvania wineries. Pictured, the Johnson Estate Winery in Westfield, NY. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The remains found Thursday afternoon along the Lake Erie shoreline in Chautauqua County have been determined to be a human fetus. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office says the fetus was found intact and had a gestational age of 18 to 20 weeks, and appears to have been separated from the mother for two to three weeks. The cause of death has been listed as Intrauterine Fetal Demise. State police and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office are continuing the investigation to find the mother and to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the fetus. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Senator Bob Casey and a bipartisan group of 10 other senators are urging the US Army Corps of Engineers to aggressively work toward implementing short term measures, and finding a long term solution to stop the spread of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. Casey says fighting the invasive fish is important to the economy of Northwestern Pennsylvania, and getting this right will protect the region’s tourism industry and play a substantial role in future economic growth. He says Lake Erie’s coastal region supports more than 1.2 million Pennsylvania jobs and is an integral part of Pennsylvania’s economy. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett today served as Grand Marshalls of Tall Ships® Erie Parade of Sail. The event began four days of events marking the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. The Flagship Niagara led nine tall ships from around the country and the world into Presque Isle Bay as Erie marks the bicentennial of the battle that was the turning point in the War of 1812. During the battle, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry of the U.S. Navy and his crew of the Niagara defeated the British fleet near Put-in-Bay, Ohio. This victory gave the United States control of the Great Lakes and secured the young nation’s western frontier. “As we stand here today with the Flagship behind us, we are reminded of the great sacrifices of Oliver Hazard Perry and his crew,” Corbett said. “If not for their bravery and sacrifice, the war would have turned out much differently. Their victory allows us to stand on the shores of Lake Erie, united as Americans and as proud Pennsyl...