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For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan's, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman's Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman's, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it's every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn't disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents.
The first stop on Friday's tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill's for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery.
DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed.
Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting was once again provided for the event by Erie Sisters & Brothers Secretary Jennifer Lucas, who went over the top with the lighting for the event. Jennifer also has, for the third consecutive year, the contract for lighting at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime show.
Sunday morning held the annual tearful good byes to dear friends until next year.
For more about the Erie Sisters and Brothers, borwse to eriesisters.ning.com.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
Julie & I . . . . we only took a couple of pic's over the weekend as we focused more one having fun and socializing.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
The 2014 Gala took place Nov 19-23 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie. The event is sponsored by Erie Sisters.
This year's event began with dinner and bowling night on Wednesday.
The 2014 Gala celebrated the beginnings of the Lake Erie Gala on Thursday with a tour to Cambridge Springs, highlighting this year's theme, "A Return To Riverside". The Riverside Inn was the original site of what would become the annual Lake Erie Gala. The bus trip also included tours of Campbell Pottery and Sprague Brewery, with dinner and entertainment at the historic Riverside Inn.
Friday's events included a bus tour to Quincy Cellars and Sensory Wineries in Ripley, New York. At the conclusion of our winery visits, the bus returned to Erie for lunch at the Colony Pub and Grill, followed with time for shopping at the stores at the Colony Plaza. After dinner Friday evening, we were treated to the comedy duo, Dueling Pianos, historically a favorite among long-time Gala participants. Friday's entertainment continued through the night at Benjamin's Pub in the Avalon for a Disco dance.
Saturday saw a fashion show put on by volunteers of the Gala, followed by time for shopping with the many vendors that set up at the Avalon for the event. Saturday evening capped the event with our annual Glitter Ball, with music by DJ Brad Kepler and lighting by Erie Sisters Secretary, Jennifer Lucas, who supplied the lighting for the event. Jennifer, herself, could not however be present, as she was being honored for the second consecutive year with providing the light show at the upcoming Thanksgiving day football game in Detroit between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. She was in Detroit, making preparations for that show.
Sunday morning was the time for tearful goodbyes as we said farewell to dear friends over the morning brunch.
While we had anticipated record setting attendance this year, our hopes were thwarted somewhat by the unusual weather that had hit the Buffalo area with as much as seven feet of snow. Many of our friends from the Buffalo area were unable to attend, as were a number of people intending to come down from Canada, only to find the border closed with the heavy snowfall. Despite these setbacks, the Lake Erie Gala still experienced a better than average attendance for the event, with many proclaiming it to be the best ever. Also making a big contribution was our first time event photographer, Destinee Davis, who took photos during the entire event and made them available for purchase on CDs. Destinee took the place of our long time photographer, Glenda Berkshire, who could not attend due to business commitments. All in all, the 2014 Lake Erie Gala was again a huge success, and we look forward to Gala 2015, which will take place November 4-8, next year.
from Melanie Shubitowski – Erie Sisters President and Gala Director
For more about Erie Sisters, browse to eriesisters.ning.com. For more about the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center, browse to www.avalonerie.com
The Erie Sisters and Brothers Transgender Support Group held their 17th Annual Lake Erie Gala on Wednesday, November 16 through Sunday, November 20 at the Bel Aire/Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 W 8th St, Erie PA. About 70 people attended the event.
The weekend included a vendor mart, visits to few wineries and the Lucille Ball Museum, the Glitter Ball, talent show, karaoke and a candlelight vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20.
The Gala Management Team wish to thank all of their sponsors and contributors and everyone who helped make this year's Gala a success!
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
Or should I say Sat morning . . Left to right GG? Diania, Julie, Penny . . . Thanks Penny for driving that night !!
The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan's, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman's Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman's, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it's every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn't disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents.
The first stop on Friday's tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill's for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery.
DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed.
Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting was once again provided for the event by Erie Sisters & Brothers Secretary Jennifer Lucas, who went over the top with the lighting for the event. Jennifer also has, for the third consecutive year, the contract for lighting at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime show.
Sunday morning held the annual tearful good byes to dear friends until next year.
For more about the Erie Sisters and Brothers, borwse to eriesisters.ning.com.
he 14th annual Lake Erie Gala, sponsored by the Erie Sisters Transgender Support Group, was held from November 20-24 at the Avalon Hotel in downtown Erie.
For more about the Erie Sisters, browse to eriesisters.ning.com. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. For more about Erie Gay News, browse to www.eriegaynews.com.
This year's Gala saw near record attendance, drawing transgenders and their spouses/significant others from as far as Denver, Colorado. Spousal and first timer attendance was at an all time high. The Gala featured tours to area wineries and other local attractions, fine meals and entertainment. On Wednesday, the ladies went to "All That Glitters" on E. 8th Street for discount shopping, wine and cheese, and a demonstration of various ways to wear scarves and other accessories. After shopping, we had dinner at El Toro Loco. Thursday saw a tour of two wineries and the Erie Brewing Company, and a performance after dinner that evening of "Whose Line is it Anyway" by the local performance group, "In All Seriousness." Friday's tours included more wineries and a tour of the Erie Art Museum. After dinner that evening, entertainment featured local hypnotist, Devin Knight. Dinners at the Avalon Thursday and Friday were themed. Thursday was a Sock Hop, and Friday was biker night, with prizes given to those deemed best dressed for the themes. The Gala attracted many vendors from the region, selling cosmetics, clothing, wigs, and other items. Saturday saw a return of the fashion show, with girls modeling attired in various categories, and our annual Glitter Ball capped off the week's events on Saturday night.
The Erie Sisters has enjoyed exponential growth over the past several years, due largely to our new website launched four years ago at eriesisters.ning.com. With over 1200 site members worldwide now, we look forward to what 2014 will bring us.
The Erie Sisters and Brothers Transgender Support Group held their 17th Annual Lake Erie Gala on Wednesday, November 16 through Sunday, November 20 at the Bel Aire/Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 W 8th St, Erie PA. About 70 people attended the event.
The weekend included a vendor mart, visits to few wineries and the Lucille Ball Museum, the Glitter Ball, talent show, karaoke and a candlelight vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 20.
The Gala Management Team wish to thank all of their sponsors and contributors and everyone who helped make this year's Gala a success!
GE DIGITAL CAMERA
Candidate Forum a Success
from NW PA Pride Alliance
On Thursday, April 18, NW PA Pride Alliance held a candidate forum at the Avalon Hotel & Conference Center, 16 W 10th St, Erie PA for candidates for Erie County Executive, Erie County Council (Districts 2, 4 and 6), Erie City Mayor and Erie City Council. Candidates from both major party were invited. WICU TV 12 covered the event as part of their broadcast that night. About 70 people attended overall.
Candidates from covered races attending included both Democratic candidates for Erie County Executive, Kathy Dahlkemper (D) and Barry Grossman (D-Incumbent); All candidates from both parties for County Council District 2, Lisa Austin (D), Joe Giles (D-Incumbent), Renee Vendetti (D), Andre Horton (D), Dave Pamula (D), and Ned Smith (R); County Council District 4 included Jay Breneman (D); and Erie City Council candidates attended included Casimir ‘Caz’ Kwitowski (D), Dave Brennan (D) and Kathy Fatica, who represented Selena King (D).
Also attending were candidate and representatives for races that were not covered, including Erie County Judge Candidates Joe Walsh and Bill Kelly Jr, and Erie School Director candidates Angela Euell-McNair and John Dundon.
Co-sponsoring organizations attending the event included NW PA Pride Alliance, Erie Gay News, Erie Sisters, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality, LBT Women, LGBT Erie, Persad Center, PFLAG Erie and Crawford Counties and TransFamily of Erie Support Group.
Many people contributed to the success of the event. We wish to thank NW PA Pride board members Season Crannell and Bob Langley. PFLAG board members Jayne May and Kate Copp, moderator Joshua Atkinson, Persad Center’s Ted Hoover.For more info about NW PA Pride Alliance, browse to nwpapride.org, or email Michael Mahler at president@nwpapride.org or call (814) 456-9833.
Fore more about NW PA Pride Alliance, browse to www.nwpapride.org
POOL PARTY . . . With "The Erie Sisters" Yes I know I look more "girliemon" than girl/lady lol, But hey I was swimming . . . bitches !!! so don't give me Sh*t
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
The 2014 Gala took place Nov 19-23 at the Avalon Hotel in Erie. The event is sponsored by Erie Sisters.
This year's event began with dinner and bowling night on Wednesday.
The 2014 Gala celebrated the beginnings of the Lake Erie Gala on Thursday with a tour to Cambridge Springs, highlighting this year's theme, "A Return To Riverside". The Riverside Inn was the original site of what would become the annual Lake Erie Gala. The bus trip also included tours of Campbell Pottery and Sprague Brewery, with dinner and entertainment at the historic Riverside Inn.
Friday's events included a bus tour to Quincy Cellars and Sensory Wineries in Ripley, New York. At the conclusion of our winery visits, the bus returned to Erie for lunch at the Colony Pub and Grill, followed with time for shopping at the stores at the Colony Plaza. After dinner Friday evening, we were treated to the comedy duo, Dueling Pianos, historically a favorite among long-time Gala participants. Friday's entertainment continued through the night at Benjamin's Pub in the Avalon for a Disco dance.
Saturday saw a fashion show put on by volunteers of the Gala, followed by time for shopping with the many vendors that set up at the Avalon for the event. Saturday evening capped the event with our annual Glitter Ball, with music by DJ Brad Kepler and lighting by Erie Sisters Secretary, Jennifer Lucas, who supplied the lighting for the event. Jennifer, herself, could not however be present, as she was being honored for the second consecutive year with providing the light show at the upcoming Thanksgiving day football game in Detroit between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. She was in Detroit, making preparations for that show.
Sunday morning was the time for tearful goodbyes as we said farewell to dear friends over the morning brunch.
While we had anticipated record setting attendance this year, our hopes were thwarted somewhat by the unusual weather that had hit the Buffalo area with as much as seven feet of snow. Many of our friends from the Buffalo area were unable to attend, as were a number of people intending to come down from Canada, only to find the border closed with the heavy snowfall. Despite these setbacks, the Lake Erie Gala still experienced a better than average attendance for the event, with many proclaiming it to be the best ever. Also making a big contribution was our first time event photographer, Destinee Davis, who took photos during the entire event and made them available for purchase on CDs. Destinee took the place of our long time photographer, Glenda Berkshire, who could not attend due to business commitments. All in all, the 2014 Lake Erie Gala was again a huge success, and we look forward to Gala 2015, which will take place November 4-8, next year.
from Melanie Shubitowski – Erie Sisters President and Gala Director
For more about Erie Sisters, browse to eriesisters.ning.com. For more about the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center, browse to www.avalonerie.com
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
For more information about the Erie Sisters, check www.eriesisters.org. Photos by James von Loewe, Bethany and others.
The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan's, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman's Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman's, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it's every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn't disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents.
The first stop on Friday's tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill's for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery.
DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed.
Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting was once again provided for the event by Erie Sisters & Brothers Secretary Jennifer Lucas, who went over the top with the lighting for the event. Jennifer also has, for the third consecutive year, the contract for lighting at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime show.
Sunday morning held the annual tearful good byes to dear friends until next year.
For more about the Erie Sisters and Brothers, borwse to eriesisters.ning.com.
he 14th annual Lake Erie Gala, sponsored by the Erie Sisters Transgender Support Group, was held from November 20-24 at the Avalon Hotel in downtown Erie.
For more about the Erie Sisters, browse to eriesisters.ning.com. Photos are by Michael Mahler, co-editor for Erie Gay News. For more about Erie Gay News, browse to www.eriegaynews.com.
This year's Gala saw near record attendance, drawing transgenders and their spouses/significant others from as far as Denver, Colorado. Spousal and first timer attendance was at an all time high. The Gala featured tours to area wineries and other local attractions, fine meals and entertainment. On Wednesday, the ladies went to "All That Glitters" on E. 8th Street for discount shopping, wine and cheese, and a demonstration of various ways to wear scarves and other accessories. After shopping, we had dinner at El Toro Loco. Thursday saw a tour of two wineries and the Erie Brewing Company, and a performance after dinner that evening of "Whose Line is it Anyway" by the local performance group, "In All Seriousness." Friday's tours included more wineries and a tour of the Erie Art Museum. After dinner that evening, entertainment featured local hypnotist, Devin Knight. Dinners at the Avalon Thursday and Friday were themed. Thursday was a Sock Hop, and Friday was biker night, with prizes given to those deemed best dressed for the themes. The Gala attracted many vendors from the region, selling cosmetics, clothing, wigs, and other items. Saturday saw a return of the fashion show, with girls modeling attired in various categories, and our annual Glitter Ball capped off the week's events on Saturday night.
The Erie Sisters has enjoyed exponential growth over the past several years, due largely to our new website launched four years ago at eriesisters.ning.com. With over 1200 site members worldwide now, we look forward to what 2014 will bring us.
The annual Lake Erie Gala, moved up this year from its traditional date, was held at the Avalon Hotel Wednesday Oct. 28 through Sunday Nov. 1 with 78 attendees. Events began Wednesday evening with dinner at Molly Brannigan's, followed by a night of bowling at Green Garden Lanes. Tours began Thursday morning. First stop on the tour was Fuhrman's Cider Mill. After leaving Fuhrman's, the tour proceeded to The Brewerie, where we had lunch and a guided tour of the spooky catacombs beneath Union Station. We were the very first group several years back on a Gala tour to be able to see what was under Union Station, and it's every bit as spooky now as it was then. Among other things, still in storage there from the Cold War era were canisters of crackers from when the building was designated as a fallout shelter. Paranormal investigators have frequented the site over the years, and it doesn't disappoint. We then continued the tours with stops at Arundel Cellars & Brewing, and Arrowhead Winery before returning to the Avalon. Thursday Evening saw our only scheduled entertainer at the Avalon, Cliff Hopkins, who amazed the audience with his talents.
The first stop on Friday's tours was at the Grape Discovery Center, which just opened in 2013. We were treated to a tasting of grape juice and wines from various different wineries in the area, then on to the McClurg Museum in downtown Westfield NY. The 14-room, Federal-style house was built in 1818 by pioneer James McClurg, and is home to the Chautauqua County Historical Society. Following that, a walk across Moore Park to Brazill's for a soup, salad & sandwich lunch. We were then off to Five & Twenty Spirits for a tasting of wine, beer and liquor. Our last stop was at Burch Farms, with a presentation and history of the six-generation produce farm and winery by Tim Burch, with a sampling of four of their wines and a dessert from their bakery.
DJ by Steve Maffei with dancing for our annual Glitter Ball followed. With the Halloween time setting, all meals and decorations for the event were Halloween- themed.
Friday afternoon was left open for vendor time, and after dinner, the ballroom was opened to the public for dancing and a Halloween costume party. Lighting was once again provided for the event by Erie Sisters & Brothers Secretary Jennifer Lucas, who went over the top with the lighting for the event. Jennifer also has, for the third consecutive year, the contract for lighting at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day Halftime show.
Sunday morning held the annual tearful good byes to dear friends until next year.
For more about the Erie Sisters and Brothers, borwse to eriesisters.ning.com.