Air Force Liberty Jazz Band at Chautauqua Institute - 08/31/09 08:01 PM
Our Sunday plans included driving a short distance to Chautauqua Institute on Lake Chautauqua to attend the Air Force Liberty Jazz Band. We had hoped for nice weather,
 but raindrops & crisp winds greeted me early in the morning so I knew it was time to toughen up, dress for comfort and enjoy despite the weather.
Chautauqua Lake and Chautauqua Institute have been favorite vacation spots for many for more than 100 years. 
Many residents have turned their large homes into Bed & Breakfast or weekly/monthly rentals.  
Most of the homes have large front porches                   
 
that are great for … (6 comments)

Could You Use More Leads? - 08/31/09 02:33 PM
Isn't that a No-Brainer question????????  Who couldn't or wouldn't like more leads a.k.a referrals? 
Why are they so scarce? Hard to come by?         Hey, what about me?
It didn't take most of us long to realize that the Lead Fairy  didn't exist, but still none of us really want to work very hard to get more leads.  Why can't I have one? I really, really need one?
Have I struck a nerve?  Would you like Real Estate leads and eferrals to be more plentiful and easier to get?  Now be honest.  Most of us would like an easy deal once in awhile.
… (12 comments)

Walk with Me to Lake Erie - 08/29/09 05:22 PM
No matter what my schedule is like I try to squeeze in a walk each day.  I have many favorite routes.  Since the weather was rather pleasant today I picked one of the longer ones that goes all the way down to the shores of Lake Erie.  Great sunsets here, too
Of course if I lived on the waterfront I would have this Million $$$$ view 24/7
 

Consider the pluses & minuses of owning lakefront property with a million view.
Plus:  The view
Plus:  Easy access to the water
Plus:  Awesome beauty
Plus:  Sunsets every evening
Plus:  Very calming
Plus:  Great … (20 comments)

Real Estate Career Makeover: TAKE ACTION - 08/28/09 05:27 PM
A few days ago I asked Is Your Real Estate Career in Need of a Makeover? as the introduction to a series of posts on recharging your Real Estate career.
Al & Peggy's comment on that post gave me the title for today's.  "Just take ACTION on your plan, don't have one . . . Get One!"
Are you feeling like this agent who has more questions than answers?    More open houses, phone time, newsletters??????

Do I need my own website?           Blog, Facebook, Twitter?  
 Maybe I should . . .
Stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let's go back to the beginning.  Remember when you were new in this … (9 comments)

Wildlife Outside My Front Door and Wildflowers, too - 08/28/09 03:29 PM
I was backing out of my garage and glanced quickly across the road and saw three deer just beyond the fence.  Fortunately I had my camera in the car.  I wanted to get out of the car, but knew I would scare the deer.  If I had been on the porch I would have gotten a shot of all three.
 
Two deer: left of flag pole Photo taken from car

Doe & two fawns
Unfortunately or fortunately Hubby, the hunter, was not home to see them.  Occassionally the deer come across the road to our property and walk along the stream (Trout … (2 comments)

Oil Industry: Celebrates 150 Years - 08/27/09 04:10 PM
Oil 150th Birthday


150 Candles
See other posts
Where Was the First Oil Well Drilled?  
Birthplace of Oil Industry  
Happy 150th Birthday: Oil Industry  

 

Having grown up in Northwestern Pennsylvania not far from the birthplace of the oil industry I have enjoyed writing this series of posts about the events leading up to Col Edwin Drake striking oil on August 27, 1859.
 
 
 
 
Lumber was the major industry in 1857.
Wood sold for $6.00 per thousand feet.
Edwin Drake was hired because he was a retired RR conductor & could ride … (5 comments)

Let's Walk in Asbury Woods - 08/27/09 03:06 PM
Asbury Woods Nature Center--donated by Otto Behrend to Millcreek School District       
 
Join me and a few friends as we walk about three miles along the banks of Walnut Creek. 
During the winter this is a great place to cross country ski. 
In spring and fall many birders watch for migrating birds.
Resource Center has Erie's only Green roof.  I will write about that another day.
 

 
This section reminds me of a primeval forest with fog from Walnut Creek rising from below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
           Just bring a good book & spend … (1 comments)

Is Your Real Estate Career in Need of a Makeover? - 08/26/09 03:23 PM
Is the economy getting you down?  How long has it been since your last closing? Are you wondering why other agents seem busier than you do? Or maybe you are busy, but nothing is happening?
Do you feel like your real estate career     needs a makeover?
Do you have over-priced listings, but the seller won't reduce?  Are you showing properties to buyers who aren't buying. 
 
 
Would you like more listings? Better priced listings?  Do you need buyers who are ready, willing and able to buy NOW?


Is your family wondering where you are spending your … (7 comments)

Wildlife in Review during Walk to Lake Erie - 08/25/09 06:43 PM
Join me as I walk a mile to Lake Erie. I took my new camera just to try it out and was lucky enough to capture a few wildlife photos, too.

One mile to Lake Erie (see small circle opening)

Million $$$$ View
Years ago I thought I wanted to own property on Lake Erie, but have become very content to enjoy my (almost daily) one mile walk to the lake.  Today I saw two deer, three turkeys, a cedar wax wing, locust, snake and numerous mosquitoes including the one that bit me while waiting for perfect shot of deer.  Enjoy … (7 comments)

Sold Out Crowd at Seawolves Game - 08/25/09 04:35 PM
Fun night at the Erie Seawolves game in front of Sold Out Crowd. 
 
 
 
 
6,952 in attendence bought a record number of Smith's hot dogs, Erie's favorite hot dog.  6,800 Hot Dogs Sold
       (Hot dogs $1.00 and I ate two!)
I love the antics of the sideline entertainers (stuffed wieners and the Seawolves' mascot) and the vendors wearing wiener hats.
Erie is not the major league, but we have fun. Many businesses, churches and families enjoy a great evening at reasonable cost.
 
          
Kid's Stampede
            Seventh Inning Stretch







… (2 comments)

And We Are Off to the Ole' Ball Game - 08/24/09 03:41 PM
"And we are off to the ole' ball game"

 As a kid I remember my grandfather and my dad listening to baseball games on the radio on our front porch.  Once each summer the two of them would go to a Pirates game in Pittsburgh with other men from church. 

In the fall our teachers sometimes allowed us to listen to the World Series games at the end of the day.  What a treat!
Now Tv ahs spoiled us with instant replays, but nothing beats a live game.  Tonight we are off to the ball game with a groups of friends … (8 comments)

Where Was First Oil Well Drilled? Hint: Not Texas - 08/21/09 11:44 AM
Where was the first successful, commercial oil well drilled?  If not Texas, where?
The use of petroleum products, such as asphalt, has been documented back to 4,000 B.C.
Ancient Egyptians, Persians (ancestors of Iran), the Greeks and Romans used oil products for waterproofing boats, embalming the dead and for military purposes.
2,100 yrs ago the Chinese used the fulcrum system to drill for oil & transported oil using bamboo pipes

Daily progress:  Three feet per day
Replica below:  See ropes for your feet

Native Americans gathered oil from seeps and pits as early as 1410 A.D. (carbon dating)   
Early settlers in … (9 comments)

Flowers Vs Sunset - 08/19/09 05:14 AM
First I must beg forgiveness.  Last night I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets of the summer, but I didn't have my camera with me.
 
BUT
I did have my scissors
!
!
!

Wildflowers
Attitude adjustment:  Since my property is heavily wooded I have hard time growing flowers during the summer months.  BUT the field across the road has lots of beautiful flowers.
My Promise:   Next time I will take both my scissors and the camera.  Hubby drove his SUV with 4-wheel drive through a lot of muddy ruts along the corn rows, etc.  (PS  He is … (11 comments)

COW BINGO Anyone? - 08/18/09 05:04 PM
COW BINGO "Plot"  $20 donation


Plop

                 
                      Plop


                                         Plop

Plop


                                   Plop

Plop


COW BINGO  held at Annual Family Fun Day ---September 12, 2009
Bertram Park ---Saegertown, PA
Proceeds benefit "Caring About Our Community" Charities/ Sponsored by Meadville Area Federal Credit Union
 
Grand Prize:  $1,000
 
 
 
Yes, this is real bingo game played on a 25 X 25 yard field with real cow.  If the first "PLOP" lands on your plot, you win $1,000.
I found this event advertised on the Credit Union's website and … (18 comments)

You Can Be the Stimulus: Donate Your Time - 08/17/09 04:37 PM
Every state, region, business and organization would like a piece of the stimulus pie the gov't is dangling in front of us as the solution to the economic crisis.

For The Arts and Charities and businesses like the auto industry stimulus money is their 'life-line' for survival.
In the Erie county the race is on to get $$$$$$$$$$ from the gambling pot, fees paid by the Presque Isle Downs Casino to Erie County for distribution.  Law suits, tempers and cries of 'playing politics' are raging this summer.
However, quietly in other sectors, organizations are asking for donations of time and the expertise of … (8 comments)

A Peaceful Ending - 08/16/09 06:02 PM
                                      A Peaceful Ending to Another Day Spent on the Water

All is calm on the waterfront
If you look closely you may be able to see a little color reflected in the water and the sun almost dead center as it descends into the trees.  Some boats were returning from  a day spent on Presque Isle Bay or Lake Erie.  Other boats were just going out to enjoy the sunset from the water or fish.
After dinner I prefer Sittin' on the Dock by the Bay and listenin' to the sounds of the water & watch the sky change colors.
Tomorrow will be another … (4 comments)

Birthplace of Oil Industry: 150 Years Ago - 08/14/09 09:31 PM
Happy 150th Birthday:  Oil Industry                                                     
Do you know the birthplace of the modern oil industry?  Many people would guess Texas, Oklahoma or the Middle East and not the backwoods of Pennsylvania.

August 27, 1859 Colonel Edwin Drake drilled the first commercial oil well in the Venago Oil Field along the banks Oil Creek in rural Pennsylvania.                 
                                                                      
This event ushered in the modern petroleum industry that today provides us with fuel for light, heat and transportation.  Many modern products contain petroleum or are derived from its byproducts such as plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Today it is hard to imagine the remoteness of Drake's … (4 comments)

Happy 150th Birthday: Oil Industry - 08/14/09 09:26 PM
OIL QUIZ

Did you know that the first commercial oil well was drilled in western Pennsylvania 150 years ago spawning the petroleum industry as we know it today?  Venago County is now known as the Valley that Changed the World as told in new documentary film produced by WQED Multimedia & The Oil Region Alliance.  www.oilregion.org  
Did you know that the use of oil has been documented in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Sumeria, Assyria and China?  Oil was used to waterproof boats, embalm pharaohs, grease chariot axles and for medicinal purposes.  The Chinese used bamboo pipelines and transported oil & gas in … (2 comments)

Job Stimulus: Look in Your Closet - 08/14/09 02:33 PM
   How can I turn my turn my closet into a Job Stimulus Program? 
Unemployment rates are still high even though there was a slight decline in July.  Too ofetn most people look to the government to solve the problem, but did you know that many charities are devoted to helping the unemployed and under-employed get back into the workforce.  St. Martin Center and Mercy Center for Women both in Erie, PA  provide their clients with proper attire to wear to job interviews and/or attire for their new job.  We, as individuals, can do our part, too. 
                  How?
 End your closet clutter . . .  DONATE
… (12 comments)

Residential Hazardous Waste Accepted Here - 08/13/09 05:55 PM
Does your basement look like mine?

What lurks here amongst the treasures?
Quickly I see ten years of old paint cans, paint thinner, roofing cement, black driveway sealer, 20 or more Rust-oleum spray paint cans.  The top shelf holds products specifically for painting and cleaning the bottom of our boat, US'N TWO.  While writing a post about the hazards of lead-based paint I learned that most marine paints including the one we use contain lead.
Then there is our two story barn and all the treasures that have accumulated over the years, more treasures right?  When we can't more around in the basement things … (16 comments)

International Guests Tour Erie, PA - 08/13/09 04:42 PM
International guests, Rod & Sandy Ritchie, from St. John, New Brunswick, Canada toured Erie, PA with us for the last few days.  Come with me as I review our tour via photos.
 
'Sitting on the Dock' Eating Lunch

Tour of Erie's Waterfront via Land & Sea

Bayfront Convention Center & Sheraton Hotel

Home of US Brig Niagara (PA's Flagship)

House Boats in Horseshoe Pond on Presque Isle Peninsula

US'N TWO
There are 24 house boats on Horsehoe Pond.  Most are passed down through the years to family and rarely come up for sale until this summer.  Establishing … (2 comments)

International Guests - 08/10/09 12:22 PM
We are excited that our international guests, Sandy & Rod, will be arriving soon.

Rod, Sandy, Mary & Dave
St. John, New Brunswick
We met Rod & Sandy on a cruise to the Bahamas two years ago.  Last fall they were our tour guides when our New England/Canada cruise took us to their hometown, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.  After cruising up the Bay of Fundy the most facsinating site in St. John was the Reversing Falls on the St. John River caused by extremely high tides (20++ feet) twice per day.  As we boarded the ship in late afternoon for next port … (7 comments)

Sunday's Finale - 08/10/09 06:24 AM
Come Sit on the Dock with me and we will watch another beautiful Lake Erie sunset.

Notice the two swimmers in the water

The clouds add to the beauty & unusualness of each sunset

 Anticipation

Can you hear the song Sitting on the Dock?

Swimmers catch the last rays

Oops!  How did that happen?  Guess Hubby's black convertible just diverted.
… (3 comments)

Going Green: Pittsburgh Trades Black & Gold . . . A GREEN Pittsburgh Team??? - 08/09/09 04:17 PM
Yes, Pittsburgh, home of the 2009 Super Bowl Champions/Steelers and the 2009 Stanley Cup/Penguins and the MLB/Pirates are trading their traditional Black & Gold colors for Green as in Green-certified buildings. 
Pittsburgh's -- David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the largest Green-certified building in the United States, will host the G-20 Global Economic Summit in September.  With 33 Green-certified buildings Pittsburgh ranks seventh in the country.
This is such a far cry from the Pittsburgh I knew during my childhood visits as I grew up about 50 miles north.  I still remember the haze & the endless smoke stacks as we approached Pittsburgh … (5 comments)

Flowers for the Soul on a not Exactly Speechless Sunday - 08/09/09 02:25 PM
Yesterday I had so much fun putting together a few flower arrangements during a rather dreary, rainy day that I just had to make one more today.  I thought I would share it with ActiveRain in my first almost Speechless Sunday post.

Flowers for the Soul
 
Guess I am not exactly a wordless person, but enjoy the flowers anyway.
 
 
… (3 comments)

Rain, Rain Go Away - 08/08/09 08:40 PM
Rain, Rain Go Away  Remember that song from childhood?  Those of us who live in the Northeast have been singing that song most of the summer.  I really shouldn't complain since the rain didn't start until this afternoon.  I had two hours to walk along the stream with my grandsons, Hunter (8) & Jacob (2). They find water to be very fascinating & love to skip rocks on the water.
When the rain started after lunch I decided to take advantage of a rainy day.  Let me share with you several flower arrangments I put together.

FLOWERS FOR A RAINY DAY

MY … (16 comments)

SWAP, DONATE, GIVE AWAY a.k.a. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse - 08/08/09 04:50 PM
SWAP, DONATE, GIVE AWAY is just another way to Recycle, Reduce & Reuse.  
Is your home, office or garage overloaded with stuff like mine?  Maybe it's time to consider a new homes for these unused orphans.  I decided to start with the TVs that have accumulated in my basement.  Since I grew up with parents who survived the Great Depression I learned the basics of Recycling and Reusing. 
SWAP   Many years ago an Erie radio station had a program called Swap Shop.  A caller could offer an item for sale very inexpensively.  I remember feeling good about finding new homes for my things that still … (6 comments)

 
Mary_y_edited-1 Rainmaker_large

Mary Yonkers Erie/PA Real Estate

Erie, PA

More about me…

Howard Hanna/Alan Kells School of Real Estate

Address: 4248 West 12th Street, Erie, PA, 16505

Office Phone: (814) 833-1000

Cell Phone: (814) 881-7548

Email Me

Real Estate Education is my passion. My goal is to encourage YOU to maximize your strengths and overcome your weaknesses. How can I help you? View Mary Yonkers, Educator/Trainer's profile on LinkedIn


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