 Judi Mohn Griggs
Buffalo-born Griggs, left an island job at a Five Star/ Five Diamond resort to come home after 24 years away. She and her husband have a small brick home blocks from City Hall and a cottage on “the Lake.&rds Scoopquo; Her marketing duties with Uniland Development Company currently allow her to live and work in the Downtown area she loves.
My favorite activities
There are 55 restaurants within a half mile of my front door. I haven’t willingly set foot in a chain restaurant since I came home five years ago, but I’ll never get to all the good restaurants in the region. During my “walkabout” I lived in San Antonio, Houston and St. Simons Island none had a live music scene that matches Buffalo. Jazz, blues, rock, symphony, chamber, folk so many great venues and exceptional local and touring artists. We could (and sometimes do) go out every night of the week. In the summer there are free concerts almost every night.
5 Things I love about Buffalo
- There is nothing sweeter than a Buffalo summer sunny days and temperate nights with the giant air conditioner that is Lake Erie. We jam the entire calendar summer with events, concerts and festivals.
- The warmth and energy of the community. People here work hard, play hard and look out for each other.
- The beauty and drama of our architecture. Everyone talks about Frank Lloyd Wright, but you can’t walk a block downtown without seeing the work of any number of outstanding 20th century American architects. We have amazing private homes, only made more beautiful by our community obsession with gardening.
- The real spring-to-fall seasons .... strawberry, blueberry, cherry, grape, tomato, corn , plum and apple. Our wine trails are growing in Chautauqua and aging nicely in Niagara.
- Fall color in Delaware Park or especially around the “other falls” in Akron, Indian Falls, West Falls. Letchworth and other hamlets. I have never understood why Vermont gets all the ink in this attribute.
My favorite local hidden treasures you shouldn’t miss
Hamlin House Sunday Brunch on Franklin great food at exceptional prices at a beautiful Italianate Mansion that serves also as an American Legion Hall. The 17 percent butterfat homemade ice cream at Antoinettes on Transit at George Urban , served in traditional soda shop ware, in a fourth-generation family chocolate shop unpretentious and amazing. Kutter’s Cheese/Yancey’s Fancy in Pembroke the best European tradition Sharp and Swiss cheeses anywhere, now combined with award-winning Artisan cheeses.
My perfect day spent in the Buffalo-area
Our four seasons could make four completely different perfect days. Here’s one that works year around -- I’d have to start with breakfast around the corner at Spot Coffee and a walk with our Lab Lily up to Main Street over Lafayette Square and back through Niagara Square (she particularly loves the tulips in season). After dropping off Lily, I’d head to Hallwalls in Babeville to check out the latest show. Dinner would, of course, be at Della Terra in Avant or the Chop House a/visitorsnd from there a show, maybe a big national touring company at Sheas or an exceptional local performance at Road Less Travelled or Irish Classical Theater. The best part
my car never left the driveway!
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