After a long and dreary winter it was time for some action.  I couldn’t think of a better place to feel alive again than Las Vegas, Nevada.  So last Wednesday I packed up my suitcase, grabbed my friend, Marilynn, and hit the airport.  When we arrived it was 9:30am and it was already 92 degrees.  By mid afternoon we were lounging at the Cosmopolitan Hotel pool in 109 degree heat.

When we planned the trip a few weeks ago we had no idea anyone else from Buffalo would be there but we ended up finding ourselves in quite a Western New York re-union.  The first night we were there the Palms Hotel was hosting the NHL Awards.  A friend of ours was there for the awards and we were able to hang out at the after party where we met John Hamm from the television show "Mad Men". 

Thursday night we met up with some friends on the Buffalo Bills who were staying at the Wynn Hotel for a charity event held by Garth Brooks.  The Teammates for Kids

NATIONAL GRID PREPARES FOR SUMMER DEMAND

June 23, 2011 – One way to make the lazy days of summer even more relaxing is to be ready for what the weather will bring.  National Grid has prepared its New York system to help customers beat the heat and urges customers to take steps to cut costs when the temperature rises.

"National Grid's increased investment in the upstate New York electric system in recent years directly supports our reliability during summer's peaks," said Kenneth D. Daly, National Grid president for New York.  "As the frequency and length of customer outages continue to improve, National Grid recognizes that ongoing investment in the system will provide our customers with the service reliability they deserve."

Maple syrup producers Lyle and Dottie Merle have a long history of producing maple products in New York State.  The fourth generation business has picked up a lot of production lately.  The Merles operate their Merle Maple Farms in Attica, New York.  Their strongest production is their newest client Wegmans and the new equipment purchased with the assistance of Five Star Bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

For over a century, the Merle family has produced maple products, eggs, and raised dairy livestock, but not until recently have they invested in their 16,000 tap operation where they not only produce pure maple syrup,

but from the syrup they make maple sugar candy, granulated maple sugar, maple spreads – traditional cinnamon, raspberry, and robust, hot and sweet maple mustards, maple garlic pepper, and maple apple butter.