Pennsylvania – Page 3 – Luv Saving Money

25% off Gen Admission at the National Aviary on September 25, 2019

This year we decided to get a National Aviary family membership since we didn’t go on vacation this year. I had been wanting to revisit the aviary for some time. My kids had never seen it. It’s such an immersive and unique experience. Check out our most recent National Aviary visit here to see what to expect and tips.

On Wednesday, September 25, 2019 all visitors will enjoy a 25% off discount on general admission rates. This is part of a year of monthly promotions to celebrate the Allegheny Regional Asset Districts (RAD) 25^th year and the significant support they, and the Pittsburgh community, have provided to the National Aviary. Visitors can expect something new on the 25th of each month this year.

Each month’s activity will be announced via the 25 RADical Years webpage on the National Aviary web site www.aviary.org, via social media using the hashtag #RAD25 and in the National Aviary’s Airmail e-newsletter. Announcements will be made on the 26^th day of each month for the following month’s activity.

Checkout my National Aviary visit post and visit aviary.org to plan your trip and learn more about the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, PA.

Living in a Small Coal Town in Pennsylvania

I live in an old mining town in Pennsylvania. There are lots of little mine areas designated by numbers. There is still some coal mining that happens from one active mine area in our town. At any given time during a regular work day you see many a coal truck carrying loads of coal or returning to the mine to reload.

Our town was built on mining. It was big business many years ago. In fact, both of my grandfathers were coal miners in the same mine. Also a melting pot area, we had Italians, Germans, Hungarians, Slovaks, and lots of other people from different nationalities. My grandfather used to talk about how the Hungarians (which is our heritage) use to group together. The same with the other nationalities. He’d talk about how the mine bosses used to use it as a competition who would get more loads done the Hungarians or the Italians? The Slovaks or the Irish?

Those days are long gone now. In a town where many people worked for the mines in some capacity, now only a handful do. The coal trucks run along our small town roads. More than once have I been behind a coal truck to have a chunk of coal fly off the back of a truck and strike my windshield. More than once have I had to call my insurance agency to have the chip in my windshield fixed before it became a bigger problem. But it doesn’t cost any thing if it’s not too big to repair rather than replace the the glass. Just a small piece of vehicle maintenance that is better taken care of early than to wait for it to become a bigger, more expensive problem.

We actually have trains that run through town fairly often loaded with coal two. Twice in the last few years the train has derailed. Even with some of the issues it is kinds of nice to see our town still doing some of the work that it was built on. Though I don’t think coal is the future.

Windber Recreation Park – Summer Staycation Series in Western PA

So far we’ve previewed the Pittsburgh Children’s Film Festival, took a visit to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, attended Challenger Sport Soccer Camp, and we’ve been enjoying the local recreation park.

Windber Recreation park known as Windber rec or simply “the rec” has a lot to offer for a leisurely low cost day. With tons to do on any day of the week and even more to do with special events like Wings and Waves, Windber Wine in the Park, and much more.

The park offers picnic tables and charcoal grills that can be used for a spur-of-the-moment picnic. There are also plenty of pavilions that can be rented for parties, reunions, and other events. From small pavilions to the enclosed dance hall with kitchen. Pavilion rental information is here.

As far as things to keep you entertained there is a nature trail, skate park, playground, volleyball nets, basketball court, tennis courts, and a fenced dog park. Many local enjoy walking or jogging the park for exercise. There are restroom facilities throughout the park. One of the big draws in the summer is the public pool that features a twisty slide and two shot gun slides. There are also changing facilities, showers, restrooms, and a concession stand available in the swimming area. Note: you can not bring coolers larger than 14″ inches into the pool area. We like to pack a small cooler bag with a drink and light snack when we swim. They do have lifeguards on duty.

Special events like the Wings and Waves in a popular event that brings in local eateries to offer a selection of wings to try and you vote on your favorites. Each Thursday 3 new eateries offer 3 different flavors of wings each. Buy a ticket to try a dozen wings of any flavor you’d like then enjoy an evening swim.

For local residents, getting a pool pass is well worth it especially when the days get hot. If you purchase one the end of April or early May you can get it at a discount. To visit for the pool for a day it’s $6 for adults and $5 for children. We invested in a pool pass this year and it has paid off for us. We are visiting 2 to 3 days a week at least as weather permits.

You could easily make a day out of the Windber Recreation park. Walk the nature trail, let the kids play at the playground, have lunch at one of the picnic tables, then go swimming. Or maybe play some basketball or tennis.

The Windber Recreation Park is the guaranteed low budget fun in the Johnstown, PA area.

Lycoming County Penn State Extention Offering Mediterranean Cooking Classes

With so many diets and ways to eat out there with so much information it can be hard to tell what’s best for you and even what the diet is really all about. Keto, Atkins, Mediterranean, South Beach, I mean I can honestly say I don’t know much about the Mediterranean diet. Cooking classes from experts can be a great way to not only learn some new dishes but to get education on the ways of eating that interest you.

The Mediterranean way of eating is considered one of the healthiest diets worldwide and focuses on plant-rich cuisine, with less focus on meats and sweets. Lycoming county Penn State Extention in Montoursville, PA is offering Mediterranean cooking classes.

“Let’s Cook Mediterranean” will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 5 at Penn State Extension Lycoming County Office, 542 County Farm Rd., Suite 206. In this hands-on cooking class, participants will create an authentic Mediterranean meal that’s healthy and delicious. To register, visit extension.psu.edu/lets-cook-mediterranean or call 877-345-0691.

The “Let’s Cook with Penn State Extension” classes address nutrition, healthy shopping, time saving tips and more, so cooks of all skill levels can navigate around the kitchen with confidence. I’m sorry, did they say time saving tips? This keeps sounding better and better.

If the Mediterranean cooking class doesn’t interest you, there are more to choose from. There are multiple “Let’s Cook” classes, focusing on a range of subjects, including special diets, weight management, and cooking for one or two, to name a few. All have been developed using science-based best practices. To see all the cooking classes currently offered, visit extension.psu.edu/lets-cook.

National Aviary in Pittsburgh: Summer Staycation Series in Western PA

This year, our family of 6 decided to do a “Summer Staycation”. We only go away for vacation every other year at this time. When we do our staycations we love discovering, or rediscovering things in western Pennsylvania. There is so much to do in western PA so narrowing it down can be hard. I realized we had never taken the kids to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

I remember going to the aviary on a field trip with the school when I was in elementary school. I remember enjoying my time there. It’s something different that you just can’t find everywhere.

For a family of 6 we actually found it was slightly cheaper just to go ahead and get a 1 year membership. When you get a membership you can visit as many times as you like, you get free parking, and a 10% discount in the gift shop.

Sea Eagles in the background (yes they’re real)

We went on a Tuesday. It wasn’t very crowded at all. We got there around 11 am and there was a surprising amount of parking available. There were different themed areas like the Grasslands, the Wetlands, Condor court and more. It was an immersive experience. Some birds could roam around freely in each room.

Birds would fly past you. There was lots of greenery. Very lush and natural looking open habitats.

The Wetlands with Cranes and Scarlett Ibis. There were also flamingos and many other birds.

There are lots of extra experiences you can do if you choose. One I highly recommend is the Lorikeet feeding. For only $3 a person you can get in line to feed the Lorikeet. You’re given a cup of nectar and allowed in the room to feed the Lorikeets. These birds will land right on you and drink from the cup. I had one climb up my arm onto my shoulder and then onto my head. But the birds are small and very gentle. My 6 year old was a little nervous at first but she loved it. She even asked if she could do it again.

Me feeding a Lorikeet and my son in the red shirt.

My 6 yr old participating in the Lorikeet feedings. She loved it.

Another affordable experience that ended up being my husband’s favorite was the SOAR! Birds of Prey presentation. For $5 per person you can go to the sky deck on top of the building. Trainers give a presentation on different birds of prey. Our presentation included a falcon, vultures, and black kites. The birds are well trained. They swoop in and catch treats, perch on the trainers arm, and more. You are not able to touch the birds but you get pretty close.

Vultures taking treats from the trainer.

If your budget’s a little bigger you can get in on experiences like the Sloth Experience, Armadillo experience, Penguin feedings, and more. There is also a theater on premises that shows different films and presentations.

There are two small gift shops and a food court available as well. If you’re not doing any of the added experiences you only need about 2 hours to see all the birds. If you are doing the experiences add at least 30 minutes for each experience. We got there around 11 am and left about 2:30.

If you want there is also the beautiful Allegheny Commons park surrounding the Aviary with a playground area, picnic tables, ponds with bridges, and lots of shady spots for a hot day. We let the kids stretch their legs at the playground and explored the park a little before heading out.

The National Aviary is located on the North Shore and is close to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and not too far from the Carnegie Science Center, It’s also only a 15 minutes drive from Phipps Conservatory.