Living the Belle Époque: Ithaca, New York

It really is. Gorges and gorgeous.



Prior to being named “Fan of the Week” by NBC’s TODAY and the fourth hour’s lovable hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, I didn’t know much about Ithaca, New York, except that the city was known as a college town—home of Cornell University and Ithaca College, a place named for a Grecian island. I wasn’t aware of the magnificent natural beauty of Ithaca, its many monumental gorges (the source of the city’s slogan), sculptural stacks of shale and glistening waterfalls. I had no idea that this upstate city, the county seat of Tompkins County, was a major center of American winemaking. I was oblivious to the fact that Ithaca, with its charming plaza and commons, was as much of a cultural extravaganza as it is—peppered with fine restaurants, monuments to the arts and sciences and exceptional opportunities for performing artists of all types.



Since September, I’ve learned quite a lot about Ithaca thanks to the many generous and gracious representatives of the city and its businesses with whom I’ve had the pleasure of interacting. Fred Bonn, Director of the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau afforded me my first introduction to Ithaca. I knew after the first time I spoke with Mr. Bonn that I was dealing with a community of exceptional people. In arranging my trip to Ithaca, Mr. Bonn and his associates were careful to make sure that my experience would be one that I’d not only enjoy but remember forever. For example, I’m not a drinker. Instead of a tasting tour of the wineries of the area, Mr. Bonn made sure that Laura Winter Falk, the knowledgeable and gracious president and owner of “Experience! The Finger Lakes” would tailor our private tour of the beautiful scenery to suit my interests—history, architecture, geology--a tour that would not only include stunning vistas, majestic waterfalls and towering rock formations, but also an introduction to the handsome Victorian architecture of the city and the history of its founders.

This week, Ithaca celebrates the arts with an ice sculpture carving event.

I learned very quickly, even from these initial dealings, that these were truly kind and welcoming people. Quite frankly, I was shocked. I’m not accustomed to being treated with such a spirit of giving—outside of my own friends and family. And, so, many a question was answered. There are still gentle people in the world. Furthermore, I can say with great certainty that anyone visiting Ithaca—and I highly recommend it—will be treated as an old friend, returning home.


Speaking of home, my gift from Kathie Lee and Hoda gave me an introduction to La Tourelle Resort and Spa. Managing Director Scott Wiggins and General Manager Leslie Leonard, along with an outstanding staff, treat all guests to the resort as if they’re long-lost chums. The main hotel is comfortably appointed, sitting proudly above the tranquil spa which offers a tremendous array of services and pampering which are sure to help even the most highly strung of us feel relaxed.

Of course, as beautiful as the resort and spa is, it's rivaled only by the views from the beautifully-manicured grounds around the hotel.  

However, if you’re looking for a very special experience, I’d recommend La Tourelle’s spacious Yellow Barn Suite. Three bedrooms, two baths and a powder room, the suite’s three-story loft is warmed by a gas fireplace which flickers and glows against the wrought iron railings of the spiral staircase and balconies. A commodious living room seats ten and with its projection television is the perfect spot to relax and feel like royalty.

If you’re looking for a good meal, Ithaca is the place. And, if you’re staying at La Tourelle, you don’t have to go very far for one either. Simply Red Bistro, with its friendly staff, offers a varied breakfast and lunch menu and the sumptuous John Thomas Steakhouse—just steps away from both the main hotel and the Yellow Barn, affords opportunities to enjoy the best of New York State cuisine. Utilizing locally grown ingredients and featuring Tompkins County wines, the dining at La Tourelle always promises to be top notch.

John Thomas Steakhouse

And, that’s not even mentioning the host of dining options at the Ithaca Commons. Rows of restaurants, each elegant and each appealing, offer a visitor any number of options. After you’ve eaten, take some time to browse the many attractive shops that line the plaza. Everything from jewelry and books to fine clothing and gourmet items are right there on your path. 

It’s not often that I hang up from an introductory phone call and think, “What nice people.” And, it’s rare indeed that those same people and, even, complete strangers reinforce that initial perception. However, I can say with the utmost confidence that should you decide to visit Ithaca—and you should—you will experience a level of cordiality which I had long thought was gone.

I'm very grateful to TODAY, Kathie Lee and Hoda for the opportunity to learn about Ithaca and to encounter such fine people.

Living the Belle Epoque: Bertie's Vacation

Recently, I spent some time away from home, and, unfortunately, Bertie couldn’t come with me. However, he did get to spend several days with my mother, his “grandma” where he was the center of attention and where he quickly became—as he is here with me—King of the Castle.

Here’s Bertie’s account of our time apart. 


I go to my grandma and grandpa’s house all the time. To get there, I get to go for a ride in the car. I’m always excited to go and I bark a lot at my daddy so that he knows I want to go. When we get there, I go sit in the sunlight and then we get to eat a lot. We eat all sorts of good things that I don’t get to eat at home since daddy is always sitting in his chair tapping on that stupid flat thing that he says makes words. I guess that makes him too lazy to make wonderful things to eat like grandma does.

The other day we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s. I was so happy because it seemed like we had just been there. Sometimes when we go, we stay overnight and then we get to have breakfast the next day. Sometimes Daddy makes me go home the same night—that’s usually. I don’t like that since it’s late and dark and I’m tired. But, we got to stay and I was happy. We got up very, very early and had muffins to eat. It was still dark outside! Then, Daddy and Grandpa put on their coats and carried bags to the car. It seemed strange to me, so I barked. Daddy looked worried and he kept telling me I was going to be a good boy and have lots of fun.

Sometimes, Daddy and Grandpa go out on Sundays and leave me to play with Grandma for a little while. I don’t know where they go, but they usually come back with shopping bags with food or other things. I don’t mind because I get to stay with Grandma and she talks to me and we play. They always come right back.

This time, they didn’t. I don’t know where they went. Grandma said they went on an airplane. But, that seems silly since the Costco is nearby, and, I think, that’s where they go when they go places. I guess they got lost. They didn’t come back for a long time. Maybe there was a sale. 

Thankfully, Grandma knows what a doggy likes. She made sure I was very comfortable. She even let me watch my shows. I like to watch “Kathie Lee and Hoda.” So, Grandma made sure that it was on for me every day. I got to watch “Dragnet” and “Hazel” and “Father Knows Best” and “Leave it to Beaver” and “The Partridge Family” and everything. I didn’t get to miss my daddy too much since I was so comfortable and things seemed to be the same as they are at home—only with better food. 

I got to eat lovely things when I was at Grandma’s house. Daddy gives me food, too, of course. But, Grandma’s food is tastier.

But, it wasn’t all sitcoms and supper. No. Since I was a guest, I knew I had to help out around the house. I helped Grandma vacuum and clean. I helped do the laundry by sitting on my green towel which I think looks very nice on Grandma’s pretty couch. 

Most of all, I helped in the kitchen. Grandma needs me to supervise when she’s making dinner. I don’t know how she gets by without me. Some people think that I do it in case anything falls on the floor that I can eat, but I’m just being thoughtful. Still, sometimes Grandma gives me little nibbles of what she’s making. If she wants to do that, I won’t complain. 

I’m not really sure how long Daddy and Grandpa were at Costco, but I got to sleep at Grandma’s house many times. I even let her sleep on her own side of the bed. Mostly. 

And, then, they came back and I went home and everything was the same as it always is.

But, I learned something when I stayed with Grandma. I learned that it’s important to be comfortable and that even when things are different, you can have a good time and be yourself. Not every doggy or kitty cat is as lucky as I am. I have two houses where I can go and be at home. I get to go for rides in the car and I get lots of good things to eat. But, some others like me don’t. If you want to have a friend like me, you should. If you can give a home to a doggy or kitty cat or some other kind of pet, you can search for shelters in your area. All it takes is one visit and you’re sure to find a friend for life. 

Living the Belle Époque: A Dinner to Remember

Every year, my mother and father work for days to create the perfect Thanksgiving for our family. Between the cooking, baking, cleaning and arranging, it amount to hours of work which are then gone as fast as we can eat it. This year, I thought I should chronicle the event so that a record would remain of their monumental achievements long after the food was gone.

We began the day with a lovely breakfast—complete with a homemade cornbread. Cornbread, as you’ll see, is one of the main components of my mother’s famous dressing.

While the turkey was roasting, my mother worked her magic, pausing briefly to bake two extra kinds of cookies, just in case the two pies weren’t enough.

The first course consisted of a lovely home-made soup of butternut squash and pear adorned with roasted nuts and sour cream infused with citrus rind. Even Bertie had some. He felt left out.

As always, the turkey was a work of art with a beautiful mahogany skin. Roasted and basted to perfection, the key to achieving this lovely color is to coat the bird in cheesecloth while it’s in the oven. The dressing was sheer beauty—cornbread, white bread, herbs, sausage, and onions. Absolutely stunning! With a side of haricots vertes topped with a balsamic reduction and toasted sesame seeds, whipped potatoes and parsnips, a lovely cranberry and apricot compote and a sublime home-made gravy, the dinner was complete. Placed on their lovely table—perfectly set, we lifted flutes of champagne to toast the day and each other.

Of course, dessert was phenomenal. My mother bakes a beautiful pumpkin pie every year. Sadly, I’ve never taken a shine to pumpkin pie. So, each year my mother also makes me a Derby Pie of pecans, chocolate and bourbon. The crust of each was home-made, adorned with hand-cut leaves and exquisitely baked. In addition, we had Cinnamon Pinwheel cookies and Pillows of chocolate chips and nuts. A nice stiffly whipped cream unified everything.

So, my many thanks to my family for another lovely holiday. It was the ideal reminder of all the beauty that the world still has. I hope that all of you had similarly grand days.