Cozy Little House in the Snowy Woods   Just a short while ago I received a tip from an old friend about a house located a short distance from my home that may need a new owner.    Well, not wanting to forego a good lead even though it was snowing rather heavily I headed off into the woods on my cross country skiis.    Just off the beaten path look what I found  . . . Looks like the current occupants have abandoned the property, but I took a few exterior shots to upload into the MLS & post on the internet.  Let's brainstorm potential buyers . . .   Real Estate Pre-license classes Dec. 18-19 Erie, PA  www.alankells.com   12/17/2010

What's the Big Deal? For days now the mid-section of our country and the eastern Great Lakes have dealt with cold & snow.  The Weather Channel meteorologists have been busy talking about the weather non-stop even spending an entire day in Erie, PA.  At times I wondered what they would say if the weather was sunny & balmy from coast to coast day in and day out.  Just to escape the Weather Channel's nay-sayers I put on winter coat, hat & hiking boots and headed for the woods behind my house. View of Trout Run from our little bridge. A few weeks ago the walleye were making their annual run upstream.  Someday I will learn how to upload video so you can hear the babbling & gurling of the stream. So I ask, "What's the big deal?"  Winter is beautiful when we take time to enjoy it.  PS  And the... 12/15/2010

  F A L L SEASON OF CHANGE   As we approach the fall season and the leaves begin to change colors it is also a good time to reflect on what needs to be changed in our own lives.  During my daily walks I often walk by this tree and can't help but think of my childhood days.  How I would have loved to have this tree in my backyard.  What fun my siblings and friends would have had!   Okay, picture me sitting on a limb in the 'thinker's pose,' chin on hand, elbow on knee, just thinking. What needs to be changed in my life or business today?   First, let me review.  I have a great job teaching real estate pre-license classes for Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate and conducting training classes for Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.  No change needed in that area. Wonderful Hubby.  I wouldn't... 09/19/2010

  Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Announces: iPhone Open House Application Now Available     Introducing Howard Hanna's Exclusive iphone Open House Application is up and running. This new tool is an invaluable asset for all our buyers and sellers.    This application gives Howard Hanna agents One More Marketing Edge in the market place.  It is so simple.  iphone users can just download the application and then click to HANNA HOME and the 25 Open Houses closest to their location will appear instantly or consumers can also customize their search to target any location.   Planning a career in Real Estate?   ContactHoward Hanna Real Estate Services.  Classes begin October 9, 2010 in Erie, PA, Mary Yonkers, instructor.   09/17/2010

Another Sunset over Lake Erie   Old Marina     Another day & another sunset over Lake Erie   Join us tonight for repeat performance Moonrise over the field   Real Estate classes begin October 9, 2010 in Erie, PA Begin your Real Estate career by taking pre-license classes with Mary Yonkers & Alan Kells  www.alankells.com     09/17/2010

  Home Style Cooking with Mary   Venison Chili Okay, if you are not a venison fan you can make this recipe with ground beef or turkey and you will have your guests asking for seconds. Hubby is the hunter in the family; I am the chief chef. It's a cool, overcast day in Erie, PA and it's my day off from teaching and all my errands are DONE so let's get organized.  First, gather all your ingredients & utensils.  One pound ground meat:  venison, beef or turkey Crushed tomatoes, large can Stewed tomatoes, two small cans (we like pieces of tomato) Kidney beans: one can light, one can dark (for variety) Chopped onion, celery, garlic  (I use lots of onion & garlic and less celery as Hubby doesn't care for cooked celery.  Sometimes I use celery flakes for the taste) Worcestershire Sauce (I use t... 09/17/2010

SHOW & TELL: Can I Borrow Your Sunflower? Can you imagine my mother's surprise when the little boy down the street knocked on her door with his father asking for one of her giant sunflowers for "Show & Tell" at his school? From the delight in her voice I know he will always have a special place in her heart.   Real Estate classes begin October 9, 2010 in Erie, PA Begin your Real Estate career by taking pre-license classes with Mary Yonkers & Alan Kells  www.alankells.com 09/16/2010

READY OR NOT HERE COMES F A L L Fall creations Come In   My Favorite Season: Fall   Now if you are ready to change careers, Call me to discuss career in Real Estate.  Pre-license classes begin October 9, 2010 in Erie, PA.  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate.   09/13/2010

Howard Hanna Celebrates Opening of New Southwest Office in Erie, PA  CEO, Hoddy Hanna and President, Helen Hanna Casey were on hand to join Diane Potocki-Legate, manager of Erie SW office, in the ribbon cutting ceremony.   Debbie Leasure Howard Hanna Sales Associate makes these cookies   Hoddy Hanna indicated that 2010 closed sales for the Erie region are ahead of 2009 and he projects that trend to continue through the rest of the year. Mary & Dave Yonkers w/ Debbie, creator of those awesome Howard Hanna cookies  Considering a career in Real Estate?  Join me in Real Estate pre-license classes in Erie, PA soon.     09/11/2010

Welcome (This photo of Niagara was taken by Mary Yonkers in 2009) Tall Ships Led by U.S. Brig Niagara, Pennsylvania's flagship, six tall ships sailed through the channel and into Presque Isle Bay Friday evening.  The Parade of Sails marks the beginning of four day Tall Ships Erie Festival in Erie, PA, the home port of the Niagara. Thousands of people lined every foot of Erie's waterfront to catch a glimpse of these magnificent ships, a small part of our history.  The Unicorn has an all female crew including six local women who assisted the crew during their trip to Erie.   Two more tall ships are expected to arrive on Saturday as they were delayed by weather.  Erie expects 30,000 to 50,000 people to participate during the four festival.  If yesterday's overcast, chilly and windy brought... 09/10/2010

Word of the Day:  Eupeptic Eupeptic   Eupeptic  Eupeptic--adj. promoting good digestion.  Reading a blog about Home-style Cooking with Mary Yonkers is eupeptic.   Eupeptic not a word most of us use in our daily vocabulary, but recently I found it in Reader's Digest's Word Power list of fifteen words related to eating.  Today I had the opportunity to present the Word of the Day at Noon-Timer Toastmasters meeting in Erie, PA.  Then I logged into ActiveRain and found James Dray's Wordsmith group and remembered I promised not only to sign up as a member but to contribute. As Real Estate marketers we have heard about putting a pie in the oven while you host an open house. Not only does it make the house feel like a home, but it also aids the digestive process and hopefully more excited about... 09/09/2010

  Country Visitors Some Are Welcome   Last Sunday's Visitors at Yonkers   Some Visitors Are Not Welcome   Just a little guy above my front door    But I don't like bats even if they eat insects   And then this morning this visitor came in the back door But as you can see we were prepared . . .   Despite a few unwelcome guests living in the country has more advantages than disadvantages.  And living just a short distance from Lake Erie I have this beautiful view to share with you. I have an extra chair for you     Real Estate classes begin soon in Erie, PA Begin your Real Estate career by taking pre-license classes with Mary Yonkers & Alan Kells  www.alankells.com     09/05/2010

WHERE ARE YOU?   How do you expect me to find you? There are only 1.3 Million Realtor members,most of whom reside & work in the United States     WHERE ARE YOU in this mass of humanity called Realtors or Real Estate agents?   How will future clients find you?   What makes you different than 1.3 million other Real Estate agents?       I live & work in Erie, PA.  Who knows where Erie, PA is located?   Good guess might be on the shores of Lake Erie.   Sad, but--true-- there are people in eastern PA who don't have a clue about the location of Erie.  Guess they weren't paying attention in Social Studies back in grade school.   So what does a Real Estate agent in any town need to do to STAND OUT       Erie, PA has 500+ agents and from the buyers & sellers viewpoint they all look alike, don't ... 09/04/2010

KNOCK, KNOCK!  Who's knocking at my door? KNOCK, KNOCK! Who's knocking at my door? I'm BAT WHO?  BAT, Your friendly BAT is back   Look just above door jam   Unwanted visitor behind shutters   Any suggestions?   Broom??                              I would rather have my Social Media friends knock at my door:  Can I Borrow Your Social Media Friends?   And real estate classes begin soon in Erie, PA 09/03/2010

Hurricanes Equal SNOW and Lots of Snow snow      Come on, are you serious?  What do hurricanes have to do with snow? Lots of SNOW   I am dead serious or as serious as a non-weather expert can be.  However the National Weather Service states an active hurricane season in late August through November bottles up the cold Canadian air.   When the hurricane season finally ends frigid air rushes down over the warmer Great Lakes and like a light switch turns on the Lake Effect Snow.   So get your snow shovel from its hiding place in the garage unless you live  where you only 'dream of a white Christmas.' Since I live on the southern shore of Lake Erie I will have the shovel ready and my skis handy.   Yonkers Considering a career in Real Estate?  Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie, PARea... 08/30/2010

Let's Tour a Castle on the Shores of Lake Erie   Located just steps from Lake Erie this custom designed stone 'castle style' home has the charm of old with today's modern conveniences.  Listed by Connie Britton of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.  Nestled in the Avonia Valley at the foot of Avonia Road on a very private acre with nature trails, creek , waterfall and Indian sentinel. Avonia The owner states that the deer do not walk in front of the Indian sentinel.  Currently on the market for $325,000.  For years I have walked by the 'castle' on my walk to Lake Erie and I have wondered about the inside.  Today I had my opportunity to tour the open house hosted by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.  Come inside 351 Avonia Road Fairview, PA 16415 What a delightful escape from the hustle... 08/29/2010

Let's Greet the Sun Presque Isle Bay, Erie PA This morning I joined my daughter, Stacy, & her son, Hunter, at Presque Isle Peninsula for a two mile walk.   What a treat to Greet the Sun on a beautiful Sunday in Erie, PA Join us next Sunday   Considering a career in Real Estate?  Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie, PA Real Estate classes begin soon in Erie, PA Contact:  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate     08/29/2010

Sunday MorningVisitors No, it wasn't who you might expect on a Sunday morning.  My husband & I were enjoying a quiet cup of coffee when we heard quite a ruckus outside the front door.   Low and behold to our surprise . . .     Two female turkeys and seven juvenile turkeys were scurrying around the pine tree in our front yard. (This photo was taken through the screen door)     Considering a career in Real Estate?        Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie, PA Real Estate classes begin soon in Erie, PA Contact:  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate 08/29/2010

Are you coming for dinner tonight? Menu: Chicken Fajitas Chicken breast or fingers sliced thin Tortilla shells (I use multi-grain or whole wheat) Red & green pepper slices Green onions or onion slices Chopped black olives Diced tomato  (Hubby prefers salsa) Shredded iceberg lettuce Grated sharp cheddar cheese or Mexican mixture Sour cream Chipolte Chili Pepper******This is my secret spice!   Now please understand that I live in NW Pennsylvania.   As recently as fifteen years ago the Mexican section of our grocery store was about 1/10 the Italian section and the selections were minimal.  My brother lives in the Texas panhandle near Amarillo so his grocery store is the exact opposite.  When we visit him we take Italian delicacies and vice versa.  Over the years I have tried to replicate s... 08/28/2010

Oh, those hot, hazy days of late summer!  How do I occupy two active boys for a whole day?   Did I mention that we have a stream in our backyard?   Hunter/Jacob      Hunter        Young Tarzan   Jacob Well, I must say they/we had a wonderful time and all I had to do was sit on a rock & keep my eyes on two boys.  For a change it was the little one that stayed in one spot.  Jacob was as happy as a frog in a pond.  The boys are back in school this week, but the weekend is almost here.    Don't forget that Real Estate classes will begin soon, too.   Real Estate classes in Erie, PA Contact:  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate 08/27/2010