Steve/sewell
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This past Labor day weekend my wife and I and our 16 year old son Stephen were guests of Red Matthews and his wife Agnes.Red had invited us up to his beautiful home and lake side cottage but scheduling a time block to get up there this past summer was difficult at best.Finally this past weekend was chosen as the date to meet Red and his wife.Reds home is in the Southern Finger lakes region in New York.I have driven by here many times on trips to Niagara falls but never stopped to see the region.I also did not realize just how close Reds home was to Watkins Glen International Raceway.His home is surrounded by large Winery's on both sides of Seneca lake.We had an easy ride up and made it to his home in less then four and a half hours.
Reds home and farm are located on a good sized hill just off of Route 414 on the southeast side of Lake Seneca.Red was everything I had imagined he would be.I wondered what he would look like,sound like while driving up to see him.He is in great shape for a man of 81 years old and a wealth of passionate knowledge in regards to the glass hobby.We had not been his home for 5 minutes and yet everyone was comfortable telling the other about their lives.His wife Agnes is pretty,very intelligent strong willed and definitely calls the shots in Reds home.You can tell from being around them in a very short matter of time that they are soulmates.We talked for an hour and a half and then Red and Agnes took us to a nice water fall in a small park in Montour falls New York.A short walk and you are greeted by a spectacular waterfall.Red and his wife waited for us in the car in the parking area and then drove us to their lakeside cabin .To say I was taken back is an understatement,Reds large lakeside cottage is nestled in a forest sitting 60 feet above the shore of Seneca lake.He has stone pathways and steps leading down to a small marina and beach side area that is breathtaking in beauty.
He showed us the cabin and my wife fell in love with the place in 5 minutes.The home has a large screened porch
and a paved patio area.Inside a fireplace,full sized kitchen,dining area and a large family room.This place is truly a 5 star rating as I could go on and on about the amentities.We had lunch and then went back to our cabin.That evening Red and his wife and my family had dinner at a nice quiet restaurant.We shared more stories and had a great time.The next day we got up very early and planned to see a lot.We went to Watkins Glen state park to see waterfalls and a gorge we spent three hours in there from 8:00 to 11:00.From there we went to the Corning museum which I have seen pictures of here at the forum from other members.What a place, I would recommend it anyone who loves glass.The museum was very crowed and it was difficult to view and to take pictures of the glass but I did my best in the limited time you would have in any particular exhibited area. We spent about 5 hours in the museum and plan to go back in the winter when it should be less crowed.
The trip ended way to soon as it seemed we had just arrived but now it was time to come home as work was tugging at my wife and I.We rank this vacation though short in duration as a top three we have ever been on.If Red will have us again I would go in a heartbeat. I just cant say enough about their hospitality and graciousness as it is topnotch..............Red I have to tell the story you told me about as we sat for the last time in your dining room DON'T GET MAD.When Red met Agnes it was a blind date and very similar to my own situation with my wife.Agnes worked for the FBI in Washington DC and lived in an apartment with a girlfriend.Red was supposed to take her roommate out for a date but ended up with Agnes instead and he never looked back since.That is almost exactly how I met my wife Judy a planned blind date with a cousin of hers but it ended up being Judy and I never looked back.
Now for the good part epackage (Jim) you will like this story.Red had always loved motorcycles and owned many Harley Davidson's in his life.Red again don't get MAD it wont tarnish your image it will only serve to make you more real to the other members!!.Red took his cycle to the steps of the Lincoln memorial and decided he was going to see the memorial like no one before him and I can assure you after him will ever see it.He did the motor cross tour of Lincoln's statue and DROVE his cycle up the steps and buzzed Abe's statue on his cycle circling it a couple of times.He was soon accosted by DC's finest but was not arrested but just escorted out of the mall area.Could you imagine even attempting this today .This is a classic story and every time I will see Red posting here at the forum I will think of this and laugh my butt off.As Larry the cable guy says I don't care who you are that's funny.
My view I held of Red was mostly as expected but it also changed dramatically this past weekend for the better.He has lived life to the fullest seen the world from his RV working in the glass industry travelling state to state and to different countries glass industries' perfecting their glass moulds through his own igenuity.I mean this sincerely Red is a true Renaissance man who has seen and done everything you could ever imagine in life.If everyone emulated Reds passion and zest for life we would all be for the better.
How would I describe Red Matthews to all of you here at the forum who have never met him in person............Ill do my best.Stature and Size 6 foot 2,in as good of shape as any at 81 years of age,strong,true gentleman,passionate about everything that interests him,organized is an understatement,caring,hospitable,a GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR,an accomplished artist who has passed the talent down to his daughter,and a loving husband to Agnes who is his pride and joy!!
God bless the two of you Red and Agnes sincerely Steve and Judy and young Steve Atkinson
Reds home and farm are located on a good sized hill just off of Route 414 on the southeast side of Lake Seneca.Red was everything I had imagined he would be.I wondered what he would look like,sound like while driving up to see him.He is in great shape for a man of 81 years old and a wealth of passionate knowledge in regards to the glass hobby.We had not been his home for 5 minutes and yet everyone was comfortable telling the other about their lives.His wife Agnes is pretty,very intelligent strong willed and definitely calls the shots in Reds home.You can tell from being around them in a very short matter of time that they are soulmates.We talked for an hour and a half and then Red and Agnes took us to a nice water fall in a small park in Montour falls New York.A short walk and you are greeted by a spectacular waterfall.Red and his wife waited for us in the car in the parking area and then drove us to their lakeside cabin .To say I was taken back is an understatement,Reds large lakeside cottage is nestled in a forest sitting 60 feet above the shore of Seneca lake.He has stone pathways and steps leading down to a small marina and beach side area that is breathtaking in beauty.
He showed us the cabin and my wife fell in love with the place in 5 minutes.The home has a large screened porch
and a paved patio area.Inside a fireplace,full sized kitchen,dining area and a large family room.This place is truly a 5 star rating as I could go on and on about the amentities.We had lunch and then went back to our cabin.That evening Red and his wife and my family had dinner at a nice quiet restaurant.We shared more stories and had a great time.The next day we got up very early and planned to see a lot.We went to Watkins Glen state park to see waterfalls and a gorge we spent three hours in there from 8:00 to 11:00.From there we went to the Corning museum which I have seen pictures of here at the forum from other members.What a place, I would recommend it anyone who loves glass.The museum was very crowed and it was difficult to view and to take pictures of the glass but I did my best in the limited time you would have in any particular exhibited area. We spent about 5 hours in the museum and plan to go back in the winter when it should be less crowed.
The trip ended way to soon as it seemed we had just arrived but now it was time to come home as work was tugging at my wife and I.We rank this vacation though short in duration as a top three we have ever been on.If Red will have us again I would go in a heartbeat. I just cant say enough about their hospitality and graciousness as it is topnotch..............Red I have to tell the story you told me about as we sat for the last time in your dining room DON'T GET MAD.When Red met Agnes it was a blind date and very similar to my own situation with my wife.Agnes worked for the FBI in Washington DC and lived in an apartment with a girlfriend.Red was supposed to take her roommate out for a date but ended up with Agnes instead and he never looked back since.That is almost exactly how I met my wife Judy a planned blind date with a cousin of hers but it ended up being Judy and I never looked back.
Now for the good part epackage (Jim) you will like this story.Red had always loved motorcycles and owned many Harley Davidson's in his life.Red again don't get MAD it wont tarnish your image it will only serve to make you more real to the other members!!.Red took his cycle to the steps of the Lincoln memorial and decided he was going to see the memorial like no one before him and I can assure you after him will ever see it.He did the motor cross tour of Lincoln's statue and DROVE his cycle up the steps and buzzed Abe's statue on his cycle circling it a couple of times.He was soon accosted by DC's finest but was not arrested but just escorted out of the mall area.Could you imagine even attempting this today .This is a classic story and every time I will see Red posting here at the forum I will think of this and laugh my butt off.As Larry the cable guy says I don't care who you are that's funny.
My view I held of Red was mostly as expected but it also changed dramatically this past weekend for the better.He has lived life to the fullest seen the world from his RV working in the glass industry travelling state to state and to different countries glass industries' perfecting their glass moulds through his own igenuity.I mean this sincerely Red is a true Renaissance man who has seen and done everything you could ever imagine in life.If everyone emulated Reds passion and zest for life we would all be for the better.
How would I describe Red Matthews to all of you here at the forum who have never met him in person............Ill do my best.Stature and Size 6 foot 2,in as good of shape as any at 81 years of age,strong,true gentleman,passionate about everything that interests him,organized is an understatement,caring,hospitable,a GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR,an accomplished artist who has passed the talent down to his daughter,and a loving husband to Agnes who is his pride and joy!!
God bless the two of you Red and Agnes sincerely Steve and Judy and young Steve Atkinson
