Most people would probably agree that each day of the week has a distinct feel. Mondays are for fresh starts and to-do lists; Thursdays often involve rain and realism. And Fridays bring an incongruous mix of weariness and adrenaline.

Then there are Sunday mornings: those few first peaceful hours that make for slow starts and languid showers (should one choose to shower at all). Some folks celebrate by pulling the blankets back over their heads. Others spread out the newspaper and sift to their hearts content. Then there are the browsers. For them, poking through tents and tables in search of a bargain is a form of seventh-day therapy.

It’s for this latter group that the East Avon Flea Market exists. Every Sunday, merchants set up tables on the grounds of the East Avon Vintage Drive-In. Some stalls are filled with antiques and collectibles; others with lots of inexpensive new goods. Bulk sponges? Check. Bamboo scratchers? You know it. Hippie sundresses and kid’s toys? Yepper.

The Market is open from April through October, making it the perfect destination for a lazy country drive. Some folks roll in after church; others roll right out of bed. And still others time their treasure hunt to correspond with a lunchtime visit to nearby Tom Wahl’s.

It’s true that “one person’s trash is another’s treasure”—but pretty much everyone prizes Sunday morning. Check out the East Avon Flea Market to see just how long you can make the feeling last.

Admission: free

Food available: yes

East Avon Flea Market
1520 W Henrietta Rd
Avon, NY 14414
(585) 226-8320

eastavonfleamarket.com
Directions

“It’s the hobby that ran amok.”

So says Fred Janson as his gaze sweeps row after row of bonsai trees. What started as a curiosity 22 years ago has flourished into the largest bonsai tree retail business east of the Mississippi (and maybe even the whole U.S.).

Fred is pretty zen about the wild growth of his back road business. Or maybe he’s zen because of it. When he’s not working as a corrections officer, you can find him roaming the diminutive (but expansive) forest around his home with his pruning tools in hand. His edits are microscopic and intensely purposeful: each small clip coaxes artistic form and contemplation. Swirl-trunk junipers suggest windswept mesa; willowy bamboo conjure clacking Chinese groves; and lacy wine-colored maples invoke the snow-silent lanes and pagodas of traditional Japanese woodcuts.

The art of bonsai is ancient. An early work of Japenese fiction (Utsubo monogatari -The Tale of the Hollow Tree) includes the passage: “A tree that is left growing in its natural state is a crude thing. It is only when it is kept close to human beings who fashion it with loving care that its shape and style acquire the ability to move one.” (Source: Wikepedia) That was about the year 970. Yet despite it’s far-reaching roots, bonsai is an art form that couldn’t be more relevant in today’s hyper-paced culture. Janson customers span the U.S. and parts of Europe, all of them seeking the connection with nature that bonsai provides.

A particularly cool note: Hollow Creek Bonsai offers free lessons in the spring. Bring your own tree, or purchase one from Fred’s vast stock (they start at a mere $14.95, and range upwards into the thousands for serious collectors). Visit or call for starting times. Beginners encouraged.

Fred owns two bonsai businesses: the nursery on Dutch Hollow Road (where you can see thousands of specimens in various stages of cultivation), and a surprisingly well-stocked supply store less than 2 miles away on Routes 5 and 20. Remember that the trees are moved inside for the winter months, so plan your visit accordingly.

Hollow Creek Bonsai
(NURSERY) By Appointment only
2124 Dutch Hollow Rd.
Avon, New York 14414
cell-(585)-734-7035
office-(585)-226-8593

(STORE) By Appointment only
6669 West Main Street
Lima, NY 14485
Ph (585)-582-6410

hollowcreekbonsai.com
Directions

In the 1980s movie Back to Future, Marty McFly needed a well-timed lightening strike and a doctored DeLorean to go back in time. Nowadays, all you need are four wheels and a free evening. Follow Routes 5 and 20 into the middle of Avon (intersection with Route 15). Then go north on Route 15 about 3/4 mile. You can’t miss the huge white screens rising up out of the flat fields like virgin billboards.

This unlikely combination of back road and “big huge TV” lends an otherworldly feel; like you’ve just pulled off the highway and onto the set of Pleasantville: the Rural Version. “Parking is arranged so larger vehicles are behind cars which allows good viewing from almost every spot,” says one visitor. “And, it’s virtually free of bugs, except fireflies (don’t ask me how they do it) so you can sit outside in lawn chair and watch the movie.”

“I like that you can stay and watch two movies for the price of one!” enthuses another patron. “[Plus], the bathrooms are clean and close by, and the concession stand offers anything from pizza to burgers, Coke to coffee and hot cocoa. The prices are a little high, but at least you’re getting hot food instead of $5 movie theater candy.”

Value is definitely a hallmark of the Vintage Drive-In. The price of admission (at this writing it’s $8 adults; $4 ages 4-10 and under 3/ free) covers a double feature of the latest movies. And no worries if you arrive early. Just slide your seat back and enjoy the drive-in’s own pre-movie radio show.

Note that the East Avon Vintage Drive In only accepts cash. There’s an ATM, arcade, and mini-golf on premises, plus Flea Market on Sundays. Movies run rain or shine. Visit website for listings, times, and more info.

East Avon Vintage Drive-In
1520 East Henrietta Road
Avon, NY 14414-9409
(585) 226-9290

Directions
vintagedrivein.com

There’s no doubt that Mike Carroll was meant to be here.

Not that it’s that simple. In fact, he originally planned to demolish the historic schoolhouse that now serves as his elegant studio and showroom. “I was more interested in the land under the building,” recalls the potter. “But once I saw the inside, I knew I had to save it.” The result is a sophisticated blend of past and present. “Everything but the windows is period-authentic,” he says. “We even restored the ‘Old Schoolhouse #3’ designation on the front of the building” (a labor of love that involved gently hand-sanding through three layers and many more decades of previous signage).

Sill, sweat equity isn’t the sum of Carroll’s living legacy. Rather, it’s his deep commitment to the community. Along with his finely crafted tableware and decorative pieces, he also showcases the work of many other regional artists. There’s art glass from Avon; jewelry from Henrietta; plus thick hardwood cutting boards and “almost too elegant to use” trivets and tiles from elsewhere in Central NY. “Lately people are always talking about the terrible economy,” says Carroll. “But imagine how much better off we’d be if we bought local products from people and places we know.”

True to the soul of the schoolhouse, Carroll supports the intellectual and cultural growth of the area. Along with a full-service pottery supply business, he also offers reasonably priced classes and workshops (ages 13 and up). And be sure to visit on June 16th, 2010 for the debut of Summer Faire, a mini-festival that will feature bluegrass music, visiting artists, food and more.  Check out studiosalespottery.com for information as it becomes available.

Studio Sales Pottery
5560 Routes 5&20
Avon, NY

Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 12 –5 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 12 –4 p.m.

Directions
studiosalespottery.com

It usually starts with soup. Every season, new visitors undertake the pilgrimage to the American Hotel in Lima fueled by reverential recommendations for one or more of over 60+ varieties. Rose Reynold’s flavorful repertoire includes the standards (Beef Barley, Split Pea, French Onion, Corn Chowder), as well as slightly more upscale offerings (Butternut & Apple Bisque, Sweet Potato & Leek, Dijon Beef). But the real counterpoints to the traditional setting are offbeat entries like Banana Bisque, Lentil & Franks, Double Squash with Pesto, and Cold Blueberry. Then there’s Cheeseburger Chowder, a perennial customer favorite that third generation co-owner Pat Reynolds describes simply as “everything but the bun.” Call ahead to find out which varieties will be featured on any given day.

Rose’s soup makes a fine meal alone, or accompanied by a grilled pretzel roll. And there’s also a selection of sandwiches (including fried baloney or Limburger cheese), plus spiedies, burgers, and dogs. The atmosphere is grand aging pub (the bar serves over 30 varieties of beer), and there is much to discover throughout, including back-room murals (ask for the story), an original wood telephone box, and overnight accommodations at the top of the weathered staircase. The ambiance is particularly magical during December, when the rooms are lovingly outfitted in vintage holiday style.

The American Hotel is decidedly homespun. Yet the sense of comfort you’ll experience is not confined to the food or fixtures. The place is also richly animated by the stories of its owners, employees, and patrons, both past and present. Photos and newspaper articles stud the faded walls, and Pat and Rose serve up additional tidbits as they watchfully tend kitchen and bar. If it’s quiet, ask to meet Bridget, the celebrity lab-in-residence. And remember to save room for the fresh little cookie that will sweeten your already reasonable bill.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Soup: $3.50 - $4.50

Sandwiches: $3.75 - $6.75

American Hotel
7304 East Main Street
Lima, NY 14485
585-624-9464

Directions
americanhoteloflima.com

There are a lot of businesses out there designed to make you feel nostalgic. But Tom Wahl’s is different. It IS nostalgia.

Born in 1955 during the heyday of car culture, this sprawling burger palace got its start as a humble trailer selling homemade root beer. The mellow brew is still mixed daily on the premises in a big vat. “I don’t even like root beer, but I love this,” one customer opines. “Less carbonation gives it a more creamy texture,” adds another. A third compares it to drinking a Werther’s candy.

Subtle soda pop aside, there’s much more to attract today’s tuned-in traveler. First, the food is comforting and classic (ground steak and pulled pork sandwiches, fish dinners, veggie burgers, a diet-flouting “55 Junker Plate,” and a bevy of satisfying sides). Then there’s the interior—a chrome, neon, and glass block cathedral replete with comfy booths, curved counters, and a real Wurlitzer jukebox. The place draws kids of all ages, especially in the summer when classic car owners roll in from several counties. And a pavilion out back offers plenty of al fresco seating, where the whoosh of passing traffic provides appropriate aural accompaniment for a quintessential drive-in experience.

Fun insider info: Tom Wahl’s makes homemade ice cream at the Avon location, which it ships to its other eight locations in the area. Those with an adventurous streak (or VERY particular tastes) should definitely plan a visit on April Fools’ Day. That’s when Wahl’s serves up dubious scoops of once-a-year flavors that have included ketchup, horseradish, and haddock!

Visit the Tom Wahl’s website for a complete menu, coupons, and a cool collection of billboards.

Tom Wahl’s
283 East Main Street
Avon, NY 14414
585-226-2420

Directions
www.tomwahls.com