The Buzz: This Week in Buffalo

Rudders, royals, and anonymous lions

Quote

“Once the Buzz was discovered, it was deemed a delicacy…”

— Bee Spit Meadery, mead makers in South Wales, N.Y.

Steady as she goes

Buzz with Joe Koessler, steering the Moondance Catamaran. Photo by Janet Mazzio.

The Moondance Catamaran is hiring bartenders and crew, and Buzz should probably apply — we’re always on that boat anyway! It’s never dull. This week’s adventure had us just inches from the massive hull of the American Mariner, docked at the Cheerios plant. We even peeked through a ship window (just ladders and stuff, but still). The real thrill? The dapper steersman, Joe Koessler, let us take the wheel for a few minutes. A memorable few minutes — one thing Koessler told us, or tried to tell us, was that steering a catamaran is like driving in a Buffalo winter. You don’t veer, you steer gently. Gently! So much to think about. Our friend Janet, oblivious to our challenges, snapped the moment. “You got a promotion,” she laughed.

The royal treatment

For our recent “We’re Going In,” Buzz experienced the madcap dog stunt show at the Buffalo Zoo. And we interviewed Brandon Chin, one of the dog trainers. Wrapping up, we mentioned our name. “Mary,” he repeated, thoughtfully. “I like names like that. I’m really into the British royal family.” Buzz perked up — what a coincidence, so are we! Suddenly we were off, deep in palace lore: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, King Charles and Queen Camilla — on and on. Finally, as peeled ourself reluctantly away, Buzz tossed out a last-minute question: What about Queen Elizabeth and her corgis? Brandon grinned. “Don’t get me started,” he said.

The zoo whisperer

Aimlessly roaming the zoo after our dog encounter, Buzz met a talkative staffer with tales to tell. We listened up. Word is Lisa Smith, the zoo boss, really wants a white rhino. They’re also hunting for a new capybara — preferably a matched pair. Romeo the rhino is a sweetheart who gets upset if you pass without saying hi. OK, he rebuffed us, as can be seen in this recent video …

… but maybe he’s just camera-shy. Let’s get to more gossip. The lead lion? His name’s not really Tiberius — it’s his stage name. Same goes for the tiger. The zoo thinks if folks knew the big cats’ real names, chaos would erupt. What scoops! We piped up that we had written for The Buffalo News, we have a Substack, and— The staffer flew off. “Keep me out of it.”

Shellfish Behavior

Buzz is trying to get into coupons. We’ve always loved using them! Last week, we rolled out a retro, artistic number good for a free shrimp cocktail at Johnny D’s at the Hyatt, where Howard — the guy we married — entertains Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. The offer was a hit, maybe too much of one: management couldn’t keep up with the demand. But this week, they’re locked, loaded, and ready. The special is back on, baby. Coupon below! From now on, it’s smooth sailing.

The Buzz

What brand names make you laugh? We’ve got a running list: Goldhen eggs and Millville oats at Aldi; Waxtex wax paper at Price Rite. This week’s top pick? A toilet paper holder spotted in the Delaware Park lodge, proudly branded “Transcend.” We’ll try…. Ah, the foods of summer. The Juicery in Delaware Park has Frozen Hot Chocolate. An oxymoronic treat! And at the Allentown Art Festival, husband Howard ogled a sign reading “Donut Grilled Cheese.” He said: “Whatever that is, I want it.”

Also By the Author

Mary Kunz Goldman is known around Buffalo for The Buzz, a long-running weekly column in The Buffalo News, and for other hit features, including the adventurous series 100 Things Every Western New Yorker Should Do At Least Once. She brought back the Buzz column six weeks ago. Please subscribe — it’s free! — and pass this column around to keep it rolling!