Category Archives: Community Events

Yay! Books!

Posted on November 19, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got back from the book sale at Ilion Free Public Library.  Yay!  Books!

Picture taken last year when I went to the sale.

I heard about the sale yesterday, at the Ilion Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Regular readers may recall my side hustle of covering some meetings for Sentinel Media.  I like to include a picture with the story so thought a couple pictures of the book sale would be nice.  The fact that I could also purchase books was strictly by the way.

Lots of books!

The books are donated by patrons, not just discarded books from the collection, so there are a lot of new and like-new books available.

And the price is right!

Last year I found some biographies of famous figures from the American Revolution.  This year I lucked out on fiction.  I try not to read a whole lot of fiction, because I have a hard time putting it down once I start reading, but I love it.

Another angle.

The sale continues through Saturday, Nov. 22.  They keep putting out more books as books sell, so even if you have stopped by, you might like to check back.  I hope to do so later in the week.

Ilion Free Public Library is located at 78 West St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-5028.

 

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Ilion Honors Vets

Posted on November 11, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Ilion has a proud tradition of service to the country in the armed forces, from the Civil War to the present time, Mayor John P. Stephens said at the Village of Ilion Veteran’s Ceremony Monday, Nov. 10. That tradition is recognized at the Town Hall Auditorium with the names of Ilion Veterans on the Memorial Wall, grouped by the conflicts in which they served. On Monday,  22 names were added to the Wall.

The high school students added gravity to the ceremony.

After Mayor Stephens’ welcome and introductions, the ceremony opened with the Presenting of the Colors by Central Valley (CVA) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by the CVA Chamber Choir under the direction of Mark Bunce.

Mayor Stephens is very proud of Ilion’s tradition of service.         

The reading of the names was followed by a Choral Tribute to the Armed Services by the CVA Choir, a medley of tunes famously associated with each branch of service. 

They were awesome.

I was very impressed with the choir and the JROTC students.  The harmonies of the choir were incredible, and the military bearing of the soldiers was excellent.

Stephens concluded the ceremony by mentioning a number of village employees who had also served and again praising Ilion’s long tradition of service.

“If you see a vet, thank a vet,” he said.

 

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A Little Local Music for Me

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier tonight I made a short top at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, the weekly food truck festival in Meyers Park, to hear a little bit of K.O. Grainger.  It could only be a short stop, since I had to attend the Ilion Village Board meeting, but it was worth it.  For one reason, I got a hot dog from The Corner Office.  Yum!

They rock!

 

I first heard Matt Grainger playing acoustic guitar at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort (you may have seen a couple of my blog posts mentioning him).  K.O. Grainger is a two-man band with him and his brother, and they are awesome!

A closer view.

I sat at a picnic table and ate my hot dog, tapping my feet. I had to get up and dance to one song.  Nobody joined me, but at the Chowdown, people don’t judge (that I can see).  The audience was enjoying the tunes, clapping and singing along.

There are not many weeks left of the Downtown Chowdown, which runs Mondays in Meyers Park, starting at 4 p.m.  According to their Facebook page, September 1 and 8 are the last two this year.  If you like food truck food and live music, I suggest you check it out!

 

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I Bounced Over to the Block Party

Posted on July 30, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last Saturday after the second performance of Four Old Broads on the High Seas (you knew I wasn’t done mentioning that play, didn’t you?), I went home to Herkimer and caught part of the block party on Main Street.  Other events had been going on earlier in the day, but of course I missed them due to my drama fixation.  Still, I walked down, took a couple of pictures, and thought I would just mention it in a post.

I bet he’d like to meet Bonita!

The first thing that caught my eye was the skeleton hanging out behind the band.  Every band should have such a cool groupie!  Or was he a roadie?

I didn’t catch their name, unfortunately.

Here is a shot of the band.  They were playing some pretty dance-able country music, but nobody was dancing at the time. I busted a move or two as I moved in for the photo.

The next step after Bounce House.

I checked out a few of the vendors, then noticed the Bounce Obstacle Course.  It looked fun.  I asked a couple people, and they said yes, some grown-ups had gone through it.  Brock was in front of the End Zone (he is the proprietor) and agreed to watch my bags.  I kicked off my sandals and went for it!

It was fun!

It was not beyond my meager athletic prowess!  But I did end up going down the final slide head first.  I had a good laugh at myself, and I hope other people saw me and had a laugh as well.  Since Brock was nice enough to watch my bags, I went into the End Zone for a glass of wine.  Sitting on a bar stool is really more my speed!

 

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I Did the DooDah

Posted on July 22, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had a real Mohawk Valley Adventure Friday when I attended the Ilion DooDah Parade.  The Parade is a major event of Ilion Days, which ran from July 12 through 20 this year.  I was there to cover the event for Sentinel Media (regular readers may remember that is my part-time writing gig), but I ended up riding on a float, so I participated as well.  I took a number of good pictures, so I may have more than one DooDah post.

Cool car, nice fellow!

This was the Grand Marshall of the parade, Yasushi Takase. He was an American Field Service (AFS) exchange student his senior year in Ilion in 1975, and returned for the 50th reunion.   I got his picture after the parade, so it was good I rode on a float till the end.

The view from the front.

You can’t read it very well, but it is the post number from the Herkimer American Legion. I boldly asked if I could ride with them, and they graciously allowed me.

Other Legions were represented as well.

It was the Ilion Legion, however, who gave me a bottle of water, which I sorely needed by then. I had been walking up and down in the hot sun, taking pictures, and talking to people who were lining up for the parade.

I didn’t think the Baby Boomers had ever left.

I wondered if I should have asked to ride with this group, since I am technically a boomer.  Really the tail-end of boomerdom.  I guess I fit in better with the Legion, being as I am a Veteran.

The most colorful group!

What I really should be is a Happy Hagg! I once asked if I could join them, and they were very welcoming.  I just need to learn the dance, figure out a costume, and go to some of their practices.

Look how cute they are!

This was our view off the back of the Legion float (it was a trailer with chairs on it, really).  I’d like to have one of those sunflower hats.

I am afraid this has not been a very coherent account of my evening at the parade.  Full disclosure:  I am back from rehearsal for the play I am in (you may have read some of my blog posts about it) and I am very tired.  However, I am approaching 400 words.  I say OK.  Happy Monday, everyone!

 

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Congratulations, Ilion Fire Department!

Posted on June 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday I had the honor to attend a Ribbon Cutting and Dedication at the Ilion Fire Department, celebrating their new ladder truck and the addition built onto their firehouse to hold it.  I was there to cover it for Sentinel Media, but I am a huge fan of fire departments, so I was happy to be there.

A pretty impressive piece of equipment.

The ladder truck, which replaces a 2003 vehicle, is state of the art and comes at a bargain price.  It seems another fire department ordered it, then the financing fell through.  The Village of Ilion was able to purchase it for some $1.55 million as opposed to $2.4 million.  However, the truck would not fit in the firehouse, which was originally built in 1929.  The building has already been modified just about as many times as is feasible, necessitating the addition.

I guess it doesn’t match, but what are you going to do?

The new truck was dedicated to Deputy Chief Larry DelGrego, who served from 1992 until his death from cancer in June of 2024.  Fire Chief Andrew Monahan gave a moving speech about Larry, or Larzy as some called him.

In case you thought ribbon cutting was just an expression.

The Village Board of Trustees was on hand, as well as representatives of Herkimer Next.  I chatted with a few people, most notably with some firefighters.  I got an open invitation to stop by the firehouse and chat some more, as long as the door was open and they were between calls.  Maybe I can hear more about their fancy new fire truck.

 

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Post Pride Stride Post

Posted on June 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well I am home from running the Pride Stride 5K in Little Falls, NY. In all, I feel I did not acquit myself too badly.  Of course, as regular readers know, what I do is called running only by the most generous definition of the term. Then again, I think it is good to be generous.

Who couldn’t be proud of this outfit?

As usual the most stressful part was getting there.  I got out of bed betimes, had coffee, made sure I ate with plenty of time for my nutritious breakfast to digest.  The second most stressful part was waiting for the race to start, especially when my carefully planned nutritious breakfast began to unsettle my stomach.  Luckily that passed.  I had some delightful conversations with the other runners prior to starting.  I was only disappointed there were not more of them.  I commiserated with one of the organizers about this.

Once we got started, the stressful part was worrying if I would get lost, especially when almost everybody went WAY ahead of me.  I managed to keep two runners in sight: a guy in a pink unicorn outfit (wish I had a picture of that!) and a lady with a better rainbow skirt than mine. I was a little worried about losing them till after the half-way point.  I managed to catch up and, miracle of miracles passed them!  I think the fellow in the unicorn outfit was finding it awkward to run.  It was one of those blow-up kind of suits.

I had to turn around a few times and ask them, “Which way?”  Then the pace car came back and led me to the finish line.  I finished strong! At least for me.  I cheered for everyone coming in behind me.  I couldn’t believe there WERE people behind me!  Unfortunately, race endorphins do not last long.  I drove home subject to a case of Post Race Letdown.

This is actually a photo I was saving for Waste Not Want Not Wednesday.

Who me, drown my sorrows?  Actually, I may have a glass of wine with friends later, but I do not plan to tie one on.  I took the above picture, because I liked the Art Deco bottle.  I share it now, because I have not found another opportunity to use it.  Incidentally, my post race letdown is passing and I am wondering with what I should challenge myself next.  Will it make a good blog post?  If so, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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A Stop at the Chowdown

Posted on June 5, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday was the first Herkimer Downtown Chowdown of the year!  The food truck festival takes place Mondays all summer long in Meyers Park.  It features a variety of vendors and live music.  I had to cover the Herkimer Town Board Meeting for the Sentinel Media Company yesterday, and it was right on my way to stop and have a hot dog.  Like I said, a variety of food choices, but I LOVE hot dogs!

Herkimer loves its Chowdown!

Full disclosure:  I did not take any pictures, trusting to having something in my Media Library I could use.  I did not stay long at the Chowdown  anyways.  I enjoyed my hot dog and chatted with a couple of my friends from the Herkimer County Historical Society.  They had a table where they were selling tickets for their grill raffle as well as promoting some of their events.  I may go to a class on genealogical research.

Another picture from a different year, but I think this truck was there again.

Hildreth and Kelsey were the musical entertainment.  They were still playing when I came back through the park after my meeting.  I danced my way along the path.  I find musicians like it when you do that.

You can follow the event on Facebook at The New Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  I hope to catch a few of my favorite musicians there, at least briefly.  And sample some of the other delicious foods!

 

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Dinner Today, Donate on Saturday

Posted on May 6, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I got a chance for a good meal I don’t always get a chance for so thought I would make a blog post about it.  Herkimer Elks Lodge offers Comfort Food dinner on the first Monday of the month.  For once I did not have a meeting to cover so thought I would stop on over.

Fun artwork!

The same fellow who  did the artwork for  our murder mystery (which I shared in yesterday’s post) also did a board for Cinco de Mayo.  The main dish tonight was enchilada.  It was delicious!

Other Mondays have featured other dinners.  On another Monday I unexpectedly found myself at the Elks Lodge I got a Chicken Parmesan Dinner to go. YUM!

Alas that I do not have any future menus to share, but I feel sure they will all be delicious.  You can follow Herkimer Elks Lodge on Facebook to see what future Monday menus will be.

You can see other upcoming Elks Lodge events as well.  For example, this Saturday, May 10 they are hosting a box truck to gather donations for Veterans. Have any clothes, bedding, appliances or furniture you are not using?  Come to Herkimer Elks from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. to donate them!

Herkimer Elks Lodge is located at 124 Mary St., Herkimer NY, phone number 315-866-1439.  And as I said, you can follow them on Facebook.

 

 

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Posting Despite Pre-Performance Jitters

Posted on May 4, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

For once I was not too lazy to check, and it turns out I did already use the title, “Oh Crap! I Gotta Make a Blog Post!”  I even went back and read it (it was short).  I was about to go to a rehearsal, after being on overtime at work.  Today I am soon to start getting ready to go to a performance.  Regular readers will know it is Recipe for Murder Royale, the murder mystery to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I had all day not only to make a blog post, but to do something to make a blog post about.  Failed on both counts.

Another suspicious bunch I am proud to be a part of.

I threw in a picture to pep things up.  This is the cast picture from when we did the show at Salisbury Grange on Sunday.  The sequins started coming off my dress, so I think I am going to wear something different.  Maybe somebody will take a picture of me that I can share.

As you may guess, I am getting pre-performance jitters, the more so since I am not so confident in my new costume choice.  I don’t know why I should worry.  Probably everybody will say I look nice, even if I don’t really.  I got plenty of compliments on the green number.  Anyways, it is not all about me looking fabulous.  It is all about me killing somebody for fun and non-profit!

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