Category Archives: Community Events

Will Mohawk Valley Give? I Think So!

Posted on September 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I went to the Mohawk Valley Gives kick-off at Rock City Centre in Little Falls, NY.  Alas, I neglected to take a picture of the Centre or even of its sign. No matter.  I will be in Little Falls again soon and will rectify the omission, the easier since it is right near the library, always a favorite stop.

Mohawk Valley Gives is  “a day of giving powered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation. This event was established to support the incredible nonprofit organizations that uplift our region.”  I copied that from the Facebook page.  The actual day is today, Sept. 18, and people are encouraged to give at the link givemv.org.  Many non-profits are represented.

He was wonderful!

The kick-off was a fancy event with food catered by the Canal Side Inn and music by a very talented violinist, whose name I foolishly did not ask.  Several non-profits had tables, and I walked around and chatted with most of them.  Of course I also ate some of the food and had a glass of wine (Menage a Trois red blend, YUM!).

I may need this one!

I am somewhat familiar with Herkimer County Office for the Aging, being as I am myself rather aged.  The lady at the table pointed out that today is the youngest any of us will ever be.

I did not take one of the candies. No, really, I heroically refrained.

I did not find out much about this one, but I believe education is well worthy of being supported.

I loved the purple.

I chatted with the people at Empowered Pathways right after I got the wine, because I was rather naughtily enjoying it (one glass of wine before driving one, especially with food is OK, but I generally try to avoid even that), and they were very encouraging of my enjoyment.  However, I may need them if my Social Security widow benefits and side hustle of writing for the newspaper cease to support me, because one of their services is helping women find employment, especially those reentering the workforce.

I also chatted for a while with the lady at the Little Falls Public Library table, libraries being one of my great loves.  Many more non-profits are represented by Mohawk Valley Gives than were present at the kick-off.   I saw 442 on the Leaderboard showing how many donations have been made so far.  I have yet to make my own donation.

 

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Getting Festive with Garlic

Posted on September 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I made it to the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls, NY, known more often as the Garlic Festival.  Unfortunately, I did not take many pictures.  Also, I am feeling quite tired and a bit headachy and stomach achy (oh, sure, “achy” is a word, but “headachy” is not, at least according to my Chromebook).  I know, what a big baby I am.  But regular readers are used to my whining.  On with the blog post.

I really should have taken more than one picture of him.

The tagline for the Festival is Eat, Stink and Be Merry, and this was perhaps the merriest guy there.  He was handing out mints for people who had sampled too much garlic.  As a matter of fact, he is one of my usual suspects for the murder mysteries I write and present (not in that costume, of course).   I was delighted to see him.

These were actually the stinkiest.

My great niece Evie was anxious to ride on the horse-drawn carriage.  I did not  ride but was happy to sit in the shade and wait for them.  I tried to get a good picture on their return but was not quite quick enough.  Still, I thought this one was good enough for inclusion.

I did not purchase any garlic but got a jar of cilantro pesto.  I had a sample and it is yummy.  Who thought there would be a pesto I would like better than basil pesto?  I may have to do another blog post about that when I eat some of it.  Pesto Pasta might make a good headline.

It was the first time in several years I had been to the Garlic Festival, so I was happy my sister Cheryl had invited me to come along with her and her daughters and granddaughter. Family and garlic, it was a good day.

 

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Remembrance and Hugs on 9/11

Posted on September 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier this morning I drove up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) for a 9/11 Memorial.  I found out the college has gone back to its original name and is no longer known as Herkimer College, as it was for a while.  I never keep up on these things.

At least they always keep “Herkimer.”

I got there extra early, because I was a little confused over the times.  Also, I like to chat people up before an event.  I was there not only to remember but also to cover the event for the Daily Sentinel.  I wore my good sneakers, in case I was standing the whole time.  I had thought of walking up to it but knew I would want to drive back down and get my article written and emailed out in a timely fashion.

Veterans Memorial Park.

A few guys were setting up chairs and getting the microphone in place.  I helped set up chairs.  Eventually people started arriving, and I chatted with a lot of them.  Some remembered where they were when the planes hit, others had not been born yet.  All were agreed that it was important never to forget.

My new favorite guy!

The president of the college and the mayor of Herkimer both gave nice speeches about courage, compassion, sacrifice, and unity. However, I felt the best speaker was impromptu.  There were a few minutes before the designated moment of silence, so they invited anybody to go up and say something.  Yes, I went up and said a few not very memorable words.  Then Sintral got up and talked about community and spreading positivity.

“Hug somebody today,” he said.

I went to get his name so I could include it in my article, and I gave him a hug.

I hope we can remember the lessons of unity, compassion and service that were talked about at the Memorial this morning.  I shall do my best.  Also, I hope I can find somebody else to hug.

 

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Monday for my Media Library

Posted on August 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I made it to Monday and am doing my Monday blog post on Monday, but I am still close to swooning, dramatically posed regular readers know how.  Never mind why; explanations are tiresome.  Instead I will share a few more pictures from Community Day at the Town of Herkimer Park in East Herkimer, which really was a delightful event enjoyed by many.

More classic cars!

And here is the next thing that makes my Monday Monday-ish!  I thought I had transferred three pictures to WordPress on my phone, then went to my Chromebook for make the post (ten-finger typing really is the Way. To. Go.) to find only one picture in my Media Library.  Now I have to log out of WordPress, get back on my phone and try again.  Oh, stop playing that miniature violin!  I know this is a first-world problem.  I only bring it up to increase my word count.  Really, what kind of a blogger am I?

Who doesn’t love fire trucks?

Did I mention that East Herkimer Fire Department was on hand offering a chicken barbecue?  I did not partake, but lots of other people did, and it sure smelled good.

Tents as far as the eye could see!

There were many vendors on hand: local artisans and craftspeople as well as local goods and produce.  Some community partners were on hand as well, offering information and help.

I took a number of pictures, since I was covering the even for the Daily Sentinel, so this may dominate my blog for the foreseeable future.  Or I may hit a few other local events.  I hope to have better luck with my Media Library.

 

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Post-Lobster Post

Posted on August 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I suppose some people are waiting for a Post-Lobster Post, to follow yesterday’s Pre-Lobster post.  I traveled with some of my Elks friends to Cobleskill Elks Lodge where they were having their annual Lobsterfest.  The others had been there before, but this was my first fest and indeed my first full lobster. Yikes!  I heard they were hard to get into.

Yes, wine was involved.

I did not remember to take a picture of my two lobsters and all the fixings.  Instead I had at the first one right away, working with a nutcracker and determination.  I did not even begin the second one but had brought a couple gallon storage bags to take leftovers home in.  I brought home the corn on the cob, cole slaw, and watermelon, too, although I did eat the salt potatoes.

I put in for several items on the basket raffle too, but did not get lucky this time.  I also got in on the 50/50 and a wooden rocking chair raffle, so I feel I supported the Cobleskill Elks Lodge.

Only part of our fun bunch!

On the way home, we stopped at the Esperance Elks Lodge, just to say hello.  That’s the fun part about being an Elk, lots of lodges to check out.

I did not go up these stairs.

We also stopped for ice cream.  I got a root beer float with chocolate ice cream.  Yum!  It was quite the fun day, and I have a whole lobster in my refrigerator, waiting for me to crack it open and enjoy.

 

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Pre-Lobster Post

Posted on August 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am posting in haste (posthaste, a rarely used word these days) (and I do not know why my Chromebook capitalized haste.  Is that the name of a city somewhere? No, I’m not going to Google it, or even DuckDuckGo it!).  Where was I?  Ah yes, I think I am ready to leave for the Cobleskill Elks Lodge Lobsterfest.  For $45 I get two lobsters and all the fixings, which I believe include corn on the cob, cole slaw (capitalized cole, but I know that’s a name), and salt potatoes.  I only hope I can crack open the lobster.

Maybe I should go to a fish fry instead.

As usual, I throw in a picture to pep things up.  This is from Herkimer Elks Lodge (to which I belong)’s Lenten Fish Fry. I do love a good fish fry, although I often opt for the broiled or baked.  It isn’t just the calories; my stomach has gotten oh so finicky in its old age.

Isn’t she pretty?

This is one of my Elks friends I am going to the fest with, Michele.  That’s my tiara she is wearing.  When I wore it for Four Old Broads on the High Seas with Players of Utica last July (fun times), sometimes I wore it to the Lodge before or after rehearsals. I love that tiara.  However, I shall not wear it to Lobster Fest (I wonder if that’s one word).

I see I am over 200 words.  Score!  Now to make sure I am truly ready to go.  All three earrings in, etc.

 

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I Saw Some Classic Cars

Posted on August 2, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I will make a Slacker Saturday Post today.  I spent some time at the Elks Classic Car Show at Meyers Park this morning but did not take enough pictures to make a good blog post about it. In fact, I did not take any pictures of classic cars. One problem I have is I like to see the cars with their hoods down, because I appreciate the lines and style.  However, to be judged at a show, the hoods must be up.  I understand the judges know when a bolt or screw is wrong for that year of car.  I could never know such things!

Awards I would never win,

I helped with registration of cars.  That did not require much knowledge. I was also allowed to make silly jokes along the way.  Regular readers know I am good at that.  I greatly enjoyed the DJ.  I got up and danced to several tunes.

He was cool, yes.

I have seen this DJ before.  I think I saw him at a Cruise In some years ago, when my late dearly missed husband Steve and I had our sweet schnoodle Tabby.  We talked to him for a while, then as we walked away, he played “Walk the Dog” just for me and Tabby.

I did not stay to see the judging, but I am not all that interested in that.  I just like seeing all the classic cars.  I hope to seek out some more car shows in the area.  I will do blog posts about them, and I hope to get pictures of the cars.  As always, I hope you will tune in.

 

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The DooDah Did Me In!

Posted on July 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been lounged on my couch doing not much of anything today and remembered I did not make a blog post yet.  I went to the DooDah Parade in Ilion, NY and had a fine time.  Alas, I lack stamina and resiliency, but let us not dwell on my petty problems, let us talk about the parade.  For anybody just tuning in, it is one of the grand events of a week of Ilion Days Festivities.

Yay! Ilion Little Theatre!

As I walked around talking to people and taking pictures, I was delighted to see some of my friends from Ilion Little Theatre.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that the club had not participated in recent years, so I was happy to see them back.  They even invited me to ride on the float with them.  In fact, I had a few offers.

I loved it!

I foolishly did not make a note of whose this float was, but I complimented the man driving the pick-up truck towing it.  I told him about the yard in Potsdam that has a large number of toilets planted with real flowers.  I saw it once in person, but unfortunately only in passing.  Perhaps a road trip up North is indicated.

He was a friendly guy!

You can’t really see his cape in this picture.  He told me he was a combination of Superman and Wonder Woman.  It just goes to show you, anything goes at the DooDah Parade!

I’m afraid I spent too much time walking up and down, chatting and having a good time.  My back, knee, and hip are not thanking me for it today.  I wonder if I should change the name of my blog to Mohawk Valley Old Lady.  Hmmm… doesn’t have a ring to it.

 

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Do I DooDah?

Posted on July 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

That title occurred to me as I sat here on my Chromebook contemplating my day and wondering if I would get anything of substance done (spoiler alert: I probably won’t).  One problem is I have to recruit my energies for the DooDah Parade, a highlight of Ilion Days this evening.  I must cover it for the Daily Sentinel.  At least, I never heard back from my editor that she wanted me to cover it, but I covered it last year, so I thought I would submit something.  At least it will make a good blog post and be something for me to do on a Friday other than watch Dateline or Columbo and wish it was not too hot to knit.

I personally am on the Boomer cusp.

This is a picture from last year.  I walked all around the floats and marchers as they waited for the parade to start, chatting up lots of people and looking for Joe White, who is the main mover and shaker behind the parade.  I never found him, but one of the American Legions let me ride along on their float.  It was great fun.

I am back left, with my arm raised, looking a little like the Statue of Liberty.

This is from 2019, when Ilion Little Theatre used to participate in the DooDah.  They had a circus theme that year.  I just draped a few of my lighter shawls around me and put on my tiara, which long-time readers know I wear at any excuse.  I don’t remember what I purported to be, but I feel I looked fabulous.  This year the theme is, not surprisingly, Happy Birthday, America.  I feel I should dress appropriately, although I must remember the weather will be warm, not to say hot.

I keep saying I’m going to join them.

I thought I’d close with another shot from last year.  These are the Happy Hags, a delightful dance troupe that makes many local appearances.  I think they are wonderful.  If my arthritis or whatever it is permits, I may yet join them.  They are very nice.

So I guess I have talked myself into going to the DooDah Parade.  I must figure out what to wear (my Uncle Sam or George Washington costume?), where to park (I know a good spot close to the end but not too far to walk to the beginning), where to go afterwards (there is a good band playing at Ilion Elks Lodge) (preview of coming attractions) etc.  I said in my email to my editor that she might prefer to send a more talented photographer, so I see someone else there from the Sentinel, that will be fine.  I will use my photos for the blog.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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After All, It’s Shakespeare!

Posted on June 2, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

You know how we theatre people just can’t say no to performing?  Well, despite my aching legs (actually it was knees at the time), last Friday I drove to Canajoharie, NY for the first rehearsal for In Her Words: A Midsummer of Shakespeare at the Arknell Museum and Library.  It is a one night performance featuring monologues and dialogues of Shakespeare’s women in honor of the museum’s exhibit, To Be Seen, which shows women depicted in art through the ages.

Can you read, “AND LIBRARY”?

Amanda, librarian and director of the performance, showed us all around the exhibit, which was wonderful.  I had never been to the museum, and I never knew of a museum attached to a library.  How great is that?  Or am I showing my inner geek by saying so?  Actually, there is very little “inner” about my geek.  I am very open about loving all this stuff.

Alas, I did not get any pictures of rehearsal.  Actually, I did not watch the other women rehearse.  The scenes will be in different rooms in the museum.  Amanda worked with me first, and I high-tailed it out of there.  I have been spending entirely too much time in my car lately.

I paused on the way out to take a picture of the irises.

Arknell Museum and Library is located at 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie, NY.  In Her Words will be presented at 6 p.m. Friday, June 26.  Tickets are $20.  For more information you can visit the Facebook event or contact the museum at (518) 673-2314.

 

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