Category Archives: Community Events

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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No Pictures, But a Great Cinco de Mayo

Posted on May 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I made my silly blog post yesterday I neglected to mention that I did so have a Mohawk Valley Adventure on Tuesday:  I attended the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the Ilion Elks Lodge.  Unfortunately, I took no pictures, so it won’t be such a great blog post.  It’s a funny thing.  I went five years without putting a picture in a blog post.  Now, if I don’t have a picture to add, I feel paralyzed.  What’s that all about, me?

I do not often find ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, but I have identified with the holiday ever since I made the possibly Freudian typo Cindy de Mayo.  But I love Mexican food and occasionally a good Margarita, and I had to be in Ilion on Tuesday anyways, so…

The Elks offered $2 mini Margaritas and $3 tacos.  You got to build your own taco, which was pretty sweet.  I chose soft shell.  I also opted for a full size margarita, because I loved the glass.  I got Patron tequila.  For one reason, another person at the bar told me it was delicious.  For another, my maiden name is Vetrone, and it rhymes. I find that unassailable logic.  It was, in fact, a delicious margarita. There were some good desserts too. I enjoyed a Margarita Bar, which was kind of like a lemon square, only lime.

Alas, I could not linger.  I had to move on to a rehearsal for A Revolutionary Murder. (preview of coming attractions)  We are giving another performance on May 16 at Morning Star Methodist Church in Ilion, at a Roast Pork dinner.  I have written a different ending, so anybody who attended the first performance will still be surprised.

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I Love Good Food

Posted on May 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The first Monday of every month, Herkimer Elks does a dinner.  I am almost always busy on Mondays, covering a town or village board meeting for the Daily Sentinel (regular readers may remember I am an intrepid girl reporter) ( you know, from a 1940’s horror movie or screwball comedy).  However, the first Monday of the month is usually Herkimer Town Board at 6 p.m.  Dinner starts at 5.  I can get my dinner at 5, bring it home, eat some of it, and still make it to the meeting on time.  Score!

I was especially anxious to try yesterday’s meal: Lemon Parmesan Chicken.  It sounded wonderful!  I got to the Lodge around 4:30 to enjoy a glass of Chardonnay and some company while I waited for my to-go meal.  I really do need a little bit of sociableness, living alone as I do.

It looked and tasted awesome!

I make bold to show my messy coffee table as well as my delicious meal.  As you see, I am re-reading another Agatha Christie book.  It is my comfort these days.  However, I have read every Agatha Christie book within reach within the last month or so, including the three I brought home from my sister Diane’s house last week, so I must resign myself to a comfortless period.  But never mind me.

I cannot describe how delicious that chicken was. I could barely restrain myself from eating it all.  Now, of course, I am happy I have some left over.  I wonder what delicious treat the Elks will have for me next month.

 

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Remember the Shop Crawl?

Posted on April 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Perhaps I can finally get around to covering part of my adventures on the Spring Shop Crawl last Saturday. I rather exhausted myself walking all around the village of Herkimer.  Shouldn’t I be building up my endurance with all the walks and runs I have been taking lately?  Perhaps I need healthier eating habits.  In any case, I will just mention a few of the fun places I stopped.

I think of it as my chair.

The first place I went was To Niche Their Own, to pick up my map and list of places to go as well as the little card I had to get punches on.  Then I went back home, because I realized I had forgotten my phone to take pictures with.   It’s not easy being me, but I get a lot of exercise.  This put me right near Herkimer County Historical Society, which regular readers know is one of my favorite places.  I put in for a drawing to win a book (I won!), purchased some post cards, and took a picture of Roxalana Druse’s rocking chair.  Long-time readers may recall I had to honor to portray Mrs. Druse in Roxy written by Jack Sherman and presented by Ilion Little Theatre in cooperation with the Historical Society in 2015.

Another favorite spot!

Naturally I stopped by Renewed & Rescued on Main Street.

A refreshing pause.

When I stopped home, I also picked up my address book and some post card stamps.  When I felt the need for a rest, I stopped by Java Shop, ordered a Dalgano, and wrote out a few of the post cards I had gotten at the Historical Society for my Saturday post card peeps.  It was the pause that refreshed.

As regular readers may recall, I spent last night trying to mystify supporters of the Herkimer County Historical Society with A Revolutionary Murder at Herkimer Elks Lodge.  I am still tired after the ordeal, although I believe it was a successful event.  However, I see I am over 300 words, so I say score!  I hope you are all having a delightful Sunday.

 

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