Category Archives: Community Events

Prayer Shawl and Pork Dinner

Posted on October 15, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

All week as I drove by Trinity Lutheran Church, on the corner of German and Henry streets in Herkimer, NY, I had been noticing a sign for a Roast Pork dinner on Oct. 14 from 4:30 to 6:30.  I did not think I would go, though. Pork isn’t really my favorite, we’ve been eating out too much anyways, Steven probably worked till 6:30 or something stupid… etc. etc.

Then today, as I drove by on my way home, I remembered something: I needed a prayer shawl blessed.  Father Abe, the pastor at the church in Chadwicks that I go to, when I go to church (I CANNOT remember what saint or saints the church is named for; my bad), is having some health problems. I heard about them two Sundays ago, when I went to church.  Father Abe has blessed a couple of prayer shawls for me for other people, so I thought it would be quite appropriate for me to bring one to him.  I did not feel I could ask him to bless his own prayer shawl so was wondering what to do.

I could only hope the pastor would be at the dinner.   I thought I would have the best chance if I showed up early, so shortly after 4:30, I walked to the church, which is very close to where I live. Oh, did it smell good!  I began to re-think my dinner plans.  I walked in and explained to the lady at the table what I wanted.  Another lady who I knew from Coffee with a Cop was standing right there and introduced me to Pastor Ann.  She blessed the shawl with a lovely prayer.

When they asked me was I also going to eat, I said I may return with my husband, if he was into it.  He only worked till 5:30, as it turned out.  He was totally into it.

We had a WONDERFUL dinner!  Roast pork, baked potato, squash, roll, apple sauce and dessert.  YUM!  On the table were little cards that said, “Save the date: next dinner Nov. 11, 2016, Ham and Scalloped Potatoes, Trinity Lutheran Church, 443 Henry St., Herkimer, NY”.  I took one, saying I would write a blog post and mention it.  I will also save the date.

 

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Upcoming Adventures?

Posted on September 23, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is SO past time I wrote about a Mohawk Valley adventure!  I can’t even pretend I haven’t had time to have any.  My last Scattered Saturday post shows I have been getting out and doing a few things.  Why am I not writing about them?  Well, the purpose of this post is not to explore my writerly angst (picture me with my wrist to my forehead moaning, “Why, oh why am I not writing about the things I do?  Boohoo!”) (yes, I would like a little cheese with that whine).  Rather, I thought I would mention a couple things I may be doing in the near future.

I just found out today that this Sunday, Sept. 25, is Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts (MVCA) Great Art Giveaway in Little Falls.  The event takes place at the Canal Side Inn at 3 p.m.  $5 donation covers hors d’oevres with cash bar available.  You can purchase tickets to win works of art at MVCA, which is next door.  I may go to the center and look over the art on Saturday.  I like to take my time with these things.

Next Saturday, Oct. 1,  Steven and I hope to participate in the Haunted Tour of the Historic Four Corners in Herkimer, hosted by Friends of Historic Herkimer County and the Herkimer County Historical Society.  Members of the “Ghost Seekers of Central New York” will tell about their paranormal investigations at the 1834 Herkimer County Jail and the 1884 Suiter Museum Building.  There will also be members stationed outside the 1875 Herkimer County Courthouse. Tickets are $12.00 in advance, available at the Historical Society, 406 Main St.,  and $15.00 at the entrance.

You can find out more about both of these events on Facebook.  I hope to write blog posts about them afterwards.  Or maybe another angsty post about how I just can’t seem to.

 

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Much Ado on Bad Attituesday

Posted on August 31, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of the Bad Attituesday post  I was gearing up to write, I will share more information about Much Ado at the Herkimer Elks Lodge this Friday, Sept. 2.  A spaghetti dinner at 5:30 is followed by the show at 6:45 p.m. (do I really have to specify pm?  Can you imagine Shakespeare at 6:45 a.m.?  It sounds like a weapon in an old timey duel, “Shakespeare at dawn!”) (now I’m thinking that that’s a title of a play I ought to write…).

Where was I?  Ah yes, on Tuesday, looking forward to Friday.  And to rehearsal on Thursday.  I have been practicing my lines in my head.  I think I still know them.

My summer Shakespeare experience has been a great ride.  From hesitating about doing it to taking two parts to performing on four — soon to be five — different stages, I have learned a lot and laughed a lot.  I have made some wonderful theatre friends that I hope to work with again.  I have been inspired with several new writing ideas as well as a couple of directing thoughts.  And while vowing to never do another play in the summer, I am nevertheless intrigued by the possibility of stage combat in 2017.

That will be in the more distant future.  For the immediate future, I will be delighted to begin my three day weekend Friday with one last performance of Much Ado About Nothing.   Local readers are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.  The Herkimer Elks Lodge is located at 124 Mary St., phone number 315-866-1439. The Facebook event for the show is at https://www.facebook.com/events/1710411485888274/.

 

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Much Ado Before the Deluge

Posted on August 14, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

This afternoon was the penultimate performance of LiFT’s production of Much Ado About Nothing (as you see, I take every opportunity to use the word “penultimate” in a sentence).  The weather was even hotter than on Thursday, and thunderstorms threatened.  However, as they say, the show must go on!

I had heard some thunder as I took Spunky out for a business meeting before leaving for Little Falls, but the skies were blue with fluffy white clouds.  What was that all about?  The heat and humidity were formidable, but my friend Kim, who was picking me up, has a good A/C in her vehicle.  We arrived in Little Falls early so were able to walk around Chicks on the Canal, a vendor fair that is part of the Canal Days festivities.

A delightful band was playing on the stage that we were to occupy in about an hour (I stupidly did not find out who they were).  They get the best musical acts for Little Falls events.  I couldn’t help dancing.  I figured, I was already sweating, how much worse could it get?  Additionally, dancing would pep me up, loosen me up and cheer me up.  It did all three, but the sweat did get rather bothersome.  I found a spot in the shade to sit and study my lines while I waited for my entrance.

At last the play began!  And I still had to wait for two acts and two scenes of a third before my entrance.  We had a pretty good audience, about 60 somebody said.  We could hear appreciative applause and laughter.  Yes!  Let’s hear it for live theatre!  I was happy to finally get on stage and even happier when the scenes I was in got laughs, too.

It was not until Act IV that the sky began to darken.  Our energy level was still high and we did not flag through Act V.  After curtain call it was downright dark and the wind started to whip.

“Where’s my Bible?” I asked (I’m the Friar, remember?).  “Where’s my green bag?”  A couple of cast members had gathered things up and put them inside as the rain threatened.

Then it hit.  It was a deluge!  I helped carry the last of the stuff into the building, pausing to do a Shawshank Redemption pose in the rain, because it felt damn good on my sweaty body.  I was laughing heartily, as I usually do at inclement weather.  I also helped carry stuff out to our director’s car.  We took a slower drive home than usual, trying to avoid hydroplaning.  We were so happy we had gotten through the whole performance before the storm.

We have one more performance, tomorrow at Sterzinar Park, Canal Place, Little Falls at 3 p.m.  I hope we get another good audience and the weather once gain cooperates!

 

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We Do the Doodah!

Posted on July 26, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve always been kind of fascinated by the Doodah Parade, which is part of the Ilion Days festivities.   For one reason, what a great name.  The Doodah Parade.  I keep finding excuses to say it.  When some members of Ilion Little Theatre signed up to march, I was happy to join them.

One member allowed us to use his pick-up truck (full disclosure: he was kind of strong-armed into it).  The plan was for most of us to walk, but marchers could take a break in the truck.  It would be a handy place to put things like bottles of water or stuff we were handing out.  We met in the theatre parking lot to decorate the truck.  We had a minor setback when we discovered the brand new helium tank was empty, but we made do with lung power.  Balloons, ribbons and shiny hangings soon adorned the vehicle as participants continued to show up.

We had a sizable contingent from the Young Actors Workshop (YAW) as well as adults.  Some people wore t-shirts from plays they’d been in; some were in costume.  I dressed as a pirate myself.  We also had a couple of ladies in historical costume, a few princesses, one fabulously dressed diva, and Tierney, the mysterious neighbor from the ILT production The Birds.  The last two were the most impressive costumes to me, the diva because she walked the entire route in high-heeled sandals, and Tierney because his costume included a black canvas poncho with hood.  It was a sunny, hot  evening.  Those are some dedicated parade people right there.

We were a little late getting to the staging area, although it was fun riding in the back of the pick-up truck along part of the parade route, which was already filled with people.  We all waved, shouting that we were a preview.  We were in fact a preview of the end of the parade, because that is where you end up marching when you show up late to the staging area.  It seemed to take a long time to get started but at last we were headed down the street, waving at spectators and spreading the word about Ilion Little Theatre.  Some of the kids had candy to throw.  Others handed out pens and fliers.  I asked that a pen be saved for me, so I could write a play with it.  I’m sure I will feel very inspired to write a good play using a pen that has “Ilion Little Theatre” printed on it.

My husband Steven had to work till six so did not try to join us in the marching.  He waited for us at the end, where he joined us.  He was wearing his t-shirt from Roxy, a play which I may have mentioned in a few blog posts last summer.  We all walked up the hill to the theatre parking lot, where most of us had left our cars.  We were full of plans for next year’s Doodah Parade.  I think everybody had a splendid time, although I’d just like to mention, I’m still waiting for my pen.

 

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Wine, Cheese, Music and History

Posted on July 21, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

The history, cheese and wine I alluded to in yesterday’s post (if you missed it, don’t worry about it; it wasn’t such a much) was at a wine and cheese tasting at the Historic Russian Church and One-Room Schoolhouse in Poland, NY.  We drove out there after Steven was finished at work.

Full disclosure:  I felt a little guilty for not going to see a couple of friends in a play at Players of Utica, but we were not sure we could get there on time, given Steven’s work and our lousy record of driving in Utica.  It would not matter if we were late for the wine and cheese tasting, and we are so much more comfortable driving the scenic rural roads.

It was a pleasant drive with views of farmland and mountains.  We had to ask directions at a convenience store, but that was OK with me, because I needed a cold beverage and had forgotten to bring a bottle of water from home (that’s not a run-on sentence).  I was surprised at how far out of the way the place was.  At last we were parked and walking over to the tables underneath shady trees.

A lady was playing the harp at the table where we paid our admission.  I told her it sounded lovely.  I believe it was Peggy Spencer Behrendt, who writes “Tales from Shawangunk” in Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  Shawangunk Nature Preserve had a table set up with pictures and information.  I made a small donation and picked up a bookmark.  For a larger donation I could have gotten a book or CD.

We sampled some tasty cheeses from Three Village Cheese and some yummy wine from Prospect Falls Winery.  We later purchased some of each.  Then we went into the One Room Schoolhouse to eat a couple of desserts and hear some music. Dean Batstone played acoustic guitar and sang original songs.  Before each song he would tell a little about how he came to write it.

“Most of my stories are mostly true,” he said.

Later we went into the church.  Volunteers were on hand to tell about its history and restoration.  I even got to pull the rope and make the church bell ring.

Steven picked up the Russia Civic Association newsletter.  I see they have a Facebook page.  I’ll have to seek it out so that I can attend other events at the church and schoolhouse, now that we know where they are.

 

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More About the Jail

Posted on July 16, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

When we last left our heroine (you know that’s me, right?), she was about to begin her blog post in the third person point of view.  But I changed my mind.

Sorry about that little bit of nonsense. I was about to write more about our visit to Herkimer’s 1834 Jail on Monday.  Steven and I were in the second group to go up the stairs with our guide, Jim Greiner.  As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, the Jail is famous as the place where Chester Gillette stayed while on trial for the murder of Grace Brown in 1906.  There was to be a talk on a newly revised book about the case by author Craig Brandon at the Court House across the street at seven that night.

Our first stop was the cell Gillette stayed in during his trial.  It is actually kind of a suite, two cell off a third, larger cell.  Photocopies of old magazine photos adorn the walls, because Gillette had decorated the cell with magazine clippings.

From there, we saw the men’s side of regular cells, with a shower at one end, then the women’s cells, with a claw-foot tub.  One woman was offended by the sexism of this, because the shower clearly offered more privacy than the tub.

Somebody asked about where Roxalana Druse was housed.  Druse was hanged behind the jail in 1887.  I mentioned yesterday that Greiner wrote a book about her.  He told us she was housed on the third floor, where offenders who were considered less dangerous were kept.  The third floor was, sadly, not part of the tour.  He told the story of how a fire broke out while she was there.  Druse refused to evacuate but formed part of the bucket brigade putting out the fire.  When Friends of Herkimer Jail took over the building, one member bravely went up to the attic and found where some burnt timbers remained.

We greatly enjoyed our tour.  I love living in a village that has such a rich local history as well as people who work to preserve and share it.

 

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Only Through the Door of the Jail

Posted on July 15, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is well known (by people who know me) that I am a big fan of Herkimer’s 1834 Jail.  When Steven noticed tours would be available this past Monday, I was delighted.  I was even more delighted when we realized that Steven would also be available to participate.  The tours were in conjunction with a talk by Craig Brandon taking place across the street in the Herkimer County Courthouse.

Brandon wrote Murder in the Adirondacks, about the murder of Grace Brown by Chester Gillette in Moose Lake.  Gillette was housed in the jail and tried in the courthouse.  Brandon recently revised the book, adding new photos and information. I’m hoping Steven buys me a copy for my birthday.

Some people, when they have seen an historic site or other attraction, are done. I, on the other hand, am not that way, especially when it is something you can’t go to just any old time.  The 1834 Jail is in that category.  The Jail is an easy walk from our house, on Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners where Main Street meets Church Street.  We thought we had left in plenty of time, but people were already gathering in front of the jail when we arrived.  The door was open, so we went in.  We could hear voices upstairs.

Other people soon followed us in.  One lady noticed a place to sign in, but there was no pen.

“You can borrow my pen,” I said.  It was actually one of Steven’s pens.  He buys these cheap ballpoint pens to take to work, in case he hands one to a customer and doesn’t get it back.  That was a good thing, since I didn’t get it back.  Almost everybody wanted to sign in.

“Oh, look, there are the gallows they strung me up on,”  I said, pointing into the next room.  It was the replica of the Galloping Gallows, which were used to hang Roxalana Druse, who killed her husband in Warren County.  Herkimer B.O.C.E.S. built the replica for Herkimer County Historical Society when they presented the play Roxy at Ilion Little Theatre last September.  I played Roxy.  (In case anybody did not see the play and was concerned, they did not show me being strung up.  The audience was shown the gallows, but the actual execution took place offstage.)

Soon the group who had enjoyed the first tour came downstairs with their tour guide, Jim Greiner, who wrote Last Woman Hanged: Roxalana Druse.  Jim is a dynamic speaker and very knowledgeable about the jail and Herkimer County history.  Steven and I attended a talk he gave about his book, and I have taken a tour of the jail with him.  He greeted us new arrivals  as “Chester Gillette fans.”

“And Roxalana Druse fans,” I said, although truth be known I am a Gillette/Brown aficionado as well.

I must end my blog post here, at the beginning of our tour.  I have a rehearsal tonight for Much Ado About Nothing, and I’m not quite ready for it.  I hope to see you all on Lame Post Friday.

 

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Cheesy Post about the Festival

Posted on July 12, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last year when I ran in the Boilermaker 15K, I chose not to go to the Little Falls Cheese Festival, which was the day before.  Given my sensitivity to sun, I did not want to spend hours out in it the day before running 15Ks in the bright sun.  Since I was not running the Boilermaker this year, it seemed wasteful to miss the Cheese Festival as well.

A few of us met at the house of a friend that lives in Little Falls and walked from there to the Festival on Main Street.  I have not spent a lot of time walking around Little Falls, so I was delighted to be strolling through a residential section.  I love to walk anyways, especially when I have had a strenuous run earlier, which I had.  In Little Falls, there are many beautiful houses to admire.  I kept advising my friends to purchase ones that were for sale, then to invite me over.

What a lot of cheese!  We went from one end of the festival to the other, sampling, chatting and purchasing.  I picked up business cards and brochures when available, hoping I could check out some of these businesses in more detail.

My post is not really doing justice to the cheese festival.  We also saw a fun play and heard a wonderful band.  I’d like to write a whole blog post about the play. I’m afraid I’ve having a bit of Monday Malaise, which is sad, since yesterday I declared that today would be New Leaf Monday.  On the other hand, I did manage to write a post about something other than the fact that I can’t write a post (if you don’t count this last paragraph).  Happy Monday, everyone.

 

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Running Out on Rummage

Posted on April 16, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of my usual Friday Lame Post, I shall tell about a brief Mohawk Valley adventure I enjoyed after leaving work this afternoon.  Last night when I looked at the newspaper, I noticed a rummage sale at the Episcopal Church in Ilion NY.  I could have hurried right over, but I had already reached the sweats on, bra off portion of the evening.  I decided on a quick stop after work today instead.

I was searching for props and costumes for Leading Ladies (remember, that play I’m directing at Ilion Little Theatre?).  Of course I did not rule out finding something for my own personal enjoyment, but that would be strictly by the way.

Right away I found a decanter, such as a rich person might have sitting on a table with booze in it.  I wanted one of those.  For the play, I mean.  I don’t have any booze in my house to decant; I stick with wine.  Then I saw some tins.  I don’t need any tins for the play, but Steven likes to put Christmas presents in tins.  Put a present in a present, he says.  I picked out three.  Then I found two large silky-looking nightgowns.  I thought these might supplement the costumes for the boys that dress as girls (the titular leading ladies).  If not, they might be useful as part of a Halloween costume sometime.  Waste not, want not, I always say.

I asked if I could put my stuff down while I looked at the books and jewelry.  I snagged two books and a huge handful of jewelry.  The nice lady in charge of the jewelry counted up what all I had while I took one last swing though the tables.  That was when I found the VHS tapes.  Cheesy movies!  Yay!  There were a couple of titles I already own (The Killer Shrews and Plan 9 From Outer Space), but I found SIX I’ve never seen.  Cheesy movies have nothing to do with the play but EVERYTHING to do with this blog!

It turned out I had gotten a little too excited about the jewelry and did not have enough money to pay for it all.  The nice lady agreed to hold it till tomorrow, when either Steven or I will return with the cash.  As I was paying for my other purchases, I discovered the decanter was broken.  I told them somebody might still like it to sit on a shelf and look pretty, but I needed one I could actually pour a drink out of.  This was just as well, because I would not have had enough money for everything otherwise.

The ladies at the rummage sale said they would be happy to see me tomorrow, when it will be dollar a bag day.  I’d probably better send Steven, because I would probably find at least a couple of bags’ worth of stuff more.

 

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