Category Archives: Community Events

Mohawk Valley Morning

Posted on October 31, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday Steven did not have to go to work till two, so we had a Mohawk Valley Morning. And I don’t need anybody to be a wise-ass and tell me that since we live in the Mohawk Valley, every morning is a Mohawk Valley morning. I already know that.

We started out by walking with our schnoodle, Tabby, to First Source Federal Credit Union in Herkimer, NY. We had to deposit a check into our mad money account. This gave me an opportunity to imitate Carolyn Jones in House of Wax: “I don’t need any mad money (tee-hee-hee); I never get mad!”

We walked home by way of Margaret Street, so I could show Steven some Halloween decorations I had noticed earlier in the week. I just love when people get into the season. I admired pots of mums on many front steps. We envied some hanging ghouls, a vampire with Elvis sideburns and several gravestones. We don’t have any gravestones, or any mums for that matter. Come to think of it, our vampire doesn’t have sideburns. Improvements to consider for next year.

After we got Tabby back home we headed for the H.A.L.O. Trash to Treasure Sale at the Mohawk American Legion. As usual I said I wanted to sit on the legion’s front porch some nice day. They have a couple of wooden glider swings I like.

H.A.L.O., I’ve mentioned before, is the Helping Animals Live Organization, a no cage, no kill cat rescue. It’s run by some pretty nice people, and we support them whenever possible. We went to their Trash to Treasure Sale last year (I believe I wrote a blog post about it) and were happy to have a chance to go to this year’s.

The sale was huge with many nice things, some possibly antiques (I’m not that knowledgeable, but they looked pretty good to me). I found a purse that might work for my character in Dirty Work at the Crossroads (next May at Ilion Little Theatre — preview of coming attractions). I also picked up a Green Mountain Coffee thermal mug. It’s always good to have a few extra thermal mugs around, in case somebody visits from a distance and you want to send them on their way with a cup of hot coffee.

After shopping we were feeling a little peckish so stopped for breakfast at Mohawk Diner. While there we asked where Mohawk Fire Station was. As soon as the waitress told us, I said, “Oh yeah, I’ve driven by there a bunch of times. Silly me.”

The Fire Station was holding a Chinese Auction. We love those. This was a good one, 100 tickets for $5. I had a ten so bought us each an envelope.

“After all, it’s for the fire department,” I told Steven when he suggested that 100 tickets for both of us might have been sufficient.

We took our time walking around and deciding what to try for. Did we win? Could be. Then again, we MAY have won something that MIGHT be a Christmas present for someone. I’ll never tell.

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Books and Music on a Saturday

Posted on September 23, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was on Facebook this morning (hey, it’s my day off!) and I saw a post from Basloe Library in Herkimer reminding us that Guitar Group meets today. Come hear some acoustic guitar music, they invited. I love acoustic guitars! I asked what time. 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.

I had wanted to go look for some books of plays, seeking something to replace Dirty Work at the Crossroads for Ilion Little Theatres’ fall production. I had thought to go after work Monday, when Steven could join me. However, acoustic guitar music is a great bribe for going today. Also, I might as well start reading plays as soon as possible, right?

Shortly before 11, therefore, I was at the library, wandering the shelves. I tend to have better luck doing that than looking at the supposed card catalog. I call it supposed, because there are neither cards nor a catalog. It is a computer and we all know, sometimes computers mystify me (OK, it’s not that hard to mystify me). I used to rock those little cards in the drawers! But enough strolling down memory late; I was strolling amongst the shelves.

I quickly found three books of plays and one book about an old Hollywood scandal. I do love an old Hollywood scandal. I went to check them out and asked where the guitar players were.

“I can just go listen, right?” I asked.

“Oh, sure, just listen, learn to play, sing along, they don’t kick anybody out.”

“If I tried to sing, they might kick me out,” I told them, but the folks behind the counter did not think that would really happen.

I found the room and sat at a table in the corner. A man was warming up, sounding really good. A few others arrived and they were all chatting and setting up. They were obviously regulars.

They played a lot of different tunes, mostly older stuff. I confess to singing along with “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue.” Nobody kicked me out, but I sang quietly just in case. One man played the harmonica. I really enjoyed that. I laughed out loud when they sang the song about Rye Whiskey, particularly the verse about if the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck.

“You didn’t actually bring any whiskey, did you?” I asked. Nobody had. One man brought up the inadvisability of drinking whiskey and driving. He had a good point. I was just kidding anyways. I haven’t had whiskey in years.

I only stayed about an hour, but as I left I thanked them and told them I had enjoyed listening.

“Come again!” they invited.

“I will!” I promised. I intend to. It’s a nice way to spend a little time on a Saturday in the Mohawk Valley.

Frank J. Basloe Library is located at 245 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-1733. They are open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed Saturdays during July and August), closed Sundays. For information visit their website at www.midyork.org/herkimer, or you can like them on Facebook. Tell them Mohawk Valley Girl sent you.

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I Stink and Am Merry

Posted on September 10, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

The Little Falls Garlic Festival boasts the motto, “Eat, Stink and Be Merry.” I like it, but I also think it is a little silly, because I like the smell of garlic. I suppose they refer to garlic breath. I guess that’s different.

I missed the Garlic Festival last year so was pleased when my sister Diane and her daughter Camille drove over from Liverpool specifically to attend. It’s not a far drive from Herkimer to Little Falls. It was not even too difficult finding a parking space.

We paid our admission and got our hands stamped in case we left and desired re-entry. I said it was like we were going to a bar or a club, a thing I have not done in ages.

We strolled around the booths, trying free samples of garlic and dips made with garlic. I never realized how many garlic farmers this area has. I also had not realized how many varieties of garlic there are.

“I just go to the grocery store and buy garlic,” I said.

“Don’t buy that junk!” a vendor said. “That’s shipped over from China! Buy enough here to last till next year.”

I didn’t quite do that, but I purchased a lovely braid of garlic which is currently hanging in my kitchen. When it is gone, I shall make every effort to replenish my supplies through a local vendor.

Our fun was cut short by a storm. We had been a little afraid it would be but had made up our minds to enjoy the festival while we could. It had started to sprinkle and the wind had started whipping as Diane purchased her garlic. I was relieved that the bill she was using to pay and the bills the young man had gotten out for her change did not fly away in the breeze.

The deluge hit at Diane completed her purchase. She and Camille had carried umbrellas and I had my crazy old lady hat, but nothing did us much good. Our backs were soaked well before we reached the car.

I was laughing. “Shawshank Redemption!” I said, throwing my arms wide and looking up, like Tim Robbins does in the movie. Camille was less amused, but her discontent stemmed from the fact that the storm had hit before she had been allowed to buy anything.

My main regret was that we had not been able to hear much of Common Threads, the band Steven and I had enjoyed so much at the last event we attended at Canal Place. They had started playing at two, and the deluge hit not long after that.

It was still a fun time. The Little Falls Garlic Festival is a great event. I highly recommend you watch for it next year. I certainly will.

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Oh Oh, Auditions!

Posted on September 7, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was unsure whether to hyphenate oh-oh or put in exclamation points, Oh! Oh! or use the comma. I may change my mind by the end of the post.

Yesterday my husband, Steven, held the first night of auditions for Dirty Work at the Crossroads, the Gay ’90s melodrama he is directing for Ilion Little Theatre. You might think that since I am sleeping with the director, I would approach these auditions without nerves, and so I did, uh, didn’t. Not too much, anyways.

It is a short drive from our house in Herkimer, NY to Remington Avenue in Ilion where the theatre is located. This is a good thing, especially since we almost forgot the scripts. I knew if we had forgotten anything else I would be easily able to retrieve it while Steven stalled. In fact, we were cool.

Some people were already waiting for us when we arrived. Soon we actors were filling out our audition sheets. I put all wise-ass answers on mine. Like I said, not too many nerves. Several people were a little confused by the last question, “Is there anything else you’d like us to know?” When I typed up the audition sheets I was thinking of things like, “I know stage combat” or “I’ll work backstage if not cast” or “I can tap dance.” Um, I don’t think there is any stage combat or tap dancing in the show, but we will have a backstage.

At last it was time to be on stage reading the scenes. I was at a slight advantage since I read the play last weekend. People caught on to the characters and situations pretty fast, though, and it was entertaining to watch. At auditions I always like to see other people read a scene before I read it, so I can steal their good ideas. After all, plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery.

Some really talented people showed up for auditions, but I’m afraid not enough to cast the show. The second round of auditions is tonight, so I hope Steven will get a few more people. I’m sorry I did not write this post last night and post it right away. If I post it within the next twenty minutes, people will have exactly one hour to read it, decide to audition and show up. Now how many readers do I think are going to tune right in and act on what I write? How many local readers do you suppose I have? As the great Fats Waller said, “One never knows, do one?”

Auditions continue tonight, September 6 at 7 p.m. at Ilion Little Theatre, The Stables, Remington Avenue, Ilion, NY. For more information visit their website at http://www.ilionlittletheatre.com or their Facebook page.

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Super Shout-Out

Posted on August 30, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

This post is a follow-up to my posts on the Superhero Sprint, which took place last Saturday sponsored by Herkimer Now. Once again, Herkimer Now is a group aiming to revitalize downtown Herkimer, NY.

First a correction: If you read the original post, you may recall that a lady with a microphone was kidnapped by two villianesses at the beginning of the sprint. The lady was actually grabbed by Cat Woman not Leaf Woman, as I had reported. In my defense, my back was to the microphone at the time. You see, she had mentioned the hot dogs at the end of the race, and I had turned around to tell people I would knock them down to get to the hot dogs. Hey, I’m a villainess too, remember? (Oh, stop shaking your fingers at me! I didn’t knock anybody down. I didn’t take a hot dog, either, in case there wouldn’t be enough. I even kept Tabby from bothering those that had them.)

Leaf Woman, I’ve been informed by a reader, was probably Poison Ivy. That name does sound familiar, now that you mention it. The reader went on to be self-deprecating about being dorky, but I assured her it was no such thing. Being well-read in a genre is often mistaken for dorkiness by the uninformed. I get that all the time regarding Shakespeare (just kidding; I am neither smart enough nor well-read enough to be mistaken for a Shakespeare dork).

Now onto the important part of the post: giving a shout-out to the local businesses that supported the event. The hot dogs I mentioned were donated by Crazy Otto’s, which was handily located at the finish line. If I had come to the run with non-canine companions, I probably would have stopped in for a snack after the festivities. It is a really good place to eat.

The popcorn and cotton candy, also available at the finish line, were provided by Collis Hardware. I talked a little about Collis in a previous post. Regular readers (if any) may call that Tabby pulled me in to enjoy a moment of air conditioning and being petted (that is, Tabby enjoyed being petted, and we both enjoyed the a/c).

Woody’s Ice Cream donated gift certificates for prizes. I have not been to Woody’s for ice cream recently so am glad to be reminded. They are located in that little plaza between State and Mohawk streets, between Autozone and Vintage Spirits.

Wal-Mart donated a $25 gift card. I don’t usually plug big box stores, because they lack the local cachet I seek and because I don’t think they need my help (oh, like I’m so helpful. Still, I have some readers). However, I must give credit where credit is due: Wal-Mart does support the local community.

I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk more about the Superhero Sprint and about its organizer, Herkimer Now. The event was a great deal of fun, enjoyed by both participants and spectators. I think it’s wonderful that we have a group working to improve our village. For more information on Herkimer Now, you can visit their Facebook page. Tell them Mohawk Valley Girl sent you.

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Super Sprint

Posted on August 28, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

For those of you just tuning in, this is a continuation of yesterday’s post about the Superhero Sprint sponsored by Herkimer Now, a group working to revitalize downtown Herkimer, NY. It took place last Saturday, Aug. 25.

I had planned to walk from my house to the event. Tabby was happy enough when I got her into harness and leash. However, once out on the driveway in the hot sunshine, she just stopped and looked at me. That’s what Tabby does when she does not want to walk any further.

I tried to encourage her, but she was having none of it. What to do? I did not see how I could go without her. After all, she was the superhero. I was only the villain-cum-hapless-sidekick. I knew Tabby would add a lot more to the event than I would.

“Should we take the car?” I asked. She seemed to like the suggestion. I went back into the house to get my purse and car keys. Tabby pulled me right up to the car, proving she understood what I said.

I found a parking space half a block from the registration table, which was in front of the court house. Tabby didn’t seem to want to walk even that far, so I carried her. Once we got closer to people, she was a lot happier to be there. Tabby loves people. Almost everybody wanted to pet her, which of course was perfectly fine with her.

After signing in and paying my two dollars, we wandered over to the shade of Christ Episcopal Church, where other people were congregating. There were lots of kids and their parents, mostly dressed in Halloween costumes. I noticed a preponderance of Batman (and girl), but there was an adorable Supergirl in a wagon holding a Spiderman stuffed toy, and a beautiful little redhead in a filmy green costume with lots of leaves. I’m not sure who she was, but I’ve mentioned I don’t read comic books or even go to the movies very often.

“I should have borrowed a kid,” I said.

“That’s your kid,” a lady said, referring to Tabby. I knew I had been right to bring her.

One girl had on a t-shirt with peace signs.

“I’m Peace Woman,” she said.

“Your superpower is Not to Fight,” I said.

“Sometimes to not fight is really hard for me,” she said.

“Oh, to not fight is hard for all of us,” I assured her. I thought it was a great superpower and was glad I was not the only original character there.

One woman had on an impressive Cat Woman outfit, complete with enormous spike heels.

“I would not advise sprinting in those,” I told her.

“I can barely stand in them,” she confided.

“Well, you look terrific,” I said. She really did. I couldn’t rock that costume if I stayed on the South Beach Diet for the rest of my life.

Eventually we all lined up in front of the court house and a lady with a microphone got things started. She asked for a cheer from all the superheroes, then went on to thank some real life heroes who had made donations for the event. She also gave a shout out to those other real life heroes: policemen, firemen and EMTs, some of whom were present.

“And I want to thank the villains who have called this temporary truce,” she continued. Cat Woman and a woman in a leafy outfit similar to the little redhead’s were standing near a fabulous red convertible, trying not to look suspicious.

Suddenly the truce was called off! Leaf woman grabbed the lady with the microphone and pulled her into the convertible. They sped off down Main Street. The superheroes had to sprint to the rescue!

Tabby hurried down the street with the rest of them, not, much to my surprise, stopping to sniff at anything. At one point one of the littlest superheroes needed rescuing; I heard somebody crying for Mommy. But for the most part everybody loved it, participants and spectators who watched from the sidewalk.

At the end of Main Street, we were offered hot dogs, cotton candy and popcorn. Tabby pulled me through the open door to Collis Hardware. I was happy to follow and enjoy a little air conditioning. The lady behind the counter said it was OK for a dog to be in the store and even came out from behind the counter to pet Tabby. A man in the store asked if she was a pit bull.

“Just an ordinary attack dog,” I said.

He said he was just kidding. I told him how Jim Parker at the Ilion Farmer’s Market says she’s a vicious attack dog because she shows her teeth.

I returned to the sidewalk while they drew for prizes (I didn’t win) then made the long trek back up Main Street to where I was parked. In cooler temperatures and ordinary clothing it does not seem so long. I felt a little self-conscious being in my costume not surrounded by others in costume, but nobody seemed to mind.

We drove back home and reverted to our normal personas. I think the Superhero Sprint was a resounding success. Everybody there seemed to have a great time. I’m sure I’m not the only one who hopes it will become an annual event.

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I Might Be Super

Posted on August 24, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Some time ago Steven saw a Facebook posting about a Superhero Sprint to be sponsored by Herkimer Now. He immediately recognized it as something that would interest me. It appealed to me on several levels.

In the first place, I’ve been meaning to sign up for more runs, to keep my legs moving if for no other reason (there are other reasons). In the second place, Herkimer Now, as I understand it, is a grassroots organization working to revitalize downtown Herkimer. That is definitely a worthy goal to support. If any other reason is needed… Superhero? Dress in costume? I am so there!

So I signed up right away and began pondering who I would be and what I would wear. I rejected out of hand any known heroes or villains. For one thing, I have no faith in my ability to render a convincing costume that is supposed to look a certain way. More importantly, for a person like me, it is much more fun to make something up.

I thought back to an old nickname of mine, seldom used but never forgotten, and decided to be a villainess: The Evil Woman CinCin.

I feel I should make a side note here. In general I try not to use gender divisions as in villain/villainess, hero/heroine, actor/actress (and here’s an interesting side side note: the word villainess isn’t even in my dictionary). As they say, we don’t call women doctors doctresses. (As another side side note, I believe I’ve used the term “waitress” in this blog, and I’m sorry about that. It’s a hard habit to break.) In the case of the Evil Woman CinCin, however, villainess seems to be the way to go.

I decided my superpowers would be an unerring knowledge of grammar and an extensive vocabulary. I would tell people I was didactic in the extreme, and if they asked what that meant I would tell them it means the same thing as pedantic. Bwah ha ha ha ha! I have a dictionary and I’m not afraid to use it! Oh, if only I would use my powers for good!

I decided my dog, Tabby, could accompany me. Of course she can’t be a villain or even a villainess. She’s too sweet. She’ll be the superhero whose arch nemesis I am. By day she is Tabitha, mild-mannered schnoodle. But when there is evil to fight she is… The Tabbiest! Her superpowers are extreme cuteness, unfailing friendliness and lots and lots of love (I think a lot of dogs share these superpowers). Oh, and the ability to forgive, another enviable canine trait.

I figure by the second book in the series, Tabby has reformed The Evil Woman CinCin and I become her hapless sidekick.

Having come up with this elaborate backstory, I’ve done nothing else about coming up with a costume. I figure I’ll go up to my attic and find a cape amongst my Halloween stuff. I’m not nuts about the idea of wearing a black cape on a sunny summer afternoon, but maybe one is reversible and I can put the red side out. And, yes, I saw The Incredibles (good movie); I know all about why supers should not wear capes. I don’t care. It’ll be a great visual, even if I don’t run very fast. Besides the cape… well, I’ve still got two days to come up with something.

And now, being me, I begin to second guess myself. Do I really think I am going to look any other way than doofy no matter what I come up with? When, you may well ask, have I ever had a problem with looking doofy? Then, too, I will be attending this even with only my dog for company. Won’t everybody else be there with friends and family? Will anybody speak to me or will I be lonely as well as doofy?

My fear of inadequacy increased when Herkimer Now posted on Facebook a picture of a member with rather impressive looking Wolverine claws. It wasn’t just that this guy is obviously going to have a way better costume than me. It’s that I’m not quite sure who Wolverine is (didn’t Hugh Jackman play him in a movie?). I realize I am not the least bit current with superhero lore. The last time I read comic books regularly was the early ’90s, when a friend who collected used to loan me his Justice Leagues. He also loaned me some Sandman, but I think that is more what you would call a graphic novel. Or are they all graphic novels now? You see how I have not kept up.

I don’t even watch superhero movies. The last one I saw Steven rented a couple years ago and I HATED it. (I shan’t tell you what it was, because I’m afraid of getting death threats from rabid fans.)

The one aspect of the whole thing I am not worried about is the run itself, even though I have not run a step since the DARE 5K. The Superhero Sprint, according to advance publicity, is not very long and the object is to to go very fast (unless, I suppose, that is your superpower). The object — stand by for me to start worrying again — is to be in COSTUME!

Looking back at the persona I’ve come up with, I gotta admit: pretty nerdy. And not a little cerebral. Will people get it? Or will I just look kind of dumb? You know, I had even thought about carrying a dictionary. That could get heavy. And I’d probably drop it on my foot.

What’s a Mohawk Valley Girl to do?

I sought reassurance on the Herkimer Now Facebook page. I posted asking how many people had signed up and admitting to being a little intimidated by that Wolverine guy (I got all cute about it and referred to him as the guy with the funky manicure). No response so far.

I will probably come up with some semblance of a costume and show up. Why not? Main Street in Herkimer is less than ten minutes from my house. If I get overheated or embarrassed, I can just walk home. And if I don’t get overheated or embarrassed, I’ll probably have a pretty good time.

The Superhero Sprint is from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 25, Main Street, Herkimer, NY, with registration in front of the Courthouse. Registration is $2, to benefit Herkimer Now.

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Can’t Have Too Many Books

Posted on July 11, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

There ought to be a saying about those with too many books are apt to buy more. It’s quite true. Steven and I proved it Tuesday at the Basloe Library Book Sale in Herkimer, NY.

Basloe is located on Main Street. There is a public parking lot on Prospect, which is one street over. You walk through a little park next to the building to get to the library.

The sale was in a room off the main part of the library. Several large tables covered with books beckoned. There were even more books on the floor underneath. I was in my glory.

I started out in non-fiction, because lately I’m really into history and biography, but I checked out the fiction too. I found a historical romance and a trashy romance. I picked both up, but told Steven I would probably hate myself in the morning. I won’t mention the authors’ names, because I don’t want to start anything. The historical lady brags on how much research she does and how accurate she is, but I’ve read the history. She takes liberties. But compulsively readable. I can’t put her books down, and then I read them again. The trashy writer, also compulsively readable. I’ll save them for a treat. If I ever deserve one.

Soon I had a small armful of hardcover books. Then I found a small pile of Writer magazines. Magazines were five cents apiece. Of course I picked them all up. Steven offered to carry my hardcovers for me. The gentleman working the sale said he could put them near the cash box so we wouldn’t have to carry them around.

I decided I had chosen enough before Steven was done looking, so I sat in a handy chair and started reading one of the magazines. He found a DVD of Ruthless People, a silly movie we had just been talking about the other day.

When we checked out, I counted 18 magazines, but told the guy to count it as 20, to make it an even dollar. Our purchases added up to $4.50. I said, “Let’s make it an even five, since it’s for the library.” He graciously agreed. I said, “If this was a garage sale with a person, I might have said, ‘Can we make it four?’ For the library, I’ll make it five.” I do love libraries.

For you local readers, the library sale continues through Friday. Frank J. Basloe Library is located at 245 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY. Phone number 315-866-1733. Or you can go to www.midyork.org.

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Hot Dogs and Hot Rods

Posted on July 11, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I drive by The Domes on my way to work and have been noticing a sign for a car show there every Monday night. The Domes, in case you didn’t know, is a small group of businesses located on State Route 5, just outside of Herkimer. A couple of the buildings are dome-shaped. Last night, Steven and I decided to check it out.

We brought our schnoodle Tabby, because we figured a cute little dog was welcome to walk around a parking lot if she behaved herself. We also brought our appetites, because we had seen The Sugar Shack there and thought we could probably get a hot dog.

We ordered our food first. A variety of burgers and sandwiches are available as well as appetizers and desserts. We were intrigued by Deep Fried Mac and Cheese but decided to order two foot long hot dogs, one order of fries, one soda. I don’t eat many fries or drink much soda so figured I could share Steven’s. We sat down at a picnic table and enjoyed the music a DJ was playing.

A couple had a table set up nearby selling knives and garlic, so we walked over and checked that out. I thought about purchasing a jack knife. They are handy to keep in your purse, for little cutting needs that may arise. I decided to wait. We bought some garlic, though. I love garlic.

When our food came, it was delicious. The hot dogs were well-done, the way I like them, and the buns were toasted on the grill. I don’t know why foot-longs taste different from regular hot dogs. Shouldn’t they be the same thing, only longer? Maybe if I had a blind taste test I would find the difference to be psychological. As it is, I find them distinctive and I love them.

We strolled over to chat with the DJ. It was Sal Stokes, a name I remember seeing at other events, most notably the Elks Club car show in Meyers Park in Herkimer last August. A flier for this year’s car show was taped to the table. I made a note of the date: Aug. 4. If I am in town and I am so there.

Sal introduced himself and his wife, Karen. Steven and I introduced ourselves and our dog. Sal said dog lovers were special people. As we walked away he played a song about walking a dog and said it was going out to Cindy Lou Who.

There weren’t a lot of cars there, but we enjoyed the ones we saw. The most striking was a 1938 hearse belonging to Enea Funeral Home. Steven saw a sign on it that said only eleven of that kind were made.

It was a pleasant interlude. The Cruise In (one sign says Car Show, one says Cruise In; I suppose they are same thing) takes place every Monday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Check it out.

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A Bank and a Bake Sale

Posted on June 25, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday I needed some cash and wanted to spend it, so I put Tabby on the leash and we walked down to First Source Credit Union in Herkimer, NY. They are very dog friendly there.

While I was filling out my withdrawal slip, two little boys noticed Tabby and were very interested in her. I told them it was OK to pet her. I explained that first it was a good idea to let her sniff their hands and then pet her on the back. I read that somewhere, that you should pet a strange dog on the back or chest, not on the head. They might get nervous when a stranger pets them on the head. Tabby licked the littler boy’s hand.

“Did she give you kisses?” I asked. After I completed my transaction and picked up the biscuit the teller gave me for Tabby, I turned around to see Tabby on her hind legs, leaning on the bigger boy, being petted. “Did you make a couple of friends?” I asked her. She didn’t let her new friends keep her from eating her treat right away.

We left the bank and walked down a block and across the street to Aubuchon Hardware, where H.A.L.O. was having a bake sale. That was where I wanted to spend a little money.

H.A.L.O. is the Helping Animals Live Organization, a non-profit, no kill cat shelter based in Little Falls. I can’t adopt a kitty due to severe allergies, but I like to support their fundraisers whenever possible. Right away I saw a flier for a great event planned for September: a Chicken Barbecue and Hawaiian Luau Dance. I checked their Facebook page for more details, but it isn’t listed yet. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for that and plan to attend. Steven has lots of Hawaiian shirts.

After I bought a couple of goodies for me and Steven, Tabby and I walked back home. It was quite sunny and warm by this time, so I chose the sidewalks that seemed to offer the most shade. We were glad to get home and near the fans. Just another pleasant little interlude during our Mohawk Valley weekend.

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