Category Archives: Community Events

More Murder on the Menu

Posted on April 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here are a few of the “action” shots I took during the mingling portion of Recipe for Murder Royale at Salisbury Grange Sunday afternoon.  We are to present the show again this Saturday, May 3, at Herkimer Elks Lodge to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society, so this is also in the nature of a Preview of Coming Attractions.

I was supposed to be walking around mingling with the crowd myself, but since my character was an organizer of the event, I thought it was natural for me to take a couple of pictures.

These two are married in real life.

Our French chef and our backwoods boy were both popular characters. I thought it was delightful that BillyBob Bodine wore a bow-tie for the occasion.

It was a spontaneous smile.

In another in-character move, I asked my assistant to place the ballots on the tables.  This was where people would write their guesses as to who the murderer was.  Of course, I didn’t know there was going to be a murder (wink, wink), so I said Albert Graves (unaccountably absent) had said to put out the papers; I didn’t know why.

I dare share it again!

The last I knew tickets were still available, in case any of my local readers is interested.  I personally am looking forward to the dinner.  Italian Chicken Soup made with real Italians, who could resist?

 

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One Dead, One to Go!

Posted on April 28, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Our performance of Recipe for Murder Royale at Salisbury Grange went very well.  They seemed not to notice where we messed up.  Um, I mean, we didn’t mess up!  That is the thrill of live performance.

The unusual suspects.

One of the Grange people took a cast picture after it was all over.  What a great group of people this was to work with!  I must say I have been very fortunate in my murder mystery casts.  I get the nicest, most talented people.  Like the song says, there’s no people like show people!

Big smiles now that it was over!

I guess I don’t have a whole lot more to say than it went great!  Here we are in our costumes!  How dull of me.  I feel certain my readers will forgive me (especially since I refrained from calling them Shirley for once).

Only missing me and the Queen.

I did try to surreptitiously take a few action shots while we were mingling with the audience before the scripted part of the performance.  I may use them for another blog post. I will decide that subsequently.

One more to go!

We will perform the show again this Saturday at Herkimer Elks Lodge to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I’m sure it will be very fun.  Tickets are still available, in case any local readers are interested!

 

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After All, I’ve Killed Before

Posted on April 27, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was hoping to make a quick blog post before getting ready for our performance of Recipe for Murder Royale, the murder mystery we are presenting to benefit Salisbury Grange.  We have not rehearsed at the Grange, but I feel that is the least of my worries.  Did I say I was worried?  Say it ain’t so!  But I think many performers get butterflies of one sort of another.

This is us!

My butterflies are often regarding the pesky details moreso than the performance itself (moreso isn’t a word?  Who knew) (oh I just checked:  it is a nonstandard spelling).  Much like the butterflies I get before a road race:  I am more concerned with finding a parking space and getting to the starting line on time than the actual running.  It is not a perfect parallel, however.  I harbor a few qualms about the performance.  After all, running is a fairly straightforward proposition.  In theatre, you have lines to remember and other actors to deal with.

Well that little sidetrack took my mind off my troubles for a few minutes.

What I have to worry about this morning is getting ready, making sure I have something to eat (not easy since I have not been grocery shopping), getting to the Grange (I’ve driven there before, but regular readers know my propensity for getting lost).  Getting ready is the main thing.  What, oh what am I going to do with my hair?  I was growing it out for Prescription: Murder, and that worked out fairly well, with the help of the wonderful woman who volunteered to do hair and make-up.

I will NOT be able to do this myself!

Well, I will wash it and perhaps blow it dry and see what I can do. Time to look over my lines again, take my shower, get something to eat (not all at once, but no promises about that given my dithery state of mind).  I’m sure I’ll break a leg.  If I forget all my lines, my castmates may break it for me!

 

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I Would Kill for a Good Meal

Posted on April 24, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I failed to take any pictures of last night’s rehearsal for Recipe for Murder Royale, the murder mystery we are presenting Sunday to benefit Salisbury Grange then again May 3 to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  However, I have some fun information to impart.

Mmmm… Hats and Broccoli

Of course I am looking forward to the lunch at the Grange on Sunday, but I have to really hand it to the chef catering at the Elks next Saturday.

A nice appetizing little murder.

The poster does not include the menu, but I saw a copy and wrote it down.  Diners will enjoy Italian Chicken Stew made with real Italians, and Roasted Cauliflower or is it brains?  Main dishes include Baked Chicken (sure… we’ll call it chicken)  and Balsamic Pork (wink, wink).  And watch out for the Sauteed Peas and Pearl Onions; those are definitely not eyeballs!  Dinner will conclude with some desserts to die for.

How fun is that?  I should be so creative!

Here’s an actress to die for!

Here is a shot of one of my actors at the Grange in April 2023, when we did Shooting at the Grange.  She will look different this time out; in fact, she will put the Royal in Recipe for Murder Royale.  I will definitely try to get pictures!

 

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Another Murder Mystery Begins!

Posted on April 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Something I did not mention in my previous post:  on my cool down walk on Saturday I figured out the Big Clue to my murder mystery Recipe for Murder Royale.  Would it work?  I thought it would!  I got home and typed it into the script I was working on.  I emailed it out.  I composed the Conclusion. I withheld that till the first rehearsal, as I like to do.

We had our first read-through this evening.  My cast liked the script!  They thought the conclusion was good!  We are on our way to a good murder mystery!  Stupid me forgot to take a picture of the cast.

A suspicious looking lady.

This is a picture from a previous murder mystery at Salisbury Grange. This actress is in the next murder mystery but in a completely different costume.

Oh swell. I cant’t figure out how to get the flier from the Historical Society onto my blog post.  I think I can do it on my Tablet or phone but not here on my Chromebook.  Full disclosure:  after our rehearsal this afternoon I had a couple of drinks.  I thought I might not make my blog post till tomorrow morning then reconsidered.  It may not have been the best decision.

In any case, Recipe for Murder Royale  will be presented Sunday April 27 at Salisbury Grange in a lunchtime show to benefit the Grange, and Saturday, May 3 at Herkimer Elks Lodge to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  I will share more details in subsequent posts.

 

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Recipe for a Blog Post Anyways!

Posted on March 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Sunday I went to the Herkimer County Historical Society where they were celebrating the launch of their new cookbook, Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours!  They had several of the recipes represented, and encouraged me to sample whatever I wanted.  Yum!

I just love the cover!

Alas, I did not take any pictures other than of the cookbook itself, but I sampled carrot cake, rhubarb cake, and chicken wing dip.  I can’t wait to try those and other recipes in the book.

While there, I chatted with Cassie Castle about this spring’s murder mystery, which I am supposed to be writing to benefit the society.  Naturally I am having trouble with it.  However, Sunday morning when I noticed the cookbook launch and decided to attend, something clicked in my brain.  As I washed the dishes and did a few other chores, in my head a voice was saying, “Cookbook… cookbook.”  And the next thing I knew I was making notes and starting a script with the tentative title, Recipe for Murder.

Of course there are still several hurdles to get over before I am once again murdering for fun and non-profit.  For one thing, I need to field a cast.  Oh yeah, and finish the script.  Maybe if I make one of the recipes in my new cookbook, I can get even more inspired.

If you are interested in purchasing Home Town Recipes From Our Table to Yours! you can contact the Herkimer County Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

 

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Coffee and Cops, What’s Not to Like?

Posted on March 3, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

 “Cheese it, it’s the cops!”  is what I usually say when I see a police car, quoting numerous cartoons from my childhood.  However, I really have great respect for the police and often enjoy talking to them.  I had a great opportunity to do so last Friday when the Town of Frankfort police department hosted Coffee with a Cop at Stewarts.  I walked in and announced to the first cop I saw that I was there to have coffee with a cop. He handed me a gift card for a 12 oz. cups of coffee.

Coffee with a Cop aims to bring communities closer to their police departments, where they can learn about each other in a relaxed atmosphere.  The aim is to increase trust and cooperation between police and the people they serve.

They were very nice about posing for me.

 I asked how the officers enjoyed policing in Frankfort and received a very positive response.  Officer Louis Romano praised Frankfort as a close-knit community.  The department has a wide area to cover, as the Town of Frankfort took over policing for the Village as well as the Town of Frankfort as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Police officers cover the gamut of crime including domestic violence, burglary, and traffic offenses.  The force patrols approximately 100 miles of roads within the town.  Homelessness seems to be less of a problem in Frankfort than in surrounding villages, but the officers are equipped to deal with that as well.

The Chief of Police with a friend.

Several Frankfort residents stopped to talk to the policemen while I was there, sometimes to ask questions but more often just to shake their hands and thank them for their service.  Mayor Justin Smithson was present at the beginning of the event.  I was sorry I missed the Rock-n-Roll Mayor, but perhaps I will catch him at a future event.

Another photo op.

     The police officers were quick to hand gift cards to anyone who entered Stewarts, giving everybody a chance to have coffee with a cop.  Many of those present expressed the hope that this will become a regular event in Frankfort and in surrounding villages as well.

 

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Historical Society to the Rescue!

Posted on December 18, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Fine daily blogger I am.  I missed three days.  At first I put “several” but then I counted.  Three is more like a few. I don’t make the rules.

I think Santa likes me anyways. He’s not a big reader of blogs, so I hear.

I threw in a photo right away.  This is Santa Claus, who was at the Herkimer County Historical Society last Saturday.  They were also selling cookies.  Yum!  I was in a perfectly dreadful mood and had been for some days.  I did not know what to do, but I wanted to support the Society, so I walked over.  The volunteers gave me a warm welcome (they know me from the murder mysteries) and invited me to hang out with them for as long as I wanted to.  Of course I did and had a wonderful time.

I wish the picture was a little clearer.

The Suiter House was beautifully decorated.  Of course I took a few pictures.

I don’t know who the lady in the portrait is.

We talked about Christmas villages, and how they tend to grow, sometimes out of control.  I thought the one on their mantle was just right.

No, I did not sit on his lap!

I did not tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas, because quite frankly, I have been bad all year and do not expect any presents, although I know Santa is something of a pushover, so I might in fact get something (that is not a run-on sentence, although I suppose a period might not have come amiss).

I felt very Christmasy and happy after my visit to the historical society.  I hope to volunteer there in the new year, to a greater extent than putting on the murder mystery.  That would probably make for some good blog posts.

The Herkimer County Historical Society is located at 400 and 406 Main St., Herkimer, NY.  You can visit their website at www.herkimercountyhistory.org

 

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Honoring Veterans

Posted on November 13, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Friday I attended a very nice  Veterans Event in Ilion, NY.  Names were being added to the wall in the Town Hall’s Veterans Memorial Auditorium.  I got there early and walked around looking at the large number of names, all residents of Ilion who had served in the armed forces.

Only part of the veterans honored.

The names are grouped by wars, and there is a section for peacetime veterans as well.  There is even a Civil War veteran on the back wall of the stage.

The oldest one.

 Ilion Mayor John P. Stephens welcomed a gathering of over 70 people, including veterans as well as their families and friends. After thanking all veterans, past and present for their service and reiterating how proud Ilion can be of how many of its residents have answered the call to service over the years, Mayor Stephens read the names to be added, asking any who were present to stand.

Mayor Stephens

 All those attending gave a warm ovation to these veterans. Stephens then asked any other veterans present to stand, and they were applauded as well.

 After the ceremony, many spent some time walking around the auditorium, reading names and taking pictures.  It was a short but heartfelt occasion.  I got into a conversation with one couple taking pictures of their son’s name.  I asked for a picture of them, and they graciously agreed.

They had good reason to be proud.

 

They were William K. Farrell and MaryAlice Farrell, pointing to their son, Michael J. Farrell, who was an army doctor in Afghanistan.  William is on the wall for Vietnam, where he served as a sergeant.
It was a heartfelt, solemn event, although there were a couple of lighter moments, such as when people took the chairs from the head table. Nobody wanted to be up there with Mayor Stephens!  Then when he read the names, for a while there was one veteran standing by himself.  Stephens remarked on it, and remarked when another veteran stood too.
I will just mention that I was invited to be there, because I have been covering Ilion Village Board meetings for The Sentinel.  I wrote a story, which I submitted.  But I also stood when the mayor asked all veterans to stand.  I felt honored.

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Another Posers Post!

Posted on June 20, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monday I braved the heat to walk down to Meyers Park for the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown.  My favorite band, The Posers, were playing.  How could I not go?  As it happened, I had not been feeling well all day.  No specific symptoms, just very run down, tired, and blah.  Could I have partied too heartily on the weekend?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  I walked to the post office first, to mail a few postcards, then wandered around the park, deciding what to eat.

I finally decided on a hot dog from K Dogs BBQ.  It was big!  It was yummy!  I sat down at a picnic table in the shade and did not have long to wait till the band started.

They rock!

It was difficult to get a good shot, because of the posts on the pavilion and the setting sun.  Then again, I am an amateur with a cell phone.  A professional photographer was there and a friend shared some beautiful shots from him on Facebook.  Minter Photography was the guy (for once I was not too lazy to go looking for it).  You can check out his Facebook page.

It’s too bad I was not in the mood to dance.

I did boogey a little while I took the pictures but was not my usual Dancing Queen self  (I did not dub myself that; a fellow at work did) (yes, I dance at work.  If they don’t want me to dance, they should not play music).

Bass players rule!

Of course I had to zoom in on my friend Rick, the bass player. I also tried to get a good shot of Becky, the drummer.

You just can’t beat a good drummer. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Probably I should have tried for a few shots.  I must clean out the storage on my Tablet, which takes better pictures.

I love the ceiling of the pavilion.

I guess I don’t have a whole lot more to say than they were great, here are some pictures.

One more shot.

I was sorry I did not feel up to staying to hear more, but I was happy I had been there to support a community event as well as some of my favorite local musicians.  The Herkimer Downtown Chowdown runs every Monday in Meyers Park.  You can get some good food and hear some great music!

 

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