Category Archives: Community Events

Another Elks Breakfast

Posted on January 20, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I returned to the Elks Lodge on Mary Street, Herkimer, NY, for the Sunday breakfast sponsored by the Lady Elks.

I mentioned when I blogged about this last week that the Lady Elks hold these breakfasts on Sundays for the month of January to sponsor projects throughout the year. I thought at first I did not need to blog about it twice. Then I thought, hell, I ate there twice, I can blog twice. Why not give another shout out to the Lady Elks?

We were a little later this week than last, having luxuriously (or lazily, depending on your point of view) slept in till after eight. We found a parking space with no problem, however. The ladies taking money remembered us from last week. It’s always nice to be a regular.

This week I tried sausage instead of bacon. Again I had scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast, baked beans and potatoes with onions. Steven had the same as last week: what I had, but bacon instead of sausage, eggs over medium instead of scrambled, and add pancakes. If we go again next week, I’ll go back to bacon and maybe add pancakes myself.

We sat at a table with our numbers (they give you a slip of paper with your number on it, and somebody comes out with a plate and yells the number) and said yes, please, to coffee and juice (orange for Steven, tomato for me). Steven’s food came right out. Then every number surrounding mine BUT mine was called. I was hungry! I was also in the kind of mood, it struck me as funny. I started laughing at each number called. At last my breakfast arrived. Yay!

We saw the same folks we saw last week that we knew (so we were not the only ones to return). We chatted with a member of Ilion Little Theatre about spring productions (preview of coming attractions).

It was another delicious breakfast, and we left feeling full and happy that we had supported a worthy cause. I think Steven works later this Sunday, so we may return yet again. Another blog post? We’ll see.

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Posted in breakfast, Community Events, Elks, food, Herkimer, humor. Bookmark the permalink.

Breakfast with the Elks

Posted on January 10, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had been looking forward to breakfast at the Elks Lodge in Herkimer since I saw it in the paper over a week ago. Sunday morning we headed to Mary Street with good appetites.

For the month of January the Lady Elks are holding Sunday breakfasts to raise money for various service projects. You can’t go wrong: good breakfast, good cause. We’ve gone the last couple of years, when we see it in the paper and neither one of us has to work.

We walked in, and I paid our $16 ($8 for adults, $4 for children). We also got $5 of 50/50 tickets (10 for $5). I put $1 in the tip basket, but said I’d put in more if the service was good. I said it in an “I’m obviously kidding” voice, and the one of the ladies said $1 was fine.

At a table just inside the door, two ladies filled out our order tickets: mine was scrambled eggs, no pancakes, whole wheat toast, bacon, baked beans, potatoes with onions. Steven got the same, only he took the pancakes and had his eggs over medium. He even got the onions on his potatoes, which he had been undecided about when we left the house. I had never had baked beans for breakfast before the Elks. It’s yummy!

As soon as we sat down, man brought us coffee and a lady offered us tomato or orange juice (I got tomato; Steven got orange). The coffee man asked could he borrow our ketchup for another table and would we need it back. I said I might. I called to the lady at the other table she could just keep hold of it and I’d come get it when I needed it, but she said that was OK. She’d just make the man get it for her again.

We saw and exchanged greeting with a few people we knew — another reason I love these community breakfasts. I also enjoy watching interactions of the people working the breakfast with patrons they know.

“She’s a sweetheart. I hate to say it when she can hear me,” was my favorite overheard line.

When we left, Steven put $4 more in the tip basket. I had said we should put in $3 more, because $4 is typically what we tip a breakfast waitress or waiter, but I agreed with Steven that the extra dollar was appropriate.

The breakfasts are every Sunday in January. I told the ladies as we left we might be back next Sunday. They said they’d see us then.

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Humane Society Santas

Posted on December 11, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

The best thing I did yesterday was go to the Open House and Indoor Garage Sale at Herkimer County Humane Society in Mohawk, for a few reasons.

To do the story justice, I must first tell a story of my past. Growing up, I remember having a beautiful stuffed Santa Claus that was always out at Christmas time and only at Christmas time. When I was quite small, I remember playing with him like the rest of our dolls and stuffed toys. As we got older, Mom started putting him on a higher shelf, “Because he’s old.” I believe Mom and Dad had originally purchased him for my oldest sister, Victoria, at her first Christmas (the only one she didn’t have to share), but it soon became a family decoration. And when Vicki moved away, she did not get to take him with her.

When Steven, then boyfriend now husband, began to spend his Christmases with my family, he fell in love with the Santa Clause. It became a recurring joke that Steven was going to hide Santa Claus in his suitcase and leave all his clothes behind. Not a fair trade. We always looked for just such a Santa Claus but never found quite the right one. Eventually Steven bought me a very nice stuffed Santa Claus which I love. But Mom’s Santa is still the best.

Fast forward to December 2011. Steven had to work, but I always want to support the Humane Society as well as feed my addiction to buying other people’s junk (that’s what we call a win-win situation). As I drove out, I was pleased to see that lots of people were supporting the Humane Society. I knew many people were picking up pictures of their pets with Santa, taken at an earlier fundraiser which Steven and I sadly missed. I finally parked in the Parking Area near the canal trail. That way I was facing back into town, and it was only a short walk down the highway to the Humane Society.

A couple of volunteers were dressed as elves, and Santa was present. I made my way through the crowd to where the garage sale was. They were doing a booming business! People were nicely letting each other through. You often run into more politeness at these fundraisers than you do at normal retail establishments.

The first thing I found was a basket of ceramic Santas. We have a few similar Santas. They stand about 5 inches tall and usually have a year printed on the base and sometimes a country. I could see there was more than one layer, and they wanted $10 for the basket. I figured even if I found some duplicates with what we already had, it was a good buy and we could always use the duplicates for presents for others. I picked up the basket, turned around and then I saw him.

An old fashioned stuffed Santa. He was not exactly like my Mom’s, but he was beautiful. Obviously of the same era and in very good condition. $5. I was in love. I picked him up, then I picked up a ceramic church with a place for a tea light. Perfect for my Christmas village which I did not set up this year but intend to set up in 2012. I got in the long, slow line. I checked out some other things as I stood there. Luckily I remembered we do not need any Christmas mugs, because they have a lot of them. A Yul Brenner as the King in The King and I caught my eye, but my arms were full. A volunteer was trying to sell a couple of artificial trees for $10 apiece. If I had not already purchased a tree, I might have been tempted (when I got home and smelled my tree, I was glad).

A fellow ahead of me had $45.50 worth of stuff, but the lady rounded it to $45.

“I’m not so bad,” I mused to the lady behind me.

“No, you’re not,” she said. She had found a tree skirt as she stood in line, which I wish I had seen first. As I often say, you snooze you lose.

When it was my turn I resisted the cookies and cupcakes they also had for sale. For one thing, my arms were full. After I paid and made my way toward the exit, I saw… another stuffed Santa. This one not as big, a similar age, equally beautiful, $2.

“I didn’t see him!” I carefully put down the ceramic Santas and opened my purse. I caught one volunteer’s eye and handed her the $2. “Please don’t make me wait in line again, he’s $2, I didn’t see him before.” She graciously accepted my payment.

A man standing nearby offered to help me carry my stuff to my truck. I thought it was very nice of him, especially as I was not parked close by. He was fine with it.

“If I would have bought cookies, I’d give you one,” I told him. Being a fundraiser, it did not seem appropriate to offer a tip. He told me he had to watch his sugar intake anyways. I’m sure the real Santa was watching and gave him more nice points.

When I got home I found the basket contained 20 ceramic Santas, not one a duplicate of those we already have. Steven was predictably delighted with the stuffed Santas. It was altogether a great experience. I helped the Humane Society to the tune of $18 (OK, not a princely sum; we do what we can), and our Christmas decorations are enhanced for years to come.

The Herkimer County Humane Society facebook page reminds us that every day really open house. Stop in and meet some nice animals. You’ll be glad you did.

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Posted in animals, Christmas, Community Events, decorations, garage sales, Herkimer, humor, Mohawk, Mohawk Valley, Santa Claus. Bookmark the permalink.

Oh Christmas Trees

Posted on December 6, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

I drive by Weller Library and Weller Park almost every day after work. Weller Library, if you didn’t read about it in one of my previous posts, is a lovely building, the former home of the Weller family. It is surrounded by a park which hosts many community events. I noticed a sign about Christmas in the Park. Eventually information about a tree lighting appeared on the sign, and a couple of Christmas trees showed up.

I drive by the park slowly due to traffic and a four way stop, but also due to traffic and a four way stop, it’s not easy to read signs. So I wasn’t clear on if the event was Dec. 4 at 5 p.m. or from 4 to 5 p.m. Luckily, the OD (that’s the Utica Observer Dispatch) listed it in their Events Calendar in Sunday’s Paper. 5 p.m.

So Steven and I made sure we got all or most of our stuff done by 4:30 or so and headed on over. We brought our dog, Tabby. We figured there could be no possible objection to a dog in a park, and we had faith in our ability to keep her from peeing on the Christmas trees.

A crowd had already gathered, but we found a parking space without too much trouble. There were a lot of trees, all beautifully decorated. Signs told us who had put up each tree. Local businesses, Girl Scout troops, fire departments and other organizations had participated. We walked around and admired. Several young girls admired Tabby, and petted her.

We ran into a gentleman from our church, and he told us this was the third year for trees in the park. He said anybody could put a tree up.

“You could put your tree up here next year,” he suggested.

That sounded like a good idea to me. I have been toying with the idea of not doing a tree this year. One reason is that nobody ever comes over to see our decorations. Of course we’ll still decorate, because we like to look at decorations, but how many decorations do me and Steve need to look at? Now, to put a tree up in Weller Park, everybody would see it. Most of the trees are memorials. I know some people I could make a memorial to. It’s something to think about.

The trees in Weller Park are gorgeous this year, especially with the lights on. Before the actual lighting, a color guard marched and a chaplain said a prayer. Then they played Christmas carols, which I was not the only one to sing along with (I danced a little, too; I love Christmas carols). Hot chocolate and cookies were served in the library. Steven went in and brought us out some (as well behaved as Tabby is, I did not think she’d be welcome in the library). It was yummy cocoa.

People were still enjoying the trees and the music when we left. We drove around a couple of blocks in Mohawk, admiring the lights on people’s houses. We don’t have snow yet, but there is plenty of Christmas spirit in the Mohawk Valley.

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Posted in Christmas, Community Events, decorations, libraries, Mohawk, Mohawk Valley, trees. Bookmark the permalink.

Saturday Adventure III

Posted on November 23, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

To continue our Saturday doings, Steven and I made our way back to Morning Star United Methodist Church in Ilion. At least, I didn’t know which church it was till I looked in Saturday’s paper just now; we just went where we saw the sign that said Christmas Sale, with the magic acronym BOGO.

We parked in the lot across the street. I wasn’t clear on if it was the lot for the church we were going to or the one adjoining the lot, or possibly both. I wasn’t particularly worried. For one thing, there were plenty of parking spaces. For another, church people are notoriously forgiving.

The sale was huge. I think every member of the parish must have gone through their attic or closets and donated stuff. I even saw some garland in its original packaging that looked like it was from the ’60s (at least, I’m no judge of dates, but it looked like something from my childhood).

We picked out a half dozen tins, a couple of Santa Clauses, a snowman and a few more goodies. Every time Steven found something he wanted, I insisted we find something else, because after all, Buy One Get One! We ended up with a boxful (and very grateful to the ladies for finding an adequate size box) for which we paid seven bucks and change. What a deal! And we still had three more sales to go!

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Posted in Christmas, church, Community Events, holiday, rummage sales, shopping. Bookmark the permalink.

Saturday Adventures I

Posted on November 20, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday Steven and I set out for a real Mohawk Valley adventure. We both had the entire day off, the weather was great, and the morning paper had informed me of several attractive looking events.

We started out at the Ilion Elks Club for their 2nd Annual Christmas Extravaganza. They had consultants from Scentsy, Thirty One, Pampered Chef, Gold Canyon Candles, Stampin’ Up, Bugeya Photography, Jewelry by Wendy, and Yardley’s Yummies. They also had a table in the middle of the room with goodies on it. We had taken the precaution of eating breakfast before leaving the house, but found room to nibble a couple of cookies anyways.

We purchased some homemade Christmas cards by the lady from Stampin’ Up. We had quite a chat with her about being creative. We also chatted up the Pampered Chef lady. I had recently purchased some Pampered Chef online for a friend’s party I had missed. I wondered if a Pampered Chef party was in my future. That’s the problem with these things: I could have left with half a dozen parties scheduled, and I don’t know if I have friends and family enough to attend. I also grabbed a catalogue from Gold Canyon Candles. Pretty stuff!

When we left, a lady made sure we took a package which included business cards of all the vendors present. They had done the little baggies up attractively with confetti and candy. I thought it was such a sweet idea. I tend to walk around these things picking up business cards anyways, because I’m that way, but this way I didn’t miss any. And Steven will definitely eat the candy.

We had never been to the Ilion Elks Lodge before. It is a nice place and conveniently located. We’ll have to watch for more community events there. In the meantime, I’ll sign off for today’s blog post, and save the rest of our Saturday adventure for the coming days.

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Helping HALO

Posted on November 15, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday, despite the bad cold I’ve been complaining about for the last three or four posts, I accompanied Steven to the HALO Trash to Treasure Sale. I wanted to help the kitty cats, and I love to find treasures amongst other people’s trash.

I’ve blogged about HALO before, but it bears repeating. HALO is the Helping Animals Live Organization, a no kill, no cage, not for profit cat rescue based in Little Falls. They hold a number of fundraisers throughout the year, most memorably the HALO Hoedown at Silverado in Herkimer, which I believe I also blogged about.

The Trash to Treasure Sale was held in the Polish Home on South Washington Street in Herkimer. Entrance to the sale was through the back door, so no sneaking to the bar for a beer on my way through. That was OK; I was there to treasure hunt. The sale ran from 9 am to 4 pm, and we arrived shortly after three (I was moving slowly due to the above mentioned cold). As we walked through the door, a lady announced that everything was half price, books and stuffed toys free.

“Oh, they shouldn’t have told me that,” said a lady perusing the books. “I love to read!”

I love to read too, but I did not see much to tempt me (effects of the cold?). Then I saw The Frugal Gourmet Cooks With Wine. I love to cook with wine! Of course, the Frugal Gourmet probably puts it in the food. I’ve been meaning to try that.

Then I found an Oneida pizza tin in practically new condition. Steven found a couple of Santa Clauses and snowmen (can’t have too many of either of those). We also chose some pretty tins. We love to put Christmas presents in tins. When the lady added up our purchases, it came to a very attractive total.

A poster board was on display showing photos of some sweet cats and kittens. They need foster and adoptive homes for cats. I can’t have a cat in my house, because I am deathly allergic. But I support what HALO does, so I try to help as best I can, by spending money at their fundraisers and by giving them a little publicity in my humble blog. Um, I hope the second one helps.

For more information on HALO, visit their website at
http://www.halorescue.net, or you can like them on Facebook.

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Posted in animals, Community Events, Herkimer, non-profits, rummage sales. Bookmark the permalink.

Fall Fest on the Canal

Posted on October 11, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday afternoon we attended Fall Fest at Gems Along the Mohawk, 800 Mohawk St., Herkimer.

Gems Along the Mohawk is a fun store to visit in its own right. They gather the best of local businesses and tourist attractions. You walk around the store admiring the goods and/or saying, “Oh yeah, we have to go there!” The showpiece is a large glass display case in the center of the store full of jewelry made with Herkimer diamonds. I point out to Steven all the things he can buy me when he has lots of money. I’m sure he’s taking notes.

Saturday’s event featured various booths in the parking lot. We admired some farm animals from Salamone Farms. A little kid was petting a calf. We wanted to pet it, uh, I mean him or her, too, but by the time we got over there, he or she was laying in the shade and looked as if he did not want to be disturbed. I imagine he had been petted a lot.

There were some adorable kittens, a bunny and a couple of chickens as well. The lady told us they often went places where children had seen very few animals.

“I once had a kid ask, ‘Can I pet the sheep?'” she said. “I said, ‘You can pet him, but he’s a calf.'”

“It’s good to see animals,” I said. “It makes us more human.” She agreed.

At the other booths we sampled some mustard made with maple syrup. Yum! I foolishly did not write down the vendor. We purchased some garlic from Lifson’s Garlic Farm of Rome, NY (he gave us a card). I was glad to have the garlic, as we watched a vampire movie later.

We had missed our chance to go on a canal cruise. We were also too late for lunch at the Waterfront Grill, which is located in the same building. That’s OK, though, Denny’s is right across the street. And now we’ll just have to return to the Waterfront Grill for a future blog post.

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Posted in Autumn, Community Events, Herkimer. Bookmark the permalink.

More Adventures in Rummage

Posted on October 9, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday I went running and made my blog post, then rewarded my ambition with trips to two rummage sales for $1 a bag. I was even environmentally responsible enough to bring my own bags.

I hit the one at my own church, Christ Episcopal on Main Street in Herkimer, first. The ladies there were pleased to see me. My church is great. If you don’t make it to mass for weeks, nobody scolds you. They’re just happy to see you when you do show up. They applauded my foresight in bringing the disposable bag, although I wondered if it wasn’t a bit too big for $1.

“I might end up fitting $2 worth in here,” I said.

I right away found a Norman Rockwell tin. Perfect! Steven loves tins and he loves Norman Rockwell. I grabbed a couple of Christmas tins, too. We like to put Christmas gifts in tins. “Put a present in a present,” is what Steven says.

As I poked through a box of books, a church lady reminded me of the book sale slated for the first weekend in November. I had been glad to hear about that, since I have boxes and boxes of books I really don’t need to read again. This, of course, is in addition to shelves and boxes of books that I do intend to read again. Or read for the first time. As they say, so many books, so little time. Anyways, I was even more inclined to grab a few books now, because if they turned out to be not so great, I could happily donate them back to the book sale.

When I went to pay for my finds, I showed them a (blank) I hadn’t put in the bag on account of its being delicate. I told them that (blank) collects (blank), so this would be a good Christmas present. Sorry about that silly sounding sentence, but (blank) sometimes reads my blog, and I want the present to be a surprise. Unless he or she picks up on the subtle clues and now knows what he or she is getting. Oh dear.

One lady put my find in a separate bag for protection, and they all mentioned things they or one of their loved ones collect. Collections are always such a good conversation starter. I told them Steven collects frogs.

“Didn’t we have a frog? Yes, here it is!” A lady picked up an adorable little frog made of shells glued together.

“You can tell him we were thinking about him,” another lady said.

I did not save the frog for a Christmas present, so I am able to mention it in the blog. Steven liked it, by the way.

I also returned to the rummage sale at Herkimer Reformed Church, on the historic four corners (just can’t resist mentioning those four corners again). I found a couple more true crime books, a thermal carafe, and a video of Grammar Rock. Do you remember School House Rock, those little educational videos they used to show in between cartoons on Saturday morning? Back when Saturday morning was the (pronounced thee) time to watch cartoons, because there were no networks dedicated to such a thing? Oh dear, I am old. Who cares? I was happy to find the video.

I drove home with my treasures. Time enough to walk the dog and clean the house a little before Steven returned home. Then we would set out for the day’s real Mohawk Valley adventure.

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Rummaging Around

Posted on October 8, 2011 by mohawkvalleygirl

While walking with Tabby one day this week, I noticed signs for a rummage sale at Herkimer Reformed Church. The church is on the historic four corners. I’ve blogged about it before.

I made a mental note and kept walking. Tabby directed me toward our church, where she always looks for nice people to pet her.

“There’s no one there, honey,” I told her, but I was surprised to see the door open and a light on. Tabby insisted on going in. They were setting up for a rummage sale there. This is where I confess that I have not been attending church, or I would have known about it.

The sale at Herkimer Reformed Church ran till 6 pm Friday night, so Steven and I thought we’d seize that opportunity. We weren’t sure, though, because two signs said till 6 Friday, one said till 4. Steven was pretty confident, though, with the signs running two to one.

When I got home from work Friday, I remembered I had not sent post cards to my soldiers this week. Scandalous omission; I had been sending two per week. Steven pointed out that I only had two post card stamps left, which worked out, because I’m currently sending to two soldiers.

“The post office closes at five. We can get there by five and buy more stamps,” I said. Of course we had to walk to the post office. Tabby had seen me writing the post cards, and she knows post cards mean walk to post office.

When we left the post office, it was an easy matter to walk home by way of the historic four corners and confirm the rummage sale was still open. It was. We got our schnoodle home and hurried back to rummage.

The Herkimer Reformed Church is such a handsome building. It is a pleasure just to walk through to the basement where the sale was going on. We did not peek into the sanctuary, as we sometimes do at church sales, but I will do that one day.

I made a beeline for the books (actually, that’s a funny word: beeline. Most of the bees I see make kind of an erratic pattern). I found a true crime book by Ann Rule I had not read. She’s the best. I also grabbed a couple of biographies. Then I saw a John D. MacDonald. I could tell by the title it was not a Travis Magee mystery, but MacDonald is always worth a read. When I picked up the book, I saw it was a 75 cent paperback with a pulp fiction cover. I collect those, so I was quite delighted.

Another lady was looking at the books with equal delight. She told me she was stocking up for the winter. Good thought. She showed me a history of Lawrenceville she had found, an old book.

“If I had seen that first, you wouldn’t be getting it,” I told her, to express my envy. She immediately offered it to me, which I thought was very gracious of her. I refused with thanks. There is no reason to be greedy.

Steven found a shot glass for his collection, a tin and a wooden box. We got everything for two dollars. What a deal!

“It’s Friday night,” the lady working the sale said. She invited us back for Saturday’s bag sale. Steven has to work, but I am tempted.

It would be a good idea if I went to the bag sale at my own church today. I’m writing this Saturday morning as Steven prepares for work. Will I go? As they say, time will tell. That time certainly is a blabbermouth.

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Posted in church, Community Events, dogs, Herkimer, Mohawk Valley, rummage sales, walking. Bookmark the permalink.
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