Category Archives: Community Events

They Say I’m a Character

Posted on November 2, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Don’t we look awesome?

In lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday,  I thought I would share some cool pictures from the RCIL Character Brunch, which I participated in last Saturday.  It was a blast!  I stole the above picture from the RCIL Facebook page.  I also took a few with my Tablet.

Snow White turned her back, because she had a mouthful of donut.

Unfortunately I could only take pictures in the room where we hung out before the event.  During the event, I was busy dancing, signing autographs (really!), and generally being a character once the event started. But I think my backstage pictures are fun. In the above shot, the foreground features Alice of Alice in Wonderland with one of the Queen of Hearts’ minions (I know you think a minion is a goofy yellow guy in a Facebook meme, but it is also a generic term for an underling).  The Beast from Beauty and is in the background, without his head.

Here’s Snow White, and Beast again.

 

And Cinderella!

 

A kind of artsy shot (or do I flatter myself?) shot of Elsa getting ready.

What I really enjoyed was the eclectic quality of the gathering.  I think at the time I used the word “eclecticness” which may or may not actually be a word (surely you don’t expect me to look it up on Lame Post Friday) (and I will call you Shirley if I feel like it).

Royalty present included Princess Leia and Prince Charming.

 

A Jedi knight and Sponge Bob.

 

I wish I had gotten some better shots of these folks.

Some time when I’m feeling less lame, I’d like to write more about RCIL and the brunch.  For now, I leave these pictures and a wish for a Happy Friday for all.

 

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Ragtime or Rocky?

Posted on October 1, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Many of us begin thinking about the upcoming weekend on Monday.  Sometimes you have to.  Today I am thinking about Saturday night, because I had plans but got another offer.

My plan was to participate in Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park, a fundraiser for the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica. I will join other members of LiFT, Little Falls’ community theatre, dressing in 1920’s costumes and interacting with guests in a Prohibition Era setting. There will be music and drinks in a magnificent setting.  I have participated in this event before; it’s great.

Then I found out that the Capitol Theatre in Rome, NY is showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show!   An interactive screening in a magnificent setting!   I have only seen Rocky Horror on home video and, more recently DVD.  Friends have told me about the audience participation, but I have never witnessed it.  Additionally,  a couple of long time friends (no, they are not old!) are going.

I still plan to go to the fundraiser.  I think people are counting on me.  Full disclosure: I also have a fabulous new dress I am dying to wear.  However, if things were to change unexpectedly,  it’s nice to know I have options.  Also, if I really want to see Rocky Horror,  there will be another showing Oct. 13.  I would just have to find different friends to go with.

At any rate, if anybody says there is nothing to do around here, I fear they are just not paying attention.  Here are two great pieces of entertainment for one Saturday night!

Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 available through Eventbrite.  Rocky Horror Picture Show will be playing at the Capitol Theatre, 230 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY, at 10:30 p.m.   Tickets are available through romecapitol.com.

And for anybody who looked at the times of the events and is about to suggest I fly from Utica to Rome and take in both… Well, let’s just say that is probably not going to happen.

 

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Diamond Days are Under Way!

Posted on August 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got back from checking out day one of the Herkimer Diamond Days Street Festival, and thought I would make a quick post plugging the event.

Can you read it? My Tablet would not let me zoom in.

My husband Steven and I went down to the End Zone Pub and Grub, because I wanted a cup of the Gem Juice which I so enjoyed during previous Diamond Days.

We were sitting at the table on the right for a while.

We had a couple of drinks and got some food from a food truck.  The food trucks vended from 5 to 7 p.m.  Live music began at 8 p.m. with Jenny & The Buckshot 5.  We were not there that long, unfortunately.

Where the music was going to play.

One view of the vendors.

Our view as we walked back to our car.

Diamond Days continue on Saturday Aug. 3 with food and street vendors, a dunk tank,  performances and more.  Most events take place on North Main Street.  One exception is the Herkimer Elks Lodge Car Show in Meyer’s Park.  Herkimer County Historical Society will hold their book sale and the History Mystery further up N. Main Street.  Additionally, tours of the 1834 Jail will be offered.

For more information,  you can visit the website http://www.HerkimerBPA.com or the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/herkimerspoppin/.

 

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Doing the Doodah

Posted on July 21, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

We do the Doodah!

I open with a picture, because this post is going to be heavy on the illustrations,  light on words.  I am one tired blogger, but I hate to miss a day, so here we are on Slacker Saturday.  At least I didn’t slack out of being in the parade.  I did, however, slack to the extent of riding on the float instead of walking behind it.

For those of you just tuning in, the occasion was the Doodah Parade, part of the Ilion Days festivities.  I participated, as I have for the past three years, with Ilion Little Theatre.

Here’s a colorful pair.

I took all my pictures before the parade, as we milled around waiting to get started.  It was very warm and humid, but at least it had stopped raining.

My friend, Kim, looking gorgeous as usual.

Ilion Days’ theme this year was Clowning Around Ilion, so we had a circus-themed float.  However, we were invited to dress any way we liked.

We had a variety of get-ups.

I see now  I did not get as many pictures or as good pictures as I should have.  However, you’ll have that, especially when you’re dealing with me.

A lot of the kids had red noses.

A candid shot.

And another group shot.

I took this group shot, then the guy who drove the truck said I should be in the picture,  so he took the picture at the beginning of the post.

Ooh, look at this, I am over 200 words.  Maybe I’m not such a slacker after all.  Oh, I probably am.

 

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To Doodah or Not to Doodah

Posted on July 19, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title while I was running this morning, and I like it.

The Doodah Parade is part of the Ilion Days festivities in Ilion, NY.  Full Disclosure: the Days have been going on since July 13, and I have missed them all so far.  What the heck was I doing last weekend? Probably drinking wine.  Judge me if you so choose.

Anyways, for the last three years I have participated in this deliciously named parade with Ilion Little Theatre.   Last year I was a wizardry witch.  That is, I wore the silly wizard costume I had worn in May for a March of Dimes event but paired it with a silly witch hat I have had for some years.  And I had two wands, because my friend Kim gifted me one that day.

Me at last year’s parade.

 

The previous year I dressed as Dorothea Doodah, a character of my own invention.  The first year I participated I dressed as a pirate.  I don’t have any pictures of the other Doodahs, but I may have one of me as a pirate, when I revived the costume for a parade in Little Falls.

I’m the one on the right.

Clearly my main problem with being in the parade tomorrow is that I must come up with a costume. Of course it is perfectly acceptable to repeat a costume, but it is more fun not to.  I could probably come up with something.

Also on the Don’t Do It side is my desire to run in a 5K in Ilion on Saturday.   Many people can do both.  I am not of their number.   Again, judge me if you will. I felt after my run this morning that I am in fine 5K shape.  And so I dither.

My silly wizard costume, which I include for your further entertainment.

I have really been enjoying running lately.  But I always enjoy dressing up in a costume.  Could I do both?  Will I end up doing neither?  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Diamond Days Are Coming!

Posted on July 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got back from a meeting with the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer about the Herkimer Diamond Days Festival Aug. 2 and 3, 2019.  I may be a volunteer.

All kinds of events are planned, most of which take place on North Main Street in Herkimer, NY.  There will be food trucks, vendors and live music. Events run from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and from, 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday.

The festival will feature lots of entertainment.  Jenny & The Buckshots play from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday.  On Saturday, Scott Raymond is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lauren Quail from 3 to 5 p.m., and The Dead Bolts from 8 p.m, to midnight.  Additionally, the Happy Haggs and the Dance Center will perform.  Other groups may yet be added (maybe a group I am involved with, but no promises).

Further up Main Street the Herkimer County Historical Society will offer tours of the museum and a book sale in the Eckler House.  The 1834 Herkimer County Jail will also offer tours.  In Meyer’s Park, just two blocks from Main Street,  the Herkimer Elms Lodge will host their annual car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I am still wondering how I can volunteer, and deciding which attractions I want most to enjoy.  If any of my local readers want to get involved, as a volunteer, vendor or entertainer, you can contact the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer at www.HerkimerBPA.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/herkimerspoppin/

 

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It Was Not a Cheesy Play

Posted on July 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

The reason I went to Little Falls, NY at 9:30 yesterday morning (as referenced in my earlier post) was that I was director of Where’s the Cheese Monger? the play written by Little Falls resident Angela Harris.  Our venue was the Little Falls Community Center.

I was a little worried about getting an audience despite the crowds outside at the festival.   I suggested one of us put on the cheese hat that was part of the set and stand outside the door inviting folks in.  I was willing to do it myself, but Angela kindly did the honors.  I don’t know how effective it was, but people liked it.  Some asked for pictures.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture as well.

I am not adept at taking selfies.

After nicely posing, Angela said we must take a selfie.  Or is it an usie?  Ussie?

I was standing in the back.

The two performances went well, despite some technical glitches.  We had near Standing Room Only crowds.

Mac Blac on the job.

Our announcer Malcolm Hightower, standing.

Here is another full cast shot, including The Man with the Music, a new and welcome addition to the ensemble.

It was a fun experience with nice people, another successful theatrical production by LiFT, the Little Falls Theatre Company.

 

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I Hope to Haunt

Posted on October 25, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would take today’s post to give a quick shout-out to an event I am taking part in this Saturday, Oct. 27: Haunted Historic Four Corners in Herkimer, NY, hosted by the Herkimer County Historical Society.

Regular readers may remember that Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners is one of my favorite places to walk or run by.  They may not know that each of the four corners is reputed to have at least one ghost.   On Saturday, participants can walk a tour of two of them: Suiter House and the 1834 Jail.  The New York Shadow Chasers will be on hand to share their findings when they have investigated the sites.  A few ghosts may be on hand as well.  That is where I come in.

At least, there may be a few actual ghosts on hand; I can’t speak to that.  However, there will also be actors there impersonating some of the more famous ghosts.  I will reprise my role of Roxalana Druse (I was in the play Roxy by Jack Sherman in 2015; perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).   Jean Gianini and Chester Gilette are two other murderers that may be there, as well as one or two that haven’t had plays written about them (ooh, a future writing project for me?).

Here I am when I played Roxalana last year. I have better hair for it this year.

The event runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.  Pre-sale tickets are $10.00 and available at the Herkimer County Historical Society, 406 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, Monday-Friday, 10-4. They will be $15.00 the evening of the event. Tickets will be sold by time slot – tours will leave every 15 minutes. Proceeds will benefit the Historical Society and the “Friends of Historic Herkimer County” who are renovating the 1834 Jail.  For more information, contact the Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

 

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Fun in Rutger Park

Posted on October 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

First the good news:  I found my red feather boa.  Now the bad news (although some may consider this good news):  I don’t have any pictures of me wearing it.  I did take a few pictures last night, though, and the Ritz and Ragtime at Rutger Park fundraiser for the Landmarks of Greater Utica.  I thought I would share them in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  In case you missed my previous blog posts on the topic, I participated as a volunteer with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.

It is a fine ride, yes.

This car was parked right outside of the mansion where the fundraiser took place.  Last year, us LiFTers spent a lot of time around it, greeting people as the approached and giving them the password.  This year we spent more time inside.  However, we took a few shots outside first.

My husband, Steven, and our friends, Kim and Wayne.

 

Of course, we couldn’t really drive the car, but we didn’t let that bother us: we’re actors!

 

See? Acting!

 

This was the scene right inside the door.

I spent a lot of time walking around talking in a fake flapper’s voice, telling people they looked fabulous and extolling what a great speakeasy this was.  Many people really did look fabulous.

I didn’t get their names, but don’t they look great?

I asked these folks if I could take their picture for my blog post and they graciously agreed.  It might have been nice to get a few more pictures of the different outfits, but things got a little crowded.  Also, I could not see very well closer than arm’s length, because I was wearing my new distance-only contact lenses.

It’s Kim and Tucker, but I keep thinking of them as Mavis and Jimmy the Shiv.

A few people there remembered Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which was flattering.  I think the Rutger’s mansion would be a wonderful setting for a murder mystery.

I loved, Loved, LOVED the band!

The band was wonderful, playing tunes from the 1920’s and beyond.  Steven and I danced to an ’80’s tune.  I did not recognize what they were playing when we left, so it may have been from anywhere between the late ’90’s to now.

It was a fun time, which everybody seemed to enjoy.  I hope they made a lot of money, and I hope when they do it next year, they ask LiFT to participate again!

 

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Another Shattered Shout-Out

Posted on September 14, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

This was printed on a post card I sent to a few people.

As I sit here typing in my blog post, the cast and crew of Shattered Angel are at Ilion Little Theatre enjoying their final dress rehearsal. I’m just happy all of them are going to be actually dressed, since my name is in the program under “Costumes.”  Full disclosure:  I personally did very little in outfitting the cast.  I like to think I helped, though.  I like to think I can also help publicize the event with my little blog here.  So here is another shout-out to our play.

Shattered Angel, as you may have read in this space, tells the story of the murder of an area school teacher by one of her students in 1914.  It is a sad story, and a fascinating one, because the defense was not guilty by reason of mental defect, a new idea at the time.   The staging is interesting, too, because although all the action takes place in the courtroom, it is not a straightforward depiction of the trial. Through the use of flashbacks and strategic condensation of testimony and arguments, we get a fuller picture in a shorter time.

The lady in the black dress is not actually in the courtroom, if you see what I mean.

Director Stephen Wagner wrote the script, based on the book Murder of a Herkimer County Teacher: The Shocking 1914 Case of a Vengeful Student by Dennis Webster, and courtroom transcripts.

This is one of my favorite shots.

I stole these pictures from the Herkimer County Historical Society’s Facebook page.  Historian Caryl Hopson took them at rehearsals.  I suppose I should have stayed at dress rehearsal with my Tablet and taken a few pics of my own, but Caryl does such a good job at it.

Once again, performances are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14, 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Sept. 23 at 2 p.m., at Ilion Little Theatre, 13 Remington Ave., Ilion, NY.  For tickets, contact the Historical Society at 315-866-6413.

One more picture I found on Facebook.

 

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