Category Archives: Community Events

It’s My Secret

Posted on March 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would give another plug to Secrets at Suiter House, the murder mystery dinner theatre to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  The event will take place at Ilion Moose Lodge, 302 Barringer Rd., on March 31.  Doors open at 5 p.m.  $20 per person includes an all you can eat spaghetti dinner.  There will also be a Chinese Auction with some really good prizes.

It is one week from Saturday!  Yikes!  I still don’t know what I’m wearing!  And there are a few more props I need to gather!  And does everybody in the cast know about the next rehearsal?

Oh dear, that was not a plug.  That was me dithering and probably did not leave a good impression.  I must correct that.  This murder mystery will be a lot of fun.  There are some good laughs in the script, along with some intriguing clues and local references.  Actually, the whole script is local.  It concerns a wealthy philanthropist (played by me) who is sponsoring the next exhibit at the Herkimer County Historical Society (whose museum, of course, is located in the Suiter House).  The dinner is a contest to decide who will be the curator.   Naturally there are a few hard feelings amongst the would-be curators, and EVERYBODY has a secret or two.

I last heard some 20 tickets were still available.  Are they still?  I don’t know!  For more information you can contact the historical society at 315-866-6413.

 

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I Jingle All the Way

Posted on December 10, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I ran the Reindeer Run 5K in Little Falls this morning.  Slowly, of course.  At least I didn’t walk, and I was out there doing it.  And I retained enough breath to shout out silly remarks to fellow runners, volunteers, and people along the course watching.  I like to think I amused a few people.  Steven took a picture of me before I left, because we both rather liked my outfit.

Ready to rock and roll!

Yes, the jingle bells on my reindeer antlers chimed the whole way.  At one place in the course, we ran out a road to a truck, then turned around and ran back.  I shouted encouragement to all the runners ahead of me (which was most of them) as they ran by me after they turned around.  I said things like, “Looking good!”  “You got this!”  “Good job!”  “See you at the party!”  and, my own personal favorite, “Jingle all the way!”

The party afterwards was at Ed and Bud’s Bar and Grill on Main Street in Little Falls. I had been by Ed and Bud’s many times but never stopped in.  I must make that a priority now.  For one reason, the race director and volunteers were drinking Tom and Jerry’s, a traditional Christmas drink.  It looked so good, but of course I did not have my wallet on me.

After the race, I walked back to the YMCA, where the race had started.  I was feeling the cold by now, but walking up a couple of hills stretched my leg muscles out pretty good.

A highlight of the race was the Moose on the Loose.  The Moose was at many events associated with Christmas in Little Falls, and people were encouraged to take selfies with her and post them on social media.  Those who did so could win prizes.  When I confessed to the Moose that I could not do so, she whipped out her phone and took one.

We were all in high spirits at the beginning of the run.

The Moose met me near the end and ran in with me.  Alas, I started my sprint too soon, thinking the ending was closer than it was.  Then I panicked.

“I’m not going to make it,” I whined.

“Yes you are!” said the Moose and another runner who was just a little ahead of me.  Of course I did make it.  As usual, I felt terrific once the run was over.  I’m looking forward to the next Little Falls run.  And to the run I intend to take by myself tomorrow.  Or the next day.  But soon.  I like to run.

 

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Fun with Family at the Craft Fair

Posted on November 19, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

How about a fast post about an authentic Mohawk Valley adventure I enjoyed this afternoon, and which local readers can enjoy themselves, if they read this post and act before tomorrow afternoon.  I attended the Sauquoit Valley Fine Arts and Crafts Show.

Full disclosure:  I did not go so much for the arts and crafts as to spend time with family members.  I’m up for almost anything if I like the people I’m doing it with.  Still, the show was definitely worth a walk-through. I saw some great jewelry, art, and food.

The show takes place in the Sauquoit Valley Middle School, and they use a lot of space in that school.  The gym is filled with booths and so are many of the classrooms.  Most of the classes had only three or four vendors, with signs outside the door telling you who was in there.  We got to the show just after two, when things were less busy than they were earlier.  In previous years we have gotten there between 10 and 11 a.m., and what a crowd scene that is!  Even then it is fun to look at the things.

I admired some jewelry, knitted apparel, scarves, decorations and more.  I greedily sampled dips, cheese spread, fudge, and popcorn.  Previous years we have gotten lunch, but most of our group were not hungry.  I felt a little peckish, so when we saw the pie room, I went in for a cup of coffee and piece of apple pie. Yum!  At least we were all happy to sit down and have a drink.

I purchased a wooden race car for my delightful great-nephew, Shepherd.  I had not gotten him a present for his recent third birthday, so I was happy we found something he wanted.  There was some jewelry there I really liked, but I somehow feel I should not spend money on myself between Halloween and Christmas (oh, I do spend money on myself at this time; I just do not feel that I should be doing so).

The craft fair continues tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sauquoit Valley Middle School, 2648 Sulphur Springs Rd., Sauquoit, NY.  Admission is $3.

 

 

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No Pictures, But Lots of Plans

Posted on September 30, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, here I am, after 7 p.m. on Lame Post Friday and no post anywhere in my brain.  So I sit down, start typing, and hope for the best.  Before I started typing, I went to Facebook and looked for an image to download from the show we’re watching.  It is Dateline: Secrets Uncovered on Oxygen.  We watch a lot of Oxygen, because they show a lot of Snapped, one of my favorites.  This particular episode of Dateline was a case that was also covered on Snapped.  I LOVE to see the same crime on more than one show!

Oxygen has what they call “Crime Time Weekends,” where they show LOTS of true crime shows.  I am a well-known addict of true crime.  Um, not committing it. Reading about it and watching television shows about it.  The real documentary shows, not what I call the reenactment-fests.

However, I do not intend to have a “Crime Time Weekend” of my own.  I have plans.  Tomorrow I am going to go running (preparing for the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K Race!)  I may also walk to the post office, after writing my usual post cards, just for a little more exercise.  Later on Saturday, I plan to attend the Flood Relief Benefit for Rocky Rockwell, an area veteran who lost his house to flooding earlier this year.  In between these two activities, I have to figure out what to wear to the latter, always a traumatic experience for me (perhaps that will form the subject of Saturday’s blog post) (preview of coming attractions).

Sunday will be spent watching Halloween movies with my lovely husband, Steven, with a few breaks to work on our lines for A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, the murder mystery dinner theatre we are doing to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  I think I know my lines pretty well, but it is well to be sure about these things.

So this is my Friday Lame Post.  No pictures but lots of plans (would that be a good title for this post?  I’ll ask Steven).

 

 

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Firefighters, Here I Come!

Posted on September 29, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I’d open with this catchy logo.

I ended Sunday’s Running Commentary post wondering if I could find a nearby 5K any time soon.  Ask and you shall receive!  Just a couple of days later, my husband Steven showed me an article on Facebook about a new 5K right here in Herkimer, NY. It is the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K, a new race. I said LET’S GO!!!!!  It got even better.

It is to benefit East Herkimer Fire Department.  I LOVE fire departments!  They save lives and property. During the flooding in 2013, fire departments traveled from across the state to Herkimer to help pump out people’s basements.  Three different departments cheerfully pumped us out three different times.  I think firefighters are GREAT!

The run will take place Saturday, Oct. 14.  Steven is on vacation, so he can attend and cheer me on.  Later that day, we will participate in A G.R.A.V.E. Murder, the murder mystery dinner theatre we are doing to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society.  That will make for an entire fun day!

Run, then murder. Life is full for Mohawk Valley Girl!

Then I noticed that registration is through RunSignUp.  I love those guys!  It is so simple and straightforward to register through them, and they don’t try to sell you anything.

So, feeling all happy and determined to participate in this 5K, what did I do but take three days off running.  In my defense, it has been hot and humid, and my body has not been in the best of health (but you already know that; I spent my other posts this week whining about these things).  I went running today.  In fact, my intention was to make a Running Commentary post.   However, I see I am approaching 300 words, so how about a Registration Commentary post?  We’ll call it a win for Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

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An Afghan for Rocky

Posted on September 26, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am going to recount today’s minor Mohawk Valley adventure, not so much because it was an exciting adventure, but because it will advertise an upcoming event local readers may like to go to.

Regular readers know I like to crochet and watch movies or television.  The only thing I know how to crochet is afghans, and I have gotten pretty fast at making them.  As you may guess, they can pile up.  My solution is to donate them to worthy causes.  When I see a poster for a benefit fundraiser with a Chinese auction, I try to give a call and donate an afghan.  I’ve written about this before, not in the interest of tooting my own horn (I do that on Toot Your Horn Tuesday), but to call attention to one of my favorite things: people helping people.  I truly believe that we are the answers to each other’s prayers (but never mind the half-baked philosophy; that goes on Lame Post Friday).

Today’s cause is Rocky Rockwell, a local veteran who suffered a demolished home in recent flooding.  I believe this is the second time his home has suffered damage, and this time it was much worse.

I knew some time ago about the Flood Relief Benefit for Rocky Rockwell on Sept. 30.  Well, you know how it is:  when you know you’ve got to the end of the month to do something, you just naturally put it off.  At least I do.  If you do not, well that is an excellent habit to be in.  Keep up the good work.  Be that as it may (one of my favorite expressions), I finally called the number for the benefit organizers and found out I could drop the afghan by their meeting tonight at the VFW.  So I did.

I told you it was not all that exciting of an adventure, didn’t I?  BUT I think it will do as a plug for the benefit.  It is this Saturday, Sept. 30 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Herkimer VFW, 129 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  You can find out more at the Facebook Event page (I love Facebook Events).  A motorcycle ride precedes the benefit, and at the benefit there will be a DJ, raffles, food, a Chinese auction, and cash bar.

I’ll be there, checking to see how many tickets get put in for my afghan.

 

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That Darn Doodah Parade!

Posted on July 21, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said “darn” because it is a family friendly event.

What a week I am having!  Rehearsals Monday and Wednesday, a preview performance Thursday, and the Ilion Doodah Parade on Friday!  And anybody who is saying huffily, “I see you had Tuesday off. I had something to do EVERY night this week, even Sunday!”  can just be quiet.  I bet there is somebody else who is even busier than you, only they are not writing a blog post about it.

Where was I?  Ah yes, stressing over the Ilion Doodah Parade tomorrow.  I am marching with other m embers of the Ilion Little Theatre Club (ILT).  Of course most of my summer is being taken up with LiFT Theatre Company of Little Falls, but I must make time for ILT once in a while.  For one reason, my good friend Kim is in charge of our participation in the parade.  I’m always ready to join Kim for a Mohawk Valley adventure!

My big problem is a familiar one for me.  What, oh WHAT shall I wear?  Last year I dressed as a pirate.  Some folks wore jeans and a t-shirt from a show.  Not all of our shows have t-shirts made, but, for example, the Herkimer County Historical Society gave the whole cast of Roxy t-shirts.  I, of course, was in Roxy (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it; that was in 2015).  Well, I’m sure wearing a theatre t-shirt is fine for some people, but I like to be a little more distinctive. OK, I just have to put n a show.  I thought you knew that about me.

So I could be a pirate again.  Or I could wear the outfit I’m working on for tonight’s preview performance.  A co-worker suggested I wear the outfit I wore for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s.  There are many possibilities.

Right now, however, I can’t think about it.  I have to get ready for my Preview Performance. I wonder if I will have time to write a blog post about it before the Doodah Parade tomorrow.

For more information about the Doodah Parade, you can visit the Ilion Days website at http://www.iliondoodah.com/

 

 

 

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Last Cup Till Fall

Posted on June 22, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I forgot to write about Coffee with a Cop!  I’ve written about the program before. It takes place on the first Saturday of the month.  A police officer or officers who are on duty but not busy meet with any interested community members. We have coffee and treats, and we talk.  The meetings take place at various locations, such as churches or the library.  On Saturday, June 6, we met at Trinity Lutheran Church, 443 Henry St., Herkimer, with Officer Tiffany Hill and Herkimer Police Chief Michael Jory.

The idea of the meetings is to foster a better relationship between the police and the community. Discussions often cover a variety of topics.  Officer Hill talked about Community Policing, getting to know the people she protects.  Recently she had attended a parade and danced with kids in Meyers Park.  She was at a local school one lunch time and ended up signing autographs (nobody at the meeting was bold enough to ask for one).

She also told us about a foot pursuit where she ran across State Street and caught the guy.  Apparently somebody had leaned out of their apartment window to record it and posted the video on YouTube.  Some of those present had seen it. Oh, I missed a bet.  I should have found it and posted a link.  It was an exciting story.

“My job is so boring,” I grumbled.  Please note:  I don’t really mind; I can live with a little boredom.

We talked a bit about Main Street’s bad reputation, which I feel is not entirely deserved.  As with many such things, there is some truth and some exaggeration involved.  I said I would stubbornly continue to walk and run on Main Street when I felt like it.  Nobody seemed to think this was a bad idea.

I love my adopted hometown of Herkimer, but I know there is room for improvement. I like to think that Coffee with a Cop is a step in the right direction.  The program is taking a break for the summer but will restart in the fall.  I’ll be watching for fliers and scanning the newspapers to see when and where, as I hope others will be, too.

 

 

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Late Post on a Busy Sunday

Posted on March 6, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh, I just knew this would happen. I waited till the last minute to post and now I don’t want to write a good post and I’m not even convinced of my ability to do so.  Then again, is that not appropriate on Wrist to Forehead Sunday?

I had a matinee of Steel Magnolias at Ilion Little Theatre.  Before that my husband Steven and I went to the HALO Chinese Auction at the Herkimer VFW and to Rose Quartz Stand, a gem store located nearby.  HALO, for anybody that does not know, is the Helping Animals Live Organization, based in Little Falls, NY, a no-cage, no-kill cat shelter.  The Chinese Auction, in addition to being their major fundraiser of the year, is one of the hottest tickets in the area.  There were a LOT of people walking around,  putting in their chances to win a wide variety of marvelous prizes (I donated an afghan myself).  We did not win anything, by the way.

Rose Quartz Stand is a business I visited back at Christmas time and intend to go to again.  We bought a frog carved from stone for Steven for his birthday (which was Friday) and a dinosaur to keep the frog company (I am a big anthropomorphizer).  I intend to write more about the store later, perhaps even doing an article for submission to Mohawk Valley Living, my favorite magazine.

After a well-received matinee of Steel Magnolias, Steven joined me and  several other cast and crew members for Applebee’s in Herkimer for drinks and dinner.  It was a great time.

Now I am dying to get back to watching a DVR’d Columbo and crocheting yet another afghan to donate… somewhere.  Happy Sunday, everyone.

 

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Party Like It’s 1980something!

Posted on February 18, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

So this Friday I am staying home and putting rollers in my hair (long story for another post), but last Friday, Steven and I and a couple of friends partied like it was the ’80s’s.  Yes, I said like it was the 1980’s, not like we were in our 80’s (although that it does feel like sometimes).  We went to the American Legion in Mohawk and danced to the sounds of The Posers.

We had never heard the band before, but we were interested because the bassist is our good friend, Rick DeJohn.  We got to the Legion shortly before they started.  I texted the  couple who planned to meet us that we had arrived.  They soon joined us, and we were enjoying the band.

It was not long before they played a song I remembered well from my days of watching Mtv, back when they actually played music most of the time.  I asked Steven to dance with me.  We bogeyed down!  Not many people had been dancing prior to this, but afterwards, the dance floor started to fill up.  We danced a lot, and I loved it.  They did not only play 1980’s music. We enjoyed it all.  It was easy to see the band was having fun, and I think everyone listening was having fun as well.

The Posers will be playing at the Team Rebecca Fundraiser at the Ilion Moose Lodge, on Barringer Road this Saturday, Feb. 18.  Donation for admission is $15.  For more information, go to http://teamrebecca.alfordplace.com/. For more information on The Posers, you can visit their Facebook page.

 

 

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