Category Archives: local business

Must… Shop… More…

Posted on December 19, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, I missed another day!  (Hey, that rhymes!)  It is Friday morning, not particularly early so I do not feel I can make my Thursday post now and my Friday post later. Then again, why not?  It’s my blog, and I make the rules (and usually break them, but let us not go there at this time) (I could have made another rhyme with make/break, but I refrained).

I always think these are so cool.

Here is a Throwback Thursday AND a Preview of Coming Attractions.  The picture is from 2022 and it is the Rose Quartz Stand in Herkimer, NY, where I might do a little Christmas shopping later.  It is one of my favorite little shops.  They have all kinds of gems, rocks, gifts, incense, smudges, and more.  I like to just walk up and down the aisles and look, but I often find stuff I want for me as well as presents for others.

I confess that my Christmas shopping is not progressing well.  I do not rule out stopping at any point and keeping what little I have so far for myself.  However, I have a few days left to make another effort.  I’ll let you know how I do.

The Rose Quartz Stand is located at 101 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-868-5199.

 

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Just a Couple of Christmas Stops

Posted on December 18, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my Christmas shopping to make a blog post.  Then I am out to tackle the season once again.  How brave that sounds.  In fact, I paused for lunch, to read a book for a while, take a Facebook break, and do an  anacrostic puzzle (my computer thinks “anacrostic” is not a word, and in fact PennyPress calls them “crostics”) (which the computer also does not like).  Where was I?

Ah yes, beginning my Christmas shopping.  In fact, I think most members of my family would not notice or care if I did not give them presents, except for the great nephew and niece, and OF COURSE I am going to get them something nice!  But I like to give presents, at least small tokens of my affection. Additionally, as Mohawk Valley Girl, this is a golden opportunity to shop at many of the little stores I love and with which the Mohawk Valley is blessed.

Accordingly, I drove to Little Falls this morning.  My first stop was at Chickweed Boutique on Main Street.  There was a wonderful handmade sled on the front porch.

Beautiful!

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, there is no space in my house for such a thing.  Chickweed has a lot of great stuff for Christmas, though:  jewelry, clothes, books, art, and more.  I found… well, I can’t tell you what I found, can I?  Some members of my family read this blog.  I continued down Main Street to Venture Fourth, a fairly new business in Little Falls but one I had not visited till today.

As I came in I confessed to the man behind the counter that most of the people on my list were not super outdoorsy.  Still, he did have some things that looked nice for anybody.  Candles, coffee mugs, and clothing.

I may need to buy some of this stuff for me!

I further confessed that I did not plan to spend a whole lot per present.

“After all, I’m just the crazy old aunt,”  I said.  He said I didn’t seem that crazy to him, but then again, he had just met me.  I found a couple of items to purchase, and we had a lovely conversation about the area and small businesses, etc.  It really is one of my favorite things about shopping small:  the interaction with the shop keepers.

Anyone can use clothes!

As I left Venture Fourth, I felt tired and hungry, and remembered I had to go grocery shopping. That led to the pause I alluded to in the first paragraph.  Now I have a blog post of over 400 words.  Score!  I think I’ll hit a couple places in Herkimer next.

 

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A Little Taste, Please

Posted on December 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I stopped in for the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Saturday and enjoyed some Bailey’s.  I used to never miss a tasting at Valley; my friend Kim and I used to start our weekends there every Friday.  Am I slowing down in my older years?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!  Be that as it may, Saturday I was out for a walk and my footsteps took me to South Caroline Street, so I stopped in.

I should have tried to get more Christmas decorations in the picture.

Katheryn, the woman pouring, was very nice.  We talked about how good Bailey’s was in coffee or hot chocolate.  I declared the Salted Caramel delicious, just to make a change from my usual accolade of “yummy.” The Espresso Cream was also very nice.  The Chocolate was my favorite.  I wrote down “Yummy!” but observed that it would be dangerous, because I would love to down a big old glass of it, as if it was chocolate milk.  Bailey’s also offers a non dairy flavor, but they were not sampling it Saturday.

I see that Valley Wine and Liquor is offering a number of tastings between now and Christmas.  You can check it out at shopvalleywine.com.

 

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A Fun Visit to Newport Marketplace

Posted on November 16, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday morning my sister Cheryl called me and said it was such a dull, rainy day, why didn’t we take a drive to Newport and wander around Newport Marketplace for a while.  I readily agreed.  I had not been there in a while but enjoy following them on Facebook.  For one thing, the guy often makes a pun about the picture he’s sharing.  I fancy myself quite the pundit (see what I did there?).

It’s a great place!

We took a long time wandering around.  There is so much to see, and it is one of those places where there is always something new. I saw lots of stuff that would make great Christmas presents.  Cheryl and I talked about how it is not worth gift-giving if it causes you more stress than joy. I get a great deal of joy from giving presents.  My only problem is my desire to give people presents they really want and/or can use.  I see so many beautiful antiques and decorations, but one only has so much room in the house.

I ended up purchasing a very small snow globe, maybe an inch high, of a little Christmas tree.   It would be a good present; almost anybody could find a space in their home for it.  However, I just might have to keep it for myself.  It is so cute!

I could make one!

Outside the Marketplace, we noticed a sweet decoration made with a pallet.   I even have some old Christmas balls like that!  I wonder if I could find a space in my home for such a thing.

Newport Marketplace is located at 7583 Main St., Newport, NY, phone number 315-845-8822.

 

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Return to Fratello’s

Posted on November 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Wednesday I did something I haven’t in a while:  went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music an food.  Long-time readers may recall that used to be a regular thing with me.  Why wouldn’t it be? I love music, and I love food!  Additionally, I love supporting local, both restaurants and musicians.  But for one reason and another I have not made it to Fratello’s in a while.  When I saw that Gridley Paige Naked and Scared with Justin Smithson was going to be there, I made plans!

Unfortunately, only one of my pictures turned out.

I keep saying that I will never get over my disappointment that Gridley Paige is not actually naked.  That is the dirty old woman in me.  I question, too, how scared they are, but I do no purport to know anybody else’s emotional state.  I had never heard Justin Smithson play with them before but have heard him solo and like him quite a bit.  He is, as you may know, the Rock’n Roll Mayor of Frankfort.  I should see if the Sentinel wants me to start covering Frankfort Village Board meetings.  I already do the Town ones.

After quite a bit of debate, I decided on a steak and cheese wrap.  Yum!  There are so many excellent choices.  I may have to start going every week again, so I can work my way down the menu.

When I left, the band was bantering with some customers.  I listened for a minute then said, “You guys have to play another song so I can dance my way out!”  They were happy to oblige.  I took my time leaving, dancing back and forth a few times, looking like the crazy old lady I am.  Such a fun time!

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.

 

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Good Apple Stuff!

Posted on October 1, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last weekend (before all the dog stuff went down), I had the pleasure of tasting the wares of Beak and Skiff at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  They were offering only a fraction of their many products, and I am now anxious to try more.

The first thing I tasted was the Honeycrisp Vodka.  Vodka made from apples instead of potatoes?  Interesting!  I liked it.  When I said it was seasonal, because of the apples, Kyle, the pourer, hasted to assure me it was available year round.  I am not a big vodka drinker, but this one could change my mind.

Kyle and I had a fun time tasting. Of course I did most of the tasting.

The same vodka with blueberries added was also good.  I also enjoyed the Pommeau, a French drink combining brandy and apple cider.  There was one wine, Honeycrisp Apple Wine.  I found it a good middle of the road wine: both dry and sweet wine drinkers could enjoy it.  The last thing I tasted was the Bourbon Cream Whiskey, 75% cream, 25% whiskey.  Yummy!  That would be so good in a cup of coffee!

Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards is located in Lafayette, NY.  Of course Mohawk Valley Girl was even more delighted to find she was sampling local products (yes, I talk about myself in the third person sometimes).   Lafayette being closer to Liverpool than Herkimer, I envisioned a visit to my sister Diane in the near future.   I think she would be delighted to visit Beak and Skiff with me and see what else they have to offer.

 

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Apples and Music, Yes Please!

Posted on September 29, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Before my dog rescue adventure yesterday, I had a lovely time at Windy Hill Orchard in Cassville, NY.  I had thought about going as soon I heard that my favorite band The Posers was going to be there.  Then my friend Jerry posted on Facebook that he was going and was looking for people to join him.  Naturally I volunteered for that.  Turns out, Jerry wanted to go to get apples, being a long time  patron of Windy Hill, and only after he thought of going found out about the Posers.  Needless to say, we both greatly enjoyed both music and apples.

We should have had either Jerry or me standing next to the sign.

We got there while the band was doing their sound check.  Food was available, so I got a hot dog while Jerry got sausage and peppers.  Soon the band was playing.  I had to get up and dance.  Nobody took a picture, which was probably been just as well.

They Rock!

We ate and listened till Jerry’s daughter and son-in-law joined us.  Then we got bags and walked into the orchards to gather some apples.

I got some good walking in at the time.

Jerry had told me there was a beautiful view at the end of the orchard, and it did not disappoint.

I’m afraid my camera does not do as good a job as a fancy camera.

There was a photo op area, so I asked to get a picture of my friends.

Every adventure is better with friends!

Full disclosure:  I did not get any apples, but the others filled two bags. This was conservative.  Jerry said he went a little crazy last year and got almost 40 pounds of apples.  He made apple pie, apple sauce, apple crisp, and he still had too many apples!  I must say he behaved himself on Saturday. While they went to pay for them, I went back to hear more music.

This is the shot where you can kind of sort of see the bass player.

I took a couple more pictures.  I always feel bad that I can see the three front men pretty good but rarely get a good shot of the bass player and drummer, who are also awesome.

This one almost shows the drummer.

Jerry danced with me for the last song we were there for.  It was a lovely time, and a lovely drive there and back.  And if Jerry makes any apple pie with the apples he gets, maybe he’ll save me a piece.

 

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A Delightful Dinner

Posted on September 25, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I found myself in Little Falls around dinner time and decided to check out Trattoria Giorgio’s.  It is in the space previously known as Ruggiero’s Trattoria, which I always liked.  I found that it is still a delightful place to eat.

I guess it’s also known as a Tap and Tavern.

I took a seat at the bar and perused the menu.  I wanted to get a glass of wine with my meal but would not know what to drink till I decided what to eat.  I went with one of the specials:  a grilled chicken BLT.  I thought it would pair well with Chardonnay.  I don’t really know a lot about wine pairings, but I know in general white goes with chicken.

While I waited for my food I worked on a letter to my sister Diane and chatted with the bartender and other patrons.  The bar is in a U shape, which is handy for  conversation.

My sandwich was delicious.  As usual, I cut it in half and took half home with me.  It came with chips, but I figured the chips wouldn’t travel well in the same box with the sandwich.  They were not the homemade kind anyways.  But I kept nibbling on them while I finished my drink.

I was in Little Falls to attend a meeting of the Flash Fiction group at Little Falls Public Library (preview of coming attractions).  If I make that a regular Wednesday thing, I may make dinner out a regular Wednesday thing too.  There are a few more places along Main Street in Little Falls I would like to eat at (another preview of coming attractions!).  But I will make Giorgio’s a regular stop.

Giorgio’s is located at 546 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-1414.

 

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Whiskey and Rye

Posted on September 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I made my way down to Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer, NY for a tasting with Cooperstown Distillery.  I went to Cooperstown Distillery some years ago with my late, dearly missed husband Steve, and knew they had good stuff.  And of course I am always up for checking out a local or area business.  I was very glad I went.

He was great.

The pourer was a nice young man named MacGuire Benton.  I told him having a last name for a first name was sexy.  I thought I could get away with a remark like that at my age.  At least he didn’t seem to mind.  By that time I had sampled all his wares and we had established something of a rapport.  He gave me lots of good information about the distillery, and encouraged me to return for another visit.

“They’ll take good care of you,” he said.

He said they get their grains locally from Crowe family farm in Canajoharie.  More local!  Spent grains are placed in an underground tank, and farmer’s take them for their cattle.  MacGuire said it was circle of life when he eventually ate a steak from a cow that ate some of their grains.  I speculated that whiskey grains made the cows happy, but I suppose that is just a bit of fantasy on my part.

I tasted a blended whisky, a rye (making reference to “good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye”), bourbon, and some single malt.  I like them all!  I am not much of a booze hound these days, being more of a winer (and and regular readers know, something of a whiner), but I got a bottle of the blended whiskey.  It will make for some good hot toddies if I get hit with a cold.  Or if I just feel like having a hot toddy.  Maybe a shot in a cup of coffee.  Or just on the rocks.  Oh dear, maybe I will become a booze hound after all!  Don’t worry: I won’t drink and drive!

I may, however, take a drive to Cooperstown Distillery (preview of coming attractions).  There are a few other things in Cooperstown I could check out.

 

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Breakfast? Yes, Please!

Posted on September 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was delighted to discover a new place for breakfast and lunch:  the Home Town Diner in Mohawk, NY.  The building has housed diners before but has been empty some years now.  When I saw a sign saying they were opening Sept. 2, I knew I would be there soon.  This morning I was very happy to do so.

For one reason, I was starving!  Yes, yes, that is an exaggeration (which you have told me a million times not to do) (you know who you are).  I had been driving around Ilion, hoping to get a picture to go with the article I was emailing to the Sentinel about last night’s Village Board of Trustees Meeting.  I was not meeting with success.  I was going to go home and cook myself a sad little egg when I drove by the Home Town Diner.  That would be much better!

The small pictures are old postcards, which you know I love!

I ordered an egg sandwich with bacon egg and cheese on an English muffin.  Regular readers now how much I love egg sandwiches!  I also had coffee and a glass of water.  I had been drinking tea at my house earlier, in deference to my aging stomach.  I love tea, but ooh, that coffee tasted good.  The water tasted good too.  When I noticed they charged me for it, I asked if it was bottled.  The waitress told me it was spring water.  I certainly enjoyed it.  I enjoyed the sandwich too.

The diner is a family business, and a new endeavor for the family. They also run the car business next door. When they purchased the building, it had been gutted.  Now everything is new and beautiful.  I looked forward to going there again.  After all, I still have to report on lunch!

I’ll have to get a better shot with fewer reflections.

The Home Town Diner is located at 150 West Main St., Mohawk, NY, phone number 315-927-4149.  They are currently open seven days, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., with breakfast till 11 a.m.  You can find them on Facebook.

 

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