Category Archives: local business

And That’s Just Three Places!

Posted on February 11, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had heard that Clinton, NY boasted many fun, quirky places to shop.  It is quite true.  Cheryl, Penny and I hit a few of them on our day of adventures last Saturday.

We started at Adirondack Cheese Store.  They had a lot more good things to eat than cheese — fancy mustards, chutney and all kinds of candy.  Additionally, they carry many fun, gifty items.  Penny was especially interested in the jigsaw puzzles, but she also pointed out a pot holder that read, “You are what you drink.”

“Just call me Char,” I said.

“You can call me Pinot,” she answered.

Cheryl said we could call her water (party pooper!).  I said we could make it H (you know, H2O?).

From the cheese store, we went to Dawn Marie’s Treasures, a boutiquey consignment store with all kinds of fun things.  As we walked by a row of neck ties near the entrance I regretted that Steven doesn’t have a job that requires he wear one.  I do so love a man in a tie.  We admired all kinds of jewelry and clothing, but I did not see anything I just had to have.

Our final stop in Clinton was Artisans’ Corner.  I was immediately taken by some bird houses with license plates for roofs on display outside.  I love art that recycles!  Inside there was art, clothing, jewelry and more.  We admired photography and paintings by several artists.  I was tempted by a display of hats.  Another section featured soup and bread mixes, some in distinctive containers.

We spent a long time wandering around Artisans’ Corner.  I picked up a lot of business cards, thinking I could highlight the individual artists.  I may do that in future posts.  Today I hope a brief overview will suffice.

I may have mentioned in a previous post that this was my first visit to Clinton.  It certainly will not be my last.  In fact, I have to wonder what took me so long.

 

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A New Farmers Market for Me

Posted on February 10, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Did I say yesterday that I was going in backwards order of the Saturday adventures Cheryl, Penny and I had?  And did I also say I would probably change my mind and skip around instead?  I guess it doesn’t matter, because today I’m going to talk about our first stop, Westmoreland Winter Farmers Market.

Of course I am a great fan of farmers markets, so I was happy to check out a new one.  It runs on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Westmoreland Firehouse.  We were happy it was indoors since there was quite a crisp wind blowing Saturday morning.

I was delighted to find a bag of mixed lettuce at Takacs & Daughter Produce’s table.  I’ve been taking tossed salad for my lunch every day (you see I don’t ALWAYS cheat on my diet).  It was organic.  I don’t always pay much attention to the organic/non-organic thing, but I’m sure in many cases, organic is better.

We all had a nice chat with Susie Jones of Jones Family Farm.  We sampled some of her cheese. Yum!  Cheryl and Penny both bought some.  I fear I cheated on my diet with the sample, because it was on a cracker.  However, I noted that it was less of a cheat than the brownies from Utica Bread I had eaten at a wine tasting Friday night.  Susie said she had never thought of chocolate and wine together.  I told her dark chocolate and dry red wine are great (yes, I introduce wine into many conversations, I thought you knew that about me).

I feel bad that I am not mentioning other vendors.   I’ll have to return to the market and take better notes next time.  In the meantime, if you’re interested, you can visit their Facebook page.  Or better yet, visit the market.  Maybe I’ll see you there.

 

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Off the Diet? Who Cares!

Posted on February 9, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to write posts about Saturday’s adventures in chronological order, beginning where we began and going on from there.  How about if I go in backwards order instead, beginning with our final adventure?   I say that today; probably tomorrow I’ll decide to just skip around.  Be that as it may, I’m going to give another shout-out to Symeon’s Greek Restaurant in Yorkville.

When Cheryl, Penny and I began our adventures, we knew the adventures would include lunch, we just didn’t know where.  We talked about various places as our adventures took us far and wide.  When Symeon’s was suggested, I rejoiced.  It had been a while since I had eaten at Symeon’s.   Too long, I say, and I say that every time I drive by the place, which is not as often as it was when I used to work in New Hartford (ooh, long sentence, probably not grammatically correct, oh well).

We had a very short (“less than five minutes,” the hostess said) wait for a table, but soon we were perusing menus.  EVERYTHING looked good!  I finally decided to get a Xanthi, which I had never tried before.  I wrote the description in my little notebook:  “Thracian chicken with crispy fried eggplant, roasted red peppers, onions, feta cheese and a spice version of our yogurt sauce.”  Eggplant!  YUM! I love eggplant!  Cheryl got a fish sandwich, while Penny had an antipasto salad.  For an appetizer we shared Fried Calamari.

Yes, this was not on my diet, which is the first, strictest phase of the South Beach Diet.  I don’t care.  It was DELICIOUS!  In fact, if I was going off my diet, I think a flatbread sandwich with chicken and vegetables is not a bad choice.  The fried calamari I do not mention, except to say that I’ve had fried calamari all over the valley and this was EXCELLENT fried calamari.

We declined dessert, although I said it was good that nobody had said the words “chocolate mousse” to me, because I know Symeon’s makes a great mousse.  I will just have to go back sooner next time.  Perhaps when I am off this diet.

Symeon’s Greek Restaurant is located at 4941 Commercial Drive in Yorkville, NY.  Phone number is 315-736-4047.

 

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But I Think My Attitude is Improving

Posted on January 27, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am sipping my first taste of wine in 2016.  Isn’t that nice?  I had not meant to write a blog post about it.  I went running earlier with the specific thought that I could do a Running Commentary post.  Before making my blog post, however, I ate dinner, read some more of a book (I must NEVER pick up fiction unless I can just sit there and read the whole thing; I become obsessed) and of course dithered (I always say: go with your strengths).  This being Bad Attituesday, I don’t think my writing muscles are going to cooperate.

Regular readers may remember that I have been doing without wine for 30 days.  It started as an experiment to see if it had any effect on my headaches, then it morphed into “Well if I can’t go 30 days without wine, maybe I have a problem,” and then, well,  I just got stubborn.  But I made it 30 days, so I felt a little pleased with myself and thought I deserved a glass of dry red.

I went to Ilion Wine and Spirits after work to get my bottle. This is handily located next to The Medicine Shoppe, where I had to pick up a prescription.  So, you see, I give shout-outs to two local businesses as I sip.  When I walked into the liquor store, I immediately saw some bottles of Chianti on sale.  I had purchased one of these bottles prior to Christmas.  Steven drank the whole thing himself during my dry 30 days (not all at once, of course; he’s no lush either).

First I looked all around to see if there was something I’d like better. I hesitated over a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir.  When I was at church two Sundays ago, during the sermon the priest told a story involving Barefoot Pinot Noir.  “That’s a good wine,” I told my sister.  Imagine, me having something in common with a priest.  I decided to stick with the Chianti, but I may go back for some Pinot this weekend.

It is Chianti Superiore made by Banfi of Montalcino, Italy.  It was imported by Banfi Vintners of Old Brookville, NY.  So you see I am being international and buying New York State.  It’s pretty tasty wine, too.

Ilion Wine and Spirits is located at 10 E. Main St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-8142.  The Medicine Shoppe is at 10 Central Ave., phone number 315-894-7283.  Don’t let the different streets fool you; they are just a parking lot away from each other. It is most convenient.

 

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Dither then Dinner

Posted on January 26, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I shall begin my blogging week (we’re all agreed that the week begins on Monday, aren’t we?) (I KNOW some of you just said, “I never agreed” with a snotty sniff) with a shout-out to a local business: Carney’s Corners in Herkimer, NY.

I had several good reasons for wanting to send out for food on Sunday.  To begin with, I did not want to leave the house. I also knew that part of our order could be a salad, leftovers from which would form part of my lunch today, so I would not have to make one.  These two reasons dovetailed rather nicely, because I did not have any salad fixings in the house.  Additionally, I lacked several ingredients for the delicious dinner I would have liked to make, if I actually felt like cooking (I was ambivalent on that point).  The last consideration was only a partial reason.  I am pretty good at making something acceptable with what I have at hand, and I often get into cooking after I start, if I wasn’t in the mood to begin with.

I still spent the morning and part of the afternoon dithering over whether I ought to leave the house, go to the store, and make dinner as well as a salad for lunches. I felt it was the right thing to do, but I had my doubts about my ambition holding up till I got everything done.  It would be discouraging to buy salad ingredients and not make the salad.  What if the stuff went bad before I actually made the salad?  Then I would REALLY feel terrible!

Eventually we decided to call Carney’s Corners for delivery.  We got a large roast beef sub and a large chef salad with ranch dressing.  Yum!  Delivery was prompt, the price was reasonable.  What more could I ask?  It was a delightful part of my Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

Carney’s Corners is located at 232 N. Washington St. in Herkimer.  Phone number is 315-866-7191.

 

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Just in Time for Melfe’s Monday

Posted on January 20, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Long time readers (if any) may be wondering if I intend to give my yearly shout-out to Melfe’s Shoe Service in Ilion, NY.  Of course I do.  For one reason, I told them I was going to.

I’ve worked in an industry requiring safety footwear for almost five years now.  My place of employment has a deal with Melfe’s where my employer pays for one pair of shoes per year per employee and Melfe’s gives us a good deal.  Additionally, they give us great service and a quality product. Am I sounding like a commercial for Melfe’s?  Well, I did say this was a shout-out.

Many, many (add a few “manys” and you’ll come close) years ago, I sold shoes at a department store.  Ever since then I have appreciated quality footwear and understand the need to replace shoes on a regular basis (that’s not to say I don’t own a few ratty pair of $4.99 sneakers from K-Mart; I’m only human after all).  So every January I trek to Melfe’s and update.

My preferred time to go is Saturday morning as soon as they open. I’ve never encountered a crowd, and it gets it out of the way early in my favorite day for adventures.  On this particular Saturday, I was there even before they were.  I had not long to wait, though, before I was getting my feet measured and looking at styles.

At Melfe’s they measure your feet every time, because feet can change.  Mine have gotten bigger and wider over the years.  I’d like to think the increased width is the result of bunion surgery and not large amounts of fattening foods (of course my hips have no such excuse).

A young man named Steve was helping me (I asked his name and got his business card).  While he looked for my size, I admired wildlife prints and vintage advertisements on the wall.  I also noticed some very comfy-looking slippers I’d like to get for my husband (maybe for his birthday).

Melfe’s also does shoe repair.  A few months ago, I found out to my dismay that not all shoes can be repaired.  I had to appreciate, though, that they told me up front my shoes were hopeless and did not take my money to make a repair they knew would not last.

I received a Melfe’s t-shirt with my shoes.  I chose lavender.  I told Steve I would wear it to work on Monday.

“I like to have Melfe’s Monday,” I told him.

He told me that a lot of people have a certain day they like to wear their Melfe’s shirt.  I could have gotten a hat or coffee mug, but I like my shirt.  Full disclosure:  I did not wear that shirt this past Monday but one I got two years ago.  Fortunately or not, another Monday is coming.

Melfe’s Shoe Service is located at 64 Central Ave, Ilion, NY.  For more informtion call 315-894-4049.

 

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Q Goes to Eye Q

Posted on January 17, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

My favorite doctor has always been the eye doctor.  I don’t have to take my clothes off, nobody sticks their hand in my mouth, I don’t even have to step on a scale. What’s not to like?  I went to a familiar doctor at a new place today at Eye Q of CNY in New Hartford, NY.

Anyone who was disappointed when Sears in Sangertown Square closed, taking their optical with them, can rejoice.  Dr. Carrock and Diane Engell, optician and manager, are now at Eye Q.  Full disclosure: I used to work in the optical industry (although not at Sears).  I worked with both Diane and Dr. Carrock at different times, and Diane is a personal friend.  But Eye Q is a really great optical, and I am happy to give them a shout-out.

One of my favorite things about the business is the name.  Since I am Cindy Q and they are Eye Q, I feel a certain kinship.  Maybe I could even get a job there one day.

I did not enjoy the drive along Route 5S from Herkimer to New Hartford as much as I usually do, because it was too rainy and misty to enjoy any views.  Still, I’ve driven on worse roads, and soon I was in New Hartford looking for the plaza.  Eye Q is in the same plaza as 5 Guys Burgers and the Gold Mine Jewelers.  It’s a busy little plaza, but I found a parking space with no problem.

Diane greeted me and gave me a tour.  It’s a small but clean and professional place with a nice selection of frames.  I have a hard time picking frames, but Diane is very helpful in that respect.  I did not make my final selection till after my exam.  I did not try every frame on the boards, as I confess I have been known to do, but I tried on a good many.

Dr. Carrock is an excellent doctor.  I’ve never had a problem with my prescription.  I was also happy with the price I paid for my glasses.  I told Diane I’d tell all my family and friends about Eye Q of CNY.  I guess I’ve told all my blog readers as well.

Eye Q of CNY is located at 4660 Commercial Dr., New Hartford NY, phone number 315-797-2020.  For more information you can visit their website at www.eyeqofcny.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

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Merry Mental Meanderings

Posted on December 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not see why this blog should not go All Christmas All The Time for the rest of the week.  After all, Friday is Christmas, it’s practically here! (Said in a Boris Karloff narrating How the Grinch Stole Christmas voice.)

At times, I fear, the Christmas spirit eludes me.  Today I spend some time stressing and obsessing about all I need to get done before the end of the week.  Then I stressed over the fact that I was stressing, because, dammit, I’m supposed to be enjoying this! I LIKE Christmas!  I like to give presents!  I thought I had planned better than this.  I hasten to add, I am not completely without the Christmas spirit.  I get it in spurts and try to enjoy it while it lasts.

As I pointed out yesterday, it is difficult to talk about my gyrations preparing for Christmas without giving away key points about presents I may or may not be giving (already I’ve said too much).  However, those gyrations (that word is so descriptive of my life) are the reason I am posting this later than I like to and why I did not write something earlier while at work (on a BREAK, I hasten to add).  Oh, I know, I could stress about Christmas and still write a blog post.  In theory at least.  The fact is, I did not.

After work I had three stops to make.  I can mention one, because it did not involve anything Christmasy:  I went to The Medicine Shoppe in Ilion to pick up a prescription.  Of course, there is also no need to expand upon that, because as I have often observed, people who go on about their health problems become tiresome (I know, it almost never stops me, but I try to keep it short) (I said TRY! Sheesh!).

Where was I?  Oh yes, a brief shout-out to the Medicine Shoppe.  I called in my prescription renewal to their automated line last night and my prescription was waiting for me after work this afternoon.  How cool is that?  They are also super nice there.

After the Medicine Shoppe, I made two more stops that were Christmas-related. They were relatively successful.  I would love to go on, especially about the second stop, BUT…  Perhaps I will revisit the subject in January.   In the meantime, I continue to chase that elusive Christmas spirit.

The Medicine Shoppe is located at 10 Central Ave., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-7283.  You can Like them on Facebook.

 

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Happening in to the Happen Inn

Posted on December 18, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Twice now in Little Falls our original plans for a place to eat have fallen through and we have discovered an excellent alternative.  Let’s hear it for serendipity!

The first time was for dinner.  We were to meet our friends Phyllis and Jim.  There we were on Main Street.  I was on the phone with Phyllis, telling her we could not get into [excellent place to eat that was busy].  She did not have any suggestions.

“There’s the Happen Inn down the street,” I said, walking in that direction.  “I think they have a menu on the door.”  Phyllis has Celiac’s Disease and must consume a gluten-free diet (it’s a DISEASE not a FAD for her!).  While I walked, she got on the internet and ascertained that the Happen Inn could meet her needs.

Steven and I went in, down some stairs, and found a seat at the bar.  I was already delighted with the place, because one of our favorite watering holes up north, at the beginning of our life together, was in a basement.

When Phyllis and Jim arrived we got a table.  Normally you have to order your food and drink at the bar, but because it was fairly quiet when we were there, the bartender came to our table.  She made a good suggestion to Phyllis about a gluten-free meal and the rest of us found stuff that sounded good, which indeed it was.  I know I usually mention what everybody ate when I do these posts, but right now I am just not remembering.

Be that as it may, we enjoyed our meal and our evening very much. I think I’ll save our second serendipitous meal for another blog post.

The Happen Inn Sports Bar and Grill is located at 2 West Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 314-823-9840.  For more information you can visit their website at http://www.happeninn.net/.  You can also Like them on Facebook.  I did.

 

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Another Cool Place to Shop

Posted on December 10, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

One of Steven’s and my stops on Shop Small Saturday (oh dear, was that almost two weeks ago?  How the time flies!) was Fall Hill Bead and Gems.  What a fun place to look around!

Jewelry is one of my magnets, as a friend once observed. I especially like unusual pieces.  At Fall Hill you can not only find unusual pieces: they sell all the materials needed for you to make your own.  I have personally never made my own jewelry but looking at all the different beads available I’m wondering if I ought to give it a try.

As Steven and I walked around admiring, I started thinking about all my family and friends who would love this store:  this one loves jewelry, that one is interested in the healing properties of gemstones, another one makes jewelry.  I mentioned a few of them to Kim Hergert, the proprietor.  She asked which category I was in.

“I like unusual stores,” I said.

“I just like cool stuff,”  Kim said.  I asked if I could quote her, and she graciously gave permission.

We purchased a small gift bag made out of some unusual material and a rough Little Falls diamond.  Kim told us the bag was half silk half paper.

“I don’t know if they feed the silk worms paper pulp and they poop it out or what,” she said.  It was a fun stop.  I intend to return soon, possibly with family or friends to introduce to a really cool place.

Fall Bead and Gems is located at 32 W. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-0454. You can Like them on Facebook.

 

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