Category Archives: local business

More Cheese, Please

Posted on June 18, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, this is not a post about the cheesy horror movies I adore. It is about actual cheese. But I guess I do need to get onto watching more silly movies…

Be that as it may, on Friday I went to a Wine and Cheese Tasting at Vintage Spirits in Herkimer, NY. The cheese was provided by Three Village Cheese of Poland, NY. I did take notes on the wine I tasted, but today I want to talk about the cheese. Yum!

The flier I picked up refers to it as Farmstead and Artisan Cheese. It is made on the farm from pasteurized and raw cow’s milk. I tasted Tomme, Feta, Havarti, Swedish Farmer’s Cheese, and Dill Havarti. The Tomme was the most unusual to me. It was the hardest cheese; in fact, I think Tom, the guy from Three Village Cheese, said “tomme” means hard. It was substantial. Tom said it would be good with a robust, red wine. He was quite right. I liked it a lot by itself, too.

The other cheese that was new to me was the Swedish Farmers’ Cheese. This was a softer, friendlier cheese. The flier says it can be used for breakfast, sandwiches, grilling or sauces. How about a breakfast sandwich fixed on the grill covered with cheese sauce? Or am I being silly (how unusual of me)?

The problem was, Vintage Spirits could not sell me the cheese. In fact, to purchase it I would have to go out to Tom’s truck and pay him cash. Everybody was making silly jokes about deals in the parking lot. I had no cash. Tom said I could just come out to the farm; there is a handy map on the flier. I said I would if I could not get my husband to come back with me later. He has all the cash this week for some reason.

When I got home I looked at Thursday’s paper and saw that Ilion Wine and Spirits was also having a wine tasting. Imagine my delight when Steven returned home and expressed his willingness to accompany me to both places.

Tom was happy to see me return. Steven tried all the cheeses and liked the Dill Havarti best. Steven does like dill. So do I. We went out to the parking lot to make our purchase.

Three Village Cheese is located at 2608 Newport Rd., Poland, NY. Phone number is 315-794-9545. You can also find them on Facebook.

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The Meating Place

Posted on June 14, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

The other day as I was driving home, I remembered that Steven and I had not planned anything for dinner. This has happened a lot lately, and we’ve either gotten delivery or just not eaten very well. Then I remembered that I drive right by Mohawk Village Market on my way home. We still had macaroni salad that I had made earlier in the week. All I needed was some meat.

A long time ago in this blog, I noted that on the outside of Mohawk Village Market, they advertise themselves as “The Meating Place.” Another sign declares, “You Never Sausage a Place.” I do love a good pun (although some sources say there is no such thing). I had heard from several people that the Market had a good butcher section. I would check it out.

The meat counter runs across the whole back wall. The selection was excellent. I had barely started pondering my choices when a man asked if he could help me. I had been thinking sausage (because of that sign), but some quite beautiful pork chops caught my eye (Steven loves pork chops).

“But they’re so big,” I said.

“So only eat one,” he suggested.

I could probably eat half of one and be content, but I got two. I don’t think our finances are so bad that Steven and I need to be splitting a pork chop for dinner. While the man was wrapping them, I noticed some Spiedie Beef and Pork Chops. I love Spiedie meats! (Although I’m not clear on how to spell “Spiedie” and we have since thrown away the package.) I got the beef, so as not to be getting too much pork.

When I got in line to check out, the other customers were making funny jokes with the cashier. They were obviously all acquainted. I do love a small town atmosphere. I was quite pleased with my purchases. We fried up the Spiedie Beef right away and froze the pork chops for future consumption.

Mohawk Village Market is located at 24 West Main Street, Mohawk, NY. Phone number is 315-866-3344.

Final note: I searched “spiedie meats” on my computer when I typed this in. Spiedie is the correct spelling.

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My Feet Will Thank Me

Posted on June 9, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Monday I finally made it to the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, NY, to purchase new running shoes.

I like to get two pairs, so I can alternate them, especially if I run on consecutive days. Scott suggested I look at the clearance table first.

“Of course, it’s pretty picked over,” he warned. I know: you snooze, you lose. How long have I been meaning to do this?

I liked the first pair I tried on, but Scott said they were more of a cross trainer. Still, if I also got running shoes, I could mostly wear the cross trainers for walking. I set them aside and kept looking. I had been looking for size 7 1/2, but found a pair of Aasics in an 8.

“I can rock this,” I said. In fact, it felt better than the cross trainers had. Then Scott found me a pair of New Balance. I liked those, too.

“Could it be this easy?” I asked. Apparently it could. I was glad of that, because Steven had graciously accompanied me, and I did not want him to get bored while I tried on fifty pairs of shoes.

I mentioned seeing the new Saucony sneakers on the Sneaker Store’s Facebook page. Scott told me how they were moving to the next generation of running shoe. It seems the sneaker manufacturers are going for more of a barefoot design. I know actual barefoot running is a big thing these days, but I quite frankly can’t imagine my feet, legs and back liking such a thing. I also have to think: before people wore shoes, there was no pavement. They ran on dirt, grass, sand. Sometimes stones, I suppose. Then too, they went barefoot all the time, and they didn’t go for pedicures where they got their callouses shaved off with pumice stones. Well, I’m sure the sneaker manufacturers have smart designers and shoe engineers working for them. They must allow for that sort of thing.

Be that as it may, I was very happy with my old school sneakers, purchased at clearance prices. In fact, when I got them home, I realized the New Balances were the exact pair I had purchased last year. I was very happy with them and expect to continue to be so.

While I was shoe shopping, Steven had noticed a Bosco t-shirt he totally wanted. Bosco, of course, is the parrot that lives at the Sneaker Store. The first time I was ever there, I couldn’t figure out who kept saying hello.

Alas, the t-shirt was not for sale. The owner had had it made, but had not decided whether to sell them or have his staff wear them or what. Steven voted for selling them. I suggested the owner sponsor a race and offer the t-shirts to the runners (thus ensuring I would get one and
Steven would have to borrow mine).

“Oh, he does sponsor a run,” Scott said and handed me a slip of paper with “Bolder Inspiration of Trenton Falls” printed on it. I read, “5 Mile Run, 1 Mile Kids Run…August 4th, 2012.” I “liked” Bolder Inspiration of Trenton Falls on Facebook a long time ago but for one reason or another have never run it. It’s on my calendar now.

So is the Boilermaker. As Steven and I drove through Utica en route to New Hartford, I looked over at the Running Hall of Fame for the Boilermaker count. 33 days. As I type this, it is one month from today. Eek! Good thing I got new shoes!

The Sneaker Store is located at 4490 Commercial Dr., New Hartford, phone 315-736-9237; www.the-sneaker-store.com. For more information on Bolder Inspiration of Trenton Falls go to www.bolderinspiration.blogspot.com.

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Decked Out

Posted on June 7, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

One of the chores I had put off on Saturday for my marvelous history tour was working on the container garden for my deck. I still had time Saturday afternoon so I set out for Tripple’s Produce in Schuyler to see what I could do.

I had heard that the best selections for plants was the previous two weekends, but I wasn’t particularly worried. If there was less to choose from, it might make my selection process easier. I might even be able to keep from going overboard as I tend to do. So much for that hope.

My selection process is actually pretty easy: I want them all! I tried, I really tried to be conservative, but I ended up with two cardboard boxes of flowers. As I carried one to my truck, I saw that a nice young man had picked up the other. Tripple’s is a good place to get plants.

My next stop was Aubuchon Hardware in Herkimer to get dirt. A nice young man named Kyle helped me there. As usual, I was not sure exactly what I wanted (yeah, yeah, yeah, dirt. But there’s dirt and there’s dirt). Kyle showed me a bag. It was 1.5 cubic feet to 2, which I remembered I had gotten before. Kyle already had the 1.5 cubic feet bag on his shoulder when I saw the stuff I had gotten last time. I decided to stick with what I had. Well, what Kyle had.

“After all, it’s already up on your shoulder.”

“Oh, that’s all right.”

It turned out to be on sale, too, so bonus. I drove home, wrestled it out of the back of my truck and got to work.

And ran out of dirt before I ran out of plants. Steven was due home for lunch, so I seized the opportunity to take a break. When Steven returned to work, I put Tabby in the truck to return to Aubuchon. I knew it wouldn’t take long and she so likes to go with.

I told a girl (didn’t see her name badge) what I needed (I had memorized it from the bag this time). She asked Kyle to get it for me. It was not the same guy. As I questioned my memory, Kyle 1 showed up.

“I came back for more dirt,” I told him. “The other guy is getting it for me.”

“You got helped by both Kyles today,” the girl said. I was glad to have that mystery cleared up.

When Kyle 2 carried my dirt outside, I said, “It’s the truck with the cute little dog looking out the window.”

“Oh, you can bring your dog in the store,” he told me. I’ll remember that for next time.

I have to confess, I ran out of steam before I ran out of plants. They’re still waiting for me in their little plastic holders. Only a few more to go, and my deck already looks considerably less lonely. However, I think I will need to go someplace and buy a few more flowers. I’m not going overboard; I just think the deck needs a little more purple.

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At the Bar

Posted on May 31, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I neglected to write about a pleasant interlude we enjoyed last Sunday at a local establishment. I will now repair that omission (doesn’t that sound fancy? “repair that omission”).

We had left the Garden Fair at Herkimer Home State Historical Site and were back in Herkimer, wondering what to do with the rest of our afternoon. I was in the mood for a beverage. After discussing a few possibilities, we decided to go to the Waterfront Grill.

It was sometime after two. I remembered that they close at three then re-open for dinner, so I thought we were all right. When we got there we found out we were more than all right: they don’t close between lunch and dinner on Sunday.

The waitress offered to seat us, but we asked if we could just sit at the bar if there was room. There was. I love to sit at the bar.

I ordered a gin martini, dry, straight up. Steven asked for a beer and the appetizer menu. I thought the olive in my martini would be snack enough for me, but since the menu was there I might as well take a look. Then I amused a couple sitting next to us by exclaiming, “I LOVE martinis,” after the first sip. I don’t get a martini very often. I’m more likely to enjoy a glass of wine or a beer or even a good cup of coffee (I’m enjoying coffee as I write this). But every once in a while…

Perusing the appetizer menu, Steven was intrigued by stuffed artichoke hearts. I decided to get a shrimp cocktail, with jumbo shrimp the menu said. We always share appetizers so never order the same thing. The bartender got a waitress to take our order.

Both appetizers were quite tasty. I was especially pleased with the cocktail sauce. Some places make it too bland, but the Waterfront Grill understands the use of horseradish. The stuffed artichoke hearts were yummy too. I think I’ll have to go back and order them a few more times, then attempt to make my own version at home.

While we sipped and nibbled, we chatted with some other people at the bar and watched out the window for the arrival and departure of the Erie Canal Cruise. We mean to go on one of those cruises one day. I’m hoping for a cloudy but not rainy day, since the hot sunlight bothers me.

When the waitress brought our check, I asked the bartender if they split the tip.

“No, she gets it.”

“But then you don’t get a tip,” I protested. He was a good bartender.

Another couple at the bar informed me that he was the owner.

“Oh, he owns the place,” I repeated, relieved. He appreciated my concern, though.

We enjoyed our little snack and will undoubtedly return to repeat the experience. For more information on the Waterfront Grill call 315-717-0700.

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I Get Decked

Posted on May 27, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

And of course I mean decked as in knocked on my keester, not all decked out to go on a fun date. Some of you may recall my last week’s post about how I scrubbed the deck. This week I was determined to get it stained.

First I went to Aubuchon Hardware in Herkimer, NY, to buy the stain. I love to go to Aubuchon, because they are so helpful there. First I tried not to ask for help. I looked at paint cans till I saw some that said “stain” or “deck,” then I read labels till I found a can that looked good. I hesitated between two paintbrushes, but chose the less expensive one that said “Best” on the package. I thought, why would they lie? I looked at rollers, but decided it was time to ask advice. I was tired of carrying the paint can around with me anyways.

A young man at the register said he would let the resident paint expert, Ruth, take care of me. Ruth has helped me before with other stupid questions (I pretty much don’t have any other kind), so I was glad to wait for Ruth.

She looked at my can of stain and pretty much told me it was the wrong thing. She suggested something that would let the wood grain show through. Did I know what color or would I want to leave with some samples and decide? Oh, no, I would decide NOW. And, Ruth said, I would need a clear coat over top of it.

“I need two coats? Do I have to wait 48 hours for it to dry?” The thought was appalling. But, no, I could do both coats in one day. My plan to begin my container garden next weekend could still happen (I’m not saying it will; you know me).

Ruth shook up both cans (stain and clear coat), and we talked about rollers. She told me I could put the stain on with a roller then brush over it, doing the deck in sections. The manager came over at that point, and she told him there ought to be a video to show customers how. He said there was and called it up on the computer.

The video was actually a training session for employees. It turned out there was no application demo, but in the course of looking at parts of it (we did not watch the whole thing, thank goodness), we discovered there was another kind of stain with the clear coat built right in. I could do one coat! Yay! Ruth found that one for me in a color I thought was nice.

She advised I get liners for the roller tray, a thing I had not even considered but decided she was right: they are a good idea. She found me a tray with came with a roller handle (that I thought I needed) and a roller I can use another time when I paint something. Ruth also found me the roller specifically for stain.

I thanked her profusely for her help and patience, and I praised her knowledge. Graciously accepting the compliment for the whole store, she said she was glad to and that was why they had such training as the video we had looked at.

It was a tiring session at the store, especially after a long day of work, but I felt I was prepared for my upcoming adventure. I’ll continue the tale with another post, and you can hear about me really getting decked.

Aubuchon is at 105 N. Caroline St., Herkimer, phone 315-866-4931.

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What the Deck

Posted on May 20, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Anybody who was reading my blog last year in May and June (was there anybody? I dare not hope) knows I love to have a container garden on my deck. I grow flowers and herbs, and generally go overboard and have to search my house for things that can be used for more containers. I’ve been noticing, though, that my deck has been looking pretty shabby. I’m trying to do something about it.

My first move, as usual in these cases, was to consult my father. He knows many things. He suggested I stain the deck after first scrubbing it. I should scrub it with a powdered cleanser made for such a purpose, possibly containing tri-sodium phosphate, if I could find any.

Dad said I would have to let the deck dry thoroughly between scrubbing and staining. I could scrub one weekend and stain the next. I thought I might better purchase the stuff I needed to scrub it with right away. The sooner it started sitting around my house till I got sick of looking at it, the sooner I would get to scrubbing.

After working till 11:00 Saturday morning I stopped by Aubuchon Hardware in Herkimer on my way home. Aubuchon is our go-to place for many things garden, pet and home. They are so helpful there. I was pretty sure somebody would advise me. I thought it would be OK to go straight there in what I think of as all my blue collar glory. That means my steel-toed work shoes and BDU pants from the army.

They were doing a booming business when I arrived. Well, mid-day Saturday is prime shopping time. I should have remembered. I made my way to the paint section and started looking for myself.

I finally located something called TSP-PF, phosphate free heavy duty cleaner. I supposed phosphate free is what they replaced tri-sodium phosphate with when they figured out it was bad for some reason. You know my father’s generation. They didn’t know anything was ever bad for you. That’s why they all smoked and/or ate bacon for breakfast every day. Who says they weren’t the good old days? But I digress.

The stuff said right on the box it was good to clean decks with prior to staining. I perused the box carefully, to be sure I had everything I needed. Then I pondered buckets. I chose one to mix in, handily marked with quarts, ounces and liters; and a larger one to pour the completed mix in.

After unsuccessfully looking for a scrubber and staring indecisively at gloves, I found a lady free to help me. She found me the right scrubber and recommended some heavy duty, reusable gloves. When she rung me out, she said to come again.

“Oh, I will, when I go to stain the deck,” I assured her. Actually, I’ll probably also be back to purchase dirt for my container garden. Like I said, the go-to place.

I got hit by an inexplicable burst of ambition when I got home and mixed up the cleaner (you add water and bleach; I already had the bleach). I put on the gloves, carried everything out to the deck and got to work.

What a pain in the butt! And I could have used a pair of knee pads. However, I persevered (a skill I learned from running) and got the deck scrubbed. Now it is out drying in the sun. I like the steps of projects that require only patience on my part.

Aubuchon Hardware is located at 105 N. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY. Phone number is 315-866-4931.

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Got to Be Applebee’s

Posted on May 18, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t usually talk about chain restaurants or stores here, but in this case I don’t mind mentioning Applebee’s, because they’ve given themselves a local flair. Recently they shut down for a couple of days to redecorate and said it would be with local memorabilia. We decided to check it out.

Steven said I must mention the history of the gift card we intended to use. The card was a Christmas present from my sister Diane and her family. Diane had brought it to my parents’ house at New Year’s, thinking we would be there. We were not. The card languished in Rome for three months till Mom finally stuck it in the mail. When Steven contacted Diane via Facebook to thank her, she replied she did not know why she had not mailed it herself.

Oh dear, that was not nearly as amusing a story as it seemed when we were talking about it. I may cut that out when I edit this and Steven can just get mad at me for not mentioning the gift card.

Applebee’s was doing quite a brisk business for a Wednesday night. We were there prior to six, so I could not take advantage of the Ladies’ Night specials (and no cracks from the Peanut Gallery about me not being a lady!). I expressed regret that my favorite tall tables in the bar area were taken, but the hostess fixed us up with a tall half-booth. It was a table for four, which worked out well, because I soon moved from the padded bench to the chair beside Steven. As I explained to the waitress, it was easier on my back and got me a little closer to my man. Steven pointed out that it also gave me a good view of the flat-screen TV directly across from us. There are actually a good number of flat-screen TVs to be seen. I didn’t test the theory, but I daresay wherever you sit you can see one. Sports were on, which is a good thing to watch with no sound. (Boy, that’s a long paragraph, but I can’t figure out where to break it into two. And I call myself a writer.)

The pictures and murals on the wall seem to be all from local high schools. I saw mostly sports teams with a few proms and one school play (I think it was a play; why else would they be dressed Shakespeareanly?). I wish I had walked around and really made note of what I saw, but I did not want to disturb the other diners.

At one point a young girl approached me and handed me my cell phone, which had inexplicably fallen off my purse. I thanked her very much. I thought I would mention it, because I appreciate nice little girls who notice lost property and take the trouble to return it.

It was quite a tasty meal with the usual good service we enjoy at Applebee’s. All restaurants in a chain are not equal. I will say that the Herkimer branch of Applebee’s is a very good representative of the brand.

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Deep Fried Fun

Posted on May 8, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I often spend Sundays cooking something fabulous for dinner. I like to cook with wine, and the therapeutic benefit of chopping vegetables is not to be denied. This past Sunday, however, I was otherwise occupied.

I believe I mentioned being in Harvey at Ilion Little Theatre and that we had a matinee on Sunday. It went very well. We had a perfectly delightful audience who rewarded our efforts with copious laughter.

I suppose the operative thing to have done would have been to throw something in the crock pot that morning. Anyone who thinks I did that is crediting me with a great deal more foresight and ambition than I actually possess. I did have a misbegotten adventure with peanut butter cookies (and wrote a blog post about it), but my culinary activities went no further.

So Steven and I were starving as we left the theatre. Sending out for food was in order. What to get was the question.

First we had to find a place that was open. I had noticed one local place abruptly went out of business, and we knew another had suffered a fire. Some places are closed on Sundays (and it’s funny how sometimes you don’t notice that till after you’ve perused the menu and decided what you want).

We finally settled on Yetty’s in Herkimer, NY (thought I ought to mention NY, don’t know that I had to). Yetty’s has excellent pizza, pasta and other dinner choices, but I was into appetizers. I love to make a meal of appetizers.

Appetizers are problematic, though, vis a vis my weight loss goals, because so many of the choices are deep fried. I might add that deep fried is one of my favorite flavors. I feel very virtuous for avoiding deep fried foods most of the time. I’ve even been doing really well this past week and was down a couple of pounds. With that positive reinforcement I wanted to be, you know, reinforced, and not fall off the diet wagon at the slightest bump in the road. On the other hand, I felt we deserved a reward for a play well done (as I mentioned earlier, Sunday’s audience especially loved us).

As you probably guessed by the title, I said to hell with it. We decided on calimari, one of my favorites; chicken tenders, one of Steven’s favorites; and homemade chips, which Yetty’s does exceptionally well.

The delivery man was very nice, especially when Tabby ran out to greet him. He said she was probably smelling his dog. He told Tabby she couldn’t go with him, as it seemed for a moment she was inclined to do. She took this in good part and returned to the house when we called her. She almost immediately wanted to go out back. I think she wanted to bark about it to one of her friends across the back fence.

It was a very good meal for just about the amount of effort I wanted to put in. Yetty’s is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday noon to 11 p.m. Delivery is available every day from 11:30 a.m. to close. Phone number is 315-866-4201.

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Fun at the Country Kitchen

Posted on April 4, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had mentioned briefly that I went out to breakfast Sunday morning. I thought I’d talk a little more about that and give another shout out to Liz’s Country Kitchen on South Main Street in Herkimer, NY.

Liz’s Country Kitchen is run by our friends Liz and Donna, who previously operated the Neighborhood Diner on North Washington Street. Steven and I went there for a previous blog post and were delighted to find that the same delicious food and hometown atmosphere prevailed.

Steven was industriously at work when I set out Sunday morning. I luckily found a parking space right in front of the diner. Both Donna and Liz greeted me and were sorry not to see Steven as well. I ordered my favorite of a breakfast sandwich on a hard roll and started writing a letter to my sister (I hope she doesn’t read this post and wonder why I haven’t finished it yet; I’ve been busy). I overheard snatches of conversation as I ate.

“…a millionaire with one foot in the grave,” a lady said.

“And the other on a banana peel,” I added, quoting my grandmother.

Liz was looking for a way to hang some wind chimes on the door. Several people told her to cut out the racket, so of course she jingled them some more.

“Maybe you could have them made into earrings,” I suggested. Liz and I often admire each others’ earrings.

“You could use them to take up belly dancing,” said another diner. He seemed rather taken with the idea of Liz as a belly dancer.

Some neighbors of Donna’s came in. They were talking about some obnoxious partiers who had disturbed the peace in their neighborhood. I’m not sure where that neighborhood is, but I hope things settle down. There’s nothing wrong with having a good time on a Saturday night, but there’s no reason to wake the neighbors.

I greatly enjoyed my breakfast. I told Liz and Donna I’d do my best to bring Steven next time (I think people prefer us as a couple). I left refreshed and ready to take on the rest of my day.

Liz’s Country Kitchen is open seven days for breakfast and lunch. Check it out!

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