Category Archives: local business

Friends at Fratello’s

Posted on August 10, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel sure regular readers expected me to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music and food as I often do on a Wednesday.  Indeed I did and I had a wonderful time.

They were still setting up when I made my obligatory Facebook post inviting others to join us.

Perhaps not as good a picture as I had hoped, but one must make do.

My work friend Kathy joined me.  We sat at the bar and ordered food and drinks.  These things are always more fun with a friend.  I introduced her to my nephew-in-law, Matt, who was there with some of his family.

Speaking of friends, musician Justin Smithson, who I have heard and enjoyed before, was joined by two friends, Dave Hawthorn and Steve Webb.  They were excellent.

They were great!

The first picture was taken with my phone.  Later I took a couple with my Tablet.

A different angle.

I bumped into another patron while taking the second picture.  She was very nice about it.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They have music other days as well.  I may have to eat out more often.  For one reason, it makes a good blog post.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

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And Wednesday Is Still A Thing

Posted on July 20, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food again on Wednesday even after I went on Monday.  In my defemse, Phil Arcuri!  In my further defense, a work friend has been wanting to join me on a Wednesday at Fratello’s.  I ran into her this morning at work (we do not always see each other).  It seemed a propitious concantenation of circumstances.

Unfortunately I did not take many pictures while I was there.  I took the obligatory shot with my phone to post on Facebook to invite others out to the scene.  My new phone does not take very good pictures.  I feel a blurry picture is fine for a Facebook invite but not so good for a blog post.

Different night, same great Phil.

I searched my Media Library for a picture of Phil Arcuri and found this one. I was happy to introduce my friend Kathy to one of my favorite local musicians.  She was soon a fan.

I often mention how much fun it is to watch Phil play because he is clearly having so much fun.  Today he had a couple of background singers.  A little boy got up and asked for “Sha la la.”  Phil was happy to sing “Brown Eyed Girl.” The boy was soon joined by a friend, and they danced and sang along.  So cute!  I wish I had gotten a picture.

So I had another great time at Fratello’s.  I may stay quietly home tonight, but no promises.

 

 

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Monday Music

Posted on July 18, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I mixed things up a little and went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food tonight instead of Wednesday (of course I could still go on Wednesday; no promises there).  Tom Maneen was playing acoustic guitar.  I have only heard him once before.  He is excellent!

I enjoyed his tunes a lot!

I sat at the bar as usual.  Kayla, the bartender, took good care of me.  I had Buffalo Chicken Salad with Mozarella Garlic Bread.  Yum!  Full disclosure:  I mostly ordered the salad so I could bring leftovers for my lunch tomorrow.

A couple sat down next to me.  They were very friendly.  First they asked if the seats were taken.  They were not.  I said they could certainly sit down.

“We’ll be your new acquaintances,” said Michael, as I later found out was his name.  His wife was Alysha. Michael decided to order a bucket of Utica Club, because it would be more economical, even if he didn’t drink one.

“You might as well,” I said.  “It’s on your bucket list.”  He appreciated that.  We chatted quite a bit.  Alysha tried a piece of my garlic bread.  Michael gave me a Utica Club from his bucket.  Eventually I asked if I could take a picture for my blog post.  They graciously agreed.

Nice folks.

I had a really nice time.  It was a pleasant start to my week.

OK, one more picture of Tom.

 

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At Fratello’s Once Again!

Posted on July 13, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Wednesday,  and we all know my usual destination on a Wednesday is Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort. My friend Kim and I originally started for the Food Truck Frenzy in Ilion to hear The Posers,  but unfortunately the heat and lack of parking drove us to Frankfort where we knew we could sit in air conditioned comfort.  Well, technically, I guess Kim drove us, if you want to be that way about it (and I know some of you do) (you know who you are).

He is fine, yes!

We sat at the bar and ordered wine (Moscato for Kim, Chardonnay for me).  We did not have to wait long for the music.  Justin Smithson plays a nice mix.  Kim especially enjoyed “Tequila Sunrise.”  I confessed to liking boozy songs myself.

I could not make up my mind what food I wanted but finally ordered a basket of calamari and fries, which we shared.  I asked for ranch dressing to dip the fries in.  Yum!  Gino, the bartender, took good care of us.

Kim and Gino.

I did not have my Tablet with me so took pictures with my phone.  It is a new phone, not very expensive, and as you can see, does not take the best pictures.  However, one makes do with what one has.

I kept the best few.

We had a lovely time.  I was only sorry I missed The Posers at the Food Truck thing.

 

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More Phil, Yes!

Posted on June 22, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Every week I say I am not going out, and every week I find a very good reason to change my mind.  This week the reason was that Phil Arcuri would be at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  How could I resist?

Phil is so much fun when he plays!  He adds things to many songs.  For example, he mentioned Chicken Riggies at Fratello’s in “Under the Boardwalk.”   But what really cracked me up was, “on a blanket with my Geno.”  Geno is the excellent bartender.

There was some confusion during “Margaritaville” as to whose fault it was.  Phil blamed Geno, Kira, and Brian.  What none of them seemed to know was that everything is my fault on Wednesday.  It has been that way for a number of years.

Great musicians!

At one point, Geno, the bartender, decided he would add to the vocal entertainment.   He was excellent.

I took a couple of pictures.

They tried to get the waitress, Kira, to sing.  She said that although people had told her she had a good voice, she could not.  I said that was where she and I differed.  I could easily get up in front of people,  but nobody ever told me that I had a good voice.

I was very happy I had gone out.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St. In Frankfort,  NY.  You can follow their Facebook page for musical entertainment.

 

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I Just Couldn’t Resist!

Posted on June 15, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Every week I say to myself,  don’t go out this week.  Stay in, save money, save calories.  I agree with me at the time.  Then Wednesday rolls around, and I want to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food.  Today I went and once again was glad I did.

Justin Smithson was playing.  I have heard him before and loved him.  I was happy to hear him again.

Excellent musician!

I was loving his acoustic guitar.  He played a mix of songs from The Eagles to Jimmy Buffet to Johnny Cash and more.  When he sag, “I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain,”  I said, “Yes, we have,”  because it had been raining all day.  He smiled.

A couple walked in and greeted Justin.  I thought the man looked familiar and asked did I know him.  He said he used to be on TV.  It was Steve McMurray of WKTV in Utica, NY.  He is general manager now so not on the air as often.  I told him of a time my husband I had met him at a Stuff the Bus campaign one December.

“I took a picture for my blog, but I don’t remember if I used it.  If I can find it I’ll put it in tonight’s post,” I said.

My Steve loved to donate toys.

It took some looking, but I found them!  It was actually November 2019.  It is a good memory.  I will be sure to donate to Stuff the Bus again this year.

Full disclosure:  when I got home I was too tired to make the post so am making it Thursday morning.  And I need more coffee.

 

 

 

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Love that Matt Grainger

Posted on June 8, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided to go back to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort on a Wednesday night and I was so glad I did!

I was undecided to leave the house at all, with the creepily hazy skies from the Canadian wildfires.  Stay inside, all the advice said.  But I felt strangely disinclined to do so.  I thought, driving in the car with the windows up to a place with windows closed must be OK.  So I did.

When I walked into Fratello’s and saw Matt Grainger was playing,  I said yay!

He is fine, yes!

I ordered the Grilled Chicken Salad and Garlic Bread with Mozzarella.  I mostly wanted leftover salad for my lunches for the rest of the week.  This is part of the beauty of Wednesday nights at Fratello’s.

Still fine.

I guess my pictures of Matt are kind of similar, but I like them both so could not bear to delete one of them.  This is how I overload my camera app on my Tablet.   These things happen, I suppose.

I had a very enjoyable evening, eating food, listening to music, and visiting with other patrons.  I even had an opportunity to tell Matt Grainger how excited I had been to see he was playing and how much I enjoyed his music.

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

 

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Remembering Ambition Past

Posted on May 22, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Ambition is overrated.  Or is that sour grapes on my part, because I have none?  Last Sunday I was semi-ambitious.  Perhaps I could write a little about that in lieu of my usual Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post.

I actually did not mean to leave my water bottle in the shot.

I drove to Ilion Marina and took a walk along the Erie Canalway Trail.  It was a very pleasant interlude.  I petted a dog and found a four leaf clover.

It looks peaceful.

I did not sit on this bench but do not rule out doing so on some future date.

I didn’t park in the driveway!

After leaving the Marina, I drove down Route 5 to And Stuff of That Nature,  a farm stand I have been following on Facebook but had not yet visited.  I looked at all their stuff and purchased some basil for my hoped-for container garden (preview of coming attractions).

Pretty!

I may go back for some flowers.  They also carry honey and eggs.

The reason for my ambition was that I wanted something to write about for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I wrote and submitted the articles. I hope they like at least one of them!

I hope to muster a little more ambition for more Mohawk Valley Adventures.  For one reason, it makes for better blog posts.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

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Yet More Music

Posted on May 18, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Are posts about music at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY getting a bit tiresome?  I hope not, because here comes one more.

I had made up my mind not to go out for a while.  Stay home, I told myself.  Be frugal of money and calories.  On Wednesday I was regretting that decision.  I mentioned my dilemma to a co-worker.

“I think you should do what you enjoy,” she said.

When I talked to my mother on the phone, she echoed the sentiment.  I had in fact already decided to do so.  After all, I got home from work, I put in laundry, went on a two mile run, and did the dishes.  I could reward myself and not dirty any more dishes.

It turned out to be a great reward, because Phil Arcuri was playing.

He is so fun!

I have said this many times, but it bears repeating: I love watching Phil play because he is clearly having such a good time.  I sang along with all the songs I knew and chair danced when I wasn’t eating.  It was great.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They have music other nights than Wednesday.  Check it out!

 

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Searching for a Mother’s Day Present

Posted on May 7, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday I took a stroll down to Mohawk Valley Community Market.  For one reason, Mother’s Day is coming.  Of course my mother told me I do not need to get her a present, but I like to.  Additionally, finding something at a distinctive local place might make a good blog post.

I went to the recently opened downstairs area, where I found a number of new vendors.  That is one reason to return to this sort of market: there is almost always something new to see.

All kinds of sweet things!

I wandered around, admiring but not feeling inspired to buy anything.  I took a few pictures, though, with my blog post in mind.

You can’t read the sign very well, unfortunately.

As I began to realize I was just not in a buying mood, a melancholy song began to play.  Oh dear, I am so emotional these days.

How cute is that?

I distracted myself with the children’s rain boots on a wreath.  Who thinks if these things?  I made a few grapevine wreaths at one time, but never thought of using footwear.  Now I am inspired to get crafty again.

My present for my mother remains purchased, but it was nice browsing the Market.  Mohawk Valley Community Market is located at 142 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday,  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

 

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