classic cars | Mohawk Valley Girl

Lots of Cars at Dave’s!

Posted on August 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday I went to one of the last Cruise-Ins at Dave’s Diner in Schuyler. Dave’s is closing as of Sept. 1, to the dismay of many, but, hey, folks are allowed to retire! My late, beloved husband, Steve, and I used to stop there on our way to Rome or Utica, usually for a great breakfast, although their lunches were splendid as well. Tuesday I had a delicious burger before walking outside to enjoy the cars.

Yes, they stretched for a long line!

I later found out that trophy was the People’s Choice from the first year Dave had the Cruise-In 25 years ago. The winner has returned to proudly display the trophy every year since.

I LOVE classic cars!

Yes, there were two long rows of cars.

I walked up and down the rows of cars a few times, because more kept arriving. A couple of the owners said if it had not been so hot, more cars may have shown up.

Back when cars had style!

At Least I’m Not Starving to Death!

Posted on September 26, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

“Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” Thus said Auntie Mame, and Rosalind Russell took it as her slogan after playing the part. If you don’t know who Auntie Mame is, read the book, see the movie, ask somebody. Or not. I think the quote stands on its own. I thought of it this morning, when I lamented once again that I have too much on my plate. It made me feel better about everything. I just overdid it on the Buffet of Life. I always eat too much at buffets, and I know I am not alone in that.

All this by way of introduction to a late Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post, which I came dangerously close to skipping altogether.

That is what is known in the business as a Sweet Ride.

I only have two photos to waste not. I took them on a walk to I forget where, I forget when, but I do so love classic cars. My father or brother could instantly tell you make, model, and year, but I can only admire.

A little too shadowed, alas.

One gift I have which helps get me through the day is my ability to admire. As I am driving to work or walking through a parking lot or doing any number of necessary chores, if I see something beautiful, I notice and admire it. At least I try to. No doubt I miss some things. However, at least I did not miss making my Wednesday blog post, albeit late. I wonder if anybody would have missed me had I skipped it (just a little fishing for compliments there, please forgive me).

This Old Lame

Posted on August 12, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am attempting to make my Lame Post Friday post on Friday, but no promises as to whether I will hit Publish before Saturday morning. I am tired, and my eyes are acting funny. I can’t seem to focus up close or even in the middle distance. Usually when this happens, I find I have put on the wrong glasses. Operator Error is kind of a theme in my life. However, I checked my glasses at least three times; they are a reading pair.

I seem to be asking my body, “What the Hell?” a lot these days. Earlier today, as I creaked out of my chair after sitting for less than a half hour for lunch, I preceded that question with, “I am 59, not 112!”

This is how old I feel, only not as well dressed.

I interrupt my whining with a picture. This is me and my friend Jim in a scene from Morning’s at Seven, a play we did at Ilion Little Theatre a few years ago. I was the oldest sister.

Aging like fine wine?

A friend gave me a plaque that said, “I’m not old, I’m vintage!” I confess I do not pay too much attention to the vintage of the wine I drink, but I love vintage automobiles. Although I usually call them classic cars. Yeah, that’s me: classic.

I suppose I am not that sleek, but one does what one can.

This car was in the Ilion Days Doodah Parade last year. I just thought it would be apropos to include a picture of a vintage car.

My foolishness has gotten me over 250 words. Phew! We shall see what sort of a post I can come up with for Saturday. Scattered? Slacker? A little suspense adds interest to my weekend.

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Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged age, aging, blog post, blogging, classic cars, DooDah Parade, friend Jim, Ilion Little Theatre, Ilion NY, Mornings at Seven, vintage, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Is Throwback Thursday Getting Old?

Posted on March 4, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

I scrolled through my Media Library in search of pictures for a Throwback Thursday Post. I found a classic car from a car show last summer at the Frankfort Marina. That’s definitely a throwback. I do not know the model or year, but I am guessing sometime in the ’60’s. My Dad would know.

I don’t have any more old car pictures, but here is the poster from an old movie. I don’t remember what year it is and am too lazy to look, but I believe it is 1930ish.

This picture is from recent years (I did not notice the date in my Media Library), but the building is the 1834 Jail in Herkimer, NY. It is one of my favorite places in town, located on my beloved Historic Four Corners. Regular readers know I run or walk by there frequently.

So I have gone from the 1960’s to the 1930’s to the 1800’s. I seem to have gotten historical. Usually I just throwback to my own past. Sometimes a change of pace is nice.

Full disclosure: I am still not feeling 100% from being sick, and right now I feel too tired for my brain to function properly. This is why I was too lazy to look up dates. However, I will feel happy tomorrow that I made some post, any post tonight. I will try for a better post next time. As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

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Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged 1834 Jail, blog post, blogging, classic cars, Frankfort Marina, herkimer ny, Historic Four Corners, Mystery of the Wax Museum, old movies, tired. Bookmark the permalink.

Fun at the Car Show

Posted on August 6, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Saturday Steven and I attended an annual event we always try to make it to: the Elks Club Car Show in Myers Park in Herkimer, NY.

I was a little worried we would miss it this year, because Steven worked till three. Saturday morning when our schnoodle, Tabby, and I walked through the park on our way to the post office, they were getting things set up. I asked a lady how late the show ran. She said usually till four, depending on the judging. I said I thought we could make it. She said she looked forward to seeing us.

I brought it up to Steven when he came home for lunch. I had the inspiration that Tabby and I could walk down at three and Steven could meet us there on his way home from work. So that was our plan.

Tabby and I did not have long to wait for Steven. He luckily found a parking space. After his joyous reunion with Tabby, we walked up into the park.

After some debate we got a couple of hamburgers. It was a kind of a rough decision, because we had exactly enough cash between us for two burgers and one bottle of water. Also, I had already started cooking something for supper. However, I did want to support the Elks, and since there was no admission charge, this was a good way to do it. Also, the hamburgers were delicious.

This is a really nice car show, because it is not huge and intimidating. It did not take us long to stroll around and check out all the cars with no fear of missing something good. We admired a variety of vehicles of different years and styles. My favorites were the ones from the ’50s, with fins. I also especially like the pick-up trucks. We had seen the very old hearse from Enea Funeral Home, but that was fun to see again.

DJ Sal Stokes was entertaining with some tunes. He made a dedication to all the ladies: “Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison. Steven did not disagree. He’s a smart man.

We enjoyed the car show very much. I’m hoping next year Steven has the day off so we can go earlier.

Hot Dogs and Hot Rods

Posted on July 11, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I drive by The Domes on my way to work and have been noticing a sign for a car show there every Monday night. The Domes, in case you didn’t know, is a small group of businesses located on State Route 5, just outside of Herkimer. A couple of the buildings are dome-shaped. Last night, Steven and I decided to check it out.

We brought our schnoodle Tabby, because we figured a cute little dog was welcome to walk around a parking lot if she behaved herself. We also brought our appetites, because we had seen The Sugar Shack there and thought we could probably get a hot dog.

We ordered our food first. A variety of burgers and sandwiches are available as well as appetizers and desserts. We were intrigued by Deep Fried Mac and Cheese but decided to order two foot long hot dogs, one order of fries, one soda. I don’t eat many fries or drink much soda so figured I could share Steven’s. We sat down at a picnic table and enjoyed the music a DJ was playing.

A couple had a table set up nearby selling knives and garlic, so we walked over and checked that out. I thought about purchasing a jack knife. They are handy to keep in your purse, for little cutting needs that may arise. I decided to wait. We bought some garlic, though. I love garlic.

When our food came, it was delicious. The hot dogs were well-done, the way I like them, and the buns were toasted on the grill. I don’t know why foot-longs taste different from regular hot dogs. Shouldn’t they be the same thing, only longer? Maybe if I had a blind taste test I would find the difference to be psychological. As it is, I find them distinctive and I love them.

We strolled over to chat with the DJ. It was Sal Stokes, a name I remember seeing at other events, most notably the Elks Club car show in Meyers Park in Herkimer last August. A flier for this year’s car show was taped to the table. I made a note of the date: Aug. 4. If I am in town and I am so there.

Sal introduced himself and his wife, Karen. Steven and I introduced ourselves and our dog. Sal said dog lovers were special people. As we walked away he played a song about walking a dog and said it was going out to Cindy Lou Who.

There weren’t a lot of cars there, but we enjoyed the ones we saw. The most striking was a 1938 hearse belonging to Enea Funeral Home. Steven saw a sign on it that said only eleven of that kind were made.

It was a pleasant interlude. The Cruise In (one sign says Car Show, one says Cruise In; I suppose they are same thing) takes place every Monday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Check it out.

Mohawk Valley Girl

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