Tag Archives: Daily Sentinel

Do I DooDah?

Posted on July 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

That title occurred to me as I sat here on my Chromebook contemplating my day and wondering if I would get anything of substance done (spoiler alert: I probably won’t). One problem is I have to recruit my energies for the DooDah Parade, a highlight of Ilion Days this evening. I must cover it for the Daily Sentinel. At least, I never heard back from my editor that she wanted me to cover it, but I covered it last year, so I thought I would submit something. At least it will make a good blog post and be something for me to do on a Friday other than watch Dateline or Columbo and wish it was not too hot to knit.

I personally am on the Boomer cusp.

This is a picture from last year. I walked all around the floats and marchers as they waited for the parade to start, chatting up lots of people and looking for Joe White, who is the main mover and shaker behind the parade. I never found him, but one of the American Legions let me ride along on their float. It was great fun.

I am back left, with my arm raised, looking a little like the Statue of Liberty.

This is from 2019, when Ilion Little Theatre used to participate in the DooDah. They had a circus theme that year. I just draped a few of my lighter shawls around me and put on my tiara, which long-time readers know I wear at any excuse. I don’t remember what I purported to be, but I feel I looked fabulous. This year the theme is, not surprisingly, Happy Birthday, America. I feel I should dress appropriately, although I must remember the weather will be warm, not to say hot.

I keep saying I’m going to join them.

I thought I’d close with another shot from last year. These are the Happy Hags, a delightful dance troupe that makes many local appearances. I think they are wonderful. If my arthritis or whatever it is permits, I may yet join them. They are very nice.

So I guess I have talked myself into going to the DooDah Parade. I must figure out what to wear (my Uncle Sam or George Washington costume?), where to park (I know a good spot close to the end but not too far to walk to the beginning), where to go afterwards (there is a good band playing at Ilion Elks Lodge) (preview of coming attractions) etc. I said in my email to my editor that she might prefer to send a more talented photographer, so I see someone else there from the Sentinel, that will be fine. I will use my photos for the blog. As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

We Reporters Have to Eat, Too

Posted on May 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided this morning I would treat myself to breakfast out so I could definitely make a real blog post and plug a local business. For one reason, I knew I would be out and about, searching for a picture to go with my story about the Ilion Village Board meeting for Sentinel Media (regular readers may recall I have a side hustle covering a few meetings and such in the Valley). For another reason, an Everything Bagel at Saturday Spreads sounded really, really good.

Great place to stop!

Since I knew I was going to be enjoying a cup of Utica Coffee later (“Wake the Hell Up!”), I sipped a cup of tea while I wrestled with my journalistic endeavors (“Wake the Hell Up” is Utica Coffee’s tag-line; I’m not cussing at you). Soon I was headed to Ilion in search of illustration. I failed to get a shot of some soon-to-be-demolished properties, because they were quite overgrown by now. Also, the neighbor’s dogs started barking at me, and I felt unwelcome. Finally I got a shot of some re-paving that was also talked about at the meeting.

Central Paving seems to be doing a fine job.

I explained to one of the fellows working that I was not taking pictures for any nefarious purpose. He told me he thought the mayor was doing a good job, and I agreed. Of course, it is impossible to please everybody. Even for Mohawk Valley Girl, if you can believe such a thing.

Finally I was at Saturday Spreads and enjoying my repast. I got the Utica Grind this time, which I remembered to write down: Cream Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Lemon Zest, Utica Grind, Flaky Sea Salt.

My writer’s breakfast.

I said to the waitress, “Some people make fun of people for taking pictures of their food, but I’m going to use it in my blog post.” I really enjoyed it. I found it quite salty and spice; it make my lips tingle, but they tend to get a little chapped this time of year due to allergies. I looked longingly at the pastries in the case as I left but resolutely headed out the door. I need to take off a few pounds for the sake of my knees and back if for no other reason.

Saturday Spreads is located at 264 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY. You can follow them on Facebook.

A Pause for a Post!

Posted on May 23, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I pause in my gyrations to make a Lame Post Friday blog post. I have been running around all day trying to be an Intrepid Girl Reporter (you know, like from a 1940’s Screwball Comedy or Cheesy Horror Movie). I wrote my article about the Frankfort Town Board meeting. I drove all around Frankfort looking for something to take a picture of that was talked about in the meeting. Then I had a dedication to go to, which I also had to write a story about. I found where I had to go. Being me, this was not easy (that is some sort of dangling participle, I think).

I pause in the midst of that rather foolish paragraph to mention that I have one of my light-headed whatever it is I occasionally suffer from. It does not feel fun. Quick, throw in a picture to pep things up.

Could Gatorade solve my problems?

I wonder if I could just be dehydrated? I do sometimes forget to drink water. In the meantime, my article about the dedication is hanging over my head. I mean, it is written. These articles are not especially difficult: I take notes, I write up my notes. But I also have to look over them and second-guess myself. Regular readers know that overthinking is kind of a hobby of mine. Additionally, I took a picture of all the speakers and I have to remember which name goes with which dignitary.

On the brighter side, I am over 200 words. A dithery post is better than no post at all, I say. Back to work with my newspaper duties! The rest of you can go back to whatever you were doing when you paused to read this!

My Java Reward

Posted on May 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

When you get your biggest chore done by eight o’clock in the morning, it is a beautiful thing. That is the observation I made to the staff at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY this morning after I made my order.

In fact I had more than just coffee.

I had written my article on the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, taken a picture to go with it, and got them both emailed out. I drank a cup of tea while I wrote, just in case I decided to treat myself to breakfast out (must watch my coffee intake). Of course I decided to treat myself. I ordered a breakfast sandwich with ham and provolone on a toasted roll, because I enjoyed the last one so much. I got a regular hot coffee.

A writer’s breakfast.

As I breakfasted (broke fast?), I worked on a letter to my friend Kim in Colorado. I SO miss going on Mohawk Valley Adventures with her! Dylan, the young man who brought my sandwich to me, asked if I was writing another murder mystery. I remember Dylan from when he worked at the End Zone. He remembered me coming in with my friend who had since moved away. I was pleased to tell him I was talking to that very friend.

That does remind me I need to start working on the next murder mystery. At least a good breakfast should help!

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