Tag Archives: DooDah Parade

Pre Parade Post

Posted on July 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I decided to do the Doodah.  Somebody pointed out to me the 5Ks are plentiful, but Doodah Parades are few and far between.

I am sitting on my couch, thankful for fans, trying not to sweat too much.  I have a rather foolish costume on, one I made up at the last minute.  My main criteria was that it be light colored and light weight.  It is a stinking hot humid day.  Seriously,  the meteorologist and anchor on this morning’s news agreed the word for today’s weather is “gross.”

No matter, I will enjoy the parade, and I hope the parade viewers will enjoy me.  I intend to ride on the float, in shade if possible, and give the beauty queen wave to all.

I suppose you are all wondering what my costume looks like.   Well, I am terrible at doing selfies.  Maybe I can get somebody at the parade to get a shot that I can include in a post parade post.  Oh well, maybe I could try.  Let me get my tiara back on.

My arms aren’t long enough to get the whole outfit.

You can’t see all the fringe.  If anybody asks what I’m supposed to be, I’m going to say I’m a member of the Lunatic Fringe.  Oh, I also still have on my reading glasses, not my fabulous pair.

Anyways, I see I am over 200 words.  And it is Lame Post Friday.   On to the Doodah!

 

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To Doodah or Not to Doodah

Posted on July 19, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title while I was running this morning, and I like it.

The Doodah Parade is part of the Ilion Days festivities in Ilion, NY.  Full Disclosure: the Days have been going on since July 13, and I have missed them all so far.  What the heck was I doing last weekend? Probably drinking wine.  Judge me if you so choose.

Anyways, for the last three years I have participated in this deliciously named parade with Ilion Little Theatre.   Last year I was a wizardry witch.  That is, I wore the silly wizard costume I had worn in May for a March of Dimes event but paired it with a silly witch hat I have had for some years.  And I had two wands, because my friend Kim gifted me one that day.

Me at last year’s parade.

 

The previous year I dressed as Dorothea Doodah, a character of my own invention.  The first year I participated I dressed as a pirate.  I don’t have any pictures of the other Doodahs, but I may have one of me as a pirate, when I revived the costume for a parade in Little Falls.

I’m the one on the right.

Clearly my main problem with being in the parade tomorrow is that I must come up with a costume. Of course it is perfectly acceptable to repeat a costume, but it is more fun not to.  I could probably come up with something.

Also on the Don’t Do It side is my desire to run in a 5K in Ilion on Saturday.   Many people can do both.  I am not of their number.   Again, judge me if you will. I felt after my run this morning that I am in fine 5K shape.  And so I dither.

My silly wizard costume, which I include for your further entertainment.

I have really been enjoying running lately.  But I always enjoy dressing up in a costume.  Could I do both?  Will I end up doing neither?  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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Another Parade! What to Wear?

Posted on August 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Regular readers may recall that LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company, is not doing a Shakespeare play this summer.  This has rendered the summer a less busy and a little sad.  This weekend is the Little Falls Canal Celebration,  one of the venues we perform at.  However, LiFT will have a presence at the parade on Friday, Aug. 10.

Last year I did not participate when LiFT marched.  I just felt too tired.  Of course I regretted it, because they had a fun time, and I do love a parade.  So when I received an email saying we were going to participate this year, I jumped at the chance! (Metaphorically speaking, of course.)

But what to wear?  I could NOT wear my wizard costume again!  I wore it for the Doodah Parade in Ilion.  It would be a faux pas to wear it again so soon, even if I switched back to the wizard hat I wore for the March of Dimes in May.

And, yes, I did pretty much have a silly expression on my face most of the time I wore the outfit.

I append a couple of pictures for those of you who missed my wizard-attired exploits (and to pep up the post, like I did yesterday).  The above was a rehearsal of the outfit for March of Dimes March for Babies.  I also made myself a wizard wand with a knitting needle, a few odds and ends, and a hot glue gun.  I can be dangerous with a hot glue gun. I modified the outfit slightly to march in the Ilion Days Doodah Parade.

I was a hit with the crowd, if I do say so.

I wore the witch’s hat, because it has a brim to offer shade from the sun.  I added the sunglasses for the same reason, and the necklace just because I liked it.  My dear friend, Kim, gave me the wooden wand.  I still had my homemade one, so I used both to cast spells on the crowd as I rode in the back of the pick-up truck.

But I need something different for Friday.  Something light, and light colored.  Maybe a set of wings from the dollar store.  Maybe a quick trip to the Thrift Store. What can I come up with? I spent most of the morning at work pondering options and formulating plans, while trying to stay hydrated and not get too far from a fan, because hot and humid seems to be a way of life these days.

Regarding the latter part of that last sentence, let’s just say I was not successful.  I am susceptible (wow! I spelled susceptible right on the first try!) to heat injuries.  I got too light-headed and nauseous (I had to google nauseous) to handle it, despite the perseverance that has seen me through many difficult runs.  I went home, ignobly calling my husband for a ride, because the nurse didn’t want me to drive and neither did I.

So I am really re-thinking this march through the heat in a costume idea.  However, I hate to let my LiFTer friends down, especially my friend Kim.  And I have lost a whole afternoon I could have been working on a costume, because I am still feeling like crap.  In fact, I wasn’t even going to make a blog post today.  I was going to take a blogger’s sick day.  But look at me, I am over 500 words with two pictures.  That’s one thing I did right today.  Let’s see how I do tomorrow, on Wuss-out Wednesday.

 

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About That Parade…

Posted on July 22, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

As promised, here are a few pictures of the Doodah Parade, part of the Ilion Days festivities in Ilion, NY.  As a matter of fact, they are not of the whole parade but only of the Ilion Little Theatre contingent.  During the parade, I could not take a decent picture, because I was riding in the back of the pick-up truck.  I had enough to do to keep my own balance (with one epic fail).  Oh, I know, I could have sat quietly in the lawn chair, like I did last year.  But I was a wizard (in a witch hat).  It was more fun to wave my arms around casting spells on people.

The witch’s hat, sunglasses, necklace and bracelet were new additions to the costume since I wore it for the March of Dimes March for Babies.

The utterly fabulous red dress you can see in the background is my friend, Kim, who I stupidly did NOT get a picture of.  In my defense, it’s hard to take pictures with a Tablet in the bright sun;  I can barely see the screen.  But I got a few snaps.

Aar, mateys!

Alas, I don’t know how to crop, so the pirate family cannot be centered.  When I used to work for a newspaper, we cropped with an Exacto knife and a ruler.  That’s how old I am, in case you needed a reminder.

Luckily I got the shot before the balloon blew in front of her face.

I don’t know if you can tell how fabulous this costume was from the picture, but I liked it.  The lady wearing it said it was not too warm, despite being dark, because the fabric was lightweight.

Just a couple of candid shots.

Despite appearances, she did not float away.

This was after the parade, when we took all the balloons off the truck.  Last year, the girls got into letting them float away in memory of loved ones who passed.  I did not like to discourage them at the time, because it obviously meant a lot to them to do so. However, this year before anybody got that idea, I pointed out that it is very bad for wildlife and the environment.  So this sweet young lady ended up with all of them.

Of course we were properly identified.

This is last year’s banner, but it worked perfectly well.  It is a little wrinkly, because it was in the backseat of Kim’s vehicle as we drove to the parade grounds, and I could not keep from leaning against it.  Her car was a bit crowded, but I was grateful for the ride.

So one more Doodah Parade is in the books for Ilion Little Theatre.  I hope some of the people who enjoyed our “float” come to see some of our shows.

 

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Post Parade Lame Post

Posted on July 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

This IS a Lame Friday Post, and a Very Late Lame Post.  Yes, I participated in the Doodah Parade. It was a lot of fun.  After it was over, a few of us went to the Asteroga Ale House for drinks and food.  Now I am home and I must confess, not the least bit inclined to make a blog post. How appropriate for Lame Post Friday, is it not?

I had not thought I would be able to make the Doodah Parade.  For one reason, I had a doctor’s appointment I thought might last too late.  As I drove to the appointment, I noticed how people had already set out chairs to watch the parade.  They had left those chair unattended. How small town is that?  They left those chairs believing nobody would bother them before the parade!  Later on, somebody told me it must be just for the parade, because any other time, people would just say, “Ooh, look, free chairs!”

So I was delighted when my doctor appointment was over in time for me to get home, shower, and get into costume.  I wore my wizard dress with my witch hat.  Somebody took a picture of me, but I don’t know if it came out. I took a few pictures myself.  If I sufficiently bestir myself, perhaps I will share them tomorrow.  Once again, no promises.  I’m just happy I typed in a few words while it was still Friday.  As always, thank you for tuning in.

 

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More Doodah Dithering

Posted on July 20, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, I could not think of another “d” word for my alliterative title.  Anyways, this is a fine Non-Sequitur Thursday post when my headline reflects what the post is actually about.  I’d better throw in a picture of a monster.

I’m glad I don’t have to fit him for a pair of glasses.

I was going to go for Nosferatu, since he is my favorite, but then I saw this fellow looking just about as flustered as I feel.  He is from The Brain that Wouldn’t Die.  For the uninitiated, he does not posses the titular brain. In fact, we never see him till near the end of the flick, an excellent technique in a monster movie.

Now I’ve gotten right off the subject of the Doodah Parade, but just to bring you up to date:  I decided not to participate after all.  My lame excuses (how embarrassing to be lame before Lame Post Friday!):  I don’t have time to get a costume together, I’ve gone back on overtime so 10-hour day on Friday and possible early shift Saturday, I have a doctor appointment Friday afternoon which may last inconveniently late.

Of course as soon as I messaged my friend Kim, who is in charge of our float, begging off, I began to feel guilty and regretful.  After my shower, I tried on the fancy dress I thought might make a good costume.  It’s a little tight but would do in a pinch. I started thinking of other possibilities.

I cast a spell on you!

This, regular readers (if any) may recall, was my Wizard for the March of Dimes costume.  It’s awfully dark colored.  I wonder how hot it would be.

I am NOT saying, “To be or not to be.”

I’m the one on the left, in the yellow tights.  That would be a cool-looking but hot-feeling costume. Anyways, I don’t have all the parts in my possession, as some were borrowed from the LiFT collection.

Do you suppose he’s watching a parade?

I threw in the picture of Nosferatu just to mix things up a little.  I think monsters make a blog post fun.

I’m third from the right, in blue and maroon.

One final thought: I wore this ensemble for a murder mystery.  I think the blue throw is striking.  I could wear it with shorter pants in the hot weather.

So I’m thinking IF my doctor appointment gets done in time, and IF I’m not too tired from getting up at 3 a.m. and working in the heat, MAYBE I will get home, shower fast, put on something costumey, and join the parade.  But no promises.

 

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Can Hercule Poirot Solve My Doodah Dilemma?

Posted on July 19, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Wednesday, isn’t it?  It’s that day when you want to be happy that there is only one more day between you and Friday (if you are fortunate enough to have weekends off, which I do and I am grateful for) (don’t hate me if you don’t), only you’re not, because you just realized you ARE going to do a theatre thing on Friday that you thought you were not going to do, so you only have one day to get a costume together.

Yes, it’s always drama with me.  It’s not even a real theatre-y thing I have to do: merely, Ilion Little Theatre is marching in the Doodah Parade as part of Ilion Days on Friday, July 20.  I don’t even have to march: my friend Kim said I could ride in the truck.  I don’t even have to wear a costume.  I could wear my t-shirt from Roxy, a play I was in a few years ago (perhaps you read some of my blog posts about it).  However, I am the sort of person that when I CAN wear a costume, I DO.

What to wear, what to wear, what to wear?  Something bold enough to show up as a costume from the truck, but something light enough to not kill me in 88-degree weather.  Maybe a hat.  Maybe an umbrella.  I’d like to wear my tiara, but I don’t have a fancy dress.  I have one day to get to a thrift store!  How do I get myself into these things!

In the meantime, I just spent some two hours sitting crocheting and watching Murder on the Orient Express (1974) with my husband, Steven.  I can’t even begin to tell you how delighted I was that I could work on an afghan in comfort, in between hot flashes, even if I had to have the fan on me to do it.  At least I can pep up my Wuss-out Wednesday post with a picture.

Hercule Poirot tells them what’s what.

This was the first star-studded Agatha Christie romp Steven and I enjoyed together, back in the 1990’s.  He had seen it in the theatre when it came out in 1974.  We need to see the newer Kenneth Branagh version.  Perhaps I’ll write a blog post about it when we do, although I usually write about older movies, preferably the cheesy sort.

In the meantime, I see I am close to 400 words.  That’s respectable for a blog post, especially on Wuss-out Wednesday.  Anyways, now that the movie is over, I have to get back to having my panic attack over what I’m going to wear to the Doodah Parade.

 

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Post Parade Post

Posted on July 22, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I waited till after the Doodah Parade to make my blog post and I don’t know why I did, because once again, I got nuthin’.  I didn’t even march in the Doodah Parade!  I rode in the truck.  Nobody else did.  They all marched, approaching onlookers to hand out cards with the Ilion Little  Theatre season printed on, pens stamped “Ilion Little Theatre”, and candy.

They were not allowed to throw the candy, by the way.  Apparently that has gotten out of hand, with children running into the street in an unsafe manner, seeking candy that did not get thrown far enough.  Considering the amount of candy I stepped on marching in last year’s parade, I think this was a good call.

Most of Ilion Little Theatre’s marchers this year were members of Young Actors’ Workshop (YAW).  I must say, I was impressed with the way those kids were handing out pens and cards.  Also, they looked cute.  Some had on YAW t-shirts but others were in costume.  I complimented the ones in costume, because I think that sort of thing ought to be encouraged.

Alas, I did not take any pictures of the parade.  We took a pre-parade photo, which was shared on Facebook.  Oh, I probably ought to try to find that and include in this post, oughtn’t I?

I’m the one underneath the umbrella.

You can’t read my sign, but it read, “Dorothea Doodah.”  That is the character I invented for the costume I finally came up with.  Alas, nobody got a picture of the full costume. But I had a fun time at the parade and now I have to get on with the rest of my weekend.  Happy Friday, everyone.

 

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That Darn Doodah Parade!

Posted on July 21, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I said “darn” because it is a family friendly event.

What a week I am having!  Rehearsals Monday and Wednesday, a preview performance Thursday, and the Ilion Doodah Parade on Friday!  And anybody who is saying huffily, “I see you had Tuesday off. I had something to do EVERY night this week, even Sunday!”  can just be quiet.  I bet there is somebody else who is even busier than you, only they are not writing a blog post about it.

Where was I?  Ah yes, stressing over the Ilion Doodah Parade tomorrow.  I am marching with other m embers of the Ilion Little Theatre Club (ILT).  Of course most of my summer is being taken up with LiFT Theatre Company of Little Falls, but I must make time for ILT once in a while.  For one reason, my good friend Kim is in charge of our participation in the parade.  I’m always ready to join Kim for a Mohawk Valley adventure!

My big problem is a familiar one for me.  What, oh WHAT shall I wear?  Last year I dressed as a pirate.  Some folks wore jeans and a t-shirt from a show.  Not all of our shows have t-shirts made, but, for example, the Herkimer County Historical Society gave the whole cast of Roxy t-shirts.  I, of course, was in Roxy (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it; that was in 2015).  Well, I’m sure wearing a theatre t-shirt is fine for some people, but I like to be a little more distinctive. OK, I just have to put n a show.  I thought you knew that about me.

So I could be a pirate again.  Or I could wear the outfit I’m working on for tonight’s preview performance.  A co-worker suggested I wear the outfit I wore for Rubbed Out at Ruby’s.  There are many possibilities.

Right now, however, I can’t think about it.  I have to get ready for my Preview Performance. I wonder if I will have time to write a blog post about it before the Doodah Parade tomorrow.

For more information about the Doodah Parade, you can visit the Ilion Days website at http://www.iliondoodah.com/

 

 

 

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Post-Parade Pizza

Posted on July 28, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last Friday after the Doodah Parade in Ilion, some of us were quite hungry (yes, I am pretty much always hungry, what’s your point?).  We adjourned to Salvatore’s in Herkimer for some food and drinks.

I think the waitress remembered me from other visits, because she asked right away if I was thinking of a glass of wine.  I ordered Pinot Grigio.

“And a glass of water?” she asked.  It’s nice to be a regular.

I ordered a cheeseburger (I know the headline says “pizza,” but I wasn’t thinking about alliteration when I ordered).  I asked if I could substitute pasta salad for french fries.  I could.  Steven got fries with his burger, so I got to try a few anyways (diet?  What diet?).  I also tried a couple of sweet potato fries that one of our friends ordered.  Yum!  Other friends got pizza and wings.  We have enjoyed Salvatore’s pizza and wings many times, usually getting them delivered.

We ended up pushing a couple of tables together as more friends showed up after we had sat down.  Nobody minded.  The dining room was not busy, perhaps because it was later than the normal dinner hour.  The place continued to do a large take-out business, as usual.  It sure is good food!

We always have a good time when we eat at Salvatores, and have a great meal when we order delivery.  Salvatore’s is located at 650 1/2 W. German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  For more information you can visit their website at http://www.salvatores-herkimer.com/. You can also Like them on Facebook, where they usually share their daily specials.

 

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