Tag Archives: elks lodge

I Have No Defense

Posted on December 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I did it again.  I went three whole days without posting. In my defense…

The three words that best describe me are as follows, and I quote…

I guess it isn’t really a defense, but I have been running around like I have health, energy, and ambition (I bet you thought I was going to say, “like  a chicken with its head cut off”) (you know who you are).  Saturday I ran the Reindeer Run 5K on unreliable streets in Little Falls.  After returning home to shower, I went to Ilion to take a picture of the Frosty Forest at their Municipal Hall, a fundraiser for Hoffman Wellness Center.  I wrote a quick blurb for Sentinel Media (must also do a blog post), which I emailed out.  Next I went to the cookie sale at Herkimer County Historical Society, because, well, cookies.  I had a very nice visit there with a couple of my favorite volunteers.

Finally I went to the Elks Lodge where I donated a few canned goods to Feed Our Vets and watched part of the Army/Navy football game. I wore my Army shirt, just to harass a couple of Navy vets I’m friends with.  Once of them did an end run around me, though, and wore Army stuff.  He served in both branches.

Sunday I was up early and off to Herkimer High School to volunteer for the Elks Hoop Shoot, a nation-wide foul shot contest.  That was a little nerve-wracking, because I had to pay close attention as one of the score-keepers.  I am not so good with numbers.

So it has been a weekend of lots to blog about but no time to blog.  You may be tempted to point out that today is Tuesday, and I had all day Monday to write numerous blog posts.  You are, of course, at liberty to point out whatever you would like.  I did a few things Monday, as it happens, but I feel I have blathered on for long enough.  I am going to bill this as a Tired Tuesday post and feel justified in doing so.

Bunny looks interested in hearing whatever I have to say.

I close with a picture of the bunny from Herkimer County Humane Society, because I like that bunny.

 

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I Wouldn’t Waste an Axe Murderess, Would I?

Posted on October 9, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Regular readers may have noticed that daily blogging continues to elude me.  Ooh, there’s a slimy passive-voice way to put it, as if I am pursuing the goal, but the goal is too clever for me, when the fact is that it is my own efforts that fall short.  You can call me out on that if you like, but you see I have already admitted the fault.  In any case, having missed posting Sunday and Monday but refraining from calling attention to the fact (till just now), I sit on my couch on Thursday morning preparing to make a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post.

Full disclosure: I did not look like this when I played Roxy.

You can’t read her name tag, but it says “Roxy.”  It is Roxalana Druse, who famously killed her husband and was hanged behind the 1843 Herkimer Jail in 1887.  I had the honor of playing Roxy in the play of that name presented by the Herkimer County Historical Society and Ilion Little Theatre in 2015 (long-time readers may have read some of my blog posts about it).  This Roxy is in Renewed and Rescued at Mohawk Valley Community Market.  I stopped in briefly yesterday but must return for a longer visit (preview of coming attractions).

Just hanging out!

Here is a friendly-looking fellow I encountered one of the mornings I was out looking for pictures to go with one of my Village Board stories for Sentinel Media.  I adore Halloween decorations!  I should take some more pictures and do a blog post of them (another preview of coming attractions?)

This woman did not kill her husband.

I guess I am veering into Non-Sequitur Thursday territory after an ax murderess and a skeleton.  This is Michelle, one of the bartenders at the Herkimer Elks Lodge wearing my tiara.  I wore it for a play I was in last summer (Four Old Broads on the High Seas, perhaps you read some of my blog posts about it).  I happened to wear it to the Lodge one day, I forget why, and Michelle wanted to pose with it.

Ooh, look at me, over 350 words.  I’m almost through my second cup of coffee too.  Time to go for my run.  The East Herkimer Fire Department 5K is Saturday.  I fear I have not been posting nearly enough about that!  Well, as I said in the first paragraph, I have not been posting enough period, at least by my standards for me.  But I thank you for tuning in when I do.

 

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Enjoying Datelame

Posted on July 12, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not know why I said I was going to try for a better blog post yesterday when I knew today was Lame Post Friday.  In point of fact, I did not have a Lame Post Friday Post last Friday. Could I go two weeks without posting Lame on Friday?  Apparently not.

Full disclosure: I am not actually howling.

I have done very little today and did venture to the Elks for a libation this afternoon.  I do enjoy the company of my fellow Elks.  Then I came home and had some supper (I must get more tempting food when I shop again but fear I will eat it all at once and be no better off).  Now I am sitting on my couch, looking at Dateline on ROKU and hoping to make some semblance of a blog post.

I do love my Dateline.

Full disclosure:  I do not know how to watch many things on my ROKU.  People have told me which  channels are free, so perhaps I will eventually expand my viewing habits.  However, regular readers know my love of Dateline and cannot be surprised at my willingness to watch it exclusively.

Not a current picture, but my current attitude.

Will I become more useful on Saturday?  Will I ever make a better blog post?  For the answers to these and other questions of varying interest, please stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl.

 

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Walk Before Work

Posted on May 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went for a walk first thing this morning and took a few pictures, thinking I could make a quick Pedestrian Post before tackling my Saturday.  A little rain was misting down, but I did not let that discourage me.  At first I did not see anything photo-worthy, but crossing the new bridge on German Street, I looked down at the water and said, “Hey.”

It was moving fast.

I realized I had never looked over that side of the bridge, because the old one was blocked off on that side.  I like all the stones.  I continued on German and crossed over to walk by the high school.  I was disappointed to see a couple “No Pets Allowed” signs.  What, if I get a dog, I can’t walk him or her by the high school?  Bummer!

I should have moved a little closer.

On the other side of the school, over the footbridge, is a path into the woods.  I have run or walked on that but feared today it would be too muddy.

I missed it when it was all flowers.

I took a picture of this tree recently.  I wonder if I could find it in my Media Library.

I found it!

I was all excited about the buds, although this is not the best picture of them.  Heck, I am nobody’s photographer, although I call myself a writer with at least some truth (or do I flatter myself?).

Alas, I was not close enough to smell them!

The last picture I took was of some lilacs.  I love lilacs!  I want to get some shoots from my sister Cheryl or my mother and plant some in my yard.  Perhaps it will happen this year.

In the meantime, I have a house to clean and donations to bring to the Elks Lodge for the Veterans.  Do you suppose it would be all right if I had another cup of coffee first?

 

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Late Slacker and Shout-Out Post with a Plug and Pleasantries

Posted on April 20, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, I missed doing my Saturday Blog Post on Saturday.  I have no excuse; it was quite the Slacker day (my Chromebook decided to capitalize Slacker.  I’ll let it stand).  The highlight of my day was a late lunch at Yetty’s in Herkimer, NY.

Always seasonal!

I had to take a picture of the head.  They decorate the head according to the time of year, much as I try to do with my skellington Bonita.  For lunch I had a Chicken Panini (my Chromebook insists on underlining panini, but I googled it!), which was quite delicious.  I have half of it in my refrigerator for a snack at a later date.

I’ll have to try to get a better picture.

Earlier that afternoon I went for a walk which ended up at the Elks Lodge, where I met a few friends, and we exchanged pleasantries.  On the way there, I saw some blue pinwheels in front of the County Office Building, to promote Child Abuse Prevention.  It is not a very good picture, but I use it just to give a brief plug to an important issue.  I suppose it behooves me to look for something to do of more substantive help.

Yay! Green!

Just after I took the picture of the pinwheels, I saw some green budding out of some bushes and had to get this encouraging shot.  Kermit the Frog famously said it’s not easy being green (which I found out was totally true when I was in the army), but when it comes to spring time, it is also not easy getting to be green.  I look forward to seeing more of my favorite color!

In the meantime, it is Easter morning, and I must set about getting a few things done before heading do Rome to see some of my beloved family.  I wish you all a happy holiday if you celebrate, and if you do not, I wish you a happy day, and for both groups, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Run Before Murder

Posted on April 27, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Remember Saturday Running Commentary?  I would get up on a Saturday morning, go for a run, then write a blog post about it.  I have recently re-started running AGAIN, and I would like to do a Saturday Running Commentary post.  For one reason, if I do not make my blog post this morning, there is every chance I will not get to it later.  I do not want to break my streak!  Um, that is, my streak of blogging. I have never actually been streaking; sorry if that gave you an unfortunate mental image.

When I woke up this morning, I thought I would not run.  I must recruit my energies for Deadly Night Life, the murder mystery being presented at Salisbury Grange this afternoon.  However, after drinking some coffee and contemplating my day, I decided to go.  It could be a short run.  It will never be a fast run.  I could do this.

I thought I would run the way I walked to the Elk Lodge on Thursday.  It was an indirect route, amounting to about a half a mile.  Then I could keep going till it was a mile.  At least I would go a mile.  Maybe more.  Maybe 20 minutes.  No pressure.  Up to German Street and turn right.  I went as far as the path over what used to be a hydraulic canal, one of my favorite places to walk or run.

The spots are a little faded now.

I did not “Step, “March,” “Tiptoe,” etc. as advised by the printing at each painting.  I may do so if I ever walk the path with my great niece and nephew.  I continued to go through the County Office Building parking lot, so I could defy a couple of Do Not Enter signs.  Regular readers know how I love to do that.

Running past the Elks Lodge (which I cannot find a photo of in my Media Library, nor can I find a Do Not Enter sign), I saw a lady walking a cute dog.  I called good morning and asked if I could pet her dog.  The poocher was certainly eager to be petted.  The lady said it was a good reason to take a little break from a jog.

“It encourages me to keep going,” I told her.  We wished each other a nice day and moved on.  It is always a good run when I get to pet a dog.

I continued past my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners, going close to the 1834 Jail, so Chester Gilette could look out the window at me.

I thank whoever put him in the window!

I ended up running for 20 minutes.  I can’t tell you how much over a mile it was, because my Garmin is across the room from me, and I am recruiting my energies.  I have a murder mystery today, you know!

 

 

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Oh Yeah, Tired Tuesday

Posted on April 26, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just this minute remembered I ought to make a blog post today.

Just to make it look like I have been doing something.

Earlier tonight I had a rehearsal for Shooting at the Grange, the murder mystery we are putting on to benefit Salisbury Grange on April 29.  I think it went OK.  Herkimer Elks Lodge graciously allowed us to use their space for our rehearsal. I love those guys at the Elks Lodge!

We plan to rehearse at the Elks Lodge again tomorrow then at the Grange on Thursday.

I can’t wait for everybody to see the Grange!

Here is a photo from when I visited the Grange’s Open House a couple weekends ago.  One of my cast members went there too.  I was so pleased!  I think it is a great space and I am very excited to perform there.  I am only disappointed I do not have a role in this murder mystery.

I had hoped to take a couple of rehearsal shots from tonight’s run-throughs for this post.  However, since I was reading one of the parts myself, I neglected to do so.

Not exactly a related photo.

I searched my Media Library for a picture from another murder mystery at the Elks Lodge and found this one from Donate to Murder in November 2021.  It was to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society.  This fall we may do one to benefit the Elks.  After all, they have been so nice to us about rehearsal space!

 

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Breakfast with the Elks

Posted on January 11, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

This morning I was able to indulge in what has been an annual treat for me since we moved to the area: the Herkimer Elks Lodge Breakfast.

The Elks hold weekly breakfasts every January to fund their projects for the year.  And every year, I go eat a yummy breakfast and write a blog post about it.  Sometimes more than one (well, I get hungry again, and I always need a new blog post).  Steven has been scheduled to  work every Sunday, so I was without a date.  Luckily, my friend Diane agreed to accompany me today.

For $9 we could get juice, coffee, eggs, white or wheat toast, pancakes, baked beans, home fries with or without onions, and bacon or sausage.  I passed on the pancakes; Diane declined the beans.  She chose cranberry juice while I had orange.  We both chose scrambled eggs and bacon.

The Elks all seemed to be having a fun time being diner staff for the day.  The customers were enjoying themselves as well.  Friends often meet at these community events, especially in a small town like ours.  The food was yummy, and Diane and I were able to catch up on each other’s lives.

The breakfasts continue January 17 and 24, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Elks Lodge, Mary Street, Herkimer, NY.  If you’re in the area and like a good breakfast, I encourage you to check it out.

 

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A Classy Dinner

Posted on April 15, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I used to eat dinner out more frequently, often so that I would have a topic for a blog post. Unfortunately, we have fallen out of the habit. I think the last time we went was over a month ago, for Steven’s birthday. When our friend, Tracy, visited last weekend, I thought it might be time to go out again.

We decided to go to the Herkimer Elks Lodge, where they serve dinner on Friday nights. As I told Tracy, I think it used to be a Friday Fish Fry, but now it is — no offense to all you real fish fries — classier. The food is by Dominick Scalise of Dominick’s Deli and there is a pretty good menu to pick from.

We found a good parking space right on Mary Street. I didn’t notice if the parking lot was completely full, but it may well have been. These dinners are popular. On the way in Steven purchased tickets for a raffle they were holding.

We were taken right to a table and given menus to peruse. I went into the bar to get a glass of wine. That is another good thing about eating at the Elks, good drink prices. The bartender even let me sample a little of the Riesling, to make sure it was dry enough for me (it was).

Tracy ordered salmon, which looked delicious. I chose baked haddock, which was quite tasty. Under no Catholic obligation to avoid meat, Steven had pork chops, his favorite. The service was great and the food was yummy.

We greatly enjoyed our evening out, and even took home leftovers (so I got to try the pork chops — excellent). The Elks Lodge is located at 124 Mary St., Herkimer, NY. Phone number is 315-866-1439.

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Love those Lady Elks

Posted on January 21, 2014 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week I lamented missing the Lady Elks breakfast, which they serve on Sundays in January. This week I got myself a breakfast date, and we had a nice meal.

Breakfast was served from 8 to 11 a.m. My friend, Diane, and I arrived shortly after nine. We found a parking space in the lot of the Elks Lodge on Mary Street in Herkimer, NY, and walked in.

We paid our $8. I apologized for giving them a fifty.

“I told that maid I wanted small bills, but you can’t get good help these days,” I said. It is a joke I usually make when I pay with a large bill. I also got $5 worth of 50/50 tickets, which I took to the table to fill out. First we made our orders: eggs, toast (white or wheat), bacon (could have chosen sausage), homefries with onions. I also got baked beans. We both declined pancakes.

A gentleman poured us coffee right away. Soon a lady came around with a tray of cups of juice. We both chose orange.

“Everybody’s taking orange today,” she said.

“Oh, I’ll take tomato,” Diane said. “I don’t want you to end up with a lot of tomato juice left over.”

“They can use it to make Bloody Marys later,” I suggested, adding that I usually take the tomato, but it seemed more of an orange kind of day. The lady said we could take one of each if we wanted, so we did.

“So now we’re friends?” she said. Of course we were.

I had already put money in the tip basket, knowing we would get good service. How right I was.

I put Steven’s name on the 50/50 tickets. I thought that was fair since he wasn’t getting a yummy breakfast.

“Then he can spend the money on me,” I said when I put the tickets in the jar, much to the amusement of the ladies at the table. Alas, he did not win.

There is one more Lady Elks breakfast, on January 26. I probably won’t make it, but I was happy to at least make it to one.

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