Tag Archives: Frankfort NY

A Satisfying Sound Indeed

Posted on April 26, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night after I attended a Frankfort Town Board Meeting (regular readers may remember I have a side hustle covering Valley meetings for Sentinel Media), I stopped by Fratello’s Pizzeria to enjoy some music with Ryan Quinn.  Oh dear, that sounds like he was my date.  No, no, he was making the music, I was enjoying it.

A very nice young man.

He was playing guitar when I showed up, and he smiled nicely when I went to take a picture.  I told him it was for my blog post.  Later he switched to keyboard, so I tried to get a shot of that, too.

And he is as talented as he is nice.

At first I thought I screwed up, because I couldn’t make the picture come up as I walked back to my seat at the bar (I like to sit at the bar), so I went back and tried again.  This time I took two.  My phone made that little “blb.”

“I’m sure I got it that time,” I said.

“It even made a satisfying sound,” he agreed.

I went to see Phil Arcuri at Fratello’s on a recent Wednesday but neglected to make a blog post about it.  How remiss of me.  In fact, I have not been catching the local music scene as much as I like to lately.  I’ll have to do something about that.

 

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Good-bye, Columbo!

Posted on April 8, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

AAAaand we’re back to late posts.  It is early Tuesday morning, and I am sitting at my Chromebook hoping to do my Monday blog post.  It should be my last post about Prescription: Murder, the play I was in at Ilion Little Theatre.  The second weekend coincided with what is either a cold or a very bad batch of allergies.  I am hoping for the latter, because I hate to be contagious.  Then again, don’t say I never gave ya nuthin’!

He is a cop, after all.

I brought donuts from the Friendly Bake Shop in Frankfort, NY for the last performance.  People often bring treats to share backstage, and I have not been to the Friendly Bake Shop in a while.  Yum!  I especially like the plain donuts, such as Lt. Columbo is eating right now.  We all teeheed about the cops and donuts cliche.  Really it is a silly cliche.  EVERYBODY likes donuts!  It is not exclusive to cops.

Isn’t she pretty?

This is our illustrious director.  She did a wonderful job and was great to work with (the two do not always go together, unfortunately).  She is also just about as cute as allowed by law.

Two lovely ladies.

And one more picture of the two female characters who survive the entire play.  Actually everybody but me survives the play.  This isn’t And Then There Were None, which Ilion Little Theatre put on in 2010.  My late, beloved husband Steve and I were both in that one.  Neither of us survived.  More than that I shan’t say, in case you ever get the chance to see the play; I don’t want to spoil the ending.  In any case, I can recommend the book by Agatha Christie.  Fun read.

Auditions for the next play at Ilion Little Theatre are Sunday and Monday, April 13 and 14.  I do not plan to audition.  I must conserve my energies for Recipe for Murder Royale, which is coming up sooner than I like to think (preview of coming attractions)!

 

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What Can I Say on a Wednesday?

Posted on April 3, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is either a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday or a Wuss-out Wednesday.  Earlier tonight I had the pick-up rehearsal for Prescription: Murder, the play I am in at Ilion Little Theatre (as I believe I have mentioned).  Then I went to hear the music of Phil Arcuri at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY.  I did not take any pictures of either activity, although I suppose I could make a blog post about either without new pictures. Perhaps tomorrow.

The eyes have it!

This is a picture I took backstage at Prescription: Murder.  It is Samantha, the woman who plays the chippy my husband murders me for.  She worked hard to make her eye make-up just right, with excellent results.

St. Francis is all inclusive.

This is a picture I took on a recent walk.  I was quite delighted to see a rainbow sign reading, “All Are Welcome Here,” at St. Francis Church down the street from my house.  I am all about loving and welcoming everybody.

Looks fishy to me.

The other picture I have is from Fat Cat’s Fish Fry in Herkimer, NY.  I went there today for a fish sandwich, and it was delicious!  I must do a full blog post on Fat Cat’s, but I did not get a picture of their sign, because it was hailing when I left the place this afternoon.  Maybe it was not actual hail, but it was colder and harder than rain, and it was not snow.  In any case, I hurried to my car.

Once again, this is my blog post.  I hope at least some of you have enjoyed it.

 

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Coffee and Cops, What’s Not to Like?

Posted on March 3, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

 “Cheese it, it’s the cops!”  is what I usually say when I see a police car, quoting numerous cartoons from my childhood.  However, I really have great respect for the police and often enjoy talking to them.  I had a great opportunity to do so last Friday when the Town of Frankfort police department hosted Coffee with a Cop at Stewarts.  I walked in and announced to the first cop I saw that I was there to have coffee with a cop. He handed me a gift card for a 12 oz. cups of coffee.

Coffee with a Cop aims to bring communities closer to their police departments, where they can learn about each other in a relaxed atmosphere.  The aim is to increase trust and cooperation between police and the people they serve.

They were very nice about posing for me.

 I asked how the officers enjoyed policing in Frankfort and received a very positive response.  Officer Louis Romano praised Frankfort as a close-knit community.  The department has a wide area to cover, as the Town of Frankfort took over policing for the Village as well as the Town of Frankfort as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Police officers cover the gamut of crime including domestic violence, burglary, and traffic offenses.  The force patrols approximately 100 miles of roads within the town.  Homelessness seems to be less of a problem in Frankfort than in surrounding villages, but the officers are equipped to deal with that as well.

The Chief of Police with a friend.

Several Frankfort residents stopped to talk to the policemen while I was there, sometimes to ask questions but more often just to shake their hands and thank them for their service.  Mayor Justin Smithson was present at the beginning of the event.  I was sorry I missed the Rock-n-Roll Mayor, but perhaps I will catch him at a future event.

Another photo op.

     The police officers were quick to hand gift cards to anyone who entered Stewarts, giving everybody a chance to have coffee with a cop.  Many of those present expressed the hope that this will become a regular event in Frankfort and in surrounding villages as well.

 

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Post Music Post

Posted on November 14, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I knew it; I knew this would happen.  I knew if I went to Fratello’s before making my blog post I would not want to make my blog post when I got home.  Here I am, too beat to blog.  Yet here I am, ten finger typing on my Chromebook.  Perhaps I could manage a Wuss-out Wednesday post.

This was a really good episode.

I was watching Columbo earlier this afternoon while crocheting a baby afghan I want to give at a shower in another week or so.  While at Fratello’s, Phil Arcuri sang the Johnny Cash song about a Burning Ring of Fire.  I told my friend Kathy, who was there with me, how Johnny Cash was a great murderer on Columbo (this does not need a spoiler alert, as Columbo aficionados know).  So the picture above is appropriate.

And here is Phil!

This is a picture I took a while ago of Phil at Fratello’s. Tonight I took my obligatory picture to share on Facebook, inviting others out to hear good music, but it did not turn out very well.  Still, I shared it, so any of my local Facebook friends could come out and hear the music.

I see I have managed 200 words.  I say not bad for a Wuss-out Wednesday. Note to self:  next time post before going out to enjoy local music.

 

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The Posers at Brass Tack

Posted on August 23, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

When I heard that The Posers, my favorite local band, was playing at The Brass Tack in Frankfort, NY, I got all excited.  Then, due to the weather forecast, they changed the date from Wednesday to Thursday.  Rats!  I had someplace I was supposed to be on Thursday (nothing blogworthy).  However, after I fulfilled my commitment I managed to stop by to enjoy a little music.

OK, not the best shot.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I could hear them playing one of my favorites, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?”  I danced as I walked up the ramp to the entrance, which was right behind them.  At least the audience saw me.  I paused at the bar for a glass of wine then made my way out to the porch where a number of people were enjoying the tunes.  I found a place to sit down, asking a couple at an adjoining table if I would be in their way.  They said I would not.

Alas, my good friend Rick, the bass player, was not there.  He recently got a full knee replacement and was not able to play.  What is it with knee replacements?  One of my favorite actors can’t be in the murder mystery because he is getting one, too!  Come to think of it, one of my knees has been really hurting lately.  Oh dear.

Different angle, not much better.

Perhaps if I would have stayed longer, till the sun had dropped a little lower, I could have gotten better pictures. However, the band took a break when my wine was quite low in my glass, so I snuck away, pausing at the exit to wave, so it was not really so sneaky.  At least I had done what I could to support local music.

The next time I go to the Brass Tack, I hope to order some food.  I know they are a really good place to eat.  They are located at 4258 Acme Rd., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-7996.

 

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Music on a Monday

Posted on July 9, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

Usually I visit Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY on a Wednesday night to hear good  music and eat good food.  This week I went on a Monday.  I saw on Facebook that Mark Macri would be playing.  I have not seen him many times, so it seemed like a good idea.  Additionally, it was quite a warm day, and I wanted to spend some time in air conditioned comfort.

The usual photo.

Of course I took the obligatory photo to share on Facebook and invite others down to enjoy the entertainment.  I also texted my friend Kathy to join me. I had a little trouble getting through, due to cell phone issues.  When we finally connected, I was already at Fratello’s, and she needed a ride.  The bartender graciously agreed to watch my wine and save my seat while I went to pick her up.

 

No pictures of me and Kathy, just Mark.

We had an enjoyable time, listening to music and catching up.  It has been a while since we have gotten together for music and fun.

I think it is a nice smile.

I missed getting a picture of Mark smiling so asked him to smile again.  He said he hated having his picture taken, but I told him it was for a blog post.  I do not know how impressed he was, but he gave me a smile.  It was an enjoyable evening, especially for a Monday.

 

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Belated Shout-out to Great Music

Posted on June 16, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I neglected to write a blog post about my visit to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, the Wednesday before last.  I went purposely to hear Phil Arcuri, one of my favorite local musicians.  I also had the idea that if I ordered a salad, I would have leftovers to bring for my lunch at work.  Both purposes were fulfilled to admiration.  I texted my friend Kathy to join me.  We sat at the bar as usual and had a wonderful evening.

From my Media Library.

I neglected to take my usual shot on my phone, which I share to Facebook urging others to come enjoy the music.  How remiss of me!  Those who were there heard some great music.  Phil was soon joined by a guest artist.

“That guy used to be mayor of Herkimer,” I told Kathy.  Kathy lives in Ilion, so I thought it was likely she did not know.

Never mind politics; this guy should go into entertainment!

The ex-mayor has a really good voice!  I was reminded his name is Tony Brindisi.  I am not so good at remembering names, unfortunately.

They had fun singing together.

I enjoyed my salad (and had enough left over for lunch), the music, and conversation with my friend.  Altogether a lovely evening.

 

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But for Some, Coffee IS Happiness

Posted on April 19, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

On the brighter side, I have not made an early morning blog post in a while, have I?  As usual, I am too lazy to go back and check.  Yesterday was a true blogger’s sick day, made hideous by a migraine.  I left work and sought my bed only to find sleep elusive and pain pervasive.  Eventually it went away, leaving me a limp, fairly brainless rag.  Perfect conditions for a Non-Sequitur Thursday post made on Friday morning.  Ooh, that’s right, it is Friday.  We like Friday.

Actually not yet, but I am on my way there, I hope.

In fact, I have not yet had my first cup of coffee, but I think the maker is done making its noises.  Ah, yes that first hot sip…

Random picture for you to enjoy while I sip.

That picture caught my eye because of the yellow flower, but now I see it also includes one of the fingerless gloves I purchased from Herkimer Handknits last summer at Brookwood Market. (what, “fingerless” and “Brookwood” are not words?  My Chromebook underlined them in red.  Also “Herkimer Handknits.  What’s that all about?).  The picture was taken at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  So now I have given small shout-outs to three local businesses.  Brookwood Market has not opened yet for the summer, but Fratello’s is, of course, year round, and you can find Herkimer Handknits on Facebook.

Where was I?  Nowhere in particular, I suppose, but did I not say this was a Non-Sequitur Thursday post? And I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my hot beverage, and I hope you found this at least mildly entertaining.

I comfort myself with the thought.

Even coffee cannot make everyone happy.  It can be a difficult world, but I feel it is worth the effort.

 

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This Blog Post Is Nothing to Howl About

Posted on April 6, 2024 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have the dreaded Type It In Backspace It Out Disease (or should that be the type-it-in-backspace-it-out disease?  Discuss amongst yourselves) (and my computer seems to think “amongst” is not a word.  Go figure).  Where was I?  Ah yes, Lame Post Friday.  Once again it is actually Friday as I make my Lame Post Friday post.  If I can keep from backspacing it out and saying to hell with it.

Ah-ooooooh!

I personally have not howled on a Friday in a long time.  A quiet glass of wine is more my speed these days.  I am currently enjoying one, by the way.

Wine. It isn’t just for Fridays any more.

I looked in my Media Library for a picture of me enjoying a glass of wine and found this one.  It was from a Sunday last summer.  My friend Kim and I had gone to Brookwood Market in Herkimer, NY, where I purchased fingerless gloves from Herkimer Handknits and we both purchased bouquets from another vendor whose name escapes me. We adjourned to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, where we put our bouquets in water and had some wine and food.  I will be happy when Broodwood Market opens again this year (preview of coming attractions).

A different drink.

I share this picture to remind myself to get to work polishing the script for our next murder mystery, Deadly Night Life,  to be presented at Salisbury Grange April 27 (another preview of coming attractions).  This is a shot from Shooting at the Grange, which we presented last April.

So I have rattled on for over 250 words.  Regular readers know I consider that respectable. Will I get to work on that murder mystery? Will I have more wine?  A little uncertainty adds interest to my evening.

 

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