Tag Archives: Herkimer Elks Lodge

Blog Post to Murder?

Posted on August 30, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

So we just had our first rehearsal for Donation to Murder.  At least, I think that is the title we agreed on.  How embarrassing that I do not know for sure, and how really embarrassing that I did not have a definite title when I wrote it.  Titles are hard.  Some writers know all about titles.  I know one fellow who told me that everything he ever wrote had a specific title that had a special meaning. Then again, I never read anything he wrote and have reason to believe he was NOT as good a writer as he believed himself to be.  That is neither here nor there.

As a matter of fact, I still do not have a lot of details on the murder mystery that will be presented at Herkimer Elks Lodge on Sept. 15, 2018.  I thought I would find out some stuff at today’s rehearsal, but we were so busy talking about our characters, costumes, props, and the script, that other details just kind of got lost.  These things happen, I suppose

In the meantime, it is Wuss-out Wednesday, so I guess this is my wuss out post.  I had fun at rehearsal and am mostly looking forward to less humidity tomorrow, which several meteorologists have promised me.  Meteorologists have disappointed me before.  Maybe next I shall write a murder mystery about a blogger who murders a weather predictor.

 

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Good Cup of Java

Posted on April 18, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was running down Main Street in Herkimer (or possibly up it; I’m not good with directions) when I saw a sign for The Java Shop by Cucino Berto.  Well, I am always on the lookout for a new place to sit, sip, and write.  I made up my mind to stop in soon.

I had been to the restaurant Cucino Berto when they were located at the Frankfort Marina.  According to their website, after two successful years there, Cucino Berto decided to relocate and rebrand.  They now offer Friday dinners at the Herkimer Elks Lodge as well as breakfast and lunch daily at The Java Shop.

The first time I stopped into the Java Shop was a Saturday afternoon, and it seemed to be crowded with people who knew the owner.  However, the gentleman behind the counter immediately greeted me and took my order.  I enjoy a home town shop supported by family and friends.  I hope to become, if not a friend, at least a regular customer.

I later learned that the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer had been there earlier to welcome them to the neighborhood.  That explained the balloons I saw hovering by the cash register.  I think it’s wonderful to see local businesses supporting each other.

The second time I tried to go to the Shop (the following Monday), it was closed for renovations.  The renovation was worth the wait: more seating and a more open feel.  I got there just after they opened on a Saturday and had a breakfast sandwich.  I chose a roll over a bagel (even though they had Everything Bagels, my favorite!), fried egg (with a broken yolk), ham and provolone.  Oh, was that a good sandwich!  The ham was sliced thin and the egg was cooked to perfection.

I had regular, fresh brewed coffee on each visit.  I tend to be a “regular coffee” kind of person, but they have a variety of coffees available.  You can even get a coffee flight and try three different kinds.  I’ve had beer flights but never a coffee flight.  Perhaps I should expand my horizons.

The Java Shop has a friendly, pleasant atmosphere.  I enjoyed to sit by myself and write in my notebook, but I will be happy to bring a friend or two as well.  After all, my husband Steven loves his coffee. He shouldn’t always have to brew his own!

The Java Shop is located at 143 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-717-7724.  They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For more information you can visit the Cucino Berto website at https://cucinaberto.wordpress.com.

 

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Is It Friday Already, Finally?

Posted on December 16, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, it is another Late, Lame post.  I wonder if I should make a sub-category to reflect that?  Nah, I’ll just post.  I confess, I had my doubts this week as to whether I would make it to Friday, or indeed, if Friday would ever come.  You’ll have that.

So with Friday came the deadline for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  If I was a really good writer, like I pretend I am, this would not matter, because I would have already written my article or articles and submitted them.  And here we come to the ugly truth about me. However, I did what I could and submitted something that I feel is not completely contemptible.

Then I had to rush into some nice-looking clothes, because my friend, Kim, was picking me up to go to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  It was Adirondack Winery of Lake George.  I have tasted their stuff before but never been to the winery.  I must get there one day, though, because they have some dry wines that are not carried by the liquor store so were not available for tasting.

From the wine tasting, Kim and I headed to the Herkimer Elks Lodge for Cucina Berto’s Tom & Jerry Night.  Steven joined us already in progress.  We had a couple Tom & Jerry’s, and Steven and I each had a cup of Italian Wedding Soup.  Yummy!

And now we are home.  I’m afraid this post will read like a Flustered Friday, and indeed, parts of it felt flustered to me.  However, it was a fun Friday, and I am looking forward to an equally fun Saturday.  I’ll write a blog post about it.

 

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No, I’m Not Going to Act and Type!

Posted on September 2, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I tried that before.  Shit happens, as we all know, then I don’t type at all. And as Truman Capote once said, “That’s not writing, that’s typing.”

Where was I?  Ah yes, about to make an especially Lame Friday Post before I go back to either frantically chopping vegetables or thrusting my hot-flashing body into pantyhose (sorry if that gives you an unfortunate mental image)  (not real sorry) (OK, not sorry at all, ha ha on you!).  I’m thinking, this is actually a Flustered Friday post.  You’ll have that when you’re in a play.

And here they are: my acting friends!

Yes, I’ve shared this picture before.  It is one of my favorites.   I actually think it is kind of good I am so flustered, or I might begin to become melancholy.  This will be my last performance with a cast I have grown very fond of.  As I observed before in this space: not a stinker amongst them, and none of them seems to mind that I am kind of a stinker myself (not literally, mind you, it’s an EXPRESSION, don’t be so didactic!) (you know who you are).

As regular readers may remember, tonight LiFT Theatre Company will perform The Tempest at a dinner theatre at Herkimer Elks Lodge.  Who knew the Elks were so cultured?  They were a great audience last year for Much Ado About Nothing, so we have all been looking forward to this performance.  For another reason, it is indoors.  No worries about rain and it is just a little bit easier to make ourselves heard.

I have been saying my lines all day at work, sometimes to suitably impressed co-workers.  There is nothing to do now but get into costume and remember to breathe (which is not as easy as it may sound) (either one).  And hit Publish, because, lame as this may be, it is my Friday post. Have a wonderful evening, everyone.

 

 

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It Ain’t Over Till… Well, Friday

Posted on August 29, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

I bet you thought I was going to say it ain’t over till I sing.  Indeed, when I sing, it is over.  It is almost like my super power: the ability to clear the room and/or induce snide remarks.  But never mind my waistline and singing abilities:  we’re here to talk about The Tempest!  Did you think All Tempest All The Time was over?  Oh, you poor misguided blog reader, you.  More astute readers will remember we have one more performance, at the Herkimer Elks Lodge this Friday, Sept. 1, with a spaghetti dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Thespians in their natural habitat.

I shared this picture before, but I think it is a good one.  It is our “in character” shot taken after the performance at the Utica Zoo Saturday before last.

Yes, we look pretty, but not nearly as much fun.

We took this picture just before the other one, with us all smiling nicely.  I smiled nicely in both shots, because, well, that’s my character.

Yes, I’m the maniacal-looking one in the yellow tights.

I hesitated to share this one, because I think I look pretty ridiculous, but then, that’s what makes it entertaining, no?  It is the very end of the play.  Everything ends so happily that my character gets a little carried away.  After this performance, the actor who plays Alonso (that’s the guy with is hands clasped, apparently wondering if he should send for the King’s Physician) (they didn’t have the men in the white coats in Shakespeare’s day) said he hoped there were no audience members who kept kosher, because of all the ham onstage.

“Are you referring to me?”  I asked.  “I’m only a little ham.  I’m a Hamlet.”

I was pretty proud of myself for that one.

For more information on The Tempest dinner theatre at the Herkimer Elks Lodge, call 315-866-1439.

 

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Never Give Up on Lame Post Friday

Posted on March 25, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again, I am posting late and lame on Friday.  Steven and I met our friend Kim earlier at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer for a wine tasting with Rasta Ranch, one of our favorite Finger Lakes wineries.  That Rasta Ranch lady is so cool!  We purchased a bottle of Seneca Rain, a semi dry white in a big blue bottle.

After the tasting, Steven and I went on to Herkimer Elks Lodge for a dinner by Dominic Scalise of Dominic’s Deli.  I can’t say fish fry, because there were several choices, fish and otherwise, fried and otherwise. We both had baked haddock.  Yummy!

Now we are back home, watching Galaxy Quest, at Steven’s suggestion.   He wanted something fun and possibly uplifting.  Astute readers will recognize this as the source of the title of yesterday’s post: Never Give Up, Never Surrender!  This is a quote I often use to encourage myself when running.  I may use it tomorrow.  Then I may make a Saturday Running Commentary and tell you about it.

As you may notice, I am in a better mood today than I was in yesterday.  As a matter of fact, I am in a better mood now than I was earlier today. Maybe I will be in a better mood yet tomorrow!  In any case, I usually post short and lame on Friday. I hope you are all having a lovely day.

 

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It’s As If I Had a Lame Lobotomy!

Posted on September 3, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

This is dreadful.  What little brain I had seems to have up and deserted me.  At first I thought perhaps it was still partially here, since I am typing quite competently.  Then I remembered:  muscle memory.  It means nothing.

There is little point in even saying, “But I MUST make a post!”  We all know I will not willingly let a day go by without hitting publish on SOMETHING, however lame and foolish.  Waaaait a minute!  Today IS Lame Post Friday!  Now I’m wondering if I shouldn’t re-name it to Foolish Friday and go for that alliteration I so love.

Sometimes when I feel quite brain dead at 4:47 p.m. (according to my computer), I can put off posting till later in the evening.  Occasionally that works out for me and I come up with something not contemptible (don’t ask me for an example; I am certainly not up to searching previous posts much less making a link).  However, today I must head to Much Ado at Herkimer Elks.  We had a dress rehearsal last night.  I had taken a decongestant and was extremely lightheaded, but I managed to say most of my lines correctly.

You know, I’m seeing kind of a head pattern with me lately.  Either I am lightheaded, I have a headache, or I am brain dead.  What the hell, head?  Maybe I have too much hair.  I am getting a haircut tomorrow; maybe that will help.  I am getting a pedicure as well, but I somehow doubt pretty colored toenails will improve anything other than my disposition (still, that is definitely worth improving).  On the brighter side, I will be able to make a blog post about Hot Spot Salon and Spa in Herkimer, where I get my beauty work done (I was going to say I use the term “beauty” loosely as applied to myself, but would that not be insulting to my stylist?  She is pretty awesome).

At least I am over 300 words.  Sometimes we settle for quantity over quality.  If only I could think of a headline, my life would be perfect.

 

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Much Ado on Bad Attituesday

Posted on August 31, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of the Bad Attituesday post  I was gearing up to write, I will share more information about Much Ado at the Herkimer Elks Lodge this Friday, Sept. 2.  A spaghetti dinner at 5:30 is followed by the show at 6:45 p.m. (do I really have to specify pm?  Can you imagine Shakespeare at 6:45 a.m.?  It sounds like a weapon in an old timey duel, “Shakespeare at dawn!”) (now I’m thinking that that’s a title of a play I ought to write…).

Where was I?  Ah yes, on Tuesday, looking forward to Friday.  And to rehearsal on Thursday.  I have been practicing my lines in my head.  I think I still know them.

My summer Shakespeare experience has been a great ride.  From hesitating about doing it to taking two parts to performing on four — soon to be five — different stages, I have learned a lot and laughed a lot.  I have made some wonderful theatre friends that I hope to work with again.  I have been inspired with several new writing ideas as well as a couple of directing thoughts.  And while vowing to never do another play in the summer, I am nevertheless intrigued by the possibility of stage combat in 2017.

That will be in the more distant future.  For the immediate future, I will be delighted to begin my three day weekend Friday with one last performance of Much Ado About Nothing.   Local readers are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.  The Herkimer Elks Lodge is located at 124 Mary St., phone number 315-866-1439. The Facebook event for the show is at https://www.facebook.com/events/1710411485888274/.

 

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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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Breakfast Before Bear

Posted on January 25, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I don’t know, do you like that title? I was in the mood for some alliteration but now I am questioning myself. I believe I mentioned that I have a bear of a week in front of me. That is an imperfect metaphor but one I have always liked. In general I feel my week starts on Monday and ends on Sunday, a view that I know is shared by many (I’ve even had calendars that reflected it). However, I have a marathon rehearsal today for the play I am in, which opens on Friday. So I feel my week is beginning today.

To start the week right, Steven and I went to breakfast at the Herkimer Elks Club. I know I have mentioned that the Lady Elks put on a breakfast on Sundays in January to fund their projects for the upcoming year. It’s the bomb. We watch for it every year and attend if at all possible. This year it has been possible three times. Score!

We got there the earliest we’ve been yet, shortly after 8:30 a.m. There was no problem finding a parking space or a place to sit. We both enjoyed eggs over medium, wheat toast, homefries with onions, coffee and juice. Additionally Steven had pancakes and bacon while I had baked beans and sausage. The cook even put a smiley face on Steven’s top pancake. As we left the breakfast several members of the Elks thanked us for coming. We thanked them for the delicious breakfast, saying we look forward to it every year.

“See you next January,” I said.

I confess I feel too preoccupied to write a better blog post today. I must study my lines and organize my costume. And nurse the butterflies I am beginning to get in my stomach. Everyone assures me I am doing a good job in this play, but how do I know they are not just being nice? Or hoping for a self-fulfilling prophecy? I bet a lot of you thought I was going to skip Wrist to Forehead Sunday. No such luck!

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