Tag Archives: herkimer ny

Just a Taste!

Posted on May 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This week Valley Wine and Liquors in Herkimer NY is doing three days of New York State tastings.  You know Mohawk Valley Girls plans to be there all three days!  So far I have attended two and can I just say YUM!

He had a lot of spirit!

Thursday was Old Home Distillers out of Lebanon, NY.  I met Aaron who, with his brother Adam and his parents run the show.  He poured me itty bitty tastes, so I could try all the different flavors. They distill small batch hand-crafted spirits using locally grown ingredients.  Regular readers know I am more into wine than liquor.  I believe this is because liquor is, as they say, quicker, and I need to take things slowly at my age.  But this stuff was good.  I think I could sip the Field Days Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bourbon slowly.

The rye from the Electric Mayhem straight rye whiskey comes from Richfield Springs.  I liked the homage to the band from the Muppet Show.  It was also a reference to the mayhem that  inevitably ensues when one begins to distill rye, Aaron said.  The one I purchased, though was the Peppershine.  When I tasted it, I said, “Ow!  I would have to have this one in a mixed drink.”  Aaron suggested a Bloody Mary or a highball.  He had me a Bloody Mary.  He gave me a flier of cocktail recipes which included one for a Bloody Mary.

I also picked up a flier for the distillery.  I wonder if I could persuade anybody to take a road trip with me.  I would love to go take a tour.

 

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Remember the Shop Crawl?

Posted on April 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Perhaps I can finally get around to covering part of my adventures on the Spring Shop Crawl last Saturday. I rather exhausted myself walking all around the village of Herkimer.  Shouldn’t I be building up my endurance with all the walks and runs I have been taking lately?  Perhaps I need healthier eating habits.  In any case, I will just mention a few of the fun places I stopped.

I think of it as my chair.

The first place I went was To Niche Their Own, to pick up my map and list of places to go as well as the little card I had to get punches on.  Then I went back home, because I realized I had forgotten my phone to take pictures with.   It’s not easy being me, but I get a lot of exercise.  This put me right near Herkimer County Historical Society, which regular readers know is one of my favorite places.  I put in for a drawing to win a book (I won!), purchased some post cards, and took a picture of Roxalana Druse’s rocking chair.  Long-time readers may recall I had to honor to portray Mrs. Druse in Roxy written by Jack Sherman and presented by Ilion Little Theatre in cooperation with the Historical Society in 2015.

Another favorite spot!

Naturally I stopped by Renewed & Rescued on Main Street.

A refreshing pause.

When I stopped home, I also picked up my address book and some post card stamps.  When I felt the need for a rest, I stopped by Java Shop, ordered a Dalgano, and wrote out a few of the post cards I had gotten at the Historical Society for my Saturday post card peeps.  It was the pause that refreshed.

As regular readers may recall, I spent last night trying to mystify supporters of the Herkimer County Historical Society with A Revolutionary Murder at Herkimer Elks Lodge.  I am still tired after the ordeal, although I believe it was a successful event.  However, I see I am over 300 words, so I say score!  I hope you are all having a delightful Sunday.

 

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Pre-Crawl Post

Posted on April 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, not a Pub Crawl, although anybody who knows me might be forgiven for thinking so.  I am about to embark on Herkimer’s Spring Shop Crawl.  We get to go around to participating businesses and check them out.  Many are running specials for the day. In any case, I will get to say hello to my favorites and hopefully discover some new places for shopping and blogging purposes.

Can’t wait to stop here!

The event is hosted by To Niche Their Own and Renewed and Rescued. Renewed and Rescued is a long-time favorite of mine, and To Niche Their Own has been a favorite since I discovered them.

And if I get hungry along the way.

I just scrolled down the Facebook Event’s Discussion and looked for other participants whose picture I might have in my Media Library, and here is Paradise Eatery.  I am charging my phone in hopes of taking pictures at each stop. This may be good for days and days of blog posts!

I see Herkimer College (known to locals as HCCC or “H-trip-C”) is also sponsoring a vendor fair.  I intend to walk during my initial foray into the Crawl, but I may return home for my car to check out what’s up the hill (YES, I try to run up the hill on a regular basis, but that is not the same thing, surely you can see that) (and I will call you Shirley if I decide to).

Well, time, as they say, is a-wasting.  I need to get crawling and shopping.  I encourage any local readers to check out the Spring Shop Crawl.  All others may tune in later for blog posts about same.

 

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Feeling Murderous on Lame Post Friday

Posted on April 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Decisions!  Choices!  If only dithering burned calories, how skinny I would be!  Never mind that, I want to make a blog post, Lame Post Friday or not and I decide to go with a Post-Rehearsal Post and share some pictures of last night’s rehearsal of A Revolutionary Murder, the murder mystery we are presenting to benefit Herkimer County Historical Society next Saturday.  We had a fun rehearsal and I am greatly optimistic about the performance.

That face!

Regular readers may recognize some of the actors from previous murder mysteries.  I do love my regulars!  This time I also have two people I have worked with on other plays, and they are doing marvelously.

She is setting them straight on a few things.

One of my actresses showed up in a spangly gown she intends to wear as her costume.  I love it!  Costume does help one get into character.  I at least try to wear the shoes I intend to have on.

A wider shot.

As you may notice, we are rehearsing in Herkimer Elks Lodge,  where the performance will take place.  The Elks are very generous with letting us use their space.  It is so helpful to rehearse where we will actually perform.  Additionally, I like to purchase a glass of wine after rehearsal.

Almost everybody is in this shot!

I guess I have not said much about the mystery, but I feel this is all to the good.  I would not want to give away any salient plot points; I like my audience to be surprised.

A Revolutionary Murder will be presented Saturday, April 25 at Herkimer Elks Lodge, 124 Mary St., Herkimer, NY, doors open at 5, dinner at 6.  Tickets are $45 for individuals, $80 per couple, available at the Historical Society at 406 Main St., Herkimer, or at the Elks Lodge.

 

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Where Have I Been? Where May I Go?

Posted on April 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

With apologies for missing my Wednesday blog post, I attempt another Throwback Thursday.  I have done a few things this morning, not many of course:  took a mile and a half walk, met friends for breakfast, talked to my parents, met with a contractor (long story, not very interesting)… OK, I have not done much.  I have a hair and toenail appointment this afternoon and a murder mystery rehearsal this evening (preview of coming attractions).  I certainly hope I remember to take a couple of pictures at rehearsal for a Post-Rehearsal Post.

Now what did I do with that little silver purse?

This is a picture of my bestie Kim and me at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I actually have some better 1920s outfits now, and I am always hoping to add more. Note to self:  make the next murder mystery a 1920s theme.  I thought I would throw back to businesses previously visited, but of course I cannot get away from my theatrical (not to say drama queen) nature.

Cheers to a Cute Little Blonde!

Here is a local business I need to return to soon, Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort.  The Cute Little Blonde mentioned in the caption refers to the wine Kim is drinking, from Rustic Ridge Winery in Burlington Flats.  That would be more of a drive for me to visit, but it is a delightful place.

The bunnies were still there last week!

Now here is a place I have been recently and intend to return to today: Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I go for their weekly tastings, for a naughty sip and some pleasant conversation.  I must see what they are tasting today.

I have cheered myself up, thinking of these places I have been to and can go to again.  I miss my Kim, who has moved halfway across the country, but perhaps she will return for a visit sometime.  In the meantime, there is no reason I cannot enjoy some Mohawk Valley Adventures with other friends or even on my own.

 

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It All Started with the Spider

Posted on April 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a Tired Tuesday Post.  It may even be construed as a Terrible Tuesday Post, but let us not become too dramatic.  Then again, drama is my life!  (Said with a dramatic gesture).

This morning there was a spider in my coffee.  Ew!  This is what happens when you do not examine your mug before adding coffee.  I have only myself to blame.  Full disclosure:  I drank the rest of the coffee, spider germs be damned.  I had to finish my story about the Ilion Village Board Meeting for Sentinel Media.  Caffeine helped.

As my day progressed, I needed to go to Ilion again to drop off a flier of my latest murder mystery, A Revolutionary Murder, at Morning Star Methodist Church.  While there I shopped at their Pay It Forward Thrift Store.  Alas, I did not take any pictures.

Later in the day, I walked to the post office to mail a note and post card, then on to the Herkimer Elks Lodge to reserve two tickets to the previously mentioned murder mystery.  Then I walked on to The End Zone Pub.  Just to say hello.

You can’t really see the new light.

While I was there, Brock, the owner, was placing a new light in the front display.  I took a picture, but as you see, not a very successful one.  What can one expect on a day which began with a spider in one’s coffee?

 

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Ah, Murder In Springtime!

Posted on April 12, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been at the Herkimer County Historical Society twice in the last two days concerning the next murder mystery, A Revolutionary Murder, which will be presented on Saturday, April 25 to benefit the Historical Society. I thought I might give a little teaser about that.

Wednesday when I stopped by, it was for dramatic purposes.  Without going into too much detail, a character reports that a cell phone was blown clear and landed in a bush.  In fiction (and probably real life too, but I don’t know too much about that), it is nice to be exact. Not just “a bush” but “an azalea bush” or “a hydrangea bush.”  So I stopped to ask what kind of bush grows around the historical society.

Oh, no, not that kind of bush!

I guess by two weeks from now the bushes will not really be that far along, but I hardly think the audience will call me out on that.  Several bushes that will be there as spring and summer wear on, and I think I am going to settle on Bleeding Heart, just for the reference to blood (you should see the fliers!) (which you can see on the Historical Society’s Facebook page).

Aren’t they cute?

Yesterday I stopped by to see if they had some tickets I could bring to the Elks Lodge, in case any members wanted to purchase them.  On the way out, I took the two pictures I just used as illustrations.  I mostly took them because I tend to take pictures of everything I see growing.  I try not to let winter drag me down, but oh, do I love the rebirth of spring!

Funny to be enjoying rebirth when I am about to kill somebody off for fun and non-profit, but so it is.  A Revolutionary Murder will be presented Saturday, April 25 at the Herkimer Elks Lodge, 124 Mary St., Herkimer, NY, doors open at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $45 for individuals, $80 per couple, available at the Historical Society, 315-866-6413.

 

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Not Too Lame to Walk

Posted on April 4, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I made it to Lame Post Friday and, yes, I am feeling lame.  I’m still waste-not-want-notting with a few pictures I took on a recent walk.  I’m sure I mentioned that I try to walk almost every day.  I actually went for a run this morning, and it was pretty great.  I was thinking of doing a Running Commentary post, but the day kind of got away from me.  Let us see what I can come up with before heading to Valley Wine and Liquor for a wine tasting and perhaps to Herkimer Elks Lodge for Fish Fry (preview of coming attractions).

Look how many purple flowers!

I still have not found out what these little purple flowers are called, but I love them.  When I find out, I will get some seeds and scatter them all over my yard.  I love looking around for growth as I walk.  As I type this, I am a little sorry I do not intend to walk to the liquid store (as a four-year-old niece once called it).  However, I plan to purchase some wine, and those bottle get heavy!

I love fire fighters!

This is a new sign in front of the fire station.  I do not always walk by  the station, so I am not sure how long it has been there.

Can you read it?

This is the dedication plaque on the rear of the sign.  I did not pause to read it at the time; I just took the picture.

And just like that, I am over 250 words.  Score!  On to the rest of my Friday!  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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It’s Probably My Age

Posted on April 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I continue to feel tired and dull.  I could blame yesterday’s colonoscopy (do NOT say Too Much Information!) or my age, but then I thought: perhaps I am still tired from the Elk of the Year Banquet last Saturday. I did dance a portion of my butt off.  This gives me an excellent opportunity to share the rest of the pictures I have from that memorable evening.

Not as good as the other two pictures, perhaps.

Here I am dancing with the man of the hour (and the year, of course), my friend Joe.  It was lovely to see him so honored, and also a thrill to dance to the music of my favorite band, The Posers.

They rock down, yes they do!

At one point, a guest artist joined them on the bandstand (yes, I know, it was just a corner of the room; I was trying to sound impressive).

She was adorable.

A young girl who had been having as much fun as I was dancing took over on the drums for a short time.  She didn’t do too badly.  My great-nephew Sheppy is taking up percussion.  Maybe if he joins me for one of the Posers’ gigs, they will let him sit in for a number.

I guess I do not mind being tired, although I hope if I make a few sensible lifestyle changes I can get some energy back.  Then again, when have I ever done anything sensible?  At any rate, I will try for a few Mohawk Valley Adventures and hope you will tune in to future blog posts.

 

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Those Elks Know How to Party!

Posted on March 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Alas and alack, I partied too heartily at the Elk of the Year Banquet and was too tired to make even a Wrist to Forehead Sunday post.  I confess my brain is, well, kind of not responsive, and my body not much better.  But my body responded beautifully to the urge to boogie down to the great sounds of the Posers!  At least, I may not have looked beautiful.  I am surely not the best judge of such things. I can tell you it felt wonderful!

My favorite guys!

I was up and dancing as soon as they started playing, and it wasn’t till later that lots of people got out on the dance floor.  I did, however, enjoy a dance with the man of the hour, the Elk of the Year Joe Burdick.  I handed my phone to a friend and asked her to get a couple of pictures.

I’m the one on the left.

It was really a lovely party.  The food was good, people said nice things about Joe, everybody had a great time, as far as I could see.

She took a couple shots.

 

I did not stay till the end, but I was up past my usual bed time.  I think it is good for a woman of my age to push the boundaries once in a while.

 

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