Tag Archives: herkimer ny

Those Seniors Are Creative

Posted on September 18, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I make my Wordless Wednesday post late and share more Herkimer High School Seniors’ parking lot art.  Full disclosure:  it isn’t really a wordless Wednesday, because obviously there are some words.  However, since it is more about the pictures, I make bold to label it so.

Nice incorporation of technology.

I think this one is clever.  I just imagine they will neither pause nor rewind.  I never wanted to do so when I was a senior.  Oh dear, as soon as I typed that I remembered something:  I AM a senior: a senior citizen.

Nice.

I like the water effect.  I suppose Arriana is on the swim team.

This one is simpler.

A more straightforward space, no?  But I like it.  As I said in my first post about this, these seniors are expressing their personalities.

I see I am not up to 200 words, my usual goal for myself.  So I guess this is not a Wordless Wednesday but a Less Words Wednesday.  That could be a new category for Mohawk Valley Girl. Any thoughts?  Oh dear, as I went to add Categories and Tags, I realized:  it should not be Less Words but Fewer Words, which makes it not a play on words of Wordless Wednesday.  That’s no good!  What’s a silly blogger to do?

However, adding that bit of dithering got me over 200 words.  Phew!

 

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More Parking Space Art

Posted on September 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would share a few more pictures or the Herkimer High School Seniors’ parking spaces.  For one reason, I think it’s awesome!

Cheer Captain, pretty impressive.

They could not have done this in my high school, Rome Free Academy in 1981 (yes, QUITE a long time ago).  We had too many seniors and too few parking spaces.  I am constantly enchanted by the small town vibe I get around here.

Very nice.

I feel a little bad that I think this looks like a neck tie when I cannot see the whole thing.

I love the little hand prints.

I am quite interested in the different styles of the different spaces.   If I had a contact at the high school I would talk to the seniors and hear their personal stories about why these pictures are meaningful to them.  I daresay some of them are more meaningful than others.  Perhaps some of the seniors just painted what occurred to them at the moment.  But that is the delightful thing about art.  It means different things to different people.  Some people take every opportunity to express themselves in a meaningful fashion.  Others just make a picture, pretty or fun or otherwise.  I feel all are legitimate as art.

Then again, what do I know?

 

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Yay, Herkimer Seniors!

Posted on September 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday when I was running,  I noticed some painting on Herkimer Junior/Senior High School parking lot.  Naturally I ran by to check it out (full disclosure: I had planned to run through the parking lot anyways to go over the little bridge etc.).  I was charmed.  The seniors have painted their parking spaces.  What a great way to express your personality and celebrate your senior year!

You can’t really see the spider webs in the corners.

I walked back later with my phone to take pictures. Alas, I was not tall enough to get the full picture, but I did my best.  There were 25 of them.  I will not share all 25 at once, just to spread the joy.  Also because I rarely make very long blog posts.

The light pole made a shadow.

There was a variety of styles and themes, reflecting the diversity of personalities.  You could even call it an art exhibit.

I guess a lot of people would.

I will probably run or walk by these spaces every Sunday, the only day they are not likely to be parked on.  I applaud whoever thought of the idea, and I congratulate the seniors on their execution.  I hope they are having a wonderful senior year.

 

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Late Post, Even Later Pictures

Posted on September 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, the Mohawk Valley wasn’t lame yesterday, but I pretty much was.  I was afraid the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival would be too much of a crowd scene, so I stayed close to home.  I did a little yard word and discovered I have another Rose of Sharon growing some distance from the original bush, and it has a few blooms on it!  I meant to take a picture for inclusion here but, alas, forgot.  I could do it now, but the sun isn’t up yet.

The crown scene in 2018.

As for cleaning the house, I made very little progress.  I managed to write my usual Saturday post cards and walked them to the post office.

A regular stop for me.

Yes, the only picture I could find in my Media Library of Herkimer’s post office was in the wintertime, January 2019 to be exact, and it took me long enough to find that.  Anyways, after the post office I kept walking.  For one reason, I had not gone running (will I go running today?  Good question).  For another, I was low on cash, and Cliff’s Local Market (might as well give them a shout-out too; they are locally owned) has an AmeriCU ATM.  From there it was little trouble to cross the street and enjoy another tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor.  They usually have them from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Full disclosure: this is not what I tasted yesterday.

This is another photo from a previous event, but at least it is more recent than my previous pictures.  Additionally, it give me a chance to give another shout-out to one of my favorite local businesses, DikinDurt Distillery.

I guess this turned out to be a less lame blog post than I expected (or do I flatter myself?).  And I feel I should appreciate whatever I manage to get done these days.  Will I have any bloggable Mohawk Valley Adventures today?  Hard to say.  It is, after all, Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  But I do hope to make a blog post, and I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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A Few Saturday Shout-outs

Posted on September 7, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

In my Scattered Saturday tradition, I will give a few shout-outs to some local businesses I visited recently.  I hope to do more detailed posts about each, but for now, this will have to do.

Fooey! You can’t read the sign!

A new business on Main Street in Herkimer is Petzotics.  they have birds, lizards and other exotic pets.  Also they bring their pets to birthday parties, so the guests can meet them.  Could that be an idea for my birthday party?  Friends, family, what do you think?

I hope not too secret of a hideout!

Godfather’s Hideout, on Protection Avenue in Herkimer, has been open for take-out for a while now and now has a dining room.  I recently went there for a dish of spaghetti, and YUM!  I also had a glass of red wine that was quite tasty.  It’s OK; I was walking.

He could have joined me for dinner.

I have made several posts about Yetty’s, on Mohawk Street in Herkimer, but none recently.  I was there for dinner last night and got garlic pizza.  I am enjoying the leftovers today.  As I left, a little boy was pointing at this lovely fellow looking over the railing.  I never saw him before. Of course I stopped to take a picture.

So, yes, I am trying to get out and about more.  If I can start writing about it more, I will be a pig in shit.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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A Little Local Music for Me

Posted on August 26, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Earlier tonight I made a short top at the Herkimer Downtown Chowdown, the weekly food truck festival in Meyers Park, to hear a little bit of K.O. Grainger.  It could only be a short stop, since I had to attend the Ilion Village Board meeting, but it was worth it.  For one reason, I got a hot dog from The Corner Office.  Yum!

They rock!

 

I first heard Matt Grainger playing acoustic guitar at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort (you may have seen a couple of my blog posts mentioning him).  K.O. Grainger is a two-man band with him and his brother, and they are awesome!

A closer view.

I sat at a picnic table and ate my hot dog, tapping my feet. I had to get up and dance to one song.  Nobody joined me, but at the Chowdown, people don’t judge (that I can see).  The audience was enjoying the tunes, clapping and singing along.

There are not many weeks left of the Downtown Chowdown, which runs Mondays in Meyers Park, starting at 4 p.m.  According to their Facebook page, September 1 and 8 are the last two this year.  If you like food truck food and live music, I suggest you check it out!

 

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It’s My Parasol

Posted on August 24, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Is anybody surprised I did it again?  I posted yesterday for the day before, and here I am today posting for yesterday.  These things happen, especially to me.  Right now my only question is was it the right morning to substitute tea for coffee?  I’m on my second cup.

Yesterday I could not make up my mind what to do.  I wrote a letter to an aunt, finished a letter to a friend, and wrote my regular Saturday post cards.  The post cards I sent were of different states; my friend Kim sent me a set of 50 from the thrift store she works at.  I wrote on one, “I am in a state of indecision.”  Eventually I decided to walk to the post office.  It was quite sunny, so I took an umbrella.  I have found that an umbrella makes a nice little bit of portable shade.

As I walked, I thought of things I could say to people who remarked on my umbrella:  “It’s my parasol.”  “I am protecting my dewy completion from the sun’s ravages.”  Nobody said anything.  After mailing the letters, I decided to walk to Mohawk Antiques Mall.  For one reason, it was Customer Appreciation Day and they were serving hot dogs.  Also, it is a very fun place to walk around, as there are lots of vendors.

One thing they definitely have is post cards!

I was so glad I went!  I found three packs of 40 different post cards each for a very good price.  I enjoyed a nice burnt hot dog, too, while listening to a lady play old tunes on the piano.  I did not spend much time walking all around, though, because I found the post cards right away.

Back out on the sidewalk, it was even warmer.  The wind made it more comfortable but wasn’t so good with the umbrella.  I have not spent a great deal of time out in the sun this summer, and yesterday I was reminded why.  I start to feel a little ill.  Additionally, I had neglected to put on good sneakers, and the walk to the Antiques Mall was lengthier than I had realized.

Still, a walk is a walk.  I enjoyed looking at houses I passed and the canal as I walked over the bridge.  I went by a friend’s house and petted his dog (I didn’t know he lived there; he just happened to be sitting on the front porch with his dog at the time).  I felt rather tired at the end, and my feet hurt.  I fear I do not treat them very well.  I neglect my blog, I neglect my feet, what a bum!

In the meantime, I have gotten to over 450 words.  Will I make a Sunday post on Sunday?  My hopes are not high.

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A Little Stop at a Little Shop

Posted on August 21, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week as I walked around Herkimer, NY, I stopped in at A Little Touch of Country on South Washington Street.  It is a lovely little gift shop.  Unfortunately, I rarely have a need to give gifts, and I have far more decor than my house needs.  However, I had read a lovely Facebook post the owner had made about helping a local customer select a gift, and it made me want to stop in.

Lots of things to look at!

Naturally I took a few pictures for a blog post.  I also enjoyed a nice chat with the owner.  That is the beauty of these small, local shops.  You get a real hometown feel.

I liked the tins, but I have far too many tins already!

I admit, I purchased a small decoration for myself.  I will not share a picture of it, in case I decide to give it to someone as a gift in the near future (sometimes you have to invent occasions to give gifts).

A reminder to us all!

I enjoyed my little stop, and I am happy to recommend this little shop to all.

A Touch of Country is located at 334-348 S. Washington St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-219-5650.  And don’t forget to follow her on Facebook for lovely pictures and sweet stories!

 

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Love That DikinDurt!

Posted on August 17, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I used to make it to all the tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  It was a great way to start and to continue the weekend.  These days I am not so consistent, but when a great local producer like DikinDurt Distillery is tasting, I am there!

I arrived early and stood chatting with the guys behind the counter, hastening to get out of the way when I noticed someone wanted to make a purchase.  This is my problem with living alone:  I go all day with only myself to talk to.  This is not easy for an incurably social person such as myself.  I went on to some good conversation with Kayla, who was pouring.

She was really nice.

For hard liquor they are allowed to give you three regular tastes or six itty bitty tastes.  I went for three regular tastes, starting with the bourbon.  I have never been fond of bourbon, but lately at tastings, I have found a few I liked.  I really liked the DikinDurt stuff.  I suppose my tastes are changing in my old age.  That should keep things interesting.  I went on  to the Toasted Maple Moonshine, which I have previously liked quite a bit.  This time it tasted sweet to me.  Kayla pointed out that it doesn’t taste so sweet after the berry-infused flavors.  Quite true, of course.

I ended with Mohawk Valley Fire, and my tasting note is, “Oh yeah!”  I am constantly recommending this to people drinking Fireball.  Kayla recommended mixing it with apple cider and a splash of apple juice for an Apple Pie drink.  I know some people who would love something like that.  For myself, I will probably use it to flavor some iced coffee one afternoon.  I love a glass of iced coffee on a summer afternoon!

Kayla also suggested I visit DikinDurt’s tasting room in Newport, which is open Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 9 p.m..  I have been meaning to do this, especially as there are a few other places in Newport that are worth a stop.  I just do so little adventuring on my own these days.  Perhaps it is time to change that.

 

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A Run to the Moon?

Posted on August 10, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oops, I missed posting on Saturday (yes, I am back to calling attention to my deficiencies).  I went for a run this morning, though, so how about a Running Commentary Post.  I don’t know if I ran by anything I have pictures of in my Media Library, but I may throw in a few random shots to pep the post up.  We shall see.

I seem to remember making a post about a run I took after a two week hiatus (that’s a fun word to say; try it!) (too lazy to go back and check, as usual).  Then I went two days without running.  At least I walked.  I was determined to run this morning. After a reheated cup of coffee (waste not want not), I suited up and set off.

The temperature was nice, the humidity was not bad.  I thought to turn right at German Street but noticed the full moon which I had not seen last night.  I love the full moon!  I turned left and ran towards it.

Not the same full moon.

It was lighter out when I ran this morning.  I look forward to starting my runs in the dark and finishing them in full daylight.  I do not rise early enough for such shenanigans these days, but Mother Nature will catch up with me eventually.

I went up one minor hill on Maple Grove and went on to the residential area behind Valley Health, which I refer to in my head as The Suburbs.  I was figuring in my head how long I wanted to run and how I would increase my times to be ready for the East Herkimer Fire Department 5K in October.  I think I will be in pretty good shape (remembering that round and puffy is still a shape).

Running felt pretty darn good.  I had to remind myself not to get too ambitious and overdo.  I pointed out metaphors for life as I ran:  you notice and lament a 10% uphill but barely feel the same percent going down.  Also, a hill looks less intimidating the closer you get to it.  At least it did today.

One weird thing:  as I ran by a sewer grate, I thought I felt a little warmth emanating from it.  Tim Curry?  He was smoking hot in some of his movie roles!  For readers who did not get the reference, Tim Curry was a clown in the sewer in an adaptation of a Stephen King novel.  Or was it a novella or short story?  How embarrassing that I do not know (I even had to check to make sure he spells his name with a “ph”).

I plan to start running more often again so may be inflicting more running commentary posts on my readers.  As always, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

 

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