Tag Archives: herkimer ny

Diamond Days are Under Way!

I just got back from checking out day one of the Herkimer Diamond Days Street Festival, and thought I would make a quick post plugging the event.

Can you read it? My Tablet would not let me zoom in.

My husband Steven and I went down to the End Zone Pub and Grub, because I wanted a cup of the Gem Juice which I so enjoyed during previous Diamond Days.

We were sitting at the table on the right for a while.

We had a couple of drinks and got some food from a food truck.  The food trucks vended from 5 to 7 p.m.  Live music began at 8 p.m. with Jenny & The Buckshot 5.  We were not there that long, unfortunately.

Where the music was going to play.

One view of the vendors.

Our view as we walked back to our car.

Diamond Days continue on Saturday Aug. 3 with food and street vendors, a dunk tank,  performances and more.  Most events take place on North Main Street.  One exception is the Herkimer Elks Lodge Car Show in Meyer’s Park.  Herkimer County Historical Society will hold their book sale and the History Mystery further up N. Main Street.  Additionally, tours of the 1834 Jail will be offered.

For more information,  you can visit the website http://www.HerkimerBPA.com or the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/herkimerspoppin/.

 

Me and the History Mystery

I had a great time today at one of my favorite places,  Herkimer County Historical Society.   I was there with my husband Steven,  sister Cheryl, niece Kimi, great nephew Sheppie and great niece Evie.  We were helping Sheppie solve the History Mystery.

Sheppie was given a pencil (he picked a green one, my favorite color!), clipboard and paper.  He had to look at various displays and answer questions.  We helped him write the answers, either by spelling the word while he wrote it or writing it in for him.  It took a while, because we were having fun looking at all the displays, not just the ones that held the answers.

Cheryl, Evie and Sheppie admire a Remington typewriter.

We explained to Sheppie what a typewriter was.  I’ll have to haul one of my collection out for him to play with one day.

Cheryl helping Sheppie spell an answer.

I had to get a shot with a smile!

Evie and her Aunt Kim.

The mystery took us upstairs.   I always stop and admire the woodwork, but Sheppie was more interested in getting up those stairs and finding more answers.

Sheppie trucked up those stairs!

Evie peeked through the banister at me.

We admired the displays in the hall before spending some time in the dollhouse room.

We were all impressed with the big wheeled bike.

Uncle Steve and Kim.

We all loved the dollhouse room.

I was delighted to introduce Sheppie, Evie and Kim to the historic society.  Cheryl and of course Steven have been there with me before.  What a wonderful source of education and entertainment!  If you have never delved into local history,  I highly recommend you make a visit to your nearest historical society.

Herkimer County Historical Society is located at 400 and 406 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-6413.  They are open 10 a.m. to  4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

Picture-filled Pedestrian Post

I finished a letter to my sister, Diane, and thought I would take a walk to the post office with it.  For one reason, I neither ran nor walked this morning and I need the exercise.  For another reason, I could take my Tablet with me and take pictures for a Pedestrian Post.

I actually started out with some trepidation.   After all, I have walked this way many, many times, at least a few with my Tablet.   Could I find anything new to take a picture of?  I decided to trust my luck and set out.

The plant that ate Bellinger Street?

I have been noticing these prickly bushes taking over what used to be a nice front yard garden.  I’m not sure if anybody currently lives in the house, but if anyone moves in, I hope they have clippers!

I think a professional company does the flowers.

I decided to take a picture of Saint Francis, in front of the church of that name.  He is a little backlit, but we can just pretend that’s his halo.  I continued on through Meyer’s Park.

You can’t see the school seals, but you can read the poem.

As I walked across the park to take a picture of the 9/11 Memorial Garden, I noticed this bench I had never seen, donated by Herkimer High School Class of 1959.

Another shot that didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped.

And here is the Memorial Garden.  You can’t read it, but the bench says what it is.

I don’t think I have shared a picture of this before, but no promises.

After mailing my letter, I decided to get a shot of the Methodist Church across the street. Then I thought I would stroll over to Washington Street and take a picture of the old Lorraine Billings School. I found a couple other photo ops first.

I hope to write more about this place eventually.

This was the Baptist Church but is now the future home of the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer.

Pretty flowers.

Next I turned around and took a picture of some Queen Anne’s Lace I had noticed.  I have some of that in my lawn, but not as many blooms.  When I was a kid we used to pick it and put it in water with food coloring.

When it was for sale, they advertised it as a “Brick Bonanza.”

I’ve always been rather fascinated with this building.  I do not know who currently owns it or what might eventually happen to it.

Good subs, among other tjings.

Just to throw in a plug for a local business,  I took a shot of Carney’s Corners.  We often get take-out or delivery from them (but for beer, I go to Beer Belly Bob’s in Ilion).

I’ve been here many times.

I decided to turn down Mary Street and take a picture of the Elks Lodge.  I have performed there with LiFT, the Little Falls Theatre Company,  in Shakespeare plays and murder mysteries.  I wonder if they’ll have us back soon.

The DMV is here.

Continuing up the street, I got a picture of the county office building.  Next was Christ Episcopal Church.   I know I have taken pictures of that, so I took one of the sign and surrounding flowers.

The Episcopal church is very welcoming.

Turning up Main Street, I soon found myself at my beloved Herkimer Historic Four Corners.  Rather than photographing the buildings, which I know I have done, I took a picture of the historic marker in front of the 1834 Jail, again including some flowers.

Again, you probably can’t read it, but I’ve written about the jail and will no doubt do so again.

After that, I headed for home, ignoring any further photo ops.  I was afraid my post would be too long, and I see it is beyond my usual length.  Thank you to whoever has stayed with me till the end!

 

Another Yummy Meal

I continue my posts about last Saturday’s Mohawk Valley Adventures with yet another shout-out to one of my favorite local spots, Salvatore’s in Herkimer, NY.

After leaving Little Falls after the Cheese Festival,  Steven, Kim and I were feeling peckish.  Salvatore’s sounded good.  As we walked in we saw our friend Thom, who played The Man With The Music in Where’s the Cheese Monger?, the Cheese play I referenced in yesterday’s post.  Of course we all sat together.

My dining companions.

Thom had a slice of pizza and a beer.  I had a chicken wrap sandwich with pasta salad.   Steven had a fish sandwich with fries.  I completely do not remember what Kim had, but she drank Moscato while Steven and I enjoyed Chardonnay.

As we sat there, Thom said something to Salvatore behind the corner.

“Are you THE Salvatore?”  I asked.  I had never met him.  Naturally I wanted to take a picture.

The man responsible for many great meals!

We had a fun time as always.  I know I have given many shout-out to Salvatore’s.   At least it makes a change from whining about how I can’t make a blog post today!

Salvatore’s is located at 650 1/2 West German Street,  Herkimer NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  They are open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Walk to a Watering Hole on Wuss out Wednesday

Today’s post will be part Wuss-out Wednesday part shout-out to a local business,  It has been such a sticky-icky day there was not much I could do.  Earlier I went to Salvation Armani, as it is sometimes called, and found a couple pieces for my costume for Mummer’s Along the Mohawk.  Sometime later, I walked downtown, and that will form the basis of my blog post.

I planned to cash in a couple lottery tickets, mail a letter, and have a drink at a local watering hole.  I did not take many pictures along the way.

It doesn’t look like much right now, but…

 

I took a picture of the space where Glory Days used to be, because I noticed the bushes growing.  I thought it might be nice to document how they looked before they took over the whole space.

I continued my walk,  taking no further pictures before I arrived at one of my favorite watering holes, the End Zone Pub and Grub.  I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of wine.  Eventually my husband  Steven joined me.

We had the place to ourselves for a while.

We had to wait a while for the kitchen to start cooking,  but that was OK.  We spent some of the time chatting with the owner, Brock.

Two handsome men.

Eventually we had cheeseburgers which were yummy.   We enjoyed our time at the End Zone Pub and Grub,  and now we are home.  Happy Wednesday,  everyone!

 

Diamond Days Are Coming!

I just got back from a meeting with the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer about the Herkimer Diamond Days Festival Aug. 2 and 3, 2019.  I may be a volunteer.

All kinds of events are planned, most of which take place on North Main Street in Herkimer, NY.  There will be food trucks, vendors and live music. Events run from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and from, 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday.

The festival will feature lots of entertainment.  Jenny & The Buckshots play from 8 p.m. to midnight on Friday.  On Saturday, Scott Raymond is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lauren Quail from 3 to 5 p.m., and The Dead Bolts from 8 p.m, to midnight.  Additionally, the Happy Haggs and the Dance Center will perform.  Other groups may yet be added (maybe a group I am involved with, but no promises).

Further up Main Street the Herkimer County Historical Society will offer tours of the museum and a book sale in the Eckler House.  The 1834 Herkimer County Jail will also offer tours.  In Meyer’s Park, just two blocks from Main Street,  the Herkimer Elms Lodge will host their annual car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

I am still wondering how I can volunteer, and deciding which attractions I want most to enjoy.  If any of my local readers want to get involved, as a volunteer, vendor or entertainer, you can contact the Business and Professional Association of Herkimer at www.HerkimerBPA.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/herkimerspoppin/

 

A Run Worthy of a Post

Rather than my usual Tired Tuesday post,  I thought I would attempt a Running Commentary.   For one reason, I ran up the hill to Herkimer College, an accomplishment which deserves a blog post, I think.

As usual these days, I woke up NOT wanting to run at all.  I always have all kinds of good reasons: I ran yesterday, I should recruit my energies for something else, I don’t NEED to run the Falling Leaves 14K in September… etc., etc.  I usually change my mind after a cup of coffee.  Let’s hear it for caffeine!   Also in favor of running was the weather: it was not raining,  which it is supposed to do soon and for the next several days.

I set off with high hopes.  I have been thinking that longer runs were in order, and a run up a challenging hill would be an excellent idea.  Additionally,  I could post to Facebook that I had run up to HCCC, and my Facebook friends would feel impressed.  Accordingly,  I crossed to the far sidewalk on German Street and turned left.

A young man was walking a block, maybe a block and a half ahead of me.  I wondered how long it would take me to catch up to him.  It seemed to take a while.  It was actually about three blocks.  Is that a lot?  I suppose some of you could have done it in one. I am all admiration, I assure you.  The young man heard me huffing and puffing behind him as I approached.

“Good morning,” I said.  He returned the greeting as he moved over to give me room.  “You know how long it took me to catch up with you?” I added as I ran past him. “That’s how slow I run!”

” Have a good day,”  he said, turning up the next street.

“You too!” I called, running on.

The run had felt pretty good up till then.  The temperature was nice, my body was not complaining.  Then I started up the hill.  It wasn’t long before I started to feel like I Could… Not… Make… It…  I knew this was not the case.  I knew I could and would make it.  But I only knew this intellectually and logically.   I sure wasn’t feeling it!

I reminded myself of the first time I had run the hill.  I had thought I would run up till I had been running for 15 minutes (starting from when I left my house), then I would turn around and go down.  I had the idea that eventually I would make it all the way up.  Well, by the time I got to 15 minutes,  I was too close to the top to quit. So there, keep going,  I told myself

At one point I tried the trick of looking back at how far I had come.  This works best if you do it after you are halfway up, which I knew I was.  Yes, I had come far, but looking back down gave me a little vertigo.  Yikes!  At last I was all the way up and ready to go back down.

As I ran toward the back road down, I realized I had run by a Do Not Enter sign, where there was one of those triangles at a wide T intersection.   I ran back and ran by it, entering where it said not to.  It added a little more distance to my run and solidified my rebel cred.  Yes, yes, I know, by the rule Left Side Facing Traffic I should have been running there. It amuses me to enter where the sign says not to and pretend I’m a rebel.  I have to get my laughs where I can.

After running down the hill, I backtracked to Lou Ambers Drive and got a quick drink at the spring.  Then I continued on home for a 42 minute run.  I did not immediately go on my cool-down walk but opened the garage and hauled out the non-power mower.  I spent a good 20 minutes huffing and puffing behind that, once again taking advantage of the time before the rain.

Eventually I got to my cool-down walk.  Phew!  I felt that I had gotten a work out.  I think I’ll be up for the Falling Leaves run in September!

 

So Scattered I Slacked

I had a fun filled Saturday.  Late in the day, I realized I had yet to make my blog post.  Now here I am, on Sunday morning (which may or may not match my WordPress timestamp; I don’t know how to fix these things), another poat behind.  I maintain my hopes of getting caught up.  We shall see.

I did not run Saturday morning, because I had to be in Little Falls by 9:30 and I wanted to be leisurely.   I was leisurely enough to write my post cards but not leisurely enough to walk to the post office with them.  Then I had a last minute crisis and was almost late anyways.

The event bringing me to Little Falls was  Where’s the Cheese Monger? the play by Angela Harris which enlivened the Little Falls Cheese Festival. During these two events, I also visited Meeples Mug House to enjoy a cool beverage.

Returning to Herkimer, I had a great meal and a few laughs with friends at Salvatore’s.  Then it was back home for the movie watching portion of the evening.  We enjoyed Straitjacket and The Lost Boys.  I was in the mood for scary movies.

I think it was in between movies that I remembered my blog post, alas, only briefly.  But here is my Saturday post only a day late.  I fully intend to make my Sunday post TODAY.  Ooh, maybe I could make an unprecedented third post and be on my way to being caught up at last. It could happen.

 

Planning Theatre Fun

I was up to some theatre shenanigans,  or I guess some pre-theatre shenanigans while patronizing a local business this afternoon, so I thought, “This has blog post written all over it! ”  Accordingly, I took a couple of pictures.

The always delightful Phyllis and Jim.

My friends Phyllis, Jim and Kim met at the End Zone Pub and Grub in Herkimer,  NY to discuss the possibility of Jim directing a play with Ilion Little Theatre this fall.  I read the play under consideration this morning, and I gave it my stamp of approval.

I think Kim should be one of the leading ladies.

We had a delightful time, hanging out and chatting.  I asked the bartender for a picture,  for blogging purposes.

The bartenders name is Jenn.

Of course I had to get a picture of my three friends.  Kim once played Jim’s trophy wife in a murder mystery,  and they never got a divorce.

Yes, Jim is quite the ladies’ man.

After I took that shot, I asked Jenn to photobomb.  Does it still count as a photobomb if you ask someone to do it?  I hope so.

You can see how much fun we’re having.

I’ll have more information about the play once plans are finalized, dates are set, etc.  In the meantime,  I wouldn’t mind a few more planning sessions at the End Zone Pub and Grub!

 

Library Looking Good

I went to Basloe Library in Herkimer this morning,  to get on the computer and to check on the status of their renovations.  I brought my Tablet with me to get a few pictures.  Now I am at home on my Tablet, typing in my blog post one letter at a time.  Note to self:  Next time you go to the library, plan ahead, so you can type in your blog post with all ten fingers, as God intended.

Where was I?  Ah yes at the library, admiring the surroundings.

Here’s a cozy looking area.

There were some comfortable chairs in the library before, but the last time I was in there, this space was occupied by the temporary information desk.

I especially like the big windows.

I guess I needed a flash. It is quite a sunny day today.

I like being able to look out a window when I’m writing, which is something I often go to the library to do.  With that in mind, I was really happy to see a couple of well-placed tables.

One of the tables was already in use.

I asked the nice young man if he minded being in the picture for my blog.  I told him to keep doing what he was doing, so it would be like a candid.

I hope to write more about the library renovations,  with more pictures.  In the meantime, this makes a nice change from my usual Monstrous Monday.   And I can share monster pictures later in the week.