Tag Archives: Ilion Little Theatre

Memories in Costume to Cheer Me Up

Posted on July 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel sorry that all I am up to today is a Throwback Thursday blog post.  I am just not feeling well, and am feeling sort of down in addition to my ever decreasing brainpower.  Can I do something to cheer myself up? Possibly. In fact, making my blog post has been known to cheer me up.  I can only hope it has a similar or other positive effect on my readers.

A fine looking pair!

I looked in July 2017 in my Media Library and found this backstage shot from The Tempest, performed by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  I dreamed about Shakespeare last night, more than once.  When I woke up from the last one, I was still dreaming and I was running around saying, “I dreamed three times about Shakespeare!  We have got to make it happen!”  As if it was that easy.  Dream on, me!

I’m such a ham!

I can’t help but include a silly picture of me.  This is from July 2018, when Ilion Little Theatre participated in Ilion’s DooDah Parade.  They allowed me to ride on the truck.  One or two years I walked with everybody else, then I became a diva and insisted on riding.  They graciously allowed me to do so.  Oh the irony!  I was well capable of walking two miles at the time.  Now it is painful to go two blocks.  Well, one never knows what the future will bring.

Who could these sweet ladies harm?

I was looking for something more colorful and cheerful, but I had to use this shot of me and my friend Kim, portraying the ghosts of two murderesses for a haunted tour of the Herkimer 1834 Jail.  I believe there were actual ghost hunters there, along with a historian or two.  There may have been actual ghosts, but I did not encounter any. In fact, it was wickedly hot in the jail, especially in our period costumes, and I was unable to stay the entire evening.  But that is a tale for another post.

This post, I see, is over 300 words.  Not bad for a blogger who feels she does not have a functioning brain.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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The DooDah Did Me In!

Posted on July 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been lounged on my couch doing not much of anything today and remembered I did not make a blog post yet.  I went to the DooDah Parade in Ilion, NY and had a fine time.  Alas, I lack stamina and resiliency, but let us not dwell on my petty problems, let us talk about the parade.  For anybody just tuning in, it is one of the grand events of a week of Ilion Days Festivities.

Yay! Ilion Little Theatre!

As I walked around talking to people and taking pictures, I was delighted to see some of my friends from Ilion Little Theatre.  I think I mentioned in a previous post that the club had not participated in recent years, so I was happy to see them back.  They even invited me to ride on the float with them.  In fact, I had a few offers.

I loved it!

I foolishly did not make a note of whose this float was, but I complimented the man driving the pick-up truck towing it.  I told him about the yard in Potsdam that has a large number of toilets planted with real flowers.  I saw it once in person, but unfortunately only in passing.  Perhaps a road trip up North is indicated.

He was a friendly guy!

You can’t really see his cape in this picture.  He told me he was a combination of Superman and Wonder Woman.  It just goes to show you, anything goes at the DooDah Parade!

I’m afraid I spent too much time walking up and down, chatting and having a good time.  My back, knee, and hip are not thanking me for it today.  I wonder if I should change the name of my blog to Mohawk Valley Old Lady.  Hmmm… doesn’t have a ring to it.

 

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Do I DooDah?

Posted on July 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

That title occurred to me as I sat here on my Chromebook contemplating my day and wondering if I would get anything of substance done (spoiler alert: I probably won’t).  One problem is I have to recruit my energies for the DooDah Parade, a highlight of Ilion Days this evening.  I must cover it for the Daily Sentinel.  At least, I never heard back from my editor that she wanted me to cover it, but I covered it last year, so I thought I would submit something.  At least it will make a good blog post and be something for me to do on a Friday other than watch Dateline or Columbo and wish it was not too hot to knit.

I personally am on the Boomer cusp.

This is a picture from last year.  I walked all around the floats and marchers as they waited for the parade to start, chatting up lots of people and looking for Joe White, who is the main mover and shaker behind the parade.  I never found him, but one of the American Legions let me ride along on their float.  It was great fun.

I am back left, with my arm raised, looking a little like the Statue of Liberty.

This is from 2019, when Ilion Little Theatre used to participate in the DooDah.  They had a circus theme that year.  I just draped a few of my lighter shawls around me and put on my tiara, which long-time readers know I wear at any excuse.  I don’t remember what I purported to be, but I feel I looked fabulous.  This year the theme is, not surprisingly, Happy Birthday, America.  I feel I should dress appropriately, although I must remember the weather will be warm, not to say hot.

I keep saying I’m going to join them.

I thought I’d close with another shot from last year.  These are the Happy Hags, a delightful dance troupe that makes many local appearances.  I think they are wonderful.  If my arthritis or whatever it is permits, I may yet join them.  They are very nice.

So I guess I have talked myself into going to the DooDah Parade.  I must figure out what to wear (my Uncle Sam or George Washington costume?), where to park (I know a good spot close to the end but not too far to walk to the beginning), where to go afterwards (there is a good band playing at Ilion Elks Lodge) (preview of coming attractions) etc.  I said in my email to my editor that she might prefer to send a more talented photographer, so I see someone else there from the Sentinel, that will be fine.  I will use my photos for the blog.  As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

 

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I’m Idle on the Ides

Posted on July 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Beware the Ides of July!  Perhaps you thought the Ides were only in March.  A doctor I used to work with said it was the Ides the 15th of every month.  This was the same doctor that once made a smarter-than-thou remark and I told him not to be didactic.  He said he didn’t know what that meant.  I told him it meant the same thing as pedantic, and he got mad.  I like to tell that story.  But I digress.

Today on Facebook, I posted that it was the Ides of July, which must be why I was having a bad day already.  It is a weird day, because the wildfires in Canada are affecting the air quality here.  It is as dark as a very cloudy day in my house, but when I look outside, everything looks yellow.  I find it creepy.  I KNOW, Canada has it much worse, I feel terrible for them!  Anyways, a couple of friends commented that they hoped my day got better and I realized I was probably the only one who could make my day better for me (a fairly daunting thought).

Accordingly, I took a soapy shower (I found some moisturizing body wash and one of those plastic spongy things). I put on one of my fancy caftans and the fancy shoes I later found to go with it.  Naturally I took a picture.

Don’t you just love the pompoms?

I might have looked more elegant with my ankles crossed, but with my left foot perpetually asleep, I felt it better not to.  Long-time readers may remember those shoes as the ones I wore to get strangled in in Prescription: Murder at Ilion Little Theatre about a year and a half ago.  Everybody loved those shoes then.

He looks upset, but he was really glad I was dead.

Maybe I can also bill this post as a Wayback Wednesday now.  Anyways, I also took a selfie, so readers could see my fancy caftan.  Maybe I should get one of them there selfie sticks, so I can really give the picture.

I try to look cute.

I guess I have cheered myself up some.  I feel cool and elegant in my caftan.  Maybe I’ll pour some ice water into a fancy glass and sip it slowly.  At any rate, at least I’ve made a blog post.  I hope the air outside is better, so I can have some Mohawk Valley Adventures tomorrow.

 

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I Don’t Feel So Good

Posted on July 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m afraid today is going to be a Blogger’s Sick Day.  I may get to 200 words and bill it as a Tired Tuesday, but we shall see.  I have one of my light-headed migraines and it is doing me in.  It came upon me last night during the Herkimer Town Board meeting, but I managed to make it through the meeting, taking notes and paying pretty good attention.  Really, my light-headed migraines are not as bad as the painful migraines I used to get, and I know other people suffer way worse ones than that, so I must count my blessings.  That said, I am not my peppy, chatty self.  Is my usual self peppy and chatty?  Discuss amongst yourselves while I look in my Media Library for a picture to pep things up.

“I don’t always wear pumpkin pants, but when I do, it’s in a Shakespeare play.”

I have not shared this picture in a while.  It is my friend Tucker, posing as the Most Interesting Man in the World backstage at a performance of The Tempest by LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company in 2017.  I miss summer Shakespeare, although I would not have been able to participate this year, alas.

Am I casting a spell or conducting?

Just to share another picture, here I am in July of 2018, participating in the DooDah Parade during Ilion Days with Ilion Little Theatre (ILT).  ILT has not participated in the parade in a while, which I believe I have mentioned.  I rode in the parade last year, covering it for the Daily Sentinel.  I do not know when it is this year.  I think soon, and I am about to miss it.  Oh dear.  I guess I am having more than a sick day.

 

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Not Just Monsters: Parades and Players!

Posted on July 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Well, I did a few posts on Mohawk Valley Adventures, and now I am back to doing a Tired Tuesday post.  In my defense, do I really need to defend myself?  I am just keeping my spirits up as best as I can while attempting to be at least marginally entertaining in my daily blog.  Let us see what I can come up with for today.

“Now this won’t hurt a bit. Of course I am a colossal liar.”

I don’t know who the two women are, but the man is a young Christopher Lee in Horror Hotel, also known as City of the Dead. Both titles are misnomers, though, because it involves an inn in a village, but it is a pretty entertaining creepy movie.  I have not seen a creepy movie in a while.  I unhooked my DVD player in hopes of getting it worked on, but the place in town that works on these things seems to be out of business, alas.

Any excuse to wear my tiara!

I did not want to make this post all about monsters, so I throw in this from a few years ago.  I am all set to participate in the DooDah Parade with Ilion Little Theatre (ILT),  part of the Ilion Days festivities.  ILT has not participated these last few years, which I find sad, but groups need people to take charge and get these things organized.  My friend Kim was a mover and shaker in days past, but she, alas, moved away. I myself am not much of a mover or shaker currently.  Perhaps that will change, but not in time for this year’s DooDah Parade, I’m afraid.

Another tiara shot!

And speaking of things I’m not up to this year, here is a shot from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the show I was in with Players of Utica last year.  Will I ever be on the stage again?  One can hope!  In the meantime, at least I made another blog post.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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An Excellent Dinner

Posted on June 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I was hungry as well as wanting to get out of the house, so I went to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer, NY.  I was not disappointed!

One of my go-to places!

It was right around four when I got there, so I had my choice of places to sit.  I ordered broiled haddock with a side of pasta, then got an antipasto salad to take with me, thus ensuring a few meals in the coming days.  I also took some of the fish and pasta home, so I am set!

My waitress was one of my fellow actresses from Ilion Little Theatre, so that was nice.  We were able to enjoy a little chat, although more diners arrived after me, so she was a little busy.  I really miss my theatre friends.  I must make my way back to ILT soon.  I think I saw something about auditions in the coming weeks.  I wonder if there are any parts for actors on crutches (preview of coming events).

As I ate, I enjoyed the music: classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s.  Yes, they are “oldies” now, but so am I.  I embrace it.  I only wish my body had waited till after the Boilermaker 15K to give out as it has, but let me not hark back to my foolish problems.

Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  They do a booming take-out business as well as offering a full-service sit-down dining experience.

 

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Not Too Tired to Jump Around

Posted on April 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’m afraid today is going to be a Tired Tuesday post.  My over-60 body has betrayed me yet again (oh, shut up all you over-70 and over-80 bodies; I KNOW you are older and I have something to look forward to!).  I still have a few pictures of Mohawk Valley Adventures to blog about, but my cell phone is across the room charging, and I cannot possibly go over there and upload pictures to my Media Library.  How lame does that sound?  Am I sure it is not Lame Post Friday?  And so I laugh at myself.

Where I may be soon.

I thought a picture of me supine behind a chaise lounge with only a sweet pair of mules sticking out would be a good depiction of how I feel this afternoon.  However, that guilty-looking guy moving the suitcase out is less appropriate.  Nobody has just strangled me is what I am saying.  I swoon from my own lack of oomph.  Regular readers may recognize that as a rehearsal shot from Prescription: Murder at Ilion Little Theatre last year.

Good place to get jewelry.

Here is a Preview of Coming Attractions. I missed it, but today was the Grand Re-Opening of Weisser’s Jewelers.  The picture shows the location where they have been since the building next to theirs met with an unfortunate end.  They are finally able to move back into their original location.  I must go there and purchase some jewelry.  I do not especially need any new jewelry, but the beauty part of jewelry is that it is small.  I do not have to search for space in my messy house for it.

So this is my blog post. I guess it jumped around a little. Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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More Memories, This Time Theatre

Posted on February 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I want to do a Throwback Thursday Post today, specifically a Theatre Throwback Thursday Post, because I realized that with the pictures I shared of my late, dearly missed husband Steve, I did not share any of our joint theatrical endeavors.  Theatre was something we both loved and loved to do together.  Steven was a great actor and director.  We helped start the Seaway Valley Footlighters in Massena, NY back in the 1990s.  About that time we started the company Murder for Hire, which did interactive murder mysteries at area restaurants and clubs. We didn’t make a lot of money, but we had a great deal of fun.

After a dry spell (long story,not very interesting), we relocated to Herkimer and found Ilion Little Theatre in the 2000s.  A little later, I started again writing murder mysteries, which I now only do for free and to benefit not for profits.  Well, this is turning into a long story.  Quick, throw in a picture.  I hope I can find something in my Media Library.

It was our “big scene,” as Steven called it.

Here we are in Harvey in, I believe 2012.  Steve is Dr. Cbumley, I am Veda.  It is one of my favorite theatre memories, and this is one of my favorite pictures of the two of us.

I set him straight in this scene.

This is our scene from Splitting Issues, which was a series of sketches about relationships.  There was a large cast and, I think, three directors.   I went with Steven to auditions, not intending to audition myself.  However, I agreed to read with him.  We read this scene, and I was later told that when the directors discussed who should play which part, all were agreed that Steve and I had to do this sketch.  It was very flattering, and it I think we did a pretty good job.

A suspicious bunch, indeed!

I close with a picture from a murder mystery, Rubbed Out at Ruby’s, which LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company performed at the Overlook when it was a bed and breakfast.  I do love a 1920s theme, and have been trying to write another one ever since.

Steven kind of participated in Prescription: Murder, the play I was in last year about this time (perhaps you read a few of my blog posts about it).  I loaned his wedding ring to a fellow cast member.  I think Steve would have liked that.  Anyways I liked it.  I hope to make some more theatre memories soon (preview of coming attractions).  In the meantime, I guess I got kind of long-winded (for my blog posts), but you’ll have that.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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The Evil Pork Loin

Posted on January 25, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought of that title when I purchased a pork loin at the local grocery store for $6.66.  I mentioned to a worker who was stocking the meat case that I did not know how to cook a pork loin.  Then I saw instructions on the package.

“I am hooked up,” I declared.

I could not resist the price.

When Saturday was predicted to be one of the coldest days, I thought it would be an excellent day to run the oven.  That would be my Saturday blog post!

Of course it wasn’t.  I cooked with wine and went to bed early, having enjoyed a couple delicious slices of pork loin. It is now Sunday, and I am thinking that my cooking a pork loin, even an evil one, is hardly a blogworthy activity.  So now I am having a Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  It seems everyplace is closed in anticipation of the terrible storm we are supposed to be getting.  What can I do but sit home, watch Columbo, and eat leftover pork loin?

Not the Columbo I am watching, but a good one!

While searching my Media Library for a picture of Columbo, I came across some pictures of Prescription: Murder, the play I was in last year at Ilion Little Theatre. It was a great experience.  I need to audition for another play.  And organize another murder mystery.

A great group of people!

I close with a shot of the cast with the director and assistant director.  I would love to work with any or all of these people again.  So I end my Wrist to Forehead Sunday post on a positive note, perhaps a Preview of Coming Attractions.

Have you eaten any pork loin lately?

 

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