Tag Archives: Ilion NY

Late Post, Treasured Memories

Posted on October 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am later than usual on my late post this morning but I am going for a Throwback Thursday so that just means I have to throw a little further back.  Yes, I have trolls and a little more parking lot art to blog about, but I also have a few aches and pains and, oh never mind all my petty problems, let’s just get on with the post.

Who doesn’t love to act in pajamas?

I am in the mood for a theatre throwback, and what better theatre memories than ones including my late, dearly loved husband Steve?  Here we are in the last act of Splitting Issues at Ilion Little Theatre in 2015.   Steve had a little trouble learning his lines, because they included a lot of lists, but he was brilliant in the part.  And we got to kiss at the end.

This was the wallpaper on my dining-room-tabletop till it finally died.

This was what Steve referred to as “our big scene” in Harvey in 2012.  He was Dr. Chumley, I was Veda.

Not exactly a play.

OK, this is a Steven Throwback Thursday moreso than Theatre Throwback.  This is me impersonating the ghost of Roxalana Druse at a fundraiser at Herkimer’s 1834 Jail, with Steve standing by like the supportive husband he always was.

I know I have shared these pictures many times, and I will no doubt share them again.  What can I say? I miss him every day but treasure the memories.  I hope you all had a lovely Thursday.

 

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Intrepidly Tripping Through Tuesday

Posted on September 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I’ve had something of a stressful Tuesday, although that does not have the charm of alliteration.  That is my quite own fault; I am a victim of my own incompetence.  Never mind.  Let me make some semblance of a blog post.

I haven’t used this one in a while.

In fact, I was relieved this morning to wake up and remember that it was Tuesday instead of Monday.  Then I remembered I had yet to write my story about Monday’s Ilion Village Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel.  The meeting had been preceded by a Public Hearing on a proposed moratorium which is rather controversial.  A great number of Ilion residents attended, many of them voicing opinions.  It was a difficult story to write, but I managed it.

The controversy is over use of the former factory, but it is too complicated to cover here, in addition to not being totally fun.

I spent some time driving around Ilion getting pictures to go with the story about the regular board meeting, in which they talked about some abandoned properties they hope to refer to Herkimer County Landbank.  Back home, I attempted a little housework.  Eventually I took a walk.  It was a lovely day for a walk.  I made two stops along the way, to pay my school taxes and deposit a check in the bank (my payment for August stories for the Sentinel, by the way).

Right now I am trying to get my blog post done before I’m off to another meeting to cover for the paper.  This one is an informational meeting about a feasibility study for a road in East Herkimer.  I think it will not be controversial.

I don’t have many good Herkimer pictures in the Media Library.

I really feel like an intrepid girl reporter this week (older readers know what I am talking about: from a 1940s screwball comedy or cheesy horror movie).  I also have a budget hearing in Frankfort to cover on Thursday.  Will I have time for any Mohawk Valley Adventures amidst all this reporting?  Will I have time for more housework?  For the answers to these and other intriguing questions, stay tuned to Mohawk Valley Girl!

 

 

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Community Theatre on Wrist to Forehead Sunday

Posted on September 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I worked box office at Ilion Little Theatre for the last performance of Blithe Spirit, the first production of the 2026-27 season.  I thought I would run into difficulties, since many people are purchasing their tickets online and things are being done through a Tablet.  Yes, I have had a Tablet of my own for some years now, but I am not especially adept at it.

I was at first inclined to say, “I can’t learn it! I won’t learn it! Give me something else to do!”  But then I got over myself and agreed to try, and realized we could help each other. It did not seem as complicated as I had feared.  Then I ended up selling concessions, because I was more able to stand up for longer periods of time than at least one of the other volunteers.  Isn’t that awesome for me?  I did not audition for the play, because I was on crutches at the time and did not know how soon I would be off them.  By the time of the play, I could stand up for unspecified lengths of time.

This is how I should feel.: Yay!

I did not get any pictures of today’s play, but here is a picture from Four Old Broads on the High Seas, the play I was in with Players of Utica in 2025.  The woman in the foreground had the part I would have liked had I auditioned for Blithe Spirit.  In fact, I feel pretty sure the director would not have given to part to me over her.  But if she had NOT auditioned, and I HAD…  well, we can What If all day long.

Another appropriate photo.

The fellow in the middle was in the play today too, playing quite a different part from what he played in the Four Old Broads production.

One more picture!

And here is the little chippy my husband killed me for in Prescription: Murder.  She was also in Blithe Spirit.  That is one of the things that is so fun about community theatre: you see the same actors in different parts, and they are your friends, so you get to hug them after curtain call.

 

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A Pause in Writing to Blog

Posted on September 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s a late post week, I suppose, although it is not too late to turn things around.  Only I can’t look that far ahead.  It is early-ish Tuesday morning (these things depend a great deal on perspective), and I am taking a break from the story I am writing for the Daily Sentinel about last night’s Ilion Village Board meeting.  Sometimes these stories are an interesting challenge, because my editor does not want over 800 words.  I am at 793 right now, so that is OK, only I think my lead is a little, well, leaden.  So I hopped over here to chatter on for a bit and try to wake my brain up.  I am on my second cup of coffee, so that should help.

Where’s Juan Valdez when you need him?

As you may have guessed, this is a Monday Mental Meanderings.  I meandered so far away on Monday, I didn’t make my blog post till Tuesday.  In fact, I did little or nothing of note on Monday.  You’ll have that.  Will I improve things on Tuesday?  We shall see.

Oh, there’s a thought!

As I jumped back to my Media Library for another illustration, I saw this.  It was taken at Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY.  Check out the notebook, complete with purple pen!  That is what I must do today: Go someplace and write!  Yes, yes, I know, I ought to be able to stay right here and write.  Well, maybe that will work out this time.  I will try it both ways and report back.

In the meantime, I am over 250 words.  Score!  Back to my journalistic duties.

 

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Not Exactly Guns n Roses

Posted on September 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday post so looked in my phone for a few pictures I have not used yet.  I picked three.

I got this one while the gettin’ was good!

This was one of the pictures I took to go with the story I wrote for the Daily Sentinel about the Ilion Village Board meeting on Monday.  The chair of the Ilion Marina Committee said this sign would not last the winter so they would like to relocate it to the Ilion Fish and Game Club, who will undertake to restore it and display it there.  Remington, unfortunately, is no longer in existence.

Nice!

Here is a picture from Herkimer, taken on a walk I took last Friday.  There were several flower boxes in front of The Java Shop, which I have also written blog posts about.  I do like to see flowers planted around town.

More pretty flowers!

Speaking of flowers, here is an attractive indoor display from my sister Diane’s house, taken when I visited her last week.  She cut some blooms from her hydrangea bush then some of her oregano which had gone to flower and combined the two.  I did not know oregano had purple flowers, but then I have not had an herb garden in some years and cannot recall if I grew oregano when I did have one.

I do like to take pictures just because something catches my eye, so I have something for my Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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My Monday Mood

Posted on September 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I just got hit by a bout of “Here I Am! Take Me Or Leave Me!”  It actually feels pretty good.  First I posted it as my Facebook status, then, having very little else, I decided to write my blog post about it.  Let’s see if I can get 200 words.  I can bill it as a Monday Mental Meanderings.  I can’t call them Middle-aged Musings anymore, unless I live to be over 120.  If so, I will leave instructions in my will for somebody to go back and re-categorize accordingly.  Perhaps I could do it myself on my deathbed.  I probably will not have much else to do at the time.

Yes, I am feeling a little silly.

I need more bling in my life.

Regular readers may recall the Minnie Mouse ears given to me by a friend recently.  She gifted a few other friends with different colors.  We are all going to wear them to the Herkimer Elks Lodge one day soon while Jack makes ice cream drinks.  Yum!

Politics must intrude.

I got hit with my merry mood after taking a shower kind of late in the day and putting on a cute outfit (or do I flatter myself?).  I have to cover the Ilion Village Board Meeting at 5:30.  These meetings have been lively lately, because many residents have attended to protest an AI Data Center which is proposed for the former Remington Arms building.  Remington Arms, for those of you who do not know, was a large gun manufacturer for over 200 years.  It was a terrible thing for the village when they closed.  I worked there for almost 10 years.

It is nice to see people getting involved with local issues, and they are not only talking about the data center but about other issues.  However, this blog is intended to be “totally fun,” so I will probably not write about them here.  I merely mention them in passing.  I will write about them for the Daily Sentinel, a paper out of Rome, NY.  That is my side hustle, a freelance reporter.  Doesn’t that sound cool?

I see I am over 300 words.  Score!  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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Temporary Aches and Pains

Posted on August 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am taking a Blogger’s Sick Day today.  At least it is something a little different to whine and cry about.  Yesterday I had that sick headache which you get with the flu or a cold, and my throat was sore.  It could have been allergies, but I felt like crap.  However, I made it to Physical Therapy and the Ilion Village Board meeting, and even got the trash and recyclables taken out in between.  Oh and I took a walk and made a blog post about it (perhaps you read it).

Today I managed to write my article for the Daily Sentinel but did not drive around getting a good picture to go with it.  However, I had foresightedly (what, Chromebook, foresightedly is not a word? It should be) taken a couple of shots at the meeting, which went along far too long for my head to be happy about, but that was no surprise.

Part of the Veterans Memorial.

The meeting took place in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium of the Village Municipal Building, to accommodate the members of the public who wanted to attend.  It is nice seeing people becoming informed and participating.

Now I am feeling more sore of throat, more headachey, and more tired.  At least I have made some semblance of a blog post.  I shall try the effects of a cup of hot tea with lemon and honey.

 

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I Add to the Media Library

Posted on July 30, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Continuing my trend of posting the next morning for the previous day, I offer a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post early-ish Thursday morning.  I must hurry to make the post, as I am not yet dressed (I am wearing a robe, just to spare anybody an unfortunate mental image) (you know who you are) but must get ready and leave soon to meet my Elks friends for breakfast.  I was delayed by the problem of transferring photos from my phone to WordPress, thinking it was not successful, giving up, then deleting the extras when in fact I had transferred said photos three times.  I add my technological problems, thinking some readers may say, “Thank God, I’m not the only one!” Although I am equally certain others will shake their heads in a superior, self-satisfied manner (0nce again, you know who you are).

This will not be the chef of this morning’s breakfast.

I took a picture of this cute little guy at Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta in Herkimer, NY recently.  Alas, Yetty’s does not serve breakfast.  But I may go there for dinner.

Some people finish books!

I took this picture at a recent Frankfort Town Board meeting.  The board was honoring Vincent Palmieri, who has written two books about the Frankfort he grew up in.  I must find these books and read them.  They sound good.

They were fine, yes!

This is the Jake Lozo band, who I heard at the Ilion Elks Lodge after the DooDah Parade.  They were awesome!  I must go hear them when I will not be so tired and can stay longer.

I see I am over 250 words (thanks to my wordy first paragraph), and I still have time to make myself beautiful (I feel certain I flatter myself there) and meet the gang for breakfast.  As always, I thank you for tuning in.

 

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In the Midst of Writing, I Blog

Posted on July 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thunder outside reminds me that I have not yet made my Monstrous Monday blog post.  It is Tuesday, not so early in the morning (for me).  I am actually in the middle of writing my article on the Ilion Village Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, and I am having trouble with it, so thought I would take a break.  I do enjoy the thunder, but I think it is going away.  Now I can hear the rain, because I have both doors open.  Ooh, no, another rumble.  Yes.

Oh, sure, that’ll make a good blog post.  Just talk about the thunder, Cindy.  They’d never guess you already had some coffee!

It’s this dark in my head.

This was my attempt at a shot of a full moon one early morning some time ago.  I have not been out walking in the dark in a long time (and regular readers know running is way beyond my current abilities).  It is dark in my house now, but not that dark.  I just grabbed the picture, because I did not want to waste copious amounts of time scrolling through my Media Library as often happens at times like this.

Great movie!

In the spirit of not scrolling, I grab this picture which just happened to be right there.  This is a really fun flick, featuring a really creepy performance by the inimitable Peter Lorre.  Actually is it correct to say “featuring” when he is the star?  Discuss amongst yourselves.

As for me, I approach 250 words, and I must go back to struggling with the activities of Ilion Village Board.  I have dealt with the Mayors Comments and the Public Comments, now I am on to the 2026 Organizational Meeting, Department Reports, and New Business.  Does it sound exciting?  It’s not bad.

 

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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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