Tag Archives: Ilion NY

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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Swooning about the DooDah

Posted on July 20, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I almost neglect to make my blog post. In my defense, it is rather a Wrist to Forehead Sunday, maybe a Wrist to Forehead Weekend. I spent some time yesterday swooning around, dramatically posed with the back of one wrist to my forehead, of course.  My couch had to make do for a chaise lounge.  I am somewhat adaptable in that respect.  Does it take two days to recover from my DooDah doings?  Perhaps.

Only a fraction of the parade!

I stood at the beginning and tried to get a shot that showed the scope of the parade.  Then I walked back down the line, taking a few pictures and wondering if I really wanted to ride on a float.  I was quite tired by that time.  Still, riding on a float was my best bet, since I had left my car at Ilion Elks Lodge and caught a ride to the parade’s beginning (it seemed like a good idea at the time).  I could always jump off said float as it went by the Elks.

Who better to appear in the parade?

This is the float of the class of 1976.  They seemed like a fun bunch of people when I chatted with them before the parade.  They had said if they had room, I could ride with them, but they lacked sufficient space.

They were having fun, yes.

I ended up jumping on a float that had not previously offered but just happened to have an extra chair. It was Emrich Land Surveying.  I know the owner, because he is an Ilion Village Trustee.  I met his mother, sister and nieces.  They were so nice and fun!  I was certainly happy to sit down.

I have been sitting or lounging ever since, except for when I have been swooning.  In fact, I feel another swoon coming on.  This does not bode well for tomorrow’s blog post.  Whatever will I do?  Worry about it tomorrow, I suppose.

 

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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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