Tag Archives: Ilion NY

But I Think My Attitude is Improving

Posted on January 27, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am sipping my first taste of wine in 2016.  Isn’t that nice?  I had not meant to write a blog post about it.  I went running earlier with the specific thought that I could do a Running Commentary post.  Before making my blog post, however, I ate dinner, read some more of a book (I must NEVER pick up fiction unless I can just sit there and read the whole thing; I become obsessed) and of course dithered (I always say: go with your strengths).  This being Bad Attituesday, I don’t think my writing muscles are going to cooperate.

Regular readers may remember that I have been doing without wine for 30 days.  It started as an experiment to see if it had any effect on my headaches, then it morphed into “Well if I can’t go 30 days without wine, maybe I have a problem,” and then, well,  I just got stubborn.  But I made it 30 days, so I felt a little pleased with myself and thought I deserved a glass of dry red.

I went to Ilion Wine and Spirits after work to get my bottle. This is handily located next to The Medicine Shoppe, where I had to pick up a prescription.  So, you see, I give shout-outs to two local businesses as I sip.  When I walked into the liquor store, I immediately saw some bottles of Chianti on sale.  I had purchased one of these bottles prior to Christmas.  Steven drank the whole thing himself during my dry 30 days (not all at once, of course; he’s no lush either).

First I looked all around to see if there was something I’d like better. I hesitated over a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir.  When I was at church two Sundays ago, during the sermon the priest told a story involving Barefoot Pinot Noir.  “That’s a good wine,” I told my sister.  Imagine, me having something in common with a priest.  I decided to stick with the Chianti, but I may go back for some Pinot this weekend.

It is Chianti Superiore made by Banfi of Montalcino, Italy.  It was imported by Banfi Vintners of Old Brookville, NY.  So you see I am being international and buying New York State.  It’s pretty tasty wine, too.

Ilion Wine and Spirits is located at 10 E. Main St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-8142.  The Medicine Shoppe is at 10 Central Ave., phone number 315-894-7283.  Don’t let the different streets fool you; they are just a parking lot away from each other. It is most convenient.

 

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Just in Time for Melfe’s Monday

Posted on January 20, 2016 by mohawkvalleygirl

Long time readers (if any) may be wondering if I intend to give my yearly shout-out to Melfe’s Shoe Service in Ilion, NY.  Of course I do.  For one reason, I told them I was going to.

I’ve worked in an industry requiring safety footwear for almost five years now.  My place of employment has a deal with Melfe’s where my employer pays for one pair of shoes per year per employee and Melfe’s gives us a good deal.  Additionally, they give us great service and a quality product. Am I sounding like a commercial for Melfe’s?  Well, I did say this was a shout-out.

Many, many (add a few “manys” and you’ll come close) years ago, I sold shoes at a department store.  Ever since then I have appreciated quality footwear and understand the need to replace shoes on a regular basis (that’s not to say I don’t own a few ratty pair of $4.99 sneakers from K-Mart; I’m only human after all).  So every January I trek to Melfe’s and update.

My preferred time to go is Saturday morning as soon as they open. I’ve never encountered a crowd, and it gets it out of the way early in my favorite day for adventures.  On this particular Saturday, I was there even before they were.  I had not long to wait, though, before I was getting my feet measured and looking at styles.

At Melfe’s they measure your feet every time, because feet can change.  Mine have gotten bigger and wider over the years.  I’d like to think the increased width is the result of bunion surgery and not large amounts of fattening foods (of course my hips have no such excuse).

A young man named Steve was helping me (I asked his name and got his business card).  While he looked for my size, I admired wildlife prints and vintage advertisements on the wall.  I also noticed some very comfy-looking slippers I’d like to get for my husband (maybe for his birthday).

Melfe’s also does shoe repair.  A few months ago, I found out to my dismay that not all shoes can be repaired.  I had to appreciate, though, that they told me up front my shoes were hopeless and did not take my money to make a repair they knew would not last.

I received a Melfe’s t-shirt with my shoes.  I chose lavender.  I told Steve I would wear it to work on Monday.

“I like to have Melfe’s Monday,” I told him.

He told me that a lot of people have a certain day they like to wear their Melfe’s shirt.  I could have gotten a hat or coffee mug, but I like my shirt.  Full disclosure:  I did not wear that shirt this past Monday but one I got two years ago.  Fortunately or not, another Monday is coming.

Melfe’s Shoe Service is located at 64 Central Ave, Ilion, NY.  For more informtion call 315-894-4049.

 

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Merry Mental Meanderings

Posted on December 22, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not see why this blog should not go All Christmas All The Time for the rest of the week.  After all, Friday is Christmas, it’s practically here! (Said in a Boris Karloff narrating How the Grinch Stole Christmas voice.)

At times, I fear, the Christmas spirit eludes me.  Today I spend some time stressing and obsessing about all I need to get done before the end of the week.  Then I stressed over the fact that I was stressing, because, dammit, I’m supposed to be enjoying this! I LIKE Christmas!  I like to give presents!  I thought I had planned better than this.  I hasten to add, I am not completely without the Christmas spirit.  I get it in spurts and try to enjoy it while it lasts.

As I pointed out yesterday, it is difficult to talk about my gyrations preparing for Christmas without giving away key points about presents I may or may not be giving (already I’ve said too much).  However, those gyrations (that word is so descriptive of my life) are the reason I am posting this later than I like to and why I did not write something earlier while at work (on a BREAK, I hasten to add).  Oh, I know, I could stress about Christmas and still write a blog post.  In theory at least.  The fact is, I did not.

After work I had three stops to make.  I can mention one, because it did not involve anything Christmasy:  I went to The Medicine Shoppe in Ilion to pick up a prescription.  Of course, there is also no need to expand upon that, because as I have often observed, people who go on about their health problems become tiresome (I know, it almost never stops me, but I try to keep it short) (I said TRY! Sheesh!).

Where was I?  Oh yes, a brief shout-out to the Medicine Shoppe.  I called in my prescription renewal to their automated line last night and my prescription was waiting for me after work this afternoon.  How cool is that?  They are also super nice there.

After the Medicine Shoppe, I made two more stops that were Christmas-related. They were relatively successful.  I would love to go on, especially about the second stop, BUT…  Perhaps I will revisit the subject in January.   In the meantime, I continue to chase that elusive Christmas spirit.

The Medicine Shoppe is located at 10 Central Ave., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-7283.  You can Like them on Facebook.

 

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At Least I Got a Blog Post Out of It

Posted on November 11, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

Early on today, I knew I was going to stop by Ilion Free Public Library.  You see, I am attempting to write an article about Russell Park for Mohawk Valley Living magazine and wanted more background.  So far I have the story of me and Steven walking through the park and a work friend’s reminiscences of boyhood visits there.  I wanted more background, especially about the park’s history.  Another work friend said they probably had a whole file in the local history section of the library.

What a great idea, I thought.  The library will hook me up, and I can also write my blog post about the visit.  You see how I utilize my resources for multiple purposes.  I felt pretty pleased with myself.   And that should have given me my first clue that things would not go as planned.

When I walked in and made my request to the librarian, she said, “Let me look up the hours the history section is available.”

Oh dear.

I had already missed the hours it was available today.  Tomorrow they are closed for Veteran’s Day.  Thursday evening I can come in between six and eight.

Feeling as foolish as I usually feel, I explained how I do not have my act together and my deadline is fast approaching.  In my defense, I had planned to write an article about quite a different topic, only that fell through (long story, may make another blog post).  One of the VERY nice librarians volunteered to go upstairs and see if there was anything they could photocopy for me.

While she was gone, I couldn’t help noticing the ongoing book sale on a couple of carts right next to where I stood.   Ooh, that one looked good… oh, I already have that book.  Then I found one I hadn’t read.  By the time the lady returned, I had two hardcover, two softcover and a book on CD by Bruce Campbell (I adore Bruce Campbell).  She had not found anything. I thanked her for trying.

“Hang on, let me go and take one more look,” she said.

I paid for my purchases while she went.  She still did not find anything, but I told her how much I appreciated all the effort.   My deadline is on Friday.  There is a chance I could go Thursday night and still get it together.  As an added incentive, I noticed the library is having a pie sale on Thursday.  I do like homemade pie.

In conclusion, Ilion Free Public Library is a great resource with extremely helpful people.  As for me, I mean to begin earlier to write my articles and do my research in a more timely fashion.

The library is located at 78 West St., Ilion, NY.  Phone number 315-894-5028.

 

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But I’m Not the Star!

Posted on November 7, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was going to call today’s post “A Big Night at the Little Theatre,”  after a work friend said it to me.  Then I thought it has probably been used many, many times.  They do say plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, oh wait, I say that.  I’m not given to flattery.  And I don’t need anybody to flatter me, either! (Oh yeah, like anybody is inclined to).

Where was I?  Ah yes, opening night of Lunch Hour, the first production of Ilion Little Theatre’s 2015-16 season.  As you may recall, I am stage manager.   I composed a blog post in my battered spiral notebook while on lunch at work, hoping to lighten my load in the evening. Um, that’s right now, as I am typing it in and making a LOT of changes, including the headline.

While I worked, I made myself flustered planning what I HAVE to get done, thinking wistfully about the things I would LIKE to get done, and wondering what on earth I was going to wear.  At least the last consideration has been taken care of.

Now, just stop shaking your head and giving me THAT look (I hate it when people give me that look!).  It is not as vain and frivolous as it may appear (that is not to say that I am not vain and frivolous, but that is not the topic of this blog post).  I really have very few wearable outfits at present.  I seem to have a lot of clothes, but most of them fall into categories like Don’t Fit Anymore, Not Appropriate, Not Comfortable, What The Hell Was I Thinking When I Bought That, and Dirty.  Some items fit more than one category, as you may imagine.

But never mind about me.  The play is going very well.  We had an excellent dress rehearsal last night, marred only by a bat episode, which I will perhaps describe at further length on Scattered Saturday.

Today’s post must be short.  I have a lot more dithering to do.

Local readers may like to come see the play at Ilion Little Theatre, Remington Avenue, Ilion, NY.   Performances are November 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m., 8 and 15 at 2 p.m.  For more information you can visit www.ilionlittletheatre.org, and/or Like their Facebook page.

 

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A Modicum of a Blog Post

Posted on November 2, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I realized earlier today why I keep having Wrist to Forehead Sunday.  Many years ago, I recognized that I was not wired to take advantage of Sunday as a productive day. I used to say to myself, “There’s no point in trying to get anything done on a Sunday.”  So I let myself off the hook.

Well, lately I have not been letting myself off the hook.  Oh, I have not been being productive, obviously not.  However, I have been TRYING, sometimes with gritted teeth, to get something, anything done.  It has not worked out for me.  What was I thinking?  You can’t go against nature!  At least, I guess you can sometimes.  For example, when it gets cold and snows, you can go inside and not freeze to death.  That is not the kind of sensible act I am talking about.

I actually did get a couple of things done today.  When Steven came home from work, he wanted to finish the outdoor work I started yesterday.  I went out and got to work while he changed his clothes, and we finished it together.  Well, technically, he finished it, because my sister Cheryl called while we were working, and as you may know, I feel it is important to talk to family members when possible.  Still, I helped (and if you just flashed on the old Shake-n-Bake ad, sorry).

A little later, Steven and I drove to Ilion and took a nice walk in Russell Park.  I must write a blog post about that place.  I had never been there, and it is really cool.  When we got home, I started cooking supper.  Yes, I said cooking; getting us dinner did not involve dialing a phone (which I always make Steven do anyways).

Now I have composed some semblance of a blog post.  I call these things a modicum of usefulness (and I have the added advantage of using the word modicum in a sentence, something most of us don’t get to do every day).

And what of my plan to become more productive and finish that damn novel?  I’m still working on it. Right now I feel it is time to move on to the movie-watching portion of the day.  After all, there’s no point in trying to do anything on a Sunday.

 

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I’m a Wuss, But I Have Rehearsal

Posted on October 29, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

I guess it’s time for this blog to switch over to All Lunch Hour All The Time, because all I can think about is the rehearsal I have to head out to soon.

Lunch Hour, for anyone just tuning in, is the current production of Ilion Little Theatre.  I’m stage manager.  I must admit, I’m not a very good stage manager, but the director is very nice about it.  In fact, speaking of not being a very good stage manager, I just remembered I am supposed to be bringing a couple of props to tonight’s rehearsal.  I wonder if I can find them. After I type in this blog post.

Rehearsals are going very well, incidentally. The actors are doing a good job of developing their characters and building relationships with each other.  I like to watch the reactions at some points.  I’ve only worked with one of these actors before, so it’s good to see new faces.  I hope the new people stick around.  For one reason, I’d like them to audition for the show I’m going to direct in the spring.

This is our last week of “real” rehearsals.  Next week is tech and dress, then we open.  Productions dates are Nov. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15,  at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, at Ilion Little Theatre, Remington Avenue, Ilion, NY.  For more information, you can visit their website, www.ilionlittletheatre.org.  You can also Like their Facebook page, where updates and rehearsal photos are often posted.

Well, I guess I didn’t say much in this post, but at least I didn’t whine about how I can’t write a post and how tired I am.  Oh, well, I guess I did.  Let’s just call it Wuss-Out Wednesday and hit publish.  Hope to see you all on Non-Sequitur Thursday.

 

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Happy Birthday, Jim!

Posted on October 26, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

In scrolling down Facebook this morning, I noticed a posting from Parker’s Historic Cider Mill and Farmer’s Market that today is Jim Parker’s birthday.  The post invited us to come down and wish him well, they would be open till 5:30.  Now, my friend Tracy and I had been to the Farmer’s Market yesterday to purchase cider for the Halloweddinganniversaweenary festivities. However, to wish a nice man a happy birthday is an excellent reason for another quick trip to Ilion, NY.

Jim Parker is a local folk artist of some note.  He draws lovely, detailed pictures of local, historical scenes.  Steven and I both have t-shirts of his prints, I gave Steven a print for Christmas one year, and I periodically purchase cards of his prints for when I need to write a short note.  We love his stuff.  Additionally, Jim is a friendly, interesting man.  Many times when we have gone to the Farmer’s Market we have found ourselves having an absorbing conversation about arts, the Amish, history and other things.

I was happy we were taking a short drive, because there are still a lot of fall colors to enjoy.  We pulled over the wooden bridge to Clapsaddle Farm on Otsego Street and made our way back to the Cider Mill.  I paused to take a picture of the front of the mill, because I had brought with me one of the disposable cameras purchased for last night’s party (yes, I still live in the 20th century; you knew that about me).  A lady came from a nearby woodpile to help us.

“We came to wish Jim a happy birthday,” I said.  “But, of course we’re going to buy something, too.”  We didn’t need any cider.  There was maple syrup, but Steven had purchased some of that on a recent trip to Vermont.  “How about some fresh donuts?  Shall we each get one for $1 or should we do six for $5?”  Steven suggested six for $5.  When the lady helping us noticed there were only seven left in the box, she generously gave us seven for $5.

“We also need cheese,” I reminded Steven.  All our cheese had gotten eaten at the party.  There were several different flavors from Stoltzfus Family Dairy in Vernon Center.  Steven picked garlic and dill.

Jim was out by the woodpile, getting his exercise, he told us.  We wished him a very happy birthday and got a nice picture of the three of us.

We each ate one of the donuts as we drove away.  It was a nice little visit.  I think I’ll eat some of the cheese now.  For more information on Parker’s Historic Cider Mill and Farmer’s Market, you can Like them on Facebook.  Or go visit, and you can like them in person.

 

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It’s a Blog Post, Not a Miracle

Posted on October 24, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

It is Saturday morning, and I am flustered.  Today is the date of my (wait for it) Halloweddinganniversaweenary Party.  I have to shop!  I have to cook!  I have to finish cleaning!  I have to figure out my costume!  I HAVE TO MAKE MY BLOG POST!!!

Today is going to be an all-day event, with out of town friends arriving and much fun planned.  I really wanted to make my blog post later, since the aforementioned shopping may take me to various Mohawk Valley spots.  However, later I might be visiting with friends. I remember trying to type in a blog post on the deck with two friends and Steve present.  I felt I was missing all the jokes then.  What will it be like later today?

So I guess this is kind of a pre-Scattered Saturday post.  Perhaps in typing out my plans I can consolidate exactly what I intend to do and I will end up by feeling less flustered.  But I’m not counting on it. For heavens’ sake, Cindy, it’s a blog, not a miracle!

I need a few more veggies for my veggie tray, so I intend to stop by T & J’s Fruits and Vegetables in Herkimer, NY.  Just as a side note, I was greviously disappointed when I learned that crudites were nothing more than chopped up raw vegetables.  To this day, I refuse to say I am serving my guests crudites.  I have a veggie tray.

A fall favorite I felt I must have is apple cider.  I intend to go to Parker’s Cider Mill in Ilion for that.  I may check out the Farmer’s Market while I’m there.  I have not been to the Ilion Farmer’s Market at Clapsaddle Farm on Otsego Street (just to sneak in the address in case anybody needed it) all summer.  I used to go with Tabby, my late beloved schnoodle.  She loved it there.  I felt a little too sad to go without her but always knew I would go sooner or later.

OK, I guess those were the only two real local places I had thought to visit.  I also might go to the dollar store for paper plates and the grocery store for stuff not available at T & J’s or the Farmer’s Market, but those places don’t have the Mohawk Valley cachet I crave.

On the brighter side, I’m over 350 words.  That’s pretty respectable for a flustered kind of post.  And I don’t think I did a whole lot of  whining.  Not an excessive amount. If you think this was an excessive amount, well, I just might whine about that too.  I’ll save it for Wrist to Forehead Sunday.

 

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What I Did with my Oomph

Posted on September 6, 2015 by mohawkvalleygirl

OK, OK, time to do the blog post.  I don’t know what it is about me on Saturdays.  I have no ambition to do ANYTHING!  I had a minimal amount of oomph this morning, though, so I will write a Scattered Saturday post telling what I did to use it up.

I knew I wanted to write a couple of postcards and walk them to the post office, as I usually do on a Saturday morning, but I had also started a letter to a friend I wanted to mail.  For one reason, in the letter I mentioned a fabulous party Steven and I are planning for October, and I am hoping this friend will attend.  I have been writing the letter on breaks at work, rather than working on my novel or better blog posts. Don’t judge.

I thought the letter was nearly done. Imagine my chagrin, therefore, on pulling out the letter and discovering that the fourth page only had part of one sentence written on it.  I can’t send out a letter with the last page most blank!  What a waste of a stamp!  What a disappointment for the recipient who thinks it’s a four-page letter and it’s only a three-page-and-one-half-sentence letter!  I finished the letter then wrote only two postcards.  Time was passing and I had several errands I was hoping to run.

It was a very pleasant walk to the post office, a beautiful day: not too hot yet, a little cloudy with a lovely breeze blowing.  I had considered not walking to the post office, because I wanted to get my running around (by that I’m afraid I mean errands; I’m still not back to running yet), but decided to not get what little exercise I had planned was not the best use of my time.  I continued on from the post office toward Main Street, thinking to make it a longer walk.  However, as I headed up Main Street the sun came out from behind the clouds and it started to get warmer.  I decided to compromise on a medium-length walk.

Then it was on to the errands! After gassing up my vehicle, my first stop was at Melfe’s Shoes in Ilion, NY (stand by for the obligatory Roxy reference).  I had found a pair of shoes that would work for my character in Roxy (that play I may have mentioned a few times).  It is a pair I have had for a number of years but never wore much.  The costume designer said they would be perfect.  It was fairly traumatic for me when the heel broke as I was taking them off after the first rehearsal I wore them at.

My own attempt at repair had failed, but I had great hopes of Melfe’s. You may have read about Melfe’s Shoes in this blog, as I go there once a year for my work shoes.  They are very helpful.  Today the young man was both helpful and kind as he explained to me how no repair was possible and that if they took my ten bucks to try I might possibly get two wears out of them but surely no more.

After Melfe’s I went to K-Mart, where I was able to find everything I wanted, including bobby pins for my hair for Roxy (ha ha, got two mentions of it in!) and allergy pills.  I got the kind I like to take every day but decided to wait on the kind that is good for sinus headache.  After all, I have not had a sinus headache in a long time (under the heading Should Have Seen That Coming, guess what I’m fighting as I type this).

My next two stops were to the Goodwill store and to Linda’s Consignments in Herkimer.  I mean to write a whole post about Linda’s, because I had a wonderful conversation with Linda and bought a marvelous hat.  Perhaps I could work on that tonight and thus avoid having Wrist to Forehead Sunday tomorrow.  In the meantime, I see I am over 600 words.  I don’t like to tax my readers’ patience and writing this has given me just a little bit more ambition.  Let’s see how far this dose of oomph takes me.

 

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