Tag Archives: Ilion Village Board

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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Posted in humor, Monstrous Monday, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, Daily Sentinel, Ilion NY, Ilion Village Board, Mad Love, Media Library, movies, Peter Lorre, rain, thunder, weather, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

I Didn’t Wait for Wednesday

Posted on July 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, I think I have waited too long to make my Monday blog post for WordPress to count this as part of my latest “streak” (and if the term “streak” gave any of you an unfortunate mental image of me running past you naked, serves you right for having that kind of a mind) (you know who you are). Unfortunately, I do not have much mental wherewithal to make a blog post today.

Why don’t I just go ride a bike?

That was when I remembered I had taken a picture earlier for possible use on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday. This bike is on the second floor of the Ilion Village Municipal Building, where I went this morning to see the swearing-in of the mayor and two trustees. I took a few pictures for the Daily Sentinel, you know, my side hustle (OK, it is my only hustle, and I really don’t feel there is much hustle to me these days).

It was my idea for them to pose like this after the swearing in.

Last month I missed most of the meetings I usually cover, because I was lounged on my couch, various parts of my leg taking turns giving me grief. I’ll say this for my body: it usually tag-teams with the pain. But enough about me. I do have another picture to share.

A cemetery is always atmospheric, I find.

The one meeting I managed to attend was Frankfort Town Board on June 25. On the 26th I drove out to a cemetery on the corner of Higby and Graffenburg roads, which was mentioned during the meeting. I always try to include a picture to go with my stories for the paper. Also it is fun for me to drive around looking for one. I pretend I am an intrepid girl reporter from a 1940s horror movie or screwball comedy.

I see I have managed over 300 words. I say not bad for a Monday. I must make my way down to a Herkimer Town Board meeting at 6 tonight. I intend to hobble on my crutches. I need the exercise, and there are a couple of handy park benches I can rest on if I get tired along the way.

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Posted in humor, personal, Waste Not Want Not and tagged bicycle, blog post, blogging, cemetery, Frankfort Town Board, Herkimer Town Board, Ilion Municipal Building, Ilion Village Board, swearing in, wordpress. Bookmark the permalink.

We Reporters Have to Eat, Too

Posted on May 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided this morning I would treat myself to breakfast out so I could definitely make a real blog post and plug a local business. For one reason, I knew I would be out and about, searching for a picture to go with my story about the Ilion Village Board meeting for Sentinel Media (regular readers may recall I have a side hustle covering a few meetings and such in the Valley). For another reason, an Everything Bagel at Saturday Spreads sounded really, really good.

Great place to stop!

Since I knew I was going to be enjoying a cup of Utica Coffee later (“Wake the Hell Up!”), I sipped a cup of tea while I wrestled with my journalistic endeavors (“Wake the Hell Up” is Utica Coffee’s tag-line; I’m not cussing at you). Soon I was headed to Ilion in search of illustration. I failed to get a shot of some soon-to-be-demolished properties, because they were quite overgrown by now. Also, the neighbor’s dogs started barking at me, and I felt unwelcome. Finally I got a shot of some re-paving that was also talked about at the meeting.

Central Paving seems to be doing a fine job.

I explained to one of the fellows working that I was not taking pictures for any nefarious purpose. He told me he thought the mayor was doing a good job, and I agreed. Of course, it is impossible to please everybody. Even for Mohawk Valley Girl, if you can believe such a thing.

Finally I was at Saturday Spreads and enjoying my repast. I got the Utica Grind this time, which I remembered to write down: Cream Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Lemon Zest, Utica Grind, Flaky Sea Salt.

My writer’s breakfast.

I said to the waitress, “Some people make fun of people for taking pictures of their food, but I’m going to use it in my blog post.” I really enjoyed it. I found it quite salty and spice; it make my lips tingle, but they tend to get a little chapped this time of year due to allergies. I looked longingly at the pastries in the case as I left but resolutely headed out the door. I need to take off a few pounds for the sake of my knees and back if for no other reason.

Saturday Spreads is located at 264 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY. You can follow them on Facebook.

It All Started with the Spider

Posted on April 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am having a Tired Tuesday Post. It may even be construed as a Terrible Tuesday Post, but let us not become too dramatic. Then again, drama is my life! (Said with a dramatic gesture).

This morning there was a spider in my coffee. Ew! This is what happens when you do not examine your mug before adding coffee. I have only myself to blame. Full disclosure: I drank the rest of the coffee, spider germs be damned. I had to finish my story about the Ilion Village Board Meeting for Sentinel Media. Caffeine helped.

As my day progressed, I needed to go to Ilion again to drop off a flier of my latest murder mystery, A Revolutionary Murder, at Morning Star Methodist Church. While there I shopped at their Pay It Forward Thrift Store. Alas, I did not take any pictures.

Later in the day, I walked to the post office to mail a note and post card, then on to the Herkimer Elks Lodge to reserve two tickets to the previously mentioned murder mystery. Then I walked on to The End Zone Pub. Just to say hello.

You can’t really see the new light.

While I was there, Brock, the owner, was placing a new light in the front display. I took a picture, but as you see, not a very successful one. What can one expect on a day which began with a spider in one’s coffee?

Who, Me? Tired on Tuesday?

Posted on May 14, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Oh dear, it is time to make a blog post again. What was I thinking to not make a blog post sooner?

I am actually kind of happy it is Tuesday.

I thought I could at least make a Tired Tuesday post. Full disclosure: I am not in such good shape to make any post as I like to be. Earlier today I started to get one of those light-headed migraines I sometimes get. I went for a run in hopes of heading it off, with at least some success. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to make a Running Commentary post when I was done with that, but I needed to complete a story about an Ilion Village Board meeting for Sentinel Media Company. At least I was successful with that.

A brain! A brain! My kingdom for a brain!

Here is The Brain from the Planet Arous, which I always like to share when I am feeling particularly brain dead, as I am now.

Last weekend I went to several Mohawk Valley businesses, which I would like to give shout-outs to (preview of coming attractions). For now, I am sorry to say, it is a Tired Tuesday post.. I feel certain my head will feel better tomorrow. As always, I hope you will stay tuned.

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Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged blog post, blogging, headache, Ilion Village Board, migraine, Sentinel Media Company, The Brain from Planet Arous, Tuesday. Bookmark the permalink.

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