Tag Archives: Little Falls NY

Will Mohawk Valley Give? I Think So!

Posted on September 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I went to the Mohawk Valley Gives kick-off at Rock City Centre in Little Falls, NY.  Alas, I neglected to take a picture of the Centre or even of its sign. No matter.  I will be in Little Falls again soon and will rectify the omission, the easier since it is right near the library, always a favorite stop.

Mohawk Valley Gives is  “a day of giving powered by the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and UpMobility Foundation. This event was established to support the incredible nonprofit organizations that uplift our region.”  I copied that from the Facebook page.  The actual day is today, Sept. 18, and people are encouraged to give at the link givemv.org.  Many non-profits are represented.

He was wonderful!

The kick-off was a fancy event with food catered by the Canal Side Inn and music by a very talented violinist, whose name I foolishly did not ask.  Several non-profits had tables, and I walked around and chatted with most of them.  Of course I also ate some of the food and had a glass of wine (Menage a Trois red blend, YUM!).

I may need this one!

I am somewhat familiar with Herkimer County Office for the Aging, being as I am myself rather aged.  The lady at the table pointed out that today is the youngest any of us will ever be.

I did not take one of the candies. No, really, I heroically refrained.

I did not find out much about this one, but I believe education is well worthy of being supported.

I loved the purple.

I chatted with the people at Empowered Pathways right after I got the wine, because I was rather naughtily enjoying it (one glass of wine before driving one, especially with food is OK, but I generally try to avoid even that), and they were very encouraging of my enjoyment.  However, I may need them if my Social Security widow benefits and side hustle of writing for the newspaper cease to support me, because one of their services is helping women find employment, especially those reentering the workforce.

I also chatted for a while with the lady at the Little Falls Public Library table, libraries being one of my great loves.  Many more non-profits are represented by Mohawk Valley Gives than were present at the kick-off.   I saw 442 on the Leaderboard showing how many donations have been made so far.  I have yet to make my own donation.

 

1 Comment

Posted in Community Events, humor, non-profits, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Getting Festive with Garlic

Posted on September 13, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I made it to the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival in Little Falls, NY, known more often as the Garlic Festival.  Unfortunately, I did not take many pictures.  Also, I am feeling quite tired and a bit headachy and stomach achy (oh, sure, “achy” is a word, but “headachy” is not, at least according to my Chromebook).  I know, what a big baby I am.  But regular readers are used to my whining.  On with the blog post.

I really should have taken more than one picture of him.

The tagline for the Festival is Eat, Stink and Be Merry, and this was perhaps the merriest guy there.  He was handing out mints for people who had sampled too much garlic.  As a matter of fact, he is one of my usual suspects for the murder mysteries I write and present (not in that costume, of course).   I was delighted to see him.

These were actually the stinkiest.

My great niece Evie was anxious to ride on the horse-drawn carriage.  I did not  ride but was happy to sit in the shade and wait for them.  I tried to get a good picture on their return but was not quite quick enough.  Still, I thought this one was good enough for inclusion.

I did not purchase any garlic but got a jar of cilantro pesto.  I had a sample and it is yummy.  Who thought there would be a pesto I would like better than basil pesto?  I may have to do another blog post about that when I eat some of it.  Pesto Pasta might make a good headline.

It was the first time in several years I had been to the Garlic Festival, so I was happy my sister Cheryl had invited me to come along with her and her daughters and granddaughter. Family and garlic, it was a good day.

 

5 Comments

Posted in Community Events, humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Throwback to a Time Less Depressed?

Posted on September 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I am just going to come out and say it. My depression is kicking my butt lately.  I do not know why.  I am taking my pills.  I am exercising.  I am being sociable with friends. I really hate to talk about these things.  For one reason, my mother reads this blog and I do not want her to worry.  I share it for two reasons:  one, it is my feeble excuse for doing a perhaps a dull, boring Throwback Thursday post (it can’t be a lame excuse, because it is not Friday).  Also, perhaps somebody else suffers from depression and they can feel they are not alone.

Why not make it a stinky post as well?

Ah yes, the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival is this Saturday.  I do love garlic.  Perhaps I could cheer myself up by attending one of Little Falls’ premiere yearly events.  Little Falls, of course, has many marvelous events during the year, and Mohawk Valley Girl attends many of them.  This picture was taken in 2017.

A different memory entirely.

Ah, but who will I go to the Garlic Festival with?  I had an invitation from my sister Cheryl some weeks ago, but I do not know if she is still going.  Two of my Elks friends may go, so I could tag along with them.  The above picture, taken in Newport in 2019, is of course my two erstwhile adventure companions, Kim and Steve, one moved away, one sadly passed away.  This could be the root of my depression, but one must carry on.

My state of mind.

I close with a picture from September 2020, when things were a screwy for all of us.  I am, of course, ready for spooky season.

In my opening paragraph I mentioned a few of the things I am doing.  One thing I am NOT doing is giving up.  I feel depressed, but I will not merely sit home and feel that way.  I will get up and do something, or I will go outside and do something.  Then tomorrow perhaps I will write a blog post about it.

 

6 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Summertime Lame

Posted on September 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I bet you thought I was going to make my Lame Post Friday blog post on Saturday morning (you know who you are).  I’ll tell you what, it may yet happen, because I got nuthin’. Quick, throw in a picture and say something about that!

Oh my goodness gracious.

This was me in August of 2022, in LiFT (Little Falls Theatre Company)’s production of Love’s Labour’s Lost.  Oh how I miss summer Shakespeare!  But it is not summer any more.  Well, technically it is, officially and unofficially.  Officially it is until Sept. 22.  Unofficially we have until Monday.  Outside it is hot out to me.  Feels like summer.  I’ll call it summer.

Wait a minute! I thought he was my boyfriend!

Here is a rehearsal shot from that play.  I do not remember what was going on, but doesn’t it look dramatic?  I must get involved in another play.  My body seems to be behaving.  I’ll ignore that new little pain in the hip.  Uh, I mean, I don’t have a new little pain anywhere.

Plenty of time left to relax in the warm weather!

To avoid this being an entirely theatrical post, I share a picture of me relaxing.  I loved these sneakers so much I completely wore them out.  Now I am in the market for a new pair of flowered sneakers.  Oh yeah, I was going to clean my house before acquiring any new clothes.  I guess I’d better be less lame about cleaning.

 

3 Comments

Posted in humor, Lame Post Friday, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Am Up-LiFTed by ThrowBack Thursday

Posted on August 7, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Throwback Thursday follows Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, and that is the way it is sometimes.  I did mean to have some Mohawk Valley Adventures, and I kind of did.  But now I have a headache.  I got it in the middle of last night, and every time I think something I do has helped, the relief is short-lived.  But do not allow me to piss and moan about my aches and pains, let me make with the memories, and if you have heard them before, bear with me, I beg you.

Look how colorful!

I go back to August of 2017, and one of my favorite theatre memories, The Tempest with LiFT, Little Falls Theatre Company.  Here we are performing at the Utica Zoo.  I am the one in the yellow tights.  This is one of my favorite roles as well as one of my favorite costumes.  The hat, cape, collar, and sword were loaned to me by Matt Powers, the director, but the rest was all me and thrift stores.  The shirt was purchased in Georgia years ago, for my late, dearly missed husband Steve to wear as a pirate.  The vest, shorts, and pantyhose were purchased locally.  I threaded elastic through the hem of the shorts to make them pumpkin pants.  The shoes were given to me.  Perhaps I am overly proud of myself, but I have to take my self-esteem where I find it.

She was and still is lovely!

Sticking with August and LiFT, this is 2018, when we participated in the parade associated with Canal Days.  I  believe Canal Days are going on even as I blog, but I have a few other things on my plate currently.

We were an eclectic bunch.

I think one more shot from that parade will be acceptable.  Since I got so wordy about my costume, I am now over 300 words.  I think that’s dandy for a Throwback Thursday. I hope to have some more Mohawk Valley Adventures, so I have something new to throw back to in the future.

 

3 Comments

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Throwback Thursday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

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.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal, Tired Tuesday and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Welcome Blast from the Past

Posted on June 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I drove to Little Falls, NY, and back in time to Rock Valley Brewing Co. for their Blast from the Past Music Festival.  The music started at noon, but I got there sometime after one and enjoyed the tunes of One Lime Summer.  There were a lot of people there, many of them wearing fraternity and sorority letters I remembered from my days at Potsdam College.

My friends showed up shortly before two.  We were there to see Double Axle, the premiere bar and beer blast band from the ’70s and ’80s in the greater Potsdam area.  They were celebrating 50 years, looking and sounding very good indeed!

They were fine, yes!

The crowd loved them!  I loved them!  The inevitable happened:  crutches and all, I got up and danced.  It was awkward.  It was silly.  I have no regrets.  Soon other people got up to dance.  Feeling I had done my job, I sat back down and continued to chair dance.  Actually, since I was at a picnic table, I guess I was bench dancing.

I did not stay as long as I would have liked to.  The sun was hot, and I have a bit of sun sensitivity (my late, lovely husband used to say I was part Addams).  However, I stayed long enough to feel deeply satisfied with nostalgia and music.  I think everybody else there was having just as good a time.

Rock Valley Brewing is located at 56 West Mill St., Little Falls, NY.  They are a great place to visit even when they are not hosting a music festival.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Back with the Breakfast Club!

Posted on June 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Since I drove myself around Herkimer, NY (where I live) twice in the last two days, I made bold to drive to Little Falls to join my Elks friends for breakfast at Ann Street Deli.  I believe I have mentioned that there is a group of us who meet every week for breakfast at various local places.  It was not that far of a drive, after all.  I made it there with no problem, found a parking place close to the door, and went in to await my friends.  I did not have long to wait.

Good for breakfast or lunch!

As you may have guessed by the snow if not the Christmas decorations, this is a picture from earlier this year.  It is difficult to take a picture while gimping along on two crutches.  Sometimes I use one crutch in order to carry something in the other hand but I did not do so this morning.

I had a croissant sandwich with one egg, cheese, and sausage.  It was quite tasty.  I cannot remember the yummy sounding things my friends ordered, but I may order them another time; then I will remember and report back.

More than the good breakfast, I enjoyed the company of my friends.  Being incurable sociable as I am, it was good to talk to people.  Of course I was able to talk to family members this past weekend, but for the most part I have been alone on my couch.  It’s not that I do not enjoy my own company, but you can get too much of a good thing.

I am so delighted to write about a Mohawk Valley Adventure again!  I hope I can have another one soon.

 

2 Comments

Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Make Some Plans, I Make a Post

Posted on June 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Hello and welcome to another post from the couch.  I was having an easier time getting around yesterday, so naturally I overdid it, trying to get a few things done around my house (I was not particularly successful). I am keeping quieter today and will once again make use of my Media Library to share a few pictures and daydream about what I am going to do when I am once again mobile.

Mmmmm…. fresh basil.

I’m afraid I have to kiss my container garden dreams good-bye for this year.  All the greenhouses around here are having big sales to get rid of the rest of their plants.  This is some basil from 2017.  I LOOOOVE fresh pesto.

Play ball!

Here is something I might be able to do yet: attend a game of the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs in Little Falls, NY.  I forget how long the season lasts. I will have to find out.

The lawn may have won, but I taught that tree a thing or two!

Yes, I will need to do some things in my back and front yards.  I like to say, I fought the lawn and the lawn won, but I have not even been in fighting condition lately.  But just you wait, lawn!

This desirable property is in move-in condition.

Here is something I will be able to do in my lawn: put up non-plant decorations.  I have birdhouses, and a couple of metal frogs.

And so I make my little plans, as well as my little blog posts.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in humor, personal and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→