Tag Archives: local business

I Was Walking, Not Stalking

Posted on May 18, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

My hope is to re-institute Saturday Running Commentary next Saturday. In the meantime, I offer a Pedestrian Post about a very pleasant walk I just took with my beloved schnoodle, Tabby.

I have felt very bad about leaving Tabby alone in the evenings when we had rehearsals and then performances for Dirty Work at the Crossroads at Ilion Little Theatre. Our last performance is tonight, so Tabby’s quality of life will improve starting tomorrow. In the meantime, I made up my mind to let her walk where she wanted to and let her stop and sniff almost as many places as she chose (no, not ALL the places; I’d still be out there!).

It was an absolutely beautiful day. The sun was shining, no humidity to speak of, just a gentle breeze. I had on the nicer of my two crazy old lady hats and my prescription sunglasses (as usual I carried my regular glasses in case it clouded up suddenly; you know Mohawk Valley weather). I had on a sweatshirt, because it was just under 60 degrees. That had the added advantage of a place to put my extra poop bag (I like to carry a spare).

We started out down Bellinger. For once Tabby did not turn and walk towards her favorite Historic Four Corners but continued towards Meyers Park. Then she didn’t seem to want to cross over to the park. Once we got almost past it, I suggested to her we cross the street and walk around the park. Otherwise we would be walking past businesses or along Route 5. We were not early enough to beat Saturday traffic.

All this time I kept thinking I smelled somebody cooking outdoors. It seemed a little early, even for lunch, so I wondered if I was smelling some leftover odors from last night. I LOVE cooking out. I must make myself an opportunity to do so soon.

Once Tabby did her business, I encouraged her to cross over and walk through the park to a trash can. I know, I said I was going to let her walk wherever she wanted to walk, but one must be flexible in these things. I assure you, Tabby did not mind. I made for the closest trash can, which took us by a guy sitting on a bench talking on a cell phone. I hoped he did not think I was purposely walking by him.

I let Tabby lead me from the trash can back toward Bellinger and Route 5. We walked in front of Herb Philipson’s. Must go there for some new sports bras. I saw the Baker’s Dozen bakery across the street and thought I could go for a bagel. I remember one thick-necked sergeant telling me once that I’d NEVER lose weight eating bagels. He was on Atkins, eating all the bacon in the world. Well, I am almost down to my target weight now, and I do eat the occasional bagel. But I didn’t have one today.

When we got to Prospect Street, the mystery of the cook-out odor was solved. The Methodist Church was having a Brooks Barbecue. The huge grill extended over the sidewalk, so I suggested we cross the road. Then I saw cell phone guy from the park just ahead of us. Now he might really think I was stalking him! I let Tabby sniff the corner of a building for an extra long time so he could get way ahead of us. Then we took a different direction.

We walked by Hummel’s Office Plus and Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner, two places I plan on visiting soon, then on up Main Street. Many closed businesses, alas. The Exclusive Barber Shop is still open. Burrito Jones has not opened yet.

I had my sweatshirt tied around my waist by now. The exercise felt really good on my legs. We turned down Park Avenue and went back toward Meyers Park. Past the Brooks Barbecue smell. MMMMmmmmm….

We had walked for almost a half hour. Still plenty of time to do something useful before Steven gets home from work. Then I am hoping to sneak in at least one Mohawk Valley adventure before tonight’s play.

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Ambiance by Suzanne

Posted on May 13, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Just a quick plug for a local business today. I may have mentioned I am in a play with Ilion Little Theatre this weekend and next. There are a number of new people in the cast, new to ILT and new to any stage. I thought I would do something special for opening night.

I remember years ago in high school, people giving their friends flowers for opening night. My mother told me the leading lady got roses, that was all. In fact, she gave me two lovely roses when I was a leading lady once, but that is another memory. I know in movies where they show plays, somebody hands the leading lady a bouquet of roses while she takes her final bow, but I’ve never seen that in real life.

Be all that as it may, I thought to get everyone in the cast as well as the accompanist and sound/lights guy a single bloom. I realized carnations were more in my budget than roses. Anyways, they last longer. I made a phone call.

I drive by Flowers by Suzanne on Mohawk Street in Herkimer, NY almost every day on my way home from work. Steven got me some lovely roses from them one Valentine’s Day (I guess I’m his leading lady) (sorry, had to say it). I ordered eleven carnations, in yellow if possible (there is something in the play about goldenrod, so I thought yellow carnations was close enough).

Friday after work I picked them up. As I walked to the door of the business I got a wonderful whiff of lilacs from a big bush nearby. I must plant some lilacs in my yard. The nice people at Suzanne’s were able to accommodate my request for all yellow and even threw in an extra, in case something happened to one. I grabbed a handful of little cards to write something nice on and was on my way.

As I sat in the car waiting for Steven (I had to pick him up at work), I wrote the cards. And realized I had miscalculated. One card short. I had been going down the cast list writing the cards, so the accompanist got shorted. I had the right number of little envelopes, so I wrote a note on a small piece of notebook paper. It turned out to be OK with the recipient, as it turns out. I had written “Well, this is embarrassing” on the outside of the notebook paper after I had folded it in half. She was highly amused

People were very pleased with their flowers, and I felt I had added to the ambiance of opening night. Anyone needing to add ambiance to any of their occasions can happily go to Flowers by Suzanne. They are located at 433 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY, 315-866-0206.

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Fun with a Friend

Posted on April 28, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

The reason I used to like Saturday Running Commentary is that I would get up, run, write the blog post, get on with my day. Oh, I usually showered between run and write (I knew some of you would be concerned about that). Well, I haven’t been running in a while now, and a singularly uneventful walk with Tabby this morning did not make up the deficiency. I postponed the writing of the blog and went off adventuring with my friend Phyllis. So this is both a Running Around Commentary and a shout out to Fun with a Friend.

We were on a mission to find things for Ilion Little Theatre’s next production, Dirty Work at the Crossroads (you may have read some posts I’ve written about it). First I had the difficult of trying to print out some Michael’s coupons from my computer, and of course, nothing to do with computers is easy for me. Then I had to search out the Hobby Lobby coupon I had clipped from last Sunday’s paper. Oh, there WAS a Micheal’s coupon in the paper. Well, now I had an extra. I put all the coupons into a notebook where I had a list of stuff I was looking for, which I put down while I found my jacket, picked up my purse, kissed Steven good-bye, etc. Then I had to stomp around the house trying to remember where I put down the notebook. Sometimes it’s just not easy being me.

I drove to Phyllis’ house to pick her up, a place I have been to several times. I really can’t tell you why I drove right by it and didn’t see it. I found a place to turn around and drove back, looking more carefully this time, to find Jim and Phyllis standing at the end of the driveway waving at me so I wouldn’t miss them again. Jim was still standing in the driveway, acting like Mookie Maguggins (his character in the play) while Phyllis and I drove away.

We drove around New Hartford, NY, in search of various things. Party City, Toys R Us, Hobby Lobby and Michael’s all helped us out, and my coupons which had caused so much trouble came in handy. We felt we were so successful, we deserved lunch out. Luckily we were right near Symeon’s, as it turns out, a favorite of both of ours.

That was the coolest thing about our morning: Phyllis and I get along so well. We like all the same stores. We got sick of shopping pretty much at the same time. We went to Symeon’s and ordered the same lunch, for heavens’ sake. Oh, one difference: Phyllis had a glass of wine while I had coffee, because I was driving.

I will probably do a post specifically on Symeon’s soon, because, yum. And I’ll talk some more about the stuff we bought for the play, especially as some of it will form part of a couple of projects I plan to undertake. For right now, though, I just want to say, I had a swell time with my friend. Thanks, Phyllis!

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Thank You, Beasley’s

Posted on March 8, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I spent the latter part of last week lamenting my computer woes and feeling grateful to Herkimer’s Basloe Library for filling in the gap (who says I can’t multi-task?). Monday, Steven and I managed to do something about it, thanks to Beasley’s Electronics.

We were pretty sure our problem was the monitor and that we would have to replace it. Still, we didn’t want to just buy a new monitor, hook it up and find out that wasn’t the problem. we thought a good repair place could advise us. Besides, what do we know? Maybe the monitor could easily be fixed (yeah, right after we win the lottery and I change into that acid-wash denim mini-skirt with the 26-inch waist).

We used to notice Beasley’s a few years ago, when we had dinner at Cherry’s, a restaurant across the street, now sadly closed. In those days we had nothing that needed repair, but one remembers some things.

First we went to… a certain big box store that does not need a plug from Mohawk Valley Girl. I had unfortunate visions of road trips to New Hartford and other big box stores (I know, it’s not that far; I just didn’t want to mess with it). But no, monitors are obtainable in Herkimer. We drove down Mohawk Street to Beasleys.

When we walked in we discovered that there was very little room to walk. the place was packed with televisions, computers, etc, in various stages of repair or waiting to be recycled. I also admired a couple of antique radios. I don’t know if they were there to be fixed or just to look cool, but they certainly did look cool.

After speaking with Greg Beasley, we went and got our monitor, which I had foresightedly unhooked from the tower the previous night. He said he would take a look and call us later in the afternoon. As we predicted, he did not hold out much hope of a repair but said he might have a new or used monitor he could sell us.

When we returned to Beasley’s, a man with two adorable young boys was purchasing a used wide screen TV. When the boys stepped outside for a minute (I forget why), Steven and I moved into the space where they had been standing, so as to be out of the way when they moved the TV.

“Hey, you took our spot,” the younger boy accused when they returned.

“We did,” I admitted. “Shift your feet, lose your seat.” It was not technically a seat, but you know how I like to rhyme. I think the older boy was amused.

We ended up buying a new monitor for a very similar price to what we would have paid at the big box store (I say similar because it was a different brand and I don’t remember the exact numbers).

“And now you have someplace to take it if it gives you any problems,” Greg said. That was a big selling point for me.

We got our new monitor home and hooked up with very little problem. I am once again typing my blog posts at my leisure, in my house. Love that Basloe Library, but I prefer to go there for books.

Beasley’s Electronics is located at 313 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY 13350, phone 315-866-0866. You can visit their website at http://beasleyselectronics.com/.

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Saturday Shout Outs

Posted on February 17, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

I must begin today’s post by repairing an omission in a previous post titled, “To Market, To Market.” I had purchased a lovely a sweet treat for Steven for Valentine’s Day but neglected to make a note of the company that made it. Imagine my delight when I found the business card in my wallet.

Allow me to recommend Tamsin’s Sweet Shop of Clinton, NY. Website http://tamsinssweetshop.wordpress.com/ (imagine my further delight to find she also blogs on WordPress). She is also on Facebook.

To continue with Saturday’s post, I think I will give another shout out to The Knight Spot in Frankfort, NY. Steven and I went there Thursday night for our Valentine’s dinner. I’m not saying it is the most romantic atmosphere in the Mohawk Valley. More of a down home, family, diner type of atmosphere. But I had conceived a craving for a patty melt earlier in the week, and The Knight Spot makes one of the best.

We had no problem getting a booth. I ordered a bottle of Yuengling Beer. Steven got coffee but also ordered a chocolate shake to go with his dinner (which The Knight Spot also does superlatively). He got an open-faced hot roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes, gravy over both. As I said, I got a patty melt.

The Knight Spot is located at 264 E. Main St., Frankfort, phone number 315-894-4054. They are also on Facebook.

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And Here’s Another Walk

Posted on January 6, 2013 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I substitute a pedestrian post for Saturday Running Commentary. I offer no apologies for this. If I choose not to risk slipping on the ice and falling on my fat butt or foolish face, it is not for others to judge.

Did that sound a little defensive? Well, I suppose I do harbor a little guilt. But there is no point in worrying about it, because for some people (notably my inner critic), nothing is ever good enough.

So much for self analysis (or was that self indulgence? Oh well, we’re all allowed sometimes), on with the walk.

The Wait Five Minute Mohawk Valley Weather (you know, “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes”) did us all a favor and warmed up, relatively speaking. I could do a whole post on how 30 degrees feels a whole lot nicer when the temperature rises to it in January than it felt when the temperature first fell to it in October (weight does the same thing, only in the other direction, if you see what I mean). But no Middle-aged Musings on a Saturday, please.

I still put on toque, gloves and insulated sweatshirt. Steven contented himself with his coat, and Tabby, as usual, went au naturel. Our plan was to walk to Smoker Friendly so Steven could indulge in his worst habit (unhealthy and expensive; what’s to like? But it’s not for me to judge). This necessitated walking by Tabby’s favorite Historic Four Corners. She particularly likes to sniff the wrought iron fence at Herkimer Reformed Church.

We were able to cross Main Street with no problem. I said that it might be nice to see a little more traffic in downtown Herkimer on a Saturday afternoon. Still, I do like crossing the street with no dangers.

We continued down Main Street after Steven transacted his business at Smokers Friendly (he also bought me a scratch off lottery ticket). Past many closed businesses (some permanently, some just on Saturday afternoon). It looks as if somebody might be doing something in the space that formerly housed Brownie’s. We also observed a new barbershop, but it was on the other side of the street, so I can’t offer any details.

We crossed back over at the bottom of the street and walked by Crazy Otto’s, Hummel’s Office Plus and the Belly Up Pub. There is another store next to Hummel’s whose name escapes me. I think it is a second hand store and they also sell stuff on ebay. Another local business for me to get more details on for a future blog post.

We walked one block up Prospect then over to Meyers Park. The wind picked up a little and felt cold on our faces, but the sun was still bright. We walked for about a half hour.

If anyone found this post depressingly similar to a hundred other posts I’ve written about walking in Herkimer, I’m sorry. My legs certainly appreciated it. And I have to say I enjoyed writing about it. Furthermore, Steven and Tabby were entertained and exercised. And I have a whole year ahead of me in which to write more interesting posts (but probably not in which I will break myself of the habit of beginning sentences with “And”).

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Making Do with a Walk

Posted on December 16, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again I did not go running this Saturday. I’ll have a big, exciting blog post when I start running again, so that is something to look forward to (for me, anyways). In the meantime, today I will write about a walk I took this morning with Tabby, my schnoodle (regular readers know I have a schnoodle named Tabby, but I thought I’d mention her for anybody just tuning in. Plus, I like using the word schnoodle).

Steven and I were up early this morning, because he had to work at 6:30. Well, at least I got to sleep in till four. I must be thankful for what I can get. I didn’t waste the wakefulness, either. I left the house when Steven did, all fired up to finish my Christmas shopping before the crowds arrived.

I didn’t do so good. What a time of year to be stricken with indecision! I’ve been saying that for the rest of the day. You see, I can’t even decide on something else to say.

All this is just background, of course. I was partially successful and wondered what else I could usefully get done before my eye doctor appointment at 10:45. Then I remembered I had yet to deposit a check into my mad money account at First Source Federal Credit Union in Herkimer (see, I get to plug a local business, too).

First I had to search frantically for a hat. What in the world did I do with my toque? And what happened to all the other knitted hats I used to have? This one looks dorky, that one looks dorky, oh, here’s a good one. Does anybody else have these problems? I got Tabby into her harness and we set out.

Still no snow in Herkimer, NY. Not even any rain, although yesterday my bunions definitely predicted precipitation. Well, sometimes my bunions are in advance of the event. Not even too cold, but I was glad I had found my hat.

Lots of Christmas decorations to look at. I saw several blow up Santas not deflated, as well as a couple sad looking ones. In the daylight, I especially like to see the large Christmas balls hanging from porches. I saw some swaying in the breeze, although I wasn’t bothered much by the wind. Perhaps it was the Ghost of Christmas Past or somebody (just a spooky thought to brighten my day).

Tabby was not best pleased with the directions I was walking in, but I convinced her to accompany me. She was happy enough once we got to the bank. She loves that bank. The teller gave her a treat, which I believe she was expecting.

After I had transacted my business, Tabby delayed our departure long enough to greet another patron. She jumped right up on him to be petted.

“Well, hello,” he said. “How are you? Nice to meet you!”

“She always knows nice people when she sees them,” I said. Actually, I think Tabby thinks everybody is nice and wants to pet her. Luckily, many people do.

We walked home by a different route so we could see more decorations. I envied all the hard plastic light up snowmen, in particular one who seemed to be giving me a knowing grin.

I’d like to share with you some of my Christmas shopping adventures, but it would be problematic. There would be a lot of “I got a … for …” because some people on my Christmas list read my blog. Sometimes even the place I shopped would be a giveaway. So for now, we’ll have to make do with a walk to the bank. Happy Saturday, everybody.

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Around the Town with Tabby

Posted on November 11, 2012 by mohawkvalleygirl

I would have like to do a Saturday Running Commentary, but I cravenly decided not to run. I have a show to do and a dog I’ve been neglecting. I decided a pedestrian post was more in order.

It was a beautiful day for a walk (or run, for that matter, but that ship sailed, quit pining), in the 50s, partly cloudy. I felt I didn’t need my knitted toque (rhymes with “spook”) or my crazy old lady hat. My schnoodle Tabby was completely happy to join me (most of you know my dog is a schnoodle; I just like using the word).

A block from the house, the sun came out from behind the clouds and I felt the absence of my crazy old lady hat. I was too far to go back and get it, though, so I sucked it up. I could always cross the street in search of shade.

Tabby seemed to feel the need to sniff every post, tree and sign, as well as several random patches of grass with no attraction visible to the human eye. A couple of times I noticed the attraction was a patch of poo, blending in with dead grass or fallen leaves. I tried to keep her away from those. She doesn’t need to be sticking her nose in other dogs’ poo.

“You know what poo smells like,” I tell her as I pull her away. Then I let her sniff the next harmless-looking choice.

When she pooed herself, I picked it up in a plastic bag. Now I was on the lookout for a trash can. I had taken the precaution of placing an extra poo bag in my sweatshirt pocket, in case I threw out this poo and she pooed again. Such a thing does not happen often, but one likes to be prepared.

Of course we walked by Tabby’s favorite, Herkimer’s Historic Four Corners. Naturally a dog of mine would be a local history buff (she also likes crime shows and jazz music). I don’t know why they moved the trash can that was in front of the 1834 Jail, but that wasn’t the only reason I like to walk that way. We continued down Main Street.

We had to walk around some yellow caution tape in front of Sam’s Grocery and Deli and Sacred Eagle Tattoo. It seems they are painting the storefronts. It certainly looks nice. I complimented the men working. I’m always glad to see people making improvements in our village.

I found a trash can in front of Basloe Library, another of my favorite spots. I remembered the guitar people would be playing. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I would have like to go in to listen, but I wasn’t sure if they like cute little dogs in the library. Anyways, Tabby would have just wanted the musicians to pet her.

On down Main Street, sad to see closed businesses but encouraged by some signs of life. People were working in the store that is to be a Burrito Jones. I like burritos. I noticed a T-Mobile store I hadn’t noticed before. Doors at Pete’s Tavern were open, but Tabby isn’t 21 so we did not go in. Soon I could smell burgers coming from Crazy Otto’s Empire Diner and remembered I was hungry.

Turning the corner we went by Hummel’s Office Plus. They were having an open house, but for once Tabby did not pull me towards the door. She was more interested in sniffing every available lamp post. The beer lights were not yet let for the Belly Up Pub. Then again, it was before noon. I think they open at four. Not that I was looking for a beer (despite the earlier mention of Pete’s Tavern).

We walked for almost a half hour, and my legs were grateful for the exercise. I think Tabby enjoyed it, too, although I did not let her do all the sniffing she desired. And my post is a respectable length, if not as exciting as some. Well, I do my best. At least my dog is happy.

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