Tag Archives: local business

A Little Fun in Little Falls

Posted on April 14, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I am making my Scattered Saturday post on Sunday morning.  You may judge me, and I will neither protest nor defend myself.  Never mind that, on with the post.

I was missing a Girl’s Day in the Finger Lakes with my sisters and Mom, because Monday is the deadline for Mohawk Valley Living magazine, and once again, I am behind the eight ball (that is a cliche for “I don’t have my act together,”  but I thought I would sound cool by referencing billiards) (go ahead and tell me pool and billiards are not the same thing; I deserve it for using a cliche to try to be cool).  Where was I?  Ah yes, looking for something to write about.  I feel a little uncomfortable admitting I write these things so close to the last minute, but that behavior used to get me all A’s when I wrote papers in school.  Why would I mess with success?  Or how can I fight nature?  But I digress.

Steven and I drove to Little Falls, NY, one of my favorite places, in search of a distinctive, fun local business I have not written about.  Unfortunately, I have written about a lot of them.  We parked on Main Street and took a slow walk down it.  It was a lovely day for a walk, at least.  We stopped into Designs by Shelly, a flower and gift shop.

Just a few gift suggestions for my husband. I’m helpful that way.

I sadly noted a couple of places no longer in business, giving Little Falls’ Main Street something in common with Herkimer’s.  I would have liked to stop into Meeples Mug House, even though I already wrote about them, but they were not open yet.

In front of what used to be West End Steak House, long closed, still missed.

We did stop into White Rose Bakery, which I have written about, and had a cup of coffee and a treat.  Yum!  We considered continuing down to Paca Gardens or Fall Hill Bead and Gems, both of which I had written about, but decided against it.  We headed back to Herkimer, in search of other adventures.  Did we find any?  That will have to await future posts.

White Rose Bakery: yummy coffee and treats, pretty windows.

 

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Joan Crawford Had Nothing To Do With It

Posted on March 29, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I feel that I have a good excuse for making my Non-Sequitur Thursday post on Friday morning, and it’s not just, you know, non-sequitur.  I was late getting home, because I made three stops, then I had two rehearsals starting at 5 p.m.  So here is a Non-Sequitur Shout-Out post, because, as regular readers know, Mohawk Valley Girl loves local businesses.

First I had to pick up a prescription at the Medicine Shoppe in Ilion.  They are so nice there, and it is the sort of place where they recognize regular customers.  That stop did not take long.  Right across from the parking lot are Ilion Wine and Spirits.  I like to support them, because, in addition to being nice and a good liquor store, they support Ilion Little Theatre (where both my rehearsals were, incidentally).  Unfortunately, I did not have anything particular in mind so spent a few minutes wandering around before settling on a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir, a favorite of mine.  Then I stopped into Honey Brook Hobbies to get a treat for my husband.  I easily picked out a brownie with mini chocolate chips on top. I did NOT purchase one for myself, nor yet did I ask Steve for a bite.  Weight-loss goals, here I come!

I should perhaps mention that this will be another hasty post, because I have to sit, drink coffee, watch the news, and play solitaire before I have to get ready for work.  Otherwise I shall feel too flustered and be a danger to myself an others (that last was a self-dramatizing exaggeration, so don’t shake your finger at me) (you know who you are) (don’t shake your head either, although you may feel free to shake your bootie, I don’t mind that on a Friday) (oops, I just pointed out again that I am making my Thursday post late) (once again, I’d better quit while I’m ahead, if in fact I am).

 

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Fun and Games on Scattered Saturday

Posted on March 17, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

He looks mean, doesn’t he?

I was hoping for a picture of a big explosion to start off this week’s Scattered Saturday post, because that is pretty much how Demolition Man (1993) begins.  It is what we are watching now.  I suggested it because it is a funny, fun, fast-paced flick.  We had just watched The Bad Seed (1956), a perennial favorite of ours.

Isn’t she sweet?

Our day was even more fun before we got to the movie-watching portion.  We went to Little Falls for the grand opening of Meeples Mug House, the new board game cafe.  We played gin and then Yahtzee, in between enjoying a delicious sandwich (me) and soup (Steven).  I’ll write more about Meeples in another post (preview of coming attractions).

I took more pictures for subsequent use.

Before that, I went running and, um, not much else.  I made a phone call to arrange donating an afghan to the H.A.L.O. Chinese Auction tomorrow at the VFW (another preview of coming attractions).  While watching movies, I did a load of laundry and popped a bowl of popcorn (yum).  It was Aversa’s Popcorn, just to add a little local flair to the post.

For local readers, the HALO Chinese auction is at the  Herkimer VFW from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  HALO is the Helping Animals Live Organization, a no kill, not for profit, cat rescue group.

Meeples Mug House is located at 598 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY.  They are open from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

And that brings me over 200 words, which regular readers will remember I consider respectable.  I WILL write more about Meeples, possibly in an article in Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I will also write again about H.A.L.O.  Right now, however, I have knitting to do, and I have to watch Sylvester Stallone kick Wesley Snipes’ butt in Demolition Man.  Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

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Saturday Fun in Herkimer

Posted on March 10, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

My husband, Steven, and I made a few stops this afternoon.  I brought along my Tablet and took pictures at each one, for a proper Scattered Saturday post.  Let’s see if I can actually make one.

I foolishly did not get the name of the fellow doing the pouring.

Our first stop was at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer for a tasting by Thousand Islands Winery. Alas,they were not pouring any of their dryer wines,but we enjoyed talking to the young man pouring.  From there we went to Hummel’s Office Plus for some paper for our printer.

Look at all that paper!

After that, we stopped at a new business in Herkimer, Wakefield Furniture. Full disclosure:  we do not need any furniture at the present time.  However, the next time we do, we will go to Wakefield. They are very nice, in addition to having a very attractive store showcasing some lovely items.

I LOVE a tall table!

One of the first things to catch my eye was a tall table with matching stools. However, there was another table which I wonder would not be even better for my house.

I don’t know if this picture properly captures this table’s beautiful top.

Leaving the furniture store, I had the silly idea we should do a little bar hopping, a pastime in which we rarely indulge these days.  Accordingly, we stopped at the Endzone Pub and Grub.

They carry a lot of beers at the End Zone.

Can you read “Herkimer” on the shirt?

We admired the ceilings at the End Zone.  Wakefield also had lovely ceilings, but I neglected to take a picture.

After the End Zone,we stopped at Pete’s Tavern, at which we tried our luck at a couple of scratch-off lottery tickets.

This was our nice bartender, Cecelia.

I won $10 on one, $2 of which I re-invested in another scratch-off.  That one was not a winner, but I got a $1 scratch-off that won me $2, so I was still $8 up.

The other pub in close proximity was Asteroga Ale House, so we stopped there as well.  We had a cup of clam chowder along with our wine. Very tasty.

I do not remember this lady’s name.

The we finally went home.  Full disclosure:  I am having another glass of wine as I type this. I hope it still makes a fun blog post. Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

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Wordless Shout-Out?

Posted on February 28, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

So I’m Tablet posting today, and I think I’ll pep things up with a few pictures and try for a Wordless Wednesday.   I wonder if there’s anything on the Tablet that’s any good.

Kim in black dress number fifty-one.

When in doubt,  go with the beautiful blonde. This is the picture of my dear friend Kim at Renewed and Rescued, the consignment shop in Herkimer I wrote about for Mohawk Valley Living.  The dress may or may not be exactly the fifty-first in Kim`s wardrobe, but close enough. As I related in my article,  I saw the dress, knew Kim would like it , brought Kim to the shop, and found that I was right.

I love the lights.

Here is another picture of the shop.  I really must do a whole post about them. For now, a couple of pictures must suffice.  For one reason, I HATE typing one letter at a time with the stylus.

Another part of the shop.

The store offers upscale clothes as well as vintage and locally made jewelry.  I purchased earrings and a bracelet.  In addition to the dress, Kim found a pair of shoes .

Renewed and Rescued is located at 142 North Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 313-628-1506.

As I said earlier,  I hope to do a better post at a later date.   In the meantime,  Happy Wednesday,  everyone.

 

 

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Off the Hook on Lame Post Friday

Posted on February 23, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

I started to write a blog post while at work today. I had a good topic, about a theatre experience I am currently undergoing.  I guess that is now a Preview of Coming Attractions, because I never got beyond the first paragraph.  I wondered if it is because I am wired to have Lame Post Friday.  And here we are, back at my house, bra off, sweats on, glass of Chardonnay nearby, not my first glass, obviously (or perhaps not so obviously, but so it is), hoping to type in a few words to amuse or at least entertain.

The day at work passed with sometimes agonizing slowness.  I got some work done, but let us not dwell on that.  For one reason, this is not a work blog.  I sustained myself through the day with the knowledge that at some point I would get together with my friend, Kim.  She has been away, and I have missed her.

We did get together.  We tasted some wine at Valley Wine and Liquor (I must make a full post about that.  For one reason, I took a picture of the winemaker who was pouring the wines we tasted).  Then we went to Asteroga Ale House and Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restuarant.  We had a fun time at both places.  We made plans to meet again tomorrow.

Oh what a dull post this is!  Where are my random observations and half-baked philosophy that usually enliven my Friday Lame Posts?  I don’t know.  However, I am over 200 words, which I consider respectable.  Perhaps tomorrow I can tell you the story of the chocolate cake.  Or we’ll talk about wine.  In any case, it will be Scattered Saturday or some such by then.  I’m going to let myself off the hook for today.  Happy Friday, everyone!

 

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Scattering before the Storm

Posted on January 20, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

Scattered Saturday it is!  For one reason, I can type this in quickly (I hope) and get back to the relaxing portion of the day.  Just a note of background:  today is supposed to be a major winter storm.  The weather people have been talking about it for days now.  Right now is the part of the day we are supposed to be hunkered down, waiting till it is time to go out and do some major shoveling tomorrow.  I suppose I can make a blog post while I hunker, but I would rather be watching a movie or true crime television.  On with the blog post, so I can get back to it!

We got up early today, having gone to bed early last night.  I felt rather ill-used to have a headache first thing in the morning.  I hadn’t even had a Friday night libation!  I wondered if too much sleep was to blame.  YES, I slept a lot on Friday.  I had a migraine, remember?  At least, regular readers will remember.  For sporadic tuners-in who missed yesterday’s lame post,  I had a migraine yesterday.  I sought exercise as a cure:  first I drank two large glasses of Gatorade, then I ran in place on the mini-tramp.  The headache wasn’t gone, but I could live with it.

After my usual call to Mom and Dad, I wrote a few post cards.  I was puttering around getting my act together when Steven went out to brush off the cars.  We feared the winter storm had started early, but it was merely a dusting overnight.  I got outside in time to help with the brushing, then I was off to Ilion.

My mission in Ilion was to get my work shoes for the year from Melfe’s.  I will no doubt write a blog post about that; I usually do.  My plan after that was to go to Moose River Coffee for a cup of the BEST coffee.  I could sit and write while I drank it.  Alas, they were not open.  A sign in the door said they were doing a tasting at Little Falls Food Co-op.  Well, I love Little Falls Food Co-op but was not into driving to Little Falls.

As I pulled into the parking lot for Ilion Wine and Spirits, I remembered Honey Brook Hobbies.  Maybe they had coffee!  Alas (again), they did not.  I bought a few cookies, though, because they looked really good (they were; I ate one right away).  Then I went to the liquor store and got a couple of bottles.

Back home I thought I was in for the day.  After all, it was already snowing.  However, my friend Kim needed to go to the liquor store and get something to see her through the storm.  Naturally I went with her to Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  After all, I still had my bra on (do NOT say TMI!) (you know who you are).  We tasted some wine and purchased some as well (oh, don’t shake your head or your finger at me!) (or even your booty, although that would be less of a problem) (it’s not like I’m going to drink it all TONIGHT!).

I cooked a pretty good dinner (not early enough to call it supper) while we looked at a Dateline I had DVR’d a while ago (judging from the taped commercials).  Now it is over so I must find something else to watch.  I see I am over 500 words, which I call more than respectable.  If you are in the path of the storm, I hope you are hunkered down.  For all others, Happy Saturday!

 

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Remembering Saturday on Monday

Posted on January 15, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of my usual Monstrous Monday, I thought I would make the Scattered Saturday post I did not make on Saturday.  We did a few things before we tasted wine (that is what I made my blog post about on Saturday, in case you did not tune in) and, anyways, I don’t have any new monster pictures (note to self:  find some new monster pictures).

It was quite cold in the morning, so I opted not to run outdoors.  After considering going to the Mohawk YMCA when it opened at eight, I decided to run in place on the mini-tramp.  I watched a Snapped On Demand while I did (regular readers may recall I also did that on Sunday. That may be my weekend thing for the winter).  After a shower and calling my Mom and Dad (I have called them on Saturday morning for many years now), I wrote a few post cards to my regular people.  Steven and I spent a good amount of time discussing our plans for the day but it took a while to come to any conclusions.

Steven wanted to get his beard trimmed and decided to try Custom Cutz in Herkimer (where we live).  They took him as a walk-in, although we had to wait a few minutes.   I used the time to make a few notes on the murder mystery I am writing for Morning Star Methodist Church in April (preview of coming attractions).  We were also amused by two little boys getting hair cuts. The first sat very still with a solemn look on his face.  The second seemed a little more ticklish.  He kept scrunching up his face and trying to brush off little pieces of hair.  I can certainly identify with that!

When we left the barber shop, I suggested we stop into Pete’s Tavern for a beer.  After all, it was after noon and Pete’s is only a couple doors down from Custom Cutz.  We enjoyed a draft.  I did a scratch off lottery ticket but did not win anything.  We only stayed for one, because we were headed for the wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor, which I wrote about on Saturday.   I guess I already mentioned that.  What do you want from me on a Monday?

 

 

 

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I Should be Aged in Bourbon Barrels

Posted on January 13, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

It’s been a while since I did a post on a wine tasting, although I have been to a few. Today my husband, Steven, and I went to a nice one at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer.  I took notes, so I will try to write a few words.  Full disclosure:  one reason I am doing it is that Lana, the lady pouring, said she was going to check out my blog (it came up in a conversation).

Beringer Wines were featured in the tasting.  I have tasted them and liked them before.  Additionally, the Facebook event promised dry wines, my favorite!  The tasting started at noon, and we made it there by one.  Lana was pouring for a lady but she happily included us in what she was pouring, Bourbon Barrel Chardonnay.  I tend to like Chardonnays that are aged in stainless not oak (I don’t really have that much wine knowledge, but I retained that tidbit after I discovered that I liked some Chardonnays way more than others), but this Bourbon Barrel stuff is something different. I liked it.

We went on to a Bourbon Barrel Red Blend, which I liked but was not particularly struck by.  I liked the Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon better.  It was different from your usual Cab Sauv.  I say “Cab Sauv” not because I am trying to sound like a real oenophile (I pronounce it oh-nee-oh-file) but because I am too lazy to say all the syllables.  The Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was even nicer.  I did not make a note of what that was aged in.

My favorite of the day was The Waymaker, a red blend from Pasa Robles.  It contained Malbec, Syrah and Petit Syrah.  We bought a bottle of that and may even save it for a special occasion.  No promises, though.

Lana noticed I was taking notes.  I said I always did.  Steven said it was because I have a blog (I told you in came up in a conversation).  Lana was pleased to hear this and said she had one too.  She made a note of mine.  I stupidly did not make a note of hers.  However, if she reads mine and hits “Like,”  I can easily find her.  Oh dear, now if she reads this she will feel obligated to hit “Like” even if she didn’t like it.  Oh well, maybe she will Like it.  I like to think I have a fairly likable blog.

Valley Wine and Liquor, located at 326 S. Caroline St. in Herkimer, NY, has tastings almost every weekend.  You can Like them on Facebook to keep informed.

 

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Monsters and Shout-outs, What Day Is It?

Posted on January 3, 2019 by mohawkvalleygirl

What a way to start the new year!  Yesterday’s blog post was dumb and today I can’t even think of anything to write about!  Is 2019 the year I stop being a daily blogger?  SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!  Then again, it is Wuss-out Wednesday.

Well, that was a lousy lead.  Where can I go from here?  I went back to work today and worked ten hours on my feet.  Um, I did not work on my feet, I stood on my feet while I worked at my job.  The first way sounds like I spent 10 hours giving myself a pedicure.  Imagine the toenails I could get that way!  But I digress.  The fact is, I am tired and somewhat brain dead.  I resorted to monsters yesterday and I am going to be bold enough to do it again today.  We can call it Mid-Week Monsters.  More Monsters at Mid-Week?  Titles are hard.

“Wasn’t I just here yesterday?”

Following yesterday’s dictum, I open with a vampire, Nosferatu to be exact.  I love that guy.

I should follow this guy’s example and have some coffee.   And go on a diet.

I took this fellow’s picture at the Old Barn Marketplace, on Route 5 in Little Falls, NY (you see I can multi-task: show monsters and give shout-outs to local businesses) .  Alas, they are closed for the season, but they will re-open in the spring.  I’ll be sure to visit them when they do, and write a blog post about it.

This is BEFORE he ate all of Margaret’s great treats!

Here’s a business that local readers can visit right away, the So Sweet Candy Cafe.  I don’t imagine the skeleton will be there before October, but you can find lots of yummy treats!  They are located on Varick Street in Utica, NY.

Well, this has not been a completely useless post after all.  I gave shout-outs to two local businesses and shared another picture of Nosferatu.  I wonder if I can find a peppy picture to close with and think of an appropriate title.

Sometimes even a monster has to relax.

This now seems more like a Non-Sequitur Thursday than a Wuss-out Wednesday post.  Well, it is one of those weeks where I can’t remember what day it is.

 

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