Tag Archives: Mohawk Valley adventures

Some Random Blog Post

Posted on April 24, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was about to type in a whiny-ass excuse about how I am doing a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post when I remembered:  Today is THURSDAY!  What a maroon!  Well, I already transferred my random pictures from my phone to WordPress, so I am going to make some kind of blog post using them.

The blooms last such a short time.

I LOVE blooming trees!  I want to take down what is left of Frankentree in front of my house and put in one that will look all pretty for a short time in the spring, like this one.  When I was younger, I dreamed of getting married in an apple orchard.  I forgot all about that when the actual time came, which is just as well, because I would have probably tripped on a fallen branch or had a bird poop on me.

Another random tree. 

As I took this picture, I thought, “And I’ll take a picture of this random tree,” because I liked it.  I was walking around the path at Town of Herkimer Park on Pine Grove Road in East Herkimer, taking a few pictures to accompany my article on the Herkimer Town Board Meeting for Sentinel Media.  It is a very nice little park.  I may go walk or run that trail again soon.

In case you get tired of walking and want to read a book.

This Little Free Library is along the trail, too.  I love these things.  I always look if there is a book I want to read but so far I have not brought any books to leave.  However, many of them are quite full already so perhaps I will need to wait for a good chance.

I have been enjoying the nice weather, getting out walking and running a lot, in addition to just being outside when I can, for example when getting pictures for my news writing endeavors.  I know I had promised some more Mohawk Valley Adventures, and I hope to get to those soon.  In the meantime, thank you for staying tuned.

 

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Did Somebody Say Murder?

Posted on April 22, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have actually been running around having lots of Mohawk Valley Adventures (alternating with periods of sitting on the couch saying, “I just can’t even!” but you’ll have that).  Yet I am going to do a fast Pre-Rehearsal Post, because I have a few more pre-rehearsal chores to do before, you know, rehearsal.   I suppose I am being a little too lenient with myself by using all the pictures I took during rehearsal last week, but I cannot pause to analyze my motivations now.

Obviously a dramatic moment!

Jerry loves to sing.  I always try to give him the part of a person who wants to do a musical, whether a musical is appropriate to the rest of the murder mystery or not.  You can do that when you write the thing.

Big gesture!

I thought our last rehearsal went really well.  People were really into character and interacting with each other a lot.  They praised my script, but really they are the ones that make it work.

What’s he laughing at?

I spent a good part of this afternoon making a prop: a note made of letters cut out of a magazine. Do you know what a pain in the butt that is?  I’m surprised at kidnappers or blackmailers who take all that trouble.

“Did somebody say… murder?”

OK, the caption isn’t really a line in the script; I just couldn’t think of anything else.  But I am over 225 words, so here is the plug:

A Revolutionary Murder, to benefit the Herkimer County Historical Society, will be presented at Herkimer Elks Lodge, 124 Mary St., Saturday, April 25, doors open at 5, dinner at 6.  Tickets are $45 for individuals, $80 for couples, available at the historical society.

 

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Pre-Crawl Post

Posted on April 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, not a Pub Crawl, although anybody who knows me might be forgiven for thinking so.  I am about to embark on Herkimer’s Spring Shop Crawl.  We get to go around to participating businesses and check them out.  Many are running specials for the day. In any case, I will get to say hello to my favorites and hopefully discover some new places for shopping and blogging purposes.

Can’t wait to stop here!

The event is hosted by To Niche Their Own and Renewed and Rescued. Renewed and Rescued is a long-time favorite of mine, and To Niche Their Own has been a favorite since I discovered them.

And if I get hungry along the way.

I just scrolled down the Facebook Event’s Discussion and looked for other participants whose picture I might have in my Media Library, and here is Paradise Eatery.  I am charging my phone in hopes of taking pictures at each stop. This may be good for days and days of blog posts!

I see Herkimer College (known to locals as HCCC or “H-trip-C”) is also sponsoring a vendor fair.  I intend to walk during my initial foray into the Crawl, but I may return home for my car to check out what’s up the hill (YES, I try to run up the hill on a regular basis, but that is not the same thing, surely you can see that) (and I will call you Shirley if I decide to).

Well, time, as they say, is a-wasting.  I need to get crawling and shopping.  I encourage any local readers to check out the Spring Shop Crawl.  All others may tune in later for blog posts about same.

 

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Where Have I Been? Where May I Go?

Posted on April 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

With apologies for missing my Wednesday blog post, I attempt another Throwback Thursday.  I have done a few things this morning, not many of course:  took a mile and a half walk, met friends for breakfast, talked to my parents, met with a contractor (long story, not very interesting)… OK, I have not done much.  I have a hair and toenail appointment this afternoon and a murder mystery rehearsal this evening (preview of coming attractions).  I certainly hope I remember to take a couple of pictures at rehearsal for a Post-Rehearsal Post.

Now what did I do with that little silver purse?

This is a picture of my bestie Kim and me at a Prohibition Party at Gerber’s 1933 Tavern in Utica, NY.  I actually have some better 1920s outfits now, and I am always hoping to add more. Note to self:  make the next murder mystery a 1920s theme.  I thought I would throw back to businesses previously visited, but of course I cannot get away from my theatrical (not to say drama queen) nature.

Cheers to a Cute Little Blonde!

Here is a local business I need to return to soon, Heelpath Brewing in Frankfort.  The Cute Little Blonde mentioned in the caption refers to the wine Kim is drinking, from Rustic Ridge Winery in Burlington Flats.  That would be more of a drive for me to visit, but it is a delightful place.

The bunnies were still there last week!

Now here is a place I have been recently and intend to return to today: Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I go for their weekly tastings, for a naughty sip and some pleasant conversation.  I must see what they are tasting today.

I have cheered myself up, thinking of these places I have been to and can go to again.  I miss my Kim, who has moved halfway across the country, but perhaps she will return for a visit sometime.  In the meantime, there is no reason I cannot enjoy some Mohawk Valley Adventures with other friends or even on my own.

 

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Another Brew, Another Book!

Posted on April 14, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

This morning I had occasion to go to Little Falls, NY, so naturally I made a stop at Athenix Books and Brews, one of the all time coolest bookstores ever.  Nick, the owner, greeted me by name as I walked in, which is so flattering!  I had a box of books from my parents’ house and asked if he was still taking donations.  He said, “Always!”  This is good news for me, because I haven’t even started cleaning out my own library!

Lots of choices!

I was in need of a treat to ordered a Mocha with whipped cream and a deluxe brownie (it’s true:  I do not have weight-loss goals; I have weight-loss daydreams).  I sat down at a tall table and worked on a letter to a friend while I sipped and nibbled.  I really want to begin some more substantive writing projects than letters and post cards, but one does what one can, and I believe most people like to receive snail mail on occasion.

A very welcoming atmosphere.

Sometime I will have to come in with a friend, so we can sit on the couch to sip and chat.  After I had finished my treat, I naturally looked for a book and found one amongst the used books.  Reduce, reuse, recycle!

No, I did not purchase one of these books!

It has actually been a while since I had stopped into Athenix but I hope to stop in again soon.  As I was leaving, two ladies were entering.  “This is a great place,” I told them, and I could tell they were quite taken with it as they continued into the store.

Athenix Books and Brews is located at 624 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, and is open daily.

 

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Murder Remembered

Posted on April 10, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Alas, I have once again fallen down on the job as a daily blogger by failing to make even a Wuss-out Wednesday post.  A quick check of my phone tells me a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday is also ineligible.  As I sit here on my couch feeling rather tired, I fear a Throwback Thursday is my best bet.  For one reason, I am pondering the latest murder mystery and throwing back to past triumphs may inspire me.

You knew I would include a picture of Steven if possible.

This was indeed a fun one, Fabulous and Fatal in the fall of 2019.  My late, dearly missed husband Steven made quite the hit as Ophelia Upp, a member of Drag Queens Along the Mohawk.  I played the glamorous Roxanne Rolls.

Nothing suspicious about him!

And here is my friend Tucker as Renwick Spaulding, a great lover of all things insect in Donate to Murder.  He was pretty awesome.  I feel proud of myself for writing these murder mysteries, but really, it is the actors who make the stories come to life.  Which may seem like a funny thing to say about a murder mystery.

How could somebody that fabulous kill anybody?

Here is a less than candid shot of one of our suspects for Shooting at the Grange, which we performed at Salisbury Grange in the spring in 2023.  It was a pretty fun script in a nice setting.

I don’t know that I feel particularly inspired now to work on the mystery we are rehearsing tonight, but at least I have my blog post done.  I hope you’ll stay tuned for future Mohawk Valley Adventures.

 

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Wandering Wednesday

Posted on March 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have not been having so many Mohawk Valley Adventures lately, and I fear today was not so much better.  But I did leave my house and go to a few places.  The first place I went was the Herkimer Elks Lodge, a regular stop of mine. However, I had to mail a couple of cards to a couple of aunts, so I left the lodge for a while.  When I returned, I realized I needed to make further wanderings.

It was a delightfully warm day, at least for the season, so I was happy to walk.  Unfortunately, the sidewalks were not always as nice as one could hope.  I did my best, and walked in the road where necessary, to the disappointment of the vehicular traffic.

Not such a good path.

After leaving the Elks I walked towards Cliff’s Market, where my bank has an ATM.  On the way I stopped at To Niche Their Own, one of my favorite little stores.  I purchased an artificial rose, to match one I obtained previously and is currently on my mantel.

It looks like my skeleton Bonaparte is holding it

I plan to purchase more of those flowers and have a bouquet, and maybe give some away.  I carried my flower with me to the Herkimer VFW, where I enjoyed a glass of Chardonnay and some conversation with fellow veterans.  Then I went to the ATM and took a long (or so it seemed to me) walk to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, where I got a turkey sub.  Yum!

I’m afraid I did not take too many pictures of my different Mohawk Valley Adventures today.  At least I have made a blog post.  I hope to have another adventure or two tomorrow.  As always, I hope you will tune in.

 

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I Venture to Get a T-Shirt

Posted on March 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Athenix Books and Brews was not the only stop I made in Little Falls yesterday.  I also strolled down Main Street to Venture Fourth, the new outdoor store.  I am not really an outdoorsy person, no hiking or rock climbing for me.  But I like this store and I like the owners, a husband and wife team.  I had a nice conversation with the husband at Christmas time when I found a couple of small gifts for family members.  When I saw on Facebook they were having a sale on t-shirts, I thought I would have to have one.

Come on in!

I did not have far down Main Street to walk to find my goal. When I walked in, I saw the t-shirts I wanted right away. The shirts were offered by Preserve Our Past, and each purchase directly supported efforts to preserve significant historic buildings and structures in Little Falls.

What a great graphic!

Additionally, the shirt made a play on words!  Little Falls is known as Rock City, there are some great spots for rock climbing, and the place does, in fact, rock.  How could I resist?
Venture Fourth is located at 590 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-983-8271.  I encourage you to stop by, and to follow them on Facebook.

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That Little Breakfast

Posted on February 18, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I found myself in Little Falls, NY and hungry this morning, so I made my way down Main Street and enjoyed a good breakfast at That Little Place on Main Street.

That is exactly what it is.

It is indeed a little place, but I found a booth with no problem, and the waitress brought me a menu.  By the time she brought my coffee and water (I almost always ask for water), I knew what I wanted: a breakfast sandwich on a hard roll with egg and cheese.  I had been smelling bacon from the sidewalk, but decided to be calorically conservative.

As I waited for my food, sipping coffee and working on a letter to my sister Diane, a regular sitting at the bar was giving the waitress a hard time, as regular customers like to do.  I came to her defense.  He said a few other things, and I did not hesitate to join in the conversation.  You can do those things when you’re a crazy old lady.  At one point, he said his wife said he looked like a homeless person.  I told him to tell her it was Boho Chic.  He did not think he would remember that expression.

My sandwich was delicious!  The eggs were so fluffy!  I asked if there was hot sauce.  The guy who brought my food says, “We’ve got Tabasco, Red Hot, and some that’ll make you sorry you walked in.”  I opted for the Red Hot.  I was very happy with my breakfast and felt fortified for further Mohawk Valley Adventures.

That Little Place on Main is located at 28 W. Main St., Little Falls, NY.

 

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I Didn’t Can It

Posted on February 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I did not mean to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY on Friday (yesterday). However, I was taking a walk for my mental and physical health, remembered I was short on cash so stopped by the ATM, realized the ATM was right across the street from the liquid store (OK, that is why I chose that ATM), and decided to stop in.

He was a cool guy.

They were sampling Cutwater canned cocktails.  I am not a huge cocktail drinker myself, but I thought it was worth a taste.  I said they would be good for parties, especially outdoor parties in the summer.  I’m sure many people would like to sip out of a can poolside.  I guess that is looking a few months ahead.  Eddie, the young man pouring, said they would also be good for bars.  I agreed, noting how bartenders maybe be too busy to make fancy drinks, and two bartenders may make the same drink differently.

There were three martinis: Espresso, Chocolate Espresso, and Lemon Drop.  Oh, were they yummy!  And dangerous!  The Lemon Drop tasted just like lemonade, and I could see myself sucking down the Chocolate Espresso as if it was chocolate milk (my recovery beverage after a work-out).  Personally, I prefer my booze to taste like booze, and I sip it slowly.  Still, to have one at a party…

I also liked the Lime Margarita.  It was as good as any blender Margarita I have had.  The Spicy Bloody Mary was also good.  I actually liked it better than the ones I make myself, because it was not too thick, which is the effect the tomato juice sometimes has (you may suggest I add more vodka, but I will refrain from doing so).

Last was the Long Island Iced Tea.  Of course I told the story of how that was one of the first cocktails I ever had, at JJ’s in Rome, NY, age 18 (which was the drinking age at the time).  It tasted just like iced tea, and I got into a little bit of trouble that way.  I never had an iced tea that tasted as good since, even in Long Island.  This one tasted just like iced tea. I was not really surprised, after the Lemon Drop Martini that tasted like lemonade.

I had a nice time sampling, and made tasting notes.  I will keep Cutwater in mind if I have any parties this summer.  I will inquire of my guests what they might like.  I personally will probably stick with wine.  Well, maybe one Cutwater can.  But not of each!

 

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