Mohawk Valley Express Volume 3 Number 1 January 2023

Snow much fun!

By Carol Vogel

Frank Boepple knows his way around the Salisbury Ridgerunners Club. The former President has held every office and even cooks for events. Snowmobiling has been in his blood for a while too. He even met his wife snowmobiling! He loves to see the members coming together –whether it’s working to maintain the club’s over 140 miles of trails, helping the community, or having dinner and drinks with

friends at the club for Friday night Fish Frys.

Salisbury Ridgerunners is the largest club in NYS and is well known for its membership, land holdings, and recreational events. The club was founded in 1971 by a small group of snowmobile enthusiasts in the garage of Sonny and Betty Moore in Salisbury. It was formed with 41 charter members and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021 with over 1,700

The Snowball Effect

By Katie Drake

The common perception seems to be that change

is like a light switch. Someone or something flips that switch on, and then that one “big thing”

members.

“The mission of the Salisbury Ridgerunners Club, Inc. is to provide a safe family environment and advance the general welfare and safety of snowmobilers, hikers, cross-country skiers, and all winter enthusiasts. This shall be accomplished through education, maintenance, addressing landowner concerns promptly, and compliance with all local, state, and federal laws. Everyone is invited to

happens that defines the before and the after.

I see change more like a snowball. It starts with a bunch of small things. Snowflake size things that gain traction as they get rolling and, together, amount to big things.

For me, it has been exciting to see what I like to call “The Snowball Effect” revitalization of many Upstate New York cities like Little Falls.

It’s small things, like

join the club so they may enjoy the many benefits.”

As part of the New York State Snowmobile

the shift in the majority of people speaking positively about their town or city.

Or the person who bought a house in what was considered a rundown neighborhood and fixed it up. Then helped their neighbors organize an effort to clean up and improve their section of town.

Small things, like supporting small businesses and shopping locally.

Association (NYSSA), the club’s website states, “…NYS has over 10,000 miles of marked and Please See SNOW Page 3

Volunteers who do everything from picking up garbage on the highway to helping out at one of our city’s nonprofits.

Small things like that one person who had an idea then formed or joined a committee to start or build that something.

The expansion of major businesses and the start of new ones.

These small things add Please See EFFECT Page 2

Salisbury Ridgerunners Where Old Friends Meet. Photo by Janadene Stallman, used with permission.

up to bigger things, such as the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant that was awarded to Little Falls in 2022 and is certainly a game changer.

Our little city is far from perfect, but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What do you see when you look around?

When you walk down

Main Street, do you see all the cool architecture and great places to shop, like Chickweed, White Rose Bakery, Paca Gardens, and Loft 32.

Do you notice the spa,

the financial institutions, and the favorite local spots like Ed & Buds, That Little Place on Main, Il Café, Ruggerio’s, or Ed’s Pizza? Or the new businesses like Rock City Center, Nicki Marie’s, or Main Street Mercantile? Do you notice the resilient pillars, like Best Buy Appliances, Rick the Barber, Pohlig’s, and Designs by Shelly, to name a few? Do you see the positive changes in Canal Place with Rock Valley Brewing Company, all the businesses within Rock City Development, Ann Street Deli, Mustard Seed, Little Falls Diamonds, and the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts?

All over our city, local people are stepping up to invest in our community and in people, creating jobs, collaboration, and experiences. Do you see it?

Or are you one of the people who are overheard saying things like, “All the storefronts are empty, and it looks

sad,” or “Little Falls will never be what it used to be?”

As we close out 2022, it’s a good time to reflect. We all have moments of negative behavior. Ask yourself, are you mostly a snowball builder or someone who sits back and complains about the work others do? Do you build people up or tear them down?

Are you one of the people actively working to make things in our community better? Putting yourself out there, starting something new, investing money, serving on a committee, volunteering your time, etc.

You can’t drive down the middle of the road. Pick a lane.

If you trend toward the lane of negative behavior, what exactly are you accomplishing? It can’t make you feel good or breed happiness. Are you overcompensating for something? Why are you weighing in after the fact when you didn’t contribute anything? It’s kind of like complaining about the president when you didn’t even vote. Do you even have all the facts? Likely not. This behavior isn’t healthy, helpful, or good.

It’s never too late to put your blinker on and change lanes. You are never too young or too old to build a snowball. Let’s teach our children how to give back to a community that’s given so much to us. It’s a new year, and you can make it a positive one. Let’s do ourselves and our community right.

Robert Pohlig

groomed trails available. Riding a snowmobile can take you to places you might never see otherwise, and with today’s modern sleds and equipment, you can enjoy the experience in safety and comfort.

There are snowmobiling opportunities for everyone — from firsttime snowmobilers to expert riders. It is also a wonderful way for people with physical disabilities to experience the snow and to climb a mountain ridge or two!”

“We have 207 landowners who allow us to have trails through their property,” Frank explains. “And without the landowners letting us use their property, we wouldn’t be here. We owe it all to the landowners.”

Salisbury Ridgerunners are the caretakers of 140 miles of trail that span north to south from Ohio to Little Falls and east to west from Stratford to Middleville.

Club Membership

The club has “Entry Days,” where you can sign up to be a member at the clubhouse. Club memberships are $30/ year for individuals and $40/year for families.

Club President Don Denapole explains membership has its advantages, “As a

member, you have use of the clubhouse and bar, parking for trailers and access to all club trails and use of the property including the three race tracks.”

Club members look forward to the summer clam bakes and BBQs. Their $100 Party and Poker Run are extremely popular events.

The clubhouse has a commercial kitchen serving meals that will warm you up after a day of snowmobiling. They even have arcade games, darts, and a kid’s corner with games and activities. “I’ve snowmobiled all over the eastern United States and Canada, and I have never seen a club with a clubhouse like ours,” says Don. “We are incredibly unique, and we’re really proud of that!”

The club offers safety and education courses as well, such as a pistol permit course, a snowmobile safety course for beginners of all ages, and the NYS Snowmobile Trail Grooming seminar.

Frank explains that the club has been offering the Grooming Seminar for 25 years. Open to the public, this year’s seminar is set for January 7th, 2023.

Frank has taught over 3500 people to groom snowmobile trails. “We’re not grooming the trails for speed, we’re grooming

the trails for safety. To make a more enjoyable ride.” It takes many hours to groom all the miles of trails, so having many club members who know how to groom is timesaving and helpful.

Membership dues and fundraising help the club with yearly expenses for signage on trails, fuel usage, upkeep of machinery, and much more for trail upkeep. They own four track groomers and four snowmobile groomers which are expensive to maintain and update but necessary in keeping trails in good condition and safe for riders. The club also has a pull tab machine which helps raise money for the club, and a percentage is donated to local firehouses, schools, hospitals, and charities. “We’re contributing to the community all the time,” comments Frank.

Events

The race tracks are something to see and a big draw both in winter and summer. Motorsports Park has three race tracks, and Ridgerunners is one of the few clubs in NYS to have a racing area. Their tracks are for winter snowmobile races like the Salisbury Ridgerunners 500 and summer races like snowmobile grass drag, Please See SNOW

Frank Boepple shows off the history of the Salisbury Ridgerunners collage on the wall of the clubhouse. Photo by Carol Vogel.

The club is fun for all ages! Photo by Janadene Stallman, used with permission.

Grooming the trails! Photo by Matt Reinemann, used with permission.

City of Little Falls

January 3, 2023Common Council Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm, Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Common Council Chambers in City Hall.

January 10, 2023Recreation Committee Meeting - 6 pm in the Mayor’s conference room at City Hall.

January 11, 2023 - Police and Fire Board MeetingBills 9:30 am and Regular Session 10:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

January 23, 2023 - Board of Public Works MeetingBills 6:30 pm and Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JANUARY

Little Falls Public Library

January 3, 2023Blizzard fundraiser starts. Come turn our library into a winter wonderland. Laurie’s Make & Take 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

January 4, 2023 - Toddler Craft (ages 0-5) 10 am. Flash Fiction - 6 pm.

January 5, 2023 - Family Movie Night - 5:30League of Super Pets.

January 6, 2023Playdate 10 am.

January 7, 2023 - Knitting & Crochet - 11 am.

January 9, 2023Railroad Group

January 10, 2023Closed for staff training.

January 11, 2023 - Flash Fiction - 6 pm.

January 12, 2023 - Teen art night 6-7 pm.

January 13, 2023Playdate 10 am. Sharon’s bracelet class 3-4:45 pm.

January 14, 2023Knitting & Crochet 11 am. Leatherstocking spinners 1-3pm.

January 16, 2023Closed for MLK Jr. Day.

January 18, 2023Toddler craft (ages 0-5) 10 am. Flash Fiction 6pm.

January 19, 2023Cookbook club 6 pm.

January 20, 2023Playdate 10 am.

January 21, 2023Knitting & Crochet 11 am. Kids craft 1 pm.

January 23, 2023Creative writing for teens 5-6 pm.

January 24, 2023 - Movie night for adults 5:30 pm.

January 25, 2023 - Flash Fiction 6 pm.

January 26, 2023 - Book club 6 pm - The Silent Patient.

January 27, 2023Playdate 10 am.

January 28, 2023Knitting & Crochet 11 am.

January 30, 2023Creative writing for teens 5-6 pm.

January 31, 2023 - Adult Card Class 4-5:30 pm. Blizzard fundraiser ends. Last chance to turn our library into a winter wonderland.

Little Falls Elks

January 6, 2023 - Friday night dinner.

January 10, 2023 - Lodge meeting.

January 13, 2023 - Friday night dinner.

January 20, 2023 - Friday night dinner.

January 24, 2023 - Lodge meeting.

January 26, 2023Monthly drawing.

January 27, 2023 - Friday night dinner.

Dolgeville

January 5, 2023Dolgeville Forward Meeting 6:30 pm at the George Ward Memorial Library.

Celebrate Ireland’s St. Brigid’s feast day

Celebrate Ireland’s St. Brigid’s feast day by learning to weave the cross named in her honor at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley - Museum, 623 Columbia St, Utica, NY, Wednesday, Jan 25, 2023, 6:30 PM. Materials from Ireland and instructions included.

The $10 fee includes materials and instructions for you to weave a cross to take home with you. Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. Please indicate in the Eventbrite comments how many children will be attending with you so we have enough materials for everyone.

Brigid’s cross, or Brigit’s cross, is a small cross usually woven from

rushes. Typically it has four arms tied at the ends and a woven square in the middle.

Brigid’s crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made in Ireland on St Brigid’s feast day, 1 February, which was formerly celebrated as a pagan festival (Imbolc) marking the beginning of spring. Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. Traditionally they were set over doorways and windows to protect the home from any kind of harm.

In Christianity, St Brigid and her cross are linked together by a story about her weaving this form of

cross at the deathbed of either her father or a pagan lord, who, upon hearing what the cross meant, asked to be baptized. One version goes as follows:

A pagan chieftain from the neighbourhood of Kildare was dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived, the chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopes for his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them

Creative Outpost schedules 2-day Documentary Storytelling event

The folks from Floating Home Films will be giving a community presentation on February 3, 2022, from 7 pm until 8 pm at Rock City Centre in Little Falls, followed by a twoday free workshop on Documentary Storytelling from 9 am until 5 pm on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th.

This event is part of The Creative Outpost’s Content Creation Workshop Series, which started in the summer of 2022. The intent is to give people skills to help them compete in the Little Falls Smart Phone Film Festival, tentatively scheduled for October 2023.

In the community presentation, Alex and Ander will inform the audience about the power of telling a good story and how this media is

used today in traditional filmmaking, social media, and marketing. They’ll show examples of their work with Floating Home Films to drive home the point.

Ander Kazmerski stated, “I’m sure many are aware of YouTube and Social Media influencers. Our goal is to educate attendees that these paths are new content creation paths for anyone seeking to tell good stories. It’s a viable path - and they should support their children by helping them explore local stories and help them tell their own stories if they choose to.”

“The goal is to fight the notion of “becoming a YouTuber” as frivolous by expanding the concept of making content and tying it to real, grounded business principles.”

For the two-day workshop, they will teach attendees the power of telling a good story and how this media is used today in traditional filmmaking, social media, and marketing.

“We’re going to provide a well-rounded introduction to documentary filmmaking. We’ll discuss what makes a good story, different ways to approach storytelling, and cover the basic steps of preproduction, production, and post-production,” stated Kazmerski.

The team will utilize discussions, show example footage, and then bring those skills into practice by lighting and filming an interview.

Floating Home Films partners with marketing agencies, nonprofit marketing, advancement

Local author spends snowy afternoon

signing books

by Dave Warner

Local Author Jamie S. Farrington spent the afternoon on Sunday at Rock Valley Brewing Company signing copies of his new book called ‘A Different Life - An Adirondack Justice Story.’

Farrington is a Herkimer native who has lived with his wife in Little Falls for the last 25 years. He’s been a police officer and Deputy U.S. Marshall for 35 years.

He said, “I’ve always wanted to write, but I never had time just

to sit down and do it.” Farrington will retire at the end of this year, so he’ll have plenty of time.

His cousin is an author, and they sat down one day to talk about it, and he told him to “just start writing and see where it goes.”

Farrington’s first book is out now, and it took him almost two years to write. At one point, he started reading what he’d written and ended up hating it.

“I figured if I hated the book, everyone else would, so I scrapped that

book and started over again. It took me a little under a year to finish Book 1. I liked it, and the story sort of wrote itself. It surprised me,” he stated.

The evening he finished the book, he sat down to write, looked at the screen, went into the bedroom, and told his wife, “You’re not going to believe this, but I just finished the book. I had no idea I was that close to the end.”

He said that all of a sudden, everything just tied together.

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to create authentic content that connects with audiences. They dig for genuine messaging in every project and provide three levels of service. Those three levels create content that can be used across multiple channels, remixed, and repurposed over time. The company is located in the Philadelphia and Rochester areas, but they travel all over to gather those stories. Space is limited to 50 people for the community presentation and 15 for the workshop. Both are free. Registration is required, so please visit

https://creativeoutpost. org/course-list/ to sign up now.

About The Creative Outpost, Inc.

The Creative Outpost is a non-profit 501c3 organization in Little Falls focused on creative content, film, and media education. It is dedicated to teaching the art and craft of filmmaking and media development. It also focuses on establishing the Mohawk Valley as an international destination for media leadership and production. More information can be found at creativeoutpost.org

Farrington said that when he writes, he sits down, does about 2,000 words, and then edits that work. Any more than that, and it doesn’t work for him.

“Once I’m retired, I can dedicate more time to this and get Book 2 out before winter ends.”

Book 2 will have the same

main characters, but it won’t tie into the storyline from Book 1. Book 3 will circle back and tie up any loose ends.

“I’ve got three other ideas in my head to continue this series. My plan is to have this as a multi-book series, and this main

Visit Philadelphia: Food Scene - Gritty & Real, a documentary by Floating Home Films. teams, and

businesses

Confronting me with questions

Photo & Story by Matthew Knoblauch

My 5-year-old son has begun a habit of confronting me with questions I can’t seem to answer. They are relatively simple questions, depending on who you ask, but ask me, and I’ll have a bit of trouble.

One night, I was sitting at the kitchen table and heard a voice yell from the living room.

“Dad, what’s your favorite color?!”

I yelled back. “Yellow!”

“What’s your favorite animal?”

I yelled again. “A trout!”

Days later, as I walked through the house, I heard that voice reaching for me from another room.

“Hey, Dad. What’s your favorite color?”

“Yellow,” I said somewhat hesitantly.

“What’s your favorite animal?”

This time it was different. “A Ruffed Grouse,” I said.

One day, several weeks later, I decided I had enough as he started with his color question ritual.

Please See QUESTIONS Page 10

character will be around as long as I have stories in my head,” he said.

Farrington said that others write about the Marshalls, but he doesn’t want to do that.

“My character, for political reasons, quits the Marshalls and has his own adventures, not tied to being part of the Marshalls. I didn’t want to do that because there are already a dozen retired Marshalls out there doing just that.”

He wanted a character that was as realistic as possible. “If I was writing about someone, it would have to be constrained by the rules and regulations. My character isn’t constrained by that, he just does what he thinks is correct.”

Farrington said that he loves writing. “You’d think with just three weeks left on the job, I’d have tons of time to write, but we’re so busy at work. The bad

guys have not stopped just because I’m getting ready to retire.”

He said that his wife is very supportive but that if she sees him sitting around watching TV, she’ll ask him why he’s not downstairs writing.

“That helps a lot. My cousin gets on me once-in-awhile as well. I sometimes fall into the same trap as other authors. I love reading, and if I have to choose between sitting down and writing or reading the novel I just bought, I will read the novel I just bought,” he stated.

So, he’s trying to limit the number of books that he buys to read. “I don’t want to have any excuse not to write.”

“I think the scariest thing about publishing is that once that book is out there, people tend to have a glimpse into your head,” he said.

Farrington is completely self-published. If you’re interested in purchasing the book, it’s available on Amazon as a paperback and in Kindle format.

AUTHOR

ATV, UTV, and Truck races. Their clay track draws racers from all over the country in the summer, and those who visit say it’s the best clay track in the US.

Races are open to the public with an admission fee and are fun for the whole family. The club has a 5-year plan to enlarge and increase racing even more in the future as it has proven to be so popular.

All Season Use

The club offers more than just winter activities. The Salisbury Ridgerunners keep the trails in good condition all year round for uses such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Mending and building bridges, clearing debris, and fixing

drainage, club members donate their time, tools, and talents to help with the upkeep of the trails. The club has invested in heavy equipment that allows them to maintain safe trails for all. The Greenway Trail in Dolgeville was built and is maintained through the hard work of the Ridgerunners, which is used for outdoor activities throughout the year by the community.

The club continues to evolve and add great features to its offerings. One of the larger projects they are taking on will be adding a campground, RV sites, and cabins for rent. Planning with the DEC and Department of Health has already begun.

Frank’s enthusiasm for

the club is infectious. “Everybody’s missing a good time if they don’t show up here! Because it’s something special – esprit de corps (the common spirit existing in the members of a group and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honor of the group) is something you can’t buy.” You have the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and enjoy the beautiful scenery our area has to offer in a unique way. Frank reminds everyone for the upcoming season, “Thank the landowners and stay on the marked trails!”

The Salisbury Ridgerunners website includes club hours, trail maps, an event calendar, a kitchen menu, and more: www.

salisburyridgerunners. com. Stop by the club’s FB page to like and follow the winter events happening, like snow races and the annual poker run.

Interested in joining? Stop into the clubhouse

during their winter hours and they will be happy to sign you up!

Author’s note: A special thank you to Sarah Reinemann, the club’s social media coordinator, for her help in obtaining photo permissions and to the club members who graciously allowed me to use their photos of fun at the club!

Showcasing the talents of club members, the beautiful maple back bar was built by Dean Doxtader. Photo by Carol Vogel.

Race Track #1. Photo by Janadene Stallman, used with permission

SENIOR MEALS FOR JANUARY

To reserve a meal, call the Herkimer County Office for the Aging at least one business day in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 315-867-1204 or 315-867-1634. If you will not be home for meals, call 315867-1204 at least a day in advance. All sites are handicapped accessible.

Jan 03 - Fish on a bun, spinach, coleslaw, Mandarin oranges.

Jan 04 - Meatloaf, rice pilaf, peas, pudding.

Jan 05 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, cookie.

Jan 06 - Omelet, hash browns, sausage, muffin, fruit cup.

Jan 09 - Pizza burger, O’Brien potatoes, warm three-bean salad, fruit cocktail.

Jan 10 - Chicken and wild rice casserole, beets, cauliflower, pudding.

Jan 11 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, grean beans, ice cream.

Jan 12 - Roast turkey with gravy, stuffing, corn, peaches.

Jan 13 - Ziti with three oz meatballs, tossed salad, Italian blend vegetables, garlic roll, cookie.

Jan 16 - Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Jan 17 - Pulled pork on a bun, baked beans, red cabbage, pears.

Jan 18 - Lemon chicken, mashed potatoes, country blend vegetables, brownie.

Jan 19 - Goulash, corn, Brussels sprouts, fruited gelatin.

Jan 20 - Baked fish, au gratin potatoes, spinach, chef’s choice pie.

Jan 23 - Beef stew with vegetables, beets, biscuit, pineapple.

Jan 24 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, Sonoma blend vegetables, pudding.

Jan 25 - Turkey divan with broccoli sauce, egg noodles, broccoli, cinnamon cake.

Jan 26 - Cream of mushroom soup, chicken salad sandwich, fruit cocktail.

Jan 27 - Roast pork with gravy, sweet potatoes, lima beans, sherbet.

Jan 30 - Spanish rice, wax beans, squash, tropical fruit.

Jan 31 - Tuna noodle casserole, peas, warm three-bean salad, orange.

All meals are served with 8 ounces of milk, a slice of bread, and margarine. Desserts have no concentrated sweets. The suggested donation is $3. Mail donations to Herkimer County OFA, 109 Mary St., Suite 2501, Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes are available from drivers.

into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked, his delirium quieted,

and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then, the cross of rushes has

existed in Ireland.

At this event, you will learn a little bit about the life of St. Brigid as well as how to weave one of these simple yet beautiful

EFFECT

From Page 2

You could start by correcting negative thoughts (and we all get those). Look for the beauty, the good, and the positive. When you see someone doing something good, publicly praise them and consider giving them constructive feedback in private at an appropriate time. Do bring ideas and solutions. You know what it’s called when you only pose complaints and no solutions, right?

Take note of your timing when giving feedback. During or immediately after a vote, a festival, a submission, or an event isn’t the best practice. Typically, anyone who was involved is already aware of what went wrong, so give them some time to digest, rest up, and get back into the swing of things. The best practice is to bring concerns in person and be sure to thank them for their time and

commitment BEFORE logging complaints and opinions. Be ready - if you frame up your concerns kindly, people will want to hear your ideas! You could be making your own snowflakes in no time.

If you are a snowball builder - and you know who you are - those of you who work hard doing big and small things for the benefit of others and not yourself. Thank you for all you do! Keep up the good work. And for goodness sake, don’t listen to the sand castle kickers. The Great Reggie Jackson once said, “They don’t boo nobody’s.”

Continue to inspire, encourage and include others in your work and bring new ideas to help further the positive change of the Snowball Effect in 2023.

crosses for your home. This will be a child-friendly event, so please feel free to bring along a child or grandchild, and we will provide appropriate materials for their use as

well. Please let us know if you intend to bring a child or two along so that we have enough materials.

Please register through Eventbrite for tickets.

The “Horning” Nuisance

The Evening Times, October 24, 1888

It is about time the “horning” nuisance at weddings was suppressed. It might, we believe, be more properly called an outrage on public decency. It is setting a vicious example to every lad in the village, and summary measures should be taken by the police to stop it. A chivalrous respect for the bride’s feelings ought to be a sufficient appeal to any boy, who is not a rowdy by instinct, to refrain from conduct which would seem to be only possible in the slums of a great city where the

criminal classes are supposed to be propagated. At the last three or four weddings which have occurred in this village, in the evening, the bride and groom have been “horned” by a crowd of boys numbering a hundred or more, whose ages range from 10 to 18 years. It would have been better for the younger of these lads if they had been spanked and put to bed before the time set for the wedding ceremony. The only outcry would have been raised by the spanked kids as they felt the vigorous application of the parental discipline, evidently much needed.

The “horning” custom seems to have originated in a desire to blackmail the unlucky bridegroom, for we are told the “horning” always ceases when he appears with a box of cigars as a peace offering. The Times has often called attention to the “hoodlumism,” which at times has been prevalent in the village, with good effect, for the police force has then taken active measures for the suppression of the young rowdies, who have gone so far, in some instances, as to assault strangers and insult ladies; but of all forms of “hoodlumism” we know of none that is

Soapy D’s Car Wash has grand opening

By Dave Warner

Just before a winter storm rolled in, Soapy D’s Car Wash at 347 West Main Street in Little Falls had its grand opening, offering free washes for everyone who stopped by between 10 am and

3 pm.

Donna Whitney, one of the new car wash owners, said they purchased the property in the summer and have spent the last several months renovating it from top to bottom (Don Foor is the

other owner).

“We have one in Ilion as well, but rebuilt this one from the ground up. The roof is new, all of the equipment in the room is new, everything.”

They’ve got new blacktop,

more deserving of public condemnation than the disturbance of a wedding festivity by a crowd of unruly boys. It is a revival of a barbarous practice

which became extinct years ago. As there is no excuse for its revival, and as it is an incentive to other rowdyism, the police should stop it.

fences, and machines to vacuum out your vehicle. “We added triple foam

wax and soap and an air dryer. Little Falls needed a car wash,” she said.

QUESTIONS From Page 6

“Why do you keep asking me these questions?” I started being loud with the dishes as I put them away.

“I just want to know.” He would say.

“You already know.”

“Well, what’s your favorite color then?”

“I don’t know. It’s blue.”

“What about your favorite animal?”

I threw my hand in the air as I turned towards him.

“I don’t know! I have no idea!”

He was silent after that, unaffected though, and I continued putting the dishes away.

I thought throughout the next several days over the matter. These were simple questions for a while, but I couldn’t help but wonder why I was so annoyed over them. I didn’t know the answers to my son’s questions, and I couldn’t help but think that I should. It was

as if someone had asked me what my favorite pet was or which child I liked the most. There can’t, nor should be, a definite answer.

I pondered with a friend— old forester and a dash of bitters, in the moonlight hours of my office, looking for conclusive answers to my child’s honest questions, and here is what I discovered.

I like red when it streaks through the sky at dusk or the red of an apple hanging in an autumn tree.

I like the warm pink glow cast in my backyard in the morning as the sun creeps over the hills.

I like the electric blue that hides behind black clouds in a summer storm, and I surely like black, too.

I like it peppered with stars and moonlight, and I can lay on my back in tall grass and watch the world spin.

I like when the goldenrods are frosted silver and white in November, and

the dogwoods make like wind chimes from a coat of silvery ice.

I find a likeness in the yellow dandelions of a spring field and tamaracks burning yellow along an October swamp.

I love the orange on the bellies of my beloved Adirondack Brook Trout. And the greens, every shade of it, that dominate all the forests and woodlands I frequent so much. Or the crimson and gold in the leaves of an autumn season, to name just a few.

I pour my final drink of the night under midnight clouds. Another dash or two of bitters as the dog slips into another dream beneath my feet, and my thoughts continue.

I like white-tailed deer when they let me spy secretly on them as they pick from the hazel bush.

I like the rainbow trout that hold in the pockets and pools of the creek just outside my front door.

I like the dainty mayflies

that ride the ripples and currents and flutter softly among such streams, too.

I enjoy the Muskrat in his home along the riverbanks, and I like to watch it scurry between large cuts of stone like a maze.

I like the curiosity and uncertainty big game animals bring me, like the Moose, Black Bear, Caribou, and Elk.

I like the thought of a mysterious Panther roaming gallant and fearless somewhere in a deep forest or perched like a statue on an outcrop of rock.

I like to watch the tuffs on the Titmouse blow softly in gusts of wind among my feeders, and I like the squirrels that raise havoc in my yard.

They gorge themselves on the suet that hangs for the Woodpeckers and Juncos, but I like to watch them turn from the Lilacs and poke at it anyways.

I like the Pileated Woodpecker that comes to make music on the big Norway Maple in

my yard. I know these seldom visits aren’t good for our tree; however, he owns it just as much as I do.

And I have an affair with Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock. I care for them deeply, so much that I pay money into conservation in their name.

The night crept on, and my weary eyes got heavy. I sat silently, half asleep, smirking in a state of contentment. I looked down at the last swig of bourbon in my glass and raised it to my lips. The dog raised his head without moving his body from the carpet and looked at me, silently asking if we were ready for a real bed yet.

I stared one last time out of the window and into the moonlit sky, now breaking with clouds. The same moonlight that shines through my son’s window just up the stairs in our house, lighting his room as he dreams peacefully in a snug beddreams filled with the secrecy of knowing the innocent teachings he has bestowed upon his old man.

Rose sworn in as State Supreme Court Justice

By Dave Warner

Judge Mark Rose was sworn in by his father, Judge Ed Rose, as State Supreme Court Justice in a Thursday morning ceremony in Herkimer. The district he now represents has six counties and approximately 1.15 million people.

In remarks after his swearing in, Rose stated, “This has been quite a trip. I have to thank my parents, and I have to thank them two-fold. One, for being great parents, as Christopher has alluded to, and secondly, for being great co-workers with me. I’ve worked the last several years with my parents, and it has been absolutely fantastic.”

He went on to say that at this moment in time, he felt that there was a higher calling, and it was part of the reason he ran for Supreme Court. Also, he said, “We haven’t had a Supreme Court Judge in Herkimer County for some time. This is a branch of our government that we have not had representation in.”

Rose said that a lawyer had told him that one of the first things he needed to do was get his portrait up on the wall, so he unveiled the ‘official’ one of him in his Captain America suit. “This will be hanging up with the others,” he joked.

He said there was a little background to go with the portrait. “We had to go in parades, and I hated the parades. It was dreadful.

I would think of politicians in parades, and they’d throw out some candy. When I was watching a parade, I wanted to throw it back at them.”

So he said they had to

make the parades fun. “We’ve got to have some fun with this and engage the people. It’s a very, very serious position, but we have got to have the voters out there. So, I would at times dress up as Captain America, and the kids loved it, and I especially loved it.”

See ROSE Page 12

Please

Photo by Dave Warner - Judge Mark Rose is sworn in by his father, the Honorable Judge Ed Rose while his wife looks on.

Brinski sworn in as new City Judge

By Dave Warner

Sara M. Brinski was sworn in Sunday as the new Little Falls City Court Judge while her mother, Denise, and her nieces and nephew stood by. The Honorable Mark R. Rose had just vacated the position, being sworn in as the new State Supreme Court Justice last Thursday morning, read the oath for the ceremony. His father, the Honorable Edward J. Rose, was also in attendance.

Brinski grew up in Herkimer, went to Sienna College, then went to law school at Syracuse, and graduated in 2013. She worked in Utica for a few years and then went to legal aid, working in their domestic violence program before coming to Little Falls in 2019.

“I’ve been working here, side by side with Mark Rose, for more than two years,” she said.

She had never thought of becoming a judge, but when she saw that he had won the Supreme Court position, she thought it might be interesting.

“He kind of put a bug in my ear about it, and he said, ‘you can do this.’ I’ve been out of law school for ten years, but you think of a judge as being much farther down the line,” Brinski stated.

She had spent a lot of time observing Rose in court, started thinking about it, and decided, “Yeah, I can do this.”

“We had the ceremony on Sunday, and my whole family was there, and it was really nice,” she said.

Mark Mahevic, Brinski’s boyfriend, did the ‘hear ye hear ye’ entrance to call her in. “It was nice because he used a gavel that was my fathers, who passed away in June. He had a gavel from when he was the Master of the Masons Lodge in Amsterdam. We found it in his house when we cleaned after he passed away.”

She grabbed it, thinking that she might display it in the house, but now she’s going to use it in court.

Brinski has to go to a judge’s school this week

and next, and she’ll start when she gets back.

“I’m excited to start. It’s an area of law where I haven’t practiced a lot, so

it’s interesting to try new things. Mark had said that trying things that are uncomfortable for you are things that make life interesting,” she stated.

Brinski said that she already knows the court staff, and they are amazing. “I’m excited just to try something new and have a little variety.”

Rose said that one of the fellow candidates went up to his mother and told her she had to stop him from doing it because the little kids, who loved the outfit, didn’t vote. “But yeah, their moms do,” he said.

In conclusion, Rose stated, “I just have to thank my wife so much. She was a trooper, my kids were great, and everyone here was great. Thank you very much. God Bless America, and God Bless Herkimer County and each and every one of you.”

Photo by Deborah J. Ackerman - Sara M. Brinski is sworn in as the Little Falls City Court Judge by the Honorable Judge Mark R. Rose while her family looks on.

Photo submitted - The Honorable Sarah M. Brinski’s gavel, which used to belong to her father.

Photo by Deborah J. Ackerman - The Honorable Sarah M. Brinski with the Honorable Mark R. Rose after the swearing-in ceremony.

Central New York Ice Hockey Outlook For January 2023

Central New York can certainly call itself a hockey hotbed, as the region is home to two American Hockey League teams, three Division I college hockey teams, and six Division III teams. Depending on how you define “Central New York,” you could include even more teams, but for the purposes of this article, we’ll stick with the teams listed below. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedules for Central New York’s teams for the month of January.

American Hockey League

Utica Comets

Record: 14-9-4-1, 33 points - 3rd place in the North Division.

Head Coach: Kevin Dineen.

January Schedule: January 3rd at Toronto, January 6th vs Hartford, January 7th at Springfield, January 8th at Providence, January 11th vs Cleveland, January 13th at Providence, January 14th at Bridgeport, January 16th at Syracuse, January 20th vs Syracuse, January 21st at Syracuse, January 24th vs WilkesBarre/Scranton, January 25th vs Charlotte, January 27th at Syracuse, January 28th vs Providence.

Official Website: www.uticacomets.com.

Syracuse Crunch

Record: 13-11-2-2, 30 points - 4th place in the North Division.

Head Coach: Ben Groulx.

January Schedule: January 6th vs Belleville, January 7th vs Rochester, January 8th at Hershey, January 13th vs Laval, January 14th at Lehigh Valley, January 16th vs Utica, January 18th at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, January 20th at Utica, January 21st vs Utica, January 27th vs Utica, January 28th at Hartford, January 29th at Providence.

Website: www.syracusecrunch.com.

Division I College Hockey

Colgate Raiders (Men)

Record: 9-9-2 overall, 6-2-0 ECAC.

Head Coach: Don Vaughan.

January Schedule: January 6th at RPI, January 7th at Union, January 20th vs Princeton, January 21st vs Quinnipiac, January 27th at Harvard, January 28th at Dartmouth,

Website: www.colgateathletics.com.

#6 Colgate Raiders (Women)

Record: 15-2-1 overall, 6-1-0 ECAC.

Head Coach: Greg Fargo.

January Schedule: January 6th vs RPI, January 7th vs Union, January 10th at Syracuse, January 13th vs Quinnipiac, January 14th vs Princeton, January 20th vs Cornell, January 21st at Cornell, January 27th vs Dartmouth, January 28th vs Harvard, January 31st vs St. Lawrence.

Website: www.colgateathletics.com.

Syracuse Orange (Women)

Record: 7-13-1 overall, 4-2-0 CHA.

Head Coach: Britni Smith.

January Schedule: January 10th vs Colgate, January 17th vs Cornell, January 20th at Lindenwood, January 21st at Lindenwood, January 24th at RIT, January 25th vs RIT, January 28th at Mercyhurst, January 29th at Mercyhurst.

Website: www.cuse.com.

Division III College Hockey

#2 Utica Pioneers (Men)

Record: 8-2-1 overall, 6-0-0 UCHC.

Head Coach: Gary Heenan.

January Schedule: January 6th at Manhattanville, January 7th at Manhattanville, January 13th vs Neumann, January 14th vs Neumann, January 20th at Lebanon Valley, January 21st at Lebanon Valley, January 27th vs Nazareth, January 28th at Nazareth.

#14 Utica Pioneers (Women)

Record: 8-1-1 overall, 7-0-1 UCHC

Head Coach: Dave Clausen.

January Schedule: January 6th at Worcester State, January 10th vs Oswego, January 13th at Chatham, January 14th at Chatham, January 20th vs Manhattanville, January 21st vs Manhattanville, January 24th vs Hamilton College,January 27th at Neumann, January 28th at Neumann.

Website: www.uticapioneers.com.

Hamilton College Continentals (Men)

Record: 5-5-0 overall, 3-2-0 NESCAC.

Head Coach: Rob Haberbusch.

January Schedule: January 6th at Colby, January 7th at Bowdoin, January

Photo by Dave Warner - Utica Pioneers goaltender Angela Hawthorne blocks a shot.

HOCKEY

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13th at Connecticut College, January 14th at Tufts, January 20th vs Amherst, January 21st at Geneseo, January 27th at Trinity, January 28th at Wesleyan.

Website: www.athletics.hamilton.edu.

#13 Hamilton College Continentals (Women)

Record: 7-2-0 overall, 3-1-0 NESCAC.

Head Coach: Emily McNamara.

January Schedule: January 6th vs Colby, January 7th vs Colby, January 10th vs Nazareth, January 13th vs Williams, January 14th vs Williams, January 21st at Cortland, January 24th at Utica, January 27th vs Wesleyan, January 28th vs Wesleyan.

Website: www.athletics.hamilton.edu.

Morrisville Mustangs (Men)

Record: 5-6-0 overall, 3-5-0 SUNYAC.

Head Coach: Kevin Krogol.

January Schedule: January 6th vs Post University, January 7th vs Stonehill College, January 10th vs Albertus Magnus, January 11th vs Arcadia, January 18th at SUNY Brockport, January 20th at Geneseo, January 24th at Fredonia, January 28th at Buffalo State.

Website: www.morrisvillemustangs.com.

Morrisville Mustangs (Women)

Record: 3-9-1 overall, 0-6-0 NEWHL. Head Coach Melissa Lomanto.

January Schedule: January 2nd vs Alvernia, January

6th vs Cortland, January 7th at Cortland, January 13th vs Buffalo State, January 14th vs Canton,

January 20th vs Potsdam, January 21st at Oswego, January 27th at Buffalo State, January 28th at

Buffalo State.

Website: www. morrisvillemustangs.com.

Photo by Scott Kinville - Game action between the Hamilton College and Morrisville women’s hockey teams.