Mohawk Valley Express Volume 3 Number 6 June 2023

Get into the Violet Festival Spirit!

By Carol Vogel

The Village of Dolgeville is gearing up for the Annual Violet Festival weekend, June 9-11. Each year the center of town fills with vendors, food, and entertainment, and it’s a great way to kick off the summer season. According to the Violet Festival website, “The Festival draws more than 75 vendors, 80 organizations that participate in the parade, and over 10,000 people to the Village during the

three-day event.”

Through flowers, art, history, and community, Dolgeville celebrates its past, present, and future through the festival. Show your Violet Spirit is the theme this year, encouraging everyone to celebrate the spirit of community and local history in your own unique way.

Crystal Napier, President of the Violet Festival Committee, mentioned a few new events and

activities this year, such as a Historic Cemetery Walk and some added activities for kids. “We also have a new organizer for the Violet 5K Run and Kids Fun Run on Sunday, and we have a new timing company working with us this year, Leone Timing and Results Services out of Syracuse.”

The Violet Festival is a huge year-round undertaking, and volunteers make it happen. “I’m always thankful for any

volunteers that we get. We have volunteers who come out on that day to help us who aren’t on the committee, but they come

out to lend a hand for the weekend. This year we had extra things we had

Please See VIOLET Page 2

Southside gets new eatery

By Dave Warner

Southsiders and others in Little Falls will soon have a new venue where they can get some great food.

Skobbys Southside Grill at 115 Flint Avenue is going to be serving BBQ and soft ice cream. They’ll have a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu

and be open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday, 7 am - 9 pm and Friday 7 am - 10 pm, Saturday, 8 am - 10 pm, and Sunday, 10 am - 9 pm.

Owner Joe Lawrence said, “What we’re planning on doing is having a full grill menu, similar to what you would

Please See EATERY Page 3

Photo by Dave Warner - An aerial photo of the 2022 Dolgeville Violet Festival parade. The event highlights the village’s history, local artisans, and vendors.

Photo by Dave Warner - Outdoor work was continuing in preparation for the June 2nd opening of Skobbys Grill at 115 Flint Ave in Little Falls.

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to work through, and we have a very small group of active volunteers. We definitely need more help in the future!” said Crystal.

There is still time to participate if you are interested in being part of one of the largest and most anticipated parades in the area. Please get in touch with Crystal at dolgevilleparades@ yahoo.com or call 315527-9585 to have your group added to the lineup for the Violet Festival parade.

Funding the Festival

Fundraising is an integral part of the festival. One of these fundraising efforts

is the Themed Basket Raffle at the Violet Festival Information Booth, with the winners drawn on the festival’s final day. Local businesses and individuals donate baskets ranging from food and spirits, household and children’s items, summer fun, and more to support the Violet Festival. Be sure to stop by and show your support!

This year an Inaugural Violet Festival Golf Tournament will take place on August 12th at the Little Falls Municipal Golf Course. The fundraiser format will be fourperson scramble teams, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There

will be prizes, a 50/50, and a Chinese Auction. If you want to play in the tournament, sponsor a hole, or donate, please get in touch with Ruth at 315-868-4130.

Village-Wide Pride

The Violet Festival is a village-wide endeavor, and the entire village gets into the spirit. You can find treasures at the garage sales and take in house decorations where residents show their support and decorating talents. The festival is also a wonderful way to support the small businesses in town, especially the Lyndon Lyon Greenhouse, whose famous violets are the namesake of the festival. Main Street businesses will be open and will have specials and Violet Festival-themed items for sale, so keep an eye out while you explore!

josepheasyout@aol.com

The Mayor of Dolgeville, Mary Puznowski, is proud of the Violet Festival tradition. “I am so pleased and excited that the Violet Festival is our premiere event established here in the Village of Dolgeville. Last year it returned postCovid, after a necessary hiatus, and this year promises to be better

than ever!”

“The committee is so dedicated- they work year-round to make it the successful event it continues to be, and I am most grateful to them and to the entire community who supports the festival. The festival highlights the history of our African Violet heritage here with the hybridization of the world’s first double pink violet by world-renowned grower Lyndon Lyon. For plant lovers, the greenhouse is a mustsee,” she said.

Puznowski continued, “We welcome all visitors to our lovely Village for the festival weekend- there is so much to experience, and as always, the parade on Saturday is one that you don’t want to miss - it has become known as the best in the area! I want to extend a very warm welcome to all who will be joining us for the weekend, and I’ll see you there!”

Festival Events & Highlights

Friday, June 9th: The festival begins Friday, June 9, with Village-wide garage sales at 9 am. The opening ceremonies at Joe Condello Gazebo in Plowe Park start at

6:30 pm and will feature the Presentation of the Lyndon Lyon Community Award to this year’s recipient Big M, the crowning of the Violet Festival Queen, Anna “Aunt Annie” Musella and the announcing of the winners of the House Decorating Contest.

Following the ceremony at 7 pm, the Violet Festival Princess & Little Mister Pageant takes the stage. The pageant is for ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-17. A Dolgeville Community Band Concert from 7:309 pm will close the events for Friday evening in town. If you are looking for even more entertainment on Friday evening, you can catch Whiskey Creek performing at Rustic Ties from 7-11 pm.

Saturday, June 10th: Saturday festivities begin with a Pancake Breakfast at the Dolgeville Firehouse from 7-10 am, followed by the everpopular Violet Festival Parade at 10 am. Village Garage sales continue, check out all the craft vendors and indulge in great food in Plowe Park. The Dolgeville Manheim Historical Society will be open from 9-5 pm. Families will find lots of great activities like Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Free Kids activities like bounce houses, and a new rock-climbing wall. There will also be a mechanical bull to test your staying power! Don’t miss the Boy Scouts Chicken BBQ and enjoy live music throughout the day.

The Graystone will host the flower and art shows

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throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday. The annual Flower Show and this year’s Featured Artist, Anne Contino, will be showcased from 10-5 pm, and the DCS Student Art Show K-12, including BOCES Pre-K & Dolgeville Pre-K, will be open from 1-4 pm.

Rounding out the 2nd day are the Violet Festival’s Got Talent Contest from 7:30-10 pm and fireworks at 10 pm. Dopp’s Inn will have two live bands on Saturday, Carson Murphy playing from 4-7 and Brimstone from 9-11 pm with food specials available.

Sunday, June 11th: Sunday kicks off with the “Run for Violets” 5K Run/ Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run, with registration from 7-8 am and races

beginning at 8:30 am and 9:30 am, respectively. An Ecumenical Service will take place at Plowe Park Gazebo from 10-11 am, with the Violet Festival Poetry Contest following.

A new event this year will be a historical Cemetery Walking Tour with the Town of Manheim and Village of Dolgeville Historian Sue Perkins from 12-2 pm. Learn about the lives of famous residents and their contributions to the community. Craft vendors, art, flowers, and music will fill the final day.

For a full listing of events, visit the Dolgeville Violet Festival website: https://www. dolgevillevioletfestival. com/events

see at Green Acres. We’ll have BBQ chicken, beef brisket, smoked beef sausage, and pulled pork.”

They plan on opening on Friday, June 2nd, with Helen Maksymicz and her Dixie Land Band playing from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

“All of our seating is outside, and we’ll have room for about sixty people,” he stated.

Lawrence also said they’re getting a projector and screen and will be showing outside movies a couple of nights a week.

“This year, we won’t have a beer and wine license, but next year we will. If people want to bring beer and wine in, they’re more than welcome to.”

He also said they’d be doing cans and clams and other similar meals.

Lawrence, who grew up

on the southside, said there were all kinds of places to eat back then.

“I remember a time when the southside was vibrant, and when I came back after retiring, I always thought about what I could do to spark some interest and get things moving again down here.”

“We came up with this idea for the business, and I thought it was perfect. You’ve got the bike bath right here, and I’m already seeing a couple of hundred cyclists and walkers a day. It’s going to give them someplace to stop, and we’ll put up a little bike repair station as well for them,” he said. They have an ice cream

window and a take-out window and will have 12” pizza available too. There’s even a customer bathroom on site.

“My goal, number one, is to be successful. With any business you open, you have to make money. But I want quality, quantity, and good prices. We’ll also continue to do a lot of community work, raising funds for different teams and whatnot. We still want to do that,” stated Lawrence.

They plan on having the business open from May 1st through the Canal closing, which is typically in October. “When they close the Canal, we’ll close as well,” he said.

Photos courtesy of The Cakery Cafe.

Photo by Dave Warner - The BBQ equipment being moved into place at Skobby’s Grill at 115 Flint Ave in Little Falls. EATERY From Page 1

CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JUNE

City of Little Falls

June 2, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 3, 2023

Estate Sale - Office Furniture and supplies, 1 Hansen Island.

June 3, 2023

Motorcycle ride and event, Rock Valley Brewing Company, 56 West Mill St 1-3 pm.

June 6, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 6, 2023

Common Council Meeting - Auditing of the bills: 6:30 p.m. Public Hearing 6:50 p.m. on water and sewer rates. Regular Meeting: 7:00

p.m.

June 7, 2023

Police and Fire Board Meeting - Bills 8:30 am and Regular Session

9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

June 8, 2023

Cruise Inn by Mike Little Falls Marina 5-8 pm

June 8, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 9, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 10, 2023

Little Falls PrideOutreach & Rainbow Club will host 3rd annual PRIDE celebration.

Pride Stride 5K | Footrace through downtown beginning 9 am

Pride Kids Run | 1/2 mile fun run for kids beginning 9:45 am

Pride Celebration with music, guest speakers, resources, entertainment, food, vendors & more in Burke Park 10 am-4 pm Pride Prom | Dance party (ages 16+) 6:30pm-10pm; location TBD After Party | Meet up (ages 21+) at The Renaissance 10 pm

June 10, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 11, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 5:00 pm.

June 13, 2023

Recreation Committee Meeting 6:00 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

June 14, 2023

Golf Commission Meeting - 8:00 am at the Little Falls Municipal Golf Course.

June 15, 2023

Cruise Inn by Mike Little Falls Marina 5-8pm

June 15, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 16, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 21, 2023

Urban Renal Agency Meeting - 8:15 am in the Mayor’s conference room at City Hall.

June 22, 2023

Tourism Committee Meeting 8:30 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

June 22, 2023

Harbor Commission Meeting 9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

June 22, 2023

Cruise Inn by Mike Little Falls Marina 5-8pm

June 22, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 23, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 26, 2023

Board of Public Works Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm and Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

June 27, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

June 29, 2023

DiamondDawgs home game, Veterans Memorial Field, 6:35 pm.

Little Falls Elks

June 09, 2023

Drag Show sponsored by Little Falls Pride, 7pm at LF Elks Lodge. Public invited.

June 10, 2023

“Elk of the Year” event honoring Brian J Molinaro. 6pm cocktails, 7pm dinner & program. Ticket purchase deadline 6/3/2023. Public invited.

Please See CALENDAR Page 5

CALENDAR

Tickets available at LF Elks Lodge or by contacting bjmolinaro@ aol.com

June 13, 2023

Lodge meeting 7pm. All members are encouraged to attend.

June 14, 2023

Flag Day Ceremony hosted by LF Elks, 6:30pm at the lodge. Light buffet to follow. Public invited, all ages welcome.

June 27, 2023

Lodge meeting 7pm. All members are encouraged to attend.

June 29, 2023

Live Music at LF Elks Lodge 7-10pm, featuring “The Shepherds” duo from Sarasota, FL. Free admission. Age 21 & over only. Also $1,000

monthly raffle drawing at 9pm. Only 200 tickets will be sold, @$10 each.

Dolgeville

June 9, 2023

Violet Festival begins with Village-wide garage sales at 9 am. The opening ceremonies at Joe Condello Gazebo in Plowe Park start at 6:30 pm and will feature the Presentation of the Lyndon Lyon Community Award to this year’s recipient Big M, the crowning of the Violet Festival Queen, Anna “Aunt Annie” Musella and the announcing of the winners of the House Decorating Contest. Following the ceremony at 7 pm, the Violet Festival Princess & Little Mister Pageant takes the stage. The pageant is for ages 5-8, 9-12, 13-17.

A Dolgeville Community Band Concert from 7:309 pm will close the events for Friday evening in town. If you are looking for even more entertainment on Friday evening, you can catch Whiskey Creek performing at Rustic Ties from 7-11 pm.

June 10, 2023

Saturday festivities begin with a Pancake Breakfast at the Dolgeville Firehouse from 7-10 am, followed by the everpopular Violet Festival Parade at 10 am. Village Garage sales continue, check out all the craft vendors and indulge in great food in Plowe Park. The Dolgeville Manheim Historical Society will be open from 9-5 pm. Families will find lots of great activities like Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Free Kids activities like

bounce houses, and a new rock-climbing wall. There will also be a mechanical bull to test your staying power! Don’t miss the Boy Scouts Chicken BBQ and enjoy live music throughout the day. The Graystone will host the flower and art shows throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday. The annual Flower Show and this year’s Featured Artist, Anne Contino, will be showcased from 10-5 pm, and the DCS Student Art Show K-12, including BOCES Pre-K & Dolgeville Pre-K, will be open from 1-4 pm. Rounding out the 2nd day are the Violet Festival’s Got Talent Contest from 7:30-10 pm and fireworks at 10 pm. Dopp’s Inn will have two live bands on Saturday, Carson Murphy playing from 4-7

and Brimstone from 9-11 pm with food specials available.

June 11, 2023

Sunday kicks off with the “Run for Violets” 5K Run/ Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run, with registration from 7-8 am and races beginning at 8:30 am and 9:30 am, respectively. An Ecumenical Service will take place at Plowe Park Gazebo from 10-11 am, with the Violet Festival Poetry Contest following. A new event this year will be a historical Cemetery Walking Tour with the Town of Manheim and Village of Dolgeville Historian Sue Perkins from 12-2 pm. Learn about the lives of famous residents and their contributions to the community. Craft vendors, art, flowers, and music will fill the final day.

Celebrating James Joyce at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley

The Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley and the HARP Museum will be transformed into Dublin for one day on Friday, June 16th, as they host their sixth annual “Bloomsday” event.

In James Joyce’s monumental classic “Ulysses,” June 16 is the date that the book’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom, undertakes his one-day sojourn through the streets of Dublin. Since the first two-man Bloomsday

SENIOR MEALS FOR JUNE

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.

Jun 01 - Chicken and gravy, biscuit, mashed potatoes, dill carrots, cookie.

Jun 02 - Tuna salad cold plate, pasta salad, marinated broccoli salid, croissant, sherbet.

Jun 05 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, country blend vegetables, Mandarin oranges.

Jun 06 - Chicken parmesan rotini in sauce, tossed salad, dressing, garlic roll, brownie.

Jun 07 - Roast beef cold plate, carrot raisin salad, potato salad, mustard pkt, Kaiser roll, ice cream.

Jun 08 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, green beans, pudding.

Jun 09 - Roast turkey with gravy, stuffing, peas, sugar cookie.

Jun 12 - Pork chop, sweet potatoes, green beans, peach cobbler.

Jun 13 - Hamburger on a bun, baked beans, corn salad, tropical fruit.

Jun 14 - Chicken a la king, mashed potatoes, zucchini, cookie.

Jun 15 - Seafood salad cold plate, croissant, coleslaw, three-bean salad, watermelon.

Jun 16 - Ham with mustard sauce, scalloped potatoes, peas and carrots, gelatin.

Jun 19 - Lemon chicken, seasoned rice, broccoli, pears.

Jun 20 - Egg bake, hash browns, sausage, muffin, fruit cup.

Jun 21 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, peanut butter cookie.

Jun 22 - Turkey cold plate, Kaiser roll, mayo pkt, potato salad, cucumber tomato salad, frosted birthday cake.

Jun 23 - Roast pork, stuffing, corn, pudding.

Jun 26 - Egg salad cold plate, macaroni salad, three-bean salad, Kaiser roll, no bake cookie.

Jun 27 - Hamburger cabbage casserole, beets, broccoli, fresh fruit.

Jun 28 - Turkey divan in broccoli sauce, egg noodles, cauliflower, ice cream.

Jun 29 - Pasta with meatballs, Italian blend vegetables, garlic bread, peaches.

Jun 30 - Chicken fricassee, rice, garlic spinach, frosted cupcake.

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.

celebration in 1954, that date (or as near as practicable) continues to be celebrated throughout the world, with a range of cultural activities including readings and dramatizations of scenes from the novel, (as well as the responsible partaking of adult beverages.) And this year Utica, NY, will once again play host to its own Bloomsday event.

The event, which will commence from the beautiful Five Points patio 3:30 PM, will consist of a presentation of the Dublin sites visited by Bloom,

each accompanied by dramatic readings by accomplished local actors and scholars, interspersed with traditional Irish music performed by the Craobh Dugan-O’Looney chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Themeappropriate refreshments will also be available.

The event will be held at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica, NY. Please register for free on Eventbrite by visiting our events calendar.

MVCA schedules shows for June and July

Tom Montan

June 24 – July 29, 2023

Tom Montan is an artist who has dedicated over 35 years to honing his craft. Self-taught and passionate, his paintings have garnered recognition in the United States and abroad, earning him notoriety and numerous commissions. Tom focuses on figurative and portrait work, where he strives to capture the essence of his subjects and their self-determination. His paintings are visually striking and possess a larger-than-life perspective. You are immediately drawn in and invited to experience the painting on a deeper level.

Initially, Tom’s artistic focus lay in figurative sculpture, where he worked with stone, cast concrete, and resins. However, he radically changed directions in 2011, inspired by a trip

to the national portrait gallery in London, England. As a result, he transitioned to oil painting, using his sharpened skills to create captivating and emotionally resonant works.

Based in upstate New York, Tom is the Executive Director of Sculpture Space in Utica, working to support and promote the arts in his community. He spends his nights and weekends perfecting his art, driven by a deep passion and an unwavering dedication to his craft. Tom’s works are not just paintings but are expressions of his love for humanity and the human form.

Please See SHOWS Page 10

Tom Montan

Massive stone lifted into place in Herkimer

By Dave Warner

A massive 30-ton stone base was lifted into place last week in Herkimer for the Guardians of Freedom Memorial, honoring military war dogs and their handlers.

The non-profit group raising money for the project wants to honor this less-acknowledged group and pay tribute to their teamwork, courage, and sacrifices on the battlefield and in our streets by building the memorial.

The statue will depict Armed Forces Military Handler Sergeant Adam Cann and his dog, Bruno. While the two were on deployment in Afghanistan, Bruno reacted to the proximity of an explosive device. At that point, a suicide bomber detonated his device, killing Adam and killing and injuring dozens of civilians.

Adam used his body as

a shield to protect two fellow Marines and his military working dog, Bruno. All marines survived except Sgt. Cann. Cann was buried at Arlington Cemetery.

Sgt. Cann received the Bronze Star for Valor and was the first military K-9 handler to die in combat since the Vietnam War.

Bruno remained on active duty after recovering from the attack and passed in 2011.

Herkimer County Legislator John Brezinski heard this touching story and was incredibly moved. He then decided to use Adam and Bruno’s image for the monument.

He said, “So much credit has to be given to Rig All and Rusty Williams, who donated all this time, and all these guys here to make this a beautiful day for this Village and County. When completed, it will be one of the most

beautiful things ever in the County.”

Brezinski said that it’s not only crucial for the four-legged Veterans to be recognized but for all Veterans in the County.

Several companies, including Fanelli Concrete Service, have donated time and materials to the project.

The Guardians of Freedom hope to have the bronze statue, which is currently being worked on, delivered this fall and placed on the finished base.

The organization is still collecting donations to complete the $350,000 project, and if you are interested in donating, visit https://gofmemorial. org/.

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Spotlight on Little Falls showman, Bernard Monroe,

a talented director and choreographer

By Denise Gregorka

Bernard Monroe, a professional Director/ Choreographer, spends some short-lived quiet time at his home in Little Falls before hitting the road again on his way to another show. This humble, softspoken gentleman has a fascinating history in the theater.

Monroe was raised in Syracuse, NY. His mother was originally from Little Falls. He graduated high school, went to college, and then moved to New York City.

After a time in the city, he said he needed to leave for a smaller environment. Monroe

stated, “I didn’t want to go back to another big city.

I needed the complete opposite of that. The city is a wonderful place, but you have to desensitize yourself, in a way, to some of the elements. Coming to Little Falls...I find the balance is perfect for me. When I go away to work, the energy is high, and then coming home and ‘replenishing the well’ in a place that is very calm works well for me.”

EARLY INFLUENCES

Monroe stated that his mother was a proponent of the arts and greatly influenced him. He has lovely childhood memories of watching her dance. “She would tap dance in the kitchen,

and she’d sing.”

He remembers being on stage in a junior high school review for the first time. “I really loved doing that and went on to do high school plays. By the time I graduated from high school, I knew the direction I wanted to go was theater. The dancing seemed to be the thing I was most interested in.”

Monroe went to a school for theater, earning a degree in theater arts. After college, he went to New York City with only $400 saved up.

He enrolled in “a bunch of classes” and earned a scholarship. “That was the turning point. I knew that being a dancer is

what I needed to be.” He started auditioning and worked in regional theaters.

MAKING THE CHANGE

After much time auditioning, Monroe decided to change over from performing to choreography & directing. “I made up my mind that the only place I was going to perform was on Broadway; I only auditioned for Broadway. What would always happen is, I would get down to the wire, and I was sure I was going to be picked, and then I’d get cut. This became a little bit of a pattern.”

The last time it happened, he was auditioning for Bob Fosse’s last show, BIG DEAL, and when Fosse cut him, he said he was devastated.

After feeling so low

from that experience, a friend invited him to a choreography workshop. Monroe states, “That workshop changed my life. Now I understand why I didn’t get those parts because this is what I am supposed to do.”

In his early 30s, Bernard started working in assistant choreography positions with some dance jobs. As fate would have it, the choreographer of the show he was assisting became very ill, and the job was given to Monroe. Once he got the job, he had to join the union. “It

“Carrie the Musical. A great opportunity for a Director vs. a Choreographer, based on the technical aspects of the show. Whether those aspects be set, lighting, or special effects”.

Please See MONROE Page 9

Bernard Monroe

was then that I realized that the dancing shoes had to go away, and from that point on, I did not dance again. I knew I had to let go of something in order to have something else.”

Monroe choreographed for a number of years and then went on to become a director and choreographer. “I like to be in charge of the whole production. As a new director, I had to learn the language of the set designer and the lighting designer. That was a real challenge.” He knew he needed the experience of directing actors besides dancers. Once he tackled the production of “Grease,” he felt more confident going out to get more director/choreographer jobs.

He said he learned what a good director was in terms of a good actor. “What I had found was... a good director stays out of the actors’ way enough to allow them to create. Then the collaboration can begin”. He says, “Directing is a democracy; choreography is a dictatorship. Dancers have to apply themselves to the move to allow the choreography to work.” He finds a nice mix of seasoned actors and younger actors for each show.

WHAT DOES THE JOB ENTAIL?

Monroe’s job influences the entire on-stage expression.

Each show requires a lot of prep time. “Before you even get on-site or in the theater, you are working! You really have

to manage your time,” states Monroe. He spends much time at his home office working on all aspects of the show. He also virtually watches auditions.

From that point, he, along with the producer, artistic director, and musical director, puts the cast together before arriving at the theater. He states he prefers to see auditions in person because he likes to see their energy when they walk in the room, and he likes the option of hearing alternative songs from them. “Nothing beats being live, in the room with the people.”

He does loads of work ahead of time, where he can make several changes. “I don’t walk in and work on my feet….my first choice is never my best choice. When I get on site, I am prepared.”

He explains that the actors and dancers need to see him as prepared and confident. “One thing you need to establish is there is one alpha in the room. That doesn’t mean collaboration doesn’t exist, but the final say

has to be yours because there has to be one vision.” He says actors appreciate that.

When Monroe is hired for a show, the only thing he is given is the dance arrangement. From there, he creates dance steps based on that. “If you have someone else’s steps, you are not a choreographer. My approach to things will be different from anybody else’s. I prefer when I am doing a show to not really see what the original work looks like.”

FAVORITE ALL-TIME SHOW

“As a choreographer… .A show I did at the Fulton Theater called RAGTIME. I just loved choreographing that show. It has so much meat to it. The collaboration between me and the director was really simpatico. I did some of my best work in that.”

“Ragtime is my favorite musical and was a dream to work on. It established me in my mind as a Choreographer, and the experience lives

Please See MONROE Page 10

Damn Yankees “A scene of pure movement. The art of Dance is so special to me. There is nothing like a full-out DANCE number to give and bring me joy!”

“Ragtime is my favorite musical and was a dream to work on. It established me in my mind as a Choreographer, and the experience lives with me in every show I do. A masterpiece as a musical.”

MONROE From Page 8

SHOWS From Page 6

Experience Tom’s paintings. They will draw you in.

Yulia Levkovich

June 24 – July 29, 2023

Yulia Levkovich is a representational painter. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including the Beau-Xi Gallery, Flowers Gallery, and MUNSON. Yulia had previously worked as Art Production Assistant for Jeff Koons, where there she worked on pieces that were exhibited at Versailles and Gagosian Gallery. Yulia has taught privately, as well as in several institutions, including The New York Academy of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and currently teaches at Pratt Munson Institute in Utica, NY.

Yulia was born in

Ukraine, where her family first immigrated to Israel, then to Canada. In Canada, at the age of 13, she was exposed to the Russian School of Painting through a private apprenticeship with Emanuel Katz. Under Michael John Angel, who himself studied with Pietro Annigoni, she completed her rigorous training at the Academy of Realist Art. During her training at the Academy, she received her BFA from OCAD University in Toronto. She proceeded to receive her MFA at the New York Academy of Art after graduating with Honors in 2008.

You’ll find her art interesting, challenging, and fun.

Opening Reception June 24 from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Free and open to the public.

MONROE From Page 9

with me in every show I do. A masterpiece as a musical.”

“As a director/ choreographer, I don’t think I’ve found it yet. I loved doing ‘Cabaret,’ but I still am looking for that one show where I like all parts of it.”

RECENT WORK

Monroe presented SISTER ACT & MAMMA MIA last year. He just finished FOREVER PLAID, and this summer, he is heading out to make PROMISES PROMISES and THE WEDDING SINGER.

FUTURE PLANS

“I love my job! The one nut for me to still crack is that New York City nut. The goal still is to direct/ choreograph a Broadway show. There still is that dream in the mix. That dream is not realized yet. I am very proud of the work I have done but it is good to have a goal”.

For more information visit: https://cranerivertheater. org/team/bernardmonroe/

Yulia Levkovich’s work will be on display in the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts June 24 - July 29, 2023, 401-403 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY 13365

Historic Preservation in Revitalization Projects

Demolish or Preserve?

By Deborah Kaufman

Many today may believe that demolishing historic buildings is a foregone conclusion with modern advancements, thinking new construction is better — and old — well, old is just old.

Historians worldwide have a different opinion and have argued that demolishing a historic property is typically not the right thing to do, even if the property has been abandoned or left unused for a number of years.

In many cases, restoration can be a viable solution, not to mention one that can draw attention to a city with historical significance.

In fact, if it weren’t for historic preservationists, we wouldn’t have properties like George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, which was saved from demolition in 1858 by The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, or the famous ‘French Quarter’ buildings in New Orleans, which were saved from demolition in 1925 and led to the adoption of the United States Historic Preservation Ordinance.

In 1965, the World Monuments Fund was founded, which has since helped preserve historic sites worldwide.

This occurred shortly after the famous New York City demolition of Pennsylvania Station in 1964, which shocked

many people into supporting the historic preservation movement.

Decision to Save or Demolish

It turns out that a building’s fate is more pragmatic than one would assume. According to a 2017 Washington Post article, “Demolished or repurposed for the future: what decides a building’s fate?” deciding to demolish a building happens for the following reasons: its functional obsolescence, technical obsolescence, site underdevelopment not permitted under current zoning regulations or renovation unfeasibility… it’s in such bad shape that it would be costprohibitive.

Suppose one ascribed to the idea that preserving history is irrelevant to the modern world. Why then is there so much invested

each year in leveraging these aging structures to be repurposed, remodeled, or expanded for sustainable development, downtown revitalization, heritage tourism, and economic development?

Cultural Identity Advantage

Every place has a story. Often handed down over generations, these stories remind people of the community’s culture and complexity, giving residents a sense of permanency and heritage. This deeper look into a city’s past through its architectural assets distinguishes a community from other places. These tangible connections to the people and events that have shaped our history create a sense of place and community pride.

Heritage Tourism

Advantage

According to the Travel Industry Association, heritage travelers spend more time and money at their destinations than other types of travelers. This helps to develop sustainable local economies that often don’t get as popular as large tourist attractions.

Is it the warmth of the materials, the reflective marble as you enter the foyer, the stained glass windows, and handcarved cornices―or simply a chance for your mind to wander through a different time in the

same place? Maybe older buildings convey stories that are just more interesting.

Regardless of how people spend their lives, historic architecture and places have intrinsic value in their own right as the fabric of human achievement in arts, design, and construction, essential to the spiritual and cultural well-being of the nation. America’s downtown revivals suggest that people are fascinated by historic structures and will go to great lengths to protect them.

Please See HISTORIC Page 12

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The Women’s Christian Association, located at 534 Garden Street in Little Falls is more than 100 years old.

HISTORIC From Page 11

By seeing historic buildings―whether related to something famous or recognizably dramatic―tourists and longtime residents can witness an area’s aesthetic and cultural history.

Sustainability

Advantage

Cultural heritage plays a vital role in sustainable development by regenerating industrialage cities and promoting the adaptive reuse of buildings. Even the younger generation’s interest in environmental sustainability aligns

with the adaptive reuse of historic structures, believing that the greenest building you can have is one that already exists.

A 2017 National Trust for Historic Preservation study found that 97% of millennials agreed it was essential to “preserve and conserve buildings, architecture, neighborhoods, and communities.”

Studies also weigh in on the sustainability of the adaptive reuse of historic buildings. According to the United States Environmental Protection

Agency, an energyefficient new building takes approximately 65 years to save the energy lost in demolishing an existing building. The bottom line is reuse is more sustainable than new construction, with less construction and demolition debris in the country’s landfills.

It turns out that when you preserve an existing structure, you preserve previously invested resources, including materials, labor, energy, and money, representing a sound sustainability strategy for communities.

Economic Advantage

Historic preservation can be an effective tool for a wide range of community goals, including small business development, affordable housing, sustainable development, neighborhood stabilization, Main Street revitalization, job creation, promotion of arts and culture, heritage tourism, and economic development.

Investing in the preservation, rehabilitation, and ongoing use of heritage buildings and other historic places economically benefits residents, visitors, and their communities. Heritage conservation can also lead to economic growth through increased property values and tax revenues, better quality of life, and a more vibrant community.

Historic Preservation Initiatives

Looking for great

preservation examples, one doesn’t have to go further than the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine, Florida, founded in 1565. This Florida City boasts 11,231 registered homes. In fact, a staggering 22% of all homes are on the National Register of Historic Places, offering an authentic sense of place that attracts more than six million visitors annually.

Properties designated as local landmarks and listed on the national or local register require approval by their Historic Architectural Review Board before being issued a demolition permit.

Another large-scale project is New York City, which designated over 80 historical districts since 1965, most of them in Manhattan.

A 2003 Independent Budget Office paper, The Impact of Historic

Please See HISTORIC Page 13

A beautifully restored home on East Main St in Little Falls.

Districts on Residential Property Values, showed the benefit of their preservation efforts. When all else is equal, prices of houses in historic districts were higher than those of similar houses outside historic districts.

Closer to home, Saratoga Springs began their preservation effort with the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation in 1977 as a pathway to revitalize their community by setting up a Design Review Commission to regulate demolition, new construction, and exterior renovations within their local historic districts. Known as the “Queen of Spas,” the community has a rich history as a health resort and gambling center during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Locally, the City of Little Falls began its initiative to protect its historic assets by establishing the Little Falls Historic District in 2012. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes 347 historic structures from the mid-19th to early-20th century.

Chartered in 1895, the City enjoyed a reputation as a leader in the knitting industry and the marketing of cheese, becoming recognized as the cheese capital of the United States. The historic structures throughout the City provide a glimpse into the wealth and achievement of the City’s early history with Italianate, Federal, Greek Revival, Second Empire, Queen Ann, and Colonial Revival designs.

Little Falls also has numerous natural and historical assets. One of its most prominent is the Erie Canal and its history surrounding Lock 17. Lock 17 was an engineering marvel when it was built, replacing the five-lock system with a single 40-1/2 foot lift at the canal’s most difficult impasse, Little Falls.

While listing a property or area on the National and State Registers alone does not limit a property’s private use, alteration, or demolition, it is a significant first step.

Many cities add another layer of regulatory protection for proposed projects within their historic districts with an Architectural Review Board, Design Review Commission, or Historic Preservation Commission, usually made up of persons with specialized interests or expertise in historic preservation. The Historic Review Board/ Commission’s role is to recommend to the City Council or Planning Board applications proposing additions, alterations,

changes, construction, demolition, or relocation within the historic district and historical landmarks.

Enacting a landmark preservation law is another step in historic preservation adopted by many municipalities.

What’s all this mean for the revitalization of Little Falls?

Plenty. By leveraging the City’s abundance of natural resources like the Erie Canal, Profile Rock, Moss Island, 40-1/2 ft Lift Lock 17, and a historical district with architectural assets including Main Street, City Hall, Holy Family Parish, Masonic Hall, Overlook Mansion, etc., there is an opportunity to use historic preservation as a central component to the city’s long-term economic development.

While there are challenges with reusing buildings, the benefit is immeasurable. Instead of old buildings sitting unused, they’re given a fresh new life. Giving a new purpose to a historic asset draws the

community’s attention. It’s a fantastic way to preserve the past while looking ahead to our future.

Regret Goes Only One Way

The preservation of historic buildings and natural assets is a one-

way street. There is no mulligan to save a historic site once it’s gone. This reality highlights the importance of locating and saving historic buildings, landmarks, and other assets―because once a piece of history is destroyed, it is gone forever.

Historic City Hall in Little Falls, NY.

Late Spring for Mohawk Valley Gardeners

By Allysa Rader

Spring sprang, and summer is on its way. For those of us in this growing region who are looking to get their hands in the dirt this season, the time to start is now.

According to Teri Dunn Chace, local gardening expert and author of dozens of books on gardening, landscaping, and horticulture, the ideal time to plant outside in our growing zone is Memorial Day Weekend and after.

“The danger of frost hasn’t passed until then,” explained Teri.

Pruning, replanting, and bulb chopping can still occur in late spring as long as you are doing it before the hottest temperatures arrive.

“Plants are stressed in

the heat of summer,” says Teri.

The first step in the garden is pulling out the weeds. The optimal time to begin this work is when your soil is damp, and the weeds are still small. It is also important to be careful about how you dispose of unwanted plants. Teri suggests throwing the pulled weeds in your garbage. If you would like to put the weeds in with your green waste or compost, care should be taken to ensure they won’t regrow there.

“Weeds are aggressive. They are the most successful plants. They will regenerate from a tiny bit of plant. Place the weeds you pull into a black garbage bag and leave that in the sun until the weeds are completely

dried out. Kill them to death, as we say. Then they can be buried in the ground and mulched over with straw to ensure they won’t be sprouting up again,” suggests Teri.

Teri’s book “The Anxious Gardener’s Book of Answers” contains helpful hints and tips to get even a gardening novice off on the right foot. Each chapter explains “The right way to do it” to avoid gardening pitfalls and even offers solutions for mistakes: “If I goofed, can I fix it?”

“This is an easy place to garden. The Mohawk Valley is in a unique position, having no shortage of water,” says Teri, who is originally from California, where water shortages threaten farmers and gardeners alike. “Our soil in the Mohawk Valley is naturally organically rich. And we have moderate soil and a moderate climate. This all contributes to gardening

success.”

In the Mohawk Valley, we are in growing zone 6. “Knowing your zone and what does well here is important,” says Teri.

If there are plants outside of our growing zone that you would like to grow, such as cacti, succulents, or tropical plants, these can be houseplants.

Teri suggests repotting your potted plants in new soil yearly. “Many houseplants are coming alive in spring, so this is also a good time to be replacing their soil. Houseplants can be

placed outside starting in late spring, either directly into the ground or still in their pots,” suggests Teri. She recommends ensuring they are protected from strong winds and extreme summer weather like thunderstorms.

Teri suggests speaking with your local garden and nursery center staff to learn more about which plants will do best in our growing zone.

Angela Fazekas, owner of A&W Greenhouse and Gardens in Little Falls, encourages any local gardeners with questions

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“Soil is the most important part of gardening. Much of the soil in Little Falls has clay, which can be hard to grow in. You can till and add soil amendments, or raised beds are a great choice because you can bring in soil that is better for growing.”

“Also, the tap water in Little Falls has a high pH, which could harm your plants,” Angela explained.

Instead of water from the

Photo by Allysa Rader - One of the Greenhouses at A&W. to stop in and ask. Angela offered some suggestions for those living in the City of Little Falls.

LATE From Page 14

hose, collecting rainwater might be a better option for garden watering if you have municipal water.

“Aquarium water is also a great option for watering and acts as a fertilizer,” she suggests.

“And, save plastic bottles and poke holes in the cap. Fill them with water and plant them upsidedown next to each plant for an easy way to help you water your garden regularly.”

Angela agreed with Teri that the end of May into June is the best time for planting in our area. She offered a saying passed down from her grandmother to remember when to plant: “When the frost is done,

the planting has begun.”

“I’m the flower girl,” says Angela. “I love flowers. When planning a planting box or basket, you’ve got spillers, thrillers, and fillers. The thrillers are bold flowers that stand out and offer the ‘wow’ factor, like our Begonias. These are the centerpiece plants with star quality. Spillers are a splash of mischief that tumbles out of the pot to soften the edge and contrast with the other plants. Fillers are foliage or flowering plants that complement but do not overwhelm the main player, such as Flocks or Creeping Jenny. For spillers, we have Thunbergia, a vine that does very well here, or the Lofo, which will blossom up until

November.”

Angela had some additional tips and tricks to offer the Mohawk Valley gardener. “Vining vegetables, like cucumbers, can be strung up or grown next to pallets. Train the plants to grow along the string or up the pallet. This makes for easy picking and keeps the vegetables off the ground and away from insects. Strings should go from the base of a plant to as high up as possible, like to a roof eave. The pallets can be screwed vertically to a raised bed’s side.”

Tomatoes are a popular,

versatile vegetable plant that does well in our area. “For tomato plants, it is best to plant them deep, beyond the first leaves, as far up as the roots come off the stalk. This will lead to bigger plants that can sustain heavy wind and rain,” Angela suggests.

A&W has seven different varieties of tomatoes left available. In early spring, they were offering a variety of heirloom tomatoes passed on by Angela’s Great-Uncle Herold Blovat, who has been planting the same tomato plant for over 50 years.

Angela explained, “He named this tomato

variety after his late wife, Eileen. I am so proud to be continuing on these tomatoes for him. We have customers that love these ‘Eileen’ tomatoes, and we sell out right away.”

Angela’s customers tell her that A&W Greenhouse and Gardens is their happy place. “Plants make people happy!” she exclaimed with a smile.

Garrett Livermore, Executive Director at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County, stated that there has been an increased number of food crop gardens planted across the Mohawk Valley over Please See LATE Page 17

Photo by Allysa Rader - Angela of A&W Greenhouse and Gardens shows how deep to plant a tomato transplant.

Five Saints Distilling has Little Falls connection

By Dave Warner

Sometimes a press release comes in, and you wonder what connection it has to Little Falls. Especially when it comes from Norristown, Pennsylvania, and reads like this, “Five Saints Distilling and International Spirits LLC has announced that their international award-winning premium craft spirits are now available nationally in 42 states and the District of Columbia. Previously, the spirits were only available throughout Pennsylvania, where the company is headquartered, within the PLCB’s Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. Now, five of the brand’s spirit products are available online in most of the continental U.S.”

Then, an email comes in, a phone call is made, and John George says, “It’s a hell of a story. I’m a 1976 Little Falls High School graduate, and my very first job was at Park Row Drugs, which was in Shopper’s Square. I was

a stock boy.”

He went to college, worked in the pharmacy field, went back and got his MBA, and became a sales rep for a pharmaceutical company living in Saratoga Springs.

George continued to get promoted within the company, which saw him move to Pennsylvania and retire in 2016.

“Before that, in 2013, I was searching the internet and was reading about the changes in distilling laws which allowed micro-distilleries to be created with less paperwork and less cost.”

“There was a link for Moonshine University, and I clicked it, and it said, ‘You too can be a distiller in 5 1/2 days.’ I liked the sound of it and enrolled,” he said.

George says that when his wife got up the next day, he told her, and she said, “This is what happens when I go to bed early?” “Yup,” George

replied.

He traveled to Lousiville for the course and, on the second day, decided he liked it and called his wife and said, “I like this, and we’re going to open a distillery.” She said, ‘We can talk about that when you get home.’”

George told her he already had a name for the business, and it would be called ‘Five Fathers Distilling.’

His wife thought it was a fantastic name and asked him how he came up with it.

George explained to me that his father, John George, was a New York State Policeman who grew up on the south side of Little Falls and, in 1970, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in Herkimer. “He backed a little too close to a snow bank, and they found the engine and heater running. They resuscitated his partner, but he died.”

“I always say that I was then raised by his three brothers and a close family friend. They all lived in Little Falls,” he stated.

Robert, Joe, and Raymond George, as well as John Lorinzoni. “It was great because they all taught me different things. I was given the gift of five fathers, not just one, hence the name, Five Fathers Distilling.”

But, the name was already taken by Jim Beam, who had just come out with a limited edition of Five Fathers Bourbon.

His wife said, “What are you going to do, fight with Jim Bean? Just come up with another name.”

George responded, “Well, at least this conversation is going in the right direction.”

“I thought about it a little more and called her the next day and said, how about Five Saints? She said, where’d that come from?”

“Well, 75% of the time, I was a little bit of a pain in the ass to raise, so they weren’t just fathers to me, but they were saints to me, and that’s where the name comes from.”

George found the Humane Engine #1 Firehouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, bought that, restored it, and

Please See SAINTS Page 18

The distillery is located inside the historic Humane Engine #1 Fire House in Norristown, Pennsylvania and was built more than 125 years ago.

LATE From Page 15

the last few years.

“The interest in gardening has really blossomed since the COVID pandemic. People are worried about inflation, the cost of living, and also the nutritional quality of their food supply. While there is a growing interest, there is a knowledge gap. Gardening knowhow was more common in our grandparents, but this knowledge is less common now.”

Garrett did offer some information to keep in mind. “During periods of heavy rain, like what we

experienced earlier this spring, may not be the best time to be in the garden. If you work your garden when it’s mud, you can damage your soil structure,” explained Garret.

Garrett suggests planning out your garden to promote success.

“It’s important to ensure your plants are properly spaced. If you plant too close together, there will not be enough airflow. This leaves your garden susceptible to fungus and blight. Proper mulching can also keep your garden healthy,

preventing rain splashback.”

Cameron Carol Burke, Nutritional Program Leader and Local Foods Advocate of Cornell Cooperative Extension, recommends wood chips as a great mulching option, preferably aged at least one year to ensure proper pH levels. Landscaping companies can deliver a truckload of wood chips to use as a mulch across your yard and garden.

For more resources from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer

County, visit their website at https://blogs.cornell. edu/cceherkimer.

To add even more to

your gardening knowhow, you can find a list of gardening books by Teri Dunn Chace at https:// www.terichacewriter.com.

SOCIAL

AMENITIES

MOHAWK VALLEY

Photo by Allysa Rader - A Lofo Plant Blooms, A&W.

SAINTS From Page 16

on the 4th of July in 2016, opened the doors to celebrate the independence of the United States of America and his independence from corporate America.

“Now I’m just a lowly distiller. I used to be a respected pharmaceutical executive,” he said. They’ve been in business for seven years, and they’ve always been limited to selling in the state because of the liquor laws there. “I could never sell to anyone

outside the state, so my friends would come down, buy some bottles, and take them back to New York.”

But the law has changed. “We’re now available online in 41 more states plus the District of Columbia. That’s really, really big for us.”

“I have a lot of friends who still live in Little Falls, and I think they’re going to really like this,” he stated.

George said, “I love Little Falls, and I’ve always

wanted to get back there. My brother Jeff still lives there. If you can live in Little Falls and you can make a living, it’s a hell of a place to raise a family. It’s a great place.”

“What you pay for a house up there is what you pay for a car down here. It’s incredible.” George ended, “I’ve traveled the world, and Little Falls has so much going for it.”

Five Saints offers seven different award-winning spirits that include Vodka, White Whiskey, Savory Tuscan Gin, Maple

Loaves and Fishes Warming Center plans October opening

By Donna Thompson

The new Loaves and Fishes Warming Center at the Salvation Army in Herkimer opened its doors for the first time in March and continued offering overnight shelter to unhoused people for the next five weeks.

That period served as a soft opening for the center, said Rev. Joelle Faulks, who has spearheaded the project. “We worked out some of the kinks. We’ll have a hard opening in October.”

Going forward, the Loaves and Fishes center will be open daily from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. from October through April, Christine Lawrence, vice president, and program director, told community members who gathered for a recent open house to view the facilities and learn about the services that will be offered there.

“We’ve worked hard for three years to get here,”

said Lawrence. “We meet people where they’re at and provide them with options. We give what we can when we can.”

When guests arrive at the center, they are greeted with a smile and taken individually to the office for the intake process, she explained. That includes advising them of available programs and services and explaining the center’s rules - no weapons or drugs, etc.as well as the expected conduct. They sign the rules and are checked with a wand to ensure they have no weapons.

“We’re big on safety,” said Lawrence, adding that backgrounds are checked, and village police patrol the area and check in during the night.

Once the intake process is completed, guests, who may be transported here from around Herkimer County, are provided with bedding and a clear gallon bag to use for a few

Bourbon Butter Pecan Rum, Blood Orange Liqueur, Raspberry Lavender Absinthe, and a Rare PA “Bourbon Style” 100 Proof Whiskey.

Spirits lovers can simply order online at FiveSaintsDistilling.com to deliver to their homes or businesses. You must be 21 or older; an adult signature is required for delivery.

Five Saints Distilling is a member of the American Distilling Institute and is located at 129 East Main Street in Norristown, PA. In 2018 the ADI awarded

Five Saints with the “Best Repurposed Building to a Distillery” to honor the renovation and use of the Historic Humane Fire Engine Company No. 1, built in the late 1880s.

“The experience we strive to provide all who visit Five Saints or enjoy our spirits is to relax, connect, enjoy, and savor quality time with friends and family,” said George. “I always remind folks if someone asks what you’re doing as you’re enjoying our spirits, to tell the truth – ‘We’re hanging out with Five Saints and Friends!’”

personal items. Lockers are used to store each individual’s belongings. Coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks are available. In the morning, guests are given a hot breakfast before they leave and a lunch to take with them.

Laundry facilities are available, and the supplies stored on the office shelves include socks and sneakers for those who need them.

“If they need something, we give it to them,” said Faulks. She added that sweat suits are available for guests to wear while their clothes are being washed and dried.

Lawrence explained that the black, rectangular tent-like structure set up near the cots is a “hot box” used to clean and sterilize cots and bedding.

Everything must be cleared away and stored in the morning so the Salvation Army can

use the space for its programs and activities, said Faulks.

The Salvation Army building at 431 N. Prospect St., Herkimer, was not the original planned site for the center. The idea grew out of a Bible study at First United Methodist Church in Herkimer. Members wanted to assist the neighbors they saw on the streets and started Worship Without Walls, giving away lunches each Wednesday. They wanted to do more for the people who lacked housing, and since Herkimer County lacked shelter for the unhoused, the idea of a warming center was born.

The Methodist Church

was originally planning to host the center. When that didn’t work out, other options were considered and discarded. Finally, at Lawrence’s suggestion, organizers approached Salvation Army Captains Derrick and Heather Purvis about hosting the center at their facility.

“We shared the same goal of helping people during the cold winter months,” said Captain Derrick Purvis.

The project has received monetary support from Trinity Lutheran Church, the Kucerak family, and other donors, said Lawrence, adding that recently, the center was awarded a grant from the

Photo by Donna Thompson - The Salvation Army in Herkimer is the host site for the new Loaves and Fishes Warming Center. The center will officially open in October to provide overnight shelter for people who lack housing.

Creative Outpost interns ready to stream DiamondDawgs games

The Creative Outpost interns are back and ready to stream another team’s home games this summer, as the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs kick off their season opener at home on Thursday night, June 1st, against the Utica Blue Sox.

The Creative Outpost is a non-profit 501c3 organization focused on creative content, film, and media education. Its intern program exposes participants to vital broadcast media skills such as video editing, graphics operation, teleprompter operation, camera work, commercial creation, and the direction and production of live streaming events.

Creative Outpost

Executive Director Dave Warner stated, “We kicked this program off last fall when Scott Flansburg, owner of the ABA basketball team called the Herkimer Originals, asked us to live stream all their home

games. He even went so far as to allow one of our interns to do play-by-play and analysis for each of the games.”

“We had six interns involved in the program, and hundreds of people could view the team from two different angles. From everything we’ve heard, it was a huge success,” he said. “The team owner was happy, and so were the fans.”

Travis Heiser, the owner of the Diamond Dawgs, was on-hand during several of those games and asked if the Creative Outpost could also produce the team’s home games.

“I had a chance to see the response from the Originals fans, and I wanted an opportunity to provide that same kind of experience for our fans and the player’s parents and friends from around the country, who might not be able to make the game.”

OPENING From Page 18

Lawrence and Faulks view the warming center as the first step in the services they hope to offer. “Long-term, we hope to be open yearround, 24 hours a day,” said Lawrence, adding that a larger building or an expansion of the existing one would eventually be needed. Ultimately, she hopes the program can help people without

Warner stated, “We’ve invested a lot in the equipment, technology, and training of our interns so that we can give have a real professional feel to the game. We’ll put a headset on the current play-by-play caller, Pete Pagliaro, and then have a home plate camera, one on the first base line and another on the third base side.”

Interns will be working the cameras along the sideline and producing the show from inside the press box, selecting the camera angles that people see, as well as playing commercials for the sponsors.

Heiser said, “It’s great to see these high school and college students get involved in this kind of activity. It’s giving them some real-world experience and an opportunity to put something on their resume that is very unique.”

“Putting this kind of

production on for each game is a lot of work, but I love the fact that this kind of experience can change students’ lives if it’s a positive one. We learned a lot during that season with the Originals, and if they want us back, we’ll be even better next season,” stated Warner.

If you can’t make the Diamond Dawgs game in person, you can view the game on their website at https:// mvdiamonddawks.com/.

Have an Apple TV or Roku device? You can view the games there by searching for Creative Outpost and then loading the app.

homes to find sustainable permanent housing.

The center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a board of directors. Those who want to help can donate by sending checks payable to the Loaves and Fishes Warming Center, ℅ First United Methodist Church, 127 N. Prospect St., Herkimer 13350.

To learn about volunteer and staff opportunities, contact Lawrence at 315868-9073.

Photo submitted - Dave Warner (left) and Tanner Jaquay (a Little Falls High School Senior) livestream a Herkimer Originals basketball game during the 2022-2023 season.

Wesley and Marion Small Fund at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties.