Canal Celebration returns August 7-13

By Dave Warner

The City of Little Falls invites you to attend Canal Celebration. The festival is in its 36th year and celebrates the community, heritage, and spirit that makes Little Falls a unique place in the Mohawk Valley. It will run from August 7, 2023, through August 13, 2023.

The beginning idea for the festival started with local business leaders who wanted to showcase Little Falls, what it had to offer, its importance geographically in the State, and its relation to the Erie Canal.

Tony DeLuca, chairperson for the event, stated, “They wanted a vehicle to bring people into Little Falls to benefit the businesses. The business association was teetering, and they didn’t have a strong local presence at that time, but the people that remained in the group thought that a celebration would bring people into town, see what we had, look at the storefronts, and realize that we had a lot to offer.”

The group also felt that focusing on the Canal was unique, so the name Canal Celebration seemed to fit.

“The group created a committee that worked on different aspects, including themes, programs, and dates. They settled on an August date. It started as ‘maybe let’s do a weekend,’ but as ideas surfaced, it grew a whole week,” he said.

DeLuca said they scanned the calendar to ensure they didn’t interfere with other events in the area and settled on the second week of August.

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Artist, Jill Rae ~ Bringing Color To Our Communities & Making Us Smile

By Denise Gregorka

Jill Rae Vennera of ‘Jill Rae Signs’ & ‘Easels on the Gogh’ has been serving the community with her artistic talents for over 40 years and is still having fun doing it!

The Young Artist

Jill Rae was born and lived in Connecticut until she was about twelve years old when her family moved to Little Falls, where they ran a dairy farm for several years.

As a child, Jill loved to draw. She stated, “My mother tells me that I was born with a crayon in my hand.” Her grandfather was an artist who did woodworking, sculpture, drawing & painting. He taught Jill many things, including the old English style of lettering when she was only eight. She learned it, developed a passion for it, and still loves to use it.

Of course, she loved art class in high school, claiming “Little Falls had a great art department.”

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At school, she got involved in making yearbook covers and different art projects but also picked up jobs in the community doing various artwork, signs, & lettering for local businesses and fundraisers.

Jill Rae Signs

It was only natural that she would launch her business, Jill Rae Signs, after graduation. She stated, “In the 1980s, there was a need in the Mohawk Valley for a sign maker.” She was also the only woman in the business for a very long time.

She went to HCCC for Travel & Tourism for a time, thinking it might be something she would like to do, but soon realized she was happiest continuing her sign business.

Looking back, Jill recalls, “Everything was handpainted back then: signs, window lettering, truck lettering, etc. There were no computers. It was very time-consuming, and you had to wait for the paint to dry. Also, when hand painting, if you had a number that had three zeros, every single zero had to look exactly the same next to each other. There was also lead in the paint back then, which made it cover in one stroke. But, because of toxicity, they took the lead out of the paint, and that changed everything. But it’s good that I didn’t have to breathe toxic chemicals.”

In 1986, Jill Rae got her first computer cutter. There was no screen to help her program the computer. It had a small half-inch LED display in which she had to feed in all of the commands. It would only cut out very basic lettering. That machine enabled her to make fast letters, and those three zeros could now be exact. However, even with the new machine, since it only did lettering, she still had to hand paint any graphics that were needed to complete a sign. So there was a time in which it was a combination of computer and hand painting.

Her next cutting machine had a computer screen, but it still lacked the capabilities of making graphics. She updated her machines as time went on and was grateful for any new options they offered. For the last twenty-five years, her computers have done so much more. Jill stated, “ Now, with today’s computer, everything is fully printed. I can take a photograph and fully print that and blow it up to any size I want. Having said that, it is still work.” Jill was the first person in the Mohawk Valley who was doing computerized work. She said, “It was interesting to watch the old-time painters try to transition into computers, and conversely, the younger guys who were into computers would get some tips from the oldtimers on hand painting. It was an interesting time.”

Having been a painter from the beginning, Jill Rae feels that she has an edge in design and also has a greater understanding of how a sign is made from start to finish. “Signs are a combination of artwork and science because when advertising, it has

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HerkimerCountyOfficefortheAginghasFarmersMarketCoupons available.ThesecouponsarenowavailableattheOfficeforthe Agingaswehavecompletedourcommunitydistribution.Ifsomeone isovertheageof60yearsandundertheincomeguidelinesthey canreceivethe$25Farmer ’s MarketCouponBooklet.

Thecouponscanbeusedonlocallygrown(NYandadjacentstates) fruitsandvegetables.Nojams,jellies,honey,bakedgoods,etc. Individualsshouldlookforfarmersthatdisplaythe signstatingthey acceptfarmersmarketcoupons.

Individualsmustbepresenttosignfortheircoupons.Iftheyare unabletomakeittocomeintotheoffice,theycancomplete aproxy formandsendsomeoneintheirplace.POAscanalsopickup couponsforindividualsbutmustprovidethePOApaperwork.Once thecouponsarepickeduptheycansend aproxytothefarmers markettousethemwithoutanydocumentation.

LostorstolencouponsCANNOTbereplaced.

Ifanyonehasanyquestionsaboutthecoupons theycancall 315-867-1124.

VS.

NewYorkYankees BostonRed Sox Sat. Aug19 at

A$25 deposit(totalprice $195) will reserveaplace on thebus to NYCand astadium seat.

Busleaves6:00am from DolgevilleHighSchool

Additional pickupsatLittleFalls, St.Johnsville andCanajoharie Thruwayexit.

Game starts @1.05pm

CarmenL icari(518)-727-6024

Tony Susi (518) 332-1556

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“It looked like August was a good month, and they stuck with it, so here we are.”

He said that it was a growing festival each year, which had a few bumps in the road. “It was driven by volunteerism. There wasn’t any paid staff to organize this thing.”

As more and more volunteers got involved, more ideas evolved. “Either the person with the idea did it, or they rounded up some friends to help. So all these little pockets of program people started working on craft festivals, parades, and entertainment. At its height, we had an organization with a chairman, a finance person, and others. We had to raise the money for everything we did,” stated DeLuca.

They sold t-shirts, ads in the program book, and other things to make sure there were enough funds to pull off the event.

“All the different committees had a chair, from program to entertainment to brochure, and it grew and grew. There was a lot of activity because there were a lot of volunteers,” he said.

Over the years, though, as the volunteers were asked to do more with less and less, the volunteers faded away. As a result, some of the programs fell by the wayside.

“So now we’re at a point where extraneous things like the pandemic impacted it. We were probably at the smallest group ever handling the event when it hit.”

DeLuca said that the pandemic worsened the situation. “We tried to keep things going the best we could with the guidelines that we had, but after that pandemic pause, we’ve seen a situation where people are not re-engaging. Not just the general public coming to the festival, but also volunteers hesitating to reengage.”

He continued, “That’s where we are today. We’re trying to rekindle the interest and bring it back to its past year’s grandeur, and we hope this year is even better than last year.”

Here are some of the daily featured events:

Wednesday, August 9:

36th Annual Little Falls Canal Celebration Fireworks Spectacular

“Thunder on the River” at Rotary Park (marina) features live music by Moss Back Mule, food trucks, Rotary’s duck dash fundraiser, bounce houses, and more.

Thursday, August 10: “Big Kids” Adult Fishing Derby and Mike’s Cruise In car show at Rotary Park (marina).

The “Big Kids” Adult Fishing Derby is an annual Little Falls Canal Celebration event that showcases the numerous species of fish that inhabit the waters of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal between Locks 17 and 18. Cash prizes are awarded for the heaviest of each species caught.

The derby is a catch & release format that promotes wildlife conservation of the local waterway. Door prizes are awarded to participants following the tournament, financed by the continuous generous support of Feldmeier

Industries. The various fish species caught will be displayed for all to see in an observation tank and later released.

Cruise In by Mike features local favorite cars, trucks, and anything with wheels and goes from 5-8 pm.

Friday, August 11:

Eastern Park Craft Fair & Farmers Market from 2-10 pm on East Main Street. Local and regional crafters with their favorite wares. Food and entertainment & live music.

The Grande Parade goes down Main and Albany Streets and starts at 6 pm, rain or shine.

Following the parade, Kids on Main will be in front of M&T Bank, featuring a 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament, kid’s games, a DJ, and food.

The Elks host live music with the “Pine Ridge Mountain Band” and their annual party on the deck. Rock Valley Brewing Co. has live music with “Rev-D” featuring local musician Phil Scarano.

Saturday, August 12:

The day starts with the 33rd Annual John Serow Memorial Youth Fishing Derby at Lock 17 with a 7 am registration. Canal Place will be alive with Chicks Along the Canal in Sterzinar Park, and there’s an Iron Man classic powerlifting competition at the Youth

City of Little Falls

August 1, 2023

Common Council Meeting - Auditing of the bills: 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting: 7:00 p.m.

August 3, 2023

Cruise In by Mike - 5 - 8 pm, Little Falls MarinaRotary Park.

August 4, 2023

Herkimer 9 Foundation Golf Tournament - MV Golf and Event Center 8 am.

August 8, 2023

Zoning Board of Appeals 6:30 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

August 10, 2023

Cruise In by Mike - 5 - 8 pm, Little Falls MarinaRotary Park.

August 14, 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.

August 16, 2023

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

August 17, 2023

Cruise In by Mike - 5 - 8 pm, Little Falls MarinaRotary Park.

August 21, 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.

August 24, 2023

BBQ chicken and pulled pork dinner, Little Falls Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 588 Albany St. 4 - 7 pm.

August 24, 2023

Cruise In by Mike - 5 - 8 pm, Little Falls MarinaRotary Park.

August 31, 2023

Cruise In by Mike - 5 - 8 pm, Little Falls MarinaRotary Park - Fireworks finale.

Little Falls Elks

August 8, 2023

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

August 11, 2023

Canal Days at LF Elks

Lodge! Live music on the porch 7-11pm, featuring “Pine Ridge Mountain Band”. Free admission, Age 21 & over only. Food & beverages for sale on the lawn under the tent. Full bar open.

August 12, 2023

Canal Days at LF Elks

Lodge! Live music on the porch 7-11pm, featuring “The Posers” from Ilion.

Free admission, Age 21 & over only. Food & beverages for sale on the lawn under the tent. Full bar open.

August 13, 2023

Canal Days at LF Elks

Lodge! Famous Chicken & Ribs BBQ on the lawn, noon until sold out. Visit the Classic Car Show in Burke Park across the street and then stop at the lodge for a bite to eat! Public invited, all ages welcome. Dining available outside under tent or inside with A\C. Full bar open inside.

August 22, 2023

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

August 31, 2023

$1,000 monthly raffle drawing at 9pm at LF Lodge. Only 200 tickets will be sold, @$10 each. Age 21 & over only.

Dolgeville

August 5, 2023

Blueberries, Blues & BBQ Festival - Plowe Park Area 9 am - 4 pm.

Farmer’s Market, themed basket raffle, business & restaurant specials, chicken BBQ (noon until sold out), blueberry ice creat social (3 pm until sold out), music in the park and more.

August 12, 2023

8:30 am - 1st Annual Dolgeville Violet Festival Golf Tournament, Little Falls Municipal Golf Course, 896 E Monroe St. $100 nonmembers, $65 members. Registration includes: golf with cart, breakfast, lunch, dinner, longest drive, closest to the pin, prizes, 50/50, silent auction and more. To register call 315-8684130.

Salisbury

Salisbury Historical Society Open Every Sunday 1pm-3pm

Sprite Club Poker RunAugust 5, 2023: BBQ Dinner to follow *Guests must sign in under a member.

August Truck and ATV Sand Drags - 2 Day

Calendar of Events (Cont) - August

Event at: The Salisbury Ridgerunners Where Old Friends Meet

Trucks race on August 19th

ATVs race on August 20th

August 24, 2023

Rabies clinic 5:30 - 7 pm, Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department 2549 NY-29, Salisbury Center.

Frankfort

August 5, 2023 - 10 am - 2 pm Frankfort Hill community day corner of Rigby and Albany ads. Chicken BBQ 11 am until sold out, bake sale, basket raffle, historic school tours, craft fair/ garage sale, contact Nancy Hamlin 315-8942221.

Stone Arabia

August 6, 2023 - 4 pm - Organist Helen Maksymicz at the Old Palatine Church located on Route 5 between Nelliston and St. Johnsville.

Herkimer

August 5, 2023

Herkimer Elks Lodge #1439 presents a classic car show to benefit cerebral palsy. Noon - 4 pm. Registration begins at 9 am and ends at noon. Myers Park, Herkimer. Herkimer Police Department child safety seat unit, Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Club, Bahama Mama’s Ice Cream, DJ - Sal Stokes, 50/50 raffle. Hot dogs, hamburgers, hot sausage & peppers, Professionally judged by: Obsessed Car Detailers.

& Family Center. The craft fair continues in Eastern Park, and Veterans Memorial Park hosts Vintage Baseball. The Dr. Tony Piana Annual Rotary Club Golf Tournament is at the Mohawk Valley Golf & Event Center, and the Little Falls Farmers Market is in the M&T parking lot. The Elks host live music with “The Posers” and their annual party. Rock Valley Brewing Co. has live music with national recording artist “J. B. Aaron.”

Sunday, August 13: Burke (Western) Park features the 36th annual Little Falls Canal Celebration Car Show while the Elks host their famous chicken BBQ at noon. The craft fair continues in Eastern Park, and there will be live music at the American Legion Post 31 with the “Pine Ridge Mountain Band.”

The Little Falls Youth & Family Center and the to look nice, be legible, and capture someone’s attention.” She says it is important not to overcomplicate a sign which makes it hard to read and is then useless. Jill Rae remarked, “It has been a great business which has kept me busy around the clock so many times. My kids have worked there, my ex-husband was my partner, and it was a family-type business. It is still going strong. I have had some of my clients for decades.”

City of Little Falls lend a hand every step of the way to ensure the festival has the resources it needs to provide a fun and safe festival.

This project was made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

Easels on the Gogh

Easels on the Gogh is a full-service mobile painting studio offering painting parties throughout the Mohawk Valley and beyond.

Around eight years ago, Jill decided to go back to school for Art Therapy classes. She stated, “I had a blast...it was so fun!

I got straight A’s because life’s experiences do that for you.”

She did sculpture, painting & pottery with many other interesting classes as well.

She says she mostly did it for fun, but then her business side got her thinking ...”Hmmm, I could do a ‘Paint & Sip’ because we don’t have any of them here.” They were mostly franchises, and they were just starting to pop up. “I created my own, and because it was a mobile, I would come

Senior Meals For August

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.

Aug 01 - Goulash, tossed salad, warm roll, green beans, oatmeal cookie.

Aug 02 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, spinach, peaches.

Aug 03 - Omelet, hash browns, muffin, sausage patty, fruit cup.

Aug 04 - Ham and cheese cold plate, macaroni salad, marinated broccoli salad, Kaisere roll, chocolate ice cream.

Aug 07 - Seafood salad cold plate, coleslaw, pasta salad, croissant, pineapple.

Aug 08 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, green beans, brownie.

Aug 09 - Beef tips, rice, Japanese blend vegetables, cupcake.

Aug 10 - Roast turkey with gravey, stuffing, corn, sugar cookie.

Aug 11 - Lemon chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, melon.

Aug 14 - Salisbury steak with peppers and onions, mashed potatoes, carrots, pears.

Aug 15 - Chicken marsala, noodles, broccoli, chef’s choice pie.

Aug 16 - Egg salad cold plate, pasta salad, corn salad, Kaiser roll, vinilla ice cream.

Aug 17 - Cheeseburger deluxe, O’Brien potatoes, wax beans, frosted birthday cake.

Aug 18 - Lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread, Italian blend vegetables, peanut butter cookie.

Aug 21 - Baked fish with dill sauce, au gratin potatoes, red cabbage, chocolate chip cookie.

Aug 22 - Turkey cold plate, cottage cheese, macaroni salad, Kaiser roll, brownie.

Aug 23 - Chicken breast with gravy, rice, Brussels sprouts, fresh fruit.

Aug 24 - Ham, scalloped potatoes, peas and carrots, tropical fruit.

Aug 25 - Pork roast, sweet potatoes, spinach, gelatin with topping.

Aug 28 - Three cheese ziti with meatballs, garlic roll, tossed salad, cookie.

Aug 29 - Wild rice and chicken casserole, beets, zucchini, pudding parfait.

Aug 30 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, country blend vegetables, berries in a cloud.

Aug 31 - Tuna salad cold plate, potato salad, carrot raisin salad, Kaiser roll, sherbet.

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.

to you or go wherever an event was taking place.”

She offers event parties, private parties, fundraising, colleges, team building, kids parties, adult parties, and more with the motto “Where friends become artists, and artists become friends.”

The business has really taken off, and loads of people have participated in ‘Paint & Sip.’ Jills states, “We started to have kid’s parties, and I was so happy to see that. It’s something cultural, and kids love to paint!”

She says, “Painting is so rewarding. Some people are intimidated at first until I break it down for them with basic steps. By the time they’re done, they are so thrilled, and I love that feeling!”.

Jill noted, “I do a lot with the elderly & nursing homes, which is great for their motor skills. It’s really beneficial to them, more mentally than anything, that they can do this, and they are proud of it. The art hangs in their room, and it brightens their life up.”

Jill loves her sign & painting businesses and hopes to do both as long as she can.

Cheese Festival

If all of that work isn’t enough, Jill serves on the Little Falls Cheese Festival Committee, using her networking skills and connections to bring in sponsors, along with providing signage for the festival each year. She also has a booth during the Cheese Festival and sells out of her famous, homemade, spreadable Irish Beer Cheese. She sells out so fast every year that her devoted customers go to her booth first thing to ensure they don’t miss out. She states, “I only make cheese for that event because I am so busy with my other two businesses. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful cheese makers in upstate New York.”

Over the years, Jill Rae has been a part of many local civic organizations. She concluded, “It is important to be involved in the community & social clubs like Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, etc. You have to give back to the community.” With all of Jill’s businesses, she loves interacting with people. “I talk a lot, and I am friendly. I enjoy people. I really do. Life is fun, and it keeps you young.”

For more info call 315868-6002.