Mohawk Valley Express Volume 3 Number 9 September 2023

Get

ready for a stinkin’ good time on September 9th

By Dave Warner

Get ready for a stinkin’ good time because the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival will return to Little Falls for its 20th year on September 9, 2023, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in Canal Place.

They’ll have the area’s best garlic growers, produce vendors, fine artisans, food product producers, herbs and flower vendors,

festival cuisine, live entertainment, family activities, and more planned for visitors.

According to organizer Julie Webster, “This all started back when Marge Balder was the director of the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. She came over to Mom and me and said hey, I think this could be an amazing thing, but it’s going to take a lot more organization and bodies.”

A Passion for Peonies

By Carol Vogel

Located on Route 29A in Salisbury, NY, Lyndaker Farms specializes in

something unique for the area: Peonies. Cate Crawford, her husband Jason, and their three children cultivate

“It was only eight garlic vendors the first year, and this year, we have twenty-eight, which I believe is our highest number. We’re up to 94

beautiful peonies and other perennials on a farm named for her grandfather.

About Lyndaker Farms

Growing up on a Mennonite farm in upstate New York, Cate had farming in her blood. “I was gardening from age 2!” Cate laughs. After graduation, she moved to the city and worked on Wall Street as a Technology Risk Manager for many years.

total vendors,” she said.

Webster said they used to do an educational day and wished they could bring it back. “New York

Her husband, Jason, was raised in Guyana and is from a farming family. He was employed as a software engineer in New York City, where they met.

As time passed, gardening became more important to Cate, and she started a garden at their home in Brooklyn. Deciding they needed more space, they moved to Salisbury.

While Cate’s focus is the peony and cut flower

State soil is perfect for garlic growing.”

Last year was the first

Please See GARLIC Page 3

farm, Jason teaches Technology at West Canada Valley. He’s also an instructor of computer engineering and leads the FHA chapter. “My parents were both teachers,” Jason explains. Jason loves that he is home when the kids get off the bus and can work on the family farm. They raise their own vegetables and meat for their family. Jason smiles, “The flowers are for the people.”

Please See PASSION Page 2

Photo by Dave Warner - An aerial view of the 2022 Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival at Canal Place in Little Falls New York.

The Crawford Family at Lyndaker Farm: Left to Right: Zachery, Cate, Catherine, Naomi, and Jason. Photo by Carol Vogel

They have three children, Catherine, Zachery, and Naomi, who help around the approximately 38-acre farm. Two acres of the farm are dedicated to peonies and cut flowers and provide a healthy habitat for pollinators.

Peony Basics

Peonies have existed since 1000 BC in the gardens of China and eventually reached Japan, a major producer of peony plants today. Peony roots and seeds were prized in the East for their medicinal properties, aiding in treating asthma headaches and even helping relieve childbirth pain.

Today, there are about 40 species of peony originating from Asia, Europe, and North

America. The American Peony Society recognizes the standard six forms – Single, Japanese, Anemone, Semi-double, Bomb, and Full Double. There are multiple colors and variations among the varieties.

Cultivating peonies takes time and patience

- it takes 2-3 years to propagate them. Cate also mentioned that weeding is a full-time job. “It feels like a losing battle when it comes to weeds, but we have a plan. While weeding the first few years will be important - as plants grow and mature - the weeds won’t win, and weeding will be sporadic and hopefully down to once a year.”

Farm Offerings

Lyndaker Farms carries all four types of peonies:

herbaceous, herbaceous hybrid, tree peonies, and Itoh’s. “We have hundreds in each category. In some categories, we probably have 1000+. Our total production area is currently over 2 acres” with more space waiting to be planted this fall.

They also have a large amount of Tree Peony seedlings that are being trialed. “These are peonies not yet registered or introduced to the market. We are trialing them to see which are special enough to warrant market introduction. We’ve already introduced four and have others we’re hoping to propagate this year and introduce in 2024 or 2025.”

Cate and Jason are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share and teach about gardening

and all the fantastic plants they offer. Their website includes excellent resources on peony care and has a blog with informative posts to help you create your gorgeous gardens. Their annual catalog comes out in July and is available on their website.

The American Peony Society visited Lyndaker Farms this spring for a tour. Although the weather was rainy and not cooperative, Cate said it was exciting to have a busload of folks from all over the world to see their farm and discuss everything peony!

Cut Flowers

Cate adds, “In addition to the peonies, we have at least 3000 perennials, but I am likely underestimating. We planted many more this

spring than anticipated, but it may be closer to 5,000 by the time the season ends. Most of these perennials are in their first year of growth and are not anticipated to be at peak production until 2025.”

While the farm sells to collectors and the public, Cate explains, “Our target market is florists and designers. We do not operate a roadside stand, but we do get a fair amount of DIY event requests. In these cases, folks just buy buckets of blooms from us and do the design work themselves. We don’t actively market this service - it’s just something that’s developed organically as people have learned about our farm.”

Currently, the farm

Please See PASSION Page 5

Lyndaker Farms. Image courtesy of Cate Crawford

year back after Covid, and the festival was packed. “We had no idea what to expect, and we wanted to extend the gate to include everyone in Canal Place. We had some growing pains with parking and whatnot, but there was so much love and support last year that we now have a fantastic budget this year.”

She said that there will be more portapoties, more shuttles, and more things to do this year.

“Our horse-drawn carriage will be back. He was here all day last year and did an amazing job.”

Webster said that they have a lot of good music on tap as well. “We have a new one named Garlic.Band, and it’s very appropriate.”

“We have more food vendors than we’ve ever had, in addition to the local ones,” she stated. They’ll also have some artisans, but they have

to be ‘from the earth.’ “Wood, metal, fiber, pottery, those kind of things.”

She also said that they promised better parking and they’ve worked really hard on that. “For sure, Industrial Boulevard, and we might do Veterans Memorial Park as handicapped ones. We have two handicappedaccessible buses and two school buses.”

“5-Axis Motorsports is also gracious enough to let us use their parking lot. There’ll be better signage, and it will all be on the website the week before, so don’t try driving down to Canal Place, just go to the map,” Webster stated.

She also said they have a new logo, which will be available on select merchandise.

“In the last few years, our donation admissions at MVGHF have allowed us to become a nonprofit. Local Foods Incubator,

Inc. hopes to be able to soon offer Agricultural scholarships in addition to supporting the MVCA and other local nonprofits with our funds,” she said.

Because this is their 20th year, it’s a really big deal. “Rain or Shine, always a Stinkin’ Good Time,” Webster laughed and said. “No rain date.”

For more information, you can email mohawkvalleygarlic@ gmail.com or visit their website at mvghf.com.

GARLIC From Page 1

City of Little Falls

September 5, 2023

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

September 9, 2023

Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival, Canal Place, 10 am - 5 pm.

September 12, 2023

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

September 13, 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.

September 18, 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.

September 20, 2023

Urban Renewal Agency - 8:15 am - Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

September 21, 2023

A ‘meet the candidate’ event will be held from 7 pm until 9 pm at Rock City Centre, 690 E Main St. This is a chance to meet, greet and ask questions of Deborah Kaufman, who is running for Mayor. Seating is limited, so you must RSVP to hold a seat.

September 22, 2023

Tony Sweet Community Presentation on Fall Color

Photography. Rock City Centre, 690 East Main St, 7 pm - 8:30 pm. Free, but reservations required at creativeoutpost.org/ events/.

September 23, 2023

Tony Sweet Fall Color Photography Workshop

9 am - 4 pm. Free, but reservations required at creativeoutpost.org/ events/.

September 27, 2023

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

October 7, 2023

Little Falls Cheese Festival, downtown, 10 am - 5 pm. The Little Falls Cheese Festival has become known as New York State’s premier gathering of cheesemakers, reminiscent of its early history as the nation’s cheese market capital. With 80 booths, 22 New York cheesemakers, and over 120 varieties of cheese to sample, the 2022 festival drew an estimated 10,000 visitors

to the community from all over the Northeast. For details, visit www. littlefallscheesefestival. com.

Dolgeville

September 15, 2023

9 am - 4 pm - A Fall Rummage Sale at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church, 21 N. Helmer Ave., Dolgeville. Come shop and get some great bargains! For more information, call 315-4297381.

September 16, 2023

9 am - noon - A Fall Rummage Sale at the Dolgeville United Methodist Church, 21 N. Helmer Ave., Dolgeville. Come shop and get some great bargains! For more information, call 315-4297381.

Town of Little Falls

October 5, 2023

Rabies Vaccinations at the Little Falls Town Garage, 478 Flint Ave from 5:30 - 7:00 pm.

Mohawk

LITTLE FALLS PUBLIC

September 28, 2023

Herkimer County Office of the Aging Awards presentation - Office for the Aging Persons of the Year: Joan & Roy VanSlyke, Little Falls, Outstanding Contribution: Michael Bulger, Little Falls. 5 pm at Francesca’s Banquet Hall at 144 E. Main Street, Ilion. For reservations call Kathy Fox 315-867-1121.

Herkimer

September 19, 2023

6:30 - 7:45 pm Friends of the Basloe Library ‘Meet the Author’ event, with local author and historian James M. Greiner to speak about his new book. This event is free and open to the public.

September 23, 2023

Chicken Reggie Challenge - Herkimer VFW 1 - 4 pm. Adults $10, children 6-12 $5.00, under 5 free. Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, free activities for ages 7 & under.

PROGRAMS FOR SEPTEMBER 2023

All programs are subject to change. To stay up to date follow us on Facebook & Instagram and check out our website!

(315)-823-1542 www.LFLibrary.org Little Falls Public Library @LFLibrary

PASSION From Page 2

is almost exclusively perennials or biennials. Since they are limited in production while they cultivate, they are currently working with two local florists, Creative Designs by Tiffany in Dolgeville and Pheobe’s Floristry in Ilion. “Both are fantastic to work with, are very innovative in their designs, and provide an outstanding service to their clients,” Cate says.

She is excited to grow in the near future. “We’re also in conversation with a handful of other local and regional designers/ florists, but - until our production ramps up next year and into 2025 - we simply don’t have enough product to establish working relationships. I will say, though - most upstate NY florists appear to WANT

local products. They seem to immediately get that the local product quality has the potential to exceed product that’s had to travel much longer distances.”

The Healing Power of Nature

Like many, Cate has struggled with health conditions but says, “I farm not despite - but because of - disability.” Cate’s journey sounds familiar, “I know I’m not the only one (particularly the only woman) who’s been seriously ill and repeatedly dismissed.” After decades of searching for answers regarding health issues that left medical experts at a loss, she was diagnosed with four autoimmune diseases and two neurological conditions.

“All are now either in remission or very well managed.” Cate explains, “The farm has been one of the core pillars underpinning my healing. And I’ve also become aware of how many chronically ill folks are finding work with nature helps mend what they thought was irreversibly broken.”

“Out of my experience, I’ve started a substack, “The Chronic Gardener” (catecrawford.substack. com). It’s kind of like a Farm/Garden Journal, but specifically from the perspective of someone doing that work while living with real, daily limitations. My goal is that others living with chronic illness (or other enduring hardship) may see themselves in the stories we share.”

Family, Flowers, and

the Future

Cate and Jason’s passion for peonies and the natural beauty of the Adirondack foothills is felt

when you meet them. “We love the area. When we were looking for a farm, we targeted this region

Please See PASSION Page 6

Bowl of Beauty Peonies. Image courtesy of Cate Crawford

Fresh cut Peonies in a vase. Image courtesy of Cate Crawford

PASSION From Page 5

in part for its unique, almost unreal beauty.” Cate explains. “But we’ve come to love it for so many reasons. We feel so at home in our children’s school district - Dolgeville Central School. Jason teaches at West Canada, loves his students, and believes in/strongly supports the mission of that school as well. Not to mention the friends we’ve made and the wonderful neighbors we have here in Salisbury.”

“We also feel this area has huge potential. It’s surely one of the most beautiful parts of NY

state, with so many great small businesses and outdoor activities at one’s fingertips. We’d not be surprised if the area continues to increase in popularity in the coming years, much like what we’ve all witnessed in the Hudson Valley. Quality of life here is fantastic!”

Visit their website, www. lyndakerfarms.com, to read more about the farm, learn gardening tips, sign up for their mailing list, and shop their catalog. You can even schedule a walking tour of the farm!

Oppenheim United Methodist Church completes Phase 1

The Oppenheim United Methodist Church recently completed Phase 1 of a project to repair and restore the stained glass windows in their church. The windows are estimated to be over 100 hundred years old and several were donated by early members of the congregation.

The restoration was done by the Adirondack Stained Glass Works in Gloversville, NY, using a

of stained glass project

process developed by Louis Tiffany at the turn of the last century. Cracked or broken pieces were replaced, the glass was cleaned, and the lead soldering was removed. The pieces were then reassembled and soldered back together with copper foil.

The project was funded through donations, memorial contributions, and a generous Adam and Nellie Horn Foundation

grant. A total of three large windows were repaired. The Church is currently raising funds to repair additional windows.

The Oppenheim United Methodist Church would like to express our sincere thanks to the Adam and Nellie Horn Foundation for the grant awarded to our church. These funds allowed us to repair a third window that was in very poor condition.

SENIOR MEALS FOR SEPTEMBER

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.

Sep 01 - Macaroni and cheese, green beans, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, pudding.

Sep 04 - Closed for Labor Day.

Sep 05 - Turkey cold plate, cottage cheese, macaroni salad, peanut butter cookie.

Sep 06 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, pears.

Sep 07 - Roast pork, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, ice cream.

Sep 08 - Philly cheeseburger, O’Brien potatoes, broccoli, watermelon.

Sep 11 - BBQ chicken, baked beans, cucumber and tomato salad, pineapple.

Sep 12 - Beef tips over noodles, green beans, apple crisp.

Sep 13 - Pork chops, stuffing, cauliflower, gelatin.

Sep 14 - Frittata, sausage, hash browns, muffin, fruit cup.

Sep 15 - Spaghetti and meatballs, tossed salad, garlic knot, brownie.

Sep 18 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, country blend vegetables, pudding.

Sep 19 - Chicken stir fry, fluffy rice, vegetables, fresh fruit.

Sep 20 - Baked fish in lemon sauce, seasoned pasta, spinach, frosted birthday cake.

Sep 21 - Roast turkey dinner with gravy, stuffing, broccoli, Mandarin oranges.

Sep 22 - Ham and scalloped potatoes, peas and carrots, oatmeal raisin cookie.

Sep 25 - Chicken marsala, noodles, Italian blend vegetables, frosted cupcake.

Installation •Sales •Ser vice Commercial •Agriculture •Residential

Elmer Fisher 746 State Hwy.163

315.219.2171 Fort Plain, NY 13339

Sep 26 - Cream of broccoli soup, egg salad on a Kaiser roll, three-bean salad, peaches.

Sep 27 - Pulled pork on a bun, baked beans, corn, brownie.

Sep 28 - Lasagna, tossed salad, garlic bread, cookie.

Sep 29 - Yankee pot roast, oven roasted potatoes, carrots, chef’s choice pie.

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.

Self-taught artist opens show at Mohawk

Valley Center for the Arts

MVCA is proud to present self-taught artist Eric Whitfield and his first solo show, opening at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts on 9/9 through 10/14.

Born in Austin, TX to artist parents and raised in Upstate NY, Whitfield’s childhood spun on the axis of the art world, and he’d become enthralled with all things creative.

Whitfield’s father, esteemed artist Doug Whitfield whose paintings are world renowned, is still thriving in his art career. As a young artist trying to find his wings, outgrowing his father’s

king-sized shadow became a sort of crux in his pursuit of creating art that he could identify as uniquely his own. When asked how he finally stepped out of this shadow Whitfield divulged it was by “literally working through it.” Any success Whitfield has had in his art career beginnings can be attributed solely to his own perseverance, following his intuition and his heart.

Eric Whitfield is currently represented by the Mineral Point Gallery in Mineral Point, WI as well as the 4 Elements Studio in Utica, NY. Over the years he’s participated

in numerous festivals, shows, and pop-up gallery exhibits. Several of his paintings hang in Franca’s Wine Room in Rome, NY, and he has a solo show on deck for 2024 at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Averill Park, NY.

Join us on Saturday 9, 2023 for the opening event. Gallery Hours are Thursday through Saturday from 12-4PM. Opening Event: Saturday from 2PM – 4PM at 401-403 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated.

Photo submitted - One of the stained glass windows that has been repaired at Oppenheim United Methodist Church.

World famous landscape photographer set to give community presentation and free workshop in Little Falls

By Dave Warner

The Creative Outpost is bringing famed landscape photographer Tony Sweet to Little Falls on September 22nd and 23rd to give a free community presentation at Rock City Centre at 7 p.m. and then a workshop the next day from 9-4 p.m. The community presentation and workshop focus will be Creative Fall Color Photography.

Tony and his wife have already made one trip here, scoping out the area for the best shots. “Little Falls is special. You have water running through it, the old mills, and abandoned buildings.

Just a great atmosphere to photograph in,” he said.

“We’ll come in a couple of days early and look around again. Sue and I really are looking forward to it.”

When asked about the community presentation, he stated, “The show is about autumn color - how colorful it is in the fall - the reflections, the leaves, and creative techniques you can use to enhance that. It’s going to be a fun presentation to watch.”

“For the workshop, we’ll get together and walk around. I’ll point out some things while letting them go off on their own

a bit. Then, we have a creative session and look at the shots they made, critique them, and talk about ways to enhance them,” he remarked. “It should be a really fun time.”

The Creative Fall Color Photography Workshop will have a morning field session, lunch, class and image critiques, and an additional late afternoon/ sunset field session.

Tony is a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens. After successful careers as a jazz musician/ educator and professional magician, Tony settled on photography as his chosen means of personal expression.

Cheese heese Festival! estival!

Over the last 30 years, Tony has become an in-demand speaker throughout the United States and Canada

on Photography and creativity. Tony and Susan Milestone

Please See FAMOUS Page 9

FAMOUS From Page 8

conduct Visual Artistry photography location workshops in the United States, Canada, and Iceland. Tony maintains an active speaking schedule to photography organizations, industry trade shows, and PPA schools across the continental United States and Canada. He also conducts Visual Artistry

Creativity Seminars.

Tony’s photography is published worldwide in every medium and is represented by Getty Images. For national ad campaigns, Tony’s images are also used by Nikon, Exposure Software, Singh Ray, Topaz, Lensbaby, and others. The New York

Times published an interview with Tony on macro photography.

Tony has authored five books on the art of photography: Fine Art Nature Photography (’02), Fine Art Flower Photography (’05), Fine Art Nature Photography: Water, Ice, Fog (’07), Fine Art

Digital Photography (’09) and HDR Photography (2011). He and Master Photo Workshops have co-produced four photography DVDs: Visual Artistry, HDR Made Easy, Visual Literacy, and Flower Photography Artistry, as well as an iPhone instructional video series.

Tony finished, “The

whole area is unique and beautiful and a fantastic place to be in the fall. It’s incredible.”

To sign up for the free Community Presentation or workshop visit creativeoutpost.org/ events. Space is limited to 35 in the community presentation and 15 in the workshop, so please sign up quickly.

If

like

You can also visit our Website at: herkimercounty.org, then

then office for the aging, then assistance applying for Medicare Savings

and ex tra help.

Local non-profits to participate in special match campaign

By Dave Warner

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties will host the second-annual 24-hour day of community giving, “Mohawk Valley Gives,” on September 20th to benefit local nonprofits serving the two counties. Several nonprofit organizations in Little Falls will participate in the campaign.

What makes it really interesting for Little Falls non-profits is the participation of the

UpMobility Foundation and Match Challenge for several local organizations.

The biggest opportunity is for the Little Falls Youth and Family Center’s ongoing Capital Campaign. UpMobility has created two levels of giving for the all-day September 20th event:

#1 Match - Any dollars raised online OR through a grant from a donoradvised fund between September 13 and September 30, 2023,

will be eligible for a 3:1 match, up to $200,000 per organization.

#2 New Donor Bonus - To incentivize and reward organizations for effective new donor acquisition, organizations will additionally receive $300 per online gift from a self-identified new donor, up to $9,000 per organization (equivalent to 30 new donors).

Deborah Kaufman, Chairman of the Youth

Please See MATCH Page 12

Photo by Andy McEvoy - Evan Martyniuk, one of the interns for The Creative Outpost, works a camera during a summer Diamond Dawgs baseball game.

FREE

Mammograms,BreastExams, PapTests &PelvicExams

To eligibleuninsured& underinsuredindividuals 40 &older Insurancebilledfor those withinsurance

Colorectal CancerScreening Take-HomeKits

To eligible uninsured& underinsured individuals45& older

Getyourscreeningsonour MobileCoach!

FACT:Colon cancercan be prevented.

DIDYOU KNOW:

 United States Preventative Services Task Force now recommends screeningfor colon cancer begin at age45.

 There’smorethanone waytoget screenedforcoloncancer, includingeasytake -home tests.

 Thebesttestisthe testthatyou take!

 TheCancerServicesProgramprovides FREE take-home tests forcolon cancer screening to eligibleNew YorkState residents.

ColonCancerTake-HomeTestsare:

TheMobile Coachiscomingto:

FlyCreek Cider Mill

TheBig Squeeze ‘23!

288 GooseSt.,Fly Creek,NY

Saturday, September30th,2023

9am-3pm Call 1-888-345-0225 for your FREE appointment!

Alsocall to learnmoreaboutourprogram,enroll forfreecancerscreeningor find aparticipating provider in your area.

Supported with funds from the State of New York

 An easyandeffective waytobescreened forcolon cancer

 Can be done in theprivacyandconvenienceofyour ownhome

 Free to eligible uninsured or underinsured NewYorkState residents

CALL1-888-345-0225

todetermine eligibility, enroll andreceiveyour free kitinthe mail

Or submit contactinformation to www.bassett.org/coloncancer

Visitusonline: www.bassett.org/csp

Facebook:CSPCentralRegion

Supported withfundsfrom theStateof NewYork

MATCH From Page 10

and Family Center Capital Campaign, stated, “This is an incredible opportunity for the organization, and we hope everyone will participate. Whatever amount you give will triple in value. If you donate $10,000, that becomes $30,000.”

Little Falls Public Library

Two other organizations will be at the 2:1 match level, up to $50,000 per organization. The Little Falls Public Library

MATT

605 4S tate

and the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts will be eligible for that level. They will also receive an additional match of up to $9,000 - matching $300 per new donor.

The two organizations are planning a collaborative event at the Little Falls Public Library on September 19th from 4-8 p.m. to promote the event and take early donations. Refreshments will be served, and computers will be available for

well,bothresidential and commercial

people to make early donations.

The Creative Outpost, the parent non-profit of My Little Falls, is at the 1:1 match level.

#1 Match - Any dollars raised online OR through a grant from a donoradvised fund between September 13 and September 30, 2023, will be eligible for a 1:1 match, up to $10,000 per organization.

#2 New Donor Bonus

- To incentivize and reward organizations for effective new donor acquisition, organizations will additionally receive $200 per online gift from a self-identified new donor, up to $15,000 per organization (equivalent

to 75 new donors).

In the 2022 Mohawk Valley Gives debut, the community raised over $630,000 in 24 hours from 1,700+ unique donors and over 2,750+ individual donations.

More than 90 prizes were awarded to participating nonprofits with the generous support of Mohawk Valley Gives sponsors and members of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

“The day is about so much more than just raising money,” said Nick Grimmer, director of giving strategies at the Community Foundation.

“It’s about giving nonprofit organizations the opportunity to promote

3 Canal Street Fort Plain (518)993-2387

Fax: (518) 993-2302

Briggs Street Plaza, Johnstown (518)762-8200

Fax: (518) 762-1400

themselves in new and creative ways and gain new supporters while they’re at it. It’s also an educational opportunity for community donors to learn about many amazing organizations that they may not be familiar with.”

The Community Foundation took lessons learned from the first Mohawk Valley Gives event and used those to shape this year’s campaign, which will feature more robust training and support opportunities for participating organizations, as well as an enhanced prize pool that will award cash prizes to these organizations on the giving day.

Other participating Little Falls organizations are Pause 4 All Paws Inc., Helping Animals Live Organization, and the Little Falls Hospital.

To find out more or to participate, visit givemv. org/

Alpaca is Softer than Cashmere and Smoother than Silk. Alpaca breathes better than any other Natural Fiber, and is “Naturally” Water & Odor Resistant. Your feet will be more comfortable, drier, and less fatigued. PLUS, Alpaca is Hypo-Allergenic & Highly Anti-Microbial. If you can

Locally created & sponsored film accepted into two film festivals

By Dave Warner

ACT 1: ICU, a film produced by local Hannah Straney and filmed in Little Falls with the support of local donors, has been accepted into two film festivals.

Straney stated, “These acceptances mark a significant achievement and motivate us to both pursue submissions to other festivals and create more compelling films.”

The making of this one for Straney was different in several ways, in that it was supported by local donations and businesses and involved a teaching component, where students from Little Falls High School

spent two hours on the set getting instruction on everything from cameras to the creativity involved in shooting this kind of project.

The Creative Outpost, a Little Falls non-profit 501c3 organization focused on creative content, film, and media education, coordinated student involvement.

The Little Falls Youth & Family Center (formerly the YMCA) handled the business side of things, such as insurance for the project, and Mark Regan, who owns the powerhouse on West Mill St, allowed the group to use the facility for filming.

ACT 1: ICU was selected for the 2023 ADF’s

Movies by Movers Film Festival as one of 15 films presented during their online showcase. ADF’s Movies By Movers is a multi-faceted festival dedicated to celebrating the conversation between body, movement, and camera.

The film was also selected for the 2023 DANCE CAMERA ISTANBULImpro Dance Fest. Dance Camera Istanbul is an international Dance Film & Dance Photography Festival, while ”Seeing Dance Through the Lens” and was founded by a group of independent artists and art explorers who are building a greater awareness of multicultural art forms in

Please See FILM Page 14

Photo by Dave Warner - Nathan Nirschl and Hannah Straney discuss some of the dance moves they’ll be doing during one of their 2022 films made in Little Falls.

connection with the field of dance.

This Dance Camera Istanbul festival takes place in October, and they are still awaiting awards and showing details.

Straney stated, “I think when you make something and spend so

much time and energy, and you get so many people involved in creating it and making it come to fruition, it then begs another step forward to bring it into the public eye.”

She hopes that the recognition and awards allow them to raise more funding for future

Little Falls Community Co-Op

projects. “That allows us to expand the number of people we’re currently working with, and we’ll have an easier time submitting to other festivals. It just builds support for you as an artist and your projects moving forward.”

Retrograde Studios and Straney will return to Upstate NY in the Fall to embark on another project. This time, they will collaborate with world-renowned dancer Kevin Pajarillaga, Emmy award-winning producer Joe Hill, and accomplished creative directors Baylie and

Bulk foods, spices, supplements, and hard to find items at discounted costs.Beauty products, housewares, gardening equipment, seeds, gifts, local products, books and more!

589 Albany Street Little Falls, NY 13365 315-823-0686

McCall Olsen out of LA.

“Kevin is dancing with the Gibney Dance Company out of New York City, a world-renowned dance company that tours worldwide,” she said. “These awards have helped us expand the reach of those willing to work with us.”

Straney aims to raise $5,000 for the fall project in Little Falls. “While we partner with Huron Studios in Brooklyn, NY, we hope to gather additional support from within Little Falls. All donations will be greatly appreciated,” she stated.

22 N. AnnStreet|LittleFalls, NY 13365 315.508.5192

SERVES BROASTED chickendinners Thursdays andSundays11your choice of mash potatoes gravy, mixed vegetables andbiscuit or fries andcoleslawwithabiscuit $10.99 We have whiteordarkmeatavailable We also carr yJumbo chickenwings daily with achoice of side for $8.25

When asked why Little Falls, she said, “The setting is really important for me, especially since I grew up in Little Falls. I have fond memories but also a memory bank to draw from. I have these images in my brain about what emotions I want to pull from and how I want to make the space feel,” Straney said.

“Many of those spaces can be found in Little Falls. It feels natural for me to come back here and to bring people with me to work here,” she remarked.

A donation page has been established at creativeoutpost.org/ projects/, where you can help fund this project to help make it happen.

Straney said, “I am so excited for the beauty of Little Falls to once again set the backdrop for our next film. We’re really hoping that anyone who is interested and thinks the project is exciting or fun and willing to help out will get involved. Anything will be appreciated.”

The NFL’s Connection to Little Falls; Steve Gregory & Rosanne Geraty Gregory Share Their Pro Football Journey

By Denise Louise Gregorka

Steve Gregory coached for the Miami Dolphins last season and was a safety during his NFL playing days. He is married to Little Falls native Rosanne Geraty Gregory, and when football season would end, they would spend time here in Little Falls at her childhood home.

Beginning Years at Syracuse

Rosanne is the daughter of Maria & Richard Geraty and sister to Richard Jr. If Geraty Pools comes to your mind, then you have the right family. Steve grew up in Staten Island, NY.

The two of them met in a Sociology class at Syracuse University. Rosanne was a freshman studying Advertising, & Steve was a sophomore studying Marketing & Finance. They were both athletes at the time. Rosanne played field hockey, and Steve was playing as a defensive back for Syracuse football.

Rosanne already had an appreciation for football since she and her family started going to Syracuse games when she was only six years old. She stated, “My whole family went. We tailgated...it was a big deal.” When she met Steve, her family

was very happy to hear he was on the football team. They both laughed when Steve stated, “That’s the joke. The only reason she went to Syracuse was to find me.” The last year Steve played at Syracuse, Rosanne’s mom and dad went to every home and away game with her except one. She said, “They were always there and supportive.”

Professional Playing Career ~ San Diego Chargers

Steve was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2006.

Steve remembers the bittersweet emotions of going to San Diego “It’s exciting, but it’s hard when you are in a relationship. She was finishing up school, and I was going across the country to live in San Diego.” Rosanne had already taken a job in

Manhattan, so she didn’t go with him his first year. He was on the west coast, and she was on the east coast. Steve stated, “In order for us to stay close to each other, she would come on weekends and fly the red-eye to get back to work.”

Please See NFL Page 16

Steve & Rosanne, with daughters Aviana (9) & Vivienne (2) enjoying family time this summer in Little Falls.

Grandparents Day at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley

Join us at The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley on Sunday September 10 at 2:00 PM for our Grandparents Day Activities.

Grandparents (and parents), are you looking for something different to do with your precious young ones? Why not bring them to the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley and learn some fun and different things about Irish culture.

The afternoon starts at 2

Saturday

PM with writer, musician, and storyteller Deirdre McCarthy who will entertain us with her story about The Rescue of Fairy Queen Maeve and perhaps other stories. Deirdre lives in Central Square and originally hails from Co. Limerick, Ireland.

We will also have a craft activity that the kiddos and adults can work on together to take home a little souvenir as a reminder of your fun afternoon together. We will provide all the

NFL From Page 15

necessary supplies and our crack team of crafters will be there to help. Appropriate refreshments will be provided as well. There is no charge for this program, but please register in advance to ensure that we have enough craft materials.

The event will be held at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica, NY. The Irish Cultural Center and the H.A.R.P. Museum are wheelchair accessible and open to all. Please register for free on Eventbrite by visiting our events calendar at iccmv. org/events-calendar.

H.A.R.P stands for “History, Ancestry, Research, and Programs”

Rosanne was juggling her career & flying off to San Diego just to see Steve and watch him play. Rosanne remembers, “It was fun, though. It was exciting! I would take the red-eye home and take the subway to work...I would just do it. I never thought about it much.”

They both knew that Steve’s playing career was just getting started and was not a sure thing. Steve stated, “As a young player in the NFL and pro sports, you don’t know how long it’s gonna last or if you’re really gonna make it. She just went to school and got this great degree. For her to not take a job in New York City in order to move out to San Diego, not knowing if I’d make it after that year, was risky. After that season, things were better, and I had a pretty

good year. I asked her to move out to San Diego with me.” Rosanne did make the move but also found a job for herself.

Rosanne’s family still managed to go to the games. Steve commented, “She started going to away games with her parents in college, and that kind of transitioned to my NFL career, so that was big, especially when she moved to San Diego with me. Her parents would always meet her at away game cities. It kind of became a little thing for her and her parents to do. They would meet up in random cities to see me play. She has probably been to every NFL stadium in the country. It was a good way to stay close because we were living on the west coast, and they were on the east coast.”

Steve has great memories from the Charger days, recalling, “We bought a house in San Diego, and I loved when everyone would come and visit us. After games and

Please See NFL Page 17

NFL From Page 16

after a win, being at home celebrating with your family, and having everybody around was enjoyable. Even on the day of the game, I always ate a steak before the game. It would be eight in the morning, and I’d be grilling a steak. I’d be eating my pre-game meal, and everyone was tailgating at the house.”

Steve found it relaxing to have family around before the game, saying, “If you are just sitting there by yourself with the stress of the game and the pressure of having to go out and perform.... it was a way to take your mind off things when you’re hanging out with your family, and they are enjoying it all.”

Steve, Rosanne, and the family would drive into the stadium and park in the player’s parking lot. It was separated from the fans’ lot. Their family would be excited to see all of the players coming in. After the games, all of the players would head back to the player’s parking lot, which was shielded

from the public. Steve stated, “We were a good team back then, and we won a lot. After games, everyone would be around their cars; trunks opened up, coolers out, and we’d all be hanging out in the parking lot. The players and the coaches would be there. After a win, the whole stadium cleared out, and we would celebrate together with players and families interacting. It was such an enjoyable time. Times were different back then. People weren’t taking a lot of pictures and putting them on social media.”

They decided to get married during Steve’s last year in San Diego. They came back to Syracuse for their wedding.

Here’s a fun fact... Rosanne’s mother, Maria’s maiden name, was Gregory, and she became Geraty when she wed. Rosanne’s maiden name was Geraty, and she became Gregory

Please See NFL Page 18

Photo courtesy Dawna Crossman - Dolgeville Community Band 2023

Names - L-R - First RowBrianna Yaghy, Dawna Crossman, Julia Allison, Michelle Teta, Ginger Countryman, Donna DeRosa, Eunice Hight, Naomi Gage, Lenore Signorelli, Jessica Bladek, Deborah Marucci, Linda Roche, Breanna Handy, Annalysse Guenthner.

Jade

Maighen Ehrle, Gabrielle

Brooke Markwardt, Nancy Schuyler, Barry Gage, Emma Gage, Brennan Bladek, Amy Haas, Ashley Robotham, Karlie Vokins, Lillian Bladek.

Third Row - Bob Harvey, Philip Nash, Mark Case, Francis Roche, Aaron Baldwin, Dan Waltermire, Conductor - Katlin Wolford, Colin Comstock,

The Dolgeville Community Band, conducted by Katlin Wolford, performed at the Violet Festival in June and held concerts in July at Plowe Park in Dolgeville and at the New Hartford Community Band Festival at the Village Green in August in New Hartford.

Second Row - Micah Handy, Anthony Dangler,

Broat,

Rockwell,

Shaad Madison, James Pierce, Ryan Simpson, Jaron Case.

when wed! What are the chances?

~ New England Patriots

In 2012 Gregory signed with the New England Patriots as a safety.

Steve and Rosanne uprooted and bought a townhouse in Foxborough right behind the stadium. Steve stated, “New England was unique because there were communities right around the stadium literally within walking distance. There were homes that were close to each other in

which a bunch of players lived. Many of us players, me, Wes Walker, and a couple of other friends were living across the street from each other, and it was fun! After games, we would all get together with the families there.”

Rosanne remembers hanging out with many of the players, Tom Brady for one, and being a little star-struck, but she eventually got used to it.

Steve recalled, “A cool thing about the Patriots was that after every

game, they would have a big meal under the stadium, in the tunnel with the players and their families. You could take whoever you wanted out onto the field. The stadium was cleared out, and everyone was on the field. People were taking pictures with the players, and kids were playing. That was pretty unique.”

I couldn’t let Steve get away without asking him about the famous “Butt Fumble,” which occurred on Thanksgiving Night 2012 in the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez, attempted to improvise off a broken play, ran upfield with the ball, and plowed into the backside of his own lineman, Brandon Moore. The collision flattened Sanchez, who fell backward and lost the ball; Steve Gregory recovered it and ran it back for a touchdown.

The Patriots blew out the Jets, 49-19, in New York. Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork, and Steve Gregory were awarded Player of the Game honors. Steve

commented, “The best thing about the Butt Fumble is that we were playing on Thanksgiving, which is football at its best. We were playing the prime-time game, and we were in New York playing against the Jets, which is my backyard... that’s where I grew up. Everything about that day, the location, and the moment was just as good as it gets. That was probably the best game I ever had. When it happened, nobody knew it was a butt fumble. It was a play in the game in which I scored a touchdown. It wasn’t until later on the news media started calling it the Butt Fumble, and it took off.” Every year on Thanksgiving, the NFL plays the Butt Fumble footage, and Steve says he gets interviewed about it almost every year.

Rosanne remembers the excitement of that day before the game “Everyone was there, and a couple of players came over. We had Thanksgiving dinner from Boston Market in our hotel room before, and then we all went to the game. It was so much

fun.”

Gregory was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on July 31, 2014, but decided he didn’t want to continue playing football. He stated, “ I signed with them, went to training camp, and about ten or twelve days in, I decided I didn’t want to play anymore. I was getting older. My body was hurting. We just had a baby...all that stuff. I was exhausted from the physicality of the game. So, I decided to retire.” At the age of thirty-one in 2014, he announced his retirement from football. He ended his career with 357 tackles, seven interceptions, 25 defended passes, three sacks, and two touchdowns out of 111 NFL games.

Coaching Career ~ Syracuse

Steve and Rosanne went back to Syracuse after he retired from playing. They bought a house and planned on living there as they decided what direction to take next. They had some real estate deals in the making. The following season, they had dinner at Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer’s home. Scott offered Steve a coaching job for Syracuse, and he took it. On June 4, 2015, the Syracuse athletic department announced Gregory would return as a special teams quality control coach. He spent the season coaching and thought, “I like it. I can do this. This is something I would be interested in pursuing.” During that time, Rosanne was home with a child and took over the real estate business

Please See NFL Page 19

NFL

end of things. She said he was gone a lot and stated, “When you are a coach, you work all the time. You don’t stay home if you are sick... you have to go.” After the season, Steve was let go. He explained, “ Unfortunately, at the time, they fired the athletic director, the head coach, and then the entire staff.” Steve laughed. “I ended up getting fired from my alma mater!”

~Detroit Lions

Steve was offered some miscellaneous coaching jobs but decided to wait until the right offer came along, stating, “We didn’t want to move the family at the time if it wasn’t the right level of coaching. So the next two years, no opportunities came along, and we just focused on real estate. We stayed in touch with people I know who were in the coaching and professional sports world.” Matt Patrica, who Steve was close with, got the head coaching job for the Detroit Lions. He brought Steve to Detroit as a defensive assistant coach. Rosanne was hesitant but felt she needed to support Steve. She stated, “It’s definitely a different life. A different world, playing vs. coaching, as far as the time commitment, but I know it makes him happy. I like to see everyone happy. Our family and friends come to see us all the time when he’s coaching, and I love that.”

She shared that it is difficult when Steve is gone coaching. Her mom, Maria, stays with them during some of the winters. Rosanne stated, “She’s definitely

a big help for me with the girls and also is good company since he’s gone so much.” Both Rosanne & Steve agreed that it had been a good life. Steve remarked, “It’s like a way of life. Every year it’s something new and something to look forward to. Someone to root for and cheer for. Everyone feels like they are part of that organization trying to go and win a super bowl. Every year that is refreshed when the new season comes along, and there’s excitement about it.” He was promoted to defensive backs coach in 2020.

In 2021, Gregory joined the Dolphins as a defensive assistant, where he would reunite with Dolphins head coach Brian Flores who Steve knew as far back as high school. Flores coached Gregory with the New England Patriots, where Flores was his Safeties coach. Steve said, “I’ve known ‘Flo’ for a long time, and he brought me in.” When Steve left for Miami, Rosanne had just given birth to their second child two weeks prior. She said, “It was during Covid, and I was alone in Detroit with the two girls, getting one to school and having a new baby as well.” She was feeling the sacrifices of the job at that moment in time.

In 2022, Steve was retained by Mike McDaniel and was promoted to the Dolphins safeties coach.

Steve said he liked coaching for Miami and stated that it was also a fun city. He said, “We didn’t win as much as we would’ve liked to. The

first year was a rocky one.”

When Flores was fired, they kept Steve for another year, but he was let go in January 2023 when the head coach decided to change out the defensive coordinator whose job Steve was pretty much tied to. He explained, “We were kept there together like a package deal.” Commenting on being let go, he stated, “This one was the toughest one so far.” He added, “Having been in this for a while now, we start to realize the instabilities of it. You don’t get sad because you lost your job. You get sad that you have to uproot your family.” They want their daughters to be happy and want to make the right choices going forward. Every time a new job comes along, they have to move the girls, and the girls have to make new friends, change schools, and re-adapt.

Steve stated, “Those are things we talk about a lot...what’s really worth it, what’s not worth it...do we want to keep doing this?” They love that their oldest daughter, Aviana, is so good at meeting people and socializing, but they still want to do what is best for her and her younger sister. Rosanne explains that there is a lot to moving from one job to another in different cities. “There are highs and lows with the lifestyle. It’s everything. People don’t think about it. It’s changing doctors, dentists, sounds silly, but even hairdressers.... everything in your life. You lose all of your friends. You lose everything. It’s a weird feeling and very isolating. But, you have to keep going.” Still, they

Following the game, Tom Brady, Steve Gregory, and Vince Wilfork were awarded Player of the Game honors. They were presented with John Madden’s favorite Thanksgiving day meal: the turducken (a chicken stuffed into a duck stuffed into a turkey).

both are very appreciative of the opportunities they have been given and realize that playing and coaching in the NFL has been a privilege.

Present Day

Steve and Rosanne are still living in Florida and are waiting to see what is next for them. They say they will live their life, enjoy their family, do real estate, and see what the future brings.

It became very apparent to me that this couple clearly loves their family more than anything in the world.

It has been a pleasure for me to hear and share their story.

Steve playing for the Chargers.

Step into a world of elegance as you dine in our charming and inviting setting. The Canal Side Inn’s warm ambiance creates the perfect backdrop for a romantic dinner, intimate gathering, or celebratory event. Our attentive staff ensures that every moment spent here is one of relaxation and joy.

Nestled by the Mohawk River, our restaurant is a hidden gem that promises to delight your senses and elevate your dining expectations.

Remember

Fall