Marissa Perkins stated, “I was talking to Pooniel about always having to drive to Old Forge, Syracuse, or Albany to go to these shows and that there weren’t enough around here for artists to showcase their work.” She said that they both wanted more local opportunities for artists to show their work. “We rely on these events, especially with Covid. A lot of those opportunities went away, so we wanted to produce a local outlet for artists to show their art and their talent.”
Photo by Dave Warner - A crowd of almost 3,000 people attended the 2018 Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival. After two-year break, the garlic festival is back by Dave Warner After a two-year break, the Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival is ready to go Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 10 am - 5 pm in Canal Place, Little Falls. The organizers say, “Rain or Shine, it’s always a stinkin’ good time.”
Inspire Art & Music Festival ready to go
The Inspire Art & Music Festival, which will be held on September 11, 2022, from 11 am until 7 pm, is ready to go at Rustic Ties in Dolgeville.
Perkins said that they also want to bring people in from other communities to show them how much is in the area. “I’m doing a craft fair in Cooperstown and in Clinton, and it just seems like the whole community rallies around these people. We want to bring that sense of community here for artists.”
VOLUME 2: NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 2022 FREE WWW.MYLITTLEFALLS.COM BILL MACRI ASSOCIATE BROKER C: 315.360.1920 O: bill.joemacrirealty@gmail.com315.866.2209joemacrirealty.com235S.MainSt.Herkimer,NY13350 Daniel Enea 3rdGeneration FuneralDirector
Photo by Dave Warner - Pooniel Leigh Healy and Marissa Perkins go over last-minute notes for the September 11th Inspire Art & Music Festival at Rustic Ties in Dolgeville. by Dave Warner
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Juli Webster, an organizer of the event, stated, “It was a little more than twenty years ago when we started this. There were about eight garlic farmers, and they had like a little farmer’s market down here in Canal Place.” She says that was just about the time that she and her mom moved to Little Falls with their shop. “It went on that way for a few years, and then they went to the art center and said, how do we grow this?”
The executive director of the art center at the
“I’m an artist, and I would really prefer just to work on my stuff and just get in the zone of my own artwork, but somebody’s got to do it,” she stated. Perkins said she really had to step out of her comfort zone to produce this festival. “There Please See INSPIRE 3
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treet,
According to the festival organizers, “We have a high standard to live up to this year because customers told us that 2019 was the best festival yet. We can’t wait to be with you again on Saturday, September 10th. Bring your cooler, your dancing shoes, and your dollars to spend with our carefully curated farmers and vendors. Eat, Stink and Be Merry!”
GARLIC From Page 1
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Every year about this time, she said they get asked a couple of questions. Here are those answers:
* Why can’t I bring my dog? “We are a unique festival held in a closedin area of Little Falls. We have thousands of visitors milling around the area during the day. In the past, we have had some very unruly dogs create serious problems. As is often the case, it’s the “bad apples” in the lot that cause problems for the “good apples.” The safety of our visitors is our first priority.”
* Why do you charge admission? “We don’t. We ask for a small, $5.00 suggested donation. Because of your donations, we are able to fulfill our mission of promoting local farmers and local trade by spending thousands of dollars on advertising, etc. (Please see the pie chart below.) We bring together the best garlic vendors, herbalists, artisans, and more in an amazing shopping environment. Our longstanding tradition of a donation/admission means that we don’t have to ask the Little Falls business community or other sponsors. We are patterned after other garlic festivals which charge admission. The Saugerties, NY, festival charges an admission fee and higher vendor fees. We keep our suggested donation and our vendor fees low to maximize our vendors’ earnings.”
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 2 SEPTEMBER 2022 Chic. Modern. Upsc ale salon. Specializing in colors, blondes, extensions, lashes, browsand waxing. 522 East Main Street Little Falls, NY 13365 315-508-5043
Webster said that they have a little more space after the last couple of years of not having a festival. “We’re a little bit more spread out. We’re just trying to bring back the best features that we’ve had in the past.” She said that there are some new vendors and garlic growers. “Our limit is thirty garlic growers, and we have that, and they’re local, so we’re happy for that.”
time went over to Juli and her mom and said, “We don’t want to lose this thing; we need bodies... interested parties, and it grew from there.”
ta
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are also going to be interactive workshops where people can get creative. “We just want people to come together. Dance, smile, create, be inspired, and walk away with a sense that maybe the little jewelry hobby that they do in the basement can become something more. Or, maybe they do want to learn how to play guitar.”
“If you don’t have an artistic outlet or classes are not in your reach financially, you’re never able to know. You might be the next Van Gogh, but you’ll never have the chance. Hopefully, we can fund some community art programs with the fundraiser as well, and we’ll just see what we can do with it.”
“I think it’s a great location for it, and hopefully, it will be successful, and they can build on it for the future,” he said. Perkins says the community is really rallying around the event and sharing it on social media. “Heath has been super supportive, and we have just an amazing bunch of vendors and musicians. The bigger this is getting, the more people we’re reaching.” She said that it has been a lot of fun, and she’s proved to herself that she’s capable of putting on this kind of event.
Photo by Dave Warner - An aerial view of Rustic Ties in Dolgeville, New York.
“This year, we’ve selected Dolgeville High School because we’re here, and we want to be a part of the community. This is a way for us to give back, but a lot of art and music programs are the first to be cut in schools, and that’s really unfortunate,” Perkins stated.
Heath Williams, the owner of Rustic Ties, has also stepped out of his comfort zone in that he’s never had a festival on the property before. “Over the past few seasons, a lot of people have said this place would be great for a craft fair, art or car show. There’s a lot of Williamsspace.” said that Healy and Perkins had reached out to him over the winter about the event, and he initially thought that he wouldn’t do things other than weddings. “I had told them to reach out to me at the end of March to see if there was an Theyopening.”did, and he worked with them to schedule the 11th. “I look at it as craft people have probably never been here for anything else, so at least they’ll see the place, and that will be good exposure.”
Perkins said that there is definitely something for everyone at the festival. “Our vendors cover all of the bases from visual art, painting, pottery, land ive demonstrations, to jewelry, we have all kinds of things. The music choices cover all genres, so really something for everyone as far as music Theregoes.”
INSPIRE From Page 1
“Whatever it might be, we want people to be truly inspired by the art because it is healing,” she Perkinsstated.said that they are hoping that it becomes an annual event and that part of their mission is to fund a scholarship every year for a student that will be graduating with either an arts or music future.
September 8, 2022 - Golf Commission Meeting8:00 am at the Municipal Golf SeptemberCourse. 10, 2022Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival - Eat, Stink & Be Merry on Saturday, September 10th, with 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 from 10 am until 5 pm in Canal SeptemberPlace.
12, 2022Police and Fire Board Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm and Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City SeptemberHall. 14, 2022Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - 8:15 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall. September 15, 2022 - Tourism Committee Meeting 8:30 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall. September 15, 2022 - Harbor Commission Meeting 9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.
19, 2022Board of Public Works Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm and Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall. Dolgeville September 3, 2022Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM at Plowe Park September 10, 2022Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM at Plowe Park
September 6, 2022 - Common Council Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm, Public Hearing 6:50 on Local Law #2 Reducing Board of Assessment and Regular Session 7:00 pm in the Common Council Chambers in City Hall.
September 11, 2022 - Inspire Art & Music Festival at Rustic Ties, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Music, food, demonstrations, and artisan vendors. September 15, 2022 - Dolgeville Forward Meeting - Community Band Stand in Plowe Park - Starts at 6:30 PM September 17, 2022Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM at Plowe Park September 18, 2022Dolgeville Rotary Club Annual Golf TournamentLittle Falls Municipal Golf Course - For Information contact Sam Licari at September315.867.393124, 2022Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM at Plowe Park German Flatts Sept 10, 2022 - Civil War reenactment 10 am - 5 Septemberpm 11, 2022Civil War reenactment 10 am until 1 pm. Town Park, 555 State Route 5S, Mohawk NY 13407 Salisbury Salisbury Historical Society presents their special programs: The Salisbury Railroad - by Robert SchmidSeptembeer 18, 2022 at 2:00 pm. Open to the public and free of charge. Salisbury Iron Mine‘Million Dollar Investment’ Presented by Robert Schmid - October 23, 2022 at 2:00pm. Open to the public and free of Salisburycharge. Historical Society, 1805 Frisbie House, Intersection of Route 29 and 29A, Salisbury Center, New York
Kevin recently completed a role in the movie The World’s Greatest Beer Run with Russell Crowe and Zac Efron. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased through EventBrite by searching Fear of Heights - Utica.
Actor-Comedian Kevin Flynn will present his one man show, Fear of Heights - A Very Funny Phobia, Thursday September 15, 7 PM, at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk FearValley.of Heights is the story of an Irish-American kid who took a different career path from that of his father and grandfather who were both New York City ironworkers. His grandfather, Paddy Flynn, was memorialized in the iconic Charles C. Ebbets photograph, “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper”; he is the gentleman sitting on the far right of a beam high above the Manhattan skyline. It was naturally expected that Kevin would be among the third generation of Flynn men to be a Brooklyn ironworker; Kevin, however, had a different plan. Starting out as a professional soccer player, Kevin made the transition to stand up comedian by winning the prestigious Boston Comedy Riot. Since that time, Kevin has gone on to make numerous television and film appearances as a comedian and actor.
Fear of Heights Comedy Show
City of Little Falls
September 17, 2022Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ Festival offers music for all ages, celebrating creative expression while nurturing the art of songwriting. The one-day festival will be held on September 17th, 2022 from 12 pm until 8 pm in the City of Little Falls’ historic Canal Place, an open-air familyfriendly environment with continuous music, beer and bbq throughout the Septemberday.
Kevin can be seen as The Wedding Coordinator in The Heartbreak Kid with Ben Stiller; in Me, Myself and Irene with Jim Carrey; in Osmosis Jones with Bill Murray; and as Charlotte’s Boyfriend in HBO’s Sex and the City. His character, Bram Walker, was voted one of the most popular boyfriends in the series.
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 4 SEPTEMBER 2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS - SEPTEMBER
by Dave Warner
The 8th Annual Free Veteran and First Responder Picnic is scheduled for September 11, 2022, from noon until 3 pm at Ilion’s Marine Corp League of Herkimer County location on Second Street. It’s a Mohawk Valley event that is designed to be a commemoration of the 9/11 attacks with an opportunity to honor those veterans and 1st responders that are in the area. All community members are invited to take part, to enjoy the company of those who serve the community.
“This is something that I fully support. It’s important, and coming on 9/11 makes it that much more important with the first responders added in. It’s something that Dan brings to light, and he does a good job with it. We’re happy to have him in the village, and we’ll support him any way we
Enea stated, “There’s tons of food from local Darrenrestaurants.”Denicol said, “You name it, we’re going to end up with it. It’s a big event, and it gets bigger every Mayoryear.”John Stephens said, “Dan’s done this for eight years now, and it’s something he’s very passionate about. My dad and my uncle, and both of my brothers did forty-two years between the Army, Navy, and the Reserves.”
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 5SEPTEMBER 2022 Rustic Ties is aseasonalweddingvenue andlive music eventspace It is open Maythrough October,and features avarietyofindoorand outdoorareas to celebratewithyourfriends andfamily. 195 Spencer Road,Dolgeville (518) 775-9691 rustictiesweddings.com FacebookRusticTies LLCDolgeville, NY Instagram@rustictiesweddings 8th Annual Free Veteran and First Responder Picnic scheduled
Dan Enea, who came up with the idea for the event eight years ago, said, “It was just a general idea to bring everybody together to honor our local heroes, veterans, first responders, all together in a laid-back environment.”
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Photo by Dave Warner - (L-R) Officer Ryan Dillerba, Firefighter Brett Driscoll, Officer Matthew Mclean, Andy Monahan, Deputy Chief, Mayor John Stephens, Dan Enea, event organizer, and Darren Denicola stand in front of the 9/11 memorial in Ilion, flanked by an Ilion Police Department squad car, and fire engine.
Enea said there are lots of activities and free food, and veterans from as far back as World War II. “It’s going to be a great event this year with the new location at the Herkimer County Marine Corp League, which should attract a lot of people,” he stated. Nursing homes in the area are bringing their residents, and Bobby Sportello will be singing the National Anthem to kick off the event.
Garlic&Herb Fest 10am-5pm, Sat. September 10, 2022 Eat, Stink &beMerry! Canal Place, Little Falls, NY www.mvghf.com
The Club parking lot was filled with cars, and the clubhouse was hopping. Bill Hodges couldn’t say enough about the staff. “We have a fulltime cook, Betty Damin, and a full-time bartender, Dorinda Snyder. They’re great! Our cook is a great chef, and she always has 4-5 dinner specials for Thursday and Friday nights.” Dinners are served Thursday and Friday nights, and a bar menu is available all the “Wetime.like to have a family atmosphere here. “ Bill continued. “A lot of people volunteer their time to the club. We’ve been here 87 years, and a lot of people have put their heart and soul into this place to make it what it is today. I feel honored to be carrying on the tradition here as the President for three years. I love this place, I love what it stands for. I love the fact that my kids A hidden gem in the woods, north of Oppenheim. Club Bartender Dorinda Snyder was busy behind the bar serving drinks and handing out cupcakes a member had brought in.
Service Dogs Only
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 6 SEPTEMBER 2022 Come to the 19th Annual Mohawk Valley
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MVCA is once again honored to present the work of the self-taught painter and native of Southern Netherlands -John VanOrsouw.Adevoted music enthusiast, John VanOrsouw brings the music to you through his art. Yousee it and maybe you can hear it -music you’ve heard over the years that he brings to life in hiswork.
Thur sday thr ough Satur day Noon -4:00pm Tradition & Community at The Sprite Club Article and photos by Carol Vogel North of Oppenheim, there’s a hidden gem in the woods. On my way to meet Bill Hodges, the President of the Oppenheim Sprite Club, and other members, I made my way up Sprite Club Road and saw signs opening up to a log cabin-style clubhouse, an ample parking lot, and a large pond. The area is so picturesque, I could see why this is such a special place. The Oppenheim Sprite Club was officially incorporated by the State of New York in 1935 by a group of local businessmen. Peter Hemmerich, the club secretary, was happy to share the history. “This pond is fed by the Little Sprite Creek, and back in the day, the original 35 founders decided to put up a dam and build a pond. Some early members were loggers and construction people, so they built the dam themselves in the late 30s after incorporation. And that is how it all got Thestarted.”property consists of 276 acres, including a 5-acre pond that is stocked each spring. “As part of the articles of incorporation, this club was formed as a social club and also to propagate and protect fish, wildlife, and forests,” Hemmerich added. “The club used to only be open from April 1 through Halloween, but now we encourage members to use the land for snowmobiling, and the clubhouse is open year round ThursdaySunday”. Family Atmosphere
Nowthr ough Sept. 21st 401-403 Canal Place,Little Falls, NY 13365 315-823-0808 director@mohawkvalleyarts.org
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Think Local has 6th Annual Pizza Challenge on tap for September by Dave Warner Think Local Little Falls is ready to kick off the fall season with its 6th annual Pizza Challenge on September 15th. Mary Trombley, who is heading up the event, stated, “It’s on a Third Thursday in September, which this year, is early. But the kids will be back to school, and we’ll have sent home notices to them in their backpacks.” She said that they were staying with the same price point of $6 that they’ve had for the last couple of years, even though things have gone up.
“We’ve got four partysized slices of pizza and a dessert for that price. You can’t go wrong with that. We’ll have a trophy for the winning pizza shop at the end of the night,” she Ticketsstated. go on sale the Thursday after Labor Day at all of the participating pizza shops. “You can share it with a friend or eat it all yourself, it’s up to Theyyou.” are going to start at 586 E Main Street, where Mangia Macrina’s Wood Fired Pizza will have their truck, and then go to Ruggiero’s Trattoria, then Ed’s Pizza Place, and finally head down to the Italian Feast.
LITTLEFALLSCHEESEFESTIVAL.COM 10AM-5PM
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 7SEPTEMBER 2022 LITTLE FALLS, NY | OCT. 1, 2022 |
“You’ll be able to get your dessert at the last stop, Italian Feast because Il Cafe has very generously agreed to meet people at Please See PIZZA
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can,” stated Stephens. Free chicken BBQ was donated by Big M Supermarket and Nick Licari, there will be the ability to get a free Herkimer County Sheriff Child ID/Fingerprint card courtesy of Sheriff Scherer, and Ken and Regina Knapp are bringing the New York State Fallen Trooper Wall, which will be on Theredisplay. are free soft drinks and sausage and peppers provided by Joe Lawrence, with music by KO Grainger and USA flag pins from Chris and David VanMeter. Stewarts is also providing free ice cream. The New Harford Color Guard from post #1376 will be on hand, as well as several area dignitaries, (USLegislatorMayorRickTenney,CongresswomanincludingClaudiaFrankfortMayorAdams,HerkimerDanaSherry,andBobHollumMarineCorps).
Submissions are due on September 15th by 11:59PM in electronic format with all submissions original to the artist, offered for sale, and not previously exhibited at MVCA. The show will begin with a reception on October 9th at the MVCA 401 Gallery in Canal Place, Little Falls, and also as a virtual show on the center’s website.
Regional Exhibition at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts
Tom Montan, an awardwinning artist with more than 35 years experience, and Executive Director of Sculpture Space in Utica, will serve as Juror. To learn more about Tom Montan, visit his website. For the full prospectus, artists may contact the Center directly at (315) 823-0808 or check the website at mohawkvalleyarts.org/https://
The Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts is located at 401 Canal Place in Little Falls.
John Fitzsimmons’ “Current Circumstances” exhibit was recently at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts (MVCA). It is work the artist has been exploring over the past few years.
Robert Pohlig OWNER can come here someday with their kids to take them fishing or take them to the shooting range or out hunting or ride their snowmobiles here. It’s a great place for families to Membershipcome.” is $150 per year – and includes catching up to 20 fish in the stock pond and usage of the Clubhouse and land. They have a shooting range and allow members to hunt, snowmobile, and rent space for up to 50 people for weddings, grad parties, and other events. The club holds fundraising parties such as pig roasts and clam bakes, as well as raffles to help with projects on the property. Last year the clubhouse kitchen was completely remodeled. They continue to raise money for any needed repairs, such as the upkeep of the clubhouse, dam, and “Ibridges.know people are having hard times right now,” Bill commented. “Everything is going up in price. Although our costs have gone up on food and drinks, we’re trying to keep our prices the same, including our membership. So doing these different events helps offset the cost to Withmembers.”somany resources on the property, the club relies on the skills and expertise of its members to help with projects.
As part of its 40th Anniversary Celebration, the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts (MVCA) is calling all local artists throughout the region to enter its 2022 Regional Exhibition Visual Art Show this fall.
“My Grandfather used to be caretaker there in mid-1950. In those days, there were only about 50 members, and they were all elite people. They were all doctors, lawyers, and businesspeople. And I remember as a little boy it was a club decision not to have a telephone in
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Fond Memories There’s a lot of family tradition within the club. Janet Cool, the club treasurer, told me about her grandfather Guy Stowell being a charter member and gifting land to the club. Donna Boucher said, “I’ve been coming here since I was seven years old! My Dad was a member for 44 Donyears.”Denapole has a deep family connection with the club and has been a member for many years.
SPRITE From Page 6 Please See SPRITE Page 11
October 9, 2022November 19, 2022
About ten years ago, a large project was repairing the dam. Don Denapole outcomfortableTheraffles.ofwaswasfixed.”bySmithgottheSpritebuildWaterFultonthecompletelyhadthevolunteeringandspearheadingrememberstheprojectmanymemberstohelpcause.“Thedamaleakinit,andwereconstructeddam.WeworkedwithCountySoilandonit.WehadtoanewbridgeoverCreek,andwegotbridgedone,andwethedamdone.DickandItookthebullthehornstogetthatTheprojectcost$20K,andtheclubabletoraise$18kthatwithapartyandclubhouseisaspottohangandchat,havea drink, and eat. It’s also where members can come together to help their community and each other. “It’s more than just a bar. It’s more than just a place to get food - it’s a family,“ said Bill. The Sprite Club donates one-third of the profits from its Pull-Tab machine to local charities like the Food Pantry, Oppenheim Fire House, the School, and Toys for Tots, among others. They also hold benefits to raise money for members in need. This is definitely a family environment where everyone takes care of each other. “We’ve got a lot of kind-hearted people here that give back,” Bill added.
The MVCA is a non-profit organization that supports the arts throughout the greater Mohawk Valley region promoting, displaying and selling the work of regional artists. The show is open to all artists throughout the Mohawk Valley working in any medium. Artists will compete for prize money up to $500 and the opportunity for a solo exhibition of their work.
From Our Archives - The Little Falls Historical Society - Where Community History org.littlefallshistoricalsociety.Lives.
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 9SEPTEMBER 2022 Journal and Courier Little Falls, N. Y., August 22 1911
Rodney Durkee built the flouring mill which is now used for a shoddy mill by C.W. Becker and Co. Mr. Durkee bought the second right of water and manufactured flour for a number of years. He sold the mill to Acors Rathbun. The property now belongs to the Jacob Zoller estate. From the flouring mill to where the mill feeder crosses the street, was vacant property until 1855, when the Ligneus Paper Co. built a mill the same size and shape of the present electric building for making paper of “Thebasswood.firstfactory that was built for the manufacture of cloth was built by the Wool Growers Manufacturing Co. in 1839 and is located at the north end of the river bridge, and is now a part of the Robert MacKinnon Plant. The big mill of the Robert MacKinnon property covers the entire yard of the Wool Growers Co. property.
A brief history of West Mill Street Our venerable citizen, George S. Ransom, whose memory of the early history of Little Falls probably goes back as far as any citizen of the city, contributes the following to our columns, “The West end of West Mill Street is at the bridge where the mill feeder crosses from the side pond. The first power that was sold was bought by William Ingham about the year 1820, and was located at the corner where you turn to go to the saw mill. That saw mill was owned by William I. Skinner, and was located right south of the Ingham lot. Mr. Ingham established his carding machines and cloth finishing machinery on that lot and operated it for a long term of years. “Between the saw mill and the river was an axe factory owned and operated by Ezekiel Morris. December 26th, 1866 William I. Skinner sold to Daniel W. Ladue his saw mill property. Mr. Ladue added the manufacturing of cheese boxes and continued it during his life. The mill is now owned by Jacob Dettinger, who manufactures knit goods cases in connection with cheese boxes. About 1855 William Ingham sold to Henry Cheney and Silas W. LeRowe, of Fly Creek, and they enlarged it and established a hammer factory, which is still in operation under the management of George D. “TheWaterman.firstmill that was built by John Porteus, after burning of the mill on Furnace Street by the Indians and Tories in the Revolutionary war, is without doubt the old stone mill next east of the hammer factory because I fail to find any record of its building. Another reason is all the machinery was made of wood, which was the way mills were built in the early days; another reason is the water to drive the mill was taken into the wheel-pit through the west wall of the mill before the mill feeder was “Aboutbuilt.1839 there was a paper mill burned next east of the grist mill, which was owned and operated by Sprague & Dann. That lot remained vacant until 1846 when Albert G. Harris & Clark Houghton built a sash and blind factory on the lot. In 1847 William B. Houghton bought the factory of Harris & Houghton and operated it in connection with a plaster mill he built afterwards until the property was sold to Andrew Little and Son, who are the present Inowners.1836
Dirty Blanket has been touring the American Northeast, making names for themselves on the festival circuits and in cities like New York, DC, Baltimore, Burlington, and beyond. To date, they’ve played events with some of the highest-profile names in bluegrass: The Del McCoury Band, The Infamous String Dusters, Jeff Austin Band, Kitchen Dwellers, and more.
Festival Dirty Blanket
According to David E. Warner, the festival’s event director, “We have an incredible lineup for audiences this year with Cincinnati Creek’s toetapping melodies starting off the festival at noon. The talented performer and songwriter, Andrea Asprelli, entertains at 2 pm with her unique blend of new grass and rustic Appalachian tones. The Brothers Blue enter the stage at 4 pm with their fresh hybrid sounds of Country, Bluegrass, Cajun, and Irish music.
And, capping off the
Regional musicians Richie Colf, Joel Fedkiw, and Aaron Oldweiler were added to the roster on the mandolin, banjo, and upright bass, rounding out the band lineup as a 5-piece string quintet.
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Brews &
Bluegrass,
HOME IMPR OV EMENT’ S- PA INTIN G Free esti mates and Fu lly Insu red the Bluegrass, & BBQ performs at a recent concert. Brews & BBQ’s Free Outdoor Concert Scheduled for 17th, 2022 with Headliner “Dirty Blanket” Little Falls, NY –of the annual Bluegrass, BBQ Festival in Little Falls just announced their 2022 concert schedule for Saturday, September 17th, 2022, featuring an Upstate favorite, Dirty Blanket. Dirty Blanket is known for combining an array of influences with a passion for creating original music. Guitarist Max Flansburg and singer/songwriter Kevin O’Leary began playing as an acoustic duo, utilizing what free time their other musical projects allowed them to share their latest material with audiences across Upstate NY. In 2016 the band expanded its vision with a sharp turn toward the fastpaced styles of America’s bluegrass greats.
Photo submitted – Headliner of
September
SPRITE From
Events & Happenings Events are happening throughout the year at the Sprite Club. “We get involved in the poker runs other clubs are holding during the winter, so we like to be a stop during those,” Bill said. The club members don’t only have a sense of community, they have a sense of humor too. They’ve even had outhouse races on the frozen pond! Besides holiday parties and special events, the club offers opportunities for its members to learn new or enhance skills in safety training. Recently, the club held a pistol training course for women. Previously, they had offered hunter safety courses and are currently looking for someone to teach so they can offer them again. The Sprite Club is always growing and adding to its amenities. “We’ve identified about seven campsites so we can make it so members can camp,” Bill commented. A renovation of the caretaker’s quarters on the property as a rental space is also on the list for future improvements, as well as remodeling the large dining room addition. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Oppenheim Sprite Club, call Bill Hodges at 518-362-6980 for a tour. The club is located at 363 Sprite Club Road, Oppenheim. Page 8 Photo right - The pond is stocked with 500 rainbow trout each year from Avery’s Trout Hatchery near Gloversville. Once the pond is stocked, the Club hosts a kid’s fishing derby for members’ families each spring.
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 11SEPTEMBER 2022 GreenDrive-InAcres Stop in for a great meal Open 7 Days a Week 11am-8pm 106 N. Helmer Ave, Dolgeville Orders to go, too! 315-429-8271 Paradise Gardens, Gatherings & Gifts Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts at the Barn (& visit the stables to see the alpacas, llamas & donkey Wedding & Event Center at the Pavilion coming soon Taking reservations now 475 Dise Road, Little Falls, NY 315-364-1234 www.ParadiseGGG.com Tues-Sat 10-4 the clubhouse because they wanted to be left Donalone.”also remembers the Icehouse, which housed blocks of ice cut from the pond. “I do remember there were feet of sawdust to insulate the ice. I can remember members going out, shoveling through the sawdust and getting big blocks of ice in the middle of July and bringing them in, washing them off. That’s what they used for cooling and drinks etc. I thought that was pretty unique.”
The estimated $9,000,000 project will consist of the acquisition, construction, and equipping of a singleload 52,500 square foot distribution facility with 15 dock doors, 50 automobile stalls, 34 box truck stalls, and office space located at Andrew Usyk, Sr. Drive in the Town of Schuyler, Herkimer County, New York. The facility will be constructed using a pre-engineered metal building system on an 11-acre parcel in the “Wepark. are beyond thrilled to have another business join the Schuyler Business Park. There are currently two other facilities on this property that have joined since our purchase of the land in 2020, and we look forward to bringing other businesses to the area in the near future,” stated Chairman of the IDA’s Board of Directors, Jim Bono. Home Depot is the third construction project since the 2020 IDA purchase of an additional 188 acres at the Schuyler Business Park. They will be joining Pepsi and The Fountainhead ThisGroup. last-mile distribution facility will be announcing employment opportunities in the near future. The IDA is offering certain incentives, including real property tax abatement, sales tax exemption, and mortgage recording tax exemption. Site work is expected to begin this fall, with building construction in the spring of 2023.
Photo by Dave Warner - The Fountainhead Group and Pepsi buildings in the Schuyler Business Park.
Home Depot to place distribution center in Schuyler Business Park
Schedule of Events Saturday, Sep 10, 2022 10:00 & 11:00 - Cannon and rifle demonstration 11:00 Kids musket drilling 1:00 & 2:30 Cannonball and a three-legged race 3:00 Medical demonstration with Civil War surgeons in a medical tent 4:00 Battle Sunday, Sep 11, 2022 10:00 Medical presentation by Civil War Surgeons in Pavillon 12:00 Battle
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 12 SEPTEMBER 2022
Photo by Dave Warner - Work continues in the Schuyler Business Park in Herkimer on drainage near the new location for the Home Depot Distribution Center.
Herkimer, New YorkThe Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), in partnership with Bloom Utica, LLC, is announcing the introduction of a Home Depot Distribution Center to the Schuyler Business Park in Herkimer County. John Piseck, Chief Executive Officer of the IDA, explains, “this is a great opportunity for Herkimer County and the Town of Schuyler as we continue to bring economic development to our area.”
Mon: Closed Tue: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Wed: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Thu: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM Fri: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Sat: 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Sun: Closed Bulk foods, spices, supplements, and hard to find items at discounted costs. Beauty products, housewares, gardening equipment, seeds, gifts, local products, books and more!
Civil ReenactmentWar set for Town Park in German Flatts Free for all, interactiveinformative,educational,andforkids.
Little CommunityFallsCo-Op 589 Albany Street Little Falls, NY 315-823-068613365
fresh bagels, breads,breakfast bagels,tomato pie,sausage
Fresh baked on bread variety of bread and more!
much
PIZZA From Page 7 event…our headliner… Dirty Blanket at 6 pm.” It’s a no-admission day filled with music, food, and fun. Audiences will be delighted that the festival’s workshops continue with a guitar workshop presented by Jason Borisoff at 4:30 pm, inside the Cafe at Stone Mill. Borisoff regularly collaborates and performs duos with Andrea Aspelli. The Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ Festival offers music for all ages, celebrating creative expression and nurturing the art of songwriting.
T ues–Fr iday8 am –4 pm ;S at 8am–noo n cl osed Sunday&M on da y 15 South Ma in St ,D olgeville NY the last pizza shop in the line so they can get their dessert and place their vote in the sealed box,” Trombley stated. Votes will be counted that evening, and then they’ll notify each of the businesses. “We’ve got wonderful pizza to eat in Little Falls, and that’s the best night of the year to do that,” she said.
The one day festival will be held from 12 pm to 8 pm in the city’s historic Canal Place, an open-air, familyfriendly environment with continuous music, beer, and bbq throughout the Foodday. vendors for this year’s festival include: The Cafe at Stone Mill, Canal Side Inn, K Dogs BBQ (food truck on West Mill St.), Mangia Macrina’s Wood Fired Pizza (behind the stage inside Stone Mill), Promise Land BBQ (food truck on West Mill St.) and Little Falls Elks Lodge No. 42 will also have their grill set up on West Mill St. Local craft brewer, Rock Valley Brewing Company, one block from the festival on West Mill Street, will offer a variety of house-brewed beer, local spirits, hard ciders, and soft drinks, and DikinDurt Distillery will be just west of the stage with a tasting booth and their local moonshine. Their Mohawk Valley Moonshine is handcrafted with New York Stategrown grains and distilled in the hills of the Mohawk Valley with a custom 100-gallon copper still built from a real Kentucky moonshiner. All-natural spirits are infused with fruits or rested on oak and finished with local honey or maple syrup for a sweet smooth, smoky
Forflavor.more information about the 2022 Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ festival, call (315) 508-5310 or visit:littlefallsbluegrassfestival.com
or sub rolls Tryour
bread, bagels,soup, subs and sandwiches available
our fresh
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 13SEPTEMBER 2022 Little Falls Car pet 556 E Main St. • Little Falls 315-823-3200 Providing High-Quality Floor ing Options Showroom Full Of Samples from All the Best25%BrandsSAVEOFF!!Enclosed SANY SY35U Mini Excavator: 8,499lbs,24.5hp,10’2’ dig depth, hydraulic thumb Enclosed KUBOTA SVL75-2 Cab Tracked Skid Steer: 9,315LBS,74hp High Flow Heat/Air Radio, Backup Camera Haulotte 3632T-DC tow behind boom lift: 500lbs lift capacity 43’6” working height, 37’6” platform height ½ DAY=4HRS/1 DAY=8 HRS/2 DAYS=16HRS/7 DAYS=40HRS/30 DAYS=160HRS $150 $250 $500 $900 $2700 PRICE FOR ADDITIONAL EXCAVATOR BUCKET (12’’/18’’/36’’) OR SKID STEER FORKS: $50 $75 $100 $200 $450 -TRUCKING IS AN ADDITIONAL FEE BASED ON MILEAGE -$65.00 FUEL DEPOSIT WILL BE TAKEN PRIOR TO RENTAL & RETURNED TO CUSTOMER ONCE UNIT COMES BACK WITH A FULL TANK OF FUEL $200 FEE IF MACHINE DOES NOT COME BACK CLEAN AFTER RENTAL ½ DAY=4H RS/1 DAY=8 HRS/2 DAYS=16HRS/7 DAYS=40HRS/30 DAYS=160HRS
BLUEGRASS
From Page 10
Andrea Asprelli is based out of Brooklyn, NY, and writes, sings, and plays fiddle and banjo. Formerly of Cricket Tell the Weather, she has released two albums of original music, as well as the Master’s Radio Volume 1, a compilation of live recordings from the Master’s Radio concert series. She plays freelance with the Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective, Karen and the Sorrows, and others. She performs duos under her name with guitarist and collaborator Jason Borisoff.
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 14 SEPTEMBER 2022
The Technician Class license now allows privileges for voice communications almost immediately. With higher class licenses come more frequencies and modes for operation, such as voice (Phone), radio teletype (RTTY), expanded high frequency (HF) privileges, digital modes, packet radio, and APRS. Tests are conducted at various locations in the area. Students can take the exam at any time they feel they are ready to try for their license. A special test session will be scheduled after the course is completed. Test scores are now processed electronically, so the successful candidate can obtain his/ her FCC callsign and be on the air in a very short Fortime. more information or to sign up, please contact Chris Bouck (KB4CMF), Educational Committee Chairman of the Ft. Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc., at (315) 429-3927 or email at 868-3283.Association,HerkimerPresidentPetersontwcny.rr.comcbouck01@orDon(KD2ILO)oftheFortAmateurRadioInc.at(315) New Ilion Stewart’s set to open September 13th
Theexam.FCC has recently restructured the licensing requirements for all Amateur Radio licenses, and there are now only three classes of license. They no longer require Morse code for any license class. Each student will be given an “Elmer” list at the end of the course. An Elmer is an experienced ham who has volunteered to assist new hams, so they can get their station up and running after they become licensed. All students that complete the course, and receive their license, will receive a free one-year membership in the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc.
“The project has taken a long time from a planning perspective,” said Komoroske. “About a year. But once started, our building projects usually run about nine weeks. And Ilion looks like it will hit that mark.”
Amateur Radio Association to Conduct Licensing Class
Educational Committee Chairman for the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc. Chris Bouck, amateur radio callsign KB4CMF, announces that the association will be teaching an entrylevel Technician Class licensing course from September 12th through December 12th, 2022. Classes are scheduled to be taught at the Town of German Flatts building on Route 5S adjacent to the old Fort Herkimer Church between Herkimer and Little Falls. Classes will run each Tuesday night for 13 weeks. Classes will be from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Classes will not meet if any Tuesday is a holiday or there is inclement weather that Theday. cost of the course is $40.00 and includes the book. The instructors can order the book from the ARRL at cost - which is usually less than the commercial price. The class is open to all ages. Each student will be provided the book “The Ham Radio License Manual – Everything You Need To Get Your First Ham Radio License!” published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) 5th Edition. If students already have the book, then the price of the book will be deducted from the fee. Subjects include; welcome to amateur radio, radio and studyItwiththesections.andeasyandandrepeaters,andpropagation,station,anregulations,CommissionCommunicationothercommunicatingstationfundamentals,electronicsoperatingequipment,withhams,Federalrulesandoperatingamateurradioradiowaveantennas,transmissionlines,radiosafety,manyhelpfulhintstips.Thebookistounderstandhas“bite-sized”Itincludeslatestquestionpoolananswerkey.isdesignedforself-orforclassroom use and now includes a guide for choosing the right radio. Many tips and practical demonstrations will be included giving the students hands-on experience. Classes will follow the chapters and format of the book and is a valuable resource for later reference after the class. The book contains the entire question pool, and answers candidates will see on the FCC
ILION – While hard to tell from the front of the current store, and business continues as usual, construction on the new Stewart’s shop in Ilion is well underway and set for a Sept. 13 opening.
Photo by Dave Warner - Hank Crofoot takes a seat in his travel trailer and starts to call for contacts.
By Jessica Arsenault Rivenburg
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 15SEPTEMBER 2022
The new shop, located directly behind the current one, is considerably larger and will bring an increase in products and amenities offered. There will be a larger and covered outdoor seating area, expanded booth-seating indoors, a walk-in Beer Cave, more gas pumps, including diesel, a propane tank exchange, two public restrooms, an expanded produce and grocery section and the addition of fresh pizza to the hot food selection, said Erica Komoroske, Director of Public Affairs for Stewart’s TheShops.new shop faces east, and will have two entrances; the main entrance on the east face and a secondary one on the south end, facing East Clark Street. According to schematics, the gas pumps will remain where they currently sit. Driveway entrances will be in their current locations on East Clark Street, with a new one on East North Street. Outdoor seating will be under an awning on the north end of the building, near East North Street. Construction began in early July with the demolition of three houses on East North Street.
ATTENTION Senior Citizens 55+ Year round janitorial/landscaping position available immediately in the Herkimer area. Vacation/Holidays paid! Great work environment! For more info and an application call GreenThumb Environmental Beautification Inc. at 518-435-2471 or Trish at 518-883-4390
The Sept. 13 opening will be a soft opening, with the grand opening to take place some time in late October, she said.
MOHAWK VALLEY EXPRESS Page 16 SEPTEMBER 2022
