Mohawk Valley Express Volume 2 Number 9 September 2022

FREE Daniel Enea

3rd Generation Funeral Director

VOLUME 2: NUMBER 9

SEPTEMBER 2022

Inspire Art & Music Festival ready to go

to show their work. “We rely on these events, The Inspire Art & Music especially with Covid. A Festival, which will be lot of those opportunities held on September 11, went away, so we wanted 2022, from 11 am until to produce a local outlet 7 pm, is ready to go at for artists to show their Rustic Ties in Dolgeville. art and their talent.”

by Dave Warner

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.”

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 She said that they both to bring that sense of wanted more local community here for opportunities for artists artists.”

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.

“I’m an artist, and I would artwork, but somebody’s had to step out of her comfort zone to produce really prefer just to work got to do it,” she stated. this festival. “There on my stuff and just get in the zone of my own Perkins said she really Please See INSPIRE Page 3

After two-year break, the garlic festival is back Juli Webster, an organizer of the event, After a two-year break, stated, “It was a little the Mohawk Valley Garlic more than twenty years and Herb Festival is ago when we started this. ready to go Saturday, There were about eight September 10, 2022, garlic farmers, and they from 10 am - 5 pm in had like a little farmer’s Canal Place, Little Falls. market down here in The organizers say, “Rain Canal Place.” or Shine, it’s always a stinkin’ good time.”

She says that was just

by Dave Warner

Photo by Dave Warner - A crowd of almost 3,000 people attended the 2018 Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival.

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 Please See GARLIC Page 2

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GARLIC From Page 1 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.”

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 Webster said that they that cause problems for have a little more space the “good apples.” The after the last couple of safety of our visitors is years of not having a our first priority.” festival. “We’re a little bit more spread out. We’re * Why do you charge just trying to bring back admission? “We don’t. the best features that We ask for a small, we’ve had in the past.” $5.00 suggested donation. Because of She said that there are your donations, we are some new vendors and able to fulfill our mission garlic growers. “Our limit of promoting local is thirty garlic growers, farmers and local trade and we have that, and by spending thousands they’re local, so we’re of dollars on advertising, happy for that.” etc. (Please see the pie chart below.) We bring Every year about this together the best garlic time, she said they vendors, herbalists, get asked a couple of artisans, and more in questions. Here are an amazing shopping those answers: environment. Our longstanding tradition of * Why can’t I bring my a donation/admission dog? “We are a unique means that we don’t have festival held in a closed- to ask the Little Falls in area of Little Falls. business community We have thousands of or other sponsors. We

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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.”

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!”

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INSPIRE From Page 1 have been many bouts of anxiety through this whole process, but it’s really come together, and it’s much more than I could have dreamed.”

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 space.”

Williams 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 opening.”

They 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.”

“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.

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.”

“Whatever it might be, we want people to be Photo by Dave Warner - An aerial view of Rustic Ties in Dolgeville, Perkins said that there is truly inspired by the art New York. definitely something for because it is healing,” the community. This is a financially, you’re never way for us to give back, able to know. You might everyone at the festival. she stated. but a lot of art and music be the next Van Gogh, “Our vendors cover all of the bases from visual Perkins said that they are programs are the first to but you’ll never have art, painting, pottery, land hoping that it becomes be cut in schools, and the chance. Hopefully, ive demonstrations, to an annual event and that that’s really unfortunate,” we can fund some jewelry, we have all kinds part of their mission is to Perkins stated. community art programs of things. The music fund a scholarship every choices cover all genres, year for a student that will “If you don’t have an with the fundraiser as so really something for be graduating with either artistic outlet or classes well, and we’ll just see everyone as far as music an arts or music future. are not in your reach what we can do with it.” goes.”

“This year, we’ve selected There are also going to Dolgeville High School be interactive workshops because we’re here, and where people can get we want to be a part of

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS - SEPTEMBER live entertainment, family Mayor’s Conference activities, and more from room in City Hall.

September 6, 2022 10 am until 5 pm in Canal Common Council Place.

September 17, 2022 Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm, Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ Public Hearing 6:50 on September 12, 2022 - Festival offers music Local Law #2 Reducing Police and Fire Board for all ages, celebrating expression Board of Assessment and Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm creative Regular Session 7:00 pm and Regular Session while nurturing the art of in the Common Council 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s songwriting. The one-day Chambers in City Hall.

Conference room in City festival will be held on September 17th, 2022 Hall. from 12 pm until 8 pm September 8, 2022 - Golf Commission Meeting - September 14, 2022 - in the City of Little Falls’ 8:00 am at the Municipal Urban Renewal Agency historic Canal Place, open-air familyGolf Course.

Meeting - 8:15 am in an the Mayor’s Conference friendly environment with continuous music, beer September 10, 2022 - room in City Hall. and bbq throughout the Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival - Eat, September 15, 2022 day.

Stink & Be Merry on - Tourism Committee Saturday, September Meeting 8:30 am in the September 19, 2022 10th, with the area’s best Mayor’s Conference Board of Public Works Meeting - Bills 6:30 pm garlic growers, produce room in City Hall. and Regular Session vendors, fine artisans, food product producers, September 15, 2022 7:00 pm in the Mayor’s herbs and flower - Harbor Commission Conference room in City vendors, festival cuisine, Meeting 9:00 am in the Hall.

City of Little Falls

Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM at Plowe Park

- 5 pm

September 11, 2022 September 11, 2022 Civil War reenactment - Inspire Art & Music 10 am until 1 pm.

Festival at Rustic Ties, Town Park, 555 State 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. Music, Route 5S, Mohawk NY food, demonstrations, 13407 and artisan vendors.

Salisbury September 15, 2022 - Dolgeville Forward Salisbury Historical Meeting - Community Society presents their Band Stand in Plowe special programs: Park - Starts at 6:30 PM

The Salisbury Railroad September 17, 2022 - by Robert Schmid Farmers’ Market - 9 AM Septembeer 18, 2022 at - 1 PM at Plowe Park 2:00 pm. Open to the public and free of charge.

September 18, 2022 Dolgeville Rotary Club Annual Golf Tournament - Salisbury Iron Mine Little Falls Municipal Golf ‘Million Dollar Investment’ Course - For Information Presented by Robert contact Sam Licari at Schmid - October 23, 2022 at 2:00pm. Open 315.867.3931 to the public and free of September 24, 2022 - charge.

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM Salisbury Historical - 1 PM at Plowe Park Society, 1805 Frisbie September 3, 2022 House, Intersection Farmers’ Market - 9 AM German Flatts of Route 29 and 29A, - 1 PM at Plowe Park Salisbury Center, New Sept 10, 2022 - Civil September 10, 2022 - War reenactment 10 am York

Fear of Heights Comedy Show 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 Valley.

Fear 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.

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.

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.

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8th Annual Free Veteran and First Responder Picnic scheduled

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.

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.”

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.

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.

passionate about. My Enea stated, “There’s dad and my uncle, and tons of food from local both of my brothers did restaurants.” forty-two years between Darren Denicol said, the Army, Navy, and the “You name it, we’re going Reserves.” to end up with it. It’s a big event, and it gets bigger every year.”

Mayor John Stephens said, “Dan’s done this for eight years now, and it’s something he’s very

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“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 Please See PICNIC Page 7

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Tradition & Community at The Sprite Club Article and photos by Carol Vogel

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.

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

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 The property consists served Thursday and of 276 acres, including Friday nights, and a bar a 5-acre pond that is menu is available all the stocked each spring. time.

“As part of the articles of incorporation, this club “We like to have a family was formed as a social atmosphere here. “ club and also to propagate Bill continued. “A lot of and protect fish, wildlife, people volunteer their and forests,” Hemmerich time to the club. We’ve added. “The club used to been here 87 years, only be open from April and a lot of people have 1 through Halloween, put their heart and soul but now we encourage into this place to make members to use the land it what it is today. I feel for snowmobiling, and honored to be carrying the clubhouse is open on the tradition here as year round Thursday- the President for three years. I love this place, I Sunday”. love what it stands for. I love the fact that my kids Family Atmosphere 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 started.”

Please See SPRITE Page 8

Now through

Sept. 21st Thursday through

Saturday Noon - 4:00pm

Come to the

19th Annual Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Fest

MVCA is once again honored to present the work of the self-taught painter and native of Southern Netherlands - John Van Orsouw. A devoted music enthusiast, John Van Orsouw brings the music to you through his art.

You see it and maybe you can hear it - music you’ve heard over the years that he brings to life in his work.

10am-5pm, Sat. September 10, 2022

Eat, Stink & be Merry!

Canal Place, Little Falls, NY www.mvghf.com Service Dogs Only

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

that. We’ll have a trophy for the winning pizza shop at the end of the night,” she stated.

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.

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PICNIC From Page 5 can,” stated Stephens.

Free chicken BBQ was donated by Big M Supermarket and Nick Licari, there will be Tickets go on sale the the ability to get a free Thursday after Labor Day Herkimer County Sheriff at all of the participating Child ID/Fingerprint Mary Trombley, who is pizza shops. “You can “You’ll be able to get your card courtesy of Sheriff heading up the event, share it with a friend or dessert at the last stop, stated, “It’s on a Third eat it all yourself, it’s up to Scherer, and Ken and Italian Feast because Il Thursday in September, you.”

Knapp are Cafe has very generously Regina which this year, is early. bringing the New York But the kids will be back to They are going to start at agreed to meet people at State Fallen Trooper school, and we’ll have sent 586 E Main Street, where Please See PIZZA Page 13 Wall, which will be on home notices to them in display. their backpacks.”

Think Local Little Falls is ready to kick off the fall season with its 6th annual Pizza Challenge on September 15th.

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.

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, including Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, Frankfort Mayor Rick Adams, Herkimer Mayor Dana Sherry, and There are free soft Legislator Bob Hollum drinks and sausage and (US Marine Corps).

“We’ve got four partysized slices of pizza and a dessert for that price.

You can’t go wrong with

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SPRITE From Page 6 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 come.”

kitchen was completely remodeled.

They continue to raise money for any needed repairs, such as the upkeep of the clubhouse, dam, and bridges.

“I know people are Membership is $150 having hard times right per year – and includes now,” Bill commented. catching up to 20 fish “Everything is going up in the stock pond and in price. Although our usage of the Clubhouse costs have gone up on and land. They have food and drinks, we’re a shooting range and trying to keep our prices allow members to hunt, the same, including our snowmobile, and rent membership. So doing space for up to 50 people these different events for weddings, grad helps offset the cost to parties, and other events. members.”

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

With so many resources on the property, the club relies on the skills and expertise of its members to help with projects.

About ten years ago,

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where members can come together to help a large project was their community and each repairing the dam. Don other. “It’s more than just Denapole remembers a bar. It’s more than just spearheading the project a place to get food - it’s a and many members family,“ said Bill. volunteering to help the cause. “The dam The Sprite Club donates had a leak in it, and we one-third of the profits completely reconstructed from its Pull-Tab machine the dam. We worked with to local charities like the Fulton County Soil and Food Pantry, Oppenheim Water on it. We had to Fire House, the School, build a new bridge over and Toys for Tots, among Sprite Creek, and we got others. They also hold the bridge done, and we benefits to raise money got the dam done. Dick for members in need.

Smith and I took the bull This is definitely a family by the horns to get that environment where fixed.” The project cost everyone takes care of was $20K, and the club each other. “We’ve got a was able to raise $18k lot of kind-hearted people of that with a party and here that give back,” Bill raffles. added.

The clubhouse is a Fond Memories comfortable spot to hang out and chat, have a There’s a lot of family drink, and eat. It’s also

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 years.”

Don Denapole has a deep family connection with the club and has been a member for many years.

“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 Please See SPRITE Page 11

Regional Exhibition at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts October 9, 2022 November 19, 2022

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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 https:// mohawkvalleyarts.org/

M O H A W K

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

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operated by Sprague & Dann. That lot remained vacant until 1846 when Albert G. Harris & Clark carding machines and “The first mill that was Houghton built a sash cloth finishing machinery built by John Porteus, and blind factory on the on that lot and operated after burning of the mill lot.

In 1847 William it for a long term of years. on Furnace Street by the B. Houghton bought “Between the saw mill Indians and Tories in the the factory of Harris & and the river was an Revolutionary war, Houghton and operated axe factory owned and is without doubt the it in connection with a operated by Ezekiel old stone mill next east plaster mill he built Morris. December 26th, of the hammer factory afterwards until the 1866 William I. Skinner because I fail to find any property was sold to sold to Daniel W. Ladue record of its building. Andrew Little and Son, his saw mill property. Another reason is all the who are the present Mr. Ladue added the machinery was made owners. manufacturing of cheese of wood, which was the boxes and continued way mills were built in In 1836 Rodney Durkee it during his life. The the early days; another built the flouring mill which mill is now owned by reason is the water to is now used for a shoddy Jacob Dettinger, who drive the mill was taken mill by C.W. Becker and manufactures knit goods into the wheel-pit through Co. Mr. Durkee bought cases in connection with the west wall of the mill the second right of water cheese boxes. About before the mill feeder and manufactured flour 1855 William Ingham sold was built. for a number of years. to Henry Cheney and He sold the mill to Acors Silas W. LeRowe, of Fly “About 1839 there was Rathbun. The property Creek, and they enlarged a paper mill burned next now belongs to the Jacob it and established a east of the grist mill, Zoller estate. From the hammer factory, which is which was owned and flouring mill to where

Journal and Courier Little Falls, N. Y., August 22 1911 A brief history of West Mill Street

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still in operation under the management of George D. Waterman.

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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 basswood.

“The first factory 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.

From Our Archives - The Little Falls Historical Society Where Community History Lives. littlefallshistoricalsociety. org.

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Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ’s Free Outdoor Concert Scheduled for September 17th, 2022 with Headliner “Dirty Blanket” Little Falls, NY – Organizers of the annual Bluegrass, Brews & 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

Photo submitted – Headliner of the Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ Festival Dirty Blanket performs at a recent concert.

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.

Regional musicians Richie Colf, Joel Fedkiw, and Aaron Oldweiler were added to the roster on the mandolin, banjo, and

upright bass, rounding Warner, the festival’s out the band lineup as a event director, “We have 5-piece string quintet. an incredible lineup for audiences this year with Dirty Blanket has been Cincinnati Creek’s toetouring the American tapping melodies starting Northeast, making off the festival at noon. names for themselves on The talented performer the festival circuits and in and songwriter, Andrea cities like New York, DC, Asprelli, entertains at 2 Baltimore, Burlington, and pm with her unique blend beyond. To date, they’ve of new grass and rustic played events with some Appalachian tones. The of the highest-profile Brothers Blue enter the names in bluegrass: The stage at 4 pm with their Del McCoury Band, The fresh hybrid sounds of Infamous String Dusters, Country, Bluegrass, Jeff Austin Band, Kitchen Cajun, and Irish music.

Dwellers, and more.

And, capping off the According to David E.

See BLUEGRASS Page 13

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SPRITE From Page 8 the clubhouse because The Sprite Club is always they wanted to be left growing and adding to alone.” its amenities. “We’ve identified about seven Don also remembers the campsites so we can Icehouse, which housed make it so members can blocks of ice cut from the camp,” Bill commented. pond. “I do remember A renovation of the there were feet of caretaker’s quarters on sawdust to insulate the the property as a rental ice. I can remember space is also on the list members going out, for future improvements, shoveling through the as well as remodeling sawdust and getting big the large dining room blocks of ice in the middle addition. of July and bringing them in, washing them off. If you’re interested in That’s what they used for becoming a member of cooling and drinks etc. I the Oppenheim Sprite thought that was pretty Club, call Bill Hodges at unique.”

518-362-6980 for a tour.

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 club is located at 363 Sprite Club Road, Oppenheim.

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.

Green Acres Drive-In 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

475 Dise Road, Little Falls, NY

Wedding & Event Center at the Pavilion coming soon

315-364-1234

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Tues-Sat 10-4

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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.

Photo by Dave Warner - The Fountainhead Group and Pepsi buildings in the Schuyler Business Park.

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Home Depot to place distribution center in Schuyler Business Park Herkimer, New York The 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.”

load 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 park.

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 Group.

This last-mile “We are beyond thrilled distribution facility will be to have another business announcing employment join the Schuyler Business opportunities in the near Park. There are currently future. The IDA is offering incentives, two other facilities on this certain The estimated $9,000,000 property that have joined including real property project will consist of the since our purchase of the tax abatement, sales tax acquisition, construction, land in 2020, and we look exemption, and mortgage and equipping of a single- forward to bringing other recording tax exemption.

Site work is expected to begin this fall, with building construction in the spring of 2023.

Civil War Reenactment set for Town Park in German Flatts

Little Falls Community Co-Op

Free for all, educational, informative, and interactive for kids.

Schedule of Events Saturday, Sep 10, 2022

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

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

589 Albany Street Little Falls, NY 13365

315-823-0686

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

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PIZZA From Page 7

BLUEGRASS From Page 10 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. 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 day.

Food 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

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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

the last pizza shop in the line so they can get their dessert and place their vote in the sealed box,” Trombley stated.

flavor.

For more information about the 2022 Bluegrass, Brews & BBQ festival, call (315) 508-5310 or Votes will be counted visit:

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.

littlefallsbluegrassfestival.com

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.

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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 day.

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 electronics fundamentals, operating station equipment, communicating with other hams, Federal Communication Commission rules and regulations, operating an amateur radio station, radio wave propagation, antennas, and transmission lines, repeaters, radio safety, and many helpful hints The cost of the course and tips. The book is is $40.00 and includes easy to understand the book. The instructors and has “bite-sized” can order the book from sections. It includes the ARRL at cost - which the latest question pool is usually less than the with an answer key. commercial price. The It is designed for selfclass is open to all ages. study or for classroom

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 exam.

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.

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 Shops.

The 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

receive a free one-year membership in the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc.

The Technician Class The FCC has recently license now allows restructured the licensing privileges for voice requirements for all communications almost Amateur Radio licenses, immediately. With higher and there are now only class licenses come three classes of license. more frequencies and They no longer require modes for operation, Morse code for any such as voice (Phone), license class. radio teletype (RTTY), Each student will be given expanded high frequency an “Elmer” list at the end (HF) privileges, digital of the course. An Elmer is modes, packet radio, an experienced ham who and APRS. Tests are has volunteered to assist conducted at various new hams, so they can locations in the area. get their station up and Students can take the running after they become exam at any time they licensed. All students that feel they are ready to complete the course, and try for their license. A receive their license, will special test session will

New Ilion Stewart’s set to open September 13th

By Jessica Arsenault Rivenburg

Photo by Dave Warner - Hank Crofoot takes a seat in his travel trailer and starts to call for contacts.

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.

“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.”

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 time.

For 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 cbouck01@ twcny.rr.com or Don Peterson (KD2ILO) President of the Fort Herkimer Amateur Radio Association, Inc. at (315) 868-3283.

The Sept. 13 opening will be a soft opening, with the grand opening to take place some time in late October, she said.

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