Mohawk Valley Today

The Garden Bug’s Holiday Open House kicks off new hours now until Christmas

November 17, 2019/in Mohawk Valley News, Out and about in the Mohawk Valley

On November, 8, we visited The Garden Bug in Amsterdam, NY, for their Holiday Open House . The entire shop was beautifully decorated and offered a warm welcome on a chilly evening. As soon as you walk in the door, the wonderful spices draw you in while the staff offer friendly greetings.

The Garden Bug | Amsterdam, NY | Mohawk Valley Today — The main entrance to The Garden Bug in Amsterdam, NY.

The entire shop is ready for visitors and holiday shoppers alike. Each room showcases a wide variety of holiday decoration items, home goods, furniture and warm fuzzy blankets. You’ll also find fresh-baked pies, locally produced NY State Maple syrup, and an assortment of sweet treats that certainly tempt all who pass by.

Be sure to go all the way to the back room where you’ll find a relaxing place to sit and a warm fire in the stove. During the Open House, we enjoyed live holiday music, hot cocoa and cake that truly hit the spot. The folks at the Garden Bug really did help make us feel welcome and at home!

If you missed the Holiday Open House at the Garden Bug – not to worry! The Garden Bug is now open every day until Christmas! Be sure to stop in and see what they have for you this year!

The Garden Bug | Amsterdam, NY | Mohawk Valley Today -1

If you have a special event at your locally owned business in the Mohawk Valley, let us know.

The heart of the Mohawk Valley helps those in need

November 14, 2019/in Mohawk Valley News

Travel to any city, town or village throughout the Mohawk Valley and you’ll find communities working hard to bring people together. This month, we’ve come across different ways that communities and businesses alike are doing what they can to really show the heart of the Mohawk Valley.

Little Falls 30 Days of Thoughtfulness

Small business owners throughout the City of Little Falls is in the middle of a month-long effort to collect, and in some cases, match donations to help local not-for-profit organizations as we head into the holiday season.

“Our business partners have each selected a not-for-profit to support. At each business location, canisters for your donations & posters about the organization, will be available throughout November.

We are a small, but generous community. Please help us support those organizations who do so much for this community and others.”

– Think Local Little Falls 30 Days of Thoughtfulness Third Thursday brochure

Businesses throughout Little Falls are collected donations to help pets, the local food pantry, community outreach and so many more.

Download the brochure for a list of participating businesses and who they’re sponsoring.

Dolgeville Flood Victims’ Fund

The not-for-profit, Dolgeville Forward, is doing so much to help the victims of the October 31 – November 1 flood. The catastrophic flooding on North Main Street and along the East Canada Creek caused many to leave their homes and everything they owned because of the rising water. Many homeowners are unable to return to their homes because of safety reasons. The excerpt below is from the Dolgeville Forward Go Fund Me page.

To donate to the Dolgeville Flood Victims Fund, go to the Dolgeville Forward Go Fund Me page.

Dolgeville Forward,Dolgeville NY November 9, 2019b

“Over twenty residences were affected, many of them now uninhabitable; several homes will likely be total losses. Residents in flooded homes lost everything in their cellars and garages and on the first floors of their homes. Many homeowners cannot return to their homes and have had to find alternative living arrangements. Several of those affected are renters and resources available to them are scarce. Now, to make things even worse, weather has turned prematurely cold, it is snowing, and most of the homes are not connected to power, natural gas, or water.

Dolgeville Forward, Inc. has established a Go Fund Me page to process donations, which will be deposited in the Dolgeville Forward 2019 Flood Victims’ Fund account for disbursement to flood victims to assist them in recovery.”

– Dolgeville Forward Go Fund Me page

For more information about the flood recovery efforts, visit the Dolgeville Forward Facebook page.

Stuff the Bus at Wakefield Furniture

Stuff the Bus Toy Drive at Wakefield Furniture | Herkimer NY | Mohawk Valley Today

Wakefield Furniture is kicked off the Stuff the Bus events on Saturday, November 16, at 138 N. Main Street Herkimer, NY.

This annual toy drive gives all of us an opportunity to donate unwrapped toys that will be distributed by local charities to children throughout the Mohawk Valley.

Do you have a story to share about the great things happening the in the Mohawk Valley? Let us know!

Stuff the Bus Toy Drive at Wakefield Furniture in Herkimer

November 13, 2019/in Mohawk Valley News, Out and about in the Mohawk Valley

The 12th Annual Fidelis Care Stuff the Bus Toy Drive is kicking off the events this year on Saturday, November 16, at Wakefield Furniture on 138 North Main Street in Herkimer. This annual toy drive has collected over 100,000 toys over the past 10 years to give to local charities. Each year, the collected toys are then given out to kids throughout the Mohawk Valley by the local charities. This annual toy drive has collected over 100,000 toys over the past 10 years! Each year, the collected toys are given out to children throughout the Mohawk Valley by the local charities.

Wakefield Furniture sponsors Stuff the Bus

During a recent stop at Wakefield Furniture, we were happy to talk with John about the Stuff the Bus drive. He told us that he’d just received the Stuff the Bus toy collection box that they had in front of their counter. John told us how happy he was that they were involved in the drive to collect toys for local children.

Order furniture online, get delivery throughout the Mohawk Valley.

While talking with John, we took a few minutes to find out more about their online ordering and delivery. We were excited to hear about their new online ordering feature on their website. In addition to online ordering, Wakefield Furniture offers free delivery for folks that live within 50 miles of Herkimer.

Wakefield Furniture | Herkimer, NY | Mohawk Valley Today

We’ve ordered from Wakefield a number of times, and have always been happy with the furniture, delivery and service. In addition to online ordering, they have a showroom with a variety of furniture on the floor. If you don’t see what you’re looking for in the showroom, ask to see their catalogs and you’ll be sure to find what you need.

If you haven’t been to Wakefield Furniture, stop by with a toy to donate to Stuff the Bus and get to know the folks there.

Herkimer Diamonds are easy to find at Fall Hill Bead and Gem

November 7, 2019/in Mohawk Valley News, Out and about in the Mohawk Valley

Recently, I had an opportunity to talk with Kim about their new Herkimer Diamond jewelry. I got to browse the many gems, glass beads, and jewelry. What’s great is that Fall Hill Bead and Gem offers so much to Mohawk Valley residents and visitors alike.

Herkimer diamonds jewelry

Fall Hill Bead and Gem has a truly beautiful selection of Herkimer diamond jewelry. Browse the simple wire wraps, Herkimer diamonds set in sterling silver rings, pendants and earrings. In addition, you’ll find expertly crafted one-of-a-kind designs by Adam. It’s easy to get lost in the faceted Herkimer Diamond jewelry, featuring stones cut from their own stock. Their jewelry is made in house in the jewelry studio.

Fall Hill Bead and Gem | Herkimer Diamonds, Gem, Beads| Little Falls, NY | Mohawk Valley Today

Fall Hill Bead and Gem opened in 2008. Drawn to the area in search of Herkimer Diamonds, Kim and Adam fell in love with Little Falls, NY, moved to the area from Pittsburgh, and decided to open a shop. In order to ensure the best selection, Kim and Adam travel to the Tucson gem show every year. As a result, they bring back handpicked unique crystal and the most beautiful tumbled precious and semi-precious gemstones available.

Create your own jewelry with the Herkimer Diamond beads drilled in-house in the jewelry studio.

Choose from a variety of loose beads like Czech glass, precious gemstones, bone, wood and other natural materials. Most importantly ask Kim about their bead strands and other jewelry making supplies. In addition, you’ll find hemp, leather, satin, elastic cording, as well as finished chains and chain by the foot. Be sure to visit their website at fallhillbeadandgem.com.

While I have a long list of favorite locally owned shops and restaurants throughout the Mohawk Valley, Fall Hill Bead and Gem on West Main Street in Little Falls, NY, is a frequent stop for me. It’s located right next to That Little Place on Main where we love to get a bite to eat, and across the street from Paca Gardens, where I can get what I need to bundle up for the coming winter.