The Mohawk Valley Chorus will kick off its 2024-2025 season with their annual holiday concert series in Johnstown (December 7th) and Amsterdam (December 8th).
David M. Rossi directs the 50-member adult choir in “Swingin’ at Santa’s Place,” with Luanne Hawk as accompanist. The MVC Kids choir, under the direction of Amanda Grab, is special guest artist.
The concert program includes arrangements of sacred Christmas carols, holiday pop standards and other seasonal tunes. Rossi will also invite audience members to join the chorus for Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” an MVC tradition.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for senior citizens and students. There is no charge for children ages 12 and under. Tickets are available in advance from chorus members and at the door before each performance: 3 p.m. Saturday, December 7, at Johnstown High School; and 3 p.m. Sunday, December 8, at Amsterdam High School.
Mohawk Valley Chorus is starting rehearsals for our 2024-2025 season on Monday, September 9th, and new singers are welcome to join! Registration is 6:30-7:00 pm at the Inman Senior Center in Amsterdam, followed by rehearsal from 7-9 pm. David Rossi is our director. More info is available on our website – www.mohawkvalleychorus.org. You can also email us at mohawkvalleychorusinfo@gmail.com or call 518-573-7799.
The Mohawk Valley Chorus presents its annual pops concert series! This year’s theme is “The Impossible Dream,” based on the beloved song from the musical ‘Man of La Mancha’.
David M. Rossi is MVC’s director; Luanne Hawk is our accompanist.
With a special performance from the Electric City Chorus.
Performances are Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 7:00 pm at Johnstown High School, 1 Sir Bills Circle, Johnstown; and Sunday, May 19, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Amsterdam High School, 140 Saratoga Avenue, Amsterdam NY. 12020.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for senior citizens and students. (Children, 12 and under, are free.)
Advance sale tickets can be purchased via credit card at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/mvc2024popsconcert
Tickets will also be available at the door (cash or personal check only – we can’t accept credit cards at the door).
Doors open 30 minutes before performance.
Got questions? Need more info? Contact us at MohawkValleyChorusinfo@gmail.com or (518) 573-7799 (leave message).
Join us for another great year of Putman Porch Music at Yankee Hill Lock! We welcome musicians and listeners to Yankee Hill Lock for this canawler experience! An Americana Folk and Roots Music style jam session on the porch of the old Putman Canal Store happens each Thursday in June. Come play some fiddle, guitar, banjo, sing, or whatever instrument you may bring, to this lively time along the historic Erie Canal! *Please note the 6:30pm start time for 2024*
Join us for another great year of Putman Porch Music at Yankee Hill Lock! We welcome musicians and listeners to Yankee Hill Lock for this canawler experience! An Americana Folk and Roots Music style jam session on the porch of the old Putman Canal Store happens each Thursday in June. Come play some fiddle, guitar, banjo, sing, or whatever instrument you may bring, to this lively time along the historic Erie Canal! *Please note the 6:30pm start time for 2024*
Want to add a little heat to this weekend? Come to the Van Alstyne Homestead Chili cook-off. Sample and judge some of the tastiest and hottest chilis from local cooks. Bring your friends and bring your appetite! We’ll also have a 50/50 drawing and be running tours of the historic Van Alstyne Homestead.
Join us for Christmas at the Fort – Saturday, December 7th – 11am to 5pm – Local Author Book Fair – Bookstore with Huge Sales – Museum Shop with a Selection of Handmade Colonial Toys – Period Holiday Music – Eisenadler German Beer (local Brewer) – Homemade Christmas Cookies, Refreshments and more!
If you’re looking to venture outside during the winter in Montgomery County, the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is a perfect place for a day trip. It’s an ideal location for those looking to spend time outdoors. It’s suitable for those who prefer paths shorter in distance with minimal difficulty. Dogs are permitted. The site is only 5.2 miles from the Thruway.
Participants cross a walking bridge at the Schoharie Crossing during a Winter Walk held on Jan. 26.
If you’re from Upstate, you know the weather is unpredictable. Especially during the winter months. Boots and warm layers are recommended. When there’s enough of the white, fluffy stuff, you could also pack your cross country skis or snowshoes. Another thing to keep in mind for your day trip, is it’s a prime opportunity to bird watch! You can check out some of the species people have observed at the Schoharie Crossing on eBird.
Background
If it’s your first time visiting — the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the Erie Canal as one of the 19th century’s greatest commercial and engineering projects. The Schoharie Crossing has a Visitor Center that exhibits traces of history of the Erie Canal and its impact on the growth of New York State and the nation. Currently, the Visitor Center is open by Reservation only – you can call to schedule a time to visit the Pathway to Empire Exhibit. The Visitor Center
Montgomery County Economic Development Staff Assistant Andrew Santillo pictured viewing a historical plaque on the Woodchuck Walk at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site.
will reopen for regular hours May 1. The site grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Stay updated by following the Schoharie Crossing on Facebook or Instagram.
Within the site’s boundaries are many structures dating from the three eras of the canal’s development. As you walk behind the Visitor Center lies the ‘Woodchuck Walk’ – formerly the towpath of the original Erie Canal. Along this trail are historical plaques providing history of the area that you’re walking through. The ‘Woodchuck Walk’ is about a one-half mile long hike out to an original Erie Canal Lock that lays adjacent to an Enlarged Era Canal Lock. There are two walking bridges across the lock. These allow you to stand in-between the old locks. Old locks create a story of what once was a bustling area with barges and other small boats bringing goods to and from the area in the 19th century.
Once you go across the two lock bridges, you can continue on the Towpath trail to the Yankee Hill lock, which is about two miles further or you can head back on the trail toward the Visitor Center. The Towpath Trail, which is a half of a mile, leads to the site’s largest structure the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct, which carried the water of the Enlarged Erie Canal over the Creek.
A view of the Schoharie Creek Aqueduct during the winter.
It’s a perfect place to take a picture before you end your walk.
If you are interested in more of a guided visit, Education Director at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, David Brooks will be hosting a Winter Walk event on February 23 at 1 p.m., weathering permitting.
If you are looking to grab a bite to eat following your visit, hop on Route 5S and head eastbound toward the South Side of Amsterdam. There are a number of restaurants to choose from. Whether you grab takeout from DomAdi’s and a craft beer to bring home from Southside Beverage, or sit down at Evolve Eatery , Lorenzo’s Southside, Shorty’s Southside Tavern,Herk’s Tavern or Southside Slice, you really can’t go wrong! A visit to the Schoharie Crossing is a day trip suitable for all four seasons. If you come back in the spring, Karen’s Produce & Ice Cream is a must visit.
Whenever you choose to be a Tourist in Your Own Town, or bring someone from outside the area to explore, Montgomery County will not disappoint.
