Along The Mohawk #4

For the Mohawk Valley, Central New York region. 

Along the Mohawk features local music and interviews with musicians, storytellers, restaurateurs, and manufacturers and also features Soundscapes with local naturalist Matt Perry. The show will also include a short weekly old-time radio serial, Annie and the Loomis Gang, written and produced by Sharry and performed by a cast of local voice actors. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_18 0:01

Steve Ponty Chevrolet and Herkimer, your local family-owned and operated Chevy dealer, presents Along the Mohawk.

SPEAKER_11 0:10

Come with me as we travel along the Mohawk, sharing the stories of people and places where we belong.

SPEAKER_18 0:20

Good morning. I'm happy you are here traveling with me today. I'm Sherry Whitney and I look forward to sharing the stories along the Mohawk. On today's show, we visit with musician Frank Bianco, furloughs, a 130-year-old bakery in Rome, and meet artist and entrepreneur Vartan Pogosian in Utica. Later in the show, listen for our special guest voice actor Stephen Walker in Annie and the Loomis Gang. Stephen is the grandson of our late friend Richard Enders, known to many for his role as Ebenezer Scrooge in the annual Players of Utica production. Young Mr. Walker will be portraying local historical figure Elohue Root. Please stay tuned.

SPEAKER_08 1:15

Utica born and raised having the music around the house or in the car. I was exposed to all the classic rock and mostly the classic stuff. Biggest influence at the start was the doors. Jim Morrison, Raymond Zarick, John Densmore, Robbie Kreer. Gotta say them all because Jim is who he is, but he's not all of the doors. He played with his fingers. So it taught me early on to have always had that as a backup. Took me a long time to kind of come into my own as a songwriter or as a person who comes up or a compositionalist. I don't think that's a word, but but I've always found that music comes more easily than words. Yeah. Because like you need to have a good, you know, composition to go along with the words. So it took me a long time to get into it, but eventually I got it. But I don't find myself a particularly great singer by any means. Like I'm not like a Freddie Mercury or a Robert Plan or anything along those lines, but I know I can sing my songs well. Yeah. So when I think of writing these songs, I don't really think of anybody else singing them other than me. So it gets a little bit more personal. Yeah. So like my songs are my songs, you know what I mean.

SPEAKER_07 2:36

The only thing that keeps me happy are the fleeting thoughts from my broken unconscious.

SPEAKER_08 2:52

Well, the earliest days I ever can recall was being at the Tremontagne Cafe. To borrow a phrase from uh the Tenacious D show, there was one episode they were walking in and they had a sign on the door that said, Open mics. Teach yourself how to play guitar in front of a live audience. I But that's a weird thing. I've been I can be very uh closed off sometimes, be a little too much in my head, but when I'm on stage, something clicks and I can perform in front of people. Lately I started listening to a guy named John Fahy. He's an instrumental guitarist from the 60s and the 70s, and since I've been able to finger pick all along, he kind of inspired me to delve a little bit more deeply into it. So all the songs I've been coming up with in like the past couple of months have all been these instrumental finger-picking stuff. I try to be as plain spoken as possible, just because so someone can understand. But when I want to be flowery, I'll be flowery. You know, it's just like it's whatever mood strikes me. I try to be uncompromising. I am what I am, and whatever flight of fancy takes me, that's what I end up singing, and that's just what comes out.

SPEAKER_18 4:05

We'll hear more from Frank later in the show. Here's a sample of his song, Groove Grove, from his album Brian Didn's Surf.

SPEAKER_00 4:41

Stand by as we recalibrate the decades.

SPEAKER_17 4:46

Welcome to 1988. I'm standing inside Woolworths in downtown Utica, and I've just ordered lunch at the counter. A grilled cheese, a cup of coffee, and of course, a slice of pie. Listen, you can hear the clatter of dishes, the hum of conversation, while the steady rhythm of downtown life on Genesee Street can be heard just outside the doors. Woolworths has been a part of Utica for generations. In fact, the very first five and dime store opened in Utica back in 1879, launched by Frank Woolworth himself. What started as a simple idea, fixed prices for everyday goods, grew into a retail empire across the country. By the 1950s and 60s, stores like this were bustling hubs. You could buy just about anything: housewares, toys, school supplies, even pets in some locations. And the lunch counter, it was the place to be, where shoppers, workers, and kids all met for a quick bite and a break from the day. But here in 1988, things are starting to change. Malls have pulled crowds away from downtown. Big chain stores are offering more choices, bigger selections, and places like Woolworths, well, they're starting to feel like a step back in time. Still, right now it's alive, familiar, comforting, a place where everyone seems to know the routine. In just a few short years, by the early 1990s, Woolworths in Utica would close its doors for good. Another chapter of downtown history coming to an end. But for now, the coffee's hot, the counter's full, and for a moment, Utica still feels exactly like it always has. Well, time to get back to the future.

SPEAKER_18 6:39

Coming up after the break, we're live from the tram in Utica. We visit Furlow's Bakery in Rome and we'll learn about the historic Four Corners in Hercomer.

SPEAKER_11 6:50

Come with me as we travel along the Mohawk.

SPEAKER_18 6:58

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SPEAKER_16 7:35

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SPEAKER_17 7:55

Big Apple Music in New Hartford has served Central New York and the best musician since 1979. Guitars, amps, drums, sound systems, digital pianos, and school instruments. And providing sales, rentals, repairs, and musical instrument private lessons. Got an instrument that needs a little love? Let Big Apple Music repair it for you. Check us out for Sound System installs and repairs. The best brands for the best bands. Shop local, shop smart, shop Big Apple Music in New Hartford. Loving people for over 46 years. Check us out on Facebook and our website.

SPEAKER_09 8:35

For the Along the Mohawk recording here tonight at the tram, let's welcome Oliver Twist.

SPEAKER_02 8:48

This poem's called Breakfast. I laughed at the kettle and the kettle laughed at me. The frying pan did a little jig till the stove set it free. I danced to their tune and shouted with glee while honey and sugar mingled in with the tea. And with their sly antics, salt and pepper switched places, and you could see their amusement at the guests' shocked faces. Face down on the table sat the plump old goose, but then it took off and flew from its cords bound loose. Casserole shouted a threat for the world to hear, Too bad she forgot that she was not feared. So broccoli and squash came to dance in her face, till along came ranch dressing and sprayed them with mace. They ran off and cried when water showed up and offered to douse them in a styrofoam cup. Along came hard cold butter stuffed in the microwave, and when Kitchen Midten pulled him out, he seemed so soft and shave. But lo, behold, in look around, there came a lady in a shawl down the stairs and tore the food, and then she ate them all.

SPEAKER_18 9:51

That was Stefan Oliver Yosef with breakfast. Catch an open mic night at the tram, like tonight, March 22nd at 5 p.m. And save the date for a live variety show on April 4th at 6 p.m. at the Tramontang Cafe on Lincoln Ave in Utica. If you're a fan of local bakeries, you know how busy they are in the morning. So I decided to visit Furlow's bakery on Floyd Ave in Rome in the mid-afternoon. But this 130-year-old bakery still had a constant stream of customers. I talked with Dave Furlow, one of the third generation owners.

SPEAKER_19 10:30

I know my father got involved when he got out of the war.

SPEAKER_18 10:34

Which war was that?

SPEAKER_19 10:35

World War II. Before that, I think it was started by a Tom or a John. We're actually the third generation, I believe. So it was some my father and now uh where did your grandfather move from? Well well they came from they came over from Italy. Half of the family went to California and half of the family stayed here. I think the smart ones went to California to be honest.

SPEAKER_18 11:01

Well this time of year I would have.

SPEAKER_19 11:03

Yeah, I mean, you know, at at the beat of a heart. I could have been grown up in California, you know.

SPEAKER_18 11:09

So who works the business with you these days?

SPEAKER_19 11:12

Um my brother and I run this.

SPEAKER_18 11:14

What has been the reason behind you the fact that you stay in the business so long?

SPEAKER_19 11:19

Rome.

SPEAKER_18 11:20

Rome.

SPEAKER_19 11:21

You know, Rome supports us, yeah. You know, I got a pretty unique product too. You're not gonna get bread taste like this nowhere.

SPEAKER_18 11:29

So what's the secret?

SPEAKER_19 11:30

I can't tell you.

SPEAKER_18 11:32

So is this the same bread that you're gonna put this?

SPEAKER_19 11:36

Yeah Yeah, ask anybody that eats my bread. You don't you know, you can't duplicate this taste now. That's what's a little niche so it's fake, you know. It's kind of our little secret, you know. I mean, I s watch families bring their children in holding them all the way through college, and they come back married with their kids. I mean, I see it all, you know.

SPEAKER_18 11:58

And then what else do you make here besides?

SPEAKER_19 12:00

Well, we donuts, pastries, cookies, specialty breads, you know, we rye, pump and nickel. We got our Easter bread here now, and which I saw a ton of ton of. Well, as far as stores go, um as the Faro's has our bread. Uh some of some of the corner stores Rizzo's has it, uh in Rome. We're not really big in that aspect of it as we are in restaurants in the sub shops, you know, and we go all the way to Syracuse.

SPEAKER_18 12:30

So people might not even know they're having royal bread.

SPEAKER_19 12:33

They know when they taste it though. They know when they taste it. Because they come in here, Dematios is a huge customer of mine. And I couldn't count to people that come in here and say they want the rolls that Dematios gets all the time. I get it all the time. I do.

SPEAKER_18 12:49

Makes the subject.

SPEAKER_19 12:50

It makes the bread makes the sandwich. You know, it's we can't do them all though. I just wish I could, but I can't. You know, like when when Walmart moved into Rome, they wanted me to make bread just for them. They wanted them to take all the bread I could make. No. No, it's not going down like that. You know, I'm taking care of my people. That's how it works. Yeah.

SPEAKER_18 13:13

When in Rome, stop into Furloughs and taste the tradition at 522 Floyd Ave. We head to Hercomer to take a tour of the historic four corners with town historian James M. Griner.

SPEAKER_01 13:28

As I say to everyone about the historic four corners, it's the most beautiful place in town. No doubt, hands down, we've got it right here. It's still in use today. Uh, over here we have the Suter Mansion, which is the real jewel in the crown, I think. A Walter Suter donating this historic Queen Anne style mansion to the historical society. And uh it's just a beautiful place. I put it this way somebody asked me once what's the most valuable thing we have in historical society? The most priceless object we have is that house. You could never replace it. You could never do something like that. Uh, the woodwork is just out of this world. And across this uh way and on the other side is the uh courthouse. The courthouse that was built in the 1870s that's seen many a famous trial, including Roxana Drews, and of course the most famous one being that of Chester Gillette. Uh it was still used up until recently, until the new courthouse was built. The sheriff's department is in there for about one more week, and they'll be vacating to go someplace else. So I really don't know what's going to happen in that building, but I do know what's happening with the 1834 jail, because I have that. When the county wanted to get rid of it, uh it no need to use it anymore. We formed a little group, the Friends of Historic Kirkmer County, to take it over and sort of preserve it because it's part of the Four Corners. And so we've been working on that all for about 20 years now. So it's a it's a step-by-step, little baby step projects, but we're keeping it together.

SPEAKER_18 15:06

And you do tours in the girl?

SPEAKER_01 15:08

All the time. The summertime is tour time. Uh we arrange them here at the Historical Society. We try to do Thursday tours. We are still very popular with the paranormal people. Uh that's they still love coming here and I still let them in.

unknown 15:24

Okay.

SPEAKER_18 15:27

Take a trip to the beautiful Four Corners in Herkimer at 400 North Main Street. For summer tour information, visit our website alongthemohawkradio.com. Local artist Vartan Pagosian is a skilled potter known for his beautifully ornate large bases and vessels. But he's building something even more lasting at 809 Court Street in the brewery district of Utica. A year and a half ago, he purchased the three-story brick building built in 1870 and moved his community arts center for Elements Studio here.

SPEAKER_05 16:04

Every floor is a flexible use space. This floor, this is a gallery/slash waiting room, sitting room, reading room. Anybody could just walk in and be immersed with the artwork that's being created here and do some work and work independently. It's free to all. Immediately inspired by the space because you're seeing these old beams 40 feet long. They're huge. And the every floor has them. I mean, this was built to last and outlast us. What I'm thinking is I want to preserve this place and not change too much. Because why would I? Let's go to the second floor. Let's do it. Just short staircase up, which hopefully won't be usable when we have the lift. Oh, somebody's beeping in.

SPEAKER_18 16:59

Let me let them the first thing I see here is this giant steam engine coming out of the floor.

SPEAKER_05 17:04

Yes, Jonathan Kirk's old King Cole. It fits beautifully here. Isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. I should have thought about the weight of this sculpture, but of course, you know, that's the last thing you think of.

SPEAKER_18 17:17

It's the size of a car. What does this weigh?

SPEAKER_05 17:20

It probably weighs more than a car.

unknown 17:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_18 17:24

So tell us about this floor.

SPEAKER_05 17:26

Um, multi-use floor. We do clay classes, pottery, wheel throwing sessions, and we have artists that rent spaces here, and also we have workshop spaces that we teach classes on a daily basis.

SPEAKER_18 17:42

You're an artist.

SPEAKER_05 17:44

Yes.

SPEAKER_18 17:44

I met you many, many years ago.

SPEAKER_05 17:47

I think about yeah, about 28 years ago.

SPEAKER_18 17:50

And you were new to this country?

SPEAKER_05 17:52

Yes, I was.

SPEAKER_18 17:53

How did building pots come to building something like this?

SPEAKER_05 17:58

A couple things. One is impact, impacting the community, impacting on a larger level. Since I started teaching, I was like, there's so many people that want to learn this, and clay is something where people really gravitate toward. It's something that you can manipulate really quickly. In the beginning, it was just sharing. Share and work with so many people, as many people as possible. And then I wanted to be my own boss.

SPEAKER_10 18:25

Well, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_05 18:27

Also, I'm very stubborn. I have my um way of unemployable. I am unemployable. Exactly. I'm terrible. And yeah, when it comes down to following rules, and let's say there are my rules. I create them and then I follow through. But I always think of the community. How is this impacting the community? How is this impacting everyone? And then how do we make this accessible for everyone? And then it just grew from working in the basement, throwing pots, being learning lots of patience, learning the language to speak and being and articulate what I'm my feelings and what I want to do, what I my vision is. That took a while. It was a dream. It was always a dream. It was a small dream when I came here just to be a full-time artist. People always say starving artist. And that actually makes me really upset. There's no such thing as starving artists. There's there's the that mentality. You if you think it, then okay. But it is possible, if you're true to yourself and your mission, to be a full-time artist. I want this for other artists also, and I'm I think this building and 4 Elements provides that. And um makes me happy. I'm selfish. Makes me happy.

SPEAKER_18 19:58

And for some spring color, hop into Tiger Lily Quilts next door. Visit our website for photos of the building and the amazing steam engine sculpture by Jonathan Kirk alongthemohawkradio.com. Let's get back to our featured musician Frank Bianco. I asked Frank to tell us what he's currently working on.

SPEAKER_08 20:21

Well, my most recent released project was from this past summer. It was called Brian Dinn Surf. Initially took light as a surf rock instrumental type project, but it kind of just evolved to just the more regular instrumental compositions. My good friend Peter Franchel helped me produce that. Well, me produce my first album as well. It could go from very rockin' to mellow to a little bit of ambient. I'll be hopefully coming up soon. Well, my first album, Couchfly, has been available. Couchfly, I guess. Because not being a bar fly, but being on a couch being a couchfly. That's that was the joke there. Uh I've got two projects in the works, an album of the new instrumental material and a new proper singer-songwriter sequel. I've got all the material written pretty much, and I'm aiming for by the end of the year, maybe in September or October, hopefully. Maybe a little sooner, maybe I it all depends.

SPEAKER_07 21:21

Told me she was depressed. How was I not to hold her fest? Got a feeling I think it's gonna last. I think I'm halfway out of the hole. I love her.

SPEAKER_18 21:54

Coming up after the break, episode four of Annie and the Loomis Gang and Mohawk Valley Soundscape. With naturalist Matt Perry. If you enjoy listening to Along the Mohawk, be sure to visit our sponsors and thank them for making it possible.

SPEAKER_11 22:08

Come with me as we travel along the Mohawk.

SPEAKER_18 22:17

Spring is here, and it's time to leave the snow behind and spring into a new Chevy from Steep Ponti Chevrolet in Herkimer. Save right now on a 2026 Chevy Equinox LT All-Wheel Drive, just $3.19 a month. Or if you need more muscle, get into a 2026 Chevy Colorado Crew Cab, four-wheel drive with a towing package for only $2.99 a month. Or go big with a 2026 Chevy Simplado LT Crew Cab, four-wheel drive for just $3.99 a month. Warm up to a better ride today at Steep Ponti Chevrolet, your hometown Chevy dealer. Chevrolet, let's drive. See why it's always easy to do business at Steep Ponti Chevrolet.

SPEAKER_16 22:53

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SPEAKER_15 23:15

You work hard for a living here in the Mohawk Valley. You make a difference. You leave your mark. You deserve a financial advisor who works hard for you.

SPEAKER_13 23:24

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SPEAKER_15 23:38

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SPEAKER_13 23:51

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SPEAKER_12 24:01

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SPEAKER_17 24:12

For 18 years, Primo Pizza Route 5 and Clinton has been making fresh dough daily for the best pizza around. New York style, upside-down, and cauliflower gluten-free pizza. If you live in their delivery area like Kirkland and Hamilton College residents, lucky you, you can have it delivered to your door. If not, stop by and pick up some hot, delicious pizza and crispy wings from Primo Pizza. Call 315-381-3231 or order online at enjoypremopizza.com. Big Apple Music in New Hartford has served Central New York and the best musicians since 1979. Guitars, amps, drums, sound systems, digital pianos, and school instruments. And providing sales, rentals, repairs, and musical instrument private lessons. Got an instrument that needs a little love? Let Big Apple Music repair it for you. Check us out for sound system installs and repairs. The best brands for the best bands. Shop local, shop smart, shop Big Apple Music in New Hartford. Loving people for over 46 years. Check us out on Facebook and our website.

SPEAKER_18 25:14

Steet Ponty Chevrolet and Hercker presents Annie and the Loomis Gang.

SPEAKER_14 25:20

Last week on Annie and the Loomis Gang, a stranger named Loomis watches Annie from the shadows. She leaves Utica for Waterville, but as a storm rolls in, her carriage is brought to a halt. And in the rain, two armed men block the road. Episode 4. Rifles in the Mist. Where are you heading, driver?

SPEAKER_09 25:50

Just Clinton, sir. No trouble, I swear.

SPEAKER_18 25:53

One of the riders approaches the window and peers through the fogged glass. He examines Annie quickly, cold and indifferent. No purse to snatch, no secrets to pry. Worthless, he decides in a heartbeat.

SPEAKER_14 26:07

Fine.

unknown 26:08

Keep moving.

SPEAKER_18 26:10

The riders fall back, but their shadows linger behind the carriage, following for a time, then fading into the fog. An hour and a half later, the clouds part and the familiar sights of Clinton appear outside her window. Annie's shoulders finally begin to relax.

SPEAKER_09 26:29

Blast it all. They let the little devils out early.

SPEAKER_04 26:33

I know. I'm happy to see them.

SPEAKER_09 26:35

Dodging mud. Now I have to dodge them brats.

SPEAKER_18 26:40

Kristoff, the driver, ties up his horses at the hitching post.

SPEAKER_09 26:44

Mud to the knees and Loomis's lurkin. Won't be dawdlin' in Clinton today.

SPEAKER_04 26:49

Well, you said I've had some time to things change.

SPEAKER_09 26:52

Just half an hour. Give me a chance to dry out.

SPEAKER_18 26:55

Annie watches as Mr. Slike heads straight for the Clinton House Tavern. I'll have to make the most of my time here.

SPEAKER_03 27:04

Good afternoon, Mrs. Bronson. Well, I'll be if it isn't Annie O'Connor. Back in Clinton, are ya?

SPEAKER_04 27:12

Yes. Just passing through, Mrs. Bronson. I've been working on the family farm since I left Clinton three years ago, but I'm starting this fall at the schoolhouse in Waterville.

SPEAKER_03 27:20

A teacher, you say? Waterville will be better off for it. Mark my words. If only the Loomises would keep their meddling out of town. Thank you, ma'am. Seems no escaping Loomises. Well, I hardly recognized you. Has it been three years since you were at the Institute? They say one of the girls a few years before you, Miss Clara Barton, is in Washington tending the wounded. The Institute truly turns out remarkable young people. I'll take the current issue of the courier, please. Right then. Two cents, please. I do miss seeing you pass by my shop window. Take care now.

SPEAKER_18 27:58

Annie looks south at the Stone Church, where she and her aunt and uncle used to attend on Sundays. She then continues her stroll up West Park Row.

SPEAKER_06 28:06

Miss O'Connor? Pardon? It's me, Elohue, Elohue Roo. You tutored me a few years back. Latin mostly. Cicero. I'm at Hamilton College now.

SPEAKER_04 28:16

Elohue, of course. I seriously didn't recognize you. You were just a boy the last time I saw you, and now look at you, a young man. Seventeen?

SPEAKER_06 28:25

Yes, seventeen. I always knew you'd go far. You were a fine teacher.

SPEAKER_04 28:30

Any teacher would do well with a fine student like you.

SPEAKER_09 28:33

Thank you, Miss O'Connor. Hate to break up this reunion, but time to be moving, miss. Don't like traveling much longer in Loomis Country after dark. Good to see you.

SPEAKER_04 28:43

Yes, nice to see you again, too, Elihu.

SPEAKER_18 28:47

Yeah. Annie's carriage heads south towards Waterville, and she settles in for the three-hour journey. The visit to my school town. It's been comforting for a little while. Rolling hills rise and fall beyond the window. The sun sinking low. The carriage passes farms and fields, jolting along the rudded ground. They pass through Deansville and then open countryside again. Waterville alive with the late-day activity. The light fades as she crosses Sangerfield River, dark water slipping beneath the bridge. Annie recognizes the familiar sweep of her uncle's land, the familiar sounds and dampness of the swamp. The weight settles in once more.

SPEAKER_09 29:29

Whoa! Steady now! What's gotten into you two?

SPEAKER_18 29:34

The horses suddenly become agitated and snort uneasily. At the farm gate, two men are waiting, one upright and untroubled on a groomed horse, as if he has come no distance at all. Beside him, a tall, thin man in gray stands next to his mount, man and horse covered in mud. They wait in silence.

SPEAKER_09 29:56

Ah, Miss O'Connor, were you expecting a welcoming party?

SPEAKER_04 30:01

No, no, I wasn't.

SPEAKER_14 30:08

Next week, episode five. Loomis is at the gate.

SPEAKER_20 30:21

This is Mohawk Valley Soundscape. The blackbirds are back. Mixed flocks, mostly red-winged blackbirds and common grackles, begin returning to the Mohawk Valley with the advent of March. Often their arrival goes unnoticed until a late snowstorm drives them to backyard bird feeders. Then, suddenly, they appear in force, hundreds of birds descending at once. What follows is a wall of sound. Calls and songs overlap into a rising metallic roar, less a chorus than a collision, like a freight train driving through the treetops. Look closely and you'll notice that most of the birds are males with glossy black bodies and flashing crimson and gold shoulder patches. The females, by contrast, are streaked brown, they are sparrow-like and quieter. They are largely absent for now, they'll arrive later, traveling in their own separate flocks. These gatherings reward careful watching. Mixed in among the dominant species, you may find brown headed cowbirds, a regular companion in these early season assemblies. Less common is the rusty blackbird, a subtle bird with pale eyes like a grackle, but smaller, closer in size to the red-winged, and washed in a faint rusty sheen. Rarer still, though always possible, is the yellow-headed blackbird, a western species that occasionally finds its way into eastern flocks. As overwhelming as this moment feels, it is fleeting. Within weeks, the red wings and the grackles will disperse to the region's wetlands and wet meadows to establish territories and begin breeding. The great flocks will dissolve and the feeders will fall quiet once again. For now, though, the valley rings with their return.

SPEAKER_18 32:59

Hope to see you again next week along the Mohawk. Now the band Midweek Fridays will take us out. Be sure to catch them April 4th at Grow Brewing in New Hartford from 7 to 10.

SPEAKER_11 33:10

Come with me as we travel along the Mohawk, sharing the stories of the people and places where we belong.

unknown 33:22

Come with me.