Mohawk Valley Living is a weekly television show that explores the arts, entertainment, culture, and heritage of the greater Mohawk Valley region of New York State. It is broadcast 3 times a week on Utica's NBC affiliate, WKTV. It is owned and produced by Lance and Sharry Whitney and is hosted by actor and playwright, Richard Enders.
Show Producers
Lance Whitney is from the foothills of the Catskills and Sharry Whitney is from the foothills of the Adirondacks, the Tughill Plateau. They met in painting class at Munson Williams Proctor in Utica. They fell in love with the Mohawk Valley and each other.
In the late 1980s Sharry and Lance
assembled fellow college students and local
writers to publish a monthly cultural and
entertainment newspaper called Utica-Rome
Living. The paper highlighted cultural events,
spotlighted local artists and writers (including
a local author named Richard Enders), and
featured interviews with local immigrants who
shared their customs and recipes. This news-
paper would later serve as the blueprint for the
Mohawk Valley Living television show.
Show Host
Richard Enders is well-known for his many
one-man shows and his role as Scrooge in
the annual Players of Utica production. This
multi-talented man has a genuine love of the
Mohawk Valley. He is a great story-teller with
fond memories of growing up in the Corn Hill
section of Utica. He practices law in Clinton
where he lives with his wife.
Adirondack Journal
Gary VanRiper has a love and appreciation
of the Adirondacks and is an Adirondack
"46er," having climbed all of the high peaks
in the Adirondacks. He is an avid bird
photographer and has co-authored a series
of Adirondack children's books with his son,
Justin. www.adirondackkids.com
The Scene Weekly
Mark Werchowski is a veteran of popular
upstate bands NightTrain and Dillinger.
His knowledge of the local music scene is
an asset to the show. Mark is a two-time
ASCAP Popular Song Writing Award
Winner. He teaches guitar in New
Hartford at Big Apple Music. www.werchowski.com
