Friday, May 11, 2007

Friday

I know no more about clouds than I do about cars (see yesterday's "correction!") but, when I was driving down Osborn yesterday afternoon and saw this formation, I thought, "Thunder Heads!" It had been a long time - since last summer! - since I'd seen those!

"Google" provided some confirmation:
Cumulonimbus
An extremely dense and vertically developed cloud, often with a top in the shape of an anvil. The cloud is frequently accompanied by heavy showers, lightning, thunder, and sometimes hail. It is also known as a thunderstorm cloud.

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It's 55.4 degrees this morning and, now that we've had our rain, weekend weather looks fine!

  • Today: Partly sunny with a passing shower. High 76
  • Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 45
  • Saturday: Sunny and pleasant. High 65 Low 42
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 63 Low 43


North Country Lanscapers were here, again, yesterday and - amongst other plantings - put seven "Hop Hornbeams" in the Park.








The blossoms' - or "catkins'" - ressemblance to hops make them especially popular in Hop Country.

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An article in this morning's Observer-Dispatch lists the
dates and details of all area "proms."

Waterville's Junior/Senior Prom: 8 p.m. to midnight May 19 at the White Eagle in Hamilton.

Brookfield went to greater lengths:
Senior Ball: 7 to 11 p.m. May 19 at Blue Flag Restaurant at Union Station; 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Golf Shack; 1:30 to 3 a.m. Colgate Bowling Lanes; 3:30 to 4:30 a.m. breakfast.

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On the WKTV website: "Oneida Co. Executive Pushes to Lower Sales Tax."

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In re: "The Old Mill"

Mabel Bushee, Historian for the Town of Sangerfield, sent this to me yesterday.

"The original three story brick building was constructed in 1868 (her note: I have 1867) by George Putnam. Originally called Putnam Hall, it was designed to accommodate business activities and civic events. The first floor was occupied by the railroad as a ticket office and freight depot. The second floor was subdivided for business offices, and the third floor contained a large hall with a stage. The building was dedicated on November 18, 1868 at a social function attended by several hundred persons. (She added: ' I think there was an article in the Times on this event, if I remember correctly.' I will make a point of trying to find the article.)

Later in the 19th century, the building was taken over by the Buells' Boot & Shoe Manufactory. Buells' had been manufacturing shoes in Waterville since the early 1800's and reportedly Lincoln wore Buell shoes while delivering the Gettysburg address. Tanning took place at another location in the village and Putnam Hall was used for leatherworking and sewing. Buells remained in the he building until 1904.

The 1907 Century Atlas labels the mill as occupied by Oneida Hosiery Company. At this time, the two one-story wood additions had been constructed as separate structures off the north end of the original building.

By 1918, the mill was owned by Waterville Knitting Company. Textile manufacturing continued under Waterville Textile Mills (1922 to 1956) and Waterville Knitting Mills (1956 to 1991).

The three story wood addition on the west side of the original building was constructed in the 1950's. The two story wood addition connecting the original building with the single story structures to the north may have also been completed at this time.

Waterville Knitting Mills produced sweaters. According to Mr. Walter Kogut, the last manager, fabrics were washed with soap and no chemicals were used in the operation.

The new mill building, located just north of the old building, was constructed in 1970. From that time until the operation closed in 1991, the old building was used solely for storage. The building has been unoccupied since 1991."

Thank you, Mabel!