At Home in the Huddle 2

Catching Up!

2009-07-27T05:45:00.011-04:00

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IT'S GARBAGE DAY!

and just 60 degrees.

The WKTV Weather Forecast says it's SUMMER!

"A pleasant start to the work week...with the warmest weather we've seen so far this summer expected mid week.

A cold front will pass through the area today, bringing with it a few showers and thunderstorms early this afternoon. Today will be partly sunny, noticeably less humid, and seasonable with highs near 80. Though we do run that risk of a shower or storm, most of the area will be dry throughout the day and especially by the evening hours as high pressure begins to push in.

Not only will the area of high pressure bring sunshine and drier conditions, it will also bring a big warm up into the region. Tuesday and Wednesday will feature mostly sunny skies and temperatures into the upper 80s. The humidity will be very noticable by Wednesday.

A stronger cold front moves in Wednesday, bringing us relief from the heat. Temperatures near the end of the week will average in the low 80s."

The sign went up on Saturday morning, and when I got there --- at around 10:30 or so --- the parking lot was jammed, the shop looked like the legendary "Filene's Basement" and the corn bins were nearly empty! Yes - I did get some .... and it was Goooood!

(Savicki's first picking last year was on July 15th!)

******************

"Hooray for Hollywood!"

Angie's back, and she sent me this picture taken on the Game Show Channel set with Heidi Bohay, Alfonso Ribero, Bo Griffin and her sister Michelle. Angie won the all-expense-paid three-day trip for two to Hollywood (plus the handsome check!) for entering the winning name for the show's Dalmatian: "Spotticus!"

**********

Another Winner!

CHEYENNE EISENHUT

Cheyenne won second place in the 8 to 10 year old category for her drawing in the Oneida County Youth Bureau’s Sidewalk Art Competition in front of PRATT at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute, Thursday, July 23, 2009, in Utica. Cheyenne qualified for the chalk art finals by winning the local art competition at the Town of Marshall Summer Recreation Program in Deansboro. An estimated 50 youth, ages five to 16 from around the county participated in the event.

Congratulations, Cheyenne!

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This evening at Grace Episcopal Church

***

St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Paris, NY.

St. Paul's is the oldest Episcopal Church in the Syracuse Diocese. The church has worship services every year during the month of August. Sunday Worship Services are at 4:00 pm. On the last Sunday, August 30th, Grace Church, Waterville will host the service in Paris and Bishop "Skip" Adams will preach. All are invited to attend.

Services at Grace Church, Waterville will continue throughout August at the usual time -10:00 am.

***********************

Scott Legacy's getting ready to paint - or stain?

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A Country Garden On Madison Street

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Have you been to the Library lately?

Go and see for yourself!

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Along Country Roads

"Bouncing Bet" or "Soapwort"

Soapwort was brought to this country from Great Britain and Europe because it is an easy to grow herb that contains beneficial saponins which make a gentle and effective cleansing agent as use for laundry and as a natural source for shampoo.

Soapwort originally comes from Europe and the Middle East where its cleansing attributes have been utilized for centuries. The Latin name for soapwort is Saponaria officionalis, the Latin name saponaria is from the Latin word for soap.

All parts of the plant can be used for making a soap-like decoction: however, the roots have the highest concentration of saponin. The Syrians used it for washing wool products while the Swiss used it to bathe their sheep before shearing. Medieval fullers would use soapwort during the finishing process for cloth.

The effectiveness of soapwort for fabrics was recognized by the National Trust in Britain who for decades continued to use soapwort to clean delicate tapestries and linens because most modern detergents were too harsh.

Saponaria officionalis has a long list of common names including bouncing bet, bruisewort, farewell summer, fuller’s herb, joe run by the street, hedge pink, dog’s clove, old maid’s pink, soaproot, and of course, soapwort.

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FOR THE RECORD

I haven't heard anything at all from the gang in Florida since they cross the state line! (I think this mean that they're having too much fun to fiddle with sending telephone photos!)

I'll let you know as soon as I learn anything!

Have a Great Day!

Tuesday

2008-01-01T05:24:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

(It's a link - and so isn't the sunrise! Please click on it!)

Monday

2007-12-31T07:03:00.000-05:00

Garbage Day!

It's 30 degrees and the plows are out!!!

It snowed!

The depth, on my front porch and railings, seems to be about 6",

and looking upward into trees everything's turned to lace!

Monday: Cloudy with light snow. Total snowfall accumulations between 4-7". High: 32
Monday night: Mostly cloudy. Low: 26
Tuesday: Cloudy with snow. Moderate accumulations possible. High: 32, Low: 17
Wednesday: Much colder with a chance for lake effect snow squalls. High: 17, Low: -1

*************

It was chilly, yesterday morning, and pigeons fought for space atop the tower at SouthGate Ministries - the old Presbyterian Church on Main Street - where there must be a warm spot!

I swung through Bouckville, later in the day.

Some of the shops were open, but I didn't see any signs of touristy shoppers.

The pond at Lyons' Mills looked as if there should be skaters!

Barb McNamara sent me this picture of her Grand-puppy. "My daughter Rachel brought her home from Miami to spend Christmas with us. Her name is Lucy and she is an 8month old Havenese. She may be tiny but not a bit afraid of the deeper snow she experienced when she first got here. Definetly a lot of fun to watch." I hope she still here to enjoy the snow, this morning!

**********

First Garbage, then more pix!

Have a Great Day!

Sunday Morning

2007-12-30T07:04:00.000-05:00

31 degrees; no new snow.

Sunday: Thickening clouds, with a chance of steady light snow late and at night. High: 34
Sunday night: Light snow. Accumulations likely. Low: 27
Monday: Cloudy with light snow. High: 32, Low: 26

******************

Parishioners attending the

10:30 Mass at St. Bernard's Catholic Church,

this morning,

will receive a special musical gift presented by a

Brass Ensemble

comprised of both students and graduates of

Waterville Central School.

******************

There's no snow to shovel, so Tom Morgan's Sidewalk Showroom remains open!

Staff at the Waterville Public Library have been watching this: some serious logging taking place on the Eastern edge of what used to be called "Mayer's Woods." Is this simply "logging"? or something else?

Looking West from Daytonville Road.

So many trails; so little snow!

******

Have a Good Day!

Friday

2007-12-28T05:58:00.000-05:00

It's 33.4 degrees. No overnight snowfall.

If this is what you're looking for, you'll have to pack up and drive North!

Today: Some sunshine possible this morning. Clouds thickening by afternoon. Wintry mix will arrive this evening. High: 38
Tonight: Snow and sleet, changing to rain. Low: 35
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with early morning snow showers. High: 40, Low: 27
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. High: 34 Low: 25

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(Click!)

Becky Maggio sent me this poster of pictures that she took at the Kids' Party at the American Legion on the 16th. (Thanks, Becky!)

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I was away for a couple of days and came back yesterday afternoon to find this new addition to St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

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A friend in Maine sent this poem to me on Christmas Day. It was written by "Annie," who has kindly given me permission to share it with you:

‘Twas just weeks before Christmas and at the North Pole,
Santa Claus was outraged by his new proposed role.
For as elves in the workshop were all keeping busy,
Making so many toys it made them all dizzy,
And Santa and Missus were both full of smiles
As they plotted his course for cov’ring the miles,
Suddenly there’d been a knock at the door,
And Santa was soon shocked by what was in store.
For there on the porch stood a man with a letter,
Who said, "I have come to make the world better!"
Handing Santa the letter, he bowed from the waist,
And departed the scene with a great deal of haste.
"Department of P.C."—the return address—
gave Santa a shudder he couldn’t suppress.
But he’d opened it up as he turned from the door,
And the elves, and his Missus, were shocked by his roar!
"Those people are crazy!" was the rotund man’s yell.
"I should have told that guy to go straight to hell!
For listen to what those fool P.C. folks charge:
They think that old Santa is, simply, too large!"
Seems the food-police types, daring not to offend
Wanted him to be part of the slimming-down trend.
"The plump-Santa image most surely should cease,
For an icon like Santa must not be obese!"
"And," the letter went on, "when you laugh, say ‘HEE HEE,’
‘Cause ‘HO HO’ might offend certain ladies, you see.
And, oh, since we know you’re an upstanding type,
Of course, you must also dispense with the pipe."
And it closed with their thanks, as they’re sure he’ll comply
Since everyone knows Santa’s such a nice guy.
Then he, Missus Claus, and the elves had a talk,
And decided ‘twas time that somebody balk,
And doesn’t give in—let the P.C. folks natter.
The children’s opinion is all that should matter!
So Santa sent letters to kids far and wide;
He told them the problem and let them decide.
And then, return mail began to appear,
And Santa and Missus soon grinned ear-to-ear.
For kids ‘round the world wanted him fat and jolly,
With a hearty HO HO, and his old pipe, by golly!
And the P.C. Police, though they grumbled and whined,
Admitted they’d lost and became resigned,
And slunk to their cubicles, where they should be—
For a legend has nothing to do with P.C.!

*******

Also in my mailbox, new photographs by Library Director Jeff Reynolds.

He had spotted these wonderful old buildings on Route 80 East of Sherburne on a cold gray day, made a hasty U-turn and taken several pictures.

The ornamentation on the house certainly is "gingerbread," in the extreme. This must have been an elegant home, a hundred or more years ago. Perhaps a blog-reader knows its history?

***************

Whenever I go away I have the feeling that I'm probably missing all sorts of important or interesting "happenings" that should be recorded either here or in "In Timely Manner" in The Waterville Times. Did I? Please let me know!!

Have a Great Weekend!!!

Wednesday

2007-12-26T05:52:00.000-05:00

Recyclables Day!

It's 22 degrees; no new snow.

Today: Partly cloudy and mild. High: 40
Tonight: Increasing clouds. Low: 24
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain and/or snow showers. High: 38, Low: 25
Friday: Mostly cloudy with light rain showers. High: 40, Low: 30
Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High: 39, Low: 23
Sunday: Mostly cloudy with rain/snow showers. High: 35 Low: 24

If you're itching to get outdoors and feel packed powder beneath your feet, you can check out places where they have it --- for both downhill and X-country skiing - at the I Love NY Tourism site.

Youngsters (of all ages) who have ice skates may even find some of the local farm ponds awfully inviting!

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On Saturday

"Winter Photography"
Rogers Nature Center in Sherburne
10:00 - 1:00

********

Sunday

"Pancake Breakfast"
at the United Methodist Church in Madison
from 7:00 - 11:00
Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, homefries, orange juice & coffee

All you can eat! Adults $5; Children $3.

********************

Here's another activity you might consider. Cindy Gallagher has written with this request:

"I am looking for 2 or 3 retired people who might be interested in being on a phone list that my mother-in-law, Roseann Gallagher, could call for transportation. She has been such a busy lady all her life that she is having trouble being happy without driving. She could pay the person's per hour and mileage to take her places like the stores here in town, shopping and appointments in Utica. (She is not too thrilled with this idea yet, so please contact Paul or me if you're willing to help. Our phone number is 841-3370 or my cell is 415-2295.) This would help us immensely.

**************

I clipped this from the Library website.

I was chatting with Ron and Val Schenk in the Post Office Parking lot, the other morning, and Val bemoaned the fact thaat she must not have won the Morgan's 12-Days of Christmas Raffle because no one had called. Well: she went home and guess what happened! Tom DID call; she DID win! Congratulations!!!

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Sandy Harding wrote that she and Bob spent the week before Christmas celebrating with his sister Elaine Ralls in Prescott, Arizona The reason for the celebration was Catherine Ralls' graduation from Prescott College where she majored in photography. "We attended all the functions associated with the great day and really enjoyed the art show presented by our niece. There was plenty of time to spend with our son James, his wife Lisa and our 4 "out west" grandchildren. It was the closest we have come to spending Christmas with him in the 18 years he has been in Arizona. A great time was had by all."

*******

I'm going to be away for a couple of days and may or may not be able to post anything on the blog. However - I'll make up for it when I come home and will be checking my mailbox for some of YOUR Christmas pictures (72 dpi JPEGS, please!) and stories to share!

Enjoy your vacation!

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T19:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's rain did it: the snow's all but gone and fields are nearly bare.

The alpaca at Rancho Cerritos had a skating rink in their front yard ..........

.......... but villagers were out and around, everywhere. These two - Debby Camp and friend -

weren't just plodding; they were running!

Lights were being hung on a Sanger Avenue tree and, at dusk, they were lovely!

The village - snowless, but lamplit - seemed to be rolling up the sidewalks at 5:00.

But on Putnam Street, the Barneys' and ....

...the Verdons' glowed! If you were to take an evening ride around the community, you might agree that at least eighty - nearly ninety - percent of the residences have some sort of Seasonal Illumination!

"Henny Penny, the Sky is Falling!"

Again. There was a small crisis at St. Bernard's Church, early in the day, when some more pieces of ornamental stonework fell from high on the towers of the building.

Louis C. Langone had his camera in hand and sent these photographs of Fr. Tom consulting with riggers and the lift that carried experts to the tower to assess damage and/or risk.

All must have been well, for, at a few minutes before 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Doug Plourde opened the door to show me that the sanctuary was, indeed, full.

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And now, to all of you ....

(click image)

You probably know how much Dick loved putting "friendship candles" in all of our windows - house AND barn - and so, with him in mind, I drew this picture of the House in the Hollow as a "Thank You" to All of our Grand Friends who have been so good to me this past year. God Bless you All!

And may you have a Bright and Happy Christmas!

PsB

Monday

2007-12-24T05:29:00.000-05:00

It's 27 degrees.

Garbage Day!!

And the same could be said of yesterday's weather - the temperature rose to nearly 50 degrees and then it rained and this is what the field at the corner of Sanger Hill Road and Bogan Road looked like!

Although it's colder this morning, I don't see any new snow or glittery ice. Perhaps we'll see some wintery effects, later on.

Monday: Lake effect snow, especially north of Utica. Some snow could be heavy at times. High: 33
Monday night: Snow showers. Low: 24
Tuesday: Morning flurries, otherwise partly sunny. High: 34, Low: 20
Wednesday: Partly cloudy and mild. High: 42, Low: 24
Thursday: Rain or snow possible. High: 36, Low: 24

*******************
I'll be out and around a bit, today, and will post some more pictures this afternoon.

If you didn't catch yesterday's post, do scroll down to see the photograph of children at the Hanover School!

******

If you're leaving on a trip, drive carefully!
and Everyone - Have a good day!

Sunday - Special!

2007-12-23T06:24:00.001-05:00

Remember to Watch

the High School Choir
and Swing Choir Perform!

On WUTR TV
Sunday, Dec. 23 from 2 - 4pm
Monday, Dec. 24 from 12 - 1pm (Hour 1)
Tuesday, Dec. 25 from 12 - 1pm (Hour 2)

On WFXV:
Sunday, Dec. 23 from 5 - 7pm
Monday, Dec. 24 from 10am - 12pm
Tuesday, Dec. 25 from 10am - 12pm

On WPNY:
Dec. 23 from 8 - 10pm

******

And keep these images in mind:

Doug Cornelius sent this picture of his daughter Marissa and her friend Natalee (and Maxx) sliding, yesterday morning, at the Cornelius' home on Brothertown Road. It was a beautiful Winter morning!

This is what I think Main Street should look like on Christmas Eve, but will it?

Right now the temperature's pushing 45 degrees and I'm beginning to wonder!

****************

Either way, Green or White, here's a special treat - especially for Hanover Folks.

Dan Stricker wanted to make this photograph, taken c. 1924 in front of the Hanover Schoolhouse, available to blog-readers, historians and everyone in Hanover. It was delivered to me by Bill Stricker whom I, unfortunately, was not here to meet. (He was greeted, instead, by Stan Dziekonski, of Clinton, who had stopped by to visit and was shovelling my "messy" sidewalk!)

From left to right - Betty Gibbons (I remember her!), Ed Donally, -?- Rashford, Robert Donelly, Ed Tepolt, -?- Rashford, Bill Stricker, John Stricker, Laura Tepolt, Hedwig Stricker Eisenhut (and I know her!)

He also wrote: "I'm not sure of much but I do know Ed Donelly ran the John Deere dealership in Clinton which was located near Agway. My uncle John passed away in May in Monroe, WI. My aunt Hedwig lives within sight of the Green, next to the farm she and her husband, Ernie, worked for years. You've mentioned her daughters in your blog several times. Esther Swarthout of Interlaken, NY and Shirley Smith of Columbia (?), Missouri. Shirley mentioned May Day flowers on our grandparent's front door. They were Barth and Katrina Stricker and
the house is to the left of the Hanover schoolhouse and is owned by John Eisenhut II. He is the son of Shirley's and Esther's brother, John of Brookfield."

Thank you for that!

*****

And thanks for shovelling, Stan!

Friday

2007-12-21T05:25:00.000-05:00

It's the day of

"The Winter Solstice"

Welcome Yule!

*****************************

It's nearly 19 degrees. No new snow.

Friday: Mostly cloudy. A poke or two of sunshine possible. High in the low 30s.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low in the low 20s.
Saturday: Clouds, some sun and a chance of freezing drizzle overnight. High: 35, Low: 30
Sunday: Any freezing drizzle changing over to all rain. Rain ending as a period of snow after sunset. Breezy. High: 40, Low: 27

***********

Rollerskating at Madison Lake? Hank Gardner remembers, too!

******

Blog-readers seem to be enjoying the Scenic side of Winter.

"The Caves" at Forge Hollow,

maples on Brothertown Road ...

and the historic little law office - schoolhouse on Tower Street.

" Hurry up! Throw another one!"

("Fetch" - with snowballs.)

Snowmobilers rendezvous at Nice 'n Easy in Sangerfield.

More and more decorations: this, at the Mowreys' on Sanger Avenue,

on Babbott Avenue .......

West Bacon Street ......

and at Val & Ron's in Forge Hollow.

*****

But then there's the other side of Winter:

it's not quite as enjoyable!

****************

But the weather will be decent ....

and there's plenty to do:

SATURDAY MORNING BAKE SALE

9 - 12 at Foodking

sponsored by the

BROTHERTOWN MUSIC BOOSTERS

*****

and then .........

Seating's limited, so phone the library at 841-4651 for reservations!

************
On Sunday

December 23rd, from 1 - 3

The Town of Marshall Parks & Recreation
and the Brothertown Association

will sponsor

Christmas at the Depot

on Route 315 in Deansboro.

Santa will be there along with horse and wagon rides and refreshments. Families are welcome to come and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas Celebration.

*************

EVERY DAY!

Make a $50.00 purchase

at Main Street Liquors

and get a

FREE LASER WASH!

(Both you and your car will love it!)

*******

And - I do keep an eye out for news of WCS Sports, and found this in today's O-D:
Waterville 48, Canastota 47
R.J. Baumgarten had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Jessie Bowie added 10 rebounds in Waterville’s CSC Division II win. Anton Motley led Canastota with 18 points.

*********************

Have a great Weekend, Everyone!

Thursday

2007-12-20T05:38:00.000-05:00

A year ago today, the ground was bare and the trucks carrying the first pieces and parts of the Victorian Street Lamps arrived!

Now, it's 32 degrees with a pretty snowfall putting a fresh cover on the foot-deep accumulation that's already on the ground.

The Christmas Trees are all gone!

There's a dandy supply of cordwood, out on Bogan Road ......

... and it looks as if Santa may live there!

In the Village, it's Garbage Day!

E. Main St.

The Garden Club's Lighting Contest Judges will be here later today!

They'll have a hard time choosing winners because there are so many elaborate displays.

Buell Avenue

Madison Street

At the same time, a great many residences bear simple, traditional decorations.

Park Place

Why not take a ride around town, this evening, and see for yourselves just how pretty the village looks!

Thursday: Cloudy with flurries or light freezing drizzle. Little to no accumulation. High around freezing.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low in the mid 20s.
Friday: Decreasing clouds. Becoming partly sunny late. High: 33, Low: 20

************

In the morning mail: two letters about the Post Card that was on yesterday's post showing Madison Lake and the Skating Rink!

Sylvia Person wrote: " I believe it is Madison Lake, between Solsville and Madison a very popular entertainment spot during the twenties,especially Sundays, for picnics and family gatherings.
I grew up on the Solsville-Augusta Rd, one of the daughters of Herman Karlman. In the middle of winter, when the ice was frozen thick, he'd always go to the Lake, with the team of horses and Bob-sleigh, and bring home a load of ice, cut neatly in huge chunks, and store it in the ice house, packed in sawdust. Each summer evening, after milking, he'd pull out a chunk of ice with huge ice tongs, rinse off the sawdust, and put it in the milk vat to cool the cans of milk to be delivered to the station the following morning. My sister Penny & I would always get chips to suck on--imagine ice in the middle of summer--very rare back in those years.
The picture on the left in the photo, is most likely the skating rink where we spent hours rolling staking in our teens, with Muriel McBain at the organ. Also, the Woodhall Boys provided music for square dancing on Saturday nights. These buildings slowly disappeared through the years -- but will always be remembered as a very popular spot."

Brian S. Stone, who used to be a mail carrier here and is now the Postmaster in Smyrna also recognized the scene: " They used to have a skating rink there many years ago. My grandma used to skate there." He also remarked that although he'd seen several post card views of Madison Lake he'd never seen this particular one, before.

Thanks - all of you - for the in-put!

*********************

Have a Great Day!

Wednesday

2007-12-19T06:50:00.000-05:00

It's Recyclables Day!

It's 26 degrees. No precipitation.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with light snow developing in the afternoon. High near freezing.

Wednesday Night: Light snow and flurries. Total accumulation of a trace to a couple inches possible. Low in the mid 20s.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers. High: 30, Low: 21

TODAY

WCS Holiday Concert
7:30.p.m.

TOMORROW

Family Movie Night

Waterville Public Library

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

6:00 p.m.

In the Village, the DPW crews were a work all yesterday plowing and scooping snow from around fire hydrants and lowering snowbanks.

Out in the country, it's just Wintertime Peaceful.

The "Polar Bear Club?" This group of mallard ducks made a unified march to the water, circled around once, hastily, and ran back to the "beach!"

Inside at "Michael's," where it was nice and cozy, The Waterville Times' Annual Christmas Tea was taking place. In the background, former Times owner Martin F. Cleary talks with Post Master Maureen Wratten and current owner Patricia Louise and friend Cathy Murphy while Harding Nursing Home's Katie Landers waits for Correspondent Walter Lee to say "Goodbye" to Dot McConnell.

Kristi and Kim relaxed ..........

Marshall Historian Dot McConnell and Stockwell Correspondent Dottie Ruane chatted with Oneida County Legislator E. Carter Stephenson and his wife, Joan.

**********

In Yesterday's Mail.

This will stir some memories! A reader sent this scan of a postcard to me, saying,

"It was made out and addressed but never mailed, no date but the sender (my Grandpa) did say he had to cut ice there tomorrow, and he referred to it as a skating rink."

And I told him that I thought other blog-readers would have some things to tell about the roller-skating rink that must have been in one of these buildings.

************

It's getting a little frantic, isn't it?

But it's FUN!!

Tuesday

2007-12-18T05:35:00.000-05:00

21.6 degrees, and there's no precipitation right now.

The world seems to be back on schedule,
and I've found no announcements of
cancellations or closings.

********

THE WCS HOLIDAY CONCERT

has been re-re-scheduled for

7:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY

*****

Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a few flurries. High: 30
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. 23
Wednesday: Chance of snow showers. High: 32, Low: 23
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Chance of a snow shower. High: 30, Low: 18

***********

Yesterday morning.

But Sangerfield had our streets plowed ........

......... and the sidewalks (all fifteen or so miles of them) were cleared early in the morning.

Out in the country, the wind had whipped up the first drifts .......

......... and snomobilers lost no time taking to the trails.

In the Park, there were only three Christmas Trees left!

There's no end to bright decorations!

*******

Remember: Lighting displays will be judged after dark on Thursday!

Starting tomorrow,
Nancy Ayala will be playing the Masonic Temple Bells at about 5:30 every afternoon until Christmas and again on Christmas morning.

(A good place to hear the bells without interference from passing traffic is in the Firemen's Field parking lot - OR - up in the tower, with Nancy!
Phone her ahead of time if you want to go.)

**********

This story of the bells has been printed several times, but - if you're new to Waterville or the blog - here it is, again:

I met Gerald Coggeshall in 1971, at the time of the Village's Centennial Celebration. He was a little gnome of a man, descendant of illustrious ancestors, who had lived in Waterville all his life. I don't know how many years he had been playing the bells, but it was probably something in the neighborhood of fifty, and he did so without music and with never so much as a frown on his face.

The way he told the story of the bells was fun, memorable and only slightly inventive! Stephen Gates (an historian who was also a chime afficianado and could play using a regular hymnal) complained bitterly that it was inaccurate and no way to record history, -------however ---- here it is!

Once upon a time a rich man named Ruben Tower decided to build himself a house across the street and, therefore, away from his parents’ home! And wanting to make sure that everyone knew that this new building was HIS house, he decided to put a tower on the front of it.

He knew, right away, that there should be a large clock in that tower, one that had a bell that would sound the hours, and so he wrote to the Seth Thomas Clock Company and asked them to make him a suitable clock.

“Of course, Mr. Tower. We’ll be glad to design an appropriate clock for your home, with visible faces that may be seen by all around the village. May we take the liberty of suggesting that a Mr. Meneely, of Troy, New York, be engaged to cast just the right bell so that it may be heard across the land when it strikes out each hour?”

Tower thought this was a dandy suggestion, and wrote straight ‘way to Mr. Meneely asking for a perfect bell.

Mr. Meneely not only knew his metels, he knew his money as well, and said to Mr. Tower,

“Why, sir - with such a magnificent clockworks one really should have four bells so that a tuneful chime such as that heard at Westminster Cathedral in London may likewise signify each quarter-hour in Waterville.”

Mr. Tower thought it anther marvelous idea and so, bit by bit, the tower rose; the clock faces appeared* and - finally - four enormous bells were lifted to the topmost canopy of the tower. His dream was complete!

Only to one such as Mr. Meneely would it occur that there was still a potential profit to be seen:

“It has occurred to me, Mr. Tower, that you now have four bells and that number is, of course, just one half of a full scale of notes! It would be so easy for us to cast the remaining bells - don’t you see? - and then entire tunes could be played and enjoyed throughout the community.”

Another chord was struck -- Mr. Tower agreed with the proposal (which actually included 5 more bells) and so we have it that in mid-July, 1889, the day after Mr. Meneely left, Miss Flora Garvey came by train from Utica and played the “chime” for the very first time.

*The Seth Thomas clockworks were actually installed a few weeks after the chimes were complete.

****************

Have a Great Day!

Monday morning

2007-12-17T06:56:00.001-05:00

14.4 degrees.

It's not snowing right now, but it certainly snowed during the night. And it blew, too!

SCHOOL's CLOSED

The WCS Winter Concert is no longer listed on the school website.

WKTV is indicating that
Rt. 12 between New Hartford and Waterville is still
CLOSED
and the amount of traffic on Rt. 315 bears that out.

The O-D has a n up-to-date listing of School Closings.

Today: Snow showers becoming more widely scattered and lighter. Continued windy with areas of blowing snow in open areas. Accumulations of a coating to an inch in a few spots. High: 22

Tonight: A few snow showers. Perhaps an additional coating to an inch or two, with isolated locally higher amounts, especially south and west of Utica. Low 13.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a few flurries. High: 27, Low: 18.

It's still too dark for me to take any pictures or really see the "snow stake."

*******************

This nice photo was in my morning mail:

"Jim and Debbie Beha of Marcy, along with Boy Scout Troop 79, recently held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Marcy's newest Eagle Scout, Ryan Beha, son of Jim and Debbie, and Grandson of Joseph and Leonie Beha of Waterville, They are pictured, along with several Cousins, Aunts and Uncles who attended. "

**********

Check back later!

Early Sunday

2007-12-16T07:17:00.000-05:00

It's 15.6 degrees.

We had three or four inches of snow, during the night. It began sleeting at around 4:30 and I can still hear it clicking on the windows.

A notice on the WKTV website:

As of 5:00 A.M.

Route 12 is CLOSED

South of Summit Rd. in Paris.

Current conditions

And then the WIND will start!

********

Also Of Interest:

THE ANNUAL

CHRISTMAS LIGHTING JUDGING

will take place on Thursday
(presumably after dark.)

I need to take a nightime photo of the Verdon residence on Putnam Street. Their lighting is all computer controlled!

*******************

Our loss is Disney's gain!

If I'd known earlier, I'd have told all of you that there was going to be a Special Gathering at ECCO Video, yesterday afternoon, to say "Goodbye!" to Gene Owen (r.) and "Welcome!" to the store's new owner, Jack Giedraitis (l.) After 23 years at ECCO, Gene is leaving to do something that he's "always wanted to do!" - go to work in "The Magic Kingdom" at Disneyworld!

(That's "work"?)

But he promises to keep in touch with us: he's got the blog saved as a favorite on his laptop and will be commenting on our weather - and his - I'm sure!

**************

When I was last at the Park, around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, there were only about two-dozen Christmas Trees left.

*******

There were several Watervillians in the SRO audience at the Kirkland Art Center, later yesterday afternoon, for a performance of the medieval nativity play, "The Second Shepherd's Play," presented by Tapestry, the All-centuries Singers, of Clinton and the Grasse River Players of Canton. And what fun it was, complete with delicious warm wassail, servings of "boar's head," an assortment of Figgy Pudding cake and - as always - fine choral music !!!

************

Have a good, safe day!

Friday

2007-12-14T05:23:00.000-05:00

It's 32.7 degrees.

I don't think that we had more than an inch or two of snow, overnight, but Kevin's already out with the sidewalk plow.

An article in this morning's Observer-Dispatch tells readers not to plan on going anywhere at all on Sunday! The writer must have gotten his/her information from WKTV.

Friday: A few snow showers, especially north of Utica. Otherwise, breezy with clouds and some sun. High in the mid 30s.
Friday night: Chance of a few snow showers early, otherwise partly cloudy and chilly. Low in the upper single digits to low teens.
Saturday: Sun and clouds to start. Increasing clouds in the afternoon. High: 22, Low: 10
Saturday Night: Snow arriving after 8 PM or so. Snow will become heavy at times after midnight. Significant accumulation possible toward morning.
Sunday: Heavy snow likely with significant accumulation likely. Windy with near blizzard conditions at times. High: 16, Low: 12

***********

During yesterday's storm.
A "courageous courier" - in shirtsleeves, no less!

I was reminded of the old "neither rain nor sleet nor dark of night," which I thought was the motto of the United State Postal Service. But when I "Googled" that phrase, this morning, this is what I found:
"Many of us have heard the postal carriers' motto in one form or another. One popular version is 'Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds'.
The original saying was actually 'Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds' and was said about 2500 years ago by the Greek historian, Herodotus. He said this adage during the war between the Greeks and Persians about 500 B.C. in reference to the Persian mounted postal couriers whom he observed and held in high esteem.

Today many people believe this saying to be the U.S. Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) motto, but, in fact, is not their official slogan. According to the U.S.P.S. they have no slogan at all. The reason it has become identified with the U.S.P.S. is because back in 1896-97 when the New York City General Post Office was being designed, Mitchell Kendal, an employee for the architectural firm, McKim, Mead and White, came up with the idea of engraving Herodotus' saying all around the outside of the building.

The inscription was supplied by William Mitchell Kendall of the firm of McKim, Mead & White, the architects who designed the Farley Building and the original Pennsylvania Station in the same Beaux Arts style. Kendall said the sentence appears in the works of Herodotus and describes the expedition of the Greeks against the Persians under Cyrus, about 500 B.C. The Persians operated a system of mounted postal couriers, and the sentence describes the fidelity with which their work was done."

From that time on the saying has been associated with U.S. postal carriers.

(Source: Bob Cannon, Public Affairs and Communications Officer for the U.S. Postal Service in Boston, MA.)

**********************

More pix as things happen!

Have a good weekend, everyone!

thursday Add-on

2007-12-13T13:00:00.000-05:00

Now we're back in working order!

I had E-mail this morning from Jody Hildreth, who wrote: "I found some Pine Grosbeaks over in Sauquoit today."

"I put together a photopage at: PINE GROSBEAKS. Look for them around fruiting trees - especially crabapple trees. You can tell if they have been visiting by lookin under the tress. The Pine Grosbeak rips the flesh of the fruit apart only to eat the seeds inside. The fleshy fruit gets discarded on the ground. So, a tree with lots of small pieces of fruit undoubtedly has Pine Grosbeaks."

A blog-reader sent this to me saying that he prefers the New York State style of Tree Decoration more than that of Florida!

*********

Here are some pictures that I took, yesterday.
It was a "tree" day, for sure!

And the effect was grand! Apparently the wind had been blowing from the NW and the trunks of trees at Hanover Green all wore white stripes.

These trees, on the S. side of Route 20 W of Pleasant Valley Road, mark the Buckley Burying Ground. There are several stones there, but the only now readable is that of Ezra Buckley who died in October of 1843 at the age of 71 years.

The ancient Elm on Madison Street.

********************

But today it all looks different; it's snowing hard!

Click here for WIBX CANCELLATIONS

Even more at the Observer-Dispatch

where I found listed the

Sr. Winter Concert

- postponed until Monday at 7:30 P.M.

***************

At the corner of Barton and Putnam.

Barb was out on her regular walk, loving the snow.

Now here's a problem - or two: asked by more than a few villagers to "do something" about this, I parked at the top of Buell Avenue and, while waiting for the light to turn green, I turned on my camera. I had intended to take a picture of the bright lights in Dollar General's window - the lights that are driving drivers crazy after dark, blinding them so that they can't see the traffic signal - but saw another problem, as well: cars parked willy-nilly in front of the store and using the (traditional) entrance to leave the parking lot. This pedestrian had a merry time of it, zig-zagging back and forth between cars just to reach the sidewalk safely! Getting across Main Street presented another challenge - again, because of cars exiting the Green Acres parking lot the "wrong" way.

We seem to have signs for everything else: could another pair saying "NO EXIT" and "ENTRANCE ONLY" be that hard to acquire?

*******************

The Red-bellied Woodpeckers are here!

Thursday: Blogspot Malfunction! Sorry!

2007-12-13T06:16:00.001-05:00

It 20.5 degrees - no precipitation.

DO check weather forecasts: we're in for more snow, today!

GARBAGE DAY!

And that's all I can tell you, because Blogspot refuses to do any more than this, right now!

I'll do an Add-on, later, if I can.

You have a good day!

Wednesday

2007-12-12T05:37:00.001-05:00

33.8 degrees.

The road is wet and a few flakes of snow are falling.

It's Recyclables Day!

Wednesday: Morning snow and sleet tapering off to flurries and scattered snow showers. Light accumulation possible. High in the mid 30s.
Wednesday night: Clear early, but clouds increasing late. Low in the single digits to near 10 degrees.
Thursday: Snow developing. Snow could be heavy at times south of Utica. Some accumulation likely. High: 27, Low: 25

*****************

The weather yesterday afternoon turned quite nasty - freezing rain.

I'd been to Utica, and only took one picture - this, on Lombard Road - before deciding to put my new car back in the driveway, out of harm's way!

*************

Becky Maggio has sent me this poster of a Legion Event and public Bake Sale.........

***********

..... and Michelle, at Dollar General, asked me to remind you that

will hold a

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Saturday, December 15th

************

Bridgett Welsh sent these photographs to me.

Some beef cattle at Lowery's Money Pit Farm look a little perplexed ....

they have a new neighbor!

Thanks, Bridgett!

**********

Would you like to see more pictures of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Newcastle, Maine? Byron Stuhlman has sent me this link to the church's website: it's lovely!

****************

Beginning tonight, the RCIL Wonderland of Lights at Acacia Village will be lit every night.

And Mark sent another view of Christmas in Florida.

*****

Still Shopping?

Looking for a gift for Someone Who has Everything?

Consider making a donation to

THE MEMORIAL BANDSTAND FUND

in their name!

They'll get a handsome Thank You Card and Souvenir Lapel Pin and you'll both feel good!

Every little bit helps!

(Click image!)

****************************************

Have a GOOD DAY!

Tuesday

2007-12-11T05:26:00.000-05:00

25.9 degrees - no precipitation of any kind, at the moment.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Snow, sleet or freezing rain developing after Noon. Coating to an inch of slush possible. High near 35 late.
Tuesday Night: Snow, sleet or freezing rain gradually mixing with and changing over to plain rain from southwest to northeast. Adirondacks will remain an icy mix, with a coating to 3" possible. Low in the low 30s.
Wednesday: Lingering light snow or sleet in the morning. Then, mostly cloudy. High: 33, Low: 12

**************

Does anyone know when the Gareden Club's Lighting Contest will take place?

I know that it's difficult to coordinate out-of-town judges, all of whose schedules are no doubt as busy as ours. And then there's the weather to think about!

Whoever they are, and whenever they come to Waterville, they'll have a hard time choosing winners!

On Sanger Avenue

Osborn Avenue.

It appears that many families decorate the outside of their homes first, and then the inside.

There goes another tree!

There really aren't that many left. Don't miss out!

Don't forget to stop in at Morgan's for your raffle tickets!

And here's another date to circle on your calendars:

December 23rd, from 1 - 3

The Town of Marshall Parks & Recreation
and the Brothertown Association

will sponsor

Christmas at the Depot

on Route 315 in Deansboro.

Santa will be there along with horse and wagon rides and refreshments. Families are welcome to come and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas Celebration.

**************

I had a note from Nancy Ayala, yesterday. (She's the one who has been playing the bells in the tower of the Masonic Temple every Sunday for over a year, now!) She wrote,

"I want to give credit to Anna Williams, 7th grader at WCS, for her assistance playing carols yesterday on the bells. She did very well for her first time."

Thank You Both!

***********

And here it is: the new Blog Car!

I hated, terribly, to part with my Subaru, but I really wanted OnStar and the two just don't go together now, so ..................

Even I don't know if I'll recognize it in a parking lot!

******

The eyelids? Well -- whereas my field of vision is wonderfully improved and the purplish bruising has faded a great deal, I'm still staying pretty-much out of public view because I'm now going through the yellowish stage - and puffy - and even MY sunglasses aren't large enough to hide behind! Another week should do it!

Monday

2007-12-10T05:38:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

27.5 degrees.

There's just a bit of new snow and, although I've heard snowplows, there doesn't seem to be anything slowing down traffic on Rt. 315!

Monday: Cloudy with leftover snow or sleet. Total accumulations of 1-3". High: 34

Monday night: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low: 23
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow showers. High: 35, Low: 27

I ventured out for a ride, yesterday afternoon ....

... and found that some snowmobilers had been out riding, too!

A few mallards were making the most of the small patch of open water on the pond at the foot of Grant Hill.

The Gray residence, in "Dicksville," is elegantly decorated!

And the big new barn at the Gallagher Farm, there, is coming along.

************

From the Gallagher Farm in Sangerfield came this nice long - and interesting - E-letter!

"The well system everyone saw being put in behind our barns is now working to provide water to the youngstock in an easier manner. Many thanks to Dick Barnes and Jim Belfield ( and my husband paul) for putting in many hours in cold snowy weather to finish the job! Also, the Blue Team from Memorial Park visited in the fall. They named a Holstein calf that was born shortly before their arrival. The name they chose is Lynn.
They will be following Lynn's growth and progress here on the farm. Last year they named Ginger who is now a "yearling" and who will become pregnant shortly. She was in the last "snowy picture." on the blog.

A hot topic in the farming community at this time is the "labeling" and marketing of dairy products. Many processors have changed their labels to say things like: "BST Free" , No Antibiotics!", No artificial Growth Hormones.". Did you know that no antibiotics are in any dairy products being marketed? If we have to treat a cow, her milk is discarded until it tests free of all antibiotic residue. All milk that is picked up at the farms is tested throughout the processing track many times for antibiotics, bacteria and other quality indicators. So all dairy products you purchase are free of antibiotics.

The same goes for hormones in the milk. All cows naturally have hormones in their body systems. Cows that may receive BST shots- their milk tests the same as cows that do not recieve the shots. ( Just for your info- we don't happen to utilize BST as a tool here.) There is no known test to tell if a farmer even has used them. So when you pay more for this milk in the store, there is no difference from the other milk which does not make these claims. The only peopel really benefiting from the often higher prices charged for dairy products making these claims happens to be the processors. At one meeting in Pennsylvania, a farmer held up a gallon of milk priced at 2.99/gallon and another making such claims prices at 4.35/gallon and pointed out that the farmer is not getting the benefit of the price mark-up. The consumer is being misled as well. Anyone with questions can email me - PGallagher@twcny.rr.com - I will be happy to talk with you further."

**********

John Brouillette sent this photograph of some old Opera House posters he uncovered on the third floor of "The Wheeler Block" on Main Street. (The building had originally had only two stories - the third one added sometime between 1870 and 1874*. The Wheelers were (I believe) brothers who operated a grocery store in one half of the building and dry goods company in the other.

* The first place that I go, for information about buildings in the Historic Triangle District, is to the "Centennial Book" that was published in 1971. These books are hard to find, so my husband - a year or so ago - scanned one of the originals. I have a few bound copies and can also put the file on CDs - I think.

*************

I knew it would work!

Less than an hour after I'd posted the blog, yesterday morning, I had E-mail from Byron Stuhlman giving me his new E-address! I won't post it here, but - if you want to write to him - I'll be glad to forward E-mail to him in Maine.

*****

I'll be out and around more, today, so there will be more pictures tomorrow!

Have a good one!

Sunday

2007-12-09T07:28:00.000-05:00

25 degrees, with just the teeniest bit of new snow.

And this is the teeniest bit of a blog post! I just wanted to let you know that:

1. Mohawk Valley Living's Roadtrip to North Brookfield, seen on WKTV last weekend, is now on YouTube. Enjoy!

2. Here's a WCS Girls' Varsity Basketball update left over from Wednesday's O-D.

3. - and to make a special request: Byron, Jean and I are receiving your E-mail from Maine just fine, but we cannot reply! (Dreamscape sends our mail back to us, claiming that the "user" is "unknown," and we know that's just not so!) Do you have a NEW server? and/or a new E-mail address?

*************

It seems that most people know about using bags of frozen vegetables as "ice packs," but try freezing a Baggie of uncooked rice: that's the best! (Thanks, Allison!)

Have a good day!!

Saturday

2007-12-08T06:26:00.000-05:00

It's 30 degrees; no precipitation, and the road is bare.

**********

I don't usually do a Saturday blog post, but I just HAVE to, today, to say

"Welcome!"

to a very special friend who, I learned yesterday, has just acquired a computer for the specific purpose of following the "Huddle Blog that everyone keeps talking about!!!" (And I bet she'll be sending us E-mail in no time at all!)

********

Speaking of the weather ...........

Six months ago, fields were gold with wild mustard; roadsides filled with Dame's Rocket, and paving was in progress on Route 315.

Yes: we did have snow before Christmas, last year. This picture was taken just a year ago. The only difference between it and one taken today would be that there are no lamp posts in the earlier shot. The "blog," that day, said that the posts were supposed to be shipped from the West Coast, then!

Speaking of lamp posts ............

Mark sent this picture from Ft. Myers, Florida ..........

............ and this "Christmas Tree" at the Thomas Edison historic site.

(That, in a way, is a reminder to get your Christmas Tree right here in Waterville at the Masons' Sale in the Park!)

*******************

Today is Anna Rae Martin's big day: she and her dad, Ray, will compete in the Toyota 5th Grader Challenge. (Questions that Anna Rae has already answered include, "What is the Chinese method of using needles to stop pain?" "What is the name of the black woman who refused to go to the back of the bus?" "Where are the pyramids?") You can see the audition tape HERE!

Have you noticed that there's almost always something going on at the Waterville Public Library? Today it's Crafts and on Thursday evening it's Family Movie Night, featuring "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

I searched this morning's news for WCS Basketball scores but didn't find any. I did, however, come across an article about Erin Hamlin of Remsen - a young lady whose name we should all know!

*****************

Thank You for asking, but No! I shall NOT post a photo of my eyelids!!!

I will, however, let you read this perfect little poem, written for me by Shirley Bynum Smith - Hedwig Eisenhut's daughter.

Uplifted

Mirror, mirror, what I see,
Looks like Stallone and not like me,
Though what I expected
Was raccoon-connected.

When my lids are unsealed
And the newness revealed,
I fully suppose
When I look past my nose

I’ll see more that is worthy
And honest and mirthy
Than ever I saw through narrow eyes--
I’ll call it a Glimpse of Paradise.

*********************

Thank you, Shirley!

*******

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Friday

2007-12-07T07:14:00.000-05:00

It's 19.8 degrees.

Today: Thickening clouds with light snow after Noon. Accumulation range from a trace to 3", with the higher amounts primarily north of Utica. High near 32.
Tonight: Snow ending, with limited lake effect snows possible, especially north of Utica. Low in the mid 20s.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a period of snow showers possible in the afternoon or evening. High: 35, Low: 8
Sunday: Cloudy with light snow arriving. High: 25, Low: 22

********

Sorry - I overslept!

And then I began reading and answering E-mail and now it's very LATE!

**********

How are my eyes?

I look like Rocky Balboa's grandmother!!

*****

More when I get caught up!

Thursday morning

2007-12-06T06:11:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day

My digital indoor-outdoor thermometer tells me it's 8.1 degrees and the sound of snowplows passing the house every few minutes says that it's either been snowing or blowing or both!

BRrrrr!

There seems to be more traffic than usual on Route 315 - perhaps Route 12 is Closed (even tho the NYSDOT Map dosn't indicate it) or drivers just think that it should be!

**************************

Just quick eyelid update: surgery was only minimally uncomfortable and thanks to Ron & Margaret Bornick I was back home in the Hollow soon after 3:00 p.m. I've had almost no physical discomfort but am frustrated, this morning, by bandages that are holding my upper eyelids in a mostly "closed" position and although my vision is CLEAR, I'm looking through tiny very tiny openings! I'll be able to take the bandages off this afternoon ---- perhaps there'll be a better post then... at least photos out the kitchen windows, etc. Great Thanks for all of your notes and letters of encouragement and - even - amazement!

Wed. a.m.

2007-12-05T06:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Hannukah!

*************

It's 21.7 degrees and

Recyclables Day!

Just a quick look forward ..........

Wednesday: Cloudy with occasional light snow or flurries. Light accumulation possible. High in the mid 20s.
Wednesday night: Scattered snow showers, flurries or squalls. Low in the mid teens.
Thursday: Sun and clouds with scattered snow showers. High: 29, Low: 18

........ and a look back.

Yes, it snowed!

Eric Iverson had asked for a picture of the center of the village with new snow, but somehow I don't think it's as picturesque as he - and I - would have liked it to be!

Photoshop to the rescue!

Mr. Hudson, however, had done his own decorating and wrapped garlands with mini-lights along the front railing.

There was simple Winter scenery out on Lomard Road .....

and on Gridley-Paige Road

in a field right next to the waterfall.

****************

This bright spot came from Jeff Reynolds, at the Library!

Limited Seating - Free tickets available at the Library.

Call the Library at 841-4651 to reserve your tickets now.

*********

It's one of those wonderful old black and white films -

"They don't make 'em like that any more!"

*****

Have a Great Day, Everyone!

Tuesday morning

2007-12-04T05:33:00.001-05:00

It's 18.1 degrees and it isn't snowing here in the Hollow.

Here's the link to WKTV's list of Closings.
So far - at 6:20 - Waterville's not on it.

There's a fresh powdering on the yew and euonymus next to the front door .........

............but, despite lots of blowing and media buildup, the "snow stake" (see red arrow) seems to show a total depth of six inches or less.

Tuesday: Lake effect snow, especially south of Utica. Additional accumulations of a trace to 4" possible in the hills south of Utica, with an isolated higher amount. Wind beginning to subside a bit. High: 27
Tuesday night: Flurries and snow showers. A squall or two possible. Low: 18
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with flurries. Perhaps some light snow south of Route 20. High: 28, Low: 14

************

On Main Street, yesterday. There's definitely something happening!

*********

There are several eye-catching decorations on Madison Street.

**********

Mark sent these from Ft. Myers!

(Thank You!)

***************************

And a note from me: tomorrow's a big day! I'm having my eyelids "lifted!" It's not a huge procedure, so rumors of major surgery, heart attacks and strokes can be ignored! I will, however, look like a racoon (black eyes) for quite a while, so I'll be keeping a very low profile around town and may even be seen wearing huge sunglasses on the cloudiest of days! Blog postings may be a bit sporadic, but if blog-readers send me information and JPEGS I'll post them right away!

BEFORE

********************

AFTER?

Monday

2007-12-03T06:19:00.000-05:00

It's 34.3 degrees.

I stepped out onto the front porch too see if it crunched: no - it's just very, very wet snow!

Garbage Day!

Village Board Meeting
this evening at 7:00
at the Municipal Hall

Waterville Central School is OPEN, but several schools have an hour or so delay and three, North of the Thruway, are closed. There's a good list on the front page of the O-D.

Here we go, again!

Today: Freezing rain, sleet and rain turning to snow showers and flurries. Additional accumulation of a trace to 2". Temperatures near freezing for the morning rush hour...falling to the mid 20's by dinner time.
Tonight: Snow showers. Accumulations of 2"-4" most spots...except a few locales may see isolated 4"-6" amounts by morning in the most persistent squalls south and west of Utica and Rome. Low in the teens.
Tomorrow: Snow showers. High in the 20's.
Wednesday : Snow showers. High in the 20's.

Out at the Baumgarten residence on Madison Street, she whips up beautiful wreaths;

he whips the snow - everybody's happy!

What a ride THAT would be!

******

I set out, yesterday afternoon, to take some pictures of snow - entertainment for our friends in Florida and Texas - and stopped to take a picture of the lichen on this maple tree on Tower Street. I wonder how old the tree is: was it planted by the Putnams?

Directly across the road from the elegant old home is an equally elegant new home - that of Mr. and Mrs. John Pumilia.

*******************

And it must have been at that point that it began first to sleet and then rain and, with the temperature at 26 degrees, it didn't remain liquid very long and I decided to head home!

Not only can the hill on Buell Avenue or Rt. 315 be tricky (as was demonstrated by someone who "lost it, " on Saturday morning, and took a detour through some of my front hedge and yard !) but the driveway to the big old barn was "improved" by the D.O.T. during last Summer's resurfacing of the highway in such a manner that it requires some extra foresight and caution. Should you come to visit and have only two-wheel ( front-wheel) drive, you'll find it easier to get OUT if you back your car IN. Gene Huggins and his Saturn demonstrated that!

**********************

WKTV's weather radar doesn't seem to be functioning correctly, this morning, but here's a link to the Weather Underground's Animated map of the area! Enjoy!

Sunday

2007-12-02T09:18:00.000-05:00

15.8 degrees. No snow right at the moment. You don't need the weather report, do you? It's COLD! and there's a grand Wint'ry variety in the forecast!

"Mark" sent this from Ft. Meyers, Florida. He took the picture when he went for his walk, yesterday morning!

****

And if THAT doesn't help warm you up ......

Charlotte

......... this surely will!

*****

I know that you're really waiting for pictures of either

SNOW GEESE

or

THE TEA!

But first:

They're here!

About 250 Christmas Trees arrived in the Park, yesterday morning, and in no time at all the Masons' Annual Christmas Tree Sale was in progress! Don't miss out: the trees will go fast!

**********************

The Star of this morning's "Mohawk Valley Living" - along with Richard Enders - was Elizabeth "Perk" Stalter and all of North Brookfield! If you didn't see the show, you can go to MVL's website and click to view a few shorts. Also - watch for it on YouTube!

*************

And keep watching the sky: the Snow Geese are still in the area. Waterville-born ornithologist Gene Huggins came from Syracuse, yesterday, just to see the spectacle. He found the flock feeding in the corn field across from the old Mayflower Motel and he set about counting them, systematically, corn stubble row by corn stubble row ---- and then he gave up! He told me that he estimated between three and four THOUSAND geese - something that neither he nor anyone around the village had ever seen, before! To a great many of us, their visit has been an especially wonderful Christmas Gift.

Yesterday afternoon, with only a few Canada Geese on what remains open water on the pond behind the Moons', most of the flock seemed to be aiming for Ray Ireland's "reservoir."

I started up Tyler Road, but finding more packed snow and ice than pavement, turned around in the driveway of the old "Tyler Barn" where I saw this view ..................

The hills to the East of the Village glowed in the afternoon sun.
(If you click on the image to enlarge it, I think you'll be able to pick out a few buildings on Canning Factory Road.)

***************

No one knew what the "theme" of the Historical Society's Fifth Annual Victorian Tea was going to be: the first clue was the aprons -- "just like my grandmother wore!"

Guests Sandy and Sharon (or Sharon and Sandy?) are members of the Westmoreland Historical Society, great friends and experts when it comes to doing things in the kitchen "the old way." They had marvelous collection of "time-saving" implements - from cheese and nutmeg graters to jar openers to egg beaters and flat-irons to cherry pitters and more and more! Most of the younger ladies in the audience wondered, "How did they DO that?!" (thinking of salads in a bag and "carry-out") while quite a few of the older women not only knew "what" and "how" (ask Calli Hudson how butter paddles work!) but one lady - seeing some sort of a cream-whipping device - proudly declared: "I still have it!" (Do you really use it, Helen?) But the program came after ...........

(Stanley Sambora, Lou Langone and Joe Falk)

... the Historical Caroleers (or Choraleers, during the rest of the year) entertained ......

(Calli Hudson and Mary Jane Toussaint talk with two other guests and the speakers, Sharon and Sandy - or Sandy and Sharon.)

.........the ladies chatted ........

Lois Lloyd and her daughter, Wendy, chatted with Katie Landers, while at the farther table Roseann Gallagher was with Anne Sally, Carol Tower, Mary Lou Von Matt and Marie Hillary as well as another whose back I didn't recognize.)

.......... and the proper three-course "Tea" was served."

In the background, Helen Tonetti and Paula Gray sat with June Richmond, Charlotte Parks, Doris Stephan and Elaine Cowen. At the table in the foreground I recognized only Sandy Harding, Sandy Martin and Candy Doyle (who had her back to me.)

**********************

Enjoy your day!

Friday Add-on!

2007-11-30T15:31:00.001-05:00

They're Back!

It would take a very wide-angle lens - or a panoramic camera - to show you just how large this pond is, behind the Moon Residence on Madison Street, but it's not small, and there's no room left!

Some geese have even had to spread out onto the far shore, and are camping in the reeds and woods.

Of all of the people that I've spoken with over the past few days, including three real naturalists, this is a "first."

(The Moons are glad to have people come and see the spectacle, but it's probably a good idea to leave your vehicle near the edge of the road and walk quietly back toward the pond.)

***************

The front porch of artist Pamela Brown's home, just behind Foodking on Babbott Avenue, is lovely during the daytime and twice as nice at night!

You won't need to go to New Hartford or Utica. This is just one of four Christmas Rooms at Alcotts!

*****************************

Friday

2007-11-30T05:53:00.000-05:00

It's 25.5 degrees.

Today: Lake effect snow showers this morning, gradually lifting north toward the St. Lawrence Valley throughout the morning and early afternoon. Sun/Clouds and cold otherwise. High in the mid to upper 30s.
Tonight: Snow redeveloping. 1"-2" possible for the Mohawk Valley, with locally heavier amounts to the north and west.
Saturday: Morning snow squalls. Afternoon clearing. High: 26, Low: 10
Sunday: Thickening clouds with snow developing. High: 29, Low: 28

*************

TONIGHT at 7:30

it's the Optimist Club's Annual

TALENT SHOW!

All proceeds will benefit the Abby Fund.

Adults: $5 Students: $3 Children under 5: Free.

****************************

Yesterday's forecast included a prediction of "Lake Effect" snow for "Northern Oneida County." I was driving Northward over Paris Hill at around 1:30, and the sky was as dark as could be: if it had been July, I'd have thought we were in for a really good thunderstorm!

But at 4:45, after sitting in a waitingroom for two hours and seeing a doctor (routine visit) for two minutes, the sky-view from the top of Shanley Road said, "Red sun at night; sailor's delight!"

**************

If you'd prefer snow, I just found a site that will show you how many/which trails are open on Whiteface! Go HERE, and then click on the link to conditions and grooming!

*******************

"Michael's" windows are pretty in the daytime, but really dazzling later on - if you can get a view between cars!

Out on Madison Street, a Snowman beneath an "umbrella."

**************

On VanHyning Road, the new B & B gets bigger and bigger!

***********

It's the Historical Society's Fifth Annual "Victorian Tea," tomorrow afternoon, and then ........

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem

At the KAC

8PM
General Admission-$18
KAC Members-$15

*******************

NEXT WEEKEND!

Anna Rae Martin and her dad will compete in the

Toyota Fifth Grader Challenge

On Saturday, Dec. 8th the televised finals will take place at the Clinton High School Auditorium. Through a series of elimination rounds teams will be whittled down to one final team. It is this final team that will then have the opportunity to win the grand prize.

***************************

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Thursday

2007-11-29T06:22:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

34.5 degrees.

Thursday: Cloudy and breezy with light rain or light snow. Light accumulation possible well north of Utica. High in the upper 30s.
Thursday Night: Lake effect snow, especially north of Utica/Rome, where significant accumulation is possible. Breezy. Low in the mid 20s
Friday: Lake effect snow in the morning, tapering off to flurries by afternoon. Much colder. High: 36, Low: 17

*****************

I receive quite a lot of E-mail - some personal; some meant to share. WCS' Mary Campbell sent me this letter, yesterday -- it's for ALL of us!

She wrote, "I sent this message out to our staff today - would you modify if for your readers and include on the blog before Friday night?

As most of you know, Waterville senior Abby Smith suffered a stroke in March. Since then she has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation. She is now attending school in the morning, while continuing therapy in the afternoon.
The Brothertown Optimist Club is hosting a community variety show this Friday night at 7:30 in the high school auditorium. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Abby Fund to help defray costs related to Abby's illness. Fred Ashforth is in charge of the event - it is always very entertaining and the cost is very reasonable ($5 adults, $3 for students).
So please consider attending this show to show your support to the Smith family.

Thanks so much,
Mary"

***********

And

- from Byron Stuhlman, this clarification following my suggestion that there was somehing very special about the St. Andrew's church building in Newcastle, Maine:

"St. Andrew's is the first church in this country designed by Henry Vaughn, the architect of Washington Cathedral. It was built in 1883. Its organ is the original tracker-action Hutchins, installed in 1888 and still in splendid condition." He goes on to say that, "Hester sings in the choir now, as she has done during the summer for many years. I am one of four retired priests in the congregation, besides the rector and the curate. (Thank you, Byron!)

**************

And Mark, in Ft. Meyers, Florida, has sent me some more sunny-warm pictures to show to you BUT I'm going to save those until some morning when we have more snow than this.

...............

Finally, both water AND mallards have returned to the pond at the foot of Grant Hill!

Corn field in Hanover.

I was just dusk when I came down Berrill Avenue, and the Neffs' home was aglow!

Turning on to Main Street, I caught a glimpse of the greenery and lights on the New York Pizzeria.

'Del's home, on Sanger Avenue ..........

........... nearly across the street from #188 where Santa REALLY showed up!

At the Harding Nursing Home.

There appears to have been a plowable snow fall in Old Forge,
and about 6" in Barnes Corners!

*****************

Are we Ready?

**

A query from the writer: I'm searching for two SMALL (3 or 4- foot) Christmas Trees to put in the "tubs" in front of the old barn here in the Hollow. If you see any for sale, would you please let me know where I can find them? Thanks!

Wednesday

2007-11-28T05:58:00.000-05:00

It's Recyclables Day!
It's 28.4 degrees.

There's a little bit of new snow, but the road is just wet.

Wednesday: A morning flurry or two. Otherwise, partly cloudy and cool. High in the mid to perhaps upper 30s.
Wednesday Night: Increasing clouds. Low in the mid to upper 20s.
Thursday: Light rain or light snow or a mix of both. Cloudy. High: 41, Low: 24

***********

Everyone looked, but there was no sign of "our" Snow Geese, yesterday.

*********

Buck Harris, who lives in North Dakota and follows Life in Waterville via the "blog," wrote to comment on the many varieties of birds that he's used to seeing. "Living here amongst the prairie pot-holes and the major migratory route for most water birds, we get to see this sight every spring. I'm not sure if it was so common while you were in Kansas, but here in North Dakota, our fields fill with hundreds of canada geese, snow geese, trumpeter swans, pelicans, and mallard ducks amonst many other water birds that I'm still not totally familiar with. Entire fields become a blanket of "honking" white and black. Occasionaly we'll read that a couple of whooping cranes were sighted in a field as well (major news in these parts)."

And then he added: "get ready for some chilly weather. We were 48F on Sunday and by 6pm on Monday, we had a mini-blizzard with winds around 45mph, snow (we had none on the ground until then), and the temp dropped from 32 at 6pm to 12F by 6:30!! The roads were covered in drifts, visibility was zero, and by 7am this morning, we were a "balmy" -6F...yes MINUS 6F!! And it's not even December yet! "

*****************

Jody Hildreth missed seeing the Snow Geese, but wrote that:
"I did have a surprise at my feeder today – the first Common Redpoll of the year. Watch the feeders. This is suppose to be a huge year for winter finches. Common Redpoll, Evening and Pine Grosbeaks, Red and White-winged Crossbills, and Bohemian Waxwings are all being reported in New York. Hope I have a chance to photograph some."

*********************

I had a nice E-note from Byron Stuhlman, who sent "Greetings!" from Round Pond, Maine.
"We moved here three weeks ago, but turned around and went back to Utica because our son Jon (curator of American art at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC) had been signed up to give a lecture at Munson Williams on November 16. From there we went to Bridgewater, Connecticut, where I conducted the funeral for Jon's godmother who had died recently. We finally got back to Maine in time for me to preside at the late service at St. Andrew's, Newcastle, on Sunday."

I found this picture of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on the internet but couldn't find its history - and I know that there's something special about the architect who designed it, but can't remember what. Perhaps Byron can fill us in on that?

*************

I cruised around the village late yesterday afternoon: a fun little ride!

The first thing I noticed was that the pavement on both W. Bacon Street and Babbott Avenue is back to normal: no more zigging and zagging to avoid those square "potholes!"

It was still quite light out. The Gibbons' residence was pretty even without lights ....

Other buildings glowed.

S. Babbott Avenue.

The Pumilias' on Stafford Avenue .......

...... and the Pumilias' on Tower Street light up their neighborhoods!

The Grinch was at the Prices' .........

......... and Santa has already made it to the roof of #188!

*****************
Are you SURE you know where your snow shovels are?

****************

I also had mail, yesterday, from the Editor of "DeafLIFE" asking for information about Charlotte Buell Coman. Historians have spent a great deal of time reading about artist Albert Bierstadt, but there hasn't been much come to light about Charlotte Buell - surprising, because of the Buell family status in the village and Charlotte's eventual fame. Now might be a good time to ask if anyone has a dusty old canvas up in their attic signed "Coman" ?!?

********

Have a nice day!!

Tuesday

2007-11-27T05:56:00.000-05:00

***********

It's either 34 or 37 degrees, here in the Hollow - depending on digital vs. the classic WICKES thermometer - and it might be icey up in Paris Hill, so drive carefully!

Tuesday: Occasional rain and snow showers. Turning a bit cooler late, with some steadier snow possible toward the evening rush hour. High near 40.

Tuesday night: Occasional snow showers. Light accumulation possible. Low in the low 20s.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny with increasing clouds late. High: 40, Low: 27

***************

While half of Waterville was going back and forth between CVS and the High School parking lot to see the huge flock of Snow Geese that had landed in the field between, Library Director Jeff Reynolds - and a few of the Gallagher's "Girls" - were watching another gaggle out on Osborn Avenue.

Jeff said that the "Girls" just didn't quite seem to know what to make of the interlopers and that when geese rose in flight there was a decided "din of honking and mooing!"

Here are his pictures: all "clickable."

Ann Ingersoll's brother, Paul Fleischman, E-wrote to say that he and his wife had seen a similar gaggle a few years ago near Cato Meridian and that he recalled that, in flight, they gave the appearance of confetti!

*********

I went uptown, quite late in the afternoon, and drove out and around hoping to spot them ...

Yes! back on the field adjacent to Bogan Road near Madison Street: thousand of them, hunkered down for the night, it seemed.

Several vehicles came along, slowed and stopped, and we drivers stood talking quietly for quite a while amazed that the travelers didn't seem to mind.

But then some (expletive deleted!) got out of his/her car and decided to get a little closer, and - in a flash - the geese rose and flew off into the night.

****************

More and more Christmas Lights are on in the Village: Sanger Avenue seemed to be shining the most brightly, last evening, but - with two mild days in the forecast -perhaps that will change within the next day or two!

***********

The WCS Boys' Varsity Basketball Team meets Owen D. Young here in Waterville tomorrow night at 7:30.

*******

Have a good day!

for tuesday

2007-11-26T17:57:00.002-05:00

Monday

2007-11-26T08:27:00.000-05:00

Gray, outdoors, but a pleasant 37 degrees.

Garbage Day!

I don't even know what the forecast is because:

#1 - I overslept!
#2 - I had three really interesting phone calls, and
#3 - it was the next call (from Jean Davis) that sent me right to my car and up to the CVS parking lot to see the flock of Snow Geese!

Click images for larger views

I could see a couple of cameras flashing over in the High School parking lot, so .....

... I dashed over there in time to see them lift off ..........

........... and circle the field a few times .........

........and then, apparently, land again.
I don't know if they're still there, but if you're out and around, go and look for them!

Also: the lines are up in the Park. A sure sign that the Masons will be bringing in Christmas Trees for Sale next weekend!

********

More later!

Saturday

2007-11-24T06:33:00.000-05:00

14 degrees, with crispy snow
- enough to cover the lawn and, probably, make pavement slippery under foot.

It was cold yesterday, too - 25 was the high! - but fellows at ACCESS were out hanging a big wreath .......

... and Dale Meszler looked quite at home constructing a Memorial Bandstand.

Later on,

both glowed.

The Memorial Bandstand float was also providing some welcome music - old favorites (White Christmas, etc. ) sung by old favorites (Bing Crosby, etc.)

I parked in front of Mrs. Manion's on Madison Street, for a while, and smiled to see that Mr. Cleary's tall spruce was glowing, too!

While children shivered, last-minute adjustments were made amidst one of the walking units ....

These girls looked the warmest of all - they had a floating campfire!

Santa and Mrs. Claus relaxed in the cozy comfort of "An Old Fashioned Christmas"

and Paul followed.

I began to wonder: HOW are all of these strings of lights attached to the vehicles?

It's not as if you can just nail them in place, can you!

***********

I took heaps of photographs, but only a small number are worth posting. If any of you have good pictures that you're willing to share, do send the JPEGS along to me and I'll show them to the readers, too!

At a bit after 6:30, with crowds lining sidewalks and not a parking spot to be had, the new Victorian Street Lamps along Main Street all came on and the Parade began!

Here - one of the older snowplows - possibly Marshall's?

***************

After the Parade, I took a ride through the village.

Here's the view looking West along Main Street from in front of the Episcopal Church. The twinkle lights on all of the Victorian Lamp Posts are a special gift from the Parade of Lights Committee.

The French Restaurant - "La Petite Maison" - is prettily lighted, too ........

............ and the Woodman & Getman Law Offices stand stately and dignified - as always.

*******************

Check back for additions!

Have a great day and

Keep Warm!

Friday

2007-11-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

It's PARADE of LIGHTS Day!!!

And it's cold.
It's was 22 degrees, early this morning, and now (at 10:30-ish) it's up to 24 and the wind's blowing.

First - I want to say "Thank You!" to everyone who invited me to share their Thanksgiving Dinners with them and their families and to those who even brought portions of their feasts directly to me. I am so very Thankful for your Friendship, Thoughtfulness and Generosity!

I did have a very pleasant Thanksgiving Day and will be having Thanksgiving all over again, on Sunday, with my daughter and her family in Ballston Lake!

*********************

Back to this morning:

Friday: Breezy and cold. Lake effect snow showers, especially south and west of Utica. Accumulations less than an inch for most locations are expected. High: 33
Tonight: Snow showers early, then clearing. Chilly. Low: 18
Saturday: Partly sunny and cool with scattered flurries. High: 38, Low: 23
Sunday: Increasing clouds after a sunny start. High: 42, Low: 24

I was out and on the road early - heading for Clinton and the Dunkin Donuts shop for a supply of encouragement and energy for the Memorial Bandstand "Float Committee" who, at the same time, were heading toward Curtis Lumber for essential materials.

Looking West from Lombard, even West Hill looked cold.

When I came back into town, Patty Louise was hustling over to "Hap's" ....

.... and a group of V.I.P's were checking out the lights.

(I meant to ask about the pavement problems on W. Bacon and Babbbott, but forgot!)

The lighting crew was ouside the pizzeria, thinking about getting to work;

First Niagara and the Belfield Insurance Agency were already decorated and "Michael's" windows are very pretty - there were too many cars in the way to take a picture.

Several homes on East Bacon Street have already been decorated.

********

Out in the country ............

well, it's cold there, too!

*******

In the city, it's "Black Friday" - and WKTV's already got a story about it! There are probably some Watervillians who are amongst the crowds, but - judging from the cars on Main Street, a lot of folks are doing their shopping right here!

****

I'll be out and around, this afternoon, checking on parade floats.

More pix later on!

Wednesday

2007-11-21T06:18:00.001-05:00

Recyclables Day

42 degrees and Wet.

Wednesday: Cloudy with showers. A steadier rain developing late. High in the upper 40s to low 50s.
Wednesday Night: Cloudy with occasional rain. Rain could be heavy at times. Low in the low 40s.
Thanksgiving: Rain mixing with and changing over to snow throughout the afternoon. Light accumulation possible. High: 42, Low: 27

************

Prize Speaking

Click the link to read about the winners of this year's Prize Speaking Contest and to see more pictures of them.

******************

2008

When you're with your family, tomorrow, think of how you can help to "Make it Happen."

Click the "E-mail the Writer" link at the top of the page if you'd like more information.

*************

And on Friday it's the

Traditional

Parade of Lights

a 6:30 P.M.

(I wrote this for last year's blog posting: it probably won't hurt to tell the story again.)

If you lived in Waterville in 1988, you cannot have forgotten the first Parade of Lights!

(And if you've come to the village since then, you should know the story of this celebration because it is something very special, here: it's a celebration not just of the season but a Celebration of Community - Our Community!)

It was earlier that year that both Rusty Manion and his wife Kitty passed away. Their daughter Darcy and three sons - Sandy, Jeffrey and Michael - were bereft with the loss of both parents and, at the same time, completely overwhelmed with the kindnesses shown them by everyone in the community.

One day, Darcy was having coffee with her friends Linda Nichols and Patsy Hill and she said, "I wish there was something we could do to say 'Thank You!' to everyone!" "Thank You notes," she said, "seemed just too inadequate."

It occurred to them that perhaps they could do something that hadn't been done in several years - a fun surprise for the village: they could arrange to have lights put on the Big Tree at the point of Monument Park and have it lit! And there would be a parade - fire engines and floats and children all carrying flashlights! - that would lead the way to the tree when the lights were finally to be turned on!

And each of the girls told one or two people who told one or two more and in six weeks' time - in an unanticipated avalanche of generosity and cooperation, $5,000 was raised; the Clinton Fire Department's ladder truck came to string the lights, the power company donated equipment and time, the Municipality chipped in, fire companies in all the neighboring communities sent units to be in the parade and ........... well........ the rest is history.

******

to

HEATHER DAVIS

I received the following letter, yesterday, from Shannon Wiley who wrote:

My daughter, Heather Davis, is 16 years old and a student at Waterville Central School. She has been chosen by the People to People Student Ambassador program to travel to China this coming summer as a Student Ambassador for the United States. This program was created by Dwight Eisenhower to help create foreign relationships with other countries and promote our youth in learning about diplomacy, culture, and education. To learn more about this program readers can go to www.studentambassadors.org.

First of all we would like to say

CONGRATULATIONS AND WE ARE PROUD OF YOU HEATHER.

Second, to actually go on this trip, she needs to acquire funding totaling $6,540. She will be contacting area businesses and organizations for sponsors as well as doing fundraising activities. I am hoping that we can ask your assistance in promoting her venture. You have so many wonderful readers, I couldn’t think of a better way to get the word out.

Heather’s first fundraiser will be a basket raffle held after the “Parade of Lights” in the Waterville Firehouse. She has created several lovely baskets full of goodies. Tickets will be sold and buyers simply write their phone number on the back of the ticket and place it in the container in front of the basket they wish to try for. At 9:00 pm she will draw one ticket from each container. She will then call the number on the ticket and get additional information and make arrangements to deliver the baskets or have them picked up which ever is more convenient to the winner.

Heather will also be selling cups of hot chocolate along main street before, during, and after the parade to help keep all warm while they attend this traditional event to kick off the Holiday excitement.

Future fundraising events will be announced as the details come together. Anyone wishing to make donations towards Heather’s trip may contact us at 841-4965 for additional information.

We thank everyone in advance for their kindness, contributions, and support of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Shannon Wiley
131 Berrill Ave
Waterville, NY 13480
315-841-4965

*****************

Make sure that this is on your calendar!

All proceeds will benefit the Abby Fund.

********

Have a wonderful day, tomorrow!

Tuesday

2007-11-20T05:55:00.001-05:00

It's either 30 or 32 degrees, depending on which thermometer I believe, and it's definitely WET out.

Tuesday Morning: Pockets of sleet and freezing rain north, south and east of Utica becoming plain rain by mid to late morning. Light icing possible, especially in the Adirondacks. Temperatures warming up through the 30s.
Tuesday Afternoon: Rain showers. Temperatures ranging from the mid 30s east of Utica to the mid or upper 40s west of Utica.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low in the mid to upper 30s.

********

Monday Morning.

Somewhere in the afternoon, that changed:

customers were going in;

and customers were coming out!

***************

I had spent much of the day out of town: I needed to go to Commercial Art Supplies, which is just about in downtown Syracuse, and - on the way home - I cruised the old "Fayetteville Mall" ....

where I discovered not only a branch of EMS (always a favorite destination in Lake Placid) ....

....... but also an L.L.Bean Outlet!! (Much closer than Camillus!)

No! I didn't buy anything because all of the merchandise previously acquired at L.L.B and E.M.S. jus never seems to wear out!

**************

Chittenango has been through the "Highway Reconstruction" process and, 'tho the final results are not as nice as they are in Waterville, I did admire their new informational kiosk. Unfortunately, it's not where any travelers can easily stop to read it!

**************

I saw a lot of Christmas decorations along Route 5, but few as attractive as those that are appearing around Waterville - like this doorway at the Briggs residence on E. Bacon Street -

or as inventive as this wonderful grouping out on Madison Street.

I must go back this evening and see what everything looks like with spotlights turned on!

**************

In answer to a reader's query: yes, there is a back door and yes, the new driveway is still there.

******

While I was driving, yesterday, it occured to me that something of significance had taken place in Waterville just exactly 140 years ago. Unfortunately, I was off by five days - but close!

***
Have a great day!

Monday

2007-11-19T05:42:00.000-05:00

It's 27 degrees.

Garbage Day!

Monday: Partly sunny. High 42
Monday night: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low 27
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with rain/snow showers. High 46 Low 38

***********

Village Board Meeting

7:00 P.M. Municipal Hall

*********

I had a note yesterday morning from "Mark" in Ft. Meyers, Florida, reporting that - at 10:00 A.M. - it was sunny and 70 degrees! He attached this picture -- to which I replied, "I want to be there, right NOW!"

******

Well - it's not Florida, but I'm going to grab a little change of scenery, today.
See you tomorrow!

Sunday

2007-11-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd do a post this morning because folks in Florida are wondering!

(And I may head north VERY early tomorrow.)

It's cold and sunny!

I tried, without success, to catch a glimpse of the Leonid Meteor Shower.

Sunday: Partly sunny with the chance for snow or rain showers. Snow or rain showers likely south of route 20. Mostly sunny for the north country. High 42
Sunday night: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low 26
Monday: Mostly cloudy with snow showers likely. High 39 Low 23

Sangerfield's snow plows made their first appearance on Friday......

not the best day to start a paving project on W. Bacon Street!
(It's rough - as are a few places on Babbott Avenue, too - so drive slowly!)

This is what it looked like yesterday morning. We had about three inches of new snow - but that didn't seem to be bothering the Gallaghers' cows, who were happy licking grassickles!

The willows on Osborn were grand ........

and Sumac on Bogan caught my eye......

... as did this golden Larch.

Then the usual field - filled with a different flock of Canada Geese.

"Tyler's Barn"

View from "Livingston Hill."

Marilyn Maine was putting the finishing touches on decorations at Dan's Woodworking Shop on Madison Street. She was laughing, and explained that she'd said to him, "It's always freezing when we do the decorations at the shop: let's do it a week EARLY this year!"

The Copes' home on White Street is decorated ...........

............. as is Foodking, where the Women's Club was having a Bake Sale. I stopped at their table and came directly home to enjoy my purchases!

*********

One more thing: I pulled through the Post Office Parking Lot to admire the brightly painted windows at the P.O. and asked one of the Dollar General employees who was outside taking a cigarette break if they'd be open on "Black Friday." I was told .........

"MONDAY MORNING!"
********

About the Post Office Windows

A clever and colorful reminded that the Post Office is a good place to find gifts ALL year 'round! According to Mrs. Bocko, "The concept and preliminary design work came from the imagination of Amanda Bawarski with assistance from Kate McLane. Painters included Kyle Nasypany, Emily Plourde, Briana Cowen, and Kate McLane."

Cheers!

Friday

2007-11-16T05:28:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

It's possible that my indoor/outdoor thermometer needs new batteries, or perhaps it's just fine: it just looks odd.

33.3
66.6

Friday: Snow showers. Chilly and breezy. High in the mid 30s. Light accumulation possible south of Utica and also on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Friday Night: Snow showers. Cold. Some accumulation possible. Low in the mid to upper 20s.
Saturday: Light snow. High: 39, Low: 26
Sunday: A mix of sun and clouds. High: 40, Low: 18

There's no sign of anything white outdoors, now, but it is time to start checking Webcams to see where it's snowed!

******************

Between a morning of shopping and an afternoon of computer graphics, I only took a few pictures yesterday, and of those THIS one is so absolutely choice that I discarded the rest right away! There's nothing particularly wonderful about the composition of the photograph, but it tells a story.

I have no idea whether this particular decoration - Polar Bears - was intended to represent the residents of the building and/or to send a message to the landlord, but it certainly could! The big difference between Polar Bears and People, of course, is that one likes being cold; the other doesn't.

**********

I'd gotten away from reprinting bits and pieces of "In Timely Manner" - the column that
I write for The Waterville Times - and I've been reminded that there are one or two blog-readers who miss it. Here are just a few things from this week's issue:

The Benefit for Mike Olsen that took place on the 4th was a huge success, attended by so many from the community that not only was the parking lot at the Legion full, but cars lined he sides of the highway as well as he Bishton family driveway and McCabe Road!

“Hops and Vines” is the name of the new gift emporium which Ms. Patsy Hill has opened in her home on the way to Sangerfield. The writer is the recipient (in exchange for a drawing of hops) of a beautifully-wrapped and very attractive electric “tart warmer” which has perfumed her home in Whiskey Hollow with the aromas of both freshly-baked apple pie and ginger cookies and resulted in great olfactory pleasure with neither a bit of kitchen mess nor risk of caloric overdose!

(Hops and Vines will be open Sunday Afternoons from 1 - 5 'til Christmas or by chance or appointment. Watch for the OPEN sign on the front lawn.)

Not long ago, Mr. D. Meszler of Sanger Avenue acquired a new “hybrid” automobile whose performance has pleased him a great deal. Now, however, if one were to ask him what his NEXT mode of transportation might be, he would tell you, “A Segway!” While he and Lori were in Florida, last week, he had the opportunity to spend several hours riding a "personal transporter" all around EPCOT (at the manufacturer’s expense!) Were he to own his own, it might make travelling to his many local meetings fairly efficient - at least in good weather - but not even the Segway Company would recommend it for his daily to-Utica-and-back commute!

(It's much more fun being able to use links!)

The Burbacks, also of Sanger Avenue, have just returned from spending three weeks in Eqypt visiting their daughter Alison and her family which includes grandsons Umar, who is seven years old, and Humzah, age five. It was their first trip to Egypt and they spent most of their time in the city of Alexandria, where Alison lives, seeing all of the “tourist” spots and much more. They took a side trip to Cairo where they visited the National Museum, the Sphinx and the Pyramids (yes: Paula rode a camel!) Mr. Burback made a point of telling me that the Egyptians - unlike profiles circulated by other sources - are actually very “kind, gracious, welcoming, and very cordial toward Americans!” The writer, also having been to Egypt, joins him in urging all those who have the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world to go there at least once; spend time in that cloudless, friendly country of bright cheerful colors and unequaled antiquities!

The paving of new sidewalks on Berrill Avenue, Putnam Street, White Street, and Tower Street has been completed AND there is also a new sidewalk leading from the Schoolhouse Apartments along the side of Babbott Field - perfect for anyone pushing strollers or even tykes riding trikes on their way to the Kiddie Playground and Pavilion.

Everything will be getting busier and busier, now! High on our list of places to go next weekend will be the Sauquoit Valley Fine Arts & Crafts Festival at the Sauquoit Valley School. Admission will be $3 and a shuttle will run continually to all parking areas.

Planning ahead: Tapestry, the All-centuries Singers (in Renaissance costume) and the Grasse River Players of Canton will give one local performance of the famous seasonal farce, “The Second Shepherd’s Play,” at the Kirkland Art Center on December 15th. Only sixty seats will be available (make that 58!) and Tapestry suggests purchasing tickets in advance. The admission charge of $12.00 will include a variety of seasonal refreshments as well as traditional choral music and, of course, the farce. Call any Tapestry singer or 315/853-6282.

**********

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Thursday

2007-11-15T06:44:00.001-05:00

It's Recyclables Day!

41 degrees and soggy.

Today: Morning rain, gradually mixing with and changing to wet snow from high elevations down throughout the afternoon. Little to no accumulation expected, except in Northern Herkimer and Hamilton Counties where as much as 1" of new snow may accumulate by evening. Morning high in the mid 40s, but turning cooler throughout the day.
Thursday Night: Snow showers. Accumulations by morning in the Mohawk Valley will be just a slushy coating to perhaps an inch. On the hilltops surrounding the valley 1"-2" amounts are expected, with total snowfall of 3"-7" for Northern Herkimer and Hamilton Counties. Lows 28-33.
Friday: Scattered snow showers, especially late in the day. Some accumulation possible. High: 36, Low: 27

*************

Getting ready for Winter

out on Hanover Road.

Getting ready for Christmas

on Upper White Street.

Getting ready to open

in the center of Waterville.

***********

When I visited the ACCESS branch office on Hallowe'en, I wasn't particularly aware of any decorations that weren't cobwebby or creepy. Those are all gone, now, and in their place - in both lobby and offices - hang five or six very large photographic prints of Waterville, "once-upon-a-time."

The enlargements are the work of Skip Foppes with matting and framing by Maple Leaf Construction.

Their size and clarity of the pictures make them all a "must see!" and the ACCESS staff will be delighted to show them to you!

This enlargement of a fifty-year-old photograph of the Olde American Hotel, is so clear that you can read all of the signs and see all of the details of that building and the now-ACCESS Federal Credit Union bank.

Main Street, just the way some of you remember it.

If you belonged to the Waterville Central School Camera Club around 1940 or remember M.L. "Pete" (or "Professor") Peterson, you need to take a close look at this print.

****************

Take a close look at the front door on the St. John Apartment building, too!

The new paint brings out details that never showed up, before.

I noticed this for the first time, yesterday. It's on E. Main Street; a fine surprise!

The groundwork's laid; the design drawn. I think it's safe to say that the WCS Art Club will be at the Post Office on Saturday!

Wednesday

2007-11-14T06:12:00.000-05:00

Metals Collection!

It's 37.2 degrees.

Wednesday: Increasing Clouds. Breezy. Showers late. Mild. High near 60.
Wednesday night: Rain showers. Turning cooler late. Low around 40.
Thursday: Breezy and cool with rain showers mixing with and possibly changing to snow showers. High: 46, Low: 29

************

Yesterday really turned out to be quite pleasant. Painting continued at the St. John Apartments ........

Bob Mayne added to his fine Winter supply of firewood .......

the Coles hung garlands .........

and on Madison Street the Fosters' ornamental kale glowed in the afternoon sun.

The leaves of this tree looked like polished silver!
Perhaps someone can identify it for me? (Mark Mowrey could!)
It's on Sally Road just about at Fuess-Cleary Road in what used to be called the "Bank Lot."

********

841-4077 to register!

OR

Consider this: Lawrence Gilley writes to say that The Marshall Historical Society will meet at the Town Hall on Thursday, November 15, 2007, 7:30 pm. Guest Speakers: Students from Clinton under the leadership of Principal Richard Hunt will present: "Local Baseball History".

The students are a chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR) which has about 7000 members and 56 regional chapters throughout the United States. SABR members study baseball past and present and research the historical aspects of American's pastime.

*********************

That new driveway that I showed you on November 7?

Seems it's on Village property and no one noticed 'til it was too late!

How could that happen?

***************

Perhaps we'll learn what this - on Route 315 - is all about ----
next Summer!

Have you ever been to Shako:wi? It's not a long drive and it's a nice "discovery!"
From this morning's O-D: Shako:wi Cultural Center offers craft classes The Oneida Indian Nation’s Shako:wi Cultural Center offers ongoing craft classes for cornhusk doll making at 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday.

Classes are free and limited to ten participants. Registration is required by calling 829-8801.

The center is located on Route 46, about three miles south from the intersection of state routes 5 and 46. The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features a gift shop on premises.

*************************

This may be the last of our "outdoor" days:

enjoy it!

Tuesday

2007-11-13T06:25:00.000-05:00

NOW it's Garbage Day!

It's 40 degrees and wet, but the forecast for this afternoon looks fine, indeed!

Tuesday: Decreasing clouds and turning partly sunny. Pleasantly mild. High in the mid 50s.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy and cool. Low in the low 30s.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with rain arriving later. High: 56, Low: 40

On a very gray day, a very bright glow suddenly appeared in the middle of the Village!
The shopping carts have arrived: can the Sales be far behind?

You wouldn't guess it from looking at these window boxes of pansies on Sanger Avenue,
but yesterday was really quite chilly, and there are signs of the season throughout the Village.

The DPW has set out all 124 (or is it 142?) barrels;

stacks of cord wood grow longer and taller at Red Mack's

and the Freibels'.

(A "Cord" is defined as a woodpile 4' wide x 4 foot high x 8 feet long. A "rick" or "rack" or "face cord" is the amount of firewood stacked by 4' by 8' by one row of the length of the stick.)

Margie was raking .........

and the Tamaracks (or Larches) in "state land" forests down on Beaver Creek Road are turning yellow.

There were quite a few Canada Geese on the big pond. Brian Staring wrote to me, a few weeks ago, and said that many years ago his Granfather Lallier (that would be Lovina's father) had owned the pond and surrounding land. He had wanted to develop it into a camping area but that "the state" put a stop to it saying that "if the dam gave out it would flood Brookfield!"

************

I have no idea what incident created this
"event", but I'm quite sure that it wasn't coincidental or social!

Drive Safely!

and have a great day!

Monday

2007-11-12T05:42:00.000-05:00

It's a Holiday, so there's

No School

No Garbage Collection

and the Post Office will be Closed.

*******

It's 30 degrees on the nose.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with showers developing late. High 52
Monday night: Rain showers. Low 38
Tuesday: Partly sunny. High 53 Low 35

On Friday afternoon, the DPW hung all of the wreaths and banners on telephone poles on Main Street ...........

and yesterday I spotted the Ruanes of White Street stringing lights.

Some decorations are out at this house on Sanger Avenue,

and I found a "string" of bright red Bittersweet berries out in the country.

......... and another pretty view in Hanover.

The view Westward from Upper White Street - out beyond Sheepskin Hollow and near the entrance to the old reservoir - didn't look very cold, 'tho there was some left-over snow in shady spots .............

...........and the golden Beech Trees, with leaves turning to "parchment," looked especially nice in the Wintery sunshine.

I went out to Chittening Pond, hoping - of course - for a glimpse of that elusive Eagle, but there were only three Seagulls there, just drifting in the breeze, waiting for the tide to come in, or ... something.

***************

Back to normal, tomorrow.

Have a Great Day!

Veterans' Day!

2007-11-11T07:12:00.000-05:00

It's 19 degrees and the lawn is frosty-white.

I wasn't going to do a blog posting, today, but thought a reminder wouldn't hurt:

And just take "A Pittance of Time" ........

How many Veterans will we see today to whom we owe

"Thank You!"

Friday morning

2007-11-09T05:52:00.000-05:00

for Kathy Eisenhut!

************************

Brrrrr! It's 24.3 degrees.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy and cool. Lows in the low 20s in the Adirondacks, mid 20s elsewhere and upper 20s in the Mohawk Valley.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a few sprinkles or flurries, primarily in the afternoon. High in the low to mid 40s.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low in the upper 20s.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of light rain or light snow. High: 45, Low: 22
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 47, Low: 28
Monday: A mix of sun and clouds. High: 52, Low: 34

**************
Yesterday was one of those days when between the phone, the computer and other things, I just never got out to take any pictures. Actually, the weather - which was dull and gray and cold - had alot to do with it.

One place I'm going to go today, for sure, is to

I'll tell you more about Patsy Hill's new Gift Shop!
She brought me a beautiful electric Tart Warmer
and I want to see what other neat things she has.

'Tis the Season, you know!

*****

There's ALOT going on!

The Merry Murders of Montmarie
TONIGHT AND TOMORROW AT 7:30 AT WCS

*****

IN CLINTON:

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL

CHRISTMAS FAIR
Saturday
9:00 A.M. to 1:00P.M.

IN BROOKFIELD:

Donation

Annual Firemen's Chicken Supper
Brookfield Central School
3 - 6
with take-outs available.

******

Sunday morning:
(according to the community calendar)

BROTHERTOWN MUSIC BOOSTERS
BAKE SALE
at Foodking

*************

"Christmas Glories; Christmas Stories"

now at Beck's Grove.

**********

Sunday is Veterans' Day

Honor YOUR Veteran!
Click!

**************
Have a Great Weekend!

Thursday

2007-11-08T05:44:00.000-05:00

31.6 degrees with little touches of white!

It's Garbage Day!

Thursday: Morning flurries, followed by a mix of sun and clouds. Still chilly. High in the low 40s.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy to mostly clear and cold. Low in the low to mid 20s, but colder on the Tug Hill and Adirondacks.
Friday: A mix of sun and clouds with sprinkles or flurries possible later in the day. High: 46, Low: 26

Our first snow!

Wet and blowy ...........

but cozy in the Library .......

where a young fellow peered out the window at the short-lived storm.

Earlier in the day, I'd been in Hanover and seen this view.

The Grant Hill Road pond has plenty of water in it, now, but no ducks or geese.

The soy field are bare, now. This picture was a taken a week or so ago - when it was DRY! - of soy being harvested behind the Library.

I happened to see Mr. F. Zweifel at the polling place, on Tuesday, and asked where all of the soy was being shipped. He said that, as far as he knew, just about all of it would stay right on the farms where it was grown. "It needs to be roasted or the oil otherwise extruded," he said, "before it can be used." Some of it is probably taken to Ed Gale's Feed Mill for roasting, but Fredolyn also told me that there were "travelling" roasters that would come right to the farm and do the job. I didn't ask, because it sounds so stupid, but ....... I guess I should know that the roasted soy gets mixed in with dried corn and other good stuff and fed to our fine local cattle all Winter.

**************

I've invented a HUGE history-type project for myself that is taking me to several places in the "Archives." If you're going to have another cup of coffee, this morning, you might enjoy spending those few minutes "seeing" what Waterville was like two-hundred years ago!

Have a Great Day!

Wednesday

2007-11-07T05:38:00.000-05:00

Yesterday at the Marshall Township polls in Waterville.
I was there at a little after 4 o'clock and was number 159.

In Deansboro, they'd had a busier day and were up to number 218.

WKTV'S COMPLETE ELECTION RESULTS

Click on images for full-size views.

And two headlines from this morning's Observer-Dispatch:
DA McNamara to remain as County's Top Prosecutor
Proposal #1 appeared to have been approved.

*************

It's 33.8 degrees.

Today: Scattered wet snow and rain showers. Little or no snow accumulation in the Mohawk Valley. Perhaps an additional coating to an inch or two of slush on the higher hilltops near and north of the Thruway. High in the upper 30's.
Tonight: Snow showers with perhaps a coating to an inch or two of accumulation on the hilltops south and west of Utica. Flurries elsewhere. Low in the upper 20s.

***************

Final Touch: new topsoil next to the new sidewalks on Putnam Street.

Perfect Touch: a euonymus that matches the trim!
(or vise versa.)

Painting and polishing at Dollar General.

And a new driveway/parking area at the rear of the building.

A noisy gabfest at Lyon's Mills.

Just this side of Solsville, a swamp just filled with bright red-berried black alder and lots of water.

*****************

Planning Ahead?

Friday and Saturday
at the High School

the Waterville High School Drama Club will present

"The Merry Murders at Montmarie"

"A very peculiar thing is happening at Montmarie, a very exclusive boarding school at the foot of the Swiss Alps. People visit the school and simply disappear! When this is brought to the attention of the head mistress and the new owner (who just happens to be her fiancé) they are understandably concerned. The subsequent arrival of a very strict school inspector and an agent from Interpol does nothing to put their minds at ease. They cannot imagine who is responsible for the mysterious disappearances. The only inhabitants of the school are its eccentric staff members and young female students. It couldn't be any of them... Or could it? "

Adults - $5; Students and Seniors $3.

Curtain - 7:30 p.m.

Remember to check The Waterville Times Events Calendar for more Places to Go and Things to Do!

Have a great Day!

Tuesday

2007-11-06T05:03:00.000-05:00

TRASH PICKUP!

And it's Cold and wet!

The Canada Geese know what's in the forecast!

Tuesday: Morning rain showers, followed by some sunshine. Chance of a shower late across Lewis County. Breezy and much cooler. High in the mid 40s.
Tuesday night: Rain showers developing on the Tug Hill Plateau in Lewis and extreme northern Oneida Counties. The rain will mix with and change over to heavy snow *above 1,000 feet* with accumulation likely. Elsewhere, just some scattered light rain showers or snow showers with no accumulation. Low near freezing.
Wednesday: Scattered mixed rain and snow showers in the Mohawk Valley and other smaller valleys. Higher elevation snow showers with a slushy coating of accumulation possible on hilltops above 1,000 feet. No accumulation in the Mohawk Valley. High: 39, Low: 27

It's also Election Day!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE!

***************

If you drive northward on Route 12, you'll see a new barn going up next to the corner of Lewis Road at the "Brown Eggs" Farm.

*********

And if you go to the Merri Rose Florist Shop you can get a copy of this lovely little book and spend the rest of the day reading beautiful poetry - just as I did, yesterday.

I phoned Helen to ask her permission to use a poem, here, and also ask her to suggest which one I should use. She couldn't decide, and told me to pick one. I couldn't decide, either - here are two.

House With Character

It's an old house
with drafty doors and walls;
the floors are cold
windows frosted over.

Newspapers behind a wall
date 1836. There were
Indian trails here then; later,
soldiers plodded down the same paths.

Winds and gales
left their brutal marks;
loosened boards on porch
and shingles on roof.

"It has character," my friends say,
"And that ceiling with exposed beams!"
"There used to be a pot-bellied stove,"
I tell them, "replaced by the brick fireplace."

New square homes now line the road.
New families with swings and toys seem to like them.
But as we are a little older, the scars of life
have made our house that much more beautiful to us.

Sunshine

Just look at her, standing with her hand on her hip.
She's only four years old, has dark bangs, wavy hair.
The bright sun shines on her blue-striped shorts.
She's pictured on Kodak, a happy dimpled smile,
her little red sunglasses on, upside down.

Writing poetry is nothing new to Helen - she said that the pieces selected for this, her first publication, are but a smattering of her complete collection. She's written for years, and has been taking courses online for the past five. All of this after raising a family, working as an aide at the Harding Nursing Home for seven years and then as an LPN at St. Luke's for another twenty!

Copies of "The Country Poet" are quite limited and it may be some time before more arrive.

I understand that one has already been given to the Waterville Public Library in memory of Bev Gibbons. I think you'll want your own copy for the lasting pleasure that it gives.

****************

Today's List:

Put Ice Scraper in car
Gloves, spare jacket etc.
Put snow shovel on back porch.
Bags of Ice Melt.

It's 39 degrees and very wet.

Monday

2007-11-05T05:29:00.000-05:00

Yesterday!

*****

Today's Garbage Day!

29 Degrees

Monday: A mix of sun and clouds in the morning. Clouds and showers are likely in the evening. Mild. High: 53 Low: 38

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with peeks of sunshine. Scattered rain showers. High: 44

The Parade of Lights Committee made use of Saturday's mild weather. They hung decorations on the Fire House, wrapped strings of mini-lights on the lamps posts in the business district and .....

Yes: Jamie Bechy remembered to "set the clock back" on the lights.

Pat and Jerry Burdick of Forge Hollow sent me a photograph of the newly-visible
waterfall and "fish pond" on Gridley-Paige Road. I recall being told, years ago, that there were originally three ponds connected by waterfalls created by then-owner McAdam as a game preserve which, along with considerable woodland, was entirely surrounded by an eight-foot-tall fence.

I'd taken this picture just about a year ago - on October 29, 2006 - and during the past several months Mr. Ed Bennett has been at work cleaning brush and trees and straightening rocks so that now the falls look as they did when they were new. Thank You!

*****************

I don't know! But it's on the Gallagher Farm just west of Osborn Avenue.

**************

I'm sorry that I wasn't in town to attend the St. Bernard's Bazaar, on Saturday, because it's always such fun and I'm sure that it was a Super Success!

I was determined that I wouldn't miss the Mike Olsen Benefit , yesterday afternoon, but when I first reached the American Legion on Route 20, there was a regular traffic jam of people trying to get into the parking lot or find spots to park along the edge of the road. I kept going, just as far as Chittening Pond , intending to turn around there, but ................

There it Was! Soaring along the far shoreline. The eagle!

I must get a camera with a better zoom lens, because - as if knowing I had a camera ready - he went and posed in the top of a hardwood tree. If you "click" on the image and look very, very hard, you'll find a little white smudge right in the very center of this picture.

It was great!

*************************

Back at the Legion ........

it was already mobbed, and the ladies at the Ticket Table could barely keep up with the demand!

That must be Don Brown!

The attendees' attention seemed to be divided between tables along the outer walls that were completely covered with a grand collection of Door Prizes .....

... and the buffet line, which was moving right along. Everyone was happy!

***********

I don't know just who the organizers of the event were, but I'm sure that they worked very hard to put everything together and there's no doubt but that they had a Real Winner!!! Congratulations!

and

Best Wishes, Mike!

Sunday

2007-11-04T05:36:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post, because I know you're waiting .....

Unfortunately, WCS Girls' Soccer Team lost to Manlius-Pebble Hill, 2 - 0.

But what a great season!
Thanks, girls!

We're proud of you!!!

****************

Did you remember to set your clocks BACK?

It's 31 degrees.

Mostly cloudy with a few peaks of sun.
Isolated lake effect showers are possible. High: 49

******

Things to do, today:

The Clinton Arts & Craft Show continues.

The Mike Olsen Benefit
takes place from 1:00 - 7:00
at the American Legion on Route 20.

Did you see the "Prism Concert" at WCS on Thursday night? Here's the link to lots of photos.

****************

The community has been shocked and saddened by the sudden death of "Bev" Gibbons, whose obituary appeared in yesterday's O-D. We'll all miss her. She always had something to smile about and made everyone that she spoke with smile, too. My deepest sympathy to her family for their loss.

Friday - more pix

2007-11-02T07:37:00.001-04:00

SPECIAL NOTE

The WCS Girls' Varsity Soccer Game in Cortland will take place at

3:30 on

SATURDAY.

************

It's 29.8 degrees and "good sleeping weather!"

I had a problem with "Blogspot," earlier, but I think it's fixed!

Today: Mostly sunny. High 55.
Tonight. Clear. Low 25-30.
Saturday: Partly sunny. High in the mid to upper 50's.
Sunday: Partly sunny. High in the upper 40's.

I rode all over he village, yesterday, and this was the ONLY Hallowe'en Casualty that I saw! (Smack into the tree, she flew, her trusty bloom left lying on the ground!) But there were no injured pumpkins, fluttering lengths of toilet paper or broken eggs anywhere! Amazing!!

I received this great photograph of four of their grandchildren from John and Ann Cockell.

(No: they don't live around here! Is it surprising to see that youngsters in England also like to dress up on Hallowe'en?)

John and/or Ann wrote: "Have just seen the latest Blog with Halloween pictures and thought you might like to see the photograph of four of my grandsons dressed up to frighten the neighbours. They age from 7 years down to 2 years and managed to get lots of treats.

We don't get as many "callers" in the UK as you seem to get in Waterville. I phoned Wendy Sexton my cousin last evening and had to cut the call short as she had to keep answering the door to Halloween callers - which sounded great fun from this end."

(Thank you both for writing and sending that grand picture of the grandkids!)

**************

There's a new view in the Historic Triangle!

The old barn behind Kloster-Northrop & Bentz must have been built very early in the 1800's.

This may be the next casualty of Time.

(I added the red "plumbline.")

***************

Pat and Barb have finished painting spindles and trim and now may move on to windows!

***************

News from Amy at ACCESS -

We have a winner!!

Who Done It??

"It was Miss Peacock, in the Ballroom, with the Candlestick.
Our branch in Camden won with a fairy tale theme. It was quite good. We had a lot of fun though... and that's what it's all about.

We would like to thank everybody for their Halloween spirit and for playing the game "Clue" with us. Everybody who has played the game can come in and grab an Access t-shirt for free."

Be watching as the "Winged Euonymus" shrubs turn bright red.

They're usually smallish bushes, but this beauty is on Rt. 315 near Deansboro.

This is where the name "winged" comes from.

Beech trees in Forge Hollow.

The leaves on the ornamental Pear Trees on Main Street are just starting to turn!

*************

Be sure to go to the

ST. BERNARD'S BAZAAR

9 - 1:00 tomorrow

and don't forget the

MIKE OLSEN BENEFIT

on Sunday from 1 - 7

at the Legion!

******

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Thursday w/ Add-On!

2007-11-01T05:15:00.001-04:00

An Afternoon Add-on in re:
Girls' Varsity Soccer ---

*******************

All earlier information had the girls' soccer game in Cortland
at 4:30 tomorrow -
it has been changed to 3:30 p.m.

AND IT'S ON SATURDAY: NOT FRIDAY!!!

*********

**************

It's Garbage Day!

51.6 degrees

Thursday: Morning showers, followed by afternoon breaks of sunshine. Cooler. High 52
Thursday night: Clearing. Chilly. Low 29
Friday: Partly sunny. High 52 Low 32

****************

WOW!

It's on WKTV: "Waterville Girls Upset Notre Dame for Final Berth."

And Mary Campbell sent this: "Congratulations to the Girls' Soccer Team on their victory over Notre Dame in the Section III Semi-Final playoff game played at Sauquoit Stadium on Wed. evening. After the scoreless regulation game, they went to a 10 minute overtime, still no score. On to another 10 minute overtime, again no score. Then on to two five minute overtimes with still the score 0-0. Now it was time for a shootout! The first round left the teams tied 2-2. Then it was time for a sudden death shootout. Kyle S. shot the winning goal!
The team advances to the Section III Playoff Game at SUNY Cortland on Saturday, November 3rd. Time - TBA." (Thanks, Mary!)

****************

Tonight at WCS at 7:30

The PRISM Concert!

*****

Yesterday - on Osborn Avenue ......

and on Sanger Avenue, at the Jerczak residence.

The Senior Citizens joined the residents of the Harding Nursing Home for Hallowe'en goodies and Lois Lloyd celebrated her real birthday!

The Cookie Monster was there ......

........ a Pirate sampled some "rum" .........

Candy, Katie and Pam made sure that cider and doughnuts were handed out.......

and a Butterfly beguiled!

***********

Meanwhile, on Main Street .........

There was a new teller in the "Billiard Room" at ACCESS Bank: "Miss White," her name plate read.

And the rest of the staff had familiar names, too: there was "Professor Plum," eager to show us his handy noose; "Miss White" came out with candlestick in hand; "Mrs. Peacock" gripped a wrench while "Col. Mustard" pondered his dubious safety and "Miss Scarlet" held a handy length of pipe. Each office had its own famous name and, in the "Conservatory," cider and cupcakes were served to those brave enough to dare accept the suspicious offer. A generous award waited for the visiting sleuth who was sharp-eyed and quick-witted enough to spot the ever-essential Clue and announce to the assembled guests just who it was who had killed - - - "Mr. Body."

Perhaps we shall learn his identity today.

Part of the Jerczak Pumpkin Display at night
thanks to Barb Shauger and her cell phone!

*******************

On a totally different subject:
I did try the new Vacuum Cleaner at the Car Wash ---- Yes! It does!!!

Wednesday

2007-10-31T06:46:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!

It's Recyclables Day!

and it's also:

Lois Lloyd's Birthday!

Her family gave her a wonderful Birthday Party on Saturday. There must have been at least NINETY people there - appropriately! - but she'll probably be celebrating again, today. You'll see her if you're going with the Senior Citizens to the Harding Nursing Home Hallowe'en Party!

***********************

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

also,

to

PATTY HARDING FORD

from her proud Mom and Dad!

************

Right now it's 38 degrees.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and mild. High 64
Wednesday night: Increasing clouds. Low 44
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with rain showers. High 52 Low 29

*******************

Yesterday was blue-skied and mild.

The grand old elm out on Madison street still has its golden leaves .........

............ but, in the Village, more and more leaves keep falling and Wayne Stanbro and the "vacuum cleaner" are keeping busy.

At the St. John Apartments - paint and brushes and ladders, Oh my!

(Who was "St. John"?)

Pumpkins on Putnam ..........

........ and a big, black Spider on Babbott!

Don't forget to stop in at ACCESS, today: you'll think you've walked right into a scene from "Clue" and will even get a chance to guess "Who Done it?" There will be a gift bag of goodies for the winner and everyone gets candy and cider!

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WCS Girls' Varsity Soccer vs. Notre Dame
at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sauquoit Valley High School!

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I spent much of yesterday crawling around stringing endless extension cords - finally: the "candle lights" turned on, last night, in the windows of the house in the Hollow.

Happy Birthday, Dick.

I'll be out and around, today!

Tuesday add-on

2007-10-30T10:38:00.000-04:00

Gary Tuttle just renminded me that I forgot to tell all of you to watch this direct link to the Space Station!

And check your calendar --- it should have a circle on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for the PRISM Concert at WCS!

Tuesday

2007-10-30T05:45:00.000-04:00

39 degrees.

Tuesday: Partly/mostly sunny. High 57
Tuesday night: Mostly clear. Low 38
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warm. High 64 Low 44

From the O-D: District Attorney Scott McNamara will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. on the village green in Whitesboro.

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Signs like these explain a bit about politics south of Waterville.

Scary creatures and bright pumpkins.......

........... decorate homes along Mason Road.

I stopped to take a picture of what - in other circumstances - could look like a serious case of misconfiguration, but which - here - is the result of lots and lots of practise!

In the center of N. Brookfield, the church is getting a sparkling coat of white paint with pretty blue trim by the boys in the Green Van.

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Another new paint job - this one on Bogan Road. Jim Bogan spends his summers as a member of Bill Vetter's fine house-painting crew. He said that this past Summer they painted so many houses just plain white that he used his days off to paint his home his colors: Plum and Terra Cotta!

Just about the same colors as the leaves on the oak trees in front of Lovina Staring's home on White Street.

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This will never replace going to the Drive-in movies, but the new Laser Wash at the is pretty exciting! I'd had a chance to "test drive" the apparatus a few days ago, but went back again, yesterday, to use it for real.

You start out at something like a drive-through ATM machine, but this one talks! The instructions are easy to follow: insert either cash or a credit card and "she" tells you how to choose what you want done and then gives you your change. I gave "her" a $10 and asked for the $9-Premium wash and she gave me back $1.

The doors open and the light turns green.

Before you're hardly inside, you're thoroughly doused!

A red arrow tells you when to STOP.

Two generous sudsings take place, then a rinse, and then confetti-colored suds are splashed all over your car.

A final rinse, and then .........

... super-sized blowers move back and forth air-drying your car.
The doors open; the arrow turns green, and you're done!

I'll go back, today, and use the new Vacuum Cleaner. They say it'll "take the carpet right off the floor!" We'll see!

Monday

2007-10-29T05:41:00.000-04:00

It's Garbage Day!

27.5 degrees

Monday: Partly to mostly sunny. High in the low 50's.
Tuesday: Partly sunny. High in the mid to upper 50's.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High 60-65.

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WCS Girls' Varsity Soccer:

In Class C, Notre Dame will play Waterville
at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sauquoit Valley High School!

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Cindy Stern sent me these two pictures to post, saying,

" The first one is of my grandson: Colden Thomas Stern. His parents are Todd and Catharine (Quayle) Stern from Floyd, NY. Both are former residents of Waterville. This picture was taken at a corn maze in Trenton, NY. The proud grandparents are: Larry & Cindy Stern (Waterville) and Tom and Suzy Quayle (Waterville)."

" To give equal time to my daughter, I've sent her family picture taken a couple of weeks ago at Tim's Pumpkin Patch. They are Chad & Meghan (Stern) Cattadoris with their son, Carter and new daughter Avery. The proud grandparents are: Larry & Cindy Stern (again) Peggy White of Clinton, NY, and Hank Cattadoris of Maine."

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On Madison Street - of course!

...and Berrill Avenue!

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I must have "looked" at this doorway hundreds of times, but it was the wreaths that made me stop and really admire the doors and columns. Do YOU know where they are?

This is another structure that many of us see every day, but I've removed an identifying feature. I'm sure the barns are going to turn into a PsB drawing.

This poor old thing is east of Bridgewater on Route 20.

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Finally!

The Boston Redsox have won the World Series

............ and fans everywhere (except for Dr. Elizabeth Stacy, in Hawaii) are tired!

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Have a good day!