Monday, December 31, 2007

Monday

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, December 30, 2007

Sunday Morning


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, December 28, 2007

Friday

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

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

(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!)

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

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

********

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, December 26, 2007

Wednesday

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!

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

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!!!

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

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!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve

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.

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


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

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, December 23, 2007

Sunday - Special!

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, December 21, 2007

Friday

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!