Friday

It's 56 degrees.

• Today: Morning showers, then a few peaks of sun in the afternoon before return in the clouds and a few showers in the late afternoon and into the evening. Cooler. High: 66
• Friday Night: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Low: 48
• Saturday: Decrease in clouds. High: 67, Low: 41
• Sunday: Sunshine. High: 70, Low:46

A heavy storm caused damage at Canadarago Lake, Edmeston and Burlington Flats; what rain we've had has done little to help the situation at Hinckley Reservoir. The O-D gives a complete overview of the water shortage in the area.

As colors change, more and more of us will aim Northward, and our chances are better than ever that we'll see something else, too: Moose!

If you're as fascinated by the Alpacas that live at "Rancho Cerritos" up on Route 12 near Paris as I am, you'll want to stop there on Saturday for their Open House!

"The first ever National Alpaca Farm Day is September 29th. On this day alpaca breeders from across the United States and Canada will invite the public to come to their farm or ranch to meet their alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive and unique animals.

Rancho Cerritos is participating in this event and will welcome guests to meet our alpacas. Our farm will be open to the public from11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, on September 29th. You and your family are invited.

Of course, the event is free but donations of canned or packaged foods for the Waterville Food Bank are appreciated.

If you are unable to visit us during our alpaca farm day, you may call us to setup an appointment for a different day and time. If you have any questions, please contact us at your convenience."

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

I got a nice letter from "Jr." Barlett, whom I met for the very first time, last Saturday:

" I had a great time just walking around and seeing the sights and how Great the Village is becoming. Next to me is a small town Marilla where I pickup my mail. They have a gazebo in what they call memorial park with paved bricks leading up to it with deceased veterans names on them. All summer there are different musical events and its great, the town is smaller than waterville but get this. This year was their 3rd annual car/motorcycle drive for the benefit of mercy flight for airlifting critcal people in accidents. The first year there were about 300 cars and 40 or so motorcycles, the second year 500 cars and 60 mcy's. This year 1000 registered cars and over 100 mcy's so you can imagine the potential each year for Waterville for it's event to continue to grow. Next trip down will be for Deer Season got to see if I can outdo my highschool buddy Jack Prior. (hee hee hope he reads this) Thanks again for all you do for us whose hearts will always remain in the old home town."

And Judith Ogden Kartman wrote: "I could hardly wait to come back home after my wonderful weekend in Waterville so I could view your blog and photos on the Cruisin' into Waterville event! My brother from Boca Raton, Florida flew into Buffalo where I picked him up and headed to the fun old home festivities! I live in Orchard Park just south of Buffalo. We saw our cousins David & Brenda and Bob & Sharon Alberding, Tim & Paula Burback, Joan Whitenbeck and our Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Phil Person, plus tons of old highschool pals! What a great weekend with picture perfect weather!" adding - " Is there not some way PLEASE that I can print the wonderful photos you display on your site?"

I didn't know that you couldn't!
I'll tinker with the system, later on, today, and write to you!

********

I know that there are quite a few blog readers who like to see pictures of the countryside around Waterville......


.... probably remembering the slower pace of their younger years.


They watch the seasons change on Canning Factory Road,
up near Chuckery Corners,

on Barton Avenue,


the Sangerfield River at Loomis Road.


Others can't get enough of Pat's garden on Babbott Avenue South, where the Trumpet Trees are still grand.

Watching Tom's sign at the Car Wash keeps people up-to-date on special occassions and ...

..........watching changes at the Car Wash itself has become a daily event!

(I like the green/cream combination!)

**************
Elsewhere:

Chocolate Lovers should all be in Hamilton, tomorrow!

Quilters (and other artists and admirers) will head for the Mohawk Valley Quilt Club Show
at the Utica Curling Club.

Whatever you do - Have a great Weekend!

Thursday

It's Garbage Day!

62 degrees

We had some rumbles and rain during the night.

From the O-D: "Low water levels prompt resrictions for some Oneida County residents."

• Thursday: Warm and humid. Rain developing toward afternoon. Rain could be locally heavy at times in some spots. Thunderstorms possible. High in the mid 70s.
• Thursday night: Rain, heavy at times, especially south and east of Utica. Chance of a thunderstorm. Turning cooler late. Low in the mid to upper 50s.
• Friday: Morning showers, then very slow clearing. Some places may not see sunshine. Cooler. High: 66, Low: 46

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


Getting ready to pour on Putnam Street.


The Northerly side of Tower Street will have a new sidewalk, too.

*******

Perhaps it's the drought? Some of our maples - the ones that are usually the most spectacular and beneath which we always can find samples to send to friends in Florida - seem to be dropping their leaves earlier than usual. This fine specimen of Acer sacrum on Putnam Street, however, is a beauty!


Out-of-towners who came to Waterville on Saturday and were delighted with the "make-over" on Main Street would also have been impressed with seasonal sights on our side streets. (These little pictures are all clickable!)

Berrill Avenue.

Buell Avenue.

Osborn Avenue.

Putnam Street.

Madison Street











Madison Street.











Madison Street.

West Bacon Street.

Most of you probably know that I also write a weekly column for The Waterville Times called "In Timely Manner." If you came to town last weekend just to attend some of the events, would you please share your thoughts about your time here with me so that I can tell all the readers? Just click on the "Email the writer" line at the upper-left of this page, and magic will happen! Thank You!

*********

At Atunyote - "Looking Back"

Have a good day, Everyone!

Wednesday

It's Recyclables Day!

and

FARMER'S MARKET

in the Park from 1 - 7

********

65 degrees, already.

• Wednesday: Scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Otherwise, clouds and sun. Very warm and humid. High: 83, Low: 62
• Thursday: Occasional rain. Chance of a thunderstorm. High: 72, Low: 55

We really need rain!


The little pond at the foot of Grant Hill (above) is bone dry and all other small ponds are lower than usual.

**********

Mary Campbell has posted more of her Cruis'in pictures HERE and Gary Tuttle sent me these two photographs of 9-year-old Julianna Slocum from Oriskany Falls. He said that he thought, at first, that she was lip syncing, but No: that was HER voice! When Bridgett Welsh wrote to me a few days ago she said - about Slocum - "I have a feeling she might just be a Superstar someday soon!"

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

Speaking of stars ............

the old barn at the Cornish's place on Hanover Road.

Caught in the Act! The "star" of the flowerbeds at the Hanover-Shanley crossroads: Sally Zweifel!

It's for Sale!


This is curious: it doesn't look as if anything's being done to improve the condition of the Asahel Grant homestead, itself, but the garage is getting new clapboards.

... and mysterious.

Grading in progress at the former mill site and a stack of new lumber in the background. (Of course the two could be completely unrelated, however .........

Can anyone elucidate?

********

This weekend:

Arlo Guthrie at the Kirkland Art Center

The Mohawk Valley Quilt Club Show
at the Utica Curling Club.

********

*******

Have a great day!

Tuesday morning

It's 52 degrees,

and going to be another beautiful day.

• Tuesday: Mostly sunny and near recrod warmth. Highs in the mid 80s in the Mohawk Valley and upper 70s to low 80s elsewhere.

• Tuesday night: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Warm. Low in the low 60s.
• Wednesday: Scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Otherwise, clouds and sun. High: 79, Low: 59

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

And here are some more of Mary Campbell's pictures, taken on Saturday afternoon and evening.

The audience .....

And the Entertainers:

Faultline

Meanwhile .....

Miniature golf meets the "Snell Car" at the Waterville Historical Society.

Jeff Reynolds sent this picture of the audience at the Puppet Show in the Library.

******

Later on, he photographed the scene.....

under the big tent ......


....... under the Moon.

(Spectacular!)

(Thanks, Jeff!)

*****

Inside, Mary made the rounds, talking with Jim and Roc,


WCS Foundation President Tim Peach
and Matt Tanner and his friend Jackie.

Lois and Jack,

Shirley and Paula,

the Bancroft party, and many, many more.

She has also put a display of pictures together on the school's website which you can peruse by clicking - HERE!

*******

And I had E-mail from Janice Eisenhut who said, "I just wanted you to know how much fun I had at the chili cook off. My chili was named 'Moovilli Chili.' I think they raised around $600.00 for the Christmas commitee. I can't wait till next year."

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


Me neither!

Please help "Make it Happen!"

********