Tuesday morning

9.7 degrees at 6 o'clock, and according to AccuWeather we'll see some sunshine and then have some more snow.

WKTV offers a list of all of the schools in this area and what their open/closed status is. Waterville is OPEN.

There was some snow, yesterday, but the wind didn't allow it to stay where it fell, and "whiteouts" occurred at the usual places:

near Allen Acres,

and on Osborn Avenue.

The wind chill made it unpleasant to stay outdoors,
and even the Carolina Wrens and Red-bellied Woodpecker
looked awfully uncomfortable.

An item in yesterday's O-D assured readers that when it's time for the Ice Harvest at Millers Mills - next Sunday - there will be signs to get you there.
Just to get you going - drive E. on Route 20 past Winfield and take Route 51 N.
Watch for a right-hand turn onto Millers Mills Road.

This is the important part:

When you get to a crossroads, make sure you turn left!
(We didn't, and spent an hour or more
getting back to where we wanted to be!
But it's very pretty countryside - not time wasted
at all!

AccuWeather predicts that it will be around 20 degrees and the sun will be shining.)

"Memories; memories..."

(Click on this link!)
96.1 in the shade!

Another Monday with add-on at 8

More COLD! It's just about 2 degrees above zero.

It's still snowing, up North, and Adirondack Central School is closed.

Check the WKTV News site for the latest list of school closings as of 7:45.

No - Waterville is not on it.

The WKTV forecast for today:

Monday: Cold with lake effect snow. By tomorrow evening: 6"-12" for most of Northern Oneida County, 1-3" for the Mohawk Valley and most of southern Herkimer and Madison County. High 9 Low -1

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

In other numbers, it was the Colts over the Bears, 28 - 17 at the Super Bowl in Miami: the Colts' biggest victory since moving to Indianapolis in 1984, and it gave them the distinction of being the first dome team to win a Super Bowl outdoors. And then there was MVP Peyton Manning, who took about one quarter to figure out the Bears' defense. Then he carved it up. He moved Indianapolis by masterfully finding open receivers, calling runs and converting third downs, and his 53-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne came with a Chicago defender draped around his waist.

If watching the Super Bowl wasn't your "thing," you can still start your day/week with lots of good laughs by watching some of the really wonderful Commercials!

An article in this morning's O-D quotes a Domino's Pizza owner as saying it was the "biggest day of the year!" I wonder how many pies were made at the New York Pizzeria here in Waterville. Lots, I bet!

It was a nice, sunny day here, yesterday, and we did go for a "Ride in the Country."

Actually, we set out to find the most direct route to Millers Mills, where the Annual Ice Harvest will take place next Sunday. (It was cancelled, last year, because there was no ice!)

We've been to Millers Mills, before; it shouldn't have been that hard to find our way back there - and we DID, finally - but we need to refine our mapping process before we lead too many of you astray!

Closer to home .............

Our friends in "the city" like these views.
You can see that there's not much snow cover
on these fields next to Tormey Road.

(Click to enlarge photos.)

This reminds me of storm waves at sea,
but it's snow, over near Paris Station.

If I had a snowmobile, I'd head right for these hedgerow drifts!

More about the

Millers' Mills Ice Harvest
later!

Sunday morning

It's 7.3 degrees, with a "real feel" of minus 10: bbbrrrrrrrr!
AccuWeather forecasts partly cloudy; a few peeks of sunshine, and a high of about 13 degrees.

WKTV's forecast for Sunday: Mostly cloudy with heavy lake effect snow across the north country. Accumulations in Lewis, N Herkimer counties in excess of one foot. Very cold and breezy. Wind chill values between -10 and -20 in the morning. High 11 Low -4.

It's clear, here, and the moon is bright. Owls were hunting, coyotes singing and - on Friday night, at least - several deer foraged for apples under the old trees near the creek in Whiskey Hollow while dedicated sky-watchers (elsewhere!) were braving the cold to enjoy the sight of
Saturn at its brightest.

There were fewer-than-usual snowmobiles seen and heard, yesterday and last night. Presumably, many local riders were in Boonville at the Adirondack Cup Races, which will continue today.

The next major snowmobiling event will be the John Albert Antique & Vintage Classic & Barbeque in
Oriskany Falls, two weeks from now.

Later today, perhaps a "ride in the country" -in a Chevy Tahoe (with heater and wheels!)

Saturday morning

It's a shivery 12.2 degrees, outside,
and the Full Moon is still bright!

There will be some clouds and snow showers today - especially during the afternoon - and then more clouds tonight with, perhaps, another peek at the moon.

The WKTV Doppler show us where it's snowing and where it's not and the Utica O-D tells us where we can go! Utica Zoo Snowfari.

Yesterday, everyone was talking about the weather - in Florida! During the very early morning, tornadoes had struck in an area where many of the village's friends spend their Winters, and phone calls and E-mail sped southward in attempts to ascertain their safety.

Sylvia Person phoned the Burbacks soon after 6:00 A.M. to say that they were fine, although their home had received a lttle damage. Paula Manion went searching for Mr. Garrett and found him just fine - "out having breakfast!" The Hunts reported that they, the Kelleys and the Youngs were unscathed, and Dave Desany wrote -

"Thanks for asking, yes we are fine. The really bad weather was generally 20-40 miles N/NW of us, although we certainly had some heavy rain and thunder/lightning. No impact to any local family or friends that I am aware of, and as usual the tornadoes (here and the Midwest/plains) always seem to find the trailer parks."

-- and from Gary Tuttle - "Thanks. The tornado's were about 40 miles north of us
and all we had was a little rain. I've been wondering about Bob Garrett, George Kelly, Ed Hunt and others I think stay in the Lady Lake area."

So - as far as we know - our Snow Birds are all Safe and Sound!

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

Locally, some birds - although safe - don't look altogether happy!

One of our two Carolina Wrens keeps looking in the kitchen window, probably wondering when more suet will appear or if he/she'll be invited inside.

(Click to enlarge photos.)

Up at the crest of Bogan Road, I found the two
Watch Birds, pacing back and forth as if to say:

"Private Road! Who goes there?"

They moved - ever so slowly - off to the side to let me drive by, pausing to complain that I was in their road, or that their feet hurt.

One tried walking in the snow and looked so unhappy about it that I drove on, and left the whole road for them to parade on, again.

Friday EXTRA! with add-on

Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow,
predicts an early spring ahead

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - A new pair of hands pulled Punxsutawney Phil from his stump this year, so it was only fitting that the groundhog offered a new prediction.

Phil did not see his shadow on Friday which, according to German folklore, means folks can expect an early spring instead of six more weeks of winter.

Since 1886, Phil has seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999.

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

A Sonnet, by our special friend
Warren Gilman, "Down Maine."

Shades of Winter

The year is at a crucial time, they say,

When I must leave this den to play my part,

For February Second is the day

When all the world thinks groundhogs are so smart!



I don’t know whence arose this silly whim

That what I do can shift a season’s sway,

My shadow’s now a potent synonym

That makes the winter-weary feel dismay.



I step outside in fear of what I’ll see.

Creating chilling omens is no fun!

The gloomy form which now may follow me

Depends upon the shrouding of the sun,



And many at this blustery time will pray,

My shadow will not see the light of day!

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

Headlines from Page 1 of this week's Waterville Times.

"Snowmobile Registration on Saturday" - Every Saturday in February, 9 to noon at the Adirondack Gateway Information Center in Boonville.

"Brennan Reappointed" - Patrick Brennan of Deansboro reappointed New York State Director for USDA Rural Development.

"60 Years of Service" - Gerald McMullen honored for 60 years of service to the Deansboro Fire Department. (photo)

"Marshall Makes Appointments" - Mary Ann Marsh, Nancy Cali, Anne Jasek, Willard Marsh and Morris Sturdevant appointed.

"Thummler Named MS Principal" - ten-year MPS Principal appointed to Middle School. Other WCS news items.

"Break-in Investigated" - Brennan home in Town of Paris broken into on Jan. 23.

"Lachut Case Continues" - Former teacher's case adjourned to Feb. 22.

"Celebrating 50 Years" - Fr. Vincent Kelly of St. Joseph's Church in Oriskany Falls. (photo)

"Bank Building for Sale" - Auction of former Bank of America building at the corner of Main and White Streets will take place on Feb. 14. Originally constructed in 1925.
Details of auction procedure.

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

A Few Social Notes and Items of Interest
excerpted from "In Timely Manner."

What people are talking about!

The great Annual “Give Away” that took place last weekend in the basement of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Sponsored by the Food Pantry and the Senior Citizens, the event was HUGE! “Bigger than any Salvation Army Store I ever saw!” Donations came from everywhere in such quantity that a sign - “No More Donations, PLEASE!” - appeared on the door on Friday. The event is always open to the public; all items are always FREE and, needless to say, “the place was mobbed!”

The AUCTION of the old Bank Building - the selling of which will (hopefully!) take place “By Order of a National Real Estate Investment Trust” on February 14th at 10:00 A.M. by John Dixon Associates. . An “Open House” for prospective buyers will take place on Wednesday, February 7 from 9 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. and 1 hour prior to sale. Area residents have their hopes set on a purchase by First Niagara, NBT, HSBC or, “at least Someone!”

FOOD! We understand that January sped by too rapidly and that there were still some Fish Fry fanciers who missed out on that Friday Night Treat at the American Legion where the January-only Friday Specials sold out two weeks in a row. Rotarians nearly always meet at MAC’s, and with good reason: one week they enjoyed a dinner of Frank’s special mussels, shrimp and scallops over spinach gnocchi and they were looking forward to a roast pork dinner the next week! Michael’s Fine Food and Spirits continues to attract lunchtime meetings. Employees of “Frontier” filled the parkinglot and restaurant a week or so ago and last week the Waterville Retired Teachers held their monthly meeting there and gave rave reviews to Michael’s Cream of Mushroom Soup.

Mrs. S. Martin writes that “Fifteen of the Waterville Crimson Bonnets had lunch on Thursday January 25th at the ‘Town and Country’ in Vernon. This was one of our smaller gatherings since some of our members are in Florida and some are not feeling so well. After lunch some of the more venturesome went on to Vernon Downs and tried their luck at gambling.” (Mrs. Martin won a total of $6.) February's luncheon will be held at David's Fireside in Bouckville and will be coordinated by Gail Dwyer and Vera Barnes.

Having no real conncection to the previous subject - other than the fact that they live in Sandwich, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, - Jack McNamara and his wife, Dianne were guests of Ms. Lurena McNamara over the weekend. It will be interesting to hear their comments on the new lamp posts! (Ms. McNamara says that he was impressed, but will be moreso when the snow is gone!)

In other news - Deb Mayne writes: “Double the trouble, twice the fun! 20 fingers and 20 toes, and lots of diapers! Dan & Debra (Kelly) Acker are busy these days with the arrival of their twins, Ava Daniel and Aidan Kelley, on who were born on January 12th at St. Lukes, weighing in at 6 lbs. 4 1/2 oz. and 5 lbs.1 3/4, respectively. Proud and adoring grandparents are Deb & Doug Mayne of Hubbardsville, Gary Acker of Waterville, Cynthia Kelly and Bill Dooley of Utica, and great-grandparents Nancy & Frank Acker of Waterville and Betty Kniffin of Brookfield, and Jeanette Kelley and John Gacek of Utica. The family is at home in Whitesboro.” Congratulations, everyone!

Catherine Harding has been entertaining out-of-town family. Her daughter Elaine and grandson David Ralls were in from Arizona and Pat Hosford and Nancy Southard came to visit from South Carolina. Needless to say the snow and cold kept everyone inside visiting.


Items for "In Timely Manner" may be submitted by stopping the writer in the grocery/drug/video store; by telephoning 841-4679, or by clicking on "E-mail the Writer" at the upper left-hand corner of this post!

Friday morning

It's nearly 27 degrees, out, and - for the first time in quite a while - there's barely a trace of new snow. That, however, will come later, according to a morning update on the O-D's website:

"Some snow is on the way"

"It is almost certain there will be some snow flurries this afternoon, with accumulation of up to 3 inches. Temperatures will reach a high of 32 and a low of 17 overnight.

Overnight, the northern part of Oneida County, such as Boonville, will see 2 to 4 inches of snow. Parts of Herkimer County, like Little Falls, will see one to three inches.

For Saturday, lake-effect snow will definitely affect areas north of Rome and Old Forge - and it could be major. Saturday's temperature will reach a high of 20 and a low of seven degrees Saturday night."

BRrrrrrrr!

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

The WCS Girls' Varsity Basketball Team will meet West Canada Valley Central tonight at 7:30 here in Waterville.

******

Shops on West Park Row in Clinton are having fun: a Valentine's Day Window Decorating Contest, which got the attention of the O-D.

*******

More and more people from throughout the
Waterville community are saying,
"I really like the lamps!"

"I like the color"

and

"When are they going to light them?"


(This one is powered by "Photoshop.")