Monday, August 6, 2007

Blogger's Back!


Good Monday Morning, to all of you!

What a super vacation I had: I needed that break, and enjoyed it to the degree that I may have trouble getting back into a civilized routine. I think that you can expect the blogger to be lazy and the blog to be a tad late, for a few days!!

I spent the week at a quiet little place on the St. Lawrence River west of Alexandria Bay where I searched no news or weather forecasts, but sat on the lawn and read two delicious mysteries, watched boats and ships of all shapes and sizes sail through the front yard, and talked with others who were doing the same thing.

Early morning view from my balcony.








I did play tourist, a little, and took the "Uncle Sam Boat Tour" for the eighth or tenth time. The Boldt Castle on Heart Island is always a treat to see.









My favorite island structures have always been the huge Boldt Boathouse - in the background - and the tiny little "Mother-in-Law" house perched on a shoal.







More about Alex Bay later - now let's move along!

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It's Garbage Day!

Right now it's 68 degrees. Muggyish.

  • Today: Scattered showers or thunderstorms, especially in the morning. Otherwise, a mix of sun and clouds. Becoming warm by afternoon. High in the low 80s.
  • Tonight: Becoming mainly clear and mild. Patchy fog. Low in the low 60s.
  • Tuesday: Hazy, hot and humid. Mostly Sunny. High: 91, Low: 68

It doesn't appear that there's going to be a Village Board Meeting, tonight, so consider going to Utica Monday Night, instead. There's alot on the schedule!


The one really neat thing that I saw when I was driving back into Waterville on Friday afternoon --- FLAGS on Stafford Avenue!

I understand that they had been put up even before I left town, but I'd missed the whole "happening."







I'll try catch up on alot of things, today.

Several blog-readers have been missing a "feature" that I have not been following through with, recently: the posting of "Social Notes and Items of Interest" from The Waterville Times. Here are some portions of "In Timely Manner" taken from the August 1 issue.

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“It’s hot and dry: we need rain!” “Havn’t we had enough rain, yet?” And so it goes - it’s SUMMER! Hop vines are about to pull down their poles! Cardinal Flowers are starting to bloom. The best place for viewing is along the banks of the Sangerfield River in Nine Mile Swamp.

Get Well Soon wishes to Pat Mangan, who was hospitalized for a few days a week or so ago, and also to Mrs. Gallagher and Mr. Lew.

The New York State D.O.T. Paving of Rt. 315 has left more than a few residents wondering if the engineers did, indeed, have a plan! Some sections of the new surface are well above or below the abutting sidewalks or lawns and both drainage and mowing are an issue.

There’s a oversized sign in the front window of the former Scerbo building announcing that SUBWAY is coming! That was a rumor about a year ago - possibly, this time, it will become a faĆ®t accompli! There’s rumor, as well, that a coffee shop/diner will be opening at MACs and the writer has been advised that next week’s issue of The Waterville Times will hold an announcement about the future of the Bank Building.

Less than three weeks ‘til the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show - August 18th and 19th - and “Picnic Tables” and “Blueberries” top Rotarians lists!

Thursday the 26th the Waterville Red Hats (Crimson Bonnets) held their monthly luncheon at the Buffalo Head Restaurant in Foresport. Mrs. Martin writes that, “The drive was long but worth it for around 26 members. We ordered off the menu and all were more than satisfied with our meals. We were invited to Flo Fabrey's home (only a few miles from the Buffalo Head) for a cool beverage on the deck and a boat ride around the lake. It turned out to be a very pleasant day and we thank Flo for arranging this outing.”

And recent discussion abou the history of the Borden Milk Plant on Osborn Avenue - or South Street, as it was then - prompted this reply: “Hi Times. I enjoyed the writeup about the old Bordens plant. My dad worked there when I was a kid. On clear days you could hear the milk cans being loaded and unloaded, all over town. We used to play up on the beams when it was under construction (but) one of the kids fell and got hurt badly, that stopped that game. I used to go help my Dad pick up milk on the routes. (He used Steve Manion's big flatbed stake truck, about a 39 Chev) . I remember Doug Elliott's farm ( Nine Mile Swamp). He (Doug) would lift the full cans up onto the truck with one hand, and never break a sweat. Now we go to a gym to ‘try-to’ stay in shape, and I forgot what I had for breakfast. Respectfully ...gil condon”

As mentioned last week, the current issue of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America’s magazine, “Generator & Distributor,” held a photograph of the Norm Hanna Chevy Dealership that was once located on Sanger Avenue and several people have offered interesting bits of history about ALL of the dealerships that were located there! (People DO love to “talk history!”)

The Editor and Publisher of The Waterville Times certainly had a memorable week: leaving Waterville last Wednesday morning she drove northward to Canada and set out on a 300-mile loop, travelling those miles on her bicycle! She sent E-mail Greetings last Thursday, saying: “I've done 90 miles since leaving H2Oville Wednesday morning. 10 of those were on the fantastic Burlington Bikeway in Vermont. The rest has been on Route Verte 1, from Granby west to Montreal. Tomorrow I head east on the north shore of the St. Lawrence toward, but not to, Quebec. The loop I'm planning is 300 or so miles, if my kilometers to miles calculations are close. Mostly a flat and hard dirt surface, interspaced with blessed pavement. The 60 miles today were tough after the first 30; not a cloud in the sky and most of the trail is open. I stopped a couple of times for ice cream and water. I am now about to go out and explore a bit of Old Montreal, with the idea of dinner and cold drinks in mind.






Sunday, July 29, 2007

Sunday Morning

It's 64 degrees and gray.


  • Sunday: Partly sunny with the slight chance of a shower, mainly south and east of Utica. High: 83
  • Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Low: 63
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"Billy" and "Joey" Nolan both grew up at the top of our hill and yesterday I went to Billy's - or Will's - wedding at this church in Brookfield.

(I suspect that Hobie and Lois Morris had something to do with the plantings as well as the music: Lois played the organ and Hobie "turned."!)


Will and Joe Nolan

Mr. and Mrs. Will Nolan.

******


I was going to stop at the Sanger Avenue residence of Mrs. Davis on my way home to tell her about the wedding, but came to a stop even before I reached her driveway, doing a "double-take," because her porch was gone! (Well - not gone, exactly, but the last time I had looked, it had been an "enclosed" porch. This looks nice!)

Mrs. Davis' car was gone, too,
so this posting will be a substitute visit!

*****

Corn and alfalfa, next to Lewis Road.


Harvest - on Daytonville Road.

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It's Vacation Time! and as soon as I click "Publish Post" I'm going to start a week-long "break!" Although I will be where there's wireless internet access and I'm taking my laptop - so do keep the Emails coming - I don't know that I'll be assembling any actual blog posts.

Remember to keep checking the Community Calendar so that you won't miss out on things like "Cans and Clams" at the Legion on Tuesdays, Farmers' Market every Wednesday or any of the many special events at the Waterville Public Library! The Municipal Calendar will remind you when to put out your garbage, etc., out and here's WKTV's extended forecast!


  • Monday: Partly sunny. High: 82, Low: 61
  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High: 86, Low: 61
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High: 88, Low: 63
  • Thursday: A mix of sun and clouds. High: 89, Low: 63
  • Friday: A mix of sun and clouds. Chance of a storm. High: 86, Low: 65
  • Saturday: Partly sunny. High: 85
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Have a great week!

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It has occurred to me that the many blog-readers who drive past Whiskey Hollow several times a day - and night - could do me a great favor by keeping an eye on the property and alerting the constabulary if something seems amiss! Thank You very much!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Saturday



It's 62 degrees.

  • Saturday: Some sun possible, but showers and storms likely in the afternoon. Heavy rain possible in any storms. The heaviest activity should be south and east of Utica. High in the low 80s.
  • Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some clearing possible late. Low in the mid 60s.
  • Sunday: Sun and clouds with showers and storms possible in the afternoon, especially south and east of Utica. High: 83, Low: 63

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There's a BIG YARD SALE on Barton Avenue!


And BIG HOP VINES at St. Bernard's Church! That little green roof that you can see at the top of the poles is - or was - a purple martin house set up there by Nancy Eastman in the Spring.


These vines, at the Historical Society, look as if they're going to pull the pole right over!

Don Brown's adding a nice little entryway at his home on Sanger Avenue.

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I didn't receive an update from Patty Louise, bicycling in Canada, but I did get this E-mail with more about the old Borden Milk Plant!

" I enjoyed the writeup about the old Bordens plant. My dad worked there when I was a kid. On clear days, you could hear the milk cans being loaded and unloaded all over town. We used to play up on the beams when it was under construction, but one of the kids fell and got hurt badly, that stopped that game....

I used to go help my Dad pickup milk on the routes, (He used Steve Manion's big flatbed stake truck, about a 39 Chev.) I remember Doug Elliott's farm ( Nine Mile Swamp) He ( Doug) would lift the full cans up onto the truck with one hand , and never break a sweat.

Now we go to a gym to "try-to" stay in shape, and I forgot what I had for breakfast....... Respectfully ...gil condon

Thank You, Gil!

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Friday, July 27, 2007

Friday


(Click!!)

SYLVIA BELDAN

(that's my sister-in-law in Shirley, Massachusetts!)

and

CONGRATULATIONS!

*****

It's 65 degrees and bright.

  • Today: Hazy, hot and humid with scattered afternoon storms. Any storm could be locally strong with gusty winds and very heavy rainfall. High in the mid 80s.
  • Tonight: Showers ending. Partly cloudy with areas of fog. Humid. Low in the mid 60s.
  • Saturday: Maybe some morning sunshine, but showers and thunderstorms likely after Midday. Heavy rain possible. High: 84, Low: 64

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


The first review is in: Missy Brouillette - with a big grin - announcing: "I finished it! (meaning the new Harry Potter) and it's WONDERFUL!"

****

Finishing Touches! Scallop shingles over the entryway and new lamps next to the door of the new Belfield Insurance Agency building..

Driving Northward on Rt. 12 - heading for Savicki's! - this pretty garden planted in the foundation of an old barn.


On Paris Green;


... and - on the way back to Waterville - this grand sight on Burkhurdt Road!


Recognize this cyclist?

I had E-mail from her, yesterday! Read on ......

"Bon Jour!" (she writes)
"
Hello all from beautiful downtown Old Montreal. After one of the hottest
days of biking - CBC radio raved all day how it hit 33! - I am comfortably
human and clean again in the bike hostel right in the old town. Yes, while
others have shelled out upwards of $200 to sleep right next door, I'm merely
down $22.50.

I've done 90 miles since leaving H2Oville Wednesday morning. 10 of those
were on the fantastic Burlington Bikeway in Vermont. The rest has been on
Route Verte 1, from Granby west to Montreal. Tomorrow I head east on the
north shore of the St. Lawrence toward, but not to, Quebec. The loop I'm
planning is 300 or so miles, if my kilometers to miles calculations are
close.

Mostly a flat and hard dirt surface, interspaced with blessed pavement. The
60 miles today were tough after the first 30; not a cloud in the sky and
most of the trail is open. I stopped a couple of times for ice cream and
water. I am now about to go out and explore a bit of Old Montreal, with the
idea of dinner and cold drinks in mind.

I wrote this before I checked Flip's blog, so I hope all is well in
Waterville and points southwest of here. Stay well, everyone, and wish me
strong legs tomorrow.

Patty
(To be continued!)

*******



Thursday, July 26, 2007

Thursday

61 degrees.

It's Garbage Day!
  • Thursday: Hazy, hot and humid. There could be an afternoon thunderstorm, especially west of Utica, but most areas will remain dry. High in the upper 80s to perhaps low 90s in spots.
  • Thursday night: Partly cloudy and humid. Patchy fog. Low in the mid 60s.
  • Friday: Hazy, hot and humid with scattered afternoon storms, more numerous than the previous two days. High: 87, Low: 66


There will be lots to do around here, this weekend: the O-D sums it up! A WKTV story describes the opening of another section of the Canalway Bike Trail. For maps and more information, click this Canalway Trails link.

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The first picture that I took yesterday was of the new "Home Shoppe" sign on Buell Avenue .....


... and the next was of THIS sign in the former Scerbo building!

A smaller sign reads "Now Hiring" and instructs those looking for employment to go to
the Subway website.




More noisy, traffic-slowing fixing and fussing went on on Buell Avenue and Rt. 315, yesterday, with topsoil being smoothed onto the newly graded shoulders.



Later, in the Park, the "flower lady" fussed over her wares .....



Lynn Curtis was manning Main Sreet Liquors' tent .......


"Serendipity" offered sweets ........


..... and vendor Dot McConnell was enjoying the day!

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Just as I got in my car to leave the Farmer's Market, I spotted Don Brown working on his front porch and turned my camera on, again. But then I saw this fellow (above) and he saw me and even waved!

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Elsewhere:

the first sign of Cardinal Flower on Loomis Road!

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On Sally Road, between Hanover and Fuess-Cleary, there are lots of sunflowers blooming along the edge of - and even inside - a corn field!

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I'll leave you with this gorgeous picture of Niagara Falls to look at. It was sent to me by Val Schenk, who spent last weekend playing tourist with her husband at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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And here's a small rumor -- remember: it's just a RUMOR! -- that "Macs" might reopen soon as a typical "diner!"

*****