At Home in the Huddle 2012

According to WKTV .........

2012-03-12T06:48:00.007-04:00

The temperature in Utica at 6:15 is 32 degrees and,

By late afternoon, may have topped 60!

According to experts here at Harding Nursing Home,

Temperature on the "veranda" of the dining room may top 75 degrees at mid-day.

***

Wendy Sexton came to see me, yesterday, and brought

the very first Springtime Bouquet.

Thank You, Wendy!

IT'S GARBAGE DAY in WATERVILLE

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

"Village Elections set for March 20"

Here's the link. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to make it work.

Perhaps you can.

http://www.uticaod.com/news/x872932135/Village-elections-list-for-Oneida-Herkimer-counties

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

Thursday, March 15th @ 7:30pm

Saturday, March 17th @ 7:30pm

Friday, March 16th @ 7:30pm

All tickets are $6

Radomes – Ryan

Aida – Micaela L

Amneris – Libby Z

Zoser – Caleb K

Mereb – Zac B

Nehebka – Skye P

Pharaoh – Alec S

Amonsaro – Michael O

Tomorrow - members of the Ensemble

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

Thanks to all the "snow birds" who have been

Sending sunshine in our direction!

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

More when it happens!

Have a great day, everyone!

Sent from my iPad

According to WKTV ........

2012-03-11T18:58:00.009-04:00

The temperature in Utica at 6:15 is 32 degrees and,

By late afternoon, may have topped 60!

Wendy Sexton came to see me, yesterday afternoon,

Bringing the fist real Springtime Bouquet.

Thank You, Wendy!

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

IT'S GARBAGE DAY in WATERVILLE

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

Thursday, March 15th @ 7:30pm

Saturday, March 17th @ 7:30pm

Friday, March 16th @ 7:30pm

All tickets are $6

Radames – Ryan S

Aida – Micaela L

Amneris – Libby Z

Zoser – Caleb K

Mereb – Zac B

Nehebka – Skye P

Pharaoh – Alec S

Amonsaro – Michael O

Ensemble

Jessica A

Cheyenne B

Eddie B

Alexis E

Kristen E

Sam E

Abby F

Micah F

Austin F

Mikayla G

Derek G

Tessa H

Brent H

Sydney J

Cassie K

Chloe K

Angela L

Olivia M

Jackie M

Anna Rae M

Rylee M

Sierra M

Kaeli O

Eli O

Cassie P

Rachel P

Jenna P

Mackenzie R

Brooke R

Kaitlyn R

Tana R

Brett S

Juliana S

Alicia S

Shannon S

Maggie T

Kenna W

Danielle Z

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

Thanks to all the "snow birds" who have been

Sending sunshine in our direction!

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

More when it happens!

Have a great day, everyone!

Sent from my iPad

Sunny Sunday!

2012-03-11T09:48:00.017-04:00

Beautiful morning. Temp heading for the fifties

-------

CORRECTION!

There will actually be

THREE

Full performances of "Aida"

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Dress Rehearsal

The only time when cameras or other recording devices can be used,

Is on Wednesday.

AT THE LIBRARY

Wednesday the 14th at 1:00

Movie Matinee

"The Help"

------

Waterville Garden Club Newsletter

March, 2012

The inaugural meeting of 2012 was held March 6^th in the Village Hall. Eleven members met to discuss projects and events for the coming year. Our first item of business was the change in our treasurer for the upcoming year. Sharon Bennett has agreed to assume the duties from Wendy Sexton. Sharon reported that she and Wendy have yet to make the transfer, but it will happen before the April meeting. Sandy Bishopp will take over duties as “sunshine” chairman for the year and committee chairs for club events will be discussed again in April.

The club talked about purchasing bunting for the gazebo/bandstand in the village park. It was felt that this would be a community project we could undertake. I agreed to contact the village board to see if this is something they would consider. If possible, the club would like to purchase these buntings through Morgan’s.

Possible visits mentioned for the year included Freedom Farms garden center in Sherrill, the Mills Rose Garden in Syracuse and the Root Glen at Hamilton College. Linda Ford has offered her garden and house for our Aug. picnic.

The date of May 19^th was suggested for the plant sale. It was felt that an earlier date than last year’s sale would work better. This will have to be cleared

with the church. The date for our annual

visit to Alcott’s

Uwill have to be decided in April.

If anyone has any questions about our next meeting, please contact me at 841-8430 ordlobrien67@aol.com. Hopefully we’ll see you all on April 3^rd.

Little by little, I'm learning to live without a mouse - but it's not easy!

I can't seem to control the font weights or colors. Apologies.

Special Thanks to John Ogden

And Merri-Rose

Sent from my iPad

2012-03-10T10:48:00.012-05:00

Every day there are more ............ Robins spotted on sunny lawns; Canada Geese circling fields out on Madison Street before landing on Moon's Pond ...... And every day there are more Get Well cards and Enotes from blog readers and villagers who are all, probably, wondering what's wrong with the blogger! I not only owe all of you tremendous thanks for your thoughtfulness and encouragement, but - painful as it is - a True Confession!

I am not physically debilitated. I can breathe on my own; I can eat without any assistance and have a license to drive my walker anywhere and at any speed I want to........ HOWEVER, I am 99 percent incapable of even finding where this cute little iPad has hidden my Email! In other words, I am inept and will need much more practice before I can blog with complete ease. Sorry about that!

Great thanks to Blogger II - Allison - who is also a super coach.

One thing I wanted to remind all of to put on your calendar: It's playtime and AIDA Opens on the WCS Stage at 7:30 on Thursday (Dress rehearsal) and runs, again, at 7:30 on both Friday and Saturday. Dont miss it! (Perhaps by then I'll have learned how to post pictures!)

I've just received this "parental advisory" from Paul Staskowski - worth reading! Thanks, Paul.

"They're performing "Aida" this year and I'm sure that it will be another great show by our students.
We would like to mention that this year's musical is a drama and although it is rated PG, there is some stronger dialogue and violence. There is no swearing, but some parents might choose to not bring younger children due to these reasons. It's not as violent as "Jekyll and Hyde", but it is a story that is set during the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt. The music is by Elton John so it should be another great performance,"

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Friday Update

2012-03-09T18:00:00.000-05:00

No major news to report friends. Mom is doing quite well, and slowly finding those legs again. We'll be in town again this weekend, but in the mean time wanted to post a couple tidbits of stuff, 'cause that's what the blog is for.

-----------------------------------

Daylight Savings Time
Before you go to bed Saturday, move those clocks ahead one hour!

This time we get to "Spring" ahead. The only downside is that extra hour of sleep we lose, but if it means we're that much closer to summer, I'll deal!

And while you're at it, change the batteries
in your smoke detectors too!

March 12th - last year
So, when I was in town Thursday it was a balmy 60 degrees. Drizzly and gray, but no snow on the ground. And of course, this winter has been pretty tame by comparison to other years. Even last year...

I found pictures from the blog last year on the 12th - school was closed, and then some! Do you remember?

Mom had gotten 27" of snow in the back yard! I don't think we've seen 27" of snow in total this winter. That means, in the next two or three years, it will return with a vengeance.

I (or mom) will blog when there is something blog worthy! Thanks for all the kind notes you've e-mailed to me - I completely understand that Mom is somewhat of an "establishment" to Waterville, and keeping you in the loop is part of what makes small-town America the great place that it is. I had gone into Morgan's last Saturday to pick out a glider and end table with lamp for Mom. Tommy was more than gracious, and had it delivered in about two hours, complete with light bulb! We don't have anything that matches that kind of service and commitment here in suburbia. So the least I can do in return is keep things rolling!

Have a great weekend!
Allison

Tuesday Afternoon

2012-03-06T16:58:00.002-05:00

Hi faithful followers! Are you ready for Spring tomorrow?!?! We're supposed to hit 55 here in Ballston Lake! Considering it was 9 when I got up this morning, I can't wait.

We visited with Mom quite a lot this weekend at Harding's. She is undergoing a fair amount of rehab - being stuck in a hospital bed for 10 days you tend to lose your land legs. The physical therapist is running her through her paces every day helping her get back to her normal self.

We have set her up to receive email and the sort, so please keep them coming! She also has the capability to blog, but being as she can't get out and take pictures, there's not a lot to blog about! Plus do you really want to be reminded of how high the price of gas is?!!? Waterville was flirting with $4.00 when we were there, and we're about a nickle lower here. But wait a couple days, and I'm sure that will change.

We will most likely be back this weekend, as Iain can happily hook his XBox up in the back room and be content for hours, leaving Rick a chance to poke around and find treasures and me a chance to putter about and declutter odd spaces. I'm being challenged by the "what to keep" and "what to pitch" business - I think its awesome that my kindergarten report card (way back when it was in Deansboro no less) was kept, but really... now what do I do with it?!

Enjoy the weather!
Allison

Friday Update

2012-03-02T14:32:00.002-05:00

Afternoon all...

If you don't already know, Mom is happily located in Harding Nursing Home for a couple weeks of rehab.

We'll be home this weekend to help her start to put the future in order etc... She seemed quite chipper on the phone at lunch time and was looking forward to her mani/pedi this afternoon.

Our short-lived 'winter' will be replaced by warmer temperatures and rain so traveling will be smooth.

Again, if you see a strange car in the driveway, its only us!

Allison

2012-02-16T05:51:00.004-05:00

It's Garbage Day.

25 degrees and dry at 5:15 a.m.

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "The next weather maker will arrive in the middle of the day Thursday, bringing a mix of rain and snow. Higher elevations will likely see a slushy accumulation. Here's an early look at the snowfall forecast:

"Some lake flurries on Friday with highs in the low 30s. A weak disturbance likely brings a few more snow showers on Saturday. Another weather system will attempt to bring snow for Sunday."

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

IN THE NEWS

"DuVal Nominated for Earlville Trustee." from the Observer-Dispatch

"Join in the Great Backyard Bird Count."

On TV: Joey Staskowski and his McPherson College "Model T Team" in

"How Long Does it Take to Assemble a Model T?"

Joey is currently studying Classic Auto Restoration and is in his Junior year at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. After college, he hopes to become a curator at an auto museum or the caretaker for someone's private collection.

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

YESTERDAY

The highlands of Hanover

A few mallards joined two or three domestic ducks on a little pond at Hanover Green.

The temperature at around 4:00 on Sally Road.

I've seen several willow trees that seem to have their spring color - much more gold than this picture shows.

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

COMING EVENTS

Tonight in Deansboro

The Marshall Historical Society at 7:30

Guest Speaker: Dick Williams, historian and author of

"Along the Oriskany and Big Creeks."

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

"Friday Flick" at the Library 7:00 p.m.

Free Movie! Free Popcorn!

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

SATURDAY Kid's Movie Matinée

11:00 A.M.

*****

MORE FREE MOVIES

Tuesday at 3:00 and Friday at 2:00.
Call 841-4651 for information.

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

MONDAY IS PRESIDENTS' DAY

and honors the birthday of George Washington (1732 - 1799.)

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

TUESDAY

February 21

ANNUAL SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Grace Episcopal Church.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. $5 each or $12 per family

Menu includes: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, beverages, homemade apple sauce AND gingerbread with whipped cream!

Proceeds benefit the Waterville Food Pantry.

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

WEDNESDAY

"Hydrofracking and Tax Advantages" Program in Solsville

*******

NEXT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
February 24th & 25th

(Click to enlarge.)

Blogger's note: Whenever I hear and see shape note music being sung, I can't help but think of the first words of Psalm 100: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord," because Shape Note is meant to be sung with completely unrestrained exuberance and joy. Visiting a "singing" isn't like going to a choral concert, recital or even a typical "hymn-sing." Whether you participate or not, it truly is "an experience"! (Here's a small audio sample, "Cold Mountain-I'm Going Home" from the film of the same name. If you think the first verse doesn't make any sense, it's because the singers always sing the NAMES of the notes - fa, sol, la, etc. - before they begin the actual verses.)

Shape notes are a music notation designed to facilitate congregational and community singing. The notation, introduced in 1801, became a popular teaching device in American singing schools. Shapes were added to the note heads in written music to help singers find pitches within major and minor scales without the use of more complex information found in key signatures on the staff.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH

CNY SNOW TRAVELERS

"FAMILY FUN DAY"

Starting at 11 a.m.
at the club house on Rt 20 heading towards Bridgewater.

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

For even more Things to Do,

check the

Calendar of Events at

The Waterville Times.

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

Have a good week, everybody!

2012-02-15T05:21:00.003-05:00

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

It's Recyclables day.

34 degrees and dry at 5:20 a.m.

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "The chance for flurries continues on Wednesday with highs near 40 degrees! The next weather event arrives on Thursday, bringing a mix of rain and snow. Highs in the lower 40s. Light snow possible again on Friday."

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

IN THE NEWS

Front Page Stories
from The Waterville Times

"Finding Love At First Sight"
"Balancing the Budget Begins"
"Jury Said Patterson Is Guilty"
"Paris Forms Committee"
"Village of Waterville"
"Playoffs Set"

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

46 Days 'til Trout Season Opens!

To order the new I FISH NY Guide to Freshwater Fishing in New York State map, send an email to: fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us with your name and address.

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

WCS SPORTS

Boys' Basketball lost to Syracuse Inst. Tech. 70 - 44 in last night's playoff game.

WCS Girls will meet Cooperstown in Cooperstown at 6:00 p.m. on Friday.

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

EVENTS

"Friday Flick" at the Library
7:00 p.m.

Free Movie! Free Popcorn!

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

Alex Meszler four years ago.

Alex Meszler now.

You can watch the recital LIVE, at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, by clicking HERE.

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

Yesterday

It was a gray-colored day on Main Street.

Despite weak sunshine, it was gray at Bailey Lake.

Gray on the Marshall Trail, but LOOK: bicycle tracks!
That's a good sign!

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

I knew where to find some bright color ..........

............. at Alcotts Garden Center on route 20 ..............

............. where some smiling fellows were buying a big bunch of roses for Mom!

********

There was more Springtime color right inside a front window.

Primroses.

African Violets.

And huge bouquets of forsythia.
(It's artificial, but sure looks real!)

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

Next week is "Presidents' Week" School Vacation, and I'll be taking several days off, too.

If you have items that you want me to blog before then, please send them along, now!

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

Have a great day!

2012-02-14T05:50:00.008-05:00

VALERIE SCHENK

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

It's Valentine's Day!

An early 20th century Valentine card.

An actual "card" seen at the Landis Farm on Shanley Road.

******

The parking lot at CVS was full, yesterday afternoon, with shoppers crowding the aisles buying Valentine's Day cards and boxes of candy!

At Merri-Rose Florist on West Main Street ............

..... Aaron Cornish was waiting for his mother, Diane, the owner of the shop, to finish another of the "hundreds" of arrangements and bouquets ordered for Valentine's Day delivery.

(I wish that I could "blog" the real sight and scent of all of the beautiful flowers!)

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

Five years ago today, nothing was moving!

Today will be completely different!

It's 23 degrees at 6:00 a.m.

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "Clouds stick around on Tuesday with a few peeks of sun. Flurries are possible throughout the day with no accumulation. Highs in the upper 30s. The chance for flurries continues on Wednesday with highs near 40 degrees! The next weather event arrives on Thursday, bringing a mix of rain and snow. Highs in the lower 40s. Light snow possible on Friday."

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

Early yesterday morning the whole world - at least around Waterville - was nice and white, but twelve hours later, thanks to bright sunshine all afternoon .........

........... everything looked much as it had the day before.

*********

Fortunately, members of the CNY Snow Travelers Club don't always depend on snow to have fun.

FAMILY DAY

Family Fun Day is being held Saturday, February 25th at 11 a.m.
at the club house on Rt 20 heading towards Bridgewater.

Join us for all the fun - SNOW or NO SNOW!

Drive in, or, if weather permits, ride in by Sled.
Room to trailer & offload at the clubhouse.
Bring your new, custom, or old sleds & show them off.

Enjoy food, fun, foosball, and groomer rides - weather permitting -
and sledding on the hill, too!

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

TODAY

At the Library:
Anti Valentine Day Movie Thursday, February 14th @ 6pm
Forget chocolate and roses come to the library to see a movie with your friends.
Movie: 500 Days of Summer. FREE.

----------- WCS SPORTS ---------

Boys' Basketball First Round of Playoffs:
Waterville at Syr. Inst. of Tech. 7:00 p.m.

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

IN THE MAIL

"Where in the World is Glen Carroll?"

In TAIWAN!

(Click to enlarge.)

(I don't know what this is: do you? Perhaps Glen will enlighten us.)

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

Wherever YOU are,

Have a great day!

********

Every now and then people ask me what sort of camera I use for blog photos.

My digital camera, an Olympus Camedia C-2040 zoom, is ten years and thousands of pictures old today. In those ten years, there have been loads of new models developed and now digital photographs can be taken, downloaded and sent by many different devices. I like this old camera so much, however, that I've picked up two "spares" on Ebay. There are two more listed there, now, ranging in price from $7.99 to $45! Click the image to learn more.

********

2012-02-13T05:48:00.009-05:00

Today is Garbage Day.

It's 25 degrees at 5:30 a.m.

I knew, when I heard the
"sidewalk plow" come down the
hill, that we had at least
two inches of new snow!

Yes: two-and-a-half inches of sparkly puff.

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

From WKTV: "(Lake Effect snow will continue) into Monday morning. In addition, it may be breezy at times, causing blowing snow and whiteout conditions Monday. Here is the snowfall forecast:

"Outside of the lake effect snow, the weather looks quiet with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will be more seasonable, with highs in the low 30s. Quiet weather returns by Monday night into Tuesday with mild temperatures."

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

Yesterday

Although it was fairly chilly Sunday night - 6 degrees F. - barely a trace of new snow fell over
the weekend ..................

............... not enough to cover stubble in corn fields or grass in pastureland.

Parking lots at the Legion and "Michael's"were full .......

........ but there was very little activity on Main Street.

It was just about five years ago that the Victorian Lamp Posts were being installed.

What a handsome sight!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

SPECIAL EVENT

Tonight, at the Legion!

Valentine Special: Spaghetti Dinner plus candles, music, dessert,
and a carnation for all of the ladies, while they last.

Please note that these Spaghetti Dinners take place the second Monday of each of the following months: January, February, March and April.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

WCS SPORTS

Section III Basketball Playoffs - GIRLS

Section III Basketball Playoffs - BOYS

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

AT THE LIBRARY

Tuesday

FREE MOVIE AT 6:00 P.M.

Free Popcorn, too!

(Click the poster image for movie info.)

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

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

Tuesday, February 21

ANNUAL SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER

Grace Episcopal Church.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

$5 each or $12 per family

Menu includes: pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, beverages, homemade apple sauce
AND gingerbread with whipped cream!

Proceeds will benefit the Waterville Food Pantry.

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

FOR THE RECORD

Have a good day, everyone!

For those of you who find that you are "in bed with a bug,"

Feel better Soon!

2012-02-10T05:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday

Sunny, with smiles everywhere!

Several people have seen robins, and the chickadees are singing their Spring Song.

*********

LOOKING AHEAD

It's 21 degrees and dry at 5:00 a.m.

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "Sunny early Friday, then clouds arrive ahead of the next weather system. Highs near 40. Snow showers and squalls develop late Friday night with lows near 20.

Cold this weekend, with clouds and snow showers. Highs only in the 20's. Some lake effect snow is possible on Sunday.

Turning less cold early next week."

IN THE NEWS

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

Raymond F. Diana, Sr.
Oriskany Falls

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

"Patterson Found Guilty...." The Utica Observer-Dispatch

"Jury finds Patterson guilty on all counts...." WKTV.

********

SPECIAL EVENT

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

FOR THE RECORD

******

A year ago

Have a good weekend, everyone!

More and more Birthdays!

2012-02-09T05:30:00.006-05:00

Jodi "Whippy" Pearsall

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

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

It's Garbage Day.

26 degrees and dry at 5:30 a.m.

The Weather Forecast from YNN: "Plenty of Sun & Pleasant Thursday; Bitter Cold Returns for the Weekend.

Quiet weather will continue for the remainder of the night with clearing skies and chilly temperatures. Overnight lows will be in the upper teens and lower 20s.

Thursday will be mostly sunny, quiet and pleasant with highs in the upper 30s to around 40 degrees. Quiet weather will continue into Friday with morning sunshine giving way to increasing clouds. A cold front will arrive towards Friday night with snow showers and a few squalls. Much colder air will drain in behind this front with highs only in the teens for Saturday. There may be a few leftover flurries early in the day. Cold air will likely stick around into Sunday with highs once again in the teens. Flurries will be possible early Sunday with plenty of sunshine expected for the afternoon.Temperatures should get back to more seasonable levels for the start of next week with highs in the lower 30s on Monday."

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

Although it was mostly cloudy on Tuesday and completely gray on Wednesday, the sky cleared during Tuesday night and the full "Snow Moon" was amazingly bright. Many remark that the days are getting longer - and lighter - too.

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

The Morgans' front door on Stafford Avenue.

Next Tuesday is Valentine's Day. In my Email was a note from Gail Prentice that included an explanation of the origin of that annual occasion taken from an Email that had been sent to her:

"If you need proof that our February 14 holiday is not a Hallmark ploy to sell more cards, consider Shakespeare, far older than Hallmark's 102 years. Just after his tragic hero, Hamlet, murders Polonius, the grief-stricken Ophelia sings:

'To-morrow is St. Valentine's Day,
All in the morning be time,
And I a maid at your window
To be your Valentine.'

"Stories purporting to know the origins of Valentine's Day abound. They include that of a Roman priest, Valentine, who was jailed for Christianity, illegal in 270 AD Rome. His death on February 14 coincided with an established bird-mating holiday. The priest's martyrdom supposedly provided a name for this celebration of avian affection. Valentine's Day has been celebrated on the same day for more that 1700 years." (Thanks, Gail!)

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

That was a bit of "ancient history" for the day. Rusty and Joan have sent me some more recent history to share with you - taken from an early 1850s issue of The Waterville Times:

"On Wednesday evening the cry of 'Fire!'' issuing from that vortex in the 'human face divine' known as the mouth, created no little excitement in our village, and caused the 'Deluge' and 'Triton' boys to make rapid strides for their respective engines. In less than five minutes from the time the alarm was first sounded, 'our hose cart' and the 'Triton Machine,' manned by a legion of 'fellers,' were flying through the streets in route for Forge Hollow at extraordinary speed. Dust flew, urchins scattered, and dogs fled howling and yelling in various directions altogether too numerous for our reporter to enumerate. On arriving near Berrill's, foundry, the shout 'False alarm!' fell upon the ears of our excited and ambitious Firemen, who then returned, with solemn tread and saddened faces, to their engine houses, and talked over the punishment that should be meted out to the wretch that would raise the false alarm of fire.
From the cry raised, one would suppose that the entire village was 'one lurid sheet of flames' ; whereas, someone near Forge Hollow was diligently engaged in burning brush."

Thanks, Rusty!

Another blog reader has brought to my attention an article by Helen Alberding, of Oriskany Falls, that appears in the current issue of The Midyork Weekly.

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

REMINDER

***********

FOR THE RECORD

OR - FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT!

From yesterday's Washington Post:

"Snow expected in Washington region and Baltimore;
fed workers can take leave or work from home."

The amount of snow predicted? One to Three inches!

Snowplows hit the roads early!

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

Have a good day, everyone!

2012-02-07T12:40:00.007-05:00

Bud Shantal

14 years old on Wednesday!

*******

It's 32 degrees under mostly-cloudy sky at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday.

The Forecast from YNN: "Quiet & Cold Overnight. Seasonably Chilly & Quiet Wednesday.

Tonight will be variably cloudy, quiet and seasonably cold with lows in the teens.

High pressure will build in on Wednesday with a blend of sun and clouds. Temperatures will be seasonably chilly with highs in the low to mid 30s.

Milder temperatures will develop Thursday with mostly sunny skies. Highs will be back around 40. Friday will be mild as well with sunshine fading away late. Highs will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s.

A cold front will arrive Friday night with scattered flurries or light snow showers. Much colder air will drain in behind this front with temperatures struggling to get out of the teens on Saturday. A few lake flurries can’t be ruled out early in the day. Temperatures won’t be as cold, although still quite chilly Sunday with highs in the mid 20s."

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

Shirley P. Carney

1949 - 2012

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

Donald S. Lawless, PhD.

1918 - 2012

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

IN THE NEWS

Front Page Stories
from The Waterville Times

"WCS Superintendent News
Lonczak on Leave, Mettelman Steps In"

"Forum Focuses On Finding Right Person"

"Trial Starts In Wyman Shooting"

"Calling All Local Artists"

"Fair Offers Scholarship"

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

The Utica Observer-Dispatch is carrying live "blog-type" coverage of the trial of Christian Patterson, who is accused of killing Sheriff's Deputy Kurt Wyman last June. Wyman had been attached to the Waterville post for about two years and was known to many in the community.

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

Signs of the Season

Super Bowl Winners!

On Babbott Avenue, Bonnie Bechy, her daughter Joanne, and their across-the-street neighbor, Kristen Truitt, have Valentine's Day in mind.

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

Tomorrow is Recyclables Collection.

Have a good day, everyone!

Afternoon Add-ons

2012-02-06T05:49:00.002-05:00

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SUNDAY PHOTOS

Madison Street

All too familiar!

Bailey Lake.
I think I could see lines of footprints leading to three places where eager ice fishermen had been at work!

View west from Grant Hill.

*****

TODAY

At 3:15.

I'm not sure who the runner is - Steve Kemp? - but I think I recognize "Archie," taking Roger for an afternoon walk.

Paul Holic on his daily tour.

Bright sun; super shadow on the side of Grace Church.

FOR THE RECORD.

I have an early date tomorrow morning, so the blog will happen later in the day or, perhaps, not until Wednesday.

*****

It's Garbage Day.

27 degrees and dry at 5:15 a.m.

The Weather Forecast from YNN: "Very Mild Temps Return. The breeze will pick up a bit Monday, leading to seasonably warm temperatures in the mid 40s.

A cold front will drop in from the northwest Monday night bringing a few flurries and snow showers through Tuesday morning. Tuesday and Wednesday will also be cooler with highs in the low to mid 30s."

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

IN THE NEWS

In case you didn't watch the Super Bowl .....

"Giants Top Pats for 2nd Super Bowl in 4 Years"

If you just want to watch the commercials,

CLICK HERE!

******

"Officials cancel annual Millers Mills Ice Harvest this year" from the O-D.

********

SPECIAL EVENTS

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

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

AT THE LIBRARY

Evening Story Time * Every Thursday @ 6pm

Ages 3-8

Come hear Mrs. Amanda read stories. After we'll make a craft and have a snack!

**********

Massive Month Long Photo Scavenger Hunt!

Get a team or go solo (we recommend family and friends), print The List, take pictures of members on your team doing the things on the list (the more you do the more points you earn, but you get to pick and choose), upload them to the library WPL Photo Scavenger Hunt Facebook Page, or bring a copy into the library to hang on the Gallery Wall.

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

FOR THE RECORD

There will NOT be a TRASH PICK-UP this month.

Sorry: I left my camera in my car, but I'll retrieve it as soon as it's light and add photos to this blog post later this morning!

Have a great day, everyone!

"Made in Central New York"

2012-02-02T08:56:00.001-05:00

"Made in Central NY"

A series of talks to be

Held at the Kirkland Town Library, Clinton, NY 13323

Each Presentation is at 7pm

Feb 2 - Robert Cohen of Meyda Lighting - son of Founders Meya and Ida Cohen.

Feb 9 - Jackie Tramacera, Program Manager Chobani Yogurt

Feb 16 - Greg Harden, 5th Generation CEO of Harden Furniture

Questions? Please call 315-853-2038
or email
clinton@midyork.org

2012-02-02T06:11:00.006-05:00

Posted at 07:25 AM ET, 02/02/2012 The Washington Post.
"Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil sees shadow, 6 more weeks of winter"

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

LOOKING BACK

February 2007

The DPW worked in the middle of the night.

(Photo courtesy Jan Kelley.)

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

Four years ago

2008

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

2009

Snow didn't come until late in the month

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

The same thing happened in

2010

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

2011

LOOKING AHEAD

The Weather Forecast from YNN: "High pressure will build out of Canada today with temperatures running cooler compared to the past couple of days. However highs will still be well into the 30s, which is above average for this time of year. Clouds will remain stubborn with only limited amounts of sun. Tonight will be partly to mostly cloudy with lows in the low to mid 20s.

Tomorrow there will be a mix of sun and clouds with highs remaining in the mid to upper 30s. A few flurries are possible Friday night into Saturday morning. Temps will be more seasonable Saturday with highs in the low to mid 30s, still not too cold. Nothing more than a few flurries Sunday with conditions remaining fairly quiet."

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

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Welcome to February!

2012-02-01T05:03:00.007-05:00

It's Recyclables Day

46.6 degrees at 5:00 a.m.

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

The YNN Weather Forecast: "Wednesday will start very mild with highs in the 40s. However, a cold front will be swinging through with temperatures falling through the 30s on the back side of this front late in afternoon. Scattered rain showers may also end as a few flurries late in the day.

High pressure will then take hold with nothing more than a few flurries for the second half of the week and through the weekend. Although temperatures will be cooler, they will still be above average for this time of year with highs in the 30s. "

*********

Tuesday noontime on my back porch.

Around four o'clock, uptown.

There were a great many walkers and runners out, enjoying the warm weather. If the judge hadn't been going as fast as he was I'd have had time to make sure that the flash on my camera wouldn't go off and cause a huge reflection and glare on my windshield. Sorry about that!

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

IN THE NEWS

Front Page Headlines from this week's edition of

The Waterville Times.

*******

SPECIAL EVENTS

Food$en$e!

You can learn more and sign up at
The Waterville Public Library Feb 2nd 4:30 - 5:30,

all others by phone - 861-2097 or 750-5785

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

The Waterville AYSO

Spring Season Sign-ups

The first is on Thursday evening, February 2nd at Oriskany Falls Public Library from 6 to 7:30pm.
The second sign-up will be Saturday, February 4th at the Waterville Public Library from 11am to 1:30pm.

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

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

FOR THE RECORD

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day!

I'll be listening to hear Punxutawney Phil's prognostication and will post his prediction as soon as it's available!

Four years ago today.

*******

Have a good day, everyone!

2012-01-31T05:02:00.004-05:00

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

It's 31.5 degrees at 5:00 a.m. on the last day of January

The YNN Weather Forecast: "A warm front will lift into the region with area-wide flurries and light snow showers. A few sprinkles may begin to mix in by daybreak as temps climb through the 30s.

Tuesday will be very mild with clouds and spotty sprinkles lingering from the Thruway and points north. Highs will be in the low to mid 40s. Unseasonably warm weather will stick around into Wednesday with scattered rain showers. Highs will be well into the 40s.

Temperatures will gradually turn cooler in the second half of the week with fairly quiet conditions."

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

With forecasters predicting "possibly heavy lake effect snow," yesterday morning, I decided to do my usual errands and take a brief ride-around earlier rather than later.

At around 9:00, the view of Tassell Hill from Hanover Road looked like this.

But then the snow stopped, the sun came out, and by mid-afternoon we were
"back to square one."

A snowplow woke me up very early this morning,
but this is the depth of the overnight accumulation on my porch!

Thursday is Ground Hog Day!

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

IN THE MAIL

I only received two replies or comments regarding the question of whether or not "The Star Spangled Banner" should be sung by everyone or just the main performer(s):

Lynne Matteson wrote: "My advice to 'Grandpa' is to look around and see the number of people of all ages who aren't singing,their arms are hanging at theirs sides, and guys have their hats on. Grandpa should proudly let the little guy sing."

Diane Bancroft added these comments: "After 30 years of music teaching, I’ve learned that the public must be taught proper protocol. They honestly don’t know – heck, most don’t even know all the words. The announcer, as the link said, should be inviting the people to stand and JOIN IN THE SINGING of our national anthem. Maybe a few 'ringers' need to be around the gym to get people going. It should not be a performance by one. Also, the key really needs to be Ab (A flat) the standard one, or nobody will be able to reach 'the rockets’ red glare!'

Thank you both!

So: now you know what to do!

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

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

AT THE LIBRARY

The Book of the Month in February

for the Waterville Book Discussion Group will be

"A Change in Altitude"
by Anita Shreve.

A major author in terms of critical acclaim and bestseller status, Anita Shreve limns the secrets at the core of our closest relationships and the ways in which lives can turn on the axis of a single catastrophic event. Call the Library at 841 4651 to reserve a copy.

Meeting at the Waterville Library on Wednesday, February 22, at 12 noon.
Pack your lunch; coffee, tea, and dessert will be served.

**********

LOOKING AHEAD

Click to enlarge and save file to your desktop.

The Village of Waterville

Waterville Central School

Waterville Public Library

********

More when it happens!

Have a good day, everyone!

2012-01-30T06:37:00.002-05:00

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

It's Garbage Day

26 degrees at 6:30 a.m.

The overnight snowfall has covered us with a two- or three-inch thick white blanket. Another layer is in the forecast.

The Weather Foreast from WKTV: "*A lake effect snow advisory is in effect for Madison and Oneida County until 1pm.*

Widespread snow overnight will create some slick spots on the roadways this morning. Additional snow will fall today from lake effect that will set up across Southern Oneida and Madison County. The steadiest snow will take place this morning, before winding down after noon. Here's a look at today's snowfall forecast:"

For current driving conditions across the state, go to 511NY!

After the image of the map opens, go to the left hand column, labeled "Traffic Conditions," and "click" on boxes 1, 2, and 8.

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

Although there was a Winter weather smorgasboard, over the weekend - a little of this, a little of that, and even some thunder - the ground was nearly bare on Sunday afternoon ...........

............. and the only snowmobiles in sight were on trailers behind vehicles heading either North or South on Route 12.

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

GOOD READING

"How Cold is it, Kate?"

by Hobie Morris, published in the Madison County Courier.

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

We're used to seeing lots of styles of wooden "tents" that are placed over shrubbery as protection against damage from heavy snow ............

................ but only at the Mowreys, on Sanger Avenue, can you tell where prize rose bushes have been planted!

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

********

The Waterville AYSO

Spring Season Sign-ups

The first is on Thursday evening, February 2nd at Oriskany Falls Public Library from 6 to 7:30pm.
The second sign-up will be Saturday, February 4th at the Waterville Public Library from 11am to 1:30pm.

Any child who turned 4 as of August 1, 2011 is welcome to play. Children do not need to attend Waterville school to play, all are welcome. The fee is $25 to register and $20 for the uniform. The season begins on April 21st. Levels U5, U6 and U8 play Saturday mornings and all older levels play on Sunday afternoons. Please participate in our free soccer swap program by bringing old, but still good soccer balls, cleats, shinguards or Waterville uniforms to registration to be reused by another player. Please visit Waterville AYSO website for more info www.aysoregion492.clubspaces.com or call Registrar Kristine Prindle at 315-430-0253. Currently Waterville AYSO is looking for volunteers to help coach, referee, maintain fields, organize team photos and a uniform coordinator. If interested, please call Commissioner Gwenn Werner at 315-825-5485.

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

New Hours at the

COMMUNITY FITNESS CENTER

Located at the Junior-Senior High School campus, the Fitness Center is available to students during the day and community members may join for a small fee and use the facility during adult-only sessions.

Exclusive Hours for Members Only:
Monday – Friday
5:15 am – 7:15 am
Monday – Thursday
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8:00 am – 11:00 am

Click HERE for more information and Membership Fees

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

Looking for a more intense training and/or specialized workout?
Check out Josh Lewis' Garage Gym in Oriskany Falls!

*********

IN THE MAIL

From a gentleman who sent a question and added: "I realize this is a crazy question. I am asking you because you can find out anything!"

"Last night I went to a basketball game and before the game a young girl got up and did a great job of singing the National Anthem. My grandson started to sing loudly at the same time I told him to sing quietly. He is only 3 and a half but he knows the song. Afterward, I got thinking he was probably the only one doing what he should by singing along. Shouldn't we all be singing? I know its not going to happen, but I just was wondering if I let him sing out loud would that be rude or is it rude not to sing at all."

You can read the information that I found via Google by clicking HERE and then HERE.

What's your advice to "Grandpa"?

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

FOR THE RECORD

***********

Snow pictures later today .

Have a great day, everyone!

2012-01-27T07:34:00.001-05:00

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

William L. Doyle

1928 - 2012

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

Library Snow Fest Postponed!

2012-01-26T17:05:00.004-05:00

*********

From Jill Getman at the Watervillle Public Library:

"Our annual Snow Fest Activities, which had been scheduled for this Saturday, January 28,
have been RESCHEDULED for Saturday, Feb. 25th, from 12 - 2 pm.

Maybe by then there will be a few feet of white stuff to play in!"

*********

2012-01-26T05:33:00.002-05:00

It's Garbage Day

28.9 degrees and just a bit - probably not even an inch - of new snow.

*******

The YNN Weather Forecast: "Milder Thursday.

Rain Showers/Wintry Mix Develop Thursday

Tonight will be mostly cloudy and chilly with scattered flurries. Lows will be in the 20s.

An area of low pressure will approach on Thursday with mostly cloudy skies and rain showers or a wintry mix developing during the afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 30s to near 40. Precipitation will fall largely in the form of rain Thursday night into early Friday morning. Any leftover rain showers will end as flurries and light snow showers Friday with temperatures settling through the 30s. This is after early morning highs in the lower 40s.

Saturday will feature plenty of clouds along with a few scattered flurries and snow showers. Temperatures will remain on the mild side with highs near 40. It will bit cooler on Sunday with scattered flurries or light snow showers with highs in the 30s.

We still do not expect any bitter cold anytime in the near future."

**********

All of Tuesday's fog has dissipated by yesterday, leaving a clear view of bare fields on West Hill beneath a gray sky.

Sangerfield, as seen from Newberry Road.

**********

In the Village

New Neighbors are Coming!

There are SOLD signs in front of homes on Conger Place ..........

..... Osborne Avenue ...........

................ and Putnam Street.

*******

A gate of icicles seems to stand, instead of hang, at the opening of a cave in Forge Hollow.

Good News for those who live on Gridley-Paige Road south of Shanley Road: the bridge in Forge Hollow, which had been closed for several weeks, is open, again!

***********

WEEKEND EVENTS

THURSDAY AT THE LIBRARY

6:00 p.m.

Come 10 minutes early for free popcorn!

ALSO:

Remember that the Library's Annual "Snow Fest" is scheduled for Saturday!

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

At St. Bernard's Catholic Church

The ANNUAL CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY

OPENS AT 9:00 ON FRIDAY.

The give away is open to the public and there is no limit on the quantity of items people may take away. In addition to clothing there will also be small household items, bedding, kitchen items, shoes and toys. The give-away opens Friday, January 27, 9-12 & 4-6 and Saturday January 28th 9-12. This greatly anticipated annual event is sponsored by the Waterville Food Pantry, Waterville Senior Citizens and the Social Action Committee of St. Bernard’s Church. The giveaway is held in the basement of St. Bernard’s Church, 199 Stafford Avenue, Waterville.

I'm going to try and stop at the church, today, and take some "preview" pictures!

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

AT SOUTHGATE MINISTRIES

Friday is "Senior Day."
starting Jan. 27th from 11:00 - 2:00 and continuing on the last Friday of each month.

Lunch will be served at noon with fellowship
around table games, videos, conversation, etc.

RSVP to 841-3266 & leave message with number attending, walk-ins welcome.

Come in out of the cold and enjoy!

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

Friday Fish Fry at the Legion

4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

**********

Stoltzfus Family Dairy

OPEN HOUSE

Friday and Saturday

(Click to enlarge.)

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

Hamilton Indoor Farmers Market

at Parry's Store, 100 Utica Street

Saturday, January 28th, 8am-1pm.

Featuring 20+ vendors with local produce, meat, baked goods, honey, maple products & crafts.

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

Tom said it first!

................... and a Great Weekend, too!

2012-01-24T16:21:00.004-05:00

It's 33 degrees and foggy / misty / murky at 4:30 p.m

I just came over the hill from Clinton a little while ago, and here are two views from high in Hanover:

View West, toward Deansboro and West Hill.

View East, to Tassell Hill.

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

From the Observer-Dispatch: "Freezing Rain Advisory in Effect until 11:00 p.m.

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

The YNN Weather Forecast: "Brisk & Chilly With Minor Lake Effect Overnight

Seasonable Wednesday. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, breezy and chilly with scattered snow showers and flurries. Nothing more than a coating to an inch or two is possible in localized spots through the night. Lows will be in the 20s.

Outside of a few flurries early in the day, Wednesday will feature clouds and some limited sun with highs in the low to mid 30s.

A new storm system will head this way Thursday with increasing clouds and a mix of rain and wet snow showers later in the day into Thursday night. Highs will be around 40. It will be a bit cooler Friday with any leftover precipitation ending as snow. Highs will be in the 30s.

We still do not expect any bitter cold anytime in the near future."

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

Eva Lamb

1922 - 2012

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

IN THE NEWS

Front Page Headlines
from the January 25th issue of
The Waterville Times.

*********

Deputies: Sangerfield couple high on bath salts, kids living in deplorable conditions.

From CNYCentral.com

********

For more about CNY Flavors' visit with Mike Latreille at "Michael's Fine Food & Spirits,"
click HERE.

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

WCS SPORTS SCHEDULE
at digitalsports.com

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

AT THE LIBRARY THIS WEEK

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. Birdseed Biscuits

Ages 5-11 | Sign Up

Encourage birds to visit your yard this winter with a hanging homemade birdseed biscuit.

Contact: Amanda Briggs 841-4651 amanda@watervillepubliclibrary.org

*****

Thursday: Family Movie Night

Free Movie. Free Popcorn.

Movie: Dolphin Tale

Arrive 10 minutes early for popcorn.

*****

Friday: Valentine Cards for Soldiers

3:30 PM All Ages | Sign Up

Come in and make a card for a soldier and make one for someone special in your life.
The library will ship the cards to the troops overseas.

*****

Saturday: Snowfest - 12:00 Noon - 2:00 PM

All ages can jump into their snow gear and join us for snow building contests, obstacle courses, snow painting and new this year make a sno cone from the freshly fallen snow. Inside we'll have hot chocolate for everyone! You will need your own snow building materials for the snow sculpture contest.

**********

FRIDAY SPECIAL

********

Have a good evening, everyone!

Monday afternoon for Tuesday.

2012-01-23T17:07:00.011-05:00

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

Carolyn A. Heath Thompson

1957 - 2012

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

Monday Mud!

A year ago Main Street looked like this!

But today, the temperature at 5:3o Monday afternoon is 45 degrees.

A field next to Route 20 near Madison.

Snowmobile trail next to Osborn Avenue.

Main Street.

******

The YNN weather forecast for Tuesday as of Monday afternoon: "As low pressure tracks to the north and east, our weather pattern will remain a bit unsettled through the overnight with scattered rain and snow showers. It will be cold and breezy with lows in the mid 30s. Tuesday, a westerly flow will kick up scattered flurries and snow showers, especially east of Lake Ontario. Temperatures won’t be as mild with highs in the upper 30s. Wednesday is shaping up to be a day of improvement as flurries and snow showers taper. Temperatures are expected to remain on the chilly side with highs in the low to mid 30s.

Thursday, we’ll be under the influence of a warm front which will allow temperatures to climb into the low 40s. However, sun will give way to increasing clouds with rain/snow showers developing from south to north later in the day. The way things are looking right now, temperatures will continue to run above average through the end of the week and into the first half of the weekend with highs in the upper 30s."

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

IN THE NEWS

CNY FLAVOR features Mike Latreille!

PLANNING AHEAD

Hamilton Indoor Farmers Market at Parry's Store, 100 Utica Street
Saturday, January 28th, 8am-1pm
Featuring 20+ vendors with local produce, meat, baked goods, honey, maple products & crafts.
Please call 315-824-0002 with any questions.

The Waterville Methodist Women are sponsoring a bus trip to:
Sight & Sound Millennium Theater in Lancaster, Pa.
Friday and Saturday, July 20th and 21st, 2012

The performance will be " JONAH "

"Unlike any show you've ever seen, this energetic adventure will have you on the edge of your seat from the time you step into the theatre. A new, completely immersive experience, Jonah promises to move you to laughter and tears. From the enormous whale swimming over your head to the thunderous effects of the powerful storm, and a mighty 30-foot-tall ship that breaks apart right before your eyes, the story of Jonah will astound and captivate the young and young-at-heart alike. Playing for one fantastic season only!"

The trip is an overnight stay and will include hotel, Good 'n Plenty Restaurant, Amish farmlands tour and, of course, shopping. If interested contact Helen Olmstead - 841-8544

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

Have a good evening and a good day tomorrow!

2012-01-23T04:49:00.009-05:00

It's Garbage Day

34.7 degrees at 5:15 a.m.

(That's 34.7 degrees warmer than it was yesterday morning, at this same time!)

Although it was cold, very little snow fell over the weekend.

The deepest snow in the village was in heaps along West Main Street, where merchants had shovelled the sidewalk.

The wind that came along with the cold formed drifts along a fence row on Sally Road........

.............. and against one of Dave Sullivan's stone walls up in Hanover.

LOOKING AHEAD

The WKTV weather forecast as of Sunday evening: "*Freezing Rain Advisory for Herkimer, Hamilton, Fulton and Montgomery Counties from 6AM to 2PM Monday*

Quiet weather continues for most of tonight, with temperatures bottoming out near 20 degrees this evening. A warm front moves in overnight, with temperatures increasing after Midnight. Some freezing drizzle is possible late tonight into Monday morning but little to no ice accumulation is expected but some untreated roadways may be slick. The best chance for freezing drizzle will be to the north and east of Utica.

Temperatures continue to climb on Monday with clouds and rain. Highs in the low to mid 40s. Cooling off on Tuesday into the mid 30s with a few snow showers."

***********

IN THE NEWS

From the Oneida County Courier: "2012 Oneida County Crop Congress Announced"

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Special Events this week at

THE WATERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Family Movie Night
Thursday, January 26th 6pm | Free Movie. Free Popcorn.|

Please arrive 10 minutes early for popcorn.

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

Snowfest
Saturday, January 28th 12-2pm

All ages can jump into their snow gear and join us for
snow building contests,
obstacle courses, snow painting
and new this year - make a sno cone from the freshly fallen snow.

Inside we'll have hot chocolate for everyone!
You will need your own snow building materials for the snow sculpture contest.

***********

Can't read the sign? This is what it says:

Support Group Meeting

for Parents with Children that have an IEP
or need extra help in school.

JANUARY 24TH 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

Waterville Public Library

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

SouthGate Ministries is now an area coordinator of
Food$en$e,

a program operated by the Food Bank of Central New York.

Food $en$e is designed to increase self-sufficiency by helping individuals stretch their food dollars. The Food Bank is able to purchase food items in large quantities at discounted prices, and this savings is passed on to the program’s customers. The Food Bank operates this service with 44 sites in a 14 county area.

Monthly Food $en$e packages are created by the Food Bank and a newsletter is generated and distributed to each site coordinator. The coordinators are responsible for taking orders from customers, placing the order to the Food Bank and distributing the packages on a specific date. A food package contains 10-12 items, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and staple food items.

Anyone wishing to stretch their food dollars can participate. The cost of the package is $15.50 and participants pre-pay with cash or EBT card, and they pick up their Food $en$e packages at the end of the month.

This month's package.

My thanks to Nancy Ayala and her daughter, who provided the photographs of this month's packages and also the following information:

"Next month is: 2lb chick nuggets, 1lb polish sausage, 12oz pollack fillets, 12oz salibury steak, can tuna, pierogies, mashed potatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, can corn, can mandarin oranges, 2 fresh produce.

This month's "specials."

"Additional 'specials' available for next month are: 10lb chicken tenders, 5lb tilapia, 2lb meatloaf, 5lb mixed produce, 2lb stuffed pork chops, case hot pockets, & 92oz stuffed cabbage - prices range from $6 - $17.

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

You can learn more and sign up at
The Waterville Public Library Feb 2nd 4:30 - 5:30,

all others by phone - 861-2097 or 750-5785

Pick up @ SouthGate Feb 17th 3-4pm.

If you can't make the pick up time you can send someone to get it for you but we don't have storage room. You can sign up for the following month at pick up.

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

A reminder that

SouthGate Ministries will be hosting

Senior Days

starting Jan. 27th from 11:00 - 2:00

and continuing on the last Friday of each month.

Lunch to be served @ noon with fellowship
around table games, videos, conversation, etc.
RSVP to 841-3266 & leave message with number attending, walk-ins welcome.
Come in out of the cold and enjoy!

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

FOR THE RECORD

Special Thanks to Travis Bauer who recognized the location of the maple tree that the raccoon was trying to climb, last Thursday, and then volunteered to notify the property owners of its presence.

*****

About Three Weeks Ago!

Yesterday.

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

A little history: the white building that is nearly always in the background of these photographs was built for 'Squire Oliver Norton by a Major Jotham Tower in 1799 . Also that same year, Tower built the tavern house directly across Route 12 - now "Michael's Fine Food & Spirits," for Ebenezer Hale. These buildings, along with the Gorton family home on the north side of Route 20, are three of the oldest in the area.

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

Have a great day, everyone!

2012-01-21T05:42:00.001-05:00

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

Evelyn C. "Carol" Gerhardt

1920 - 2011

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

2012-01-19T14:41:00.011-05:00

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

Nancy C. Eastman

1944 - 2012

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

IN THE NEWS

From the Utica O-D: "Man Charged with DWI accident in Deansboro"

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

IN THE MAIL

This great bird's-eye view of Waterville was taken on Sunday afternoon by Library Director Jeff Reynolds. (Thanks, Jeff!)

(Click to enlarge!)

By today, all the snow that has fallen during the week had either melted or blown away.

The only snow remaining at these homes on Route 12 South of the village was that which had been plowed into week-old snowbanks.
*****************

A "Tree Hugger?"

No - I don't think so!

This raccoon was staggering around and around the base of a maple tree in front of a home just a bit South of the Dugway on Austin Road. The critter would manage to get this far up the tree, but then fall backwards and try to stand up all over again. I'm quite sure that it might - or must - have been rabid. I did try to find someone in the rear of the house to alert them, but it appeared that no one was at home. Who should one telephone, in a situation like this?

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

LOOKING AHEAD

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "Snow breaks out (Thursday) evening, with some accumulations overnight. A burst of locally heavy snow is possible near midnight as a cold front moves through.
Colder, but dry Friday, before the next system slides south on Saturday, bringing another possible light snowfall.
Temperatures climb into the 30s Sunday with sunshine. Unsettled early next week, with above normal temperatures."

*********

Stay warm, drive safely, and have a good weekend!

Another great loss ........

2012-01-18T12:15:00.002-05:00

I've received two Emails, both sent soon after 10:00 this morning, telling me that a very special lady, Nancy Eastman of Deansboro, has passed away.

As usual, I will post more information as soon as it is available.

2012-01-18T06:54:00.010-05:00

It's 26º with light snow and strong wind at 6:30 a.m.

The WKTV forecast - as of Tuesday evening:

A wind advisory is in effect for Central New York for tonight.
A high wind warning is in effect for Lewis County for tonight and tomorrow.
A lake effect snow watch is in effect for Lewis County for tonight and tomorrow.

A period of rain will move in this afternoon as temperatures climb near or above 40 degrees. Any lingering freezing rain north and east of Utica turns to plain rain.

Colder weather arrives after midnight tonight. Rain changes to snow after midnight as temperatures fall into the 20s. Windy. Here's a look at the snowfall forecast for tonight and early tomorrow morning:

"Colder with snow showers on Wednesday morning and early afternoon."

*******

From the National Weather Service:
"The National Weather Service has issued a lake effect snow advisory from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. A wind advisory is also in effect from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 11 a.m. Wednesday.
As winds from the northeast begin to move into the area, accumulations of snow from three to seven inches are expected through much of the area."

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

IN THE NEWS

Front page headlines from this week's issue of

The Waterville Times.

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

"Ryno Takes Over TK99"
from CNY Radio.com

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

Mark Bourdeau

1961 - 2012
****

John L. Petrie

1915 - 2012

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

The January 17th death of Ernest W. "Bill" Stricker, 93, of Clinton is noted in this morning's Observer-Dispatch. Arrangements by Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., Clinton.

Mr. Stricker, a long-time resident of Barker Road, grew up in Hanover and was the younger brother of "Hedy" Eisenhut, who passed away in December.

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

Yesterday

Clean, white snow covered the area on Tuesday morning but by mid-afternoon, with temperatures in the high thirties and rain falling, the general conditions in the village and surrounding countryside were, simply, "Yuck!"

Everything was muddy and grungy. Rain made a shallow pond on top of the ice that covered the small pond at the foot of Grant Hill.

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

Conditions had been much nicer, over the weekend, when Jody Hildreth took these pictures at Rainbow Falls .................

............ and these, at Tinker Falls near the Labrador Ski Area.

He has a new super-fast lens that appeared to have "frozen" water in mid-fall ....

............ and super-sharp eyes, that spotted little frost-covered fungi on a log!

(Thank you, Jody!)

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

COMING EVENTS

At the Library

Kids Movie Matinee

Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

To view the Kibrary's complete Event Calendar, CLICK HERE.

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

WCS SPORTS SCHEDULE

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

Tomorrow is Recyclables Collection!

Have a good day, everyone!

2012-01-16T16:19:00.005-05:00

It's 27 degrees and dry at 4:30 Monday afternoon

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Garbage Day

Although the temperature rose about thirty degrees during the day, the humidity is high enough and winds strong enough to make if feel colder than it really is. I made one quick pass through the village - it was very quiet - and, not really needing to go anywhere, I simply came home.

YNN's Weather Forecast: "A storm system will approach tonight with a light wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain spreading in. Watch out for slick roads during the overnight. Temperatures will begin to warm towards daybreak changing any mix to hit or miss rain showers.

Tomorrow will be milder with mostly cloudy skies and occasional rain showers. Highs will be in the low to mid 40s.

A cold front will arrive Tuesday night with leftover showers ending as snow. Wednesday will be cold and blustery with areas of lake snow. Highs will be back down in the 20s. A clipper system will bring the threat for some area-wide snow later Thursday. A brief shot of colder temps will work in behind this system for the end of the week.

It still looks like a big warm-up into the weekend and early next week."

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

Attention Skiers and Snowboarders -

WKTV has a neat new link to conditions at ski areas all over New York State!

********

January treat

My "Paperwhites" are blooming.

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

More when it happens!

2012-01-15T06:18:00.007-05:00

Oh dear. I'm afraid Summer's over.

About 4" of snow.

- 4.5 degrees.

If anyone stops by to chat, this afternoon, we'll have to sit inside!

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

Yesterday Afternoon

Snowmobilers were out and about, taking a break and
gassing up at Nice 'n Easy.

*********

Thirty years ago today.

(Photos courtesy LouieLangone.)

The Candee Block burned.

It's hard to believe that this large a building occupied the same space as the New York Pizzeria and its parking lot do now, but it did!

*******

Be warm; be safe.

- and remember that tomorrow is a holiday.

Schools, banks and the post office will be closed and
there will be NO Garbage Collection 'til Tuesday.

Village Board Meeting Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

2012-01-13T16:08:00.001-05:00

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

Alan J. Toussaint

1939 - 2012

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

Paris Ice Show

2012-01-12T17:33:00.005-05:00

In Paris, Thursday afternoon.

******

Tassell Hill from Upper White Street.

AM Weather update

2012-01-12T05:08:00.010-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

*******

From WKTV, 7:30 a.m.

"A winter weather advisory is in effect for all of Central New York through this morning.

Rain in the valley from Herkimer west, but sleet and freezing rain are being widely reported across the area this morning. Be careful on the morning commute north and south of the valley, and east of Herkimer. A gradual transition to rain takes place from the valley south this morning, with lingering pockets of freezing rain and sleet north and east of Utica. Highs in the 30s and breezy.

Drizzle and flurries tonight with overnight lows in the mid 30s.

A period of accumulating snow in the cards on Friday with gusty winds. Lake effect snow showers on Saturday, then turning quite cold on Sunday."

Closings and Delays

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

(Note to new blog readers: most of the images can be enlarged. Just "click" on them to get a larger view and then click the "back" arrow to return to the blog. Also - all words/phrases in bright blue, boldface type are clickable "links" to other sources.)

********

It looked and felt just like a "Spring Day on Main Street," Wednesday afternoon.

I drove around searching sunny lawns for a dandelion or two or, perhaps, an English Daisy, but there were none ....

nor did I see any golfers at the Sangerfield Golf Course or the........

............. Green Acres Driving Range, although I wouldn't have been surprised if there had been some people there!

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

I did notice something that I hadn't seen, before:

Two signs, one on each side of the road, about a mile east of Sangerfield, placed there by the Route 20 Association of New York State.

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

We've been very spoiled by the unusually warm weather,
but ................

The YNN Weather Forecast: "
Updated: 01/11/2012 03:56 PM

Rain/Wintry Mix Develops tonight

Still Mild Thursday; Much Colder Heading into the Weekend.

A large storm system will arrive (Wednesday) with precipitation spreading in by midnight. Roughly from the I-81 corridor and points west will see mainly rain develop, however east of the I-81 corridor there will be pockets of a wintry mix. Any accumulation will be minimal, although watch out for some slick roads. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid 30s. Steady precipitation will quickly taper Thursday morning with just scattered rain showers and drizzle expected for the afternoon. Highs will be in the upper 30s and lower 40s.

A cold front will arrive Friday morning with area wide rain and snow showers and a few brief squalls. Temperatures will turn colder with most spots quickly falling into the 20s. As colder air works in on Friday, lake snow will initially develop east of Lake Ontario. Lake snow showers will drift south and into the region Friday night into Saturday as temperatures continue to turn colder and winds turn more out of the northwest. Highs Saturday will only be in the low 20s. Sunday looks fairly quiet, but very cold with temperatures struggling to get out of the teens."

There was a related subject in the news, this morning.

"Millers Mills Ice Festival in danger of cancellation due to unusually warm weather" from WKTV.

*********

Rain or shine or sleet or snow .............

AT THE LIBRARY

Penguin Party * Thursday, January 12th
6pm | Ages 4-8 | Sign Up
We'll read penguin stories, make a penguin friend to take home and turn common cookies into penguins!

---------------- AND ---------------

DON'T FORGET!!

Collections of gently used Clean clothing, toys, and small household items for the
Great Clothing Give-Away
will begin January 15th.

St. Bernard's will be open for drop off Sundays 9-12:30 and M-F 9-Noon.
N.B. We will not accept any computers, exercise equipment, televisions or broken appliances.

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

Monday is a Holiday honoring

Martin Luther King, Jr.
(January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968)

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

LOOKING BACK

(One of the fun things about the blog!)

January 12, 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

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

Word for the day on Friday: paraskevidekatriaphobia

and - Why every Friday the 13th is special at COLGATE.

(Thanks, Terry!)

****

Have a good weekend, everyone!

2012-01-11T05:37:00.001-05:00

Recyclables Day

It's 28.8 degrees and dry at 5:30.

WKTV predicts: " A quiet, mild Wednesday, with highs in the upper 30s.

The trend is colder with the next approaching storm system for (Wednesday) night and Thursday. It now appears that sleet and freezing rain will break out later Wednesday Night and continue for a time into Thursday before enough warmer air allows for a switch to plain rain. Travel will likely be impacted through early Thursday and we'll continue to monitor the latest trends.

Lake effect snow showers in the cards Friday and Saturday. Turning colder, into the 20s for the weekend."

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

IN THE NEWS

"Two Men Charged in Connection to Crime Spree in Waterville."
From the Utica Observer-Dispatch

"Two arrested in crime spree at School House Apartments in Waterville."

From WKTV

******

Read all of the Front Page Headlines from

THE WATERVILLE TIMES

(with bright, new page design by webmaster Kristi Kosmoski.)

********

Also: check out the WCS website's new look

designed by webmasters Kristina Donley and John Lane!

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

Missing from Main Street .....

........... all of the Christmas wreaths have been removed from the lamp posts and packed away for another year.

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

At the Waterville Fire Department, mourning bunting hangs in memory and honor of
John Peterson.

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

A Curiosity

For several weeks this odd duck - mallard-size but mostly white with a dark head - has been mingling with all of the other ducks on the little pond at the foot of Grant Hill, but now the Mallards have left and this "orphan" or "outcast" has been left behind. Is it a different breed or just a different color?

Perhaps Jody Hildreth knows.

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

Have a good day, everyone!

2012-01-10T06:19:00.005-05:00

It's 33 degrees and dry at 6:15 a.m.

WKTV's Weather Forecast: "A few light snow showers early (Tuesday), before skies clear out again by the afternoon. High temperatures in the upper 30s. A quiet, mild Wednesday, with highs over 40. A period of rain is possible for Wednesday Night and Thursday. Cooler, with lake effect snow showers by Friday."

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

David G. Gehringer

1946 - 2012

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

COMING EVENTS

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

"Well here we are again, Start cleaning the closets!!"

St. Bernard’s Church will again host a clothing giveaway January 27 & 28th.

2008

The give-away is sponsored by the Waterville Food Pantry, Waterville Senior Citizens and the Social Action Committee of St. Bernard’s Church.

Collections of gently used Clean clothing, toys, and small household items will begin January 15th. Church will be open for drop off Sundays 9-12:30 and M-F 9-Noon. We will not accept any computers, exercise equipment, televisions or broken appliances.

The give away is open to the public and there is no limit on the quantity of items people may take away. In addition to clothing there will also be small household items, bedding, kitchen items, shoes and toys. The give-away opens Friday, January 27, 9-12 & 4-6 and Saturday January 28th 9-12. The giveaway is held in the basement of St. Bernard’s Church, 199 Stafford Avenue, Waterville.

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

Here & There

Full Moon over Tassell Hill, Sunday evening.

Just a hint of snow in Hanover.

If this weather continues, I'll start looking for Hepaticas next to Fuess-Cleary Road!

I did find SOME snow, 'way out on Bailey Lake Road.

This is the time of year when Cornus stolonifera, Red-stemmed Dogwood, shines
- even on gray days.

***********

For a change of scenery, I went to the Library to take a good, long, close-up look at Annette Gurdo's paintings that are on display in the Hallway Gallery AND the Activity Room.

(Detail from "Lois' Pond")

Her work always makes me smile! I usually recognize the view and I'm fascinated with her use of several media: everything from watercolor, gouache (opaque watercolor,) pastels, conté crayon to pen & ink! It works!

Obviously I'm not the only admirer - several of the paintings have those lovely little yellow labels that read "SOLD!"

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

When I was leaving the Library, two runners passed in front of me on White Street. I know that this is a poor photograph - flash through windshield - but it does show the effect* of headlights on the reflective tape on their running gear: it was dark, but I saw them!

*I'm still confused!

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

FOR THE RECORD

Have a great day, everyone!

2012-01-09T07:33:00.002-05:00

It's Garbage Day

24 degrees and dry at 7:15

The YNN Weaher Forecast: "With winds shifting into the south ..... through Monday, look for at or above average temperatures. There will also be a decent amount of sun for many areas, especially southern sections.

A weak disturbance will drop in from the northwest Monday night bringing flurries and snow showers through Tuesday. This won't amount to much but could lead to a coating to a few inches.

Wednesday warmer air will build in from the south. Highs temperatures will be well into the 40s and maybe even near 50 in spots."

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

John C. Peterson

1936 - 2012

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

Agnes C. Salvaggio

1926 - 2012

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

PLANNING AHEAD

This Week's WCS SPORTS SCHEDULE

********

☛ AT THE LIBRARY ☚

Friday Flick *
January 13th, 7:00 p.m.

Sit back, relax and enjoy a free movie on the big screen!

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

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP

Wednesday, January 25, at noon

Charlotte Bronte's classic Jane Eyre is the book of the month to be discussed over lunch,
and then we'll see the latest (the ninth) film version starring Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fasbender, Jamie Bell and Judi Dench.

Coffee, tea and dessert are served.
Call the Library at 841 4651 to reserve a copy of the book.

**********

Coming in February!

This is a Massive Month Long Photo Scavenger Hunt!

Get a team or go solo (we recommend family and friends)
*Print The List off this page or watervillepubliclibrary.org
*Take pictures of members on your team doing the things on the list (the more you do the more points you earn, but you get to pick and choose)

*Upload them to the library 'WPL Photo Scavenger Hunt' Facebook Page,
or bring a copy into the library to hang on the Gallery Wall.

The List:

1. The entire team in front of a Waterville sign.
2. Making a human pyramid.
3. Going down a slide or sled.
4. With a dressed up pet.
5. Eating your favorite food from a Waterville restaurant.
6. With a town official.
7. Acting like a Sesame Street character.
8. Pushing a Food King cart.
9. Eating a donut with a police officer.
10. An “I can’t believe I fit in here” picture.
11. Everyone in mid-air picture.
12. Best pose inside the gazebo.
13. Help a stranger fold their laundry in the Laundromat.
14. Making a goofy face.
15. Have your foot autographed.
16. Get a strike or spare at the bowling alley.
17. Picture with the principal (elementary or high school)
18. Reading a book in an odd place.
19. Wearing funny hats.
20. Giving a piggyback ride or wheelbarrow ride.
21. In as much clothing as possible.
22. With something that matches the name of a street sign
23. The receipt for $9.99 in gas.
24. With the coolest snow or other sculpture you can build
25. Acting out a scene from a movie. (with a sign to tell us the title)
26. At your favorite local barn.
27. Helping someone cross the street (not in your group)
28. Playing leap frog in an abnormal place.
29. A “29” in print somewhere (license plate, magazine, ect.)

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

Watch for a Special Announcement, later this month, that will explain the recent digging on the East lawn of the Library!

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

SouthGate Ministries will be hosting

Senior Days

starting Jan. 27th from 11:00 - 2:00

and continuing on the last Friday of each month.

Lunch to be served @ noon with fellowship
around table games, videos, conversation, etc.
RSVP to 841-3266 & leave message with number attending, walk-ins welcome.
Come in out of the cold and enjoy!

**********

An Announcement from

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Taizé Services Discontinued

"There will no longer be a Taizé Service at Grace Church in Waterville. If you would like to attend a Taizé Service, there is one at Stone Presbyterian Church in Clinton on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm."

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

In just three short months we can look for crocuses on the lawn at Stockwell Farms!
**************

FOR THE RECORD

The January Full Moon
(from the Farmers' Almanac)

"Full Wolf Moon – Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. Thus, the name for January’s full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon."

********

I inadvertently left my camera in the blogcar yesterday afternoon. A few photos - although they are not very exciting - will follow.

Have a good day, everyone!

With extraordinary sadness ..............

2012-01-06T14:36:00.002-05:00

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

I have just learned of the death of

John Peterson,

a native of Waterville and resident of Forge Hollow, who passed away early this morning.

I will post his obituary as soon as it is available.

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

It's a Heat Wave!

2012-01-05T06:04:00.012-05:00

Today is Recyclables Day

Tomorrow is Garbage

It's 24.4 degrees at 6:00 a.m.
(that's UP about 20 from yesterday at this time.)

Judging from yesterday's Email - which was sparse and, generally, should not be reprinted here - many people were struck with a "double whammy," so to speak:
Barely recovered from holiday festivities, they had to get up early and go back to work,
and, on top of that, they had to face the world on the coldest day in a long, long time.

It isn't always this cold in January......
Do you remember this?

January 7, 2007

*****

But it was miserable yesterday!

I was among the fortunate who didn't really need to go anywhere and, so, I didn't. I spent quite a while sorting notes I had taken during all of the "Old-timers' Story Swaps" with the intention of making many (but not all!) of the stories available to the rest of you in book form, sometime.

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

It was late afternoon before the temperature reached the high teens and I ventured out.

There is one thing that can be said for cold, clear weather, here - the views are spectacular! From the top of Grant Hill I could pick out individual homes on West Hill!

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

The Forecast from YNN: "Some Minor Lake Effect Today

40+ Degree Temps Return Tomorrow

Today will be mostly cloudy and seasonably chilly with lake snow showers and a few brief squalls, mainly early this morning. Most will be in the trace to 2inch range, although locally higher accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible through sections of Oswego County. Highs will be in the lower 30s.

A warm front will lift into the region tonight with clouds and a few flurries, skies may partially clear out late. Lows will be in the low to mid 20s. Tomorrow will be mild with clouds and sunshine. Highs will be in the low to mid 40s.

We will hold onto the milder temperatures Saturday with highs remaining within a few degrees of 40. A moisture starved cold front will arrive later Saturday with scattered flurries and lake snow showers east of Lake Ontario. Only minor accumulations are possible. High pressure will build in on Sunday with some sun and seasonably chilly temperatures. Highs Sunday will be back down in the low to mid 30s.

Temperatures will remain seasonably if not returning to mild levels through the first half of next week."

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

IN THE NEWS

From WKTV: "Snow on the ground doesn't necessarily mean that snowmobile trails are ready."

*******

Of Special Interest to Brookfield Residents

NEW BOOK AVAILABLE

"Retired teacher Jack Henke enlisted his students to dig out interesting stories by interviewing folks around town"

"The book was produced by members of Brookfield’s Class of 2011, in social studies. The pupils got their information during interviews with their subjects, which range from Ruth Ellsworth Starkweather, who graduated from Leonardsville School in 1934, to Brian Wratten, who graduated from Waterville Central School in 1982."

from the Syracuse Post-Standard.

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

COMING EVENTS

TONGHT at the LIBRARY
eReader Workshop * 6:30pm

If you've had your eReader for a while or you just received one as a present come to the library to learn how to download free midyork ebooks on to your eReader!

*******

There are two January traditions here in Waterville that everyone looks forward to:

FISH FRY at the LEGION

Every FRIDAY 4:30 - 7:30

Fish Dinner with choice of baked potato or french fries or mac & cheese,
Rolls, Coleslaw or applesauce, Coffee.

$10:00

Mac & Cheese Dinner

$6:00

--------------- AND ---------------

The Great CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY
at St. Bernard's Church.

(More about that later.)

********

I'll tell you more about the "Webcam on Main Street" idea later, too, but after some Emails and 'phone conversations, yesterday ......... I think it's going to happen!

(That made my day!)

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

Have good weekend, everyone!

Brrrrr!

2012-01-03T17:07:00.011-05:00

At 4:40 Tuesday afternoon!

At 5:00 p.m. my car's thermometer showed 5 degrees!

It was cold and even the sky looked wintery ........

.............. but there wasn't a lot of wind and the worst driving conditions that I found were on Fuess-Cleary Road where, obviously, there were no drifts and the road had been both plowed and sanded. No problems at all!

There was something that I was looking for and I found it: evidence that some enthusiasts simply could not wait any longer!
Snowmobile Tracks cutting off into the field next to Osborn Avenue!

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

The WKTV weather forecast from earlier today:

"(Although) most areas only saw a few inches of snow, watch out for slick spots on the roadways. Winds will be blustery, creating a sub zero wind chill in the afternoon. Some lake effect snow showers will persist south and west of Utica, with little accumulation expected.

Frigid tonight, with overnight lows near or below zero. A return to the twenties in the temperature tomorrow afternoon with some light snow possible late in the day. The chance for light snow again Thursday and Friday."

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

More and more Christmas trees have found their way to the roadsides, including the big tree that was in the Bandstand.

******

There is one home lighting display that I have tried several times to take a picture of but have been defeated by either traffic or trees: the Meszler residence on Sanger Avenue, where there are candle lights in every single window --- fifty in all!

If you're out in the evening, slow down and take a look!

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

IN THE NEWS

Front Page Headlines from

The Waterville Times.

*****

From the January 1 edition of the O-D:

"The Early Birder gets to see ..... some Birds!"

(Nice article about Jody Hildreth & Co.)

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

FYI

Please note that I've added this LINK to the

WCS Sports Schedule

in the LINKS column on the right-hand side of the page.

*****

ALSO.....

Blogging seems to be more fun in the afternoon than early in the morning, especially in the Winter, so - if you want me to post something for you, make sure you send it well in advance!

Have a good evening, everyone!

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

Is it Winter, yet?

2012-01-03T07:06:00.007-05:00

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "Winter" as: ": the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox."

It's 13.5 degrees at 7:00 a.m.

The snow depth on my front porch is 1.75 inches.

Yes: it's cold! But there's barely enough snow to shovel or plow .......

............... and, as it gets light outdoors, I think to myself that "It sure is pretty!"

*********

Here is WKTV's forecast: "A lake effect snow warning continues for Madison and Chenango County.

"A bitterly cold afternoon is in the cards! Temperatures starting out in the teens and falling through the day. Tough most areas only saw a few inches of snow, watch out for slick spots on the roadways this morning and afternoon. Winds will be blustery, creating a sub zero wind chill in the afternoon. Some lake effect snow showers will persist south and west of Utica. Frigid tonight, with overnight lows near or below zero. A return to the twenties in the temperature tomorrow afternoon with some light snow possible late in the day. The chance for light snow again Thursday and Friday."

(Click image for the link!)

It's sort of hard to tell, right now, but it looks as if the Snowmobile Trail at Old Forge has been groomed!

I'll let you know what it's like, here in Waterville, later today!

I wonder: what would it take to put a webcam on the roof of Access or the Village Diner?

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

FOR THE RECORD

Yesterday's Gas Price

Have a good one!

Stay Safe

Stay Warm

2012-01-02T05:19:00.012-05:00

It's a Holiday!

The Post Office and Library will be closed.

Garbage Collection will take place tomorrow.

33.6 degrees with occasional mixed precipitation 5:30 a.m.

WKTV's Wint'ry Weather Forecast: "Lake Effect Snow Warning for Lewis, Northern Oneida, Northern Herkimer and Hamilton until Tuesday AM

Lake Effect Snow Watch for Southern Oneida and Madison Counties from Monday afternoon into Tuesday.

Wind Advisory for Lewis County until Monday morning.

A strong cold front is moving through the region tonight, bringing some scattered rain showers and windy conditions. Once the front pushes to the east, cold air filters into the area late tonight. The cold air and wind shift to the west will help lake effect snow develop late tonight into Monday. Moderate to heavy lake effect snow accumulations will be across Lewis, Northern Herkimer, Hamilton and Northern Oneida County. Here is the snowfall map for Monday:

Wind begins to shift to the northwest Monday evening, pushing the lake effect band south into Southern Oneida and Madison Counties. Several inches are possible Monday night into Tuesday. Temperatures will start out in the mid 30s Monday, falling throughout the day into the 20s. The wind will be strong, between 15-25mph with gusts over 30mph.

Lake effect snow continues Tuesday with coldest weather of the season. Expect highs in the teens and lows below zero."

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

John P. Decker

1936 - 2012

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

When I began this blog, back in 2006, "things" were happening all the time: orange barrels kept moving; mud and dust and backed-up traffic kept providing "photo ops" and there were plenty of topics to blog about.

Now, however, with the Highway Reconstruction Project a thing of the past, the Memorial Bandstand completed and Waterville looking better than ever, there is far less "breaking news" to bring you. There are, however, just as many social events and community activities as there ever have been, and I welcome your input! I also know that blog readers love to read mail from and see pictures of far-away friends, so please share your news, memories and photographs!

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

F.Y.I.

Looking Ahead

The Municipal Calendar

**********

Waterville Central School Calendar

********

Waterville Public Library Calendar

Click to enlarge and/or save images on your desktop.

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

Looking back

JANUARY

(just to get you in the mood!)

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

Have a good day, everyone!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T14:13:00.006-05:00

Welcome to

"At Home in the Huddle 2012"

It's January first,

and what an unusual New Year's Day this is -

at 2:00 in the afternoon the temperature is fifty degrees!

The sun has shone all morning.

The only Christmas Tree left in the Park is that in the Bandstand .......

........ and several, so brightly decorated last week, now wait by the side of the road for Big Orange to take them away.

Out in the countryside, snomobile trails - all marked - stand bare.

There's not a bit of snow up in Hanover .........

............ and the ice that was on the little pond at the foot of Grant Hill on Friday, when I took this picture, is all gone but the Mallards are still there.

Just a bit of ice left at the "Caves" in Forge Hollow.

All in all, it's been a very nice "Spring" day!

That condition is about to come to a screeching halt, however, as we progress backward, as it were, into ..........

WINTER

The WKTV forecast: "2012 starts off quiet with mostly cloudy skies. Scattered showers arrived late in the day with highs in the mid 40s.

Winter returns on Monday with colder weather and lake effect snow across the North Country. Our coldest weather of the season arrives on Tuesday with highs in the teens and lows below zero."

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

While most of us have been marking New Year's Day in special ways, there are a few who have an additional reason to celebrate:

JIM VIVYAN

MYRNA KEIFER

JEAN DESANY

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

A REMINDER

Garbage collection is on Tuesday.

There is NO "Big Trash" collection this month.

*****

Have a great day and a great year, everyone!