At Home in the Huddle 2012: Very Informative 9:00 a.m. Add-on

9:00 a.m. I've just received a very interesting, timely and informative "press release" from Mary Beth Plourde about the Waterville Area Food Pantry and the Boy Sc0ut Food Drive that will take place on Saturday . Please scroll down to just below the "Scouting for Food" Logo.

It's Garbage Day.

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

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "Clouds give way to sunshine (Thursday) with highs in the low 40s. Sunshine on Friday with highs in the mid 40s. A warm front arrives on Saturday, bringing clouds and a chance for rain showers. The weather will warm up big time starting Sunday. "

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Yesterday was a cloudy, gray day - not really cold, but not pleasant, either - so I went on my annual "treasure hunt" to gather Christmas Terrarium plants in the Edward Baker State Forest (the Brookfield Horse Trail System.)

The roads are - to use Jody Hildreth's description - "greasy," or had frozen ruts and I was surprised that I had to brush away snow to get to some of the plants. But it was a good day, and here is part of my collection: various mosses, ground pine, princess pine, "pixie cups" and, of course, partridge berries. I still need "sheet moss" to line the glass bowls and "British Soldiers" for more color.

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"Explore - Dream - Discover"

By now you'll have read more about the new Mohawk Valley Astronomical Society / Waterville Public Library Observatory in The Waterville Times.

Jeff Reynolds took these pictures a week or so ago.

The first two shots show the building with the motorized roof open.

The Telescope Room.

The door on the righthand side of the blue wall leads to the "warming room!"

The 16-inch research-grade Meade Lx-200 GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain scope.

The building as it looks with the roof closed, showing Gary Ford's beautiful stick work - "Sunrise."

The door to the Observatory was especially designed and crafted by furniture maker Steve Mackintosh and stars were painted in the "sky" by Annette Gurdo.

Watch for special "Sky Watch" programs, coming soon!

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COMING THIS WEEKEND

Friday and Saturday

Saturday

Starting at 9:00 a.m.

The Waterville Area Food Pantry was recently awarded a $1594 Capital Equipment grant from the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase new shelving. Saturday October 20^th, the pantry was full of activity as Scott Freeman and Doug Plourde crafted nine, shiny new chrome 24”x48” shelving units. Boy Scouts from Troop 108- David Hicks, Andrew Scoones, Kevin Jones, Adam Cossette, Hunter Cornelius, John Brouilette, Jordan Blair and their leaders arrived to clear the old shelves and stock the new. The scouts worked diligently and meticulously to ensure the shelves were stocked properly. They did a terrific job! We greatly appreciate the hard work of all involved to make the pantry a bit brighter and have the capacity to store more food items.

In September 2012 the food pantry served 50 households a 5 day supply of food. 50 children, 85 Adults and 17 seniors were served a total of 2,280 meals. These numbers are increasing every month and unfortunately donations and government funding is dwindling. As the holidays approach & we think about how good it feels to give to those we love….take a minute and think about those in our community whose needs may not be met. Please support the food pantry and the Boy Scouts next month on November 10^th during the annual Boy Scout Food Drive.

The pantry is open Monday’s from 3-4:30 except for the second Monday of the month. The pantry is also open for emergencies by calling Vicki Sabol 841-4996, Susan Edkins 939-0412, or Mary Beth Plourde 841-4638. Donations may always be dropped off during open hours or by calling any of the above numbers to make an appointment. Monetary donations may be made payable to the Waterville Area Food Pantry and mailed to treasurer Susan Edkins, 390 Tower St., Waterville. " (Thank you, Mary Beth!)

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