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Tammy L. Howe, Brookfield

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It's 24 degrees and cloudy at 7:45.

WKTV's Weather Forecast: "Clouds and some limited breaks sun are on the way for today.. but importantly travel conditions look mostly good. Another light snow event is in the cards on Saturday as a storm passes to our south.  A general 1-3" of snow is likely throughout the course of the day starting in the morning and ending in the evening.  Our temperatures remain near to just below average throughout the next seven days, with the chance of some truly arctic air to arrive by late next week."

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Quite a few blog readers took time to watch the Tug Hill Snowplow video, so I went hunting on Youtube to find a more recent look at the Tug Hill area in Winter: this time, on  snowmobiles.

I hope that readers who have never seen snow or snowmobiles or vast expanses of woodland will enjoy it.

"Riding Tug Hill"

(Click to play.)

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The blogger has decided to take a long break - I'll be back 
(I think) on New Year's Day, to welcome you to "At Home in the Huddle 2013."

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Special Greeting!

TO

CHRISTINE CARROLL-HARBAUER

who has the good fortune of being able to celebrate her birthday twice:

once yesterday, starting at 6:00 p.m., because it was her birthday in Germany, and again today on her birthday in the USA!

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(Aha! That must account for the fact that there are blog readers in Germany!?)

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And - in celebration of nothing at all - your blogger never set foot outside the house, today, because although I could, I didn't really need to, and have felt cozily snowbound

watching old movies, writing more Christmas letters to old friends, and trying to follow one of my grandmother's "receipts" for knitted lace.  It was delightful, and I may do the very same thing tomorrow -

- or maybe not.

IN THE MAIL

A Foot of Snow

sent to me by Denise Jaquays-Tarbox.

(But while a lot of us are impressed with that amount, I'm sure there are plenty of old-timers who look at the picture and scoff: "Only a foot? That's barely more than 'partly cloudy!' ")

******

Edie Eastman, after watching the video about Plowing Snow on Tug Hill, wrote: "(That) reminded me of shoveling snow ahead of the plow on Frankfort Hill in the early 1940’s with other young adults.  And of a road near my home being plugged for 3 weeks in 1945. The Town finally got enough equipment in to get it open. We kids never missed school as we used our skis."  

Thanks, both of you!

Are there more such storm stories out there? 
I'd love to read them!

1:00 p.m. Update

Huge thanks to Glen Carroll who sent these pictures that he took from in front of his ACRELEC office on West Main Street at around 11:00 along with this note:

"Route 12 is open.*  Most of the sidewalks are NOT plowed and the Village Crews are spending time first to push back all the snow from the roads so people can park.

The roads are pretty dang slippery and have not been plowed in a few hours.  I'm sure the Town Crews are hard at work on all the back roads trying to get caught up before they make a circuit back onto the main roads.  

These guys works so hard and long we are blessed to have them!!!!!"   (I agree!)

* There's an add-on to that:  someone who had just driven to Utica said that her "... ride to Utica was HORRIBLE and that though Rt 12 was not yet closed but it should be… and that everyone should stay off that road!"

Very early Thursday update

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Léonie Y. Beha

1919 - 2012

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It's Garbage Day

28 degrees and light snow at 5:00 a.m.

YNN's animated radar view.

Click HERE to update.

Road conditions from 511Go

Click HERE to update

As of 5 o'clock there are no area roads closed.

New York Rt 12 from the Madison County line to 
Rt 5 and also Rt 20:

Road status: severe snow/ice conditions

Pavement condition: packed snow

Weather condition: blowing and drifting snow

Updated 3:58 AM

Click to enlarge.

WKTV's list of Closings.
"Utica College will open at noon."

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The YNN Weather Forecast updated at 3:02 this morning: "Snow showers continue across the area with some dry air working in across the Southern Tier as well as a wintry mix. I think we will see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches across the Southern Tier, 2 to 4+ inches across Central New York, and 4 to 6+ inches far North Country from sunrise till the end of the day.

 Heavy periods of snow still possible this morning and easing through the day. We have a wide range of totals already across the area as we expected. I think we have seen the worst of this storm, but that doesn't mean its smooth sailing from here. Roads are snow covered, some secondary roads impassable, and a strong wind will continue to blow snow into roads and create poor visibility during travel.

The lakes will fire up later today with lake enhanced snow so expected to see snow showers for the rest of the day."

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The snow on my front porch is just 8" deep, but that includes yesterday's  2" accumulation. There isn't any wind at all, here in "the Hollow," but conditions could be completely different up in the center of the village.

I don't think that I'll be going out until much later, today, but if any of you are taking pictures, this morning, I'd welcome them!



View from Grant Hill yesterday morning.

This storm, named "Euclid," has been given so much air / press time that preparations were in high gear, everywhere, yesterday afternoon.

The Village DPW was removing snow from the Post Office/Dollar General parking lot to make room for more...

...... and this gentleman was loading three sliding "tubs" that he'd just purchased at Morgan's into his truck!

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More later.

Please drive safely!

8:00 p.m. Weather Update

Very pretty snow falling, now, but there's no wind - at least not here in "the Hollow."  More (snow and news) very early in the morning.

It's Recycling Day and it's COLD:

9.5 degrees at 6:00 a.m.

The YNN Weather Forecast: "Heavy Snow and Wintry Mix Tonight/Thursday. Snow Showers and Cold Continues.

 Today will be a quiet and chilly day with a breeze increasing through the afternoon. Clouds will thicken ahead of a strong storm system that will arrive for the evening. This is a strong system with a lot of energy that looks to bring significant snowfall to the entire area.

Most areas will see mainly snow through this event, but a few spots could see a quick wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain. Snow will be heavy at times through the night and into Thursday morning.

Travel will be tough and slow through Thursday. Snow will taper and the continued snow showers will continue for the rest of the week. Windy conditions will be an issue as well. Cold air remains on the 7 day forecast."

Remember that you can always check driving conditions across the state at 511NY - and be sure to click on the Snowflake - "Winter Road Conditions" - icon.

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IN THE MORNING MAIL

Great Good News from Jack Youngs: "Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers sent my way. My Christmas wish did work out. After 3 days I was home. Very thankful. "

(If you want to send Jack and Pat your own "Hello!" here's the address:   Jack & Pat Youngs, Park Manor, 600 Palm Ave, Wildwood,   FL.  34785.)

IN THE NEWS

Sadly, the Observer-Dispatch notes the death on December 23rd of Leonie Y. Beha, a longtime resident of "Conger's Corners" and Waterville.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

There are lots and lots of familiar names in the 

O-D's list of MVCC Graduates!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!

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Miscellaneous Pictures 

that I've taken over the past few days.

Tom Eisenhut joined me in wishing all of you a Merry Christmas.

I think that I took this picture on Monday afternoon: what a lucky shot! Isn't that Santa in disguise just coming out of Morgan's with last-minute stocking stuffers?

The snow made the Bandstand in the Park "pretty as a picture," again.

Snowy day view from Fuess-Cleary Road.

Windshield-tinted view of Osborn Avenue ....

...........  and the fields where some happy snowmobilers had already been out riding.

The waterfall on Gridley-Paige Road was running free ....

...............  but ice was starting to form on the little pond at the foot of Grant Hill ....

................. and there was only enough open water for a dozen or so Canada Geese next to Madison Street.

The leaves on beech trees have turned to parchment and this is just the sort of scene that brings back memories of snowshoes and daypacks with thermoses of hot chocolate and "p.b.& j." sandwiches!

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I've waited and waited for Margie Wilson to close her garage doors so that I could take this picture of the decorations!

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SPECIAL EVENT

The Library will be CLOSED Today 

but will open again, tomorrow, and you are invited to a

6 o'clock showing of:

Plus, enjoy some Ice Age crafts between 4-6 pm.

Do one or both!

Amanda Briggs    315-841-4651    amanda@watervillepl.org 

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Here is WKTV's latest forecast map. I'll keep you updated once the snow reaches us but, before then, I'll join everyone else at Foodking getting stocked up on essentials!

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For those of you who pine for "the good old days," here's a wonderful video about 
Snowplowing in Tug Hill in 1939!  

(I bet all of our local highway crews would like a few plows like these!)

FOR THE RECORD

Have a good day, everyone!

29 degrees and snowing.  It looks as if there's a 2" - 3" accumulation, but the plows were out before 5:00.

The YNN Weather Forecast: "Lake effect snow continues Saturday and heavier squalls combined with the wind will result in blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibilities and making for slick travel conditions. While actual high temperatures will be in the upper 20s and  low 30s, wind chills are forecast to be in the teens and 20s.

Overall, Sunday should be a much quieter day with highs in the low 30s.  Lingering lake snow showers southeast of Lake Ontario will lift north and weaken through the day. Both Monday and Tuesday are shaping up to be very chilly as temperatures struggle to climb out of the 20s."

Conditions at 5:00 a.m.

Click HERE to update

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Nicholas P. Marriott

1997 - 2012

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Roger Hahle, Sacramento, CA.

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Yesterday afternoon in Hanover.

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WCS SPORTS

Thursday p.m.

Waterville 65, Clinton 63

Waterville                    11 11 17 26  — 

Clinton                          9 20 22 12  — 63

Waterville (2-0) (4-0): Jon Piersma 14, Jacob Knutti 15, Jimmy Melvin 2, Luke Barnes 4 Zach Sawyer 11, Jacob Murray 6, Greg Elliott 13. Totals: 28-4-65.
Clinton: Garrett Drejza 2, Malaquias Canery 13, Ian Foxton 2, Mike Hayduk 23, Patrick Ziemba 8, Andrew Hobika 8, Anthony Rizzo 8. 24-8-63.

 3-point goals: Clinton 7 (Hayduk 4, Rizzo 2, Canery). Waterville 5 (Piersma 2, Knutti 2,Sawyer).

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More when it happens.

Please drive carefully!

It's Garbage Day

26 degrees and dry at 5:30

The Weather Forecast from WKTV: "Dry Thursday, with partly sunny skies early.  The next weather system arrives Thursday night, bringing us more rain.  Rain tapers to showers Friday, with cooler air and lake effect snow for Friday Night and Saturday.  At this point it appears that a few inches of snow are possible.  We'll continue to update as new information becomes available."

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Here & There
Yesterday



The Hanover View

If it weren't for the decorations on the gate,  you'd almost think it was Springtime on Gridley-Paige Road.



Snowmobilers are hopeful, though, and a crew has been out marking trails.

Stacks of firewood are growing.

There were still some Snow Geese on the ponds next to Madison Street .....

 

sharing space with some of the Canada Geese.  They seem to coexist peacefully, but each variety keeps mostly to itself.

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COMING EVENTS

The Waterville Rotary Club (and friends) will be caroling at Harding Nursing Home at 5:30 today.

(Click HERE to update the clock.)

Everything is becoming terribly busy. 

SICK OF SHOPPING?

Think "Gift Cards & Certificates"

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Stewart's and Nice 'n Easy

Gift cards for everything from Ice Cream to Gasoline

At Totally-U

Cuts, curls, color, artificial nails, manicures, pedicures and now soothing hot wax wraps for tired hands! 841-8230.

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YUM!

New York Pizzeria 841-8898

Michael's Fine Food & Spirits 841-3077


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A WHOLE YEAR
of Information:

The Waterville Times
Subscriptions: 841-4105

Phone for Floral Deliveries

Merri-Rose 841-8109
Alcotts Greenhouses 841-8285


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This must be THE Party Weekend of the Year!

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At the Library Today

Holiday Story Hour

Today at 3:30 and again at 6:00

*****

This evening at 6:00 p.m.

Family Movie

"How could we forget Buddy the Elf! You can watch all of his crazy ways on the big screen, and really get in the Christmas spirit."

*****

On Saturday morning at 11:00

"Holiday Crafts" 

Ages 4-9 | Sign Up

Make tree table toppers with glitter and sequins.

Contact: Amanda Briggs    315-841-4651    amanda@watervillepl.org 

The Library will be Closed on

December 24th, 25th & 26th.

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Home for Christmas

While most of us will travel by planes, trains or automobiles  .........

.... this is Scott Bancroft's "ride" - at least as far as Norfolk.

The Navy's "finest Five-star Carrier," the Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Welcome Home Scotty!

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Do you remember the song "All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth"?

Well - Jack Youngs wanted a new HIP, instead, and he got it yesterday morning. Reports are that he was trying it out last evening!

Best Wishes for Super-speedy healing 
from All of us, Jack!

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Next to the Waterville Baptist Church on East Main Street.

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On Friday

The December Solstice.

(Click for history and customs.)

And NOW the days start getting longer!

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FOR THE RECORD

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The 2012 PsB Christmas card.

The stars, of course, have names that astronomers have never heard of, but that you would probably recognize.

"Sleep in Heavenly peace; sleep in Heavenly peace."

Wishing all of you a joyful Christmas and a Healthy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year.

joyeux Noël

Veselé Vánoce

frohen Weihnachten wesołych Świąt priecīgus ZiemassvētkusЗ Різдвом メリークリスマス

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I'll be in and out, here and there, but never far from camera or computer, so I'll post pictures or news when I see or hear of happenings.

Enjoy the Holidays!