IT'S ELECTION DAY!
DON'T FORGET TO GO AND VOTE!
DON'T FORGET TO GO AND VOTE!
lll
36 degrees at 6 o'clock.
And it's BIG TRASH Day, too!
In the morning mailbox:
I had this letter from John Savage, head coach of our super Pop Warner players, referencing last Saturday's game:
"As anyone who loves the sport of football knows, some days the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. Our players had a real rough start with six turnovers in the first half. This gave a good Hudson Valley (Poughkeepsie area) Team the opportunity to get up on us 20-0.
But as the referees even commented – the kids showed tremendous character by staging a comeback in the second half to narrow the score to 20-13 – just one touchdown away from tying the game. With 3-4 minutes left in the game we had the ball and a loud and rowdy Waterville crowd backing us when the Knights intercepted our pass and essential sealed a victory.
I couldn’t be prouder of our kids – this is simply the end of a chapter, in what will certainly be a wonderful book of memories to come. John Savage. "
--- and, in re: yesterday's posts about the cupola on the Masonic Temple bell tower, this letter from Jean Desany of Amherst, New Hampshire. She was, for many years, one of several "chimers" who would climb the long flights of stairs to the console room and take turns playing the bells on Christmas Eve.
"So glad to see the cupola restored and reseated on the Masonic Temple. Makes me remember back in the early '70's when the Laubers moved into the apartment upstairs with three small children. The master bedroom was smack under the bells but Jan said the entire family forgot about their resounding presence within two weeks of moving in.
More thoughts - Blogger has spent many hours playing those bells and I was so thrilled when she invited me to join her at the "keyboard." At that point, that mechanism consisted of leather straps and wheelbarrow handles. The music was mimeographed sheets of numbers from 1 to 9 for the nine bells - one sheet for each carol. There was only one flat as I recollect, so the repertoire was limited. For a few years we played every Sunday afternoon during Advent.
We never did get much feedback from the community, but the peace and tranquility (when the tower wasn't swaying in the wind) at dusk never failed to set in for this reader, especially with a soft snow falling and lights twinkling on in the village. Just what the doctor ordered to lower the pre-holiday stress level.
I don't know if anyone else will ever experience it, but it's a memory I'll always cherish. Jean desany. "
Because you actually have to open windows up there to hear the bells over the racket and clanking of the "mechanism," it was always numbingly cold and nearly as windy as being up amongst the bells themselves. We'd always have a thermos of hot chocolate, 'tho, and cheer each other on. Yes, Jean - those WERE good times! Thanks for writing!
Her memory was completely accurate: there are nine "wheelbarrow handles" - for the nine possible notes. (Imagine a "C" scale with an optional B-flat.) Playing the bells does NOT require a Degree in Music or great strength. Being able to hum a tune in your head and match it to the nine notes is about all that's required except that the "tune" - which can be either sacred or secular - should be fairly familiar to listeners and not too fast, or you'll get your hands all tangled up!
It's time, now, for a new group of chimers to get in on the next-to-the-top floor. Let me know if you'd like to give it a go: I'll be glad to arrange with the Masons to take you to the tower and show you the way things work. Add to your memory-collection, too!
