At Home in the Huddle

Thursday wrap-up

2010-12-23T17:04:00.004-05:00

It's 23 degrees and just an occasional bit of snow/sleet.
(Is that called sneet?)

I think it will make for some nice sliding!

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

A prize-winner, on Elmwood!

(See The Waterville Times for all the ribbon-winners!)

Main Street and the Post Office / Dollar General parking lots were
as crowded as the one at CVS!

West of Sangerfield on Route 20, a "conga line" of two State snowplows were clearing the two- or three-inch accumulation of snow. You can see that there's rime on the trees .........

........... but it was nothing like the frosting that I found in Hanover, a mile or two north of the village.

There, the frozen fog was nearly an inch thick on twigs and weeds and it was a beautiful sight!

At the very "top" of Shanley Road, a super-sized greeting card!

Later, this afternoon, this was the view of "downtown" Sangerfield
from Newberry Road!

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

WKTV's afternoon forecast: "Light snow continues to fall across Central New York today. Snowfall today will be on the lighter side, but enough to accumulate. A general trace to 2" regionwide will fall today. Snow showers come to an end this evening.

Some sunshine mixed with clouds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A storm will track close to the coast on Sunday and Monday. The storm looks to pass to the east , but may be close enough to give us snow. There are still many question marks about the track of the storm, so stay tuned!

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

CHRISTMAS EVE

4:30 pm

Family Festival Eucharist and Pageant

Grace Episcopal Church

201 East Main Street

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

A service of Scripture and carols
will be held at the United Methodist Church on Tower Street at 8:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve.
Everyone is welcome!

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

Everyone seems to be talking about "Casey," but I have not heard that she's been found or even seen, so please continue to be on the lookout for her!

********

Have a nice evening, everyone!

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-22T15:18:00.001-05:00

A small present....

click on

"At Home in the Huddle 2"

O Tannenbaum

I was going to wait until January 1 to begin Vol. 2 of this blog, but I got going on it, today, and - well, here it is!

Make sure to remember it as a new favorite!

I still hope that Blogspot will accept photographs again, fairly soon, but in the meantime I'm using iPhoto and Picassa to upload JPEGS, here. I don't like the results as well, but .............

Have a nice evening. Travel safely!

Friday Battle with Blogspot.com

2006-12-22T06:12:00.000-05:00

27 degrees; no precipitation at the moment, however..........

The WKTV News Channel 2 Extended Forecast:
Today: Mostly cloudy with afternoon rain showers. High 38
Tonight: Cloudy with rain. A brief period of freezing rain possible north. Low 35
Saturday: Cloudy with rain, tapering to showers late. High 47 Low 36
Sunday: Mostly cloudy, turning cooler, with rain and snow showers. High 40 Low 25
Christmas Day: Partly sunny. High 39 Low 32
Tuesday: Cloudy with snow. Accumulations likely. High 34 Low 26
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy snow showers. High 29 Low 20
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. High 30

Blogspot.com still has not repaired it's problem, but I'm trying to figure out a way to post photographs (JPEGS) by taking a more circuitous route that leads from camera to iPhoto to Picassa and gives me the HTML for each picture. I don't like it! But it's better than nothing! (Or maybe it isn't!)

In the meantime .......

The Harding Family is enjoying the Christmas presence of Elaine Harding Ralls and her daughter, Catherine, who are here from Arizona. The visitors are also enjoying their vacation, but are hoping to see at least a little snow before they have to leave!

Nancy and Eladio Ayala received an early Christmas present, last Monday, when their daughter Connie gave them a brand new grandaughter - Cassidy Lucille - who weighed 7 pounds and is 19 and 1/2 inches tall!

Mr. R. F. Brown once again asks the blogger to say Thank You! for all of the cards and E-mails that he's received and to those friends who have taken time to stop by Room 108 at the Harding Nursing Home, where he is currently undergoing rehabilitational therapy. He hopes to be able to celebrate Christmas with his family on New Year's Day.

"Social Notes and Items of Interest" excerpted from the Waterville Times:

The six Lallier Girls had their Annual Get-together Luncheon up north at the White Lake Inn, a few weeks ago. Attending were: Carol Bowee, who lives in White Lake, Joan Howard and Lovina Staring of Waterville, Jeanette Hollenbeck and Ida Sheppard of Cassville and Linda Crowe of Sauquoit. What a grand reunion they must have had!

Despite lack of snow, the Holidays are upon us! Mrs. Martin writes that “The Crimson Bonnets held their Christmas Party at Barb Mario's last Thursday. It was a covered dish get-together and the food was out of this world. This is our last meeting of the year so we .all opened gifts from our Secret Pals. There were many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as the gifts were opened. After that we drew new names for Secret Pals for 2007. Lorraine Havens says she loves her gift but the card didn't say who it was from - if you read this please let her know! Our next meeting will be the last Thursday in January with Barb Mario again organizing it.”

At a few minutes past noontime, each Sunday for the past few weeks, the Ayalas have climbed the bell tower of the Masonic Temple and played selections of Christmas carols. They were joined last week by the Aldridges and, on Christmas, PsBrown and Alex Meszler will take their turn at the levers. (We are informed that that is the proper name for the “wheelbarrow handles” and that it should be pronounced, “leaver.”)

Christmas music filled the halls of the Harding Nursing Home, this Thursday evening, when the members of the Waterville Rotary Club made their annual visit, there.

The "Sanger Avenue Singers" (and friends!) will be caroling on Friday evening: listen for them!

I had to go to Hamilton, yesterday and, on the way back, I glanced over toward Madison Lake and saw a white island:
I knew it couldn't be snow!

I couldn't really get close enough to be absolutely sure, but I believe it must have been a gaggle of Snow Geese.

On the Eastern portion of the lake a hundred or more Canada Geese were enjoying the sunshine.

Thursday morning

2006-12-21T06:08:00.000-05:00

It's 37.5 degrees.

Click HERE to see the usual weather forecast snap!

They're doing it again! I'm convinced that there are Grinches at Blogspot.com and, once again, no one can upload photos. Some interesting alternatives are being suggested, however, and I'll look into those, later today.

In the meantime, you can contemplate this:
Will we have a White Christmas?

I'll be out and around the village a great deal, today, and will see what news I can pick up and what photo-ops present themselves - with the hope that by the time people in California wake up - that's where Blogspot is - I'll be able to post them.

Please check back later!!

Wednesday wrap-up

2006-12-20T15:46:00.000-05:00

It turned into a lovely, warm-looking afternoon!

I wasn't out and around, very much, but the Car Wash sign caught my eye (as it's supposed to!)

After a stop at the Library to return an overdue book and say Hello to Margie, Paul, and Mr. Reynolds, I took the "scenic route" back towards Main Street and - guess what! - ANOTHER huge truck was backed up to a second storage trailer! MORE LAMPS pieces and parts! (Including the very essential base plates which have been held up due to a "problem" at the foundry on the West Coast.) The gentleman with whom I spoke must have been with the electrical contractors. He said that our lamps are very, very nice in both appearance and in quality! Installation, he added, should begin "in about ten days."

It's Fixed!

2006-12-20T11:52:00.001-05:00

FINALLY!!!

We have pictures, again!

I've learned that when something goes really wrong with blogspot.com to look first to see if I'm the only one having a problem: in this case, I wasn't. Did it give me any comfort to know that somewhere out there hundreds of other bloggers were making nose prints on their monitors? Only a little!

It's bright and sunny, but still a bit on the "nippy" side. No sign of any activity around the Lamp Post trailer, and whereas there were Ten little Tannenbaum left in the Park the day-before-yesterday, suddenly "then there were none." (With apologies to Agatha Christie!)

(Click to enlarge.)

The Christmas Issue of the Waterville Times reached newsstands yesterday.

Headlines from the inside Front Page:

"Boundaries in Fire Districts Need Work" - Fire Chief Denny Baldwin says "Places we used to cover or logically should cover are now in other districts."
"Charter for Falls' Library Worked on." - Clark Memorial Library Board looking at options for the library's charter of operation.
"WCS Principal Idea Supported" - A Middle School Principal may be hired.
"BCS Project Costs Outlined." - State would pay 96% of proposed renovation project.
PHOTO - House fire on Sanger Hill Road in Oriskany Falls.
PHOTO STORY - Santa visited Deansboro last Saturday.
PHOTO - Flag on Display. Members of Boy Scout Troop 108 hold flag in preparation to raising it on new flagpole at the Library, last Saturday.

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

I'd been planning on starting Vol. 2 of this blog on the first of January. I might start it a little early - just to be on the safe side - but will give you a link to it as soon as I have.

Wednesday morning

2006-12-20T06:21:00.000-05:00

It's Recyclables Day!

And, unless you're keen to see what the temperature is or are a WCS sports fan, this first post is going to be really boring!
Blogspot isn't accepting photos or allowing links! Temporary? I hope so!

Right now it's 28 degrees and there's just a hint of icy white on the porch steps.

The WKTV Channel 2 Forecast starts out:
Wednesday: Partly sunny to mostly sunny. High 40-45.
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 25-30.
Thursday: Thickening clouds. High 41 Low 31

Waterville 63, Sauquoit Valley 54

Mason Clapp scored 17 points and Todd Livingston and Brandon Wrobel added 12 each as Waterville bounced back with a win over Sauquoit Valley after blowing a big lead in losing to Mount Markham in its previous game.
Josh Randall of Sauquoit Valley led all scorers with 17 points.

Waterville 19 16 14 14 - 63
Sauquoit Valley 13 13 10 18 - 54
Waterville (3-2): Mason Clapp 17, Doug Hughes 8, Todd Livingston 12, Wes Roberts 10, Ryan Shereck 4, Brandon Wrobel 12. Totals: 23-15-65.
Sauquoit Valley (1-5): Kyle Edelman 10, Brian Gaskell 2, Cory Gibson 12, Nick Hanratty 9, Pat Julian 2, JIared Montgomery 2, Josh Randall 17. Totals: 21-7-54.
3-point goals: Waterville, Roberts 1, Wrobel 1. Sauquoit: Gibson 2, Randall 3.

Check back later!

Tuesday morning

2006-12-19T06:09:00.000-05:00

It's 32.2 degrees - no precip.

In Girls' Varsity Basketball,
it was Cooperstown over Waterville, 50 - 48.

The Boys' Varsity Basketball team plays Sherburne-Earlville, this evening at 7:30, on their court.

On the Social Scene: the Tea Party, given yesterday afternoon by the Waterville Times for correspondents and special friends, was perfectly elegant and the ladies all had a lovely time!

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

Behind "Michael's," there was activity at the
Lamp Post Storage Trailer and a great surge of excitement:
"Soon? Soon?"
"Sorry --- not now. Maybe in a couple of weeks." (Darn it all!)

*****

But over on Route 12B, South of Deansboro, a sight we all look forward to every year: Nancy Eastman's Christmas Mural.

(Click to enlarge.)

Monday morning

2006-12-18T05:31:00.001-05:00

Garbage Day!

It's 41 degrees and moist.

One of the neatest "inflatables," yet, is this "Merry-go-Round" on Hanover Road!

From this morning's O-D: "Cause of O' Falls Fire Under Investigation." (I'll make a point of taking my camera with me, today!)

Village Board Meeting Tonight at 7:00

*******

Today in the SPORTS ZONE

(Click to enlarge.)

********

The "Rumor du jour" is a big one. Ms. Louise is tracking it!

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

The only things that I know, for sure, have nothing to do with it and are, simply, that:

the new schoolbus garage on East Bacon Street is getting larger and larger, and that

Tom's got a good idea, there!

Trivia for the Day: "Who was Joel Roberts Poinsett?" Lore and Legend of the Poinsettia

Soggy Sunday

2006-12-17T05:15:00.001-05:00

Definitely drippy, but 36 degrees: no shovelling today!

Be listening, a few minutes after noontime, for the bells! The Ayalas and Aldridges will be at the levers, ringing Christmas Carols for you!

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

I did get a chance, yesterday, to have a good look at the new railings at the hotel.

From across the street, it looks as if they are straight across the front of the building, but ......

...... up close, and from the side, you can see the work
of a very particular craftsman: the railing closest to the
street corner actually curves. What a fine bit of carpentry!

And as soon as I can, I'm going to stake a claim to a little table,
right here, to enjoy a "pint," watch the world go by,
and wave back to Millie!

Alot of people envy Mr. Hudson's "eye for color."

He matched these perfectly, didn't he!

Can't wait to see what happens next!

Saturday afternoon

2006-12-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

It was windy, dank and chilling, but the five-minute Ceremony during which the Flagpole at the new Waterville Public Library was dedicated and the Stars and Stripes raised, this morning, was a heart-warming and memorable "small town" event.

Following a short address during which he said that it is to all Veterans that we owe our freedom to have a Library and to be able to go into it and read, Mike Kopec, former Commander and Chaplain of the Clifford J. Fulmer Post 92 of the America Legion, presented Library Director Jeffrey Reynolds with a brand new flag. Three Boy Scouts then took the flag and, while the National Anthem was played, raised it to the top of the flagpole. Mr. Kopec then led the assembled group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

How disappointing!

How embarrassing!

------

How come no one was there?

------

In "Small Town, U.S.A." or Mayberry or Cabot Cove there would have been a crowd - especially because refreshments were promised! - but on hand this morning were:
Ms. Patty Louise;
Scout Leader Mr. Strohmeyer and three Boy Scouts,
Library Director Reynolds,
Legion Chaplain Michael Kopec,
the members of the Library Board,
and
former Librarian Wendy Sexton
Nora Keating
Roseanne Gallagher
Beverly Gibbons
and me.

I really was upset and ready to leave, but then decided to go inside and help "make a crowd." I ended up having a nice long chat with Mr. Reynolds - we're both "Mac" people and a little crazy about gardens, too, so we talked about everything from Hop Vines, Herb Gardens, "Blogs" and digital cameras. Then, of course, I found the huge tray of goodies in the front Activity Room and showed my appreciation for them in what I thought would be an appropriate manner!

Saturday morning

2006-12-16T06:22:00.001-05:00

It's 36 degrees and seems to be a little bit drippy, out.

Although the date might change, traditional celebration of Hanukkah is always the same.

********

The WCS Boys' Varsity Basketball Team beat Sauquoit 63-54 Friday night. Mason Clapp led the way with 17 points. Todd Livingston and Brandon Wrobel had 12 points each. Josh Randall had 17 for Sauquoit who drops to 1-5. Waterville is now 3-2.

The Mount Markham Mustangs Girls Basketball team beat Waterville Friday, 45-41. The Lady Mustangs, now 3-0, were led by Regina Locorini, who had 16 points and 6 assists, and Brandy Wercynski, who had 15 rebounds. Janelle Buell had 11 for Waterville, who drops to 3-2.

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

I wished that I had had my camera with me, yesterday, but I didn't! The weather went from sunny to stormy, back and forth, several times, and as I drove from Waterville to Utica, several times, the clouds were wonderful! Yes - I did see that huge rainbow over the Mohawk River Valley; kicking myself that I couldn't "snap" it for all of you to see.

I'll be sure to be camera-ready, today, and hope to attend the Flagpole Dedication Ceremonies at the Library, this morning at 10:00 A.M. I also want to take a good picture of the new, nearly-completed railings on the hotel!

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

Several of you have asked for an Update on Dick's condition and I'm really glad to say that although he is still in St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica, he is greatly improved and in dandy-good spirits (for anyone who's been in the hospital for over a week!)

It was discovered that his low oxygen level was caused, at least in large part, by fluid in and around the lungs (and apparently everywhere else!) Thanks to a clever device invented by a Dr. Frederick Foley, a surgeon working in Boston, Massachusetts in the 1930s, Dick is now probably about twenty-five pounds lighter than he was a week ago and feels a heck of alot better!

He's still on a light dose of oxygen and is getting lots of attention from pulmonologists, but his appetite is really good, considering that he's on a diabetic and low salt diet, and he's learned that coffee made in the kitchen next to the nurses' station is much better than that made in the big kitchen!

Because he had a pre-existing sore on his scalp that is of the "staph" or MRSA type, he is still in "isolation" only to the extent that people coming into the room are asked to put on a yellow papery-plastic "smock" and rubber gloves: it's not a big deal.

The doctors (of which there seem to be at least half-a-dozen) plan on releasing him within the next few days - probably for a week or two of "rehab" at Hardings'.

He's looking forward to that just so that he'll be back in home territory among people he knows and can chat with, because I can visit him more easily, and also because the Harding Nursing Home has wireless internet access and he can have his laptop!!

I'm looking forward to his move here, too --- I've been making two and three trips a day to St. E's and not getting much of anything else - like Christmas Cards or Blogging - accomplished! Our daughter, Allison Methe, was here on both Tuesday and Thursday and she's great company and a grand help.

We all want to say "Thank You!" again, to everyone, for your cards, prayers, E-mails and good thoughts!

I'll keep you posted.

PsB

Friday Morning

2006-12-15T05:43:00.000-05:00

Another Spring Day in the forecast! 44 degrees, at 6 o'clock.

Pat Howard's South Babbott Avenue tulips are starting to sprout!

Plenty of Sports, tonight.

Six Months Ago - June 15th.

And a fine time to wish Nannette and her family
a Very Merry Christmas
and say "We miss you!"

And, to the WCS Marching Band, its director and
the Brothertown Music Boosters
"Happy New Year" and "Congratulations!"

Last Summer, on July 4, the WCS Marching Band was in Fairport, en route to Cleveland for their performance of the National Anthem opening the Yankees-Indians game on the 5th.

Next Summer, on the Fourth of July, the Band will be marching in

WASHINGTON, D.C.

I've been given permission to say that there will be about twenty-five bands in the Parade in Washington, and that as far as is known now, the WATERVILLE MARCHING BAND will be the only one from New York.

Ta-daaaaah!

Thursday morning

2006-12-14T05:30:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

32.9 degrees and another nice Spring Day ahead!

But looking at the nice green grass on Elmwood, you'd never guess that this picture was taken on December 13th!

On White Street.

From today's Observer-Dispatch, "Alberding Named Youth of the Month"

More exciting news later - I hope!

Front Page Headlines from the Waterville Times.

2006-12-13T06:07:00.000-05:00

"An Elegant Afternoon Social" - Story and photos of the Victorian Tea.

"Flagpole Will be Dedicated" - Ceremony at 10:00 A.M. on December 16th at the Waterville Public Library.

"Village Rids Yards of Cars" - 22 of 28 junk car violations have been resolved.

"Holiday CD for Sale" - by choir of historic Old St. John's Church in Utica.

"Article Done By Former Resident" - Kevin Tuttle's "Evaluating Probabilities to Improve Profitability" in new publication.

"Overseas Treats" - photo - Auxiliary of the Clifford J. Fulmer Post sent packages to men and women serving overseas.

"Dessert, Anyone?" - photo - Deansboro UCC Church Luncheon, last Saturday.

Wednesday morning

2006-12-13T05:10:00.000-05:00

First Things First!

YES:

the truck carrying our new Victorian Lamp Posts

pulled in to town yesterday morning.

By mid-afternoon, the posts - individually "bubble-wrapped" and appearing to be very heavy -
were being placed in the storage trailer at Firemen's Field.

It was a mild day,,,,,,,,,,,

............... and a couple dozen mallard ducks were lounging in the sun around or in the little pond at the foot of Grant Hill.

If this sort of weather continues - as forecasters predict -
perhaps, at long last, we'll start to see at least some of the Lamps unwrapped,
standing on their bases and lit before Christmas!

43 degrees; no precipitation!

In Girls' Varsity Basketball, it was Waterville 65 and Morrisville-Eaton 46, last night

And this note from Bonnie Dobmeier, President of the Waterville Garden Club:

The judging for the Waterville Garden Club's annual Christmas Decorating Contest will take place at dusk on Tuesday, December 19th. Be sure to have your lights on! Anyone living outside the village who wishes to have their decorations judged can contact Sue Price @ 841 4459

Tuesday morning

2006-12-12T05:56:00.000-05:00

36.7 degrees; no noticable precipitation.

Boys' Varsity Basketball beat Oppenheim 63 - 46.
Girls' Varsity meets Morrisville-Eaton at home, tonight at 7:30.

I missed this article in yesterday's O-D:

WATERVILLE: Students win awards
Monday, Dec 11, 2006

Several Waterville High School Student Council members were awarded awards at the 19th annual New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities Conference recently held in Buffalo. Abram Koester won the Student Recognition Award and scholarship for outstanding leadership in his school, community and state.

Tatyana Selyuzhitskaya and Russell Ritzel won the National Dale Hawley Leadership Awards and Scholarships for exceptional leadership in their school, community and at the national level. Brianna Cowen was elected to the state Executive Board as the student representative from District 8, which encompasses all of the schools in Oneida, Herkimer, Chenango, Madison, Delaware and Otsego counties. Cowen will host a Leadership Conference for all area high schools at Waterville High school in March.

I also forgot to post this letter from Gary Tuttle: it had a great deal of information about a radio program that aired last night. Sorry!!

"I received the below email from our son Brian and
thought maybe some of your readers who are classical
music fans would be interested. Brian has a bachelors
in music education (summa cum laude) and a masters in
music performance from the University of Northern
Colorado and is presently submitting applications to
several colleges to pursue his Phd in musicology. He
is also a Major in the Air Force National Guard
assigned to NEADS in Rome,NY. Brian hosts a regular 2
hour program on the Hamilton College radio station on
Friday nights from 10pm until midnight on 88.7FM and
live on the internet at www.whcl.org. You can sample
his program anytime from my website www.garytuttle.com
and click on 'Acoustic Stew'."

There will be more special programs featuring Brian Tuttle, I'm sure!

Something that I HOPE I don't miss, entirely, is the arrival of a big truck bringing 80 lamp posts from the West Coast. If they left on the 7th, they should be here soon, shouldn't they?

Monday Morning

2006-12-11T05:34:00.000-05:00

Misty-ish, and 31.6 degrees.

The WCS Boys' Varsity Basketball team is at Mt. Markham, this evening, at 7:30.

The two long lines of evergreens in the Park are getting thinner and thinner. Of the 225 Christmas trees brought in by the Masons a week ago, well over half appear to have been sold. Don't wait too long!

Those who wonder just who gets in line for Pork Barrel Goodies will find this O-D article interesting.

(The blogger's got a fiercely busy day ahead at the computer and on the road. More posts when I can catch a break!)

Sunday morning

2006-12-10T05:32:00.000-05:00

27 degrees at 5:30.

Another Sunny Day! WOW!

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

No doubt the Waterville Times' coverage of the Victorian Tea that took place yesterday afternoon at the Waterville Historical Society will be expansive: Ms Louise was there, taking notes and photographs throughout. In the writer's opinion, the event also would surely have qualified for a spread in the "Sunday Tabloid" - the sepia-toned Society Section in newspapers of sixty years ago!

It was that elegant!

(And also FUN!)

If you see any ladies in Foodking humming Christmas carols, wearing flowered and feathered hats more decorative than practical (wooly pull-ons with ear flaps don't count!) and shopping for ingredients that go into orange bread, Mamie Eisenhower's Fudge, Scones with Strawberry Preserves and Devonshire Cream and Earl Gray tea leaves, you'll know that they were at the Tea!

The "Choraleers" were in excellent voice,

and the tables festive!

Some wore their own creations.............

.....others modeled hats from the collection of Marlene Minor,
"the Hat Lady," who had brought with her dozens of millinary marvels!

And the food?

(In an attempt to NOT use the overworked "D"-word,
I've searched Roget, who suggests:

ambrosial, appetizing, delectable, heavenly, luscious,
savory, scrumptious, tasteful, tasty, toothsome and

Yummy!)

Absolutely - All of the Above!

A note from the writer

2006-12-09T07:42:00.000-05:00

Oh, dear! I think I'd better clarify and/or quosh a rumor: my husband IS in St. Elizabeth's Hospital but he is NOT at Death's Door!

The reason for his admittance was an insulin overdose that occurred on Wednesday evening. That condition has, of course, been corrected, but in the process of having all manner of tests performed, it was discovered that his oxygen level is low and now the search for a cause for that condition is ongoing.

He did NOT have a heart attack or stroke or fall. He's in no pain and is being kept busy being wheeled to this testing room and that and by visits from an astounding number of physicians, teams of eager students and a parade of "pretty little girls" from Physical Therapy.

I can't praise our Ambulance Corps and Fire Department emergency personnel enough! Both Dick and I thank them and everyone who has written or phoned with Get Well wishes and offers of help!

As so many others have said, "There's something about a small town that you just can't beat!"
PsB

Early Saturday

2006-12-09T05:57:00.000-05:00

It's a Heat Wave!

22.5 degrees and the road's bare.

While these "ladies" take a teatime stroll in a sunny cornfield............

....... ladies in Waterville will take their afternoon Tea at the Historical Society.

Their only weather-related concern might be the wind
and the hope that no gusts will ruffle the feathers
on their elegant hats!

(From this morning's O-D:)
The Waterville Indians Boys Basketball team beat Oppenheim, 63-46. Mason Clapp led the Indians with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Jed Lasnburg led the Hawks with 13 points. Waterville improves to 2-1 on the season.

The Mount Markham Mustangs Girls Basketball team beat Waterville Friday, 45-41. The Lady Mustangs, now 3-0, were led by Regina Locorini, who had 16 points and 6 assists, and Brandy Wercynski, who had 15 rebounds. Janelle Buell had 11 for Waterville, who drops to 3-2.

Friday afternoon

2006-12-08T15:15:00.000-05:00

It turned into a beautiful day!

Bright and sunny, for the most part, and the temperature has gone all the way up to a very tolerable twenty degrees!

But early?

Canada geese on the pond behind Jack Prior's place sounded terribly unhappy! Why not: whereas the day had started out at 7 degrees, the temperature fell to 4 and a hair.

It was blustery out near the Library, but quiet on Main Street......

...and Barton Avenue.

Someone had been walking along the pathway between the
rows of Norway Spruce leading to Mayer's Woods,

and Stan Sambora gave a cheerful wave
in the Post Office parkinglot.

FREEZY Friday!

2006-12-08T05:56:00.000-05:00

At very first glance, this morning, I thought that the indoor/outdoor thermometer was broken and that one digit - like a "1" or a "2" - had fallen off: I guess not! It's simply COLD!)

7 degrees.

But an article in this morning's O-D quotes WKTV's Matt Lanza's hopeful words: "Lake-effect snow will be long gone by Saturday afternoon, and the weather will continue to mellow into Sunday, when temperatures will climb back near 40 and it will be dry and pleasant."

Equally as startling (as the temperature) is the appearnce of NOT MUCH SNOW - perhaps 4" to 6" - a mere "dusting," considering yesterday's forecasts and warnings! Snomobilers were hoping for more, I'm sure, but there will be some who just can't wait for the next snowfall and I imagine we'll see or hear some snomobiles out in the smooth fields later today.

The Writer has been waiting for just this sort of snow cover so that real "Winter" pictures could start appearing on the blog - something all of our "snowbirds" in Florida and Arizona have been waiting to see!

Look for some later!

Thursday morning

2006-12-07T05:22:00.000-05:00

DECEMBER 7, 1941

There are a great many stories in today's press entitled "65 Years Later". Perhaps we should all read at least one.

36 degrees; no precipitation.

Headline in today's Utica Observer-Dispatch - Waterville Girls Win.
Also - on page 4C - Boys Basketball: Waterville 58; Morrisville-Eaton 40.

YEA!

Tomorrow evening

Boys Varsity Basketball H Oppenheim-Ephrata 7:30.
Girls Varsity Basketball A @ Mount Markham.

And today is the day that our eighty (80!) Victorian Lamp
Posts are supposed to be shipped from the West Coast!

Waterville Times HEADLINES

2006-12-06T13:58:00.000-05:00

On the Front Page:

Route 20 Association Gets Grant - $60,000 matching grant to implement a marketing strategy for the corridor.

Judge McEnroy Elected - Paris Town Justice elected treasurer of the New York State Magistrates assoc.

WCS Board Members Listen to Middle School Principal Idea - survey shows Middle School principal needed.

"Seven Gables" Outstanding - review of the WCS Drama Club's presentation. Cast Photo.

Madison Co. Fair Meeting Dec. 7 - Board's annual meeting scheduled.

Santa's in Marshall Dec. 17 - sleigh rides and refreshments, too.

Old Baseball Gloves Needed - being collected by the WCS High School student council to help out children in town in Nicarague.

Gifts Due Next Week - those who have adopted families should leave donations at the Schoolhouse Apartments on Dec. 13 or 14 from 10:00 - 1:00. Donations can be picked up on the 19th.

Celebrating the Season - Photo of "Tapestry" at Service of Lessons and Carols at Grace Church last Sunday afternoon.

It Works!!!

2006-12-06T12:42:00.000-05:00

Oh, Joy!

This morning's forecast from the Weather Channel;

yesterday on Stafford Avenue,

and - for those of you who miss the "country" - a view in Hanover.

(Click to enlarge.)

This is another wonderful view - East of Sangerfield on Route 20 -

even more striking once the "magic" of Photoshop has erased
telephone wires, poles and signs, and added a "postized" effect.

Misery Loves Company!

2006-12-06T08:29:00.000-05:00

Did you ever feel better right away just as soon as you heard that scores of other people had the same problem you did?

Silly, I know, but it's a relief to know that bloggers all over the planet are also unable to upload pictures to their daily blogs. I feel SO much better knowing that it's not something that I created!!! That, of course, does not solve the problem, but ........ we'll all wait, together!

Wednesday morning

2006-12-06T07:25:00.001-05:00

It's Recyclables day:

Paper, Plastic and CULLET!

It's 24.5 degrees and gray.

Today: A brief early round of snow showers with a quick fresh dusting in spots...followed by a mix of sun and clouds by late morning. Clouds increase by later this afternoon. Turning milder after the light snow. High in the upper 30's.

Tonight: Cloudy with a sprinkle or flurry this evening followed by a few wet snow showers after midnight. Low 25-30.

"Blogspot.com" is being stubborn, this morning, and refuses to upload pictures!

Rather than throw a tantrum or have a nervous breakdown, right now, I'll just calmly go away and come back later!

'Bye!

If you're lacking ANYthing else to do, and have already read everything in Heaps of History (see link at left) you could amuse and amaze yourselves by seeing just how many references Google has for the word "cullet!"

Tuesday morning

2006-12-05T06:32:00.000-05:00

It's TRASH DAY!

20 degrees. WKTV New Channel 2's forecast:
Today: Snow showers and flurries. A fresh coating to an inch or two, except for Central Lewis County and points north where a general 2"-4" and locally higher amounts of snow may accumulate. Breaks of sun are also possible this afternoon. High in the low 30's.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A few lonely flurries. Low in the teens.

Girls Varsity Baketball - 54 - 28 over Mohawk. They'll meet Sherburne-Earlville tomorrow night at 7:30 in Waterville.
Boys Varsity Basketball - Wednesday 7:30 vs. Morrisville-Eaton. Location TBD.

The Syracuse Post-Standard carries a very complete listing of the Girls Varsity Schedule

....... but the Boys Varsity Basketball schedule is incomplete. (Perhaps someone at WCS can fix that?)

On Friday and Saturday evenings, join the 25th anniversary celebration of "SCROOGE"at the Stanley Theater!

And during the daytime, enjoy the Victorian Yuletide at Fountain Elms.

Monday afternoon

2006-12-04T13:44:00.000-05:00

One of the Christmas displays that is receiving the most admiration is this,
the float created for "Parade of Lights" by the Baptist Church.

********

A little more snow throughout the day,
and another sled! Here's one on Putnam Street.

***********

Jim Bogan and Rose Timian both had big smiles..........

....but I'm not sure about these Canada Geese in a field next to Route 20.

There was a very loud discussion in progress and I suspect that once a decision has been reached, they will all have agreed to head Southward - right away.

Monday morning!

2006-12-04T07:14:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

Lurena McNamara sent me a great list of WORDS we should all KNOW. It starts with this sage advice -British novelist Evelyn Waugh once said, "One forgets words as one forgets names. One's vocabulary needs constant fertilization or it will die." Encarta editors picked some of their favorite words to nourish your vocabulary. They include:

GARBOLOGY: "study of waste materials: the study of a cultural group by an examination of what it discards," and
CULLET, which we should save for Wednesday morning.

At just about 4 o'clock, this morning, I heard that wonderful growl of engine and distinctive chatter of blade on pavement and the SNOWPLOW went by!

"Finally!" I thought, "children and snowmobilers and I will all be happy!" adding, "Thank you, 'Tapestry,' for making it snow!"

By the light of day, however, I realize that I can still see the tops of each blade of grass. A disappointment. But there's hope, beacuse the WKTV forecast reads:

Monday: Cloudy with light snow. High 29 Low 18
Tuesday: Partly sunny with snow showers. High 30 Low 19
Wednesday: Cloudy with light snow. High 33 low 20
Thursday: Mostly cloudy with snow showers. High 32 Low 17

Sunday, early afternoon

2006-12-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

43 degrees, now, and what has been a wonderfully bright, warming sun is just now fading behind thin clouds. Could this be snow coming???

Business is brisk at the Christmas Tree Sale in the Park! Right now there are plenty of trees to choose from, but don't wait too long! Last year, every single tree had gone by the end of the week!

On Stafford Avenue

Sunday morning

2006-12-03T06:11:00.000-05:00

27 degrees, and there's a little bit of snow in the forecast!

Yea!!

Don't you think we need some snow?

Oh - not a HUGE amount, but enough to make the Masons' Christmas Trees in the Park and all other decorations look more, well, "Christmasy?"

The Masons brought in the Christmas Trees early yesterday afternoon and "Red" and Rita Mack were among the first customers.

On Babbott Avenue

On Main Street.

Saturday afternoon - "Flash!"

2006-12-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

The Masons'

Christmas Trees

are in the

PARK!

Saturday morning

2006-12-02T05:35:00.000-05:00

Brrrrr! 33.4

The wind is howling, and reminds me of this old Mother Goose nursery rhyme:

"The North wind doth blow and we shall have snow,
And what will poor robin do then, poor thing?
He'll sit in a barn and keep himself warm
and hide his head under his wing, poor thing."

I hope that all the robins have already reached their warm winter quarters.

There are several very informative links on the New York State D.O.T.'s website - some worthy of being saved as "favorites:"

Weather on the Thruway
Zone Forecast for Southern Oneida County

After so many days of balmy weather, this seems cruel --- but we did know it was coming! And I, for one, would actually like to see some snow! All the wonderful Christmas decorations on homes and businesses look strange without it and there are many who are complaining that 'til it does snow they can't "get in the mood" for Christmas!

Will we be able to find Christmas Trees in the Park, tomorrow?

And - can anyone tell me, in some detail, Why the "Big Christmas Tree" at the point of Monument Park is no longer lighted? (To say that it has outgrown its wiring is probably close to true, but......... is there more?) Thank You!

Judging from the length of lines at CVS, yesterday afternoon, and observing what the customers were buying, it was easy to see that ALOT of Christmas gifts and wrapping materials are being purchased close to home.

You won't know how many neat presents can be found right here in Waterville and nearby unless you go and look! There are treasures to be found at MerriRose and Morgan's Hardware; the Waterville Historical Society's "Store" will be open today from 10 - 2 and then visit Alcott's expanded Christmas Shop. Don't forget to go and look in the Sangerfield Antique Exchange, Earley's and the Kountry Kupboard: you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Just twelve minutes' farther - the Hamilton Hospital Auxiliary's 51st Annual Craft Sale and Café takes place today from 9:30 to 1:30.

Mr. Jeffrey Reynolds, the new director of the Waterville Public Library, has arrived on site but we probably won't be seeing much of him for a week or so. He'll be spending a considerable amount of time, at first, "training" at MidYork, but Ms. Patty Louise is at the top of the list of those who hope to be given an opportunity to speak with him sometime in the forseeable future.

What a relief! "He" is still handsome; "she" is still beautiful; Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The House of Seven Gables" really is the romantic mystery that I had thought it was before my English teach, Miss Driscoll, ruined the story for me fifty-two years ago! The WCS Drama Club production not only restored my youthful judgment of 19th century literature but reaffirmed my confidence in the capabilities of our 21st century actors, actresses, technicians and stage crews! See it again, tonight, at 7:30 at the WCS auditorium!

And speaking of ghosts........ Amanda Briggs brings to our attention a new documentary film directed by her uncle, Andy Wolf, from Syracuse. Its title is "The Old Quarry and Other Haunted Places of Central New York" and it takes viewers on a journey exploring some of the most famous haunts of Central New York, as well as a few you've never heard of. "From the lakeside manor that is Belhurst Castle, to the old revolutionary fort on Lake Ontario, you will be chilled by the true accounts of brushes with the other side." There are copies at the Library and DVD's can be ordered through amazon.com. It could be the perfect gift for someone on your list!

Friday afternoon

2006-12-01T15:12:00.001-05:00

West Bacon Street

It's still fairly balmy, out, but it's been raining off and on and the wind is picking up. I hope all of these decorations are anchored securely!

Conger Avenue

White Street

Every time I turn around, Tom's changed the signs!!!

Happy Birthday, Hap and Paul!!!

There wasn't any work going on at the townhouse site, today, but yesterday more grading was being done and driveways had been established.

The big treat of the day:
One section of the new railing is in place on the
front porch of the Hotel!
Looks Good!!!

Friday "EXTRA!"

2006-12-01T07:28:00.000-05:00

I imagine that everyone in the Waterville Community knows, by now, that Nancy Eastman, the "Super Woman" sexton of St. Bernard's Catholic Church and always-in-demand painter and wall-paperer, had a bad fall on Wednesday afternoon. She was in the sanctuary of the church up on a very tall ladder, when it slipped and she fell behind the altar. Normally, she'd have been working alone, but on this rare occasion Karl Davis was there helping her. He called 911 on his cell phone and emergency personnel began to arrive within a few minutes.

It's not my intent to give medical updates! But Nancy's got some breaks and fractures that are going to keep her in the hospital for a while, so - if you want to send her a "Get Well Soon" sort of E-message, send it to me (at the link above) and I'll make sure it gets to her!

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

Welcome to Waterville, Mr. Reynolds!

The meagre announcement of his appointment, as it appeared in the Library newsletter "Bookends" and in the Waterville Times, scarcely did justice to the gentleman. Mr. Jeffrey Reynolds, who becomes the Director of the Waterville Public Library, today, does hold a degree in Library Science and a New York State Public Librarians Professional Certificate but - in addition - both he and his wife, Ms. Susan Huxtable, are very well-known throughout Leatherstocking Country for their efforts to preserve the cultural and natural resources of the area, and the Otsego Land Trust flourished under his directorship.

I'm not sure that the patrons of the Library come under the classification of "natural" or "cultural" resources, but he's bound to find us worth trying to preserve!

Thursday leftovers on Friday!

2006-12-01T07:20:00.000-05:00

Out on Sanger Avenue Paula went from planting Spring bulbs to adjusting Christmas Garland on her front porch; on Putnam Street, Wendy was making sure that not a leaf was left to blow!

The most amazing thing - considering that it was the last day of November - was that the lawns at the Library were being mown and patrons stood in the parkinglot laughing at how good it was to smell freshly-cut grass, again! But, ohhh! It's going to change!

It's 44.6 degrees, this morning, and drippy.

Madison Street

Tower Street

East Main Street

We really could use a little snow!

Thursday morning

2006-11-30T07:07:00.000-05:00

Garbage Day!

The weather is starting to aim in that direction, too. It's nearly 55 degrees out, but sogginess will set in.

Weather forecasters are not predicting a snowstorm of any size, this weekend, but I think they might be wrong! My reasoning, you see, has to do with the fact the "Tapestry - the All-Centuries Singers" will be singing at a Service of Lessons and Carols at Grace Episcopal Church at 4 o'clock, that afternoon. For the past twenty years, as soon as Tapestry schedules such a December performance - even months before - it appears that word goes to the farthest reaches of the great North Pole and someone there arranges a mighty blizzard for that day! Not that the singers have ever actually cancelled an Advent appearance, but they've travelled through some pretty bad weather.

No matter how it may snow and blow, they'll be in Waterville on time, ready to sing traditional carols and a cappella selections that include compositions by Monteverdi, Palestrina, Tomas de Victoria’s “O Magnum Mysterium” and Orlandus Lassus’ “Videntes Stellam.” The Service will be followed by a Potluck Supper to which all are invited.

You MUST take time, if you possibly can, to ride around the village in the evening to see the Christmas lights. There seem to be more than ever! Even out in the countryside there are many. And don't forget to look UP! You can barely see it during the daytime, but at night the Christmas tree at the Richers Feed Plant in Sangerfield shines bright!

Thanks to Bill Staelens, the Christmas Tree once again shines bright to light the way to the Harding Nursing Home!

Social notes excerpted from the writer's column in this week's Waterville Times:

Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Langone of Route 12 north were Thanksgiving guests of their son, Christopher and his fiancée, Jennifer, in Annapolis, Maryland where, we have been told by a source very close to the family, a wedding is being planned!
Mr. and Mrs. T. Heidel returned from a trip to visit their daughter Antonia in Altamont Spring, Florida, just in time for Mrs. H. to cook Thanksgiving Dinner for her New York State family. While in Florida, the Heidels went to Silver Springs, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, and took the boat ride through the Dora Canals and the three surrounding lakes.”The weather was sunny and clear, but a bit cool at night and early morning. Winter Park was beautiful, probably the prettiest place we saw -they were all decorated up for Christmas.” Jean also mentioned that the traffic, there, was very heavy and “we are not used to that!” (I know just what you mean!)
The Browns of “Whiskey Hollow” had Thanksgiving Dinner in Clifton Park with their daughter Allison and her husband Rick and eight-and-a-half year old, Iain. Neither Mrs. B. nor Mrs. Methe - nor their husbands - felt inclined to cook, and so they all ate out and had an especially pleasant day because of it!
Amongst those who DO enjoy organizing and preparing family feasts were Mrs. Murray of Tower Street, who expected less than a dozen guests; Mrs. Meszler of Sanger Avenue, who - along with her husband - entertained just twenty relatives and friends. At Karl and Sandy Davis’ home on Sanger Avenue sixteen gathered to feast; Sylvia Crandall went over the twenty mark! Crandall guests included, of course, their daughter Crystal Langone and her family who had no trouble enjoying their second turkey dinner of the day. “Michael’s” made many families happy and, delighted yet more, were those within hearing of the bells upon which, at a minute or two past noontime, the Ayalas played a collection of traditional Thanksgiving hymns.

Although it was not a "Thanksgiving" meal, per se, "Michael's" Harvest Wine Dinner, which took place Tuesday evening, was probably one of the more outstanding dinner events of the season. Seventy diners enjoyed a beautifully presented seven-course meal in an elegant surround. On the menu:

Zuppa -Butternut Squash Bisque accented with Roasted Apples and a Cider Crème
Spoon Canapés of Fresh Lump Crab wth Lemon Zest and Smoked Salmon with Dilled Crème Fraiche
Insalatta of Blackenned Scallop on a bed of Frisce and Arugula adorned with Fried Beet Chips, Pistachio-orange Vinaigrette in Parmesan Bskets
Pasta - Pumpkin Sage Ravioli with a rich Parmesan-Mornay Drizzle
Entreeés - Three Feathers Grill - Ostrich, Wild Duck, Chicken complemented with an array of seasonal dipping sauces - or - Red Snapper Bruschetta in Herb Crumbs with Sweet Peas and Polenta
Cheese Course - P'tit Basque from France, La Tur, from Italy and Saputo Blue Cheese - the United States.
For Dessert - Apple Caramel Parfait: layers of homemade cinnamon spiked caramel sauce, delicate molasses cake rounds, sautéd Granny Smith Apples with fresh Vanilla Sabayon.

And the appropriate wine was served with each course!

Those who attended give ecstatic praise and are already looking forward to a "Beaujolais Picnic in the Park" next summer!

Wednesday afternoon

2006-11-29T14:51:00.000-05:00

It's still warm, but getting gray, and there have been a few sprinkles now and then.

Out on Madison Street, the crowd of Canada Geese is even larger than on previous "heavy travel" days. This time, however, they seem to be landing from the South!

Making best use of the weather, one of the TIOGA paving crews has been pouring a sidewalk at the rear entrance to the Swanberg Home on the Main street side and also repairing a block of pavement near Mrs. Lloyd's residence on Madison Street.

At the Hotel, Mr. Hudson has not only painted the flooring of the front porch a shade of "brick red" that exactly matches the brick coloring on the building but has also added finials to the uprights on the porch. Presumably, a railing and spindles will be the next additions to appear.

Attractive, black cast-iron Railings are now - at long last - in place next to the three new sets of steps on E. Main Street.

More grading has been taking place in the old "gravel pit" across from Mrs. Spearing's home on Madison Street. Does anyone know who owns the land or is doing the work? They've come awfully close to Waterville's SOLE wild clump of "Butterfly Weed." The plant - when wild - is nearly impossible to dig up, the roots go so deep. Perhaps they'd like to save that rare treasure from the bulldozer!

I've had a couple more notes from J.C. Peck, in Florida. (He's older than I had thought - but by just a year or two!) and has reconnected with his old buddy, Dan Ford! He's given me permission to give his E-mail address to anyone else who'd like to get in touch with him! (Sounds like a neat idea!)

Wednesday morning

2006-11-29T05:43:00.000-05:00

Recyclables Day!

The morning observation: "starry-clear and 48 degrees."

New mail: in addition to Gary Tuttle's letter and picture from Florida, the blogger has a nice letter from John Clinton Peck. He says that he left Waterville about 16 years ago and, having spent fifteen years in the Pocanos, is now in Estero, Florida. He's been reconnecting with old friends here, and having stopped for a visit in October, plans to do so again.

Delores McManus Wines writes from Latham, New York, expressing fond memories of the village and her friends and appreciation for the blog.

A rather anonymous note simply says "fantastic!"

And, just to make sure that no one is worrying that Chris Desany and his family missed out on Thanksgiving , while the rest of the family was in Florida, he and Jessica, Nate and little Sam were all celebrating the day with the Falks of Putnam Street.

**********

Basketball season's warming up!

WCS Girls Varsity meets Mohawk Central at Waterville next Monday at 7:30 P.M. and Boys Varsity pays Morrisville-Eaton at home on Tuesday at 7:30 P.M.

***********

Headlines from today's issue of the Waterville Times.

"Great Night for a Parade" - Photos (and even a poem!) about last Friday evening's Parade of Lights. More photos on page 12.

"Waterville Library Has a New Director" - Jeff Reynolds of West Winfield will join the Library on December 1.

"Post Office Collects Food Dec. 2" - Postal carriers will pick up non-perishable food for local food pantires. Donations may also be left at the Post Office.

"Ordinance Amended in Village of Waterville" - Sewer Ordinance amended. Property-owners to bear all costs of hooking up and maintenance.

"Online Site Auctions Many Items" - Central New York Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers wide range of gift items.

"Biography Tells of Military Life" - Harold E. Zieres of Deansboro presented with biographical story of his life in the United States Army during World War II.

"Family Turmoil" - Photo of leads in the WCS Drama Club's production of "The House of Seven Gables."

Tuesday afternoon

2006-11-28T16:10:00.000-05:00

The temperature reached 61.2 degrees, today! Must be some sort of record.

Another project took ovr my life, today, so that I ever even got to the village! I did, however, get more mail: this from Gary Tuttle!

(Click to enlarge.)

This is one way to spend Thanksgiving in FL. This is at Dave Desany's place in Lake Mary, FL. There were 16 people at the table. Two good sized turkeys, one deep fried and one oven roasted were put away. Former Waterville residents at the table were: Dave of course, his brother Brian, mother and father Jean and Toni Desany, Kevin Tuttle, Eric Stephenson and current Waterville residents Jo and Gary Tuttle and Jo's mother Ann Zambri.

(writer's note: I cropped the picture so it would enlarge better, for all of you, but want to note that right in the foreground was an ever-so-inviting swimming pool!)

Five months ago, on June 29th. What a long way we've come!

Mrs. Davis says that the railings on E. Main St. are looking nice. A pict. tomorrow!

Tuesday morning

2006-11-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry 'bout that: I'm LATE! Small computer tantrum to deal with, first, but then some WONDERFUL photographs in the morning mail from Hobie and Lois that are too good not to resize and post right away!

It's "mild," out, according to the observer, guessing 50 degrees, and WKTV Channel 2's forecast begings ""Riding High Through Thursday...."

Things to check out, today:

- progress on railings on E. Main Street

- progress on the Madison Street Townhouses.

A great deal of grading has taken place since I took this picture, last week, and since passersby began to wonder "Why?" the driveway is "so close to the school driverway.." or "Shouldn't it be opposite the school driveway?" (Perhaps someone knows: I don't.)

I do know, however, that Hobie and Lois Morris' life in the "country" is not always what we - or they - expect. Lois just sent me these pictures that she took a month or more ago, when a handsome stranger appeared at their wilderness homestead.

"Good morning! Just passing by - wanted to say "Hello!"

"Clever device you have there. Mind if I take a snack?"

Yum!!

Ooops! 'nuff of that!

Oh, goodie: "wheels!"

"Are the keys in it?"

"Darn. No keys. I'll just have to wait for a ride."

Monday - later.

2006-11-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

Lots of Activity! There's something going on on Putnam Street: NYSEG trucks and also a pipeline company ----- I don't know what they're doing, but it looks important!

On E. Main Street, the new RAILINGS have arrived and
will be set in place next to the three sets of stairs
that were installed last summer.

The preparations seemed to be taking a very long time!

This "tub" deserved a better picture, but the important thing is that Thanks go to Shirley Kellogg for the bright new decorations!

Something else that really deservs a photograph is the Post Office Window, but reflections make it difficult. DO go and LOOK at it and enjoy the humor: what's the name of Santa's sleigh?

I've been hoping to catch Tom in the act! the Sign at his Car Wash seems to change nearly every day, but I never see anyone actually doing it and began to wonder if the elves were coming in the night!

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

I remember, as clearly as if it were yesterday, sitting in Miss Driscoll's English class and staring unbelievingly at the test paper in front of me. We'd been reading Nathaniel Hawthorne's "House of Seven Gables" - an appealingly romantic mystery, from my point of view - but Miss Driscoll had just passed out a test paper that seemed to have dealt with another book, entirely! Character analysis? (He was handsome; she was beautiful) and historical accuracy (who cared?!) I didn't do well on the test, nor have I ever reread the book.

But now's my chance to revisit the characters and enjoy the "important" aspects of Hawthorne's story, again.

The WCS DRAMA CLUB
presents
Nathaniel Hawthorne's
"House of Seven Gables"

Friday, December 1 at 7:30
Saturday, December 2 at 7:30
in the high school auditorium

General admission $5; Students and Seniors, $3.

The story goes like this:

A century ago, cruel and cunning Colonel Pyncheon (Alex Mowrey) hung an innocent man (Abram Koester) and built a mansion on the dead man's property. It is now the 1840's. The citizens of this sleepy New England town say the Pyncheons are cursed. They say the musty old house is haunted. They say Hepzibah Pyncheon (Mallory Gilchrist) has a face that would make a tombstone giddy. But the life of the reclusive spinster is about to change. Uncle Venner (Rusty Ritzel) brings an inquisitive photographer (Andrew Rycraft) as a boarder and vivacious cousin Phoebe (Brianna Cowen) from Virginia arrives for a visit.

Step over the threshold of the House of the Seven Gables. Join me there!

(There will not be a test!)

Another Monday!

2006-11-27T06:27:00.000-05:00

It's Garbage Day!

42 degrees - will we have a third warm day? Maybe!!
The observer reports that it's "balmy!"

WKTV News Channel 2's forecast goes even further:

Today: Partly sunny and mild. High in the upper 50's.
Tonight: Considerable cloudiness. Low in the low 40's.
Tuesday: Clouds and peeks of sun. A brief shower possible, mainly north. High in the mid 50's.
Wednesday: Partly sunny. High in the mid to upper 50's.
Thursday: Dry early. Turning windy with rain arriving in the afternoon or evening. High 60 at midday...followed by falling temperatures.

********WOW!!********

On the blogger's "Things to do" list, today:

check out the "tub" planters on Main Street: they're all growing greenery and red bows! (-- and find out who did it!)
take a good look at the Post Office windows: has the WCS Art Club been there, again?
remember to take a bag of treats - everything from disposable razors to talc to paperback books, Christmas cards and home-made cookies - out to the Legion Post #92 before Friday night: the members of the Auxiliary will be packing on Saturday, sending things to our men and women in Iraq.
Stop in at the Library for a copy of the newsletter "Bookends" to find out who the new Library Director will be! (News of the appointment is beginning to find its way around the village - perhaps those who can't go to the library to find out will find an official "announcement" in the Waterville Times?)

Evening

2006-11-26T16:50:00.000-05:00

Hundreds of Canada Geese, circling a cornfield in Sangerfield, ready to settle down for the night.

New on "Heaps of History"

2006-11-26T08:26:00.000-05:00

The Loomis and Osborn Family connection
"The Garden Spot of New York"
Civil War Monument

ENJOY!

Sunny Sunday!

2006-11-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

Yesterday turned into a wonderful "outdoors" day -

the temperature rose 'way into the fifties and the village was alive with activity: youngsters wearing T-shirts without jackets were riding scooters and there were all the usual runners, joggers and dog-walkers. The all-new sidewalks between CVS and Sangerfield are used all the time, answering the two-year-old question: "Will anyone use them?" (Now the query is: "Who will plow them?")

But between now and snowtime, we'll have at least one more
wonderful day --- today!

Decorating was in full swing, yesterday, and more will be taking place today! I think it was on Thursday that I took this picture of Del, out putting lights on her front porch railing.

lll

And this is what it looked like on Friday evening!!!

I AM going to try to take pictures of alot of houses and buildings all lit up, but it's going to be hard photographing ALL of them - there will be so many -

and already there's one thing I'm sure of:

I'm awfully glad I'm not one of the judges* tapped by the Garden Club
to give out Christmas Lighting Awards!!

*The judges for this event are always from another garden club and come,
therefore, from out-of-town.

Saturday morning

2006-11-25T06:17:00.000-05:00

It's going to be a Great Day!

25 degrees and starry-clear, now, with sunny-clear weather
nearly twice that warm predicted for later on.

One thing that I forgot to add to last evening's post: after the Parade had left the Park, I stood talking with a group of villagers for ten minutes or more. At about the time that most of the floats and fire trucks would have reached the Fire House, where Santa waited, from the belfry in the Masonic Temple came Christmas Carols! Perfect!

Thank You, Nancy and Eladio!

And - even before that - parade-goers had been treated to carols by a
group of twenty-or-so singers standing on the front steps at the SouthGate Ministries.

llllll

I was hoping that I'd find something in this morning's online edition of the Utica Observer-Dispatch about the Parade of Lights: not so - although there was an article about the Shoppers' Stroll in Clinton that sort-of tied in with another article about Bleary-eyed Shoppers who had braved the bigger stores for early-morning bargains.

I think that had a reporter been assigned to cover Waterville, they would have had quite a nice time!

lll

Another article in the O-D deals with the Oneida Nation's attempts to put its Land into Trust and lists options suggested in a brand new government study: a topic in which many property- and business-owners to the northewest of us are intensely interested. I havn't read the entire article, but this caught my eye -- I'll go back to it: one option suggests "doubling the amount of land that would become free from state and local taxation and regulation." (What????)

Several days ago, I had an E-mail inquiry from someone new to the area who was trying to find the name of a restaurant she'd heard of that served Thanksgiving Dinner "every day of the year!" I couldn't come up with the name, so - in turn - sent an E-mail to about dozen friends. I think they all answered, and they all knew the answer: "Plainville Farms!" So - if YOU havn't had your turkey dinner yet (or think you'd like some more!) that's your answer! Those who had been there said it was well-worth the drive to Cicero!

Whatever it is that you do, today, have a Good Day!

Parade of Lights!

2006-11-24T19:38:00.000-05:00

It was HUGE!!!

When I drove uptown, at a few minutes past 6:00, I was left mouth agape because Main Street was MOBBED!

I aimed for the Park and was allowed to park in a spot in front of the Doyles' home- Sandy Harding and her sisters had gathered there - a perfect place to see the floats.

Photographingthe floats turned out to be tricky, but here's the general idea! It's one of those times, 'tho, when you really had to be there to see it for yourselves. There must have been nearly thirty floats and marching groups: here are just a few.

All of the floats and vehicles had competition from building along Main Street - New York Pizza, Merri-Rose and Michael's were all aglow as was Morgan's and - on East Main Street - the Waterville Times' windows are hung with garlands and colored lights; the Uptown Salon is magical in white "twinkle lights" and icicles, and the "blue house" has not gleamed as brightly as it does, now, for many years.

For those of you who are too far away to see for yourselves, I'll take more pictures in the next evenings, but if you live right near Waterville, do try and take time to drive all around the village to see how brilliantly we sparkle and gleam!

Friday afternoon

2006-11-24T14:38:00.000-05:00

The Parade of Lights

If you lived in Waterville in 1988, you cannot have forgotten the first Parade of Lights!

(And if you've come to the village since then, you should know the story of this celebration because it is something very special, here: it's a celebration not just of the season but a Celebration of Community - Our Community!)

It was earlier that year that both Rusty Manion and his wife Kitty passed away. Their daughter Darcy and three sons - Sandy, Jeffrey and Michael - were bereft with the loss of both parents and, at the same time, completely overwhelmed with the kindnesses shown them by everyone in the community.

One day, Darcy was having coffee with her friends Linda Nichols and Patsy Hill and she said, "I wish there was something we could do to say 'Thank You!' to everyone!" "Thank You notes," she said, "seemed just too inadequate."

It occurred to them that perhaps they could do something that hadn't been done in several years - a fun surprise for the village: they could arrange to have lights put on the Big Tree at the point of Monument Park and have it lit! And there would be a parade - fire engines and floats and children all carrying flashlights! - that would lead the way to the tree when the lights were finally to be turned on!

And each of the girls told one or two people who told one or two more and in six weeks' time - in an unanticipated avalanche of generosity and cooperation, $5,000 was raised; the Clinton Fire Department's ladder truck came to string the lights, the power company donated equipment and time, the Municipality chipped in, fire companies in all the neighboring communities sent units to be in the parade and ........... well........ the rest is history.

The floats became more imaginative and brighter. When it was deemed impossible to have the highschool band march and play (sometimes it's been so cold and stormy that just the thought of putting a flute or trumpet mouthpiece to one's lips caused pain!) the floats were actually wired for sound!

Since 1988, the Parade of Lights Committee has grown in numbers and scope: with various fundraisers - dances, spaghetti suppers and raffles - and the continuing generosity and support of the community, enough money has been raised to buy the elegant wreaths that are on our telephone poles along Main Street and the strings of "twinkle lights" that are hung on trees in the park. And although the "Big Tree" will not be lit, this year - that's not to say it never will be again. If there's a way to make it happen, the Parade of Lights Committee will do it!

This afternoon, excitement was spreading.

Out at the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion a crew was working on their very first Parade of Lights Float!

Behind the Fire House in Waterville another float was being decorated ........

......and the United Methodist Sunday School was working on their float on the parkinglot of the Harding Nursing Home.

And the excitement's contagious! All around the village, decorations were going up!

Mr. Erwin Browne and Mrs. Mizener had garlands and bows exactly perfect;

at the Briggs' home on E. Bacon and again at the Gibbons residence on
Babbott Avenue SLEDS were in view.

The long fence in front of the Harding Residence has its traditional garland.

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We're ready, Santa!!

See you after the Parade!!

Early Friday morning

2006-11-24T05:26:00.000-05:00

Garbage Day!

It's 24 degrees, outside; cozy in. The sunset was magnificent, last evening, and today's forecast bears proof of the sky's prediction.

Weatherwise, there's nothing dark to look forward to, but retailers rejoice: it's

BLACK FRIDAY!

Mr. Rick Garrett asked, recently, why the day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday." He knew the answer, but most of the people to whom he posed the question didn't. In case you were one of those, here's the answer: in the world of retail merchandising, this is the one day of the year when sales can be expected to raise accounts out of the RED column and into the BLACK!

Certainly there will be many from this community who - at not even 6 o'clock! - may already be in some superstore with lists in hand, filling shopping carts with bargains. Others may even have spent time at their computers, yesterday, taking advantage of some of the day-early online specials.

Savvy villagers already know that they can find many of their "top of the list" items at stores right here in town!

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The Waterville Historical Society "Store"
will be open on Saturday from 10 'til 2.

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The busiest spot in Waterville will probably be Putnam Street, where the Jan Hill Memorial Garage Sale starts at 11. Main Street will be fairly crowded - as it usually is during the daytime - and crowds will start to gather soon after 6:00 this evening to see the Annual Parade of Lights which will depart the Park at 6:30, heading for the Fire House.

Wednesday afternoon

2006-11-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

It turned out to be a beautiful day - there was a skin of ice on ponds, this morning, and the sun on the frost glistened like jewels.

Wherever you are,
we both wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.

We will be spending the day with our daughter Allison, her husband Rick and their son Iain, but those of you who are in Waterville at around noontime will have an extra treat: traditional Thanksgiving hymns played on the famous Masonic Temple Tower bells by Nancy and Eladio Ayala.

Enjoy!

Wednesday morning

2006-11-22T07:06:00.000-05:00

Recyclables Day!

20.8 degrees; high, thin overcast.
"Frost on the pumpkin," the observer says.

The WKTV News Channel 2 Forecast: Tonight: Turning partly cloudy. Just a slight chance for a brief period of light freezing rain southeast of Utica late. Low in the mid 20's.

Thanksgiving Day: An early shower of rain or freezing rain with perhaps one or two icy spots possible in a few locations. Turning dry in all areas by afternoon. High in the mid 40's

After a gray-day start, yesterday afternoon was really nice. The newly copper-topped cupola shone in the sun.

Work's moving right along at the School Bus Garage on East Bacon Street .......

..... and "work" of a different sort was in progress at Michael's Fine Food & Spirits where, even tho the restaurant was closed, Mike said, "Come on in!"

He may have been posing with a perplexed look on his face, but I think he knows exactly what he'll do: new tablecloths and decorations to go with the new carpeting. We're amongst his Wednesday "regulars," and - even if we weren't - I'd want to stop by, anyway, just to see what it looks like with the furniture back in place!

(I think it's time I started visiting Mac's and Stinkers now and then, too!)

Tuesday

2006-11-21T05:19:00.000-05:00

It's 30.6 degrees. The observer, who has just been out for the newspaper, reports that "it's cloudy; there's no precipitation, and the roar of the "Big River" behind the house has receded to the normal muttering of "Big Creek."

We had a very light frosting of snow, yesterday, that disappeared nearly as soon as it fell. I just checked the Webcam in Old Forge to see if they'd had any lasting accumulation: no.

(Click to enlarge photographs.)

Does this remind you of a shot from a TV Newscast showing hundreds of passengers milling around in an airport on a holiday weekend? There were hundreds of Canada Geese all around the pond on Madison Street waiting, it appeared, for someone to announce the departure of their flight!

I took a picture of the decorations at Dan Maine's woodworking shop, a few days ago, thinking that the Christmas look was complete: it wasn't it!! It's even better, now!

In the Park, the Masons were getting ready for their Annual Christmas Tree Sale.

There still was no sign of the lights with which the Parade of Lights Committee usually decorates trees in the Park, so I went asking, "Why?" The answer elicits a loud

"Aw, Shucks!"

or something like that

from those who hear it. The Committee did, indeed, go to the Park on the eleventh, all set to decorate, but discovered that there was NO ELECTRICAL POWER where they needed it! It appears that lines were cut sometime during the reconstruction project - possibly when the new curbing was installed or during the street-paving process.

Another disappointment for the Committee is that they had purchased quite a number of new strings of lights with which they were going to decorate some of the Victorian Lamp Posts. (Perhaps they will still have a chance to do that before Christmas!)

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I had a nice long letter, yesterday, from Tom Barnes in Connecticut. He'd just discovered this blog and had printed several days' worth to send to his parents - Marjorie and Willis - in Virginia. He'd also enclosed a note to them saying “It’s time to get the Computer!” (What fun they'll have with E-mail!!!)

Monday Morning!

2006-11-20T05:55:00.000-05:00

Village Board Meeting this evening at 7:00 at the Municipal Hall.

It's just 30 degrees at 6:15, but consider wearing gloves when you

Put the Garbage Out!

The weather observer says it's "chilly with frozen condensation."
(In other words, there's ice on the porch railings.)

Gary Orendorff wrote, yesterday, that he has a rain gauge at his home in Stockwell that he empties every Sunday morning: last week's total rainfall in that community, south of Waterville, was 4 (four) inches!

Have you seen the sign at the Waterville Car Wash?

Mary Campbell sent that picture and this one, too, saying, "We had a wonderful wedding yesterday!"

Sean Campbell, son of Joel and Mary Campbell of Waterville was married on Saturday to Elizabeth Henry, daughter of Richard and Linda Henry of Rome NY. The two had met while attending Geneseo College. The Wedding took place at St. John the Baptist Church in Rome and the Reception was held at Hotel Utica.

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I don't remember seeing as many cars on Main Street as there were, yesterday afternoon, since there was a Pendleton Sale at McLaughlin's! Between Morgan's Hardware, Stinkers Tavern and Michael's Fine Food & Spirits, there was not a parking spot to be had! That's GRAND!!

Other than that quick ride through the village (still looking for lights to appear in the Park!) I spent the day figuring out how - and then actually adding a new "link" to this page. (It wasn't adding the link that was hard; it was managing everything at the other end of the line!)

Click on "Heaps of History"

Alot of readers enjoy the bits of history that I add, now and then. For most of those we can thank Dick Brown who, besides knowing how to fly airplanes, can type so fast that smoke seems to come out of the keyboard! Over the past twenty years - or since he bought his first computer - he has transcribed all sorts and hundreds of pages of one-of-a-kind historical writings. Many of these are on the Midyork page called "Archives" (that you can also link to in the left-hand column) but there are still heaps more in our computers. I'll keep adding to this new online collection, a few items at a time, as soon as my eyeballs recover from yesterday's exercise!

Sunday Morning

2006-11-19T07:27:00.000-05:00

It's "shivery and overcast," according to the resident weather observer.
Definitely hat and mittens-weather!

We looked for the Parade of Lights Committee, yesterday, hoping to take a picture of them stringing lights on trees in the Park - perhaps today?

I did find the ladies of the Waterville Women's Club and their sumptuous assortment of sweet and savory delights just where they said they'd be - in Foodking, at 9:00!

(Click to enlarge photographs)

Elaine Cowen, Helen Olmstead and Eleanor Martin wait on a happily hungry customer.
(I was next in line for goodies!)

We went over to the Turning Stone, yesterday afternoon, to a book signing by our friend Tony Wonderley. No: we didn't stay to play! But a few nice country scenes came in view .............

This old barn on Route 31, north of Vernon, reminded me
of a W. Ralph Murray watercolor - or, even, a small PsBrown painting.

In Vernon Center, old maple trees march in formation around the Bandstand..........

...and the old schoolhouse serves as the Post Office and a dulcimer-builder's studio.

One lonely knapweed blossom was nearly trampled.

At the corner of Skyline Drive and College Hill Road the Bittersweet hangs Bright
- but always out of reach!

(It's "protected," anyway!")

At "The Dugway" in Clinton, the creek was still running full.........

......and on Hanover Road, North of Waterville, "Lake Marshall"
was still taking up half the roadway!

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I had an E-note, yesterday, from a reader who suddenly is unable to "open" the blog. I had changed the format a few days ago --- perhaps that is the problem. If any of you who can read this know of other instances like hers, please let me know: I'll try to fix things!

Thank You!

Saturday morning,

2006-11-18T06:29:00.000-05:00

36.9 - Oddly quiet: no rain!

There were a few places around Waterville where, yesterday afternoon, there was still evidence of very high water on Thursday night: Hanover Road had apparently been flooded (in the usual place) and on Route 315, in front of the Petersons, warning cones and barrels were still there. Even though the water had subsided, you could tell from the broken grasses and debris that water had swept right across the road.

This is one of those rare mornings when the Utica Observer-Dispatch's online edition hasn't been updated. WKTV News Channel 2 has this story:

Mudslide in Town of Newport Closes Rt 28 Between Newport & Middleville

Mother Nature slammed the Town of Newport Thursday night with over an inch of rain, which casued serious mudslides Friday morning. More than 200 feet of trees and mud are blocking the roadway. No one was injured. However, hundreds of people are without power because of it. Three utility poles were knocked over because of the mudslides, along with 10 sections of power lines. National Grid crews hope to have a handle on the situation by 4 pm. (Friday) This is an area that the State Department of Transportation has to keep an eye on.

Sherburne received 2.54 inches of rain!

Apparently, Waterville was lucky!

(Is there anyone in the community, now, who keeps a regular daily record of rainfall?)

But there's there's not going to be enough precipitation today to cause delay in reaching the

Women's Club Bake Sale at 9:00 A.M. at Foodking!

or the "Toddler's Tango" , at 1:30 this afternoon, at the Library.

Some villagers will be on the road, heading for the Fine Arts & Craft Show at the Sauquoit Valley Middle School from 10 'til 5, and others aiming Northwest for a book-signing in the Oneida Sky Gallery at the Turning Stone to say hello to historian and author Tony Wonderley whose new book, "Oneida Iroquois Folklore, Myth and History" will not only be a good read, but has a few familiar drawings in it.

If you're just taking the day off and savoring it,
one relaxing minute at a time,

HAVE a GREAT DAY!

Friday afternoon

2006-11-17T14:34:00.000-05:00

GRAY DAY!

More rain.
(But quite balmy - so it's o.k.!)

It's just the sort of weather that the ornamental Kale at the Foster residence on Madison Street loves.........

.....and, as if they didn't know it was almost Thanksgiving, Mrs. Davis' pansies are in fully magnificent bloom!

(Photo Jean B. Davis)

Out on Madison Street, across from the entrance to the High School, grading for Mr. Pumilia's Town Houses began quite early this morning but, by noontime, had to come to a soggy, muddy - but only temporary - halt.

Cleaning up after the rains dumped heaps of dirt and leaves along the sides of the roads, Waterville's super new STREET SWEEPER, doing a turn-around on Buell Avenue.
I followed it for a bit and Oh, those slick brushes get right up against the curbing and leave nothing behind!

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When Reuben Tower began to build the tower on his Sanger Avenue residence - now the Masonic Temple - a few people in the village must have been mightily upset: suddenly their elegant towers looked awfully small, in comparison to his!

J.E. Plummer owned one of the earliest "towers" in the village.

Mrs. Holmes, on White Street, was no doubt shocked!

W.H. Hanley was embarrassed;

George Putnam, who had built his castle but a few years earlier, was dismayed, but he
said nothing and added more "gingerbread."

The Curtises, however, built their house later and were simply pleased to be living so far "up" on Sanger Avenue!

Friday morning

2006-11-17T05:12:00.000-05:00

55 degrees and there's Water, water everywhere!

The rain that fell here, yesterday afternoon betwen 4:00 and 5:00 P.M., certainly seemed to live up to the word "torrential!" I don't know how many little creeks or roadways were flooded - one place on Route 20, E. of Sangerfield, for sure - but this article in today's Observer-Dispatch tells about high water difficulties North of the Mohawk from "Little Falls to Lee Center." Down in "Whiskey Hollow," this morning, "Big Creek" aspires to the title "River!"

Hunting Season opens Tomorrow Morning!

Sometimes, hunters come across ancient gravestones, deep in the woodlands.

Historians appreciate knowing when that happens!

Does Waterville roll up its sidewalks at 6 o'clock on Friday evenings? Nope! "Michael's Fine Food and Spirits" is open 'til at least 10:00 P.M. and, across the street, "Stinkers" - even later! Appearing there this Saturday evening at 9:30 - "Blue Prints" with special guest John Savage.

No pictures this morning? I'm sorry! But - to more than make up for the blogger's lack of foresight - please visit the WCS Digital Photo Galleries to see lots and lots of beautiful and inventive photographs!

Early tour of the town shots to follow.

Thursday afternoon

2006-11-16T14:56:00.001-05:00

Christmas has come to Main Street!

Marilyn Maine has, once agin, designed a woodsy Christmas theme for Dan's Woodworking Shop out on Madison Street. Black and red Hunter Plaid backs the "Welcome" signs, trims the planters full of evergreens and even adds color to the pair of boots outside the door!

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Becky Maggio re-sent me the photographs that were taken last Saturday evening at the Veterans' Day Dinner at the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion.

Mike Kopek speaking to the Legionnaires and Guests

Doug Mayne admires a display of scrapbooks assembled by Irene Lew...

...containing decades of correspondence received from Servicemen and women.

Millie Hammond and Elaine Cowen.

Becky and Dave Maggio

Brian and Dawn Tehan.

Robin and John Stetson.

And the real "Stars" ----- in the Kitchen!

Thursday

2006-11-16T06:22:00.000-05:00

50 degrees; "balmy and moist, but not really raining," according to the inhouse weather observer. From my point of view, it's wet, again, and still dark!

WKTV News Channel 2's forecaster predicts: "Big Changes!" "Today: Mostly cloudy, with rain developing late. A thunderstorm possible. Breezy and mild. High 65" but, by Saturday, the S-Word enters the forecast!

The Utica Observer-Dispatch gets in on the Weather Business with this article about a Winter Weather Toss-up!

Yesterday afternoon I noticed that our white lilac bush is getting its Spring buds! (Not unusual - just surprising.)

That reminded me that, if you're lucky enough to have a forsythia bush and pick some sprigs right now, you'll have a nice yellow bouquet for Thanksgiving!

(Photo by Carlin Reed Sullivan.)

There ARE alot of folks, of course, who would much rather see SNOW than Spring Flowers, and they're already checking the Central New York Snow Travelers website. One day about a week ago, eastbound at California Road on Rt. 315, we saw a snowmobile tearing across a long, grassy open space. Surprising! But - Why not? But grass drag racers are no doubt as interested in Snowmobile Safety as those who prefer a snowy base. CNY Snow Travelers, are offering just such a course for youths age 10 or older as well as adults on Saturday. Registration is required! Go to the above link and click on "Safety" to sign up.

As you can see, I've been tinkering with the blog's format, again. and now I've got it so that I like it. Many people have asked me about "blogging:" - "How hard is it?" and "Does it cost alot?" and "Do you have to have a super-computer?" Some have even asked if I'd teach a course in blogging ------- I can't figure out exactly how that would work, but the answers to those questions are: "No!" "No!" and "No!" and I'd be very glad to help any of you start out. I use a Google Blog service and, just within the last week or so, Google's made setting up a blog got easier! Go to Blogger.beta and read about it. Then... "Try it; you'll like it!" or write to me and I'll come and walk you through it. Remember: I'm not an expert, but I have some experience - at least enough to tell someone how NOT to do it!

Wednesday, after dark...

2006-11-15T17:05:00.000-05:00

.... but it's only five o'clock! The pea-soup fog has descended, again, and the lights at Brothertown Stadium (as seen from the CVS parkinglot) look as if it's the landing site for spacecraft!

Several letters in the mailbox, today: more "Chiming" enthusiasts and a great letter from Becky Maggio about the Veterans' Day Dinner at the Legion. She sent pictures, too, and as soon as I can figure out how to get them from her E-mail into the blog you'll see them, as well!

And there was one noteworthy message on the Answering Machine: DPW Superintendent Ostrander called to say that "the number is 96." (What alot of red barrels! But we should all feel pretty safe knowing that there are that many fire hydrants, ready when needed!)

Wednesday morning

2006-11-15T05:36:00.000-05:00

43 degrees and NOT RAINING!
(At least not right now!)

It was such a drizzly day, yesterday, that this made sense: a contractor, on the job at the site of the future town houses on Madison Street, seemed completely wrapped up in his work --- at least he wasn't visible behind all of the plans he was studying inside the cab of his truck!

Front Page Headlines from Today's Issue of the Waterville Times:

"BCS Talks About Project" - Recommendations from the Facilities Planning Committee of Brookfield Central School.
"Vilsacks Eye White House" - Former WCS teacher wife of first person to announce presidential candidacy.
"WCS Offers 133rd Prize Speaking Contest" - Thursday, November 16 at 7:00 P.M. at the High School.
"Back on Top" (photo) - Cupola returns to tower of Masonic Temple.
"State Meet Bound" (photo) - Cross-country runner Mike Trendell.
"Quilt of Valor" (Photo) - Red, white and blue "Ohio Star" pattern quilt for Pvt. Steven Smith.
"Monster Mower" (Photo) - Lance Micek's 300-horsepower Cub Cadet on display at White's in Sangerfield.
"Holiday Sales" (Photo) - St. Bernard's Nov. 11th Bazaar.

( This week's Editorial from Ms. Louise is a "must read" for all parents of WCS students!)

More and more Holiday Decorations are being seen and this weekend will bring out many more. The Parade of Lights committee will probably be working in the Park on Saturday. If you're just passing by and have some spare time, offer to lend a hand! Better yet --- stop by the Women's Club Bake Sale at Foodking, first, and take them some goodies!

Some "older folks" in the community are having trouble deciding: at the same time that Country Music legend Dolly Parton stars at the "Turning Stone," the "Turning Stone" is sponsoring ......

"Peter, Paul & Mary" at the Stanley Theater in Utica ---- both appealing entertainments to be enjoyed before Winter Weather sets in and limits travel, but both taking place on Saturday night!

O.K. - you go to one, I'll go to the other!

Tuesday add-ons

2006-11-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

Section III Boys Class D Champion

First things First: Yes - it is confirmed! The Women's Club Bake Sale WILL take place this coming Saturday morning - starting at 9:00 - at Foodking.

Here's Something NEW! The Chenango Water Exercise Group (CWEG), a not-for-profit exercise program which offers several types of aquatic exercise at Colgate University's Lineberry Pool, is instituting a new progeam.

Called "Try Us Out," this program allows participants to experience an exercise class for a six-month introductory period. Previously, all memebers were required to sign up and pay dues for an entire year.

"Try Us ut" is avalable to new members of CWEG at a cost of $95.00 for six months. Regular memberships are $185.00 per year. An additional evaluation fee pf $30.00 and a physician's permission form are necessary as well as an appointment with our professional evaluator. Regular membership will be required should the participant plan to continue in the program after the six-month trial period has elapsed.

Among classes offered are deep and shallow water aerobics, deep water walking, mobility and back exercse as well as the opportunity to exercise at your own pace on your own.

CWEG meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 A.M. until 11:45 A.M. in Linebuerry Pool on the Colgate Campus. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call our administrator, April Cady, at 315/228-7621. Try us Out!

The Book Club is currently reading "Saturday," by Ian McEwan who was born in England in 1948 and has been winning awards for literary acheivement since 1976.

Reports are all in the superlative: the Veteran's Day Dinner at the American Legion was so good that it was (according to one person) "criminal!" (Meaning that non-vets, who paid for their Prime Rib, were only charged $5.00 for a most-excellent meal and extraordinarily pleasant evening!)

When I was at the Legion, last Saturday, Barb Kelly and Cathy Maggio gave me a copy of the Post's slick new NEWSLETTER! It covers activities sponsored by various groups that are associated with the Legion - including the Legion Riders and the Ladies Auxiliary. This item caught me eye: it's something that ALL of us can participate in!
(People in this community are always generous when it comes to "benefits" or requests for donations. I don't think that this will be an exception!)
"The Ladies Auxiliary is now Accepting Donations for our Men and Women Serving Overseas. We are accepting such items as phone cards, hand sanitizer, lotions, disposable razors, stationery, bug spray, tissues, packages of crackers and snacks, suntan lotion, baby powder, etc.

You can bring the items up to the Legion and drop them off in the box provided. Please leave Phone Cards with the Bartender. The deadline is December 1st." (Legion hours are from noon on, every day.)

Marge Brackett has a new knee (replacement) and is recovering nicely!

"Perk" Stalter is now in her pretty new house on Route 12, just south of the former Stalter Homestead, and June Stetson is enjoying her new home, on Frog Park Road.

It's definitely a "gray" day - drippy and dour.
But up on Main Street, Morgan's whirlygigs are bright............

..the side porch at Mac's Diner has been decorated for Christmas
and garlands are in place at the Fire House!

The village looks Cheery, in spite of the weather!

Tuesday morning

2006-11-14T06:19:00.000-05:00

49.3 degrees at 6 o'clock, and - even without looking outdoors - you can tell by the sound that car and truck tires make on the pavement that it's wet, again.

But at least it's mild,
and it doesn't seem to be as foggy as it was yesterday morning.

On my way to Hamilton, I drove through a patch of fog so dense that it nearly obscured the old elm tree 'way out on Madison Street. But then there was a stretch of nearly-clear weather on Rt. 20 - until I met another "wall" of fog somewhat west of the Pleasant Valley Grange.

It wasn't terribly foggy in the village, and the new copper-topped cupola looked grand!

A PowerLine electrical crew was in town working at the corner of E. Main Street and Babbott Avenue, but I couldn't tell exactly what they were doing.

Then they moved to W. Main Street and dug another hole. I think that they (PowerLine) were the contractors who installed the bases for the Victorian lamp posts - perhaps a few adjustments or corrections were needed? Or .... perhaps if DPW Superintendent Ostrander reads this, he would be willing to send me an E-mail explaining the activity AND also tell me "how many fire hydrants are there in Waterville?" (The DPW has them all covered with their red barrels, ready for Winter!)

A fairly sizable ditch was being dug in front of La Petite Maison - perhaps part of the PowerLine activity; perhaps not.

Evening Events to Attend, this week:

The Waterville Historical Society's Regular meeting will take place on Wednesday at 7:30. The guest speaker will be David Fox of North Brookfield. A teacher in the Herkimer School system, he also has taught the art of crafting dulcimers to many students and interested adults. Mr. Fox will talk about the history of musical instrument making and show us examples of his craft which he still practices in his workshop in North Brookfield. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

On Thursday evening, the annual Prize Speaking Contest will be held in the high school auditorium. There are eleven students scheduled to participate. (Rotarians are reminded that dinner will be served at 6:00, so that they can be at the highschool in time for the contest!)

And is it this coming Saturday morning when I should be at Foodking, early, for the Women's Club Bake Sale?

(Miscellaneous bits will be added, later on.)

Monday morning!

2006-11-13T07:09:00.000-05:00

WKTV Channel 2's weather headline: "Stuck in a Rut!"
Today: Fog and drizzle. Picture London weather right here in Central New York. High in the upper 40's.

But this would be perfect weather for an event that's scheduled to take place tomorrow night in Morrisville when the Madison Hall Ghost Tales will be Revealed! (And if there ARE any "spirits" there, they might just be the ghosts of members of the Loomis Gang, don't you imagine? They spent a fair amount of time there!

There was an enormous fire in Oneida, yesterday - the old National Casket Co. building, a landmark, is no more.

Last week, the historians in Waterville were presented with the mystery of a tobacco pipe carved from stone and this week it’s a penny - but not an ordinary penny! The description sent to them read: “Front of Coin: One Penny, Warren Chapter #22, R.A.M, Chartered February 3, 1808 Waterville, NY. Back of Coin: HTWSSTKS in a symbol.” With the help of the internet, they were able to decode it quite rapidly and determine its original purpose. (The writer, presuming to let the reader have fun with the puzzle, too, will reserve the explanation for a week or two!) And as was the case with the discarded pipe, this item is worth much more than first glance would tell, and "priceless" in sentimental value to the owner's family.

--- and other tidbits worth noting:

There are rumored suggestions (very vague!!!) the the Board of the Waterville Public Library will make an announcement, soon.

Pleasant hearsay --- the old "Bigelow House" at #146 Stafford Avenue will soon have new owners.

Absolutely TRUE! Mr. and Mrs. Holic, their daughter Ms. Kim Kempf and her daughter, Cassie, have returned from a delight-filled two-week trip to "Disney"!

Trudy Karram spent what she described as "eleven wonderful days" in Switzerland with her longtime friend Adele Roberts, from New Jersey. The two girls had become acquainted when "'Trudy" was nine years old. “Adele's grandfather and my Dad were from the same village, Trogen, in the canton of Appenzell. When Adele and I were young, her family used to come and visit us, on Shanley Road, every summer. As we grew up, we continued to be very proud of our heritage and enjoy the strong traditions of that particular canton. After a final nudge from our husbands that we should go, we booked our trip." And you can read all about it in "In Timely Manner" in this week's issue of the Waterville Times.

Marilyn and Don Belfield spent their vacation in Ireland! (And when we get E-mail addresses sorted out we'll know more about their travels! ) We DO know that - to their great surprise - Norma Emerson's sister was on the same tour and that since their return the threesome have enjoyed a "reunion," of sorts, at - where else? - an Irish Pub!)

Barely three weeks following hip replacement surgery, Shirley Spearing, is back on the treadmill at ProActive Physical Therapy! And she credits the therapists, there, with such effective pre-sugical preparation that she has been experiencing a recovery so rapid as to amaze the physicians and therapists at the hospital in Hamilton!

When Catharine Quayle was a little girl, she loved "Sock Monkeys!" (Remember those? made from the tweedy brownish/gray Rockford Socks that had a red heel?") But now "Cat" is Mrs. Stern, and will soon have her own little girl or boy to make "sock monkeys" for ------ except that "Grandma Quayle" will no doubt make them first! Susy Q. and Danielle Fiorini gave a baby shower for Cat on November 4, and EVERYTHING was about "Sock Monkeys!" Those lovable toys hung from everywhere; they sat wherever they couldn't hang; and all the guests were given wee, tiny Rockford Socks filled with goodies as take-home treats!

I don't believe that with all of the posts to this blog - which began in June - I've ever posted a cartoon or funny bit of E-mail, but I can't resist this. It was sent to me this morning by Ron Bornick, in Clinton.

"If your kids take away your car keys!"

Sunday Morning

2006-11-12T06:08:00.000-05:00

37.8 degrees: soggy and FOGGY!

Nothing like yesterday morning, when the sky was brilliant and I referred to an "old saying" about "Red Sky at night, sailors' delight......" etc. Well, I had no idea just how "old" it was. It isn't something that just dates back to New England fishermen, but in fact has a much earlier origin: my daughter wrote that "The 'original' old saying dates back more than 2000 years ago to Matthew 16, which starts:

Matthew 16 - The Demand for a Sign

1. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2 He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,'

3 and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' "

Thanks, Allison!

Today, however.............

Not to be overlooked in all the activity in Waterville on Saturday -
the Boy Scouts collected 2871 items of
non-perishable food for the Food Pantry!

It was rainy yesterday afternoon and evening, but that didn't dampen anyone's spirit at the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion on Route 20 where preparations were in full swing for the Annual Veterans' Day Dinner.

Each year, the Legion treats our local Veterans to a huge Prime Rib Dinner (free for vets, with just a small charge charge for guests!) Becky Maggio checked out the sign board on the front lawn ...

...while, in the kitchen, these gals - members of the Legion Auxiliary - were in control of all the food. Banquet tables were all set up and they were ready to serve
PRIME RIB DINNER to 153!

Everyone was waiting, especially, to see the display of scrapbooks assembled by Irene Lew that contain hundreds of pieces of correspondence sent to the Legion by service men and women over a span of sixty or seventy years!

If only there were a way to digitize aromas!

At the same time, down in the basement of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, "Jo" Tuttle's minestrone soup simmered while BAZAAR shoppers browsed;

Photo by Jean B. Davis

.... bought tickets for a Chinese Auction of BASKETS heaped with items in themes ranging from "Bird-Watching" to "English Christmas" to "Skin Care," "Kids' Crafts" and more .....

.... or chatted with friends over Soup and Sandwich (and Brownie) LUNCH!

Meanwhile - and working up an appetite of their own -

Nancy and Aladio Ayala climbed the bell tower of the Masonic Temple and found out how an authentic 1889 nine-bell Meneely "chime" works.
(Everyone always talks about the "wheelbarrow handles, dog leashes and chains" - and here they are!

(Click to enlarge photographs!)

She who began playing the bells back in 1971 provided an excellent example of what her former chiming partner Mrs. Davis called "a Demented but Determined Woman"!

Alex Meszler was calm ............

... even with an audience standing, watching ....

but then took camera in hand and climbed even higher in the tower. Here are some of his photographs. Some are so (I was going to say "striking" but I know some of you would groan) VERY GOOD that I hope they will someday find their way into a publication or exhibition.

Thank you for letting me "blog" these, Alex!

The next room above the console room is the the "clock face" room.

And - up one more short set of stairs - are the bells!

An ancient-looking diagram explains why a bell "rings."

Before they left, the "chimers" renewed an old custom by signing their names on
a cleanly painted beam.

Somewhere, underneath that paint, are thirty or forty more names -
visitors and chimers who , in their time, climbed the stairs, looked at the view and the bells and said, "Wow! This is magnificent!"

Veterans' Day!

2006-11-11T06:57:00.000-05:00

In this morning's O-D - an article about Waterville Marine Jeff Glod.

My husband remembers that when he was a little boy living in Danvers, Massachusetts, November 11th was a special day because at exactly eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month the fire siren would ring and all work and conversation would stop - for a minute or two of silent Remembrance. And, he says, "There's no reason why we shouldn't be doing that, still, today."

The sky above "Whiskey Hollow" at about 6:45 A.M.

There's an old saying

"Red Sky at Night, Sailors delight;
Red Sun in the Morning; Sailors take warning."

It's about 47 degrees with the sort of a breeze that will make it a good "drying day" - if you can get the drying done this morning!

"Scouting for Food" starts at 9:00.

The St. Bernard's Bazaar open at 9:00.

There's a little sign at the edge of Route 12 next to the exit
for the Paris Hill "Business District" that reads
"Spaghetti Supper, Nov. 11!"
(That sounds worth looking into!)

It's at the PARIS HILL Volunteer Fire Co.!

Friday afternoon

2006-11-10T15:35:00.000-05:00

It could have been a day in September. Warmish, fairly bright - just right for raking or walking or biking or almost anything else outdoorsy. Tomorrow will at least start out the same way.

On the poind behind Jack Prior's house there were LOTS of water fowl: neither my eyes nor my camera could tell precisely what they were, but they must have been either Snow Geese, on their regular north-south flyway, or Seagulls someplace they'd never been before!

On East Bacon Street, Joan Albert and the Stephensons are moving in to Thanksgiving mode..

...but if you go to the Alcott Greenhouses, out on Route 20, you'll be swept right into the Christmas Season! They've had a "Christmas Room" for several years, but NOW the displays of trees and decorations have spread and even taken over the greenhouse!

These views are from the "house plant" room - what a wonderful combination of sights!

There may even be SOUNDS of Christmas in the air tomorrow, around noontime, when a group of willing students climb the tower of the Masonic Temple to learn how the nine bells - called a "chime" - are played. It is a wonderfully unique instrument which the community is most fortunate to have, but some consideration must be given the chimers who, by the very nature of their surroundings, cannot practise in private! So - if a chimer is preparing music for the Christmas Season, those within hearing are asked to understand. The listener's indulgence is also begged on behalf of the bells themselves which, tho noble, are not always as tunefully pitched as they might once have been.

It's Fish Fry-Day!

2006-11-10T07:11:00.000-05:00

Once again, Tom's got it!!!

42.3 degrees - dry, but dull-looking.

Stripliners, Inc. were in town, yesterday, "shaving"
those razor-sharp corners on the granite curbing.

The Coiro residence shows off its Fall decorations....

...and, having lost its leaves, this old Maple tree on Daytonville Road boasts more and more pale greenish-blue lichen.

I missed this, in Wednesday morning's O-D: First Assistant District Attorney Scott McNamara in line to succeed Arcuri. If you don't know Scott, you most likely know his mother, Joan!

Thursday morning

2006-11-09T05:14:00.000-05:00

Drippy and foggy, but 52 degrees and aiming for almost 60!

Put the Garbage Out!

I don't know if the event will be repeated again, soon, but I understand that the Saturday evening costume party at "Michael's" was lots of fun, for everyone!

In Waterville, this weekend:
"Boas, Scarves, Hats and No-Sew Blankets" at the Library on Friday at 1:00, 3:00 & 4:00 and on Saturday at 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00. Space is limited: sign up now!

"Scouting for Food" pickups start at 9:00.
The St. Bernard's Annual Bazaar opens at the same time.

Elsewhere..........

Check the November Calendar at the Waterville Times website for area events.
"Wintering at the Fort" A Living History Weekend at Fort Stanwyx; Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 5:00.

"Winter" has come to Beck's Grove - not far from Fort Stanwyx! It's "Christmas in Killarney, and Other Places, too!"

............ and at the blogger's place,

April, 2005

....... the organizing and printing of "Before" and "After" pictures is an ongoing project.

November 5, 2006.

April, 2005

November 5, 2006

We're still waiting for Railings and Victorian Lamps!

Enough is Enough!

2006-11-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

Politics; politics; politics. On every radio and television station.

But now, news from OUR Washington correspondent:

The Pandas at the National Zoo don't care WHO was elected as long as they have plenty of tai trees to climb!

The National Cathedral and a young tourist at the Washington Monument remain uneffected by the vote.

Thank you for that report, Allison!

Wednesday morning

2006-11-08T06:26:00.000-05:00

First Things First

The best interactive site that I've found, this morning, is at

WKTV's "Decision 2006." Here are the latest results.

All the cable channels have updated websites, and there are details of some local races in the O-D.

From the Utica Observer-Dispatch: Arcuri wins Congress

Also from the O-D: Valesky over Brown

I don't know whether or not there was a particularly large "turn out" in Waterville, but - at the Memorial Park School - there was a "Waiting line" of voters still in their cars, looking for a place to park!

It's too bad that we can't vote on Weather Forecasts: we wouldn't have chosen this one!
(but at least it's warm and we won't have to shovel!)

WKTV's Weather Center's forecast makes the next few days sound almost Summery:

Tonight: A few showers. Low in the mid 40s.

Thursday: A mix of sun and clouds. Chance of a shower. High: 58, Low: 43

Friday: A mix of sun and clouds. Mild. High: 57, Low: 38

Saturday: Scattered showers. High: 53, Low: 33

It's Recyclables Day and, if it doesn't rain too hard,
electricians will be busy, again, readying bases for the Victorian Lamp Posts!

One clear Winner in Waterville is the Waterville Historical Society's "Victorian Tea," which will take place on December 9th.
Even before the Waterville Times was on the newstands,
the tickets for the event
had all been reserved and
THE TEA IS SOLD OUT!

I was told, yesterday, that there are lots of very nice items arriving at the basement of St. Bernard's Church for the ANNUAL FALL BAZAAR on SATURDAY!

The event lasts from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 in the afternoon. There will be a luncheon from 11:30 'til 2 (and Jo Tuttle will be making her famous Minestrone Soup!) Other activities include a Bake Sale, a White Elephant sale, sale of gently used Toys and Christmas Items, Crafts, a Chinese Auction (with over 30 baskets to take a chance on), a Raffle which includes a fall wall hanging and a deocrative bird house - both donated by church members - and finally there will be Children's Activites.

Don't miss it!

Kidnapped?

2006-11-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

We weren't the only ones who thought that we'd go to "Michael's" for breakfast, Sunday morning, only to be faced with a "Closed: Sorry for the inconvenience!" sign. Our first thought was that the Saturday night costume party had been too hearty a party, but - we learned yesterday - that wasn't the reason.

It turns out that Chef Michael was celebrating his birthday on Sunday and that he had been kidnapped; "taken away!" by his friends!

A belated - but hearty -

Happy Birthday, Michael!

(And if you're wondering just how old this restaurateur might be -- he turned 32!)

Also: Jean B. Davis "chimed in" - sorry about that! - with another recollection of Gerald Coggeshall and the bells: she learned to play them at the same time that I did and thinks that somewhere, in someone's "archives," are some photographs of us looking like thoroughly "demented but determined women!"

(Nothing's changed, has it? I'm just not sure that I'd want to see the pictures!)

Tuesday Morning

2006-11-07T05:29:00.000-05:00

IT'S ELECTION DAY!

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!

The Bells

2006-11-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

The largest bell ("F") weighs 2,062 lbs. The others are as follows:
"G" bell, 1,589 lbs.
"A" bell, 1,025 lbs.
"B-flat" bell, 814 lbs.
"C" bell, 517 lbs.
"D" bell, 410 lbs.
"E-flat" bell, 370 lbs.
"E" bell and "F" bell each weigh 287 lbs.

Total weight of the bells alone: 7,400 lbs.

Being cast of 78 parts of Lake Superior copper and Malay Straits tin, they are genuine cast bronze bells. Meneelys made the finest bells obtainable. The original cost was in the neighborhood of $2,800.

The "Hanks" bell (Masonic Memorial) weighs 800 lbs. It is dated 1824. Andrew Meneely was apprenticed to Julius Hanks* and started his own foundry in 1826.

* An interesting bit of speculation makes Julius Hanks' daughter, Nancy, the bride of Thomas Lincoln and the mother of Abraham.

(The "Hanks Bell" is often referred to as the "Baptist Bell", having - presumably - once hung in the present Baptist Church.

Add-ons

2006-11-06T13:47:00.000-05:00

≈
I have it from another photographer that it was exactly 10:50 A.M. when the straps holding the cupola to the crane were actually disconnected.

(Click to enlarge photographs.)

If you would like to own a crane just like the one used by Austin Rigging, this morning, you should know that it is capable of lifting 90 tons and cost a bit over $700,000.00!

It was just after the noon siren rang that the bells struck "Twelve" and then rang out the first few measures of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus!"

In case there are blog-readers who don't know the story of the Masonic Temple's bell tower, here is one version - there are several - this one was told to me back sometime in 1971, I think, by the late Gerald Coggeshall.

I met Gerald Coggeshall in 1971, at the time of the Village's Centennial Celebration. He was a little gnome of a man, descendant of illustrious ancestors, who had lived in Waterville all his life. I don't know how many years he had been playing the bells, but it was probably something in the neighborhood of fifty, and he did so without music and with never so much as a frown on his face.

The way he told the story of the bells was fun, memorable and only slightly inaccurate! Stephen Gates (an historian who was also a chime afficianado and could play using a regular hymnal) complained bitterly that it was inaccurate and no way to record history, -------however ---- here it is!

Once upon a time a rich man named Ruben Tower decided to build himself a house across the street and, therefore, away from his parents’ home! (The Tower Homestead now the Harding residence.) And wanting to make sure that everyone knew that this new building was HIS house, he decided to put a tower on the front of it.

He knew, right away, that there should be a large clock in that tower, one that had a bell that would sound the hours, and so he wrote to the Seth Thomas Clock Company and asked them to make him a suitable clock.

“Of course, Mr. Tower. We’ll be glad to design an appropriate clock for your home, with visible faces that may be seen by all around the village. May we take the liberty of suggesting that a Mr. Meneely, of Troy, New York, be engaged to cast just the right bell so that it may be heard across the land when it strikes out each hour?”

Tower thought this was a dandy suggestion, and wrote straight ‘way to Mr. Meneely asking for a perfect bell.

Mr. Meneely not only knew his metels, he knew his money as well, and said to Mr. Tower,

“Why, sir - with such a magnificent clockworks one really should have four bells so that a tuneful chime such as that heard at Westminster Cathedral in London may likewise signify each quarter-hour in Waterville.”

Mr. Tower thought it anther marvelous idea and so, bit by bit, the tower rose; the clock faces appeared* and - finally - four enormous bells were lifted to the topmost canopy of the tower. His dream was complete!

Only to one such as Mr. Meneely would it occur that there was still a potential profit to be seen:

“It has occurred to me, Mr. Tower, that you now have four bells and that number is, of course, just one half of a full scale of notes! It would be so easy for us to cast the remaining bells - don’t you see? - and then entire tunes could be played and enjoyed throughout the community.”

Another chord was struck -- Mr. Tower agreed with the proposal (which actually included 5 more bells) and so we have it that in mid-July, 1889, the day after Mr. Meneely left, Miss Flora Garvey came by train from Utica and played the “chime” for the very first time.

*The Seth Thomas clockworks were actually installed a few weeks after the chimes were complete.

A far more accurate and detailed history of the building as a Masonic Temple was writted in 1950 by Beverly Allen and the late Gertrude Allen.

Scott Weaver gallantly offered to take my camera to the top of the tower and take some pictures so we could all see what the view is like from 'way up there!

Yes!! It's back in Place!

2006-11-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

After almost two years and three months on the ground and many repairs, the cupola of the Masonic Temple Bell Tower has been lifted back to the top of the tower!

Austin Rigging arrived in Waterville at around 7:30 A.M. and at just about 10 o'clock the cupola - shining brightly in the sun, against the deep blue sky - was settled smoothly back in place.

That neither the blogger nor the Waterville Times has been saying anything about the status of work on the cupola has been intentional: with theives stealing copper from any source they can find, it didn't seem to be in the Mason's - or Waterville's - interest to tell the world where to find a huge supply of brand new material! Now that it's safely out of reach, 152' above ground, we can compliment coppersmith Bill Reibin and thank the Masons for all the work that they have done to preserve one of the village's most unique buildings!

Monday morning!

2006-11-06T06:48:00.000-05:00

Village Board Meeting this evening at 7:00 P.M.

Today's Weather Channel Forecast:

35.2 degrees and clear with a full "Hunter's Moon" still bright in the western sky.

It looks as if it'll be fairly sunny without any wind: that's what we want for the event that's scheduled to take place. If you're wondering if it's a "hot air balloon ride" - no: that's not it (and I'm not supposed to say too much, here!) but if you're going to be in the village you should definitely look UP, now and then!

And if you have time to stop and watch whatever it is, you'll get quite a good view from the skatepark area behind Firemen's Field!

There will be photos as soon as possible!

Don't forget to put the Garbage out, first!

"To the Hounds!"

2006-11-05T12:31:00.000-05:00

Just as there are several requirements for membership in the Limestone Creek Fox Hunt Club of Cazenovia, there are as many rewards: one would be that you would (or at least should) always know where the hounds and the rest of the horses are! A mere spectator, standing shivering in the wind on the edge of Skyline Drive, is at a loss, staring first at the woods and then at a cornfield hoping for some sign of movement and, eyes watering, finally turning off the camera and climbing back into the car just as another watcher shouts, "There they are!"

Today's hunt - at least the most exciting part of it, according to the equestrians - took place at some distance from any roadway and occurred when the hounds caught sight of a gray fox and the fox caught sight of the hounds. "What a merry chase THAT was!" a gentleman wearing an elegant "pink" said, later.

The Hounds - about twenty of them - are larger than some Beagles I've known and are far more quiet, barking only when they spy the fox.

(Click to enlarge photographs.)

There were about two-dozen equestrians in today's Hunt, For many, it seemed to be a family outing, and several of the riders were surprisingly young.

Mr. Roger Gates and Friends.

Several times, I spoke to the riders, telling them what fun it is to watch them and, every time, they would say, "This is such beautiful country, we love to come here to hunt!"

(Please note that no fox, hound, horse, rider or photographer was wounded during today's outing!)

Pop Warner Score

2006-11-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

The fellows lost, 26 - 13, but, as the sign at the Car Wash says:

GOOD JOB!!!

Sunday morning

2006-11-05T06:55:00.000-05:00

It's 31.6 degrees and cloudy at 7 o'clock.

The weather, yesterday, was perfect for football but I do NOT know how our Pop Warner players fared!

(I spent the entire day trying to teach my laser printer to do some new tricks and never ventured into town nor have I received word by telephone or E-mail as to the outcome of the game. As far as my battle with the computer and printer went, the air was "blue" on several occassions, but we both learned alot and I think I won!)
Today we're off to Skyline Drive to follow the "hunt" and will be posting photos later on!

Trivia: those beautifully tailored, bright red hunting jackets favored by aristocrats are called "pinks."

I'm venturing to check tomorrow's weather forecast to see if the sun will be shining: whether it is or not, if all goes as planned, something wonderfully bright will appear on the village skyline sometime tomorrow!

Have a good day!

Saturday morning,

2006-11-04T07:28:00.000-05:00

..... bright, but not very early!
At 7:00 it's 26 degrees and, according to the in-house weatherman, "clear and crisp!"

The Weather Channel is forecasting snow flurries, off and on, this morning, but right now the sky is blue and it's a perfect day for POP WARNER FOOTBALL at Brothertown Stadium at 10:00!

(Click to enlarge screensnap.)

I know that not everyone in the area will be going to the game. This is a big "early Christmas shopping" day, too, and the many will be heading for Clinton and the Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Sale which opens at 10:00. General admission is $3; Seniors $2, children under 12, free. Proceeds benefit the Clinton Central School District.

A few folks may even aim Northward, just to find snow! Here's the easy way to look at Winter: Old Forge has an excellent WebCam!

To check on the weather at Barnes Corners on the Tug Hill Plateau, click on the webcam at the Northern Chateau.

Friday add-on

2006-11-03T13:28:00.000-05:00

Lincoln-Davies and Morgan's Hardware have each probably sold a few snow shovels this morning! It has snowed off and on for several hours, but with very little accumulation to show for it. Trees and shrubs had the greatest amount of "frosting," especially the "Ditch Weed" along Route 12 South of Sangerfield.

Phragmites communis.

A tall North American reed having relative wide leaves and large plumelike panicles; widely distributed in moist areas and generally considered a nuisance! It does have its uses, however, which include: high quality warm-season forage and is readily eaten by cattle and horses. However, it becomes tough and unpalatable after maturity. Animals grazing this grass during winter should be fed a protein concentrate.

Extensively used in Mediterranean region and elsewhere for building dwellings, lattices, fences, arrows by Indians, and for weaving mats and carrying nets.
Young shoots sometimes used as a vegetable.
The stalks exude a manna-like gum which is eaten. The rhizomes and roots also serve as emergency food.
In Russia they are harvested and processed into starch.
The reed is useful in the manufacture of pulps for rayon and paper.
Pens for writing on parchment were cut and fashioned from this reed, and the
stems were used as a linear measuring device.
It can be processed into a fine fibrous material suitable as a filler in upholstery.
Flowering stalks yield a fiber suitable for rope making.
It is also used for thatching and for making partitions, fences, coarse mats, baskets, sandals, etc.
Thin stems are made into pens; panicles are used for making brooms and for decoration.

According to Hartwell (1967–1971), the plant is used in folk remedies for condylomata, indurated breast, mammary carcinomata, and leukemia. Reported to be alexeteric, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, refrigerant, sialogogue, stomachic, and sudorific, the common reed is a folk remedy for abscesses, arthritis, bronchitis, cancer, cholera, cough, diabetes, dropsy, dysuria, fever, flux, gout, hematuria, hemorrhage, hiccup, jaundice, leukemia, lung, nausea, rheumatism, sores, stomach, thirst, and typhoid.

AND, finally ...... the Swiss use it in making bagpipes!

(There's such a great quantity of ditch weed right at hand that it's a shame we can't figure out some entirely new use for phragmites. For instance: no one mentions anything about being able to distill any part of the plant: are we missing an important opportunity for advancement, here?)

Carpentry projects at the Hotel and at the Petrie residence on White Street
are finishing up just in time!

And - in case it was snowing so hard that you couldn't see the Bulletin Board in the Park, here's a closer look. (Click to enlarge photographs.)

Looking back to July, just about four months ago! Alot has happened these last two years!

(I knew someone would ask!)

The first resident at "Hubbard's Corners" was Captain Simon Hubbard. He must have settled there in 1790 or 91 for it was at his house that, according to Pomroy Jones' 1851 "Annals of Oneida County, History of the Town of Sangerfield," "About the first of March, 1792, Minierva Hale and wife, and Nathan Gurney and wife and infant, moved into the town from New Hartford, where they had previously resided one or two years. The first day of their journey they reached the house of Simon Hubbard, who lived on the place now (1851) occupied by his son Marinus Hubbard, in the town of Marshall, where they remained over night."

Perhaps it wasn't a "corners," or junction, back than, but whenever Summit Road came in to use, probably as a primary road to and from the Sauquoit Valley, the term "Hubbard's Corners" made sense.

Miscellaneous bits from this week's "Social Notes and Items of Interest..."

Katie Peck has seen all-black caterpillars and old-timers say that there’s so much moisture in the soil we’re bound to have a lot of snow this Winter!

Folks in East Main Street wonder if the railings that are supposed to be installed next to the three new sets of stairs leading from the street to the sidewalk will be in place before slippery weather gets here.

The WCS Boys Varsity Soccer Team may have brought a somewhat passé haircut back into fashion: “the Mohawk” is now “in!” (Doubly “cool!”)

According to her daughter, Ms. LeeAnn Miller, Mrs. Shirley Spearing is making an excellent recovery from hip-replacement surgery and is currently in “rehab” at Hamilton.

The Keating Family, who usually tell us about their Summertime camping trips, only made two warm-weather ventures to the North Country and were met, each time, with rain. They are, however, having an enjoyable Autumn receiving frequent news from Ms. Chelsea Keating, who is studying in England!

Although we have not had a formal “report,” we believe that the ladies of the Crimson Bonnets were to have their monthly gathering - last Thursday - at the “Red Lobster.”

Members of the Waterville Garden Club will meet today (Wednesday, November 1st) at the home of the new club president, Bonnie Dobmeier, on Frog Park Road.

Bright posters are up advertising the St. Bernard’s annual Bazaar and Luncheon on Saturday, November 11th. Bazaar hours are 9:00 A.M. ‘til 3:00 P.M. and Lunch will be served from 11:30 until 2:00. We’ll be there!

And we’ll also be ready when The Waterville Women’s Club will hold one of their famous Bake Sales at Foodking on November 18th! (Perfect timing: stock the freezer with goodies for the holidays!) On the 21st, they’ll have “Harvest Tea” at “Hannah Leigh Antiques” and then reassemble at Village Hall at 7:00 in the evening for antiques appraisals. (Details will be forthcoming.)

No: that’s not a new furniture store on Main Street! Tommy Morgan has made arrangements to use the future “Subway” as an additional showroom, for the time-being. (I've tried to determine exactly what the status of "Subway" is, but get a frustratingly indefinite "On Hold, for now.")

Friday - finally!

2006-11-03T07:10:00.000-05:00

It's just about 30 degees, this morning, and we look as if we'd been sprinkled with confectioner's sugar!

Lincoln Davies was ready to equip us for a "real" snowstorm: this wasn't it.

Nor, according to these Weather Channel predictions, shall we be doing any serious shovelling for a day or two, at least.

If you're yearning for the sight of snowbanks, watch some Webcams. Here's one near Turin.

Doorway decoration at the home of one of our Pop Warner stars!

The forecast for game time - 10:00 tomorrow morning - looks
like just plain good Football Weather!

lll

I made a brief stop at the Siegfried residence at "Hubbard's Corners" - the old one-room schoolhouse just this side of Summit Road - yesterday afternoon, and can now tell you that I'm glad I did! I'll be going back, before long!

Their Red Raspberry Jam isn't as bright a red as my grandmother's "shoepeg" (Barberry) Jam but "shoepeg" was an appropriate name for the concoction: in the first place, whoever picked them had to deal with the thorns; the center seeds are HUGE and woody and, as I recall, the berry portion didn't have a particularly pleasing taste, so I'll stick to admiring red barberries on the branch!

Reserve your tickets NOW!

2006-11-02T12:22:00.000-05:00

The Waterville Historical Society's
ANNUAL Victorian Tea
will be held on
Saturday, December 9th
from 2 'til 4.
Guest speaker:
Marlene Minor,
"The Hat Lady"

A proper, three-course, Victorian Tea will be served. This year the
third course will feature a new selection of desserts. The recipes for
these delicious sweets are taken from the pages of the Society’s
cookbook.

Marlene Minor, “The Hat Lady,” will show her collection of bonnets. Her
presentation will be most interesting and all in attendance are
encouraged to wear a hat to add to the theme of the day.

Tickets for the Saturday afternoon Tea are $8.00 each; a table of six
is $42.00.Tickets are advance sale only as there is limited seating. No
tickets will be available at the door.

Reservations may be made by telephoning 841-4018.

The Victorian period began in 1837 when Victoria became Queen of England…she ruled until she died in 1901. Hers was the longest reign in English history. The Victorian period encompasses an extremely large array of hat styles from tiny little hats that perched on your head to large and elegant feather and flower laden hats. The utilization of flowers and feathers and even using whole birds became a near obsession with the hat designers and hat wearer of this period. The Victorian tea hats were followed by Edwardian Tea Hats and era that started in 1901 and ended in 1909 at the death of King Edward, son of Victoria.

"Daytonville" explained

2006-11-02T07:51:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Wayne Brouillette!

He wrote: "I was always told that Daytonville was named after Dayton Eastman, but have never thought to research it. A Dayton Eastman does appear in the 1800 town of Paris census."

An Abraham D. Eastman, who died on Febraury 25th in 1850 at the age of 81 years and 8 months is buried in the little Eastman "Pioneer" Cemetery. Possibly that is he. Ancestry.com has heaps of "Eastman" listings and Abraham Dayton is but one of two or three brothers who came here as pioneer settlers from Connecticut.

We also noted that at around 9 o'clock, yesterday morning , without fanfare or ceremony, South Stafford Avenue went into the history books and Barton Avenue became a real place.

Should North Stafford Avenue have the same fate as South Stafford Avenue, someday, we dug out the obituary of Major Aaron Stafford, for whom Stafford Avenue was named. (It's long, but those who are at all interested will probably be willing to spend the extra minute or two now, or come back to it later and will agree that his accomplishments were impressive.)

MAJ. AARON STAFFORD.

A VETERAN OFFICER OF 1812.

The Story of His Eventful Life - Rev. Dana Bigelow's Remarks - Long Life but a Point Compared With Eternity - His Coffin Enveloped in His Country's Flag.

Aaron Stafford of this village, was born March 18, 1787, and died the 6th of September, 1885. He was born and died on a Sunday; and was five months and twenty-nine days older than the federal constitution. He had resided in the town of Sangerfield 84 years, and lived 71 years in the house where he died. He was the last survivor of the soldiers of the war of 1812, who was known to have held an officer's commission; the last one before him having died about seven years ago. The first President he voted for was James Madison, and the last, Grover Cleveland. All the Presidents of the United States were inaugurated during his life time.
Mr. Stafford's funeral was attended from his late residence last Tuesday, and the services were performed by Rev. R.H. Nelson, Rector of Grace Church, and Rev. Dana W. Bigelow, pastor of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, of Utica. Mr. Bigelow ever since his boyhood had known Mr. Stafford personally, in whose character there was much that he admired. He delivered the following discourse on the occasion of his funeral:
But a few months since, a beloved grand-daughter, beautiful in youth, was borne from this house. Today, in the providence of God, we meet to bear to his last resting place the aged grandfather.
We had thought that Mr. Stafford might live to complete one hundred full years; and while he was enjoying a comfortable old age, in his own home, infirm but bright in mind, surrounded by those who ministered to his every want, we had earnestly hoped that this expectation might be realized. But an iron constitution yielded at last to bodily infirmities, and he who has been with this village from its settlement, and with this nation from before the day that its first President was inaugurated, has departed this life.
Can we speak of such life as a shadow? Yes, if we compare it with the life to come. We speak of this as long life, but a century has beginning and end, and the hereafter is eternity, the forever and ever. This measure of time is in truth but a point, and man at his best estate is as but a flower of the field. Our times are in the hands of One with whom a thousand years are as one day and one day as a thousand years. Shall we not then be again reminded that our days are as a shadow, and there is none abiding? Our days on earth are numbered, and though they be multiplied beyond those of any other person of our generation, yet they will be certainly and soon passed. Blessed be the Lord, our God, that He who has life and immortality, has given his own Son, that we may live by him. The Lord Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, and if on earth we live by faith in Him, in love and obedience, death is but the beginning of time and endless life. We may ask for the blessing of long life, and rejoice if many days are gven us on earth where we may find so much to do and so much to enjoy, but let it be our first and chief thought that under Divine guidance, in following Christ, we may be prepared for the Father's house in Heaven, for life in the presence of the glorified Saviour, and for reunion there with loved ones who have been redeemed unto God, to his own possession and joy, world without end. If, however, we compare on hundred years with the time allotted to nearly all of any generation, how remarkable they appear as the period of one individual life.
When the last century closed, a boy of thirteen years enjoyed a pleasant home across the street from this house where we meet this afternoon. All this part of the village was then the Stafford farm, a place for work, and the field for many sports, for boys of that day loved sport and knew where to find it, as did other boys who followed after in other years. Perhaps it was the memory of his own boyhood that made him so lenient when a man, toward boys who in generation after generation found a playground in his pastures and orchards, and by the stream that wound its was so pleasantly beneath the trees and through the fields of his wide reaching farm. We were never closely watched, never ordered off from the frequented fishing and swimming places, from croquet grounds and training fields. Surely his boyhood must have taught him, that boys are boys and that their sports last none too long.
When 1812 came Aaron Stafford was no longer a boy, but a young man, twenty-five years of age, and ardent lover of his nation, which was of his own age, nearly, not quite. He enlisted for war at the time of his country's need, and proved his valor and spirit of self-sacrifice in conflicts that left him severely wounded. Henceforth he bore in his body the marks of his participation. He gave other proofs of this regard for the welfare of his country. He served the State at one time in the halls of legislation; and when a private citizen, he maintained an intense interest in our history. If he differed from others in judgement at any time, none had reason to question the depth, or the sincerity of his convictions. He was unwavering in his loyalty to his friends. Those who once esteemed him as a friend, found him ever the same, cheerful in spirit and warm in personal friendship. His kindness of heart toward all, made him a man well spoken of and esteemed by tahe whole community. Those who remember his not as an aged man, shut in and ministered to, but the man of strength and of affairs, will expecially affirm the truth of these statements. Another generation has grown to manhood, since Mr. Stafford was very active among the leaders of society.
But in his own home he was best known. He had a worthy wife, who became a dearly loved mother. Children were born, grew to manhood and womanhood, went forth to take their places in the world, with fond memories of the old home, to which they love often to return. They remember him as a father ever thoughtful of their happiness, ever deeply interested in their welfare. Most affectionate, and most grateful for every act of kindness, he appreciated all that was done for his comfort in old age. He lived to witness how great changes were made in this village and this nation, and what overturnings in the world. He lived until his appointed time was come; and after bearing trials in brave and patient spirit, he has passed from among us. His peaceful and pleasant face nay now be looked upon for the last time.
The pall bearers were J.A. Berrill, W.J. Bissell, G.H. Church, M.L. Conger, J.W. Hubbard, E.H. Lamb, A.O. Osborn, Geo. Putnam, F.H. Terry and Charlemange Tower.
The remains were interred in the Waterville Cemetery, near the center of the grounds; he is the oldest person ever buried there. The stone over the grave of his father, Ichabod Stafford, whose grave is in the southwest corner is the oldest stone in the cemetery.
The following interesting sketch was prepared by Aaron Stafford's grandson, Martin H. Stafford of New York:
Aaron Stafford, born March 18, 1787 at Cheshire, Mass., and died at Waterville, N.Y., Sept. 6, at the advanced age of 98 years, 5 months and 18 days, was the second son of Ichabod Stafford by his wife Humility, daughter of James Green, Jr., of Coventry, R.I., and the lineal descendant of Thomas Stafford, one of the colony that settled at Portsmouth and Newport, R.I., in the spring of 1638.
At the close of the Revolution, in which he with four of his brothers had served their country, Ichabod Stafford, with his brother William, and their families, moved from Coventry, R.I., to Lanesboro, Mass., in 1783, and they were soon followed by his father and other members of the Stafford family, and it was here that Aaron Stafford was born soon after Lanesboro was divided and the new town of Cheshire created.
Ichabod Stafford removed to Duanesburgh, N.Y., in 1788, where he resided until the summer of 1793, when with Joseph and Abraham Forbes, with their families, removed to what is now August, Oneida Co., N.Y., being the first white settlers of that town. In 1801 Mr. Stafford having purchased of Nathan Gurney, Bazerial Gurney, his son, and Bincas Owen, all their rights in lot No. 40, in the town of Sangerfield, and what is now the eastern portion of the village of Waterville, removed his family to his new home, and in the following year built a house upon the lot where now stands the residence of Mr. George Putnam. Here Mr. Stafford lived until his death, July 30, 1804. At his death he left a widow and a family of five chi in a new, but rappidly growing country, he had few of the advantages enjoyed by those who were members of older communities, but he improved the advantages that were presented, and few indeed were the boys of his time who could equal him in natural abilities, or who had improved their advantages better than he. At the death of his father he took the most active part in the management of the property that his father had left, at the same time not neglecting to improve his mind.
In 1801 his mother and the other children, of which Aaron Stafford was the third and then in his eighteenth year. Mr. Stafford left his family in comfortable circumstances and the farm was managed for several years by his widow, in which she was assisted by her two eldest sons, but Aaron in particular.
The early years of Aaron Stafford's life were passed much as the life of any boy in his station of life may be supposed to have been passed, without any particular event to distinguish it from those of his companions. The son of a pioneer the other children moved from the house his father had built to a new house they had erected on the opposite side of the road, and Mr. Stafford opened the old home as a public house, which he conducted successfully for two years, but the life was not in many respects pleasant to him and he closed it to devote his time to farming.
Mr. Stafford was engaged in farming when the war of 1812 called the country to arms. He was the first to enlist and call upon the young men of the vicinity to join him. He raised a small company of men, of which he was appointed ensign, and in May, 1812, went to Sacketts Harbor under Col. Marshall Bellinger in First Detachment N.Y. State Militia. When the three months had expired for which they had volunteered, he volunteered to remain and was in service twenty-four days before discharged, the service having been one of garrison duty.
Immediately on his return home he was visited by Major Maynard who, appreciating his ability and courage, offered him the position of adjutant of the 16th Reg. N.Y. Detached Militia commanded by Lieut. Col. Farrand Stranahan. He accepted and at once went to Albany, where he successfully passed the examination and received his commission. After procuring his uniform he joined his regiment at Winfield on Sept. 8, 1812, and the regiment soon after took up its march for the Niagara River and reached Niagara Falls the Friday before the battle of Queenstown Hights. He was soon after dispatched with a company to Buffalo to convey provisions to the army, and executed his difficult commission with so much skill and dispatch as to win the applause of his superior officers.
At sunrise on the morning of October 13, 1812, the main body of the army, under the command of Gen. Winfield Scott, commenced to cross the river, and Stafford was left in command of a detachment to cross after the main body had landed. He followed close after the main body, under fire of the British, landed and commenced to ascend the hights, but had not proceeded but a short distance before they were fired upon by a body of British and Indians, by which several were killed and wounded. Stafford was shot in the shoulder by an Indian, but still kept his horse and passed on at the head of his command, but was soon again shot in the thigh and fell from his horse. Several officers and men who saw him fall supposed him dead, but rushed to the spot to prevent him from being scalped by the Indians, among the number Capt. Felt, who helped to bind up his wounds and assisted to carry him down the hill. but the Americans had lost the day, being outnumbered, and all the wounded, with many others, were taken prisoners. Stafford, with many of the officers and men, were conducted to Ft. George, where they were confined as prisoners of war. Stafford's wounds proved severe and he suffered greatly from want of proper care and attenion, though Dr. Sumner, the British surgeon in charge, did all he could under the circumstances to alleviate the sufferings of those under his care, but particularly of Stafford, who he admired for his high spirit and patient endurance of his wounds, and here was the commencement of a warm personal friendship between them which was only broken by the death of Dr. Sumner many years after.
Stafford, with other officers and men, were paroled after a week's imprisonment, and Dec. 8 he hired a boat to take him across the Niagara River to Black Rock, but nearly lost his life through the blundering of the men who rowed the boat. After a long and painful journey he reached home on Christmas night in a very exhausted state of health, and weeks passed before he was even out of danger.
This terminated his military career, and though promoted to the rank of Major he did not recover from his wounds sufficiently to permit him to again enter the service until the war was over, much to his sorrow, as the martial spirit ran high in his character.
June 26, 1814, he married Harriet, daughter of Zeno Terry, who moved from Enfield, Conn., to Sangerfield, N.Y., being one of the first settlers of that town. He commenced his married life in the house which he had previously purchased from his brother Welcome, which he considerably enlarged and improved and made his residence the remainder of his life. Here he lived in great happiness with his wife for sixty-one years, until her death, April 5, 1875, and here their children were born. Lothrop P.; Mary, wife of Henry T. Utley of Waterville, N.Y.; Harriet, wife of William B. Stafford of New York; Marshall B., and Aaron Jackson. The eldest and youngest died several years before him.
Mr. Stafford was an active man in the community in which he lived, interesting himself in all measures for the advancement and improvement of the town, and though an active member of his political party, labored for its success from principles and not for political advancements. He was repeatedly urged to accept office, but only consented to the use of his name but once. That was in 1833, when the Democrats were very anxious to elect their legislative ticket in his District. The district had become close, and it was generally supposed that the Whigs would win it. Members of the legislature were elected on a general ticket at the time, and not by single districts, as at present, and Mr. Stafford was urged to gon on the ticket to strengthen it, as he was personally very popular with all classes. He accepted the nomination and the ticket was elected, greatly to the surprise of the Whig candidates, who felt so confident of their election that they had engaged their quarters at Albany in anticipation of their sure eleection. Mr. Stafford acquired considerable reputation for the share he had in the victory. Judge Pomeroy Jones of Westmoreland was associated with Mr. Stafford on this legislative ticket and was also elected. A long and sincere friendship existed between them, severed only by the death of Judge Jones about two years ago. Political life had no charms for him, and he took greater pleasure in contributing to a victory than being the recipient ofits fruits.
Mr. Stafford was a farmer, his whole active life being devoted to the cultivation of the soil, in which occupation he was successful, and his farm was one of the largest and best conducted in this section of the country. He and his brothers and sisters owned at one time all the land upon which the eastern portion of the village of Waterville is situated. Both sides of what is now Stafford avenue as far as the old Hooker road was once his farm and where are those yet living who can remember when there were very few houses on that avenue, except the house in which he lived and died, which was built in 1810 by his brother, and purchased by him in 1813, and which has undergone so many changes as to leave but little of the original design recognizable. It was here that he had lived for seventy-one years and died, and all his children were born. He had lived to see a prosperous and beautiful village grow up out of the wilderness, and be surrounded by more people than were to be found in the whole county when he came to it as a boy, for indeed there was no such county as Oneida then, or for several years after. Not a person is now living who remembers him as a boy, or young man; they have all passed away, and like the tall oak that has been spared by the woodman and stands alone, so stood he - the last survivor of the little colony in the wilderness, surrounded by a new generation and a new life. He was not only the oldest person in the town at the time of his death, but the oldest citizen, not only of this town but of any in this section of the state. That is, there is no one known to be living in the county of Oneida, or of Central New York, who came to it as early as he - 1793. He was also the last survivor of the soldiers of 1812 who was known to have held an officer's commission.
In person Mr. Stafford was five feet ten inches in height, of commanding figure, and like his father's family, possessed of great physical strength. In his younger days he carried himself erect, with dignified bearing, and was regarded as a man of prepossessing appearance. Amiable in disposition, of even temper, and proverbial for his kindness of heart, strict integrity and unimpeachable honor, he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was very firm in his convictions and bold in expressing his opinions, which were never formed hastily, but after due reflection, and when once formed he held to them with great pertinacity. Deprived of the advantages of an early thorough education beyond what was furnished by the new country in which he lived, he endeavored to repair the deficiency by extensive reading, and few men were better informed, or could converse more intelligently on all subjects of general interest than he. His memory was remarkable, and it was astonishing even in the later years of his life to note with what accuracy he could relate events, accompanied by dates, which one would hardly suppose would have been remembered. Nothing that he had ever seen, heard or read, appears to have been forgotton or worn outof mind. This tenacious memory he inherited from his mother, who was quite as remarkable in this respect as himself. He might truly be said to have been a walking encyclodaedia of events during his life, and many were the disputed questions among his townsmen that were referred to him for decision, and the verdict accepted without dispute. He was never so happy as when entertaining his friends with reminiscences of the past or in conversing on favorite themes. Had Mr. Staffod inclined to public-life, his great popularity, energy and strength of character, combined with a tenacious memory, would have given him great advantages and placed him in high positons, but his modesty was quite equal to his other merits, while his ambtion appears to have flown in other channels.

Thursday

2006-11-02T05:18:00.000-05:00

Sharon Stiles gives us a Morning Smile in her
Fingernail Corner at the "Totally-U" Salon on Main Street!!!

It's drippy out, again. (The cows WERE right!) 36 degrees on the nose, and it looks as if our days of Indian Summer are over.

It's Garbage Day, again, too!

Two truths, often discussed:

We must be very wasteful to need two garbage pickups every week!
We're very lucky that the Village of Waterville provides two garbage pickups every week!

Happy Birthday, Ann!

Headlines from the front page of this week's edition of the Waterville Times:

"Pop Warner to Regionals!" - Color pix and coverage of Waterville's Junion PeeWee Pop Warner team's Tri-Valley Division I championship.

"Sangerfield Meets Nov. 6." - Town Board will meet Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 P.M. for preliminary budget hearing.

"Lachut Case Adjourned" - Andrew Lachut's next court apperance will be a pre-trial conference on December 28.

"WCS Wants Healthy Students" - The district's Health and Wellness coordinator, Tammy Alcott, emphasises the importance of halting childhood obesity and improving students' overall health.

"Pataki Picks Brennan" - Patrick H. Brennan of Deansboro, New York State Agriculture Commissioner, will chair SUNYIT College Council.

"Three Months Missing" - Information is still being sought in re: the July 30 disappearance of Michelle Hutchings, 27, of Marshall.

Just Who was "Pop Warner" ?

Glenn Scobey Warner (April 5, 1871–September 7, 1954) was an American football coach, also known as Pop* Warner. During his 44-year career as a head coach (1895–1938), Warner had 319 major NCAA college football wins. He also helped start the popular youth American football organization, Pop Warner Little Scholars. (*When he started to play football, he was older than his teamates!)

When Pop Warner first played and coached, football was played under crude rules and conditions. The 1905 season alone resulted in 15 fatalities and the sport was almost outlawed. Football historians credit Warner with being in the forefront of the movement which transformed the game from one of brawn to one of skill. He developed the crouching stance, the body block, the spiral forward pass and punt, the single and double wing offenses, all of which have survived to the present. He also experimented with safety equipment and, at Pittsburgh, introduced the numbering of players, where, it is said, the expression "You can't tell the players without a program" originated. Still in the vanguard of new ideas in 1932, Pop Warner was among a handful of coaches who pressed for legislation of the free forward pass from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage, a rule adopted by the professionals a year later, which multiplied the offensive possibilities of the game. His interest in a player did not begin and end with the football season. A strong believer in the value of an education and the development of a well-rounded individual through athletic competition, Warner expected and received no less from his players in the classroom than he did on the playing field. Scores of boys became men under his tutelage and went on to careers as distinguished as they were varied. Thus, it is for many reasons that a junior league football player program carries on his name.

lll

At Michael's on Saturday evening at 10:00 P.M.

Halloween Costume Party!

$5 per person; 80's dance mix with The RetroPolitans.

View from Daytonville Road.

Driving southbound from New Hartford over Paris Hill, on Monday afternoon, we decided to take Daytonville Road, which runs from just south of Paris green to a bit north of the Village of Waterville. Reaching the little cluster of community that we have always presumed was the original "Daytonville," one or the other of us wondered, "Who was Dayton?" We've since then looked through the 1851 history of the Town of Marshall, by Pomroy Jones and searched both the 1852 and 1874 maps and can't find anyone with that name nor is there a "Dayton" in the 1869 Oneida County Directory! The only reference at all was one "hit" on the Oneida County GenWeb site: "Margaret Bradley of Daytonville, d. May, 1879."

Can any Blog Readers come up with this bit of trivia?

The Eastman Cemetery on Daytonville Road.

The Windmills on Stone Road, seen from Daytonville Road.

And MORE!!

2006-11-01T13:36:00.000-05:00

It's Official:

Rick Garrett went to the trouble of tracking me down in Foodking, on Saturday, to tell me that
"The Deal is Off!"
and that
"Foodking is no longer on the market!"

It's a good sign!

Two gentlemen from Advanced Power & Light Electrical Contracting were out and around on Main Street, this morning, rifling through sheafs of plans and contemplating lamp bases. Dennis Jones, president of the company, said that indeed they expected the lamps "by the end of this month." He offered, "It'll look nice for the holidays!" and when I said I hoped that wintery weather wouldn't cause too much delay of installation, he grinned and said, "We're like the mailmen: 'neither rain nor sleet, nor.......' " So: things certainly are looking brighter!!

Not such a good sign? The Gallaghers' cows and the Brouillette cows were in agreement, earlier this afternoon. (WKTV News Channel 2 weather also forecast showers.)

Geese circled and then came in for a landing in a puddly field on Madison Street

where a hundred - or two - of their Canada Cousins were already camped.

R.F.B. saw Mr. Roger Gates, of Clinton, this morning, and phoned home with this news:

On Sunday morning at around 10:00,

take your camera to Skyline Drive in the vicinity of Reservoir Road.
A rare treat is in store, for that's when the horn will sound, the hounds will be loosed,
and scores of brightly-jacketed riders on magnificent horses will be off,
racing across the fields after them.

The "hunt" will be on and it's always a bright and beautiful sight to see.

To put a HUGELY bright SMILE
on someone's face, tomorrow morning,

wish Ann Ingersoll a
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Wednesday Add-ons!

2006-11-01T07:04:00.000-05:00

John Savage has sent me the Pop Warner PeeWee Play Off Schedule:
it all begins on Saturday, at 10:00 A.M.!

(Click to enlarge!)

If we had been a bit closer to the village of Esperance, last evening,
the Oz Family would have visited us. They sent a photograph, instead!

Wearing their usual "costumes" - hard hats and safety vests - and carrying their usual props - surveying equipment and walkie-talkies - a D.O.T. crew is making a "Final" survey of the Rt. 12 Highway Reconstruction Project --- a step in declaring that it is entirely finished. The only place where any work at all is in progress is in what used to be the deep ravine behind homes on the southeasterly side of Sanger Avenue, where all of the old pavement was dumped. Property-owners were promised that their back yards would all be nicely terraced and finished off: no one has complained, so far!

Perhaps someone would send a photograph of that work for blog-readers to see?

And I'm hoping that sometime today some photographs will arrive from Hobie and Lois Morris taken, very recently, of a black bear that has been making himself at home around their Quaker Hill residence! He's investigated their cold-storage bins and given their truck a good look-see, but has done no damage, so far!

Wednesday

2006-11-01T07:00:00.000-05:00

RECYCLABLE Collection, this morning!

It's nearly 40 degrees - no precipitation, right now.

It was mild out, last evening, and 'though there was a light rain the spirits of our costumed visitors and their parents were bright. Being somewhat "off the beaten path," or, in this case, the Candy Trail, our doorbell rang far less frequently than those up in the village.

Recognizable despite disguises......

"Granny" and "Pea Pod"

Our far from fearsome neighbors!

Tuesday afternoon

2006-10-31T16:00:00.000-05:00

Just Wait 'til you see the Waterville TIMES!

I don't know if this is going to be a regular front-back page feature, but it sure is smashing!

And do you remember the fun "snow globes" that were on front
lawns last Christmas? This is the first Hallowe'en globe that I've seen:
the black cat and pumpkin are surrounded by a swirling storm of BATS!

On Hanover Road.

There are several websites devoted to Hallowe'en (or "Halloween") myths and legends. If you want to know more about Bats and Broomsticks, click here!

If you didn't happen to catch "Mohawk Valley Living" host Richard Enders splashing up the road to Tassel Hill, last Sunday morning, just go to the link that says "Watch Video" and have a chuckle! Richard warns viewers that you simply can NOT reach the top of the hill without a mud-loving 4-wheel-drive vehicle. We suspect that in drier years in times past the summit was a favorite spot for Hallowe'en gatherings. (Now don't blame ME if you get stuck!)

I remember the late Stephen Gates telling me that the fir trees were planted in a manner so to spell out "Tassell Hill" - with two "L"s on Tassell. Are there any readers who remember when that was done? and by whom? (The "C.C.C" - Civilian Conservation Corps rings a bell.) And is there anything more to be known about the name "Tassell Hill" than that - according to the history of the Town of Paris - it was named for an early settler, a Dutchman named Van Tassel (with one "L".)

It's Hallowe'en!

2006-10-31T05:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Hallowe'en!

On Route 12 north.

It's a different story, up North, where they're still digging out, but here in Waterville

it's 45 degrees at 5:00 A.M. and going to be a fairly mild day,
'tho some showers are forecast for later on.

No TRASH pick-up today; no GREEN WASTE pick-up, today.

The only collection today will be that of TREATS, tonight between 5:00 and 7:00!

There are a great many "histories" of Halloween on the internet. I like this page by PumpkinMaster.com. who also provides the following history of the "Jack o Lantern" - which I didn't know.

"The word Jack O Lantern was 1st used to describe a mysterious light seen at night flickering over marshes. When approached, it advances, always out of reach. The phenomenon is also known as will o the wisp and ignis fatuus (foolish fire). In pop legend it is considered ominous and is often thought to be the soul of one who has been rejected by hell carrying its own hell coal on its wanderings.

In Ireland, where Halloween began, the first jack-o'-lanterns weren't made of pumpkins. They were made out of rutabagas, potatoes, turnips, or even beets! There is an old Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack who was too mean to get into heaven and had played too many tricks on the devil to go to hell. When he died, he had to walk the earth, carrying a lantern made out of a turnip with a burning coal inside. Stingy Jack became known as "Jack of the Lantern," or "Jack-o'-Lantern."

From this legend came the Irish tradition of placing jack-o'-lanterns made of turnips and other vegetables in windows or by doors on Halloween. The jack-o'-lanterns are meant to scare away Stingy Jack and all the other spirits that are said to walk the earth on that night. It wasn't until the tradition was brought to the United States by immigrants that pumpkins were used for jack-o'-lanterns."

And it wan't until Peter, Paul & Mary recorded it - a LONG time ago - that I'd ever heard the "Souling Song," which we should all sing tomorrow for "All Souls" - (November 1)!

I sent a "Cheers!" note to Pop Warner Head Coach John Savage, praising all the "kids" and thanking him for all time and energy he devotes to the boys, and he wrote back saying "My job is easy: I have a great group of coaches! - Bob Piersma, Jay Hemmeric, Shaun Harry & Mark Evans." (From my advanced chronological perspective, they are ALL a great bunch of "kids!")

John will let us know when the next game is scheduled.

R.F.B. Thanks those who sent him E-greetings, yesterday!

From a few conversations, yesterday, I gather that I'm not the only person who has trouble adjusting to "falling back!" And those whose households or barnyards include four-legged friends - not to discriminate against two-legged fowl - are simply not allowed to adjust easily because animals in general, and roosters in particular, simply do NOT approve of the practise of tinkering with their schedules no matter how reasonable a human tries to make it sound!

Pop Warner Report

2006-10-30T07:37:00.000-05:00

... just in, from a spectator:

Waterville did indeed "Beat Herk"!

13 - 0!!!

Another Monday

2006-10-30T05:12:00.000-05:00

...and GARBAGE DAY, again!

It's a good thing that the wind that we had yesterday has died down or there would be trash containers - or containerless trash - flying and rolling all over the village!

The wind brought down some wires on Route 20; medium-sized branches fell, here and there, and that solitary silo near California Road tilted and, finally, fell.

I still havn't received any word on the scores of yesterday's Pop Warner games at Brothertown Stadium, but I do know that the Annual Waterville Rotary Halloween Party that took place at Memorial Park School last Thursday evening was a great success. The children, age pre-K to grade 5, enjoyed a costume parade and dance, as well as a variety of games and activities. Cider and donut holes were served to all and each child took home a Halloween goodie bag, as well.

Ms. Machold says that 450 people were served at the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ's Turkey Supper on Saturday!

.. and at least two people will be eating out again, today: my treat!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DICK
(click the link)
!

Sunday morning Add-ons

2006-10-29T09:31:00.000-05:00

Special Morning Treat!

In the blogger's early mail was a note from Kraig Pritts! One of his former students had told him where to find "At Home in the Huddle" and he's bookmarked the site and has been checking up to see what's been going on here!

(Click to enlarge photographs.)

At just a minute or two before 9 o'clock, the parkinglots outside Brothertown Stadium were nearly full. Fans were wrapping themselves in extra coats and scarves because the sky was gray and the wind very strong and gusty. It was just a bit above freezing and at least it wasn't raining or snowing!!!

Not very good weather for outdoor activities in general, but the coloring added contrast to a few photographs:

On Madison Street.

Tamaracks - or Larches, depending on what part of the country you're from - shining gold in the
swampy area across from St. Bernard's Cemetery on Tower Street.

On Gridley-Paige Road.

The wind had toppled a little scarecrow, but the old wagon on California Road was still a pretty sight.

Sunday morning!

2006-10-29T04:57:00.000-05:00

Did you remember to reset your time pieces and "fall back" an hour?

35.6 degrees; windy, but there is no precipitation of any sort, right now.

Yesterday could not have been more wet! We drove eastward to rendezvous at the Palatine Bridge Pizza Hut with our daughter Allison and her husband Rick and our grandson, eight-year-old Iain, who had his Jedi Padawan costume - made by his very clever mother! - to show us.

(The Writer hesitated before including a picture of Iain, but is reminded by a very proud grandfather that it is, after all, her blog and she can do as she pleases!)

Quite a number of the farms in the countryside near Palatine Bridge are owned by Amish families. On such miserably cold, wet days, especially, we not only admire them for their adherance to a strict - and restrictive - lifestyle, but also wish that we had a much larger vehicle that we might offer them and their horse a dry ride to their home and barn.

On Osborn Avenue.

"Lake Sangerfield."

No water in the Underpass!

It was still raining when we came back to Waterville: water in a field pond on Hanover Road was lapping the edges of the pavement; a "wet spot" in a field next to Osborn Avenue was at least double its normal size and "Lake Sangerfield," had it not been right next to the highway, would have made a fine landing site for Canada Geese. The one spot that was NOT at all flooded was the underpass!!

Soggy Saturday

2006-10-28T04:46:00.000-05:00

If you go to The Weather Channel's forecast for Waterville, you'll find WARNINGS for both FLOODING and HIGH WINDS - primarily for later today and tomorrow - but right at the moment the temperature's 43 degrees and there's just a light sprinkle.

I think it really is time to put away the lawn furniture and get the snow shovels ready!

Our two immediate concerns are for the Pop Warner game at 9:00 tomorrow morning at Brothertown Stadium and all of the pretty Halloween decorations around the town. This storm will probably take the last of our fall foliage with it, too.

On Route 20, out near Pleasant Valley.

Ornamental Pear Tree in Oriskany Falls.

"Black Alder" - American Holly - is brilliant, right now. This patch is
quite close to Route 20, but
- for those who are thinking of collecting a few branches for decoration -
it's growing in knee-deep COLD WATER!

Picture taken one morning when there really was "frost on the pumpkin," but surely all the
milkweed seeds will have blown far and wide, by now!

News from "Michael's" --- he's now open on Sundays: Serving breakfast from 8 'til noon and Home Style Specials from 1 until 8:00 P.M.

And "It's All Over Now!"

From the International Herald Tribune - ST. LOUIS Favored by few, the St. Louis Cardinals used an unlikely cast of characters to win their first World Series in 24 years by beating the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Friday. Pitcher Jeff Weaver dominated, David Eckstein drove in two runs on balls that didn't leave the infield and the Cardinals took advantage of another wild throw by a Tigers pitcher to complete the best-of-seven Series 4-1. "I think we shocked the world," Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds said. "It's an unbelievable experience."

"Picture of the Day"

2006-10-27T08:17:00.000-05:00

Learn who took this neat picture that appeared on The Weather Channel "Picture of the Day"!