Friday

It's Garbage Day!

39.4 degrees and clear.

********

Both the Utica Observer-Dispatch and WKTV have extended coverage of the fire that engulfed the F. X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, yesterday afternoon. Additional stories with video links can be found on News10Now and WSYR Channel 9 TV.

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

The WKTV weekend weather forecast:
"Friday will feature sunshine, especially in the first half of the day. A few high clouds will filter in during the afternoon. All in all it should be similar to Thursday, with highs in the low to mid 70s.

A potent storm system will travel across the Great Lakes and toward Upstate NY, passing to our north on Saturday. The warm front, the leading edge to warm, humid air, pushes through on Friday night. With it a period of heavy rain and thunderstorms is likely after midnight. Some of these storms could be strong to even severe. The timing looks to be after midnight and before sunrise. We will have plenty on this for you tomorrow, as we get more information.

The big question then becomes whether or not we see sunshine on Saturday morning and early afternoon. Should we see clearing and sun, we have the potential for widespread thunderstorms and severe weather. The biggest threats on Saturday afternoon (likely after 12 PM) would be damaging wind gusts and large hail. Stay tuned, especially if you have plans on Saturday, as this will be a situation that needs to be watched closely.

If you want to salvage the weekend, look toward Sunday. We hope to have some sunshine on Sunday afternoon."

*********

HOUSTON (live and in) PERSON

Sunday at 3:00 at the

Waterville Public Library

Don't Wait!

(You know what happened last year, don't you?)

Reserve your

FREE TICKETS

now by calling

315 - 841- 4651.

"The celebrated tenor saxophonist Houston Person will bring his quartet to Waterville Public Library on Sunday, June 1st at 3pm. as part of the second annual "Jazz, Blues and Libraries Too!" concert series. Houston Person has been in the forefront of the jazz world for the last four decades. He has recorded more than 75 albums as a leader on the Prestige, Mercury, Savoy and Muse labels. Houston is reluctant to categorize his own music but he is most associated with the hard bop and soul jazz genres. Throughout his career he has been featured alongside popular jazz vocalists including Etta Jones, Lou Rawls and Lena Horne.

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

On Thursday the Crimson Bonnets met at "Hannah Leigh Antiques" for their monthly luncheon. According to Sandy Martin, "Lucille and her daughter served an out of this world family style meal - including pie! Around 25 members were in attendance. It was good to see those who had been sunning in Florida for the winter months. The members revealed their secret pals for the past year and draw new names for this year. After the meal, members enjoyed browsing and buying from the many antiques in the shop. Mary Lou VonMatt and Carol Tower co-hosted the event. In June, the group's get-together will be on the 26th at Seymour's Diner in Westmorland with Carolyn Harris and Patricia Ostrander co-hosting. Members are reminded to call in your reservations by June 12th." (Thanks, Sandy!)

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

The Garden Club's "tubs" are filling in nicely. These are at the corner of Barton Avenue and Putnam and Main Streets. Look for more throughout the business district and ALSO in Sangerfield!

OPENING - SOON!

******

JoAnne Treen phone me on Wednesday morning to say that she and Bob had been working outdoors at their home on Route 315 when a very large bird, trailed by two or three smaller birds, flew overhead casting a "huge, dark shadow." Bob estimated the larger bird's wingspan to be "at least six feet" and JoAnne wondered if it could have been a Bald Eagle.

Click here for the Cornell descriptions of
BALD EAGLES

*******

In this morning's mail, I have a letter from Brian Stone: "I know this is not Waterville news, but I thought you would like to know that that not only has a mature bald eagle been spotted in Madison, but I believe that I have seen an immature bald eagle as well. They were both spotted on Memorial Day on Quarterline Road feasting on road kill. The mature bald eagle was seen on my road (Pickett Rd.) on Wednesday. I thought the immature eagle was a turkey vulture at first, but I realized it was not when I got a closer look. I looked in my bird book when I arrived home and it appears that it was an eagle. I don’t know how common this is or if I am mistaken. It is great to know that they are making a comeback." (Thank you, Brian!)

Immature Bald Eagle.

Dr. Jim Francis of Clinton phoned me yesterday to tell me that he had found Yellow Lady's Slippers at "Spring Farm Cares," on Route 12 north of Paris. Because he's a lifelong "birder," I'll return the favor by telling him of this Eagle sighting!

********

Don't Forget .......

Tomorrow, the 31st:


Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Memorial Fund

PICNIC
*******

with food* and entertainment.

*Hamburgers, hot dogs, hot sausage, salads, beverages.

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Firemen's Field, Waterville

Adults - $5.00; children under 12 - $4.00

sponsored by
Veterans, Friends & Family of Cpl. John P. Sigsbee.


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

See you there!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

*****

Thursday at 6:10

please go to channel 2 --- the Brewery is on fire: BAD!

Thursday

It's Recyclables Day!

34.7 degrees and clear.

The WKTV Forecast: "Highs should get well into the 60s in many spots, and they will get into the 70s in the Mohawk Valley and some points south. Thursday night should be cool, but not nearly as cold. Then, Friday will see more sunshine and highs in the low to mid 70s. A few high clouds will increase later in the day."

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

There's more information in today's issue of the O-D in re: possible improvements to Route 20 that will eventually effect routines of both north- and southbound commuters.

A great many Middle and High School students walk to and from their homes in the village. This little WKTV feature might give parents and teachers of Elementry School students an idea:
a "Walking Schoolbus."

Thanks to Mr. George Kelley, the mysteries surrounding the location of the "old Kelly farm" and the addition of the "e" to the name have been solved and solutions sent to Girard Plante in Boston. (Thanks, George!)

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

Mr. Gary Hudson, publican of "The Red Lion," was painting woodwork on the side of his building, yesterday.

Marilyn has been at work, and Dan's Woodshop on Madison Street has a new, Summery color scheme ..........

............. while in the countryside, at
Hanover and on Lewis Road, crops are green.

Lots of hay has been cut in the past day or two. This field is next to Brouillette Road.

'Way out on White Street, in "Sheepskin Hollow," there's a bright field of buttercups.

Would a close-up reveal a label?

***********

And Why is it called "Sheepskin Hollow?" I think it's because - back in the late 1800's and early 20th century - the Tower estate/farm raised sheep out there. What befell the sheep, I never heard, but the late Merle Huggins said that every time a farmer tried to plow the land, all he turned over were sheepskins! (Perhaps Lynn Huggins can either correct me or add more information?)

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

Next to Bogan Rd. S., a pair of Canada Geese and their goslings looked for the pond that used to be in the field.

I posted this picture of the pond at the foot of Grant Hill, one day last week, remarking that the water was low. A blog-reader wrote to set the record (and me) straight, saying that "The water's not going down; the bottom's coming up!" and explained that the fields next to the pond had been plowed, last year, and that the little pond was "silting in" and would eventually disappear - "just like the pond on Sally Road." (Thanks for that clarification!)

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

THINGS TO DO CLOSE TO HOME

on Saturday:

Pancake Breakfast
at the Madison United Methodist Church
7:00 A. M. - 11:00

****

Chicken Barbecue
at the Knoxboro Community Church
$7.50
noon 'til sold out.

*******

Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Memorial Fund

PICNIC

with food* and entertainment.

*Hamburgers, hot dogs, hot sausage, salads, beverages.

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Firemen's Field, Waterville

Adults - $5.00; children under 12 - $4.00.

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

**********

Have a really good day, everyone!

Wednesday

Thank You!

THE DEANSBORO-WATERVILLE LIONS CLUB

LOIS ZWEIFEL

KLOSTER-NORTHROP & BENTZ FUNERAL HOME
Mark, Amy, Marie and Max

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

It's 33.3 degrees

The WKTV weather forecast: "We'll really notice high pressure on Wednesday, as we should have sunshine from start to finish, with just a few fair weather clouds. It will be a bit cool, with a breeze, as highs aren't going to get much above the low 60s. After more patchy frost on Wednesday night, we expect another gorgeous day on Thursday. Temperatures will warm up a bit. Highs should be in the low 70s. Friday will be similar, with some high clouds moving in later. Highs once again should be in the low 70s."

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

From the WKTV Newsroom: "Senator Schumer Tells State D.O.T. to 'Stop Dragging its Feet'" on Route 12 Project.

*******

Blog-readers seem to enjoy learning the names of roadside plants.
Here are two more that are just coming into bloom:

Dame's Rocket

Cow Parsley

****

It's a wonderful idea, and - thanks to the Waterville Garden Club and the Waterville Women's Club - new planters have been affixed to our two "Welcome" signs.

They were filled with flowers on Sunday ....

and again on Monday ...

and again.

Now - they're NOT falling out by themselves, are they!

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

In the Mailbox: a nice E-note from Wendy Sexton's cousins, Ann and John Cockell in England, saying how much they had enjoyed the Memorial Day pictures - especially "the Salute." (Jack will get his own framed copy, today.)

I sent that picture, too, to a grand old friend - a photographer named Bill Snead (National Geographic, the Washington Post, etc., etc.) who has chastised me in the past for taking too many pictures of "ice crystals on tree bark." He immediately E-mailed his approval and attached some samples of his most recent work: unfortunately I dare not publish those here because he's doing a "shoot" in Las Vegas and, 'tho his showgirl subjects have lovely limbs, they're not clothed in bark --- or much of anything else, either!

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

I've received an E-note from Jeff Reynolds about a Very Special Event that will take place at the Waterville Public Library on Sunday:

"The celebrated tenor saxophonist Houston Person will bring his quartet to Waterville Public Library on Sunday, June 1st at 3pm. as part of the second annual "Jazz, Blues and Libraries Too!" concert series.

Houston Person has been in the forefront of the jazz world for the last four decades. He has recorded more than 75 albums as a leader on the Prestige, Mercury, Savoy and Muse labels. Houston is reluctant to categorize his own music but he is most associated with the hard bop and soul jazz genres. Throughout his career he has been featured alongside popular jazz vocalists including Etta Jones, Lou Rawls and Lena Horne. The "Jazz Blues and Libraries Too!" concert series is supported by the New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General and administered by the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Last year's Al Gallodoro concert was standing room only, so we urge all to call the Library at 841-4651 for free tickets - NOW!"

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

From this Florida fisherman, a big "Hello!" and an invitation to "Come on Down!".


It's Jamie Bush, and he says that there are dolphins everywhere!

(If you want to write to Jamie - send a note to me and I'll forward it to him!)

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

I'm getting used to being the "switchboard" for people wanting to get together! This is a different sort of request:

Mr. Gordon Hayes of Clinton, whose name is no doubt familiar to many blog-readers, has a very interesting hobby: he seeks out and photographs wild orchids in their natural habitats. His collection is nearly complete; he's only missing one variety ---- the Cypripedium calceolus or "Yellow Lady Slipper" ---- and he's asked the blogger for help finding a specimen.

The only ones that I know of are in the depths of Nine Mile Swamp in a particularly dense area that's hard to get to. Mr. Hayes is quite spry for his age - 89 - but I'm not going to send him there because it involves quite a struggle over logs, through blow-down and into mud, so I'm asking .............

if there are any blog-readers who know of any easily-reached yellow slippers whose location you would be willing to share with him, please let me know soon. They should be in full bloom, now, and won't last very long. Thanks for your help!

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

In a matter of genealogical interest to Mr. Girard Plante, of Boston: can anyone tell him the location of his great-grandfather Patrick Kelly (or Kelley's) farm? Patrick's daughter, Mary, married Royal Plante. (I know of only two "Kelly" farms --- the one on Frog Park Road and the other on Cole Hill Road.)

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

Tickets for the

Cpl. John P. Sigsbee Memorial

FUND RAISER PICNIC on SATURDAY

will be:

Adults: $5.00 and Children under 12: $4.00

********

Have a Great Day, Everyone!!!

Tuesday

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

Today is GARBAGE Day!

It's a balmy 57 degrees and overcast.

WKTV predicts: "Tuesday will start off with mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers as the cold front moves through. It will quickly exit the region in the afternoon, allowing some sunshine to appear. After the cold front passes, temperatures will fall from the mid to upper 60s into the low 60s. High pressure moves back in Tuesday night and will set the stage for nice, pleasant weather for the rest of the week."

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

"Goodbye!" and "Good Luck!"

Plenty of "regulars" stopped in for breakfast at "Hap's" on Sunday morning. Between hugs, Theresa and Angie said "Thanks!" to the customers who - in less than a year - had made the corner diner a village favorite . Mr. Cleary looked as if he wanted to take his table with him; Bill O'Dowd managed to lean sideways (out of the picture) just as the shutter snapped a big smile on his daughter Mary Margaret's face. Angie's leaving almost right away for Florida and taking with her lots of our Best Wishes and fond "Hello's!" to Gene Owen.

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


Watch for the "Swamp Pink" (a.k.a. "Pinxsters") to bloom. There's one next to Brenda Kauffmann's home on Sanger Avenue/Rt. 12, some behind the former Pierson residence on Sanger Hill Road and - hopefully - many more down in The Swamp near where the Yellow Lady's Slippers grow.

*********


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

I had a nice E-note from Mark Masca, this morning, saying "The village looks great!""

Jim Vivyan phoned the other day --- he'd come up from New York City to help his mother, Jane, a resident at Hardings, celebrate birthday #89. Special events had included dinners out, of course, and "Indiana Jones." (Her comment upon leaving the theater: "They don't make 'em like they used to!")

Happy Birthday, Jane!

*****

Have a good day, everyone!

Memorial Day

The sun shone and the sky was bright blue.


Out in the countryside, in Hanover ........


Terrytown,


and Stockwell as well as in Sangerfield and Waterville and at St. Bernard's cemetery, brand new flags honored our fallen soldiers.

Flags flew throughout the village

.... on Madison street, above .......

...... and on Park Place.


The Watering Trough in the Park overflowed with petunias and most of the Garden Club planters along Main Sreet were bright with newly-planted flowers.

Crowds gathered long before 9:00 .........

.... welcoming each unit - here, the Legionnaires of Clifford J. Fulmer Post 92 - as they passed by.

The Waterville Fire Department and Ladies' Auxiliary.

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

There was an impressive contingent of American Legion Riders followed by the Memorial Park School Band, which put on a fine performance.

*****


And then came the Waterville Central School Marching Band.

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

Waiting in Monument Park ........

............. the American Legion Color Guard.

Jim VanWormer

Among the many who stood listening to Guest Speaker Jim VanWormer, I saw two of the
Post 92 American Legion Riders and somewhat in front of them stood Steven Smith, a young veteran who lost both legs in Irag but who is a new member of the Clifford J. Fulmer Post AND an American Legion Rider!

*********

Mr. VanWormer ended his remarks with a tribute to Cpl. John Sigsbee, whose name we know too sadly and too well and whose mother, Sue, sat on the speakers' platform in a place of honor.

"To Cpl. John Sigsbee and all of our fallen soldiers:

we remember you!"

"To Cpl. John Sigsbee and all of our fallen soldiers:

we thank you!"

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

If I had only taken one picture, today,

this would have been the one

that says it all.

"The Salute"

Memorial Day, 2008

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

Next Saturday - the 31st -


Veterans, Friends & Family of

Cpl. John. P. Sigbee

will sponsor a

Memorial Fund Raising Day

in Waterville:

an old-fashioned Picnic with

FOOD, MUSIC and ENTERTAINMENT

from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

in the Firemen's Pavilion.



All donations will support the completion of Waterville's Memorial Bandstand, a Speakers' Platform in Monument Park and to make a contribution to the "Memorial Wall" at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.