Friday

(Thanks, Margaret and Gail!)

"JUBILATION!"

Jubilation women's ensemble will sing

tonight,

Dec. 5, 7:30 pm

at the Park Methodist Church in Hamilton.

Donation requested at the door: $3.00.

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It's 22.6 degres and starry-clear.

From News10Now: Friday will be quite cold with highs only near 30 and lake snow continuing east of Lake Ontario. Additional accumulations will be possible east of the lake on Friday. Lake snows will lift north and diminish Friday night into Saturday with some sunshine returning for Saturday afternoon. However, it will still be quite chilly with highs in the lower and middle 30s. A clipper system will bring in some area wide snow and reinforce the cold temperatures on Sunday with highs mainly in the 20s for both Sunday and Monday.

Brrrrr!

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This photograph and note from artist Pamela Brown: "Gracious hostess Marilyn Maine launched the Holiday season at the Maine Homestead on Thursday with an elegant afternoon get-together of local ladies sharing good conversation, great food and lots of Holiday cheer!

Clockwise, from left; Mary Maclean, Marilyn Maine, Pat Rogers, Lois Battles, Pam Brown, Gail Prentice and Barbara Moran (she took the photo!)

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Around the Village

On Sanger Avenue.



Putnam Street


Stafford Avenue

This is just a small portion of a display out on Shanley Road.

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Can anyone tell me when the

JUDGING

of Lighting Displays

will take place??

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Speaking of "lights" ---

Driving around the village at around 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when it had already become quite dark out, I either met or passed quite a few joggers/runners. First: "Cheers!" to all of them, for being there! But secondly: although they all appeared to be wearing clothing that had some reflective fabric, they were still a little hard to see. It was the ones with flashing red strobe lights - pinned both fore and aft - who could be most-easily distinguished at that time of day. Headlights; tail-lights; whatever! Help the rest of us keep you safe!

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There's 'way too much to do, this weekend!

"Jubilation"
a women's chorus
in concert this evening in Hamilton

(they sent me a poster but I can't open the file:
perhaps Margaret or Gail will send me pertinent info?

I know it's going to be good!

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TOMORROW:

"Voices of Tabernacle"

at 3:00 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne.

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The Waterville Historical Society's

"Victorian Tea Party"

(Sold Out - but you could check for cancellations
by phoning 841-4018.)

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You can pick from many other events listed in

the O-D's "Mohawk Valley Calendar."

Here are just a few:


The Mohawk Valley Ballet presents The Nutcracker
at the all new Stanley Center for the Arts.

Time: Sat @ 7:30p & Sun @ 2pm

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At the "Munstitute"

How Three Nineteenth-century Women Influenced Christmas
"Victorian Yuletide" at Fountain Elms.

Three 19th-century women who significantly influenced how Christmas is celebrated today—Louisa May Alcott, Isabella Beeton, and Queen Victoria— are the focus of this year’s annual Victorian Yuletide exhibition.

Docent Guided Tour
Victorian Yuletide exhibition

Sunday, December 7, 2008 4:15 pm

Fountain Elms
Free and Open to the Public

Contact the Museum Education Department
at 797-0000, ext. 2158 to register.
Space is limited.

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Fourth Annual

Messiah Sing

Sunday, December 7, 2008 2:30PM
Museum of Art Auditorium Free and Open to the Public.

All members of the community are invited to gather in the Museum of Art Auditorium to sing the choruses of the Advent and Christmas portion and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s masterpiece. The performance will be conducted by Charles Schneider with piano accompanist Tina Toglia. Singers are encouraged to bring their musical scores, and scores will also be available to borrow.

Light refreshments will be available on the terrace of Fountain Elms following the event.


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FINALLY!

In my mail, a week or so ago, there was an envelope from the "Village of Waterville" and it contained a "Community Needs and Priorities Survey" to be filled out and returned to Municipal Hall. I knew what that meant: good news! After at least forty years, we're on our way to getting a real, honest-to-goodness "Master Plan!" (Actually, they're not called "Master Plans," any more, but...... it's a grand step forward, and I know that Dick would cheer!!)

NOT having a Master (or "Comprehensive" or "Strategic") Plan has been a great handicap to Waterville because, without it, the municipality has not been eligible for the types of federal grants aimed at Façade Improvement Programs, loan or grant assistance to businesses to create or retain jobs, to develop a "Housing Rehabilitation Program" or build housing for senior citizens.

I imagine that every household and business has received a copy. If you haven't already done so, please take time, this weekend, to complete the survey and send it back to Municipal Hall.

The Municipality is prepared to invest in the professional preparation of a Strategic Plan by consultant David Carlson of Carlson Associates in Cooperstown. Over the past thirty years, Carlson has been responsible for acquiring millions of dollars in "small city grants" for several communities in the Mohawk Valley. The surveys are just the first step in the process --- we need to make sure that it's a good, solid one so that we can finally move forward!

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Whatever else you do this weekend,

drive safely and

Have a Great Weekend, Everyone!

Thursday

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It's Garbage Day!

37.2 degrees and overcast.

WIBX predicts that: "Clouds are on the increase after a pleasant Wednesday. These clouds are out ahead of a storm system that will cross our region Thursday. The leading edge to the moisture with this storm should arrive here around daybreak tomorrow. It will likely begin as some snow in most spots, but after sunrise, most valley and lower hilltop locations will mix with or change over to plain old rain. The only exception to this will be the Adirondacks, as well as some of the colder spots just north of Utica (northeast Oneida, Lewis and Herkimer Counties. Snow may persist a bit longer there or may not mix at all. Therefore, a light accumulation is possible..."

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Yesterday was bright and crisp, for the most part.

This view of the Durant Farm from across Route 12 looked a bit like a "Grandma Moses" scene.

Just North of Lewis Road, there's a fine "woodpile" at the old Hubbard's Corners School!

Pigeons appear to have found some warm spots at the Gale Feed Mill, on Canning Factory Road.

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The Baumgarten home, on Madison Street, is all decorated.

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I spotted something in the Park, late yesterday afternoon, that looked like a corral!

I'm quite sure it's not for wild horses: how about the

Masons' Christmas Tree Sale?

It could be that this is the weekend that the trees come!

******

"Special" - from Mary Campbell!

Campbell-Viola Engagement Announcement

A July 25, 2009 wedding is planned for Christine Lynn Campbell and Ronald James Viola. The ceremony will take place at the Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC.

The future bride is the daughter of Joel and Mary Campbell of Waterville, NY. Christine’s grandparents are Charles and Eleanor Tibbitts of New Hartford, NY and Eleanor Campbell and the late Albert Campbell of Englewood, FL. Her fiancé is the son of Lily Viola of Farmington, CT and Ronald Viola of Putnam, CT. His grandparents are the late Fred and Anna Laux and the late James and Elsie Viola.

Christine is a graduate of Waterville High School, Class of 2000. She earned a B.A. in Biology from Hamilton College and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Duke University. Christine is a physical therapist at Comprehensive Physical Therapy Center in Chapel Hill, NC.

Ronnie is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, Class of 1998. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from Brown University and is a 2007 graduate of the School of Medicine at Duke University. Ronnie practices as a Resident Physician in the Department of Radiology at Duke University Medical Center.

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Also in my mailbox was this - from Amanda Briggs, at the Waterville Public Library:

"I thought some of you may be interested in these. We have created 5 new book clubs for the library. Check them out.

Chick Lit Book Club

Read Chick Lit books with other women and get together once a month to discuss them. Sign up at the library or email me if you are interested.

Mystery Book Club

Read mystery books with other mystery lovers. Get together once a month to discuss them. Sign up at the library or email me if you are interested.

Mother Daughter Book Club - Ages 7-9

Join us with your daughters once a month to discuss a book you two have read. It's a great way to spend some special time with your daughter. We'll even show movies of books you've read once in a while.

Mother Daughter Book Club - Ages 10-13

Join us with your daughters once a month to discuss a book you two have read. It's a great way to spend some special time with your daughter. We'll even show movies of books you've read once in a while.

Mother Daughter Book Club - Ages 14-18

Join us with your daughters once a month to discuss a book you two have read. It's a great way to spend some special time with your daughter. We'll even show movies of books you've read once in a while.

If anyone is interested in any of these book clubs or has any questions send me an email or you can sign up at the library.

Thank You,

Amanda Briggs --- ABriggs@mail.midyork.org

315-841-4651

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- and from Marcia Thomas ...........

"The 'Voices of Tabernacle' Winter Concert, featuring Choral Classics, will take place this Saturday, December 6th, at 3:00 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Sherburne.

Tickets can be purchased at the door."

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I needed to go to Brookfield, yesterday afternoon, and found plenty of Holiday Welcome, there ....

.... on Fairgrounds Road ............

.......... and on Main Street!

At the corner of Gorton Lake Road and Doyle Road, there's a fine old conveyance, all wired with lights which must make it a very special sight at night!

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All of our motorized "conveyances" are traveling farther, these days!



Drive Safely

and have a Great Day!

Wednesday w/ add-on

"Greetings from Boston"

(sent yesterday afternoon)

"David is still feeling a little tired and nauseous and isn't eating much yet, but he is eating something which is good. Half the reason he is tired is because it is really hard to get sleep here. Just when he is about to fall asleep a doctor or nurse is coming in or his IV starts beeping. The other reason he is tired is his blood counts are bouncing all over the place. Just when the counts start to go up, they go back down. He is hoping the counts will start to go up so that he can escape his room and walk out in the hallway of the transplant ward. The nurses say the room is going to start to get smaller and David says that the bed is already getting small. We miss everyone at home and seeing all the Christmas lights. Thanks again for all your thoughts and concerns. They really help."

Add YOUR messages to David and Lynne by clicking HERE and setting up your own login!

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It's Recyclables Day!

18.9 degrees and sunny.

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From WKTV: "Wednesday will begin quietly, with just a mix of sun and clouds. It should stay that way through much of the day. Skies will vary between mostly cloudy at times to partly sunny. Temperatures could get a bit of a boost into the low 40s in spots. Clouds will thicken up later as the leading edge to our next storm approaches. This system, an Alberta Clipper, will swing through during the day Thursday. Rain and/or snow will develop before daybreak Thursday, and it will gradually transition to all snow through the day. The Mohawk Valley may actually see mainly rain. North of the Valley, it may snow heavily for a few hours on Thursday.
More importantly, behind that system, a plunge of Arctic air is going to build in. This will likely lead to a period of locally very heavy lake effect snow, somewhere in our viewing area. The latest computer model guidance is suggesting that a band of heavy snow will develop just north of I-90 Thursday evening and remain near or in place through much of the night, with a trend to lift north slowly on Friday."

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Now in the Hallway Gallery at the Library .........



.......... watercolors by Gail Huntington Gale.

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Thank You!

ELIZABETH & WILLIAM SMITH

in memory of

Suzanne Fusek

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Around the village



.......... on White Street ......






........... and Babbott Avenue.



At the Falks' on Putnam Street!



The Gray residence in "Dicksville."

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I'm happy to report that my disagreement with "Blogspot.com" has FINALLY just been resolved without any injury to my computer and with the personal ingestion of no more than two Tylenol tablets!

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Add-ons later!


Have a Great Day!

Tuesday

It's TRASH Day!

( -- in more ways than one, because Blogspot is not letting me "compose" a post without using html - and that's time-consuming! There is, however, at least one thing that I want to bring to you: the following letter ......... )

"I would like to graciously thank the Waterville area community for all your love, support, cards, prayers, and contributions you've given me through this trying time. A very special thank you to those who traveled to Canandaigua to attend the benefit dinner in October. Seeing so many people from my hometown was a wonderful surprise. I am very fortunate to have grown up in such a tight knit community. Again, thank you all so much.

Sincerely,
Jill (Heidel) Winter & Family

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32.5 degrees with just a trace of new snow.

From WKTV: " ......... a heavy band of lake snow, actually connected to Lake Erie, will overspread the northern and central Tug Hill Region. Most of the heavy snow will remain out of our viewing area, but at times, heavier lake snows may drift into Southern Lewis/Northern Oneida and northern Herkimer Counties. Temperatures will be in the 30s tomorrow. Clouds begin to diminish a bit as we go into Tuesday Night. This should lead to a nice day Wednesday, with a mix of sun and clouds (with a tendancy toward increasing cloudiness) and highs in the low 40s. Those clouds will be out ahead of a new weather system that will drag a very strong cold front across the region Thursday.

A year ago now, we were being visited by thousands of Snow Geese, but - then - there wasn't any snow and the pond behind the Moon residence on Madison Street was open: now there's snow, and ice.

Yesterday was a lovely "spring" day and the sky remained clear late into the evening - long enough for Val Schenk and me to each take pictures of the moon with its companions, Venus and Jupiter.

(Click the link for more information and the history of "the Star in the East.")

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I made a point of driving along White Street to see the results of Sunday's work by the Petrie lighting crew: dazzling!

Between the Petries and the Neffs, on Babbott Avenue, I don't believe that there are any more mini-lights to be found in Waterville!

******

Although I have more photographs, I'm now unable to upload them.

I'm going to post this and try to continue later this morning.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Have a Good Day!

Monday

TO KENNY DITCH
(yesterday)

and

MIKE DITCH
(today!)

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It's Garbage Day!

35.6 degrees; no precipitation, but "slurpy" -

much better than yesterday afternoon's session of freezing rain!

WKTV predicts that: "Temperatures will surge into the low 40s across many locations, with some breaks of sunshine possible. The back edge of the storm looks to miss us far to the west. However, we do expect some snow or rain showers on Monday, not really adding up to much at all. Some lake effect will continue well north of the Mohawk Valley Monday night into Tuesday, with the potential for significant accumulations across Northern Oneida County and the Tug Hill. Finally, a break in the weather for Wednesday, but not for long. A strong cold front moves in on Thursday, giving us some snow squalls, lake effect, and chilly temperatures lasting into next weekend."


It doesn't look as if it's going to be clear this evening, but if it is, sky-watchers will be delighted!
Venus, Jupiter and a crescent moon will put on a bright display!

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On Saturday afternoon, making a routine stop at Foodking, I stopped to listen to the Mammone Family Singers, who were starring at the Salvation Army's "Red Kettle" post in the parkinglot.

New decorations and wintertime headgear at Joan Albert's front door on East Bacon Street.

A long, long garland hangs on the picket fence in front of the Harding residence on Tower Street.

The lighting crew at the Petrie residence on White Street was at work yesterday afternoon.

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VILLAGE BOARD MEETING tonight at 7:00 at Municipal Hall

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In the mail - a nice letter from John and Ann Cockell of Chelmsford, England, who wrote:

"As always, it has been a real joy to be in Waterville where the people are so kind and friendly, the stores, restaurants, gas station, bank and post office all make you so welcome and the weather is - well - interesting!! We have thoroughly enjoyed our visit, being here for Thanksgiving, seeing the parade and watching the town prepare for Christmas and we thank all those with whom we have come into contact for their friendship.

We will continue to follow the blog each day with great interest - and will no doubt continue to be envious as gas prices fall over here. Just as a comparison, in the UK we are currently paying around $6 a gallon, the price having been as high as $9 - and you think YOU pay high prices!"

Here's a tip:

Ron Bornick, from Clinton, writes that "Using a 'discount coupon' good on Tuesdays and Saturdays, gas was $1.949 (including the discount) at Stewart's on Rt 12B between Clinton and New Hartford."

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TRAVEL SAFELY, AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!