Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2009

Please click on this image of the new 2009 Blog Header.

You'll be taken to a new web address.

Save THAT as a new "favorite!"

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Goodbye, 2008! (add-on)

It's Recyclables Day!

It's also 21 degrees, snowing and blowing and - therefore - perhaps not a very good day to put your recyclables out if they're in a container that will either blow back onto your property or be buried by a snowplow only to be found in the Spring!!

The snow on my front porch - which was about 8" deep at 5:30 this morning, has now reached the 1' mark!





This is one morning when "the Sidewalk Plow" earns the name:

"The Intrepid!"

9:13 - Gil Condon just sent me an Email identifying the sliding hill behind Memorial Park School as "Wilburs' Hill." (Thanks, Gil!)

WKTV's forecast as of last night. "Snow will be heavy at times, especially south of the Thruway late tonight and tomorrow morning. Lake effect snow will develop in the wake of this system, but with winds a little further northwest than what we saw today, it should not be too heavy in our area. Here's our snowfall forecast through tomorrow (Wednesday) evening:



"In addition to snow, cold weather will become a major headline for New Year's Eve. Temperatures will peak around 20 degrees tomorrow morning, then fall through the teens during the afternoon. For the celebrations, expect temperatures to drop back into the single digits to below zero everywhere with at least a 5-10 mph wind as well, making it feel more like -5 to -15 degrees. Those with plans in the Syracuse area may see some locally heavy snow out that way tomorrow night, while much of Utica-Rome and areas east may even see clear skies for a time."

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Winter in the Country!

"Lake Hanover" is a slushy mess!

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We're ready!

A bright flag warns snowplow drivers of an easily-buried mailbox on Route 12 south of the village.


Dick Martin

was out clearing the sidewalk next to Route 12, yesterday afternoon.

On Putnam Street, this snow-shoveler seemed to be enjoying the "sport!"

How many of you remember sliding on this hillside behind the Memorial Park Elementary School?

Thirty years ago it was completely bare and was a magnet for children with sleds and "tubs" and skis!

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I noticed that the Magi and their camels had arrived at their destination on the side lawn of the St Bernard's rectory some time during the past week.

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Two years ago today.

There were even dandelions, here and there, in sunny spots!



One year ago.

(That's just what my porch railing looks like this morning.)


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And now it's New Year's Eve, again.

It's a tradition.

Auld Lang Syne
by Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne?

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

( ...and if you want to keep singing.........)
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl't in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine,
And we'll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint' stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

Translation:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:

For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!

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Coming tomorrow -

a new link to a new year!


Have a great day, everyone!

Tuesday

LOOKING HEAD

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Yesterday was another "Spring" day: more ice melted at "Lake Hanover" ....

........... the pond on Sally Road was full ............


.......... villagers enjoyed the sunshine ........

......... and I almost expected to see Fr. Tom out on the front porch of the St. Bernard's rectory planning his garden display!


The new windmills at Spring Farm Cares, north of Paris, were whirling ......


......... Main Street certainly looked different that it had a week ago ....

........... and what snow was left was really grungy!

BUT THIS MORNING .....

It's 26 degrees.
We have about 3" of new snow and it's still snowing.

We're in a narrow but concentrated band of "lake effect" snow, shown very clearly HERE.

WKTV's forecast: "Wind Advisories have been posted for most of the region. Winds should subside later Tuesday afternoon. Some sunshine is also possible Tuesday, with temperatures in the upper 20s to near 30 degrees.
A new storm system, a clipper, will move into CNY on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. This one looks a bit more potent, and it also appears to be tracking further south. Moderate snowfall accumulation will be possible with this, especially south of Route 365 after Midnight Tuesday night. This storm will usher in quite a change. Temperatures should drop a bit Wednesday afternoon and evening, through the 20s and into the teens. Snow showers will continue through the afternoon, and begin to become more isolated for New Year's Eve night. The celebrations should go off without much of a hitch, but do bundle up as cold, windy conditions are expected. In fact, New Year's Day may not see high temperatures get out of the low to mid teens."

(Blame me: I left my car out!)

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Drive Safely and Have a Great Day!


Forewarned is forearmed!

More snow pictures tomorrow!

Monday

It's Garbage Day!!
31.6 degrees and overcast

From WKTV: "High pressure builds in on Monday with partly to mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will be cooler, but still above average, with highs near 40. Winter returns into the region by Monday night, as a weak clipper system flies by spreading a light snowfall to the region. Another break on Tuesday, followed by yet another fast moving clipper system. This one will be a bit stronger , bringing more snow and colder temperatures Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Lake effect may develop west of the viewing area during Wednesday afternoon. Another break on New Years and Friday, before another storm moves in closer to the weekend."


A week ago today snowbanks were high and it was COLD! For the past two days, however, it's been nearly Springlike in Waterville:

Joggers, runners, walkers, cyclists all took to the pavement ..........

....... lawns throughout the village are nearly bare ...........

.......... the view at Hanover has changed, again .............

............ and, on Fuess-Cleary Road, it looks as if Don has been out mowing!


"Lake Hanover" has overflowed .......



........ the Sangerfield River is 'way out of its banks next to the Loomis Road bridge .......

.......... and the waterfall on Gridley Paige Road roars nearly as loudly as Big Creek!

This early "January Thaw" has been welcomed by nearly everyone except for snowmobilers. They'll find it tough sledding around here for a few days!

(Webcams at Old Forge and Barnes Corners might lead them northward and, if you're a skiier or snowboarder, click here for plenty of choices - even as nearby as Woods Valley, north of Rome!)


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Although most of the snow around Waterville just sort-of disappears, that doesn't automatically happen along Main Street. The Village DPW, with cooperation from the Townships, removed truckload after truckload of snow from snowbanks along roadways and in parkinglots! (Thank You!)

Also: a great many people have commented on how nice it has been to have the Victorian Lamposts along Main Street lighted during the day!

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IN THE MAIL

One morning when it was bitterly cold in Waterville, Dave Desany wrote from Florida, saying,

"After enjoying 80 and sunny yesterday (I had to put on some sun screen, while I was out riding my Harley!!), the folks in Central Florida (I am in Lake Mary, 15 miles north of Orlando) are having to endure a cold front of our own. It is projected to only get to 56 today (and sunny). I thought I would send along a photo I took this morning from my front door. You can see my lawn and palm tree are starting to look a little brown from the lack of rain!"

He did get a "thank you for writing" from me, but no a great amount of sympathy!

One of the many Christmas Greetings that came by Email was a nice letter and this fabulous Sunset sent by Joan Olsson -- do you remember her? She lived at Gorton Lake and, back in the late '70s, had a carpentry shop in the old Candee Block on Main Street. She's lived in Questa, New Mexico, for several years, but always remembers Waterville and hot chocolate visits in "the Hollow." (Thanks, Jona!)

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From Sharon Smith, this poster from SouthGate Ministries ......

From Becky Maggio -

The Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion
Clifford J. Fulmer Post 92
has a new website!


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and from Mark Masca:

"I am so proud of what I, without even realizing it, did for a school in Jamaica. Please visit my blog and read up about this.

Wow. talk about a Christmas Present for me. I am just speechless."

That IS great, Mark! Bravo!

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FOR THE RECORD

Have a Great Day, Everyone!

Wednesday

It's the Day Before Christmas

25.2 degrees and snowing.

By the amount of traffic on Route 315, I'd guess that it's also blowing, "up in the world."

WKTV predicts that: "Travel across Upstate New York and into Pennsylvania will be a bit tricky through about 9 AM. As the rain moves in through NY, travel will rapidly improve by early afternoon and getting to and from events or parties Christmas Eve should be relatively trouble free. Winds will become quite gusty after dark. Also, rain may be heavy at times for a couple hours after dark as well, but ice and snow should not be an issue.
Rain may end as a little snow, especially north and west after Midnight. For Christmas Day, that system will pull away, leaving brisk, cooler conditions in the region. A few snow showers are possible, but travel problems won't be an issue. Highs will be in the mid 30s. Friday will be a day of transition, with increasing clouds through the day.

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I'm late posting, this morning, because:

I had heaps of personal Email, and;

I've been searching (in my computer) for files of Christmas Card images that I posted two years ago and that more than a few blog-readers asked me to post again.

I made my first "home made" Christmas card in 1970 - a very limited edition of linoleum block prints - mostly for the members of the Centennial Committee. The next year, the design was more fun, real copying machines were coming into use and we sent three or four dozen "originals." Every year, the list has grown.

I've missed only one year: I don't remember when that was, but I know that I got alot of complaints because I sent everyone a "store bought" greeting!

I havn't really kept a collection, so to speak, and I probably don't even remember half of them. These, however, live in my computer.

In Winter Woods
Watercolor & colored pencil

Christmas Hops
Dry-brush Watercolor

Christmas on Main Street

2001, after 9-11
Watercolor and colored pencil

Welcome

(I'd discovered digital photography and Photoshop!)

Einstein on Miracles.

"There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though everything is a miracle;
The other is as though nothing is a miracle."

Christmas Cupboard
Oil on canvas; 30" x 40"

Last year.

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A few months ago I decided that I’d do a “Christmas Letter” this year because, after a couple of really tough years, I wanted to thank my family and super friends for putting Sunshine back in my life! But then I thought - “why not do a picture letter, instead?” And so ----


- with special thanks to Allison and Rick and Iain and the Beldans; to Dale, Mabel and Lois and everyone who helped to make the Ground-breaking for the Memorial Bandstand happen; to the hummingbird and wren families who spent their summer with me and photographer Jody Hildreth who shared his talents with so many and to all of you who have “hit” the blog nearly 137,000 times in the past eleven months and you who share your smiles and Email cheer with me each day .............

Thank You!

and I know what next year's card will be:



THE MEMORIAL BANDSTAND!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!

Tuesday

It's 14.7 degrees and overcast.

According to WKTV: "Sun and clouds will be with us Tuesday, but clouds will thicken up later in the afternoon. Temperatures should be a touch more tolerable, and in the upper teens to mid 20s. Those new clouds are in response to a storm system approaching from the south and west. That will spread snow into the region after Midnight Tuesday night.
Christmas Eve Weather
Snow will continue for a bit before changing over to sleet and freezing rain in the Mohawk Valley and south by 2-3 AM. By 5 AM, snow will have changed to sleet and freezing rain everywhere except the Adirondacks. By 10 AM, everyone south of the Thruway will have changed over to plain rain, with temperatures warming about freezing. By Noon, everyone except maybe the Adirondacks will have changed over to plain rain, and even the Adirondacks will change in the afternoon. Rain will continue into Christmas Eve night, but travel problems will be very minimal. Snow amounts will average 1-3" in most spots, with perhaps up to 5-6" in the Adirondacks. Ice accumulation will be under a quarter inch in all areas.
For Christmas Day, that system will pull away, leaving brisk, cooler conditions in the region. A few snow showers are possible, but travel problems won't be an issue. Highs will be in the mid 30s. Friday will be a day of transition, with just a slight chance of some rain showers, light snow or light freezing rain Friday evening."

GREAT NEWS!

I received a short - but oh, so sweet - Email from Paul Staskowski, yesterday afternoon, that read:

"Lynne just posted – Dave’s been released and they’ll all be home for Christmas!!!!!

(And what a wonderful present that will be!)

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The Brothertown Music Boosters

"Everything Disney Basket" raffle
was won by six-year-old

KYLE YADDOW
of Madison

who, according to Kim Kampf - Boosters member and owner of the "Totally-U Salon" -

was delighted with his win and generously "offered to let his sister have any girlish

things in the basket that he didn't want!"

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The "snow birds" like these wintery pictures of Main Street!

But they probably don't miss the sort of cold that we had, yesterday! Customers in the CVS parkinglot fought a wind so strong that it seemed to be coming directly from The North Pole!

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Snowbanks had grown by several feet, over night .......

........ and the DPW spent much of the day cleaning out sidewalks, clearing around fire hydrants .........

............... and dumping snow from the W. Main Street roadside over the railing into Big Creek!


Snow devils whirled in a field next to Sally Road.



This snowmobile trail, leading towards "Mayer's Woods" from Osborn Avenue, was well-traveled ..............

............. but this scene, next to the Fire Department Parkinglot, was lacking something:

there were no little boys playing "King of the Mountain!"

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Christmas Doorway on Elmwood.

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Christmas Lights and bells .............

........... high in the tower of the Masonic Temple on Sanger Avenue.



Nancy Ayala, above, who was introduced to the authentic 1889 nine-bell Meneely "chime" two years ago, has faithfully climbed to the ancient console, below the bells, on Sundays and other special occasions.

Unless the wind is blowing so hard as to disperse the sound imediately, she plans on playing Christmas music this evening - Tuesday - at around 5:00 P.M.

Wednesday evening at the same time.

and on Christmas Morning around 9:30 or 10:00.


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Not every day is super-cold, and just as soon as it warms up the roads will be serving us a very salty sand stew!

Keep someone's car happy

and you'll be happy, too!


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Have a Great Day, everyone!