Monday

Garbage Day!

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BIG TRASH, tomorrow.

It's 31.8 degrees; breezy, but no precipitation.

• Today: A brief period of freezing rain or drizzle possible through mid-morning. Partial clearing and warming up late this morning and this afternoon. High: 49

• Tonight: Dry this evening. Wet snow and rain by late tonight with snow accumulations around one inch possible on hilltops by morning. Low: 34
• Tuesday: Wet snow and rain early tapering to just some scattered showers of rain and snow during the day. A more significant period of rain, sleet and freezing rain late in the day and at night. High: 38, Low: 30
• Wednesday: Rain changing to snow and then tapering to flurries. High: 34, Low: 22

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
7:00 p.m. at Municipal Hall.

I just yesterday heard something that pleased me a great deal and would have made Dick cheer: the Village Fathers have met with a Mr. David Carlson from Cooperstown. He's a consultant and planner who develops "Comprehensive (formerly called Master) Plans" and who has also acquired a great number of "small cities" grants for communities like Little Falls and Herkimer. In one respect, there's limited need for a "master plan" for Waterville because there's a limited amount of area within the municipalty in need of planning! But ....... when it comes to applying for state or federal funding for things like facade grants or parks improvements, the first thing they ask you is: "Do you have an approved Comprehensive Plan in place?" A Master Plan was developed back in the 1960s, but it was never adopted and one of the reasons that it has never been updated or revised is that good consultants - like Mr. Carlson - are costly! But the payback, in terms of funding that will then be available to the Village, makes the price worth it. (When I began typing, I didn't intend using this space as a personal "soap box," but I feel so strongly about this subject that I seem to have done just that and, without apology, may even do so again!)

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Today is the birthday of Alexander Graham Bell - scientist and inventor - who lived between 1947 and 1922. What would he have thought if he could have been with two travelers, this weekend, as their day's routes were followed and mapped by satellites high in the sky!

Dave Bocko had parked his car at the end of White Street, clipped on his X-C skiis, turned on his handheld GPS unit and headed uphill.

I was in my car, parked at Nice 'n Easy in Sangerfield and enjoying a French Vanilla Cappucino when I noticed that my navigational screen showed not only my location but also a place I'd never heard of: Hobin Corners! I tapped where it said "Hobin Corners" and then "Go!" and a pleasant, feminine voice began to give me instructions to reach that location.

Ten minutes later, here we are!


I decided to follow Donley Road, passing a small gravestone, and continuing on for a few miles, to the crest of the ridgeline when a grand view o the East was spread before me.


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Meanwhile, Dave Bocko had reached the turn-off to the old reservoir and stopped to take pictures of the Westward view.


He followed the edge of the reservoir - now empty - and aimed to the northeast ......

......... zig-zagging back and forth across a steep hillside..


and through deep woods 'til he reached the summit.


(What - we both wonder - are these posts?)

View from the top.

I'd followed Donley Road all the way to Mapledale Road and then Route 8 into Bridgewater.
I can never go past this building without remembering the many times that we stopped there at "Carl's" for soft-serve ice cream!

And now I see "Sigby Corners" - I didn't know where that was, so decided to once again follow the blue line.

I was told to drive West - past the historic Pleasant Valley Grange which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999 -

turn Southwest onto Center Road,


and then make a left-hand turn on to Quarterline Road....

.... and this is it? Sigby Corners? Mrs. Davis and I did some fine bottle-digging and apple-picking in this vicinity, once upon a time - courtesy of the Sigby family, perhaps!

I came home by way of Bailey Road, stopping to admire what I presume to have been the Bailey Homestead and wondering if they were related to Azubah Rogers Bailey and her son, Vine, who walked here from Connecticut in the late 1700s and built their home at "Bailey Lake," in Stockwell.

One last picture.

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And great thanks to Dave and Connie Bocko for sharing Dave's photos of his trek up Tassel Hill which, speaking of place names, is said to have been named for an early settler, a Dutchman by the name of VanTassell!

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Have a Great Day!

Sunday

It's 20 degrees with a little bit of sun and some cloudy splotches.

From WKTV: "....we'll see a few flurries and mostly cloudy conditions Sunday morning, skies will clear out by the end of the day. The warm March sun will help temperatures rise into the low to mid 30s. Our next weather maker will give us the chance for a bit of freezing drizzle on Monday, followed by a big but quick warmup. Temperatures will climb well into the 40s throughout the afternoon. If we see any sunshine later in the afternoon, there's a high chance we could hit or exceed 50."

THIS IS TOMORROW'S FORECAST!
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Connie Bocko sent me this picture of 142 (mostly) robins that flocked in trees on Sanger Hill Road!


The only things that I saw in any number, yesterday, were snowmobiles - either trailing in bright convoys across fields and into the woods or taking a break at Nice 'n Easy in Sangerfield.


Half-a-dozen or so turkeys were gnoshing next to Route 20 while, in the village, snowmen took shape!!

These - above - are on E. Bacon Street,

Stafford Avenue,

and Babbott Avenue.

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Have a Great Day!

(no: I didn't forget!)

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Saturday

HAPPY ST. DAVID'S DAY!

to all of my Welsh friends!

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant

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It's 28 degrees and cloudy.

The snow, which began last evening, has stopped, leaving us with an additional two or three inches of white.

From WKTV: Lake snows will end Saturday evening as high pressure briefly builds in, leading to a nice Sunday. Another couple inches are possible in spots before then. Then on Monday as warm air floods toward CNY, light rain may break out in the morning. Temperatures may still be below freezing at this time, so some light freezing rain is possible. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday a more substantial storm is going to come barrelling up the East Coast. This will mean rain, snow or a mix for CNY.

This is what the little tree outside of the Pesto residence on Babbott Avenue looked like before the snow -- there's probably no sign of greenery at all, now!


The ice at "the Caves" in Forge Hollow has a lovely pale bluish tinge to it, now.


Water flowing from a nearby spring never seems to completely freeze and it's not unusual to see someone filling containers for home use. This practice has gone on for years and years, but it comes with a cautionary note: the water has NOT been found potable - that is, it may not be safe to use as drinking water.

One of my favorite old barns - on the north side of Route 20 a bit west of Route 12B - it seems to be leaning and, probably won't be there for many more years.

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From this morning's O-D: Fire Strikes Garage in Oriskany Falls.

I have this note from Mrs. Stephan: "The Waterville Book Discussion Group is reading Ann Tyler's Digging to America. The group will meet next on Wednesday, March 26th at 1:30 p.m. at the Waterville Library for refreshments and good conversation. Call the library at 841-4651 to request that a copy of the book to be reserved for you."

And Mrs. Martin writes: "The Crimson Bonnets (Waterville Red Hatters) met on February 28th at 'VJ's' in Hamilton. 'VJ's' is a fairly new diner in Hamilton across from McDonald's. The turnout was small - around 15 members. All members ordered off the menu and enjoyed comparing dishes. Everyone was very full and satified with their meal. Gail Dwyer and Vera Barnes made all the arrangements and furnished sweet treats for all."

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If you're a regular viewer of "Mohawk Valley Living," you won't need this link, but you can catch up with many of their shows by going to their page Youtube, or you can - for instance - watch just one of their visits to neaby communities, like West Winfield.

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Yankee Fans get their turn to cheer, today, when the Yanks open their Grapefruit League Season with a visit to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Friday

Brrrr!

It's just Zero, here in the Hollow.

WKTV's meteorologist says: "This morning is the coldest start to the morning all winter long. Temperatures are starting out well below zero this morning, with locations across the North Country and Adirondacks -10 to -20! Look for temperatures to quickly rise into the single digits this morning with plenty of sunshine. High clouds will move in throughout the late morning and early afternoon, as our next weather maker moves in.

Light snow will break out as early as the mid to late afternoon. The evening commute will feature light snow, with perhaps a dusting to an inch on the ground. Snow will continue tonight, with the heaviest and steadiest accumulations across the North Country. By the time all is said and done, 1-3" is possible in the Mohawk Valley, 3-5" elsewhere, with higher amounts in the North Country."

I had an E-note from Lyn in Arkansas, who wrote:

"A friend of mine sent me the pictures of your recent snow. For a Southerner who rarely sees this much snow, it is awesome!! Wish we could enjoy it for just one day. Pictures are great." (Thanks, Lyn!)

And thanks, too, to Kristin Strohmeyer who wrote to say that she'd seen "a flock of apparently misguided robins" on Route 315!

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To any blog-readers who have ever "winter camped," it's a perfect Chubb Pond Morning!

The most important thing to know about today is:

It's Leap Day!

St. Bridget's Complaint

It is believed this tradition was started in 5th century Ireland when St. Bridget complained to St. Patrick about women having to wait for so long for a man to propose. According to legend, St. Patrick said the yearning females could propose on this one day in February during the leap year. (St. Bridget was five years old, at the time!)

Go for it, Girl!!!!

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From this week's issue of the Clinton Courier: "The Kirkland Planning Board voted 4-0 Monday night to approve three wind energy turbines for Spring Farm Cares on Route 12 after two years of often tense deliberations and a lawsuit filed agfrieved neighbors. The final deliberation on the project was acrried out under the watchful eye of a Kirkland police officer."

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I'm having a particularly hard time getting Blogspot's attention, this morning, and am not able to upload any more photographs at this time. I'll add them as soon as the situation improves.

I can tell you that I saw lots and lots of snowmobile trails, yesterday, and there'll no doubt be a great many riders out this weekend.

Please Drive Safely, everyone!

Thursday

It's 8.1 degrees and overcast.

There IS school, and

It's Garbage Day!

• Today: Snow showers and a few peeks of sun. A coating to an inch or two of snow accumulation in spots. High 16.
• Tonight: Very cold with a chance of a snow shower or flurry. Low -6.
• Friday: Sun early. Snow late. High 28. Low 22.
• Saturday: Snow likely. High 30. Low 15.

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Let's start the day with another rose that was in the bouquet that Mark sent to us, yesterday,

and (drum roll!.............)

this E-letter from Gene Owen, who is also sending us "Greetings from Florida!"

"Sorry it took so long. I have been enjoying the blog and sharing it with my Disney buddies. They enjoy seeing small town life and seeing the weather forecast. Your pictures are awesome. I do miss Waterville it is a little more hectic down here, but alot of fun. Disney is keeping me busy. The weather is great a couple days of 80 + and a couple of 50 +. After all it is still winter... " "Thanks, from Your Florida/Disney World Buddie, Jean :)"

Thanks loads for that, Gene! Glad to know you're smiling!

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I was able to drive uptown quite early, yesterday morning. Even before eight o'clock, the village sidewalks had all been plowed and merchants were clearing more snow in front of their establishments. Morgan's outdoor "showroom" was fully operational by 8:15!

The DPW's Kevin Kelley - above, at Municipal Hall - is one of the village's more indefatigable snow shovellers ..............

and another is this cheerful lady on West Bacon Street.

Everything was beautiful, from the Park to the countryside.


A trail led between the old black willows next to Osborn Avenue.

On Fuess-Cleary Road, the dried leaves on beech saplings have turned to parchment.


I'd never noticed the ornamentation on the gate at the Sangerfield Cemetery .....

..... nor stopped to admire this old, old maple tree next to the road that once lead over Bridge's Hill.


This tree, at the Winfields' on Madison Street, made a spectacular black & white image!

More and more shamrocks are appearing - this at Joan Albert's - giving a preview of Coming Events in March. (Click on the image, please.)

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Another event - in answer to a blog-reader's question - is Village Elections.

The date: March 18th.

According to last week's Waterville Times, the candidates for two trustee positions are:

for the Democrats -

current trustee Scott Woodhouse and

former DPW Superintendent Gene Ostrander.

For the Republicans -

Bud Dorr and

Sean Campbell.

Trustee John Bogan will not be running for re-election and current Village Justice Robert McNamara is runing unopposed for another four-year term.

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Coming next week?

Tuesday will be BIG TRASH DAY!

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I installed the "hit counter" on January 26th, intending to remove it after one month. Readers seem to enjoy watching it, however, so I'll leave it - how long will it take to reach the 100,000 mark?

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Have a good day, everyone!