At Home in the Huddle 2011

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and also, Garbage Day!

35 degrees and dry at 6:15

WKTV's Weather Forecast: "If you're heading out early this morning watch out for fog. We've been getting several reports of locally dense fog in areas like Rome. Fog will lift this morning followed by low thick clouds. Clouds will break up later this morning and early this afternoon. Sunshine will help bring temperatures into the lower 50s. Clear early tonight with fog developing late. Lows in the lower 30s.

Warm and sunny weather continues for Saturday with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs near 60 degrees! Most of Sunday remains dry with our next chance of rain arriving later Sunday and Monday.

Colder weather arrives during the middle of next week with snow showers in the forecast."

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IN THE MAIL

From Stephanie Tabolt:

"This adorable and friendly dog followed my husband into our house Thursday morning. He was very wet and cold. We contacted the Sheriff's Dept and Dog Warden and have not heard anything as of yet. We did not want to let him out to wander after that because we thought he probably has a family looking for him. We live in the Village of Waterville and are hoping he is able to be returned home. If you could please post his picture in hopes his owner's see it it would be great. He is a pleasant male dog, but he must miss his own home.
We can be reached at (315) 841-3175 or tabolt01@gmail.com."

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I ALSO RECEIVED nice "Happy Thanksgiving" note from Gerda Mortelette in which she said,
"I am having a one day Christmas Market at my home on Madison Street and I was wondering if you would be interested in posting a flyer with information regarding times and place. I will be installing a sign on the front porch tomorrow along with a few last minute touches. I will be open on December 10th from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. I would welcome a visit if you are so inclined."

I always enjoyed - and admired - creations that she displayed at the Annual Arts & Crafts Show that we (Arts in Waterville) had at the old Public Library, back in the 80s, but I wrote to Gerda explaining that 'way back when the blog was new I had to make a rule that I would only promote private enterprises if they in some way benefited a well-known not-for-profit. Otherwise I'd be barraged with notices of garage sales and home-based instructional gatherings! I hope she understands!☺

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IN THE NEWS

"Jack" is Famous!

Local canine struts stuff at National Dog Show
from the Utica Observer-Dispatch

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SPECIAL EVENT

"PARADE OF LIGHTS"
tonight at 6:30

Follow the parade to the Fire House to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus
and hear John Savage, live!

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RECENT

An addition was constructed and now new siding is being installed!

The first of the travelers have arrived at the "stable" next to St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

An alpaca-loving blog reader wrote to ask me what had happened to the alpacas at "Rancho Cerritos," north of the village. Signs are gone; the pastures and residence look empty.

Alas: it's true! Last Winter's weather - at least the winter winds that tear across the plateau south of Paris Green - convinced the owners, Robert and Judy Reyes, that enough was enough. The entire herd has been relocated to "The Secret Meadow" in Troupsburg, NY, and the Reyes are wintering in Houston, Texas. We'll miss them!

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FOR THE RECORD

I print the History of the Parade of Lights every year, so you may have read it more than once, but ........... for newcomers .......... here it is, again.

"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!

I've never had very good luck taking pictures of moving lights at night, but these - taken in 2006 - came out fairly well.