Morning in Waterville

It's Hilaria Day

"HILARIA was an ancient festival celebrated in Rome
and involved people dressing up in disguises."

Great Idea!

You know - put on summer clothes, flip-flops,


carry golf gear, go to the beach,


put the top down on your convertible

and go fly a kite!


Just make sure that nothing's WHITE,
or you won't be able to find it in the snow!

And yes: you really will look like a fool!



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This is what it's doing now.
(Click for more.)


This is what it's going to do.

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While you're waiting for the snow to melt, you could read this.........

"On this day in 1700, English pranksters begin popularizing the annual tradition of April Fools' Day by playing practical jokes on each other.

Although the day, also called All Fools' Day, has been celebrated for several centuries by different cultures, its exact origins remain a mystery. Some historians speculate that April Fools' Day dates back to 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, as called for by the Council of Trent in 1563. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1 and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. These included having paper fish placed on their backs and being referred to as "poisson d'avril" (April fish), said to symbolize a young, easily caught fish and a gullible person." From History.com

....................... or, you could go back to bed
and pretend it never happened!

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Above all, smile: warmer days are coming!

Garbage Day!

CONGRATULATIONS!

"---- to Roger Nichols on your retirement today from the V.A. clinic.
Now on to your next "career" path,
grandkid day care!"

From Jennifer Neff.

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY

"The greatest snow storm ever known in this country before or since commenced on the last day of March (1807). it was very cold and the storm continued a week. A great body of snow fell and drifted badly.

Nearly one hundred inhabitants of the Huddle turned out with teams and shovels to break the road to the Center. About half way there they met the Center people working their way through the snow drifts to get to the Huddle. Thus it required the energies of these two villages all day to break one mile of road, the most public road in town, too. " Abner Livermore, 1851.

More about the weather, later!

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VARIOUS VIEWS



Even from the road, you can see Sylvia and Phil's crocuses!



Gardening Goodies


The first paint project of the season: Lois Battles' home on Stafford Avenue.



The Bechys have joined the ranks of runners!



Tennis, anyone?


Out in the countryside, the sun shone, yesterday, on what we thought were the last patches of snow.

However ................... read on!


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Travis Olivera - Before & After

Travis was shaved bald as part of the St. Baldrick's "shaving the way to conquer kids' cancer" event at Utica College. Travis raised money for children's cancer research for the "privilege " of having his head shaved.

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From Jeff Reynolds:

"The 7th Day of Spring"

"Another busy Monday morning for Miss Jill in the Children's Room."



It's Pop Warner time, again!


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IN THE NEWS

FROM WKTV: Marshall Transformer site removed from DEC registry MARSHALL, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Department of Environmental Conservation has deleted an Oneida County site from its registry of inactive hazardous waste disposal sites. According to the DEC, on March 30, 2011, they deleted the Marshall Transformer Site located on Forge Hollow Road (Route 315) in the Town of Marshall from the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites (the Registry). The DEC said the 60 day notification period and inclusive 30 day public comment period has ended. These requirements were established for the proposed deletion of sites from the registry, the DEC said in a release.

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TONIGHT AT THE LIBRARY 6:00 P.M. Free Movie; Free Popcorn!

Come early to get a good seat!


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FOR THE RECORD

(Click.)

It's 35.4 degrees at 7:30.

THIS is what it's doing, outdoors, now!

And this is what it's going to do - according to WKTV:

"A winter storm warning is in effect on Friday for Otsego, Hamilton, Fulton, Montgomery, and Schoharie County. A winter weather advisory is in effect on Friday for Herkimer County. A winter storm watch remains in effect for Southern Oneida, Madison, and Chenango County.

Light rain and snow will greet you on the way out the door this morning. This precipitation is not related to Friday's anticipated storm. Regardless, the hilltops around the area will likely see a light coating of snow.

A bigger storm system will develop in the Atlantic and track up the eastern seaboard on Friday. The best chance for an accumulating snow will be in the Catskills and Poconos. Locally, the hills of Otsego County will likely see 6" or more of snowfall, with lesser amounts for the remainder of the area. Check back later today for our official snowfall forecast.

Chilly and windy weather returns for the weekend, with scattered snow showers. A rain maker looks to be in the cards as we head into early next week."

Don't blame me!

It isn't April Fool's Day --- yet!
(Click!)

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Have a great day, everyone!

Sunday evening for Monday

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MONDAY IS GARBAGE DAY

Morning temp & Forecast:

It's twenty degrees and clear at 7:00 a.m.

"Another sunny, breezy, chilly day today. High temperatures climb into the lower 30s. A west wind between 10-20mph will put wind chill values in the teens and 20s for most of the day.

Low pressure to the north and east will toss in some extra clouds tonight along with the chance for flurries.

More sunshine Tuesday with a few lingering snow showers. Unsettled weather returns for the second half of the week with unseasonably cool temperatures."

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The sun has been bright, but it's still chilly, the temperature just barely reaching the 32-degree mark on Sunday. At least ice has melted from sidewalks, and now the Olmstead "team" is out, again!

Walkers are taking to the Marshall Trail ...........

.............. and watching for activity at the beaver pond.

Dripsickles, at the Caves.

Running water where it shouldn't be brought the entire DPW and mot of its equipment to the corner of East Bacon Street and Conger Avenue, on Sunday afternoon.

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The Observer Dispatch notes the death of Mrs. Nancy M. Frair, 72, of Waterville, formerly of Vernon and Sauquoit, who passed away Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in New Hartford.


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Entries sought for 2011 TeensART Exhibit

The Earlville Opera House West Gallery invites youth to enter its seventh annual TeensART Exhibit, which will be on display from April 9 through May 14. Deadline for entry is Saturday, April 2.

The show will feature work from teens from sixth grade through seniors, in a wide range of media.

Invitations have been sent to 47 art teachers – including Brookfield Central School, Mount Markham Central School, Oneida High School, Sherburne-Earlville High School, Sylvan-Verona Beach Central School, and Waterville Middle & High School. School entry guidelines are available upon request.

Home-schooled teens can go online to www.earlvilleoperahouse.com to get the submission form.
An opening reception will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 9.

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FINALLY .........

"Seussical the Musical"

PHOTOS

by Jody Hildreth

Here are just a few!

For a couple hundred more, and how to order prints,

CLICK HERE!!!

As always --- thank you, Jody!

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COMING EVENTS

The monthly Taizé Service for March at Grace Church, Waterville will be held on Monday night, March 28 from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. This is the only Taizé Service during Lent, so we hope you will join us - and bring a friend with you.

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AT THE LIBRARY
Monday
"Hands on Ancient Art"
A 5 week program will be taught by Connie Bocko.
Ages 6-11 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


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Tuesday
"Quilting Workshop"

If you're a quilter who enjoys some company and has a quilt started, join us for the quilting workshops with Colleen Bogan.

3:30 PM

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Knit 2gether

For all the want to be knitters, beginners, advanced or anywhere in between. This is a weekly meeting where you can come relax, chat and knit with fellow knitters. Please bring your own supplies. Knitting books will be available for you to checkout or just to look through while you're here. This is a drop in program,you do not need to come every week. 7:00 PM


Wednesday "Kids Club"

Drop in every Wednesday for fun, games, crafts, and time with new and old friends. March's lineup includes: Crazy Animal Scraves Dr. Seuss' Birthday
St.Patty's Day Fun
Homemade Camera Obscuras
Gaming Unplugged

See ya at Kids Club!

3:15 PM

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Thursday
"Family Movie Night"


Bring the whole family and even some friends to watch Tangled on the big screen!
Free Movie. Free Popcorn.

6:00 PM

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FOR YOUR APRIL CALENDAR

There will be a book signing by local author Bob Elinskas on April 16th from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. at "The Country Peddlar" in Hubbardsville.

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Also on April 16th ....... ROTARY CLUB VILLAGE CLEANUP

(Details to follow.)

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FOR THE RECORD

On Saturday, the price of gas jumped up ..........

............ but on Sunday, it had bounced back down to where it's been for the past two or three weeks.

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Yes: I am watching MLB Spring Training, but - so far - I'm not getting very excited about it!

(Click to enlarge Standings.)


THIS is exciting!

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Check back tomorrow for some new photographs by Jody Hildreth.

He made a Sunday afternoon trek back to "Blair's Brook" on the side of Tassel Hill, where it is still "Winter," and has just sent me some wonderful new photographs of "Frostbite Falls!"


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I think that this is going to be a very slow week, and that may be reflected in the infrequency of blog posts. But let me know if there's something special to post!

Have a great week, every one!