Blue Sky & Sunshine!

GARBAGE DAY

39.9 degrees and clear at 6:30

WKTV's meteorologist predicts that: A flood warning is in effect along the Mohawk River. Minor flooding is occuring and minor flooding is expected today.

Clouds and sprinkles again this morning, but drier weather will arrive this afternoon. Some breaks in the clouds, especially west of Utica later today. Still cool and breezy, with highs in the low to mid 50s. Clearing out tonight with widespread frost. Lows in the lower 30s.

Sunshine early Friday, followed by a few clouds and just a slight chance of an afternoon or evening sprinkle. A mix of sunshine and clouds on Saturday. Highs both days in the 60s.A weak disturbance brings the chance of a shower on Sunday, but not for long.

An area of high pressure arrives early next week, bringing us sunshine and pleasant temperatures."

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The Observer-Dispatch notes the Death of

James E. "Jed" Dwyer, Jr., 66, of Deansboro

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IN THE NEWS

From the O-D: "Three Pit Bulls Attack Two People in Waterville."


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A week later, the underpass on Route 12 is still flooded.


Most, but not all, motorists head for the "high road" - the southbound lane.



What did "Snoopy" say?


"Cowabunga!"

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Yesterday was yet another chilly, drizzly, gray day, and I went searching for something bright!


I found it in at MerriRose Florist.



The cooler was filled and tubs all around the floor of the shop were heaped with fresh flowers, all ready for Mother's Day bouquets and arrangements!


At Alcotts, just walking into the greenhouse was a pleasure!



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Even outdoors I found some rewards:

The doorways at Dan Maine's Madison Street workshop gleam with forsythia ..........


...... more daffodils and, now, purple azaleas and hyacinths bloom at the Memorial Bandstand .......


........ and, signs of Summer Good Times to come: all-color Adirondack Chairs in the sidewalk showroom at Morgans!

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TODAY WCS SPORTS
for Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Thursday, May 5 2011

3:30PM Boys VARSITY GOLF

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Barker Brook Golf Course

3:30PM Boys VARSITY GOLF

Canastota Central Schools
@ Waterville Central School
Barker Brook Golf Course

4:30PM Girls JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
MS/HS Softball field

4:30PM Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ West Canada Valley Central High School

4:30PM Boys VARSITY TENNIS

Westmoreland High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Tennis Courts


4:30PM Girls MODIFIED TRACK AND FIELD

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
Marauder Stadium


4:30PM Boys MODIFIED TRACK AND FIELD

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
Marauder Stadium

Friday, May 6, 2011 4:30PM Boys VARSITY BASEBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Canastota Central Schools
Varsity Baseball Field

4:30PM Boys MODIFIED BASEBALL

Canastota Central Schools
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville High School

4:30PM Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Canastota Central Schools
Varsity Softball Field

4:30PM Girls MODIFIED SOFTBALL

Canastota Central Schools
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Softball #2

4:30PM Girls JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

Cooperstown Middle-High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville High School

4:30PM Boys VARSITY TENNIS

Morrisville - Eaton High School
@ Waterville Central School


Saturday, May 7, 2011

2:00PM Boys VARSITY BASEBALL

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Baseball #1

2:00PM Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Softball #1

7:00PM Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Little Falls High School
Veterans Memorial Complex

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AT THE LIBRARY

Books n Bagels Sale * Saturday, May 7th | 10am-2pm
Enjoy Mother's Day Weekend and buy a Hardcover Book (or 2 paperbacks), a Bagel, and a Cup of Coffee or Tea for $3! * All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Waterville Library, and in turn your library experience.
One Day Sale Only!

Mothers Day Craft * Saturday, May 7th
10:30am | kids of all ages | Drop In
Stop by with your mother to make a craft with her and spend a little time together.

***********

Sunday is Mother's Day.


(Click the image for a History of Mother's Day.)

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FOR THE RECORD


(Note: as of yesterday afternoon the price of a gallon of gasoline at Fallon's Sangerfield Auto & Tire, a full-service gas station on the south side of Route 20, was
$4.06.9)

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Have a great weekend, everyone!

Special Post: R.I.P. Catherine Harding

Photo by PsBrown, 2008

Catherine J. Harding
1912 - 2011

Her kindness and her smile touched so many of us.

Catherine J. Harding, 98, of Waterville, passed away Monday May 2, 2011, in the presence of her family, at the Harding Nursing Home.
She was born October 26, 1912, in Lyons, NY, the daughter of the late Alberto and Sarah Bond Hosford and was a graduate of Irondequoit High School in Rochester. On October 24, 1937, in Lyons, she married Robert M. Harding. A pioneer in long term care, Mrs Harding relocated to Waterville in 1951 with her husband Robert. Together with her mother, they founded the Harding Nursing Home. Mrs. Harding continued her education and received her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from the Utica School of Nursing. She worked as an administrator and LPN at the Harding Nursing Home, now in its fourth generation of family ownership, until her retirement in her 80's.
Mrs. Harding was a member of the United Methodist Church of Waterville, Bell Tower Chapter #188 O.E.S., the Republican Women's Club of Utica, Daughters of the Nile, Waterville Historical Society and the Red Hat Society of Oriskany Falls.
Catherine enjoyed life to the fullest, caring for and supporting her community, work(her hobby), playing bridge, golfing, spending summers at her camp in Richfield Springs and wintering in Arizona.
She is survived by her daughter, Elaine Ralls and her significant other, Ed Anderson of Gilbert, AZ; her son and daughter-in-law, Robert S. and Louise (Sandy) Harding of Waterville; five grandchildren: Patricia Ford (Mike), James Harding (Lisa), Judy Harding-Staelens (Bill), David Ralls (Deborah) and Catherine Ralls. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and several nieces and nephews including Patricia Hosford, now of Conway, South Carolina. She was predeceased by her husband Robert M. Harding, an infant sister, Leah Hosford; and a brother and sister-in-law, Al and Marion Hosford.
The funeral will be Friday at 10 am at the United Methodist Church of Waterville, with Rev. Dr. Moon Ho Kim officiating. Interment will be in Crown Hill Memorial Park, Kirkland. Calling hours are Thursday from 4-8 pm at the Kloster-Northrop& Bentz Funeral Home, 210 E. Main St., Waterville. Members of the Eastern Star will meet at the funeral home Thursday evening at 6:30 for services.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the entire staff of the Harding Nursing Home for all their wonderful care and compassion.
In support of her strong faith; in lieu of flowers, Catherine has requested donations to the United Methodist Church of Waterville.
Online condolences to www.bentzfuneralhomes.com

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WEDNESDAY MORNING

It's 42 degrees ad raining at 5:20.

Today is RECYCLABLES DAY

WKTV's Weather Forecast: A flood watch is in effect for Central New York through Wednesday evening.

A slow moving cold front will bring us unsettled weather for the next several days. The best chance of widespread rain is Tuesday night and early Wednesday. A rumble of thunder is possible this evening.

The front slows down as an area of low pressure passes through. This will bring us another round of rain showers on Wednesday. Rainfall over the next few days could be enough to once again bring rivers and streams above flood stage. We'll keep you posted.

Chilly and unsettled on Thursday, with drier and warmer weather arriving by the weekend."

******************

Ralph I. Trumble

1944 - 2011
******************

Eloise M. Nourse

1926 - 2011

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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Waterville Tee-Ball & Minor League

Sign-ups!!

Saturday, May 7, 2011,

9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

@ MPS Ballfield.

Please bring a copy of Birth Certificate

and $25.00 Registration Fee

Must be 4 years old on or before 4/30/11

For more information please call Kristine Prindle 430 - 0253
or Jody Barnes 725 - 5639

Pitch, hit and run registration may be returned to school
or brought to competition Saturday, 5/7 @ 9 a.m.

************

The North Brookfield Fire Department

will have a

CHICKEN BARBEQUE

on Mother's Day

starting at 11:30 a.m.

Whole: $8.00 ; Half: $5:00

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WCS SPORTS TODAY

Wednesday,
May 4 2011

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY BASEBALL

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Baseball

4:30PM
Boys MODIFIED BASEBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
SE Lower Baseball field

4:30PM
Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Softball #1

4:30PM
Girls MODIFIED SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
MS/HS Softball field

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY TENNIS

Waterville Central School
@ Hamilton Central School
Colgate Univ. Tennis Courts

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD

Owen D Young High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Track

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD

Town Of Webb School District
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Track

4:30PM
Girls VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD

Owen D Young High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Track

4:30PM
Girls VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD

Town Of Webb School District
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Track

*********

I do hate it when, at a little after five o'clock in the morning, and while it's still dark outdoors, I pour my coffee, wake up my computer, fire up Blogspot and Photoshop, and reach for my camera only to find that it's not where it's supposed to be --- and I realize that it's still in my car!

Fortunately, I have options: a few photos from past years AND some new flower studies - "Up Close and Personal" - from Jody!

Remember when?

Hops are up, and now is the time to divide roots.

While most wildflowers, and even daffodils and tulips seem to be running about two weeks late, this Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) on White Street is nearly on schedule!

From the same family, Dicentra cucullaria or "Dutchmen's Breeches" is blooming in the woods on Green Road.

********

About two weeks ago Jody gave us a photo of Blue Cohosh, just starting to unfurl its leaves. This (from Wildflowers of New York, Homer House, 1918) is what the plant look like, now. The "flowers" are barely larger than a pea, but take a closer look!

(Click the image!)


"Adder's tongue," "Trout Lily" or "Dog-toothed Violet" is also quite small.


But ......... click again!

This is the most amazing of all ...........

"Spring Beauty" is just about the smallest of early wild blooms:


barely this large,

......... look at this new photo by Jody. (Click!)


Thank you, Jody!


*******


In the packet of pictures that he sent to me there also was this picture of a Ruffed Grouse.

Perfect "Camo!"

That reminded me of the time that I nearly stepped on this camouflaged baby, a few years ago!

********

FOR YOUR CALENDAR

A Public Hearing on the WCS 2011 - 2012 Budget
will be held on Tuesday, May 10th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
in the High School Auditorium.

********

Special for Jody!

Trenton Falls Scenic Trails will be open from 9:00 - 5:00 on May 14 & 15.

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I'll add my photos from yesterday later this morning!

Have a great day, everyone!

It's 48.9 degrees and gray at 5:45

From the WKTV website: "A flood watch is in effect for Central New York through Wednesday evening.

A slow moving cold front will bring us unsettled weather for the next several days. For day, scattered showers ahead of the front will make for another wet day. The best chance of widespread rain is late this afternoon through tonight. A rumble of thunder is possible as the cold front passes this evening.

The front slows down as an area of low pressure passes through. This will bring us another round of rain showers on Wednesday. Rainfall over the next few days could be enough to once again bring rivers and streams above flood stage. We'll keep you posted.

Chilly and unsettled on Thursday, with drier and warmer weather arriving by the weekend."

*******

Erwin Browne and Audrey Mizener

Carol and Stan Sambora

Garry and Sharon Cope

Dick Hughes

******************************

IN THE NEWS

***************************************

Ralph I. Trumble, Bridgewater. 1945 - 2011

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

From Mary Beth VanDenbergh:

"It is that time again for the
Annual Memorial Day Celebration at Memorial Park Elementary School.

Our program will be held on Wednesday, May 25th at 8:45 AM.
All veterans interested in attending, please contact the MPS office by Friday, May 20th at (315) 841-3700."

***************

BACK, BY POPULAR DEMAND

(and by kind invitation of the Waterville Public Library.)

"Once Upon a Time in Waterville"

For the third year, the series of Old-timers' Story Swaps will take place on June 3, 17, July 1, 15, 29, August 12 & 26. All gatherings begin at "a little after" 10:00 a.m. when coffee and goodies are served! If you have stories to tell or just want to listen, come along: everyone's welcome!

******************

***************

IN THE MAIL

From "Rusty," this amazing view of the Falls at the outlet of Bailey Lake, taken on Sunday, using three photographs "stitched" together.

(click!)



Here is a picture that Jody Hildreth took last Thursday at "Turkey Falls" when, he said,

"It looked like something from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory -
a waterfall of chocolate milk."

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WCS SPORTS

Tuesday,
May 3 2011

3:30PM Boys VARSITY GOLF

Waterville Central School
@ Sherburne Earlville High School
Mountain Top Golf Course

4:30PM Girls JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

Cooperstown Middle-High School
@ Waterville Central School


4:30 p.m. Boys VARSITY TENNIS

Mount Markham CSD
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Tennis Courts

****************

HERE AND THERE

Late afternoon on Main Street.

There doesn't seem to have been any noticable amount of damage to Village streets from last Thursday's storm, but ...................


... some roads in the countryside have washouts along the edge of the pavements, and .....


......... there's a real "car-catcher" at the corner of Route 20 and Madison Street!


There is still enough water in the Route 12 underpass to cause problems: I took a picture of one Northbound vehicle that had "died" after racing through the deepest part of the pond but have opted not to publish it, here: too embarrassing!



The "Green Acres" Driving Range is getting plenty of use ........



....... and the greens at the Sangerfield Golf Course look inviting.


The Waterville Garden Club, whose members maintain the planting around the high school sign as well as all of the summertime "buckets" along Main Street, will be starting their Summer activities, soon. Watch for news of their Annual Plant Sale, which usually takes place in early June.



The sweet-smelling blossoms on the Norway Maples in Monument Park.



Grecian Wind Flowers on Bill O'Dowd's side lawn open on rare occasions when the sun shines.

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Wild Food Foragers are out in country fields gathering



Dandelion Greens ........



........... watching for "Fiddleheads"



and Morels!

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I've begun my annual battle with "Bishop's Leaf" or "Goutweed."

You're supposed to be able to eat that, too, but I just want it out of my flowerbeds!

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HAVE A GOOD DAY, EVERYONE!

It's Garbage Day.

to

Shirley Bynum Smith
my son-in-law Rick Methe,
and to my grand old friend, Sir John Keir.

*******

It's 56 degrees and overcast at 6:00 A.M.

Today's forecast from WKTV: "A slow moving cold front approaching from the west will bring unsettled weather to Central New York over the next couple of days. For today, a mild start ahead of the front. Clouds and a few sprinkles are possible at any point today. Rain showers will be light and short lasting. Temperatures will climb only a few degrees into the low 60s.

Steady rain begins tonight as weak area of low pressure slides along the cold front. Rainfall amounts tonight less than a third of an inch.

Another, much stronger wave of low pressure slides along the front tomorrow night, bringing the region additional rainfall. Another round of rain showers on Wednesday. Rainfall over the next few days will likely be enough to once again bring rivers and streams above flood stage. We'll keep you posted.

By Thursday, some improvement is likely to return to the forecast with breaks of sunshine."

**********


Last Thursday evening's performance of "The Ever After," the Musical,
at the Elementary School, was a great hit!

You can see all of Jody Hildreth's photographs (nearly 100!) by clicking HERE.

*******************

HERE AND THERE

The borders in front of Grace Episcopal Church are at their best.......

.......... and daffodils are beginning to bloom along the walkway at the Memorial Bandstand. Tulips will appear next week. All of the bulbs were a gift to the Bandstand from the WCS Middle School Student Council!

(Thank You!)

In my yard, Pulmonaria (or Lungwort or "Pearl") and Myrtle are bright.

Woodsy areas are filled with Trillium - both red and white.

If you foraged for Wild Leeks last week, now's your change to gather lots and lots of Cowslip Greens! The swampy area next to Swamp Road in North Brookfield is heaped with them. They should be harvested before any flowers form, rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and then cooked like spinach. (Not my favorite, because they tend to be bitter, but a sprinkle of nutmeg helps!)


**************

On Madison Street, the second house is in place.

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WCS SPORTS

Monday,
May 2 2011

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY BASEBALL

Waterville Central School
@ West Canada Valley Central High School

4:30PM
Girls VARSITY SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ West Canada Valley Central High School

4:30PM
Girls JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

Sherburne Earlville High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville High School

4:30PM
Girls MODIFIED SOFTBALL

Waterville Central School
@ Morrisville - Eaton High School
High School Softball Complex

4:30PM
Boys VARSITY TENNIS

Westmoreland High School
@ Waterville Central School
Waterville H S Tennis Courts

4:30PM
Boys MODIFIED TRACK AND FIELD

Waterville Central School
@ New York Mills High School

4:30PM
Girls MODIFIED TRACK AND FIELD
Waterville Central School
@ New York Mills High School

*****************

PLANNING AHEAD

AT THE LIBRARY

Tuesday, May 3rd

How To: Plan A Hike
7pm
The Utica Tramp and Trail Club will be here to give you tips and tricks on how to plan a successful hike

Books n Bagels Sale
10:00 - 2:00

Enjoy Mother's Day Weekend and buy a Hardcover Book (or 2 paperbacks), a Bagel, and a Cup of Coffee or Tea for $3! * All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Waterville Library and, in turn, your library experience.

One Day Sale Only!

For a complete schedule of Library Activities, click HERE.

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NEXT SATURDAY

Familiar favorites sung by people you know!

From "Jubilation," Jeanne Kellogg, Linda Manchester, Gail Prentice, Kristin Strohmeyer and Debbie White. From "Blue Parsley" - Neal Roberts!

**********

FOR THE RECORD

IN THE WORLD NEWS

Two totally different major events that happened in the last few days:

first there was

The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton took place in London on Friday,

and last night ...........

President Obama Announces Usama bin Laden Dead.

TOMORROW IS BIG TRASH COLLECTION!

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Have a good day, everyone!