77 degrees at 6 o'clock

"Heat Wave Grips Central New York" from WKTV.

"The heat wave continues today, though it will not be as dangerously hot as it was yesterday. An exceptionally mild start to the day, with overnight lows only bottoming out near 80! This afternoon, we'll climb into the low 90s with some humidity still in the air. Another dry, sunny day. Partly cloudy tonight with overnight lows in the upper 60s.

A hot start to the weekend, with highs on Saturday approaching 90 degrees. Cooler by Sunday, with highs in the mid 80s. Both days are expected to be dry with a mix of sunshine and clouds.

A cold front arrives late Monday into Tuesday with widespread thunderstorms. Temperatures settle back into the 80s for the middle of next week. The heat may return again by the end of next week."

Yesterday, at 4:00, in Hanover.

4:15, on Main Street.

The paving crew must have been as glad that most of the work on Berrill Avenue has been completed as are motorists, who are turning the street into the village's newest speedway!

Benefiting most of the heat? Corn!

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Were it not for my self-imposed rule against publishing photographs of children, I could have taken dozens of pictures, yesterday, of youngsters - and even some grownups! - running through sprinklers and splashing in wading pools! Perhaps today I'll stop and join them!


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LOOKING AHEAD

Oneida County Fair Opens July 25

LOOKING BACK

January 21.

*****

Have a good weekend, everyone, and

KEEP as COOL as you can!

*****

SUGGESTION:

The air-conditioned Waterville Public Library
is open today
from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m

Next Tuesday's Travel Movie: "Into the Wild."

"We're Havin' a Heat Wave"

It's Garbage Day

72 degrees at 6 o'clock.

From WKTV; "An excessive heat warning has been issued for Oneida and Madison Counties for 12-8PM Thursday. A heat advisory is in effect for Herkimer, Chenango and Otsego Counties.

The hottest day of the year, and possibly the past several years today. Hazy, hot, and humid, with high in the mid 90s. Combining the heat and humidity (the heat index), it will feel like 100°+ this afternoon across the urbanized areas. Check below for current heat index values. An isolated thunderstorm is possible this afternoon too.

Muggy tonight, with overnight lows only in the upper 60s. Another hot day tomorrow, with highs near or over 90.

A hot start to the weekend, with highs on Saturday approaching 90 degrees. Cooler by Sunday, with highs in the mid 80s.

A cold front arrives late Monday into Tuesday with widespread thunderstorms. Temperatures settle back into the 80s for the middle of next week. The heat may return again by the end of next week."

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

YESTERDAY

The old "WICKS" thermometer on my back porch nearly reached the 100-degree mark, but it was definitely cooler out in the countryside beneath an old maple tree on Sally Road where there was even a nice breeze.

The alpacas at the Timlake-Tilbe "menagerie" south of the village and those at Rancho Cerritos north on Route 12 have all been sheared!

Hay, in bales or rolls, lie in fields all around the countryside.....


........ or ride down roads on their way to the barn.

Coneflowers bloom in meadows .............

............... and pink Joe Pye Weed and purple Vervain in wet ditches.


The village seemed to be sleeping, and although there were a great many vehicles around the park, there seemed to be very little activity except at the cold drink tent!

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

TODAY

ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS

• Stay inside in air conditioning whenever possible. If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theaters, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

• Drink plenty of water – do not wait until you are thirsty. Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.

• Eat light meals. Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they add heat to your body.

• Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. The same advice is good for adults too.

• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and stay in the shade when possible. Try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours when it is cooler.

• Do not leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car.

• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area. Bring your pet indoors where it is cooler when you can.

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THE WATERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY IS A "COOL" PLACE TO BE!

Open Thursday from 2 - 8 p.m.

Special Event on Friday

Storyteller Robin Bady!
11am | Ages 3-8

Come play pretend with Robin as she tells stories, sings and plays her guitar. You're sure to have a fun time!

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FOR THE RECORD

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

As the "Heat Advisory / Warning Map" above seems to indicate,
I'm going to "head for the hills."

R. I. P. Daniel Rockwell

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

Daniel T. "Dutch" Rockwell

1957 - 2011

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

We're having a "warm spell."

Today is Garbage Day

and it's 70 degrees at 7 o'clock.


(The blogger is running very late, today, because it took 16 innings - five hours and 44 minutes - for the Redsox to win last night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays 1 - 0.)

*******

FIRST THINGS FIRST

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

Click image for current radar.

WKTV's forecast: 'Warm, humid, and unsettled today. A cold front dropping in from the northwest will bring with it the chance for thunderstorms today. The first round arrives this morning between 8-10am. A chance for additional storms later this afternoon. High temperatures in the lower 80s. Muggy tonight with lows only in the upper 60s. Less humid but still warm Tuesday with a return to sunshine. The high humidity and hot temperatures come back starting Wednesday. High temperatures Thursday and Friday approach 90 degrees or better. Hot weather stays in the forecast through the weekend.

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

Luellyn C. "Lou" Pierson, North Brookfield

1933 - 2011

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

It was super-warm over the weekend, so I opted to keep cool and not battle crowds and traffic and parking uptown at "Field Days" events. In fact, I plan on continuing that routine for the next several days. Back on Thursday.

Until then, here are some "Things to do."

TODAY


Fresh Sweet Corn is now available to Mosher's, east of Bouckville! (Get there early!)

More Fresh Sweet Corn coming to Savicki's on Wednesday.

*****

TUESDAY

GREEN WASTE COLLECTION

******

"Travel Movie Series" continues at the

Waterville Public Library at 6:00 p.m.

FREE

(Click the image for more information about "Outsourced.")

***********

WEDNESDAY

FARMERS MARKET IN THE PARK

11:00 - 7:00

followed by

Favorite Oldies

sung for you by Joe Falk and the Historical Choraleers
with special guest Mary Beth Sigmund.

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

LOOKING AHEAD

"Save the Date"

for

MARSHALL DAY
Aug 13 from 9-2


**********

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Jody Hildreth

whose photograph, "Nesting Ruby-throated Humingbirds,"
was named Overall Winner
in the Environmental Defense Fund's Summer Photo Contest.

**********

8:44 a.m.

Thunder and lightning.

But we surely do need the rain!

Have a great day, everyone!

It's Garbage Day

A brisk 51 degrees at 6:30!

The WKTV forecast: "High pressure builds in from the north, bringing lots of sunshine to the area for Thursday and Friday. The humidity will stay low through about Saturday. A cold front arrives early tomorrow, bringing real relief to the area. Highs fall back into the 70s with mainly cloudy skies. The chance of a few showers are possible, especially in the higher elevations. A generally nice weekend is expected. Hot, humid weather returns for Saturday and Sunday with highs in the upper 80s. The chance of thunderstorms by Monday and Tuesday, with highs approaching 90."

Looking Good for Field Days!

FRIDAY
Kiddie Parade 6:30 p.m.

MUSIC by "All Tuned Up" from 8:00 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.


SATURDAY
Softball tournament starts at 8:00 a.m.
PARADE at 6:30 p.m.

"Redneck Rodeo Cowboys" 5:30 - 9:00
"Stage Road" 9:00 - 1:00

FIREWORKS at Dusk
courtesy of NY Pizzeria


SUNDAY
Softball Tournament at 8:00

Chicken BBQ at noon

MUSIC

"The Good Ole Boy" 12:00 - 4:00

Fun's Coming!

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

OTHER EVENTS


"Once Upon a Time in Waterville"

The Old timers' Story Swap, where the past few gatherings focused on local businesses and the enterprising - and memorable - people who ran them back in the late 1930's, the 40s and 50s. Long lists have been compiled of grocery stores, car dealerships, gasoline stations & garages, taverns/ saloons as well as doctors, electricians and plumbers, barbers and milk deliverymen.

Tomorrow: lodging at inns or "cabins," and more!

Feel free to join us!
Share your memories or just listen and enjoy the stories!

********

Friday at 10:15 at the Waterville Public Library.

at 1:00 - Kids' Movie Matinee.

"Neverending Story"

**********

LATER THIS MONTH

"The Help," by Kathryn Stockett, is the book of the month for the Waterville Book Discussion Group.

(Click the image to read a synopsis of the book.)

If you have read the book, Wednesday, July 27th is the day to meet in the meeting room at the Waterville Public Library at 12 noon to share your comments and thoughts.
Bring your lunch, refreshments are served.


*********

IN THE NEWS

From WKTV: "Suspect in Deputy shooting death out of hospital and in jail"


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

Joan Clair

1941 - 2011

*******
Gerald J. Cutway

1954 - 2011

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

Miscellaneous smile-makers

Hemerocalllis at Grace Church.

In country woods and flowerbeds, too, Beebalm blooms. Sometimes called Bergomot (because it smells somewhat like a Bergomot Orange) or "Oswego Tea," early colonists, taking a cue from Native Americans, drank a hot beverage made from the leaves of this plant in protest to the British tax on tea!

Lobelia Cardinalis - Cardinal Flower - just starting to peek through cattails along Loomis Road.

Black-eyed Susans in sunny spots



Butterfly Weed, blooming in the same place it's been for nearly forty years!

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More pix from time to time.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

63 degrees and sunny at 6:30.

The WKTV Weather Forecast: "Cooler, less humid weather returns today along with unsettled weather. A disturbance dropping in from the north will generate showers and thunderstorms this afternoon along with a mix of sunshine and clouds. The cloudiest, wettest, coolest weather is expected to be along the higher elevations today.

Clearing out for all tonight, with overnight lows dipping down into the low 50s. High pressure builds in from the north, bringing lots of sunshine to the area for Thursday and Friday. The humidity will stay low through about Saturday.

A cold front arrives early tomorrow, bringing real relief to the area. Highs fall back into the 70s with mainly cloudy skies. The chance of a few showers are possible, especially in the higher elevations.

A generally nice weekend is expected. Hot, humid weather returns for Saturday and Sunday with highs in the upper 80s. The chance of thunderstorms by Monday and Tuesday, with highs approaching 90."

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

FARMERS MARKET IN THE PARK

11:00 - 7:00

followed by

MUSIC AT THE BANDSTAND

with John Savage!

********

IN THE NEWS

From WKTV: "Bullet Enters Home of Marshall Couple."

IN THE MAIL

From Meagan Timlake, who rescued a Kestrel chick from a hungry cat a few days ago and sought advice from well-known rehabilitator, Judy Cusworth, in Clayville. "She says it is not too late to take him back and to put him under the hedgerow or on a low lying branch. The parents will feed him wherever he is." And Meagan added, "If I ever come across a situation like this again, I'll know to leave it alone, and take the cat instead!"

(Thanks for the update, Meagan!)

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

From Library Director Jeff Reynolds, this photo of Kyle Siedsma caught using WPL's reading room "the way it was intended to be!"

(photo used with mom, Kellie's permission.)


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HERE AND THERE, OUTDOORS

In the Lally Community Garden behind the Waterville Public Library.

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

RIDING AROUND

(and enjoying the blogcar's air conditioning!)

Summer sky over Hanover.

An Amish farmer's hayrick in Augusta.

Daylilies in Knoxboro.



"Bouncing Bet" or "Soapwort" in Deansboro.

A Legend (from the internet): In our country's early formative years the West was being claimed by the "Easterners" and the trail from East to West Coast could take many a month and sometimes years to complete.
The winter months were especially harsh as one approached the mountainous areas so most groups would settle in and make a permanent camp to spend the winter or actually couple of years. This break became a time to plant crops, resupply and get ready for the next
leg of the journey.
One of the customs was to leave behind something useful for the next wagon train of pioneers coming after you. You might call it a useful welcoming gift.
Well one of the early pioneers started a trend and her name was Betty. She knew the ladies had to find a way to clean the clothes etc. so she would take some cuttings from her Soapwort plant and plant several soapworts for the next group coming after her.
Soapwort was used as a laundry powder/cleaner in pioneer days. Itactually creates a cleansing soap and when the ladies were washing the clothes they would go break a branch of soapwort to use to clean the clothing.
Everywhere Betty camped she left an abundance of new soapwort plants. Over time the plant became known as the "Bouncing Betty" plant in her honor for planting everywhere she camped before bouncing to a new location.

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Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot.)



Queen Anne’s Lace is said to have been named after Queen Anne of England (1665-1714) an expert lace maker. When she pricked her finger with a needle, a single drop of blood fell into the lace, thus the dark purple floret in the center of the flower.



Wild Parsnip is heaped along roadsides and in sunny fields.



The blossoms bear a great resemblance to those of Queen Anne's Lace,

HOWEVER

the plant also bears a "DO NOT TOUCH" reputation:
it can cause fiercely painful rashes and burn-like blisters!

*********

LOOKING BACK


Five years ago today!

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

Have a great day, everyone!

------------ and -----------


You Know Who!

Hot Summer Day Ahead

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

It's already 72 degrees and muggy at 6:30.

WKTV's forecast: "Another mild and muggy day across Central New York, but some relief is in sight. A weak cold front brings a slight chance of a shower or storm early today. The majority of this afternoon and evening is expected to be dry and partly sunny. Breezy, humid, with highs still in the mid to upper 80s.

A stronger cold front arrives early tomorrow, bringing real relief to the area. Highs fall back into the 70s with mainly cloudy skies. The chance of a few showers are possible, especially in the higher elevations.

Mostly sunny weather for the end of week, with highs in the 80s. More sunshine and summertime temperatures are expected for the weekend."

*********

PARROT UPDATE

He'd been spotted on the roof of the house just east of "Michael's," in Sangerfield on Sunday afternoon, but had left by the time I went looking for him early yesterday.

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

Summer on Main Street

Even in the shade, this thermometer - mounted on a tree on Sally Road - hit the 90-degree mark.

Bill Vetter & Co. (Matt Kane and Jim Bogan, who was out of camera view,) have finished painting the Episcopal Rectory on E. Main Street and moved to Ms. Gurdo's home on Osborne Avenue. (Don't worry: the pinkish paint is just the primer!)

Another painting project is under way at the Petrie residence on White Street.

While painters all looked for shady spots in which to work, plants in Pat's gardens on
S. Babbott Avenue seem to be thriving in the hot sun.

A peek through the garden gate.

The heat, sunshine and even highway dust have done nothing to dull Duke's window boxes at "Michael's Fine Food and Spirits" in Sangerfield.


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AT THE WHS WEBSITE

2011 BROTHERTOWN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS
(Click the image for a gallery of photographs of all of the winners.)

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Syracuse Post-Standard's gallery: Madison County Fair in Brookfield.

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REMINDER


Tonight at the Library


"Slumdog Millionaire"
Free - 6:00

****

Email Basics - 6:30
Knit 2gether - 7:00

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Have a good day, everyone!