A week ago, on the first day of Farmers Market in the Park, it was a shivery 35 degrees and pink-cheeked vendors and customers alike wore their winter jackets and gloves and shook their heads! Then - on Friday - we all sweltered as temperatures reached the nineties! “Gas plants” have bloomed; lemon lilies and oriental poppies are at their best. Down along Loomis Road - buttercups and bright pink “Ragged Robin” fill an entire field.
The “Home Shoppe” building on Buell Avenue is nearing completion and, now, construction has commenced on the Belfield Agency’s new frame building on Main Street at the site of the former Agway Gas Station. There is still nothing to be learned of any “carved-in-stone” plans for the Green Acres Plaza.
MACs restaurant, at the corner of Main Street and Buell Avenue, has a new color scheme that includes a bold mustard color accented by “terra cotta” on the ground floor with the upper story a soft mauve and very, very pale rosy-white. The enterprise, which has been closed for three weeks or more, will remain so until renovation to the interior of the building are complete.
Meanwhile, at the old Hotel, Mr. Hudson - who has updated plumbing and wiring and constructed a new stairway to the second floor - is making careful refurbishments and doing some fine carpentry in both the bar and dining areas while also laying tile and carpeting.
On May 24th, sixteen “Crimson Bonnets” - members of the Red Hat Society from Waterville - enjoyed a delicious luncheon buffet at The Roselawn in New York Mills. Mr. Lurena McNamara wrote that “Following lunch we took an hour long tour at The Meyda Stained Glass factory and showroom . It was very interesting to see and hear about their operation. Many of the jobs involved in making Tiffany items are ‘outsourced’ to China because it would be too expensive to have all the work done in the US, and especially in New York State. But we got to see each step in the process of making various stained glass items (and there are many). Some pieces cost in the thousands of dollars!”
Louis and Shirlee Langone and many members of the Langone family - including Linda Nichols and Tessie Battaglia - travelled to Maryland, over the weekend, to attend the marriage of Christopher Langone, to Jennifer Enos. After honeymooning in Hawaii, the couple will take up residence in the Annopolis area where both are employed.
Mrs. Newsom has returned from a “ FABulous!” trip to Colorado with Janie and Walt Stephenson and Alec, all of whom went white water rafting down the last half of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. “It is something I had wanted to do since sometime in the 60's when I saw a picture of Bobby Kennedy standing in a rubber raft with water gloriously splashing all over him going down the Grand Canyon” and now she’s done it! This was not just a three- or four-hour rafting trip, like those on the Hudson River in the Spring, but was spread out over four days and their nights were spent “sleeping out under the stars!” What a great way to celebrate a seventieth!
The eighth annual Women’s Club Tea took place last Saturday and - as always - was the highlight of The Social Season in Waterville! Plates and platters of delicate tea sandwiches (crustless, of course,) glistening fruits and rich chocolate inventions along with tiny fruit tarts all gave a predictably rewarding experience to the some forty guests in attendance. In the center of the lace-covered tea table was a lovely floral arrangement submitted my Mrs. Richmond as appropriate to the occasion ‘tho it had actually been given to her by her granddaughter, TracyTanner, as a Birthday Bouquet a few days earlier! (The writer extends belated felicitations to June and - also - advance Best Wishes to R.S.W. who will celebrate his birthday on the 29th of this month!
We note that the “Waterville blog” - At Home in the Huddle - has just marked its first birthday! An accomplishment in which the Writer takes some pride. And Here’s to many more!
Kim and Paul Kupris were given a very wonderful “Surprise!” Party by their children - Andrea, Heather and Joshua - on the occasion of their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations!
The Writer wishes to extend her condolences to the Gannon family on the loss of Mrs. Louise Gannon who passed away, last week, in Pennsylvania.
Filling “Michael’s Fine Food & Spirits” to the walls and ceiling with happy conversation and reminiscences, swapping hundreds of hugs and enjoying the fortifications and specialties of the house, many of his friends from the Waterville community as well as guests from Massachusetts and eastern New York State gathered to pay tribute to and remember a man who, ‘tho not a native, had become a true Watervillian in the 37 years that he had lived here. Red-capped, Santa-looking Dick Brown didn’t want a somber funeral - he wanted his family and friends to get together and have a “Damned Fine Party! ---- and last Sunday afternoon -- that’s just what they did! (Thank you, Dick!)
Timely, June 20, 2007
Field daisies are blooming; there are marvelous green, cream and peach-colored “tulips” on the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) in front of the Kaufman House between Waterville and Sangerfield - where Gary and Ellie Allen used to live - and it’s time, now, to look for the Showy Lady Slippers!
I received a “Thank You” note, last week! It came from an address that I didn’t immediately recognize - 114 W. Main Street - and was received with surprise and pleasure because, inside, it said, “Thank You for shopping locally.” and was signed, “Main St. Liquors.” (What a nice idea! Thank You, Kaitlin!)
Last Thursday’s “Town Meeting” at the Municipal Hall, sponsored by the Brouillette brothers, John and Wayne - the new owners of the old Bank building - introduced Thomas L. Owens, President & CEO, ACCESS Federal Credit Union to a considerable gathering of local businessmen and municipal officials.
The New York State Department of Transportation is in the process of resurfacing - or repaving - Route 315 and all save the two ends of the road - at Deansboro and as you approach Waterville - are now nice and smooth. Work will continue for a few more days in those two areas, however, and drivers should consider taking alternate routes should they prefer not to have to wait in line for the “Follow Me” truck that will lead them along single-lane stretches.
Runners are out in force on all other streets and roads, training for the July 8th “Boilermaker” Road Race in Utica! Even those not running are displaying distinctive “Boilermaker” flags.
We know of a gentleman who went to some lengths and great heights to treat his sons, Patrick and Alex, and himself, to a special “Father’s Day” treat - a trip to New Jersey to ride the world’s tallest Roller-Coaster! We understand that although his wife accompanied the three men on the trip, we understand that she does not find the ride as thrilling as the men do, and preferred to keep her feet firmly on the ground. (Smart woman!)
Mrs. Sambora has written that, “The Mid-York Weekly for Thursday, June 7 reports on the ‘prestigious award’ that CWEG - Chenango Water Exercise Group - received from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Madison County. Our volunteers were guests at their annual awards dinner and received the 2007 Impact Award for the volunteers' service to the community. As you know, all of the leaders of our classes are volunteers, which is how we are able to offer such a comprehensive program of water exercise for fitness and various problems. It was very impressive to have them recognized by RSVP! Anyone wanting to find out about water exercise at the Colgate pool can call our administrator, April Cady, at 315-228-7621.
Marilyn Briggs Fivaz and her husband, Bill, were in town a week or so ago, and had fine time! “We saw Katie (Peck), had dinner with some classmates, saw the McNamara's on Buell Ave and several others in town. I was so excited to see how nice my ‘hometown’ looks. Saw the new library and municipal hall. (Even went inside the courtroom and sat in the judge's chair...and decided to let my friend Katie off on a minor offense.) Bill and I also drove through town in the evening so that we could see how nice the street lights looked at that time of day....and then we celebrated by having a nice meal at Michael's.”
Norman and Carol Tower are back from Alaska! They, along with the Marios and Phil and Vera Barnes, took the cruise and land tour with a group from the Norwich Seniors. They visited Anchorage, Juneau and Skagway - where they rode the famous White Pass Railway - and Ketchikan, winding up in Vancouver, British Columbia where they took a grand tour of that wonderful city.
They were back in Waterville in time for Carol to find a smart new hat and scarf at the First Annual “Putnam Street Purge”! The event - which has nothing whatsoever to do with Spring tonic or diets! - but was, rather, a street-long yard sale that drew scores of browsers from both within the village and without. It will surely become a June tradition. (And I do wish that there were some way to have the same sort of attraction here on Buell Avenue!)
A new front porch - of Victorian style, we’re told - is being added to the Machold residence on West Bacon Street.
Belfield Agency Building on West Main Street is taking shape. When finished, it will be painted “Ivy Green” and have white trim.
Mr. Martin Cleary’s home on Sanger Avenue has been painted a crisp, cool white and has new deep teal-green shutters. The same dark shade accents trim above windows and brings out the details of the front door.
Patricia Rowe Stone has written to say that there will be a HELMES FAMILY REUNION for descendants of Bernard Henry Helmes (1851-1918) and his wife, Anna Tresa Afenslag (1851-1923) who immigrated to Herkimer County in 1885. Their children were Frederick A. Helmes, Hannah/Anna M. Helmes, William J. Helmes, Sr., Bernard/Ben F. Helmes, and Louis R. Helmes. Bernard's parents were Henry & Elizabeth Blomer Helmes from Germany. Many family members lived in Utica, Sauquoit, & Waterville areas. The family who settled in Waterville, before April 1930, were William, Sr. and his wife, Josephine H. Roth Helmes. Their children were Frank, Betty, Bill, Jr., Fred, Dorothy, Hilda and June. All the children settled in Waterville when they married, except Dorothy who died when she was a child/ Reunion Date: July 15, 2007 at Verona Beach State Park. For more info, contact Pat (Rowe) Stone at (585) 427-2120.
Timely, June 27, 2007
Catalpa and Tulip Trees have bloomed; pink Musk Mallow and yellow and white Bed Straw mix with White Daisies and Buttercups along roadsides and, hiding safely in swampy areas, the Showy Lady Slippers are blooming. It’s the time of year when the sky can be blue one minute and filled with clouds the next and sunshine suddenly gives way to downpours. During one such storm, last Thursday, hailstones fell for ten or fifteen minutes damaging some crops and leaving flowerbeds in disarray. The huge leaves on Brian Staring’s pumpkin vines were torn to shreds making him wonder whether or not he will have any of his prize-winning giant pumpkins, this year.
School bus drivers, carrying on a long tradition, have treated “their kids” to something special at Roc’s Dairy Creme!
Congratulations to all of our graduates - whether you have celebrated the end of this school year by “passing” from one elementary grade to the next or have left Middle School for High School or have hung your diploma on the wall of your room or if you are realizing that now, after twelve, sixteen, or even twenty or more years of school that it’s over: you have succeeded, and the World is Yours - the writer takes this opportunity to applaud your accomplishments and wish you every good fortune in the future.
We also wish continued progress for Mr. William Lew and Mrs. Newsom, both of whom are recovering from having had repairs made, recently, at local hospitals.
More Indigo Buntings have been seen, locally, and the Schenks of Forge Hollow had a Summer Tanager visit them in their back yard one evening last week.
The members of the Waterville Garden Club wish to thank those in the community who supported their Annual Plant Sale. As always, funds raised will support plantings and project throughout the community. The winner of the Bird Bath Raffle was Barbara Fick, of Deansboro!
The new Belfield Building, on West Main Street, now has a roof and is looking as if it will be a handsome building, indeed.
On Buell Avenue, the new Home Shoppe - which will be opening later this summer - boasts a 40’ x 48’ showroom and 40’ x 60’ warehouse! The building is as “green” as its roof, and has been constructed using the most energy-efficient heating and lighting systems available!
On East Main Street, John Brouillette’s brick building - once known as the Wheeler Block and now home to the Law Offices of Mark Barnes, Esq. - has been painted a handsome shade of reddish-brown that could well be called “old brick”.
There are frequent signs that renovations continue inside MAC’s, at the corner of East Main Street and Buell Avenue, and the “closed” sign remains in the window.
Sally Zweifel has planted her gardens at the four corners in Hanover.
Shirley Eisenhut Smith, who grew up at Hanover, is looking forward to spending time here during July. Besides some travel in the Adirondacks with her mother and sister, she will be making sure to be at the Legion on at least one Tuesday evening for their Cans & Clams Specials!
Runners are preparing for July 8 “Boilermaker” and numerous “Boilermaker” flags are displayed throughout the community.
“Lee the Horse Logger “ spent Saturday night at the Nice ‘n Easy in Sangerfield. Traveling in a “covered wagon,” of sorts, pulled by two Suffolk Punch draft horses and accompanied by his two Great Pyrenees dogs, Lee - who grew up not far from Albany - is making his way slowly from Montana to Boston to see old friends. He left Montana on August 9, 2006. His story and travels can be followed on his website:
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