Tuesday, February 27th, was an historic day, here in Waterville, and two questions of local importance and interest were answered:
1. “Who’ll buy the Bank?” (An auction, originally scheduled for February 14th, had been postponed due to a foot-and-a-half to two feet of “inclement weather” throughout the entire area.) At ten o’clock on the 27th, however, the auction began and barely ten minutes later, after saying “Going; going.....” the auctioneer paused, looked at Mr. John Brouillette and announced, “SOLD!” John and his brother, Wayne - the owner of Maple Leaf Construction - are partners in the venture, and hope to be able to rent the building to a bank or credit union. “Something that will be good for the area,” Wayne told us. (Congratulation to both of you, and good luck!)
2, “When are they going to start the clock?” The small gathering inside the bank emerged to find all of the new Victorian lamps glowing - and that’s a grand sight - and realized that the Rotary Clock next to the Bank building was, apparently, setting itself. (An operation which, we’re told, is accomplished through the use of “radio signals.”) Although the lamps were all turned off following what seemed to be a successful test, the clock has continued to run. HOWEVER .... there is another problem: the time indicated by that fine-looking instrument does not coincide with that shown on any other timepieces. It is either an hour and a few minutes slow or - possibly - not quite eleven hours fast. It has been suggested - by a very practical villager - that if the clock cannot aligned to the Eastern Time Zone, that “Waterville Time” be assumed by the village!
Other topics of interest - aside from the weather in general - one Springtime Sign in particular --- potholes are appearing! (NOT in the new highway, we’re happy to note!) Drivers on Stafford Avenue are learning when to hug the curb and when not, and the same on White Street. On Madison street, however, anyone coming into town - Eastbound - will have no options other than to either slow down or do rattling damage your vehicle and self!
Even airline travel has been particularly “bumpy,” lately, as some villagers have told us. Not “bumpy” as in that caused by turbulence, but recent nationwide delays due to more incidents of “inclemency” that have grounded flights and left travelers stranded far from home. The Fred McLeans of Stafford Avenue, along with their daughter and her husband and little girl, were one such party. Returning to Waterville after a delightful vacation in Las Vegas (complete with a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon) they were five of two-thousand passengers who found themselves stuck for two days at Midway Airport in Chicago!
Similarly, Terry Keyes of Buell Avenue, her children Kristen and Tyler and her sister - tanned and happy after a week’s cruise on the Western Caribbean - found their high spirits flagging during a two-day stay at the airport in Houston. The writer has had the opportunity to see many of the photographs taken during their trip and just looking at the lovely, sunny sights seems to dispel images of the less-than-optimum conditions that followed and they are surely all looking forward to doing it all over again!
Excitement is building, as it does every year at this time - this is the week to see the High school Music Department’s production of “Footloose!” (Look for posters and an ad with the specifics.) What to look forward to in particular? Memorable songs, exciting dance numbers, and - as always - amazing sets and dazzling lighting effects!
On a more serious topic: a great many villagers and residents of this entire “Route 20” area who lave lost spouses and other very special loved ones have sought comfort and advice at Hospice Bereavement group meetings. Until now, they have had to drive to New Hartford, but - starting on March 20th - just such a bereavement group will take place here in Waterville. The series of meetings will run for six weeks and will take place at the Waterville Public Library on Tuesday afternoons. Watch for details in the Waterville Times, in church bulletins and also on the Library Web site and thank Mrs. Bev Gibbons, Fr. Tom Servatius, Mr. Mark Bentz and Mr. Jeff Reynolds for making this special arrangement with Hospice possible.
The writer, beginning to feel twinges of “cabin fever,” will be taking a change-of-routine cure next week, and the next column will appear on March 21st and by then it’ll really be Spring!
Timely, March 21, 2007
If you are a resident of the Village of Waterville and are reading this, “hot off the press” on Tuesday afternoon, don’t forget to go to the Municipal Hall and VOTE!
If you were in Waterville on Monday evening, attending the Village Board Meeting or even just passing through the village, you were treated to an extraordinarily beautiful sight: as of the writer’s deadline, all of the new Victorian lamps were to be turned on for testing, at that time. A formal lighting ceremony and celebration will be scheduled in the near future and announced to the public well in advance.
After the final test, the students’ report card glowed with one A and three F’s! (“Oh, oh!” you’re thinking, and wondering who’s in trouble, but don’t worry...) The WCS Musical production “Footloose” was given an “A” for “AWESOME!” and “F”s for “FABULOUS,” “FANTASTIC!” and “FUN!” The house was SRO and the applause was long and loud and bespoke all of the above and “Thank You,” as well, to the cast and EVERYONE who - seen by the audience or not - put the entire production on the High Honor Roll!
A few may have applauded or cheered; they certainly talked happily about the fact that on last Wednesday the Rotary Clock next to the bank building began telling the correct time ALL the time! Bravo!
“Happy Birthday,” to Gary Orendorff, who celebrated his fifty-second birthday on March 15th!
“Welcome Home!” to Charlotte Park, who is back on Madison Street and spreading smiles wherever she goes!
Elaine Harding Ralls and her daughter Catherine, from Arizona, finally got to see SNOW when they visited the Harding family, a week or so ago. They had been in town in December, but had been disappointingly denied that Wintertime experience! They probably did not get to go sliding on the hillside next to the Nursing Home, but that’s exactly what a dozen or more youngsters from the Kids’ Connection did, last Thursday. Fun for them and grand, old-fashioned entertainment for all of the residents!
There was no need for anyone to have gone without Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day: “Michael’s” served it all day long; special Irish Dinners were offered at the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion; at the Kelley-Phillips Post in Oriskany Falls and also at the Vernon Center Presbyterian Church.
Grading has begun on the Buell Avenue site which will be home of the Treens’ new “Home Shoppe.” We’ll be watching the building grow, this Spring.
We shall also be looking forward to several other events: first - the melting of the St. Patrick’s Day Snow that hid the yellow blooms on the Winter Aconite at the Fehlner-Peach residence in “Dicksville,” and the discovery of the first of many wild flowers on Fuess-Cleary Road.
On Wednesday, March 21st at 7:30 PM, The Waterville Historical Society will hold its first regular meeting of 2007. The program will celebrate 150 years of The Waterville Times and will feature Pat Louise, the current owner. She will present a program covering the rich history of The Times. A special exhibit by S. K. Falk, exhibit chair of the Society, has been constructed with the help of Honorary Life Member, Martin Cleary. The very first issue of the Waterville Times will be on display. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the Village lot across the street. Handicap parking and ramp are at the rear of the building. As a point of interest, the WHS has preserved all 150 years of The Waterville Times on microfilm which is available to the public at the Waterville Public Library.
On Friday, March 23rd at seven in the evening, enjoy a program of jazz music by The Al Gallodor Quartet in the Program Room of the Waterville Public Library. (We are told that Al is a jazz saxophonist/clarinetist from Oneonta.) The event is open to the public, free of charge.
Start Sunday, March 25th, with a Pancake Breakfast in the Waterville High School Cafeteria. Sponsored by the WCS Outdoors Club, the breakfast will cost $5 for adults; $3 for children 6 - 12, and those under five, Free.
Timely, March 28, 2007
We’re on that typically Upstate seasonal “seesaw” - one day it’s Spring and the next it’s not. Snowdrops are in bloom, red-winged blackbirds and bluebirds have been seen. Shirley Kellogg, who lives south of Stockwell on Route 12 and who is a very keen bird-watcher got a good, long look at what she is quite sure must have been a Peregrine Falcon having dinner! (Good spotting!)
Runner Tammy Alcott and bicyclist Steve Macintosh have traded their winter leggings for shorts as have many of the teenagers around town, and our new, smooth sidewalks are busy with walkers, strollers, trikes, bikes and scooters.
The first thunder of the season was heard by people to the south and west of Waterville in the afternoon on Saturday, the 24th. According to Mr. Roc Langone, there’s an old “farm saying” that the first frost will come just six months after the first thunder is heard.
The Waterville DPW has been filling in potholes (the Village of Clinton could certainly use their services!) and the new street sweeper has been cleaning up the sandy residue of Winter.
Things we learned last week: it seems that EVERYONE reads the signboard in the Park! (Anyone who has ever dealt with the big “letter box” and flopping plastic doors - especially in wintertime - has wondered if it was worth it! Apparently it is.)
Congratulations to Tom McNamara who was elected Village Trustee and, even before being sworn in, has effected a long-needed definition of bulletin board policy.
Perhaps the sign might now be changed to an advisory suggesting that drivers be alert to all of the aforementioned pedestrian and wheeled activity?
“The Devil’s in the details!” An old saying that could be applicable in the case of the missing sensors: two small, plug-in-place units omitted from the assembly of the “boxes” controlling the 80 decorative lamp posts.
And Yes: the new home of the Treens’ “Home Shoppe” WILL fit on that lot at the top of Buell Avenue, but in doing so it will - to the chagrin of many - block what have been interesting, “open space” views for many years.
More interesting views of old Waterville, reproduced on generously-large photographic paper by Skip Foppes, are being enjoyed by visitors to the Municipal Hall and the Harding Nursing Home.
The Hospice-sponsored series of Bereavement Group meetings at the Waterville Public Library has been very well received. The series continues on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 through April 24th.
The Jazz Concert that took place at the Library last Friday evening was a tremendous success. Ms. Lois Newsom wrote, “People were standing in the aisle or standing in the room - many extra chairs brought in - really fabulous.” (What’s next?)
Deb Mayne writes that “Quinnlan Corey Mayne, weighing 4 lbs. and 15 ounces, was born on March 16th to Tom & Mandy (Ruane) Mayne. His proud grandparents are Doug & Deb Mayne (Hubbardsville) Sherry Mayne (Waterville), Mark & Sue Ruane (Waterville). Great-grandparents are Frances Mayne (Waterville) Dottie & Inchie Ruane of Stockwell and Katie Peck of Deansboro. He also has many adoring aunts, uncles and cousins! Quinnlan and his parents live on Sanger Avenue.”
Glimmerglass Opera schedules of their Orpheus-inspired season (with operas by Monteverdi, Gluck, Glass, Haydn and Offenbach) are out as is the Kirkland Art Center’s Spring series of Coffeehouse performances.
Fishing season begins on Sunday April 1st. Licenses are a “must” for anyone over 16 years of age and may be acquired at the Town Clerk’s Office or online at the DEC’s web site. Fees are $19 except for “senior sportsmen” for whom the charge is $5.
1. “Who’ll buy the Bank?” (An auction, originally scheduled for February 14th, had been postponed due to a foot-and-a-half to two feet of “inclement weather” throughout the entire area.) At ten o’clock on the 27th, however, the auction began and barely ten minutes later, after saying “Going; going.....” the auctioneer paused, looked at Mr. John Brouillette and announced, “SOLD!” John and his brother, Wayne - the owner of Maple Leaf Construction - are partners in the venture, and hope to be able to rent the building to a bank or credit union. “Something that will be good for the area,” Wayne told us. (Congratulation to both of you, and good luck!)
2, “When are they going to start the clock?” The small gathering inside the bank emerged to find all of the new Victorian lamps glowing - and that’s a grand sight - and realized that the Rotary Clock next to the Bank building was, apparently, setting itself. (An operation which, we’re told, is accomplished through the use of “radio signals.”) Although the lamps were all turned off following what seemed to be a successful test, the clock has continued to run. HOWEVER .... there is another problem: the time indicated by that fine-looking instrument does not coincide with that shown on any other timepieces. It is either an hour and a few minutes slow or - possibly - not quite eleven hours fast. It has been suggested - by a very practical villager - that if the clock cannot aligned to the Eastern Time Zone, that “Waterville Time” be assumed by the village!
Other topics of interest - aside from the weather in general - one Springtime Sign in particular --- potholes are appearing! (NOT in the new highway, we’re happy to note!) Drivers on Stafford Avenue are learning when to hug the curb and when not, and the same on White Street. On Madison street, however, anyone coming into town - Eastbound - will have no options other than to either slow down or do rattling damage your vehicle and self!
Even airline travel has been particularly “bumpy,” lately, as some villagers have told us. Not “bumpy” as in that caused by turbulence, but recent nationwide delays due to more incidents of “inclemency” that have grounded flights and left travelers stranded far from home. The Fred McLeans of Stafford Avenue, along with their daughter and her husband and little girl, were one such party. Returning to Waterville after a delightful vacation in Las Vegas (complete with a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon) they were five of two-thousand passengers who found themselves stuck for two days at Midway Airport in Chicago!
Similarly, Terry Keyes of Buell Avenue, her children Kristen and Tyler and her sister - tanned and happy after a week’s cruise on the Western Caribbean - found their high spirits flagging during a two-day stay at the airport in Houston. The writer has had the opportunity to see many of the photographs taken during their trip and just looking at the lovely, sunny sights seems to dispel images of the less-than-optimum conditions that followed and they are surely all looking forward to doing it all over again!
Excitement is building, as it does every year at this time - this is the week to see the High school Music Department’s production of “Footloose!” (Look for posters and an ad with the specifics.) What to look forward to in particular? Memorable songs, exciting dance numbers, and - as always - amazing sets and dazzling lighting effects!
On a more serious topic: a great many villagers and residents of this entire “Route 20” area who lave lost spouses and other very special loved ones have sought comfort and advice at Hospice Bereavement group meetings. Until now, they have had to drive to New Hartford, but - starting on March 20th - just such a bereavement group will take place here in Waterville. The series of meetings will run for six weeks and will take place at the Waterville Public Library on Tuesday afternoons. Watch for details in the Waterville Times, in church bulletins and also on the Library Web site
The writer, beginning to feel twinges of “cabin fever,” will be taking a change-of-routine cure next week, and the next column will appear on March 21st and by then it’ll really be Spring!
Timely, March 21, 2007
If you are a resident of the Village of Waterville and are reading this, “hot off the press” on Tuesday afternoon, don’t forget to go to the Municipal Hall and VOTE!
If you were in Waterville on Monday evening, attending the Village Board Meeting or even just passing through the village, you were treated to an extraordinarily beautiful sight: as of the writer’s deadline, all of the new Victorian lamps were to be turned on for testing, at that time. A formal lighting ceremony and celebration will be scheduled in the near future and announced to the public well in advance.
After the final test, the students’ report card glowed with one A and three F’s! (“Oh, oh!” you’re thinking, and wondering who’s in trouble, but don’t worry...) The WCS Musical production “Footloose” was given an “A” for “AWESOME!” and “F”s for “FABULOUS,” “FANTASTIC!” and “FUN!” The house was SRO and the applause was long and loud and bespoke all of the above and “Thank You,” as well, to the cast and EVERYONE who - seen by the audience or not - put the entire production on the High Honor Roll!
A few may have applauded or cheered; they certainly talked happily about the fact that on last Wednesday the Rotary Clock next to the bank building began telling the correct time ALL the time! Bravo!
“Happy Birthday,” to Gary Orendorff, who celebrated his fifty-second birthday on March 15th!
“Welcome Home!” to Charlotte Park, who is back on Madison Street and spreading smiles wherever she goes!
Elaine Harding Ralls and her daughter Catherine, from Arizona, finally got to see SNOW when they visited the Harding family, a week or so ago. They had been in town in December, but had been disappointingly denied that Wintertime experience! They probably did not get to go sliding on the hillside next to the Nursing Home, but that’s exactly what a dozen or more youngsters from the Kids’ Connection did, last Thursday. Fun for them and grand, old-fashioned entertainment for all of the residents!
There was no need for anyone to have gone without Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day: “Michael’s” served it all day long; special Irish Dinners were offered at the Clifford J. Fulmer Post of the American Legion; at the Kelley-Phillips Post in Oriskany Falls and also at the Vernon Center Presbyterian Church.
Grading has begun on the Buell Avenue site which will be home of the Treens’ new “Home Shoppe.” We’ll be watching the building grow, this Spring.
We shall also be looking forward to several other events: first - the melting of the St. Patrick’s Day Snow that hid the yellow blooms on the Winter Aconite at the Fehlner-Peach residence in “Dicksville,” and the discovery of the first of many wild flowers on Fuess-Cleary Road.
On Wednesday, March 21st at 7:30 PM, The Waterville Historical Society will hold its first regular meeting of 2007. The program will celebrate 150 years of The Waterville Times and will feature Pat Louise, the current owner. She will present a program covering the rich history of The Times. A special exhibit by S. K. Falk, exhibit chair of the Society, has been constructed with the help of Honorary Life Member, Martin Cleary. The very first issue of the Waterville Times will be on display. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. Parking is available in the Village lot across the street. Handicap parking and ramp are at the rear of the building. As a point of interest, the WHS has preserved all 150 years of The Waterville Times on microfilm which is available to the public at the Waterville Public Library.
On Friday, March 23rd at seven in the evening, enjoy a program of jazz music by The Al Gallodor Quartet in the Program Room of the Waterville Public Library. (We are told that Al is a jazz saxophonist/clarinetist from Oneonta.) The event is open to the public, free of charge.
Start Sunday, March 25th, with a Pancake Breakfast in the Waterville High School Cafeteria. Sponsored by the WCS Outdoors Club, the breakfast will cost $5 for adults; $3 for children 6 - 12, and those under five, Free.
Timely, March 28, 2007
We’re on that typically Upstate seasonal “seesaw” - one day it’s Spring and the next it’s not. Snowdrops are in bloom, red-winged blackbirds and bluebirds have been seen. Shirley Kellogg, who lives south of Stockwell on Route 12 and who is a very keen bird-watcher got a good, long look at what she is quite sure must have been a Peregrine Falcon having dinner! (Good spotting!)
Runner Tammy Alcott and bicyclist Steve Macintosh have traded their winter leggings for shorts as have many of the teenagers around town, and our new, smooth sidewalks are busy with walkers, strollers, trikes, bikes and scooters.
The first thunder of the season was heard by people to the south and west of Waterville in the afternoon on Saturday, the 24th. According to Mr. Roc Langone, there’s an old “farm saying” that the first frost will come just six months after the first thunder is heard.
The Waterville DPW has been filling in potholes (the Village of Clinton could certainly use their services!) and the new street sweeper has been cleaning up the sandy residue of Winter.
Things we learned last week: it seems that EVERYONE reads the signboard in the Park! (Anyone who has ever dealt with the big “letter box” and flopping plastic doors - especially in wintertime - has wondered if it was worth it! Apparently it is.)
Congratulations to Tom McNamara who was elected Village Trustee and, even before being sworn in, has effected a long-needed definition of bulletin board policy.
Perhaps the sign might now be changed to an advisory suggesting that drivers be alert to all of the aforementioned pedestrian and wheeled activity?
“The Devil’s in the details!” An old saying that could be applicable in the case of the missing sensors: two small, plug-in-place units omitted from the assembly of the “boxes” controlling the 80 decorative lamp posts.
And Yes: the new home of the Treens’ “Home Shoppe” WILL fit on that lot at the top of Buell Avenue, but in doing so it will - to the chagrin of many - block what have been interesting, “open space” views for many years.
More interesting views of old Waterville, reproduced on generously-large photographic paper by Skip Foppes, are being enjoyed by visitors to the Municipal Hall and the Harding Nursing Home.
The Hospice-sponsored series of Bereavement Group meetings at the Waterville Public Library has been very well received. The series continues on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 through April 24th.
The Jazz Concert that took place at the Library last Friday evening was a tremendous success. Ms. Lois Newsom wrote, “People were standing in the aisle or standing in the room - many extra chairs brought in - really fabulous.” (What’s next?)
Deb Mayne writes that “Quinnlan Corey Mayne, weighing 4 lbs. and 15 ounces, was born on March 16th to Tom & Mandy (Ruane) Mayne. His proud grandparents are Doug & Deb Mayne (Hubbardsville) Sherry Mayne (Waterville), Mark & Sue Ruane (Waterville). Great-grandparents are Frances Mayne (Waterville) Dottie & Inchie Ruane of Stockwell and Katie Peck of Deansboro. He also has many adoring aunts, uncles and cousins! Quinnlan and his parents live on Sanger Avenue.”
Glimmerglass Opera schedules of their Orpheus-inspired season (with operas by Monteverdi, Gluck, Glass, Haydn and Offenbach) are out as is the Kirkland Art Center’s Spring series of Coffeehouse performances.
Fishing season begins on Sunday April 1st. Licenses are a “must” for anyone over 16 years of age and may be acquired at the Town Clerk’s Office or online at the DEC’s web site. Fees are $19 except for “senior sportsmen” for whom the charge is $5.
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