HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Starting tomorrow .....

To get there, just click HERE!

Hibernation is a wonderful thing, but every now and then, especially early each morning, I open one eye just long enough to see what it looks like outdoors and then to check the news.

Here's what I've found today:

At 7:30 a.m. it's 24 degrees, blustery and snowy.

In other words, it's Winter!!!

To update, please click HERE

and then remember to click the snowflake icon.

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The morning Weather Forecast from YNN:  

"Early Flurries and Blustery,  Getting CODLER!

Today will be much colder across the region. An arctic front will bring scattered flurries during the morning. Temperatures will fall behind this front with most of the day featuring temperatures in the teens.

A clipper system will bring scattered flurries and snow showers Tuesday, along with slightly warmer temperatures.

 Behind this system, look for another blast of arctic air to move in for the middle/end of the week."

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IN THE NEWS

VVS Tournament Championship

WATERVILLE 77, VVS 70

Waterville (4-0, 7-0): Luke Lachman 5, Jon Piersma 22, Jake English 10, Zach Sawyer 22, J.T. Machold 2, Hunter Williams 8, Will Specht 2, Tyler Lemery 6. Totals: 28-17-77.

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (1-8): Christian Tiffin 6, Dalton Cousin 27, Jones 5, Justin VanDuLuitgaarden 11, Jeremy VanDuLuitgaarden 15. Totals: 28-7-70.

3-point goals: Waterville 4 (English 2, Sawyer, Lachman); VVS 7 (Metzger 2, Tiffin 2, Jones, Jeremy VanDuLuitgaarden 2).

Tournament MVP: Jon Piersma (Waterville). All-tournament team: Tyler Lemery (Waterville), Zach Sawyer (Waterville).

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Today at the Library

"Kids' Movie at 1:00"

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"LEGO Mania" at 3:00

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The calendar also tells me that I only have a day or so left to design / develop the blog format for 2014!

Another forty winks and then ........

I'll be back!

Things to Know!

#1.  It Snowed!

Not a lot, but it's Christmasy!

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#2.  It's 24 degrees at 7:00 a.m. 

and here is the morning forecast:

"Snow Showers and Cold, Very Chilly the Next Couple of Days.

An upper-level disturbance looks to keep a few snow showers in the forecast  (especially to the south and west) but the bigger story will be the temperatures. Highs will only be in the upper teens and low 20s and many will actually see temperatures fall through the day.

Christmas Day we'll notice clouds increasing from the west out ahead of our next system of interest with highs in the low/mid 20s. While a late day Christmas snow shower cannot be ruled out, there will be the increased threat for some snow on Thursday.

This is also when temperatures are expected to return to more seasonable levels."

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#3.  Santa's Reindeer have been issued a permit by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to enter the U.S.

 According to Google, Santa has already left the North Pole.

You can follow his travels, HERE.

Norad also has him on their radar.

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#4.  I want to thank all of you for your Christmas cards and E-greetings.

I've decided that I have a Magic Christmas List: every time I cross off one "to do" item, three more appear!  This will not be the first year that I will have spent some of Christmas day with paint brush and colored pencils in hand, but until my real Christmas card is finished, please accept this old view, again, with my very best wishes.

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Here is a special greeting - "Good News!" - courtesy of Bruce and Dolly Ladd.

It's Garbage Day today.

41 degrees and rainy at 6:00 a.m.

The YNN morning Weather Forecast:

"Showers to Flurries, Getting Much Colder. 

Colder air arrives through the day with any lingering showers switching to flurries and snow showers.

Much colder air will arrive for Tuesday.

We stay cold with occasional flurries and snow showers for the rest of the work week."

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Yesterday morning at this time, with the temperature pushing sixty degrees, I could probably have taken my morning coffee with me  outdoors to sit in the back yard. It stayed warm throughout the day and by late afternoon the Gallaghers' fields in Sangerfield, across which a snowmobile trail runs, looked like this:

I stopped at the Christmas Tree Sale in the Park in the afternoon to chat with Leroy Pomeroy, l., and Skip Kemp of Sanger Lodge and their young assistant, Jenna.  They told me that there were "twenty-three trees left." They had reduced the price to $20 - "or negotiable" - and if none of the Masons were there that customers should see Ken Paulsen at his Garage on Conger Avenue.

Perhaps it was one of those Christmas trees that had found its way up Sanger Avenue to the second-floor balcony at the Mowery residence and whose lights made an unexpected glow, late in the afternoon.

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It's "Open House" Season in Waterville and in neighboring communities.

I can remember that forty-plus years ago there were two major "open house" events, here in Waterville, both on New Year's Day:  one was at Dr. and Mrs. Battles' home on Stafford Avenue and the other at the George Reillys' ("Parkwood") on Sanger Hill Road.  Invitations were coveted and elegant outfits - many of which included fur stoles and wraps, hats and gloves -  were a "must," at least for the ladies!

Events are much less formal, now, and include entire families - even the children!

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It could be, however, that THE social events of THE season, this year, have been the Farmers Markets at the Bank building in the center of the Village where attendees have exclaimed about  the many "very friendly" vendors,  their wide range of  excellent products, and the always-enjoyable fact that "there were so many people to talk to!"

A special "Thanks!" to the "host"  who owns the building and organized the events, Jack Brouillette.

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COMING EVENTS

Today at the Library

LEGO Mania at 3:00

The Library will close at 8:00 this evening and reopen at 10:00 on Friday morning.

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Children's Movie Matinee at 1:00 on Friday

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SPECIAL EVENTS

SouthGate Ministries 

" ... will have a live Nativity scene outside in front of the church 

at 6:00pm Christmas Eve with refreshments following.  There will be a candlelight service inside at 7:00pm with refreshments afterward.  All are invited!"

The First United Methodist Church, 401 Tower St., 

will host a Christmas Eve service at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

Three Steeples Church in Paris

Christmas Eve Service – Stories, carols and candles

at 7:00 pm

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Have a good day, everyone!

A record High?

I don't know, but - at 7:25 a.m.

the temperature in Waterville, New York, was

58.8 degrees!

Really!

--- but that won't last long:

Garbage Day,

26 degrees and clear at 6:30 a.m.

The morning Weather Forecast from TWC:

"Quiet and Milder Today, 

  Looking Mainly Wet Tomorrow through Sunday

After the passage of a warm front, today will be milder with limited sun and highs well into the 30s to around 40.

An area of low pressure will approach tonight with mostly cloudy skies and a sprinkle or two. Lows will be in the mid 30s. This area of low pressure will track overhead during the day tomorrow with on and off rain showers. Highs will be in the low to mid 40s. A little push of chillier temps will come in tomorrow tonight and with any lingering precip., there may be some spotty freezing rain.  Areas north of the Thruway corridor will see the best chance for some freezing rain. Watch out for slick roads Friday evening through Saturday morning.

Another storm will arrive Saturday night into Sunday with mainly rain and wind. Highs on Sunday will be in the 40s and 50s. With the rain and snow melt, localized flooding could be an issue.

Chillier temps with some limited lake effect will work back in for the beginning of next week."

IN THE MAIL

From Bonnie Dobmeier for Dana O'Brien and Sue Price.

2013 Waterville Garden Club’s Christmas

Decorating Contest Winners

"The Waterville Garden Club would like to thank all of those who decorated to celebrate this year’s holiday season. The four judges from out of town were so pleased to see the many beautiful decorations and lights.

Homes within the village of Waterville were judged in 2 categories, overall effect and doorway. Businesses were judged separately. Keep in mind the best of the best category is a separation of those who have won over the last two years. This year the judges added a few new categories, please see below for this years winners. Thanks for keeping the village looking festive."

Best of the Best Overall Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Verdon

359 Putnam St.

2^nd Place: (tie)

Mr. and Mrs. Don Neff

164 Berrill Ave

&

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Holic

125 W. Bacon St

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Abbey

Canning Factory Rd.

Best of the Best Honorable Mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Francis Wright

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Nichols

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Upcraft

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Best of the Best Doorway Category:

1^st Place:

Ms. Bonnie and Joanna Bechy

160 Babbott Ave

2^nd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Salata

203 Osborne Ave

3^rd Place (tie)

Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Nasypany

325 White St.

&

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Falk

347 Putnam St.

Best of the Best Doorway Honorable Mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Briggs

Mr. and Mrs. Snow

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Morgan

Ms. Suzette Baumgarten

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Most Elegant Doorway Category:

1st Place:
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Maine

McCabe Rd

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Most Elegant Victoria Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. John Pumilia

44 Tower St.

2^nd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Coiro

466 White St.

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Blinebry

179 Madison St.

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Religious Category:

1st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pumilia

Stafford Ave.

2^nd Place:

Ms. Lurena McNamara

216 Sanger Ave.

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Petrie

White St.

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Patriotic Category to support our troops:

1^st Place

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Manion

1515 Hanover Rd.

2^nd Place

Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft

Sanger Ave.

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Overall Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. John Vaughan

125 White St.

2^nd Place: (tie)

Mr. and Mrs. Davis

Osborne Ave

&

Mr. Richard Bloomquist

8333 Upper White St.

3^rd Place: (tie)

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Coffman

State Rt. 12

&

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Barnes

7893 Upper White St.

Honorable Mention:

Ms. A Pilchen

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Bogan

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Doorway Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Tower

133 W. Bacon St.

2^nd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Stillman Wright

349 White St.

3^rd Place: (tie)

Mr. Andy Eisenhut and Kayla Buschor

174 E. Bacon St.

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Rogers

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Businesses:

1^st Place: (tie)

NY Pizzeria

Main St.

&

Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home

Main St.

2^nd Place: (tie)

Morgan’s Hardware

Main St.

&

Good Times Bar and Grill

Main St.

3^rd Place:

Daniel Maine and Associates

7229 Madison St.

Honorable Mention:

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Office

Sticks & Stones

The Village of Waterville for the beautifully decorated light poles

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I didn't receive this list until after I had made my afternoon "rounds" of the Village, but here are the picture that I took, yesterday. Some are on the winners list - some others got my attention.

As always,  the Judges did NOT have an easy job!

And, as always, I urge all of you who live in or near Waterville to take a ride through the community to enjoy the sights and lights for yourself!

The Salata residence on Osborn Avenue.

The Bancrofts' on Sanger Avenue.

At Bonnie Bechy and her daughter Joanna's home on Babbott Avenue.

The Nasypany residence on White Street.

John and Amanda Vaughan's home on White Street.

Also on White Street.

I'm sorry: I don't know whose West Bacon Street residence this is.

South of the Village, in a field next to the Coffmans.

On California Road.

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The Verdons have posted two videos of their synchronized display that involves over 12,000 computer controlled Christmas lights on Youtube:

"The Nutcracker Suite"

"Wizards in Winter"

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IN THE NEWS

"As announced by its executive director, Jerry Kraus, on WKTV News ......... PLASTIC SOUL will be performing at the Stanley Center for the Arts in Utica, NY on Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014. The show will both commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Beatles in America and function as a fundraiser for this grand old theater we're so fortunate to have in our midst. Look for a "Beatle-fest" atmosphere, with vendors/exhibitors on hand, cash bar...and, of course, PLASTIC SOUL's unique spin on the music of the Beatles. Advance-sale tickets will be available through Ticketmaster."

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"97-year-old author recalls life in new book"

- from the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

(Mary Rose lived on Upper White Street for several years in the home now owned by Mike and Sue Fryc.  I'm going to order my copy, right now. It's available on Amazon.)

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WCS Sports

Waterville 78, Morrisville-Eaton 47

Morrisville-Eaton 13 9 6 19 - 47

Waterville 30 19 23 6 - 78

Morrisville-Eaton: Matt Roher 22, Coby Merkle 10, Brad Smalley 6, Matt Paljarvi 3, Dan Hilts 4, Charlie Clark 2.

Waterville (3-0, 4-0): Luke Lachman 6, Jon Piersma 8, Jacob English 7, Zach Sawyer 23, J.T. Machold 4, Hunter Williams 26, Will Specht 4.

3-point goals: M-E 5 (Roher, Merkle 3, Paljarvi); Waterville 4 (Lachman 2, English, Williams).

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COMING EVENTS

For Friday and Saturday schedules, please see DigitalSports.

HAPPENING TODAY

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At the Library

Holiday Story Hour Today at 6:30 p.m.

"All ages can come to the library in their pajama's (if you choose) for our annual holiday story hour. You can listen to a book or two, enjoy some hot cocoa and make reindeer food. Also, every child will leave with a jingle bell!"

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Friday's Movie Matinée at 1:00

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ALSO IN MY MAIL

from Jill Getman 

This list of Friday Matinée Movies that will be shown in January and February.

If you know of anyone who you think would enjoy these films but does NOT have computer access to this list or blog reminders, it would probably be appreciated if you printed out a copy for them!

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Have a good weekend, everyone!

Tues.afternoon Photo update plus ...

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The temperature has reached a "high" of 21 degrees

 at 5:00 p.m.

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These are the pictures that I took on Monday afternoon.

Because I had left my camera out in my car overnight, in bitterly cold temperatures, I was almost surprised that the images didn't have ice crystal patterns like this on them!

My lawn chairs are well-upholstered!

Snowmobile trails have been marked and, apparently, tested ......

............. but even with another inch of snow that fell today, the total accumulation is not that great and corn stubble still shows in fields out at Hanover.

The extreme cold has resulted in an icy cover over the little waterfall next to Gridley-Paige Road ....

................  and has hung icicle curtains at the entrance to the Caves in Forge Hollow.

 It has not, however, deterred those who have been shopping for trees at the Sanger Lodge Christmas 

Tree Sale in the Park.  There were two hundred to start with, but now there seem to be only forty or fifty left.

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The Waterville Times is on the newsstands and here are the

Front Page Headlines:

"Holiday Deadlines"

"Marshall Adopts Comp Plan"

"Options Discussed for Vacancy"

"Math Requirement Would Add Class"

"Brookfield Discusses Wind Mill Interest"

"Church Services"

To read more, please click HERE.

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Wednesday Events

WCS SPORTS

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At the Library

"Kids Get Crafty"

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Let your kids get creative at the library! Ages 5 & up can visit the library anytime between 3-5pm to create something new each week!  

Wednesday's Project: Holiday Decorations

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Have a good day tomorrow.

Back on Thursday morning!