Where did the year go?

It's Recyclables Day

We're having a Heat Wave!

15 degrees F. / -9.4 C.

"Partly sunny Wednesday. High 25. Some light snow is expected for New Year's Eve. High in the low 30's. Midnight temperatures in the upper 20's.
A storm will intensify in the Atlantic Ocean on New Years Day. This storm will be close enough to give us snow on New Years Day and beyond. This may be a long duration event. We'll keep you posted.

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OF INTEREST: On WKTV - Will Gov. Paterson Slow Down Natural Gas Drilling? (in Marcellus Shale.)

IN THE MAIL

OF INTEREST TO BIRDERS

"Rusty" wrote to suggest (in re: yesterday's photo of the red squirrel inside a squirrel-proof bird feeder) that I wrap chicken wire 'round the entire device leaving holes large enough for birds but too small for the thief. He also said that crushed red pepper mixed in with bird seed discouraged squirrels from stealing: I'll try that right away! (Thanks, Rusty!)

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Jody Hildreth has sent me his "Christmas Bird Count List!"

He wrote, "I counted the Sauquoit area and had a great day. I actually started at 4:30 am with some owling, and the results were good. Had an Eastern Screech-Owl at my first location, then a Northern Saw-whet Owl at my second stop. This wound up to be the first time ever this species has been found on this areas Christmas Bird Count. Then it was 2 hours of nothing - but that is usually what happens when owling!
Anyways, here are the total results for the whole count. It is centered at
the Jay-K in New Hartford and is a 15 mile diameter (if my memory serves me
right)."

Great Blue Heron 1
Canada Goose 1767
Snow Goose count week
American Black Duck 73
Mallard 520
RING-NECKED DUCK 2
HOODED MERGANSER 3
Common Merganser 3
duck species 7
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2
Cooper's Hawk 2
accipiter species 2
Red-tailed Hawk 93
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 6
buteo species 4
American Kestrel count week
MERLIN 1
PEREGRINE FALCON 2
Ruffed Grouse 5
Wild Turkey 265
Ring-billed Gull 21
Herring Gull 2
gull species 13
Rock Pigeon 1069
Mourning Dove 613
EASTERN SCREECH OWL 2
BARRED OWL 1
NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL 1
Belted Kingfisher 1
Red-bellied Woodpecker 34
YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER 3
Downy Woodpecker 99
Hairy Woodpecker 39
NORTHERN FLICKER count week
Pileated Woodpecker 9
NORTHERN SHRIKE 1
Blue Jay 177
American Crow 3528
HORNED LARK 62
Black-capped Chickadee 479
Tufted Titmouse 91
Red-breasted Nuthatch 16
White-breasted Nuthatch 60
Brown Creeper 4
Golden-crowned Kinglet 2
Eastern Bluebird 23
HERMIT THRUSH count week
American Robin 28
European Starling 1657
Cedar Waxwing 10
American Tree Sparrow 184
FOX SPARROW 3
Song Sparrow count week
White-throated Sparrow 31
Dark-eyed Junco 195
SNOW BUNTING 195
Northern Cardinal 151
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD 11
Purple Finch 2
House Finch 69
American Goldfinch 117
House Sparrow 250

Thanks loads, Jody!

"My" pair of Red-bellied Woodpeckers is back and ONE Carolina Wren!

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From Sue Price via Missy Brouillette:

THE GARDEN CLUB

CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTEST WINNERS!

"The Waterville Garden Club would like to thank all of those who decorated to celebrate this years holiday season. The four judges from out of town were so pleased to see the many beautiful decorations that a new category was developed to represent more winners. Keep in mind the best of the best category is a separation of those who have won over the last two years. Thanks for keeping the village looking festive."

Best of the Best Overall Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Fancett

307 Tower St.

2^nd place:

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Coiro

466 White St.

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. John Pumilia

44 Tower St.

Best of the Best Honorable Mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Baumgarten

Mr. and Mrs. Don Neff

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Upcraft

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Nichols

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

Best of the Best Doorway Contest:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Salata

203 Osborne Ave

2^nd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Maine

McCabe Rd

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Snow

208 Osborne Ave

Honorable Mention Best of the Best Doorway:

Ms. Karen Kalies

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Overall Category:

1^st Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Abby

Canning Factory Rd.

2^nd Place:

Ms. Bonnie and Joanna Bechy

160 Babbott Ave

3^rd Place:

Mrs. Muthig and Family

115 Babbott Ave

Honorable Mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Jamie Bechy

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Doorway Category:

1^st Place:

Mrs. Ann Manion

1515 Hanover Rd.

2^nd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ashforth

125 E. Bacon St.

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Lince

213 Main St.

Honorable Mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Fred McLean

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Businesses:

1^st Place:

Daniel Maine and Associates

Madison St.

2^nd Place:

The Village Dinner

Main St.

3^rd Place:

Mark Barnes, Attorney

Main St

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Santa’s Playland Category:

1^st place:

Mr. and Mrs. Rob Verdon

359 Putnam St.

2^nd place:

Mr. and Mrs. Kunze

1640 Lewis Rd

3^rd Place:

Mr. and Mrs. John Ford

Ford Rd.

Honorable mention:

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Peglow

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From Rob Verdon, whose Lighting Display on Putnam Street catches the EAR as well as the eye ......

"I have been averaging about 5 cars an hour. However, no one really knows it is to music playing outside and to 88.7 FM. I need to make up a sign, but the last night is January 3rd so you must check it out!"

(Tom Eisenhut told me that he and his family stopped, turned the car radio to 88.7 and watched/listened to the display and were amazed!)

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A nice letter from Susan Lees Ryerson of Amarillo, Texas, who learned about the blog last summer and has been a frequent visitor ever since.

And this, from Louisa Brutman: "I was ordering a Christmas arrangement for my Aunt Bertha Rowley over at Merry Rose Flowers, and I got to talking with the lady about spending summers with my aunt. The lady told me about your site. My mom, dad and brother, Granpa Ambrose Beha and his wife, Emma are all buried in Waterville. I'm 63 and I vividly remember our adventures. What a joy to find you. Happy New Year."

Writer's note: If you want to get in touch with any of the new blog-readers who write to me, I'll gladly forward your mail to them if you send it to me! Lots of old friendships have been rekindled, that way!)

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She Did It!

"Victoria's Ride is Done!"

(Go to that site and click on "photos" - I didn't dare reproduce one, here, because of her copyright.)


It was warmer in Santa Monica than here!





LOOKING BACK



A YEAR AGO TODAY



!

I'll take a picture of that view this afternoon. I think it looks quite different, now!

FOR THE RECORD

I AM still writing Christmas Cards!

After all, Christmas really lasts until Epiphany - January 6 - so I've still got time!


Have a Great Day, everyone!