Thursday with Add-on!

(Thanks for the photo, "J.I." !

OH, WOW!!

(It's on both sides of the sign!)

Be watching, today --- will she answer?


I hope she says


"Yes!"


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

It's Garbage Day!

54 degrees and wet.

From WKTV: "Another storm system moves through today followed by a brief warmup tomorrow and Saturday. An area of low pressure is tracking through Central New York today. Rain early this morning will gradually taper off to showers. Showers will end shortly after noon. Some drier air working in behind this storm may give us some peaks of sunshine this afternoon. High temperatures expected to be in the mid 60s.

Clouds will build in again tonight, as a warm front passes through. Some showers are possible again tonight. Overnight lows will only fall down into the upper 40s and low 50s.

A mix of sun and clouds tomorrow with much warmer temperatures. Highs are expected to crack 70 degrees or better! A weak disturbance lingering around will introduce some scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some of these storms will be capable of causing some small hail.

At this point the weekend looks like a mixed bag. Saturday will be the better of the two days, with a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the mid 70s. Showers and thunderstorms will develop in the afternoon and evening. For Mother's Day, cooler temperatures are in the forecast as a cold front pushes east. An upper level area of low pressure may generate a couple of showers but it is not looking like a an all day rain event at this time. Highs will be around 60."

****

I hope it won't be rainy on Saturday morning. It'll be "Open House," again, at the Sanger Mansion, from 10:00 - 1:00 .......

(Clicking the poster image will take you to an interview with Wm. Cary Sanger, Jr., published in 1951.)

Part II of the Auction at the former "Home for Homeless Ladies" on Putnam Street will also take place on Saturday.

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

YESTERDAY

Fr. Tom gave a big wave from the front porch of the St. Bernard's rectory and shouted,

"Let the games begin!"

At Foodking!

A "Red Bud" on Putnam Street is beginning to bloom.

Tulips rule the tidy plantings at the Zwahlen home in Sangerfield.

Nearly everyone who has spoken or written to me thinks the "kiosk" should go in the parking lot in front of the Post Office and Dollar General.

Is this East Main Street site a possible spot? The paved area seems wide enough --- 'though we still don't know how large (or small) the structure actually is. Both location are problematic because they're slanted, but our DPW men are clever enough to overcome that difficulty, I'm sure!

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

Out in the country ............. dandelions!

At The Root Glen in Clinton - Virginia Bluebells.

The Rome Sand Plains - Trailing Arbutus.

Near York Road, south of Sangerfield - Painted Trillium.


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

FOR THE RECORD

Have a great day, everyone!

(I'll let you know if the car wash sign gives her answer!)

Wednesday

It's Recyclables Day!

47 degrees and drippy.

The meteorologist at WKTV predicts that, after a rainy night: "We'll take a temporary break from the unsettled weather today, but more rain is expected tonight.

Another area of low pressure has developed to the south of the region along an old frontal boundary. This weak storm will pass east, and will drag any leftover rain showers this morning with it. The steadier rain showers will end by 7 AM this morning. Slow but gradual improvements are expected as we head into the afternoon. Increasing sunshine, with afternoon highs in the upper 60s.

Our break in the weather won't last. Another storm system will bring in rain later on tonight. Rain will fall heavy at times early tomorrow morning, with a rumble of thunder possible. Overnight lows only in the mid 50s. Clouds and showers for Thursday, with highs in the mid 60s."

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

WELCOME HOME!

to The Kelleys of Sangerhill Road

and Mr. Browne and Mrs. Mizener of E. Bacon Street!


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

IN YESTERDAY'S MAIL

An E-note from Village Clerk-Treasurer Lorena Lenard:

"The Village Board is looking for ideas as to where the KIOSK should go.

They are inviting the public to come to the June 1st meeting with their ideas."


(Save June 1st on your calendar, but also watch for a complete description with specifications or the designer's drawing of the kiosk, without which it's hard to be objective!)


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

Is this YOUR house?

This picture postcard and accompanying note came from Connie Bocko, who wrote:

"I have a photo that I would be willing to give someone if they live in the house that is pictured. I collect Waterville stuff, but it would mean more if this were my house. If you'd like to post it, I'd be glad to give the original to someone, if they recognize their porch."

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

A Special Announcement and Invitation

****

The public is cordially invited

to a

JOYFUL CELEBRATION

of

REDEDICATION

at

SOUTHGATE MINISTRIES


Saturday, May 9th at 1pm


Chicken BBQ meal for attendees following the service


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

Here's another wonderful story about the Sanger Mansion and its eccentric owner, William Cary Sanger, Jr., sent by Helen Tower Brunet.

"Bill Sanger, who lived in the Sanger 'Mansion' in Waterville, had known my father growing up in Waterville. In the l940’s he was sometimes invited for Sunday dinner at our house at the Tower Homestead. My father picked him up in the car, as Bill did not drive.

He was thin and balding, with pasty white skin. My parents enjoyed him because he was well educated and a good conversationalist and they knew he must be lonely living the life of a recluse. He would arrive looking disheveled and a bit nervous with a stack of NATIONAL
GEOGRAPHIC magazines for my brother and me.

After dinner, as soon as he had left, and before we had even had a chance to look through the magazines, we would be told once again to never go to his house without a grown up. My brother had no particular interest in seeing his house, but I did. I talked my two best friends, Murney Tyler, and Carolyn Tester, into biking up to see him one Saturday in spring. We were about twelve years old and we loved adventure. And, we knew that just about anything our parents told us not to do was worth doing.

We were breathless by the time we had pedaled up the hill. As we rode into the courtyard, the house seemed bigger than ever before. It was built of grey stone and could have been used in the filming of WUTHERING HEIGHTS. Gazing up at the parapets, I began to wonder if this had been such a good idea after all. But we three prided ourselves on being fearless, so we banged on the front door with the knocker and waited.

Finally the door was opened by Bill, who seemed surprised but very pleased that we had come.

He showed us through the house, room by room. The living room, dining room, library, pantries, kitchen, all the bedrooms upstairs and even the attic. It was not the haunted house that we had imagined. There were suits of armor in the corners of the hall and armor displayed on the walls. The furniture was old and worn, but the sun shown through the lead glass windows and the views were breathtaking. Bill was obviously enjoying the chance to show it off.

The tour ended in the basement game room where we all played billiards. It was damp in the billiard room; shelves of books in the bookcase has fused together in the dampness. Before we left he served us ginger ale from not very clean glasses and we promised we would visit again.

We discussed every detail of the experience on the way home. Of course, we could never tell our parents or any of our friends. We agreed on a code word for discussing this adventure on the phone in case the operator was listening.

The code word was "Armor."

******

"Tides of Commerce," a collection of poems by Wm. Cary Sanger, Jr. can be read in its entirety at Google Books. The obituary of Col. William Cary Sanger, who built the "mansion," is posted on "Heaps of History."

Helen Tower Brunet is the author of "Nellie and Charlie: a Family Memoir of the Gilded Age," published in 2005, which is available at the Waterville Public Library, and also from Amazon.com. AND (I just discovered that much of it can be read, and photographs viewed, at Google Books by clicking HERE!)

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

The Baltimore Orioles and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have arrived at the Heidels, East of the Village, and at Whiskey Hollow and, presumably, to points between.

The ornamental pear trees along West Main Street are blooming as are bright Azaleas at the Kelley residence on Sangerhill Road ...........

......... and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Plourde on Tower Street.

This brick residence seems to me to be of the "Federal" style of architecture and was built by (or for) one of the Terry family quite early in the 1800s.

Other Federal style buildings in the area are the white apartment house in Sangerfield that always shows up in the background of "Gas" photographs ..........




and it's twin ......

........ the former "Sangerfield Exchange," both of which were built by Jotham Tower in 1798 or 99, and where renovations are well under way for the future location of "Michael's Fine Food & Spirits."

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

FOR THE RECORD

Have a Good Day, Everyone!

Tuesday

(Click the image; catch the mood!)

"Cinco de Mayo"

BIG TRASH DAY!

It's 41 degrees and cloudy.

********

WKTV's forecast: "An area of low pressure will pass south of the region, but will pass close enough to give us scattered showers and clouds throughout the day. Expect a few peaks of sunshine in spots this morning, with thickening clouds. Scattered showers are likely this afternoon, with perhaps a steadier light rain for areas east of Utica. High temperatures expected to be near 60 degrees. A noticeable easterly breeze is expected through the day as well.

As this storm passes out to sea, it will drag the clouds and showers with it. Expect improving conditions tonight, with generally dry conditions and some breaks in the overcast. A return to sunshine is expected tomorrow, with highs 65-70.

Our next storm will be fast approaching, and will be with us as early as late Wednesday night. Rain is expected on Thursday."







I've received an E-mail from a blog-reader who was quite sure that she'd seen an eagle at Chittening Pond! I made a few trips there, over the weekend, but just saw lots of fisherman families having some grand fun!

Perhaps Jim Kloster will be able to spot the eagle!



Out next to Madison Street. The tree still stands, but .........


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

GOOD NEWS

"Twink" has been found!

He had been "vacationing" with the Brouillettes and was returned to his owners last night!!!

(Thanks, Missy!)

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

Linda (Lew) Hazelden wrote, yesterday, to share some of her memories of the Sanger Mansion:

"When I was a child, I grew up living next door to the Gerwitz farm on Sanger Ave. Marlene was my ” best friend” and her mother Olga did errands for Mr. Sanger. Marlene and I would beg to go with Olga to the “Castle” to deliver the food requested by Mr. Sanger.

My memories of the Mansion consist of a very heavy front door, dark long heavy drapes, mostly pulled closed, body armor statues here and there and heavy dark tables and chairs.

Mr. Sanger was a bit odd and would hide behind the drapes and peer out at us. After several trips there, he would come out briefly but had very little to say. If my memory is correct, he insisted on several cans of tomato soup included in each delivery.

What a treat it was to visit Mr. Sanger and his magnificent home!"

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

Thanks, Linda! You reminded me that I had a photograph in my "archives" ------

This photograph of Joan (Best) McLaughlin admiring one of the knights in shining armor was taken by Dante Tranquille in 1950.

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


The following announcement has come from Bob Gray at Waterville Central School:

The National Honor Society will be sponsoring a Blood Drive in the High School Gymnasium (The James VanWormer Gymnasium) on Friday May 15th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm . Donors can sign up by calling the high school guidance office at 841-3823 .

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

Jill Getman has sent these pictures of events that have taken place, recently, at the Waterville Public Library!


The Cast of Characters

in the Murder Mystery, "The Unhappy Hour"

that took place on Tuesday night.

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

BEACH PARTY PIX


The "Hula," of course ----------


"Sand Art"


.... and "Tropical Bowling!"

(I think our Library must be the most FUN library anywhere around!)

(That's a link: click on it!)


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

This game had a two hour and fifteen minute rain delay
and didn't end until 1:15 a.m.

That's my excuse!

Have a Great Day, Everyone!

Have you seen "Twink?"

He is a short-haired black cat that escaped from his home with the Bridges on White Street last Thursday night.

Also answering to the name "Tiny," Twink is de-clawed and has some numbers tattooed on the inside of one of his ears by the Humane Society. He is very friendly and weighs about 13-14 pounds.

The Bridges are (obviously!) trying everything that they can think of to find him and bring him safely home. They are willing to offer a monetary reward for his safe return.

Amanda can be reached at (315) 404-1543 and Gary at (315) 404-1542.

Monday

It's Garbage Day!

44 degrees and pleasant.

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

This is going to be a big post, so ...

first things first:

"Buster" is home! Blog readers had seen him as far away as Craigfoot Road, but then he appeared on Osborn Avenue and the story - which actually started out with two lost dogs - has had a happy ending!

**********

There's another story with a happy ending: it began nearly a hundred years ago, when Colonel William Cary Sanger built a "summer home" for his family atop the hill on the West side of town.

(Click to enlarge)


The last time that Carol and Stan Sambora had been in the building was when the Waterville Historical Society had a Hallowe'en party, there, in 1991 or '92. It stood empty, then; vandals had broken windows and ruined woodwork and this is what it looked like when Kathryn and Mark McLane came to live there three years ago.

(Clickable photos courtesy of Frank Carentz.)







******

In the last several months, hundreds of internet users have visited the Sanger Mansion website, and the recent advertisement on Ebay, shaking their heads in amazement over the apparent transformation that has taken place.

The Samboras went to see for themselves .......



........ joining the long line of "tourists" .....


.......... who waited for up to forty-five minutes .......


........ before paying their $2 admission fee (all of which went to the Waterville Fire Department whose members were in charge of traffic control and parking) and donning protective "booties" before going inside.



Yes. It's the same fireplace.



I didn't go inside - I'd had that pleasure a year or so ago - but roamed around outdoors, "people-watching." I was surprised that there were so few Watervillians in the line: at least so few that I recognized.

Later on, I talked with the Samboras: "It was gorgeous!" summed up Carol's reaction!

I'd seen Norm and Carol Tower there with their son, Mike: Carol said, "Fantastic; awesome!" and Norm remarking first that the carpentry was meticulous, then added, "It was an artistic experience!"

Ann Sally was there with her daughter, Theresa, and Elfie Goedeker. She spoke for all of them - just one word - "Overwhelming!"

Margaret and Ron Bornick came from Clinton for the preview tour. Ron is, himself, a master carpenter and both of them had been to the mansion back in the late 1980's when the Hall family was in residence and their choral troupe "Tapestry, the All-centuries Singers" had had formal photographs taken there. Ron's reaction: "Very impressive!"

"Thank You!"

I received this E-note from Kathryn McLane, yesterday afternoon:

"I thought you (and your readers) might like to know that yesterday's open house was very successful. We were amazed at the turnout. We had 642 adults come through with their $2 for the Waterville Fire Dept! The line snaked out the drive the whole time. The WFD volunteers were awesome with their parking and crowd control...and they say they're going to improve it next week (on May 9)! Their help was essential and we're pleased that they got a nice donation yesterday.

Mark and I were both touched by how many people came up to us and said "Thank you" for fixing the house. One of the auctioneer employees mentioned that it felt like church - people were "reverential". Not reverential about us, obviously, but about the house and its history! A better-behaved crowd of people you will not find.
So, a big "thank you" back to everyone for being so nice."

- and then she added: "I saw many "re-unions" in my living room! People who obviously hadn't seen each other in a long time spotted one another across a crowded room and, boom, they were hugging and laughing. Happened at least 15 times."

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

Another Open House will take place on Saturday, May 9th from 10 - 1.

*******

ELSEWHERE

Sharon Cossette has sent this note and lovely picture:

"I am sharing with you a picture from my niece's wedding- Katie Plante, formally from Waterville. Katie is the daughter of Cathy Plante and Doug Plante. Katie married Travis Smith on Saturday, May 2, in Crozet, Virginia, in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Luckily many of Katie's family (including myself) were able to attend this event. Katie and Travis reside in California.

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

....... and this beautiful photograph of Bluebirds
came from a reader in Brookfield.

********

Quite a number of families around the village observed May Day in traditional manner: small bouquets or baskets with goodies and even beribboned bottles of (shall we say) "Spring Spirits!"

******

From Memorial Park School,

a special message to Veterans

and those currently serving in the Military:

(Please click the image to enlarge.)

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


If you click on this image you'll see that the Dobmeiers of "Frog Park Herbs" are doing their share of Garden Club weed-work at the high school!

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

At the same time that they were working ........

............ nearly 400 hungry people lined up for barbecued chicken, ribs and steak with all the fixings prepared by "Outback Steakhouse" at a benefit sponsored by the Brothertown Music Boosters, yesterday! Proceeds will be used to help defray student expenses when the WCS Marching Band, Color Guard and Jazz Ensemble travel to Orlando Florida to perform at Disney World in July.

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

The sun is shining!

Have a great day!