Next Chapter

After months of hard work, the Wells Memorial Library will be open once again this Saturday at 11 a.m., January 28. As our Board president, Marie Anne has said, "We are five months overdue."

Many of you know the library did not fair well from Tropical Storm Irene. As it turns out, three feet of water on the main floor of a library is not a good thing and when that river water finally recedes and leaves you caked in mud, you have a major problem.

Having lost a large portion of the collection and needing to make extensive repairs to the library, reopening seemed impossible. However, the amount of support that was received has been astonishing. Neighbors, friends and others in the community lent a hand when they could and book and monetary donations rolled in from across the globe. The generosity of so many has been overwhelming and we feel extremely fortunate. Thankfully, we are seeing books on the shelves again and it is truly heartwarming.

Please come visit us and check out a book. If you happen to be along the Ausable this Saturday from 1-3 p.m., join us at a reception to celebrate the Wells Memorial Library's next chapter.

The Future of a Mansion

On Monday, November 21, 2011, the historic Wellscroft Lodge, a tudor mansion will be sold to the highest bidder in Collar City's bankruptcy real estate auction.

The mansion built in Upper Jay in 1903 was sold in the 1940s due to financial troubles after the Depression and has had several owners since. Unfortunately, the most recent owners have had the same misfortune and the future of Wellscroft remains unknown.

As a tween, a popular fortune game that my friends and I played was called M.A.S.H., which stood for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House.

You would list as the picture above shows; four different cars, four boys, four jobs, and number of future children. Then you would make a squiggly or spiral in the center of the box until your friend said "Stop!" and you would then count the lines and that would be the number you would use to go around the box, crossing selections off until you only had one in each category.

If you ended up with a shack, you obviously had no future, even if you landed on lawyer for your job. A mansion was the best thing to get. For sure. Who wouldn't want the mansion?

The other day when I was walking around the Wellscroft mansion during a preview with my husband, I couldn't help but think about the fortune game again and how his name was never, not once on any of my M.A.S.H. games. I also realized how wrong I was about ever wanting a mansion because when I walked into one room and called his name, I couldn't find him. That fortune game never told me that some day I'd be much more comfortable in an 1100 square foot home as opposed to a 17,000 + sq. ft. mansion. M.A.S.H. predicted nothing accurately, but honestly I'm happy with how things have turned out.

Gargoyle Flood Relief

Slowly, things are getting cleaned up around here. Even the gargoyles have been pitching in.

Wells Memorial Library Flood

Irene hit our neck of the woods on Sunday and drenched us with 11 inches of rain. The Ausable River proved it was too much for her to handle and our communities took a beating. Many roads, houses, and businesses have been damaged and destroyed. Our home up on the hill kept us safe and we were very fortunate to not have any damages. Friends and favorite businesses were not as blessed and my heart aches for everyone affected.

Here is a picture taken across the road from the Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay during the storm.

Before the river receded it was six feet high touching the top of the speed limit sign. Many tears were shed the next morning when we walked in and saw the main floor covered in inches of mud with the basement completely flooded to its ceiling.

Over the last few days we have shoveled out mud, pumped the water out of the basement and have begun the process of discarding several books and other items that were caked with mud and completely drenched.

The library cannot thank members of the community enough that have been able to help us in the first steps to recovery. This will be a long process of restoration. Now is as good enough time as any to thank you once again for helping me raise over $1300 in my run for reading. The money was placed into our capitol fund and that money will be used to help us get the library back up and running.

However, we are finding out it will take much more. We are getting a tremendous response from those after hearing that we have lost about a half of our books, but we are not ready to take book collections at this time. The library is focusing on the needs of our building and equipment. Financial contributions outweigh our need for books at this time. If you are interested in helping in anyway, please send donations to:

Wells Memorial Library

Post Office Box 57

Upper Jay, NY 12987

Lucky Lindy Dog Biscuits

This weekend was the second time I've tasted Lucky Lindy Dog Biscuits. Yes, you read that correctly. With a claim such as, "It's people food that's good for dogs," of course I'd sample them, especially after reading the list of ingredients and seeing no by-products and only "human food" products. After trying both flavors, Sweet Potato, Maple Syrup & Cinnamon and All Natural Cheese Pizza, my taste buds preferred the Pizza.

I did not eat the Big "Bark-A-Licious" Bones, I sampled the petite treats, made for smaller dogs. I must say, I stopped at only one treat because it did leave a strange after taste and found myself picking out doggy biscuit remnants from my teeth, probably something that dogs don't worry about.

Natalie, the doggy chef and owner, makes a variety of biscuit sizes so you can choose the size that is just right for your dog. She can be found at the Lake Placid Farmer's Market on Wednesdays, where you too can sample a treat, but for those of you that I have already convinced that your dog will love her treats, you can order them from her website.

Sign in the Middle of the River

Has anyone else been by the old bridge foundation on 9N between Upper Jay and Jay recently and wondered what the sign in the middle of the river said?

Have no fear, I went home and put on my water shoes. I dragged my husband along for the drive back to the bridge, we waded in and found out exactly what it said.

Are you running like a: Gorilla, Frog, Deer

I don't know about you, but I found it confusing to see this sign stapled to a log in the middle of the Ausable River. I guess if I had to pick which animal I most run like, I'd probably say a gorilla. What about you?

Running For Reading

As I recently mentioned, this round of marathon training has been slower than usual. I am okay with that, but I'm starting to see habits forming. As I begin to know more and more of you within the community, I find myself breaking stride and stopping to chat.

I might be in the middle of a 15 mile run trying to crest a hill and catch up to you while you are walking your dog, so I stop and walk with you and chat. Then another 30 minutes goes by and find myself on a tour of a property that I often admire. Sometimes I stop running because I finally see a fellow knitting group friend outside weeding after having heard through the grapevine that she had been in the hospital. Maybe my pace slows because I have a question about a cool sign on the side of a barn or finally get to meet the owner and learn the names of the dogs that chase me up the hill from within their electric fence.

These last few months of running have made me really appreciate all the waves and big smiles I get from those of you in your vehicles passing by. I don't even know most of your names, but I thank all of you for getting me through those dark, cold mornings. I am so lucky to be able to run safely in such a wonderful community and for that I am racing for the Wells Memorial Library at the Vermont City Marathon on May 29th and hope that I can raise funds for what I believe is an important organization that brings people in our community together. It also helps that the library is sometimes on my running route and I can always stop in, fill up my water bottles and fuel up with some candy.

I have 26.2 miles to run, so whether it's 10 cents or 10 dollars a mile, please consider making a pledge to support the Wells Memorial Library. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below with your email address or you can send your donation to: Wells Memorial Library, PO Box 57, Upper Jay, NY 12987.

Thank You!

Missing!

Something was off this morning. I knew it the second I woke up. I was expecting the roads to be blanketed with snow, but the storm hit East of us and we were spared. I was happy to put my running shoes on and head out 9N without the slush, but I forgot my ipod and so I had to actually be inside my own head. Do you know what that's like? Usually my tunes distract me.

However, I had no music and I started getting nervous as soon as I hit the curve after the first "Parking Area" and saw a grey, Tacoma truck pulled off to the side of the road. Immediately, I thought about my upcoming abduction and how I should have told Drew my route. There were plenty of cars passing by, but I wondered if any of them would remember seeing my black leggings and reddish pink jacket, if I had gone missing.

I cautiously approached the vehicle and saw no one. This made me run faster and my eyes searched the woods next to the truck for signs of life, but saw nothing. I decided I was safe and kept running. I know I am pretty crazy, but like I mentioned before, something was off. I came up to the Gargoyles of 9N and indeed something was off. In fact, one was gone!

Nah, just kidding, APRIL FOOLS! Both Gargoyles remain happily perched watching over the activity of Route 9N. As for the owner of the Toyota Tacoma, thank you for making me run just a little bit faster this morning. :)

note to self:

Snowy Gargoyles

The snow banks surrounding the Gargoyles are high and threaten to bury them, but have no fear that they haven't been forgotten and have been getting plowed out.

Upper Jay Pegasus

I know it is the season to watch out for Santa's flying reindeer, but apparently you also need to be on the look out for the pegasus of Upper Jay!

Gargoyle Yard Sale

The Gargoyles had a Garage and Yard Sale this weekend.

I stopped by to see just how much two Gargoyles could accumulate. I was surprised to see that when I'm not spying on the Gargoyles and taking their photograph, they have been busy playing the guitar, using a George Foreman Grill and Tubing.

Their Yard Sale also gave me some insight into other hobbies of theirs, such as reading and fashion. They must have outgrown a lot of clothes and I also suspect that they became tired of playing with dinosaur toys.

The Gargoyles were trying to purge many items from their lives this weekend, but they accepted some Easter Rabbit Eggs that I found at a Yard Sale before visiting them.

I thought they'd be a perfect addition for an Easter Gargoyle Party. Stay tuned...

For Sale: Water Tube

After purchasing three tubes from the Mountaineer less than 24 hours ago, I have discovered that tubing down the river is not for me.

Our friend Heather from Colorado was visiting and we thought it would be fun to float down the river to our house. We started our journey from the parking area on 9N between Upper Jay and Jay. Everything started off smoothly and I was loving life.

A little more than half a mile later down stream, I could tell my body wasn't liking the adventure. I had visions of myself grabbing onto the bridge foundation and holding on for dear life like Anne of Green Gables did before Gilbert rescued her.

No, the current wasn't strong and I was not in danger of drowning. This lazy river tubing adventure was carrying us at a rate of less than one mile an hour. You see, my body is fragile and I am prone to motion sickness. I have gotten sick while flat water kayaking on Mirror Lake. I thought I would be fine just floating down the river not exerting myself. However, I am a freak of nature.

Drew and Heather were perfectly happy drifting further and further down the river away from me.

Something happened 1 1/2 miles down. I vomited. Yes, that's right, I puked. It was a technicolor yawn. I tossed my cookies. Upchucked. Barfed. Threw up. Hurled. This projectile ralph happened in my beloved river.

I was still only about half way to our house and had no choice but to float and walk along the river banks while my husband and friend laughed at me during other bouts of vomiting. This unfortunately is something Drew has gotten used to over the years with me.

Finally we rounded the final river bend and came to the parking area less than a mile walk to our house. I exited the river and waved down a woman that I've seen often while running in the morning to give me a ride to the Covered Bridge to meet them.

Drew and Heather completed the three mile river journey. Drew ended it with a grand finale of sliding down the rapids just before the bridge. He obviously had no problems with his stomach.

So, if anyone else would like to give it a try, I know of one River Rat tube that won't be used anytime soon.

Patriotic Gargoyles

Have a safe and happy fourth of July from the Gargoyles!

Red Barn Antiques Grand Re-Opening

I had gone down to Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay today to do a little volunteer work. I usually scan old slides from the Archives room, but today the computer was "Out of Order" and my favorite librarian, Karen, was out as well.

Having already set a side a few hours to volunteer, I decided to poke my head in at Red Barn Antiques to see if Julie, the proprietor, needed any help getting ready for the Grand Re-Opening this Saturday. This will be their one year anniversary at the red barn in Upper Jay and to celebrate there will be a community pot luck and music to celebrate.

Julie put me to work right away carrying items to the new upstairs section and I was thrilled. As I windexed a case, I couldn't stop looking around. My eyes darted everywhere checking out all the amazing antiques.

I called my husband to tell him about my change of volunteer venues and told him about the danger involved with me working in an antique store/barn. I was as the expression goes, "like a kid in a candy store."

Julie, an expert on early plastics, educated me on bakelite and celluloid as we worked and I was thrilled to learn that someone as nerdy as I am when it comes to antiques lives just a few miles away. I restrained myself from buying today, but did not leave empty handed. Julie surprised me with some vintage milk glass spice jars as a thank you!

Come on down to The Red Barn Antiques & Artisan Gallery Grand Re-Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 22 at 5:30 PM. There will be a free music concert by the Pelletier Family and also, Larry Stone & Julie Robards (my new BFF). Bring some food to share at the Pot Luck and hang out with some pretty darn cool people in the community and a barn full of antiques. Does it get any better than that?

Irish Gargoyle

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Winter Olympic Gargoyles

Gargoyle John has put on his winter hat and is rooting for Team Canada and USA in the sliding sports.

Gargoyle Lance has wrapped a scarf around his neck and is looking forward to watching both Nordic Skiing and Ice Hockey.

Gargoyle Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Santa Visits the Gargoyles

I couldn't sleep last night because I was anxious to see if Santa brought the Gargoyles anything for Christmas this year. Without waking the Gargoyles I noticed that "Santa" had indeed delivered!

Apparently the Gargoyle stockings were too small to hold the PEZ that Santa brought and must have run out of wrapping paper too because they were propped up against the wreaths.

I hope that no wild animal discovers the PEZ before the Gargoyles find their surprise from Santa!

Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!

There's No Place Like PO for the Holidays!

Last year I took a break from the Holiday rush and enjoyed the Holiday Movie Matinee at the Upper Jay post office. This experience made me fall in love with this ye olde government establishment.

After the post office in Jay told me they were out of postcard stamps yesterday, I knew the postmaster in Upper Jay wouldn't let me down at this time of year. Not only did he have all of the stamps that I needed for my holiday postcards, he even had them in polar bears! Very appropriate for the 20 postcards I sent out as Winter Wishes.

If you've never paid a visit to the Upper Jay post office, I assure you a pleasant experience, especially during the holidays. This year the postmaster has a different movie selection and is showing "The Snowman" and "A Good Tree".

If you still have cards or packages to mail out and address, a movie showing next to the "fire" at the post office might help take the seasonal stress away.

There's no place like home or the post office for the holidays!

Holidays with the Gargoyles

Lance and John are in the Christmas spirit and are all decked out in wreaths this year!

They both have mini stockings that should probably be checked to see if "Santa" brings them a litttle something Christmas morning.

The Gargoyles continue to bring me joy no matter the season. I hope all of you have a wonderful Holiday season filled with joy!