News from Up North
July 7th, 2013 · No Comments · Posted in News from Up North
Blueberries are beginning to ripen up here
First it looked like War of the Worlds, then everything went black.
Giant thunderheads marched across the evening sky. Flashes of lightning illuminated the horizon all around. As darkness fell, the lights dimmed. The clock on our stove blinked off. The computer would not turn on. Then, the power completely failed.
This was Friday night, my first experience with a power outage on our new farm property. It’s a little scary, since without power, nothing works up here. No water, for instance, since it has to be drawn out of the well with an electric pump. We’re on the grid, so we don’t have a backup generator.
I hopped in the truck to see if any news was being reported on the radio. A quick drive up the road confirmed that it wasn’t just our house that was affected. There were no lights on anywhere. I drove the three and a half miles into Cambridge and it was the same story there: the only signs of life were at the IGA supermarket–closed but illuminated. They must have a generator to preserve their perishables. Likewise, the lights were burning at the fire station where a small crowd was gathering.
“A main line went down,” one of the volunteer firemen told me as he scanned his iPhone. “They say it will be an hour.”
I drove home again and went to bed. When I awoke the next morning, everything was back to normal. But a frantic e-mail arrived from the local food co-op: any and all volunteers were needed to help inventory the losses from two refrigerator cases that had broken down overnight. A power outage casualty? Not sure….
In other electrical news, authorities are at a loss to explain why a 40-year-old man cut through a chain link fence onto a property containing high tension wires where he was electrocuted while walking across steel members 10 feet off the ground. The man was transported to the Albany Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
An original, hand-colored Currier and Ives lithograph of Grapeshot, the clipper ship originally owned by Cambridge historical luminary George Law, has been rediscovered and put on display at Cambridge Antiques.
Law, a 19th Century shipping and rails magnate, left an estate with numerous farm buildings on Content Farm Road near Coila. Among his many feats, he built the High Bridge crossing the Harlem River in New York City. Law famously loaned his ship Grapeshot to a posse of New York police in order to track down a murder suspect who was trying to flee to the Canary Islands.
The lithograph can be viewed in the antique store’s third floor gallery.
The 81st LeBarron family reunion has been scheduled for July 21 at Lake Lauderdale. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. with a $2 admission charge. Please remember to bring some meat to be grilled and some memorabilia to share.
It was a big day for the Lake Lauderdale summer camp. In spite of the rain, 130 children came out for the first day of camp last week, which must be some kind of record. The six-week program offers swim lessons along with sports, science, art, crafts and other activities.
Music from Salem has announced it has sold out its annual gala on Friday, this year with a 1950s theme. Participants are urged to car pool to avoid parking problems. Meanwhile, the Salem Courthouse Community Center apparently still has room at its 11th annual Al Fresco Dinner featuring foods from local growers. On the menu: peach salad with local chevre and greens, herb crusted pork loin served on a Greek potato salad, sirloin with chimichurri sauce and green beans almondine.
In other news, Washington County Public Health will hold a rabies clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets July 13 at the public works garage on Memorial Drive in Cambridge.
An “artificers” weekend is scheduled for July 13 and 14 at Saratoga Battlefield National Historical Park to demonstrate how tradesmen such as tailors and blacksmiths supplied the revolutionary army.
A self-guided tour of Washington County artist studios also is set for this coming weekend. Twelve of the area’s professional artists will be opening their studios to the public. Arleen Targan, originally slated to take part, is recovering from a stroke. Several of the other artists will be hanging pieces of her work in support. Maps for the tour are available at www.studiotour.org, or at the Leslie Parke Studio at 15 W. Main Street in Cambridge.
Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon has declared July “Ice Cream Month.”
“It’s extremely important to remember that all ice creams, sherbets and frozen yogurts all contain the powerhouse package of nine essential nutrients including calcium, potassium and riboflavin,” McMahon told readers. “Some may even include fruit pieces, or be made with egg which provide you with even more nutrition!”
McMahon recommends a “delicious, cool, ice cream sandwich cake,” made in a casserole with a box of ice cream sandwiches, a tub of Cool Whip, a can of hot fudge, a bottle of chocolate syrup and a topping of Oreo cookies or your choice of nuts, M&Ms or sprinkles.
Serve immediately, or put it in the freezer for later.
This edition of News from Up North was culled from actual news reports in the Washington County Area and is presented here for the enjoyment and edification of our readers. As always, stay alert and please drive carefully.
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