News from Up North
February 2nd, 2014 · No Comments · Posted in News from Up North
The previous owners of our home, who built the house, said they weren’t trying so much to build a solar structure as to capture the views looking toward Vermont. We’ve discovered that these windows, facing south-by-southeast, provide all the daytime heat we need when the sun is shining. In fact, our comfort inside the house this time of year depends not so much on the outside temperature as on the cloud cover. If skies are clear, the inside temperature will rise to 74 degrees by 10 a.m., no matter how freezing it may be outside and without the aide of a fire in the wood stove.
Typically, I light a fire in the wood stove when I get up around 5:30 a.m. just to take some of the chill off the inside temperature, which typically hovers around 60 degrees. Then I let the fire die until around 2:30 in the afternoon, when the sun angles away from our bank of windows and the inside temperature begins to fall again. Not feeding the stove for six or more hours during the day saves us a ton of fire wood. In addition, the house is much more comfortable all through the night when the interior has had a chance to soak up all those rays.
Now, if we could just do something about the air leaks around the cheap windows the previous owner installed. Really, if you’re going to build a new house and insulate it like crazy, why pinch pennies when it comes to the quality of the windows and doors?
Meanwhile, a barn fire in Easton took the lives of 45 calves this week, all less than three weeks old. A passerby saw the flames at Sunset View Farm shortly after 2 a.m. and firefighters from three jurisdictions responded. Authorities said they believe the blaze was cause by an electrical heater. The farm is co-owned by Easton Supervisor Don Rymph.
The Valley Artisans Market in Cambridge celebrates is first annual “Pre-Valentine’s Chocolate Day” with an exhibition and sale of hand-made chocolates Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The public is invited to stop by, taste some chocolates and chat with some of the local craftsmen who made them. The market is located at 25 E. Main Street.
The Owlkill road and Gun Club recently held its first “cabin fever” night of the season in Eagle Bridge. The event gives club members a chance to share stories and “show off interesting gear and collectible or personally significant firearms.”
“This time of year, when so many of us are hibernating at home in the evenings to escape the sub-zero temperatures, it take a little extra push to bring people together,” said club president Lance Allen Want. Among the firearms on display: a 1920s combination rifle/shotgun made by German manufacturer Krupp, an original 1860 Army black powder pistol and an 1880s vintage Marlin lever rifle.
Kudos to boys from Hoosick Falls Troop 64 who camped out at the Pioneer Fish and Game club this past weekend. The scouts participated in an impromptu class by Ed Sukuskas on wood ducks, as well as learning survival skills such as what to do if you fall through some ice while hiking in the woods. (Call 911?) Meanwhile, members of Greenwich Boy Scout Troop 27, sponsored by Greenwich Elks Lodge #2223, recently took part in the Twin Rivers Council Klondike Derby and Deep Freeze camp out in Fort Ann. The boys raced to different activities, including Skee Ball on ice, fire starting and “crime scene” investigating.
Mrs. Parker’s first grade class at Salem Central School recently practiced cuneiform, the earliest known form of writing. To do so, they rolled out Play-Doh and pressed different strokes into the clay using wooden sticks. Then they secretly passed the notes to each other while the teacher wasn’t looking. (Just kidding.)
Finally, Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Lindsey McMahon would like readers to know how important it is for farmers to maintain the comfort of their cows with good milking parlor design. Several different designs–rotary, parallel, herring-bone–are available. “No matter which parlor is installed on the farm, cows are sure to have a smooth, hygienic, safe and comfortable milking each and every day,” McMahon says.
This week, the dairy princess suggests making creamy, tomato-stuffed chicken for dinner. First, flatten 1 pound skinned breast halves (four halves) to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, stir together 4 ounces cream cheese, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 cup chopped dried tomatoes. Spread cheese mix over chicken and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese.
Roll up the 4 breast halves and secure with tooth picks. Arrange in a baking dish and bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, stir together 6 plum tomatoes, chopped, 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. To serve, cut chicken into slices and top with fresh tomato mixture.
Bon appetit!
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.
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.