JoesTown

A Matter of History: Town of Lyonsdale

2011-11-10T14:31:00.000-05:00

By Ramona Salmon

Most towns beginnings were successful due to the dogged determination of the first settlers. It was not so, however, for the Town of Lyonsdale. The town was officially formed (from the southern part of Greig) in 1873 by the board of Supervisors. Eventually the power of the Moose River resulted in the leather, lumber and wood-pulp manufacturing. The State also provided for the construction of reservoirs for equalizing the water supply to the town. However, it was earlier in 1794 that the actual first settlers came from France to the area in Lyonsdale, known now as Lyons Falls, but at that time was called High Falls. Their hopes were to form a flourishing establishment within the wild wooded country. To get to High Falls they blazed their own trail using pruning hooks. Later the trail would be called the French Road. Most of their money went for provisions that were expensive to obtain out in the wilds. the 'would be' French settlers found the deficiency and inadequacy of northern New York's wilderness beyond their capacity of endurance. Most of them packed up and left the area some to New York City and others, back to France.

The Castorland Company of France

The reason the French came here in 1794 was their association with the Castorland Company, also known as the French Company. The company paid for the construction of the first official road opened in Lewis County in 1798 from Rome, NY to High Falls. If not for the browsing of the bookstalls in Paris by an American, the story of the Castorland Company, published in 1801 many have been lost. It was translated, brought to America and resides in the NYS Museum in Albany. In describing Lyonsdale, it refers to the rivers that abound with fish, the beauty along the riverbanks and the abundance of fowl. Unfortunately ,m it also gives an accounting of the company's destruction of almost all of the beaver dams, as well as their intent to make the wolves and elk disappear. sadly , the account reads, 'Our hunters will soon make (wolves and elk) disappear, for you know, that wherever man establishes himself, this tyrant must reign alone.'

Early Tidbits

The first crime recorded in Lewis County was by a man named Crocker who worked for the French. In 1796, he stole a watch and other small articles. Once found out, he escaped and the items were never recovered. in 1799, a white man came to High Falls stating that his black companion died on the Beaver River Road. The white man was believed to have murdered his companion. However, the deceased remains were so decayed that no evidence could be found to prove the white man guilty, so he was released. In the late 1800s, the yellowish brick ruins of the French house at High Falls were discovered.

Caleb Lyon

In 1819, before Lyonsdale was officially a town, the first settlement began under the agency of Caleb Lyon who was of Scottish ancestry. In 1823, Caleb himself settled in Lyonsdale where in 1829 he built a bridge, and in 1830-31 a gristmill. In 1835, he was found dead in the woods near the Davis Bridge. He was believed to have died from what people then called apoplexy. Apoplexy was a cover-all worked for any sudden loss of consciousness that was followed by death, such as heart attack, aneurysm or a cerebral hemorrhage. The photo accompanying this story is that of a plaque in memory of Caleb Lyon. Its location in the intersection of the River and Davis Bridge roads in Lyonsdale, and was placed there in 1951 by his great grandson Clarence Lyon Fisher.

Ramona Salmon lives in the Town of Watson (in Lewis County) and enjoys writing about North Country people and places that piques the interest and brings back fond memories fro the readers.

Boonville Herald,
October 26,2011 - November 1, 2011,
Page 10

A Matter of History Bits and Pieces

2011-11-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

By Ramona Salmon

I was visiting with someone the other day that is also a history buff. We talked about many topics, eventually geting around to my story last week about the Indians and Lewis County. What I discovered first had from this person, from a book put out by the 3-G Fire Department years ago, and additional research on my part, enlightened me to many more interesting facts about the Indians in Lewis County.
This week's title of 'Bits and Pieces' I thought was quite apropos. You can research until the cows come home, but it isn't until you just happen to be at the right place, at the right time, talking to the right person, that you obtain the most important bits and pieces of information relevant to your story.
In the Hamlet of Glenfield, one of the streets is named Oliver Place, after the Oliver family who owned all of that area. One of the OPliver family's daughters was the grandmother to the person I was visiting with, and she passed down the following story to her grandson. The exact dates these events took place are unknown, but using the 3-G Fire Departments book as a guide, the timeframe would be approximatley the late 1800s.
Every summer the Indians, including women and childrem traveleld to Lewis County. Upon arriving they would knock on the Oliver family door and ask to camp on their land. The men would head up to the Brantingham area to hunt and fish, and the women and children would plant and harvest vegetables such as corn and swuash. At summer;s end, the men would return adn, taling the game and harvest, the Indians would leave Glenfield and travel south to Oneida. One year as a thank you to the Oliver family,m the Indians left a large woven basket on the porch, which is still in the family today.
The Fire Department book is the history of Glenfield, Glendale, Greig and Brantingham. The contributors were Deforest Burdick, Maude Burke, Clarence Johnson, Roland Reed and Lloyd E. Tiffany. The book verifies the firsthand account of the Indians coming to Lewis County for the summer, going even further to say additional gropiups of Indians camped along the Independance River, as well as along the Black River near what was then called the Villiage of Greig.
Additional pieces of important information connecting the Indians to Lewis County that I've happened upon come from old maps drawn prior to 1795. On the maps, the northern part of New York is named Irocoisia, which means 'The Land of the Iroquois.' The maps do not show the existance of the Black River, but rather notes the area as 'Deer hunting grounds of the Five NAtions.' The Oneida Indians were , in fact, the sole owners of Greig and Brantingham. However, by formal treaty signed at Fort Stanwix in 1788, they ceded most of this land to the state, excepting certain reservations, including a tract 1/2-mile wide on each side of Fish Creek. The early 1800's history states that IUndians reported that a big fire had swept over Brantingham and ruined most of the first growth timber. The names that the indians face to our lakes, rivers and creeks are: Ga-na-ga-to-da for Deer River, Ne-ha-sa-ne for Beaver River, Da-Ween-Net for Otter Creek, Te-ca-hun-di-an-do for Moose River, Ta-ga-so-ke for Salmon River, and O-je-quack for Indian River.
A good historical story is more than just facts from books,. It is enhanced ten fold when it includes the knowlege of local people. I would be grateful for any informatuion, memoris and stories you have about our southern Lewis County towns.

Ramona Salmon lives in the Town of Watson (in Lewis County) and enjoys writing about North Country people and places that peaks the interest and brings back foind memoris for the readers.

From the Boonville Herald October 19, 2011
Page 12

new blog

2006-02-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

there is a new blog for me. i moved everything over to joestown.com/blog. u can now go there to see all of them.

Banned Xbox 360 Ad: Best Ad Ever!

2005-11-27T14:51:00.000-05:00

This Xbox 360 ad was banned. Watch the clip, and you will most likely know why It is banned.

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FOX says you can get shows from friends

2005-11-13T13:16:00.000-05:00

go to this page and click on number 8, it says Our recommendation is to ask co-workers, friends, family and neighbors for anyone who may have taped off-the-air the show you are looking for. This could mean that bit torrent is all right!

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Illustration of New York - What's Underground

2005-10-28T18:35:00.000-04:00

A well mapped out illustration showing exactly what is beneath you and how far down it is in the city of New York (including the subway).

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A cool easter egg in the new Star Wars DVD - the "YoDance"?

2005-10-27T15:06:00.000-04:00

The Revenge of the Sith DVD will be released on November 1, and is said to contain a little easter egg for the fans - Yoda dancing to a hip hop tune with some stormtroopers bopping their heads in the background!

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CMU students create 4 new games per week

2005-10-19T14:30:00.000-04:00

Carnegie Mellon University students will create a total of 50 new minigames this semesterâ��all of them playableâ��as part of their class assignments towards their Masters of Entertainment Technology degrees.

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FCC: Christian network a "better use" of a school's radio frequency

2005-10-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

Maynard High School's radio frequency, 91.7 FM, is being seized by a network of Christian broadcasting stations that the Federal Communications Commission has ruled is a better use of the public airwaves.

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Fatherhood

2005-10-16T15:36:00.000-04:00

I just have one quick comment about fatherhood. There is no greater sound in the entire universe than when your child is laughing.

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 6

2005-10-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

     In this letter Charles shows continued concern for his sister Laura’s health. His acceptance of a Devine plan for all that has happened is reflective of the United States Christian Commission’s work and the general revivalist movement in the 1860’s. It was written about two weeks before the Battle of Gettysburg. At that point Northern States are highly embroiled among themselves in an anti-war movement lead by Democratic politicians called ”Cooper Heads.” The former mayor of Utica, New York, Horatio Seymour, is a strong proponent of a negotiated settlement with the South, and now is Governor of New York State. No doubt, Charles is aware of the political climate, because he writes about Democrats, Republican, Christians and the damage being inflicted to the war effort by “Northern Rebels.”

                                        Fredrick City June 12, 63
     Dear Sister,
     I hasten to answer your letter which I received in due time – I am sorry to heat that your health is so poor and I hope that you may not lose your voice, but whatever God may appoint in his providence let us try to receive as from an all wise and merciful Father and let us pray that our afflictions may (come) from our greatest affliction.
     You tell me to be patient I have no cause to be impatient when I think of the promises of God, he has said that al things shall fork for the good of the right spirit may prove blessings to us – all that we may suffer here will soon be past. We cannot always see the hand that leads us but let us cast ourselves into his care and he will care for us. But if we are ashamed of him before man he will be ashamed of us before his father and the holy Angels – Elise wishes me to be a Democrat. I wish she may be a Christian if she is not. Then she may be a Democrat or Republican. She may err in judgement but she will not err in principle. She will aim to be right and do right – we should not think more of a party than our country – I would rather the names Democrat and Republican would link to us no more than that we should lose our free institutions. I would that we had a party without the imperfections of either but as they are made of imperfect men they will be imperfect. And, we should choose the best and will – should they think of it – You there at home never can know what men are suffering for this country. To know it must be seen and felt and the man (men) that would for money or for offer weaken the efficiency of our army by work or deed are aiding to the extent to which they go. To carry on the rebellion I am sorry that we have so many rebels north. They may prolong the war. I believe that is all that they can do. I believe that the union of these states will be established.
     I have not received any pay here. I did not get here in time to muster and have a year’s pay due me the first of next month. Perhaps I may be paid in July. I sent to Lysander last fall (when I expected to come home) and got fifteen dollars and I have about ten shillings left. I think that you need part of it more than I do so I enclose a dollar to you.
                                   Write soon direct – Fredrick City
                                   General Hospital Barrack “O”
                                   From your Brother C H Hayden
     Write particularly how you get along. My health is rather improving. I have but little pain and rest well nights. And plenty of plain foods mostly bread. Meat once a day, not often butter, sometimes applesauce for supper, tea and coffee for break fast and supper.
                                                  C H Hayden

Shari and the relatives

2005-10-14T19:34:00.000-04:00

Well, Shari visited her relatives from Maryland today and had a great time. she especially loved her 18 mnth old cousin, him and her played for a while then shari needed mommy. But she was very welled behaved and played with everyone very well. hopefully she played herself into tiredness sot hat she will actually sleep tonight. speaking of sleeping i really need to rest myself. talk to you all later

Teaching Kids to Program

2005-10-10T16:38:00.000-04:00

There is a new programming language out that is freeware. It is intended for Kids who have never programmed before. It is very easy for them to create an move things around on their computer screen.

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Charge your electronic devices WIRELESSLY!!

2005-10-10T16:34:00.000-04:00

A company called Splashpower has come up with a way to wirelessly charge your electronic devices using electromagnetic induction

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The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 5

2005-10-08T15:24:00.000-04:00

Charles writes to his sister Laura, from Frederick City, Maryland, on May 25, 1863, the Smoketown Hospital he had been confined to during the past seven and a half months will never meet his eyes again. This letter comes shortly after the Battle of Chancelorsville in early May. Combined, the North and South suffered over 30,000 casualties and was the most humiliating Union defeat of the Civil War. The stress placed on the medical corps of boh sides of care of the wounded was beyond capabilities. Good fortune and luck was with Charles because he found himself in a situation offering clean, un-crowded quality care. Once examined by the doctor in his new setting, there was evidently consideration for sending him to the Invalid Corps. However, serving the remainder of his military term with the maimed and handicapped was not to be his fate. Most interesting are his eye-opening comments concerning the care of rebel prisoners! Fredrick City May 25, ‘63 Dear Sister, I have left Smoketown at last. I have been here three weeks. I did not get my discharge at Smoketown as I expected. I don’t know how long I will be here probably all summer. The weather has been very warm for a few days – I do not think I feel as well when the weather is very warm. I spoke about my discharge to the doctor Saturday morning for the first time. Twice I have been in the hospital. I thought if I could go north where the weather is cooler it would be better for me. The doctor gave me but little encouragement about going home and seemed to think that I might be able to go into the invalid corps, but said he wold see if I was enitled to discharge. The hospital is pleasantly situated just at the outskirts of the town. There are 18 to 20 buildings 100 or 200 feet long and about 30 feet wide. They are enclosed by a high fence and when we wish to go out we have to get a pass. I have had 4 and 5, and have not had to ask for one – I like it here very well everything is kept very nice and clean. The hospital is not very full of patients. The rebel patients were went off a few days ago. They were used as well as we can sleep in the same rooms and eat at the same table. I believe in using prisoners well and I wish that our prisoners could be used as well as they have been. I think they (Rebels) are used better than the (Union) were. Laura, perhaps you may not get this letter very soon but answer as soon as you get it and tel me where to direct if you are at home or anywhere else from home. Direct Fredrick City General Hospital MD Barrack O My ink is so poor that i do not know whether you can read this letter or not. From Hervey to his sister Laura. P.S. Laura, if you are at home answer (confirm) with a few lines in your next letter.

Another New Blog

2005-10-02T13:52:00.000-04:00

I have started for Shari her own blog that for the present time katie and I will be posting to so that we can keep you up to date on what she is doing and how she is developing and pics that we get and like. hope you enjoy this as much as i will.

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 4

2005-09-27T16:31:00.000-04:00

     In this letter of March 5, 1863, Charles writes to this sister Laura from the same Smoketown hospital that he was sent in October 1862. Discouraged with continuing poor health, chronic diarrhea and pain from his very severe wound, he is concerned about not being fit for regimental duty. He expresses a clear fatalistic tone and acceptance that the future is beyond his capacity to control.

                                             Smoketown Hospital
                                                  March 5, 1863

     Dear Sister,
     I have been waiting some time and have not written because I expected to leave here soon, either discharged or sent to the regiment. But I do not see anymore prospect of going than I did two months ago. There are some discharged and others sent to their regiments every few days. My health is not very good and I have had the diarrhea for six months most of the time, and my side and breast (are) weak and I have some pain when I lay down. I find that I do not get over a wound as soon as it is healed. But, it is liable to bother – long after. I do not think that I am able to go to the regiment and do duty as a soldier, but perhaps I shall be sent.
     I mean to try to keep my trust in Him that has preserved my life through the bloody conflicts that I have passed through where many have been from health to the grave in a few moments – and if it is His will that I shall be discharged it will be so, if not He can give me strength when I return to duty to do what is required of me.
     I am glad that you have found a friend and I hope that he may prove kind and true. Still I would always have you put your trust in that friend that can never deceive but will always do that which is best for us if we put our trust in Him, although we may not always think so at the time.
     The weather here has been wet and we have had rather bad weather, but today is warm and pleasant. The grass is just beginning to start. We have a nice little chapel where we have meetings three times a week and we have a very fine man for chaplain.
     I was sorry to hear that Pa had lost his dam but was glad that he had it repaired. I hope he may have success and he prospers.
     Dear Sister, I hope the time may soon come when war shall end and we shall meet at home again.
                                        Direct Smoketown Hospital
                                             Washington, DC
                                             Via Sharsburg MD
                                        From your loving brother,
                                             Charles H. Hayden

2005-09-25T16:18:00.000-04:00

beautiful blue eyes, thats my shari

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden Pt 3

2005-09-24T17:39:00.000-04:00

     In the following letter dated January 25, 1863, Charles is still receiving care from the same hospital in Maryland that he wrote from in November. His progress is amazing considering the seriousness of his wounds. He notes that Smoketown is becoming the recipient of soldiers from other hospitals. Just four weeks before this was written Union forces lost 13,000 soldiers (18,000 – both sides combined) to casualties during the Battle of Fredricksburg. No doubt the influx of patients he notes was the result of that battle.
     The letter also demonstrates the influence of the United States Christian Commission. During the war this YMCA founded, non denominational, charity funded, volunteer organization cared to the spiritual needs of soldiers, particularly those who were wounded. It supplied clothing, diaries, writing material, bibles and ministry for both northern soldiers, and captured southerners. Religious services were held and libraries were established in most hospital camps. Over 5,000 volunteers supported the organization. Their work was to have a profound effect on Private, Charles Hayden of the 97th NYVI.

Smoketown
Jan. 25th 1863
Dear Sister,
     I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I am still at this Hospital. We are in large tents and have a good stove. There are a five of us in a tent. I am gaining strength and my wounds are healed up but I feel the affects of them inwardly considerably yet a few weeks ago. I expected to be with you before this time but I do not want to do it. I rather go to my Reg, if I was able but I do not think that I am able yet. They are making this a General Hospital for this region and are bringing their sick from other hospitals. Here we have some three hundred – now of sick and wounded.
     I had a letter from Cousin Helen a few days ago. She was well and I am always glad to hear from her. She takes as much interest in my welfare as though she was my sister. I wish you could see the letters. You said that Edward was not what you expected. I am glad that you found him out before it was too late but am sorry that you were disappointed. You spoke about going to Steuben to work. Perhaps you may be there before this reaches you. I do not know what is for the best but I hope that you may be diverted for the best and trust to that friend that never can forsake you. Read the bible and be directed by its teachings; it will lead you a right. Dear Sister I am tired of war and blood-shed and tired of seeing sickness and suffering caused by this unhappy war.
     I believe that our only hope is to trust. Trust to him that tempers the wind to the Shorn lamb. I hope that we may do away with the evil that is among us and the Lord will (----) to bless us as a nation for without his blessing we can do nothing –till Pa and Ma. That I am as well as can be expected under the circumstances receiving a ball about three inches to the right of the pit of the stomach and coming out just back of my arm. I have received (an) overcoat and pants and under clothes from the government. I lost my clothes in the battle. We have not received ay pay for ‘most seven months but I sent back to Western for some so that I have had what I needed to use. I have had to buy considerable food as our fair is rather poor.  I hope the time may soon come when we shall meet again but in the meantime try to be a good girl. I was sorry to hear that you had been sick but was glad to hear that you were getting quite well again. I hope your health may continue good.
     We have plenty of hickory nuts here, I have been out several times and got some but could not get as many as I would because I could not climb the trees – you hardly know how much I wish to see you. But that cannot be for the present but will hope that the time will come when we shall meet again.
     Dear Sister, write soon and direct
     Smoketown, Hospital Washington
     CO MD
     From your loving brother
     Charles H. Hayden

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden Pt. 2

2005-09-22T17:57:00.000-04:00

In this letter of October 10, 1862, Charles Hayden writes to his sister Laura, in Westernville, (Big Brook) NY, from the Union hospital in Smoketown, Maryland. In it he informs her of his wounds suffered in the Battle of Antietam. The Smoketown Hospital was one of many hastily created for wounded soldiers. It consisted of an oak grove sheltering about 80 army tents. Two dilapidated cabins served as the only standing structures. Dr. W.R. Mosley, Assistant Medical Inspector for Union forces, noted that two months after the battle in November 1862, there were 469 patients under treatment; 232 were wounded soldiers while 237 other were sick with typhoid fever, dysentery and diarrhea. Many were afflicted with both wounds and disease. When the following letter was written, Charles was in the latter category. However, he realized his good fortune to be alive upon his reflection of the battle and its horror.

Spoketown, MD
Oct. 10th, 62

Dear Sister
I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I was wounded in the battle of the 17th of last month. I was wounded in the right breast. My wounds appear to be doing well. I also received a shot in my thumb and finger of my left hand but my fingers are about well. I have had a bad diarrhea which has kept me very weak. We went into the battle early in the morning. I was in the cornfield when I fell. I was left and the rebels passed over me then our men drove them back again. The rebels were charging again when I placed my handkerchief over my wound and standed (stood). (SIC) I came to an ambulance and they took me in and brought me to the Hospital we are in. Nice new tents 5 – of us in our tent – I have been up and out of doors yesterday. I do not know whether they will let me come home or not – the battle was a terrible affair. Men (were) dropping all around – with heads and legs off. The continual roar of cannon balls all make it terrible.
Dear sister write son direct as before.
From your affectionate Brother
Charles H. Hayden

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden

2005-08-24T16:43:00.000-04:00

This is a continuing article from the Local paper in My hometown, I just thought that I would repeat this article about a soldier from the area that served in the Civil War. By Al Grenning In July of 1861 the United States seemed destined to self destruct in a gathering Civil War. One of the largest military engagements in our country's history had just taken place. Union Troops were overwhelmed by Southern forces and chased all the way back to Washington, DC. The nation's fate hung in the balance. It was called Bull Run by the North and Monasas by the South. Here in the Western Adirondacks, citizens reacted with patriotic outrage and revengeful fervor. Congress immediately authorized states to organize volunteer regiments for defense of the Union. Within days of Congress' action, Governor Morgan of New York State granted Oneida County the authority to raise its third all volunteer infantry regiment. By the end of the month it had been officially decided that this newest New York regiment, the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry was to be raised, drilled and commissioned here in Boonville. Boys, young men and middle-aged married fathers all eagerly responded to this call to arms. Charles Wheelock, a local militia officer and merchant, would be it Colonel and Commander. On November 1, 1862, Charles Harvey (Hervey) Hayden of Big Brook, NY (Westernville) enlisted fro two years of service as a private and was assigned to Company "I", one of ten companies in the regiment. He was in his mid 20's, unmarried, and among the first volunteers to enlist. As a young boy he and his sister Laura lost their mother to disease. Although it isn't clear, it appears they were given up by their father and raised by relatives or close family members. Charles and all other enlistees drilled through early fall and winter of 1862 on the flat in front of Park Hill. Eventually more than 900 men volunteered, completed their training, and left by train for war from Boonville in March 1862. Although the regiment experienced conflict, including the Battle of Second Manasas in its first months of service, it wasn't until mid-September that it received its real baptism of fire. The 97th was among 115,000 American soldiers involved in the Battle of Antietam, called Sharpsburg by the South. Early on the morning of September 17, 1862, Boonville's regiment, along with others in Brigadier General Abram Duryea's Brigade, led an initial attack from the north through farmer D.E. Miller's cornfield. This was the offensive thrust of James Rickett's Division, First Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Conservative estimates place the human cost of the battle at more than 23,000 casualties, the most suffered on a single day of conflict in this country's history -- before or since. On the evening of the 17th only 40 men were left unscathed and present for duty in the 97th. Strategically, Antietem marked the first occasion that Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was blunted in battle by Union forces. President Lincoln wisely used the stand-off as a political basis to issue his Emancipation proclamation. However, none of this was of immediate concern to Private Charles Harvey Hayden of the 97th NY because he found himself lying in the corn, shot through the body. Every Civil War soldier knew that men who were body shot had virtually no chance of survival. A mine ball had entered the pit of Charles'' stomach and exited under his arm. As serious and critical as this wound was, it did not prove mortal! Instead, Union field surgeons with advances in hospital care nursed him back to health over a period of many months. In fact, his health was sufficient to allow him to re-enlist in January of 1864. The letters and diary that have been handed sown are from Charles H. Hayden's extended period of convalescence. Almost all are written to his sister Laura. In them he expresses his personal reflections on the war, religion, politics, death, and her welfare. Since he was unmarried and they had lost their mother in earlier years, Laura became the central person representing home and family for Charles. Overwhelming events of the time obviously led the two siblings to a mutual commitment of faith and welfare. From the letters, it can be seen how their close bond gave each other strength. All letters closed asking for a timely response. The first two letters in the series are dated July 6 and 8, 1862, and were written before the major battles of Second Monasas and Antietam. In this first surviving letter Charles describes the regiment as having experienced artillery action and some fighting. He was understandably impressed. The second, longer letter reflects more on the hot months of summer and offers a unique window into general camp life. Camp Near Washington July 6th 1862 Dear Sister, I take opportunity to let you know that I am alive and my health is rather better than when I wrote you last. I have been under two cannonadings and one battle, and still my life is preserved. Write soon from your brother Charles H. Hayden Camp Near Warrenton July 8th 1862 Dear Sister, I received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from you, but was sorry to hear that you had been sick - I had almost given up hearing from you as I had written twice and received no answer - I am glad to hear that Pa is getting along so well. I hope that he may always prosper - I hope the acquaintances you are forming may prove for your happiness. Be sure your heart goes with your hand - I am glad Pa approves of him. I hope he may prove all you could wish - I am sorry that you have (a) disappointment but we are liable to be disappointed even in those we hold most dear - should you be disappointed again. I hope you may continue to live on and hope on striving to be a good girl - For I know the effect which disappointment is liable to have upon the mind. We have been encamped at (indistinguishable) Station for the last three or four weeks living very uncomfortable for Soldiers. We moved from there last Saturday to this place about twelve miles (away). The weather is so warm that it is hard marching now. Yesterday and the day before were the hottest days I think I ever saw. We have but little drilling now. Our drilling hours are from eight to ten and from five to seven o'clock - We live in little tents made of two pieces of cloth about one half as large as a sheet. Two of us button our pieces together and stretch it across whole boards in two crotches and this forms our tent - when we start on a march tent, blanket, oven coat, knapsack, gun and equipments forms a pretty good load but generally we get part of it carried - Since I began this letter I have been off and got all the cherries and black berries I could eat. The black and red cherries all we want - The water here is first rate and the country quite hilly - the place we left the country was level and the water poor. I do not know how many men we have here but several thousand making it look quite like a city when lit up at night. I and William Wright Settlement went out five miles beyond our lines the other day but saw no rebels. Took dinner without much reluctance got by some slaves consisting of hoe cake butter and milk. - You said you wish that I could be there to spend the fourth with you. I wish I could have been. I think we might have had a good time - You spoke of my getting a furlough without they are sick or to go home with the sickness - The railroad which had been damaged by the rebels has been repaired to this place which gives us quick communication with Washington. Direct Washington DC 97 REG NYSV CO K From your brother Henry Hayden

Canadian Currency and The American Jeep

2005-06-04T21:12:00.000-04:00

Well, I found that my truck needs to have wheel bearings in the front passenger side tire, so next week I gotta get them installed. Lucky me, seeing as I just spent 1100 dollars getting everything else fixed up there. Oh well, life goes on. The baby is good, I am good, and Kates doing good, enjoying her new job back at the casino. Making lots of money, thank god. I got my review the other day and got another 3 percent raise. yeah me. Now hopefully they can change my hours to 4-12 so that we can move out of this house and get our own. hope, hope, hope. I found this really neat site called Where's George? At this site you can enter the serial number of any U.S. bill and see if anyone else has entered it and if they have it gives you information, like how far it has traveled and the speed of which it traveled from them to you. I knew about this site three years ago and just recently found it again in my bookmarks. Its a neat little site to screw around in. They also have a Canadian version called Where's Willy? It works the same as the Where's George? site only for Canadian currency.

Star Wars Episode III

2005-05-21T18:34:00.000-04:00

Well, Kate talked me into going to the new Star Wars on Thursday. We went to the 7PM showing on Thursday, and I have to say that it was a very good movie. Showed and explained a lot of things that were just sitting there waiting to be explained. The effects in the beginning seemed a little off but then they picked up. You will see the one I thought was a little off in the beginning when a deck falls on an unconcious Obiwan and it moves him but his body moved like a manican not a limp human. The movie was great, the theatre was packed and the new theatres at Carousel were very nice, stadium seating, chairs that leaned back and aisles that wer big enough to let people through without much disturbance. That was especially important for someone as tall as I.

Creative Nomad MuVo

2005-05-17T11:31:00.000-04:00

I have been using the MuVo for about three months now and I have to say that I really do enjoy it very much. I do have one additional complaint. I found out that the thing had fast forward and rewind, but th eonly problem with this is that to fast forward 10 minutes you need to hold onto the button for about 8 minutes. This may seem like an exageration, and it may very well be, but when you are trying to go through almost 2 hours of a show and it takes most of the ride to work to do it then I would say that its slow. But hey as long as you dont accidentally hit the skip button when you are attempting to pause the playback you are ok, otherwise hold onto your buttons, your in for one long ride.

Site Changes

2005-05-13T16:57:00.000-04:00

Hello all, been a while since I last posted to this site. I finally had some time to update and add a few things. I also moved somethings around just so that I could add the news to the left side. I have updated my read list finally, there are a few books that I have read since it was last updated but I didnt add them all. I also added a few new links to other websites although at the time of this post there seems to be a problem with the This Week in Tech site. Its a relatively new site and the operator is adding things and trying new software so hopefully it'll be back up by the time you read this post. The Systm link is also not got too much on it right now, but it is going to be an in depth tech site. The creator said in another week or two the actual show should launch. It is going to be internet only and you will probably need to have a high speed internet connection to download it. They said it was going to be around 300 Mb per episode, so you could technically do it on dial up but it would need the entire night to download. The link to my site is there but I am not going to update that site till I move to another website host. That will probably happen in the next month or so, and then hopefully I can get it to do what I want a little easier instead of having to wait for an eternity to talk to a support person. Of course this could just be that I'm an idiot and am not doing something right, but the other one I am looking into is cheaper and offers a lot more and come highly recommended from a trusted source. I would like some feedback on what you think of the placement of the items. If you think I should move them just comment or email me, whichever. If you like the layout then please tell me that too. I also noticed that I have hit 500 visitors to the blog. not such a big deal for some of you but, I persoanlly think its a big deal.

Its spring and I was thinking about cleaning computers

2005-04-27T12:02:00.000-04:00

I had this idea that has been in my brain lately and finally decided to ask your opinions on it. Would any of you would have interest in some one to come to your house and clean up your computer? Say this person would come to your house twice a month and would run anti-spyware programs, update your system and generally clean up the operating system, and if necessary do minor repairs or upgrades. I was just wondering, your responses would be greatly appreciated.

Creative Nomad MuVo

2005-04-19T07:17:00.000-04:00

Audio Posts

2005-04-15T14:18:00.000-04:00

Another new thing

2005-04-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

big posting day this has been. I just wanted to tell you all that I now own a camera phone and as such I have created a Moblog. A Moblog, for those of you that dont know what it is, is a place where I can send pictures from my phone so that you can see them. Its a good way to share photos with all of you. Hopefully this one will be kept up better than these other two. I will add a link to the sidebar on the left. talk to you later joe

another sad announcement

2005-04-02T15:29:00.000-05:00

This isnt a very good way to write to all of you but I felt that this was important enough to tell you about. Pope John Paul II has died today at approximatly 9:00 PM Vatican time, he was 84 yrs old.

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-03-17T14:35:00.000-05:00

“Water is cascading down the glass walls that frame the center countain in The Garden at the resort. Behind those walls, work is progressing on two new retail shops. The one on the right as you face The Garden will feature jewelry and is slated to open around mid-April. The one on the left will be a gift shop. Walls in both shops have been painted and carpet has been laid in the jewelry shop. The former front desk area of the Hotel at Turning Stone has been enclosed with a temporary wall down to the junction of the Smokin' an Showroom corridors. Front desk operations for the Hotel and The Tower were merged two weeks ago, and the former Hotel front desk area is being converted into a new location for the Diamond Mine and Diamond Card registration desk on the gaming floor will be removed, making room for more Instant Multi-Game machines. Crews are busy on the top two floors of The Tower, finishing the seven VIP suited and Club two.one, the new paid-membership restaurant. Some of the suites feature balconies overlooking the resort and surrounding countryside, and all have marble-encased bathrooms with designer fixtures, seperate showers and tubs, and backlit vanity mirrors. Some also will be outfitted with hot tubs. In Club two.one, most of what remains to be done is finishing work. Three enormous blue glass chandeliers have been hung over the bar in the lounge, and the private booths in the lounge have been outfited with glass-beaded wall coverings that glitter in the light. Elsewhere, the restaurant features a private dining room for 10 with a private balcony, as well as a private lounge with a fireplace. Both the VIP suites and Club two.one are expected to open around May 1. Work also is continuing on the new warehouse on Route 31 south of Route 365, behind the SavOn Diesel station. The 21,600-square-foot warehouse will be equipped for dry and cold storage, allowing the Purchasing Department to take advantage of bulk discounts for a variety of supplies from vendors.”

AIM has new terms of service

2005-03-12T07:20:00.000-05:00

According to an article in Slashdot, AIM has changed their Terms of Service so that AOL can use whatever is said in a conversation is not private. A sample paragraph reads as such: "...by posting Content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this Content in any medium. You waive any right to privacy." You can get to the article by clicking the title of this post. Just thought that you might want to know this.

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-03-10T21:38:00.000-05:00

“The front desk operations for the Hotel and Tower at Turning Stone were mreged last week, with all check-in services now located in the Tower lobby off The Garden. Bell and valet parking services are available at botht heold hotel lobby entrance and The Garden. The elevators next to Opalss Too in The Garden provide additional access to the origional hotel, as well as to the new VIP players' lounge that overlooks The Garden. The front desk area for the origional hotel was closed in last week and will be the new home for the Diamond Mine and Diamond Card registration desk. The bell station will be moved next to the main elevators across from the Emerald so it is readily accessible for guests. The front desk merger required alterations to the service area behind the Tower front desk to accommodate the increase in baggage. A service hallway and closet were converted to double the size of the baggage storage room. Work on the third-floor fitness center in the Tower has been progressing. The 65-foot lap pool and the hot tub are filled with water; both are 'infinity pool' designs, so the water comes over the outer edge, spilling into grates, and gives the suface the appearance of a sheet of glass. The equipment room is complete, and the redesigned locker rooms are under construction. The fitness center also will feature a lounge area between the equipment room and the pool room, as well as limited retail displays. The Spa at Turning Stone also has been getting a facelift. The ceiling in the pool room and the stone work around the hot tub are being replaced, and both are being painted. The work is expected to be completed by mid-week. When the fitness center opens in the next few weeks, the spa will undergo more renovations. Crews will build a seperate entrance to the pool room inside the main entrance to the spa. When the exercise equipment is moced to the fitness center, new treatment rooms will be added to the spa, increasing the total number of treatment rooms from four to nine. One of the new rooms will be equipped with a shower so the spa can offer body treatments and rubs. Three of the rooms will be dual-purpose, allowing staff to offer either massage or facials in those rooms.”

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-03-08T19:19:00.000-05:00

“Opals Too has opened in The Garden, offering Starbucks coffee and many favorites from the main Opals. Tables and chairs line that end of The Garden, and the two-story windows and skylights combine with the palm trees and plants to give guests the feeling of sitting at an outdoor cafe. The glass display cases at Opals Too burst with cookies, muffins, croissants and donuts, as well as tempting desserts like tiramisu, citrus mreringue tarts, cannoli, cheesecake and mini bundt cakes. Opals Too is open from 7 a.m. To 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. To midnight Friday, and 7 a.m. To 1 a.m. Saturday. The walls of the new retail shops in the first floor rotunda of The Garden were painted last week, and light fixtures have been installed in each. Tucked beneath curved glass walls that frame the center fountain, the new shops will feature jewelry and seasonal gifts. The stores are slated to open in the next several weeks. Demolition of the old employee cafeteria began last week and will continue this week. Crews cut an opening in the outside wall near the coolers to facilitate removal of debris, and a plywood barrier has been erected in front of the entrance to restrict access and reduce the amount of dust coming into the corridors. Ceiling tiles have been taken down and crews last week were removing the drywall. Over the next few months, the cafeteria will be expanded and redesigned to promote more convenient service for employees.”

2005-02-24T19:55:00.000-05:00

Here is a better one that you can actually see her in her true color with her mouth open and tongue half out, which she really seems interested in doing most of the day

2005-02-24T19:51:00.000-05:00

I would like to introduce everyone to my daughter Shariann Marie.

Shariann Marie Rowlands

2005-02-17T16:02:00.000-05:00

If you didnt get the hint from the title of this post our little girl has finally arrived into the world. all healthy and happy and adorable as hell. she was born on Thursday the 17th of Feb at 12:15 PM and she weighed in at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 inches long. Redish hair and blue eyes. Both mom and baby are doing great, both sleeping when i left them for the day (maybe, i might go back, i feel bad enough leaving htem there just to come home and take a shower). as soon as i have pictures i will be putting them up so i can be the proud pappa and show off my baby girl. talk to you later joe

The News of News

2005-02-16T12:18:00.000-05:00

Well, the time has finally arrived. Katie is going to the hospital this evening at 7 and twelve hours later she is going to be induced. At 700 AM tomorrow morning Dr. Cooley will start inducing Katie so that the little one, Shariann Marie can finally make her way into this world. As you can probably deduce, I will be a little preoccuppied with them both and won't be here for a few days. As soon as I get pictures of the little one I will have them up here for all of you to look at and see what I have been talking about for the last 9 months. Ok now i am really getting excited, but i need to take a nap, short one so that i will be able to sleep tonight. anyways, wish us luck and hopefully tommorrow night we will have a new addition to our family. Good luck to you all and Talk to you later Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-02-16T12:03:00.000-05:00

“The new Esentials 3, the largest and fanciest of the Essentials shops at Turning Stone, opened last Saturday in time for the Brooks & Dunn concert at the Event Center. The new store offers more resort logo items, as well as the usual magazines, snacks, bottles drinks and sundries of Essentials and Essentials too. Essentials 3 is open 24 hours and has a staff of 15. it features gold-toned wallpaper and carpeting matching that in the Event Center's main corridor, as well as wooden shelvingsimilar to that in the pro shop at Shenendoah Clubhouse. The main entrance, is always open; another entrance, facing the Event Center coridor, can be opened when there are activities in the arena. Work continues elsewhere around the resort. The temporary wall off the elevator foyer, which seperated the far end of The Garden from the Smokin' corridor, has been removed. When work is completed on the elevator foyer, the new Opals in The Garden will open. Also last week, crews were erecting the walls for the temporary entrance to the new Golf Dome, next to the resort's cogeneration plant at the corner of Patrick and Snyder roads. The Golf Dome is slated to open in the next several weeks. Work has begun on the new warehouse for the resort's Purchasing Department on Route 31 behind the SavOn Diesel. Crews began erecting the skeleton for the warehouse earlier this month. The new warehouse is a modular design to allow for expansion as needed; it will provide much needed dry and refrigerated storage space, allowing the resort to lower its per-unit costs on dozens of items.

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-02-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

“Work is progressing quickly on the spacious new SavOn store in Verona Beach. The brick 'fireplace' for the new Stone Hearth Bakery & Deli food outlet takes up one corner of the approximately 4,200-square-foot building, and rose-colored granite countertops have been installed in the Stone Hearth area and the check-out counter. Tobacco products will be displayed in the room behind the main counter, consistent with SavOn's policy of restricting access for minors. Last week, Telecommunications staff were installing and testing alarm systems and telephones. Outside, pumps for gas and diesel have been installed and will accept both credit cards and cash. The store is scheduled to open later this month. At Turning Stone, work continues on portions of The Garden. Last week, crews were finishing the drywall in one of the two retail shop areas in the ground-floor rotunda; display cases should be ready to install this week. At the far end of The Garden, workers are priming and painting the elevator foyer next to the new Opal's, which is slated to open when work on the elevators is completed. Redesign of the fitness center on the third floor of The Tower is complete, and the resort is seeking bids from contractors to complete the work. When completed, the center will offer cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, a 65-foot lap pool and hot tub, a stretching room, and men's and women's locker rooms equipped with saunas and showers. When The Tower's fitness center opens, the exercise space in the current spa will be converted to provide additional treatment rooms. That redesign is expected to be complete in later June. Meanwhile, plans for the new spa adjacent to The Lodge are in the final stages, with groundbreaking planned for late spring.”

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-02-08T18:40:00.000-05:00

“The new Opal's location in The Garden is completed, but its opening is being postponed while crews continue work on the new elevator foyer next to it. The elevators will provide private access to the new players' lounge, and workers were still installing and finishing shetrock and other elements of the foyer last week. The new Opa's will offer Starbucks coffee and a selection of popular muffins, cookies and candy. Elsewhere in The Garden, the holiday poinsettas have been replaced with sping-evoking bromeliad, which are members of the pineapple family and have thick, stifff leaves and bright-flowered spikes. The bromeliad surround the bases of the palm trees throughout The Garden. Plants in The Garden are changed periodically to enhance a feeling of freshness for guests. Work continues on the new retail shops that are tucked behind the twin waterfalls, on either side of the small ground-floor rotunda. Recessed track lighting has been installed in one of the stores, and mechanical and electrical work in both shops appears to be nearly complete. Plans call for the shops to offer fine jewelry and seasonal gifts. Work also is continuing in portions of the Event Center. While most of the meeting rooms have been open since late fall, crews are still working on one glass enclosed room off the main corridor, next to the restrooms. Crewas last week were hanging sheetrock in that room, which is shaped something like a trapezoid. Utility crews were out at the Golf Dome site last week, working on the facilities infrastructure. The dome will be the premier indoor golf practice facility in the region and is slated to open sometime in February.”

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-01-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

"The first Stone Hearth Bakery & Deli, a new food franchise created by the SavOn chain, opened at the Canastota SavOn last week, along with an Abbott's Frozen Custard outlet. Crews have spent the last several months converting the space next to the tobacco area for the new franchise, which deatures hot panini sandwiches, fresh-baked breads, cookies, and muffins, soups, and homemade potato chips. A large stone 'fireplace' is the centerpice of the Stone Hearth, which eventually will be introduced at other SavOn locations. Last weeks cold weather didn't slow down work on the new SavOn in Verona Beach. Workers were installing siding and windows for the store, and the glass-enclosed foyer was in place by midweek. The new store will feature the Stone Hearth Bakery & Deli, with hot and cold sandwiches, soups, homemade potato chips, fresh-baked breads and Signature Salads. Outside, patrons will find 12 fueling stations, including a diesel island. The new SavOn could open as early as mid-February. The new Opals in The Garden was close to opening last week. Equipment has been installed in the back room and workers were beginning final clean-up of the area last week. The outlet will offer pre-packaged fudge, a selection of fresh pastries, and some of Opals' most popular confections, as well as Starbucks coffee. Workers were finishing the drywall in the elevator foyer adjacent to the new Opals last week. The elevators will provide private access tot he new player's lounge on the second floor, where five guest rooms of the origional hotel are being converted. The lounge will include a private balcony overlooking The Garden. Installation of new signs around the resort continued last week, with permanent signs being erected on the main boulevard for the parking garage and on Patrick Road for the Golf Dome, which is slated to open next month. In the next few weeks, the employee cafeteria will move temporarily into the old Garden Buffet, which closed when Season's Harvest opened Jan. 14. The employee cafeteria will be renovated and expanded to accomodate the resort's growing workforce. After the renovations are done, plans call for creation of six quick-serve restaurants with a variety of foods in a portion of the former Garden Buffet."

Another Star is Gone

2005-01-24T08:23:00.000-05:00

It was reported this morning that Johnny Carson formerly of the Tonight Show, has died at the age of 79 from emphysema. An article about him is here with nothing but good things to say about him from the entertainment industry. Another one is here

Gmail

2005-01-23T13:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I seem to have finally gotten onto the gmail account bandwagon. to tell you the truth, I love it. I would assume just because it is something new. I have been using yahoo for so long that I just wanted something new and gmail has done it. Im sure it will get old but for the time being I am loving it. I really enjoy the way they let you set up how you are going to save your messages. I still haven't used all the features and am still figuring out others and looking at all the stuff. I wont really use it all that much because I am using it for only personal email from friends and family, and I dont really get that much mail from all of them at one time. I still use my yahoo account for all that other stuff that I have signed up for in the last 8 years. Now I have only been a member for 4 days or so and I have already gotten 4 invites, so if anyone wants a gmail account just send a message to my Yahoo! account with the subject of Gmail invites and you can have one. Nothing else is new so I will talk to you all later. Joe

ACAL Article

2005-01-16T17:39:00.000-05:00

This was an article that was in last weeks issue of the Boonville Herald. It's an article that deals with the landfill that they are attempting to build in the nearby town of Ava. It shows some of the statements that were made in another article by OHSWA to be false or at the very least inaccurate. By Jacki Chamberlain On November 5, Susan Eilenberg, editor/publisher of the Rome Observer, wrote an editorial from a press release she had received from Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL). A response to the editorial was submitted by Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority (OHSWA) chairman Lou Critelli and printed in the December 3 edition of the Rome Observer. The Following is my response to his letter (which has been edited fro space): Dear Mr. Critelli: I wish to address your unfair accusations of ACAL and the repeated misinformation presented in your letter to Ms. Eilenburg. It is important for the general public to know the facts with regard to the Ava landfill, not your personal interpretation of them. After nearly 12 years of interaction between ACAL and OHSWA, I am surprised you are not familiar with ACAL's purpose by now. The 'Adirondack Communities Advisory League (ACAL) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1993 to conserve and protect the air, water, land, and wildlife indigenous to Northern Oneida County, preserve the existing beauty of the area, as well as inform the public of its 12-year resistance to keep a landfill out of its local townships.' ACAL receives its funds from donations and local fund-raising events, such as community dinners and bake sales. In June 2004, OHSWA began construction on the landfill access road. In addition to destroying natural wetlands by creating 'man made wetlands,' your expertise as an engineer neglected to forsee the extreme weather conditions or the excessive amounts of water naturally occurring in the southwest region of the Tug Hill Plateau.. As a result, your first attempts at building the access road failed. The roadbed had to be dug up and reconstructed. In your letter to Ms. Eilenberg, you listed 11 of 'ACAL's latest claims.' 1) 'The fact they [Rodman] don't have the capacity, haven't staffed the process to permit new capacity, and have stated they don't intend to import waste.' Why does OHSWA and Senator Meier insist there is no 'Rodman alternative' when DANC expanded the Rodman facility in September 1998 to accept garbage within a 100-mile radius of their facility, including Oneida-Herkimer counties? Why has OHSWA continued to spend millions of dollars to sire the Ava landfill when the Rodman facility has been able to take their garbage for the past six years? 2) 'It would actually cost Oneida-Herkimer $4 million per year more to go to Rodman.' After public discussions, Congressmen Dave Townsend and Daryl Aubertine requested an audit of OHSWA by the New York State Comptroller's office to verify OHSWA's allegations. The audit, which began in early November, could take several months to complete. 3) 'Over 100 monitoring wells were installed and proved the sites' suitability beyond any doubt.' Does the public know that no such monitoring wells were dug in ANY of the other potential landfill sites? 4) 'Comprehensive tests were evaluated by two independent divisions of DEC and both concluded no such aquifer is present' is an incorrect statement. A confined or artesian aquifer exists on the landfill site. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 'Contaminants that reach a confined aquifer through a poorly constructed well or through natural seepage, can be extremely difficult and expensive to remove.' 5) 'Appeals to DEC and the State Freshwater Wetland Appeal Board (FWAB) have confirmed there is no basis to upgrade the wetlands.' The fact that Class II wetlands exists on the sire is plenty of reason not to build a landfill in Ava. 6) 'A state Supreme Couff [court] Decision confirmed that the park designation did not stand and the Authority had the right to move forward with development.' As an appointed authority of New York State, OHSWA has the power of eminent domain. Despite Ava'a effort to create a town park, OHSWA has taken nearly 100 acres of land from the Town of Ava and ACAL. 7) 'Studies over three consecutive years found no such species [threatened birds].' Although the upland sand piper and harrier have nest areas near the landfill site, the DEC will not protect endangered species unless they live on the site. No consideration of future air, water and land pollution, truck traffic and machinery noise were included in the DEC decisions. 8) '$100,000 of studies and field investigations identified no such graves.' Why are OHSWA paid archaeologists presently digging on the landfill sit looking for those graves you say don't exist? 9) 'A State Supreme Couff [court] Decision confirmed no such permits are required' is an incorrect statement. Oneida County Court Judge Hester has not yet made a ruling as to whether OHSWA has to comply with Town or local laws anywhere in New York State. In other words, no town could protect itself and its citizens from the power of an authority. 10) 'Investigations by the DEC, engineers and staff all found the washout was due to natural causes.' The beaver dam on the landfill site burst between the hours of 6 and 7p.m. on August 19, 2004, after construction crews left for the day and before the OHSWA paid Sheriff's patrol officer arrived. Despite evidence showing land and aerial photographs oh OHSWA construction equipment just feet from the beaver dam, dead brook trout along the banks of the Moose Creek, and a Lewis County resolution requesting an investigation of the potential contamination of the Sugar and Black Rivers, the DEC did not complete any further investigations. 11) 'The Authority enabling statute prohibits the acceptance of any waste from outside Oneida-Herkimer.' Despite your weak attempts to convince the public OHSWA will not take New York City waste, you have neglected to mention that rules, regulations and permits can be changed. One of ACAL's greatest fears is the Ava landfill will open and Oneida County, unable to afford the multi-million dollar debt created by OHSWA, will be forced to seel the landfill. Once that occurs, garbage can be imported from all over the United States and Canada. In a recent press release by New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, he issued a series of recommendations to the City's waste problem [paraphrased]: New York City should...consider purchasing access to, or the development rights of, existing landfills in Upstate New York to increase in-state disposal capacity...partner with the DEC to consider building new disposal capacity in New York State...evaluate purchasing permitted but underutilized landfills in other parts of the country near rail or water transportation to provide long-term disposal capacity for its waste. It is obvious New York City has a problem and the Ava landfill would help to eliminate it. If OHSWA doesn't have future plans of accepting 'imported waste,' then why have they acquired nearly 700 acres of land for a 150-acre landfill? There also appears to be no coincidence Senator Ray Meier has secured a $500,000 grant to improve rail system from Utica to Boonville. And what about the canal system? Will New Yorkers see garbage barges on the Hudson, Mohawk and Black rivers in the future/ It is time for all citizens to stop authorities from making decisions that once belonged to New Yorkers. Please help ACAL stop the Ava landfill in 2005. Jacki Chamberlain is the communications chairperson for ACAL. She also owns Grandpa's Desk Tutoring in Boonville and is the COOP Weather Observer for the Jackson Hill Weather Station, Boonville."

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-01-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

"Turning Stone guests now have more options for getting around the resort. The smal rotunda in The Garden is now open, providing access to the gaming floor and the corridor leading to the Showroom and Conference Center. The glass walls on either side of the fountain are finished, and the marble pedestal in the rotunda fountain is ready to recieve the glass sculpture. Behind the walls, work continues on the new retail shops, which will offer fine jewelry and seasonal gifts. Work also is progressing on the new Opals pastry and coffee shop at the far end of The Garden. Glass display cases have arrived, and crews are working on the back room. The shop will be modeled after a sidewalk cafe, with patio style seating around the canopied counterfront. In Season's Harvest, the expanded and upgraded buffet restaurant, crews are putting the finishing touches on the serving area. Last week, work focused on the center serving island; glass sheilds and shelves and permanent serving fixtures were being installed. The hostess station at the netrance has been topped with granite and tiles, and tables and chairs have arrived for all the various dining areas. Furniture also has arrived at the Rodizio Churrascaria, the new Brazillian steakhouse on the mezzanine level. Wood and leather bar stools and plush orange side chairs can be seen in the bar area, and chairs and some tables are in the dining areas. waiting for final placement. On Jan. 1, about 100 VIP guests were treated to samples from the Rodizio menu, ad Chef de Cuisine Ruben Lopez said the South AMerican food 'was very well recieved.' Both Rodizio and Season's HArvest are scheduled to open withing the next few weeks. The concrete perimeter for the new Golf Dome, at the corner of Snyder and Patrick Roads, is close to completion, and equipment has been brought in to level the ground inside the perimeter. The Golf Dome is the first phase of a planed indoor sports complex at Turning Stone, which also will feature a tennis dome and a small clubhouse. The Golf Dome is slated for a February opening."

Personal Update

2005-01-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry about the lack of posting, apparently my life is going to be busy from here on out. Go figure. Well, just to bring you up to date. Katie is out of work now till after her 6 weeks is up after the baby is born. She just couldnt handle working it was making her tired and she hurt all over. The baby has grown to 6 pounds already and she is only 34 weeks into her 40 weeks. The baby now known as Shariann Marie maybe born anytime in the next month. Getting excited and worried and all the new parents things. The doctor said everything was fine with Katie and Shariann so its all good there. Katie just cant wait till she can get the bay out of her so that she can sleep a little better, as good as you can sleep with a new born. Work is going great. We are starting to make more and more breads as the new restaurants come online. You can read about that in my weekly Construction and Expansion Updates. There should be another one coming today or tomorrow, whenever I get around to typing it. We had a meeting yesterday at the casino and they are going to start doing something similar to a stock option plan. Only it cant be that because they are not publically owned and I dont see that in the future. What it means is that I can get money from the casino with what ever shares I have with the company. The employees dont have to put a penny into it, they automatically get shares every year. If the nation does good then so do we. So starting in 7 years I will get another check for what ever my shares are worth at that time. Its gonna be great I cant wait. we are supposed to recieve our first shares in the next 30 days. Can't wait for that. Nothing else is new here. If you havent noticed with the last two posts before this I was up this morning and very opinionated. Maybe there will be more of them maybe not, depends on my moods and what I find that may interest me to write about. I did a little bit of tweaking this morning too. Most of the stuff I have planned on adding but had not had the time to get around to. Most of it was just adding more links and fixing some of the things that I hadnt done right the first time. I also recently started to write a story that I started waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in high school. I don't remember where in the world the origional is right now so I just started over. I may start putting it up in a blog or something just for the fun of it. I dont really know. Probably not but we will see. If I do then I will put up a link for it and tell you about it. Talk to you later Joe FYI: A hummingbird's heart beats 1,400 times a minute.

An Article By Lawrence Lessig About Copyright Laws

2005-01-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

Its a good article claiming that if the government wants to increase the copyright laws every twenty years they should at least make it so that if a copyright holder wants an extention then they have to pay a small fee to renew the copyright instead of just saying all copyrights are good another 20 years. They have done this 11 times and we can no longer, without permission republish anything from 1923 to the present. Most of the things from back then are not being used and are not viable to make money to any company or person. Another article that I read said that a University was trying to put all the old newspapers from their state online, but they can't because it would be a violation of copyright laws. Most of the papers in that state from 1923 have gone out of business and the next question they asked was: How can we find the owner of the rights if the paper is closed and no one knows who has the rights? So I guess we all have to be resigned tot he fact that these papers will forever be forgotten and all the news that was anything newsworthy from the time period of 1923 and on will be lost, because someone is too money hungry to let it go. I would like to thank the US Government again for doing what the people want and not what the industry wants. Good work to you.

The Presidential Inauguration

2005-01-14T06:34:00.000-05:00

There was a story on Yahoo!, and many other news sites on the internet, about the Inauguration of the President and how much it would cost in just donations. That number is at $40 million. Hello, does the President really need another inaguration when he has already had one 4 years ago. Some of the things that the articles says you could buy with that money seem a lot more practical: -Two hundred armored Humvees with the best armor for troops in Iraq. -Vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami. -A down payment on the nation's deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year. Don't you think these sound a lot better than just 40 million on a bunch of parties that most of the average Americans couldn't afford to go to, let alone really want to go to. I personally believe they are just a way to get a vote from the industries favorite canidates, not just the President. A total waste of donations that can be better served helping us and others around the world. I could be wrong but again this is just my opinion. Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2005-01-09T18:08:00.000-05:00

"Crews have been doing site work for a new purchasing warehouse on Route 31, across from the entrance to the employee parking lot. The facility will allow the Purchasing Department to make bulk purchases from vendors for both dry goods and frozen and refrigerated items, this lowering the per-unit cost. The building has a modular design so it can be expanded as needed. Crews from the Facilities, Entertainment, Telecommunications, Marketing and other departments spent last week preparing for the New Year's Eve 'Knight of Nights' celebration throughout the resort. The Event Center was converted into a jousting arena, and horses, owls, falcons, and other birds of prey moved into the Event Center last Tuesday to get acclimated to their new surroundings and rehearse for the big show. Yellow, green, prurple and maroon bunting was used to decorate the Event Center inside and out, and a cactle wall was erected in front of the Conference Center, complete with suits of armor guarding the entrances to the Onieda and Mohawk rooms. New baffles have been installed in hte wide pre-function corridor around the Event Center's main floor, and other baffles will be installed inside the facility to improve concert acoustics. The VIP boxes are about 80 percent complete now, awaing final installation of some amenities like microwave ovens and refrigerators. The last vestiges of the temporary wall seperating The Garden from the main gaming floor have been removed, and crews last week were painting the permanent walls in the corridor leaing from the gaming floor to the Showroom. In the small rotunda of The Garden, crews continue working on the new retail shops and installing floor tiles behind the glass water walls on either side of the rotunda. Workers spent much of last week setting tables and chairs on the terrace and in the dining areas of the new buffet restaurant in The Garden. Stairs from the main entrance to the dining areas have been carpeted, and artwork for the restaurant has arrived and was waiting to be hung last week. The new SavOn building at Verona Beach has been enclosed, and plastic sheeting and tar paper now protect the roof and outer walls from the elements. Gas pumps also have been installed beneath the canopies. The new store will open in the spring, offering expanded services like diesel fuel and more food options."

Cheap DSL in Germany

2005-01-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

I reported from The Register that a German DSL provider has been able to sell its DSL for 3.99 euro's a month ($5.40 US). Now I dont understand why our DSL and Cable is still so damn high. In Korea they have cheap DSL and apparently now in Germany. There seems to be no reason other than Corporate greed to stop us from getting cheap highspeed internet. Hopefully in the next few years the prices can come down. Any thoughts? Talk to you later Joe

Happy New Year

2004-12-31T14:30:00.000-05:00

I hope you all have a fun night tonight and if you do drink, do it sensibly. Me personally, I have gotten myself a bit of a headcold. Katie isnt fairing much better. She is just plain sick. she cant get ahold of the doctor to ask him what she can take. thankfully she is sleeping as i type. My truck is in the shop due to the minor ($2200) accident, but the good news is the deductable of $500 is being reimbursed to me even as we speak. Mind you i havent given the 500 to the place that is fixing my truck. which is really cool, this way i have no out of pocket expenses. It only took 2 weeks for Geico and Progressive to fight about how much Geico would get back, and apparently they got it all back. yeah me. now we will see what my insurance is going to be like in the next six months. god help me. well, nothing else is new so I will talk to you later Joe FYI: Texas is the only state that permits residents to cast absentee ballots from space.

Happy holidays

2004-12-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

I am very sorry for the lack of posting, call it the holiday slowsown. I hve been very busy with other things. like my new toys. sorry again. Christmas was great and new years is looking bright, as is the new year it self. it is looing to hold a lot of promise of being sooo much better than this year. not that this year was bad at all. first off the little one, now name tentatively shariann marie, is looking to be born a few weeks early. they are now saying around the 6-9 so anytime between feb 6 till feb 25. cant wait. well, i will post more in the new year till that time have a wonderfull holiday season, what ever is left of it. talk to you later. joe FYI: horseback riding can improve your posture.

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-12-24T04:26:00.000-05:00

"Furniture has been arriving for the two new restaurants in The Garden. In Rodizio Churrascaria, the new Brazilian steakhouse on hte mezzanine level, most of the burgundy-and-gold banquettes have been installed. Carpet, matching that at the top of the escalators, also has been installed. Last week, crews were installing the larger of two metal frames that will hold backlit floating glass panels over the bar and entrance to the restaurant. Rodizio is scheduled to open next month. On the main level, round tables with ceramic brown tops and stainless steel legs dot the terraced area of the new, larger buffet restaurant. Inside, the tables are square and inlaid with small iridescent tiles that complement the color scheme of each eating area. In the wide corridor connecting the hostess station with the serving area, the tables are tiled in shades of green. The area off the terrace is done in a blue theme, with matching table tiles, and the eating area next to that is done in red. Most of the banquettes have been installed in the 450-seat restaurant, which will open shortly after Rodizio. Work continues in the rotunda on The Garden's main floor. The temporary wall seperating The Garden from the gaming floor has been removed, but that area remains draped on that side and cordoned off on the other side of the rotunda while crews finish ip the retail shops and other features. The new SavOn store in Verona Beach is taking shape quickly. Crews began building the frame earlier this month, and the walls and most of the roof were enclosed by early last week. The new store is slated to open in the spring."

The Christmas shopping experience

2004-12-18T14:07:00.000-05:00

So happy holidays to you all. Hope you are enjoying your days till christmas and I certainly hope that you have gotten all of your shopping done. If not then, God help you. I personally am almost 100 percent done. I have to have mom take care of one more gift. I always forget when I am up in Boonville to do it myself. Katie isn't done though, as you will find out in the story I am about to relate to you. So yesterday wasn't a bad day for the most part, but it really wasn't all that good either. one of those in between days. You could live with it but you certainly would not want to do it all over again. So Katie and I go to WalMart so that I can go to the eye doctor and get my glasses fixed. Of course no one I call carries my glasses anymore. So I go and have an exam and all that jazz. My insurance covers only the exam and the lenses, but not the frames, which is the part that i only really need. suprise. Another suprise, I can get frames covered if I could have waited till february of next year. suprise, suprise. So while I am picking out my glasses Katie does some shopping and when she comes back she helps me pick out the frames, so that she can't bitch about how they look. All said and done it cost me $124 for everything. They will be ready in about a week.cool, no glasses till them, but I can live. I was supposed to do my Christmas shopping when I got done, but Katie was getting sick so we go home. We were also supposed to go to Sylvan Beach and pick up cigs for her parents so I take Katie home and go get them. 5 mins away from home I get a call from Katie telling me that the obgyn told her to come in and they would examine her and see why she was sick for the last 5 days. She had been throwing up. nothing more. kinda morning sickness but seeing as she is 8 months preg that wasnt it. so we go and they give her an Rx. we go home. Later in the day she finally decided that she wanted to go shopping and that i would take her. No prob. So the entire family leaves the house and goes shopping in different directions. Conveniently enough they all end up in about a 10 mile radius of Cicero. very amusing, but i digress. So Katie and I take 81 to go to shopping town mall. Miss the exit we were supposed to take and just take the next one, no problem at all. just a little back tracking. cool. so we are driving on 31 west in clay where they just redid a good 5-10 mile stretch of road, four lanes and all, turn lanes the works. we come to a light, and i am just before the crosswalk and the light changes to yellow, so i continue through, no time to stop. then i stop. hard. someone decided they could make it through the intersection turning left and i ran into them. My truck is in the garage in clay, not where i really wanted to take it but no one could get ahold of anyone at AAA so they could tow it for me. Which was a big suprise to them when i finally got through this morning. The guy said that there were about 25 people at the phones at 6-630 last night. The driver of the other car said absolutely nothing to me. I credit this to me being extremely pissed and showing it verbally, not at him, jsut life in general and the fact that i was maybe 3 times the size of the guy. and also the fact that maybe he was dazed from having jsut been spun around twice and ending up in the turning lane of the road he was jsut turing onto. It looked as though he was turning off of that road onto 31. dont remember too much, but everyone is ok, katie was scared for the baby, cause it didnt move for a good 20 minutes, presumably from maybe shock, and more than likely the cold. Damn friggin cold last night. They checked her out at the scene and she got to sit in the nice warm fire subarban while i was on the phone with the ins company. Amazing how friggin long it takes for them to ask all the questions. The cop was great took katies description of what happened, offered for her to sit in the patrol car and all that. Gave the other guy a ticket for something, saying it was his fault. I figured obviously. so needless to say katie did not get her shopping done, and it was supposed to be for me too, damn it. Kates mom came and got us and we went to walmart and that is where i did get the rest of katies presents. So the day has so far cost me, all the estimates are not in, including the tow, rental car, deductable and shopping. but so far i am up to spending $700 yesterday. Granted a large chunk of that i will get back. Geico will fight with progressive for the deductable and any other damages they can so i should be able to get most of the 500 deductable back and the tow will be covered under AAA, will be reimbursed for it. of course the tow truck is not affiliated with AAA. and the renters insurance i bought when i hit the deer will take care of 25 dollars a day for the rental car. which i will hopefully get on monday. So i hope that your days went better yesterday and that your holiday season is full of cheer. I personally still cant wait for christmas. have a merry christmas and happy new year. Also i am sorry for the lack of any posts, i was just busy and tired last week. I will use the excuse of this being the holiday season so my posting has been sporadic and will probably continue through the first week after new years. maybe not that long but definately through christmas. I also found i dont have to work christmas eve or day. I have all day thursday after 7 off and then i go back to work at 11 PM christmas night. yeah for me. talk to you later joe FYI: Africa is divided into more countries than any other continent.

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-12-18T14:05:00.000-05:00

3:46 PM 12/17/2004 "The Onidea Nation's Telecommunications Department is building a model cabin at Marion Manor Marina, which eventually will be available to guests who want lodging near the lake. The cabin is the model for several such cabins at the Nation's fishing lodge on the Salmon RIver in Pulaski. Next spring, five cabins currently at the Peaceful Pines Campground will be moved to Marion MArina to provide more lodging. Work on the foundation of the new golf dome is preogressing. The facility, located on the corner of Patrick and Snyder roads, is slated to open in February and will offer several hitting area and lessons on a year-round basis. The dome also will have an indoor running track and the flexibility to be used for other indoor athletic activities. Detail work around the Event Center continues, as crews concentrate on such things as enclosing the soat check area near the box office and painting speakers to blend with the wall coverings. The chandelier has been installed in the rotunda; the chrome-and-glass piece uses shades of red, green and orange to create a tree-like look. In the Winter Garden, crews last week began laying carpet on the stairway leading to the mezzanine level. The main revolving door is installed and in use, and the gaming floor entrance to the left of the twin waterfalls has been opened. Workers have been laying new floor tile around the fountain area between the waterfalls, and work also continues on the retail spaces on either side fo the fountain. Flowers have been planted in the entry to the new, expanded buffet in the Winter Garden, and carpet is being laid in the dining areas off the terrace overlooking the Winter Garden. Green and blue floor tile has been laid behind the hostess station in the corridor leading to the serving area, and polished black granite counter tops have been installed in most of the serving area. On the mezzanine level, workers have been installing lighting elements in the new Brazilian steakhouse. Orange-gold beads have been hung to accent the recessed lighting in the dining areas, and the metal framework for back-lit floating glass panels over the bar and entrance area were being installed last week."

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-12-10T23:16:00.000-05:00

Except for the all-suite floor, all guest rooms in hte Tower opened last week, and all were booked for the Tim McGraw concert last Thurdsay. Work on the luxury VIP suites on the 20th floor continues, as crews have installed much of the wall covering and some of the floor coverings on the floor. Some of the suites have two-wall fireplaces and balconies overlooking the Central New York coutnryside. A marble-tiled stairway provides private access from the suite floor to the 21st floor, home of the resort's exclusive French restaurant. Up on hte 21st floor, an elliptical bar is in place, as are some fo the wall and floor coverings. The paid-membership restaurant will have semi-private booths seperated by heavy, gathered drapes, as well as small private dining room, a board room, and a game room. Floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious outdoor terraces offer panoramic views as far as Onieda Lake on a clear day. Down on the Tower's third floor, work continues on the new fitness center, which will be open to hotel guests and to paid members. The 65-foot lap pool and roomy hot tub are tiled, and gold undulating light fixtures have been installed over the pool. A 7-foot-high glass and tile wall conceals the service entrance to the pool area. Workers also are finishing up the locker rooms, a seperate stretching room, and the fitness room, which will feature flat-screen televisions and a full range of exercise equipment. When the fitness center opens, the current fitness area in the spa will be renovated into much-needed spa treatment rooms. Crews began erecting the frame for the ne SaVon store in Verona Beach last week. Pump stations, complete with canopies, are in place, and the parking lots and driveways have been shaped and blacktopped. The design of both the store and the site will allow for more convenient traffic flow and will triple the number of gas pumping stations available. The location also will offer deisel fuel. The new store will replace the existing location on Route 13, just south of Sylvan Beach, when it opens next spring.

I'm sure you know this already

2004-12-07T16:05:00.000-05:00

But if your like me then you may have forgotten that today is December 7. And on December 7 in 1941 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Take a moment and think about those that were there and if you had any, of the loved ones that lived through it or worse did not live through it.

The bakery experience

2004-12-07T14:43:00.000-05:00

Well, last night was the first night that I actually worked a night shift in a long time. I woke up at my usual 8 in the mornig on monday and didnt go to sleep till about nine this morning. And lo and behold I couldn't sleep more than 5 hours. I was up at 130 this afternoon. no reason why, no one is home so it wasn't noise that woke me up. Oh well, I am rejuvinated and ready to go. I'm sure I can take a nap later tonight before I go to work. Work last night was rather uneventful, we did basically nothing the entire night. Just made 3 different cakes and one bread. Nothing else is in production and apparently they did everything that we could have done yesterday while we had the morning off in preperation of going on nights. oh well, better than nothing. At least I got paid to do very little. Also got to check out the break room they installed near the bakery so that we wouldnt have to trek all the way across the casino to have a break. Nice comfy chairs they got in there. Although the couch leaves a little to be desired. It way to firm. Oh well, nothing else is new here so... Talk to you later Joe FYI: The weight of the moon is 81 billion tons.

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-12-04T08:35:00.000-05:00

"The site of the new Verona Beach SaVon is quickly taking shape. The store's trademark green, yello wan dwhite canopies are in place over the gas and deisel pump stations, and the parking lot and driveways have been blacktopped. Work also has begun on the founsation of the new building. The new store is slated to open sometime next spring. Landscapers have been hard at work around the resort grounds. Floodlights have been installed in front of the new stone monument wall at the main entrance off Route 365 to show off the wall, the pine trees behind it, and the holiday decorations. Smaller monument walls, made from the same Pennsylvania stone have been built at the corner of the main boulevard and the access road leading to Shenendoah Clubhouse and The Lodge, and at the driveway entrance to the Tower and Winter Garden. The areas behind and around both those walls also have been landscaped with pines, grass and plants. The main revovling door at the center of the Winter Garden has been installed, but that area remains closed to the public as crews continue working on various features. Last week, there was water in the under-floor 'river' leading from the main door to a small rotunda just off the gaming floor. The water flows from a fountain in the rotunda, which eventually will have a glass sculpture in the center. Work also continues in the new buffet restaurant on the Winter Garden's main floor. Carpet installation began last week, and crews were assembling dramatic light fixtures for the terrace seating area. The lights consist of wood and metal bases with neutral colored canvas-draped cones directing the light from the bulbs. There will be six of these light fixtures on the terrace. Up on the mezzanine level, workers have installed a stained-glass-like light panel outside the entrance to the new Brazillian steakhouse. Inside the restaurant, most of the flooring has been installed, and crews were working on wood and glass partitions and planters last week. The Event Center will host its first public concert when it welcomes Tim McGraw Thursday, after a special employee preview concert by Benny MArdonnes last week. Workers have been ading the finishing touches to the center, installing permanent light fixtures in the stairwells and on the upper level and placing covers on the heating/cooling system upstairs. Crews also installed light fixtures ion the corridor near the new box office last week, consisting of several blue glass plates that give the impression of a cluster of flowers."

Christmas Browsing

2004-12-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long pause between posts, I've jsut been busy working and then paying more attention to my other blog, JoesTown's Clicks. It is easier for me to do those postings because they don't require me typing for a long period of time while Katie is sleeping. She seems to not like the sound of my keyboard. It doesn't help that I have had this keyboard since I got the computer 2 years ago. I told her yesterday if she wanted to get me something for Chrsitmas she could get me a wireless keyboard and mouse set. I priced them in Wal-Mart yesterday and they aren't too bad. The Microsoft one is 50 bucks and the Logitech one is 30. I kinda want the Microsoft one because the mouse has all the extra buttons that I had come to enjoy on my other wireless mouse that recently shit the bed. Katie also saw a small HP that she wanted. She says it's just her size and at 500 bucks looks pretty good to me. But I think she may get it for her birthday or later. Who knows, depends on the money issue at the time of purchase. I kind of like the fact that we would have two computers in the house, this way I could network them both and share the printer that I have. Sounds like the perfect way for me to do this. Can't wait. I start my night's at the bakery this coming monday, hopefully. If not this week then definetly the following monday. We have to have all of the bread done and ready to go into production as of Sunday. We should be able to do this seeing as we only have 2-3 that are giving us trouble and I am sure that Rich and Antonio can get those things worked out yesterday and today. Katie told me when I told her that I was going to nights that she now doesn't want me to go. I kinda figured that would happen, seeing as I really enjoy the 11-7 shift that I have right now. Oh well, what are you going to do. We'll get used to it. Nothing else is going on so... I will talk to you later Joe FYI: Farmington, Maine, celebrates Chester Greenwood Day to honor the inventor of earmuffs.

Life events

2004-11-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

Good Sunday morning all. Just thought that I would say hello and see how everyone else's Thanksgiving was. Mine went wonderfully. It felt like it was such a long day and when it's my day off and it feels like that then it is all good. Both days off actually felt really long. Wonderful news that is. Nothing else new going on at the bakery. Enjoying still, although the deadline is coming up really fast for when we have to have all the bread ready to be baked and approved by the head honchos. Also of note, Brian said that he was going to be bringing the newborn into work on Monday, so we all get to see it. He also said that he would bring it down to the bakery for me to see it. Hopefully Jen will be back then so that she can see it. I know she would love to see it again. Seeing as she had so much fun with her little one that was at that stage just a year ago. Well, nothing else is new here. Gotta get into gear and make sure I know what everyone wants before I go Christmas shopping, even though I have two weeks yet before that happens. I am going to buy the two turtles we have a bigger tank in three weeks or so. Just before Christmas. That will be a present for Katie and me a little bit. We jsut fouind out the other day that we have a male and a female, and the male is trying to get the female to mate. Very amusing way they do it too. The male sits in front of the female and wiggles it's two front claws at her. So far Michele (formerly Mike) has rejected Ike totally. Poor guy, maybe the new tank will let him have a chance. Nothing else so I will talk to you later Joe Listening to: Corruption, Front Line Assembly FYI: The Library of Congress has 600 miles of shelves.

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-11-27T09:38:00.000-05:00

Atunyote Golf Club closed at the end of October, but workers have been on site every day finishing up the luxurious new clubhouse. The temporary clubhouse used during the course's inaugrural season has been removed, and the ground is being graded and prepared for landscaping. Inside, carpet and lighting fixtures have been installed in the restaurant, and crews have begun installing banquettes. Last week, heavy machinery could be seen digging at the corner of Snyder and Patrick Roads, preparing for construction of the foundation for the new golf dome. The facility will allow golfers to hone their skills all year long and also can be configured or other indoor activities like tennis. Work continues in hte Winter Garden, particularly in the two restaurants. Up on the mezzanine level, crews have installed a polished granite top on the bar just inside the entrance of the new Brazillian steakhouse. Workers also are busy installing kitchen fixtures and appliances and various accents for the dining areas. The restaurant will seat about 175 people. Downstairs, work also is progressing on the new, expanded buffet. Light fixtures have benn installed in the spacious entry area underneath the stairway to the second floor, and floor tile has been laid in the entryway and in the food service areas. The 420-seat buffet will feature half a dozen stations where guests can order freshly made entrees in a variety of cuisines. The massive revolving door for the Winter Garden's main entrance has arrived, and crews were working on its installation last week. The glass floor tiles for the "river" lading from the main entrance to a small rotunda between the two-story water falls have been installed, as has a waist-high glass wall around the fountain feature in the rotunda. Glass water walls also have benn installed on either side of the fountain, and behind them new retail shops have been framed. Plans call for one shop to feature high-quality jewelry and the other to offer seasonal gifts. The new Opal's coffee shop also has been framed at the far end of the Winter Garden, complete with an indoor canopy. Thanks in part to the unseasonably dry November weather, outside work around the resort has made substantial progress this fall. Grading has been done for new parking near the hotel loading dock; the site used to be a pond but was filled in earlier this year in anticipation of increased parking needs. Medians and islands for the new lot also have been framed. Crews also have been erecting a plethora of holiday decorations around the property. Talk to you later Joe FYI: Americans spend more than $630 million a year on golf balls.

Happy Thanksgiving

2004-11-25T16:56:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. Hope your day was full of food and fun with the family. Tomorrow some of us have to go back to work, others get to have the weekend off. You bastards. Talk to you later Joe I'm listening to Forever and Always, Shania Twain FYI: Honeybees navigate by using the sun as a compass.

A little bit more bakery

2004-11-23T21:08:00.000-05:00

11/22/2004 Today was another day of learning. All be it just one thing. Today I made the starter dough for the bread. It's the dough that we make the day before so that the dough we make the next day will be able to work. Gives it a boost per se. I also found out that I am going to be the guy that does most if not all of the mixing. This I can not wait for. I have always wanted to learn this part of the bakery. I pretty much had the bench part of baking down, now all I needed was to learn how to mix the dough properly. The only thing left is going to be the cooking of the bread and the proofing of it. The proofing I will learn as I go seeing as we will be doing this everyday. Another thing that I learned last night was that one of the other bakers that I work with knows the Marshals of Star Bakery. Where I got my start in the baking business. Such a small world, it is. Tonight I also got to see the view from the Tower at night. Another spectacle. Looks a little better at night with all the headlights going down all the highways that we have at the intersection of the thruway, 31 and 365. Definetly one of the best views in CNY. Nothing else is new, so... Talk to you later Joe Listening to: Party All Night, Jeff Foxworthy, Little Texas, Scott Rouse FYI: Butterflies were formerly known by the name "flutterby."

More Bakery

2004-11-22T08:37:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the long delay, getting used to a new schedule has had me changing my routine till I could find something that would work. Still changing it and fine tuning it, but I dont really wnat to get to fine tuned seeing as it will all change when I go onto nights. But anyways, I digress. The bakery is very enjoyable. I am learning new stuff almost daily. We really haven' t gotten around to making too much bread as of yet. But Rich, my new boss, says that we will be getting to that starting this week. Jen wants all the bread figured out by the 5th, I believe it was. So we are going to be making lots of bread. Should be fun and a lot of new lessons. I have never mixed bread before so it is going to be all new. Today I got to roll dough for the first time in 2 and a half years. I found out just how much I missed doing this. I just cant wait till we get into actually making the bread on a regular basis. And all the recipes I will be gathering while I do this is going to be just as fun. Seeing as we can't make bread yet we have been kept occupied making all the other things that are in the bakery and other restaurants. This has also been very enjoyable. On a daily basis I have had to make chocolate chip cookie dough, oatmeal cookie dough, chocolate cake, white cake, yellow cake, and macaroons. I have also made crumbly topping for little cheesecake like things. Sorry really can't remember what they were called. I cant wait till tomorrow to see what we will make. I haven't liked my job and looked forward to going there in quite some time, but it definately is back. I am very greatful of this. The only things that I hve to learn myself is my conversions. I'm getting pretty darn good with them. Kinda helps that I use them on a daily basis. I have started to write down the recipes that we have used the most, but I need to get another notebook to put them in. That is one of my next purchses. Well, nothing else is going on so... Talk to you later Joe Listening to right now: Imagine, John Lennon FYI: There is a town in Alaska called Chicken

New baby

2004-11-20T21:09:00.000-05:00

I found out tonight that Brian had his baby. This is one of the guys I used to work with at the Forrest Grill. He had a girl named Sydney that was 9# 7oz. He said that she was holding onto his hand and wouldnt let it go. I think I was just as excited about this as he was. Now I really cant wait for my little one to make an appearence. Nothing else new, I will write more later. Sorry. The bakery is going good. Talk to you later Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-11-17T22:30:00.000-05:00

Work is progressing quickly on the new SavOn at Verona Beach. Underground tanks have been installed, and the infrastructure for the pumps also is in. Crews have cut two driveways fro easier traffic flow on and off Route 13; another driveway will empty onto Miller Road. The new store will replace the existing location and is scheduled to open next spring, offering both gas and diesel fuel, a wider range fo food options, and safer, more convenient access. Most of the roads and parking lots around the resort have been resurfaced in the last couple of weeks, although some areas remain to be done. Landscaping also has continued, especially in front of the new stone monument wall at the main entrance off Route 365. Another stone wall at the corner of the main boulevard and the access road leading to Shenendoah and the Lodge is being built. Eventually, both walls will feature new signage for the resort with the new Turning Stone logo. In the Wintergarden, workers last week were installing the metal braces and glass tiles that will cover the unfer-floor river. The river leads from the entrance to a small rotunda, which will feature a glass sculpture. On either side of the rotunda, glass walls have been installed, and behind those walls will be high-end retail shops. Work continues in the two new restaurant in the Wintergarden. Crews have installed the hostess starion at the entrance to the new buffet, as well as wooden partitions around the interior seating areas. Wall tile is up behind the action stations, where guests will be able to order entress and watch them being prepared. Workers also were installing banquettes last week. Up on the mezzanine level, work in Rodiziio Churrascaria, the new Brazillian steakhouse, is generating lots of interest from guests. The 175-seat restuarant will feature a football-shaped wood bar and views of the Wintergarden. Workers have installed marble floor tiles and were concentrating on wall finishing last week. Plans call for the restaurant to open shortly after Thanksgiving. Finishing work continues in the VIP areas of the Event Center, as well as some other amenities. The main doors facing the access road are lrge enough to allow semis to enter the event floor to load and unload equipment. THe seats have built-in cup holders, and there are two VIP suites with seperate reception and viewing rooms. The coat check space near the box office (at the parking garage entrance) has an automatic hanger system that rises above the box office, efficiently utilizing space that otherwise would be wasted. Joe

The bakery experience

2004-11-16T22:50:00.000-05:00

Well, I have now finished two days in the bakery, and I am enjoying it very much. The last two days have been me making cakes and cookie dough and muffin dough. Tomorrow I and the other two bread bakers should start working out the recipes for the breads that we will be making. Hopefully we will do this. That is what Jen said anyways. So maybe tomorrow I will have a little more to share with all of you. As of right now nothing is good enough to share. Nothing new is going on either. Talk to you later. Joe FYI: Colors like red, yellow and orange make you hungry.

Time for the Bakery

2004-11-14T11:05:00.000-05:00

The time to go to the bakery is almost here. I start tomorrow morning at 11 in the morning and work until 7. I believe this will be my new schedule for the next two weeks at the least. After that I was told it would be 10-6 on the weekdays and 11-7 on the weekends. I will tell you all about my fun either tomorrow when I get home or Tuesday morning before I go to work. I was talking to Heather yesterday, one of the other bakers, and I am getting really excited. Should be a fun and interesting learning experience. Cant wait. My anniversary date was yesterday, I have officially been with the company for 3 years. the longest, other than the Enchanted Forest, that I have been with one company. The Forest was for 9-10 years. But that was only in the summer and during high school. I have had just as much fun at the casino as I had at the Park, so its all good. Nothing else is new so I will let you all go. Talk to you later Joe

Watchout for domain hijackers

2004-11-13T13:13:00.000-05:00

Your website could be hijacked without you knowing it, following a new rule from ICANN. The people that take care of the internet.

Firefox is out.

2004-11-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

Firefox makes its appearence as a full release and challenges IE. Read the article, and maybe you will be inspired to switch. I'm going to switch over my parents this week, I hope.

iPod's

2004-11-12T01:12:00.000-05:00

Help me get a free $250 gift certificate for Apple's iTunes. All you have to do is pick one of these offers. And you could also win one, be a very good Christmas present for someone. Thanks Joe

Idea for a website

2004-11-11T22:54:00.000-05:00

Quick post. A website that has the history of the US from day one, day by day. If you know of one let me know. Or take it one step further, a personal website for families, so that they can record what happens to their famliy on a daily basis. Talk to you later Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-11-11T22:53:00.000-05:00

Now that the Event Center has successfully hosted two major gatherings-- the Maines Paper and Food Service show and the annual fall meeting of the United South and Eastern Tribes-- crews are preparing the facility for several large entertainment events, including Tim McGraw's Dec. 2 concert and the "Night of Knights" jousting show on New Year's Eve. Workers are finishing the two VIP booths that overlook the main floor; each two-room suite will feature a staffed reception area with a bar and a viewing room. Loge boxes around the perimeter also offer private staff for serving refreshments. Last week, crews began assembling staging for upcoming events. The stage area can be configured in a variety of ways and at heights ranging from about three-and-a-half feet to five feet. Most of the pre-function area of the Event Center is close to being finished as well. Carpet and wall coverings have been installed, and some furniture is in place to form lounge areas in the spacious hallways. The Cypress room, the new multi-purpose room overlooking The Lodge, adds about 6,000 square feet of meeting and event space. About the size of the Mohawk Room, it also can be split into five smaller rooms. A second set of escalators leading from the mezzanine level of the Event Center to the Seneca Room of the Conference Center was operational last week, offering easy access to the gaming floor, Showroom and other areas of the resort. The seven board-style meeting rooms on the second floor of the Tower were opened at the end of October for USET's fall meeting. Each of the rooms has windows facing either the Winter Garden or the grounds of the resort. A dedicated pantry area on the second floor allows for aesy food and beverage service to the rooms. With the exception of the seven VIP luxury suites, all guest rooms in the Tower are now open. Work conitnues on Two-One, the paid membership restaurant on the Twoer's top floor, and on the VIP suite floor. Outside, crews have been paving or repaving the roads and parking lots at the resort and working to finish landscaping before winter sets in. The access road from the main boulevard to the Bingo Hall entrance, the Event Center and the parking garage is now open, and crews are reconfiguring the parking lots near the Team Member entrance." Talk to you later Joe

All the info is in...and what a view

2004-11-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

I am going to be working from 11-7 on the weekends and probably 10-6 during the week and will have Wed and Thurs as my days off. I move over there on Monday of this week, the 15th. I will also recieve a raise at some point in the very near future, seeing as the date I go over to the bakery coincides with my year review, again yeah me. Mike took all of us that were working the other day up to the top of the Tower and got to see the view. I have to say its the best view around by far. You could see Onieda Lake, almost to the other end. Im sure if I had binoculars, I would be able to pick out where Kate's parents live. We could also see from the balcony facing towards the intersection of 365 and 31, the water tower at the prison outside of Rome. Im sure if I had my glasses on I would have been able to see the tops of the churches in Rome. the view was jsut incredible. If we had seen it during the fall foliage season it would have been even more spectacular. I would love to be able to go up and see it during the summer months, with all that green around. You could look down and see what they were doing on the ground and how all the projects they have going fit together. Puts all that construction into perspective. Just gorgeous. I am envious for the people that can afford that view, lucky bastards. Nothing else is new, Katie is good, I am fine, the family is fine on both sides. Talk to you later Joe

Work news has finally arrived

2004-11-07T09:47:00.000-05:00

i have finally been given my release date to go to the bakery. That date is the 15th of November. Which interestingly enough is my anniversary date for when i started at the casino 3 years ago. I am going to talk to Jen hopefully, today and see what my schedule is going to be like and just to make sure that this really is going ot be my release date. there will be final confirmation tomorrow. Brian, the other guy in the Forrest that is having a baby, has finally been given a date for when they are going to have the baby. Again, interestingly enough it is supposed to be the 15th of November. how eerie. We will be getting another sonogram in January so that we can definitely, hopefully confirm that the baby is a girl. and if its not then i think we will be very disappointed, we are all looking forward to a girl. but either way it does not matter to me. Well, i guess that is all. Talk to you later. Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-11-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

"The drape concealing the half of the Winter Garden from the twin waterfalls back to the Smokin' wing of the resort have been removed, allowing employees and guests to get a peek at the progress of work on that protion of the expansion. Workers are waiting for the massive revolving door for the Winter Garden's main entrance and for the tempered glass flooring that will cover a small 'river' leading to a sculpture and water feature between the waterfalls, in a small rotunda area. There will be glass water walls and retail shops on either side of the rotunda. One side will feature a high-end jewelry shop, and the other will offer seasonal gifts. A new Opals pastry and coffee shop will be located at the Smokin' end of the Winter Garden, with sidewalk-café-style seating under one of the massive pyramid-shaped skylights. Near Opals will be a new elevator bank leading to the existing hotel wing and to a new VIP players lounge, with an indoor patio overlooking the Winter Garden. Workers are converting five hotel rooms to create the lounge, which will offer concierge, massage, entertainment and other luxury services. WOrk is progressing ont he new Brazilian steakhouse on the mezzanine level of the Winter Garden. A football shaped bar has been installed near the entrance, and crews have been laying floor tiles in the bar and kitchen areas. The steakhouse will have gold-toned walls , wood-clad columns matching those on the Witner Garden's main floor, and views of the palm trees and tropical plants throughout the Winter Garden. The restaurant is scheduled to open in the next few weeks. The new expanded buffet area alos is coming together. Hoods have been installed for the 'action stations,' where guests will be able to select a variety of entrees and watch them being prepared. There are three large seating areas in the buffet, including a garden-like terrace area near the main Winter Garden entrance. The hostess station has been installed, and floor tile has been laid on the terrace and in the massive entry area. Like the Brazilian steakhouse, the new buffet is slated to open around the end of November. When the buffet opens, the Team Member cafeteria will move into part of the current Garden Buffet while crews work to expand the existing cafeteria. Eventually, the Garden Buffet space will be split; part of it will be taken up with the enlarged Team Member cafeteria, and part will become the location of a new quick-food service area for guests. All guest rooms in the Tower are now ipen except for the suites. The luxury suites are being fiotted with marble-clad Jacuzzi tubs and steamrooms, among other amenitites. Those suites also will have access to a marble staricase leading to Two-One, the private paid-membership restaurant on the Tower's top floor. Elsewhere around the resort proper, crews are landscaping and resurfacing the parkinglots and roads around Turning Stone. Site work also has begun on the new golf dome, an indoor facility newar the co-generation plant designed to help golfers stay on top of their games year-round. Atunyote Golf Club was scheduled to finish its inagural season Sunday, but work continues on the sumptuous clubhouse at the course. Hardwood floors have been laid in the foyer and lounges, and crews were painting trim and interior doors last week. Trim work has been finished in the restaurant, and light fixtures have been installed. Kitchen fixtures and appliances also are largely in place." Brought to you by: "The Insider Employee News and Information." This is a weekly newsletter for the employees so that they can keep up on all the new things, that are going on and what is being offered by the Resort.

Voting day

2004-11-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

Only one thing today. Go VOTE. Enjoy the fun talk to you later Joe

Halloween

2004-10-31T10:39:00.000-05:00

happy halloween to all of yous. i have to work tonight but they are having a costume contest at the casino so ill get to see all the great costumes that people wear. katie is going to go with the kids so she'll be able to see all their costumes. they should be pretty damn cute. Nothing else is going on so I guess that I will go. talk to you later Joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-10-30T10:29:00.000-04:00

sorry about forgetting this, here it is: "The new monument wall is up at Turning Stone's main entrance, awaiting new signage for the resort. The old signage walls have been dismantled. Landscapers filled in the area behind the 200-foot, curved wall and have planted several white pine trees. A similar wall will be erected at eh intersection of the main boulevard and the road leading to the Shenandoah Clubhouse and the Lodge. Landscapers also have been busy finishing the area in front of the Winter Garden, planting trees and grass and installing a 'dry streambed' that meanders from the steam rock formation in front of the Winter Garden entrance to the boulevard. The streambed, lined with small, water-smoothed rocks and pebbles, leads to the origional 'turning stone' that used to rotate at the Patrick Road entrance to the resort. Inside the Winter Garden, work progresses on the under0floor stream leading to a sculpture between the twin waterfalls, recessed under its own skylight. Crews also continue working on the new expanded buffet area on the main floor and the site of the new Brazilian steakhouse on the mezzanine level. Most of the rooms in the Tower hotel are now ready for occupancy. Work continues on the top two floors, which will house luxury suites, private meeting rooms, and Club Two-One, the new private paid-membership restaurant. Crews also are putting the finishing touches on several of the corner suites on the lower floors, which overlook the Winter Garden entrance. The 17th floor, the last of the regular room floors in the Tower, shoudl be ready for occupancy this week. The event center hosted its first major business show last week and will welcome United South and Eastern Tribes this week for the organization's annual fall conference and expo. Work also is progressing on the second floor of the resort's executive and administrative offices. In Verona BEach, workers have been installing underground gas tanks for the new SavOn store on Route 13. Construction on the new building is scheduled to begin shortly, and the new store should be ready to open in the spring. The new store will have improved parking arrangements and more gas pumps to better serve patrons at the busy site." talk to you later joe

Shari Anne

2004-10-30T10:16:00.000-04:00

name change, minor really. its now going to be shari anne, two names. why im still not sure but thats what kater wants, so thats what kater gets. anyways, katie felt the baby kick yesterday at work. she was in the middle of helping a customer and the baby kicked her, she dazed a little and the customer seemed a little confused and then katie jsut kept going like nothing had happened. she was so excited when she came home. i cant wait till i get to feel the baby kick. oh the joys of a parent ot be. anyways, nothing else is new so i will talk to you later joe FYI: "O" is the oldest letter of the alphabet, dating back to 3000 B.C.

Fridays are really sundays

2004-10-29T21:40:00.000-04:00

if you didnt know it, but fridays are my sundays and saturdays are really my mondays, while wednesdays are my fridays. if any of you are interested in that. anyways i may be able to go to the bakery soon, seeing as they are moving into the new bakery on tuesday of this upcoming week (the actual tuesday, not my tuesday). and they will start baking on the very next day. so i figure that it will hopefully be within the next two weeks that i can start over there. ill have to ask jen tomorrow when i go back to work. I got a letter in the mail from the casino today informing me that they will not be giving out flu shots this year due to the shortage. you would presume they knew this already when they had started the sign ups. obviously not. oh well, ive been good up untill last year with out one, so i think i should be ok this year. ill start them again next year, and katie can join me with them, seeing as she will not be pregnant and we will both be dealing with a little one at this time next year. her first halloween, yeah. how exciting. anyways i digress. nothing else is new so i will let you go. jsut a reminder, vote on tuesday if you registered, if not register to vote for next year. talk to you later joe FYI: The world's first escalator was built in Coney Island, NY, in 1896.

Now its friday

2004-10-27T10:38:00.000-04:00

hello all. once again i have had a few days without an update. and today may bring good news. i have heard that the bakery may open in the next two weeks. i can only hope. Jen said that they were probably going to move stuff into the new bakery next week, that they dont use often. she said she didnt have a training schedule for when they are supposed to come ina nd show how to work the new machines, and as soon as she has that then she will tell us what is going on. but hell, this is better than the hell if we know that i have been getting for the last three months. so hopefully soon. and it seems that at the forest most of the jobs have been filled. yeah so that means i can leave whenever they want me. and the other guy at work that is having a baby was told that they could have the baby in as few as 3 days and at the most a week. this is down from the 3 weeks that he was thinking even as of yesterday. well, nothing else new so... i will talk to you later. joe FYI: Vermont is the only New England state without a seacoast.

its monday again

2004-10-25T11:21:00.000-04:00

hello all. how are we this morning? good i hope. i was just reading this article about bush and how he is trying to make it so some of the land that is protected as wilderness can be used for energy production, among other things like development. pardon my rant and sorry if i offend anyone, but what the hell is he thinking. is he really that money hungry. thsi wilderness is only about 3%, why in the world cant he use other land that we have already deforrested for energy production. windmills, solar energy what ever but why destroy what wilderness we have left. grrr. sometimes this man makes me angry. i am very sorry that i voted for him, i would have rather had gore in office. sorry about that he just pissed me off when i read that article. nothing else is new, just plugging along through the work week like everyone else. of course when everyone else starts their work week i am about half through. yeah for me. anyways, nothing else. i will talk to you later joe FYI: The biggest pig in recorded history weighed almost one ton. (damn)

hello all

2004-10-23T11:33:00.000-04:00

nothing new going on here. just the typical saturday. unfortunatley i have to go back to work todya, damn i hate mondays. grrr. hopefully we will be busy tonight as opposed to wednesday where we all; just sat around doing absolutely nothing for the entire night. that really sucks. im going to be posting a link on this site tonight or tomorrow for free ipods all i need is for five of you to be referers so if you could help me out i can get a free ipod (its a music player, kinda like a walkman only a lot better, if you didnt know). it actually works, a tech show i watch and trust tested it out when it first came out three months ago and they finally recieved their ipods the other day so now i figured i would try it. so please help me. thanks for your support. hope you enjoy the other website i started. talk to you later joe FYI: The origional recipe for chocolate contained chili powder instead of sugar.

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-10-22T11:23:00.000-04:00

"As workers complete the upper floorsof the Tower Hotel, the Events Center, and the Winter Garden, other crews are beginning to work on Turning Stone's new golf dome.The indoor practice and athletic facility will be located next to the cogenerationplant at the corner of Snyder and Patrick Roads, with the clubhouse entrance to the dome facing the access road that leads from Patrick Road to the parking garage. Site preperation work is scheduled to begin this week, and the facility should be open in early 2005. Although its primary purpose will be to help golfers improve their games over the winter, the dome is designed to accomodate a variety of athletic activities, such as running and softball. The new stone wall at the resort's main entrance is nearly complete, and landscaping behind the wall was scheduled to begin last week. The sandstone wall is 200 feet long, up to seven feet high, and two feet thick. It will form the backdrop for new signage at the main entrance, and the existing walls and signs will be removed. Landscaping work continues around the resort,and crews were working on the rock sculpture outside the Winter Garden entrance last week. The ground has been graded and some trees have benn planted along the drive leading to the entrance. The rock sculpture also will serve as a 'fountain' for the release of the steam that will be used to keep the brick driveway clear of ice and snow during the winter. The Tower opened several floors last week, with rooms now available through the 14th floor. Finishing work continues on the upper floors and in the corner suites, as well as on the third floor, which houses the pool and fitness facility. The Atunyote staff is slated to move into the new clubhouse this week. Last week, crews were finishing up the men's and women's locker and lounge areas. Hardwood floors have benn installed in the foyer and women's lounge; the foyer and men's lounge also each feature a gas fireplace. Work continues in the restaurant area, where workers finished installing ceiling molding last week and were preparing to lay carpet." talk to you later joe

New side blog

2004-10-22T02:18:00.000-04:00

i have created a new side blog that is called JoesTown's Clicks and is all about links to things that i find interesting as opposed to putting them in my main blog. talk to you later joe

its finally time

2004-10-20T13:05:00.000-04:00

i am finally remembering to tell you all this. just a quick note, go vote. i feel this is very important and that all of us should take part in voting. sorry about that but it needed to be said. nothing new going on here except that those damn Yankees jsut wont beat the sox. those little bastards. so many chances and then they jsut go and blow it. anyways, nothing of real import as of now so i will... talk to you later joe FYI: The Watersheds that supply water to New York City are roughly the size of Delaware.

interesting links

2004-10-19T10:47:00.000-04:00

just links today: heres for the nostalgia in us all. watch out for those new TV's might have some univited guests. seems as though someone is finally doing something about the renewable energy thing, go FedEx. very amusing and somewhat tasteless ads that didnt quite make it to publication. want to have your own icon for your email. try this. a damn good thing for those of us that cant get broadband either because of expense or location. thank you US government. dont sing happy birthday or you could have to pay some money. talk to you later joe FYI: The height of the Eiffel Tower varies by as much as 6 inches depending on the temperature.

misc rumblings

2004-10-18T13:44:00.000-04:00

well,last night was the last night for one of our sous chefs (kitchen supervisors) and they gave him a very messy goodbye. we had cake for him and then when he was coming back into the kitchen i grabbed him aside and as i started a pretend speech one of the other cooks came up behind him and stuck a whip cream pie in his face and then there were four more pies thrown at his face, some rainbow sprinkles and then chocolate and strawberry syrup. it was extremely funny and very messy. it wasnt too bad of a night. before this i was cleaning out the cooler with him, we took everything out of the cooler down to bare walls and cleaned it out. and after we had taken the cooler truck back to the convention center he took me on a tour of the new facilities. all the new restaurants, bakery and the events arena. all i can say is god damn. it was nice. i cant wait to get into the new bakery, it should be pretty darn fun. the events arena is gorgeous and gargantuan. well, i gotta go so... i will talk to you later joe FYI: Grizzly bears run as fast as the average horse

Thursdays freedays

2004-10-14T14:53:00.000-04:00

The A-Team is back. i really dont understand why i had to go to an irish site to find this out but hey i found out. nothing else new for me here. just got my days off for this week. not doing very much with myself. a few prospects on the horizon but nothing right now. so... talk to you later joe

Construction and Expansion Update

2004-10-11T15:31:00.000-04:00

"Guests at the Tower at Turning Stone are very pleased with the amenities there, patient with the construction still going on, and eager to see the finished product, according to front desk employees. The Tower opened five room floors Oct. 1 and welcomed about 40 guests its first night. so far, the comments have been positive; guests like the modern feel of the Tower and the spaciousness of the Winter Garden, andthe unique double rotating Grohle shower heads inthe rooms are generating lots of positive comments. Employees at the Tower are fielding lots of questions about when the new restaurants in the Winter Garden will open. Crews continue to work on the new and expanded buffet area, which will be housed on a terrace off the main floor of the Winter Garden, and on the new Brazillian steakhouse, which will be on the second floor. A new Opal's also will open on the main floor of the Winter Garden near the Smokin' wing of the resort. The connector between the parking garage and the Winter Garden is open to the public, and construction areas in the Tower and Event Center are hidden from public view with drapes and posters depicting the expansion. The escalators and elevators are open for guest use. Outside the Winter Garden, work continues on landscaping around the rock formation near the main entrance. Stone work on the exteriorcolumns under the port cochiere also continues. Flowers, pumpkins and gourds have been placed outside near the revolving door to celebrate the fall season. In the Event Center, workers are cutting a fast pace to prepare the facility for a MAINES trade show in mid-October and the annual fall meeting of United South and Eastern Tribes at the end of the month. Most of the work that remains is finsihing work such as painting. Crews are scheduled to begin applying a top coat of asphalt to all roads and parking lots around the resort this week. Curbing and and extension of the third lane at the resort entrance also is scheduled to begin this week. The new clubhouse at Atunyote is coming together, with more fixtures in the pro shop area, a gas fireplace installed in the dining room, and most of the tiling and fixtures installed in the locker areas. Crews are finishing the ceiling molding around the bulding and installing stoves and other appliances in the kitchen." katie said she heard on the news this morning on her way to work that the Tim McGraw show that is scheduled for the 5 of Dec was already sold out. not too much of a suprise there though. talk to you later joe FYI: Britian was the first country to register a patent on polyester

columbus day it is

2004-10-11T10:17:00.000-04:00

Superman is killed by a heart attack at 52. another great figure has passed away. nothing else going on. talk to you later joe

the sunday weekly

2004-10-10T10:27:00.000-04:00

nothing new today, at all. just doing the site redesigns mentioned before. just need to come up with something that i can put in that big black spot on the top left. ill figure ti out. i just thought that having all three colums made it look cluttered all at the top, when all i really want you to do at the top is look at the most recent post. so it will be as it is for the time being. till i figure something out that can go there. i have a few ideas, but nothing in stone yet. on other news katie got a 3% raise yesterday. yeah for her. well, nothing else is new so... talk to you later joe

the verdict is in

2004-10-09T11:14:00.000-04:00

well, they arent entirely sure, only about 80 percent, but they think we are having a girl. so if it is then sheriannne is going to be it name, still not sure if we are going to have a middle name or not but the first name is going to be in there. nothing else is new.gotta go back to work today. damn. talk to you later joe

under constuction

2004-10-08T01:41:00.000-04:00

sorry about the repeated content on the left but i am redesigning a little bit here, jsut bare with the little hiccups right now. thanks for your cooperation. talk to you later joe

Construction and Expansion Update for October 4

2004-10-07T17:46:00.000-04:00

"Country mega-star Tim McGraw will perform the inaugrural concert at the new Events Center on Dec. 2. Entertainment Director Sam Madonia made the announcement last week, generating lots of excitement about the opening ofthe new facility. Finishing work continues at the Event Center, and it will host its first event, a MAINES trade show, in mid-October. United South and Eastern Tribes will hold its annual fall conference in the Events Center at the end of the month. Crews are wrapping up painting and will be installing components of the state-of-the-art cound and lighting systems in the coming days. Portions of the Winter Garden and the Tower opened tot eh public last Thursday. Most of the work remaining inthe Winter Garden is inthe restaurant areas. The driveway was graded and paved lsat week, and the interior water features were being finished last week. Crews also have been finishing the grand stairway to the mezzanine level, which connects the Winter Garden to the Events Center. Sidewalk installation around theWinter Garden and the rest of the property also continues. The gaming machines int he former Crystal's Diner area, which is adjacent to the Winter Garden, were removed last week to allow completion of that part of the expansion. The area should be ready to reopen with the machines in the next couple of weeks. The tower welcomed its first guests Thursday. About 40 people made reservations to be the first to experience the latest in the resort's lodging options. Four floors of the 19-story Tower are open to the public, while work continues on finishing the remaining floors. Vice President of Hospitality Robert McEleney said he expects the Tower to open four additional floors each week through October. The connecting walkway from the parking garage to the Tower also opened last week." talk to you later joe

three day weekend

2004-10-06T01:56:00.000-04:00

I have a construction update for you guys this week too, even though the tower and winter garden have opened some of their features there are still more to come. and yet more projects that the casino has. interesting stuff to say the least. more on that later. well i found out yesterday that i am taking a three day weekend, as if the title didnt already tell you that. there was 5 of us scheduled for today and it being a wednesday there is not a reason for it at all. so i told mike that i could use my last benefit day for the year and take today off. it really doesnt concern me, in little over a month i get three more and two more weeks vacation, so no prob bob. so that is how i managed to have an unplanned extended weekend. yeah me. we find out on friday what we are having, getting really excited, from then on its an out and out war on what we will buy and what grandparents will buy, that is what they havent already bought yet. i think mom is enjoying the newq little addittion and she is as excited if not more than we are. anyways not really too much more to say. i promised the dogs i would take them for a walk at two so this means i need to go or they will attack me. they are currently out back relaxing, little brats. well i better go. the update will be later on. i got a couple of news items below. and as said, very saddened that we lost yet another comic. Medievil surgeons were advanced On a sad note, Comic Rodney Dangerfield has died, he was 82. The Ansari X-Prize has been won. talk to you later joe FYI: Wisconsin has pionts further east than parts of Florida

odds and ends

2004-10-05T10:56:00.000-04:00

hey alll, a couple of things here today. nothing new really going on in my life otherwise. same stuff different day. got a bunch of stuff going up in this post so again here goes. you can wait and see with all the other folk, if you havent already, to see if Mt Saint Helens is going to erupt. they got a web cam up for all to see. take a few tests to see if you like bush or kerry, amusing if nothing else. if you have ever wondered how the zip codes were figured out or arranged in the US then this page is for you. once you get in there if you cant read the writing, just hit z and it will zoom in as you type out the zip code. i thought it was the neatest little thing. well, i guess thats all for today talk to you later joe FYI: The only continent without native reptiles or snakes is Antartica