Dancing in the Moonlight

Finger Lakes-connected Sherman Kelly, writer of Dancing in the Moonlight, with all-kid chorus at Newfield Elementary School in Tompkins County, NY.

Fly Central New York

Mink stole, no TSA:  how we flew in CNY, before Agony Airlines/US Air.     

Click for larger version.  Photo from Mike Haywood collection.    Lots more here.

Mowing season under way

Finger Lakes people share a deeply rooted cultural affinity for large lawns.  Relatively inexpensive land, abundant rainfall, and occasional bright sunshine facilitate large swaths of manicured turf.  At this time of year, small talk among native or assimilated homeowners involves only two subjects:  tax assessments and lawn mowing.  

We embrace a lot of diversity between our Slim Fingers, but proper lawn care must be understood as a quasi-religious obligation.  Young and old, rich and poor, gay and straight, even Democrats and Republicans are all lawn care fanatics.  You can argue with a guy's politics, hate the Yankees, drink Bud Light, even wear long sleeves in the summertime, but don't disrespect your neighbor's well trimmed acre.

With seemingly endless rainfall this spring, our lawn mowing days have been limited, while the grass is growing like crazy.  When we do get a chance to mow, our equipment needs to be in top shape.  So be aware that the ethanol our state government requires in New York gasoline, while good for rewarding political cronies, is hazardous to you mower. 

"Since they've added the alcohol and other components to get the alcohol to mix with the fuel it causes it to break down quicker," Titus Mower Manager Gary Kubasiewicz said. "That does cause problems. It does affect fuel components. We run into corrosion in the fuel systems. It's attacking the rubber gaskets and inlet seats, things like that. So it's definitely causing problems."

We use STA-BIL.

Thank you, veterans!

Town of Veteran, NY

Organized by an act to the legislature of N.Y. State, in 1823, The Town of Veteran was formed from the town of Catherine in Schuyler County.  Green Bently, a native of Rhode Island and a veteran of the Revolution, was the first settler.  The town was named "Veteran" in his honor.