Surfin' USA

Red Skelton TV Show, 1963.  Brian Wilson turned 70 this week.

Scenes from late summer

If you live in the Finger Lakes, you've probably doing  this right now.  A high ladder, stinging insects, and dangerous chemicals are involved, so proceed with caution, have Benadryl and an EpiPen on hand, and good luck!

August in the Finger Lakes

Olde Home Days Parade, Groton, NY. 

Photo by Simon Wheeler.

Summer activities

Before the Finger Lakes leaves begin to turn, be sure to play this one poolside, on the dock, or on the deck, while enjoying a local beverage of your choice.

Working at the pool

Harrison, on the job

One of our high school summer jobs involved a large, private swimming pool.  We arrived early, removed drowned wildlife from the pool filters, cleaned up the empties from the previous evening's goings on, topped off the chlorine tank, then jumped in the water and scrubbed the pool walls by hand.  Although we were usually out of there before the first sunbather hit a chaise lounge, we still remember it as a primo gig.

New York City high school kid Harrison Anastasio also has a summer job at a pool.  Harrison's position sounds like more fun:

By 11 a.m. on a recent sweltering Sunday, Harrison Anastasio had already collected the cellphone numbers of five bikini-clad women on the rooftop pool at the James New York Hotel.

“Don’t forget to text me,” one of the women whispered to the 17-year-old, flashing him a coy smile. Anastasio colored slightly beneath his Wayfarer sunglasses. But he wouldn’t forget. Though it sounds like the setup for a 1980s sex comedy, it’s his job.

Back then, we'd have offered that service, too.  Bikinis were widely available, but nobody had heard of cell phones.

Don't try this at home

Our North Country correspondent located and removed this swarm of honeybees in Oswego County.  This is a job for experts only, so let us know if you'd like the bee guy's contact info.

Syracuse Nationals

Over 80,000 people checked out over 7,000 cars at last weekend's Syracuse Nationals.  Bob O'Connor founded the annual event only 11 years ago, yet its already one of Upstates's most success enterprises.  Held under typical Central New York cloudless skies, with summer-like temperatures, this year's show had something for everyone.  In addition to Joanie Cunningham (Erin Moran), Henry Winkler (Fonzie) and Brock Yates (Brock Yates), there were a whole lot of cars. A few photos:.

Joanie

Aaaaaaay.....