New Year's Eve Day in Cambridge, NY New Year's Eve Day in Cambridge, NY

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (Photo by Debra Pearlman - all rights reserved)

Another year has passed us by and with it comes another New Year's Eve snowstorm. Remember the 20" of snow that fell last year? When I was younger, I would have lots of plans and parties to go to on Dec. 31st. Lately, I seem to enjoy the quiet company of good friends, neighbors, and not having to drive anywhere.


McGill's world view (Photo by Debra Pearlman - all rights reserved)

I will miss a wonderful party at my friend Jayne's in VT, and if the snow lets up, I might brave the drive; but for the most part, I think I'll nestle in with McGillacutty and BW, enjoy the view from the window and watch the fire blaze in my stove.

Happy New Year Cambridge!

Celebrating the New Year Celebrating the New Year

Happy New Year from those of us at CambridgeBuzz. Stay safe in the snow.

January, which begins the new year, is named after the Roman god Janus, who was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings and endings. As we open the door on a new year, we extend the wish to our readers of joy, wonder, health, and well-being during the coming year.

Photo Credit: Hilary McLellan

Happy New Year Happy New Year

Where Can I Find That:: #5 Last Minute Shopping Ideas Where Can I Find That:: #5 Last Minute Shopping Ideas

Logo design by Debra Pearlman of Pearl Productions LLC

Where Can I Find That,

First of all, I really like the Where Can I Find That feature and hope you continue it beyond the holiday season. It is a really great resource of information and gets me thinking about more ways to stay local & shop local.

Two questions for you.

1) I have a pile of gently used items (a mixture of house wares and clothing no longer in favor but gently worn) that I'd like to donate to something like the Salvation Army. What local organizations will accept donations and what can I do to schedule a drop off?

Are you a local not for profit organization that would like to receive items from Jayme and other readers? If so please let us know at tvobv@nycap.rr.com or eaglenews@gmail.com

2) I have a large collection of family photos I'd like to have preserved digitally (scanned and burned to DVD). Are there any local businesses that would be up to that task? As the photo collection is one of a kind and has great sentimental value, I am reluctant to ship it anywhere for processing.

thanks,
Jayme

Dear Jayme,
I have to put this one out to the readers because I was unsuccessful in my attempts to find someone local who can do this for you.
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Dear WCIFT,

With the economy the way it is, I'm going to repair, resole, and polish the shoes I do have to make them last longer. Is there a good cobbler in the area?
Signed - sole sister

Dear Sole Sister,
I remember this really great pair of red boots I had, wore heels down to their substructure…The closest shoe repair facilities I was able to find are located in Bennington, VT. Marras Shoe Service (802) 442-8464 and Kings Shoe Service- (802) 447-0606
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Dear Where Can I Find That,
My Grandmother is 83 years old and has suggested that we not get her anything for Christmas, but no matter if you 8 or 80 getting a present from under the tree is joyful. However, purchasing something for my 83 year Grandmother, who has everything….please do you have any suggestions?

Thank You.

Dear GMA 83,
My husband's Grandma was especially difficult to buy for so I know what you are going through. Luckily, there are a great many options in the Battenkill Valley for all ages. If she likes chocolate, a nice box of truffles from Steinengers in Salem is sure to please her and if not a bonus for you! If she is a reader, a nice book from Battenkill Books in Cambridge or The Union Village Store in Greenwich can make a nice gift. My husband's Grandma loved puzzles and Mt. Nebo Gallery has beautiful Will Moses artwork puzzles. If she is a collector, stop into – Cambridge Antiques, Jacks Out Back and 30B in Cambridge, all carry a variety of antiques as does McCartee’s Barn in Salem. Deluge Stained Glass and Gifts has beautiful stained glass bird feeders and I would try Jackson Traders and The Shoppe Keeper as well.

Do you dream of a white Christmas? Do you dream of a white Christmas?

Here in the north country we generally have a white Christmas. But this year we are having an exceptionally white, icy cold holiday. It's been 10 days since the ice storm hit the region and there are still people without power. With temps. in the single digits and snowfalls of over 18 inches, it's really hard to not think about a sunny vacation.

I left Cambridge on Saturday, venturing down to the Big Apple for an annual Christmas party at my friend Betsy's house. Best laid plans and all that, I had to dig out from the Friday snow storm twice before I could get the car out of the barn. The drive down was uneventful, but it did snow all the way to the NY City line. Good cheer and company greeting me upon my arrival on Staten Island, I met an interesting neighbor of Betsy's whose son just happens to be the conductor of the Albany Symphony (talk about your small worlds!).

The next day it was off to Baltimore to celebrate Christmas with my sister. No traffic on the NJ Turnpike and an easy drive south made for good time on the highway. Now I sit here listening to the weather and hearing about the new 9-inches of snow that fell in upstate NY and temps in the 3 degree range. I pass along a deeply appreciated Thank You to KT & John for taking care of my boys and probably having to shovel my driveway as well as their own. I owe you a digging out....get you next snow storm.

So here I sit at 8 am, planning the last few days before Christmas and looking at the green lawn and thinking....is it Christmas without snow? If you live in Cambridge, NY, probably not!

Happy Holidays!

Cambridge Cooks: Buttermilk Pound Cake Cambridge Cooks: Buttermilk Pound Cake

Thanks to the folks at Cooking Light, here's an alternative to Christmas cookies. It's simple to make and tastes amazing. Best of all, it's low calorie and only 3 Weight Watcher points per slice.

VANILLA BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE

13.5 ounces all purpose flour (about 3.5 cups)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1.5 cups low-fat buttermilk
Cooking spray (Pam Baking works great)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Weight or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir with a whisk.
3. Combine sugar, butter and vanilla in a large bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and buttermilk to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
4. Spoon batter into 5 (5-3/4 x 3- 1/4 inch)pans, coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center coms out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pans. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield: 5 loaves, 6 servings/loaf.

You can also prepare cakes in two (8 x 4-inch) loaf pans. Bake for one hour or until done.

Serving size: 1 slice

Calories : 144
Fat: 5.1g
Protein: 2.2g
Carb: 22.3g
Fiber: 0.3g

Where Can I Find That? - Week 4 Where Can I Find That? - Week 4

Photos composit: Debra Pearlman

This week we had a couple of tough questions. We reached out to friends, the phone book and the area Chambers websites. If you offer any of the services requested below - send us an e-mail at tvobv@nyacap.rr.com or eaglenews@gmail.com or drop us a note.

Hi,
I'm a reader from Vermont and I am looking for someone who repairs clocks, within Cambridge, Greenwich or Salem if possible.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
VT Reader

Dear Vermont Reader,
Bob Geiser on Route 22 is your local clock repairman. Bob has been repairing clocks for 45 years and 19 of them in the Battenkill Valley and is the go to guy for the area antique dealers. Bob is available by appointment at 518-677-3414.

As a side note: There were no clock repair/service listings in the phone book or on the area Chambers websites. Where Can I Find That found Bob via a friend - by just asking!

Dear WCIFT,

I have some old fabrics that I have been collecting over the years. I would like to make them into curtains and pillows. Can you help me find a seamstress or someone that sews?

Thanks Nancy C

Dear Nancy,

I have always admired old fabrics and wished that I had paid attention in home economics so that I could purchase fabric and create something special. Luckily for us there are people out there that sew very well.

Terry Teitelbaum of Cambridge is a great starting point. Terry is a graduate of FIT and Pratt Institute. She has been sewing and decorating for 35 years and specializes in slipcovers and curtains. She can be reached at 518-677-3073. I would also try the folks at Blind Buck in Salem - they sell fabric and also offer decorating services.

Dear Where Can I Find That,

I would like to find a holiday gift for teens that do not come from a big box store.
Thanks.

We had a similar question our first week and suggested a gift certificate - which can be impersonal, but allows for the teen to shop local and select something for themselves. Since week one I have been checking out the local teen scene. Girls seem to like the fingerless gloves, big scarves, jewelry, and purses. In Cambridge I would stop at The Valley Artisans Market and the Village Store, BellaVino at the Rice Mansion, Over the Moon Beads and Gifts, and O'Hearns Pharmacy. In Greenwich Just Because is a great stop for you and the teen on your list, The Shoppe Keeper and the Needle Works. Pennywise is a terrific consignment shop with some new items and loads of jewelry. In Salem I would venture into The Artisans' Guild, Jackson Traders and stop at Steininger's for some self indulgence.

Most importantly as you stroll the Main Streets of the Battenkill Valley remember that your purchase supports your local business, a percentage of the tax collected comes back to your community and most importantly you are creating a vibrant Main Street. More about boys and local next week.

SHOP LOCAL

10 Days Before Christmas 10 Days Before Christmas

Living just 5 miles from the Vermont border , winter comes early to Cambridge, NY. We almost always have a white Christmas, but this year we're having an Ice Christmas. 1.5 inches coated the area on Friday as temperatures dropped into the single digits. I'm sure it sounds awful to all the Californians, but the ice and light combine to make a magical kingdom outside my office door.

This apple tree is the waiting area of the miriad of birds that come to my various feeders. All the usual suspects are in attendance, black capped chickadees, titmouse, cardinals, nuthatches, finches (purple and house) but nothing can match the wonder and variety of woodpeckers that stop by.

Bird watching entertains both me and my two cats. After local skiing and being able to snow shoeing right out my back door, watching the birds is one of the reasons I love living in Cambridge (especially in the winter).

One of the visiting woodpeckers is this male downy. He usually comes in the morning and afternoon. In between, a hairy woodpecker, northern flicker, and on occasion a redheaded stop in. The large pileated stays away, but I hear his pecking in the woods.

What sort of wildlife roams in your neck of the woods?

This Just In! This Just In!

A special request has come our way from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, NY. In the spirit of the holidays, I'm happy to post....

HOWEVER... Cambridge Buzz is available to organizations and merchants as a digital marketing tool. For information on rates, please call Debra at 518-677-8471.

Hi, Debra.

Jared Stamm here. I'm a parishioner at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, and I want to let your blog readers know about a special Service of Lessons & Carols for Advent that St. Paul's is sponsoring with First United Presbyterian Church in Salem this Sunday, December 14th, at 4:00 pm, at St. Paul's (the grey stone church across the street from Salem Central School on East Broadway in Salem). It's a meditative service of Advent readings interspersed with hymns and other music. It's free (always nice!) and a great way to celebrate the season. We're having a reception afterwards in the St. Paul's rectory. Hope to see you there!
—Jared Stamm, St. Paul's

Cambridge Life 12/2/08 Cambridge Life 12/2/08

Homage to Greek Dinners

I grew up in northern Westchester and going to the local Greek dinner was a ritual with my Mom. We always talked about those crazy take-out coffee cups you only got at "The Dinner." Well, I've found a permanent replacement for the disposable cup at CANOE, a Portland, OR company that prides itself on producing "products with a lasting aesthetics that transcends short-lived trends." I think the iconic Greek coffee cup would make a great stocking stuffer or inexpensive gift for any coffee lover on your list.

On another note, just as the weather turned to full blown winter, I finally received a delivery of wood pellets and, after much trial, started my new wood stove. It's working great! I turned down the thermostat to 58 degrees and will let the stove keep me warm and toasty. The added bonus is having a wonderful fire burning in the living room. I now can sit by the fire and listen to the ice pellets hitting the windows...

I'm doing a snow dance so all my teacher friends get a snow day! Happy Winter Cambridge.

Where Can I Find That? - Week 3 Where Can I Find That? - Week 3

Photos composit: Debra Pearlman

Dear Eagle Newspaper & Cambridge Buzz Blog,

I was wondering if you could help me find a place where I could take yoga. I have never taken yoga and have been told that it would be good for me because I have back pain.

Thank you.

Dear Yoga wanna be,

First, if you have back pain make sure your doctor is advising you regarding Yoga and not a helpful friend.

The region has much to offer with yoga and other programs specific to movement. Please check with Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, Upstairs at 111 in Greenwich, and Pompanuck in Cambridge all of whom offer classes in yoga and tai chi.

I would also suggest that you check in with the Fitness and Exercise Center in Greenwich and the Cambridge Valley Gym in Cambridge or Curves in either Cambridge or Greenwich to chat about programs they may offer. You might also find the services of the folks at OPEN in Cambridge, Greenwich Therapeutic Massage, and The Right Touch Massage Center in Greenwich.

For Where Can I Find That,

I love the idea of shopping locally and I really do try, but I work in Albany and don’t get home from work until 5p and have a family to fix dinner for, pick up kids and then our weekends seem to be consumed with running the kids and household chores. Have any of the stores thought about staying open late?

Thanks

Dear Local Shopper,
In speaking with the local retail merchants they find that balancing traditional store hours and extended store hours is difficult due primarily to costs associated with labor and utilities.

The good news is the shops listed below are open for extended hours through the holidays. When you take advantage of the extended holiday hours inquire if the merchant intends to offer later hours after the holidays.

Cambridge
Thursdays, November 20~December 21 until 7:00 p.m.
BellaVino at the Rice Mansion Inn, Deluge Design Stained Glass and Gifts (open Tues-Thurs until 7:00 pm), O’Hearns Pharmacy, Village Store Co-op, and Over the Moon Beads and Gifts (open Wed & Thurs until 7:00 pm).

Greenwich
Fridays, December 5-19th and 22nd & 23rd until 8:00 p.m.
Shoppes in Livery Square including Just Because, The Country Peddler & The Christmas Attic
As well as Main Street shop The Shoppe Keeper who will stay open December 20th -23rd until 8:00 pm and Greenwich Local Market is open 9am-7pm M-Sat.

Saturday, December 13th - shops in the Village will be open until 6:00 pm, stay and enjoy Community Caroling and Tree Lighting at 6:00 pm in Mowry Park followed by Hot Beverages and Cookies in the St Paul's Parish Hall on Main Street

Salem
McCartee’s Barn Fine Art and Antiques Open 7 days a week 10:00 am to 5:00 pm TRIP’S in Shushan open Monday-Saturday December 1st - 24th 11:00 am -5:00 pm & Sundays 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm Jackson Traders will be open daily 10am-6pm November 25-December 23
The Flower Shop @ Laura's Garden is open 10 am until 7 pm -7 days - through December 23rd.

Where Can I Find That is brought to you by The Cambridge Buzz, The Eagle Newpaper and

Email your questions to WCIFT. with WCIFT in the subject line or post a comment on this blog by clicking the comment button. Look each week for articles in The Eagle

Secret Agent Pooch Secret Agent Pooch

This dog thinks he's so smart...

Cambridge Life: 12/8/08 Cambridge Life: 12/8/08

The first real snow of winter came on December 7th. It did not amount to much, but coupled with the cold temperatures, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Cambridge, NY.


Photos by Debra A, Pearlman

My avocado plant did not look too happy with the change in temperature, but I could not resist snapping a shot of this tropical fruit with snow in the background.


Photos by Debra A, Pearlman

I've been documenting the life just outside my back door. The ground is just covered with the snow and the birds are flitting around the apple tree and bird feeder. Now is the time to keep the suet feeder full. The suet not only attracts an amazing variety of winter birds, it also helps them fight the cold temperatures.

Happy backyard birding!

2008 -Gift Ideas you can feel good about 2008 -Gift Ideas you can feel good about

My cousins Ellen and Laura Sitkin have a blog called Particular Aesthetic and often have wonderful gift ideas. I've totally stolen their idea for 2008 gift giving. For more wonderful things visit their blog at particular aesthetic.

The idea is to keep it environmentally and wallet friendly. Presenting category #1: Donate it!


"Be the change" shoes from Toms. For every pair of shoes purchased, Toms will give a pair to a child in need.

Support a woman as she rebuilds her life, family and community with these Hi 5 gloves from Kate Spade, handcrafted by women in war-torn regions. via a cup of jo

In this time of economic recession, why not give a gift that will give back in ways you never imagined. In the words of Bob Marley, "One love, one heart, Let's get together and feel alright." Happy Holidays!

Holiday Events Around the Region Holiday Events Around the Region

Images provided by TVOBV

For more information on an particular event, you can contact one of the following:

Cambridge Chamber of Commerce,
Salem Chamber of Commerce
Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
Historic Salem Courthouse or Jay Kerr.
The Georgi Museum at 518-854-3773
Christ the King at 518-692-9550
Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley

Cambridge Holiday Happenings 2008 Cambridge Holiday Happenings 2008

Don't miss the wonderful happenings in Cambridge

Click here to send email to the Rice Mansion Inn.