Clayton NY Christmas Parade December 4, 2021 Gary Walts Photos

Here are some photos I snapped at the annual Christmas Parade in Clayton, N.Y.  This years parade was shorter than usual. It also moved along pretty good. There was a brisk wind coming off the St. Lawrence River, but the temperature was mild enough I was able to take pictures without gloves. 

Raccoon Gets into Bird Feeder: Gary Walts Photos

I look out the window this morning and see a raccoon getting into our birdfeeder at our home in Chaumont, NY. It was a rainy and dark morning, 7:30 when I snapped these photos. I took them with a Sony a6000 camera and a Minolta 200mm f2.8 auto focus lens.

Raccoon at bird feeder, Chaumont, NY. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens, Sony LA-EA adapter.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Raccoon at bird feeder, Chaumont, NY. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens, Sony LA-EA adapter.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Raccoon at bird feeder, Chaumont, NY. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens, Sony LA-EA adapter.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Raccoon at bird feeder, Chaumont, NY. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens, Sony LA-EA adapter.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Raccoon at bird feeder, Chaumont, NY. Sony a6000 camera, Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens, Sony LA-EA adapter.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Catbird Photo Taken with Sony a6600 Camera & Minolta 500mm f8 auto focus lens

I snapped this Catbird in the garden at our home in Chaumont, NY. This is the first one I've seen a 2 or 3 years. I used a Sony a6600 camera with a Minolta 500mm f8 mirror autofocus lens. It was attached to the camera with the Sony La-EA5 adapter. What a great combination of equipment. The camera was handheld. Amazing sharpness, in a big part due to the 5 way image stabilization of the Sony a6600.

Here is a detail cropped from the above photo.

Dog Peeks in My Car Window: Gary Walts Photo Archives 1986

In october 1986 I was sitting in my car with window down when suddenly a dog jumped up and peeked in the window. Camera in hand I quckly snapped its picture. A few moments later he ran off.

The photo was made with a Minolta X700, I don't recall which lens, Kodak Tri-X film processed in Kodak D76 developer.

Gary Walts Photo archives: Edward Labrie feed pigeons Winter 1988

Edward LaBrie feeds pigeons at his farm in Calcium, NY, on a snowy day in winter of 1988.

Edward LaBrie, Calcium, NY, feeds pigeons on a snowy day in 1988.  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Edward LaBrie, Calcium, NY,    Photo copyright Gary Walts

Edward LaBrie moved his family from Tupper Lake, NY, to the Calcium farm in 1954. He passed away in 1994. In 1997 or so I documented the family's day to day life on the farm. The Sun Magazine published  a Aa photo essay from that project in the January 2002 issue. 

Gary Walts Photo Archives: Ryel's Band storefront in Copenhagen, NY

 Gary Walts Photo Archives: Ryel's Band storefront in Copenhagen, NY;

I snapped this storefront window in the village of Copenhagen, NY. I'm pretty sure I snapped it before 1990. My files have no date listed. Film was Kodak Tri-X black & white. 

Anyhow, I recently have been scanning negatives from my archives, did this one a couple days ago. For kick's I Googled Ryel's band Copenhagen NY and I found the following obituary:

Copenhagen, NY storefront, sometime before 1990. I always thought the drum from Ryel's Band was interesting.  Try-X oil.                                  Photo copyright Gary Walts

Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, NY), 24 Jul 1917

OLD MUSICIAN OF COPENHAGEN DIES

Andrew W. Ryel Passes Away Aged 80

Was Oldest Member of Orient Lodge No. 238, F. & A. M., and Will be Buried With Masonic Ritual

Copenhagen, July 24--Andrew W. Ryel, died here Sunday evening at the home of granddaughter, Mrs. Daniel Williams, at the advanced age of 80 years, two months, and 22 days. He had been in poor health for a long time.

Mr. Ryel was born near this village, his parents being Delia Lawrence and David Ryel, and he had spent his life in this locality. He was the oldest member of Orient Lodge, No. 238, F. & A. M. He was alos a member of the John Raymond band, and was a well known musician.

The funeral service will be held from the home Wednesday afternoon at 2, Rev. John Turner of the Congregational church officiating. The impressive Masonic burial service will be used. Interment will be made in Riveside cemetery.

The deceased is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Gaines Ryel, of Watertown, and Mrs. James Rumble, of Iowa, and one brother, Charles Ryel of Sackets Harbor.

NY Governor Mario Cuomo visits Carthage NY in 1986: Gary Walts photo archives

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, 1986 during housing expansion for
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

Photos of New York governor Mario Cuomo's visit to Carthage, N.Y. in 1986. Back then US Army Camp Drum had recently been upgraded to Fort Drum and was to become home of the 10th Mountain Division. Carthage was among the surrounding communites that were constructing new housing to accomodate the large number of troops that would be populating the fort. Gov. Cuomo was visiting to view the progress of that expansion.

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, September, 1986 during housing expansion for 
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, September, 1986 during housing expansion for 
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, September, 1986 during housing expansion for 
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, September, 1986 during housing expansion for 
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

NY Governor Mario Cuomo, Carthage, NY, September, 1986 during housing expansion for 
Fort Drum NY troops.  Gary Walts photo archives.              copyright Gary Walts 2021

Gary Walts photo archive: Murderer Philip Guinta arriving at court 1988

45 year old Philip Guinta, Jamesville, NY, being lead into Jefferson County Court, Watertown, NY,  for the murder of Susan Groff, Adams, NY.               photo copyright Gary Walts

These photos are from my archives, summer of 1988. Jefferson County NY sheriff deputy and NY State police escort Philip Guinta into court. He was convicted for killing his girlfriend Susan Groff from Adams, NY. He is serving 50 years to life in prison. The photos were made with Kodak Tri-X film iso 400 with a Minolta x700 camera.

45 year old Philip Guinta, Jamesville, NY, being lead into Jefferson County Court, 
Watertown, NY,  in 1988 for the murder of Susan Groff, Adams, NY.  photo copyright Gary Walts

45 year old Philip Guinta, Jamesville, NY, being lead into Jefferson County Court,
Watertown, NY,  in 1988 for the murder of Susan Groff, Adams, NY.  photo copyright Gary Walts

Spiderman threatened with quarantine in 2005 comic strip (15 years before Covid19)

I was going through some storage boxes, throwing things awaywhen I came upon this Spderman daily comic from October 9, 2005. It seems there was something unusual in Spiderman's blood and if he didn't agree to a hospitalization then the Dr would have him quarantined. I find it amusing / interesting to have stumbled upon it during the Covid 19 pandemic we have been living through. I found the strip in the Post-Standard newspaper. It's not unusual for me to have old copies of the paper as I often saved sections of it that had one of my photos published.

Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash for Thanksgiving 2020

Butternut squash.                 Photo copyright Gary Walts 2020

Just made Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash for our Thanksgiving dinner in the year of the Covid 19 pandemic:2020 I was visiting the artist Tom "Captain Honk" Bintz at his home on Pillar Point in northern NY and found this recipe in a cook book by Pepin. It's quite simple & delicious. Just 5 ingredients.

You peel and seed the squash then slice it into 1/4 or 1/8th inch or so pieces. The same as if you were making scalloped potatoes. 

Peel & slice the squash. I like cooking with beer. This IPA is from Big Tupper Brewing Co located in New York State's Adirondack Mountains.    photo by Gary Walts

Place the pieces into a pan & cover with water. Boil the squash for 2 minutes. Drain in a colander. 

Boil the squash for 2 minutes then drain well in a colander.        Photo copyright Gary Walts 2020

Transfer the squash to an oven roof dish. Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt & half teaspoon of pepper on it. Pour 12 ounces of heavy cream over it. Stir it about some with a fork. Then lay 6 tablespoons of shredded parmesan cheese over it. Pepin's recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of the cheese, but in my opinion that simply isn't enough. Put the dish in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes and it should come out fantastic. 

Jaques Pepin's Gratin of Butternut Squash, This dish was simple, quick to make, delicious as can be, and was a hit for Thanksgiving 2020.                   Photo copyright Gary Walts

Halloween 2020 in the year of COVID 19

Jack O Lantern carved by son -in- law D at our house in Chaumont, NY. Founders All Day IPA. Halloween 2020.                                                     photo by Gary Walts

Halloween in Chaumont, NY, during this COVID 19 year. We were wondering what kind of turnout we would have for Trick or Treaters. Year in and year out we average about 100. I think our highest year was 115. A slow year would be 85. Most years we get a 90 to 100. Anyhow, not knowing what to expect we got prepared for 110 trick or treaters, knowing full well it would likely be slow because of the Corona Virus. We counted 53 last night. Half of a normal year.

We had a small family group here, 7 of us. The Better Half & I, her older daughter's family  of four, and a girlfriend of one of the grand sons. We had a great time. Food was Hanky Pankys, Roasted corn dip, a bar-b q beef dip, chicken wing dip, cheese & salami platter, meatballs & Italian sausage. Various beers, crackers and cherry mojitos. We also had a nice wood fire going in the backyard. The weather was pretty nice, a little cooler than some recent years, in the mid 40's. 

Halloween 2020, year of the COVID Virus. Phot of our house in Chaumont, NY. We had 53 trick or treaters this year, half of what we normally get.                                                 photo by Gary Walts

Friday Jan 25 What a day: snow shovelling, home heating oil, flooded basement, guitar gig

Yesterday was a particularly busy day during which a strange thing occurred. We got some snow overnight, not much, maybe 3 inches. So I went out and shoveled the driveway and walks. Good way to get some exercise & fresh air. Then I brought some firewood in. Had a great breakfast of eggs, bacon & potatoes courtesy of the Better Half. I then set about getting my guitar gig equiment in order and sitting through some sheet music, prepping for a coffee house gig at Bay House Artisans in Alexandria Bay, NY.  The gig was from 6-9:00. About 2:30 a knock on the door. It was the truck driver for Philly Fuels. He was supposed to top off the fuel oil tanks at the neighbors house across the street. Instead filled up ours. 200 gallons. We didnt expect that but decided the easiest thing was to pay him for the oil and absorb the unexpected expense. Then he went across the street and filled the neighbor up.
Then he was back at our door. His company told him he had to inspect our fuel oil tanks. This is a liability thing with the oil companies. They will not deliver oil to you the first time without inspecting your equipment. We never had Philly Fuels deliver to us before so the company was concerned. Anyhow, I took to the back of the house and went into the basement and WOW: Our basement was knee deep in water. Had the driver not mistakenly filled our tanks I never would have caught this flood until  I don't when. I don't go into the basement every day.

This unexpected crisis now added something more to my day to deal with. It turned out that the hose came disconnected to the sump pump. It was fairly easy to clamp it back on and get it up an running again. by the time I go home form the guitar gig the basement was almost all dry again.