It is amazing how much damage is inflicted with an ice storm.  

The first crash happens while I am at the computer Friday afternoon.  What was that?  Oh my!  The Cedar Tree is going down!

IMPORTANT POWER OUTAGE TIPS:

• When an ice storm is predicted think the worst, stock up on batteries, milk, beer, cigarettes. (Beer and cigarettes were for Kate), matches, ground coffee, camp lantern is good, candles are nice, camp coffee pot saves the day......
• If you cook with Natural gas, you have it made, light burners with matches. Forget the oven part I have no idea about that.
• If you have a hot water heater that runs with Natural gas, you also have it made.  If you don't know whether your water heater runs on natural gas perform this test: water your plants during a power outage using the hot water faucet.  If you have Natural gas hot water will start coming out of the faucet!  Celebrate at this time!
• Buy an alternative heat source that does not need electricity, I thought about the possibility of a  power outage in November and decided to buy a natural gas Vermont castings fireplace.....this saved me.  This at least kept the chill off, 51 degrees was better than 20 degrees.  Investment PRICELESS!  Thank you Mom & Dad :-)
• Cordless phones are useless!  You need to have a conventional telephone, otherwise no one will be able to get in touch with you, unless you have a cellular phone (make sure you have a car adapter to charge.)

• A battery powered radio is invaluable. Thank you Rite Aid in Central Square for being open!  Nothing like shopping by flashlight.  Without the radio I would not have had any contact other than telephone with the outside world.  Without the radio I would not have been able to listen to The Syracuse Orangemen win the National Championship! 

CONGRATULATIONS ORANGEMEN AND COACH BOEHEIM!



Picture ©2003 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244

• There were 120,000 customers without power in Oswego County.  My power in the Village of Mexico went out about 6 PM Friday night the 4th.  The power came back on Sunday night the 6th while listening to "The Shadow" :-) and cooking by the light of my camping lantern.  

• Cable did not go back on until Tuesday night the 8th about 8 PM.  I was anxious to check my email, only 416 junk mails to throw out, I really do not miss email anymore.
  

• As of today April 10, 2003 power is still not restored to some homes in the area.

• Mexico Schools reopened Wednesday the 9th.

Electricity is a beautiful thing, GOD BLESS AMERICA