Before our recollection of that remarkably warm winter melts totally away, let’s reflect on our relative lack of snow.
My friend, Craig Smith, runs a snow-plowing operation. As owner of Yardsmith Groundskeepers, 308 Burnet Ave., in Syracuse, he profited handsomely this winter even though his customers rarely needed their driveways cleared.
“About 98 percent of my clients paid a fixed price for the winter,” Craig told me. “Nobody got upset about paying, though I’m still trying to collect from a few clients.”
Craig compares his seasonal contracts to an insurance policy.
“In a way, you know, our contracts are like insurance in that you pay for protection that you may not need,” he said.
Snow no, grass yes
On the other hand, the March heat wave has put Yardsmith behind the eight ball.
“The lawns have sprouted up so that we’ve begun mowing two weeks earlier than normal<” he said. “And, yes, most of my lawn clients pay a fixed price for the mowing season.”
Though the mowing contracts stipulate mid-April as the starting point, Craig couldn’t let things go any longer without taking a whack at the growing grass.
In any case, Craig celebrates spring.
“Personally, the snow season to me, I dread more than anything,” he said, “but I look forward to the lawn season, the green season, much more.”
New pubs opening
Co-owners Joe Delguercio and Mary Kay Manns hope to open the Whitewater Pub at 110 S. Willow St. by the middle of May. Mary Kay’s husband, Mike, designed and constructed the new hardwood interior.
“I told my husband I wanted to own a bar, so he built me one,” Mary Kay quipped.
Meanwhile, its next-door neighbor – The Barking Gull owned by John and Linda Gormel – will swing its doors open to the public sometime next month after hosting private parties exclusively for several years.
And the new owner of 105 First St., Mike Charles, is looking for a restaurateur to lease the place which has thrived as a bistro and banquet hall for at least six decades. It has housed Three Saints, Tutor’s and Foster’s, all super-successful eating establishments. Prospective tavern-keepers should contact Dana Crocker at Hunt Commercial Real Estate, at 682-7197, ext. 120.
Salty Pink Sunday
Two talented gals from Ithaca will regale us with rodeo songs and old-time tunes as Liverpool Public Library’s Fifth Annual Folk Music Series comes to a close at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 22. The duo – Salty Pink – features bassist Amelia Sauter (she likes to wear pink) and banjo player Leah Hotaling (who has a rather salty personality).
“This show should be sweet and intimate,” Amelia said. “We’ve heard great things about the library and the people who come to their shows. We’ll be playing a bunch of cowgirl tune originals plus a few old-time songs, and of course, lots of vocal harmonies.”
Among the songs we’ll hear are Leah’s canine-inspired instrumental “Eesah Running Around the Yard” and the old-time story-song “Black-Eyed Susie.” Both of those numbers are showcased on a CD issued by the gals’ former trio, the Black Eyed Susies, which also featured guitarist Jiamie Pyle.
Admission is free to Sunday’s concert which is hosted by the Friends of Liverpool Public Library; lpl.org; 457-0310.
Three Bills
When you’re hanging out at the Village Hall, be careful to specify exactly to which Bill you are referring. They have three:
DPW Superintendent Bill Asmus
Codes Enforcement Officer Bill Reagan.
And Police Chief Bill Becker.
Fisherwoman
Paulene Eggers, who lives in Liverpool, recently hooked the “Catch of the Day” and was pictured with her prize trout in the sports section of Sunday’s Post-Standard.
