Second Sunday of Advent


Looking towards Vicar’s island with Brown mountain to the right. (Click image to see larger version.)

Second Sunday of Advent – MK 1:1-8
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;
he will prepare your way.
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.”

John the Baptist appeared in the desert
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
People of the whole Judean countryside
and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem
were going out to him
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River
as they acknowledged their sins.
John was clothed in camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist.
He fed on locusts and wild honey.
And this is what he proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

First Sunday of Advent


The Huletts Golf Course the last weekend of November 2020. (Click image to see larger version.)

First Sunday of Advent -MK 13:33-37
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

Happy Thanksgiving 2020

I wanted to offer you and yours my best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving, and a deeply felt thank you for all you do for Huletts Landing.

Hopefully, your day will be filled with love and lots of good food. May you enjoy a happy and blessed day of rest and gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving with some fun mixed in also!

Twelve Years Old


Well, here it is – another November 9th. Today is the day I celebrate the creation date or “birthday” of the Huletts Current. It has been exactly twelve years since my first post in 2008.

What a year! In national news, COVID-19 has been the major story, but the Presidential election ranks right up there also. I think, in challenging times like these, it’s more important than ever, if your state of being or mental health gets caught up in external events like these, it is helpful to have a wider religious or philosophical view that is grounded in eternal truths, e.g. Loving and serving God and your neighbor, building a better world, being a more just person. There are so many people suffering whom we may not take note of when other events preoccupy our focus.

The one comment that people of different political backgrounds and religious beliefs make consistently about Huletts is what a special place it is. That’s not to say we are perfect but, on the pendulum or scale of places to be, Huletts is a pretty darn good place to be on many levels. From those who painted circles on the beach, to the first responders who serve us all, to those who bring fresh produce over the mountain, to the workers who cleaned houses and collected garbage, to countless others who make our community better by serving and cooperating with their neighbors, I know we all say thank you for doing what you did this year. It wasn’t easy, but we moved forward.

While news this year has been harder to identify because of social distancing and staying inside, I continue to get lots of hits on the site and the ever present demand for more news is always there. Some days I can give more attention to the site than others, but I receive so many positive comments and emails that I know it is useful.

So thanks again for reading and now onto year thirteen! We’re going to make it. Live your best life right now.

Governor Cuomo Announces New Travel Policy

During his daily press briefing on Saturday, Governor Cuomo announced a new travel policy which will require all people traveling from out of State to be tested for the COVID-19 virus. The new policy requires all persons entering New York to have proof of having had a COVID test performed within the last three days. Then, upon arriving in New York, all travelers must quarantine for three days and then take another (second) COVID test on the fourth day. If the test yields a positive result, such persons must remain in quarantine. People that choose not to get tested on the fourth day must remain in quarantine for the full 14 days. The new policy does not apply to people traveling to and from contiguous states (NJ, PA, CT).

Vice President Pence Fishes Lake Bomoseen


Today, Vice President Pence did some fishing on nearby Lake Bomoseen in Vermont (boat above covered dock). Thanks to some of our friends on Lake Bomoseen, I have this picture to share. It was a beautiful day and the Vice President was accompanied by a large security detail (covered boat on the left). I have no information on how the fishing went! (Click image to see larger version.)

NYS Coronavirus Update

A fact: New York state, which once had the highest number of cases in the nation, now has the nation’s lowest rate of transmission (Rt) — at just 0.77. An Rt of 1 or higher means that COVID-19 is increasing — an Rt of below 1 means it is decreasing.

Why is New York one of the rare few where case numbers continue to decline even as the state reopens? Governor Cuomo believes it’s because of New Yorkers’ discipline and caution — including the widespread wearing of face masks. We must continue to be disciplined. If we stay the course, we will avoid the “second waves” that other countries are now grappling with.

The number of COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Yesterday total hospitalizations fell to 1,898, from 2,042 the day before. Sadly we lost 42 New Yorkers to the virus.

Elsewhere:

Finley, the 6-year-old Golden Retriever from Canandaigua, NY, who was recognized by Guinness World Records for being able to hold a record six tennis balls in his mouth with no assistance, finally received his certification. He even broke his own record and is able to hold seven tennis balls in his mouth. Congratulations again to this very good dog on his world record!

NYS Coronavirus Update

The number of new COVID hospitalizations is dropping steadily. Total hospitalizations dropped to 2,978, from 3,121 the day before. Tuesday, New York had 135 new COVID hospitalizations, down from 154 the day before. Yesterday 49 New Yorkers died of the virus — the lowest number since March.

Outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in Phase 2 of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered Phase 2 — including our own Capital Region can reopen for outdoor dining beginning tomorrow, June 4th.

NYS Executive Order (not a mandate) Allows Store Owners to Deny Entry to People Without Masks Governor Cuomo announced an executive order last week that will allow private owners to refuse service to people who are not wearing a mask. “We are giving store owners the right to say, ‘If you’re not wearing a mask, you can’t come in,'” Cuomo said. It is not a law or a mandate. You do not have to refuse service to someone wearing a mask, but it allows you to do so if you choose.

NYS Coronavirus Update

The number of total COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Total hospitalizations fell to 3,436, from 3,619 the day before. Saturday, NY state had 191 new COVID hospitalizations.

Daily fatalities drop to lowest level since March 23rd. 56 New Yorkers died from COVID. This is a tragic number — but we are thankful it is much, much lower than where it was at the peak. As this number goes down, it is expected to level out. The question is how low it will go before that happens.

Grab the tennis balls! Finley, a 6-year-old Golden Retriever from Canandaigua, NY, was recognized by Guinness World Records for being able to hold six tennis balls in his mouth with no assistance — shattering the previous record of five tennis balls. Congratulations to this very good boy on his world record.

Memorial Day 2020

Today all across this great land, we pause to remember those who have fallen in the defense of freedom for the United States of America. We give thanks for their final sacrifice, for their love of country, and we say prayers for them, for their families, and for the country they served. We fly flags to honor their service, to observe our own dedication to our beautiful country.

The origins of Memorial Day are difficult to uncover. Some attribute it to former African slaves paying tribute to fallen Union soldiers. There is strong evidence that women of the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War. On May 30, 1868, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890 all the northern states were observing the day. The South would not observe the same date until after World War I. It became known nationally as ‘Decoration Day.’

However, being the ever optimistic Americans we are, we have turned it into a nation wide party, a celebration of patriotism, family, and summer’s promise. However, Memorial Day is and always will be about the fallen servicemen and women who gave their lives for our country.

We see the news daily; from Communist China to theocratic Iran – there are so many who live under oppressive regimes who are not free. May we always remember the sacrifices of those who have given us the greatest gift after life itself – our freedom. Happy Memorial Day – cherish it and never forget.

NYS Coronavirus Update

The number of total COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Total hospitalizations fell to just over 4600, from 4,844 the day before. The number of new COVID hospitalizations fell to 208, from 225 the day before. Tragically, we lost 84 New Yorkers to the virus Friday.

Please remember that social distancing rules apply at State Parks and all public outdoor spaces. You must wear a mask whenever it’s not possible to maintain six feet of distance from others.