Good morning, Starshine

As I look up into the night sky I get the shivers, literally. All that black with those little points of light makes me cold. I try not to look up at night.

Sometimes I can’t help myself, especially if I think I have just spotted the Little Dipper. For some reason that is always the one I think I see. Then I start looking for the Big Dipper. This is when I start finding more Little Dippers. A lot of stars seem to make Little Dippers.

OK, so if I can’t be sure of those I can surely find the Red Planet, Mars. It is like a star, only red, it says here in my Star Gazing for Dummies book. There it is! Oh, wait. Maybe not. Well, that star is red-ish. There is another one over there. I never can remember, is it supposed to be really bright?

Hey, that one is moving. A UFO! A UFO! Oh, it’s a plane. Now I see the green and red lights on the wings. There is a really bright, white star over there. Is that the morning star? Shouldn’t it be sleeping now? I swear it is getting closer, like that star in the beginning of Pinocchio that the Blue Fairy rides in on.

Don’t get me started on those stars that are supposed to look like a bull and an archer and all of that stuff. Somebody in the old days had a really vivid imagination. Personally, I think it was a put on, like the Emperor’s New Clothes.

You remember that one about the dishonest tailor who sold the emperor on a set of clothes that would be invisible to anyone who was stupid or disloyal, and it turns out that there really was nothing there and the ones that said they could see them were the dumb ones.

Well I just don’t see that giant crab in the sky. Take that, Ptolemy!

I don’t find the moon quite so disconcerting. Maybe the reason the stars make me cold is that they seem to be involved in a futile attempt to light up the dark. The dark is winning. The moon, on the other hand is clearly in charge of his sector. A good, full moon gives enough light to harvest crops. It seems benign and friendly, what with that face and all. Oh? You can’t see the face? Then see the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes in the last paragraph.

There is just one thing that bothers me about the moon. Sometimes it is here during the day. This is clearly wrong.  The idea that the moon goes off the tracks every so often is somewhat upsetting.

Bill Abrams resides in Pine Plains, unlike the man on the moon.

Latest News

Salisbury ski jumpers put on show for students

Gus Tripler prepares to jump from the new 36-meter jump.

Margaret Banker

SALISBURY - With the Winter Olympics just weeks away, Olympic dreams felt a little closer to home for Salisbury Central School students on Feb. 4, when student ski jumpers from the Salisbury Winter Sports Association put on a live demonstration at the Satre Hill Ski Jumping Complex for more than 300 classmates and teachers.

With screams of delight, student-athletes soared through the air, showcasing years of training and focus for an audience of their peers. The atmosphere was electric as the jumpers soaked up the attention like local celebrities.

Keep ReadingShow less
Classifieds - February 5, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Scoville Memorial Library: is seeking an experienced Development Coordinator to provide high-level support for our fundraising initiatives on a contract basis. This contractor will play a critical role in donor stewardship, database management, and the execution of seasonal appeals and events. The role is ideal for someone who is deeply connected to the local community and skilled at building authentic relationships that lead to meaningful support. For a full description of the role and to submit a letter of interest and resume, contact Library Director Karin Goodell, kgoodell@scovillelibrary.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Legal Notices - February 5, 2026

Legal Notice

The Planning & Zoning Commission of the Town of Salisbury will hold a Public Hearing on Special Permit Application #2026-0307 by Amber Construction and Design Inc for vertical expansion of a nonconforming structure at 120 Wells Hill Road, Lakeville, Map 36, Lot 09 per Section 503.2 of the Salisbury Zoning Regulations. The Owners of the property are Joseph Edward Costa and Elyse Catherine Nelson. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 5:45 PM. There is no physical location for this meeting. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom where interested persons can listen to & speak on the matter. The application, agenda and meeting instructions will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/agendas/. The application materials will be listed at www.salisburyct.us/planning-zoning-meeting-documents/. Written comments may be submitted to the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, P.O. Box 548, Salisbury, CT or via email to landuse@salisburyct.us. Paper copies of the agenda, meeting instructions, and application materials may be reviewed Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 3:30 PM at the Land Use Office, Salisbury Town Hall, 27 Main Street, Salisbury CT.

Keep ReadingShow less
Putting a stamp on Norfolk

Antonio Alcalá

Provided

As part of the Norfolk Economic Development Commission’s campaign to celebrate the Norfolk Post Office and the three women who run it — Postmaster Michelle Veronesi and mother-and-daughter postal clerks Kathy Bascetta and Jenna Brown — the EDC has invited USPS art director and stamp designer Antonio Alcalá for a visit.

Postage stamps designed by Antonio Alcalá.Provided

Keep ReadingShow less