Jeff Genung

• Winter seems to be teasing us a bit here in the Land of the Bullthistle, with an inch or two of snow here, a bitter cold snap there. Just yesterday I was playing with my dog up at Rotary Park in gorgeous afternoon sunshine, and this morning I had to shovel my sidewalk. Gotta love Central New York.

• Speaking of which, although it’s plenty cold today, it really hasn’t been for long – prompting the Oxford Lions Club to move the annual Chenango Lake Perch Derby from this Saturday to Feb. 18.

• Shawn had a story today about the SPCA’s annual Fur Ball fundraiser coming up on the 11th, but I heard after we’d gone to press that they are indeed sold out. It’s the social event of the season, it seems – a good time for a good cause at the perfect time of year when we need to get out of the house the most. While you can no longer get tickets to the event, you can, of course, make a donation to the SPCA and help Chenango’s four-footed friends get through another year.

• Julian’s story today was about the Oxford Library planning a tea featuring young ladies and their ‘American Girl’ dolls. All well and good for them, certainly, but frankly I find these diminutive girl dolls utterly creepy. Perhaps in the more Cabbage Patch than Chuckie way, but still.

Jeff Genung

• Not really a big shocker that the proposed ambulance district got shot down yesterday in both New Berlin and Columbus – judging by ‘30 Seconds,’ anyway. I’m not sure people really understood what they were voting on despite our best efforts to keep them informed, but the mob mentality was certainly against it. I can’t help but hear the late Kathy O’Hara’s voice in my head sometimes — when discussing editorial topics, she’d say, in her best Chenango twang, “Are we fer it, er agin’ it?” Stay tuned; I’m sure there’s more to this story.

• Accidents are never good news, of course, but they do often make for great pictures. We used a couple in the print edition today (that intersection in Oxford has been scary since I was a little kid), but I put even more of Brian’s photos up on our Facebook page because, darn it, helicopter rescues are pretty dramatic.

• Progress Chenango 2012 continues to roll out this week – sections 5 and 6 were in today’s edition. I’ve heard a lot of positive comments so far, which is exactly what we’re looking for. Not positive as in “praise us, we’re wonderful” (although that’s always nice, too), but as in “wow, Chenango’s really got something special going on.” That’s why we do it, you know — to highlight the “Progress” our community is making every day. And there’s a lot of it!

• Caught quite a bit of the State of the Union address last night, although I admit to nodding off near the end (I’m getting old, what can I say?) My favorite part isn’t necessarily the speech itself (that gets analyzed and ripped apart ad nauseam immediately after and for days), but rather the entrance shots. Watching the President arrive anywhere is always a tad awe-inspiring, but at the State of the Union in particular I’d pay to be a fly on the wall. All those politicians jockey for position to get close to the aisle as the president walks in, each hoping to get his attention – or curry his favor – for 15 seconds or so. If only the commentators weren’t chattering over every barely discernible syllable … I’d love to know how the president’s ear was bent last night.

Jeff Genung

• As of early this afternoon, I am officially done with Progress Chenango 2012. For you, of course, it’s just beginning – with Sections 1 and 2 (of 10!) included in today’s paper. If you haven’t seen our Progress editions before, a.) Why are you reading this blog? and b.) I think you’ll really be amazed at the tremendous amount of business success, innovation and ingenuity that we have going on here. I know I am, and I’ve seen every one of ‘em.

• Someone called today and asked, in all seriousness, if a certain town supervisor requires that he read our notes after a reporter attends a town meeting and “approves” them. Umm, no. Supervisors and town boards may well approve the official minutes taken by the town clerk, but not those of a reporter. Ever. Sorry, caller, if I choked a little bit on that one. Whoever told you that was pulling your leg, or amazingly ignorant.

• Congratulations to Brad Ward, the latest in a long line of Eagle Scout Wards. Julian’s done a couple nice stories on Brad’s recognition and his Eagle Scout project at Rotary Park. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Brad act his heart out on the Sherburne-Earlville stage a few times, too. Good kid. Always nice when we’re able to highlight the achievements of high school students, particularly (for me, anyway) off the playing field. If you know of more who deserve the spotlight, give us a call!

• Wow, you really can’t shake a stick … err … spoon … without hitting a story on Chobani in the media these days. While we’ve done about a hundred of our own, of course, I decided to give the Associated Press version front page play today too, especially since it addressed the whole Greek yogurt craze in general. If you’re reading this, Agro Farma, I have not had a chance to taste test the pomegranate flavor yet. Please and thank you.

Jeff Genung

• TGIF! Well, for me it’s still about Wednesday afternoon. I’ve got a long weekend ahead of me, office-bound, finishing off the last few sections of Progress Chenango 2012. The 10-section, 70-page extravaganza rolls out starting in Monday’s Evening Sun with sections 1 and 2. Check your local newsstands for the most comprehensive picture of Chenango County’s economic climate you’ll find! I’m always amazed at the tremendous amount of ingenuity, innovation and perseverance displayed by our local business community – and I hope that after you’ve read through what is our greatest effort of the year, that you will be too.

• The District Attorney’s office was busy this week – the grand jury handed up 17 indictments. The things people do … always an interesting read.

• Today was the last day of a two-week stint for our BOCES intern Darien Grippaldi (he’s the one who took all of our snowfall photos for Facebook last week). Though his formal internship has ended, he’s asked to stick around the newsroom and learn even more. I think it’s pretty neat that we’re a small enough operation to provide these types of opportunities for interested students. I guess we’re a charming bunch, to boot.

• Someone on ‘30 Seconds’ suggested that technological advancements might make it possible – and prudent – for us to administer breathalyzer tests before allowing people to post on our popular reader reaction line. What? And spoil all the fun? Friends certainly don’t let friends drive drunk, but I’m pretty sure that they encourage them to post to online forums anonymously drunk.

• Anonymously drunk? That sentence was pretty clunky, but it’s Friday afternoon and my grammar-vision is fading fast. Have a nice weekend, everyone!

Jeff Genung

• Finally some good news about Kurt Beyer Pool! The Greater Norwich Foundation has stepped up to the plate … err, diving board … and pledged a hefty chunk of change towards the pool’s repair – with the smart caveat that the city pony up and follow through on their end, too. Similar pledges will show that Norwich’s charitable trusts really are there when you need them – thanks to their generosity, Norwich’s hot and bothered might just have a place to cool off this summer. Kudos too to the Facebook efforts of the “Save Kurt Beyer Pool” page which will see average citizens (those without the multi-million dollar checkbooks) pitching in to do their part, as well. People from all walks of life uniting for the greater good … kinda makes you proud to live in Norwich, no?

• I have to give a tip of the hat … err, rifle scope? My metaphors are strained today … to the organizers of the Bob McNitt Foundation, recently formed to honor the memory of The Evening Sun’s longtime colleague (and my old friend) Bob McNitt, whose outdoor sports column graced these pages for decades. The foundation is seeking support to start up an archery program at the Norwich Middle School, which sounds like it would have been right up Bob’s alley. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with an arrow when I was in Middle School (the late Mr. Tryon would certainly attest), but still it sounds like a wonderful program of which Bob would have been proud to have been a part.

• I tweeted earlier that I’ve been eating a lot of Cheez-Its lately. I’m on my second box since Progress began. This might be the death of me. Headed home now for a (hopefully) sensible dinner and then it’s back to the grind – tonight, Progress Section 4! Woo-hoo.

Jeff Genung

• Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Err … happy? Never sure if we’re supposed to be happy or solemn. No matter … seems like I’m the only one working today anyway.

• Cold enough for ya? Stop asking me that, seriously. I’ve ordered my Hot Booties Microwaveable Slippers, if that tells you anything.

• While the reporters’ deadline for Progress stories came and went Friday without any casualties (at least one newsroom sleepover nothwithstanding), my work started in earnest Saturday morning. So far, so good – I’ll be assembling the rest of the 10-section behemoth every night this week and well into next weekend. Start looking for the fruits of our labors in next Monday’s Evening Sun.

• On a related note, Progress kept me in the office Saturday night well past the time when anyone should be awake on Lackawanna Avenue – and yet it seems everyone was. I’m normally not scared of my own shadow, but I certainly made sure all the blinds were closed and doors locked. This, my friends, is a rough neighborhood at night.

• Kudos to Jessica Lange, whose unforgettable turn as twisted ghost whisperer Constance Langdon on FX’s “American Horror Story” won her a much-deserved Golden Globe last night. The only award I really cared about, and of course I missed it. Because I switched the channel to “Downton Abbey,” of course.

Jeff Genung

• My flow of front page news typically slows down during this week every year as the threat of our Progress deadline looms for the reporting staff (5 p.m. Friday, in case you’re reading this, kids). But today, an accident and a fire took over the front page. Who says nothing ever happens around here?

• Check out more of Brian Golden’s awesome photos of that medical rescue helicopter on our Facebook page today.

• Speaking of Facebook, I got word today of a community page set up to benefit Kurt Beyer Pool, whose closure has been such a hot topic of late. Visit the page here. And stay tuned … I know that at least one local charitable foundation has stepped up to the plate (or the diving board) to help the cause. We’ll have a story on that soon, too.

Jeff Genung

• No city pool this summer? Well you’d think … wait a minute, I already did that one. And so did every Tom, Dick and Harry on ‘30 Seconds.’ Next!

• As if Progress time at The Evening Sun weren’t bad enough (see 347 previous references), we’ve done lost our photographer – at least temporarily. Well, we know where he is – Frank’s at home recuperating from a minor procedure. All will be well, but we’re without his trusty trigger finger for about two weeks. Luckily, the reporters know how to point and shoot. Still, here’s wishing you a speedy recovery, Chico!

• It’s Primary Day in New Hampshire! I try as much as possible to leave my personal politics out of the newspaper (I’ve been “outed” as a Democrat, Republican, and Nazi over the years — but no Green Party, yet), I must say I breathe a little sigh of relief now that Michelle Bachmann (and by extension, her Ghost of Elections Past doppleganger Sarah Palin) is out of the race. Phew! Missed it by thatmuch.

• On to more important matters, I have to say I’m a little unhealthily obsessed with “Downton Abbey,” which began its second season on PBS Sunday night. I came across it rather serendipitously on Netflix the day after Christmas, and binged on season one for seven hours. If you’re into the whole period drama thing, this one’s for you.

• Got a great call this afternoon from a reader who preferred to remain anonymous, saying he had a great story tip for us. And you know what? He did! Sometimes I cringe when I hear those words, as the caller/writer usually follows it with an accusatory tone, or a “story” which doesn’t qualify as such. Sure, not all tips pan out, but for those that do — we’re extremely grateful. And always willing to listen! Soooo much more credence is given to those who contact us directly rather than relying on the aforementioned ‘30 Seconds.’ Although I have to say, needle in a haystack wise, we have garnered a few choice tidbits from that as well over the years.

Jeff Genung

• I know if March comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion. But what about January? Didn’t even need a jacket today.

• And so we begin the annual spate of columns, blogs and tweets bemoaning our upcoming Progress edition. I’ll try to lay off it as much as possible, knowing you’ll be digesting a lot of it from my trusty reporting staff. They’re entering the home stretch, with a story deadline of next Friday. And that’s when my fun begins. Saturday, actually, and for the next 14 or so grueling days. I’m really excited to see what this year’s Progress Chenango (coming to a newsstand near you Jan. 23-27) will bring, but like so many things, it will feel sooo good when it’s over.

• See that ad in the upper right corner for a Front Desk Receptionist? That’s a job opening right here at The Evening Sun (and a little bit of the Pennysaver). The ad does a pretty good job spelling out the requirements, but what it doesn’t tell you is that my dear, departing (perhaps ‘retiring’ is a better word) Jan Rowe is completely and utterly irreplaceable. So yeah, Candidate X, good luck with that.

• No Kurt Beyer pool? Again this summer? While I can’t say I’ve ever (or would ever) swim in a community pool, I do recognize what a tremendous loss this is for the city’s kids – and many of their parents. With all the things we can seem to find funding for, it seems like pretty shoddy planning on the part of the city that they haven’t found (or saved) any money to fix it. The pool wasn’t hit by a meteor; it deteriorated over time – time that city officials should have been planning to fund its maintenance and repair. Many have chimed in about private enterprise stepping up to the plate like they did with the downtown parks – and that may well happen – but pretty soon we’ll consider nothing part of the city’s proprietary infrastructure. I refuse to help advertise a bake sale to help pay for repaving Mitchell Street.

• If you’re not, you should be following me on Twitter … @evesunjeff. It’s 2012 people; get with the times.

Jeff Genung

• Must be that time of year … no, not Christmas (that’s been going on since October). It’s Progress time! We here at The Evening Sun are getting ready for our annual ‘yearbook’ business review that comes out over five days during the last week in January. It’s a gargantuan undertaking (80 pages!) for the editorial and advertising staffs, so I just gave my trusty reporters their story assignments this afternoon. Given that two out of my four reporters have never done this before (and both sales people are brand new, too!), it should be an interesting year. Prediction: My hair will be entirely white by Jan. 27. Great Caesar’s Ghost, indeed.

• Got your letters to Santa in? No? Well it’s too late; the deadline was Friday. Santa has made his list, and checked it twice. Replies from the North Pole will go out to everyone who wrote in later this week; the letters themselves will be published in our ‘Holiday Big Book’ special section this Friday.

• Saw a spectacular Christmas show at the Arts Council Saturday … the violin madness that is Barrage. I know, I know … if you think string instruments, you think stuffy, tuxedoed snoozefest. Anything but that with Barrage – never seen so much energy on that stage! And the Christmas selections they played would get even the Grinchiest of Grinches into the spirit of the holidays. Bravo!