Your guess is as good as mine

So there I was, walking Hopi through the path in our lower woods yesterday afternoon as is our daily wont, when a flash caught my eye. There, affixed to a tree about 20 feet from the path, was a motion-activated camera. Odd place for a security camera, I thought to myself, since no one had reported stolen leaves or tree limbs. So I called physical plant.

Mr. Al Vitiello arrived on the scene and once again, the camera flashed. He didn't know who had put it there or why. A call to our security office quickly ruled them out as the owners of the camera. Two remaining suspects, as it were, would be Fr. John Hudert who is known to frequent this sylvan glade throughout the year, whether to trim the undergrowth or cross-country ski; or our former chef who is an avid bow-and-arrow huntsman this time of year and may be staking out a position for future prey. In any event, 24 hours have past and we have yet to identify the camera's owner. (Could THIS be the Scotch tape on the door of a latter-day Watergate?)

Meanwhile, continueing my walk Hopi and I happened upon this sight in our lower cemetery:

My first guess was that this is a grave for someone's pet boa constrictor. But Al explained that after 30 some-odd years, it has been decided to put in proper drainage for this level. (Talk about "Ewwww" factor.) We aways knew the water table at this section was inordinately high, but with recent rains, and several more days of deluge expected this week, it was agreed that this unintended burial at sea need no longer put a damper on things, so to speak. (For the curious and less squeamish among you, Google "saponification.")

In other news....

Tomorrow's much hyped KNOLLSTOCK (Employees & Knollers picnic) which this year, as the title suggests, has a 60s theme, complete with bellbottoms, long hair and tie-died shirts (although I suspect other more, shall we say, psychotropic aromas shall be regrettably eschewed) HAS BEEN POSTPONED TILL NEXT THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th, due to the aforementioned heavy rains. This is particularly ironic, since the original Woodstock was, in fact, held in the pouring rain with everything and everyone covered in mud.

Then again, maybe the 60s theme is simply acknowledging that we aging hippies are now in our 60s.

You know what they say about the 1960s: if you can remember them, you weren't there.

Gas leak at the Knoll

We are into the first 24 hours of a gas leak first detected by employees yesterday afternoon. Crews are still working to locate and fix the leak which seems to come from rusting pipes. In the meantime, meals are creative. Here are the official emails from Mr. Al Vitello head of Physical Plant and from Ms. Margaret Ellicott-Sheehan, Sodexo manager:

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Dear residents and seminary employees,
 
This Afternoon (Nov. 30) at approximately 1:30 pm two of our Physical Plant Employees detected a smell of natural Gas in the seminary ground floor F-wing. The town Fire Department and Con Edison were called in for an emergency response and the Gas to the building was shutdown. We believe the leak is in the ceiling of the M-wing Cloister and we are looking into ways to make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
This natural gas line feeds the stoves in the main kitchen and the two gas dryers in the main laundry room. Until the repairs are made and this gas line is tested, the stoves and dryers will be out of service.
We apologize for the inconvenience,
Thank you,
 
Al Vitiello
Director Of Physical Plant
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
 
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Dear residents and employees,
 
 
Earlier today (Nov. 30) the gas was shut off to the stoves in the kitchen due to a gas leak.  During this  time we will do our best to provide you with hot meals.  Unfortunately we will have to make some changes to the menu and we will post those changes in dining room and on the menu line daily. 
 
Please bare with us during this difficult time.  As soon as the gas is turned back on we will be able to provide you with a regular menu and your favorite foods. 
 
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.  If you have any questions or concerns , please feel free to contact us.
 
Thank You,
 
Margie Sheehan & Sodexo Staff
 

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You'll know who sneaks a smoke in their rooms. They're the ones with singed eyebrows.