Water Closet for April 8, 2016

[pullquote]”Oakdale and the wind had taken over the scene of fond farewell. Clayton is at peace. “[/pullquote]Yesterday afternoon, the last day of the month, suited well a reverse of the old saying for March, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”   Friends and kin of Clayton Rubchinuk gathered at one of the highest points in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton, for his funeral service. He (63) a resident of Middleton died in his sleep the week before. A couple hundred folks came in from the north to wish this likeable hard working man goodbye. From the south across Richardson Farm fields came warm gale winds to play wild, godly music in the oaks above us. Minister Larry Schell’s voice was strong as he bravely tried to tell above the heavenly chorus of good things past with Clayton and hopes to come. At times, momentarily surrendering to the great gusts, some 50 knots or more, he gracefully smiled and let their woody instruments take over. The minister’s eyes and those of Clayton’s flock looked skyward at the branches and million twigs in full throat. The old Closeteer had all he could to keep from raising his arms and yelling like an excited kid at a rock concert. He hadn’t known Clayton, just members of his large family, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to cry out loudly “What a way to go! Hallelujah!”

Oakdale Cemetery’s orchestra of woody wind instruments in Middleton awaiting maestro Mother Nature. She conducted the gale wind gusts who played them at Clayton Rubchinuk’s funeral last week. – Judy Schneider photo

After greetings and much happy chatter the crowd left quietly, backs to the still fast moving air. Some strangers smiled when passing one another. The great handsome oaks of Oakdale and the wind had taken over the scene of fond farewell. Clayton is at peace. His folks moved on, perhaps also at peace for a while from their daily struggles.
The Closeteer will long remember that large group assembled for a good man who worked hard, happily and often for others. The Closeteer even at quiet moments will hear the wind of that afternoon. It roars now in his ears, an exciting sound that seems more than just vibrations from tree branches plucked by fast moving air.

The Oakdale orchestra of woodwinds seen here were quiet during Monday’s gentle storm. – Judy Schneider photo

His and late wife’s natural gravestone is by chance near Clayton’s. Above their stones is a strapping large red oak that overlooks the cemetery, cornfields and the Ipswich River, one instrument of hundreds played at Clayton’s outdoor funeral. The Closeteer and others will return under new leaves in May and listen for the muted effect they have on tunes the breezes may be playing. He’ll pause, say hello to Clayton and future neighbors, and then walk down to his beloved river in which Clayton Rubchinuk and four brothers had swum as lads. The wind will be playing on the water.
* Please google ‘Clayton Rubchinuk obituary’ for more information. After read the many comments added by friends. Over and over are words about how much this can-do guy liked to cheerfully help others. What a wonderful quality this is. Clayton’s brother, fellow Stream Teamer, Leon, is also generous about sharing his considerable talents to help others. Middleton old timers say their father Peter was too.  ____________________________________________________________________________

WATER RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION INFORMATION
FOR MIDDLETON, BOXFORD AND TOPSFIELD`

Ipswich R. Flow Rate (S. Middleton USGS Gage) in Cubic Feet/ Second (CFS):
For April 4, 2016  Normal . . . 143 CFS     Current Rate . . . 94 CFS
*Danvers Water Filtration Plant, Lake Street, Middleton is the source for actual precipitation data thru Feb.
**Middleton Stream Team is source of actual precipitation data for March and April.
Normals data is from the National Climatic Data Center.
THE WATER CLOSET is provided by the Middleton Stream Team: www.middletonstreamteam.org or         <MSTMiddletonMA@gmail.com> or (978) 777-4584