BY NANCY RACKMYER
Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to take down the trees and decorations.
The Home always has beautiful trees, and it’s not quite the same taking the Christmas tree down as it is putting it up and decorating it.
The Bird Watchers met in December and made Christmas presents for our fine feathered friends. The delicious mixture of peanut butter, lard, cracked corn, sunflower and other seeds were spooned into fat pine cones, dried and hung on our outdoor Christmas tree. Last year there were deer tracks near the tree where the deer had munched on our homemade treats, but none so far this year.
January birthdays were celebrated with Margaret Rees, Nancy Rackmyer and Anna Zorawska. A party was given for them in the Living Room, which was decorated with blue and white balloons and streamers. Darcey Schilling prepared the cake, iced in pale blue with white snowflakes and it was delicious!
Saturday’s movie, “Strictly Ballroom,’’ was enjoyed by Bobbie Mook, Sue Stevens, Natalie Laidlaw, Pat DeBaun, Wally Pickhardt and Jeanette Hansen. Art class is always a big hit.
Every Wednesday Fred Blatt donates his time to teach and help residents paint. Fred is a sculptor and retired teacher. Bill Bowes, Dot Gardner, and Ireland Gable always attend, but on this Wednesday Susan Kenyon, activities director, joined the group to start a painting of Otsego Lake.
Deanna Gable, administrative assistant, flew to Florida with her husband and children, Ireland and Jameson. Residents enjoy having children at the Home and we are all excited to hear about the trip to Disney when they return.
“A very good vision is needed for life and the man who has it must follow it- as the eagle seeks the deepest blue of the sky.’’ Chief Crazy Horse At our Home there are many books so wherever you are, you can pick up a book and read it. A few inspirational books were recently donated by our administrator, Laurie Blatt. Leon Rathbun also recently donated a beautiful set of six volumes on George Washington that are extremely interesting.
Our big news this month is the retirement of Joyce Haney, a dear and wonderful Housekeeper who has served the Home for 29 years. Joyce’s retirement party was held on Jan. 14 and included her family, staff, residents and a few friends including Nils Anderson and Pat and Paul Donnelly.
In addition to the gifts from the Home, and individuals, staff bought Joyce a beautiful handmade oak rocking chair, a bottle of champagne and chocolates. Darcey Schilling made a beautiful cake decorated with roses, to match her rose bouquet. The cooks prepared an array of food and a festive punch.
Facility Manager Frank Miller created a photo presentation set to music, with pictures of residents and staff from 1981 to the present.
Everyone enjoyed the presentation and there was laughter and tears as we reminisced together and wished Joyce well. All in all, it was an extremely well put together party.
On Jan. 16, Pat DeBaun’s daughter Eleanor and great grandaughter Lila Mae visited.
“Consider the trees which allow the birds to perch and fly away without either inviting them to stay or desiring them never to depart. If your heart can be like this, you will be near to the way.’’ Traditional Zen
Columns
Home Notes: A busy winter season at the Home
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Attack on Sacket's Harbor
Sacket's Harbor, near the beginning of the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario, was the principal American naval base on Lake Ontario during the War of 1812.
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Once again, hope springs eternal ...
We are happy to report that although Mother Nature did her best to thwart the annual Upper Pioneer Street Block Party, she was not successful.
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Local performs costumed recitations of Casey at the Bat
Since 1996, I have had the privilege of doing costumed recitations of Casey at the Bat as part of my job at the Baseball Hall of Fame. I’ve performed the poem an estimated 2,000 times in 22 states, at ballparks, conferences, classrooms, Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies, weddings and other events.
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E-readers come in handy when traveling
I recently took a trip to California and it was the perfect time to make use of my e-reader. While I'm still devoted to actual books, I must admit that traveling with a thin, lightweight computerized device beats dragging along one or two bulky hard copy titles. The only issue is finding the right e-books to take on the airplane
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Arriving at the last bend in the River
The month of May is the height of the summer in India, a time best spent indoors with a good book and a sliced mango for company.
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Cooperstown election and law
On Tuesday the 18th inst. [May], the following persons were elected officers for this village for the ensuing year: --
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Exchange has taught me to love my flaws
Hello from Germany! I'm currently on my second Euro Tour visiting and exploring most of Europe.
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Passing along advice of seeing the humor
The best advice given to me many years ago when I started teaching had nothing to do with my discipline, English. Rather, a former mentor insisted on the necessity of having a sense of humor
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The week that was ...
For a number of years now, we have not been in Cooperstown for the spring season. And we must admit that we had quite forgotten what it is like. But since we decided that travel was not on the docket for this year, we have become reacquainted with the Cooperstown spring. And we must say we rather enjoyed it with the possible exception of occasional uncalled for snow and seemingly frigid temperatures.
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: Mother's visit was a benchmark for this year
Last week, my mother made the 25-hour plane trip out to Thailand to visit her son, me, after nine months of having only choppy Skype sessions and scattered emails to give her an idea of what I look and act like since having left home last August.
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Local Voices From Around the Globe: World traveler calls Euro-Tour experience of a lifetime
While I've had a great time throughout my entire exchange, I can say hands down that the month of April brought me the best memories of my exchange if not some of the best of my entire life. What kind of wonder would bring me to say this? Simple. Euro-Tour.
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Maryland port attacked
Havre de Grace, May 3. "This morning, a little after the break of day, a British armed force, under cover of armed vessels which anchored in front of this town ... landed below a small breast work which had been roughly thrown up, and in which were one 9 and two 4 pounders, manned by 50 militia.
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Memoir reflects on 'roller-coaster life and career'
Apparently, the third time wasn't the charm. The way Reynolds described him, the third husband was worse than the first two combined and that's saying a lot. Eddie Fisher literally walked away from Reynolds and their two infant children to chase a sex goddess. At least he got his just desserts when Elizabeth Taylor tossed him aside for Richard Burton.
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Imagine what might have been ...
A while back we got a telephone call from a reader of this column wanting to know why we had not written a column in support of Otsego Manor continuing to be owned and operated by Otsego County. And even though we have followed the debate over this issue in the newspaper, we readily admitted we did not feel we knew enough about the situation to take a stand.
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Herpes virus brings harness racing to a halt
I've been going to harness horse race tracks my entire life. My family has been in the business for years.
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Time, if not traffic, moves on ...
It is with sadness we note the passing of two people who we have known since moving to Cooperstown in 1982.
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Canadian capital captured
Dear Sir, I have just returned from Fort Niagara, where I saw a Captain of the United States' navy. He is just from little York, the capital of Upper Canada, and gives the following account, which is confirmed in official dispatches from Gen. Dearborn to Gen. Lewis ...
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Local Voices From Around The Globe: Exchange is like a life in a year
All exchange students realize the credibility of this statement. Like all lives no exchange is the same, all are incredible unique exchanges. The metaphor of life, from baby to old age, extends to every part of the exchange.
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Movie depicting legendary Jackie Robinson does not disappoint
Going to the movies is not something I do often. I can count the number of times I have gone on my fingers, unless you include trips to the drive-in. And even so, it took me years before I made it to one of those -- going for the first time two summers ago.
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'Dubious' about weather, Hawkeyes 'suitable' nickname
Unfortunately, it seems to us that this spring has, thus far, been anything but spring like. In fact, we are still more than happy to stay bundled up in our polar fleece.
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Attack on Sacket's Harbor
