This column marks the
end of an era. It is no longer
written, as it has been for
over twenty-five years,
by``The Ellsworths.’’ Starting
in 1984 this column,
which started as ``Where
Nature Smiles,’’ was penned
by ``The Ellsworths,’’ the
he-we and the she-we who
famously noted, when
asked, that they each wrote
every other word.
When the he-we died
rather unexpectedly ten
years ago this month, responsibility
for the column,
which had gone through a
name change to ``In These
Otsego Hills,’’ moved from
the he-we, obviously, and
the she-we, to the she-we
and the wee-we. Just over a
year ago, the wee-she was
added to the Ellsworth
team.
However, changes in format,
which have been made
at the behest of the paper,
do not seem to be able to
successfully accommodate
``The Ellsworths’’ writing
the column. And since it
makes little sense to continue
to write the column
as ``The Ellsworths’’ when
the picture which is to accompany
the column has
but one of the three people
responsible for this column
each week. Thus, in order
to bring what is thought to
be much needed balance to
the presentation of this column
in the paper, ``The
Ellsworths’’ are out and
``Catherine Lake Ellsworth’’
is in.
One wonders what exactly
this will mean for the
column going forward. It is
thought that other than the
fact that two people have
now lost jobs, although it is
not likely to be a statistic
that will show up in the national
total of jobs lost,
probably not a lot.
The comings and goings
of the Cooperstown scene
will still be covered. Issues,
which are either in the forefront,
or should be, will continue
to be mentioned. And
musings on the irony of the
world will continue to be
noted.
In addition, there will be
no change from ``we’’ to ``I.’’
Not only is it thought that
it would be difficult to write
something other than ``we,’’
it is also thought that the
column would change unhappily
not only in its cadence
but also in its tone.
Therefore, when reading
``we’’ think not of the he-we
and the she-we or the shewe,
the wee-we and the
wee-she, but rather of me,
myself and I.
Therefore, as we, me,
myself and I, move forward
we note that the Fourth of
July Weekend is fast upon
us. And this year is no exception
when it comes to
the opportunities provided
for participation in area
events. From our point of
view, the weekend will begin
with the Presbyterian
Church’s annual Ice Cream
Social which will be held
this year on Friday, July 3
from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on
the church lawn in good
weather and on the porches
and in the chapel in inclement
weather.
At the social there will
be not only hot dogs but
also hamburgers as well
salads, lemonade and, of
course, ice cream and homemade
cake.
Additionally, handmade,
fair trade and second-hand
treasure items as well as
plants will be offered for
sale.
Then, at 8 p.m. on the
3rd, focus will shift to Lakefront
Park for a concert featuring
the Cooperstown
Community Band. Following
the concert at dusk will
be the annual Independence
Day Fireworks for
which we already have
made our reservation for a
seat on Grace Welch’s front
porch.
Coming up on July
Fourth itself is Springfield
Center’s July 4th Parade
and Celebration. The parade
begins at 11:00 a.m.
after which there will be
Brooks’ Chicken Barbeque
and a bake sale as well as
another concert by the Cooperstown
Community
Band. The theme for this
year's celebration will be
``Red, White, Blue and
Green!’’
And finally, to close out
the weekend, the 36th Annual
Middlefield Community
Day will be held on
Sunday, July 5th from 9
a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Old
Middlefield Schoolhouse in
Middlefield, New York. The
Schoolhouse, which will be
open all day, will be offering
a School Yard Picnic
and Bake Sale. Also featured
will be a day long
Middlefield Marketplace
presenting crafts, homemade
and homegrown products,
flea market items, antiques
and books. There
will also be a Union Worship
Service under the tent
at the Schoolhouse at 10
a.m., an historical scavenger
hunt for children, tours
on the hour given by Joe
Homburger along the banks
of the Cherry Valley Creek,
a Brooks’ Barbecue at the
Middlefield Fire House
from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.,
and an Ice Cream Social at
the Schoolhouse, beginning
at noon. The Small Town
Big Band will perform under
the big tent at 1 p.m.
We heartily recommend
bringing a lawn chair and
enjoying a day in Middlefield.
In closing, we not only
hope that everyone enjoys
the upcoming Fourth of
July Weekend, but that the
change made in this week’s
column meets with approval.
We note that said change
was not done without sadness
on our part. We have
thought for the past ten
years that continuing the
column with ``The Ellsworths’’
at the helm to be a
tribute to the he-we who so
loved this community and
worked so hard for its well
being. So we find losing
``The Ellsworths’’ is to lose
still another little part of
the he-we. And we do not
do it gladly even though we
know in our heart, he will
always be with us.
PLEASE NOTE: Comments
regarding this column
may be made by mail
at 105 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown,
NY 13326, by
telephone at 547-8124 or by
e-mail at cellsworth1@stny.
rr.com.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: The End of an Era...
- Columns
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: Dear Santa ...
Although we tend to think Christmas is for children and thus rarely think about what we might like to have, this year we have decided to let Santa know what might be left under the tree with our name on it. Of course, we fully understand if our list is a bit long, a bit expensive and a bitlate. However, we have just finished reading our November issue of Health and so have just realized what we need that we do not currently have.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Irony abounds
These are querulous times. Dissent and disagreement, as uncomfortable as they sometimes are, are essential components of a viable democracy. Democracies are always messy because everyone has a right to speak his mind and because whenever a majority is able to gain the numerical upper hand it pretty much runs the show. Several political philosophers have written quite persuasively of what they characterize as the “tyranny of the majority.” Get enough people on your side and you have the opportunity to get your way so long as you are able to maintain power. I suspect that most thoughtful people would agree that wisdom is hard to come by.
Continued ...
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
