By CAROL BRODIE
If nothing else, I sure have
lots of bird sightings to report
this week. They started
coming in last Monday, May
5, when Sharon Thompson
phoned to tell me the brilliantly
orange and black
northern oriole had arrived.
Then she excitedly called me
again the next day to say she
had two male rose-breasted
grosbeaks.
Bill Mabie also called me
on Tuesday to let me know
his hummingbird had arrived,
and was busily drinking
at the feeders which
Marsha had put out the day
before. He said they are also
enjoying watching a variety
of other birds, a grosbeak,
juncos, blue jays, finches, a
white-crowned sparrow, and
more, at their feeders.
Marion Holmes phoned
on Thursday to share that
she had three male rosebreasted
grosbeaks, an oriole,
and a phoebe, among
many other birds.
Meanwhile, here at the
Brodies’, our catbird arrived
on Tuesday, one hummingbird
on Wednesday, and one
male rose-breasted grosbeak
on Friday. We also have a
pretty white-crowned sparrow
who seems to enjoy eating
the sunflower seeds out
of the big old pan on the
porch floor, and as I was outside
one day, a killdeer flew
down and started running
along in our driveway. That
was a surprise, because I’ve
only seen them near the
ponds and bodies of water.
Our pair of beautiful cardinals
is here, and it’s enjoyable
to be outside listening to
the male as he sits in the top
of a tree singing away. Our
pair of phoebes is also still
here, busily catching flies
and bugs, and I did hear the
oriole one morning, but I
haven’t actually seen him
yet. We also have a variety of
other birds visiting our feeders
regularly.
I’ve even had bird reports,
via email, from my sisters!
Donna, who lives out in Mc-
Graw, says their male rosebreasted
grosbeak arrived on
Friday, May 2, and the next
day they had two males. The
following Tuesday, the male
hummingbird and male oriole
both arrived. The males
always seem to arrive prior
to the females, possibly to
find a home and prepare the
nest.
Barb, who lives outside of
Mohawk, says her male and
female rose-breasted grosbeaks
both arrived on May 2,
and the pretty little indigo
bunting arrived on May 8.
Barb says their feeder is very
colorful these days, with the
grosbeaks, blue jays, bright
yellow goldfinches, bunting,
purple finches, and the female
yellow-bellied sapsucker.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthday wishes go out to
Samantha Hotaling, Tanner
Shufelt who will be 12 years
old, Emily Thompson who
turns four, Joanne Thompson,
Suzanne Mabie, Denny
Hoke, Sr., Sean Webster who
will be four, JoAnn Hansen-
Barrett, Doug Cameron,
Yvette Anderson, and Lonnie
Hoke.
Anniversary wishes go to
Bill and Ruthie Hendricks,
Donnie and Sheila Fancher,
and Jim and Colleen Cain.
David and Sharon Thompson
attended a birthday party
and dinner for their greatnephew,
Brendan Cousineau,
to celebrate his 13th birthday
on Saturday evening,
May 3. The party was hosted
by Brendan’s parents, Eric
and Dawn Cousineau, and
his brother, Dillon, at their
Leesville home.
Other guests included
both sets of Brendan’s grandparents,
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas
Somers, of Seward, and
Mr. and Mrs. Omar
Cousineau, of Sharon, his
uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs.
Douglas Somers, Jr., and
twin daughters, of Seward,
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Graig and
son, Travis, of Pleasant
Brook, and Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Santillo, of Seward.
Bits and Pieces
A speedy and complete recovery
is wished for those in
our town who’ve recently
been hospitalized for one
thing or another.
Congratulations to Brittany
Mabie, a junior, and
Amanda VanBuren, a senior,
both of whom received the
honor of Student of the
Month at Cherry Valley-
Springfield Central School.
Town of Roseboom committee-
people Frank Brodie
and Marilyn Mollen attended
the Otsego County Republican
Committee meeting at
the Cooperstown Courthouse
on Monday night, April 28.
Among those attending this
month’s meeting were Sen.
Jim Seward, Assemblyman
Marc Butler, Sandy
Treadwell, who is running
for Congress, and others.
Following the meeting,
they all went out to eat at
TJ’s.
Floyd “Whitey” Squires
arrived home the last week
of April after enjoying a few
months in Florida.
Frank Brodie attended
the Schoharie County Maple
Festival meeting at the Cobleskill
Firehouse on Tuesday
night, April 29. Frank
also attended the Open
House at Bascom’s Maple
Farm in Alstead, N.H., on
Friday, May 2.
Marian Proper, of Jordanville,
spent a few hours visiting
Dad, Mom and me on
Tuesday night, May 6, while
Vernie attended a meeting at
the East Worcester Fish and
Game Club.
Marion Holmes reports
there was a good attendance
at the smorgasbord supper
at the Roseboom Methodist
Church on Tuesday evening.
Frank Brodie attended a
meeting and luncheon in Jefferson
on Wednesday for the
Catskill Maple Association.
Fifteen people attended
the Roseboom Area Senior
Citizen Club meeting and
covered dish luncheon at the
Roseboom Methodist Church
on Wednesday, May 7. Following
the luncheon, everyone
enjoyed playing games.
Marion Holmes reports
that, in July, the group is
planning to visit the Butterfly
Conservatory, in Emmons,
and will later enjoy
dinner at Brooks BBQ, in
Oneonta.
Coming Events
Spring has arrived and
along with it, the first dinner
of the South Valley Women’s
Club. After the long winter,
come on out and join with
your neighbors and friends
to enjoy the ladies delicious
chicken and biscuit dinner at
the Community Hall on Saturday,
May 17, from 5 to 7
p.m. Donations will be taken
at the door. Remember, it’s
your generous donations that
make it possible for the ladies
to continue having the
dinners and keep up with the
repairs at the hall. Their holiday
gift boxes and giving to
the community are also a
great encouragement to
many.
The Cooperstown Area
Christian Women’s Club will
be hosting a Brunch, “Opportunity
Knocks,” at the Tally
Ho in Richfield Springs on
Monday, May 19. The meal
will be served at 10:30 a.m.
with the program to follow at
11 a.m. (Please note the earlier
time, as this is a brunch,
not a luncheon.)
This month’s speaker will
be Darlene Clark, from Delmar,
who tells how she got
involved in sign language.
The special feature: “Darlene
will sing and sign.”
For questions, or to make
reservations, please call
Nancy at (607) 264-3402,
Dotty at (315) 822-6391 or
Peg at (315) 858-0525.
Don’t forget to phone me
at (607) 264-3225 with any
news you wish to share for
this area. In the meantime,
enjoy this gorgeous weather!
Columns
South Valley
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
