By CAROL BRODIE
I think maybe spring is finally
here to stay as our
hummingbird population has
now increased. We had only
seen a couple of hummingbirds
until last Friday, May
30, when we had at least six
of them, maybe more, zipping
back and forth to the
feeders. They sure are busy
little birds!
Along our woods, I’ve
heard the little yellowthroats
singing but I haven’t been
able to spot them yet. They
seem to like to stay hidden in
the lilac bushes and undergrowth
along the woods. Our
pair of catbirds were busily
hopping around in our garden
one day looking for bugs.
We thought our pair of cardinals
had left because we
hadn’t seen them in about a
week.
But then last Friday, just
about dusk, I noticed the female
perching on the edge of
the feeder, and a day or so
before, we’d seen the male as
he flew from the feeder. I
think maybe they now have
a family of little ones in the
nest and that’s why we
haven’t seen them.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthday wishes go out to
Jack Thompson, Clayton
Schneegas, Phyllis
VanDewerker, Ruthie Hendricks,
and Kevin VanBuren.
Anniversary wishes go to
Charley and Debbie Brodie.
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Pastor
Jason and Kelly Thompson,
of Flat Creek-Gilboa, on the
birth of their third son. Baby
Caleb Willis Thompson was
born at 7:45 p.m. on Friday,
May 30, at Bassett Hospital,
Cooperstown. He weighed
nine pounds and 14 ounces
and was 22 inches long.
He joins brothers, Kyle,
five years old, and Cody,
three years old, at home.
I spoke to Pastor Jason,
via telephone, at the hospital
on Saturday morning, and
he said mother and baby
were both doing great. He
also said his dad, Willis
Thompson, of Troy, was very
excited when he heard the
news.
Memorial Day
Many people from the
area attended the Memorial
Day weekend events, and the
parade on Monday, in Cherry
Valley.
Dad, Mom and I spent
Memorial Day with my sister
and brother-in-law, Barb and
Mick Kineke, of Mohawk. It
was an absolutely gorgeous
day and actually got up to 86
degrees there. Dad and I took
a walk down Robinson Road,
to look at the work that’s
been being done to make repairs
where the road washed
out with the 2006 summer
flood. They have the pond
pretty well drained now and
repairs seem to be moving
right along.
After we got back to the
house, I made use of their
lawn swing where I enjoyed
watching and listening to the
birds as I read awhile.
Their son, Kevin, and his
friend, Erica Usyk, of Ilion,
and Mick’s dad, Harry
Kineke, of Richfield Springs,
then joined us for a picnic on
the front porch, where we enjoyed
lots of delicious food.
Later, Barb, Mom and I
drove up the road to visit
Norma Spencer and her
daughter and son-in-law, Pat
and Tony.
Dick and June Hansen
spent Memorial Day with
their daughter and son-inlaw,
Jane and Joe Dent, and
children, Abby and William,
in Oneonta, where they enjoyed
a barbecue.
Expression of Sympathy
An expression of sympathy
goes to the family of Josephine
“Josie” Anna Mickle-
Gage, 81, who passed away
on Friday, May 23, at A.O.
Fox Nursing Home in
Oneonta. Prior to going to
the nursing home, Josie had
lived in Stamford.
Josie, who was born in
Pleasant Brook to Ralph and
Amanda Gillett-Mickle on
May 20, 1927, had celebrated
her 81st birthday just three
days prior to her death.
Bits and Pieces
Pastor Bill Wilson, who
had spent the winter at his
Nanticoke, Md., home, was
called back here the last
week of April to perform a funeral
service for Leon Randall
of Garrattsville.
My sister, Barb Kineke, of
Mohawk, stopped in briefly
to visit Dad, Mom and me on
Thursday night, May 15,
when she came to pick up
our niece, Brandy Brodie, to
take home with her to spend
the night. On Friday, Barb
and Brandy, along with Alice
Wrisley, of Mohawk, rode
with Cissy Moreau, of Ilion,
as the four of them attended
the Ladies Retreat at Word
of Life Conference Center in
Schroon Lake.
The theme of the retreat
was “In His Steps” and they
even had a shoe contest for
the prettiest shoes in different
categories. They attended
meetings on Friday evening,
Saturday morning and
Sunday morning. The special
speaker was Jackie Roese,
whom Barb said was very,
very good. The special music
was led by Lori Jean Smith,
an exceptional violinist, who
currently performs extensively
and teaches private
lessons in Florida. Lori Jean
led the praise and worship
singing time, accompanied
by Amy Felt, on piano, who
was also very exceptional.
Barb says these ladies have
a lot of talent that they use
exclusively for the Lord.
They also both went to
Cedarville University together.
Everyone thoroughly
enjoyed the Saturday night
concert by Lori Jean and
Amy as well.
Following the concert,
there was a talent show
where different ladies in the
audience shared their talents.
Among the talents
shared were singing, skits,
piano playing, Scripture
reading, and even a comedian.
Barb reports that the
meals were better than any
restaurant she’d ever gone
to. After an enjoyable weekend
of learning and being
blessed, the ladies arrived
back in Mohawk on Sunday,
May 18.
Sonny Young and family
attended the graduation of
his daughter, Sonya Elizabeth
Young, from the University
of Albany, on Saturday,
May 17, where there
were over 2,000 in the graduating
class. Sonya, who graduated
with a Bachelor of Science
degree in business, also
graduated with honors.
She has accepted a position
with J.T. Morgan and
Chase and will be working
and living in the Albany
area.
On Friday, May 23, Pastor
Bill Wilson started working
at the Tourism Center
booth, across from the Tepee,
Cherry Valley.
He reports that twice the
number of people stopped
that first day as compared
with the first day last year.
Pastor Bill will be there
working the booth every
weekend, from Friday
through Sunday.
Abby and William Dent,
of Oneonta, spent Friday
through Saturday, May 23
through 24, visiting their
grandparents, Dick and June
Hansen.
David and Sharon Thompson
were dinner guests of
their son and daughter-inlaw,
Keith and Daphne
Thompson, and daughter,
Elizabeth Rose, of Morris, on
Saturday, May 24.
Bob Guernsey, of Seward,
and his great-grandson,
Brendan Cousineau, of Leesville,
called on Bob’s daughter
and son-in-law, Sharon
and David Thompson, on
Sunday, May 25.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard
DeVane, of Troy, called on
Leland and Pat Mabie one
day last week. Mr. DeVane
loaned Pat a beautiful 16 by
16 sampler, in a frame, dated
1897. Pat says the sampler,
embroidered in script, in
very tiny stitch, is absolutely
gorgeous. She said she has
never seen anything like it
before. It was done for N.J.
Butler and also has on it Pastor
F.G. Gaige, Christian
Church of South Valley.
This loaned item will be
on display, for all to view, at
the South Valley Community
Hall during the next South
Valley Women’s Club monthly
dinner in June.
Have a great week, and
remember to phone me at
(607) 264-3225 with all of
your news for this area.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Continued ... -
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!
