By CAROL BRODIE
My dad and mom visited
and enjoyed lunch with my
sister, Donna Hatch, and
children, Dillon and Jekara,
in McGraw, on Monday, June
16.
That same day, we were
hit with thunderstorms off
and on throughout the afternoon
and into the evening. In
South Valley, however, we
were more fortunate than
some, as Richfield Springs,
Cherry Valley and other
places were bombarded with
large hailstones. I’ve heard
reports of them causing holes
in trailer siding, cracking a
car windshield, denting car
hoods, and more. At one
point during the storm, we
had some very tiny hailstones
bouncing on our back
deck, but they only lasted
about a minute or so and did
no damage.
Military Report
My niece, Rachel Brodie,
who is currently stationed
with the United States Navy
at the Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard Base in Bremerton,
Wash., passed her e4 exam
the third week of March and
proudly made third class
petty officer.
Rachel has been at the
Bremerton base since early
December of last year. She
will be home for six days’
leave in August and will ship
out to Guam in September,
where she will be aboard the
USS Frank Cable submarine
for the next two to three
years.
Rachel is the daughter of
Charley and Debbie Brodie.
Birthday Wishes
Birthday wishes go out to
Lisa Kineke, Tony Brodie
who will be 19 years old, Helen
Allen, Cody VanBuren
who turns nine, Lorel Van-
Buren, Malinda Brodie, Dillon
Dibble who will be 17,
Nancy Foote, Bryan Bach,
Kevin Kineke, Vince Breen,
Julie Stannard, Linda Brodie,
and Christina Butler.
Marilyn Mollen hosted a
birthday celebration supper
for her daughter and granddaughter,
Diane Mollen and
Jessica Mollen, on Monday
evening, June 16. Also present
for the party, of course,
were Grayson Mollen and
Brian Gibbs.
Coming Events
The Cherry Valley-Springfield
Central School Commencement
Exercises will be
held at the Alice Busch Theatre
on Saturday, June 28, at
11 a.m. Congratulations to
our local graduates, whom I
hope to mention more about
in next week’s column.
The South Valley Women’s
Club will hold their
monthly meeting at the Community
Hall on Thursday,
July 3, at 1 p.m. Any ladies
interested in joining the club
are more than welcome to attend
the meeting.
An important special reminder
for all of those who
enjoy attending the women’s
club dinners: The ladies will
be hosting their ham dinner
on Saturday, July 26, from 5
to 7 p.m. at the Community
Hall.
Please make note of this
date, which is the fourth Saturday,
not the third as usual.
This date change in July is to
avoid conflicting with the
Schenevus parade, carnival,
and fireworks which will be
held on the third Saturday.
Mabie Family Reunion
The 84th Annual Mabie
Family Reunion will be held
at the home of Bob Mabie in
Gloversville on Sunday, July
13, starting at 1 p.m. Please
bring a dish or two to pass,
juice for the punch, and your
own table service. The picnic
meal, under the big tent, will
begin at 1:30 p.m.
Oh yes, and don’t forget to
bring as many family members
as possible with you! If
you need directions to Bob’s
house, please phone me and I
will be glad to share them
with you.
Another thing to remember
is to make a listing of any
births, deaths, marriages,
graduations, special anniversaries,
or special news from
your family to share with
Barb Kineke for the historian
report. She appreciates
this ahead of time, if possible,
but if not, bring the list
with you.
If you absolutely can’t attend
the reunion, she still
would appreciate your family
information, which you can
email, postal mail, or give
her by telephone. If you don’t
have her contact information,
please phone me and I
will share it with you.
Last year’s reunion was
held at Bob’s home, and everyone
had a great time. We
all enjoyed a variety of delicious
food!
If you are part of the Mabie
clan and you miss the reunion,
you don’t know what
fun you are missing out on.
This is the one time of year
that you get a chance to get
together with lots of relatives
that you don’t normally see,
maybe even some you’ve never
met, or some you’ll never
see again. You just never
know when it’s the last reunion
for someone. We’ve
lost at least two of the Mabie
family since last year’s reunion.
So, come to the reunion
for a great day of fellowship
and fun! You’ll be
glad you did!
Bits And Pieces
Elliot Brodie attended
morning worship services at
the Little Falls First Baptist
Church on Sunday, June 8,
and later, he and his daughter
and son-in-law, Barb and
Mick Kineke, of Mohawk,
were dinner guests of Todd
and Debbie Watson and family,
of Little Falls.
In the evening, Elliot returned
to the church to attend
the special graduation
service in honor of the six
young people graduating
from area schools. A time of
refreshments and fellowship
followed the service.
Clifford Snyder spent
Monday, June 9, visiting his
brother and sister-in-law,
Art and Frieda Snyder, at
their Fly Creek home, and
also enjoyed lunch with
them.
The Otsego County Farm
Bureau monthly board meeting
was held at the office in
Hartwick Seminary on Tuesday
night, June 10. Local attendees
included Frank Brodie,
Sue Schaffer, Dorothy
Rathbun, Larry Roseboom,
and Warren and Julie Stannard.
Clifford Snyder and his
niece, Margaret Mabie, attended
a combination birthday
and graduation party for
Jessie Ullman on Saturday,
June 14.
Jessie graduated from
SUNY Oneonta. She is the
daughter of Dave and Pam
Ullman, of Palatine Bridge,
and the party was held at the
Ullman home.
Marilyn Mollen, Jessica
Mollen and son, Grayson,
traveled to Delmar on Saturday
where they met Pam
Hamlin and the four of them
went to Hoffman’s Playland,
in Latham. Later, Pam treated
them to lunch for Jessica’s
birthday at the Red Robin.
After that, they did a little
shopping and then returned
home.
Nancy Prill, Margaret
Mabie, Marion Schneegas,
Jean Roy, and Betty Brown
attended the Cooperstown
Area Christian Women’s
Club luncheon at the Tally
Ho in Richfield Springs on
Monday, June 16. This
month’s theme was “Love Is
In The Air,” with guest
speaker Kathy Bump, of
Johnstown, telling how she
“was trying to find something
to fill my emptiness.” The
special feature was Carmel’s
Bridal Shop & Formal Wear,
with Carmela Chiodo, of
Richfield Springs. Special
music, “Happy Tunes,” was
provided by Diane Ducey, of
Cooperstown.
Father’s Day
Following Sunday morning
worship services at the
Little Falls First Baptist
Church, Elliot Brodie was a
dinner guest and spent Father’s
Day Sunday, June 15,
with his daughter and sonin-
law, Barb and Mick
Kineke, of Mohawk. Their
son, Kevin Kineke, of Ilion,
and Mick’s dad, Harry
Kineke, of Richfield Springs,
were also guests.
Father’s Day at the Mollen
home included Marilyn,
Jessica Mollen and Grayson,
Diane Mollen and Brian
Gibbs, and Damian Gibbs
and Alysia Eibe, of Clifton
Park.
Charley and Debbie Brodie,
Brandy and Tony enjoyed
Father’s Day dinner at
the newly opened Red Apple
Buffet in Cobleskill.
Have a terrific week and
enjoy this great summer
weather! In the meantime,
don’t forget to phone me at
(607) 264-3225 with any
news you want to share 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.
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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.
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.”
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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!
