By CAROL BRODIE
Our garden this year is
doing well, but last week was
surely hard to do much in it
with all the rain we received
and the constant thunderstorms
off and on throughout
the week. With the flash
flood warnings on Wednesday
and Thursday, I was
afraid we were in for major
flooding like we had a couple
of years ago. Fortunately, it
wasn’t as bad as they thought
it would be.
Sharon Thompson phoned
on Tuesday, July 22, to say
she’d seen close to 60 baby
turkeys right near their
house that morning. We had
some turkeys here earlier
this year, but I haven’t seen
any in awhile now, so I guess
they all moved to the Thompson
area to have their families.
(smile!)
We, at the Brodies’, are
still keeping busy this summer.
Late Friday afternoon,
July 18, Dad went to Mick
and Barb’s Mohawk home
and the three of them went
to Ilion, where they had the
chicken barbecue to benefit
the Boy Scouts, and then
they enjoyed watching the
annual DooDah Parade. Dad
spent the rest of the weekend
with Mick and Barb. Actually,
he kept the dogs and cats
company on Saturday while
Mick and Barb attended the
Kineke Family Reunion in
Queensbury. Then he attended
Sunday morning worship
services with them at
the Little Falls First Baptist
Church, followed by the annual
church picnic at the
Salisbury Center Firemen’s
Pavilion. The evening worship
service was held there
at the Pavilion at 3 p.m., and
following that, Dad attended
a graduation party for Courtney
Etherton at her Herkimer
home before he returned
home in the early
evening.
Frank left early Sunday
morning, July 20, to set up
his tent and booth to sell his
maple syrup, pancake flour,
and honey products at the
Schoharie Valley Auto Show
and Flea Market at the New
York State Power Authority
Visitors’ Center, in Blenheim.
Meanwhile, neighbor Sharon
Thompson, and her
granddaughter, Elizabeth
Thompson, of Morris, came
to visit Mom and me on Sunday
afternoon, and Elizabeth
had fun playing with the kitty
cats.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthday wishes go out to
Kerri-Anne Itgen who will be
20, Megan Gleason who
turns 13, Jonathan Bach who
will be four years old, Carol
Stannard, Larry Utter, Laura
Webster, Sharon Rathbun,
Merrilyn Duesler, and
Lucy Ann Card.
Anniversary wishes go to
Leland and Fran Mabie,
Warren and Mary Stannard,
Everett and Delores Yerdon,
and Harold and Nancy Erway.
Sharon Thompson hosted
a surprise 70th birthday party,
with a barbecue
picnic, for her husband,
David, on Sunday, July 13.
In attendance were Aaron
Thompson; Tom and Traci
Thompson of Cherry Valley;
Keith, Daphne and Elizabeth
Thompson of Morris; Bob
Guernsey and Doug and
Donna Somers, all of Seward;
Eric, Dawn, Brendan and
Dylan Cousineau of Leesville;
Robert and Maureen
Joy of Morris; Jason, Kelly,
Kyle, Cody, and Caleb
Thompson of Flat Creek-Gilboa;
Dan, Melissa, Peter, and
Paul Thompson of Jefferson;
Larry, Nancy, and Amberly
Prill, Dick and Sonja Allen,
and Floyd “Whitey” Squires,
all of South Valley; Eddie
and Peggy Hayward of Roseboom
and Fort Myers, Fla.;
Stephen Tompkins of Cherry
Valley; and Marty Fields,
Jr., of Cherry Valley, along
with his friend, Vickie.
It was a perfect day for
the party, though a heavy
rain storm, with strong
winds, did hit after the party
was over, and Sharon reports
that everyone had a great
time eating and visiting.
Sharon also offers a special
thanks to Tom Thompson
and Marty Fields, Jr., for
barbecuing the chicken, and
to Eric Cousineau who cooked
the pork loin, all of which
were delicious. She also
thanks everyone for coming
to help David celebrate his
special day.
Mabie Family Reunion
The 84th Annual Mabie
Family Reunion was held
again, for the second year in
a row, at Bob Mabie’s home
in Gloversville on Sunday,
July 13, with 26 people attending.
The day was slightly
overcast, but still nice and
plenty warm. Once again,
Bob was a gracious host, and
we thank him and his family
for entertaining. Everyone
enjoyed the delicious covered
dish meal, which was served
buffet style under the big
tent, and once again, there
was a variety of absolutely
delicious dishes to try out.
Prior to the meal, Elliot Brodie
offered the blessing. The
four youngsters who attended
also enjoyed and took advantage
of the backyard pool.
Even first-time reunion goer
Mia, at 11 months old, enjoyed
the pool as cousin Bobette
held her and dipped
her feet into the water. Mia
was there with her grandma,
Shannon Vedder-Richards,
whom we were delighted to
see, as she hadn’t attended a
reunion in many, many
years.
Attendees at this year’s
reunion were from South
Valley, Cherry Valley, Fort
Plain, McGraw, Mohawk,
Ballston Lake, Port Crane,
Fultonville, Fonda, Amsterdam,
Gloversville, Meadville,
Pa., and Douglas, Mass.
Luella Mabie-Brodie, 88,
of South Valley, was the oldest
family member present,
and Mia Richards, 11-monthold
daughter of Justin and
Joei Richards, and granddaughter
of Shannon Vedder-
Richards, all of Amsterdam,
was the youngest.
The largest generation
present was tied once again
this year between Elliot and
Luella Mabie-Brodie, of
South Valley, and Bob, and
the late Loretta, Mabie, of
Gloversville, each of whom
had three generations present.
Elliot and Luella Mabie-
Brodie had the largest representation
of one family present,
with 10 family members
attending. Elliot and Luella
also had the most children,
with five out of their seven
children attending this year.
Mary Lou Brodie-Bach, of
Meadville, Pa., traveled the
farthest distance to the reunion.
Following the meal, President
Bob Mabie presided
over the brief meeting, at
which Mary Lou Brodie-Bach
gave the secretary-treasurer
report and Barb Brodie-
Kineke gave the historian
report. Barb also read regrets
from Mary Maybee,
Marietta Mabie, and Steve
Mabie, all of whom would
have liked to attend this
year’s reunion, but were unable
to do so. It was also
mentioned that David and
Sharon Thompson were unable
to attend as he was enjoying
a surprise 70th birthday
party-picnic that same
afternoon.
The historian report for
this past year included two
births, four deaths, three
marriages, three high school
graduations, one college
graduation, and one military
(Army) basic training camp
graduation.
There were also six special
anniversaries, 5th, 10th,
30th, 35th, 50th and 65th,
noted over the past year.
Of special notice was the
fact that Rachel Brodie, who
is in the United States Navy,
was promoted to third class
petty officer in March 2008.
It was also mentioned that
the Washington Mabie/ Emmett
Mabie/ Doris Mabie-
Mott /Liz Mott farm, in South
Valley, has been in the Mabie
family for 100 years as of
last year, 2007.
A grateful thank you to
Bill Mabie for bringing his
large albums of pictures and
history for everyone to enjoy
viewing. Thanks also to Barb
Brodie-Kineke for being our
photographer this year and
for taking group photo shots
as her husband, Mick, was
unable to be there to do so.
Thanks, too, to Steve Hatch
for taking some of the group
shots so that Barb could be
included in them. A special
thanks also goes to Barb and
Mick for printing out group
shot photos from last year,
which Barb passed out to everyone
at this year’s reunion.
Officers for next year remain
the same. It was voted
to have next year’s 2009 reunion
once again the second
Sunday in July, which will
be the 12th, at the home of
Roy and Janine Mabie-Dykeman
at their Fultonville
home on Ingersoll Road.
Have a great week and
hope you are all enjoying the
summer. Doesn’t seem possible
August is right around
the corner! Be sure to phone
me at (607) 264-3225 with
any news items you wish 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.
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.”
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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.
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.
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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!
