By CAROL BRODIE
In my mid-August column,
I had mentioned
meeting Charles and Marilyn
Dufresne, of Worcester,
at the Cobleskill Fair and
how they mentioned attending
school years back
with some of the Mabie’s.
As for their request, I will
try to remember to update
here occasionally on the
surviving Mabie’s that
were from the Worcester
area.
Just this summer, in
fact, we learned of the
deaths of two more Mabie’s.
William “Bill” S. Mabie, 76,
passed away in San Antonio,
Texas, on Feb. 17, 2008.
He was born on Nov. 30,
1931, in Schenevus, the son
of Arba Earl and Flora Ellen
(Kniffen) Mabie. Bill’s
wife, Mary Lou
(Jeffers) Mabie, 75, also
of San Antonio, passed
away on April 10, 2008, less
than two months after her
husband. She was born in
Schenectady on Dec. 21,
1932. Mary Lou and Bill
had been married for 56
years. Survivors include
their daughter, Barbara
Brown and her husband,
Howard, their son, James
Mabie and his wife, Nancy,
and grandchildren, Jason
and Justin Brown, Antonio,
Braden and Benjamin Mabie.
Also surviving are Bill’s
sister, Clara McCardle, and
brother, DeForest “Jack”
Mabie.
Both Bill and Mary Lou
were laid to rest at Fort
Sam Houston National
Cemetery in Texas. Bill had
honorably served his country
with 25 years of dedicated
service in the United
States Air Force, and he
was laid to rest with full
Air Force Honors.
Birthdays and anniversaries
Birthday wishes go out
to Harold Erway, Deb Van-
Buren, Larry Dornburgh,
Beau Franklin Brodie who
turns two years old, Margaret
Gage, Shelley Ritchey,
Susan Brodie, Jennifer
Lundy, and Douglas Moore
who will be seven.
Anniversary wishes go
to Dan and Jaime Cooper
who celebrate two years,
my dad and mom, Elliot
and Luella Brodie, celebrating
66 years, Kenny and
Barb Olsen, Pastor Alan
Miller and his wife, Esther,
Dave and Mary Lou Bach,
who celebrate their 40th,
and Erin and LouAnna
Hughes.
Expression of sympathy
Our family’s heartfelt
sympathy goes out to the
family of Robert Edwin
Harris, 89, of Otego, who
passed away at Albany
Medical Center on Monday,
Sept. 8 after being critically
injured in an automobile
accident in Oneonta on
Sept. 4. Our prayers also
remain with his wife, Dorothy,
who
remains in Fox Hospital,
Oneonta, in critical, but
stable, condition.
We have known Ed and
Dorothy for many, many
years and always looked
forward to visiting with
them each summer at the
Morris Fair. In fact, we had
a nice visit with them this
year as they were there enjoying
the fair.
They always managed to
get to the fair for at least
one day each summer.
Bits and Pieces
Jim and Alice Rose, of
Mount Dora, Fla., would
like to thank everyone who
sent them anniversary
cards as they celebrated
their 65th anniversary on
August 14. He said they
had a very nice anniversary,
with a party and lots of
great food, as every month
a party is held in their park
to celebrate all of the birthdays
and anniversaries of
that month. On the weekend
of August 30-31, Jim
and Alice went to Jacksonville
to visit their son and
daughter-in-law, Larry and
Vickie Rose. They had an
especially nice time as their
grandson, Bryan and Laura
Rose, were also there visiting,
so they got to spend
time with their only greatgrandchild,
Alysen Catherine
Rose, who is now four
years old. Of course, greatgrandpa
Jim isn’t at all
prejudice when he says that
Alysen is very smart and
pretty, too! (smile!)
Pastor Bill Wilson attended
Nancy Lamouret-
Scanlon’s surprise 50th
birthday party at the Town
Park Pavilion, in Knox, on
Sunday, August 31. Nancy
was an outstanding 4-H
member when Pastor Bill
was the 4-H agent in Otsego
County. She received
many county and state
awards as a 4-H member.
Nancy’s party was hosted
by her son, Eric, and her
daughter, Rebecca.
Pat Mabie and Raymond
and Sandy Sutton, of Decatur,
enjoyed shopping and
dining out at the Rotterdam
Mall on Thursday,
Sept. 4. Pat says they also
enjoyed viewing the Mabee
Farm display that was set
up there.
Eddie Hayward, of Belvedere
Lake, spent a couple
days last week helping David
Thompson with his
house project.
Melvia Thompson-Fenn,
of Gothicville, along with
her son and daughter-inlaw,
Milton “Mick” and
Carla Fenn, of Oklahoma,
called on Leland “Zeke” and
Pat Mabie on Friday, Sept.
5. The two of them were
spending the weekend with
Mick’s mom.
Elliot Brodie and his
daughter, Barb Kineke, of
Mohawk, attended the
AWANA meeting at the
Little Falls First Baptist
Church on Saturday, Sept.
6.
Leland and Pat Mabie
and Ray and Sandy Sutton
toured the Oriskany battlefield
on Sunday, Sept. 7.
They also enjoyed viewing
the Oriskany Battlefield
Monument where they
found Pat and Sandy’s
great-great-great-grandfather
George Bush’s name in
the third column over and
eight or nine names down.
The four of them also enjoyed
dining at Denny’s
Restaurant in Herkimer.
Mr. and Mrs. Bert
Griffiths, of Connecticut,
called on Luella Brodie,
Frank and Carol on Sunday,
Sept. 7. All had a great
time visiting and reminiscing
about times past. The
Griffiths were spending
some time at their Cooperstown
home to celebrate
their 40th anniversary,
which was the following
day.
David and Sharon
Thompson visited Keith
and Daphne Thompson and
daughter, Elizabeth, in
Morris, on Sunday afternoon
and also enjoyed supper
with them that evening.
The Otsego County
Farm Bureau board meeting
was held at the office in
Hartwick Seminary on
Tuesday night, Sept. 9.
Those attending were county
president Steve Sinniger,
office manager Sue Schaffer,
Frank Brodie, Les and
Dorothy Rathbun, Warren
and Julie Stannard, Werner
Weigel, John Walrath,
Amy Auger, and Robin Aufmuth,
who rents the building
for her “My Time Day
Spa” business.
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.
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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!
