The Christmas of 2009
will go down as the first
Christmas since 1971
that we have not celebrated
the holiday in Cooperstown.
Instead we found ourselves
with the Christopher and
Annie in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
We were, of course, dubious
that Christmas could actually
be celebrated anywhere but
Cooperstown.
Fortunately, we were
proven wrong as Christmas
in Ohio seemed every bit as
good as Christmas in Cooperstown.
Of course, we were not
keen on the concept of traveling
in the winter.
However, we did manage,
thanks to Linda Crampton,
who offered to not only drive
us out to Ohio, but to also go
back to Ohio to drive us back
to Cooperstown. And, in spite
of the somewhat sketchy
weather, we had a great time
both ways.
And while we missed our
usual Christmas Eve celebration
with Alice and Harvey
Eckler and their family as well
as our usual Christmas Day
dinner with Sandy and Al
Bullard and their family, we
found new ways to celebrate.
Christmas Eve, in keeping with
Annie’s family tradition, we
did fondue and on Christmas
Day we partook of dinner with
Peggy and Tom Turgeon and
their family in Gambier, Ohio.
And we enjoyed it all very
much.
We are also happy to note
that we survived the Christmas
Eve fondue without
impaling a palm on a fondue
fork. Both of the others at
the festivities were not so
fortunate. Luckily there was a
goodly supply of spiderman
bandaids available.
We also greatly enjoyed
attending the Dec. 19 baby
shower for Boo, which was
given by Annie’s good friend
and co-worker, Nicole Pagano-
Percy at her home on East
High Street in Mount Vernon,
Ohio.
We were not only able to
touch base with a number of
our friends from the Kenyon
College community, but we
also were afforded the opportunity
to meet new ones.
And, of course, we greatly
enjoyed seeing all of the
various baby goods which are
available these days for new
arrivals.
We feel it is safe to say that
it is certainly some different
than it was 35 years ago.
Additionally, at the shower
we had the chance to meet
Nicole’s two daughters,
Sophia, five-and-a half, and
Lilly, two-and-a-half. Sophia
was perfect as Nicole’s special
helper for the shower. And
Lilly, we discovered, thinks
that our Christopher is just
one big jungle gym.
After the shower, Christopher
was hoisting Lilly up, up,
up in the air and then back
down again only to have
her say ``Do it again,’’ which
he did a number of times.
However, on her last ``Do it
again,’’ he announced he was
pooped.
Lilly immediately pointed
across the room, telling him
the bathroom was over there.
She then, with great urgency,
started pushing him, no small
task for a two-and-a-half-yearold,
toward the bathroom.
He then explained to her that
he meant he was tired, not in
need of a bathroom.
While in Ohio, we had the
chance to see Annie’s parents,
Hal and Judy Higby, who were
also in Ohio for the shower.
We quite enjoyed our visit
with them and look forward
to sharing Boo, who will be a
first grandchild on both sides,
with them.
Unfortunately, due to the
east coast storm which hit the
weekend before Christmas,
Hal did not have the smoothest
trip from Ohio back to
Connecticut.
In fact, he sat in the Columbus
airport for ten hours
waiting for a flight.
And finally, when an
airplane for his flight arrived
from Philadelphia, having sat
on the tarmac for three hours
there, it turned out that the
pilot had timed-out on his flying
hours so it did not appear
that there was a pilot to fly the
plane back to New York. But,
in a stroke of luck, one of the
passengers slated to take the
flight to New York was a pilot
for that particular airline.
He announced that, once he
did the necessary paperwork,
he would be happy to fly the
plane to New York, which is
just what he did, much to the
relief of not only Hal but all
the rest of the passengers on
the flight.
And people wonder why we
don’t like to fly.
And, although we stayed
in Ohio long enough that we
missed our usual New Year’s
Eve festivities at the Hawkeye,
we nonetheless enjoyed the
rest of our visit.
And we left knowing that
when we next visit Ohio, baby
Boo will be there to greet us.
And thus while the festivities
for Christmas of 2009 and the
New Year of 2010 were greatly
changed, we know full well
that the real change is yet to
come.
In closing, we believe it was
John Foster Dulles, Secretary
of State under President
Dwight D. Eisenhower, who
said, ``A capacity to change is
indispensable.
Equally indispensable is the
capacity to hold fast to that
which is good.’’ We hope in
2010 to be able to do both.
COMMENTS REGARDING this column
may be made by mail at 105 Pioneer
Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, by
telephone at 607-547-8124 or by e-mail
at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: The times they have changed
- 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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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!
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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!
