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Someone once told us that the older one gets, the faster time goes. We remember being somewhat dubious about this at the time, but we do think we have become true believers. In fact, given the fact that we are fast approaching the middle of June, we have come to the conclusion that time is flying by so quickly it must mean we are somewhere in the antique age range. We seem to have misplaced the spring and have suddenly, we know not how, been thrust into the summer season.
The seventh annual Upper Pioneer Street Block Party has come and gone. Neighbors gathered the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend to catch up with each other after the long winter and to try to figure out how the street’s many children had grown so much since last fall. And although it was a smaller gathering than usual, given that many people were otherwise engaged, it has nonetheless proven an excellent beginning to the summer season.
As our trusty Eagle Street reporter, Robin Lettis, has pointed out in the past, the Upper Pioneer Street Block Party starts the season and the Eagle Street Block Party ends it. To our knowledge, these are the only two block parties held on a regular basis in the village. However, if we are wrong about this and we have somehow missed other block parties, we most certainly would like to be updated on them.
We note that the next meeting of the Literary Discussion Group, sponsored by the Women’s Club of Cooperstown, will be held on Thursday, June 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Pat Duncan.
The book for discussion will be ``The Help’’ by Kathryn Stockett. For more information, including directions to the meeting, please contact Pat at 607-264-3258. Not long ago we received an e-mail from former area resident, Bob Hart, who wrote to let us know that the book ``Hart’s Original Petpourri Vol. 1 Miscellany, Fact, Fancy, Trivia, and Whimsy about Pets, Veterinarians, and Owners,’’ has been listed as a finalist in the INDIE awards for the independently published book competition for 2010.
Our congratulations go out to both of the Harts, Bob and Ronnie, for their success with the book.
We recently journeyed to Troy, New York to attend a birthday bash for Shelley Eckler Davison who celebrated one of those annoying big birthdays this year. But we hasten to point out that Shelley, who is the daughter of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, does not in any way look her age. In fact, she could, without much trouble, pass for the age we claim to be, namely 29. Of course, she is not nearly as far removed from 29 as we are.
And we must say, her good friend Michael Sullivan, who was responsible for the festivities, does know how to throw a great birthday party.
We were treated not only to a lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages with peppers and onions plus chips, deviled eggs and fruit salad, but also to a full chicken dinner later in the day. It was definitely a total blowout in the food department. We were in heaven. Unfortunately, we had to miss the cutting and devouring of the cake as our 29-year-old eyes are not big on driving after dark.
However, we did get a sneak preview of the cake which looked absolutely yummy. All in all it was a great day. And we can but hope that, since we are reasonably certain that Shelley has a birthday each and every year, it will be repeated sometime in the future.
One of the nice things, we think, about the late spring/ early summer season is that it gives us the opportunity to partake of places, such as Pop’s Place, before the tourist season is really up and running.
As we do each year, we have thus far made several trips to Pop’s Place where we greatly enjoy either the shrimp basket or the barbeque pork sandwich. And we have also partaken of our beginning of the season sundae, something which we, given our great restraint, do not do each and every time we visit. And we will, no doubt, continue to slip in visits to Pop’s Place at times when we think there might be a lull in the volume of business we know they tend to do.
And this year, before things were in full swing, we also dined at the new Polar Scoops, where we enjoyed the sub combo. We would recommend their chicken salad sub as well as their red potato salad.
We were also most interested to discover that they used cold drink cups which are made from corn and are biodegradable. In fact, we brought one such cup home and plan to plant it in the compost pile in order to monitor its rate of decomposition.
We also understand that their silverware is made from cane sugar stalks. We assume they are also biodegradable although we are not certain about it. Throughout the months ahead, we hope to be able to support Polar Scoops as we continue to support Pop’s Place. After all, we tend to like to eat each and every day although we tend not to like to have to fix the food, particularly during the summer months.
In closing, we are always on the search for thoughts about time whether it is flying by or weighing heavily on our hands. To that end we quote C.S. Lewis who said: ``The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.’’ Of course, according to Zall’s Second Law, ``How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on.’’
And it was Denis Waitely, author and motivational speaker, who said: ``Time is an equal opportunity employer.
Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.’’
Thus we suggest that tomorrow’s time be used to its best advantage, lest it simply fly by.
PLEASE NOTE: 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: Time flies by
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From Fly Creek: About that rabbit
The headline above suggests that I should hold this column until Easter. But if you can remember back two weeks (as I can, dimly), you’ll recall that I was going to tell you about a really helpful rabbit. Not the wacko one with Alice at the tea party, but a bunny that’s really helped me with signing checks and such.
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In These Otsego Hills: Pancakes, prognostication and potholes
We note that Christ Episcopal Church is once again sponsoring its annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, featuring pancakes, bacon, sausage, applesauce and beverage.
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Book Notes: Garner’s memoir: never a dull moment
It isn’t easy for an actor to have one successful television series, let alone two. And it’s even more difficult to combine those with a thriving movie career. Usually someone succeeds at one medium, but not the other. But, then, James Garner is not your typical actor.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
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Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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From Fly Creek: About that rabbit
