Ashland Speaks: Counting down to Christmas
Tick Tock, Tick Tock! The clock is ticking away. Counting down the days until Christmas. Tick Tock, Tick Tock. It’s the second week of December and I am still racing around. Tick Tock, Tick Tock. Last weekend was the Christmas Festival in Windham. I had soup to make for the Eastern Star Chinese Auction, plus set up my sale tables. Windham church had their tea, the Tree Lighting was at 6 p.m. No time to do everything. Tick Tock, Sunday I went to church, and, although I shouldn’t have, I took time to go to Roxbury for their Holiday Concert, then out to lunch with my friend, Ruth. I really needed that. Tick Tock, home and think what next week brings. I don’t shop anymore, don’t decorate much, feel for those of you who do. Slow down and enjoy the Season.
Many from the area enjoyed the Glee Club concert in Catskill, and the concert at the Jay Gould Church in Roxbury. I totally enjoyed the Roxbury concert and the company I was with. Ruth and Pat Kelder send regards to all.
On Thursday, 100 young Senior Citizens gathered at Point Lookout for the annual WAJPL Holiday luncheon. Even though it snowed, the atmosphere was delightful. Many give aways, lovely conversations, good food. A great gathering.
Don’t forget the Cookie Walk at the Ashland Church on the 14th, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Purchase cookies by the pound for all of your Holiday needs. Only $9 per pound.
Windham UMC will be holding an After the Sale sale on 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14 and 1-4 p.m. Dec. 15. There are still many baskets, wreaths, and decorations. Please come and look.
Ginny and Bob Gurley are still requesting wrapping assistance for the gifts to the Veterans. If you can’t spend the day, at least consider donating to this worthy cause. Monetary donations are accepted year round, as there is always a need.
PRAYERS AND CARES
Prayers and sympathy to the DeWald family on the death of Nick. Get well wishes to Carol Sutton and Skip Dippold. Stay healthy, hope you don’t get the cold that is going around.
COMING EVENTS
Thank you to all who have started sending in notices of Christmas Worship services.
Dec. 14 Ashland UMC Cookie Walk 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 14 After Sale sale Windham UMC.
Dec. 14 Green Room Players Songbirds Christmas music Windham Center church 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 Holiday box packing and delivery to shut-ins Ashland Church.
Dec. 15 Windham UMC Children’s Christmas program 11 a.m. worship service.
Dec. 15 Wrapping for the Veterans at Gurley’s in Prattsville 1 p.m.
Dec. 15 Masonic Dinner at BrandyWine.
Dec. 16 Delivery of gifts to the Veterans.
Please help me advertise your activity by emailing me at lmgeand@yahoo.com or calling 518-734-5360. I’m even behind on these. reminders are accepted, plus new events.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
East Jewett UMC will hold their Christmas Eve services at 4 p.m. Please note there will be no 11 p.m. service this year. Services at Kaaterskill UMC in Tannersville will be at 5:30 p.m. Living Faith Community Church, 54 Route 56, Maplecrest, Christmas Eve service at 6 p.m., 518-734-4275. Ashland Community Church will be holding Candle Light service at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
AS I REMEMBER IT
A few weeks ago, Larry Tompkins, local historian, showed slides to the WAJPL Golden Agers. As he talked about the town of Windham and surrounding area, it brings to me the complaint that there is nothing for the young people to do. I hear many stories about what they are doing, and none of them are happy — drugs, sex, etc.
The boarding houses had game rooms, or casinos as they were once referred to. Pictures of the creek that runs parallel to Route 23, behind the Osborn and Thompson Houses, was dammed up, and they had boating, swimming, high diving and other water sports. Bleachers lined the bank between the two houses for the guests to watch. There was horse back riding, shuffle board, croquet, tennis. As the hotels put in swimming pools, the local children were invited to use them during Red Cross Swimming Lessons. Many learned to swim in each and every pool in the area. Graduation swim parties were held at Sugar Maples because it was the only heated pool in the area.
Yes, we had mischief making, and underage drinking. We sped down the roads in our cars, but we also had jobs. Parents did not support the kids. They had to help support the families. There was no “hanging out” at the diner. There was no place to eat save a couple of pizza parlors.
The flip side of the coin is kids aren’t encouraged to help out because “something might happen to them.” If they shovel a walk and someone falls, who is liable for the accident? You can’t send your child to the store alone without being called an abusive parent. I mourn the days when a kid could be a kid. Could walk home from school without fear of abduction. The lure of the peace you get from a drug from mom and dad’s medicine cabinet is there, prompting more drug use. Families talking on the phone, not with each other.
The old pictures make me sad to think of all that we have left behind. The peace and security of being with those we love. The new things that we feel we MUST have. We are not steeped in tradition any more.
Just a note: The Hull farm is celebrating five generations of being a family farm. The oldest farm in the area. Maybe we can still have a little slice of the past.
