Ashland Speaks: Slide show a success; October calendar filling up

The first frost has hit, followed by almost hot, balmy weather. Rain today, high winds, all the leaves will soon be gone. Let’s hope they hold out until next weekend.

Thanks to all who attended the slide show at Windham Methodist Church and the 100 or more who attended Alumni Dinner at Acra Manor. The slide show was about the progress of education on the Mountain Top. Larry had pictures of many of the original one room schoolhouses, and the academies, which were really two story buildings which divided the lower level classes from the upper level.

Girls were not expected to attend school past the seventh or eighth grade as they had households to run. Boys left school to run the farms, so there were very few who went on for a higher education. The program continued with the consolidation of the WAJ school system with each building and addition. All attendees were given a sheet with Our Alma Mater and a penny.

Why the penny? Think of the playground, Guiness Book of World Records and the gym floor.

The Ecumenical for October was held at East Jewett with more than 20 attending. The guest speaker from the State District Attorney’s office talked about senior scams — all those worrisome callers, and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Next month is Windham’s turn to host. Remember: it will be held on Wednesday due to Election Day.

The Ashland Community Church will be holding Soup for Lunch noon-1 p.m. Oct. 16.

Come and join us for a free soup lunch and good conversation. On the way out, you are encouraged to take a cup of soup for a friend. They will thank you.

With Election Day approaching, remember Ashland Church will be holding its annual Chicken and Biscuit dinner.

Hope Restoration has announced the date for their 21st annual free Thanksgiving Dinner. It will be 4:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 1. This year, reservations are not being taken, and take-outs are for shut-ins only. Hope Restoration is located at 117 Route 296.

PRAYERS AND CARES

Prayers for Crystal Holdridge and Sally Dart Hildebrand. Barbara Mead is in the Pines for rehab. Joyce Terry has a broken collarbone.

COMING EVENTS

Oct. 11 Greene Room Players presents SONGBIRDS singing Doo Wop and Love songs at the Center Church at 7 p.m. Free will donation.

Oct. 12 Apple Fest at Windham UMC.

Oct. 12 Autumn Affair in Windham.

Oct. 12 Jewett Presbyterian Church Pork dinner benefiting Hope House Thailand starts 5 p.m. $12.

Oct. 12 Greek Orthodox Church Spaghetti Dinner $12.

Oct. 14 Greene County Women’s League bus trip Rivers Casino $25 607-538-1242.

Oct. 16 Soup for Lunch noon-1 p.m. Ashland Church.

Oct. 20 Greene County Women’s League Tea Washington Irving Inn 2-5 p.m. $25 518-819-1249.

Oct. 25 Senior Angels Bake Sale Greene County Office Building donations requested.

Oct. 25 Jewett Presbyterian Church Rummage Sale 4-7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Jewett Rummage Sale bag sale 9 a.m.-noon.

Please help me advertise your activity by emailing me at lmgeand@yahoo.com or calling 518-734-5360.

AS I REMEMBER IT

As before, I never know what will be in my thoughts for the week, until something jogs my memory. Last week, while finalizing the church sale, someone showed me a doll — about 8 inches high, always a girl. Only the head and arms moved, as they were attached with a rubberband inside the body. Sometimes the eyelids opened and closed. She is made of celluloid..very hard. Marilyn Smith Telga, showed me a very similar doll that one of her relatives dressed. Women spent hours sewing and crocheting the outfits on these dolls. Most times, the undergarment was finely crocheted with thread, a one piece unit, with ruffled neckline. Then came the underskirts. One or two layers of starched gauzy material. Now comes the overskirt, decorated with ribbons and embroidery.

A decorated apron, with ribbons and lace was added next. A crocheted hat, or maybe flowers for the hair, and sometimes a crocheted purse completed the ensemble. Family women worked hours on these dolls, many handed down to visiting girls.

Now I’m back 80 or so years ago at the Lucy Bump house before it was moved to Cooperstown Farmer’s Museum. I remember a doll on a piece of cardboard, for display, dressed with hat and a skirt with many pockets.

These pockets were to hold all of your sewing needs: thread, thimble, tape, needles, etc. A complete sewing basket on a doll for some lucky woman to keep on her end table for easy access. The doll was packed and ready for a summer bazaar, maybe for the Episcopal Church down the road.

Did your grandmother do the same? Do you have a doll from the past?