Ashland Speaks: Winter is upon us
Well, it certainly looks like I brought the frigid weather home with me. Our first cold spell of the season hit hard, overnight temps in the teens, cold, North wind blowing, snow. We knew it was coming, just didn’t know when.
Today, Monday, is Veterans’ Day, which is, and always will be, celebrated on November 11. The end of the War to End All Wars (WWI) was signed on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It is a day to thank, and remember, all who served our country, in all the wars. Some refer to the WWII Vets as the Greatest Generation, yet we have Korean and Viet Nam veterans who, also, deserve that title, as well as those who served in the Middle East. Please say a prayer for them all.
For those who wondered why Halloween passed without our pumpkin sale, I think I mentioned that we could not get any this year. Sorry.
This past weekend there were several breakfasts and dinners for our Veterans. The Windham Fire Department, along with the VFW had a wonderful breakfast on Sunday morning. By the time I got there, most of the food was gone, which means a successful day.
The Ashland Historical Society will be holding an all you can eat breakfast at the Town Hall this Saturday, the 16th. Larry Tompkins will be presenting a show, along with pictures for your enjoyment during the event. Please join them.
The next Soup for Shutins will be held at the Ashland Church on Nov. 20 starting at noon. Come and help us make Loaves of Love, bread that will be distributed to those who can not get out for the Holidays.
For those Senior Citizens who have no place to go on Thanksgiving Day, don’t sit home alone, join the Senior Angels Thanksgiving on Nov. /2, doors open at 11 a.m. and dinner is at noon. The dinner is held at the Senior Center in Athens.
East Jewett had a benefit Pancake Supper which was eclipsed by so many other activities. If you would like to make a donation, call Margie Loucks. The Kaaterskill United Methodist Church is also holding its Annual Holiday Sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30, at their church on Main Street in Tannersville. There will be new and nearly new Holiday decorations, and gifts for all ages, all at bargain prices. Come and check it out.
On Dec. 2, WAJPL Golden Age Club will be holding a Wreath making “class” for all who want to participate. It will start at 1 p.m. at the Senior Hall in Hensonville, all you have to bring is greens to use. There is no fee, but you must be in the mood to laugh. Last year we spent more time laughing than making wreaths. We will also be making the centerpieces for the Holiday luncheon that will be held on Dec. 5 at Point Lookout. To sign up for the wreath class, email Mtsunflower@aol.com, or call Vicky at 518-734-4164. To reserve your dinner, call Opal at 518-750-880.
The Mountain Star Oasis O.E.S. will be holding their Christmas Bazaar and Chinese Auction 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Masonic Lodge on Main Street in Windham. There will also be a Basket Raffle. Come for lunch where potato soup and chili will be on sale.
Greene Room Players SONGBIRDS will present Christmas Songs at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Windham Center Church. For additional information call Louise LeBrun at 518-813-7596.
PRAYERS AND CARES
Please keep praying for Betty Hapeman, Dillon’s family, Randy Tompkins and Nellie Langston. Prayers and condolences for Sarah Soule Mader and family and Sonja Anderson and her partner on the passing of his father.
COMING EVENTS
Nov. 16 All you can eat breakfast Ashland Town Hall 7:30-11:30 a.m. $9 Ashland Historical Association.
Nov. 20 Soup for Shut ins Ashland Community Church noon.
Nov. 20 Medicare and You 2 and 6 p.m. Ashland Town Hall.
Nov. 28 Senior Angel Thanksgiving.
Nov. 30 Holiday Sale Kaaterskill UMC Tannersville 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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.
AS I REMEMBER IT
As I shared last week, my son and I traveled to Texas. We took the train and expected to see some of the countryside. We left at 4:30 p.m. and were in Schenectady where we sat, and sat, so it was dark while we traveled through New York and Ohio. We rode in a coach, but in business section, so we had recliners to nap in. There was plenty of room, we had blankets and jackets to cover ourselves, and, even though there was a snack car, we brought food so we wouldn’t starve. At 10 p.m., all phones are silenced and lights are shut off until 6 a.m.
As we get closer to Chicago, the mountains and hills disappear and the landscape is monotonous. No vistas, just the trackside of the towns. One thing in common of all towns is the storage units. All over the United States we see evidence of what we have. When we run out of room in our houses, we rent a room(s) in a unit and store our belongings. How many people go through their units, or do they just put things in them, never to be seen again?
On the second day, the sun comes up and David finally saw green grass and he was happy. Not so when we got to Texas. He was so disappointed to find brown, flat land. Oh, he couldn’t wait to get back home.
As I am writing, it’s Veterans’ Day. I remember, as we went through the Ozarks, my brother, George, was serving in the Army, stationed in Germany. His friend was an American Indian from Pine Bluff Arkansas. He came to visit us and I went to Pine Bluff to visit him. So many years ago, when I had no responsibilities. I had the TV on this morning, and, with thoughts of George still in my mind, I was watching the swearing in of new U.S. citizens. This made me remember helping Ida Steinburger, George’s wife (who later married Doc Mulberry) study for her citizenship test. We reviewed and memorized everything about the United States Constitution, and I was so proud when she passed the test and we all went to Albany to witness Ida becoming a United States Citizen. Then I realize that was more than 60 years ago, and there is no one left but me.
