Ashland Speaks: Fall always brings mixed bag of weather

Did you survive last weekend’s Nor’Easter? The rain was brutal. Judy and John went to Fishkill on Thursday, and down there it was beautiful. When they reached Saugerties it turned misty, by the time they got to the top of Palenville Mountain, it was pouring. I went to the food pantry and got soaked. I was so cold I had to sit in front of a roaring fire to get my feet thawed out. It’s one time that I’m glad we had a dry September, the ground soaked up without flooding. Haven’t heard anything about flooded basements which is a good thing.

Rose Hudecek had a very pleasant surprise Sunday. Her niece from Ohio had a wedding to attend in Roxbury, so she made a detour to Jewett. Marty, Joan and Janet came down from Albany to spend the day with cousin, Kristi Hudecek. Kristi is the daughter of Martin’s (Rose’s husband) brother. What a wonderful visit they had!

The family from the former Clara Thompson house made a visit to the Hudecek home last weekend. They are originally from Slovakia, then Lodi, New Jersey. Rose was excited, she has someone to refresh her knowledge of the Czech language with. We welcome Joe and Milka to the Mountain Top.

Louise McRoberts had a lot of company lately. First, her daughter, Cheryl came to visit, then her nephew. Not to be undone, her other nephew will be visiting soon.

Oct. 20 was Laity Sunday for the Methodist Church. Was it coincidental, but attendance was up in both Windham and Ashland. It seems everyone came out to support us. Thank you.

The Ashland Methodist Church held a Soup For Lunch event on Oct. 16. We are hoping to make this a monthly event. It’s a time to sit and eat for free, and then you are encouraged to take soup to shut ins. Thanks to Opal who visited many of our neighbors with hot soup to warm their tummies. With the rain that we had, I’m sure it was greatly appreciated. We will be holding it again next month.

Don’t forget the Rummage Sale at Jewett Presbyterian Church this Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26. Jack is putting out “new” items everyday. Doors open at 4 on Friday and at 9 on Saturday.

On Nov. 2, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption located at 4752 Route 23 in Windham, will be holding “Ya Ya’s Fall Bazaar.” There will be more than 15 vendors featuring crafts, jewelry, honey, candles, maple syrup and so much more. Large variety of lunch items will be served. Large Chinese Auction, door prizes and raffles. The hours are from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For information, and to volunteer your help, call Debra Maynard at 518-610-3439. Benefit Greene County Women’s League Cancer Patient Aid.

Remember to change your clocks for the end of Daylight Savings Time. The big “Fall Back” day is Nov. 3.

On Wednesday 11/6 at 11 a.m., Windham Hensonville United Methodist Church will be sponsoring this month’s Ecumenical. The subject this month is Hope House Children’s Home in Thailand. The presentation will be given by Mission Trip participants. Please join us and bring a friend. Covered dish fellowship to follow.

On Nov. 16, the Ashland Historical Association will be hosting an All You Can Eat Breakfast from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Adults, $9; children, $5. Menu features eggs to order, biscuits, bacon, sausage gravy, sausage, pancakes potatoes, toast and beverages. Locally made maple syrup. Join in at the Ashland Town Hall, 12094 Route 23.

To those who made a map of the area for the paper for Autumn Affair Weekend, it was a great idea. Note: Windham ends at the Christman’s Windham House, and that’s where Ashland starts. Yes, there is a town between Windham and Prattsville, although we are often overlooked. BrandyWine is in Ashland, as are many businesses. Please put us back on the map.

Opal is taking reservations for the WAJPL Golden Age Club’s annual Holiday Luncheon being held at Captain’s Inn Point Lookout on Dec. 5. Please call her with your meal choice. Opal has all information for you, along with flyers being passed out at our meetings. Opal can be reached at 518-750-8380.

CARES AND PRAYERS

Healing prayers are being sent to Ann Donovan, Wanda Partridge, Anna Mae Decker Skakel, Betty Young and Marie Smith.

COMING EVENTS

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.

Nov. 1 Thanksgiving Dinner at Hope Restoration 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 2 Ya Ya’s Fall Bazaar Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Nov. 3 Chili Fest East Jewett FD 2- 6 p.m. $10

Nov. 4 Interfaith Panel Discussion 7-8 p.m. Greenville Public Library 11177 SR 32

Nov. 5 Election Day Chicken and Biscuits at Ashland Church takeouts 4:30 and 5 p.m. seating

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

AS I REMEMBER IT

Fall Fall, Wonderful Fall! It’s hard to keep up with the weather change. We’ve had our killing frost, now it’s time to harvest the cold crop vegetables. Anything in the cabbage family has to be put away for the long, cold winter. Do you have all of your canning and freezing done? Are your shelves filled with a bountiful harvest? Years ago, every family had a root cellar, a stone laid up room to store all those root vegetables you have to dig and store: potatoes went in a burlap sack to keep the light off them so they wouldn’t turn green, yet wouldn’t mold. Carrots would be dug and stored in sand to keep them fresh.

It’s time to rake the leaves, bag them, and pile them against your foundation for insulation. Put the rest on your gardens to mulch them for the winter months. Leaves are the best fertilizer with a sprinkling of wood ash.

Cabbages have to be cut and shredded to be put into crocks with salt and a rock to hold it submerged and thus sauerkraut is made and ready for use. Put that in the cellar with the other crocks holding your pickles. Hang your Sprouts so the air circulates around them. Winter squash goes on racks, winter apples go in the root cellar for use during the cold months. Are your shelves full yet? My mother would have hundreds of canned fruits and vegetables lining the cellar walls. It seems as the days get shorter, the work days get longer, just preparing for the snow days.

The men are in the barns, culling the animals that need to be butchered for the winter. More work for the women.

Storm windows would have to be washed, screens down, windows up and sealed. Check the sills, does anything have to be caulked? Were the chimneys cleaned in the spring. It’s time to start the fires. Wood is brought under cover, those with coal furnaces have their bins filled.

We no longer prepare as we once did. Even during a big snowstorm, we can leave the house and go shopping, although we still have that “stock up” mentality. Now, however, it’s bottled water and bread that seem to be hoarded.