Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

Another week gone by wondering "How do I dress today?" Rain, snow, sleet, cold, windy means rain gear or winter coats. Sun, warm, balmy--sweater, no jacket? I just can't figure it out. Should I go out, or plan to work in the house? It's the end of November.. We have to expect it.

The LoPresti and Hudecek family want to extend their sincere thanks to all who sent cards, food and prayers. It is such a comfort to know that there are so many around that we all can depend upon for assistance.

With the Christmas season fast approaching, and the end of the year, it's time to remember others. If you would like to make a donation in John's name, or just make a donation to a worthy cause, please consider the Senior Angel Program of Greene County. They do wonderful things for the Senior Citizens, including finding new appliances if you can't afford one, helping out for Respite care for Caregivers, and other services too numerous to mention. Another very worthy organization is Home Delivered Meals. They not only NEED volunteer drivers, but also monetary donations to help float the cost of the nutritious meals.

I hope you all heard Mike Ryan on the radio Wednesday. He wanted to interview me regarding the passage of the Windham Ambulance/ Senior Citizen building. I got a chance to air my new project: a blood drawing location in Hensonville. We have the facility, but don't have a person to draw the blood. No physical exam is complete without a CBC, but we have to go to Catskill to get our labs done. Time to call, write, and generally be proactive.

The women of the Ashland Church baked bread this week for their annual Loaves of Love Day. The breads are given out to the Senior Citizens and Home Bound of Ashland. What a great annual tradition!

A Crew came on Friday to put lights on the outdoor tree at the Ashland Community Church. The official lighting will be on Sunday November 29 at 4:30. Hot chocolate will be provided as we begin the Advent Season with carols and goodwill.

Last week it was reported that a large bear was seen three houses away from the school. Kevin Holmok (who now resides at the former Doc Blakeslee residence) says a Mama bear and her three cubs were at his house. The cubs were up a tree while she checked out the food supply. Guess there was nothing good in the trash, as they all left and ambled down to the Batavia Kill/

Check out Ginny Gurley's column to read about the Annual Christmas Gift program for the Veterans in the VA Stratton--Albany. It's a very worthwhile project with 100% of the donations going to our Vets.

Happy Belated birthday to our dear friend, Betty Hapeman. Many best wishes and blessings.

AS I REMEMBER IT

After the Old Coach Inn was torn down, there was no longer any restaurants, or take out food or drinks in the Village. Today, it's one restaurant after another, but in the late 60's and 70's, there was no place left to go to have a meal. There was no "going out for a hamburger" dates. The local teens had no place to go on a date. It was a sad time. Can you imagine having to go down the mountain for pizza? But, there was a parking lot for ????

Next door, is the Masonic Temple. Before the Central School was built, this was the High School for the area. Local schools used to go only until the 8th grade, and only the children who "had potential" went on to high school. There was no busing, so anyone who went on with their schooling had to have transportation, or lived in town to go to school. With centralization, the building became too small, and so WAJCS was built. The original building burned and a new Masonic Temple was built by the members of the Lodge. The Masons, and Eastern Star are still in existence, and hold regular meetings.

Next down the street we come to the home of Elizabeth and Welcome Moore. He had a feed business for the farmers in the area. Milton Brandow got up in the morning, did his farm chores, and then went to work for Welcome as a driver. Each week, he had to go to Oneonta to pick up the supplies as no deliveries were directly made to small farm businesses. Of course, he had to be home in time to do his afternoon milking.

During the week, I will be compiling stories of the tenants who lived in the Miller Brothers building.

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