The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Our appreciation is sent out to our medical professionals, EMTs, local volunteer firemen, essential workers and our military both active and all veterans. All of you are the best.

For our local veteran, Larry Dwon, we say thank you and give thanks for your service and recognition as Greene County’s choice for the Honor A Veteran recipient for 2024. Your recognition is so well deserved and we say “thank you with our appreciation”. Got to know some of Larry’s military service and his deep involvement in community volunteerism while being a co-worker with wife Chris at the Windham Journal office in Windham in the early 2000s. That long ago?! Larry and Chris’ family has grown and now include their sons’ families – wives and granddaughters. Larry would be so proud and involved with his family and Chris is keeping Larry’s presence and love ever felt. From Chris is the following: “My husband Lawrence Dwon was proud to be a Marine and to serve for his country. He

enlisted in the Marine Corps March 1966 and was honorably discharged Feb. 1968. He served in Vietnam 1966-1967. His combat history included 13 operations and he received several Decorations, Metals and Awards. As many veterans, he did not speak about the time he served but his commitment to serve others continued.

Larry, myself and our sons, Paul and Matthew, moved to West Kill in 1985. Larry joined the Town of Lexington Fire Company in 1985 and was Chief from 1992 – 1995 and 1997 – 2005.

He served his community in several capacities. He was a Trustee of the West Kill United Methodist Church, drove ambulance for the Lexington Rescue Squad, initiated the Junior Firefighter program, organized, led and attended demonstrations at schools for Fire Prevention Week, Lexington Youth Summer Program and community events. He was instrumental in the purchases of new fire/rescue equipment, always participated in parades and was President of the Greene County Fire Investigation Team for many years and Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Lexington.

Paul and Matthew have both continued to carry on Larry’s legacy in their careers to help others honoring the example of their father’s service.

We are extremely proud and grateful that Larry was selected to receive the Greene County Memorial Veteran Award on May 18 at 10 a.m. at Catskill Point in the Freightmasters Building.

Larry was always a Marine and proud of his service to his country. He fulfilled his duty with courage, honor and dedication. His final battle was fought with valor – a true Marine.” Larry’s Ceremony will be on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10 AM, at The Point, Catskill, NY. All are invited to honor Larry.

Now for active military news from proud father, David Rikard. A Certificate of Achievement was awarded to Private First Class Jamison Rikard on February 23, 2024 “For exceptional performance during the Field Artillery “Hell” Squadron during Table XVIII certifications. PFC Rikard’s hard work, dedication to duty, professionalism, and selfless service greatly contributed to the successful accomplishment of the Field Artillery Squadron’s mission. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Bulldog Battery, the field Artillery Squadron, 2D Cavalry Regiment and the United States Army.” Please read with attentiveness all the words in quotes and give thanks for the young people of character giving so that we have our Democracy. Thank you Jamison for your service and thank you David for sharing Jamison’s honorable duty.

What a wonderful brunch and feeling of community spirit that was enjoyed by so many of Sunday AM, April 14, at the West Kill Community Hall. Friends Cynthia and Howard Mattson from Gilboa attended this year after first enjoying the brunch a few years ago. Now they watch for the annual announcement in the Prattsville Scoop and make sure they attend. Enjoyed exchanging a few news tidbits with them. Got to meet Mary Cline’s sister Pat who was there with Ron and Mary Cline. She is so sweet as is Mary LOL. Gurley family members, three in number – Christina, Conrad and Tanner – traveled from St. Johnsville to join family members Bob and Ginny and Bob Jr. and exchange family news over great and generous breakfast food. Informed Laurie Dippold that she is in fact related to the Gurleys via Deyo ancestry. Shout out to Pat and Schuyler Minew, Carole and Glen Howard, Marianne and Johannes Krauss, Bob and Ann Donovan. Those working tirelessly were Chris Dwon, Nancy Dippold, Nancy Orr and many others whom I do not know their names. Proceeds will be used to improve certain parts of the building and to bring other areas up to required standards. Wonder how many know that some of the heavy wooden chairs in use at the tables date back to the 1940’s and maybe beyond. When dances were held at the Hall, there used to be a shallow platform that ran around the parameter of the room and these same said chairs were set upon the platform for the dancers to rest between the squares. Or those up to it, would slow dance and flirt. Oh for the good ole days.

Mark your calendars for June 1, Saturday, for the Reform Church of Prattsville Chicken BBQ on the lawn of the Parsonage Home on Main Street, across from Jim’s Great American, Will have more details to share as the date becomes closer. Always delicious.

Wear purple a few times during April, Month of the Military Child, as noted by the National American Legion Auxiliary. And May is the Official Poppy Month and May 24 is National Poppy Day. At this time would like to thank so many of you for your very generous support of our Poppy Program over the past many years. Due to your generosity many local veterans and those veterans hospitalized long term at the Stratton VAMC Albany are able to receive gifts and help that let them know they are not forgotten and are in fact appreciated. Thank you.

Well, we had a masked caller the other night. Neither porch light nor appearances of homeowners scared him away. But a shout and double barrel shotgun blast scared him away. You got to be careful of those nasty raccoons, their feces carry bacteria that is very harmful, and sometime fatal, to the very young. Everyone, always wear shoes outside. The good news is no subsequent sightings have occurred.

Happy Birthday to Randy Brainerd on April 20. Happy Birthday to Waylon Koerner-Fox on April 22;

Happy Birthday to Mary Powell. Happy Anniversary to Jane and Joe Concato on April 26.

News: gurleyrv@gmail.com or 518-299-3219.