The Prattsville Scoop

Prattsville Fireman Joe Concato and Auxiliary members Abby and Anna Tompkins as flag bearers

Legionnaires Johannes Krauss, Kip Rikard and Bob Gurley and Auxiliary member Rose Randolph

Commander Tompkins and Legionnaire Arnold Jaeger saluting the American Flag

By Abby and Gabby

PRATTSVILLE – Memorial Day. A day to remember those who did their duty and are no longer with us. Enjoy your day with loved ones but remember what Memorial Day is all about. Thank you to our military, those now serving and those who are deceased. They all did their part and continue to do so to maintain our freedoms. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and be sure to thank them for their service.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony sponsored by the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 was definitely one of the most memorable for the parade, ceremony and the number of spectators applauding and waving flags as the veterans marched by. Even with the threat of rain, the multitude of all was one of the best. Thanks you to all – the parade participants, the spectators and those taking part in the solemn tribute to our fallen heroes. Those participating in the parade spanned three counties – Greene, Delaware and Schoharie – and including the Gilboa-Conesville school band, fire companies from Prattsville, Jewett, Ashland, Conesville, Grand Gorge and Roxbury, including the Roxbury Marching Band, the Prattsville Discover Life Church, and the Legionnaires of the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327, Prattsville, and American Legion Bunt Brewer Post 165, Tannersville and American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327. Many veterans and their families were there to offer their thanks to our fallen heroes on this Memorial Day, and extend their “thank you for your service” to our living veterans. With all their outstanding participation, a large and extensive thank you is given to all. THANK YOU on behalf of all our veterans. Please remember them every day. Many of those mentioned above also participated in the Annual West Kill Memorial Day parade and ceremony – 3 Legionnaires of Post 1327. Louis Kizyma, Schuyler Minew, and Bob Gurley and 1 of Post 165, Dana Hommel, and six Auxiliary members. Nancy Kizyma, Pat Minew, Nancy Orr, Ginny Gurley, Rose Randolph and Cathy Martino of Unit 1327. Auxiliary member Rose Randolph played taps at the West Kill ceremonies. She is of a professional level musician and we thank her for her heart rending taps. Thank you Rose. The four young men from the Class of ‘24 who attended the American Legion Boys State in 2023 took part in the ceremony with reciting the Gettysburg Address, Flanders Field and the Response. Commander Chris Tompkins was the official Master of Ceremonies and Arnold Jaeger performed all duties of the Chaplin and the two did the ceremonial raising of the American Flag to full staff. Truly a beautiful ceremony. There were three young men in fatigues marching and took part in the rifle salute. There were so many vignettes to be related but time and space and to avoid forgetting someone’s name, just believe that many took part and performed their duties to the nth degree. In attendance were Legionnaires Commander Chris Tompkins, Arnold Jaeger, Darcy Jaeger-Brand, Kip Rikard, Bob Gurley, Johannes Krauss, Dana Hommel and Mike Meli and Auxiliary members Marianne Krauss, Cathy Martino, Diana Jaeger, Darcy Jaeger-Brand, Rose Randolph, Abby Tompkins, Anna Tompkins and Ginny Gurley. Please see pictures of attendees

Remember to bring your American flags no long suitable for display to the Conine Ball Field in Prattsville on June 13, 7 PM, Thursday for a proper Flag Burning Ceremony, conducted by the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327. You can drop off your flags at any Legionnaire’s home or some business places in Prattsville. Most are or have family members who are part of the American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary and will accept your flags. You are also invited to attend this ceremony on June 13.

MaryJo Oates let us know that her husband, Rev. Elliott Oakes, continues his recovery after coronary surgery some months ago. She said he goes to therapy three times a week in Oneonta. At the facility they have an indoor walking loop and while Elliott is in therapy, MaryJo takes advantage of the walking path. Glad to hear they are both talking care of their health. To Elliott, we say “Thank you for your service.” MaryJo did her part in supporting our active military by helping with distribution of Poppies, proceeds to be used for our veterans and/or active military.

Thank you to all who helped with this year’s Poppy distribution making it one of the best which will benefit our veterans, locally and at the VAMC. Your generosity will continue to aid all veterans throughout the year.

Shelly and Elliott Brainard are home from their two weeks visit with daughter Alisa in North Carolina. Welcome home.

Had a conversation with Joan Meoli Moore of Grand Gorge, and at one time a resident of Lexington, and Steve Williamson, Constable of the Town of Roxbury, both congregants at St. Philip Neri. They told tales out of school but will leave it at that. The congregation enjoyed breakfast together at St. Philip Neri after Mass.

Good health to Laurel Irwin Van Aken and Theresa Gier of Grand Gorge. Laurel is well on her way to good health and Theresa will need to take it easy for some time after her tumble. Feel better ladies. Special get well wishes go out to Janet Brainerd, former resident of Prattsville.

The Reformed Church of Prattsville is having a chicken barbecue on June 1, Saturday, at noon. The barbecue will be on the parsonage lawn across from Jim’s Great American. Chicken halves are $10, 1 lb. Containers of potato salad and/or baked beans are $4 each. All proceeds will be used in the restoration of the outside of the Church building. The congregation of this Church have put their hearts and souls and labor into getting their Church back to its original glory and we can help them with supporting their efforts by purchasing the chicken and sides. Good luck.

Our (my) second favorite Bob of Route 23A has a sign at his place of business, RSK Farm, that they will be opening for the 2024 season on July 4 at 10 AM. Know he is planning on having lots of vegetables because he has a 10’ (?) high electrified fence with many strands of wire enclosing the fields to be planted. What animal would try to breach that? Know I am not going to try it so Bob you are safe. Hello Sandy. Good luck to RSK Farm for a successful year. Their vegetables are the best.

Lula Anderson, with help from her son, was hosting a yard sale at her home for the benefit of her UMC, Ashland, during the Memorial Day weekend. If you are a crafter, that was the place to pick up all manner of supplies. She also had quilts and crocheted baby items, as well as the usual selection of items you just could not live without. People were leaving with some of the aforementioned and hope it was very successful Lula. Lula said that the unsold items are being meticulously stored and will again be available for purchase at a July 4th Yard Sale at her house. While there she also got a call from a scam artist saying she had won all kinds of prizes and she played them along not letting on she knew it was not on the up and up. Loved her part of the conversation. Needless to say, she did not fall for the scam. You go Lula. Barbara Cook said she had a very successful yard sale over the Memorial Day weekend. Barbara has plenty to offer and it is a sale to be include on you map next time?

Already sampled the ice cream at our soft ice cream parlor. Try their vanilla soft ice cream, pineapple topping and coconut with whipped cream and a cherry. Not for those on a diet. Oh, what the heck, try it at least once. When stopping by after the Memorial Day Ceremony, we were served by owner Geanine Eisel who was near exhaustion. She said it was the busiest day ever in all the years they have been open. Lots of flavors were sold out. But don’t worry, there are always other flavors that are not just substitutes and may become your next favorite. Geanine let us spend extra time reliving many special moments of the day among ourselves, the ages ranging from 22 to 93+. Talk about inclusion! We wish Geanine and staff a very successful summer/ice cream season.

Want to see John Young smile? Just ask him about his children Adalyn and Nolan. And if Grandma Peggy is close by, she has a smile wider than John’s. Peggy was beaming with emotional pride while wearing her late father’s (John Wilkins) Dog Tags on this Memorial Day weekend. Your Father’s service is appreciated Peggy.

Young’s Ace Hardware has a large and varied selection of transplants – vegetables, herbs and flowers and some of the flowers are scented. Stop by before the offerings are gone.

Kaaterskill UMC continue to have their bi-monthly Soup and Sandwich Luncheons, offered the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. They also offer delicious sides and a multitude of of desserts. This past Tuesday was soup, bbq of hot dogs and hamburgers, with three kinds of salads, sides and desserts and beverages. This is a free community affair but freewill donations can be made if so desired or this could be a time to help those whose budgets are tight. Thank you to the parishioners of the Kaaterskill UMC.

Happy Birthday to Beverly Hull Gockel and Gene Brainerd on June 1. Happy Birthday to Peggy Young and Katherine Howard on June 4. On June 5 it is Happy Birthday to Jimmy Hull Jr. On June 7 it is Happy Birthday to Rosanne Cross and Bob Gurley.

How did you spend Memorial Day?