The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

Prattsville – You need to have multiple bodies to enjoy and take part in all the activities that our area is offering. There are concerts, shows/plays, craft vendors, vegetable stands, yard sales, museum visits, and car shows.

The American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 and American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327, Prattsville, hosted a BBQ at the Stratton VAMC on July 10. Those attending and helping to serve and spend the time and food with the residential veterans were Shelly and Elliott Brainard, Marianne and Johannes Krauss, Pat Minew and Nancy Orr. Due to last minute family obligations, six others had to attend other functions. There will be other events in the future. The funds were made available through bottle deposit returns and a large and heartfelt thank you to all who continue to donate their returnables to this cause. Your love and care are appreciated.

Congratulations to Ann O’Hara and Steve Majoris on their recent marriage. May their happiness be multiplied in many, many years of marriage.

Claudia and Ray Bracaliello wish to share with us. Claudia does a lot of reading of “Throw Away” mysteries and they enjoy going to G-Jimmees and Ray gets a twist and Claudia tries one of the hard ice creams. Yum! Claudia continues to work on a lap robe for the VA, “but only a row or two at a time, while Ray watches the “Grit”. The old cowboy shows, if he is not watching baseball, but when watching baseball he yells at the TV telling them what they should be doing, but they do not listen. He keeps calling the Yankees ‘The losers’”. Claudia had cataract surgery, after her doctor said she could have them whenever she wanted them. She opted for the surgery “And it certainly has made a difference in the clarity of my vision, at least in the one that has been done. Colors are amazing! It was done at the Albany Eye Surgical Center, which I guess is where most of the eye surgeries in the Albany area are done in Latham. Quite an interesting facility. Well run.” Have news of Claudia’s brother Andy and family. “Andy and Holly( and Tila the dog) are now living in a “ Senior Community” that will provide care as needed if things change. Holly has been ill since January. Starting with A-Fib which required a pacemaker that needed replacement and then MERSA, which Drew is sure because of the replacement. She then had at least one stroke and was in hospital and rehab through February. She has not lost physical ability, except balance and weakness as result of hospitalization, but recent memory is nonexistent, uses a walker and much supervision. So they are in the process of selling the house in Stone Ridge so they can afford this place in MA, which is close to Wendy, their younger daughter. Their new address is Andy and Holly Lutz, Suite 201, New Horizons, 400 Hemenway street, Marlborough MA 10152…..Their church had a wonderful service wishing them well and thanking them for all their work for [the [last] almost 60 years, on 23 June. We wish our hometown gentleman and his family all the best.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Elsie Stuppert. Elsie had recent hip surgery and is in the care of her family. Wish we could have some of her delicious German food. Thanks for the happy meals at the Hideaway Inn.

Feel better wishes go out to Connie Lane, previous Prattsville resident now of Oneonta, Seems a bee took a liking to her causing a bad reaction. Feel better Connie and wishing you a full recovery.

Can vegetables be eye candy? If you want to enjoy the vegetables of our Catskill Mountains, offered by RSK Farms of Prattsville, stop by their place of business on Route 23A, If you stop for one item, you are sure to buy an extra four or five more. Lettuce and squash of every variety, other greens, tomatoes, corn, their famous variety of potatoes, and peaches to mention just a few of what is available. RSK Farms also offers meat, cheese and ice cream. Also there are handmade items for sale from local craftspeople. Aiding in all of this are honey bees from the aviary in Lexington making sure pollination takes place. We took a quick small tour of the gardens close to the vegetable stand. Almost forgot, they also have hanging petunia baskets that have a very pleasant smell.

Had a wonderful five days in New Jersey with family. It was the annual Gurley Family reunion, now numbering 36, but only 24 were able to make it due to flight cancellations and babies. But wait ‘til next year. The family is spread out over the states of New York, New Jersey and Indiana and all look forward to the yearly get-together. Four generations have conversations, food, drinks and an in-ground pool to enjoy and keep them occupied. And the lodgings are free. Here’s to 2025.

Adam and Kelly Brainard, Stephanie Braswell, Shelly and Elliott Brainard enjoyed dinner at the Brandywine on Saturday, the 20th, evening in recognition of Kelly’s birthday. They enjoyed each other’s company and the meal, and why not.

Got a chance to exchange a few words with Sandy, Kathy Sherman’s daughter. You did a good job Kathy with Sandy. She is always smiling and has good news to share.

Rabbits and deer ate our vegetable seedlings. Woodchucks are keeping their eyes on the squash. Raccoons, minus one, have eaten and will eat just about anything that grows. Have a rather large garter snake that probably got that big by eating all those abundant small toads that “were” around. Now we have a skunk that is not afraid to be out and about during daylight hours. During the night they dig divots in the lawn looking for grubs. Oh yeah, the squirrel population is also minus 1.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Kelly (Mrs. Adam) Brainard. She celebrates her birthday on July 21. Happy Birthday to Joanne Lane and John Young on July 27. ON July 28 it is Happy Birthday wishes to Roberta Hull and Shirley Dunham Doroski, Happy Birthday to Lou Kizyma on July 30. On August 1 it is Happy Birthday wishes to Linda Jaeger. On August 2 we wish Emily and Richie Morse a very Happy Anniversary.

Send your happy summer news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219.