SOME THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS - Meandering in the Mountains

Riding shotgun, Emily “Little Em” Sharkey joins her dad for a hayfield run in the tractor, a regular family foray.

St. Theresa's Women's Guild recently donated $1,000 to the Windham Community Food Pantry. On hand for the presentation were (left to right) Hope Restoration Church pastor Cliff Cool, Food Pantry member Dianne Bunce and Womens’ Guild members Marta Dyjak, Joan Oldknow, Dolla Conley, Jessika Schreiber and Anne Akay.

By Michael Ryan

IN THE HILLS - It was too precious to pass over when I noticed a tiny head inside the cab of a big ‘ol tractor in a hayfield, the other day, down in my neck of the woods.

The tractorman, Jay Sharkey, operates End of the Lane Farm outside the village of Cornwallville, on the way up the mountain.

Jay and his better half, Amanda, are the mom and pop of 2-year-old Emily “Little Em’” Sharkey who was, as it turns out, seated in her usual spot.

It’s pretty much a story of wherever the tractor goes, Little Em’ goes with it, at what once was the Sutton farm.

Jay, a former NY City cop, is a nephew to Tommy Sutton, whose ancestors flowed from the town of Ashland to the town of Durham, back in the day.

Tommy Sutton is a legendary police officer in these parts and Little Em’ is named after Tommy’s sister, Grandma Emily.

Word has it the tractor had to have heat and AC before Little Em’ would agree to ride shotgun but either way, she is out in all kinds of weather, regularly joined by her mother, as well.

Seeing the family out doing chores put me in a Thanksgiving state of mind, and we don’t publish a paper, next week, as the boss, Matt Avitable, fashions a well-deserved rest.

I’m very grateful that Matt dragged the Mountain Eagle out of the ashes, keeping it alive and well while not making a ton of money, if any, and probably working in the red.

Sincere thanks also to Liz Page who is the longest tenured reporter at the newspaper, getting her start in 1982 with no previous experience, like virtually all of us under the wing of the first owner, Don Conover.

Conover was a true newsman, patiently giving us time to learn on the job which is the beauty of and luxury of a small weekly paper.

Liz is the backbone of the Eagle, holding the fort in the Stamford office which initially set up in a little church in the middle of town.

Hundreds if not thousands of folks appreciate the work being done at the Windham Community Food Pantry, located at Hope Restoration Church within the town of Windham.

They recently received a $1,000 contribution to the cause from the Womens’ Guild at St. Theresa’s Church, also in Windham.

Up the road a piece, in the village of Tannersville, the musical legacy torch of Robert Manno is being passed to Alexander Platt as the Windham Festival Chamber Orchestra performs on November 29.

Manno founded the orchestra in 2000, leading it with “grace, artistry, and heart,” states a press release on the upcoming concert.

“This year marks a historic and heartfelt moment as we celebrate the passing of the baton to Alexander Platt, a longtime friend and colleague of Bob’s, handpicked to continue this beloved musical tradition on the mountaintop,” the release states.

The concert is sponsored by the Mapleside Fund, honoring Dr. John Farber. Music commences at 7 p.m. at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center including members of the choral ensemble Ars Choralis.