24th Season for The Sap House

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sap House at Stone House Farm in Sharon Springs is BACK this Saturday, February 3rd for their 24th Season of delicious seasonal weekend Pancake breakfasts!

This tradition, ‘Pancakes in the Sap House at Stone House Farm’, is loved and enjoyed by many! Check out all-you-can eat pancakes, maple leaf shaped waffles, maple sausages, coffee, maple milk, orange juice, and all the maple fixings like maple syrup, maple butter, and maple sugar! They also have maple products for purchase too!

With fresh maple syrup from last year to start, the sap will be boiling right in the Sap House during breakfast once the sap runs, the smell is really something to experience for yourself!

They open for their 24th season this Saturday, February 3rd and will run for 12 weekends through April 21st. Breakfast hours are 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM.

The wonderful family behind the Stone House House Farm, the Everetts, have been there since 1964. Tim and Patti Everett took over the farm in 1986, and have been farming ever since! They recently expanded on the dairy side so come by and ask Tim all about it!

The whole family has a love for the maple syrup that runs so plentifully on their property and with all that help, they have been able to increase production each year! In 1994 The Everett’s started selling maple products on the farm and in 2001, decided to take it to the next level by opening up and serving the community these special breakfasts each year.

Stone House Farm currently operates a 5,000+ tap maple syrup operation with a wood-fired evaporator inside the Sap House. It's a family affair as Tim & Patti's daughters and their families (and more) also help with business. Each time you visit, there are several generations working together! 

The Everetts welcome everyone to taste AND learn about maple syrup production February through April, during the traditional sap season.

The Sap House at Stone House is located at 305 Lynk Road, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. For more information, please contact (518) 284-2476 or www.thesaphouseatstonehousefarm.com.

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Sharon Springs Update

By Tori Edwards 

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Springs Spartans are going strong so far this year. They have accomplished so much already and are gearing towards the second half of the school year! The FFA officers of Sharon Springs Central School headed to a new FFA Leadership Series called Ignite, which held 400 students in attendance on January 20th. 

The students who attended were Madison Lynk, Payton Rullman, and Sophia Insonia. Each student took part in the Spark Conference. This directs 8th-grade members and younger on how to evaluate and set goals that express opportunities in FFA for their future. 

Hunter Bolster attended the Fuel Conference which was held for 9th and 10th graders. 

This conference's direction was on learning leadership, growth, and building networks. These students are great opportunists for our little farming community and strong members of the FFA. 

If you are interested in helping the school so they can earn classroom necessities. You can do so by shopping at Price Chopper, just enroll your AdvantEdge Card to https://rewards.pricechopper.com/  the school's code is 16850. All proceeds are donated by Price Chopper and the school earns credit for classroom equipment! Share this with members of your community, the more supporters, the more opportunities the school will be able to earn points! SSCS would like to say Thank You in advance! A part of the Tools for School Program. Let’s Go Spartans! 

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“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

Lots of wet and heavy snow this last week! If you shovel your driveway, you know what I’m talking about. Looks like a bit of calm and consistency in the forecast with little to no precipitation expected, and for temperatures, highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s with a few full sun days possible for next week.

Cherry Valley First Friday is this Friday, February 2nd starting at 5:00 PM! There are lots of activities around town like Open Mic at Telegraph School, Live Music at Red Shed Ale House and more! Weathertop Farmacy is in their new location and will be offering tastings of their shrubs and switchels!

Again, big thanks to snow removal crews and teams for doing such an excellent job at keeping our communities safe.

Happy Birthday to RJ Brykailo, Claude Jackson, Lorraine DiPace, and Angela Lasky! Please wish them a BIG Happy Birthday if you see them around town!

Sharon Springs Rescue Squad

The Sharon Springs Rescue Squad is a cornerstone of the community! With many active members, they are always looking for new volunteers for Drivers, First Responders, Social Members, and EMT’s. SSRS will fund any training that is needed. SSRS meets the first Monday of the month at 7 PM and would be happy to answer any questions on how to support your community. 

The American Legion 

The American Legion Post 1269 of Sharon Springs is looking for new members! If you are interested in becoming an American Legion member, volunteering, or even donating to the many wonderful causes the Legion supports, please contact Commander Paul Todd at (518) 649-0024 for more information.

Sharon Springs Free Library

Book Discussion is Friday February 16th at 6:00 PM. Remember that your library is available online, visit shsfreelib.mvls.info for more information.

Mrs. Fralick offers storytime for children on Thursday's at 10:00 am every week and includes a story or two, a craft, and a snack.

Winter Hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed. 

For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Food Pantry

The Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! They are located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from the school (511 US Route 20, Sharon’s Springs, NY 13459).

They are always accepting donations! If you or someone you know is in need of the Pantry, the hours are Thursday 9:00 am -10:30 am and 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or follow them on Facebook.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

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Silver & Gold Luncheon at “Spa Ritz”

Lemon baked fish with wild rice is a popular Schoharie County OFA home-delivered and congregate meal site meal offering.

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club will hold its first Luncheon Meeting for February at 12 noon on Friday, February 9th at the Office for the Aging’s Meal Site in the Village of Sharon Springs at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road Sharon Springs, NY 13459).

The Silver & Gold Senior Club meets each month and positively contributes to the lives of so many! Members of this monthly club come from surrounding areas including Sharon, Cherry Valley, Cobleskill, Ames, and beyond. 

With Seniors of all ages, this group is welcoming to any and all! It’s a great place to make new friends or just catch up with your community! The after-lunch activities change monthly and are always something to look forward to!

For this February Luncheon, expect a delicious and nutritious meal of roast pork, warm spiced apples, mashed sweet potatoes, garlic green beans, fruit cocktail, brownie and 1% milk will be served at noon. Following lunch the group anticipates a visit from 1st graders at Sharon Springs Central School and afterwards will conduct the business meeting.

Area seniors interested in more information about the club should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055. Those interested in attending the February 9th luncheon meeting must call the Spa Ritz meal site by February 7th at (518) 284-2883 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday 10:00 - 2:00 PM.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse (137 Beechwood Road) M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2:00 PM. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

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Missing Person - Matt Sisson Last Seen in Cooperstown

Matt Sisson has been missing since Friday, Jan. 26 at 7:00 am from Cooperstown.

COOPERSTOWN — Matt Sisson has been missing since Friday, Jan. 26 at 7:00 am from Cooperstown.

Mr. Matt Sisson left Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown on Friday, January 26th at about 7:00 AM with a perforated appendix. There have not been any other sightings since. He does not have a cell phone on him. Matt is 6 ft 1 in, 190 Ibs, bald, with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing red pajama pants and a dark blue EMS jacket with "Chenango Ambulance" on the front. He is very possibly confused and very sick. 

His niece Kate Stankiewicz & family have organized a Facebook Group called ‘Help Find Matt Sisson’ for updates on the search efforts and as a way to reach as many people as possible. The local authorities and State Police are involved. 

Please call 911 with any information or sightings.

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Spartans Girls Fall to Laurens-Milford

SHARON SPRINGS - The Sharon Springs girls rallied but could not catch Laurens-Milford Friday evening as the Cats came away with a 62-53 victory.

Playing at Sharon Springs, Laurens-Milford jumped out to a 23-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. Delaney Maison jump started the Laurens-Milford offense with 13 points in the first eight minutes. The Spartans rallied to outscore the Cats 17-11 in the second quarter to cut the L-M lead to 34-30 at the half.

The Cats, behind 16 points from Maison, took over in the third quarter and led 56-45 going into the final quarter. Sharon's Lilly Tessier and Zane Fassett scored all of Sharon's 15 points in the quarter. The Spartans again rallied in the final eight minutes to outscore L-M 8-6 to make the final 62-53.

Fassett led all Sharon scorer's with 21 points while Tessier added 18 points. Each hit two three-pointers. Maison led L-M with 35 points and hit four threes. Kona Mertz scored nine points for the Cats and Brooke Mann added seven. Each had one three-pointer.

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SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Weekly Recap

The SUNY Cobleskill women’s basketball team won a pair of North Atlantic Conference (NAC) home games over the weekend defeating the Badgers of Vermont State University-Johnson 103-28 on Friday evening then beating the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton 74-47 on Saturday to improve to 18-1 overall including a 9-0 record in conference play. With the victory the Fighting Tigers established a new women’s basketball program record for most wins in a single season Junior forward Antonia May, Amsterdam, N.Y., Amsterdam High School, averaged 19.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 1.5 blocked shots and 1.0 steals during the week connecting on 13-of-25, 52.0%, including 6-of-9, 66.7%, from three-point range while connecting on all of her free throw attempts during the week.

The Fighting Tiger men’s basketball team won two-of-three games during the week losing on the road to the #15 ranked Ephs of Williams College in Williamstown, Ma. 73-53 then winning a pair of North Atlantic Conference (NAC) home contests during over the weekend defeating the Badgers of Vermont State University-Johnson 87-77 prior to beating the Kangaroos of SUNY Canton 99-92 to improve to 13-8 overall on the year including an 8-2 record in NAC Play. Senior guard Andre Starks, Rochester, N.Y., Fairport High School/Corning Community College, tossed in a season high of 30 points in the team’s win over SUNY Canton as part of the week that saw him average 17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game while connecting on 20-of-37 shots from the field, 54.0%.

The women’s indoor track & field team posted a team total of 41 points to place sixth overall in a 17-team field at the 2024 Utica Blue & Orange Invitational hosted by the Pioneers of Utica College in Utica, N.Y. on Saturday. First-year sprinter Julia Aiello, Carmel, N.Y., Carmel High School, placed second overall in the 400-meter dash for the Fighting Tigers in a time of 1:01.50 to go with a fifth place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.19 seconds.

The men’s indoor track & field team posted a team score of 30 points to finish 10th overall in a field of 18 teams at the 2024 Utica Blue & Orange Invitational hosted by the Pioneers of Utica College in Utica, N.Y. on Saturday. Fighting Tiger senior distance runner Nick Logan, Queensbury, N.Y., Queensbury High School, placed second overall in the 800-meter run in a time of 2:02.89 and fifth overall in the Mile-Run in a time of 4:25.84 to lead the Orange & Black.

UPCOMING HOME CONTESTS:

Men’s Basketball vs. SUNY Delhi 2/9, Eastern Nazarene University 2/10

Women’s Basketball vs. Bryant & Stratton-Buffalo 2/2, Eastern Nazarene University 2/10

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Schoharie Valley Concert Band on Broadway

Saturday, February 10 at 7:30PM at CRHS

Snow Date – Sunday, February 11 at 3PM

Conductor Samantha Baldwin has scheduled the Schoharie Valley Concert Band (SVCB) Valentine Pops Concert which features Broadway musicals for Saturday, February 10th at 7:30PM at Cobleskill-Richmondville HS Auditorium with a snow date of Sunday, February 11th at 3PM. Students will be admitted free and the performance is open to the general-public.  

Sarah Tomic will be the featured flute soloist on Warren Barker’s arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz” written by Harold Arlen in 1938. Sarah is a native of Schoharie County and 2007 graduate of Schoharie CSD, where band teachers Jerry Law and Mark Pracher inspired her to pursue a career as a band director. Sarah earned a BA Degree in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a MA Degree in Music Education from Ithaca College.    

At Middleburgh J/S HS, Sarah is the director of the concert, jazz, and marching bands plus the modern band, which she co-founded. She is on the creative team for the annual spring musical, directing the pit band and co-producing the show.  Sarah also directs the Middleburgh Summer Community Band.

Sarah’s full-time teaching career began in New York City, where she created a modern band and directed the concert band at the Young Women’s Leadership School of the Bronx using grant funds she won from Amp Up NYC and VH1 Save the Music.  In 2017 Sarah was selected as the teacher of honor from the Bronx at a gala hosted by Amp Up NYC and VH1 Save the Music. 

As a 2018 Astor Fellow, Sarah attended the International Society for Music Education’s Music in Schools Seminar in Prague. From 2014-2021 she was a participant in the Carnegie Hall Music Educators Workshop.       

Sarah has been involved with the SVCB since she was in elementary school, winning the Donald Webster Solo Competition in the Grade 6-8, Grade 9-11, and Senior categories and performing as the Senior soloist with the SVCB in 2007.  She has enjoyed being a full-time member of the SVCB since 2023.  

“Bright Lights on Broadway” is a medley of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” by Irving Berlin; “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” by Jule Styne; and “Comedy Tonight” by Stephen Sondheim.  

“Dear Evan Hansen” is the story of a student suffering from extreme anxiety who tells a web of lies to be accepted in high school.  Michael Brown’s arrangement of this 2017 Broadway smash hit includes the songs “Waving Through a Window”, “For Forever”, and “You Will Be Found”. 

Alfred Reed’s arrangement of Meredith Willson’s 1957 Broadway production and 1962 film hit “The Music Man” includes highlights from “Till There Was You” and “Seventy-Six Trombones”. 

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Carousel” is a song to comfort main character Julie Jordan after her husband Billy dies.

 “Les Misérables” is Warren Barker’s arrangement of five songs from Claude-Michel Schonberg’s 1980’s musical which dealt with 19th century social unrest and injustice in France.

“Selections from Chicago” is Ted Ricketts arrangement of four pieces from the 1975 musical based on the 1926 play “Chicago” written by Maurine Dallas Watkins about actual criminals and crimes on which she reported. 

Ted Ricketts' arrangement of composer Marc Shaiman’s lightning-fast “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from the 2001 musical “Hairspray” will round out the Valentine Pops Concert program.          

The Schoharie Valley Concert Band is open to all area residents including high school and college students.  Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7-9:15 PM. in the Cobleskill-Richmondville HS band room.  Rehearsals for the Spring Concert Series will begin on March 7, 2024.  For information on how to join the band, please contact Conductor Samantha Baldwin at svcbconductor@gmail.com.

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Winner!

The Schoharie County Conservation Association proudly announces the winner of the Lifetime Hunting License. The winner is Talon Hotaling. Talon is the son of Griffin Hotaling and the grandson of SCCA members, Mark and Tammy Hotaling.  Pictured is (l-r) Mike Zeh, SCCA; Talon Hotaling; Mark Hotaling. 

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C-R Students Explore BOCES Professional Offerings

SCHOHARIE – More than 60 high school sophomores from Cobleskill-Richmondville and Guilderland learned on Jan. 30 about the variety of careers they can prepare for at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center - Schoharie Campus.

The students tried their hands at everything from cooking and baking to curling hair, wiring and more while meeting current students and faculty and gaining insight into the benefits of a career and technical education (CTE).

Some of the interested students were looking checking out career options while others already know what they want to do and want the competitive edge as they looked at the various programs ranging from culinary to heavy equipment to cosmetology offered at the campus.

“I am exploring career opportunities and BOCES is a different way to learn that interests me,” said Serena Holliday, a Cobleskill student, as she dusted for fingerprints on a bottle in the Criminal Justice program lab.

For Guilderland’s Sadie Sefcovic-Eisenhardt, the culinary arts seem to be a nature choice.

“I enjoy cooking and it helps me cope with things so I think it may be a good career,” she said.

Enrollment is currently underway for the 2024-25 school year. For more information on career and technical school programs, go to https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/.

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THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS - A story along the Highway

All your life you have been driving past rock outcroppings. How many times, if ever, have you taken any real notice of them? Well, why should you; they are just rocks, aren’t they? Perhaps, if you have been reading our columns, this has changed; maybe you have been taking notice. We hope so. It isn’t just being able to identify rock types; sometimes there are things that can be pondered, ideas that deserve real thought, even deep thought.

We pondered these notions recently when we passed an outcrop along Rte. 23 where it crosses over the Jefferson Heights Road (Rte. 23A) just west of Catskill. Take a look at our photo. That’s a pretty dull looking pile of rocks, isn’t it. It’s just a gray sequence of stratified rock. What is it that geologists find so interesting in such things? Well – plenty of things. A geologist would first ask what kind of rock is it. Any experienced geologist would immediatel recognize it as a limestone. That would conjure up all sorts of images of the sparkling blue waters of a very ancient shallow tropical sea. This one is the Helderberg Limestone, named for the Helderberg Mountains where these rocks are so common. Once, about 400 million years ago, there was a tropical sea – right there. You can’t help but look around and envision those images.

But there is more, so much more. Those limestone strata are deformed; they are inclined to the right. They were actually physically tilted; we recognize that because we know that strata of all stratified sedimentary rock must have been originally deposited as horizontal sheets. Gravity spreads those sediments out into those sheets. If they are no longer horizontal, then something must have happened to them. 

And that something was mountain building. This location, once a shallow sea, experienced the effects of plate tectonics. Something big, quite likely a sizable piece of Europe, collided with North America. Now, that’s a thought, isn’t it? We geologists have gotten so used to swinging whole continents around – like baseball bats. We pick up one continent and then swing it until it slams it into another. The result, big surprise, is a compression of the rocks on the receiving end. One reaction to this is for those rocks to be folded, and that folding often produces just the sort of tilting that we see here.

These things are so simple to explain, but that gets us back to where we started. It’s so easy to just pass by a rock outcropping and take no notice of such things. Again, they are only rocks. But, then there is more; you can’t help but ponder who was it who first really noticed such things. And, who was it who first asked questions about them? And, most importantly, who first started to answer such questions? You must understand that these simple notions were once incredible feats of original thinking – of true intelligence. Fortunately, we do know who it was. History tells us that. Let’s pursue this next time.

Contact the authors at randjtitus@prodigy.net. Join their facebook page “The Catskill Geologist.” Read their blogs at “thecatskillgeologist.com.”

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Nature Photography at Café Marguerite by Robin Williams

Photographer Robin Williams with artist Peter Mayer and managing editor of State of the Art newsletter Erwin Karl at the opening reception at Cafe Marguerite in Margaretville 

By Robert Brune

MARGARETVILLE — Robin Williams exhibit of nature photography captures extraordinary moments of landscapes, birds, and moonscapes. Williams' photography eye for composition comes from years of practice despite Williams considering herself as an amateur photographer.  The various eagle and heron images have the potential to be worthy of the Audubon Society and National Geographic consideration. In the posted profile at Café Marguerite at 746 Main Street, Margaretville, Williams describes one of the key necessities of documenting magical moments in the wild, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to sit for an hour to get the perfect shot of these majestic raptors.” It’s patience and timing that is clearly displayed in her passion for photography. 

At the opening reception this past Saturday, the space was filled with many of Williams’ friends and other local artists such as Peter Mayer and Erwin Karl of Andes Academy of Art and State of the Art newsletter who were impressed with seeing this exhibition. Also, Gary Mayer artist and co-owner of Art Up gallery dropped by to lend support and encouragement to Williams on her first showing of her photography. 

Williams is a mother of two living in Margaretville, works as an advisor to people who are signing up for Medicare, she enjoys her side gig as a roller derby skater, proudly represents her neighbors as a Middletown Town Board member, and somehow finds time to hold events to raise money for people in the community. Recently Williams and her group of youthful companions raised money for a local woman struggling to make ends meet after being diagnosed with breast cancer at Zadas Bar in Margaretville. Her adventures out into the wilderness are a way for Williams to also spend quality time with her children between her other interests and projects. 

This is highly recommended, taking in the amazing sights of Williams photography with very affordable prices and if you haven’t tried the scrumptious five-star pastries and sandwiches at Café Marguerite, you have to stop in and take this experience in.

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A Conversation About: Ground Hogs

By Jean Thomas

Of course I want to talk about Ground Hogs, also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs or marmots. February 2 is Ground Hog Day and we are inundated with images of a bunch of grown men in nineteenth century finery annoying a rodent. I’d say, “Only in America,” but lots of other countries have equally demented traditions. I’m interested in ground hogs because, as a gardener, I find them to be worthy opponents. Did you know that they can climb as well as they can dig? And their dens are masterpieces of architecture with a tunnel network worthy of a video game design. They’re voracious eaters and will “clean their plate,” that is… they will eat everything to the ground. They don’t take polite tastes like many other of our wild neighbors at the snack bar.                                                                                                          But how come we even have a holiday for a rodent? I have to give credit to those brilliant public relations geniuses in Gobbler’s Knob, PA. It all started with the German settlers in Pennsylvania who brought a religious tradition to the New World called Candlemas Day, which celebrated the halfway point between the shortest day of the year and the equinox. Now this is also associated with pagan celebrations at the same time that got all mingled in. A lot of religious ideas, including the pagan, coordinate with solar and lunar observations. Somehow, in the early 1800s, a hedgehog got added into the legends and, since we have no native hedgehogs on this side of the Atlantic, brer ground hog was drafted as a substitute. Some locals decided to make a festival and invent yet another legend about the woodchuck seeing its shadow when it woke up from its hibernation(or was rudely awakened). By 1897 the festivities were moved to Punxatawney PA and the woodchuck was named Phil. Apparently the second of February is also traditionally a slow news day, and here we all are. One of the few byproducts I approve of is the Bill Murray movie titles, “Groundhog Day.” I don’t know why, but it amuses me.                                                All right, for the last time, I’ll tell you again (maybe you want to pin a copy of this to the fridge): if the little guy sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter and if he doesn’t there will be an early spring. For a much more detailed discussion of this whole issue, and other rodent rumors, listen to the podcast episode of Nature Calls, Conversations from the Hudson Valley. Here’s the link… and you can listen on any podcast platform (it is episode 2): https://ccecolumbiagreene.org/gardening/nature-calls-conversations-from-the-hudson-valley/episode-two-groundhogs-and-other-furry-wildlife.                               If you prefer less outdoorsy stuff, maybe next year we’ll talk about St. Bridget. St. Bridget’s Day is the first of February, and celebrated for a similar reason: the midpoint between the shortest day of the year and the spring solstice. There is an Irish goddess called Bridget, whose legends overlap with the saint. Saint Bridget was an abbess  who died 1500 years ago and is considered the matron saint of Ireland. The pagan celebration of the day is called Imbolc. Let me know if you want to hear more about her. Next month we’ll think about St Partick’s Day, which is also an important gardening date.

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Whittling Away with Dick Brooks - Signs

As I slide down the slippery slope of seniordumb, I have noticed that that as my physical activity level gradually decreases, my powers of observation are increasing.  It may be the approach of my second childhood, which I am looking forward to.  I’m once again finding little things attract my attention more and more.  I spent a very pleasant time one winter morning recently watching a Chickadee.  I admired his skill and hard work pulling seeds through the wire webbing on the hanging feeder until my canine friend Telly got done investigating the possibilities presented by a chipmunk’s disappearance into a drain pipe.  Telly is interested in the little things also and often we have nice discussions about our observations.  He doesn’t contribute much verbally but he’s a very good listener.

As we continued our morning stroll, Telly pointed out to me the number of highway signs in our area by lifting his leg on everyone we passed.  He quickly became dehydrated and we returned home.  Later in the day, we boarded Casper the friendly Kia, and motored off on our appointed morning rounds.  On the mile and a half run into town, we counted 28 highway signs of one form or another.  They told us how fast to go, when to stop, curves to watch out for, what number road we were on, which town we were entering—so much advice in so little space.  Some sign poles had two or three signs on them.

Driving through town and still in sign mode, I noticed how many signs I’d been driving past for years without paying any conscious attention to them.  Some signs were  informative, but most were abrupt and rude.  Maybe I’d discovered why our society seems to be less civil than in years past.  Keep out, No Trespassing, Posted—No hunting, fishing, or any other human activity allowed, No Parking At Any Time. Violators Will Be Towed Away at Owner’s Expense.  The hair on the back of my neck started to rise, I don’t like being told what to do, ask me nicely and I can be talked into anything but don’t tell me what to do.  

I pulled Casper into a No Parking Zone and parked!  We sat there for couple of minutes and kind of enjoyed being violators.  Then, having our fill of naughtiness and hearing the approach of a vehicle that we were sure was a tow truck, we left.  We could have been prevented from breaking the law if the sign had just had been worded, Please Don’t Park Here, such a simple thing but it would have made a difference.  Some signs started off nicely, Welcome to Our Park, Please Help to Keep It Clean, polite and reasonable, but then came No Dogs, Skateboards, Bicycles, Picnics, Fires or Walking on the Grass Allowed.  Might as well go walk in the woods, except most of them are posted.  

Having spent the morning in hard observation, Telly agreed that we should go home for a snack.  Our only problem was the large dump truck in front of us had a bright orange sign on the back that said, “Construction Vehicle—Do Not Follow”.

Thought for the week—Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain.  And most do.

Until next week, may you and yours be happy and well.

Whittle12124@yahoo.com 

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