Let’s Catch Up… by Pat Larsen - The Best of Times

Something new…An Advice Column from Author and Columnist PAT LARSEN

For Baby Boomers and Seniors 

Look, the 50’s and 60’s were the best of times.

Am I right, Baby Boomers? 

So, let’s set the record straight…we may be getting older but we’re still here!  

We have questions about navigating this fast paced environment  and understanding how we can still contribute and remain relevant in an ever changing world. I’ve got lots of contacts that can help us understand it all.  

LETS CATCH UP can mean…learning something new OR

LETS CATCH UP by sharing a memory  from “back in the day.”

Think of it as “your column” too.  

By taking a moment to ask a question,

You’re also helping those in our generation to learn or reminisce or even vent.

Here’s how to contact me with your questions…

Gone are the pen to paper  days…so please  EMAIL ME  with your questions at…Pelarsen528@gmail.com

… In the subject line write…  LET’S CATCH UP  then add your question below. Keep it simple.

Be sure to let me know your first name and last initial and where you’re from.

Here’s a  “real “ recent question I received just…

Dear Pat, 

What ever happened to the glory days of being the generation that led the way for sooo many  great changes in this world? I feel like we no longer matter. What do you think? 

Roseanne  T. 

Athens, NY (a faithful Porcupine reader).

Hello Roseanne!!!!

Thank you for sharing such an important sentiment that I hear over and over again from so many in our age group. 

I have a better perspective on our ‘generation’ because I do talk to and write about us pretty much all the time.

Here’s some thoughts that I’ll share as a reminder IF any of us are feeling the pangs of irrelevance. 

WHO’S AGING? Yup we are… just like fine wine.

Life as a BOOMER is definitely about “slowing down and aging gracefully.

We’re a new kind of COOL, again. 

Feeling groovy, yes we are.

Better Boomers…this newest version has been there and done that …we’ll just let the 

Gen…”whatevers” try to catch up. They won’t.

WE CAN DISH IT OUT…like absolutely no other generation.

NO ONE’S washing our mouths out with Ivory any longer.

(well, maybe just a few of us still need that threat)

WE are the wise ones now…

You have a question about something that doesn’t involve artificial intelligence …

ASK AWAY.

WHAT ever happened to GROOVY…? We copyrighted it and it’s ours forever now.

We celebrate EVERYDAY WISDOM.

Curious about  us? Just ask already or forgetaboutit.

Slow and steady cause we can and have earned that right.

We Grew up and grew into our new roles as the BB’s…drum roll please.

We are pure joy regarding everything.

No generation laughs MORE.

We can give you advice from THEN and for NOW. 

Here’s an idea…speak up and stand tall.

We’re the wisdom whisperers and the advice givers. 

YOOOO HOOO!!!! We actually will listen when you need us to.

We’ll remain quietly respectful as you repeat yourself or  tell the same story several times because YOU forgot you did…NOT just a senior moment thing.

We have been the BEST of THE BEST…and then  this happened. THEY forgot we were.

Both literally and figuratively our amazing generation has such a wealth of real knowledge that we can share…face to face or via text and will continue to do so despite being overlooked.

That’s my “mic drop” moment and “I’m done!” 

Roseanne, THANK YOU FOR ASKING…

Sincerely,

Pat Larsen

Let’s Catch up Advice Columnist  for The Mountain Eagle Publication

Recent recipient of the award for TOP FIVE CHANGE MAKERS in Greene County.

Author of  Reflections. Anything but an Ordinary Life. (coming soon)

Weekly Fitness Baby Boomers @ The Shamrock House in East Durham

Do you have a question? Perhaps a memory you’d like to share…?

Some stuff that you’d like to stir up!

Please Email me at Pelarsen528@gmail.com 

THIS IS a column written by a BABY BOOMER for BABY BOOMERS.

So ask away. 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Adaptive Sports Foundation Welcomes McClain to Board of Trustees

WINDHAM —  The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the lives of individuals with disabilities through adaptive sports, is pleased to announce the appointment of Rick McClain to its Board of Trustees. With a wealth of leadership experience and a deep commitment to ASF's mission, Rick brings invaluable expertise to the organization.

Rick McClain is a Senior Vice President at Fiserv, overseeing the firm's International Real Estate portfolio. Before serving in various leadership roles with the company domestically and abroad, Rick sailed aboard commercial ships as a Bridge Officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine, primarily in the Oil & Gas industry.

Rick's journey with the Adaptive Sports Foundation began in 2006 when he joined as an instructor trainee. Despite professional obligations leading him to Europe in 2018, Rick remained deeply engaged with the ASF, serving as a member of the Junior Board and playing a vital role in the organization's corporate fundraising efforts. His experience participating as an ASF runner in the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon further deepened his connection to the organization's mission and inspired his current efforts to become more involved.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rick McClain to the ASF Board of Trustees," says John Iannelli, Executive Director of the Adaptive Sports Foundation. "Rick's belief in our mission, extensive experience, and proven track record in fundraising and corporate engagement make him an invaluable asset to our organization. His ability to secure significant and recurring contributions from corporate partners has been instrumental in advancing ASF's initiatives and programs. We look forward to working together to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities."

Rick holds an undergraduate degree from Maritime College and a graduate degree from NYU Stern School of Business. He is actively involved in several professional and community organizations, including the St. Andrew's Society of New York and the Maritime College Alumni Association. When he's not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Shannon, and their young daughter, Marion.

"As our newest ASF Board Member," says ASF Chair Vince Passione, "Rick brings a fresh perspective and deep desire to further the organization's impact. His leadership and strategic vision will undoubtedly contribute to ASF's ongoing success and help strengthen our community."

Rick embraces his new role on the ASF Board with enthusiasm. He is eager to expand his involvement with the organization and make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Currently celebrating the organization's 40th season, the ASF Board of Trustees is thrilled to welcome Rick to his new role at such an exciting and pivotal time in the organization's history.

About Adaptive Sports Foundation: The mission of the Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) is to empower lives through adaptive sports. The ASF provides profound, transformative experiences for children and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, individuals with chronic illnesses, and wounded United States veterans through outdoor physical fitness, education, support, and community. 

For more information about the Adaptive Sports Foundation and its programs, visit adaptivesportsfoundation.org.

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Ashland Speaks

By Lula Anderson

Did you ever go up (or down ) Palenville Mountain, look at the houses hanging above the gorge, and wonder who lives there? Well, on Sunday, 40 members of WAJPL and Mt Top Golden Agers got a chance of a lifetime to take a tour of the "exclusive" parks in the Tannersville, Haines Falls area.  Thanks to DeDe Thorpe who came up with the brilliant idea, to George Kelly, Trustee of the Village of Tannersville who supported the trip, and gave a very generous donation to the Kaaterskill Trolley Co., to Kody Leach, the manager of the Kaaterskill Trolley Co who donated the use of the trolley to us and acted as tour guide so we could get through the small, twisty roads and a big thankyou to Barbie Swanson, resident of Twilight Park who, not only got us permission to enter the private grounds, but also, opened her house to us and provided us with cucumber sandwiches and iced tea.  Our Trolley driver, Kelly O'Brian did a wonderful job of maneuvering the roads, and was so considerate of our needs (i.e. adequate pit stops for Senior Citizens).  Thank you, Kelly.  

I, for one, very much enjoyed  the excursion into Onteora Park, as I used to clean many of the houses there.  What memories, what stories I had to share.  Seeing all of those houses makes me think back to the days when I could still run up and down the many stairs carrying my cleaning products.  Making the beds up "just so", as each person had his own way for the sheets and blankets to be put on.  That was before fitted sheets when we had to make tight hospital corners on the sheets.  What work we put into those houses, but we were lucky that they employed locals.  

The Ashland Community Church still has chicken halves to sell after their BBQ on Saturday.  As of this morning, they had 20 bags of 2 for 410.00 each.  Call Bob Ferrris at 518-734-3942.  

WAJPL Spring luncheon was held on Thursday at Prominence Restaurant near the Alpine Plaza in Windham/ Hensonville line.  We had a full house of 80 people, and the service was great.  Everyone went out fully sated, and most had doggie bags.  We had 30 baskets of items to be raffled off and all had a very enjoyable day sitting, eating, and catching up with their friends.  

Don't forget this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and please come to the VFW on Rt 23 for the Chili Cookoff and fundraiser for the Veterans' Monument for the Town of Jewett.  On the way to, or from, make sure you stop at my house just before the turnoff to Rt 17, Jewett Mountain, on Rt 23 for my yard sale benefitting the Ashland Community Church.  

June 1 is the WAJPL Blood Drive at the Windham Ambulance/ Senior Citizen building from 9 - 1.   all 1-800-733-2767 or www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code Windham  Ambulance.

AS I REMEMBER IT

Last week I shared Monday, Wash Day, and had many women, both on the trolley trip, and at our meeting, commenting on the memories that that brought back.  We laugh though, because most of them had already washed, dried, folded and put away two loads of laundry before they came to the meeting.  I know of one person who used to do her laundry at night when she couldn't sleep, because she no longer had to wait for a sunny day to put it on the line.  Anyhow......

Tuesday was the day to iron.  This was before the days of permanent press, when all the sheets, pillowcases, dresses, shirts, blouses and handkerchiefs had to be ironed.  The clothes that had been taken off the line still damp, had been rolled up and put aside for today.  There were no electric irons, and the irons we had were heavy, cast iron.  We had several of them, each about 3 inches long and about 2 inches wide without handles.  The wood, or coal stove would be going, and the irons would be put on the top to heat up.  Each iron had a slot in the center where a wooden handle would be hooked on.  Then you had to test to see if it was hot.  Spit on your finger and touch the iron quickly.  If it sizzled, it was ready. Then you would try it, gently, on the garment to make sure it wasn't too hot and burn an imprint into the item being ironed.  Unroll the laundry, pick out an item to be ironed, and make sure it was damp enough.  If not, it had to be sprinkled with water to build up steam.  We had a soda bottle with a sprinkler top.  Don't get the item too wet, but wet enough for the wrinkles to come out.  This was especially important for the items that were starched.  When the iron got too cool, it was put back on the stove and another was used.  Some had cast iron  irons that looked like the small travel iron of today,  without a cord, of course.  These had a spiral handle that was permanently attached.  Now a days, these are all doorstops.  

All day long, we would iron sheets, pillowcases, doilies, dresses, dress shirts, quick press pants to put a center crease in, fold or hang immediately so it wouldn't get creased.  Heat the iron, test the iron,  sprinkle, fold.  Such hard work.

Even with an electric iron, I could not manage my husband's uniforms as much as I tried.  To get Military creases was too difficult, so I  had to send those out to be professionally done.  

Today I say Thank you to the inventor of Permanent Press.  Do you even know where your iron is????

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Earth Day Cleanup a Great Success

Special thanks to Bobby J

TANNERSVILLE — Earth Day/24 held at the Mountaintop Library on May 4th was a great success. In addition to displays, presentations, workshops, plantings, and student environmental art, MTP encouraged residents and visitors alike to join together on Saturday May 18th at Rip Van Winkle Park - Tannersville - for trail cleaning and the removal of litter found on several local trails. The area was the park around Tannersville Lake, the playgrounds and beach area, and the trails that "reach out" from that location. Opened in 1998, "Huckleberry Trail" (Clean areas 1 and 2) runs 2.3 miles east and west from Tannersville Lake and Rip Van Winkle Park. The trail ends at Bloomer Road, Hunter on the west and at Clum Hill Rd., Haines Falls on the east. Area #3 is the public access are including the beach, playground and lakeside area. Area #4 is the connection trail from the Park to Main Street, Tannersville along the Sawkill Creek. The Sawkill joins the Gooseberry Creek at the park and runs into the Schoharie a bit further. This is a new trail area - presently being cleared and developed. Today it received special attention... and gave up its trash!   

The Trail cleaning took place over two hours and returned to the Park Pavilion at noon for a "Potluck" picnic. Pizza, Hot Dogs, cookies, cake, and other treats were offered and enjoyed. Meanwhile, the trash collected - recyclable material and standard trash - were separated and packed into trash bags supplied with gloves by the Catskill Watershed Corporation. These materials are made from environmentally friendly, biodegradable/compostable materials. As you can see in the group photo attached, the trash "haul" was quite the load.... 

And, the MTP group and its environmental volunteers.... including staffers from the Hunter Foundation.... smiled.... We encourage visitors and resident hikers to carry out whatever they carry in along the hike....  Leave no trash behind... "Carry In/Carry Out."

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

First WiM Event a Success

WINDHAM — The Adaptive Sports Foundation (ASF) concluded its first Warriors in Motion® (WIM) program of the season on Thursday afternoon after three days of road cycling in and around Windham. 

The ASF welcomed eight U.S. Military veterans to its Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center on Tuesday afternoon, where the warriors met with the ASF staff and volunteers who would be riding along with them during the week. The warriors were fitted for their safety equipment, bikes and adaptive equipment before sitting down for a lunch and listening to safety tips about cycling on the road. Once everyone was ready to go, the WIM group set out for a ride around town. The participants began their ride from the Windham Mountain Club parking lot, riding along South Street before taking a right onto NY-296 heading into Hensonville. After passing Windham Town Hall and entering the heart of the hamlet, the riders turned left onto County Route 65, took a left onto NY-23 and rode through the town of Windham before turning on South Street again and completing the 9.5-mile loop back to Windham Mountain Club. The veterans then checked into their hotels to get ready for a 5:30 p.m. dinner back at the ASF lodge, catered by Jessie’s Harvest House.

Tuesday’s picture-perfect weather didn’t translate into Wednesday, as the planned cycling trip on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail was canceled due to rain. Instead, the WIM group enjoyed a group breakfast at the Windham Diner before heading to Haines Falls for a mile-long nature walk near Kaaterskill Falls. The warriors and volunteers returned to the ASF lodge to enjoy a lunch from Hickory Hill Market before deciding to go for a quick afternoon bike ride since the rain halted in the area. The WIM group set out for a ride along NY-23 to Elm Ridge and back and despite getting sprayed with water from passing cars on the road, they completed the 9.2-mile trek. The warriors were able to go back to their rooms for a shower and return to the Gwen Allard Adaptive Sports Center for another dinner.

The week’s final ride on Thursday morning departed from the Windham Mountain Club parking lot with aspirations of riding to the Prattsville Town Park, but the incessant rain cut the ride short almost as soon as it started. The riders made it down Windham Mountain Club’s long driveway before the decision was made that it was too wet, and the rain was affecting the cyclists’ vision. The WIM participants rode back to the ASF lodge to chat about the week and eat an early lunch before they departed. 

In total, the WIM riders traveled about 20 miles on their bikes this week.

“The ASF’s WIM program is important to me because it helps me cope with my depression and anxiety,” U.S. Army veteran Alberto Corales said. “It also gives me the opportunity to meet other veterans, which lets me know I’m not the only one. I have other people I can relate to, we share information, share activities and camaraderie. It has been very helpful and I’m looking forward to many more events.” 

The next WIM event will take place on May 29 when the ASF will head to Bear Mountain for its first of two hiking excursions.

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - Last Child in the Woods” Won’t be from a Catskill School

That's one happy camper, or should I say, fisher! Fishing was a bit slow but this persistent Catskill fifth grader kept going until he landed a nice pumpkin seed; a common member of the sunfish family. The whole Fifth grade at Catskill Elementary got to go fishing and kayaking for two days on the Catskill Creek; connecting them to the outdoors all while having a great time. 

The Catskill Central School District Fishing Program kicked into high gear once again this May. Fifth-graders under the leadership of Catskill’s Athletic Director, Brian Smith started their day with the long walk from the Catskill Elementary School (CES) to the banks of the Catskill Creek by the high school.  

 The annual event coalesced when Catskill’s Fishing Program dovetailed with their long-running Kayak Program. This year, it took four days to get over 80 fifth-graders fishing and kayaking through the now joined programs. 

 Students took turns kayaking on the creek while the onshore squad got an abbreviated version of Fishing “101”, then commenced to dunking worms. Fishing was conducted under the guidance of staff from the Dicks House of Sports Outdoor Education Program of Latham, plus teachers, Cait Davis, Eric Joyce, school staff, and parent-volunteers doubling as freshwater fishing aficionados. 

 Dicks House of Sports Outdoor Education Program partners with schools in the Capitol District with Catskill CSD’s Fishing Program being among the most active.

 Fishing was a bit slow this year but a number of happy students caught and released their first fish, while other first timers and newcomers vowed not to be “skunked” on their next outing, now that they are “hooked” on fishing.  Judging from the smiles and excitement, it’s safe to say a good time was had by all. Seed funding in the form of a generous grant from the non-profit, Catskill Educational Foundation, enabled the creation of the Fishing Program at the Catskill District a number of years ago.

 On-water safety for this week’s events was provided by Marine Law Enforcement patrols from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies aboard their law enforcement vessel maintained a safe perimeter for the other half of the program where students were introduced to the world of kayaking on the Catskill Creek. Sheriff’s Deputies kept a close eye on the fifth-grade kayakers as their mentors safely introduced them to the sport. NYS DEC Police ECO Jason Smith was also on hand worming hooks, detangling lines, and mentoring both new and experienced kid-fishers.

 This year’s events on the creek would not have been possible without the continued effort of newly appointed Catskill Central School District Athletic Director, Brian Smith. Brian has been teaching physical education at CES for 19 years and serves as the varsity golf coach, golf coordinator for the Patroon Conference, as well as the District’s Aquatics Program Coordinator. At the inception of the program over five years ago, Brian garnered support from CES Principal John Rivers, who immediately recognized the value of enhancing students connecting to nature while kayaking and now fishing under Brian’s direction.

 Catskill’s Fishing Program had its first event back in October of 2019 when 35 middle schoolers fished North Lake with the assistance of staff from Dicks Sporting Goods, DEC, and school employees. That was the first-time fishing was added as an activity to the “Greater Sense of Place Program” (GSOP). GSOP is run by Catskill Middle School social studies teacher/outdoorsman, Dave Taylor. GSOP has been an innovative, forward-thinking program at Catskill CSD for well over 40 years. 

 Each October, Catskill middle schoolers are introduced to the wonders of nature as well as local places of interest that exist right in their own backyard. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, and geo-caching plus much more. It also includes immersive instructional experiences at local businesses and landmarks. The time honored GSOP program introduces kids to the many adventures that exist all around them. 

 Dave Taylor also oversees the Catskill Middle School Fishing Club. The fishing equipment used in this week’s kayak/fishing program was purchased at the formation of that club. Bait and tackle were supplied by Catskill’s Tom Gentalen of River Basin Sport Shop. 

 Getting kids connected to the outdoors is a critical component of GSOP, the Catskill Middle School Fishing Club, and the Fifth Grade Kayak/Fishing Program. Renowned author, Richard Louv tackled the topic of connecting kids to nature in his 2005 literary work, “Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder.“ It has been described as a work that, “…documents decreased exposure of children to nature in American society and how this ‘nature deficit disorder’ harms children and society.”

 While we should not be unduly alarmed at the seemingly growing trend where kids and adults grow less connected to the natural environment, it remains a topic of concern. Kids especially are spending an inordinate amount of time on screens, and according to the author, often view nature as a distant intangible, not recognizing the abundance of the natural world all around them. 

 They’re likely to be more familiar with problems like disappearing rain forests or the plight of dwindling African Elephant populations on a global conceptual level rather than recognize serious threats and destruction of their environment right where they live.

 Fishing, aquatics, and innovative program like GSOP help immerse students in the beautiful and often sensitive ecosystems right in their own backyards. Our surrounding woods, waters, wetlands and mountains offer cheap and often times free opportunities to safely explore local wonders of nature.

 Let’s help kids, their parents, and teachers, safely connect them to the outdoors so we ensure “The Last Child in the Woods” won’t be one lucky enough to have been a Catskill student.      

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!

News and Notes…

Norton Hill Wildlife Club’s 2024 Trap Shooting Schedule 

Trap shooting at Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville begins at 10:00 am on the following Sundays: June 9th and 16th, July 14th and 28th, August 4th and 25th, and on September 15th and 29th.  Cost is just $5.00 per round. Bring your own ammo. Trap shooting is open to all; you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

  

  

 Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

BETTER THAN HEARSAY - Brothers Forever

By Michael Ryan

LEXINGTON - Christine Down had a quiet conversation with her husband Larry Dwon, last Saturday morning, a few hours before he was given the posthumous Greene County Veteran Memorial Award.

The tribute recognized Corporal Dwon’s service during the Vietnam War with the United States Marine Corp 5th Division, often engaged in the deepest deadly depths of combat. 

“My father never spoke to us about his time in the Marines,” said Dwon’s son Matthew, one of many speakers for the event, held at Catskill Point.

“My brother [Paul] and I didn’t even know about his decorations until after he passed away,” Matthew said, referring to his father’s breathtaking assemblage of military medals and citations.

Corporal Dwon received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross) and Republic Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Action).

He was a decorated Rifle Marksman and was given the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, fighting with his comrades in hellish places such as the Quang Tin Province.

Corporal Dwon was enmeshed in Operation Union II, a particularly deathful search and destroy mission in the Que Son Valley.

Official reports say 110 Americans gave their lives and 241 were wounded while 701 were reportedly killed from the People’s Army of Vietnam,  between May 26 and June 5, 1967.

Laying down his weaponry upon returning stateside, Corporal Down transferred his national patriotic duty to community oriented deeds.

Private citizen Dwon belonged to the West Kill United Methodist Church, was fire chief for the Lexington Fire Company and a driver for the  

volunteer Lexington Rescue Squad.

He initiated the Junior Firefighting program, served as president of the Greene County Fire Investigation Team and was the no-nonsense, eminently fair code enforcement officer for his adopted town.

Cancer claimed Mr. Dwon in the autumn of 2005, spending his waning days in his home garden with Christine and their winged visitors, hummingbirds Matilda and Rupert who Mr. Dwon photographed elegantly.

Mrs. Dwon will tell you unflinchingly that the hummingbirds still serve as mystical messengers between she and her husband.

“I talked to Larry today,” Christine whispered in the minutes leading up to the respectful veteran’s award ceremony. “I told him ‘we did it.’”

She meant getting this solider the dignity he deserved - and that Corporal Dwon would sternly remind you it was nowhere near his alone.

“My father knew his country was greater than himself,” son Mathew said. “There is one day I will never forget. I was working with him when somebody walked up to him and said, ‘Happy Birthday.’

“I thought to myself, ‘it’s not my dad’s birthday,’ but he turned to me and said it’s the Marine Corp’s birthday. Marines never quit being brothers.”

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

MOUNTAINTOP LITTLE LEAGUE

Opening Day

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - It’s a different world we live in, many people will tell you, which was the unchanging charm of Opening Day at the Mountaintop Little League, on a recent Saturday morning.

The ceremonial first pitch was tossed by Greene County sheriff Pete Kusminsky, right down the middle if Stumbo the Giant was batting.

Otherwise, it was way too high for Yankees catcher Beau Landi to snag, even bouncing on a trampoline, although that was swiftly forgotten.

“Let’s play ball,” the kids shouted, setting in motion another season for the league which dates back to the late 1950’s.

Several folks were on hand who could pleasantly reminisce about when they suited up on the exact same field or a similar, pint-sized ballpark.

“When I first came to Windham, it was a Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn world,” said former Knights of the Road president Bruce McNab.

McNab didn’t play ball at the South Street diamond where a hundred or more kids have signed up this year for little league and t-ball.

He grew up in Brooklyn before settling here fulltime, working for the state police and, when he was off duty, serving with the Knights of the Road, longtime sponsors of the little league.

“This place is like home to me,” McNab said, gazing at the outfield grass, soft and green as it always is, and Old Glory waving gently in an easy spring breeze out beyond the centerfield fence.

Nothing different there, and there was much familiar too for Pete Varelas, a onetime little league all-star, on duty with the Windham police department for Opening Day.

Varelas got a faraway look in his eye, remembering the night he poked one over the left field fence at the same H.B. Moore Field, smacking the wall of the house that is still there.

His coach was Jere Baker, the reliable machinery-fixer guy In the hamlet of Maplecrest who these days measures his age in centuries, not decades, if that tells you anything.

Well, maybe Jere’s not quite that ancient but Varelas also recalls ripping a grand slam at Hunter-Tannersville school when he was playing for the Windham-Ashland-Jewett school nine.

“I hit it off Jerry Burns. Whenever I see Jerry, I remind him,” Varelas says, smiling, noting he still has the ball which rolled down to Main Street in Tannersville and was retrieved for posterity. 

Tyrel Sherman is the Knights of the Road president and the fire chief for the Hensonville Fire Company these days. Back in his little league prime, he cranked 14 homeruns one season, clearing the fence by a country mile.

“There were a bunch of us who used to do it,” Sherman said, mentioning Matt Blanden, Justin Lonecke and Jean Aplin.

“Not true,” said Aplin, perhaps one of the first females to suit up for the Mountaintop Little League, before that became not different at all.

Aplin, the league vice-president and a coach on one of the four little league teams, goes by the married name Jaeger these days, saying, “I hit a few out in practice but never in a game.”

Billy Scarey never did either. He was on duty with Varelas for Opening Day, dressed in Windham police officer blue rather than the black and gold he wore when suited up with the little league Pirates.

Scarey was a singles hitter and, according to him, played the “best position on the field,” which in his mind was behind the plate.

Most kids hate it back there, given the control, or lack thereof, a 10-year old kid has over their pitches, but Scarey marches to his own baseball drum.

“I loved being the catcher because I couldn’t catch anything in the outfield,” Scarey says, passing what are affectionately called the tools of ignorance on to his son, William Jr., who, unlike his dad, could and did go yard.

Sheriff Kusminsky, meanwhile, was a down-mountainer, playing in the Palenville little league, later coaching in the Cairo little league.

Kusminsky says he was a second-sacker with no shot at the Big Leagues but adds, “I’ll do anything to support kids,” explaining why it was easy breezy, traveling to Opening Day where the joy of it never changes.

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD