Iroquois Museum Hosting Blood Drive

HOWES CAVE — The Iroquois Museum will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on July 6, 2024 from 8:00am to 2:00 pm at the Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave. 

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-733-2767 (1-800-RED-CROSS) or sign up online at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code iroquoismuseum or https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time. 

“The Iroquois Museum is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Christina Hanks, President of the Board at the Iroquois Museum.  “This blood drive is our way of giving staff, colleagues and neighbors an opportunity to help save lives.” 

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross.

According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.

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High Street Bridge Reopened

By Elizabeth Barr

RICHMONDVILLE — Richmondville Days Events began on Friday, May 31st with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to acknowledge the reopening of the High Street Bridge. Carl Warner (Cargie), Village Mayor, began his speech by stating, In 1929 the original bridge was erected and it stood steadfast for 95 years. But, in 2011 Hurricane Irene came through and an assessment of the bridge was done.  The bridge was deemed unsafe and had to be shut down. It has been shut down for 12 years. Our previous Mayor, Kevin Neary began the process of replacing the bridge. He got everyone together and got the ball rolling for the reconstruction of the bridge.  It has been 12 years now and we can finally open our bridge back up.

Thanks was given to the following for all their work on this project, Schoharie County Highway Commissioner Dan Crandall, GPI Engineering, ING Civil – Ryan and his team, A & K Slipform, Richmondville DPW, Richmondville Power & Light, Cobleskill Stone Carl feels this is one of the best bridges in Schoharie County. 

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Silver & Gold June Luncheon

At the May Silver & Gold lunch meeting, Ben Strombeck, Manager of Long Future Farms in Cobleskill, shared the Farm’s goal of growing sustainable, balanced and healthy food for the ecosystem.

Roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots and fruit cocktail made for a satisfying spring senior lunch at the OFA “Spa Ritz” in Sharon Springs.

By Alexis Pencar

SHARON SPRINGS — The Sharon Silver & Gold Senior Club will hold its Luncheon Meeting for June at 12 noon on Friday, June 14th (Flag Day) at the Office for the Aging’s “Spa Ritz” Meal Site 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 always open to new members! This is a great place to make new friends and catch up with the community! The after-lunch activities change monthly and are always something to mark the calendar for!

For the June Luncheon, expect a delicious and nutritious meal of roast turkey with gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, buttered Brussel sprouts. beets, whole grain bread, chocolate pudding with cherries, and 1% milk to be served at noon. Kindergarten students from Sharon Springs Central School will visit with the seniors after lunch and share some songs from their upcoming Kindergarten graduation program. The club’s monthly business meeting will be conducted after the Kindergarteners’ presentation.

Area seniors interested in more information about the club should contact Anne Lennebacker, president, at (607) 547-9055. Those interested in attending the June 14th Luncheon meeting must call the Spa Ritz meal site by June 12th 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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New York State Ramps Up Traffic Enforcement

By Jennifer Patterson

Motorists beware – the first full week of June is “Speed Week” across New York, which focuses on speeding, work zone infractions and targeting violations of the recently expanded Move Over Law.

“Speed Week” runs through June 9, with troopers using both marked and unmarked police vehicles to ramp up enforcement. 

According to data from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Traffic Safety Committee, speed is a contributing factor in 30 percent of all traffic fatalities.

“Troopers will be highly visible during this traffic enforcement period and throughout the peak summer driving period,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said in a statement. 

During last year’s “Speed Week” campaign, state troopers wrote nearly 21,000 tickets, more than 10,000 of which were issued for speeding, and 375 for violations of the Move Over Law. 

Speeding fines for a first-time offender can range from $45 for going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, to $600 for violating the speed limit by more than 30 miles per hour.

New York’s Move Over Law was expanded earlier this year to include all vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, whether it is a first responder or a personal vehicle.

The state also launched an Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring Pilot Program in April 2023, a joint effort between the Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to enhance ongoing efforts to slow motorists down in work zones and make highways safer.

Drivers traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit will receive a notice of liability. Workers also have to be present in the work zone, and a sign indicating the current use of the photo speed violation monitoring system must be posted, the Thruway Authority said. 

Through November of last year, more than 130,000 notices were issued statewide. The initial fine is $50, followed by $75 and $100 for ensuing violations.

Unpaid fines can impact the status of registration, but penalties under the automated program are not as severe as traditional speeding tickets.

As of January, the Thruway Authority has collected $1.81 million in fines, and as of November 2023, DOT collected $2.85 million.

The fines will cover expenditures related to the program, according to the state, and 60 percent of the funds collected will supplement work zone safety projects, as required by law.

It is unclear if the Legislature will expand the five-year pilot program, but stricter punishments could be the next step.

For information, go to https://www.ny.gov/work-zone-safety-awareness/automated-work-zone-speed-enforcement-program.

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SUNY Cobleskill Launching Canine Training, Farm-to-Feast Culinary, and Forensics Youth Day Camps this Summer

COBLESKILL – SUNY Cobleskill announces the launch of three new hands-on day camps for July 2024: Canine Training Camp, Farm-to-Feast Culinary Camp, and Forensics Camp! Camps are available for children and teens 12 years of age and older, with the exception of Farm-to-Feast Culinary Camp, which is offered to participants 10 years and older.

Registration information for all camps is available at web.cobleskill.edu/events/2024-summer-camps. 

Canine Training Camp will give participants opportunities to learn the fundamental skills of becoming a canine handler, taught by faculty in the College’s Canine Training and Management degree program. Young aspiring trainers will work in partnership with our educated canines in a fun and educational environment, learning about body language, training techniques, obedience, a variety of canine sports, and more! The Canine Training Camp will be running July 8 through 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open to children and teens ages 12 and older. $350 per registrant.

Farm-to-Feast Culinary Camp will explore our food’s journey from the field to the table. Young chefs will learn basic cooking skills, equipping them with the knowledge to cook confidently in a safe, fun, and supportive atmosphere. They’ll use their newly gained techniques to prepare meals from start to finish and enjoy their new creations. Farm-to-Feast Culinary Camp is July 15 to July 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is open to children and teens ages 10 and older. $350 per registrant.

Forensics Camp will provide attendees with the opportunity to evaluate staged crime scenes from field to lab. In this immersive three-day camp, participants will learn how to observe, gather, identify, and present their findings in a fun and team-building environment, using real-world techniques that investigators use daily, including documentation, evidence collection, and lab analysis. Our Histotechnology faculty will open participants' eyes to this unique and exciting field. If your child is interested in forensics, crime investigation, or working in a medical field, this is the camp for them! The Forensics Camp will run July 15 through July 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to children and teens ages 12 and older. $300 per registrant.

Outside of the academic portion of these camps, campers will enjoy a wide variety of arts and crafts, athletic activities, team-building exercises, and an included lunch.

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Invasion of Vintage Robots in Small Upstate Village

By Rebecca Andre

Over one hundred humanoids descended upon the Galli Curci Theater in Margaretville, NY on June 1, 2024, to witness a historic moment: 44 vintage robots on display in a pop-up Space Age Museum. These robots, from colorful to monotone, cute to creepy, clunky to streamlined, stood silent and stalwart while humans of all ages gawked and pointed and snapped away. Monuments to the past, as well as visions of the future, this collection of robots belongs to the Kleeman family, who began collecting Space Age cultural artifacts in the early 1980s.

Peter Kleeman, Curator and Director of Space Age Center LLC, tells the story of how it all began. Together as a family, he and his parents, John and Veronica, scoured flea markets, tag sales, antique fairs, and even dumpsters, looking for artistic and cultural remnants of the past. Their treasure hunts resulted in a collection of space toys, amusement rides, folk art, and design items. Robots became a recurring theme.

“We realized we were shining light on a pivotal moment in history,” says Kleeman, referring to the 1980s, when “the transition of the human species to a spacefaring civilization had begun.” By then, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin had become the first humans to walk on the moon in 1969, and the fictional Captains Kirk and Picard were “boldly going where no one had gone before,” as promised in the television show Star Trek’s famed monologue.

This realization led to a formal mission for the Kleeman family: “To create a Space Age Museum and to boldly seek, preserve, and interpret the material culture of the Space Age for posterity.” 

Saturday afternoon, the museum, in its temporary home, did just that. Visitors engaged with robots of all shapes and sizes, including ‘Zord’, a robot vending machine c. 1980s; ‘CP-1’, a floating robot from the Hershey Chocolate Amusement Park c. 1988; ‘AN5607’, a female robot from a Long Island bar with bicycle brakes for hands c. 1980s; and my personal favorite, ‘Headless Milk Can Robot’ from a farm stand in Pomfret, CT c.1950s that greeted visitors to the theatre with a red-painted warning message  “The humans are coming!”

What did these humans think of this lively display of inanimate objects bursting with personality? “So fun!” could be heard at any given moment. “Fabulous, fantastic, everyone must go!” exclaimed local resident Barbara Raggi, “Margaretville is really getting culture!”

The mission of the Kleeman family has since grown past simple entertainment to include an educational endeavor, Space Age Center, LLC. Its purpose is the sharing of culture, art, and imagination of the Space Age in public exhibits and through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) educational programs. For example, a workshop called ‘Robot Craft Time’ is being held for small ones on June 12 from 4-5pm and then again on June 15 from 11 am-12 pm for ages 4-12 at the Galli Curci. RSVP to ifeltpen@gmail.com.

The Space Age Center does not yet have a permanent physical space, but Kleeman expresses hope for finding a facility somewhere in the Catskills that can be a forever home to the beloved robots. In the meantime, you can visit the robots at the pop-up exhibit ‘Vintage Robots - Humanoid Visions of the Future’ at the Galli Curci Theater in Margaretville, on Saturdays and Sundays, noon - 4 pm, through July 9th. Admission is free to the public. This project was made possible with funds from community partner Bushel Collective and Delaware County Arts Grants. Learn more at SpaceAgeMuseum.com.

*Disclaimer: This article was written by a human with a bias towards art and science fiction, and edited for spelling, grammar, and punctuation by AI.

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THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS - A Landslide in Catskill – Part Two – the Effect on People.

As we write, the news has just come in about a massive and horrible landslide in Papua New Guinea. At least 2,000 people have died, buried in an earthen slide at the base of a great mountain in the center of the country. Nothing like this can possibly happen in our region but lessor events have long and frequently occurred.  We are columnists, not news reporters – most of the time. The exception is with local landslides. We have been watching out for them all during the last quarter century. These are serious news stories and, when they occur, we become news reporters. We like to get out and take a good look as soon as possible. That was the case with the Cauterskill Road landslide that we talked about last week. When we got there, we saw something that we are quite 

                                                         

familiar with – all too familiar with. The back wall of the slide was a nearly vertical cliff. See our photo. Below that was a sizable mass of earth that had suddenly slid downhill during the landside event. That sort of thing is called a compound rotational slump. That back wall of the slump exposed a mix of the dark, fine-grained sand and silt, and we recognized it as being the long-ago deposits of an ice age lake. The slump had reached up so close to the home that it has effectively destroyed it. It’s reported to have been declared as being uninhabitable. We understand that there is a GoFundMe page. Similar slumps have been occurring for thousands of years, up and down the Hudson Valley, wherever glacial lake deposits are found. See our second illustration, courtesy of the New York State Museum. That red zone is where landslides have been concentrated. Yep, that is the Hudson Valley, our valley.

                                                            

This really is dangerous stuff. We have met people who have lost their homes and we have met people who live with the fear of losing their homes. We actually have had to tell people that their family’s home was in danger. There are two issues we would like to address today. The first is to ask why houses are built in such dangerous locations. The answer is, most of the time, that people don’t know better. Few people understand much about such geohazards. Very few have college degrees in geology; they see the ground beneath them as being solid and stable, even when near the edges of steep slopes. They just can’t imagine that a landslide can come along and cause such a catastrophic collapse. Red lights should be blinking on and off, but they don’t. We have long wanted to help make people aware of these hazards and have written about them extensively but are not convinced that it has sunk in very much. We have long argued that zoning boards should be far more aware of these geohazards than they are. They should never allow new homes or buildings of any sort to be constructed on landslide prone sites. But most of the danger zones that we are aware of were built upon long before modern zoning boards came along.

The second issue involves homeowners’ insurance coverage for landslides. When we moved into our home and got insurance, we asked about landslides. We were told that such insurance was not available. That was because insurance actuaries thought that they could not calculate the hazards. Landslides, they thought, were completely random events. We think that does not have to be. Most landslides, at least in the Hudson Valley, are located on glacial lake deposits and those have been mapped. It should be easy to determine what percent of buildings and homes lie upon lake deposits. And presto – there’s the risk.

In the end we all need to understand the risks of landslides in our Hudson Valley. It’s an important aspect of our culture. Are you in the market to buy a home? Well, read our last two columns again.

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

                                               

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Pine Hill’s Kaleidoscope of Arts Crafters

Gail Freund at the PHCC ‘Alter Ego’ opening reception 

Wendy Brackman’s ‘Sing OUT Louise’ at the PHCC ‘Alter Ego’ opening reception 

By Robert Brune

PINE HILL — The Pine Hill Community Center (PHCC) has been flourishing with a fantastic schedule of artistic talents within their Catskilled Crafters group. This past fall the number of eclectic wreaths drew a huge crowd of people bidding on a the works of these greatly talented people, contributing to raising funds to keep the lights on and bringing more shows to the center. 

Gail Freund is one of the key contributors of the PHCC crafters group and shares a part of her story that led her to become involved. “In 2016, after living in NYC for 40 years, I was laid off from my job as design director for a costume jewelry company.  It seemed devastating to me at the time, but in retrospect, it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” Freund was quickly recruited to participate in the Catskilled Crafters by Berns Rothchild who runs the PHCC thrift shop. Gail discovered this to be a great way to connect with other creative types that have found their way up to the northern Catskills area. Here’s how Freund recalls her introduction to the PHCC crafters; Rothchild approached her and said, “We are working on a quilt at the Center and YOU ARE GOING TO  PARTICIPATE.” My though bubble was, I have no interest in quilting! Later, she picked me up in her car, and I met the renowned artist Hedi Kyle who was sitting next to her in the front seat. Serendipitously, all the years I lived in NYC, I always wanted to take a book binding class at Center For Book Arts, but was too busy working.”

Freund goes on to explain how her interest snowballed after meeting more of the crafters, “I met Wendy Brackman, who is an artist and quilter. Wendy is a whirlwind of creative energy, filled with enthusiasm. “Winters are difficult in the Catskills”, Wendy explained, “and I wanted to give some of my friends an outlet to occupy their minds and hands”. She wanted to teach English Paper Piecing using the beautiful colors and patterns of the silk ties.” Brackman is an astonishing artist who comes from parents who were performers. Her mother worked with her as a vocal coach, but Brackman gravitated towards visual arts with a talent that has allowed her to travel the world entertaining groups of folks with her wonderful infectious personality and gift for arts and craft. 

As far as the current project that is on exhibition, Freund helps us understand the democratic nature of the group and decision they made, “This years’ vote was for Alter Ego. Each project has a defined parameter, yet everyone is encouraged to do their own personal interpretation in any medium they choose. There are once a month meet ups in The Pine Hill Community Center’s back room. Many people share materials and techniques.  Seeing the working progress excites and motivates people. I get such a thrill to see how wildly different the interpretations are. I like the democracy of a vote and am inspired by the fact that many of the participants are not trained artists. I think this allows more unexpected results and creative freedom.”

At the opening reception for ‘Alter Egos’, equally fascinating as the art provided by the crafters, is the Artists’ Statements booklet on display… The motivations and goals of each artist allow the viewer to better grasp the nature of each piece. 

Some examples of the statements: 

Wendy Brackman

Titled: Sing OUT Louise (Quote from the famous musical Gypsie Rose Lee)

‘Originally trained in classical music, my parents steered my singing style and instruction towards the serious study of voice training at age 13. Turns out I had “great pipes” for operal voice training, It is quite amazing. The volume of sound you can produce with your instrument is all about breath control… In retrospect, my choice to be an artist, as opposed to pursuing a career in opera, makes beautiful use of all my inventive and natural talents – although I am forever in awe of both. 

Ellen Green Stewart

Ellen is one of the newer members of the Catskilled Crafters…

‘As a practicing Art Therapist (Roxbury Central School), I believe in working spontaneously to allow the unconscious mind to emerge with it’s own ideas. We know there is inherent healing value in the act of creating, but also in the act of allowing the work to flow where it wants to.” 

Christien Aromando (Flower Child)

I’ve always felt that putting on a wig created an instant portal into an alter ego. It has been a dream of mine to adorn myself in a wig made entirely of fresh flowers, universally connected to nature, eternally feminine, and symbolizing love, beauty, and joy. This sculpture represents my inner and outer Flower Child. My hope is that, upon gazing at her, she radiates peace into your heart.’

Ricky Zia (Barnyard Chucky at the Pizza Parlor)

For many years when I take a bad photo, see myself poorly lit on Zoom calls, or get tagged in random pics online, I frequently say I look like ‘Barnyard Chucky’. So, for this project, I tried to create a doll version of that and from there I wanted to also add other things that I like. (Pizza, cocktails, and inspired by a candy wrapper with a splattered design)

For the hours of the Pine Hill Community Center: www.pinehillcommunitycenter.org 

The artwork and statements are thoroughly intriguing, and all of the artwork is for sale. 

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The Tapestry by Dr. Deborah Herodes - Anti-Social Media

When Posts, Tweets and Snaps Get Mean….Just Because!

Social media has always been a wonderful way to connect with people one hasn’t seen in a long time.  It is also a way to post photos of children’s achievements or grandchildren’s sweet faces.  For me, it has been a way to educate or at least get people to think for themselves, to research for themselves, to argue with knowledge. Unfortunately, it seems to be impossible to say much of anything of substance without people personally attacking my information.  I find it interesting that in this “Kindness Matters” era that people may smile and be kind to your face, but the kindness ends when words are typed.

Although I know that everyone has differing opinions on everything, I also know that disagreements should be aimed at the disagreement, not as a personal attack on one’s thinking.  Try to never use the word “you,” when responding to a post you may not agree with; pointing a personal finger is never a good way to write a response or a post.  Never ever attack someone with idle threats or involve their families in your diatribe.  

It really is a sadness that we have never figured out how to argue successfully.  To do this, however, one must not write ‘off the cuff’ comments that have no factuality to them.  In essence, it’s like a small child disagreeing with you and you asking him/her why he/she feels the way he/she does, and he/she replies, “because.”  While there are those who will always say, “just because,” due to their inability to argue without anger, there are also those who will begin to study, read and learn if something you have posted nags at them.

I have been told that I should stop posting my political opinions online, “because”______________ (you fill in the blank.) But I cannot, because saying nothing about important issues is a ‘no can do’ in my book.  I am careful not to insult any person, except perhaps the political figure or well-known figure I am speaking about, but my posts are all factual, despite all the fake news “ya ya.”  There are real sites. There is fact-checking available.  Freedom of speech and freedom of the press, never intended to be lie-infused.

I am at fault for posting many things per day.  Sometimes they are of my beloved family, sometimes they are of a comedic nature, sometimes they are songs and singers, but they are always heartfelt, and I always encourage folks to scroll by my posts if they are sick of seeing my loves and my opinions.  Funny thing is, scrolling by doesn’t satisfy most people because passionate replies are often left for me, both in love and in anger.

I try very hard to ignore personal barbs and consider the source(s), but I wish I could teach a class on how to agree to disagree. My online service is housed by my friends, or they wouldn’t be able to see my posts.  Some I have had to block because their responses were too cruel for me to call them friends at all, but most I read and consider, if they are thoughtful, purposeful, honest and for the good of my fellow Americans. 

In this age of information, make sure that the information you are sharing with others is worthy of an educated mind.  Be accepting of other people’s opinions, but make sure you have researched the supposed truths they are bringing to you.  There is nothing worse than sparring with someone who has no idea what you are talking about; it's a waste of time. Instead try to educate them, in between your goofy photos of your pup and the funny memes about old age.

I know it is the old reporter and teacher in me that push me forward in my endeavor to keep all apprised of the important things going on in our world and in our community.  I’m not likely to change, but I can learn and want to learn everything possible about this place we call Earth.  I also want to inform and teach people about being freethinkers, who have a thirst for knowledge, fairness and truth.

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A Conversation About: Mastering Stuff

By Jean Thomas

“To master” something is a common goal among us humans. To become a master of some endeavor is worthy of respect. In academia, it’s pretty cut-and-dried: a scholar has “mastered” a particular set of achievements following a particular set of rules, and been awarded an official MA or MS degree. I admire those who hold such advanced educational rank. But mastery is an achievement that crosses all strata of accomplishment. It signifies a depth of understanding well beyond a casual interest. I will never grasp, nor do I desire to, the finer points of fly fishing or forensic science. But my respect for those who have mastered such fields is total.  This is where I remind myself of the mantra that “Everybody on the planet is better than me at something and I am better than every single person on the planet at something.” In a nutshell, it is my humble opinion that we are all masters of something to novices in the same field.

 Let’s look at some specifics, because, of course, there’s always something that inspires my topic. This past week I was invited to the graduation of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties 2024 Class of Master Gardener Volunteers. On the same day the Master Gardeners of Albany County hosted their open house and plant sale, famous among gardeners throughout the entire Capital District. These people don’t just sign up and volunteer and receive a title and a name badge. Mastery must be earned. After an interview with CCE staff, the volunteers undergo a twelve week training consisting of classroom training, often with professionals from Cornell, on-line instruction, and road trips. This all culminates with the preparation and presentation of an individual research project. Once graduated, the individual is free to share this new expertise with the public in many ways. CCE provides a Master Gardeners hot line for problem solving by phone and on line, a speakers bureau for civic and school groups, and the possibility to pursue projects individually. I’m attaching links to a pair of episodes from the “Nature Calls” podcast; one is an interview with the head of the state wide MGV program, and the other an interview with an actual Albany County MGV trainee. There is a Cornell office in every county, so if you’re interested in learning more, call or email them.

https://ccecolumbiagreene.org/gardening/nature-calls-conversations-from-the-hudson-valley/episode-105-nys-master-gardener-program

https://ccecolumbiagreene.org/gardening/nature-calls-conversations-from-the-hudson-valley/episode-104-an-mgvs-perspective

Cornell, being a land grant university, has offerings beyond gardening. There are comparable trainings available for those of us who want to “master” more specific fields. At this time, it is possible (once you’re approved for the training) to become a Master at Forestry, Beekeeping, Food Preservation, Naturalist training, and even Composting. I’m sure I left some out, but this training is top notch and has provided the public with a corps of volunteer experts across the state, ready to educate their neighbors.   We aren’t all geared to become educators or spend hours doing volunteer work, but we are all capable of “mastering” something. You are probably already a master at something, whether you are aware of it or not. Ask your family and friends. I did, and was delighted to learn that I’m known as a master B.S. Artist. I was flattered until I realized it didn’t refer to my musical or painterly skills. You might be a Master Mechanic or Fly Tie-er or Cook or Carpenter or Babysitter. Think about it. 

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Whittling Away with Dick Brooks - Flashbacks

One of the more enjoyable parts of aging is the frequent flashbacks that occur for no apparent reason.  The one that occurred during my usual morning ponder wasn’t all that enjoyable.  For some reason the bane of my early employment as an elementary school teacher was back in all his glory.  My years of formal education including my classes in the fine art of teaching never mentioned creatures like---Bruce.  That’s not his real name but as close as my lawyer will let me come.  Short, round and loud, kids like Bruce are the reason there are so many former teachers flipping burgers at fast food joints.  He never did any of his schoolwork but he always had a lengthy excuse that always ended with it being someone else’s fault.  Threatening him with failing grades on his report card brought in a flood of back work which I quickly found out was a result of copying others work.  He had bribed, threatened and cajoled his classmates into letting him copy their work.  He copied it faithfully, mistakes and misspellings and all.  When I pointed this out to him, he promptly accused the kid whose paper he had copied of copying his work.  During the holiday season, he collected money from his classmates for a needy family he knew.  One of his little minions whom he slighted reported that Bruce had blown the money he had collected on a shiny new snowboard.  When confronted with this fact Bruce replied that he really needed the snowboard so he wasn’t exactly lying.  Bruce  treated his fellow classmates poorly but was the height of decorum around adults.  He buttered up the principal, a some what portly imposing lady, by writing her letters praising her performance as an administrator.  He picked her dandelions on the playground and always commented on how nicely she was dressed.  Behind her back, he referred to her as Principal Crisco.  When one of his cronies asked why, he made the mistake of remarking within earshot of one of the teachers that Crisco was lard in the can.  When confronted by Old Crisco, he said that he had called her Crisco because that’s what his grandmother used to make the best, the sweetest cookies in the world.  He invented a playground game.  He drew a line in the dirt about a foot from the back brick wall of the school.  The object of the game was to run as fast as you could and stop at the line without smashing into the wall.  The line at the Nurse’s office showed that it wasn’t an easy game to do well at.  Bruce was very good at talking children into trying it but some of them noticed that Bruce himself never tried it.  It was with a sense of great relief that I moved Bruce up to the next grade level at the end of the school year.  I did tell Bruce that I was thinking of retaining him due to his lack of effort.  He told me that if I did he was going to ask for me as his teacher again.  Bruce was promoted.  I followed his educational progress for years as he polished his skills and got more slippery and slimy as he moved up the educational ladder with as little effort as possible.  He graduated and I lost track of him for awhile.  I often wondered what penal institution he might be confined in and running into one of my colleagues who had had Bruce in High School, I inquired as to his whereabouts.  Seems he found the job he’d been training for all his life and was now serving his second term in Congress.

Thought for the week—Six out of seven dwarfs are not happy.

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

Whittle12124@yahoo.com      

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Local History with Dede Terns-Thorpe - Candace Wheeler

This story is a follow-up to last week’s story on Onteora’s co-founder, Candace Wheeler. Her description of the early park cabins tells how she wished to keep a minimalist lifestyle at Onteora.  

 It’s been a learning experience and a privilege to study Wheeler. She seemed naturally bright, an organizer, and a friend to all. It appeared her goal was to keep her life simple, get to know your neighbors, and enjoy the wildlife, bears, foxes, chipmunks, woodchucks, and other critters. 

Her description:

The typical house was wood framed with shingles and rustic slabs on the outside, wainscotting, and burlap on the inside walls, with at least one porch. A stone fireplace was necessary on both floors for warmth.  Architect Reid designed homes with a rugged stone mantelpiece on either side of the hearth and a balcony over the living area. 

The artists’ studios had northern skylights and most of Reid’s houses displayed his murals around the living room. In ordinary cottages, each bedroom had a washstand, furnished with a crockery basin and pitcher, a sloop jar, and a soap dish. Each bathroom contained a zinc tub with a cold-water faucet. Hot water was brought from the kitchen in watering cans. 

Homes had earth closets, rather than bathrooms. Twice a week a man, driving mules and called Honey Wagons, came to service the closets. There were no screens on the doors and windows, but over each bed was a canopy of mosquito netting. Oil lamps were used. Usually, a house was built with one special squirrel-proof room for winter storage of bedding. Each corner had strips of tin applied to keep out the critters. Bedrooms for the servants were usually on the upper floors. 

Local merchants made their rounds about twice a week - the butcher, the grocer, the ice man, and other merchants. (This next statement surprised me.) One itinerant group we always delighted to see was the Indians, with huge gunny sacks slung over their shoulders and containing a variety of items woven from grass of an incredibly fragrant odor: baskets for knick-knacks, sewing, and trash, coasters for glasses, placemats, napkin rings, etcetera. 

Twice a day the mailman would arrive on his wagon bringing mail. This was a highlight of the day for many vacationers. 

A Winter Garden

“During the winter days when my garden lies lonesome and shrouded with snow on the great white uplands, I remember not alone the sheets of color and the general beauty and brightness, but individual flowers walk in loveliness through my mind and seem to salute my senses with their fragrance.

Candace Wheeler

An interesting 2001 Washington Post article said the curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Amelia Peck said of Candace Wheeler, "She literally got forgotten." The article said that Wheeler was to textiles what Louis Comfort Tiffany is to the art of glass. The two were briefly partners in an interior design firm known as Tiffany & Wheeler. 

That Wheeler has been forgotten while Tiffany's reputation has prospered adds poignancy. Today, of more than 500 designs created by Wheeler and her firm, only 40 survive. Sad.

Thanks for reading. Take care, and stay safe.

Dede Terns-Thorpe/Hunter Historian

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