Apr.28-May5, 2005 #338

WHAT’S COOKIN’?

Natalie decided to have a “Coming Home Party” for herself and a “Going Away Party” for Claire! Everyone brought their favorite dishes and we ENJOYED! It was so good to see everyone again. We all said “Welcome Back” to Natalie and “Have a Great Trip” to Claire. We all, of course want a full report when you get back!

My son, Andy and Laura Shute picked me up last Saturday evening at 6:00pm to go to the benefit Spaghetti supper at Hartwick #1 Fire Hall for Carol Niedzialkowski. Carol, Hartwick Town Supervisor, suffered a massive stroke. She has been moved from Albany Medical Center to Sunnyview in Syracuse for Rehab.

We waited in the rain 20 persons deep before getting inside to a “Full House”. Doors had opened at 3:50pm and the crowds kept coming with little interruption till 7:30pm.. The outpouring of support was incomprehensible! Friends and neighbors and community made donations of food-from sauces, salad makings, homemade meatballs, sausage and spaghetti to wonderful baked goods of every description, minded people. Hundreds of rolls were made and donated by Marilyn Habercorn of Hartwick Market. Men and women and young people worked feverishly that night to culminate a 2-week effort of planning. People came from, not only Hartwick, but from every community nearby. One couple said they came from Treadwell, because their daughter had just started working at the bank and they didn’t even know Carol! Supporters were everywhere, serving, picking up, making sauces and meatballs and even Big Duane Hotaling was there washing dishes. The children, learning from their folks were bringing beverages. It was truly a wonderful community effort to help a family in need. Thanks go out to all who were there helping, donating items for the Chinese Auction or enjoying the efforts of so many.

I found a home for Irwin’s Craft-o-matic Bed; I couldn’t bare it not being used. An answer to my ad came from Mildred Frederick’s son of Morris. After a short conversation, he said he and his wife would stop over and check it out, which they did, and then they came to pick it up the next day. They were happy and so was I. I was pleased that it was going to Mildred because she was selling real estate when Richard and I bought our first home on Hemlock Hill, Mt. Vision. Enjoy Mildred!

The ladies of the Martha Circle at all three Lutheran Parishes-St. Matthew in Laurens, Evangelical Lutheran of Atonement in Oneonta and Evangelical Lutheran in Hartwick Seminary have been busy bees making 19 “Rag Dolls 2 Love”. They will be sent to Wapiti, Wyo., where over 5000 dolls will be shipped to children in Israel, Haiti, Sudan, IRAQ, south Africa, Belarus, Mexico, Honduras, China and Afghanistan according to the Rag Dolls 2 Love website. The theme is to promote peace through dolls. The ladies have made quilts for nursing home residents and lap robes for residents at Otsego Manor. You will make many children happy through this wonderful gesture.

There was no answer at Barb Thomas’s home when I called Wednesday morning so I went to work. On the way home on Bernie Bus, I was told by the driver and a passenger that there was an ambulance there earlier that day. I called Bassett and found, sure enough, Barb was there in Emergency. She was being admitted. The next day I drove over and found her sister, Adrian sobbing in the hall. Barb had had another heart attack, but seemed to be doing well under the circumstances. She is truly amazing! I have kept tabs on her through the weekend and will continue to do so on Monday. Please keep her in your prayers.

While visiting Barbara I took time to see Mary Lynn Jones of Mt. Vision, a new acquaintance, who was stricken with a serious infection a week ago. She is doing well now and will be going home this week. Mary Lynn and her family moved to New York 1½ years ago and are lovin’ it. When she gets home she will be greeted by a new horse, which arrived Sunday evening. More about this wonderful family in the weeks to come

My grandson, Kenny Dudeck, a star athlete, good looking and fine student, will spend his 18 birthday in Philadelphia on his Senior Trip! Does it sound like I am a proud grandmother? My daughter, Wendy is having a hard time with him growing up and being away from time to time.

His birthday falls on May 4 th the day before mine. “You have a birthday too this week, don’t you, Ma”, Wendy said. I could hear the giggle in her voice.

“Yes, I guess I do. I think this is my 36th!”

“Ma, I am gonna be 47!”

“Don’t break my bubble”, I said kidding. So the word is out. It is done. Yes, I am having a birthday and I go reluctantly forward. I feel great.

I stopped at the Mohegan Flowers and got my Geraniums for my handing baskets and then went to the Manor to see Florence Rood and Ted Smith, both of whom are doing well and also anxious for the warm sunny weather. I dropped off a bag of things at the SPCA and after looking around, found two pair of shorts. I am hoping to wear them in a few days!!

When the sun finally came out, the traffic going by my “Ponderosa” included motorcycles, boats and campers. Schools were out. The nice days did not last because, we had snow, hail and rain intermittently over the next two days. I will say that we had a beautiful pink sky Friday evening! Oh, my, I was feeling down. Please send the sunshine back!

Last week Jim Phillips fell from or with a ladder in the early morning hours breaking a thighbone and injuring his back. He was transported to Syracuse where he underwent surgery. He is holding his own. Please put him and his family on your prayer list.

Thought for the Week: You are only as old as you feel. Have a GREAT WEEK! I will.

P.S- We are having a sun shower at 6:30pm on Sunday evening!