May 26-June 2,2005 #342

Just a week ago, Andy, Laura and I went to the Stanwix Veterans and Men's Club for their 3rd Annual Scholarship Raffle. It was amazing! My son-in-law, Ken, organized it, got a Harley for the Grand Prize, a band, the beer and beverages, while a troop of people prepared the marvelous food for a top shelf buffet. You name it and they had it and it was delicious. Wendy assisted her hubby in selling tickets and awarding many, many donated door prizes. There were only 850 tickets sold at $25.00 a piece! The Grand Prize was a 2005 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster Custom OR $5000! There were also 4-$400 Prize; 4- $300 prizes and 2-$200 Prizes. Besides that there was a 50/50, which brought a lucky party over $1000. It was one wonderful event, which will afford some lucky 2005 graduates of Oriskany School a scholarship. I am praying that my grandson, Kenny, and his friends will be awarded a scholarship! You can be sure that we will go again next year

In answer to a beautiful invitation done by BURTON & BUTLER, I headed up to the Hartwick Community Center last Sunday, where there was a special celebration in honor of Ray and Flora Polulech, who were celebrating their 45th Wedding Anniversary and Ray's 70th birthday! The family decorated the hall colorful tablecloths, balloons and photo enlargements of their wedding day done by Curt Akin of Syllables Graphics of South Hartwick. Flowers by Marion Striesse of Secret Gardens of Hartwick brought Spring right inside. The array of food, prepared by Diane Koffer of Hartwick, filled a huge buffet table as wide as the hall. She also made a three tier chocolate cake (Ray's Favorite), which was not only beautiful, but also delicious! In fact everything was delicious. It was a time to reminisce, enjoy and meet old friends, who traveled to attend. Ray was decked out in his finery and a black cowboy hat and Flora looked bewitching in her lovely outfit. It was supposed to be a surprise, but when Ray said he wasn't going to show, they had to tell him..

Folks came from near and far to congratulate Ray and Flora, some saying it will never last. . .Tom Polulech arrived with the youngest grandchild, Nicholas, who entertained everyone. Flora said he is just like his father. John and Amy's daughter, Johanna helped out a lot. Their son, Quinton, is also celebrating-he made the National Honor Society. It was a happy time liken to an old-fashioned community get together. Daughter, Amy Husak was in charge and did a great job, so well that I commented that it would be nice to have a similar get togethers every now and then and have everyone bring a dish to pass. She thought it was a good idea. All those in favor, give her a call 293-6844 or me at 293-7769.

Nature's Scene: The Bluebirds and the Swallows made a truce-"You don't bother me or my family and I won't bother yours." It worked. I now have woodchucks under the garage. I counted two little ones this morning. Jack and Jill, a pair of rabbits now had little ones somewhere under the Spruce trees. All my birds seem to be back for the summer and I love watching them.

I went to see Charlie Zuis in Schuyler Lake at his Herkimer Farm, where he is fulfilling a dream to have a Hall of Fame and Museum of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns." It is a labor of love and many of my friends, who were in the business have come to help me, although many are gone now. It will take a long time," he said as he stoked the huge wood stove in the barn. He showed me the handmade trick boxes, where they saw a woman in half or send flat knives through the container with a woman in it-I held my ground! Posters, photos, letters and special mementoes were everywhere. The main house is 230 years old and that will be a museum one day. He invites folks to come see. Just give a call-315-858-2576. "I just look to tell folks all about it and show them a magic trick or two".

I checked out the new Price Chopper in Richfield Springs and it is GREAT!

I was unable to see Vet Boswell Minnerly (Chica) while I was in the area, but will see her next week. She was going to have a museum too about Vaudeville. I now have my mother's vaudeville trunks and hope chest, filled with costumes and letters that she had received from my Dad as she toured the country under the name Cora Terry. I sure would like to have them displayed. It would bring her memory back. The trunks were in my Dad attic since 1927 when my mother retired to marry and raise a family.

On the way home, I stopped in the Grain and Tool Shed in Hartwick and had a nice chat with Tandi, while I cuddled one of the little rabbits she had for sale. She also had little chicks. She said," We have been here 31/2 years and in June, we plan to increase the hardware section. I'd like to thanks the locals for their continued support"

Tandi Spoor and Jon Ericson and their daughter Aurianna will have the Vanilla Cone open by the time you read this. It is located next to the Community Center in Hartwick. The hours will be: Mon.-Thurs.4-9pm' Fri.4-10pm and Sun. 2-8pm. This is quite a gathering place in the summer, where folks chat on the deck and enjoy Perry's Ice Cream.

Barbara Thomas has spent a week or more in Bassett Hospital on Hospice Palatine Care, while her son and family were away for the time. At this time, she is planning on returning home.

I had just had a nice chat with Bob Phillips at his brother Stan's committal and I was just told that he had passed away suddenly over the weekend. . The Phillips family of Hartwick has had yet another sadness to deal with. His wife, Nadine, is recovering from breaking her hip while in Florida, his son, Jim, is recovering from a broken back and thigh bone and Carol Niedzialkowski is recovering from a massive stroke. Please keep this family is your prayers

Bob was a hard worker, a wonderful family man and had a strong faith with which he served his Lord in The Hartwick Christian Church, his community and Gideons. He honored as Hartwick Citizen of the Year in 1982. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European theatre in France and Germany. He married his Nadine Beach in 1947 and that same year founded Phillips Lumber, Inc. with his Dad, Giles. He will be missed by many who had the pleasure of his friendship and a loving family..

I save the rest for next week. Hope you had a great Memorial Weekend in which, you remembered our fallen heroes and other loves ones.

Thought for the Week: The most wasted day of all is that in which we have not laughed.