June 2-9, 2005 #343

First things first-I have a public apology to make to my good friend, Curt AKIN! In the past, when I have made a mistake, he would say, "It only proves that you human". For some reason, only known to GOD, I have been spelling Curt last name wrong and I want you all to know, that I now know how to spell it and now you do too. It is CURT AKIN of Syllables Graphics of South Hartwick.

My brother Bruce called and said that I could expect Terry in an hour or so. "Tell him to give m e a call when he gets settled. I was happy to hear that he and Maureen were comin' for the Memorial Weekend.

"OK, I will," I replied. I waited a time and then called the farm, but the operator came on and said the phone is disconnected. I kept trying, but I had no luck. This would be something if they had no phone at the farm with the Memorial Weekend here. As it turned out, apparently Maureen had been using the FAX machine, which is on the same number and forgot to disconnect it when she left. No wonder I could not reach the farm. It was resolved and the communication line was once again open.

"Why don't you come over for supper and bring Natalie. We'll celebrate her birthday here," Terry said. Natalie drove over to my place and then we headed over to the farm and pulled in right behind another car. "My GOD, that is Doc Weiner and his wife, Gail"! I said as I ran to give hugs. Doc had undergone several surgeries and this was his first trip up in some time. Natalie fitted in fine and we enjoyed the evening.

I had brought the makings for sundaes and brought them in a cooler, which I left in the car. In my excitement of seeing the Weiners, I had thrown my key on the seat and apparently locked the car! Gail offered to take me home to get another set. The next day she said she had misplaced her car keys and Doc was the one who located them. Right on, Doc!

Terry and Maureen would only stay a couple of days as now Maureen, Edgewater, NJ councilwoman had to attend Memorial Service there. Doc and Gail left on Tuesday morning and what a relaxing time it was for them. They plan to return after his hip operation and perhaps Doc will stay more then just a few days!

Tom Miller stopped by to invite me to a Memorial Day service at the triangle on Jones Crossings and Route 11. It would be at 6:00pm. As I had already a commitment, I thanked him. A day or two later, Tom Murphy stopped to tell me there were 12 in attendance. Tribute was paid to those in the immediate area who had serviced their country. His son-in-law, Michael; my Richard; both Olga Tompkins's husbands and Tom Miller, who will start his retirement procedure in August after twenty years.

I parked the car on School St. and watched the parade from there and then walked down to the cemetery, where a Memorial Service conducted by Jim Croft. Rev.Saxor's theme was that we should never forget the sacrifices made by our service men and women. Anita Harrison, Hartwick Citizen of the Year, reminded all that there were 360 veterans buried in the 27 cemeteries of Hartwick and at one time her eyes filled with tears as she spoke. All were invited to a chicken barbecue at Vets Club following the service.

Hazel McShane, 92, was a happy camper when her nephew, Frankie came from Canada for a few days. He took her to see her old friends in the area and it brought a smile to her face. I managed to get to meet him the day before he left. He remembers meeting Irwin, when Hazel and he were living in Cooper Lane Apartments in Cooperstown. She is already talking about the next visit.

The Moo Shack sign was confusing me so I stopped in to check things out. Jeannie said that they were now open from 7-9 for selections from her menu and a special Soft and hard ice cream was available all day. They open at 7am with the kitchen closing at 2pm and reopening at 7pm.Have you stopped yet?

I was out the door on a mission. Today I would meet with Vet Boswell Minnerly of Springfield Center and on the Board of Trustees for the Boswell Museum. I had with me two of my Mother's vaudeville costumes, costume accessories. letters from my Dad to her while she was on the road in the early 1920's, photos, clippings. We meet at the Tally Ho in Richfield for lunch and then went to her home in Springfield Center. She was just as excited about what I had as I was. She has a lot of ideas as to what we can do, one of them was a road show! We will see what transpires in the next month or so.

Speaking of ice cream, Andy, Laura and I stopped at Jerry's on the way home from Bob Phillips visiting hours at

Connell Dow Deysenroth and I offered to treat to ice cream. Andy pulled in the lot and spied a BMW Motorcycle, which was a center of attention. Afterwards we got cones of our favorite ice cream and migrated to a picnic bench.

"Hey, Andy. Is that your Mother's motorcycle? The guy came over and patted my shoulder and said, "I read your column all the time." I always appreciate those comments.

Both Natalie and I had been busy in our gardens and took a break at our respective homes mid morning. We were both dirty and needed a break. I asked her if she would like to join me for a late lunch in my back yard at about 2:30pm. By that time a hot shower would be in order. We would sit at my new white resin table with my new colorful umbrella in the center. I bought the umbrella two years ago when Irwin was with me, but the umbrella I got a week ago. I planted pansies in shocking pink and purple planters for the tables. Oh, yes, I imitated the steak sandwiches that we had had at Jerry's last week-with sautéed onions and peppers on a toasted bun! For side dishes I made my carrot salad and cottage cheese and pineapple. Oh, how we enjoyed it. My, it was nice with a lovely breeze...

Thought for the Week: Simple pleasures are the ones worth saving.