Aug. 31-Sept.7, 2006

PURPLE GLADS, “HOME PLATE” & CELEBRATION!

The voice on the other end of the phone did not sound like my Wendy, but it was. She has had a severe sinus infection and now she had lost her voice! She had been dealing with it for days. It was Saturday now and she told me had a new box of tissues and her inhaler and had several movies she rented. The guys were gone and now she was going to crash for the weekend. Sure hope she feels better soon.

The bag of Gladiolas bulbs that I planted in June all came up. They were supposed to be assorted colors, but most of the 30 were red and white, but I got a surprise! The last to bloom was a stunning deep purple. It was beautiful. I immediately thought of my girlfriend, Dolly Hunter, in the Personnel Office at Otsego County. I hoped it would last till I saw her on Wednesday. Most of it had bloomed, but five lasted till I got it to her. She beamed. . .

I called Curt Akin, (Syllables.com), and his wife, Jackie, answered the phone. I was anxious to get a copy of the latest effort-“Home Plate.” She did not sound too good and related that had the flu and felt terrible. She said that Curt was at a meeting. I stopped by later in the afternoon and Curt had returned and ventured outside to greet me, but stated he too had the flu and was contaminated. I am proud that Curt is a friend of mine and I boast of his talents.

Curt out did himself with his new creation, Home Plate, The Traveler’s Food Guide to Cooperstown and Otsego County, NY published by Syllables Press, Mount Vision, NY and written by Brenda Berstler and supported by Rich McCaffery of Cornell Cooperative Extension. You must get this book. It is unique! It is a tribute to our area farmers and their products. It combines wonderful home grown recipes with bleeps about their cooks and some may surprise you. Our government representatives, baseball players, owners of area businesses, which include restaurants, museums, B & B’s, organizations and more with addresses, phone numbers, even maps. It gives you a tour through Otsego County and what it has to offer the traveler and those who love the area. I have lived here since 1957 and I discovered much I didn’t know. I am still perusing the book’s treasurers. I know you will want a copy so go to http://homeplatefoodguide.com/ or contact Syllables Press at (607) 293-8202.

Sadness came to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Laurens, NY this week with the sudden death of Samantha, one of two daughters of Herb and Debra Simmerly. It was a shocker and brought the family immediately to their side. Everyone was at church on Sunday in support and Melissa and her hubby to be were present with mixed feeling about their wedding on Cape Cod this month. Our prayers are with you all. As it turned out we all were invited to sing birthday greeting to Herb’s sister, Mary, and anniversary wishes to family members and also to Frank and Toni Wood, who celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary.

ERNEST was earnest, when he hit the coast over the holiday weekend and his effects continued north sparking long electric outages with displaced items, fierce rain and wind. Hazel Mc Shane said her power was off for hours and it frightened her: Peg Kuhn said, “Enough is enough” and Natalie Fisher said her power was off for 8 hrs. Milford Joe had just cut his lawn and when he awoke on Sunday it was calm; BUT there were leaves and branches all over. It will take a day’s work to clean it up.

I must apologize for the typo last week when I said Natalie Fisher and Rosetta Bunch meet at the maturity ward when they had their first baby. It should have read maternity ward with the birth of their last baby. Sooo sorry gals. I love you!

I stopped by to see the Thomas family, which I have been trying to do for a month. Alex stuck his head out the door and said, “Watch out the dogs are here. Do you want to see the baby?” No need to ask twice. He ushered me in and handed me his beautiful daughter, who just stole my heart. She looks like her Dad, who is a proud Dad. Mommy, Polly looks wonderful and is back to work with her Mom, Norma, tending duties. They have done wonders to the house to accommodate the new baby and Alex’s office and family PLAYROOM.

What a wonderful barbecue Terry and Maureen had to celebrate our father’s birthday, he is gone but not forgotten. It was also Missy Rotolo, Aunt Pearl Pollack, Mary Hoyt Joyce and Irwin’s birthday. Folks kept trickling by to say hi. David Burch and his son David and his wife, Julie, of one month, stayed and visited for some time. Connie and Paul Tedesco did too. Connie looks wonderful and said she was going for her masters and enjoying more and more. Paul has been working diligently on the old Butterfield home, which they purchased a few years ago. Lumpy and Ellen Cenami made it too. All of the above live on Curry Rd. It is a kind of society . . .

Gail and Doc Wiener, dear friends from NJ came for a few days, as did Ernie and his new girlfriend and their young people. Jim McGrath and his son, Patrick and his bride to be were enjoying too. It was a fun celebration.

Nature’s Scene: On the way home from the barbecue a tiny chipmunk ran across the road with its tail straight up as if it were carrying the American Flag. We have seen several woodchucks defying traffic. A beautiful young spike horn buck posed for us as we passed by. We have noticed there are no birds except for a few last minute Robins. Leaves are turning fast and falling to the ground. Fall is on its way.

GOD’S Voice: I love you and you and you just the way you are. . .

Thought for the Week: A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. . .

PS-Famous Australian crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, 44, was killed instantly by a stingray stab wound through the heart while filming on Sunday, leaving his wife and three children and a bewildered world.

My Wendy’s voice has returned and she is feeling better. Thank GOD