Published: May 15, 2008 01:04 pm         

South Valley

By CAROL BRODIE

If nothing else, I sure have lots of bird sightings to report this week. They started coming in last Monday, May 5, when Sharon Thompson phoned to tell me the brilliantly orange and black northern oriole had arrived. Then she excitedly called me again the next day to say she had two male rose-breasted grosbeaks.

Bill Mabie also called me on Tuesday to let me know his hummingbird had arrived, and was busily drinking at the feeders which Marsha had put out the day before. He said they are also enjoying watching a variety of other birds, a grosbeak, juncos, blue jays, finches, a white-crowned sparrow, and more, at their feeders.

Marion Holmes phoned on Thursday to share that she had three male rosebreasted grosbeaks, an oriole, and a phoebe, among many other birds.

Meanwhile, here at the Brodies’, our catbird arrived on Tuesday, one hummingbird on Wednesday, and one male rose-breasted grosbeak on Friday. We also have a pretty white-crowned sparrow who seems to enjoy eating the sunflower seeds out of the big old pan on the porch floor, and as I was outside one day, a killdeer flew down and started running along in our driveway. That was a surprise, because I’ve only seen them near the ponds and bodies of water. Our pair of beautiful cardinals is here, and it’s enjoyable to be outside listening to the male as he sits in the top of a tree singing away. Our pair of phoebes is also still here, busily catching flies and bugs, and I did hear the oriole one morning, but I haven’t actually seen him yet. We also have a variety of other birds visiting our feeders regularly.

I’ve even had bird reports, via email, from my sisters! Donna, who lives out in Mc- Graw, says their male rosebreasted grosbeak arrived on Friday, May 2, and the next day they had two males. The following Tuesday, the male hummingbird and male oriole both arrived. The males always seem to arrive prior to the females, possibly to find a home and prepare the nest.

Barb, who lives outside of Mohawk, says her male and female rose-breasted grosbeaks both arrived on May 2, and the pretty little indigo bunting arrived on May 8. Barb says their feeder is very colorful these days, with the grosbeaks, blue jays, bright yellow goldfinches, bunting, purple finches, and the female yellow-bellied sapsucker. Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthday wishes go out to Samantha Hotaling, Tanner Shufelt who will be 12 years old, Emily Thompson who turns four, Joanne Thompson, Suzanne Mabie, Denny Hoke, Sr., Sean Webster who will be four, JoAnn Hansen- Barrett, Doug Cameron, Yvette Anderson, and Lonnie Hoke.

Anniversary wishes go to Bill and Ruthie Hendricks, Donnie and Sheila Fancher, and Jim and Colleen Cain. David and Sharon Thompson attended a birthday party and dinner for their greatnephew, Brendan Cousineau, to celebrate his 13th birthday on Saturday evening, May 3. The party was hosted by Brendan’s parents, Eric and Dawn Cousineau, and his brother, Dillon, at their Leesville home.

Other guests included both sets of Brendan’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Somers, of Seward, and Mr. and Mrs. Omar Cousineau, of Sharon, his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Somers, Jr., and twin daughters, of Seward, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Graig and son, Travis, of Pleasant Brook, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Santillo, of Seward. Bits and Pieces A speedy and complete recovery is wished for those in our town who’ve recently been hospitalized for one thing or another.

Congratulations to Brittany Mabie, a junior, and Amanda VanBuren, a senior, both of whom received the honor of Student of the Month at Cherry Valley- Springfield Central School. Town of Roseboom committee- people Frank Brodie and Marilyn Mollen attended the Otsego County Republican Committee meeting at the Cooperstown Courthouse on Monday night, April 28. Among those attending this month’s meeting were Sen. Jim Seward, Assemblyman Marc Butler, Sandy Treadwell, who is running for Congress, and others. Following the meeting, they all went out to eat at TJ’s.

Floyd “Whitey” Squires arrived home the last week of April after enjoying a few months in Florida. Frank Brodie attended the Schoharie County Maple Festival meeting at the Cobleskill Firehouse on Tuesday night, April 29. Frank also attended the Open House at Bascom’s Maple Farm in Alstead, N.H., on Friday, May 2.

Marian Proper, of Jordanville, spent a few hours visiting Dad, Mom and me on Tuesday night, May 6, while Vernie attended a meeting at the East Worcester Fish and Game Club.

Marion Holmes reports there was a good attendance at the smorgasbord supper at the Roseboom Methodist Church on Tuesday evening. Frank Brodie attended a meeting and luncheon in Jefferson on Wednesday for the Catskill Maple Association. Fifteen people attended the Roseboom Area Senior Citizen Club meeting and covered dish luncheon at the Roseboom Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 7. Following the luncheon, everyone enjoyed playing games. Marion Holmes reports that, in July, the group is planning to visit the Butterfly Conservatory, in Emmons, and will later enjoy dinner at Brooks BBQ, in Oneonta.

Coming Events Spring has arrived and along with it, the first dinner of the South Valley Women’s Club. After the long winter, come on out and join with your neighbors and friends to enjoy the ladies delicious chicken and biscuit dinner at the Community Hall on Saturday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Donations will be taken at the door. Remember, it’s your generous donations that make it possible for the ladies to continue having the dinners and keep up with the repairs at the hall. Their holiday gift boxes and giving to the community are also a great encouragement to many.

The Cooperstown Area Christian Women’s Club will be hosting a Brunch, “Opportunity Knocks,” at the Tally Ho in Richfield Springs on Monday, May 19. The meal will be served at 10:30 a.m. with the program to follow at 11 a.m. (Please note the earlier time, as this is a brunch, not a luncheon.)

This month’s speaker will be Darlene Clark, from Delmar, who tells how she got involved in sign language. The special feature: “Darlene will sing and sign.”

For questions, or to make reservations, please call Nancy at (607) 264-3402, Dotty at (315) 822-6391 or Peg at (315) 858-0525. Don’t forget to phone me at (607) 264-3225 with any news you wish to share for this area. In the meantime, enjoy this gorgeous weather!