Published: March 20, 2008 10:32 am         

South Valley

By CAROL BRODIE

Happy Easter to all! Spring is on the way! I heard a flock of geese on the neighbor’s pond last week, and I saw two geese fly overhead. Then on Friday, March 14, we had one red-winged blackbird in our bird feeder, and two days later, there was a grackle there eating. Our white-breasted nuthatch was back again on March 10. He was here earlier this winter and then just seemed to disappear. Our pair of beautiful cardinals visit our feeder nearly every day, as well as a variety of other birds. Be sure to keep your ears and eyes open as our spring birds are slowly starting to arrive. I’m waiting for someone to phone me telling me they’ve spotted the first bluebird of spring! My mom, Luella, celebrated her 88th birthday quietly at home on Monday, March 10. A big “Thank You” to those of you who remembered her with special cards as that made her birthday much brighter, especially due to the fact that she doesn’t get out very often anymore.

She started receiving birthday wishes, via telephone, prior to her birthday, as Mary Lou called on Saturday and Sonny called on Sunday night. Then, the day of her birthday, Barb and Donna both phoned, as did grandson Mike Kineke. Charley stopped in, on his way to work, to bring her a gift and card and wish her a happy birthday.

Neighbor Sharon Thompson also stopped in with a card and birthday wishes. Grandson Kevin Kineke phoned a couple days later with belated wishes. On Tuesday, March 11, Donna and Steve and children, Dillon and Jekara, came to visit, bearing gifts for Mom.

They also enjoyed lunch with us. En route here from McGraw, they counted over 220 deer along the way, and then looking out our back window toward the hillside behind Mark and Debbie Anderson’s, Donna counted 20 deer out eating on that nice, sunny day.

Barb came for a visit, bringing gifts to Mom, on Thursday evening, March 13. Brandy Brodie returned home with Barb to spend a few days.

After all the attention Mom got on her birthday, I guess Dad decided he, too, needed some, but he got his by going to the emergency room in the middle of the night! Our faithfully good neighbor Sharon Thompson came down around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, and she and Mom took Dad to Bassett in Cooperstown. He had a bad case of cellulitis infection in his leg so he was admitted to the hospital. However, the hospital was so full that they couldn’t even get him into a room until later Friday afternoon. Mick and Barb took Mom over to visit him that afternoon, and Joanne Thompson also stopped in to visit him. (Thanks, Joanne!) Pastor Chris Wintermute, of Little Falls, visited him on Saturday, and he also received some well wishes via telephone while there. We thought he’d be there at least until Monday, but he came home Sunday afternoon, March 16, when Frank and Mom picked him up to further recuperate at home.

Birthdays & Anniversaries Birthday wishes go out to Scott Gray, Allegra Schecter, Debbie Stretch, Ruth Jewell, Christine Mott, Barb Kineke, Paul Gridley, Aunt Kate Mabie, Brett Sharpe, Aunt Eleanor Brodie, Elizabeth Thompson who will be seven, and Miranda Mabie who turns five years old.

Anniversary wishes go to Craig and Amy Sue Dahl, Ed and Bonnie Graig, Uncle Raymond and Aunt Eleanor Brodie, and Jason and Cindy Brodie.

Leland and Pat Mabie hosted a Leap Year birthday party on Friday, Feb. 29, for Pat’s sister, Sandy Sutton, of Decatur. Guests included Sandy’s husband, Raymond Sutton, Mark and Debbie Anderson, Chris and Annie, Jordan and Joslyn Mabie, and Tom and Kelly Mabie. On Saturday evening, March 1, Leland and Pat Mabie hosted a birthday supper for their daughter, Debbie Anderson. Guests included Debbie’s husband, Mark, and their children, Chris and Annie, and Raymond and Sandy Sutton, of Decatur. Bits and Pieces Christopher Anderson, who is a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, has returned to his college studies after a week-long break.

Jim Mollen, of New York City, spent the weekend of March 7 through 9 visiting his mom, Marilyn Mollen, his niece Jessica Mollen, and his grand-nephew Grayson Mollen. Jim surprised little two-year-old Grayson by presenting him with a brand new bed.

Annie Anderson and Kaitlyn Webster were among the students from Cherry Valley- Springfield Central School who participated in the All-County music program at the Unatego Central School on Saturday, March 8.

Elliot Brodie and his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Steve Hatch, and children, Dillon and Jekara, of McGraw, attended the Annual Sportsmen’s Dinner at the Little Falls High School on Saturday, March 8. The event is put on by the Little Falls First Baptist Church. There were numerous displays set up for everyone to enjoy, various door prizes, a grand dinner, and then a service, which followed, in the auditorium. The day concluded with the giving away of two large door prizes. Mick and Barb Kineke also attended the event for a few hours to take photos.

Elliot spent that night with his daughter and sonin- law, Barb and Mick Kineke, of Mohawk, rather than travel home in the bad weather. The following day, he attended regular Sunday worship services at the Little Falls First Baptist Church before returning home later that night.

David Thompson and his son, Aaron, enjoyed getting away for the weekend as they attended the basketball tournament games at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15. They returned home late Saturday night.

Frank Brodie attended the pancake breakfast at the Ames firehouse on Sunday, March 16, where he enjoyed seeing and visiting with quite a few people he knew. Benefit for Snowmobile Accident Victim Larry Winslow, of Richfield Springs, was badly injured in a snowmobile accident in Lake George on Saturday, Feb. 9, when he hit some trees. Larry is selfemployed, uninsured, and now unable to work, due to the accident.

A fundraiser benefit for Larry, to help with medical expenses, will take place on Saturday, April 5, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Mohawk Legion on West Main Street. The cost is $10 per person or $30 per family of three or more. Tickets will be available at the door. There will be food, a 50/50 raffle, cash bar, Chinese auction, door prizes, prize drawings, and music. Please come out for an afternoon of fun and help support Larry and his family. For drawing and silent auction donations, please contact Jodi Phillips at (315) 868-3356.

The Winslow family would like to thank everyone for all their support.

Have a wonderful Easter, and be sure to phone me at (607) 264-3225 with all your news.