Published: March 27, 2008 11:24 am         

South Valley

By CAROL BRODIE

The calendar says Thursday, March 20, was the first day of spring, and it really wasn’t too bad of a day that day. The temperature rose to just over 30 degrees and it was quite cool out. The following day, however, was like the return of winter. We woke to find a light dusting of snow and a very cold temperature of 13 degrees. The wind was just horrific that day, and it was even hard to stay warm inside, as the outside temperature didn’t rise much over 20 degrees.

Frank’s been tapping maple trees for the past couple of weeks, in anticipation of another good syrup year.

Others in the area tapping and making maple syrup include Mark Mabie, Todd VanDewerker, Bob Norton, and Warren Stannard. Todd, in fact, stopped in one day to buy some maple syrup jugs and we enjoyed a nice visit with him.

David Thompson spotted a lone robin hopping along by their pond last Wednesday, March 19, and my brother-in-law, Steve Hatch, of McGraw, spotted a bluebird out in their area last week as well. Last Monday, we also had a pair of house finches visit our bird feeder. Margaret Mabie has spotted the bald eagle a couple of times near their home up on top of county highway 39. One day she noticed it sitting in the field beside the diversion ditch and another day, it was soaring overhead. They are quite magnificent to watch, so if you are in that area, keep an eye out for them.

My sister, Donna Lou and Steve Hatch, and children, Dillon and Jekara, of Mc- Graw, were here for a morning visit on Thursday, March 20.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthday wishes go out to Jekara Hatch who will be 12 years old, Gertie Schecter, George Gray, Sonny Brodie, Jordan Mabie who turns 22, Mikaela Tripp who will be 15, Bethanie Mabie who will be 19, Aunt Myra Webster, Doris Blake, and John Hickling. Anniversary wishes go to Sonny and Linda Brodie, Jeff and Amanda Brodie who celebrate their third, and Bill and Kelly Schultz, celebrating their fourth anniversary.

Oops! Last week I had mentioned the Leap Year birthday party for Sandy Sutton, of Decatur, hosted by her sister and brother-inlaw, Pat and Leland Mabie.

Sandy and Pat’s brother, Bob and Betty Norton, also attended the party.

Serving in Our Military

This week I’d like to share with you about my niece, MMFN Rachel Brodie, who is serving her country in the United States Navy. Rachel is currently stationed in Bremerton, Wash., at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Base, where she has been since early December 2007, after arriving elsewhere in Washington in November. Prior to arriving in Washington, Rachel spent nearly a year on the USS Emory in La Maddalena, Italy.

Rachel’s next command, aboard the USS Frank Cable submarine, will be in Guam, where she will be stationed for two and a half to three years. She had originally planned to ship out to Guam in April, but now the Navy is saying September. Rachel is hoping to possibly get that date moved up to May. However, before leaving for Guam, she will have a month’s leave to spend time with family.

When Rachel emailed on Feb. 26, she had just gotten “esws” (enlisted surface warfare specialist) qualified. She says that is when you have to study for months about naval history, naval administration, and every shop on the ship. Then you first take a written test, and then a three-hour oral board. She said this is something that is big in the military.

Mom and I were the only ones home on Saturday, March 15, when we received a surprise telephone call from Rachel and we both enjoyed talking to her. At that time, she was preparing to take the e4 exam the next week to make 3rd class petty officer.

Rachel is the oldest daughter of Charley and Debbie Brodie of South Valley. Carolyn Sweeney reports that her daughter and sonin- law, Kelly and Doug Brent, are doing great. Doug is stationed near Bitburg, Germany, with the United States Air Force. She says they love the area they are in, but had a difficult time driving and getting lost as the road signs aren’t that informative. Now, whenever they venture out to go shopping or sightseeing, they allow extra time to find their way back home afterwards. After living in a small rented apartment on base, Kelly and Doug were excited to finally be moving into their house the first week of March. Kelly says the food there in Germany is very rich, but delicious. Kelly enjoyed taking a walk with her dogs down the road and stopped to watch a farmer herd his sheep with his dog. Then on her walk back home, her dogs met their first cow as it greeted them by the fence.

Carolyn says Kelly sends postcards every week to her Grandpa Jones and he keeps track of their travels with his map of Germany.

Bits and Pieces

Last week I had mentioned how David Thompson and his son, Aaron, attended the basketball tournament games at the Glens Falls Civic Center on March 14 to 15. Afterwards, I found out that they saw Lloyd “Juney” Mott, Jr., while there. After not seeing each other for many years, David and Juney enjoyed a great visit together. Juney is the Assistant Director for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association in Latham.

Nancy Prill, Margaret Mabie, Betty Brown, Becky Brown, Jean Roy, Marion Schneegas, Marie VanSpanjie, and Holly Worden attended the Cooperstown Area Christian Women’s Club Luncheon at the Tally Ho, in Richfield Springs, on Monday, March 17. The guest speaker this month was Narda Cornwall, from Boston, N.Y., who told how, from all the bad news in the world, she found good news. The special feature, “Bees,” was by Joanne Scanlon, of Schenevus. Special music, “Sweet Melodies,” was provided by Narda. Forty-some ladies attended this month’s luncheon.

Melvia Thompson-Fenn, of Decatur, called on Leland and Pat Mabie one day last week and enjoyed a nice visit with them.

Eric Cousineau and son, Brendan, of Leesville, called on Uncle David and Aunt Sharon Thompson on Friday, March 21, and also enjoyed lunch with them.

Frank Brodie accompanied Otsego County Farm Bureau President, Steve Sinniger, of Otego, as the two of them attended the memorial service for Marjorie Baehrel at the W.C. Brady’s Sons Funeral Home in Coxsackie on Friday night, March 21. Marjorie, 71, of Earlton, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, at her home after bravely fighting cancer. Marjorie was the mother of Bambi Baehrel, who is the senior field advisor and promotion and education specialist for the New York State Farm Bureau. She is also survived by her husband, Julius “Jules” Baehrel, and their son and daughter-in-law, Damon and Elizabeth Baehrel, and two grandsons, Christian and Damon Baehrel.

Schoharie County Farm Bureau members John Radliff and Richard and Sandie Prokop also attended the service, and there were numerous other farm bureau members from across the state in attendance as well. Following the memorial service, a time of fellowship, with cake and coffee, was held at the Earlton Firehouse.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Have a great week and be sure to phone me at (607) 264-3225 with all of your Easter news.