Published: May 29, 2008 08:21 am         

South Valley

By CAROL BRODIE

It looks as though the phoebe’s are returning to various areas since disappearing after last year’s April snowstorm. We have a pair of them that came earlier this spring, and I believe they are nesting down back in the barn. My sister, Barb, who lives outside of Mohawk, emailed last Tuesday to say their phoebe is back and building its annual nest underneath their deck.

I’ve been enjoying watching our pair of northern orioles as they now spend quite a bit of time in our backyard, apparently eating bugs in the fruit trees. We also have at least two pairs, maybe more, of rose-breasted grosbeaks. Last week, I went to put more sunflower seeds out for them in the feeders, and decided I had better wait because there were two females busily eating. This is the first time I have ever noticed the grosbeaks eating the suet cakes, but they seem to really enjoy them. It’s neat to watch them holding on to the suet cage as they swing around in the wind pecking on the suet! Our gorgeous pair of cardinals seem to be at the feeder all the time lately. One day last week, as I went to put more food out, the female sat patiently in the lilac bush singing until I finished and then she came to eat.

I haven’t seen our cute little brilliant blue indigo bunting since that first time, but I believe he must be visiting Pat and Zeke Mabie, as Pat said they have one at their feeder. As I was writing this week’s column, Sharon Thompson phoned to say they now have two pairs of rose-breasted grosbeaks.

My brother, Sonny, phoned from Summerfield, Fla., on Saturday night, May 17. He was pretty proud of his two grandsons, Nick and Chase, as their soccer team won the championship as they beat two teams, back to back, in the playoffs that day.

What a great surprise we received on Wednesday, May 21, when Rene and Nancy Foote, of Accomac, Va., stopped in to visit Dad, Mom and me. We hadn’t seen them in at least eight years, so it was neat to be able to visit and catch up on each other’s families. They’ve been spending some time visiting Nancy’s parents in Saratoga and had a big surprise 80th birthday party for her mom on Saturday, May 17.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthday wishes go out to Bill Hayes, Taylor Hayes who turns 14 years old, Les Chase, Tim Hotaling, Harry Kineke, Denise Lundgren who will be 22, Mark Mabie, Kristine Warchola, Regina Bateman, Bradley Bateman who turns five, and Matthew Moore.

Anniversary wishes go to Bill and Marsha Mabie and Scott and Regina Bateman.

Bits and Pieces

John and Stacy Mabie and children, Tiffany, Brent, and Miranda, enjoyed spending the weekend of May 9 to 11 in Jonestown, Pa., which is near Hershey. Tiffany is a member of the Cheerdome Cobleskill Angels Cheerleading Squad, and the reason for this trip was so she and her team members could take part in the cheerleading competition. Stacy says they didn’t do as well as they had hoped. She said that out of the 12 teams that played in their division, the Angels took 10th place. As disappointing as that was, however, Tiffany and her brother and sister still had a great time, as this was their very first time to go on an out-of-state trip. They especially enjoyed, and took advantage of, the pool at the hotel where they stayed.

They had also planned to visit nearby Hershey Park on Sunday, but were called home on an emergency instead as Cocoa, their dog, had gotten into a tangle with a porcupine and needed their attention.

Annie Anderson was one of the 26 sixth-graders from Cherry Valley- Springfield Central School to go on the Safety Patrol Trip, along with other students from area schools. Their teachers went along as chaperones. They left on Saturday morning, May 10, and went to Washington D.C., where they enjoyed visiting the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and the Washington, Jefferson, and Roosevelt memorials. They also visited Arlington National Cemetery, several of the Smithsonian Museums, and the Capitol Building. En route home, they visited Philadelphia, Pa. After a tiring but enjoyable four days, they arrived home Tuesday night, May 13.

Approximately 50 people attended the Otsego County Farm Bureau Rural Urban Event dinner at the Baptist Church in Middlefield on Tuesday night, May 13. A brief board meeting was held prior to the dinner. Guest speakers at the dinner included Jeff Decker, from the Coalition Connection, and James Ward, who is the lawyer for the Coalition Connection group. Don Barber also spoke for a few minutes on his agricultural background. Sandie Prokop, who is the managing director for the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education, spoke and did a presentation. Bambi Baehrel, senior field advisor for District 9, spoke briefly to thank everyone for the support, prayers and cards, both before and following, her mom’s March 18 death.

Local attendees included Frank Brodie, Elliot Brodie, Sue Schaffer, Geoffrey Schaffer, Jim and September Amspacher, Les and Dorothy Rathbun, Peter Rathbun, Warren and Mary Stannard, Julie Stannard, Werner and Beverly Weigel, Larry Roseboom and Alma Szeliga, John and Gail Walrath, and Steve Sinniger, who is the Otsego County Farm Bureau president. Annie Anderson and Kaitlyn Webster went to Norwich to compete as part of NYSSMA on Friday afternoon and evening, May 16. The South Valley Women’s Club did very well at their first dinner of the year at the Community Hall on Saturday, May 17. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and biscuit meal, and the ladies thank all of you for your generous donations. Elliot Brodie attended Sunday morning worship services at the Little Falls First Baptist Church on May 18, and later enjoyed dinner with Keith and Esther Lesmeister and family at their Little Falls home. That night, he attended the AWANA “end of the season” banquet, for the kids and their parents, at the church, where he also assisted with the meal. Then, during the evening worship service which followed, the Double Edge youth group took charge of the entire service, including the preaching. Marjorie French and friend Doug Hamilton, both of Schenevus, called on her brother and sister-inlaw, Leland and Pat Mabie, on Sunday, May 18.

Nancy Prill, Margaret Mabie, Marion Schneegas, Betty Brown, Becky Brown, Jean Roy, Marie VanSpanjie, and Kristi, Heather, and Holly Worden attended the Cooperstown Area Christian Women’s Club Brunch at the Tally Ho in Richfield Springs on Monday, May 19. This month’s brunch, “Opportunity Knocks,” featured guest speaker Darlene Clark, of Delmar, who told how she got involved in sign language. The special feature was also Darlene as she sang and signed.

Frank Brodie attended the Schoharie County Maple Festival meeting at the Cobleskill Firehouse on Tuesday night, May 20. Frank also attended the 4-H Issue Committee meeting at the Milford Central School on Wednesday night. Have a great week, and phone me at 264-3225 with news.