Ashland Speaks by Lula Anderson - 05 March 2026

Happy March!!  According to WRIP Meteorologist we have made it to meteorologic spring.  As I look out the window , I'm not sure I believe it.  I hurried and did all of my morning chores, including a quick trip to Windham before the weather changed.  Yes, it's snowing again.  This is real sap snow, though.  It is wet and slushy to insulate the roots and make the sap sweeter.  Even though I'm old(er), I still get the itch to tap a few trees.  There's something satisfying about using maple syrup that you made.  Maybe next year.

We had our first WAJPL Senior Citizen meeting yesterday since the luncheon in December.  What a crazy winter, first the flu, then the cold and snow.  40+ people showed up, including some new members.  It was so wonderful to catch up with friends whom we haven't seen in FOREVER.  Many hugs and kisses were shared.  Next meeting is March 16th .  We have some wonderful trips, including the trip to Norfolk, VA April 16-19th.  Come join us to see what else we have planned.  Craft classes will be starting in June.  Albin is cleaning up the closet to reorganize his stained-glass supplies.  Judy and Vicky (And Leta) are planning what they will be doing in Ceramics.  I know Ingrid has plenty of lawn ornaments that need painting, if you want to paint without the responsibility of finding someone to give it to.  Amy will be back teaching art classes.  I think that it will be on Wednesdays this year, but we haven't set a start date.  

Ashland Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary ITALIAN PASTA DINNER - Saturday, March 7, 2026 hosted by the Town of Ashland Firehouse, Sit-down or Take-out Available - Adults $13.00, Kids $8.00 - Under 6 eat free!  MENU Choice of Raviolis, Lasagna, or Penne Pasta & Meatballs, Tossed Salad, Italian Bread, Dessert, Coffee, Water or Iced Tea.  A 50/50 Raffle will be held.  Come and Support Our Local Ladies Auxiliary! Ashland Fire Department is hosting the Greene County Annual Fireman's Convention this year and needs the support of all to make it happen.  

WAJ Varsity Girls Alpine Ski Team competed at Bristol Mountain Resort (South Bristol, New York, in the Finger Lakes region)this past Monday and Tuesday (2/23-24)  for the NYS Ski Championships and came home with 2nd place in the state for all schools. They won the whole thing last year and were looking to repeat but fell short. Still a major achievement.  The WAJ girls who won and competed at states are PIper Cohane,  a Senior, Gianna Garzone, a Junior and Sophia Garzone, a Freshman.

The Windham Hensonville UMC Ladies will once again be holding their annual Corned Beef Sandwich lunch on March 13. Cost is $19 for sandwich, chips, cole slaw, homemade cookie and a drink.  

The Mountain Top Methodist Parish held their monthly dinner church at the Windham Church on Friday, February 17 with 37 attending.  The food was great and plentiful.  

For those who are looking for fellowship and a hot meal, The Kaaterskill UMC is still serving soup and sandwich lunch on alternate Tuesdays.  

Support Hensonville Hos Co by attending their Friday Fish Fry.  

Continuing prayers for Tom Drum, Jim Varelas, and Christine Newcomb

AS I REMEMBER IT

Everyone is talking about the winter snow, cold, etc.  So I sit and remember how it was.  When the Sheridans started Ski Windham, there was no snow making machines There was skiing when it snowed, and no skiing when it didn't.  It seems to me that there was skiing from November to March at the time.  

My mind drifts back to the 1950s when IBM was starting a big plant in Kingston.  I was working for the telephone company in the summer and they contacted all the company to ask for imports to come to Kingston and help for the influx.  We were offered room and board so several of us including Jean  MacGlashon, Jean Quinn, Rose Brandow jumped at the chance.  I had just purchased a new 1957 Buick from Don Crandell and it was winter.  What do I do with the car?  I parked at the basement of my Grandmother's house, and then rented a garage space across from the (now) Cave Mountain Motel.  As you pass, you can see three bays.  Sok, I pulled into the garage and while I was in Kingston, it snowed, and snowed, and snowed.  I have pictures of me standing on the snowbank in front of the garage door and touching the roof.  It took until April until I could get my car out. I have pictures of the WAJ parking lot and play ground with 5 foot snowbanks.

Going back farther in time, in 1940, my father had a sleigh with one horse and we rode, with blankets, on the main road, Rte 23 since the plows that they had only took off the top layer of snow and packed the rest down. 

When it starts snowing, people ask me if I'm afraid of getting snowed in.  Believe me, 1 foot of snow is nothing anymore.  We know that the roads will be plowed as soon as it tapers off, they will be sanded and salted and we will be able to go out and get our bread and milk the following day.