Ashland Speaks by Lula Anderson - 14 December 2025

By Lula Anderson

Can you believe how cold it's been?  The one night was -5.  Weather right out of January.  Makes you wonder what the rest of the winter will be like.  I met Peggy Rappleyea in Jim's the other day and she predicted a cold December and then moderate the rest of the season.  I do hope she's right.  The snow Tuesday was predicted well in advance—yes, stores were loaded with people stocking up on milk, bread, and water, but those who didn't order their snow tires soon enough had problems.  Grand Gorge Tire was overwhelmed with customers.  Wednesday morning dawned, the sun came out, and all is right with the world again.  Parking lots are still a bit icy, so watch out when you walk.  

Wednesday WAJPL held their Holiday luncheon at Chicken Run.  More than enough delicious food to eat.  We had the buffet and Kent sure does know how to please the crowd!  If anyone left there hungry, it was definitely their own fault.  We had a basket raffle with about 48 baskets and gift certificates.  Thanks to Main Street Market, Catskill Mountain Country Store, Windham Pizza, Carole"s Gift Emporium, Windham Hardware (Jimmy Lawrence), Windham Wine and Liquors, Jim's Great American and so many more for their donations to make our day a success.  A full listing will be published soon.  We are starting to collect dues for the 2026 season, and remember there is only one meeting in January.

The weekend saw many activities.  The breakfast to benefit Ashland Fire Dept and their hosting of the annual convention was very well attended with over 100 enjoying a wonderful meal.  Good food, good company. Great waitresses.  Here's hoping for more in the near future.  I hear the UMC Ladie's tea went very well.  The pictures of the Parade of Lights showed everyone having a wonderful time.  Welcome Christmas.  

Don't forget the Cookie Walk at the Ashland Community Church this Saturday from 11-2.  

On December 15th there will be a free community dinner at VFW Post 1545  5556 NY 23, starting at 6 PM.  Good food, good company, meet your neighbors.  Sponsored by Greene Co food security coalition..  Donations accepted.  

The ski slopes are open and the local workers are glad to be busy again.  The snow and cold weather are a boon to our local economy and we all look forward to a busy winter season.  

Prayers and sympathy to the Matthews family, especially Joan, on the passing of Todd.  

Please keep in mind those less fortunate than you, and try to help in any manner possible.  

AS I REMEMBER IT

At the luncheon I sat with a group of ladies, not quite my age, but old enough to discuss the plight of younsters not being able to cook, clean or do simple repairs.  When I went to WAJ way back when, the girls in 7th and 8th grade took Home Economics.  When I was in school, the Home Ec class was upstairs, next to what was then the lunchroom.  It later turned into the band room, and guidance offices, now I don't know.  The room was divided into a living area, complete with a sleeping alcove where we learned to make a bed using flat sheets.  Hospital corners, tight sheets that you could "bounce a quarter off of".  There were three kitchen areas, range, refrigerator, sink and table in each space.  We worked in teams:  sitting around the table with pen and pad to plan what the menu would be, looking up the recipe in cookbooks, writing down the ingredients that needed to to purchased, and planning a timetable so everything would come out together.  We were given a budget, and had to look at sales flyers to see if we could afford the meal.  After it was approved by our teacher, who at the time was Mjiss Henderson, she would  purchase the items for our next class.  We learned how to st the table, proper placement of forks, knives and spoons, plates to use, where the drinking glass would go.  What kind of centerpiece would you use for what type of meal, how high should the centerpiece be?  I have been to weddings where I can't see over the flowers to speak to my dinner companions.  Definitely a NONO.   

In eighth grade we learned how to sew.  We started with simple things like how to thread a needle, and simple mending stiches.  We learned how to dawn socks, and fix holes in seams.  Our big project was sewing an apron, and later, picking a pattern and sewing a skirt.  At the end of the year we held a fashion show where we modeled our creations for our moms.  We had a tea where we served cookies baked by us .  It was an occasion to be proud of.  

In the living room section, we learned how to dust and vacuum, plump pillows, and decorate.  We sat and discussed how to balance a checkbook, how to pay bills, and how to set aside money for a rainy day.  

During the year we learned child care, and when we left class we were all excellent babysitters.  We could diaper a doll in no time at all (cloth diapers and safety pins).  

At the time there was no BOCES, so those who weren't going to college took advanced classes.  There was flower arranging, complete meal planning, and more.  Whenever there was a school event, the girls made the cookies and cakes for the refreshments.  For prom the tables were full of cookies beautifully decorated by the Home Ec students.  

It's a shame that no one can see the need for such classes anymore.  girls today don't learn how to cook and do laundry.  Some say it's not necessary, but those of us, of a certain age, disagree.  How are we to learn if no one teaches us?