The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - 11 September 2025

PRATTSVILLE - Thank you veterans for your valor and patriotism. You are appreciated.

Stop the presses. News from the Zadock Pratt Museum, re the Victorian Tea on Saturday, September 13. THERE ARE STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR EACH TIME SLOT. Text Lisa Birnbaum at 713-594-8118 to get your last minute tickets, it is never too late. Times available are 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. It will not be just tea, finger sandwiches and desserts but Gift Basket Raffle and Prizes. Join in for some hometown festivities.

It was a matter of one or two names to fit all in Jim’s Great American parking lot Sunday morning. There were two Michele Braine(a)rds and one Stephanie Brainerd just waiting for Stephanie Brainard Braswell to show up. Michele and Stephanie Brainerd are the daughters of Richie and Valerie Rikard Brainerd. Michele Brainard and Stephanie Brainard Braswell are the wife and daughter of Elliott Brainard. They were comparing the mix-ups they have incurred over the similarity of their names. They think all their records are now in order or until next time.

It is the Breakfast Club for the male cousins and friends on Fridays at Tracy’s Cafe in Grand Gorge. Cousins Tony Marsh and Bobby Gurley were joined by cousin Benny Benjamin and being an old friend of Benny’s, Maxie Stryker also made an appearance. Bobby Goff had also made an appearance at one of the previous breakfasts. Men do talk more than the ladies.

Had a short conversation with Lenore and Al Olivieri of East Jewett. They are supporters of and visitors to our local dinners and yard sales. They usually find something and do miss being able to visit with them over dinner. Al said his mom Toby is doing well for being 102 years old. As with most of that age, she does require some assistance and oversight but she is doing well for her age. Al and Lenore, please show her that she has made our local column again. The first time her name was mentioned here, she cut out the article and showed it to all her friends. She said it was the first time she was featured in such a newspaper article.

Sharon Potter and her sister-in-law Ethel Potter (Harvey) Strausser continued their assistance with the yard sale, stopping by to pick up the leftover serviceable items to take them to CORE in Stamford for someone else’s use. Sharon, as a member of ALA Unit 1327, will have her good deeds listed in reports. Ethel had fun selecting some books for her downtime while visiting Sharon and while at her cabin Ohio. She also has a home in Texas.

For those parishioners of St. Philip Neri RC Church in Grand Gorge who wish to share their pictures and memories with others of your special occasions, please bring them to St. Philip’s and give them to Theresa Gier or an usher by September 21, 2025. Make sure your name and address are on the back of your pictures. Invite people you know from years past who would like to be included in this walk down memory lane. This is all in preparation of St. Philip Neri RC Church’s 100th Anniversary celebration to be held on October 12. A Mass of celebration will be held on that day at St. Philp’s and all are invited to attend. It will be a very special day with Bishop Scharfenberger of our Albany Diocese being the Celebrant of that Mass. All are welcome in whatever capacity you can join in.

For those looking for a good cause, consider the Hudson Heroes, the team of Jane and Joe Concato supporting Brain Injury Your participation in Walk supports vital Association programs and services

that are critical to thousands of individuals and families in New York State. The Brain Injury Association of New York State is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law. About the walk: Saturday, September 13, 2025 (rain or shine). Registration: 10 AM, Walk Starts 12 Noon Walkway over the Hudson;  87 Haviland Rd, Highland NY 12528, Donations are greatly appreciated: Online: https://give.classy.org/HudsonHeroes. By mail

Jane and Joe Concato, P.O. Box 53, Lexington, NY 12452. Please make your checks payable to The Brain Injury Association of New York State. Thank you for your donation. Some years ago Jane and Joe moved their permanent address from New Jersey to New York and have embraced local church groups and community organizations. Joe started the Prattsville Fire Company’s Color Guard.

Hanford Mills in East Meredith sponsored a 2-Day Metal at the Mill/Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine Jamboree this past Friday, the 5th, and Saturday, the 6th, 10 AM – 4 PM. Heard from Prattsville residents Johannes and Marianne Krauss who attended this event as follows: “Marianne and I attended the jamboree on Saturday at Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith.  Even though the weather was not cooperating the event was still held. Jim from Dan's Septic Service brought old tractors and a large gas engine to drive the wood splitter.  It made short work splitting the logs.  There were other vintage vehicles there also.The sawmill was operating cutting large logs with its very large circular saw blade.  The saw is driven by a water wheel.The wood fired boiler was supplying the steam engines there.  The boiler is fired by the wood from the sawmill. There was a string band supplying folk and country music.The Museum shows how thing were done.  It is a great place to see the history of our area.  It is living history. Well worth a visit.  The event was also held on Sunday. Looking forward to next year there. Johannes”. Dan (Danny) was a Prattsville boy from way back and members of his family still live here. To Dan’s family, thanks for sharing him with all of us. Another antique engine aficionado in our area is Jim Huggins of West Kill and he does travel around, with Laurel in tow, to visit these shows.

There will be a round and square dance and pot luck dinner at the West Kill/Lexington Community Hall in West Kill on Spruceton Road, Saturday, September 27, festivities start at 4 PM to 8 PM. There will be a caller and a live performance by Homespun Occasions. BYOB. Pot Luck dinner starts at 4 PM. Suggested donation is $10 per person. Questions? Email friendsoflexington@gmail.com or DM@friends-of-lex or Instagram.

The Minews, Pat and Schuyler, and the Albanos, Tina and Tony, are having a two family yard sale on Saturday, September 20, 9 AM – 3 PM. They live on Beech Ridge Road South, West Kill. Their homes are easy to get to by turning right onto their road from Route 42, just after the road to Spruceton. They have been saving their treasures for a few years so it should be worth a trip to check out everything.

Had a long conversation with Chris Dwon but she swore me to secrecy so….but I got even, swore her to secrecy also. Chris writes Out Lexington Way. Can say she is proud of her three granddaughters, and rightly so, so keep smiling Chris and Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday on September 13 to Roxanne Marsh, Nadine Gurley Huntsman and Christine Dwon, fellow columnist for Out Lexington Way. On September 14 it is Happy Birthday to Julius Donisan. On September 15 it is Happy Birthday to Dylan Braswell. Sue Huggins, one of our favority cashiers at Jim’s Great American, is wished a super Happy Birthday on September 17. On September 18 we send Happy Birthday wishes to Jessica Schmiedle. And on September 19 it is a star studded Happy Birthday to Claudia Bracaliello, Anne O’Hara, Tony Bifolco and Dennis Baker, brother of our Steve Baker. Happy Anniversary on September 16 to Bonnie and Lester Chase. We send Happy Anniversary greetings to Dennis and Mary Barry Baker on September 18. Lots of parties for the upcoming week.

If you don’t see your name in the column, you didn’t let me know what you have been or planning on doing. Call 518 299 3219 or gurleyrv@gmail.com. Watch out for stopped school buses.