The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - 25 January 2024

PRATTSVILLE - The Prattsville Tea House

PRATTSVILLE – Hope your favorite football team won. Now on to the next game. Our nerves are shattered.Some fun news – Bear Pen Mountain Sports Center located in Little West Kill is constantly enlarging and offering more winter things to do and to be able to relax in between the outdoor activities in a warm interior. A snowshoeing event was held this past weekend sponsored by a Greene County agency doing the arranging. Once there the participants could take advantage of the indoor amenities including a dining area, snacks and drinks offered on site and to just relax after the outdoor events. The Rennells offer snowshoeing, skating, tubing, skiing, etc. They now have their license for legal beverages. Heard they also have live music provided by local band. Need to check this for more particulars. You should stop by just to see what we have offered in our backyard. Lots of people, 50 cars in the parking lot, were taking advantage of the snow cover and winter weather this past weekend. Many of us remember the original owners of the property, the late Howard and Eleanor Rennell – both veterans and we are thankful for their service, and son Howard and wife Claire Rennell and their daughter Dominque are now doing Howard and Eleanor proud. Their hard efforts are also a boost to Prattsville not only giving us some relaxation but they also employ local residents. Thank you to all generations of the Rennells.

Sandy and Bob Kiley are enjoying their status of doting grandparents to grandson Emmett. Sandy said she does get to do some babysitting and is enjoying every minute of it. Grandpa Bob’s smile says it all.

Met up with a friend of our past Postmaster Rich Towne. Rich was such a favorite with everyone in town, his replacement had to do extra duty to establish their own reputation. Rich is now married, riding his motorcycle, weather permitting, and living in the area down the mountain. Hello Rich.

I asked Claudia Bracaliello if she had ever heard of the Prattsville Tea House and she said, “ I had never heard any stories.  We [Mom Fran, Dad Claude and brother Andy] moved to Pratt’s City when I was 5, so guess that was ‘51 or so.  I was in kindergarten in the town school house.  That’s a long time ago.” Thanks anyway Claudia.

Continued get well wishes to Joanne Dunphy, Kathy Sherman and Ginny Kennedy.

Sympathy to Nancy Olson and all the members of the Van Etten family in Lexington and Prattsville on the loss of family member Nancy’s sister Pat Van Etten Baresel. Our condolences to all and thanks to Nancy for reaching out in memory of your sister.

We also extend our sympathy to the family of Charles Rion of Ashland/Windham. Charles is the brother of our Town Justice Donald Rion. Charles and Donald are the sons of the late Charles (Chuck) and Linda Rion. Our condolences to the family.

Marianne Krauss was treated to a birthday dinner by husband Johannes. Friends and wait staff at Mill Rock gave Marianne a rendition of the Happy Birthday song. Many more Marianne.

Anyone still not wishing the cold temperatures would soon abate? It is easy to get fed up with weather extremes really quick, especially if it involves automobile travel.

Winter hats and warm afghans were dropped off by the Gurleys at the Stratton VAMC on Friday. These types of donations are really in need now. Even if the veterans have a safe place to spend the cold nights, hats and afghans will add a layer of warmth to their bodies when outside. 4,200 veterans are in need in our areas. Thank you to our own Greene County Veterans Agency for providing transportation for our veterans to their appointments.

You might see this in Lula’s column also but as President of the WAJPL Golden Agers she is looking for someone able to make decorated Ukrainian Easter Eggs. And no, it is not an easy project of just sticking decals on the hard boiled eggs. Give Lula a call at 734-5360.

Still looking for information on the Prattsville Tea House. Kip Rikard, do you know anything about this establishment? Any one? Picture contributed by Connie Lane.

Heard from Jeff Sterl of Saugerties once more. He had not heard about Golda Nickerson’s death until he read it in The Scoop. She was a member of his previous Church. He likes reading the mountain top news columns from yours truly, Lula Anderson and Chris Dwon. Take a bow ladies, He also worked for years with the late Jack Landers. Our Carol Landers is Jack’s widow.

Happy Birthday to Brandon Grant on January 27. We wish Jamison Rikard, on active duty overseas, a very Happy Birthday on January 30. On January 31 we wish our own Jim Eisel a Happy Birthday.. Happy Birthday to that Shady Lady Gail Peckham on February 1. Hi Gail.