The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - 06 December 2024

PRATTSVILLE - Remember Pearl Harbor and those who lost their lives on December 7. They all died heroes and we offer them our prayers and gratitude. For our veterans, with gratitude and respect, thank you. We want to thank all the emergency workers in the utility companies as well as those in the medical professions, EMTs, law enforcement, etc. who had to be hyper alert for all sorts of emergencies during the outages. We had the full course of winter in a few days. Power outages, wet snow followed by more snow and slippery roads, then the colder temperatures. Lots of red in the dawn’s early light and we did get whatever the alerts were predicting. Now back to normal so Mother Nature can send in her next blow. Relax, it is winter in the great Northeast. Perhaps the ski slopes in our area will have a super season.

Do hope you watched the Buffalo Bills make a snowball of the San Francisco 49ers. With the Bills winning big time, sorry Matt Cangelosi, over the 49ers, it was an entertaining night with the snow and some truly amazing plays. The players were like little kids with the first snowstorm of the winter. Even the announcers seemed to be having a fun time. Enjoy the good times wherever you might find them. Go Bills.

Valerie Rikard Brainerd stopped by with boxes of toiletries to be included in the Christmas gift bags for the veterans in the residential units at Stratton VAMC. Her husband Richie is currently there and we, along with Valerie, hope to deliver him his gifts in person on December 9. Never too late to drop off donations or actual gifts for those veterans who are not able to go home for Christmas, and they so appreciate gifts presented in person along with a long chat. Valerie is keeping busy taking care of a multitude of male relatives, including “Shadow”, the family’s mutual dog – he has adopted Valerie as his owner. That dog knows a good and soft landing when he sees it. When her great-grandson visits, their next door cousin Titus stops by for lunch consisting of mac and cheese washed down with YooHoo, this is now a family tradition for the young cousins.

After Valerie went home to take care of Shadow, Shelly B. stopped by to deliver a very large box of wrapped gifts for the Veterans’ Christmas celebration. That shipment is part of the veterans rehab and entertainment hours to be shared with all. Information was exchanged re family Thanksgivings, shopping trips and plans for the upcoming Christmas season. Lots to look forward to as well as enjoying family and friends.

Next it was Glen Howard delivering his and wife Carol’s gifts for the VA Christmas celebration. Glen and Carol are both military retirees and continue to support their veterans wherever it is needed. Carol picks out the best coordinated outfits and we use her style choice as an example of what to accomplish. We, Glen and I, are first cousins and there were eighteen Howard cousins at one time, now we number 4 – 3 Delmar sisters and Glen. Glen had his red and black hunter’s plaid jacket on and when he was told that some of the veterans were getting either tops or bottoms in that pattern, he gave his approval with “they will really like that”.

It came near to having to cook Thanksgiving Day dinner at home, which had not happened in twenty-five years, due to the large snowstorm. The larger snow storm followed the two to three days of power outage, different areas getting their power back at staggered times. Lots of limbs and branches to be cut up and removed when the weather is a little more conducive to outside work. It is easy to get jealous of your neighbor who either has power, or heat, or TV/internet when you don’t have the same. Everyone survived and that is what matters. Lots of generators are now on order or are already newly installed. Can recommend having one installed that automatically starts when there is an outage. Some insurance companies give a deduction for such a generator.

The Kaaterskill UMC in Tannersville had such a successful Holiday Sale on Friday and Saturday, they decided to have it again this Saturday, the 7th. Hope you get the papers in time to see this notice. They have lots and lots of varied items for sale, at a very affordable price, and it is for a good cause.

The VA Christmas Celebration has become a super project. We are still not up to our usual fifty veterans but nearing that figure, and the total varies by the week. We will accept gifts up to Saturday, December 7, at the Gurleys. The gifts are small to large and some extra large and the gift bags are stuffed to the top with varied goodies. Their refreshment shelves will be restocked and games and toys of up-to-the date therapeutic type as well as just fun items will keep them busy, and on their way to recovering, for months to come. Thank you and we are always willing to deliver your donations at any time of the year.

It is with regret that we heard of the resignation of hometown “boy”, Franklin “Skip” Marquit from the Pratt Museum Board. Franklin has always been a devoted and constant supporter of the Museum having lived there with his family when there were apartments in the Museum. This would have been in the 1960’s – 70’s. He will continue to work on the interviews conducted with older Prattsville residents who gave their remembrances of days gone by. We wish Skip well. He will always be Skip to many Prattsville residents.

The wood cutter from Ashland, Kevin Sanson, has been extra busy with clean up after the two storms. He is one of the good guys who keeps you up to date on his schedule so you are not wondering when the work will be done. Most of us appreciate the consideration of just being kept up to date on approximate work dates.

Happy Birthday to Shane Thomas O’Hara on December 7. On December 9 we wish Eli Martin a very Happy Birthday. We send Happy Birthday wishes to Elliott Brainard on December 10. Happy Birthday and celebrate on December 13 with Teddie and Merrill Cline – have a double great day. Happy Anniversary to Shelly and Elliott Brainard on December 10. On December 13 it is Happy Anniversary to Phyllis and Jerry Raeder.

Send news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or 518-299-3219.