The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - 07 September 2025

PRATTSVILLE - Another Labor Day weekend has come and gone. Hope you put your free time to fun filled and loving time with family and friends.

Keep our children safe. Watch out for those stopped school buses.

Had a great conversation with Beverly and Charlie Santos. Charlie loves Prattsville but the cold winter weather keeps them in Florida for that season. But he is considering adapting their home and outlook on being here year round. Go for it, you already have lots of friends and are involved with all sorts of groups and activities. In repairing the Becker homestead after Irene, they discovered all sorts of anomalies in their home that was once a boarding house for summer visitors, as well as cabins in the rear of the large house. It is understood that the building existed in the time of Zadock Pratt and was used by him as a dormitory and bunk house for his many employees. Of course, the house has gone through many re-configurations and Charlie and Beverly were amazed at what they discovered behind some of the walls. Would love to hear more about that house and many of the others in Prattsville that go back a long time. Bev had tears in her eyes when Charlie publicly proclaimed that he loves her with “I love her” for many to hear. Good going Charlie, and Beverly. Sunday was a busy day for them. After Mass they took in the Mountain Top United Methodist Churches by attending their picnic at C.D.Lane Park in Maplecrest. Beverly’s mom, Viva Dunham Becker, grew up in Lexington and relatives still live there. Thank you Nancy Hermance Kizyma and JoEllen Van Etten Slauson for keeping Bev’s family genealogy correct. You don’t have to tell Bev and Charlie to keep busy. P.S. Charlie rules the kitchen.

Barbara Drum Dodge is hereby voted “best cousin on the mountaintop”. She had previously stopped by with barbecued ribs and now visited with Jane’s Ice Cream, purchased at RSK Farms, on Sunday. The flavor was raspberry with chocolate chips mixed in. Due to the warm weather it had to be eaten immediately! How could you not vote for her? A lively conversation took place both times and she is always welcome to drop by for a visit with or without food, but ice cream is always appreciated. At the yard sale she picked up a Christmas drum themed creamer and pitcher and what else would you expect of her with a maiden name of “Drum”. Can think of some other names that we are so glad she does not carry – Drum will do. She says she has a collection of drum, cowboy (western), and star themed items. She decorates her home with these items on display with her family’s names inscribed on them. Thanks again Barb for sharing your memories, love and ice cream.

Out of the past comes Bonnie nee LeRoy on Saturday for a visit at the yard sale. Bonnie was married to Gene Olsen and they lived in Johnson Hollow at the Cross rental when Gene worked at Greendell Packing. Many years ago Bonnie worked at what was then the Stamford Hospital in their nursing home facility. They remained great friends of Stella and Val Cross and Bonnie’s one daughter, they had four, Nancy came to Stella’s to help with the repair of her home after the flood. Bonnie also knew the Brainerds and asked about the younger generation. She said she could remember the day when Randy Brainerd was born in the Catskill Hospital, where she was also in the maternity ward, and she also asked about Janet Barkman Brainerd. She later visited with Elliott and Shelly Brainard. Fond memories were discussed and enjoyed once again. Bonnie was also an above average bowler.

Jim and Roxy King said their lilacs had just about died but with the little rain we got recently, their lilacs were showing new growth and Shelly B. said the same thing. Wish I had written down the very unique names of their grandchildren. Perhaps they will again share them with me so I can share them with you. The Kings live a dual life between Maryland and Prattsville and everything with them is an adventure and they believe life is meant to be enjoyed and they spread those thoughts to others. Enjoy your anniversary and make it something to remember. Good to see you.

Thanks go out to all who helped with the yard sale – Marianne Krauss, Sharon Potter, Cathy Martino, Stephanie Braswell and Shelly Brainard. They concentrated their efforts on behalf of their organization, American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327, in support of our veterans. New items were donated for the veterans at the Stratton VAMC, Albany, and books were also donated to be taken for a donation to the same cause. The donors were very generous. Sharon and Dottie Pickett brought new items to be presented to the veterans. Thank you.

In the realm of “Did you know?” - Did you know that there is a Fairy Festival in a town near Binghamton for three days in June? Neither did I but a lady from a town near us said that she attends every year and thoroughly enjoys it. She and all the attendees dress up as fairies in sparkling dresses and with wings of course. This year her outfit, including her wings, was in white lace with sparkles and she said everyone complimented her on it. She is so enthusiastic about dressing up as a fairy, saying “I just love dressing up as a fairy” and thinking up the appropriate costumes. Being not of the younger generation, she did shed all her years when relating this tale. What a way to fight those dreaded aging years. She and her two companions also got to take home some Rose of Sharon seedlings just because. They were on their way to a cookout in Shandaken and had to be on their way because “the hamburgers are cooking.”

Don’t forget the Victorian Tea at the Zadock Pratt Museum on September 13, Saturday. Please text Lisa Birnbaum at 713-594-8118 to check on availability of seatings and the appropriate times. This is for the benefit of our Zadock Pratt Museum so do try to attend.

Happy Birthday to Geanine Eisel on September 7. Matt Peters is wished a very Happy Birthday, here in The Prattsville Scoop for the first time, on September 9. On September 10 it is Happy Birthday to Daniel Lane, Stephanie Braswell, Darcy Jaeger-Brand and Connie Briggs. On September 11 it is Happy Birthday to previous Prattsville resident Frank Hagan, now in Catskill. September 12 it is Happy Birthday to Christina Gurley. Jim and Roxie King are wished a Happy Anniversary on September 6. We wish Alan and Sue Huggins a great and Happy Anniversary on September 8.

We would like to share your news so send it to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219.