The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - 22 December 2025

PRATTSVILLE - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You cannot hear those words too often. Mother Nature has decided we need a white Christmas as of Sunday afternoon but warmer weather in the future. As long as we have a white Christmas, we all will be in the holiday mood.

Judy and Janet Chatfield in Oregon are taking a deep breath and enjoying the season festivities. After the summer harvest, Janet is busy putting her gardens in shape for next spring. They will enjoy the fruits/vegetables of their labors during the long winter months. In the meantime, Judy, after the death of her beloved dog GiGi, keeps busy attending the senior center lunches, being active in her book club, library concerts and attending lunches with her friends. Judy admits to doing lots of shopping also. She also got to visit Long Beach, Washington in the fall and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of driving on the beach and not getting stuck in the sand as some did. “We wish everyone a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year…….Love and Best Wishes, The Oregon sisters – Judy and Janet”. As readers of The Scoop, we reciprocate with our Merry Christmas and Happy New Year wishes to Judy and Janet.

Carol Landers delivered 200 signed Christmas cards from The Mews residents for the veterans at Stratton VAMC to be handed out on Tuesday, December 16, to coincide with the VA Christmas Celebration. Carol spearheaded this effort and sometimes that is all it takes is someone to say we can do this and then tells them how to do it. Thank you Carol for doing this as well as for all those goodies your provided for our veterans.

Janet Brainerd called to bring us up to date on her activities. Last week we reported the her twin daughters, Becky and Connie, took her to Albany to do some Christmas shopping but before that she had spent two weeks in the hospital. As with many of us at a certain age, the combination of some prescriptions not only do not work but cause their own problems. Janet says the problems have now been corrected and she is feeling up to par. As always, she has a positive outlook on life and her phone calls are always welcome.

Dan Peckham stopped by with his and Joyce’s donations for the VA Christmas Celebration. He had to make two trips to the car to bring it all inside. So many veterans will have some extra warmth and some out of the ordinary treats and snacks to enjoy while playing their new games and enjoying other surprises after their Christmas Celebration on Tuesday, December 16, sponsored by the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 and American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327. So many donated this year in memory of a loved one (veteran) that their Christmas will be spectacular this year. The Post and Unit thank each and every one, those faithful supporters for the past twenty-one years and those who did so with special memories this year.

Late Sunday afternoon the phone rang and even before the caller had a chance to identify themselves, I answered the call with “Go Bills” and was replied to with “Go Bills”. Fellow columnist Dottie Pickett answered the correct way. We are hard core Bills fans and follow their games faithfully. Luckily we have been on the winning side for the past few weeks – Go Bills.

The ladies of the Friday afternoon luncheon club, Peggy Rappleyea, Susie Sutton, Carol Landers and niece, Kathy Sherman, Shelly Brainard, Diane Cammer, and Ginny Kennedy, met at Mama Maria’s for an enjoyable holiday luncheon. So far have not heard anything negative from or about this group. Got to raise the bar ladies.

To those battling lingering health issues and those who have the seasonal bugs, we wish you well and a return to good health. Please be well for the Christmas season and the beginning of a New Year. Can it really be 2026?

Cathy Martino and Ginny Gurley did some last minute shopping for the VA Christmas Celebration in Kingston on Thursday. Christmas winter weather with snow is one thing but when that is accompanied by below freezing temperatures and gusty winds, not so pleasant - Kingston was cold.

Happy Birthday to Nancy Hodge on December 20. On December 22 we wish our Steve ‘Beaver” Haskin a very Happy Birthday. On December 23 we send Happy Birthday wishes to Marcia Dougherty. Chris Tompkins is sent Happy Birthday greetings on December 25.

Please send your Christmas news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518 299 3219.