On Monday, March 10, it was such a cold wintry day that I decided to spend my time making turkey soup. Tuesday, March 11, wasn’t much better. It was too cold to go anywhere so I did laundry. Wednesday, March 12, was another wintry day with four inches of snow falling through the day. Then, an ice storm struck. Brandon was supposed to have his dinner visit with Samson and Nichole. I was nervous about going to Cobleskill with him because of that “nuisance snow” storm last Wednesday and seeing cars flip around on I-88. Finally, Veronica agreed to let him change to Thursday night, but she said, “Just this once.” That was a big relief. Thursday, March 13, came and everything was covered with ice. It was absolutely beautiful. The trees looked like giant crystal chandeliers. I couldn’t go out and take a picture because it was too icy. Berne school was closed, but Cobleskill was open. Brandon came home from work, and we took off for the dinner visit. Every week we’d pass Arby’s, and Samson always said it was expensive. He said his mother told him that. I said, “Let’s try it.” I had a Reuben, Samson had chicken, Nichole had turkey, and Brandon had fish. The prices were similar to McDonald’s. There were not many people eating there and very few employees. Friday, March 14, came around and the temperature started warming up. It took me an hour to get the ice off my vehicle. I had to get to the insurance office, as the insurance on Dan’s F-150 pick-up was due. I also had to change the policy to Danielle’s name. I was anxious to buy groceries, as I wanted to buy corned beef.  In the evening, I went to the Maple Inn for dinner with Brandon and Jennifer Smith. They have delicious food there, and the prices are economical. I had haddock, Brandon had salmon, and Jennifer had chicken. I saw many friends there, such as Karen Galusha and Sandy Wright. There was a huge birthday party in honor of June Springer, Karen, and maybe some others. On Saturday, March 15, I talked on the phone with everyone to catch up. It was too cold to go out to visit. Brandon and Jenn went shopping for material items for the new house. They bought 2 toilets and doors for the basement. Sunday, March 16, I went to church and then visited Danielle, Zoey, and Matt Babcock. They were busy installing new flooring in the dining and living rooms. Ray Rhodes and cousin Chris Richardson were helping them. Then, I went home and prepared a delicious corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes dinner. I was joined by my daughter, Marcia Pangburn, her daughter, Kyra, friend, Ella David, and Brandon, my grandson. That was the happy ending to the weekend.

Maple Syrup Events

The Kiwanis Club of the Helderbergs will host their Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 30, from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Knox Firehouse. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12, and 5 and under is free. The menu consists of pancakes, locally made maple syrup, sausage, eggs, applesauce, ice cream, coffee, and juice. There will be free Maple Farm tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Crafts and pony rides will be available. This will be in conjunction with Maple Syrup Weekends, which are for two weekends. They are March 22 and 23 and March 29 and 30. Mountain Winds Farms, operated by Randy Grippen, is open both weekends. Malachi Farms, operated by Brian Whipple, is open March 29 and 30, and Lounsbury’s on Cross Road is also open on March 29 and 30. More information can be obtained on the website www.Hilltowns.org. Click on Hilltown Maple Event for more information. On Saturday, March 22, there will be a 5K Run in Knox. Pancake breakfasts are available on both weekends.