Hilltowns Senior News for Friday, March 17, 2017
Yay! It’s finally snowing! Now I ask you, what kind of idiot reacts with glee to a potential disaster? I guess, in part, the remnants of that little kid huddled by the radio listening to the school closings, and hoping.
Yes, I know that the poor guys on the snowplows won’t get any sleep for the next 24 to 36 hours. I know that, if you’re on oxygen, and the power goes out, you’d better have a backup or live near the ambulance barn.
It’s probably not much fun having to pack up and go somewhere else to get warm and fed if necessary, but I just can’t help being excited.There’s something about the raw power of weather, the ragged beauty of the aftermath, that stirs something deep inside.
I also view it as a personal challenge, a contest between me and Mother Nature, to see who comes out on top. She does, of course.
I’m not going up against a tornado, or a tidal wave, but here in the Northeast, where “extreme weather” usually means rain, or ice, or snow, I like seeing if I can continue to live as I wish in spite of her best efforts. I am a preparedness nut of sorts, which also means I’m a pretty typical country-dweller. I have oil lamps, batteries, Coleman lanterns, flashlights, bottled water, and even a few of those military Meals-Ready-to-Eat on hand.
When I moved into my house, I made sure that there was a woodstove with a cooktop. Blankets? Check. Snowmobile suit? Got it. Shovel? Yes, but couldn’t I just stay inside until it all melts?
So here I am, snug in my little lair. There’s a pot of beans and smoked turkey on the stove, plenty of books to read, and that rug I’ve been working on to occupy my time. I’m almost gleeful.
When I was very little, I had a yellow 45-rpm record of “Little Orley and the Happy Bird,” The Happy Bird was a manic character that insisted you sing whenever anything went wrong, right up until the Happy Bird got run over by a nanny goat.
When reminded of his happy song, he was less than gracious. The moral was that it’s easy to be happy when the trouble is someone else’s, but not so easy when it’s your own.
I am a “cautiously optimistic” Happy Bird watching the snow, and wish all of you the same.
Coming up
March is Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month, International Mirth Month, National Craft Month, and National Noodle Month. The week is American Chocolate Week, World Folktales & Fables Week, and Wellderly Week. On the 19th, the Swallows Return to San Juan Capistrano. The 20th was Bed-in For Peace Day for Beatle John Lennon and wife Yoko, and the International Day of Happiness. Spring arrives on the 20th at 6:29 am EDT. National Renewable Energy Dayis the 21st, and As Young As You Feel Day is the 22nd. Thursday the 23rd is National Puppy Day and National Chia Day: 23. We end the week with National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day on the 24th, and National Medal of Honor Day on the 25th.
The senior shopping bus will make its next trips to Walmart and Whole Foods on March 22 and April 5,. Call CDTA at 437-5161 two days in advance to arrange for pickup.
The Hilltowns Community Resource Center’s next lunch will be Thursday the 23rd. Lunch is at Noon, and there will be a German dinner of sausage and sauerkraut. There is no charge; only your free-will offering. Lunch is followed by an hour of Bingo. The resource center is located at the Reformed Church at 566 Route 143 in downtown Westerlo. Call Mary Beth at 797-5256 for more info. They also have a food pantry on site; donate or take what you need.
Need some legal advice? Appointments with attorneys from the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York can be scheduled at the Knox town hall by calling Pat Lightbody at 872-9400.
Cooperative Extension has free water test kits available. No outside labs or special fussing; you can do the test at home. The main number at Co-op is 765-3500.
The Hilltown Seniors are sponsoring a trip to the Culinary Institute of America and the Vanderbilt Mansion on April 5. Cost is $50 for members, and $70 for non-members. The trip includes a lunch of antipasto, Italian roasted chicken (Petto di Pollo Alla Salvia), glazed carrots, chocolate lava cake (Tortino di Cioccolato), and coffee or tea at the renowned Caterina de' Medici restaurant. Shirley Slingerland is taking reservations at 797-3467.
Menu
Speaking of food, the Helderberg menu for next week is:
— Monday, March 20, lasagna roll-ups, marinara sauce, romaine lettuce, tomato, carrots with Italian dressing, wheat Italian bread, pears, and milk;
— Tuesday, March 21, meatloaf with tomato gravy, seasoned oven roasted potatoes, cauliflower, wheat bread, pound cake with strawberries and whipped topping, and milk; and
— Friday, March 24, mac and cheese, stewed tomatoes, wheat bread, baked apples, and milk.
Doors open at 11 a.m. and lunch is served promptly at noon. We also have transportation to and from lunch! Just tell Linda Hodges when you call with your reservation.
Does your bobsled-building club, ancient Gaelic history group, or sunflower horticulture club need an easy place to meet? Why not meet at the Senior Center? Come have lunch, and then get together with your friends. There’s plenty of space, and the center is open for all of us. We already have games, dominoes, and cards after lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays, so join us.
Please call Linda Hodges 24 hours in advance to 872-0940 to reserve lunch, or email her at: , or sign up when you come in. Tell us how many are coming, your name, and your telephone number. If you’d just like to come and help out, call Linda or send an email to , and put “volunteer” in the subject line. Lunches are provided by Helderberg Senior Services, the Albany County Department of Aging, and Senior Services of Albany. The town of Berne Community and Senior Services Center is located at 1360 Helderberg Trail (Route 443) in Berne.