Don’t you just cringe to hear the early morning weather predictions calling for a “killing frost” tonight. The ‘killing frost’ was out there stealthing through the cold starry night, laying down a carpet of white over everything. In the morning, when you looked out of your window, there was no doubt that the ‘killer’ had done his thing.
This signal was sent! We pass reluctantly into the season of ‘coming in from the cold”. This time of the year always brought about the annual Cox Family Swap Meet. The hunt was on! With nine children under our roof, and 17 cousins under the roofs of relatives, the search for warm winter clothing brought mittens, hats, scarves and jackets of all sizes from attic boxes. Boots, tossed in a heap on basement shelves last spring, were now retrieved and evaluated. Each scrutinized item was passed up or pressed down: passed over or passed around. Who would make do, and who would get new – that was the question! Of course, the oldest and the youngest children, due strictly to their size, usually came out ahead. If not “brand new”, then maybe a good second hand from a thrift store, or possibly from a late winter/spring sale months back. All in all, no one went naked into the snow. We made it through to spring without losing anyone or anything to frostbite.
We always credited our good fortune in matching up bodies to coats and many other ‘large family’ survival techniques to the benevolent providence of God. So often, there was no other explanation. Miracles happened out of the blue and we were grateful.
A “Halloween Safe Night – Trick or Treat” will be held at the Pine Mill Grove, Pine Mill Rd, on Saturday, October 31st from 5 p.m. until ??? At 5:00 p.m. the fun starts with car decorating; 5:30 brings on the refreshments; 6 p.m. Trick-or-Treating; and at 7 p.m. the Hayrides begin. There will be apple dunking with prizes with refreshments all night. For more info call 224-6693. BOO!
The annual meeting of the Equinunk Cemetery Association will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Donald Torre, 1396 Equinunk Creel Road, Equinunk, PA. Phone 570-224-4473.
Any questions call Bob Kramer or e-mail him at rkramer8@verizon.net.
Our very special birthday wishes go to Paul Bennett, Jr. who is now 40 years old. His birthday was yesterday, October 13th. It’s a big one, Paul! Love, Mom.
Another big 40th birthday wish is sent to Jody Wood. Today, October 14th is her big day. Jody lives in Galilee. Have a very happy day; and many more.
Come one, come all! The Rileyville Community Association (Intersection of Rt. 191 and Rt. 371) presents a FREE Harvest Pot Luck Supper (covered dish appreciated) starting at 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 24, 2009 followed by a Talent Contest (donations accepted) at 7:30. All talent is welcome; for details call Doris at 224-4901; Della at 224-4465; Jean at 253-4322; or Lois at 448-2706.
There will be a Book Sale at the Manchester Community Library on Saturday, October 17th, 9 a.m. to noon. Mah Jongg continues every Monday afternoon, 1 to 3 p.m. No equipment is required, no experience is necessary. Instruction is free. The library is located at 3879 Hancock Highway, about two miles south of Equinunk. Call 570-224-4173 for information. Please leave a message.
The Pine Mill Community Hall will hold its final pancake breakfast for the ‘09 season on Sunday, October 18th at the hall, 919 Pine Mill Rd. in Pine Mill. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, home fries, juice, and coffee or tea for $6.00: Child’s half portion, 3.00. Children will enjoy seeing the horses when riders attending the outdoor Cowboy Service in the grove across from the Pine Mill United Methodist Church come in for breakfast after the service. Call 570-224-8500 for information and directions.
St. Joseph Church, Rileyville, will sponsor a Penny Social at the Catholic Community Center, (formerly St. Vincent’s School, in Honesdale,) on Saturday, October 24th. Doors open at 5:30; calling will begin at 7 p.m. Also offered: hot dogs and beverages, assorted baked goods, and door prizes. Call 570-7024.
The Pine Mill United Methodist Church will hold a Ham and Turkey Dinner from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 24th at the Pine Mill Community Hall, 919 Pine Mill Rd. in Pine Mill. Free will offering. Call 570-224-4876.
Doug’s Garden Notes
Nodding Out
For several weeks at the end of summer a row of (King) Kong sunflowers stood abloom, regimented 8-9 feet tall in my garden. Daily their huge yellow brown-centered discs followed the sun East to West. This heliotropism (sun orientation) is ever awe inspiring. Often I have mused how their heads turn overnight.
This martial row of late has come to rest with heads nodded earthward; can winter be far behind? Impulsively, I cut a head for examination. Revealed to me was a marvel of nature’s beauty in the geometry of the seeds arranged in graceful concentric arcs. This design reminded me of what I created as a child with a compass.
Probably devoured by birds, many seeds were already missing. Evidently, it was that any harvest must be shared with the birds. Perhaps a few seeds would fall to germinate next spring. How great it is to watch birds attack a head of sunflower seeds set out on a cold winter day.
The varieties ‘Kong’ and ‘Black Russian’ are the tallest, but you may want to elect others which proliferate in catalogues. Useful in bouquets, I like ‘Claret’ and ‘Autumn Sun’ which are much shorter for smaller gardens. My least favorite is ‘Teddy Bear’ which hardly resembles a true sunflower given it’s fuzziness.
Your flower garden probably abounds with many other see heads attractive to birds. Cone flowers and any thistle family members are appreciated by feathered denizens. The latter are beloved by Eastern Goldfinches. Wands of grasses above now banks offer sustenance during those bleak days.
Shrubs holding their berries late on are not only visually attractive but also a blessing to birds for their great nutrition. The viburnums, both native and cultivated, are excellent for these reasons. They also produce a striking show of spring bloom. Indigenous black haws, arrow woods, and nannyberries, all viburnums, can be added to your landscape. The cultivated doublefile viburnum ‘mariesii’ is a favorite of mine for its Spring magnificence and later blue-black fruit.
Birds love blueberries almost as much as we humans. Elderberries make great wine, but get them before the birds. Winterberries, a native deciduous holly, are attractive both for home décor and to the feathered ones.
How about building a few bird homes during those cold days to some? What would it b elike to have a ‘silent spring’ with no birds chirping and singing?
