Community Columns

Flanders News: Remembering a year of joy and devastation

So, friends and neighbors, this is it — the last column of 2014. What a year it’s been. I’ve seen my baby girl graduate from high school and then go off to college in Oneonta. I’ve seen families in the community suffer loss and devastation. I’ve seen joy and happiness at weddings and celebrations of life with the birth of babies. I’ve seen people who once had it all get knocked down and then rise again. It’s been a long year and although some of it was extremely tough, I think what I’ve learned is to never take your friends and family for granted. Never miss an opportunity to say I love you or I’m sorry. Start off 2015 with a fresh outlook on life. You only get one chance, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

The next meeting of the Friends of the Big Duck will be Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 7 p.m. at the David W. Crohan Community Center. Elections will also be held during the meeting. Please try to attend so that there will be a quorum. The slate is not yet completed but they will have a position open for secretary if anyone is interested. The Friends have completed many projects this year, including the L.I. Duck Farming Exhibit and Museum. Joining this group is very rewarding and fun.

The Community Winter Soiree will be held Saturday, Jan. 17, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Flanders Men’s Club. All are invited to attend. There will be dinner, dancing, live music by Rock Hill, and a cash bar. Reservations are being accepted through Saturday, Jan. 10. Tickets are $20 per person and are available by calling Fran at 727-5342. This is a great night out with your neighbors. Nothing helps beat cabin fever more than shaking your booty and laughing with good people.

Happy birthday to Bobby Hartmann on Jan. 1, Nick Fisher, Jan. 3; Cathy Roman, Jan. 7; Jeannette Pekar-Ott, Jan. 8; Nick DiSalvo, Jan. 9; Kerri Cybulski, Jan. 11; my cousin Tracy Tribuzio Quinn, Jan. 12; Diane Graziano, Jan. 14; Kelli McCabe, Jan. 17; and my baby boy, Thomas Doherty, Jan. 18. OMG! He’s turning 22 already! I hope everyone enjoys their day doing whatever it is that makes them happy.

That’s a wrap. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. My next column will be for the Jan. 22 issue. I look forward to writing about our wonderful community. If you have any news you’d like to share please call or email me.

Please remember to not drink and drive and please put down your cellphones. It’s not worth risking your life or someone else’s. I think our new slogan should be “Let the phone take a back seat.” Take care of yourselves and your family. God bless us all.