We always enjoy the first big snow storm of the year. Of course, we would enjoy it ever so much more if it arrived sometime late in January. We suspect, although we certainly can not prove it, that the most recent snow storm was a direct result of our having put out our newly decorated Christmas wreaths on Friday, the 5th. The one on the front porch sports a snowman holding a sign which says "Let it snow." We think we didn't mean it literally. And, since we we would not normally put out wreaths so early, we will try, just in case, to stick to our regular schedule another year.

But no matter when a snow storm comes, we are always struck by how incredibly quiet it is during the storm. And the one this past weekend was certainly no exception. We were also struck by the fact that events such as snow storms tend to pull neighbors together as they struggle with the seemingly overwhelming piles of snow. A neighbor, new to the street this past year, kindly continued his snow blowing and did our front sidewalk, for which we extend our thanks. Although we have a very good help in removing our snow, we think having the sidewalk done as soon as possible is without doubt a plus.

We were also impressed with the promptness with which our Rotary Club poinsettias were delivered. The club certainly had their work cut out getting the plants around this year. It made us doubly glad that we had checked the box on the order form for their free delivery. We did unfortunately miss the Christmas Bazaar and Tea at the United Methodist Church on Saturday. And our plans to attend the Art Express at NYSHA were postponed until next Saturday, the 13th. We imagine, given the number of events which were scheduled to happen on the 6th, a number of other people were also forced to change their plans.

We did, however, enjoy watching the Colgate/Western Illinois University football game on the television. The game, which was played outdoors in Hamilton, N.Y., last Saturday, definitely should have received the

title of "Snow Bowl." Only once, in the wee-we's football career at C.C.S., did he play a similar snowy football game. And interestingly enough, that game too was played in Hamilton. For us, the difference

was that we were in Hamilton when the wee-we played and home in the warmth and comfort of our family room when Colgate played. And, as ironic as we might tend to find the Hamilton football games, we

must say that we found an experience we had over Thanksgiving even more ironic. While visiting friends Thanksgiving night for dessert, we encountered David who had been a student at Boston University when we were the costumer there back in the earlier '70s. At that time, Boston University did a production of Electra in which David appeared and we, of course, did the costumes. We must admit that we do not remember David as a student, which is quite all right, as he did not remember us as a costumer. This past semester Kenyon College did a production of Electra, for which our son, Christopher, a.k.a. the wee-we, was the technical director and in which David's daughter, Becca, appeared. We find it hard to believe that two generations of two families could be tied together in much the same way with two college productions of

Electra.

And, although we do not recall each other's connection with the Boston University production, we readily agreed upon the costumes worn by the Greek chorus which featured three young women. As per the costume designs we had made tops for the chorus that could be thrown back over their heads so that the girls, all of whom, we might add, were well endowed, would be topless. And then, according to the director, they would dance. The topless dancing lasted exactly one dress rehearsal after which the chairman of the department announced that the chorus could either be topless and not move, or remain covered and dance. His decision removed from the audience the bobble-head effect we witnessed at the dress rehearsal.

In closing, after much thought, we have decided to discontinue the "What to Do" list in this column. We started because so many people had told us there was nothing to do in Cooperstown. And, as we thought, trying to do such a list convinced us that there is more to do than we can keep track of in any sort of accurate way. For example, the Voices of Cooperstown concert is, if we have it right this time, at 7:30 p.m. not 8 p.m. on Saturday the 13th. Add to the difficulty of trying to keep it all straight, the fact that both papers do their own lists, and it really becomes an exercise in futility. In fact, one of our editors summed it up in an e-mail quite nicely when he wrote: "Funny you should mention 'What To Do.' I was actually intending to ask you how long you planned to include the section - not because it is not a useful addition, but only because it seemed a bit repetitive, what with our other events listings. I thought perhaps you could use that space for more of the witticisms and observations we've come to know and love. I'm glad to hear that you've come to a similar conclusion, and I can certainly sympathize with the enormity of the task, not to mention keeping up to date with cancellations and changes!" We could not agreee with him more ... this time.

We remain,

In these Otsego hills,

Where nature smiles,

The Ellsworths

The Ellsworths may be reached by mail at 105 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, by telephone at 607-547-8124 or by e-mail at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com. They look forward to hearing from you.