We have learned that Marion Heller Terpening, daughter of Aline Heller of Cooperstown, is now in Kuwait where she is serving as a nurse in the national guard. Marion is a member of the C.C.S. Class of 1966. We wish Marion well in her tour of duty and trust that she will return safely. Not long after Marion left, Aline learned that her nephew, Harry James Ryan, son of Thelma Campbell Ryan, C.C.S. Class of 1941, died at the young age of 56. Jim was a teacher at BOCES in Ganesvoort, New York and an avid hunter who usually managed to make it to Cooperstown each year during hunting season. We extend our sympathy to his family and friends.

The Women's Club of Cooperstown will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, March 9 at 2 p.m. at Christ Church Parish House. Following the brief business meeting, the afternoon's program, "Floral Arrangements," will be presented by Mohican Flowers under the guidance of Carol Waller. Hostesses for the tea which will follow the program are Marjorie Shelhammer and Helen Weber, co-chairs, Ann Barnum and Virginia Ingalls. The meeting is open to members of the club and their guests as well as any community members who are interested in this month's program.

Last week we had the opportunity to visit the exhibit "From Austria to Uzbekistan: National Dress" at the Yager Museum at Hartwick College in Oneonta. Since our formal training is in costume design and construction we were delighted to be able to view clothing from around the world. Not only did we find the various styles of the different counties of interest, we found the many bright colors a welcome change from the white of winter. The show, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m., runs through May 23. It is, we think, well worth the trip.

On one of our blessedly infrequent trips to the local grocery store, we were somewhat surprised to discover that our bill came to exactly fifty dollars.

When we mentioned how unlikely that amount was, the cashier told us that it was the second time that day, that she had rung up an order in the amount of fifty dollars.

We can't help but wonder not only what the odds of that happening are, but also how hard it would be to try to select items that would, at the check out, add up to fifty dollars. In fact, we wonder if anyone else has had a fifty dollar order at the grocery store. Please let us know.

From two reports that we have received, we gather that upwards of eight deer are frequenting the neighborhood. We, fortunately, had not seen them at all, let alone en masse. But we are willing to bet that once the white stuff goes, we will be able to see the deer's calling cards as well as any further destruction of the flora by the fauna.

Now that the 2007 bicentennial card has been played, we feel we should attempt, although it is not our best moment, to include historical moments of the village in the column. When the he-we was alive such information was, of course, a staple of this column. However, he had a much better grasp than we do.

However, we have been advised, by Doug Preston, former Cooperstonian now living in New Hartford, New York, that "If you want to get people going sometime, ask about the locations of all of the car dealerships, gas stations and garages in days of yore. There are darn few gas stations in the village any more, and are there any dealerships today?" Off the top of our head, the answer to the last part of Doug's question is no. Other than that, we will have to depend on our readers to fill us in. Please let us know about Cooperstown's car dealerships, gas stations and garages. But please, spare us any information about the current price of gasoline.

Unfortunately, in corresponding with Doug, he noted, when it comes to local history that "The scary part, however, is that we Baby Boomers are fast assuming the role of 'older natives." We get the same feeling about that that we do when we hear about Baby Boomer collecting Social Security. It doesn't make us happy.

In closing, since we spent so much time last week discussing the "Bundles for Babies" program at Bassett Healthcare, we feel we should point out that the "Bundles" program is only one of several volunteer opportunities at Bassett which can be done outside of the hospital. Two other come instantly to mind. There is a group of women, headed up by Carla MacMillan, who knit chemo caps for patients at the Hager Cancer Center. And two quilt groups, one in Worchester and one in Cooperstown, as well as the Telephone Pioneers have be making "Heart" pillows for patients in the cardiology unit. So, even though volunteering on a regular basis at the hospital, might not fit one's schedule, it is still quite possible to be involved. For more information, call Bassett's volunteer department at 547-3190.

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.