Grindstone News - August 12, 1992

Grindstone Island - And, yes, it rained. And the Aunt Jane's Bay service was moved to the church. At least one parishioner says he doesn't ever remember the service being cancelled. This is an odd summer! Nevertheless, there was a big congregation and people were pleased to welcome the Rev. Burtt Sweet, retired superintendent of the Central Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference to the pulpit of the Grindstone Island Church. He will be preaching next Sunday, Aug. 16, and also on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, at the concluding service for the summer.

The Aunt Jane's Bay service has been rescheduled for next Sunday, Aug. 16 at 10:30 a.m.

Mary Lou Rusho was organist for the morning service while John Marks and Aminta were visiting the Potter family in Plattsburgh. All reports are that John does not have to worry when he has to be away as long as Mary Lou is on the island! John and the whole congregation give her a heartfelt "thank you"! We are sorry to report that Mary Lou must leave this week because she has to begin teaching in Florida on Aug. 17. Marilyn Roos and her son, Brian, have been visiting Mary Lou and Manley this week.

Debbie Donaldson taught Sunday school during the morning service, and perhaps the young people learned a song to sing for us on one of the coming Sundays. We'll see. Next Sunday Aminta Marks is teacher.

This Sunday Mr. Sweet led the church in the second communion service for the summer, and though the congregants could not look out over the St. Lawrence from Aunt Jane's Bay, they felt they "gathered by the river" for the sharing of the bread and wine.

Next Saturday evening, at 5:30 p.m. the people of the church will gather for a pot luck supper - just to enjoy breaking bread together yet one more time.

And the partying: There was dancing, of course, on Saturday night at the Dodge Community Center to the music of D.J. John Morrow.

The young people and a few adults worked hard to learn the Ebee tonic slide, and Susie Marshall won the 50-50.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, the party on the lawn in front of Kitty and Salt Garnsey's house was still in full swing, boats were rafted together in their bay and everyone was ready to continue the fun for several hours, yet, celebrating, as Grindstone Islanders are invited to do annually. Kitty's and Salt's wedding anniversary.

On Tuesday, Leon and Marjorie Rusho celebrate their 62nd year of marriage!

This week, Chris Matthews, president of Dodge Community Hall, asked me to include this note of appreciation, and I am delighted to do it:

The question of who cleaned the parsonage in preparation for the arrival of the Rev. and Mrs. Game Spence is answered: Erma Slate did it with the help of Clara Carnegie (who sees that this news gets to the Thousand Islands Sun every week), and Margaret Taylor, always a ready and willing and ever helpful hand, brought lunch.

Here is a list of those who worked to make Old Home Day the success it was:

Maggie Matthews lugged 300 pounds of food and drinks over to the island before July 26.

Dick Matthews also brought some things over during the week.

Jamie Brown and Jim Cupemall helped some, too.

During church on July 26, the following people were working away in the carriage house, lugging all the stuff to the beach, setting up all the tables, grills, coolers, and the pie wagon, and cooking: Brenda Slate, Buck Slate, Chris Matthews, Dick Matthews, Erma Slate, Jay Slate.

When it was about time to eat, Junie Brown, Judy Bacci, Bubby and Caroline Bazinet arrived to lend a hand in the few last-minute tasks.

This writer apologizes for not doing her homework well, and for not giving any credit at all to Maggie, Jamie, Jay and Jim, saints she didn't see.

One more credit needs to be written large! The Rev. Garrie Stevens and his wife Shirl spent one, rainy, cool, week in the parsonage, thinking to enjoy walking the roads, swimming in the river and sightseeing in their boat. They could do little of any of these things because of the weather. But instead of complaining, they must have scurried like mice to clean up both the church and, even once more, the parsonage, before they left, so both buildings were a sweet smelling joy on Thursday morning when the organist went in to practice for a few minutes. Everyone in the congregation sends thanks to them both for the pleasure of clean houses that they gave us.

There is always one more thank you to give: Caroline Bazinet left this week's news carefully printed on a paper plate she tacked beside our door so this column could get to Clara on time on Sunday evening. So it is.