Grindstone News - August 28, 1991

Thank you, Debbie Donaldson, for writing the Grindstone column last week, not forgetting one of the events! It is fun for all of us to hear different voices in this space. In that way all the nooks of this crannied island can be covered. Debbie makes even a rainy day on our road fun. On Wednesday, she and Karen Frick spent the morning making doughnuts!

Great pots of chili and corn bread also stewed that day in anticipation of a double celebration on Aug. 22: Beverly Pope's birthday and St. Lawrence Day. For the first time in

years, no boats set sail to celebrate. But we anticipate more young sailors will man the oars and paddles of the Thurso Bay Association in the years to come.

Although summer is drawing to a close with the last full moon before school begins, the Saturday night party was one of the season's best. That's That played, Bubbie called a few squares, and a big crowd danced in the hall. Susie Marshall won the 50-50 (her second win this year), and Nonna Frazier won the free lunches at Potter's Beach. Brenda and Pat Patch celebrated their wedding anniversary, and Skip and Nancy Matthews celebrated theirs! Jim Cupemall celebrated his birthday too. Erma Slate brought her weekend guests to the party, Karen Scanlon, her two daughters, and her sister, Brenda Phlug.

That's That is a good group and will play not only next Saturday night on Grindstone, but also at at the Grindstone dance on Oct. 12, at the K of C Hall in Clayton.

Leon and Marjorie Rusho transported the Rev. David Geer, district superintendent for the north country conference, across river and island to the Sunday morning church service and the annual charge conference which followed. The Rev. William Gipson reported on the summer work of the church, and its pleasures. The congregation heard with regret that he will be unable to return to the church next summer and gave him wholehearted appreciation for bringing us so many gifts this summer.

"Doc" Schwartz described the church's financial state as "sound", although, because of rising costs, the Sunday collections no longer cover the running expenses of the church. We must, therefore, continue to give generously, and to carry on with the dinners and carnivals which have helped in the past.

We have managed an unbelievable amount of maintenance in the last few years, and we hope we can continue that good work. Nat Natalie was especially thanked for fixing the church pump - a gift much appreciated by all!

Mr. Geer asked the people to tell him a little about Grindstone, and Yuvonne Marra talked about how many different Christian denominations are represented in the island congregation, an unusual example of ecumenism.

While all of this was going on, the children were writing poems out in the carriage house. Here is a medley of a few of them:

Wind blows and blows, Spirits rise and rise. Love grows and grows, Words of God blow, rise, and grow.

The wind is full of God's spirit.

The wind blows along the water, The trees sway back and forth, The wind sweeps me up in his hands, The wind blows gracefully.

God is love, God is a gift, God is wind, Wind might be a hurricane!

After the potluck lunch, the Rushos delivered the Rev. Mr. Geer back to Clayton.

At noon Frank and Junie Augsbury gave a wonderful barbecue in honor of their guests from the Remington Museum in Ogdensburg. This party was in the farmhouse they have made so fresh and attractive this year, and everyone enjoyed both meeting new people and eating wonderful food on the new deck overlooking the fields leading down to the wonderful marsh around Long

point.

Next Sunday is the last church service. We'll all say good-bye with a pot luck lunch. It will also be my last column. One lovely thing that has happened this year is the two addendums that have been sent by others. It would be a welcome event if those left on Grindstone this winter would write a column now and then to keep us all together this winter.

"Vibrations in G" will be presented at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in the Opera House in Clayton (the Town Hall and Museum). John Marks will read poems from So It Is, and Debbie Donaldson has choreographed dances to enliven the reading. Aminta Marks will read Betty Haxalls's poems for children, and Greg and Karen Lago will add art from Grindstone. Klaus Ebeling, who teaches art at Jefferson Community College will show a collage of slides which will awaken ideas about the unexpectedness of art.

So It Is.