Holiday happenings, GV Chorus news, James Stitt Jr., Nate Jennison, and only one “gripe”
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
In lieu of my typical schedule of topics “inset” I will adorn this Wrambling with the listing of events scheduled for “just around the corner”, coming events, of the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce. Patrick Sawyer forwarded copies of their celebration and asked if the Genesee Valley Chorus would like to participate. Sadly, the short notice prohibits our ability to fit this into our plans but typically several of our members will appear for the Christmas carol’s Street singings on their own. As they (and you) see this posting it is an open vitiation to show up and sing out celebrating the Holiday season. The November 30th celebration starts the year off right.
The oft used phrase “The reason for the season” used to announce or advertise any number of activities “as seen on TV,” in my judgement is abused all too often, misleading as to the initial use and rightful designation. The “seasonal” celebration was initially, and still should be, dedicated to the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. The word Christmas starts with His name and just by using that word in description implies the tie and motivation for all celebrations.
I know not all people believe in the biblical aspects of this celebration, and that’s alright. Those of us who do believe will help to carry the banner for everyone.
Some other planned events would include a Beer and Carols celebration at the Wellsville Brewing Company on December 2nd. Initial sign-up is restricted to Grace United Church members with a total capacity limit, but typically never fills from that source so will be offered to the public.
Other upcoming events include:
Genesee Valley Chorus Winter Concert December 15th at Immaculate Conception Church
Keeping the topical using of phrases going, my wife used the words “Oh Golly” the other day and it instantly flashed back memories of her mother having said those words. When I mentioned that to my wife, she replied that “it also reminds me of her when I say it.” This holiday season is a good time for “reflections.” Using the “holiday season” term also reminds me of the seasonal greeting “Merry Christmas.” And the spin-off “Happy Holidays.” There is some pushback from the devout thinking that “Merry Christmas” is the only proper greeting but others among don’t believe in that so use the term Happy Holidays. The one group thinks the other group should conform.
I, for one, use both. Happy Holidays to me is an all-inclusive holiday greeting that covers the full spectrum from late November Thanksgiving up through Mardi Gras and Lent. This includes Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, St. Nicholas Day, Winter Solstice, New Years, Lent, and several other Christmas birthdays including mine, and Mardi Gras. Stretching it into March includes St. Patrick’s Day.
The Fall season is soon to be abandoned. Wondering about the naming of the seasons leads me to believe that the naming of the Fall season, was motivated by; falling leaves, falling snow, falling temperatures, falling due to slipping on the ice, and falling back from Daylight Savings days and probably others that fall away from my memory.
I have previously mentioned the Olean Cutco Corporation, formerly included in a group named Alcas. I do so as they, to me, are still the epitome of a successful company, and which is owned completely by the employees of the company. Currently its corporate leader is James Stitt Jr. I met Jim many decades ago when I was asked to teach one of my Industrial Training Co. classes in machine Computer Numerical Control (CNC) procedures. As a fledgling “senior leader” employee, Jim was a student in the same class along with other company executives and supervisory personnel. That would not be a typical cohort of students in this class as it is normally aimed at “ground floor” employees involved in the programming and operation of CNC equipment. I was advised that they wanted two things from my teaching. One; they wanted to make sure that the training was appropriate for their employees, and two; so that they would understand what and how their employee responsibilities in this area and their abilities contribute to the operation of the machines that produce their product. What brought his name to mind recently was his receipt of the Olean Area Chamber of Commerce 2024 L.O.U.I.E. Award. (“Love of Olean, United in Enterprise”).
Recent exposure to provided services for our household needs includes the replacement of our residence water inlet components after experiencing a sustained loud piercing screeching that carried throughout the house, and probably to the adjoining neighbors as well. Calling the number I have listed for the Scio Water Department blessed us with a visit from Nate Jennison. He replaced our meter from their supply of components hoping that would solve the problem. It didn’t so he suggested that we needed a heating/plumbing service provider to further check things out. We contacted Shea’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning and their guy came in and replaced the water expansion tank. Problem solved. My wife just now handed me the bill received in the mail this morning. I haven’t opened it yet.
A side-story to that was my previous attempt to contact a Heating and Plumbing service that I had tried to contact years ago, and who again, could not be reached as the phone listed for his company rang unanswered, despite several subsequent calls.
I lost nearly another half-day of my life last week after finally getting tired of the constantly increasing cost of our Spectrum TV/Voice/Internet. Upon finally reaching a human contact I learned that two separate “Specials” we had previously subscribed to had expired. That gave us a couple of price jolts.
I explained to the representative that I needed a way to at least cut my bill in half. She replied that since we were not a new subscriber none of the current promotional plans applied to us. After an extended discussion of the service features, we already have and what we could do to reduce our costs, I re-discovered that my cell phone service was separate. If we consolidated and agreed to an automatic monthly payment plan, we could be accepted into one of the current promotional plans and reduce our monthly billing. The only problem was that my cell phone was not compliant or compatible for their features. That wasn’t a surprise as I’ve probably had it for 15 years. I agreed to also sign up for the new phone and it would make everything up to date and the monthly bill would be in the range of what I had hoped for. The customer service representative I was dealing with commented on the fact that she had never before dealt with a customer that was able to negotiate a service modification that “comprehensive.” She thanked me, and I her, and I expect the new phone any day now.
I think I may have tried this before, but I have two perfectly usable, not “Smart” TV’s but very good ones that I would like to give away or donate to someone/someplace that could use them. If interested you can “private message” me via Facebook or email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com .
One minor gripe regards people driving and knowing when to stop, but then not knowing when to stay stopped… or not. Nothing irritates me more than approaching a “light controlled” intersection and facing the red stop light where no other traffic approaching from the crossing streets is present, except for the car ahead of me who stops and fails to exercise the right to turn right after stopping. Even my rude “Honk! Honk” doesn’t make them budge.
I will wrap, not rap, this up with some fun words of grammar. The worst I could do would burst my thirst; I owe no one who knows what I know; Those who wear crinoline could muscle a rustle; I say aye to those with an eye or a sigh as they eyeball the sky. Ewe, you might think if you knew how I used new words to describe an ewe. With that, I am through if I blew you the blues, but that ain’t news.
I thank Mr. Jennison for his very kind and appreciative words regarding the writings of my Wramblings. I explained that I write these columns, corny or serious, for the enlightenment or enjoyment of those who read them, and I am rewarded in full by those who comment. And yes Mrs. MacFarquhar, I will continue to write them as long as people like you want me to.
I leave you now with an invitation to reach out to me either through the Wellsville Sun owner/editor Andrew Harris or directly at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com . I appreciate comments, questions and concerns as they keep me motivated.
