February 12, 2026

Wiser’s Wramblings-GVC 50th Year Celebration “In The Works”

Big news, freezing cold, Worth W. Smith, Owl poetry

By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels

Pictured is the GVC in 2024 at Bolivar’s Pioneer Oil Days

The title represents a little “teaser” as to an upcoming special Genesee Valley Chorus presentation to be celebrated this year. The chorus began operations in 1976 under the direction of Wellsville Highschool Music Director John Molinari. Through the years since then there has been only a handful of different directors, accompanists and performance venues. In the near future I will be mentioning these activities weekly. There aren’t many “charter members” still involved but there are a few of us. More updates and information will follow.

I have often mentioned that I only enjoy winter when I can go out and play in the snow. No! I don’t have a “snow-mobile” but rather several “snow shovels.” I enjoy shoveling and/or pushing the snow to clear my driveway and sidewalk. I try not to drive on the snow in the driveway until I have cleared it away. I have the same fetish with driving a vehicle, mower, etc. on the lawn packing down wheel tracks before I have a chance to mow. In addition to plowing the driveway I also plow the snow along the shoulder of the Back River Road, edging our lawn, as there is a local stipulation that mail box access be provided.

The other day, following a measurable snow fall, I went out to shovel after it had warmed up to 5⁰. The morning temperature started out at -17⁰. That is the coldest temperature that I recall recently but is significantly warmer than the -27⁰ that I experienced one day several years ago while traveling the Vandermark road (Cty. Rte 10) between Scio and Alfred as I was headed to Alfred State College for my day’s classes whilst I was teaching there. I was entirely comfortable at -5⁰. My feeling is that once it gets below zero there’s no significant difference of feeling no matter how much colder it gets.

Speaking of cold…I am wondering if there is any place local where I can ice skate. I haven’t been on my skates for a few years but once again I have the urge. I’m not sure my ankles are strong enough to support me on that narrow blade but I’d like to give it a try. I know I’ve written about this before but for those people having not read my Wramblings at this time of year before, this may be of interest.

As a youthful teen growing up in Nile, NY about 3 miles outside of Friendship I used to hike down the road to use the flooded ice rink area behind the Friendship Central School high school. On one such occasion, not realizing just how cold it was I skated for hours and then had to walk back home to Nile. When I got home and took off my foot apparel the heat in the house started the thawing of my “frozen” feet. I guess it was pretty severe “Frost bite” as my feet had turned black. The pain was excruciating and I couldn’t put much weight on them to move around the house. I missed a few days of school, and they happened to be at a time when some type of general “testing” was going on so a school representative had to deliver and witness my test taking.

The really “GREAT” news about that whole adventure was having skated with, or at least near what turned out to be a 12-year-old young lady who was the “prettiest” girl I had ever seen. Several years later, whilst I was in the Navy, I happened to meet that girl, then 16, again for a second time. Fast forward nearly 60 years and that “girl” is still the prettiest I’ve ever seen, and to my good fortune, I get to see her every day.

In need of some “hardware” I stopped by the Worth Smith store in Olean the other day. What a treasure trove that store is. It’s nearly impossible for me to go into that store and limit my purchases to just what I went in for. The “frosting on the cake” of those visits is the small bag(s) of popcorn that are always available at the checkout counter. If I ask they generally will give me more than one bag. I remember one year, several years ago, when I asked, and they complied, to make one whole batch for me. If I recall properly, I only paid them the cost of one package of their popping corn. I now purchase the Microwave capable bags of Farmer John’s popcorn that my wife orders through QVC. One bag is just right as an evening snack. Popcorn has been my favorite snack going all the way back to my childhood days when I would pop some in our “Black Cast Iron” fry pan.

My wife watches QVC frequently and many of the “hosts” are very familiar to us. The other day I watched “David” as he sampled one of their cooked products. As he habitually does, he closed his eyes, tipped his head back a little and slowly shook it back and forth. I mentioned to my wife that day how ridiculous that looked. Later that day I warmed up some left-overs that were especially tasty. I didn’t realize it until I was already in “the habitual reaction” as I tipped my head back, closed my eyes, and shook my head back and forth.

Growing up starting in my early teens, we owned and lived in the Nile Store. On the main floor we had a bathroom that was right off the kitchen dining area. One night at supper time my mother rose from her chair at the table and headed for the bathroom. Already being a “wise-ass” I said to her; “Go for me when you’re in there.” After her finishing her mission, she came back into the kitchen and with a smirk on her face she said to me; “You didn’t have to go.” It brings a smile to my face every time I recall that. My mom wasn’t known for making “smart ass” comments like that.

I will end this rather short Wrambling with yet again a magnificent photo from photographer Dan Jordan. Once again his photo’s put words into my head and heart. It is difficult for me to look at something he shares, without it immediately triggering poetic thoughts, which of course I must commit to paper in the form of a poem. Nearly anything I see, especially while driving, will start me on the recitation of poetic celebration of my vision. I often pull off the road and write down my words in a little notebook I keep tucked in above my visor for just such occasions.

I sincerely hope you admire his photography a lot, and my words maybe a little. If you have any comments, cares or concerns please feel free to share them with me at im.wiserdad@gmail.com.