The first Sunday of the month was certainly a beautiful sunny May day. I'm trying to adapt temporarily to online church services, but missing the fellowship. The birds were singing and the little neighbor kids could be heard playing outside, a very welcome sound, bringing back memories. We are a multi-generational neighborhood....the best kind. You know, Kelly's, Boyd's, Wales, Poley's, Willi's, and Kavleski's. Going back further to Lavelle's, Sedlacek's and McGorrians.

DR. KATHLEEN BURNS: I was very happy to get so many loving words from the patients of our grand daughter. They read in my last column that eight pound Austin had arrived safely. Kathleen and Thaddius are in awe and appreciate all the good wishes. Sheila Lashinsky, I also thank you for the contact and remembering working with Sam at the College.

CAPTAIN ANDREW GIEGER, MD: Our grandson, son of Cindy and Stefan of Jeffersonville has been nominated as Flight Surgeon of the Year by the US Air Force. He grew up on Gieger Farm and I hope this good news helps his parents as they and other local dairy farms struggle to save their businesses. Andy and Emily and three children live in Northern California.

AFRICA: I'm in touch with some friends in Africa and hear they are getting a first-hand look at the way the COVID-19 virus is impacting the already fragile continent. In March, the President of South Africa introduced a severe five-week lockdown which was a very important move, given the high density of people living in crowded conditions. He said these measures appear to be working as South Africa reports less than 125 deaths and less than 6,500 cases. The ban has now been lifted and time will tell if cases rise.

JAPAN: One paper said Japan was not locked down, but my friend Jan Gillam from Grahamsville said her son, Abram who is a Professor at a college there, said that is not true. They are also following restrictions and his college is closed so he is home with his wife and baby daughter.

VILLAGE: Since not much is happening, my son in Colorado said because I am a life-resident I could mention old Village memories and see if others remember. TONY'S BARBER SHOP was my Dad's business, Anthony DeFilippi, in the Green building. Then became Charlie Burgio's shop. There was a barber shop on every block back in the 50's. It was a thriving business. They did cuts, shaves and dye jobs. After Dad was gone, we found his dye-box recipes for each of his color-customers. Wow, never knew Mr. X had a dye job. Good work, Daddy. Secrets were too old to matter.

TOWN SHOPPING: Since my daughter, Julie Burns, local Pharmacist, has been getting our groceries to protect her Mom and Dad's possible exposure, I have not needed to shop. Today I wanted to drop some mail down by the Liberty Market, on North Main and thought I'd pick up some milk at the Market. When I saw the parking lot was full, I went to my favorite gas-station up the street, Sunoco, on the corner of Liberty Street. Wearing sunglasses and a mask but apparently still recognizable by Khan who checked me out. I said, “wow, Khan, you're even giving me a bag”. He smiled and said...”for good customers”. As an old great-gram, I can say...Khan is a gorgeous young guy with a friendly personality. I remember wishing him well when he first took over from the Country Store owners and I knew he would build up a clientele easily. Since I retired from real estate I'm not buying as much gas, but why not go there and tell him “Fran sent me”, or, in case he might say, “who?” show him this article in the Democrat. Maybe worth a free coffee…ha.

DID YOU READ: The Town is taking lawn debris at the Water Department on Revonah Hill (we knew it as Griebel Park..didn't we?) I'm assuming that will include little branches and Spring rakings from our lawns. I'm happy about that.

As usual, I love to hear from you with questions and ideas. My column is for every other Tuesday. Wishing everyone the best. God bless.