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OBITUARIES: Avenia, Hayner, Beck

In Obituaries, Obituaries - Columbia, The Columbia Paper
November 4, 2022
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Betty Avenia

Elizabeth M.H. Avenia (1932 – 2022)

HUDSON—Elizabeth “Betty” Mae (Holmes) Avenia, 90, a longtime resident of Hillsdale, passed away October 31, 2022 in Hudson.

She was born to Harold and Anna Mae (Smith) Holmes on February 23, 1932 in Norwalk, CT, the second of two children. Her family settled in Copake in 1936. She was one of the 49 members of the Roeliff Jansen Class of 1949 and a 1953 graduate of the New York State Teachers College at Potsdam.

On June 21, 1953 she married George “Moose” Avenia at the Copake United Methodist Church. They purchased the former Brady home in Hillsdale where they cherished nearly 61 years of marriage before Mr. Avenia’s death in 2014. Over the course of their marriage, they operated the Hillsdale Barber Shop and the B&G Liquor Store, traveled extensively, and particularly enjoyed bowling, casinos, friends and events at the Oxbow Club, and wintering in Oro Valley, Arizona. She was a proud member of “The Club,” a group of local ladies who met monthly to play Pokeno, share funny stories, and support each other as life-time friends.

Mrs. Avenia taught kindergarten in Kinderhook, at the Roeliff Jansen (Copake School), and in the Taconic Hills School District. She was a member of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church.

Following Mr. Avenia’s death, she moved first to the Louis F. Payn Foundation (Payn Home) in Chatham and later to the Whittier Adult Home in Ghent. During those years she made many new friends (residents and staff, alike) and enjoyed hours of conversation, activities and card games.

She is survived by: her three children, Diane Avenia Meredith, Michael (Tami) Avenia, and Anthony Avenia (Stacey Zander); six grandchildren, William Meredith, Patrick (Amy) Meredith, Lauren (Josh) Miller, Morgan Avenia, Megan Avenia (Jonah Bremenkamp), and Nicholas Avenia; three great-granddaughters, Adelyn, Braelyn and Aria; nieces, Sharon (Russ) Reid, Shirley Holmes, Paige Holmes, Wendy (Robert) Matte, Carey Avenia; nephews, Gary (Emma) Holmes; Michael (Sheila) Holmes, and John (Margaret) Avenia; sister-in-law, Ruth Avenia; and several great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Avenia was predeceased by: her grandson, John Meredith; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Jean Holmes; brother-in-law, John Avenia; and nephews, Jesse “Jake” Holmes and Roger Holmes.

A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family with the Reverend Karen Squires of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church officiating.

The family thanks the team at Columbia Memorial Hospital for their end-of-life care of Mrs. Avenia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hillsdale Fire Department, 9387 New York 22, Hillsdale 12529.

Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home of Copake,. To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.

Janice Haynes

Janice M. Haynes (1957 – 2022)

HUDSON—Janice Marie Haynes died October 24, 2022.

She was born November 3, 1957, to the late Dorothy Iona Crank and the late Gus (Jackie) Earl Cobbins.

She received her formal education in the Hudson City School District and graduated in 1975. She then received an associate degree in liberal arts from SUNY Delhi and later went on to further her education at Mildred Elley College. She then received an associate degree in criminal justice. She became a paralegal for the New York State Assembly under former Governor George Pataki. She worked at The Register Star for many years as the director of advertisement and then retired.

Due to her love for children, she returned to work and was employed with the Troy City School District in the transportation (Durham) department. She became a valued mentor and influenced the youth.

She accepted Christ early on in her life and was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She enjoyed being in nature and devoted most of her time and energy to the well-being of her family.

She is survived by: her beloved husband of 42 years, Paul Franklin Haynes, Sr.;children, Ife Tayo Cobbins, Paul Franklin Haynes, Jr. and Justin Maurice Haynes; her brother, Kevin Cobbins; one granddaughter, Cirai Faith Haynes; one godson, Quintin Cross; her cousins, Kimberly and Jeffery Crank; niece and nephews, Marc Cobbins, Kimberly Cobbins, Michael Collins and James Williams and many relatives from the Crank, Cobbins, Mackey, Holloway and Vanalstyne families.

She was predeceased by her mother, father, brothers and sister, Dorothy Crank, Gus Cobbins, Michael Cobbins, Greg Cobbins, Daniel Cobbins and Susan Hedgecock.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place at the Shiloh Baptist Church, 14 Warren Street, Hudson, November 5 at noon. Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

Thomas R. Beck, Sr. (1942 – 2022)

CLAVERACK—Thomas R. Beck, Sr., of Claverack passed away Monday, October 31, 2022 at his residence.

Born in the Bronx to William and Ann (Thornton) Beck November 26, 1942, “Tom” was the father of three sons, Thomas, Jr., (Debbie) of Philmont, Andrew of Alabama, and Joseph, who predeceased him.

He was also predeceased by his brother, William and sister-in law, Alice.

He spent most of his years as a resident of Columbia County. He was a truck driver by trade and a longtime member of the Churchtown Rod and Gun Club. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Besides his sons, he is also survived by his four grandchildren, Paige, Jacob, Cole and Hayden; his great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at the convenience of his family. Consider a donation to a charity of choice in his memory. Arrangements are with the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, Hudson. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

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ENTERTAINMENT: “What, Me Worry?” a dive into MAD Magazine’s legacy

In Arts & Entertainment - Columbia, The Columbia Paper
September 26, 2024
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By MARLENE McTIGUE

THE “WHAT, ME WORRY?” exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum offers an insightful look into the irreverent world of MAD magazine, a publication that has been a cultural touchstone since its inception in 1952. The exhibit explores MAD’s evolution from a humor comic book to a satirical magazine that boldly addressed societal issues, using parody as its weapon of choice.

Visitors are treated to a rich collection of MAD’s most memorable works, including iconic movie and television parodies like “The Odd Father,” a clever spoof of “The Godfather,” and “PutOn,” a satirical take on “Patton.” The exhibit also highlights the MAD Magazine Game, a quirky board game released by Parker Brothers in 1979 and delves into the history of the magazine’s unique back cover “Fold-In” feature, a tradition started by Al Jaffee in 1964.

Among the many visitors to the exhibit when we visited last month was Shane Minuk from Toronto, who made a special stop at the museum while returning home from a trip to Boston. Minuk has been a long-time reader of MAD magazine, a passion that began in her childhood.

“I’ve been reading it since I was a kid,” Minuk shared. “My older siblings or my dad would bring them home, and we always had a big stack of them. We pretty much bought it every month.

“When I was about 12, we moved, and we got rid of them. But later, at a flea market, I saw someone selling old issues, and I bought one from the 1950s. It was one of the early magazines. That started me on collecting old MAD magazines.”

For Shane, MAD magazine was more than just humor; it was a window into the past. “I really liked that it gave you a glimpse into a particular time whenever the magazine was published. The ads, especially—I’ve always been fascinated by advertising, and since a lot of the magazine was parodies of advertisements, it just feels more evocative to me than, say, a Life magazine.”

The influence of MAD on Shane’s life is undeniable, an experience many who view the exhibit echo.

“The movie parodies were particularly interesting. Growing up in the ’70s, they would spoof adult movies as well as mainstream ones. I specifically remember the ‘Jaws’ parody, which I saw in the theater. But MAD also introduced me to movies I wouldn’t have been able to see, like ‘Joe’ or ‘Midnight Cowboy.’ It was a way to learn about these films as a kid, to get a sense of what they were about.”

Shane Minuk and David Meurrill of Toronto visit the Mad Magazine exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum. “What Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD” is open to visit through October 27. Photo by Marlene McTigue

One of the most impactful lessons Minuk took from MAD was its critical stance on advertising and media. “The magazine taught me not to take things at face value. ‘Advertising is always lies, and you should never believe it.’ MAD didn’t have ads, so they’d mock the idea of subscriptions, saying, ‘Look at the suckers getting subscriptions.’ They made fun of themselves too, which I loved.”

Minuk fondly recalled one particular strip from the early days of reading MAD. “It was a ‘Lighter Side’ comic about leisure time. A mother yells at her hippie son for being lazy and not getting a job, saying, ‘Idle hands are the devil’s plaything.’ He brushes it off, goes into his room, and his friends are all worshiping Satan. I loved that. It was classic MAD,” she said with a laugh.

The “What, Me Worry?” exhibit not only celebrates the humor and creativity of MAD magazine but also its profound impact on generations of readers like Shane Minuk, who grew up laughing—and thinking—alongside its pages.

If you would like to experience the exhibit yourself, you still have plenty of time as it runs through October 27. The Norman Rockwell Museum is at 9 Glendale Road, Stockbridge, MA. For hours and information call 413 298-4100 or go to www.nrm.org

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