Hometown Oneonta 03-30-23

OHS Graduate Leads SUNY Morrisville to NCAA DIII Tourney

By CASPAR EWIG COOPERSTOWN

Cooperstown’s Village Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, March 27 resulted in the approval of a policy for fixed video-only cameras to be installed in four public locations, the continued criticism of the present regulations involving short-term rentals in the village’s zoning law and a short statement by outgoing Trustee MacGuire Benton upon his retirement from the board.

The meeting was well attended by citizens wanting to be heard at the public hearing scheduled for discussion of the installation of cameras along Main and Pioneer streets, but the short-term rental issue raised in last month’s public hearing also persisted. In the public comment session, a number of speakers addressed what they considered to be ambiguities in the present zoning law definitions of “incidental use” as well as “owner occupancy,” and pointed to the absence of language regulating the areas that abut Otsego Lake in order to protect the village’s source of water. At the end of the public comment period, Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh indicated that a number of letters had also been received relative to the short-term rental issue, and that the zoning board was going to continue to look into the issue.

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Falk opened the public hearing on the camera law by stating the scope of the proposal and clarifying that “this is about fixed cameras, not body-worn cameras, not car cameras and not private cameras.” Falk was delighted to see the size of the turnout, she said, because “you may know that there is not consensus among our board members as to what this policy should say and how exactly it should

insiDe

►coop art association displays two local artists’ works, page 2

►firefighters recruited and jews in baseball, page 2

►should bassett reconsider closing foxcare fitness?

many opinions, pages 4 & 9

►tons of locals: people & businesses in the news, page 6

►new york state may pull cola’s for non-profits that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, page 5

Sitting Pretty Kitty

Photo provided

OTSEGO COUNTY—Angela Zustovich shared this photo of her gorgeous feline, Murphy, and we could not resist putting him on page one for all to admire. We invite you to send pictures of your furry, feathered or finned friends to darlay@allotsego.com. Every week, we’ll select at least one photograph to be highlighted in the newspapers, and a gallery of our readers’ pets is now available for viewing on the AllOtsego.com website at https://www.allotsego. com/furever-friends-and-purrfect-pals/

Artist Reflects on Illustrious Career

By DANIEL FRANCIS RICHFIELD SPRINGS

Isat at a large sketching desk in a sundrenched studio, flipping through an endless pile of sketches and illustrations.

Across the desk from me was Jules Feiffer, the man who had put these figures to paper. As I marveled at his creations, moving from one page to the next, Jules explained the idea, the meaning, behind each of the works laid out on the desk. Not because he had to; it was because he wanted to. I quickly came to learn that Jules puts careful thought into everything he works on, however long that list may be, and every stroke of his pen, pencil, and marker carries with it a story, an idea, that he wishes the audience to understand. This framework, applied to all aspects of his career, was adopted at the very beginning.

“The cultural and political story was to force a change of societal norms which, in the

50s, the years of Eisenhower, and early years of the cold war, was a time when nothing changed. You felt that, people were afraid to stay politically or socially out of a place because it might endanger them. It was our business to make trouble and point out what was going on. I saw my role from the beginning as one of those who was going to try to overthrow the government by using humor, satire and creating insights in the reader.”

Jules understood that doing so would put him in the crosshairs of critics during a chapter of American history where criticizing mainstream society and the federal government could be detrimental to his career. Going against the wishes of his mother, he persisted to voice his opinions through his work, as it was fundamental to who he was, going so far as to publish the first cartoon attacking white liberals.

“I made the choice not to make as much money

Continued on page 7

By JOEL J. PLUE MORRISVILLE

Taylor Colone-Microni of Oneonta was instrumental in the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs’ recent trip to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament. The Mustangs earned a berth in the tourney after defeating two seed Penn State Harrisburg to win the United East Championship on February 25, a game for which Colone-Microni received Most Valuable Player honors.

Many young people aspire to follow their dreams. Colone-Microni chased hers.

“As far back as I can remember, even as a young child, I wanted to play basketball,” she recalled.

A 2020 graduate of Oneonta High School, Colone-Microni knew she would someday be a basketball champion, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing. As with anyone who strives to be at the top of their game, Taylor first had to overcome her fears.

“I was nervous about trying out for the varsity team in 8th grade. A conversation with my dad gave me inspiration to move forward when he said, ‘If you’re going to succeed at what you love, you will need to step out of your comfort zone.’ He has always been there for me, and that advice has kept me going,” she said.

Colone-Microni, 21, has lived in Oneonta her entire

life. It is where, with support from friends and family, she learned the love of the sport. Matt Miller, former coach of the Oneonta High School women’s basketball varsity team, was one of many role models who set her up for success in her sports career.

“Taylor was a great basketball player because she was completely dedicated to the game, and because she worked significantly harder than the average player. There’s a very short list of players, in my time at OHS, that I can say worked as hard or had as genuine a desire to be great like Taylor did,” Miller recalled.

Colone-Microni, a five year varsity player at OHS, was named the United East Tournament MVP after leading the Mustangs to their second straight title with 16 points in the final game, a 4742 nail-biter. Unfortunately, the Mustangs’ winning streak ended on March 3 with a 50100 loss to Smith College in NCAA tournament play.

Morrisvillemustangs.com sums up Colone-Microni’s 2022-23 season as follows:

“...started in 27 games for the Mustangs at guard… recorded 217 points across the season…average 8.04 per game…hit 48 from long range while shooting .320 from behind the arc…added 76 rebounds, 62 assists and 26 steals to her totals across the year…team were United East Regular Season and Tournament Champions,

Continued on page 9

provided

Photo

OHS graduate Taylor Colone-Microni was MVP of the United East Championship Tournament.

as I could have. I chose to be happy. I

Recruiting Event set for April

OTSEGO COUNTY—Volunteer fire departments across the state will host the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. RecruitNY is a volunteer drive organized by the Firefighters Association of New York. “This year’s annual RecruitNY campaign comes at a time when we are in need of volunteer firefighters the most,” FASNY President Edward Tase Jr. said. The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services estimates there are 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters in New York than there were 20 years ago. New Yorkers are invited to visit their local firehouses for facility tours and equipment demonstrations, and to learn the requirements and benefits of volunteering. For more information, contact a local fire department at its non-emergency number.

Parking Garage Level Closed

ONEONTA—The upper level of Oneonta’s parking garage was closed monday, march 20 due to structural concerns. According to the city Department of Public Works, several steel beams need to be replaced. The upper level of the parking garage, located on the Chestnut Street Extension, will be closed until further notice.

Jews in Baseball Topic of Event

COOPERSTOWN—Former Cooperstown mayor Jeff Katz and SUNY professor emeritus Bill Simons will speak at an event highlighting Jewish involvement in baseball. “The Diamond District–Jews in Baseball” presentation, free and open to all, will be held in the Cooperstown Village Hall, 22 main Street, at 11 a.m. on April 2. Katz will spotlight the game-changing career of union executive marvin miller in his talk, “marvin miller: From Brooklyn to Cooperstown.” Katz is the author of “Split Season 1981,” a critically-acclaimed account of the historic baseball strike led by miller. Simons’ presentation, “The Jews, Dodgers, and Brooklyn: The Jackie Robinson Decade,” will examine the relationship between Brooklyn’s Jewish communities and the Dodgers. The event is sponsored by Temple Beth El. Rabbi meir Rubashkin of Chabad of Oneonta will provide kosher hot dogs with all the trimmings. Seating is limited—RSVP with name, number in your party and contact information to tbeoneonta@gmail. com or (607) 432-5522.

Career Night Series Continues

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Richfield Springs Community Center’s Career Night Series will continue on select Fridays in march and April from 7-10 p.m. Students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to attend and learn about different career path options. Parents and guardians are also welcome and light refreshments will be served. The remaining schedule is: Friday, march 31, agriculture and livestock; Friday, April 14, professional laborer; Friday, April 28, food service and hospitality The Community Center is located at 6 Ann Street in Richfield Springs. For more information, contact The Zone Youth Program directors at tonya@richfieldzone.org or rick@richfieldzone.org

Gardner Pl. Construction Begins

ONEONTA—The City of Oneonta’s Gardner Place reconstruction began on Wednesday, march 22. The project includes storm and sanitary sewer replacements, new sewer laterals, and full street reconstruction. Gardner Place will be closed to through traffic and parking until further notice. Drivers are urged to exercise caution and obey all signs and temporary traffic devices. Work will occur between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. The project is expected to continue through the end of June. For more information, contact the Department of Public Works at dpsinfo@oneonta.ny.us or (607) 432-2100.

Two-Artist mural Exhibition Ends This Friday

By WRILEY NELSON COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Art Association Galleries

will display the exhibit, “Community murals: Spanning Generations,” through Friday, march 31. max Jones, a Cooperstown High School senior, is showing his recent work on one side of Gallery A. The other side features murals by Frank m. Van Auken, a veteran and lifelong member of the local community, who passed away at the age of 102 in November of 2022.

Jones, 17, has been developing his style for years. For this exhibit, however, he had only about four weeks to assemble a portfolio. “mrs. muller [Cooperstown High School art teacher] helped me get invited to display in the space, but it was a fast turn-around,” Jones

explained.

His work in the exhibit includes several full-sized murals, smaller sketches and photographs. The centerpiece is his personal favorite, a mural titled “Field of Fire /LIFE.”

my own life inspires a lot of my art,” Jones said. “For these pieces, I particularly enjoyed creating the speech bubbles and text.”

The written word, printed

in a playful and eye-catching mix of capital and lowercase letters, is an integral part of his murals and sketches. Jones is thankful that the exhibit has allowed him to connect with the community and express himself through art.

“I think my favorite part of the whole process was the community opening event, when I was able to talk about everything with friends, family and neighbors.”

A march madness memory for the Ages

By Sunday of this past weekend, the 2023 NCAA basketball championship tournament—the month-long frenzy known as “march madness”—was whittled down to four teams, having started at 68 on march 16. The mighty have fallen. Alabama, Houston, Kansas, Purdue—all number one seeds—are out, as are all of the two and three seeds. Come Saturday, two “Cinderella” teams playing like Hercules, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State, will face off against each other in the first championship semifinal. They will be followed by more likely candidates, Connecticut and miami.

But, in this year’s championship run, time after time, the unlikely has prevailed, just as it did in 1983, when N.C. State, with a 17-10 regular season record, brokered one knuckle-biting victory after another to hold up the national championship trophy in Albuquerque on may 4 of that year.

Each year since, in remembrance of that victory, I go to YouTube and bring up

“CBS NCAA 1983 ‘Pre’ One Shining moment.”

To translate for the uninitiated, “One Shining moment” is the traditional musical montage of tournament highlights played, since 1987, after crowning the new champion. Before 1987, ad hoc musical numbers were chosen. In 1983 it was Christopher Cross’ “All Right.”

Nineteen eighty-three was the year the North Carolina State Wolfpack, dubbed the “Cardiac Pack” for its last-minute wins during tournament time, miraculously beat the muchtouted Houston Cougars. The action in the video is cleverly correlated with the lyrics, as when Cross sings, “It’s all right, think we’re gonna make it,” and a player, whose team appears to be winning, winks and gives the thumbs-up sign. It is hard to capture, in three minutes, 34 basketball games and all the accompanying hullabaloo, but the brevity of the video, packed with buzzer-beaters, acrobatic cheerleaders, exuberant fans, and mascots both real-life and costumed, reflects the frenzy of march madness itself.

In the 1983 musical epilogue, there is much to savor: N.C. State’s Wolf prancing around and sliding on the floor; Georgia’s Bulldog panting heavily; Louisville’s Cardinal strutting past a weary reporter seated on the sidelines; the then-young faces of coaches who have since retired or passed on—Denny Crum (Louisville), Deane Smith (University of North

Van Auken began painting murals after he moved to Woodside Hall in February of 2018. The CAA exhibit features his depictions of the Cooperstown area during different seasons. Van Auken’s murals are bold, colorful interpretations of the region’s four faces as only a lifelong local could see them. They are simple, yet detailed with rural life and activity.

Van Auken used acrylic paints, colored pencils, markers, and collage to depict familiar Cooperstown landscapes, buildings, and birds. The murals originally hung in the Woodside Hall dining room.

The Cooperstown Art Association is located at 22 main Street, Cooperstown. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit cooperstownart.com.

Carolina). I love seeing coaches John Thompson (Georgetown), Guy Lewis (Houston) and Jerry Tarkanian (UNLV) sweat, the players wearing short pants, and all the agony and ecstasy of competition racing before me. And how satisfying to behold David beating Goliath: Lorenzo Charles’ game-winning “jam” against the seemingly invincible “Phi Slama Jama” team.

most of all, I love seeing N.C. State Coach Jim Valvano—the guy who majored in English so as not to be labeled a “dumb jock”—at his highest moment, running around the court looking for someone to hug in the chaos of his team’s unlikely coup, cutting the strings to the basket in victory, smiling with unmitigated joy. Those were the halcyon days, before Valvano resigned as athletic director and then as coach due to accusations (ultimately unsubstantiated) of recruiting violations. Before he was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma, a type of glandular cancer. Before his iconic speech in 1993 at the first Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award ceremony, where Valvano received the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award.

Former disdainful rival and ultimately best friend, Duke Coach mike Krzyzewski, accompanied Valvano to the event. Valvano was so weak he was throwing up on the plane and in his wheelchair just before delivering his 10-minute speech.

“Don’t give up. Don’t

ever give up!” Valvano urged that night.

Those words became the motto of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, whose formation Valvano announced at the awards ceremony. To date, the V Foundation has raised $310 million for cancer research.

Valvano’s ESPY appearance was on march 4, 1993. He died less than two months later on April 28, at age 47.

This year’s championship game will be played one day shy of the 40th anniversary of the Wolfpack’s miracle win. “Sports Illustrated” named the 1983 game the “greatest college basketball moment in the 20th century.” Who knows where the 2023 “madness” will take us when play resumes on Saturday, who will win the championship, or what spots will appear in “One Shining moment” after the final buzzer sounds. Time will tell whether this year’s legacy will be as lasting and as inspirational as 1983’s. This year’s tournament has had much to offer, but 1983 is a hard act to follow.

Grange Meets for Lunch,

More GILBERTSVILLE—The Otsego County Pomona Grange will hold a joint meeting at Butternut Valley Grange in Gilbertsville at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15. Reports of the Pomona officers, subordinate Granges and committees will begin at 11 a.m. Any resolutions sent from local Granges will be acted on at this meeting. Lunch will begin at noon; each family should bring a dish to pass and their own table service. Guest lecturer Ellie Tarrants, a senior at Delaware Academy in Delhi and president of the Delaware County Future Farmers of America District 4, will speak about FFA projects and FFAGrange collaboration at 1 p.m. Entries for the Family Activities Contests are due at 11 a.m. for judging. Contests will include: woodworking projects; quilted wall hangings and baby quilts; needlework of afghans, doilies, plastic canvas, three-piece baby sets, embroidery, and stuffed toys; holiday ornaments; decorated teacup and saucer sets; Photography Contest on the theme “unintentional topiary” (members may submit two photos each); Song from the Screen Contest (members are invited to perform one or two songs from a movie, musical, or TV show): Lecturer’s Contest for paint-and-sip, brochures, and newspaper articles.

the partial observer teresa wiNChester

Photo by Wriley Nelson

“field of fire / life” by CCs student Max Jones is now on view at the Cooperstown art association.

HOMETOWN Views

A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA

EDITORIaL

Back in mid-October, shortly after General Manager and Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs was hired—and just as staff writer Ted Mebust came on board—our offices received a call from a volunteer EMS worker in northern Otsego County. This person spoke at length with Mebust, laying out concerns about lack of coordination and cooperation between Otsego County’s paid EMS service and its volunteer squads, general discontent among the rank and file, and real worries that these issues would result in someone being seriously injured or, worse, dying. Mebust took extensive notes and a decision was made by staff to do nothing for the time being, but to pursue the storyline.

In the weeks that followed, we began to receive more calls and e-mails echoing the first caller’s concerns. EMS volunteers voiced similar thoughts in passing to our contributing writers. People involved in other ways with the fire departments and their EMS crews stopped by the office, again referencing lack of coordination and cooperation. One went so far as to herald the “collapse of the county ambulance service” as imminent.

Mebust had continued to follow these leads since October, eventually reaching out to Otsego County Representative Dan Wilbur, chair of the Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee, and Robert O’Brien, the county’s 9-1-1 Center director, both via e-mail and telephone. Neither responded. Youngs then caught the attention of Otsego County Administrator Steve Wilson with the e-mail subject line, “potential collapse of county ambulance service?”, asking Wilson for “help connecting Ted with someone who is responsive to his inquiries.” A meeting with Mebust followed not long after.

Mebust sat down with O’Brien, Wilber and other county officials in February, after

The Elephant in the Ambulance

which he wrote the first in what was to be a three-part series: “Otsego County EMS Reaches Crossroads Part I: The County Service.” That first article focused on the 24hour, county-based advanced life support paid ambulance service instituted in December of 2021 in response to the number of squad captains, according to Wilber, who told him they “couldn’t handle the load anymore.”

Previously, Mebust wrote, prehospital emergency medical services in Otsego County had been largely carried out by the 17 volunteer-based EMS agencies serving the county, most associated with local fire departments. “These first responders had reached a breaking point and were the first to sound an alarm,” according to Wilber.

“With both county and volunteer crews responding to calls, we’re starting care sooner,” O’Brien told Mebust.

In his discussions with county officials, Mebust was directed to two recently released reports: the New York State Emergency Services Council’s “2023 EMS Agenda for Future” (EMS Sustainability Technical Advisory Group NYS 2023 Evidence Based EMS Agenda for Future) and the Center for Public Safety Management’s “EMS Services Delivery Report,” (https://www.cpsm. us/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/OtsegoCounty-EMS-Report-Final.pdf). Article two of Mebust’s series, “Otsego County EMS Reaches Crossroads Part II: Recent Reports,” disclosed that both reports highlighted concerns about uncertain funding systems and the declining rate of volunteerism in communities statewide. The CPSM report further revealed that Otsego County’s ALS ambulance division — originally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act — is projected to “run an average deficit of $639,847.00 over the next four years.”

Matt Zavadsky, an EMS subject-matter expert hired with grant funds to analyze

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn FoxCare Fitness

Should Remain

I am a 72-year-old woman who has had several major surgeries because I have arthritis throughout my body. Both knees were replaced at Bassett and I have had three spine surgeries at Wilson Hospital. I went to physical therapy at different local locations and after it was over I tried to continue to do the exercises. After my second upper spine surgery in 2021, I

learned about the therapy pool at FoxCare. I chose to do my PT at the FoxCare facility because of that warm therapy pool! I joined the gym right after finishing my PT. On November 15, 2022, I finally had my third spine surgery. This was on my lower spine and my surgeon warned me that the recovery this time would be six-eight months to a full year to get back to normal. I knew that I could rejoin the gym again after I was finished with the month of land PT and then

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

“Hometown Oneonta” welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper. They must include the writer’s name, address, email and telephone/ mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own. Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. The length must be no more than 250 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

the 10 pool PT sessions that I was allowed by Medicare.

I rejoined on March 1, and then found out about the gym closing. I need to use the therapy pool because I am not able to use the regular gym equipment. I was an athlete in high school back in the 1960s and had a very active life, hiking, downhill and crosscountry skiing, and camping and kayaking and golfing. However, I inherited arthritis from my mom and I refuse to move to Florida like she did to cope with her arthritis.

the county service’s effect and determine sustainability options, also spoke to volunteer agencies around the county, who said they were struggling but remain committed to the communities they serve. Following a year-long observation period, Zavadsky concluded that the county service was “working as designed.” Average response times and activation times, he reported, had both decreased. Despite this, Mebust went on to point out, the county’s paid service had, at times, caused friction with existing EMS services.

Which brings us full circle to Part III of the series, intended to examine the perspective of volunteer EMS providers in relation to the current state of services—an article that cannot now be written because suddenly no one will talk. Mebust has since left Iron String Press, having accepted a job overseas (congratulations and good luck, Ted; you will be missed). With one notable exception, sources who seemed interested in sharing their perspectives at the start of the series of articles have since dried up.

When questioned about possible conflict with the county paid service, one EMS volunteer replied, “I can’t talk about that. I’m not allowed to.” Another source, wishing to remain anonymous, wrote in an e-mail, “I prefer to keep my identity…confidential. I fear retaliation from those in EMS opposed to paid EMS providers/paid emergency services,” and referred to an aggressive social media campaign underway to “squash the county’s paid EMS program.”

Other volunteers said they could not go on record for fear they would lose their jobs— many are employed by Otsego County in roles not related to emergency services, or by the Bassett Healthcare Network, for instance. Reports have also surfaced, and been confirmed, that things got a little heated recently between the county’s paid EMS

The therapy pool allows me to continue my recovery from my surgery and to meet new people who understand what it is like to live with almost constant pain. Most gyms are geared toward younger people who want to build muscles and compete in athletic events. Those of us who are older, as I am at 72, want to improve our health and keep moving. We need the FoxCare Fitness pools to do this.

Kathryn Fisher Unadilla

providers and EMS volunteers from Fly Creek as they responded to the same call.

Volunteers have closed ranks and refuse now to speak on this issue—whether for fear of reprisal or under some sort of unofficial “gag” order, real or imagined—where once they seemed eager to do so. And, last Friday, a county official rescheduled a meeting with one of our reporters in order to ensure that County Administrator Wilson could also be in attendance. Needless to say, the third and final article in the EMS crossroads series may not be written any time soon.

That third article may never run. But the bigger issue here—the elephant in the ambulance which really must be addressed—is that regardless of what is happening behind the scenes, there needs to be a day of reckoning and reconciliation between the county’s paid EMS service and its volunteers, all of whom are delivering essential services to the residents of Otsego County, and all of whom deserve to be praised for their long hours, selflessness, and dedication.

Those providers, coming face to face at a call, must put aside their differences for the greater good. They must learn to work together, respect each other and turn their combined attention to the job at hand. They must stop sniping at each other via social media, where name-calling and fingerpointing have become the order of the day.

And, regardless of what the coming months hold for the future of EMS both in Otsego County and statewide, our paid and unpaid EMS workers must resolve to come together as one in service, before someone in their care suffers further as a result of the divide or the unthinkable happens, and someone dies.

In the oft-quoted words of “Project Runway” mentor Tim Gunn, “Make it work, people.” Otsego County’s residents are trusting you with their lives.

Bassett Making Wrong Decision

The decision by Bassett Healthcare Network to close FoxCare Fitness Center by the end of May is a travesty for the community and the over 700-plus current members of the healthcare facility. Bassett’s mission is, and should always remain as, to support wellness and fitness programs designed to encourage nutrition, exercise, and preventative health measures which ensure the

LIfE In THE TIME Of COvID DR.

health and well-being of people of all ages—this is especially important for adults living in our rural community. Adults who are physically active and at a healthy weight live about seven years longer than those who are not active and are obese. And the important part is that those extra years are generally healthier years! Staying active helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with

Continued on page 9

RICHaRD STERnBERG

FoxCare Fitness Closing Makes Sense

First and foremost, let me say that the views in this column are mine and mine alone. They do not necessarily represent the views of this newspaper and information service.

H o metown oneon t a 2008 - 2022

14th anniversary & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

a publication of Iron String Press, Inc.

Publisher / Advertising Manager Tara Barnwell General Manager / Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs

Staff Writer Wriley Nelson Business Manager Larissa Ryan

Columnists and Contributing Writers

Terry Berkson, Maureen Culbert, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Daniel Francis, Joel J. Plue, Ian Kenyon, Tom Shelby, Dr. Richard Sternberg, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager, Teresa Winchester and Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Ivan Potocnik Historian Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Legal Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

Editorial Board

Tara Barnwell, Faith Gay, Michael Moffat, Elinor Vincent, Darla M. Youngs

MEMBER OF:

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Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080.

Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com

Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

Two weeks ago, I was away at the annual meeting of my medical specialty society. I suppose I was just trying to keep my hand in, even though I have been retired for eight years. Things have changed dramatically, and not just in surgical techniques. Medicine is a completely different business than 20 years ago when I had a solo independent practice.

I came back to town and read in this paper several letters to the editor regarding the closing of FoxCare Fitness. I assume the announcement was made the week I was away. I actually felt bad for Bassett Healthcare for having to deal with the brunt of these complaints.

The hospital and healthcare business is a severely threatened industry. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re dealing with small practices or one of the biggest healthcare operations in the country. Everybody’s feeling the pain. It’s a national phenomenon. I read that Cleveland Clinic lost approximately $1 billion last year. I’ve heard the figure of an

$80 million loss being associated with Bassett Healthcare. The actual numbers are not important. What is important is that healthcare facilities have watched their revenue decrease while their expenses markedly increase to the point that their endowments, if they have them, will not be able to keep pace with the red ink.

We have been very fortunate in central New York and especially Otsego County. Essentially, our local healthcare system has been subsidized for more than 100 years by the Clark family, and this continues to be the case. There are amazing benefits to the health status of the people of our community, not just directly related to the hospital, but in ancillary services. Nevertheless, the ability to sustain increasing losses will quickly become exhausted.

I worked at the FoxCare building. I thought FoxCare Fitness was great. As a business, though, it was unsustainable. Seven hundred fifty members cannot generate enough income to keep an operation like that going.

To the people who are upset about a closing and feel that in some way it is unfair, I commiserate with you, but if, indeed, an organization is losing about $1.5 million a week anything that is not specifically core mission has to be jettisoned. At least Oneonta still has the

YMCA and, as I understand it, the Y may be willing to take over FoxCare Fitness. Yes, the losses there are a drop in the bucket compared to the rumored $80 million a year, but losses that can be eliminated unfortunately have to be, in order to protect the core mission, which is to deliver medical care to a very large area of Central New York. Bassett, having created almost a monopoly of healthcare in the Leatherstocking Region, has a moral obligation to support its prime mission of which it is well aware. Officials are endeavoring to do so now and will keep doing so for the future.

To stay alive, in order to keep us alive, hospital organizations are just going to have to cut everything they possibly can—at least until other units, including the government, give reasonable compensation for the services performed.

So, in summary, don’t blame our local healthcare system for the tough decisions it has to make. Don’t misunderstand me. I have plenty of criticisms, for plenty of things that Bassett does or doesn’t do, but closing unprofitable cost centers that don’t directly contribute to the core mission is inevitable.

Dr. Richard Sternberg is a retired Bassett Healthcare orthopedic surgeon.

Compiled by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

135 Years Ago

People say prices are inflated now and that we are overdoing it. Such critics should have been here sixteen years ago. Why, there is any quantity of well-situated property in the central part of the town that doesn’t yet command the figure it was held at in 1872. The change of recent years, the advance in value, has been largely felt along Main Street, and in the outlying districts. Main Street frontages are pretty high, it is true; but they will probably never be lower. As for property in the new tracts, prices are very moderate as compared with those commanded in 1872, when Oneonta had less than 1,400 in population and lived mainly on hope.

March 1888

110 Years Ago

“In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love,” says the poet, but in Oneonta, it would seem to be true that the attention of a great majority of them is directed to the prospects of baseball for the summer if one may judge from the conversation heard about the clubs and streets where they gather. Is Oneonta to have a summer team the coming summer? And, there seems to be but one answer. All are agreed that the season would be quite dull and the city quite dead without baseball here during July and August. The directors of the association incorporated last season have not held a meeting this spring. Several names have been suggested for manager. It will not be difficult to secure a good manager and a good team, the chief question being the financial support, for it is an impossibility to maintain a first class team in the field without a liberal fund. The city has always responded generously and it is believed the money will be forthcoming. One thing is needed to make the grounds at Neahwa Park attractive. It is believed that a new and suitable grandstand seating at least 300 people would increase the attendance considerably, as the present stand is not suitable for ladies, among whom there are many fans in the city.

March 1913

90 Years Ago

With smiles, the Roosevelt administration today formally authorized the sale of beer. The bill legalizing both the amber brew and also wine of 3.2 percent alcoholic content became law with the signature of President Roosevelt at 2 p.m. “And I hope you got the smile at the end,” he remarked to photographers who recorded the signing. Fifteen days hence—or after midnight on April 6, beer may be sold in the 14 states permitting it. The bill provides for a tax of $5 on each barrel of 31 gallons. Federal license fees of $1,000 will be required annually from each brewery; $50 from each wholesaler and $20 from every retailer.

March 1933

70 Years Ago

An educator reported today that 81 teachers have been separated from New York City’s public school system in a campaign to oust communists. Another 180 teachers are under investigation. William Jansen, New York City’s superintendent of schools gave the figures to the U.S. Senate’s internal security sub-committee which is studying Red influence on American education. “The number of Communists among New York’s 37,000 teachers is small,” Jansen said, “but they exert an influence far beyond their number. Since 1950, 81 teachers have resigned, retired, or been removed while under investigation, or after charges of Communist affiliations had been brought against them. And, “we are by no means satisfied that we have cleared up the situation,” Jansen added. Jansen said the problem of Communism is not confined to New York City, and that he had found school authorities across the nation increasingly concerned about Red infiltration.

March 1953

40 Years Ago

President Reagan was urged Monday to mount a federal crackdown on producers and distributors of pornography and “put a torpedo into the whole sex industry.” Reagan discussed the issue with members of the Morality in Media, an antipornography group whose members include religious leaders, officials of the publishing and broadcasting industries and conservative groups. “We all leave very much encouraged that there will be an effort to move after this $6-billion industry, 90 percent of which is controlled by organized crime and which is having a real bad effect on the future generations,” said Cardinal John Krol, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia. The Rev. Morton Hill, president of the group, said members urged Reagan to name a national coordinator for an anti-pornography campaign. With proper coordination, he said, the problem can be solved in 18 months.

March 1983

Solution: “Running the Gamut” (March 23)

New York State Budget Advances; COLA Uncertain

April is approaching, with the hope of warmer weather and long days of sunshine. April also happens to be the time of year that New York State passes its budget. A time when many New Yorkers, myself included, wait hopefully for news that will make a difference in how we at Springbrook can operate and support the people we serve and employ.

For over a decade, Springbrook, like many other nonprofit agencies supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, faced underfunding, increased costs, and budget cuts resulting in a workforce crisis. The pandemic exacerbated that crisis but forced all of us to understand, respect and be grateful for the essential workforce recognized in the Cost of Living Adjustment. Our highly skilled professional workforce provides 24hour support for people with I/DD. Their work is the very foundation of what we do at Springbrook, supporting people at every stage of their life.

At Springbrook, we have always advocated: not just for the people we serve, but for the essential employees who are there every day to meet the needs of individuals and families at school, in their homes, and in the community. Over the past year, we have promoted issues related to the intellectual and developmental disability community and their care; we have invested in calls to action to raise the wage for our direct support professionals, teachers, therapists, and staff. These actions were heard, and the state answered with a unani-

mous YES to continue supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, staff, and advocates.

On March 16th, the Senate took a crucial step in reversing the employment crisis when the Senate majority budget resolution was advanced. The resolution includes the addition of an 8.5 percent COLA. This increase will provide critical funds for the services not-for-profit organizations like Springbrook provide and, most notably, those on the frontline of support for nonprofit providers serving people with developmental disabilities. This step has been made possible with the support of direct support professionals, advocates, and families who made their voices heard in the call to action. However, we still have much to advocate for. This 8.5 percent COLA is only the first step. As community members, Springbrook employees live, work, and volunteer locally and forever give back to the community to which they belong. This is why continuing our advocacy work and answering calls to action is essential.

Now, we can only hope that the final New York State budget commits to their continued support of people with I/DD, their families, the people who provide their direct support, advocates and caregivers, and the organizations that hold it all together by voting yes on the final budget on April 1st.

Patricia Kennedy is the chief executive officer of Springbrook.

Oneonta Common Council Discusses University Zoning Changes

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Common Council continued its ongoing discussion of university zoning on Tuesday, March 21. Code Enforcement Officer Stephen Yerly presented a new map separating Wood Ridge Apartments from the adjacent Hillside Commons apartments, placing the latter in the University Transect 3 zone and leaving the former in a residential zone. The council will allow short-term rentals in Hillside Commons, which it has determined is primarily student housing. Council members chose to allow up to 50 percent of properties in compatible zones to be used for shortterm rentals. The zoning discussion also covered changes to setback and square footage requirements.

By MERL REAGLE

Coming-Out Party…

ACROSS

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LOCALS: PEOPLE & BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS

retention efforts for key and strategic commercial accounts. Lasher earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Utica College of Syracuse University and is a recognized Certified Community Leader graduate from Leadership Greater Syracuse. Lasher also sits on the Regional Advisory Board for Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York. She and her family currently reside in Central New York.

DEAN’S DUO: Sam F. Ficano of Oneonta and Emrys C. Odell of Cooperstown have been named to Clark University’s Fall 2022 Dean’s List with first honors and second honors, respectively. Founded in 1887, Clark University is a liberal arts-based research university located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Students must have a GPA of 3.8 or above for first honors or a GPA between 3.50 and 3.79 for second honors.

PROMISING POWERS: Maya Powers of Worcester was one of several students recently recognized by the Pi of New York chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Elmira College. The Pi of New York chapter held its annual induction and banquet with nine newly-elected members of high scholarly attainment. Prizes were also awarded to five outstanding juniors and six promising sophomores, including Powers, a member of Elmira College’s Class of 2025. Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most distinguished of all the academic honorary societies, promotes, recognizes, and honors scholarly achievement in the liberal arts and sciences. Phi Beta Kappa was founded in 1776, and the Pi of New York chapter at Elmira College was established in 1940. Powers is pictured above with her parents, Cherie and Tim.

DECEMBER DEGREE: Cooperstown

Central School alum Wriley Hamilton Nelson graduated from Hamilton College in December 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in economics.

EXCELLING AT EXCELLUS: Kelli

Lasher has been named regional director sales for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Central New York and Utica/North Country regions. In this new role, she will be responsible for sales and

QUALIFYING QUARTET: Four local students earned Fall 2022 Dean’s List honors at Le Moyne College: Sara Brean, a freshman political science major from West Edmeston; Maria Farrell, a junior biology major from Oneonta; Ethan Lowe, a senior risk management and insurance major from Otego; and Meredith Smithling, a junior marketing and business analytics major from Oneonta. To make the list, students achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above.

HAPPY AT HAMILTON: Phoebe Smith of Dillon, Colorado, granddaughter of Gilbert and Elinor Vincent of Cooperstown, has been named to the Hamilton College Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, Smith, Class of 2026, was required to carry a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester and earned an average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.

SUNY STANDOUTS: Nearly 300 SUNY Oneonta students completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree following the fall 2022 semester. The following local graduates were honored and recognized during Fall Commencement, held December 11 in the Dewar Arena of the Alumni Field House— Noelle Palmatier, Hartwick; Kaitlyn Worden, Laurens; Montanna Armstrong, Davenport; Alexander Segina, Mount Vision; Shyanne Carreras, Alexander Ceacareanu, Abigail Hubbard, Adrianna Newell, Bethany Peters, Samantha Ruisi, Max Tannenbaum, and Reece Thorsland, Oneonta; Nicole Connolly, Richfield Springs; Samantha Flood, Richmondville; Leonard Larson and Matthew Williams, Sidney; Adrienne Matheson, Unadilla; Naomi Scott of Worcester.

BURGEONING BUSINESS: Cooperstown-based Paperkite has been named to “Inc.” magazine’s list of fastest growing private companies in the Northeast. Ranked number 160, Paperkite joins a regional list representing the most successful companies within the Northeast economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Paperkite is a digital marketing and creative studio, as well as a certified woman-owned business, led by CEO Susan Green (shown above). Established in 2009, the company has grown from a two-person shop to a fullservice digital marketing agency that handles all aspects of the consumer experience, from brand development to multi-channel marketing campaigns. Since 2019, Paperkite has invested heavily in its digital marketing division, doubling its staff, expanding into new markets, and embracing emerging digital marketing channels. “I’m honored to be a part of this impressive list of businesses. This accomplishment is truly a testament to the talent and hard work of our entire Paperkite team. We have grown so much during our 14 years as a business, and it’s gratifying to be recognized for our efforts,” said Green. From 2019-2021, the companies on this list had an average growth rate of 450 percent.

DEAN’S LIST DESIGNEES: An impressive group of students hailing from Otsego and surrounding counties are among those named to SUNY Delhi’s Fall 2022 Dean’s List. Local students who enrolled in six or more credits and earned a 3.5 or higher gradepoint average for the semester include: Raven Brown; Burlington Flats; Eugene Yeboah, Cooperstown; Shaelah Butler, Dominick Dalton, and Dylan Waid, Davenport; Morgan Manchester, East Worcester; Madison Bolton, Garrattsville; Mason Hovick, Hartwick; Travis Bookhout, Laurens; Dylan Brundege, Alexis Stanford, and Andrew White, Maryland; Jonah Mathieson, Mount Vision; Sierra Snell, New Berlin; Tara Austin, Lucas Breakey, Reginal Dessources, Erika Ferguson, Molly Germain, Ethan Grant, Marcos Hernandez, Marisa Kanai, Emma Knudson, Taylor Lopez, Claudia Luey, Catherine Lusins, David Marvel, Logan Monroe, Kelsey Morgan, Liliana Ortiz, Rachel Ouimet-Edson, Gregory Pickhardt, Tyeshia Stevens, Zosia Thibault, and Jacob Weiner, Oneonta; Emma Cusimano and Chris Jones, Otego; Patrick Twomey, Richfield Springs; Jennifer Johnson, Hannah Osborne, Anthony Poliseno and Owen Schneider, Schenevus; Ryan Cole and Julia Obeada, Sidney; Aidan Cutting, Isabel Horan, Emma Lobdell, and Maggie Washburn, Unadilla; Kaylan Ogden, West Oneonta; and Krystal Utter, Worcester.

TUFTS TALENTS: Four area students were named to the Dean’s List at Tufts University for the fall 2022 semester. They are: Stephen Albright of Mount Vision, Class of 2025; Audrey Dutcher of Cooperstown, Class of 2025; William Friedman of Cooperstown, Class of 2023; and Finn Hall of Oneonta, Class of 2023. Tufts University has campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France. Dean’s List honors require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater.

ANTHROPOLOGIC ART: Six SUNY Oneonta students from several anthropology courses—including Jacob Lyons of Morris—have their work featured as part of the “Unessays” exhibit in the Anthropology Teaching Gallery. In lieu of writing a final paper, the students created physical displays of their topics in paleoanthropology and the anthropology of death, reproduction, sexes, and gender. Lyons completed the paleoanthropology program during the spring 2022 semester. His project, shown below, explores paleolithic cave art by recreating the style of “Cueva de las Manos” in Argentina using duck cloth, pine frame and a putty made from plaster and pulverized paper.

DESERVING OF DEAN’S LIST: Two local students were named to the Dean’s List at Hamilton College for the 2022 fall semester. Aben Carrington of Oneonta, a senior majoring in physics, is a graduate of Oneonta High School. Piper Seamon of Cooperstown, a junior majoring in psychology, is a graduate of Cooperstown Central School. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have carried a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester and earned an average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.

SPRING STUDIES: Kenneth Dukes of Oneonta has enrolled at SUNY Delhi for the spring 2023 semester, where he will pursue a degree in physical education studies. SUNY Delhi’s hands-on approach to teaching and learning includes over 60 academic programs in specialized areas, including applied technologies, nursing, hospitality, veterinary sciences, applied sciences, business, and liberal arts and sciences.

EMMANUEL EXCELLENCE: Surya Daniel of Cooperstown has made Emmanuel College’s Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To earn a spot on the Dean’s List, Emmanuel students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for a 16-credit semester. Emmanuel College is a co-educational, residential institution with a 17-acre campus in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts’ educational, scientific, cultural and medical communities.

TRIOTA TAPPED:

Morgan Kelly of Fly Creek has been inducted into the Elmira College Chapter of Iota Iota Iota (or Triota), the National Women’s Honor Society. Triota strives to maintain the feminist values central to women’s studies: egalitarianism, inclusiveness, and a celebration of the diversity of women’s experiences. The featured speaker for the 2023 induction ceremony was Sarah Grossman, director of communications and content strategy at Elmira College. In her keynote address, Grossman encouraged students to identify their core values so that, as they go out to make career and life decisions, they can communicate who they are and align themselves with people and organizations that share those values. “When I started my college journey, feminism was a bad word. I knew many women who believed in the ideals but wouldn’t call themselves feminists. But that is thankfully changing and this is an exciting time. Culturally we’re exploring many new concepts and at times it will be messy. But if you know your values, you can make choices that will be right for you. Enjoy this journey and good luck with your endeavors.”

CUDA CARES:

Herkimer College has appointed Kasper A. Cuda to the position of grant administrator. Cuda will oversee the college’s participation in the Health CARES Consortium, an initiative funded through the United States Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges grant program. The Health CARES Consortium is led by Onondaga Community College and includes 11 SUNY community colleges, including Herkimer College. CARES stands for “Career, Acceleration, Retention + Employment Support.” The goal of the consortium project is to increase the healthcare and social assistance workforce in New York State. Cuda most recently was a teaching assistant for biology at Clarkson University. She was previously employed at the Utica Chamber of Commerce where she gained experience in event planning, public relations, marketing, and social media. Cuda, of Herkimer, holds a master’s degree in health administration from Utica University and two bachelor’s degrees from Clarkson University—one in biomolecular science with a minor in biology, and the other in chemistry.

BATES’ BEST: Elizabeth Patrick of Cooperstown was named to the Dean’s List at Bates College for the fall semester ending in December 2022. This is a distinction earned by students whose grade point average is 3.92 or higher. Patrick, the daughter of James K. Patrick and Stephanie S. Patrick, is a graduate of Waring School. She is a senior at Bates majoring in psychology and minoring in mathematics. Cultivating intellectual discovery and informed civic action, Bates College— located in Lewiston, Maine—prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. Send your news—births, anniversaries, promotions, awards, new hires, accomplishments and more—to info@allotsego.com.

Photo provided

Photo provided

Photo provided

Photo provided MORGAN KELLY

Photo provided KASPER A. CUDA

cameras

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work, so we really want to hear from you and get a sense of what the community is thinking.”

Trustees Joseph Membrino and Dr. Richard Sternberg then gave opening statements from the two opposing sides of the argument.

“I oppose adoption of the policy at this point,” said Membrino, “because to me it is a solution in search of a problem. The policy is also internally inconsistent.”

In his opinion, Membrino said, there was an absence of data showing need. He also expressed concerns that the use of images was limited in some areas of the draft policy, but could be made more generally available to the public through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Sternberg took the opposite view, stating that there is no right to privacy on public roads, and that it is a bit of a conflict to on the one hand oppose public cameras but then rely on private cameras when needed to record a past incident. Sternberg also did not understand the concern for privacy by protestors in a public demonstration.

“If you’re going to petition your government, don’t you want to let them know who you are? In a free society, you have to stand up and be counted,” he reflected.

Subsequent comments from the public concurred that cameras were, on the whole, useful for public safety and to record unlawful acts. Robert DiLorenzo, who works in public safety at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, pointed to his own

Roger A. Boulay 1959-2023

ONEONTA—Roger A. Boulay, 64, passed away at home with his wife, Amy, by his side on March 25, 2023.

He was born on February 23, 1959 in Heidelberg, Germany, the son of Gilbert and Erna (Prinzl) Boulay.

Roger graduated from Unatego central School, class of 1977, and from SUNY Oneonta, class of 1982. He was proud of his German heritage, and the best-spent year of his life was as a Rotary club exchange student after high school in Germany.

Roger’s entire working career was in farm equipment, starting in 1975 at his family’s business, catskill Tractor, which transitioned in 2003 to White’s Farm Supply.

He is survived by his wife, Amy (chase) Boulay, whom he married on April 13, 2017; daughter Sasha Boulay and grandson Griffin Gutierrez; daughter Amber Boulay; son Austin and his wife, Trisha Boulay; stepchildren Joseph, Hannah, and Andrew Lawton; stepgrandchildren Leah, Hallie, and Gavin Ruling; father Gilbert and his wife, Nancy (Miller) Boulay; brothers Michael (Terri) Boulay, James (christine) Boulay, and David (Heeyoung) Boulay; brother-in-law

experience regarding the need for evidence to assist with investigations. He said this need outweighed any privacy concern.

The opposing viewpoint was, perhaps, best summed up by Sam Wilcox, who considered installation to imply an assumption of illegal behavior that creates a “psychological damage [which] could outweigh its potential value since such installation relays disrespect...These cameras will not be a welcoming presence in our village.”

Addressing Tony Gentile’s concern that images would be available upon a FOIA request, Police chief Frank cavalieri emphasized that the policy and the FOIA request form require the police chief’s approval. He would not approve any request that was not tied to a necessary police investigation, he said. In response to an audience member’s inquiry as to the question of cost, cavalieri said the cameras would range between $10,000.00$12,000.00 plus the cost of installation poles.

At the conclusion of the public hearing, Benton stated his concern over the privacy issue as well but, in the end, the vote in favor of the installation of cameras passed 5-1 in favor, with Membrino casting the sole opposing vote.

Artist

Continued from page 1

wanted to tell the truth, my truth.”

Now, at 94 years old, this idea still rings true. Jules remains busy and is currently working on a semi-autobiographical novel which he is both writing and illus-

trating. He fills his days at the sketching desk, putting pen, pencil, and marker to paper recording the moments he has experienced. Jules doesn’t see this as work. He is pleased to be doing what he has always done, and believes cartoonists are “working with a lifetime of your choice and having fun at your work. Our vacation and our work are the same thing.”

Though voicing his opinions and challenging society and the current political climate remain the backbone of his career, Jules must now contend with a different kind of foe: macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision loss, specifically loss in the center of the field of vision.

“I can’t see properly what I am doing, and drawing, and I’m drawing it anyway. It’s as if the act of will decides what my limitations are. My need to get the work done allows me to get it done before a retreat into the disability. Without my work, I don’t believe I would be living very long. It is a necessity to keep me going,” he explained.

This, among other factors, prompted Jules and his wife, Joan—freelance writer JZ Holden—to migrate northward from their Shelter Island, New York home in the fall of 2022.

Now settled in our community, just outside Richfield Springs, Jules feels like a new man. He complained of the “cramped” working conditions of his previous home on Shelter Island, saying he didn’t feel he could do his best work there. Now he and his wife enjoy the healthier climate, the openness of their surroundings, the greenery,

and the privacy afforded to them.

“I don’t like the area, I love the area. I find it magical,” he said.

During my interview with Jules, I found myself not only learning more about who he was—things you can only glean from spending time with the man himself—but also learning about life in general and how one should conduct oneself. Jules has a long resume, and one section that stands out is his teaching credentials: Yale, Stony Brook Southampton college, and Northwestern University. I was not surprised to walk away with important lessons from someone as storied and illustrious as Jules.

“All the good advice you get from people is always safe advice, meaning don’t take chances. The only time anything exciting happens creatively in life is when you start taking chances, and risking failure. Failure is a huge component of my life. Without failure, you don’t learn what… to do next. I understood that failure was one of the most valuable things that I could teach. Failure is a necessity; it teaches you fearlessness.”

Jules is a legend in the many facets of his career, and a luminary of them all. Through his cartoons, novels, illustrations, and stage plays, Jules has truly left a profound mark on the artistic community and continues to do so to this day. Parting thoughts from the wise man with the youthful spirit? “Ignore the grownups. Unlearn all the things you were taught and do what you need to do. Do what you have to do.”

OBITUARIES

Michael (Kimberly) chase; several nieces and nephews; as well as his beloved pets, Frank, Kitty, and Robin. He was predeceased by his mother, Erna Boulay, and parents-in-law, Kendall and Marjorie chase.

Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m., with a memorial service starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 30 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta. The Rev. Stephen Fournier will be officiating.

Interment at the Oneonta Plains cemetery will take place at a later date.

Donations may be sent to Jessica’s Heroes Foundation, 117 East Railroad St., Oneida, NY 13421, www. jessicasheroesfoundation. com, or Helios care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Online condolences may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Michael M. LaDuke

1953-2023

WOODSTOWN—Mich-

ael Matthew LaDuke, 69, of Woodstown, succumbed to cancer on Tuesday morning, March 14, 2023 at home with his loving wife by his side.

Born and raised in cooperstown, New York on May 19, 1953 to Harry “Dutch” LaDuke, Jr. and Marion “Maisie” Lane LaDuke, he was the youngest of four children.

He was a carpenter by trade and an extremely talented artist. His proudest accomplishment, beside his children, was helping to restore the cooperstown Inn. For 10 years prior to retirement, he was the maintenance superintendent at Hillcrest Garden Apartments in Woodstown, where he formed many long lasting and meaningful relationships with the residents.

Michael loved motorcycles and never really lost the desire to ride, even when he was no longer able to due to health issues.

He had a special love for

About the Artist

Jules Feiffer, best known for his comics and illustrations, got his start in 1956 by contributing a comic strip to what was then a small, radical weekly newspaper published in New York city called the “Village Voice.”

Jules’ comic strip would continue for 42 years and would appear in “The Observer” (London) as well as other newspapers and periodicals in the U.S. and around the world. Subsequently, he would go on to receive numerous awards for his work, including a Pulitzer Prize for his cartoons in 1986, an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1961, and induction into the comic Book Hall of Fame in 2004.

Other notable works include his illustration of the children’s book classic, “The Phantom Toll Booth,” as well as two of his stage plays later adapted for film—“Little Murders” and “carnal Knowledge.”

These credentials barely scratch the surface of what Jules has been able to accomplish. However, it is the 2004 Milton caniff Lifetime Achievement Award from the National cartoonists Society that he cherishes most. In life, caniff was both an inspiration and a friend to Jules, as well as an early “comic strip hero.”

“It was as proud as I’ve ever been for anything, because I loved the man, who had become my friend over the years,” Jules said.

Editor’s Note: The Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, will host a solo show by Jules Feiffer from April 14 through May 10 in Gallery A. Exhibit hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

his horses; he was especially proud of his 33-year-old thoroughbred, Sunny, and his princess, Donkey. His cat, chance, was a constant source of comfort in his last months. Michael was an incredibly talented woodworker; a true artist at heart, he loved to create and was quite skilled at it.

Since moving to New Jersey, his favorite place in the world had become Sunset Beach in cape May. He loved to watch the water and feel the wind on his face, with his wife by his side. The world has lost a kind, gentle, loving soul. Michael put his faith and trust in Jesus, so while we mourn the loss of him here on earth, we are confident that he is pain free and at peace in heaven.

He is survived by two sons, Kyle O’Brien (Theresa) of Salisbury Mills, New York and cory LaDuke of columbia, South carolina; a daughter, courtney LaDuke (connie) of Plattsburgh, New York; a sister, Patti Bensen-Ashley (Walter) of cooperstown, New York, and a brother, David LaDuke, of cooperstown, New York.

Michael inherited a slew of additional family when he met his wife, Kathy: two bonus sons, Pete Del Rossi.

and A.J. Del Rossi, both of Ilion, New York, and two bonus daughters, Melisa Pardee (Brian) of cold Brook, New York and Katt Santini (Joey) of chadwicks, New York.

He was the world’s best Poppy to grandchildren Sarah Pardee, Joshua Del Rossi (Bek), Shane Pardee, Emily Wood, Shane Wood (Harmony), Thomas cline, Madison Rose, Lucas cline

and cyrus Pardee, as well as great-granddaughters, Maddie and Miya. He also leaves behind many special nieces and nephews who adored their “Uncle Mikey,” who was a huge part of their lives. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his oldest brother, Robert LaDuke, who was Michael’s greatest mentor.

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Funeral Home

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.

Peter A. Deysenroth 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

Photo provided ROGER A. BOULAY

Photo provided MICHAEL M. LADUKE

Photo provided

Jules Feiffer relaxes in his home studio for a moment before getting back to work.

LegaL nOtice

Village of Milford

Budget Hearing

The Village of milford will hold a Public Hearing to review the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year June 1, 2023 – may 31, 2024 , on monday, April 3th at 6:00 in the Village Office, 64 South main Street, milford, NY. The budget, as proposed, is available for review at the milford Village office, during regular office hours: mon 9-5, Tue and Wed 12-5.

Salaries of Board

members:

mayor

$3,715 annual Trustees

$2,160 annual Kirsten Ruling

Village Clerk / Treasurer march 28, 2023

LegaL nOtice

notiCe of PuBliC

Hearing on inCluSion of land into Certified agriCultural diStriCt

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that a public hearing has been scheduled by the Board of Representatives of Otsego County, State of New York, in the Representatives’ Chambers at the County Office Building in the Village of Cooperstown, New York, on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 9:55 a.m. for consideration of requests to include two (2) parcels of viable agricultural land into certified agricultural districts located within the County of Otsego and the recommendation of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board. This request has been filed with the County legislature, pursuant to Section 303-b of the Agriculture and markets Law.

Two landowners have requested that their agricultural land, located in the Town of Springfield be included in Agricultural District # 1 within Otsego County.

A listing of the parcels to be included and the recommendation of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board may be examined at the Otsego County Planning Department, located at the meadows building, 140 Co Hwy 33W, Cooperstown, New York during regular business hours.

All parties in interest and citizens will be heard by the Otsego County Board of Representatives at the public hearing. The location of the public hearing is accessible to persons with mobility impairment.

The public hearing will be streamed via Facebook Live on the official Otsego County Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ Otsego-County-NY102347451408765/

Dated: march 30, 2023

Carol D. mcGovern Clerk of the Board Representatives Otsego County, New York

LegaL nOtice notiCe of PuBliC Hearing

NOTICE is hereby given that there has been duly introduced before the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego, New York, a Local Law entitled: A Local Law creating an exception to the residency requirement for Assistant District Attorney in the County of Otsego.

NOTICE is further given that the Board of Representatives will conduct a public hearing on the proposed Local Law in the Representatives Chambers at the County Office Building in the Village of Cooperstown, New York on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 9:50 a.m. at which time all persons interested will be heard. The location of the public hearing is accessible to persons with mobility impairment.

The public hearing will be streamed via Facebook Live on the official Otsego County Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ Otsego-County-NY102347451408765/ A copy of this Local Law is available on the Otsego County website.

Dated: march 30, 2023

Carol D. mcGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York.

LegaL nOtice notiCe

HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown will conduct the Village of Cooperstown Organizational meeting for the 2023-24 Village year in the Village Office Building, 22 main Street, Cooperstown, New York on monday, April 3, 2023 at 5:00 Pm and will also hold a public hearing at 5:30 Pm that evening or as soon thereafter as can be heard for the purpose of hearing public comment on the proposed 2023-24 tentative budget. The Village of Cooperstown encourages comments regarding the budget to be mailed or emailed to the Village Clerk at the contact information below. Copies of the budget are available in the Village Office, 22 main Street, Cooperstown, and can be obtained during regular business hours, monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. or can be viewed on the Village website at www.cooperstownny.org.

Any resident of the Village of Cooperstown is entitled to be heard upon said proposed budget at such public hearing. Disabled citizens, who require assistance in attending said public hearing, or in furnishing comments or suggestions, should contact the Village Clerk’s Office at (607) 547-2411 to request assistance.

Jenna L. Utter, Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411

(phone)

jutter@cooperstownny.org (email)

Dated: march 24, 2023

LegaL nOtice

notiCe of PuBliC Hearing, Budget Vote and eleCtion City School District City of Oneonta, New York

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Oneonta City School District, Otsego County, New York, will be held on Wednesday, may 3, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Oneonta Senior High School pursuant to Section 2017 (4) (5) of the Education Law of the State of New York, for the presentation of the budget document.

LEGALS

GIVEN that the Annual meeting and a vote, by voting machine, will be held on Tuesday, may 16, 2023 at The Foothills, 24 market Street, Oneonta, at which time the polls will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., EST, for voting on the following items:

To adopt the annual budget of the Oneonta City School District for the fiscal year 2023-2024 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable real property of the District,

To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education, each to serve three (3) year terms, commencing on July 1, 2023 and expiring on June 30, 2026, to succeed Amy Burnsworth, and Shawn Beckerink, whose terms expire on June 30, 2023.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.

Voting at said Annual Election will be by use of voting machines.

ALL VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT:

THE FOOTHILLS

24 mARKET STREET, ONEONTA, NEW YORK Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education to fill two (2) expired terms of three (3) years shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at the District Office, no later than April 26, 2023 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District and state the residence of each signer; the name and residence of the candidates.

NOTICE, is also given that any person, otherwise qualified to vote, who is currently registered for any general election, pursuant to Section 352 of the Election Law, shall be entitled to vote without further registration pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law.

military voters who are qualified voters of the School District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk. For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid

pm on may 1, 2023. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. The School District will transmit military ballots to military voters on may 1, 2023. Completed military ballots must be received by the School District by 5:00 p.m. on may 16, 2023 in order to be counted.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District has fixed may 2, 2023 as the date on which the Board of Registration of said school district will meet at 31 Center Street, in Oneonta, New York, in said school district, for the purpose of preparing a register for each school election district for the Annual City School District Election to be held on may 16, 2023. Said Board of Registration will meet for said purposes on may 2, 2023 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. At such hours and place, any person who has not permanently registered by may 2, 2023 or who did not register for the general election held on November 3, 2022 or who is permanently registered, but at the time of such registration resided in a school election district other than the one in which he or she presently resides or has not voted in an intervening election, must in order to be entitled to vote at said election, present himself or herself personally for registration. The register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District at the Board of Education Offices at 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York 13820 and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the district beginning may 3, 2022, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and each day, except Saturday or Sunday, prior to the day set for the election, may 16, 2023 and at the polling place on the day of the vote.

Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained by any resident of the Oneonta City School District each day of the week other than Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, during

the period of seven days immediately preceding the date of the public hearing to be held on may 3, 2023.

Copies of the proposed budget will be available on said days at the Board of Education Office, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District shall provide for absentee ballots for the election of Board of Education member, the school budget and any other referenda stated in this notice. Applications for absentee ballots for said annual election are available at the Board of Education Offices, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York. Completed applications are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Board of Education at said address no later than may 12, 2023 if mailed and may 16, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. if personally delivered. Absentee ballots are to be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. on may 16, 2023 the day of said election, to the address of the Clerk of the Board of Education.

A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except weekends, and on the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any other proposition not requiring official notice in the call of the Annual meeting may be voted upon at said election, subject to the provisions of Section 2035 of the Education Law, provided a proposition is filed with the District Clerk on or before April 17, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. prevailing time; said proposition must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District: must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District; and must state the name and residence of each signer. The School Board will not entertain any petition to place

before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, or any proposition that fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition.

PROPOSITION 1 – PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES

Shall the march 15, 2023 bond resolution authorizing the purchase of (2) two 66 passenger school buses, one with a wheelchair lift station for the City School District of the City of Oneonta, at a maximum cost of $312,473; authorizing the issuance of up to $312,473 bonds (five year maximum maturity); providing for a tax levy therefor in annual installments; pledging the District’s faith and credit for debt service; delegating powers with respect to bonds and notes; and providing for an estoppel procedure, be approved?

PROPOSITION 2 -Establishment of a Capital Reserve RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District is hereby authorized to establish a capital reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law to be designated, “2023 Facilities Improvement Capital Reserve Fund” created to defray the cost of the construction and reconstruction of School District buildings and facilities, including original equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, furnishings and other incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, and in order to accomplish the same, the Board is hereby authorized to establish the ultimate amount of such Reserve Fund to be Five million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), plus accrued interest and other investment earnings with a probable term of ten (10) years and, to appropriate from the available fund balance and/or other legally available funds of the School District to such Reserve Fund.

Dated: march 31, 2023

Oneonta, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE ONEONTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

/s/Regina Ranieri

mcGuinness

Regina Ranieri mcGuinness, District Clerk

4LegalApr.21

LegaL nOtice

notiCe of forMation of liMited liaBilitY CoMPanY under tHe neW YorK liMited liaBilitY laW

Name:

GREYDEN DIAPERS CO LLC

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on February 23, 2023.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY shall mail copy of process to c/o Allison & Eric Jensen, 819 Dutch Valley Road, Edmeston, NY 13335

Purpose: To engage in any and all business for which LLCs may be formed under the New York LLC Law.

6Legalmay.5

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of UPSTATE NY LIVING, LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/7/23.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Dan Botwinik, 232 West Cannon St, Boston, mA 02116.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6Legalmay.5

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of moe’s Remodels, LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 3/14/2023.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 101 Buckhorn Lake Road Unadilla, NY 13849

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.27

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of Upstate Architecture PLLC, Articles of Org. were filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on 06/22/2022.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY

shall mail a copy of process to the PLLC, 56 Center St. Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.27

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of missink Toons LLC

Arts of Org. filed SSNY 2/21/23, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207

General Purpose

6LegalApr.27

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of O’HARA AUTO SALES & SERVICE LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/28/2023. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 345 STATE HWY 7, SIDNEY NY 13838

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of SAS 237 LLC.

Filed 10/30/22.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Sneha Patel, 16 Lakeview Dr S, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of Cannaxgoats LLC.

Filed 1/9/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: P.o. Box 7, Otego, NY 13825 - 9998.

Registered Agent: Tyeshia Stevens, 115 Downey Rd Spur, Oneonta, NY 13820 - 3384.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice notiCe of forMation of Linenine Communications LLC.

Filed 2/28/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 657 County Hwy 17, New Berlin, NY 13411.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20 continued pg. 9

Continued from page 4

adults maintain their quality of life and independence longer as they age.

Regular physical activity can relieve stress, anxiety, depression and anger. It is that “feel good sensation” you get after doing something physical. Exercise serves as a pill with no side effects.

Most people notice they feel better over time as physical activity becomes a regular part of their lives. Isn’t this what Bassett should be advocating for their patients and the community at large?

In addition, the therapy pool provides natural resistance and buoyancy that reduces the stress on joints.

Many adults who live with arthritis find that water therapy is a great way to stay active and lessen the pain on their joints. Many adults find that they are able to do certain exercises in the water that they are not able to in a traditional exercise class.

Many times the social setting increases confidence, cardiovascular health and reduces overall mental stress all the while enjoying a relaxing atmosphere. Again, all the more reason to maintain the aquatic facility at Foxcare Fitness.

The members have come to trust, appreciate and value all the hard work that the dedicated, professional staff at Foxcare has done over the years to develop relationships with their members— from the minute we walk in the door until the time we leave. We are met with a sincerity that we matter, and

that is just one of the many reasons many of us have joined there. The staff is welltrained and willing to help in any way, from answering questions about wellness goals to designing personal fitness training programs in a relaxed, non-judgmental atmosphere. Foxcare Fitness adds immeasurable value to the Bassett Healthcare Network and A. O. Fox Hospital, and it should continue to play a greater role in preventative health maintenance.

It is time for Bassett to give Foxcare Fitness the promotional attention that is long overdue and that it deserves—to promote health fairs, continue to encourage employees to become members, and engage in and financially support Foxcare to continue as an extension of community health. It is vital to this community to keep this premiere center open at any and all costs.

carolyn marks Oneonta

Ncaa

Continued from page 1

appearing in the NcAA DIII Tournament a second consecutive season.”

SUNY Morrisville will forever hold these titles in large part due to the hard work of colone-Microni, whose drive and determination to be the best resulted in an equally-impressive highschool career.

“Taylor left our basketball program as one of only seven players to score 1,000+ points, finishing fifth

all-time with 1,070 points. She’s currently the 14th alltime leading rebounder in school history, 10th all-time in assists, 5th all-time in steals, and she holds the alltime program record for 3point shots made in a career, at 206,” Miller said.

Every good beginning requires a great ending and, although colone-Microni has achieved tremendous success in her young life through basketball, when college is over she plans to retire from the game.

“I’ve been studying criminal justice and love the idea of a career path in the field. I’m not sure where my career will start, but I know I have a place in life within the industry,” she said.

colone-Microni, the daughter of Frank and Jeanine Microni of Oneonta, leaves big shoes to fill at both OHS and SUNY Morrisville. She’s going to be a hard act to follow.

Library Offers

Book Delivery

SPRINGFIELD cENTER—The Springfield Library has announced a book delivery service for community members who cannot visit the library due to illness or injury. Librarians will exchange books at patrons’ homes once a month.

To qualify, an individual must live in the Town of Springfield or Springfield center and hold a library card. The Springfield Library is located at 129 county Route 29A. For more information or to register, call the library at (315) 858-5802.

All

dining&entertainment

from pg. 8

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY (LLc).

Name: Royal Retreats at Maho Beach, LLc

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 March 2023.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY (LLc).

Name:

All Star Baseball Rentals, LLc

Articles of Orga-

nization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 March 2023.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY (LLc).

Name: DRI Destinations, LLc

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 March 2023.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful

activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY (LLc).

Name:

Prime Oneonta Rentals, LLc

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 March 2023.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of SUMMIT HILL WOODWORKS LLc Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/2/23. Office in Otsego co.

SSNY desig. agent of LLc whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 707 Summit Hill Rd., Jordanville, NY 13361.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of Medic Materials LLc

Filed 12/15/22. cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 214 S Welcome Rd, Mt Vision, NY 13810. Purp: any lawful.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of SULLIVAN MILLS PRODUcTIONS LLc

Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 2/17/23.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY is designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 187

Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Business Filings Incorporated, 187 Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of M Boyle LLc

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/2023.

Office: Otsego county. SSNY designated as agent of the LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLc, 310 TOWERS RD MILFORD, NY 13807.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of c.Boyle LLc

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/2023. Office: Otsego county.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLc, 310 TOWERS RD MILFORD, NY 13807.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of Bloomfield Technology LLc

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/23.

Office: Otsego county SSNY designated as agent of the LLc upon who process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of the process to the LLc, 166 HADE HOLLOW RD cOOPERSTOWN, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of

NB23 RE Holdings, LLc Arts. of Org. filed

with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/27/23.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 188 Highland Terrace, West Oneonta, NY 13861.

Purpose: any lawful activities.

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of Oaks creek Farm and Market LLc

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 2/23/2023.

Office location: Otsego county. SSNY designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 2058 county Highway 49 Edmeston, NY 13335.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice

Notice of QuaLificatioN

of RIGHT MEOW LLc

Fictitious Name in NY State: RM-ccM, LLc App. For Auth. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/2/23.

Office location: Otsego county. LLc formed in Massachusetts (MA) on 10/25/18.

SSNY designated as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the MA address of LLc: 232 West canton St, Boston, MA 02116. Arts of Org filed with MA Secy of the commonwealth, One Ashburton Place, 17th Fl, Boston, MA 02108-1512.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of David and Sons Watches LLc

Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/15/22. Office location: Otsego county. SSNY is designated

as agent of LLc upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc., 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalMar.30

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of Preisser Systems, LLc Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 02/10/2023. The office of the LLc is to be located in Otsego county.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLc upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLc served upon it to: The LLc, P.O. Box 782, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the LLc is to engage in any lawful act.

6LegalMar.30

►Thursday, March 30

LABOR LAW 8:30 a.m.

Join Hinman, Howard & Katell

Attorneys for the Spring Labor Law updates, from legal and legislative updates including the Warehouse Worker’s Act, the New York Salary Disclosure Law, New York Lawful Absences Law, changes to the Anti-Discrimination Law, Amendments to the Labor Law regarding Digital Labor Law Posters and Veteran’s Benefits Posters, and more. Presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at the KW Training Center, 31 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4324500 ext. 2.

CONNECTIONS 1:15 p.m. Join public health educator Abigail Mosenthin to learn about rabies, Lyme disease, and tick prevention, and the responsibilities of a pet owner. Held in the Community Room, Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com

T ZONE 4-6 p.m. Teens aged 12-15 are invited for this after-school program to de-stress, enjoy a nutritious snack and play games with their peers in a safe environment. Held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Visit richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org/programs/

ELECTRICAL VEHICLES

6-8 p.m. Join Otsego County Conservation Association for an informative meeting on vehicle electrification trends in Otsego County. Discussed will be current rebates and incentives, plans to increase EV chargers in the region, and tools for individuals and municipalities to decide what EV is right for them. Cooperstown Village Ballroom, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-4488.

►Friday, March 31

OPENING RECEPTION

5-8 p.m. Celebrate the ordinary in this small group exhibition, “The Day Is a Book We Keep On Reading,” featuring works of photography, quilting, video, and more which the artists use to explore identity and personal history and capture a sense of place. The public is invited to contribute at the interactive wall featuring a prompt and space to draw. Hosted by the Living Archive Project with the Community Arts Network of Oneonta at the Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 432-2070.

DRAG SHOW 7 p.m.

Come celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with a show featuring Lilly Bola, Bloody Valentine, Ryder Knightly and Jahyra Joelle. $10 suggested donation. Bushel Collective, 106 Main Street, Delhi. (607) 386-1508.

COMMUNITY MEETING

7-9 p.m. Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with friends, pizza, board games, and more at this low-key and safe hangout. Hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 386-1508.

COMEDY 7 p.m. Enjoy a stand-up comedy show with the North Country Comedy Tour, headlining Brad Lowrey, featuring Cody Montanye, with host/MC Mikael Greg. Show begins at 8 p.m. and includes a cash bar for those aged 21+ and complementary appetizers. Admission, $25/person at the door. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

CAREER NIGHT 7-10

p.m. Students, parents and guardians are invited to come learn about different careers. This week’s featured career is in the agriculture and livestock field. Free. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-3200.

YOUTH ZONE 7-10 p.m. Students in grades 7-12 are invited for a fun night of games and activities each Friday. Games range from air hockey to Xbox games to board games, with arts and crafts, baking, movie nights, and more also offered. Held at The Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. richfieldspringscommunitycenter. org/the-zone/ PERCUSSION PERFORMANCE 7:30 p.m. Join the Oneonta Concert Association’s own Julie Licata for a concert of solo and chamber ensemble music featuring driving rhythms, lyrical melodies, organ-like chorales, fixed instruments, and audience-directed improvisations. General admission, $25. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 3767283.

CONTRADANCE

7:30-10:30 p.m. Rejoin your friends for a fun social dance with the Otsego Dance Society. Will feature music by the band Alan Thomson & George Wilson, with Ted Crane calling the dances. Suggested donation, $8/adult. First Pres-

byterian Church, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown. Visit otsegodancesociety.weebly. com

►s aTurday, april 1

EASTER BUNNY 10 a.m. to noon. Bring the kids down to visit with the Easter Bunny, enter a coloring contest, get adorable pictures, take home some goodies (while supplies last), and enter to win an Easter basket raffle. Held by Destination Oneonta at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599.

RUMMAGE SALE 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Browse for your next great find at this sale to support the Super Heroes Humane Society at the site of their future building. Find furniture, antiques, small appliances, home décor and much more. Super Heroes Humane Society, 160 Pony Farm Road, Oneonta. Visit superheroeshs. org/news-and-events/springrummage-sale/ Also held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 4/2.

PAPER SHREDDING 10 a.m. to noon. Bring your sensitive papers down to be destroyed securely. Cooperstown Village Library. (607) 547-8344.

TAX PREP 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to

provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980. Also held 6-8 p.m. on 4/3.

SHEARING 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop to see how the sheep are sheared ahead of the warmer months.

Included with museum admission. Sweet Marble Barn, The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.

ART WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to noon. Bring the children for this fun workshop to create the new art installation, “Revery Garden.” During this workshop, Cooper will discuss Emily Dickinson’s poem, “To Make A Prairie,” and the meaning of “revery.” Activities to follow include making paper seeds, flowers, and trees to construct a garden. Free with museum admission. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

ART EXHIBIT 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Public is invited to view “True Friends: Nancy Waller Art for the Ellen St John Peacemaker Award,” a potpourri of watercolors and silk-screens, some framed. Proceeds benefit the award. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 941-9607. EASTER EXPRESS Noon and 3:30 p.m. Catch the train with the Easter Bunny and

friends for a fun afternoon featuring an Easter egg hunt, Easter egg roll game in the open air car, complimentary snacks, family photographs with the Easter bunny, and much more. Tickets, $25/ adult, $20/child age 3-12. Train departs Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad station, 136 County Route 166, Milford. (607) 4322429.

ARTIST TALK & READING 3 p.m. Join artist Ashley Norwood Cooper and Poet

A.E. Stallings for a discussion of Cooper’s new exhibit, “Swarm: Works By Ashley Norwood Cooper” (on view thru 5/14) and then a reading of Stalling’s latest poetry book, “This Afterlife.” The pair will discuss the relationship between art and poetry and how their decades-long friendship and exchange has influenced their work. Tickets, $17.50/ non-member. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607)547-1400.

RELIGION 6 p.m. Come out for “The Story Tour,” a night of engaging, entertaining, spiritual stories presented by Found & Favored Ministries. Tickets, $12/person. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. Visit allanscottmusic.com/ the-story-tour/

►sunday, april 2

SUGARING OFF 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy full pancake breakfast in the morning

then contemporary, historic demonstrations of maple sugar production. Admission, $15/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1450.

►Monday, april 3

ANIMATION 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children aged 10 and up are invited for a 5-day animation workshop, concluding 4/7, where they will use a variety of materials to create characters and environment and then film their animation frame by frame with instructor John Davies. Pay what you wish; suggested tuition $100. Headwaters Art Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford. (607) 214-6040.

HUMAN RIGHTS 9-11 p.m. Enjoy a screening of “Uýra; The Rising Forest,” as seen at the 2023 Human Rights Film Festival, about the travels of a young indigenous trans woman through the Amazon where she uses performance art to spread her message to the Indigenous youth that they are the guardians of ancestral messages of the Amazon Forest. Free, open to all. Hunt Union Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta. (607) 436-3012.

►Tuesday, april 4

COMMUNITY HIKE

9:45 a.m. The community is invited for a group hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Please bring appropriate clothing, gear, enough water to stay hydrated and be aware of your level of fitness. Contact hike leader for more information. This week’s hike will be on the New Island Trail, Oneonta, with hike leader Sarah Patterson. (607) 432-6284 or visit https:// susqadk.org/