‘Here to Help Hotline’ leads to Greener pastures for Rescued Mare

By DARlA M. YOUNGS

COOpERSTOWN

For years, a good Samaritan watched two horses living in a pasture visible from his property, offering to help in any way he could when their owner eventually passed away last fall. One of the horses, a stallion, was sold and reportedly did not survive the winter. The second horse, a malnourished blind mare, found her way to the good Samaritan’s home, where she was fed and nursed back to health over the winter months.

As the kind-hearted man prepared to sell his farm and realized he would be unable to keep the mare—whose name is Buttercup, and who the good Samaritan later discovered to be pregnant— he sought help in turn from the Susquehanna Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“He reached out via our Here to Help Hotline and ultimately decided to surrender Buttercup to us, knowing we have the expertise and resources to see that she is properly cared for until she can be placed in her forever home,” said Stacie Haynes, SQSpCA executive director.

One of those resources is a national network of equine industry and welfare professionals and advocates working together to improve the lives of horses in transition—the ASpCA Right Horse program, of which the SQSpCA is a member. According to the Right Horse website, the program’s goal is “to massively increase horse adoption in the United States.”

“Buttercup is being boarded with leatherstocking Equine Center in New Berlin until she has her foal, which we expect will be about a month from now,” Haynes explained. “After that, staff will assess adoption possibilities and, if there is no local match able to handle Buttercup’s medical needs, the SQSpCA will work through the Right Horse program to place her.”

Buttercup has been diagnosed by leatherstocking as having severe non-ulcerative keratitis, a degenerative disease which has resulted in blindness in both her eyes.

“She is extremely sweet, and once ready to leave the vet clinic, will need a very special owner who can manage her visual impairment,” Haynes said of the mare.

In the meantime, the SQSpCA is seeking contributions to assist in covering Buttercup’s boarding fees and medical costs, which could total in excess of $3,000.00.

“We are grateful for all the wonderful community support we have received in recent years that has enabled us not only to rescue horses in distress, but also to learn equine standards and best practices. We are also very thankful for our network of local partners, including the SQSpCA Farm Friends volunteer group, leatherstocking Veterinary Services, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department, and regional equine experts,” continued Haynes.

In addition to the ASpCA Right Horse program, Haynes praised the Humane Society of the United States for its ongoing guidance, but pointed out that those organizations do not provide funds toward the care of rescued horses.

“This case is a wonderful example of how our Here to Help Hotline can assist people and animals before it’s too late. In this instance, we had the capacity to help right away. In other situations, if the SQSpCA is unable to help directly, we will network and do our very best to make sure whoever is reaching out for help is able to get it,” Haynes said.

Those wishing to contribute toward Buttercup’s boarding and medical expenses can do so at https://www.sqspca. org/donate/.

Future Taking Shape for EV Conversions in Otsego County, Experts Say

By CASpAR EWIG

COOpERSTOWN

The Otsego County Conservation Association and Town of Middlefield Climate Smart Community Task Force presented a panel discussion, “The Future of Transportation in Otsego County,” on Thursday, March 30.

Amanda Kaier, Clean Energy Communities coordinator at the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District Inc., began the program with an overview of the electric personal vehicle market in Otsego County and New York State as a whole. Other panelists included Christina Ficicchia, manager of Smart Grid programs at AVANGRID, the New York State Electric & Gas parent company based in Orange, Connecticut, and OCCA Junior planner Will Kuss.

As of this year, 243 battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles were registered in Otsego County, more than 83 percent of which were registered in the last two years. Since almost 40 percent of this increase represents BEVs, and since the overall BEV and pHEV registrations in the state exceeds 90,000 vehicles, the need for

Estella M. Trask 1924-2023

SCHENEVUS—Estella

M. Trask, 98, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 7, 2023.

She was born May 9, 1924 in Kortright, the daughter of Ford and Edith (Nimocks) VanBuren.

Estella graduated from Milford Central School, Class of 1943. She married Donald l. Trask on April 23, 1949 in Otego.

She was a stay-at-home mother until her children became of school age, at which time she started working at Andrew S. Draper Central School in Schenevus, where she was a teacher’s aide for 26 years. She was a beloved playground aide. She loved and enjoyed watching the many children throughout the years and fondly remembered them as adults.

Estella was a well-organized and active member of the Schenevus Fireman’s Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Schenevus VFW and the Church of the Holy Spirit.

She is survived by her children, Jim and Chris Trask of Schenevus, Cathy and Dave Craig of Cooperstown, pat Trask of Schenevus, and Deb and Mark Bergeron of Morris; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; her sister, Edith Jester of charging stations on designated EV corridors in the state and in the county is apparent, Kaier said.

As encouragement to consumers to purchase electrical vehicles of all sorts, Kaier pointed out that direct rebates ranging from $500.00-$2,000.00 are available, as well as federal tax credits up to $7,500.00 for individuals and up to $40,000.00 for businesses. panelists then reviewed the need for constructing private and public charging stations to accommodate this increase.

Chaseville, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Don, in 2009 and her eight siblings.

Calling hours will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 14 at the Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main Street, Worcester.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15 at the Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, with the Rev. Frank MacCracken officiating. Interment will follow at the Schenevus Cemetery. Donations may be made to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or to the Schenevus Fireman’s Auxiliary, Route 7, Schenevus, NY 12155

To send a condolence to the family or sign the guest book, visit, www.hellerskinnerfh.com

Although there is presently no detailed analysis of existing charging stations in Otsego County, there is a definite need for direct current fast charging stations to accommodate BEVs that require a full charge to continue their trip, as well as level 2 stations for slower charging. Again, the state has a number of incentive programs to encourage development of this aspect of the electric vehicle infrastructure.

The State of New York has mandated that all school districts purchase electric buses after