In The Water
Ceremony Marks 50th Year Since Vietnam War Exit, Honors Veterans
By TERESA WINCHESTER
GILBERTSVILLE
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1339 invites the general public to its annual Veterans Day ceremony, to be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 at the Butternut Valley Grange Hall, 7 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville. The event, taking place one day before the official Veterans Day, will be in remembrance of the 50th anniversary of the departure of the United States from the undeclared war in Vietnam and will honor its 16 members of American Legion Post 1339 who are Vietnam veterans. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Tianderah Chapter, will present special pins, and Girl Scouts have made cards with positive messages to present to this group of veterans. All deceased veterans will be remembered by a moment of silence.
Keynote speaker will be Unadilla Valley native Peter Lennon, retired U.S. Army Major General. As a leader in supply-chain operations, some of Lennon’s key assignments included theater-level transportation planner for the treaty implementation force in Bosnia-Herzegovina; director of strategic-level military transportation operations throughout the 23 middle-eastern countries of the United States’ Central Command; and commander of the 37,000-soldier 377th Theater Sustainment Command with forces throughout the eastern United States.
In late 2003, Paul Bremer, then-ambassador to Iraq, selected Lennon to establish
Continued on page 7
Timeless Tradition
COOPERSTOWN—Rotarian Joe Membrino and Frank Miosek, volunteer, flipped pancakes all morning long at the Rotary Club of Cooperstown’s 67th Election Day pancake fundraiser (top). Julie Singh and daughter Skyler enjoy mid-morning pancakes. Susie Law, Skyler’s grandmother, joined in while visiting from California (above).
Hartwick Unveils New Baking Innovation Lab
ONEONTA H
artwick College’s new Baking Innovation Lab, a one-of-akind center on the East Coast and a valuable addition to the Hartwick Center for Craft Food and Beverage, is now official. The grand opening celebration took place on Tuesday, October 22, marking a significant milestone in the culinary landscape in New York State, organizers said in a media release.
The lab is set to play a pivotal role in advancing innovation within the food and grain sector. Its primary mission is to bolster the efforts of small and midsized producers and processors of local cereals and grains, including growers, bakers, and food product developers.
“Through quality testing, research and education, the BIL will be a beacon of support for local food innovators,” the release read.
Set in a 3,500-square-foot stateof-the-art facility on Dietz Street, the BIL is more than a lab; it’s a hub of collaboration and experimentation. Equipped with a pilot mill, bakery and classrooms, the lab provides reliable, affordable, and comprehensive quality testing services for locally produced grains, flour, and grain-based products. Key services include grain and flour quality testing, test milling on stone and other mills, and recipe development for whole grain and stone-ground flour.
Additionally, the space allows bakers and food developers to experiment with formulation changes, produce sample
Continued on page 13
Art Donations Prompt Invitation to White House
t started with an invitation to the White House and ended with accepting the nation’s thanks to my father at a state dinner.
As the son of the late American sculptor David Hayes, I am charged with advancing his legacy, work and reputation. Earlier this year, we donated several of his paintings to the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies, a public/private organization that works through the Department of State to place artwork in American embassies around the world. FAPE’s acceptance process is intensely selective.
This led to an invitation from Jill Biden to honor the foundation, donor
artists, members of the diplomatic corps and others at a White House reception in October. The evening was followed by a state dinner the next night on the Department of State’s formal eighth floor, hosted by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
I had the privilege of meeting remarkable individuals, each with a compelling story. Away from news cameras, Dr. Biden is as warm and engaging as your favorite aunt. Others I learned from include Ford Foundation Director Darren Walker, artist Jeffrey Koons, sculptor Joel Shapiro, Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson, art critic Robert Storr, historian and Pulitzer-prize biographer Jon Meacham, philanthropists Ronald and Jo Carol Lauder, and the magnificent Renée
DAvID hAyES
Photo provided
David hayes and classical singer/actress Renée Fleming. Continued on page 13
Photos by Tara Barnwell
SHHS Seeks Sale Donations
ONEONTA—Super Heroes Humane Society will hold its popular annual Rummage Sale and Raffle at a new location, 182 Roundhouse Road in Oneonta. Shoppers can expect hundreds of new and vintage items ranging from home decor to pet supplies at the sale, open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 16 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 17. Donations may be dropped at the same address from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 through Monday, November 11, and on Wednesday, November 13. There will also be an evening drop-off option from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12. Pet food and supply donations for Super Heroes’ animal shelter will also be accepted at any time. For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Art Association Sale To Open
COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association’s Holiday Show and Sale will kick off with an Opening Reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, November 15. It will be open through Saturday, December 21 and is geared toward holiday gift giving. All work is by member artists from the area. Visitors are reminded to bring cash for the AdornA-Door raffle featuring “Dinner’s On Us,” a week’s worth of gift certificates to local restaurants valued at $400.00. The gallery is located at 22 Main Street
and is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Thrift Shop Announces Sale
ONEONTA—The Helios Care Thrift Shop and Boutique will hold a half-off sale on everything except tagged jewelry, furniture, and Christmas items on Wednesday, November 20. The store is located in Price Chopper Plaza, 626 State Route 7 in Oneonta, and supports services for palliative care patients and their families.
Fest To Read Poetry at CANO
ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta will host local poet Brad Fest for a reading of original work at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21. The event, located at 11 Ford Avenue, is free and open to the public.
Decorating Day Is Nov. 24th
COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Community Christmas Committee announced its schedule of events for the holiday season, beginning with Decorating Day on Sunday, November 24. The community is invited to gather in Pioneer Park at 2 p.m. to decorate Santa’s cottage and village lampposts. Attendees should bring gloves, shears and ladders, if possible. To reserve a pole, contact coop-
townchristmas@gmail.com. Santa will officially arrive at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 29, with a celebration featuring refreshments and music. The full schedule will be posted at this time; masks are encouraged at individual discretion. Donations to assist CCCC are always welcome.
Bake, Craft Sale Is Saturday
HARTWICK SEMINARY—Hartwick Fire Department Company 2 will hold its annual Bake Sale and Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 at 4877 State Highway 28. All proceeds will benefit the company support fund.
Loudon To Present at Meeting
FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Fly Creek Methodist Church, 852 County Highway 26, on Wednesday, November 20. Local historian Jim Loudon will present a talk on the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad at 6:30 p.m., followed by light refreshments at 7:30 p.m. and the meeting.
‘Faces
of Franklin’ To Open
FRANKLIN—Good Taste Epicurean Market, 438 Main Street, Suite 6 in Franklin, will host an Continued on page 12
Film Days Gets Underway This Thursday
Glimmerglass
Film Days, now in its 12th season, will present a slate of independent
films—25 features plus three shorts programs— November 7-11 in multiple Cooperstown locations, including the Grandstand Theater at
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the National Baseball Hall of Fame and The Farmers’ Museum.
A program of Otsego 2000, Film Days will also offer filmmaker talks, an art exhibit, parties, film and food pairings, and guided walks.
“Film Days has an environmental focus, but one we interpret broadly, so you will see films about architecture and art; history and war; farming and sustainability; family and parenting; conflict and intrigue. This year’s films ask big questions and tell great stories.” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000.
The Film Days program team of Peggy Parsons, founder of the film program at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., Xander Moffat, an independent film producer, and Joey Katz, a film programmer; selected this year’s films based on the theme “Boundaries.”
“We hope the audience will relish the challenges and the delights contained in this year’s stories of boundaries and borders,” said Parsons.
“Boundaries are an inherent part of our everyday lives, whether we like it or not,” said Katz. “How do we overcome the walls that we place on ourselves, our neighbors, and the natural world? Which boundaries are necessary and which ones need to be torn down in order to connect with the humanity that binds us all?”
The goal is to start impactful conversations, Katz added.
“This might be our most geographically diverse line-up yet. True to this year’s theme, we’ve ended up with a slate of films which truly spans the globe. In addition to featuring some great U.S. films of the past year, we’ll have films from Japan, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, Iceland, Ukraine, Argentina, the UK, France, Germany, and, of course, our closest neighbors: Canada and Mexico,” said Moffat.
Glimmerglass Film Days kicks off on Thursday, November 7 with a screening of “The Night Visitors” at 5:30 p.m., the opening party for the “In Play: Borders & Edges Exhibition” at 7:30 p.m. and a screening of “Incident at Loch Ness” at 9 p.m. The film festival is offering two free films: “Written on the Landscape: Mysteries Beyond Chaco Canyon” on November 8 and the animated ecofable “Flow” on Saturday, November 9. Reserve a free ticket online at glimmerglassfilmdays.org. Other films cost $8.00 in advance, $10.00 at the door. Events with food range from $12.00$50.00, when purchased in advance. For complete Film Days details, visit www. glimmerglassfilmdays.org or call (607) 547-8881.
Bazaar Offers Early Holiday Shopping
GILBERTSVILLE
The Major’s Inn “Joyful Traditions” Holiday Bazaar, the final event of the inn’s season, will take place Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The inn is located at 118 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. Lunch, including homemade chili or soup and desserts, will be available for shoppers beginning at 11 a.m.
The bazaar will feature a large variety for shoppers. Besides many holiday-themed items, the inn’s ballroom will be filled with locally-made crafts, vintage jewelry, glassware (including Depression glass), and bone china cups, saucers, and plates. Silver, CorningWare and ironstone pieces are also on the tables.
Proceeds from the bazaar will go to the Major’s Inn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of the Major’s Inn, a Tudor-style edifice listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Call 607 (783) 2393 or (607) 7832967 for more information.
Reading to Launch Anthology, Share How Poets See Things
By TERESA WINCHESTER
ONEONTA
The Oneonta Literary Festival
2024-25 will present The Bright Hill poets on Tuesday, November 12 at 7 p.m. in the Morris Conference Center’s Craven Lounge on the SUNY Oneonta campus. Twelve poets from the “Seeing Things” poetry workshop will showcase their work in celebration of their new anthology, “Seeing Things 2.” The reading is free and open to the public.
Reading at the event will be workshop members Diane Bliss (Middletown), Allison Collins (Unadilla), Jesse Hilson and Mary Ladany (Bovina), Bertha Rogers and Lynne Kemen (Franklin), Julene Waffle (Laurens), Vicki Whicker (Burlington Flats), and Elizabeth Huntington, Bhala Jones, Pam Strother, and Julie Suarez (Oneonta). The anthology was edited by workshop director Robert Bensen, former Hartwick College professor and director of writing (1978-2017).
The reading is sponsored by the Bright Hill Press and Literary Center in Treadwell, as well as by OLF partners Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta, the Community Arts Network of Oneonta and Huntington Memorial Library.
Elizabeth Huntington is a learning specialist at SUNY Oneonta. Her poetry has been published in several literary journals, and won the Lane Literary Guild’s (Eugene, Oregon) Writers at the Hult award.
Huntington has been writing poetry since age 6 but describes herself as a “closet poet.” In 2020, having recently lost her husband while also trying to carry on during the pandemic, Huntington, at the urging of Bensen, joined the Seeing Things workshop.
“It was a wonderful thing to be with people who use words well. I had missed being part of a community,” she said.
Speaking of her preference for lyrical poetry, Huntington said, “The sound and the music of poetry are appealing to me. I like words that have sensory detail.”
Huntington especially admires the way Pulitzer Prize-winner Mary Oliver amplifies the details of ordinary life and invites the reader to “hold the world up into the light, revealing its poignancy.”
She correlates this way of writing with her work as an academic coach.
“I get joy out of watching someone recognize potential and begin to fulfill it,” she said.
“Seeing Things 2” features five poems by Huntington: “Husband” deals with the loneliness one can feel even in a good marriage.
Describing day’s end, “Lullaby” uses rhyming and repetition to create a lullaby’s soothing sounds. “If” lists the possible repercussions of things that happened and things that did not. Her poem “Cairn” is a “literary grave marker,” set up on the page to look like a funerary mound.
“Degas: Lost Oeuvre” evokes the well-known impressionist painter, who became blind in his old age—a situation which aligns with the theme of “seeing things.”
Hartwick College graduate Allison Collins edits “Upstate Life Magazine.” She is a frequent contributing
writer to the Oneonta “Daily Star” and also writes for “Kaatskill Life Magazine.” Her works have appeared in numerous literary journals. “Seeing Things 2” contains five of her poems.
“I’ve been writing most of my life. Writing is like a check valve in my brain. I just need to open it up occasionally and bleed the line. I write a lot about my day-to-day life. My themes are domestic, home-centered. Life can be crazy and poetry can offset this craziness, can make an insular life better,” Collins said.
Her sensual poem, “Clasped,” explores intimate impulses. Knowing the chain of her necklace is knotted, the subject puts it on anyway, wanting to wear “something shiny” to seduce her lover. He notices the knots and begins to undo them: “My own hands found pockets,/wings folded,/and I watched you/undo small links of gold/but also, me.”
Two of her poems, “Flying Changes” and “Flight,” deal with escape from mundanity. Collins literally wrote the former poem “on the fly.”
“I wrote it on my phone, on the way home. I do this all the time. Sometimes, I just write the beginning lines,” she said.
One of Collins’ pieces is a translation of a French poem by Pierre Reverdy (1889-1960).
“I had never done a translation, didn’t even know French. I translated first line by line and then made it my own,”
Collins said. Her translation was chosen for publication in a bi-lingual poetry journal and subsequently translated into Spanish as well.
Collins characterized the Seeing Things workshop as a “safe space, constructive and supportive.” She said she has noticed a “definite uptick” in the publication of her poems since participating in the workshop.
Bhala Jones moved to Upstate New York in 2008. Prior to that, she had spent 30 years as a dancer and choreographer in New York City, performing with the New York City Opera and choreographing for the Brooklyn Music School, among other related professional undertakings.
Jones has been writing “more or less forever,”
but, early on, did not take her writing seriously. Currently, however, she boasts a respectable canon of published short stories and poetry. Four of her poems appear in “Seeing Things 2.” Her themes generally deal with “women who have serious problems.” She is particularly drawn to Cassandra, a figure in Greek mythology, whose predictions for the future, though valid, were never taken seriously. Cassandra, Jones believes, is emblematic of how women are viewed by society in general.
The vivid language of “Cassandra in the Ashes” that describes the devastating aftermath of war for Trojan women also evokes current scenes in Ukraine and Gaza: “We have been here since just after dawn/my mother, my sisters, and
I,/huddled among the women/as if we could hide here./We are hot. Thirsty. Dirty./Our hair damp with sweat,/falls in tangles like snakes.” The refrain “Andromache is crying”—Andromache was the wife of Hector, a fallen Trojan war hero—introduces each of the poem’s five sections elaborating on the dreaded fate awaiting the women: separation from one another, rape and enslavement by the victors. Nevertheless, Cassandra (Hector’s sister) stoically confronts her fate: “Andromache still cries/but I look up/ into the face above the boots,/and try to smile.” Jones’poem “Incident” starkly reflects her feelings about women as victims and evokes a traumatic occurrence from her youth. In the poem, a young girl,
Continued on page 13
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Photos provided
“Seeing Things 2,” a recently-released poetry anthology edited by Robert Bensen (from left), includes works by area poets Allison Colllins, Elizabeth Huntington, Bhala Jones, Lynn Kemen, Julene Waffle and Vicki Whicker, among others.
HOMETOWN Views
EDITORIAL
Changes Would Undermine Law
Supporting our veterans and changing the sign law are two separate issues, and I believe it’s essential to treat them as such. As a trustee on the Cooperstown Village Board, I am writing to share my thinking behind my decision to vote against amending the village sign law to allow for banners to be hung on utility poles in the Village of Cooperstown. This decision is rooted in careful consideration of our longstanding village values, legal responsibilities, and the need for sustainable ways to honor our veterans. It was made after months of public debate, research, letters, input from the community, and examining all sides of the issue.
I, along with my fellow board members, have received
some very hateful comments about not supporting the veterans and having a lack of patriotism. That is just not the case, at least for me personally. I have deep respect for veterans, including those in my own family: my father, uncles, and grandfather all served in the U.S. Navy, and my uncle and cousins served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Voting against amending the sign law is not a vote against honoring veterans. I wish this could be understood as two separate conversations.
At multiple points during this debate, we proposed alternative ways to honor our veterans: solutions including a permanent memorial, plaques, pavers, or dedicated public spaces to offer lasting and meaningful recognition. When these alternatives were suggested, the response
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
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was, “But that is not what we want.”
Our responsibility as trustees is to honor and protect the village in a way that benefits our community and its veterans in an enduring, sustainable way. I respectfully question whether a temporary plastic banner truly reflects the respect our veterans deserve, especially when it is subject to wear and tear over time.
The Village of Cooperstown’s sign law, in place since at least the 1970s, is unique among small communities for its commitment to preserving Cooperstown’s distinct character and sense of place. This law aims to maintain the charm and individuality that sets Cooperstown apart, and it has the backing of our Planning Board and several past board members and committee chairs.
Bravo to Trustees for Sign Law Vote
Amending the law, in this case, would undermine its purpose, which is to prevent our village from becoming “like everywhere else,” and personally, I feel that is a good thing. Cooperstown’s unique historic charm is what draws people to live, work and visit.
Additionally, there are legal implications to consider.
Making an exception for one cause—no matter how worthy—opens the door to many others, leading us down a slippery slope that could jeopardize First Amendment rights. By law, any nonprofit group would have to be allowed the same privileges, and the amendment could not legally be restricted solely to veterans’ organizations.
Another critical factor is that amending this law would grant partial control to NYSEG. While NYSEG’s
current rules are known to us, those rules could change at any time, putting future decisions regarding our village’s aesthetics into the hands of an outside corporation, beyond our local control.
Cooperstown is not just a local community—it is a destination for tourists as well as thousands of employees, and patients of Bassett Hospital. The unique charm that draws people here could lead to a high demand for banner placements by those who feel a connection to the village.
Without clear criteria on who qualifies for a banner and where they could be displayed, we would face difficult, potentially contentious decisions.
As a Tree City, many of our utility poles have limited visibility due to the natural tree cover.
Continued on page 13
HOMETOWN ONEONTA
H o metown oneon t a 2008 - 2024 16th anniversary & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
a publication of Iron String Press, Inc.
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Tara Barnwell
General Manager / Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs
Sales Consultant: Randy Christian Office Manager: Larissa Ryan Intern: Arya Patel
Columnists and Contributing Writers
Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Elizabeth Cooper, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Karolina Hopper, Wriley Nelson, Joel J. Plue, Tom Shelby, Dan Sullivan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin
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As a nine-year Navy vet with a brother and father who were in the Navy for 30 and 40 years, respectively, I say bravo to the village trustees for their decision not to modify the zoning law to allow veteran banners. There is an appropriate way to honor men and women who served in the Armed Forces— just take a look at Pine Boulevard—but one of them is not to make the village streets look like a used-car lot.
Lang Keith LCDR, USNR (ret) Cooperstown
Skin Cancer Is a Public Health Risk
I have now lost three friends to skin cancer, one of the most avoidable forms of cancer. In Texas, my great uncle died of it, my father and aunt lost the ends of their noses to it, and I have had enough precancerous tissue removed from my hide to make a small meatball. It shouldn’t be this way. Some countries, such as Australia, treat skin cancer as a public health risk—and have legislated accordingly: banning tanning beds and requiring sun protection measures, particularly for children. The Japanese
are obsessive about staying out of the sun, as their porcelain complexions attest. You don’t have to be blonde and blueeyed to get skin cancer, but it sure helps. You may be a paleface, but turning yourself an unfashionable orange can be hazardous to your health.
I go to the dermatologist at least twice a year. Fortunately, Bassett has an excellent dermatology department, which now includes a Mohs surgeon, the gold standard for removing cancerous epidermal tissue. Before Bassett offered Mohs surgery, I had to drive to Albany. My car’s navigation system knows the way.
So do three things—teach your children about the need to cover up, then you cover up and check your skin for peculiarities, and go to Bassett’s dermatology department for an annual checkup. The life you save may be one of my friends or relatives. Or your own.
Chip Northrup Cooperstown
Nelson Piece Got It Wrong
In his October 3rd commentary, former news editor of Iron String Press Wriley Nelson fires off scores of false and deeply offensive comments about Israel, Zionism and Jewish
people. Among his outrageous claims, he calls Zionism “inherently absurd,” that it was “implemented through selfstyled terrorism in the British colony of Palestine in 1948,” and calls Israel an “overgrown American aircraft carrier.” Not only are these and many other claims in this opinion piece absurd and patently false, they also do not meet journalistic ethics or standards.
For example, on the issue of Zionism, while this author seems to paint it as a post-World War II colonial project, nothing could be further from the truth. Indeed, it is an anti-colonial project as it sought to restore an indigenous people to their ancestral land. There has been a continuous Jewish presence in the land of Israel over the millennia. Zionism is the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in the land of Israel. The vast majority of American Jews and Americans in general believe in Israel’s right to exist and are therefore Zionists. This is not related to their support of specific Israeli policies or actions.
Otsego County readers deserve better than false narratives and offensive statements. Scott Richman
ADL Regional Director, New York and New Jersey
Continued on page 13
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn
Photo provided
by
HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
135 YEARs AGo
The Local News—A sea gull, a rare bird for this region, was shot near the upper reservoir a few days since by Albert Richardson. Taxidermist Wm. McCrum has it mounted in fine shape.
All Halloween was duly observed last Thursday evening by a company of youngsters, who played the mischief with door steps, hitching posts, signs and even the sidewalks in various parts of the village.
An Italian attempted to raise some money by buying a stove on contract of L.B. Lennon and then selling it for cash. He seemed slow to realize that he had committed some wrong, but when arraigned in court made satisfactory settlement and was discharged.
The diphtheria scare in oneonta has subsided. There have been, to be sure, several cases, and a few deaths, but at no time have there been cases enough in the village to make the situation alarming.
Richard Riley, employee of the railroad shops, lost 3 fingers Tuesday while running a planning machine.
November 1889
70 YEARs AGo
Passenger car production in 1955 is expected to top the 5,250,000 cars indicated for 1954. New Ford automobile models go on display on Friday, November 12. Chrysler models will be offered on November 17; Lincolns on November 23; and Mercury on December 2. Pontiacs and Chevrolets, the first of the new General Motors models, went on display in september. Highstyling, stepped-up horsepower and improved automatic transmissions mark the new models. Giants are taking over the automobile industry. The merger of two of the oldest manufacturers, studebaker and Packard, was approved by stockholders in August. Hudson and Nash combined as American Motors four months earlier. General Motors accounts for slightly more than 50 percent of current production; Ford for 32 percent and Chrysler for 13 percent.
November 1954
50 YEARs AGo
James and Alan Paret, whose plans for a restaurant in the former Viking studio at Dietz & Walnut streets were blocked by a zoning change in the oneonta Common Council, have relocated a block away on Ford Avenue. The brothers are redecorating a large nine-room house at 23 Ford Avenue formerly owned by o. Charles Koenig. Alan Paret said the property is zoned commercial and that the sale is already settled. No major renovations are needed, he said for two dining rooms on the first floor and a wine and cheese room on the second floor. The restaurant will be named “The open Door.” The brothers’ original plans for a “home-style foods” restaurant at 55 Dietz street were scuttled when neighbors there protested to the Common Council and the zoning for that site was changed from commercial to residential.
November 1974
40 YEARs AGo
student groups from both colleges are offering transportation to polling sites throughout the city in an effort to get out the student vote. The oneonta state College student Association is providing a 15-passenger van to take students to the eight polling places in the city. The van will leave schumacher Hall every half hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. About 3,000 sUCo students are registered to vote locally. The Hartwick College student senate is providing rides to the polls with a 10-passenger van leaving Arnold parking lot six times during the day.
30 YEARs AGo
November 1984
Twenty local merchants face fines of up to $300 following an underage undercover operation aimed at snuffing out sales of cigarettes to teens. In the countywide sting, sponsored by the anti-tobacco coalition known as Project A.C.T.I.o.N., a 16-year-old girl tried to purchase cigarettes over the counter in 31 area stores – 20 times she walked out with a pack.
November 1994
Solution: “I, Gluteus (3)” (October 31)
news from the noteworthy
County Leaders Gather To Discuss Housing Crisis
Who’s happy with the status quo?” Darren scott of NYs Homes and Community Renewal asked an audience of more than 70 people at the Housing summit on Wednesday, october 23. Not one hand went up.
Local elected officials, developers, nonprofits, and community leaders gathered at the Foothills for a Housing summit, co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of otsego County, Hartwick College, springbrook, and sUNY oneonta. The summit was created to share information on the state of housing in otsego County, and to examine unmet needs. The idea of the summit came from the Regional Innovation Council, created by sUNY oneonta in 2022.
Professor Alex Thomas, executive director of the PLACEs Institute at sUNY oneonta, cited the history of otsego County and the region, from early and long-lasting successes to steady decline since 1970. Dire projections show the possibility
By MERL REAGLE
Rewriting History…
living things
7 Nonpaying train rider 11 Worker protection agcy.
15 Steve Martin’s birthplace
19 Lab-slide subject
20 “Bearing gifts we traverse ___”
21 Compressed audio/ video standard
22 Word after “perched,” often
23 Historic cry with a kernel of truth to it?
26 He caught Don’s perfect game
27 Apt cryptogram of “Todd”
28 Penn. neighbor 29 Suggest strongly
30 Word on a door
31 With 40 Across, historic rules for subduing UFO occupants?
36 Approves 38 Just dandy
Cabinet wood 40 See 31 Across 43 Long March leader
46 Tito’s land: abbr.
47 Actor Calhoun et al.
48 Battery content
of otsego County’s population dropping by 25 percent by 2050.
Tammie Harris and Trevor Fuller from the otsego County Planning Department, and Bridget stith from otsego Rural Housing Assistance, discussed the new housing needs assessment. our
Continued on page 10
49 Historic site with a sign that says, “The immigrants have left the building”?
52 Andrews Sisters hit, “Bei Mir Bist Du ___”
54 Sallie
57 “Will you still ...” (from “When I’m 64”)
58 A hot time, in Paris
59 Grande opening 60 Auction
Photo provided
An oneonta Area housing summit was held on october 23 at the foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center to bring together nonprofits, community leaders, municipal officials, government agencies and developers to discuss housing issues, offer resources and best practices, and create workgroups that can generate and implement solutions for oneonta and the surrounding areas. the summit was hosted by sUny oneonta, hartwick College, the Community foundation of otsego County and springbrook. Pictured from left are: Chad hall, senior vice president, IoXUs; seth haight, chief operating officer, springbrook, Alberto Cardelle, president, sUny oneonta; Jeff Katz, executive director, Community foundation of otsego County; steve wilson, administrator, otsego County; and James mullen, president, hartwick College.
Otsego Area Rowing Members Compete in Fall Regattas
SCOTIA
Nine Otsego County rowers competed in the Mohawk Fall Classic Regatta, held on Sunday, September 29 on the Mohawk River in Scotia.
There were 213 entries from 27 clubs, most of which are New York-based, including our own Otsego Area Rowing. Formerly known as the Spartan Sweepstakes Regatta, the Mohawk Fall Classic Regatta is hosted by the Burnt Hills Rowing Association.
The 3,700 meter fall head race is United States Rowing Association-sanctioned and
includes masters, collegiate, and junior level events.
OAR’s Joe Novitski, of West Winfield, placed second in the Men’s Masters 1x (singles) Final with a time of 15:33.87. Creighton Williams (Cooperstown), Henry Cooper (Cooperstown), and Henrik Green (Hartwick) finished ninth, 10th, and 11th in the Junior Boy’s 1x Final with times of 18:24.46, 24:16.03, and 24:41.20, respectively.
Alison Lord (Cooperstown), Linda Demma (Fly Creek), Faith Gay (Richfield Springs), and Abby Rodd (Middlefield) took first place in the Women’s
Masters 4x (quad) Final with a time of 15:48.18, and Theo Feury and Creighton Williams finished fifth in the Junior Boy’s 2x Final with a time of 16:54.21.
On the same day, Samantha Gehring (Boulder, Cooperstown), and Lang Keith (Cooperstown), also representing OAR, raced the Green Mountain Head Regatta in Bellows Falls, Vermont. They placed sixth in the Mixed 2x (doubles)-Masters 12+ threemile stake race with a time of 26:41.4.
“We had participants ranging in age from their teens to their
80s,” Faith Gay said after the race. “The big thing is we have four youths racing for OAR, maybe the most ever, plus Joe Novitski got second in his race and the women’s quad placed first. But the great thing is the young rowers.”
Otsego Area Rowing offers rowing experiences and coaching for people of all ages, in individual and team boats, for both pleasure and competition. The mission of the organization is to help people of all ages discover their ability to move a shell through the water.
Abby Rodd is the presi -
dent of the OAR Board of Directors, Lang Keith is treasurer and Joe Novitski is secretary. Faith Gay and Alison Lord also serve on the OAR board, along with Gib Vincent, vice-president, Laura Kilty, Diana Moseman, Katharine Muir, Ed Ryan, and Andrea Thies.
Otsego Area Rowing is located within Brookwood Point on property on the shores of Otsego Lake owned by the Otsego Land Trust off State Highway 80, Cooperstown. For more information, visit otsegoarearowing.org.
EXPLORE CHERRY VALLEY cherryvalley.com
Flower Business:
BUSINESS PROFILE
CHERRY VALLEY
Drive through Cherry Valley on any given evening from May through December, and you’ll find the door open and the lights on at A Rose is a Rose Florist. The shop opened on December 1, 1990 after owner Jackie Hull moved back to her hometown of Cherry Valley from Los Angeles, where she created florals for celebrity homes and movies.
Far from those days now, Hull brought her
‘More of a Lifestyle than a Job,’ Says Hull
honed skills back to Otsego County and has had a successful flower shop here for 34 years. It wasn’t easy at first starting a business in a small town like Cherry Valley, Hull said, but having always had a florist in town, it seemed like a good fit.
Being raised on a dairy farm led to a strong work ethic and a love of nature which is evident in the way Hull designs. “I love to forage items found in the fields and along the road,” she explained. “Those are the special touches that
can set you apart. You just have to have that eye to see the interesting things that are right in front of you. My grandmother was a painter and also had lovely flower gardens, so I think she helped mold me at a very young age. She probably wished I didn’t pick so many flowers, but I loved making bouquets. “
One of Hull’s favorite highlights of each year is the Glimmerglass Festival Gala in New York City, which kind of kicks off the spring season, she said. And who doesn’t love spring-
time in New York?
“Although the first year, we got caught up in a terrible accident on the thruway. Thanks to my assistant, who knew the area, we were able to get off the highway before it came to a standstill and we made it to the city on time,” Hull recalled.
“Baseball Hall of Fame weekend is always a little crazy for us,” she continued, “but it’s a lot of fun working with MLB teams planning their parties and with the local Hall of Fame staff, as well. It’s always got a
Continued on page 10
Cherry Valley Business Community Prepares for Holiday Weekend
CHERRY VALLEY
The Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend, December 6-8, kicks off on Friday, December 6 with a lighted tractor parade to escort Father Christmas to the center of the village for a tree lighting. “More performances and spectacles to be included as well,” organizers said. As part of Cherry Valley’s First Friday, there will be an Open House for Holiday Marketplace at 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, with food by Erich, plus new work and holiday items from the collective artists. Red Shed Ale House, 10 Main Street, will have live music and The Telegraph School, 82 Alden Street, with host a holiday-themed open mic event. Also on Friday, Pink Squirrel, 4 Main Street, Plaide Palette, 45 Main Street, and the Cherry Valley Bookstore, 83 Alden Street, will be open for shopping, after which visitors can enjoy dining at The Rose & Kettle, 4 Lancaster Street, Tryon Inn and Backdoor Bar, 124 Main Street, and the Triangle Tavern, 189 Main Street. On Saturday and Sunday, December 7 and 8, the Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend continues with a plethora of activities, including an open house at the Cherry Valley Museum, 49 Main Street. Santa will be on hand from 1-
3 p.m., to greet kids of all ages, and there will also be an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Plaide Palette, 45 Main Street, both Saturday and Sunday, featuring a raffle and holiday sales. Local Girl Scouts will be selling donuts and
Photo provided
OAR’s Joe Novitski placed second in the Men’s Masters 1x (singles) race at the Mohawk Fall Classic Regatta on Sunday, September 29.
Photo provided
The OAR women’s quad—Alison Lord, Linda Demma, Faith Gay and Abby Rodd— placed first in the Mohawk Fall Classic Regatta on Sunday, September 29.
Photo provided
Theo Feury, Creighton Williams and Henry Cooper represented OAR in the Junior Boys races, along with Henrik Green (not pictured).
Photo provided
Head of the Mohawk racers Creighton Williams, Joe Novitski, Abby Rodd, Theo Feury, Faith Gay, Alison Lord and Linda Demma.
Photo provided Samantha Gehring and Lang Keith of OAR raced the Green Mountain Head in Vermont on September 29.
Photo provided
First-time racers Henry Cooper and Henrik Green, with Henry’s proud mom, Lizzy Cooper.
Photo provided
A Rose is a Rose has served Cherry Valley and Otsego County since December 1990.
Continued from page 1
and lead a multi-national team in the transition of the United Nations’ “Oil for Food Programme” in Iraq, providing food and essential goods to nearly half the civilian population. In 2008, Lennon designed and helped negotiate a network of re-supply routes into Afghanistan through the Central Asian
States of the former Soviet Union. Lennon culminated his military career as Deputy Commander for Training and Support of the U.S. Army Reserve Command’s 200,000 soldiers.
Lennon now lives in New Berlin, with his wife Elaine, where he has served as mayor since 2021. In 2022, he was sponsored by state Senator Peter Oberacker for induction in the New
York State Veterans Hall of Fame.
In an e-mail communique sent by Major Gen. Lennon, he indicated that he intends to “highlight the present-day lack of connection between the military and the American public, postulating that “this lack of connection goes far beyond a simple decrease in appreciation for our veterans’ honorable service; it lulls us into a false sense of security.”
Lennon believes that we still live in a ”volatile, uncertain, complex, and inter-dependent world” and that “we must strive to become better educated on our history and draw inspiration from the example set by our veterans to effectively defend “the interests and the very essence of America both today and tomorrow.”
Also at the ceremony, the auxiliary will
announce the continuation of Hometown Heroes, an initiative led largely by Auxiliary President Anne Sebeck, to hang banners with photos of veterans both living and deceased from light poles in Gilbertsville.
With assistance from Tom Pasternak, owner of Tree Pro Services, and in cooperation with New York State Electric and Gas, 60 banners were hung both for resi-
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dents of the Village of Gilbertsville and the Town of Butternuts. Participating in the same effort, the hamlet of Mount Upton hung 10 banners and the hamlet of Guilford hung 20. Applications for new banners will be available at the ceremony.
One of the Vietnam veterans present will be Dean Veenhof, whose banner hangs near the intersection of State Route 51 and County Highway 8. After leaving Augustana College (Rock Island, Illinois), Veenhof was drafted by the U.S. Army in August 1965. He served in the 25th Infantry Division, known as “Tropic Lightning.”
About entering the Army, Veenhof said, “I was scared, but you did what you had to do. I never considered going to Canada.”
As twists of fate will have it, Veenhof’s personnel captain recognized his name because he had been on a basketball team from Edgerton, Minnesota, a town which in 1960 claimed approximately 1,000 residents. Despite the town’s small size and the fact that there were then no divisions based on school size—big schools and small schools competed
Continued on page 8
indiscriminately—Veenhof’s team won the 1960 state championship, going undefeated in its 27 games.
“The captain asked me if I would like to ‘get off this line unit.’ I said ‘yes,’ and was made clerk typist for the Chief of Staff. I did not see active duty, but I heard and saw things,” Veenhof said.
As clerk typist, Veenhof was charged with typing letters to next of kin informing them of the injury or death of family members.
“I typed on an IBM Selectric. There could not be one mistake. I used a lot of stationery,” Veenhof said.
Also as part of his duties, Veenhof, given security clearance, destroyed classified documents.
Veenhof spent 21 months in the Army, returning by plane with 300 fellow GIs to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
“That first week, I drove to New York and proposed,” Veenhof said.
Then, something unusual
happened.
“From the middle of July through September, I dropped out of society. I guess I was processing things,” Veenhof said.
During that time, he loaded Coca Cola trucks in Minnesota, ate meals at a soup kitchen, and had no contact with anyone. Neither his immediate family nor his fiancée knew where he was. Almost as suddenly as he had dropped out, Veenhof returned to New York to finalize wedding plans. As a compromise between the New York City area and South Dakota, Veenhof and his wife, Judy, settled in Otsego County. Both are retired school teachers, Dean having taught physical education and driver’s education in area schools for almost 30 years, retiring from Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School.
Of the Vietnam War, Veenhof said, “58,000 wasted deaths. Vietnam was a waste of our lives.”
He is pleased that the auxiliary is planning a program to honor Vietnam War veterans.
“It’s needed. It’s great,” he said, adding that he had recently read “The Women,” a
New York Times best-seller by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s Press, 2024) dealing with the nurses who served in Vietnam. Veenhof believes the nurses “have been overlooked for so long.” He also said reading the book brought back memories: “dirt, dust, noise, shelling.”
When Veenhof was searching for a picture to use for his Hometown Heroes banner, he came across some undeveloped film from his Vietnam days—the negatives were “almost brittle,” he said. He took the film to
Walgreens, which in turn sent it out to be developed at a cost of approximately $100.00 for 40 pictures.
Most of the pictures are of the rather barren landscapes around Cu Chi, where Veenhof was stationed. In one photo, a darkened hill looms in the background.
“We called that Black Widow Mountain. It was no place to go,” he said.
Veenhof says he does not remember the names of the few fellow GIs appearing in the photos. Nonetheless,
he has visited the Vietnam War Memorial—inscribed with the names of the dead and missing—many times. Driving a motor coach for Oneonta Bus Lines and Eastern Travel allowed him multiple visits, he said.
Photo provided
Vietnam veteran Dean Veenhof served in Cu Chi, Vietnam as a clerk typist. Drafted in August 1965, he returned to the United States in July 1967.
Photo by Teresa Winchester A Hometown Heroes banner honoring veteran Dean Veenhoff hangs at the intersection of State Route 51 and County Highway 8 in the Village of Gilbertsville.
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Notice of formatioN of CATSKILL DRONE SERVICES LLC
Arts of org. filed with SSNY 7/8/2024
Otsego Co.
SSNY design. as agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE ST #112, ALBANY, NY 12207. General Purpose
6LegalNov.7
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Notice of formatioN of DREAMWORX CONTRACTING
L.L.C.
Arts of Org. filed SSNY 9/9/2024
Otsego Co.
SSNY design. agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, UNITED STATES, 12207. General Purpose
6LegalNov.7
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Notice of formatioN of B & C CONTRACTING OF CNY LLC.
Filed 8/19/24. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 163 Armstrong Rd, West Winfield, NY 13491. Purpose: General. 6LegalNov.7
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
CHIEF SCHENEVUS RESTAURANT LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 September 2024. 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 PO Box 133, Schenevus, NY 12155. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalNov.7
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Notice of formatioN of
Freer’s Property Management, LLC:
Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 05/31/2024. Off. Loc. Otsego Co.
SSNY designated as agent of LLC on whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 119 Shulgay Road, Cherry Valley, NY, 13320. Purpose: all lawful activities. 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of SOUTHEAST USA 2, LLC
Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/1/24. Office in Otsego Co.
SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 477 Chester St., Uniondale, NY 11553. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business loc: 65 Ford Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820.
6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of Desnoyers Deals,LLC.
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on 08/30/24. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 673 Talbot Rd West Winfield NY 13491. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of HILL CITY BOOKKEEPING LLC
Arts of Org. filed with SSNY 9/19/2024. Otsego Co. SSNY design as agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST, STE 112, ALBANY, NY, US, 12207 General Purpose 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of Stonehouse Design LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State
of New York (SSNY) on January 26, 2024. 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 Stonehouse Design, 173 Deerfield Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.21
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Tan Kat Farm, LLC, filed articles of organization with the NY Secretary of State on 04/14/2011. Office is located in Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. NY Secretary of State shall mail copy of process to 507 Wileytown Road, Hartwick NY 13348. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalNov.21
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Notice of formatioN of Excelsior Claims LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 6/28/2024. 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 PO Box 202, Gilberstville, NY 13776. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.28
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Notice of formatioN of Royalty Tobacco LLC.
Filed 9/5/24. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail to 5626 St. Hwy. 7, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalNov.28
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Notice of formatioN of VA LAKESIDE ESCAPES LLC
Article of Organizations filed with the SSNY on 8/19/2024. Office Location:
LEGALS
Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to 23 Maggiolo Dr., Pearl River, NY 10965. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalNov.28
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Notice of formatioN of Nelliston Storage LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 16, 2024. 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 271 Texas Road, Springfield Center, NY 13468 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalDec.5
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Notice of formatioN of Mountain Magic Market LLC
Arts. of org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 10/25/2024.
Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 164 Ed Herman Road, Schenevus, NY 12155.
Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalDec.5
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Notice of formatioN of The Hounds Cooperstown LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 7/14/2024
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 P.O. Box 365, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalDec.5
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Notice of formatioN of
222587 Family AP LLC
Articles of
organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/29/24.
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 190 Butternut Rd., Unadilla, NY 13849. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalDec.5
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name:
BALLYKIS FARM LLC
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 18 October 2024. 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 257 Pope Road, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY.
Name:
RITTON’S CONSTRUCTION LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 5 September, 2024. 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 2593 State Highway 28, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name: ZETY ACRES LLC
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State
(SSNY) was 5 September 2024. 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 PO Box 356, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of Limited LiabiLitY compaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: Hidden Creek Lodge, LLC (the “Company”). The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was September 25, 2024. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County.
The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Attn: Christina J. Graziadei, 80 Exchange Street, Ste. 700, Binghamton, NY 13901. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose. 6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of 1141 Lewis LLC
Articles of org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 10/09/2024. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 1141 Lewis, LLC, 1137 County Highway 11, Laurens, NY 13796
Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of W.T. Huntsman Painting, LLC
Article of organizations filed with
the SSNY on 10/25/2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to William Thomas Huntsman V, 8 Kearney Street, Oneonta, NY 10965. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of HILL CITY VENTURES LLC.
Articles of organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 05/15/2024. 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 him to: The LLC, 113 Herrick Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820.
The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
6LegalDec.12
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Notice of formatioN of Limited LiabiLitY compaNY (LLc)
Name: Pleasantville Manor Holdings, LLC
Articles of organization filed by the Department of State of New York on: 08/20/2024. Office location: Otsego County. Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: The LLC, 4 Glen Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Purpose: Any and all lawful activities
6LegalDec.12
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iNvitatioN to bidders
The Village of Cooperstown (Owner) is seeking sealed bids for the construction of a cantilevered wood platform and landscaping at the lakefront terminus of Pioneer Street and adjacent to
Lakefront Park, Cooperstown, NY. Funding for this project is provided pursuant to the terms of the Environmental Protection Act, Title 9 of Article 54 of the Environmental Conservation Law and governed by the Rules and Regulations set forth in 9 NYCRR Sections 439-443. Prior to the award of a contract to the lowest bidder; review and acceptance of the bid summary and all documentation by State Parks as required.
All bidders are subject to the terms of the State of New York Contract for Grants Standard Terms and Conditions, which can be found online at https://grantsmanagement. ny.gov/stateagency-resources.
A Pre-bid meeting is to be held at the Village offices, on thursday, November 07, 2024 at 10:30 am. Bids for General Construction will be received until 2:00pm, local time on thursday, November 21, 2024 at the Village of Cooperstown offices, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY, 13326. The sealed Proposal will be privately opened and recorded. Results will be available upon request. Electronic Bid and Contract Documents, including Plans and Specifications may be obtained from The Builders Exchange of The Southern Tier – East. 15 Belden Street, Binghamton, NY 13903. Contact: olivia Weist Olivia@ bxstier.com, or Delta Engineers, 860 Hooper Rd, Endwell, NY, 13760 or via the contact information listed below. Addenda, if any, will be issued only to those companies whose name and address are on record as having obtained the Documents. Prospective bidders may obtain digital documents and register as a bidder by contacting michael Haas, RLA, 607-2316631; mhaas@ delta-eas.com. No bid proposals will be received digitally.
The Contractor must insure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, religion, sex or national origin. For additional requirements
see also: Notice to Contractors, Subcontractors, Suppliers and Vendors, supplemented to this invitation. General Contractors are required to submit vendor responsibility information to the State, including a Vendor Responsibility Questionnaire for subcontracts that equal or exceed $100,000. SNYCG III (B)(4).
A NYSDEC joint application approval has been received and will need to be posted on site. The Village would like to see the in-lake concrete piers set this year at a minimum and the remainder of the work completed in the Spring of 2025. Work on this contract is to be completed within 200 calendar days, starting ten (10) calendar days after the contract approval date, or started by November 12, 2024.
Prospective bidders are invited to submit their Bids, including the Add Alternates, for work described in general in these documents and the Bid Form. The project is further described in the Scope of Work, Section 010110. The project includes but are not limited to: Erosion and sediment controls, trenching & pavement removal, coffer dam, drainage, wood platform with steel structure, railing, pavements, curbs, landscape restoration and sign installations. Work is expected to be substantially completed on or before may 15, 2025 All planting and finish work is expected to be fully completed by may 30, 2025. We request consideration of the two piers to be set in the lake during 2024 but this is not mandatory. Bid proposals received after the date and time specified in the Invitation shall be considered unresponsive and will be rejected. The Village will not accept bids by FAX or Email. The Village of Cooperstown reserves the right to reject any and all bids or waive informalities in the Bidding. This offer shall be open to acceptance and is irrevocable for thirty days from the bid closing date. Technical questions should continued
Summit
Continued from page 5
housing stock is insufficient and old (42 percent of housing was built before 1942), and nearly 16 percent is vacant or unavailable due to various reasons including condition.
The current situation may be bleak, but the future is not cast in stone. The early-morning sessions were a wake-up call to all who attended (and beyond), but in these stark set of facts lies great opportunity. The afternoon sessions highlighted those.
The aforementioned Scott, along with Derek Crossman of Empire State Development and Danny Lapin, revitalization specialist at the New York Department of State, spoke of the many funding opportunities available to communities of all sizes, not only for housing, but also for planning. The current priorities of New York State have to lead to the availability of billions of dollars for housing.
Scott said that funding alone is not sufficient, and is, in reality, the easiest piece of the puzzle. In addition to the readily available resources, housing projects need talent, expertise, capacity, and, more importantly, collective and sustained public will. The latter is often the hardest; yet it is the most vital to keep our communities alive and thriving.
“Lack of housing is an existential threat,” warned Scott, and no one disagreed.
Often there is a misperception that things are stagnant in the county, that little to nothing is going on. That is untrue and the final presentation, a panel that included Mark Drnek (mayor of Oneonta), Seth Haight (chief operating officer of Springbrook), Dan Sullivan (former Richfield town supervisor and local planner), and Ellen Tillapaugh (mayor of Cooperstown), showcased recent successes.
From the Dietz Street lofts (City of Oneonta) to the Ford Block (Springbrook), to Chestnut Crossing apartments (Village of Cooperstown) and the Bank Lofts apartments (Village of Richfield Springs), housing units
have sprung up all over Otsego County, and the leaders on the panel assured the summit audience that there were more on the way in each of these municipalities, some of which are already in progress.
As the summit ended, it was clear that the three hours had been a huge success and that new connections had been made. There was great optimism and a feeling that change can occur.
I spoke with one of the developers who appreciated that we had put this session together. I told him that if only one connection was made that day, and one developer connected with a local elected official to build more housing, it would have all been worth it. He thought much more than that would come from the day.
In the end, we all agreed to work together to create new opportunities and build a better future.
Jeff Katz is the executive director of the Community Foundation of Otsego County.
Hull
Continued from page 6
lot of moving parts and pieces and timing, but we’re a well-oiled machine and when it’s done, it’s an amazing feeling of accomplishment for all of us. This team always knocks it out of the park!”
Weddings are another of the team’s specialties.
“We’ve had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful families, making the biggest day of their lives the best day of their lives. And we work with so many wonderful local vendors that we, too, are like a family and we help each other out when necessary to make every aspect of an event run smoothly,” Hull said.
According to Hull, it’s the personalization of her business that sets it apart.
“We get to be there for people on their best days, as well as helping to comfort them on their worst days. During the COVID pandemic, we brought flowers to residents of all of the area nursing homes to help ease the burden of not being able to have visitors. And then at Christmas that same year, we got donations from the community to help fill gift baskets and
purchase plants. That was the best thing we ever did. The thank-you notes that we received made you cry. It was just the best feeling to know we brought some joy during a difficult time. And it was a community effort and greatly appreciated,” she said.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about the flower business is that it’s so relaxing and really fun,” Hull reflected, “and at times it can be. It’s also very hard work, long hours, holidays, weekends and deadlines. So it’s really more of a lifestyle than a job. I’m very lucky to have the best crew of people—friends who come in and get it done, as well as my husband who, now that he’s retired, is very hands on.”
Even when it’s stressful, having a good laugh eases the burden, she said.
Holiday
Continued from page 6
holiday drinks on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 25 Main Collective will host a “Take & Make” class with Maria DeAngelis on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All shops will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Historic Cherry Valley Business Fundraising Raffle continues all weekend long.
“Donations from local shops, artists and restaurants, and community members can be yours for as little as $1.00 ticket,” organizers said. Proceeds from the raffle will be split between the business group and “HQ” at Cherry ValleySpringfield Central School, an organization that provides personal care items, school supplies, and basic necessities free to students within the school system.
The weekend will culminate in a closing party starting at 3 p.m. on the ground floor of The Limestone Mansion, 33 Main Street, where Musicians of Ma’alwyck will perform, winning raffle tickets will be drawn, and food and drink will be available.
And, according to organizers, “There will be more!”
For further information on the Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend, visit www.cherryvalley.com or check out the Historic Cherry Valley Businesses page on Facebook.
Puttin’ on the Ritz with FCO
Fenimore Chamber Orchestra played its second concert of the season on October 5 at Christ Church in Cooperstown. The orchestra tipped its top hat to the great compositional school of America, a school that is primarily ignored not only here at home but abroad. This amounted to truly inspired concert programming. The concert opened with four arrangements by William Zinn of four famous songs of Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington. Ellington produced not only his great jazz compositions, but wrote operas, ballets, symphonies, art songs, you name it; and all this in addition to more than 4,000 performances in his lifetime! He has simply got to be the greatest musician America ever produced! The four songs chosen, especially the famous “Take the A Train,” produced a lilt and care for which this orchestra is famous. The orchestra as well as the audience were rocking away.
Victor Herbert’s famous “Serenade for Strings” concluded the first half of the concert. This is a glorious, if not novel, work of art that at one time filled the major concert halls of the U.S. and abroad. One has to ask why the work has fallen into quasi-oblivion. The work is not only a melodic gem, but a compositional gem as well; it smacks of Dvořàk, or was Dvořàk greatly influenced by Herbert? Again, the orchestra produced gorgeous, evenly-balanced tone
while differentiating each of the five movements dynamically and texturally as well as responding easily to the harmonies that at this late date still feel modern! A triumph if ever there was one. The audience responded with a lengthy ovation that asked the orchestra to stand three times!
Ralph Vaughan Williams’ delicious and ever popular “Five Variants of ‘Dives and Lazarus’” opened the second half. You may ask, what could an Englishman’s compositions have to do with America? Well, the piece was commissioned by the British Council for inclusion in the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This is a somewhat ambiguous work made up of “variants” rather than variations. From the soft opening, through all the themes, the orchestra easily responded to the otherworldly feel of the work.
The concert ended with arrangements of six spirituals by Morton Gould, who produced more superb music that has fallen to the wayside. The fact that our orchestra can respond to the completely differing demands of each of these glorious works is a tribute not only to the artists in the orchestra themselves but to the sure and guiding hand of Maestro Żoltowski. The audience responded with a loud and prolonged ovation. Let us hope they keep “tipping” their top hats!
Karolina Hopper is a freelance contributor.
contaminated Milk Reported by nYSDag
FORT PLAIN—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets issued a consumer alert for possible milk contamination in Montgomery County. Campylobacter jejuni was detected in a routine milk sample at HuHill Farm on Lighthall Road in Fort Plain. No illnesses have been reported. Consumers who have purchased raw milk from this producer should immediately dispose of it and contact the farm at (518) 860-8098.
USDa issues Recalls on Meat, Poultry, Waffles
NEW YORK STATE—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has urged consumers to heed USDA recall notices on BrucePac readyto-eat meat and poultry products and on TreeHouse Foods frozen waffles, both as a result of possible Listeria outbreaks. A complete list of the affected TreeHouse Foods products may be found at https://www.treehousefoods.com/ news-and-media/press-release-details/2024/TreeHouse-Foods-AnnouncesVoluntary-Recall-of-Certain-Waffle-Products-Due-to-the-Potential-for-Listeriamonocytogenes-Contamination/default.aspx. More information on the BrucePac products may be found at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/brucepacrecalls-ready-eat-meat-and-poultry-products-due-possible-listeria. Consumers with affected products should dispose of them and contact the company.
Wind ensemble to Present concert
ONEONTA—The Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew Pease and Amy Hoxie, will perform at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 17. The fall concert, “Symphonies, Celebrations, and Shenanigans,” is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations are encouraged. It will feature the world premiere of Pease’s four-movement “Songs of Childhood,” as well as other works including Katahj Copley’s “Western Pines” and “Ragamuffins,” by Danielle Fisher. Pease is director of instrumental music at Hartwick College, and Hoxie is the elementary band teacher at Sherburne-Earlville Elementary School. The Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble is a group of more than 50 experienced musicians, many of whom are current or former music instructors. For more information, call (607) 435-1627 or visit catskillwinds.com.
Did you know that a hard-copy subscription to “The Freeman’s Journal” also includes free access to AllOtsego.com? Subscribe today at https:// www.allotsego.com/subscribe/.
LEGALS
from Pg. 9
be directed to Michael Haas, RLA, at Delta 607-2316631; mhaas@ delta-eas.com. 1LegalNov.7
LegaL nOtice
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of
Cooperstown will hold the following public hearings in the Village Office Building, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard, to discuss the following:
Proposed Local Law No. 12 of 2024- Amendments to the
Zoning Law- add Section 300-17.2Temporary Use Permits
Proposed Local Law No. 13 of 2024- Amend Section 27012- Parking Prohibited in designated locations- Glen Ave. North and South sides from Chestnut St. west to the end of the Village controlled section of the roadway
Any resident of the Village of Cooperstown is entitled to be heard upon said local at such public hearings. Disabled citizens, who require assistance in attending said public hearings, or in furnishing comments or suggestions, should contact the Village Clerk to request assistance. Copies of the proposed local
law is available for inspection at the Village Clerk’s office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dated: November 5, 2024
By order of the Village Board Village of
Cooperstown
Jenna L. Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org 1LegalNov.7 LegaL nOtice
NOTICE OF
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York at a meeting thereof held on the 28th day of October, 2024, duly adopted pursuant to section 6-C
of the General Municipal Law, a resolution subject to permissive referendum, the purpose and effect of which is to authorize an appropriation of $20,000 from Streets Reserves to set up a bank account with the Bank of Cooperstown for NY Forward.
BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK
Jenna L. Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) 1LegalNov.7
Ronald F. Jex
1936-2024
COOPERSTOWN—
Ronald F. Jex, a longtime member of the Cooperstown community who was active with his church, the Masons and Lions, and who will be remembered for his years managing the Cooperstown General Store on Main Street, peacefully entered into eternal rest in the early morning hours of Friday, November 1, 2024, at his home on Chestnut Street. He was 87.
Ronald Francis Jex was born November 23, 1936 in Lockport, one of six children of Nelson L. Jex, a native of Great Yarmouth, England, and Marian Loraine (Wilcox) Jex. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Buffalo.
He was inducted into the United States Army on September 19, 1960, and proudly served his country until receiving his honorable discharge from the military on September 18, 1962.
On September 14, 1963, Ron married Marti Huntress in a ceremony at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Vineland, New Jersey. In 1971, Ron and Marti and their young family moved to Cooperstown and settled into their home on Chestnut Street.
Throughout his life, Ron was a successful businessman for several retail stores. He owned and operated the Ben Franklin store in Fort Plain, managed the Cooperstown General Store on Main Street in Cooperstown in the space formerly occupied by the J.J. Newberry department store, and assisted Marti in owning and operating Ellsworth & Sill on Main Street up until just a few years ago.
On May 13, 1959, Ron was Raised a Master Mason in Kingston Lodge No. 10, Free and Accepted Masons in Kingston. After moving to Cooperstown, Ron affiliated with Otsego Lodge No. 138, F. & A.M. on December 28, 1973, and right up until his unexpected death was a dedicated and faithful Lodge Brother who rarely missed a meeting. He served the Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1980, was treasurer from January 1985 until June 2022, and was currently serving as the Lodge’s chaplain, a position he has held for many years. At the state level, he served from 19881989 as Grand Steward for the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, the position which bestowed on him the title of Right Worshipful
Brother. This past June, Ron was honored for 65 years of loyal support and dedication to the Masonic Fraternity at an event attended by many Brother Masons and guests from throughout the state. He was also a member since 1996 of Otsego Chapter No. 26, Royal Arch Masons. Companion Jex kept this Chapter together whilst serving for more than 10 years as the Excellent High Priest. Brother Jex will be greatly missed by his many Brothers and friends in the Masonic Fraternity, and he will be fondly remembered for his steadfast dedication to the Craft.
A Presbyterian his entire life, Ron was equally dedicated to his faith community, The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, which he joined on May 20, 1975. He served the church as a trustee from 1988-1994, was ordained an elder in 2020, and faithfully served as financial secretary from 1999-2021.
Since October of 1971, Ron has been a member and former president of The Lions Club of Cooperstown. As one of its oldest members, both in age and years of membership, he could still be counted on to be present at club meetings and social gatherings. He was also a member of the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579 in Cooperstown, and enjoyed history.
The Masons, Lions, church, business and especially family were all vital parts of Ron’s well-lived life. His presence on Chestnut Street, whether it was raking leaves, shoveling snow, walking their dog or arriving at church each Sunday arm in arm with Marti, will be greatly missed.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Marti; their two daughters, Dr. Sandra Jex, DVM and husband Doug of Springfield, Vermont, and Lynn Jex Joyce of Clifton Park; and five grandchildren, Dr. Lauren Musial and husband Dr. Shawn Musial, Alexander Warner and his fiancé, Lina Corbacho, Catherine Warner, Ryan Joyce-U.S. Army, and Caitlyn Joyce.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by all of his siblings, Albert W. Jex (1997), Gertrude J. Jex (2015), Frederick N. Jex (2016), Nelsonia L. Murphy (2020) and Joanne F. Fligger (2021).
A funeral service will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at The First
OBITUARIES
Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica D. Lambert, lead pastor, officiating. A Masonic Funeral Service will be held at the start of the service, led by his friends and Brother Masons from Otsego Lodge No. 138, F. & A.M., as well as Brother Masons from throughout the Central Leatherstocking Masonic District.
Immediately following the services, all are welcome to gather in the chapel adjoining the church for a time of refreshment and fellowship.
The Service of Committal and Burial will be later that afternoon in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery, with Military Honors to be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.
As an alternative to flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Shriners Children’s, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Jerry Madsen 1951-2024
SOUTH NEW BERLIN—Jerry Madsen, aged 73, of South New Berlin, New York, passed away on November 1, 2024, peacefully surrounded by his beloved family. Born on March 19, 1951, Jerry dedicated his life to his family, friends and his community, leaving a legacy of hard work and cherished memories.
Jerry graduated from Morris Central School and furthered his education at SUNY Delhi. He was deeply rooted in his community, serving as an Otsego County Board Representative, working for the Town of Butternuts and was an active member of the Gilbertsville Grange. Jerry owned J&J Quality Logging Company, which
underscored his love for the outdoors and commitment to his family.
A devoted family man, Jerry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruth Madsen; mother-in-law Gladys Pope; children Jerry Madsen (Rebecca) and Hydie Cotten (Dave); and siblings Larry Madsen (Viola), Bruce Madsen, and Gloria Madsen. His legacy continues through his grandchildren, Katie Madsen (Christopher), Dominick Hopper (Summer), Leah Cotten, Dakota Cotten (Will), Micheala Cotten (Cyller), and great-grandchildren Leium Hopper and Layla Skala. His love for mischief continues through his Uncle Ray Mudge (Hazle).
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Alice Jensen and John Madsen; stepfather Will Jensen; and siblings Albie Madsen, Louie Clark, Clare Clark, and Alice Robinson.
A man of the outdoors, Jerry cherished hunting and fishing. He took great joy in vacationing with his family, creating lasting memories. His love for these activities was only surpassed by his devotion to his family.
The community will gather to honor Jerry’s life at the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home, 60 Broad Street, Morris New York, on Friday, November 8, 2024 with calling hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. His graveside funeral service will follow at Hillington Cemetery in Morris, New York, with Pastor Lee Sweeny officiating. His family will then celebrate his life at the Morris VFW Post 1417, 316 Ellis Road, Laurens, NY 13796.
Jerry’s life was a testament to the values of family, community and perseverance. His presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
His family has entrusted his care to Edd Stanimer of the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home in Morris. To share an online condolence with his family, visit www.JohnstonFH.com.
James ‘JJ’ Rice Jr. 1977-2024
MARYLAND—James “JJ” Rice Jr. of Maryland passed away on October 27, 2024 in Fine, New York. Born on March 21, 1977 in Star Lake, New York, James was the son of James and Sandra (McKenney) Rice.
He graduated from Clifton-Fine Central School in 1995, where he was an accomplished athlete competing in hockey, baseball, soccer
and wrestling. After graduation, he attended SUNY Brockport for a year before transferring to SUNY Geneseo, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. He then earned his master’s degree at Upstate Medical School in Syracuse in May 2003.
Less than a month later, he married his high-school sweetheart, Carrie L. Tatnall, and just a few days after that they moved to Danville, Pennsylvania, where they bought their first house together and JJ completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Geisinger Medical Center.
After completing his residency, JJ and Carrie bought a house in Maryland, New York and he took a job at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, where he made many great friends and was known as Jim. After some years at Fox Hospital, he landed at the Tri-Town Hospital in Sidney, New York for several years, where he served as the Emergency Department director. Most recently he was an emergency physician for the University of Vermont at their Ticonderoga and Elizabethtown Emergency departments.
JJ was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Some of his happiest times were on Cranberry Lake, camping and fishing with his sons as well as other friends and family. He also
loved spending time at the family’s “Big Creek” hunting camp. He enjoyed golfing, especially with his good friends, in Oneonta. He spent most of his free time outside doing various activities, including skiing, snowmobiling, boiling maple syrup, cutting wood and working on his property. Even as a little boy, he was always outside playing with his trucks and riding his threewheeler. Recently, he was spending time teaching his boys to pitch baseball and helped coach PJ’s baseball team last year, which he truly enjoyed. He was a jack of all trades, constantly doing his own work on his house and property, and no task was ever too big or overwhelming for him. He just got it done. James is survived by his wife, Carrie Rice, his sons, PJ L. Rice and Nixon T. Rice, his parents, Jim and Sandy Rice, and his sister and brother-in-law, Jodi and Todd Szlamczynski. He is also survived by nephews Eric and Adam Szlamczynski, Spencer and Simon O’Neil, and a niece, Saoirse O’Neil. Calling hours were held on Friday, November 1 at the French Family Funeral Home in Star Lake, New York, followed by the funeral on Saturday, November 2 at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, Star Lake. Burial at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Fine, New York followed the funeral service.
Donations in memory of JJ Rice may be made to the Schenevus Central School Booster Club, 159 Main Street, Schenevus NY 12155.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the French Family Funeral Home, 4159 State Highway 3, Star Lake.
Continued on page 12
Photo provided RONALD F. JEX
Photo provided JERRY MADSEN
Photo provided JAMES ‘JJ’ RICE JR.
OBITUARIES
Cynthia N. St. John 1956-2024
COOPERSTOWN—
Cynthia N. St. John, 68, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, October 26, 2024, at her home in Cooperstown.
Born August 16, 1956 at Faxton Hospital in Utica, Cindy was one of six children of Ralph A. and Anna Marie (Brennan) Neff.
Growing up on her parents’ dairy farm in West Winfield, Cindy established a strong work
ethic, where she tended to daily chores and cultivated a love for animals.
She graduated from Mount Markham High School in 1974, before receiving her associate degree in data processing from Herkimer County Community College in 1976.
Cindy married James St. John on June 12, 1981, in Fly Creek.
For 36 years, Cindy was employed by Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown. Starting as a keyboard typist, she worked her way up
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to become a computer programmer and concluded her career as a programmer analyst. She attended training courses throughout the country and enjoyed exploring various cities. She retired in 2012.
Cindy participated in the Clark Gym Women’s Bowling League in the early 1980s. She was a member of, and served as the recording secretary for, Cooperstown’s Criterion Club. During her life, she and her family adopted several tuxedo and black cats. She was also an avid collector of black cat memorabilia. Painting became her passion, after finding inspiration from watching Bob Ross’ television show. Many of her paintings are hung in her home and she often gifted paintings to family and friends.
Briefs
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opening reception for local artist Bruce Goddard’s “Faces of Franklin” exhibit on
Additionally, she enjoyed baking, researching her family ancestry, and was a devoted fan of the soap opera, “Days of Our Lives.”
Nothing was more important to Cindy than spending time with her grandchildren, whom she adored.
Cindy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. She is
Sunday, November 10.
The event will run from 26 p.m. and feature music and food, including a complimentary wine and cheese tasting. Goddard paints in acrylics on gesso board or canvas
survived by her husband of 43 years, James, of Cooperstown; their two children, son Derrek St. John (Allyson) of Painted Post; daughter Angela St. John Nader (Mark) of Oneonta; and three grandchildren, Hazel and Jacobi St. John and Levi Nader. She is further survived by her siblings, sisters Susan Sullivan (Terry) of Winter Haven, Florida, Belva Lentz (Paul) of Leonardsville, and Eileen Schafer of Sauquoit, and brother Kenneth Neff (Laura) of West Winfield and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph, who died in 1985, her mother Anna, who died in 2009, and brother Douglas, who died in 1966.
A graveside service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Friday, November
and is fascinated by portraits.
“You can see a lot of where a person has been and where they are going by looking at their face,” he said. “It’s a roadmap or a topography that
8, 2024 at Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Jessica D. Lambert, Lead Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown officiating. Immediately following the service, all are welcome to attend a reception at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street in Cooperstown, for remembrance and refreshment.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Arrangements are being handled by Connell, Dow & Deysenroth in Cooperstown.
has been etched and worn into a face by the journey.”
The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, December 15. For more information, visit brucegoddard.org.
Photo provided CYNTHIA N. ST. JOHN
Baking
Continued from page 1
products and refine their processes to achieve the desired product quality.
“The launch of the Baking Innovation Lab represents a major advancement in our dedication to the craft food and beverage community,” said Hartwick College President James Mullen. “By offering vital resources and expertise, we enable local producers to innovate and enhance their products, ultimately benefiting our regional economy and food culture. We are thrilled that Hartwick College will establish a presence downtown. This initiative would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Hartwick College Board of Trustees, the City of Oneonta and the commitment from the governor’s office.”
The BIL embodies Hartwick’s Life Balance approach, which integrates academic excellence with real-world work experiences. The lab offers Hartwick students the chance to collaborate with industry experts, refine their skills, and contribute to the vibrant food and grain sector, all while maintaining a balanced academic life.
Aimee Hill, director of the Baking Innovation Lab, emphasized the lab’s commitment to advancing food and grain production.
“The baking lab represents our dedication to the craft food and beverage industry by providing essential research and resources to businesses utilizing flour and grain,” she said. “With our cutting-edge grain and flour quality testing and baking equipment, we are excited to offer a range of services that will deepen our understanding of grain quality in baking, milling and whole-grain flour applications, and enhance the work of local producers.”
The BIL is a component of a $19 million Dietz Street mixed-use development, which is part of the Oneonta Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The project received $1,470,000.00 in funding from the City of Oneonta’s $10 million DRI award.
“The Dietz Street project brings together the key ingredients in the recipe for successful downtown revitalization—food, art, housing and education,” said New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “The power of mixed-use development deserves recognition, as this project will provide opportunities for low-income artists, individuals with disabilities, and other residents. This is what the DRI is all about—empowering communities like Oneonta to unlock their full potential to grow, foster creativity and drive economic growth that will make an impact for future generations to come.”
The Baking Innovation Lab was made possible with support from federal, state and private contributors, including the U.S. Department
of Education, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the New York Department of State, the City of Oneonta, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Empire State Development and Kearney Realty & Development Group.
The grand opening celebration was supported by local vendors and producers, including Vêsucré, The Lofty Loaf, Freestyle Confections, Rock Royal Farm and the Autumn Cafe.
For more information about the Baking Innovation Lab and its services, visit https:// www.hartwick.edu/ about-us/center-forcraft-food-and-beverage/ baking-innovation-lab/.
Dinner
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Fleming. I was also pleased to attend a private lunch at the National Gallery of Art the next day.
A state dinner is like none other. A forest of stemware, plates over chargers, fine cutlery, white-glove service, strolling musicians and, best of all, sterling conversation. There, I was asked to stand, and felt deeply proud and privileged to accept the nation’s thanks on behalf of my father.
Through gifts of American art, the Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies supports the State Department’s cultural diplomacy efforts at U.S. embassies worldwide. FAPE is a public-private partnership dedicated to providing permanent works of American art for U.S. embassies worldwide. For almost 40 years, FAPE has contributed to the U.S. Department of State’s mission of cultural diplomacy by partnering with American artists whose works encourage crosscultural understanding within the diplomatic community and the international public. FAPE fulfills its mission through site-specific
commissions, original print and photography collections, preservation projects, and other arts and education initiatives.
According to art historian and critic Robert Storr, “All artworks commissioned or placed by FAPE are by American artists and are gifts, representing the generosity and patriotism of some of the United States’ greatest artists and donors.”
The White House reception and state dinner were preceded the previous day by a sit-down dinner at the French ambassador’s residence in conjunction with the French Heritage Society, an organization that raises funds for the restoration of historic French buildings including the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris.
My father’s work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim in New York, plus some hundred major North American holdings. Locally, David Hayes sculptures have been exhibited on the campus of Hartwick College, at Hartwick’s Yager Museum of Art & Culture, at the SUNY Oneonta campus, plus Project Space gallery, and outside of the Community Arts Network of Oneonta’s building on Ford Avenue.
David Hayes is president of the David Hayes Art Foundation in Coventry, Connecticut and a former resident of Oneonta.
Poetry
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reincarnated into an owl, looks down from “high in the willow where the dance is still going on.”
The “incident” in question is the jarring transformation of a sweet moment of a young girl at a party (“I see the dress is there its swirling white chiffon”) into the brutality of a gang rape. “They took turns and snickered as they watched each other./They tittered and
shoulder punched /and giggled sharing this male joke.” The owl figures as a mechanism for dealing with trauma: “All this might make me weep, but I am a white owl on a high branch/and it has nothing to do with me.”
Like Huntington and Collins, Jones spoke highly of Bensen’s workshop.
“The workshop is like family, better than family. I’ve met a whole bunch of wonderful teachers all at once. I credit Bob (Bensen) for creating that atmosphere,” Jones said.
“Seeing Things 2” is now available in local stores, including the Green Toad Bookstore in Oneonta, Five Kids Bakehouse in Gilbertsville and the Gatehouse Coffee Shop in Morris.
The remainder of the 2024-2025 Oneonta Literary Festival schedule may be accessed at https://suny.oneonta.edu/ english/literary-festival.
Bauer
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Banners in these areas would have little visibility, rendering the project less impactful and potentially more frustrating for those who wish to honor loved ones.
Moving forward, I would love to see a more sustainable and fitting way to honor our veterans that aligns with Cooperstown’s unique character. Permanent memorials, plaques, pavers or a dedicated space could serve as
enduring tributes that reflect our community’s appreciation and respect in a way that truly lasts. I am committed to exploring these options with our community to ensure our veterans are honored in a manner worthy of their service and our village’s distinct sense of place. Hanna Joy Bauer Village of Cooperstown Trustee
Letters
Continued from page 4
Bauer’s Vote Was Brave
When I see courage and bravery on display, I have to admire it. My father was an Iwo Jima Marine and also served during the Korean War. Later in life he ventured back to Iwo and took his two grandsons. It wasn’t until then that we learned about his personal bravery and courage. His unit earned the Presidential Unit Citation and he was awarded the Bronze Star.
So, I believe in honoring our veterans. I certainly honored my Dad.
Personal courage and a brave stand was exhibited by Village Trustee Hanna Bauer this week with her vote on the controversial banner proposal. Hanna has expressed her reasoning and it is sound, but she could have also decided to vote the other way if her thoughts were of that direction. This was a very complex and emotional issue.
However, Hanna’s courage led to her brave decision, brave because
no matter how she voted or even if she was absent or abstained, she knew some people would be angry. She is the only trustee that has a business in the village that could be at risk. She knew that whatever her position, she could potentially lose customers because people are so emotionally polarized now that they let their emotions distort their reality and take vengeance out on those they perceive do not go their way.
Bravery is acting in the face of adversity and to do that, it takes courage. I know, because when I was a public servant there were times I faced decisions that could adversely affect my business, but I had to put the needs of the village and residents first. That is what public servants do. It is also probably the reason there are so few business people in small towns serving in the public sector. They are afraid of the impact to their small businesses because of the current level of polarization. Small business is tough and many feel the risk of serving is just too much. So I feel for Hanna, I understand the stress this has put on her, but I admire her because of her actions, bravery and courage.
I am proud and honored that we have people like Hanna Bauer on our Village Board, a true public servant that puts the good of the village above her personal interests.
Carol Waller Mayor, Village of Cooperstown (retired)
►Friday, Nov. 8
VETERANS 8:15 a.m.
“Veterans Day Program and Breakfast.” RSVP required. Cherry ValleySpringfield Central School, 597 County Highway 54, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643265 ext. 501.
FILM FEST 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Glimmerglass Film Festival.” Featuring a combination of compelling independent films, filmmaker talks, art, books, parties, guided walks and collaborations with local businesses. Continues through 11/11. Cooperstown. (607) 5478881.
YOGA 10 a.m. Gentle class presented by instructor Kris Anne Eignor. All welcome. Suggested donation, $10. Held each Friday. Strawberry Hall, Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 3977309.
HOLIDAYS 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Joyful Traditions Holiday Bazaar.” Lunch available. Continues 11/9. The Major’s Inn, 104 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. (607) 783-2393.
SENIOR COFFEE
HOUR 10 a.m. to noon. “Chilling Chatting & Coffee.”Coffee, tea, pastries, games, puzzles, special events and good conversation. Held each Friday. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11 Hartwick. (607) 293-6600.
LIBRARY Noon. “Stories Come Alive.”
Reading for children aged pre-K through 3rd grade. Must be accompanied by a caregiver. Themed craft available after the story. Homeschoolers welcome. Held each Friday. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 West Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.
VETERANS Noon to 3 p.m. “Veterans Day Celebration.” Lunch, refreshments and performance by 4-Ever Young Quartet. Oneonta Gathering Place, 5506 State Highway 7, Oneonta. (607) 267-4732.
POTTERY 1:304:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters are invited to work on personal projects and hone their skills. No instruction provided. $30/session. Held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@SmithyArts.org.
CIRCUS 6:30 p.m. “The Cole Circus All Stars.” Tickets required. Richfield Springs Central School, 93 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0610.
MUSIC 7:30 p.m. “Soloists in the Round.” Three musicians perform original music. Suggested donation applies. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta.
THEATRE 7:30 p.m.
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Presented by Orpheus Theatre. Fees apply; registration required. Also held at 3 p.m. on 11/9 and 11/10. Foothills
Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1800.
THEATRE 8 p.m.
Broadway direct screening of “Othello.” Fees apply. Red Dragon Theatre, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. Campus_activities@oneonta.edu.
►SatUrday, Nov. 9
FUNDRAISER 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Annual Pancake Day.” Pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, juice and more in buffet-style dining. Breakfast by donation. Milford Fire Station, 64 South Main Street, Milford. (607) 286-9492.
OUTDOORS 8:30 a.m. Bird walk with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society around Otsego Lake. Meet at the Fenimore Art Museum entrance, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.
FUNDRAISER 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Annual Bake Sale and Craft Show.” Benefit for Fire Department Company 2 Support Fund. Hartwick Fire Department Company 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Hartwick Seminary. (607) 547-8554.
SHOW 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Farm Toy Show.” Penny raffle and food booth. Proceeds benefit the Cherry Valley Fire Department. Admission fees apply. Cherry ValleySpringfield Central School, 597 County Highway 54, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643318.
LIBRARY 9:15 a.m. “Coffee Group.” Held each Saturday. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
MUSEUM 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Storybook & Illustration Workshop.” For kids ages 9-14. Fees apply;
registration required. Also held 11/10. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1400.
PLANETARIUM Fees apply; registration required. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Room 018A Perna Science Building, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta.
• 10:30 a.m. “Betelgeuse’s Galactic Vacation: An Alien’s Search for Planets.”
• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
GRAND OPENING
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mission Guild Studio Gallery. 709 County Highway 33, Cooperstown.
MUSIC Noon. “Cooperstown Children’s Choir Performance.” Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.
HISTORY 1 p.m. “The Russian Empire’s New Clothes, 1700-1917.” Presented online by the Russian History Museum, Jordanville. (315) 8582468
OUTDOORS 2:15
p.m. “Get the Kids Out: Glimmerglass Film Days.” Presented by the Otsego County Conservation Association. Meet on the steps of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-4488.
DINNER 3-5:30
p.m. “Take-out Only Pork Dinner.” Fees apply; registration required. Otego Methodist Church, 10 Church Street, Otego. (607) 988-7107.
ONEONTA 3-6 p.m.
“FOR-DO Harvest Dinner.” Free food, music and crafts. The Lord’s Table, 18 Elm Street, Oneonta. (607) 267-4435.
CONCERT 3 p.m.
“Salute to Veterans.” Presented by the Oneonta
Community Concert Band. Free and open to the public. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 437-1529.
FUNDRAISER 4:306:30 p.m. “Spaghetti Dinner.” West Edmeston Volunteer Fire Department, 156 County Highway 18C, West Edmeston. (315) 855-4404.
PRIDE 6:30 p.m.
“Community Meeting with Free Narcan Training.” Presented by Southern Tier AIDS Program and the Otsego Pride Alliance. Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 386-1508.
THEATRE 8 p.m.
Broadway direct screening of “Allegiance Musical.” Fees apply. Red Dragon Theatre, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. Campus_activities@ oneonta.edu.
►SUNday, Nov. 10
OUTDOORS Noon to 2 p.m. “Guided Forest Walk.” Presented by the Otsego Land Trust on private property in Fly Creek. Registration required. (607) 547-2366.
LIBRARY 1-4 p.m.
“Cooperstown Writers Group.” Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.
FIBER 1-4 p.m. “The Gatehouse Fiber Guild.”
New knitters welcome. Held each Sunday in the lounge. The Gatehouse, 130 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
WORKSHOP 1-4 p.m.
“Sock Yarn Dyeing Workshop.” Fees apply. Rigby Handcraft, 43 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown.
RECEPTION 2-6 p.m.
“Faces of Franklin.” Exhibit featuring works by local artist Bruce Goddard. Good Taste Epicurean Market, 438 Main Street, Suite 6, Franklin. (607) 230-4045.
FUNDRAISER 4-8
p.m. “Spaghetti Dinner.” Presented by Schenevus Central School Class of 2028. Admission by donation. Schenevus AM Vet building, 16 Main Street, Schenevus. (607) 6385881.
►MoNday, Nov. 11 vEtEraNS day
FREE FISHING DAY All day. No licenses required. All other regulations remain in effect.
VETERANS 8-11 a.m. “Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast.” Oneonta Middle School, 130 East Street, Oneonta. (607) 433-8262.
LIBRARY 9 a.m.
“Exercise Class.” Presented by instructor Carol Thompson. Free, open to all ages. Held each Monday and Thursday. Strawberry Hall, Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
PLAY & LEARN
10 a.m. Guided sensory learning for children aged 5 and under. Held each Monday. Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.
CONNECTIONS
12:45 p.m. Bluegrass Circle Jam Session. Meets 2nd Monday of each month. In the Community Room with Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.
VETERANS 2 p.m. “Veterans Day Ceremony.” Music, keynote speaker and more. Presented by the Gilbertsville American Legion Auxiliary at the Butternut Valley Grange, 7 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville. (607) 783-2232.
GARDEN 6:30 p.m.
“The Art of Flower Arranging.” Presented by the Oneonta Federated Garden Club. Michelle Peters of Ambiance Florist provides useful tips on using seasonal flowers and nature’s offerings for enhancing holiday décor. St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta.
