Hometown Oneonta 11-30-23

s!

ck Holiday Ro

HOMETOWN

Home

Co

15

nta eo

wn on o t

ries

ncert Se n sCeo w o t ts s r n e op pre

th anniversary

20

08 - 2023

ONEONTA

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

dren’s Choir il h C n w o t • :30 pm e Coopers

‘student voices, student choices’ winners, page 7

Plus th ay, Dec. 15 6 Hotel g Frid ga Resort eries.or The Oterssatownconcerts e

Coop https://

VISIT www.

AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY

Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, November 30, 2023

Volume 16, No. 6

Outgoing OC Rep Gives Advice To Future Candidates

Bassett Healthcare Security Team Is Now Open Carry

By DARLA M. YOUNGS

By DARLA M. YOUNGS

ONEONTA tsego County Representative Clark Oliver, who had served District 11 (City of Oneonta Wards 1 and 2) since 2020, resigned his seat as of Wednesday, November 8. According to Oliver, he completed his Master of Public Administration at the University at Albany in June and did not run for re-election this cycle because he planned to look for employment out of the area.

Although he had intended to serve his final term to completion, Oliver was offered a position with New York State in the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence as a gender violence prevention specialist. In this capacity, Oliver will be conducting policy analysis to aid survivors of domestic violence as they interact with the child support system and attain economic security.

“Some of my work will be directly with other New York State counties, so completing the term while starting the position would be potentially conflictual,” Oliver said in a recent press release.

He began his new job with the state on November 9.

First elected in 2019 at the age of 21, Oliver became the youngest person ever elected to the Otsego County Board of Representatives and one of the youngest elected officials in New York State. Reelected in 2021 with nearly 80 percent of the vote, he has served on the Human Services, Solid Waste and Environmental Concerns, Public Works, and Public Safety Continued on page 12

COOPERSTOWN n response to growing trends of violence against healthcare workers nationally, Bassett Healthcare Network’s Security Department has moved from a concealed carry to an open carry model.

According to Director of Public Relations Gabrielle Argo, in order to meet campus security needs across the region, Bassett’s security team is continually implementing evidence-based, best-practice policies and safety models to support employees, patients, and visitors in a changing environment.

This change is about visibility and deterrence.

“Research strongly reveals that perpetrators are less likely to attempt to carry out any type of violent act if obvious security measures are in place, like the presence of armed guards or security officers,” Argo explained. “Healthcare workers are more likely to suffer workplace injuries than workers in any other industry. Workplace violence in healthcare is a rising public concern, and Bassett’s leadership and security team are committed to evolving safety strategies that offer preventive education and proactively offer protection to caregivers and those who entrust us with their care.”

Argo said the safety and security of patients, staff, and visitors are Bassett Healthcare Network’s top priority.

“We did not implement these security measures lightly. After many months of research, analysis of local and national Continued on page 11

O

I Photo by George Macaluso

Merry and Bright COOPERSTOWN—The annual Cooperstown Lions Christmas Tree Sale is officially underway, featuring freshly harvested balsam fir and spruce trees from Harpursville. The trees are being sold right across from the Cooperstown Fire Department and can be purchased Monday through Friday from 5-6:30 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trees measuring 8 feet and smaller are $70.00; trees taller than 8 feet are $80.00. Proceeds support the Cooperstown Lions Club. Above, George Macaluso snaps a selfie with Peter Pickail, John Saphier, Marianne Rae and Lions Club President Jim Donaldson.

Schmitz Wins First Matsuo Award

By WRILEY NELSON

H

ONEONTA elios Care recently announced that it will present the first Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award to Otego home health aide Lisa Schmitz at its 40th anniversary Gala. According to a release, the

award committee had a difficult time choosing among the 14 candidates nominated by patients and community members in the three counties Helios serves. Dr. Matsuo was instrumental in bringing palliative care to upstate New York; he was a co-founder of the organization that is now Helios and volunteered as its Continued on page 12

Heritage at The Plains, Sloan’s Make Rita’s Dream a Reality

INSIDE ► Main street stroll is next tuesday, page 2

ONEONTA ou know when a dream ► 76-year-old tries hand comes true—when the at new sport, page 3 recipient cries tears of ► donations sought for happiness and surprise—that you angel tree, page 6 did it right. And that is exactly how a special lady by the name ► columnist part of of Rita felt on Saturday, October Major cosmic ray discovery, page 6 28 when Heather Anderson convinced her to go to a luncheon ► news from the heart with her, as her guest. Little did of otsego, page 9 Rita know that she was the guest ► holiday market, pop ups of honor and that 18 of her family set for cano, page 10 members were waiting for her ► anaplasmosis cases on behind closed doors.

Welcome to the Tree of the rise, page 10 Dreams program at Heritage at The Plains, where residents Follow Breaking News On are asked if they could dream of anything in the world to do, OTSEGO.com what would it be? Their wishes are recorded and the staff begins

Y

All

Photo by Heather Anderson

Rita and her family gather for a photo to commemorate the day.

to work on making those dreams come true. Every quarter, a Tree of Dreams recipient is chosen.

As for Rita, it was her turn, but she had no idea at all until she saw her family waiting for her once the door was opened.

All Rita wanted was to enjoy a homestyle-cooked meal with her family—all in one room, as many

of them live quite a distance away and cannot visit often. Just to have them all together for one meal, just once, was Rita’s dream. So the dream makers got busy to see how they could make this happen for a woman who never asks for anything for herself and is always watching out for others.

Rita’s dream could not have become a reality without the assistance of Sloan’s NY Grill, as they prepared a meal that even Rita said she could not have done any better. The pot roast with all of the fixings and apple pie a la mode was just what Rita wanted to share with her family.

“Sloan’s was so accommodating and so understanding of this special occasion that we were trying to make happen. I could

not have worked with a better partner,” said Anderson, who is the Magnolia Trails director at Heritage at the Plains.

“I had several last-minute changes, and they were so accommodating,” Anderson added. “Thanks also goes to The Second Wind organization who, through their funding sources, were able to pick up the entire bill for the event.

“And lastly, a special thank you has to be extended to Rita’s family, who kept this secret for many weeks and made the day extra special for Rita—a dream come true, with memories that will last a lifetime for many, especially for Rita as she looks back on her pictures from that day,” Anderson said.

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890

A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, novEMBER 30, 2023

Village, Businesses Team Up for Expanded Holiday Meet, Greet

By DARLA M. YOUNGS COOPERSTOWN he Village of Cooperstown’s monthly “Welcome Home Cooperstown” gathering next week will feature a special Main Street stroll. “Meet & Greet and Stroll the Street” will be held on Tuesday, December 5 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Village Hall, 22 Main Street.

Community members are welcome to begin the stroll at the Village Hall, where refreshments will be served and a community firepit will warm the night.

The library will host holiday crafts and story time with Cooperstown Police Chief Frank Cavalieri, and the Cooperstown Art Association will open their holiday show and sale for special evening hours.

After enjoying snacks and fellowship, participants are encouraged to follow

T

the lighted path of luminaria down Main Street, where more than two dozen local businesses and restaurants will be staying open for holiday shopping and dining until 7:30 p.m.

Meet & Greet and Stroll the Street is the final event of 2023 for Welcome Home Cooperstown, an initiative of monthly gatherings designed to bring together new area residents with longtime community members. The goal of the monthly meetings is to welcome area newcomers, assist them in building connections to established residents and institutions, and encourage them to make this community their permanent home. In general, events take place on the first Tuesday of each month. After a break for the holidays, the gatherings will resume on February 6, 2024.

Village of Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh said she is happy with the

results of the meet and greet initiative thus far.

“I have been very pleased with the turnout,” Tillapaugh wrote in an e-mail.

“We have tried to single out a particular group with invites each month...

Thus, one month it was ColumbiaBassett students; other months we reached out to Bassett’s new medical staff, Cooperstown Graduate Program students, and so on.

“Recognizing Diwali in November was a fabulous gathering! At every gathering I met people who had recently moved here, or were visiting and were planning to move here,” Tillapaugh continued. “Actual attendance has probably varied from 20 [people] to close to 50.”

Tillapaugh credits Jess Gorman of J Gorman Fine Jewelry with coining the phrase “stroll the street” in a conversa-

tion with WHC Committee and Friends of the Village Library’s Lynne Mebust, who the mayor described as the “major worker bee” in this endeavor.

“We were talking about the upcoming meet and greet, and possible promotions around the holiday. It was Jess who came up with ‘stroll the street,’ and it stuck,” said Mebust in a phone conversation earlier this week.

Mebust said she is thrilled so many Main Street businesses have agreed to extend their hours for this event. She hopes the modest scale of this year’s stroll will invigorate participants to expand upon the concept next year.

Members of the WHC Committee include village citizens and members of Cooperstown-based entities. All are welcome to attend and participate in the work of building a stronger, more diverse and welcoming community.

Historic Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

CHERRY VALLEY HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Join us for a weekend of festivities!

Fri., Dec. 1st • 5 pm - 8 pm Sat. and Sun., Dec. 2 & 3 • 10 am - 5 pm

Unique handmade and local gifts Visit with Santa Music and merry making SHOP LOCAL! Maps available from participating merchants WWW.CHERRYVALLEY.COM Sponsored in part by

Get to The Point!

Shop Small, it’s A BIG DEAL at THE TEPEE!

Cherry Valley Holiday OPEN HOUSE Sat. & Sun. Dec. 2 & 3

Sales • Discounts • Refreshments • Sign up to win prizes!

Open daily 10 - 5 • Christmas Eve 10 - 4 7632 US Hwy. 20, Cherry Valley 607-264-3987 • www.thetepee.biz

AllOTSEGO.

dining&entertainment

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

Septuagenarian Competes in First NYS Bodybuilding Contest

By WRILEY NELSON SYRACUSE lifford C. Crandall Jr., of New Hartford, has decades of experience in martial arts and extreme sports. The 76-year-old is founder and grandmaster of the American Martial Arts Institute, has completed nearly 1,000 skydiving jumps, and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the first person to break a board with his hand in a freefall at 8,300 feet. Now, he has a new sporting event under his belt. Crandall competed in his first bodybuilding competition, the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders New York State Amateur Open/Masters Pro Qualifier in Syracuse, on Saturday, November 4.

For the past year, Crandall has produced a video series, “Still Alive and Kicking,” to promote lifeenhancing physical activities for seniors. He also writes a semi-regular column for the “Rome Daily Sentinel” on the same subject. Crandall began an intensive training regimen last February, setting out to show other seniors that there are no limitations on physical fitness.

“I want to go to the extreme to show people how much can be accomplished,” he said.

He stressed that he does not expect others to follow such an extreme course, but simply hoped to inspire others to begin or increase their fitness work.

“I was told as a young man that muscle gain becomes nearly impossible after age 40, and that it’s just a long, slow withering away after that,” Crandall continued. “That was the wisdom at the time. That always made me feel, especially when I was young, like I was a grape that at some point would shrivel up and disappear. We know now with new research that that isn’t true and that seniors can continue to build muscle into their 80s.”

No stranger to intense training, Crandall was nationally recognized in the 1970s as the martial arts “Tonfa Master.” After retiring from teaching and school administration, he dedicated himself to full-time, professional work as a martial artist.

Crandall has taught and trained in 22 different countries, written 14 books and founded the American Eagle Style of martial arts. However, bodybuilding presented novel challenges.

“The training was a real learning experience,” he recalled. “So much has changed technically and culturally. I worked virtually with a coach in Rochester and had to familiarize myself with the new technology, but the plan was optimized for my

C

Photo by Rick Abt

Nationally-renowned martial artist Clifford Crandall, of New Hartford, competes in his first bodybuilding event.

age class and goals, and noticeably increased my muscle mass.”

“It’s definitely worth your time to use Internet resources. You may think you know how to use a particular piece of equipment properly, but there’s often a trick to it,” Crandall said. “It also took a great deal of training to learn the showmanship part. There are four mandatory symmetry poses and seven muscle poses, all of which have to be executed perfectly and in the right order. I had to be trained and then practice posing for nearly an hour a day for the last two months.”

The most unpleasant parts of the process were sticking with the diet and the pre-competition tanning, he said.

“It was hard to give up bread and sugar, and your brain gets a little foggy for a few weeks while your body adapts to not having carbs. I learned a lot about

exercise and about food; it’s all much more precise than it was in the old days,” he said.

“I’m so glad I have such a supportive family,” he continued. “My wife and daughter were always there for me. It’s the kind of activity that calls for wholefamily support. Your friends and family can’t eat McDonald’s and cookies in front of you all the time.

It’s just very difficult to deny yourself so many of the small pleasures of life.”

“The tanning the day before is really uncomfortable; it’s extremely cold air in the spray brush to keep the pigment in place and keep it from running off with your body heat. The spray is necessary because, under the lights at the show, you completely wash out and it’s very difficult to see the muscle fibers.

The last day and a half or so is very difficult; you can’t shower without running all the spray off, and you have to sit for nearly an hour in a polygraph test to prevent doping.”

Crandall said he had a fantastic time at the competition itself. He praised the sportsmanship and dedication of the athletes and coordinators. The audience was supportive and Crandall was particularly pleased that the announcer highlighted him as an example for all aspiring athletes.

Between the competition and the announcement of judging results, each competitor completed a 60second musical posing routine. Crandall did a number of poses and movements inspired by Korean martial arts and the movie “The Matrix,” all to “Thunderbolt”

by AC/DC. He said that the audience went wild and that it was one of the best parts of the competition for him.

“They said they had never seen someone integrate another form of sport into the competition like that,” he recalled. “It was incredibly fulfilling to bring something from my own area of expertise into another sport and have such a positive response.”

Crandall was a finalist in the open novice division and took first place in his own division. Immediately after the show, his wife took him out for his first slice of pizza and apple cider donuts in months.

“I set out to do this for the men and women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s,” he concluded, “but I learned as I trained that my message was really for everyone. It’s never too early or too late to start training your body for good health.

“I want to encourage everyone to find something that keeps them strong and helps them live their lives to the full. The first step in having a great day is having your full health, and you can never take that for granted.”

HOMETOWN Views

A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

THE PARTIAL OBSERVER

EDITORIAL

There Are Angels Among Us

D

ecember is upon us, and those special holidays— Hanukkah, Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years—are once more on the horizon. It’s a very cheery time of year, centered on family and loved ones and festive events and parties and twinkling lights and bright trees and the far-away North Pole and, no doubt, presents.

For everyone. But not everyone around here is in the position to provide their family with everything they would like to, and so, although we may not always see it, there is sadness tucked in amidst the joy. Although we should of course be doing so throughout the year, it’s a good idea to think strongly, really, truly, and often of those amongst us who may not be as fortunate, and are struggling to make ends meet, especially at this time of year.

Since 1921, “The Freeman’s Journal” has sponsored a Christmas Fund drive to help our local families in need, contributing clothes for their children, food for their tables and presents—toys—for under their trees at a time when the holiday season could leave them bereft and out of the festive swirl of things. Rowan D. Spraker Sr., the editor and publisher of the Journal at the time, created the fund as a Christmas gift to the residents in need who were unable to provide a holiday for their children, families and, often enough, their animals.

Our Christmas Fund was surely modeled on the Neediest Cases Fund of the “New York Times,” whose publisher, Adolph S. Ochs, decided—on Christmas Day in 1911— that the newspaper should use its pages to give back to its community. When the big season arrived in 1912, the paper published 100 accounts of fellow New Yorkers who were struggling to provide for themselves and their families, suggesting a number of charities that were already helping such people to which its readers could donate. This was a brilliant combination of journalism and the spirit of giving, and it’s still working today.

Here, the Christmas Fund has worked as well for “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta.” Through the stories about these families that have been printed for more than a century, the newspapers have been able to reach out to their readers and help them understand that not only are there many people in need, but also many ways to help them. Until recently, “The Freeman’s Journal” chose its fund beneficiaries with the help of Opportunities for Otsego, an agency founded in 1966 that works to alleviate poverty and foster self-sufficiency. Several years ago, however, the newspaper began working with The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, which was created in 1979 to provide anonymously donated clothing and toys for children, little “angels,” who may otherwise go without at Christmas time.

Twenty-four angels, from 10 families, are on the tree at “The Freeman’s Journal’s” office at 21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, awaiting their “adoption.” Those interested in helping to make their holiday season a happy one can call Larissa at (607) 547-6103. There are additional angels on a tree at The Salvation Army Chapel at 25 River Street, Oneonta. Gifts should be new, unwrapped and dropped off by December 8 at either angel location.

Thank you.

Ryan GERAGHTY

County Residents Dodge Additional Tax Bill

I

n the picturesque landscapes of Otsego County, a financial savior quietly looms, often adorned with a camera and a sense of adventure—the tourist. A recent, eyeopening tourism impact report unveils a staggering reality: Without the robust $352 million injected into the county by eager visitors in 2022, every household would be grappling with an additional $1,665.00 tax burden just to sustain the current government revenue.

This isn’t merely a statistic; it’s a testament to the silent yet profound economic shield provided by the tourism sector, safeguarding residents from a hefty financial weight and propelling the region into a future of economic stability and growth. As Otsego County basks in a surge in tourism spending since the pre-pandemic days of 2019, it’s not merely the breathtaking vistas that residents can be grateful for, but also a fiscal buffer that spares them from digging deeper into their pockets.

Recent data from a comprehensive tourism impact report confirms that the visitor economy is not just flourishing in the Central New York region, but it’s also proving pivotal for Otsego County. With a strong focus on evolving destination branding and marketing strategies, the region stands to benefit immensely from the tourism boom.

“Tourism, in its vibrant and dynamic essence, transcends mere statistics; it embodies community development, opens doors of opportunity, and seeds prosperity.

Otsego County, already a distinguished hub for baseball fans and adventurers, will remain steadfast in its commitment to not only sustaining but amplifying its status as a premier destination. Our unwavering investment in tourism—spanning marketing, infrastructure, and beyond—will perpetually weave benefits through the region, enriching the experiences of tourists while simultaneously elevating the living standards and economic vitality for our residents,” affirmed

Cassandra Harrington, chief executive officer of Destination Marketing Corporation.

Key findings from the tourism impact report include: • Visitor spending increased 162 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

• Without tourism-generated state and local taxes, the average household in the county would have to pay an additional $1,665.00 to maintain the same level of government revenue.

• The Central New York region saw a direct tourism spend of $3.5 billion in 2022.

• Within the county, travelers spent a noteworthy $352 million, with lodging and second homes accounting for $174 million.

• Significant spending was also noted in the food and beverage sector, registering $105 million, retail and service stations $52 million, and recreation amassing $17 million in tourism spending.

• The tourism sector directly bolstered labor income in Otsego County, recording a healthy $80.6 million, a 10 percent share of the Central New York region.

The Destination Marketing Corporation for Otsego and Schoharie Counties was established in 2014 as a not-for-profit 501c6. By contract with Otsego and Schoharie counties, the DMC has been designated the Tourism Promotion Agency under the New York State Tourism Matching Funds Program. The DMC is funded by a portion of the occupancy tax revenues collected in contract with Otsego County; cooperative marketing investments with tourism partners; and annual grants from the New York State Division of Tourism/ Matching Funds Program.

For more details on the tourism strategies and the complete impact report, e-mail ryan@ thisiscooperstown.com Ryan Geraghty is the marketing and communications director for Destination Marketing Corporation.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY “Hometown Oneonta” welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper.

They must include the writer’s name, address, email and telephone/ mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own.

Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. The length must be no more than 250 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

Home

HOMETOWN

14

nta eo

wn on to

th anniversary

20

08 - 2022

ONEONTA

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch a publication of Iron String Press, Inc.

Publisher / Advertising Manager

Tara Barnwell

News Editor

Wriley Nelson

General Manager / Senior Editor

Darla M. Youngs

Sales Consultant

Randy Christian

Office Manager

Larissa Ryan

Columnists and Contributing Writers

Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Elizabeth Cooper, Maureen Culbert, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Ian Kenyon, Marcia Kozubek, Tom Shelby, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Xander Moffat

Historian

Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart

Legal Counsel

Jill Ann Poulson

Editorial Board

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

MEMBER OF: National Newspaper Association, New York Press Association The Otsego County Chamber Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080.

Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

Letters to the editor … In their opinion

Politicos Need To Read the Bill The recent letters to the editor by State Senator Peter Oberacker and Assemblyman Chris Tague condemning the recently passed Clean Slate Act (Freeman’s Journal Nov. 23, 2023) suggest that they either have not read the bill, or don’t know how to interpret it correctly, or are gambling on taking a hit against a Democratic governor and Assembly, or all three.

Interested readers can read it directly by looking it up (New York State Assembly Bill A.1029-C) or by Googling “Clean Slate Act Myths and Facts” at https://assembly.state. ny.us/cleanslate/?sec=facts_ and_myths. The latter is an efficient and authoritative review by the State Assembly.

The statement from the Assembly reports that the Clean State Act does not “automatically seal records after a specified period of time” or “hide serious crimes like manslaughter, gang assaults

or armed robbery” and it does not “simplify the process for criminals to conceal their pasts and exploit unsuspecting victims” (cf Oberacker). It does not “prioritize felons” or allow people to “do whatever they want in New York and not have to face repercussions” (cf Tague). The Assembly statement says that “Clean Slate will not seal the records of registered sex offenders or anyone who has been convicted of a crime where a life sentence may be imposed. Some types of crimes, like murder, are NEVER eligible for sealing...

Clean Slate has no impact on the ability to inquire into someone’s criminal history...Clean Slate doesn’t change state, federal or local laws regarding where/how people can ask about records—sealed or otherwise. Additionally, a person must have completed their sentence, including all parole time, without further incident...

Clean Slate does not lessen sentences or penalties and does not affect orders of protection, reparations or other forms of

victim compensation.”

What Clean Slate does do, is to protect persons who may have a record of having been convicted of certain unlawful and unrelated offenses, for which they have paid the prescribed penalties and who have been without criminal charges or convictions for at least three years since that time. The prior offenses and convictions can still be looked up by parties with an interest.

The Act was vetted and accepted beforehand by a large number of persons, including lawyers, law enforcement personnel, landlords, and business persons across the state.

What is disgraceful is not the act that was passed: it is trying to propagate misinformation which is at best erroneous and is otherwise deliberately deceptive if presented by anyone, let alone elected officials. Oberacker and Tague should acknowledge, and correct, their incorrect statements.

Mary Anne Whelan Cooperstown

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5 news from the noteworthy

sustainable otsego

Life of the Land: Trout Do Grow on Trees Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

135 Years Ago

The women of our land are daily gaining a firmer foothold in all the business of the country, and winning more of public recognition of their ability and genius.

For some time past, many of the higher grades of social and literary events, in some of our large cities, have been in their hands, and in situations and vocations where a few years ago there was no thought of competition, women are acknowledged to be equally competent as men. All this is as it should be, and may God speed the day when recognition of their equal fitness for these situations may bring a corresponding recognition of their need of equal remuneration. But, mothers and sisters, in the grand struggle into this another field of labor where, I doubt not, you can do a vast amount of good, do not neglect the work that is all around you – that grand, God-given home work.

There, sisters, is a field wherein your influence is allpotent, and whether for weal or woe, is measureless.

November 1888

110 Years Ago

John Kendrick Bangs lectured to the students of the Oneonta Normal and High School course. The title of his talk was “Salubrities I Have Met.” By “Salubrities” Mr. Bangs explained that he meant the pleasant, whole-souled, genial men and women whose humor, tact, and gentle courtesy make life worth living. The lecture was incomparable as a genial, wholesome, overflowing of humor out of the very heart of the speaker’s personal experiences. To say that his audience was pleased is but a trite expression, for an emotion which followed with keenest interest every statement and expression, laughing heartily at quip and jest, smiling at the gentle touches of a rarer humor and betimes saddening at the pathos of his word. He began with a description of a reception in New York City and of Winston Spencer Churchill, English statesman, as a striking example of what a salubrity is not. Mr. Bangs spoke in pleasant vein of Richard Harding Davis, George Ade, Rudyard Kipling, Mrs. Henry M. Stanley, Conan Doyle, Andrew Carnegie, Robert Grant and Mark Twain.

November 1913

40 Years Ago

Local Young Volunteers in Action have given more than 3,141 hours of volunteer service in 1982-1983 according to Nancy Kroll Y.V.A. coordinator. She expects the program, started in December, 1982, to generate 5,000 volunteer hours over the next twelve months. Y.V.A. gives youth, 14 to 22 years of age, a chance to get involved in their communities while exploring their career interests. One of the volunteers in the program is Erin Sheehan, a sophomore at Oneonta high school, who became involved with Y.V.A. during the summer. She has given more than 100 hours of volunteer service at the TLC Day Care Center on Main Street, Oneonta, and as a volunteer at Fox Memorial Hospital. At TLC Miss Sheehan is an aide to the teachers. She supervises groups of small children and helps them play games. She enjoys working with children and would like to follow a career in that field.

November 1983

30 Years Ago

More than 80 children from the Oneonta area begin their school day every morning by going to an office complex, filing past architectural and software firms and into their classroom—a converted optometrist’s office. It’s quite a change from the last six school years, when the non-denominational Oneonta Community Christian School was located in Baptist churches. School officials made the move into their new site at 3200 Chestnut Street, formerly known as the Trade Mart, in September. The move followed two months of renovation work done almost entirely by volunteers. The school began with 19 students in 1986 at the Main Street Baptist Church.

November 1993 Solution: “Switching Places” (November 23)

R

eaders of this column may have noticed can also provide most of these benefits, with less in local fields and pastures a new crop of investment but to a lesser extent. light green plastic tubes about three feet Establishing a riparian buffer often requires tall. This non-native “invasive species” is called a technical assistance, particularly in areas eroded tree tube, or tree shelter, and is an important tool or damaged by livestock traffic, or populated by in the creation of riparian buffers. invasive species such as Japanese knotweed. As Riparian buffers are among the best managewith most best management practices in New York, a patchwork of agencies with overlapping ment practices we mentioned in our October column about regenerative agriculture. The word histories, mandates and capacities is available “riparian” refers to areas alongside streams, to assist the land owner. Federal or state permits rivers or other bodies of water. The “buffer” is may be required for occasional situations. In our a planting of trees, shrubs or other perennial area, the non-profit Upper Susquehanna Coalition vegetation. The purpose of this practice is to helps with close to 100 percent funding. Otsego protect and enhance the waterway, and improve County Soil and Water Conservation District staff the land by reducing erosion and run-off. Unlike will procure, advise, and plant the appropriate manmade counterparts, riparian buffers work in materials, which vary depending on soil and geogtandem with their natural environment, evenraphy. Once established, the buffer’s maintenance tually blending in with their local ecosystem is the responsibility of the landowner. without the long-term maintenance and reconWe love the idea that “Trout Grow on Trees.” struction required by artificial counterparts.

This clever turn of phrase immediately calls up For moving water, a riparian buffer, prefera mental image of a crystal-clear brook quietly ably with trees and shrubs, slows the velocity meandering under a canopy of trees providing of flow and holds the various soil particulates, shade and a seasonal carpet of leaf litter and reducing flooding and erosion, and stabilizing Continued on page 11 banks. When the planting is mature, its shade cools the water which helps indigenous creatures. Less visible but equally important, the roots of a riparian buffer act as filters which uptake nutrients, sequester carbon, and remove soil-bound pollutants via mechanical and metabolic Photo provided processes. Herbaceous buffers Bear Creek Watershed in Iowa, before plantings and four years after.

By MERL REAGLE

Ode to a Classic… Did I miss something?

ACROSS 1 Disney’s That ___ 8 Landing cushions 12 Have ___ (enjoy oneself immensely) 17 Sedona’s state 18 Plenty 19 Slow movements 21 Earth mover 22 17 Across city 23 Pizza topper 25 Poor 26 SE African republic 28 Norwegian king 29 Site of Samson’s jawbone slaughter 31 Knotty spot 32 Party animal?

34 Type of cough drop 38 Opinion piece 40 A Musketeer 42 For each 43 Actor Jack known for playing malevolent gunslingers 44 Cigar residue 45 Tilt-nose jet 47 Lorne on Battlestar Galactica 101 R eady-___ (already 11 Sedate 49 Broadcast cooked) 12 Cutting tool 51 God, to Gide 103 Former spokes-hunk for 13 Pastoral sound I Can’t Believe It’s Not 53 Speaker of baseball 14 A U.S. Dept.

Butter 55 Strauss’s forte 15 Use, as a bed 105 Takes a nap 58 Film quote (with 69 and 16 Lulu 84 Across) that’s the key to 106 Oar steadiers 19 “___-see!” (short rave what’s being ignored this 108 Noted vampire slayer review) puzzle 110 Actress Patricia 20 Schedule of events 62 Actress Anderson 112 Bard villain 24 Many miles away 63 Retirement org.

113 Tampa-born Nixon 26 “Don’t ___!” (short rave 64 Sgt., e.g. confidant and millionaire, review) 1912-98 65 City pall 27 Suzy of rock ’n’ roll 115 Most snug 66 Writer Rand 30 From ___ toe 119 Mame portrayer 67 Not on schedule 32 Pea jacket 122 Laugh loudly 68 Liquor 33 “___ the whole thing” 123 Jimmy Durante’s 69 See 58 Across 34 Jetés nickname 71 “Sure” 35 Inventor Howe 73 Milton Bradley board game 125 Bavarian treat 36 ___ one (none) 126 BLT spread 76 Dinah Shore’s label 37 Hoover’s guys 127 Give back 78 Tidy 39 Ed Norton comment 128 Aligned 79 Tofu source 41 Impulsive 129 March time 80 Pastoral sound 46 Crucifixion wounds 130 “Still as ___” (Byron) 83 One of Henry VIII’s 48 Shopping centers DOWN Catherines 50 Can ___ wrong 1 Globule 84 See 58 Across 52 Like some spacecraft 2 Make ___ for it 88 Salmon cousin 54 ___ instant 3 Anger 90 English composer 56 Explosive stuff 4 Gas pump attachment 91 Curved entrance 5 Cook, as an egg for Caesar 57 David and Ricky’s dad 92 Painter Max 59 Bitter, old-style salad 93 Physicist Bohr 60 Carried 6 Not bat ___ 95 Commotion 61 “Shame ___!”

7 Black stuff 97 Resistance unit 68 French composer Hector 8 Yucatán Indians 98 Stare at 69 H imalayan goat (anagram 9 Certain grad 99 Home of Dorothy Porker? of HART) 10 Girls in trees

70 Pulsating 72 Literary Jane 73 CD forerunners 74 “___ my kid’s mom” (Dr. Laura) 75 Cold treat 77 Stop 79 Chat 80 Tropical fruit 81 Church lane 82 Poker amounts 85 “Three men ___” 86 “Prickly” prefix 87 Cyclo ending 89 Nantes noggin 94 30 percent of L.A.?

96 Dune buggy milieu 99 Commotion 100 Twyla of dance 102 Clear as ___ 104 Military agreement 105 Most cunning 107 He can’t buy a break 109 Physicist Enrico 111 Suffers after exercise 113 Ran, as colors 114 Warner ___ 116 Common Spanish verb 117 Edinburgh native 118 Drive-___ restaurant 120 Actor Erwin 121 N ighttime product, Sleep___ 123 La-la intro 124 Born

THURSday, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA CITIZEN SCIENCE

jamie zvirzdin

Desert Vigil: Patience and the Pulse of Cosmic-Ray Secrets

I

am not a patient person, usually.

I check the time frequently and grow frustrated if a task takes more than two seconds to finish.

The exception is my job: I work for the Telescope Array Collaboration, which studies ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. Tracking these types of rare particles in the high, dry desert of Utah requires a superhuman amount of patience, dedication, and collaboration.

Once in a while, this patient sleuthing yields a gratifying breakthrough. Last week, Thanksgiving 2023, the Telescope Array Collaboration announced the detection of a UHECR named Amaterasu (https://scienmag.com/telescopearray-detects-second-highestenergy-cosmic-ray-ever/), which had 244 exaelectronvolts of energy— about 40 joules, enough energy to run a modern laptop for a few seconds or raise a small book to the top of a tall shelf. While 40 joules may not seem like a big deal, it’s an enormous, astonishing, brain-shattering amount of energy for a tiny particle. Amaterasu had so much energy that it broke what you might call “the particle speed limit,” the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff, at around 60 EeV (about 10 joules).

Amaterasu’s energy is superseded by only one other particle. In 1991, the Fly’s Eye detector—the earliest iteration of the Telescope Array, also based in the Utah desert—recorded the Oh-My-God particle, a cosmic ray with 320 EeV or about 50 joules of energy. How do such itty-bitty pieces of matter gain so much energy? Where do they come from?

Here’s the hard answer: We still don’t know for sure, and it is better to be thorough and follow the scientific method than to willy-nilly claim something without evidence.

In fact, Amaterasu’s arrival has caused even more questions: Even accounting for differences in mass and changes in direction caused by magnetic fields, our data shows that Amaterasu came to us from the Local Void, an area of space beyond the Milky Way Galaxy. How could something in an empty part of space

give Amaterasu so much energy?

Here are the leading contenders of where these ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays might come from: 1. Active Galactic Nuclei: AGNs are the violent regions at the centers of some galaxies, often surrounding supermassive black holes. But Amaterasu’s energy level and arrival direction don’t directly align with any known AGNs near the Local Void.

2. Starburst Galaxies: Galaxies that form stars rapidly can accelerate particles to very high energies, but again, Amaterasu’s arrival direction doesn’t exactly match what we currently know about starburst galaxies in the Local Void.

3. Gamma-Ray Bursts: When massive stars collapse or neutron stars emerge in distant galaxies, these extremely energetic explosions have enough power to produce high-energy cosmic rays, but their sporadic, fleeting nature makes it hard to correlate them with Amaterasu’s arrival time and direction.

4. Unknown Physics: There’s plenty of room for speculation, given how much we still don’t understand about our universe. Magnetars?

Merging AGNs? Shockwaves from galaxy clusters? Dark matter annihilation? It will take more patience to unravel this mystery.

We especially need patience because ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays are much harder to track than the lower-energy ones our sun flings at us all the time. On average, only one UHECR strikes one square kilometer per century. To track as many as we can, the Telescope Array has set up cosmic-ray detectors across the west desert of Utah, covering about 700 square kilometers. Across this space, which is about the size of Rhode Island, we run fluorescence detectors on moonless nights and fix scintillation detectors on hot desert days. We calibrate, program, analyze, teach, wait and work for that captured spike in our data so we can trace the footprints of these elusive visitors back to their extragalactic sources, whatever they may be.

I’ve been hooked on the mystery Continued on page 11

Angel Tree Partnership Brings Holiday Joy to Those in Need

T

he Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” are parnering with The Salvation Army again this year to help ensure a joyful Christmas for area families through the Angel Tree Program.

This tradition dates back to 1921 with the creation of The Freeman’s Journal Christmas Fund by Editor and Publisher Rowan D. Spraker Sr., as a way for neighbors to help others enjoy a happy holiday.

This is the 102nd year of this community tradition. The Salvation Army has gathered the Christmas wish lists, grouped by family, below. You can help Santa, and be an angel, by selecting a family to sponsor.

Gifts should be both new and unwrapped (price tags removed, please), and received no later than December 8 (to allow the elves time for wrapping and loading). Gifts may be dropped off at the offices of “The Freeman’s Journal,” 21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Chapel, 25 River Street, Oneonta.

Questions? Call Santa’s elf Larissa at (607) 547-6103, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or e-mail info@allotsego.com.

Family #1 10-year-old male Size: 10 Shoe size: 8 Likes: anything, boys’ toys 1-year-old female Size: 18 months Shoe size: 5T Likes: age-appropriate toys, educational toys Family #2 6-year-old male Size: 10/12 Shoe size: 4 Likes: boys’ toys, arts and crafts, board games 3-year-old female Size: 6 Shoe size: 10 Likes: baby dolls, little girl toys 3-month-old male Size: 6-9 months Shoe size: n/a Likes: baby toys, educational toys Family #3 9-year-old female Size: medium-large Shoe size: 1 Likes: crafts, Barbie accessories, board games 1-year-old male Size: 2T Shoe size: n/a Likes: learning toys, books, ageappropriate toys Family #4

Photo courtesy telescopearray.org

The University of Utah is the host institute for the Telescope Array Project, an international collaboration of universities and research institutes.

9-year-old female Size: 10/12 Shoe size: 2 Likes: Barbies, girl toys

AllOTSEGO.finance 1 -Year Share Certificate

Everyday Rate.

Simple Terms.

4.75% For A 12 Month Term!!!

*APY (Annual Percentage Yield). Minimum deposit of $1,000 required. Annual Percentage Yield for the 12-month term is accurate as of 09/15/2023. Penalty applies if a withdrawal is made prior to maturity date. Rates subject to change without notice.

Additional terms and conditions may apply. Membership required for eligibility.

Advertise your financial planning resources and services here!

Send your information to: randyc@allotsego. com or call 607-547-6103

7-year-old male Size: 10/12 Shoe size: 1 Likes: Army men, boys’ toys 3-year-old male Size: 4T Shoe size: 8T Likes: Paw Patrol, Hot Wheels, PJ Mask Family #5 4-year-old male Size: 4T Shoe size: 8T Likes: WWE, LEGOs, Play-Doh 1-year-old female Size: 18 months Shoe size: 5T Likes: baby dolls, Fisher Price people, Minnie Mouse Family #7 1-year-old female Size: 2T Shoe size: 4 Likes: Minnie Mouse, Toy Story, Paw Patrol, Bluey 3-month-old male Size: 3-6 month Shoe size: n/a Likes: baby toys Family #8 7-year-old female Size: 6/7 Shoe size: 13 Likes: educational toys 12-year-old female Size: 12 Shoe size: 9.5 Likes: sewing machine 1-year-old female Size: 12-18 month Shoe size: baby shoes Likes: Melissa and Doug brand toys, wooden baby toys Family #9 12-year-old male Size: 14/16 Shoe size: 7 Likes- PS4 controller, DreamGear Street Fighter 12-year-old male Size: 14/16 Shoe size: 6.5 Likes: Spaulding basketball/football, ice cream maker 8-year-old male Size: 8 Shoe size: 2 Likes: Pokémon cards, Hot Wheels set, remote control spider

THURSDAY, November 30, 2023

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

Community Foundation Awards $16,000 to Student Projects

By MONICA CALZOLARI

ONEONTA he Community Foundation of Otsego County awarded $16,000.00 to fund initiatives created by students ranging from eighth grade to twelfth grade. The foundation challenged students to find a need in the local community, find a community partner, and come up with a solution to a problem they identified.

Seven teams of students from seven local schools presented their “Student Voices, Student Choices” solutions on November 20 in Hartwick College’s Slade Theatre to a packed auditorium of their peers, their parents, school principals, school administrators and community partners.

Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School won first place and received $5,000.00 to address the issue of hygiene poverty in their community. The team of four students explained, “It’s the side of poverty that no one talks about.” They found that one out of four people in Otsego County cannot afford hygiene products such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry detergent or feminine products.

The students discovered this is “not just a global issue, but a local issue.” They said, “We see hygiene poverty every day.” Some families must choose between food, transportation and hygiene.

These young Cherry Va l l e y - S p r i n g f i e l d presenters proposed creating a room in their school that students and community members can access that will have a washer, dryer and detergent where people can wash their clothes and pick up the additional hygiene items they need free of charge.

Members of the National Honor Society will staff the store. They will call it “The HQ,” to remove any stigma and shame that may be attached to needing help in this way. The group teamed up with the Cherry Valley Food Pantry to help stock items.

Morris Central School won second place and $4,000.00 to start a food pantry. They identified at least 73 individuals in their community with hunger issues. Five students presented their plans. They will use door hangers to advertise their program. They will go door-to-door to collect donations. They plan to team up with four local churches and ask the pastors to request donations be placed in boxes on church premises that would help stock the food pantry.

Part of the seed money would be used to buy a freezer and refrigerator to store healthy items such as milk, eggs, bread, and vegetables in season. They partnered with the Morris Rotary Club to make their effort sustainable.

They quoted Mother Teresa, who said, “If

T

you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

Richfield Springs Central School won third prize and $3,000.00 for their program, “Students Adopting Seniors.”

Twelve student presenters recruited 35 student volunteers interested in building a personal connection with elderly members of their community at the Richfield Springs Public Library.

The team indicated that 40.7 percent of Richfield Springs’ 326 taxpayers are over 65 years old. They played a video about how issues of isolation lead to depression and other health problems. Seniors and young people will read books together. Seniors will learn to operate their technology better and engage with young people on social media.

The remaining four teams each won $1,000.00 to fund their projects. Five students from Unatego Central School dedicated their presentation to Richard Colley, their bus driver, whose life was saved on September 12, 2023 by the use of an EpiPen after he was stung twice by a European hornet while driving 26 students back from their morning classes at BOCES. At intermission during the program, Cooley said, “I never would have thought you could die from a bee sting!

Within 12-15 minutes of being stung twice in my back, I was completely paralyzed. I managed to get 26 students back to the front of the school and radioed for help. I was seconds away from death. After the school nurse shot me with the EpiPen and called 911, the paramedics gave me two shots of adrenalin to bring me back to life.”

The Unatego team of students requested money to educate the entire school about anaphylactic shock, which can be caused by insect stings, peanut, milk, and seafood allergies and certain medicines such as antibiotics.

EpiPens cost $650.00$750.00 each without insurance and must be replaced every year.

The Gilbertville-Mt. Upton School team were the grand prize winners of $5,000.00 and the trophy in 2022, the first year of the competition.

The 2023 GilbertvilleMt. Upton team discovered that almost one-third of all high-school students suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and hopelessness. They played video clips of an interview

with Marion Mossman, project director of System of Care, who said, “Many teens and children do not seek help.”

Mossman admitted that mental health is still a taboo subject and said, “Kids are resilient, and we must empower them to recognize how resilient they are.”

The team gave the audience buttons with flowers on them. Devon Hartwell, one of the student presenters, explained, “We are planting a seed. It’s going to grow and turn into something beautiful.”

Milford Central School received $1,000.00 for their Senior Buddy Program. These four presenters were the youngest to participate.

Two presenters were eighth graders and two were ninth graders. They contacted the Office for the Aging and visited seniors at the Clark Sports Center Connections program in Cooperstown.

They will invite seniors to their school for twoway mentoring. Seniors can teach the students compass-using skills, how to play instruments or ping pong, and join the students for healthy lunches, book club, arts and crafts, and walking the track.

Jim Brant, principal of Milford Central School, was in the audience. He said, “We have an incredible, dedicated group of students and their advisor, Heather Van Essendelft, who spent many hours planning and preparing a sustainable budget for this program.”

Edmeston Central School received $1,000 to fund their collaboration with Pathfinder School. Five students visited Pathfinder for its Halloween events and invited some of the Pathfinder students to their school.

They asked the audience “Have you ever felt excluded or left out?”

These students plan to “change the world with a giving heart.” They want to mirror the mission of the Community Foundation of Otsego County by modeling collaboration, inclusion and respect.

Jeff Katz, Executive Director of CFOC, presented the winning team from Cherry ValleySpringfield with a huge trophy at the conclusion of the seven presentations. He said, “One of the core tenants of the Community Foundation is building a better community.

Having students who are so poised—some as young as 12 and 13 years old— who did the research

Photo by Monica Calzolari

Jeff Katz, Community Foundation of Otsego County executive director, presented the team from Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School with a trophy and $5,000.00 to fund their hygiene poverty initiative. Student participants from left are Lexi Dygert, Liam Rockwell, Carly Spauling and Charlise Canary.

and came up with solutions that will serve the future of Otsego County is remarkable.”

Tim Lord, CFOC board member, served

as master of ceremonies for the presentations and awards. With the Student Voices, Student Choices Awards, the foundation has created a special

program for high-school students to focus on the local needs and issues and encourage them to become “philanthropic Continued on page 11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Legal

Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO INDEX NO. EF2023-307 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates OTSEGO as the place of trial situs of the real property Mortgaged Premises: 6625 COUNTY HIGHWAY 18, WEST WINFIELD, NY 13491 District: , Section: 33.00, Block: 1, Lot: 2.01 MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC Plaintiff, vs.

MARY ELLEN WARD, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD A. WARD; HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD A. WARD; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF RONALD A. WARD, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE;

Legal

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

“JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State.

The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service.

Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $172,500.00 and interest, recorded on August 10, 2010, in Instrument Number 2010-3685, of the Public Records of OTSEGO County, New York., covering premises known as 6625 COUNTY HIGHWAY 18, WEST WINFIELD, NY 13491.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

OTSEGO County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is

Legal

located in said county.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: November 3, 2023 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Orit Avraham, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675 4LegalDec.21 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS November 29, 2023 Otsego County Planning Department 197 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-4225 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Otsego.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about December 18, 2023 the Otsego County Planning

Legal

LEGALS

Department will submit a request to the Office of Community Renewal for the release of CDBG funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as Microenterprise Program for the purpose of administering and delivering CDBG funds to qualifying small businesses within Otsego County. The County of Otsego was awarded $300,000 for a microenterprise project (868ME532-23) from a New York State Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program, with Otsego Now overseeing the administration of the funds.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Impact Statement under NEPA is not required. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Otsego County Planning Department, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 and may be examined or copied weekday’s 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Otsego County Planning Department. All comments received within seven days of the publication date of this notice will be considered by the County of Otsego prior to submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS The County of Otsego certifies to the Office of Community Renewal that Tammie Harris in her capacity as Planning Director consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that

Legal

these responsibilities have been satisfied. The Office of Community Renewal’s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows Otsego County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS The Office of Community Renewal will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Otsego’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Otsego; (b) the County of Otsego has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required

by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Office of Community Renewal; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Crystal Loffler, Acting President, at Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207. Potential objectors should contact the Office of Community Renewal to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Tammie Harris, Planning Director Legal nOtice Village of Milford, New York NOTICE OF VILLAGE ELECTIONS Please take notice that the next village election of officers for the Village of Milford will be held Tuesday March 19, 2024 The following of-

Legal

fices will become vacant at the end of the current official year and are to be filled at the for the following term: (one) Village Trustee position term of two years If you are interested in running for either position, Independent Nominating Petitions are available at the Milford Village Office, 64 South Main Street, Milford, NY or the New York State Board of Elections website at www.

Elections.NY.gov Completed Independent Nominating petitions must be delivered to the Milford Village Clerk at the Village Office, 64 South Main Street, Milford beginning Tuesday February 6, 2024 and no later than February 13, 2024 Kirsten Ruling Village Clerk Submitted November 20, 2023 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on December 14, 2023, at the Village Office at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York by the Village Clerk of the Village of Cooperstown for the purchase of 35,000 gallons of No. 2 Heating Oil and 11,050 gallons of LP gas for heating. The successful bidder will be obligated to deliver the purchased oil and/or LP gas during the time period beginning January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2024.

Specifications may be obtained from the Village Office at 22 Main St., Cooperstown, New York, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by calling (607) 547-2411.

Bids must be submitted on or before 2:00 p.m. on December 14, 2023 in a sealed envelope addressed to the Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown and marked “BIDFUEL OIL/LP Gas” and may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the bid opening. Faxed bid proposals will not be accepted.

Bidders are advised not to rely on the Postal Service or any other mail delivery service for the timely and proper delivery of

Legal

their bid proposals. The Village of Cooperstown reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Dated: November 30th, 2023 Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of GIAMBRONE SELF PUBLISHERS LLC. Filed 9/18/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 12 Parish Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820. Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave , Ste 202, Bklyn, NY 11228.

Purpose: General.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/13/23.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to PO Box 1455, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Water Rock, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on November 15, 2023.

NY office Location: OTSEGO County.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 2570 County Hwy 39, Worcester, New York 12197.

General Purposes.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of

Legal

Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: OLD HOMESTEAD FARM LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 15 August 2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 185 Gunset Ski Bowl Rd, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: POSTOAK LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 8 November 2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 15 South St, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: EPIC LANDSCAPES SUPPLY LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 8 November 2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 908, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

Legal

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Renamiya LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/02/23.

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 218 Main Street, Ste. 4, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of MORRIS LEGACY CONTRACTING LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/27/23.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 49 Main St., Schenevus, NY 12155, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.7 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Kelley LLC of Oneonta New York.

Filed 9/6/23.

Cty: Otsego.

SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 12957 St Hwy 30, Downsville, NY 13755.

Purp: any lawful.

6LegalDec.7 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Chaco and Butler LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/17/23.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: the Company, c/o GordonLaw LLP, Attn: Michael Gordon, Esq., 51 Bedford Road, Suite 10, Katonah, NY 10536.

Purpose: any lawful activities.

6LegalDec.7 continued Pg. 9

►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders?

Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.

THURSDAY, November 30, 2023

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9

NEWS FROM THE HEART OF OTSEGO

DARLA M. YOUNGS

Hartwick Holiday Activities, a New Firefighter and a Wedding

W

ith Christmas just four short weeks away, there are several holiday-themed events planned in our hamlet in the coming days. On Saturday, December 2, the Hartwick American Legion Post 1567 Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual Drive-thru Santa Gift Give-a-Way from 1-3 p.m. at the Legion. There will be gifts available for infants and children through 10 years of age. Those planning to drive through are asked to enter Back Alley Road off County Route 11, next to the Freight Wheel Café, and exit onto State Route 205.

That same day, Creek Side Station will hold its Holiday Artisan Pop Up Shop from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3193 State Route 205. That event will feature many new local vendors, a food truck and holiday festivities— something for everyone. And coming up on New Year’s Eve, December 31, don’t miss the town fireworks and bonfire, with hot dogs and S’mores, beginning at 5 p.m.

Holiday décor aficionados throughout the Town of Hartwick are invited to take part in the Hartwick Historical Society’s annual Christmas Decoration Contest for a chance to win cash prizes and bragging rights.

The deadline to enter is December 15: Categories include Best Historical, Best Business/Commercial, Best Nighttime and Best Daytime. Call Caren Kelsey at (607) 293-7530 to

adult members gather the following Saturday, December 9, at 2 p.m.

Other upcoming events at the library include 10:30 a.m. story time on Wednesdays, December 6, 13, 20, and 27, and book club at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20. For more information about programs at the library, call (607) 293-6600.

Better late than never … Shanette Couse, the daughter of Paula and Walter Wart, married Bill Triolo on Saturday, August 26 on the Wart property, surrounded by family and friends. Following the ceremony, the reception took place at Creek Side Station. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Triolo!

Word on the street is that Bryan LoRusso is going to be purchasing the former Hartwick school building.

Judging from the positive feedback on the Hartwickians Facebook page, community members are excited to see new life breathed into the building, which has sat unused and empty for years.

Speaking of Bryan LoRusso, he and Thomas Murphy prevailed in the recent election for two Hartwick Council Member seats, earning 315 and 290 votes, respectively, to defeat Jason Blaske and Pat Ryan. Current Town of Hartwick Clerk Andrea Vazquez ran unopposed, retaining her seat, while incumbent Town Supervisor Robert O’Brien mainContinued on page 11

Photo provided

Mr. and Mrs. William and shanette Triolo (and rosie)

learn more and to enter.

The community has suffered great losses over the last month or so, including Julianne Sharrat and Elinore Sorbera. Deepest condolences to their family and friends.

The Hartwick Food Pantry is seeking reliable volunteers who can commit to a pair of two-hour shifts each month, to sign people in and assist them in their grocery selection.

Those interested should call Gina at (607) 293-7331.

In October, Hartwick Fire Department Co. #1 welcomed its newest interior firefighter. According to New York State, those quali-

fied to operate as Interior Structural firefighters have studied “firefighter personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus use, survival techniques, modern fire control methods, building fire search and victim removal techniques, forcible entry techniques, hose line advancement, and theory and technique for a wide variety of fire types.”

Congratulations, David Sellick!

Did you know the Kinney Memorial Library has a knitting/ crocheting group? I didn’t! There are two crochet clubs, actually—the crochet club for kids meets next on Saturday, December 2 at 3 p.m. and

OBITUARIES

Photo provided

MARY S. CARSON

Mary S. Carson 1934-2023

OTEGO—Our beloved Mary (Shultis) Carson, 89, of Otego, New York, died peacefully at home on November 22, 2023.

While we miss her dearly, her light and her love will shine on in our hearts.

Mary was born in Oneonta on June 6, 1934 to Gertrude (Champlin) and Francis Edmund Shultis. A lifetime resident of Otego, she graduated from Otego Central School in 1952. Mary met the love of her life,

Legal

from Pg. 8

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 100 SPRUCE ST LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/25/23.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 100 Spruce St. Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal

John Carson, when they were juniors in high school, and they married on September 13, 1952.

Seventy-one years later, John will tell you that he chose her then and he would choose her today.

Together, they raised four children, all educated in the Otego area.

Mary was dedicated to the Presbyterian Church.

Confirmed at a young age, she was proud to be called the oldest member.

Active in her community, she joined the Otego Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary in 1955, was a member of the Historical Society, the Otego SnowGoers (snowmobile) club, and The Red Hat Society.

Mary worked for the Otego schools as head cook in the cafeteria.

After retiring, she and John became snowbirds. They divided their time between Otego and Naples, Florida.

Together they enjoyed their southern life and southern family. In Florida, Mary worked at

Byron’s clothing store, where she earned the title of department manager.

She retired from there in 1995.

Mary is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Leon.

She is survived by her brother, Bruce (Joyce) Shultis, and several sisters-in-law; her devoted husband, John Franklin Carson;

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

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special.

Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

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

LEGALS

Legal

Legal

Legal

business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.7

of Organization with the Secretary of State is October 24, 2023.

3. The County within the State of New York in which the principal office of the LLC is located is Otsego.

4. The Secretary of State of the State of New York is hereby designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him or her is: 4109 State

Route 7, Oneonta, NY 13820.

5. The character or purpose of the business of the LLC is any purpose allowed by law.

6LegalDec.7

Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UNDER NEW YORK LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW 1. The name of the limited liability company (“LLC”) is 4109 Route 7 LLC. 2. The date of filing of the Articles

her children, Gary (Carol) Carson, Sherry Smith-Hall, Michael (Kim) Carson and John (Casey) Carson. She has eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her service is Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at the Presbyterian Church, 16 River Street, Otego,

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: Strata-East Records, LLC Articles of Organization filed by the Department of

Legal

State of New York on: 08/30/2023 Office location: County of Otsego Purpose: Any and all lawful activities 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 process to: The LLC P.O. Box 36 New York, NY 10163 6LegalNov.30 Legal nOtice Notice of

Legal

Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: BAW PROPERTIES LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 8 September 2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of pro-

New York, with visitation from 11 a.m. to noon with a funeral service at noon. The Rev. Douglas Horne will be officiating.

Interment will follow at Elm Row Cemetery, County Highway 11, in Laurens.

The family asks that any contributions in her

memory go to Otego Presbyterian Church or the Ladies’ Auxiliary.

Online condolence may be sent to www. lhpfuneralhome.com, the website of Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.

Funeral Home

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925

Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere.

Suitable for large or small gatherings.

Peter A. Deysenroth

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

Legal

Legal

cess to 4978 US Hwy 20, Springfield Center, NY 13468.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalNov.30

Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 8 September 2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 4978 US Hwy 20, Springfield Center, NY 13468.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalNov.30

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: WEBSTER FAMILY RENTALS LLC. Articles of

Legal

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Ashley Hatzidakis, Family Health Nurse Practitioner PLLC. Filed 10/11/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 36 Kilkenny St, Unadilla, NY 13849.

Purpose: NP in Family Health.

6LegalNov.30

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

CANO Hosting Holiday Market ONEONTA rtists, makers, and vintage vendors are popping up alongside DJs, Santa, arts and crafts activity tables, drag performers and more in a unique holiday shopping

A

experience next month.

It has been nearly 10 years since vendors have “popped up” at CANO’s historic Wilber Mansion in downtown Oneonta.

This December 1, 2, and 9, locals and visitors will have opportunities to

The

job scene To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103

Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals Classroom (Toddler) Teacher Head Start Recruiting & Outreach Coordinator Home Visitor FT Head Start Positions with school breaks and summers off: Assistant Teacher Family Partner OFO is a family-oriented organization offering competitive wages, excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth. For details on our current openings, our benefit package summary, and TO APPLY, visit www.ofoinc.org/jobs EOE The leader in developing innovative solutions to promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities since 1966.

shop handmade and local while making holiday ornaments or having their tarot cards read.

“There is a plethora of holiday markets in the area. As an arts organization, our mission is to support artists and engage the community with artistic presentations,” remarked CANO Executive Director Hope Von Stengel. “In the spirit of the City of the Hills Festival, we are hosting pop ups that spotlight artists and makers, while providing opportunities for locals of all ages to experience the arts.”

Each market date features different vendors and attractions. Face painting, Big Al’s BBQ, Celia Buchanan’s holiday monoprinting workshop, DJ Casey Ruland spinning drum and bass, and adult and kid portraits are just a few of the attractions.

“Sleighin’ the Hills Drag & Brunch” brings regional drag performers to CANO for two festive shows on December 9 at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets are available for $10.00 at cityofthehillsfest.org. The rest of CANO’s Holiday Market will be open to all guests that day with brunch-y foods and vendors.

Holiday Market Pop Ups at CANO will be featured on December 1 from 4-9 p.m., December 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and December 9 from noon to 5 p.m. With the exception of the drag and brunch, these events are free and open to the public.

A Feast for Crows

Photo by Wriley Nelson

SPRINGFIELD—A Harvestore grain silo in Springfield suffered a catastrophic collapse on Monday, November 27, knocking over an adjacent silo.

Although the owners could not be reached for comment, Otsego County tax records indicate that the farm is owned by Double A Funny Farm LLC, based in Catskill, and that two Harvestore silos were constructed on the property in 1962 and 1967.

Anaplasmosis Rise Confirmed

By DARLA M. YOUNGS OTSEGO COUNTY ollowing an opinion piece on the public health risk posed by tick-borne diseases printed earlier this month in “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta,” and concerns expressed by readers, Bassett

F

Medical Center has confirmed that anaplasmosis is, indeed, on the rise here in Otsego County.

“We have seen an upswing of anaplasmosis cases the last two to three years, specifically as compared to Lyme disease. The County Department of Health would have specific numbers as far as total

cases, but anaplasmosis is certainly much more common now than even five years ago in our area,” said Matthew Kleinmaier, MD, chief, Emergency and Trauma Services, Bassett Medical Center.

The Otsego County Department of Health reported only four cases were in the county in Continued on page 11

HEALTHY RURAL COMMUNITIES START WITH YOU. Generous Sign-on Bonuses Up to $35,000 for RNs*

$17/hour starting wage $1500* sign-on bonus

Up to $20,000 for select clinical positions*

*DETAILS UPON HIRE*

Drivers wanteD to deliver newspapers to high-traffic spots in the greater Oneonta area every Wednesday afternoon.

Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, registration and insurance.

Approximately 4 hours per week.

15

th

nta eo

wn on to

Home

Join our Care Team! bassett.org/careers

Email Publisher Tara Barnwell at Tarab@allotsego.com.

HOMETOWN anniversary ONEONTA 20

08 - 2023

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

* Terms and conditions apply. See job postings for details.

BH_Ad_Enchanced_Clinical_FJ_4.931x10_231107.indd 1

11/7/23 2:08 PM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Bassett

Trout

trends, and counsel with local and state law enforcement agencies, these policy changes are taking effect with full support from Bassett Healthcare Network’s Executive Leadership Team.”

In June of this year, “Health Facilities Management” magazine reported that healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience a workplace violence injury than all other workers, according to data released in 2020 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This places great strain on the health care delivery system, as violence has a lasting impact on the workforce, often resulting in psychological distress, higher job dissatisfaction and turnover. It also impedes clinicians’ ability to provide highquality patient care,” the article reads.

As a result, hospitals and health systems across the nation are working to ensure workplace safety.

“Bassett Healthcare Network, like hospitals and health systems everywhere, is a place of healing and care,” Argo said. “Bassett’s Security Department plays a key role in protecting patients, staff, and visitors and helping the organization maintain an environment of safety and protection.”

other nutrients vital to a trout’s ecosystem.

A riparian buffer can achieve this, without seriously impacting adjacent agricultural work, since riparian areas are intrinsically flood prone and non-productive. The riparian buffer seems like a no-brainer to us, especially since there is so much help available to get it done.

Authored by Sustainable Otsego.

Since 2007, we have promoted ecologically sound practices— locally, regionally and nationally. We advocate sustainable living, economic independence, and home rule. Visit sustainableotsego.net or facebook. com/SustainableOtsego.

Continued from page 1

Continued from page 5

Science

Continued from page 6 of UHECRs since I was a 16-year-old intern researching cosmic rays at the University of Utah. If I could wish upon a Void, I’d wish for more people to turn from war and conflict back to these universal mysteries. Beat weapons into scintillation detectors, beat anger into patience, beat fear into curiosity. The greatest human triumphs come not from conquests but from the collective pursuit of understanding the universe we share.

This newest UHECR was named after a

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-11 pivotal goddess in Japanese mythology.

Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun, the queen of the kami (spirits), the ruler of the universe. After her brother Susanoo, god of the sea and storms, went on a destructive rampage across the land, Amaterasu hid herself in a cave, casting the world into darkness, unease—chaos. Other gods, hoping to coax her out of the void, held a noisy celebration.

Curious, Amaterasu left the cave and brought light out of darkness.

Just as Amaterasu’s emergence dispelled the darkness, the discovery of this cosmic ray lights up new paths in the quest to understand our universe.

As the days in the Northern Hemisphere grow darker this season, there is a small upside to the extended darkness: Our Telescope Array night shifts are longer, so our chances to catch more cosmic rays like Amaterasu are higher.

Working to find these rare cosmic messengers, like all scientific quests, is all about nurturing curiosity, tolerating uncertainties, and celebrating the slow unraveling of bright universal secrets. If you get the chance, look into the sky toward the Local Void, in the direction of the constellation Hercules, and celebrate with us the bright arrival of Amaterasu.

Jamie Zvirzdin researches cosmic rays

would not describe hospi- of choice for adults and talization as ‘frequent,’ children of all ages with but we certainly have seen anaplasmosis. a few patients—mostly older patients—who present with high fevers and general illness, who Continued from page 7 are hospitalized for either dehydration or general thought leaders” in their communities, according Continued from page 9 weakness and who are to the printed program. subsequently diagnosed tained his position, Lord said, “These with anaplasmosis when beating challenger Dylan tick panels return a students are the future Arnot. Hats off to our (leaders) of Otsego couple days later.” public officials as well According to the County.” as all those willing to put Centers for Disease The esteemed panelists themselves out there to Control and Prevention, who decided first-, secondrun for office. anaplasmosis is a disease and third-place winners Finally, a happy caused by the bacterium were Cyndy Andela, presbirthday shout-out to Anaplasma phagocyto- ident of Andela Products; Chris Dennis and John philum. These bacteria Gary Kuch, Clark Darcy Youngs, who are spread to people Foundation director since have both celebrated by tick bites primarily 2013; Darren Reisberg, their birth anniversaries from the blacklegged Hartwick College’s presisince the last column tick (Ixodes scapularis) dent; Cheryl Robinson, published. Happy day, and the western black- president and chief exechappy year, happy legged tick (Ixodes utive officer of NYCM always, guys! pacificus). People with Insurance; and Gretchen Darla M. Youngs is anaplasmosis will often Sorin, director and a resident of the hamlet have fever, headache, distinguished professor, of Hartwick, a bit of chills and muscle aches. Cooperstown Graduate a hermit, and general Doxycycline is the drug Program. manager and senior editor of Iron String Trans Rights Activist To Speak Press. Those wishing ONEONTA—Bassett Healthcare Network’s to contribute can send information and photos to Gender Wellness Center and SUNY Oneonta will present “Thriving Through Adversity: A Conversation darlay@allotsego.com.

About Trans Issues,” a speech by prominent actress, activist and award-winning author Cecilia Gentili.

The program will be held in the Waterfront Room at Continued from page 10 Hunt Union, 108 Ravine Parkway, from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. It will also be livestreamed, 2017, and only five in accessible at BIT.LY/CG-SUNY-O. 2019. In contrast, 83 cases were confirmed in Credit Union Raffle Underway 2022 and 60 have been COOPERSTOWN—The Leatherstocking Credit reported to date in 2023.

“The majority of Union’s annual Holiday Gift Raffle is now open and anaplasmosis admis- will run until 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15. Items sions are related to fever ranging from gift cards to a 43” 4K TV will be raffled without a diagnosed at the location at 24 Glen Avenue in Cooperstown. cause, as symptoms Entrants must visit the Credit Union during regular are very non-specific business hours to enter but need not be present to win. and testing takes two to three days to return,” Prefer your news electronically? Subscribe to Kleinmaier continued. “I AllOtsego.com. Visit allotsego.com/subscribe/ with the Telescope Array Project, teaches science writing at Johns Hopkins University and is the author of “Subatomic Writing.”

Hartwick

Ticks

Students

THURSday, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

A-12 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Schmitz

Continued from page 1 medical director and one of its leading public advocates for 25 years. He was also a long-serving U.S. Army and Army Reserve physician who treated many wounded Vietnam veterans and practiced as a respected physician in the Oneonta area for more than five decades.

The award committee sought a recipient with all of Dr. Matsuo’s qualities: kindness, leadership, benevolence and a selfless dedication to service.

“I’m excited, nervous and honored to receive this award,” Schmitz said in a brief e-mail after the announcement. “I was always the shy girl that sits in the corner. I take pride in my work taking care of my patients and their families each and every day; I’m very blessed. I want to thank my family, my friends, my patients and their families, and my Helios family.”

Schmitz will be honored in a short ceremony at the Dancing Around the Sun Gala, which will be held at the Otesaga on Saturday,

December 2. There will be a wine tasting at 5:15 p.m., followed by cocktails and appetizers at 6 and dinner at 7; a silent auction will take place throughout the evening, and the event will end with a fireworks show.

Members of the public are invited to celebrate the milestone; tickets may be purchased for individuals, couples or tables of 10 at https://www.helioscare.org/events/.

Oliver

Continued from page 1 and Legal Affairs committees throughout his tenure.

When asked what advice he would give younger citizens interested in running for public office, Oliver offered the following words of wisdom.“The age requirements for seeking public office are what they are for a reason,” Oliver said.

“Any individual above the age requirement has an equal right to seek public office, and should not let their age deter them from doing so. Make a point to knock on doors, meet the folks you are

running to represent, and learn what’s important to them. A listening ear and a thoughtful, fact-based perspective is the most important thing an elected official can provide, whether you’re 18 or 80.”

When elected, younger candidates can best assimilate into their position amongst older, more established colleagues by striking a balance between sticking to their guns while also having a willingness to listen, Oliver recommended.

“Other board members have acknowledged that they were skeptical of me at first, due to my age, but I showed up, did the work and listened. I also spoke up when necessary.

These are all important elements of an effective elected official,” he said.

“The younger generation has a lot to offer, as do millennials, Gen X and baby boomers. We are all a part of the fabric that is the United States, and we all deserve representation. I hope I have served as an example for other young people. If I can do it, you can, too. And you should. Be respectful of your elders, but don’t be

afraid to challenge them.

They need it.”

Oliver said the biggest hurdles he faced while serving on the Otsego County Board of Representatives was pandemic related.

“Unquestionably the lasting fiscal effects of the pandemic were most challenging. From the initial heart-wrenching layoff of county employees to the strain on next year’s budget, it is clear that more strategic financial planning is necessary. I am confident that Administrator Wilson, his team, and my former colleagues on the board will embrace this approach, as next year’s budget will see cuts in many critical services.”

The public will feel this, too, Oliver warned.

“The board will have to increase property taxes to a level comparable to surrounding counties in order to have a more sustainable source of revenue,” he explained.

“COVID showed us the risks of relying upon a volatile source of revenue (sales tax) and the implications when that revenue stream is no longer avail-

able to the same degree we’re used to.

“I encourage residents of Otsego County to look closely at their tax bill, and compare the amount of money paid to the state, the school district, their town/village/city, and the county. The county portion is almost certainly the lowest. I understand the financial burdens many are facing, but we need to continue to provide critical services to the most needy among us, to fund public safety and law enforcement, to keep our roads paved and clear in the winter, to provide mental health services to our county’s homeless… need I go on?

I hope an extra $80.00$120.00 investment in our county’s well-being will be worth it to local taxpayers,” he said.

Oliver said his goal when elected to the Board of Representatives was to serve his district to the best of his ability and to make them proud.

“I wish I had done more during my tenure to improve our financial situation that I laid out above, but I have faith my former colleagues will do what

is needed to make county government efficient and effective. I have learned so much, and I thank my former constituents for putting their faith in me for the last four years. I’ve done my best, and I hope I’ve done them proud,” he added.

Oliver highlights the creation of the county ambulance service, which has been statistically proven to increase response times and thus save lives, the overseeing of the newly created county administrator position, and the kindness and bipartisan spirit he brought to the table as highlights of his tenure.

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE

YOU!

Promotions, births, events, new hires, milestones, grand openings, awards, meetings, opinions, results of sporting events, personal bests, weddings and more.

Photos welcome, too. info@allotsego.com

HOLIDAY PACKAGES!

Capture your share of holiday dollars this season! From now until the end of the year!

Here’s what we have planned!

Keep Your Dollars Local!

Shop Locally!

Dec. 7, 14 & 21

Holiday Gift Giving Advertise your specials and one-of-a kind items All space is 10% 0ff

Dec. 21 Greeting Cards!

Staff photo? Owners Corner? 2 x 5” ads $125 includes $100 free color!

Larger ads $9.90 per column inch!

Each buy includes The Freeman’s Journal, Hometown Oneonta AND your ad on www.allotsego.com!

OUNDED

IA

JU

DG

E WIL

L

Cooperstown’s Newspaper

•F

1808 BY

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

R

IN

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

O M C O PE

The LARGEST combined newspaper circulation in Otsego County!

To advertise, call 607-547-6103 For 208 Years

AllOTSEGO.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-13

what’s haPPENIN’ in OtsegO COunty _________ Send calendar items to info@allotsego.com

THURSday, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

A-14 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

►Friday, Dec. 1 SENIOR MEALS— 11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors, $10 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of chicken stir fry over rice, Japanese-blend vegetables and fruited gelatin with topping.

Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta.

(607) 547-6454.

AFTERNOON ART— 1-3 p.m. “Creative Aging.” Older adults enjoy an afternoon of art, storytelling and conversation with creative aging specialist Christina Muscatello of Memory Maker.

Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400 or visit https://fenimoreartmuseum.org/ POTTERY—1:30-4:30 p.m. “Open Studio.” Experienced potters are invited to work on personal projects. No instruction. $30/session. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@SmithyArts.org or visit https://www.smithyarts.org/ YARN CLUB—2-3:30 p.m. First Friday each month. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta.

(607) 432-1980 or visit https://www.facebook. com/hmloneonta VISIT SANTA—3-5 p.m.

Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown.

HOLIDAY—4-9 p.m.

“Friday Market Par-Tay.” Local artists, makers and vintage vendors. Party features a DJ, Big Al’s BBQ and open art studio.

Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/CANOneonta FUNDRAISER—4-8 p.m. “National AIDS Memorial Quilt Basket Raffle

Fundraiser.” Food, fun, prizes, activities, crafts, AIDS/HIV education, more. Raffle drawing begins at 7. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 386 1508 or visit https://www.facebook.com/otsegopride DINNER—5-7 p.m.

“Free Spaghetti Dinner.”

Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, bread and cookies. Laurens Presbyterian Church, 3 Main Street, Laurens.

(607) 432-3738 or visit https://www.facebook. com/LaurensPresbyterianChurchLaurensNy/ OPEN HOUSE—5-8 p.m. “Holiday Marketplace.” Explore new works from the artists and find items for gift giving. Marketplace runs through 12/24. 25 Main Collective, 25 Main Street, Cherry Valley.

(607) 264-5340 or visit https://www.facebook. com/25maincollective/ HOLIDAY FUN—5-8 p.m. Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend. Tree lighting, Father Christmas, Happy Haggs, shopping, restaurants, open houses, live music, more. www.cherryvalley.com.

GLIMMER NIGHTS— 5-8 p.m. “Holiday Light Show Extravaganza.” Walk through a wonderland of holiday light displays in the country village and other areas. Tickets required. Continues Thursday through Sundays until 12/30. The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.

(607) 547-1450 or visit https://www.farmersmuseum.org/ CHILDRENS FILM— 7 p.m. “Frosty the Snowman.” Free holiday film featuring a surprise guest to delight the kids.

Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester. worcesterwieting@gmail. com or visit https://www. facebook.com/worcesterwieting

what’s haPPENIN’ in OtsegO COunty _________

CONTRADANCE—7:30SANTA VISIT—10-11 10:30 p.m. Final dance a.m. “Meet Santa and what’s haPPENIN’ of 2023 with the Otsego Mrs. Claus” for presents, in OtsegO COunty Dance Society, featurpictures and a reading of ing music by Tom White “Twas the Night Before and Henry Lamont, Christmas.” Worcesterwith Garry Aney calling.

Schenevus Library, 170 Suggested donation, Main Street, Worcester. $10/adult. First Presby(607) 397-7309 or visit terian Church, 25 Church https://www.facebook.

Street, Cooperstown. Visit com/WorcesterSchenhttps://otsegodancesocievus ety.weebly.com/ HOLIDAY FUN— CONCERT—7:30 p.m.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cherry “Handel’s Messiah” with Valley Holiday Weekend. chorus, orchestra and soArtist-led workshops, loists. Also held 12/2 at sweater swap, holiday 3 p.m. Presented by the sales, raffles, vendors, Catskill Choral Society at Girl Scouts selling drinks, the First United Methodcaroling and a visit from ist Church, 66 Chestnut Santa. Continues 12/3.

Street, Oneonta. Visit www.cherryvalley.com. https://catskillchoralsociHOLIDAY CRAFTS— ety.com/ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “36th Annual Cookies and ►Saturday, Dec. 2 Crafts Fair.” Cookie plates, candies, pottery, BREAKFAST & MARcandles, stained glass, KET—8 a.m. to noon. baked goods and more “PTA Pancake Breakfast for sale. Unitarian Univerand Holiday Market.” Live salist Society of Oneonta, music, book fair, crafts/ Chapin Memorial, 12 Ford games/prizes for kids, Avenue, Oneonta. (607) auction, holiday shopping, 435-2797 or e-mail jbachmore. Cooperstown Elwim60@gmail.com ementary School, 21 WalARTISAN FAIRE— nut Street, Cooperstown.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Holiday Visit https://www.

Artisan Faire & Holiday wearecooperstown.

Weekend.” Shopping, com/events/pta-pancake- festive treats, beverages, breakfast-and-holidayholiday concert, holiday market/ tree lighting and parade SANTA VISIT—10 a.m. in historic Sharon Springs. to 2 p.m. Muller Plaza, Free; tickets available for Oneonta. Visit https:// concert. Hosted by the www.facebook.com/DesSharon Springs ChamtinationOneonta/ ber of Commerce. Main OPEN HOUSE—10 a.m. Street, Sharon Springs. to 5 p.m. “Holiday Open www.sharonspringschamHouse.” Gifts, decoraber.org. tions, honey, homemade HOLIDAYS—10 a.m. fruit cakes, vintage “Home for the Holidays serving dishes and more Parade.” Main Street, to make the holidays Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 sparkle. Continues 12/3. or visit https://www.

Straw House Herbs, 3740 facebook.com/DestinaState Highway 166, ChertionOneonta ry Valley. (607) 242-5945 HOLIDAY—11 a.m. to or visit https://www.

4 p.m. “Holiday Market.” facebook.com/strawHoliday portraits, shophouseherbs ping, visit with Santa, art

_______

AllOTSEGO.

workshops, more. Free, open to the public. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. https://www.facebook. com/CANOneonta HOLIDAYS—11 a.m.

“Festival of Trees & Gingerbread Jubilee.”

Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/DestinationOneonta GIVE-AWAY—1-3 p.m.

“Drive-Thru Santa Gift Give-Away.” Children from infants to age 10 receive gifts from the Hartwick American Legion Post 1567, 3099 County Route 11, Hartwick (enter Back Alley Road off County Route 11 and exit onto State Highway 205).

(607) 293-7511.

HOLIDAY—1-4 p.m.

“Holiday Hoopla.” Crafts, food, music, games, raffles, more. Free admission. Profits benefit Operation Full Circle to support local families in need. Oneonta Middle School, 130 Upper East Street, Oneonta. (607) 433-8262 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ OneontaMS VISIT SANTA—2-4 p.m.

Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown.

CONCERT—3-5 p.m.

“Christmas Concerto” featuring Christmas music, from Handel’s “Messiah” to “Christmas Concerto”

by Arcangelo Corelli and more. With acclaimed soloist Joanna Porackova.

Tickets, $40. Fenimore Chamber Orchestra at Christ Church, 46 River Street, Cooperstown. Visit https://fenimoreco.org/ PRESENTATION—4-6 p.m. “Thriving through Adversity: A Conversation About Trans Issues.”

Presented by activist, actress, and awardwinning author Cecilia Gentili. The Waterfront Room, Hunt Union, SUNY

homes BUY • SELL • RENT Also specializing in Property Management

Rob Lee

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

607-434-5177 roblee1943@gmail.com

The Grove. Beautiful event and wedding venue offers many possibilities! Located in a quiet, countryside setting, along Butternut Valley Creek and close to Oneonta, Cooperstown, Utica. Keep as-is or make it your own.

Features new outside patio w/large propane fire pit, kitchen for catering, bridal dressing room and 2 additional rooms and bathrooms. The lot is open and mostly level with plenty of space for outdoor gatherings. Plenty of room for expansion. Come take a look today! You are only limited by your imagination. $399,000 MLS#R1497397

New Purchases and Refinances Debt Consolidation Free Pre-Qualification Fast Approvals • Low Rates

Matt Schuermann

Registered Mortgage Broker NYS Banking Dept.

20 Chestnut Street • Suite 1 • Cooperstown 607-547-5007 www.leatherstockingmortgage.com

Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. 1 (800) 227-7388 or visit https://www.bassett.org/ events/2023/12/thrivingthrough-adversity-conversation-about-trans-issues HOLIDAY—4:30-6:30 p.m. “Santa Claus is Coming!” Youth holiday party featuring cookies, hot chocolate, crafts, activities, more. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta.

(607) 432-1980 or visit https://hmloneonta.org/ youth-programs/ AUCTION & RECEPTION—6 p.m. “Holiday Auction and Open House Reception.” Free hors d’oeuvres, local wines and beverages. Visit the building addition, browse the auction items, more.

Auction begins at 7.

Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs.

(315) 858-3200 or visit https://www.facebook. com/richfieldspringscommunitycenter/ MEMORIAL CONCERT—7 p.m. “Caravan of Love Concert in Memory of Bruce Andrews.” Featuring music duo “Burns & Kristy,” with a pre-show gathering at 6:15 to share stories of Bruce. All proceeds donated to charity. $20/adult.

Cooperstown Concert Series at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, 852 County Route 26, Fly Creek. Visit https://cooperstownconcertseries. org/caravan-of-love-concert/

►Sunday, Dec. 3 OUTDOORS—11 a.m.

“Queer Outdoors Winter Hike.” Featuring great views of the valley, hot beverages, more. Get a new angle on familiar places. Registration required. Hartwick College Campus, Oneonta. (607) 547-4488 or visit https:// www.occainfo.org/calendar/queer-outdoors-winter-hike PARTY—2 p.m. “First Annual Maryland, Westford and Worcester Historical Societies Holiday Party.” All welcome for dessert potluck-style celebration. Coffee, tea and eggnog provided.

Bring items to donate to the Office for the Aging.

The theme is Winter Wonderland—white clothing appreciated. All welcome.

AmVets Hall, Main Street, Schenevus. (607) 6389343.

VISIT SANTA—2-4 p.m.

Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown.

CHAMBER MUSIC— 3 p.m. Final concert of the season, featuring pianist Idith Meshulam Korman playing works

by Mozart, Schubert, Satie and others. Free.

Presented by the Friends of Music at the Stamford First Presbyterian Church, 96 Main Street, Stamford.

Visit https://friendsmusic. org/

►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar

Thinking of Selling Your House?

Locally owned and operated Single and multi-family homes Commercial property and land

99 Main Street, Oneonta office 607.441.7312 fax 607.432.7580 www.oneontarealty.com Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker Peter D. Clark, Consultant

Inventory is low and buyers’ interest is at an all-time high!

Call today! Our professional team of Realtors is excited to help you start the new year right by listing with Oneonta Realty and the Scanlon Homes Team.

166 Main Street, Suite 1 Oneonta | 607.433.2873 oneontarealty.com