The Freeman's Journal 01-04-24

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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper

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

Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, January 4, 2024

Newsstand Price $1

Gov. Announces Homeownership Grant Awards

By WRILEY NELSON

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OTSEGO COUNTY ew York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $46 million in grant awards to support affordable homeownership on Thursday, December 28, including $1.4 million to three Otsego County organizations. The grants will help about 1,400 low- and moderateincome families make repairs or safety upgrades to their homes, replace manufactured homes, or provide down payment assistance for first-time buyers.

“As housing costs continue to rise, this significant investment will help carve out a path to affordable homeownership for 1,400 New York families,” Hochul said in a statement. “My administration is using every tool at our disposal to address the state’s housing crisis, and we will continue to push forward on programs, strategies, and funding initiatives that put New Yorkers in safe, affordable homes.”

The new announcement complements the governor’s $25 billion comprehensive housing plan, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of another 50,000 homes. The grants, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s Office of Community Renewal, were awarded to nonprofit organizations and localities to help preserve affordable housing, support veterans and older residents, increase access to homeownership, and strengthen local economies.

The grants included more than $5 million to support 191 housing units in the Mohawk Valley region. Local recipients included the City of Oneonta and the Town of Unadilla, each of which received $500,000.00 for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation. Otsego Rural Housing Assistance, Inc. was Continued on page 9 INSIDE ► NEWS EDITOR EMBARKING ON NEW JOURNEY, page 2 ► FILM SERIES BEGINS ON jANUARY 10, page 3 ► TREES WILL PROTECT OTSEGO LAKE, page 3 ► gERRY hOLZMAN REMEMBERED, page 4 ► LETTER TOPICS INCLUDE TRUMP, TOURNEY, page 4 ► KAROLINA HOPPER PRAISES CONCERT, page 4 ► CONSIDER KINDNESS IN THE NEW YEAR, page 5 ► In the news, page 6 Follow Breaking News On

AllOTSEGO.com

Photo by Tim Hayes

Photo by Lucy Hayes

Charlie Lambert shoots against Delaware Academy on Thursday at the Dick White Holiday Basketball Tourney.

Rory Nelen goes up for a shot against Unatego during the holiday tournament.

Coop Hoops Host Annual Tournament

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COOPERSTOWN ooperstown hosted the 40th annual Dick White Holiday Basketball Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, December 27 and 28. The Cooperstown JV boys defeated Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young 48-21 on Wednesday, then fell 39-35 to Delaware Academy in the finals. JV girls fell 37-17 to Hamilton in the opening round and lost the consolation game to Unatego, 39-25.

Charlie Lambert continued a stunning senior season with a personal record of 40 points in

the opening round of the varsity tournament on Wednesday. The boys’ varsity squad rolled past RS/ODY 68-39, powered by a 27-3 first quarter.

It was Lambert’s second time breaking his singlegame scoring record in two weeks; he also sank five three-pointers and made four steals. Senior Conrad Erway made 15 rebounds. Freshman Brody Murdock scored seven points.

The boys went on to lose the title game to Delaware Academy 63-42 on Thursday. Lambert led the Hawkeyes again with 14 points, but the Continued on page 9

Teamwork Saved Bus Driver’s Life, Inspired Student Project

By MONICA CALZOLARI

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OTEGO ichard Cooley, a bus driver for Unatego High School, almost died on September 12, 2023. He was stung twice by a European hornet, which caused him to go into anaphylactic shock.

Cooley was driving 26 students back from their morning classes at BOCES when a hornet flew in through the bus window and stung him in the back.

Cooley said, “The sting felt like a hot thumb tack or small nail going into my back. It hurt a lot. Ten seconds later, it stung me again.”

Cooley had been stung by bees before. In fact, he was stung

Photo by Monica Calzolari

Teamwork saved Richard Cooley’s life on September 12. From left are Shaun Callahan, Kacey Theobald, Julie Lambiaso, Richard Cooley (in brown jacket), Patti Loker, Amber Birdsall and Amanda Smith.

a week earlier and did not have an allergic reaction. According to the research Cooley has done since, “getting stung by one of these hornets is the equivalent to being stung 26 times. Since I was stung twice, I had the equivalent of 52 doses of venom in my system,” he explained.

Amanda Smith, one of the school nurses, did some research herself after this happened and found out that the European hornets kill up to 50 people a year.

Smith was the nurse on duty when she received a call from Amber Birdsall, the Unatego Central School bus dispatcher and district treasurer. Cooley radioed Birdsall that he had Continued on page 7

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

Nelson to Depart Iron String Press COOPERSTOWN ron String Press News Editor Wriley Nelson announced that he will depart from “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” to begin a position with the state government in Albany, effective Thursday, January 4. He will continue to cover human-interest stories and local athletics on a part-time basis. Nelson has worked at Iron String Press since March and served as news editor since June.

“I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated my time here,” he said. “It has been a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from dozens of local residents this year. It’s very encouraging to see all the ways that people are working to improve the area.”

Nelson is a 2018 graduate of Cooperstown Central School and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hamilton College in December 2022. He lives in Middlefield but will relocate to Albany for his new position.

Although he enjoyed the past year in Otsego County, he said he is looking forward to living in a walkable community with more young people.

“I hope that the community continues to show strong support for its newspaper,” Nelson continued.

“These small papers are an endangered species, and every week shows us more and more how important they are to healthy communities. In its support for

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‘The Freeman’s Journal,’ as in so much else, Cooperstown is a truly special place. I had a great time working with Darla, Tara, Larissa and the rest of our community. Thank you, everyone, for a good year.”

Iron String staff will miss Nelson’s presence in the office.

“Wriley took to newspaper work like a duck to water,” said General Manager/ Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs. “I know our readers will have recognized by now what an asset he is to local journalism, and we all certainly have.

He will be greatly missed. We wish Wriley all the best and are grateful that he cares enough about what we do here to continue to play a role even as he moves on to bigger and better things.

His journey is just getting started.”

“Wriley has been such an asset, and a joy to work with,” Publisher Tara Barnwell said. “He is welcome back any time.”

Nelson said he intends to continue writing his “Otsego Abroad” series, focusing on Otsego County residents and their life-changing adventures.

Those with a story of work, study or exploration overseas should contact Youngs at darlay@allotsego.com to bring their stories home.

A complete list of Nelson’s written work for the newspaper may be found at https://www.allotsego. com/?s=wriley+nelson.

Arc Otsego Receives Grant from Chobani ONEONTA—The Arc Otsego received a $20,000.00 grant from Chobani to support their monthly food drives, they announced on Friday, December 8. The Arc Otsego partners with the Community Cupboard of Edmeston and the Northeast Regional Food Bank to host drives for families connected to the agency. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in communities across the nation. According to a release, The Arc Otsego’s food drives supported about 60 families in 2020.

Chobani’s grant will cover the purchase of commercial refrigeration, electrical outfitting of facilities, transportation and distribution of food, assist with volunteer support, and purchase supplies for families.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chobani for their generous grant, which will significantly enhance our ability to address food insecurity in our community,” said Faith Tiemann, chief marketing officer at The Arc Otsego. “The impact of this support is tangible, as evidenced by the success of our recent December food drive, where 196 families received food and support. Together with partners like Chobani, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024 NEWS BRIEFS

Compiled by Wriley Nelson

‘The League’ Kicks Off Season COOPERSTOWN—The Film Society of Cooperstown’s sixth season will begin on Wednesday, January 10 with the 2023 movie “The League,” a documentary about the Negro League in the first half of the 20th century. The story is told with recently-unearthed archival footage and neverbefore-seen interviews with legendary players like Satchel Paige and Buck O’Neil. “The League” explores Black baseball as an economic, social, and cultural pillar of Black communities and a stage for some of the greatest athletes in the history of the game. The movie screening is intended to pair with the Baseball Hall of Fame’s new exhibit, “The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball,” which will open in the spring. Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch will be a special guest at the screening.

Supported by the Friends of the Village Library, this season’s Film Society of Cooperstown lineup was curated by Hall of Fame researcher and writer Bill Francis and Jeff Katz, author and executive director of the Community Foundation of Otsego County. All movies will be shown in the ballroom at Village Hall (22 Main Street) at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Candy will be provided by Tin Bin Alley. After “The League,” the schedule is as follows: Wednesday, January 24 will feature “Air” (2023), with special guest Keith Gulla, former North America communications director at Converse and co-owner of The Landmark Inn. “Barbie” (2023) will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 2 as part of the Winter Carnival. “Pollock” (2015) will be shown on Wednesday, February 21, featuring

special guest Eva Davy, the film’s scenic artist.

“Devotion” (2022) is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 and will feature special guest Chris Hand, its assistant art director and set designer. The season will conclude with “Border Radio” (1987) on Wednesday, March 20. Co-star Chris Shearer will be the guest. For more information, visit the Film Society of Cooperstown Facebook page or e-mail FilmSocietyCooperstown@gmail.com.

Waterfowl Census Is Jan. 14 ONEONTA—The New York State Ornithological Association’s statewide waterfowl count will take place on Sunday, January 14, and Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will coordinate participation in the local area. The survey area includes Otsego Lake, the Susquehanna River above Unadilla, the Unadilla River, Cannonsville Reservoir, the West Branch Delaware River and other locations. It will involve surveying waterways to identify and count waterfowl species to assist the Department of Environmental Conservation in their management efforts. Anyone interesting in volunteering with the census may contact Andy Mason at (607) 267-8491 or at AndyMason@earthling.net.

Smithy Announces Classes COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio announced its lineup of winter classes for adults and children on Sunday, December 17. There will be a six-week beginner class for children ages 6-10 on Tuesdays from January 9 to February 13. There are also various levels of adult classes and workshops

on offer during the early months of 2024. For more information on programming or to sign up, visit www.smithyarts.org.

Octet Challenge Underway OTSEGO COUNTY—Otsego Outdoors released its winter Octet Challenge on Thursday, December 21. The new challenge, which is the 12th seasonal Octet since the program began in 2021, will run through Monday, March 18. More than 900 people have participated in earlier challenges.

“We anticipate having someone be the 1,000th Octeter during this challenge and will do something special to mark the occasion,” said Otsego 2000 Program and Communications Manager Peg Odell. Otsego Outdoors is a collaborative program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust, the Otsego County Conservation Association and the Butternut Valley Alliance.

“Sometimes, we are tempted to cuddle under a blanket and avoid the outdoors during these cold winter months, but I encourage you to bundle up and join the Winter Octet,” said OCCA Assistant Director Shelby MacLeish. “I love exploring in wintertime as the world changes daily, and each hike brings something new to see and explore.”

For the Winter Octet, participants can choose eight of the 13 featured trails around the county. There is also a “choose your own” option that includes any outdoor activity. After completing the octet, they will receive a special embroidered Winter Octet patch, a 2024 patch and a waterproof sticker.

Learn more at https://otsegooutdoors.org/.

Partnership Plants Trees To Protect Lake

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SPRINGFIELD UNY Oneonta and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition partnered to plant 2,000 trees on the University’s land at Thayer Farm on the west side of Otsego Lake in November. Funding for the purchase, planting and maintenance of the seedlings, which are intended to combat harmful algae bloom growth, was provided through National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant funding managed by the USC. The trees will absorb phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients, and prevent them from entering the lake where they contribute

to problematic plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.

They were strategically planted on Thayer Farm, property gifted to the University for academic and research purposes, to protect the watershed streams on and near the land.

“Reforesting is an established lake management best practice,” said Biological Field Station Director Dr. Bill Harman.

“Cyanobacteria, algae and aquatic plants need three things to grow: light, temperature, and nutrients. Since controlling the light and temperature of our 4,000-acre lake would be a herculean task, we can tackle the third factor, retaining

nutrients.”

Although the trees will take many years to mature enough to provide all these benefits, a team of SUNY Oneonta faculty and student scientists routinely monitor water samples from the streams and lake. They expect to see a decline in phosphorus and nitrogen levels.

“As land stewards within the 22 soil and water conservation districts and 7,500 square miles that make up the Upper Susquehanna Watershed, it is necessary to collaborate with community partners, like SUNY Oneonta, to improve water quality using forest

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and at-risk native plants with her husband. She has authored numerous books and articles on herbs and recently completed a piece on yarrow. For more information on upcoming programs, visit https:// www.occainfo.org/.

Finally, OCCA has asked members of the public to consider

becoming Hemlock Hunters. This volunteer program offered

by OCCA and Mohican Farm will train local residents to locate and report hemlock woolly adelgid, an insect pest that threatens the native eastern hemlock tree.

For more information, contact programdirector@occainfo.org.

and tree cover,” said USC Riparian Buffer Program Coordinator Lydia Brinkley. “These trees are providing many benefits to our lakes and rivers from shade to cool the stream, to corridors for wildlife, and by adding diverse habitats for terrestrial and aquatic organisms. We look forward to working with more community landowners of any size to reforest areas like this one.”

To inquire about tree planting, contact the Buffer Program at bufferteam@u-s-c.org.

A Community Workspace A Place to Meet and Visit With Friends Wireless Internet Access

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More than a cafe, our location provides a place for people to enjoy our fresh-made food, a cup of Joe, and visit with friends close to home. Connect to the Internet and enjoy a space to relax in—either in the cafe or in the upstairs community workspace.

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Located beLow My Neighbor’s cLoset

The OCCA Releases Event Schedule OTSEGO COUNTY he Otsego County Conservation Association announced a full slate of upcoming events for the new year. An OCCA educator will lead a homeschool nature walk at Gilbert Lake State Park at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 12. The program will feature a detailed exploration of the winter landscape.

OCCA will also start its new “Earth and Me” lunch series at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 12.

Each month, participants will have a chance to gather over a soup lunch provided by OCCA at the Freight Wheel Café in Hartwick and hear an engaging speaker.

The talks, curated by the OCCA Board of Directors, will explore connections to the Earth.

The inaugural speaker will be local herb expert Gert Coleman. A retired associate professor of English, Coleman lives on 106 acres in Middlefield and grows herbs, flowers, trees, PREFER TO READ YOUR NEWS ONLINE? Subscribe to AllOtsego.com.

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Perspectives

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

Letters to the editor … In their opinion

EDITORIAL

Good Editorial Could Have Been Better

Let’s Go for a Ride

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ast June, Gerry Holzman made what would be his last visit to The Farmers’ Museum. This trip, one of many, was to celebrate his 90th birthday betwixt and between the indigenous New York State animals he designed and, with a battery of fellow woodworkers, deftly carved, to carry museum visitors on a wild ride on the museum’s Empire State Carousel. The unique, hand-crafted merry-go-round was conceived

by Holzman and designed specifically to represent the history and culture of New York State. He died in early December.

Holzman grew up in Dutchess County, and after earning several degrees from the University at Albany settled on a career in teaching English, social studies and the humanities. When he retired in 1970, he took up woodcarving, which had always been a special hobby. In 1976, he became interested in carousels, often called merry-go-rounds and originally referred to as roundabouts or hurdy-gurdys, and he restored more than 75 works of art from the older examples, of which there are a number extant across the globe. The culmination of this passion was his Empire State Carousel Project, which kept him, as head carver and fund-raiser, busy for 20 years, overseeing over 1,000 volunteer carvers, quilters, painters, and woodworkers from across the state. The carousel has 23 riding animals native to New York State; 21 carved portrait panels depicting well-known New Yorkers; eight carved folklore panels depicting the regions of New York; and the “Mighty and Magnificent Military Band Organ,” the façade of which was designed around the theme of New York State musicians.

When, in 2003, the Empire State Carousel was completed, it was housed in the Holtsvile Ecology Center and Animal Preserve, which was immediately shut down by the town for not being up to code. Holzman found its new home here, at The Farmer’s Museum, in 2005.

Early carousels, also spelled carrousels, emerged from jousting traditions in Europe and the Middle East, where knights, utilizing sophisticated skill and horsemanship, galloped in a circle and tossed balls to each other. Rooted in 12th-century Byzantine and Arab traditions, the game became a combat training exercise for the Crusaders. In the 17th century, the riders took to spearing small rings that were hanging from poles overhead, a popular cavalry spectacle which was soon repeated by commoners, with carousels springing up in fairgrounds across Europe.

They also celebrated special events, with a ceremonial parade of knights and noblemen charging their steeds around a courtyard. When the son and heir of Louis XIV was born in June 1662, the king organized a carousel in the courtyard of the Tuileries Palace. The site is known as The Carrousel to this day.

In the mid-19th century the platform carousel was developed and the animals—horses—were fixed to a circular rotating floor which was operated by ponies and mules. Then gears were installed and the horses moved up and down on their poles, as if galloping. Organ music and electric lights ensued, and the carousel became a popular attraction in the fairgrounds of the world.

The golden age of the carousel in the United States was the early 20th century, at which time there were as many as 7,000 nationwide.

Although today they number about 225, herds of horses still gallop in circles in many fairgrounds, parks and cities. Binghamton, the Carousel Capital of the World, has six, all with free admission because their owner, George F. Johnson, of the Endicott-Johnson Company, never wanted a child to be unable to afford a ride; the carousel at Bear Mountain Park also features carvings of native animals; the carousel in New York’s Central Park, the fourth on the site, is the largest in the country, with 52 jumping horses, five standing horses and two chariots. Every year it takes 250,000 enthusiastic people for a ride. The Empire State Carousel will wake up in April; let’s go for a ride.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper

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“The Freeman’s Journal” 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, e-mail 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.

founded in 1808

a publication of Iron String Press, Inc. Publisher / Advertising Director

Tara Barnwell

News Editor

Wriley Nelson

General Manager / Senior Editor

Darla M. Youngs

Sales Consultant

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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, Tom Shelby, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Xander Moffat

Historian

Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart

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Editorial Board

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

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Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of William Cooper is in the Fenimore Art Museum

I just read your editorial, titled “Greetings, Friends,” in the 12/27/2023 edition of “The Freeman’s Journal.”

Very clever!

However, I would like to suggest that, if you write another similar one next year, you include Tunnicliff Inn, Nicoletta’s Restaurant, Upstate Bar and Grill, and New York Pizza with the other restaurants, plus Schneider’s Bakery. These are all very popular and well-established businesses, especially Tunnicliff, Nicoletta’s and Schneider’s, which have been around for a long time.

I would also suggest that you include the Otsego Lake Association (OLA) with the non-profits, since OLA works hard to protect and preserve Otsego Lake, a local treasure.

K. Wayne Bunn Otsego Lake Summer Resident

Trump, Allies Should Not Return to Power Three years ago, we all witnessed a violent mob descend on the Capitol, costing people their lives, because one man—Donald Trump—spread lies about a “stolen” election. Trump is a criminal, there is no question. People who favor him need to really listen to what he says; you really do not want him as president.

The January 6 insurrection was an attack on our democracy and our freedom to vote. Our nation came dangerously close to a coup orchestrated from within the Oval Office and the halls of Congress by President Trump and his allies.

But it didn’t end there. Trump and his allies are laying the groundwork for a second presidency even more extreme and authoritarian than the last.

Should he win the 2024 presidential election, Trump is already planning to pardon himself and his allies of crimes committed on January 6th, purge the federal government of officials who disagree with him, use the Department of Justice to exact political revenge, and even unleash the military on civilians exercising their First Amendment rights.

These threats are serious, and if Trump is able to claim power again, he will do everything he can to bring democracy to its knees, backed by MAGA allies

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

in Congress, on the Supreme Court, and in state legislatures. Preserving our democracy takes work—and this year, we must all do our part. It’s up to all of us to ensure Trump and his allies do not return to power.

Edward Carkuff New Berlin

Many Hands Make Tournament a Success The Cooperstown Sports Booster Club would like to thank the following people for their help with the 40th annual Dick White Holiday Basketball Tournament: sponsors Cooperstown Dreams Park, Cooperstown American Legion, Shurmer Construction, Ashley-Connor Realty, Clark Sports Center, Community Bank NA, Connie and Gary Herzig, Martin and Meg Tillapaugh, Stagecoach Coffee, Church & Scott Pharmacy, Barnyard Swing Family Fun Center, Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post 579, Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars, Leatherstocking Cooperative Insurance Company, and the Bank of Cooperstown; time/score keepers Barry Gray and Brenda Wedderspoon-Gray; announcer Roger Lansing; the coaches, players, fans, school officials, and referees from Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young, Beaver River, Delaware Academy, Hamilton, Whitesboro, Unatego and, of course Cooperstown; and all of our great volunteers, including food donations from Mel’s at 22, Stewart’s Shops, Stagecoach Coffee, Council Rock and New York Pizzeria. Special thanks to CCS alum Paul Cunningham and his company Leather Head Sports for the MVP game balls.

Cooperstown Sports Booster Club

An (Epiphany) New Year’s Resolution In his program notes to the RCA recording of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Gian Carlo Menotti summarized his reason to portray King Kaspar as being slightly deaf. In Italy, he explained, Christmas gifts are not brought by Santa Claus, but rather by the Magi, the three kings mentioned in St Matthews’ Gospel.

And each Italian child had his favorite king. Gian Carlo’s brother’s favorite was King Kaspar, but since he never brought all the gifts that were asked for, the brother Continued on page 9

KAROLINA HOPPER

Orchestra Wows with ‘Christmas Concerto’

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enimore Chamber Orchestra’s highly anticipated concert return proved to be a rare holiday treat for the capacity audience at Christ Church Episcopal in Cooperstown on December 2. In a nod to performance practice of the period in which the works were composed, the orchestra stood for the first half of the concert and was conducted from the harpsichord, played masterfully by Maestro Maciej Żółtowski.

Corelli’s much-loved Concerto in G Minor was named “Christmas Concerto” by the composer himself. The orchestra played with their trademark full-bodied sound, and dispatched devilish scale work effortlessly and beautifully. The duet passages between Concertmaster Uli Speth and Principal Second Violin Debra Devine were rendered with supple, flawless beauty.

Mezzo-soprano Joanna Porackova has performed on concert and opera stages all over the world. Her voice is rich, full, and expressive, and her rendition of two arias from Handel’s “Messiah” were enthusiastically received. Porackova sang the music effortlessly and tossed off the florid bits like child‘s play.

Ottorino Respighi’s concert rarity “Il Tramonto,” based on Percy Shelley’s “The Sunset,” was preceded by a reading of the poem by Thomas Wolf, chair of FCO’s Governing Board. One could have heard a pin drop in Christ Church during Wolf’s very moving recitation. In the silence that followed, the strings began their magic. Porackova, singing from memory and unleashing a torrent of sound, revealed why she

An encore of Christmas carols arranged by Leroy Anderson brought the afternoon to a jolly close. The holiday season certainly danced in with this one! is so revered on the concert and opera stages of the world. Maestro Żółtowski and the orchestra deftly accompanied Porackova, allowing her to express the text fully, both accompanying and responding to her all along the way. Their truly astonishing performance was met with a rare standing ovation in the middle of the second half of the concert.

The lively “Serenade for Strings”

by Austrian composer Robert Fuchs concluded the printed portion of the concert.

Remembered primarily as the teacher of several prominent composers, including Mahler, Fuchs composed many delightful works for orchestra. “Serenade for Strings” is a rambunctious work ending with a brilliant “Allegro con fuoco, alla Zingarese.” Once again, the orchestra played with marvelous precision and zeal, showing both by their musicianship and the smiling glances among themselves how very much they enjoy their work together as an ensemble.

An encore of Christmas carols arranged

by Leroy Anderson brought the afternoon to a jolly close. The holiday season certainly danced in with this one!

Karolina Hopper is a regular contributor to “The Freeman’s Journal.”

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

THURSDAY, January 4, 2024 news from the noteworthy

LEAF

Kindness: Considering A New Auld Lang Syne Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

160 YEARS AGO Standing on the threshold of a New Year, the mind naturally turns to a contemplation of the stirring events which marked the outgoing of the late Administration, and which have distinguished that of the present. The civil war which now devastates the land actually commenced in January 1861, when the rebels fired upon the vessel sent to provision and reinforce the little garrison in Fort Sumpter—now a heap of ruins. The early leaders in this wicked rebellion no doubt contemplated the complete and comparatively easy consummation of their plans; they expected to effect the division of the Union, the secession of all the slave States, with little or no fighting. They were not prepared for such a demonstration of devotion to the Constitution and the Union—for such a determined opposition even unto blood, to any and every attempt to destroy the nationality of this mighty Republic.

January 1, 1864

110 YEARS AGO The death of J.A. Melrose Johnston in the early morning of December 26th brought deep sorrow to the people of Cooperstown. Death was attributed to heart failure. Mr. Johnston had never been sick in bed a day in his life. As custodian of the wealth of others, J.A.M. Johnston gave his entire time to that and never accepted any of the honors of a public nature that his townsmen might have given him. In his capacity as agent for the Clark Estates, however, he probably did more for the village than any man in his generation, for it was he who built the Alfred Corning Clark Gymnasium, the Village Club and Library, the Cooper Park, the O-te-sa-ga, the Country Club, and all the other enterprises both public and private that have been provided by the Clark family. Mr. Johnston also had charge of dispensing the many charities that are maintained by the family.

December 31, 1913

85 YEARS AGO The Penn Athletic Club baseball team of Philadelphia has accepted an invitation to take part in the National Baseball Centennial in Cooperstown early in the coming summer. And fittingly enough, the Pennac Nine will play Connie Mack’s Athletics on a day to be known as “Connie Mack Day.” Mack, is one of the immortals whose name has been placed in Baseball’s Hall of Fame. He said of playing the Pennacs, “It’s a fine idea and I’m glad of the chance to play baseball at the game’s birthplace. The celebration of the birth of baseball 100 years ago is one of the greatest things the game has provided and those in back of the project should be commended.”

January 4, 1939

60 YEARS AGO The auditorium of the Village Hall has been refurbished and other renovations to the structure completed, for use by the Cooperstown Youth Center.

The auditorium now has a light and airy appearance.

The space has been closed as a Youth Center headquarters for more than eighteen months. The project cost $4,645 and was carried out by Neil R. Nielsen, Inc. of Oneonta. Youth Commission Chairman Dr. Joe H. Cannon said the Youth Center would reopen when new equipment arrives in January or February.

Commission and Center members raised more than $5,000 to finance the project and will spend about $1,000 to equip it.

January 1, 1964

20 YEARS AGO The Walking Example Group will present the second annual “Deck the Halls” Walking Tour led

by Pat Thorpe on Sunday, December 28, at 2 p.m.

Thorpe will provide an “up close and personal” tour of the holiday designs of Theatricum Botanicum.

The walk will depart from the Otesaga Hotel near the Hawkeye Grill entrance.

January 2, 2004

Solution: “Accent on New Yawk” (December 28)

I

f you were anywhere near a television or a social gathering on New Year’s Eve, you very likely heard “Auld Lang Syne.” Maybe you even sang along. Although we borrowed it from the Scots, is has become our traditional response to ringing in the new year. It is both a song of remembrance and of looking forward, taken from a folk song and poem of the 1700s. It is actually one of the oldest historical songs that is still sung by the general population.

Though there is no direct English translation of the phrase, “auld lang syne,” it roughly translates to “times long past” or “days gone by.”

But, as we read forward in the poem, the phrase that really caught my attention this year was this: “We’ll take a cup of kindness, yet, for auld lang syne. And surely ye shall raise your glass and surely I’ll raise mine.”

The glass to be raised is a glass of kindness.

Those few lines gave me pause and I needed to read it a few times. As I did, I realized what my hope would be for 2024. I love clinking glasses with a hearty “here, here!” over something that is agreed upon or worth celebrating (no alcohol required). I see people do it all the time and it makes me smile.

So, in our real lives, what does a glass of kindness look like? I think this traditional, old song visits us once a year and gives us an opportunity to reexamine that question. The truth of the matter is that at our next new year, today will be the auld lang syne. Today will be the days gone by. And at the next new year, we will have the opportunity to look back and see the times and the places that we raised a metaphorical glass of kindness.

Photo provided

“We’ll take a cup of kindness, yet, for auld lang syne. And surely ye shall raise your glass and surely I’ll raise mine.”

This makes for an excellent and attainable new year’s resolution, with an interesting dynamic outlined in the song. Raising a cup of kindness, by its very nature, requires at least two people. We’re going through tough times as a culture, and self-kindness is important. Please continue to be kind to yourself. However, what we will look back on at the next auld lang syne is how well we connected with and brightened the lives other people.

For me, this kind of intentional kindness takes a bit of self-accountability. As a person in long-term recovery, my peers and I call that a “daily inventory.” It comes from Step 10 of the Twelve Step programs and it says, “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” Those can be words of wisdom for anyone. But, for our purposes of raising the cup, it can just be a kindness inventory.

What if everyone made a resolution to end their Continued on page 9

By MERL REAGLE

The Hollywood Shuffle (5)…

I’m reordering a few films ACROSS 1 Anderson and Tiffin 8 Ricky Martin’s life 12 Ad-free alternative 15 Coffee coast 19 Sequester 20 Say for sure 21 Rage’s cousin 22 Roots author Haley 23 Apt alternate title for a Bogart film?

26 Demolish 27 So far 28 Sergio’s film composer 29 Healthy drink 31 Old way to Orly 32 Country Hall of fame?

34 Film with a stirring climax?

38 Film about siblings who are real knockouts?

43 Cub Scouts pack leader (anagram of A LAKE) 44 Lucas master 45 Honey bunch?

46 Kid of jazz 47 “___ apple ...”

48 Actor Leibman 49 Mt. Tabor’s land: abbr.

51 2000 Super Bowl team 53 Delayed: abbr.

54 Close 55 Film starring James Oil Jones?

59 Lucas princess 60 Evasive 61 Above, to a bard 62 Only 63 Combust 64 They have motherboards 65 Film about the guy who invented bank accounts?

69 Couple of Spaniards 70 Bass ___ 71 Graham the gourmet 72 Americas org.

73 Heavy weight 74 Ooze 75 Film about the most famous killer whale of WWI? 80 Candidacy, metaphorically 81 48 ___ 82 Dorothy’s dog 83 Lit. monogram 84 Dumbfounded admiration 85 Kicks out 87 “What___doin’?”

88 Shakespeare heavy 91 Hitch

92 Joe of baseball 93 With 97 Across, working title of a Gore Vidal film?

97 See 93 Across 99 Crime-bustin’ crew 100 Regret 101 Of typing and filing 103 ___ bear 105 First word of Atlas Shrugged 108 Here, to Hernando 111 Film about World War III? 114 Hawaiian shake 115 Big bang cause 116 Italian wine area 117 Lions and tigers and bearcats 118 Devil’s purchase 119 Shoat’s home 120 Lb. or mi., e.g.

121 Vibrato’s cousin DOWN 1 “Too bad ...”

2 Tennis great 3 Big name in champagne 4 Track transit 5 Most recent 6 Tithe’s portion 7 Tippi’s Marnie co-star 8 Scram 9 “So ___ heard” 10 Trims lean 11 Asian sea 12 “Better luck next time”

13 Shows beyond doubt 14 Start in again 15 Sing-along fun 16 Treacherous Johnny of The Godfather, Part II 17 It smells, in France 18 Woodpile sight 24 Bottle amount, in Bristol 25 Luckless lads 30 Kigali’s country 31 Trireme’s arena 33 Govern badly 35 Actress DeMornay 36 South American plains 37 Pop 38 Model Banks 39 Cager’s target 40 B arry Humphries persona, Dame ___ Everage 41 Spanish river 42 Big book 47 Views 49 Nation with fjords: abbr.

50 Maria and Pam 52 E nglish prelate, Thomas ___ 53 Wake (up) 56 Plays (with) 57 Camera feature 58 Laze 59 Slangy money 63 Icy mass 64 Baja buck 65 Mitsubishi SUV

66 Connections 67 Bravery 68 Go out with 69 Work 73 Greek letter 74 Old Jewish village 75 Fly high 76 ___ smasher 77 Indian princess 78 Skater Michelle 79 Old slang for a burglar 82 Caught in ___ 86 Key 87 My Left Foot author Brown 89 Absence of “bad” microbes 90 Early Moody Blues hit 91 That LPGA player 93 Autocrat 94 Church, in Cherbourg 95 Rubber of a sort 96 Slow mover 98 Runs into 102 Man 1 104 Took off 105 Souse 106 Order to a dog 107 ___ buco 108 Pleased sounds 109 Quid pro follower 110 Nome knife 112 Airport info 113 Hard to make out

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

LOCALS: PEOPLE/BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS

RIVER RAMBLE: United University Professions Oneonta members and guests enjoyed a Susquehanna River paddle on September 23. The event was recreational and non-competitive, with paddlers traveling as a group at an easy pace. UUP Oneonta Secretary Bill Simons said of the event, “Beyond the adventure of the river, the event provided a good venue for building union solidarity. And it was fun.” Next year, Simons said in an e-mail, he would like to see paddle events scheduled in the spring, summer and fall. “Special thanks to the best canoe/paddle coaches along the Susquehanna, Brent and Gerrith at https://canoeandkayakrentals.com/, for making sure everyone was safe and ready for a memorable time. And kudos to Gary for treating us to pizza and ice cream! To the river muses, we appreciate nature holding the storm back,” Simons wrote in an e-mail.

(Photo provided) DRESHER IS NEW DEAN: Effective Oct-

ober 4, Cary Dresher is Hartwick College’s new dean of students. Dresher, who served as acting dean of students since June, will lead efforts to enhance the college’s signature 360-degree wrap-around student experience support. He will provide overall direction, administration, and leadership of a Photo provided student-centered team that CARY DRESHER includes health and wellness, residential life and student conduct, and student leadership and engagement. Dresher was appointed by then-President Darren Reisberg. “Cary is keenly aware and appreciates Hartwick’s deep commitment to student success,” Reisberg said. “He brings an exceptional understanding of guiding and advocating students’ needs along with experience in retention and inclusive excellence. I know he will further Hartwick’s deep commitment to providing our students with the best possible experience.” Dresher brings more than 13 years of experience to the role, five of which have been at Hartwick. His track record of success at the college includes expanding the number of full-time counseling staff, working collaboratively to launch the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and the SOAR (Students of ALANA Representation) mentoring program, and creating greater collaboration between the Office of Student Experience and colleagues across campus. Dresher also wrote the college’s tobacco and vaping policy that went into effect in January 2022, resulting in Hartwick becoming a smoke and tobaccofree campus. “I am honored to have been entrusted with this new role,” said Dresher. “I am committed to working with the Hartwick community to create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.” Before joining the Hartwick community, Dresher served in a variety of capacities at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, including as dean of student living and learning, associate dean of the OffCampus Commons, and assistant dean of the Student First-Year Experience & Parent Liaison. Before that, Dresher served as certification coordinator for the Association of Title IX Coordinators. He has also taught in the K-12 environment, including stints at the Emma Willard School in Troy, The Knox School in St. James and the Triton Regional High School in Byfield, Massachusetts. Dresher earned a doctorate in education from Northeastern University. He also holds a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine and a bachelor’s degree from American University.

His administrative certification was earned at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

SUNY STUDENTS: SUNY Delhi welcomed the following new students who enrolled for the fall 2023 semester, in pursuit of their respective degrees.

Veterinary science technology: Lucy Bischoff of Oneonta, Kylie Graham of Cherry Valley, and Lauren Johnson of Richfield Springs; business management: Treyton Hathaway of Oneonta; business administration: Cassidy Gascon of Sidney and Jose

Vega of Richmondville; construction management, design and building: Brandon Vantassel of Unadilla; architectural design and building: Jonathan Cruz of Oneonta; event management: Laurel Brigham of New Berlin; culinary arts management: Lexi Rufrano of Oneonta and Mayla Wade of Hartwick; mechatronics design: Cirran Gorman of New Berlin, Ty McKinney of Garrattsville, and Benjamin Schecter of Schenevus; residential construction: Andrew Lieber of Davenport, August Rice of Cooperstown, and Rumeal Soler of Oneonta; heating, ventilating and air conditioning technology: Lane Snow of Davenport; welding technology: Daniel Baker of Milford; electrical construction and utility operations: Lincoln Constable of Unadilla; electrical construction and instrumentation: Joshua Wikoff of Oneonta; outdoor recreation: Ian Dill of Garrattsville; physical education studies: Cameron Horth of Oneonta; criminal justice: Alexander Hascup of Cooperstown; nursing: Vera Anyaakuu of Oneonta, Angelina Burr of Oneonta, Miriam Odell of Maryland, Crystal Rosenbusch of Oneonta, Isaiah Stockdale of Oneonta, Tracy Sanfilippo of Oneonta, Rachel Slentz of Burlington Flats, Amanda Burdick of Richfield Springs, Jesse Castillo of Oneonta, Whitney Hutchinson of Oneonta, Cadence Love of Westford, Ashlyn Marron of Mount Upton, Shailee Sailer of Oneonta, and Shealinn Stevens of Otego; nursing education: Kali Benedict of Unadilla and Maeve Kranbuhl of Laurens; biology, Alexis Burger of Oneonta, Brayden Eastman-Willens of Sidney and Cameron Hackenberry of Oneonta; business and professional golf management: Gavin Bonczkowski of Otego; golf course management: Scott Murphy of Morris; welding technology: Rylee Falcone of Oneonta; automotive mechanics: Kimberlyn Saginario of Cooperstown; residential construction: Sarah Ostrander of Unadilla; electrical construction and instrumentation: Brayton Seymour of Oneonta; electrical construction and utility operations: Cameron Sitts of Oneonta; refrigeration and instrumentation: Isaiah Johnson of Otego.

WINTER WALKERS: According to a post on the Otsego Outdoors Facebook page, Andrea Saunders and Pedro Gutierrez are the first to complete the latest edition of the Otsego Outdoors Winter Octet.

They completed hikes at the Clark Tower Trails, Fortin Park, Glimmerglass State Park, Goodyear Lake Waterway Access, Parslow Road Conservation Area, the Robert B. Woodruff Outdoor Learning Center, the Silas Lane Loop (Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway), and Robert V. Riddell State Park. Their favorite hike was the Robert B. Woodruff waterfalls and caves, they said. The deadline to complete the Winter Octet is March 18.

GREAT GRADS: The following local Hartwick College students earned their degrees upon spring 2023 graduation: Shailynn Allen of Otego, Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and sociology; Brooke Cerar of Otego, Zachary Craft of Unadilla, Julie Mazariego of Oneonta, Shalleigh Taranto of Mt. Upton, and Quincey Woodrow of Milford, BA in biology; Honnah Garrison of Davenport and Avery Piefer of Oneonta, BA in sociology; Kyleigh George of New Berlin, BA in criminal justice with a minor in forensic science; Christian Holoquist of Oneonta, Bachelor of Science in business administration and economics; Katharine Marchese of Schenevus, BS in business administration and economics with a minor in accounting and finance; Garrett Mertz of Milford, Jessica Ohl of Mount Upton, Alicia Rockwell of Richmondville, and Ashely Wikoff of Oneonta, BS in nursing; and Autumn Pope of Mount Vision, BA in biology with a minor in chemistry.

NEW DOC: Bassett Healthcare Network recently welcomed Elizabeth Pelkofski, MD, gynecologic oncologist, to its Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Pelkofski, who joined Bassett in September, is highly specialized in caring for patients with gynecologic cancers, including cancers of the Photo provided ovary, fallopian tube, peri- DR. ELIZABETH PELKOFSKI toneum, cervix, vagina, vulva, uterus, and endometrium, as well as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia—a rare form of cancer that forms when the placenta attaches to the uterus. Dr. Pelkofski also cares for patients who are at increased genetic risk for gynecologic cancers, patients with preinvasive disease, and those needing complex pelvic surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery. She has expertise in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clin-

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HISTORIC MOMENT: SUNY Oneonta’s fall commencement ceremony on Sunday, December 10 celebrated graduate Taylor Hendrickson of Warsaw, New York and her guide dog in training, Ink. Hendrickson made history last year as the first student puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

FALL FESTIVAL FUN: On October 14, Cooperstown Center on Phoenix Mills Cross Road in Cooperstown held its region-wide October Fall Festival for kids, families, their residents, and businesses alike. The popular event brought out a few hundred people, with games, dancing, live music, and face painting for all to enjoy. The 174-bed nursing home made sure to have three community food trucks (S&S Food Truck, Big Al’s BBQ of New York, and Good Morning Food Truck) offering all sorts of barbecue, deli foods, and sandwiches. By the end of the day, there wasn’t a bite left, organizers said. “Cooperstown Center wants to be closer to our community, and having a great time with the families and businesses here does just that,” said Cooperstown Center Administrator Jo Peterson. “From this experience, we are thinking of doing this annually, since everyone loved the games, food and, of course, the dancing!” The Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard also provided food and their famous fall cider. Peterson said the kids especially loved that the Utica Zoo was on hand to provide Cooperstown Center residents and community members up-close experiences with exotic animals such as snakes and lizards.

Pictured below, standing, from left: Alicia Robinson, Shean Robinson, Nellie Lomis, Deb Bongiorno, Continued on page 9

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Dr. Pelkofski is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. “We are excited to bring this specialized discipline back to Bassett,” said Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD, chair of Bassett’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“Dr. Pelkofski is an outstanding physician. Her expertise and specialized areas of care are expanding critical treatment options for patients close to home.”

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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

‘Friends of Christmas’ Raises Money for Explosion Victims ONEONTA neonta’s Friends of Christmas held their 36th annual Community Dinner, presented this year by Saturday’s Bread, on Saturday, December 23. The dinner, which served more than 850 people, also featured a gift card donation drive for families impacted by the December 9 explosion on Richards Avenue.

Community members raised $6,750.00 for these families, including $3,000.00 in donations from the 6th Ward Athletic Club. Patricia Leonard of the Family Services Association attended to accept the gift cards and will spearhead distribution.

“This was the first in-person dinner we’ve had since COVID began,” said Friends of Christmas Co-Director Sarah Hartmann. “Turnout was wonderful.

The First United Methodist Church was a beautiful setting for the dinner, espePhoto provided cially with all the holiday decorations.

Community volunteers served more than 800 people at the 36th Annual Friends of ChristSeeing that hall filled with community mas Community Dinner on Saturday, December 23.

O

Cooley

Continued from page 1 been stung and needed medical attention.

Birdsall then called the nurse’s office and relayed this exact information, which played a crucial role in the treatment of Cooley.

Smith said, “I tell Rich all the time that he saved his own life by being able to relay that he was stung.”

The more information nurses know, the better someone can be helped.

Anaphylactic shock presents differently in everyone. If Cooley had not reported being stung and had Birdsall not relayed that exact message to the nurse, Smith may not have had an EpiPen on her when she went to assess the situation.

When Smith arrived at the bus where Cooley was waiting, “He was drenched with sweat, his airways were narrowing and he was unresponsive,” she said.

School Resource Officer Shaun Callahan, Lead Custodian Will Clark, Matt Hafele, the athletic director and security person, and nurse Smith lifted Cooley off the bus and onto the pavement.

Callahan said, “It was a team effort. It went as well as it did because everyone stayed calm and did their part.”

Another school nurse, Kacey Theobald, RN, recalled, “As Cooley gained consciousness, he was unaware of what was going on around him and was very out of it…my first thought was he was having a seizure or just coming out of one.”

Theobald continued, “You can never be prepared enough for this type of situation.”

School Principal Julie Lambiaso said, “We

wanted him off that bus and on the sidewalk, just in case CPR needed to be initiated.”

“After the school nurse shot me with the EpiPen and someone called 911, the paramedics gave me two more shots of adrenalin,” Cooley said.

Smith explained, “The epinephrine that the paramedics administered was stronger than the dose in the EpiPen.” Cooley added, “I am just thankful that good people were around to help me. I was 12 miles away from school when I got stung. I believe in God. He held me. I was lucky.”

“I never would have thought you could die from a bee sting,” he said.

Smith concluded, “Rich put the safety of those kids before his own safety.”

“My job is to protect students and get them to safety,” Cooley replied.

“In an emergency, you never know what the outcome could be. The Unatego team stayed calm, and pulled together to do all that we could to help Rich pull through.

I’m so thankful of the outcome of that day and that he’s okay,” Birdsall said.

Five tenth- and eleventh-graders from Unatego High School chose to highlight lessons learned from the bus driver’s near-death experience.

Abbey Bailey, Hailey Barron, Madisyn Birdsall, Avery James, and Quinlan Ranc competed in the Community Foundation of Otsego County’s “Student Voices, Student Choices” challenge earlier this year and won $1,000.00 on November 20, 2023. They are all members of the National Honor Society.

The students dedicated their “Student

Voices, Student Choices” presentation to Cooley, and requested money to educate the entire school about anaphylactic shock.

Kim Trask, resource room teacher, and Lexi McHenry, guidance counselor, are the group’s Honor Society advisors.

Trask said, “We are so proud of them for coming up with this topic, researching about anaphylactic shock and EpiPens, and conducting a very emotional interview with the group involved on September 12th, including Rich.

This amazing group of students took a neartragic event that happened in our community, put together a very inspiring presentation, and made a positive impact.”

Student Avery James said, “We thought it would be beneficial to spread the word not only to our school, but to other schools. We wanted to tell this story so that future generations would be aware of how deadly anaphylactic shock can be.”

Anaphylactic shock can also be caused by peanut, milk, and seafood allergies, and certain medicines such as antibiotics.

Hailey Barron explained, “We intend to buy at least one more EpiPen with the $1,000.00 we received.”

Quinlan Ranc said, “EpiPens cost $650.00$750.00 each without insurance and must be replaced every year.”

Being a bus driver is Cooley’s second career.

He said, “I was a jeweler for 35 years. I retired, got bored and applied to the Unatego school district to be a bus driver. My family owns Cooley’s Jewelry in Sidney, which has been in operation for 135 years, since 1888.”

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members enjoying the holiday was truly special.”

Friends of Christmas began in 1987 when Mary Ann Hartmann, Sarah’s mother, Peg Cauley and Jean London decided to organize a community meal.

According to their website, https:// friendsofchristmas.org/, the dinner is intended to create a space for people of limited means or people who are alone during the holidays to come together in the true spirit of Christmas.

“The majority of dinners we served this year were delivered to folks in the local area,” Sarah Hartmann continued.

“Some of the families impacted by the explosion attended themselves, which was a wonderful thing to see. Our dinners are powered entirely by volunteers and by the generosity of local businesses, and we want to thank all of them…we offered a vegan option this year and were overwhelmed by the positive reaction and the number of takers. I look forward to our 37th year!”

OBITUARIES and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to The Nottingham staff for their outstanding, compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in

Gretchen’s memory to The Nottingham Resident Forum, Attn: Employee Holiday Fund.

Agraveside service will be held in Cooperstown at a later date.

For guest book, please visit: www.scheppfamily.

Photo provided

GRETCHEN V. WHALEN

Gretchen V. Whalen 1927-2023

Gretchen Van Syckle Whalen died December 30, 2023 at The Nottingham senior living community in Jamesville, where she was an active resident for nearly eight years. She was 96 years old.

Gretchen was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey to Harold and Ruth Van Syckle. She earned a BA from Connecticut College, and master’s degrees from Newark State College and SUNY Albany. She was a long-time resident of Cooperstown and Manlius, and was involved in many community activities during her time in both villages.

Gretchen was predeceased by her husband and world travel partner, Dr. Edward F. Whalen, and by her brother, Dr. Guy Van Syckle. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Sue Arcuri; son Mark L. Whalen; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren;

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

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

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

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

Funeral Home

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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

leWiS, HurleY & pietrobono

Heller & Skinner

Funeral Home

Funeral Home

51 Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com

155 Main Street Worcester, nY 607-397-9711 www.hellerskinnerfh.com

Proud to be family-owned John & Kathleen (Heller) Pietrobono

“Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear.”

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in Instructions to Bidders (https://www.dot. ny.gov/bids-andlettings/construction-contractors/ important-info) until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Maps, Plans and Specifications may be seen at Electronic documents and Amendments which are posted to www.dot. ny.gov/doingbusiness/opportunities/constnotices.

The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat.

252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 02: New York State

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

LEGALS

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Department of Transportation 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY, 13501

upon all the exhibits annexed hereto and in support hereof; and upon all the prior papers and proceedings heretofore had herein; LET, YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L ALLEN AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CLAUDIA BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the

AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNET; ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CLAUDIA BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributess, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having of claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint (hereinafter “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett”) and UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if living, and if they be dead, any and all other persons, who may claim as devises, distributees, legal representatives and successors in interest of said defendant, all of whom and whose places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquire be ascertained (hereinafter “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”), pursuant to CPLR §1015 and 1021; and, b) amending the caption by adding as a necessary party defendant UNITED STATE OF AMERICAINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; and c) that the Court appoint a Guardian Ad Litem and Military Attorney for defendant(s) “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett” of said defendants who may be infants, absentees or incompetents, or unknown successor in interest of defendant(s), “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”, who may be deceased and to protect and defend the interests of “Claudia

D265186, PIN S12424, Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates Cos., BRIDGE EMERGENCY RESPONSE 2024-2027, Statewide Emergency Response Bridge Repair, Prebid Meeting, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $200,000.00), Goals: MBE: 0.00%, WBE: 0.00%, SDVOB: 0.00% 2LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO INDEX # EF2018-532 FILED: 11/16/2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AND SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial.

Designation of Venue is based upon situs of the Subject Property.

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED TRUST SERIES INABS 2006-E, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES INABS 2006-E, Plaintiff, against ERNEST O. BENNETT, CITIBANK, N.A., NY STATE DEP’T OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, Defendant(s).

Upon the Attorney’s Affirmation of Susan A. West, Esq. of the law offices of Aldridge Pite, LLP, the attorneys for the Plaintiff, dated November 13, 2023; and

Complaint; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if living, and if they be dead, any and all other persons, who may claim as devises, distributees, legal representatives and successors in interest of said defendant, all of whom and whose places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquire be ascertained; and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, show cause before this Court as IAS Part BDB, to be held at the OTSEGO County Courthouse, 32 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, on the 16th day of February, 2024, at 4:30 o’clock, of that day or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, WHY, an Order should not be entered granting the following relief: a) amending the caption by striking defendant ERNEST O. BENNETT, as said defendant is deceased and no longer has an interest in the subject premises, and substituting in place thereof YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L. ALLEN AS HEIR

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Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett” in this action; and d) for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.

Ernest O. Bennett, deceased), and THOMAS HEGEMAN, ESQ., the Court Appointed Referee, by first class mail on or before December 8, 2023, be deemed good and sufficient service; and is further ORDERED, that any defendant serve and file any answering papers seven (7) days prior to the return date of this motion.

Date: November 16, 2023.

Brian D. Burns, J.S.C.

WITH THE COURT. WE ARE A DEBT COLLECTOR AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

TO THE ABOVE DEFENDANTS:

your property.

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

SUFFICIENT CAUSE APPEARING THEREFORE, ORDERED, that service of the instant Order to Show Cause, together with the papers upon which it was granted, be served upon YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L ALLEN AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE pursuant to CPLR Article 3 on or before December 8, 2023, be deemed good and sufficient service; and it is further ORDERED, that service of the instant signed Order to Show Cause, together with the summons in the above-entitled action upon the defendants for “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett and Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”, by publication thereof, together with a brief notice and brief statement of the object of the action and brief description of the property, in two (2) newspapers in the English language, The Daily Star (Oneonta), and The Freemans Journal (Cooperstown ) once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks, the first of such publication to be made within thirty (30) days after entry of this order, which time to effectuate the first publication is hereby extended to forty five (45) days after the entered date of this order; and it is further ORDERED, that service of the instant Order to Show Cause, together with the papers upon which it was granted, be served upon CITIBANK, N.A., NY STATE DEP`T OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, LOUIS M. SPIZZIRO, ESQ. (Attorney for Defendant,

TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

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 your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER

The Object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises known as 1457 Butternut Road, Unadilla, NY 13849, bearing tax map designation Section: 304.00, Block 2, Lot 3.00, which is more fully described in the Schedule “A” attached to the Complaint. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being near Butternuts, County of OTSEGO and State of New York.

Aldridge Pite, LLP. Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747. Our File 1221-46679B 4LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO Index No. EF2022-470 Date filed: August 5, 2022 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Premises being foreclosed: 2420 State Hwy 23 and State Hwy 23, Morris, NY 13808 ACTION TO FORECLOSE MORTGAGE ON PROPERTY SITUATED IN OTSEGO COUNTY Santander Bank, N.A. f/k/a Sovereign Bank, N.A. f/k/a Sovereign Bank, Plaintiff, -againstThe Unknown Heirs of Louis B. DeArmas, Edward DeVilliers, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance-Tax Compliance Division-C.O.ATC and Internal Revenue ServiceUnited States of America “JOHN DOE #1” through and including “JOHN DOE#25”, the defendants last named in quotation marks being intended to designate tenants or occupants in possession of the herein described premises or portions thereof, if any there be, said names being fictitious, their true name being unknown to plaintiff, Defendant(s).

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons exclusive of the day of service or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. In case of your failure to appear, or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in this Complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Brian D. Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Otsego County, entered Oct. 4, 2023 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office.

THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office on Feb. 17, 2006 in Book 1477, mortgage page 143, Document #2006-00042849, covering premises k/a 2420 State Hwy 23, Morris, NY 13808 a/k/a Section 222.00, Block 1. Lot 44.00 And State Hwy 23, Morris NY 13808 a/k/a Section 222.00, Block 1, Lot 45.00.

Plaintiff designates OTSEGO County as the place for trial.

Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated.

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

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: October 30, 2023 Westbury, New York Edward Wiener, Esq. Stein, Wiener & Roth, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 (516)-742-1212 79276/DOVEN #101022 4LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Friends of the Feral TNR – Otsego LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/27/2023.

Cty: Otsego.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served and shall mail process to Gina M. Colone: 17 River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

General Purpose 6LegalFeb.15 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of TRAVELING TOOLS HANDYMAN SERVICES LLC Arts of Org. filed SSNY 11/30/23, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207 General Purpose 6LegalFeb.1 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Golden Swan Trading LLC. Articles of Organization filed with SSNY on 11/28/2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated agent with service of process address: PO Box 1469, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.1 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation continued Pg. 9

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024

Letters

Continued from page 4 determined that King Kaspar must be a bit hard of hearing.

As his namesake, I was always a bit offended by the fact that King Kaspar was not only portrayed as slightly deaf but also a bit batty. Among other things, he always traveled with a box of stones, which, as he described in his aria: “This is my box…in the first drawer I keep my magic stones!”

He then proceeds to list all the ails and tribulations against which the stones protect him.

But when the crippled Amahl finally skews up the courage to ask him: “Sir, among your magic stones, do you…have one that can heal a crippled boy?” Kaspar cups his hand to his ear and responds with a shrill, “Eh?” To which Amahl follows with the saddest of all expressions: “Never mind.” Not only is he defeated and left without an answer, but he could not bring himself to ask it again.

Every time I hear that interplay at Christmastime, I resolve, in this New Year, to keep my ears open and really make a concerted effort not only to hear the actual question asked but also to be aware of the situations and circumstances that surround me and to which I should really respond. But it’s so tempting to keep a deaf ear or a blind eye, especially when the issue is potentially uncom-

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from Pg. 8

of NMBR 9 HOLDINGS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/7/23.

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

SSNY shall mail process to 426 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.25 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of CHASE ORGAN COMPANY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/11/23.

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

SSNY shall mail process to 1529 Co Hwy 39, Worcester, NY 12197, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.25

fortable. After all, if I don’t hear the question or admit the challenge, I can sidestep the issue and avoid the need and effort to formulate an answer. Too often, the frustrations and busyness of daily life cause me to become self-absorbed and stop listening, until St. Peter’s crow reminds of my failure to live up to the resolve.

But the resolution is worth repeating, and this year I will couple it with the resolve to stay the course.

Caspar Ewig Cooperstown

1,000 Points & Life Lessons I’m walking my way over to Cooperstown’s annual holiday tournament as I write this. If I’m being totally honest, I couldn’t care less about the team’s result. Of course I want them to do well, but I go to the games because I’m a Team Lambert fan.

As one of my best friends, Charlie Lambert, gets closer and closer to scoring a total of 1,000 points, I’m trying my hardest to not miss any home games. He’s roughly 90 points away, and it’s close enough to call it a 1,000-point watch, the same way they put the counters on Lebron passing Kareem.

He was hundreds of points off and they gave him a counter, trying to predict which game it’d be. If Lebron gets one, I’m giving Charlie one!

Although I’m not the biggest basketball fan,

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Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: Bailey’s Plumbing and Heating LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State Of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2023.

Office Location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served. SSNY should mail process to Zachary Bailey: 231 Harris Hill Rd. Morris, NY 13808.

Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of D&L RV RENTAL, LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 12/1/2023.

Off. Loc. : Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, 170 Hughes Road, West Winfield, NY 13491, USA.

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Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

6LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Segina & Associates, LLC. Filed with SSNY on 11/10/12.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 1390 County Highway 11, Mount Vision, NY 13810.

Purpose: any lawful.

6LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of The Turk’s Plantation LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 3, 2023.

Office Location: Otsego County SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 810 Mooney Road, Worcester, NY 12197 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.18

I learned a lot about the game by playing on the team last year. It definitely makes watching games seem so much more impressive. You know those memes that call for an average person to compete in the Olympics to show how good the athletes actually are? My basketball career was kind of like that. It was like putting a baby kitten in a cage of wild tigers. It was a dangerous scenario for someone as athletically pathetic as me.

My favorite thing I learned from playing on the basketball team came from the coach, Judge Lambert. I learned a lot from Judge Lambert, but he taught me an important lesson he probably didn’t think twice about.

I mean, I stunk at basketball. I was, and am, awful. Before he put me into the few games I got to play in, the ones where our team was way up or way down, he would tell me that it doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter how bad I am because we are either going to win by 20 or lose by 20. He told me not to be embarrassed and to go out there and have fun. He was putting me in because the game was already decided.

Telling me not to care what others think about my skills is still a lesson I try to utilize every day.

I try my best not to care what people think and I try to go out and do the best I can. It sounds cheesy, but it’s so important to listen to.

As Charlie nears the 1,000-point mark, I hope

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he listens to his own father’s advice. Go out there and play for the love of the game. The journey toward Charlie’s 1,000 points serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most significant victories aren’t always reflected on the scoreboard. The camaraderie, life lessons and the joy of supporting a friend on their journey are the true highlights, making every game ahead a memorable experience. I’m proud of Charlie, just like I know his father is.

Max Jones Cooperstown

kindness.

Julie Dostal is the executive director of LEAF.

LEAF

Continued from page 1

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Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of

Ceasar Dante LLC.

RSD Enterprises, LLC

Filed with SSNY on 1/29/2014.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 1950 E. Main Street S. 205a Mohegan Lake NY 10547.

Purpose: any lawful 6LegalJan.18

Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on 6/29/2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

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

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: RSD Enterprises LLC, c/o Robert Dunbar 235 Flax Island Rd, Otego, NY 13825.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.11

Firefly Meadow Farm, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/17/23.

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

SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 959 County Rd 7, Otego, NY 13825.

Purpose: Any lawful act under NY LLC Law. 6LegalJan.18

awarded $150,000.00 for accessibility modifications and a further $250,000.00 to support emergency repairs for elderly homeowners.

At press time, officials at ORHA, Unadilla and Oneonta had not replied to requests for comment.

Tourney

Bulldogs swamped Cooperstown with a 20-10 second quarter. Lambert day with these three was named to the Allsimple questions.

1) Was I kind to those Tournament team. Junior Cooper Bradley made I interacted with today?

12 rebounds; Murdock 2) Did I take the and sophomore Jackson opportunity to uplift Crisman each scored eight another person?

3) Is there anyone that points. Senior Conrad Erway won the tournaoffended me that I need ment Sportsmanship to forgive?

Award.

The boys moved Can you imagine what to 6-4 for the season and the new auld lang syne 3-1 in their division. of 2025 would look like The Cooperstown girls if we all raised a cup of put up a strong comeback kindness daily…while attempt after a rough first making it a point to half, but dropped their forgive those who did opening-round game to not? Kindness and Hamilton, 57-50.

Senior forgiveness are not new Rory Nelen and junior concepts, they are simply Brenna Seamon each put concepts that we humans away 19 points in the need to relearn over and loss.

Nelen also made over. We don’t have to 11 rebounds, four blocks do it perfectly, but just and three assists in the imagine the world we would live in if we did it Center State Conference Division II contest. consistently.

Seamon, who beat her Happy New Year, previous personal record and may your next for single-game scoring “Auld Lang Syne” be by six points, also added filled with memories of

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Continued from page 1

Continued from page 5

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Grants

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Foreign LLC Wanderlust Properties, LLC (DBA Wanderlust Rental Properties, LLC) Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/15/23.

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 59 Woody Hill Rd., Hope Valley,

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RI 02832 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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Ste 202, Bklyn, NY 11228.

Purpose: General.

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Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of

Aaron Fisher Enterprises LLC

COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT LLC

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State (SSNY) on November 1st, 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 20 Harrison Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.11 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 ,

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.

six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Junior Mia Kaltenbach contributed seven points and six rebounds.

The Hawkeyes came back from a first-quarter deficit to defeat Unatego 44-35, in the consolation game on Thursday.

Nelen achieved her second double-double in two days, blazing her way to 14 points and 13 rebounds, as well as three blocks, two assists, and two steals. She was named to the All-Tournament team. Kaltenbach scored 10 points and made six rebounds. Senior Tori France had five points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Senior Olivia Murdock scored six points.

Locals

Continued from page 1 Maribeth MacGregor, and three family members of Linda Estell. Seated: Carol Whiting, Joseph Tabarrini, Joan Augur and Linda Estell. (Photo provided)

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more.

Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com

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General Purposes.

6LegalJan.4 Legal nOtice Notice of 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

Legal

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.

6LegalJan.4

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

A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

►Fri., Jan. 5 YOUTH—11 a.m. “PreK Storytime with Mary.”

Free program to engage children with songs, stories, activities, more.

Free, held each Friday.

Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library, 2 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie.

(518) 673-2314 ext 106 or visit http://www.arkellmuseum.org/events-calendar GARDEN—Noon to 12:30 p.m. “What’s Bugging You? Winter Tree and Shrub Pruning.” Integrated Pest Management webinars presented by Cornell University on the first Friday of each month.

Visit https://cals.cornell. edu/new-york-state-integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/events/ YARN CLUB— 2-3:30 p.m. Bring current knit, crochet or other yarn project to work with the group. First Friday of each month. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta.

(607) 432-1980 or visit https://www.facebook. com/hmloneonta CRAFT FRIDAY— 3:30 p.m. Make a paper puppet with the new head of Craft Fridays, Sonja Eklund. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ WorcesterSchenevus FIRST FRIDAY— 5-8 p.m. “Winter Emporium.” Find art and gifts from more than 30 local artists and makers, and explore the new location for the 25 Main Collective. Refreshments served. 21 Main Street, Cherry Valley.

(607) 264-5340 or visit https://www.facebook. com/25maincollective OPEN MIC—6 p.m.

Share poetry, music, stories, comedy, dance, more. Admission by dona-

tion. Part of Cherry Valley First Fridays, featuring gallery openings, music, food, and fun. The Telegraph School, 83 Alden Street, Cherry Valley. info@thetelegraphschool. org or visit https://www. facebook.com/TheTelegraphSchool

►Sat., Jan. 6 DEMOCRATIC CLUB— 9 a.m. County Elections Commissioner Michael Henrici is the speaker for the first meeting of 2024.

Featuring discussion of the 2023 election and plans for the 2024 races.

RSVP required. Get Fresh on the Main Café, 254 Main Street, Oneonta. garymaffei@gmail.com.

OPERA—12:55 p.m.

The Met presents “Nabucco.” Tickets, $22/ adult. Lunch available for purchase. Arrive at 12:15 for Glimmerglass Festival Guild Program discussing this Verdi drama about the fall of ancient Jerusalem and the exile in Babylon. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta.

(607) 431-2080 or visit https://www.foothillspac. org/ SEWING CLASS— 1:30-3 p.m. “Threads Past to Present.” Learn to sew each Saturday with Linda Hovey. Hand sewing or learning a new machine. Held each Saturday. The Green Giraffe, 179 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 353-2944 to schedule an appointment.

DRUM CIRCLE—3 p.m.

New group forming to enjoy drumming together.

142 Glen Drive, Oneonta.

Visit the Oneonta Drum Circle group page on Facebook.

COMEDY—8 p.m.

Doors open at 7. Standup comedy fundraiser to support Bigger Dreams Productions. Starring Erin Harkes with Jen McMullen, Angela Cobb and

what’s haPPENIN’ in OtsegO COunty _________

Don Wyckoff. Admission, at Clark Sports Center, $20. Foothills Performing 124 County Highway 52, Arts and Civic what’s Center, 24 haPPENIN’ Cooperstown. connectionin OtsegO COunty Market Street, Oneonta. satcsc@gmail.com or visit Visit https://www.biggerhttps://www.facebook. dreamsproductions.org/ com/otsegocountyOFA LUNCH & LEARN— ►Sun., Jan. 7 Noon to 12:30 p.m. Crumhorn Coffee House ownDEADLINE—Last day ers discuss their story, to submit entries for how they got to where “2024 NEXT! Readings of they are, share some New Works by Regional samples, more. ConPlaywrights” and ”Write nections at Clark Sports Out Loud.” Fenimore Art Center, 124 County HighMuseum, Cooperstown. way 52, Cooperstown.

Visit https://fenimoreartconnectionsatcsc@gmail. museum.org/submiscom or visit https://www. sions. facebook.com/otsegoOUTDOORS—2-4 p.m. countyOFA/ “Queer Outdoors: Fresh SENIOR MEALS— Air in the New Year.” Stroll Noon. Seniors are invited around the park, play to enjoy a delicious meal in the snow and enjoy each Monday and hot drinks. Presented by Wednesday. Suggested Otsego County Conservadonation is $3.50 for tion Association. Robert seniors, $10 for guests V. Riddell State Park, Dav- accompanying a senior. enport. (607) 547-4488 Today, enjoy a lunch of or visit https://www. coconut pineapple curry occainfo.org/calendar/ on chicken, seasoned queer-outdoors-fresh-airnoodles, Sonoma-blend in-the-new-year vegetables and frosted birthday cake. Cherry Val►Mon., Jan. 8 ley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, SENIOR WALK— Cherry Valley. (607) 10-11 a.m. Seniors 547-6454 or visit https:// invited to walk with Conwww.facebook.com/otsenections group on the gocountyOFA/ track and gym floor. Open CONNECTIONS— to the public. Clark Sports 12:30 p.m. Bluegrass Center, 124 County HighCircle Jam Session. Conway 52, Cooperstown. nections at Clark Sports connectionsatcsc@gmail.

Center, 124 County Highcom or visit https://www. way 52, Cooperstown. facebook.com/otsegoconnectionsatcsc@gmail. countyOFA/ com or visit https://www.

PLAY & LEARN— facebook.com/otsego10 a.m. Supervised play countyOFA session for children POTTERY—1:30under 8. Cooperstown 4:30 p.m. Open Studio.

Village Library, 22 Main Experienced potters are Street, Cooperstown. invited to work on per(607) 547-8344 or visit sonal projects and hone https://www.facebook. their skills. No instruction com/VillageLibraryOfCoo- provided. $30/session. perstown/ Held Monday, Wednesday, CONNECTIONS— Friday. Also Thursdays at 10:30-11:15 a.m. Open 6 p.m. The Smithy Clay Tai Chi. Connections

_______

AllOTSEGO.

THURSDAY, January 4, 2024 Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org or visit https://www.smithyarts. org/

►Tues., Jan. 9 DISCUSSION—8 a.m.

“Oneonta Conversations: Public Art.” Returning artist Cynthia Marsh will share a report she gave last month to the Oneonta Public Art Commission on topics from investment to proposed projects and more. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600 or visit https://www.facebook.com/cmarshstudios COMMUNITY HIKE— 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment and water, and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at Wilber Park, Oneonta. Contact hike leader Sarah Patterson, (607) 267-7427 or visit https://susqadk.org/ CRAFTY TUESDAY— 10 a.m. Coffee Filter Peonies. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661 or visit https://www.facebook.com/harrislibrary/ FLY CREEK QUILTERS—10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fly Creek Area Quilters meet to cut, sew, tie, bind and have a good time working on quilts. Fly Creek Methodist Church, County Route 26, Fly Creek.

►Wed., Jan. 10 STORYTIME—10 a.m.

Bring the children down each Wednesday for an entertaining story read aloud by library staff.

Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown / SENIOR MEALS— Noon. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal

each Monday and Wednesday. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors, $10 for guests accompanying a senior.

Today, enjoy a lunch of pulled pork on a bun, baked beans, peas and sugar cookies. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 547-6454 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/otsegocountyOFA/ TECH CLASS— 12:30 p.m. “Computer 101 Class: Learn To Surf the Net.” Learn to work Facebook, Amazon and all the basic technologies with Ariel Eurrigiano from Huntington Library.

Oneonta Gathering Place, 5506 State Highway 7, Oneonta. (607) 267-4732 or visit https://www. facebook.com/otsegocountyOFA CROCHET CIRCLE— 3:30 p.m. Bring a crochet project and work with friends, learn to crochet, more. Held each Wednesday. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309 or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ WorcesterSchenevus LIBRARY—3:30-5 p.m. “Minecraft Club: Winter Session.” Children aged 8-14 play Minecraft and learn about the world through the game.

Featuring lessons on everything from genetics, to building on a budget, build a zoo habitat, more.

Registration required.

Held Wednesdays through 2/28. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit https:// hmloneonta.org/youthprograms/

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

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