COOP
-70 607-432
M IA L
er and IT.isdtech.net t u p m o C w 90 • ww
E WIL
Gy o L o n H teC InG C r U o S oUt Services
DG
ISIon mS DIv e t S y S atIon Inform
1808 BY
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
JU
E
OUNDED IN
R
•F
VISIT www.
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, January 6, 2022
Schools reopen, protocols in place stay the course and continue protocols that work for them, including guidelines such as mask wearing and social distancing. Cooperstown Central School Superintendent Sarah Spross said district protocol last changed in mid-December, with layered miti-
gation strategies provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Otsego County Department of Health, and the New York State Department of Education. The guidelines include designating
Bob Scanlon
A view on Goodyear Lake from the east side looking southwest
INSIDE
in 1808
A great crossword is a perfect Winter pastime, page 5
Volume 214, No. 01
School districts in Otsego County reopened on Monday, January 3, amid a continuing rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the country, with the Omicron variant chiefly responsible. But the response from the various superintendents was to
founded
three-foot distancing spaces throughout school buildings. “District leadership and nursing staff are currently working with the ONC BOCES, area superintendents, and the Otsego County Health Department to review new guidance and its impact on our operational plan,” Ms. Spross said. Oneonta Central School Superintendent Tom Brindley said the city’s district remains prepared with safety precautions in place since the start of the 2020-21 school year. “If there is a cluster that breaks out in the classroom or grade, we’ll work with the Department of Health,” he said. Mr. Brindley said he wasn’t concerned COVID-19 would affect the school staying open. “As long as we can transport our kids, feed our kids, and cover faculty and staff absences, then we can remain open,” he said. Milford Central School interim Superintendent Romona Wenck said the district is ready for the opening regardless of COVID19 news. “We’ve been following the same protocols we’ve been following all year,” Ms. Wenck said. “We need to make sure we stay consistent and continue to move forward.” Continued on page 6
Newsstand Price $1
Hello, first baby!
Bassett Healthcare Network’s Birthing Center in Cooperstown welcomed the first baby of 2022 at 4:14 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Lilliana Rose was born a week early to parents Eliana Matos and Israel Matos of Utica. Their little girl was born weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces and is 19 inches long. Lilliana has two older siblings: Israel Jr., who turns 15 this week, and Isabella, who is 13. “Lilliana was a surprise baby,” says mom Eliana. “I had a feeling from the beginning she would be a New Year’s baby. She’s full of surprises and we could not be more blessed.” Congratulations to Eliana and Israel on the arrival of their baby girl on New Year’s Day. In 2021,1,036 babies were born at the Bassett Birthing Center. The Center welcomed four babies in all on New Year’s Day.
Mayor Drnek’s ‘singular focus’ on City’s growth
►WHO GETS TO RUN WHERE: Election district panel can’t decide on once-every-decade lines, page 2.
By Kevin Limiti
►TERM LIMITS?: Governor Hochul, Republican candidate each put twoterm cap on the table, page 3. ►THE ‘OMICRON PARADOX’: It’s hard to tell which way is up these days, page 4. ►HANG ON, I’LL BE RIGHT THERE: Curious six-month-old Rottweiler has better things to do than come when he’s called, page 6. ►A FEW THOUGHTS ON IMPORTANT THINGS: Our columnists this week give a gold star to the new Milford COVID test site, celebrate the dawn of ‘Dry January,’ and begin a lifetime of avian delight, pages 4, 5, and 6.. Follow Breaking News On
AllOTSEGO.com Jennifer Armstrong
From left to right: (wife) Betsy Holland, (grandson) Rahmon Daily, Jr, Mayor Mark Drnek, Oneonta City Judge Bob Goulden.
The City of Oneonta welcomed its new mayor on New Year’s Day when former Eighth Ward Councilman Mark Drnek took the oath to assume his office. He already has changed City Hall: Mayor Drnek adopted City Administrator Greg Mattice’s plan to rearrange the office layout to “foster more coordination and collaboration” in the building. “I will always do what’s best for the business of organization or, in this case, the City,” Mayor Drnek said. The new mayor, who has lived in Oneonta for more than 38 years, said he is “really excited” to take on the new job. “I’ve been planning for nine months,” Mayor Drnek said. “I’ve come in with a whole lot of plans and strategies for what I want to do.” He said his experience as a Common Council member first elected in 2019 will help in the overall running of the City. “The relationships I’ve built since the
pandemic are going to make it easier to communicate,” he said of the Council. “We have a real bond of trust.” Mayor Drnek has held many different jobs throughout his life, including illustrator for children’s magazines, a morning on-air news reporter for WZOZ, director of creative services for The Daily Star, host of the radio show “Blue Light Central,” and owner of Sweet Home Productions, a multi-media production firm. The new mayor reiterated his campaign goal to market Oneonta in downstate and other media markets and attract at least 1,000 working people who might move to the city. Apart from public safety issues, it’s his top priority. “I want everybody to understand that this is something I am singularly focused on: marketing, attracting, and bringing one thousand new people into the city,” he said. “They’re going to find we’ve solved the problems that are counterintuitive to coming here,” targeting Continued on page 6
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Commission fails to agree on lawmakers’ district lines
Outside temperatures might be hitting their January lows, but June’s heat and humidity aren’t too far away. Nor are June’s political primaries — those all-important preliminary contests that determine a party’s slate for next November’s ballots. Yet the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts remain a mystery for would-be candidates. That includes a measure of uncertainty for voters in the congressional contest that comprises Otsego County. New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission met January 3 to approve new maps that would shape those districts for the next 10 years, but ended the meeting with two separate proposals that split the 10-member Commission evenly down party lines (five Democrats, five Republicans). While the two plans look to differ most widely on state Senate boundaries for Long Island and Western New York — the center of the always-pitched battle for Senate majority control — Otsego County’s congressional district also looks to vary slightly between the two plans. The nation’s Census Bureau confirms what many Otsego County residents have long believed: people are moving out of New York more than they’re moving in. New York as a state had the largest annual and cumulative numeric population decline, decreasing by 319,020 (1.6 percent) and 365,336 (1.8 percent), respectively. New York’s declining population in the last year was attributed to what the Bureau calls “negative domestic
migration” (-352,185) — a fancier term for “moved to a different state.” Texas, Florida, and Arizona topped the list of states gaining the most new residents during the Bureau’s survey period, which compared state and regional populations on July 1, 2021 against July 1, 2020. New York dropped below 20 million people in the last year, decreasing from 20,154,933 to 19,835,913. Bureau data available at press time stopped short of specifying any ‘negative migration’ from Otsego County itself, but showed an April 1, 2020 count of 58,524 against an April 1, 2010 count of 62,259. As a result, New York loses one congressional seat in the 2022 election — potentially pitting sitting lawmakers against each other in party primaries. The Independent Commission was supposed to remove politics from a process long controlled by the state Legislature; its failure to complete its work with a single plan puts the lines back in the Legislature’s hands. The deadlocked Commission sent its two plans to lawmakers for possible consideration, either requiring a two-thirds
The
majority vote in both the state Senate and Assembly. Democrats hold commanding majorities in each House, but may not be able to muster the required tally to approve either of the Commission submissions, The Commission can present new maps by February 28; should those also fail, the state Legislature will draw plans of its own. New York voters rejected a ballot measure last November that would have altered the Independent Redistricting Commission by requiring the panel to include noncitizen residents in the state population and allow for incarcerated people to be counted at their last residence rather than their current venue of incarceration.
Octet challenge underway Otsego Outdoors presents a winter challenge to all adventure seekers looking for fun and exercise this winter. The Winter Octet Challenge, the fourth of its kind, consists of crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking to highlight accessible trails for those seeking outdoor activities. Participants choose 8 of 13 trails to complete at state parks, state forests, town parks, Otsego Land Trust properties, and private properties open to the public. A “Choose Your Own” option opens the door to different activities such as
job scene job scene To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103
Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals
SubStituteS needed for the following School diStrictS:
Senior Victim Advocate Community Educator
Charlotte Valley CSD Edmeston CSD Laurens CSD Milford CSD Oneonta City SD Schenevus Stamford Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD Worcester CSD ONC BOCES (Grand Gorge & Milford)
VIP Shelter Supervisor Traditional Housing Navigator Shelter Associates WIC Qualified Nutritionist Building Healthy Families Resource Specialist FT Head Start Positions with school breaks and summers off:
SubStitute PoSitionS:
Family Partner Assistant Teacher Classroom Aide OFO is a family-oriented organization offering competitive wages, excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth. For an application, submission instructions, benefit package summary and descriptions of all employment openings, visit www.ofoinc.org/jobs
EOE
The leader in developing innovative solutions to promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities since 1966.
Teachers LTAs Aides & Monitors Nurses Cleaners Bus & Van Drivers Clerical & Office Support Food Service Workers Please visit www.oncboces.org/subs for EOE application and information.
Kim’s
Kut & Style NeWNEW LoCatioN, YOU... NewNEW You,STYLE! New Style Perms Wash, Cut & Style
sledding, tubing, ice fishing, and more. The Otsego Outdoors Winter Octet runs through March 19, 2022. More than 250 people have completed the challenge in less than a year, a total of 2,000 treks through waterways, bicycle paths, and trails in O t s e g o County. “The challenge is great becausethere is a variety of ways for people to get outdoors and explore our beautiful landscape,” said Marcie Foster, Director of Stewardship at the Otsego Land Trust. Upon successfully completing the challenge, participants receive a Winter Octet patch. Otsego Oudoors is a collaborative effort between Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust, and the Otsego County Conservation Association in order to introduce people to Otsego County outdoor activities. Go to otsegooutdoors.org for more information.
6208 State Highway 28 • 547-7126 (On the Corner in Fly Creek)
Chuck Gould
607-432-2022
22-26 Watkins Avenue, Oneonta Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
Associate Program Manager Overview: Founded in 1984, Otsego Rural Housing Assistance, Inc. (ORHA) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing housing repairs and rehabilitation, rental assistance, and accessibility modifications to low income Otsego County residents through state, federal, and other grant-funded programs. We are focused on the special challenges of assuring safe, affordable housing in a largely rural, high poverty environment. The candidate selected for the Associate Program Manager position will begin learning the full range of functions and responsibilities of the organization, starting with the HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which is ORHA’s largest responsibility, serving 160 client households, and eventually developing a capacity to participate in the implementation and support of all our programs. Required Skills/Qualifications: • Excellent oral and written communication skills • Strong organizational and interpersonal skills • 2+ years’ experience with business, non-profit, or governmental organizations • Pleasant, professional telephone manner • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook/Office and other common business software applications, including internet browsers • Capacity for multi-tasking, problem solving, and project management • Capacity to work independently • Driver’s license and reliable transportation We offer an informal (dress casual) professional work place, with a flexible 35 hours per week schedule; three weeks paid vacation, paid sick leave, the full range of paid national holidays; paid health insurance (employee only); and room for growth in both responsibility and compensation. Our offices are located on County Hwy 33 in Cooperstown; our Section 8 office is located at the County “Meadows” complex on County Hwy 33W in Cooperstown.
Starting Salary: $35,000 per year, with reviews at 6 months and 12 months during first year. How to apply: Send resumé with cover letter addressing specific skills/qualifications listed above to Otsego Rural Housing Assistance, Inc., PO Box 189 Milford, NY 13807; or by email to orha2@stny.rr.com. No phone calls please.
Otsego Rural Housing Assistance, Inc. PO Box 189, Milford NY 13807 | www.otsegoruralhousing.org
NEED TO FILL A JOB? GIVE US A CALL!
ThE JOB SCENE 607 -547-6103
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3
Governor calls for two-term cap for statewide elected officials Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2022 State of the State message calls for a two-term limit for New York’s four top offices – governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and comptroller. Her plan tracks a similar call from the state’s likely Republican candidate for governor in 2022, Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin. Rep. Zeldin’s plan, announced December 1, 2021, would affect only the governor’s office. Any term limit proposal would require an amendment to the state’s constitution — a lengthy process that demands approval from two separate sessions of the state Legislature, and then from voters. Governor Hochul also seeks to bar outside income for statewide elected officials while serving in office, unless the income is derived from teaching purposes. “I want people to believe in their government again,” Governor Hochul said. “With these bold reforms, we will ensure New Yorkers know their leaders work for them and are focused on serving the people of this state.” In his December announcement, Rep. Zeldin said, “I have always believed that our founding fathers envisioned a system of citizen elected leaders who would bring their unique new ideas, experience and vision to government and then move on. As governor, I would term-limit myself to two terms regardless of whether the state legislature takes this action.”
While New York law imposes no limit on the number of terms a statewide elected official or a state legislator can hold, some municipalities throughout the state have enacted
local term-limit ordinances. New York City, for example, caps citywide officials and City Council members to two terms in their respective offices.
OtsegO AutO MAll Find the BEST New and Used Cars in the Region!
Over 100 used vehiCles in stOCk GM * Extension of factory warranties * Free maintenance * Reconditioned to GM CPO standard 172-point inspection From all of us at Country Club Motors
Happy Holidays!
spend $1,000+
save $100 spend $500 - $999
save $50
save $25
spend $150 - $249
spend $50 - $149
save $15 Country Club Motors | 607-432-6190 70 Oneida street, OneOnta www.COuntryClubMOtOrs.COM *See dealers for all details. Excludes taxes, title, license, and Fees or first payment. Subject to residency restrictions. Prices subject to change. Inventory based on availability and subject to change.
The all new 2022 anD
FROnTIeR paThFInDeR
spend $250 - $499
save $10
65 Oneida Street, Oneonta • 607-433-1251 Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Schedule online at scovillemeno.com
The new nissan
Built to thrill
say hello to the most capable adventure vehicles we’ve ever built countryclubnissan.com
55 Oneida Street | Oneonta | 607-432-2800 | 800-388-3632 SALES: Monday - Thursday 8 am - 7 pm | Friday 8 am - to 6 pm | Saturday 8 am - 5 pm SERVICE (By appointment): Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm | Saturday 8 am - l pm
Perspectives
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL editorial
ted potrikus
Omicron’s Paradox
•F
OUNDED
IA
1808 BY
JU
R
IN
DG
E WIL
L
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
O M C O PE
A COVID-weary public confronts the conundrum daily: Is this good news? Is it bad news? We have to admit that we’re a little bit confused. The Omicron caseload is frightening on its surface — ridiculously high numbers on a daily basis, top-ofthe-fold newspaper coverage, lead-story status. We’re so attuned to scary numbers and frightening graphs that when we hear about record-shattering daily positive tests coming back, the first thing we want to do is retreat to our quarantine corners and hide. We worry that we’re all going to become experts in the Greek alphabet before this is finished. But then we look past the raw data and hear the experts say that with Omicron, it’s important to take a more analytical approach. Governor Kathy Hochul, on Monday, said, “People are testing at a much higher rate. It’s shocking in the scale of the number of people who are testing positive, but we’re grateful cases are not presenting themselves as severely as they did with Delta.” She cited encouraging news out of South Africa, where Omicron first was detected — a sharp jolt in positives followed by an equally sharp decline. “We have so many more defenses this time,” she said. One of New York’s top public health policy experts, Bill Hammond of the Empire Center for Public Policy, calls it the Omicron paradox, writing: “Compared to last year at this time, the state’s infection rate is almost five times higher, while hospitalizations are roughly the same and deaths are at 40% lower.” When it comes to protection against COVID-19, this page unabashedly supports vaccines and the booster. We support mask-wearing — even, in the current instance, Governor Hochul’s mandate, because it’s a good way to remind the population at large that now might be a pretty good time to take every step we can to guard ourselves and others around us against this horrible disease. Top-down messaging — no matter how well-intentioned — rarely works. What sounds good in the war room hits a New York State-sized pothole the minute it gets out. The governor’s “Winter Surge 2.0” New Year’s Eve press conference probably rattled a few cages: keep kids in school if your school is a part of this ‘test-to-stay’ protocol that says if a student tests positive, classmates can take an at-home test kit and return to the classroom upon receiving a negative test result instead of entering mandatory quarantine. Yet just before Christmas, Otsego County’s Department of Health announced it would not allow individuals to ‘test out’ of quarantine owing to a massive number of those under lockdown and a miniscule number of staff able to authorize the tests. Some school districts in the state allow an unchecked negative from at-home tests, others do not. Then there’s mask protocol. For nearly two years, we’ve been told that cloth face coverings do the job. Not so, perhaps — in that December 31 briefing, Governor Hochul donned an N-95 surgical mask and said that all New Yorkers should do the same. Even double-masking with cloth might be insufficient against Omicron’s insidious contagion. We might even want to think about an N-95 doubled up WITH a cloth mask. Even if we’re vaxxed, double-vaxxed, or triple-vaxxed. Mixed messaging comes from the inescapable truth that COVID and its Greek-alphabet variants demand almost hourly change. We recognize, too, that Governor Hochul has to do something of a U-turn when it comes to news out of the Capitol: unlike her predecessor, rather than offering data seemingly manicured for that day’s press briefing and/or making every statement on COVID a definitive, final answer (subject to change), she appears unafraid to admit that she has to pivot whenever the Center for Disease Control or some other authority changes its procedures and recommendations. Unable as we may be to sort out the protocol for the day, this page will continue its support for personal and public responsibility, with masks, vaccines, and, if we’ve got any left, patience.
founded
Larissa Ryan Business Manager
Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production
Kevin Limiti Staff Writer
Ivan Potocnik Web Architect
Back in the day, I’d go through the first dozen-or-so blank checks in our family checkbook at January’s beginning just to write in the digits applicable to our new calendar year. Now, I’m not even sure I could find the checkbook. New Year’s Day, in fact, I wanted to buy something I found online. I got to the ‘shopping cart’ part of the deal and was prepared to enter my credit card details, and then saw the option to send them my money through Apple Pay. I vaguely remembered setting up that particular option when I got an iPhone a couple of years ago, and I thought, “Hey, it’s 2022, I’ll try this newfangled way of paying.” My phone vibrated with a bouncy little icon telling me to double-click to pay. I heard the immediate ‘ding’ of success and before I knew it had e-mail confirmation of my order and its promise of delivery within 24 hours. This reminds me of that Bugs Bunny cartoon where he dashes off an order for earmuffs, tosses it in a mailbox, taps his foot for a few seconds, and then receives from a motorcycle courier the just-ordered ‘package for Bugs Bunny.’ He’s back on stage bedeviling his opera-singing nemesis before the chorus is over. Convenient, yes — particularly because it spares me the memory test of recalling my password; dangerous,
though, because double-clicking a button doesn’t render the feeling that I’ve actually spent any money. Unlike a paper check — which was a handwritten affirmation that this specific amount was coming out of our account. Or cash, which was (is) a tangible decline in the amount that once lived in my wallet. Or slipping the credit card into the little slot — at least that’s an active process that can (and should) bring the reminder that yes, I’m spending real money. I suspect the day will come — soon — that I start looking for ways to use this nifty Apple Pay gadget. The added benefit here is that it will make me feel like I’m not a complete Luddite and remain open, my advancing years notwithstanding, to change. That’s where it ends, though: at some point, Apple and its Internet variants might try to drag me into cryptocurrency, but I’m not having it. I can’t tell a Bitcoin from a Dogecoin from an Ethereum. Google offered me a ‘list of the top 50 cryptocurrencies,’ and it confused me to no end. I read further. It said something about using Crypto to buy my NFTs. I’ve heard a lot about NFTs, and I’m big enough to admit that I have no idea what that means beyond that it’s a “non-fungible token.” My web search led me to a site called The Verge, which wrote this: “ … most NFTs
are part of the Ethereum blockchain. Ethereum is a cryptocurrency, like bitcoin or dogecoin, but its blockchain also supports these NFTs, which store extra information that makes them work differently from, say, an ETH coin.” They go on: “NFTs can really be anything digital (such as drawings, music), but a lot of the current excitement is around using the tech to sell digital art.” This article did not clear things up. No amount of explanation will ever clear it up when I read that people (“investors”) are out there dropping millions of dollars (real ones, not the made-up ones) on things like the first Twitter tweet ever tweeted or an original digital thing that has been reproduced a few gazillion times through other digital platforms. Then when I read that my friends in the environmental community are up-in-arms about mining and the amount of energy needed to mine the stuff needed to make cryptocurrency, I get all backwards on it because I thought it was just a digital thing so why, and what, are we mining? Never say never, goes the adage, but I think it’s a pretty safe bet that at no time will I use or understand all this NFT and crypto business. For you readers out there willing to take that bet, please know that I accept cash and personal checks only.
richard Sternberg, M.D.
Life during COVID: The ease of testing This morning (Monday, January 3), I was tested for COVID-19. The process was easy, quick, not particularly uncomfortable, and easy to schedule. While I would’ve preferred a rapid test to know whether or not I’m currently infected, I can wait a day or two for the PCR test — which was the one available — and still be diagnosed within five days of the onset of symptoms as recommended by the Center for Disease Control. When I woke up Sunday morning I had a slight cough, some congestion (which I frequently have because of allergies) and a scratchy throat. Normally I would’ve gargled and thought nothing of it, but we live in interesting times. Because I had minor symptoms, I knew I should get a test as soon as possible. I looked online for a testing appointment. but could find nothing for Sunday within 25 miles of Cooperstown, nor could I find any for Cooperstown (where I live) until this coming Thursday except for the state’s new facility opened last week in Milford. While they offer only online scheduling at this time, I was able to make an appointment for 10:20 that morning. The facility is in the American Legion Post hall at 86 West Main Street in Milford, one half-block west of the traffic light, on the left side of
the road. The testing site operates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. As reported in last week’s paper, New York expects to add rapid testing options at the Milford location so that if positive, treatment can begin more quickly; if negative, quarantine may end. The process couldn’t have been easier. I parked behind the Milford American Legion Post, was able to get in using the handicap-accessible ramp, and entered the reception room. There were two desks to sign in, and no waiting. Because my glasses fogged over from wearing the mask I took them off and then wasn’t able to read the registration form. The clerk couldn’t have been nicer helping me. This took about two minutes. There were four testing stations, so there was no waiting. The nurse was very pleasant and put me at ease by just having casual conversation. Frankly when she performed the testing, taking the nasal swabbing, it was the easiest of the approximately 10 times I’ve been tested since the pandemic began two years ago. To check out I just walked out the door. I think the whole process took 10 minutes from parking to leaving. I have very close friends who had COVID in the last couple of weeks.
Luckily, none of them were very sick, though one is still having symptoms a week after onset. In two cases, I had to argue with my friends that they needed to be tested and that their symptoms, until proven otherwise, indicated that they had COVID. They felt that they weren’t sick enough and said it even though they know that a large percentage of people are asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. To some extent they really didn’t want to know, something I feel is common to many people both vaccinated and unvaccinated. January 3 saw the CDC report 400,000 new cases, 100,000 people hospitalized, and 1,400 deaths. Airlines in the United States cancelled 2,100 flights — mostly because of lack of crews due to COVID. Extensive testing with rapid results will allow us to reach a maximally productive new normal as soon as possible. If you have any illness, since COVID symptoms can be almost anything, have been in contact with a person with a known case of COVID, or are planning a trip, get tested. It’s easy, free, and it will allow you to safely be more active sooner. Make your appointment for the Milford site at https://appointments.bioreference.com/nystate covidtesting.
left behind and turned into scrap. God help us! Margaret Kenyon East Meredith
cost supplier of weed. More dope farms than all other Western states combined. More dope farms than corn or cotton. A gram of dope can be had for a small fraction of what it sells for in Colorado or California. Weed has become a commodity product — like milk. So now New York farmers think they’re going to cash in on the weed boom. Maybe so. Only if they can produce a commodity for less than a hard-working Okie operating with little or no regulations. And basically zero regulation of interstate shipments. Good luck. Chip Northrup Cooperstown
in 1808
Tara Barnwell Publisher Ted Potrikus Editor
Brother, can you spare a Crypto?
Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Historian
Editorial Board Elinor Vincent, Michael Moffat, Tara Barnwell, Ted Potrikus OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year. First Class Subscription, $155 a year. Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.
LETTERS
Festivus-worthy spending
Here we go again! The annual Festivus report is in on some of the stupid expenditures that have been voted on in government this year. Millions spent on a study about gambling that paid for pigeons to play slot machines; another study that finally verified that kids crave junk food; $25 million for art projects to be displayed around New York City; more than $11 million that a US agency put out to request Vietnamese citizens stop burning their trash; $250 million to build border walls — not here but in the Middle East and Africa; $549 million on planes for the troops in Afghanistan that were
Smoky in Muskogee
We drive through Oklahoma a few times a year. Eastern Oklahoma is beautiful, immortalized by Woody Guthrie’s “Oklahoma Hills.” It’s also a place of crushing rural poverty, as bad as “The Grapes of Wrath,” where the casinos, lotteries and dope shops hoover up the loose change of the working poor. Oklahoma has become the largest producer of marijuana in America — surpassing Mexico as the low
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5
NEWS FROM THE NOTEWORTHY LEAF
Consider the option: Dry January
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
210 YEARS AGO
Those who have been led by federal falsehoods to fear that our country was in the high road to destruction will be gratified by that paragraph of the President’s Message which adverts to the state of our finances. From this it appears that no loan has been made during the past year; that the loan made in 1810 has been paid off; that the current expenses of the government have been defrayed; that the interest of the whole national debt has been discharged; and, that more than five millions of dollars of the principal of that debt have been reimbursed. January 4, 1812
185 YEARS AGO
January 6, 1837
160 YEARS AGO
When entering upon the year which has just closed, clouds and darkness had already gathered over our country, and the future was full of doubt, apprehension and alarm. The Administration was openly betrayed by its chosen friends — the President was almost paralyzed by the alarming state of affairs around him — treason pervaded the army and navy, and every department of government. The magnitude of the rebellion suddenly sprung upon the country by those who had been long preparing for it, was not appreciated by anyone at the time; and even the new administration, which came into power two months later, did not deem it necessary to have the proposed army bill passed ere the adjournment of the old Congress. When Fort Sumter was assaulted and Washington threatened, 75,000 three-month volunteers were deemed sufficient to suppress the rebellion; and we were told by men high in authority that 60 days would suffice to quell the disturbance and to restore the authority of the federal government throughout the Union. January 3, 1862
60 YEARS AGO
Dr. James Bordley III, Director of the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, told the Rotary Club last week that a modern hospital is an economic enterprise, non-profit by law, and its success sometimes is judged by the size of its debit balance. He pointed out that Bassett Hospital a year ago ran a $400,000 deficit, and for this year it is expected to run close to $450,000. Bassett is a $2 million a year business, he added. January 3, 1962
35 YEARS AGO
As of January 1, a new smoking policy went into effect at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown. Smoking will only be permitted in the two main lobbies, inpatient and outpatient lobbies, and in the designated area of the cafeteria. Patients who are bedridden may smoke only with the consent of their physician; those who are ambulatory may smoke only in the floor lounges during the four half-hour periods to be designated by the nursing office. Smoking is permitted on the hospital patio and outside. January 7, 1987
20 YEARS AGO
There will be a public information session and hearing on the continued use of the “Redskins” nickname by the Cooperstown Central School District. The purpose of the hearing is to gather public opinion about the continued use of the nickname, image and mascot. An ad hoc committee, appointed late last summer by the Board of Education, will present a brief overview of their research. January 4, 2002 Solution: ‘‘More Pun-ishment” (Dec. 30)
Let’s be honest: 2021 was not a year that most of us will look back on with a wistful sigh of nostalgia. I’ve heard words like stressful, overwhelming, awful, endless, depressing, and devastating. And, if the Facebook newsfeed is any indicator, many of us have turned to an extra glass of wine or bottle of beer to calm our frayed nerves. “Dry January” offers an option to hit the reset button on our health or even on habits that might have snuck up on us. This annual observance has risen in popularity since its start in Great Britain about eight years ago. This year, approximately 15 percent of the United States population will choose to not consume any alcoholic beverages for the entire month. That’s on top of the nearly one-third who already are teetotalers for one reason or another. I realize that we are already a couple of days into January, but it’s not too late to get started. Why in the world would anyone want to give up alcohol for a month? Well, it’s an individual thing. Here are some reasons that people make the Dry January choice: 1) After a month of buffets, feasts, and sweets, avoiding alcohol is a way to carve out a few empty calories. Avoiding calories in alcohol can be an easy win for the diet, especially since alcohol offers no
proven nutritional benefit. Even the cardio-protective aspects of some wines have been far overstated. Eat dark chocolate and blueberries instead. They carry the same cardioprotective ingredient with fewer calories per serving. 2) People report just feeling better while taking a break from alcohol. That may seem counterintuitive since we use alcohol to celebrate or just relax. It’s supposed to make us feel good. However, ethanol, the chemical name for alcohol, is toxic to our systems and is the root of the term “intoxication.” It impairs immunity for at least 24 hours, disturbs sleep patterns for several days, and creates a hydration deficit for our bodies. Most people simply feel better after about a week of abstaining. 3) Some report that they have decided to re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol. A drinking-related incident may have gotten their attention; an injury, a regrettable argument,
or maybe a DUI. A person may reach an awareness that alcohol has become an easy response to stress, anger, or anxiety. Some may notice that their Facebook or Instagram posts are frequently focused on what they are drinking or will be drinking. Some just decide that they might be drinking more than they wanted or more than their comfort level allows. A month-long period of evaluation is reasonable. If you do this self-evaluation and wish to talk it over with someone, give us a call. 4) Finally, there are those who take a break from alcohol for their own peace of mind and a mental health check. After the year we’ve been through, this seems entirely reasonable. Alcohol is a depressant. Although it may relax us or de-stress us in the moment, the longer-term impacts can either mask or exacerbate an underlying mental health issue. Healthcare has come a long way and there are wonderful treatments that can restore people to good mental health. Those treatments do a far better job than alcohol. If you would like to talk to someone about concerns related to alcohol, please give us a call at 607-432-0090. It’s confidential, and we’re judgment-free. From the staff at LEAF, we wish you a happy, healthy new year!
BY Merl Reagle
Mother Nature…No male today ACROSS 1 ___ of Secession 7 Tropical fruit 13 Sucker deal 17 Where every suggestion gets a neigh vote? 19 Name meaning “peace” 20 Recent “pigtorial” in an Arizona magazine? 21 With ___ in sight 22 Captain’s cry 23 Overhead trains 24 ___ in “apple” 25 Anglo or audio add-on 26 Plop preceder 27 She, in Siena 30 Mae West role, Diamond ___ 31 Anger 32 Engine additive 34 This one, in Lisbon 36 With 45 Across, what male foxes look forward to in November? 41 Sailing 43 Imaret 44 Sold to the highest bidder 45 See 36 Across 50 ___ be outdone 51 Actions 52 Churchill, to many 54 Guitar booster 57 Choir mbr. 58 Criticize 62 Actor Beatty 63 Fez’s land: abbr. 64 Genie portrayer 65 Debunker of that “jumping over the moon” theory? 68 Nothing 69 Like some hair 70 Needlefish 71 Maintenance 72 La Scala’s home 73 Hit-show sign 74 New York city where Mark Twain is buried 76 Adding late-breaking info to 79 Place 80 With 90 Across, the most famous line heard on Let’s Make a Deer? 84 Walden Two novelist 88 Pasture sound 89 Land amount 90 See 80 Across 93 D. Do-Right’s outfit 97 Co. head 98 Flicka food 99 ___ Miz 100 Faux pas
102 Fish eggs 103 German pistol 105 Admission vouchers, in ad shorthand 106 Spanish article 108 Appliance brand 110 Ravi’s instrument 111 Salesman’s comment about the new softer upholstery in the Dodge Ram? 115 Didn’t bat ___ 116 Start of a “coop d’état”? 117 Beastly guy 118 Performing all over 119 Mariel’s granddad DOWN 1 Hinder 2 Myra or Rudolf 3 Be a thespian 4 Female flyers, once: abbr. 5 Gumby creator Clokey 6 Adjudicate again 7 Sailors 8 Night light? 9 Scared 10 Onion variety 11 Squadron members 12 Sun. talk 13 Counselor Deanna on Star Trek: The Next Generation 14 Finishes fishing, perhaps 15 Actress Bening
16 ___ Xing 17 Slithy Jabberwocky beings 18 Choice: abbr. 19 Like will-gotten gains 20 Honshu drink 25 Daintily attractive things 28 Guide 29 Smoothly polite 30 Vanessa’s sister 31 Unknown, to un parisien 33 Grad school prize 35 Avoids dining out 37 Cereal brand 38 L.A. to Denver, e.g. 39 Ex-Sen. Sam of Georgia 40 Try to win over 42 Sealed up 45 Mellow yellows 46 President 47 Rio Grande city 48 “___ what you did!” 49 Odysseus’s men, thanks to Circe 53 Netman Nastase 54 Ms. Bloomer 55 1979 drama, Breaker ___ 56 Antler tips 59 Goad 60 Flower part 61 Genesis vessel 65 Datebook 66 Conductor Eugene 67 PC control centers
68 Instrument heard in The Third Man 70 Order to a disobedient dog 72 Bryn ___ 75 Concept, as a prefix 77 The Scarlet Letter daughter 78 New Yr.’s Eve 79 Hit the slopes 81 Big birds 82 Jerry’s “partner” 83 Cry 84 Where Monty Python first appeared 85 Sensation 86 Yeller 87 Dependent 91 Alongside 92 Ancient ascetic 94 Type of tie 95 Impressionist Claude 96 Bartlett or bosc 101 Cannes award, the ___ d’Or 104 Singer Marvin 105 Now’s opposite 106 Oven used to anneal glass 107 Reverence 109 Throngs 110 Intro to Paulo 111 Nobel decliner Le Duc ___ 112 Old French cent 113 Direction of some clues: abbr. 114 Mr. Chaney
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Local schools press ahead amid Omicron Continued from page 1 She said area school superintendents meet weekly with Otsego County Health Director Heidi Bond, focusing first on ensuring the safety of students and keep a watchful eye on COVID19 numbers in the school. “Our school nurse does an outstanding job,” Ms. Wenck said. She said overall numbers of symptomatic
students have been low to date, but the district nonetheless continues to keep a close eye on athletic programs and potential student exposure in such conditions.. “So far we’ve kept our school open and that’s the goal,” she said. “We don’t see high transmission in school.” Worcester Superintendent Tim Gonzales echoed his county
school administrator counterparts’ sentiments. “We’ve kept the same protocols in place,” he said. “It’s worked so far. We don’t really want to change it, despite some fears of rising COVID cases in the county.” “I know the Omicron variant is out there but if we keep doing the same protocols, we’ll be fine,” he said.
Tom SHELBY T he D O G C H A R M E R
Dakota is smart, but the woods distract him
We have a beautiful and smart six-month-old male Rottweiler named Dakota. He is really good with the basics of sit, lay down and stay. We love to go hiking and the goal is to be able to take him off leash. He loves to be out in the woods. How do we get him to be more attentive to us when walking? We need him to come back to us quickly when called and greet other dogs and their owners with manners. He comes now but sometimes we have to go to him and get his attention again. We would like him to respond without us going to him. Peggy Dear Peggy, Not counting experimental breeds that have yet to achieve official status, there are about 360 officially recognized breeds worldwide. According to Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs, the Rottweiler is the 9th most intelligent. (I seriously doubt Coren tested all 360 breeds, very many of which we never even heard of or saw). However, having worked with a “ton” of them, bottom line, Rotties are real smart, and are used as working dogs for all kinds of work. At six months of age he’s a teenage punk, and the fact that he cooperates with “down” and “stay” is great. My guess is that most of that cooperation takes place indoors, with few distractions. One of your chief goals should be to increase the intensity of the distractions through which Dakota cooperates, starting indoors and graduating to his positive responses outdoors, off leash. Getting him to come to you when called, the “recall”, is critical. Starting indoors, 10 plus times a day, when he doesn’t expect it, call him with the words, “Dakota come!” The first 4 or 5 times he arrives he gets a treat as soon as he’s sits after arriving. After the first 4 or 5 recalls he gets the treat intermittently. Why intermittently? Because it’s one of the strongest ways to get a conditioned response. The attitude becomes, maybe there’s a treat, maybe not,
but I better go check it out. The conditioned “sit” upon arrival is very important as it helps eliminate the jumping and makes for a polite greeting. As soon as you can, eliminate the verbal command to sit and let it become automatic, as people he greets are unlikely to tell him to sit. Outdoors, off leash, is when it gets “real”! This is the only time Mr. Dakota gets people-food treats, after earning them of course. Just like indoors, call him multiple times, but now he’s rewarded with tiny pieces of chicken (or whatever) upon arrival. At this point the recall is rewarded even if he doesn’t sit upon arrival. Depending on his proclivity to roam or chase chipmunks and deer I might suggest he drag a long piece of leash with the handle cut off or a piece of rope, ON A HARNESS. (No handle so it’s less likely to get snagged on something and if he goes flat out after a deer and the rope gets caught on something you don’t want it attached to his neck!). As he matures and cooperates you can keep shortening the drag line until he doesn’t need it. It’s also important that Dakota gets well socialized, and accustomed to all kinds of sights and sounds. Taking a few walks in downtown Oneonta wouldn’t hurt — “been there, done that, seen that, no big deal” is your goal for his attitude. Another key command for Dakota is “Leave it!” Hearing this he doesn’t chase the deer, greet the dog he sees or eat the dropped slice of pizza on the Oneonta sidewalk. Sorry, “Leave it” is for another column, however, with a very strong recall you will have less need for the “Leave it” command. Congrats on your new 4-legged significant other and don’t hesitate to stay in touchDog Charmer Tom Cooperstown author Tom Shelby will answer pet owner questions on dog training. Email your questions to dogsrshelby@msn.com.
jamie johnston FOR THE BIRDS
Lifelong experiences with birds I loved all flora and fauna as a child, I had no favorites. I was young, a pre-teen just wanting to go out of the house to see what I could discover. I’d sneak out of the house just as the sun cast its warmth on the land in the early morning and head for the woods, snooping for hidden mammals, birds, amphibians, and insects. Finding a nest of some gamebird or songbird made my day. Coming across a fox den or tripping over a young fawn was always exciting for a 10-year old. It was a great upbringing, in part for the differences between habitats I encountered in Cooperstown and in New Haven, Connecticut. Each was unique; New Haven more urban and gentile, Cooperstown with more working farmland. But with all the time I spent in the woods, the more I liked both. Each day was an adventure that went through constant changes thanks to weather and the seasons. And then there was a huge change: my father took a new job 35 miles from where we lived in New Haven. Most of the lands surrounding my new home were marshes with salt air common. The sea and my new water environment replaced the forests I had once studied. In my immediate area, there were few forests other than alder, a few willow, and some spindly American Chestnut trees that never matured enough to explore. These pockets of trees were perfect habitats for woodcock. I also found new species of ducks taking advantage of thousands of invertebrates found in the shallow tributaries of the
Photo from eBird.com
An American Woodcock
Connecticut River or diving for small minnows hiding along the shadows of the banks. My old elementary school in New Haven was way too far for me to attend. My new school was on the Connecticut/Rhode Island border and, for a year or two, I had no classmates to hang out with. I was often left to my own devices and became familiar with the salt.marshes. I used an old dinghy to seek out marsh wren nests — along with their “dumby” nest they construct during the nesting season — and, along the way, find an occasional duck nest or a spy a bald eagle or marsh hawk with its identifiable white patch on its tail. My life changed again, too, in a way I hadn’t expected. My seventhgrade teacher assigned a report over vacation on a science topic of our choice. I had no luck choosing a topic until it dawned on me a lot of woodcock were going through their spring courtship as the sun went town and the moon came up. At dusk, you could often see them like leaves falling back to earth as they went through
their twittering. Without knowing much about these rotund long-beaked gamebirds, I called on the office of master birder Roger Tory Peterson. His wife Barbara kindly gave permission when I explained what I was looking for and asked if I could peruse her library for information. Vacation came to an end and I handed in my science report. I clearly remember everything I saw; the books the field guide drawings, the pictures. I left appreciating the experience, but did not foresee this being a door to a lifetime of experience. At least not until my doorbell rang and Barbara was there to introduce me to Tom Lovejoy. After introductions Barbara mentioned that I was young and enthusiastic and might like to work for him on his osprey research. A new door opened! I worked with Tom for about two years, and continued working with him on avian diseases in Brazil until he finished his Ph.D. Another Ph.D candidate from Cornell took up that mantle, and another chapter began. [Editor’s Note: James Johnston is an avid ‘birder’ and has lived in the Cooperstown area all of his life. He earned his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management and worked as a wildlife biologist but still follows his lifelong passion for observing birds and their habitats. We look forward to featuring occasional columns on different subjects, but always all about the birds!]
Mayor Drnek
Continued from page 1 housing and employment opportunities as challenges. “We will bring people who have jobs,” he said. “One thousand isn’t ten thousand. This is a reasonable goal. I’ll provide the energy. It’ll lower slices of our tax pie, and we’ll see entrepreneurs.” Mayor Drnek said Oneonta’s quality of life and its natural beauty will tempt newcomers, particularly given the economy’s shift to people often working remotely from their homes. He said he wants to foster “inspirational thinking” to get “our community involved in the process.” “We all need to become salespeople,” he said. Central to his quality-of-life strategy: turning Market Street into an entertainment district with cross-demographic appeal to “feed Main Street and become a vital place on the map, not just for people from the Oneonta area.” “I wish I could wave a magic wand,” he said, emphasizing how a revitalized Market Street would be good for the prosperity of Oneonta but calling it a “long haul.” On public safety, Mayor Drnek said he was “very excited” about the Community Police Board (CPB). He chaired the Community Advisory Board Review Council meetings which helped create the CPB and formed the basis for recommending best practices for the Oneonta Police Department (OPD). The community board is set to handle complaints and suggestions regarding OPD. The city’s incoming leader gave high praise to the Oneonta Fire Department. “Is there are a better fire department in the country than Oneonta?” he said. “I think not.” The new mayor pledged his support for City Administrator Gary Mattice. “He’s doing an excellent job,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to support him.” The mayor reflected, too, on the need for a good relationship with college students who call Oneonta home. “There are 15,000 residents in the City, half of them are in college,” he said. “They are a huge piece. They should appreciate their role here while we appreciate them. We’re going to be better off by bringing more voices. The more voices we have, the more opinions we have, the stronger we’ll be.” The mayor acknowledged he is in the “honeymoon stage” of his term and does not expect it to remain like that forever. “I came in with a lot of support,” he said. “I feel like I have a mandate. The community is extremely supportive of me personally. Right now, I’m enjoying this period, but I’m realizing enough to know this is not going to last forever.” “The greatest lesson I ever learned was when I realized no matter how much I know, there is always someone who knows more,” he said. “You’ll be a better leader when you learn from them.”
LETTERS
A grateful heart for our community Two years ago it was discovered that my daughter Vincenza was suffering from an unspecified bone marrow failure,where her own body was destroying her red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout your body. She didn’t have enough and was literally suffocating. Fast forward to now, with a lot of treatment in between, she is at N.Y. Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center recovering from a bone marrow transplant, compliments of her brother! These two years represent ups, downs, fears, and uncertainty of huge proportion. We have all felt depleted right to our core. As the result of friends, neighbors and loved ones, we have forged ahead. Yet because of the community we call home, we were blessed with more support, compassion, love and prayers than one could expect. It started with a large Christmas package which arrived filled with all of the things she would love. It was clear that each gift had been selected for her. The elves responsible were the individuals who have provided care to Vincenza on a daily basis at the Cancer Center for the last 23 months. They wanted her to know they missed her and were optimistic about her recovery. We cried and felt so embraced by this act. Our second episode happened when two large envelopes arrived filled with cards and notes for Vincenza. Staff at Cooperstown Central School and students had sent cards of well wishes, encouragement, prayers and inspiration. As I sat their reading each one to my daughter I cried. Thank you everyone who took the time to write a card or note and thank you to Jennifer Pindar and Rebecca Sciallo for coordinating this. The impact that these notes have had are immeasurable. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for each and everyone in our community who has in some way embraced us through our journey. We will be forever thankful and truly feel blessed to be apart of such a loving community. Many thanks, Ln Alessi Cooperstown Vincenza Alessi, a 2012 CCS graduate, reads cards sent by CCS staff and students.
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7
OBITUARIES Mary M. Antonucci, 97
Joined Women’s Army Corps for WWII, settled in Oneonta ONEONTA – Mary M. Antonucci of Country Club Road, Oneonta N.Y. died peacefully at Fox Nursing Home after a brief illness. Born on May 24, 1924, Mary was the second of seven children born to Konstanty and Julia Sroczyk Guszcza. She grew up in Auburn, N.Y. Her parents were Polish immigrants who taught her the importance of hard work and helping others. In 1944, Mary joined the Women’s Army Corps. She was stationed in Tampa, Fla.
where she met and married Air Force Sergeant Frank R Antonucci in 1946. Mary and Frank were both excellent dancers and enjoyed going dancing at parties and family weddings. Frank remained in the Air Force and the family lived in Cleveland Ohio, Auburn, N.Y., Munich and Wiesbaden, Germany before settling in Oneonta in 1955. Mary was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church where she was a member of the Rosary Society. She was active in
the American Ledaughter, Barbara gion where she Antonucci.Shewas was Secretary/ preceded in death Treasurer. by her husband Mary enjoyed Frank in 2006, traveling and and by brothers playing cards with Stanley, John, friends. She was a Joseph, Walter and great cook known Bernard Guszcza for her cheesecake, and sister Victoria Mary M. and who was Kyrtak. Antonucci always in search Mary is survived of the perfect pie crust. by her son Frank Antonucci, She was also an expert Jr. (Mary Ellen) of Goodyear seamstress. Lake, and daughter Barbara Mary was a loving Antonucci of Raleigh, mother to her son Frank and N.C., grandchildren Donald
Antonucci(Julie) of Ore., Philip Antonucci(Christina) of Va. and Jeremy Bickers of N.C. Also surviving are great grandchildren, Katie Antonucci, C.J. Antonucci, Caroline Antonucci and Ariana Antonucci. She leaves several nieces and nephews including Michael Schraeder, Susan Guszcza, Joseph G Guszcza, Mary Ellen Guszcza, James Guszcza, Joseph C Guszcza and George Guszcza. A funeral mass at St. Mary’s Church, Oneonta,
and burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery will take place in the spring. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta. Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. grummonsfuneralhome. com for the Antonucci family.
Patricia Emily Mollach Cassidy World traveler, taught photography and fashion
COOPERSTOWN – Patricia Emily Mollach was born to Kathryn and Francis Mollach in Syracuse, N.Y.
As a child of the sixties and seventies, she had the freedom to move and explore the city. It was here
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
she first started enjoyed a rich her artistic explolife of friends, rations of place. music, art, and After graduating the spirit of Mardi Gras. She from Nottingham High School, renovated and she obtained her lived in a double Bachelor of Fine shotgun house Arts from SUNY in New Orleans and adopted her New Paltz. Patricia E. Pat lived in Mollach Cassidy beloved Catahoula hound, Gil. She N.Y.C. for many years working in the maga- taught photography at LSU zine and fashion industry. until Hurricane Katrina. Pat She spent several years at returned to N.Y.C. where she YM and Parents Magazine, continued to pursue photogand then at Calvin Klein as raphy through teaching as an a photographic stylist. She Instructor at Parsons School ultimately decided to pursue of Design/The New School. photography and moved Retiring to Beacon, N.Y. to New Orleans where she in 2014, Pat turned her earned her Master of Fine creative energies to the fiber Arts degree from Louisiana arts. She was an accomState University. She plished knitter and quilter who was always learning and was eager to share and teach. She loved her gardens and the great variety of birds they attracted. She had a strong community of friends
and neighbors to whom she was extremely loyal. Her tall figure was easily recognized walking around town with her hound, Woody. When not in Beacon, she could be found on the hills of the family farm in Cooperstown Pat was fiercely independent but valued the friendships she made living all over the world. Her friends and family loved her keen eye for the absurd, sharp sense of humor and strong sense of social justice. In particular, she wished for a more inclusive and compassionate health care system. Pat is survived by her mother, Kathryn S. Mollach of Cooperstown, sister Jennifer Rice (Steven) of Rexford, N.Y., sister Martha Stackhouse (Kendal) of Reading, Mass., nephews August Rice and Matthew Stackhouse, niece Julia
Stackhouse, aunts Doris Peck and Lona Smith and cousin Jean Mollack. She was predeceased by her father, Francis Mollach and her uncle, George W. Smith, Jr. A celebration of life service will be planned for the spring on the farm in Cooperstown. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Libby Funeral Home, 55 Teller Avenue, Beacon, N.Y. 12505. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Pat’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (jdrf.org). To offer a message of condolence or share a fond memory, please visit: www. LibbyFuneralHome.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Emily Mollach Cassidy, please visit our floral store.
MeMories to Cherish every life has a story. everyone deserves a final appreciation. ensure your loved ones are memorialized exactly as you wish. For more information send email to info@Allotsego.com, or call Larissa at 607-547-6103.
Legal
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Dooalot, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on May 5, 2015. NY Office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: C/O Dooalot, LLC, 255 County Highway 27, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. General Purposes. 6LegalFeb.3 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of
LEGALS
Legal
Legal
Legal
Brookrose Farm LLC.
the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on December13, 2021. SSNY is designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to Chief Schenevus Farms, LLC located at 6004 Vista Linda Lane, Boca Raton, FL 3343 Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalFeb.3
The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: The LLC, 7 Maplecrest Way, Otego, NY 13825. The purpose ofthe LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalFeb.3
Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/21. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Michael Telesco, 283 County Highway 57, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalFeb.3 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Chief Schenevus Farms, LLC Office Location: Otsego County N.Y. Articles of Organization filed with
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
POLAR BEAR CONCESSIONS, LLC.
BLC Keeping, LLC
Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 10/26/2021.
Article of Organization filed 12/03/21 with the Secretary of State Office Location: Otsego
Legal
County SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 197 Main St Worcester NY 12197 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.20 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Twin Mountain Properties, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 10/30/2019. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served
Legal
upon him to: The LLC, 832 Winney Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalJan.20 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 312 Cornish Hill Road LLC Filed 10/15/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 87, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.13 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Oneonta Yoga LLC
Legal
Filed 10/28/21 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 253 Southside Dr, Oneonta, NY 13820 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.13
Legal
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name:
Legal nOtice
DRI 8, LLC.
Notice of Formation of
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 November 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalJan13
Rooted Space LLC Articles of Organization were filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 26 November, 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent for process and shall mail to: PO Box 132, Laurens, NY 13796. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 6LegalJan.13
Legal nOtice
Legal
Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: LIFE & LIBERTY FIREARMS LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 24 November 2021. 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 452 Gulf Road, Hartwick, NY 13348. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalJan.6
►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders? Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.
THURSDAY, January 6, 2022
A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Chamber hosts area notables Congressman Antonio Delgado headlines a roster of local officials outlining 2022 priorities during a virtual “State of the State” presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, January 11. The Chamber offers free Zoom access to the event but requires preregistration at www.bit. Congressman Antonio Delgado ly/2022-StateofState.
Presenting along with Rep. Delgado: New York State Senator Peter Oberacker, New York State Members of Assembly John Salka, Chris Tague, and Brian Miller, Otsego County Board of Representatives Chair David Bliss, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, and Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh. The virtual session begins at 9:30 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 11 a.m.
OBITUARIES Jeffrey P. Osterhoudt, 74 October 10 1947 – December 31, 2021
WESTVILLE – Jeffrey Paul Osterhoudt, a long-time area resident, passed away Friday evening, December 31, 2021, at Albany Medical Center. He was 74. Born October 10, 1947, in Albany, Jeff spent the first few weeks of his life in an orphanage, then was adopted by Napoleon W. and Shirley (MacPherson) Osterhoudt and came to live with them in Oneonta. He went on to graduate from Oneonta High School. On August 16, 1969, Jeff was united in marriage to Sybil Jean Robinson in a ceremony at the Westville United Methodist Church. They settled on her family’s property in Westville and raised a family. He first worked for Lutz Feed driving feed trucks, and then for thirty years was employed as a welder for the Otsego County Highway
Department in Cooperstown. Throughout the years, he always held many part time jobs, including working at the Agway in Cooperstown, and most recently as a security guard at the Fenimore Art Museum. A true people person, Jeff enjoyed everywhere he worked, especially when he could interact with others. He had a welcoming way about him, and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Perhaps that is why his favorite part-time job was driving a trolley for the Village of Cooperstown. Jeff is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sybil J. Osterhoudt of Westville; two daughters, Jeanetta “Jean” A. Osterhoudt and Susan E. Osterhoudt of Oneonta; two grandchildren, Emma and Audrey Klehr; and a half sister, Linda O’Connor of Va.
A service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 7, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with the Rev. Thomas E. Pullyblank, United Methodist Minister, officiating. He will eventually be laid to rest in Westville Cemetery. As a way to honor Jeff’s life and in honor of his special feline companion, George, the family would appreciate memorial donations to Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans (SHIRJ), 697 Winney Hill Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
cream was the only dessert. Her holiday greeting cards were the always the first to arrive, and those that she received adorned her piano until the next holiday. After retirement, she participated in the Oasis and Pittsford Senior groups and the Monroe County Line Dancers. She was also a member of the Asbury First United Methodist Church in Rochester. She is survived by her sister, Ruth Ray Mock, her niece Melody Mock, and
nephews Nelson and Julian Mock. As per Dorothy Anne’s wishes, a graveside service will take place in the spring in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta. Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home of Oneonta. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. bookhoutfh.com for the Ray family.
Dorothy Anne Ray, 86
November 10, 1935 – December 20, 2021 ONEONTA – Dorothy Anne Ray, 86, of Rochester passed away on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Crest Manor in Fairport, N.Y. ShewasbornonNovember 10, 1935 in Washington, Pa., the daughter of Rev. Mark Scott McGee Ray and Anna Elizabeth (Morgan) Ray. Dorothy Anne’s father, Mark S. M. Ray, was a minister at the United Presbyterian Church (now called the Red Door Church) in Oneonta, and the family lived in the parsonage next to
the church. The Ray family, including Dorothy Anne’s brother Mark and her sister Ruth, all played music; Dorothy Anne played flute. The family spent summer vacations in Ocean Grove, N.J., and at their cottage in Northfield, Mass., where their father had a summer faculty position at the Northfield School for Girls. A 1952 graduate of Oneonta High School, Dorothy Anne received her bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College in
Ohio in 1957, and for her students, as her Master of Arts well as for fun. from Rochester When she wasn’t University, teaching, she enjoyed visiting Rochester, N.Y. in 1968. She spent the Chautauqua her career as an Institution annual elementary teacher summer programs for the Penfield and always loved Central Schools, Dorothy A. Ray the springtime retiring in 1991. lilacs in Rochester. For many years she taught Dorothy Anne used to first grade and she especially write about going out for loved celebrating the holi- Friday night fish fries with days with colorful bulletin her teacher friends. She boards and creative art frequented local ice cream projects. She played piano parlors and felt that ice
AllOTSEGO.homes INSURANCE MANY COMPANIES. MANY OPTIONS.
Bieritz insurance agency Buying AntiquES, JEwElry, firEArMS
Buzz Hesse Antiques & Appraisals, Estates, Artifacts Over 60 years experience Call today for a courteous and confidential talk 370 MAin StrEEt, otEgo 607-287-5320 buzzh123@gmail.com
Buying AntiquES, EStAtES, ArtifActS
Real people who truly care... your hometown insurance agency! 209 Main Street, Cooperstown 607-547-2951 across from Bruce Hall 607-263-5170 in Morris Celebrating our
st 31 YEAR! 1990-2021
Ben Novellano
New Purchases and Refinances Debt Consolidation Free Pre-Qualification Fast Approvals • Low Rates
Matt Schuermann
Registered Mortgage Broker NYS Banking Dept.
20 Chestnut Street • Suite 1 • Cooperstown 607-547-5007 www.leatherstockingmortgage.com
Extraordinary Find! Contemporary home w/4,700+ sq ft and 5+ BRs sits on 10 gorgeous acres w/breathtaking Susquehanna Valley views. 3-car attached garage, and 2-story storage building w/electric. Fenced garden/orchard area includes mature apple and pear trees, grapes, blueberry and currant bushes, Christmas trees, established landscaping near the house, and a tree-lined front border. This property in the Catskill Mountain foothills checks all the boxes! Easy access to I-88, Binghamton, Albany and Downstate. Call today! MLS#132996 $495,000
Thinking of Selling Your House? Locally owned and operated Single and multi-family homes Commercial property and land
99 Main Street, Oneonta office 607.441.7312 fax 607.432.7580 www.oneontarealty.com Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker Peter D. Clark, Consultant
Inventory is low and buyers’ interest is at an all-time high! Call today! Our professional team of Realtors is excited to help you start the new year right by listing with Oneonta Realty and the Scanlon Homes Team.
166 Main Street, Suite 1 Oneonta | 607.433.2873 oneontarealty.com