The Freeman's Journal 02-23-23

Otsego County EMS Reaches Crossroads Part 1: The County Service

By TED MEBUST OTSEGO COUNTY

In December of 2021, the Otsego County Board of Representatives, at the recommendation of its Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee, implemented a 24-hour, countybased advanced life support ambulance service, buying two ambulances and staffing 16 full-time and 10 part-time paramedics. Previously, prehospital emergency medical services had been largely carried out by the 17 volunteer-based EMS agencies serving the county, most associated with local fire departments. However, these first responders had reached a breaking point and were the first to sound an alarm.

“After COVID-19, I had a number of squad captains calling me, begging us to do something because they couldn’t handle the load anymore. Essentially, you’ve got the same six, seven people who are pulling all the work. They’re spread thin and they just can’t do it anymore,” said Dan Wilber, chair of Otsego County PSLA, District 10 representative, and 47-year EMS volunteer. “EMS was

receiving calls from people who were dying on the phone when they were calling for help because we could not get them emergency medical care.”

Though the pandemic exacerbated many issues within Otsego County’s EMS system, various strains had been building long before. A recent report commissioned by the New York State Emergency Medical Services Council, titled “New York State 2023 Evidence Based EMS Agenda for Future,” opened with the following statement:

“The New York State EMS system has markedly deteriorated over the past several years due to declining volunteerism, lack of public funding to cover costs of readiness, inadequate staffing, rising costs, insufficient insurance reimbursement, rising call volumes, a lack of performance standards, poor understanding of the EMS system by elected officials and the public, NYS home rule and lack of transparency and accountability for EMS agencies.”

Many of these issues, the report said, stem from EMS

Continued on page 7

Waiting Patiently

MOUNT VISION—Two-year-old Grizzly (left) and his younger brother, Dozer, are staying still as statues as they await a treat from mom. These two big boys, both purebred Newfoundlands, are owned by Peggy Bush and Tim Allen. Grizzly and Dozer are this week’s subjects of a new series highlighting animals and the important role these four-legged, furry and/or feathered friends play in our lives. We invite you to send your pictures to darlay@allotsego. com. Every week, we’ll select at least one photograph to be highlighted in the newspapers and online.

Do Blooms Also Like it Cold?

Bank Branches To Close Soon Milford, Schenevus on Chopping Block

By TED MEBUST

OTSEGO COUNTY

The Milford and Schenevus branches of Community Bank NA will permanently close their doors on Friday, April 28, the organization announced. The decision came due to a recognition that “branch business has slowed,” according to Sarah Doud, the bank’s public relations representative.

“This is not a decision we make lightly,” said Doud. “We need to continue to serve the people of Schenevus and Milford through nearby locations and through our online and mobile services.”

Community Bank has more than 200 branches across Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and the Southern and Northern tiers of New York. Community Bank’s Schenevus branch began operations in 2011, following its purchase of Wilber National Bank.

After the closure of the Schenevus and Milford branches in late April, the bank will continue to operate through five remaining locations in Otsego County: Cooperstown, Morris, and three branches in the City of Oneonta.

Community Bank will continue to support the community organizations aided by the Milford and Schenevus branches, namely the Worcester Free Library, Milford Fire Department, United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties, and the Milford Central School Education Foundation Inc. golf tournament.

“Community Bank is deeply invested in the communities where we work. And always will be,” said Doud.

Scientists Help Communities Better Understand HABs

By DARLA M. YOUNGS SUPERIOR, WI

Kiyoko Yokota, certified lake manager and associate professor of biology at SUNY Oneonta, co-authored a report released last week that challenges current understandings of harmful algae blooms and may help communities better prepare for them. The results of studies led by scientist Dr. Kait Reinl, research coordinator at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve in Superior, Wisconsin, were published on February 17 in the scientific journal,

“Limnology and Oceanography Letters.”

Cyanobacterial blooms, also known as harmful algal blooms, are an environmental and public health threat around the globe. Blooms can produce unpleasant tastes and odors, deplete oxygen in water, produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals, and impact water treatment systems. Researchers’ current understanding is that blooms occur largely when water temperatures are warm

or hot, but there is evidence that blooms also occur in cold water, including under ice.

“Cyanobacterial blooms are analogous to fever in human health. Cyanobacteria are part of natural lakes, found even in the most pristine waters of the world as well as in polar ice and even air. They have important ecological roles, just like we

need to maintain a certain amount of body heat. Some lakes naturally have more or less cyanobacteria, just as the ‘normal’ body temperature varies among individuals,” explained Yokota.

“When humans run fevers, it is a symptom of something going wrong in the body. Cyanobacterial blooms are the same—they are a manifestation of ecosystem changes that are allowing cyanobacteria to thrive abnormally. There are feverreducing medications, but they can only do so much and should not be taken for too long without finding and treating the root cause of the fever instead of just monitoring it. Otherwise, the fever will come back after you stop the medication,” she continued.

The study, called “Blooms also like it cold,” was developed with 27 co-authors through the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network. The research documents wide-ranging cold-water cyanobacterial blooms and identifies physical and biological drivers that may promote blooms under

Photo by Peggy Bush

Photo by Ted Harris, Kansas Biological Survey

A cold-water bloom on November 1, 2018, on West Campus Pond in Lawrence, Kansas.

SUNY Student Raising Campus’ First Guiding Eyes for the Blind Puppy

ONEONTA

There’s a new student living and learning on SUNY Oneonta’s campus, but he weighs just 27 pounds…and has paws.

Ink, a 4-month-old black Labrador retriever puppy, is making history at SUNY Oneonta as the first puppy to be raised on campus for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit organization that provides guide dogs to people experiencing vision loss. His puppy raiser, and roommate, is junior anthropology major Taylor Hendrickson, president of the university’s new Guiding Eyes for the Blind club.

“We were aiming to raise a puppy on campus this semester but didn’t realize it would happen this soon,” said Hendrickson, who brought Ink home to Oneonta on January 20. “He’s still getting used to a college setting, but he’s doing really well! He has been with me to meetings in Hunt Union and Starbucks and even tabled with us at Club Expo to find new club members.”

When they’re not exploring campus or resting in Hendrickson’s residence hall room, the duo works with Guiding Eyes

Leatherstocking Volunteer Region Coordinator Amy

Blechman, who comes to campus weekly for “puppy foundations class”—“kind of like kindergarten for puppies” – where the focus is for “Team Ink” to bond and get exposure to a variety of experiences. Right now, they’re working on name response, walking politely on a leash, waiting for food, sitting and staying “off” instead of jumping up.

“It’s a whole new language to learn for them both,” Blechman explained. “Ink lives right on campus with Taylor, growing and exploring while learning how to be a helpful and conscientious guide dog. It’s wonderful for Taylor, too, because she has to balance academics with this huge responsibility—you have a little life to care for and train!”

Once Ink successfully completes the foundations class, he will work with Taylor on building his skills in “big dog class,” with several one-on-one check-ins along the way with Guiding Eyes Regional Puppy Instructor MeKalea Chambliss.

Volunteer puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes bring puppies into their home and teach them basic obedience and house manners, while socializing them and intro-

ducing them to everything the world has to offer. Puppy raisers return the dogs at 1618 months old to Guiding Eyes, where they are tested to

determine what their future career path will be. Puppies like Ink are specifically bred by Guiding Eyes to ensure that they have superior health

and the temperament needed for guide work.

By the time Hendrickson walks across the stage for commencement next spring, Ink will also be “graduating,” ready to be tested on his skills—reactions to noises and unidentified people, and more—at the Guiding Eyes headquarters in Yorktown Heights.

SUNY Oneonta’s Guiding Eyes student club was created by Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition Kelly Martin and inspired by Hartwick College’s Guiding Eyes club, which has existed for more than 20 years and is currently raising six dogs on campus. The two student chapters work closely together, meet frequently, and partner with each other for trainings and events.

Martin, the faculty adviser for SUNY Oneonta’s Guiding Eyes club, knows first-hand the ins and outs of being a puppy raiser. She raised a Guiding Eyes puppy, Flower, for a year-and-a-half and would frequently bring Flower to campus to help socialize her.

“It was one of the best experiences of my adult life,” Martin said. “I learned a lot, and it was so rewarding. Of course, at the end, it was hard to give her up, but you

go into it knowing they have this greater purpose, they have bigger futures ahead of them. I still get reports from her trainer. She’s close to being matched with someone to be their guide dog, which is wonderful.”

Martin and Hendrickson said they hope to have more students in the club complete the puppy raiser application process by the end of spring so that they can have the same experience.

“I’m excited this is all finally happening after lots of work behind the scenes,” Hendrickson said. “I actually just learned that my great-aunt raised 21 dogs for Guiding Eyes, so I guess it’s in my bloodline, just like it’s in Ink’s. From the first time I heard about this from Dr. Martin, something about this program just stuck with me. The good they’re doing for others, providing these dogs to people at no cost, I wanted to be part of that, and I’m so honored that I get to be.”

Photo provided

SUNY Oneonta student Taylor Hendrickson works inside her residence hall lounge with Ink, a 4-month-old black Labrador retriever puppy she’s raising on campus for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Photo provided

Farewell, Old Friend

COOPeRSTOWN—On January 24, the community lost a beloved figure. Zeb, a Percheron at The Farmer’s Museum since 1997, passed away at age 29. He was 83 in human years. Zeb was born on August 10, 1994. He arrived at The Farmers’ Museum from Vermont as a three-year-old and was immediately put to work on the Lippitt farm. Zeb’s duties included field work—plowing, harrowing, cultivating and discing—and pulling the wagon for horse-drawn wagon rides. Zeb weighed in around 1,500 pounds and was 16.1 hands tall, or 5.3 feet from the highest point of the withers, where the neck meets the back, down to the ground. Zeb was retired from physical labor about nine years ago, since which time it has been his job to meet and greet visitors to the museum grounds. Zeb departed for that big pasture in the sky on January 24. He will be much missed.

event To benefit Hribar Family is Saturday

FLY CReeK—A benefit Spaghetti Dinner this Saturday, February 25 at the Fly Creek Fire Department, 832 County Highway 26, to raise funds on behalf of billy and Donna Hribar will run from noon until sold out. The Hribars’ equipment barn and contents, including the heating source for their home, were destroyed in a fire on November 25. Proceeds will help them rebuild the barn and replace lost contents. There is a $10.00 fee per meal. A 50/50 raffle/ basket auction will also be held. For more information, call Deb Dennis at (607) 287-2089.

NYSeRDA Audit Program Helps Reduce Farmers’ energy bills

OTSeGO COUNTY

Implemented by the New York State energy Research and Development Authority since 2016, the Agricultural energy Audit Program provides farms and on-farm producers with no-cost energy audits, including recommendations to improve energy efficiency. The program also helps participants access funding support to implement energy efficiency measures.

New York farms can choose from two audits based on their needs. The “Level Comprehensive” audit is focused on a specific complex energy system or renewable energy production. This analysis is ideal

for operations with a complex system to be analyzed beyond standard energy efficiency upgrades, or if the farm is interested in pursuing renewable energy, with calculated evaluations of appropriate energy efficiency measures including simple payback. The “Level Targeted” audit focuses on specific systems, energy efficiency measures or renewable energy.

This first-come, first-served program is open through September 2025 or until program funds expire. To learn more, e-mail aeep@nyserda.ny.gov or visit https://www. nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/agricultureenergy-audit.

Starlight Express

Last week, when it was unseasonably warm and clear in the early evening, there appeared in the low sky a string of lights, moving slowly across the horizon and disappearing. Very few people around Otsego County actually saw this, as by habit very few people wander outside and gaze upward at this time of year. There was no record of this phenomenon in the newspapers or on social media; it was as though nothing had happened to disturb the slow, forward-creeping days and hours as we march on toward the onslaught of the more gentle months.

So, what was that beautiful arching line of light? The parade was, in fact, a satellite train—a bunch of satellites in this case, but not in every case—51 in all— that had been launched off the coast of California to enter space and eventually dissipate into individual satellites once they entered their correct Federal Communications Commission-approved orbits.

More specifically, these satellites are part of Starlink, a development of Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, which offers broadband Internet connection to consumers who live, and work, in remote areas around the world. SpaceX began developing its satellite spinoff in 2015, in Redmond, Washington, in part to fund Musk’s wellknown Mars dalliances, and also in part to help meet the outrageous worldwide demand for low-cost broadband. We in Otsego County are well aware of this demand as we struggle with Internet speed and connectivity, though not all of us are aware of Starlink, as it has taken its time to arrive here from the West.

Musk began negotiating with the FCC in 2019 and received approval to place close to 12,000 satellites in three orbital altitude shells (1,600 at 340 miles above the Earth; 2,800 at 710 miles; 7,500 at 210 miles), over a period of nine years (half of them to be in orbit within six years; the full number in nine), with a possible later extension to 42,000. That translated into a launch rate of 44 high-performance, low-cost satellites hurled into space every month for 60 months to get 2,200 of them into space within the agreement of the FCC license. Musk publicly tested Starlink in October of 2019, with a tweet to his very own infamous Twitter, and in February 2021 the broadband service was opened to the world. There are now more than one million subscribers to the network, covering all seven continents.

So, what was that beautiful arching line of light, with perfectly spaced objects glinting from the sun, following their leader? The satellites, each weighing 660 pounds, are launched from a Falcon 9 rocket, which leaves the ground from either Vandenberg Space Force Base, northwest of Los Angeles, or Cape Canaveral, in Florida. Last week, the rocket launched the satellites from over the Pacific Ocean and then returned to its mother ship, a SpaceX drone ship, off the coast of Baja, California. The satellites, still in their obedient line, orbit the Earth between 138 and 208 miles above it, and then they thrust to 354 miles, where they join Group 2 of the Starlink constellation. At that point, they are among the more than 3,500 Starlink satellites that are beaming broadband, and are relatively invisible to the human eye. After five to seven years, the satellites will begin to approach their end, at which time they will de-orbit into a disposal orbit, re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere and burn up.

More Starlink missions from Vandenberg are planned for the next few months.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

“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.

AFB Vaccine: It’s the Bee’s Knees

The announcement of probably the most important medical breakthrough of this year was made on January 7. It had nothing to do with COVID. In fact, it had nothing to do with human diseases. Dalan Animal Health, a company in Georgia, announced that they had successfully produced a vaccine to protect bees from a disease called American Foulbrood which had been conditionally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This is the first vaccine approved for use in insects.

In my opinion, this trumps the importance of any other medical announcement so far this year, including information on COVID and other human diseases, because preventing the die off and extinction of many bee species is critical for enabling the growth of a majority of the world’s food supply.

American Foulbrood is a highly contagious and destructive bacterial disease that affects honeybees. It is estimated that bees are responsible for 75 percent of all crop pollination. It is caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae, which can remain dormant in honey and beehive equipment for years before infecting a new colony.

The disease is characterized by the appearance of sunken, perforated and discolored brood cells, which are filled with a brown, glue-like substance. Infected larvae die before they can emerge as adult bees, and the disease spreads rapidly throughout the hive, eventually leading to the death

Media, Global Elite Undermine Democracy

A win in the house is a positive step, but we have a long road ahead to save this country from the global elites. We have been on a much longer road tearing this country down than most of us have realized and it’s going to take all of us that see what is going on, with God’s help, to save our country. God will help, but only through us.

We have many tasks ahead of us; three being as follows:

First is informing the rest of our people what is really happening and, if left unchecked, what kind of country we will have left to live in. Most of the media is fake news and has helped get us to this new low, so we can’t look to them. Although there are good sources of accurate news, if you look around.

Second, we need to stay in touch with our political representatives no matter which side of the aisle they are on. All Republicans don’t do right for conservative values. RINO’s (Republican in name only) have been very detrimental. They like to make deals with the Democrats to be in the inner circle where the money is. All of our representatives need to know our concerns and that we are paying attention.

of the entire colony. The significance of AFB in crop pollination is that honeybees are the primary pollinators of many crops, including almonds, apples, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, melons and pumpkins, among others. AFB can cause significant losses in bee populations, making it difficult for farmers to find enough bees to pollinate their crops, which will reduce crop yields and quality.

Furthermore, AFB is a highly regulated disease, and infected hives must be destroyed to prevent the spread of the disease to other colonies. The loss of hives is devastating for beekeepers who rely on their bees for income, as well as for the agricultural industry, which depends on healthy bee populations for successful crop pollination.

Before you imagine thousands of bees lining up for their injections, the vaccine is delivered in the form of food for the queen bee. The queen is the only bee in the hive that reproduces. The vaccine which contains dead versions of the Paenibacillus larvae is injected into the royal jelly,

tion by 30 percent. I, for one, do not want to come across an injured deer on my property because some hunter couldn’t get the job done accurately or swiftly. Rambo-style measures are not impressive or intelligent. Maybe all the great minds involved in this population reduction solution would consider this alternative.

Linda Brodowski Oneonta

Cherry Valley Dems Backing Benton

Co-chairs of the Cherry Valley Democratic Committee, Dennis Laughlin and Kathleen Taylor, have announced that, at its February 14 meeting, the committee unanimously endorsed MacGuire Benton as the Democratic candidate for the position of Otsego County clerk in the November 2023 election.

MacGuire enters the race having the experience of the Cooperstown Village Board, Deputy Elections Commissioner and work in the private business sector. He brings the energy and vigor of a new generation. Petitioning for the clerk position begins at the end of February and the CVDC will be aiding MacGuire to gather the needed signatures.

the food given to the queen. The vaccine then gets deposited in the queen’s ovaries so that every developing bee automatically has immunity from AFB when hatched. Theoretically, a larvae destined to be a future queen would carry the vaccine and be immune to the disease.

There are other diseases affecting bee populations which in turn are causing decreases in crop production. Varroa destructor, the Varroa mite, is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees. The disease caused by the mites is called varroosis.

The Varroa mite can reproduce only in a honey bee colony. It attaches to the body of the bee and weakens the bee by sucking fat bodies. The species is a vector for at least five debilitating bee viruses, including RNA viruses such as the deformed wing virus. A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring. Varroa is considered to be one of multiple stress factors contributing to high levels of bee losses around the world.

Sometimes the story with the potentially biggest effect on mankind is not the one in front of your face. Even though COVID unchecked could kill tens of millions, loss of the ability of plants to be pollinated could cause unimaginable loss of crops, leading to world-wide famine and death.

Dr. Richard Sternberg is a retired Bassett Healthcare orthopedic surgeon.

by “long COVID”: persistent symptoms often include brain fog, fatigue, headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath, among others. Perhaps he is willing to risk those, but I have more than enough on my plate already.

Elizabeth Malavet Van Hornesville

‘HABsteria’ Imminent Without Planning Now

To avoid another summer of HABsteria, I’d suggest the following:

1. Coordinated Plan—Since Otsego is the largest New York lake in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (which starts in front of our house on the Susquehanna), funding for watershed mitigation can be obtained from the Chesapeake Bay watershed authority— to supplement, not replace—a stateapproved plan. Although the DEC 9-E Plan is imperfect, it’s better than a repeat of last summer’s Dueling-Banjos of HABsteria. Since the 9-E Plan is a political document, I’d suggest that the politicians (county, township, village, state reps and senators) and nongovernment organizations get involved and get busy. Since it’s a professional document, I’d suggest that professionals coordinate the effort and lay out what’s entailed in a public meeting.

deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Daniel Francis, Ian Kenyon, Tom Shelby, Dr. Richard Sternberg, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager and Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Ivan Potocnik Historian Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Legal Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

Editorial Board

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

Third, we need to understand our election process and financially support the legitimate groups that are taking election fraud to task. Election tampering is on the rise and there are a number of organizations that are bringing it to light. This is just one more way the global elites are undermining our democracy. They are working every avenue they can because they know they have to gain ground now before too many of us become aware of what’s being done to our country.

Bruce Beckert South New Berlin

Vasectomies in Deer Perhaps an Option?

Regarding the deer overpopulation in the City of Oneonta: What about vasectomies? Yes, vasectomies. In New York City’s borough of Staten Island, the implementation of vasectomies reduced the deer popula-

Phil Durkin Secretary, Cherry Valley Democratic Committee

Previous Letter Was ‘Ill-Informed’

In response to Steve Broe’s letter in the February 16, 2023 edition of “The Freeman’s Journal” concerning COVID policies:

I find the letter both condescending and ill-informed. There are many people who have preexisting conditions that have nothing to do with slim waistlines and fruit consumption. I had Lyme disease 25 years ago—it left me with fibromyalgia, chronic migraines and some brain fogginess. I had to have both knees replaced this past October—yes, perhaps some of that issue was caused by weight, but some of it was also caused by the previous Lyme.

I wonder if Mr. Broe has looked at the conditions that can be caused

2. Coordinated Effort—Funding requests should be prioritized by where they fit into the plan. Although there may be conflicting agendas academically and organizationally, those conflicts can be addressed and resolved in private, not in the press, and without histrionics adding to HABsteria.

3. No sacred polluters—The 9-E Plan study can identify the sources of nutrient loading. Once identified, we need to be prepared to do something about them. Even if they are us—our “compliant” septic system, our essential livestock, our own NPK fertilizer—be prepared to be surprised by what we find out.

Chip Northrup

NYers Should Know Cost of Climate Action

Upstate ratepayers should not be forced to subsidize downstate as a result of downstate’s over-reliance on

Photo provided

Honeybees are primary pollinators of many crops.

210 YeARS AGO

On the 29th December last, about 10 leagues from the coast of brazil, the U.S. Frigate Constitution fell in with and captured his Majesty’s Frigate JAVA, of 49 guns, and manned with upwards of 400 men. The action continued one hour and fifty-five minutes, in which time the JAVA was made a complete wreck, having her bowsprit, and every mast and spar shot out of her. The Constitution had nine men killed and 25 wounded. The JAVA had 60 men killed and 101 wounded—among the latter, mortally, Captain Lambert, her commander, a very distinguished officer. The JAVA was rated a 38 but mounted 49 guns.

February 27, 1813

185 YeARS AGO

The ninth annual meeting of the New York State Temperance Society was held in the Second Dutch Church in Albany on February 8th and 9th. The following were among the resolutions adopted: Resolved—That the only object of the New York State Temperance Society is to prevent intemperance and to reclaim the intemperate (adopted unanimously). Resolved— That as entire absence from intoxicating liquors may be practiced by individuals for different reasons; and, as there should be a common bond of union as far as practicable among all who agree in practice, the pledge of this society shall hereafter be as follows: “We, the undersigned, do agree that we will not use intoxicating liquors as a beverage, nor traffic in them; that we will not provide them as an article of entertainment, or for persons in our employment, and that in all suitable ways, we will discountenance their use throughout the community.” The resolution was adopted – 70 affirmative, 11 negative.

February 26, 1838

160 YeARS AGO

The “Fish House” at Three Mile Point, it is generally known, was broken down by the weight of heavy snow last winter. For many years it had been the convenient and agreeable resort of parties, Sunday Schools, and Lake excursionists generally; and it deemed desirable to rebuild it. Capt. Cooper has a lease of the Point for several years, and we understand that he will wait upon our citizens to learn their views in the matter.

February 20, 1863

135 YeARS AGO

Personal—be careful ye coasters! The newspapers almost daily record serious accidents that occur among those engaged in coasting. Last Saturday evening scores of persons were on Pioneer Street, starting from Church Street and going to the Lake. It was very pleasant sport.

The Geo. Clarke estate—A mortgage foreclosure occurred here on the 17th on 866 acres of land belonging to this estate, and lying in the Town of Middlefield. The claim was for $43,588; the title clear and undisputed; and yet Mr. James Stevens, the mortgagee, bid it in for only $25,100—only $29 an acre! Here is another shrinkage amounting to about $18,500. At this rate, it is doubtful whether anything is to be realized above the mortgage indebtedness and the judgments of record at the time of the assignment. The lands are all being sold at figures far below their real value.

February 24, 1888

110 YeARS AGO

In Our Town—Some time ago, Rev. e.C. Petrie and Rev. F.S. Squyer exchanged prayer-meetings. This was orthodox enough. but the baptist pastor is minus a fine umbrella which he left in the vestibule of the Presbyterian Chapel. During the service a sneak thief entered the vestibule and stole the preacher’s umbrella. This was heterodox. If the miscreant who stole the umbrella will return it to its rightful owner, no questions will be asked, and a cordial invitation will be extended to attend church and listen to a sermon on “The Commandments.”

There has been a large sale of seats for the Skovgaard & Co. concert in the Village Hall next Tuesday evening. The great Danish violinist will play an instrument made by Stradivarius in 1712 worth $13,000.

William Cobbett has cast out a demon. It was in the form of an orange, black cat that has inhabited his cellar for three weeks and which none of the family had been able to approach, much the less catch. Miss Cooper, who had been mourning the loss of a pet cat made an investigation. At the magic word “Demon” uttered by a familiar voice, the tabby came out from his hiding place and went happily home.

February 26, 1913

news from the noteworthy CommUnIty foUnDAtIon of otseGo CoUnty

Community Foundation Reaches Granting Milestone

In three short years, $500,000.00 in grants and awards from the Community Foundation of Otsego County have gone to Otsego County nonprofits. This major milestone was marked by a $15,000.00 award to Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties for the Oneonta Warming Station. The Community Foundation of Otsego County was founded in 2019 by a group of 15 local citizens who share a vision and believe in the potential of a community foundation. CFOC is dedicated to enriching opportunities for all residents of Otsego County.

While in the midst of the initial $2 million Founders fundraising campaign, COVID struck. CFOC rose to the immediate challenge, gathering and distributing more than $200,000.00 to county nonprofits and businesses hit with unexpected and unbudgeted costs related to the pandemic.

The COVID crisis hurt but had a silver lining. It proved our community could quickly come together to provide needed financial support through our nonprofits. It also demonstrated CFOC to be an effective central organizing hub for rising to these challenges.

It can often take decades for new community foundations to raise enough to be able to give out $500,000.00. During the COVID pandemic, the generosity of people in and outside of Otsego County allowed CFOC to speed up the timeline. After the COVID funds were fully spent, the Founders campaign resumed; it was fulfilled in late 2021, and that put CFOC in the position to start its 2021-22 Awards Cycle. To date, 143 awards and grants have been issued, ranging from $300.00 to $25,000.00, for a total of over $500,000.00.

We are immensely proud of the Community Foundation’s work, the dedication of our board and the response of our donors. To make such a large financial impact in such a brief amount of time is phenomenal.

by MeRL ReAGLe

As we begin 2023, our new Awards Cycle will open in early March. With this, the Community Foundation of Otsego County continues its commitment to area nonprofits—which do tremendous work for the betterment of us all.

For more information on what we do and how you can support the CFOC, visit cfotsego.org.

Jeff Katz is the Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Otsego County.

Compiled by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

Photo provided

the oneonta warming station is now at the first Presbyterian Church, 296 main street. Guests should walk up the drive toward the back and look for pink signs for the entrance. the warming station opens at 5:30 p.m. each night.

Visiting Hockey Team Takes in Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN—The New Jersey Warriors Hockey Team poses in front of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, February 18. “Even though they have traveled all across the country, every one of the players, coaches and board members that came has posted that they have never felt the love as much from any community they have been to as the love that was shown to them here in Cooperstown. I thank each and every one of you for making their trip here so memorable,” wrote Barry Shelley, who coordinated the event, in a Facebook post on Monday, February 20.

Humanitarian Program Focus of Talk

COOPERSTOWN—On Sunday, February 26 from 3-4 p.m., Friends of the Village Library will present a talk by Kathy DeLacy from The Center in Utica, which now houses a program specifically for Ukrainian humanitarian parolees. Delacy will talk about her work leading a team charged with helping Ukrainians flourish and succeed in Central New York. Many have come to the area through the Uniting for Ukraine program with private sponsors, yet need support accessing services, learning English and finding jobs. The monthly Sunday Speaker programs are held in the upstairs Ballroom of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. These events are free and open to the public.

Highclere Castle Visit Yields New Ideas for Hyde Hall Shop Manager

By TED MEBUST HAMPSHIRE, ENG

When their plans fell through to visit England in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, locals Randy and Joanie Lamb had to hope the opportunity would arise again. Their goal?

To visit Highclere Castle, a charming estate in Hampshire County made famous as the palatial country home to the Crawley family and their domestic servants on the award-winning BBC drama “Downton Abbey.”

In reality, the mid-Victorian, Palladian-style manor exists as the country seat to the Earls of Carnarvon. The Herbert family, a succession of aristocrats holding prominence in the upper echelons of British society, traces their connection to the estate back to the 17th century. Renovations in the 19th century expanded the structure, based on designs by Sir Charles Barry, chief architect of the Houses of Parliament.

Notable Earls of Carnarvon include the fifth, styled Lord Porchester, who became an avid Egyptologist during the latter half of his life. Partnering with archaeologist Howard Carter, his team uncovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of Kings in 1922. Additionally, the seventh Earl of Carnarvon, also commonly referred to as Lord Porchester, served as horseracing manager to Queen Elizabeth II. His personal relationship with the late queen was highlighted in the Netflix drama “The Crown.”

The Lambs were also able to visit the queen’s final resting place at Windsor Castle. Their tour of Highclere, Randy said, “created an experience” with the land and estate, and provided him an opportunity to learn. As the gift shop manager at local historic landmark Hyde Hall, he said, he’s always looking for ways to improve the guest experience.

Hyde Hall got a boost in visitation when “Downton Abbey” first aired in 2011, Randy said, helping the 501c3 organization continue its restoration project and stewardship. Most recently, local weaver Rabbit Goody completed a remake of the home’s original curtains in the dining room.

“I hope it [this story] will encourage folks to travel again, enjoy other cultures and experience all that life has to offer while we can!” said Randy.

Photo by Alex Torres

Photo by Randy Lamb

Joanie Lamb stands in front of Highclere Castle, site of the famous BBC drama “Downton Abbey.”

salute all of these fine establishments in Otsego County for their longevity and their comittment to our region!

Blooms

Continued from page 1

cold conditions. This is an important step toward understanding the full scope of conditions that could lead to blooms so that communities are better prepared for sustainable lake stewardship now and in the future.

“The power of networked science was most surprising,” said Yokota. “We started this project because cyanobacterial blooms in cold waters have traditionally been treated as rare phenomena caused by cold-adapted species (Type A in the article), while as individual limnologists we each had felt that it was not the whole story and that cold blooms have important connections to the warm season blooms.

“As we began to gather data from all around the world through the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network, it became clear that cold blooms can also be caused by species that thrive in deeper water (Type B) or earlier blooms in warmer water that carry into or resurface in the cold-water season (Type C),” Yokota continued.

According to Yokota, many upstate New York lakes have started to experience recurrent cyanobacterial blooms in the last decade, and scientists from both the regulatory agencies and the research community have been working hard to address the changes in lake ecosystems that are causing cyanobacterial blooms.

“We have a network of highly trained limnologists around the state who regularly interact through GLEON and Northeast GLEON, a local group within GLEON. Equitable collaboration is key to successful study of

complex lake ecosystems, as no one lab has all the expertise and equipment to address all aspects of a lake ecosystem,” Yokota said.

Regarding the importance of the study, Dr. Reinl said, “Cyanobacterial blooms are complex and a major challenge. Current thinking regarding blooms is that they like it hot, and in many cases, they do. However, we’ve been seeing more evidence that blooms can also occur when it’s cold. When this happens, we feel blind-sided because it goes against what we’ve previously heard. This paper highlights the need for understanding cold-water cyanobacterial blooms. It is a reminder that lakes can be very active when temperatures cool. This work is a powerful example of coordinated team science and provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with an international group of experts.”

The paper is available without cost from “Limnology and Oceanography Letters” at https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary. wiley.com/journal/23782242.

Dr. Yokota’s comments for this article are her own observations as a limnological researcher and do not reflect the opinions of SUNY Oneonta, the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station or the North American Lake Management Society.

EMS

Continued from page 1

service” designation from the state.

“EMS not being named an essential service is a significant challenge for agencies to justify the cost of readiness or staffing measures to meet the needs of emergency and non-emergency calls,” the report stated.

A 2009 study from the “Journal of Public Health Management and Practice,” examining recruitment and retention in rural and urban EMS through a national survey, raised these points over a decade ago.

“Aging of the population has the potential to increase both the volume and intensity of emergency calls and, as a result, the need for emergency personnel… EMS work is physically and emotionally stressful, the hours and schedules can be undesirable, injury and disease exposure are an ever-present risk, compensation and benefits are unexceptional, and training and continuing education requirements are extensive. These realities of the EMS profession can deter new recruits and lead to high levels of burnout among emergency response personnel,” the report read, noting that rural agencies were more likely to lose staff due to burnout or education requirements than their urban counterparts.

While the stresses of the job are felt primarily by EMS personnel, cumulative effects of declining EMS capabilities impact the entire modern healthcare system. As hospitals increasingly rely on ambulance crews for transfers, emergency care, admissions and discharges around the clock, the crews are less available for 911 responses. Additionally, inpatient beds are turned over less frequently in hospitals, leading to patient overflow in emergency departments and higher wait times for patients to be admitted.

Robert O’Brien, Otsego County 911 and EMS director and an 18-year volunteer EMT, described waiting for over an hour on one occasion in the parking lot of an emergency department, giving life support to a patient while his crew waited for a bed to open.

Admitting that change was necessary, the Otsego County PSLA formally addressed the situation in 2021.

“Maybe we waited too long to imple-

ment it, but we went all around the county, saying, ‘How can we help you?” said Edwin Frazier, District 1 representative and PSLA Committee member.

The county’s ambulance service was originally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, and an additional grant allowed the PSLA to employ Matt Zavadsky, an EMS subject matter expert at the technical services consultant group Center for Public Safety Management, LLC, from August 2021 to July 2022 to observe the county service’s effect and determine sustainability options. Zavadsky’s team also spoke to volunteer-based agencies around the county to understand their perspective during the year-long observation period.

“Agencies are struggling but committed to the communities they serve,” he said on February 9, 2023, while presenting results to the PSLA. “Despite all their best intentions, getting ambulance crews has really become an issue.”

Zavadsky’s report determined that the county service became the second largest EMS provider in Otsego County, “decompressing reliance on mutual aid greatly between volunteer agencies” and “working as designed.” The system led to a reduction in average response times of 10.8 percent, from 23.3 minutes prior to the start of the service to 20.7 minutes after its implementation, according to Zavadsky. Additionally, activation times—the time between receiving 911 calls and an ambulance crew heading out—decreased from 9.0 to 5.0 minutes. A full report to the Otsego County Board will take place on March 1, 2023.

“With both county and volunteer crews responding to calls, we’re starting care sooner,” said O’Brien. The paramedic service, Otsego County Deputy Director for 911 and EMS Casey Eckler explained, provides a level of care that was in decline prior to its implementation.

“You have your first responders, or people who are not EMTs, who are qualified for basic CPR and first-aid only. Then we go to BLS, or basic life support, which requires an EMT training course that is updated every three years… then you have ALS, which are your critical care techs and your paramedics, which is really extensive training,” said Eckler. She has also served as a volunteer EMS provider for 20 years.

While emergency calls in the state require at least a BLS-level response, oftentimes ALS personnel employed by the county will aid volunteer crews on calls to provide the appropriate level of care.

Despite its successes, the county’s service brought a new set of challenges to the existing system. As a relatively new institution, the county’s paid ambulance service has, at times, caused friction with existing EMS services. And while volunteer and paid services continue learning to coexist in Otsego County, the NYS EMS Council is processing recommendations which suggest an overhaul of the current system may be looming.

“New York State is about to seal the fate of the volunteers,” said O’Brien.

This is part one of a three-part story on Otsego County EMS. Next week’s edition will examine the analyses and recommendations of two major reports on EMS in Otsego County and New York State, respectively, and their subsequent impacts.

William K. Davis

Feb. 16, 2023

OTEGO—William K. Davis of Otego passed away February 16, 2023 in Davenport, Florida, following a very brief illness.

Bill was born in Binghamton to Horace and Margaret Kruger White. He grew up in upstate New York with his adoptive parents, Charles Davis and Amelia Parker Davis.

Bill was a graduate of Sidney High School.

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II and served as a radio communications operator on B-17s and B-29s in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Bill was assigned to Lt. Gen. Patrick Timberlake’s personal command, which carried him to Singapore and points in between.

Upon returning home, Bill attended Hartwick College and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

In 1948, he married the love of his life, Alma Welcher, in Sidney. Bill and Alma raised three children while he began his career in the automobile business with Hotaling Sales and Service.

Bill and his business partner, Paul Donowick, became auto dealers in Sidney,

Walton, and Oneonta, eventually owning and operating Country Club Chevrolet and Otsego Automotive, which became The Country Club Automotive group, along with his son, Scott Davis, and Tom Armao. He received numerous awards, including the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award, the SUNY Delhi College Meritorious Service Award and the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen Award.

Bill and Alma were fortunate to travel to many parts of the world, courtesy of General Motors. They were often seen on the dance floor and enjoyed many rounds of golf as members of the Oneonta Country Club and Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort in Haines City, Florida. He was fortunate to play golf up until the time of his illness.

Bill also enjoyed taking his daughters to compete in horse shows locally and once at Madison Square Garden. He became quite an equestrian himself, winning many trophies, ribbons and awards. Bill was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

With a passion for his property’s upkeep, Bill often was seen raking his lawn, riding his lawn mower and driving his tractor with a manure spreader in tow on his horse farm in Otego.

A faithful community servant, Bill was past president of the Oneonta Rotary Club and a member of many boards, including the SUNY at Delhi Technology Board, Saint James’ Episcopal Church Vestry, New York State Automobile Dealers Board, and the Board of Directors of Wilber Bank. In 2019, Bill was awarded an Honorary Doctor of

Laws Degree from Hartwick College by then-President Margaret Drugovitch.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Alma; sister, Thelma Murburg; and brothers, David, Lynne, and Charles White.

Bill is survived by his sister, Carol Sue Dingman of Salt Springs, Florida; children, Christine (Joshua) Chase of Gainesville, Florida, Jennifer (James) Fotiades of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and Scott (Kathy) Davis of Otego; granddaughters, Erin (Logan) Pondolfino of Oneonta and Heather (Darren) Seid of New York City; plus his great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and special friend, Elaine Baird.

Under the direction of Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, calling hours will be held at the funeral home from 4- 7 p.m. on Friday, April 21. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Bill’s life at Saint James’ Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta, at 11 a.m.

on Saturday, April 22.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating in Bill’s memory to the Commemorative Air Force at https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/Supportthe-CAF or the charity of one’s choice.

29, 1988 to the Reverends Lin Grace Rohr of Massachusetts and Stephen J. Quinlan of Indiana. He married Christen Markwell in 2012. Their children, Theodore “Teddy,” age 9, Annastasia “Anna,” age 5, Timothy “Huckleberry,” age 3, and Joseph, age 1, were the joys in his life.

to everyone he met.

Josh is survived by his spouse, Christen, and their children; his parents; his stepfather, Scott Ritchie, and his stepmother, Melanie Ventrice.

Joshua Stephen Quinlan 1988-2023

ARDEN, NORTH CAROLINA—Joshua Stephen Quinlan, “Josh,” 34, of Arden, North Carolina died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 21, 2023.

Josh was born in Southampton on February

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.

Josh lived in Cooperstown from 1998-2003. In many ways, it took the village to raise the boy. As in childhood, in adulthood, Josh chose to journey through life in his own unique way. Explorations, experiences, adventures and the avalanches of consequences that sometimes accompanied them were all a part of his expansive world. He loved the outdoors, whether it was camping, fishing, hunting gemstones or foraging for wild mushrooms. Josh was a hands-on person who loved leathercraft, tattoo art and tinkering with cars. He had an insatiable curiosity and was full of all kinds of trivia.

At 6’8” Josh was a gentle giant of a man, a helpful friend

Josh is also survived by his sister, Stephanie Rohr, and her wife, Devora Rohr; his sister, Kate Quinlan, and his brother, Joseph Quinlan, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Josh loved his family deeply and was deeply loved by them. His family and many friends will miss him more than we can ever say.

A service celebrating Joshua’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at The First Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to The First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or the Housing Assistance Corporation’s homeless prevention fund, 60 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.

|

Photo provided JOSHUA STEPHEN QUINLAN

Photo provided WILLIAM K. DAVIS

Photo by Ted Mebust

Inside an ambulance owned by the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, just one of many volunteer-based EMS agencies working alongside the county service.

“This work is a powerful example of coordinated team science and provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with an international group of experts.”

Dr. Kait Reinl

fReeMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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Notice of Public Sale

Public Notice is hereby given Under Sec. 182 NYS Lien Law, that property described as contents of storage unit, will be sold at public auction at 1:00 PM on March 4th, 2023 at Rt.

23 Self Storage of Oneonta, 8745 St Hwy 23, Oneonta NY. The sale of such property is to satisfy the lien of Rt 23 Self Storage of Oneonta on property stored for the accounts of:

Unit # 214

Chris erickson

Unit # 431

brian Reis

Unit # 437

Sean Reeves Unit # 439

Casandra Decker

Unit # 524

Zachary Hogan Uni t# 710 Deidre boycott LegaL nOtice

Notice of Public HeaRiNG

NOTICe IS

HeRebY GIVeN that the Zoning board of Appeals for the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. or as soon thereafter as can be heard:

Meeting to be held in the board Room of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York.

40 Lake Street – Applicant requesting a four-bedroom, shortterm rental special permit

The plans for this project are on file with the Village Clerk’s Office at the Village Office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York, and may be seen during regular office hours, Monday through friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public comments must be provided by email to the Zoning Officer at zoning@cooperstownny.org or by regular mail to the address below no later than Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

Jenna Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 Tele: (607)547-2411 email: jutter@cooperstownny.org

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Notice to biddeRS

Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30

A.M. on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. bids may also be submitted via the internet using www.bidx.com.

A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

electronic documents and Amendments are posted to www.dot.ny.gov/ doing-business/opportunities/const-notices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its

bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-planholder.

Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list.

NYS finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518)457-2124.

Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small business firms, including, but not limited to D/M/Wbe’s and SDVObs.

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 federallyassisted 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 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, binghamton, NY, 13901

D265005, PIN 9TGD23, fA Proj Y2399TGD-233, Delaware, Otsego, Sullivan Cos., GUIDeRAIL ReQUIReMeNTS CONTRACT - 4 Locations on NY Routes 8, 10, 23, and 97, bid

Deposit: 5% of bid (~ $125,000.00),

Goals: Dbe: 0.00%

D264866, PIN 9TCR22, fA Proj Y2399TCR-223, broome, Chenango, Otsego,

Schoharie Cos., RePLACeMeNT Of 5 CULVeRTS: Towns of Triangle, Colesville, Smyrna, Otsego, Jefferson, bid Deposit: 5% of bid (~ $375,000.00),

Goals: Dbe: 8.00%

2LegaMar.2 LegaL nOtice

SuPPleMeNtal SuMMoNS

SUPReMe COURT Of THe STATe Of NeW YORK

INDeX NO.

ef2022-298

Plaintiff designates OTSeGO as the place of trial situs of the real property

Mortgaged

Premises: 7401 STATe ROUTe 28, SCHUYLeR LAKe, NY 13457

Section: 67.05, block: 1, Lot: 14.00

COUNTY Of OTSeGO

DLJ MORTGAGe CAPITAL, INC.

Plaintiff, vs. JOSePH C.

PeSTAR, INDIVIDUALLY AND AS HeIR AND DISTRIbUTee Of THe eSTATe Of LAURIe A. PeSTAR A/K/A

LAURIe A. DeNMeADe; eRIC PHILLIPS, AS HeIR AND DISTRIbUTee Of THe eSTATe Of LAURIe A.

PeSTAR A/K/A

LAURIe A. DeNMeADe; JeReMY DeNMeADe, AS HeIR AND DISTRIbUTee Of THe eSTATe Of LAURIe A. PeSTAR A/K/A

LAURIe A. DeN-

MeADe, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; THOMAS DYGeRT, AS HeIR AND DISTRIbUTee Of THe eSTATe Of LAURIe A. PeSTAR A/K/A LAURIe A. DeNMeADe; UNKNOWN HeIRS AND DISTRIbUTeeS Of THe eSTATe Of LAURIe A. DeNMeADe A/K/A LAURIe A. PeSTAR, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband,

widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NeW YORK STATe DePARTMeNT Of TAXATION AND fINANCe; UNITeD STATeS Of AMeRICA; CITIbANK, N.A.; THe PeOPLe Of THe STATe Of NeW YORK, “JOHN DOe #1” through “JOHN DOe #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above named Defendants

YOU ARe HeRebY SUMMONeD to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

Notice of NatuRe of actioN aNd Relief SouGHt tHe obJect of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $106,400.00 and interest, recorded on august 13, 2007, in liber 1531 at Page 120, of the Public Records of otSeGo county, New York., covering premises known as 7401 State Route 28, ScHuYleR laKe, NY 13457. the relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. otSeGo county is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

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

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

You MuSt ReSPoNd bY SeRViNG a coPY of tHe aNSWeR oN tHe attoRNeY foR tHe PlaiNtiff (MoRtGaGe coMPaNY) aNd filiNG tHe aNSWeR WitH tHe couRt

Dated:

January 20, 2023

RObeRTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNeID, CRANe & PARTNeRS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

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SuMMoNS STATe Of NeW YORK SUPReMe COURT

COUNTY Of OTSeGO

Index No.

ef2022-557 Section: 301.07 block: 2 Lot: 40.00

Mortgaged

Premises: 104 ANGeL DRIVe, ONeONTA, NY 13820

JPMORGAN CHASe bANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, -vsTIMONeY f MASSeY A/K/A TIMONeY MASSeY;

THe HeIRS AT LARGe Of ROSINA SCOTTI, deceased, and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees, successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors of interest of all of whom and whose names and places are unknown to Plaintiff; UNITeD STATeS Of AMeRICA; NeW YORK STATe DePARTMeNT Of TAXATION AND fINANCe; “JOHN DOe” AND “JANe DOe” said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants.

TO THe AbOVe NAMeD DefeNDANT(S): YOU ARe HeRebY SUMMONeD to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the

State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable.

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 to 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 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 WITH THe COURT.

OTSeGO County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises.

Dated: August 22, 2022

Mark K. broyles, esq. feIN SUCH & CRANe, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 east Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400

NATURe AND ObJeCT Of ACTION

The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of OTSeGO, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THe DefeNDANT, the plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. bRIAN D. bURNS Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated JANUARY 20, 2023 and filed along with the supporting papers in the OTSeGO County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage. All that tract or parcel of land being Lot 40 of Arigel Heights subdivision, situate in the Town of Oneonta, county of Otsego and state of New York

Mortgaged

Notice of foRMatioN of David and Sons Watches LLC.

Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/15/22.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc., 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, Monsey, NY 10952. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalMar.30

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Notice of foRMatioN of Preisser Systems, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 02/10/2023. 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 it to: The LLC, P.O. box 782, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6LegalMar.30

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Notice of foRMatioN of Dabbling Acres LLC, Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on 01/26/2023.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 169 brighton Road Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose: for any lawful purpose.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of New Vantage LLC. filed 2/2/23. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 33 ford Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp: any lawful.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of Rule Licensed Clinical Social Work PLLC.

filed 1/20/23.

Office: Otsego Co.

SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Usacorp Inc, 325 Division Ave Ste 201, bklyn, NY 11211.

Purpose: Licensed Clinical Social Work.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of Superior Plus Maintenance, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/22/23.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY

shall mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202, brooklyn, New York 11228.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of Preisser Development, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 01/31/23.

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 it to: The LLC, P.O. box 338, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of PRofeSSioNal liMited liabilitY coMPaNY, (Pllc)

Name:

Pioneer Anesthesia Consulting, PLLC

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/05/2023.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 94 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown NY 13326.

Purpose: Profession of Medicine.

6LegalMar.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of RICRA, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/20/2022. 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 it to: The LLC, 493 Chestnut Street, Suite 2, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6LegalMar.16

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Notice of foRMatioN of LYNNDORA CONSULTING, LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/27/23. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 218 Main St., Ste. 20, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalMar.9

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Notice of foRMatioN of 1201 Meadery LLC

Arts of Org. filed SSNY 1/19/23, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness

Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207

General Purpose

6LegalMar.9

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Notice of foRMatioN of The Zero’s Journey LLC

Arts of Org. filed SSNY 1/17/23, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207

General Purpose

6LegalMar.9

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Notice of foRMatioN of liMited liabilitY coMPaNY

Notice of formation of COOPeRSTOWN CAMP SeRVICeS LLC, filed with the Secretary of State on 01/18/2023. Principal business and Office Location: 4648 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, N.Y., Otsego County, N.Y. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to 4648 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalMar.2

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Notice of foRMatioN of llc Janes Garden LLC (LLC) filed Arts. of Org. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/11/2023. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at c/o William Weinert, 337 County Highway 34, Schenevus, NY 12155. Purpose: any business permitted under law.

6Legalfeb.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of Highway 48 Property LLC. Art. of Org. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 12/15/22. Office location: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, c/o bradley Tillbrooks, 2831 Marsala Court, Orlando, fL 32806. Purpose: any lawful activities.

6Legalfeb.23

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Notice of foRMatioN of bOb’S JOb’S LLC, A Limited Liability Company. Articles of Organization were filed with the New York Secretary of State on October 7, 2022. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as the 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 to: Robert Nistad, PO box 817, east Worcester, NY 12064. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6Legalfeb.23

LEAF

is proud to celebrate 40 years of serving the communities of Otsego County!

It is a privilege and an honor to do this work. Here's to another 40 years of Reclaiming Lives, Strengthening Families, and Building Healthy Communities!

We would like to extend a very special thanks to all of those who worked with us and alongside us throughout the last four decades. This is a clear demonstration that the important work of addiction prevention cannot be done alone. Together, we build a healthier community!

Board Members Staff Volunteers Colleagues Schools Partner Agencies

Businesses Lawmakers Municipalities Colleges Interns Funders Grantors

Donors Coalition Members Task Force Members

Artists Poets

Musicians

Please check out our new and updated website at

LOCALS: PeOPLe & bUSINeSSeS IN THe NeWS

planting a tree every time a new member joins the credit union in 2023. In 2022, the SFCU gained 10,000 new members, the largest growth of members in its history, raising their overall membership to over 65,000 individuals and bringing total assets over $800 million. The NFF works to engage the American public with the country’s National Forests, leading conservation, restoring fish and wildlife, and promoting responsible recreation by leveraging private and public funding. SFCU membership is available to residents of the following counties: Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Madison, Montgomery, Onondaga, Otsego, Schoharie and portions of broome, Oneida and Herkimer.

AMBITIOUS ARTISTS: SUNY Oneonta’s Ronica Clarke of Richfield Springs, Kenneth Dukes of Oneonta and 34 other students recently debuted their art exhibit, displayed in the SUNY Oneonta Project Space Gallery. The show, “Art Across Campus: Literature in Translation,” featured painting, drawing, sculpture, blackout poetry and collage art styles from students of Dr. Sheena Mason, assistant professor of english. According to the press release, the contributing students are part of the Postcolonial Literature and Culture: The Americas, Creolization in Literature, African American Women Writers and Postcolonial and Culture: Africa courses.

EARNEST EXHIBIT: The artwork of Olivia Card of Oneonta, Samantha Harvey of Maryland and Dylan Neer of Otego, all area students attending SUNY Oneonta, was exhibited recently in “black, White, & Full of Color,” a “collective single piece of work created with language-based drawing, blackout poetry, books and PowerPoint.” Displayed in the university’s Project Space Gallery from January 23 to February 18, the exhibit was described by assistant english professor Dr. Sheena Mason as “inspired by the concept of double consciousness and illustrates the questions of societal interpretations of race and the practice of racialization through the lens of racelessness, an overview of contemporary and historical literature on the subject and personal experience.”

COOP TO COLUMBIA: Cooperstown native Henry Wager was named to the Dean’s List at Columbia University for the fall 2022, spring 2022 and fall 2021 semesters. Studying history and economics, Wager maintained a GPA of 3.6 or better while taking 12 or more points of letter credit.

BRAINY BOYLE: Sophia boyle of Worcester achieved Dean’s List status at Presbyterian College for the fall 2022 semester, part of a list of qualifying students who earned between a 3.3 and 3.9 GPA.

GOLDEN GRADUATE: Lark Kneaskern, of Morris, New York, graduated from the University of New Hampshire in December of 2022 with an MA in History and Museum Studies.

ALVERNIA ACADEMIC: Avery Leonard, of Maryland, New York, was named to the Dean’s List at Alvernia University for the fall 2022 semester, one of 660 Alvernia students to earn the honor. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits.

BSC BOSS: Heather Morris of Maryland, New York was named to the President’s Honor Roll at bismarck State College for this past fall semester. To qualify for the bSC President’s Honor Roll, students must achieve a 3.5 GPA or better while taking 12 semester hours of classes.

THAT’S WHAT HEROES DO: Sweethearts & Heroes, a student empowerment and empathy activation team that aims to prevent bullying and suicide—with a focus on social-emotional health—returned to the Cooperstown Central School District on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10 and 11. For more than 15 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented a program they refer to as “the stop, drop and roll of bullying” to more than two million students in school districts from New england to Hawaii. “We go where we’re needed. That’s what heroes do,” said Sweethearts & Heroes Director Tom Murphy, himself a Cooperstown Central School alumnus. Above, CCS fifth-grader Allison Nagelschmidt gets a hug from Sweethearts & Heroes team member Pat Fish. below, Jade Olinsky, a CCS eighth-grader, spends time with Murphy and Fish during their visit.

MULTIPLE MASTERS: Case Wilhelm VanDeValk of Richmondville completed a master of science degree from Clarkson University for civil and environmental engineering. Additionally, James Wait of Cherry Valley earned a master of science degree in physics. both degrees were awarded on December 17, 2022.

PENNSYLVANIA PUNDIT: Nathaniel edwards of Morris earned Dean’s List honors at Wilkes University for the fall 2022 semester. To be awarded the honor, Wilkes University students must earn a 3.5 GPA while taking 12 credits.

EAGER EDUCATORS: Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District welcomed the following new teachers for the 2022-2023 school year: Zea beckwith, LTA high school special education; Rebecca Fuller, pre-kindergarten; Abbey beaver, school counselor; Cameron Race, middle school/ high school physical education; Jeffrey Rhone, Spanish; Amy Favinger, grade 4; Tracy Kokell, middle school/high school math; Susan Phillippe, special education; and Tom bishop, middle school/high school english.

HONOR SOCIETY HONORS: At the Community Foundation of Otsego County’s first “Student Voices, Student Choices” competition held on November 21, 2022, the Gilbertsville Mount-Upton National Honor Society won a top prize of $5,000.00, which was donated to the Otsego County backpack Program. The competition was created to foster philanthropy and community leadership among local students. Participants were asked to “identify the greatest needs in their communities, research organizations that address those needs and then present their causes to a panel of local leaders and educators.”

PERFECT PRESIDENT’S LISTERS: SUNY Morrisville released the names of students who qualified for their President’s List, including Jack Shurmer of Milford and Anastasia Majestic of Oneonta. To qualify, students must achieve a perfect semester GPA of 4.0 while completing 12 credit hours of classes.

TREES AND FEES: The Sidney Federal Credit Union partnered with the National Forest Foundation to commit to

WELCOME COLUMBIA CLASS: The Columbiabassett Medical School Program Class of 2025 was welcomed to Cooperstown in January, continuing bassett Medical Center’s expanded partnership with the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons since the first class of 10 students arrived in 2012. The Class of 2025 has completed their 18 months of pre-clinical training at Columbia’s New York City campus and will spend the next two and a half years based in Cooperstown, gaining clinical experiences. Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, president and chief executive officer of bassett Healthcare, said, “We are excited to welcome the exceptional students of the Columbia-bassett Program Class of 2025. They will help create the future of healthcare. We are proud that bassett, a leader in rural health, is where they will gain invaluable clinical experience. I hope you will take a moment to learn about each of them and welcome them to our community.” The students are Thomas benz (Cicero, NY), Kishan bhatt (edison, NJ), Lindsey Gorsch (Charlottesville, VA), Matthew Johnson (Medfield, MA), benjamin Lynch (Lyme, NH), Tiana Saak (Grundy Center, IA), Sidney Saint-Hilaire (elmont, NY), Carina Sirochinksy (brookyln, NY), Dean Strup (Dublin, OH) and emma Weatherford (Flower Mound, TX).

HARTWICK HIRES: Hartwick College added two administrators to its team recently, welcoming College Diversity, equity, Inclusion and belonging Officer Alicia Richardson and Dr. Noah Goldblatt, director of global education. Richardson previously worked as a full professor and interim chief diversity officer at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, where she developed “a college-wide strategic plan, professional development and programming activities, and audits of college policies and practices to promote—and eliminate barriers to— inclusion.” Goldblatt was the manager of institutional relations, North America, at Next Step Connection, a provider of experiential learning programs in Asia, where he earned expertise in the “advancement of study-abroad strategies, international education campaigns and intercultural efforts and activities.” Dr. Goldblatt began on January 16 and Richardson will start work on March 16.

EXCEPTIONAL ENGINEER: Matthew Huestis, a junior electrical engineering major at Clarkson University from Fly Creek, was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2022 semester. To achieve the Dean’s List at Clarkson University, students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA while carrying at least 14 credit hours.

DEAN’S DECISION: Anika buzzy of Oneonta was named to Moravian University’s Dean’s Honors List for the fall 2022 semester. Undergraduate students who maintain a GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Hill City Celebrations Recognizes Winners

ONeONTA

Hill City Celebrations, formerly known as First Night Oneonta, has announced the winners of the 2022 Festival of Lights. The three organizations that claimed first, second and third place in the festival, voted on by Hill City Celebrations board members, were recently recognized by board officials with prize earnings. e ach winning organization was gifted with a monetary prize for themselves, and Hill City Celebrations matched an equal amount of money for winners to donate to a charity their choice.

First prize of $500.00 was claimed by Van’s Auto Sales and Service, whose “car under repair” decorated with lights was a favorite among festival attendees. Tres and Cheryl Palmer, owners of Van’s Auto, donated $500.00 each to the Oneonta American Legion and Super Heroes Humane Society.

“We owe a lot of our recognition to Cheryl, who designed and maintained our display,” said Tres.

Second prize was claimed by NYCM Insurance, who drew hundreds of onlookers with a display that featured a small forest of holiday trees. NYCM contributed $300.00 each to The Community Cupboard in edmeston, a local food pantry at the Second baptist Church, and Hill City Celebrations.

Finally, third prize went to The Amish barn Company. Their display incorporated one of the organization’s beautiful handmade barns with holiday lights. The Amish barn Company donated their $200.00 prize to the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown, which Hill City Celebrations will match.

“We had a very successful 2022 Festival of Lights, and we would like to thank everyone for their amazing support and participation this past holiday season,” said Carol Mandigo, co-chair of Hill City Celebrations. “It’s truly beautiful that out of the total $2,000.00 in prizes, $1,800.00 was given back to local causes. The other $200.00 was graciously donated back to Hill City Celebrations for future festivals. Congratulations and thank you to all our winners—we are so appreciative of your generosity. Thank you to all our festival participants.”

Prizes

were sponsored by Five Star Subaru and Cleinman Charitable Trust.

Photos provided

Tres Palmer, left, owner of Van’s Auto Sales and Service, poses with Al Black, founder, while displaying the company’s $500.00 first prize from Hill City Celebrations.

Kirsten Stoop, owner of Amish Barn Company, left, stands with Samantha Dufresne, general manager, while displaying their $200.00 third place prize check from Hill City Celebrations.

Hill City Celebrations Treasurer Connie Herzig, left, presents the Festival of Lights second prize $300.00 check to NYCM’s Logan Thompson.

Photos by Amy Malcuria

Photo provided Dr. N oAH go LDBLATT

Photo provided ALICIA r ICHA r DS o N

Adventures in Casting: ‘Roadhouse Coup’ an Otsego County Who’s Who

Folks throughout the area have asked me at least a thousand times, “How did you get all those leaders of Otsego County to be in your film?”

Here’s the “Reader’s Digest” version.

I first met former Oneonta Police Chief Douglas Brenner while working on another project. The introduction went something like this: “Hi! My name is Lori. You don’t know me, but I’m going to make a movie here, and I may need your help. By the way, here’s a cake I bought for you, and my contact information.”

Why he didn’t pull a weapon and chase me away, I’ll never know.

We began to discuss the story of Eva Coo. Brenner said he loved the history of our area and offered to help with research and production.

While scouting locations for filming, Brenner suggested I reach out to Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh of Cooperstown, as she would have intimate knowledge of Eva Coo’s crimes and what happened to Harry “Gimpy” Wright.

So, I called Mayor Ellen and said, “Hi! My name is Lori Bailey and I’m going to make a movie about Eva Coo. I could use some research help and I

THE PARTIAL OBSERVER

need someone to play the role of an up-tight Prohibitionist. Would you be interested?”

After a long moment of silence, she agreed to jump on board.

While working with Mayor Tillapaugh, she suggested I contact Sen. Jim Seward, assuring me this would be “right up his alley.” Mayor Tillapaugh gave me the senator’s contact information and, later that evening, I sent a rather comical e-mail introducing myself and asked him if he would like to play the judge in my Eva Coo movie.

The senator responded in less than 10 minutes with a resounding YES!

While I was working on the script with Sen. Seward (who has LOTS of stories to share, by the way), he suggested that I go take a look at the jail cell where Eva Coo was held. He said it was above the district attorney’s office in Cooperstown.

“Go there and tell them I

sent you,” he said. I did just that. And here’s where it gets really interesting.

Upon entering District Attorney John Muehl’s office, I gave my usual introduction to the ladies in the front: “Hi! I’m Lori. I’m making a movie about Eva Coo. I was sent here by Sen. Seward and told to ask for the DA, to see if I can look at Eva Coo’s holding cell.”

I was informed that, unfortunately, the DA was

DAN SULLIVAN

Farmland Protection is Everyone’s Concern

New York is an agricultural powerhouse, you may be surprised to learn. The state ranks in the top 10 nationally in no fewer than 14 crop and value-added agricultural products: number one in yogurt, number two in apples and cabbage, top 10 in tomatoes and potatoes, to name a few. Forty-three percent of New York’s wine grapes go to California for their wine industry. This productivity is all the more amazing when one considers that the transition from dairy that is going on leaves much farmland, for the time being, unused, Our farmland has the potential to be even more productive— and many believe that it will soon need to.

Climate change is a threat to the food system that the U.S. population relies upon. California is drying up, even burning; Florida loses land to sea-level rise, encroaching salinity, and development, and Texas is facing problems that both of those states are experiencing. Add to this the fact that the system is so heavily reliant on fossil fuels—from the seedling to the grocery store—and the specter of unsustainability rears its ugly head. Draw a 300-mile radius around northern Otsego County, and you take in 25 percent of the population of both Canada and the U.S. New York waits in the wings as the potential breadbasket of the region.

Yet, what is happening to ag land in

New York State? It’s under threat from development, and has been for decades. Shopping malls with their giant asphalt and concrete footprints have been eating up farmland for a half-century. Now the giant distribution centers gobble up arable land in many places upstate. But these phenomena could pale in comparison to the promised rollout of renewable energy projects, with hundreds of thousands of acres due to be covered with solar arrays, wind turbines and battery storage facilities. Basically, our foodshed could be traded for an electricity grid.

Finally, let’s not forget that most of us live here because of the natural beauty, clean air and water, biodiversity, and tranquility we experience daily. All these benefits can be directly traced to both our natural and working landscapes. That translates into farms. Farmers and others who work the land, like loggers, steward our landscape and keep it, and us, healthy.

New York’s soil is among the most valuable in North America; in addition to producing food, climatologists now recognize the ability of our lands, both in use and fallow, to act as carbon sinks. Unused farmland is not useless, as some might think. It’s sequestering carbon.

So let’s be aware of the treasure we possess, and be alert to opportunities to support its protection. We all have to eat.

Oxley To Deliver Memorial Lecture

ONEONTA

Union College Professor of Political Science Zoe Oxley will deliver the 2023 Leslie G. Rude Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, March 1 at 4 p.m. in the Celebration Room, Shineman Chapel House, on the Hartwick College campus. Her presentation, “This One’s for the Boys: How Gendered Political Socialization Limits Girls’ Political Ambition and Interest” is free and open to the public.

Oxley is part of a team whose latest research on gender and political socialization has been featured in top academic journals and a number of media outlets, including Forbes, NPR’s “All Things Considered,”

The 19th, WNYC’s “The Takeaway,” and The Conversation. They found that through the process of gendered political socialization, children learn about the political world, about soci-

etal gender roles and about gender in politics. Drawing from surveys of and pictures made by over 1,600 children from across the United States, Oxley and her colleagues find that girls increasingly see political leadership as a “man’s world.”

Simultaneously, as children grow older, they internalize gendered expectations, which direct their interests toward professions that embody the gendered traits that fit with their

not in his office at the time.

Suddenly, as I was turning to leave, the front door flew open and a large gust of wind blew in. The window shades rolled up with a snap. The ladies in the office quickly draped themselves over their desks to hold down papers as they began to take flight.

A tornado of a man (reminiscent of the Tasmanian devil from the Bugs Bunny cartoon) spun through the office, passing by me and

SEND US YOUR SPORTS PHOTOS

From Aikido to softball, basketball to ice hockey, gymnastics to pickleball, we welcome any sports photo—action or posed, individual or team, youth or adult. Photos will be featured on our website and in our newspapers. Send photo and details to darlay@allotsego.com.

heading to the back room.

I stood in shock and asked, “What the heck was that?”

Once the air settled, one of the ladies answered, “That’s John Muehl, the district attorney.” One of the secretaries hollered out, “John, there’s a lady out here says she’s making a movie about Eva Coo and wants to use the old jail cells.” The DA looked up at me and said, “Oh, you want me to be in your movie?” I had no idea what to say at this point, so I responded with... “Um, sure. You could play the defense attorney.”

“No!” Muehl responded.

“Got anything else?”

Thinking quickly on my feet, I said, “There’s a role available for a special agent. The man who breaks the case and brings down Eva Coo.”

“Oh? Okay,” he said. “I

can do that. Send me the script.”

To this day, District Attorney Muehl has no clue that there never was a Special Agent Williams. I had to rush home and create that part, add it to the screenplay, and send it to him. He did a great job with that character.

There are so many little stories like these. Each unique in its own way.

I guess the short answer to the original question is just that I simply asked people to help me— with the innocence and ignorance of Forrest Gump—and, for some reason, wonderful people wanted to help.

Like Ben Guenther, but that’s a whole other story…

Oneonta resident Lori Bailey is writer, director and producer of “A Roadhouse Coup.” The film, released in December of 2022, depicts the true story of Eva Coo, a local brothel owner convicted of killing Harry “Gimpy” Wright on Crumhorn Mountain Road. Coo was tried and convicted in Otsego County, then executed by electric chair at Sing Sing Prison on June 27, 1935.

JOIN US FOR LUNCH!

Come enjoy a hot meal and the company of others at any of our dining centers throughout the county. Residents age 60 and older are encouraged to have lunch, socialize and enjoy playing cards or a board game with friends and neighbors. Reservations must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling (607) 547-6454.

Locations include:

Cherry Valley Community Center – Mon and Wed at 12:00pm

Nader Towers Housing, Oneonta – Mon through Fri at 11:30am Richfield Springs Community Center – Tue and Thu at 11:30am

Suggested contribution: $350 per meal

own sex. One result of this mismatch between women and politics is that girls are less interested in political engagement than are boys.

“I am thrilled that Professor Zoe Oxley will be sharing her important and fascinating research with the Hartwick and Oneonta community,” said Political Science Department Chair Laurel Elder. “Professor Oxley and her colleagues gathered amazing data from elementary school kids and were able to show that, even in the 21st century, the idea that politics is a man’s world is being communicated to children. This research is of paramount importance to the future of our democracy.”

This year’s lecture will also be videotaped and archived at the college’s YouTube page.

For additional information on the Leslie G. Rude Memorial Lecture, contact Elder at (607) 431-4887 or at elderl@hartwick.edu.

Photo by Josh Jones

This photo from the filming of “A Roadhouse Coup” shows, from left, Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl as Agent Williams, Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh as Prohibitionist Mrs. Crandell and Isaiha Jones as Fitz the paper boy. In this scene, they are awaiting the train at the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad station in Milford to take them to the execution of Eva Coo.

Photo provided PROFESSOR ZOE OXLE y

Made in the Shade: There’s More Than One Way to Curb a Rooster

Ionce had this beautiful tropical fish that was mutilating and eating up the rest of the fish in the tank. It looked like he would have to be flushed down the drain, but before doing so, I tried threading a piece of dental floss through his tail with a sewing needle to create a drag that would slow him down when chasing after the other fish.

“Isn’t that cruel?” my wife, Alice, asked when she saw the streamer trailing.

“It’s better than flushing him,” I told her.

The floss worked like a charm, with the killer fish showing no discomfort. My tank remained in harmony for a long time.

Now, in a new life up on the farm, I was down to one rooster. The other two troublemakers wound up at King’s auction. King said he was going to keep one of them for himself because he was so good looking. He granted my hens conjugal visits if they were so inclined. I told him I didn’t think they would miss their feathers being pulled out by the brute. That’s why I got rid of him. He had plucked a large, target-shaped patch out of the back of almost all the hens so that they all appeared to be molting. I tried isolating him for a while, but as soon as I put him back with the hens he started pulling out feathers.

My neighbor, Jim butler, had about 15 Rhode Island reds. each and every one of them produced an egg a day—without the help of a rooster. butler told me that his hens’ beaks were clipped when they were young so that they wouldn’t be able to peck out each other’s feathers. I envied the pristine condition of his flock and telephoned my chicken guru, Jim McNulty, to see if he had a solution. He told me that the beak could be clipped like a toe nail, but he recommended that I install a piece of wire

Forget

in the rooster’s mouth that would keep him from closing his beak all the way. The wire would be very much like a horse’s bit and would be anchored to the bird’s nostrils.

“The metal clip from a bag of potatoes would be perfect for the job,” McNulty said.

I didn’t think the rooster would like his beak trimmed or that he would be very comfortable breathing through his

mouth all the time, so I tried to think of another method.

I needed something to stop this rooster. When a dog gets his ears clipped, the vet puts a cone over his head to keep him from bumping into things and scratching them. I thought something like that might keep the rooster away from the hens, but nothing around the farm seemed to fit the bill—except the shade from one of Alice’s cherished antique lamps. It was the only thing around that would fit over the rooster’s head and, at the same time, flare out so that every time he went to peck at a hen he’d be pushing her away. Alice was out shopping. If the lamp shade idea didn’t work, I’d put it back and she’d never know the difference.

It took a lot of convincing to get the rooster to put his head through the ring at the top of the shade and when I let him go, he shook and bucked like a bronco, but the shade remained. When his movements calmed down to what resembled a waltz, he looked so ridiculous that the hens fled at the sight of him. Later, when he tried to approach a hen, the shade/bumper did its job and kept him away. The rooster kept looking at me sideways, as if to say, “Are you serious?”

I was feeling pretty good about myself. This idea worked as well as the dental floss in the fish, but would Alice be willing to sacrifice her shade? I had no idea where I could get a replacement. She was due home any minute. While decorating, the lamp had been carefully tucked away in storage, so she wouldn’t miss it right away. I’m thinking of the time I used one of her new pots to mix wallpaper paste. In retaliation, she didn’t cook for a week. What if Alice sees the rooster dancing around in her lamp shade? I might wind up wearing it!

I’ll just have to keep her away from the coop.

the beltway, Rethink Stale Assumptions, Consider Course Alterations

My January 12 essay ended with these words: “Forget the beltway.” Given the embarrassing shenanigans of the past few months, that sentiment still holds true. The fact that many years ago it took 133 votes to elect a speaker in no way negates the atrocity of it all. I used to excuse the political conundrums that we continually embroil ourselves in as just more evidence of the messiness of democracy. That just does not cut it anymore. There has to be a better way. For instance, the fact that any side holds a statistically insignificant margin of victory over another that then enables it to exercise such undeserved power over the other is in no way defensible, either on moral grounds or any rudimentary sense of fair play. The world the founders lived in and imagined does not exist. Our system of governance has not kept pace with the exigencies of the world we now live in. I wish I had the answers; I do not. but one thing—based on some experiences of late, as well as recent readings—I do know for sure. There are better ways to skin this cat. And I believe (and this surprises me, because it is antithetical to what I have believed most of my life) we would be much better off, despite the pitfalls of any system of governance, expecting far less from the circus the beltway has become, and look more to ourselves for solutions to common problems. There is, and always should be, a role for central government. The issue is

the length and breadth of its domain. I am not arguing from either a Democratic or Republican perspective. Not so sure what those terms really mean anymore. but the time has come to consider some course alterations.

The Senate and the House of Representatives are not at all representative of or responsive to the essential needs of ALL the people. Rather, with few exceptions, it is a ruckus of ego stew kindled by shallow ambitions, demagoguery and, in many ways, unfortunately, inanity and sheer stupidity. There are some intelligent, thoughtful people in both houses on both sides of the aisle, but they are far outnumbered by the numbskulls. Not sure that George Santos qualifies or even ascends to the level of numbskull. He actually makes the average numbskull look pretty good.

Speaking of aisles, therein lies one of the major obstacles to getting anything done. An aisle, at least in Congress, is a border line. Its intent is to separate, keep apart, to

preclude any kind of substantive sharing of thoughts and ideas. It is more of a battle line than a seating arrangement. In fact, just about every aspect of what occurs in both houses exacerbates rather than diminishes political warfare. We seem pleased when someone is described as willing to cross the aisle. An apt metaphor but a sorry state of affairs. One of the fundamental aims of education is to encourage discussion and debate, to think critically about not only one’s views but those of others. And then there are those oft-forgotten but profoundly important words like respect, humility, and civility. Kindness deserves mention as well. Unfortunately, vilification of the other has become the preferred pill of the day. I have suggested in the past that there should be no arbitrary lines. I believe that rather than sides or aisles they all ought to be plunked down next to one another without regard to party (Madison warned us about the perils of factions long ago). It might force them to actually

talk to one another. Offices should also be assigned without regard to party. Walter Lippmann warned us about the tyranny of the majority years back. No reason why any party should determine which bills should come to the floor for consideration or a vote. Such a procedure is an affront to fairness, decency and, frankly, all the people. It is tyranny. The list of changes that might help “drain the swamp” of its toxicity is too lengthy to proffer here. One final thought though—clean out the place with some regularity. Term limits. Two consecutive four-year terms for the House of Representatives and two consecutive six-year terms for the Senate. The latter appears more and more like purgatory for the aging; the former would benefit from turnover once in a while so as to reflect the realities of contemporary needs and culture; it’s too much of a snake pit for mindless firebrands. It might not be a bad idea to raise the bar for admittance to either house. Santos is the most egregious example; there are others equally disreputable, but for different reasons.

The beltway habitués do have a function. but, more importantly, out here in the real world we need to find ways of working together for common goals in a way that privileges virtue—in the traditional sense of the word. If you get a chance, read Matt Ridley’s excellent book “The Origins of Virtue.” Makes one rethink stale assumptions: and that is a good thing.

Not Taking My Own Advice as Jeffrey Joins the Shelby Household

Irecently heard a cute tip, or recommendation, for older people when it comes to travel: “In your 60s, go-go; in your 70s, slow-go; in your 80s, no-go.” Well, considering myself, I’d change the formula to go-go in your 70s, slow-go in your 80s and no-go in your 90s.

When it comes to dogs, though, I have to revert back to 60s, 70s, and 80s for mid-sized and large “four-leggeds.” It’s probably been well over 20 years since I lost count of all the “older” people who asked me about getting a dog, who I told to get a small dog. And for good reason.

I’ve witnessed—and been privy to—way too many catastrophes, when the “not young” owner suffers a broken hip or arm after being accidentally tripped or pulled down by the exuberant 8-month-old, 60 pound “whatever” dog. In addition to the negativity of the owner’s healing time, these situations sometimes end up with the dog in a shelter, or worse.

So, several weeks ago, I’m in a “not young” lady’s house to help her with her recently acquired, 8-month-old goldendoodle. I’ll call him Jeffrey. Jeffrey weighs about 50 pounds and is extremely smart and responsive but, basically, totally out of control.

When I entered the house, the wellintentioned owner had Jeffrey on leash,

trying to hold him back while opening the door. This resulted in Jeffrey pummeling me with his body and jumping on me until I was able to take the leash, snap it when he was airborne, and praise him when he had four legs on the floor. I was pleasantly

surprised at Jeffrey’s quick uptake and response. He didn’t cooperate out of fear, but rather with an attitude of, “Okay, I get it.” He was appreciating the mental stimulation and challenge of quickly figuring out what I wanted, and loving earning the

treats for his cooperation. but the leash transfer, and enabling the owner to achieve the same level of cooperation from Jeffrey, was clearly a long way off.

At my second visit, long story short, she asked if I could find a home for Jeffrey. Thinking—knowing—one of my daughters will be ready for a dog quite soon, he’s now living with me. My initial intent is one of civilizing Jeffrey and then giving him to my daughter. but, as I told my daughter, if I have him long enough to seriously bond with him, all bets are off.

My standard poodle, Paula Jean, is almost 11 years old and the easiest dog in the world to live with. Totally cooperative, hikes off leash with us every day, no hassles, nothing.

enter an 8-month-old, unruly, wild punk to our calm household, and Paula Jean is thinking about renting a room at a bed and breakfast for a respite. And wife Jaye and I, for our own survival, are back to full-on training. As I’m writing this, I had to tell Jeffrey to drop the small rock he took out of the pot the jade plant is in. but truth be told, Jeffrey’s a really nice guy—really nice and really smart. And Paula Jean has actually wagged her tail at him a couple of times.

Looks like I may not be taking my own advice!

Dog Charmer Tom

Photo by Terry berkson clever thinking plus antique lampshade equals crisis averted.

hawthorn hill journal richarD Derosa

DoG charMer toM toM shelby

Photo provided jeffrey, looking deceptively well-mannered as he rests next to Paula jean.

CCS Releases National History Day Top Honors; Two Headed to Regionals

By TED MEBUST

COOPERSTOWN

Cooperstown Central School hosted its annual National History Day competition, organized by NHD Club Coadvisors Michelle Hitchcock and John Brotherton, at the Cooperstown Junior/Senior High School on February 8. This year’s student-led projects, ranging in subject from “The First Crusade” to “Robotic Surgery,” took a variety of forms, including websites, exhibits, documentaries and papers. In total, there were 40 projects completed by 7th and 8th grade-participants from the school. The theme of National History Day 2023, held across the country, is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.”

For “Group Documentary,” the top finishers were Elijah McCaffrey, Shane Bradley and Hunter Kinly. Second place went to Carleigh

Williams and Annika Murray, and third to Thomas Geertgens, Owen Nolan and Brian Zhang.

The top “Individual Documentary” finishers were Eleanor Walker in first place and Emily Menzies in second.

Pairings for “Group Exhibit” were Celia Begin and Brianna Stone, Leah Phillips and Sophia Johnson, Frank Pasek and Matt Duszynski, and Yousef Khedr and Ryan Barber, finishing first, second, third, and fourth respectively.

The top three for “Individual Exhibit” were Olivia Temp, Adam Cole and Henry Ayers.

Kohlee Lepetich won for “Historical Paper,” with Andrew Olski coming in second.

John Michaely and Shamus Murphy took first and second, respectively, in the “Website” category, and notable perfor-

Letters

Continued from page 4

fossil fuels. The rushed decisions being made to meet the state’s unrealistic climate goals will make New York State even more unaffordable, send New Yorkers packing, and put family-owned businesses under.

The PSC’s latest vote to approve an estimated $6.6 billion in local transmission upgrades is yet another example of how the state’s haphazard approach to curbing climate change is negatively impacting Upstate residents. Current Upstate energy generation is 91 percent zero emissions while downstate is a meager 9 percent, yet this 3-16 percent rate hike is expected to be highest for ratepayers and businesses north of New York City.

While all ratepayers will pay the same increases statewide, costs faced by Upstate ratepayers will nearly double on a percentage basis. It is not equitable or fair that Upstate ratepayers will be subsidizing the highest emitters downstate.

New Yorkers deserve to know the total cost of the state’s climate action goals, not find out piecemeal as projects are approved over time. If costs keep climbing for everyday New Yorkers and our small businesses, the Empire State Exodus will continue.

While there were two no votes, several PSC Commissioners expressed their concern about the rate increases in general. Until there is a fairer ratio for recouping the costs and we know more about the real price tag associated with them, we should all heed their warnings.

Justin Wilcox Executive Director, Upstate United

mances for “Outstanding Research” went to Margaret Gentles, Alyssa Licthman, Yimdrulk Gyamsto and Jahnavi Mahesh. The Catskill Regional History Day Contest, where qualifying CCS students

will compete among area contenders for a chance to compete at nationals, will feature two CCS high school students, Pauline Kennedy and Elias MacLeish, in the senior division. Kennedy will enter in the “Historical

The job scene job scene

To

“The NHD project is hard to think about at first when you’re starting off from scratch. But when you have put all of your hard work into it and you get first place in your category, you really appreciate it and get very excited and surprised on the announcements,” said Temp.

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Paper” category while MacLeish will compete for top honors in “Websites.” The competition will take place on March 11, 2023 at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School.

The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum have openings for:

Part-Time, Seasonal (April-December)

The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum are seeking motivated Food Service Workers. Ability to follow directions, prepare recipes and the ability to work weekends, events, and holidays a must. Point of sales knowledge is helpful. A background in food service is not necessary but preferred. A cheerful outlook and a professional appearance are required.

Docent

Part-Time, Seasonal. Fenimore Art Museum is seeking part-time seasonal docents for the 2023 season. Successful candidates will be engaging public speakers, enjoy research and learning and have a passion for art. A positive and professional demeanor is a must. Experience with leading tours or teaching is preferred. This position offers limited hours.

Exhibition Experts

Part-time, Seasonal. Fenimore Art Museum is offering a unique opportunity for two paid internships for high school youths who are interested in art and enjoy interacting with the public. In this position, interns will join us this summer to work as ‘Exhibition Experts’ in our special exhibition, M.C Escher: Infinite Variations, conducting hands-on activities related to artwork in the exhibition with children and families. They will be stationed at our Art Cart within the gallery, greeting visitors, discussing topics related to art and science, and explaining the interactive art and craft opportunities within the space. Exhibition Experts will also provide scheduled mini guided tours within the exhibit. Shifts are four to five hours per day during the peak hours of operation at Fenimore Art Museum. Availability between Wednesdays and Sundays required. Candidates should have an interest in the arts and should be comfortable talking and interacting with others.

Museum Interpreters

Part-time, Seasonal.The Farmers’ Museum is seeking history-minded, outgoing individuals to work as Interpreters in our mid-19th century rural village and Empire State Carousel. These positions are seasonal (April - October), with employment up to 5 days per week. Training will be provided. An interest in or aptitude for handcraft is helpful but not required for all positions. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills and be comfortable speaking in a one-on-one or group setting. Being a team player and engaging enthusiastically with the public are essential qualities.

Museum Teachers

Part-time, Seasonal. The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum seek enthusiastic and engaging seasonal museum teachers to share their knowledge and expertise of the trades of the 19th century. If you enjoy speaking with students and visitors of all ages this is the job for you! Qualified candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills and be comfortable speaking in a one-on-one or group setting. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays.

For more information, or for an application, please go to: fenimoreartmuseum.org or farmersmuseum.org. Applications may be mailed to P.O. Box 800, Cooperstown, NY, 13326. You may also contact Human Resources at 607-547-1462 or email hr@fenimoreart.org. Covid-19 vaccination is a condition of employment.

Food Service Worker

Photo provided Cooperstown Central School NHD “Individual Exhibit” winner Olivia Temp stands with her project.

►Thursday, Feb. 23

DISABILITY 9 a.m. to noon. Hop online for a free disability awareness training covering the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, neurodivergent disabilities and workplace accommodations.

Presented by the Workforce Development Board of Herkimer. Registration required. (315) 207-6951 ext. 139.

ART WORKSHOP 1-3 p.m. Learn the bookmaking process with Jennifer LeJeune using a variety of papers and styles. Make books to give as gifts, for a journal, a travel log or just to learn the art. Cost, $30/person. 25 Main Collective, 25 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-5340.

SENIOR TECH SUPPORT

1:30-2:30 p.m. Seniors are invited to bring their phone or tablet to learn to get connected, use common apps and build confidence with devices. Presented by Heather Amendolare at the Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com

T ZONE 4-6 p.m. Teens aged 12-15 are invited for this after-school program to de-stress, enjoy a nutritious snack and play games with their peers in a safe environment. Held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Visit richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org/programs/

OPENING RECEPTION 5-

7 p.m. Celebrate the opening of two exhibits: “A Deep Dive into a Large Ocean: Tradition, Tourism, and Transformation in Micronesian Culture” curated by Hartwick students in the museum studies minor, and “Margaret Huntington Boehner: an Upstate Artist on Cape Ann.” Yager Museum, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4480.

TOASTMASTERS 6:15-

7:30 p.m. Join the Oneonta Toastmasters to practice your public speaking in a supportive environment. The theme of this meeting is: “Tall Tales.” Meets each 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month and may be attended in person or online. Held at The Green Earth, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/ OneontaToastmasters

WORD THURSDAY 7 p.m. Enjoy a presentation from fea-

tured writers Richard Georges, poet laureate of the British Virgin Islands, and Mac Donald Dixon, recipient of the St. Lucia National Medal of Merit. Registration required. Presented by the Bright Hill Press and Literary Center, Treadwell. (607) 829-5055.

►Friday, Feb. 24

WELLBEING WORK-

SHOP 8:30 a.m. Join LEAF Inc. for a workshop, “The Ripple Effect of Wellbeing,” to discuss stress and workplace wellness and why it is important. Through a series of exercises and discussions, participants connect to their own sense of wellbeing and explore ways to make positive changes. KW Training Center, 31 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-4500 ext. 2.

CABARET NIGHT 6:30 p.m. Enjoy a fun night of cabaret music, dancing and good vibes with the Stan Fox Quartet. Features “The Rhythm Section” Rob Roman on piano, Evan Jagels on bass and Rob Lipari on drums.

Refreshments and light food available. Admission by donation to fund ongoing community based performing arts activities at the center. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

PLANETARIUM 7 p.m. Journey through the cosmos in a family-friendly planetarium show. Registration required. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, West Dormitory Road, SUNY Oneonta. Visit eventbrite.com/o/sciencediscovery-center-and-planetarium-14332374215

YOUTH ZONE 7-10 p.m.

Students in grades 7-12 are invited for a fun night of games and activities each Friday. Games range from air hockey to Xbox games to board games, with arts and crafts, baking, movie nights, and more also offered. Held at The Richfield Springs Com-

munity Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Visit richfieldspringscommunitycenter. org/the-zone/

►s aTurday, Feb. 25

BEEKEEPING

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “To BEE or Not to BEE.” Learn about beekeeping in an introductory course covering honey bee biology, how to start a colony, equipment, managing the year, diseases, pests and products of the hive. Cost is $45/person and includes a beekeeping book, lunch, snacks. Registration required. Hosted by Leatherstocking Beekeepers Association at Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Beekeepers2023@gmail.com.

TAX PREP 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

ART OPEN HOUSE 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last chance open house for “Kelley’s Carved Convoy,” a surroundsight of trucks carved 1950s1990s by acclaimed Oneonta farmer folk artist, Lavern Kelley. Also includes mugs and ornaments by Marcie Schwartzman and wooden Kenyan miniatures (proceeds benefit Mukuru Art Collective). Free admission. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 941-9607.

FUNDRAISER Noon. Enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner with raffles and a basket auction. This fundraiser will help Bill and Donna Hribar rebuild their barn and replace the contents, which were lost to a fire. Fly Creek Volunteer

Fire Department, 832 County Highway 26, Fly Creek. (607) 547-5469.

BLACK HISTORY 3 p.m.

The community is invited to bring good vibes, positive messages, truth and a little bit of talent for “‘Living Black History’ Break The Ice Open-Mic!!!” hosted by ChurchNTheHood and others. The Red Door Church, 381 Main Street, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/HipHop-

ChurchExperience/

COFFEE HOUSE 7-9

p.m. Music jam in a range of genres by amateur local performers. Sign up to perform or just enjoy the show. Light refreshments included. Free, open to the public. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church. Church Road, Schuyler Lake. (315) 858-2523.

ENCORE 8-10 p.m. Back by popular demand, enjoy a screening of “A Roadhouse Coup,” about the life and crimes of Eva Coo, a 1930s Oneonta tavern owner convicted of the murder of one of her charges and executed for this crime. Filmed locally with many local faces. Tickets, $20 general admission (plus fees if reserving online).

Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. Also showing 3-5 p.m. February 26. (607) 431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org

►sunday, Feb. 26

SUNDAY SPEAKERS 3-4 p.m. Friends of the Village Library present Kathy Delacey speaking on The Resource Center for Refugees (The Center) and the work done to settle Ukrainian refugees in central New York. Held at the Cooperstown Village Library. (607) 547-8344.

►Monday, Feb. 27

TAI CHI 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Seniors aged 60+ are invited for the “Tai Chi for Arthritis” series. Held Mondays and Wednesdays, participants

sessions. Free; donations accepted. Oneonta Boys and Girls Club, 70 Water Street, Oneonta. (607) 547-4232.

SENIOR MEALS Noon.

Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal each Monday through Friday. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors, $8.60 for guests accompanying a senior. This week, enjoy a lunch of Yankee pot roast, boiled potatoes, dill carrots and chocolate ice cream.

Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. (607) 547-6454.

CHAIR YOGA 2-3 p.m.

Join certified yoga instructor Wanda Hunt for this chair yoga class. All fitness levels welcome. Cost, a food donation to the Richfield Springs Food Pantry. Scheduled for each Monday through March 13. Held at the Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.

TAX PREP 6-8 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick college accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-onone assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338. COMEDY 9-10 p.m. Enjoy a fun show with Jordan Conley as seen on season 17 of “America’s Got Talent.” Tickets, $6/person. Hunt Union Waterfront, SUNY Oneonta. (607) 436-3012.

►Tuesday, Feb. 28

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. The community is invited for a group hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Please bring appropriate clothing, gear, enough water to stay hydrated and be aware of your level of fitness.

AllOTSeGO.homes

information. This week’s hike will be on the Stamford Rail Trail, Stamford, with hike leader Betsy Cunningham. (607) 437-3758.

SENIOR MEALS 11 a.m.

Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal, meet friends old and new, and play a board game or two. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors; reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. (607) 547-6454 for reservations or visit otsegocounty. com/departments/office_for_ the_aging/index.php to find the menu.

LAWYER IN THE LIBRARY

4-5 p.m. Learn about adult guardianships and how to ask the court to appoint a guardian with the authority to run the incapacitated adults affairs from healthcare decisions, property, finances, and more. Free, open to the public. Supreme Court Law Library, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 240-4310 or e-mail clund@nycourts.gov

AGING DISCUSSIONS 4 p.m. The Office for the Aging presents a series on successful aging. The first discussion will be “The Importance of Establishing Advance Directives” hosted by the Legal Aid Society of Mid New York. Registration required. Emergency Services Classroom, The Meadows Office Building, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown. (607) 547-4232.

TAX PREP 6-8 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-onone assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338.

KIDS CREATE 6:30-7:15 p.m. Kids are invited to create something new and explore art. Open to all ages. Springfield Library, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center. (315) 858-5802.

►Wednesday, Mar. 1

WEDDING SEMINAR 6 p.m. Looking ahead to the big day, join this wedding planning seminar to get the basics of budget, timeline and what really matters for you on your big day. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

GARDEN WEBINAR 6:30 p.m. Go online with the plant scientists of Cornell Agritech to learn “Everything You Wanted To Know About Plant Breeding For Our Home Gardens.” Pre-registration and Zoom required. Recommended by the Otsego County Master Gardener Volunteers. (607) 547-2536 ext. 228. FIGURE THIS 6-9 p.m. Practice drawing from life in the studio with nude models. Professional artist Jonathan Pincus will be on hand to answer questions. $15/session. Cooperstown Art Association. (607) 547-9777.

READING SERIES 7:30 p.m. The community is invited for the first reading of the 2023 Red Dragon Reading Series, featuring Award-winning poet Robert Bensen and his new book, “What Lightning Spoke: New & Selected Poems” (Bright Hill Press). Free, open to the public. Craven Lounge, Morris Conference Center, West Dormitory Drive, SUNY Oneonta. (607) 436-3446.

must commit to 11 of the 16

Contact hike leader for more