Day at the Rodeo Features Impressive Skills, Shared Sense of Pride

Awhile ago, we spent the day at the annual Tucson rodeo. Quite a day; fascinating from many perspectives. How can one not come away in awe of 4-6 year-old “mutton busters” holding on for dear life astride a bucking sheep while being dragged hundreds of feet across the arena dirt. And then, standing tall while waving to the adoring crowd. Gotta start young in this business. Later came the bareback bronc riding. Most riders were able to hold on for the minimum time, while a few barely made it out of the chute. One rider was thrown over his buckskin bronc’s head, ending in a heap just as the bronc’s forelegs appeared headed for his face. Fortunately, the hooves missed; a close call.

As impressive as these daredevils’ skills were, we marveled at the work of the several pick-up riders who, after plucking each rider from the bronc and dropping him to the ground, herded the bronc into a holding pen at the far end of the area. However, in one instance—try as they might to extricate the rider from the horse as it bucked and galloped around the edge of the area, the rider flapping back and forth as if tossed by a gale force wind—it took several attempts at full gallop to extricate the poor guy. Once the horse was freed of his rider, or tormentor, there ensued a merry chase, with the pickup guys herding the still angry horse out of the arena. The rider, as is customary with these very tough cowboys, stomped the ground with his boots, stretched a bit and sauntered off toward the chutes as if all is in a day’s work, which it is. Only a cynic or a fool would come away from witnessing such daunting displays of, well, courage without a sense of awe at what these guys go through day in and day out. The first few hours of the day were devoted to a junior rodeo. One of the most intriguing events was goat roping. They bring out a goat (always an alternate goat in reserve), tie it to a stake and make sure it is standing. Then out of the chute gallops a young girl, who stops short of the goat, jumps off her horse, grabs the goat by the neck, flops it over on its back, and ties its three legs together. And, if successful, raises her arms up in triumph at the crowd. The youngest of these kids was 6—amazing. The next event, barrel racing, proved equally exciting. Just watching these

THE UNKNOWNS young girls (all girls) ages 6-13 zoom around the barrels at high speed, their mounts bent into each turn at a very acute angle, fills one with pride in what they have accomplished and a sense of the artistry of it all.

Perhaps some might quibble with characterizing such feats as artistry, but to me there is no room for debate on this one. I would describe all the events we subsequently watched as exhibiting amazing artistry, be it the steer roping, both individually and in teams of two, saddle bronc riding, or a lone rider galloping after a steer and leaping off his horse onto the steer to bring it down on its back within the prescribed time limit.

There is another aspect of the day that has given me much to think about. First of all, if one wants to experience a very real, eye-opening slice of American life, a rodeo is a great place. Checking out the crowd it is easy to see, if visual inspections of this sort have any reliability, folks from all walks of life: cowgirls and cowboys of all ages, buckle-bunnies galore, snowbirds, the tattooed and un-tattooed, all manner of body shapes and sizes enjoying what can only be described as generally unhealthy carnival fare, and beer available everywhere, courtesy of Coors. If one has either a passing interest in ornamentation style or a deeper interest from an anthropological perspective, a rodeo is a great place to gather colorful data. Imagine anything possible and you’ve got it. Suffice it to say, all slices of American life came together on a sunny Arizona day to enjoy the enduringly American spectacle that a rodeo is.

I am neither a religious guy, nor someone particularly fond of excessive displays of nationalism or jingoism in its most virulent forms. However, I remain affected by the thoughts and feelings I felt that afternoon. At the start of the afternoon’s events, the announcer offered up a lengthy prayer with unabashed patriotic overtones. Okay. That was followed by the national anthem sung by a member of the U.S. Navy, my branch, and at the same time a cowgirl with flag hoisted galloped around the arena, the flag waving proudly in the breeze. It was clear that everyone there was deeply affected by the rituals, as was I, quite to my surprise. There is something ineffable, almost indefinable, about feelings aroused at such moments. I felt a oneness with others that I have not experienced in that way in a long time. I shared the pride felt by the crowd. I felt very patriotic at a time when my feelings of patriotism are all too often effaced by so much that is detestable in our culture these days. But that momentary coming together of a shared sense of pride in who we are and what we CAN stand for dumped a bit more hopefulness into my spirit.

At the end of the day, we made our way to the VFW tent. An announcement had been made inviting Vietnam vets to stop by to get a pin commemorating their service. I usually eschew that sort of thing, but Sandy pushed me despite my reluctance. Not possible to describe my feelings when I shook the hands of two young soldiers who thanked me for my service and handed me a pin as a moment. Kind of choked up a bit; not my customary response to that sort of thing. Glad I did it. It does not change my basic assumptions and feelings about that long-ago war that wrecked thousands of lives needlessly. But I think the choking unearthed a latent sense of patriotism of the kind that still believes that if we follow the lead of our better angels well, there is hope. Can’t wait until the next rodeo.

DNA Testing in Genealogy: Both a Starting Point and a Helpful Tool

Some of you may have thought about getting—or have already received as a gift for the holidays—a DNA test kit from Ancestry, 23andMe, or another company such as Family Tree DNA, and are now wondering what to do next. If you would like to buy one and haven’t yet done so, the holidays are the best time, next to Father’s and Mother’s days, when test companies offer the best sales. It really depends on how far you have gone in your research, where you are stuck and therefore prevented from going back any further, and if you need additional help that DNA and other people’s online family trees can offer.

An understanding of which DNA tests these companies offer, and what kind of information those tests yield, is important before purchasing and taking a DNA test. It is also important for consumers to read and understand test companies’ privacy statements and terms and conditions. Additionally, some companies and third-party websites require an opt-in or opt-out for allowing law enforcement to compare DNA samples of perpetrators of particular serious crimes to samples within the companies’ databases, and it is important for test takers to understand how their DNA may be used if they opt in or out. Taking a DNA test can also yield unexpected, surprising and even shocking results. It is important for each test taker to be able to provide informed consent to a DNA test; this includes knowing that their test results may reveal family secrets that may be upsetting to some people, including living relatives.

Most DNA testing companies include two major components: some form of genetic relative matching and some form of ethnicity estimates. For genetic relative matching, the test companies analyze your DNA sample and compare it to the other samples within their database. They are then able to list your genetic relatives who have tested with that particular test company. (Some testing companies and other third-party websites also allow you to upload your DNA test results from other test companies onto their websites, so you have even more opportunity to find genetic relatives.) Test companies also provide the amount of DNA you share with each DNA match, which can help you narrow down how you might be related to one another.

User-uploaded family trees on DNA test companies’ websites can also help with determining how you are related to a genetic match, though they can contain mistakes or wrong information entirely. Not everything that people post in their online family trees turns out to be accurate, but they can often indicate a good starting point, if researched and cited well. One should always look at the sources cited, and the information therein, and evaluate them for yourself. (Just because someone had the same name as your ancestor and lived in the same city does not mean that every document you find with that name in that city refers to your ancestor, for instance.) Non-paternity events or NPE due to illegitimacy, adop- tion, etc., can also complicate matters. One should use a combination of DNA testing and traditional genealogical research to get the best and most accurate results.

Ethnicity estimates are a bit more complicated. They are, first of all, only estimates, and not written in stone. They are not an exact science, and although they can be helpful (and fun to see), they should always be coupled with traditional genealogical research before drawing any conclusions. Test companies compare your DNA sample to those taken from various reference populations around the world: living people whose ancestors have lived in a particular region for several generations. The test companies then estimate where your ancestors may have originated in the past few hundred years based on how much DNA you may have in common with these particular reference populations. However, many border changes in the past few hundred years (and other factors) mean that the results are really only accurate to the continent level, and sometimes to more specific regions, but generally not to specific countries. Your ethnicity results are updated periodically as more people have their DNA tested and as the technology improves.

DNA testing for genealogical purposes can be complicated to understand at first, but it can be a useful (and fun) tool for genealogy.

Maureen Culbert is vice president of the Springfield Historical Society. Her daughter Megan, who contributed to this column, works at Fenimore Art Museum.

Let the Sun Shine In: Cooperstown Area LWV To Reactivate Observer Corps

Just as we all wish for clear blue skies and sunny days when it comes to the weather, the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area also hopes the same for our local government: that it lets the sun shine on its work by being open and accountable.

“Sunshine” in government refers to two distinct areas—access to public records and access to public meetings. From March 12-18, the League of Women Voters celebrated Sunshine Week, a national period dedicated to promoting open government, transparency, freedom of information, and enhanced public participation in government. The week-long celebration is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists and News Leaders Association and coincides with the National Freedom of Information Day, which was commemorated this year on March 16.

Sunshine Week serves as a reminder to citizens to take advantage of their important role in fostering an open and accountable government. Our League marked Sunshine Week 2023 by re-activating our Observer Corps Program. Observer Corps Programs throughout the country have earned the League a reputation as a fair and accurate civic monitor. Observers are present at public meetings, but do not speak for the League at the meetings.

Observers attend public meetings to listen and to learn and then make factual reports about what occurred. Observers monitor not only the issues but also the process through which these issues are discussed. That process begins before the public meeting. Does the county, town, village, or school district provide information about all its meetings— including committee meetings—on a website? Are agendas and minutes readily available to the public in a timely fashion? Observer Corps members will use a form to record what takes place, including not only the action of the government board, but whether agendas and past minutes were available, which officials were in attendance, whether they were prepared for the meeting, and whether they treated each other and the public with respect.

To have a successful Observer Corps, we are looking for sufficient volunteers among League members who will agree to regularly attend county, town, village, and school board meetings. Our goal is to find two League members to attend the same meeting. (That way, there should always be at least one person from the League at the meeting). The key is to regularly attend the meeting.

It isn’t that difficult to become a member of the Observer Corps. First, join the League. Once a member, we will train all volunteers. We will send observers to as many local meetings as we have volunteers to cover them.

It’s the perfect way to get to know your community and to let the sun shine in. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, please e-mail president@ LWVCooperstownArea.org.

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Maureen Murray is co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area.

Cabaret

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Dewar Arena that Le Cabaret had lived up to its annual. As a handful of concertgoers stealthily slinked to the sides of the room and swayed together to Pelt’s performance while others were seated and content to take in the music among family and friends— and with the CSO team jubilant with delight from the resounding show of moral and financial support by the community—Le Cabaret proved itself once again as the musical high point of the season. And this beloved regional tradition shows no signs of slowing down.

The CSO will host its final concert of the season on May 13 at SUNY Oneonta’s Alumni Field House, where the 20232024 season will be announced with early bird tickets available. The 70th season will commence in September.

Bassett Expands

Visitation Hours

OTSEGO COUNTY—

Bassett Healthcare Network has updated the inpatient visitation policy covering all of its inpatient and clinic facilities. Visitation hours are now 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitors must be at least 12 years of age. Up to two visitors are allowed per patient at a time. If necessary, a patient may receive permission to keep a support person overnight.

Free Virtual Job Fair Scheduled for April 12

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Mohawk Valley West and Southern Tier Six-County Virtual Job Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 and is free and open to the public. The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties, which sponsors the event, encouraged all job seekers and employers in Otsego, Herkimer, Oneida, Madison, Chenango, and Delaware counties to attend.

“If you or someone you know is looking for employment, but are unsure of where to start, the Workforce Development Board is here to help. We provide opportunities to gain new skills through free training, supportive services and job readiness,” Project Director Sommer Edwards said. “We also work as a liaison between employers to help match job seekers with the occupation they are looking for. If you are an employer, and you are looking to grow your workforce, consider joining us at this virtual event to meet new talent and learn more about the services we have available to assist your workforce needs.”

For more information or to register, visit https://www.working-solutions. org/news/free-six-county-virtual-job-fair-april-12-2023.

NYSDOL Seeking Feedback for Employment Study

OTSEGO COUNTY—The New York State Department of Labor has called for public comment and participation in a transgender employment survey. The official survey announcement coincided with Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31. In August, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation directing the NYSDOL to examine disparities in employment experiences for transgender and gender non-conforming people compared to other New Yorkers. Nationwide studies have found that TGNC people face higher rates of unemployment, workplace discrimination, harassment and violations. To ensure that the study and any subsequent policy discussions center the voices of this community, NYSDOL asked for firsthand accounts of their employment experiences.

According to the department press release, comments submitted through the portal will provide essential anecdotal data to help NYSDOL assess barriers to full employment faced by TGNC individuals and propose policy solutions. These comments will be part of a larger effort to center TGNC voices in this report through qualitative data gathering.

“I thank Governor Hochul and the New York State legislature for commissioning this report so we can get a better picture of the barriers that the transgender and gender nonconforming community faces,” said NYSDOL Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “It is essential we hear from those in the community. The feedback we receive through this process will help us better understand the unique challenges that TGNC employees face in the workplace and inform our efforts to ensure equal opportunities and protections for all workers.”

Submitted comments will be anonymous. However, the NYSDOL asks those who feel comfortable doing so to share their age, race and county to help them collect important demographic data. The portal will provide a blank field for commenters to personalize their gender identity. All information shared is completely confidential and will only be used to inform the study, which will be released later this year.

The public comment portal will be open from March 31 through June 30. Visit dol.ny.gov to access the survey. For other LGBTQIA+ resources, visit New York State’s Office of Mental Health’s LGBTQIA+ webpage, https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/lgbtqia/.

Otsego Soil, Water District Announces Mini-Grants

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego County Soil and Water District is accepting applications for conservation mini-grants until Friday, April 7. The grants are intended to support conservation-related projects by educational institutions, nonprofits, and municipalities. Applicants should submit a brief (no more than two pages) description of the project or program, including project or program goals, a budget, an explanation of how the program or project will achieve the goals, and a description of measurable outcomes. Successful applicants will receive up to $1,000.00. Award decisions will be released on April 11. For more information, contact District Manager Christos Galanopoulos at (607) 547-8337 or galanopoulosc@otsegosoilandwater.com.

The Farmers’ Museum has an opening for: Farmer

The Farmers’ Museum is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time year round position. Qualified applicants will be knowledgeable in the care and feeding of museum livestock and farm animals. They will assist with maintenance, care and upkeep of barns, outbuildings, and fencing, and with the planting, maintaining, and harvesting of field demonstration plots and gardens. Knowledge of hand operated and mechanical equipment necessary. Experience working with the public to provide a pleasant informative atmosphere. Ability to lift 50 lbs. Excellent benefit package. Covid-19 vaccination required. Applications are available online at farmersmuseum.org or email hr@fenimoreart.org.