Bassett Lays Off 101 Employees as it Addresses
$80M Shortfall
By DARLA M. YOUNGS
OTSEGO COUNTY
On Wednesday, October 16, Bassett Healthcare Network eliminated 101 filled positions across the eight-county network, but that may not be the end of the association for some of those employees, according to Bassett President and Chief Executive Officer Staci Thompson.
Thompson sat down on Friday afternoon, October 18, to discuss the layoffs and dispel rumors that more cuts are looming on the horizon.
“The rumors have ballooned to 400 layoffs coming in multiple waves,” Thompson said. “None of that is the truth. No additional widespread cuts are planned.”
Thompson said last week’s layoffs are administrative and that none of those let go were providing direct patient services.
“We eliminated about 100 postings across the entire network as part of efforts to control rising healthcare costs,” Thompson explained. “It is a proactive approach that we’ve undertaken in order to continue to maintain our independence as a community based healthcare system.”
Thompson said Bassett has been working with Huron, a healthcare consulting group, since April, part of an overall improvement plan to ensure that Bassett is healthy for the future.
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Under Construction
TOWN OF OTSEGO—As of Tuesday, October 15, State Route 80 is closed about two miles north of the Village of Cooperstown to facilitate a culvert replacement, according to the New York State Department of Transportation. Two separate signed detours are expected to last through the end of November. Local traffic should follow Otsego County Route 28, which runs parallel to State Route 80 for four miles. Eastbound State Route 80 truck traffic will follow State Route 28 North from the Village of Cooperstown to the Village of Richfield Springs, then take U.S. Route 20 East to connect back with State Route 80 in the Town of Springfield. Westbound truck traffic will follow U.S. Route 20 West from the Town of Springfield to State Route 28 South in the Village of Richfield Springs, then take State Route 28 South until it reconnects with State Route 80 West in the Village of Cooperstown. Drivers are asked to use caution and follow the posted detours. Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones.
By TONY SAVIO ONEONTA
Despite the late-October wave of warm conditions and sunny skies, winter weather is on its way, putting people without homes at higher risk.
The city and town of Oneonta are reported to have the largest population of unsheltered people in the county. The unsheltered will rely on local authorities required to announce a Code Blue alert as soon as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures falling below 32F with wind chill for at least two consecutive hours.
At the October 15 Common Council meeting, council members discussed the opening of a warming station at 291 Chestnut Street on November 1 and how to provide accommodations to unhoused individuals if the temperature falls below freezing—known as a “Code Blue” alert—in October.
When possible, the decision to declare a Code Blue alert will be made by 5 p.m. each day, according to the Otsego County Department of Social Services. The Code Blue will remain in effect until the temperature rises above 32˚F with wind chill, but at least until 7 a.m. the next morning.
The Catholic Charities Warming Station will operate during inclement weather, warranting Code Blue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily from November 1, 2024 through March 25, 2025. The warming
Farmers’ Museum Announces New Name Effective
COOPERSTOWN
After more than 80 years,
one of the nation’s first open-air living history museums has unveiled a new name and new visual identity.
The Farmers’ Museum will change its name to Fenimore Farm & Country Village beginning November 1, 2024. The new name was selected to accurately reflect the property’s long history and to better express the museum’s current focus. Fenimore Farm & Country Village will continue to serve as a center for education, a guardian of artifacts from our rural past, and a community hub.
“Fenimore Farm & Country Village communicates dynamism through its unique loca-
tion, encompassing a broad range of exhibits and activities— everything from a beautiful rural setting and a historic village to special events and programs, and a working farm,” said Paul S. D’Ambrosio, president of Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum. “The name also aligns seamlessly with Fenimore Art Museum, which was part of the original property. We believe returning to the property’s
original name better serves our visitors as it clearly defines the museum’s focus.”
The property was originally referred to as Fenimore Farm from the time it was owned by James Fenimore Cooper (1813-1817) and Judge Samuel Nelson (1817-1873). After it was purchased by Edward Clark in 1876, it became formally known by that name. Edward Clark’s son, Edward Severin
Clark, became sole owner of Fenimore Farm in 1896 and transitioned it into a modern dairy farm by experimenting with new breeds of cattle and the latest in agricultural technology. In 1943, the property was opened to the public as The Farmers’ Museum.
As part of this announcement, a new graphic identity was developed in conjunction with the new institutional name. A new website, FenimoreFarm.org, will launch on November 1.
“This change will not alter our core mission or activities,” D’Ambrosio added. “All of our beloved programs and events like Harvest Festival and
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Photos by WilliamJayMiller.com
Gilbertsville Man Wins Two Statewide Broadcasting Awards
By TERESA WINCHESTER
GILBERTSVILLE
Nate Lull, lifelong resident of the Village of Gilbertsville and sports director at the Sidneybased radio station WCDo, recently received two awards from the New York State Broadcasters Association— one for “Excellence in Broadcasting” and a second for “Serving New York.” Presentations were made at a luncheon held in Binghamton at the DoubleTree Hotel on September 26.
The NYSBA presents “Excellence in Broadcasting” awards in various categories for radio, television and college radio. The competition is statewide, with awards given out in large and small markets. The Excellence in Broadcasting Award aims to encourage professional performance.
Lull received the “Excellence in Broadcasting” award for his eponymously named “Nate Lull Podcast,” which he initiated in 2020 during the CoVID-19 pandemic—at a time when sports events and just about everything else had come to a standstill.
“It’s a labor of love,” Lull said of his podcast.
Information put out by WCDo
Craig Stevens and Nate Lull. At a luncheon held by the New York State Broadcasters Association in Binghamton on September 28, Stevens, general manager of radio station WCDO, received an award for “Outstanding Public Service Announcement,” and Lull received awards for “Excellence in Broadcasting” and “Serving New York.”
stated, “The Nate Lull Podcast features insightful interviews with local and state athletes, coaches, referees, entrepreneurs, and many others that have impacted the local sports scene and beyond. Currently Nate’s podcast has over 110,000 downloads.”
Lull said that to date he has produced 280 episodes, which may last anywhere from 50 minutes to two hours. Since they are podcasts, listeners may access them at any time at www.natelull.com, he said.
Lull’s “Serving New York” award was conferred for his Nate Lull Scholarship Award, an initiative now in its third year. In its first two years, Lull’s efforts distributed $30,000.00 to assist highschool seniors planning to enter either college or trade school. To date, 16 scholarships have been awarded.
To raise monies for the scholarships, Lull organizes an annual Nate Lull Scholarship Golf Tournament at ouleout Creek Golf Course in Franklin. He has also held fundraisers at Awestruck Cider in Sidney, at which a portion of profits from food and drink sold at the fundraiser goes to the scholarship. Raffles are also conducted at the event.
At the Binghamton luncheon, Craig Stevens, WCDo general manager
and inductee in the NYSBA Hall of Fame (2023), was recognized for “outstanding Public Service Announcement,” winning the award for “Best Public Service Announcement” for “Talking Can”—a recycling message developed for the Delaware County Department of Public Works. The PSA was developed in conjunction with Earth Day.
“It was a way to deliver recycling info through an inanimate object to get people’s attention,” Stevens said, going on to describe its content.
“Someone throws a (metal) can into a garbage can. The can starts talking and gives all the facts and figures about biodegradability. When the guy seems to understand, the can then says, ‘Pick me up and put me in the recycling bin.’ When the can lands in the bin, it hails its fellow cans with greetings such as ‘Hey, Joey, glad to see you again!’” All in all, WCDo has won eight “Excellence in Broadcasting” awards and three “Serving New York” awards.
WCDo-FM is licensed in Sidney. It is privately owned and operates in Chenango, Delaware and otsego counties.
“We pride ourselves on being live and local,” Lull said.
World-renowned Master Kora Player Yacouba Sissoko To Perform
CooPERSToWN
Cooperstown Concerts, formerly the Cooperstown Concert Series, kicks off its 20242025 season on Sunday, october 27 with internationally acclaimed West African kora player
Yacouba Sissoko.
“Known for his breathtaking artistry and mastery of the complex 21-string kora, Sissoko enchants audiences with music that is both beautiful and inspirational,” organizers said in a press release.
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The performance will begin at 3 p.m. at The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80.
Sissoko, whose career includes collaborations with iconic artists such as Paul Simon and Harry Belafonte, will share with concertgoers the vibrant and meditative sounds of West African music. His performance will offer a memorable afternoon of cultural exploration and musical brilliance, organizers said.
“At Cooperstown Concerts, we believe in the power of music to unite and inspire. We strive to be your home for live music and to provide an opportunity for people to come together, explore new artists, and enjoy a great show,” said Randy Smith, Cooperstown Concerts board member and president. “We’re excited to open the season with the incredible Yacouba Sissoko and look forward to welcoming our community back to an exciting lineup of performances that will engage and captivate.”
The 2024-2025 season marks a new era for Cooperstown Concerts which, as the Cooperstown Concert Series, has been an integral part of the Cooperstown arts scene for 55 years. With a fresh look and abbreviated name, the organization remains dedicated to providing an eclectic mix of live music—sharing music from around the world and offering a diverse range of performances for all types of music lovers.
“I’m very happy to open this exciting new season for Cooperstown Concerts and to be featured in such a long-standing, eclectic performing arts program in upstate New York,” said Sissoko. “I strive to expand the awareness of West African history and culture through my music and storytelling, and I appreciate non-profit organizations such as Cooperstown Concerts, whose mission is to promote cultural growth in its community.”
Yacouba was born to a well-known Djeli family in
Kita, Mali. For centuries, Djelis have been the musical storytellers, a position that is inherited through a family bloodline. Highly respected within their communities, they are the keepers of the factual history and the fictional fables of past rulers, nobles, social groups and families. The kora, a 21-stringed plucked instrument with a gourd resonator, is the traditional instrument accompanying their songs.
At the age of 9, Yacouba started learning the kora and the oral traditions associated with it from his grandfather. By 15, he was touring the country sharing the stories passed down through his family for centuries.
With decades of history and a reputation for excellence, Cooperstown
Photo provided
Photo provided YACOUBA SISSOKO
Owen D. Young B’day Celebration Scheduled
VAN HORNeSVILLe—The Van Hornesville community corporation will host a celebration on the 150th birthday of the hamlet’s most famous native son, industrialist and diplomat Owen D. Young. It will be held at the school he gave to the community at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. Speakers will include ODY graduate Patricia Pullis, Young’s great-granddaughter, Suzannah Young ciernia, St. Lawrence University archivist Paul Doty and SUNY trustee Keith Landa. Ice cream and cupcakes will be served.
Friends of the Library Holds Book Collection
cOOPeRSTOWN—Friends of the Village Library of cooperstown will hold the first of two book collections for its Winter carnival book Sale from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 26. Used books, DVDs and audiobook cDs in good condition may be dropped at the Fair Street entrance to Village Hall. The book sale will run from January 31 through February 2, with all proceeds to benefit the library.
Orpheus Presents ‘Spelling Bee’
ONeONTA—Orpheus Theatre’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam county Spelling bee” will run at Foothills Performing Arts and civic center for six performances from Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 10. This Tony Awardwinning show, written by Rachel Sheinkin and featuring a score by William Finn, follows six lovable contestants in a local spelling bee that quickly becomes much more. The production is directed by local theater leader Michael Tamburrino, with music direction by Daniel chien and choreography by Allie Taborchurch. Tickets are available at the door or at a discounted rate at www. OrpheusTheatre.org. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on the two Fridays during its run, and at 3 p.m. on the Saturdays and Sundays.
Speaker To Discuss Light Pollution
LeONARDSVILLe—The Upper Unadilla Valley Association has extended the deadline for purchasing tickets to its annual banquet at the Horned Dorset Inn, 2000 State Route 8, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 7. The public and local policymakers are invited to see Justin Levine, a former reporter and award-winning journalist who works in communications for the Adirondack council, address the meeting on the topic of light pollution. Unneeded and unwanted artificial light is a major, lesser-known issue that obstructs scenic night skies and can have severe ecological and human health consequences. The three-course banquet costs $54.00 per person, including taxes and gratuity. Reservations are due by Wednesday, October 30 and should be made by mailing a check payable to UUVA to Association President Larraine McNulty, 156 Pritchard Road, West Winfield, NY 13491. be sure to note the number of seats needed and any dietary restrictions.
Oneonta Holiday Schedule Announced
ONeONTA—Destination Oneonta, working in conjunction with the Otsego county chamber of commerce, “The Daily Star” and the city government,
announced its 2024 holiday season schedule. The annual parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 7, with cottage hours from noon to 3 p.m. after Santa arrives by sleigh. There will be a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, with cottage hours running until 8 p.m. Santa’s cottage will be open from 57 p.m. on Fridays, December 13 and 20, and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, December 14 and 21.
Catskill Players Stage
Christie Favorite
WORceSTeR—The catskill community Players will present a stage adaptation of Agatha christie’s famous “Murder on the Orient express” at the historic Wieting Theatre in Worcester from Friday through Sunday, November 1-3. Adapted for the state by Ken Ludwig and directed by local theater veteran Lissa Sidoli, the iconic play follows a twisted thrill ride through the balkan Mountains in a terrible snowstorm, as detective Hercule Poirot races to solve a murder on the snowbound train. The show will run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at www.catskillplayers. org or at the door.
November Blood Drive
Scheduled at CCS
c OOP e RSTOWN— c ooperstown central School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter will host an American Red cross blood drive in the high school wrestling room from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, November 15. each person who donates will receive a $10.00 gift card and will be entered to win one of two $7,000.00 prizes. The Red cross is suffering significant blood shortages as a result of recent natural disasters across the country, and each donor can save multiple lives. For more information or to register, visit https://www. redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-res ults?zipSponsor=cOOPeRSTOWN.
Coop Loop Set for
Sunday, October 27
cOOPeRSTOWN—The 22nd annual coop Loop 5K and 10K road races will begin at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 27 at the clark Sports center. Day-of-race check-in and registration will be available from 9:30-10:30. Runners may pre-register online, at the Fitness center Desk in the Sports center, or by mail. Registration is $20.00 per runner or $50.00 for a family of up to five with all children under 18. Family registration must be completed online in advance. All runners must have a cSc waiver form on file, and children must have one signed by a parent. The race is rain or shine with two water stops. Prizes will be awarded for children and adults in the following costume categories: scariest, funniest, best group, most creative, and best overall. For more information or to sign up, visit https://www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2024-cooploop-5k-10k-race/.
Cooperstown Soccer Finishes Strong
cOOPeRSTOWN—The cooperstown boys soccer team beat Sauquoit Valley 2-1 in a Division II match on Tuesday, October 15. Junior Jameson Gable opened the scoring early in the first half and junior Jackson crisman scored the winning goal with seven minutes remaining in the game. Junior cooper coleman made four saves.
The Hawkeyes dropped their final regular season game 1-0 to Westmoreland/Oriskany on Saturday, October 19. cooperstown outshot their opponents 9-7 but were unable to cash in. coleman made four more saves. They finished the season with an 115 record and received the number 7 seed for the playoffs. They will host Frankfort-Schuyler at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23.
The cooperstown girls rolled to a 6-0 victory over Waterville on Wednesday, October 16. Sophomore Ruby Stevenson put away a goal and three assists, and junior Mia Pelcer had a goal and an assist. Freshmen claire baldo and eleanor Walker, sophomore Sophia Johnson and senior Mia Kaltenbach also scored. Senior brenna Seamon made three saves in the first half, followed by four from Pelcer and one from junior Kayleigh butler in the second.
Stevenson scored twice more as the Hawkeyes shut out Dolgeville 3-0 in their final regular-season match on Friday, October 18. Pelcer scored in the first half, and Seamon made seven more saves. With a complete season record of 8-8, the girls received the number 9 seed in the Section III class c playoffs, and will face FrankfortSchuyler after press time on Tuesday, October 22.
CCS Cross Country Season Ends
cOOPeRSTOWN—cooperstown’s cross country teams ran in their fifth and final regular-season meet on a muddy course in canastota on Wednesday, October 16. The boys finished the season with a 5-0 record in their division and 15-2 overall. Owen capozza Flannigan led the pack, finishing fifth in 20:30. He was followed closely by Hu Agostino (sixth, 20:46), brendan Heavner (seventh, 20:57), elias MacLeish (11th, 22:26) and Theo Feury (13th, 23:20). cooperstown’s Nora craig finished first in the girls race with a time of 23:16, and Olivia Temp came in sixth in 25:59.
CAA Pumpkin Glow Returns Sunday
c OOP e RSTOWN— c ooperstown Art Association will hold its everpopular Pumpkin Glow jack-o’-lantern festival at 22 Main Street from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 27. community members are invited to bring their own carved pumpkins and candles, then stick around to enjoy the display, ghost stories and refreshments. For more information, contact (607) 547-9777 or gallery@cooperstownart.org.
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Perspectives
EDITORIaL
TIron String Press: Pressing Forward
wo hundred and five small local news outlets—including one in every U.S. state— will receive a share of $20 million to close persistent coverage gaps in their communities, thanks to funding from Press Forward, the nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news.
Grant awardees were announced on Wednesday, October 16. Otsego County’s own Iron String Press—publishers of “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” weekly newspapers and of the AllOtsego.com website—is one of them.
According to a media release issued by Press Forward:
The steady and significant decline in the availability of reliable, fact-based local news across the country is connected to growing threats to democracy, increasing polarization, and the spread of disinformation. At the same time, over a decade of investment in journalism experimentation and transformation have produced new models and solutions that are ready to scale, and a new generation of leaders prepared to reinvent and revitalize the field.
Motivated by the extraordinary quality and number of proposals, Press Forward is funding twice as many news organizations as it anticipated initially through its first open call. According to a press release, the recipients, the majority receiving $100,000 in general operating support, were selected from a total of 931 proposals from newsrooms with annual budgets of less than $1 million.
Press Forward describes the grant recipients as a “bright mosaic of independent, non-partisan sources reimagining what local news looks like across America.”
“These newsrooms are proof that we are seeing a moment of transformation, where new and longstanding newsrooms are stepping up to create a new story for local news,” said Dale R. Anglin, director, Press Forward. “Each newsroom plays a vital public service role in its community—providing trustworthy local news and information in places where no other
Isources may exist. Independent newsrooms need community support to survive. We hope that more people will subscribe and donate to them.”
The current grant recipients include newer nonprofits—some launched as information needs became evident during the pandemic—and enduring for-profit outlets continuing to innovate after a century in business. Some newsrooms are reporting on the vast American countryside, where they are the only news source for hundreds of miles, while others cover people of color and linguistically diverse communities that traditional news sources have overlooked.
Collectively, they are reporting and producing the original, locally-based stories people need to be involved in, in order to make decisions about their daily lives—from how their tax money is being spent, to crime and climate trends in their communities and ways to get help paying utility bills.
Forty percent of grantees are headed by Black, Indigenous and other leaders of color, 25 percent of recipients are serving rural communities, and eight are college newsrooms.
Press Forward is a growing coalition of donors committed to reimagining local news. The funding for this open call comes from donors who contributed to Press Forward’s Pooled Fund, housed at The Miami Foundation. In addition to raising money and awareness for local news, Press Forward has launched 31 local chapters around the country over the past year, where local leaders are raising funds and gathering support to strengthen their community through local news.
Press Forward’s coalition members are committed to the initiative’s four funding priorities: strengthening local newsrooms, advancing public policy that expands access to local news, scaling the infrastructure the sector needs to thrive, and the subject of this open call, closing local coverage gaps, so that all communities are part of the conversations about the issues that most affect their lives.
Press Forward engaged 113 advisors from a
range of backgrounds in the application reviewer process. Each application was scored and evaluated using a rubric that favored newsrooms filling news gaps with strong, community-based leadership, a plan for sustainability and a track record of community listening and collaboration. The Press Forward staff, including veterans in philanthropy and journalism, narrowed the list further and, with input from the Management Committee, made the final decisions to ensure a balanced list for maximum impact across the country.
Iron String Press publications are honored to serve rural Otsego County. Our award-winning newspapers are locally owned and disseminate information in a thoughtful, impartial, and unbiased fashion, covering topics that impact county residents directly on a local, statewide, regional, national, and/or international level.
Many, many thanks to all of the community leaders, municipal officials and readers who wrote letters to further reinforce our grant application. The long history of “The Freeman’s Journal” in particular—as a leader in and voice of the community for 216 years and counting—and the tremendous outpouring of support in general, must certainly have tipped the scales in our favor.
We thank those who currently read or subscribe to our publications, and ask those who don’t to consider supporting independent, local news with a subscription to AllOtsego.com or to “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta,” which includes unlimited access to the website. You can subscribe today via https://www.allotsego.com/subscribe/ or by calling (607) 547-6103.
As we approach the new year, Iron String Press will seek to hire additional editorial staff, in order to cover more of the county’s news in both the weekly hard-copy papers and online. We will work to create new partnerships and to strengthen those that already exist. We will continue to live up to our own motto, “putting the community back into the newspaper.”
And we will, most importantly, press forward.
A New Way of Thinking about Immigration
t’s been many weeks since I’ve last been myth busting, and it’s because I became a first time grandparent! Our son and daughter-in-law have decided that my grandson should call me Proffy, so we’ll see how that works out in a couple of years.
Our last busted myth concerned the minimum wage, which we discovered is basically irrelevant since a 4.1 percent unemployment rate means
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
we are enjoying the fruits of a full employment economy. That’s good news for workers, as extraordinary low unemployment creates a “seller’s market,” where folks seeking work have lots of choices while employers battle headaches in trying to find good help.
Jobs are plentiful and workers are scarce, and not because people are sitting home living off of handouts from the government. At the end of my
“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 should 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.
Manager / Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs
Sales Consultant: Randy Christian Office Manager: Larissa Ryan Intern: Arya Patel
Columnists and Contributing Writers
Terry
NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District
MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association
Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year.
Class Subscription, $155 a year. Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc.
Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com
Screen Early for Breast Cancer
It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we want to make sure you are you getting your breast cancer screenings!
Many things affect a person’s chance of getting cancer. These are called risk factors. Risk factors you can’t change include simply getting older. Most breast cancer is diagnosed in women ages 50 and older, and in people who have had breast cancer. Family history of breast cancer in your immediate family is also a contributing factor. Risk factors you can change are lifestyle factors, including being overweight, not getting enough exercise, smoking, consuming alcohol and your diet. People can still get cancer if they do not have any risk factors. This is why screening is so important.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. However, early detection of
last column, I promised a solution to solving our worker shortage. The fix comes from a charged-up word we’ve heard on a daily basis for the past few years—immigration. So let’s go bust one of the biggest myths of all when it comes to encouraging a strong and thriving economy.
We start with some irrefutable historical facts. The average unemployment rate in the United
Continued on page 10
cancer can save lives by finding cancer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful and before some cancers even start. Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early and should be done at age 40.
The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie offers free breast cancer screening for eligible, uninsured/underinsured New York State residents. Call us at (888) 345-0225 to see if you are eligible.
Jessica Whitney Public Education & Community Outreach Coordinator Cancer Services Program Oneonta
Donald Trump Is Not the Answer
Folks, here we are again. Everyone knows the facts. Make no mistake, Donald Trump is a deranged madman. He is not capable of properly leading anything, let alone our country.
He cares nothing about you, or me, or our Constitution or country. He cares only about himself and money and
power. He will do absolutely anything to get what he wants. His penchant for divisiveness is such a serious sickness, it makes him a very dangerous individual.
If he takes over the White House again, we the people will lose everything we know and love. He will be a totalitarian dictator who controls everything, including all factual news channels and all other things that are true and honest.
As critical as things are with this election, we the people still have a chance to save ourselves, our children, our grandchildren, future generations, our democracy and our country.
Friends, this time, we can’t just sit home and assume things will be fine. We all need to cast our votes on November 5. This is probably the most important thing you or I will ever do.
When you sit down with your ballot, take a few minutes and think, “Am I doing the right thing for our country and its future?” Or, “Am I going to help throw away everything we know and love?”
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Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Elizabeth Cooper, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Karolina Hopper, Wriley Nelson, Joel J. Plue, Tom Shelby, Dan Sullivan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin
THE MYTH BUSTInG ECOnOMIST
LaRRY MaLOnE
by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
210 YEARS AGO
About 300 Negroes from the chesapeake, arrived at Halifax on the 2nd ult. In an emaciated condition—30 had died on the passage, and four expired on the quay, at landing them. Among them were many women and children, one man 70 years old and blind. Nine hundred more were expected. Those able to work had been sent to the work house. The people (of Halifax) were dissatisfied with the encumbrance.
October 27, 1814
85 YEARS AGO
It is four straight this year without a loss for the cooperstown High School football team with two games to go. The Redskins kept their record unblemished Saturday afternoon by downing the West Winfield eleven, 13 to 7, after having defeated New Hartford, Oxford, and Walton. Saturday’s contest was no breather. West Winfield put one of its best teams on the field this year. cooperstown took a 7 to 0 lead in the second period on a long pass and four line bucks from the twoyard line. The visitors countered with a 93-yard run back of the opening kickoff of the second half for the tying touchdown and extra point. Then, with the ball on the Winfield 45-yard line, Walt Eggleston tossed a 20-yard pass to Jim callahan and callahan made it to the twoyard stripe. It took four tries to get the final two yards.
October 25, 1939
60 YEARS AGO
Nearly 150 boys, ages 8 to 13, took part in cooperstown’s annual Punt, Pass and Kick contest Saturday at Doubleday Field. The contest was sponsored by Smith Ford of cooperstown under the direction of Lester G. Bursey, director of athletics at cooperstown central School. Mike Weir put together a whopping total of 380 feet on a 119-foot punt, a 138-foot pass, and a 123-foot place-kick, to win the event for boys in the 13-year-old bracket, his second win in the competition. Frank Hill became a threetime winner in the nine-year-old bracket with a total of 211 feet. John Hendricks, competing for the first time won the eight-year-old bracket with total of 200 feet. Other participants included Andrew Armstrong (222 feet—12-year-olds) and Bruce Buffett (223 feet—11-year-olds); and Danforth DeSena (192 feet—10-year-olds).
October 21, 1964
35
YEARS AGO
The cooperstown Girls Varsity Soccer team members are: Daphne Monie, Jennifer Arquin, courtney Slater, Teresa Jennings, carolyn Murphy, Yael Levy, carrie Allison, christy Horner, Rebecca Utter, Katy Dietz (coach), Kristina Ives, Tasha Rathbone, Megan Donnelly, Beth Sywetz, Wendy Mitteager, Elizabeth Tedesco, Lisa Brunner, Kristen Murphy, Brian Horner and Tim DeRosa (Managers). The cooperstown Boys Varsity Soccer Team members are: Matt Spencer, Mike crampton, Ken Fetterman, Dan Mccormack, Aaron corso, Ben Savoie, Jeff Stevens, Matt Washburn, Tim Osterhoudt, Patrick Streck, Marty Smith, Patrick Donnelly, Brendan Miosek, Matt Kelly, John Selover, Ian Porto, Ilan Levy, Alan Lewis, Scott Waller and Jeff Ainslie.
October 18, 1989
Upcoming Fundraisers Will Support Youths, Artists
The holiday season is a time for giving and the community Arts Network of Oneonta is unveiling fundraisers this November that directly give back to residents. The positive impact of arts and culture has resulted in the revitalization of towns and cities through increased tourism, employing artists and performers, enhancing property values, community pride, and so much more. In an effort to better support local artists and families, and to help revitalize our community, cANO will be launching The Opportunities for Artists Fund and Youth Arts Programming Initiative.
cANO will announce the Opportunities for Artists Fund at the 3rd Annual Postcard Exhibition Benefit on November 2, from 6-8 p.m., at the Wilber Mansion. This popular annual fundraiser is made possible by local and national artists who donate original 5x7 postcard-sized works of art. Postcards can be purchased for just $50.00. The event features hors d’oeuvres, a DJ, really cool art and even cooler artists! Fifty percent of the proceeds from this event will go toward the Opportunities for Artists Fund.
Then, fundraising for the Youth Arts Programming Initiative will be kicked off at the Songwriters Supper club on the evening of November 15. The rising costs of child care and children’s programming is felt nationally. Due
By MERL REAGLE
to the increased expenses incurred in providing children’s programming, opportunities are limited locally. cANO’s Youth Arts Programming Initiative will offer free arts programming in the summer for local children, as well as scholarships to cANO’s Summer Arts Program and After School Program for kids and teens. Details will be presented at this dinner event, where guests will also enjoy music performed by local songwriters.
While allocating funding for food and housing insecurities is obviously vital, investing in local arts organizations, such as cANO, has significant long-term economic benefits for residents. What is amazing about the Opportunities for Artists Fund and Youth Arts Programming Initiative is that donors can impact our residents’ lives immediately while continuing to build upon the greater Oneonta area’s reputation as an arts-vibrant, welcoming place to live.
Since much of cANO’s programming is free and open to the public, or low cost, becoming a member, attending events or donating as little as $20.00 makes a difference. cANO receives very little funding from individual donors. We are hoping to be here another five, 10 and 50 years. The pandemic had such a negative impact on our organization’s financial stability—we don’t
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20
YEARS AGO
carl D. Stearns of crawford & Stearns, an architecture and preservation planning firm based in Syracuse, visited cooperstown last April. Stearns came to assess the condition of the Village Library at 22 Main Street. Stearns is now back in cooperstown with a 56-page report detailing $282,000 worth of restoration and repairs needed at the building. The single biggest ticket items are the six historic skylight windows in the upper story. Stearns recommends rehabilitation for five of the six windows at a cost of $85,000. The sixth skylight, which lies above the main stairwell in the building’s northeast corner, has been covered and Stearns recommends that it be removed.
October 22, 2004
bassett
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According to Huron’s website: “In today’s competitive landscape, organizations are under immense pressure to rethink their business models, lower costs and reduce risk. At the same time, they are having to navigate emerging technologies and create personalized, consumercentric experiences. To remain competitive in the future, organizations must innovate, ideate and engage their people and consumers in new ways to drive value.”
“As your strategic partner, our teams meet you wherever you are on your transformation journey to develop strategies and innovative solutions, align your workforce with your organizational objectives, leverage technologies and improve operational efficiencies, enabling you to build a strong foundation for sustainable growth,” the website explains.
Thompson, who assumed the head leadership role in January of this year, said there is a lot more work to be done to improve bassett’s financial situation.
The network recorded a deficit of $80 million in 2022 and a similar loss in 2023. Huron’s team has been helping bassett officials understand such things as leading practices—which are more efficient and effective for delivering a particular outcome, based upon the constraints of the organization they are being applied to—and national benchmarks.
cost of labor is just one of nine areas being addressed by bassett. Thompson said there are eight other working groups concurrently reviewing supply chain, pharmacy, medical group access, coding, facilities, patient throughput, strategic pricing and charge capture, and human resources.
“Workforce is about one-third of the total impact,” Thompson said.
“Through workforce efforts overall— including last week’s reductions, reducing agency staff spending, and more—bassett Healthcare Network will close approximately one third of its $80 million gap between expenses and net patient revenue,” Gabrielle Argo, bassett director of communications and public relations, explained on Tuesday, October 22.
None of the recent layoffs were job-performance related, Thompson clarified, and she reiterated that “no bedside caregivers were affected, nothing in patient care. Those that were let go were not providing direct patient services.”
Thompson explained that bassett officials worked hard to minimize the number of employees being laid off, calling it a “gut-wrenching” decision. Staff numbers have been gradually declining through attrition, as employees have left and not been replaced. How long various employees were likely to remain with the network and those expected to retire
soon also figured into the ultimate decision, according to Thompson.
“We wanted to make this process the least disruptive overall,” she explained. “We tried to handle it in the kindest way possible, realizing that these were difficult decisions and people’s lives would be impacted.”
“These meetings took place both in-person and virtually, depending on employees’ work schedules and locations. The majority of conversations took place in-person, but other meetings took place virtually, as with fully remote employees, for example,” Argo said.
All people whose positions were eliminated received severance packages.
The leadership team made sure what they were doing was really in the best interest of the future and the greater good for the organization, Thompson said.
Thompson said there are employees who, despite being let go, would like to remain with bassett.
“These positions are not coming back, but we are still hiring in certain areas, and a number of people who were let go said they would still like to stay with the network. They have skill sets that can be used in other areas,” she said.
“I was amazed by the graciousness of people at such a difficult time,”
Thompson continued “We are working to expedite the interview process for those who would like to continue working within the network in other capacities.”
Argo confirmed on Tuesday that many of those who were let go last week are choosing to work with bassett’s Human Resources team to apply and get fasttracked into other open, needed positions around the network.
“So far, about 10 percent of these affected employees have already been re-hired in the system elsewhere in needed vacancies,” Argo said. “Some have already started their new positions. All people whose positions were eliminated are eligible and welcome to pursue other positions across the bassett Healthcare Network.”
Moving forward, Thompson said bassett is taking a multifaceted approach as it continues to look to improving its bottom line.
“Workforce initiatives are only one of nine focused disciplines— each of these workgroups is working to implement sustainable solutions for reducing expenses and/or increasing revenue. The efforts underway in these other disciplines, while impactful, are largely in the background and invisible to patients,”
Argo explained.
“Some examples of solutions in these groups include pricing and sourcing supplies strategically to reduce expenses (supply chain); harmonizing patient flow across our hospitals to keep beds open and ensure we are accommodating patients within our network so they can get the care they
need closer to home (patient throughput); optimizing clinic schedules to improve appointment access for patients (medical group); leveraging pharmaceutical business solutions to reduce operating and drug costs while elevating the quality of care for patients (pharmacy); optimizing and improving medical record practices for diagnosis and treatment codes (coding); standardizing fees for services (strategic pricing and charge capture); planning opportunities to invest in our buildings and infrastructure (facilities); and streamlining our hiring practices by reducing agency labor, among other best practices (human resources),” Argo outlined.
According to Argo, each of these work streams is very complex.
“The groups are working in synchronized approaches to reduce expenses and boost revenue. Most importantly, these concerted efforts are focused on providing best-in-class care while creating a more financially stable organization,” Argo continued. “The practices and solutions coming out of these work streams will be in place going forward for the long-term benefit of our patients and communities.”
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” Thompson emphasized.
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station can accommodate up to 10 individuals per night with some options for short-term stays. It will serve adults over the age of 18 who present as homeless or in need of overnight accommodations. When the warming station has met its capacity, the station will arrange an overnight motel stay.
In an e-mail, Otsego county DSS Principal Welfare Examiner Deborah J Finger said, “We are very grateful to catholic charities and our community for reserving this space for people in need of shelter during inclement weather that meets code blue criteria.”
Opportunities for Otsego is providing services for DSS when the warming station is closed this month and in April 2025. Those who present at the Homeless Shelter on Depew Street in Oneonta during inclement weather that meets code blue criteria will be screened and referred to an available hotel for overnight accommodations, Finger said.
The Homeless Shelter is currently accepting donations for the warming station, with a significant need for personal hygiene products and socks.
be a Part of changing the Narrative about Downtown
The power of the stories residents share about downtown Oneonta is the focus of an upcoming public information session on Monday, October 28 at 6 p.m. at community Arts Network of Oneonta’s Wilber Mansion.
“Envisioning Downtown: collaborative Solutions for the Future” is a free event featuring a panel discussion on shifting perspectives, strategies, and narratives about Oneonta’s downtown and an interactive audience feedback and sharing session.
Seven local business owners and community members will participate in quick-fire roundtable discussions about how downtown spaces can be reimagined, utilized, and promoted to address current challenges and future opportunities.
The roundtable discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Stacey Mitchell of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta and will include the following topics and speakers:
• “Placemaking to Enhance Downtown Spaces”: Ryan West Geraghty and cass Harrington, Destination Marketing corporation of Otsego county
• “The Power of Our Voice”: Korey Rowe, Otsego Media and Dosha
• “Messaging Around Downtown”: cassandra Miller, Townie and culture Rally communications
• “business collaborations and cross-Promotion”: Heather Sharpe, Luxxe Whitening Studio, and Emily Falco, Roots Public Social club
• “Small business Saturday and Holiday Shopping”: Hope Von Stengel, cANO
tHe Partial oBserVer
Changing the Narrative: Lessons from Baltimore I’ve seen first-hand the power of owning a narrative. During my time with Visit baltimore, the city’s destination marketing agency, we realized that to change perceptions, we needed to shift the narrative around baltimore.
Visit baltimore invested in a new brand identity, including a new logo, colors, and a campaign focused on the city’s creative community. An outside agency recognized in 2019 that baltimore’s arts and culture scene—and the people behind it—are what make the city special.
The investment paid off. In 2019 alone, the city saw $23.00 in direct economic impact for every dollar spent by Visit baltimore.
Just last year, domestic travel to baltimore increased by 39 percent, contributing $3.7 billion to the local economy, according to data from Longwoods International.
The stories you tell are powerful. Oneonta has incredible assets, and with the right approach, we can shift the narrative of who we are and what we offer. I hope cANO is filled on Monday with community members ready to be a part of reshaping our city’s story. While the event is free and open to the public, reservations are requested as space is limited.
You can reserve your spot at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ envisioning-downtown-oneontacollaborative-solutions-for-thefuture-tickets-1039155601377
Cassandra Miller is a member of the Oneonta Downtown Renaissance Steering Committee and the editor of the “Townie” Substack newsletter.
Bill waller
cooperstown Rotary Preps for 67th Pancake Day Fundraiser
Rotary Pancake Day is a cooperstown tradition. The Rotary club of cooperstown has been serving pancakes, sausage and coffee each Election Day since 1957.
This 67th year, Rotary club members will again be at the cooperstown Veterans club on Main Street, cooking up a batch for all our hungry neighbors. Since the 1957 Election Day, when 375 customers were served, Rotary members and their helpers have continued this tradition, serving more than 20,000 local voters and non-voters alike. club members set up and clean up, cook and serve, taking care of customers from the 7 a.m. breakfast, through lunch, and up to 7 p.m. closing at dinner.
The club is thankful for all who contribute, from the village by hanging our Main Street banner, to those who donate supplies.
Funds raised, since the Pancake Day’s inception, have gone to support the numerous local organizations through Rotary club grants and allocations. Some of those supported are the cooperstown Food Pantry, the Angel Network, Red bursey Summer Program, The Farmers’ Museum children’s Program, cooperstown Art
Association, cooperstown Friends of the Parks and other local groups. The Rotary club of cooperstown meets weekly at the christ church Parish Hall and has more than 75 members. Weekly speakers discuss local and area topics such as health, environmental issues and charitable organizations.
The Rotary club sponsors the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, where cooperstown students are given an opportunity to study a year abroad and cooperstown central School gets to host students from another country. The club also sponsors the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, where ccS juniors get to experience an opportunity to enhance and develop their leadership skills.
As a part of Rotary International, the club supports worldwide efforts to eradicate polio, deliver clean water to Uganda, and other international health and educational services to aid its worldwide mission.
Sixty-seven years is a long time for an event, and we are proud to continue this tradition where Democrats and Republicans can come together for breakfast. We hope to see you there.
Bill Waller is the president of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown.
county OFA Seeks Aging Advisory council Members
OTSEGO cOUNTY
Otsego county Office for the Aging is seeking community members age 60 and older to participate on the Office for the Aging Advisory council. The Advisory council is a voluntary group of local residents who provide information, guidance, advice, and support to Office for the Aging to help develop and coordinate communitybased services in Otsego county.
The council currently has four vacancies to be filled in the following districts: District 4: Town of Oneonta; District 7: Middlefield, cherry Valley,
Roseboom; District 12: Oneonta Wards 3 & 4; and District 13: Oneonta Wards 5 & 6.
Additional members are welcome throughout the county, including representatives of local organizations that serve older adults.
In order to ensure membership is representative of the diverse aging population, Office for the Aging encourages residents from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply. For more information, contact Tamie Reed, director, at (607) 547-4232 or reedt@otsegocountyny.gov.
October is breast cancer Awareness Month Kassie Nelligan’s Story: A Five-Year breast cancer Journey
by MONicA cALzOLARi ONeONTA
Katherine Nelligan, who goes by Kassie, discovered she had breast cancer five years ago.
“it was five days before my 35th birthday when i discovered a lump in my breast,” she recalled.
Nelligan has no history of cancer in her family. She is not sure why she got cancer. She is in remission now and gets annual mammograms.
She said, “The problem is that people are not getting checked until they are 40 years old and cancer is occurring at younger and younger ages.”
“it really caught us by surprise,” she added.
Nelligan did get genetic testing to see if her sisters or daughter should be checked for cancer.
At the time she was diagnosed in late October 2019, Nelligan’s children, Addison and easton, were only four and six years old.
“i was going through a divorce at the time and did not know what the future would hold, so i had my eggs frozen before my chemotherapy,” Nelligan explained. “i did six rounds of chemotherapy and cOViD hit during my last two treatments.”
The hardest part of the breast cancer journey for
Nelligan was “not being able to hug my family.”
“With chemo, your immune system is depressed,” she said.
Nelligan opted to have her lumpectomy in New York city at Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer center in May 2020. She traveled two and a half hours to New Jersey for her chemotherapy treatments.
She had her radiation treatments at bassett because those sessions were five days a week and it did not make sense to travel a long distance every day.
Nelligan said her radiation oncologist at bassett, Dr. Timothy Korytko, “was wonderful.”
She praised the nurses at bassett, too, saying “they are very helpful.”
coordinating care has been a challenge for Nelligan. After seeing their primary care practitioner and having a mammogram read by a radiologist, a breast cancer patient will often see three specialized physicians: a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a surgical oncologist. This multidisciplinary team approach to cancer management results in improved patient outcomes.
The earlier the cancer is detected, the better the prognosis. The National cancer institute reports if local-
ized, the five-year breast cancer survival rate is 99.6 percent.
Nelligan considers herself lucky saying, “Mine was caught early, at Stage 2.”
When she lost her hair during chemotherapy, her son also shaved his head in solidarity. Nelligan said that her son and daughter only have vague memories of when she was in treatment.
Her children are 9 and 11 years old now.
“i was blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends, and even people at work,” Nelligan said.
This made the experience easier.
Nelligan is a manager of the Department of Mail, Receiving and Supply at SUNY Oneonta.
“i am very fortunate to be working for the state, which has a dedicated cancer Resource Services program. When i saw my bill for one chemo treatment, it was $20,000.00.”
Six treatments could have cost Nelligan $120,000.00 out of pocket. She said, “i am so grateful. i did not have to pay a dime.”
Nelligan recommends, “People should know that you do not have to do it alone. Ask for support. There are support groups out there, too.”
Photo provided
Katherine Nelligan shaved her head after losing much of her hair during her chemotherapy treatments. Her son Easton shaved his head, too.
Photo provided
Katherine (Kassie) Nelligan’s breast cancer is in remission and her hair has grown back. Her children, Addison and Easton, are now 9 and 11. They were on this journey with her for the last five years.
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Glimmer Nights will continue to delight audiences from the region and beyond.”
Fenimore Farm & Country Village will feature several major events through the end of 2024 and throughout 2025. These include: Glimmer Nights Holiday
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Notice of formatioN of
Diedrick Enterprises LLC. Arts of org. filed with SSNY on 8/21/2024. Off: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 434, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Notice of formatioN of S & D 94 MAIN STREET LLC
Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/12/24. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 137 Main St., Unadilla, NY 13849, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Notice of orgaNizatioN of Dangca Excavating LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.
1. The name of the limited liability company is Dangca Excavating LLC.
2. Articles of Organization of Dangca Excavating LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on August 7, 2024.
3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.
4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is: 257 Townline Road, Laurens, NY 13796.
5. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability com-
Light Show (ThursdaysSundays, Nov 29-Dec 29); Sugaring Off Sundays (Sundays in March 2025); Harvest Festival (September 2025); and Tractor Fest (October 2025). This project is supported through a Market New York grant awarded by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.
CANO
Continued from page 5 have the dedicated volunteer support we used to, and regional sources of funding are drying up. So, the community’s support is crucial in order for us to continue providing free or low-cost arts education, programming and events. If
pany upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: Dangca Excavating LLC, 257 Townline Road, Laurens, NY 13796.
6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities.
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Notice of formatioN of Limited LiabiLity Company: DREAMOID LLC.
Art. Of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY on 09/19/24. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Office in OTSEGO COUNTY. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, PO BOX 214, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Notice of orgaNizatioN of BES HOUSE AND SUPPLY LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/18/24. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Ma Eden Marquinez and Bjorn Marquinez, 1 Susquehanna Ave., Apt. 2, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalOct.31
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Notice of formatioN of
LBNAN LLC
Art. Of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 09/20/2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy of process to 7665 State Highway 28, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalOct.31
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Notice of formatioN of Tom Hunt Excavating LLC
Art. Of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 8/30/2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail a copy of process to the LLC at 159 Mravlja Hill Road, Worcester, NY 12197. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalOct.31
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Notice of formatioN of CATSKILL DRONE SERVICES LLC
Arts of org. filed with SSNY 7/8/2024 Otsego Co. SSNY design. as agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC., 41 STATE ST #112, ALBANY, NY 12207. General Purpose 6LegalNov.7
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Notice of formatioN of DREAMWORX CONTRACTING L.L.C.
Arts of Org. filed SSNY 9/9/2024 Otsego Co. SSNY design. agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, UNITED STATES, 12207. General Purpose 6LegalNov.7
even just 1,000 residents became members, or donated $30.00, our ability to give back to our community would be noticeable. To find out about upcoming events and programming, or to donate and become a member, visit CANO’s website, https://www. canoneonta.org, or e-mail admin@ canoneonta.org for more
LEGALS
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Notice of formatioN of
B & C CONTRACTING OF CNY LLC.
Filed 8/19/24.
Office: Otsego Co.
SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 163 Armstrong Rd, West Winfield, NY 13491. Purpose: General.
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Notice of formatioN of a Ny Limited LiabiLity compaNy.
CHIEF SCHENEVUS RESTAURANT LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 September 2024. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 133, Schenevus, NY 12155. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
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Supreme Court of New York, Otsego County.
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR TREEHOUSE SERIES V TRUST, Plaintiff, -against-
PATRICIA LAMPHERE A/K/A PATRICIA A. LAMPHERE, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; BURDETT J. LAMPHERE, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; HEATHER
BOURG A/K/A HEATHER NI-
COLE BOURG, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; JENNA KING, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; MEAGAN LAMPHERE, POSSIBLE HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ESTHER M. LAMPHERE A/K/A ESTHER LAMPHERE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (NORTHERN DISTRICT); NBT BANK; CAPITAL ONE BANK USA, NA; LVNV FUNDING LLC; “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
Index No. EF2024-72 Mortgaged
Premises: 53 East James Street a/k/a 53 James Street East Richfield Springs, New York 13439
Section: 25.05
Block: 4 Lot: 17.00
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner 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. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT
THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Mortgage to secure $59,061.76 and interest, recorded in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office on July 25, 2003 in Book 1196, Page 98, Instrument Number 15398, covering the premises known as 53 East James Street a/k/a 53 James Street East, Richfield Springs, New York 13439. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Otsego County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.
Notice yoU are iN daNger of LoSiNg yoUr Home
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY)
information. Hope Von Stengel is the executive director of the
AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 4LegalOct.31
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Notice of formatioN of Freer’s Property Management, LLC: Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 05/31/2024. Off. Loc. Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC on whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 119 Shulgay Road, Cherry Valley, NY, 13320. Purpose: all lawful activities. 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of SOUTHEAST USA 2, LLC
Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/1/24. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 477 Chester St., Uniondale, NY 11553. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business loc: 65 Ford Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820. 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of Desnoyers Deals,LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on 08/30/24. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 673 Talbot Rd West Winfield NY 13491. Purpose: any
lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of
HILL CITY BOOKKEEPING LLC
Arts of Org. filed with SSNY 9/19/2024. Otsego Co. SSNY design as agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST, STE 112, ALBANY, NY, US, 12207 General Purpose 6LegalNov.14
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Notice of formatioN of Stonehouse Design LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 26, 2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Stonehouse Design, 173 Deerfield Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.21
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Notice of formatioN of a Ny Limited LiabiLity compaNy.
Tan Kat Farm, LLC, filed articles of organization with the NY Secretary of State on 04/14/2011. Office is located in Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. NY Secretary of State shall mail copy of process to 507 Wileytown Road, Hartwick NY 13348. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalNov.21
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Notice of formatioN of Excelsior Claims LLC
Articles of organization
filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 6/28/2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 202, Gilberstville, NY 13776. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
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Notice of formatioN of
Royalty Tobacco LLC.
Filed 9/5/24. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail to 5626 St. Hwy. 7, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalNov.28
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Notice of formatioN of
VA LAKESIDE ESCAPES LLC
Article of Organizations filed with the SSNY on 8/19/2024. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to 23 Maggiolo Dr., Pearl River, NY 10965. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.28
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Notice iS Hereby giveN that the Otsego County Department of Social Services will conduct a public hearing on the Child and Family Services Plan in the Third Floor Conference Room of the Otsego County Office Building, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York on the 13th day of November, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at which time all persons interested will be heard. Lisa Winne Commissioner of Social Services of the County of Otsego New York 1LegalOct.24
Sissoko
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Concerts has welcomed thousands of music enthusiasts to its shows. This season promises to continue that tradition, inviting attendees to explore new genres, discover emerging talent, and enjoy timeless classics, organizers said.
Tickets for this concert are available online and at the door: $30.00 adult, $10.00 student (with college ID), $10.00 youth ages 6-18, and free for children under
age 6. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https:// cooperstownconcerts. org/yacouba-sissokosunday-october-27th/
This concert is sponsored by Dr. Kathryn S. Doughty, MD/MPH, MS, and by Glimmerglass Film Days, a program of Otsego 2000. Cooperstown Concerts 2024-2025 Season Programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and by The Scriven Foundation.
MCCOY
Lisbeth McCoy, a Danish-American artist, died on October 3, 2024 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. The cause was complications of melanoma. She was 62. Born on the Danish island of Funen, Lisbeth left Denmark at the age of 19. She lived in Paris, where she modeled for Chanel, and then moved to New York City to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After periods acting in Los Angeles, and living in the Australian outback, she settled in New York City, which became her home.
She opened Lisbeth & Co., a store on Elizabeth Street, in 1998, where she curated furniture and design and began to refine an aesthetic that defined her creative life. In 2001, she married art dealer and gallerist Jason McCoy and they had one son, the musician Charles McCoy.
Lisbeth attended the New York Academy of Art and established a studio space in Tribeca. Her practice as an artist encompassed sculpture, mobile, painting, and drawing, and her use of shape, and rhythm, and light traced a subtle balance between organic and human forms. She showed at Anders Wahlstedt Fine Art, Jason McCoy Gallery and Lisa Perry’s Onna House.
Lisbeth’s exquisite sensibility was apparent in everything around her, from her home to her dress to her posture— informed by a lifetime of ballet and modern dance.
“Cozy” was a word Lisbeth used as high praise. Her nature was generous, unpretentious, gentle and welcoming; she put those around her, from all backgrounds, at ease. Her quiet strength in the face of adversity during her last year was an inspiration to friends and family.
Energy Sector Job Training Available
UTICA—Residents of Otsego County are eligible to apply for training in the renewable energy sector through the Workforce Development Board, Herkimer, Oneida, and Madison Counties Inc.
According to a recent media release, “Through the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Careers grant project, the Workforce Development Board will pave the way for a vibrant new skilled workforce and empower small businesses to drive sustainable development.”
Officials said that, in response to the growing demand for skilled workers in the renewable energy industry, this initiative aims to create a robust pipeline of talent able to tackle the challenges of today’s clean energy landscape. The goal is to equip individuals aged 17 and older with the skills they need to excel in careers such as solar energy, electric vehicle maintenance, HVAC systems, and weatherization, among others.
“We can fund up to $4,000.00 per qualified trainee,
OBITUARIES
around the village of Bay Shore, always taking the time to chat with her many friends and neighbors and enjoying the beauty of her surroundings. In her senior years, Toni resided briefly in Oneonta before moving to a retirement community in Saratoga Springs.
She is survived by her husband, Jason, and her son, Charles. A celebration of her life will be held in Cooperstown in the summer of 2025— details to follow. Gifts in her memory can be made to the Lisbeth McCoy Scholarship Fund at the New York Academy of Art and/or New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Antonetta Russo
1930-2024
COOPERSTOWN— Antonetta (Tonie) Jemma Margaret Russo, 94, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024 at the Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kingston.
She was born on May 29, 1930 in Cooperstown, the youngest of nine children to her loving parents, Guiseppe and Alfonsina Russo.
At the young age of 16, Tonie left home and moved to Long Island, where she remained for most of her life. She fell in love with the beaches of the South Shore, spending countless days riding her bike or walking
A dedicated caretaker for children and adults, Tonie’s work as a home health aide took her on numerous travels with her employer, creating cherished memories along the way. She especially treasured her voyage on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and her views of the Cliffs of Dover, a journey she loved to recount with joy and enthusiasm.
Tonie’s sense of humor, love for family, and impeccable sense of style made her truly unforgettable. She was a sharp dresser who carried herself with a distinctive flair, always ready with a witty remark that brought smiles to those around her.
Tonie is survived by her daughter, Jean Inserra; her granddaughters, Julie Caroline Bowling and Jeannie Christine Share; four great-grandchildren; and her beloved nieces and nephews, Courtney Burns, Tom Burns, Joe Burns, Georgette Glennon, Wendell Thayer, Sally Harrington, Cindy Arnold, Joanne Barnes, Matthew Barnes, Steven Hollister, William Russo, Kim Ramos, and Gina Burnum.
A graveside service to celebrate Tonie’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on October 25, 2024 at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, followed by a luncheon in the Parish Hall of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, Cooperstown.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tonie’s name to Golden Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Activity Department, Unit
Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com
with a streamlined application process that requires minimal paperwork,” officials said. “This initiative emphasizes worker-centered strategies, focusing on building environments that attract and retain skilled young workers.”
Eligible trainees include those who are: aged 17 years or older; not enrolled in secondary school; reside in Chenango, Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, or Schoharie counties; and who are unemployed, underemployed, incumbent workers, or a member of underrepresented populations. Training initiatives include registered apprenticeships, on-thejob training, classroom, competency-based, and technology-based training strategies, and more.
To apply now, or for more information about this grant project, contact Barcomb at (315) 207-6951, extension 150 or e-mail sbarcomb@working-solutions.org.
C2, 99 Golden Hill Drive, Kingston NY 12401.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Constance L. Whiteman 1929-2024
WESTFORD—
Constance L. “Connie” Whiteman, 95, of Westford, entered into eternal rest Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024 at her home on Middlefield Road, with her beloved husband, Oakley, and son James by her side.
Connie was born May 16, 1929 in Brockton, Massachusetts, one of four children of William and Louise (Copeland) Glover. Raised in Elmwood, Massachusetts, she graduated from East Bridgewater High School in 1946, and then attended Fisher Business School in Boston, graduating in 1949. That same year she was hired as a surgical and medical secretary at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, where she worked for the next 36 years, retiring in 1985. She also later worked part-time in the Clark Scholarship Office.
Soon after moving to Cooperstown, Connie met Oakley L. Whiteman of Westford, and on June 17, 1950 they were married in Elmwood,
Massachusetts. In 1955, they purchased a home on State Highway 166 in the Town of Middlefield, where they raised their family. In 2015, they moved into a new home in Westford. Throughout her life, Connie was always actively involved with her church. Since moving to New York State, she was a member and served as the organist when needed for the Westville United Methodist Church, until it closed in 2021. She and Oakley have since become active members of the Westford Church.
Connie was also a member of Westville Grange No. 540, was secretary for many years of the Westville Cemetery Board of Directors, and the Keepsake Quilters Club. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 74 years, Oakley, of Westford; their three children, Richard Whiteman and wife Susan of Irmo, South Carolina, James Whiteman of Westford, and Bruce Whiteman and wife Gaylen of Freeland on Whidbey Island in the state of Washington; and
a granddaughter, Amy Whiteman of Charleston, South Carolina. She is further survived by two sisters, Lois Clark of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Nina Grindle and husband Roger of East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and a sister-in-law, Lorraine Glover of North Eastham, Massachusetts, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Donald Glover. A funeral service will be offered at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Westford Church, with Pastor Rose M. Bellen officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Westville Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Westford Methodist Church, PO Box 197, Westford, NY 13488 or the Westford Community Association, PO Box 42, Westford, NY 13488.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
“Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear.”
Home
Photo by Marc Hom LISBETH
Photo provided ANTONETTA RUSSO
Photo provided
CONSTANCE L. WHITEMAN
States over the past 50 years was 6.3 percent. That’s 1.3 percent above our 5 percent full employment rate. When the unemployment rate is 6.3 percent, we are probably in or recovering from a recession. And that’s been the average for each of 50 years.
But since December 2015, as the Federal Reserve Chart for the Unemployment Rate shows (at right), only the shutdown of the entire national economy during COVID produced a six-month period from March to August 2021 where the unemployment
rate was above 5 percent. The last nine years have been incredibly good to most workers, but problematic for employers, since it’s been hard to find workers. That’s why wage and income growth have been so strong— employers have had to pay more to get reliable, qualified workers. Even now, any local employer you’d ask would likely say that they could use more help. The worker shortage hurts them and all of us, as consumers. Fewer workers means more shortages and disruptions in the supply of needed items, and this contributed to the inflation we saw once our vaccines brought COVID under control. So how do we solve
what is fast becoming a chronic labor shortage and continue to grow an inflation-free economy? We could, as one vice presidential candidate suggests, encourage more pregnancies. But the U.S. birthrate has been declining in recent years, which means there will be fewer workers in the future. Even if we saw
a sudden spike of babies in strollers, the Future Workers of America born nine months or later from today won’t join the workforce until sometime after the year 2042.
Meanwhile, employers are telling us that they need help NOW, so a more immediate solution is required. The simple fix
is to invite more willing workers from elsewhere in the world to join us. That requires a (shall we say?) friendlier and more welcoming attitude regarding immigration. But such a solution flies in the face of the hostile rhetoric uttered every day by certain prominent figures, and perpetuates one of the most harmful myths of all regarding the American economy.
I’m sure that some readers are already getting riled up about the solution. But hear me out as I bring up a few more irrefutable historical facts.
The population of the United States in 1900 was 76.2 million. Just 20 years later, in 1920, it had surged to 106 million. A big part of the increase was the addition of more than 15 million immigrants from 1900 to 1915.
Our current federal policy, the Immigration and Nationality Act, allows for just 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year. That would get us another 10 million immigrants 15 years from now, which is 5 million less than entered the U.S. in the 15 years after 1900. And let’s not forget that our current population is 336 million, not 76 million—which means there are FIVE times more Americans in 2024 than there were in 1900. That’s why the simplest, fastest solution to our shortage in workers is to allow entry to many, many more qualified immigrants.
So what else makes more LEGAL immigration a good idea? As we’ve seen in this “busting the immigration myth” column, the worker shortage would subside and inflation would be checked. More importantly, we should also expect a surge in economic growth similar to what happened between 1880 and 1920. Those four decades had the strongest growth of any in our nation’s history, and they coincided with what might be called “a free market open border approach to immigration.” As whole industries spawned, they absorbed the new arrivals, and cities like Utica, Binghamton, Gloversville, Cobleskill, Norwich, and Oneonta thrived.
While some will always conjure fear about open borders, we should all be willing instead to accept and encourage a significant increase in the number of legal immigrants who would be willing to help make America great again.
Larry Malone is professor emeritus of economics at Hartwick College.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU
Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more.
Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com
Graphic from FRED, Federal Reserve Economic Data
the only right and sensible way to vote.
Vote for Kamala Harris and continue the love of life we’ve always known. Vote for the constitution and country that thousands and thousands have died to protect.
Willard C. Dann Vietnam Purple Heart veteran Sidney
City Needs a Diplomat
61.7 percent of the people who filled out a poll from another newspaper are not in support of the Rehabilitation Support Services housing plan, 22.6 percent of the people are in favor, and 15.6 percent of the people said they are unsure. This poll was conducted in late March of this year. I trust this poll regardless of who participated in it.
Here’s what I’ve noticed in politics and government: If the majority outnumbers or outranks the minority of the vote, the majority rules. If I am elected mayor, I will not press an issue like RSS. If the people say no, then I will try to work on a compromise. If no
compromise is possible, then I will permanently drop the issue. We do not need another mayor who is pressing on issues that are causing strife or a division with the people of the city. We need a mayor who listens to the people and to help bring unity back into the city.
This goes for appointing people to the common council if such a resignation were to happen. I will bring all candidates’ names to the council members, where they can vet the candidates either on Zoom or in person and do a selection process of whom to serve on the council, even if the candidates are petitioned by the ward residents and others who support and/or endorse a candidate. This is how diplomacy works.
John H. G. Hamill IV Oneonta
Why Is Project Not Welcome?
I write to you today with a heavy heart, deeply saddened by the recent opposition to a project I have been passionate about—a park in our village dedicated to raising awareness for autism. Over the past week, after I posted signs on my corner lot announcing this project, I was both surprised and disheartened to learn that
some members of our community felt strongly enough to call village officials in opposition.
My intention behind this project is simple and pure: to create a space that will not only spread awareness about autism but also serve as a peaceful, green space for everyone in the community to enjoy. As a father and a local businessperson, I wanted to bring this initiative to Milford because it is where I live and my family lives, and where I believe good things can take root.
It is hard for me to understand how a project meant to celebrate neurodiversity and offer something beautiful to the community could be seen in a negative light. I hoped it would be embraced by Milford as a unique and noble effort to create something meaningful—right here, rather than in another community.
To know that this has hurt the feelings of some in the village is deeply disheartening. I never intended to cause harm or division, only to foster understanding and acceptance for those living with autism, including many children and families who could benefit from a space like this.
I want to make it clear that I do not stand to gain financially from this
project. My goal is to contribute to something bigger than myself, to help others, and to bring attention to a cause that is close to my heart. However, the opposition I have faced so far has led me to consider taking this project elsewhere— somewhere it will be embraced and supported.
Still, I believe Milford is my home, and I have faith in the good of this community. I urge everyone to reconsider this project not as something to fear, but as a gesture of compassion and awareness that could enhance our village and make it stand out for its kindness and inclusivity. Thank you for hearing me out, and I remain hopeful that we can come together in support of this important cause.
Paul Singh Milford
More on the AR-15 Rifle
Maybe some facts should be included in any discussion of “sane and sensible” gun laws [https://www.allotsego. com/northrup-gunlaws-should-be-sanesensible/]. The fact is, the AR-15 was developed for the civilian market. It is not now and never has been a military weapon.
The AR-15 is a semiautomatic rifle. This simply means that the
trigger must be pulled each time a bullet is fired, just like many common hunting rifles. In order to fire 800 rounds a minute, the trigger would need to be pulled 800 times in a minute. The standard magazine for this rifle holds 30 rounds. That means you would also need to change the magazine 26 times in that same minute, and since New York only allows a 10-round magazine, you’re talking 80 magazine changes.
The AR-15 most commonly fires a 5.56 NATO round, which delivers less energy at
impact than virtually any round commonly used by deer hunters. The round was developed not for its stopping power, but to wound enemy soldiers. Wounded soldiers require care and use resources. There are a lot of things we can and should do to reduce gun violence, but making up facts serves no one.
William Post New berlin
ADDITIONAL NEWS ITEMS CAN BE FOUND EACH WEEK ONLINE AT ALLOTSEGO.COM
►Fri., Oct Ober 25
COWORKING 8 a.m.
to 5 p.m. “Free Day
Day at Cooperstown Coworks.” RSVP required. Cooperstown Coworks, 6 Doubleday Court, Cooperstown. (607) 6432256.
LIBRARY Noon. “Stories Come Alive.” Reading for children aged pre-K through third grade. Must be accompanied by a caregiver. Themed craft available after the story. Homeschoolers welcome. Held each Friday. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 West Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.
BLOOD DRIVE 12:306 p.m. Elm Park Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. Visit redcrossblood.org
VOLUNTEER 1-3 p.m.
“Brookwood Garden Endof-Season Volunteer Day.” Held by Otsego Land Trust. Brookwood Garden, 6000 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5472366.
HALLOWEEN 4 p.m. “Free Trunk or Treat.” Candy, beverages, costumes and more. Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 330 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-8500.
FREE DINNER 4:306:30 p.m. “Free Spaghetti Dinner.” Laurens Presbyterian Church, 3 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 265-3354.
GHOST TOUR 5:30 p.m. “Things That Go Bump in the Night.” Six tours each night; last one
departs at 8 p.m. Fees apply; registration required. Also held 10/26. The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.
HALLOWEEN 6 p.m. “Pumpkin Glow 2024.” Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
GHOST TOUR
6-7 p.m. “Hyde & Shriek! Candlelight Ghost Tours.” Tour the hall and hear tales of the ghostly apparitions who have lingered for over two centuries. Also held 10/26. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
THEATRE 7:30 p.m.
“Proof.” Presented by the Mask and Hammer Theatre Club. Also showing 10/26 with 2 p.m. matinee on 10/27. Hamblin Theatre, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-3414.
PERFORMANCE
8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. “Emo/Pop-Punk Night!” with the Warped Tour Band. Fees apply. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.
►Sat., Oct Ober 26
OUTDOORS—9-11 a.m.
“Basswood Loop Hike.” View deciduous forest, spruce plantations, a regenerating clear-cut and more. Basswood Pond State Forest, Conserva-
tion Road, Burlington Flats. (607) 547-4488.
LIBRARY 10 a.m. “Friends of the Village Library Book Collection.” Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5478344.
BOOK SALE 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131.
BLOOD DRIVE
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick College Drive, Oneonta. redcrossblood.org
HALLOWEEN 10:301:30 p.m. “Pumpkin Painting.” Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131.
PLANETARIUM Fees apply; registration required. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Room 018A Perna Science Building, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta.
• 10:30 a.m. “Betelgeuse’s Galactic Vacation: An Alien’s Search for Planets.”
• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
UNVEILING 11 a.m.
Celebrate Historical Marker commemorating Hartwick Station (depot). Presented by the Hartwick Historical Society at the Hartwick Station, now the Cooperstown Bat Company, 3152 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2938123.
HALLOWEEN 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Trunk or Treat.” West Edmeston Volunteer Fire Department, 156 County Highway 18C, West Edmeston. (315) 855-4404.
HALLOWEEN
11 a.m. “Haunted House Tour.” Meet in front of the Cherry Valley Museum, 49 Main Street, Cherry Valley.
CRAFT 11 a.m. “Dried Flower Brooms.” Harris Memorial Library,
334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
MUSEUM 11 a.m. “Tour & Storytime for Families.” Included with museum admission. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.
DISCUSSION 1-3 p.m. “Lattes & Literature.” Presented by the Morris Village Library. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
HALLOWEEN
1-3 p.m. “Trunk or Treat If You Fare.” Laurens School parking lot, 55 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 432-2050
ARTIST RECEPTION 1-3 p.m. “From Pollock to Pixels.” Exhibit on view through 11/27. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
HALLOWEEN
1-3 p.m. “Sleepy Hollow Trick-or-Treat.” Candy, costumes, pictures with the headless horseman and more. For children 12 and under. Free with any cash donation. The Farmers’ Museum, 1775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1450.
FUNDRAISER
1-5 p.m. “Chinese Auction” to support a community member who is in the ICU. Milford Fire Department, 64 South Main Street, Milford. (607) 286-9492.
HALLOWEEN—2-5 p.m. “Trunk or Treat.” Main Street, Unadilla.
HALLOWEEN 2:30-4 p.m. Community Trick-orTreating and the Haunted Hall. Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377.
HALLOWEEN 3 p.m. “The Ultimate Cemetery Tour.” Meet at the Cherry Valley Cemetery, 2036 State Highway 166, Cherry Valley.
HALLOWEEN
3-7 p.m. “Fall Festival.” Costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, food, games, haunted hallway, vendors and more. Free admission. Schenevus Central School, 159 Main Street, Schenevus. (607) 638-5881.
HALLOWEEN
4:30-6 p.m. “Husky Halloween Treat Trail.” Husky Park, 10 Park Avenue, Hartwick. (607) 2938123.
HALLOWEEN
5-6 p.m. “Haunted Mansion for Kids.” Kid friendly ghost walk while listening to fun folklore and collecting candy. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
MUSIC 5:30 p.m.
“Hartwick College Honor Band Concert.” Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.
OPEN MIC 7-9 p.m. “Coffee House.” Singers, writers, musicians and more are invited to share works. 10-20 minute slots. Light refreshments available. Free, open to public. Held each 4th Saturday. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, 128 Church Street, Schuyler Lake. (315) 8582523.
HALLOWEEN
“Interskate 88 Halloween Party!” Skating, laser tag, costume contest and more. Fees apply. Interskate 88, 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 432-0366 or visit facebook.com/interskate88
• 1-4 p.m. Open to littles and pre-teens
• 7-10 p.m. Open to teens and adults.
►Sun., Oct Ober 27
HALLOWEEN 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “2024 Coop Loop 5K and 10K Race.” Difficult course, costume contest. Fees apply; registration required. Begins and ends at The Clark Sports Cen-
ter, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2800, ext. 111.
HALLOWEEN 1 p.m.
“Malloween 2024.” Costume contests, monsters and more. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 4324401.
LIBRARY 1-4 p.m.
“Cooperstown Writers Group.” Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2 p.m. “Town of Maryland Historical Society: History of the Schenevus Valley Lodge.” Presented by Ed Fernley. Schenevus Valley Masonic Lodge No. 592, 82 Main Street, Schenevus. (607) 638-9343.
CONCERT 3 p.m. “Yacouba Sissoko: Master Kora Player.” Presented by Cooperstown Concerts. Fees apply. The Farmers’ Museum, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown.
CRAFTERNOON
3-6 p.m. Bring a project and chat with local creatives. Free; registration required. Rigby Handcraft, 43 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown.
HALLOWEEN
3-5 p.m. “Trunktoberfest.” Bouncy house, popcorn, face painting, decorated trunks, photos, prizes and more. Connect Church, 4354 State Highway 80, Hartwick. (844) 8472871.
HALLOWEEN
6-7 p.m. “Pumpkin Glow: Jack O’ Lantern Festival.” Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479777.
►MOn., Oct Ober 28
BREAKFAST WITH THE BOARD 8-9 a.m. Casual meet and greet with Cooperstown Village Board members to discuss local projects, agenda items, more. Includes coffee and donuts. All welcome. Held fourth Monday of each month. Village Board Room, Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.
