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Volume 206, No. 45
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ON HILLSIDE NEAR COOPERSTOWN, DOGS BECOME COPS/B1
For 206 Years
WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, November 6-7, 2014
Newsstand Price $1
Gabe Schechter’s Skills To Benefit SSPCA
Gabe Schechter’s flying fingers are being put to a charitable use, to benefit the SSPCA.
This Poker Dealer Is World Class By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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abe Schechter calls Johnny Moss “The Ty Cobb of Poker,” a comparison
to perhaps the nastiest baseball hero in the Hall of Plaques at 25 Main. Moss was the first World Series of Poker champion and, “by consensus, the greatest poker player of his generation,” said Schechter, the baseball
writer and former Hall of Fame researcher who, you may not know, was also a dealer at the World Series of Poker for several years in the 1980s and ‘90s. Moss “was also the most ornery, nasty and abusive of Please See POKER, A3
Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
ELMS, MAPLES, HONEY LOCUSTS, OH MY!
The Freeman’s Journal
En route to victory, U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19, swung through the village for the Cooperstown Rotary Club’s Election Day Pancake feast. His wife Mary Jo is at left, and aide Carol B. Waller at right.
Otsego Goes For Astorino Over Cuomo
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e won statewide, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo (5,677, or 37.9 percent) lost Otsego County to his Republican challenger, Rob Astorino (7,651, 50.79 percent). As expected, U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19th, handily defeated the Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge, districtwide, but also in the county, by 10,027 (66.93 percent) to 4,951 (33.05 percent). Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-121st, turned back Republican challenger John Salka district wide and locally, 5,543 (57.37 percent) to 4,103 (42.47 percent). EBOLA HOTLINE: Bassett Healthcare Network, which includes Fox Hospital, has established a call in line for patients concerned that they may have been exposed to Ebola. It is (607) 547-5555, or toll free at (877) 547-1745. OCCA HONORS: The Canadarago Lake Association will be honored as Conservationist of the Year by the OCCA Monday, Nov. 10, at Holiday Inn/Southside. Reservations, call 547-4488.
The Trees Are Coming! Village Tries New Method To Pass Laws
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ENCHANTED EVENING
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t’s the Cooperstown version of an urban legend: Have you heard that the roots of the trees on order are too big to fit through the holes in village’s new TREES BACK $2 million sidewalks? or photos of Village Cooperstown’s officials’ new Main Street flat denials trees, visit have failed WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM to quell the chatter. Proof may now be positive. By the time you read this, 17 trees – lindens, elms, Norwegian sunset maples and skyline locusts, plus ivory silk lilacs in the smaller openings – should have been planted along the sidewalks on the north side of Main Street between the Cooperstown Diner and Hoffman Lane. Word was received Tuesday, Nov. 4, as this edition was going to press: Please See TREES, A3
Hospital Zone, Tourist Housing Bills Halved
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By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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ow many of us believed, growing up, that you could cut a worm in two and both halves would live? (It happens, but only with the tiny planarian flatworm.) Village Hall is doing that with two laws, long in the making: • One, the hospital zone law. The first page and a half, creating a zone for Bassett Hospital, is now a stand-alone, although Mayor Jeff Katz said, in the face of neighborhood opposition expressed at a public hearing in October, it’s unlikely to be reintroduced anytime soon. However, village trustees will be asked at their November meeting to set a public hearing on the rest of the law, which deals with technical changes – driveway width, parking-spot size and building height, for instance – that will apply village-wide. • Two, the tourist accommodation law. Half, dealing with licensing of B&Bs – if three different people file five complaints that a property is a nuisance, its license will be reviewed – will go Please See LAWS, A3
By JIM KEVLIN
Christmas Committee Seeking More Floats
C Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
Costumed pals Lizzy Huston and Carleigh Williams make their way down magical Main Street, Cooperstown, on Friday, Oct. 31, during the annual Halloween Parade/ MORE PHOTOS, B8
an your group dance? Sing? Make a great winter-themed float? Can your Brownie troop make adorable costumes? The Cooperstown Community Christmas Committee is asking these questions, seeking to get more participation in the Santa Parade, scheduled this year for Friday, Nov. 28. The committee’s Peggy Leon said the plan is to offer prizes, perhaps a top prize of $300, a $100 and two $50. If you may be interested in participating, call 4Cs committee at 547-7215.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014
LOCALS WHO ARE THESE CCA GRIDIRON HEROES OF YESTERYEAR?
Bassett Appoints Radiation Oncology Chief COOPERSTOWN
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r. Timothy Korytko has been appointed Bassett Hospital’s chief of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Korytko is a board certified radiation oncologist who graduated from the Case Western School of Medicine and completed Radiation Oncology training at The Ohio State University. He came to Bassett in June of this year from Agnesian Healthcare in Fond du Lac, Wisc., where he developed a stereotactic radiotherapy program. He was also chair of the hospital’s cancer committee for the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer from 2011-2014.
Autumn Arthurs In Student Senate At Susquehanna U
“There are many new and exciting advances in radiation oncology that will be of tremendous benefit to the patients of our region, and Dr. Korytko is committed to assuring the availability of sophisticated cancer therapy for the patients we serve,” Dr. Korytko said Dr. Vance M. Brown, Bassett president/CEO. As department chief, Dr. Korytko will have responsibility for setting the direction for radiation oncology services at sites where Bassett currently provides these services. He will also oversee the professional and technical staff at these locations.
Farm Appraiser Rebecca Stone Granted National Certification
COOPERSTOWN Attention, CCS football fans! Can you identify the players in this touchdown utumn Arthurs of play from Nov. 7, 1969? That’s 45 years ago. The player being tackled arm Credit East has scored the goal for Hamilton, which took its 8-0 season record to a chamCooperstown has pionship. The tackler and the player at right are brothers. The next year, announced that apbeen elected as a Cooperstown finished the season, 8-0. Send your answers to info@allpraiser Rebecca Stone class senator to Susquehanna otsego.com. The answer will appear in next week’s paper. of Cooperstown has been University’s Student Gov-
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awarded the Accredited Rural Appraiser (ARA) designation from the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers (ASFMRA). Stone earned her ARA designation by meeting requirements in experience and education, in addition to passing oral and written OSWEGO GRADS: examinations and abiding by Pamela W. Townsend, Cooperstown, and Andrew T. the ASFMRA’s Code of Ethics. Only 45 percent of the Auriemma, Milford, graduASFMRA membership has ated from SUNY Oswego Accredited status. at August commencement Stone joined Farm Credit exercises. East in 2006, after having served as chief appraiser for ernment Association for the 2014-15 academic year. Arthurs, a business administration major in the Class of 2015, is a 2011 graduate of Cooperstown Central High School and the daughter of Jim and Maggie Arthurs.
Farm Service Agency in Washington, D.C. As a certified general appraiser, Stone serves customers Stone in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Madison, Oneida, Chenango, Otsego and Herkimer counties. Stone received a bachelor of technology in agricultural business at SUNY Cobleskill. She is a 4-H leader, Otsego County Dairy Promotion team member and co-chair of the Trep$ program. She and her husband, Jason, have two children, Rachel and Jonathan.
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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-3
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014
For More Than 800 Mourners, Laughter And Tears By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA
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ayor Dick Miller would have enjoyed the celebration of his life. “If you knew my dad, you knew he hated funerals,� said his elder son Jason, head lacrosse coach at St. John’s. “He thought they were morbid necessities, but he wanted things to be light, respectful and humorous.� More than 800 citizens, friends and family packed State Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA Former mayor Kim Muller, left, and Michelle Eastman, friends of Foothills Sen. Jim In the foreground, a member of the U.S. Army contingent that conducted a flag ceremony Performing Seward in Mayor Miller’s honor salutes his family. In the back are Oneonta firefighters and police, the Miller family, prepare to escort mourners to their seats. Arts Sunincluding Fire Chief Pat Pidgeon, center left, and Police Chief Dennis Nayor, center right. and wife day, Nov. Cindy. 2, to standing-room-only capacity to bid farewell to “a vibrant and forceful leader and an extraordinary citizen,� as his long-time friend and Rochester attorney Robert Latella described him. Among mourners were U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R19, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, and Oneonta’s first city manager, Mike Long, who retired to Auburn last May. All Oneonta’s former mayors, Sam Nader, David Brenner, Kim Muller and John Nader, were there, their ranks diminished not just by Miller’s sudden passing on Saturday, Oct. 25, but the death of Jim Georgeson a few days The mayor’s stepdaughter Fable, center, shares her memobefore. ries, flanked by her two brothers, Callum and Rossco. But the VIPs were far outnumbered by his conFormer stituents, gathered for a final mayors Sam farewell. Nader, left, “All of us are here today and David clearly demonstrates how W. Brenner, many lives he touched,� right, await said Latella. the start The Hartwick College of the cera cappella choir, Not So emony. In the center is Sharp, sang the National Susan Plantz, Anthem at the beginning of Nader’s sisthe service. “He loved that ter-in-law. David Hayes, a friend and support of Mayor Miller, leads his song more than any other,� wife Julie to their seats in the SRO Foothills main theater. said Jason. Steven Nanni, a cela story that showcased drafted Hanft to serve as his president. “When I’m facfour flags meaningful to the tightly folded banner to ebrated tenor and Hartwick Miller’s signature sense campaign treasurer “Most ing a tough challenge, I play Miller’s life: the Stars & Miller’s youngest grandinstructor, sang Ralph of humor, drawing laughwould have shied away his words over in my head Stripes and the Middlechild, Liam. Vaughan Williams’ “Infinite ter from the often tearful from a double entendre, but – ‘focus and finish’.� bury College’s, Hartwick And when Hartwick ColShining Heavens,� with its crowd. “He was a joker in he went for it – and we kept As there was plenty of College’s and the City of lege soprano Margaret Eli“Uncountable angel stars; many ways,� said Latella. having to order more signs laughter, so there were Oneonta’s. sofon, ’17, sang “God Bless Showering sorrow and “He was bigger than life, because college students also plenty of tears. “Dick The service was more America� and gestured to light,� and, later, Albert Hay always smiling, and he had kept stealing them!� always said he was so proud than an hour long, which the crowd, all joined her, Malotte’s treatment of “The a voice that could bring a “I will think of Dick of me, and I am so proud Jason joked would have filling the auditorium with Lord’s Prayer.� ship safely into a harbor in whenever I see an obsesto call him my stepfather,� driven his restless father patriotic song. The mayor’s son Mata fog.� sively trimmed lawn or said his stepdaughter, Fable, crazy. “He had mastered “Each of us are part of a thew read Psalm 121, “I “When he was running someone who sets a bed19. “I just wish he were the Irish Exit,� he said. “If photo mosaic that made up will lift mine eyes unto the for mayor, he was running time for their dogs,� said his here to hear me say it. I still anyone wants to sneak out, Dick Miller, said Latella, hills, from whence cometh against another Miller, stepson, Callum. don’t believe he’s gone.� he wouldn’t be offended.� who arrived on a busload of my help.� “He loved the and we needed a slogan to “He was the inventor of “His place in our lives But everyone stayed, as the late mayor’s Rochester hills around Oneonta, and differentiate our Miller,� re- the world’s shortest meetcannot be filled,� said city police and firemen, in friends, “and he was a part I think it’s for that reason membered Bob Hanft, Pier- ings,� said Springbrook Hanft, his voice catching as full uniform, escorted two of ours.� that he loved this psalm,� he stown, who was Hartwick COO Seth Haight, who he finished his remarks. “I representatives of the U.S. said. “Also, it’s short.� trustees’ chair when Miller Miller recruited to Hartwick will miss a good friend.� Army who performed a flag Each speaker shared was hired; retired, Miller and promoted to a vice Flanking the stage were ceremony, then presented
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Perspectives
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014
A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL
DAVID W. BRENNER IN APPRECIATION
‘You Made Us Better And Stronger As We Face An Uncertain Future’ Editor’s Note: David W. Brenner, former Oneonta mayor and chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, and SUNY Oneonta associate vice president emeritus, delivered these remarks to the Oneonta Rotary Club on Thursday, Oct. 30.
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resident Rosalie asked me to say a few words about Dick Miller at today’s luncheon. First, I concur with the comments made by those who knew him well and worked closely with him. Many of them in different situations had the same positive feelings.
Second, each of them saw him as an innovator, a stimulator, a person with unbounded energy and enthusiasm, a great sense of humor and a desire to bring people together to build a better Oneonta. Full of ideas, there was not one that he would not invest himself in fully. I asked him once if he ever had a bad idea. He said, “Nope, some were just less good than others.” Continually upbeat, he took on the tough problems. His priorities were well-defined – and made achievable by his careful, yet tenacious way of accomplishing them. Many are still unfinished; his legacy is not
fully written. It is up to us and the community – at large – to determine how much we can still accomplish. They say that grieving is the task of the living – to recover, to develop a lasting memory and to appreciate life. I really did not know if Dick was a churchgoer – or not. But I am reminded of one last line in the most popular hymn of our time: “When we’ve been there 10,000 years, bright shining as the sun, we have no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.” Persons of faith would say Dick has begun a new journey, with a bundle of new
ideas – all of them good – and ready for review by someone. Others would say, Dick’s work is done; he has shown what can be accomplished; he made us aware of what lies ahead; and we are ready to complete things that are undone. Let us continue to build and work together and let us remember Dick Miller when he said, “Enjoy life, love your community and family; life can be enjoyed in Oneonta.” To our friend, Dick Miller, a job well done – a life well-lived. Rest in peace, my friend. This community may not see one like you again, but you have made us better and stronger as we face an uncertain future.
EDITORIAL
Let’s Do What Dick Miller Said. Start By Raising The Bed Tax
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eflection on and mourning for Dick Miller, the mayor of Oneonta, who passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, has taken all of the oxygen out of the air in recent days, a testimony to the man’s reach, impact and influence. He was one of a kind. The turnout Sunday, Nov. 2, for his memorial service at Foothills underscored the point. Chairs were added to expand the 620-seat venue to 745, and still that wasn’t enough. People stood in the back and the side aisles. Another 100 chairs were set up in the Atrium and audio piped in to handle the overflow. Sure, the VIPs in the crowd, from Congressman Gibson and Senator Seward to leaders in government and business from both parties from around Otsego County, were notable enough. Even more notable was the presence of just people, people who Dick Miller, ever-present everywhere, touched in his five-year tenure. • It now remains for those of us he left behind to fill a large gap in the county’s leadership fabric, and there are many steps we should take: • Town-city merger. Miller, a numbers man, showed conclusively the merger of city and town would result in a fully solvent, unprecedentedly prosperous Greater
Hartwick and other municipalities that bear the brunt of tending tourists and tourism, Otsego County’s foremost industry. We’re bleeding the sources of our local prosperity. It just doesn’t make sense. And, when Dick Miller concluded something didn’t make sense, he went after it. He and his Cooperstown counterpart, Jeff Katz, have been beating the drum on this issue for several months now, largely to deaf ears. Now’s the time for action. The county Board of Representatives needs to make the request to Senator Seward, and then he must shepherd it through the state Legislature in Albany. There’s simply no downside. Few people locally would ever pay it. It would be a surprise if even a single one of the half-milIan Austin/The Freeman’s Journal lion tourists who visit us annually even notices. At base, it would Jason Miller, the mayor’s son, remembers his father being firm, but calm, in the midst of allow host communities to betinevitable boyhood calamities while his sons were growing up. ter promote our attractions, better Oneonta, benefitting from unified hind the county IDA’s strategy of by mid 2013, and adjusted revfund our chambers of commerce, planning and a greater share of “single point of contact” economic enues and expenses accordingly. better underwrite local festivals Southside sales-tax revenues. (A development and “shovel ready Perhaps SUNY Oneonta or the and celebrations that attract visismall first step: The town should sites.” The IDA is fronting $3 chambers can bring together tors, and better serve those visitors end plans for its own water district million to make it happen; there’s the expertise to allow the Miller when they get here. In effect, it and work with the city in providno reason for anyone to hold back. Method to be applied at the county would create an upward spiral ing water to Southside.) • Five-year fiscal planning. level and all the municipalities. of quality of life – and enhanced • Collaboration and cooperaMiller, former president of a • revenue. tion. Once and for all, the Otsego Rochester-based national printing What everybody can get behind Let’s do it for Dick Miller. County Board of Representatives company, later the SUNY system’s right away is a 2 percent hike in Even better, let’s do it because it and the Otsego County Chamber chief fiscal officer, played out City the county’s bed tax, from 4 to makes sense. That’s an argument of Commerce should stop fussing Hall’s fiscal trends for five years, 6 percent, dedicated to Oneonta, Dick Miller would understand. over minor points and get fully be- saw they would mean insolvency Cooperstown, the Town of
EDITORIAL
Diz LaMonica Captured Mayor Miller: ‘Jo-Ann, There’s A Smart, Class-Act Guy’
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coming in the front door. I asked the waitress to have Dick stop at our table before he went downstairs at the lower level to have dinner. Over Dick came with his son and greeted us with a huge smile. The rest of his family had to work that day,
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To the Editor: Last Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure to go to The Farmhouse for dinner with family and friends. We were sitting in the diningroom having a cocktail when I looked out the window and saw Dick and a young man
For 206 Years
James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher
Mary Joan Kevlin Associate Publisher
Tara Barnwell Advertising Director Thom Rhodes • Susan Straub Area Advertising Consultants Celeste Brown Thomas Copy Editor Judith Bartow Billing
Kathleen Peters Graphics
Libby Cudmore Reporter
Stephenie Walker Production Coordinator
Ian Austin Photographer Tom Heitz Consultant
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Town of Cherry Valley • Town of Middlefield Cooperstown Central School District Subscriptions Rates: Otsego County, $48 a year. All other areas, $65 a year. First Class Subscription, $130 a year. Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: (607) 547-6103. Fax: (607) 547-6080. E-mail: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at USPS Cooperstown 40 Main St., Cooperstown NY 13326-9598 USPS Permit Number 018-449 Postmaster Send Address Changes To: Box 890, Cooperstown NY 13326 _____________ Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of Judge Cooper is in The Fenimore Art Museum
so it was just the two of them. We had some delightful small talk and off they went. As our tab came and I picked up the check for my family and friends, I said to myself, I’ll pick up Dick’s tab. So I directed the waitress to give me their tab and off we went. I will say that my pocketbook was a lot lighter leaving The Farmhouse than it was coming in. I laughed and said to myself, “Only the best for my friend, Dick, and company.”
As we were coming out the road of The Farmhouse, I saw Dick’s car pull alongside of mine. He was laughing so hard he couldn’t stop. Then he got all of us laughing. He put his head out the window and yelled, “That’s what you get, LaMonica, for playing ‘big shot!’” Nothing but the best wine and food for my dear friend, Dick! As I recall this story, I only wish that, as we approach the holidays this year, I would again have the opportunity to wish Dick
the very best and yes, buy him another top-shelf bottle of wine. We all know that can never be. What a loss. My late husband, Diz, had a strong bond with Dick. Diz always said to me, “Jo-Ann, there’s a smart, class-act guy.” I can still see the tears rolling down Dick’s face at Diz’s funeral, as Dick was a pall bearer. Our community has lost a brilliant, class-act man. Yes, we will get another mayor; however, Oneonta
will never, ever forget what Mayor Dick Miller did for so many people, myself included. In closing, I in my heart feel that if a person is lucky enough to know three people in their lives that truly made a difference in their opinion, then how fortunate they are. I am one of those people. Diz LaMonica, Father Paul Roman, and now Mayor Dick Miller – heaven will never be the same. JO-ANN LaMONICA Oneonta
Mayor Welcomed New People, Young People Into Community To the Editor: Mayor Miller was a daily source of inspiration and encouragement for me and my husband Tim. Always ready with a smile, a pat on the back, and a reminder of something he needed us to do, Dick had a comforting presence that was always on display around town – a combo of experience, authenticity, and let’s-do-this attitude that made him fun to be around. I was skeptical of moving back to my little hometown after 10 years living in cities all over the country. I was worried it would be stuck in the past, struggling economically, not much to offer for my family. Thanks to Mayor Miller, that was not the case. We saw that the city, in partnership with county and state agencies, was
thinking big about how to grow and thrive. We received a grant to help start a local business, still employing 20 people two and a half years later. Dick invited my husband to play golf and meet fellow businesspeople. He invited us to events, and checked in nearly every single day to make sure all was well. His vision for our community and his ability to pull people together to make it happen are unmatched. Not to mention his knack for convincing people to work very hard, for free. He talked Tim into becoming chair of Destination Oneonta (formerly Main Street Oneonta), and offered daily advice on how to make it a success. He talked me into organizing the Oneonta Sustainability Summit we
hosted at SUNY Oneonta in March, and made sure I had the people and resources to make it happen. When Tim’s brother and sister-inlaw moved to town with their young family, he immediately set about the task of finding them jobs, encouraging new business ideas and making personal introductions. The amazing thing is, we know he didn’t just do this for our family. He did it for everyone. We believe we can remember him best by pulling together as a community, finding leaders who can think big and then each doing our part to make this community such a good place to live, work and play. HANNAH & TIM MASTERJOHN Oneonta
AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A6
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WELCOME • E-MAIL THEM TO info@
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5
BOUND VOLUMES
EYE ON THE WEATHER
Compiled by Tom Heitz with resources courtesy of The New York State Historical Association Library
200 YEARS AGO
Advertisement – Boot & Shoe Manufactory – Jeremy Titus, having formed a connexion in business with William Mygatt, of the Town of New Milford, state of Connecticut, has taken the room in this village, lately occupied by William Stockwell, directly over the barber’s shop, where business will be carried on under the firm of Jeremy Titus & Co. They have and intend to keep on hand, for sale, a complete assortment of Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Boots and Shoes, made of the best materials and warranted of the first quality of leather, of a superior quality, from the manufactories of Connecticut and Albany. They will also keep on hand a quantity of shoe blacking, of various descriptions and of the first quality. Wanted immediately – Two or three Journeymen, who are good workmen, to whom liberal wages will be given. Cooperstown, November 8, 1814. November 10, 1814
175 YEARS AGO
The following good advice cannot be too often repeated: Be industrious – time and skill are your capital. Be saving – whatever it may be, live within your income. Be prudent – buy not what you can do without. Be economical – let your economy be always of today, and not of tomorrow. Be contented and thankful – A cheerful spirit makes labor light and sleep sweet, and all around happy, all of which is much better than being only rich. November 4, 1839
150 YEARS AGO
Keep Cool! These are exciting times and it is not easy for all men to “keep cool” under trying circumstances and on all occasions. The influence of habitually cool and calm men is specially needed, and should be actively exerted during the next few days. Let us have an election on Tuesday next which shall be devoid of all attempts at unfairness, unnecessary excitement or ill feeling. Let it be the aim of every good citizen to promote quiet and order. Angry discussion never aids any cause; uncalled for denunciation and abuse only return on the heads of those who utter them. A mighty and sore evil afflicts our country – and the great mass of men of both political parties, equally interested in her welfare, are equally honest in their convictions as to where their duty lays in this election. Let this fact teach mutual forbearance and respect. November 4, 1864
125 YEARS AGO
Good Advice for Girls – Take plenty of exercise. Take it in the open air; take it alone and breathe with the mouth closed. Live on simple food – all the fruit and rare beef you want; very little pastry; a glass of claret for dinner; coffee in moderation, but never a sip of beer, because it thickens the voice and stupefies the senses. Keep regular hours for work, meals, rest and recreation, and never under any circumstances, indulge in the fashionable habit of eating late suppers. If you want to preserve the beauty of face and the priceless beauty of youth, keep well, keep clean, keep erect, and keep cool. November 8, 1889
100 YEARS AGO
Excerpts from an address by Dr. F.J. Atwell of Cooperstown to an Otsego County teachers’ conference at
50 YEARS AGO
Editor’s Note: David Mattice, National Weather Service observer in the Oneonta area for the past 30 years, is providing monthly and annual summaries of local weather as a public service.
OCTOBER 014 Highest Temperature...............................................75°F (Oct. 15) Lowest Temperature.............................29°F (Oct. 12, 13, 20, 31) Average Maximum Temperature..........................................59.9°F Average Minimum Temperature...........................................41.5°F Monthly Mean Temperature.................................................50.7°F Precipitation Total.....................................................................4.50″ Most Precipitation in One Day.................................0.52” (Oct. 16) Thunderstorms........................................................1 (18 for 2014) Snow.............................................................Trace (50.9” for 2014) Most Snow in One Day..............................................Trace (Oct. 20) YTD Precipitation....................................................................37.83” Number of Days at or below 0°F...........................0 (20 for 2014 ) Number of Days at or below 32°F.......................7 (120 for 2014)
Comments: Thanks to all of you who did the warm weather dance. It worked! October was WARMER than normal, albeit by only 0.8 degrees. I hope I don’t see a pattern developing. November 4, 1964 May (the fifth month of the year) and October (the 10th month of the year) are the only the new model schoolhouse in Fly Creek: “Of the school months in 2014 that have experienced aboveteacher of today, much is expected. Upon her shoulders rests normal temperatures. Four colder-than-normal a heavy responsibility in that she has to a great measure the months before the next warmer-than-normal making of the future citizens of our country, not only as to month would be intolerable, so let’s be happy the intellect, but also physically and morally. It took a long that only an old statistician would notice such a thing and that there is no scientific basis to DAVID time to realize that the whole child goes to school, his body, my observation. The month was wetter than mind and soul; that education of the mind alone is one-sided MATTICE and may be harmful; finally, that the hygiene of the child and normal with an excess of 1.42”, and our yearto-date total is 5.01” above the average. We his teacher as well as the sanitation of the school building had quite a dry summer, in most areas, so this is great news is of fundamental importance. It is the duty of the school to going into the winter. We even saw our first flurries, but that is require at all times cleanliness of person and clothing. The completely normal for late October. The Atlantic Ocean remains example of clean school rooms, toilets and grounds will in ghostly quiet and for the second year in a row there has been time influence the young citizen. The school room floor at all minimal tropical storm and hurricane activity, unlike in the Pacific Ocean, which has experienced several very nasty, destructimes should be kept clean and the children should use the tive and deadly storms. The tropical storm season closes Nov. door-mat before entering the building.” November 4, 1914 30, because waters cool significantly, but we can’t let our guard down yet. November is usually a month of extremes, we can be in the 60’s on any given day and have a significant winter event a few days later. Please pay attention to forecasts. The Editorial: Last week there was much talk at CCS about first snowfall always brings a “gazillion” fender benders and some serious accidents as well, so please be cautious and slow student alcohol abuse. It is encouraging to see that such a down. As temperatures continue to fall and the “rut” begins in critical issue is being openly discussed instead of quietly ignored. Students are even questioning other students about our area, whitetail deer begin roaming around a lot more, so be prepared! Make sure you have some good winter or all-seatheir drinking habits. Two male athletes, when confronted son tires on your car; you may need them in the near future. by a student about their usual heavy drinking the night Late fall/early winter is a great time of year here in the greater before a game, defended their drinking by declaring that it Oneonta/Cooperstown area. There is still a lot to do and see actually helped them play better. Such ignorance would be so get outside and enjoy the beauty. Have a great Thanksgiving funny if the issue weren’t so potentially dangerous. Two with your family and friends, travel safely and, as always, Keep Your Eye On The Weather! female students came to the Journal to personally register
25 YEARS AGO
their complaints, saying they were upset to be reminded of the two alcohol-related deaths last year. They’d rather forget the lessons of the past and pretend that drinking is merely good, clean, safe fun. Drinking shouldn’t be the norm in the high school but it is. Students should pay the price for breaking their word and written contracts, but they don’t. November 8, 1989
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A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6-7, 2014
ALAN CHARTOCK CAPITOL CONNECTION
Maybe It’s Easy To Be Cynical About Politics, But Don’t Relinquish Your Vote ALBANY
I
n the end, very few eligible voters actually turn out to participate in our elections. There are many reasons why they don’t. Some people are just too lazy. They have other things to do that day. Then there are those like my late friend, the brilliant political philosopher Sebastian De Grazia, who used to tell me, “I don’t know enough.” Here was one of the most brilliant academics and political scientists of all and he claimed he didn’t know enough to vote. He was right. You’ll never really know enough about the dirty deals to vote intelligently. Because the game is so loaded and so many things are going on that we don’t know about, the most cynical among us simply
say, “I don’t vote, it only encourages them.” Our politics are so dependent on money, so dependent on what Woodrow Wilson would have called, “Secret deals secretly arrived at,” one wonders, “What’s the point?” We are appalled at the strident, frequent, obviously phony appeals. We scratch our heads and we don’t know who to root for. The manipulators send out the cheerleaders as well as those who try to scare us half to death by appealing to our competitive and fearful natures. They warn us that unless we pay up, the other side is going to win. Everything is strategic. The enemy is advancing. The consequences will be catastrophic. Our e-mail in-boxes are filled with personal appeals for support and money. We are told by the biggest recognizable political names, “I’m
begging you for the money,” Or, “Bad news, we’re losing.” It’s as if a foreign army was invading our shores and we are being called to arms. The sides are drawn up. The potential consequences are terrible and unthinkable. The thing is, it all convinces some people. The political camps wouldn’t be doing it if it didn’t work. Meanwhile, all the frenzy simply makes some people believe they are being lied to. They begin to hate all politicians. During the election cycle, we are engaged in team sports but once the elections are over, the parties seem to merge and become what so many people are now calling the “Republicrats.” The real winners are the people with the big bucks – the lobbyists with their fine suits who descend on the politicians and have their way with them. The
politicians know that they need the filthy money that the lobbyists spread around, buying votes in much the same way they would buy bananas at the grocery store. Our politicians tell me that they spend hours on the phones, begging people to give them a couple of thousand dollars or much more. There are ways to funnel money into elections. There may be limits on how much you can give to an individual candidate but there are no limits on how much you can give to a political party and its “housekeeping” efforts. The party then will spend the dirty money any way they want to make their side win. We allow the leaders of each of the political parties to draw their own legislative lines and when the people figure out that this is anything but fair in a democracy,
those same leaders come up with a way to fool us into voting for a Constitutional Amendment that will ultimately preserve the status quo. So now the dirty game is exposed for what it is. On the one hand, newspapers do their jobs and explain the seamy side of the process. On the other, they properly encourage us to do our duty and to go out and vote. What else can they do? They are right, of course. The vote is paramount. Once we relinquish it, those with the most money will have even more control. We just have to do better or we all lose. Downer. Alan Chartock is president of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, broadcast to Oneonta and Cooperstown. Send comments to alan@wamc.org
LETTERS
Otsego Manor Sale, A Vicious Circle To the Editor: Well, I see The Manor has sold. Now let me see if I have this right: The county sold The Manor because it couldn’t afford to take care of the older people who had worked in the county and paid taxes to the county for most of their lives. So the county sold the manner to a private firm. A private firm means that the primary goal is to make a profit. So now the private firm will pay people less so the people in the county will be making less money,
spending less money and paying less taxes. Since they have less money, they will probably have nothing when they get older, so the county will have to take care of them. How can a private firm make a profit but the county can’t? What else can’t the county do that we think they are doing? I hope those people who sold The Manor end up in The Manor when they are old, to get a first-hand experience. Just a thought. R. SCOTT DUNCAN Hartwick Forest
Seek A More Inclusive County At Oneonta Summit To the Editor: On Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8:30 to 1:30 at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta, there will be an Inclusivity Summit that will address the primary question: What does an inclusive and more welcoming Oneonta look like? Keynote speaker, speaker Mark D. Vaughn, Ph.D., of Corning Inc.’s Technology Community, will be followed
Miller Mentored Robokronos And Many Other Oneontans
To the Editor: The entire Otsego 4-H FIRST Robotics Team, better known as RoboKronos, lost a great friend with the passing of Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller. Our thoughts that highway buses offload go out to Mayor Miller’s on private property or at the family, friends and the comremote lots. munity. You know what to do He was a friend and menabout that last group. I can’t tor to many young people vote there, but you can. (and not-so-young). He CHIP NORTHRUP was a champion of our high Cooperstown school team, even declaring
Why Can’t Cooperstown Figure Out Buses As Other Towns Do? To the Editor: I was never in favor of moving the buses onto Fair Street (per your Oct. 28 posting on www.allotsego. com) - and said as much when Jim Dean suggested that at the first preliminary meeting. That was not what the petition was all about. It was about getting the village to enter the 21st century on handling large highway tour buses the way all grown-up towns and villages do in this country and Europe - by keeping them out of the village center. Dreams Park represents more than half of the highway buses, so moving them to trolleys or shuttles is a plus. DP has to contract with Birnie Buses, which runs the village trolleys, before next season. But that leaves long-haul tour buses idling in front of the HOF and circling residential streets twice - once after they drop and the 2nd time when they leave. Mike Manno’s suggestion: offloading at Double Day, is not as good as the remote lots, but is far better than highway buses idling on Main Street. There are three culprits in this: Dreams Park, for inappropriately using highway buses as shuttles; the HoF, for neglecting to provide an on-site private bus stop; and the village trustees, for failing to insist
by breakout sessions to address various topics of interest to the community. Having spent the last few months on the committee that has helped bring this summit and much needed discussion to the city and town of Oneonta, I can honestly say that if you live, work or raise your family here, then you should be a voice in this discussion. While the city is still reeling from the loss of our mayor, we can perhaps
Feb. 5 “RoboKronos Day” in the City of Oneonta. We all loved his enthusiasm, his can-do attitude, and his eye toward the future. Mayor Miller was always quick with a high-five, a hug, and a smile. He made Oneonta a better place, and our team, like our community, will always be grateful. CHASE THOMAS Captain, on behalf of RoboKronos Oneonta
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seek solace in the fact that he was integral part in helping make Oneonta a better community. He is the reason why this summit is taking place. I urge members of the Oneonta community to participate. For more Information and to register for this event, please call Destination Oneonta at (432-8871, extension 210). MICHELLE OSTERHOUDT Oneonta
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Very Special Fly Creek Location —This 2,556+/- sq ft l800s farmhouse was renovated by the current owners in 1970. It offers large kitchen w/sunroom dining space, woodstove, and lovely view of 2-acre pond. Front-to-back LR w/fireplace, master BR, ¾ bath and laundry on the first floor. Upstairs are 3 BRs, good hallway space, 1½ baths. Covered front porch, stone patio. Systems seem to be in good shape. The property consists of 6.25+/acres w/lawn, fenced garden, pond, pretty open areas. Large 2-story barn can be used for small animals or, w/ some changes, horses. Wood shed, garage across the road w/2-story, 2-BR, 1-bath guest or rental apartment. House and barn sit beautifully on the property w/views of the pond and hillside. The house offers lots of sunlight and the setting itself certainly justifies a renovation bringing it up to today’s standards. Offered Co-Exclusively by Ashley Connor Realty—$599,000 (with 80+ acres—$699,000)
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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7
THURSDAY-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6-7, 2014
Assisting In Tourney Locally, Schechter Dealt The Cards For The Greats Of Poker POKER/From A1 players,” hence the Ty Cobb allusion, said Schechter, who has been thinking back to his poker-dealing days lately while helping Ron Visco organize a Hold ‘Em Tournament, a Cooperstown novelty, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in New York Pizza’s upstairs room, to benefit the Susquehanna SPCA. Schechter remembers one celebrity poker tournament in particular, at Las Vegas’ Golden Nugget. Juliet Prowse was playing against the professional gamblers, and Lainie Kazan. Sarah Vaughan was among the celebrities at Schechter’s table – and Johnny Moss. “First hand, Moss had the best hand,” said the dealer. “But, out of luck, one of the celebrities won.” Johnny Moss blew up. “He called me every other name.” When one of the celebrities, taken aback, pointed out to Moss that no money was at stake -- the tournament was simply a charity benefit, he replied, “this (expletive)” – pointing to Schechter – “has been dealing me out of money all month.” Schechter was “raised by card players” in New Jersey. “My mother was a life master. My pappy taught me to play poker.” An undergrad at Colgate, Class of ‘73, he recalls the revolving bridge and poker games at The Coop, the student center. He went on
IF YOU GO: Hold ‘Em Tournament to benefit the Susquehanna SPCA, 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, New York Pizzeria, Cooperstown. Space for 35, so stop by and register early.
to grad school at the University of Oregon, then to three years teaching freshman comp at the University of Montana at Missoula where, he discovered, poker was legal. “I taught in the afternoon, wrote bad novels in the evening and, late at night, I went out and played poker,” he recalled. “Then I caught a few hours sleep and went back to class.” To get away from winter “and write my fourth bad novel,” Gabe moved to Nevada in 1980, where “I became the Damon Runyon of Las Vegas. I met all these wonderful characters. It was just a gold mine of material. It fascinated me on that level.” First, he played poker, too. “I didn’t quite make a living at it,” so he turned to dealing in 1981. He discovered the pressures of the job and observed that there’s a fairly high attrition rate, but he also develop a code, a code or honor, if you will. “I think my strength was my commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game, which is a fancy way of saying I didn’t let things slide, I didn’t let players
take advantage or bully each other. Intimidation is a big part of some players’ arsenals. I tried to protect the interest of all players.” The profession was challenging enough to keep him at the tables until 1991, when he moved to Cooperstown, spending most of a year researching what became his first baseball book, “Victory Faust: The Rube Who Saved McGraw’s Giants.” As Gabriel Schechter, he’s published three more since. He went back to Las Vegas in 1992, moved to California in 1995, where he lived among the Redwoods on the Central Coast. He was then hired by the Hall of Fame, where, back in Cooperstown, he spent 2002-10 as a researcher in the Hall of Fame Library. “I must be fascinated by games,” he said, when asked about his double interest. “There’s something in my psyche that is interested in the concept of infinite variety. It exists in a lot of things. Music: A finite number of notes, infinite variety. “What baseball and poker share is a finite number of events, but a seemingly almost infinite number of results and patterns. And that’s what interests me.” He’ll be dealing Saturday night. Better sign up soon (New York Pizza’s Art Boden has sign-up sheets): half the spots were taken by mid-week.
Missed, Trees Return To Cooperstown TREES/From A1 All Season Landscaping of Lowville planned to drop off the 17 trees at 9 a.m. Wednesday the 5th, with planting to begin by 10:30. “We’re planning to get all of them in in one day,” said Wayne White, whose wife, Amanda, is a partner in the enterprise. The ground around the trees will be mulched, and perennials planted, he said. As they grow, the trees will present a varied prospect, said Jim Kisker of Schichtel’s Nursery in Springville, near Buffalo, which supplied the trees to All Seasons. The largest will be 50 feet tall, some will be 20 feet tall, and the Japanese lilacs will be less, he said. “These are types of trees that historically are planted in sidewalk cutouts in urban areas successfully,” Kisker had said in an earlier interview. “You can see many that are successful in cities, towns and villages.” Schichtel’s has been in business for a half-century, and grows trees on 21 farms in western New York. The company is no stranger to Cooperstown, he said, having provided trees to The Clark Estates, Theatricum Botanicum and other local landscapers.
The trees had to meet a range of qualities, Trustee Cindy Falk, who chairs the Street Committee and collaborated with the Tree Committee in making the selections, said in a recent interview. Foremost, they have to be “appropriate for a rain garden, so that means they have to have ‘wet feet’.” The project is designed to capture water that now flows directly into Otsego Lake and the Susquehanna and to strain it through the soil before entering the lake and river. But they also have to grow within a confined space and be tolerant of road salt. Some communities plant one variety for consistency, but that was rejected here. “If we are hit down the road with some sort of blight or insect, or something that going to affect the trees, it’s better to have a mix than to have the whole same variety,” Falk explained. “We have a mix now, and that adds some visual interest, and we’re looking to put that kind of mix back.” Kisker said this is the best time of year to transplant trees, since they are “dormant” and rainfall tends to be heavy in the autumn. “The trees will start to grow into their new home,
and not be forced into waking up and growing as they are in the springtime,” he said. This will give them the chance to expand their root system during a time of minimum stress, so they are more likely to survive the more rigorous conditions of next spring and summer. The sidewalk contractor, Central Paving of Ilion, has completed its work for the season, but before leaving installed the grates that allow water to flow out of the rain gardens into the street, Falk said. Representatives of the state Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), which is paying for 80 percent of the project, were on site in recent days and were delighted by the progress; they plan to return in the next few days to see the trees, Falk said. The trees complete the project on the north side of Main Street. Central Paving completed construction on the south side between Chestnut and Pioneer Alley this fall, wrapping up for the season last week. Falk said the rest of the construction, up to the Baseball Hall of Fame, will be completed in the spring by Memorial Day, although planting the rest of the trees may be delayed until the more optimum time in the fall.
Newly Focused, Proposed Laws May Be Passed LAWS/From A1 forward as one law, said Village Attorney Martin Tillapaugh. The second half deals with “sunsetting,” whereby all B&B operators – nine are now “grandfathered” – will have to live in their hostels after Jan. 1, 2018, if the second half is separately approved. The trustees will be asked to set a public hearing on both those laws as well. “My feeling, and some of the other members of the board feel this way, is we were ready to vote on it,” said Katz. Beyond that, “I think we’re done dividing laws,”
said Tillapaugh. The long-awaited vending law, for instance, aimed at tidying up tables and tents on Hall of Fame and other weekends, is modeled on one that has withstood challenge in Saratoga Springs, the attorney said. Although it has been sent back to committee for review a couple of times now, he said the trustees hope to have it in place by the next tourist season, so the plan is to get it ready over the winter. Sign-law revisions, two or more years in the making, are “still percolating along,” said Tillapaugh, slowed by lack of a consen-
sus on what signs can be reduced or eliminated and which can stand. The mayor said the impetus for all this regulatory review is overlapping and over-complicated laws already on the books, but that were passed in an effort to preserve Cooperstown’s appeal. “When people say the village is too regulated, it’s too restrictive, it’s also true that the way the village looks is not some fluke, not some happy accident,” Katz said. “The appeal of the village to tourists – that’s because of our process.”
A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
OneOnta • 75 Market Street 607-433-1020 COOperStOwn • State Hwy 28 607-547-5933
MLS#95274 $124,900 Charming Otsego County farmhouse w/large barn, ample storage! 4+ BRs, 2 baths, 2-story home w/nice pond on 13+ acres. Great restoration potential. Call William Vagliardo @ 607-287-8568 (cell)
MLS#97242 $385,000 Hartwick – 143 acres of secluded land on State Hwy 28. 3-acre pond, electric, phone, well and views! Call James Vrooman @ 607-441-6119 or 603-247-0506 (cell)
MLS#93004 $299,000 50+ acre horse farm w/8-stall barn in Morris. Ranch w/3 BRs, 2 baths, riding arenas, fenced pastures. Call Lynn Lesperence @ 607-434-1061 (cell) Virtual tour: www.morrishorsefarm.com
MLS#90587 $79,900 Cute little ranch w/1-floor living on a quiet street and ½ acre. 1-car attached garage, large fairly dry basement, hardwood floors, back screened-in porch. Call Thomas Platt @ 607-435-2068 (cell)
MLS#97147 $170,000 Large double-wide w/eat-in kitchen, 3 BRs, 2 baths. Open living area w/fireplace. Beautiful property in Cooperstown near Dreams Park, Brewery Ommegang. Call Mark Frank @ 607-267-6612 (cell)
MLS#95360 $134,900 Price to Sell! 3-BR, 2-bath ranch w/additional lot is just outside Oneonta. Quiet and spacious yard. Oneonta School District! Invest or bring the family! Call Lynn Lesperence @ 607-434-1061 (cell)
MLS#93225 $86,000 Adam Karns 607-244-9633 (cell) MLS#96917 $129,900 3-BR, renovated Cape. All new: roof, vinyl siding, Spacious 4doors, BR, 2 bath house is baths, close toflooring. I-88. Large windows, appliances, Spacious backyard, workshop/garage, Make your rooms, master suite, coveredsmall frontshed. porch, barn. appointment today.@Priced to go this week! Call Thomas Platt 607-435-2068 (cell) Virtual Tour: www.RealEstateShows.com/708598
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MLS#96105 $85,950 Great Price! 3-BR home w/fenced yard close to Oneonta, but w/low taxes! Large 2-car garage w/electric, storage. Open floorplan. Call William Vagliardo @ 607-287-8568 (cell) Virtual tour: www.delawarecountyliving
MLS#96781 $129,900 Secluded Hunting Retreat on over 30 acres. 3 BRs, 2 baths, double-wide home. Master suite w/full bath, open floorplan, woodstove, eat-in kitchen, deck. Call Thomas Platt @ 607-435-2068 (cell)
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MLS#97019 $89,000 Great Location! Solid home w/newer floors and many custom revisions. Two pellet stoves and gas fireplace. Call Adam Karns @ 607-244-9633 (cell) Virtual Tour: www.realestateshows.com/740477
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MLS#95966 $199,900 Unique 4+ BRs, 3 baths Tudor home in Oneonta. Cathedral ceilings, HW floors, exposed beams, deck. Call Lynn Lesperence @ 607-434-1061 (cell) Virtual Tour: www.otsegocountyliving.com
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THURSDAY-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6-7, 2014
MLS#94145 $249,900 Classic Canadarago Lakefront home. Workshop, covered porch, dock, indoor and outdoor fireplaces. Call George (ROD) Sluyter @ 315-520-6512 (cell) Virtual Tour: www.canadaragohomes4.com
MLS#94842 $149,000 Location! Seclusion! Beautiful views! Solid 3 BR, 2 bath home is perfectly situated on over 26 acres. Call Adam Karns 607-244-9633 (cell) Virtual Tour: www.realestateshows.com/710440
MLS#94956 $87,500 Hunt, Build a Home, Subdivide! Superior views of Canadarago Lake. 35 acres: 50% woods, 50% open. Call George (ROD) Sluyter @ 315-520-6512 (cell)
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MLS#96861 $549,000 Cooperstown 4-BR, 5-bath home on 6.20+/- acres. Cathedral ceilings, cherry floors, eat-in kitchen, formal DR, LR w/fireplace, ½ bath, 1st-floor master suite. Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)
MLS#96453 $414,000 Secluded, center-hall Colonial w/4+ BRs, 3½ baths, 7+/- acres, pool, pond, possible in-law apt, separate heated workshop/art studio. There’s so much more. Call Donna A. Anderson @ 607-367-3232 (cell)
MLS#90557 $239,000 3-BR renovated farmhouse in Cooperstown School District on 26+/- acres. Original wood floors, kitchen island, sun porch w/woodstove, 2nd flr laundry. Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)
MLS#95771 $379,000 112-acre estate w/woods, fields, views, pond. 2-3 BRs, Cooperstown Village home. Seller pays closing costs (up garage w/radiant heat, workshop. Meredith. to w/acceptable Call$3,000 Suzanne Darling @offer). 607-563-7012 (cell)
MLS#93370 $144,900 New Lisbon – Over 80 acres of open land w/pond. Call James Vrooman @ 607-441-6119 or 603-247-0506 (cell)
MLS#95270 $95,000 Harpersfield – 2-BR hidden gem on 10 acres w/pond. Call or text Sharon P. Teator @ 607-267-2681 (cell)
MLS#95003 $159,900 West end Oneonta home w/3 BRs, 1½ baths. Formal DR, huge LR, hardwood floors, eat-in kitchen, porch. Call Suzanne Darling 607-563-7012 (cell) Virtual tour: www.realestateshows.com/723024
MLS#92496 $299,900 Unlimited Income Potential! Leave it as is or bring your dreams. This popular bar/restaurant is currently approved for NYS Lottery. Turn-key operation. Call or text Sharon P. Teator @ 607-267-2681 (cell)
Contemporary ranch sits on 1.49 acres in the city of Oneonta. This home features 3 BRs, 2 baths, laundry, updated baths. Kitchen has granite countertops, open to DR. LR is bright and spacious w/hardwood floors, bluestone fireplace, open to DR. Sitting room has tile floor. Family room w/fireplace, bath, laundry. Stone patio, large deck w/hot tub, large backyard w/pond. Basement is dry. 1-car attached garage and stone walls. Close to Oneonta State College, Oneonta High School and Wilber Park. MLS #95601 $214,900
Town of Oneonta! Lovely split-level home in desirable location.
Just minutes to I-88 and terrific Fortin Park is walkable from the development. Rare hardwood floors throughout first floor are a nice upgrade. Master suite on second floor offers private bath and lots of closet space. Lower-level family room/exercise room/theater room is open and very spacious. It is easy to enjoy the outdoors at this property as well: lovely composite-vinyl rear deck offers you views of the hills and backyard, and the front covered concrete patio adds yet another place to sit and enjoy.
Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker Peter D. Clark, Consultant
$249,900 MLS#96771
HUBBELL’S REAL ESTATE 607-547-5740•607-547-6000 (fax) 157 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326
ASHLEY
E-Mail: info@hubbellsrealestate.com Web Site: www.hubbellsrealestate.com
(7925) Gorgeous 4 BR, 2+ bath Colonial on a tranquil street. Pristine residence offers elegant gardens, full landscaping, stone wall, deck, large rooms, formal DR, woodstove, family room, eat-in kitchen w/cherry cabinets, quartz counters. Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Co-Exclusive—$479,000
607-547-4045
Patricia Ashley – Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner
lAvish Country ColoniAl
(7874) Superbly kept 3 BR, 2+ bath contemporary Cape on 3.50 acres. LR w/vaulted ceiling and gas fireplace, den/ office, main-level master BR, formal DR, eat-in kitchen w/island, sun room w/passive solar heat. Cherry, pine, and tile floors, skylights, radiant-floor heat, 2-car garage, wrap-around deck, valley views. Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Exclusive—$479,000
(7395) Exceptional 5 BR, 3+ bath countryside home on a serene street. Spacious layout features family room, den, large LR, 2 fireplaces, pleasant center entry, oak floors, breakfast nook, formal DR w/fireplace. Large deck, barn. Cooperstown Schools. Hubbell’s Exclusive—$319,000
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ChuCk Gould
Since 1947, our personal service has always been there when you need it most. With comprehensive coverage for all your AUTO • HOME • LIFE insurance needs.
BUSINESS
Hours: M-F 8am-5pm Phone: 607-432-2022 22-26 Watkins Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820
CONNOR
29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY
Artfully originAl on 3.5 ACres
Cooperstown on one ACre
R E A LT Y
Thinking of Remodeling? Think of Refinancing!
LGROUP@STNY.RR.COM www.leatherstockingmortgage.com 607-547-5007 (Office) 800-547-7948 (Toll Free)
New Purchases and refinances • Debt Consolidation Free Pre-Qualification • Fast Approvals • Low Rates Registered Mortgage Broker Matt Schuermann NYS Banking Dept. Loans arranged by a 3rd party lender. 31 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown (directly next door to Stagecoach Coffee)
Brand New to the Market—Five-unit apartment building in excellent condition, turn-key operation, completely furnished. Rented by the week during the summer months, monthly during the winter months. Great edge of Village location with parking lot plus adjacent one-acre lot included, possible building site with great views, great occupancy rate, excellent income. Offered Exclusively by Ashley-Connor Realty REDUCED $475,000 Visit us on the Web at www.ashleyconnorrealty.com Contact us at info@ashleyconnorrealty.com For APPoiNtmeNt: Patti Ashley, Broker, 607-437-1149 • Jack Foster, Sales
Agent, 607-547-5304 Donna Skinner, Associate Broker, 607-547-8288 Amy Stack, Sales Agent, 607-435-0125 • Chris Patterson, Sales Agent, 518-774-8175
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