COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND CCS gym vote is December 14 A reminder to voters in the Cooperstown Central School District of the ballot to decide on a $2.5 million capital project referendum to renovate the elementary school gym. Voting is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on December 14 in the Auditorium of the Cooperstown High School. School officials say the capital project referendum will result in no change in tax impact.
County urges COVID caution Otsego County Public Health Director Heidi Bond said Tuesday that the county is “currently experiencing the highest surge in COVID19 cases since the pandemic started almost two years ago.” “We are doing our best to keep up with the high number of new cases,” Ms. Bond said. She cautioned that it “may take several days for you to be contacted once you receive a positive test,” adding that county residents should cooperate with contact tracers if the call comes and “complete the interview honestly and accurately.”
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State shuts down elective surgeries at A.O. Fox Hospital. Page 3 VISIT www.
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Board weighs opt out, referendum County’s farmers as state’s deadline approaches push back on overtime Some two dozen Cooperstown residents were almost evenly divided in comments during a public hearing Monday, December 6, to address a pending Board of Trustees vote that would find the Village opting out of allowing the retail sale of marijuana within Cooperstown’s borders. New York legalized the sale of marijuana in April, and allowed local governments to choose whether they want dispensaries and lounges where customers could smoke on-site. To opt out, however, that same state law requires a local government to pass a local law no later than December 31, 2021. Failure to do so automatically opens the locality to dispensaries and lounges; those local governments that vote to opt out prior to the year-end deadline may repeal that local law through permissive referendum at a later date to allow for retail sale. “We can do a permissive referendum only if we opt out of the state law before December 31,” Mayor Tillapaugh said. “It’s a procedure that lets us keep our options open. If we don’t do something by the end of the year, we’re stuck; if we opt out now, we can opt back in at a later date.” Mayor Tillapaugh said the Village Board of Trustees plans to vote on its opt-out resolution at its December 20 meeting. “We have a motion on the Floor now to allow for a permissive referendum in our March elections,” the Mayor said. “Had we done this any earlier, we would have
had to hold a special election.” “I’m not closing the public comment on this,” she said at the close of the December 6 hearing. “We want to know your opinions. We welcome your e-mail, phone calls, letters, whatever right up until our vote on the 20th.” Residents supporting the opt-out law – and keeping pot stores out of the Village – cited tourism implications, Cooperstown’s reputation as a family-friendly destination, public health implications, and overarching fear of making pot more readily available as their chief concerns. “My primary concern is how it will affect Cooperstown and how families see the village,” said Jim Dean. “Our tourists in the summer are, mostly, families with children. They visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Farmers’ Museum, and the Fenimore House.” “I can’t imagine people coming to Cooperstown to visit dispensaries will stick around afterward to go to the museums,” he said, eliciting chuckles from attendees. “I don’t know. Perhaps I’m wrong.” Like others who spoke at the meeting, Mr. Dean said he favored the opt-out resolution so that Village residents could vote later on a public referendum to either allow or disallow dispensaries and lounges. “Let the residents come out and vote and that will be the end of it, one way or the other,” he said.
Farmers across New York State, including Otsego County, are speaking out in opposition as a New York State Department of Labor Farm Laborers’ Wage Board considers lowering the threshold at which farm workers earn overtime pay from 60 hours per week to 40, a move farmers say will devastate their businesses. Farmers went to Albany Wednesday, December 1, to deliver letters to Governor Kathy Hochul opposing the move and urging the Wage Board to keep the 60-hour overtime week. Otsego County Farm Bureau The Farm Laborers Vice President Darin Fair Practice Act, Hickling, calls the overtime signed into law by proposal a “nail in the coffin” former New York State for New York’s farmers. Governor Andrew Cuomo, statutorily reduced the weekly overtime threshold from 80 hours to 60 beginning January 1, 2020. The law also included workers’ compensation, one day of rest during the calendar week, unemployment insurance, disability, and the right to organize. A provision included in the law authorizes the Department of Labor to convene a Wage Board to revisit lowering the required hours for overtime periodically. Citing concern
Continued on page 9
Continued on page 9
By Kevin Limiti
INSIDE ►FOX AMONG LIMITED LIST: State’s Department of Health imposes new standards. PAGE A3 ►A CENTURY AND COUNTING; Cooperstown’s Main Street ‘Diner’ marks 100th birthday. PAGE A10 ►THE MET IS BACK IN THE ARIA. Opera fans can ride out the winter doldrums with Hi-Def simulcasts at Oneonta’s Foothills PAC. PAGE A12. Follow Breaking News On
AllOTSEGO.com ►COVID UPDATES: Daily updates as nation, state, county grapple with Omnicron and Delta upticks. ►HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS : Stay up to date on local holiday get-togethers (and maybe some new rules) as the season rolls on. ►fire in oneonta: Monser Brothers Tire Service loses second floor in December 3 blaze.
Bassett chief reflects on a busy first year at helm [Editor’s note: We invited Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bassett Healthcare Network, to reflect on his first year at the helm of our regional healthcare facilities. He provided to The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta the following as a firstperson, open letter to the Dr. Tommy communities the network Ibrahim serves.] Dear Friends, Neighbors and Colleagues, By many measures, 2021 was challenging and transformative for our community and Bassett Healthcare Network. When I began my tenure as President and CEO of Bassett, we were in the early stages of a pandemic that we hoped would last weeks or months, but became the largest global pandemic in a century. This crisis has been daunting and has tested our resolve in ways we could not have imagined. Through it all, our caregivers and practitioners did what they do best — cared selflessly for our patients
and community. Though Covid-19 has certainly been the headline of the last year and a half, it is not the whole story, especially not here at Bassett. Over the last year, our leaders have focused on strengthening our network’s foundation, improving patient care, and ensuring that Bassett remains an independent health system serving our communities for decades to come. I have high aspirations for our network that continue to build on the beautiful legacy of excellent care Bassett and its caregivers and practitioners have provided for generations. We strive to be an example of outstanding rural care and employer of choice — a source of pride for our employees, our region, and beyond. This year, we made significant progress toward becoming an integrated health delivery system, operating as one unified network rather than as loosely affiliated hospitals, clinics, offices, and services. We have developed, for the first time, a single network-wide strategic plan that strengthens core operations and positions Bassett for a promising future. We are also creating standards across the system, sharing best practices, and benefiting from increased efficiencies. I have said many times that our people are
Bassett’s most important asset. This year, we invested significantly in our workforce. Bassett raised the minimum wage for all employees, offered bonuses, and we are currently analyzing compensation and benefits across the network. We are taking important steps to address workplace safety and to be leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m especially proud of our efforts to combat clinician burnout, which were recognized nationally by the American Medical Association. While some of the important internal changes we have made to improve communications, decision-making and employee engagement may not be immediately visible to our patients, they make a major difference in the way that we provide safe, quality, affordable care. We are already seeing positive results, with reductions in hospital acquired conditions and improvements in other safety and quality measures. For the first time in several years, we have balanced our budget. This financial stability makes it possible for us to once again re-invest in our health system, employees, and community. We have plans to add services, increase access, Continued on page 12
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, December 9, 2021
Fenimore Museum gets festive for the holidays
Hall of Fame welcomes six new ‘era’ inductees
Members of The Lake and Valley Garden Club gathered at Fenimore Art Museum to decorate the galleries for the holiday season. Pat Hanft (left) and Suzy Kingsley adorn the railing of the Museum’s main stairway with fragrant boughs of evergreen.
While Major League Baseball and the Players’ Association dance delicately or otherwise around the current lockout situation, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum presses ahead with news and announcements to keep the faithful alert throughout the winter. This week, the Hall announced the election of six all-time greats through the Eras Committee process, inducting players from the ‘Golden Days’ (1950-69) and the ‘Early Baseball Era’ panels. Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, and Tony Oliva enter the Hall from the Golden Days; Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil from the Early Era.
honorees and Hall of Famers for Hall of Fame Weekend, July 22-25. The Hall announces any new electees emerging from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. As this issue of The Freeman’s Journal/
Hometown Oneonta heads to press, the Baseball Hall of Fame is preparing to announce the winner of this year’s “Career Excellence Award” from the Baseball Writers’ Association, as well as the 2022 Ford C. Frick Award winner for excellence in baseball broadcasting.
2022 ‘Early Era’ inductee Bud Fowler already has his own street in the village
Hall of Fame Director of Communications Craig Muder said Jim Kaat and Tony Oliva – the two new inductees still living – will be in Cooperstown for induction ceremonies slated for July 24. They’ll join other Class of 2022
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FASHIONING ART from PAPER 500 Years of Fashion, Created from Paper!
Songs for the Season Join members of the Catskill Choral Society for a free concert and sing-a-long of seasonal selections
Friday, December 17 7 pm First Presbyterian Church
296 Main Street, Oneonta (Next to City Hall) Good will offerings will be gratefully accepted
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To protect the health of the audience and performers, masks will be required of both audience members and performers. Photo by Jonathan Borba from Pexels
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Isabelle de Borchgrave, (Belgium b. 1946), ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: Prestidigitateur Chinois (Chinese Conjurer), 2009; Richard and Constance Griffith Collection of the artist. Elizabeth R. Lemieux, Ph.D. The exhibition has been organized F. X. Matt Memorial Fund of The Community by Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. Memphis, in cooperation with Hon. Joan Shkane (Ret.) Isabelle de Borchgrave Studio. Funding for this exhibition is provided in part by national sponsor
® I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.
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THURSDAY, dECEMBER 9, 2021
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3
State DOH temporarily halts Fox electives A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital is among the more than 30 hospitals around New York State required to halt certain elective procedures temporarily under an Executive Order issued in November by Governor Kathy Hochul. Citing concerns over capacity strain and emergency Covid-19 bed availability, the Governor’s order encompasses facilities with a staffed bed capacity of less than 10 percent. The state’s Department of Health delivered official word to affected hospitals late in the evening on Monday, December 6; the order takes effect Thursday, December 9. Department guidance issued last week requires all facilities in the state to continue to submit capacity and occupancy data on a daily basis. Using that information, DOH will determine “Impacted Facilities” weekly and similarly halt elective procedures at those facilities for a period of at least two weeks. Beginning the week of December
13, the Department will review each Wednesday’s data on Thursday, then inform “Impacted Facilities” on Friday of their status. Procedure limitations would take effect the following Thursday. The roster of affected locations may therefore change with each report; procedure suspensions are slated to last for a period of two weeks. The Governor’s order currently expires January 15, 2022. The DOH guidance does not apply to single specialty facilities (for example, a cancer treatment facility), nonhospital owned ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery practices, or free-standing diagnostic and treatment centers. Unlike a 2020 executive order from Governor Andrew Cuomo, certain elective procedures remain allowed even in hospitals included on the December 6 roster. Other hospitals in the general region affected by the EO include facilities in Little Falls, Utica, Albany, and Syracuse.
Bassett Healthcare System Interim Manager of Marketing and Communications Gabrielle Argo said Tuesday they are working with providers to ensure continuity of care for patients affected by the temporary order. “Patients impacted by this order will hear from their practitioner,” she said. “We’ll be working with them to relocate or reschedule elective procedures covered by the order.” Ms. Argo said Bassett is working across its system and with other facliities to “make sure we have beds and staffing available.” “Patients may see delays along the way as we redeploy staff to places of high need,” she said. “The difference with this executive order is that it’s not as cut-and-dry as previous orders,” she said. “It really is on a daily basis as to what we can provide and where we can do it.” She urged patients to stay in touch with their providers for updates if necessary.
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Please join us for our events planned in December! Holiday Bazzar, free admission! Over 20 vendors Sunday, December 11 • 9 am - 3 pm Tri Town Theater presents “It’s a Wonderful Life, the radio play” Friday, December 10 • 8pm Saturday, December 11 • 8pm Sunday, December 12 • 8 pm Comedy Night Saturday, December 18 • 8 pm $20, includes admission & beverage Christmas Concert, Sidney Community Band Sunday, December 19 • 2 pm Free admission Community Cultural Center 1 Bridge Street • Sidney, NY 13838 607-604-4584
AllOTSEGO.dining&entertainment
First 25 people with a $15 order get a
cooperstoWn diner celebrates 100 years!
Free commemorative Mug
What else started in 1921?
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Perspectives
THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL editorial
ted potrikus
Timely guidance?
Let’s verb again, like we did last Christmas
New Yorkers learned late December 6 exactly which hospitals around the state would be subject to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Order limiting certain elective surgeries and procedures beginning roughly 36 hours later, on December 9. The order initially exploded out of Albany seemingly moments after South Africa’s first report of Covid-19’s Omicron variant. We recognize and appreciate Governor Hochul’s proactive effort, but there’s a big disconnect at play reminiscent of just about every Covid19-related Executive Order her predecessor issued during the earliest and deepest days of the pandemic. The problem as we see it: Albany reacts immediately to a shift in the pandemic paradigm with a press-worthy executive order, then promises the entities affected by the executive order that they’ll follow up soon with guidance on exactly how to follow the often-amorphous language contained therein. “Soon,” many times, means “at the last second.” We saw it plenty of times under Governor Cuomo’s Covid-19 orders, issued with oratory flourish that bordered on the threatening. Hospitals, schools, nursing homes, restaurants, retailers, gyms, and every other public conveyance watched those Cuomo briefings daily to find out if — and rarely how — the announcement of the day would affect them. And as we’ve since learned, the Department of Health sometimes did not know until the briefing announcement that they had a new, giant ASAP project tossed on their already toppling desks. Until Monday, hospitals, Bassett Healthcare among them, could not say with official certainty on how to answer the question as to whether they can offer this service or that beginning less than three days later. Even the guidance on what constitutes an ‘elective’ procedure differs from 2020, when Governor Cuomo pretty much shuttered any non-Covid-19 activity in every hospital around the state. This time around, even those hospitals limited under the new guidance may perform certain procedures that they were barred from offering in 2020. Add to that the likelihood that facilities limited under the executive order may change as staffing and bed availability changes. Governor Hochul said initially that her new order comes, in part, as a result of the staffing crisis that resulted, in part, from her earlier order requiring health care workers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. We do not dispute that order and applaud her decision to stick to it, the ensuing crisis notwithstanding. We recognize, too, that orders coming out of Albany and various local governments are well-intended measures rooted in an effort to keep us all safe. But with every new rule comes another enforcement requirement for the facilities charged with implementing the orders. Just this week, outgoing New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new order to take effect only a few days before he leaves office: a vaccine mandate for all private sector workers, and an extension of the City’s proof-of-vaccination status for indoor dining and entertainment venues to include children between the ages of 5 and 11. Again: well-meaning, but left to the businesses themselves to implement and enforce. Surely other municipalities will want to follow the Mayor’s lead. To that end, we salute Bassett Healthcare and all the providers in New York and elsewhere that continue to process on a moment’s notice the cavalcade of executive orders and ensuing guidance. We applaud their assurance, reported here last week, that they “don’t want anyone to put off their screenings or procedures.” Stay in touch with your healthcare provider. Be safe. Be well.
Do you remember the classic comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes”? It was my daily must-read back when it ran in newspapers; it remains a go-to in its various printed collections or online. My favorite among the strips finds Calvin telling Hobbes this: “I like to verb words.” He goes on: “I take nouns and adjectives and use them as verbs. Remember when ‘access’ was a thing? Now it’s something you do. It got verbed.” “Verbing,” he says, “weirds language.” Hobbes responds: “Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding.” It was funny back then, but I’m not laughing any more. In fact, if last week I went all Bah on the overuse of Christmasy music in seasonal advertising, this week I’m opening up a giant can of Humbug on the verbing of nouns that comes around this time of year.
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Take precaution, but don’t rush to judgment
“Virologists will tell you that predicting how a new virus might evolve is a fool’s errand. Predicting that it will evolve is money in the bank.” – The Economist. Since the genome for Covid-19 was first sequenced in January 2020, there have been 5.6 million sequence variations added to the database. Obviously most variations do not make much difference, but a very few do so spectacularly. The Omicron variant is different than others seen up until now. One week ago, we reported that the new variant was seen in three countries and predicted that it was pretty much everywhere but unknown at that point. Today it has been identified in at least 40 countries and growing, some with significant numbers of infection, but in none except South Africa has it yet pushed out the Delta variant as the most prominent. For example, in the United States, the total number of cases tops 100,000 per day, yet we have identified with surety fewer than 1,000 of Omicron. This is due partially to the inability to quickly sequence samples, partially it still hasn’t yet pushed out Delta. Some 1,650 people in the U.S. died from coronavirus on December 4; deaths follow infections by several weeks and therefore we have yet to see the virulence of Omicron, nor for that matter, the effect of increased transportation and activity surrounding Thanksgiving. Our numbers most probably will rise significantly over the next three to six weeks. Is not yet clear how much more
transmissible Omicron will be than Delta, but based on the South African data clearly it will be. It remains too early to tell how much more serious infections with Omicron will be. Many clinics in the United States are reporting long lines with people seeking vaccination because of fears of the Delta variant. Dr. Anthony Fauci said that so far the Omicron variant in the United States has not appeared to have produced more severe cases then Delta, but it is too early to tell. Scientists in South Africa, who are dealing with the bulk of the Omicron cases reported worldwide, believe that it will more easily affect cells while the current vaccines may protect against severe disease. Noufar Afeyan, cofounder of Moderna, stated that a new variant that could get into human cells better while avoiding antibodies from a previous infection or vaccination “would be a dangerous thing. Omicron is exactly that.” Bio-N-Tech, the inventor of the other RNA vaccine, states it could develop and deliver new vaccine in 100 days designed against the Omicron variant. It’s been said that we will know more about the new variant, but already we’ve learned a great deal about Covid-19 in the last 24 months. It’s expected that we will learn a lot more about Omicron in the near future. In my opinion, it still is too early to rush to judgment. It is reasonable to take precautions, the best ones including vaccinations and boosters, uniform and proper mask wearing, and social distancing. If this is done,
we can delay or avoid altogether measures such as curfews and school closures, which are felt to bring few benefits to controlling infection by themselves. My daughter just came home from 10 days in Paris. She reported that everybody there was wearing a surgical mask and doing so properly. You could not get into anywhere without showing proof of vaccination. Rapid testing was free and readily available. The rate of Covid19 infection in France is significantly less than that in the United States. This, to me, suggests that there is a way to control the disease, without stopping public life altogether. It is unfortunate that too many Americans do not want to accept this. In truth, we do not know much more about the Omicron variant than we did last week. We predicted that it was in many more places than was initially reported, and this has proven true. We stated that basic infection mitigation techniques were the best way to protect against Covid-19 infection at this point and still revolve around those that we already had. We’ve seen many other people use the phrase “closing the barn door after the horse or cow has escaped.” In my opinion, if we do this we will severely limit death and disability and have the time to develop new vaccine specific to the most prominent variants. Dr. Richard Sternberg, retired Bassett Hospital orthopedic surgeon, is providing his professional perspective during the COVID-19 threat. Also a village trustee, he lives in Cooperstown.
RESPECT — respect and accept each other’s differences. And then when we learn how to respect, we have to have the Blessed FAITH that all of the above will really work, and with your help, Santa, this will be a better world. So, here’s my list — I need: 1. Time, 2. Attitude, 3. Kindness, 4. Respect and 5. Blessed Faith. And let’s throw in a little love, okay? Santa, can you get me all these things? And as long as you’re getting all this for me you might as well share with everyone. If we try all of the above it will really make a better world. Yours truly, A believer. Vera Talevi Cooperstown
Writer calls for more domestic production to stop reliance on China
in 1808
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richard Sternberg, M.D.
LETTERS founded
Tara Barnwell Publisher Ted Potrikus Editor
that one could actually joy. But as Christmas itself approaches, they’ve upped the annoyance factor with a whole slew of commercials urging me to joy, fully. Oh I see what they did there! Ha ha! Yes! But, no. No thank you. Not that I don’t want to be joyful, or fully feel joy. It’s just that I am not going to joy to any extent. As bad as that is, though, there’s another commercial out there that tells me to “Happy the Holidays.” What the what, now? One cannot happy anything. I won’t belabor the point. It’s another shopping outlet to boycott and, yes, I realize I’m beginning to shrink my available universe of places to shop simply on account of my aversion to their utter abuse of the English language. I’m certain, too, that their crackerjack creatives have come up with similar ways to butcher languages around the world. And it’s yet another reason for me to shop locally, slogan-free, and joyfully.
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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, email and telephone/ mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own. Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. The length must be no more than 250 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.
It’s a little game I play with myself that began a few years ago when A Big Worldwide Coffee Shop Conglomerate invited me via a sticker on its door to “Autumn.” “Let’s Autumn,” it said, and, after I rolled my eyes a lot I decided that it was time to find someplace else for my caffeine fix. It seems like Autumn is about the time that commercial noun verbing begins in earnest, so like some out there who time the seasons by trying to guess when retailers will break out the Christmas decorations, for me, it’s not truly Autumn until some store verbs a noun. The practice shifts into high gear, though, in tandem with the annual outbreak of too-early Christmas displays. And this year, there are two prime offenders. One started in early November: a Giant Worldwide Discount Retail Conglomerate (we’re establishing a pattern of culpability here) introduced window statics and small signs reading “Let’s Joy.” I was not aware
Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Historian
Editorial Board Elinor Vincent, Michael Moffat, Tara Barnwell, Ted Potrikus OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year. First Class Subscription, $155 a year. Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.
A plea from a believer to Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a different kind of gift Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santa, Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts you have brought to me over the years. Now as I mature, I find that we now desperately need TIME. We need time to change ATTITUDES about a lot of things. (I guess you’re too busy to really go into detail about positive attitudes.) And once we change attitudes, we have to learn how to be KIND. Oh, now that’s a toughie for you — it does not come in a box, you know. And then when we learn how to be kind, we need to learn how to
To The Editor, Shipping from China is backed up and will affect the economy this year and in the future. America should produce these products at home, reducing the need for goods to be shipped and reducing our alarming dependency on China. Gerry Welch Cooperstown
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THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5
News from the noteworthy TOBACCO-FREE COMMUNITIES
Tobacco-free colleges save lives Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
185 YEARS AGO
Man is so constituted, that when he directs all his energies to a single employment, the products of his labor are far more abundant and excellent, than when he follows several employments. By confining both body and mind to a single operation, a degree of skill and dexterity in that operation is acquired, which could not be attained if the same, or even a much greater amount of labor had been bestowed on several direct objects. December 12, 1836
135 YEARS AGO
Capital District Tobacco-Free Communities Nine out of 10 smokers start smoking by age 18, and 99% start by age 26. So, if we can just keep young people from starting, we can prevent a vast majority of them from becoming one of the 480,000 lives taken every year by smoking. But how do we do that? It takes intentional steps, including reducing the appeal and accessibility of tobacco products, deglamorizing tobacco use in the media, and creating a social and physical environment that discourages tobacco use. That last measure is where colleges and universities have a unique opportunity. They can provide a healthy learning and living environment for their students by creating 100% tobaccofree policies. A tobacco-free policy does not mean students cannot smoke, vape or use smoke-less tobacco. It simply limits where a person may use tobacco. The benefits are clear. A 100% tobacco-free campus policy eliminates secondhand smoke exposure, changes the social norm around tobacco use, and helps those who want to quit. Tobacco-free policies are also good for the environment as cigarettes and e-cigarettes are not biodegradable and notably contribute to litter and toxins in the water and soil.
Currently, all indoor spaces on college campuses fall under New York State’s Clean Indoor Air Act. No smoking or vaping of tobacco or any other product is allowed indoors. Outdoor areas are not covered under the law and it’s up to colleges to decide what they will limit and where. To date, more than 2,500 campuses across the country have adopted a 100% smoke-free policy that prohibits smoking on all college property. More than 2,100 of these campuses also have a tobaccofree policy that bans the use of all non-combustible forms of tobacco as well as e-cigarettes. A recent review of the 207 colleges in New York State revealed that 103 colleges (50%) have adopted 100% tobacco-free policies, 30 (15%) have smoke-free policies, and 58 (28%) have designated smoking areas. The State University of New York Chancellor and Board of Trustees have encouraged campuses to design and implement strategies to drive their campuses toward a complete tobacco-free policy. Locally, SUNY Delhi, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Cobleskill and Hartwick College have all begun to address tobacco use on their campuses and continue to look for ways to further their efforts. The support for tobacco-free campus policies is strong among students. According to a CVS health
survey, 8 in 10 college students approved of policies that prohibit smoking and other tobacco use on campus. This mirrors the general attitude around breathing smokefree air in public spaces. Local community surveys have shown that a large majority of residents in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties favor prohibiting smoking in outdoor public places, including in parks and businesses open to the public. While we have made great progress in driving down the smoking rate, tobacco use is still the number one preventable cause of death and disease in the U.S. and in our counties. The best way to further that progress is to prevent young people, including college students, from ever starting. With that in mind, Tobacco-Free Communities/ Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie (TFCDOS) has and continues to provide free assistance and resources to colleges as they take steps to create a healthier, tobacco-free environment for their students, staff and guests. For more information, visit www. gotobaccofreedos.org. Jeanie Orr, M.P.H., is program manager for Capital District Tobacco-Free Communities; Barbara Doyle is a program specialist for the organization.
BY Merl Reagle
Home Sweet Homophone (3)…One of my aural fixations December 11, 1886
110 YEARS AGO
Christmas is drawing near and with all the season’s hustle and bustle comes the question — what shall I get that would be the most suitable gift for father, mother, brother, sister, or grandmother and grandfather? The Journal which has furnished you with the news throughout the year again comes to the front to furnish the solution to your quandary. Only read the advertisements of our many enterprising Cooperstown merchants and the problem will be solved. December 13, 1911
60 YEARS AGO
The block on the northwest corner of Main and Pioneer Streets will be torn down, according to officials of The Freeman’sJournalCompany,itsowners.Thedecisiontoraze the building was made last week following an assessment of the cost of repairs to the block made necessary by the disastrous fire which destroyed the printing plant on Pioneer Street of The Freeman’s Journal Company and gutted nearby structures. The corner building formerly housed the offices of The Freeman’s Journal and The Otsego Farmer, and also Lippitt’s Jewelery Store on the ground floor, and the photographic studio of Peter L. Hollis, and the dental office of Dr. L.E. Pitcher on the second floor. December 6, 1961
20 YEARS AGO
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Busch Hager, Jr. of Cooperstown have pledged $700,000 for Bassett’s Heart Care Initiative which will include the region’s first cardiac surgery program. Louis Hager previously donated $300,000 to fund renovations to the Critical Care Complex, which brings the Hagers’ total giving to $1 million since 1997. The late Alice Busch Gronewaldt, Mr. Hager’s grandmother, began the family tradition of supporting Bassett Healthcare as she donated $1.5 million to the Hager Cancer Center in memory of her son. December 7, 2001 Solution: ‘Twain of Thought’ (December 2)
ACROSS 1 Shot from guns? 4 Albert Einstein’s wife 8 Returns pro 11 Tree’s relief 16 Place for rowdy kids? 18 Popular citrus drink 19 Country star Twain 20 Willard Scott before he dieted? 22 Back-exposing top 23 Place with a keeper 24 Snippy comeback 25 Where tabasco sauce is mfd. 26 Result of a catapult accident? 27 Fantastic flyers 29 “Guitar Town” singer Steve 32 E. follower 33 Where politicians should spend more time? 41 Rhode Island point famous for its huts 42 All-purpose exclamation 43 Stupefied state 45 Peace pipe 48 Spore sacs 51 Bug-building game 53 Paul Newman’s birthplace 54 Like 1, e.g. 57 Result of a margarine spill? 60 Wind up like Bierce or Earhart 63 Hear anew, as a case 65 River of Spain 66 Not a good thing to hear from your getaway driver? 73 River of Russia 74 The end of ___ 75 Medium effort? 76 All Bambi ever hears in casinos? 81 LDS HQ 83 Certain breads 84 Rounds of bowling 85 Part of Mark Twain or Tom Wolfe attire 87 Letter writing, some say 90 Kids’ building set 91 That girl 93 A girl’s name or an evergreen tree 96 1937 film about Little Miss Muffet? 103 Form of address 104 Ungregarious one 105 Water pitcher 107 Cereal for short people? 111 Ms. Taylor, familiarly 112 Berle’s pearls 116 A size: abbr. 117 Billionaire Buffett
118 With 124 Across, not the best thing you want to see after a doctor’s name? 122 Skeptical valley girl’s comment 123 Naughty ___ nice 124 See 118 Across 125 Choice cuts 126 Amts. of milk 127 Entertainer-turnedlegislator 128 An impressive degree DOWN 1 Bird’s perch 2 Genuine risk on Genuine Risk 3 Biol. amd med. 4 Throws wild, e.g. 5 Uses a hoe 6 Helios, in Rome 7 I love, in Rome 8 Sculptor’s tool 9 Where Fermi went to college 10 Get involved 11 Zhivago portrayer 12 Joke answer to “How many people work in your company?” 13 Tiny crawlers and haulers 14 Whom les fidèles worship 15 Masterson contemporary 16 Devo’s question in the 1970s, “Are ___ men?” 17 New Zealand parrot 19 Storage space 20 Salyut 7’s successor 21 Panicked reaction, in cartoons
26 In no time at all 28 Tall timber 30 Hotshot 31 Educating ___ 32 Jeff Davis’s grp. 34 Word from “The Little Drummer Boy” 35 Spawn shop offering? 36 Passionate about 37 Kuwaiti kahuna 38 Teen scream 39 Forum foe of Caesar 40 Bass Pinza 44 At any time, poetically 45 Protected bay 46 Cries of discovery 47 C larence’s role on The Mod Squad 49 Palm ___ 50 Psychic Edgar 51 Reaper man McCormick 52 Norris film, A Force ___ 55 Dryly amusing 56 Drops on the grass 58 Turkish Republic founder 59 Blood letters 61 Froth 62 Ayurvedic remedies 64 Macbeth, for one 67 Chinese concept 68 Time abbr. 69 Steak ___ 70 Author Seton 71 Pastry bag handler
72 Hotbed 76 Jaguars’ org. 77 City near Provo 78 Wild 79 Wild 80 Tony-winner Judith 82 Skelton’s Kadiddlehopper 86 Sea bird 88 Sean Lennon’s middle name 89 McCartney’s title 91 A.Y.L.I. playwright 92 Dress feature 94 81 Across player 95 Stuff (oneself) with 97 Coals 98 The Searchers star 99 Toys (with) 100 Slow flow 101 Wise 102 “Letters, ___ letters ...” 106 Like a brick 107 Do the crawl 108 Unexciting 109 Major or Minor preceder 110 Very dry, as champagne 111 Boor 113 “Alice’s Restaurant” guy 114 1960s Pontiac 115 Communicate at Gallaudet 118 Rib joint letters 119 Officially declare 120 ___-Magnon 121 Hale and hardy
LEGALS
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA Legal
Legal nOtice NOTICE TO THE VOTERS OF OTSEGO COUNTY Official Results for the November 2, 2021 General Election PROPOSITION #1 Yes 4,554 No 7,989 PROPOSITION #2 Yes 7,719 No 4,917 PROPOSITION #3 Yes 4,521 No 8,338 PROPOSITION #4 Yes 4,929 No 7,892 PROPOSITION #5 Yes 6,366 No 5,706 6TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT State Supreme Court Justice (Vote for 3) Patrick J O’Sullivan 6,373 Elizabeth Aherne 6,320 Molly Fitzgerald 5,700 OTSEGO COUNTY Treasurer Allen Ruffles 9,125 COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES District 1 Edwin Frazier, Jr. 531 Matt Glynn 167 District 2 Jerry Madsen 599 Michele Farwell 565 District 3 Rick Brockway 697 Caitlin Ogden 448 District 4 Michelle Catan 899 District 5 Margaret M Kennedy 1,105 Emily Popek 429 District 6 Jennifer Mickle 807 Chad McEvoy 303 District 7 David T. Bliss 664 Charles Varney 428 District 8 Andrew Marietta 700 District 9 Keith O. McCarty 678 Connie Jastremski 305 District 10 Daniel G. Wilber 733 District 11 Clark Oliver 574 Paul Ahearn 154 District 12 Adrienne Martini 281 District 13 Donald Scanlon 299 Mark Pawkett 297 District 14 Jill Basile 237 CITY OF ONEONTA Mayor Mark Drnek 1,267 Leonard Carson 764 City Judge Robert A. Gouldin 1,559 BURLINGTON Supervisor Russell McCall 209 Mark Cullin 1 Clerk/Collector Deborah J. Wengert 222 Councilman (Vote for two) Martin R. Slentz 190 Dominick Monte-
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sano 175 Super. of Highways Davin Ruffles 212 BUTTERNUTS Supervisor Bruce Giuda 356 Town Clerk Mary Brown 376 Rebekah Huff 34 Town Justice Claudette Y. Newman 374 Councilman (Vote for two) Paul B. Irwin 350 Teresa Winchester 226 Councilman (Unexpired) John Hill 392 Super. of Highways Cory Wilber 352 David Haynes 139 Tax Collector Doris Moennich 436 CHERRY VALLEY Supervisor Thomas Garretson 208 Town Clerk Mary Beth Flint 219 Councilman (Vote for two) James C. Johnson 184 Holly Waterfield 162 Super. of Highways Martin Field, Jr. 215 DECATUR Supervisor Paul H. Strenn 68 Town Clerk Fred Kersman 65 Town Justice Vincent Lenci 82 Councilman (Vote for two) Thomas Hunt 82 Super. of Highways Donald W. Hill, Jr. 84 Tax Collector Brenda Hunt 90 EDMESTON Town Justice David G. Delker 208 Councilman (Vote for two) Jeremy Hoag 214 Scott Porter 198 EXETER Supervisor Doreé VanTassel 118 Clerk/Collector Joann Chapman 126 Town Justice Stephen E. Meyer 98 Councilman (Vote for two) Sam Brooker 102 Teri Plows 72 Super. of Highways Paul E. McLean 148 HARTWICK Supervisor Robert J. O’Brien 406 Bryan F. LoRusso 316 Councilman (Vote for two) Christopher Briggs 350 Bruce Markusen 328 Cindy Carr 304 Jonathan Horth 303 Jennifer Flores 140 Super. of Highways Jerry Wood 361 Frederick Koffer 355 LAURENS Supervisor Dean Buccheri 370
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Town Clerk Deborah Lawyer 392 Councilman (Vote for two) Edwin Winslow 325 George Decker 322 Mark Peterson 138 Super. of Highways Wayne Shulgay 383 Tax Collector Patricia Brockway 382 MARYLAND Supervisor Ronald Wheeler 330 Clerk/Collector Allison Jones 378 Town Justice (Vote for two) April Neske 305 Dominic A. Brent 290 Councilman (Vote for two) Renee Gaston 319 Jason Knapp 288 Super. of Highways Timothy Walke 336 MIDDLEFIELD Supervisor David Karl 323 James McCartney 278 Clerk/Collector Beth Moakler 345 Arthur Weinstock 311 Town Justice Donna Yerdon 414 Councilman (Vote for two) Peggy L. Leon 376 Jennifer Pindar van Kampen 348 Amy R. Kukenberger 275 Jacob Aufmuth 256 Super. of Highways Brendan Kraham 459 MILFORD Supervisor Casey Eckler 394 Town Clerk Rosemary Aborn 357 Town Justice (Vote for two) Matthew Kane 332 Deborah A. McMullen 330 Councilman (Vote for two) John Davis 342 Kristen Velasco 261 Super. of Highways (Unexpired) Andrew K. Jones 315 Tax Collector Timothy E. Knapp 389 Jonathan Coffin 149 MORRIS Supervisor John Distefano 311 Clerk/Collector Linda E. Ewing 324 Councilman (Vote for two) William M. Pickens 278 Brian E. Bourgeois 277 Super. of Highways Jonathan N. Foote 273 NEW LISBON Supervisor Edward T. Lentz 189 Clerk/Collector Charlene R. Wells 231 Town Justice Glen A. Noto 273 Councilman (Vote for two) Brian Ryther 166 Nancy MartinMathewson 160
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Super. of Highways Donald B. Smith 241 Proposition #6 Yes 169 No 150 ONEONTA Supervisor Randal Mowers 850 Teresa DeSantis 244 Clerk/Collector Ryan F. Pereira 633 Sara Robinson 611 Town Justice (Vote for two) Sean J. Farrell 716 Karen M. Liddle 677 William H. Schebaum 546 Timothy P. Gibson 520 Councilman (Vote for two) Skylar J. Thompson 680 Kimberly L. Fierke 658 Jon Curtis Anderson 605 Super. of Highways James A. Hurtubise II 990 OTEGO Supervisor Joseph S Hurlburt Sr 482 Clerk/Collector Terri L. Horan 497 Town Justice Kenneth E. Olsen 457 Councilman (Vote for two) Jimmy Hamm II 436 Royce Livingston 417 Super. of Highways John E. Hurlburt III 468 OTSEGO Supervisor Benjamin Bauer 709 Clerk/Collector Pamela A. Deane 592 Councilman (Vote for two) Chris Kjolhede 715 Tom Hohensee 687 Super. of Highways William A Hribar Sr 724 PITTSFIELD Supervisor Shelby Wing 171 Clerk/Collector Terron Muller 19 Susan Hayen 1 Councilman (Vote for two) Jeffrey D. Galley 168 William A Keyes Jr 4 Paul Stein 2 Terry Miller 2 Mike Berthel 1 Paul L Rowe 1 Super. of Highways James Wing 176 PLAINFIELD Supervisor Todd P. Lewis 126 Town Clerk Sheri Feldman 112 Councilman (Vote for two) Keith Chapman 126 Lauren Lockwood 86 Super. of Highways Roderick Jennison 150 Tax Collector Debra A. Wheelock 140 RICHFIELD Supervisor Dan Sullivan 473 Nick Palevsky 174 Clerk/Collector Maggie Young
THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
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486 Councilman (Vote for two) Larry Frigault 387 Rex A. Seamon 447 Paul Palumbo 160 Isaac Ames 159 Super. of Highways Tim Proctor 466 Randy Seamon 178
Super. of Highways Richard E. Evans 367
sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
any other mail delivery service for the timely and proper delivery of their bid proposals. The Village of Cooperstown reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
ROSEBOOM Supervisor Patti Gustafson 109 Clerk/Collector Erin V. Seeley 119 Councilman (Vote for two) Curtis VanDewerker 113 Allegra Schecter 99 Super. of Highways Daniel R. Gage 136 SPRINGFIELD Supervisor Galen Criqui 234 Town Clerk Jeannette Armstrong 199 Laura J. Sikkema 140 Town Justice Loretta Fish 11 Peter Johansen 2 Councilman (Vote for two) Regina Oakes 224 Andrea House 134 Jessica Gorman 120 Super. of Highways Jeff Brown 296 Tax Collector Ann Magruder 303 UNADILLA Supervisor George Denys 540 Town Clerk Terry L. Yoder 565 Kelly A. Moore 87 Town Justice Joshua J. Palmer 448 Dwight Mott 258 Councilman (Vote for two) Ron Reed 464 Jessica Grow 421 Barbara Nolan 236 Councilman (Unexpired) Allen Anderson 445 Sheri J. Kinsella 130 Super. of Highways Rodney Renwick 530 Tax Collector Gloria Meenan 496 WESTFORD Supervisor Walter Heinrich 164 Clerk/Collector Eileen Ten Eyck 104 Councilman (Vote for two) Robert Huntington 162 Ralph J. Ritton 125 Maurice Bouchard 59 Super. of Highways Jason Ritton 148 WORCESTER Supervisor Donald L. Lindberg 327 Clerk/Collector Joann Beverland 310 Town Justice Christopher P. Lehenbauer 277 Councilman (Vote for two) Timothy P. Lehenbauer 321 David J. Miller 199
Otsego County Board of Elections 140 Co Hwy 33W, Ste 2 Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-4247 or 4325 www.voteotsego. com 1LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 312 Cornish Hill Road LLC Filed 10/15/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 87, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.13 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Oneonta Yoga LLC Filed 10/28/21 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 253 Southside Dr, Oneonta, NY 13820 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.13 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Rooted Space LLC Articles of Organization were filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 26 November, 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent for process and shall mail to: PO Box 132, Laurens, NY 13796. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 6LegalJan.13 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: DRI 8, LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 November 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalJan13 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 06, 2022 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via the internet using www.bidx.com. A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the
Electronic documents and Amendments are posted to www.dot.ny.gov/ doing-business/opportunities/const-notices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-planholder. Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list. NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518)457-2124. Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/W/MBEs. The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federallyassisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award. BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION
Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting. Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901 D264640, PIN 911134, FA Proj Z0E1-9111343, Otsego Co., BRIDGE DECK REPLACEMENT, US Route 20 Over US Route 166, Town of Cherry Valley, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $125,000.00), Goals: DBE: 10.00% 2LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: LIFE & LIBERTY FIREARMS LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 24 November 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 452 Gulf Road, Hartwick, NY 13348. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalJan.6 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021, at the Village Office at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York by the Village Clerk of the Village of Cooperstown for the purchase of 35,000 gallons of No. 2 Heating Oil and 11,050 gallons of LP gas for heating. The successful bidder will be obligated to deliver the purchased oil and/or LP gas during the time period beginning January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022. Specifications may be obtained from the Village Office at 22 Main St., Cooperstown, New York, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by calling (607) 5472411. Bids must be submitted on or before 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021 in a sealed envelope addressed to the Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown and marked “BID-FUEL OIL/LP Gas” and may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the bid opening. Faxed bid proposals will not be accepted. Bidders are advised not to rely on the Postal Service or
Dated: December 1, 2021 Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) 1LegalDec.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: 79 BEAVER STREET LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 17 November 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 15 South Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of IVERSON HERITAGE FARMS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/06/2021. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 1193 County Highway 26, Fly Creek, NY 13337. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of PALMS AND PINES PROPERTIES LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 4/7/21. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 128 Zephyr Knoll, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Clark Companies is bidding the general construction of the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi Artificial Turf Field Project No. 251030-00 on December 8, 2021. Continued page 7
MeMories to Cherish
THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
OBITUARIES
every life has a story. everyone deserves a final appreciation. Be sure to remind your funeral director to provide obituary information to our newspapers, along with your favorite photo of your loved one. Submit the information yourself, directly to info@AllotSego.com, or by filling out a special form at www.AllotSego.com/loved-ones/ O M C O PE
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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
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AllOTSEGO.com
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
“Scooter” John Carl Weir, 73 COOPERSTOWN-Father, friend, and handyman, Scooter’s life came to an end on November 27, 2021 after a short illness with his family by his side. He was born November 14, 1948 in Cooperstown, to Ann (Kallan) Weir and Carl Weir. He was well known to most for his cheerful laugh, helping hand, and bartending skills. The thing he loved the most was being around friends and family. For 20 years he worked as a caretaker for Steve and MJ Harris in Hartwick. Many times, you could see him riding around on that John Deere tractor mowing lawn or plowing snow. You
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Silt Fence/Erosion Control Concrete Masonry Asphalt Painting Drainage and Water Systems Electric/Communications Fence and Gates Signs Specifications, plans and quantities are available by contacting our office at P.O. Box 427, Delhi, NY 13753, phone 607-746-2727, fax 607-746-3107 or email info@clarkcompanies.com Equal Opportunity Employer. Quotes are due no later than Dec. 7, 2021 4LegalDec.9
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Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 29 Pioneer Street LLC Filed 11/1/21 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 1290, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalDec.23 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of CONY ASSOCIATES LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/3/2021. Office loc.: Otsego County. The principal business address is 4758 NY-28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to 303 W. Lancaster Ave., #290, Wayne, PA
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19087. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.23 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name: Boss Heating and Cooling LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/05/2021. 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: 1545 County Highway 25, Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of ATSocio-Judicial Consulting, LLC
November 14, 1948 – November 27, 2021
might also see him would be waiting sitting in his truck at the door for reading the newshim. His evenings paper or looking would entail a stop over his to do list at the Hartwick wondering which Vet’s Club for town task he would do news and dinner. first or thinking to He is survived himself what are by his mother they thinking with John C. Weir Ann, brother Mike this list. While (Ellen,Eli) Weir, his not a decorator by trade he children Michelle (Dennis) always had a way of making Dibble, Melissa (Pat) the holidays brighter and Brennan, John (Jen) Weir, beautiful around the house. Courtney (Luke) Banner Scooter was blessed with and 11 grandchildren and many friends. He could 4 great grandchildren. He often be seen driving around was an amazing Poppa and stopping to check in on all always had a treat for the the goings on. Even people’s kids. He loved being around pets could sense he was them laughing with them coming down the road and and even yelling at them to
get it together. He will be truly missed by all. A celebration of Scooter’s life was held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at the Hartwick Vet’s Club from 1 to 4 pm. Burial will be in Hartwick Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta N.Y., 13820. While only with us for one week, they made our lives so much easier, eased our minds and we are forever grateful. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Ottman Funeral Home in Cherry Valley, N.Y.
Robert E. Hall “Papa”, 75 SPRINGFIELD CENTER – Robert E. Hall, who will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, December 2, 2021, at his home in the Town of Springfield. Bob was 75. Robert Edward Hall was born July 27, 1946, at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital in Utica, one of four children of Lincoln Jasper Hall and Helen Mae VanEtten Hall. Raised in Utica, he was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. On April 16, 1966, Bob married Mary Judith Horgan, the love of his life,
from pg. A-6 We request quotations from qualified Minority Businesses and Women’s Business Enterprises along with Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses for their services and/or products involved with this project including but not limited to:
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7
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July 27, 1946 – December 2, 2021
in a ceremony at by two sisters, St. Francis de Sales Dorothy Davidson Roman Catholic and Beverly Church in Utica. McKenzie. Throughout Bob will truly be missed by his his life, Bob held family and all many jobs, and will those whose lives be remembered for he touched. always being hardworking Bob is survived Robert E. Hall a by his beloved man. He worked wife of 55 years, Judy, for Indium Corporation in of Springfield Center; Clinton, owned and opertheir four children, ated Hall’s Red & White Kimberly Van Dyke and grocery store in King Ferry, husband, Richard of Spring- and was a truck driver and field Center, Robert E. Hall, delivery man for Freihofer’s Jr. of Cooperstown, Robin bakery in Nelliston. Baseball was always McCormack and husband, Patrick of Remsen, and an integral part of Bob’s Aaron Scot Hall of Albany; life, from his childhood and eleven grandchildren years, through adulthood. and four great grandchildren, As he got older, he hung Danielle Burr and husband, up his glove to become an Jake, and their children umpire, a position in which Helena, Willow, Leo and he truly excelled. For many Judith, Nathan and Nash Van years, he was the umpire Dyke, Maggie and Reilly for the Milford Macs. Bob, Hall, Michael, Madelyn and with the help and support Alexander McCormack, and of dear friends and fellow Isabella, Marley and Cooper umpires, was integral in Hall. He is further survived the formation of the N.Y. by a brother, Ronald Susquehanna Valley Umpire Hall and wife, Joanne of Association and held the Whitesboro; two brothers- title of Commissioner/ in-law, John Davidson and Assignor for many years. Phil McKenzie; several Bob took pride in keeping nieces and nephews, everything in good order and many special friends. when it came to scheduling He was preceded in death games at historic Doubleday
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Art. of Org. filed NY Sec. Of state (SSNY) 11/3/21. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail Process to Ari Tobi-Aiyemo, 67 Maple St.,Oneonta NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose 6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Hartwick Supply, LLC Articles of Organization filing date with the Department of State (SSNY) October 28, 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 3522 County Highway 11, Cooperstown, NY
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13326 Purpose: to engage in any and all business activities and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: HADE HOLLOW CONSTRUCTION LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 14 October 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 149 Hade Hollow Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.16
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Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: TAUZEL FARMS LLC. Certificate of Conversion filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 25 October 2021. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 117 White House Crossing, Worcester, NY 12197. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.23 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC)
Field. He also did some scouting work and was instrumental in organizing the 2015 Cooperstown Baseball Classic between the women’s Japanese and U.S. National Baseball Teams. The greatest joy in his life came from being husband to Judy and Papa to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was their greatest fan and loved watching his family grow and excel in their areas of interest. A visitation will take place between noon and 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown. A funeral service will be offered at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown officiating. Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Hall family would appreciate donations in memory of Bob to the Friends of Doubleday, PO Box 1275, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326. Arrangements are through the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
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Tundra Design LLC
Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.9
Name:
Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/30/2021. 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: P.O. Box 1318, Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of The Little Farmers Market LLC, Art. Of Org. filed Sec’y. of State (SSNY) 7/12/21. 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 128 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY. 13820.
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 107 Main Otego LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/13/21. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Pamela WikGrimm, 85 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FILING OF ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK BY A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Name: Cooperstown Distilling Company LLC. Articles of Organiza-
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tion filed with sec. of state of NY(SOS) on 2/6/2013. Office location: Otsego County. SOS is designated as agent of LLC for service of process. SOS shall mail copy of process to c/o United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. 6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of the formation of Tech 99 LLC, Articles of Organization, filed with SSNY on 06/02/2021. Tech 99 is located in Otsego County and its purpose is any lawful act or activity. SSNY is designated agent of the LLC upon whom a process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail any process to Tech 99 LLC, 5001 State Hwy 3 #179, Oneonta, NY 13820 6LegalDec.9
A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
THURSDAY, DEcember 9, 2021
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9
Trustees consider pot sales in Village ( ... continued from page one.) Many expressed frustration that New York State had yet to issue regulations accompanying the new law, leaving municipalities in the dark about its actual implementation. Bill Waller, asking the Board to opt out, was among them. “I don’t know what you’re opting in for,” he said. “The Cannabis Control Board hasn’t finished its work.” In a conversation with The Freeman’s Journal, Mayor Tillapaugh echoed that particular frustration. “Had the Cannabis Control Board actually met to lay out the regulations, we might not be so far behind in the process,” she said. “In one of our webinars with the state, they said that the regs would be promulgated by September 20. They finally met on October 6 and October 20, but still nothing.” Acknowledging earlier comments about Colorado’s laws permitting retail sale of marijuana, Mr. Waller said, “Yes, it’s legal in Colorado. There are a lot of things that are legal elsewhere that we don’t allow in New York. We won’t even let a Dunkin’ Donuts in Cooperstown, so why are we talking about letting a pot store open up?” Others disagreed, though — turning to the Colorado experience as evidence of the success of retail dispensaries and lounges. “I cannot underestimate the positive economic benefit to the community,” said Dylan Arnot. “Studies on the economic benefit in states like California, Colorado, and Massachusetts show a significant impact helping their local economies.” “We hear a lot of talk about the impact that dispen-
Farm overtime
( ... continued from page one.) over the pandemic-related recession, the Wage Board last year voted down the proposed reduction to a 40-hour overtime mark but agreed to meet this year between November 1 and December 15 to reconsider. Farmers in Otsego County argue that a reduction in the overtime threshold demonstrates poor understanding of how the farm industry works and fear an “exorbitantly negative impact” on already thin and highly weather-dependant profit margins. Darin Hickling, Otsego County Farm Bureau Vice President and owner of Hickling’s Fish Farm in Edmeston, said reducing the overtime hours requirement would be a “nail in the coffin for a lot of farms.” “It’s not a typical 9 to 5 job. Farm workers know that,” Mr. Hickling said in a conversation with The Freeman’s Journal/ Hometown Oneonta. “We work extra hours in the busy times but in the off season, our workers don’t even put in 40 hours. Fortunately, we can adjust the time of our fish, but if you have a dairy farm, they can’t really control the cost.” Mr. Hickling said moving the threshold to 60 hours was considered a good compromise, but moving it further will be problematic. “Everybody wants farm produce to be locally grown, and that’s going to be hard,” Mr. Hickling said, if the amount of hours needed for overtime were lowered. “I don’t think they care what the farm workers want. I think they’re doing this for show.” Keith Kimball, vice-chair of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, echoed Mr. Hickling’s concerns. The lower threshold, he said, is based on a misunderstanding of how the farm industry works. “From our perspective, we just feel it’s not fair,” Mr. Kimball told The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta. Mr. Kimball said costs would rise by 20% if farmers were forced to pay overtime to laborers working more than 40 hours per week. “This is not something our employees have asked us for,” Mr. Kimball said. “Labor is just a huge portion of the costs. It’s tough to judge, it’s tough to schedule. Everything depends on the weather. It has to get done because the crops end up being time-sensitive. We all understand where this To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103 bill is coming from, but the issue is that there are unintended consequences.” One of those “unintended consequences,” according to Mr. Kimball, is jobs moving out of state because it “costs more to make the product” than farmers’ receive. SubStituteS needed for the “Once those jobs leave the state, the people leave the The City of Oneonta Municipal Civil Service following School diStrictS: leave the state,” he said. “Once the people leave the state, Commission announces an openthey stop using banks here and restaurants here other states Charlotte Valley CSD competetive exam for Civilian Dispatcher on can produce it cheaper, the jobs will just move across the Edmeston CSD January 22, 2022. Application deadline is state line.” Laurens CSD December 7. The exam announcement Lisa Zucker, senior attorney for legislative affairs at the Milford CSD and application are available at New York Civil Liberties Union, dismissed the claim that Oneonta City SD https://link.edgepilot.com/s/8293ca91/ lowering the amount of hours needed for overtime would 9GrdbbKxsUCZXNzkDT_wDw?u=http://www.oneonSchenevus destroy agricultural businesses. ta.ny.us/personnel or at the personnel office on the “They have said that almost every single time a labor Stamford second floor of City Hall. protection has been implemented for farm workers,” Ms. Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD EOE Zucker told The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta. Worcester CSD She offered pesticide legislation proposed in the 1980s and ONC BOCES (Grand Gorge & Milford) minimum wage phase-in for farm workers as examples. “The fact is nothing can be further from the truth. They Seasonal Employment SubStitute PoSitionS: always make the argument that farming is unique. That is also a fallacy.” The Village of Cooperstown Teachers Ms. Zucker argued New York State’s agriculture industry has an opening in the position of LTAs is rooted primarily in dairy farms and is not weather Seasonal Laborer Aides & Monitors dependent. Nurses “(Cows) get milked 24 hours a day,” Ms. Zucker said. Position is seasonal and at the “There are many other jobs that are seasonal and they all Cleaners Village Skating Rink at Badger Park. get overtime pay. Construction work is very weather depenBus & Van Drivers For further information regarding the position and to obtain dent. Agriculture is the only blue-collar job in the state that Clerical & Office Support an application please contact the Village Clerk’s Office doesn’t get overtime pay.” Food Service Workers at 607-547-2411 or send your resumé and cover letter to: New York State Senate Labor Committee Chairwoman Jessica Ramos (D-Queens) sponsored the law which Jenna Utter, Village Clerk Please visit www.oncboces.org/subs for lowered the overtime threshold from 80 to 60 hours per Village of Cooperstown, PO Box 346, EOE application and information. Cooperstown, NY 13326 week and paved the way for it to be lowered to 40 hours EOE per week. “The Farm Laborers Fair Practices Act was historic legislation and was critical to raising the labor standards for these essential workers,” Sen. Ramos said in a statement. “The ultimate goal is to get farm workers to 40 hours, and I am trusting the wage board to find a sound timeline to do so.” Assemblyman Chris Tague (R-Schoharie) spoke out Building Healthy Families against the proposed overResource Specialist time hours reduction on December 1 when the farmers VIP Shelter Supervisor delivered their letters to Transitional Housing Navigator Governor Hochul in Albany. “When faced with a storm Residential Shelter Associates or an incoming frost, farmers have no choice but to call all WIC Nutritionist/ hands on deck to respond, Breastfeeding Coordinator no matter how long it takes,” Assemblyman Tague said. FT Head Start Positions “Farms operate on razor thin with school breaks and summers off: margins, and farmers often forego paychecks themBus Driver selves to keep their busiFamily Partner nesses afloat. While farmers Assistant Teacher of course want to take care of their workers, providing Classroom Aide overtime at a 40-hour OFO is a family-oriented organization offering competitive wages, excellent benefits threshold just isn’t feasible.”
The
saries might have on tourism,” he said. “Colorado and Massachusetts saw increases in hotel occupancies. New jobs in construction, farming, hotels, recreation facilities — they all increased. When the federal prohibition on marijuana ends — and it will end — those localities in New York that got on board first with retail sales will have a leg up.” Noah Johannesen addressed the hearing, telling the Board he is a lifelong resident of Cooperstown who sees no downside to allowing the retail sale of marijuana. “Having worked in the tourist industry here for years, I’m confused as to why people think it would be a turnoff,” he said. “It’s so much safer to have a centralized and controlled location for buying marijuana. You undermine the black market where they use pot to try to sell more dangerous things like fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. They’ll lose access to people who don’t want that stuff in the first place.” Others urging Trustees to allowing dispensaries and on-site consumption lounges agreed, citing better regulation of the product and access to it, a recurring revenue stream for the Village, and the inevitability of legal dispensaries and lounges just outside Village limits. Many equated a dispensary operating legally to a liquor store operating legally within Cooperstown; opponents expressed concern about where dispensaries might be cited. Mayor Tillapaugh said the Village would begin to examine those issues in January 2021. “We’re trying to be proactive on this,” she said. “We can use zoning regulations to determine time, place, and manner for these businesses the same way we do for others.” The Board of Trustees plans a December 20, 2021 vote on the opt-out / permissive resolution measure.
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XX
THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Main Street mainstay turns 100
News Briefs
“We love that this is a place where locals know they can stop in for a good meal at a good price,” he said while sorting through the prior day’s tickets and talking about inventory. “That’s the part of the job that’s not as much fun as coming up with menu ideas and trying out new dishes,” he said. “We have to run the business in the right way to keep the doors open and keep people coming in.” “It’s great to see so many familiar faces coming in all the time,” he said. “Think about this,” Mr. Ewig said. “For one hundred years, people have been eating at this very spot. Talking about their businesses, meeting Some of the Cooperstown Diner’s regulars who stop by each morning, left to right: Dave Bliss, Dennis Hascup, and Earl Peterson with friends, sitting at the counter for a good meal.” By Ted Potrikus Mr. Ewig shared a piece of paper over breakfast and a Ah, the Cooperstown Diner. That table in the back sure cup of coffee. “I’ve done a little research into other things happening looks promising, let’s sit there! in 1921 and came up with this whole list of food products But wait – there’s a placard clipped into the condiment that first appeared the same year they first broke ground on tray, on which is printed a brief verse: this diner,” he said. “Wise Potato Chips. Wheaties. Eskimo “To ye whose eyes rest upon this spot/Let it be known that Pies. Laughing Cow Cheese. The Baby Ruth candy bar!” it’s already got/by a daily knot of men of Cooperstown.” “It looks like 1921 was a great year for longevity in the Often true in 2021 at the 136½ Main Street landmark, food business,” he said. and often true since the original owners opened the doors The Cooperstown Diner’s outward appearance hasn’t one century ago. changed all that much in decades, the interior remaining as But if the ‘daily knot’ is in its appointed spot, you can inviting and authentic as one always pull up a stool at the could hope in a time when counter or take a seat at one of the world around it seems the other tables there. To Ye Whose Eyes to be hyper-modernizing at This year, Cooperstown Diner every turn. Rest on this Spot; manager Caspar Ewig marks the “The good news is I’ve 100th anniversary of the restauLet it Be Known finally settled on a really rant’s December 9, 1921 groundgood coffee to pour,” Mr. breaking with a new menu That it’s Already Got note: Ewig said. (Editor’s featuring all-time diner favorites, Can confirm.) By a Daily Knot new offerings, specials, take-out, As he sketched out some and everything that has made Of Men of Cooperstown menu thoughts, he added, the place a village mainstay for “We’re working on some years. ideas for family-style dinners That ‘daily knot’ of Cooperstown residents? One would and comfort food, and of course we have our breakfast and be hard-pressed to find a Cooperstown resident of any lunch regulars.” gender who hasn’t, more than once, worked out a problem, Like any manager of a small business, Mr. Ewig wears mapped out a strategy, plotted a new course, caught up with a lot of hats in the Cooperstown Diner. Manager, waiter, friends, or done just about anything else convivial over a chef, cook, busser, cashier, community ambassador, meal at the Cooperstown Diner. troubleshooter. And often at that back table. “I hadn’t thought I’d be doing something like this Mr. Ewig took the helm at the Diner just as the Covidbut when it became a possibility, I thought, ‘why not?” 19 pandemic took hold and, as The Freeman’s Journal he said. “Now I get to kick it off for another century on reported at the time, prepped it for reopening for take-out Main Street!” in May 2020.
Michael Forster Rothbart
Bassett Medical Center held a candle lighting service of remembrance on December 2 to honor COVID-19 victims and healthcare workers. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in-person and via Zoom to attend the service, which took place at the United Methodist Church in Fly Creek 109 candles were lit in tribute to every person who has passed away at Bassett Medical Center due to COVID-19 through October 2021. Chaplain Gerald Paciello, M.Div., manager of Spiritual Care and Volunteer Services at Bassett Medical Center, opened with a message of welcome from Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network. “It’s impossible to find someone who hasn’t been touched in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in part. “For those of us who have lost people to this terrible virus, it’s been even more tremendously challenging to navigate the many ways the pandemic has changed our world.”
Count the local birds with the Audubon Society The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society holds its annual Christmas Bird Count for the 53rd year, with counts scheduled for different days during a three-week period. Oneonta is up first, scheduled for December 18; Fort Plain follows on December 26, and Delaware County on January 2. There are two ways to participate in the Christmas Bird Count — either out in the field or watching feeders from a stationary location. Those wishing to participate in the field count must contact the coordinator for the specific count at least one week in advance to ask if there is a need for additional counters. To participate in a feeder
counter, visit https://arcg.is/1u5K4g0 and follow the appropriate links. The National Audubon Society follows all state and local health mandates, including social distancing and masking at all times. For more information about Christmas Bird Counts, visit www.audobon.org/conservation/ science/christmas-bird-count. For information on the Oneonta count, contact Sandy Bright at brights@hartwick.edu; contact Bob Donnelly at rsdonn@yahoo.com for Fort Plain; contact Pam Peters at ovenb1rdp@gmail.com for Delaware County.
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THURSDAY, dECEMBER 9, 2021
►Thursday, Dec. 9 SHOEBOXES FOR SENIORS – Create a box of gifts for seniors. Please include nonperishables (nothing that will melt or leak). Drop off locations are receiving up to 12/15 at The Office for the Aging, The Meadows office complex at 140 County Hwy 33W, Cooperstown. nyconnects@ otsegocounty.com TREE LIGHTING – 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Join the Oneonta community for fun evening of holiday activities, carriage rides, and the lighting of the 2021 Community Christmas Tree at 6 p.m. Muller Plaza, Main St., Oneonta. 607-4322941.
►Friday, December 10 RESERVATIONS – Senior citizens are invited to reserve a spot for the holiday luncheon take-out only event presented by Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School. Call 607-7832207 for reservation. HOLIDAY SHOW – 1 - 7 p.m. View works of pottery and sculpture by local artists Marcus Villagran and Elizabeth Nields. Dunderberg Gallery, 118 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. 607-783-2010. HOLIDAY TOUR – 3 - 8 p.m. Tour the historic village by lantern. Learn about how winter celebrations, including Christmas, were celebrated in Upstate New York in years past. Cost, $20/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607547-1450. SANTA – 4 - 6 p.m. Bring the kids and furry friends to visit with Santa and get some holiday pictures with the pets. Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown. LIVE MUSIC – 5 - 8 p.m. Enjoy dinner and music from the great American songbook as performed by Tommy Joy. Roma’s Ristorante, 25 Union St., Sidney. 607-563-8888 HOLIDAY LIGHTS – 6 - 9 p.m. The Otsego County Fair
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-11
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________
presents their 3rd annual drive-thru holiday lights event. Cost, $10/car. Otsego County Fair Grounds, 469 Mill St,, Morris. 607-263-5289. CHRISTMAS DANCE – 7 p.m. Join the Doubleday Dancers for their Christmas Square Dance. Admission, $5/person. CooperstownElementarySchool. 607-547-8665. ST. NICHOLAS – 7 p.m. Enjoy presentation ‘A Special Place for Santa — A Legend for our Time’ by Jeanne Pieper and narrated by Mary Margaret Kuhn. Followed by cookie and cocoa reception. St. Mary’s ‘Our Lady of the Lake’ Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. 607547-2213. HOLIDAY THEATER – 8 p.m. Enjoy ‘It’s a Wonderful Life, the Radio Play’ as presented by the Tri-Town Theater. Community Cultural Center, 1 Bridge St., Sidney. 607-604-4584.
ARTIST TALK – 10 a.m. Local artist Ashley Norwood Cooper has works depicting bees and beekeepers on exhibit in ‘New Works’. Free, registration for Zoom required by 12/10. Presented by The in OtsegO COunty Art Garage, Cooperstown. 607-547-5327. ARTS WORKSHOP – 10 a.m. - Noon. Children learn to make a beaded, plain-weave basket. Parents welcome to stay. Class size is limited, registration required by 12/8. Cornell Cooperative Extension, 123 Lake St., Cooperstown. 607547-2536 ext. 225. VIRTUAL TOUR – 10:30 11:30 a.m. Explore the exhibit ‘Believe in Yourself: What We Learned From Arthur.’ See original illustrations spanning the career of Marc Brown. Free, registration required. Suggested donation, $10. Presented by The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400. HOLIDAY SHOW – 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. View works of pottery and sculpture. See Friday listing. SANTA – 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Bring the kids to visit with Santa on Main. Santa’s Cottage, Muller Plaza, Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-2941. SANTA – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Bring the kids to visit with Santa. Holiday pictures for $10. Southside Mall, Oneonta. HOLIDAY BAZAAR – 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Find a gift for everyone on your list from a wide variety of local vendors. Hosted by Otsego Pride Alliance at Unitarian Universalist Society, 12 Ford Ave., Oneonta. 607432-3491. ST. NICHOLAS FAIR – Noon - 7 p.m. Stop by for Christmas
crafts, ornaments and more. Get the holiday shopping for the whole family. St. Mary’s ‘Our Lady of the Lake’ Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. 607-547-2213. OPERA – 12:55 p.m. View performance of the Metropolitan Opera, streaming live in Oneonta. This week is the performance of ‘Eurydice’ a new adaptation of the classic greek myth of Orpheus, from Eurydice’s point of view. Written by Matthew Aucoin. Cost, $20/adult. Lunch available for separately from Soda Jerks. Showing at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-431-2080. BOOK TALK – 1 p.m. Local historian/author Jim Loudon will present his recent book ‘The Box Car Settlement: Oneonta’s Forgotten Neighborhood’ which explores the neighborhood adjacent to the railroad shops which housed many of the D&H employees and their families. A book signing will follow. Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960. SANTA – 1 - 4 p.m. Santa’s Cottage. See Friday Listing. HOLIDAY TOUR – 3 - 8 p.m. Tour the historic village by lantern at The Farmers’ Museum. See Friday Listing. LIFESKILLS – 4 - 6 p.m. Teens are invited to learn to cook with Lynn. Menu posted to FB. Seating limited, reservations required. Presented by The Oneonta Teen Center. 50 Dietz St., Oneonta. 607 441 3999. FIREFIGHTER BENEFIT – 5 - 7:30 p.m. Enjoy spaghetti & meatball dinner for take out or to eat in. Donations support Cherry Valley firefighter and
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►Saturday, Dec. 11 FOOD DRIVE – 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Help fill the back of the ambulance with food to be donated to the Cooperstown Food Pantry. Price Chopper, 113 Chestnut St., Cooperstown. 607-547-8902. HOLIDAY BAZAAR – 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Stop by to find those last-minute gifts and support local businesses. Free admission and over 20 vendors. Community Cultural Center, 1 Bridge St., Sidney. 607-6044584. HOLIDAY MARKET – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Find handmade gifts from local vendors. This is the market to replace the Harvest Festival. Southside Mall, Oneonta.
what’s fun
family who lost their home to a fire. The dinner is hosted at the Cherry Valley Fire Department, 11 Railroad Ave., Cherry Valley. 607-264-8221. LIVE MUSIC – 5 - 8 p.m. Enjoy dinner and music by Tommy Joy. See Friday listing ART AUCTION – 5 - 7 p.m. View art by 15 local artists, bid to purchase your favorite and support a local art network in this 50/50 auction. Participate online or in-person. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Ave., Oneonta. 607-4322070. HOLIDAY LIGHTS – 6 - 9 p.m. Drive-thru holiday lights event. See Friday Listing. HOLIDAY THEATER – 8 p.m. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life, the Radio Play.’ See Friday Listing.
►Sunday, Dec. 12 HOLIDAY MARKET – 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Local vendors at Southside Mall, Oneonta. See Friday Listing. SANTA – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Southside Mall, Oneonta. See Saturday Lisitng. BOOK SIGNING – 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Authors Dana Cudmore and Libby Cudmore will be on hand to sign their books. Dana Cudmore is the author of ‘Underground Empires: Two Centuries of Exploration, Adventure and Enterprise in N.Y.’s Cave Country’. Libby Cudmore is the author of ‘The Big Rewind’ a NYC murder mystery. The Apple Barrell, 115 St. Rt. 30A, Schoharie. HOLIDAY SHOW – 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. View works of pottery and sculpture. See Saturday Listing. SECOND SUNDAY SOUP! – 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Serving homemade soups every Second Sunday of the month. Take-out only. Donations to Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church appreciated. At The Pantry, 1472 County Hwy 22, Schuyler Lake. SANTA – 12:30 - 3 p.m. Santa’s Cottage, Muller Plaza,
Main St., Oneonta. See Saturday Listing. SANTA – 1 - 4 p.m. Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown. See Friday Listing. HOLIDAY LIGHTS – 6 - 9 p.m. Drive-thru holiday lights event. See Friday Listing. HOLIDAY THEATER – 8 p.m. Enjoy ‘It’s a Wonderful Life, the Radio Play.’ See Friday Listing.
►Monday, Dec. 13 BLOOD DRIVE – 1 - 6 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. 1-800733-2767. BLOOD DRIVE – 2:30 - 6:30 p.m. Richfield Springs Community Center, Walnut St., Richfield Springs. 1-800-7332767. RABIES CLINIC – 2 - 5 p.m. Free rabies vaccination for cats, dogs, ferrets. Scheduling to follow social distancing. First come, first serve. Susquehanna SPCA, State Hwy 28, Cooperstown. 607547-4230. SANTA – 4 - 6 p.m. Santa’s Cottage, Pioneer Park, Cooperstown. See Friday Listing. HISTORY PROGRAM – 7 p.m. “Santa Claus: History of the World’s Most Legendary New Yorker” with Jared Goldstein. Free webinar, pre-registration required. Presented by Sharon Springs Historical Society. Call 518-860-5513.
►Tuesday, Dec. 14 SANTA – 4 - 6 p.m. Santa’s Cottage, Cooperstown. See Friday Listing.
►Wednesday, Dec. 15 ALZHEIMERS – 10 a.m. Learn the best ways to communicate with a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Free, registration required. Masks required. The Plains of Parish Homestead, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. 607-206-4514.
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THURSDAY, December 9, 2021
A-12 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Dad, daughter authors set signing
Local author Dana Cudmore and his daughter, Libby, sign books Sunday
Local father and daughter authors will sign their books together on Sunday,
December 12, at the Apple Barrel, Route 30A in Schoharie. Dana Cudmore will sign copies of his new book, Underground Empires: Two Centuries of Exploration, Adventure and Enterprise in NY’s Cave Country. The book, from Black Dome Press of Catskill, documents the wonder, drama, and history of the region’s caves and describes the remarkable personal and engineering accomplishments that turned some into popular tourist attractions. His daughter Libby Cudmore, now of Oneonta and the former managing editor of The Freeman’s Journal / Hometown Oneonta, will sign copies of The Big Rewind from William Morrow publishers of New York City. The murder-mystery follows hipster Jett Bennett after she finds her Brooklyn neighbor bludgeoned to death. The wise-cracking, music journalist wannabe Bennett uses a mysterious mixtape to track down her killer. The Cudmores will sign books from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Bassett chief reflects on 2021 ( ... continued from page one.) upgrade infrastructure, improve our facilities, and foster innovation and growth. This all brings care closer to home – and even into your home – with state-of-the-art virtual medicine and telehealth technology. While many health systems our size have merged or been acquired by major health care organizations, Bassett is committed to remaining independent. I firmly believe that protecting the character and independence of our organization is critically important to guaranteeing our patients receive the very best care. To do this, we have had to radically rethink how we operate. This means seeking out strategic partners to work alongside us as we serve our community and deliver on our mission. In 2021, this included entering into a new and innovative relationship with OptumInsight, committing to collaboration with Masonic Medical Research Institute, and strengthening our longstanding partnership with Columbia University, among others. What does this mean, practically, for our community? Simply, we intend to provide you with best-inclass, advanced, accessible, and comprehensive medical care. At Bassett, your experience should be second to none. Our investment in innovative tools and technologies will improve your access to our world-class caregivers and practitioners. You will have more digital and telehealth options to receive care when and how you need it. And we are investing in much needed community benefit programs to increase the health and wellness of the community at large. While we continue to celebrate our many successes, we also acknowledge there is still much work to be done. Bassett, like all health care providers, continues to face many difficulties, but we are up to the challenge. Our vision is to be a model of excellence in health care, honor our history and legacy, and ensure that Bassett is a source of pride and health for our communities. Organizations such as Mayo
Clinic, Geisinger, and Marshfield Clinic, like Bassett, have rural roots. I see no reason why Bassett could not hold a similar position as a national center of health care excellence and innovation. On a final note, I need to say thank you. Yes, I lead Bassett, but I am also a neighbor and community member. When my family and I arrived in Cooperstown, we were welcomed with open arms and hearts. And through the numerous challenges, changes, and ongoing transformation, I am grateful for your support, for me personally, and for Bassett’s mission. I am touched by how warm and wonderful this community is and thankful to be raising my kids with neighbors like you. The future at Bassett is bright. On behalf of our Board of Directors and every Bassett employee, I wish you health and happiness always, and a wonderful holiday season. Tommy Ibrahim, MD, MHA President & CEO Bassett Healthcare Network
Hi-def Met Opera back at Foothills
The Met Opera: Live in HD presents “Eurydice” in Oneonta on December 14.
By Patrick Dewey
Opera fans can wait out the long winter before next summer’s Glimmerglass Festival and head to the Foothills Performing Arts Center at 24 Market Street in Oneonta for high-definition streams of productions from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera. This year’s premier performance comes at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 11, with a production of Matthew Aucoin’s “Eurydice.” The opera is a modern take on the Greek legend of Orpheus, who uses the power of music to try to rescue his lover, Eurydice, from the underworld. The Met says the opera is one of the first takes on the legend to be told from a female-centered perspective, casting the character of Eurydice as its lead. The December 11 simulcast replaces a previously-scheduled December 4 performance, postponed because of production issues. Geoffrey Doyle, Director of Operations at Foothills, said the local arts venue began offering The Met: Live in HD in 2012 when then-Executive Director Huemac Garcia first raised the idea. “It’s great to be able to offer Metropolitan Opera broadcasts in our area,” Mr. Doyle said. “People here can see these one-of-a-kind Chuck Gould productions without traveling to Manhattan.”
Foothills extends its The Met Opera: Live in HD season into Spring 2022 with seven additional broadcasts, including productions of Cinderella, Rigoletto, Ariadne auf Naxos, Don Carlos, Turandot, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Hamlet. At each simulcast, Oneonta restaurant Soda Jerks will offer soup and sandwiches. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors. Patrons can find schedule specifics at foothillspac.org or through the Foothills Facebook page. The venue requires masks for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. Foothills will arrange seating to accommodate social distancing protocol. Mr. Doyle said The Met Opera: Live in HD adds variety to the Foothills line-up. “Having flexibility in what we do at the center and being able to offer different events for different walks of life is a joy,” he said. “It promotes the longevity for Foothills. I have a lot of opportunities to meet wonderful people and get to know my community.”
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