The Freeman's Journal 12-29-22

‘Subatomic Writing’ Author Challenging Old Notions of Science Communication

By TED MEBUST

OLNEY, MD

Sitting alone in the back corner of the Richfield Springs Public Library, science writer and researcher Jamie Zvirzdin diligently crafted her latest publication, presumably with coffee in hand. It was October of 2018, six months since Zvirzdin and her son, Max, were forced to flee from Managua, Nicaragua following an outbreak of political upheaval that had

flooded the capital’s streets with police and protestors. Her husband, Andrew, remained stationed there as one of the U.S. Embassy’s emergency personnel.

“I was teaching astronomy at the local college, and the president Ortega, started breaking up peaceful protests. It escalated very quickly, like within a week,” Zvirzdin explained.

Her students at Universidad Americana de Managua were attempting to complete their semesters while police battered protestors, invaded homes and, in some cases, kidnapped the students’ parents and friends.

“It’s been hard to grapple with that. I’m not here to solve the world, we can’t. The most we can do is work with other people and groups to communicate well and bring about peace.”

One of her good friends, Dora María Téllez, remains imprisoned.

Six months after their exodus, Zvirzdin and Max had made their way from Utah, where they had taken asylum, to family in Richfield Springs while awaiting Andrew’s return.

In the library, Zvirzdin was drafting the initial ideas for “Subatomic Writing: Six Fundamental Lessons to Make Language Matter,” a guide to making science writing more accessible. Her message draws from a decade’s-worth of work proofreading CRC Press textbooks on engineering, computer programming, optics, mathematics, statistics, and astrophysics, acting as managing

Trustees Hear Housing Development Proposal

Cooperstown’s Board of Trustees heard the summary of a zoning application on behalf of Bassett Healthcare from Joseph Piraino and Scott Freeman of Keplinger Freeman Associates, a landscape architectural and land planning firm based in East Syracuse, during their monthly meeting on November 28. Bassett Healthcare representatives Kendra Beers-Capraro and Bob Zaleski were also present and gave information on the proposed housing

development. Surveys were completed amongst hospital staff to decide which mix of housing would most accurately fulfill employee needs.

Bassett’s application detailed a 57-acre, 36unit development divided between a 24-unit apartment building and 12 townhomes to be located on Averill Road. Enclosed within a tree buffer, the site would include 75 parking spots, hydrants for fire protection, a community room and fitness center, and

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A Little Night Fishing

ONEONTA—This light installation, created by Jeff Powell on behalf of the Oneonta Lions Club, is just one of the fabulous displays featured at this year’s Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park. Powell’s creation, which represents the Lions’ Club Trout Fishing Derby, is programmed to simulate a fly-casting fisherman with a fish jumping and water splashing. A separate part of the display presents a fish jumping from one splash to another. “It’s quite the display and Jeff worked on setting it up for six hours in the cold as he was recovering from the flu. He figured out how to program it, too. It’s the most animated of our displays and won first prize in the first year of our contest,” said Hill City Celebrations Vice Chair Carol Mandigo. The Festival of Lights can be viewed now through January 1.

Oneonta Couple Sets Milestone in ‘Otsego Outdoors’ Challenges

ONEONTA

Lee Ann and Rick Myers of Oneonta recently completed the Otsego Outdoors Fall Octet Challenge, marking the 5,000th trek made by participants in the Otsego 2000, Otsego Land Trust and Otsego County Conservation Association-led activity. Since the Octet Challenges began in February 2021, Otsego Outdoors’ mission has been to provide a comprehensive and searchable listing of every publicly accessible trail in Otsego County, helping residents and visitors enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

“As a result of our participation in the Fall Octet, we have added some hikes to our family favorites for sure—Texas School House State Forest and Forest of a Dozen Dads are among them. Otsego County and New York State have so much to offer,”

said Rick Myers. Myers and his wife, Lee Ann, were accompanied on several hikes by their children and grandchildren.

“It’s a wonderful way to spend quality family time together,” he added.

“This milestone illustrates both the vast array of outdoor spaces we have here in Otsego County and the desire of people to explore them. Congratulations to everyone who has participated since the first Octet challenge,” stated Jeff O’Handley, OCCA’s program director.

The upcoming Otsego Outdoors Winter Octet Challenge, which offers 12 different activity options, has added two new trails and runs from December 12 to March 19. Otsego Land Trust’s Orange Trail, combined to make a 1.2-mile loop with the Blue Trail, is located at the Parslow

Photo by David Hayes

COOPERSTOWN

Photo provided Jamie Zvirzdin crafted her latest work in the Richfield Springs Public Library.

Photo provided

The Texas School House State Forest is one of the Myers’ favorite hikes.

Morning Coffee Miracle: A Return to the Power of Local Community

by JAmIe ZVIRZDIN

RIcHFIeLD SPRINGS

When I first visited my husband’s family in Richfield Springs back in 2007, my new grandma-inlaw, Joyce Zvirzdin, told me what a thriving place Richfield Springs had been, how bustling the downtown area used to be—the restaurants, the spas, the shops, the cafés. I told her I wished I could have seen it.

Fast-forward to may 31, 2021, when the whole Zvirzdin family went to see the memorial Day parade march down main Street. It had rained that morning and I was freezing. Although I thoroughly enjoyed watch-

ing the various community groups in the parade—and the copious amounts of candy they threw out for our kids—I desperately wished for a hot coffee.

As groups marching in the parade threw colorful taffy, Smarties, AirHeads, and Tootsie Rolls to the people clapping and cheering on the sidewalks, I happened to glance behind me— and spotted the Richfield Springs community Food cooperative. curious, I slipped inside. You can imagine my delight when I saw not just colorful goods for sale but also a café that sold a stellar latte—my favorite. my hands were as warm as my smile for the rest of the parade.

It was that day I also briefly met Dan Sullivan, who founded the co-op with Amy Wyant in 2018 and who volunteers daily on behalf of his community. During my subsequent trips to the co-op for another latte, or to take advantage of the coworking space, I came to know Dan better. Dan is a community man, and I find this attitude inspiring. I was so inspired, in fact, that I bought myself a blue Richfield Springs community Food cooperative T-shirt and wear it proudly around Washington, Dc, where I teach science writing at Johns Hopkins University. Pride in one’s city is the attitude of a co-op in

general, where neighbors work together to build something greater than the sum of their parts.

“The co-op is all about community,” Dan told me. many people come in for information on rentals, contractors, plumbers— you name it!”

I was happy to hear, as a visitor, that although the Richfield Springs community Food cooperative encourages membership—and has almost 300 members now—the store and the café are for locals and visitors alike. Their business model, which sources local products, ensures that money earned at the co-op stays in the community.

“Our 70 vendors spend

their commission checks on local businesses,” Dan added. “contrast this with a franchise-type operation— m cDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts—which sends revenue out of the community.”

It is easy to see how small towns like Richfield Springs get sucked dry by big companies. As for me, since Dc is always insanely expensive, I’m always happy when I visit family to run into town to grab a latte, buy some amazing local honey and flax seed, pick up some wool dryer balls for my mother-in-law, and invite my sisters-in-law to join me. I’m not made of money, but I take satisfaction in knowing that my

money is building Richfield Springs.

Despite our highly individualistic, digitally obsessed nation, I think we are finally seeing a cultural turn back to our physical neighbors, our physical community spaces—and the Richfield Springs co-op is evidence of this. I don’t personally live in Richfield Springs— not yet, anyway—but if I did, you’d see me a lot more often at the Richfield Springs c ommunity Food c ooperative with a smile and a latte, writing in the corner. I feel I have finally gotten a taste of what my Grandma Joyce was talking about.

Springbrook To Develop Residential Units for Persons with Disabilities in Cortland

cORTLAND

Springbrook has been selected by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities as the housing support provider for development of the cortlandville commons at 968 NYS Route 13 in cortlandville. This development will create 68 new residential units of workforce housing. Springbrook has partnered with Regan Development corporation, an experienced residential

and commercial developer, who will begin construction in October 2023 with tenant occupancy planned for November 2024.

“cortlandville commons willaddhousingopportunities for people with intellectual and development disabilities that have been long soughtafter in cortland county.

We envision cortlandville commons as more than a building—we anticipate it will be a beacon of hope with just the right touch of services for people who

have previously been underserved in the I/DD space,” said Kimberly corbett, Springbrook’s director of community Services, chair of the cortland county Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee, and member of the cortland county community Services board.

“Springbrook’s commitment to the mission for the people we support made this and other up-and-coming initiatives possible, and we are proud to be a part of the solution,” continued

corbett. Opportunities for the people residing at cortlandville commons will include community integration, independence, and maximum potential for self-direction and choice, some of which may be facilitated by Springbrook’s integrated service options.

The $20.4 million project will develop two connected, four-story building wings that will include 27 onebedroom apartments, 37 two-bedroom apartments, and four three-bedroom

apartments, in addition to commercial space on the ground floor. cortlandville commons will provide affordable, residential multifamily housing that targets a mix of households, which are representative of the local community and workforce, and offer integrated supported housing (mobility-adapted units) for individuals with I/DD.

The building will feature two elevators, a community space within the building and outdoor areas, as well

as parking.

Springbrook has offices in Oneonta, Norwich, b inghamton, and Ithaca; operates homes in five counties; and offers support in 14 counties.

c ortlandville c ommons is not the organization’s first Integrated Supportive Housing initiative; the most notable being the c entury Sunrise Residences in Johnson c ity, NY, which was also done in partnership with Regan Development.

editor for the NGO Atomium Culture, and publishing a myriad of articles for “The Atlantic” and “Orion Magazine,” among other publications. Currently, she also works as a cosmic ray researcher for the Telescope Array Project at the University of Utah and teaches science writing in the master’s degree Science Writing Program at Johns Hopkins University.

“There’s this mystical, invisible divide that people feel is present between language arts and science,” described Zvirzdin. “But it doesn’t have to be there, and what I’m trying to show in ‘Subatomic Writing’ is that some of our best scientists—including James Clerk Maxwell, John Dalton, and Lise Meitner— knew how to write well and inclusively by writing for their audience, rather than trying to one-up their reader.”

“Subatomic Writing,” Zvirzdin said, is similar to a reference guide and includes six basic lessons to improve all kinds of science writing, exploring grammar and punctuation conventions but also offering “that special element that most science writers don’t get to study very much”—rhythm and emphasis. She has been teaching a course on the concept for the past four years, which has garnered enormous interest at JHU. Given the broad swath of experience amongst her students, some having an entire career as scientists and others just entering the industry, Zvirzdin has had to “speak to both ends of the science and language arts spectrum.”

“Think about how difficult and boring most of those scientific textbooks are, and I know myself because I had to proof-read them for 10 years [while working at CRC Press]. I know what formal science writing is supposed to look like, but it’s not working…we have agreed on certain conven tions and to a degree, we need to allow those conven tions to change, evolve, and be more inclusive.”

Poor science communi cation, Zvirzdin believes, contributes to broader contro versies surrounding science within our society today.

“I think that part of the anti-science movement we have right now is because people are very tired of feeling stupid, when it’s actually the scientists’ fault for not effectively communicating.”

However, the issue, she admits, is not so easily solved.

“A lot of scientists and science writers are told that they need to write one way, which is reinforced by textbooks with stilted language, so they think ‘this is what a scientist needs to do to be a good scientist.’”

Yet some of the greatest science minds of all time were able to communicate their ideas in a more accessible way, Zvirzdin pointed out.

“James Clerk Maxwell knew history and literature. He could cite different allusions to commonly understood literature in order to connect what he was saying to his reader. One example I share in the book is how he talks about how particles

are like billiard balls. This is a great way to teach. This is how we learn as humans, by equating something we know with something we don’t know. I believe that’s been forgotten today.”

Zvirzdin sees “Subatomic Writing” as a good primary textbook for creative writing courses and a secondary textbook for any science course.

Zvirzdin and her family have settled in Olney, Maryland for the last four years, but frequently visit central New York to see family. While working at JHU, she is pursuing a master’s degree in physics, ahead of the family’s relocation to Frankfurt, Germany this coming June, as her husband’s latest post for the Foreign Service.

She plans to speak on “Subatomic Writing” and the state of science communication further in Washington, D.C. at an annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on March 5. In addition, Zvirzdin welcomes any interest from area groups in having her discuss the book going forward.

Milestone

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Road Conservation Area in Oaksville. Additionally, the Glenn Waffle Memorial Nature Trail in Laurens, a 3.7-mile trail opening on January 6, offers hiking, snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing. Other sites for the challenge include four state parks, two state forests, the Clark Tower Trail, the Rogers Environmental Education Center, the DelawareOtsego Audubon Society Sanctuary and Fortin Park.

Participants can also earn credit toward a patch, won by completing the Octet, by taking part in First Day Hikes on January 1 at Glimmerglass State Park, Gilbert Lake State Park, the Rogers Environmental Education Center, and other outdoor events. Both tubing at Glimmerglass State Park, on Saturdays and Sundays in January and February, and weekly hikes led by the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club on Tuesdays at 9:45 a.m. are open to the public.

“Being active outdoors in all seasons is great for both mental and physical health,” said Peg Odell, Otsego 2000’s program and communications director. “Dress warmly in layers, go solo or ask a friend or neighbor to join you, and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. We will be cheering you on.”

For more information on Otsego Outdoors or the Winter Octet Challenge, visit otsegooutdoors.org or call (607) 547-8881.

Housing

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a new water tower. The water tower, designers explained, would supplement the village, and require an easement agreement to be constructed. Each unit would have handicap accessible first floors, no bright colors and, most likely, utilize a propane heating system. There was also discussion of the proposed area’s stormwater plan. Given Bassett’s commitment to green energy, surveys and studies will be completed to examine the most feasible methods of reducing the development’s carbon footprint, according to Beers-Capraro.

SUNY Delhi Unveils Land Acknowledgement Plaque

DELHI

SUNY Delhi unveiled a plaque on campus recently to acknowledge that the college stands on the homeland of the Kanien’keha: ka, one of the five founding nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The plaque is dedicated to the past, present and future Indigenous people in the Delhi community.

Located in the Farrell Student and Community Center next to the Haudenosaunee flag, the plaque reads, in part, “SUNY Delhi gives honor and respect to the land and its original inhabitants. We recognize that the land used for educating current and future generations is not our land but belongs to the Indigenous people and the descendants of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. We

will continue educational efforts for the campus community to learn the history of the Haudenosaunee People.”

Dr. Leonel Diaz, associate director of the Multicultural Center at SUNY Delhi, says the land acknowledgment plaque is part of a movement to empower and celebrate Indigenous members on college campuses.

“As an institution, SUNY Delhi continues our efforts to make our campus more inclusive and support every individual,” says Dr. Diaz. “When the community sees the flag and the plaque on campus, it’s an educational moment that helps us understand the history of our country and the original inhabitants that still exist. To show they are recognized and not forgotten goes a long way.”

The site is zoned as R1, a designation reserved for single-family homes, and is allowable through special permit by the Board of Trustees, meaning no variance or subdivision is needed for the project to proceed. Mayor Tillapaugh noted the area’s shortage of healthcare professionals, to which Beers-Capraro stated that this

proposal represents Phase I and may lead to a Phase II at some point for more Bassett housing development.

After recommending some minor changes, the Board of Trustees passed a motion to send the project and related materials to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Otsego County

Board of Health, the Village of Cooperstown’s Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board, and Planning Board for review. The Board of Trustees will host a Public Hearing on the proposed Averill Road housing project on January 4, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.

DOWNSIZING DECLUTTERING

Photo provided

Dr. Leonel Diaz, associate director of the Multicultural Center at SUNY Delhi, speaks at the plaque unveiling earlier this month.

Resolutionary Thinking

With the New Year comes the tradition of setting resolutions. About 40 percent of U.S. adults set New Year’s resolutions every year. The largest demographic, at 59 percent, is young adults aged 18-34. Research shows that 95 percent of our New Year’s resolutions are fitness-related, inspired by the desire to “look better.” Despite those good intentions, after one month 43 percent will have given up their goal; after three months only 10 percent are still at it.

Fitness also makes you feel better and even the fittest of the fit want to be more fit. but if we are to improve the longevity of our resolutions and how they make us feel better rather than how they might—or might not—make us look better, perhaps we should be focusing on finding new passions, new routines and new thinking that are easier and certainly more fun to stick with through the new year and even the years that follow.

These resolutions could make you feel better, and if you feel better—mind, body and soul—you’re going to look better in any number of ways.

Resolve to help a community effort by volunteering at one of the Otsego county not-for-profits that currently address numerous community needs. Make new friends while making an impact. Helping organizations that help others greatly magnifies your individual contribution as well as your personal satisfaction.

Resolve to establish a schedule to visit some or all of Otsego county’s outstanding public parks, trails, forests and lakes. Take notice and be inspired by the natural beauty that is all around us.

Resolve to consistently support local businesses and do your part to ensure a healthy local economy. In doing so, you help create jobs for your friends and neighbors, contribute to improved public infrastructure, and invest in your community, both socially and economically.

Resolve to read a book each month. Alternate between fiction and non-fiction. Enjoy a good story one month and learn something the next.

Resolve to visit your local historical society. An understanding of your community’s past gives you a fresh perspective on guiding its future.

Resolve to make someone’s day better. A smile, a compliment or a small act of kindness can be an antidote to the onslaught of the world’s bad news and will make you both feel better.

Resolve to resist gossip and negativity so you have more time to focus on the important and positive things.

Resolve to swim in one of Otsego county’s beautiful lakes every week in summer. There’s nothing like water to comfort the body and soothe the soul.

Resolve to get your national and world news from sources with differing perspectives. Listen to what the people who might disagree with you have to say. Don’t be told what to think; look at varying opinions and make up your own mind. What you discover may surprise you.

Resolve to lighten your mind and open your heart by letting go of grudges and settling differences with friends and family. The health of your body and soul will thank you.

Resolve to always remember that normal bodies are normal, that fitness of the mind and soul can be a greater benefit than you realize, and that purposefulness in your life, your impact on the lives of others, and the life of your community are promises you will want to keep. Happy New Year.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

The Freeman’s Journal welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper. They must include the writer’s name, address, 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.

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID

Déjà Vu All Over Again

It’s the end of the year and it’s time to reflect where we are regarding many issues. With this column principally about cOVID or other viral illnesses, today we will limit ourselves to that. I really regret having to be the Grinch.

The title of today’s column is a very famous statement credited to the great American philosopher Lawrence Peter berra, who is also credited with many similar statements which appear to be malapropisms until you look carefully at them. “Déjà vu all over again” is one of those statements as it applies to cOVID. Things have repeated themselves more than once.

First, anyone who tells you with any certainty that they know what will happen next, has a bridge to sell you. When I look back at this year it looks pretty much the same as the end of 2021 and the end of 2020. We would like to think we are beating the disease, but we aren’t.

At the end of 2020 we thought we had weathered the worst. We had developed testing. Vaccines appeared to be just over the horizon. Treatments were developing for those with the disease. Things were looking up. but 2021 didn’t play out as we wanted and expected, and the pandemic continued.

JEFF KATZ

At the end of 2021 vaccines had been rolled out. better treatments were being developed. New vaccines were being developed to deal with the new strain. Most people had stopped wearing masks. It was felt that a very high percentage of people had some immunity either from vaccination or exposure to the virus. Things were getting better and we would soon be back to normal death rates from viral illnesses. Things didn’t work out that way.

The past three years have pretty much ended up with miserable numbers related to cOVID; positive cases, illnesses, Long cOVID, and death. Granted these numbers are not as bad as those in 2020, but they’re not as good as we convinced ourselves they were.

Now at the end of 2022, annualized the current U.S. daily death rate for cOVID is about 425. This is about 30 percent higher than the death rate from lung cancer, which is the most common cause of cancer death (breast cancer is more common but has a lower fatality rate). The death rate for cOVID is about 55 percent higher than from narcotics. If we had similar death rates for other diseases, especially if some A-list celebrity was a spokesperson or victim of it, there would

Where Are You From?

If you’re from White Plains or Scarsdale and someone asks you, “Where are you from?” you’d likely answer “Westchester county.” If you’re from Hauppauge or Port Jefferson and the same question is posed, you’d probably say “Suffolk county.” but if you live in Otsego county, what do you say?

Due to the prominence of Oneonta (regionally) and cooperstown (nationally and internationally), we all tend to answer, “Where are you from?” using either Oneonta or cooperstown as our reference point. Yet we all know every village and town in Otsego county has its own unique and special history. Why not start answering “Otsego county?”

Otsego county often feels disconnected. The distance between cherry Valley and Unadilla is large, geographically and psychically. Edmeston doesn’t feel any shared sense of place with Worcester. cooperstown and Oneonta are, as stated, dominant in name recognition.

Yet when we consider the issues most on our minds they are not specific to one municipality. Food insecurity? There are over 20 food pantries in Otsego county. Insufficient housing? There’s not one place in Otsego county unaf-

LETTERS … IN THEIR OPINION

fected by this. Population decline and youth flight? The entire county struggles with that. The community Foundation of Otsego county helps connect county residents. We recently gathered all the food pantries to hear their concerns about their day-to-day operations and challenges. Many of the issues that short-staffed and dedicated volunteers encounter, as they go about their work, were not isolated to their pantries. by convening the pantries the community Foundation heard, in real time, where connections could be made to help fulfill the pantries’ core mission—feeding people in need. We worked on how to do it easier, better and with an increased sense of unity.

In another example, earlier in the year the community Foundation awarded $18,000.00 to System of care to begin an extensive training program identifying mental health issues in our schools. Our schools, meaning every district in the county. The Youth Mental Health First Aid Kit sessions are in full swing and show there’s a place for productive county connectivity in education.

We all know the challenges to become a more unified Otsego county. There are decades, sometimes centuries, of old rifts that still

be a demand for greater research and more treatment for it.

I get it. People are tired of hearing about cOVID. They have enthusiastically given up masks and other restrictions. Nobody likes wearing masks. They are wary of vaccines, though they readily accept vaccines for other, less fatal diseases.

The descendants of the viruses that caused the 1918-1920 pandemic of Spanish flu are still with us. We have to deal with them every year and it still causes a large number of American deaths. (It was falsely attributed to Spain, which was one of the first countries to recognize and openly discuss what was going on and thereby was falsely stuck with the ignominy of being thought of as the origin of it. It actually originated in Kansas.)

So, we have the potential for another bad year. The numbers are currently exploding in china and increasing in countries around the world. We are in a better position to minimize the effect but no longer seem to have the national will to do anything. I can only hope that people around me and my family, and you and yours, act responsibly.

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

exist for some, including school closings and intermunicipal rivalries. The tensions are real, but shouldn’t prevent us from working together for a better future.

I learned many things from my experience in local politics as mayor of cooperstown. On numerous occasions, what I saw was that people didn’t necessarily expect the final outcome to be what they wanted. What they did expect, and what they wanted to know deep down, was that they had been heard. The most alienating thing for any of us is to be acted upon and to feel that no one is listening, whether they agree with us or not.

The community Foundation is optimistic about Otsego county’s future. We are positive better days are coming. Essential to that is increasing our sense of county togetherness and understanding each municipality’s role in this future. Not separately, but where it can help us all. It may be a difficult goal, but it’s worth the effort for the benefit of all who live here. After all, we’re from Otsego county.

Founded in 2019, the Community Foundation of Otsego County works to lead and inspire community-wide efforts that significantly improve the quality of life and the prosperity of the Otsego County, New York area.

Elinor Vincent, Michael Moffat, Tara barnwell

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Fire Commissioner Campaign Questioned

It is our opinion that the residents of the Fly creek Fire District were misled during the campaign regarding the recent election. It is unfortunate that there are people who continue to jeopardize the safety and wellbeing of our residents by insisting the district doesn’t have to follow state-mandated guidelines because “we do things differently in Fly creek.”

I understand that when the town clerk/district treasurer was asked by several residents inquiring about the resolutions regarding capital reserve funds, she suggested that if they didn’t know what they were, to vote “NO,” rather than explaining that the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York suggests and uses reserve accounts for responsible fiscal planning and the Office of the State comptroller has set the guidelines for these accounts authorized by the General Municipal Law.

The resolutions were on the ballot because the audit conducted throughout this past summer by the Office of the State comptroller found the treasurer needed more oversight and the district needed to also implement a procurement policy. Four of the resolutions were to create individual accounts to provide specific funds for capital improvement for the building, for new apparatus, new equipment (“first due” truck keeps breaking down) and ongoing repairs.

Tara barnwell Editor and Publisher

Darla M. Youngs General Manager

Larissa Ryan Business Manager

Ted Mebust Staff Writer

Ivan Potocnik

Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Web Architect Historian Editorial Board

DR. RICHARD STERNBERG

210 YEARS AGO

The state of our national treasury is much more flourishing, than under the pressure and burthens of the war, we had any reason to expect. Revenue of ten millions was actually received into it during the year which ended on the 30th of September, in addition to about six millions of the loan authorized last session. It appears that the whole of the loan has now been subscribed in despite of the unmanly exertions of the opposition to prevent it. The President thinks that the monies now in the treasury, with the current revenue, will enable government “to defray all the expenses of the” year, beginning on the first of November. The pecuniary pressure of war will therefore be much less felt than the most sanguine politicians ever anticipated. The people will scarcely feel it, even if the contest should be protracted to a distant period.

December 26, 1812

160 YEARS AGO

A dispatch from the headquarters of the 121st Regiment, New York Volunteers, encamped near Fredericksburg, Virginia—“I herewith forward to you the list of casualties in the 121st Regiment, N.Y. Vols. During the recent engagement at Fredericksburg, Va. Killed—Ashabel Davis, Levi Doxtader, E.R. Spicer, and Jabez Wilson. Wounded—D.C. Beckworth, in left arm, slightly; Henry Timmerman, in leg slightly; W.D. Doxtader, in left arm and side, severely; Benton West, in left hand slightly; E.F. Hubbell, right arm amputated; C.W. Compton, in face slightly; Isaac Darling, left hand, severely (accidental); August Halling, left foot, severely (accidental); J. McGraw, right hand, severely (accidental). Truly &c. Chas. Dean.”

December 26, 1862

135 YEARS AGO

Personal—The Christmas tree at Christ Church, Wednesday evening, was lighted by electricity. The effect was very beautiful.

Miss Alice Brooks is home for a few days from the New England Conservatory of Art at Boston.

The good old habit of making New Year calls has been gradually abandoned in this village, and the impression is that very few will be made on Monday next. As one gentleman remarked, “I have got tired going about the village, dropping cards into little baskets.”

The three electric lights on Main Street furnish a very brilliant light. The work of the company has been delayed from inability to procure the copper wire needed. These lights are to be kept burning by Mr. Browning, free of charge to the village, until the first of April next.

December 30, 1887

110 YEARS AGO

A mischievous boy nearly broke up a meeting of the Pierstown Grange by bringing a captive rat into the room and turning it loose. The district deputy was there and the Grangers up Pierstown way were all spruced up for the occasion. Preparations had been made to receive the visiting grand officer in a manner in keeping with his station. John McManus had on a boiled shirt front, and Claude Whipple wore a solemn and stern expression. Charley Allen and George Burnell looked wise. Suddenly there were whoops and shrieks and lively skirmishing. The women folks mounted the chairs and tables and drew their skirts up around them. The display of hose almost suggested that the house might be afire. After the first burst of excitement, the men began to act bravely. Squire Cole grabbed a broom and after the rat had been driven into a corner gave the intruder a bang that sent him into oblivion. The rat was picked up by the tail and solemnly carried out, after which the proceedings went on as before.

December 25, 1912

Resolution: Inclusion To Foster Growth, Build Community

nother year has passed by—and with it, another year of celebrating our milestones. The staff at Springbrook have shown what can be done in a decade as we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Tom Golisano Center for Autism. Our donors have also demonstrated what can be done in this time, meeting the needs of the people we support by giving generously time and again, not only on Giving Tuesday or during the holiday season, but every day. Advocating for the needs of others has always been the mission of Springbrook. We have done this by facilitating growth, supporting the whole person, and meeting every one of the persons we support when and where they need us. Over 90 years, we have continued to fulfill our vision of an equitable and inclusive future. Now, as we take time to celebrate the holidays and the upcoming new year, I ask everyone to think about incorporate inclusion into their home and community.

Inclusion means celebrating everyone: It means thinking about the social constructs of our community and the built environment and how it can be improved to include all people. Inclusion means giving every person, regardless of their ability, race, gender, or sexuality, equal access and opportunity to participate in society. Working with persons of all abilities has made me aware of our social ways and how we can overcome stigmas, and of the places where infrastructure can be improved. Persons with disabilities have historically been excluded from public and private spaces, social events, and the workforce by barriers that are socially and physically constructed around them. To foster growth in our community, we must think more inclusively.

By MERL REAGLE

Your Butt…

At Springbrook, we are constantly looking to the needs of the people who choose our services for ways that we can best support them now and in the future. We are always working to improve accessibility in community homes and on campus. In the broader community, however, we must advocate for infrastructure that supports increased mobility, transportation and comfort. Where infrastructure cannot be changed immediately, we can work to create a more inclusive environment—that is, an environment in which our friends and loved ones are comfortable and in which we are open to communicating new ideas.

One of the best ways to further create an inclusive environment in our community is to engage with those with a disability. We can do this by talking to those around us, reading books by authors with a disability, and including persons we know who have a disability in activities and holiday events. This can be done by providing an ear or a shoulder to someone to cry on or asking for support for ourselves from others. This year, let us ask what we can do for our community—set personal goals and resolutions to be more inclusive. Be an ally to someone with a disability.

Today, we look ahead and move toward many new opportunities to promote independence and choice for people with developmental disabilities. We look forward to the new year and the yet-to-be-seen challenges of tomorrow. With strong staff, generous donors and community support, we can build a more inclusive community. This year, inclusion will be my resolution.

Patricia Kennedy is chief executive officer of Springbrook.

the belt

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

ObITUARIeS

for decades. Among their fond bookselling memories was setting up their booth at the cooperstown Antiquarian book Fair each year, and selling dozens of boxes of books to Richard booth, to be shipped to Wales where booth was in the process of creating the famous “Town of books,” Hay on Wye.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com, the website of Oneonta’s only familyowned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.

John Joseph Carney, Jr. 1932-2022

ON e ONTA—John

Joseph carney, Jr. died Wednesday December 21, 2022 from complications of cOVID and dementia after a brief stay at the New York State Veterans’ Home in Oxford. He was 90.

John grew up in and still held dear Hastings-onHudson, New York. He had fond memories of riding the trolley to and from New York city with his parents. He attended city University of New York before enlisting in the Air Force and serving during the Korean War. The Air Force is where he first honed his teaching skills and after his service, he used the GI bill to attend SUNY Geneseo for his bachelor’s degree.

It was in Geneseo, working at the Dairy bar, that he met his future wife and partner, margaret Kane. She would become margaret carney in a small ceremony in Geneseo, and they would be married for more than 60 years.

After Geneseo, John went on to get his master’s degree from Penn State. He taught briefly at SUNY Potsdam before landing in the Speech and Theater Department at SUNY Oneonta, where he quickly became a full professor even before obtaining his PhD. While teaching speech, mass media and communication, John also returned to Penn State to get his PhD and became “Dr. carney” to thousands of SUNY Oneonta students throughout his teaching career. While at SUNY Oneonta, John became active with United University Professions, serving as the local union president for many years, with margaret as the chapter secretary. He was a strong advocate for a worker’s right to collectively bargain for better working conditions. He was a member of the American Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers, and the Tri-county Labor council, among other organizations.

John loved the written word as much as the spoken word and will be remembered for his handwritten correspondence as well as for his book collection. He and margaret opened “carney books,” selling used and out-of-print books

John specialized in Irish and Irish-American books and authors and because of his Irish specialty, John was once contacted by Hollywood to provide materials for a proposed biopic of Irish writer brendan behan. He and margaret were proud of their Irish roots and loved attending the Oneonta Irish Party every march. They were also fortunate to be able to visit Ireland, as well as Australia, New Zealand and one of their favorite places to find used books, Las Vegas.

John will also be remembered as a life-long Democrat, active with the local party and serving as an elected alderman on the Oneonta common council for two four-year terms. He also served on the board of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society and was a supporter of the Hastings Historical Society, as well as supporting non-profit organizations protecting animals and championing social justice issues.

Though dementia took so much from him, John never lost his love of music, especially big band, swing and, of course, Irish music. He never tired of cats and flowers, watching the birds and squirrels at his birdfeeder, drinking iced tea and reading aloud.

John is survived by his wife, margaret at home; son, John (Debra), Guilford, connecticut; daughter, caralee (maureen), cooperstown, New York; daughter, Julie, Oneonta; daughter, christy Hill (David), Wilmington, Delaware; granddaughters, Kelly carney, connecticut and Rafferty Hill, Delaware; and greatgrandson, Liam braistedHorton, connecticut.

John was predeceased by his parents, John and Julia carney; his granddaughter, Kaitlin carney; and his cousin, Joan mansoury.

As per his wishes, there will be no memorial service.

John was the one who loved to receive flowers so please, in lieu of sending them to his family now, please send some to yourself or someone you think might be sad or lonely.

John’s family would be honored if you are able to donate in his memory to a local animal welfare group, local historical society, tree-planting organization, community garden, Irish cultural center or other worthy charity.

Rev. Melvin Farmer

1932-2022

WeST DAVeNPORT— Rev. melvin Farmer, 90, of West Davenport, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at A.O. Fox Nursing Home.

melvin was born on July 13, 1932 in evansville, Indiana, a son of the late claude and ethel Farmer. It was there that he met the love of his life, bonnie Farmer (Runau). They were married in evansville where, together, they helped start the mill Road baptist church. mel and bonnie celebrated 64 years together.

In early 1960s, the Farmers moved to upstate New York where mel began his life-long calling into the ministry. He graduated from baptist bible Seminary in 1961. After residing in several local communities through the years, they settled in West Davenport.

melvin served as the pastor of the River Street baptist church for 43 years before deciding to retire. During his years as pastor, and after retirement, mel continued his ministry of providing gospel music and uplifting spiritual messages through his television and radio programs “Inspiration Time” and “Gospel Hymn Request Time”. mel was the founder of the “Angel of Love”, an annual drive which provided free Thanksgiving turkeys and christmas hams to people in need. The annual drive provided more than 100 of each to families in need.

mel offered a smile to everyone and was always willing to help anyone in need. Above all, he had a great love for his family and treasured all the time he spent with them.

He is survived by his children, melody (bill Leonhardt) Farmer of West Davenport, Lisa (Daniel) Wenck of Fly creek, and Paul (Lisa) Farmer of New Hartford; his six grandchildren, Natalie (Tim), Amanda (Dan), christopher (Krystal), colin (michelle),

Noah and Joshua; and his eight great-grandchildren.

calling hours were held on Tuesday, December 27 at the Lewis Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta NY 13820. Funeral services follow at the funeral home with the Rev. Judith Thistle officiating. A private family interment will take place in the spring.

Flowers are appreciated; however, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation in memory of melvin be made to the Veteran’s Association of America, PO box 309 Audubon Station, New York, NY 10032-0309, www.vetsaa. org/donation

melvin’s family thanks the staff of the A.O. Fox Nursing Home for the kind and compassionate care given to melvin during his time with them.

Online condolences may be made at, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

england, and India.

Gayle was married twice, and though both marriages ended in divorce, Gayle and her first husband, Dennis, found friendship again late in life, for which she was grateful. Gayle is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Kemmeter, son-in-law Sashank, and two grandsons, Arjun and Ravi.

Friends and family will remember Gayle’s talent for hooked rugs, her appreciation of crafts and attendance at many craft shows, her devotion to mary Kay cosmetics, the New York Yankees, and her beloved dog, bella. Gayle’s family will miss her most for giving the best hugs in the world.

Gayle’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Kathy clarkson and Judi mcWherter for a lifetime of friendship, love, and support, and to Kirt mykytyn and Dr. David Picinich and other close friends who helped Gayle maintain her own residence and physical independence, which she valued dearly.

At this time there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Future of Oneonta Foundation, Inc. PO b ox 134, Oneonta, NY 13820, www.fofoneonta. com, and Susquehanna SP c A, 5082-5088 NY 28, c ooperstown, NY 13326, www.sqspca.org.

march 25, 1932 in Walton, New York, the son of the late Walter A. and maude e borden Sprague. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Nellie, in 2015; sisters Lu Anne benjamin and ellen Stephens; a son, Joseph Sprague, and a son-in-law, Ronald DenHaese.

He is survived by sons mark (Susan) Sprague of West Winfield and Jeffrey (michelle) Sprague of burlington Flats; daughters Sharon (Anthony) barbano of Oneida and Sheila DenHaese of Oneida; daughter-in-law elaine Sprague of West Winfield; grandchildren Nicholas (Ashlee) barbano, Jaclyn (Justin) Haines, Ashley Sprague, and Ryan Sprague; great-grandchildren everly, michael, brynn, and Lylah; a sister, connie Sprague, of binghamton; along with several nieces and nephews.

A 60-year resident of the area, Sharon served in the Korean conflict in the U.S. Army and retired as a machinist at Remington Arms after many years. He enjoyed hunting, his gardens, and acting as a caretaker of over 100 acres of land. He loved the Lord, and his family.

Gayle Salisbury Ryan 1949-2022

ON e ONTA—Gayle Salisbury Ryan, 73, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 in her Oneonta home where she had lived for over 35 years.

Gayle was born June 10, 1949 in Oneonta, New York, the daughter of the late Paul and Jean Salisbury. Gayle graduated from Oneonta High School in 1967 and kept in close touch with many of her classmates throughout her life. She worked at Wilber National bank from the time throughout her career, seemed to know everyone in Oneonta and enjoyed keeping up with the city news every day. many of Gayle’s customers became friends and she enjoyed going to regular luncheons and on bus trips throughout the northeast with the Gold club as a retiree.

Gayle is remembered for her warmth and outgoing nature and the enjoyment she got from her twin grandsons (her “little angels”), as well as from her King charles spaniel, bella. She had a talent and passion for cooking and baking, and dozens of christmas cookie trays were dispatched from her kitchen over the years, to great appreciation amongst friends and family. Gayle enjoyed traveling with her daughter and visited Denmark, Norway, France,

Online condolences to the family may be made at www.lhpfuneralhome.com, the website of Oneonta’s only family owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.

Sharon W. Sprague 1932-2022

WeST WINFIeLD— Sharon W. Sprague, 90, of West Winfield, New York passed away at home on Saturday December 17, 2022.

Sharon was born on

Graveside services with military honors will take place in the spring at Unadilla Forks cemetery, where he will be interred with his wife, Nellie. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate or the American Heart Association, athttps://www. heart.org/donate.

Arrangements are with Delker and Terry Funeral Home, 30 South Street, edmeston, NY. To send condolences, visit www. Delkerterryfh.com or Delker and Terry Funeral Home on Facebook.

SubScribe to AllOTSEGO.com

Funeral Welcome 2023! Support local JournaliSm Stay Strong | Stay Safe | Stay HealtHy | Stay informed

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Photo provided JOHN JOSEPH CARNEY, JR.

Photo provided REV. MELVIN FARMER

Photo provided GAYLE SALISBURY RYAN

Ringing in the New Year: From Aunt Edna to Richfield Springs

iused to keep my Aunt Edna company on New Year’s Eve because her husband, Dave, always drove a taxi on that night. He’d sacrifice being home with his wife because in New York City the tips would be especially good and he would make a lot of needed money. My aunt would tune the television to Guy Lombardo (I secretly called him Guy Lumbago), whose band was playing at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. At 12 years old I thought the program was corny and would have welcomed some of Alan Fried’s Rock And Roll on the radio. Near 12 o’clock, my aunt would mix us a highball using Mr. Boston’s rye, Canada Dry ginger ale and a piece of orange peel, which she’d rub around the rim of the glass. I’d only get a capful of the Mr. Boston. The television cameras would keep switching to the crowd in Times Square as a guy in the band, Kenny Gardner, would be singing the same old “Boo Hoo” song which I thought my aunt should have been singing for being left alone. Instead, Aunt Edna had her pots and pans lined up and when the clock struck 12 she raised her attic window and hung halfway out, banging the cookware together and shouting, “Happy New Year!” I couldn’t resist joining in. It all seemed ho hum at the time but, looking back, the several New Year’s Eves I spent with my aunt are good memories–-and now I actually miss hearing Guy Lombardo’s band.

Years later, as a soldier, I spent Sylvester—that’s what they call New

Year’s Eve in Germany—at a gasthaus singing and dancing to oom-pah-pah music, but I wasn’t happy. I guess I was feeling a little homesick when this beautiful blonde girl came over and sat down at the table where a group of German nationals and I were sitting. It was approaching 2400 and all of the patrons in the place had been armed with various kinds of noisemakers. The blonde who was sitting next to me held a rubber hammer that squeaked upon impact. She kept bopping me on the head. It didn’t hurt, but after a while—

and in spite of her good looks—it was annoying. A German friend read the expression on my face and whispered in my ear, “Verrückt,” which means crazy. I discretely looked the girl over and noticed scars on her wrists which told me that at some time she had tried to end her life. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so, I let her continue to hammer me to a rhythm not unlike Aunt Edna’s banging her pots and pans together. On my walk back to the barracks my ears were ringing. That’s how 1966 came in.

The venue for a previous New Year’s

LEGALS

LegaL nOtice MEETING NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego will hold its regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. However, when the date fixed for a regular meeting of the County Board falls on a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held on the day following. The meetings will be held in the Board Chambers on the second floor of the County Office Building in Cooperstown, New York.

THIS NOTICE is given pursuant to Article 7 of the Open Meetings Law.

Dated: December 22, 2022

Carol D. McGovern

Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF A 30 DAY PERIOD FOR INCLUSION OF LAND INTO

CERTIFIED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS

NOTICE is hereby given that Otsego County has established an annual 30 day period during which landowners can submit proposals to include viable agricultural land within certified agricultural districts outside of the eight year review period.

NOTICE is further given that said annual 30 day period in Otsego County begins January 1 of each year and closes 30 days thereafter.

NOTICE is further given that during this 30 day review period any landowner may submit proposals of viable agricultural land to be included into a certified agricultural district by filing requests with the Clerk of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, said requests to include the agricultural district into which the land is proposed to be included, a description of the land and the tax map identification number(s).

NOTICE is further given that at the termination of the 30 day period all proposals will be submitted to the Otsego County Agricultural Farmland Protection Board for its review, and that thereafter a public hearing will be held on the proposals and recommendations of said board.

Dated: December 29, 2022

Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE is hereby given that there has been duly introduced before the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego, New York, a Local Law entitled: A Local Law establishing the salaries of Public Defender, County Attorney (PT), County Auditor/ Clerk of the Board, Director Real Property Tax Service II, Director of Public Health, County Sheriff, County Superintendent of Highways, Commissioner of Social

Services Group I, Personnel Officer, Commissioner of Elections (Rep), County Treasurer, County Clerk, for the year 2023.

NOTICE is further given that the Board of Representatives will conduct a public hearing on the proposed Local Law in the Representatives Chambers at the County Office Building in the Village of Cooperstown, New York on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 9:50 a.m. at which time all persons interested will be heard. The location of the public hearing is accessible to persons with mobility impairment.

The public hearing will be streamed via Facebook Live on the official Otsego County Facebook page: https://www. facebook.com/ Otsego-County-NY102347451408765/

A copy of this Local Law is available on the Otsego County website.

Dated: December 29, 2022

Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE

OF FORMATION OF Optimize Advertise LLC.

Filed 7/21/22.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 1541 Mckoons Rd, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228.

Purpose: General. 6LegalFeb.2

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Historic Preservation and Architectural Review Board for the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. or as soon thereafter as can be heard:

Meeting to be held in the Village Office Building, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

87 Beaver Streetseeks demolition of the front porch as specified in plans on file.

The plans for this project are on file with the Village Clerk’s Office at the Village Office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York, and may be seen during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public comments must be provided by email to the Zoning Officer at zoning@cooperstownny.org or by regular mail to the address below no later than Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.

Jenna Utter

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

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

Dragonfli Properties, LLC Articles of Or-

ganization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 7/5/22.

The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 1826 E. Parkridge Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84121.

The purpose of the LC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalFeb.2

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Smol Fish Digital LLC

Arts of Org. filed SSNY 10/17/22, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207 General Purpose 6LegalJan.19

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

Cutting the Cheese LLC.

Filed 11/4/22 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 155 Dorr Edson Rd, Oneonta NY 13280

Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.19

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ZROWKA’S CREEKSIDE FARMS LLC.

Art of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/05/2022.

Office: Otsego

County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS 1060 Broadway Suite 100 ALBANY, NY 12204

Purpose: Any lawful purpose 6LegalJan.19

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Brooks’ Roost, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 11/28/22.

The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, 5560 State Highway 7, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act. 6LegalJan.12

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF TRUCK RECORDS LLC,

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/30/2022.

Office loc: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 10 Davis Dr Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

6LegalJan.12

Eve was outside of Richfield Springs. I had come up from Brooklyn to ring in the New Year with girlfriend, Judy Snyder, at the Pine Grove Hotel. The place was very lively but there were no rubber hammers or pots and pans among the noisemakers. Judy and I were dancing on a crowded floor out in the dining room. Toward the stroke of 12 Judy’s father, Frank, announced that he was going to put on some kind of show. We walked out to the bar where he had all these whiskey bottles set up containing different levels of spirits to produce different musical notes when struck. He began to play a tune with a pair of xylophone hammers. Little did I know at the time that someday somebody would be hammering on me like he did on those whiskey bottles. Frank was no Guy Lumbago, but his rhythm was a lot better than Aunt Edna’s or the blonde’s back in Germany. Everyone was charmed by his rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.”

At the end of the tune my ears perked up when a newly-arrived patron called, “Gimme a shot of Mr. Boston!” The bottle stood among those that Frank had been playing on. My mind faded back to Aunt Edna making highballs and clanging her pots and pans together. Frank lifted the quart of Mr. Boston but hesitated, because pouring the shot would throw the whisky bottle out of tune. The man repeated, “Mr. Boston!”

When the bottle was finally lifted I edged toward the bar and said, “Me too, with ginger ale and slice of orange peel.

“Happy New Year!”

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY:

The name of the limited liability company is: MLD Dermatology, PLLC (the “Company”).

The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was November 21, 2022.

The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company, to Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Attn: Christopher L. Roma, 80 Exchange Street, Ste 700, Binghamton, NY 13901.

The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.

6LegalJan.12

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF SAS 237 LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 10/30/2022

Office: Otsego County SSNY has been designated as the LLC’s agent upon whom process against it may be served A copy of process should be mailed to the LLC at: 16 Lakeview Drive S Cooperstown, NY 13326

Purpose: all lawful.

6LegalJan.5

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Name: 19 GLEN LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 17 November 2022.

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 130 Chestnut St, Apt 1R, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalJan.5

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Name: MANOR HOUSE FARMS RENTALS LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 21 November 2022.

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 115 Central Park West, Apt 16D, New York, NY 10023.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalJan.5

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Name: AKUMEL, LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 21 November 2022.

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 St, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalJan.5

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

By The Books Consulting, LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/2/22.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Karen Kropp, 153 County Highway 58, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalDec.29

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

Exotic Smoke & Snacks, LLC.

Filed 10/20/22. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 389 Chestnut St, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purp: any lawful.

6LegalDec.29

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Photo provided

Aunt Edna’s New Year’s drink of choice was a highball using Mr. Boston’s rye, Canada Dry ginger ale and a piece of orange peel.

►Thursday, dec. 29

BLOOD DRIVE Noon to 5 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Register at redcrossblood.org

CHRISTMAS SCIENCE 1 p.m. Bring the kids to enjoy some holiday break fun featuring a workshop to make Santa’s Magic Milk and Exploding Cookie Cutters. Springfield Library, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center. (315) 858-5802.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Dusk to 10 p.m. Drive through beautifully decorated Neahwa Park, featuring more than 40 displays from local businesses, individuals and organizations celebrating the holidays. Open evenings through 1/1. Neahwa Park, 1 Neahwa Place, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599.

MUSIC 7 p.m. Musicians Celebrating Music presents an evening of unique musical arrangements of popular classics, art songs, folk music, and contemporary standards as well as selections from film, opera, Broadway, and music of the season. Presented by The Music Performance Trust Fund at The Dunderberg Gallery, 18 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. (607) 783-2010.

►Friday, dec. 30

WALKING CLUB 10:3011:30 a.m. All are invited to walk on the gym floor and track with friends old and new while listening to music from the 60s and 70s. Free to those aged 62+. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2800. Held each Friday and Monday.

TEEN NIGHT 7-10 p.m. Teens are invited for a fun party presented by the Otsego Pride Alliance. (Rescheduled from 12/23.) Hosted by the Oneonta Teen Center, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 441-3999.

MUSIC 7:30 p.m. Musicians Celebrating Music presents a performance of original folk songs and ballads, written and performed by John O’Connor. Presented by The Music Performance Trust Fund at The Franklin Railroad Community Museum, 572 Main Street, Franklin. (607) 829-2692.

►s aTurday, dec. 31

FROSTBITE 5K Noon. Get out on the last day of 2022 for this fun run, walk or stroll through frost-biting temperatures. This year will be held

Letterstions of the General municipal Law of New York State.

Continued from page 4

None of these capital reserves are nefarious, they only represent sound financial planning and would provide complete transparency regarding spending of the taxpayers money. The fifth resolution was to transition the role of treasurer from an elected position to an appointed role, which would give the commissioners the ability to hire a treasurer who meets the requirements of the Office of the State comptroller.

Following the election, it was brought to our attention that a flyer was circulated stating that the resolutions would prevent the commissioners from having the flexibility in spending the district funds. The “flexibility for spending the funds” is much like “we do things differently in Fly creek,” which is not in line with the inten-

The community needs to become informed and more actively aware of the infrastructure of their district.

This is not a game, lives are at stake.

Joan C. Kegelman chair of board of commissioners, Fly creek Fire District and The Fire Chief and The Assistant Fire Chiefs of Fly Creek

Praise for Article, Fauci

Insights

many thanks to Dr. Richard Sternberg for his insightful article on Dr. Anthony Fauci and his many accomplishments during his long and distinguished career.

I agree that but for jealousy and political hostility he would have been named officially as a great

in honor of John Haven, who was the area ugly sweater fashionista and a fixture at the Oneonta YMCA. Race will begin from the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center and finish in front of the Oneonta YMCA at 20-26 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 432-0010 ext. 207.

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.

FIRST NIGHT 5-8 p.m. Join First Night Oneonta for an evening of family-friendly fun to ring in 2023. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 4312080 or visit https://www. foothillspac.org/ NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Join the Super Heroes Humane Society to ring in the new year with an evening of dancing, music from the Roundhouse Rockers, raffles, door prizes, appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight. Music begins at 8:30. Tickets are $25/person. Party held at the 6th Ward Athletic Club,

man. I agree with Dr. Sternberg that he is one.

Caroline Southworth cooperstown

Transfer Station Still Under Review

I want to pass on that I did, after my last letter, hear from the regional director of the “transfer station.” Also, that she lives in Oneonta and has in fact previously visited it. We agreed to meet there today and she came with three other members of casella and the Otsego county Director of Solid Waste management. We reviewed the situation.

An important fact to be considered is that the recycling processing center in Albany, to which our material intended for recycling is sent, charges by weight of what is sent. Since the bins into which we place our material to be recycled are open

22 West Broadway, Oneonta. (607) 441-3227.

2023

►sunday, Jan. 1

FIRST DAY HIKE 9 a.m. to noon. Start the new year right with a guided hike around a beautiful lake, then warm up by the fire at Briggs Pavilion. Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens. (607) 432-2114.

FIRST DAY HIKE 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. First day of 2023, enjoy a self-guided hike through the woods and on the shoreline of Otsego Lake. First 100 hikers will receive a First Day Hike giveaway. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for trail conditions this winter.

Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown. (607) 547 8662.

►Monday, Jan. 2

SENIOR GAMES 12:302:30 p.m. Seniors are invited

to the weather, the cardboard in them becomes wet. material is weighed when it reaches Sierra Processing, the facility which first handles and sorts the material before sending it on to the Albany center.

Wet cardboard weighs a lot more than dry cardboard and, as the person I talked to at Sierra confirmed, “You are paying for snow.” They charge casella: casella charges the county which, of course, charges the taxpayers. So, because casella does not provide coverable bins, the costs are increased.

The issue of the trash that blows into the field remains unresolved. The plastic snow fence that is supposed to prevent this is the responsibility of the county per their director, since they own the land, but that person said they couldn’t afford to replace it. It has been busted for years now. A

to play games with the Otsego County Council of Senior Citizens each Monday and Thursday, including cards, cribbage, puzzles, and more. Held at the Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com

►

Tuesday, Jan. 3

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. The community is invited for a group hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Please bring appropriate clothing, gear, and enough water to stay hydrated and be aware of your level of fitness. Contact hike leader for more information. This week’s hike will be at Fortin Park, Oneonta, with hike leader Barb Baumann (703) 5540068.

MUSEUM REOPENING 11:30 a.m. Yager Museum opens for the 2023 season with an exhibit of works by Oneonta native Margaret Huntington (Watkeys) Boehner, who taught at Syracuse University and earned an honorary degree from Hartwick College. Yager Museum, Hartwick College. (607) 4314480.

casella representative said that they, casella, put it up—maybe a year ago—but it has been in that condition much longer. Other people said that the county had put it up. I called bruce Hall to inquire about its price. It is $50.00 for a 50-foot roll, so a couple of hundred feet was roughly estimated at less than $200.00. It seems most likely to be a county responsibility and they should replace it. If they do, I will offer to pay for it. casella should pick up the trash that accumulates before it reaches that fence, which they did immediately after my first letter was printed. They claimed to do it regularly but I have never—in years—seen it cleaned up before. maybe every spring.

A great deal was blamed on the wind conditions, and other factors.

Mary Anne Whelan cooperstown

From bouncing baby girls to champion color guard to goat yoga, this pictorial account of 2022 is as diverse as our readership. We hope you enjoy these highlights of Otsego County happenings from this past year, and we look forward to bringing you the area’s news in 2023. Happy New Year to you and yours!

WEEK 23

Photo provided EDITION OF JANUARY 6: Bassett Healthcare Network’s Birthing Center in Cooperstown welcomed the first baby of 2022 at 4:14 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Lilliana Rose was born a week early to parents Eliana wand Israel Matos of Utica.

Photo provided

EDITION OF AUGUST 11: The Otsego County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of a sick eagle at Brookwood Point. The bird has since recovered and was released at the same location in October.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JUNE 9: Otsego County Rep. Rick Brockway, CNY Purple Heart Commander Joe Fraccola, Rep. Margaret Kennedy, Adj. Reising, and Board Chair David Bliss stand with Otsego County Purple Heart recipients Joe Borawa, Ed Seals, Doug Rifenberg, Warren Ryther, Grant Coates, and Robert Coulman, brother of Staff Sgt. Kevin Coulman, who was killed in action in Lebanon.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JANUARY 13: The Lofts on Dietz Street, downtown Oneonta’s $19 million project aimed at attracting artists and middle-income families, takes shape as officials look toward opening later this year.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JANUARY 20: Motel 88 in Oneonta does not have a happy history. Formerly known as the Oasis Motor Inn, the lodging saw drug busts and suicides, and carried a local reputation for a generally seedy atmosphere. To add to its unhappiness, a fire broke out last week, and it remains under investigation. But according to the Oneonta Police Department, the criminal element at Motel 88, and other motels like it, is related to the temporary housing they provide.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JANUARY 27: MLB Network analysts Brian Kenny, left, and Jon Morosi, right, deliver their program from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum gallery on Monday, one day before the Hall announced its Class of 2022 inductee, David “Big Papi” Ortiz.

Photo by Kathleen Peters

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 3: That’s mama goat—named Susan Sontag— wondering who put the sweaters on her newborns as the barely one-day-old babies probably wonder why it suddenly got so cold. We’re told the kids remain nameless at press time, so send us your suggestions for the photogenic little ones!

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 10: Telly couldn’t have been happier than to get on the ice and snow that fell on Cooperstown last week. The two-year-old Bernedoodle enjoyed playing and relaxing on the snowbank in front of her mom Jen Howard’s shop, Cooperstown Classics, on Main Street.

Lake The Blue Mingo Grill

Sam Smith’s Boat Rentals

The Mingo Market

Photo by Larissa Ryan

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 17: The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station Volunteer Diving Team held an ice-dive training on Saturday, February 12 for the first time this winter with the ice a foot thick and the air temperatures in the 40s. The dive team works with the field station and the Village of Cooperstown to maintain buoys, science instruments and study the ecosystem of Otsego Lake. From left: Ed Lentz (safety officer), Lucas LeTarte holding the safety line, Kari Minissale noting the divers’ direction, Wayne Bunn, Tiffany Valenti and PADI Master SCUBA Diver Trainer Paul Lord. Diving are Noel Odell and David Turner.

Photo provided

EDITION OF FEBRUARY 24: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-21) gets a pulverizer demonstration from Andela Products Production Manager Dave Spencer in Richfield Springs.

Photo provided

EDITION OF MARCH 10: Longtime Oneonta Mayor David Brenner died in March after a long illness. Along with his public service as mayor and as a member of the Otsego County Board, he worked at SUNY Oneonta for 33 years, rising to the post of associate vice president for academic affairs at the university.

Photo provided

EDITION OF MARCH 17: The Village of Cooperstown’s Board of Trustees voted to raise the Ukrainian flag alongside the United States flag at the entrance to Village Hall on Main Street, welcoming Ukrainian emigre Aliona Yezhova, her son, Joshua Echavarria, and fellow village residents to a brief March 11 commemoration. Joshua, a sixth-grader at Cooperstown Central School, carried with him a handpainted Ukrainian flag emblazoned with a peace sign.

Photo provided

EDITION OF MARCH 24: Dutchess County Executive and Republican candidate in the race for Otsego County’s 19th Congressional District, Marc Molinaro, teamed up with New York State Senator Peter Oberacker and Assemblyman Chris Tague to visit the Singh Family’s Apple Food & Grocery on Route 28 in Milford to discuss small business challenges. From left: Malkit Singh, Tony Singh, Inderjit Singh, Paul Singh, Monty Singh, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, Gurdev Singh, Assemblyman Chris Tague, Senator Peter Oberacker, Harry Singh and his daughter, Javin Singh, and Billy Singh.

Photo provided

EDITION OF MARCH 3: New York lawmakers meet this month to finalize a state spending plan for 2022-23 due April 1, and included in the debate is a proposal that would allow restaurants to again offer the “cocktails-to-go” permitted under an Andrew Cuomo pandemic executive order that has expired.

EDITION OF APRIL 21: Monday night’s surprise

one’s

WEEK 19

Since 1925, the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc. Funeral Home has been serving families in the Cooperstown area with dignity and caring compassion. We are independently owned and operated and provide a full range of services, including cremation and ground burial.

Our mission is a commitment to helping you and your family throughout a most difficult time of your life by helping to lighten the burden caused by the death of a loved one. Through understanding and attention to every detail, we will assist in planning all aspects of a funeral or memorial service.

— Peter Deysenroth

Peter A. Deysenroth 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

Photo provided

EDITION OF MARCH 31: Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek whipped up a big posse of students from across the city’s three elementary schools, finding an enthusiastic bunch at every stop eager to tell him their favorite things about living and playing in Oneonta. As part of his “Week of the Young Child” initiative, the mayor asked the kids to draw a picture, take a photo or write a story showing why they love the city. The students’ artwork was displayed in City Hall, throughout downtown Oneonta and on the city’s social media pages. The kids at Greater Plains Elementary—the mayor’s first stop of the morning on March 24—were quick to sign up and are looking forward to the certificate Mayor Drnek will send to them to say “thanks” for their creativity. He stopped later at Valleyview and Riverside, taking questions from the students who all wanted to know what it’s like to be mayor, what he does every day, and, of course, “how old are you?”

Photo provided

EDITION OF APRIL 7: The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market and the Cooperstown Lions Club marked their third year of providing food-insecure individuals and families with easy access to healthy local food. People shopping with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) at the farmers’ market can buy vegetables, fruit, cheese, meats and other items, such as vegetable plants. The Cooperstown Lions Club funds SNAP Match, which provides up to $15 in matching funds to shoppers using SNAP.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

nor’easter was on no

wish list and it caused a lot of damage throughout Otsego County, leaving more than 18,000 without electricity. With outages lasting up to 72 hours, the county’s Office of Emergency Services opened two emergency shelters and prepared dry ice and water distribution centers. Pictured above on Cooperstown’s Chestnut Street are Lloyd Stillson, left, and Tylar Thayer.

Photo courtesy of Carol Louden

EDITION OF APRIL 14: Meet the Laurens Central School Jaguars SA-1 Winter Guard, fresh off their championship turn at the Mid York Color Guard Circuit’s competition on April 2 in Clifton Park. Top row, left to right, Athena Saggese, Sophie Gilmore, and Mackenzie Budine; center row, left to right, Sierra Rondeau, Natalie Davis, Mallory Kovacs, and Alexis Cole; lower row, left to right, Alicia Stevens, Isabella Failla, Emma Hughes, and Mackenzie Louden.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF APRIL 28: An application filed on behalf of the Leatherstocking Corporation to demolish the historic Fly Creek Hotel and the barn behind it at the corner of Route 28 and Schoolhouse Road in Fly Creek triggered a 2017 local law allowing the public to comment on the plans. Town of Otsego officials anticipated an “interesting” session on May 3.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF MAY 12: Jim Kaat made a pre-induction visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, saying, “This is humbling. Very humbling; there are so many great players in the Hall of Fame.” From left: Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Baseball Hall of Fame; Margie Kaat; Inductee Jim Kaat; and Josh Rawitch, president of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Photo provided

EDITION OF MAY 19: The grand reopening of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society was deemed a great success. “We are so pleased at the turnout,” said Marcela Micucci, GOHS executive director. “Over 200 people came out to celebrate with us.”

Photo provided

EDITION OF MAY 26: With rumors abounding that the former Friendly’s would house a cannabis dispensary, a bar, or a restaurant, new owner Paul Singh told “The Freeman’s Journal”/”Hometown Oneonta” the building will be a food court. “We are still in the planning phases,” he said. “It won’t be a dine-in restaurant; there’s just not enough space for that.’

Photo provided

EDITION OF JUNE 16: The mayors of Cooperstown and Oneonta—Ellen Tillapaugh and Mark Drnek—opted to take regional economic and cultural development into their own hands this month with the debut of a project they’re calling “The Cooperstown Corridor,” highlighting what they see as reasons businesses and people would want to relocate in Otsego County.

EDITION OF JUNE 2: Intrepid rowers of all skill levels tested their racing, endurance and navigational skills in this year’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta, which kicked off from Otsego Lake’s Brookwood Point early in the morning of May 29 on its way 70 miles south along the Susquehanna River to Bainbridge. “It’s the only marathon I know where you start with a two-mile dead heat,” one solo kayaker quipped as he passed from the lake to the river’s mouth at the site of Clinton’s Dam and Council Rock. It was the race’s first real-time run since before the 2020 COVID epidemic, and racers from throughout the northeast were delighted to put the oars in the water. Photo provided

Photo provided

EDITION OF JUNE 23: Oneonta marked Juneteenth with a day-long Neawha Park festival on Sunday, June 19 celebrating Black culture, food, music, performance, and art. Event organizer Diandra Sangetti-Daniels, left, and her twin sister, Sierra, welcomed the chance to raise public awareness of the holiday.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JUNE 30: Cooperstown High School graduated 58 in its June 26 ceremony. Above, CCS Class of 2022 students Madison Hayes, Ashlyn Wolfe, Henry LeCates, Quinn Lytel, Ireland Gable, and Gabrielle Woeppel celebrate their achievements before receiving their diplomas.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF JULY 7: Representing our finest in Oneonta’s 4th of July parade were: retired Senator James Seward; James Kelman, Cooperstown Police Department; Jess Lanza, Cooperstown Police Department; Katelynn Kiuber, Otsego County Sheriff’s Office; David Schulte, New York State Police, Oneonta; and Beth Jerome, New York State University Police, SUNY Oneonta.

30

WEEK 33

WEEK 34

Photo by Tara Barnwell

Cherry Valley Playground,

volunteers made

happen: Front row, from left: Paige Thayer,

Zola Palmer, Angelica Palmer, Baily Thayer and Tucker Cornelia. Back row, from left: Lyman Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Nancy Beale,

Snyder,

Emery, Marc-Anthony Polizzi, Ruth Doell, Jim Johnson, Ginger Thayer, Alzina Johnson, Dennis Doell, DJ Cornelia, and Ashlee Cornelia.

Photo provided

EDITION OF AUGUST 4: This past month, Otsego Area Rowing—based out of Otsego Lake’s Brookwood Point— hosted two rowing camps for novice junior rowers, ages 8 to 15, and successfully taught 18 brave young souls the art of rowing. The young rowers came from schools around the region. The coaches were all experienced rowers, including one former U.S. Olympic rower, Andrea Theis, and Whitney Macdonald, as well as Laura Kilty, Joe Novitski, Ed Ryan, and Lang Keith. During the second week, coaching was augmented with graduates of OAR’s previous camps, Iz Dudek, Creighton Williams and Charlotte Feury. Pictured above are James Foutch and Lily Van Essendelft.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF AUGUST 18: According to New York Governor

Kathy Hochul, New York State will no longer refer to prisoners as “inmates” and will instead call them “incarcerated individuals.” When asking Sheriff Devlin about renaming “inmates,” he said he wasn’t concerned. “It seems like we have a lot of other issues we should be dealing with right now rather than renaming ‘inmates.’ What we call them doesn’t seem relevant; we have crime issues now that need to be addressed,” Sheriff Devlin said.

Photo provided

EDITION OF JULY 28: This joyful bunch brought their patriotic pride all the way to Cooperstown from the Dominican Republic to cheer on their fellow countryman, David “Big Papi” Ortiz, on the weekend he and six others were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

WEEK

Photo provided

EDITION OF AUGUST 25: Legislators and representatives of animal care organizations throughout the region gathered at the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on Wednesday, August 17 to collectively urge New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill. The bill was passed in December.

Over the last 15 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $250 million to charity, with customers choosing between national and hometown charities. In our 15th year, we are on track to bring that total to over $250 million. Five Star Subaru is matching Subaru’s $250 donation for each new vehicle sold at Five Star Subaru, making it a total of $500 donated for each new car sold. This proves there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share.

when you share the love, you change lives.

Photo provided

EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 1: Master Falconer Charley Koop and his wife, Doris, a retired nurse specializing with the handicapped, did what many dream of doing in their retirement years—merging their two passions and continuing a life of great service. In 2005, together they established a wildlife rehabilitation center, Little Eagle Farm, in Pittsfield.

Photo by Tara Barnwell

EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 15: Maureen Kuhn, family nurse practitioner, retired from Bassett Medical Center after 40 years.

Photo by Larissa Ryan

EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 22: On Friday, September 16, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties, along with the Master Gardeners of Otsego County, held a groundbreaking celebration for their joint effort, “Grow with Cornell Cooperative Extension Garden Project,” at the extension’s Cooperstown office at 123 Lake Street. Above, CCE Executive Director Liz Callahan and Kristen Pulleyblank, CCE board president, break ground on the project.

Photo provided

EDITION OF OCTOBER 6: Helios Care Board Director Connie Jastremski, Board of Directors Chair Jeffrey Woeppel, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Regional President Eve Van de Wal and Helios Care President/CEO Dan Ayres gather for a Community Health Award presentation. Excellus BCBS awarded Helios Care a Community Health Award of $2,000.00 to support free bereavement counseling for the public.

Photo provided

EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 29: Springbrook closed on its purchase of the historic Ford Block on Oneonta’s Main Street and will begin renovations on the buildings in July of 2023.

EDITION OF OCTOBER 27: Cooperstown resident James Northrup filed a patent seven years ago for an invention that is getting a lot of interest from the military. The device is designed to enhance a soldier’s ability to zero in on a moving target. In the photo at left, Northrup (right) is shown with Luis Velazquez, CTO Marines, and Vince Pope, Master Gunnery Sergeant. Photo provided

WEEK 45

Photo by Dave Rees

EDITION OF OCTOBER 13: Retired local Navy pilot Dave Rees of Milford recounted his trip to this year’s Tailhook Sympoisum in Reno, Nevada as well as his experiences in the U.S. Navy beginning in 1964. Pictured above, the North American Aviation T-6 Texan two-place advanced trainer was the classroom for most of the Allied pilots who flew in World War II.

Photo provided

EDITION OF DECEMBER 1: The City of Oneonta secured a $500,000.00 grant from New York

State toward improvements to the historic Oneonta Theatre. The theatre’s pre-urban renewal marquee is pictured above.

Photo provided

EDITION OF NOVEMBER 24: Eight Oneonta Yellowjackets qualified for States this year. From left are Coach Dan Forbes, Colin Fletcher-Foster, Brandon Gardner, Keyon Ziaie, Jack Forbes, Gabe Rissberger, Nick Kahl, Donovan Lema and Coach Dave Forbes. Seated at center is Simone Schuman.

Photo provided

EDITION OF OCTOBER 20: On Sunday, October 9, more than 70 GOAT-oberfest attendees practiced their yoga and enjoyed the company of 19 baby Nigerian dwarf goats. The session ended with “goat bridges.”

Photo by May-Britt Joyce

EDITION OF NOVEMBER 17: The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce celebrated the completion of a mural project on the back of its cottage with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Friday, November 18. The mural, created by artist Kelcy Kimmerer, was an initiative of the chamber’s 501(c)3 arm, The Cooperstown Foundation, to help build the presence of public art in Cooperstown.

Photo by Ted Mebust

EDITION OF NOVEMBER 10: Val Paige (left) was recognized for her tenure of service and leadership in athletics, receiving the 2022 Patrick C. Fetterman Award from Jane Forbes Clark, president of The Clark Foundation.

Photo by Mindy Baker EDITION OF NOVEMBER 3: With the guidance of head librarian Mindy Baker, Richfield Springs Public Library has created a Positivity Rock Garden. Thanks to a generous donation of colorful aggregate from Ruby Lake Glass and assistance from students at Richfield Springs Central School, the library’s eye-catching installation will inspire and lift the spirits of residents and visitors to the community.

Photo provided

EDITION OF DECEMBER 22: Eight staff members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum were honored on Monday, December 12 for reaching service milestones in an event hosted by Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark and President Josh Rawitch. The eight staff members and their years of service are: Becky Ashe, administrative and events associate, 35 years; Helen Stiles, senior acquisition and cataloging specialist, 35 years; Rick Kelly, security manager, 30 years; Milo Stewart Jr., staff photographer, 30 years; Evan Chase, director of security and facilities, 20 years; Chris Burditt, facilities manager, 20 years; Claudette Scrafford, manuscript archivist, 20 years; and Diane Adams, museum store manager, 15 years. From left above are Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark, Rick Kelly, Chris Burditt, Milo Stewart Jr., Diane Adams, Claudette Scrafford, Evan Chase, Becky Ashe, Helen Stiles and Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch.

Photo provided

EDITION OF DECEMBER 15: The cast of the successful Cooperstown Central School production of “She Kills Monsters” is shown above: August Lott, Simon Hurysz, Elena Meckel, Lilly Grady, Lucy Hayes, Braeden Victory (top row); Max Jones, Avery Croft, Anne Walker (middle row); and Maya Pandit, Onyx Loewenguth, Leah McCrea, Crystal Walker, Ben Agostino, Talie Hanson, and Nina Vasquez, (bottom row).

Photo provided

EDITION OF DECEMBER 8: Five-time all-star Fred McGriff was unanimously elected to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame next year on July 23, 2023.

Photo by David Hayes

EDITION OF DECEMBER 29: This light installation, created by Jeff Powell on behalf of the Oneonta Lions Club, is just one of the fabulous displays featured at this year’s Festival of Lights in Oneonta’s Neahwa Park. Powell’s meticulous work represents the Lions’ Club Trout Fishing Derby.