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THURSDAY-FRIDAY, JANUARY 17-18, 2013
MASTERS
OF THE LODGE Lodge Trustee Dominick Reisen holds up two of the 50 framed photographs of masters of the Cooperstown Lodge and other eminent local Masons recently discovered in a crawl space above the organization’s third floor at 77 Main St.; the one at right is of William Brooks, dated 1891. As visible in top photo, the portraits are in various states of repair.
BEST BETS
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Ian Austin/
Zena Gurbo hangs “Chickens with Mittens� by April Todd, in preparation for the opening of “Artists Teaching Artists� on Friday, Jan. 18.
Art Teachers Show Works
T
he Main View Gallery opens its first show of the year with “Artists Teaching Artists,� reception and sale. 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Main View Gallery, 73 Main St., Oneonta. Info, (607) 4321890, www.mainviewgallery.org
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Ian Austin/
50 Mystifying Portraits Discovered In Crawl Space At Cooperstown Lodge By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
T
WEEKEND’S
here are some secrets even the Masons don’t know. In December, Ron Sarles, a trustee of
Otsego Lodge 138, Free & Accepted Masons, climbed a steep staircase at 77 Main St. to the attic crawlspace to begin a roofing and insulation project. Tucked in the back he found 50 stacked photographic portraits in round frames. “At first we were baffled,� said local historian Dominick Reisen, a member of the lodge who was called upon to help sort out the mystery.
“Some of them are past masters, but not all of them. If they weren’t masters, why were they so painstakingly framed?� The lodge was founded in 1795; its first master was Elihu Phinney, publisher of the Otsego Herald. A later master was Ambrose Jordan, Edward Clark’s father-in-law, so the lodge has been linked to local personalities for 228 years. Please See MASONS, B3
DEMI’S DOLLS
SUNY Prof Demi Eluwawalage adjusts a wedding gown worn in 1890 by “Gibson Girl“ Effa Sunderland Bennett of Westford. Mrs. Bennett wore the darker dress to her husband’s 1905 Harvard graduation.
Gibson Girls Popular Around Here, SUNY Prof Finds By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA
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hundred years ago, Gibson Girls were popular around here, Damayanthie “Demi� Eluwawalage has discovered. Since an article appeared in 2011 detailing the SUNY Oneonta associate professor of human ecology’s research into how fashions circled the world, she has been offered OTESGO.life samples of great-grandmoth-
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Sandy Haggerty’s greatgrandmother may have worn this nightgown on her wedding night.
ers’ gowns from around Otsego County. The most recent examples,
worn by Effa Sunderland Bennett, who lived in Westford, were donated by her niece, Linda Schuermann of Springfield Center. “She discovered them in her attic,� Eluwawalage said. Effa wore the two-piece black satin and lace dress for her husband’s 1905 graduation from Harvard. “It’s a very American, Gibson Girl style,� the professor explained. “The satin has deteriorated; it’s very fragile.� Gibson Girls, turn-ofPlease See FASHION, B2
KID SPORTS: Kids in Sports Day. Free, ages 413. Pre-registration recommended. 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Alumni Field House, SUNY Oneonta, Oneonta. Info, Elizabeth. Wagner@oneonta.edu. SNOWSHOE HIKE: The Kent family lead a hike through Robert V. Riddell State Park. Snowshoes optional. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. 18 CCC Rd., Laurens. Info, Travis Sauerwald, (607) 282-4087. BIG LITTLE BAND: The Little River Band, live. 6 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show, Saturday, Jan. 19. Foothills Performing Art Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. Info, tickets, (607) 431-2080, www.foothillspac.org. JAZZ RETURNS: Goats With Narcolepsy, perform jazz. 6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Portabellos, Fly Creek. Info, Reservations, (607) 547-5145. GRILLED CHEESE: Gourmet chefs prepare grilled cheese to support Home Rule. Adults $24, 6-12 $10, 6 and under,f ree. 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Brewery Ommegang, Info, (607) 544-1800.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL • HOMETOWN ONEONTA • www.allotsego.com • @allotsegonews EVERY HOUSEHOLD, EVERY WEEK IN ONEONTA, WEST ONEONTA AND COOPERSTOWN