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AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY

Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, January 11, 2024

Volume 16, No. 12

Bassett Medical Center Now Offering New Radiofrequency Thyroid Ablation Treatment

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COOPERSTOWN assett Medical Center is now offering radiofrequency thyroid ablation treatment for patients with non-cancerous thyroid growths, the only location in the state to offer the advanced treatment outside of New York City, according to a recent press release.

The non-invasive approach to thyroid ablation is a simple outpatient procedure that uses an ultrasoundguided needle to deliver an electrical current to benign thyroid growths.

The heat from the electricity shrinks the nodules. Treatment offers faster recovery, fewer complications, and no scarring. Patients generally return to normal activities within three days and usually do not need thyroid medication after the procedure.

“Most hospitals do not have the technology needed to perform radio-

frequency ablation. Because of this, the most common way to treat both cancerous and non-cancerous thyroid growths is with surgery,” explained Dr. Anthony Ferrara, director of Interventional Endocrinology and Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology at Bassett Healthcare Network.

“This can be complicated and always includes a risk of nerve damage to the vocal cords or parathyroid glands, which help your body control calcium levels. Surgery also requires a hospital stay. Plus, even after surgery, lifelong medication is often needed to supplement the thyroid hormone. Recovery after surgery can take several weeks,” Dr. Ferrara said.

The thyroid, which is a butterflyshaped gland in the neck, is a vital part of how the body’s functions are regulated. The thyroid controls things like heart rate and how fast the body burns calories. Growths commonly form on the thyroid as people age. Though most of these growths are non-cancerous, they can still cause problems with swallowing and speech, and may require removal. Experts estimate as many as 50 percent of Americans will develop thyroid nodules by the age of 60.

Because radiofrequency thyroid ablation is a non-surgical treatment, patients do not experience any scarring and typically see a decrease in the size of their growth within two to four Photo provided Dr. Anthonly Ferrara poses with Bassett months. The procedure is also quick.

“We performed our first ablation Medical Center’s new radiofrequency thyContinued on page 11 roid ablation equipment.

Photo provided

Sworn To Serve FLY CREEK—On January 1, the Town of Otsego swore in new councilmembers Deb Dalton and Pat Kennedy, Town Supervisor Ben Bauer, and Town Justices Gary Kuch and Lauren Glynn. Above, from left, are Kennedy, Glynn, Kuch, Dalton and Bauer.

Leaders Already Looking Ahead

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OTSEGO COUNTY ow that 2024 is upon us, Iron String Press reached out to area officials—Otsego County’s movers and shakers—to find out what they are most looking forward to accomplishing in the months ahead. We’ll print their responses this month, as they are received, starting with the following entities and those at their helm.

Bassett Healthcare Network As we enter 2024, our focus at Bassett Healthcare Network, as always, is providing exceptional patient care and experiences. I am excited to build

on the momentum and progress we have made to bring advanced technologies and treatments to our communities, attract and retain caregivers, build strategic partnerships, and integrate and strengthen our organization.

We have recently added several major services and amenities, including a new hybrid operating room at Bassett Medical Center—a state-ofthe-art cardiac surgery facility that is expanding options for emergency heart interventions; da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery at A.O. Fox Hospital to accommodate more surgical procedures in Continued on page 10

Lambert Reaches 1,000-Point Mark

INSIDE ► ARYA PATEL JOINS IRON STRING PRESS, page 2

By WRILEY NELSON

► NEWS BRIEFS include films, lecture, page 2 ► WATER TRAIL IN THE WORKS, page 3 ► call for quilts, page 3 ► bEatING THE WINTER DOLDRUMS, page 4 ► UNPACKING THE FEDERAL DEFICIT, page 4 ► DOAS JOINS NOTEWORTHY CONTRIBUTORS, page 5 ► upcoming community events, page 12 Follow Breaking News On

AllOTSEGO.com

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COOPERSTOWN ooperstown boys basketball rolled to a 72-53 victory against Morrisville-Eaton in a Center State Conference Division IV game at Red Bursey Gymnasium on Thursday, January 4. Cooper Coleman contributed 13 points to the win. Cooper Bradley made 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Hawkeyes moved to 7-4 for the season and 4-1 in their division.

It was an especially big night for senior star Charlie Lambert, who put up a dominant 39-point performance and became the 16th basketball player in school history to record his 1,000th varsity point. Lambert is the 10th boy to make the 1,000-point club, joining his brother, Jack, who reached the milestone in 2019. They are the first brothers on the list. Jack won a Class C state title in his final season. Both brothers attri-

bute much of their success to their father, varsity coach John Lambert.

“The season is looking good,” Charlie Lambert said. “My teammates and I put in a lot of work together over the summer, hitting the gym and getting comfortable with one another. We’re feeling ready for sectionals.”

“My teammates have been great through the whole 1,000-point chase,” he continued.

“They helped me out, they fed me the ball when they could. I really can’t thank them enough… Tonight’s game started a little slow, but Morrisville-Eaton is a very active team and they kept us on our toes. We eventually got settled into a good flow.”

Lambert is no stranger to high-scoring performances. This season alone, he recorded 38 points in a win against Unatego/ Franklin and 40 points to help beat Richfield Springs/Owen D. Young. Lambert thanked Continued on page 11

Photo provided

Charlie Lambert reached the 1,000-point mark on January 4.

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890

A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Iron String Press Welcomes Intern COOPERSTOWN rya Patel, 15, of Cooperstown, joined Iron Press Inc. as an intern on Monday, December 4. Patel is currently in her sophomore year at Cooperstown Central School.

Iron String Press is the parent company of “The Freeman’s Journal,” “Hometown Oneonta” and the website, AllOtsego.com.

Apart from writing, Patel enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing sports.

“I have always had a love for writing, especially for writing fiction. When I was approached with the opportunity of this internship, I was very eager to get the best out of this once-in a-lifetime chance,” she said. “I look forward to learning more about different styles and types of writing as I dive into this process more.”

For Patel’s first assignment she was tasked to write about the emotions and audience reaction during the “Distracted Driving” presentation at her school. Patel is vice-president of the CCS chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Since then, she has written an article about Cooperstown being crowned one of the “Merriest Main Streets” on the “TODAY Show.”

“We are excited to have Arya join our team,” said Darla M. Youngs, Iron String Press general manager/senior

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 NEWS BRIEFS

FAM Announces Cabin Fever Film Series COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum will hold its 2024 Cabin Fever Film Series on three select Fridays in January and February. This year’s acclaimed films will be Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City” on January 19, “Oppenheimer” on January 26 and “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” on February 9. Each film starts at 7 p.m. in the museum auditorium. The events are free with a suggested donation. Light concessions and captions for the hearing impaired will be available. For more information or to confirm a screening in case of inclement weather, visit fenimoreart.org or call (607) 547-1453.

DOAS To Host ‘Evolution of Beauty’ Program

Photo by Brittany Lesavoy Photography

ARYA PATEL

editor. “Her coverage of the ‘Distracted Driving’ presentation and ‘TODAY Show’ filming was insightful and well composed, and she is only getting started.”

Youngs said Patel brings a fresh perspective to the table, as well as an opportunity to convey the importance and relevance of independent community journalism to a new generation.

“I appreciate the offer which has presented itself to me, and am excited for what this will bring and how I will learn and grow independently as well as learn how to work with others,” Patel added.

AllOTSEGO.

dining&entertainment

ONEONTA—The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will host a Zoom program to discuss Richard O. Prum’s Pulitzer Prize-finalist book “The Evolution of Beauty: How Darwin’s Forgotten Theory of Mate Choice Shapes the Animal World—and Us,” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 19. In a book that “The New York Times” called one of the best of 2017, Prum dusts off Darwin’s long-neglected theory that mate selection on purely aesthetic or pleasure-driven grounds is a powerful and independent engine of evolutionary change. According to the DOAS release, mate choice can set the stage for sexual conflict and influence all aspects of animal evolution. Prum is an ornithologist by trade and the William Robertson Coe professor of ornithology, ecology, and evolutionary biology at Yale University.

The DOAS talk will be given by Linda Melchionne, originally a farmer’s daughter who studied horse husbandry at SUNY Cobleskill. She studied ornithology and zoology at California Polytechnic State University and researched the California condor at the San Diego Zoo research laboratory.

Melchionne studied biochemistry and nutrition under Nobel nominee Dr. Joe Street and worked for many years as a veterinary researcher. For more information or to register for this free event, visit https://doas.us/calendar/.

‘RISE’ Support Group Now Underway ONEONTA—Dr. Steve Phelps announced that he will facilitate a weekly “Resilience, Inspiration, Support, Empowerment” support group at 11 a.m. on Fridays beginning on January 5. It will meet weekly at the Oneonta Gathering Place, 5506 State Highway 7. The group will discuss aging fears, depression, safety, grief and loss, and other areas that participants wish to explore. It is a safe place to discuss these matters but is not considered therapy. For more information, visit www.gatheringplace50plus.org.

Registration Ongoing for Agility Workshops BERNE—The 4-H dog training program will host agility workshops at Hessian Hill Farm, 576 Treadlemire Road, Berne, on Saturday, January 27.

The beginner/novice class will run from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by lunch from noon to 1 p.m. There will be an experienced/advanced class from 13 p.m. 4-H will run an American Kennel Club Agility Course Test 1 title evaluation from 3-4. Morning session attendees are welcome to stay and watch during the afternoon; the building is heated, but spectators should dress warmly.

All participants should bring a collar, leash, lots of treats, a favorite toy, water and a water bowl. The classes are open to all 4-H youth ages 8 and up with 4-H-eligible dogs 15 months or older. Registration is required by Tuesday, January 16; contact Nancy at the 4-H office at nb622@cornell.edu or (518) 234-4303 x117. Proof of rabies vaccination is required.

Race, Equity, Justice Lecture Series Returns

Get ready for a fun-packed JANUARY with Brewery Ommegang!

January 12 Live Music

Bourbon & Branch will perform live.

January 13 Snap, Crackle, Hop

We’ll be burning Christmas Trees and enjoying great food, beer and friends! 1-5 pm.

January 13 Bed & Brew

Make your reservation with the Inn at Cooperstown

January 19 Beer Dinner

Ommegang beer, chefs & food. $75/person.

January 20 Beer & Bourbon Pairing

Pair food by the Otesaga & Ommegang chefs with Ommegang beer served and bourbon by New Riff. $95/person.

January 28 Souper Bowl

Vote for your favorite soup served by local restaurants. $5/person.

January 29 Best Trivia Ever

Local trivia questions about our region.

Every Monday at 6:30 pm.

All events are at the Ommegang Taphouse Open 7 days a week To sign up, contact Gary Buell G.Buell@ommmegang.com or call (315)858-9910

Do you or your organization have events and happenings this Winter?

Send them to Larissar@allotsego.com or info@allotsego.com

COOPERSTOWN—The First Baptist Church of Cooperstown will resume its Race, Equity and Justice lecture series at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 21 in the upstairs ballroom of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street. Dr. Howard Ashford will be the special guest and will discuss humanizing Black men through narrative. Pizza and drinks will be provided. The Race, Equity and Justice series is supported by a Louise Buchard Pierce Memorial Grant.

CCE To Host Seed Swap Day This Month ONEONTA—Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties will observe National Seed Swap Day with two events on Saturday, January 27. Seed Swap Day is intended to conserve and promote local and regional crop diversity; neighbors are encouraged to exchange seeds and discuss their plans for the coming growing season. Participation is free. One seed swap will take place at the Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, from 10-11 a.m. In Otsego County, the swap will be held at the Oneonta Farmers’ Market at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, from 9 a.m. to noon. Master Gardener volunteers will attend both events with free seeds and to answer gardening questions.

Museum Offering Virtual Collection Tours COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum will present three virtual tours of its renowned collections in the new year. Each of the tours will be offered on three separate dates. They will take place on Tuesdays from January 16 through March 12 from 2-2:30 p.m. on Zoom. The full schedule and tour descriptions may be found at fenimoreart.org. There is a suggested donation of $10.00, and participants may wish to reserve a place using Eventbrite.

The tour “Cooper, Cole and the Hudson River School” will be held on January 16, February 6 and February 27. “The Thaw Collection of American Indian Art” will run on January 23, February 13 and March 5. “American Artists Abroad” will be presented on January 30, February 20 and March 12.

NAACP Announces MLK Day Celebration ONEONTA—The Oneonta Area NAACP will host a free community Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial event at the Elm Park Methodist Church at 3 p.m. on Sunday, January 14. It will include numerous local speakers, as well as music and refreshments. Speakers include Oneonta Area NAACP President Michelle Osterhoudt, professors Gretchin Sorin and Bill Simons, and defense attorney Andrew Puritz. All area residents are invited. For more information, visit www.oneontanaacp.com.

Oneonta Coaching Staff Honored ONEONTA—The SUNY Athletic Conference announced its annual women’s cross country awards on Wednesday, December 6. Oneonta earned coaching staff of the year honors for the first time in program history.

“We are extremely excited for our cross country coaching staff to be recognized by the SUNYAC,” said Athletics Director Ryan Hooper. ‘This has been long overdue for these coaches who work tirelessly to advance the Cross Country and Track and Field programs. We couldn’t be prouder of this staff and our student-athletes. Congratulations.”

The team is led by head coach Chris Wilber, assisted by Kelly Vincent and Mitchel Couch. Oneonta had a strong season, finishing second at the SUNYAC Championships. Senior Megan Francoeur earned second-team allconference honors and senior Ella DePhillips picked up third-team honors.

Continued on page 11

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

DMC Leads New York State Effort on Susquehanna Water Trail

By DAN SULLIVAN

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n our area of great natural features, perhaps the greatest is the one that originates in Otsego County: the Susquehanna. It is almost certainly the oldest—geologists date it back 320-340 million years—older than even the mountain ridges that it passes through.

(That’s a long story. We won’t go into here: think Gonwanda).

It was well established tens of millions of years before the Hudson, Delaware and Potomac rivers. It’s the longest river on the East Coast of the U.S., beating out the Connecticut by 30something miles, but it drains a far larger area, 27,510 square miles.

We humans have put it through some awful punishment with dams and pollution (remember Three Mile Island?), yet the river continues to survive, even thrive in many places.

Attention is being paid to restoring the river to greater health, making it an attractive draw for recreation and tourism in addition to other uses. To that end, Destination Marketing Corporation secured a $250,000.00 grant from New York State’s EDA Tourism Sub-Award Grant Program to lay the groundwork for development of a water trail in New York from Cooperstown to the Pennsylvania state line.

Led by Cassandra

Harrington, DMC president and chief executive officer, a Leadership Team put together an RFP for assistance in brand development, website creation, trail mapping and marketing.

After thorough evaluation, the team—which includes stakeholders all along the Susquehanna and Chemung rivers— selected 2K Design of Clifton Park to complete the project.

“We are thrilled to work with 2K Design on this phase of the water trail development. 2K has deep experience in several such projects, notably the Hudson River Greenway and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor,” said Harrington.

“This project is much needed for our region not just as a tourism asset, but as a way to bring our communities together.

We aim to create a safe, accessible, well-mapped and well-marked water trail system that caters to everyone from kayakers and fishers to bird watchers and hikers,” Harrington continued.

The trail is planned to include more than 190 miles of navigable waters along the Susquehanna

CAA Calling for Quilts COOPERSTOWN egistration for the Fenimore Quilt Club 2024 Show is one day only. Those interested in participating are asked to bring their quilted items (maximum of two) to the Cooperstown Art Association Galleries on Saturday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., organizers said in a press release. All quilts and wall hangings must have a 6” sleeve or other suitable method for hanging before they may be registered for the show. The only exception is for antique quilts, which should not be hung because of their condition.

Insurance coverage for exhibited works is the responsibility of the owner. If anyone is interested in selling any of their displayed works, information will be available during registration.

The Fenimore Quilt Club 2024 Show will be held February 3-18 at the Cooperstown Art Association Galleries, located at 22 Main Street in the Village Hall on the corner of Main and Fair streets. Quilt show hours will be daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

For more information, contact Sharon Chambers at (607) 547-5306, Lisa Smith at (607) 435-6674 or the Cooperstown Art Association at (607) 5479777. Quilt show details, loan form and registration information can be found at www.cooperstownart. com.

and Chemung rivers, with aspirations for expansion throughout the Susquehanna River Basin.

Completion of this phase of the project is slated for

The

September 1, 2025.

Once complete, the water trail will link to an already-developed, 500 mile water trail through Pennsylvania

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HOMETOWN Views

A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, January 11, 2024

EDITORIAL

THE MYTH BUSTING ECONOMIST

Beating the Winter Doldrums

Spending, Deficit Kerfuffle Examined

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he hectic holiday season is behind us and, following the winter solstice, daylight hours are slowly beginning to increase again, marking the change in season. However, cold weather, short days, slumbering landscapes and a dearth of natural sunlight often herald a spell of low spirits known as the winter doldrums, or seasonal depression. Health professionals suggest such things as catching up on sleep, light therapy, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and washing your hands a lot to help ensure a happy, healthy winter season. They also suggest those prone to seasonal slowdowns and emotional slumps—the “winter blues,” if you will—work on sharpening the mind and getting off the couch. We’re going to focus on the last two, highlighting things you can do to beat that inevitable winter funk.

1. Foster a dog. Or a cat. Fostering is like having the grandkids visit— they come, you enjoy their company for a while, and then they go home.

Otsego County is fortunate to have two animal shelters, but both are often overcrowded or have long waiting lists for incoming animals. It has been proven that any amount of time not spent in a shelter is beneficial to the animal, and health studies show that interacting with animals can decrease stress and lower blood pressure. It’s a win-win.

2. Cheer on your local high school sports teams. When was the last time you attended a high school basketball game, wrestling match or swim meet?

Otsego County has 12 school systems, with student athletes playing their hearts out each week to often mostly-empty bleachers. They could use your support, and you might be surprised to find yourself going back for the next game, and the next…

3. Discover a new hobby. Whether your interest lies in learning to sculpt clay or gardening, taking up knitting or exercise, genealogy or sketching live models, opportunities exist.

4. Join a club or civic group. There are hundreds of these organizations in Otsego County, both large and small, all seeking to share their knowledge and community-minded efforts with new members. From historical societies, to Grange, to Rotary, the Lions and many more—whether you wish to work on handcrafts with like-minded folks or become a better public speaker—there is a group out there just waiting to welcome you.

5. Volunteer. In each of our communities, there are charitable organizations which rely on volunteer assistance to carry out their important missions. You can help out at a healthcare facility, or a thrift shop or a food bank. Lend a hand to an environmental organization, a museum or a county agency. Wherever your interests lie, you will find you are needed.

6. Get outdoors. Whatever your level of fitness, Otsego County is calling!

Walking, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing; star gazing, geocaching, birding, and sledding; exploring our parks, forests, and trails at your own pace…the fresh air will do you good and that extra boost of endorphins couldn’t hurt.

7. Explore our college campuses. SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College are more than just institutions for learning. They also offer myriad entertainment opportunities to the community at large. Both have on-site museums with regularly changing exhibits. Both have theater departments and host the occasional concert or comedian. Both open up many of their lectures, presentations and workshops to our citizens. And, of course, there are the collegiate sporting events.

8. Have fun at work. Let’s face it—most of us see our coworkers more during the week than we do our families. Learn to enjoy their company; find ways to make each other laugh and smile. Find a show you all like and gather at the watercooler each week to rehash the latest episode. (Is water cooler gathering still a thing? If not, it should be.) As they say, laughter is the best medicine, and we could all use a little levity to break up our stressful days and lift us out of our winter slump.

While under the spell of the winter doldrums, we may begin to believe there is nothing to do and nowhere to go in order to escape them. This could not be farther from the truth. Museums, art galleries, film series, live music, senior citizen and youth groups, hikes, continuing education, library programs and more await you at https://www.allotsego. com/otsego-county-events-calendar/.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY “Hometown Oneonta” 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.

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Publisher / Advertising Manager

General Manager / Senior Editor

Sales Consultant

Office Manager

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Darla M. Youngs

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Columnists and Contributing Writers

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MEMBER OF: National Newspaper Association, New York Press Association The Otsego County Chamber Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080.

Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

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ome of us would like national health care, while others want to cut Social Security. We take up federal government spending in this column, but we’ll stay away from what it buys. Our myth busting will instead clarify the relationship between federal spending and budget deficits, and show where the deficits came from.

As I wrote these words, another federal government shutdown was looming. The January 19 deadline was part of a “kick the can down the road” deal in November to provide enough funds to keep the government running for another 65 days. That meant veterans would still receive benefits, people could visit the Grand Canyon and farmers would get their subsidies.

Until 2010, few of us paid much attention to the how and when of federal government funding. That was the last time the U.S. government followed a budget process that had worked pretty well for more than 200 years. The fiscal year ran from October 1 to September 30, with the President presenting a budget in January that was hashed out in negotiations and approved by Congress before September 30.

Small factions of our elected representatives have held the budget hostage to their pet funding (or defunding) priorities since 2010. For a few years, government shutdowns were avoided when the adversaries

LARRY MALONE

agreed to Continuing Resolutions before funding expired. As the first word implies, these deals continued to fund the government for a specific period of time.

But things got nasty in 2013 when a handful of senators, led by Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul, refused to pass a Continuing Resolution unless funding for the Affordable Care Act, aka “Obamacare,” was terminated. A shutdown ensued on October 1, in the midst of a fragile recovery from the financial collapse of 2008. It lasted 16 days, when the agitators gave up after the Dow dropped 6 percent and public opinion polls blamed them for sowing the seeds of a “double dip” recession.

Since then, we’ve seen two shutdowns: a short one of three days in January 2018 and a 35-day shutdown—the longest ever—from December 22, 2018 to January 25, 2019. The record-breaker was due to a difference of opinion over thenPresident Trump’s insistence on $5.7 billion to build a wall along parts of our border with Mexico. Trump eventually signed a Continuing Resolution after he discovered that declaring a national emergency would make executive funds available for the wall.

The latest shutdown threats come from quarters seeking to reduce the federal budget deficit, which is the annual amount by which expenditures Continued on page 9

Graphic provided

Letters to the editor … In their opinion

Kudos to Edward Carkuff Letter I would like to commend Edward Carkuff for his eloquent letter which appeared in the January 4th edition of “Hometown Oneonta.”

Mr. Carkuff is on the mark with his assessment of what a second Trump presidency would be like.

I would like to add the following: This is not about partisan politics. Unfortunately, we have some representatives who no longer believe in our system of checks and balances which are the backbone of our democracy. After witnessing Trump’s refusal to concede his loss and effect a peaceful transfer of power, I cannot see how anyone would think a second Trump presidency would be good. Trump would be more emboldened and it would be too late to effect a positive change. We would see “Hitleresque” power abuses never known in this country.

Whether or not a person agrees with some or even all of Trump’s policies, we need to ask ourselves if we are ready to abandon the values on which our great nation was founded and elect a person

who would be loath to ever give up his power.

I hope to see large voter turnout in November and I pray that people will look past the rhetoric, consider information sources and independently verify claims.

Bill Buccheri Oneonta

Just Say No to Trump in 2024 As we mark the third anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, it’s important to remember how we got to that moment and who was responsible for it. Donald Trump and his allies engaged in a monthslong criminal conspiracy after the 2020 election. They spread lies about voter fraud and used those lies to put pressure on state officials to illegally overturn election results. When their scheme to interfere with Congress’ certification of the 2020 election results failed, Trump and his co-conspirators incited a violent mob to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

MAGA Republicans nationwide have continued this assault on our democracy by introducing radical voter suppres-

sion bills in Congress and state legislatures, spreading false election conspiracy theories, and threatening to overturn election results they disagree with.

Now, Trump is running for president again and he and his allies are planning for a second term that is even more extreme and authoritarian than the last one. If he is re-elected, he plans to pardon himself and his supporters, use the Department of Justice to exact revenge on his enemies, and purge the federal government of anyone who doesn’t agree with him until there’s no one left to say no.

Just last month, Trump said if he was reelected, he would attempt to be a dictator on “day one.” We need to take him at his word. Too much is at stake for the American people to allow Trump to take back power. It’s up to all of us to say no to a second Trump presidency now, before it’s too late.

Patricia Young Swanger Cooperstown The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” welcome the opinions of our readers in the form of letters Continued on page 9

HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5

THURSDAY, January 11, 2024 news from the noteworthy

DELAWARE-oTSEGO aUDUBON sOCIETY

Birds, Climate Change, Ways to Make an Impact Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

70 Years Ago

In near-zero weather an eight-month-old German police dog last night blockaded a business building for an hour, driving off all comers with warning growls and flashing teeth. The dog held the line in front of Chrisler Tire & Battery Co., 9 Elm Street, until his master found him via phoned appeals to police. The case began at 7:29 p.m. when Hugh Moore, 31 Main Street phoned Sergeant James Fawcett that his silver and black German shepherd dog was AWOL. Mr. Moore said the dog answered to the name of Duke. About that time the dog had established his picket line as Raymond H. Gifford, employed by the Chrisler firm, went to the Elm Street location to turn up the thermostat. The dog wouldn’t let him enter. After Mr. Gifford’s second attempt was rebuffed with snarls and bared teeth he returned home. Eventually Oneonta patrolman H.R. “Bobby” Wenck arrived, but Duke wasn’t impressed with the uniform. Eventually Mr. Moore was notified and arrived to pick up his pet.

January 1954

50 Years Ago

The Common Council has voted unanimously to use five acres of park land in Neahwa Park for its Department of Public Works Garage. At the same time, the Council passed a $145,000 ($931,448.24 in 2024 dollars) appropriation for the development of 10 acres near Damaschke Field. After two years of debating locations for the garage, the Council determined to use five acres east of the Grand Street interchange and south of the Millrace for the structure. City officials believe most of the cost for a new garage will be covered when it collects money owed by the State of New York.

January 1974

40 Years Ago

January 1984

30 Years Ago

Administrators of area schools say that most of their snow days have already been used. Before this school year, the Oneonta School District allotted four contingency days for students to stay home in case poor weather kept buses off the roads. As of last week three of those days had been taken. If all the snow days are used up, the school may have to take days away from either its February or April vacations.

January 1994

20 Years Ago

Oneonta High School students will be on stage in coming days to perform “Up the Down Staircase.” The OHS Drama Club International Thespian Troupe 2092 will present the comedy based on Bel Kaufman’s book of the same title about her experiences as a first-year teacher at a New York City public school. Performers include Chelsea Nattrass as Sylvia Barrett, Chad Bowker as Joe Ferone and Katrina Rabeler as Alice Blake. Katie Lishansky plays the role of Bea Schachter, Sylvia’s mentor and Nico Meyering is J.J. McHabe.

January 2004

Solution: “The Hollywood Shuffle (5)” (January 4)

I

n 2019, a group of 11 researchers published a report in “Science” magazine documenting the staggering loss of “3 Billion Birds” (about one quarter of the entire North American bird population) since the 1970s.¹ Also in 2019, the National Audubon Society released “Survival by Degrees: 389 Bird Species on the Brink,” which compiled bird population data and projected the impacts to birds resulting from climate change in different warming scenarios.² Their interactive, online tools allow users to track anticipated changes to bird territories and population changes throughout the U.S. that are likely to come about as a result of climate change stressors. According to data from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the number of endangered and threatened species in the U.S. has grown from 70 species in 1967 to 1,725 species in 2024.³ Based on these reports and others, it is apparent that our environment is in dire need of attention.

Actions are being taken to address some of the causes for declines, with work toward carbon reduction and better regulation of industries and corporations. Many of these are beyond the purview of most individuals. However, change can also occur through large-scale individual actions.

As a regional bird conservation organization, the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society works to engage people in our communities in learning about birds and connecting to nature through our programming. People protect and care for the environment, habitats, and wildlife when they

have a connection with them.

These are some of the things DOAS does, in addition to traditional bird hikes: • Plant sale fundraisers that help educate about the importance of using native plants in our landscape to provide food and habitat for insects that birds rely upon.

• Our fall Hawkwatch at the DOAS Sanctuary on Franklin Mountain to provide opportunities to educate about the importance of bird population research, and how data can direct us toward actions that can help birds.

• Our “third Friday” program series to shed light on other conservation initiatives, wildlife, habitats and environmental concerns—to bring greater awareness to our local communities. (Our February 16 program is about invasive species in our region.)

Individual actions have an impact—and when many people take similar actions, the benefits add up. Here are a few things we can each do to help birds: • Use protective systems to reduce window collisions at your home or business.

• Keep cats indoors and avoid using pesticides around your home.

• Try planting native plants on your property and replace some of your lawn.

• Reduce your use of plastics and switch to shade-grown coffee.

There are also local citizen science projects that you can get involved with—monitoring local Continued on page 7

By MERL REAGLE

I’d Like To Buy All 5 Vowels…

But just one of each, thanks

ACROSS 1 Accelerated 7 Prepares, as onions 12 Treat as the same 18 Actress Danes 19 Sharpened 20 Munchy baked good 22 Noted spy 24 Talking at the movies?

26 Pompadour, for example: abbr.

27 Miami golf resort 28 Green of Buffy the Vampire Slayer 29 Flashback drug 30 Jean Harlow, e.g.

35 Daly co-star, once 37 Richard III et al.

38 ___ pro nobis 39 Ms. West 40 Signing 43 Bar habitué 49 Bride’s concern 50 ___ interpretation 52 Lofty 54 Eggs 55 “___ the Songs” 119 Wipe-out of a sort 57 Round Table title 120 Like a Pliny 58 Kettering’s partner 59 F lavor introduced by Ben 121 Mexican muralist and Jerry in 1989 122 Faust et al.

64 Active European volcano 123 Showdowns 65 Poison ___ 124 James of Wolf 66 Definition of “an island”? DOWN 67 Put-on 1 Swindle 69 Chester Arthur’s middle 2 Like ballpark franks name 3 Art supporter?

72 Crossword-book publisher 4 Morse morsel 80 Lift 5 William Tell’s home 82 Space-saving bed 6 About to happen 83 Lacerate 7 Singing group 84 Pay ending 8 Michael Bolton hit, “___ I 85 Tale teller Supposed To Live Without You” 87 One of the Furies 9 Sixteen oz.

89 Fence part 90 Sign on an Einstein’s door 10 For each 11 Weather Underground org.

92 Country houses 12 Completed 94 Holy place 13 Rather’s replacement?

95 Certain particle 14 Mt. Nebo’s home 96 Jacket material 15 Completely 98 Behaved nervously 16 Overly 101 1852 novel 17 Golf coup 107 In the style of 21 Hubbub 108 ___ Island Earth 23 Early video game 109 Start of a lawyer’s line 25 Koch et al.

110 What or have follower 28 Problem 112 F amily famous for its “controlled demolitions” 31 Related 115 Actress born in Smyrna, 32 What a soldier’s made of Ga.

33 Oaf 34 “Yes ___” 35 Stares at stars 36 Handouts 39 Former space station 40 Borodin’s prince 41 Science show 42 Film river 43 “___ get nosy, bub” 44 Truck weight 45 Ms. Brockovich 46 ___ de triomphe 47 Go wild 48 Mr. Acheson 50 Yossarian’s bunkmate 51 Dessert sometimes thrown 53 High-tech I.D. 55 “___ man answers ...”

56 Some cookware 57 Backyard basking spot 60 Baloney 61 Dixie Chicks honor: abbr.

62 One on a tirade 63 “Serves you right!”

68 Set shout 69 “Now we’re getting somewhere” 70 Protracted 71 Adjutant 73 Finishes off 74 ___ Lisa 75 Went to waste. maybe

76 ___-Magnon 77 Plane, e.g.

78 Ms. Lanchester 79 Charlie Brown comment 81 True companion?

86 Novelist Grafton 87 I nto Day 5 of a three-day pass 88 Unaccompanied 89 Commoner, briefly 91 Twitches 92 Mosquitoes, e.g.

93 Ms. Lupino 96 Lipstick mishaps 97 Old superpower 98 Buddy 99 Vera’s intro 100 African capital 101 Star Trek role 102 Calls off 103 Señor feature 104 Bay window 105 “The Lady ___” 106 Dame’s intro 108 Bull prefix 111 Old autocrat 113 Jolt with electricity 114 Trip heading: abbr.

115 Role for Buddy 116 Inuit’s knife 117 Marceau’s everyman 118 Hungarian sister

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

THE PARTIAL OBSERVER

jan costello

A Poem of Community and Belonging In 2019, Janice (Jan) Costello of Gilbertsville submitted “A Poem of Community and Belonging” in response to a prompt for entries to the annual LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions Art & Poetry Contest.

Before her death in 2022, Jan posted her thoughts on the poem, which encompasses life in the Village of Gilbertsville, on her Facebook page. She described it as “a genrebending, brain-storming struggle to represent life in this and any number of small towns realistically. If you have the patience to read through it you will recognize yourself and your neighbors—whether you live here right now or only in your memory.

And you will see that already there have been changes. This is a small holiday offering, a way to remember all that we have been and still can be if we keep our eyes focused on the best things and allow the petty to slip away.”

W

rite a poem about finding a sense of community and belonging, they said.

Okay. Brainstorm a few ideas. Decide what kind of poem to write. A sonnet, maybe, or an ode? In free verse? Rhyming

couplets? Maybe a ballad. But certainly not an epic. Not about this little place. Not much happens here to write about. Make some notes about what to include...

Mention the parades—patriotic holidays with marching band, American Legion, auxiliaries, scouts, a classic car or two, maybe some candy thrown. Fire queen, spectators in red, white, and blue. Then a steep walk to the cemetery and the blasted guns firing and taps echoing in the valley. Add on that once a year there’s a pet parade. And how all summer long, beginning around then, the slightly-illegal but almost professional fireworks send folks driving around in search of the best views.

Mention chicken barbecues, whether by scouts or firefighters, doesn’t matter. Do not fail to include the delicious perfume of the special sauce blanketing the village and how there’s always someone in the food line you haven’t seen since this time last year. Catching up gives you something to do while waiting for the chicken to get done.

Mention the church lunches and suppers that raise a few bucks to keep the buildings open and the bills paid. Don’t forget the real purpose

is getting folks together.

Say that even the people who don’t attend don’t want the gatherings to go away just in case they want to show up some day when things slow down a bit and they need something to do.

Mention the country store—NOT a convenience store—with the unassuming old-fashioned ambience and a solid clientele of foodies who know they can get a cuppa, a good meal, a bit of local gossip. They know they’ll have to wait their turn if only one person is working that shift, being both cook and cashier. Do not leave out the weekly mouthwatering, hip-expanding delicacies by local artisanal bakers who could be making a killing out there in the real world if they chose to leave the village. No doubt about that. Thank the bakery gods for them.

Mention the onetime school-blacksmith-shop-library dating from the 1820s where the wi-fi is free and so are the books, the companionship, and the village history.

Don’t forget to shoutout the faithful librarians turning generations of kids on to reading early, and the worldclass historian fiercely guarding the wisdom of the ages while somehow keeping it relevant.

Don’t forget the time in

the ‘70s when drowning the village was a serious threat. Mention the heroes who proved that its value as a living presence outweighed its proposed future sleeping with the fishes under the waters of the Butternut.

Saved by a sense of history and community.

Mention the farmers’ market—a little collection of popup awnings that sprouts every Saturday morning in season with homegrown and homemade goodness underneath.

Don’t forget to say you have to get there early for the best selection, because the raspberries and asparagus sell out fast. But if you can’t make it early, just give the vendors a heads up to save your favorites for you, and maybe they’ll even deliver.

Mention that Santa stops by via a lit-up fire truck every Christmas Eve and hands out stockings to a long line of kids whose parents and grandparents and maybe greatgrandparents enjoyed the same excruciatingly delicious excitement back in the day. Don’t forget to add that Santa and Mrs. Claus patiently pose for pics with each family and then drop by certain homes where people can’t get out much anymore, as do the carolers earlier in the season.

Mention the special chairs set aside for fans of a certain age at the high school basketball games, those guys who’ve shown up for years and supported every team, some awesome and some God-awful, not that it matters. Every team has solid support court-side in those chairs. Don’t forget to say the chairs are getting a little more empty each year.

Mention the society that has a burden of care for the one-ofa-kind beauty of the village, the keepers of the unique structures and customs and landscapes that draw wanderers back long after they’ve moved away. The ones that inspire social media comments that begin, “I remember...” or “Do they still...” The answer is, yes, you remember that accurately and yes, we still do that here. It’s what we do and when you come back you can do it again, too.

Mention the noon whistle whetting the villager’s appetites, and the times the siren goes off not at noon but at all hours to summon men and women who serve out of a sense of duty and compassion for no pay whatsoever, pure servants to their community. Oh, there’s that word I’m supposed to be writing about... but now I’m thinking about ambulance calls and downed trees and power lines and flooded cellars and county fair parades and the training nights and all the times They. Show. Up. And I can’t be thinking about community. Or am I? Mention the Grange and its breakfast with the aforementioned-Santa

and the Halloween party, the school dictionary donations—stubbornly not going digital—the graduation awards, the bus trips, the Mondaynight meetings, the dinners, the food booth at the fair, the important informational sessions, the acts of service. Don’t forget the social aspects of this group—it ranks #1 for that.

Mention the historic and beautiful landmark with its rich back story, including its various lives, its specter, its decline and almostdeath, its resurrection and return to glory as the architectural star of many an occasion— proms and weddings and quilt shows and bazaars and Easter egg hunts and concerts. Don’t forget about its tireless caretakers who actually live there, even though they pretend to have homes of their own outside town.

Mention the artists and crafters, all the professionals and amateurs who shape and polish beauty with hands and hearts for a living or just a hobby.

The writers, the musicians, the makers, the fixers, the carers, the entrepreneurs, the house painters, the floor finishers, the healers and growers; add in the farmers, educators, pastors, lawyers, naturalists, book readers, dog walkers, chicken raisers, cat keepers, Morris dancers, quilt makers, race runners, canoe paddlers, trash recyclers, river-cleaners. And don’t forget, do not forget, the peacemakers.

Mention the road race and the other ways that folks memorialize their loved ones, not least the tranquil hillside cemetery, full of names of friends and more than a few enemies whose quarrels are ended but not forgotten. Add that we’re not good at forgetting. A good thing when it’s about love and sacrifice and dedication and—well—community.

About—you know— belonging. Those folks up on the hill all belong there together now, and someday we will, too.

Mention the unsung heroes—the guy in shorts riding a bike when snow and frigid temps have everyone else bundled up to the eyes, his tire tracks marking a strange serpentine path along the deserted street to the home of someone who needs checking on.

The folks shoveling and plowing and blowing out neighbors, picking up and delivering mail from several antique PO boxes. Postal workers who know your habits better than you do and never have to look up your box number or combination. Don’t forget the village and town workers patiently—or not— putting up with the quirks of their citizens and picking up the trash and clearing the roads anyway, and oh yeah, the activists running for office or just stepping up and taking on thankless jobs because who else will do it? Mustn’t forget to mention them.

Mention the pullingtogether times, emergencies of weather, health, national crisis, personal loss, planetary alignment, and what have you. Don’t forget the food bank donations of time, money, and victuals; endless school fundraisers that somehow sell out; concerts and plays and ballgames and assemblies. Kids who grow up here and stay because they can’t imagine living anywhere else. Kids who grow up here and leave but are so glad they didn’t grow up anywhere else.

Drivers too old or too young, whose barelyadequate skills mean that everyone watches out for them. Streets where families with little children live and folks are extra careful.

The eyes of neighbor on neighbor that can feel intrusive and annoying but can save a life, too.

Add a word about the community page on social media where trivia and items of extreme urgency show up with equal frequency and provoke equallypassionate responses.

Thumbs up to that.

Mention the parks and what nice places to gather for birthdays and anniversaries and reunions and church services. Don’t forget the little kids’ sports teams and the Fourth of July games. Play equipment crafted by a village father. A tree planted in memory of a lost teen.

Summer rec— free and open to all. Just ask.

Mention the villagers whose habits define each day, whose vehicles and dogs and eccentricities are as identifiable as their faces. Whose genes flow down through the generations like sap through the spring maple trees. Add that there are quite a few transplants these days, and summer visitors, and that times have changed and the community has had to evolve and accept, sometimes reluctantly, change. Don’t forget how they are learning to be inclusive when they could just as well go the other way. And definitely don’t forget to mention that all of this, all of these many, many things and so many more, are what keep this community a place of belonging. And say how we know it’s not perfect, but say also that we think it will keep on doing what it has learned to do so well. Be a community. Very small and somewhat mighty.

Be a place. A place to belong.

And then mention that all this won’t fit into a poem. It’s too much to boil this sap down, to prune and arrange the branches of this village into verses on the page.

To show, not tell, all that it is. It’s too big, this little place. It can’t be done.

Or maybe—maybe it is a poem. Maybe it’s truly a poem after all, the place and not the words. Call it a hymn.

Call it an ode. Call it an epic. But call this place a poem. A poem of community and belonging.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

DOAS

Continued from page 5 waterways, counting birds for research, helping report invasive species and taking action to eradicate these are a few examples.

Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society envisions a healthy world where people and wildlife thrive and natural resources are protected. They protect our natural environment and connect people with nature to

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

benefit birds and other wildlife through conservation, education, research and advocacy. If you would like to learn more, visit the DOAS website at https://doas. us, subscribe to our e-mail list or become a member! ¹https://www.birds.cornell. edu/home/wp-content/ uploads/2019/09/DECLINEOF-NORTH-AMERICANAVIFAUNA-SCIENCE-20 19.pdf ²https://www.audubon. org/climate/survivalbydegrees

³https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/ report/species-listings-by-yeartotals Susan O’Handley is a Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society board member and DOAS education and publicity chair.

PREFER TO READ YOUR NEWS ONLINE? Subscribe to AllOtsego.com.

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OBITUARIES

Photo provided

josephine l. bliss

Josephine L. Bliss 1938-2024

COOPERSTOWN— Josephine L. Bliss, a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown community, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Her passing was in the presence of family at her home on State Route 28, in the hamlet of Index, just south of the village. She was 85 years old.

Josie, as she was affectionately known by her friends, was born on December 20, 1938, the third of four daughters of Max Gorney and Mary (Peplinski) Gorney. Josie was born on the family farm on County Route 33 near Middlefield Center.

She was delivered into this world by midwife Anita Sargeant, who would remain a close family friend and longtime neighbor in Index.

Josie was married on May 26, 1955 to Clyde G. Bliss, also a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown area who “lived down the road,” at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Clyde passed away in 1995. Josie was also predeceased by her sisters, Helen Cankar and Elizabeth (“Betty”) Koshar.

Josephine is survived by her sister, Dorothy Rico, of Ladera Ranch, California, and her three c h i l d r e n — Te r r a n c e (and Theresa) Bliss of Fort Myers, Florida; Daniel (and Nancy) Bliss of West Oneonta; and Susan Bliss-Banner (and Carlton Banner) of Burlington. She is also survived by five grandchildren—Scott and Ashley; Colin and Emily; and Gabe; plus three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Josie had a 50-year career in the restaurant and hospitality field. Most people who read this obituary will associate her with The Otesaga Resort Hotel, where she worked for 20 years. She was the hotel’s maître d’ for her final 12 years before she retired on New Year’s Eve 2006. But only oldtime locals will recognize the names of people and places from the early

days of her career that began in the 1950s.

At the age of 15, Josie worked as a waitress for Joe Clancy at the Doubleday Restaurant, located next to Smalley’s Theatre. In the early 60s she moved up the Lake Road to the Hickory Grove Restaurant, where she worked for Bill Grady. Many of her regular customers were performers and patrons of the nearby Duke’s Oak summer stock theatre.

As the restaurant would close after Labor Day, Josie applied her trade during the off-season at the nearby Red Sleigh Restaurant and also the ski tow in Pierstown.

Later, she waitressed for 22 years at the Lake Front Restaurant for the Zoeller family. Josie worked there until 1986 when she was hired as a captain at The Otesaga, and, as she put it, “I was getting too old to carry those heavy trays.”

After eight years in that position, and when her predecessor fell ill, Josie was promoted by then-general manager Bob Holliday to become maître d’. Two more wonderful gentlemen would in turn become general managers under whom Josie would work—Frank Maloney and John Irvin.

During Josie’s stewardship, the hotel began to cater more to the local clientele, and Josie was quick to credit Jane Forbes Clark for her successful efforts to make the establishment more comfortable for their casual enjoyment.

Though Josie met celebrities in her work—politicians, movie stars, ballplayers—she knew that “the famous people might be here just once, but the guy across the street will come here once a week.”

The heart and soul of the 100-year old resort, Josie was admired by Mr. Irvin, who said, “Josie had the ability to extract performance and affection at the same time from the people who worked for her.”

Josie performed her job with such authority and finesse that it won her the admiration of hotel employees and guests alike. She devoted herself to this position, and was always known to be fair but firm when managing the main dining room.

Her children have fond memories of her at the kitchen table immersed in hearty card games of Rummy or Pitch. Josie could also strike up an energetic polka dance where all would smile but few could keep her pace. In retirement, she

was joined by fellow hotel retiree and close friend Jim Kozak on trips to Las Vegas and Aruba.

Josie had an affinity and love for animals.

After retiring, she often greeted clients at her daughter’s boarding kennel, Breezy Acres, for many years. She loved living creatures— horses, cats, dogs, and the birds at her birdfeeder—from her life on the farm through the rest of her life.

The family wishes to acknowledge the heartfelt care provided around the clock in mom’s final weeks from the following special ladies—Darlene, Angie, Hannah, Sara, Katy, Jen and Lisa.

Family and friends may call and pay their respects from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with the Very Rev. Michael G. Cambi, pastor, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will take place later this spring at the Fly Creek Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to any of the following: Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY, 13502; Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Rt. 28, Cooperstown, NY, 13326; and Helios Care, 297 River St. Service Rd., Suite 1, Oneonta, NY, 13820.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Robert Stewart Whyte 1937-2024 COOPERSTOWN— Robert “Bob” Stewart

Whyte, 86, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Cooperstown, New York, where he had recently relocated.

Bob was born in San Jose, California on May 13, 1937 and grew up in Watsonville, California, where he attended Watsonville High School. He became an Eagle Scout in 1952, played on the tennis team, and began cultivating his musical and comedy talents while writing skits for the rally committee.

Bob went to the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1960. While a student, he played banjo with his fraternity brothers at Theta Xi. Eventually he found himself playing in the banjo halls of San Francisco, including The Red Garter and Crazy Horse. Also, while at Cal, Bob worked at the university’s family summer camp, the Lair of the Golden Bear, as part of the maintenance crew. He was promoted to program director for his third and fourth years, where he wrote, directed, and performed musical comedy skits with the rest of the staff to entertain the campers.

Bob met his wife of 61 years, Christine Mary Howett of Shirley, England, on a blind date in San Francisco in 1961.

They married on April 28, 1962, in Addington, England.

Bob and Chris moved to Boston in 1963, where Bob earned an MBA from Harvard. Then it was back to San Francisco where they had their first son, Stephen, in 1965.

Much of Bob’s career was in finance. He worked for IBM, Payson and Trask, and General Electric Capital amongst others. But all the while that banjo was tagging along in trains, planes, and automobiles, on its way to business trips, conferences, and client meetings, just in case there was an oppor-

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

tunity to start some sing-a-longs.

In 1969 Bob, Chris, and Stephen moved to New York and then to Old Greenwich, Connecticut in 1970. In 1972, he and some friends started a banjo, scrubboard, and gutbucket band called The Whyte Laundry Company, which played traditional jazz music, sing-a-longs, and novelty songs. They played at town events, kids’ parties, adults’ parties, old folks’ homes, and even Lincoln Center.

In 1978, Bob and Chris welcomed their second son, Matthew, into the family. As with Steve, Bob helped raise Matt in a house filled with music.

Bob enjoyed being involved with the community and was Cubmaster while Steve was a Cub Scout and a Den Leader during Matt’s Cub Scout years. He was a volunteer with Junior Achievement, mentoring youths pursuing an education in business.

In 1998, Bob and Chris moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to help start venture capital company VenSouth.

While there, Bob taught a course called “The Story of Tin Pan Alley” for the Ollie Lifelong Learning Institute and was president of the Harvard Club of Research Triangle. He also volunteered with the Blue Ribbon MentorAdvocate Program of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and was proud to see his mentee, MT, develop into a successful young man.

As a complement to his banjo playing, Bob loved writing lyrics. He wrote numerous personalized parodies over the years for friends, family, coworkers and clients, celebrating their various life events. His playing and writing continued wherever the family lived, in California, New York, Connecticut, Arizona, and North Carolina. As

well as playing solo and with his band, he played with many other musicians and groups around the country including a performance with Your Father’s Moustache at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to music, Bob loved the outdoors, taking his family on backpacking and camping trips reminiscent of the backpacking adventures he had taken as a high-schooler in the High Sierra, and taking each of his sons whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon. Other favorite hobbies included swimming in the ocean, telling raunchy jokes and throwing surprise parties for his wife. He was outgoing and inquisitive, always wanting to know more about everyone he met.

Bob and Chris recently moved to Cooperstown, New York to be closer to their son, Matt, and two granddaughters, Alva and Sylvie. Though he had stopped playing banjo recently, as his hands had stopped cooperating, he was still singing into his last days.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, June Stromberg and Stewart Whyte, and stepfather, Hjalmar Stromberg. He is survived by his wife, Chris, his two sons, Stephen and Matthew (Molly), his granddaughters, Alva and Sylvie, and his brother, Jim (Carmy), and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Tod’s Point in Old Greenwich, Connecticut sometime in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, in the spirit of Bob, consider asking the next person you meet about their aspirations, interests or achievements.

“Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear.”

Funeral Home

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special.

Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home

Peter A. Deysenroth

14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere.

Suitable for large or small gatherings.

82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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Legal nOtice Notice of Democratic Party Caucus Village of Cooperstown A caucus of the enrolled members of the Democratic Party in the Village of Cooperstown will be held in the Board Room on the ground floor of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY on January 25, 2024, at 7 pm. The purpose of the caucus is to nominate candidates for the following offices (or any offices that may become vacant) to be voted upon at the General Village Election on March 19, 2024: Mayor: 2-year term Trustee: 3-year term Trustee: 3-year term Lynne Mebust Chair, Cooperstown Democratic Committee Legal nOtice PUBLIC NOTICE OF LAW NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego at a meeting thereof held on the 3rd day of January 2024, duly adopted a Local Law entitled: A Local Law establishing the salaries of the County Administrator, County Treasurer, Director of Real Property Tax Service II, Personnel Officer, Commissioner of Elections (Rep), Sheriff, Emergency Services Coordinator, Director of Public Health, County Superintendent of Highway, and Commissioner of Social Services Group I, for the year 2024, which is subject to permissive referendum.

This Local Law establishes the following salaries for 2024: County Administrator $132,192 County Treasurer $100,880 Director of Real Property Tax Service II $91,201 Personnel Officer $110,353 Commissioner of Elections (Rep) $65,406 Sheriff $100,360 Emergency Services Coordinator $67,836 Director of Public

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

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Health $110,353 County Superintendent of Highways $104,835 Commissioner of Social Services Group I $109,249

opened and read.

Bids may also be submitted via the internet using www.bidx. com. A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

ment solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

The full text of this Local Law is available for inspection in the Clerk of the Board’s Office in the County Office Building, Cooperstown, New York during regular business hours and is also available on the County’s website.

Dated: January 11, 2024 Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York Legal nOtice PUBLIC NOTICE OF LAW NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego at a meeting thereof held on the 3rd day of January, 2024, duly adopted a Local Law entitled: A Local Law to amend Local Law No. 2 of 1990 Ethics Law as amended

by Local Law 4 of 2017 Ethics Law. The purpose of the law is to create the Otsego County Ethics and Disclosure Law in compliance with Article 18 of the New York State General Municipal Law. The full text of this Local Law is available for inspection in the Clerk of the Board’s Office in the County Office Building, Cooperstown, New York during regular business hours and is also available on the County’s website.

Dated: January 11, 2024 Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, February 08, 2024 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly

Electronic documents and amendments are posted to www. dot.ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/constnotices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www. dot.ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/constplanholder.

Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list.

NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518)457-2124.

Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/M/WBE’s and SDVOBs. The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat.

252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Depart-

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901 D265154, PIN 935845, FA Proj Y0019358-453, Otsego Co., I-88 Crack and Seat, Exit 18 to 19, Towns of Maryland & Worcester., PLA Candidate, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $1,500,000.00), Goals: DBE: 5.00% 2LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in Instructions to Bidders (https://www.dot. ny.gov/bids-andlettings/construction-contractors/ important-info) until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Maps, Plans and Specifications may be seen at Electronic documents and Amendments which are posted to www.dot. ny.gov/doingbusiness/opportunities/constnotices.

The New York State Department of Transportation,

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in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat.

252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates Cos., BRIDGE EMERGENCY RESPONSE 2024-2027, Statewide Emergency Response Bridge Repair, Prebid Meeting, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $200,000.00), Goals: MBE: 0.00%, WBE: 0.00%, SDVOB: 0.00% 2LegalJan.11

OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CLAUDIA BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the

NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributess, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having of claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint (hereinafter “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett”) and UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if living, and if they be dead, any and all other persons, who may claim as devises, distributees, legal representatives and successors in interest of said defendant, all of whom and whose places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquire be ascertained (hereinafter “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”), pursuant to CPLR §1015 and 1021; and, b) amending the caption by adding as a necessary party defendant UNITED STATE OF AMERICAINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; and c) that the Court appoint a Guardian Ad Litem and Military Attorney for defendant(s) “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett” of said defendants who may be infants, absentees or incompetents, or unknown successor in interest of defendant(s), “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”, who may be deceased and to protect and defend the interests of “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett” and “Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett” in this action; and d) for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.

SUFFICIENT CAUSE APPEARING THEREFORE, ORDERED, that service of the instant Order to Show Cause, together with the papers upon which it was granted, be served upon YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L ALLEN AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/ A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE pursuant to CPLR Article 3 on or before December 8, 2023, be deemed good and sufficient service; and it is further ORDERED, that service of the instant signed Order to Show Cause, together with the summons in the above-entitled action upon the defendants for “Claudia Bennett as Heir at Law and Next of Kin of Ernest O. Bennett and Unknown Heirs and Distributees of Ernest O. Bennett”, by publication thereof, together with a brief notice and brief statement of the object of the action and brief description of the property, in two (2) newspapers in the English language, The Daily Star (Oneonta), and The Freemans Journal (Cooperstown ) once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks, the first of such publication to be made within thirty (30) days after entry of this order, which time to effectuate the first publication is hereby extended to forty five (45) days after the entered date of this order; and it is further ORDERED, that service of the instant Order to Show Cause, together with the papers upon which it was granted, be served upon CITIBANK, N.A., NY STATE DEP`T OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, LOUIS M. SPIZZIRO, ESQ. (Attorney for Defendant, Ernest O. Bennett, deceased), and THOMAS HEGEMAN, ESQ., the Court Appointed continued Pg. 9

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 02: New York State Department of Transportation 207 Genesee Street, Utica, NY, 13501 D265186, PIN S12424, Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, St.

Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO INDEX # EF2018-532 FILED: 11/16/2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE AND SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial.

Designation of Venue is based upon situs of the Subject Property.

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED TRUST SERIES INABS 2006-E, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES SERIES INABS 2006-E, Plaintiff, against ERNEST O. BENNETT, CITIBANK, N.A., NY STATE DEP’T OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, Defendant(s).

Upon the Attorney’s Affirmation of Susan A. West, Esq. of the law offices of Aldridge Pite, LLP, the attorneys for the Plaintiff, dated November 13, 2023; and upon all the exhibits annexed hereto and in support hereof; and upon all the prior papers and proceedings heretofore had herein; LET, YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L ALLEN AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN

Complaint; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ERNEST O. BENNETT, if living, and if they be dead, any and all other persons, who may claim as devises, distributees, legal representatives and successors in interest of said defendant, all of whom and whose places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff and cannot after diligent inquire be ascertained; and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, show cause before this Court as IAS Part BDB, to be held at the OTSEGO County Courthouse, 32 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, on the 16th day of February, 2024, at 4:30 o’clock, of that day or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, WHY, an Order should not be entered granting the following relief: a) amending the caption by striking defendant ERNEST O. BENNETT, as said defendant is deceased and no longer has an interest in the subject premises, and substituting in place thereof YVONNE BURNS A/K/A YVONNE L. ALLEN AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNET; ERIC E BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CARLEEN M BENNETT SIMPSON A/K/A LISA SIMPSON AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN OF ERNEST O. BENNETT; CLAUDIA BENNETT AS HEIR AT LAW AND

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Kerfuffle

Continued from page 4 exceed receipts (mostly taxes with some fees, fines and import duties).

It might come as a surprise that we had budget surpluses as recently as 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. The chart provided from the Federal Reserve displays the switch in 2002 from federal budget surpluses to deficits.

The left side of the chart shows the budget deficit (or surplus) in millions of dollars.

Along the bottom of the chart are years, from 1998 to the present.

Surpluses are shown until 2001, when the solid trend line is

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from Pg. 8 Referee, by first class mail on or before December 8, 2023, be deemed good and sufficient service; and is further ORDERED, that any defendant serve and file any answering papers seven (7) days prior to the return date of this motion.

Date: November 16, 2023.

Brian D. Burns, J.S.C. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or

above zero (a balanced budget). The -1,600,000 figure midway down (corresponding to the year 2010) translates into a -$1.6 trillion deficit. The shaded areas on the chart show when there is a recession. We’ve had three of those in the last 25 years: a nine-month recession before and after September 11, 2001; the so-called Great Recession from December 2007 to June 2009, and the short but severe COVID recession from February to May, 2020. Now let’s see what else the chart reveals.

First, budget deficits normally increase (worsen) during recessions (those shaded

areas on the chart).

That’s because receipts fall sharply when people out of work pay fewer taxes, businesses fail and government enacts tax cuts to assist with the hard times. Meanwhile, the government typically increases spending during recessions to help those in need. COVID “stimulus checks” kept folks afloat three years ago, while Payroll Protection Program payments to businesses helped them survive.

Taken together, lower revenues and increased spending means the deficit grows during and immediately after recessions.

To boot, we’ve had the second (COVID) and third (Great

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go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

foreclosed: 2420 State Hwy 23 and State Hwy 23, Morris, NY 13808

by default for the relief demanded in this Complaint.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. WE ARE A DEBT COLLECTOR AND ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Santander Bank, N.A. f/k/a Sovereign Bank, N.A. f/k/a Sovereign Bank, Plaintiff,

The Object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises known as 1457 Butternut Road, Unadilla, NY 13849, bearing tax map designation Section: 304.00, Block 2, Lot 3.00, which is more fully described in the Schedule “A” attached to the Complaint. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situated, lying and being near Butternuts, County of OTSEGO and State of New York. Aldridge Pite, LLP. Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747. Our File 1221-46679B 4LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO Index No. EF2022-470 Date filed: August 5, 2022 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Premises being

ACTION TO FORECLOSE MORTGAGE ON PROPERTY SITUATED IN OTSEGO COUNTY

-againstThe Unknown Heirs of Louis B. DeArmas, Edward DeVilliers, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance-Tax Compliance Division-C.O.ATC and Internal Revenue ServiceUnited States of America “JOHN DOE #1” through and including “JOHN DOE#25”, the defendants last named in quotation marks being intended to designate tenants or occupants in possession of the herein described premises or portions thereof, if any there be, said names being fictitious, their true name being unknown to plaintiff, Defendant(s).

TO THE ABOVE DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of the Summons exclusive of the day of service continued Pg. 9 from Pg. 8 or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. In case of your failure to appear, or answer, judgment will be taken against you

Recession) worst downturns in the history of the country in the last 25 years (the Great Depression remains the worst). That’s why the deficit line plunges around 2008 and 2020 in the chart. But in the years afterward, the recovering economy restores revenues, and the temporary spending measures the government approves to soften the blow, end. The line begins to climb back toward zero as the budget deficit improves.

But there’s an exception in the chart, after the year 2017. The budget deficit worsens, and the line returns to its plunge. And this happens when the economy has recov-

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Brian D. Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Otsego County, entered Oct. 4, 2023 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office.

THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office on Feb. 17, 2006 in Book 1477, mortgage page 143, Document #2006-00042849, covering premises k/a 2420 State Hwy 23, Morris, NY 13808 a/k/a Section 222.00, Block 1. Lot 44.00 And State Hwy 23, Morris NY 13808 a/k/a Section 222.00, Block 1, Lot 45.00.

Plaintiff designates OTSEGO County as the place for trial.

Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop

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ered from the Great Recession and is growing at a healthy rate. The increase in the federal budget deficit is because of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, passed in the first year of the Trump presidency. That act reduced revenue, and will ultimately add $2.3 trillion to our nation debt. The deficit worsens for the last three years of that administration, in a booming economy, even before we’re hit with COVID. We’ll learn more about that, and what it means for the national debt, next time.

Larry Malone is professor emeritus of economics at Hartwick College.

Letters

Continued from page 4 to the editor. We are interested in our readers’ thoughts on articles or other items appearing in the papers, or on timely general issues with local relevance.

Submissions must not be in bad taste and must refrain from attacking individuals without supporting documentation or a rational and legally defensible justification. Unsigned letters will not be published.

All columns and letters are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iron String Press, “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta.”

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this foreclosure action.

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YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of

The Turk’s Plantation LLC

RSD Enterprises, LLC

Name:

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 3, 2023.

Office Location: Otsego County SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 810 Mooney Road, Worcester, NY 12197 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.18

Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on 6/29/2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: RSD Enterprises LLC, c/o Robert Dunbar 235 Flax Island Rd, Otego, NY 13825.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.11

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Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of Foreign LLC

Dated: October 30, 2023 Westbury, New York Edward Wiener, Esq. Stein, Wiener & Roth, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 (516)-742-1212 79276/DOVEN #101022 4LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Friends of the Feral TNR – Otsego LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/27/2023.

Cty: Otsego.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served and shall mail process to Gina M. Colone: 17 River Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

General Purpose 6LegalFeb.15 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of TRAVELING TOOLS HANDYMAN SERVICES LLC Arts of Org. filed SSNY 11/30/23, Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Zenbusiness Inc. 41 State St #112 Albany, NY 12207 General Purpose 6LegalFeb.1

Golden Swan Trading LLC. Articles of Organization filed with SSNY on 11/28/2023.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated agent with service of process address: PO Box 1469, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.1 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of NMBR 9 HOLDINGS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/7/23.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 426 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.25 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of CHASE ORGAN COMPANY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/11/23.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 1529 Co Hwy 39, Worcester, NY 12197, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.25

Bailey’s Plumbing and Heating LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State Of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2023.

Office Location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served. SSNY should mail process to Zachary Bailey: 231 Harris Hill Rd. Morris, NY 13808.

Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice

Ceasar Dante LLC.

Notice of Formation of

Filed with SSNY on 1/29/2014.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 1950 E. Main Street S. 205a Mohegan Lake NY 10547.

Purpose: any lawful 6LegalJan.18

D&L RV RENTAL, LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 12/1/2023.

Off. Loc. : Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, 170 Hughes Road, West Winfield, NY 13491, USA. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

6LegalJan.18 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Segina & Associates, LLC. Filed with SSNY on 11/10/12.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 1390 County Highway 11, Mount Vision, NY 13810.

Purpose: any lawful.

6LegalJan.18

Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Firefly Meadow Farm, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/17/23.

Office location: Otsego County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 959 County Rd 7, Otego, NY 13825.

Purpose: Any lawful act under NY LLC Law. 6LegalJan.18

Wanderlust Properties, LLC (DBA Wanderlust Rental Properties, LLC) Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/15/23.

Office Location: Otsego County.

SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 59 Woody Hill Rd., Hope Valley, RI 02832 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.11 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Aaron Fisher Enterprises LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State (SSNY) on November 1st, 2023 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 20 Harrison Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJan.11

A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Leaders

Continued from page 1 Oneonta; our 22nd schoolbased health center at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School; and a collaboration with Helios Care to establish more cohesive hospice and palliative care services.

In 2024, Bassett will continue to bring advancements to our communities. I am looking forward to our rapidly expanding virtual care options— which are significantly increasing access in our clinics as more people discover the convenience that telehealth offers from the comfort of their homes, offices, or wherever we can meet you online. I am also excited for the specialty pharmacy we have slated to open this year in partnership with Geisinger, offering patients access to clinically complex medications that are not available at regular retail pharmacies in our rural area.

So much more is yet to come as Bassett grows with the communities we

serve. I am proud to help lead this exceptional organization at such an exciting time.

—Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE City of Oneonta This will be a transformative year for Oneonta, and I am looking forward to working with our new Common Council to creatively move our city forward.

In 2024, we are poised to make significant strides along multiple paths, with all of them leading to a healthier economy and an enhanced quality of life in the city.

Development of Market Street as a pedestrian-friendly entertainment district will be a high priority. That effort is already underway, with tear-down and imminent development of 27 Market Street, the demolition of the garage, planned construction of a state-of-the-art transit hub, and a reimagined streetscape.

Adding to downtown’s

density (and foot traffic) is a priority, and the opening of the Ford on Main and the introduction of our Downtown Renaissance Program will help kickstart that strategy.

As evidence of Oneonta’s embrace of the visual and performing arts, I join many of our neighbors in anticipation of the Al Galladoro Memorial Stage’s construction, and a continued reimagination of Muller Plaza.

I have confidence that our various community “task forces” will make a game changing difference, and that together, the city, town, and county will work collaboratively for the benefit of all. It’s going to be a BIG year!

—City of Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek Community Foundation of Otsego County In 2024, the Community Foundation of Otsego County will continue its work strengthening our community and our nonprofits. A main goal is to expand Mohawk Valley Gives, a fundraising

THURSDAY, January 11, 2024 opportunity that was a huge success in 2023.

After the successful 2022 debut of Mohawk Valley Gives, a special giving day that raised more than $600,000.00 for Herkimer and Oneida county nonprofits, the Community Foundation of Otsego County had one goal—to provide access to Mohawk Valley Gives for Otsego County nonprofits. We worked to make that happen and we’re glad we did.

When the donation period ended on September 30, 2023, Otsego nonprofits, 63 of them, raised $220,000.00 from more than 900 donations. We were thrilled at the results and that the Community Foundation of Otsego County created this opportunity for our Otsego nonprofits. The feedback we received was extremely positive.

The Community Foundation of Otsego County is dedicated to making 2024’s Mohawk Valley Gives a bigger triumph. Our goal is to increase the number of Otsego nonprofits partic-

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ipating in Mohawk Valley Gives and dramatically increase the amount of funds raised. We’re also looking to substantially increase corporate sponsorship to further help our Otsego nonprofits.

Let’s all work together to make Mohawk Valley Gives even better in 2024!

—Executive Director Jeff Katz Cooperstown Center At Cooperstown Center, we have been making great strides in patient care for both long-term and short-term residents ever since I arrived here in May of 2023.

For long-term residents we have increased the amount of activities from where we were in 2022 to last year and will continue that upswing in 2024.

Activities for these longterm residents, as well as short-term residents, are so important, keeping them busy and bringing everyone together which, in turn, is a big cure and remedy for loneliness.

From the recent Fall Festival to upcoming spring and summer outings, our beautiful area offers so much in the way of outdoor beauty.

Short-term residents who are primarily here for physical, occupational, and speech therapy have been doing great and there’s been an upswing in discharges over the past two years as these residents have met their goals to go home.

We want to keep the trend alive and well, because going home is the ultimate therapeutic goal at Cooperstown Center.

What’s better than getting well and completing your rehab? Love and care for our residents is our motto for 2024.

—Administrator Jo Peterson Destination Marketing Corporation Destination Marketing Corporation, Otsego and Schoharie Counties’ Office of Tourism has numerous projects on the horizon.

In 2024, DMC will continue to meet the needs of the community by serving on the Regional Innovation Council and launching a regional job board and digital lifestyle hub on WhatsUpstateNY. com; will continue buildout of a recreational water trail; will expand their promotional efforts to the international market in preparation for Ichiro’s potential induction in 2025; will launch a gamified “Trail of Treasures,” encouraging sustainable shopping practices, and will unveil a new and improved tourism website this spring.

We’re most excited to enhance WeGoOtsego. com with the addition of matching social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, all of which will include a wealth of county-wide information requested by residents, including the most comprehensive event calendar in the county.

DMC will continue to be a community leader, partner and resource in economic development through tourism generation. As a result of DMC’s visitor economy management, Otsego County is valued as a vibrant place to play, live and work.

—President and Chief Executive Officer Cass Harrington Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center At Foothills, we have four major projects taking place in 2024 that we are excited to accomplish. First and foremost, our two largest event spaces, The Wright/ Wilber National Bank Atrium and The Bettiol Theater, will both have epoxy floors installed.

They are currently bare concrete floors and have been since the building opened, aside from some industrial carpeting. This is going to be a HUGE “glow up” for those two spaces.

Secondly, we are installing an LED video wall in our smaller space, The Loft. The video wall will replace a projector and screen setup that is over a decade old, giving the quality of our Met Opera broadcasts, film screenings, and presentations a muchneeded improvement in definition.

Third, we are installing additional lighting, truss and chain motors above The Bettiol Theater’s stage, which will enable us to fly drops, lights, etc. And finally, last but FAR from least, we will be getting a mural on the exterior of our building!

The mural will cover approximately 2,400 square feet. The mural project is in its preliminary planning stages, and we are thrilled to be working with the City of Oneonta Arts Commission on the project.

—Executive Director Geoff Doyle Oneonta Family YMCA and Y Specialty Fitness As we enter into 2024, the YMCA prides itself in offering a little something for everyone and to be here for the community. I’m committed to providing services, where everyone from toddlers to seniors can participate in activities that build a healthy lifestyle. The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities.

By having a strong community, we can support the wellness of our neighbors who contribute every day to the essential economic growth happening around us. Our programs are designed for just that, with a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

We are excited that our partnership with Bassett Healthcare Network continues for this year with Y Specialty Fitness, the area’s premier fitness center at FoxCare. By working together, we can now better embrace overall community health and wellness.

The Y will continue to evolve around the needs of an ever-changing society. We stand ready to build strong kids, strong families and a strong community.

—Frank Russo, Executive Director Otsego County Chamber of Commerce The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to Continued on page 11

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Leaders

Continued from page 10 participating in collaborative partnerships with various organizations to create a better quality of place in our region.

Workforce development and expansion, housing strategies, and small business support are the key foundational components of this overall goal.

—President Sean Lewis Otsego 2000 Otsego 2000 was founded 40 years ago to protect and preserve the Otsego Lake region—its waterways, wooded hills, pastures, farms, and villages—for present and future generations. Since then, we’ve taken on (and won) tough challenges, like fracking, when the region was threatened.

We have also invested heavily in communitybuilding—the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Glimmerglass Film Days and Otsego Outdoors are the most visible of these efforts.

Less trumpeted, but no less important, has been our investment in documenting and preserving our historic resources.

With more than 36,000 acres in the county listed or eligible, this provides an added layer of protection from ill-considered infrastructure projects that would destroy these important resources.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 15,000-acre Glimmerglass National Historic District, which includes the Village

of Cooperstown and the hillsides surrounding Otsego Lake. We will be celebrating this anniversary with events to educate and inspire renewed efforts to protect our singular wealth of historic buildings and landscapes—and tell the fuller story of the history of our region.

—Executive Director Ellen Pope Otsego Now For 2024, Otsego Now will continue to be the vibrant force that inspires progress in economic development in Otsego County and to foster opportunity for people to create meaningful lives for themselves and their family.

We will continue to work with existing companies to expand, such as IOXUS, which will energize their lithium battery and ultra-capacitor production, resulting in the creation of 31 new clean tech by mid-summer.

Brooks Bottling’s latest expansion plans will result in another 14 new employees.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishments planned for 2024 are Otsego Now’s capital improvements.

We will break ground on the Richfield Springs Business-Eco Park. Also, this spring, we plan on installing tar and stone on Stadium Circle Drive and the unpaved portion of Roundhouse Road in the City of Oneonta. Site clearance will also begin at the Oneonta Railyards Business Park.

—Chief Executive Officer Jody Zakrevsky

Rotary Club of Cooperstown January 14, 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown’s founding. Our club will be marking this milestone throughout the year with a number of events, including a celebratory dinner at The Otesaga on April 18 (mark your calendars!) and acts of service throughout the year that will promote Rotary International’s theme of “Creating Hope in the World.”

Over the past century, Cooperstown Rotary and its sister organization, the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation, have raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars toward scholarships and in support of local organizations providing critical services to our community.

We have sent scores of Cooperstown Central School students abroad and welcomed scores of international students to Cooperstown.

This coming year, we will renew our commitment to Service Above Self—look for us volunteering with area nonprofits, pitching in at community events, and find us at our upcoming Frosty Fling during Winter Carnival, our Vintage Treasures Yard Sale, the Susquehanna River Clean-Up (with the Cooperstown Lions Club), Fall Fling and the ever-popular Election Day Pancake Breakfast!

Interested in serving your community? We

welcome new members and new voices to usher in our second century of service!

—President Ellen Pope and PresidentElect Bill Wal

Lambert

Continued from page 1 his father again for the years of coaching.

“He’s definitely hard on me,” he said. “My dad always debriefs with me after games, and we discuss all the ways we can improve.

He’s a voice of reason and a source of stability.

I really love to have him on the sidelines.”

With nine games remaining in the season, Lambert was bullish about the team’s prospects and about his own potential. He was more circumspect about the longer-term future, however.

“I’m still applying for colleges and working all of that out,” he said. “I’m going to college ultimately to get an education, so basketball would be on the backburner.

Still, it’s definitely a possibility.”

Bassett

Continued from page 1 recently on a patient,” said Dr. Ferrara.

“Treatment took only 11 minutes after set-up, and the patient was back at work the next day.”

“Over the last three years, before we acquired this new technology, Bassett performed more than 170 proce-

O’Connor Titles at Home COOPERSTOWN—Milford senior T.J. O’Connor continued to lead the Cooperstown/Milford wrestling team with a 152-class title at the Cooperstown Invitational on Saturday, December 30. He won four matches by pinfall and defeated Albert Smith of Maine-Endwell in the title match by technical fall. O’Connor is 20-1 this season and has an overall five-season varsity record of 168-27. Cooperstown/ Milford finished the day 10th of 15 teams.

Baseball Prospect Clinic Slated ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta baseball announced that its annual preseason high school clinic will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 4. It is intended for all high school-aged baseball players who wish to improve their baseball skills or demonstrate them to the coaching staff. Advanced registration is recommended. The clinic will focus on offensive and primary position instruction, along with bullpen training for pitchers. For more information or to sign up, visit https://oneontaathletics. com/news/2023/12/4/baseball-announces-feb-4preseason-high-school-prospect-clinic.aspx.

Sports scores, game highlights and photos can now be submitted online at allotsego.com for publication on our website and in our papers. dures to remove thyroid growths,” Dr. Ferrara continued. “We expect that if COVID-19 had not curtailed many elective surgeries for part of that time, we likely would have seen many more.

“There is a huge need for this treatment. Now, not only can we accommodate more patients because treatment is simpler and does not require a hospital stay— people can receive this much more sophisticated, less-invasive procedure close to home. Offering this treatment at Bassett is a huge win for patients in our network’s area and beyond,” Dr. Ferrara said.

Learn more about radiofrequency thyroid

ablation treatment at Bassett Medical Center by calling (607) 547-3279.

Briefs

Continued from page 2 The two also made the All-Region team and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships. Junior Sabrinna Mena was also All-Region.

The Red Dragons finished in the top five in five meets, winning the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational and the Fredonia State Kara Hall Memorial Invitational.

They placed sixth at the NCAA Niagara Regional Championships.

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what’s haPPENIN’ in OtsegO COunty _________ Send calendar items to info@allotsego.com

A-12 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

►Friday, Jan. 12 STATE OF THE COUNTY—Last day to reserve seats at the 2024 “State of the County” breakfast and panel discussion. $40/non-member. Public welcome to attend.

Presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 432-4500 ext. 2 or visit https://otsegocc.com/ COOPERSTOWN BOOK CLUB—Read “Daughter of Nantucket” and discuss with the group on 1/18 at 4 p.m. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

(607) 547-8344 or visit https://www.facebook. com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/ SENIOR BOOK CLUB— Seniors read “The Authenticity Project” by Claire Pooley, then discuss with the group at the meeting held January 18 at 3 p.m.

Facilitated by Lisa Lutsic.

Oneonta Gathering Place, 5506 State Highway 7, Oneonta. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/otsegocountyOFA/ REGISTRATION DEADLINE—Last day to register for “Otsego County 4-H Cooking Clinic.” Handson workshop covering kitchen and food safety, basic food preparation, and nutrition. Menu: healthy snacks. $5. Held 1/20 at 10 a.m. The Rowe House, 31 Maple Street, Oneonta. (607)

433-2521or visit https:// www.facebook.com/CCESchoharieOtsego LIBRARY—Noon to 1 p.m. “Beanstack App 101.” Learn to use this free mobile and web application to track reading.

Registration required.

Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit https://hmloneonta.org/adult-programs/ OUTDOORS—1-2:30 p.m. “Homeschool Nature Walk.” Explore winter landscape and search for signs of life with the Otsego County Conservation Association. Gilbert Lake State Park, CCC Road, Laurens. (607) 547-4488 or visit https:// www.occainfo.org CRAFTY FRIDAY— 3:30 p.m. Play with modeling clay. WorcesterSchenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester.

(607) 397-7309 or visit https://www.facebook. com/WorcesterSchenevus

►Saturday, Jan. 13 FIELD TRIP—8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eagle-viewing trip with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. Visit the Delaware County rivers and reservoirs to see bald eagles and other birds of prey. Open to the public.

Leaves from Dietz Street parking lot across from the YMCA, Oneonta. (607) 267-8491 or visit https:// doas.us/ CONSERVATION— 9-11 a.m. “Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Field Train-

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what’s haPPENIN’ in OtsegO COunty _________

ing.” Learn to identify SEWING CLASS— hemlock trees and signs 1:30-3 p.m. “Threads haPPENIN’ of the invasivewhat’s insect Past to Present.” Learn in OtsegO COunty threatening them. Held to sew each Saturday outdoors, dress for the with Linda Hovey. Hand weather. Presented sewing or learning a new by the Otsego County machine. Held each SatConservation Association. urday. The Green Giraffe, Meet outside the main 179 Main Street, Unadildoors at the Clark Sports la. (607) 369-3234.

Center, 124 County Road SOUPS & SAND52, Cooperstown. (607) WICH—2-5 p.m.

547-4488 or visit https:// Free lunch with soup, www.occainfo.org sandwiches, crackers LIBRARY—9:30-11:30 and drinks. Laurens a.m. “Python ProgramPresbyterian Church, 3 ming.” 4-week class Main Street, Laurens. teaching the basics of the (607) 432-3738 or visit Python programming lanhttps://www.facebook. guage. No programming com/LaurensPresbyteriexperience needed, basic anChurchLaurensNy/ computer skills a must.

DARTS—2-7 p.m. “Soft Held Saturdays through Tip Darts Tournament.”

2/3. Huntington Memo$15/person. Oneonta rial Library, 62 Chestnut Vets Club, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit https:// 432-0494 or visit https:// hmloneonta.org/adultwww.facebook.com/alprograms/ post259/ MAKERS MARKET— ►Sunday, Jan. 14 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Snow Much Fun Shopping BIRDING—8 a.m. to Event.” Southside Mall, 6 p.m. “Annual NYS Water5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 432-4401 fowl Count.” Census of waterfowl in New York State. or visit https://www.facebook.com/southsidemall/ Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society covers Otsego FAMILY GAMES— Lake, Susquehanna River 10 a.m. Board games above Unadilla, the Unfor the whole famadilla River, Cannonsville ily. Village Library of Reservoir and the West Cooperstown, 22 Main Branch of the Delaware Street, Cooperstown.

River. To participate, (607) 547-8344 or visit register with Andy Mason https://www.facebook. com/VillageLibraryOfCoo- at (607) 267-8491 or visit https://www.facebook. perstown/ com/DelawareOtsegoPYRE—1-5 p.m.

AudubonSociety/ “Snap, Crackle, Hop: A Traditional Christmas ►Monday, Jan. 15 Tree Pyre.” Includes cozy Martin Luther beverages and food from King Jr. Day the Ommegang food truck. Free, all welcome.

PLAY & LEARN— Brewery Ommegang, 10 a.m. Supervised play 656 County Highway session for children 33, Cooperstown. (607) 544-1800 or visit https:// under 5. Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main www.ommegang.com/ Street, Cooperstown. events/snap-crackle-hop(607) 547-8344 or visit 2024/

_______

AllOTSEGO.

THURSDAY, January 11, 2024 https://www.facebook. com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/ SENIOR WALK— 10-11 a.m. Seniors walk with Connections group on the track and gym floor. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook. com/otsegocountyOFA/ CONNECTIONS— 10:30-11:15 a.m. Open Tai Chi. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook. com/otsegocountyOFA/ SENIOR MEALS—Noon.

Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal each Monday and Wednesday.

Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors, $10 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of turkey Divan in broccoli sauce, seasoned noodles, lima beans and apple crisps. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 5476454 or visit https://www. facebook.com/otsegocountyOFA/ POTTERY—1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters are invited to work on personal projects and hone their skills.

No instruction provided. $30/session. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@SmithyArts.org or visit https://www.smithyarts.org/

►Tuesday, Jan.16 WORKSHOP DEADLINE—Register for 4-H Dog Agility Workshop with the 4-H Dog Training Program. Held 1/27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost, $15/youth. Hosted by Hessian Hill Farm, Berne.

(518) 234-4303 ext. 117 or visit https://cceschoharie-otsego.org/ YOUTH—9:30 a.m.

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“Baby & Toddler Story Time.” Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit https:// hmloneonta.org/youthprograms/ COMMUNITY HIKE— 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment and water, and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at Hunts Pond State Park, New Berlin. Contact hike leader Jenny Grimes, (607) 434-4766, or visit https://susqadk.org/ SUPPORT GROUP— 10 a.m. Free monthly drop-in group open to all aged 18+. Facilitated by staff trained in grief and loss. This is a safe and confidential space to focus on understanding the grief process, make sense of strong emotions, and learn from other community members. St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-5525 to register.

FLY CREEK QUILTERS— 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fly Creek Area Quilters meet to cut, sew, tie, bind and have a good time working on quilts. Fly Creek Methodist Church, County Route 26, Fly Creek.

DEMOCRACY— 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Winners of essay competition for ideas to engage youth in democracy announced.

Event includes Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado presenting and taking questions, followed by a student panel, then lunch and the awards ceremony. Shineman Chapel, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.

LUNCH & LEARN— Noon. Simple lunch with presentation on decluttering, followed by group discussion. Registration required. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

(607) 547-8344 or visit https://www.facebook. com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/ VIRTUAL TOUR—2 p.m.

“Cooper, Cole, and the Hudson River School.”

Manager of Arts Education Kevin Gray presents a live virtual tour exploring a collection of Cooper family memorabilia, paintings by Thomas Cole and other works from members of the Hudson River School. Followed

by Q&A session. Free, $10 suggested donation.

Registration required.

Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400 or visit https://fenimoreartmuseum.org/

►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar.

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