Hometown Oneonta 12-31-20

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2020 citizen of the year

WITH 36 YEARS ON HEALTH CARE’S FRONT LINES, HEIDI BOND

WAS READY

By LIBBY CUDMORE

RICHFIELD SPRINGS HOMETOWN ONEONTA

T

Assemblyman Bill Magee, hirty-four years ago, seen here at a 2015 during her first sumOtsego County Chamber mer as a nurse’s aide breakfast, has died. at Bassett Hospital, Heidi

Bill Magee, Seward Ally, Age 81, Dies

Bond’s mother, Registered Nurse Cindy Brophy, gave her advice that has carried her through her career to date.

“She told me, ‘I don’t ill Magee, 81, who care if you have to go cry represented Otsego County for 28 years in the bathroom every shift – you finish this summer,’” in the state Assembly, died said Bond. “She had a very on Christmas Eve. strong work ethic, and she Democrat Magee in the instilled that in me.”

Democratic Assembly, and That fortitude was put to Republican Jim Seward in the test when the COVIDthe Republican Senate, 19 pandemic hit. Bond, an collaborated in bringing LPN, has worked tirelessly, home Albany’s largesse. seven days a week, since Magee was a popular auctioneer in the Cazenovia the first case arrived in mid-March, assisting with area and, although a contact tracing, scheduling Democrat, had served as testing clinics and monichairman of the Madison toring the rise of the virus County Board of Supervithroughout the county. sors in that Republican For her steady hand county/DETAILS, A3 and firm compassion, Follow Breaking New On Otsego County Director of Public Health Heidi OTSEGO.com Bond has been named the Citizen of the Year by Hometown Oneonta, The ►COOPERSTOWN’S “Shop With a Cop” has successful trial run. Freeman’s Journal and ►COVID INFECTED two www.AllOTSEGO.com.

Cooperstown Center residents, “I know I’m proud of but didn’t kill them, nursing the work she’s done,” said

B

All

home says. ►DELGADO TO KEYNOTE virtual Otsego County Chamber State of the State breakfast. ►RICHFIELD MAN CHARGED with stealing $2,500 in gift cards from food pantry. ►pitcher, hall of famer Phil Neikro dies ►fox hospital construction will limit ER parking. ►bassett’s christmas babies from Hamilton, Sidney. ►suspect arrested at DA’s office with cap, ball muzzleloader. ►friends of christmas deliver 400 holiday meals. ►flooding fears dim Festival of Lights, but waters abate. ►”a Christmas Carol” makes audiobook debut.

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTAl

Although she didn’t know it was coming, good work habits, a cool head and years of training and experience prepared Heidi Bond, Otsego County public health director, to lead the local charge against COVID-19. With her is Molly, her pet Pomeranian.

Dave Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield, chairman of the county Board of Representatives.

“And I’m confident in saying our board is too.”

“The challenges of COVID would have caused others to curl up in the corner,” said county Rep. Andrew Stammel, D-Oneonta, who chairs the county board’s Health

& Education Committee.

“But not Heidi. She works diligently, confidently and without complaint.”

“She’s a phenomenal person, and I’m not just

On Final Night, Champagne Toast With Cindy

saying that because she’s my daughter,” said Brophy, now a nurse in Scarborough, Maine. “She is gentle and kind, and I don’t know if Please See CITIZEN, A4

DEATHS INCREASE, VACCINATIONS, TOO

Seward Ready For Next Chapter T

By JIM KEVLIN MILFORD

O

ne of the perks of being a state senator: When your term is up, you get to buy your chair for $25 as a memento of your service to the Empire State.

The other day, Jim Seward’s chair was delivered to his home on North Main Street.

Midnight on New Year’s Eve, 36 years of serving Otsego County will be over. “Cindy and I will be at home, sipping champagne,” the county’s most celebrated politician said Monday, Dec. 29, in a farewell interview.

“I’ve survived two very serious lifethreatening illnesses over the past year,” he said – a near-fatal bout of COVID-19 and a recurrence of cancer. “I’m truly blessed to have emerged from both of those as well as I have.”

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA Please See SEWARD, A2 Senator Seward and wife Cindy.

here’s bad news and good news on the COVID-19 front.

There were five deaths in the first two days of this week, the most in one week since the virus first appeared in March.

On the other hand, Bassett administered 900 vaccinations so far, to healthcare workers.

The Hawkeye Grill and Mel’s at 22 in Cooperstown closed after staff members tested positive.

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HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER

2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Chrystal Savage Named To Managing Editor Post

HAWKEYE, MEL’S CLOSED FOR NOW

Cases Surge; Vaccinations, Too

By CHRYSTAL SAVAGE & LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN

T

he good news: Residents and staff at Cooperstown Center are receiving the Pfizer vaccine, as have 900 Bassett Healthcare Network employees, who have so far received the Moderna vaccine.

The bad news: Five more people have died from COVID-19 this week, a weekly record, bringing the year-end toll to 17 deaths in the largest spike this month.

“They have all been sick for a while and were all hospitalized,” said Heidi Bond, Otsego County public health director.

Three were men, two women, all over age 55, and all had been hospitalized.

One of them, said Bond, got sick after being exposed to someone who caught the virus at the Copper Fox in Oneonta.

“This person didn’t go to the bar, but they contracted the disease through secondary spread from someone who did,” she said.

Additionally, cases reached staff members at both Mel’s at 22 and The Otesaga’s Hawkeye Grill, leading to both shutting their doors until after the New Year.

“Until recently, we have been very fortunate that our Mel’s at 22 community has not been affected by COVID-19,” wrote Mel’s owner Brian Wrubleski in a Facebook posting on Christmas Eve. “Last week one of our servers tested

COVID cases were reported among patrons and staff members.

At Centers, residents and staff began receiving the vaccine on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

“Seventy-six percent of residents received their first vaccine today,” said spokesman Jeffrey Jacomowitz. “We are anticipating all residents that have consented to the vaccine to have both doses by February.”

Walgreen’s is assisting with the Jim Kevlin/ The Freeman’s Journal vaccine distribution. “Thus far, neither & HOMETOWN ONEONTA residents nor staff has had any adverse reactions following administration of Dr. Lewis Brinton, Fly Creek, their vaccine,” he said.

Little Falls Hospital ER doctor, At Bassett, Karen Huxtable-Hooker, receives the first Moderna Public and Media Relations Director, vaccine administered by said that the network is awaiting a Bassett Healthcare Network.

Director of Pharmacy Kelly “formal invitation” from the state Rudd gives the shot.

Department of Health to begin using the state’s prioritization schedule for vaccine positive,” he continued. “In accordistribution going forward. dance with the best practices from the But despite the rapid increase in Department of Health, we have decided vaccinations, Bond doesn’t expect cases to remain closed until the New Year. themselves to decline any time soon.

“This will give us time to make sure “Any time now, cases from Christmas that all of our team members are safe and gatherings are going to start coming healthy before returning to serving you.” in,” she said. “We’ve already had some Said Bond, “We don’t require busipeople who reported symptoms before nesses to close if a staff member tests the holidays, but gathered anyways.” positive for COVID. But we do recomThose who have been identified as mend they close for at least 24 hours for being in contact with a positive COVID cleaning.” case during the holidays are instructed to She was “unaware” of similar restauquarantine inside their home for 14 days, rant closures elsewhere in the county, as they may only be eligible for a test if although previously, Applebee’s, the they begin showing symptoms.

Latte Lounge, Red’s Ale House, the “That means that you do not gather Red Jug Pub and the Copper Fox, all for New Year’s Eve, you do not leave the in Oneonta, closed temporarily after house for anything,” she said.

W

ith the first edition of 2021, Chrystal Savage, former editor of SUNY Oneonta’s State Times newspaper, will assume the duties of managing editor of Hometown Oneonta, The Freeman’s Journal and www.

AllOTSEGO.com.

Savage succeeds Libby Cudmore, who is joining Hartwick College as a Writer for Young Audiences, working across the college’s publications, social media platforms and the new FlightPath program, which helps students identify and work towards career goals while exploring major and course options.

“Libby has made a huge contribution to the development of our newspapers and website over the past 10 years,” said Editor & Publisher Jim Kevlin. “She’s a good friend and colleague to all of us here. We’re sorry to see her go, but wish her continuing success and happiness in her new endeavor.

“Meanwhile, we’ve been lucky to find Chrystal, who is familiar with Oneonta and Cooperstown, and experienced in reporting and producing a newspaper,” he said. “We’re excited about

Savage

Cudmore

the skills she’s bringing to our operation.”

A Delhi native, Chrystal graduated from Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi, and majored in English and General Human Ecology at SUNY Oneonta, graduating magna cum laude in May. As editor of the States Times, she discovered a love of journalism. She has also freelanced for Catskill Country and other magazines, and reported for The Reporter, based in Delhi.

A native of Cobleskill, Libby is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton and received a Master’s in Fine Arts from the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast Program.

In 2016, her critically reviewed debut novel, “The Big Rewind,” was published by William Morrow.

Libby’s husband, Ian Austin, will continue as photographer for the newspapers and website.

Retiring, Seward Still Remembers Being ‘Awestruck’ On Day One SEWARD/From A1 So he’s particularly looking forward to “a less-structured schedule, spending more time with Cindy and our family” – son Ryan and his wife, Kelly, and daughter Lauren and her daughters, Nora and Vivian.

“Elected office at the state Senate level: the demands on time are tremendous,” he said. “It took a lot of time away from home.”

Here’s a scoop, though: The senator plans to work part time in a role that will contribute to the prosperity of Otsego and the nine other counties in his 51st Senate District.

“Look forward to an announcement in January,” he said.

He’s heartened that his final year, The Year of COVID-19, is almost over.

“I was looking forward to touring the district. A farewell tour, shall we say, touching bases with the community leaders and citizens I had worked with over the years,” he said. That, of course, wasn’t to be.

“Usually, on the last night of the session,” he continued, there are, for the retiring senators, speeches from the legislative leaders … And retiring members have an opportunity to reminisce a bit.”

“None of that was possible,” he said.

Cindy Seward photo

As is traditional for state Senate retirees, an old friend has joined Jim Seward in Milford – the chair he sat in during 34 years in Albany.

Still, there was a Zoom conference for Republicans, as part of new member orientation earlier this month, where he and other retiring senators “were able to make a statement virtually. But it’s far different.”

Still, his departure was not without accolades, albeit virtual ones. The Otsego Chamber presented him with its Eugene A. Bettiol Jr. Citizen of the Year Award; The Boy Scouts of America, Leatherstocking Council, the Community Leadership Award.

Oneonta Common Council presented him with the keys to the city. And the Cooperstown Village Board Monday issued a proclamation in his honor.

In his final days as a senator, he thinks back to “early January 1987, the day I first walked into the chamber. I took my seat – that really struck me: Hey, I’ve been given an awesome responsibility to work positively to impact people’s lives.

“Even though I had been a staff member, I was a bit awestruck.”

At the time, state Sen. Warren

M. Anderson, R-Binghamton, was majority leader, and called Seward into his imposing office. “This is your first term,” said Anderson, surrounded by a phalanx of aides.

“We want to get you off to a good start.”

In the late 1980s, the state was on a prison-building spree. Seward paused. “’I need one of those prisons,’ I said. And it worked,” the senator remembers.

In his district, only Cayuga County was lobbying for one.

Seward delivered, winning the renewed support of Moravia’s Arbon Hatfield, who had lost the Senate nomination to Seward in a three-way Republican primary.

What’s more, the state bought Hatfield’s farm for the prison.

“Now, Arby,” he was able to say next time he saw Hatfield, “I did you a favor by beating you in the primary.”

As he’s said before, his most affirming moments were when a constituent come up to him – four times over his career – and said, “Senator, you saved my life.” As longtime Insurance Committee chairman, he knew who to call to remove obstacles to insurance money for cancer treatments.

Twice, Seward had the opportunity to run for Congress, in 2006,

when Sherwood Boehlert of Utica retired, and 2016, when Chris Gibson retired.

The first time, he was reluctant to primary Ray Meyers, the Utica assemblyman who wanted the job.

“I might have done it if I had a clear shot,” Seward said. The second time, he believed his seniority in Albany allowed him to do more good than becoming one of 435 Congressman in Washington.

That’s because Seward established himself as an “honest broker” in the state capital. “Whatever the administration” – Mario Cuomo, Pataki, Spitzer, Paterson, Andrew Cuomo – “I’ve maintained good relationships, for the benefit of my constituents.”

His reflections returned to Day One in Albany, when he learned a particular lesson that stuck with him.

“On my first day, Warren Anderson came over, put his arm around my shoulders and said, ‘We haven’t done the seating chart yet: Why don’t you sit where’ – he snapped his fingers – ‘where what’s-his-name sat,’” Seward recalled.

“The minute you’re no longer in the Senate,” he said, “they can’t even remember your name. It’s a lesson not to take yourself too seriously.”

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THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

IN MEMORIAM Darcie Marie Sheley, 27; Vibrant Mother, Model ONEONTA her four – Darcie daughters, Marie Sheley, Isabella 27, a mother Wiswell, of four and Miley a successful Cutler, model, passed Myah away unexSheley and pectedly on Morgana Christmas Day, Sheley; her Friday Dec. parents, 25, 2020.

Royal She was Sheley Sr. visited prior to and Laurie her death by Sheley of close family Sidney; Darcie M. Sheley at Bassett brothers, Hospital in Cooperstown, George Sheley (Ashlyn where she gave her final Morrell) and Shawn Banks breath.

(Eva Banks) of Oneonta, She was born on March and Royal Sheley Jr. of 25, 1993, daughter of Kingston; sister, Anita Laurie and Royal Sheley Sr. Sheley of Kingston; and in Kingston. many nieces, nephews and She was a longtime resicousins. dent of Sidney, where she Darcie was predeceased grew up and made many by her grandmother, lifelong friendships.

Colleen Banks, and greatMost recently, before grandfather, William A. moving back to Oneonta, Banks Sr., who she cared she spent time in deeply for.

Richmond, Va., and also Darcie volunteered to be traveled to both California an organ donor before her and Florida as she explored death. what the world had to offer.

Friends and family are She spent a lot of her invited to a celebration time outdoors going swimof life from noon until 3 ming, hiking and exploring p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, at nature with her four beauthe American Legion at 22 tiful daughters.

Union St. Sidney.

She also could be found Darcie will be cremated enjoying singing, dancing, and kept close to home with and listening to music. She her brother, George. found success as a model, Cremation arrangements in which she took great are under the direction of pride.

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Magee Left ‘Big Shoes To Fill,’ Colleagues Say

By CHRYSTAL SAVAGE COOPERSTOWN

T

hough they were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, retiring state Senator Jim Seward, R-Milford, always knew he could reach across the aisle to Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-121.

“Bill was always among my first calls when I needed an assembly sponsor for legislation that would help our area,” he said. “And he never hesitated to join me As legislators representing overlapping districts, Assemblyman Magee and I worked together on a regular basis to address the shared needs of our constituents.”

Magee, who served in the State Assembly for 28 years, years, died Thursday, Dec. 24 at age 81.

He was elected as NY state Assemblyman in 1990,

and was soon given a reputation as an advocate for farmers, serving as chair of the Agricultural committee. “[Magee] was a huge asset to the [agricultural] community,” said Darin Hickling, NY District 9 Farm Bureau Director.

“He was a huge help to and supporter of the Farm Bureau; he was always there for us – his contributions can’t be measured.”

Magee also ran an auction house, and frequently donated his auctioneering skills to Farm Bureau Benefits.

“He was a personable, approachable and regular guy,” Hickling said. “It was great to talk with him. You could go to him about any issue and – more often than not – he already knew about and was working on it.”

In 2018, after 28 years in office, Magee, then 79, lost his re-election bid to Republican John Salka after the third contest between

the pair. “[Magee] fought hard for farmers, business and the general public alike,” Assemblyman Salka said. “He was down to earth, Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, understood foreground, appears at an Otsego the issues Chamber of Commerce State of the and was one State Breakfast with state Sen. Jim of the most Seward, R-Milford. bipartisan at Monday’s Trustee’s board people. I certainly had big meeting. “He was a perfect, shoes to fill when I came unassuming gentleman into the position.” who always delivered and Salka has said he plans to wasn’t shy about knowing attend the funeral services more,” Tillapaugh said. later this week.

“The assembly district “It is only respectful,” lost a great politician who Salka said. “He was a good always put his constituents man and a family friend; first and worked tirelessly even though we were oppoon their behalf. His nearly nents we had mutual respect three decades of service will for one another.” live on through a number of Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh projects.” expressed her condolences

Assemblyman Bill Magee, 81; Seward Ally In Benefiting All NELSON – William (Bill) Magee, 81, who served Otsego County in the state Assembly for 28 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2020.

The younger of two children of Donald and Ruth (Hart) Magee, he lived in the Town of Nelson, outside Cazenovia, all of his life.

The Magee family operated a small dairy and general store in Erieville. Bill graduated from Cazenovia Central School and Cornell University, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Economics.

He married the former Jeanette Nichols. The couple were married for 52 years before her death in 2018.

Outside of his public life, Bill was an auctioneer, where he ran his auctions with well-known humor.

Before serving in the Assembly, Bill was on the Madison County Board of Supervisors representing his town, and worked at the New York State Fair.

While in the Assembly, he served on numerous committees, but was most proud of and respected as the chair William of the Magee Agriculture Committee.

On the Assembly, Bill was strong voice for the farming community, but also for education, reduction of taxes, energy costs and bureaucracy, public health, and countless local projects.

Bill was on the Committees of Crouse Community Center (where he was also a founder), Community Memorial, and Morrisville College Foundation.

Besides his wife, his parents, and his sister Rowena Blazer, Bill was predeceased by Ruth Ann Schultz, Bill and Jeanette’s adopted daughter.

Surviving are his nieces, Robin Blazer-Commins

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(David Commins) and Frances Blazer (Michael Collins), great nephews William Blazer and Daniel Perry, great niece, Emma Blazer, brother-in-law, Robert Blazer, cousin Nina Mitchell, and countless other cousins and good friends. Former staff include Paula O’Brien, Troy Waffner, Christina Nowak, Grace Rapasadi, Laura Martino, and Kim DeGeorge, all of whom became family.

With his family residing in the Town of Nelson and surrounding area for well over 150 years, one can only imagine how many people could count him as a relative.

Friends may call noon-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, 260 Main St., Oneida.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 2 from St. James Church, Cazenovia, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Kevin Corcoran, pastor.

The funeral mass will be livestreamed, go to www.stjamescaz.org.

If you are attending mass, call (315) 655-3441 by noon, Thursday.

Spring interment will be made in Nelson Rural Cemetery.

Contributions, in his memory may be made to the Magee Scholarship Fund, Morrisville College Foundation, Box 901, Morrisville, NY 13408 or Wanderers Rest, Box 535, Canastota, NY 13032.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Campbell Dean Funeral Home.

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A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA

HOMETOWN Views

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

EDITORIAL

15 Years Of ‘Citizens’ Prove: WE Can Overcome

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

C

Holiday Tourney: Cooperstown Beats W-Ville, Camden/See Page 7

Cooperstown’s Newspaper Since 1808

Vol 198, No. 52

William Shakespeare

an it be 15 years since The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta, (after its founding in 2008), have recognized a Citizen (or Citizens) of the Year in the final edition of the 12th month?

In 2006, Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Tom Garretson, digesting information brought before him on industrial-scale wind turbines, changed his mind and led the charge to block them. That took guts and flexibility.

In 2020, Heidi Bond is a worthy successor. Like Garretson, she didn’t expect the worst epidemic in a century to explode upon us.

But, like Garretson, she rose to the

Newsstand Price 75¢

Cooperstown, New York, Friday, December 29, 2006

Thomas Garretson

ROBERT H. BOYLE I REMEMBER

2006 CITIzEN OF THE YEAR

Photo courtesy Hall of Fame Baseball promoter Alex Pompez organized the barnstorming tour through Mexico that turned into a hair-raising experience for Sports Illustrated’s Robert H. Boyle, who now lives in East Springfield.

Keep Dreamin’, Snow’s On Way

By BREN MIOSEK COOPERSTOWN

T

The End Was Near – Almost When Aaron Didn’t Show, Fans Furious

T

he late Alex Pompez, the great scout for the New York and San Francisco Giants who died in 1974 at age 83, was among those inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this past summer. Before Pomp turned to scouting for the Giants, he owned the New York Cubans in the old Negro National League, and before that he ran the biggest numbers game in Harlem, which is how he got the money to own the New York Cubans.

I was not around for the Hall ceremonies, but I read later that no relative could be found to attend.

That was surprising because, as Pomp once proudly told me, he was the uncle of U.S. Sen. Edward Brooke of Massachusetts, long retired and alive at 87 in Florida.

I first met Pomp under unusual circumstances in the fall of 1959 when I was based in San Francisco as Sports Illustrated’s West Coast correspondent with my territory, so I was told, extending east to the Jersey side of the Hudson River.

The editors in New York had given me approval to do an in-depth study of black – Negro was the term then – players in the National and American Leagues. Jackie Robinson had to contend with a lot when he broke the color line with the Brooklyn Dodger in 1947, and now, a dozen years afterwards, I wanted to discover what life was like for his 57 successors.

Please See ALAMO, Page 5

Green Holiday Unusual

Russ Honicker /The Freeman’s Journal Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Tom Garretson, The Freeman’s Journal “Citizen of the Year,” still supports wind power, but a different kind of wind power: small-scale and community-controlled for the community’s benefit.

Cherry Valley Supervisor Guided Town Through Dangers To A New Consensus

By JIM KEVLIN CHERRY VALLEY

T

om Garretson always liked people.

But for the first 35 years of his life, he didn’t see many of them.

“On the farm you hardly see anyone at all,” said the tall, lanky Cherry Valley town supervisor, “except your family.”

In 2006, it was quite the opposite, as he presided at packed meeting after packed meeting and debate raged over Reunion Power’s 24-turbine wind farm proposed for East Hill.

Given that he liked people, Garretson began the year – his first

as supervisor, succeeding 38-year veterans Bob Loucks Jr., his father-in-law – wanting to make everybody happy.

Over the course of the year he discovered “at the end of the day, you might not make anybody happy.”

Having reached that conclusion, he realized there was no alternative to listening, thinking, reflecting, trying to keep an open mind but, in the end, coming to his own conclusion.

For safely ferrying his divided rural community from one threatened by runaway industrial wind-turbine development to one that is planning and in control of its future, and by doing so with patience, courtesy and growing wisdom, Tom Garretson was selected as The Freeman’s Journal “Citizen of 2006,” which will now be an annual designation.

Two letters to the editor bookend the development of Please See CITIZEN, Page 11

alk to people about green Christmases like this one, and soon they’re talking about white ones.

“We had plenty of white Christmases back in the ’60s and ’70s, but I don’t recall too many green ones around here,” said former Cooperstown Postmaster Roger Smith as he wrapped up another busy day at Spurbeck’s Grocery.

“I can remember two or three from back then, but that’s about it. We usually had lots of snow.”

“I can remember a lot of white Christmases, but I can’t remember the last green one,” said Bill Waller of Cooperstown. “The bad thing about a green Christmas is that it never really seems like Christmas when there isn’t any snow.”

“It seems like the winters have been milder during the past few years,” said Village Historian Hugh MacDougall. “But I can remember one Christmas in particular where I had to hire a truck to remove some of the snow in front of my house.

Although the lack of snow on Christmas Day 2006 may have disappointed a few children with no need for snow pants, mittens, hats or boots, what a difference four years make.

Please See GREEN, Page 3

Local Woman ‘Guiding Light’ In Gulf Coast

By CHAD WELCH COOPERSTOWN

T

here is a destiny that makes us brothers; None goes his way alone; All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own.”

These words by poet Edwin Markham were the original motto of the television drama “Guiding Light,” created by Irna Phillips for the show’s radio debut in 1937.

Please See LIGHT, Page 2

Luxury Condos, Lake Views Envisioned Above Key Bank

Sheriff Mundy, Champion Of Road Patrols, Retiring

Only Parking Spaces Hold Up Building Owner’s Vision

Ex-Trooper Served 13 Years As Top County Policeman

COOPERSTOWN

COOPERSTOWN

O

n a clear day, you can see the Sleeping Lion from the fourth floor of the Key Bank building, at least when the leaves are off the trees.

That’s not half of it. To the east is a charming view of Main Street, to the west the Otesaga and, to the south, a birds-eye view of Doubleday Field.

It seems like an ideal setting for Shane Newell’s plans.

The bank building’s new owner and president of Field View Development, surveys the fourth floor’s interior with satisfaction. It’s all concrete and steel, all open. The

only asbestos in the building is in the furnace room in the basement, and its enclosed.

He anticipates he can redevelop the 39,000 square feet into five luxury condos for something in the $1 million range. He may try to market them as one-week timeshares, but is not averse to marketing them to, say, a baseball player who might want to scoot up to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on a whim, or have a nice perch during Induction Weekend.

Because of the building’s solidity and open space, it’s hard not to let the imagination soar. Maybe the skylights could be uncovered.

Please See CONDOS, Page 3

I Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal Shane Newell, owner of Cooperstown’s Key Bank building and president of Field View Development Inc., Warrensburg, examines the empty fourth floor of 103 Main St., where he plans to develop five luxury condos.

know you usually don’t clean out the trash baskets until the afternoon,” Otsego County Sheriff Donald Mundy, in a voice of command, was telling a deputy in the control room at the county Correctional Facility the other morning. “But would you go ahead and do it now?”

Sheriff Mundy, who is retiring Sunday, Dec. 31, after 13 years as Otsego County’s chief lawenforcement officer, was a Navy man, and that spit-and-polish culture is reflected today in the ship-shape nature of his operation.

The floors in the jail are pol-

ished to a high sheen. The signs of wear in the 20-year-old facility are few. The deputies, who salute and address their boss as “sheriff” or “sir,” are pressed and starched, hair and mustaches neatly trimmed.

As of Monday, Jan. 1, Sheriff Mundy will be a private citizen for the first time since Jan. 10, 1963, when he reported to the Sidney Barracks of state police. (Private citizen, but still working: He will be joining FEMA’s Project Recovery, interviewing flood-aid applicants two days a week. His undersheriff, Bruce Carroll, is also retiring; the two worked together Please See MUNDY, Page 12

For updates between editions, check www.thefreemansjournal.com

Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Tom Garretson was this newpaper’s first “Citizen of the Year” in 2006.

occasion, deploying her limited staff and doing what needed to be done, including long hours of hard work many days on end.

When called for a comment, but not yet knowing who had been chosen, county Rep. David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield, said, “Your Citizen of the Year should be Heidi Bond.”

Of course, she is. Greatness was thrust upon her, and she was ready.

• That is the case in several of the 42-some people who have been Citizens of the Year. (Several years, more than one person was chosen, the peak being Oneonta’s 12-person Charter Commission.)

But that idea: Not expecting a specific challenge, regular citizens can still be prepared, discovering that, through training, discipline,

energy, intelligence and mental toughness, they can rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges at hand.

That certainly applies to Heidi Bond, but also to Adrian Kuzminski (2010), who led the anti-fracking movement; Cooperstown then-mayor Carol Waller (2007), who led the village through a trouble-free record turnout to Cal Ripken’s 2007 Induction, to Pastor Sylvia Kevlin (2017), who responded to the fiery destruction of the Milford Methodist Church with the declaration, “We will rebuild.” And her congregation did.

• Some achieved greatness in a more conscious way: Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich (2016), who raised a record $32 million, launched numerous innovations and

renovated the campus. Is it any surprise that she largely succeeded in limiting the COVID spread on Oyaron Hill?

Or former Oneonta Mayor John Nader (2009), who, required to resign when he was promoted to SUNY Delhi dean, put the pieces in place for the renovation of the former Bresee’s Department Store into a reborn downtown anchor?

Or state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford (2013) – he is retiring this week after representing us in Albany for 34 years – whose hiring of a hard-driving economic developer and the elevation of the IDA to Otsego Now grew out of two “Seward Summits” on economic development and a personal determination to help his natal county better succeed at job creation?

Please See EDITORIAL, A5

Nurse Bond Found Joy In Tending Others and returning to Bassett’s CITIZEN/From A1 pediatric inpatient unit, I’ve ever seen her lose her providing care for children temper. Everybody loves who had surgery, the flu or her.” accidents requiring an overBond was raised in night stay.

Richfield Springs, graduThere, ating from she learned Richfield another Springs Central critical-care School with lesson. the Class of “So many 1991. Working people told at Bassett, her me, ‘Oh, I mom got her the could never candy striper do pediatrics, job in 1986, I’d get too when Bond was Jim Andrecheck, attached,’” a teenager.

South Columbia, she said.

“I really described the ac“But I got enjoyed helping tion he and his four brothers saw durvery good at people,” Bond ing World War II. separating said. “Even All returned alive. my personal just things like Heidi was full of He was awarded emotions bringing them vitality from her French Medal of from my fresh water to earliest days in Honor. work, and drink.”

Richfield Springs, her mom attests.

I learned The next Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA Heidi Bond, front-line leader of Otsego County’s fight against COVID-19, pauses by the family how to be year, she apChristmas tree with, from left, husband Stephen, son-in-law Tom Worobey, daughter Katie Worobey strong for the kids and the plied to be a nurse’s aide, a and dog Molly, daughter Emily Bond and cat Kitty. families.” job that was considerably She married her high more challenging. “I didn’t At that point, part of began offering the shot, a culture change – a lot of tions, such as “war games” school sweetheart, Stephen, think she had the stomach public health involved we had to put out a clinic people have never had to scenarios. “When Ebola in 1992. The couple had for it,” said her mom. “I schedule,” she said. “One deal with a serious commuhit in 2014, we would their first daughter, Katie, in home-care visits. “It’s a thought she’d change one much different style of year, we got a message from nicable disease in a way that have a practice station bedpan and be out of there!” 1998, and the young mother nursing,” she said. “In a the state saying there was affects a whole society.” where we would get PPE switched to part-time in But Heidi – determined hospital, you’re seeing a a shortage of the vaccine, She was appointed public on and off,” she said. “We to see the summer through – pediatrics so she had more patient in a sterile environand we had to cancel all the health director in 2008, just would go to hospitals and found joy in the work. “She time to stay home with her ment and you have no idea clinics.” one year before swine flu make sure they were putting fell in love with it,” said her daughter. Daughter Emily what their home life is like.

“It’s funny,” she continhit. “We did have cases,” it on right.” was born in 2001. mother. “She would write But in home care, you’re ued. “Back then, people she said. “But nowhere near No cases of Ebola ever In 2000, when Katie was letters and cards for the able to see them where were clamoring to get the as many cases of that as we arose in Otsego County. older patients if they wanted 2, Bond heard about an they’re most comfortable.” flu vaccine. Now we have to do of COVID.” Still, those two test runs, opening for nurses at the to send one. She found the Sometimes, home care educate people into taking Part of her new duties she said, helped mentally county’s Health Departwork very rewarding.” involved more than just the COVID vaccine. It’s included pandemic prepara- prepare her for when she ment. “I enjoyed my public She attended Utica nursing. “You’d go into these got the call in January. health classes at college,” College’s four-year LPN places and see that they “I had taken a Friday program, graduating in 1995 she said. didn’t have running water or off because my daughters there would be holes in the and I had planned to get floor,” she said. “When you massages,” she said. “But see someone in the hospital, the state Department of you never imagine they’re Health scheduled a mandaliving that way.” tory webinar, so I had to & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch Facing her new challenge, cancel them. That started she didn’t retreat to cry in the alarm bells ringing, and James C. Kevlin the bathroom, either. they haven’t stopped going Editor & Publisher “You can help them get off since.” the help they need,” she The first case in the counTara Barnwell said. “And sometimes, they ty arrived in March, when a

Advertising Director & General Manager don’t want to accept that, so SUNY Oneonta student and you help them as much as his mother went on vacation Libby Cudmore you can with the resources to Lake Placid. “Mom was

Managing Editor they do have.” sick and the student didn’t In 2005, the county want to quarantine with

Larissa Ryan Kathleen Peters department gave up its her,” Bond said. “So he

Business Manager Graphics & Production Home Health Agency cerreturned to campus, and tification, switching more cases spread from there.”

Elizabeth Cooper Ian Austin focus to scheduling rabies From March until August,

Correspondent Photographer vaccinations for pets, fluthere were five deaths and shot clinics, visits to new 117 cases, and by June,

Ivan Potocnik Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart mothers, lead-prevention the county seemed to have

Web Architect Consultant poisoning and education, gotten the pandemic under control.

IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 and prevention of chronic diseases and injuries.

“There was a point in the She was promoted to summer where we went Communicable Disease Please See CITIZEN, A5 MEMBER OF Control director in 2004.

National Newspaper Association, New York Press Association Here’s where it all began: Teenager Heidi Bond as The Otsego County Chamber “Before the pharmacies candy striper at Bassett Hospital in 1986.

HOMETOWN

ONEONTA

Published weekly by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: (607) 547-6103. Fax: (607) 547-6080.

E-mail: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com

AllOTSEGO.com

LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5

►FROM GARRETSON TO BOND, GREATNESS PURSUED

2011 citizens of the year

ensUrinG oneonta’s fUtUre

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

after several years in storage, oneonta’s giant puppets were rehabbed for the 2011 first night oneonta Parade and will be back in the line when this year’s parade marches at 5 p.m. saturday, Dec. 31, down Main street. (for full schedule, go to www.firstnightoneonta. com)

c

ommon Council members and the city’s county Board of Representatives’ members will be sworn in at 12 noon Sunday, Jan. 1, in the Foothills Performing Arts Center’s Atrium. A short reception will follow.

The full county board will be sworn in at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at county board chambers in Cooperstown.

...steve Londner, sarah Patterson, Paul scheele, Kay stuligross, Kathy Wolverton, Laurie zimniewicz. (Bios, Page a4)

A

Research, Discussion, Transparency Credited For Charter’s Wide Approval

aMazinG stUff: The astic about what might be accomplished that they the Charter Revision Commission in the same

By JIM KEVLIN Amazing Kreskin himself, ran for Common Council, something they never room these days and they are still giddy about inspiration for CBS’ hit thought they’d do, and were elected. what happened ... about how they studied and deshow, “The Mentalist,” will lready, departing aldermen – reAlready, the Common Council members who bated a 100-year-old City Charter for two years perform at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunchristened City Council members will be sworn in at noon, Sunday, Jan. 1, freed ... about how they sought the public’s advice ... day, Jan. 8, at the Oneonta – are expressing relief their succes- from having to look out for daily nuts and bolts about how they got all living former mayors beTheater. Tickets $20, and sors won’t have to deal with lengthy debates over at City Hall, have been convened by Mayor Mill- hind their proposal ... about how convinced they $30 for “gold circle.” Check $100 checks. er and enthusiastically gotten behind developing community leaders to go door to door in support www.oneontatheatre.com.

Already, two members of the City of Oneonta a vision to revive housing in the neighborhoods.

– and went door to door themselves, handing out Charter Revision Commission – Larry Malone Already ... but we’re getting ahead of the story. 300 copies of the document ...

Go With Go-eDc: and David Rissberger, the chair – got so enthusiSuffice it to say: Gather the 12 members of Please See CHARTER, A2 Business people interested in serving on the Greater Oneonta Economic Development Council (GO-EDC) board should contact Al Colone at albert@colassoc.com, or call him at 432-4057. The gas in particular, may have domia breakfast meeting at the Carriage lem, Oneonta Block president, organizational meeting will

By JIM KEVLIN nated the public debate, but some House, where they asked state Sen. who hosted the gathering. “I want be announced soon. members of the county’s business Jim Seward, R-Milford, to reconsid- to make this very clear. This is community are raising the alarm er his legislation that would make the business community trying to state of state: The ONEONTA about potential “unintended consetowns’ home-rule powers more respond to what’s going on in our Otsego County Chamber’s upport for legislation toughquences” if the bill become law. specific. area, and to the unintended conseannual State of the State lunening home-rule powers, On Wednesday, Dec. 21, an esti“This is not a pro- or anti-gas quences of legislation.” cheon is noon Monday, Jan. aimed at fracking for natural mated 115 business people attended thing whatsoever,” said Bob HarPlease See SPINOFFS, A11 2, at the Holiday Inn.

New amity on county Board of Representatives hailed as County Reps. Kathy Clark, chairman, Kay Stuligross, and Linda Rowinski took over leadership.

anti-Fracking Spinoffs Worry 115 Businesspeople

2013

s

HOMETOWN ONEONTA, THE LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER IN OTSEGO COUNTY, 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

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The 12-member Oneonta Charter Revision Commission (2011) created the city-manager position there.

Jim Seward, “Building a Consensus on a Properous Future,” as former Greene County Economic Developer Sandy Mathes prepared to lead county effort.

2014

With Arrival Of COVID Vaccine, Bond Sees Light At Tunnel’s End Heidi Bond and her assistant director, Kim Schlosser, strategize in the director’s office at the county’s Meadows Complex in the Town of Middlefield.

Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

CITIZEN/From A4 three weeks without a case,” she said. “I didn’t think it was over, but I’d tricked myself in to a complacency where I thought we could handle it.”

But the return of the college students jeopardized all of that.

A “super-spreader” party Friday, Aug. 21, SUNY Oneonta students’ first weekend back, resulted in 107 cases by the following weekend, when newly appointed SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras made a whirlwind trip to Oneonta and cancelled classes for two weeks.

When cases hit 300 a week later, he closed the campus for the remainder of the semester.

“That really opened my eyes to just how fast the virus could spread,” she said. “Even with measures in place, in congregate living, it spreads no matter what you do.”

In the months since, SUNY’s infections topped out at over 700, with Hartwick College infections totaling 71 over the semester.

Community spread from the college outbreaks was minimal, in part, thanks to rapid testing sent in by the state. But as the weather got too cold for outdoor dining and “COVID fatigue” set in, cases began to trend upward, with more than a thousand cases and 11 deaths since September.

“We have the highest number of hospitalizations we’ve had, but people just aren’t as concerned as they were in the spring,” she said.

“I know she must be frustrated, but she remains professional and always does her job,” said Bliss.

“It breaks Heidi’s heart when people aren’t wearing masks,” said Brophy. “She isn’t angry, she just really cares about people.”

Bond is in constant communi-

O M C O PE

IA OUNDED

IA

O M C O PE

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For 207 Years

2016 citizen of the year

hartwick’s MarGaret L. DrUGoVich’s

‘orGanizinG PrinciPLe’ Bears frUit

2017

The Freeman’s Journal

the rev. Dane Boston, christ episcopal church’s new rector, accepts his congregation’s applause as he was inducted before a packed church wednesday, Dec. 21. with him are wife Debbie, daughter eleanor and son fritz.

with new year, superintendent arrives at ccs COOPERSTOWN

t

uesday, Jan. 3, William Crankshaw, Cooperstown Central’s new superintendent, will be introduced to students, faculty and staff at assemblies at the middle/ high school and the elementary school.

Crankshaw, who has led the Remsen Central district in the Adirondacks, succeed C.J. Hebert, who was killed in an ATV accident near his Cobleskill home last fall.

Michael Virgil, the retired Morris Central superintendent, served as interim. takinG hoLiDay: Bassett Healthcare Network outpatient health centers, primary care centers and specialty clinics, with the exception of dialysis and convenient care, will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. For available services, see

AllOTSEGO.com

www.

Meter reaDinGs: The village Water Department will be reading meters between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, from Jan. 5 to 22. Any questions, call 547-5591.

hartwick college President Margaret L. Drugovich reviews her “organizing Principle and strategic framework,” the plan from her first few weeks in office in 2008 that fully flowered during 2016.

Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

College Excels In Construction, Curriculum, Community Leadership

By JIM KEVLIN

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ext, the Center for Collaboration & Innovation.

Four Hartwick College students are currently Stanford University Innovation Fellows, learning to be “agents of change” when they return to Oyaron Hill.

Yes, President Margaret L. Drugovich, the energizer college president, is just going to keep on going and going.

And this, at the end of quite a year, where Hartwick completed its record $32 million “Campaign for Hartwick,” began building a $7 million “living-learning center,” adjusted academic offerings and added four new courses (with more to come), and increased incoming Class of 2020 enrollment by a quarter.

Foremost, however, was its leadership in accelerating Otsego

County as “The Finger Lakes of Beer,” as its Center for Craft Food & Beverage took its client list over 50, receiving one $250,000 state grant and contributing to the atmosphere that won Governor Cuomo’s $3 million grant so building of Oneonta’s “food hub” can begin in the spring.

All of this was recognized, with the college named Otsego Now’s “Partner of the Year” in the spring, and the Otsego Chamber of

Rock Executive Reflects On Year Of Loss

Commerce naming Hartwick the Chamber/Excellus Breakthrough Award winner for 2016 in the fall.

For a banner year in strengthening Hartwick College’s financial picture, enhancing its status locally and nationally, and innovating in ways that benefit all of Otsego County and its citizens, Margaret L. Drugovich has been selected as Hometown Oneonta, The Freeman’s Journal, and www.AllOTSEGO. com’s 2017 Citizen of the Year.

Please See CITIZEN, A4

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cation with the state Department of Health, as well as the county board. “I talk to her daily,” said Bliss. “Sometimes multiple times a day. Before this, I might talk to her once or twice a month.”

“I feel confident when we go to her with questions,” said Stammel.

“She explains the answers, and if she doesn’t know, she knows who to get the answer from, and brings it back to us.”

With the arrival of the vaccine – last week, 350 Bassett employees received the Pfizer shot and more than 500 received the Moderna – and with the recent approval of funds to hire three additional nurses, Bond is finally seeing the end of the crisis nearing.

“I try to tell myself that, in the grand scheme, a year or two is not a lot of time,” she said. “But when it’s all over, we’re all planning to take a long vacation on the beach.”

HOMETOWN

Pastor Sylvia (now kEVLIN): “Gethsemane & Back,” as new Milford Methodist Church building was rising after fire razed former church that March.

2018

IN MEMORIAM

Robert W. Moyer, 84; 25-Year Wilber CEO

ris, Hall president, who was visiting family in Cooperstown over the Christmas holiday. “We’re losing artists who appeal across multiple

By LIBBY CUDMORE generations.” ach year, the tribute reel With the Dec. 25 death of “Faith” played before the Rock & and Wham! singer George Michael, t a banking conferRoll Hall of Fame’s induction 53, Harris reflected on a year that ence in New York ceremony gets longer. has seen many rock icons and Hall City, Bob Moyer, “The rock community is an of Fame members pass away, then president of Wilber aging community,” said Greg HarPlease See HARRIS, A3 Bank, and Doug Gulotty, Greg harris

By LIBBY CUDMORE

COOPERSTOWN

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his right-hand man, had a problem.

“Key Bank was on before us, and they gave this unbelievable presentation,” said Gulloty, who later would succeed Moyer as bank Please See MOYER, A3

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

2012

charter commissioners David rissberger, chair; John Dudek, Martha forgiano, Karen Geasey, tom Kelly, Larry Malone

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Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich: “Beacon on Oyaron Hill,” as record $32 million fund drive came to a successful conclusion.

For 208 Years

WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM

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Volume 4, No. 15

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Volume 209, No. 52

COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

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2009

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2016

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• Hometown Oneonta: The Centennial Committee – Tom Klemow, Kevin Herrick and Mayor John Nader – which organized city’s 100th-anniversary celebration that ended in a knock-out parade.

• The Freeman’s Journal: Penney Gentile; her son Chris’ death in a Holy Thursday car crash spurred her campaign to make drivers’ education mandatory in state’s schools.

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

VISIT THE

• Hometown Oneonta: 12person City Charter Commission recommended professional city manager, got idea through referendum. Dave Rissberger, chairman; John Dudek, Martha Forgiano, Karen Geasey, Tom Kelly, Larry Malone, Steve Londner, Sarah Patterson, Paul Scheele, Kay StuliGross, Kathy Wolverton, Laurie Zimniewicz.

• The Freeman’s Journal: “Farmers of the Future” – Hartwick beef farmer Chris Harmon’s profile launched monthly profiles of futuristic farmers over 2012.

•F

1808 BY

AllOTSEGO.life

2011 otsego county yearbook

Cooperstown’s Newspaper

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INSIDE

2008

AllOTSEGO.life 1808 BY

• Hometown Oneonta: Tom Cormier – Entrepreneur bought Oneonta Theatre, launched promising revival.

• The Freeman’s Journal:

Carol Waller: She proved to be Cooperstown’s “Little Mayor That Could” during record attendance at Cal Ripken Induction.

INSIDE:

2016 otsego county yearbook ta n Oneononta • One Volkswage Hw y. 23

2011

2010

2007

John Muehl IN

Tom Garretson: Cherry Valley town supervisor led opposition to industrial-scale windmills.

Adrian Kuzminski, activist led local fight against fracking.

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Farmingdale president), but not before the Bresee’s renovation was assured.

2006

Hartwick College President (2016) completed a record $32 million fund drive.

The Hager Family, “Reviving the Golden Age of Hops.”

2015 “Fighting The Scourge: They Opened Four Fronts Against Heroin Tide”: County Judge Brian Burns, now Supreme Court judge; Oneonta Police Chief Doug Brenner, LEAF executive Julie Dostal; District Attorney

Stacie Haynes: “For The Love Of Misty,” a childhood pet who nurtured a love of animals, and inspired drive to build new Susquehanna Animal Shelter, now rising on Route 28, Index.

2019 Meg Kennedy: “The Kennedy Method,” where county board vice chairman, first local rep to serve on NYSAC board, built momentum behind county-manager system.

2020 Heidi Bond: “General in the COVID-19 Fight.” The county’s public health director led contact-tracing, much more to limit disease’s spread.

EDITORIAL: In 15 Years, Common Strategy Surfaced EDITORIAL/From A4 It’s interesting that some of the Citizens, chosen with high hopes, didn’t quite work out.

The new team of Kathy Clark, Kay Stuligross and Linda Rowinski (2012) on the county board helm was heralded as a “return of amity,” but it didn’t turn out that way.

Entrepreneur Tom Cormier’s plan (2010) to revive the Oneonta Theatre as a concert venue was an exciting one, and had traction for a few years before collapsing.

Arguably, the Oneonta Charter Commission was visionary in professionalized governance (2011) through creating a citymanager position. But three failed or iffy city-manager tenures later, the City Fathers and Mothers are looking for a greater role for elected officials.

Still, these have been learning efforts. While economic developer Sandy Mathes’ energy didn’t prevent his forced departure, his successor – the more low-key Jody Zakrevsky – has been able to move Mathes initiatives forward.

Plus, Mathes – and Seward – underscored the importance of jobs, jobs, jobs.

Not all promising initiatives succeed. As John Kennedy declared in his Boston brogue: “Why do we go to the moon? Not because it is easy – but because it is HAWED.” • One thought: Over 15 years, Otsego County – north and south – has been operating as more of a unit, with much more communication and collaboration between Oneonta and Cooperstown.

At first, it made sense to have separate Hometown Oneonta and Freeman’s Journal Citizens of the Year. No more, with Senator Seward, the Hager family (hops yards in Pierstown, Northern Eagle’s new brewery in West Oneonta), Stacie Haynes, serving distressed animals countywide, with Oneontans working at Bassett, and Cooperstonians at the colleges, a single county agenda made more and more sense.

• Another thought: While eight of the first 10 Citizens were men, six of the last nine were women.

That brings to mind a quibble: In the recent efforts to fill state Sen.-elect Peter Oberacker’s county board seat, both Republicans and Democrats declared it should be filled by a woman.

Folks, that battle’s been won; we can knock it off. The “little ladies” are beyond needing a leg up. They’ve fully arrived.

With MacGuire Benton’s election to the Cooperstown Village Board in a hard-fought race, and county Rep. Clark Oliver’s elevation to county Democratic chairman, it seems the county’s gay community is also claiming its proper place in our public life.

Fifteen years of recognizing our fellow citizens’ strivings to achieve, to solve problems, to realize visions, to meet challenges, demonstrate that imperfect human beings can do great things, whether they pursue us or are thrust upon us.

As COVID’s first anniversary approaches, the 42 Citizens provide reasons for pride and hope.

WE can overcome.

History

Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

125 Years Ago

Congressman D.F. Wilber of Oneonta did not vote for the Dingley Tariff Bill. Neither did he vote against it. Mr. Wilber’s position on the bill was explained by him as follows: “I represent a district which is strongly protective in its tariff views and I myself am a radical protectionist. As such I could not bring myself around to support the Dingley measure. It is a bill for revenue rather than protection. I cannot endorse a 15 percent increase of Wilson-Gorman duties throughout all the schedules except those devoted to wool and wood and their manufactures.

The basis of such action is wrong. I favored a Bill framed along McKinley lines. What I want is a thoroughly protective measure on the lines of the McKinley measure of 1890.

Any Democrat who favors tariff duties for revenue only might have voted for the Dingley Bill without violating his prin-

ciples. I cannot compromise my protective views with Mr. Cleveland to that extent.”

January 1896

80 Years Ago

An Oneonta boy died a hero Friday afternoon of last week in a futile attempt to save the life of a seven-year-old playmate who had plunged into icy Neahwa park pond. Victims of the first tragic accident to occur at the park pond in 12 years were Charles Wood, aged 11, son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Wood, and Darwin Johnston, aged 7, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Johnston of West Harpersfield. Dr. Norman Getman, Otsego County coroner, pronounced both boys dead at 4:50 p.m.

January 1941

25 Years Ago

Citing economic reasons and low ridership, Pine Hill-Adirondack Trailways has

decided to eliminate its weekday bus route traveling from Utica, through Cooperstown, to Oneonta on January 10. Weekend runs will continue, however. Paul Provost, vice-president for the Kingston-based company, commented, “It’s a lack of passengers. There are less than six passengers a day on that portion. The majority are between New York City and Oneonta, obviously. Somedays we are leaving Oneonta with two or three people. This is strictly an economic move. Trailways receives a state subsidy of $2.7 million and was asking for an additional $500,000 according to Michael Fleischer a NYSDOT spokesperson. “Adirondack wanted additional state subsidies because the ridership was fairly low,” said Diane Carlton, Director of the Planning Department for Otsego County. The ridership averages are based on total annual numbers which rise during the tourist season.

“I see a lot more people getting off the buses in the summer,” Carlton said.

January 1996

10 Years Ago

In ceremonies at the Otsego County Courthouse, State Sen. Jim Seward, RMilford, was sworn in for a 13th term, and Otsego County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin, Jr. was sworn for his second term. In remarks, Seward noted a lack of “stable and responsible leadership” in Albany in recent years.

“I love New York,” he said, “but our state is crumbling.” Drue Quackenbush, an Oneonta High School student, sang the National Anthem and led the audience in “America the beautiful” at the end. Also sworn in was Judge Brian Burns who warned of growing problems with heroin drug addiction.

“Stay-at-home moms are being arrested for selling it and for using it,” said the judge.

January 2011

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Perspectives

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

LETTERS

From Russia, With Love

U

nintentionally but inevitably, to compete according to officials.

The National Championship was and catastrophically, the Russian National Figure won by Anna Shcerbakova a teenager.

Skating Team has carried out an exper- Scherbakova herself withdrew from iment that lets the rest of the world a late November event citing “pneusee what happens when you expose monia.” She has now won the event super-elite athletes indiscriminately to three times but was noted to be having the risk of contracting COVID-19. trouble breathing after her programs.

While not immediately fatal, it is not Other skaters performed well below pretty and suggests what the longexpectation. Former world champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva who was term consequences of contracting the disease may be for other young people. expected to finish better came in According to the Dec. 17 edition of seventh. She had announced that she The Wall Street Journal, the had tested positive. She was Russian Women’s National reported as looking sluggish Ice Skating team is regarded and exhausted at the Nationals.

Many who did compete had as the very best in the world and has such deep reserves been reported as having had of young talent that it was the virus earlier in the season.

Coaches, some of who are at expected to remain the best indefinitely. high risk because of age alone, They are a very close have reported positive and ill. group, literally and physiUp until now the Russian cally. The members of this National Federation has RICHARD group have pretty much progressed their season as STERNBERG disdained rules and recomif the virus didn’t exist. Any mendations regarding attempts at safety protocols avoiding disease spread up to now. seem to have been ignored.

There are social media posts of them • partying without spacing or masks, So, what do we learn from this posts of competition venues where experiment? Young people do get the very many coaches, athletes, spectators disease and, when they do, they may and officials are wearing their masks not die from it at the same rate as below their mouth or not at all, while the elderly but they do have medical athletes are withdrawing from the consequences, sometimes permanently. national championships because of Why do these symptoms seem so positive tests or complications from frequent in these Russian athletes while recent positive infection. they have not been reported with the • same frequency in our general public?

2018 Olympic silver medalist Part of the answer is that these Evgenia Medvedeva is hospitalized people are under a publicity magniwith serious lung damage after testing fying glass – when they can’t perform, positive in November. it is noticed. The same is evident in European Champion Alena our professional athletes.

Kostornaia missed a competition These are also people who have earlier in December because of a posi- trained to perform at the extreme tive test has not recovered sufficiently limits of physiologic capability, who

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

have increased their capacities beyond normal people and therefore any slight damage to their organs whether lungs, heart, muscle, etc., are readily noticed. ‫•ׇ‬ The same damage is most probably occurring in the average person, but the average person does not frequently try to perform at their extreme.

While some of the Russians (and others) will never perform at elite levels again, some will have long-term damage that will affect activities of daily living. Any damage in anyone will have long-term consequences that will have heretofore unknown effects on life expectancy and long-term impairment or disability.

To those who continue to underestimate this disease, stop it. Dying is not the only bad outcome of contracting COVID-19.

I said this in April and I say it again now. Stay safe. Wear a mask. Socially distant. Stay within your pod (and if any one member doesn’t, then you all aren’t). We are getting close to getting vaccinated. Don’t screw up now.

• In the NFL the lowest of the low, the New York Jets, beat the previously postseason-bound Cleveland Browns. This gave the Jets a second win and seems to knock them out of the competition for worst record and therefore first pick in the draft, according to another article on the same Journal sports page.

How could this happen?

Well, the Browns lost all their firstand most of their second-string receivers due to contact-tracing protocols for COVID-19.

The fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars, formerly the next-to-worst team in the standings, were noted to be celebrating. Now they get to draft Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Mayor Waller Approached All With Integrity, Sincerity and the Village Board, Carol To the Editor: Re: “50-Car Parade distinguished herself by her Salutes Cooperstown consistent open-mindedness Mainstay” in last week’s and intellectual integrity. newspaper.

As reported, some have said had they known of the tribute to Carol Waller on Dec. 19, they would have been there.

Add my wife, Suzanne, and me to the chorus. We have known Carol The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA through mutual Former Cooperstown mayor Carol Waller, seated, waves friends for most to a passing 50-car parade as of the 32 years she prepares to retire New we have been in Year’s Eve as Mohican Flowers’ Cooperstown.

My introduction proprietor. Others, from left, are emcee Elaine Bresee, to Carol was in Carol’s husband Bill, and her the early 2000s co-honoree, Claire Satriano, a during her tenure 42-year employee. as a village trustee, then mayor. I was one of the original baseball Although she expressed aficionados involved with some skepticism at times the formation of the Friends as to whether our private of Doubleday. initiative could be structured In those days, we were to meet municipal legal and trying to work with the other requirements, none of Village Board to establish an us ever doubted her sincerity endowment to be used for the – something some of us felt rehabilitation and enhancewas not displayed by some ment of Doubleday Field. of her elected colleagues.

Some of the structural and I, for one, will always legal issues involved in doing be grateful for having had so were complex and did not the opportunity to interface present easy solutions. with such an honorable and Throughout the months, dedicated public servant.

Thank you, Madam Mayor. turning to years, of discussions between some of us JOHN A. RUDY Cooperstown proponents of an endowment

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THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

what’s fun

A complete Guide to

in Otsego County

BEST BETS Drive-Thru Lights, Run or Hike And Listen To State Of The State

I

f you haven’t taken a ride through the Festival of Lights, there’s still time!

Enjoy a leisurely drive through 37 community-built displays of Christmas lights arranged all through Neahwa Park. 5 – 10 p.m. daily, ends Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. www.facebook.com/FNOneonta • LIBBY Congressman Antonio Delgado, D-19, will give the keynote address at the Otsego CUDMORE County Chamber of Commerce’s virtual State of the State breakfast, held over Zoom. Free, registration required. 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5. Info www.otsegocc. com.

• Start 2021 off right with a self-guided hike along the Overlook Trail. First 100 to check in at park office gets a KIND Bar and commemorative pin for the 10th annual first day hike. 10 a.m. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd. 31, Cooperstown. www.facebook.com/GlimmerglassStatePark/ • Snow on the ground means time to get outside and play! The Beaver Pond and Covered Bridge trails at Glimmerglass State Park are groomed and ready for snowmobiles, and there’s plenty of space for snowshoeing and skiing too. 7 - 3 p.m. daily. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co Rd 31, Cooperstown. Info www.facebook.com/ GlimmerglassStatePark • There’s still time to cross the finish line in the Oneonta Y’s virtual Frostbite 5K, on through Thursday, Dec. 31.

Post your results, then a picture of yourself in an ugly sweater with your race bib for the chance to win prizes.

Info www.facebook.com/OneontaFamilyYMCA/ • Celebrate National Soup Month with yummy recipes and healthy cooking tips in a free Zoom conference presented by the Cornell Cooperative Extension. 2 - 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5. Info 518-234-4303 x120.

Legal

Legal

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

cluded, a description of the land and the tax map identification number(s).

Johnston Trucking LLC.

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

Filed 11/23/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 2291 Rt 23, Po Box 204, Morris, NY 13808.

Purpose: General.

6LegalFeb.4 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF A 30 DAY PERIOD FOR INCLUSION OF LAND INTO CERTIFIED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS NOTICE is hereby given that Otsego County has established an annual 30 day period during which landowners can submit proposals to include viable agricultural land within certified agricultural districts outside of the eight year review period.

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

NOTICE is further given that during this 30 day review period any landowner may submit proposals of viable agricultural land to be included into a certified agricultural district by filing requests with the Clerk of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, said requests to include the agricultural district into which the land is proposed to be in-

Legal

Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York 1LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Detox With the Docs, LLC.

Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York 1LegalDec.31

Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/03/2020.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Jackson LLP @ 11 Broadway, #615, New York, NY 10004.

Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21

Legal nOtice MEETING NOTICE

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

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

Trip L Farm LLC

Dated: December 31, 2020

THIS NOTICE is given pursuant to Article 7 of the Open Meetings Law. Dated: December 24, 2020

Carol D. McGovern

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

► Thursday, Dec. 31 NEW YEARS EVE!

Workshop for teens to learn life skills. Presented by The Oneonta Teen Center. The Sol Center, 50 Dietz St., Oneonta.

607-441-3999.

what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________

FROSTBITE 5K – Last Chance to run, walk, or bike in December. Post your results, and a picture of yourself in an ugly sweater with your race bib for the chance to win prizes.

Benefit for the Oneonta YMCA. 607-432-0010 or visit www.facebook.com/OneontaFamilyYMCA/

►Monday, January 4

BLOOD DRIVE – Noon - 6 p.m. Donate blood, save lives.

Worcester Municipal Building, 19 Katie Ln., Worcester. 800733-2767.

►Tuesday, January 5

► Friday, January 1 NEW YEARS DAY!

_______

FIRST DAY HIKE – 10 - 11 a.m. Celebrate the first day of 2021 with self-guided hike along the Overlook Trail. First 100 to check in at park office get a KIND Bar and commemorative pin for the 10th annual first-day hike. Face masks required at park office and when hiking within 6' of other people. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd. 31, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662 or visit www.facebook.com/ GlimmerglassStatePark/

►Saturday, January 2 BLOOD DRIVE – 8 a.m.

- 1 p.m. Donate blood, save lives. Briggs Hall, Main Street Baptist Church, 333 Main St., Oneonta. 800-733-2767.

LIFE SKILLS – 4 - 6 p.m.

Legal

STATE OF THE STATE – 9 a.m. Hear from local leaders, business owners, elected representatives on our economic health and policies in OtsegO COunty from a national, state and local perspective. Features keynote speaker Rep. Antonio Delgado. Free, pre-registration required for Zoom conference. Presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. 607-432-4500.

FOOD WEBINAR – 2 - 3 p.m. Learn about food, recipes, and nutrition, info you can use everyday. Celebrate National Soup Month. Free, registration for Zoom conference required. Presented by The Cornell Cooperative Extension. 518-234-4303 x120.

BLOOD DRIVE – 2 - 6 p.m.

Donate blood, save lives. Laurens American Legion Post

what’s fun ►Wednesday, Jan. 6

LEGALS

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Platt Hollow Homes, LLC. Filed 10/23/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Chad Whitbeck, 360 County Hwy 42, Maryland, NY 12116.

Purpose: General.

6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of BYAM’S RENTAL PROPERTIES LLC

BLOOD DRIVE – 1 - 6 p.m.

Donate blood, save lives. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta. 800-7332767.

►Saturday, January 9 LIFE SKILLS – 4 - 6 p.m.

Workshop for teens. See Saturday listing.

MOBILE COACH – 9 a.m.

- 2:30 p.m. Stop at mobile cancer screening coach for free mammograms, more for women over 40 with no insurance or underinsured.

Southside Mall, Oneonta.

1-888-345-0225.

BLOOD DRIVE – Noon - 5 p.m. Donate blood, save lives.

Quality Inn, 5206 St. Hwy. 23, Oneonta. 800-733-2767.

►Tuesday, January 12 FOOD WEBINAR – 2 - 3 p.m. Food, recipes, and nutrition info you can use every day. This week celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday.

Free, registration for Zoom conference required. Presented by The Cornell Cooperative Extension. 518-234-4303 x120.

►Monday, January 18 BLOOD DRIVE – 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m. Donate blood, save lives. Briggs Hall, Main Street Baptist Church, 333 Main St., Oneonta. 800-733-2767.

►Tuesday, January 19 MOBILE COACH – 9 a.m.

- 2:30 p.m. Stop at mobile cancer screening coach for free mammograms, more.

See Monday listing. Next to Cherry Valley Post Office, 2 Genesee St., Cherry Valley.

1-888-345-0225.

Legal

Legal

Legal

as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalJan.14

144 Johnny Cake Rd, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

6LegalJan.14

Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

Purpose: Any lawful acts or activities.

Latest date upon which LLC is to dissolve: No specific date.

6LegalJan.14

Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of

Legal nOtice

Notice of Qualification of

Department of State: November 6, 2020 Office of the LLC: Otsego County The New York Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. The Secretary of State may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at: Sharon Boustani, 336 Coye Brook Road, South New Berlin, New York 13843 Purpose of the LLC: Any Lawful Purpose 6LegalDec.31

Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 8-12 Dietz St., Ste. 202, Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.31

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of PEACEFUL FLATS PROPERTIES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalJan.14

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Name:

HFB PROPERTIES, LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 2 December 2020.

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

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820.

SSNY designated

►Thursday, January 7

►Monday, January 11

Legal

Filed 6/30/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: c/o Miosek Law, 29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21

Filed 8/27/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 6559 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21

WELLNESS – 3 p.m.

Wellness workshop for teens.

Presented by The Oneonta Teen Center. Club Odyssey, 80 Water St., Oneonta. 607441-3999.

Second sunday soup!

– 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Serving homemade soups every 2nd Sunday of month. Takeout only. All are welcome. Donations to Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church appreciated. At The Pantry, 1472 County Hwy 22, Schuyler Lake.

Legal

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalJan.14

Gretchen Raddatz Wellness LLC

1688, 11 Main St., Laurens.

800-733-2767.

CREATIVITY – 4 - 5 p.m.

Teens work with industry professionals to build creativity, self confidence, self expression through wide range of creative arts. Presented by Oneonta Teen Center. Reserve spot before 1/5 by calling 607.441.3999 or email OurOTC@gmail.com LIFE SKILLS – 5:30 - 8 p.m. Workshop for teens. See Saturday Listing. Club Odyssey, 80 Water St., Oneonta.

607-441-3999.

►Sunday, January 10

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company

MMS-DS PROPERTIES LLC.

JGG PROPERTIES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC) OTICA, LLC, Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on November 2, 2020.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: Incorporating Services Ltd: 3500 South Dupont

J&J ENTERPRISES LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/27/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/25/20.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Lemery Greisler LLC, 60 Railroad Place, Suite 502, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. DE addr. of LLC: c/o United Corporate Services, Inc., 874 Walker Road, Suite C, Dover, DE 19904.

Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation for

Legal nOtice

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name: Denison & Festa LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/09/2020.

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: 143 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of

Harvest 336 LLC

ONIE PROPERTIES, LLC

Name of LLC: Harvest 336 LLC Date of Filing of Articles of Organization with the NY

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/30/2020.

Office in Otsego

Legal nOtice

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name: 143-147 Main Street LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2020.

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: 143 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF 9 O’Neill Drive, LLC. Filed 10/21/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: c/o Paul J scorzafava Jr, 9 O Neill Dr, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: General.

6LegalDec.31

►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders?

Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.

THURSDAY, December 31, 2020

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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WEEK 10

AllOTSEGO.life

2020

EDITION OF MARCH 5-6: Victor Jones, county Emergency Services deputy director, surveys the scene of a Middlefield fire Wednesday, Feb. 28, where five firemen were injured. Two of them, Jon Roach and Scott Monington, were engulfed by flames, spent four days in Upstate Medical Center’s burn unit in Syracuse.

OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

WEEK 36

EDITION OF SEPT. 3-4: After his Sunday, Aug. 30, press conference announcing a two-week hiatus in classes at SUNY Oneonta, the new chancellor, Jim Malatras, high-elbows Criminal Justice major Chris Frommeyer, for asking “the toughest question” – Why weren’t students tested when they returned to campus? Malatras hurried to the campus

after 107 COVID-19 cases broke out overnight, following a “super spreader” party the weekend before when students returned to campus. Infections would reach 749. Along the way, SUNY Oneonta’s president of two years, Barbara Jean Morris, resigned, succeeded by Interim President Dennis Craig, who had successfully quelled the virus at SUNY Purchase.

WEEK 50

WEEK 45

EDITION OF DEC. 10-11: “Daddy Al” and Susan Dick pose in front of their West Oneonta spruce as it was lit up at Rockefeller Center. It was the second Otsego County tree chosen within four years as the centerpiece of one of the nation’s foremost Christmas displays.

EDITION OF NOV. 5-6: Otsego County’s next state senator, Peter Oberacker, expresses his thanks to wife Shannon at a victory celebration at Form Tech Solutions, his Schenevus-based company. At right are son Derek and Campaign Manager Ron Wheeler. Jan. 1, Oberacker will succeed state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, who served the county in Albany for 34 years.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 • PHOTOS by IAN AUSTIN & JIM KEVLIN

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AllOTSEGO.life

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 3

EDITION OF JAN 15-16: Storke LLC of Springwater, Livingston County, announced it is planning one of the largest solar farms in New York State, straddling Route 23 near West Laurens. It would lease 3,000 acres, and feed the resulting power through nearby Marcy South to New York City.

WEEK 1 EDITION OF JAN 2-3: Greg Lee, head of Cosmic Karma Fire, leads his troupe in the First Night Parade Tuesday, Dec. 31, down Main Street in Oneonta, where the action was in Otsego County this New Year’s Eve.

WEEK 2 EDITION OF JAN 8-9: New Oneonta Common Council member Mark Drnek, Ward 8, takes oath. Wife Betsy Holland holds Bible. Five other of the eight Council members were also new: Luke Murphy, Ward I; Mark Davies, Ward 2; Kaytee Lipari Shue, Ward 4; Len Carson, Ward 5, and Scott Harrington, Ward 6.

WEEK 2

EDITION OF JAN. 23-24: The Lunachix, Oneonta’s belly dancing troupe, perform.

From left are Erika Miller, Rose Carballeira, Sarah Cummings, Sondra Pederson Gielskie and Elizabeth Raphaelson.

We are proud to be such a big part of our community.

We live and work with some of the most incredible people in our region, those that give of themselves to our community unconditionally.

Here’s to a great 2021!

Locally owned and operated Single and multi-family homes Commercial property and land 99 Main Street, Oneonta 607.441.7312 www.oneontarealty.com Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner | Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker | Peter D. Clark, Consultant

166 Main Street, Suite 1, Oneonta 607.433.2873 | oneontarealty.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

WEEK 5

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WEEK 6 EDITION OF FEB. 6-7: Brian Hoyer of Oneonta spins daughter Kennedy, 4, around the dance floor in SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union Ballroom Saturday, Feb. 1, during the Family Y’s 18th annual DaughterDaddy Valentine’s Gala.

EDITION OF JAN. 30-31: Honoree Fred Lemister received a lot of hugs, including this one from Hartwick EMT Sue Hascup, as well as handshakes and accolades at the Saturday, Jan. 25, testimonial in his honor at Bassett Hall. At right is Sue’s husband Chuck. In 48 years on the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, Fred responded to a record 9,400 emergency calls. “No one’s going to surpass those numbers,” said John Phillips of the Fly Creek Squad.

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

EDITION OF FEB. 13-14: Barbara Hall shows off twoseater outhouse seat where President Martin Van Buren may have sat in 1839 during his visit to Cherry Valley, en route to Cooperstown.

EDITION OF FEB. 20-21: Himself the father of two sons, Congressman Antonio Delgado, D-19, shares high-fives with William Dina, son of Rotarian Kate Dina, left, during a visit to the Cooperstown Rotary Club Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Delgado would win a second term as Otsego County’s congressman on Nov. 3, against Republican challenger Kyle Van Der Water of Dutchess County.

WE DID IT TOGETHER! TO YOU, OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS

We have been together, as a community, through the entire pandemic. You’ve been here for us and our family at Brooks’ BBQ, and we hope we’ve been there for you!

2020 brought big changes for everyone. We changed the way that we’ve done business, inside and out! These changes have been major for all of us, and through it all we have been able to continue serving up the best BBQ in the region!

What better way to say THANK YOU to our loyal customers than at the end of a very different year. Our sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for supporting us during the pandemic that continues. An even longer, prosperous future together is coming!

We also say THANK YOU to our loyal employees and their families at home that have been with us during these unusual times as well!

Please stay safe and healthy going into 2021! Happy Holidays!

BEER • WINE • HARD CIDER • HARD SELTZER Place orders via phone at 607-432-1782,

at brooksbbq.com or with the Brooks’ BBQ app on your iPhone or Android.

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 9 EDITION OF FEB 27-28: The Knights of the Round Table – Sean Sansevere, Casey Thomas, Brian Ziemann, Nate Sloan, Mike Tamburrino and Fred Ploutz – invite King Arthur to a rather silly Camelot in Orpheus Theatre’s production of “Spamalot,” which ran Feb. 21-23 at Foothills.

WEEK 11

EDITION OF MARCH 12-13: Tearful Kimberly Steeley testifies for over an hour Friday, March 6, in the 2018 death of her infant twins, daughter Bonde and son Liam. She was found not guilty after three hours of deliberations.

WEEK 12

WEEK 13

EDITION MARCH 19-20: One of the first merchants to see the opportunity in COVID-19’s stay-at-home imperatives, Nate Roberts, Serenity Hobbies, Oneonta, takes tabletop gaming online during the quarantine. But if you needed a board game that isn’t virtual, he’ll deliver it to your house personally.

You dream it, We print it.

Your LOCAL one-stop print shop Promote what makes your business awesome with our fully equipped custom print shop.

330 Pony Farm Road • Oneonta 607-432-5259

EDITION OF MARCH 26-27: Daniel Boecke, an employee at Munson’s True Value, ordered lunch from Brooks House of BBQ and had it delivered by Alyssa Ely-Rose.

Brooks had planned to make the switch to delivery prior to the pandemic, but moved the timeline up when restaurants had to shut down. By year’s end, restaurateur Ryan Brooks had completely rethought the Oneonta landmark, shifting to a takeout model, converting the restaurant into tables and seating for takeout customers, and serving wine and beer for the first time in its history.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

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WEEK 14 WEEK 15

EDITION OF APRIL 2-3: SQSPCA Director Stacie Haynes sorts through pet food donations that are pouring in to assist pet owners who may be struggling during the pandemic.

WEEK 16 EDITION OF APRIL 16-17: Seeking to amuse themselves as living in seclusion took hold, some Oneonta neighbors organized a citywide “bear hunt,” putting teddies in their windows for kids to try and spot on their way home from school.

Sue Ploutz, 5 Sand St., and son Nicholas Woodcock participated, putting Winnie the Pooh in their front window.

EDITION OF APRIL 9-10: Cooperstown’s Owen Ellsworth and Gabrielle DeCepoli try to keep up with Gracie. With gyms closed, many took to the streets for shelter-in-place friendly exercise.

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WEEK 17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 18

EDITION OF APRIL 30MAY1: Cooperstown’s Price Chopper’s Sarah Vandomelen and Becky Welsh show off their homemade masks, which became a crafty – and safe! – way to show off your fashion sense.

WEEK 20 EDITION OF MAY 14-15: Responding to restrictions, Cooperstown artist Ashley Norwood Cooper announced plans for a art sale on the sidewalk of her Lake Street home. The pandemic’s seclusion caused her to refocus on her muse, including a 10-foot-tall canvas.

WEEK 19 EDITION OF MAY 7-8: Jeff Joyner, Fox Hospital president, waves as the LifeNet helicopter lands at the FoxCare Center after a fly-over on Tuesday, May 5, part of a parade of decorated fire trucks to thank staff on the front lines of the COVID19 pandemic.

EDITION OF APRIL 23-24: Recuperating from a near-fatal bout of COVID-19, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, emerges from his home on Milford’s North Main Street Saturday afternoon, April 18, to wave to a parade of decorated, honking cars, organized by his church, Milford United Methodist, to welcome him back from Albany Med. Maureen Johnson is driving. Even before his experience in the ICU, Seward, who has served Otsego County in Albany for 34 years, had announced his retirement at the end of 2020.

ONEONTA JOB CORPS ACADEMY CAREERS BEGIN HERE!

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Our Mission To teach eligible young people the skills they need to become employable and independent and place them in meaningful jobs or further education.

Open Positions Cafeteria Cook

Full Time; $14/hour; Tues - Sat 7am to 4pm Prepares quantities of food in accordance with local, state and national food safety regulations, assist in cleaning and maintenance of service equipment.

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Full Time; $13/hour; Tues - Sat 7am to 4pm Assist in prep and serving of food, cleans and maintains dining facilities and service equipment.

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Email resumes to Oneonta.HR@etrky.com Or Fax 607-431-1519 or Call Human Resources @ 607-431-1402 Our address is 21 Homer Folks Ave, Oneonta NY 13820 https://www.etrky.com/ • https://oneonta.jobcorps.gov/

Offices in Cooperstown and Oneonta are looking for new and established agents!

Please contact Melissa Klein at melissaklein@howardhanna.com, or 518-705-9849.

ETR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and herein reiterates its policy of equal opportunity for all qualified individuals without distinction or discrimination because of race, color, religion, marital status, political affiliation or belief, sex, age, national origin or veteran status

eOe

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 21

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WEEK 24

EDITION OF MAY 21-22: Cooperstown Mayor Tillapaugh describes the more prominent placement of Victor Salvatore’s “The Sandlot Kid,” as $5 million in renovations to the Doubleday Field complex neared completion.

EDITION OF JUNE 11-12: Sam Baskin hits the trails in Oneonta’s Wilber Park.

Bikes were hard to come by as factories closed, but Baskin had plenty of business fixing up bikes as people sought outdoor activities during the pandemic.

WEEK 22 EDITION OF MAY 2829: After Oneonta’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans’ Monument in Neahwa Park, George Sluti brought the ceremony to World War II veteran John Forman, stopping by Forman’s Walling Avenue home to express appreciation for his service.

With Forman is his daughter, Patricia.

WEEK 23

EDITION OF JUNE 4-5: With protests erupting around the nation, 500 people gathered at Oneonta’s Muller Plaza Sunday, May 31, calling for justice in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. In the days that followed, similar rallies occurred in Cooperstown, Unadilla and Delhi.

Congratulations Don Raddatz!

Retiring from Bassett Medical Center after 39 years!

“…without a doubt...one-of-a-kind”

--Kai Mebust, MD “…beyond awesome, a living legend!”

--Stephen Gadomski “…we’ve always been so proud of you” “…our oldest and most reliable friend who has always --Mom & Dad been there for us” --Tim Parsons “…well deserved, Dad!” --Melissa, Gretchen, George

“…Thanks for all your hard work!”

--Cathy “…I will miss your brightness and twinkle”

--Chris Kjolhede, MD

Good luck fishing in Montana, enjoying Wrightsville Beach, and all that is in your retired future!

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

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WEEK 28 WEEK 27

EDITION OF JULY 2-3: Danielle Basdekis, center, walks alongside parents Teri and Theodore Basdekis to accept her diploma at one of three socially distanced Oneonta High School graduation ceremonies. Across Otsego County, measures were taken to provide distance between graduation attendees. At Cooperstown Central, ceremonies were moved from The Fenimore Museum’s back lawn to the high school, where graduates sat on a sports field while parents and families remained in parked cars across the way.

EDITION OF JUNE 25-26: Milly Parish came home, moving into an apartment in the Plains at Parish Homestead, built a decade ago on her family’s former farm in West Oneonta.

EDITION OF JULY 9-10: The crew of the SS Howarth displays patriotic fervor at the Otsego Lake Association’s Fourth of July Boat Parade, including Mary Cate Vogelsberger, Caroline Bibbee, Sarah Jane Bibbee, Timmy Vogelsberger and Charlie Bibbee. Hidden from view is the skipper, OLA co-President Jim Howarth.

The parade cruised from Three Mile Point to Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park.

WEEK 25

WEEK 26

EDITION OF JUNE 18-19: Angela Eldred and Shane Hovick of Hartwick enjoy the coziness of plastic bubbles set up by Bocca Osteria, Cooperstown, to protect its customers.

Committed to Excellence for over 32 years WE ARE IT, THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1988 With over 30 years in business and going strong, we truly appreciate all of our customers, from those that we visit in their homes all the way to the largest businesses with the most complex systems... we appreciate each and every one of you.

Managed Service Provider • Wireless Internet Network Management • Tech Support • Repairs Training Hardware/Software • Web Design

Let’s see what the future holds for us...together!

LEAF

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE

Proud to support healthy lifestyles!

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

Our goal is to reduce the serious personal, social and economic consequences of alcoholism, other drug addictions and associated problems. At LEAF, we identify community needs, advocate for policies that address local problems, and provide a range of quality programs that work right here in our region.

Watch for our special events in 2021!

It’s going to be a GREAT year!

Proud to Be Oneonta’s Only

Family Owned Funeral Home • Traditional Services • Cremation Services • Prearrangement Planning

Reclaiming Lives • Strengthening Families Building Communities in Otsego County “Our family is committed to providing you with a personal as well as professional level of service and still maintain affordability” --John & Kathleen Pietrobono

51 Dietz Street, Oneonta • 607-432-1511 • www.lhpfuneralhome.com

LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions is dedicated to helping create a community where children and adults can live in a healthy environment that is free from the effects of alcoholism and other addictive diseases.

www.leafinc.org • 607-432-0090

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 32

WEEK 29

EDITION OF AUG. 6-7: The walls of proud father Brian D. Burns’ office pay tribute to his children’s college careers. A county judge, Burns was selected by a Republican judicial convention, then elected Nov. 3, to succeed retiring state Supreme Court Judge Michael Coccoma. In September, the county Republican Committee selected Oneonta attorney Michael Getman to succeed Burns on the county bench.

WEEK 30 EDITION OF JULY 16-17: Eli and Melissa Miosek enjoyed visiting Wilber Park’s “Fairyland” so much that they decided to add to it. The whimsical toy village, started by Abbey Koutnik, was a way for children to get out and play when many were stuck inside due to Covid-19.

WEEK 31 EDITION OF JULY 30-31: Oneonta native Elizabeth Patterson, a Columbia County florist, introduces “Say Their Names,” memorial wall, featuring photos of black people killed in acts of racial violence. The display was installed along the wall above the Westcott Lot in downtown Oneonta for three weeks, and a similar memorial went up in Cooperstown a month later.

EDITION OF JULY 23-24: Erika Heller criticizes Gabriel Truitt, foreground, for rolling his eyes as she read her victim’s impact statement at Truitt’s sentencing. Truitt was found guilty of seconddegree murder and arson in the death of her brother-in-law, former Oneonta fireman John Heller in January 2018 when he set fire to a Whaling Avenue apartment house. Heller died while rescuing three nephews and his fiancé from the flames.

Peter ArmAo

| tom ArmAo

“We thank our past, present and future customers for their support!

We pride ourselves on being Otsego County’s General Motor and Nissan Dealerships providing the best service, quality and everything in-between.

Thank You!

We’d also like to thank our loyal employees

for their commitment and professionalism in helping us maintain the #1 dealerships in our region!”

--Peter & Tom

Country Club motors and nissan 55 & 70 oneida street, oneonta · www.CountryClubautogroup.Com join us on: facebook and twitter

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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WEEK 37 EDITION OF SEPT. 10-11: As the SUNY Oneonta infestation peaked at 2:36 a.m.

Saturday, Sept.

5, Alex Censi (yellow top) and fellow students walk down Oneonta’s Main Street en route to a party on Cliff Street.

More than 700 students became infected with COVID-19 after maskless house parties, forcing the school to go remote one month after starting.

EDITION OF AUG. 21-22: Inside Oneonta’s ISD Tech, Korey Rowe, left, steadies the camera on actor Cuyle Carvin for a scene from “Asteroids,” written by Rowe and his screenwriting partner, Dylan Avery. Cuyle, a 1999 OHS graduate, is also starring in the forthcoming film, “The 24th” by Oscar-winning director Kevin Willmott.

WEEK 35

WEEK 33

EDITION OF AUG. 27-28: Red Shed’s Wyatt Crowley shows off the brewery’s new product – canned beer. Red Shed, Council Rock Brewery, Brewery Ommegang and other Central New York breweries set up canning lines during the year of COVID, after bars were closed and had no reason to order kegs.

EDITION OF AUG. 13-14: Simple Integrity partner Jon Edgington surveys Butch and Mary Welch’s vintage threshing barn in the Town of Middlefield. Edgington, citing key Bible passages, said the common threshing technique common in Otsego County in the early 19th Century goes back 2,000 years. Oxen are attached to the swing beam above Edgington’s head and walk in a circle, threshing the wheat beneath their hooves. Growing wheat was replaced by dairy farms by the time of the Civil War. The Welches, who moved to the Middlefield hamlet almost a decade ago, were pioneers in the rehabilitation of Cooperstown’s Railroad Avenue.

Serving you locally for over

31 years

Ben Novellano, Owner

We’re here when you really need us— Real people who truly care about you and our community The Bieritz Agency team, here, in your neighborhood, for you today, tomorrow and the future…

Celebrating our

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Call for a FREE quote!

We represent over 20 companies Bieritz is YOUR Independent Insurance Agency For quotes or inquiries online check out: www.bieritzinsurance.com

Happy Holidays

From Max (still available!) and the hundreds of other animals rescued and cared for with your support in 2020!

Appointments Tues. - Sat. Noon-5:00 PM 4841 State Highway 28 Cooperstown, NY 13326 www.sqspca.org Thank you to our Corporate Sponsor:

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 39 EDITION OF SEPT. 24-25: At the time of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on Sept. 18 at age 87, Cooperstown’s Kay Pierro turned her SUV into a tribute to the groundbreaking jurist, who for the previous 10 years had annually emceed a local fundraiser, “Opera & the Law,” to benefit the Glimmerglass Festival. In the early years, Kay was Ginsburg’s cook during the annual visits, but the two became close friends.

Famously, Ginsburg and the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who differed politically, had forged a friendship over a common love of opera.

WEEK 40

EDITION OF OCT. 1-2: Cooperstown Village Trustee Mac Benton receives a hug from challenger Mary-Margaret Robbins after he won a runoff election for Village Board on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in an election delayed from March by the COVID threat. By year’s end, Benton was already looking ahead, declaring he plans to challenge County Rep. Andrew Marietta, D-Cooperstown/Town of Otsego, in next June’s Democratic primary.

WEEK 38 EDITION OF JULY 1718: State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, presents a plaque to Mallory Delaney of Oneonta, honoring her as one of the state Senate’s Women of Distinction for 2020.

In practice for five years at 125 Main in Oneonta, she focuses on addiction recovery and “medically complex” adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic threat, she helped test thousands of people from across the eightcounty region. With Delaney and the senator are Bassett Network President/CEO Tommy Ibrahim, right, and Bassett Hospital President Bill LeCates.

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607.353.7433 61 S. Main Street, Oneonta carpetsplusoneonta.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

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WEEK 43

WEEK 41

EDITION OF OCT. 22-23: Amanda Calkins, left, and Danielle Dalton, both of Oneonta, take an order from Laura Page of Cooperstown, shortly after Brooks House of BBQ Ryan Brooks reinvented the Oneonta establishment after grappling with COVID-19 most of the year. Brooks converted completely to take-out service, reinvented the sit-down restaurant as a sit-down for takeout customers, and began selling wine and beer.

WEEK 44 EDITION OF OCT. 8-9: Unveiling the sign on Route 201 honoring a fallen Hartwick Marine Sgt. John Kempe Winslow, who was killed in Vietnam, are, from left, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, Christine and Michael Winslow, Winslow’s brother and sister-in-law; sister Maria Winslow Folts and her husband Donald. More than 100 friends and wellwishers gathered to hear appreciations by Seward, Salka and Wayne Bunn, a boyhood pal. Honor guards were provided by Hartwick and Cooperstown veterans organizations.

WEEK 42 EDITION OF OCT. 15-16: Some 1,500 celebrants who gathered at NY Harvest Fest & Freedom Fair/ Political Rally in the Town of New Lisbon Friday, Oct. 9, stirred fears of a COVID outbreak and led to the organizer’s arrest.

Here, one of the revellers enjoys an Otsego County fall afternoon.

EDITION OF OCT. 29-30: Coming from a family of firefighters and police officers, SUNY Oneonta interim President Dennis Craig senses when trouble is coming – it’s in his DNA. In an exclusive interview with the AllOTSEGO.com newspapers, the president, appointed Oct. 15, told how on arriving at SUNY Purchase in 2008, he immediately established a Disaster Preparedness Committee to anticipate such threats as COVID. When the disease first erupted last spring in New York State at New Rochelle, Craig’s decisive response limited infestations to single digits. He succeeded Barbara Jean Morris, president when 107 cases broke out at SUNY Oneonta the first week of school and rose to 754 – the most for any SUNY campus – before it was quelled.

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

WEEK 48

WEEK 46

EDITION OF NOV. 26-27: May-Britt Joyce created this painting of Rocky, the Saw-whet owl found in “Daddy Al” Dick’s Rockefeller Center-bound Christmas tree.

She raffled off the original, raising $135 to benefit the SSPCA’s “Shelter Us” campaign, and has so far gone through three printings of Rocky greeting cards, available at the Family Tree Gallery, upper Main Street, Cooperstown.

EDITION OF NOV. 12-13: A safe social distance from the camera, retiring Sen. Jim and Cindy Seward pose on their back porch after the senator was interviewed on receiving the Otsego County Chamber’s Eugene Bettiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award, which was conferred virtually.

WEEK 49

WEEK 47 EDITION OF NOV. 19-20: SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes discusses progress on the shelter with Lane Construction Project Manager Rick Bliss, left, and architect Andrew Schuster. The new shelter, built with the $5 million “Shelter Us” campaign, began to rise this spring and is expected to be have a grand opening in Spring 2021.

EDITION OF DEC. 3-4: Elaine Bresee adjusts Santa’s hat at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, where he is on display, much like he used to be in the windows of Bresee’s and, later, in front of Marc and Elaine’s Milford Center home.

A few thoughts from the Waller Family How can we possible begin this tale when we are at the end of our journey with Mohican Flowers?

Although our journey with Mohican Flowers has come to an end, it continues in Cooperstown with dear friends and family and all of the acquaintances we have made over the last 50 years. It’s been a joy to be able to provide inspiration and joy with our flowers as well as a joy living amongst some of the best people on earth!

It may be goodbye from Mohican Flowers…but it certainly isn’t goodbye from the area.

Thank you so much and see you around !

--Waller/Bateman Family

1971

2020

2004

Carol and Charlie Bateman

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK WEEK 52

WEEK 51

EDITION OF DEC. 17-18: Snow Sisters Stephanie Ward, left, and Bethany Marx greet visitors at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville. Known as the Hill City Ice Queen, the SUNY Oneonta Theater professor is a frequent guest at downtown festivities and “princess parties,” where she and her legion of fairy princesses entertain children throughout the region.

EDITION OF DEC. 17-18: A 50-car parade on Dec. 19 honored the retiring owner of Mohican Flowers Carol B. Waller, who is also a former Cooperstown mayor, and Claire Satriano who joined the venerable upper Main Street flower shop on graduating from college 42-years ago, and never left. The parade was led by a Cooperstown Fire Department pumper bearing Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch and Fire Chief Jim Tallman. State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, and his wife Cindy stopped momentarily to present Waller with a retirement present. Carol and husband Bill intend to work through New Year’s Eve day, then close the shop, which has been in business since 1901. Carol’s father, former County Rep. Charles Bateman, bought it in 1971.

‘R

ing out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let her go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.’

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Much Happiness & Prosperity In The New Year!

From Your Friends At The Freeman’s Journal Hometown Oneonta & AllOTSEGO.com Ian Austin & Libby Cudmore • Tara & Mark Barnwell Tom Heitz • Jim & Sylvia Kevlin • Joe Kevlin John Kevlin & Megan Burke (with Kyla and Brianna) Alan Mayo • Kathleen Peters • Ivan Potocnik Larissa Ryan • Chrystal Savage • Sharon Stuart

►IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan “M.J.” Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-2017

Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.

Deeply committed to our community

We wish you all the very best for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2021!

For over 95 years, we have remained deeply committed to responsibly responding to the needs of the communities we are privileged to serve. The health and well-being of our fellow citizens, the families we serve and our associates is paramount in all that we do.

During these unprecedented times, we want to thank everyone for their understanding and flexibility in adapting to the ever-changing scenarios we are dealing with when it comes to having dignified gatherings and services for those whose lives we honor.

--Peter Deysenroth

AllOTSEGO.com

O M C O PE

OUNDED

IA

Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper

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Dignified and Caring Service since 1925

ONEONTA

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

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1808 BY

www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

HOMETOWN

R

IN

82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown 607-547-8231

E WIL

Peter A. Deysenroth

DG

Funeral Home

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Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.

The staff of Hometown Oneonta, The Freeman’s Journal and www.AllOTSEGO.com includes, front row, from left: Graphic Artist Kathleen Peters, Managing Editor Emeritus Libby Cudmore, Managing Editor Chrystal Savage, Bound Volumes/Hometown History columnist Sharon Stuart. Back row, from left are: Editor & Publisher Jim Kevlin, Office Manager Larissa Ryan, General Manager & Advertising Director Tara Barnwell, and Photographer Ian Austin.

Not pictured are Ivan Potocnik, web architect, and Alan Mayo, distribution.

founded

in 1808

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2020 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

when you share the love, you change lives.

Over the last 13 years, through the Share the Love Event, Subaru of America and FIVE STAR SUBARU have donated more than $200 million to charity, with customers choosing between national and hometown charities. In this, our 13th year, we are on track to prove there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share! * We’re committed to supporting our community by helping local organizations as well

*promotion ends 1/4/21