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Volume 214, No. 26
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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, June 30, 2022
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Cooperstown High School graduates 58 in June 26 ceremony
ABOVE, CCS rising juniors and members of the National Honor Society served as ushers for the ceremony; top row, from left, that’s Ethan Kukenberger, Bryson Whitaker, and J.J. Kiuber, bottom row from left, Talie Hanson, Braeden Victory, and Delaney Merwin were among the teams on duty; at RIGHT, CCS ‘22 Senior Class President Grant Crowson leads his classmates as they line up for their procession to the graduation ceremony; and BELOW, members of the CCS faculty and Board of Education proceed into the tent to a rousing round of applause from the crowd.
ABOVE, from left, CCS Class of 2022 students Madison Hayes, Ashlyn Wolfe, Henry LeCates, Quinn Lytel, Ireland Gable, and Gabrielle Woeppel celebrate their achievements before receiving their diplomas; family and friends keep watch for their loved ones as students enter the tent on the grounds of Fenimore Art Museum for the June 26 graduation ceremony.; and at RIGHT, Lowell WIllsey and Jackie Riavez take a moment for a snapshot before the big event.
INSIDE ►BASSETT WELCOMES NURSING CHIEF: Dr. Angela Belmont is the network’s new chief nursing officer, page 3. ►A FEW THOUGHTS ON IMPORTANT THINGS : This week, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek rallies residents, Terry Berkson finds some baseball relics; letters to the editor tackle Roe, God, and guns, we have to think about the long game, and let’s hear it for graduates all across Otsego County, pages 4, 5, and 6. ►THIS WEEK’S ‘SUMMER DREAMS’: Our what’s happening insert this week offers best bets, good eats, and walks through the history of Oneonta in the 1960s through the eyes of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society and area residents. Plus we climb the stairs to the third floor of The Smithy in Cooperstown for a look at Otsego County in 1937. . Follow Breaking News On
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It’s the Fourth of July!
Oohs, aahs, parades, and festivities for holiday weekend Spectators across Otsego County have plenty of opportunities to ooh and ahh this holiday weekend, as local fire departments, historical societies, museums, and other civic groups host parades, concerts, ceremonies, and, above all (literally!), fireworks displays to mark our nation’s Independence Day celebrations. Many of the events on tap are the first in-person festivities since 2019 — and here are the notices we’ve received at press time. The Cooperstown Fire Department hosts its fireworks display on Friday, July 1, with a Cooperstown Community Band concert at Lake Front Park beginning at 8 p.m. and fireworks beginning at dusk. They’ll be shooting the noisy colors into the sky from Fairy Springs, so everyone at the park, the Otesaga, and along the shore will get a great show. Rain date: July 8. The village of Laurens hosts its parade on Saturday, July 2, with a celebration to follow at Gilbert Lake State Park featuring a band concert, crafts, and an evening bonfire with s’mores. Davenport Center hosts fireworks on Sunday, July 3 beginning at 8:45 p.m., and our readers in and around Richfield Springs can head to
Canadarago Lake on July 3 for a picnic dinner and concert beginning at 6 p.m., with fireworks to follow at dusk. Oneonta has a big day planned for Monday, July 4, featuring a parade down Main Street beginning at 1 p.m., entertainment, activities, and vendors in Neahwa Park from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m., fireworks at 9:30 p.m., and concert presentations from Hanzolo and Driftwood. Events include tours of the historic Red Caboose from the Greater Oneonta Historical Society from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. The Town of Springfield hosts its big parade on July 4, stepping off at 11 a.m., leading to a barbeque, quilt show, concert by the Cooperstown Community Band, and historical displays – including a new timeline created by the Springfield Historical Society tracing the history of the town, including displays in the museum covering the ‘Gilded Age’ of grand estates along the shores of Otsego Lake. The day concludes with a free concert at Glimmerglass State Park by The Council Rock Band beginning at 7:30 p.m. The evening closes with a fireworks display over the north end of Otsego Lake.
July 4 at The Farmers’ Museum brings a traditional 1840s celebration from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., featuring a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, barbecued food, and family fun activities. Starting at noon, watch as the Declaration of Independence is read aloud on the Bump Tavern Green. Take part in the 13 celebratory toasts as our Founding Fathers did with lemonade made from an 1840s recipe. Sit for an old-fashioned tintype portrait (weather permitting, $30 per 4 x 5 tintype). 19th-century children’s games will be provided for family play on the Bump Tavern Green; events unless otherwise noted are free with paid museum admission. July 4 celebrates America’s Pastime at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum commemorating not just the country’s 246th birthday, but also the 83rd anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s famous farewell speech with a Gallery tour, artifact spotlight, and guided tour of the Hall, all free with paid admission Please contact your localities or museums for more information about these and other events that are not listed here.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD