Fascinate &Inspire Toys That...
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Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal
Jim and Kim Potts decorate the lamp post in front of Reid’s Barbershop as downtown Cooperstown put on its Christmas airs Sunday, Nov. 23.
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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, November 27, 2014
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Triplets Hunter, Lucas and Noah O’Brien rest up after their afternoon snack. The trio, born Sept. 30, are the only set of identical triplets in Otsego County. Below, sister Abigail, dad Robert, sister Hannah and mother Beth, gather ‘round for some family time with the new arrivals.
County Saves Village DMV, Senior Center
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he county Board of Representatives, having preserved Cooperstown DMV office and the “Gathering Place” senior site in Oneonta, is taking its 2015 budget to public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in the County Office Building. The funding was restored at a budget session Thursday, Nov. 20, reducing a 2.4 percent tax cut to 1.7. Review the budget at WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
5 NEW LAWS: The Cooperstown trustees Monday, Nov. 24, approved five new laws, including two governing tourist rentals in the village. Details at WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
BUDGETS AWRY: By as much as 60 percent, the Otsego Town Board overestimated, and occasionally underestimated, revenues in four budgets, state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says in an audit released in recent days. Details at
Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal
Hartwick Triplets Only Identicals In Otsego County
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By LIBBY CUDMORE
HARTWICK hen Beth O’Brien saw one little body on the sonogram, it was a thrill. When she saw two more, it was a miracle. “I was in shock, but I knew we were so blessed,” she said. “I thought poor Robert was going to pass out!”
Fundraiser Will Assist Injured Jerry Colgate
The O’Brien family – Beth and Robert, and daughters Hannah, 2 and Abigail, 5 – grew by three on Sept. 30, when Beth gave birth to three healthy baby boys, Hunter, Noah and Lucas. “I grew up an only child, so I always wanted a big family,” said Beth. The odds of having identical triplets are one in 60,000. And although the Tallman family of Hartwick and the Catan family of Oneonta also have triplets, the O’Briens’ are the only set of the same gender. After suffering a painful miscarriage, Beth and Please See TRIPLETS, A7
Rollins Photos Snapped Up By Thousands By JIM KEVLIN
By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
PARKING SHIFT: 200 Bassett employees are now parking at former Gary Enck auto dealership in Hartwick Seminary instead of the Clark Sports Center, where construction is due to begin soon on an expansion.
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s Jerry Colgate continues his recovery at the Colgate University of Virginia Medical Center following a hit-and-run accident, he continues to touch lives. “I was standing in my kitchen, making Thanksgiving dinner, and I got thinking Please See JERRY, A6
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hen her daughter Elizabeth was 2, Frank Rollins came by Linda Cunningham’s house to tune the piano, a side business (along with his photography.) Elizabeth was entranced, peering through the bars of her crib while Rollins tightened a string, struck a key, loosened the string, struck a note, until the job was done. Thereafter, Rollins, who taught voice at CCS Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal Linda Collins holds up a portrait of daughter Eliz- for 30 years, beginning in 1957, followed his abeth she discovered among the 10,000 Frank new friend with interest, capturing her image as Rollins photos made available for purchase. Please See ROLLINS, C1
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD