The Freeman's Journal 12-02-21

COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

The Lions Club of Cooperstown announced this week that it must cancel the carnival originally planned for February 2022.

“We truly regret this but feel it is better to be transparent,” Lions Club President Peter Deysenroth said.

“The Cooperstown Winter Carnival is a long-standing communitytradition,onewhich The Lions Club of Cooperstown has proudly supported and sponsored throughout the event’s history,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it has been increasingly difficult to find volunteers within our community who are able to find the time and spirit to pull together this event through the work of the committee..”

“We are truly appreciative of those who have chaired and served on the committee in years past,” he said. “This year, we were unable to find anyone willing to take on the role.”

The Club will meet in April 2022 to discuss next steps for the 2023 event.

VISIT www.

President Joe Biden this week called the COVID19 Omicron variant “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic” as New York State Governor Kathy Hochul redoubled her call for residents across the state to get vaccinated and receive booster shots as a defense against variants existing and potentially yet to come.

In a briefing, though, the Governor said she wants to avoid drastic steps such as those taken at the first outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, citing concern over New Yorkers’ fatigue over anti-COVID policies.

“We’re not talking about shutdowns,” she said.

We’re not talking about reinstituting the harsh measures that were needed in a time we didn’t have any defenses. Just get vaccinated. Wear your mask and you won’t have to worry.”

The Governor nonetheless declared a state of emergency upon news of Omicron’s discovery, allowing her Department of Health to limit nonessential, non-urgent procedures in health care

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facilities that may have limited capacity to protect access to critical-care health services.

Bassett Healthcare System officials say they’re approaching the new situation with case-by-case care, urging patients to keep appointments for screenings, procedures, and regular visits.

“This is not the wholescale shut-off-all-thelights closing that we had to do in 2020,” said Garrielle Argo, Interim Manager of Marketing and Communications for Bassett. “We don’t want anyone to put off their screenings or procedures.

We’re taking everything on a day-by-day, caseby-case basis.”

“I feel like we can’t say this enough, but we want everyone to get vaccinated,” she said.

Bassett Healthcare continues to offer various vaccination and booster clinics throughout their service region.

Governor Hochul’s emergency declaration would require hospitals to postpone non-emergency services were bed availability numbers to fall to a certain level.

“Even without the Executive Order, we’re working every day on contingency and surge planning,” Ms. Argo said. “It’s bed management and patient capacity across our entire system.

We’re collaborating every day with the state and with hospitals all around us to make sure that we’re always prepared.”

“We’re being thoughtful and collaborative

Fore or Fowl?

about this situation every single day,” she said.

“Patients should stay in touch with their healthcare providers if they have questions.”

Ms. Argo noted that many of the smaller hospitals across the Bassett system generally provide outpatient services, meaning the emergency declaration as it currently stands would have little impact on such procedures.

“We have teams of people going over the details of those Executive Orders and the Department of Health guidance memos every time they come out,” she said.

“In the meantime,” she said, echoing Governor Hochul, “just get vaccinated and wear your mask.”

In her November 29 briefing, Governor Hochul said the Omicron variant was inevitable in New York, but that the state remains on high alert.

“Omicron is just across the bridge in Ontario,” she said late Monday. “It’s not a question of if it comes to New York, but when.”

At press time, the Governor had not issued a statewide mask mandate beyond her recommendation that New Yorkers return to mask vigilance.

Officials in the state’s more populous counties reportedly are considering reinstatement of mask mandates or enhanced recommendations; New York City took the step to “strongly recommend” masks in all public indoor spaces, regardless of a person’s vaccination status.

Otsego Sheriff wants more County support

By Kevin Limiti

►SKATERS TWIRL BACK TO LIFE. Oneonta family revives decades-old tradition with help from SUNY Delhi. PAGE A10.

Follow Breaking News On

►VAX CLINIC: Bassett offering vaccine clinic in Cooperstown on Saturday, December 4

Newsstand Price $1

Bassett urges vaccinations as Omicron variant looms

►REMEMBERING Jean smullens; She worked at Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home and Otsego BOCES. PAGE A8

►Small business, every day: The importance of shopping at small businesses

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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, December 2, 2021

►ELEMENTARY GYM VOTE: Cooperstown Central looks to update a 65-year-old facility.

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►New York State of Emergency: Omicron variant requires daily updates.

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Lions Club cancels 2022 Winter Carnival

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If you’ve driven along Lake Street in Cooperstown alongside Leatherstocking Golf Course, you’ve noticed the Canada geese have made their annual invasion. “It’s a real problem,” said golf pro Tim Quirk. “The geese like to feed off of short grass, so they come here. There’s no effective way to get rid of them. The droppings from the geese are pretty bad. It’s not only dangerous for our golfers but for the geese as well.” These birds are Canada geese, so this is as far south as they will go.

“They are here for the winter,” Mr. Quirk said. “When the goslings are born, their parents lose their flight wings, so they are forced to stay here with the birds until they mature. They all leave at the end of the summer but always migrate back to where they were born”.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s office is having difficulty staffing and retaining deputies and corrections officers, a problem Sheriff Richard Devlin blames on low pay, excessive overtime, and what he calls “a lack of support” from the county.

Currently, there are 11 open positions for corrections officers at the Otsego County Jail in Cooperstown, which Sheriff Devlin says causes health issues for its officers required to work longer shifts, and problems with the upkeep at the facility itself.

“If you have a person working a 16-hour shift they’re not as fresh as someone working an eight-hour shift,” Sheriff Devlin told The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta.

“There needs to be interest from the County Board to see these problems.”

During an Otsego County Board of Representatives budget workshop on November 29, Sheriff Devlin said that overtime pay would “drop dramatically” if he were able to fill the nowopen positions. The Sheriff posted to social media a graphic outlining his concerns about deputy sheriff pay, corrections officer overtime, and survey results asserting some 99 percent of sheriff’s office employees believe they get no support from the Otsego County Board of Representatives.

“I’m up to a point where the county is not listening to me, they’re not listening to their other employees, maybe they’ll listen to their constituents,” Sheriff Devlin said on the Facebook post.

Sheriff Devlin said some representatives have visited the Otsego County Jail but that it didn’t “seem to get any action.”

At the Monday budget session, Sheriff Devlin told Board Representative Clark Oliver (D-Oneonta) that staffing shortages require his office to operate in violation of regulations established by the New York State Commission on Corrections. According to the Sheriff, the rules require him to fill 22 posts each day.

See Sheriff, Page 2

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THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

Cooperstown Central asks voters to approve elementary gym updates

By Ted Potrikus Cooperstown Central School District voters head back to the polls December 14 to decide on a $2.5 million capital project referendum that would complete renovations on the elementary school gymnasium initially approved in 2019.

School Superintendent Dr. Sarah Spross said the proposal at hand would have no change in the tax impact on district property owners.

“We cannot emphasize that enough,” she said. “Voters approved the elementary school gym project back in 2019 as a part of a larger capital project referendum but then, of course, COVID came along.”

According to a school district publication, a combination of state aid and debt service retiring would cover the entire $2.5 million up for consideration.

Work already completed under the 2019 referendum includes renovation to the library, gym, and family and consumer science rooms at the high school.

“When it came time to move forward with

the elementary school gym project, the same supply chain and materials challenges facing every business hit us hard,” Dr. Spross said.

“The money originally identified in the first referendum wasn’t enough.”

The district’s Board of Education, she said, decided to go back to the voters for approval to cover the post-pandemic cost increase.

“The elementary gym hasn’t changed since it was built in 1956,” she said. Under the architect plan for the proposed renovation, the new gym would lift the roof, improve safety features, and streamline sight lines.

“A lot of community organizations want to use that facility,” she said. “The renovation would make it a much better space for our students and for the community.”

Voters can cast their ballots from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on December 14 in the auditorium of the Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School at 39 Linden Avenue in Cooperstown.

Voters may request an absentee ballot by making a request, either in writing or in person, to Wendy Lansing, District Clerk, 39 Linden Avenue; completed absentee ballots must be returned by 5 p.m. on December 14.

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Architectural renderings of proposed Cooperstown elementary school gym.

Sheriff seeks plan for better corrections support Sheriff, from page 1 “We’re filling every position as required, but we have to do it through overtime,” he said. “That’s where the violations come in.”

According to sheriff they’re supposed to fill 22 posts per day; they are; violations through overtime. New York State Commission on Corrections.

He said Otsego County can improve conditions through better communications and by creating a plan to better staff the positions now left open.

“We can’t be doing this year after year and not address this,” he said. “We need a plan in place.”

SSPCA sets lofty goal of $160,000 for Save-A-Life Campaign “This campaign greatly boosts our year-end totals and helps us improve and expand our services”,Stacie Haynes, SQSPCA executive director, said. “We are so grateful to Staffworks for this opportunity once again to leverage donor contributions into additional funds,” Ms. Haynes said. “Community donations help us keep the shelter running.”

To help in this fundraising effort, go to w w w. s q s p c a . org.

County Board Representative Danny Lapin (D-Oneonta) acknowledged the Department’s staff shortage.

“That has been a longstanding problem,” Rep. Lapin said to The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta.

“The County is working on addressing the situation.

There’s merit in the Sheriff’s arguments.”

Rep. Lapin said the Sheriff “does a great job in providing necessary information” to the County Board. The problem, he said, was indicative of not having enough tax revenue to pay for essential services.

“I wouldn’t support any budget that doesn’t provide an adequate raise

for corrections officers,” Rep. Lapin said, calling it a “Republican-on-Republican issue” and opining that there was “a lot of misinformation about Democrats not funding important services” such as law enforcement.

“I think there needs to be a lot of education and outreach,” he said. “People need to understand where the Sheriff’s funding comes from. I, for one, will gladly pay more to fund law enforcement.”

“There are real consequences for what happens when we keep our taxes down.,” he said “It becomes really hard to fund the public services we need and that we depend on.”

THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

News Briefs

Grand Union set for Hartwick Seminary after FTC OKs Price Chopper/Tops merger Last year’s merger putting competing grocers Price Chopper and Tops under a single parent company left local shoppers wondering the fate of branded stores in Otsego County.

As a condition of approving the merger, the Federal Trade Commission required proposed parent company Northeast Grocery to divest its interest in a dozen stores — among them the Tops Market on Route 28 in Hartwick Seminary.

C&S Wholesale Grocers, a century-old supplier to independent grocery stores throughout the country, purchased

the stores in question and, in the next few months, will replace the Tops brand with Grand Union.

“This is another very exciting opportunity for C&S to further expand into the retail market,” Rick Cohen, executive chairman of C&S Wholesale Grocers said. “This is an important component of our growth and future success.”

“The Grand Union stores will showcase C&S’s already successful retail strategies and be supported by our strong wholesale supply chain and programs to deliver solid retail performance,” he continued.

When asked, all three players involved in the merger, divestiture, and rebranding of the stores declined to comment beyond prepared statements provided to the media.

The Mingo Market Open Daily through the holidays a contemporary take on the classic country store, with a unique and wide-ranging offering of authentic products and provisions from around the world and around the corner

Price Chopper locations in Cooperstown and Oneonta will retain their brand identity under the new Northeast Grocery parent banner, as will Price Chopper and Tops Markets throughout the remainder of the new parent company’s service region.

While no specific dates have yet been scheduled, C&S plans grand openings for the Hartwick Seminary and other Grand Union locations for mid-January through mid-February 2022, and states the company “will continue to recognize the union workforce at these locations.”

“We are very excited to bring this iconic supermarket back to the communities it has fed for generations,” said C&S Chief Executive Officer Bob Palmer.

Isabelle de Borchgrave

FASHIONING ART from PAPER 500 Years of Fashion, Created from Paper!

From gourmet foods, locally-sourced grocery items and produce to kitchen and entertaining essentials, pet and garden supplies, treats for the kids, unique clothing, Books, TWIL[ WN PIZL \W ÅVL Q\MU[ and much, much more

Stop by this Holiday season and check some names off your shopping list. With A wide Selection of hand-picked gifts, The mingo market makes it easy for you to give someone their next favorite thing

2 1/2 miles north of cooperstown At Sam Smith’s Boatyard 6098 state highway 80 www.themingomarket.com

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LEAD SPONSOR:

Isabelle de Borchgrave, (Belgium b. 1946), ASSOCIATE SPONSORS: Robe à la Française, 2010; Collection of the artist.

Richard and Constance Griffith Elizabeth R. Lemieux, Ph.D. The exhibition has been organized F. X. Matt Memorial Fund of The Community

by Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. Memphis, in cooperation with Hon. Joan Shkane (Ret.) Isabelle de Borchgrave Studio.

Funding for this exhibition is provided in part by national sponsor

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Perspectives

THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

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ted potrikus

editorial

Omicron, is it?

It sounds a lot like something out of Hollywood — one of those action/sci-fi movies that demand we suspend our disbelief more than usual and go along for the ride in a world where it can’t happen here.

The problem, of course, is that it can. And it is.

We had barely dried the Thanksgiving dinner dishes when word came out of the World Health Organization that it was meeting in emergency session over a newly discovered Covid-19 variant, this one seemingly originating out of South Africa. Stock markets plunged on Black Friday. President Biden and other world leaders clamped down on international travel from the nations most immediately affected. Governor Kathy Hochul wasted no time declaring a state of emergency across New York to last through January 15, 2022.

Governor Hochul’s executive order allows hospitals to limit non-essential admissions and procedures if the facility has less than ten percent staffed bed capacity.

It’s a reasonable response borne from her predecessor’s playbook, but one that we hope and trust will allow for real input and interaction with local health officials.

Thanks to the good work of Dr. Richard J. Sternberg, AllOtsego.com highlighted his thumbnail sketch of the situation as it stood early Saturday morning. We salute him for writing explicitly “what we don’t know” — the degree to which Omicron poses a threat, whether our current vaccine regimen will be affective, will emerging treatment protocol be effective. His is a measured, if not sobering, analysis.

It’s a reflection of the times that Dr. Sternberg’s Covid-19 columns feature each week on our pages here, and we are grateful for his scientific reading of the available data. As pleased as we are to publish his commentary, we’re equally discouraged that it remains a helpful tool as we continue to navigate Covid-19 in all its evil manifestations.

Covid numbers across the state show insidious upward creep — a trend experts predict will continue as we travel more deeply into the holiday season and families and friends gather more frequently. As this paper reported last week, Erie County already had installed an indoor mask mandate for everyone regardless of vaccination status — and that was before Omicron was on anyone’s radar. County executives and health directors in high-population parts of New York are, as we go to press, weighing similar options as they watch their own localized new-case numbers rise and fret about this new Omicron puzzle.

Mask mandates are polarizing, of course; we cannot imagine any local or state official jumping at the opportunity to be the one to walk out on that exceptionally thin ice. Should hospitalizations increase, though, we must assume that we’ll see a few more recommendations coming our way.

In the meantime, we believe our best strategy against Omicron, Delta, and any other Greek-letterbearing variant to come is to listen to the advice from our doctors. The same ones we turn to when we need something for that nagging cough. The same ones we applauded and for whom we left on our front porch lights 18 months ago to show our appreciation and gratitude for their frontline bravery.

Omicron and its successors remind us that this thing is real, it’s invasive, it’s not going to go away without some frontline bravery of our own. Listen to your doctor.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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The Freeman’s Journal welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper.

They must include the writer’s name, address, email and telephone/ mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own.

Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. The length must be no more than 250 words.

The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

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Tara Barnwell Publisher Ted Potrikus Editor

Larissa Ryan Business Manager

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Poor “Carol of the Bells”

It’s a lovely melody, to be sure, one that indeed invokes the pleasures of the winter season. It’s easy pickings for advertisers, though, because it’s in the public domain. No one has to pay royalties for its use, so it’s fair game.

And every year, there’s some honcho at an ad agency thinking he or she is the first one ever to shout out during a brainstorming session, “Hey! Let’s use ‘Carol of the Bells! That’ll grab ‘em!”

Selling a car? “Carol of the Bells.”

Selling jewelry? “Carol of the Bells.”

Selling, oh, I don’t know, appetizers at your chain restaurant? “Carol of the Bells.”

That’s the problem with Christmas music, or, in many cases, just sort of generic wintery music like “Sleigh Ride” or “Winter Wonderland” or, please stop playing it, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” By the time we get to early December, we’ve heard a lot of holiday music.

Not that that’s a bad thing. I love Christmas music and spent a lifetime collecting all manner of it. The beauty of Christmas music — ANY music, for that matter — is that if it sounds good to you, then it’s good.

For better or worse, our daughters grew up listening to a somewhat skewered set of Christmas tunes: a record of a guy imitating Porky Pig singing his way through Elvis’s “Blue Christmas.” And an impossibly bad

record — in the “so bad it’s great” category — called “Helicopter Santa Claus.” Proof of its oddball obscurity: I can’t even find it on any streaming platform or YouTube.

I got it on a 45 rpm record after engaging in a not-well-thought-out bidding war on eBay roughly a decade ago. It’s by an obviously wellmeaning guy from the Youngstown, Ohio region whom, I surmise, thought he was about to hit it out of the park with the next “White Christmas.” He did not. Instead, he sings about Santa having a little buyer’s remorse after trading in his reindeer for a helicopter.

Now, he’s “freezing in his copter fly” and “dreaming about the good old days/when reindeer flew across the flaky sky.” He also over-enunciates the word “hurriedly” — not one you’d generally hear in a song in the first place. But here, we get it as “hurry-id-lee.”

For around 10 years, “Helicopter Santa Claus” and a few dozen others featured on a radio show I had the pleasure of doing with my good pal Paul Rapp. Paul and I would scour the Internet and record stores for the most unintentionally awful stuff we could find, but then found ourselves so drawn to it that these songs became tradition for our families. There’s one that sounds like one of those things where you go into a recording booth and sing to a backing track, but this

time it’s a guy with a trumpet trying with all his might to make it through “Sleigh Ride.” He does not.

One year, National Public Radio star and jazz maven John Pizzarelli stopped by our studio to promote his own performance in town later that night. We tried to warn him what we were doing. Instead of slamming his guitar case shut and running out the door, he asked us to open up his microphone while he sang along (in perfect imitation) with a Walter Brennan Christmas record about saving Henry the Christmas turkey. That Walter Brennan record is on YouTube. I either do or don’t recommend it, depending on your tolerance level.

In our house now, it’s not the Christmas season until we break out Johnny “Bowtie” Barstow teetering on the edge of disaster as he claws his way through “The First Noel.” Or the guy who calls himself “Elvis Presley, Jr.” delivering a wholly creepy preamble to his young son (“Elvis the Third”?) before performing one of the most hideous Elvis impersonations of all time in an utter mangling of “Silent Night.”

Somehow, these unique interpretations make our season bright. And I hope that each of you has your own playlist of seasonal ditties, regardless of the season, to help lighten the burden.

richard Sternberg, M.D.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

In 24 months, we have learned many things about responding to a pandemic of a dangerous disease.

Don’t ignore it.

Take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread.

1918 is still relevant.

Work on treatments and immunizations and use them when available.

And more: Lessen our travel.

Wear a mask if it’s transmitted by air. Avoid any behavior that promotes spread.

Work hard to do all the above.

Don’t panic. That won’t help.

The Omicron variant of COVID has arrived. It is spreading so fast and is turning up so frequently in people that are positive that it is almost assured of being the dominant worldwide COVID variant in a short time. The daily infection rate in South Africa has increased almost 20 times from November 11 until November 28.

There are now 32 mutations of the spike protein from when the virus was first sequenced last year. The spike protein is the target of the vaccines used in the U.S. and Europe. It is not known whether current vaccines will work and if they do, how effective they will be.

The bottom line is we don’t know what this variant is going to do and what will happen to the Delta variant.

Will Omicron displace it or will they work together and increase total infection rates. Will they be able to attack a person simultaneously.

As I write this column, I feel as if I am drinking from a fire hose. The new information flow, press releases, government statements, all keep coming faster than I can keep up. What I write this minute may be outdated by

the time I finish my column. Imagine what the scientists are going through.

In response to an article I posted on Saturday, one reader wrote that the action that Governor Hochul took, declaring a state of emergency, was very wrong since there was no proof that this variant would be a problem.

Waiting for proof that Omicron was a serious new risk would be like closing the barn door after the cows had escaped, and had at least a two-week head start.

Our governor was absolutely correct in her action. You shouldn’t have to prove that in a potential crisis action is necessary before commencing it.

You take action until you have proven

that action isn’t necessary. In this situation you have to stay ahead of the curve.

What is it going to take to get everyone on board with fighting this disease? Don’t people see the obituaries for young people also dying of COVID? Where does the argument that one’s freedom to do what they want runs up against someone else’s freedom of fear from malignant disease fail?

Right now, everyone over the age of five, who doesn’t have a truly medical indicated reason, needs to be vaccinated, no exceptions. Those who aren’t need to be quarantined; this is a group that clearly has too many members willing to lie and deceive in order to avoid restrictions of not being vaccinated.

Everyone needs to go back to masks almost all the time while in public. Seating and eating in public must be limited to stable pods. In fact, we may need to close all indoor gathering of people again, certainly groups that can’t socially distance.

In two weeks, we should have more information on this newly detected strain. We can then again loosen restrictions if Omicron turns out to not be more deadly or harmful than the other variants.

Right now, it is necessary to respond as if going to war. Everyone must do their part.

Dr. Richard Sternberg, retired Bassett Hospital orthopedic surgeon, is providing his professional perspective during the COVID-19 threat. Also a village trustee, he lives in Cooperstown.

LETTERS

The Right to Choose The Fundamental Constitutional Right to Choose Roe vs Wade was argued in Texas

by Texas lawyers in front of Texas judges. When the Supremes upheld the Texas trial court, they not only tossed out Texas’s abortion law, but all state abortion laws as being unconstitutional for one profoundly simple reason: The Constitution does not prohibit abortion. Abortion needn’t be mentioned (much less “allowed”

or “protected”) in the Constitution because it was legal in every state when the Constitution was adopted.

Reproductive rights were an assumed right by the Framers. Abortion came to be banned by some states starting in 1820. All of those state bans were overturned by Roe because “That which is not prohibited is permitted,” ie. protected as a natural right by the Constitution. Other Constitutionally permitted rights (ownership of chattel

slaves) have been eliminated by Constitutional Amendment. Likewise, abortion would have to be banned by a ConstitutionalAmendment, not banned by an activist judge pretending that reproductive rights were ever considered unconstitutional by the Founders or that every natural right would have to be listed in the Constitution.

Chip Northrup

AllOTSEGO.com

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THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

News from the noteworthy LeAF

Prepare against holiday disappointment Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

210 YEARS AGO

Advertisement – The co-partnership of Cory & Cook is, by mutual consent, this day dissolved. All persons indebted to said firm are requested to make immediate payment to said Cory, who will attend to said business at the store of Mssrs. Goodsell & Cook. They do not forget to offer their sincere thanks to all those who have been their good customers. O.L. Cory, Seth Cook, Cooperstown.

November 30, 1811

185 YEARS AGO

The company formed in London for performing voyages to America by steam, is to proceed at once to the building of its vessels. By the application of Hull’s Condenser to the engines, a saving of one-third in the fuel is effected.

The first ship to be built is to have a keel 220 feet in length, a hold 27 feet in depth, 40 feet breadth of beam, and is to be of 1,800 tons burthen. The vessels will sail alternately from London and Liverpool.

December 5, 1836

160 YEARS AGO

December 6, 1861

135 YEARS AGO

Boys who idle away their time and neglect their opportunities for acquiring a knowledge of books and some useful calling in life, evidently do not appreciate such encouraging and stimulating facts as these — President Arthur was the son of a poor clergyman and worked his own way through college by teaching. President Garfield was a canal driver and taught school to pay his way through college.

President Cleveland was a poor boy and the architect of his own fortunes. President Johnson was a tailor, and President Lincoln a rail-splitter. Still other presidents had like humble beginnings — the career of each illustrating the possibilities of achievement under our free institutions.

No boy is so humble but with pluck and brain he can rise to the top round of the ladder.

December 4, 1886

110 YEARS AGO

George Southworth, a religious fanatic, who lives about two miles from Lake George on the Luzerne Road, has just completed a curious ark, in expectation of a second flood.

Although hazy on just when the flood will take place, Mr. Southworth is certain that the world will be destroyed by water, notwithstanding the Bible’s promise. The ark is about fifty feet long, ten feet wide and eight feet in depth.

Mr. Southworth said it was only intended for himself, his horse, cow, chickens and dog. The craft is built of hewed logs and small trees are used for the side pieces and frame work. On the bow is a long piece of pine board and painted across is the warning: “Repent, Repent, for the Day of the Lord is Drawing Near.”

December 6, 1911

35 YEARS AGO

As the bicentennial year for Cooperstown draws to a close, there is one more activity that the committee is finishing. The committee is requesting help from the public with suggestions for items that should be placed in the time capsule. The capsule will be eight inches square and will be placed in the Village Office Building down by the entrance to the police department. On Monday, December 22, a procession will be formed at the Cooperstown Theatre and following brief remarks officials will proceed down Main Street with candles lit to the library building where the time capsule will be placed. At the same time, the Fenimore Quilt Club will present a quilt to the Village.

December 3, 1986 Solution: ‘Presidential Stew’ (November 25)

Deck the halls! Light the candles! Hang the lights!

Prepare the feast! And then wait with excited anticipation of family and friends coming over to share the celebrations of the season.

Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or a blend of traditions, the hopes for joy and peace are high in the hearts of most.

Then, for some of us, there are the thoughts of “that” guest or “that” situation everyone knows can turn delight into disappointment.

We hope it will be different this year, and sometimes it is. For the most part, though, the disruption is fairly predictable. This is a real circumstance that many families deal with year after year.

How do you break that cycle?

Can anything be done to increase the chances of a peaceful, happy gathering?

Gratefully, there are ways to disrupt a disruptive pattern. Because it is so common, a lot has been written on it. You can find lots of suggestions beyond the ones listed here. Generally, within families, a few themes can set off uncomfortable interactions. You probably know what they are: discussions of controversial topics, intoxication, and old family disputes.

Knowing that, here are a few strategies that you can try. They take a little planning, you will need to be vigilant for signs of trouble, and you

will likely need some allies.

But remember, the goal is a joyful, fulfilling gathering.

1) In an upbeat way, create a family agreement about non-festive topics and turn it into a game. Before the gathering, make a “swear jar” (or a Krampus jar?) and list the nonfestive topics like politics, religion, vaccines, social issues, etc. You may want to pre-arrange to have a few allies who will quickly agree to the game. And when someone brings up a topic on the list, they get to put a dollar (or a quarter) into the jar and come up with a new topic. It can be fun if everyone buys in and quickly catches someone veering off into controversial territory. At the end of the gathering, draw a name for who gets the contents of the swear jar.

2) If you plan to serve alcohol, do so in limited quantities. For some people, alcohol consumption results in a relaxed, jovial response.

For others, it can result in a more emotional, agitated, or aggressive response. So, put away the alcohol

in the house to limit access and make delicious low-alcohol punches or festive drinks. Be sure to include alcohol-free options as well. Actually, serving no alcohol at a gathering is perfectly okay. No need to explain yourself — it’s your party. You’re allowed to serve what you wish.

3) Have a strategy in place for heading off a conversation that might be drifting into the red zone.

Announce that you are honoring the spirit of giving and that you have some surprises for the gathering that will be handed out at unexpected times. Have small grab-bag gifts for guests and at random times (or when the mood starts to shift), have one of the kids pull a name from a basket for who gets to pick the next gift.

Be creative. Sometimes even small redirection strategies can help stop an uncomfortable situation before it starts. They’re also fun.

These are not the last word in ways to keep spirits bright. They are just a few suggestions to start new traditions and slightly change the dynamics of potentially explosive situations. Taking a bit of our control back in what has felt like an outof-control situation is a major step forward.

May your holidays be merry and filled with peace.

Julie Dostal is executive director of The LEAF Council on Alcoholism & Addictions, Oneonta.

BY Merl Reagle

Twain of Thought ... Ain’t it the truth, and sometimes it ain’t ACROSS 1 Dublin-born literary giant 5 Thomas of That Girl 10 Knack, as for writing 15 Cuts with a cleaver 19 “I’ll take one of ___” 20 ___ a high note 21 Longest river in France 22 Theater award 23 S tart of a Twain quote (paraphrased slightly) 26 Bank service 27 Little Luke’s sister on The Real McCoys (now this is trivia) 28 Rogues 29 “Nobody was home” followup 31 Shoulder warmer 33 Jessica of Fantastic Four 34 Star of the 1968 Winter Olympics 35 Hiding place 38 Twain quote, part 2 44 “Alice’s Restaurant” singer 45 It’s got a Tiger in its ranks 46 Info-gathering 47 There’s a lot of money in it 48 Pre-V trio 49 Piano man Floyd 52 Out of the bus.

53 Runs: slang 54 Twain quote, part 3 56 London’s Old ____ 58 Sand bar 60 British East India Co. product 61 Sign of Big Macs 62 Attorney Melvin 64 Slobby sportswriter of TV 66 Hostess snack cake 67 Twain quote, part 4 70 They’re a rowing concern 74 ___ to all mankind 76 Kirk’s backyard 77 Without principles 79 It’s on top of things 82 Like bachelors and bachelorettes 84 Rested 85 Twain quote, part 5 86 Jittery 88 Coxcomb 90 Fate 92 Stinger 93 Tiny hairs 94 ___ headache 96 Owns 97 Stopped flying 98 Twain quote, part 6 102 Secluded valleys

103 Baseball’s Wagner 104 Rain cats and dogs 105 Worshipped one 107 Miserable 110 Rain-dance accompaniment 112 Piano pieces 116 Jai ___ 117 End of the Twain quote 120 Connector 121 Jeannie, for one 122 Arrive at 123 Common verbe 124 Theater seat 125 Idyllic settings 126 Newark’s county 127 Over a fielder’s head DOWN 1 Funnyman Meyers 2 Gag reflex?

3 Experts 4 Volumes of people 5 Greek sorceress 6 Either you know it or you don’t: abbr.

7 Dosage suggestions: abbr.

8 OK for a dieter 9 In stores 10 Sticky stuff 11 Stock setback 12 Have the blahs 13 Employee’s last words 14 Related again

15 Fool around 16 A woodwind 17 “La vie en rose” singer 18 Snail-mailed 24 Old pizza dough?

25 Brownish-yellow 30 Randy Newman tune 32 Heathen 34 Wood feature 35 1948 remake of Algiers 36 Conductor Toscanini 37 Brood of chicks 39 Walton or Waterston 40 Cold desserts 41 Hunger’s cousin 42 Netman Nastase 43 The Sundance Kid’s girl 45 Antifreeze company 49 Evita character 50 All time 51 Bothers big-time 53 Produces milk 55 “Now hold on!”

57 Film excerpts 59 Smoqui, for example?

62 They’re on the plus side 63 Crooner Chris 65 Basis 68 One-word question 69 Play opening 71 Crop-friendly 72 Accumulate

73 Showers in winter?

75 Cause of needless anxiety 78 Wyo. time 79 Some math lines 80 “What’s ___ for me?”

81 Chop shop?

83 Finished 85 Fine violin 87 Resembling a platter 89 Reasons 91 Who sells seashells on the seashore 94 Blown away 95 Beat decisively 97 Made sly references 99 Infuriate 100 Power problem 101 Fumbles 102 ___ bat for 106 A drug treatment ctr.

107 Leaves time?

108 Eclectic group 109 Pealed 110 Elvis had one 111 1969 World Series champs 113 Heap affection (on) 114 Tipperary’s place 115 Plant your foot 118 How some rivers run: abbr.

119 Fwy. abbr.

THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in Cooperstown on Friday, November 26.

Hundreds waited patiently to see Santa, braving bitter wind chills.

Santa saw each and everyone of them to find out what they want for Christmas.

Levi and Mia Tracy, front, from Springfield, came to see Santa with their grandparents from Florida, Mark and Melissa Wagner.

Santa’s very first visitor was Joseph Ungolo, center. He was accompanied by his sister Laura Jane Alexander and her husband Wayne, from Cooperstown.

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Legal nOtice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearing in the Village Office Building, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York on Monday, December 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard, to discuss the following Proposed Law No. 4 of 2021 – A Local Law adopting Fair Housing Code for the Village of Cooperstown, New York to provide a mechanism for enforcing the requirements in renting, leasing, or selling any dwelling within the Village of Cooperstown.

Any resident of the Village of Cooperstown is entitled to be heard upon said local law at such public hearing. Disabled citizens, who require assistance in attending said public hearing, or in furnishing comments or suggestions, should contact the Village Clerk to request assistance. A copy of the proposed law is available for inspection at the Village Clerk’s office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dated: December 3, 2021 By order of the Village Board Village of Cooperstown Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownnny.org (email) 1LegalDec.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company

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Name: LIFE & LIBERTY FIREARMS LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 24 November 2021.

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 452 Gulf Road, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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

6LegalJan.6 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021, at the Village Office at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York by the Village Clerk of the Village of Cooperstown for the purchase of 35,000 gallons of No. 2 Heating Oil and 11,050 gallons of LP gas for heating. The successful bidder will be obligated to deliver the purchased oil and/or LP gas during the time period beginning January 1, 2022 and ending December 31, 2022.

Specifications may be obtained from the Village Office at 22 Main St., Cooperstown, New York, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by calling (607) 5472411. Bids must be submitted on or before 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021 in a sealed envelope addressed to the Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown and marked “BID-FUEL OIL/LP Gas” and may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the bid opening. Faxed bid proposals will not be accepted.

Bidders are advised not to rely on the Postal Service or any other mail delivery service for the timely and proper delivery of their bid proposals. The Village of Cooperstown reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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Dated: December 1, 2021 Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) 1LegalDec.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: 79 BEAVER STREET LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 17 November 2021.

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 15 South Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearing at the Cooperstown Junior/Senior High School cafeteria, 39 Linden Avenue Cooperstown, New York on Monday, December 6th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard, to discuss the following: Proposed Local Law No. 4 of 2021 – A Local Law pursuant to Cannabis Law 131 opting out of licensing and establishing retail cannabis dispensaries/and or on-site cannabis consumption establishments within the Village of Cooperstown.

Any resident of the Village of Cooperstown is entitled to be heard upon said local

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LEGALS

law at such public hearing. Disabled citizens, who require assistance in attending said public hearing, or in furnishing comments or suggestions, should contact the Village Clerk to request assistance. A copy of the proposed law is available for inspection at the Village Clerk’s office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dated: November 19, 2021 By order of the Village Board Village of Cooperstown Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownnny.org (email) 2LegalDec.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of IVERSON HERITAGE FARMS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/06/2021.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 1193 County Highway 26, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of PALMS AND PINES PROPERTIES LLC. Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 4/7/21.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 128 Zephyr Knoll, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

Legal

6LegalDec.30 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Clark Companies is bidding the general construction of the State University of New York College of Technology at Delhi Artificial Turf Field Project No. 251030-00 on December 8, 2021.

We request quotations from qualified Minority Businesses and Women’s Business Enterprises along with Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses for their services and/or products involved with this project including but not limited to: Silt Fence/Erosion Control Concrete Masonry Asphalt Painting Drainage and Water Systems Electric/Communications Fence and Gates Signs Specifications, plans and quantities are available by contacting our office at P.O. Box 427, Delhi, NY 13753, phone 607-746-2727, fax 607-746-3107 or email info@clarkcompanies.com Equal Opportunity Employer. Quotes are due no later than Dec. 7, 2021 4LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 29 Pioneer Street LLC Filed 11/1/21 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 1290, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalDec.23 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of CONY ASSOCIATES LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/3/2021.

Office loc.: Otsego County.

The principal business address is 4758 NY-28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. SSNY is

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designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to 303 W. Lancaster Ave., #290, Wayne, PA 19087.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalDec.23

process to: 3522 County Highway 11, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: to engage in any and all business activities and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalDec.16

Tundra Design LLC

service of process.

SOS shall mail copy of process to c/o United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave, Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228.

Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

6LegalDec.9

Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name: Boss Heating and Cooling LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/05/2021.

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: 1545 County Highway 25, Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of ATSocio-Judicial Consulting, LLC Art. of Org. filed NY Sec. Of state (SSNY) 11/3/21.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail Process to Ari Tobi-Aiyemo, 67 Maple St.,Oneonta NY 13820.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose 6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Hartwick Supply, LLC Articles of Organization filing date with the Department of State (SSNY) October 28, 2021.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: HADE HOLLOW CONSTRUCTION LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 14 October 2021.

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 149 Hade Hollow Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

6LegalDec.16 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: TAUZEL FARMS LLC. Certificate of Conversion filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 25 October 2021.

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 117 White House Crossing, Worcester, NY 12197.

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

6LegalDec.23 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name:

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/30/2021.

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: P.O. Box 1318, Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of The Little Farmers Market LLC, Art. Of Org. filed Sec’y. of State (SSNY) 7/12/21.

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 128 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY. 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 107 Main Otego LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/13/21.

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

SSNY shall mail process to Pamela Wik-Grimm, 85 Main St., Binghamton, NY 13905.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.9

Legal nOtice Notice of the formation of Tech 99 LLC, Articles of Organization, filed with SSNY on 06/02/2021.

Tech 99 is located in Otsego County and its purpose is any lawful act or activity.

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

SSNY shall mail any process to Tech 99 LLC, 5001 State Hwy 3 #179, Oneonta, NY 13820 6LegalDec.9 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of BOSS LANDSCAPE, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/5/2021.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY designated Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Boss Landscape, LLC, 1545 County Highway 25, Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Purpose: Any Lawful purpose.

6LegalDec.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Legal nOtice

DGL Partners, LLC.

NOTICE OF FILING OF ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION IN NEW YORK

BY A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/28/21.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: the Company, 25 Chestnut St., Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: any lawful activities.

6LegalDec.2

Name: Cooperstown Distilling Company LLC. Articles of Organization filed with sec. of state of NY(SOS) on 2/6/2013.

Office location: Otsego County.

SOS is designated as agent of LLC for

THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

SHOP ‘TIL THE BIG BALL DROPS!!

Alexander Jaretzki , 66

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OBITUARIES January 10, 1955 – November 6, 2021

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Alex died suddenly (and too young) at the age of 66, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. From his earliest days in Cooperstown, N.Y., Alex was bold, adventurous, and intent on figuring out the world. He loved nature and animals, from the garter snakes in Cooperstown to tropical fish in Bermuda and the Keys, to rattlesnakes in Arizona.

Just this last summer, he was keen on taking turtle eggs his brother unearthed from a compost pile. And he was a doting cat owner.

Alex attended schools in Cooperstown and Hastingson-Hudson N.Y., and graduated from Pomfret School (Conn.) in 1973. He was a voracious reader, and had a vast library of books that reflected the breadth of his inquiries.

He always had a strong spiritual side, and his studies, teachers, and meditations

were a huge part of his life.

He had an intense interest in a variety of disciplines, with a focus on Alexander traditional Jaretzki Ve d a n t a (practices based on the earliest sacred Indian scriptures) toward the later years of his life. Having studied and practiced T’ai Chi for years, he found it helpful to adopt a variety of Qigong exercises when he could no longer practice T’ai Chi. Poor health over the last decade took away much of his energy, and along with pandemic-induced isolation, kept him from engaging in the activities he loved.

He was especially looking

forward to recovering his fitness, visiting with family and cousins, and exploring new waterways in his kayak.

Alex was predeceased by his parents, Sonia (Lasell) Jaretzki and Alfred Jaretzki III, and his brother Alfred Jaretzki IV, and survived by his (very sad) siblings, Lasell J. Bartlett and Sumner Jaretzki.

Alex asked that his ashes be brought to Small Point, Maine, to be taken into the Atlantic by the outgoing tide.

We will send him off accompanied by the ashes of his last and favorite cat, Wakan, whose name means “sacred” in the Lakota language.

Please think of donating to your local library, animal rescue, or any wildlife cause as a remembrance of Alex’s spirit.

THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Oneonta’s Orpheus sets auditions

Super Heroes gets new executive director

Oneonta’s Orpheus Theatre invites area actors and singers aged 10 and older to audition for its March 2022 production of “Newsies,” the Disney film turned Tonywinning Broadway hit.

Auditions are set for December 2 and 3 at 6:30 p.m. and December 4 at 1 p.m. at Orpheus Theater’s site at Southside Mall in Oneonta (the old Rue 21 store). Rehearsals begin in January, with performances slated for March 18-20 at Foothills Performing Arts Center.

Mary-Jo Merk directs, Angela Miller

Animal rescue not-for-profit Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans has named Jared Moore as its new executive director. Jared brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. As an assistant vice president in his last position within the human services field, he led his organization through strategic planning, program development, and transitional growth, all while building strong commu-

and Kaitlyn Jackson choreograph, and Tim Horne provides vocal coaching. Music and sides will be provided at auditions; all roles are available. Dancers should bring dance and/or tap shoes. Masks are required regardless of current mandates and/or vaccination status.

All roles are available. Additional information and detailed character descriptions can be found at www.orpheustheatre.org, by calling 607-432-1800, or by e-mail at orpheus@orpheustheatre.org.

Jared Moore

nity relations. Jared graduated from SUNY Morrisville with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Jared is an area native who stays busy with his family and multi-animal household. The public is invited to meet Jared at our Shelter Warming on Sunday, December 5, from 12 to 4 p.m. at 160 Pony Farm Rd. in Oneonta.

OBITUARIES Doris F. S. Truman, 99 July 3, 1922 – November 10, 2021

Doris Ferris Smith Truman, 99, formerly of West Oneonta, passed away on November 10, 2021, in Oxford, N.Y. She was born in Oneonta on July 3, 1922, the daughter of A. B. and Hazel (Jackson) Smith. Her family moved from West End to a dairy farm outside of West Oneonta when she was a teenager. She attended Oneonta High School, graduated from Laurens Central High School, and graduated

from NYS Agricultural and Technical Institute in Delhi.

She married John C. Truman, who lived on a neighboring farm, on November 27, 1943.

Doris worked for American Airlines while her husband was stationed at Mitchel Field during World War II and later became a church secretary. They lived in Ohio, Massachusetts and Niskayuna, N.Y. before returning to West Oneonta, building their home on the

family farmland. upon to make her While raising her special pies for family, Doris was church events. a willing volunteer Doris was for the Girl Scouts, employed at the Fox Hospital, West Oneonta Hospice, Meals Post Office for 14 on Wheels, the years. She loved Oneonta Women’s collecting vintage Club and the United and antique items.

Doris F. S. Methodist Women.

She had a quaint Truman Music played an antique shop and an important part in Doris’ life. online eBay business when She had a beautiful soprano she was in her 80’s. voice and played the piano.

Doris was a loving She was a member of the daughter, wife, mother, First United Methodist aunt, grandmother, and Church choir and handbell great grandmother. Family choir. She was an excellent and friends will remember baker and was often called her ready smile, words of

encouragement and kind nature. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband John and sisters, Marie S. Tryens and Barbara S. Schrafel. She is survived by her sister Marjorie S. Rowley of Oneonta, her children Ann T. Burger of Niskayuna, N.Y., Rosemary J. Truman (James Mcqueen) of Greene, N.Y. and Priscilla T. Muehl (Mark) of Fairborn, Ohio, grandchildren Kathy Drapeau, Edward Burger, Jennica Whitt (Marcus), Nathan Muehl (Valdeline) and great-grandchildren Maximus Whitt, Gregory Drapeau and Caroline

Drapeau.

Doris’ daughters would like to recognize and thank The Plains at Parish Homestead for the loving care extended to both of their parents in recent years and to The NYS Veterans Home in Oxford, N.Y., where the wonderful staff provided excellent care.

A family service was held with Rev. Marti SwordsHorrell, at Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, N.Y. Bookhout Funeral Home provided arrangements.

Jean Smullens, 86

August 8, 1935 – November 24, 2021 COOPERSTOWN – Jean Smullens, “Grandma Jean”, 86, passed away peacefully at home in the company of her children late Wednesday night, November 24, 2021.

The youngest of three, Jean was born on August 8, 1935, to Walter and Elizabeth (Martzloff) O’Connell in Lowville. She graduated from Lowville Academy and

& D 8 ) ľ m

Central School and the two moved in 1953, where to Cooperstown. her parents were Three children both teachers. She later, she returned attended Albany to work at The Medical Center Clara Welch School of Nursing, Thanksgiving where she met her Home before husband, Robert. becoming an In 1959, Bob and L.P.N. instructor Jean Jean were married at Otsego BOCES. Smullens in Lowville. Later In 1984, she began that year Jean received her most cherished work as a her R.N. accreditation and supervising nurse for Otsego the two took up residency County Public Health and in Johnstown where she also received her master’s began her nursing career as in vocational education. She a staff nurse at Johnstown retired in 2000, but soon Hospital and then later, as after returned to the County a clinical instructor at St. as a part-time staff nurse for Mary’s Hospital School in two years before becoming a Amsterdam. In 1964, after part-time admissions nurse obtaining her B.S. in nursing at Bassett Hospital until from Russell Sage College, 2015.

Bob became a partner in An avid sports fan and Church & Scott Pharmacy, long-time supporter of

SAVE MONEY ALL YEAR LONG FOR HOLIDAY SPENDING!

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

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

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

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Cooperstown Athletics, Jean often attended various sporting events where the young athletes dubbed her “Grandma Jean.” She was a staunch N.Y. Yankee fan and loved to watch and attend Syracuse basketball games.

Locally, she will be fondly remembered as a third of what the late Fr. John Roos respectfully called, “The Holy Trinity” along with her long-time friends Barb LaCava and Carol Taylor, who traveled the country and world together. The Cooperstown community was very important to Jean, who served on numerous committees and organizations. She enjoyed organizing retired nurses’ luncheons and organized knitters and distributed supplies for the Chemo Cap Program for cancer patients at Bassett. Her kind heart, cheery and caring personality, heart-warming smile and her never-ending desire to help people left a lasting impression on the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Jean is survived by three children, Thomas (Cooperstown), with children Devereux and Kylen, Anne (Cooperstown) with children Maggie and Reilly, and Andrew “Face” (Seattle); a sister-in-law, Evelyn O’Connell, and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 39 years, Bob Smullens, and her brothers, James and Jack O’Connell.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m.

Thursday, December 2, 2021, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, Cooperstown, with Fr. Michael Cambi, pastor officiating.

A private Service of Committal and Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.

In lieu of flowers, Jean’s family would appreciate memorial donations in her memory to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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

THURSDAY, DEcember 2, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9

The

job scene To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103 or email Tarab@allotsego.com

CLEANER-SUBSTITUTES

Substitute Cleaners needed at OAOC in Milford and NCOC in Grand Gorge. Anticipated need for a Long-Term Cleaner Substitute for NCOC in Grand Gorge.

Please visit www.oncboces.org/jobs for complete list of openings, job descriptions and application information.

EOE

Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals Building Healthy Families Resource Specialist

Richfield pantry match The Richfield Springs Food Pantry received an anonymous donation of $2,500 to match individual or organizational donations in support of residents in northern Otsego and southern Herkimer counties.

The pantry uses donations to purchase food, milk cards, and staples for more than 500 individuals in its service area.

Donations of any amount will be matched up to $2,500.

This means your dollars are doubled at a time when donations are very much needed to help our neighbors have a food secure holiday season.

Mail checks to The Richfield Springs Food Pantry, P.O Box 140, Richfield Springs, 13439 or via Paypal richfieldfoodbank@gmail.com for information contact Pam at 315-985-0818.

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THURSDAY, dECEMBER 2, 2021

A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Skaters dance to life in Oneonta

Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas!

By Ted Potrikus

The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta are joining with The Salvation Army to make a joyful Christmas for area families through the Angel Tree Program. This is the 97th year of this community tradition. The Salvation Army has gathered the Christmas wish lists, grouped by family.

Help Santa, be an angel!

FAMILY #2

FAMILY #8

Girl age 5: Size 6/7, LOL Dolls, Baby Alive, Bluey, SpongeBob

Girl age 12: Juniors size S, Clothes, Arts Girl age 3: Size 4T/5T, Toys, Arts & crafts, Board games

FAMILY #3 Girl age 3: Size 4T, Favorite color − Green, Paw Patrol, SpongeBob Girl age 1: Size 12 mo, Loves bright colors, Singing

FAMILY #9 Girl age 1: Size 2T, Shoe size 8, Learning toys, Balls, Books Boy age 11: Size 10/12, Shoe size 6.5, Fortnite, Muscle cars, Exploration kits

FAMILY #6 Boy age 2: Size 3T, Mickey Mouse, Cars, Learning toys

FAMILY #11

Boy age 1: Size 3T, Balls, Learning toys, Music

Girl age 11: Size 12/14 shirt, Size 10/12 pant, Shoe size 5, Barbies, LOL, Crafts, Make-up

FAMILY #7

Girl age 9: Size 12/14 shirt, Size 10/12 pant, Shoe size 4, Stuffed animals, Crafts, Barbies

Boy age 12: Size 18/20, Shoes men’s size 9, Bike, PS4 games, Building crafts

FAMILY #13

Girl age 8: Size 10/12 shirt, Size 7/8 pant, Shoe size 3, Slime, Fidgets, Makeup, Arts & crafts

Boy age 6: Size 6 shirt, Size 7 pant, Shoe size 13, Favorite color − Green, Fidget toys, LEGOs

Girl age 4: Size 7/8, Shoe size 13, Barbie dream house, Barbie camper, Princesses, Paint, Arts & crafts

Boy age 5: Size 5 shirt, Size 4 pant, Shoe size 12, Favorite color − Blue, Dino, Trucks, Books

Note: Families #1, 4, 5, 10, and 12 have been adopted.

Gifts should be both new and unwrapped (price tags removed please), and received no later than December 7 (to allow the elves time for wrapping and loading). Gifts may be dropped off at the offices of The Freeman’s Journal, 21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Chapel, 25 River Street, oneonta.

Questions? Call Santa’s elf Larissa at 607-547-6103, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or e-mail ads@allotsego.com.

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AllOTSEGO.com

Decades ago, the holiday season wasn’t complete without a trip to Oneonta’s Main Street for a look at the festive decorations in the windows of Bresee’s Department Store. Two pairs of mechanical skaters and mechanical elves took center stage, all of which came to Oneonta after being on display throughout the 1940s in the windows of Macy’s Manhattan flagship.

When Bresee’s decided to update its display in the 1950s, the Catella family of Oneonta acquired the decorations — and for decades later, displayed them for all to see in the front yard of their home.

“People would drive by the Catellas’ on Belmont Circle in flocks to see them,” said Carla Balnis, herself a lifelong fan of the family’s annual display. “Families, children, grandchildren. People took their dates to drive past.”

When Mr. Catella passed away, the family chose to mothball the display and keep the skaters in storage — until Mrs. Balnis enquired about their status.

“I got a call one day from the Catellas two years ago,” she said. “’Mom wants to meet you,’ they told me. It was almost like I was being interviewed, but I knew that they wanted to make sure their skaters would be in the right hands.”

As this newspaper has reported before in a story by Libby Cudmore, the dolls remained in good shape, but the mechanics had been destroyed while in storage. After Ms. Cudmore’s story, though, the Mechatronics department at the State University of New York at Delhi called Mrs. Balnis and her husband, Wayne.

“We had some meetings with the SUNY Delhi students and faculty,” she said. “We talked a lot about what the skaters used to do and how they operated. They looked at the old technology, got back to us, and said, ‘We can do this’.”

As with every story these days, it seems, COVID-19 intervened; when SUNY Delhi’s in-person education shut down, so, too, did the skater project. And since the first discussions with the college, Mr. Balnis passed away.

“SUNY Delhi called me in January to say they were back in session and wanted to pick up where they left off,” Mrs. Balnis said. “It was hard, but this was something Wayne and I believed in and wanted to finish.”

A donor — one who asked to remain anonymous even to the Balnis family — stepped in to pick up the cost of the project.

The skaters are back, then, to delight all who pass by the Balnis home at 30 Gilbert Street in Oneonta. They’ll be on display throughout the holiday season.

Mrs. Balnis, Mrs. Catella, Catella family members, Ms. Cudmore and her husband, Ian Austin, and the SUNY Delhi team all were on hand on Tuesday night to push the button and set the skaters in motion.

“This is history brought back to its original beauty,” Mrs. Balnis said. “These skaters began their show at Macy’s in the 40s, Bresee’s in the 50s, then the Catellas. I’m so happy to be the one to have them on display.

I couldn’t have done this without the Catella family and their years of love and care, without Libby and Ian and that first story they wrote, and Mike Miller of SUNY Delhi and his whole team.”

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