get ready for spring! •F
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VISIT WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN Joni Wenck and Fred Packer, both of Portlandville, examine brightly colored offerings at the 23rd annual Fenimore Quilt Club Show, which runs through Sunday, Feb. 24, at the CAA’s gallery in 22 Main. 23 towns are represented.
NY Gun Law Won’t Stand, Gibson Says
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ew York State’s new SAFE gun law “will be thrown out,” according to U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19. Speaking to Cooperstown Rotarians Tuesday, Feb. 19, in a tour of the county that included a visit to Springbrook that afternoon, he said the U.S. Supreme Court has concluded guns “can be regulated, but not banned.” He questioned the term “assault rifle” for weapons like the Bushmaster XM15 E2S used in Newtown. “It’s a rifle,” said the retired Army colonel. LADY’S 97TH: A community birthday party for Lady Ostapeck, who is turning 97, will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, with refreshments provided by the Fly Creek General Store. TIGHTER SECURITY: CCS is awaiting the arrival of equipment that will tighten security at school entries, according to Supt. of Schools C.J. Hebert.
Newsstand Price $1
Oneidas Offer To Repay New CCS Uniform Cost Bill Could Reach $5,000-$10,000, Hebert Estimates
The Freeman’s Journal
For 205 Years
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, February 21, 2013
Volume 205, No. 8
COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
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Cooperstown’s Newspaper
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HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS, CONTRACTORS/
POLAR EXCESS!
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f CCS makes the “courageous decision” to reject the “Redskin” nickname, the Oneida Nation, operators of the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, has offered to help offset any costs associated with the decision. That would primarily be replacing baseball and basketball uniforms, an estimated $5,000-$10,000, according to Supt. of Schools C.J. Hebert. He said football uniforms also bear the “Redskin,” but money has already been budgeted to replace those uniforms next year. The superintendent said he didn’t want to speak for the school board, but he anticipated a decision on “Redskin” will be made at the Please See ONEIDAS, A7
Ron Grescheck of Cooperstown, father of Polar Bear Jump beneficiary Kloe Grescheck, joined the jumpers.
Dr. Seth Mathern flew in from Wyoming to jump for Morris’ Samantha Perry, a beneficiary and his patient/ MORE PHOTOS, A3
Coop, Oneonta Chambers Plan ‘Local 1st’ Drive
Most Jumpers, Most Money GOODYEAR LAKE
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By JIM KEVLIN
‘B
uy Local!” is a phrase that comes to mind naturally. But the executive directors of Otsego County’s leading chambers of commerce, Oneonta’s Barbara Ann Heegan and Cooperstown’s Pat Szarpa, have discovered a softer way to say it: “Local First!” The multi-chamber “Local First!” campaign we’ll all be hearing a lot about after May 1 “in no way is a knock or a slap to anyone who frequents Walmarts or other ‘big box’ stores in our region,” said Szarpa, who planned to sit down again with Heegan at midweek to begin preparing action steps in the new drive.” “We’re thrilled these stores are here and employing local people. We’re speaking to those employees” Please See LOCAL, A6
Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal
In duck-print PJs, Johnny Kotcher of Cooperstown plunges into Goodyear Lake Saturday, Feb. 15, during the 18th Polar Bear Jump.
record number of jumpers – 400 – raised a record amount of money – $106,000 – at the 18th annual Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump Saturday, Feb. 15. Cooperstown’s Ed Gwilt again raised most, $8,000 – $4,000 from small donors, plus $4,000 from the Delaware Otsego Corp., where he works.
DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S BENEFICIARIES
AllOTSEGO.com
AT www.
Retired, Terry Bliss Treks New Trail: The AT By LIBBY CUDMORE
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ost people who winter in Florida fly, drive or take a train home. Terry Bliss – soon to be known by his trail name, “Blue Moon” – is walking.
“I plan to do a complete hike on the Appalachian Trail,” said Bliss, who retired a year ago as Otsego County director of planning. “I want to accomplish something that has been on my bucket list for some time.” Starting March 1, Bliss – he lives in Hartwick Seminary but
was interviewed by phone from Florida – will begin the 2,200 mile trail in northern Georgia and, by mid-August, complete the trip in central Maine. He’ll chronicle his adventures, his photos and even the meals he eats at www.terrybliss.com. Please See BLISS, A3
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF2/12/13 The12:46Otsego OT113_19SommWine6cx3_AD_OtesagaSommelier_Ad_FJ PM Page 1County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
GREAT WINES FROM THE GREAT NORTHWEST! Taste the Wines of Oregon and Washington • Fri. Feb. 22 • Uncorks at 5:30PM
Only $25.00
Please stay for dinner! After our Wine Tasting, we hope you’ll enjoy dinner in our casual Hawkeye Grill.
(including tax & service charge) Reservations are required!
To make Wine Tasting or Hawkeye Grill reservations, please contact Maitre d’ Lori Patryn at (607) 544-2524. You must be at least 21 years old to participate.
Over 100 Years of Gracious Hospitality ® THE OTESAGA RESORT HOTEL, 60 LAKE STREET, COOPERSTOWN •
WWW.OTESAGA.COM