The Freeman's Journal 02-26-26

Bassett Network Addresses ICE Rumors

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL COOPERSTOWN

After rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement visiting Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown circulated in recent weeks, the organization told AllOtsego that was not true.

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement was not at Bassett Medical Center, despite rumors and misinformation spreading through the community,” spokesperson Gabrielle Argo said in a statement.

“The Department of Homeland Security visited Bassett Medical Center a couple of weeks ago to meet with our Security Department. This was unrelated to immigration

and customs enforcement. They were doing a routine cybersecurity vulnerability assessment. This is a process that occurs at hospitals every year as part of our routine safety planning,” Argo said.

Rumors of ICE presence had circulated after that visit, and were mentioned at a Democratic state legislature candidate forum in Franklin on February 14.

“There’s lots of things that we need to be pushing back on the federal government right now,” said Michele Frazier, a candidate for the 51st State Senate District, adding she supported the New York for All legislation which would limit ICE collaborations in the state.

At the February 14 candidate forum, Frazier said to

Continued on page 11

Divers Take the Ultimate Cold Plunge Under Frozen Otsego Lake

By DEBRA MOFFITT SPRINGFIELD

If you’re going to cut a hole into the middle of Lake Otsego and scuba dive under the ice, you can expect one question from the rest of us: Why?

Readying for his first ice dive in Otsego Lake, Christos Galanopoulos sat on the shoreline on Saturday, February 14, maybe asking himself the same question. He dangled his finned feet into the water, heavy tanks of air on his back. By day, he’s district manager of the Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District.

“Oh,” he said, “this is another level of cold.”

But he slipped into the water and, after 15 minutes or so, returned to the surface and pumped a fist into the air. Volunteers quickly helped Galanopoulos out, covered him in a blanket and offered the gift of hot water warmed in a turkey fryer. Divers could dunk their frigid hands into a warm tub or ask for a pour over their heads or down their backs.

Aquatic biologist Sarah Coney was the first one in the water on Saturday, and equally quick to answer why she ice dives.

►

►oneonta blaze prompts concerns, page 3

►editorial escapism, page 4

►more on our unsung heroes, page 4

►business profile: dosha, page 5

►works of poe examined, page 6

►king essay contest winners, page 14

► things to do, page 16

“Right now, it’s admittedly bragging rights,” she said.

If ice diving is a flex, it was well-earned by the three divers who took steps toward their certification last weekend. Even in pleasant conditions, learning to scuba dive (scuba, an accepted word in its own right, is an acronym for “self-contained underwater breathing apparatus”) takes a degree of physical courage. Ice diving turns it up a notch. Spending too much time under seven inches of lake ice in 34-degree water could be deadly. Regulators, a critical piece of scuba equipment that makes it possible to breathe underwater, sometimes fail in cold temperatures. Panic is to be expected as the body absorbs the shock of cold that even a dry suit can’t fully block. Divers feel it in their face and hands. A profound “ice cream headache” hits in the middle of the forehead.

For a bit, divers can forget the chill while they complete their underwater tasks. But when you sense the cold starting to dull your response times, that’s your cue to get out— while you still have plenty of breathing gas, said Paul Lord, a SUNY Oneonta professor,

on page 13

Survivor of 1963 Bombing Speaks at SUNY Oneonta

By MONICA CALZOLARI ONEONTA

n 1963, Sarah Collins

Rudolph was 12 years old. She and her sister, along with three other girls, were in the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama when 19 sticks of dynamite exploded, killing four of the children. Sarah survived. Her sister, Addie Mae Collins, age 14, died.

Rudolph shared this traumatic experience with nearly 150 guests in the Hunt Ballroom at SUNY Oneonta on February 19. She was the keynote speaker at the college’s event commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King

Jr. The gathering, originally scheduled in January, had been postponed due to inclement weather. The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

at Hartwick College co-sponsored this community breakfast along with five entities from SUNY Oneonta. Bernadette Tiapo, PhD, vice president for equity and inclusion and equal opportunity and compliance, opened and ended the program.

Rudolph has spent decades sharing her story with audiences to honor the lives of the sister and friends she lost, she said. She shared her path to forgiving the bombers and her belief that “love can overcome hate.”

According to Rudolph, the group of “white supremacists” who planted the dynamite were well-known in that community. It took nine years before one

Continued on page 14

Photo by Monica Calzolari

Sarah Collins Rudolph lost her sight in one eye and lost her sister and three young friends in 1963. She has been sharing her story with audiences ever since. Her husband appeared on stage with her on February 19.

Photo by Debra Moffitt Troye Howell, a senior at SUNY Oneonta, helps Christos Galanopoulos get ready for his first ice dive. She is cutting away the plastic covering designed to keep his regulator from freezing. Continued

Bassett Network Launches Strategic Plan, Appoints New Leaders

COOPERSTOWN

Last week, Bassett Healthcare Network announced the appointments of two of its established leaders to new roles centered on achieving the network’s 2026-2028 Strategic Plan, which aims to strengthen the organization.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, February 19, “the strategic plan consists of three pillars, selected with intention and purpose by the Bassett Healthcare Network Board of Trustees to position the network for a strong future providing the highest level of healthcare services to patients.” Those pillars are Growth and Access, Quality and Care Innovations, and Talent and Leadership.

Henry Knoop, PA-C, MHA, has been appointed to the role of vice president of strategy and growth. In this position, he will work in partnership with network leadership to identify and execute data-driven strategies for growth, including the expansion of existing services and identifying new services to offer patients.

Knoop joined Bassett Healthcare Network in 2018 and has since held several progressive leadership roles. He is currently an associate chief clinical officer, associate chief medical information officer, and chief advanced practice officer, in addition to his clinical practice in Primary Care. He will maintain his role as chief advanced practice officer as well as his clinical practice when he transitions to his new role.

Knoop completed his training as a physician assistant at Long Island University in Brooklyn. He earned his master’s degree in healthcare administration from Louisiana State University.

“During my years at Bassett, I have worked closely with fellow leaders and clinicians on a wide range of projects dealing with, among other topics, practitioner

compensation, telemedicine services, and space utilization,” said Knoop. “I plan to bring my institutional knowledge and everything I have learned—and will continue to learn—from my colleagues and fellow caregivers into discussions about our organization’s best strategies for a bright future.”

Knoop’s new role is directly tied to the Growth and Access pillar of the Strategic Plan, in which the network is striving to improve patients’ ability to access timely and convenient care. The network is working to support its primary care patients, officials said, so that they can have more of their healthcare needs met within the network. This will be accomplished by hiring more practitioners and expanding or adding new services, among other actions.

Jennifer Hecox, BSHSC, has been appointed to the role of director of patient experience. In this position, she will lead initiatives aimed at improving the quality and consistency of care across the network, strengthening the patient journey, and supporting caregivers to advance a culture centered on empathy and trust.

Hecox also joined Bassett Healthcare Network in 2018. She currently holds a leadership role overseeing Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Primary Care,

and Psychiatry as a service line director. Before this, she began her healthcare career working as a physical therapist assistant delivering hands-on, relationship-based care. Hecox holds a bachelor’s degree in health services coordination from Western Governors University.

“With 30 years of healthcare experience—20 of which were dedicated to direct patient care— combined with a strong background in administrative leadership, I remain deeply committed to advancing patient centered innovation and strengthening organizational culture,” said Hecox. “In this new role, I look forward to leading strategic initiatives that enhance operational performance, expand access to care, and support a highly engaged and resilient workforce across Bassett.”

Hecox’s new role is directly tied to the Quality and Care Innovations pillar of the Strategic Plan, in which the network is striving to enhance the level of care that’s being delivered to patients by embracing innovative solutions. Much of this depends of supporting caregivers through the challenges they face and ensuring they have the technology and staffing levels they need to provide for their patients with pride.

“The pillars of our Strategic Plan were selected with the principles of caring, commitment and community at their core. We are listening closely to feedback from our patients, analyzing data, and prioritizing recruitment and staff development opportunities to ensure we offer access to quality services our neighbors need and want,” said Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, president and chief executive officer of Bassett Healthcare Network. “While our goals are ambitious, I have every confidence that Henry and Jennifer, along with our network’s established leaders and caregivers, have the skill and experience to achieve them.”

The 2026-2028 Strategic Plan includes annual benchmarks for each of its pillars to ensure work remains focused and on track, officials said.

Otsego County Community Urged to Donate Amid an Ongoing Blood Supply Shortage

By DAKOTA KEATS

Institute for Local News

The national blood supply dropped 35 percent in

January, leading the American Red Cross to declare a severe blood shortage. Recent winter storms and a nationwide flu outbreak are to blame. Additional blood drives have been scheduled

throughout Oneonta and surrounding communities to help meet hospital demand and replenish critically low supplies.

In a February 2 statement from the humanitarian nonprofit

organization, individuals were urged “to give blood and platelets as soon as it is safe for them to travel to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.”

Meg Rossman, communications manager for the American Red Cross Western New York Region, said severe winter storms and an active flu season have significantly disrupted donations. About 800 blood drives nationwide have been canceled since the beginning of the year, resulting in more than 20,000 uncollected units of blood and platelets.

“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of lifesaving blood,” Rossman said. “The blood supply fluctuates as donations come in and go out to help hospital patients every day of the week.”

As the nation’s largest blood services provider, the Red Cross monitors inventory daily and works with hospital partners—including A.O. Fox Hospital and Bassett Healthcare—to prioritize urgent needs. While the organization strives to meet local hospital demand first, its national system allows blood products to be transported across the country during disasters or other periods of heightened need.

Rossman said community-hosted drives are essential because blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life of up to 42 days for red blood cells and just five days for platelets.

“Success means meeting the needs of patients who rely on lifesaving blood products,” she said. “Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives.”

At SUNY Oneonta, blood donation is a regularly scheduled campus initiative. Linda Drake, Continued on page 6

Photo provided HENRY KNOOP

Photo provided JENNIFER HECOX

Center City Fire Renews Staffing Concerns from Chief, Union

By HANNA TADESSE

SUNY Institute for Local News

ONEONTA

Astructure fire in an Oneonta center city multi-family residence on Saturday, February 14 has raised staffing concerns from the Oneonta Professional Firefighters Local 2408 and the Oneonta fire chief. The fire at 57 Maple Street required a mutual aid call to the West Oneonta, Otego and Franklin fire departments along with Otsego County Emergency Medical Services.

Laurens, West Laurens and Mount Vision fire crews were placed on standby at the City of Oneonta fire station.

The building contained four apartment units, two on each floor. The single occupant on the first floor was evacuated safely along with their house guests. The other first-floor apartment was unoccupied. The pair of apartments on the second floor were under construction.

According to a Local 2408 statement shared via Facebook, flames spread from a second-floor apartment and into the attic of the residence, “creating challenging conditions and requiring hours of work to locate and extinguish hidden pockets.” In addition to the assistance from the handful of mutual aid partners, offduty personnel had to be recalled due to the fire’s

complexity.

+have the staffing levels needed to safely and effectively handle even small working fires without relying heavily on callbacks and mutual aid,” the union’s social media post declared.

Oneonta Fire Chief Brian Knapp confirmed to AllOtsego that six on-duty firefighters initially responded to the incident.

“We [called] for all of our off-duty personnel to come back in and we got five additional firefighters to come back in, as well as myself and the assistant chief—so technically seven additional came back in,” Knapp said.

Firefighters were dispatched at 11:47 a.m. The fire was extinguished and personnel left the

scene by 2:17 p.m. It took until 6:17 p.m., however, for all City of Oneonta Fire Department units to be put fully back in service.

Seven firefighters, including a captain, are on duty each shift. But minimum staffing drops to six when someone is off.

“In this instance, somebody was off, and we only had six at the time,” Knapp said.

The chief also referenced National Fire Protection Association Standard 1710, which highlights the recommended standards of staffing for career fire departments based on risk level.

“At the very least for a low-risk hazard—which the building in question on Maple Street fits into this category—we

should at least have eight on duty, four to respond with the engine and then four to respond with our ladder truck,” Knapp explained. “We don’t even meet that with our current staff.”

The NFPA 1710 also recommends 15 personnel as the “effective response force,” Knapp added.

“That means when we call people back in, we need them to get to the station, get on additional apparatus and get to the scene, and that’s supposed to happen within 10 minutes. We can’t ever meet that standard as well,” Knapp said.

The chief stated that handling the utilities is critical for firefighter safety, and staffing shortages risk that.

“Because we didn’t have anyone able to do that until we got more resources in, the electricity wasn’t shut off. And we did have two individuals get electrocuted as they were opening up walls,” Chief Knapp said.

Knapp believes staffing gaps are likely where the

union’s concerns lie.

“It is a concern of mine as well,” he said, “and every year during the budget process, I try and address that to get us some additional staffing. It’s an ongoing issue for us, for the union, for me as the chief, because I’m responsible for everyone’s safety on these emergency scenes. I’m responsible for the public safety.”

Knapp stated that the cause of the February 14 fire has been investigated, but the City of Oneonta Fire Department is unable to release any information at this time.

The Maple Street structure has been deemed uninhabitable due to the fire and water damage. This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community

Media Lab, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.

Photo by Andrew J. Bottomley

An Oneonta fire on February 14 has brought staffing level issues to the forefront for city and fire officials.

Public statement from the Oneonta Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 2408, posted to Facebook on the evening of February 14, hours after the fire at 57 Maple Street.

EDITORIAL

OOn Positively Escaping the Worries of the Day

n the heels of a couple of thought-provoking and, for some, provocative editorials, we thought we would lighten things up a bit this week. Reaching out to a variety of leaders in our community, albeit with somewhat short notice, we posed the following questions: What book are you reading, or TV show are you binging, to help take your mind off the frigid temperatures, charged political climate and seasonal depression? What is it about this book and/or show that appeals to you most?

Interestingly, we did not get as far away from politics as we had hoped or would like. Here is what the folks who responded thus far had to say—in no particular order—and what they recommend as welcome distractions from an increasingly turbulent and overwhelming world.

Leslie Berliant, Otsego County Board Representative, District 7

I am binging “The Pitt.” I love how they are all working together to make things better for their patients and save lives while training the next generation of doctors, nurses, and hospital technicians. It feels like watching in action the helpers that Mr. Rogers talked about and reminds me of the goodness in people, especially those who put themselves in a position to help others.

Ellen Tillapaugh, Mayor, Village of Cooperstown

An easy and fun question to answer! I’m reading “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written” by Walter Isaacson and watching “Shrinking.” I heard Isaacson speak about his new book and thoroughly enjoyed the interview. The wording of the Declaration of Independence is so beautifully phrased, it is fascinating to learn about the many subtle but intrinsic wording changes and compromises which occurred in the creation of our nation’s founding document. Regarding “Shrinking”—what can I say? Sad, humorous, insightful and very well written.

Edwin Frazier Jr., Chair, Otsego County Board of Representatives

The book that I’m currently reading is “America— A Patriot’s Handbook.” It has many original writings of presidents and other influential Americans, as well as 60 original documents from the “Articles of Confederation” and Barack Obama’s inaugural address. I also attempt to read from my study Bible as often as possible. As far as “seasonal depression,” we don’t have any in our house this year as we were blessed with identical twin granddaughters in mid-November. They bring us too much joy to let the weather bring us down!

Ellen Pope, Executive Director, Otsego 2000 Ha—good question, given all that’s going on with the world, climatewise, politicswise, general crazinesswize. My yearlong knitter’s block has been

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

broken (finally) so I’ve been knitting nightly while working my way through the PBS history miniseries (“The Roosevelts,” “The American Revolution”) and murder mysteries (“Miss Scarlett,” “Vienna Blood,” “Bookish”). I’m currently watching “Munch,” which is in French, providing an escape into the streets of Paris. After “Munch,” I think I’ll shift to “Van Der Valk,” which takes place in Amsterdam—lots of armchair traveling!

Jennifer Basile, Otsego County Clerk Don’t have much time for reading or television. My spare time is shoveling lately, lol. When I do catch TV, it’s news, then possibly an episode of “Fire Country” or “Chicago Fire” if a new episode is on, or “Tracker.”

Cynthia Falk, Deputy Mayor, Village of Cooperstown

I am teaching a graduate seminar this semester that focuses on the American Revolution. I spent the weekend with “Revolutionary Things: Material Culture and Politics in the Late Eighteenth-Century Atlantic World” (2023) by Ashli White and am looking forward to “The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution” (2025) by Zara Anishanslin.

Andrew Bottomley, Director, OnNY Community Media Lab

I’m actually a big skier, and few things in this world make me happier than snow, so actually I’ve been loving the cold and there’s nothing depressing about it for me, personally! The only thing about it the past few weeks that makes me sad is that the Winter Olympics just ended. I was binging every second I could of alpine and Nordic skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding, all the sliding events, speed skating, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and perhaps my ultimate favorite, curling. I just finished binging the Netflix series “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.” It only dropped on February 12 and I’d watched all eight episodes within a few days. It’s a dark comedy-thriller from Lisa McGee, the creator of the absolutely brilliant “Derry Girls.” The new show is truly bold and offbeat, one of the more inventive TV series that I’ve come across in a long time. It’s about old friends who grow apart yet still have one another’s backs even after they’ve drifted so far apart as to become near-complete strangers. It’s about the absurdities of friendship, small-town secrets, navigating grief. It’s deeply emotional and introspective while simultaneously laugh-out-loud funny. So in terms of seasonal appropriateness… “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” is pretty brilliant for how it finds humor and light in the depths of darkness. It’s not a binge because it puts out episodes with a weekly drop, but I’m also eagerly watching the new season of medical drama “The Pitt.” My wife and I are currently measuring our

“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, or on topics of general local interest. They must include the writer’s name, address, e-mail 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. Maximum length is 300 words; however, the editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

County

weeks between episodes of “The Pitt” and how long it is before Thursday 9 p.m. rolls around. Not sure “The Pitt” is elevating my mood about the current state of the world—it’s a pretty dark and depressing TV show. Though its portrayal of the bravery and dedication of our first responders who are selflessly navigating a violent society and deeply flawed healthcare system is inspiring. That’s all TV! I’ve also been reading Lionel Richie’s biography!

Eamonn Hinchey, Otsego County Board Representative, District 4

Right now I am reading the book “Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth” by Ingrid Robeyns. While the book may not seem too upbeat, it has been very appealing to me this winter as I reflect on income inequality both locally and globally. Fortunately, wealth inequality is finally getting the public attention it deserves. I am hopeful for a future with more equality for all through natural limits on extraction of wealth for both our environment and also future generations.

Tara Barnwell, Advertising Director/Publisher Emerita, Iron String Press/AllOtsego

I am currently reading “How To Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will” by Senator John Kennedy. Just about every page makes me laugh and escape all of the insanity that is going on in the world today. I don’t want it to end! As far as television, I’m partial to “The Andy Griffith Show,” but only the black and white versions. That show is down-home wholesome as well as mindnumbing, which I usually need after work.

Stacie Haynes, Executive Director, Susquehanna SPCA

As always, I’m binging “The Golden Girls.” With so much going on in the world and working in an emotionally demanding industry, I give my brain a break by visiting with my old friends Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia. Heck, even Stan! I first remember watching the girls with my grandparents in the early 90s. I started binging them in college and they have never let me down. Progressive for their time, topics addressing the show are relevant today. They are laugh-out-loud funny even after all these years. I thank God for “The Golden Girls”!

Don Mathisen, City of Oneonta Common Council, Eighth Ward I’m currently reading Morley Safer’s book, “Flashback, On Returning to Vietnam.” I’m reading the book for several reasons: Safer is a master of the short declarative sentence followed by witty personal observations. A twist of fate kept me out of the Vietnam War, so I naturally have an interest in the subject. Safer’s conclusion—there were no winners, only losers and far too many people died

Continued on page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn

Riley Tackling

Electricity Costs

Across Upstate New York, electric bills have risen to levels that are placing a real strain on households. The increase has been especially difficult for those who depend on electric baseboard heat, but it is also affecting residents who use heat pumps—myself included.

With winter temperatures so low this year, families are struggling. I’ve heard from neighbors facing monthly bills of $800.00 or more, forced to cut back on groceries and other necessities just to keep the lights and heat on. Our own bill has doubled over the last year and a half.

these increases and has questioned whether some of the revenue from higher rates is being unfairly directed to the utilities’ parent companies.

With the financial burden increasingly being shifted directly to consumers through higher rates, it gives me hope that someone is working to ensure ordinary ratepayers are heard. Let’s hope state authorities respond to these efforts.

Katelyn Dwyer Cooperstown

A Thank You to the Community

memories that might otherwise have been lost. You gave families a chance to see their loved ones honored in print. You made this book a meaningful community achievement in recent memory—to many, not all—but I am proud to say I was part of it.

Thank you also for the kind letters and thoughtful reviews of the book. Your words have meant so much—not just to me, but to the families whose loved ones are remembered in these pages. Every note, every comment, every shared reflection has helped affirm the importance of this project.

Village of Cooperstown

Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District

MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association

Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year.

Class Subscription, $155 a year.

It was encouraging, therefore, to see Josh Riley taking steps to challenge these rising costs. He initiated an inquiry into the rates charged by New York State Electric and Gas, appealed recent rate approvals before the New York State Public Service Commission, and called for public hearings so customers can voice their concerns directly. He has also pressed regulators to require utilities to clearly explain the reasons behind

When volume one of “Cooperstown, NY: Home of the Unsung Heroes” was completed, I knew I wanted to say thank you—not just quietly, but publicly, and from the heart. This book was never just mine. It was built by a community that cared deeply, that showed up, that shared stories and that believed in honoring every veteran who served.

To everyone who attended the launch, contributed a story, helped with logistics, or simply stood beside us in spirit--thank you. Your support turned a vision into something real. You helped preserve

This book is more than ink and paper. It’s a reflection of lives lived, sacrifices made and the quiet strength of those who served. It’s a mirror held up to our town’s history, showing us not just who we were, but who we are when we come together with purpose and pride.

The idea behind this book was simple: that no veteran from Cooperstown should be forgotten. That their service, their sacrifice and their stories deserve to be remembered. I gathered what I could, listened to families, and pieced together Continued on page 11

Columnists and Contributing Writers

Bill Bellen, Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Maria Griswold, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Cassandra Miller, Wriley Nelson, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin

by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART

160 YEARS AGO

The Second Carnival which came off on our skating park Monday evening last, was a decided success. The illuminations, principally by paper-colored lanterns, were a very attractive feature. The music by the Seminary Band added life to the whole affair. The costumes were numerous and varied; the general interest and enjoyment greater. The young ladies of the Seminary showed a great deal of skill and taste in their varied costumes, as did several of our village young ladies.

March 2, 1866

135 YEARS AGO

“The Novelty Works” will be the name of the new manufacturing interest soon to be established by Mr. Henry H. Hill of New York at Fly Creek, he having purchased the plant owned by Dr. J.K. Leaning, which embraced the foundry and machine shop formerly run by Mr. Badger. Mr. Hill will manufacture passenger, freight, and other elevators; also machinery of different kinds; will furnish plans and materials needed in the erection of various kinds of buildings, both iron and woodwork. He is an architect and practical machinist. The number of men employed will depend upon the amount of work which may be called for at the factory. It is expected that six or seven families will come with Mr. Hill as soon as he erects the necessary buildings and gets the machinery in position. He will put up a nice dwelling for himself. We welcome Mr. Hill to our town, and congratulate Fly Creek friends on the acquisition about to be made to their business and personal interests.

February 27, 1891

110 YEARS AGO

At a special meeting of the Cooperstown Board of Trade last Wednesday evening the proposition of establishing a factory at Index for the manufacture of automobile engines was explained by S.W. Mower, formerly General Manager of the Otsego & Herkimer Railroad, who is at present connected with the General Aeronautic Company, extensive manufacturers of aeroplanes. This company has usually equipped its product with any standard engine specified by the purchaser. But, the perfection of an engine of superior attainments patented by them makes it necessary that they maintain a factory. Mr. Mower, knowing of the idle Index factory, succeeded in interesting the company in locating here. Pursuant to a resolution, President Frank B. Shipman appointed a committee consisting of M.E. Lippitt, Nathaniel P. Willis and W.W. Hovey to visit the factory of the General Aeronautic Company at Freehold, Long Island this week and make an investigation.

February 23, 1916

60 YEARS AGO

Winter returned to this area in earnest over the weekend. The temperature fell to 15 below zero Sunday morning and rose only to 13 that afternoon making it the coldest day of the winter here so far with a mean temperature of one below zero. High, gusty winds added to the discomfort of those who ventured outside. During the past week temperatures have averaged five degrees below normal.

February 23, 1966

20 YEARS AGO

Glimmerglass Opera’s music director and principal conductor Stewart Robertson will give a special preview of the company’s 2006 Festival Season on Sunday, February 26 at 7 p.m. in Templeton Hall. This summer for the 2006 Glimmerglass Festival season Robertson will conduct Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance,” Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” and the world premiere of Stephen Hartke and Phillip Littell’s “The Greater Good.” For the preview Robertson will give musical examples from each opera and delve into the history and performance practices of the works.

February 24, 2006

DOSHA: Safe, Legal and Welcoming

When DOSHA opened its doors at 76 Main Street in Oneonta, New York, it wasn’t just the launch of a cannabis dispensary. It was the beginning of a new chapter for downtown Oneonta and the greater Otsego County region. From day one, DOSHA set out to be more than a retail store. It was built to be a community-focused, veteran-owned business committed to professionalism, compliance, education and economic growth.

Opening in a newly regulated adult-use cannabis market in New York State required careful planning, strict compliance and a clear mission. DOSHA embraced that responsibility. In an industry that for decades operated in the shadows, and criminalized thousands of people, DOSHA represents the exact opposite: transparency, accountability, and legitimacy. Customers now have a safe, legal and welcoming place to purchase tested, regulated products. That shift alone is historic.

One of DOSHA’s most immediate positive impacts has been job creation. From budtenders and inventory specialists to delivery drivers and management roles, DOSHA has created stable, above-board employment opportunities for local residents. These are real jobs with training, structure and upward mobility in a rapidly growing industry. Staff education is taken seriously, with regular product training and operational development to ensure customers receive knowledgeable, responsible service. In a small city like Oneonta, even a handful of new, sustainable jobs can have

By MERL REAGLE

Oktoberfest

Onset of cold

Valley girl’s reaction to her first beer?

Mock, in a way

It makes a freeway into a feeway

The ___ (bending the elbow?)

25 TV Johnny, the rebel 26 “Star Wars,” really: abbr.

27 Global turning point

Tyson’s home, for a while

Pig Latin cancellation

Con vote

Rattles

Lethargy

Beer-lover’s dinner?

North by Northwest star’s first name

Guam et al.

Feathered “friend”?

Beery attorney?

Forty-___

Memo opener

On the tip of

“___ the bag”

See 45 Across

Start of a Shakespeare comedy

What Rip Taylor says even when he’s on the wagon?

With 71 Across, a beer drinker’s bio?

See 66 Across

Ataturk’s first

Tranquillity Base

ripple effects throughout the local economy. Beyond employment, DOSHA contributes meaningful tax revenue to the City of Oneonta and New York State. Cannabis tax dollars are designed to support municipalities, public programs and community reinvestment initiatives. Instead of money flowing into unregulated markets, revenue now supports infrastructure, public services and broader economic development. DOSHA helps keep those dollars local and circulating within the community.

Equally important is the cultural shift DOSHA represents. For generations, cannabis users faced stigma and criminal penalties. Many individuals were disproportionately impacted by enforcement policies. DOSHA operates in a way that acknowledges that history while embodying a forwardlooking approach. The store provides a safe, respectful and professional environment for adults who choose to consume cannabis legally. There is no back alley, no secrecy, just a clean, compliant storefront on Main Street. That normalization reduces stigma and signals progress.

DOSHA has also contributed to the revitalization of downtown Oneonta. A well-designed retail space with consistent foot traffic supports neighboring businesses. Customers who visit DOSHA often dine locally, shop nearby and contribute to the vibrancy of Main Street. A thriving downtown depends on diverse, stable businesses. DOSHA adds to that ecosystem in a positive and visible way.

As a veteran-owned company, DOSHA Continued on page 11

Blood

Continued from page 2

Volunteerism and Community Engagement, oversees the university’s partnership with the Red Cross and coordinates student volunteers who help recruit donors and staff events.

“We hold a blood drive every month. Our campus does more than most,” Drake said.

In the days leading up to each drive, volunteers spend three days tabling on campus during lunch and dinner hours to recruit donors.

Organizers must plan for no-shows and donor deferrals.

“If our goal is 35 donors, I need 70 people signed up,” Drake said.

NEWS BRIEFS

“People get turned away even when they have every intention of donating.”

Despite the logistical challenges, Drake emphasized the impact of donating.

“You’re giving the gift of life,” she said. “When you give blood, you’re saving three lives.”

Upcoming area drives are scheduled on February 27 at Elm Park United Methodist Church and Laurens Central School District; March 6 at A.O. Fox Hospital and Charlotte Valley Central School; March 13 at the Otego Community Center; and March 18 at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. SUNY Oneonta’s CVCE will host campus drives on

Chili Bowl Returns Saturday

ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta’s 21st Annual Chili Bowl Cook-off and Fundraiser will return to the Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. CANO members may arrive at noon for first picks of chili and homemade bowls. New and returning restaurants and chefs will provide a wide variety of chili recipes as they compete for the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice awards. There will also be a cornbread contest, music, craft beer, and hand-painted bowls and other artworks for sale. All proceeds support CANO’s work to promote regional arts and culture, especially by providing scholarships for its youth Summer Arts Program. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact admin@canoneonta.org.

Donations Sought for Cat Care

COOPERSTOWN—Susquehanna SPCA issued a call for public donations to assist with their impending intake of nearly 40 cats in need of care. Dry cat and kitten food, canned cat and kitten food, bath towels, and paper towels are in especially short supply. Their online wish list of donation items may be found at chewy.com/g/susquehanna-spca_ b82583932#wish-list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT . Monetary donations to support medical care are also appreciated.

Molinaro To Run for Assembly

CATSKILL—Former Congressman and Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration

Marc Molinaro announced that he will return to New York State to run for the 102nd Assembly District being vacated by Chris Tague. Molinaro was elected mayor of Tivoli at age 19, becoming the youngest mayor in the country. Before Congress, he served as an assemblymember and as Dutchess County executive.

“While I was working to move America forward, I was watching what was happening in New York,” Molinaro said in a statement. “Progressive special interests and incompetent far-left politicians like Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani now have a stranglehold on our state—making it more expensive and less safe. That’s why I’m getting back in the fight—to fill the void of sensible leadership, help like-minded Republicans win, and give ordinary New Yorkers a voice in Albany on day one.”

Smithy Classes Announced

COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio will run another eight-week session of classes for children and adults from March 9 to May 2. All eight-week adult classes are $280.00, the Kid’s Clay class is $250.00 and the four-week beginner course is $140.00. There will be open studio hours from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Mairi Meehan will lead the “Exploring the Potter’s Wheel” class from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Kid’s Clay runs from 3:15-5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. Karla Andela teaches “Centering the Potter and Clay” from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The intermediate class “Throwing with More Clay” with Ursula Hudak runs from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Thursday classes are “Hand Building” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and “Hand Building Planters” from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Laura Parker leads a hand building and sculpture class from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays. The four-week beginner clay class will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays in April, and Toni Harnett will lead a one-day scented candle workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. For more information or to register, visit smithyarts.org.

ADK Releases March Calendar

ONEONTA—The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club released its schedule of events for March. Tuesday hikes will be held at Clark Tower in Cooperstown on March 3, Pine Lake

March 31 and April 29 at Hunt College Union.

The Red Cross encourages donors to make appointments via the “Find a Drive” online

tool at redcrossblood. org, though walk-ins may be accepted as space allows. Organizers urge residents not to wait for an emergency to donate,

in Oneonta on March 10, the Catskill Scenic Rail Trail in Stamford on March 17, Gilbert Lake State Park in Laurens on March 24 and Whaupaunaucau State Forest in Norwich on March 31. For meeting times and places, call or text the Hike Line at (607) 431-8010. The monthly potluck dinner at Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta, will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Jim Mills will give a presentation on a new walking pilgrimage pathway in Oneonta starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit susqadk.org.

‘Presence of Poe’ Opens

ONEONTA—Hartwick College’s Yager Museum of Art and Culture will open an exhibit on the life, work and legacy of Edgar Allan Poe with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 26. The reception is open to the public and will offer refreshments. “The Presence of Poe” features original prints, illustrated editions and source materials for many of his most famous works, as well as examples of Poe’s enduring influence on popular culture. The Yager Museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, while the college is in session. The exhibit will be on display through May 16. For more information, contact Curator Quentin Lewis at (607) 431-4481.

King Pens USA Today Op-Ed

ALBANY—SUNY Chancellor John B. King highlighted the university system’s strengths and recent progress in an op-ed published by the USA Today Network on February 19. He described the statewide benefits of a strong public university system and calls for continuing investment in the next generation of New Yorkers. The piece is available at lohud.com/story/opinion/2026/02/19/ suny-higher-education-global-leader-opinion/ 88665371007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-e pti=z115525p000750l004450c000750u117925e11 60xxv115525&gca-ft=285&gca-ds=sophi.

Long-Pose Session Offered

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association’s increasingly popular “Figure This!” openstudio nude model figure drawing program will hold a long-pose pop-up session for artists who would benefit from a longer pose. It will be held in the CAA classroom space from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Admission is $18.00 in cash. For more information, contact gallery@ cooperstownart.org or (607) 547-9777.

SUNY Partnering with FFA

ALBANY—SUNY Chancellor John B. King announced a new partnership between the university system and the New York State Future Farmers of America on Wednesday, February 18. FFA will share information on SUNY agriculture programs with middle- and high-school students across the state, send regular updates to K-12 educators, and otherwise help students explore agricultural career paths. The partnership includes the launch of a new website, suny.edu/agriculture.

$600K

Raised with Red Kettle

SCHENECTADY—Salvation Army volunteers at Market 32 and Price Chopper stores raised more than $623,000.00 during the six-week Red Kettle holiday campaign in November and December. Donations will support essential services such as food assistance, shelter and emergency relief in the communities where they were collected. For more information, visit pricechopper.com.

HoF Remembers Mazeroski

COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball

Hall of Fame and Museum mourns Class of 2001 infielder Bill Mazeroski, who passed away on Friday, February 20. The hard-working defender helped lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to three division titles, two pennants, and a pair of World

noting that regular donations help ensure blood is available before it is needed.

This story was created by student reporters

through the OnNY Community Media Lab, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.

Series Championships while racking up eight Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star appearances, and one of the best defensive second baseman’s records in history. He made 2,016 career hits and in 1960 became the first player to end a World Series with a home run. For more information, visit baseballhall. org/hall-of-famers/mazeroski-bill.

Weatherization Workshop Set

JOHNSTOWN—The Mohawk Valley Region Clean Energy Hub and Cornell Cooperative Extension will host a free Energy Education Weatherization Workshop to help save money on heating and cooling bills from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Monday, March 9. All attendees will receive lunch and a weatherization kit at no charge. It will be held at the Montgomery County Office Building, 20 Park Street in Fonda. Spaces are limited; register at mohawkvalleyenergychoices.org/events.

Frazier Wins Endorsement

KINGSTON—Michele Frazier won the endorsement of the Ulster County Democratic Committee for the 51st New York State Senate District at the county nomination convention on Monday, February 16. Frazier received a record-breaking 7,297 votes, a margin of victory of nearly 7-to-1 over Ulster County Legislator Chris Hewitt. For more information or updates, visit michelefrazier. com/newsandupdates.

Art Assoc. Releases Schedule

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association’s annual Spring Cleaning Art Bazaar, a sale of gently used fine arts, crafts, and supplies from local artists and patrons, will run in Gallery A from March 7-28. “Comfort Reimagined: The Art of Stuffies,” a collaborative exhibit between Milford K2 elementary students and high-schoolers based on stuffed animals, will be displayed in Gallery B from March 7-27. It will begin with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 6. The CAA gallery shop also opens for the season on March 7. For more information, visit cooperstownart.com.

Hanson Named to Dean’s List

MEMPHIS, TN—Rhodes College released its fall 2025 Dean’s List, honoring students who maintained a grade point average of 3.70 or better while completing at least 16 credits of coursework. Among the honorees was Natalie Hanson of Cooperstown.

CCS Boys Win, Girls Bow Out

COOPERSTOWN—The top-seeded Cooperstown boys basketball team rolled to a 98-66 win over 16-seed Citizenship and Science Academy in the first round of the Section III Class C playoffs at home on Saturday, February 21. Miles Nelen scored 26 points. Jackson Crisman recorded a doubledouble with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Cooper Coleman added 13 points and seven rebounds, followed by Christian Lawson with 12 points and five assists. Brody Murdock scored nine points. The Hawkeyes rose to 21-0 for the season and will host eight-seeded Onondaga at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25.

The girls’ season ended with a 64-46 loss to five-seeded Tully in the opening round of the playoffs on Saturday, February 21. Lanie Nelen scored 17 points, followed by Emma Johnson with 15. Cooperstown, which entered the playoffs with the number 12 seed, ended the season with a 5-16 record.

Plantholt Earns Degree

ADELPHI, MD—Shane Michael Plantholt of Oneonta earned a bachelor of science in applied technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus in fall 2025. He was one of more than 6,400 students worldwide who earned degrees at UMGC that semester.

Photo provided by American Red Cross

Deploying mobile donor centers is one way the American Red Cross is maintaining a stable blood supply during this shortage.

From Tuscon, with Hopes for Harmony, Humanity, Reconciliation

From time to time, I have been asked what might be a central theme in my writing. In the past I have referenced Henry James’ short story “A Figure in the Carpet.” As James puts it, every writer writes from the vantage point of a central conviction. Of course, one might spoke out from that center in many ways, depending on the topic, but most of us are informed by core assumptions about the nature of things. My answer to that question has always been that when I do write about my fellow human beings it is always grounded in the belief that we have much more in common with one another than we give ourselves credit for. Of late I have come to consider that yes, when it comes to certain basic needs, we do have much in common. And that despite our political persuasions those basic, very human, instincts should enable us to cohere civilly and morally despite abstract ideological differences. We have the capacity to find ways to live in reasonable harmony with one another. That, after all, is what these United States are supposed to be all about.

I am not so sure anymore. Emerson writes in one of his essays that to know all men one merely needs to look within himself. But when I look within and consider all the points of my moral compass I see someone whose notions of fairness, decency, civility, and compassion for the other in no way coincide with the behaviors and actions of far too many of my fellow citizens. Obviously, expecting a complete harmony of values and virtue in the commons would be unrealistic. But that is the very ideal upon which this country is based. We are not a perfect union and never will be. We need to try a lot harder even though the ideal may always be out of reach. One place to start is by curtailing the meanness that seems rampant. Far too much of that abounds in the land. And unfor-

Phyllis M. Lippitt

1942-2026

While I find myself at odds with some...the solution is not vilification of the other. Rather, it is to find ways of accommodating one another.

tunately, its most despicable catalyst is the current occupant of the White House, or what’s left of it. Rare in our country’s history have we had a president for whom meanness and nastiness and vindictiveness are his primary character traits. Not all the blame is on his back. It takes a village. As has always been the case, willing sycophants do much of the dirty work.

I have nothing in common with the people who laughed and clapped at the recent prayer breakfast in response to crude and morally reprehensible comments by the president, especially his ad hominem attacks on some individuals who were there. It is not acceptable to pass it off as more of the usual. At the very least, such behavior is embarrassing.

I have nothing in common with masked thugs who smash in car windows, pull women and children out of their cars, and drag them off to God knows where. Well, in many cases to disgusting, inhumane detention centers miles away. I do have a lot in common with a duly assigned ICE official who does not hide behind a mask, who respects the constitutional rights of every American, and goes about his job the way any legitimate police officer would. I have much in common with those who appreciate law enforcement officers who perform their tasks, unmasked by the way, every day following established protocols, which most do.

OBITUARIES

a cozy and comfortable home. Every day was laundry day!

COOPERSTOWN–

Phyllis M. Lippitt, a lifelong area resident, entered into eternal life in the early morning hours of Monday, February 16, 2026 at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. She was 84.

Born February 10, 1942 at the family home in Richfield Springs, Phyllis was one of four daughters of Anthony J. and Rose M. (Janiec) Serbanewicz.

Upon graduating from West Winfield High School, Phyllis was employed in various places throughout the area, eventually settling into a job as a secretary for Schlather & Birch.

Of the Episcopal faith, she was a member of Christ Church, Cooperstown.

Phyllis took great pride in and enjoyed keeping

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 39 years, Gregory K. Lippitt, whom she married on September 13, 1986 in a ceremony at Christ Church, Cooperstown; two daughters from her previous marriage to William (Bill) Wellner Jr., Lisa Guardi and husband Richard of Cherry Valley and Kim Lee and husband Gary of Hampstead, North Carolina; two grandsons, Ryan and Nick Lee; and a sister, Lucille Miller, of Florida and a brother-inlaw, Thomas Petroff Sr., of Cape Vincent and their families.

She is further survived by Greg’s sons, Matthew Lippitt and wife Lisa and their children, Hazel and Abe Lippitt, and Harold “Bud” Lippitt and wife Nicole and their children, Marley, Emerson, and Thomas.

She was predeceased

by her father, Anthony, who died in 1974; her mother, Rose, who died in 2013; two sisters, Arlene Griffin, who died in 2021, and Geraldine “Geri” Petroff, who died in 2025; and the father of her daughters, Bill, who died in 2016.

Phyllis’ family expresses their thanks and appreciation to the staff at Valley Health Services in Herkimer for their kind, compassionate and understanding care.

A celebration of life will be announced and held later this spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

I have nothing in common with yahoos in trucks yelling “F…..” while driving past peaceful protestors. I have nothing in common with those who hang banners on their barns that say “F….. Biden.” I have nothing in common with anyone who has so little respect for the planet and the health and wellbeing of every citizen that they would willfully do all in their power to dismantle environmental policies and practices aimed at ensuring we have clean air to breathe and water to drink. And, I have nothing in common with those so ideologically blinded that they see no reality but their own.

Despite all this, I continue to be optimistic about our chances of repairing the rupture we now face. My writing will always be informed by what brings us together rather than what divides us. I really do not care whether one is a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent. Frankly, when one’s thinking is confined within the borders of an intransigent ideology, discourse of any kind is precluded. While I find myself at odds with some, as indicated above, the solution is not vilification of the other. Rather, it is to find ways of accommodating one another. The courage of the people of Minnesota and thousands of people in other states reminds us that when good takes on evil, in whatever form it takes, it can prevail. I believe that what galvanized all those thousands of people to take a stand exhibited a collective outrage at the savage, inhumane treatment of fellow human beings. A reaction rooted in what we have in common: our shared humanity.

Dick deRosa’s Hawthorn Hill essays have appeared in “The Freeman’s Journal” since 1998. A collection, “Hawthorn Hill Journal: Selected Essays,” was published in 2012. He is a retired English teacher.

OBITUARIES

Eleanor Baumann

1930-2026

LAURENS—Eleanor

“Elly” Baumann, 95, formerly of Laurens, entered into eternal life on January 22, 2026 at Fox Nursing Home.

Elly has been described as quiet, gentle, strong, intelligent, generous, sophisticated and a great listener. Anyone knowing her knew these attributes.

Born September 8, 1930 in Clifton, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Frank and Mary Diani. After graduating from Garfield High School Class of 1948, she continued on to Newark State College, graduated and went to work.

She was the first female in her high-school class to get her driver’s license—a big event for a young woman of that time!

On April 24, 1954, she married the love of her life, Herbert Emil Baumann, also of New Jersey. She then devoted her life to raising her family.

And a busy life it was! Travelling, camping throughout the country with her children and most times additional children of relatives or friends, cooking over campfires, and hiking the hills and valleys, all while building a fulltime career.

Elly started back to work in 1966, full time, for the former National Community Bank in New Jersey. She quickly became a vice president. In her last six years of her employment, she was coordinator of the employee assistance program. During those years she became a member of the Twenty Year club, served on the Board of Directors of the Community Resource Council, and in 1985 was awarded the prestigious “Twin Award,” which is a tribute to women in industry. She retired in 1993 and was honored at her retirement party with more than 300 in attendance. Elly made a lot of lifetime friends and colleagues in her journey through life; she made a difference for so many.

Elly’s daughter, Judy, recalls during a rare blizzard in New Jersey, Elly—having the keys to all the bank branches— bundled up to brave the wind and snow to walk to the nearest branch to open up for the day. No roads were open. Her reply to Judy’s question of why she was going out in this weather was simply, “People will still need their money even though it’s snowing!”

Judy does not recall if Elly had any customers or not that day.

After retiring, Herb and Elly moved to South Carolina to help with her aging mom. In between helping her, they started travelling again to different world ports and visiting with old dear friends and relatives all over the country. Later, at 80 years old, they decided to tone it down a bit and moved to New York State to be close to family.

Elly was a member of the Laurens Senior Citizens Group and also loved her Bible study

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

and the girls of that group. She attended St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Laurens and loved her pastor—Pastor Paul.

She spent her final years at Fox Nursing Home, where she was much loved and lovingly cared for by the fine staff of nurses and aids. She died with her family and pastor by her side.

Elly is survived by a daughter, Judy Gruchacz, and her partner, Dave Bassler, of Fly Creek; a son, Herbert Paul Baumann and wife Lesia, of Knob Noster, Missouri; four grandchildren; and a brotherin-law, Walter Baumann of Laurens.

She was predeceased by her loving, lifelong partner, her husband of 65 years who died December 22, 2019. Through thick and thin they carried on.

Eleanor will be laid to rest with Herb in Hartwick Cemetery, where a graveside service will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 with the Rev. Paul R. Messner, pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Laurens, officiating.

Elly, though small and quiet, will be greatly missed by those of us who remain. A loving, kind soul has gone to be with her maker. We have wonderful memories to take us forward, and will be carrying on as she taught us. Thank you, Mom.

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

Jane M. Sheldon 1956-2026

HARTWICK—Jane

Marie Sheldon, 69, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, February 20, 2026.

Born March 5, 1956 in Levittown, Long Island, Jane was the youngest daughter of William J. and Jane (Mulz) Morris. After moving to Hauppauge in her early years, she was given her first pony at the age of five, sparking a lifelong love of horses. While in high school, she completed the BOCES Horse Science and Management program, filling her days with equestrian study and riding competitions. She continued her education at SUNY Cobleskill, earning a degree in equine studies in 1977.

Jane’s passion for horses shaped her life’s work. She built her career

as a riding instructor, horse trainer and dedicated 4-H equine volunteer, inspiring generations of young equestrians. She also coached Otsego County’s 4-H drill, horse bowl, and hippology teams to numerous statelevel successes and was always a teacher at heart.

On November 10, 1979, she married Stephen Lee Sheldon at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. In 1986, they settled at Hemlock Hill Farm in Hartwick, where they raised four children with a deep appreciation for nature, creativity and hard work.

Jane was resilient, generous and a free spirit who inspired those around her. She joyfully shared her knowledge of gardening, food preservation, crafting and all things equestrian. She will be remembered for her dedication to family, her grace and tenacity, her joyful presence, her sense of humor— and for the absolutely legendary hugs she gave to everyone she loved.

Jane is survived by her four children and their spouses: William and Lauren Sheldon of Rotterdam; Lindsey and John Havlik of Cooperstown; Stephanie and Randy Garrett of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Erin and Bob Ives of Schuylerville; two grandsons, Henry Charles and Levon Scott Sheldon; her brother-in-law, Eric D. “Rick” Lindroth of Hartwick; three brothersand sisters-in-law, David H. and Glenda Sheldon and Gregory W. and Elizabeth Sheldon of Norwich, and Scott G. and Colleen Sheldon of Milford, Pennsylvania and Cooperstown; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to call from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Jane will be laid to rest this spring beside her husband, Stephen, in the Sheldon Family Plot at

Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown following a private service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Schoharie and Otsego 4-H Equine Program, 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Mercy House of the Southern Tier, 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, NY 13760.

Franklin Russell

Smith

1936-2026

COOPERSTOWN—

On February 8, 2026, surrounded by the warmth and love of the family he spent a lifetime building, Franklin Russell Smith (“Russ”) passed away at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 89 years old.

Born on April 18, 1936 at the very same hospital where he would later say goodbye, Russ was the son of F. Edward and Ethel Smith. A proud lifelong resident of Cooperstown, he grew up on Leatherstocking Street and graduated with the Cooperstown Central School Class of ’54. Following graduation, Russ answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army, earning an honorable discharge in 1957.

For many in Cooperstown, Russ was known as “Your Friendly Garbologist,” as seen on the vehicles of R & B Smith Trucking, the business Russ began soon after his discharge from the Army. His career as the local garbage man began almost by accident. Always ready to serve others, he stepped in to help a friend struggling with trash removal, and with his reputation for reliability and hard work, he soon had a growing number of customers.

R & B Smith Trucking remains the family business, now known as Russ Smith Disposals.

Russ didn’t know the meaning of “idle.” In addition to his business, he drove the school bus for 53 years, cared for the coal boilers at the high school, and provided night janitorial services for the Cooperstown school district. He was truly a staple of the community, a man who worked with his hands and led with his heart. He was often seen exchanging stories at the Cooperstown Diner or the Peppermill restaurant.

In 1958, on their shared birthday, Russ married Betty Jane Hecox. They settled in Toddsville, where they built their

home and raised their four children. Russ was a legendary practical joker; in the Smith household, if he was picking on you, it was the surest sign that he loved you. When he wasn’t working, Russ found joy in the simple things: tinkering with old cars, his trucks and tractors, or patrolling the grounds on his golf cart. Most of all, he loved tending to “Betty’s farm.”

Russ built a life out of serving the people of Cooperstown. That spirit of service lives on in his family. The Smith family remains a symbol of the helpfulness and “hardwork-first” nature that Russ championed every day of his life. He will be remembered as the cornerstone of his large, vibrant family.

Russ is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Betty; his brother, Richard (Jean) Smith; his children, Russell Smith (Cindy Bissell), Roger (Dorothy) Smith, his “favorite daughter” and dedicated caregiver, Barbara “Barbie” Smith, and Richard (Jennifer) Smith.

His legacy continues through his seven grandchildren: Jacob (Brittany), William (Madison), Benjamin, Roger (Kaitlyn), Russell, Megen (Gideon), and Kelly; his four great-grandchildren: Eli, Shay, Evie, and Sadie; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ed and Ethel Smith; his in-laws, Arrie and Lillian Hecox; and Barbie’s longtime partner, Ken Parker.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 2-5 p.m. at Community Bible Chapel, 577 Greenough Road, Cooperstown, followed by a brief service. Burial will take place in the spring, with a remembrance celebration to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for you to raise your glass to Russ—preferably a drink with vodka and orange juice.

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

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings. Peter A. Deysenroth 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

i S, HurleY & pietrobono Funeral

51 Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com

155 Main Street Worcester, nY 607-397-9711 www.hellerskinnerfh.com

“Unable

Funeral Home

Photo provided ELEANOR BAUMANN

Photo provided

JANE M. SHELDON

Photo provided FRANKLIN RUSSELL SMITH

Fallout Shelters—What Were They and Why Were They There?

It’s a small sign on the right-hand side of the Cooperstown Post Office. Maybe 3’ x 4’ with yellow triangles surrounded by black triangles and a yellow border. People going to get their mail, mail packages or buy stamps are usually in a hurry and would hardly notice the sign, especially if they are not looking sideways. If they do see it, they probably don’t understand what it means and just shrug it off.

It says, “Fallout Shelter.” Now what was that? More about this later.

In the early 1960s, the United States and Russia were engaged in a “Cold War.” Relations between the two countries were indeed frosty.

In 1961, the U.S. placed missile sites in Italy and Turkey, primed and pointed toward Moscow. Why, we’re not sure.

That same year, the U.S. entered into a bungled invasion of Cuba called the “Bay of Pigs.” This was a failed attempt to overthrow the Communist government, led by Fidel Castro. The Soviet Union, under First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev, felt they had to protect Cuba from another possible invasion by the U.S. so, in July 1962, a meeting was held between the two leaders. Castro (quite reluctantly, by the way) agreed to have the Soviets place nuclear missiles on the island in order to deter an invasion—the beginning of what was aptly called “The Cuban Missile Crisis.”

On the morning of October 16, 1962, U.S. National Security Advisor McGeorge Bundy showed President John F. Kennedy pictures of missile sites on

Continued on page 14

Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel

The fallout shelter in the basement of the Cooperstown Post Office has a listed maximum capacity of 60 people.

Why We Should Still Revere Washington’s Farewell Address

Every February on or near the birthday of George Washington (February 22), a member of the United States Senate reads George Washington’s Farewell Address. The tradition of reading the Farewell Address in the Senate goes back to 1862, when the country was torn by civil war. Secretary of the Senate John Forney read the address on that occasion to mark the 130th anniversary of Washington’s birth. After 1893, senators of both political parties, alternating yearto-year, have read the address. Four Senators from New York—Chauncy Depew in 1910, Elihu Root in 1915, James Wadsworth Jr. in 1921, and Daniel Patrick Moynihan in 2000—have had the honor of reading the address on the Senate floor. This tradition honors both the man and the wisdom of the Farewell Address.

Washington undertook to write the Farewell Address with the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, after he announced his decision not to seek a third term as president. Beginning on September 19, 1796, it was published in the Philadelphia “Daily American Advertiser” and in other newspapers throughout the country.

In domestic policy, the Farewell Address called for political unity. “Citizens by birth or choice, of a common country” Washington wrote, “that country has a right to concentrate your affections.” We have, he continued “an indissoluble community of interest as one nation.” Washington expressed great concern about sectional or

In foreign policy, Washington’s Farewell Address counsels prudence, realism and, dare I say, an America First approach to the world. “[N]othing is more essential,” he wrote, “than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded . . .”

political “obstructions to the execution of the laws,” which he believed was “destructive of [the] fundamental principle” of the Union. Such obstructions, he wrote, “serve to organize faction…to put in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party; often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community.” Such obstructionists, he continued, are the work of “cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men” who will seek to “subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.” We have recently observed political “obstructions to the execution of the laws” by “cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled” state and local officials in Portland, Oregon, Minneapolis,

Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere in the country. Washington would undoubtedly be appalled at the organized, well-funded and state-supported resistance to the execution of the laws passed by Congress.

In foreign policy, Washington’s Farewell Address counsels prudence, realism and, dare I say, an America First approach to the world. “[N]othing is more essential,” he wrote, “than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations and passionate attachments for others should be excluded . . .” We should have no “habitual hatred” or “habitual fondness” for any other country. Our foreign policy, Washington continued, should be based solely on our interests, not those of any other nation. We should “steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world,” while trusting to “temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.” Contrary to the hysterics of the globalists and neoconservatives among us, President Trump’s foreign policy has a venerable tradition.

Washington’s Farewell Address, then, is not just an important piece of our nation’s history, it is also a practical guide to sound statesmanship.

Francis P. Sempa is the author of the books “Geopolitics: From the Cold War to the 21st Century” and “America’s Global Role.” He is a contributing editor to “The American Spectator” and writes a regular column for “Real Clear Defense.”

lives that shaped our town and our country. And when we came together to celebrate volume one, it was clear—we had done something good.

This book is not the end, but the beginning—a beginning of deeper recognition, of stories passed down and of those who choose to remember. To those whose faces and names appear on these pages, you may never have received a banner or been included as a veteran of the USS Cooperstown, but you have something more enduring: your legacy, held in the hands of those who care.

I hope we, as a community, can embrace that, and find a way to teach our children what truly matters when we honor a legacy. For those of you in volume one—and soon volume two—you are now a part of Cooperstown’s history.

As we look ahead, I want you to know that volume two is already in motion. When it’s complete, I will do the same as I did with volume one and take prepaid orders. My hope is to reach every family who missed out the first time, and to include every veteran’s story that still needs telling.

This year marks the 250th birthday of our country. Let’s be proud of what we’ve accomplished—together.

Joanie Parrillo Toddsville

Oberacker Tackling Electricity Costs

After I retired a few years ago, I longed to spend my golden years in Upstate New York. But these days my dream feels more like a nightmare. Like so many of our neighbors, my wife and I are struggling to afford our energy bills.

The cost of heating and lighting our home has doubled in the last five years. Big utility companies such as NYSEG offer “assistance” but no explanation how a monthly rate in a two-person household could rise to more

than $500.00. If this continues we may be forced to sell our home and move far away from family and friends. Thankfully, help is on the way. This year our state Senator Peter Oberacker introduced the Utility Ratepayer Bill of Rights. It’s a comprehensive set of protections for ratepayers like me that holds utility companies accountable for their out-of-control pricing. It includes prohibitions on these companies using monthly bill payments to lobby politicians for sweetheart deals, mandatory in-person hearings on all proposed hikes, full transparency on bills and a requirement to send these communications in plain English, creation of a longoverdue Consumer Advocate Office, financial safeguards for consumers during shutdowns and outages, and much more.

The Ratepayer Bill of Rights may seem like common sense, yet politicians from both parties have thus far failed to propose a reform plan as bold as Oberacker’s legislation. While Republicans defend these government-created monopolies, Democrats add radical environmental mandates that drive up costs even more. We can’t afford the uniparty’s energy policy in 2026.

Let’s not forget the New York Public Service Commission and all of Governor Hochul’s appointees that approved of these latest rate increases.

I’m supporting the immediate passage of Sen. Peter Oberacker’s Utility Ratepayer Bill of Rights and I encourage my friends and neighbors to call their state representatives and do the same. It’s time to return power to the people for real.

Mike Tripoli Town of Plainfield

Editorial

Continued from page 4 in a useless war. I also enjoy reading books by people I have crossed paths with. The last time I saw Safer, he was walking down Lexington Avenue carrying two shopping

bags from Bloomingdale’s. We were both members of the New York Press Club and would bump into each other from time to time. I tecently finished Kirsten Gillibrand’s “Off the Sidelines.” She writes about her life and how she makes a difference in the Senate. I once wrote a story about her after Governor Paterson appointed her to the Senate with the theme Gillibrand is the luckiest politician in New York State. She told me she respected my work. The next book on my shelf to read is “Annie Lennox—The Biography.” Her line, “love don’t show up in the pavement cracks,” haunted me when I would walk the streets of Manhattan in the rain following a painful divorce. I spoke to her about the song one day while she was waiting to do the Charlie Rose TV show. My desk was next to the show’s Green Room. Annie Lennox is one fascinating woman. What a strange life she is leading...

Darla M. Youngs, General Manager/Senior Editor, Iron String Press/AllOtsego

I spend so much of my time watching Congressional hearings and the news of the day from multiple sources that when I do unwind, I want to be entertained. To that end, I have been reading The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros— dragons and kingdom-wide conspiracies in the “romantasy” genre. My sons and I have been binging “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” and George R.R. Martin does not disappoint. I also listen to the “Crime Junkie” podcast while driving or working around the house.

Carolyn Marks, City of Oneonta Common Council, Seventh Ward When I’m not reading academic work at Oneonta High School, in my free time I’m reading “No Better Friend: One Man, One Dog, and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage and Survival in World War II” by Robert Weintraub. It combines two

things I love—animals (dogs) and history—and it’s an amazing true story about a pointer named Judy and a man named Frank, both prisoners of war held by the Japanese on the island of Sumatra starting in 1942. What appeals to me is the bond between them: their friendship, loyalty and determination to survive under the most unimaginable circumstances. It pulls at my heart and serves as a powerful reminder of the dangerous hardships POWs faced, and the strength and will they found to keep going.

Lots of good recommendations here, and some great stories, too. We’ll be sure to add responses on AllOtsego. com if they come in after deadline. Many thanks to all who took time out of their busy schedules to point us to ways in which we might also escape from our day-to-day worries, if only for a little while.

Bassett

Continued from page 1

those gathered, “We have a community that we actually want people to live here. We want our immigrant neighbors to feel safe. They were at Bassett hospital recently, and there are now doctors who don’t want to come to our communities because of that.”

Argo told AllOtsego that Frazier’s assertions are untrue.

Bassett employs a number of medical professionals present in the country on visas.

The organization could not provide details on its policies on ICE or other immigration officer presence on its property by print press time. The online version of this story will be updated if it is provided.

DOSHA

Continued from page 5

carries an added layer of responsibility and pride. Leadership rooted in discipline, accountability and service influences how the business operates. The focus has always been long-term sustainability over short-term hype. With more than 900 products across a wide range of price points, DOSHA ensures accessibility while maintaining high standards for quality and compliance.

From its opening day to today, DOSHA has proven that a cannabis dispensary can be professional, community-minded and economically beneficial. It has created jobs, generated tax revenue, provided a safe legal alternative to illicit markets and contributed to downtown revitalization. Most importantly, it has done so transparently and responsibly.

In every measurable direction—economic, cultural, and social—DOSHA has been a positive addition to Oneonta and the greater Oneonta area. Korey Rowe is the owner of DOSHA. This is a paid advertorial.

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Notice of formatioN of HIGH PONDS SERVICES, LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/13/26. Office in Otsego 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.

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of Viandante LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 9, 2026. 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 91 Center Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of Merry Hill Storage LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 12, 2026. 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 271 Texas Road, Springfield Center, NY 13468. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of

C5 EQUITY PARTNERS LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 12/17/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 16 DIETZ ST, ONEONTA, NY 13820. Purpose: Any Lawful

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of

4542 NY LLC, filed with the Secretary of State on January 09, 2026. Office Location is in Otsego County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to P.O. Box 431, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of SARATOGA1JAS, LLC

Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 1/20/26. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon 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.

6LegalMar.5

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Notice of formatioN of LIVING YOU VENTURES, LLC

Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 1/21/26. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 129 Blueberry Ln., Maryland, NY 12116, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalMar.5

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

The Meeting House Eatery, LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with the Department of State (SSNY) January 8, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County United States Corporation Agents, Inc. (USCA) has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and USCA shall mail copy of process to: 3522 County Highway 11, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: to engage in any and all business activities permitted under

NYS laws

6LegalMar.5

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Notice of formatioN of plotlynn, llc, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: plotlynn, llc, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of B&E BuildingServices, LLC

Art. Of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 1/27/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 773 Angel Hill Road, Burlington Flats, NY 13315. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of a LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY (LLc)

The name of the LLC is Glimmerglass Properties LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 31, 2025. New York office

LEGALS

location: 7569 Highway 80, Town of Springfield, County of Otsego and State of New York. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: Glimmerglass Properties LLC; 161 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook, New York 12106. Purpose/Character of business: Any lawful business purpose permitted under the New York Limited Liability Company Law. This notification is made pursuant to Section 206 of the Limited Liability Company Law.

6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of

BOHEMIAN NODES, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/15/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 1355 Co. Hwy. 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of SOS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 01/30/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 87 CHESTNUT ST., ONEONTA, NY 13820.

Purpose: Any Lawful.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of Michelle’s Dream Farm LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1.24.2026. Office location, county of Otsego. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC

upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o The LLC, Box 20, New Berlin, NY 13411 Purpose: Any and all lawful activities.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of

Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 28, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, 697 Winney Hill Rd, Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

Name:

BROOK WILLOW PROPERTIES LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026. 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 192 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

Name:

WHITETAIL LODGE PROPERTIES LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026. 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 Ball St., Northborough, MA 01532. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under

NYS laws.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of orGaNiZatioN of Fordview Estates LLC

Under Section 203 of the Limited Liabilitiy Company Law.

1. The name of the limited liability company is Fordview Estates LLC.

2. Articles of Organization of Fordview Estates LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on November 6, 2025.

3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.

4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is 551 Salt Springville Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.

5. The Secretary of state is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: Fordview Estates LLC, 551 Salt Springville Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320.

6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities.

6LegalMar.26

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Notice of formatioN of YRS DAYS CLASSICAL MUSIC, LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on February 16, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 27 Fair Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalMar.26

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Notice of formatioN of LEATHERSTOCKING SCUBA LLC. Filed with SSNY on 02/06/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail

to: 2963 STATE HIGHWAY 166, ROSEBOOM, NY 13450. Purpose: Any Lawful.

6LegalMar.26\ LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatioN of Butler Auto Rental, LLC

Art. of Org. filed with New York Sec’y of State (SSNY) on February 6, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 268 State Highway 7, Riverside, Sidney, NY 13838. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalMar.26

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Notice of formatioN of

CTLO REAL ESTATE, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 2/4/2026. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: The LLC, 38 Sylvan St., PO Box 103, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalMar.26

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SUPreme coUrt of tHe State of NeW YorK coUNtY of otSeGo

SUPPLemeNtaL SUmmoNS

INDEX # EF2025-1069

Original Filed with Clerk December 12, 2025

Plaintiff Designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial

The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Otsego County

Premises: 121 Oneida St., Oneonta, NY 13820

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff, – against –ALICIA POOLE AS HEIR TO

THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; JOHN FIELD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; SEAN FIELD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; JOHN J. FIELD’S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD;, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants,

executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; JOHN J. FIELD, and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Defendants.

TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Brian D. Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Otsego County, entered Jan. 28, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office.

Notice of NatUre of actioN aND reLief SoUGHt THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the amount of $60,187.00 recorded in the office of the clerk of Otsego County on August 27, 2024 in Instrument # 20243352 covering premises known as 121 Oneida St., Oneonta, NY 13820 a/k/a Sec continued

Divers

Continued from page 1

longtime environmental researcher and scuba instructor for 40 years.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, Lord organized the ice dive certification training north of Cooperstown— something he has been doing on Otsego Lake for about 20 years.

Lord, 75, took several dives himself Saturday to monitor his students.

In addition to bragging rights, Lord says ice diving offers adventure, year-round access, research capabilities (his focus is freshwater pearly mussels), search and recovery skills, an entrée into underwater photography, and “no boats threatening to run over our divers.” In a nod to warmer seasons, the team poked a dive flag into the top of the hay bale wall that blocked the wind at the dive site.

Just stepping on a frozen lake has its risks.

This winter in Otsego

County brought sustained cold temperatures but also a lot of snow, which can insulate the lake ice and make it unstable. Lord studied the conditions, monitored cracks in the ice and made the call that February 14 was a go. The good-humored crew of volunteers, including Lord’s current and former students, hauled out toboggans loaded with air tanks, first aid kits, toolboxes, and measured lead lines.

Even bystanders needed to be cautious there in the middle of a mile-wide lake around a man-made cavity in the ice. (I was handed a life vest and advised “Don’t go near the hole.”) Were you to hover from a drone’s eye view, you would see that the hole— an equilateral triangle carved out with a chain saw—sat in the epicenter of a spoked wagon wheel made by artfully shoveling snow from the lake’s surface.

From beneath the ice sheet, the wagonwheel design functioned

as overhead lighting to orient and guide the divers. What was it like under there?

“You can hear the ice cracking, which I guess is unnerving,” said Coney, who has six years of ice diving experience. But the view inspires tranquil awe. “I’ve always likened it to a cathedral with the light filtering down through the wagon wheel.”

After his exploration under the ice, Stephen Root, a biology master’s degree student at SUNY Oneonta, tried to put it into words.

“The water was crystal clear. I can’t describe it,” he said. “The wagon wheel—it just glows.”

Over their zipped-up dry suits, the ice divers wore yellow harnesses so they could be leashed to “tenders” who stood outside the water and monitored their diver’s progress, making sure no one wandered too far or too long. They watched the surface for too many bubbles, which could indicate a problem

regulator. Diver and tender communicate via pulls on the lead line. Volunteer Elizabeth Hoag, a sophomore at SUNY Oneonta, wrote a cheat sheet in Sharpie on the back of her hand. Two tugs on the line = release more line. Four tugs = out now. Serving out of the water as a tender or safety diver is step one in getting your ice diver certification. The full course of study requires three ice dives over a minimum of two days, Lord said.

LEGALS

Planholders list.

from pg. 12 tion 299, Block 1, Lot 29.00.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

NOTICE

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF NEWREZ LLC

D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated:

Uniondale, New York February 3, 2026

Respectfully submitted, PINCUS & TARAB, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC.

By:

Tabeetha Adde, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556 516-699-8902 #102809 4LegalMar.12 LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF 10 Youngman Ave, LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.

1. The name of the limited liability company is 10 Youngman Ave, LLC.

2. Articles of Organization of 10 Youngman Ave, LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on December 1, 2025.

3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.

4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is: 1027 South Gilboa Road, Gilboa, NY 12076.

5. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served.

The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: 10 Youngman Ave, LLC, 1027 South Gilboa Road, Gilboa, NY 12076.

6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities. 6LegalApr.2

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF NYNH LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on: 2/18/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC: 507 Moody Rd., Pike, NH 03780. Purpose: any lawful act under New York LLC law.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF FAMILY MEETING, LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/05/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY

shall mail process to: 26500 W. Agoura Rd., Ste. 211, Calabasas, CA 91302. Purpose: any lawful activities.

6LegalApr.2

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NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd., 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via the internet using https://www. bidx.com A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Electronic documents and Amendments are posted to www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/const-notices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-planholder. Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the

NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with nondesignated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518) 457-2124.

Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/M/WBE’s and SDVOBs.

The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federallyassisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged

business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Please call (518) 457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901

D265741, PIN 9PM026, FA Proj , Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga Cos., HIGHWAY PAVEMENT MARKING - Various Locations, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $200,000.00), Goals: DBE: 0.00%

D265744, PIN 935854, FA Proj , Otsego Co., PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE - Various Locations., Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $750,000.00), Goals:

His students, who simply call him “Lord,” say he can be a tough professor who challenges them to fully commit to their studies. In their academic lives, they’re undergrads training to be biology teachers and grad students looking into parasite life cycles and the impact of knotweed.

But on February 14 at the dive site, they were on call for whatever was required. One diver needed a new O ring installed ASAP. Another beckoned for a wrench to fix a leaking valve. They were on it.

Even small tasks merited close attention. Someone checked that a line was being neatly gathered into a bucket to avoid tangling. Another was sure to bring zippered plastic bags to protect documents. And when it was time to make an important phone call from the middle of the ice, a student volunteer stepped up to do that, too. She ordered pizza for the afterparty, with anchovies of course.

DBE: 0.00% 2LegalMar.5

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF CF Satriano Excavating LLC

Art. of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 2/16/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 148 Fred Field Road, Hartwick, NY 13348. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalApr.2

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Moonlight Manor Enterprises LLC.

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/28/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Moonlight Manor Enterprises LLC: 21 Country Club Road, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.2

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REqUEST FOR PROPOSALS

This announcement is intended for any person or busi-

ness interested in providing painting services at Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), with offices located at 967 County Highway 33 in Cooperstown, NY. Specifically, the Otsego County SWCD requests proposals to paint all interior walls, trim, and doors in the building.

The District requires two different but complementary paint colors, one for the walls and the other for the trim and interior doors. All surfaces shall be primed then painted with two (2) coats of high-quality paint approved by the District Manager. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be provided to the District Manager before paint selection is finalized. The successful proposal shall include all paint material as well as costs for materials needed to repair all noticeable wall damage. The District will identify areas needing repair as well as move furniture and office equipment to facilitate the painting job.

Successful proposals will include a “Not to Exceed” cost (SWCD is exempt from NYS sales tax.); a timeline for project completion; and Proof of Liability Insurance Coverage naming the following entity as additional insured: Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 Co. Hwy. 33 Cooperstown, NY 13326

Attendance by the contractors or

their representatives at the site showing at 9 a.m. on 03/26/2026 will be MANDATORY and by registration only, and failure to do so will result in an automatic rejection.

The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement Policy. Submissions will be accepted until the close of business on 04/09/2026, and must be delivered by USPS, commercial carrier, or in person in a sealed envelope titled “Otsego County SWCD Interior Paint Project”, and addressed to Christos Galanopoulos, District Manager Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Emailed submissions will NOT be accepted. The bid reveal date will be announced at the district office at 9 a.m. at 4/10/2026.

Requests for additional information necessary for the preparation of the proposal should be directed to Christos Galanopoulos, christos@otsegosoilandwater. com. no later than 03/24/2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Compliance with Labor Laws The successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to, Labor Laws, Prevailing Wage Rates, and Workers Compensation. 4LegalMar.19

Underwater footage provided Paul Lord, a SUNY Oneonta professor and longtime environmental researcher, dives under icy Lake Otsego. A scuba instructor for 40 years, Lord led ice diving certification training on February 14.

Continued from page 9

the island taken by U.S. U-2 spy planes. Kennedy stared at them for quite a while, dumbfounded.

That same afternoon, JFK notified his brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, that he was convinced the Soviets were placing missiles in Cuba, that it was a legitimate threat and that the probability of nuclear destruction by two world superpowers had become a reality. RFK responded by contacting Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and “expressed his concern about what was happening.” Dobrynin denied the existence of offensive weapons.

At 6:30 that same evening, JFK summoned his top advisors, military leaders, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Robert Kennedy to his office. All who attended the meeting unanimously recommended an air strike on Cuban soil, followed by an invasion of ground troops. Cuba is located just 90 miles from the Florida coast.

Nuclear missiles presented a definite threat to the U.S. mainland. Kennedy, just barely in his second year in office, was stuck in a dilemma. But the young president chose a less aggressive course in order to avoid a declaration of war.

On October 22, Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of ships with offensive weapons on them to be stopped from entering Cuba. He referred to his actions as a “quarantine.” Any ship carrying offensive weapons would be turned back. Kennedy chose this response, as he did not wish his allies in the Western Hemisphere to think of the U.S. as “trigger happy cowboys.”

At 7 p.m. that same day, Kennedy delivered an address to the nation and produced photos of the missile sites. The public could now see what he was talking

about. He stated: “It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear missile launched from Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States, requiring a full retaliatory response upon the Soviet Union.”

It was now a showdown of who would blink first—us or the Russians. The world tensed to see what would happen. Now this brings us to the building of “shelters.”

A fallout shelter was a windowless room in the basement of a home, surrounded by concrete walls. It was meant to isolate families underground. It had facilities such as a bedroom, bathroom, a sink and a refrigerator to keep food fresh. Why did families build them? Was it an overreaction to national hysteria? Was this hysteria justified?

People built shelters in their basements to protect themselves. But now there was concern about how best to protect children who needed to go to school. I lived in Brooklyn, New York at the time.

I remember, as part of our routine in elementary school, a bell would ring and my classmates and I had to crawl under our desks, put our hands around our heads and close our eyes. This was (supposedly) to protect us in case bombs were to go off. After a few minutes, another bell would ring, signaling an All Clear. It was a frightening experience for all involved.

As of October 26, 1962 the crisis seemed to be at a stalemate. The Soviets had shown no indication they would back down, while the U.S. was in the early stages of preparing an invasion of Cuba and a nuclear strike upon the Soviet Union.

At 9 a.m. on October 27, Radio Moscow began broadcasting a message from Khrushchev offering a new proposal: The missiles in Cuba would be removed in exchange for the removal of the

Jupiter missiles from Italy and Turkey. This removal of missiles in Cuba would be observed by a United Nations task force. Furthermore, the U.S. would agree (a) to remove promptly the quarantine measures now in effect, and; (b) give assurances against the invasion of Cuba. On Saturday, October 27, both sides agreed to this arrangement.

Thus, the crisis was over. The fact in reality was, both Kennedy and Khrushchev took every step possible to avoid full conflict despite pressures from their respective governments to do otherwise. People in our country breathed a sigh of relief. Kennedy was highly praised for his courage.

The “Fallout Shelter” sign represents a scary bygone crisis that few wish to remember. But it is a warning of what “might have been” had not cooler heads prevailed.

Stamford resident Harvey Sandig is a journalist and former sports writer.

Rudolph

Continued from page 1

stood trial in June 1977, she said.

One of the bombers, Robert Chambliss, carried the nickname “Dynamite Bob” and treated the attack “like a joke,” she added.

“The church was a key civil rights meeting place and had been a frequent target of bomb threats,” according to the FBI website.

Members of the Ku Klux Klan were suspected of this crime. FBI reports say Chambliss received life in prison in 1977. It took until the 1990s to convict two other members of the KKK for the church bombing.

Rudolph was angry about losing her sister and being blinded in one eye by the debris from the explosion.

“Church was supposed to be a safe place,” she said.

She “did not get any [mental health] counseling,” she said, when she got out of the hospital

Otsego County’s most interesting and entertaining read and its most diverse news source, featuring award-winning reporting, local news, insightful commentary, and entertaining columns by beloved local writers. Subscribe to AllOtsego.com by the month or annually at https://www.allotsego.com/subscribe/

after her eyes had been operated on.

Martin Luther King Jr. came to console Rudolph’s mother when she was still in the hospital and he also visited the 16th Street Baptist Church. He taught marchers to pray before they marched in protest. King convinced Rudolph’s brother not to take revenge.

Rudolph shared that in 1963, Blacks could be arrested for drinking water from white water fountains. She said Blacks were not allowed to try on shoes, so her mother traced their feet and bought the sizes she hoped would fit them.

Governor George Wallace wanted to keep Alabama segregated, Rudolph explained. The police commissioner

drove through town in a tank. The police sprayed Black people with highpressure water hoses and let German shepherds attack them, she said.

The police even put a 4-year-old boy in jail.

“I went around for a long time angry,” Rudolph continued. “I would not talk about the bombing. I was too traumatized and too nervous.”

A pastor in the church “laid his hands” upon her and gave her a blessing. “God took away all of my fear,” she said. “I know God is real.”

When Rudolph forgave, she said, she started feeling much better.

“I give him all the credit. He healed me. God spared my life.” Rudolph has not

received “any restitution” for her injuries.

“Kennedy tried to sign the Civil Rights bill into law, but they killed him,” she said.

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Rudolph survived the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. The Civil Rights Act— prohibiting discrimination in public places, providing for the integration of schools and other public facilities, and making employment discrimination illegal— was signed into law by President Lyndon Jonson on July 2, 1964. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated four years later, on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.

In conjunction with SUNY Oneonta, we share with our readers the winning entries in the 2026 SUNY Oneonta “Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Essay Contest:

Julianna EvErson, WinnEr, sEconDary Division Tenth Grade, Worcester central school

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is an African American activist who advocated for racial equality and human rights for African Americans through nonviolent protest and speeches.

King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia, and unfortunately passed away on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, at the young age of 39 due to an assassination. Therefore, every year we celebrate King’s life on January 16 to honor King and every achievement and right he has gained and helped our communities with. King helped us as individuals to manage our everyday lives with each other respectfully, and for that we owe King admiration and recognition. If it was not for King, we would not be where we are today, which is why we dedicate January 16 to King!

[Regarding] King’s famous quote—“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”—King demonstrated this every day by being that aid and figuring out how to work with individuals to gain equality and freedom for African Americans. King put in the work every day by starting peaceful protests and even speeches to get across his point. I think King was asking how could you make a change in others’ lives to help fight for freedom and equality. While King was participating in these events, he always proposed his quotes that really makes you ponder the meaning and wonder why he was asking you these things. It was as if he was trying to get the next leader to step up.

Individuals my age can help to build unity, empathy, and understanding within our schools and communities by coming together and acknowledging problems then trying to address these issues by starting an organization, or even proposing suggestions or solutions during school assemblies or more! We as individuals should always have empathy when it comes to situations because it is such a huge aspect of our lives, it is how we can help situations just as King did. We can always be more understanding and supporting, because King did not accomplish everything he did alone. He had many supporters and followers.

Finally, a very important teaching of King’s that he wanted us to take is that anything that identifies you does not matter. What matters is your attitude about life, and how you respectfully engage with other individuals. Like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in his “I Have a Dream” speech, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” So, from this day forward, I hope King’s legacy is still shared and demonstrated all over the world. I aspire to be as influential and as impactful as King was to myself and many other individuals!

cyrus sErDy, WinnEr, ElEmEnTary Division

Fourth Grade, Worcester central school

I believe that when Dr. King Jr. said “life’s most important persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’” means putting others first and standing up for what you believe in. I feel that it is possible to show empathy and understanding in our school and community by focusing on the little things that most people take for granted. Like saying “good morning, how are you doing?”, holding the door open and having simple conversations with others. Showing people you care and take interest in them goes a very long way. I vow every day to help others in need and be a good person, no matter our differences.

►Fri., Feb. 27

BOOK CLUB Read

“Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck and discuss with the group as part of the Banned and Challenged Authors Series. Held at 4 p.m.; followed by film at 5 p.m. on 3/12. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

COWORKING 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m. “Free Day Pass.” Cooperstown Coworks, 6 Doubleday Court, Cooperstown. (607) 6432256.

COUNTY 8-11 a.m.

“State of the County.” Presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. Breakfast, networking, Q&A and more with local elected officials. Fees apply; registration required. Morris Conference Center, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 432-4500.

QUILTING 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Level 1 English Paper Piecing.” Fees apply; registration required. Leatherstocking Quilts, 155 Main Street, Suite B, Oneonta. (607) 441-3111.

DONATE 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donate gently used fine arts and crafts pieces for “The Spring Cleaning Art Bazaar.” Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479777.

SENIOR MEALS

11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of fish on a bun, O’Brien potatoes, spinach and pudding parfait. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. (607) 547-6454.

BLOOD DRIVE

1-5 p.m. Elm Park Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org

BLOOD DRIVE

3-7 p.m. Laurens High

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

School, 55 Main Street, Laurens. RedCrossBlood.

org

CRAFT 6 p.m. “St. Patrick’s Day Glass Sun Catcher Fundraiser.”

Presented by Jablin Studios. Hands-on fused glass fundraiser benefitting the Laurens Veterans Flag Program. Pick-up 1-3 weeks after class. All skill levels welcome. Fees apply; registration required. Otego American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 239-8721.

EXPLORE 6 p.m.

“Discover Scuba Diving.” Presented by Leatherstocking SCUBA. Registration required. Oneonta Senior High School, 130 East Street, Oneonta. leatherstocking. scuba@gmail.com. PLANETARIUM

7 p.m. “The Life and Death of Stars.” Familyfriendly show open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.

THEATER 7:30 p.m.

“Noises Off.” Presented by Bigger Dreams Productions. Tickets required. Also showing at 7:30 p.m. on 2/28 and at 2 p.m. on 3/1. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

►Sat., Feb. 28

BREAKFAST

7-11 a.m. “Breakfast Buffet: Canadarago Snowtoppers.” Fees apply. Cafeteria, Richfield Springs Central School, 93 West Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0610.

BEEKEEPING 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “To Bee or Not to Bee? Introduction to Beekeeping Short Course.” Presented by the Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association. Fees apply; registration required. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. leatherstockingbeekeepers.com

Time OuT OTsegO

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

TAXES 9 a.m. “VITA

Free Tax Preparation and Filing.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers. By appointment only. Held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. First Floor Lobby, Alumni Hall, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2171.

YOUTH 9 a.m. to noon. “4-H Public Presentations.” Presented by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties. Morris Central School, 65 West Main Street, Morris. (607) 547-2536 ext. 225.

BLOOD DRIVE

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Christ Episcopal Church, 166 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. RedCrossBlood. org

TAXES 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Free Tax Preparation.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers. Held at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through 4/11 (except on 3/14 and 3/21). Oneonta Veterans Club, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta.(607) 431-4338.

WORKSHOP 10 a.m. to noon. “Make Your Own Travelers Journal/ Everywhere Notebook.” Fees apply; registration required. Main View Gallery and Studio, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1890.

CONSERVATION

10 a.m. to noon. “Hemlock Palooza!” Survey for the invasive hemlock wooly adelgid with the Otsego County Conservation Association, then celebrate our region’s hemlock forest. Featuring a cozy, fireside celebration. Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens. (607) 547-4488.

PLANETARIUM Family-friendly shows open to the public. Fees apply.

SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.

• 10:30 a.m. “Cultures in the Cosmos.”

• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”

LEGO CLUB 11 a.m. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Handmade Wire Bead Bracelets.” Fees apply; registration required. All materials provided. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

AGRICULTURE Noon to 2 p.m. “Tree Fruit Pruning: Techniques for Health and Productivity.” Presented by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties. Registration requested. Middlefield Orchard, 2274 State Highway 166, Cooperstown. (518) 234-4303 ext. 119.

FUNDRAISER 1 to 4 p.m. “21st Annual Chili Bowl Cook-Off and Fundraiser.” Fees apply. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. canoneonta.org/chilibowl-fundraiser

POTTERY

1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. Fees apply. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

SEWING CLASS

1:30-3 p.m. All experience levels welcome. Held every Saturday. The Green Giraffe, 179 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3234.

DANCE 2-4 p.m.

“Body and Soul Dance.” Weekly gathering exploring the possibilities of dance. Includes warm-up, improv and group choreography. Admission by donation to support food programs. Held each Saturday. First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta, 296 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 287-3888.

DINNER 4-6 p.m.

Free dine-in-only Community Dinner featuring baked ziti, Italian bread, tossed salad, beverage and dessert. Church of Christ Uniting, 22 Church Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-1553.

OPEN MIC 5-8 p.m.

The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

PERFORMANCES

7 p.m. “Unatego 2026 Variety Show.” Fees apply. Proceeds go to Unatego families in need. Auditorium, Unatego Middle/ High School, 2641 State Highway 7, Otego. (607) 988-5000.

OPEN MIC 7-9 p.m.

“Coffee House.” Singers, writers, musicians, and more are invited to share works. 10-20 minute slots. Light refreshments available. Free, open to public. Held each 4th Saturday. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, 128 Church Street, Schuyler Lake. (315) 8582523.

►Sun., Mar. 1

SUGARING OFF SUNDAYS 8:30 a.m. to

1 p.m. Featuring pancake breakfast, activities and demonstrations of maple syrup making and more. Fees apply. The Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.

MEDITATION 11 a.m.

“Sundays at Samye: A Morning of Practice and Study.” Meditation, study and discussion. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5051.

CASUAL TEA HOUR

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held Sundays. The Sugar Beat, 281 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 2674374.

LIVE MUSIC 1-3 p.m.

“Sunday Sessions with Dennis Turechek.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

MUSIC 4 p.m. “Oneonta Kirtan: Interfaith Devotional Music Meditation.” Held each first Sunday. Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta.

ARTIST TALK 5-7 p.m. Discussion with the artists behind the “Animal/Winter/KOLIADA” exhibit. 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, Cherry Valley. 25maincollective@gmail.com.

►Mon., Mar. 2

CONNECTIONS 10:15 a.m. to noon. Chess with Pete Mateunas. Learn the game in a one-on-one setting. Held at 10:15 a.m. each Monday. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

EXERCISE 11:15 a.m. to noon. “Intro to Group Cycle.” Fees apply. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. (607) 5472800 ext. 129.

ADULT EDUCATION 1-3 p.m. “Discover Delightful Door County Wisconsin.” Fees may apply; registration required. Center for Continuing Adult Learning, 31 Maple Street, Oneonta. (607) 441-7370.

ADULT EDUCATION 1:30-3:30 p.m. “One Dame Plus One Dame Equals Magic.” Analyze and view five films that showcase the talents of

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Held Tuesdays through 3/31. Fees may apply; registration required. Center for Continuing Adult Learning, 31 Maple Street, Oneonta. (607) 441-7370.

TAXES 6-8 p.m. “Free Tax Preparation.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRScertified volunteers. Held from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through 4/15 (except on 3/16 and 3/17). 2nd Floor, Golisano Hall, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta. (607) 4314338.

►tueS., Mar. 3

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at the Clark Tower Trail, between County Route 52 and Apple Creek Road, Cooperstown. (607) 4318010.

VETERANS 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free Veteran’s Lunch: Corned Beef and Cabbage. Open to all veterans and their families. Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 203-2228.

ART TOUR 2 p.m. “Virtual Zoom Tour: Highlights of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art.” Free; suggested donation requested. Presented by the Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400. YOUTH 3 p.m. “After School at the Library.” Reading, games, arts and crafts. Held each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

SLOW FLOW YOGA 5 p.m. Presented by the SUNY Oneonta ExCL Center. Held Tuesdays through 4/7. Fees apply; registration required. SUNY Oneonta Campus, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 4362831.

MEET & GREET

5:30-7 p.m. “Welcome Home Cooperstown.” Gathering to welcome new residents to the Village of Cooperstown. This month will focus on St. Patrick’s Day and Irish dancing, with a demonstration from the Quigley Academy. Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5478344.

►Wed., Mar. 4

VETERANS BREAKFAST 8-10 a.m. Free breakfast for veterans, active military, firefighters, EMS and law enforcement. Held first Wednesday of each month. Cost for guests is $5. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. yreckert@yahoo.com

BLOOD DRIVE 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Richfield Springs High School, 93 East Main Street, Richfield Springs. RedCrossBlood.org

BABIES 9:30-11:30 a.m. Diaper Sale. Presented by Creekside Industries and The Arc Otsego. Held First Wednesday of each month. Oneonta YMCA, 20-26 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 432-8595.

OTSEGO COUNTY 9:45 a.m. Meeting of the Human Services Committee. Chaired by Adrienne Martini. Purpose: contracts and personnel. Board Chambers, 2nd Floor of the County Office Building, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5474202.

►

Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar