Cooperstown CSD Moves into Superintendent Search with Guidance from BOCES’ Huber
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
COOPERSTOWN
The Cooperstown Central School District has formally entered the next phase of its leader ship transition, beginning the search for a new superintendent with support from ONC BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Catherine Huber. CCS Board President Peter Iorizzo said the early work has been steady, collaborative and grounded in best practices as the district prepares for one of its most consequential decisions.
“Dr. Huber has been a great collaborator, facilitator and supporter throughout the early stages,” Iorizzo said.
He noted that Huber’s role has included providing information on legal parameters, helping the board craft a job profile, answering procedural questions, and serving as a liaison between candidates and the district.
“We are grateful to have access to her expertise in performing superintendent searches,” Iorizzo said.
Former CCSD Superintendent Sarah Spross had taken a leave of absence shortly before the end of the school
Continued on page 15
Community Rallies Around Beloved Price Chopper Employee
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
COOPERSTOWN
In Cooperstown, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t know Becky Welsh. For years, she was the bright, familiar face greeting customers at the Price Chopper self‑checkout lanes, offering help, conversation, and the kind of everyday kindness that quietly shapes a community. Her recent termination from the store has sparked an outpouring of support from residents, many of whom say Becky was more than an employee; she was part of the town’s fabric. Attempts to obtain comment from Price Chopper were unsuccessful. Multiple calls to the company’s public relations team went unre turned, and when management at the Cooperstown store was contacted directly, they said they were not allowed to make any comments at this time. Without an official explanation, the full circumstances of Welsh’s termination remain unclear, and the community is left reacting to what
they know best, their own experiences with her.
For many, those experiences run deep.
Audra Wood, who has known Welsh for years, said,
“She is the one that always made people’s day when she was working. She would always be friendly to the customers, always helped people when needed.”
Wood said she no longer plans to shop at the store, contending that, “Becky has not done anything wrong when working there…now that she is not there I will not be going back.”
Wood believes the community should stand behind Welsh, saying, “I think we all need to get rid of the manager and bring [in] one that will not be [discriminatory]…Becky did not need to lose her job over this.” Her comments reflect the tone of many online reactions. Emotional, frustrated and protective of someone they see as a community treasure. On Facebook, the response was immediate and overwhelming. Comments ranged from confusion to anger, with one resident writing that the firing “does not seem to be a well thought out decision.” Another urged neighbors to contact corpo
Continued on page 15
Markers Unveiled at Riverside Cemetery, U&D Depot
By BILL BELLEN
ONEONTA
Carrying on the legacy of a 2025 season chock full of five marker unveilings, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society kicked off the summer with the unveilings of two new historical markers at the Riverside Cemetery and the old Ulster & Delaware Railroad Depot. The first of these new markers was unveiled at Riverside Cemetery at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30 to commemorate its continued historic legacy. The cemetery was established behind the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street on land donated
by Katherine and Frederick Brown.
The seven acre ceme tery is the resting place of many of Oneonta’s most influential early inhabitants, from early settlers to Revolutionary War veterans. Many notable fami lies have headstones featured at the site, including those of the Fox, Watkins, Ford, Baker, Huntington and McDonald families. Riverside Cemetery is also the site of a soldier’s monument, dedicated in 1871, honoring 27 local soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
“Surprisingly, many resi dents are not aware that there is a cemetery in downtown Oneonta,” said Dr. Marcela
Continued on page 15
Photo provided
Becky Welsh with members of the Cooperstown boys soccer team, who surprised her with flowers to thank her for the kindness and support she showed them, including making snack bags before a post-season match.
A Salute to Oneonta’s Dollars for Scholars
OBrighton Logue
• Samuel Bertuzzi Memorial Scholarship Sofia Maerz
• Susan Remillard Memorial Scholarship
Anna Malikov
• Talevi Family Scholarship
Kaleb Mattice
• Steven A. Lutz Memorial Scholarship
Mylie McIntyre
• Oneonta Dollars for Scholars Scholarship
Aubry Microni
• Daniel & Jean Rothermel Memorial Scholarship
• Oneonta B.P.O.E. #1312 Scholarship
Shakira Morrison
• William R. Pirone Scholarship
Keiyra Morton
• Reverend Richard H. Frye Memorial Scholarship
Julianne Bernisse Murillo
• Oneonta Dollars for Scholars Scholarship
Aidan Murphy
• George H. Lambros Memorial Scholarship
Katirah Oneill
• Winifred Marcley Scholarship
Adrianna Outsen
• Angie Bertuzzi Memorial Scholarship
• David & Jane Wakin Memorial Scholarship
Lillie Palmateer
• Edward and Florence Ostrowski Memorial Scholarship
• Oneonta Rotary Matthew Maine Memorial Scholarship Rowan Parrish
• Walter J. & Anna H. Burchan Vocational/Technical Scholarship Hudson
• Stan & Linda Syvertsen Family Scholarship
Lathan
Oneonta Teachers Association Scholarship Logan Layton
• Sixth Ward Athletic Club Association, Inc. Scholarship
Caio Legname
• Brooks Bar-B-Q Charitable Foundation Scholarship
• The Dewar Foundation Scholarship
Otsego Explained: Anticipating Aging and Senior Support
By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO COUNTY
Aging can be, and often is, a beautiful thing. But what happens when the passage of time starts to wear on our wallets, bodies and minds? In this installment of “Otsego Explained,” AllOtsego welcomes—and likely introduces—you to the Otsego County Office for the Aging, a department designed to ensure that the residents of this county can age with grace.
What is the Office for the Aging?
Spawned from the federal Older Americans Act of 1965, the OFA is defined as an “Area Agency on Aging.” This nationwide network of 661 area agencies is tasked with assisting those aged 60 and older access services that promote their continued independence, preserving their health and staving off institutionalization— one of the most costly forms of care available.
Following its creation on February 20, 1974, the Otsego County OFA began offering information and transportation assistance while opening its first meal-center and kitchen in Nader Towers Senior Housing. Over the next decade and a half, services gradually expanded, culminating in the opening of the Meadows Central Kitchen Facility in 1990 to accommodate new demand from SNAP. An office upgrade in Nader Towers allowed the department to split its services into a north and south office in 1998, ensuring local community needs could be better reflected. Today, the department is based out of an office in the county’s Meadows complex on County Highway 33W and a satellite location at 242 Main Street in Oneonta.
Following years of waning participation and the increased demand for home-delivered meals spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, many established OFA congregate
dining sites were closed. Since 2021, the OFA has organized a modernized partnership program with various local restaurants that now provide congregate dining experiences with greater food choices and meal time options.
What Does It Take To Operate the OFA?
Day-to-day operations of the OFA consist of a vast array of services. Case managers go into the homes of older adults to determine what services best fit their circumstances. Frozen meals are driven across the county to individuals unable to accessibly leave their homes. Meanwhile, the Central Kitchen provides hot meals for the three traditional congregate dining sites that remain in Oneonta, Cherry Valley and Richfield Springs.
Tamie Reed, director of the OFA, spoke proudly of the services her department contributes to the county while aiming to clear up misconceptions around their accessibility.
“There’s no cost to any of the services that we provide, and there’s also no income limits on that,” Reed noted. She clarified that the OFA does “ask for contributions to help support, because at the end of the day, we still have limited funding and we have to make sure that funding is really serving those who
need it the most.”
OFA staff also provide transportation for those otherwise unable to access it, acting as a lifeline between seniors in need and their medical appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores. Outside of direct support, the OFA assists people in contacting legal aid services that may be needed to write a will or set up a power of attorney. In addition, the office aids retirees and those over the age of 65 with Medicare counseling, explaining the program to newcomers.
How Does the Work Get Done?
From finding care to supplying necessities like food, the employees of the OFA cover a wide spectrum of assistance for the elderly of Otsego County. Christy Harasimowicz, a caseworker at the OFA, spoke about her experience on the job.
“I have been able to provide older adults with tangible services, enabling them to continue doing what they love,” Harasimowicz said. “I am also grateful for the knowledge and skills I have developed during my time as a caseworker, because the issues and topics I address with older adults are often applicable to friends, relatives, peers, and my own life.”
On top of their intended services, OFA staff play a crucial role in offering impromptu wellness checks to the seniors they aid.
“I think the most important thing about our home deliver[y] meal program is it’s giving them a well check,” Reed shared. “It’s somebody that’s checking in on them. It’s this same consistent driver that they’re used to seeing. So there’s that relationship building.”
Reed emphasized the individuality of each situation and how isolation and lacking family or community support can be a large hurdle for many seniors. She said frequent deliveries allow OFA staff to become familiar with the seniors they service, making it easier to pick up on subtle differences weekto-week that could indicate a person may need additional care.
Building this interpersonal connection is some-
thing Reed and her fellow department members aim to facilitate throughout their meal programs. Of the people who utilize the OFA’s congregate dining options, Reed estimated that upwards of 85 percent do so as an opportunity to socialize.
These meals, combined with various community events hosted by the department, aim to combat increased senior isolation with bonding and banter.
What Does All This Cost?
In Otsego County’s adopted budget for 2026, the OFA was budgeted $2,298,046.00—an increase from $1,934,880.00 in 2025. Even with this allocation, department operations can run on thin margins. Reed shared that her department was roughly 30 percent federally funded 10 years ago, a contribution that has since dropped to around 20 percent. She also cited fiscal concerns within the county government for the scaling back of local funds.
“We do rely heavily on a lot of state dollars,” Reed said. “As county and federal dollars have decreased, the state has increased…When you look at the number of people over the age of 60 and how that’s continuing to increase, it absolutely is not keeping pace.”
Despite these concerns, Reed and her staff continue to find
ways to support their work. The department has an advisory council of community residents 60 or older. This body helps to ensure the OFA’s budget is spent in a way that meets the office’s goals and the needs of the county’s elderly. The OFA has roughly $250,000.00 that—in tandem with Otsego Rural Housing Assistance—is accessible to older homeowners who are seeking to make accessible modifications to their home but do not have the funds to do so themselves. The OFA also provides assistance to those who can afford these improvements, pointing them in the right direction to help people stay in their homes as long as possible. Avoiding the need for a nursing home is the ultimate goal, which Reed said saves the county thousands of dollars per individual each year.
How Are They Holding Up?
In order to maintain goals and programs that reflect community needs, the OFA hosts an annual public hearing, during which they showcase their aims for the year and the services they offer. This is compounded by a community needs assessment that is conducted every four years, a survey that is physically sent out to relevant county resiContinued on page 12
.dining&entertainment
Photo provided TAMIE REED
Perspectives
EDITORIAL
IWe Can All Do Better
n recent months, several Otsego County school districts have found themselves at the center of attention, and the spotlight has, at times, been harsh.
On April 15, Richfield Springs community members packed a school board meeting to show support for long-time coach Chris Butler, who was let go from his girls softball team coaching position. Residents rallied again on May 6, when Butler supporters showed up in force to oppose the district’s decisions to remove him from coaching roles, first as a volunteer assistant softball coach and several weeks later also as a modified baseball coach. District officials declined to specify the reason for his termination, citing personnel issue confidentiality.
On April 22, decades long Cooperstown Central School teacher and Cooperstown Faculty Association Co-president Rebecca Burk-Sciallo rose to speak during public comment at the CCS board of education meeting, where more than a dozen other faculty members wearing black shirts with orange text reading “Cooperstown Faculty Association” rose beside her. The move reflected a continued escalation arc as, for months, CFA members had taken to public comment to express concerns about district practices. Burk-Sciallo’s speech—which addressed wide-ranging concerns, from the responsiveness of the district when issues are brought forward to long-delayed faculty evaluations—concluded that “the relationship between district leadership and the Faculty Association has become untenable.” On behalf of her union colleagues, Burk-Sciallo asked “urgently for the Board of Education to intervene when the chain of command fails.”
And, most recently, nearly 100 Oneontans crowded into a 100-degree room for the July 1 Oneonta City School District Board of Education meeting. Kaytee Lipari Shue, an Oneonta High School graduate, OCSD parent, 39-year Oneonta resident, district employee, and president of the Oneonta City Schools’ Clerical Association, said the turnout reflected deep concern about how the school district communicates and makes decisions. A central theme of the evening was compliance with New York State’s Open Meetings Law. Lipari Shue, who also serves as City of Oneonta councilmember for the Fourth Ward, emphasized that the OCSD board, as a public body, must meet those standards. Concerns about transparency overlapped with questions about administrative spending, and attendees raised issues about recent hiring decisions and salary increases at a time when the district has described its financial situation as “strained.”
Lipari Shue, noting the presence of current and retired faculty, staff, and community members, described it as “an amazing show of solidarity.”
We write this not to beat up on the districts, board members or staff. By and large, we can be proud of the efforts of all our Otsego County schools, particularly in these challenging times. We simply wish to reflect upon what appears to be a general disinterest by the public in school board meetings overall—or at least until some hot-button issue comes to the forefront.
A recent AllOtsego weekly poll question asked, “Do you regularly attend school board meetings?” In albeit a small pool of respondents, 88 percent answered “no.”
The New York Coalition For Open Government Inc.—“a nonpartisan charitable organization comprised of journalists, activists, attorneys, educators, news media organizations, and other concerned citizens who value open government and freedom of information”—believes that, if government is of the people, by the people and for the people, then it should also be open to the people.
In our February 27, 2025 editorial, we said we agree with NYCFOG, and feel that the time has come for New York State to require local governments to livestream their meetings and to post recordings online. We now encourage all of Otsego County’s school districts to do the same.
It is neither expensive nor difficult to livestream meetings and post those recordings online for public viewing. And while people may be unable to physically attend municipal and school board meetings for a variety of reasons, perhaps easy access to such recordings will spark further interest in community members to be proactive rather than reactive when such hot-button issues as those mentioned earlier arise.
Yes, transparency is important. It is, in fact, a must. Our school administrators can do better in that respect. But Otsego County residents can also do better. An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Only an informed citizenry can fully participate in local government. Only an informed citizenry can make wise electoral choices and hold their elected officials accountable.
Are you one of the 88 percent? If so, that’s on you.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
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Birds, Chores and Evolution
Our tree swallows have taken to wind in search of more fertile skies to explore. We are dazzled by their aerial acrobatics. And they are lovely to watch. But in the main it is all about survival. They swoop here and there, mouths open, in search of food. It is an aerial dance routine routed in necessity, a strange but beautiful trick of evolution. No sitting at the table waiting for mom’s homemade insect stew. Once able, and that is relatively soon after birth, a young swallow takes to the air, gradually learning the tricks of the feeding trade. The concept of self-reliance informs the whole process. Open your eyes, enjoy being fed for several weeks, fluff those feathers and, after a few test flights, off into the ether to fend for yourself. Not all will make it, but those lucky enough to have evaded hungry predators always keeping an eye out for their next meal might just make it through the rest of the summer. Maybe head south when the time comes and return to their home town, or someplace nearby, come next spring. I know that up here on the hill we depend on these recurring patterns for their soul-buoying balm. Heaven knows that balm is sorely in need these days.
We did not put as many nest boxes out this year as in the past. Several aged out and the one or two in the woodshed in need of repair just never made it to the work bench. Getting around to chores has become increasingly difficult. I describe the situation as difficult, but that is not the right word. Most chores stuck on the waiting list are due not to anything particularly challenging about them. Most can be knocked off rather quickly. My go-to defense is the need to await the spirit within me that compels action. Interestingly, the easier the task, the longer it takes me to get off my ample backside. Granted, I used to get things done with some degree of urgency and efficiency. My life-long amateur studies of the natural world, particularly birds and plants, with a special affinity for ferns, have convinced me of the validity of evolution. So, in my predictably quirky way of explaining away my wealth of eccentricities, my sense is that as one ages—evolves, that is—getting to chores in a timely way is not as necessary as it used to be. They say wisdom comes with age, an assertion of questionable merit given the resident of a certain big white house down there in D.C. However, age does in many ways teach one useful lessons. This type of learning is incremental and very subtle. Putting things off for a bit is not such a bad thing after all. This tributary of evolutionary theory suggests that barring something really serious, letting things slide a bit might just allow for more thoughtful approaches to certain tasks.
Having fewer bluebird boxes out enabled me to explain away their absence as a result of my laziness. One box, way down the hill beside the driveway, sits very close to a golden delicious apple tree and is partially hidden by way-too-tall grass I should have weed whacked weeks ago. Getting around to weed whacking is one of those chores that requires a major infusion of a compelling spirit. I paid it very little notice until late one recent afternoon, when I spotted a bluebird exiting through the tiny hole. Sat and watched for a while and, lo and behold, a pair intermittently flew in and out to nourish the little ones. Now I am thinking the paucity of boxes might have been a good thing. Just maybe I might not have to add more real estate space for next year. Why be greedy. Another tributary of evolutionary thinking: Only fix it when it’s broke.
While on the evolution hobby horse…Will we humans ever evolve out of our self-destructive ways? Given ample historical evidence, it is doubtful. While thousands starve and die of prevent-
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn
Project Lawyer Got It Wrong
In the article in “The Freeman’s Journal” on Thursday, June 25, 2026, attorney Allyson M. Phillips, representing the Manocherian family in the current proposal to subdivide the family’s property in the Towns of Otsego and Springfield, presented inaccurate and incorrect information under the headline on page 1 which read: “Lawyer: Town Rushed Proposal Without Adequate Public Input.”
Phillips was quoted in part, stating that “public outcry alone doesn’t justify land use changes.” She is accurate in that statement, however, for those exercising due diligence the record is clear that the Town of Otsego had no notion that the Manocherian Family Sketch Plan Review was forthcoming when it did arrive.
There are several points that are worthy of public enlightenment regarding what can be viewed as separate administrative considerations that have become linked due to the unforeseen sketch plan submission by Manocherian.
1. It is a fact that the Town
of Otsego launched the Comprehensive Plan review and evaluation process June 12, 2024. It is a fact that the town had no indication or knowledge that Manocherian would submit a sketch plan for a 1,500-acre proposal in late July/earlv August 2025.
I previously wrote the Town of Otsego and others that initiating a moratorium would be a prudent action in light of the ongoing land use planning process and that a moratorium should not target a specific project but rather it should serve as a pause in accepting, reviewing or approving any projects affecting greater than 20 acres until the review and evaluation process of the comprehensive plan and an adoption of what will likely be modifications to current zoning, policies, procedures and local laws for administering an updated comprehensive plan. I believe that establishing such a moratorium remains relevant.
2. The comprehensive planning and review process is an independent action separate from the unanticipated Manocherian sketch plan review submission. The
Continued on page 15
Town of Otsego resolved on June 12, 2024 to engage with Mohawk Valley Economic Development District for technical and administrative assistance in updating the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan of 2008. I believe the Town of Otsego had initiated discussions regarding assistance from MVEDD well before June 12, 2024 but the town’s earlier efforts with MVEDD met with pitfalls and circumstances that caused delays regarding grants/ contracts/etc. in getting started with the Comprehensive Plan review process.
3. MVEDD contracted with the Otsego Town Board and has provided the Town of Otsego Planning Board with guidance and technical assistance in reviewing and upgrading the town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (enabled inpart by a significant grant of taxpayer funds) well before the Manocherian sketch plan was submitted for consideration.
4. The Towns of Middlefield, Otsego, Richfield, Springfield, and the Village of Cooperstown are currently engaged in a comprehensive management planning process for Otsego
Continued on page 7
Columnists and Contributing Writers
Tammy Awtry, Bill Bellen, Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Elizabeth Cooper, Richard deRosa, Maria Griswold, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Roberta McLain, Debra Moffitt, Trisha Muro, Wriley Nelson, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester
HAw THORn HILL jOuRnAL RICHARD DEROSA
by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
160 YEARS AGO
Concert—A concert of vocal and instrumental music will be given by Les Brimmer’s band of Minstrels at Bowne Hall, on Saturday evening next. Those who like good music and would “laugh and grow fat,” will of course be on hand. The leader is known as the great Banjo player of the country; his company comprises five performers.
Soda—The soda fountain at the Iron Clad is in full play, furnishing the best drink for hot weather. A great triumph in the Strawberry line was achieved on Monday last when Mr. W.H. Collins of “Lakelands” sent to this office a basket of “Triomphe de Gands,” There were only 40 berries and yet they filled a quart measure heaping full. In flavor they are not excelled by any other berry.
July 13, 1866
135 YEARS AGO
Baseball—The Worcester team was the opponent of the Athletics in their second game, played last Saturday. And now the Richfield boys and Worcesters can hold a mutual meeting of sympathy, for again were the Athletics victorious. When the Worcester team arrived in town, it was observed that in some unaccountable manner, Baldwin and Van Wie, battery if the Schenevus team, and also Ennis, third baseman of the same team, had become mixed in with the Worcester players – so the general opinion prevailed that our boys would have to “play ball.” The game was entirely free from all “kicking” and was very pleasantly played, the Athletics winning 10-2 by good hard hitting, Giles excelling at the bat. A request we are asked to lay before those who attend the baseball games: Do not address any remarks to the players while the game is in progress – they should hear only the voices of their captains.
July 16, 1891
110 YEARS AGO
New provisions of the Election Law—The colors for the ballots to be used by the different parties at the primary elections this fall have been designated by the Secretary of State. They will be as follows: Republican—Cherry; Democrat—Light Green; Independence League—Canary; American Party— Terra Cotta; Prohibition—Mandarin; National Progressive—Light Blue; Socialist—Buff. July 19, 1916
85 YEARS AGO
Dr. Tidmarsh, conductor of the Cooperstown Community Sings has added a number of new songs to the list of favorites which were used for the sings last year. These are the new songs: “There’ll Always Be An England,” “My Sister and I” (a song of two refugee children), “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “The Erie Canal,” “Vesper Hymn,” “Prayer of Thanksgiving,” “In the Good Old Summertime,” and “Keep on Hopin’.”
July 16, 1941
35 YEARS AGO
A long-lost historic marker was returned to its home Tuesday and rededicated. The sign which marks the site of j ames Fenimore Cooper’s Otsego Hall on the Indian Hunter statue from 1897 to 1940 was discovered last winter in the attic of the village office building by village trustee Hugh MacDougall. MacDougall also serves as Secretary of the j ames Fenimore Cooper Society. The sign was evidently removed and put in storage in 1940 when the Indian Hunter statue was moved from the Cooper Grounds to Lakefront Park to make way for the statue of j ames Fenimore Cooper. After MacDougall rediscovered the plaque, Tom Heitz, Librarian at the Hall of Fame’s National Baseball Library and MacDougall had the sign completely renovated and mounted on the base of the statue of j ames Fenimore Cooper with assistance from the Leatherstocking Corporation.
July 10, 1991
news from the noteworthy
Discovering the Magic of Glimmerglass
The Glimmerglass Festival officially opened its 2026 season this past weekend with one of the most memorable opening nights in recent memory—hard to imagine, given the success of last season’s 50th anniversary celebrations!
The evening began with a sold-out Festival Dinner featuring a lively conversation with “Oklahoma!” Director and Artistic and General Director Emerita Francesca Zambello. We then took to the front of the Alice Busch Opera Theater to unveil our 50th Anniversary Campaign donor wall—a stunning new addition to our theater—followed by a festive brass fanfare and champagne toast. Before the curtain went up, the Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra led a touching rendition of “America the Beautiful” with a packed theater singing along. The energy throughout the weekend was a powerful reminder that
Glimmerglass is much more than a theater—it is a destination where world-class artistry and community come together.
Audiences travel here from around the world for an intimate experience with internationallyacclaimed artists performing opera and musical theater in one of America’s most beautiful settings. Yet what makes Glimmerglass truly
Continued on page 9
By MERL REAGLE
Altar’d States…
Photo by Kayleen Bertrand/The Glimmerglass Festival the glimmerglass festival kicked off the 2026 season with its production of “oklahoma!”, directed by francesca Zambello.
Ionce made a pilgrimage to Pamplona, the setting for Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises.” The fiesta of San Fermin had just begun and people roamed the streets, dancing with strangers.
There was a girl from Paris, Nicole, staying at my pension. I was attracted to her because she looked like Ava Gardner. A crowd of us from the pension were eating at an outdoor cafe when a bullfighter, Jose Manuel Tinin, sent someone to invite Nicole to join him at his table and she dragged me along.
An Imposter in Pamplona
Here I was, a kid from Brooklyn, in Pamplona sitting with a matador, his entourage and a beautiful woman. In spite of the high spirits, I was feeling a bit insignificant seated across from this rooster Tinin. Maybe it was the rivalry for Nicole or the macho atmosphere, but something brought out the bravado in me and I declared that the next morning I would run in the street before the bulls, carrying Nicole’s shoe, as was the custom. Let’s see the matador top that, I thought. “Ooo la,” Nicole sang.
Later in the afternoon, the arena was full. Tinin was in the ring and, unfortunately, having a good day. A fever of enthusiasm mounted as the bull lowered his head. Then the audience went into a song that had the same melody as “My mother gave me a nickel to buy a pickle.” Finally the bull bit the dust. I wondered, would Ernest say the bull was destroyed or defeated? Tinin was awarded an ear for his efforts. He looked up at Nicole as he paraded below our seats.
Back at the pension, Nicole and the rest of the Frenchies at my table were teasing me about America’s former first lady “disgracefully” cavorting with Aristotle Onassis. At that time, Franco-American relations weren’t that good because Charles De Gaulle was kicking our soldiers out of France. I felt slighted by the Frenchies’ sophisticated air and, to get even, I told them that in response we were sending back the Statue of Liberty—and they believed me. Later, I joined them in the festive activities for the evening, which evolved into cafe hopping late into the night. I worried that the lack of sleep would
And then there were three.
Hi, I’m Tammy, the final member of your new “Citizen Science” team. I’m here to transport you from Trisha’s Tour of the Universe to something closer to home: your heart.
During an average lifetime, the human heart will beat around 3 billion times. Each beat pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste and carbon dioxide. The functioning of our hearts is so important that at almost every healthcare visit, a medical professional will measure our blood pressure, listen to our heart, or check our pulse. While these indicate how well the heart itself is working, there is another value that tells the story of how an entirely different part of our body is faring. For this value, we shift our focus from the heartbeats themselves to the spaces between.
slow me down the next morning—but then, Papa partied hard in Pamplona. By the time we headed back to the pension, it was almost daylight. Nicole kissed me when we got to her room. Then she put her arm around me and slipped off her sandal and pressed it to my heart before she disappeared behind her door.
A cannon blast announced the beginning of the run. It would take a while for the bulls to make their way through the narrow street to the
arena. I said goodbye to Nicole and climbed over the fence. At first the braver men stood pat, waiting for the sight of horns. I hung in there, knowing that’s what Hemingway would have done. Then a wave of runners came at us. The bulls were close behind. I began to run with the others but there were so many in the narrow street that we were bottled up when the first angry bull, eyes wild, came through like a black bowling ball. Another bull charged by, focused on a Basque’s back. It lowered its head, hooked into the man as he screamed in pain and tossed him into the air.
I knew there were four more bulls coming. My head was throbbing from a night of drinking and lack of sleep, and I felt like I was next in line to be gored. With buildings on both sides there was no escape. I thought of throwing away Nicole’s sandal—Tinin the bullfighter could have her.
What would Ernest say if I bailed out now? Maybe I didn’t want him for a hero anymore. “The Great Gatsby” was one of my favorite books. Maybe Fitzgerald would be my hero. I braced myself for the thrust of an angry horn. There were three stocky Basques standing in a doorway. I tackled the men and drove them into a hall. They took the assault good-naturedly but picked me up and tossed me out into the street again as two more bulls rushed by. I scrambled down the street, managing to elude the last two bulls and then the run was over.
That evening at the pension I was a hero, the only one there who had run with the bulls. Nicole kept tugging at my red bandana and planting wet kisses on my cheeks. “My mozer gave me a Nicole!” she sang. There was no mention of the bullfighter Tinin. I didn’t tell them that I thought of throwing away the sandal—and Ernest. I was ashamed for having wavered from my role as a hero, but even Hemingway must have wanted to quit being Hemingway long before he succeeded.
Terry Berkson’s articles have appeared in “New York” magazine, “Automobile” magazine and many others. Reviews on his criticallypraised memoir, “Corvette Odyssey,” can be found on TerryBerkson.com.
The Tale the Heart Tells
Each heartbeat is affected by the balance between the two systems, making HRV a good indicator of ANS responsiveness and how well our bodies balance stress and rest.
Heart rate variability, or HRV, is the difference in time between heartbeats. Although we might assume our hearts beat steadily like a metronome, they don’t. The subtle “chaos” in timing gives us clues as to how well our autonomic nervous system is working.
Breaking Down the ANS
The ANS controls the automatic functions of our bodies, like breathing and our heart beating. It is always working, even when we’re sleeping.
There are two parts to the ANS: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic system is responsible for our fight-or-flight response. When we are stressed or in danger, it acts as a gas pedal. Adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, and our heart rate and breathing increase to deliver more oxygen to our brains and muscles, keeping us alert and ready to respond.
On the other hand, the parasympathetic system acts like the brakes, shifting the body into a restand-digest mode. Heart rate and breathing slow. Bodily functions, such as digestion, that stopped while the sympathetic system was in charge, resume. Everything downshifts.
The calming parasympathetic system slows heart rate, stretching the time between each beat. This allows for more variability between beats and results in a higher HRV.
The sympathetic system revs up the heart rate, making the beats come faster and closer together. This decreases HRV.
Higher HRV is a sign that the body is nimble and ready to rapidly respond and adapt. Lower HRV may signal stress, fatigue, illness or that the body is struggling in other ways.
What Affects HRV?
A lot, actually.
Some things we can’t control, like age, sex and genetics.
But other things under our control can nudge our HRV higher. For instance:
Focused breathwork: Controlling our breath is one of the most powerful ways to calm our nervous system and increase HRV. This is done, in a large part, by stimulating the vagal nerves, which are the main nerves of the parasympathetic system. Through our breath, we give the parasympathetic system the reins. There are several different ways to practice focused breathwork. Here are a few:
1. Make your exhale longer than your inhale.
2. Practice steady, rhythmic breathing of five to six breaths/minute.
3. Box breathing: Inhale four counts. Hold for four counts. Exhale four counts. Hold for four counts. (The counts can be increased or decreased; just keep them the same for the pattern.)
4. Breathing with sound: Humming or making a sound like “Om” on the exhale deepens the calming effect of the breath.
Sleep: During sleep and periods of restfulness, the parasympathetic system is in charge.
Improving cardiovascular fitness: Keep in mind that overtraining or failing to allow adequate recovery time decreases HRV.
Hydration: Dehydration strains the heart and decreases HRV.
Measuring HRV
The easiest way to track HRV is with wearable devices like Apple or Garmin watches or the Oura Ring. Medical professionals can measure HRV using an electrocardiogram, but they rarely do. HRV is highly individualistic (values can range from 20 to 200 milliseconds) and changes based on factors like stress, sleep, illness, and exercise. A single reading is not an actionable number for doctors. A low HRV could simply mean medical visits are stressful or that you had a bad night’s sleep.
A more valuable measure is HRV trend over time. A gradual increase or decrease reveals how well your body is balancing stress and recovery, and if changes are needed to support your health. Whether or not you choose to track HRV is a personal decision. Some people like to see how sleep, exercise or stress affects the body. Others don’t. Either way, the habits that improve HRV can help you feel better and calmer, whether you follow the numbers or not.
Tammy Awtry, PhD, is a science communicator and writer specializing in neuroscience, chemistry, and biology. She has loved science for as long as she can remember and enjoys letting curiosity guide her explorations of the world.
Photo by Emille Audie
Ava Gardner lookalike Nicole, Terry Berkson and friends in Pamplona, Spain.
Photo by Terry Berkson
A bota bag, or wineskin, and the scarf worn by Terry Berkson during his Running of the Bulls.
CITIzEN SCIENCE TAmmY
Graphic provided
Examples of HRV trends measured by an Oura Ring (left) and Apple watch (right).
Lake and its watershed. These communities were awarded $503,456.00 on March 25, 2025 (CFA Number 129336) to develop and propose for adoption “The Nine Element Watershed Management Plan.” A plan such as this would have a profound positive outcome for protecting a major drinking water supply, fish and wildlife resources, scenic historic values of state and national significance, and guide economically sustainable land-use options for this important community asset. This initiate predates the Manocherian sketch plan submittals, too.
Joseph Homburger Cooperstown
Rebutting Mr. Homburger
Mr. Homburger raises important questions about protecting Otsego Lake in his “Partial Observer” column published July 2, 2026 [“Manocherian Plan Is Neither Financially Sound Nor Sustainable”] but his conclusion that the Manocherian proposal should simply be precluded is not supported by the planning process or the facts. Everyone agrees that Otsego Lake is an extraordinary resource and that protecting our drinking water must remain a priority. Fortunately, New York has a rigorous environmental review process specifically designed to determine whether a project can proceed without causing unacceptable impacts. Through SEQRA, the proposal will undergo extensive review of groundwater, stormwater, wetlands, wildlife, traffic, and cumulative environmental effects. If studies identify problems, the Town of Springfield and Town of Otsego planning boards have the authority to require changes, impose conditions, or deny the project. That review should be allowed to proceed based on science and engineering rather than assumptions.
The proposal should also be viewed in the context of one of our region’s greatest challenges: housing. Otsego County has repeatedly identified the lack of housing as a major obstacle to attracting healthcare workers, teachers, young families, tourism employees and other members of our workforce. Local employers continue to struggle with recruitment because housing options are limited and increasingly unaffordable.
Projects of this scale are uncommon because very few landowners possess both the acreage and the financial resources necessary to undertake such a significant investment. If every proposal involving large parcels is discouraged before the environmental review is complete, we should not be surprised when housing shortages continue for another generation.
The suggestion that the property owner may simply be seeking approvals to increase the value of the land is speculative and should not influence public policy. Planning boards are charged with evaluating whether a proposal complies with applicable regulations and whether environmental impacts can be adequately addressed—not speculating about an applicant’s future business decisions.
Finally, it is difficult to reconcile calls for a moratorium on large subdivisions with the town’s own comprehensive plan, which recognizes the need for additional housing. Responsible growth and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. Our planning process exists to balance both objectives.
Rather than prejudging this proposal, we should allow the established review process to determine whether it can meet New York’s rigorous environmental standards while helping address one of our community’s most pressing needs.
William Miller Springfield
Main Point Not Challenged
What a pleasure to read replies from Jill Holbrook and Nicole Dillingham to my July 2 “Partial Observer” submission titled “A House Divided Cannot Stand.” Thank you both for reading my opinions, giving them your attention and taking the time to reply.
My takeaway, however, is that we see the events of our time very differently. While Jill compared Trump to King George with creativity and multiple references, Nicole made a strong case for the importance of viewing ourselves not as a house, but rather as a “village” with room for many points of view.
While my goal was to invite conversation, neither Jill nor Nicole seemed to challenge my main point, which was that our partisan disdain for Trump is causing us to ignore the “real issues,” many of which I specifically described in the July 2 edition.
As an aside, I continue to wonder if anyone in Cooperstown agrees with anything I wrote.
Families First Housing Act, designed to prevent Wall Street investors from bulk buying single-family homes. He backed measures to lower housing costs, protect rural housing and cut red tape for developers.
Josh introduced the Keep the Lights Local Act to ban the foreign ownership of utilities. He spoke eloquently on behalf of his constituents at the Public Service Commission hearing in Oneonta against a proposed rate hike by NYSEG, which is foreign owned. He investigated the billing practices of Upstate utility companies. When they attempted to raise rates, he took them to court. It was the first time a member of Congress has ever stepped into a rate case to stop a utility from hiking prices.
For more information: https://riley.house. gov/priorities/. Please support Josh Riley on Election Day!
Rosas Oneonta
SCHILLER HONORED: Madeline Schiller ’27 of New Lisbon has been honored by Hartwick College with the Edith M. Lacey Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The award, presented during the April 29 Honors Convocation, memorializes Edith M. Lacey, founder of Hartwick’s nursing program and its director for nearly 18 years. It is given to a junior nursing student who demonstrates academic achievement, promise as a future nurse, strong personal deportment, and other outstanding characteristics. Schiller also received the Gladys Brooks Nursing Scholarship, awarded to students enrolled in Hartwick’s Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program or the 18-month Accelerated Program. Recipients are selected based on educational achievement, leadership, and academic ability.
DEAN’S DESIGNEES: The University of Maryland Global Campus has named more than 20,000 students to its Dean’s List for the spring 2026 term. To qualify, students must complete at least six credits during the semester, earn a term GPA of 3.5 or higher, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. Local students honored include Dillon Bennett of Oneonta and Adrian Anderson of Sidney. UMGC, founded more than 75 years ago to serve working adults and military servicemembers, is now the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland, offering more than 100 degrees and certificates through online, hybrid, and global learning locations.
Waldo C.M. Johnston Jr. Cooperstown and Vero Beach,
Florida
Another Vote for Josh Riley
Josh Riley has represented us admirably in the 19th Congressional District for two years. I was listening to a national news channel and the reporter said, “I talked to a representative of Upstate New York, Josh Riley, who had worked on the bipartisan Housing Bill.” The one the president refused to sign at the very last minute. Often the dayto-day workings of our representatives don’t make news; especially if the representative is from the minority party.
Here are a few highlights of Riley’s work. He helped draft sections of the bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act passed by the House and Senate. Riley authored key provisions, including the
Marilyn
After a Near-Tragedy, the Tahoe Titans Get Ready to Take the Field
By DEBRA MOFFiTT ONEONTA
When the Tahoe Titans arrive here to play ball next week, they will have traveled farther than any other team. it’s not just the 2,700 miles. The 12 kids from Truckee, a small mountain town in California, journeyed through a near-tragedy to get to Otsego County.
On February 7, a man rammed his truck into a group of boys and parents as they stood at a folding table outside a Safeway where they were raising funds for their summer trip to Cooperstown All Star Village.
Asking for community donations outside a grocery store on a Saturday was a way to give the kids some ownership in an expensive trip across the country, said Bree Waters, the team’s manager and mom of an 11-year-old player. For a donation, the boys offered bags of beef jerky and raised more than $2,000.00 in a few hours.
Prior to the crash, the driver of the truck approached the table, grumbled something and put out a cigarette on one of the team’s posters, witnesses said. Later, his white truck hit them from behind and pushed players and their parents through a grocery store wall, injuring some and traumatizing all.
with, Waters said. After the attack on February 7, the team rallied around the idea that you can choose how to respond after something terrible happens.
“We have to get back up and keep moving forward. Otherwise, they win,” Waters said. “So we kept showing up and we kept playing…and now we’re going to Cooperstown.”
A GoFundMe campaign raised more than $90,000.00.
“We wanted to tell this town we heard them loud and clear,” she said.
The full team of 12 players and their parents are coming to All Star Village for Week 10, which kicks off Thursday, July 23. Before leaving for New York State, the anticipation was building for the Titans.
Festival
Continued from page 5
unforgettable is that the experience extends far beyond the stage. For six weeks each summer, our campus comes alive with music, conversation, celebration and discovery, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the performing arts.
As we move into the heart of a season inspired by the great and varied American experience, there is still plenty to discover. Whether you’re seeing your first performance or returning for another unforgettable evening, a visit to Glimmerglass is about more than the show itself. Our lakeside campus inspires you to explore all we have to offer with friends new and old from across the country and around the world. Take a peek behind the scenes with our free Backstage Tours and production Changeover Talks on Saturdays, and dive deeper into the music with our Preview Talks an hour before each mainstage performance.
if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to visit (but really, why wait?), our closing weekend offers one of the most exciting times of the season. On Friday, August 14, following the evening performance of “Madame Butterfly,” Glimmerglass After Hours will transform our campus into a
One of the player’s mothers was on crutches when she attended a court hearing for the driver, who has since been charged in Nevada County with eight counts of attempted murder.
The kids recounted the vehicle attack in local news interviews, describing the sound of the crash and saying they felt like brothers. They stretched for words like
One player’s younger brother suffered a broken arm, while several others sustained injuries in the crash. Among them was a mother who suffered head, neck and back injuries. But the injured were able to leave the hospital that night, Waters said. it was just like a miracle,” she said.
lively late-night party complete with food trucks, a silent disco, outdoor gathering spaces and a cash bar. Whether you’ve just left the theater or simply want to enjoy a summer evening under the stars, it’s a fun, free way to experience the festival in a completely different light.
Then, on Saturday, August 15, join us for our Summer Send-Off, a relaxed community picnic open to all, featuring dinner from Brooks’ House of BarB-Q, lawn games, live music and an opportunity to celebrate another remarkable season together. Tickets are just $20.00, with proceeds supporting the festival’s artistic and educational programs, making it a wonderful way to enjoy
“resilience” much sooner than a Little Leaguer should have to.
Their emotional recovery has taken time. Parents struggled to explain to their sons why terrible things happen.
“The kids are getting through it. You can’t explain it,” Waters said. “The whole town came out to support us. it was amazing.”
Feeling that boost from the community, the parents decided they would respond with strength and not let a senseless act define their team, she said. The players had, after all, been training all winter
a summer tradition while investing in the future of Glimmerglass. These celebrations capture what makes The Glimmerglass Festival so distinctive. We are home to productions of the highest artistic caliber, but we are also a place where people gather, reconnect and create lasting memories. Whether you come for “Oklahoma!,” “Madame Butterfly,” “Così,” “Fellow Travelers” or one of our end-ofseason festivities, you’ll discover that the magic of Glimmerglass lives across our campus, throughout our community and in every shared summer experience. Robert Ainsley is artistic and general director of The Glimmerglass Festival.
though they play other sports and ski.
The trip was in the planning stages for a year. Waters remembers Coach Marshall Grant telling her, “i have this dream of taking our boys to Cooperstown.”
Their local Little League draws from a small pool of kids and has been often outmatched during their annual trip to Reno for All-Stars, Waters said.
To have a team that could compete better, they set and kept a commitment to train regularly. They put together a team made of kids who love
baseball and of parents who get along—families you’d be willing to travel cross-country
“We’re pretty excited,” Waters said. “it’s starting to set in for all of us. it’s like, oh my gosh, it’s happening.”
Bassett Convenient Care is here for
For strains, sprains, pains, or other minor illness or injuries, Bassett Convenient Care can help you get back on your feet faster. Monday – Friday 8 AM – 7 PM Saturday & Sunday 9 AM – 4 PM
Photo courtesy of Bree Waters
The Tahoe Titans of Truckee, California persevered in their goal to play at Cooperstown All Star Village. They will arrive next week for a tournament that starts July 23.
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF CALLBACK AUDIO, LLC.
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on May 17, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 20 Gardner Pl., Apt. 98, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.16
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
JEM NY PROPERTIES LLC.
Filed 5/6/26. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Emily Ponte, P.O. Box 452, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.
Purpose: General.
6LegalJul.16
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF MARKSMAN PUBLISHING LLC
Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/24/26. 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.
6LegalJul.16
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF THE STONE APARTMENTS, LLC.
Filed with SSNY on 04/20/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 99 WASHINGTON AVE., STE. 700, ALBANY, NY 12260. Purpose: Any Lawful 6LegalJul.16
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Lena’s Talents LLC.
Articles of Organization were filed
with the SSNY on May 6, 2026. Location: Otsego County. SSNY is the Designated Agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 1085 Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Purpose: Any lawful activity.
6LegalJul.16
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ANCHOR CREST LLC
Arts of Org. filed with SSNY on 5/26/2026. Office: Otsego County.
SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served & shall mail to: Anchor Crest LLC, P.O. Box 420, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.
Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.23
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
The Ordinariest Company, LLC.
Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York on May 26, 2026.
The office of the LLC is located in Otsego County, New York.
The Secretary of State of the State of New York 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 to: The Ordinariest Company, LLC 438 YMCA Rd., West Oneonta, NY 13861
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of New York. 6LegalJul.23
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Wild Wash N’ Wiggle LLC
Arts. Of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/15/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 910 County Highway 34, Schenevus, NY 12155.
Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.30
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
ODESSA ESTATE HOLDINGS & CO LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State on 04/08/2026. 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 post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: 525 COUNTY HIGHWAY 7, OTEGO, NY, 13825. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the law.
6LegalJul.30
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LOCAL AFFAIRS LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 16, 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 Nikolai Vinokurov, 629A St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalAug.6
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LLC ABX Ninjas LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/15/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 575 Evening Inn Road, Oneonta, New York 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalAug.6
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LEJ EVENT RENTAL, LLC.
Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New
LEGALS
York on March 28, 2026 as Selfie Sticker Station LLC. The amendment to change the name to LEJ Event Rental LLC was filed in April and accepted May 14, 2026. The office of the LLC is located in Otsego County, New York.
The Secretary of State of the State of New York 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 to: LEJ Event Rental, LLC, 352 Main St., #1204, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of New York.
6LegalAug.6
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF GHO KINGPIN, LLC
Arts. of Org. filed with Dept. of State of NY on June 24, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 100 Woodbine Road, Delmar, New York 12054. LLC does not have a specific date of dissolution. Purpose: All legal purposes. Filer: O’Connell & Aronowitz, P.C., Latham, NY 12110.
6LegalAug.6
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SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF OTSEGO
GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GV TRUST 2025-1, Plaintiff, -against-
EDWARD J. DOMION, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; KRISTINE MARIE DOMION A/K/A KRISTINE MARIE MONDORE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; CANDICE J. DOMION, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; BRYAN KENNETH GARNER A/K/A
BRYAN KENNETH GARNER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; CHLOE MELISSA DOMION A/K/A CHLOE MELLISA FARAH STABILE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXT-OF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, BENEFICIARIES, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS AND PARTIES HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECEDENT ROSALIE SHIPMAN, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (NORTHERN DISTRICT); FRED R. GILLETTE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10” inclusive, the names of the ten last name Defendants being fictitious, real names unknown to the Plaintiff, the parties intended being persons or corporations having an interest in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants
Index No. EF2026-153
Plaintiff Designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject premises is situated in Otsego County.
To the above named 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 upon the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the date of service or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you
within the State of New York. If you fail to so appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated June 22, 2026.
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 the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GV TRUST 2025-1) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Brian D. Burns J.S.C. Dated: June 22, 2026
Filed: June 22, 2026.
The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 180 Hyder Road, Richfield Springs, NY 13439
Dated: February 19, 2026 Filed: February 24, 2026
Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Jordan J. Manfro, Esq., 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591 Phone: (914) 3453020 4LegalJul.30
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY: S2KIDS LLC
Articles of organization filing date
with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1/13/2014. Certificate of Change filing date: 6/10/2026.
Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy of process to 192 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
6LegalAug.13
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF TOWNSHEND BAY 1291, LLC (“LLC”)
Arts. of Org. of filed with Dept. of State of NY on June 23, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 122 Mill Road, Cooperstown, New York 13326, principal business address. LLC does not have a specific date of dissolution. Purpose: All legal purposes. Filer: O’Connell & Aronowitz, P.C., Latham, NY 12110.
6LegalAug.20
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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A+ PLUMBING AND HVAC, LLC.
Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 06/24/2026. 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 to: The LLC, 470 Co. Hwy. 5, Otego, NY 13825. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
6LegalAug.20
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LEGAL NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE PUBLIC SALE
Notice is hereby given Under Section 182 New York State Lien Law that the undersigned will sell at Online Public Auction per order of North Street Storage, 14 North Street Oneonta, NY 13820 at www.bid13.com on July 30, 2026. The sale of such property, described as contents of storage unit, is to
satisfy the lien of North Street Storage on personal property stored for the account of:
Unit # 54 - Tanya Baldo
2LegalJul.23
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Official Results for the June 23, 2026 Democratic & Republican Primary Elections *******
DEMOCRATIC NEW YORK STATE Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli 1,235 Drew Warshaw 270 Raj Goyle 195
Member of Assembly, District 102
Thomas Boomhower 179 Janet S. Tweed 399 Mary T. Finneran 124
REPUBLICAN
FEDERAL Representative in Congress, District 19
Peter K. Oberacker 2,311 Alexander M. Portelli 606 NEW YORK STATE State Senate, District 51 Terry Bernardo 1,412 Christopher W. Tague 1,434
Member of Assembly, District 118
Heather A. Scribner 92
Charles Potter 24 Chanda King 31
OTSEGO COUNTY
Sheriff Mike Stalter 1,578
Richard J. Devlin Jr. 1,388 PLAINFIELD Superintendent of Highways Eric Fletcher 22 Chad Hazekamp 24 RICHFIELD Town Justice Michael L. Marmet 93 Matt Proctor 65
Otsego County Board of Elections 140 Co. Hwy. 33W, Ste. 2 Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-4247 boe@otsegocountyny.gov vote.otsegocountyny.gov 1LegalJul.16 LegaL nOtice
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF PEE PAW PAINTING LLC, filed with the NY Secretary of State on July 7, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the
LLC upon whom process against it may served and shall mail process to 211 Oxbow Road, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
6LegalAug.20
LegaL nOtice
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION TO FINANCE WATER SYSTEM UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM VILLAGE OF MILFORD, NEW YORK
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a regular meeting held on July 8, 2026, the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Milford, New York (the “Village”) duly adopted a resolution, an abstract of which follows, which resolution is subject to permissive referendum. If a permissive referendum is sought, the petition requesting a permissive referendum must be filed with the Village Clerk within 30 days from adoption of the resolution. The purpose of the resolution is to authorize the Village to finance upgrades and improvements needed to the Village water system, including repairs to the water storage tank, replacement of certain water mains, replacement of water meters and installation of stand-by power. The Village will be seeking assistance through the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC). The Note shall not exceed the principal amount of $2,093,500 and shall be financed for a period not to exceed forty (40) years. A copy of the resolution is on file with the Village Clerk. The Village Board of Trustees found that based on the alternatives available to it, pursuing financing to make the necessary improvements to the water system is in the best interest of the Village. The Village Board of Trustees considered the State Environmental Quality Review Act and found that the financing is a Type 2 action and will not have a negative impact on the environment. All documents relating to the proposed financing are on file with the Village Clerk.
Dated: July 9, 2026
Milford, NY
By Order
Cooperstown Orchestra To Celebrate Its Fifth Anniversary
It is always gratifying to hear that any artistic ensemble goes beyond its accustomed excellence to produce a concert that far and away exceeds anything previously heard. Such is the case of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra at the close of its fourth season!
Thomas Wolf, chair of the FCO Board of Directors, ruminated that the orchestra was founded during the pandemic and was a dream for the future. Well, the future never really arrives, but Fenimore Chamber Orchestra has gone beyond the dream state to become an orchestra with which to reckon and has woven itself into the fabric of Cooperstown cultural life as well as that of the surrounding areas.
From the first notes of the Prelúdio to Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 by Villa-Lobos, one knew everyone was in for something different. Originally written for piano solo, the brooding “sober lyrical melody” began quietly, as it rarely is, and grew to proportions that made the ensemble sound twice as large before returning to a well-calculated and quiet ending. Short as the piece is, it is a tour-de-
Aging
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dents to gauge changes within the senior population.
On the operational end, OFA staff continue to do their duty serving the people who need them most. Otsego County resident Christopher Banner shared his experience with the OFA and his admiration for his caseworker.
“I was scammed heavily. I lost everything,” Banner recounted, adding that his caseworker helped him gain access to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. When asked about his relationship with his caseworker and the bond built between them, Banner said, “She’s been so compassionate and so helpful in every way that she can…I’ve only got good things to say about her.”
Harasimowicz shared a similar degree of fondness for the caseworker side of affairs.
“I do not have to worry about monotony because no day in the office is exactly the same,” Harasimowicz remarked. “Our office does a great job of seeing the people we help as just that—people…Empathy, honesty and a little bit of humor go a long way to building a positive relationship with the people we serve.”
Moving Forward
Despite persisting concerns regarding funding and workforce headcount, the Otsego County Office for the Aging continues to be dedicated to enriching the lives of the county’s seniors. Laid out in the
Otsego County 2026
Strategic Plan are five priority outcomes the OFA has for the year ahead. These goals reflect the differing needs of individuals in the county— from sustaining services to help residents “age in place” and avoid nursing homes, to increasing the transportation capacity for immobile residents by 15 percent.
Arguably the most important among these outcomes is the drive to increase public visibility and awareness of the OFA itself.
“We’ve been around for over 50 years providing services and yet most people don’t even know we exist,” Reed stated.
Reed continued, saying seniors and their caregivers often do not think to reach out to the office until they are in crisis, making managing the problem much more challenging. She spoke to the value of preemptive efforts to prevent these potential crises, such as utilizing the housing modification fund and familiarizing people with the area agency network at a younger age.
Ultimately, Reed said the largest obstacle facing this effort is a persistent stigma against aging— something she and her staff hope to change.
“We have people at our events that walk by [and say,] ‘Oh, I don’t need you yet.’ And they’re in their 70s, right? So there’s just this real stigma associated with aging and, unfortunately, the worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand.”
Reed said she hopes earlier education on aging, even perhaps within the school system,
force for an orchestra and shows what great direction can accomplish.
Stephen Lias’ “Concerto for Chamber Orchestra” was the most anticipated piece of the afternoon; a world premiere of a work commissioned by Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. Stephen Lias, a Texas-based “adventurer composer,” has had his works performed world-wide and is inspired by the wilderness. He serves as Composer in Residence at numerous national parks.
“Concerto for Chamber Orchestra” does not have a programmatic theme as such, although thematic metaphors provide kind of a map for the listener. The work itself is an ingenious evocation for the musical cues offered in the program. The composer has provided a work that does not condescend to his audience. Rather, he creates a gorgeous sound world that flows with inspired melody one thought to be lost in the current mêlée of mediocre composition. We look forward to hearing the piece again.
Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor ended the concert. Mozart composed something for a
may shift public perception toward one of acceptance and preparedness rather than defensive self-reliance. To promote this new lens, the OFA is continuing to expand its outreach, partnering with doctors and hosting events at local libraries in order to ensure people are aware of what it has to offer.
When asked for a final comment, Reed said, “Call us sooner. Don’t be afraid to reach out.”
The OFA’s next major event is its annual senior picnic at Glimmerglass State Park, featuring a vendor fair, music, bingo and more. The picnic is scheduled for September 9, with a reservation and $9.00 admission payment required by Wednesday, August 26. More information is available on the Otsego County OFA Facebook page, or by calling the office at (607) 547-4232.
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care.org/compassionatecare-award/,” officials urged.
The deadline for completed nominations is Friday, August 28.
Those wishing to join in the celebration can purchase tickets soon for the “Oneonta’s Got Soul” Benefit Concert, presented by Country Club Auto Group—“just $20.00 to enjoy a great concert, celebrate the Dr. Matsuo award winner and bid on unique items at the silent auction.”
All proceeds benefit Helios Care patients and their families. To learn more, visit https://helioscare. org/fundraising-events/.
truly virtuoso orchestra; not easily played and not easily to be heard, either. Apparently, many new faces which peppered the orchestra, that one hopes will return, had much to do with the elegance and imperious performance. From the opening Molto allegro of the first movement to the, again, virtuoso Allegro assai (and it was definitely assai) of the final movement, this orchestra played like the noble ensemble it has become.
This writer must say again that Maestro Maciej Żółtowski, FCO artistic director, applies his wizard-like ability to create a sound world that is absolutely beguiling and authoritative in any style. Under his aegis, this orchestra has become truly first rate in the entire upstate region of New York. Considering the prolonged ovation at the end, the audience agreed! So, we look forward to the stunning fifth anniversary season of this beautiful orchestra.
T. Stephen Wager is a regular contributor to “The Freemans’ Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta.”
LOCALS
DEGREE BESTOWED: Dayane Dessources of Oneonta has graduated from Adelphi University, earning her degree as part of the university’s 130th Commencement held May 21 at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. The ceremony recognized both undergraduate and graduate students who completed their degree requirements during the academic year. Adelphi University, located in Garden City, is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university and enrolls students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
NEW PALTZ DEAN’S LIST: SUNY New Paltz has announced its Dean’s List for the spring 2026 semester, recognizing students who earned a 3.3 GPA or higher while completing a full-time course load. Local students honored were: Simon Hurysz and Andrew Mulligan, Cooperstown; Morgan Keuhn, Gilbertsville; Benjamin Agostino, Hartwick; Tess Clapper and William Bellen, Maryland; and Jack Edmonds, Hart Frable, and Brandon Gardner, Oneonta.
The job scene
Attention
Interviewing for: Advertising Sales Agent
Applicants are currently being sought for the position of advertising sales agent to represent
“The Freeman’s Journal,” “Hometown Oneonta” and “AllOtsego” media outlets. Required skills include: Excellent communication skills essential. • Driver’s license necessary Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience preferred but not necessary; will train the right candidate.
Please send cover letter and resume to info@allotsego.com, with “Sales Position” in the
One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Tailgate Bar
The Town of Exeter Highway Department earned statewide recognition this year for an innovation that’s as straightforward as it is important—a custom-built tailgate bar designed to keep workers safe during winter maintenance. Highway Superintendent Steven Baker submitted the project to New York State’s Build a Better Mousetrap Competition, where it received an honorable mention. The tool itself may be simple, but the story behind it reflects the kind of practical problem-solving that keeps small towns running.
Baker said the idea came after a moment that could have ended very differently.
“We identified a dangerous situation where workers were operating under a dump truck tailgate held up only by a piece of wood,” he explained. “The tailgate was bumped, the wood fell out and the tailgate slammed shut. No one was injured, but a safer solution was needed.”
The department’s garage has a low ceiling, which prevents crews from raising the dump box high enough for gravity to hold the tailgate open. That’s a challenge during winter, when the bed chain—the mechanism that moves sand forward while treating snowy roads—needs frequent attention. Baker said the team knew they had to rethink their approach.
“Our building just doesn’t give us the height we need,” he said. “So we had to come up with something that would let the guys work safely under the tailgate.”
Rather than purchasing new equipment, Baker looked to the scrap bins.
“Whenever a safety issue is identified, we work as a team to first see if we have a solution we can build or implement in-house before looking to spend money from an already tight budget,” he explained.
What they built was a sturdy metal bar made entirely from leftover materials: a heavy pipe that fits over the tailgate pin, paired with a used plow bolt that locks into the tailgate latches. Baker welded the pieces together in the town shop and painted the bar with leftover plow paint.
“The cost was basically zero,” he said.
Highway employees Ken Michel, TJ Wellman,
and Nate DiPietro helped test and refine the design. Their input led to one key improvement: adding a bungee cord to keep the bar from shifting.
“They can now work under the tailgate with confidence they won’t be hurt,” Baker said. “It was a simple solution to a dangerous situation.”
The tailgate bar has already improved daily workflow, allowing crews to service equipment without improvising supports or worrying about unexpected movement. Baker submitted the project to the statewide competition at the Highway School held at Ithaca College, hoping other towns might benefit.
“I wanted to share the idea with other municipalities that may face a similar problem,” he said.
In Exeter, the innovation stands as a reminder that safety doesn’t always come from a catalog— sometimes it comes from a scrap bin, a welder and a crew committed to protecting one another.
The New York State Local Technical Assistance Program is hosted by the Cornell Local Roads Program.
The NYSLTAP–CLRP Build a Better Mousetrap Competition is an annual statewide contest that celebrates inventive, cost-effective solutions created by New York’s highway and public works professionals to solve every day operational challenges. Entries are evaluated based on cost savings, ease of implementation, transferability to other agencies, and the significance of the problem solved. State winners advance to a national competition.
The New York State Local Technical Assistance Program and Cornell Local Roads Program provide technical assistance and training to highway and public works agencies throughout New York State.
City Watering Program Strengthens Care for Newly-planted Trees
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
ONEONTA
The City of Oneonta is reinforcing its commitment to urban forestry through a renewed Volunteer Tree Watering Program, an effort designed to help young trees survive their most vulnerable years. According to Public Works Director Chris Yacobucci, the program’s core goal is simple but essential: “to help ensure that the newly-planted trees (two years or less) survive the typically hotter/drier months of the year (May through September).”
Newly-planted trees
require consistent care as they establish root systems capable of supporting long-term growth. Volunteers water each tree once a week, using slow-release watering bags provided by the city.
“The bag allows the water to slowly seep into the soil, allowing maximum uptake by the tree,” Yacobucci explained.
This method ensures deep watering even when summer conditions are dry.
The city’s use of ArcGIS StoryMaps has modernized the program and made volunteer coordination easier. Via this platform, residents
can browse a map of eligible trees, select one to care for and track their weekly visits.
“It allows volunteers to select a tree that they would like to care for and allows them to manage and make notes on any observations they see during their weekly visits,” Yacobucci said.
Once a volunteer chooses a tree, they contact the city to confirm their selection. This prevents overlap and ensures each tree receives consistent care.
Training is straightforward: “Volunteers are instructed to fill the watering bags once a week. Volunteers are responsible for trans-
port of water to each location.”
The city supplies the watering bags and monitors progress through both the online platform and in-person checks performed by the city’s arborist, Steve Novellano.
Only trees planted within the last two years are included in the program.
“Trees in their first two years of planting are most vulnerable because they have to establish a root system that will support the tree in the long term,” Yacobucci explained.
After that, trees are considered established and no longer require
supplemental watering.
The renewed volunteer effort comes at a critical time. For years, watering was handled almost entirely by a single dedicated volunteer, former city arborist Fred Hathaway, who cared for roughly 50 trees annually and who has since retired.
“They had stopped their work roughly two years ago,” Yacobucci said. “In that time, tree watering had dropped off and only occurred when city crews were available.”
While the city did not lose trees during that period, staff recognized the need to restore consistent care.
“We determined that we really needed to get to watering trees again… not that we had lost any, just that we wanted to make sure we ensured the best success possible,” Yacobucci clarified. The revitalized program blends community involvement with practical stewardship, giving residents a direct role in shaping the city’s canopy for decades to come. To volunteer, report damaged trees or find out which newly-planted trees are located near your street, contact the Department of Public Works at dpsinfo@ oneonta.ny.us or call (607) 432-2100.
Community Foundation Announces $100K in Spring 2026 Awards
SPRINGFIELD
The Community Foundation of Otsego County recently announced its 2026 Spring Awards of $100,000.00, made in partnership with the Mildred Parish Foundation Fund at CFOC. These awards go to nonprofits in support of civics education, historic preservation and community service projects related to Otsego County history, officials said. Special consideration was given to projects focused on celebrating America250.
More than 20 nonprofits received awards, covering workshops and education programs in civic education, grave restoration, school programs, indigenous history, and research. The grants also support archival and genealogical services, including digitization of important documents, historic markers and monument care, exhibit and event support, and capital projects for historic buildings and sites. Awardees are spread across the county: The
Towns of Cherry Valley, Maryland, Milford, Morris, Richfield, and Westford; the Village of Cooperstown, the City of Oneonta, Pathfinder Village, Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta; and 16 other cultural and historic nonprofits across Otsego County. According to a press release, awards range from $1,000.00 to $10,000.00.
“We were very pleased to see the enthusiastic response to this awards round,” said Jeff Katz, CFOC executive director. Applications came from every part of Otsego County, from organizations of all sizes.”
Also during this time, the Otsego Lake Watershed Sustainability Fund made three grants totaling $20,000.00 to the Town of Springfield, the Otsego County Conservation Association and the SUNY Oneonta Foundation Corporation. The Advocates for Springfield Fund issued two grants to the Town of Springfield totaling $1,000.00 for the 4th of July Parade, and to
Concerted Works.
The next round of applications for the upcoming Fall 2026 Awards cycle will be announced in September.
In the meantime, the Greater Otego Library and Education Fund, the Martha and Paul Clarvoe Recycling Initiatives Fund, and the Dr. E. C.
Winsor Memorial Fund remain open for applications. For further infor-
mation visit cfotsego. org/funds-and-grants/.
Photo provided
Town of Exeter highway employees Ken Michel (back turned), TJ Wellman (center facing) and Nate DiPietro (in the background).
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Micucci, executive director of the GOHS.
“The marker is a great opportunity to bring more awareness to its central location and significant history.”
This marker—as well the one later unveiled at the U&D Depot—were both funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, an organization dedicated to financing historical marker placements for still-standing structures across New York.
The application process entailed extensive research into primary documents covering both topics, followed by coordination with the City of Oneonta’s Department of Public Works to choose a location best fit for the installation.
Despite ill-temper weather shortly beforehand, the unveiling of the Riverside Cemetery marker went off without a hitch. Micucci recounted that roughly 20 people attended the unveiling, with around 30 taking part in the walking tour of the cemetery led by GOHS Trustees Frank Antonucci, Bob Brzozowski and Art Torrey that followed shortly thereafter. The tour placed a special emphasis on the Revolutionary veterans buried at the site, paying them special homages in honor of America250.
Just a little over a week later at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 10, crowds gathered once more to view the unveiling of the second marker of the season at the historic U&D Depot, now home to the Depot Restaurant and Tavern.
Completed in 1900, this station served as the terminus point for the Ulster and Delaware Railroad. Passenger and freight trains began and ended their journeys to and from Kingston for decades from this depot. After weathering buyouts and mergers, passenger and mail services along what was now a branch of the New York Central line came to a close in 1954, followed by freight services in 1965. The Delaware-Otsego Line was formed by local resi-
dents of Oneonta after all service on the NYC line stopped, operating for a few years as a tribute line offering short excursion trips before also closing in 1971. The Depot Restaurant and Tavern took its place in the old terminus station in 1974, where it has remained since.
The marker at the Depot represents just the latest chapter in the GOHS’s efforts to raise awareness about the U&D’s corner of Oneonta’s past.
Bhanupratap Gaur, visitor services supervisor for the GOHS and curator of their latest special exhibit on the legacy of the U&D Railroad, was overjoyed that the historical society could continue its work covering the line’s history.
“I’m very glad we were able to exhibit the Ulster & Delaware at the Oneonta History Center and Museum the way we did, and that it can be followed up by recognizing this depot as part of a great, different aspect of Oneonta’s rich railroading history,” Gaur said.
Micucci also spoke fondly of the site, sharing that the Depot and its sister station on Market Street from the Delaware and Hudson Railroad stand as “a testament to Oneonta’s efforts to preserve our local history and historic buildings.” She also shared how grateful she was that the unveiling was “an opportunity to not only commemorate the U&D station and its history, but also celebrate the existing local business now housed in it.”
In total contrast to the prior unveiling, the weather presented a crowd of more than 30 onlookers with a pleasant sunny afternoon to enjoy alongside the unveiling. Micucci and Gaur both spoke at the event, offering a history of the station and many thank yous to all the people who helped bring together the research and resources needed to place the marker. Following the brief remarks, members of the crowd joined in for a visit inside the Depot, which Gaur said “is always a fun time!”
The next unveiling in the 2026 historical
marker series will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22 on Fair Street near Belmont Circle to commemorate the site of the Oneonta Fairgrounds.
Becky
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rate, noting that when they called, the customer service lines were “inundated with calls by concerned patrons of the store, all day.”
A GoFundMe, organized by Michelle Ryon, was launched to support Welsh following her termination. Donations and messages of encouragement quickly began appearing, many describing her as a beloved presence who made grocery shopping easier, friendlier and more human.
The affection for Welsh is not new. In December 2020, she was honored by the Cooperstown Police Department as part of its “Spread the Cheer” program. The department wrote: “Chief Cavalieri hand picked Becky because she is always so eager to help anyone in need and always has a positive attitude. Enjoy your gift card Becky and thank you for spreading cheer.”
The recognition echoed what many residents still say today; Welsh brightened people’s days simply by being herself. Stories of her kindness continue to surface. JoAnn Gardner shared a photo of Welsh with members of the Cooperstown boys soccer team, recalling how they once gave her flowers “for her kindness and support.”
Gardner added, “She made them all snack bags when they were headed to a post-season match. She’s the best.”
Others expressed how deeply Welsh’s absence will be felt. One widelyshared post read: “YOU are what made grocery shopping easy and enjoyable…You are what made us want to stop in for their overpriced goods. YOU were the face of self checkout. You are part of our family—we love you.”
Comments like this filled the “Celebrate Cooperstown” Facebook page on July 10, the day the news broke.
Another resident, Josh Morton, wrote a lengthy reflection describing Welsh as “a sweet and caring woman” who often shared homegrown vegetables, homemade chili, and stories that made people smile. Morton criticized the decision to pass what he believes was a “shrinkage” shortage on to Welsh upon termination, calling it “absolutely deplorable” and urging the community to voice its concerns.
“Ms. Becky was the face of Cooperstown Price Chopper and continues to be the heart of our town,” Morton wrote.
Despite the strong reactions, the exact reasons for Welsh’s termination remain unconfirmed. Without comment from Price Chopper, the community does not have a full picture of what led to the decision. However, New York is an “at-will employment” state, by which an employer may dismiss an employee for any reason and without warning, as long as the termination is not due to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or disability status. Welsh had not responded to inquiries by press time.
For now, residents are responding based on their own experiences, and those experiences paint a consistent portrait of someone who made a meaningful impact on the people around her.
What is clear is that Welsh will be missed. Her presence at the store was more than customer service; it was connection, kindness, and familiarity. In a small town, those qualities matter. And in this moment, community members are making it known that their beloved “Ms. Becky” does not face this difficult time alone.
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Continued from page 1 year, and has since accepted a position as the superintendent of Worcester Central School, Iorizzo said. John Evans was acting superintendent until June 30, filling in for Spross during her leave, and Ann Meccariello has taken over where Evans left off.
The position is now
in the process of being publicly posted; applications are expected to begin arriving within days. Iorizzo said the board plans to evaluate candidates through August, with hopes of making an appointment as soon as September. Depending on the selected candidate’s obligations to their current district, Cooperstown could see a new superintendent begin as early as this fall.
While the CCS Board of Education does not currently plan to hold formal community feedback sessions, Iorizzo emphasized that public input remains welcome.
“Hiring a superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to a board of education, and we take that responsibility seriously,” he said. “We understand the significance of this decision for our students, staff, families, and community, and we are committed to carrying out the search in a thoughtful, professional, and thorough manner.”
Iorizzo also acknowledged the leadership that has carried the district through the transition.
“I would like to thank Mr. Evans for stepping up to assist us while our former superintendent was on leave,” he said.
Iorizzo also expressed appreciation for Meccariello, who has helped guide the district during this period.
“They have both done admirable work to ensure we’ve maintained continuity of operations for students and staff,” he said.
Looking ahead, board members are focused on finding a leader who can meet the moment.
“There is no question this is a time of great change in public education in our region,” Iorizzo said.
The board hopes to engage candidates “who would embrace the opportunity to be innovative leaders, to put students at the forefront of every decision, and to help move Cooperstown further along in its vision to be a regional and statewide model of educational excellence.”
As the search pro-
gresses, the district expects to share updates through its website and regular communications. For now, the board’s work continues—steady, deliberate and aimed at securing the next chapter of leadership for Cooperstown’s schools.
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able diseases in parts of the world, some of us seem quite content to bomb the hell out of one another. One country invades another, seemingly for a bit of its territory, but then blithely blows to bits both humans and buildings and infrastructure in the very territory it hopes to occupy. The tit for tat insanity that characterizes the Strait of Hormuz conundrum, wholly self-inflicted, makes no sense at all. The list is far too long for cataloguing here. There is within us, it seems, a killthe-other instinct devoid of any respect for human life. I remember the old sixties lyric: “When will they ever learn?” Maybe never.
Evolutionary theory stipulates that we adapt in order to survive. All well and good. One would hope that what also evolves is a shared moral compass that values human life a bit more. There is killing in the natural world. But by and large it is in response to immediate and real threats. In most cases, enough is enough. We seem bound to the terrible notion that enough is never enough. Are we that bloodthirsty a species? I hope not. 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.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU
Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more. Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com
Business Directory
►Friday, July 17
DEADLINE
Last day to register for “Kids Creativity Camp.” Open to children ages 6-14 to explore different hands-on art projects. Fees apply; registration required. Attend one or all of the classes. Held 1-3 p.m. 7/20-7/24 at the Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479777.
DEADLINE Last day to register for “DASNY Connect.” Free and open to the public to provide direct access to the people, programs, and partnerships that help businesses grow. Includes grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, and refreshments; free parking. Held 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 7/30. Alumni Field House, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta.
CHANGEOVER DAY
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Avoid heavy traffic and pedestrians on State Route 205. Cooperstown All Star Village, Oneonta. wegootsego.com/changeover
BLOOD DRIVE
1-5 p.m. Laurens Fire District Emergency Squad, 34 Main Street, Laurens. RedCrossBlood.org
BLOOD DRIVE
1-5 p.m. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org
TIN SMITHING 2 p.m.
“Tin Smithing The Statue of Liberty.” Presentation with fourth generation tinsmith Dennis Heaphy, former resident tinsmith for the Statue of Liberty. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
EXHIBIT OPENING
5-7 p.m. “New Beginnings.” Main View Gallery, 75 ½ Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4321890.
LIVE MUSIC
5:30 p.m. The Mopar Cams. The Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4348458.
LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m. The Lake House Summer
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
Concert Series: Jason Schnitt. Back Patio, The Lake House, 2521 County Highway 22, Richfield Springs. (720) 940-8377.
FIRE PIT FRIDAYS
6-10 p.m. Live music by Bourbon and Branch. Includes food truck, outdoor/indoor bar and bonfire. Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. info@ ommegang.com.
CARNIVAL 7-11 p.m.
“Schenevus Fireman’s Carnival.” Concert with the Matthew Vroman Band and fireworks at dusk. Free admission and parking. Continues 7/18 and 7/19. Borst Field, Schenevus.
THEATER 7:30 p.m. Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” Free; suggested donation appreciated. Also showing at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on 7/18 and at 5 p.m. on 7/19. Franklin Stage Company 25 Institute Street, Franklin. (607) 829-3700.
►Saturday, July 18
SATURDAY HIKE All day. Scenic excursion with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and water. Dress appropriately and bring equipment for the weather/trail conditions. Pre-registration required. This week’s hike will be the Russell Brook Falls and Trout Pond Loop, near Roscoe. (607) 431-8010.
TOURNAMENT 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; registration from 5:30-7 a.m. Annual Bass Tournament. Prizes, free lunch and more. Held rain or shine. Canadarago Lake Boat Launch, 135 Dennison Road, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-3200.
FUNDRAISER
7:30-11:30 a.m. “Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department Fly-In Pancake Breakfast.”
All-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, real maple syrup, sausage and beverages. Fees apply. Cooperstown/ Westville Airport, 866 State Highway 166, Cooperstown. (607) 5479007.
Time OuT OTsegO
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
MEMORIAL RIDE
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“Sean Dill Memorial Ride.” Presented by the Red Knights Chapter 44 at the Garrattsville Fire Company, 940 County Highway 16 Garrattsville. ny44@redknightsmc.com.
FUNDRAISER 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. “Kitten Carnival Fun-draiser.” Presented by Project Hiraeon. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. project. hiraeon@gmail.com.
POP-UP 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fresh Flower Pop-up with August’s End flower farm. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
TASTING 10 a.m. to noon. “A Tinkertown Provisions Tasting Event.” The Gatehouse, 130 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.
CONSERVATION
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “iSPY Invasive Species Paddle with CRISP.” Bring your own watercraft or rent one. Registration required. Crumhorn Fishing Access, Maryland. (607) 547-4488.
BLOOD DRIVE
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood. org TAI CHI
10:30-11:30 a.m. Slow, meditative movements that help improve range of motion and balance. Led by instructor Wanda Hunt. Also held 7/25. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.
PLANETARIUM Family-friendly show 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. “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage.” • 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
QUIET CAT CAFÉ
Noon to 3 p.m. Reservations required. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
CHILDBIRTH
1-5 p.m. Childbirth Education Class. Registration required. Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. bhf@ofoinc.org.
ART CLASS 1-4 p.m. “Painting Water with Acrylic and Watercolor.” Registration required. Leatherstocking Brush and Palette Club at Springfield Community Center, 129 County Highway 29A, Springfield Center. Lbpceducation. com.
CHANGEOVER DAY
2-3:30 p.m. If traveling south on State Route 28 from Cooperstown, seek an alternate route. Cooperstown Dreams Park, Cooperstown. wegootsego.com/changeover
LIVE MUSIC 4 p.m.
Seth Johnson. The Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4348458.
WORKSHOP
4:30-6:30 p.m. “Saturday Night Out: A Pottery Immersion Workshop.” Tickets required. Azure Arts, 1149 Allen Lake Road, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-8899.
DANCE & BBQ
5-9 p.m. “Athelas Barn Dance and BBQ.” Includes upstate line dancing, barbecue, raffle prizes and more. Athelas Therapeutic Riding, Northfield Farm, 1179 County Highway 5, Otego.
LECTURE 5-6:30 p.m.
“Hyde Hall Talks: Betsy Jacks, ED Emerita—Thomas Cole Site.” Talk by the executive director emerita of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site on how George Clarke and Thomas Cole came to America and found inspiration. Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass
State Park, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
DANCE 6-8 p.m.
“Ecstatic Dance Oneonta: Dance into New Beginnings.” Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta.
OUTDOORS 6:30-8:30 p.m. “Bingo, Bonfire and S’mores.”
Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens. (607) 432-2114.
BASEBALL 7 p.m.
Oneonta Outlaws vs. Troy Haymakers. Damaschke Field, Neahwa Park, 15 James Georgeson Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 433-0545.
CONCERT 7 p.m.
“Mongolian Throat Singers in Concert.” The world-renowned Alash Ensemble presents the traditional music of their homeland. Tickets required. Samye Hermitage, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. contact@ samyenewyork.org.
LIVE MUSIC 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
“Songs from the Black Hole: A Live Concert and Recording Series featuring Trundlebones.” Tickets required. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.
LIVE MUSIC
7-10 p.m. The Lake House Summer Concert Series: Randy Mirtello and the Hop City Hellcats. Lakeside Stage, The Lake House, 2521 County Highway 22, Richfield Springs. (720) 940-8377.
►Sunday, July 19
RUN & WALK
8:30 a.m.; registration held 7-8 a.m. “24th Annual Richfield Springs Community Center Sundae Run and Walk.” Includes free Stewarts’ make-your-own ice cream sundaes with all the fixings for all in attendance. Starts at the Richfield Springs Veterans Club Pavilion, 13 Lake Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 749-3286.
FUNDRAISER Noon to 7:30 p.m. “Dine Out for a Cause.” Play minigolf and enjoy ice cream, with a percentage of the proceeds benefitting hospice and palliative care patients of Helios Care. Barnyard Swing Mini Golf and Family Fun Center, 4604 State Highway 28, Milford. (607) 547-8330.
LIVE MUSIC 1-3 p.m. “Sunday Sessions with A Different Thread.” The Gatehouse, 130 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.
SUNDAY SERIES
1-3 p.m. “African American soldiers in the Revolutionary War and Beyond.” Presented by Harry Bradshaw. Free and open to the public. Bring your own folding lawn chair. Front lawn, SwartWilcox House Museum, Wilcox Avenue, Oneonta.
VETERANS 2-5 p.m.
Veteran’s Picnic and Vetaran of the Month Ceremony. Veterans, family members and caretakers welcome for an afternoon of food, fun, and camaraderie. Presented by Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center, Oneonta Elk’s Lodge 1312 at Neahwa Park, Oneonta. (607) 203-2228.
WORSHIP 3-5 p.m.
Church-N-The Hood pop-up gathering for humanity. Includes food and fellowship. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.
HISTORY 3 p.m.
“Cooperstown Architectural Walking Tour.” Led by Dr. Cindy Falk. Learn about how housing has changed in the Village of Cooperstown over the past two centuries. Presented by Otsego 2000. Fees apply; pre-registration required. Meet on the porch of the Village Library of Cooperstown,
22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5478881.
►Monday, July 20
BLOOD DRIVE
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oneonta Elks Lodge #1312, 86 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org
SENIOR MEALS Seniors enjoy a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests. Today, enjoy a lunch of sweet sausage with peppers and onions, German potato salad, cauliflower, and pears. (607) 5476454.
• 11:30 a.m. Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Noon. Each Monday and Wednesday. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley.
PHOTOGRAPHY
1-4 p.m. “3-Day Photography Workshop for Kids Ages 9-12.” Fees apply; registration required. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.
POTTERY
1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. Fees apply. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.
TEEN BOARD
GAMES 3 p.m. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
LIVE MUSIC
5:30 p.m. Summer Concert: Ten Gallon Matt. Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377 ext. 147.
BOOSTER CLUB 6 p.m. Monthly meeting of the Cooperstown Central School Sports Booster Club. Held the 3rd Monday of each month. Main Office, Cooperstown High School, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown. ccssportsboosterclub@ gmail.com
WALKING CLUB
6 p.m. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661. COOKBOOK CLUB 6 p.m. Edmeston Free Library, 26 East Street, Edmeston. (607) 9658208.
LIVE MUSIC 7 p.m. “Music at Meadow Links”: Storied Winds. Musical storytelling for the whole family. Meadow Links Golf Pavilion, 502 County Road 27, Richfield Springs.(315) 858-1646.
►tueSday, July 21
COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS 8-9 a.m. Community members gather to chat about what’s happening around Oneonta. Held each Tuesday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600.
BLOOD DRIVE 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. RedCrossBlood.org
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 Table Rocks, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 4318010.
CONCERT
6:30 p.m.; food trucks at 5:30 p.m. ”HIlltown Ramblers.” Presented by the Cooperstown Lakefront Concert Series at Lakefront Park, Cooperstown.