THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025
WEEK 1
Photo provided
EDITION OF JANUARY 2: The Otsego Outdoors Winter
Octet Challenge ran through March 19. Above, Octeters pause for a photo at Clark Tower during the 2024 winter challenge. After completing eight of the activities, participants received a special embroidered Winter Octet patch and a waterproof sticker. Otsego Outdoors is a collaborative program of Otsego 2000, Otsego Land Trust, the Otsego County Conservation Association and the Butternut Valley Alliance.
OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
P
utting the community back into the newspaper is our motto here at AllOtsego, The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta. How many faces do you recognize in this pictorial account of 2025? We look forward to bringing you the news of Otsego County in the months and years to come. Happy New Year from our family to yours!
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
Photo provided
EDITION OF JANUARY 9: Bassett
Healthcare Network’s Birthing Center at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown welcomed its first baby of 2025 at 3 a.m. on January 1, 2025. Aidan was born to mom, Schuyler, and dad, Nicholas. The family lives in Mount Vision. Aidan weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and is 20 inches long. He has two older siblings—Avery and Ethan.
Photo courtesy orf Otsego County
EDITION OF JANUARY 16: Otsego County firefighters who volunteered to help contain
the Jennings Creek wildfires in Orange County in November were honored at the January 2 Otsego County Board meeting. Representing those departments deployed were, front row: Joe Hurlburt Sr., Otego; Emergency Services Manager/Fire Coordinator Victor F. C. Jones, who coordinated deployment; Gary Ray I, West Edmeston; Tyler Post, Unadilla; and Brandon Card, Morris. Back row: Alexander Hilton, Unadilla; Assistant Coordinator Damon West and Deputy Fire Coordinator Jeremy Hilton, both of Emergency Services; Mike Hoyt, West Laurens; David Robinson, Gilbertsville, Zeithan Dunham, Morris, Mark Elderkin, Richfield Springs; Johnathan Ashe, Milford; and Colby Hull, Morris.
The Blue Mingo Grill
Wishing a Happy New Year to all From Sam Smith’s Boatyard, The Blue Mingo Grill, and Clutter 6098 State Route 80 Cooperstown, NY www.bluemingogrill.com
Souvenir Supplement to HOMETOWN ONEONTA, THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & www.AllOTSEGO.com
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
B-2 AllOTSEGO
WEEK 4
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
WEEK 5
Photo provided
Photo provided
EDITION OF JANUARY 23: The American Hospital Association
honored Aurelia Osborn Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta in appreciation of its 100 years of participation in the AHA. Above, AHA Regional Executive Michael Draine presents the award for 100 years of AHA membership to A.O. Fox Hospital’s Joan R. MacDonald.
WEEK 6
EDITION OF FEBRUARY 1: Winners of the SUNY Oneonta MLK Jr. Essay Contest were honored at a
breakfast on January 7. Pictured from left, SUNY Oneonta President Dr. Alberto Cardelle, SUNY Oneonta Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Innovation and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Bernadette Tiapo, essay contest winners Julianna Everson (9th grade, Worcester Central School), Evangeline Trask (5th grade, Greater Plains Elementary School), Evie Chen (8th grade, Oneonta Middle School), Sallie Han, professor for the Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence, Van Havercome, associate director, Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence, and Erin Francisco, assistant director of DEI Projects and Initiatives.
WEEK 7
WEEK 8
Photo by Bill Bellen
EDITION OF FEBRUARY 13: Milford Central Photo by Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
EDITION OF FEBRUARY 6: Ichiro Suzuki,
a veritable hits machine on both sides of the Pacific Ocean, became the first Japanese player to gain entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame when he was elected on Tuesday, January 21 to the Class of 2025 alongside pitchers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and tabulated by Ernst & Young.
School District Superintendent Kristen Shearer sat down with AllOtsego reporter Bill Bellen in February to discuss the district’s capital project. Issues addressed in energy-saving measures via the capital project included windows with broken seals, outdated kitchen utilities and inadequate ventilation. Upgrades and refurbishments to the performing arts center, the upper playground and the bus garage are also included in the ongoing capital improvements.
Photo provided
EDITION OF FEBRUARY 20: SUNY Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate
Program welcomed a new class of museum studies students, including Ghanaian museum guide and historian Enoch Bright Ampong. Ampong, 29, hails from the Central Region of the vibrant West African nation and graduated with honors from Takoradi Technical University’s Tourism Management program. Ampong, at left, has led tours at Ghana’s Elmina Castle for more than half a decade.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
“In a region defined by legends, real estate deserves mastery.”
Michele Barry REALTOR® Co-owner/Broker 607-435-9288 MicheleBarry@cooperstownbrokers.com
William “Bill” Miller REALTOR® Co-owner/Broker 908-304-4666 Williamjaymiller@cooperstownbrokers.com
Sarah A. Stewart, REALTOR® Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 607-267-7057 sarahAstewart@cooperstownbrokers.com
Alec Bosc, REALTOR ® Licensed Real Estate Salesperson 315-868-3749 alexbosc@cooperstownbrokers.com
WWW.COOPERSTOWNBROKERS.COM
AllOTSEGO B-3
B-4 AllOTSEGO
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
WEEK 11
Photo by Teresa Winchester
EDITION OF MARCH 6: A rally the purpose Photo provided
EDITION OF FEBRUARY 27: Since formation of Otsego County’s
Animal Cruelty Task Force in February 2019, cases of suspected animal cruelty and neglect that may once have gone unreported in the region are now seeing the light of day. Pictured above treating a rescued dog upon intake are Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Jennifer Lukovsky and Avalon Kubis, SQSPCA surgical and acute care coordinator.
of which was, organizers said, to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protest executive overreach took place on Tuesday, March 4 at noon in Oneonta’s Muller Plaza. Approximately 200 people from across Otsego County attended, carrying protest signs, waving flags, and chanting pro-democracy slogans, such as “We want our country back,” and “This is what democracy looks like.” Doreen DelRosario of Fly Creek was one of approximately 200 protesters rallying in Oneonta on Tuesday, March 4.
WEEK 13
WEEK 12
Photo by Monica Calzolari
EDITION OF MARCH 13: Mayor Mark Drnek
addresses City of Oneonta Common Council members and the public regarding a letter signed by 11 people in opposition to the proposed Rehabilitation Support Services development at 27 Market Street. Per the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Drnek contends that his vision for the Market Street neighborhood is in keeping with the Common Council’s support for pursuit of increased density and workforce housing in Oneonta.
WEEK 14
Photo provided
EDITION OF MARCH 20: Gilbertsville-Mount Upton
middle-schoolers Logan Panek and Peyton Nelson hold bags of plastic recylables collected in February for the Otsego County Conservation Association’s 2025 “Plastic Film Recycling Challenge!” The goal of the challenge is to educate the community on proper recycling of plastic grocery bags and other plastic film items, which cannot be recycled through regular curbside recycling programs.
WEEK 15
Photo provided
EDITION OF MARCH 27: Cooperstown junior Matthew
Perrino (center) finished a phenomenal season in the quarterfinal round of the New York State wrestling championships at MVP Arena in Albany on Friday and Saturday, February 28 and March 1. Entering the tournament with a 34-14 record and the 11 seed, Perrino upset the Section III champion and battled the four seed and Section VI runner-up all the way to a hard-fought 4-3 loss. Above, Perrino with coaches Mike Croft (left) and Trentin Carentz at the New York State Boys Wrestling Championships on February 28.
Photo provided
EDITION OF APRIL 3: Members of the SUNY Oneonta
Biological Field Station’s Volunteer Dive Team met on Saturday, March 29 at the BFS boathouse before setting out to redeploy no-wake zone buoys at Lakefront Park and Springfield Landing. Above, Paul H. Lord, SUNY Oneonta biology instructor, researcher, and scuba instructor, inspects equipment on Landon Putnam, SUNY Oneonta undergraduate student and research diver. “Otsego Lake is now officially open for recreational boating,” Lord said.
WEEK 17
WEEK 16
Graphic provided
EDITION OF APRIL 10: At the City of Oneonta’s
Common Council meeting on Tuesday, April 1, Director of Strategic Partnerships Christine Nealon of Rehabilitation Support Services presented an architectural rendering of the $25 million development her organization proposed to build at 27 Market Street should city officials approve sale of the property to RSS. The building would include 47 apartment units, 30 parking spaces and 7,200 square feet reserved for commercial use. Editor’s note: The project was voted down by the Common Council on May 6.
Photo by Teresa Winchester
EDITION OF APRIL 17: John McIntyre
(left), publisher of Spotlight News, and Mark Vinciguerra, publisher of NYVT Media, gave presentations at the inaugural summit of the SUNY Institute for Local News, held at SUNY Oneonta April 10-11. The ILN represents an effort to stop the bleeding in regard to the decline in local news and its reporting.
Photo provided
EDITION OF APRIL 24: David Fontaine, the new director at the
Clark Sports Center, has been on the job since February 3. “We’d like to give a warm welcome to our newly minted director of the Clark Sports Center, David Fontaine,” officials said in a recent announcement. Fontaine, originally from Utica, has a professional background in both athletics and pharmaceuticals. “[Clark Sports Center] is an amazing facility with a talented group of individuals who make it all happen,” said Fontaine.
We are proud to be such a big part of our community. We live and work with some of the most incredible people in our region, those that give of themselves to our community unconditionally.
Here’s to a great 2026!
Locally owned and operated Single and multi-family homes Commercial property and land 607.441.7312 www.oneontarealty.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK WEEK 19
WEEK 18
EDITION OF MAY 8: Elizabeth “Betty” Powell ‘82,
to the exhibit for Koop Wildlife Rehabilitation at Earth Festival 2025. The annual event in celebration of Earth Day is organized by the Otsego County Conservation Association.
associate director of athletics, director of compliance and senior woman administrator, after 55 years of service to Hartwick College, stood to a standing ovation during this year’s Quinquennial Awards Celebration. Held Tuesday, April 29 in the Celebration Room of Shineman Chapel House, the ceremony recognized 50 dedicated faculty and staff for reaching milestone anniversaries in their careers at Hartwick. “It was a wonderful celebration and sharing it with others being recognized made it even more special,” said Powell, who is pictured at left.
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WEEK 22
Photo by Bill Bellen
EDITION OF MAY 1: Charley Koop stands with his hawk next
Photo provided
AllOTSEGO B-5
WEEK 20
Photo by Sarah Roberts
EDITION OF MAY 15: Cooperstown Graduate
Program alumna Elaine Eff donated part of her painted screen collection to the Fenimore Art Museum this year. The earliest Baltimore screens offered domestic scenes that included houses, usually a red-roofed bungalow surrounded by trees, white swans in a placid lake, and colorful flowers.
WEEK 23
Photo courtesy of Andy Lavine, head of sales, Trump National Golf Club Hudson Valley
Photo provided
EDITION OF MAY 22: Pete Rose was removed from Major
League Baseball’s permanently ineligible list in May 2025 by Commissioner Rob Manfred, making it possible for Rose to be inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame posthumously. President Donald Trump announced on February 28 that he would issue a posthumous pardon of Rose and called for the all-time leader in career hits to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Rose, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 83, was served a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball in 1989 for gambling on games, and was barred from the HoF. Trump did not specify what the pardon would cover, although Rose served five months in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in 1990. As has been the case since 1991, when a rule was put into place making anyone on baseball’s ineligible list also ineligible for Hall of Fame election, Rose would become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration only if he is reinstated by MLB. Above, President Trump is shown autographing a baseball for Rose.
EDITION OF JUNE 5: The Cooperstown Central School Photo by Yvonne Eckert
EDITION OF MAY 29: Laurens Central School
fifth- and sixth-graders commemorated and honored the brave military men and women who served our country by placing long stem red carnations on veterans’ graves in the Laurens Village Cemetery and Elm Row Cemetery prior to Memorial Day 2025. This project was sponsored by the Laurens American Legion Auxiliary with assistance from Laurens American Legion members. Above, fifth-grader Hera Baker pays tribute to a fallen hero at Elm Row Cemetery.
Quiz Team competed at the National Academic Quiz Tournaments’ National Championships for the second year in a row, taking second in the Very Small School division—the highest finish ever by a CCS team—and placing eighth overall in the nation. Representing Cooperstown were Captain Andrew Miller, Aaron Katz, Kenneth Charles Vinuya, Andrew Olski and Anders Green. The team traveled to Chicago, Illinois with coach Henry Bauer for the national competition held April 26-27, where their deep academic commitment and drive resulted in great success. Pictured above, from left, are Andrew Miller, Andrew Olski, Aaron Katz and Kenneth Charles Vinuya. Not pictured: Anders Green.
Deeply committed to our community Since 1925, the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc. Funeral Home has been serving families in the Cooperstown area with dignity and caring compassion. We are independently owned and operated and provide a full range of services, including cremation and ground burial. Our mission is a commitment to helping you and your family throughout a most difficult time of your life by helping to lighten the burden caused by the death of a loved one. Through understanding and attention to every detail, we will assist in planning all aspects of a funeral or memorial service.
— Peter Deysenroth
Peter A. Deysenroth
82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown
607-547-8231
www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com
Dignified and Caring Service since 1925
B-6 AllOTSEGO
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
WEEK 24
WEEK 25
WEEK 26
Photo by Cassandra Miller
EDITION OF JUNE 19: The Arc Otsego’s new Unibagger II Photo provided
EDITION OF JUNE 12: Richfield Springs resident
Becky Marzeski was honored at the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc. June convention in Albany, where she was presented with Commendation Award #51, an award of honor given to one member of each region that exhibits outstanding efforts in a variety of volunteerbased categories. Marzeski has been a member of the Garden Club of Richfield Springs for the past 40 years.
machine was funded by a $25,000.00 matching grant from New York State Industries for the Disabled Inc., combined with a $25,000.00 investment from The Arc Otsego. With the funding, The Arc has also purchased a new van. Proudly flanking their presentation check, from left: Sara Hanlon, chief executive officer, The Arc Otsego; Maureen O’Brien, president and chief executive officer, NYSID; Heather Worden, production worker, Creekside Industries; Erin Seeley, chief operating officer, The Arc Otsego; and David DiNicola, director of business operations, Creekside Industries.
Photo provided by Bhanupratap Gaur
EDITION OF JUNE 26: Celebrating installation of the
Center Street School historical marker on June 13 are, from left: Oneonta City School District School Board President Susan Kurkowski; City of Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek; OCSD Assistant Superintendent Coleen Moore; former Center Street Principal John Cook (19832010); OCSD Superintendent Tom Brindley; Greater Oneonta Historical Society Executive Director Marcela Micucci; and OCSD Secretary to the Superintendent/ District Clerk Reggie McGuinness.
WEEK 29
WEEK 28
WEEK 27
Photo provided
Photo by Patricia Fiorent Slater
EDITION OF JULY 3: Jeremy Velasco, a 2025 graduate of Milford
Central School and ONC BOCES, received a $1,000.00 Michael L. Mayne Scholarship funded by the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation at the Rotary Club of Cooperstown luncheon meeting on June 24. The scholarship is awarded annually by CRF in memory of U.S. Army Corporal Michael L. Mayne, a 2006 graduate of BOCES and Edmeston Central School. Cpl. Mayne served with the 1st Stryker Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He died on February 23, 2009 while serving in Iraq. Above, Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, chair of the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation, presents the $1,000.00 Michael L. Mayne Scholarship to Velasco.
$1500*
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EDITION OF JULY 10: This year’s
Ricky J. Parisian Memorial Scholarship Foundation scholarship recipient was Oneonta High School senior Tanner Tubia. The announcement was made on June 20 by David Brower, chair of the foundation’s Selection Committee and past scholarship recipient, during a presentation held in honor of the late Ricky J. Parisian. Investigator Parisian, who had served with the New York State Police for eight years, was shot and killed in 1994 while attempting to stop an armed robbery of the Great American Supermarket in Oneonta.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
Photo by Maria Griswold
EDITION OF JULY 17: On July 11, the Kingfisher Tower
Room at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown was bustling with activity. A crowd of roughly 40 people of all ages and backgrounds gathered upon invitation by Army veteran and football enthusiast Andy Hugos to attend this unique ceremony commemorating the nomination of Homer Jones and Jack Kemp to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Above, Ernie Koy and Charles Dumas help Patricia Slater hold up one of Slater’s paintings celebrating Homer Jones in the New York Giants uniform (#45) and Jack Kemp in the Buffalo Bills uniform (#15).
* +$1/HR*
ON THE WEEKENDS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
WEEK 30
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AllOTSEGO B-7
WEEK 32
Photo by Teresa Winchester
EDITION OF JULY 31: Sidney Federal Credit Union Board Photo by Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
EDITION OF JULY 24: Dick Allen and Dave Parker were
both inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame at the 2025 Induction Ceremony on July 27. Allen’s red and white striped Adidas cleats are among the artifacts featured in the “New Inductees” exhibit on the hall’s second floor.
WEEK 33
of Directors Chair Scott McLean, Village of Morris Mayor Mike Newell, and SFCU President and CEO Jim Reynolds look on as Maggie Brenner, vice chair of Butternut Valley Alliance and lead in BVA’s “Save Our Bank” task force, cuts the ribbon to officially open SFCU’s long-awaited Morris branch.
WEEK 34
Photo by Larissa Ryan
EDITION OF AUGUST 7: Emilie Rigby
shows off some of the donated items to be sold to benefit Sybil’s Yarn Shop. The beloved shop, located previously in the Village of Milford, was one of four buildings, including the Milford Corner Store, destroyed in a fire on July 18. Owner Jeanetta Osterhoudt has since moved her shop to the Village of Cooperstown.
WEEK 35
Photo provided
EDITION OF AUGUST 14: The Butternut Valley
Alliance Summer Harvest Festival and Gravel Grinder moved to Butternuts Beer and Ale in Garrettsville this year and were held concurrently on August 23. Cyclists pictured above are Josh Schafler (Oneonta), former world champion and winner of the Tour de Flandres Alessandro Ballan (Castelfranco Veneto, Italy), Ben Savoie (Cooperstown), and Keith Toombs (Schenectady). “We try to support the neighborhood we’re in,” said Peter Martin, one of the principal organizers. The Gravel Grinder features a 45-mile course for experienced cyclers and a 15-mile course for the more recreational cyclers.
Photo by K. Wayne Bunn
EDITION OF AUGUST 21: Bright and early on Saturday, August
9, the Otsego Lake Association’s annual gathering commenced at 8:30 a.m. at the Otsego Sailing Club. Throughout the first half hour of the meeting there were a few orders of business, including the collection of registration and membership fees, a silent auction, and a rolling slideshow of lake photography. The silent auction consisted of different artworks, baskets and pies. Above, Otsego Lake Association President Jim Howarth addresses attendees at the annual gathering.
Serving you locally for over years
Photo provided
EDITION OF AUGUST 28: The Cooperstown
Farmers’ Market, a program of Otsego 2000, was awarded $49,339.00 in the latest round of the New York State Farmers’ Market Resiliency Grant Program, officials announced on Monday, August 25. Above, Michael Angilletta of Wild Pines Pumpkin Patch and Gardens helps a customer at the Summer Tuesday Market.
Give the Gift of Local News!
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AllOtsego.com is Otsego County’s most interesting and entertaining read and its most diverse news source, featuring award-winning reporting, community news, insightful commentary, and interesting columns by beloved local writers. Subscribe at https://www.allotsego.com/subscribe/ or call 607-547-6103. Makes a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays and anniversaries! Ben Novellano, Owner
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B-8 AllOTSEGO
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
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Photo provided
EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 4: The Rotary Club of Cooperstown
announced this month that Madison Moore, Samantha Barrett, Kura Lynn Druse, Kara Mertz and Leah Brundege are the recipients of the 2025 John D. Ramsey Memorial Vocational Scholarship for the current academic year. Moore has been awarded the Special Recognition Scholarship due to her unwavering commitment to serving society through nursing, officials said. Barrett, Druse and Mertz are also pursuing vocational nursing training; Brundege will be entering culinary arts. The John D. Ramsey Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of John Ramsey, a longstanding member of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown and an ardent advocate for vocational training. Pictured above are: Samantha Barrett, Kura Lynn Druse, Kirsten De Silva, Kara Mertz, Madison Moore, and Leah Brundege.
EDITION
OF
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
WEEK 38
SEPTEMBER
Photo provided
11: More than 100
concerned citizens attended a standing-room only meeting on September 7 at the Pierstown Grange. Prompted by the proposed major subdivision of 1,500 acres of farmland, forest, and wetlands on the west side of Otsego Lake, Otsego 2000, Otsego Land Trust, Otsego County Conservation Association, and the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station held the meeting to hear from community members and then to amplify their comments. While many comments and concerns were voiced about the Manocherian proposal, which would create 111 buildable lots ranging in size from 4.2 acres to 60 acres in the Town of Otsego and Town of Springfield, there was a broader discussion about what community members envision for the future of the area.
WEEK 39
Photo provided
EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 18: Effective
September 8, Bassett Healthcare Network and A.O. Fox Hospital’s Board of Directors announced the appointment of Michael Guiry, PA-C, MBA, as vice president of operations at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Guiry arrives at Bassett Healthcare Network with more than 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare operations, business development and physician practice management. Most recently, he served as associate vice president of the physician enterprise at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island.
WEEK 40
Graphic provided
EDITION OF SEPTEMBER 25: It was standing room only as nearly 50 Sixth Ward
residents gathered for the City of Oneonta Planning Commission meeting on the evening of Wednesday, September 17 to discuss an affordable housing project proposed by Rehabilitation Support Services. The above rendering of the proposed “Solstice Commons” affordable housing project is among the many documents available for viewing on the City of Oneonta Planning Commission Material Meetings web page.
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
EDITION OF OCTOBER 2: Every Tuesday morning, several to a dozen older men enter
the garage of Walt (Jim) Hogan of Cooperstown, members of the local Men’s Shed group. Men’s Shed, an international movement started in Australia, aims to create social spaces for older men. With dozens of chapters across the world, the group’s motto is “Men don’t talk face to face, we talk shoulder to shoulder.” It’s a “safe place for men to be able to get together, because there’s issues as one ages,” said member Bud Zaengle.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
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AllOTSEGO B-9
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Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
EDITION OF OCTOBER 23: Between Oneonta Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
EDITION OF OCTOBER 9: State Senator
Peter Oberacker, a Republican, announced his candidacy for the hotly contested 19th New York Congressional District the morning of Monday, October 6 at the Schenevus fire station. He is challenging incumbent Rep. Josh Riley, a Democrat. Oberacker was the first major challenger to declare his candidacy. The 19th District, stretching from the Ithaca area to the Massachusetts border and containing Otsego County, was decided by fewer than 10,000 votes in the 2024 election.
Photo by Julia DelPozzo/SUNY Institute for Local News
EDITION OF OCTOBER 16: A crowd of more than 60 people packed into the
Oneonta Town Hall on Wednesday night, October 8, for the monthly town board meeting. Concerned citizens filled the room to hear the latest on a proposal from startup Eco-Yotta Inc. to build an AI data center in Oneonta’s West End. The proposed rezoning was first announced in July, and it received significant public opposition during August’s town board meeting. Eco-Yotta previously requested to have its application removed from discussion at that August 13 meeting. This meeting marked its reintroduction to the town’s official docket. Above, Teresa DeSantis addresses the audience at the Wednesday, October 8 Oneonta Town Board meeting.
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and Cherry Valley, nearly 2,000 locals participated in the second “No Kings” peaceful protest on Saturday, October 18. Demonstrators opposed what they described as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian takeover and breakdown of the rule of law. The Oneonta demonstration (above) was organized by CooperstownOneonta Indivisible, Butternut Valley Indivisible, Cherry Valley Indivisible, Indivisible for Schoharie County, and the Otsego County Democratic Committee. Cherry Valley Indivisible organized its local event near the village’s Civil War monument.
WEEK 46
Photo by Maria Griswold
EDITION OF NOVEMBER 6: Bill Bellen, Photo by Andrew Bottomley/SUNY Institute for Local News
EDITION OF OCTOBER 30: Bill Stevens was among the land-
owners with property neighboring the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport who shared their frustrations with the airport’s runway obstruction clearance project at a City of Oneonta Airport Commission meeting on October 9.
grandfather of reporter William Bellen, is welcomed back from his journey aboard the Hudson Valley Honor Flight, flanked on either side by American flags and wellwishers. Bellen was among 80 veterans who received an all-expenses paid tour of the many memorials of the nation’s capital.
Photo provided
EDITION OF NOVEMBER 13: The Village of Cooperstown
celebrated Al Keck’s service at a gathering before the regularly scheduled board meeting on October 27. Pictured are Public Works Superintendent Mitch Hotaling, Al Keck, Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, Trustee Audrey Porsche and Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk.
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B-10 AllOTSEGO
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
WEEK 49
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
EDITION OF NOVEMBER 20: Dozens of firefighters,
their families and other locals gathered at the Fly Creek fire station to welcome a newly-purchased, lightly-used fire truck on its journey back from an Illinois fire department on Wednesday, November 12. Officials said the new truck will bring more capacity and reliability—without requiring new expenses for taxpayers. Above, the Fly Creek Fire Company welcomes its new fire truck with a traditional “wet-down” on the evening of November 12.
WEEK 50
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
EDITION OF NOVEMBER 27: The hill to climb
for Eco-Yotta Inc’s proposal for an AI research center paired with hydroponic farming in the Town of Oneonta is growing steeper. Community opposition has persisted meeting after meeting, the town (and planning) board has appeared exasperated by a lack of clarity in project specifics. Representatives of Eco-Yotta Inc. again addressed the Oneonta Town Board on November 12. Pictured are Chief Executive Officer Tirusha Dave (standing) and EcoYotta attorney Nathaniel Nichols (to her right).
Photo provided
EDITION OF DECEMBER 4: Angelica Palmer, founder of
The Telegraph School, announced that she has received a Support for Artists grant from the New York State Council on the Arts to support her creative work. Sponsored by New York Folklore, this award will fund “Sacred Waters,” the next chapter of the Cherry Valley Water Project.
WEEK 51
WEEK 52
Photo by Erin Quick
EDITION OF DECEMBER 11: Monday, November
24 marked the culmination of the fourth annual “Student Voices, Student Choices” presentation competition. This event, organized by the Community Foundation of Otsego County, serves as an opportunity for students from across the county to engage in philanthropic projects in their respective communities. The event took place in Hartwick College’s Slade Theater, where six teams of students from private and public schools gave 10-minute presentations on their projects and efforts to aid their communities. From left, Molly Tolson, Lucy Bailey, Natalia Barnes and Raegan Goodspeed took top honors for Unatego Central School at this year’s SVSC competition.
Photo provided
EDITION OF DECEMBER 18: On Sunday, December 7, Cooperstown
Friends of the Parks volunteers gathered to roll out the Badger Park skating rink for the season. This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of longtime Friends of the Parks board member Bill Ralston, who passed away unexpectedly on July 5. Supporters ages 8-84 assisted with the roll out. A special thanks was extended to the Cooperstown Central School Leo Club crew, who came out in force. Friends of the Parks is seeking volunteers to assist throughout the season with upkeep of the skate shack and ice maintenance. Those willing to donate an afternoon or two this winter are asked to contact Bruce Miller at millerbu@yahoo.com.
Photo by Tara Barnwell
EDITION OF DECEMBER 25: Salvation
Army Angel Tree Coordinator Kyanne Clark (left) visited the offices of AllOtsego, “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” on Monday, December 15 to take delivery of donations for this year’s Angel Tree Program recipients from Santa’s elf Larissa Ryan. Many thanks to all who made the holidays a little less stressful this year for those in need of a helping hand!
Peter ArmAo
| tom ArmAo
“We thank our past, present and future customers for their support!
We pride ourselves on being Otsego County’s General Motors , Nissan, Chrysler, Jeep, Hyundai, Dodge and Ram Dealerships providing the best service, quality and everything in-between.
We’d also like to thank our loyal employees
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Country Club motors
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
AllOTSEGO B-11
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B-12 AllOTSEGO
2025 OTSEGO COUNTY YEARBOOK
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2025
Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park Now through January 1, 2026
First Night Oneonta at Foothills PAC December 31, 2025 | 5pm-8:30pm