Bound Volumes

January 25, 2024

135 YEARS AGO

Local—The wants of the excellent Fire Department of Cooperstown were the main cause of the erection of the handsome village public building on Chestnut Street, and in supplying this need a commodious Hall was also secured. It was first opened on Friday evening last, when upwards of 700 people gathered at the Concert and a majority remained at the dedication Ball—music by the Albany Lyceum Concert Co. and Gartland’s Tenth Regiment Orchestra—given under direction and management of the fire department. The Hall is of fine proportions, is well lighted by electricity, warmed by a furnace, and the acoustic properties are excellent. The expense incurred in its erection is now regretted by no one.

January 25, 1889

85 YEARS AGO

Plans are complete for the Ice Carnival to be held at the Cooper Inn rink on Wednesday night. The program of events will start at 8:15 o’clock with a revue by the Cooperstown Girls’ sextet composed of the Misses Nicci Sozzi, Mary McGown, Doris Blanchard, Mary Davidson, Barbara Hall and Connie Armitage. At 8:30 o’clock a grand parade will be held and prizes will be given for the most original costumes worn by men and women. The judging will be done by two disinterested people picked from the audience. After that a game of musical chairs for women will be played. At 9 o’clock Arthur Meechan of this village will give a demonstration of figure skating, to be followed by a musical game of chairs for men. Dancing will follow in the Inn from 10 o’clock until midnight.

January 25, 1939

60 YEARS AGO

Five men who recently joined the Cooperstown Rotary Club were formally inducted at the club’s regular weekly luncheon at the Hotel Otesaga on Tuesday of this week. They were Edward C. Smith, J. Edgar Badgley, Frank E. Demaree, Malcolm M. Brooks, and Frederick L. Reynolds. Frank C. Carpenter, a 40-year member of the club, spoke briefly on the aims and objects of Rotary, pointing his remarks especially at the new members. He emphasized the role the individual Rotarian must play if he is to live the spirit of the Rotary code. John A. Sill reviewed many of the projects in which the club has been involved in more than four decades of existence. Mr. Sill said the club recently undertook development of a student exchange program.

January 22, 1964

35 YEARS AGO

The fate of the trolley transportation system in the village this summer will be determined in the next few weeks when the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce decides whether or not to endorse the project. Chamber representatives and members of the village parking committee, led by trustee Pamela Washburn, have been meeting to work out an agreement. The Chamber has been seeking “major support” from the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Farmers’ Museum and the Fenimore House, according to the Chamber’s spokesman, Irving “Peter” Day.

January 25, 1989

20 YEARS AGO

Last Saturday, January 10, Otsego Lake was officially closed for the season. With temperatures falling well below zero, the lake was completely frozen with ice. Recent years have seen the lake close around the same date, if at all, including January 14 in 2003; December 29 in 2001; and December 19 in 2000. The lake did not close in 2002.
“Uncovered: The Whole Truth about Iraq” will be shown to the public at the Otsego County Courthouse on February 11 at 7:30 p.m. A discussion will be moderated by Paul Scheele, SUNY Oneonta political science professor emeritus.

January 23, 2004