Bound Volumes, Hometown History

January 11, 2024

70 YEARS AGO

In near-zero weather an eight-month-old German police dog last night blockaded a business building for an hour, driving off all comers with warning growls and flashing teeth. The dog held the line in front of Chrisler Tire & Battery Co., 9 Elm Street, until his master found him via phoned appeals to police. The case began at 7:29 p.m. when Hugh Moore, 31 Main Street phoned Sergeant James Fawcett that his silver and black German shepherd dog was AWOL. Mr. Moore said the dog answered to the name of Duke. About that time the dog had established his picket line as Raymond H. Gifford, employed by the Chrisler firm, went to the Elm Street location to turn up the thermostat. The dog wouldn’t let him enter. After Mr. Gifford’s second attempt was rebuffed with snarls and bared teeth he returned home. Eventually Oneonta patrolman H.R. “Bobby” Wenck arrived, but Duke wasn’t impressed with the uniform. Eventually Mr. Moore was notified and arrived to pick up his pet.

January 1954

50 YEARS AGO

The Common Council has voted unanimously to use five acres of park land in Neahwa Park for its Department of Public Works Garage. At the same time, the Council passed a $145,000 ($931,448.24 in 2024 dollars) appropriation for the development of 10 acres near Damaschke Field. After two years of debating locations for the garage, the Council determined to use five acres east of the Grand Street interchange and south of the Millrace for the structure. City officials believe most of the cost for a new garage will be covered when it collects money owed by the State of New York.

January 1974

40 YEARS AGO

January 1984

30 YEARS AGO

Administrators of area schools say that most of their snow days have already been used. Before this school year, the Oneonta School District allotted four contingency days for students to stay home in case poor weather kept buses off the roads. As of last week three of those days had been taken. If all the snow days are used up, the school may have to take days away from either its February or April vacations.

January 1994

20 YEARS AGO

Oneonta High School students will be on stage in coming days to perform “Up the Down Staircase.” The OHS Drama Club International Thespian Troupe 2092 will present the comedy based on Bel Kaufman’s book of the same title about her experiences as a first-year teacher at a New York City public school. Performers include Chelsea Nattrass as Sylvia Barrett, Chad Bowker as Joe Ferone and Katrina Rabeler as Alice Blake. Katie Lishansky plays the role of Bea Schachter, Sylvia’s mentor and Nico Meyering is J.J. McHabe.

January 2004