Bound Volumes, Hometown History
October 9, 2025
70 YEARS AGO
Oneonta High School’s football team shattered Mohawk High’s 21-game unbeaten football record Saturday, powering its way to a 26 to 6 victory over the Mohicans. The victory was accomplished on some fine passing by Bill Whittaker, great running by Sam Lamonica and Joe Pidgeon as well as brilliant offensive and defensive play by a rugged line. As a result Oneonta is in the top position in the Iroquois League standings. Bob Pondolfino, Jim Marble and Earle Hoffman were stars of the front line. Dick Chase was on the receiving end of many of Whitaker’s passes. He scored one touchdown and set up another.
October 1955
50 YEARS AGO
“We were flat,” OHS football coach Doug Parsons said about his Yellowjackets after Saturday’s football game against Binghamton North. North “flattened” the Jackets further winning by a 35-0 tally. The statistics were worse. North rolled up a passing-rushing total of 419 yards to the locals total of 115 and out-first-downed Oneonta by a 21-5 margin. OHS had the advantage only in penalties with 71 yards marked off to Binghamton’s 65 yards for infractions. Steve Pushkar continued to stand out as a rusher, gaining 44 yards on eight carries. Oneonta’s All-League linebacker Mike Lynch didn’t suit up having twisted his knee in practice. Oneonta’s Jayvees fared better, pulling out a 29-28 victory as Wayne Hartley crossed the goal line four times, including a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining, followed by Parisian’s two-point scamper for the tying and winning point.
October 1975
40 YEARS AGO
Stephen J. Izzo, a former New York City police officer, was fined $1,000 and sentenced to five years probation in Otsego County Court Monday for shooting an Oneonta college student in the foot. Izzo was found guilty in September of first-degree reckless endangerment. County Judge Joseph Mogavero presided over the trial and the sentencing. District Attorney Paul Elkan was the prosecutor. Izzo was arrested in March and indicted in April after he and a friend, Richard Barbieri, became involved in a fight with Peter Burke, 23, inside Pizzaland Extension on Water Street in Oneonta. The fight was broken up but resumed outside. Witnesses said Izzo drew a gun and a New York City police badge and threatened to kill Burke. Both Izzo and Barbieri, also a New York City police officer, were fired from the police force.
October 1985
30 YEARS AGO
Charles A. Belden, a respected Oneonta educator and community servant for more than 65 years, died at the age of 83 on Sunday. Mr. Belden was a 1934 graduate of Hartwick College. He was employed by the Oneonta School District from 1934 through his retirement in 1973. In 1940, he earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Harvard. Mr. Belden taught English and Latin, served as principal of Oneonta Junior High School, and for 27 years was principal of Oneonta Senior High School. The school’s auditorium was named for Mr. Belden in 1968. Mr. Belden was a dedicated and faithful member of Oneonta’s First Baptist Church.
October 1995
20 YEARS AGO
The cider and doughnuts will be plentiful this weekend as Mary Gartung, a Schenevus woman prepares to turn 90 on October 12. Visitors to Willy’s Farm and Cider Mill on Badeau Hill Road in Schenevus will be offered free refreshments as the business celebrates the milestone birthday for Mary, whose children started the business on the family farm in 1994. The Gartung’s make apple cider and sell a variety of crops and locally made products. More than 150 family members are expected to participate.
October 2005
