OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services deployed a team last week to assist Erie County in its recovery from a historic series of storms. On Tuesday, December 27, two members of the Otsego County Special Operations Team were activated to respond with the county’s ARGO, an 8×8 amphibious, extreme terrain (tracked) vehicle, as part of the New York State Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan Activation.
By TED MEBUST
ONEONTA – The Oneonta Tennis Center recently announced plans to shift their focus toward pickleball, accommodating the game’s ever-growing population of enthusiasts with permanent pickleball court lines. While providing a space for tennis to be played remains a priority for Paul von der Sommen, OTC’s owner and proprietor since 1977, attendees in recent months have shown much more interest in pickleball. Set to host an open house to introduce the new OTC indoor design on January 14, van der Sommen reflected on whether he felt ahead of the curve in prioritizing pickleball.
“There seems to be a very high demand for pickleball… I feel like we’re already behind,” he flatly exclaimed. And he has a point.
By DARLA M. YOUNGS
SCHENEVUS – Schenevus Central School District Superintendent Theresa Carlin resigned during a special Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, December 27, effective December 31. Carlin stepped down just over a year after Schenevus taxpayers voted against a proposed merger with Worcester Central School. The merger had been approved in a straw vote held by both districts in September 2021, but Schenevus residents ultimately opposed the merger on December 1, 2021 amid much contention.
“I was not fired, I wasn’t going to be fired. This was my decision,” Carlin said during a telephone interview last Friday.
Nor did the failed merger have any bearing on Carlin’s resignation.
“I would have resigned anyway,” Carlin explained. “Part of my decision to leave is because I want to be in a different place, doing different things.”
By CASPAR EWIG
COOPERSTOWN – On Thursday, January 5, the Otsego County Council of Senior Citizens—in partnership with the Clark Sports Center—will host an Open House at the CSC from noon to 2:30 p.m. to inaugurate a program designed to bring senior citizens together for fellowship, exercise and entertainment. Formerly the Cooperstown Senior Community Center, the new “Connections at the Clark Sports Center” program is open to all seniors 55 years or older residing in Otsego County.
Connections will meet each Monday and Thursday and the core activities will include morning walks and wellness programs. Those who are also members of the Clark Sports Center will be able to participate in additional activities, such as pickleball and yoga. After a bring-your-own lunch, Connections members can enjoy card and board games including cribbage and mahjong, as well as ping pong and puzzle making.
185 YEARS AGO
Young ladies are now-a-days taught a multiplicity of arts and accomplishments, and nothing which can add to the graces of mind and manner, seems to be omitted or forgotten. Only one requisite is wanted to complete the system. It is that these intelligent and accomplished young ladies should be sedulously instructed in the art of applying their knowledge and exhibiting their graces advantageously. Not that they may procure a good establishment, which as the term is now understood, means a fine house, fine furniture, and a husband who has money in his purse, but that they may be fitted to discharge those important duties which can only make woman useful, respectable, truly beloved, and consequently happy. The aim of female education, therefore, ought to be, not to exalt those who enjoy its advantages above their sphere, but to make them more capable of performing the part which the laws of society, and indeed, the nature of things, allots as the peculiar province of the female.
January 1, 1838
Regarding your recent coverage of the Fly Creek Fire District election, the current board endeavored to bring the district into compliance with the state’s regulations. However, there are those apparently who feel that rules do not apply to them, and that they are entitled to do things as they wish, regardless of state guidelines, protocols of the office of the state comptroller, and legal counsel. I take exception to the quote, “that this existing board had created an unnecessarily rigid and formalistic structure, requiring needless expenditure of thousands of dollars.” Is this due to the request for a forensic audit as suggested by several accounting firms as a first step, as no audit has been done in 16 years, and because the comptroller’s audit cited “more treasurer” oversight?
It has been 20 years or so since the names Tara Barnwell, Michael Moffat, Elinor Vincent and Darla Youngs have appeared together on the masthead of “The Freeman’s Journal.” A confluence of events perhaps regarded by some as a perfect storm—or an imperfect storm, by others—has brought us all together again.
“The Freeman’s Journal” is arguably one of the oldest weekly newspapers in the nation. Founded by Judge William Cooper, it began as the “Impartial Observer” in 1808 with publisher William Andrews. A year later, both the name of the paper and the publisher had changed, becoming the “Cooperstown Federalist” under the direction of John H. Prentiss. The newspaper’s flag finally stuck in 1817 and has remained “The Freeman’s Journal” ever since. The Journal’s sister newspaper, “Hometown Oneonta,” is a mere babe in the woods by comparison at just 15 years old.
By DAN SULLIVAN
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Coping with harmful algal blooms (HABs) has become a distressing reality for those who live, work, and play in and around New York’s lakes. This summer, both Otsego and Canadarago lakes were plagued with long-duration HABs, curtailing activities for much of the summer season. In response to the crisis at Canadarago, a coalition of four communities and one civic organization has formed to take action to save the lake.
The Towns of Exeter, Otsego and Richfield, the Village of Richfield Springs, and the Canadarago Lake Improvement Association have all committed to sharing the $35,000.00 cost of an engineering study for a potential sewer line around Canadarago Lake. The study will be conducted by Delaware Engineering of Albany, a firm that serves the rural communities in New York State. The idea of a sewer line was brought up by Delaware Engineering in 2018, when the firm offered to do a feasibility study at their expense. This study offered several scenarios for full or partial coverage of the lake. The consensus now is that full coverage would be the best option.
By T. STEPHEN WAGER
COOPERSTOWN – In its third appearance at Christ Church, Fenimore Chamber Orchestra offered a brilliant beginning to the holiday season with “Festive Strings.” Before the December 3 concert began, Thomas Wolf—founder and chair of the orchestra’s governing board—paid a touching tribute to all those present who have helped in the success of the orchestra. The concert itself began with one of the most daunting and demanding works for a string orchestra that Mozart ever composed.
The Divertimento in D Major, K 136 absolutely requires nothing less than a virtuoso ensemble and was dispatched with breathtaking ease. The andante middle section treated the audience to a warm and relaxed breath before a return to the almost impossible to execute Presto (and I do mean Presto) that Mozart demands. It is more than evident that an esprit de corps exists in Fenimore Chamber Orchestra from the conductor through to all members of the orchestra.
COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum’s Glimmer Globe Theatre is accepting submissions through Saturday, January 7 for its 2023 “NEXT! Readings of New Works by Regional Playwrights” and “Write Out Loud” performances, both planned to be live and in-person this winter. The museum is seeking plays, poems, prose and short stories for consideration. Entries are limited to one full-length play or collection of short works per playwright. Poets may submit up to three poems of any length for consideration. Alternatively, prose/short stories may be submitted, but each should not exceed 1,500 words. All genres are welcome. Those interested should e-mail scripts, pieces and inquiries to submissions@fenimoreart.org.