ZUMBA-A-THON—10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress up as your favorite superhero and join the instructors for a fun Zumba session where all the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to help stomp out cancer. Tickets, $10/person. Includes giveaways, fun and fitness. Laurens Central School, Multi-purpose Room, 55 Main Street, Laurens. Visit facebook.com/TheOtsegoCountyChamber/
Seventy percent of smokers want to quit, but fewer than 10 percent of adult smokers manage to quit each year because nicotine is so addictive. The American Cancer Society began an annual event, Great American Smokeout, over 40 years ago to encourage smokers to take the first step to quitting smoking. On the third Thursday of November, thousands of smokers nationwide participate in GASO, using it as an opportunity to make a plan to quit or make one beforehand and initiate the plan on that day. This year’s GASO is on Thursday, November 17.
Smoke- and tobacco-free policies can also help cessation efforts, not only because they reduce the opportunities for using tobacco, but because they de-normalize tobacco use. For some smokers who are trying to quit, these policies can help them get over their final hurdle. These policies also protect and enhance everyone’s health and experience in those spaces and help prevent kids from becoming tobacco users themselves. Research has shown that the more kids witness people using tobacco, whether on screen or in real life, the more likely they will use it themselves.
Smoke-free policies for public spaces are supported overwhelmingly in Otsego County. A 2020 Siena College Research Institute survey found 75 percent of Otsego County residents supported smoking bans on all municipal grounds and 70 percent supported smoke-free outdoor areas around businesses open to the public. Recently, Cooperstown made most of the sidewalks along its Main Street smoke- and vape-free and the Village of Laurens passed a policy banning the use of tobacco and cannabis products on all village property.
Smokers in our area who are thinking of quitting could use GASO on November 17 to start their cessation journey. They can now go to more smoke-free spaces to help them along the way.
Jennifer Hill Community Engagement Coordinator, Tobacco Free Communities: Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie
Frank M. Van Auken, 102, passed away peacefully at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown, NY, on November 10, 2022, where he had lived since February 2018. Frank was born May 9, 1920, at his family home on Fassett Rd. in East Springfield, NY. He was the son of Olen Van Auken and Jennie Marks Van Auken. After graduating from East Springfield School, Frank enlisted in the United States Army during World War II, where he was stationed both stateside and in the European theater. Frank was the oldest living WWII veteran in Otsego County.
Frank married the love of his life, Laura Leadley, in Oswego, NY. Together they enjoyed traveling, playing cards, eating out, and hosting dinner parties. Frank served his community well. He was a volunteer fireman, a member of the local church, and a frequent flyer to K.C.’s Diner.
BURLINGTON FLATS – Jeannette R. Benjamin, 88, of Burlington Flats, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2022 at Cooperstown Center with her family by her side.
Jeannette was born on December 10, 1933 in Pittsfield, NY the daughter of the late Harvey and Lydia Miller Cline. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Donald Benjamin, a daughter Flossie Bliss, and daughter in law Gloria Benjamin.
She is survived by her children Kelly, Art, Paul and Linda, Tim and Beth, Keith, and grandchildren Nathan, Paul, Mitchell and Shannon, Brandon, Jennifer and Matt, Mike and Casey, Sarah and Fred, Daniel, Meghan, and her great grandchildren Noah, Aubree, Parker, Emery, Lilian, and siblings Leonna Utter and Lyle Cline.
PITTSFIELD – Donna Leh Black, 72, of Pittsfield passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
Born in Oneonta, on June 18, 1949, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Marion (Harris) Keator.
She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Oneonta. Donna was the President and Office Manager of Van’s Auto Sales & Service in Oneonta. She was the backbone behind this shop and is the reason it ran smoothly for so many years. In her leisure time she enjoyed working in her flower garden and feeding the wild animals. She made pets of them; in particular her cat, Mr. Kitty, who she tamed from the wild. Donna was a strong-willed and compassionate person. Her life revolved around her family, she was always there for us. She was always looking for ways to make our home a better place. Donna liked HGTV with all the home make over shows.
ONEONTA – She was born December 16, 1927 in Salem, N.Y., the daughter of Harry and Anna Currey.
She graduated from Washington Academy in Salem, N.Y., in 1945, from Oneonta Normal School (SUCO) in 1949 and St. Rose’s College, Albany, N.Y., in 1964.
She taught intermediate Special Education for 32 years for the Oneonta School District and Catskills Area BOCES in the Watkins House, the old Oneonta Jr. High School, Riverside School and Greater Plains School.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church since 1945. She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Rosary Society, Young At Heart, Otsego County Retired Teachers Society and a life member of the Oneonta Elks Club.
ONEONTA – A graveside service will be held for Clara F. Waring and her brother, Russell Hotaling at 11 a.m., Friday, August 27, 2021 at the Milford Cemetery, with the Rev. Joel Shue, officiating.
Clara is survived by her sons, Russell D. Black, Jr (Patricia) and Allen F. Black Sr. (Donna), and their families.
Donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are with Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street. www.lhpfuneralhome.com.
ONEONTA – Yvonne F. Page, 83, passed away peacefully at Noland Hospital in Dothan, Alabama on Monday, May 10, 2021.
Yvonne was born on March 16, 1938 in Summit, NJ and was a daughter of the late Gaston and Aurore (Brunette) Fichot, Sr. On June 7, 1958 she married Charles Page, Sr. at Our Lady of Fatima Church, New Market, NJ.
Yvonne was predeceased by her husband, Charles Sr., son, Perry Sr., daughter-in-law, Geralyn Page, along with many siblings, their spouses and in-laws.
Yvonne put her heart and soul into everything that she did. She was actively involved in whatever activities that her children and grandchildren where involved in. She enjoyed trail riding her horses with her family and grandchildren. She taught many how to ride horses and basic horsemanship. She was a leader of the New Lisbon Farm Bugs, the Buckaroos and the Morris Unicorns 4-H clubs for over 35 years.
She took great pride in running the Otsego County 4-H horse program along with many of her friends.
RELAY FOR LIFE – 11 a.m. Join Fall Foliage Run with the American Legion Riders in memory of Robin Enck, Rider & Army Veteran who lost his life to cancer this year. Ride to support American Cancer Society in the search for a cure. Registration begins 9:45 a.m. Cost, $15/participant. American Legions, 279 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-0494 or visit www.facebook.com/alrpost259
RELAY FOR LIFE – 4-10 p.m. Celebrate cancer survivors, remember lives lost & raise money for the American Cancer Society. Survivor Walk, family fun activities, food, live music, raffles & bake sales, w/lighting luminaria & fireworks at end. Wilber Park, 1-9 S Main St State Hwy 28 Milford. Info, www.relayforlife.org/otsegocountyny
RELAY FOR LIFE – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Otsego County Kick-Off event. Upstate Bar & Grill, 5418 NY-28, Cooperstown. Call 607-766-6925 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/OtsegoCountyNY
PUBLIC MEETING – 3:30-4:30 p.m. Discuss and comment on the Otsego county Draft Local Solid Waste Management Plan. Available for comment through Mar. 18. Huntington Memorial Library, 3rd Floor, 62 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Call 607-547-4225 or visit otsegocounty.com/depts/sw/
ONEONTA – She was born December 16, 1927 in Salem, N.Y., the daughter of Harry and Anna Currey.
