On my way home, while passing over the Elmer Sitts Road that links Monticello to Hyder Road, I always note a sign that marks “The Stauring Retreat,” which amounts to several small camps situated in the woods. Invariably, I think, “what ever happened to Chick Stauring?” I haven’t seen him in more than 50 years.
I don’t even know if he uses the retreat or if he lives anywhere near Richfield. I do know that I am and will always be deeply indebted to him.
When I was about 12 or 13, all the kids used to go to swim at Perkins on Canadarago Lake. There was a long dock that took you out into deep water and beyond that a large float on which we played innumerable games of tag. At that time there was a gas pump, boat rentals and a store up by the road where the Perkins sold everything from fishhooks to hamburgers.
A man from Mohawk died in Canadarago Lake after he went after his boat that had gone adrift on Saturday, July 31, state police said.
David Morrisey, 54, was on Deowongo Island at the time. A joint effort of the state police, Fly Creek EMS, Richfield EMS, Otsego County Sherriff’s Department and Milford Fire Department made an effort to recover his body, which was eventually found by the New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team.
Terry Berkson, who has an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College, lives on a farm outside Richfield Springs. His articles have appeared in New York magazine, the New York Daily News Sunday Magazine, Automobile and other publications.
During a cold snap several years ago, night temperatures up on our hill on the west side of Canadarago Lake were hovering around 22 below zero. Worried about my chickens freezing their gizzards off, I hung a 100-watt bulb on a wire in our small coop inside the barn and let it burn 24 hours a day.
I’m sure it raised the temperature a bit, but it also increased egg production. In fact, after a few days of continuous light, my chickens started laying eggs like crazy. Concerned that they might burn themselves out, I consulted neighbor Jim McNulty, who had attended Cornell University and now lived at the foot of nearby Panther Mountain. He agreed the hens could become exhausted, but warned that if I suddenly cut off the light, I could drive my chickens into a molt, which was bound to kill them in this cold weather. At the same time, to keep the water in the coop from freezing, I installed a heater in the water bucket. Between the light and the heater, I was worried about causing a fire.
Again, McNulty advised me to do away with the water heater and put snow in the bucket, which would quench the chickens’ thirst and wouldn’t freeze like water. I was impressed. He also informed me chickens in a draft-free coop didn’t need the 100-watt bulb. Removing it was no small step because beloved Pee Wee, a chick I had saved by performing a virtual Caesarian on an egg in water, was among the flock I was about to pull the plug on.
GRAND OPENING – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate the opening of the Susquehanna SPCA’s new complex with ribbon cutting (10:45 a.m.) and an open house. Come explore the new facility, meet some cute animals (maybe take one home?) and more. Registration encouraged. Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 St. Hwy. 28, Cooperstown. 607-547-8111 or visit sqspca.org/sqspca-ribbon-cutting-open-house-set-for-july-17/
The 87-acre Rose Hill property adjoins the Otsego Land Trust’s 85-acre Fetterlee Forest on the mountaintop at right, overlooking Canadarago Lake and Trust-owned Deowongo Island, at left.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
County Rep. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, tells his colleagues it would take 497 years of county taxes on Rose Hill to make up the $151,000 the Otsego Land Trust wants to pay for it right now. At left is Rep. Michelle Farwell, D-Butternuts/Morris/Pittsfield. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – A coalition of Republican and Democratic reps took control of the floor at this morning’s county Board of Representatives’ meeting and approved the $151,000 sale of the 87-acre Rose Hill property to the Otsego Land Trust, a non-profit not required to pay property taxes.
The land, atop Panther Mountain on the north end of the Town of Otsego, connects with the Land Trust’s 85-acre Fetterlee Forest, doubling the trust’s holding, which features a scenic overlook of Canadarago Lake and Deowongo Island, as well as hiking trails.
The sale had been stymied in the county board’s committee system since April, failing to pass the Public Works Committee, then failing to pass the Administrative Committee. Normally, that would have ended it.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Dustin Norman Groat, 19, of Richfield Springs, who passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018, when his kayak capsized on Canadarago Lake during a storm.
He was born on Feb. 2, 1999, in Cooperstown, the son of Eric Groat and Evelyn Seward, and graduated from Richfield Springs Central School, Class of 2017.
Dustin and his dad had a special connection and he loved spending time on the farm with him. His favorite place to be, and where he was happiest, was outside. Whether he was working on the farm, mowing lawns, or just hanging out with family. He enjoyed operating heavy farm equipment in the fields.
SUNSET STROLL – 7 p.m. Walk through the forest and enjoy the views of Canadarago Lake this summer solstice. Fetterly Forest, 302 Roses Hill Road, Richfield Springs. Call 607-547-2366 or visit www.otsegolandtrust.org
EXHIBIT – 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Artwork by Tom Soloman featuring 6 inductees, Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, current players. 30 one of a kind items. Displayed thru July 31. Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum, 99 Main St., Cooperstown. Call 607-547-1273.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – A Jordanville teen drowned in Canadarago Lake after his kayak capsized during last night’s storm.
According to State Police, Dustin Groat, 19, Jordanville, was with another teenager when they got into their kayaks at the Canadarago Lake Boat Launch at approximately 7:30 p.m. and paddled to Deowongo Island.
COOPERSTOWN – The county Highway Department, with Contractor Suit-Kote, will be “micro-milling” Route 22 from Schuyler Lake to Richfield Springs, beginning Monday, county Highway Superintendent Bill Mason reports.
BOAT PARADE – 3 p.m. Decorate your boat and sail, motor, paddle, or whatever from 3 mile point to Lake Front Park. Decorate boats anyway you want. All entries are welcome at any point. Enter the contest at 3 mile point. Spectators can view from Lake Front Park, Cooperstown. Contact Wayne Bunn (518)542-6630 or visit otsegolakeassociation.org
BOAT PARADE – 6-7:15 p.m. Show your boat in its Patriotic glory and then view the fireworks after. Meet at the New York State Boat Launch, 135 Denison Rd., Richfield Springs. www.canadaragolake.com
FIREWORKS – 9:30-10 p.m. Celebrate the Fourth of July with an amazing show above Canadarago Lake. www.canadaragolake.com
As in this photo from a year ago, Independence Day fireworks are planned at dusk Sunday, July 2, at Cooperstown’s Lakefront Park. The Cooperstown Rotary Club will be selling food from 5 p.m., the Cooperstown Community Band plays at 8, and fireworks follow. Picnickers welcome. Monday the 3rd, fireworks may be viewed from the state boat launch at Canadarago Lake, Town of Richfield, and on Tuesday, July 4, at Oneonta’s Neahwa Park. (AllOTSEGO.com photo)
WITH THE SNOW EMERGENCY CONTINUING MONDAY, BE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF AN EVENT IS CANCELLED BEFORE YOU VENTURE FORTH
FISHING TIPS – 7 p.m. Meeting of the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited where Tom Trelease presents “All the Secrets you need to catch bass on Otsego & Canadarago Lakes.” Inlcudes demonstrations of best rigs, lures, and baits. Includes spin and fly fishing. The Plains, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. Info, dplummer@stny.rr.com
The New York State Foliage Report is showing Otsego County to be just past peak, but Sunday is expected to be sunny and there’s enough color to enliven any Sunday drive. Plan on it. Here’s a view Wednesday from Route 28 at Canadarago Lake, looking east. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
COOPERSTOWN – The Tuesday, Nov. 25 meeting of the Otsego County Water Quality Coordinating Committee will feature a presentation by Carter L. Bailey titled “Canadarago Lake Watershed Protection Plan: Working Together for a Common Goal.”
The meeting is at 1 p.m. in Classroom A at The Meadows, hosted by the Otsego County Planning Department. It is free and open to the public.
On my way home, while passing over the Elmer Sitts Road that links Monticello to Hyder Road, I always note a sign that marks “The Stauring Retreat,” which amounts to several small camps situated in the woods. Invariably, I think, “what ever happened to Chick Stauring?” I haven’t seen him in more than 50 years.
