A baluster, just like this one, may be somewhere in the Coop- erstown area, and Bill Rigby needs it to complete renovating his antique staircase. Can you help?
In 1992, Bill and Janet Rigby were walking through 73 Elm St., deciding whether to buy that imposing Victorian home that, broken up into eight apartments, had fallen on hard times.
Hard times, yes. But there were hints of its former glory as home to Judge Walter H. Bunn’s clan, none moreso than the 30-step staircase that wound up from the ground floor to the third-floor attic.
All 67 balusters – the supports that connect the railing and the staircase foundation – were in place.
Bill Rigby, who had worked on restoration projects on Staten Island – he also operates American Historic Hardware here, replacing original hinges and fixtures – and Janet, who
had collaborated with him, couldn’t wait to get started.
But on buying the home and taking possession, they discovered: One of the balusters was gone.
“It was obvious: One was missing,” said Bill. “It was there when we walked through the house. It wasn’t there on the day of the closing.”
ONEONTA – A 16-year-old girl is believed to have run away from the Oneonta Job Corps Academy early this morning and may be headed towards Rochester, according to state police.
Delany Ramos, a student at Job Corps, was reported missing to police this morning. She is Hispanic, about 5 feet tall, medium build and blonde hair. It is unknown what she was wearing.
Anyone who has seen her or has information on her disappearance is asked to please call the New York State Police at (607) 432-3212.
COOPERSTOWN – Today a resident of Cooperstown reached out for help in an attempt to find her lost feline companion, Bootsie.
Bootsie is a female longhair Grey Cat with a white breast and white front paws. She has a small scar on her forehead above her right eye and is very dear to her owner.
Bootsie was last seen in the vicinity of Chestnut Street and Glen Avenue on the evening of Monday, November 9th and needs a special diet and daily medication.
If you have any information on Bootsie’s whereabouts, please help by contacting Marjorie Landers at (607) 547-8340. Bootsie’s home is 8 Glen Avenue, Cooperstown, New York.
Help to spread the word by sharing this on social media with the hashtag #FindBootsie.
EDMESTON – Sheriff’s deputies this afternoon issued a “missing endangered person” report, after George E. Holbert, 79, or Dutch Valley Road, Town of Edmeston, had been reported missing since Sunday.
Holbert is on numerous medications, left at home, that he needs daily, deputies said. The missing man left his home in a 2012 grey GMC Canyon Quad cab pickup, license plate: DCW-7471.
Anyone with information should call deputies at 547-4273.
