COOPERSTOWN – The New Jersey Warriors, a hockey team composed of disabled U.S. military veterans, are set to visit Cooperstown from February 17-19. Hosted by the American Legion, a benefit will be held on the team’s behalf at VFW Post 7128, 60 Main Street, on that Friday evening. After a police escort from their hotel, the team will enjoy catering from area businesses including Council Rock Brewery, Brewery Ommegang, and Chobani, and an auction will take place with the proceeds going to the Warriors. On Saturday, the group will get a tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and then play a game at Badger Park at noon, inviting all community members to join them on the ice.
“It should be a fantastic event,” said Barry Shelley, the team’s local contact who has been a longtime hockey fan, even setting up a small ice rink in the attic of his Fly Creek home.
SAN DIEGO – Five-time All-Star and 1995 World Champion Fred McGriff earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, December 4 via the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee process.
McGriff was the only candidate elected from the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee Players Ballot, which was considered by a 16-member committee that held meetings in San Diego. The eight-person ballot was comprised of candidates whose primary contribution to the game came from 1980 to the present.
FILM SOCIETY – 7 p.m. Cooperstown film society presents ‘Angels In The Outfield’ (1994) with special guest Tim Mead, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and long time Angel executive to discuss his time with the team, making of the movie. Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main St., Cooperstown. Visit www.facebook.com/FilmSocCoop/
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – 9 a.m. Learn about the historic events in 1939 while celebrating the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 80th birthday. Baseball Hall of Fame, 25 Main St., Cooperstown. Info, www.baseballhall.org/, 607-547-7200.
IRISH DINNER – 4-7 p.m. The Knights of Columbus Tekakwitha Council 10968 host a corned beef & cabbage dinner with Irish step dancers performing. Free, donations accepted. St. Mary’s Parish Center, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. Info, (607) 547-8519.
FILM SOCIETY – 7 – 8:40 p.m. The Film Society of Cooperstown presents “Heaven Can Wait” which follows a star football player who dies prematurely and is placed in the body of a corporate magnate. Cooperstown Village Library. Call 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
READING SERIES – 7:30 p.m. Melora Wolff, essayist & prose writer published in The Southern Review & The New York Times, shares her writings for the Red Dragon Reading series. Craven Lounge, Morris Conference Center, SUNY Oneonta. Call 607-436-3446 or visit www.oneonta.edu/academics/english/reddragonreading/reddragonreadingseries.asp
DRI WALKING TOUR – 7 p.m. Explore Main and Market Street areas covered by the Downtown Revitalization Initiative with Mayor Gary Herzig and the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. Learn about the Past, Present, and Future of Downtown Oneonta. Call (607)432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org
THEATER – 7 p.m. The Glimmer Globe Theater presents William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. Call (607) 547-1492 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org/A-Midsummer-Nights-Dream
ART EXHIBITION – 5-7 p.m. The Arc Otsego’s 13th Annual Voice! exhibit celebrates Artists with Developmental Disabilities. Reception includes live music, refreshment, and art for sale. $1,500 prize will be awarded and guests can cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. Martin-Mullen Art Gallery, SUNY Oneonta. Call (607)432-8595 or visit www.facebook.com/arcotsego/
COMEDY SHOW – 8 p.m. “Not Too Far From Home “ returns to the foothills staring Aaron David Ward and his team of homegrown comedians. Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. Info, foothillspac.org
KISSING BOOTH – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet the adoptable pooches of the Susquehanna Animal shelter. Dewar Hall, Hartwick College, Oneonta. Info, susquehannaanimalshelter.org/category/events/
SOUP ‘N’ CHILI – The Cooperstown Winter Carnival starts up for a second weekend 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with Chili, Beef Barley Soup, Broccoli, Bread, Dessert, and drinks. Adults $8, Children $4 at First Baptist Church, 21 Elm St., Cooperstown. Info, 547-9371
CONTRADANCE – 7:15-10:30 p.m. Otsego Dance Society hosts. Music by Eleemosynary, Robby Poulette calls. No partner or experience needed. All dances taught. Newcomers welcome at 7:15 for an introduction to some basic steps. Suggested donation $8 adults; $4 students and teenagers; kids 12 & under free. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cooperstown. Info, (607) 965-8232, 547-8164, www.otsegodancesociety.blogspot.com
Frequently tearful during their acceptance speeches, former Mariner Ken Griffey Jr., left, and former Met Mike Piazza were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame today in a ceremony in Cooperstown under a clear blue, 92-degree sky. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Howard C. Talbot Jr. (Milo V. Stewart/Baseball Hall of Fame)
COOPERSTOWN – Howard Chase Talbot, Jr., retired National Baseball Hall of Fame director – the equivalent at the time of today’s president – from 1976 to 1993, passed away with his family by his side Saturday evening, July 18, 2015, at Bassett Hospital. He was 89.
Born Oct. 6, 1925, in New Berlin, Howard was the son of Howard C. Talbot, Sr. and Gladys Jacobs Talbot.
Raised in Edmeston, “Juney,” as he was known to his parents, attended Edmeston Central School and later Manlius Military Academy. He spent many summers of his youth on the shores of Otsego Lake as an attendee and counselor of Camp Chenango. Howard would go on to share a lifelong enjoyment of the outdoors with his family and friends.
On Dec. 15, 1943, he was inducted into the Army, serving his country during World War II with the 426th Field Artillery Battalion. Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Military on May 6, 1946, Howard returned home and obtained a degree from the Utica School of Commerce.
Ashlee Lansing, who handles sports bookings for the Holiday Inn, Albany, helps paint a bleacher wall at Doubleday Field this morning. She was part of the Tourism Cares contingent. (Jim Kevlin/allotsego.com)
By JIM KEVLIN • for allotsego.com
Doubleday Field manager Quinton Hasak leads a group of Tourism Cares volunteers into the field this morning.
COOPERSTOWN – Three dozen volunteers from Tourism Cares are painting the bleachers at Doubleday Field at this hour, part of a national effort that allows hundreds of tourism professionals to “give back” annually.
The volunteers will be able to say, “I painted the outfield wall at Doubleday Field and swung a bat at home plate,” said Jay Smith of Sports Travel & Tours, Hatfield, Mass., the official travel agent of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He estimated the volunteers will do $8,000-$10,000 worth of work today.
Smith, who worked with Mayor Jeff Katz, Destination Marketing of Otsego County exec Deb Taylor, and tourism agencies in Albany and Oneida counties, pointed out that the NTA (National Tourism Association) logo includes the phrase, “Save Our Sites,” and that the intent of the undertaking, as well as to familiarize tourism professional with attractions around the country.
