ONEONTA – Clarence Norman “Norm” Moran, 85, former pastor of Main Street Baptist Church and founding president of what is now the Oneonta Christian Academy in Otego, passed away on Sept. 12, 2020.
He was born in Chester, Pa., on Christmas Day in 1934, the son of Clarence Wesley Moran and Anna Pusey Moran. At his mother’s encouragement, he enrolled at Philadelphia College of the Bible, then Elim Bible Institute, in Lima, Livingston County, graduating in 1957. That year he married his partner in ministry for life, Nancy. He then furthered his education at Roberts Wesleyan College, Alfred University, and Wheaton School of Theology in Illinois.
Norm actually began as assistant pastor to Lima Baptist Church while still in college, and upon graduating he began ministry as pastor of La Grange Baptist Church in La Grange, in Western New York, then felt called of God to begin a church in Geneseo.
ONEONTA – A true Delaware County farm girl, Jill Kathleen MacCracken, was born on Aug. 23, 1950, to Frank and Peg (Moore) MacCracken in Stamford and raised in her beloved Charlotte Valley on Brick House Farm, along with her brothers, Jack and Frank, Jr.
Her days on the farm made her tough and ingrained in her heart the importance of family. Upon graduating from Charlotte Valley Central School, she went on to give her heart to other things: teaching, Clark Morris and Jesus.
Beautiful butterfly Samantha Judd, a third grader at Oneonta Community Christian School, tries to guess how many of each sweet in each jar as part of the Harvest Festival held earlier tonight at the school. With her is Laura Wood, whose mother teaches math at the school, and Claire Cook. (Libby Cudmore/AllOTSEGO.com)
SPRING FEST – 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Features music and events including the Ross Park Zoomobile and a Fishing Derby by Trout Unlimited. Copes Corner Park, on Rte. 51 between Gilbertsville and Mt. Upton. Info, www.townofbutternuts.org/copes-corners-park/
FLOWER SHOW – 5-7 p.m. Opening reception of The Cherry Valley Flower Show on display to June 4. The Cherry Branch Gallery, 25 Main St., Cherry Valley. Info, call (607)264-9530 or email info@cherrybranchgallery.com or visit cherrybranchgallery.com
EMPTY BOWLS – Noon-2 p.m. Serving homemade soup in your choice of bowl crafted and donated by local potters. Cost, $15 to benefit the local food pantry. Christ Church Parish Hall on Fair Street, Cooperstown. Info, cooperstownchamber.org/calendar-of-events/#!event/2017/4/1/empty-bowls. To volunteer or donate call (607)547-2627
SOUTH AFRICAN BANQUET – 6-9 p.m. The Mali Education project presents a South African benefit bazaar, dinner and documentary fill titled “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai,” about the founder of the Green belt Movement in Kenya and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Tickets, $15 adults, $10 children over 5. Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Ave, Oneonta. Reservation, call (607)434-3303 or email cswolfgould@gmail.com. Info, uuso.org
