BURLINGTON FLATS—Janet B. Fikes, 86, of Burlington Flats, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023 in Oneonta.
Janet was born on October 1, 1936 in Burlington Flats, New York. She was predeceased by the love of her life and husband of 67 years, Arleigh Fikes, and her parents, Ward and Wilma (Cole) Baulch.
She is survived by a daughter, Cindi Sue (Phil) Mancino of Rome; a son, Terry (Nanette) Fikes of Burlington Flats; grandchildren Steven (Dawn) Patafie, Kevin (Alicia Diamond) Patafie, Cassandra (Jared) Popiel, and Matthew (Ashley) Fikes; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Rocky Patafie, Cole and Jade Popiel, and Carter and Levi Malmquist (Fikes). She is also survived by nieces, nephews and close friends.
HOLIDAY PARADE —10 a.m. Come out for some holiday cheer and celebrate Santa’s arrival in the “Home for the Holidays” Parade. Followed by the Mice on Main Scavenger hunt. Main Street Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
GINGERBREAD JUBILEE—11 a.m. Community members, organizations, businesses and others create their most creative gingerbread houses on the theme of their favorite board game. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
FESTIVAL OF TREES—11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Decorate your own 6-ft. artificial Christmas tree (must include, but not limited to, a garland, lights, tree topper, skirt, and ornaments), sponsor a tree to be decorated on your behalf ($150), and enter to win your favorite tree in the raffle. Come see the holiday creativity on display. Held at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
PRINCETON, NJ – Susan Rosenheim Hughson, 87, died peacefully on November 22, 2022. A lifelong resident of Oneonta, New York, Susan had moved to Princeton earlier in the year to be near family.
Susan was born in Oneonta on May 16, 1935. The daughter of Frederic Rosenheim and Pauline (Polly) Borden Rosenheim, she attended Bugbee School and Oneonta High School. In 1957, Susan graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in chemistry. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas M. Hughson, and they had two sons, Fred and Bill. After her divorce in 1988, Susan joined in a joyful partnership with Paul E. Scheele that lasted the rest of their lives.
ONEONTA – On December 19, 1937, Sandra “Sandy” Rae Cooper arrived in Elmira, New York – full of life and purpose – as the middle child of her loving parents, Beatrice and Merle Cooper.
After giving everything she had to give, Sandy left this world 84 years later on October 13, 2022, as the spouse of one, the mother of six, the grandmother of twenty, the sister of two, and a friend to hundreds.
Like everyone, Sandy arrived in this world with nothing, and she left with nothing. What Sandy left behind on this planet, however, is immeasurable.
Sandy was a life-long New Yorker. She was born in Elmira, raised in Dannemora, and eventually settled in Oneonta where she raised a family with her husband of 62 years.
ONEONTA—The St. James Mission Team will host a “Grand Breakfast” fund-raiser on Saturday, November 19 from 8 a.m. to noon, in order to raise funds for much-needed medicine.
St. James Episcopal Church is located at 305 Main Street, Oneonta. The pancake and sausage breakfast event is by donation.
ONEONTA—Tanner Sorbera of Burlington Flats was one of nine students from SUNY Oneonta who participated in the college’s first Sophomore Service Day event on Saturday, October 15. From 1-4 p.m., the students washed the outside of nearly every Main Street storefront window, with additional help from three volunteers from the college’s wrestling team. This event was the first service day specifically for sophomores, allowing the participating students to acquaint themselves with the community while making a difference. Sorbera is studying Criminal Justice at SUNY Oneonta.
Mortarboards and tassels have been on my mind (and head).
What a wonderful couple of weeks! The City of Oneonta hosted two college inaugurations within 8 days. They were spectacular. There was genuine pageantry.
And pomp. They also featured a similar and particular circumstance.
Which is this: That in this moment in Oneonta’s history, we’ve been blessed. In the inauguration of these two men, we’ve been gifted with exactly what we need.
ONEONTA – Duane “Dee” A. Hathaway, 82, passed away, Saturday, October 29, 2022. Our lives are forever changed.
He was born on May 3, 1940 in Binghamton, New York, the son of Margaret (Major) and Harold Hathaway. He attended Bugbee School and Oneonta Junior and Senior High Schools. He went on to graduate from Broome Tech with an engineering degree and began his career working for Amphenol Aerospace then spent the remainder of his career at Custom Electronics in Oneonta until his retirement.
Dee, as he was known to most of those that knew him, was the life of the party and liked to raise hell. He was sarcastic, had a quick wit and would tell you like it was. He was a friend to many and dearly loved by them all. If Dee was your friend, he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. If you knew him, you knew that’s who he was.
ONEONTA – Phyllis Jane Estes, 89, of Oneonta, passed from this life on October 19, 2022.
Phyllis was born on March 20, 1933 at Bassett Hospital the daughter of the late William and Ruth Johnson Smith. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son Michael Jackson on April 25, 1966, a granddaughter Jessica Bass on July 10, 2002 and a brother Bill.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years Steve Estes, children Raymon Jackson, Sherry (Chris) Bass, Mark Jackson, step children Jean (Dan) Byrne, Kate (Joel) Hawn, Amy (James) Kang, David (Patty) Estes, 11 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces nephews and dear friends.
In her early years in Cooperstown, Phyllis was involved as a Pack Secretary of the Boy Scouts, the fire department auxiliary, and the VFW Auxiliary.
As a student at SUNY Oneonta, I am honored to have taken part in President Cardelle’s Inauguration as the ninth president of SUNY Oneonta. In the nine months that he has been president, he has and still continues to do a phenomenal job. His inaugural address was not only inspiring but motivating. On behalf of those who are still college students, I wish President Cardelle good luck in his role as president of SUNY Oneonta. Good luck and God bless you and your family, President Cardelle.
185 YEARS AGO The Common Schools’ Curriculum Questioned – How much of the practical business of life do the children learn in the common schools? Does the young farmer in the district school learn anything of Agriculture — and of the nature of sods and manures? — Anything that teaches him to distinguish the different earths, and their peculiar adaptations to the different grains and grasses? Does he learn anything of the best breeds of stock — of the best manner of raising, keeping, and fattening his cattle, sheep and swine? Is he taught that which makes his profession useful, profitable or honorable?
Police were called Monday, September 26, to restrain a customer. The customer, who will not be identified, had requested a free packet of cigarettes and then started throwing themselves against the glass of the store front, breaking windows and injuring themselves. Read more about this incident HERE.
