Now getting into our ninth decade of life, we find there are concerns that weren’t there in our eighth decade.
The latest concern is downsizing. Even though we older folks want to stay in our present home forever, the reality is that the constant upkeep, inside and out, becomes very difficult. So now is the time, and many others feel this way too, to move forward to the next stage of our lives. Now is the time to sell the house and move to a first floor, handicapped accessible two-bedroom in Cooperstown. BUT—now the problem! These apartments are like finding “hens’ teeth” (as my Dad used to say). We don’t want to put our home on the market, and have no place to live.
WALKING CLUB – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a fun walk on Mondays & Fridays with friends old and new and listen to music of the 70s. Free for members, non-members aged 50+. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. 547-2800, ext. 109 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com
BLOOD DRIVE – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Richfield Springs High School, 93 E. Main St., Richfield Springs. 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org
Cooperstown Central School presents the junior/senior play “Puffs” this weekend – a ‘clever and inventive play that never goes more than a minute without a laugh,’ says Nerdist. The show presents “a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three potential heroes just trying to make it through a magic school that proves to be very dangerous for children.” Alongside them are the Puffs, a group of well-meaning, loyal outsiders with a thing for badgers who, says Hollywood Life, “are so lovable and relatable, you’ll leave the theater wishing they were in the stories all along.” From left to right, the cast includes Crystal Castle, Lilly Grady, Oliver Wasson, Simon Hurysz, Max Jones, Maddy Hayes, Annie Walker, and Quinn Lytel. Tickets are $5 at the door, with performances March 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Sterling Auditorium. For mature audiences (rated PG-13).
EXHIBIT OPENING – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate the opening of 2 exhibits ‘An Artistic Discovery,’ a collective display by Otsego County High School art students, and ‘Outta This World,’ and imaginative collaborative art project from the students of Milford. Cooperstown Art Association. 607-547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com
After a year of separation, Cathy Weir of Cooperstown trims her mom Elinore Sorbera’s pageboy. Now in her 90s, Mrs. Sorbera was head nurse at the county’s former Meadows Nursing Home on Route 33, predecessor to Coopers- town Center, where she resides now.
A decade ago, Kent Turner was working in the kitchen at Oneonta’s B-Side Ballroom, the popular nightspot, when he noticed a vivacious woman and her girlfriends were becoming regulars.
“We starting talking,” said Kent, and one thing led to another. “She had a heart of gold.”
Kent and Jackie fell in love.
Soon, the couple was attending Oneonta’s Community Gospel Church. For seven happy years, “she was really helpful in turning my life around,” he said.
But it wasn’t to continue.
Jackie was stricken with premature dementia in her late 50s, and she was admitted to Cooperstown Center’s Serenity Place, where her loving companion visited her regularly – until he couldn’t.
In February 2020, as COVID-19 loomed, state regulations forced Cooperstown Center to close its doors to visitors. For 13 months, not just Jackie and Kent, but the Center’s more than 150 residents were cut off from their families.
“When we had to close those doors,” said Lacey Rinker, director of nursing, “it breaks your heart.”
Rotarians Katherine Dina, right, and Cathy Raddatz, left, flank the first ultrafine air filter donated by Cooperstown Rotary to the village’s Senior Community Center. Others, in back, from left, are Bev Hence, Rae Consigli, Christine McNaughton, Patricia Dilorenzo, Betty McNeil and Marti Jax. Front, from left, are Sue Straub, Enid Hinkes, Carole Lachance and Linda (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
To the Editor:
Social isolation among seniors is a reality that has become an even greater concern since the onset of COVID-19.
To minimize its effects on our older population, Cooperstown Senior Community Center, CSCC, took full advantage of the sunshine and warm temperatures summer and early autumn provided.
Seniors, living in and outside of Cooperstown, have been gathering 1 – 3 p.m. Thursdays since the end of July on the lawn and parking lot of St. Mary’s at 31 Elm St.
Hand sanitizing, mask wearing and maintaining distance while outdoors provided the safe and healthy social environment much needed by seniors during this time of uncertainty.
Now thanks to the warm generosity of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown, the arrival of colder weather has not brought CSCC gatherings to an end.
Rotary President Richard Sternberg, members Cathy Raddatz and Katherine Dina received $4,000 from two grants they wrote on behalf of CSCC. This grant money has purchased three Healthway Intellipure air purifiers which utilize the ultrafine 468 air filters strongly recommended by Governor Cuomo for use in schools and hospitals.
These air purifiers, along with other precautions, create a safe and healthy environment inside the large brick building behind St. Mary’s where seniors now meet. We are so grateful to Rotary for this generous donation.
On behalf of the many who enjoy coming to CSCC, I thank Rotary Club of Cooperstown for its service and commitment to addressing the needs of our seniors within the community, as well as surrounding areas.
Just because Chestnut Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is currently closed to all visitors due to COVID-19 safety measures, doesn’t mean your warm thoughts have to be left out in the cold. Hospital liaison Natalie Hooper, above, holds a special mail box that was placed outside the facility earlier today, where anyone wanting to brighten a senior’s day with letters, artwork or anything else can now drop them off there and it will be delivered by staff. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – Jordan Shindler of The Ross Park Zoo in Binghamton holds Fluffy, an African Pygmy hedgehog for A.O. Fox Nursing Home resident Betty Jones to pet — down her back, not up! — while resident Lois Benedict, right, waits her turn. The nursing home’s Activities Department invited zoo staff to bring some of their people-friendly animals and teach residents about them to celebrate National Nursing Home Week. (Jennifer Hill/AllOTSEGO.com)
Kitty Brudzienski, a resident at Woodside Hall, cuddles up to Maggie, a help dog in training owned by Sheila Ross. Maggie, along with fellow shih tzu Molly, are brought weekly to the home where they visit with residents. “I have been bringing my dogs here for three years.” said Ross, “They really bring joy to these people.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Thanks to an anonymous donation, the OHS Class of 2017 were able to enjoy their senior prom in the Atrium of Foothills, where they enjoyed dinner, dancing, daiquiris and a candy bar before heading to the after-prom party in the High School cafeteria for a chance to win prizes at casino games and raffles. Above, the dance floor was hopping throughout the night to tunes spun by DJ Hectic. At right, Nick Giacomelli and Maria Farrell enjoy a slow dance together as the evening winds to a close.(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
CONFERENCE – 8:30-10 a.m. Local manufacturers and training providers meet to discuss goals to ensure there is a trained workforce in the county to meet employers needs. Reservation required. Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. Info, Barbara Ann Heegan, President/CEO Otsego County Chamber of commerce, (607)432-4500 ext. 202 or email baheegan@otsegocc.com
PICKLEBALL – Noon-2 p.m. Come learn the sport. Gymn floor, Clark Sports Center, 124 Cty. Hwy. 52, Cooperstown. Info, www.clarksportscenter.com
CONSERVATION MEETING – 12:30-3:30 p.m. Discussion of manure spreading strategies to reduce nutrient runoff. A must for farmers spreading or storing manure this winter. Otsego County Meadows Complex, 140 Ct. Hwy. 33W. RSVP by 1/12, (607)547-8337 ext. 4. or email weaverb@otsegosoilandwater.com
AUDITIONS – 3-6:30 p.m. Catskill Choral Society opens auditions for new members and potential Dox Apprentices. Unitarian Universalist Church, 12 Ford Ave., Oneonta. Call 431-6060 to schedule and appointment.
OHS seniors Kevin Hait, Abby Kahl, front, and others enjoyed a night of food and dancing at the Holiday Inn on Southside in Oneonta who hosted the event on Thursday night. (Ian Austin/ allotsego.com)
