135 Years Ago
The much anticipated Oneonta Agricultural Society sponsored wedding at the Oneonta Fair, scheduled for last Saturday, between Mr. George Lee of Scranton, Pennsylvania and Miss Sykes of Binghamton did not come about as advertised. However, the society secured another couple, Albert H. Jeffrey and Mary E. Sickler, who reside near Schuyler’s Lake in this county. Promptly at one o’clock on Saturday afternoon, when the bell at the judges’ stand announced the coming of the bridal party, nearly everybody on the grounds directed their steps toward the grandstand where the ceremony was to occur. There were probably not less than 8,000 people to witness the ceremony. Before A.B. Richardson proceeded with the ceremony, he asked that order and decorum prevail. His request was complied with, for during the entire ceremony, no unseemly act or remark was noticed.
September 1886
Across Otsego County, there were remembrances for the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that rocked the world and changed the course of history.
The First Presbyterian Church in Oneonta rang the church bell 20 times for each moment of the attack. It range at 8:45 a.m., when the first plane hit the World Trade Center, 9:03 a.m., when the second plane hit, at 9:45 a.m., when the pentagon was hit and at 10:10 a.m., when United 93 crashed in Pennsylvania.
Motorcyclists from the American Legion Riders had a run in honor of the day. About 100 riders roared through the streets of Oneonta and were later in Milford, a line of motorcyclists stretching back across state Route 28.
Milford held a parade where firefighters from the region drove past the Milford Fire Department in their fire trucks, throwing candy to the children as people cheered and waved American flags. Leading the parade were two navy veterans who stood atop a car while Taps played from the loudspeaker.
Fire trucks drive past the Milford Fire Department while onlookers cheer. (Kevin Limiti/AllOtsego.com).
Wilber Park in Milford was a scene of remembrance but also was doubly a fundraiser for cancer research. Otsego County Rep. Jennifer Mickle, R-Decatur, Maryland, Westford, Worcester, helped organize the event.
The prominent message at the park and in all of the events was gratitude towards first responders, including firefighters, police, EMS workers and the military.
COMMUNITY CONCERT – 3 p.m. Enjoy ‘Music from the Hills’ as performed by the Oneonta Community Concert Band, in the City of the Hills this Labor Day. Will include show tunes, marches, folk music and more. In the spirit of labor day, this concert will be free. On the Pavilion, Wilber Park, Oneonta. 607-376-7485 or visit www.oneontamusicians.org
The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is back with the Grammy -nominated wind quintet “Imani Winds.” They are known for dynamic playing, adventurous programming and outreach programs, which have inspired audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The cost is $30/person. At The Otesaga in Cooperstown at 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 15. Call 877-666-7421 or visit cooperstownmusicfest.org for information.
Al Rubin and teammate Theo Basdekis play a match in Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s first pickleball tounament, which was held Saturday, June 26, in Oneonta’s Wilber Park.
In Oneonta’s Fairyland, a memorial to Alice Siegfried has been erected, with Fairyland residents gathering to proclaim dedication to many of the social justice causes she supported, including Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ equality. Siegfried, who died July 18 at age 88, was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Society, the Oneonta NAACP and other civil rights organizations. (Ian Austin/AllOSEGO.com)
With Oneonta City Schools (and pretty much everything else) closed today, Jacob Foster Rothbart, 13, took the opportunity to sled in Wilber Park with dad Mike and sister Natalie, 8. After accumulations of up to 11 inches in the past 24 hours, snowfall is expected to taper off in Oneonta this evening, ending at 10, although flurries are expected to continue until midnight in Cooperstown. Tomorrow, a sunny day is being predicted with a high of 29. Inset, Rachel MacLean, a Bassett Healthcare Network medical student, joins a snowball fight in Wilber Park. (James Cummings/AllOTSEGO.com)
COMMUNITY CONCERT – 3 p.m. Oneonta Community Concert Band presents concert ‘Greeting Summer’ in music. Features pieces Olympic Fanfare and Theme, On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, National Emblem March, more. Free, open to public. Lawn chairs welcome. Pavilion, Wilber Park, Oneonta. 607-437-0152.
At times cheerful, at times tearful, the annual Otsego County Relay for Life is underway at this hour in Milford’s Wilber Park, after guests speakers shared inspirational stories, and Heather Henderson of Schenevus, in particular, gave a rousing call to fight the scourge that has taken so many loved ones from among us. In top photo, leading off survivors on the first circuit of the track, Henderson, left, holds up the banner, joined by Tracy Baker, Cherry Valley; Art Boden, Cooperstown, and Laura Emmett, Oneonta. Inset left, Otsego County’s freshman Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, shares the story of his daughter, Emmy, who developed brain cancer and passed away in 2015 at age 22. Inset right, mom Elaine Kellogg marches with her daughter, cancer fighter Laurene Gage. The ladies, from Burlington Flats, wave at cheering passersby when family members joined survivors in the second loop. The American Legion Riders and the Elite Dance Academy, both from Oneonta, participated in this afternoon activities. The Relay continued until 10 p.m. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
RELAY FOR LIFE – 4-10 p.m. Celebrate cancer survivors, remember lives lost & raise money for the American Cancer Society. Survivor Walk, family fun activities, food, live music, raffles & bake sales, w/lighting luminaria & fireworks at end. Wilber Park, 1-9 S Main St State Hwy 28 Milford. Info, www.relayforlife.org/otsegocountyny
FRONTIER HISTORY – 6:30 p.m. Terry McMaster presents “Ethnicity, Alliance, Family & War – Defenders of the NY Frontier & The Andrustown, Springfield, and Cherry Valley Attack of 1778.” Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. 607-547-5098 ext. 6 or visit hydehall.org/event/ethnicity-alliance-family-war/
NATURE WALK – 10 – 11:30 a.m. Get the kids out exploring different habitats in the park, identify plants, animals, use a journal to record observations. Meet at Spruce Street entrance, Wilber Park, Oneonta. Call 607-547-4488 or visit occainfo.org/calendar/get-the-kids-out-nature-identification/
AUTHORS SERIES – 1 p.m. Baseball author David Kelly present and discuss book “Ballpark Mysteries: The Cardinals Caper” Followed by a book signing in the Atrium. Included with Museum admission. The Bullpen Theater, Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-7200 or visit baseballhall.org/node/17198?date=0
CONCERT – 3 p.m. Oneonta Community Concert Band presents a World Tour in Music featuring the “Star Spangled Banner,” “King Cotton March,” “Marche des Parachutists Belges,” “Amparito Roca,” more. Wilber Park, Oneonta. Call 607-437-0152.
GRADUATION – 1:30 p.m. CCS Seniors receive their diplomas. The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. Call 607-547-8181 or visit www.cooperstowncs.org
Carleen Henderson, Schenevus, Jim Wolff, Fly Creek,Thatcher Handy, Cobleskill and Sallie Herrington, Cooperstown, bear the banner during the Survivor’s lap of the Relay For Life at Wilber Park in Milford this afternoon. Despite a constant rain, family, friends, survivors and care-givers came out to show their support in finding a cure for cancer. The event continues through the night and features raffles, prizes, food, events and vendors.(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
