Bound Volumes

December 12, 2024

110 YEARS AGO

We must get together. The civilization of American communities has developed to such a degree that each person becomes a cogwheel. No person who calls Cooperstown his home can truthfully say that he lives independently of its civilization. Granting the truth of this statement, then each citizen is obliged to do his or her something for Cooperstown. That something may be embodied in personal work along lines which will lead toward cleaner or better citizenship or in making the village a more beautiful place to live. The fact that you and I are more or less dependent on this community for the dollars with which we buy not only our daily bread, but the luxuries of life, we should purchase those things within the community – in other words trade at home. Floyd S. Barlow.

December 9, 1914

85 YEARS AGO

Miss Lucy E. Cooke was hostess at a theatre party for her music pupils on Friday evening of last week. Miss Cooke and her guests attended the performance of “Beau Geste” after which the group went to Miss Cooke’s home on Chestnut Street where delicious refreshments were served. The following young people were present: Patricia Boyd, Sheila Coleman, Robert Crowley, Betty Dunn, Aileen Johnson, Carol Jones, LaRue Jones, Allen Kiley, Jane Kiley, Joan King, Kathryn King, Charlotte Kniskern, Elizabeth McIver, Marion McIver, Betty Jane Michaels, Mae Murphy, Elinore Peevers, Ruth Mary Robinson, Jane Wedderspoon, Catherine Wilmot, and Moussia Wolkonsky.

December 13, 1939

60 YEARS AGO

An article recently published in the journal “New York History” is among the material to be buried in Westinghouse Time Capsule II at the New York World’s Fair next October. The journal is published by the New York State Historical Association and printed in Cooperstown by The Freeman’s Journal Company. Time Capsule II will be buried next to the original Westinghouse Time Capsule which was buried in 1938. The article, which appeared in the April 1964 issue of “New York History” is titled “A White House Luncheon, June 17, 1963,” and consists of a talk by President John F. Kennedy, and a response by Dr. Julian P. Boyd, editor of “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson.” Both capsules are scheduled to be opened in the year 6939 A.D.

December 9, 1964

35 YEARS AGO

The Otsego County Board of Representatives passed the much-debated Occupancy Tax, familiarly known as the “Bed Tax” in an 11-3 vote following a 90-minute public hearing. “We’re at the beginning of a win/win situation,” Doris Holdorf, executive director of the Otsego County Tourism Bureau, said Friday. “The eventual impact on the economy of Otsego County is unlimited.” To alleviate the tourist crunch in Cooperstown, funds will be used for refuse cans, picnic tables, and park benches as an effort to provide better services for tourists.

December 13, 1989

20 YEARS AGO

The Otesaga Hotel will be transformed into a swinging nightclub next month, when the hotel and Jane Forbes Clark present “Murder in Swingland: A Murder Mystery Musical” to benefit the Cooperstown Fire Department. “I think it’s going to be a blast,” said John Irvin, general manager of the Otesaga, “and the best thing about the whole thing is we’re making zero profit on it. Everything above the cost of putting it on is going to be donated to the Ambulance Replacement Fund for the Fire Department.” “Sometimes when you’re trying to raise money for organizations it’s nicer to have a personal touch,” Clark commented.

December 10, 2004