Bresee’s Santa Lives Restored Five Years Ago, Jolly Elf Reclaims His Stature In Downtown By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Even Santa Claus sometimes needs a little work done. For the past five years, he’s been a Christmas Time treat at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, but for many years after Bresee’s Department Store closed down in the 1990s, he was out of the public eye. “He had been in our warehouse, and we rescued him,” said Elaine Bresee,…
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LETTER from ANDREW STAMMEL After Vacancy Rift, Bi-Partisan Trust Needs Rebuilding To the Editor: The run of bi-partisanship on the county Board of Representatives has been interrupted by the Republican caucus’ recent efforts to steamroll through a replacement for Representative Oberacker. During my two and a half terms on the county board, cooperation between parties has ebbed and flowed. Since the 2017 election it has been split 7-7 between Democrats and Republican-affiliated members. Thankfully, a bi-partisan governing coalition and leadership…
LETTER from ANTOINETTE KUZMINSKI M.D. SAFE Foes, Pay For Challenge To the Editor: If gun enthusiasts wish to challenge the constitutionality of New York State gun laws, the ensuing court cases should be done on their own dollar. This will end up in the taxpayers’ lap if the county Board of Representatives agrees to a “gun sanctuary.” For the county board to take on this role would be financially highly irresponsible, especially in light of the budgetary constraints which just…
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Acupuncture = Churches (Under Governor Cuomo’s COVID-19 regulations), churches and synagogues are limited to a maximum of 25 people. These restrictions apply even to the largest cathedrals and synagogues, which ordinarily hold hundreds. And the restrictions apply no matter the precautions taken, including social distancing, wearing masks, leaving doors and windows open, forgoing singing, and disinfecting spaces between services. At the same time, the Governor has chosen to impose no capacity restrictions on certain businesses he considers…
New Covid Records Set Thanksgiving Hosts Stricken By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com As Otsego County’s COVID-19 numbers continue to climb, county Public Health Director Heidi Bond has a dire warning – NO gathering is safe. “I don’t know what it’s going to take to convince people to change their behavior,” she said. “If we don’t, we’re going to see these numbers continue to climb.” Though hospitalizations were down to four on Monday, Nov. 30 – down two from…
LETTER from JERRY GROFF And Of An Era: The Groff Era Editor’s Note: This a letter of appreciation to the communities from Dr. Jerry Groff, who recently retired after decades among the hospital’s leadership. Today is Thanksgiving 2020. The historic challenges and losses in the past year remind us to take extra time to give thanks for the things that have been good in our lives. I completed my 37-year career at Bassett in October, and with that came the…
City Clerk Powell Retires, Assistant Will Succeed Her By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Except for Council member Scott Harrington recusing himself, Tuesday ’s vote for Kerriann Harrington to succeed City Clerk Nancy Powell was smooth. Kerriann is Scott’s wife. “As an older person, I knew I wouldn’t be here for 20 years,” said Powell. “My goal was to build a team to make that transition seamless, and we were able to accomplish that.” Among those who joined her…
Joyce Mason Saved ‘Lord’s Kitchen,’ An Much More Oneonta ‘Missionary At Heart’ Retires – For Now By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com In 2008, Joyce Mason, working as a missionary in Honduras, got an urgent message that she was needed at home in Oneonta. “Opportunities for Otsego had decided to give the Lord’s Table two weeks’ notice that they would no longer run it,” she said. “And although they tried to limp along, it wasn’t enough.” After locating a…
HOMETOWN HISTORY December 3, 2020 150 Years Ago Home and Vicinity – L. Goldsmith is enlarging his store by adding on several feet in the rear. Remember S. Brownson’s Singing School at Music Hall, next Saturday evening. As we go to press, track laying is in progress at the crossing below the village. Wm. McCrum has the frame up and nearly enclosed for a new house on the new street east of Broad Street. Bronson has the frame up and…
Oneonta Chiropractors: Lose Weight, Build Wells By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Drs. Joe and Shirley Rufrano know that you can’t take water for granted. “In a pandemic, not only is fresh water crucial for drinking, but for washing your hands as well,” she said. “We’ve always been passionate about safe water projects. But now, even more so.” The owners of Southside Chiropractic are hoping to raise $50,000 from their “Transform in 21” weight-loss event to donate to…
