News from the Noteworthy: Prepare against holiday disappointment Deck the halls! Light the candles! Hang the lights! Prepare the feast! And then wait with excited anticipation of family and friends coming over to share the celebrations of the season. Whether you observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or a blend of traditions, the hopes for joy and peace are high in the hearts of most. Then, for some of us, there are the thoughts of “that” guest or “that” situation everyone knows…
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Columns - Page 53
Poor “Carol of the Bells” By Ted Potrikus It’s a lovely melody, to be sure, one that indeed invokes the pleasures of the winter season. It’s easy pickings for advertisers, though, because it’s in the public domain. No one has to pay royalties for its use, so it’s fair game. And every year, there’s some honcho at an ad agency thinking he or she is the first one ever to shout out during a brainstorming session, “Hey! Let’s use ‘Carol…
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst In 24 months, we have learned many things about responding to a pandemic of a dangerous disease. Don’t ignore it. Take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread. 1918 is still relevant. Work on treatments and immunizations and use them when available. And more: Lessen our travel. Wear a mask if it’s transmitted by air. Avoid any behavior that promotes spread. Work hard to do all the above. Don’t panic. That won’t help.…
Life sketches by Terry Berkson: Too stuck up for Thanksgiving Several years ago, two friends from Richfield, Tiger Goodale and Rootie Marriot, came up the drive with what they thought was a good story for me to write. They had been in the Genesee, one of the local watering holes, when this guy came in and told how he or some other one-legged man — they didn’t make it clear — was up in a tree, building a stand for…
Bound Volumes 210 YEARS AGO Education – Mr. Bond offers his services to the inhabitants of Otsego Village to give Lessons in a new and fashionable style of Dancing. Mr. B. proposes to give his first Lesson on Friday Evening next, at Stephen Fitch’s Hall in said village, where he solicits the patronage of the Parents and Guardians of Young Masters and Misses who may wish to encourage this accomplishment. Satisfactory references will be given by applying to Mr. Isaac…
COVID and kids Disparate strategies point to need for vaccine By Richard Sternberg M.D. The amount of information regarding COVID in children and the risks and benefits of vaccination is overwhelming and as reported even varies from country to country. There is no clear-cut consensus on anything in the younger age groups other than that the risk of developing a case requiring treatment, hospitalization, or leading to death is lower if the patient is younger. Still, the risks of vaccine…
News from the Noteworthy by Leaf: Audacious Gratitude Definition: An intrepidly bold and daring willingness to appreciate even the smallest things of life in the face of difficult circumstances. When I write guest editorials for this newspaper, I typically write as Julie, the Executive Director of LEAF. When I was asked to write this one, I decided to write it as just me, Julie. I am a wife, sister, dog-mom, public speaker, problem-solver, musician, photographer, and a woman in long-term…
Opinion by Ted Potrikus: A string of Merls: … puzzles that entertain It’s not just a crossword puzzle, it’s a Merl Reagle crossword puzzle. Mr. Reagle stole the show — unintentionally, I’m sure — in the 2006 movie “Wordplay.” It’s a documentary about crossword tournaments and the people who compete therein; The New York Times crossword editor and NPR star Will Shortz take up a lot of space in the movie, which also features former President Bill Clinton, Baseball Hall…
Opinion by Ted Potrikus: Fiona and Bob had to make way for the AG I didn’t want to think about politics last week. My wife and I were on a brief vacation, planned long before the opportunity arose to join the staff here at The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta. We kept our plans — it was a drive to Cincinnati to see Fiona the Hippo at the zoo (really — look her up, because it’s a very sweet story…
Opinion by Richard Sternberg: Hey Aaron Rodgers, Man Up! Last week a friend told me a story that should have surprised me, but unfortunately I was inured to. In fact, you could say I had been immunized to the situation. Her friend who she had worked with frequently over the past few months, came up to her smiling and announced that he had finally “bit the bullet” and had gotten vaccinated against COVID. He had refused up to that point…
