HOMETOWN HISTORY, January 17, 2014
125 Years Ago
The Salvation Army headquarters are now on the third floor of the Yagel block. The assembly room is seated with two rows of pews and chairs with a row of benches ranged along the side. The fourth side, next to Main Street, is occupied with a platform for the use of the speakers and singers. The room is heated with a stove, and although there are gas fixtures, is lighted with kerosene lamps. It would be a bad place to get out of in case of an alarm of fire. The exercises are commenced with prayer and singing. Tambourines are used with which to beat time and there are several expert players in the Oneonta branch. The audience Monday evening was well dressed and attentive. Evidently, many were there out of curiosity but there were others – the regular attendants of the meetings. An inquiry meeting was in progress when the reporter entered. One after another would arise and relate his or her experience in leading a Christian life, and after each speaker, a few verses of some stirring hymn would be sung with tambourine accompaniment, the audience joining in the chorus and marking time with their feet. The leader of the meeting, in calling for speakers to relate their experience, would say: “Is there another?” or “Just a word for Jesus?” or “Come, there are more Christians here tonight.” People frequent these meetings who are never seen inside a church. Of course, many church-goers and members also attend. Doubtless, this is the secret of their success – the democratic quality of their meetings.
January 1889
100 Years Ago
Messrs. C.S. Higgins and Lynn Clark have leased the second floor of the Baker building on Windsor Avenue and will convert the same into a first class roller skating rink which will be opened to the public within ten days or two weeks. On the opening night souvenirs of various sorts will be distributed among all patrons and each skater will be presented with a fancy hat. New floors are being laid in the room, and with the steel ceilings with which the room is already equipped and an abundance of electric lights, it will make a most attractive place for the enjoyment of this popular pastime. The hall is wide and roomy and outside entrances will be constructed to meet the last requirement of the state fire marshal. New skates of the ball bearing variety have been ordered and the entire equipment of the rink will be up-to-date.
January 1914
80 Years Ago
Prices at Terpening’s Grocery & Market – Phone 1250 – Free Deliveries: Fresh killed chickens, 23 cents lb.; 2 lbs. liver, 25 cents; Homemade veal loaf, 25 cents lb.; Beef roast, 10 cents and 18 cents lb.; Veal chops, 15 cents lb.; Breast of veal, 8 cents lb.; 2 cans peas or succotash, 29 cents; 2 pounds confectionary sugar, 15 cents; 4 cans baked beans, 25 cents; Fresh coffee, 21 cents lb.; 3 bottles olives, 29 cents; 2 large cans peaches, 29 cents; 2 cans raspberries, 35 cents, 2 dozen juicy oranges, 49 cents; 1 dozen grapefruit, 49 cents; 10 lbs. apples, 49 cents; 7 lbs. turnips, 25 cents; 2 pounds butter, 47 cents.
January 1934
60 Years Ago
Oneonta’s new police photographic laboratory made its debut in City Court yesterday as Judge John L. Van Woert fined Earl Bockus $100 when Bockus changed his plea to guilty to a charge of third degree assault. Bockus had been accused of grievous injury to his wife Helen on New Year’s Eve at 10 Birch Street. Judge Van Woert scanned photographs of the injuries – the first photos used in court since the photo lab was instituted. Bockus was also sentenced to a year in the Otsego County Jail but Judge Van Woert suspended that part of the sentence.
January 1954
40 Years Ago
Members of the Oneonta High School boys’ gymnastics team are: Mark Wilcox, Bob Rowley, Bruce Reynolds, Tim Hawkins, Dave Cannistra, Fred Ploutz, Pat Hart, Dave Kelsey, Tim Clapp, Bob Clapp, Len Stimpson, Mark Friery, Bob Speranzi, Roy Sandt, Doug Marr, Tim Kearney, Mark Sandt, Larry Fink, Pat Couden, Dennis Kearney, Andy Eddins, Steve Johnson, and Bill Renwick. The coach is Jerry Kaiser; student managers are Eric Rude and Leroy House.
January 1974
30 Years Ago
The parent aide program of the Otsego County Council on Child Abuse and Neglect provides caring, dependable, non-judgmental friends to parents who either have or are in danger of abusing their children. Their purpose is to keep the family unit together as an alternative to placing children in foster care. The parent aides work in coordination with the Child Protective Services Unit of the Department of Social Services. “No one wants to abuse or neglect their children,” said Diana Hulbert, parent aide coordinator for the last three years. “We all let life overwhelm us, sometimes. Some of us have a support system – family or friends – to whom we can go. Some people have no one to whom they can turn. That is where a parent aide can help.”
January 1984
10 Years Ago
“Rubber Soul” will appear at the Country Rock Café on State Highway 23 starting tonight. The group was organized last with the intent of becoming a Beatles cover band. However, after being asked several times to expand its repertoire and to play some summer parties, the group decided to venture into other musical genres. Rubber Soul’s song list includes covers from oldies, classic rock, current rock, blues, soul, country and the Beatles. The four singing core members of the group are Marc Spaziani of Oneonta on bass, John Ellis of Albany on lead guitar, Harry Bedford of Walton on drums and Ed Gates of Oneonta on keyboards.
The Snark and Bandersnatch Players will open the 2004 season with George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man” over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Telecenter building on Main Street. The cast of this anti-heroic comedy about war includes Sandee Fleisher, David Hutchison, Norma Hutman, Stephen Markuson, L. Jean Palmer Moloney and Gary E. Stevens.
January 2004