Bound Volumes, Hometown History
October 17, 2024
110 YEARS AGO
One of the largest and most enjoyable social functions in years in this city was the reception given Friday night by Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Bresee and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn H. Bresee in the handsome new block just completed on Wall Street for the Oneonta Department Store annex, at which about 500 guests were present. Surprise and amazement were expressed on the faces of all the guests as they entered the spacious building which is 44 by 166 feet, both floors last evening resembling to a marked degree a large ball room of a metropolitan hotel in appointments, and it proved a most admirable place for such an event, with ample floor space for the dancers. The two floors are each one large room and finished in white with steel ceilings and hard white walls with maple floors, all of which combined with innumerable electric lights and the tasty arrangement of autumn foliage. Wolcott’s 10-piece orchestra commenced the music and guests were served a delicious collation by Caterer Claude S. Becker.
October 1914
50 YEARS AGO
October 1974
40 YEARS AGO
Halfway through its October fund drive, the United Way of Greater Oneonta has collected $30,000, roughly one-quarter of its $125,000 goal. “That’s not too bad,” said Earl Simmons, a co-chair of this year’s drive. Simmons noted that last year’s successful $110,000 campaign had also garnered $30,000 by mid-October. Last year’s $110,000 campaign achieved its goal in late January 1984. The increase in this year’s goal results from the addition of two new agencies—OURS Associates and the Otsego County Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, making a total of 11 organizations participating in the fund. The United Way funds will also support the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the Project 85 Counseling Center, the Family Service Association, the Fox Hospital Cancer Support Program, Literacy Volunteers, the Salvation Army, the Young Adult Ministry, and the Y.M.C.A.
October 1984
30 YEARS AGO
New York has become the first state to require that its pool of prospective jurors include people drawn from welfare and unemployment rolls. The plan aims to ensure greater diversity on state court juries. “It sends a strong signal to minorities that they are part of the jury system and tries to dispel the belief that these groups are being excluded from the jury process,” says Colleen McMahon, chair of the NYS Jury Project. The controversial plan is set to go into effect in a few months.
October 1994
20 YEARS AGO
Activities at the First Presbyterian Church at 296 Main Street will begin with Sunday school classes at 9:30 a.m. The topic of discussion for the adult class will be “Questions of Faith: Why Worship?” Worship will follow at 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Pat Raube-Wilson, interim minister for the church will lead the service and preach a sermon titled “A Slap in the Face.” The service will include music from the choir under the direction of Cindy Donaldson and accompanied by organist Tim Lutner.
October 2004