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As we continue traipsing through 1984, we realize that even though we were supposed to be covering the comings and goings of Cooperstown, we actually were able, even then, to touch on a number of pressing community, as well as personal, issues. Of course, much to the relief of the powers that were at CCS, the school was not among them. The he-we ran for the school board in 1984 and was elected. Thus the school was deemed off limits by the powers that were at the paper. But we discovered there was still a wide range of issues upon which we could write.
On January 11,1984 we noted: ``In closing we would like to leave you with the thought that there are, contrary to popular belief, some things you can take with you.
At a get-together recently we decided that Guy Lombardo took decent television programming on New Year’s Eve with him.’’ We believed it then and we tend to still believe it today. Of course, we fully realize there are those who would not agree with us.
And on April 18, 1984 we included in the column this disclaimer: ``In closing, we would like to dispel a rumor which seems to have reared its ugly head concerning our marriage. It is not true that one of us ever has, or ever will, take any responsibility for what the other one wears. Nor will we try to influence each other in mode of dress. We have checked the service, and no where in the wedding ceremony does it say for better, for worse, for what you wear ...’’
On June 20, 1984 we reported that ``We were not sorry to learn that the gum ball machines, which had been located outdoors on the sidewalk in front of a local business since the arrival of an ice machine, have moved indoors. We wish them well there, which we might note, is not what we wished them when they were on the sidewalk.’’
In 1984 we note that we spent the summer at Beaver Cross, the Episcopal Church camp that was then located at the northern end of Otsego Lake.
The he-we was the director there then and the she-we was greatly enjoying three meals a day for which she did nothing. And it was from that camp perspective that we made the following observation in the column of July 25, 1984: ``In closing, we must admit that one of the nice things about being at Beaver Cross is the opportunity it affords us to keep in touch with the current fads of the young generation into which category we, unfortunately, no longer fall.
This year the craze is break-dancing, so named we suspect because of the possibility of fracturing any and all parts of the anatomy. We must confess that we don’t think break dancing is for us. We have never even mastered the waltz. And contrary to what many of the participants think, we predict that break-dancing actually has a lot in common with swallowing goldfish, hula hoops, and cramming forty-nine people in a Volkswagen Beetle. It too shall pass.’’
Until we started this trip down memory lane we had quite forgotten that it was in 1984 that the sandwich board was approved for use in Cooperstown. And while we cannot remember all the gory details, we seem to remember it was controversial, a notion which seems to be supported by what we wrote in the column.
It started, we presume on August 15, 1984 with: ``In closing, when Thomas Paine wrote in 1775 ``... these are the times that try men’s souls ...’’ we’re not certain whether he was referring to ballgame day weekend or the village sign ordinance. In light of the events of the past week, perhaps both.
The current stir over the sign ordinance does lend itself to the presentation of the ``It’s too late to agree with us because we have already changed our mind’’ award to the village board for their recent, and numerous, decisions regarding the sign ordinance. And we suspect that there are some people in town who would like to further honor the board with the ``Timing is Everything’’ award.
Unfortunately, such awards do very little -- in truth, absolutely nothing--toward solving what we perceive as a potentially dangerous split in the community. At this point we do not have an obvious solution to the issue.
Nonetheless, we would urge that all lines of communication be kept open so that both sides may work for the continued betterment of Cooperstown. It is unfortunate, we feel, that the situation ballooned when it did. However, we would not like to see the rift of 1984 become the gulf of 1985.’’
This was followed on August 22, 1984 with: ``In closing, we have had many calls from both residents and nonresidents concerning enforcement of the village laws. And hard as this is to believe, everyone has a different priority. We have heard the sandwich boards are awful.
We have also heard the sandwich boards are not a problem, but bicycles are a real danger. There’s no place to park them, except, it seems, in the middle of the sidewalk on Main Street. Furthermore, most of the bicycles don’t have lights at night. Other people have problems with loud music at loud parties and we have even heard that either the town of Otsego landfill or the incinerator at the hospital spreads its distinctive aroma across the village on hot, humid nights. All in all, it makes us very glad that we spent the summer at camp and not on the village board.’’
And finally, thank goodness, we will end our trip down memory lane with the 1984 Cooperstown Carol, the first in what is almost an annual presentation in the column. And we hasten to note that in each and every Cooperstown Carol, we have mentioned parking, or the lack thereof. So it is true that some times never change.
On December 19, 1984 our first Cooperstown Carol appeared as follows:
``On the twelfth day of Christmas, we’d like to send you..
Twelve bus loads of tourists,
Eleven parking places,
Ten more opinions,
Nine dogs running loose,
Eight pigeons roosting,
Seven bed and breakfasts,
Six full-time policemen,
Five more potholes,
Four new fire-women,
Three school budgets,
Two gymnasium sites,
And a sandwich board for your sidewalk.’’
PLEASE NOTE: Comments regarding this column may be made by mail at 105 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, by telephone at 607-547-8124 or by email at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: 1984 comes to a close ... finally
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
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Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
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In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
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In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
