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October 11, 2012

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CATHERINE LAKE ELLSWORTH IN THESE OTSEGO HILLS The Cooperstown Crier Fri Oct 12, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT

Since we are going to hit one of those big birthdays in December, we find ourselves in the midst of dealing with switching our health insurance from a private insurer to Medicare. And so far, we think we are handling the transition rather well due in great part to the fact that we made an appointment with David Polley at the Otsego County Office for the Aging. To say that we are amazed by his knowledge on what we consider to be a relatively confusing topic is an understatement.

We left the meeting knowing what Medicare supplement plan and what Part D plan would best fit our needs. And thus we feel we will be ready for the change in insurance we will experience on Dec. 1. We also left our appointment at the Office for the Aging knowing that we will be looking at our coverage each and every year as it seems that each and every year, something changes.

In fact, given what we have learned, we would encourage all Medicare recipients who either have a Medicare supplement plan, a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan to check out what is covered to make certain it is the still the best plan available for them. Doing so is what Mr. Polley refers to as the annual Health Benefit Check-up which should be done between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, the time frame during which changes can be made. We heartily recommend that any resident of Otsego County who has questions about coverage should contact the Office for the Aging at 547-4232 in Cooperstown or 432-9041 in Oneonta.

The next meeting of the Literary Discussion Group, sponsored by the Women’s Club of Cooperstown, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the village of Cooperstown Library.

Please note, that contrary to previously distributed information, this meeting is on October 25, not October 23. The book for the meeting is The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yokohama

Ogawa. The discussion will be lead by Jane Ann Russell. For more information about the meeting, please contact us at 547-8124.

It has come to our attention that on Saturday, Oct. 20, the Otsego Chapter of the DAR is sponsoring “Quilts and Comforts” at the United Methodist Church of Cooperstown on Chestnut Street. The event will include a quilt display in the sanctuary from 10 a.m. until 3: p.m. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. tickets will be available for a benefit drawing which includes a “Soldier’s Quilt,” two mini-quilts which are 24” by 18”, and a quilted patriotic handbag, all made by Frances Butler Hazelton of Richfield Springs. The drawing will be held at 2:30 p.m.

In addition to the Quilt Display, at 12:30 p.m. there will be a special luncheon and program in the fellowship room featuring a PowerPoint presentation, “Museum Quilts in the DAR Museum” presented by Joan Sondergaard, NYS DAR Registrar and quilter. The luncheon is $20 and limited to 60 people. Pre-paid reservations must be made by check payable to Otsego Chapter DAR and

sent to Nanette Root, 151 Lippitt Development, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

We understand that anyone wishing to display a quilt at this DAR event should contact Merrilyn O’Connell by telephone at 547-9515 or by email at merri88@verizon.net.

And finally, we note that, as part of the Fall for Cooperstown weekend, the Growing Community and the village of Cooperstown is hosting the first Community Harvest Supper, a free family-style potluck

supper from 4 until 7 p.m. Oct. 14. This event will take place on Main Street, between Fair and River Streets, where we understand there will be a 400-foot long dining table right down the middle of the street.

Even without food, we think seeing that would be well worth the trip down to Main Street.

Those partaking of the Community Harvest Supper are asked to bring a dish to share, made, if possible, with homegrown or locally grown ingredients. We take this to mean that our usual bag of potato chips with an accompanying tub of dip is not quite what the organizers have in mind.

Additionally anyone participating is asked to provide one’s own table service and beverage. We would recomment good old Cooperstown water which would be, we think, most appropriate.

And it should be noted that those attending are encouraged to dress warmly and, if the weather forecast we have seen can be believed, be prepared for possible rain.

All in all, we are most pleased to realize that even though the summer has come and gone, and the fall is fast upon us, there is still much to do in the area. And, as we move from fall to the ever dreaded winter, we are reasonably certain there will be any number of events available for those of us who think Cooperstown is indeed the year around place to be.

PLEASE NOTE: Comments regarding this column may be made by mail at 105 Pioneer St., Cooperstown, NY 13326, by telephone at 547-8124 or by email at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.