LETTER'S TO THE EDITOR

1-22-10

Many Made Friends Of Bassett Gala A Success
To the Editor:
As co-chairs of the Friends of Bassett’s 2009 New Year’s Eve Gala, we’re proud to announce that “Carnaval Maravilhosa, a Mardi Gras Ball,” and its auctions and raffle raised approximately $240,000 in support of Bassett Healthcare’s radiology and imaging capital needs.
Much of our annual fund-raiser’s success is due to the commitment, talent and energy of the members of the Gala and Auctions Committees, volunteers all. We also are indebted to our event sponsors. Lead sponsors were NYCM Insurance and SEFCU. Corporate sponsor was Apple Converting Inc. Supporting sponsors were Drogen Electric Supply/Drogen’s Home Furnishings, KPMG LLP, Len & Dot Marsh, The New York Susquehanna & Western Railway Corp. and Northern Eagle Beverages.
Participating sponsors were BSA LifeStructures, Clark Companies (Scott & Betsy Clark), Cooperstown Dreams Park Inc. (Louis A. Presutti III), Fenimore Asset Management Inc. & FAM Funds, Frazier’s Landscapes Inc., Greener World Landscape Maintenance, McCarthy Building Companies Inc., Tallman Enterprises Tree Service, Trosset Group Attorneys and Wilber National Bank Trust & Investment Center.
We thank Riverwood gift shop, Glimmerglass Opera, Hyde Hall and Vitullo’s Formal Shop as well as Mrs. Cook-Wightman and Sacha Kollisch, art teachers at Cooperstown Elementary School, for their invaluable help. Our highest praise goes to the Friends’ staff, Bob Zaleski and the Bassett grounds crew, Ron DuBois and Bassett’s carpentry shop, the staff at Mohican Flowers and the staff at The Otesaga for helping to make the fund-raiser a fun-filled success.
CINDY SEWARD
SALLY E. GRAUMLICH
Co-Chairs, Gala Committee


‘Cuz’ Recalls Bill Preston’s Sign-Painting Prowess
To the Editor:
Since relocating, I keep in touch with my long-time home by reading The Freeman’s Journal on line.  So today with great sadness, I learned of the death of Bill Preston.
In my 27 years in business in Cooperstown, Bill was my sign painter, creating the signs for Gadzooks! Antiques, the Cooperstown Antique Center, and Ron Mitchell Art & Antiques.  He was a true artist and craftsman, his creations always tasteful and meticulously executed.
Back in the 1980s, my mother the geneologist visited and through her research discovered that my roots went back to Revolutionary War Fly Creek and Col. John Preston, the leader of the Otsego militia which fought in our war of independence. 
Making the connections, we found out that my friend and sign painter, Bill, and I were actually distant cousins.  From then on, we always affectionately referred to each other as “cuz.”  As I was born in Chicago, it was an extraordinary coincidence that I would end up in such close proximity to my ancestors’ migration.
I extend to his family my deepest condolences and regret at his passing.  He was a terrific guy, a good friend whom I will dearly miss.
RON MITCHELL
Sanford, N.C.