A LITTLE BIT OF HOME – IN DALLAS

2-19-10

Chip Northrup photo

During a recent cross-country trip, Cooperstown’s Mannos – Carol, left, and Mike –  enjoy the hospitality of Chip and Nancy Northrup in Dallas, Texas.  During the summers, the two couples are neighbors in Cooperstown.  The Mannos got back home this past week after a jaunt to San Francisco and back.

LETTER: Many Made CCS Caberet Night A Success

2-19-10

To the Editor:
On Friday, Jan. 29, Friends of CCS Music and Art (FOMA) hosted its Cabaret Night, for the 17th year (one year longer than previously reported).
Not only is Cabaret Night an important fund-raiser for FOMA’s summer scholarships, but a well-loved and supported community event. A huge thank you goes to the many individuals, businesses and organizations whose contributions made the evening a great success.
Mark LaValley once again provided sound equipment and expertise, adding spots and mood lighting.  These elements, combined with the décor and dual stages, created a wonderful ambiance and quick transition time between acts. 
Appreciation and thanks go to Music Department members Sal Salvaggio, Tim Iversen and Peter Daum and Kaitlin Esford, who encouraged and prepared the student performers, and orchestrated the staging. 
Thanks also to the Art Department’s Kristen Karasek and Eileen Murphy and their students whose original sculptures helped create a wonderful environment.
We welcomed back seasoned musicians from the community and student body, and were delighted by the talented newcomers who performed.
Thanks to Rebecca Burk-Sciallo, our emcee, who announced the following the cabaret features:
Jake Burnham, Jack Siegel, Julien Miller, Hans Ofer, Lizzie Kenison, Joey Katz, Jacob Russell, Nate Olmstead, Josh Olmstead, Virginia Ofer, Kurt Ofer, Georgia Hren-Saphier, Julia Robinson, Henry Bauer, Anna Sams, Abby Wilcox, Toby Wilcox, Eamonn Maguire, Desmond Brown, George Landon, Michael Toulson.
Also, the talented members of the following groups:  Fourth-Grade Instrumental, Fifth-Grade Instrumental and Vocal, High School Women’s Choir, Native Sons, Harmonia,  Middle School Jazz Band, High School Jazz Band, Small Town Big Band, Not Quite Over the Hill Singers, and Cheese of the Misty Ceremony, who wrapped up the evening.
We had the largest raffle to date, due to the amazing generosity of local artists, businesses, and organizations, with prizes donated by: Sunny Leinhart, Mary Nolan, May-Britt Joyce,  Roberta Hohensee, Janet Rigby,  Quirky Works Studio, Mandy Robinson, Patty Murphy, Russell Honicker, Carefree Gardens, Cooperstown Wine and Spirits, On Queue Performing Artists,  Alex & Ika Restaurant, Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival, Cooperstown Concert Series, Cooperstown Natural Foods, Cooperstown Wine and Spirits, Doubleday Café,  Fit To Be Tied Yoga Studio, Glimmerglass Opera, National Baseball Hall of Fame , New York State Historical Association, Mikal Skye-Shrewsberry, and Smithy-Pioneer Gallery. Thanks also to two donors who brought a raffle item on the evening.
Additionally, a Harvest Basket raffle prize was created with apples from Middlefield Orchard and potatoes from Heller’s Farm.  This produce was in addition to that donated for the entire dinner by these two local farms many know from the Cooperstown Farmer’s Market. Big thanks to Teresa Drerup and Annie Stewart who helped make the fresh applesauce.
Other area businesses that have our thanks for their essential support are: Cooperstown General Store, Fly Creek Cider Mill, Hoffman Lane Bistro, Stewart’s Shops, Schneider’s Bakery, P&C,  Price Chopper, BJ’s Warehouse Club and Walmart. Many thanks go to all the volunteers who baked desserts, worked in the kitchen to prepare and serve food, washed dishes, and helped take down decorations and clean up.
A special thanks to the Leo Club student volunteers coordinated by David Pearlman and Paul Weber. The hard working Leo Club made it possible for us to bring back real plates and silverware this year, saving costs and the environment.
My final expression of gratitude goes to the FOMA members who meet monthly and worked hard to make Cabaret Night a success again this year: Teresa Drerup, Dina Sams, Roberta and Tom Hohensee, John Saphier, Janet Rigby, Mike Bauer, patty Murphy, Liane Hirabayashi, Dorothy Tang, Leslie Boyles, Grace Olmstead, and especially Annie Stewart, who has been patiently showing me how to do the job!  And of course to all the folks who came, supported, and had fun!
HOLLY HREN
Friends of Music & Art
Cooperstown

LETTER: Jeff, Lynne Have Earned Our Support

2-19-10

To the Editor:
We would like to publicly endorse Lynne Mebust for a second term as village trustee and Jeff Katz for mayor.
Both of these candidates have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to the greater good of Cooperstown’s residents during their prior tenures as elected leaders.
Both of these candidates have amassed valuable experience in the issues that impact the village and have spearheaded and supported innovative ideas and programs for the betterment of village residents. 
In particular, we reflect upon the issues and stances of these candidates as it relates to paid parking, 24-hour police coverage, fire department parking for volunteers and the utilization of village resources for fund development to offset the local tax burden. 
Lynne Mebust and Jeff Katz are available, accessible and hard-working village leaders.  Both bring open-mindedness and honest discussion to the village board, and always in the light of the public.  Both candidates are prepared and thoroughly understand current village issues.
Jeff and Lynne have brought about many positive changes to the residents of Cooperstown and both have earned their positions on the village board.  Please help us in supporting Lynn Mebust for another term as village trustee and Jeff Katz for mayor.
PATRICK & CARINA FRANCK
WALTER & LINDA FRANCK
Cooperstown

LETTER: Katz, Mebust Offer Commitment, Creativity, Experience In Seeing Projects To Completion

2-19-10

To the Editor:
This time of year I spend a lot of time writing recommendations for students seeking jobs. Today I am writing a different type of recommendation.
Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to attend numerous meetings of the village Board of Trustees. I have been consistently impressed with the work being done on behalf of village residents by Jeff Katz and Lynne Mebust.
Being an elected official is not an easy task, and the past few years have presented our mayor and trustees with several challenges, from planning for a record-breaking induction ceremony to overseeing a re-evaluation of real property to undertaking long overdue improvements in village infrastructure.
What I find most impressive about Lynne and Jeff are their commitment to service and their creativity in solving complex problems.
In the current economic climate, it is easy to talk about cutting services and payroll in an effort to save money. It takes more time and energy to explore alternative forms of income and allocation to help maintain and even improve the quality of life in the Village of Cooperstown.
We applaud Jeff and Lynne for their hard work, for their willingness to listen to residents and business owners of differing opinions, and for their desire to seek equitable solutions to the problems we face.
While their ideas have not always been without controversy, we know both have the long-term health of the village as their goal.
In the upcoming election, Jeff Katz and Lynne Mebust are the candidates with the most experience, not only in terms of years in office but in planning and seeing municipal projects through to completion. We have better streets and parks, continuous police and fire coverage, and more revenue from sources other than property taxes because of the work they have done.
We are backing Lynne and Jeff for trustee and mayor because we know they are thoughtful in their decisions, prepared for the positions they seek, and committed to our community and their constituents.
CINDY & GLENN FALK
Cooperstown

LETTER: Thanks To All

2-19-10

To the Editor:
All of us at the Susquehanna SPCA send a thank-you shout out to everyone who helped make our benefit spaghetti dinner during Winter Carnival weekend such a success. 
To our generous sponsors – Hannaford, The Great American, the P&C and Price Chopper – we much appreciate your support. 
Thank you so much to Lucy Townsend for her generosity. 
And most of all, thanks to everyone who came, enjoyed the evening and gave their support to the animals at the SSPCA.  We greatly appreciate it!
JANE DUEL
Director of Development and Community Relations
Susquehanna SPCA

LETTER: Say ‘No’ To Drilling, Fracking

2-19-10

To the Editor:
Gas drilling proponents like to say that gas is “clean” energy, which not so true. They have spent millions of dollars advertising on TV and newspapers to convince us, and have powerful lobbyists working to influence our government officials.
Horizontal gas drilling to extract the gas, with hydraulic “fracking,” will risk poisonous methane gas as a side-effect, among many carcinogens. The toxic chemicals used in the water-protection exempted process are carcinogenic and radioactive.
Furthermore, gas IS a non-renewable fossil fuel. It is neither “green,” nor safe by any stretch of the imagination. There are so many chemicals used, there would be no realistic way to do a pre and post test for safety.
Chemicals combined with earthbound compounds under pressure and heat are further unknowns, adding to the risk. This process is not worth risking public health and safety, as they would advocate.
It’s time to say “NO” to drilling and the Halliburton-process called “fracking” before it’s too late.
Ask the mayor of Dish, Texas, folks in Dimmock, Pa., or other places where gas drilling problems are documented. Discuss alternatives to fossil fuels and ban gas drilling. Gas companies are temporary, but cancer is permanent.
MAUREEN CULBERT
East Springfield

LETTERS: Unlit Steeple, Facade On Church Signifies Need To Care For Earth

2-19-10

To the Editor:
This year during Lent, Feb. 17-April 3, residents of Cooperstown may wonder why the façade and steeple of the First Presbyterian Church on Pioneer Street is not being lit. 
It is intentional.
As Christians, we believe that God expects us to be conscientious stewards of the earth.  Unfortunately, we are not living up to God’s expectations. 
The burning of fossil fuel to produce electricity is contributing to ever increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas. 
The result is changing weather patterns and climatic conditions.  Glaciers are rapidly retreating; ice caps are melting, and semi-tropical plants and animals are steadily advancing into more northern latitudes. 
We are concerned that rapid environmental change will adversely affect societies around the world, especially those that are poor and thus less capable of adapting to this change.
As a reminder that we must all act responsibly when it comes to energy conservation and use, the church decided to extinguish its outside lighting during Lent. 
Furthermore, some of our members are observing Lent by participating in a “carbon fast.” 
On Easter, we will relight the church and steeple to celebrate our faith in God’s providence and grace and proclaim our renewed commitment to tend this garden – our earth – until Christ comes again.
RICHARD BLABEY
Cooperstown