It was with sadness that we learned of the deaths of two long time Cooperstown area residents, Virginia Bateman and Andy Gracey. When we first moved here in 1982, we early on encountered both of these individuals and have very fond memories of them.

When we worked as a volunteer courier at the hospital we were fortunate to have been assigned to the then post across from the elevators and right next to the ob/gyn ward. And it was from this vantage point that we encountered an enthusiastic Virginia Bateman as she personally escorted the babies and new parents as they left the hospital. We were introduced to each and every baby and told, by Virginia, that this baby was the most precious and beautiful one ever. As they departed on the elevator, we could not help but smile, knowing how much Virginia enjoyed escorting these bundles of joy on the first leg of their trips home.

We equally enjoyed the many evening we spent with Andy Gracey listening to any number of Cooperstown Community Band concerts. At one point, Andy's daughter, Patty, and our son, Christopher, both played in the band. Thus there were many wonderful summer evenings when we, the he-we and the she-we, found ourselves enjoying the music with Andy and his wife, Virginia. We extend our sympathy to both the Bateman and the Gracey families and to their many friends.

Not long ago we received an e-mail from a Daena M. Creel who wrote:

"I came across your newsletter while doing research on the Oneida Seminary, and was thrilled to learn that you have a catalogue of the seminary's 1861-1862 school session. I am researching material for a series of books on a literary family from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The Livingstons and Aldens were a prolific family of over a dozen writers who originated in the New York state area, and Rev. Charles Montgomery Livingston was a principal at the Oneida Seminary. His niece, Isabella Macdonald, who later wrote over a hundred books under the penname "Pansy" attended the seminary beginning in 1859, while he was Principal, including the time period of your catalogue."

Naturally, since we had indicated that a home was needed for the Oneida Seminary catalog, Daena wondered if we might be willing to donate it to her research. And we must admit that we would indeed be willing to do so, if we could but find the catalog in question. We have searched in all the obvious places, to no avail, and are now wondering if perhaps someone else claimed the catalog and we have already passed it on. If so, please let$s ccfilm23

Film by Native American to be Shown

ONEONTA - "Skins," the upcoming film in the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts' Winter 2003 FilmFest, tells a story of conflict and eventual reconciliation between two Oglala Sioux brothers. This most recent film by Chris Eyre, Native American director of "Smoke Signals," will be screened on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Oneonta Theater, 47 Chestnut St. in Oneonta beginning at 7 p.m. Filmgoers are invited to the Unitarian Universalist House at 16 Ford Ave. following the screening where they can discuss the film and socialize with other film aficionados.

Eyre shot "Skins" on location on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota with Native actors, and with the Indian audience in mind. "I'm talking about owning our image and debunking what we all grew up understanding from John Ford and John Wayne about movie Indians," said Eyre.

His depictions of Rudy Yellow Lodge (Eric Schweig), a stressed out reservation police investigator, and his elder brother Mogie (Graham Greene), once a hero to his younger brother, a football star and Vietnam Vet who has turned to alcohol, are genuine, sometimes raw portraits of contemporary Indians. In these roles, Eyre has casted two of the foremost Native American actors. Both have a strong physical presence, and an emotional range and intensity that move beyond movie stereotypes of Indians. Kevin Thomas of the "Los Angeles Times" calls "Skins" "a wrenching, uncompromisingly bleak film, but its stars ... fill the screen with warmth, humor and spiritual yearning in the face of hardship and tragedy.

The Winter FilmFest continues every Tuesday evening through March 4. Upcoming on Feb. 4 is the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" by director/author/TV personality, Michael Moore.

Both the films and the post-film discussions are wheelchair accessible. Series flyers are available at the Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Ave., by calling UCCCA at (607) 432-2070, or by emailing UCCCA at uccca@stny.rr.com. Tickets prices are: general public $6, UCCCA members and students $5.