However, after someone mentioned to us how much space last week's column seemed to take up, we went back and discovered it contained a weighty one thousand, four hundred and seventy-six words. We also realized that it took up three and a half, instead of the more usual just over two, pages on the computer. We must admit that we are somewhat surprised that our trusty proofreader did not say to us "Good grief, this column is long. What are you thinking?" So perhaps we shall lay the blame squarely where it belongs, on the shoulders of the proofreader.

We have been intrigued by the discussion in recent weeks that seems to be on going about the fate of the barn located on Spring Street here in the village. And although we would not hazard an opinion, at least in this column, about the issue, it did make us wonder how many barns can actually still be identified in and about the village. In chatting with long time Cooperstonian Betty Davidson about village barns, she mentioned to us the Stillwell farm which is still in evidence on Walnut Street. The large white farmhouse is just to the east of the intersection of Walnut and Delaware Streets while the barn, which has been renovated into apartments at this point, sits right next to the service drive for the elementary school. We wonder how many other barns are tucked away, having been converted to uses other than the original ones. If anyone has, or knows of, a barn which we might add to the list, please let us know.

Traditionally we have tried to stay at home for the duration of the Hall of Fame Weekend. And we fully intended to do so again this year, going so far as to tell some friends we planned to hide out in the basement for the entire weekend. However, last week our father sent us a clipping from the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press about Cooperstown which made us rethink our plans. Written by Chris Carola of the Associated Press, the article is entitled "Cooperstown - There's more here than the Baseball Hall of Fame" and highlights the usual things to do in Cooperstown that are not baseball in nature. After mentioning that the Otesaga is "a 19th-century hotel restored to grandeur by a $40 million renovation," the 19th-century part of which we find puzzling at best, the article concludes with "the hotel's winding verandah, with its rocking chairs and prime view of the greenery reflected in Otsego Lake's slate-blue surface, remains the most popular gathering spot."

And while we would quite agree with the assessment of the hotel's porch, we knew it would definitely be off limits for the Hall of Fame Weekend. So instead we decided we would have to take in events in other venues. To this end, on Friday, the first day of three which found Pioneer Street from Church Street to Beaver Street parked full, we accepted an invitation to lunch at the Blue Mingo from former Cooperstonian Ann Spraker, her aunt Barbara Browning and friend Lillian Edmondson who were in town for their annual visit. We had not only a delightful lunch but a lively conversation which included, among other topics, the current lack of civility in politics. On Saturday, we took in two more food events, the pancake breakfast at the First Baptist church and the chicken BBQ at the United Methodist church, both of which featured good food and great conversation regarding issues facing the Village of Cooperstown. Sunday found us watching the crowd pass by from the vantage point of our front porch. And, although we enjoyed people watching, food and conversation were, unfortunately, not part of the package.

In closing, we do believe that of all our various conversations of the weekend, our favorite one was with Betty Giffin who told us that she happened to be working in her flower garden on Saturday when a couple stopped to chat with her about the flowers, which, we might add, are lovely. Midway through the conversation the gentleman introduced himself as Brooks Robinson. We suspect, given Betty's well known indifference to baseball, that she was probably as clueless as to just who Brooks Robinson is as we were when she told us about it. We have since learned that he was a third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983. We also understand, from Betty's conversation with both Mr. Robinson and his wife, that they not only greatly enjoy coming to Cooperstown, but also enjoy walking around the village to take in the sights, which this year included Betty's flower garden.

We remain,

In these Otsego hills,

Where nature smiles,

The Ellsworths

The Ellsworths may be reached by mail at 105 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, by telephone at 607-547-8124 or by e-mail at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com. They look forward to hearing from you.