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1-24-2008

In These Otsego Hills

Even though we write this column each and every week, we must admit that we have never really thought of ourselves as being real authors, at least not in the sense that we tend to think of people who have authored a book as being real authors. Every time we hear of another local author having a book published we always feel a slight pang of jealousy.

Writing a book is, we think, quite an accomplishment and not something that should be thought of lightly.

Consequently, we have been somewhat amazed at the number of books appearing, or soon to appear, that can claim a Cooperstown connection.

We received one such book for our birthday last December.

Authored by Elsie Whipple Schiffner and Alta Wedderspoon Sydelko, "Non-Electric Rural: A Memoir of Pierstown," according to the book, "... does not pretend to be a scholarly work, but simply a glimpse of a time and circumstances." And what a delightful glimpse it is, perhaps best summed up in its dedication to the authors' mothers, "Madeline Harriet Schoemer Whipple, who was transplanted from the city, and Nancy May Allen Wedderspoon, a native of Pierstown, two friends who lived in the days of hard work, few conveniences, isolation, but in a united community." Unfortunately, we understand the book is distributed only to family and friends. We can but hope that a copy has been given to the village library so that others may also enjoy it.

We have also noted that CCS alum, Rebecca Additon, has penned a book, "It Doesn't Look Like a Monster: A Visit to Fenway Park," which is available at local bookstores and online at Amazon.com. We understand that Ms. Additon in her book tells the true story of a trip by a seven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy to Fenway Park in Boston. We tend to think that the book would present an opportunity for children and parents alike to expand their understanding of the perspective of disabled children.

And this certainly is a most worthy undertaking for a children's book.

We have also learned that June Richardson, of the Cooper Lane Apartments, has just finished her ninth book, the fifth biography, entitled "Chief of the Chiefs," the story of Louis Rooks Bruce who, given his parents' Mohawk and Sioux background, was a consultant on American Indian issues to six American presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Gerald R. Ford. Mr. Bruce, who did much in his lifetime to elevate the status of American Indians, was appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs by President Nixon.

While Commissioner, Mr. Bruce transformed the Bureau from a management agency to a service organization. More information on this book is available at www.ChiefOfTheChiefs. com.

Also coming up in the book department is a new novel by Cooperstown native Lauren Groff entitled "The Monsters of Templeton." On the card which announces a book signing on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Augur's Books here in Cooperstown, we learned that "... ‘The Monsters of Templeton' is a love-letter to Cooperstown, New York, where Lauren Groff was born and raised." It went on to point out that Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review and said: "Brilliantly incorporating accounts from generations of Templetonians — as well as characters ‘borrowed' from the works of James Fenimore Cooper — Groff paints a rich picture of (her characters') current predicaments and those of her ancestors." We assume that copies of the book will be available at the book signing.

And finally, the last book on our list is slated for publication on, or quite near, opening day of the 2008 baseball season. Written by Tim Wiles, Research Director at the Hall of Fame, Andy Strasberg and Bob Thompson, with a foreword by Carly Simon and preface by Bud Selig, "Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game" will be published by Hal Leonard, the world's largest print music publisher. According to Mr. Wiles, "‘Baseball's Greatest Hit' celebrates and illuminates ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game,' the third most frequently sung song in America, on the occasion of the song's centennial.áThe book looks at the two very different and colorful men who collaborated on the song; Tin Pan Alley songwriting culture; the role of nickelodeon theatres, silent films, and sheet music pluggers in popularizing the song ..." Having heard Mr. Wiles speak on the upcoming book at a recent Women's Club of Cooperstown meeting, we also know that the book delves into the role of women as baseball fans and players in 1908. In fact, the two verses of the song are sung from the point of view of one Katie Casey. An incredibly diverse roster of artists have recorded the song over 500 times, and the CD, which will come with the book, includes 33 versions of the song recorded between 1908 and 2007.

In closing, we have it on good authority that Tim Wiles will be presenting his presentation on "Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at other venues about town. And having seen the presentation, we strongly recommend that anyone who has the opportunity to see it, should do so as it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

In fact, we found only one downside and that is the fact that, not unlike the YMCA song, once heard, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is very difficult to get out of one's mind. In fact, we still haven't stopped thinking about peanuts and cracker jack.

We remain, In these Otsego hills, The Ellsworths The Ellsworths may be reached by mail at 105 Pioneer St., Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326, by telephone at 547- 8124 or by e-mail at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.