Willsey worked in the county department of social services from 1965 to 1973 and was the administrator of The Meadows from 1973 to 1985. In 1988 he received the League of Women Voters Public Service Award. Willsey also served on the Otsego Lake Watershed Council, the village sewer board, the Otsego town board and was past president of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The tree planting also marked the 20th year of the village's participation in the National Arbor Day Foundation's Tree City Program.

Cooperstown takes its trees seriously and is a better community because of it.

The aesthetic value of the trees is tremendous whether its the flowering crab apples in the spring, those lining village streets providing cooling shade in the summertime, or the brightly-colored maples as their leaves turn each autumn.

Trees can increase the value of property, moderate temperatures and winds and provide food and habitat for wildlife. They also send a message that a community cares about its environment.

The village has planted somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 trees in its 20 years as a Tree City which seems like quite an accomplishment until you realize that each year it also cares for more than 5,000 trees throughout the community.

The trees planted each year are paid for with donations - this year $4,000 is being spent and will include five elm trees - some of which will, appropriately, be planted on Elm Street. Most of the towering old elms are gone now, having fallen victim years ago to Dutch Elm disease, but new resistant varieties may allow them to make a comeback.

In addition to the donations for new trees, the budget allocates an average of $10,000 annually for the cutting, trimming and care of village trees.

We believe that money is a good investment and congratulate the village in its 20th year as a Tree City.

And in a similar vein, there is an opportunity this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for people to make an investment of their own in the plant world around Cooperstown.

The Cook Foundation will hold its third annual clean-up day at Brookwood Garden along the western shore of Otsego Lake and is recruiting people to help with the spring chores.

"Volunteers are needed for a vigorous day of spring gardening at this historic property - one of the oldest on Otsego Lake," said Pat Thorpe, president of the Cook Foundation board of directors.

There are big plans in store for the garden this summer that will include extensive reconstruction and replanting, but before that can begin, there is an accumulation of brush, leaves, and debris that needs to taken care of.

Lots of work is waiting and there will be jobs for all skill and energy levels.

"Even an hour of your time will be appreciated as we work to restore this beautiful part of Cooperstown's past," Thorpe said.

We hope, as people make plans for the weekend, that they will consider lending a hand at Brookwood Garden. Those who have been there know what a treasure it is and for those who haven't , it is an excellent opportunity to visit and be part of the clean-up and restoration effort.