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1-31-2008 WRITER POSITION Just before this past Christmas, I had the unfortunate experience of being involved in an automobile accident as my car hit a tree after skidding off an icy road in Middlefield. Although I was banged up pretty good, I am lucky that things were not considerably worse. In these past weeks of my recovery, I have found myself reflecting upon this incident and would like to share some of these thoughts. First off, I cannot express the importance of wearing a seatbelt. When my car came to rest, I was within inches of broken glass, twisted metal and a tree. Had I not been restrained, I am certain my injuries would have been much more severe. Secondly, I advise you to be especially respectful of "Mother Nature" during these winter months. This is my 20th winter in upstate New York, and in that time, I have traveled through all kinds of inclement weather seemingly much worse than on that morning. Despite a clear weather report, there was some wet snow that fell earlier that morning. Whereas a road may seem to be just wet, there may be icy spots. I urge drivers to not take anything for granted and continually use extra caution this time of year. Next, and perhaps most important, I cannot express enough gratitude towards the emergency and rescue services personnel that assisted in my accident. I am grateful that a number of State Troopers who were traveling either to or from the K-9 training school in Cooperstown saw the accident and called for help. As I was being extricated from the vehicle, I recall seeing and hearing many familiar faces and voices of many local community members. I cannot tell you how comforting this was. The professionalism and teamwork displayed by these volunteers to our community is something that I will remember forever. Whereas I would like to thank them by name, I, unfortunately, cannot recall them all. Besides, I truly believe that they all would say they were just doing their job. My renewed appreciation of these unselfish people urges me to remind those reading this to show the same and support these services whenever and however you can. Also, I am grateful to the Emergency Room personnel at Bassett Hospital. They could not have been more accommodating to me and my family. Finally, a heartfelt "Thank You" to the friends, co-workers and neighbors who offered meals, snow removal, rides and other services to my family during this time. We were once again reminded of just how wonderful the Cooperstown community can be. Bruce Brodersen Cooperstown John McCain's the clear choice In October of 1967, I was privileged to be flying from the aircraft carrier the USS Coral Sea. We were on the line with the USS Oriskany, the ship from which John McCain was flying when he became a prisoner of North Vietnam. From that day I have followed his career and have been involved in his two presidential campaigns. Why John McCain? Having gone through relatively the same intense Navy carrier flight training, operational and combat experience, there exists a connection of early adult life. John McCain carries through with his tasks. He is not the normal politician who spins the problems and tries to tell you what you want to hear. He analyzes the problem and proceeds to get the compromises needed to solve the issue at hand. We all want future progress. How can progress be achieved with the giant lobbying industry hardening liberal and conservative positions and telling the politicians, "If you don't vote my position, your opponent gets the money?" This is the source of our noncompromising party politics and the inability to solve problems. John McCain has been telling us this for years. Republicans! Remember Rudy jetting across upstate New York, supporting Mario Cuomo? How can we forget that? I don't know if he has been back since. John McCain has. When all is said and done, who of all the presidential candidates has the most experience and tenacity, giving us the best chance to keep our country safe? Who knows the details of our safety net, including military, diplomatic, strategic, and financial components? We should not guess who will rise to the top and might be good. We should look forward and take advantage of the exceptional experience and straight talk of John McCain. Dave Rees Oneonta Cabaret Night a success Thank you to the many individuals, businesses and organizations whose contributions made Cabaret Night a great success. In its 15th year, Cabaret Night is a January tradition bringing together young and old who gather to enjoy an evening of food and music while supporting Friends of CCS Music and Art. A crowd of over 300 filled the cafeteria, brightened with student artwork, and were treated to four hours of performances from talented students and community members. This year we heard Andie Alban, Chelsea Moakler, Julia Nelson, Phoenix Miller, Amber Rumberger, Patty VanKampen, the Middle School Jazz Band, Shyah Miller, Anna Sams, Emily Brown, Laura Weber, Natalie Grigoli, Tom Craig, Quinn Bernegger, Morgann Clark, Blue Monday with Kyle Mackie, Caitlin Murphy, Harmonia Jazz Vocal Group, Ben Garcia, Sara Rug- Ruggerio, Rachel Pier, Sandy Peevers, Jeane Bennett O'Dea, AhCoopella, Virginia and Kurt Ofer, Bill Landon, Conor Adsit, the Cooperstown Thespian Quartet, Small Town Big Band, John Rathbun, the High School Jazz Ensemble, Toby Wilcox, Jim Ducey, and Cheese of the Misty Ceremony, whose music inspired some of the more agile audience members to boogie. FOMA is a booster club supporting music and art education at Cooperstown Central School. Proceeds from Cabaret Night help fund summer scholarships and music lessons, art and music awards, artist-inresidence programs and more. We appreciate the work of Peter Daum, Sal Salvaggio and Paul Tobler in rehearsing students for the show and marvel at the ability of Kristen Karasek, Eileen Murphy and their art students to transform the venue from cafeteria to cabaret. In the hands of emcee Gary Kuch and sound engineer Mark LaValley, the show went off without a hitch. We had the help of parent volunteers who baked desserts, prepared and served food, and cleaned up afterwards. Student volunteers from National Honor Society and Health Class worked in shifts from 3 to 10 p.m. You were all invaluable. Area businesses provided essential support for Cabaret Night: BJ's Wholesale Club, Fly Creek Cider Mill, Great American, Hannaford, Hoffman Lane Bistro, P&C, The Phoenix Inn, Price Chopper, Stewart's Shops and Wal- Mart. Door prizes were generously donated by Cooperstown Book Nook, Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival, Cooperstown Concert Series, Foothills Performing Arts Center, Glimmerglass Opera, Hoffman Lane Bistro, Leatherstocking Theater Company, New York State Historical Association, and Catherine Raddatz. Thanks to all who joined us for this special event. Cabaret Night will celebrate sweet 16 in 2009. Hope to see you there, and bring a friend! Annie Stewart President, FOMA Cooperstown Thank you, CFD To those who have not been by the Cooperstown Vol. Fire Dept. this past week, the sign welcomes two new members, Chris and Tom Hogan. If you do not know Chris and Tom this may seem to be a normal announcement of two members willing to serve their community. However if you do know Chris and Tom and that they have Down syndrome, this becomes one more example of what a special department this community is fortunate to have. I suspect when one thinks of the CFD the first thoughts are fire protection and EMS services. While these are appropriate, the commitment of these individuals to the community goes far deeper. As a completely volunteer organization their services include fire pevention and safety demonstrations offered to our schools, CPR classes, parades, standby for fireworks, football games, cross country meets, Iroquois Farm and the Farmers Museum events, the Hall of Fame Game and Induction Ceremony, drills, continuing education, meetings and the list goes on. Then you need to think of the family impact of missed dinners, birthday parties, and a lost night's sleep when the ''Call" comes. Membership becomes a total family commitment. Now they have agreed to take on the task of working with two young men with a developmental disability, to see their dream of helping their community as members of the CFD become a reality. While their disability may prevent them from actually providing direct support at a fire scene or actual hands on assistance during an EMS emergency, their indirect help of preparation, retrieving supplies/ equipment during a call and the ''after the call cleanup" will prove to be a benefit to the Deptartment and the community. If you are one of the several dozen people who have seen the sign and told me how wonderful this is, know a member of the CFD, recognize one by their uniform or see activity at the fire station, take 30 seconds to say "Thank you". Those two words truly mean a lot. Thank you Cooperstown Fire Dept. Pat and Jim Hogan Parents of Chris and Tom |
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