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& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, December 7, 2012

Volume 5, No. 12

City of The Hills

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Complimentary

Bresee’s Health Bar Lives On

Muriel Ross, 95, reviews the 1948 Collier’s article that celebrated her as Bresee’s Health Bar waitress par excellence.

Celebrated Muriel Ross Worked There 35 Years, Turns 95 By LIBBY CUDMORE

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efore the Yellow Deli, before the Autumn Cafe, there was Bresee’s Health Bar. “On Thursday nights you could hardly walk down Main Street,” said Muriel Ross, one of the last living Health Bar waitresses, who turned

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Kids can ride the former Bresee’s Rudolph – shown off here by Cherry Branch Gallery director Kristen Henderson – this season in Cherry Valley. Santa’s reindeer was bought by Cherry Valley’s Greg Noonan at an auction of the department store furnishings in 2006.

95 on Nov. 21. “On my busiest days, I could serve 300 people at my counter.” Recently widowed in 1948, Muriel got the job that October after Fred Bresee, just home from the Army and unhappy with the way his restaurant was being run, fired the entire staff. “I was working at Please See 95TH, A8

Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Oneonta Theatre Going Venue Closes At Year’s End, Cormier Says By JIM KEVLIN

Community Bank Moves Rt. 23 Office

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ommunity Bank’s Southside Mall branch has moved across Route 23 into the rechristened Community Bank Plaza, said Joseph Sutaris, bank’s regional executive. As with its mall office, the new branch will be open seven days a week, but it adds three drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM. A grand opening is planned in April. Metro Mattress and Country Junction are the other tenants in the now-full shopping plaza, developed by the Karabinises, who operate the adjacent Neptune Diner.

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Her tassle on the left side, symbolizing she is graduating, Otego’s Lisa Parisian watches her fellow seniors cross the stage and receive congratulations from SUNY Oneonta President Nancy Kleniewski and Provost Maria Thompson during the December Candidate Recognition ceremony Sunday, Dec. 2, in Dewar Arena.

SHOUT THE NAME,

HONOR FOR LONG: City Manager Michael H. Long has received word the International City/County Management Association has designated him a “credentialed manager.” Only 20 city managers in New York State and 1,200 nationwide have achieved that certification. HELPING OFO: Singer/ songwriters Dana LaCroix and Murali Coryell raised $1,835 in support of Opportunities for Otsego’s emergency housing shelter through performances at the Oneonta Theatre and Holly Hren’s Cooperstown home.

’TIS ONEONTA

t year’s end, Oneonta Theatre owner Tom Cormier intends to end his three-year experiment in reviving the 1897 opera house as a modern-day rock and performance venue. He has put the building at 47 Chestnut St. – in addition to the 600-seat theater, there are HOMETOWN ONEONTA six apartments Tom Cormier in the proand three jection room in 2010. storefronts – on the market for $1.35 million. The news was greeted with dismay. “It would be terribly unfortunate,” said Mayor Miller. “I hope there’s some way the theater can stay open on a financially viable basis.” Please See CORMIER, A9

Youngster Can Again Attend CSO For Free, Thanks To Benefactor By LIBBY CUDMORE

T Oneonta’s Aleksandra Cunero examines the honors medal she received at the recognition ceremony.

Jacob Wanser, Class of 2013, leads the gathering in the alma mater, “Shout the name, ’tis Oneonta”/MORE PHOTOS, A3

he generous, mysterious Catskill Symphony Orchestra donor strikes again – again donating funds so local youngsters can experience the joys of hearing a classical music live. “This is the eighth year this person has done this,” said Deb Wolfanger, CSO manager. “It’s allowed hundreds of kids to enjoy Please See CSO, A7

HOMETOWN ONEONTA, THE LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER IN OTSEGO COUNTY, 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

Capture the magic!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 3:00 - 7:00 PM

CANDLELIGHT EVENING

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Bu ESS y ti cke ENT ts o nlin RY! e!

• See hundreds of candles across the grounds • Warm up with complimentary wassail • Ride the Empire State Carousel • Enjoy caroling, wagon rides and holiday crafts • Visit with Saint Nicholas • Indulge in seasonal foods Step back in Time! TM

For information, visit FarmersMuseum.org or call (607) 547-1450 • 5775 State Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY Admission: Adults (13-64): $12 • Seniors (65+): $10.50 • Children (7-12): $6 • Kids (6 & under) and NYSHA members: Free.

Sponsored in part by NBT Bank, Haggerty Ace Hardware, and Cathedral Candle Company.