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AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, February 2, 2023
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Armory’s Future TBD By Oneontans
New BBQ Eatery Has Ties to History
By TED MEBUST
By DAN SULLIVAN
ONEONTA ollowing a recent evaluation of the Asa C. Allison, Jr. Municipal Building, located on the corner of Academy Street and Fairview Street in Oneonta and colloquially known as “The Armory” in reference to its initial purpose, the city found it to be underutilized and in need of improvement. Therefore, city officials opted to hear opinions from its residents about the building’s future in a survey released in December. “It’s an old building that’s showing its age,” said Greg Mattice, Oneonta’s city administrator currently overseeing the project with Kerri Harrington, city clerk. According to Mattice, the city obtained $45,600.00 from a New York State Community Development Block Grant to “evaluate the condition of the building and identify needed improvements, particularly
RICHFIELD SPRINGS ur area’s newest barbecue restaurant, Maplewood BBQ and Spirits, takes its name from that given by original owner John Tunnicliff to the mansion built on his estate in 1760, which included a huge tract of land covering what is today parts of Otsego and southern Herkimer counties. At that time, Maplewood was in Tryon County; Otsego would not be formed until 1791. Restaurant owner John Yule, also a partner in the Knotting Hill Farm wedding venue in Jordanville, has done his research on the mansion that houses his new eatery. “The fireplace was part of the original kitchen. And the crane to hold pots is also original,” he pointed out. Original hand-hewn beams are also visible in many rooms. Throughout, the stonework is impres-
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Continued on page 9 INSIDE ► Cooperstown is well positioned for future Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh says, page 2 ► REPUBLICANS BACK BASILE FOR COUNTY CLERK; bliss, kennedy continue on; DEMS ENDORSE Fasanelli and Membrino, page 2 ► ‘pandemic is over ACT’ PREMATURE? Sternberg says yes, it is, page 4 ► get rid of your old drugs safely, securely, page 5 ► glimmerglass festival announces 2023 DATES, PERFORMANCES, page 6 Follow Breaking News On
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O Photo by Nancy Callahan
Gilbertsville’s Gilbert Block on Commercial Street features a row of neo-Tudor style structures built between 1893 and 1895 (left). An elephant table is one of the 80 items currently featured in the Gilbertsville Village Improvement Society’s fundraiser auction, accessible at http://www.laibids.com (right).
Village Improvement Society Holds Auction
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GILBERTSVILLE he Gilbertsville Village Improvement Society has begun an online auction through Lambrecht Auction of Bainbridge, the proceeds of which will go toward upkeep of the Gilbert Block. Eighty items are offered, ranging from “top shelf” treasures such as a complete set of German Rosenthal china to Instapots. Also featured are heirloom-quality furnishings, vintage décor and stained glass windows. Works by local artists—including ceramic artists Elizabeth Nields and Marcus Villagran, visual artist Alberta Hutchison, and collage artist Jane Higgins—are also available through the auction. Those interested in viewing or bidding on auction items may visit www.lambrechtauction.com or www.laibids.com and scroll down to “Gilbertsville Improvement Society Fundraiser.”
Bidding closes on February 16 at 7 p.m. An in-person preview of auction items will be held on Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gilbert Block on Commercial Street. The pick-up date for items purchased will be February 18 from 9 a.m. to noon, also at the Gilbert Block. The purpose of the auction is to raise funds for maintenance and structural improvements to the Gilbert Block, a neo-Tudor style strip of buildings designed by Boston architect Henry Forbes Bigelow and constructed between 1893 and 1895. “Funds are needed for general maintenance of our properties on an ongoing basis. Right now, funds are urgently needed for plumbing improvements so we can rent the former Value Way space. Its closure has left a big void in the village life and economy. We need Continued on page 8
Continued on page 3
Rolen Stands Alone in Hall of Fame Vote on MLB Network from the iconic Plaque Gallery. Surrounded by the bronze COOPERSTOWN cott Rolen, a hot images of 340 of the corner maestro National Pastime’s forever known for his figures, the 47-year-old defensive wizardry at third Rolen’s name was called and considerable ability in by Hall of Fame President the batter’s box, has been Josh Rawitch in front of a added to the sport’s greatest national audience. “Tonight, we are pleased roster. to announce the addition The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s star- of one new member to the studded lineup increased Hall of Fame fraternity,” by one when the results Rawitch said. “A two-way Scott of the Baseball Writers’ superstar…today Association of America Rolen becomes a member Hall of Fame vote were of the National Baseball announced a little after 6 Hall of Fame. Continued on page 8 p.m. on January 24 live By BILL FRANCIS
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Photo courtesy News Channel 2
Stopping the Spread LAURENS—An early-morning blaze originating in a Brook Street garage spread to property owned by the Laurens Central School District last Sunday, January 29. According to reports, the fire broke out around 7:40 a.m., quickly moving to a nearby shed and to a building on school property located behind the burning garage. Fire officials said the cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage to school property appears to be minimal.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD