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Volume 214, No. 40
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, October 6, 2022
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SQSPCA Kicks Off ‘Subaru Loves Pets’ Adoption Special
Cooperstown Rotary Readies for Fall Fling
decrease in adoption rates overall has resulted in In partnership with Five waiting lists for both cats Star Subaru and Subaru of and dogs coming into the America, the Susquehanna SQSPCA. Society for the Prevention “The problem is nationof Cruelty to Animals will wide and not unique to us,” be offering half-price adop- Ms. Haynes said. “Our hope tions this month and adop- is to clear the shelter so that tion fees for shelter animals we can move as quickly with special needs will be as possible through those waived entirely. lists and continue to help During the month of animals in need of homes. October, the Subaru Loves According to Ms. Pets initiative showcases Haynes, the SQSPCA has Subaru’s belief that all cared for more than 1,080 animals deserve a loving animals this year, including home and reinforces their low-cost spay and neuter commitment to support the clinics, already surpassing health, rescue, transport, 2021’s total of 1,074 and adoption of shelter animals helped with almost animals. This year, the three more months to go. SQSPCA will receive $100 “We also applaud for every pet adopted during Subaru’s emphasis on the sale, up to $3,100. shelter animals with special “This is a fantastic needs, whether older, program coming again deaf, blind or otherwise at a time when it is most different. These ‘underneeded,” said SQSPCA dogs,’ as Subaru fondly Executive Director Stacie calls them, are traditionally Haynes. “Last fall’s event our hardest-to-adopt dogs focused on cats and kittens and cats, like Dave,” Ms. only, but this year we are Haynes continued. including dogs in the halfEstimated to be about 4 price sale.” years old, Dave is one of A recent increase in the shelter’s longest feline surrendered dogs and residents. He is a handsome unclaimed dogs-at-large charcoal domestic shorthair combined with a marked —adorable, friendly, with the softest of fur, and, unfortunately, blind. At INSIDE a time when the average ► J EFF O’HANDLEY’S DEBUT length of stay for SQSPCA NOVEL, powerless, story and animals is less than 21 Q & A, page A3 days, Dave has been ► A FEW THOUGHTS ON patiently awaiting his IMPORTANT THINGS: Our forever home for 120 days. columnists and letter writers this week look at saying goodbye “Thanks to Subaru, to Columbus, rekindling relaspecial needs animals like tionships that have withstood Dave have their moment time, Otsego 2000 energy statein the spotlight, too, and ment, Office of the Aging offers can find their perfect senior services, A4&5 match,” Ms. Haynes said. ► fenimore chamber It’s important to note orchestra returns, next concert this Saturday, that the dogs currently page B3 available at the shelter are equally deserving of Follow Breaking News On loving new homes but are being overlooked by OTSEGO.com potential adopters, with an average length of stay among them of more than 50 days, she added. Continued on page 6
On Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Rotary Club of Cooperstown will hold its popular Fall Fling—a family-friendly event—on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, 124 County Road 52 (Susquehanna Avenue), Cooperstown. According to Fall Fling Co-Chair Sydney Sheehan, “Like Fall and Spring Fling in years past, Rotary is planning an event that brings our community together for a fun-filled day with local vendors, music, food, and much more. Fall Fling allows us to showcase the best that autumn in Cooperstown has to offer, from local pumpkins and hot cider to arts and entertainment.” Coming out of more than a year of lockdowns and quarantine, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown is fortunate to be able to gather safely outside to celebrate our community and local businesses, Ms. Sheehan wrote in a recent press release. “It is more important than ever for us to come together and support each other as community members, leaders, business owners, and families alike,” she said. Rotary is an international service organization with 1 million-plus members in more than 160 countries. The Cooperstown chapter meets Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m., usually at The Otesaga Resort Hotel.
By RICHARD STERNBERG
By DARLA M. YOUNGS
All
Photo by Leslie Picinich
This Week’s Fall Photo 13-year-old Labrador Leia Rein in Neahwa Park, Oneonta.
‘Ponies, Pumpkins and Puppies: Oh, My!’ By ANNELIESE GILCHREST
The crisp smell of autumn, combined with sizzling Liam’s Hot Dogs and delicious grub from S&S Café of Bainbridge, filled the air at Athelas Therapeutic Riding Inc.’s Fall Festival on Saturday, October 1. More than 200 people gathered to support the cause while enjoying the weather and seasonal festivities at Athelas, located at 1179 County Highway 5, Otego. Inside the large indoor facility at Northfield Farm LLC, therapy ponies Powder and Chance were a huge attraction as they gave rides to giggling children. The bouncy house had a steady line of participants who jumped and bounced the afternoon away. More than 125 pumpkins, donated by Frog Pond Farms of Bainbridge and Hager Farms of Bloomville, were painted and carried home by kids and adults alike. Arts and crafts tables donated by Sharon Foster with projects galore were filled with focused artists for hours on end. Pumpkin bowling, corn hole and pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe were some of the many games occupied attendees Photo by Allison Mosher that throughout the afternoon. Nathan Mosher visits with fourlegged friends at the Athelas Fall Festival last weekend.
Continued on page 6
Fall Fling is the major fundraiser of the year for the Rotary Club of Cooperstown. One hundred percent of the profits go to supporting community organizations and local and international charities, such as the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Cooperstown Food Pantry, Cooperstown Community Senior Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego and Schoharie Counties, and PolioPlus. Ms. Sheehan said this is the sixth time the Rotary Club of Cooperstown has held the Fling. “The first and second events were on Railroad Avenue in 2016 and 2017. It outgrew the space available there and moved to the Doubleday Field parking lot,” she wrote. “Still bursting at the seams with much more demand for vendor space than available at Doubleday, in 2019 the Fling was moved, with the Clark Sports Center’s generous offer and help, to the CSC grounds.” In 2020, the Fling was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID again forced cancellation of the event in the spring of 2021, but Rotarians were able to regroup and move the date to October, where it will fall again this year, Ms. Sheehan added. Post Fall Fling, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown will host Pancake Day on Tuesday, November 8.
Joan Badgley, Cooperstown, mans the Basket Auction.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD