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Friday, December 1, 2006December 1 200669 Years Later, 1st Hall-of-Fame Hire Dies  COOPERSTOWN A beginning came to an end in recent days as Donald Watson Sr., the first employee hired by the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum after its “soft opening” in 1938, died at a rest home in California on Monday, Nov. 17. Sixty-nine years ago, William Beattie was the first director, and he in turn hired young Don, employee number one. The Hall of Fame’s grand opening occurred the following year. Then, it occupied one room in the original wing, the east wing of today’s complex, where the main restrooms are. Since, it’s gone through at least five major expansions, numerous smaller ones, climaxing in a $3 million redo completed in 2005. Then, the collection’s highlights included the baseball from Cy Young’s 500th win in 1910, Christy Matthewson and Ty Cobb’s uniforms, Babe Ruth’s spikes, and the famed and disputed “Doubleday Baseball.” Today, the collection includes more than 35,000 “three-dimensional” items – bats, balls, caps and the like – and 130,000 baseball cards. Plus, the library has 2.6 million items. Today, the Hall of Fame employs more than 100 people year ‘round, according to Jeff Idelson, vice president for marketing and communications, and 200 during the summer months. Tickets were a nickel then; today, it’s $14.50 per adult. Then, Don Watson “did everything,” said Idelson, who met the pioneer when he returned for the 60th anniversary celebration in 1999. “He put up the flag in the morning, opened the door, sold tickets, sold the few souvenirs we offered, gave the tours of the 1,200-square-foot room.” Now, public space alone is 50,000 square feet; add in work space, storage and the like, the total nears 100,000. “He was stunned with how modernized everything had become,” said Idelson. “He was taken aback and thrilled.” According to his son, Don Jr., his father, who was 87 at the time of his death, was born in Cooperstown to James and Elizabeth Watson, immigrants from Scotland, who lived at 17 Lake St. His father was a carpenter by trade. Don Watson was in high school when he joined the Hall of Fame. By graduation, World War II was under way, and he spent four years in the Armed Services, stationed in Iceland. On his return, he rejoined the Hall of Fame for a few years, but in 1954 he responded to the urge to go west, young man. “In 1954,” said Don Jr., now 56 and residing in Huntington Beach, “we drove out to California.” That included another brother, Richard, now 58, of San Diego, and his mother, Frances, now 84 and living in Ontario, Calif. (Another brother, James, 49, was born after the move and lives in Loma Linda., Calif.) Don Sr. became involved in aerospace – then a booming growth industry – joining Aerojet General in Azusa, Calif., where he spent his career. In early boyhood, he was an avid baseball fan, according to his son, and he was a lifelong Yankee fan, and an Angels fan in later life. (Conversely, he never forgave the Dodgers.) “The Hall of Fame meant a lot to him,” said the son. “Everytime we would take a vacation back to Cooperstown, we’d always go to the Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field and he’d reminisce.” He had an extensive baseball card collection, which he began by picking cards out of trash cans at the Hall of Fame. After his retirement, he was active in Aerojet’s retirement committee, volunteering at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and volunteered at a community food bank. During his 1999 visit, Watson has “very vivid recollections and memores of the Hall of Fame when we opened” – the official opening ceremonies – “in 1939. He remembered the look and feel of Cooperstown; how excited people were when they came through the museum.” A final comparison: Today, the Hall of Fame gift shop offers a multitude of varied memorabilia. In the early days, Don’s inventory consisted of bat-shaped pencils, 25 cents, and Casey at the Back folders, a nickel. New Kid City, ‘Smart Classrooms’ In $7.17 Million School Bond Issue By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN It includes replacing Kid City, the revered but worn-out playground behind Cooperstown Elementary School. It includes money for “smart classrooms,” where science would be taught via interactive blackboards, wireless computers and other still-to-be-determined state-of-the-art technology. And it includes a number of more routine maintenance expenditures: replacing boilers, windows and doors, with the expectation the investment will at least slow the growth of the Cooperstown Central School District’s $200,000 annual fuel bill. The Cooperstown Central school board on Wednesday, Nov. 29, added a little, subtracted a little, and came up with a $7,172,660 “working outline” of a bond issue that may go to a vote – after community informational meetings – on March 14. With state reimbursements, the local share would be $2 million. The new numbers are less than half the size of the numbers the public rejected, 1,365 to 331, on Dec. 6, 2005: That bond issue, $19 million total, would have cost $5 million once state reimbursements had kicked in. “Everything we are doing will be fully aidable,” said architect John Knudson of Bearsch Compeau Knudson Architects & Engineers, Binghamton, who outlined the proposal at an afternoon special meeting in the high school cafeteria. Kid City, the creative playground launched in 1988, the year the Class of 2006 began school, was recalled nostalgically at last June’s commencement. But the castle-like wooden stucture has been splintering in recent years, and features – the hard surface, in particular – fail to meet current safety standards. A committee of citizens – it is chaired by Martha Hennegan, mother of four – has been meeting for the past several months and chose a plan proposed by Parkitects Inc. of Lansing, near Ithaca, that would replace Kid City with a $350,000 structure and landscaping that would include a path leading from the elementary school to the track and football field. “It’s amazing in the summer,” said Walter Bennett, the district’s superintendent of buildings and grounds, about the current set up, “to see how many people use it - because there are no playgrounds.” At Bennett’s recommendation, the school board agreed to upgrade the wood-chips used to cushion children’s falls with a rubber matting, at an additional cost of $100,000, also 70 percent reimbursible. Hennegan’s committee also plans to fundraise, money that would immediately retire principal on that portion of the bond, reducing the overall cost. Science teacher Thomas Good made the plea for the improved science classrooms, comparing the current rooms, built in 1969, to the 1997 Ford Taurus he replaced with a 2005 Ford Freestyle recently. He said he has been astonished with all the new features of his new Ford, from various lights on the dashboard to side airbags. He didn’t miss them because he didn’t have them, but “now it’s time to replace it; it’s time to move on.” The same applies to the classrooms, said Good. The $1.47 million classroom upgrade – the school board did lop $200,000 off that total – was the major addition to the $5 million package developed by the school board over the summer. It had also been in the defeated bond issue. After the meeting, school board Chairman Anthony Scalisi said he was prompted to put the science classrooms back in because – among the new thermostats and alarms and HVAC upgrades – it was the one thing that spoke to the school board’s central role: to try and improve education. The Concerned Citizens group that led the charge against the last bond issue were represented in the sparse crowd. Rick Hulse, one of the leaders, expressed fears of rising costs in the face of declining enrollments. The proposed bond issue, he said, would result in a 2.2 percent increase in tax bills, and he appealed to the board to find cuts elsewhere to zero that out. Steve Mahlum noted that $54,000 for six doors comes down to $8,000 a door. “I’m not saying anything’s wrong; it’s just that I can’t relate to it,” he said. “We’re not even building a building. We’re just renovating.” Knudson replied that public-sector construction in New York State “is a different world.” First, everyone, union or not, must be paid at the “prevailing” union wage, he said. The Wicks Law, which dates to the 1930s, requires “multiple prime contractors” – for plumbing, for heating, for general contracting – which escalates costs. And all the safeguards associated with demolition – much of the renovation requires demolition – can raise the cost of construction 20 to 50 percent. “Now there’s worries about PCBs in caulk,” Knudson said, so replacing the doors will require “white suits and respirators.” At the meeting’s end, however, Jim Brophy of Toddsville spurred the school board to do something, saying: “The public has lost confidence in the board. We’ve got to get it back.” He appealed to the board to break out the bond-issue referendums into separate projects, so Kid City isn’t sacrificed to the classrooms, or the classrooms to the bus garage. To Go Where No Classroom Has Before... COOPERSTOWN CCS science teacher Thomas Good handed over two Lego-like models of the water molecule, H20, a red oxygen bubble with two smaller white ones attached. “Describe it,” he said. All are oval. Yes. The white ones are smaller than the red ones. Yes. Move the two models close to each other, and they snap together magnetically. That’s it, said Mr. Good: These are “polar molecules” and attract. “Non-polar molecules” don’t. “Oil and water,” he said. “They don’t mix.” When he began teaching 40 years ago, he was the “sage on the stage,” didactically lecturing his charges, take it or leave it. With advances in the understanding of how young brains develop, “it’s not that way anymore. “In order for you to learn, we have to know what your preconceptions are,” he said. That, in part, is the idea behind “smart classrooms,” a $1.27 million item contained in the $7.17 million bond issue that may go to Cooperstown Central School District voters on March 14. After making a plea for the classroom renovation at the Wednesday, Nov. 29, meeting of the school board, Good and a colleague, Amy Kunkelberger, put on an impromptu demonstration in a nearby classroom of “smart” elements already in place, beginning with Mrs. Kukenberger’s high-tech blackboard; it’s actually a white “interactive presentation manager.” The board is linked to Mrs. Kukenberger’s computer and, with a pen-like “electronic stylus,” she can use the whiteboard like a computer screen, only better. She can circle key elements she wants to stress. As she used to write notes with chalk on a blackboard, she can write with the stylus on the whiteboard. The notes can then be saved and provided to kids who can’t make it to class that day; she can even e-mail the notes to them at home. Many science textbooks these days come with a CD, so all the graphs, illustrations and lists in the book can be flashed on the screen during class discussions. There’s animination. How molecules work, for instance, can be graphically shown in two or three different ways, Mr. Good said. There’s EduGame, a way to electronically drill students. And there’s a Jeopardy-like game, complete with the characteristic “da-da-da-da-dum-dum-dum” theme, that serves the same purpose. Mrs. Kunkelberger said students have “individual student feedback devices,” which would allow them to do tests electronically. Their teacher still requires tests to be completed on paper; but students can then check their answers immediately and know what they did right or wrong while the information is still fresh in their minds. There’s even an applause button, although Mrs. Kunkelberger didn’t have hers hooked up to speakers. However the new classrooms shape up, it is essential that they be “flexible,” Mr. Good said, walking around the room and showing the renovations done in the past few years. For instance, computer banks were added against outside walls, blocked off from the lab area by glass walls. In 1969, when this room was built, no one ever anticipated personal computers or, certainly, that they would be widely used by every student. When the computer banks were put in, expensive wiring was required. The “smart classrooms” will likely use wireless technology and laptops instead of stations. The idea, said Mr. Good, is to enable “multiple models” of teaching: People simply learn differently. Reunion: We’ll Pay Your Electricity Bills By BREN MIOSEK and RUSS HONICKER CHERRY VALLEY Reunion Power has sweetened the pot in Cherry Valley, offering to cover all residents’ electricity costs – about half their monthly bills – up to $40 a month for the next 20 years. “We believe we’ve come up with a very creative way to work cooperatively with the entire town,” David Little, Reunion’s vice president, told a press conference that preceded a two-hour “Economic Benefits Open House” at the community center in the former school. The stipend is based on the 5,800 kilowatt hours the average New York State home uses monthly; any home that uses less than that on average will not have to pay for electricity. Businesses are excluded, and the offer is contingent on the successful development of 24 turbines on East Hill. “Not only will Cherry Valley residents be able to say that their homes are powered 100 percent by wind power from the East Hill Wind Farm,” he said, “but the average Cherry Valley homeowner will have an electricity supply cost of zero.” Electricity only makes up half people’s monthly NYSEG bills – the rest is transmission costs, service fees and so on – so Reunion’s payment will be 50 percent of the bill that arrives in the mail, Little said later. The open house came two days after the town board’s uneventful public hearing on a proposed wind ordinance that includes setbacks Reunion says make its project untenable. The hearing lasted 10 minutes, with every speaker, except Little, supporting the restrictive ordinance. A vote on the ordinance will occur in mid-December. Following the open house, Garretson said he believes the wind ordinance would still make wind-power development tenable in Cherry Valley. Town board member Fabian Bressett III was non-committal about how he may vote on the ordinance, saying he supports “what is going to help the whole township.” For his part, Little said at evening’s end: “I’m very pleased. I thought it was great. We saw some new faces.” About 75 people attended the open house, but it appeared few minds were changed. Greg Noonan, a member of the Advocates for Cherry Valley, which opposes the turbines, said: “Our family’s been here since 1938. How much are they willing to spend to own our souls?” His wife, Joan, added: “After looking at the photographs of the projected construction, I’m more against it than ever. It doesn’t matter how much they pay, it will not make up for the losses.” “The view and peace and quiet is worth more than the subsidy,” said Christine Cornwell. “We built our house on our own. We didn’t get a mortgage for wind turbines.” And Jim Kosinski said: “Do you want to look at all those towers and get their package? Or would you rather build three of our own towers and get a bigger package.” However, Donna Labree said she arrived supporting the windmills and left supporting them even more, adding she would not directly benefit from the project. “The people I’ve talked to say there is no noise and, if there is, it’s a whoosh,” she said. “I was for it tonight and I’m still for it.” At the sessions, Little described how Reunion has teamed up with NYSEG Solutions to structure the new deal. He was accompanied by NYSEG Solutions’ James DiStefano, who said, “Through deregulation, New York State has made it possible for residential customers to choose their electricity supplier. “Once an agreement is finalized,” he continued, “customers will be able to receive the benefits of the wind farm simply by switching to NYSEG Solutions as their energy supplier.” Village Announces Historic Preservation Awards COOPERSTOWN Recipients of 27 individual awards for historic preservation in seven categories were recognized at the Village Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28, following a regular meeting of the planning board, which sponsored the awards. The awards span projects completed from 2004 through the fall of 2006.In the category of Municipal Stewardship, Robert Busse, a member of the village public works crew, was honored for his work in maintaining village parks and plantings. Five awards were distributed for Restoration projects – Richard and Rosemarie Abbate, 211 Main St., for their front porch restoration; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Franck, 204 Main St., for the restoration of the former D&H railroad passenger station; the Mohican Club, 138 Main St., for the removal of a dormer and restoration of the roof; and Kathleen and James Leonardo, 83 Chestnut St., for brick restoration work. In the Reconstruction category, the honor went to Jane Forbes Clark and the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home at 48 Grove St., for the rebuilding of the complex following successive losses to fire. Four recipients received plaques in the Preservation category – Joseph Ferrara, 99 Main St., for terra cotta tile replacement and re-pointing; Christ Church and St. Agnes Chapel, River and Church streets, for interior and exterior work; Leatherstocking Corp., 19 Main St., exterior painting and stone work; and the United Methodist Church, 68 Chestnut St., for the preservation of stained glass windows. Two awards were given for New Construction – Diane and Tim Feury, 4 Chestnut St., for a new detached garage; and Christ Church, River and Church streets, for a Columbarium wall. Two awards were also granted for signage projects – Lucy Townsend, 63 Pioneer St., for creation of a new Templeton Hall sign; and Charlene and Jim Vrooman, 14 Elm St., for their 1805 Phinney House sign. A dozen recipients were honored in the Rehabilitation category – Tim Horvath, Sally Cox, 65 Elm St., for the restoration of the residence with an addition; Joseph Galati, 44 Walnut St., for the restoration of the “Men’s Clubhouse” property and the addition of a garage; Jane Forbes Clark, 64 Pioneer St., for the restoration of the former Beasley School and the addition of a porch; Natasha and Randal Scharf, 33 Lake St., for the rear porch addition; Mary and Paul Kuhn, 51 Chestnut St., for the construction of a front entry and porch addition; Ivy and Edward Bischof, 46 Delaware St., for their “four-square residence” addition; Noel and Eric Hage, 36 Nelson Ave., for the addition to their residence; Johna Smith, 32 Elm St., for siding and trim replacement and a deck; Ashley and Shelby Cooper, 14 Lake St., for siding, windows, shutters, and portico at their residence; the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., 33 Main St., for the rehabilitation of their front and side entrances, outdoor scoreboard park and statues adjacent to the National Baseball Library & Archive; Cornell Cooperative Extension, Lake St., for the redesign of the entrance; and Thomas and Alison Novack, 83 Pioneer St., for porch design and a rear addition. Santa’s Sled Makes Swing Around Lake Editor’s Note: Santa Claus tested out his sled this week with a run to Cherry Valley and Sharon Springs. He was delighted to find so many good gifts in unique shops all along the way, and reported back his gift ideas, which are listed here. CHERRY VALLEY Some 15 miles north of Cooperstown via Routes 33 and 166 I was surprised by the variety of gift offerings available in the historic little town of Cherry Valley, not to mention what I found six miles further in Sharon Springs. The first surprise was The Plaide Pallette. Imagine Celtic art, gifts from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, food, tea biscuits, cards, candles, goods, sheet music, bagpipes, drums, jewlery, gift baskets, clothing, chess, right next to the Cherry Valley Museum on Main Street. In addition to cocker spaniel Merlin, the delights included: Celtic sarongs (wide scarves, 45 x 60”) $30; knit Irish sweaters, headbands and scarves; handknit Christmas stockings on a Celtic theme ($30); a replica 1750 sundial compass ($25); tartans with attitude; bags and scarves at $20 and up, and an Irish cable knit shoulderbag ($42). As luck would have it, I had to halt my sleigh and eight tiny reindeer at the one stoplight between Cooperstown and fair Sharon, but that caused me to pause at the Cherry Branch Gallery, open 12-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays during the winter. There was a Cherry Valley T-shirt by artist Lonni Sue Johnson ($15); didn’t I read her colum in my favorite newspaper? (By the way, The Freeman’s Journal is offering gift subscriptions.) Also entrancing were wooden birds – ducks, loons, swans and others – carved by Jonathan Dowdall. I peeked in the window as Nectar Hills Farm Store, where wire-ring ornaments filled the tree. I couldn’t make out the prices, but a variety of sparkling mats and pillows looked like intriguing gifts. You may be surprised to learn that Christmas – not Valentine’s or Mother’s Day – is the season when most flowers are sold, and A Rose is a Rose had blooms aplenty, not to mention two standing angels (Christmas trees with berry-wreathed heads); custom-decorated wreaths ready to go! ($30-35), and hanging balls of green ($30 each; two for $50). At Nancy’s Old & New, check out that vintage aluminum tree in the window! There’s a metal ornamental sled ($5); an antique salt glaze crock: Fort Eden #3 ($225); a “Little Anne of Canada” book, charming winter prints, frosted window highball glasses, assorted Christmas coverlets and more! On Comet! On Cupid! On Donner! On Blitzen – to Sharon Springs and Nancy’s Coffee House and Gift Shop (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays). Peeking through the window, I would see a Christmas tree bedecked with kitchen ornaments (90 cents and up), and a full line of Burt’s Bees products. Also on Main Street: Chartwell Studios, which offers fine and decorative arts offer workshops in decorative finishes, drawing classes for adults and workshops for children, neat gifts. Call 518-284-2656 to register. At Willow Acres Weaving (Thursdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 11 to 3), were one-of-a-kind scarves, shawls, and table linens. Moonlight Studio is a must, with a great gallery of regional artists and framed and unframed vintage postcards of local and regional scenes. There are sparkling sterling necklaces, bracelets and charms from Costa Rica ($12-$25), a sterling angel pendant ($12.50), a margasite dragonfly pendant ($12.50), sterling charms on ribbon ($8.-8.50), and photos of local architecture and details by Leila Durkin ($25 and up). Neat stuff. At The Finishing Touch, Santa thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of Santa figurines ($7 and up). Labels: Archives
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