Our editors' picks for the best and brightest stories of the year

On the Bright Side

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December 31, 2011

By Emily F. Popek Assistant Editor The Daily Star Sun Jan 01, 2012, 10:59 AM EST

The Daily Star launched its "On the Bright Side" feature more than 10 years ago, establishing a commitment to bring local readers at least one "good news" story on the front page of every single newspaper. (The only exception to this rule was Sept. 12, 2001, when the events of the 9/11 attacks made the prospect of doing an "On the Bright Side" story seem inappropriate.) This year, in addition to summarizing the top 10 local news stories of the year, The Daily Star is remembering the 10 "brightest" Brights of 2011.

The reason for doing this is the same as the reason for publishing a Bright Side story every day: to give readers a reason to smile, even in the face of the negative news that often pervades our medium. Here are the 10 brightest "On the Bright Side" stories of 2011:

1. BEAR HEADS HOME TO MILFORD AFTER 15 YEAR TRIP

Though local schools may be small, and somewhat isolated, their power to reach around the globe hit home in October, when a "geobear" sent out by a Milford Central School fifthgrader more than 15 years ago returned to the area.

Geobears is a geography teaching project outlined in John Cassidy’s book, "Earth Search: A Kid’s Geography Museum in a Book," according to the Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation website.

A stuffed teddy bear is tagged with a class photograph and instructions and has a pack with identity papers and space for souvenirs, such as coins. Travelers are asked to take the bear with them, send postcards and pass the bear on to another traveler.

Jamie Beisler’s "geobear" traveled from Milford to Canada, England, Japan, New Zealand and other ports of call before making its way back to social studies teacher Jim Renckens. The bear was feted at the school library, where details of its travels were revealed.

2. FIREFIGHTERS USE YOGA IN BATTLE OF THE BULGE

We’ve heard of football players studying ballet. But firefighters doing yoga? "It’s making a big difference in people’s health," organizer George Hymas told The Daily Star in January. "Putting out fires and helping people in emergencies is really stressful, and this is one way to help us cope with that."

Hymas started putting firefighters and emergency medical services providers through the low-impact stretches and postures of yoga more than two years ago. During the first year, Hymas said he noticed increased agility and flexibility, and decreased weight, among many of the participating members.

3. HELPER BRINGS DOGGED DETERMINATION TO CLASS

Dogs have been helping visually impaired people navigate the world for decades. But the use of therapy dogs in a variety of situations is a more recent innovation.

One such therapy dog is Spot, an 11-year-old pointer mix, who visited the classroom of Betsy Blackman at Bainbridge- Guilford High School during the 2010-11 school year to help students with basic reading skills.

His owner, Holly Bucalos, the school’s academic intervention services instructor, initiated the unorthodox program. "I know he loves being around people," Bucalos told The Daily Star. "I knew it would be a way we could promote literacy skills."

4. BASEBALL GLOVE PRODUCER MAKES BASEBALL HISTORY

Cooperstown’s status as the "birthplace of baseball" may have been debunked, but the region is still rife with connections to the noble sport. One such connection was made in 2011 by Scott Carpenter of Cherry Valley, whose hand-crafted synthetic glove made baseball history in June when it was worn during a major league game by New York Yankees pitcher Brian Gordon.

Carpenter called the experience of seeing his glove hit the big time "absolutely amazing." Just as amazing is the glove itself, which is lighter and stronger than its leather counterparts. The fact that the glove made its major-league debut in the Bronx was just the cherry on top for Carpenter, a longtime Yankees fan.

"The Yankees are also the biggest recognizable team in sports, so to have it happen with them just made the dream that much more sweet," Carpenter said.

One of Carpenter’s gloves _ worn by Oneonta Tigers pitcher Noah Krol _ resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame as the first all-synthetic glove worn in professional baseball.

5. AREA STUDENTS AID FEATHERED FRIENDS

Students at Downsville Central School hosted some exotic visitors in the spring of 2011, and found a creative way to learn from their guests.

First-graders and honors high school science students collaborated on a monthslong project studying a population of cliff swallows that traveled to Downsville from as far away as Argentina. The older students worked with the first-graders to share information and learn about the birds, including how and where the birds nest, and what they eat.

Honors teacher Becca Hansen said this is the first time her class has done anything like this. She said she hoped it would spark an interest in the younger students.

6. CENTURY OLD MESSAGE FOUND AT SCHENEVUS POST OFFICE

Some routine renovations yielded a peek into the past in September, when a small time capsule was uncovered dating back to 1905.

The glass bottle bore a note, which read "This stone was placed in position May 26, 1905. Store occupied by C.R. Scott. Florence E. Gurney, Willard A. Hubbard."

While many time capsules are well known or marked, this one was a surprise. "It was kind of interesting that no one knew about it," Postmaster Wendy Burton said.

Despite being more than 100 years old, the note contained some names familiar to Burton.

Burton said she notified the town historian of the find, and that the letter would be put on display.

7. CITY RECOGNIZES ONEONTA CENTENARIAN

Oneonta paid tribute to one of its longest-lived citizens in January, with a day of recognition marking the centenary of Frank "Diz" LaMonica.

In presenting LaMonica with a framed proclamation certificate, Oneonta Mayor Dick Miller said LaMonica is an elder member of a generation of immigrants and children of immigrants who made their mark on Oneonta. "It’s a pretty interesting group of people, and they live a long time," Miller said. "‘Diz’ is an icon of that group."

LaMonica’s wife, Jo-Ann, said her husband is still "sharp as a tack" and enjoys playing cards and spending time at the Elks Lodge. The LaMonica family operated a wholesale banana business in Oneonta before establishing LaMonica Beverages, now Northern Eagle Beverages.

8. AREA COUNTRY BAND STILL STRONG AT 500TH SHOW

Classic country, modern country and a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll. That’s the winning formula for area band Country Express, which celebrated a milestone in June when it played its 500th show at the Oneonta Elks Lodge.

The band opened with "Crazy," written by Willie Nelson and made famous by Patsy Cline, to a packed dance floor of area residents who showed their appreciation for the five-piece band fronted by Terri Whitney of Franklin and Rob Laing of Andes.

Laing said the band is now aiming to do another 500 shows.

9. DELHI STUDENTS SALUTE BUS DRIVERS

You can’t call the bus drivers of the Delhi Central School District "unsung heroes" anymore. Not since a group of smiling kindergartners literally sang their thanks to the men and women who safely ferry them to and fro each day at an October assembly.

"They’re overlooked, and they have a tendency to be under-appreciated," Delhi Central School District Superintendent Jason D. Thomson said of the drivers. "If you see the schools as the heart of the community and the roads as the veins, the bus drivers are the lifeblood."

Besides the musical accolades, the drivers each received die-cast minature buses in tribute to their work. But the drivers said their work is its own reward

10. INTERSKATE 88 PREPARES FOR 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Family traditions come in all shapes and sizes. For the Nelson family, tradition comes on four wheels and glides across a polished wood floor.

In 2010, the Nelsons celebrated the 30-year anniversary of Interskate 88, the roller skating rink Fred Nelson built on Oneonta’s Southside in 1981.

Today, managerial duties are mostly overseen by Nelson’s son, Eric, with 73-yearold Fred and his wife, Donna, staying involved behind the scenes.

The Nelsons have seen generations grow at the rink. "A lot of people who skated here in their teens are now bringing their kids," Eric told The Daily Star.