Step back in time features news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.
25 years ago
Jan. 23, 1987
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce has named Carl Loucks of Geneva as its new executive manager, to begin in early March.
"Mr. Carl Loucks has been offered the position and he has verbally accepted it," said chamber President Douglas Chesser.
Loucks said Thursday that his goals will be to follow policies set by the chamber's executive committee and to unify chambers throughout the county.
Originally from Cobleskill, Loucks lived in Oneonta from 1967 to 1976 and was comptroller at Bresee's Department Store, he said.
"It's going to be like coming home," he said of his return to Otsego County.
Robert E. Whittemore, who officially resigned from the position Jan. 1, will continue to serve on a part-time basis until Loucks arrives, Chesser said. Whittemore will also help with the transition, so that "we do have some continuity," Chesser said.
50 years ago
Jan. 23, 1962
Believe it or not, many residents of Delaware County are continually hoping for a substantial snow-fall. There are various reasons for their wanting snow.
Farmers want snow to cover their fields and pastures as a protection to grasses. Farmers also want snow so that when it melts, their springs will have the benefit.
Villagers and farmers alike are fearful that as the near-zero temperatures continue, their water pipes, leading from mains or from springs will freeze up. For six weeks, during January and February of 1934, the temperature was below zero every day, and a rash of frozen water pipes resulted due to the complete lack of snow.
The lack of snow in Delaware County, and just over the line in Ulster County, has knocked skiing into a cocked hat. On the Saturday preceding New Years Day (Monday) an estimated crowd of 5,500 participated in skiing at Belleayre Ski Center at Highmount, just over the Delaware County line; on Sunday and Monday, there was an estimated crowd of 3,500 each day; 2,000 per day for the balance of the week.
Then there are the kids who have, or got sleds or coasting pans for Christmas. They are just no use without snow.
