Step Back in Time features community news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.
25 years ago
Nov. 24, 1984
COOPERSTOWN _ Three new 4-H clubs have been organized in Otsego County.
The Morris Chipmunks organized under the direction of Sally Johnston. Project leader is Eileen Elliott.
Members include: Clark Shields, president; Kathy Johnston, vice president; Nathan Elliott, secretary; Jesse Matteson, treasurer; Nicki Moore, news reporter; and Jonathan Hillis, recreation leader.
The Happy People of Edmeston 4-H Club organized under the leadership of Jean Whitford, with project leaders Anja Eriksen, Mike Rowe and Lizann Mullin.
Members include: Mary Brune, president; Peggy Beasly, vice president; Anja Eriksen, secretary; Chris Marks, treasurer; Bryan Penzel, news reporter; Nancy Sigelman, recreation leader, all residing in Pathfinder Village, Edmeston.
Gilbertsville Friendly Farmers was organized by Vernia Hulburt, assisted by project leader Wayne Hurlburt.
Members include: John Miner, president; Ann Haflett, vice president; Bonnie Hurlburt, secretary; Wayne Hurlburt, treasurer and news reporter; and Ronald Hurlburt, recreation leader.
50 years ago
Nov. 24, 1959
FRANKLIN _ "Cooperage" was the discussion topic of Oulehoudt Historical Society meeting at Franklin Central School.
Speaking on the history of Cooperage in Franklin, Mrs. Lynn Finch said records showed there were 11 cooper shops located around Franklin although, she continued, there must have been many more to make enough containers for the flourishing trade of Franklin.
"Oak with hickory hoops was the best wood for barrels to hold liquids, made by the tight and wet coopers. In the history of Case Hill Settlement mention is made of the excellent quality of their oak trees," Mrs. Finch told the club. "From these trees," she stated, "thousands of pipe and hogshead staves were manufactured for the distant market of Philadelphia, where transported on rafts of lumber, they would be made into receptacles to send to the West Indies." Mrs. Finch added, "These, in turn, found their way back to American markets, filled with rum and molasses."
To make the subject more real, members brought to the meeting a display of articles used in this work. Included were a large churn-shaped barrel for flour or grain, a wooden basket with spout in the bottom for funneling, several canteens, various buckets, all made of wood with notched wooden hoops; and the tools for doing the work.
