To the 2012 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend held July 20 to 22 in Cooperstown.
A ceremony on Sunday enshrined Barry Larkin, a former shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, and the late third baseman Ron Santo, a standout for the Chicago Cubs.
While the ceremony was the highlight of the weekend, there were programs all weekend long for baseball fans.
Friday featured Ozzie Smith's "PLAY Ball," where fans were able to interact with Smith and other former major leaguers. The event raised money for the Hall of Fame and Museum's education program.
On Saturday, Tim McCarver was presented with the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence, and Bob Elliott received the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for writers. Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Bert Blyleven took part in a game show that paired them with a fan, with a chance for the fan to win a lifetime membership to the Hall. Also on Saturday was an event at the Fenimore Art Museum that honored the life of Santo, who died in 2010.
The highlight of Saturday for many fans was the Parade of Legends, where thousands lined Main Street to get a chance to see dozens of Hall of Fame members.
Organizers said about 18,000 folks were in Cooperstown to see the Induction Ceremony.
Too often, those of us who live here forget what a treasure we have in our backyard. We thank everyone involved for putting on a great show and reminding us how important America's pastime is to so many.
To the availability of farmers' market coupons for eligible seniors.
The coupons are provided through the federal Farmers Market Nutrition Program, a federal program sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, Department of Health and Office for the Aging, as well as Cornell Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.
Delaware County Office for the Aging is offering booklets of coupons worth $20 for use at farmers' markets in the county.
Eligible households include those with someone 60 or older receiving or eligible for SSI, public assistance or Section 8 housing benefits.
This is a wonderful program. It helps provide fresh produce to seniors and gives local vendors more customers.
To the free rabies vaccination clinics held throughout the region by local counties' Public Health departments.
At a recent clinic in Morris, about 275 animals received free vaccinations, a larger-than-average turnout, according to officials.
So far this year, a six animals in Otsego County have tested positive for rabies, a deadly viral disease that spreads in mammals through the bite of an infected animal.
"Vaccinating your pet protects them _ but ultimately it also protects you and your family," Otsego County Public Health Nurse Peggy Benjamin said.
We agree. We encourage local pet owners to take advantage of this resource.
