For those visiting our area for the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend festivities, we welcome you to Cooperstown and the region surrounding it.
Whether you're experiencing the Hall for the first time or returning to see the induction of Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin and late Chicago (Cubs and White Sox) third baseman Ron Santo, it's a great time of year to be here.
Take in the sights and sounds of the weekend, including the induction; the awards ceremony; the Parade of Legends; the Hall of Fame game show "Pitch Count," featuring Hall of Famers Bert Blyleven and Phil Niekro; "Play Ball" with Ozzie Smith, Johnny Bench and Paul Molitor; and other events.
In Cooperstown and this part of upstate New York, there is much more to see and do beyond baseball.
Enjoy the natural beauties that surround you by biking, hiking, swimming, kayaking and generally exploring the area.
Taste the local produce and products from our farms, orchards and other regional sellers, as well as the many locally owned farmers' markets and eateries featuring homegrown foods.
Experience the flourishing arts scene, with two galleries -- the Cooperstown Art Association and the Smithy Pioneer -- a short distance from the Hall and many others dotting the region, in addition to concert and theater venues.
For residents, we hope you take part in the annual celebration of baseball's greatest players rather than feel the crowds and traffic drawn to Cooperstown are a nuisance to our normally quiet hills, valleys and villages. If nothing else, appreciate the gifts the Hall of Fame and the events surrounding it bring to our community.
From Little Leaguers scuffing their cleats on the outfield for the first time to seasoned athletes and fans, the name Cooperstown is synonymous with greatness and accomplishment. Sports enthusiasts dream of being inducted into the Hall of Fame or even just visiting. We should feel honored to live in a place that inspires such feeling and emotions.
We also should see the weekend as part of an engine driving much of our area's economy during the summer months. Baseball -- whether at the Hall of Fame or at the various camps throughout our area -- provides a boost for hotels and other lodgings, as well as restaurants, shops and other businesses people may patronize and frequent.
With every satisfied customer and excited sports fan who comes to Cooperstown, we have a chance for returning visitors and those who spread the word of their positive experiences. By welcoming them into our community, we provide a strong draw to our area and a good time for all.
Editorials
Much to do, even outside of Hall
- Editorials
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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Cheers
To three longtime public servants who recently announced their decisions to leave their posts.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
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Military culture of abuse must change
26,000.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 11, 2013
- Remember mothers on their day
- Friday, May 10, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cellphone alert system can only help
Since the early days of radio, broadcasters have been able to break into programming to alert listeners about dangerous situations.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Home rule decision is good for all
What lawyer Thomas West called an "exit strategy" for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, we call common sense, plain and simple.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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Internet tax would benefit local businesses
Let's suppose you're the owner of a bicycle business in our area, and a customer comes in to look at a new bike. He asks you questions about it, maybe even sits on it or takes it for a spin. He compares it with other models, looks at the color and checks out what would be the best size for him.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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Cheers
To the city of Oneonta's tree giveaway, the town of Hartwick's "Clean Sweep" day, and Bassett Healthcare's patient-centered medical home program.
Continued ... - Monday, May 6, 2013
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In our opinion: Take steps to prevent fire tragedy
Oftentimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to do the little things that may save our lives.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Collins deserves to be cheered
It's likely that unless you are a big basketball fan, you never heard of Jason Collins before Monday, when he became the first active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay.
Continued ... - Friday, May 3, 2013
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College's amnesty policy can save lives
The statistics on overdoses among college-age Americans are downright sobering.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 2, 2013
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Reality of sequester is scary enough
"Scare tactics" was a phrase used frequently by President Barack Obama's critics about the sequester.
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be



