Step back in time features news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.
25 years ago
May 23, 1987
Serge Corbin, the personable Canadian who has never lost the Professional Endurance division of the 70-mile General Clinton Canoe Regatta, will try to win the event for the 10th time Monday.
A total of 2,861 canoeists are entered in the 25th Regatta, an increase of 284 over last year's figure. Festivities for the 25th Regatta began Friday night in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge. Today's schedule includes Scout and Youth races.
On Sunday, the Grand Prix Relay Races start at noon in Oneonta, with the C-1 18-mile race starting in Otego at 1 p.m. and six classes of sprint races starting at 1 p.m. in Unadilla. Monday's endurance races start in 6 a.m. on Otsego Lake, Cooperstown, with amateur and Super Aluminum races.
Local favorites Jeff Shultis of Oneonta and Bob Zaveral of Sidney, who raced together for several years and won in 1981, both have new partners. Zaveral will race with Bob Bennett of Otsego while Shultis teams with Bob Wisse of Oneonta.
Also in the pro race, the highly-touted women's team of Tanna Fries and Jenny Rudquist grace the 30-canoe field.
Bette Bennett of Otego, who won the women's amateur with Jenny Rudquist last year, will defend her title with Roberta Shapiro in a class which has just five teams entered.
50 years ago
May 23, 1962
The Oneonta YMCA went over its goal in the annual membership and fund drive, with 589 members pledged for 1962, according to Edwin Chase, YMCA director.
The goal was 500. There was no financial goal set.
Robert Shepard, YMCA president, awards certificates to individuals who recruited the most members and collected the most money.
They were Mrs. J.W. Ettinger, 23 Union St., with 19 members and $410; Warren Farrington, 10 Ford Ave., with 4 members and $400; Virginia Polley, 9 Franklin St., with 33 members and $325; and Mary Erbe, 8 Normal Ave., with 44 members and $295.
The top teams were Ladies _ Mrs. Alan Gould, 21 Union St., captain, with 241 members and $1,845; Main Street Baptist, Robert Shepard, Emmons, captain, with 56 members and $715; and First Methodist Church _ Robert Bolton, 2 Brook St., captain, with 63 members and $565 collected.
