Step back in time features news items from The Daily Star 25 and 50 years ago.
25 years ago
Aug. 6, 1987
COOPERSTOWN _ Rodney Robinson of Otego has been named Otsego County Fireman of the Year and Katrina Furgeson of Unadilla has been named Otsego County Fire Queen in the recent county firemen's convention in Richfield Springs.
Rosalie Barnes of Schenevus was also recognized for her long-time service as a fire department auxiliary member and a founding member of the county auxiliary association.
Robinson was recognized because of his August 1986 rescue of a swimmer who fell over a 10-foot dam in the Black River in the Oneida County community of Hawkinsville. The swimmer became trapped at the bottom of the dam and Robinson, wearing sneakers, climbed over slippery rocks to make the rescue.
He has been a member of the Otego Fire Department since 1982.
First runnerup for fire queen was Lynn Mewhorter of Milford and second runnerup was Melinda Neeley of Westford.
50 years ago
Aug. 6, 1962
Fred Knott Jr., 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Knott Sr. of Oneonta, RD1 left for Cypress Gardens, Florida Sunday afternoon where he will begin a six weeks trial basis with the Cypress Gardens Skiing Troupe.
Mrs. Knott said that the family visited Cypress Gardens last November and her son tried out for a position with the troupe.
She said Simon Khory, show director, liked her son's performance on water skis and had him file a formal application.
"Just what his position would be I don't know," she said, "but he was hired for the show."
Fred Knott is a 1960 graduate of Oneonta Senior High School and worked for his father who owns Goodyear Lake Pavilion.
