http://www.coopercrier.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:35:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185083534.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185083534.html I have always been wary of zealousness of any kind, especially with respect to patriotism, an otherwise good and noble sentiment. Jingoism, patriotism in its most virulent form, nourishes only itself, certainly not the vital lifeblood of a nation. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:33:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185083331.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185083331.html Once, back in 18th-century England, Samuel Johnson was bouncing along in a crowded coach, heading for a town some distance from his beloved London. He was probably deep in thought, ignoring whatever scenery was beyond the open windows. (A stolid urbanite, he once described the countryside as unused space between towns.) Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:28:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185082847.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185082847.html Each day during the past week featured better weather than most local weather forecasts indicated. That’s because most of the showers and thunderstorms shifted southward, with a series of upper-level lows and a northwest flow aloft. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:24:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185082516.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_185082516.html We note that the annual Cooperstown Presbyterian Ice Cream Social will be held this year on Friday, July 11 from 5 until 8 p.m. on the lawn of the church, or, heaven forbid, indoors in case of rain. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:57:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183085806.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183085806.html My dad and mom visited and enjoyed lunch with my sister, Donna Hatch, and children, Dillon and Jekara, in McGraw, on Monday, June 16. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:50:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183085016.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183085016.html As raindrops slither down the windowpanes of my study, and dark clouds hustle their way eastward, I think about the value of old and enduring friendships. Several days ago, I drove down to my old boarding school for our annual alumni day. It was a good day for many reasons and a sad day for others. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:47:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084805.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084805.html No telling what conversation topics will arise when The Gathered Sages assemble for coffee at the Fly Creek General Store. I guess I shouldn’t say “assemble,” since participants wander in, fill cups, sit or stand awhile to trade views and quips, then head out the door, almost always after paying. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:44:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084511.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084511.html It was nice to get a break from the very warm and humid weather during the past week, with a series of upperlevel low pressure systems and a northwesterly flow aloft. Exactly as we predicted, beautiful weather prevailed all weekend, as all the rain occurred at night and early in the morning. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:43:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084405.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_183084405.html For those who have not seen us of late and thus do not know, we hasten to point out that it is quite obvious to anyone who does see us that we are dealing with rather limiting mobility issues. Our ability to stand or walk for any length of time has been seriously curtailed. We no longer can stand up straight. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:19:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171132000.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171132000.html You know the truism: You really can’t lay claim to your own house till you’ve owned it at least a half century. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:14:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171131553.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171131553.html This week we have learned of yet another wedding of note. Paul A. Clark, son of Joan P. Clark and the late Gerald E. Clark, former mayor of the Village of Cooperstown, married Mary Claire Majka of Whitesboro, N.Y. on June 7 at St. Mary’s Church. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:11:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171131421.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_171131421.html After the intense heat wave, followed by cooler air but continued above normal temperatures, we got a refreshing change to a much cooler weather pattern. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:13:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164091420.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164091420.html The calendar says summer arrives on June 21, but with this heat (84 degrees, as I write this column on June 7) and humidity, I believe it’s already here! Now this is weird — I have one calendar that says summer begins on June 21, but in looking at another calendar, that one says June 20! So which one is right?! Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:03:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164090506.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164090506.html I guess politics, like it or not, are personal. A strange thought to have while awash in rivers of sweat the last two days while chipping and shredding brush with a friend. Repetitive physical tasks have that as their “renovating virtue.” They give one time, lots of time, to think other thoughts. Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:55:00 +0000 http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164085630.html http://www.coopercrier.com/columns/local_story_164085630.html It’s just too hot to look through about 800 past columns, but I’m pretty sure that in all of them I’ve never done a bona-fide restaurant review. There are great places to eat around here, and not-so-great, too; but you don’t need me to sort them out.