Hiya Guys!  It's the last day of August and I'm just not ready for it to end.

Today I stopped into Schneider's Bakery at around 8:30 am for some of those amazing donut holes and a gingerbread man (watch out fellas- I ate him in about two bites ; ) ).  As I walked down an already bustling Main Street it once again hit me how lucky I am to be a part of this Cooperstown experience.  As so many visitors come to realize, we are far more than a baseball town-- we are a community of diverse and amazing people.  We are craftsmen, chefs, lawyers, laborers, doctors, nurses and perhaps even an Indian Chief.  We are  a wink to each other when our friends from out of town park in an odd spot, or cross the street in a single-file line smiling and laughing and discovering our piece of heaven.  We are "the usual" at Danny's or the Depot Deli.  We are afternoons on the lake and golf course.  We are preservationists and revolutionaries, saving the history of our town while plotting our course for the future.  We are Cooperstown and we are DARN proud.  Well, I am.

While some people make resolutions on New Year's Eve, Coco prefers the Labor Day resolution.  This, to me, will always be the official start of a new year.  It's back to work, back to school and a fresh start that is as crisp as the Fall air.  My resolution this Fall is to work a little bit harder at the things I love and for the people I love.  I'll take longer walks and breathe a little deeper and slower when things don't go my way.  I'll smile more at people I don't know and laugh more with those I do.  And at the end of the day I'll sit and reflect on how lucky, despite some bumps in the road, I am.  If this sounds a little crazy then I guess I am, but I resolve to smile and laugh with those kooky visitors who see Cooperstown anew.  Because, really, considering the history of our town, we are all a little new and that's okay by me.

Happy Fall!

CoCo- NUTS

For the past four years, OCCA and the Goodyear Lake Association have been vigorously battling an invasive plant, the water chestnut, as it spreads throughout the northern part of Goodyear Lake. Without our efforts the stump lot would be completely covered by this invasive in less than five years! This season, OCCA and GLA scheduled five hand-harvesting efforts. Anyone interested in volunteering August 12-14 and/or September 9-11 should call and leave contact information with Bruce Shultis at Goodyear Lake Association, 432-8698, or with Erik Miller at OCCA, 547-4488. In the event of inclement weather, call 267-9323 to check on the status of the schedule. Volunteers should meet at the Route 28 pull-off in Portlandville, just south of Canoe and Kayak Rental and Sales at 9 a.m. each day. Gloves and tools will be provided. Canoes and johnboats are available – please call and register if you are without a boat so that preparations can be made. People living on or near the lake that would rather boat over to the stump lot are encouraged to do so.

GLIMMERGLASS OPERA PRESENTS FREE CONCERT AUGUST 13

– Members of Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artists Program will perform in a free concert in collaboration with the New York Festival of Song on Friday, August 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the company’s Alice Busch Opera Theater.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME NEWS
 
http://www.BaseballHall.org  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    July 26, 2010  
Hall of Fame Board of Directors Restructures Procedures for Consideration of Managers, Umpires, Executives and Long-Retired Players  
 
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s Board of Directors has restructured the procedures to consider managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players for election to the Hall of Fame.
 
The changes, effective immediately, maintain the high standards for earning election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The voting process will now focus on three eras, as opposed to four categories, with three separate electorates to consider a single composite ballot of managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players.   
"The procedures to consider the candidacies of managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players have continually evolved since the first Hall of Fame election in 1936,” said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the board for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.  “Our continual challenge is to provide a structure to ensure that all candidates who are worthy of consideration have a fair system of evaluation. In identifying candidates by era, as opposed to by category, the Board feels this change will allow for an equal review of all eligible candidates, while maintaining the high standards of earning election.”
 
The Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors includes:
 
Jane Forbes Clark (chairman)Robert A. DuPuyJerry ReinsdorfAllan H. “Bud” Selig
Joe Morgan (vice chairman) William L. GladstoneBrooks C. RobinsonEdward W. Stack
Kevin S. Moore (treasurer)David D. GlassFrank Robinson Paul BeestonLeland S. MacPhail Jr.Dr. Harvey W. Schiller William O. DeWitt Jr.Phil NiekroG. Thomas Seaver

 
·         Eras: Candidates will be considered in three eras -- Pre-Integration (1871-1946), Golden (1947-1972) and Expansion (1973-1989 for players; 1973-present for managers, umpires and executives).  
·         Candidates: One composite ballot of managers, umpires, executives and long-retired players will be considered in each era. The Expansion Era ballot will feature 12 candidates, while the Golden and Pre-Integration era ballots will feature 10 candidates. Candidates will be classified by the eras in which their greatest contributions were recorded.  
·         Electorates:  A Voting Committee of 16 members for each era will be appointed by the Board of Directors annually. Each committee will be comprised of Hall of Fame members, major league executives, and historians/veteran media members. Any candidate who receives at least 75% of ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
 
·         Frequency of Elections: An election will be held annually at the Winter Meetings. The Eras will rotate, with the Expansion Era Committee to vote on December 5, 2010 at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. The Golden Era committee will meet at the Winter Meetings in 2011 and the Pre-Integration Era Committee will vote on candidates at the 2012 Winter Meetings.  
·         Screening Process: The BBWAA-appointed Historical Overview Committee will devise the ballots for each era. The Historical Overview Committee currently consists of 10 veteran members: Dave Van Dyck (Chicago Tribune); Bob Elliott (Toronto Sun); Rick Hummel (St. Louis Post-Dispatch); Steve Hirdt (Elias Sports Bureau); Bill Madden (New York Daily News); Ken Nigro (formerly Baltimore Sun); Jack O’Connell (BBWAA secretary/treasurer); Nick Peters (formerly Sacramento Bee); Tracy Ringolsby (FSN Rocky Mountain); and Mark Whicker (Orange County Register).  
·         Eligible candidates: ·         Players who played in at least 10 major league seasons, who are not on Major League Baseball’s ineligible list, and have been retired for 21 or more seasons; ·         Managers and umpires with 10 or more years in baseball and retired for at least five years. Candidates who are 65 years or older are eligible six months following retirement; ·         Executives retired for at least five years. Active executives 65 years or older are eligible.  
 
 
 
Timetable for Upcoming Elections
 
 
DATE
 
October 2010
The Expansion Era (1973-1989) ballot is devised and released.
 The BBWAA Historical Overview Committee.
 
December 2010
 Meeting and Vote on Expansion Era (1973-1989) ballot at the Winter Meetings.   
  A Committee of 16 individuals comprised of Hall of Fame members, veteran writers and historians, appointed by the Board of Directors. 
July 24, 2011
Induction of Expansion Era Committee selections, if anyone elected.
  October 2011
The Golden Era (1947-1972) ballot is devised and released.
 The BBWAA Historical Overview Committee.
 
December 2011
 Meeting and Vote on Golden Era (1947-1972) ballot at the Winter Meetings.   
  A Committee of 16 individuals comprised of Hall of Fame members, veteran writers and historians, appointed by the Board of Directors. 
July 29, 2012
Induction of Golden Era Committee selections, if anyone elected.
  October 2012
The Pre-Integration Era (1871-1946) ballot is devised and released.
 The BBWAA Historical Overview Committee.
 
October 2012
 Meeting and Vote on Pre-Integration Era (1871-1946) ballot at the Winter Meetings.   
  A Committee of 16 individuals comprised of Hall of Fame members, veteran writers and historians, appointed by the Board of Directors. 
July 28, 2013
Induction of Pre-Integration Era Committee selections, if anyone elected.
    For More Information, Please Contact:
 
Brad Horn, Senior Director of Communications and Education
607-547-0287, bhorn@baseballhalloffame.org
 

 
-- Class of 2010 to Be Enshrined Sunday at Baseball Hall of Fame --
 
(COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) – On a steamy summer night in Cooperstown, history rode right down Main Street.
 
The Hall of Fame Parade of Legends debuted on Saturday night to rave reviews as fans lined the sidewalks 10 deep to catch a glimpse of the greatest players baseball has ever known. More than 40 Hall of Famers, including Class of 2010 electees Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog, were cheered down the street and into the Hall of Fame for an evening reception, riding in the back of Ford pickup trucks courtesy of Ford Motor Company.
 
With 47 Hall of Famers in Cooperstown to help celebrate the induction of the Class of 2010 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, fans had plenty of chances to touch a little bit of history on Saturday at the home of baseball.
 
Some of Saturday’s highlights included:
 
**More than 20 Hall of Famers teed off at the Hall of Fame Invitational at picturesque Leatherstocking Golf Course. Andre Dawson’s team finished first, barely edging out Lou Brock’s squad.
 
**Class of 2010 electees Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog met the media one last time before Sunday’s Induction Ceremony, as did Frick Award winner Jon Miller and Spink Award winner Bill Madden.
 
**The Connecticut Tigers defeated the Tri-City ValleyCats 6-5 in 13 innings in the annual New York-Penn League game at Doubleday Field. Ryan Soares’ single in the 13th inning drove in Julio Rodriguez with the winning run. Miguel Mejia picked up the victory on the mound.
 
**An audience of more than 700 people at the Clark Sports Center watched Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Tommy Lasorda and MLB umpire Jerry Crawford play Hall of Fame Feud in the popular Connecting Generations event, with MLB Network's Harold Reynolds presiding over the game show.  
**Thousands of fans visited the Museum on Saturday, taking advantage of extended Hall of Fame Weekend hours. The Museum is open Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., with participants in the Hall of Fame’s Membership Program able to enter the Museum at 7 a.m.
 
The Class of 2010 – Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog – will be inducted at 1:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. The ceremony is free and open to the public and will be shown live on MLB Network.
 
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The Museum observes off-season hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger.  For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.
                                                                                         -30-
 
For More Information, Please Contact:
 
Brad Horn, Senior Director of Communications and Education
607-547-0287, bhorn@baseballhalloffame.org
 
Craig Muder, Director of Communications
607-547-0227, cmuder@baseballhalloffame.org
 

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME NEWS
 
http://www.BaseballHall.org  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    July 21, 2010  
Inductions of Dawson, Harvey, Herzog Highlight Hall of Fame Weekend 2010, July 23-26  
-- Cooperstown Weekend Honors Eight-Time All-Star Outfielder, Legendary National League Umpire and World Series-Winning Manager --
 
(COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.) – Hall of Fame Weekend 2010, including the annual Induction Ceremony, will take place July 23-26. The Induction Ceremony will be held Sunday, July 25, at 1:30 p.m. EDT at the Clark Sports Center, located about a mile from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The Class of 2010 features Baseball Writers’ Association of America inductee Andre Dawson along with Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog from the Veterans Committee. The Hall of Fame will also present the Ford C. Frick Award to Jon Miller, the longtime play-by-play broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants and ESPN. The J.G. Taylor Spink Award will be presented to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. Rock and roll legend John Fogerty will perform his classic song  “Centerfield” at the start of the Induction Ceremony.
 
The ceremony will be broadcast live on MLB Network, and baseballhall.org, the online home of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, will carry a simulcast of the ceremony.  
There are several other events taking place in Cooperstown along with the Induction Ceremony, including:
            Friday              PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith                           Doubleday Field            1 p.m.*
            Saturday          Connecting Generations Game Show       Clark Sports Center       11 a.m.*
Connecticut Tigers vs. Tri-City ValleyCats                                    Doubleday Field            1 p.m.
                            Hall of Fame Parade of Legends                               Main Street                   6 p.m.
            Sunday             Induction Ceremony                                       Clark Sports Center       1:30 p.m.
            Monday           Legends Series (with Dawson, Harvey and Herzog)   Clark Sports Center       10:30 a.m.*
 
Events marked with asterisks require tickets. For more information on tickets and Membership, a complete schedule of Hall of Fame Weekend and information on the Museum, visit baseballhall.org.
 
Please keep in mind the following details: The ceremony will be outdoors, barring inclement weather…The ceremony takes place a short, one-mile walk from the Museum…Transportation is provided from Doubleday Field Parking Lot beginning at 8 a.m.… The ceremony will last two-to-three hours…General seating is unlimited and free of charge…Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended for comfortable viewing…Parking will be extremely limited…Recommended areas are the Blue Lot south of Cooperstown on Route 28, the Red Lot on Route 28 at Maple Street, and the Yellow Lot on Route 80 at the Fenimore Art Museum…Trolleys will be available and look for signs as you approach Cooperstown from the south on Route 28, starting in Milford…The Museum maintains the following Hall of Fame Weekend hours: Friday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Monday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.… The Museum opens one hour earlier for Members on Friday, Saturday and Sunday… As always, specifics and more details are available on baseballhall.org.  
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For More Information, Please Contact:
 
Brad Horn, Senior Director of Communications and Education
607-547-0287, bhorn@baseballhalloffame.org
 
Craig Muder, Director of Communications
607-547-0227, cmuder@baseballhalloffame.org
 

Experience Hall of Fame Weekend 2010 and the inductions of Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and
Whitey Herzog July 23-26 in Cooperstown.
More information is available at baseballhall.org

Hiya Guys!  Hope you're all enjoying your summer vacation!

Coco has been all over the place this summer.  The beach, the city, the country and lots of places in between.  BUT, there really is no place like Cooperstown.  Sitting on the water, the cool breeze drifting over the mountains, well, that's heaven.  No sand in everything, no hike to find the perfect spot.  Just 9 miles of bliss. 

Lots of visitors come to town unaware of the pristine lake just 2 blocks from the center of town.  Amazing, isn't it?  So go out and enjoy the natural beauty right at your feet!

For over twenty five years, Project Prom has been a shining example of the community working together for a common goal:  To keep our students safe and entertained through their special Prom night.  This year was no exception.  Our mission was accomplished on the night of June 12, 2010 from 11 pm – 4 am.

We would like to wholeheartedly thank the Cooperstown community for all its support, whether it was monetary or “in kind” donations, and the many volunteers who donated their time to make Project Prom 2010 so enjoyable for over one hundred and fifty students who attended.

Hiya Guys!  Welcome to summer. 

One of my favorite things about summer in Cooperstown is the License Plates.  Yes, the License Plates.  Next time you drive through town take notice of how many different states are represented in our little village.  I love to count how many states are present as well as who drove the furthest to be here.  Imagine all those California cars driving for days.  Or the New Mexicans who have never seen the Northeast or a pine tree!  I once saw Hawaii and thought it must have been cheaper to fly!!  Imagine how excited all these families are to get to Cooperstown and all the while we get to enjoy it year round.  Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?

So, as the crowds shop and the players play, what is your favorite thing about Cooperstown in the Summer?  Is it the cool lake waters, or the fabulous hiking trails?  Or maybe just that the Blue Mingo is mixing drinks and serving great food again.

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME NEWS
 
http://www.BaseballHall.org  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    June 8, 2010  
Reserve Spots Today for Unforgettable Hall of Fame Weekend Events in Cooperstown  
-- Celebrate Induction of Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog on July 23-26; Tickets for Hall of Fame Weekend Events Available Now to Members --
 
(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – In less than seven weeks, the eyes of the baseball world will turn to Cooperstown for Hall of Fame Weekend 2010.  
Starting today, participants in the Hall of Fame’s Membership Program can ensure their place during the July 23-26 weekend – with events filled with memories to last a lifetime.
 
New inductees Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog will honored on Sunday, July 25 at 1:30 p.m. with the annual Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. A full weekend of family events, baseball entertainment and exclusive opportunities complement a classic American event, and fans can reserve spots today for several family-friendly events featuring the greatest players in baseball history.  
Tickets for Hall of Fame Weekend events PLAY Ball, Connecting Generations and the Legends Series are available now.
 
The action starts Friday, July 23 with:
 
n       PLAY Ball with Ozzie Smith and Special Guests: It’s the Players, Legends And You in Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith’s annual fun on the field to raise funds for the Museum’s education programs. Join the “Wizard” and fellow Hall of Famers Paul Molitor and Bruce Sutter for two hours of non-stop interaction. Each participant receives time on the field with the baseball legends, as well as mementos of the occasion. Space is limited, and a reservation is required. Event pricing is $450 for Members, $600 for non-Members. Members may reserve spots now by calling 607-547-0397. 1 p.m., Doubleday Field.
 
Events on Saturday, July 24 include:
 
n       Connecting Generations: The popular Connecting Generations returns for 2010. This program allows visitors to compete in a fun trivia contest with Hall of Famers Tom Seaver, Dick Williams and other special guests. Afterward, selected fans may ask questions of the Hall of Famers on stage. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. Members may reserve tickets now by calling 607-547-0397. 11 a.m., Clark Sports Center.
n       New York-Penn League Game: The annual New York-Penn League game featuring the Tri-City ValleyCats and the Connecticut Tigers entertains fans at Doubleday Field. This game is free and open to the public. 1 p.m., Doubleday Field.
n       Hall of Fame Legends Parade: Join the pageantry and excitement of the new Hall of Fame Legends Parade as the returning Hall of Famers ride down Main Street in Cooperstown on their way to a private reception at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. 6 p.m., Main Street, Cooperstown.
 
 
On Sunday, July 25, the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is open to the public and free of charge. The 2010 Induction Ceremony honors Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog. The ceremony also recognizes Ford C. Frick Award winner Jon Miller and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Bill Madden. Weather permitting, the ceremony takes place on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center, located on lower Susquehanna Avenue, just one mile south of the Hall of Fame. Seating is unlimited and a blanket or lawn chair is recommended for comfortable viewing. Complimentary water is provided and other refreshments are sold on-site. 1:30 p.m., Clark Sports Center grounds.
 
On Monday, July 26, The Hall of Fame’s newest members, Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog, participate in a Legends Series Event hosted by George Grande and broadcast by MLB Network. This event is for Hall of Fame members only. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, and Members may reserve tickets now by calling 607-547-0397. 10:30 a.m., Clark Sports Center.
 
Hall of Fame members are afforded special opportunities throughout the Weekend. As a not-for-profit educational institution, membership support advances the Museum's programs and aids in the preservation of artifacts and archival materials that document the rich history of America's game. Additionally, membership packages are wonderful and unique gifts for friends and family. Members enjoy many privileges, including a subscription to the official Hall of Fame magazine Memories and Dreams and free admission to the Hall of Fame year-round. To learn more about the program and its many benefits, please visit hofclubhouse.com/membership.
 
Visitors can relive their baseball memories and create new ones with a visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which is open throughout Induction Weekend.
 
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Museum is open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The Museum observes regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. from the day after Labor Day until Memorial Day Weekend. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger.  For more information, visit our Web site at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.
                                                                                                                                                                                                -30-
 
For More Information, Please Contact:
 
Brad Horn, Senior Director of Communications and Education
607-547-0287, bhorn@baseballhalloffame.org
 
Craig Muder, Director of Communications
607-547-0227, cmuder@baseballhalloffame.org
 
 

Experience the Hall of Fame Classic, featuring Gary Carter, Bob Feller,
Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith.
Father's Day, June 20, Doubleday Field.
 
Tickets on sale now at baseballhall.org