Published: October 07, 2008 07:27 am      

Step Back in Time

Step Back in Time features community news from The Daily Star 25 and/or 50 years ago.

25 years ago

Oct. 7, 1983

COOPERSTOWN _ In one of the most prestigious events ever held on Otsego Lake, a qualifying race for the World Championship Star Boat Race is set for this Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m.

Two races are scheduled for Saturday and one Sunday as up to 50 boats compete for the right to participate in the world championships to be held in Portugal this March.

James Freeman of Cooperstown will be competing for his 10th consecutive year _ and it will be nothing new if he and wife, Gretchen Freeman, qualify for the big race in March.

Star boat racing is the oldest, organized racing class in the world, said Freeman. It was organized in 1911. Star boats are 21 feet, 8 inches long with a main sail and a jib only. It is a two-man racing boat _ an all out racing machine.

The course will be seven to 10 miles long, depending on the winds. The direction of the wind dictates the space available on the lake. The boats will follow a triangular path around inflatable marks.

The race came to Otsego Lake this year based on a rotation system of lakes in the northeast. It is the qualifying race for competitors from Maine to Pennsylvania and Canada.

Joining James and Gretchen Freeman as local entrants are Oneonta's Dave Wilber, crew, with skipper Ron Nicholson of Cortland.

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50 years ago

Oct. 7, 1958

Oneonta last night was down to its last hotel, and that one has changed hands.

Oneonta Hotel was closed and Winney Hotel at Broad and Market Streets was under new management, being the only hotel left open in the city.

The new owner of the Winney Hotel and Restaurant is George Perry of Franklin. Mr. Perry said he bought Winney Hotel from Mrs. Ester Allen, and announced that today he is bringing a Chinese chef from New York City with intention of opening a Chinese restaurant.

At Oneonta Hotel, agent John Carbulon said the last manager was Frank Meyers. Before him the manager was James Thomas of the Drew Hotel Co. of Manchester, N.H.

At one time Oneonta had four hotels, but the Wilson House at Market and Chestnut Streets and the Windsor at Wall and Chestnut Streets have been closed. On Saturday, Sept. 27, Windsor Hotel was sold at public auction to a New York syndicate.