Whether it was airways or railways, on a production floor or in a classroom, it was a busy month around Oneonta in May 1966.
Soon to be crossing the skies around Oneonta, The Oneonta Star of May 3 reported, “Stephen Low, operator of Oneonta’s municipal airport, has purchased an Aero Commander twin-engine plane.
“The plane which will carry six passengers plus the pilot, augments the 4 passenger Beechcraft Baron plane he already owns.
“The two planes will be used in initial commercial service between Oneonta and New York.
“The Milford businessman will operate the air service for the Oneonta airport. He holds a fixed base lease with the city.”
With a cruising speed of 210 miles an hour, it would take 45 minutes to get to New York.
With an excursion railroad line in the works, The Star of May 17 informed readers, “DO Line officials are attempting to get their rolling stock to Oneonta by June 5, scheduled grand opening of the short line.
“Work on the passenger coaches and other rolling stock stored at the Pennsylvania Railroad’s York yard has not been completed because of a shortage of manpower.
“This week Clyde Merril, a retired railroader from Oneonta, went to York, Pa., to pack journals and ready the rolling stock for shipment to Oneonta.”
It was a case of hurry up and wait, however, as The Star of May 26 reported, “Vernon Seeley, chairman of the DO Line railroad, said official opening of the sightseeing line had been set back to early July.
“Seeley said that refurbishing work is being done on the line’s locomotive which arrived last week and that volunteers for a Saturday work party would be welcomed. He asked that workers bring wire brushes and painting equipment for the session.” Those coaches in Pennsylvania were expected to arrive in Oneonta soon.
On the business front, one still around in 2026, The Star reported on May 13, “Custom Electronics of Unadilla, expects to be in operation in Oneonta by October, the firm’s president said Thursday.
“The electronics company, which specializes in the production of high voltage capacitors, will join three other electronics-connected industries in Oneonta.
“Peter S. Dokuchitz, an Oneonta native and president of the company, was joined by Elton Hall, president of the Otseco County Development Corp. (OCDC), and Harold deGraw, president of the Greater Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, in making the announcement.
“The OCDC pledged to purchase, at a cost of $6,500, the land on which the new plant will build. Dokuchitz said the site will be at the New York State Electric and Gas Co.’s Industrial Park in Oneonta’s West End,” on what is today’s Browne Street.
“The proposed single-story metal building will cost about $30,000, Dokuchitz said.”
Younger children would soon be heading to a classroom, as Star readers of May 22 learned, “The way was officially cleared for a Project Headstart program this summer in Oneonta Tuesday when the Office of Economic Opportunity approved a $12,921 grant to the Oneonta Consolidated School District.
“The announcement from Rep. Samuel S. Stratton’s office said the local district will pay $1,450 toward the program, which will provide pre-school training for 45 children.
“School Superintendent Robert White said Mrs. Joan Morgan, kindergarten teacher at Chestnut Street School, will direct the program, scheduled from July 11 to August 19 at the Center Street School.
“Three elementary school teachers will be hired, White said, in addition to two teacher aides for each class of 15 pre-kindergarten children. The full-day program will start at 9 a.m. each day, with lunch provided for the youngsters and a rest period in the afternoon.
“Students participating in the program will be chosen by Miss Dorathy Perry, director of pupil personnel services in the Oneonta system, and by ‘other agencies,’ White said. ‘Plans for the program,’ he added, ‘are already pretty well outlined.'”
This weekend, newsworthy food and drink around Norwich in 1926.