It was a month for transitions, creating a tradition, firsts, and a dose of politics.
All of these were a part of our local life and times in September 1976.
Just after Labor Day, it was back to school time, a transition from summer leisure back to the atmosphere of learning. Some students were making the transition to a new building.
As The Daily Star of Sept. 8, 1976 reported, “The building isn’t really completed and class schedules are being adjusted, but the Oneonta Junior High School addition opened on schedule Tuesday.
“Most classrooms are finished but workmen could be seen in almost every other area.” There were a few inconveniences but for the most part the mood was happy with the students and teachers.
Meanwhile, back on Academy Street, The Star of Sept. 16 reported, “The die is cast for the old junior high school in Oneonta.
“The school board voted last night to accept the low bid of Jackson Salvage Company for the demolition of the building, part of which dates back 70 years.
“The firm bid $31,900 for the demolition. The old cafeteria will remain standing under the district’s game plan. After the structure is demolished, the city will sell the property, including the cafeteria, to the highest bidder.”
The old school still had some contents within that could be sold, and The Star said a public auction was set for Oct. 23, and the start of demolition would begin Oct. 29.
A new tradition was started that month, as Star readers of Friday, Sept. 10 learned, “Four of the top collegiate soccer teams in the country will be putting their reputations and their chances for national recognition on the line tonight in the opening round of the first annual Oneonta Mayors Cup Tournament at Damaschke Field.”
Four teams competed over two days. In addition to Hartwick College there were Oneonta State, Bucknell and Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. Hartwick won the first Mayor’s Cup, edging SIU, 2-1 on Saturday.
It wasn’t long until the presidential election, and the energy was high locally with the Republican party. Many from the region made a trip to Binghamton on Thursday, Sept. 16.
The Star next day reported, “Their steely eyes and rigid jaws contrasted sharply with the other faces in the crowd gathered at the Broome County airport, waiting for the nation’s number two man and other political figures.
“They had been there for well over six hours prior to the arrival of Vice President Nelson Rockefeller and vice presidential hopeful Senator Robert Dole.
“The square-jawed Secret Service men went about their jobs of ‘securing’ a hangar in a remote part of the airport with constantly searching eyes.”
They were seeking a place away from hecklers. Earlier in the day, Rockefeller had had some verbal tangles. The Star also reported, “At Binghamton, where a group of hecklers chanted and shouted while the vice president was trying to speak, Rockefeller turned toward them and raised the middle finger of one hand.”
The rally was festive, a few hecklers were able to be there, but the music got louder to drown them out. The Rockefeller-Dole contingent got safely aboard Air Force Two, to go to the next rally.
Interstate 88 was growing in use, as sections were still being built. The ride got a bit longer before having to exit and return to state Roure 7, as The Star of Sept. 9 reported, “The missing ‘link’ was officially found Thursday when state politicos and highway officials formally opened a nine-mile stretch of I-88 between Unadilla and Bainbridge.
“State Senator Warren Anderson spoke in glowing terms of the link which had been dubbed ‘missing’ because of a long delay in its completion.
“The opening paved the way for motorists to travel 44 miles on the four lane divided highway which currently connects Oneonta with Harpursville.”
On Saturday, the region made things in 1926, some forgotten, some still thriving.