The O-town Scene

Scene the O-Town Vol. 1, No. 12 www.otownscene.com 102 Chestnut St., P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820 (607) 432-1000, ext. 255, editor@otownscene.com Managing Editor Cassandra Miller Associate Managing Editor of The Daily Star Adrienne Wise Publisher Armand Nardi Will Be Open Christmas Eve 10:00 AM til 4:00 PM Mrs. Toad will be at the shop on Monday, December 27th at 11:00 AM for storytime | 198 Main Street Oneonta, NY 13820 607-433-8898 607.433.8899 greentoadbookstore.com tel fax Editor of The Daily Star Sam Pollak Cover Photo Cassandra Miller Cover Design David Fredette Contributors Kyle Beckley, Mark Boshnack, Amanda Jones, Terry Ludwig, Jim Koury, Michelle Pietrafitta, Emily Popek and Christopher Ryder. Circulation Director Fred Schmidt Advertising For info: 432-1000, ext. 222 The O-Town Scene is published Thursdays by The Daily Star Inc. Free copies are distributed throughout Oneonta, as well as parts of Otsego, Delaware and Schoharie counties. Member of The Associated Press and CNHI News Service Managing Editor’s Note This week we’re giving suggestions of party board games to bring families and friends together this holiday season. Selections were based on recommendations from a local gaming expert, online research and real-life trials during Thanksgivings, Fourth of Julys, birthdays and Christmases in the Miller household, and during adult board-game nights with friends. My mother discovered Apples to Apples this fall, and bought a game to play with the family on Thanksgiv- ing. We spent more than two hours playing and creating description and noun com- parisions that made us all giggle. Penguins were sultry. Adolf Hitler was patriotic. Rain was frivolous. Good times were had. 2 O-Town Scene Dec. 23, 2010 Friends I met in Italy intro- duced me to Settlers of Cat- an, a German game that has won oodles of awards and critical and popular acclaim. When they first told me about it _ “Oh, you settle this island of Catan, and use like sheep, wood and rock!” _ I judged. “Geeky” was a word that came to mind. But, they were nice people, and I was trying to make friends. After learning the rules, I was into it. I was thrilled when I met a math professor in One- onta who shared my zeal for Settlers. We taught our friends, and it’s become an entertaining option for cheap socializing. My family, on the other hand, has not taken to it. The one time we played, Mama Miller said she’d need more wine to enjoy it, and my brother _ my older brother _ whined about not being invited to play, and when he was, he cheated. But, we’re still a gaming family. Board games have kept us around the table for dozens of hours. I have a feeling Apples to Apples will make an appear- ance this Christ- mas, and possibly Cranium, too. The ones in this issue are pretty good options for those looking to spend some time with family and friends in a different way. Hopefully the descriptions will help with decisions of which to get. Also in this issue, we’ve included events through New Year’s Eve to help you plan, and some “Best of” lists of 2010 TV shows, films and popular music. Merry Christmas, and enjoy time with loved ones! _ Cassandra Miller

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