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celebrate fall in oneonta and the greater cooperstown region
AUTUMN s m a e r D Thursday, September 16, 2021 • FREE
►t he FARMERS’ MUSEUM ADJUSTS TO COVID ERA
InsiDE: FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO GET YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE, Page B5 Home
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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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AllOTSEGO.com
21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326 • 607-547-6103 • info@allotsego.com
B-2 autumn Dreams
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Larissa RYAN B e st B E T S
Craft festival to return, garlic fest in Milford
Serving you for over 70 years! Online Restaurant Curbside Delivery Catering Gift Shop Sauce Production
Thank you for your patronage! www.brooksbbq.com 607-432-1782 5560 NY Rte 7 Oneonta
After having been canceled for two years, the Friendship Craft Festival is returning with more than 30 local vendors at a local pumpkin farm. Visitors can explore the farm, pick up a pumpkin or five for the season and check out the wares of local crafters. There will also be a food truck staffed by the Richfield Youth Sports Association. It is a perfect opportunity to get a start on holiday shopping. Proceeds of the events will go to the fundraising efforts of the Women’s Guild of the Church of Christ Uniting, who donate to up to 20 local non-profits every year. Admission is free. At Cullen Pumpkin Farm, 587 Cullen Rd. in Richfield Springs. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18. For info: 315-858-1451 or www. rschurchofchristuniting.com/. • Join the Susquehanna Valley Garlic Growers Association for its 20th annual Garlic Festival. The day will have music, vendors selling many varieties of garlic, garlic food, garlic t-shirts, garlic demonstrations and a chance to discuss the highs and lows of growing garlic. There will be other vendors on site, including the Cooperstown Cheese Company. Admission is free, recommended donation is $5. At Woodbull Antiques, 3920 County Rte. 28 in Milford. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18. For info: www.svgarlicfestival. com/. • Get your garden ready for a colorful spring this fall. The Richfield Garden Club is hosting a sale of perennial bulbs, ground covers and everything else to beautify your green spaces. There will also be houseplants for
sale, a bake sale, basket raffle, soil testing and an opportunity to learn about roses. Prepare for next year’s gardening season and also take a stroll through the herb garden for inspiration. At the Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main St. in Richfield Springs. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18. For info: 315858-0230 or visit www.facebook. com/Richfield-Springs-PublicLibrary-1068210423236404/. • Hop on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad for a sightseeing tour which will be interrupted by dastardly outlaws straight out of the Old West. Gunfights, explosions and more on this hold up. It’s a robbery that’s fun for the whole family. Food and refreshments are available on board. $22 per adult. Reservations are required. Presented by the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, departing from the Milford Depot, at 136 E. Main St. in Milford. For info: 607-432-2429 or www.cooperstowntrain.com/. • Although The Farmers’ Museum’s annual Harvest Festival has morphed into a month-long “Celebration of Autumn,” there is another harvest festival in the area this coming weekend. The Sharon Springs event bills itself as one of the largest in New York. Sponsored by the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce, the festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19, in Sharon Springs.
►ON THE COVER The Farmers Museum Harvest Festival Contributed photo
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Autumn dreams B-3
Contributed
The historic outdoor village at The Farmers’ Museum has been a good go-to location for people wanting to get out and do things despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Museum reinterpretation The Farmers’ Museum has remade itself during the pandemic; now it will turn one of its most popular weekends into a month-long ‘Celebration’ By PATRICK DEWEY As museums adapt to the coronavirus pandemic, The Farmers’ Museum has embraced its outdoor space and turned its living museum into a socially distant outing that still appeals to visitors. With the rise of the Delta variant, the museum’s staff is replacing its weekend Harvest Festival with “Celebration of Autumn.” The festivities are designed to spread out fall themes and happenings over a month-long period from Sept. 18 through Oct. 11. The goal is to incorporate cherished activities from the traditional weekend festival into early autumn at the museum. Museum officials said they hope the changes will limit overcrowding as the coronavirus pandemic continues. According to Todd Kenyon, director of marketing and communications at The Farmers’ and its sister site, Fenimore Art Museum, activities will
give visitors an idea of what fall in the 1800s was like. These will include demonstrations of cider pressing and the shelling and grinding of corn. Kenyon said the museum’s historical interpreters will demonstrate a variety of other fall activities. There will be games on the tavern green and various arts and crafts activities. Weather permitting, the museum will offer horse-drawn wagon rides through its historical village from 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. There will also be a hay bale maze and a corn maze. Kenyon said there will not be vendors this year because of the pandemic. The exhibit “Brew: New York’s Craft Beer Revival” will be on display in the main barn. According to the museum website, the exhibit will highlight the history of brewing, hops, and barley from the beginning through See AUTUMN, Page B4
B-4 Autumn Dreams
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Harvest Festival will return ‘as soon as it is safe,’ but ‘Autumn’ will feature similar activities AUTUMN/from Page B3 current day, and will feature insights from New York State brewers. Kenyon said museum staff first came up with the idea of “Celebration of Autumn” in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic first caused the cancellation of the weekend Harvest Festival. He said combining elements of Harvest Festival into the museum not only promotes safety but provides greater opportunity to interact with interpreters and take in the museum. “The goal is to provide visitors with a harvest fest feeling every day during this time,” Kenyon said. “Celebration of Autumn” is just one example of how the museum has adapted. “Like most museums, The Farmers’ Museum adapted to the pandemic as best it could,” said Paul D’Ambrosio, executive director of both museums. “We took full advantage of being an open-air venue by bringing the visitor experience outdoors, closing off confined spaces and maintaining an overall high level of safety for everyone. In the future, we will continue to meet and exceed the safety needs of our constituency.”
Contributed
The vendors won’t be there this year and the crowds will be spaced out, but The Farmers’ Museum will still celebrate fall.
According to the museum website, The Clark family first purchased what is now the Farmers’ Museum in the 1870s. In 1918, Edward Severin Clark enhanced the space in order to showcase his prized herd of cattle. The Farmers’ Museum first opened to the
public in 1944. Its barn, creamery, and herdsmen’s cottage are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. D’Ambrosio said he hopes the weekend Harvest Festival can return in fall 2022. “We are determined to bring
back our much loved and traditional Harvest Festival as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said. Meanwhile, he hopes visitors enjoy this year’s fall activities. More information on the event will be posted at www.farmersmuseum.org.
Candlelight Ghost Tours
October 8 & 9,
15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29, 30 & 31! 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 PM Mask Required
Purchase Tickets at HydeHall.org or Eventbrite.com
Thursday, September 16, 2021 Autumn Dreams B-5
Staff Picks
Our best bets for local fall activities Larissa Ryan Office Manager Draping the Pews Quilt Show Sometimes, I just want to slow down and focus on the little things. For me that means knitting or reading or playing computer games. A craft I’ve been considering adding to the list is quilting. It is a beautiful pastime with a huge amount of applications, including the classic blanket, purses, wallets, window coverings and so much more. This past weekend I stopped by the “Draping the Pews” quilt show by the Fly Creek Quilters at the Fly Creek Methodist Church to see what they’d been working on this past year and found myself in a church awash with color. Quilts hung on every pew and on the walls. My favorite was the one made from scraps of cloth masks the group made last year for the hospital. It was colorful and had words of wisdom printed on plain cloth in the gaps. There were sayings like “Be the reason someone smiles today, or the reason they drink. Whatever works,” and “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever.” My second favorite was embroidered like the song, “over the river and through the woods.” The show also included quilted items for sale, including microwave bowl holders, table runners, pot holders, Christmas ornaments and more. I bought a bag for microwaving baked potatoes. The Fly Creek Quilters meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at the Fly Creek Methodist Church. You can buy materials at Heartwork Quilts and Fabrics, a locally owned business!
Kevin Limiti Reporter Open Mic Night at the Black Oak Tavern Since moving from Brooklyn to Oneonta, the one event I missed more than anything else is open mic nights. But the Black Oak Tavern, which has become my favorite bar here, has started open mic nights on Mondays now that the college kids are back in town. It was totally worth it. The open mic was much more personable and supportive than the other ones I’ve been to over the years. People actually do give you somewhat of an audience. Previous open mics were often packed to the brim with musicians who signed up, performed, then left in a hurry. Luckily, this open mic wasn’t like that. All the artists, with a few exceptions, stayed for the rest of the show, which is something I very much appreciated. I played guitar for the audience. There weren’t that many musicians signed up, so I got to play quite a few songs. Afterwards, the bartender gave me a beer on the house, which is a true measure of successs. My favorite act at the show was named Blister Boo, a rapper who wears a green ski mask and raps over some really noisy, hardcore beats. He was definitely the most original act I saw that night, but there were also a fair share of country artists and indie rockers. Open mic sign up is at 6:30 p.m., Mondays with the actual peformances starting at 7 p.m. Come out to support local music. Who knows maybe you’ll even see your favorite reporter there one of these days. Rock on!
AUTUMN Dreams
Advertise what you’ve got going on in Autumn Dreams! Call 607-547-6103 for details!
The DOG CHARMER
Dog is depressed over the death of a companion Dear Tom, We have two goldens, Chloe, 6, and Bonnie, 14½. They have been together since Chloe was a puppy. Sadly, Bonnie died suddenly this past Wednesday. Along with our anguish and moping about, Chloe seems to have picked it up also. She seems very flat. Is this normal? Can you suggest anything we can do or just wait it out? Appreciate your comments, Al Dear Al, I’m sorry for your loss. I know how it feels. In answer to your question, yes, this is normal. It’s not just that she misses her soul mate, Bonnie, she’s also taking her cues from you guys. There’s no domestic animal that denotes the body language of a human better than a dog. I’ve seen it on searches. A search dog loves his work. It’s a great game to him or her. I’ve entered a small trailer in the woods in Pennslyvania. being used as a base of operations for a search for a missing 14-year-old boy during a bad snowstorm. Inside the trailer, besides the cop giving me info on the boy and my search grid, was the boy’s mother and other family members. The moment the door closed behind me, the vibe hit me like a slap in the face. I got there about 10:30 at night and the missing boy was separated from his dad and uncle about two in the afternoon. The storm was now being called a blizzard. Expectations were grim
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Thursday, September 16, 2021
B-6 Autumn Dreams
Tom SHELBY
and the only sound in the place was the mother crying softly when I entered. The search partner I was assigned was a local fireman and hunter who knew these woods pretty well, and also knew the missing boy. When he met my dog Michelle, he was clearly depressed as he stated flatly, “If we find anything, it’ll probably be a dead frozen kid.” As handler’s search dogs find dead body after dead body during a disaster search, the dogs will reflect the handler’s glum and heavy-hearted attitude. When the time came to euthanize the beautiful spirit and life of our Cavalier King Charles, Tri, had we moped about and cried before and as we were bringing him to the vet, he would have been depressed and terrified. We mourned privately before, and after the vet appointment, but acted happy as we could on the way to the vet. Not easy, but worth it for the dog. Al, you said it yourself. Chloe is just reflecting your anguish and moping about. The sooner you “put on a happy face” and play games with her and take hikes with her, the sooner she will get over her despondency over the loss of Bonnie. Al, mourn until you can’t mourn anymore, but try to hide it from Chloe. My condolences, Tom Cooperstown author Tom Shelby will be answering pet owner questions on training their dogs.
A complete Guide to
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________ Send calendar items to info@allotsego.com
Thursday, Sept. 16
of the “High Alert Artists Speak Out” series featuring “Direct from Nairobi: Adam Masava.” Masava is a self-taught Kenyan artist who draws on positive inspiration from the people of his community, the notorious Mukuru slum. Showing through Nov. 13. At The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Rd. in Middlefield. For info: 607-5475327 or www.facebook.com/ TheArtGarageCooperstown/. LIFESKILLS – From 4 to 6 p.m. Teens are invited to learn to cook with Lynn. Menu posted to FB. Seating limited, reservations required. Presented by The Oneonta Teen Center at 50 Dietz St. in Oneonta. For in OtsegO COunty info: 607 441 3999 or visit www.facebook.com/oneonta. teencenter. MOVIE NIGHT – At 7 p.m. Join the Richfield Springs Library and the community center for a showing of “Luca.” At the Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann St. in Richfield Springs. For info: 315-8580230 or Richfield Springs Public Library on Facebook.
the historic theater. 18 holes, a putting contest, silent auction, 50/50 raffle, more. Cost is $75/player. At the Oneonta Country Club, 9 Country Club Dr. in Oneonta. Call 607-4328950 or www.oneontacountryclub.org/events-1. TRIBUTE CONCERT – At 3 p.m. Tribute to J. S. Bach featuring David Fung on piano exploring works of homage and devotion. The performance is dedicated to all those affected by the pandemic. Presented by the Friends of Music of Stamford. At the Stamford United Methodist Church, 88 Main St. in Stamford. For info: 518-918-8003 or www.friendsmusic.org/.
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________
RUMMAGE & BOOK SALE – From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. At First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St. in Oneonta. Call 607-432-4102 or visit https:// www.firstumc-oneonta.org/. AUTHOR SERIES – At 2 p.m. Author Dan Taylor discusses his book “Lights, Camera, Fastball: How the Hollywood Stars Changed Baseball”. Free, registration for Zoom required. Presented by the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. For info: 607-547-7200 or www.baseballhall.org/events/ virtual-author-series-ralphwimbish?date=0. WRITERS SALON – At 7:30 p.m. CANO presents drama salon “Applause,” featuring original works and presentations. Open mic is cancelled to fit as many performers as possible. Presented through Zoom by the Community Arts Network of Oneonta. For info: 607-432-2070 or visit www. canoneonta.org/writers-salon.
what’s fun _______
►Friday, Sept. 17 RUMMAGE & BOOK SALE – At 9 a.m. to noon. Bring a bag and fill it up with whatever you find for $2. At First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut St., in Oneonta. CHICKEN DINNER – From 4:30 to 6 p.m. Enjoy a takeout Brooks chicken dinner including a half chicken, coleslaw, baked potato, roll. $12/ dinner. At First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, 21 Elm St. in Cooperstown. Contact baptistcooperstown@gmail.com with name, number, quantity to pre-order.
►Saturday, Sept. 18 EXHIBIT OPENING – From 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy the last show
►Sunday, Sept. 19 FUNDRAISER – At 1 p.m. Golf tournament to support the Friends of the Oneonta Theater in its efforts to reopen
►Monday, Sept. 20 HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. Learn from historic interpreters and enjoy other fall activities in the historic village. Wagon rides, corn shelling/grinding, tinsmithing with the blacksmith, and more. Included with admission. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607547-1450 or visit https://www. farmersmuseum.org/event/ celebration-of-autumn/
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Thursday, September 16, 2021
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty
►Tuesday, Sept. 21
ART TRIP – 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Join GOHS for a bus trip to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., and The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, known for vast galleries and collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues. $98/person. All participants must be fully vaccinated. Registration required by 9/7. Meet at Price Chopper, Oneonta parking lot. Call 607432-1385 or visit https:// oneontahistory.org/ for info. HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing. ILLUSIONIST – 6 p.m. Leon Etienne will perform jawdropping illusions and magic tricks. Live at Lake Front park, Cooperstown. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/VillageLib raryofCooperstown/ FIRE SEMINAR – 7 p.m. Local firefighters are invited to “The ABCs of Rescue Company Operations.” Presented by the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. $40/non-member. Worcester Fire Department, 36 Church St., Worcester. Visit www.nysfirechiefs.com for info.
►Wednesday, Sept. 22 HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing. TRAP SHOOT – 1 & 6 p.m. Bring your shotgun and shells for fun afternoon and evening trapshoot. (Weather permitting). $1/round. Please follow all firearm regulations. Crumhorn Rod & Gun Club, 574 Crumhorn Lake Rd., Maryland. 607-638-9379 or visit https://www.facebook. com/crumhornrodandgunclub/
►Thursday, Sept. 23 HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing. WORD THURSDAY – 7 p.m. Enjoy open mic from area writers before listening to presentation by Jennifer
Finkle and the ‘Random Acts of Kindness’ writers. Random Acts is a journal project started in Andes Central School to document the kindness they did for each other. Suggested donation $3. Presented by Bright Hill Press & Literary Center. 607-829-5055 or visit https://www.facebook. com/brighthp/
►Friday, Sept. 24 HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing.
►Saturday, Sept. 25 HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP – 8:30 11 a.m. Join the Otsego County Conservation Association to clean up a 2-mile section of local highway. Wear sturdy/ comfortable shoes, long pants. Other equipment provided. Registration required. Meet at OCCA’s office, 207 State Hwy. 80, Cooperstown. 607-5474488 or visit https://occainfo. org/calendar/occa-highwaycleanup/ HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing. LIFESKILLS – 4 - 6 p.m. Teens learn to cook with Lynn. See previous Saturday listing. MOVIE NIGHT – 7 p.m. Join the Richfield Springs Library and Community Center for a showing of ‘The One and Only Ivan.’ Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann St., Richfield Springs. 315-8580230 or visit www.facebook. com/Richfield-Springs-PublicLibrary-1068210423236404/
►Sunday, Sept. 26 HARVEST CELEBRATION – 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Monday listing. FRANKLIN MARKET – 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Find local produce from the Franklin area and enjoy music from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Franklin Farmers Market, lawn in front of Chapel Hall, 15 Institute St., Franklin. Visit https://franklinlocal.org/
Autumn Dreams B-7
Thursday, September 16, 2021
B-8 Autumn Dreams
A Perfect Day on Otsego Lake The Blue Mingo Grill Lake Otsego’s only open-air lakeside dining spot offers creative grill cuisine on its Adirondack porches at the water’s edge. Inspired by a multitude of international cuisines, the Blue Mingo Offers an eclectic menu that The New York Times has calleD “the area’s most interesting dishes.” dinner reservations recommended (607) 547-7496
Sam Smith’s Boat Rentals
Spend some quality time on the lake in a rental boat at Sam Smith’s. .ZWU SIaIS[ KIVWM[ IVL Å[PQVO JWI\[ \W TIZOM IVL [UITT XWV\WWV JWI\[ ZMV\IT[ IZM available by the hour to a full day. Call for reservations (607) 547- 2581
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On your way to the dining porches of The Blue Mingo Grill, you will pass through the LMTQOP\N]T IVL M^MZ XWX]TIZ 4ISM +TI[[QK 7]\Å\\MZ[ I JW]\QY]M ÅTTML _Q\P IV MKTMK\QK collection of clothing, gifts and accessories inspired by the classic casual elegance of Adirondack Great Camp style
The Mingo Market a contemporary take on the classic country store, with a unique and wide-ranging offering of authentic products and provisions from around the world and around the corner. From gourmet foods, take-out lunches and locally-sourced grocery items and produce to kitchen and entertaining essentials, pet and garden supplies, treats for \PM SQL[ ]VQY]M KTW\PQVO TWIL[ WN PIZL \W ÅVL Q\MU[ IVL U]KP U]KP UWZM
All at one lakeside location 2 1/2 miles north of cooperstown on west lake road, 6098 state highway 80 general information: 607-547-2543 www.bluemingogrill.com