County Hears Airport Concerns, Debates DMV
By BILL BELLEN
COUNTY
OTSEGO
The Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting on Wednesday, August 6 started out with a bang. Following a short address by Edward Dawyot and mirroring similar remarks made by a group the night before at the City of Oneonta Common Council meeting, numerous individuals brought to the board’s attention their concerns over proposals for expansion of the
Subdivision Presentations Draw Large Crowds, Raise Concerns
By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO, SPRINGFIELD
The towns of Otsego and Springfield have been abuzz over the past week with the onset of two contentious town planning board meetings.
The matter at hand: A proposed 111lot subdivision of 1,525 acres of properties on the west side of Otsego Lake owned by real estate developer Fraydun Manocherian.
The proposal’s 765 acres and 59 lots in the Town of Otsego and 760 acres and 52 lots in the Town of Springfield represent what was noted at the Otsego meeting to be the largest single property division in either town in decades.
Each planning board was presented with an in-depth sketch plan; a very early-stages display of the bare bones of what the proposed project would entail.
Town of Otsego
Otsego’s Planning Board meeting was held first, on Tuesday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Tom Huntsman made clear that it was not a public hearing, and that the Manocherian team was merely there to present what information they had. The Manocherian family was represented by Allison Phillips of the Young/Sommer law firm, alongside Rob Aiello and James Caris from the site development consultants firm JMC. Phillips made remarks regarding the limited scope of information collected so far. She was followed by Aiello, taking the helm to present a slideshow of the sketch plan, which he agreed to share in an accessible manner after the meeting upon public request.
Aiello opened with overview maps of the properties, showing the proposed 111 lots with various filters over them, including the municipal boundary, proposed “neighborhoods” of develop-
Continued on page 13
Oneonta Municipal Airport. Randy Miritello spoke first on behalf of the Otsego County Wilderness and Watershed Coalition, which he described as “a group of families banded together to protect our properties from threat of eminent domain and clear cutting.” He stated that these actions are what the airport is pursuing in order to apply for the FAA grant spoken of at the July board meeting. Miritello detailed that the clear-cut would cover roughly 140 acres on privately-owned property,
directly affecting 10 families near the airport, none of which, he said, are interested in signing over easement rights for work to be done. He criticized the proposal for catering to the wealthy using tax-funded services, contending that much of the fuel sales at the airport are not from jets, but from people with sports cars seeking clean fuel. He added that many jets do not refuel locally because they have exclusive fuel contracts with the airports they
Continued on page 11
Bicycling in the Butternut Valley GARRATTSVILLE —Registration for the Butternut Valley Alliance’s Gravel Grinder is now underway. See details on page 3. Cyclists participating in 2024 included, from left, Josh Schafler (Oneonta), former world champion and winner of the Tour de Flandres Alessandro Ballan (Castelfranco Veneto, Italy),
and
Network Continues Recruitment of New Practitioners
COOPERSTOWN
Bassett Healthcare Network has welcomed nine new healthcare practitioners over the last two months.
Nicole Betancourt, MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as director of inpatient pediatrics at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown. Dr. Betancourt provides care to pediatric patients admitted to Bassett Medical Center in Pediatrics and the Birthing Center, including diagnosis and
treatment of illness, prescriptions, specialist referrals following a patient’s hospital stay, and more.
Dr. Betancourt completed her medical degree and residency training at Albany Medical Center. Her fellowship training in pediatric critical care medicine took place at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
in Philadelphia. She is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Adam Hockensmith, MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as associate chief of emergency and trauma services. Dr. Hockensmith provides care to patients of all ages, including diagnosis and treatment
Photo provided
NICOLE BETANCOURT, MD
Photo provided ADAM HOCKENSMITH, MD
Photo provided V ICTORIA M C K ANE, MD
Photo provided DR PETER SHAw KI, MD
Continued on page 7
Ben Savoie (Cooperstown),
Keith Toombs (Schenectady).
Photo provided
Dinner Fundraiser To Benefit Lions Club SNAP Match
COOPERSTOWN
According to officials, more people than ever are using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase food at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market. A Cooperstown Lions Club program helps food-insecure people purchase more food at the market, matching the SNAP spend up to $20.00.
The Lions are planning a fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting the club’s SNAP Match Program. Willy’s Good Chicken Dinner will be held on Saturday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hulse Hill Farm, 5928 State Highway 28 in Fly Creek, in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Family Farm Day. The meal, for takeout or dine-in, is $15.00 and includes a quarter chicken barbecued on site, baked beans, roll, coleslaw, homemade pie, and beverage. Covered seating is available in the event of rain.
Tickets for the dinner
may be purchased in advance online at CoopSNAPMatch.org, or on the day of the event at Hulse Hill Farm. Tickets also may be purchased from Lions Club members directly or from the club on Saturday, August 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley.
“The Lions Club SNAP Match helps people who are food insecure purchase more healthy local food at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market,” said Marianne Rae, who manages the Cooperstown SNAP Match Program.
“We are very grateful to the Cooperstown Lions Club for giving people access to more local food at the farmers’ market. There has been a significant increase in the number of people shopping with SNAP at the market, so the need has never been greater,” said Peg Odell, program and communications manager of Otsego 2000, which operates the market.
From January through July 2025, the Lions Club SNAP Match provided an extra $4,166.00 in local food to shoppers using SNAP, an increase of 124 percent from the same period in 2024 ($1,860.00), officials said.
“We are delighted to have more customers shopping with SNAP at the farmers’ market, and encourage anyone who can to support the Lions Club SNAP Match Program,” Odell added.
People shopping with SNAP at the CFM also benefit from a second Double Up Food Bucks match from Field and Fork Network.
“A $20.00 SNAP spend earns customers using SNAP $60.00 worth of local food. This is a winwin-win, with more food for neighbors, more business for local farmers, and more money staying in the local economy,” explained Odell.
The CFM also accepts vouchers from the Cooperstown Food Pantry and the Farmers Market Nutritional Program.
Call 877-516-1160 to schedule your
For additional information about Willy’s Good Chicken Dinner, contact Rae at (607) 267-2419, coopsnapmatch@gmail.com or CoopSNAPMatch.org.
For more information on the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, contact Peg Odell, (607) 547-8881, pegodell@ otsego2000.org.
Dynamic Duo Retires from Service
By TARA BARNWELL
COOPERSTOWN
After six years of patrolling Bassett Healthcare Network properties, Security Officer Robert Meiser and his dog, Hudson, are retiring. As of Friday, August 1, the pair will no longer roam the campus halls and grounds.
“We were the first K-9 team Bassett utilized,” Meiser said. “I’ve been in the security department for 10 years and with Hudson for six. It was quite an honor to lead the K-9 team with him.
The best part of patrolling with Hudson was the smile he puts on faces; everyone is always so happy to see him.”
“Security and operational leadership wanted to add this extra level of protection for our caregivers and patients,” Gabrielle Argo, director of corporate communications and public relations, said of the K-9 security teams Bassett employs. “We will miss Hudson and Officer Meiser.”
Bassett currently has three other K-9 units, which will carry on the tradition begun by Hudson and Meiser.
Photo by Tara Barnwell
Security Officer Robert Meiser and his partner, Hudson, are officially retired as of August 1.
The two have been patrolling Bassett properties together for the last six years.
BVA gravel grinder, Summer Harvest Fest Move to garrattsville
gARRATTSVILLE
The Butternut Valley Alliance Summer Harvest Festival and gravel grinder will take place on Saturday, August 23 at Butternuts Beer and Ale, 4021 State Highway 51, garrettsville. The free community event will feature hot air balloon rides, face painting, a bounce house, petting zoo, live music, food trucks, craft beer, cider and more. In planning the two events, BVA has attempted to support local businesses as much as possible with regard to food, restaurants and breweries.
“We try to support the neighborhood we’re in,” said Peter Martin, one of the principal organizers.
For the first time, BVA is combining the Summer Harvest Festival and the gravel grinder at the garratsville location. Now in its fifth year, the gravel grinder—organized in
partnership with Central New York Cycling Club and the Bassett Cancer Institute—will begin at 11 a.m. and will end when the last rider in either of the two routes returns to the brewery. The Summer Harvest Festival will run from 1-6 p.m.
The gravel grinder features a 45-mile course for experienced cyclers and a 15-mile course for the more recreational cyclers. Riders will receive a meal ticket as part of their participation. In addition, every gravel grinder entrant is eligible for a raffle for a Rock Lobster bicycle frame built by custom frame builder Paul Sadoff of Santa Cruz, California. The online registration deadline is Friday, August 22 at noon. A registration fee applies. The registration cut-off is 350 participants. The majority of gravel grinder proceeds will go to Bassett Cancer
Institute. Those wishing to register should visit https://www.bikereg. com/68839
“The gravel grinder is a ride, not a race, so there are no prizes for ride time. The route goes up and down the Butternut Valley on scenic seasonal roads. We’re dedicated to being in the wilderness. It’s a really gorgeous course,” Martin said.
Martin also said that between the two races the shortest ride time was approximately one hour and the longest four hours, all depending on fitness. As of August 11, 65 cyclists had registered.
For the Harvest Festival, the first 300 attendees to pre-register will receive free meal tickets at the registration tent. Reservations may be made at https://www. butternutvalleyalliance. org/harvest-festivalgravel-grinder
Local craft and artisan
vendors may exhibit at the festival for a $25.00 fee. Charitable organizations and governmental entities may set up informational tables at no charge. All exhibitors must arrive at 11 a.m. for set up and supply their own tables, chairs and, if desired, pop-up tent. Registrants are encouraged to sign up quickly, as there is a cap to the number of vendor/exhibitor spots. To register, visit https:// www.butternutvalleyalliance.org/harvestfestival-gravel-grinder.
BVA is asking for volunteers for both the gravel grinder and the Summer Harvest Festival. For the gravel grinder, help is needed between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for all or any part of that time. Help is needed with corners marshalling, lead and follow cars, registration and serving food.
For the Summer Harvest Festival, volunteers are needed between noon
Early Stage HABs Reported on Otsego Lake
COOPERSTOWN
On Thursday, August 7, SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station staff announced that early stage harmful algal blooms have been observed at two different locations on Otsego Lake: near Kingfisher Tower as of the afternoon of Wednesday, August 6, and on the morning of August 7 at the BFS main laboratory, located at Rat Cove, just north of Fenimore Art Museum. Wednesday’s bloom has been reported to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s New York Harmful Algal Bloom Reporting System, officials said.
With regard to HABs, BFS advises members of the public to “Know it. Avoid it. Report it.” According to a press release, folks should keep watch along the shoreline and at the water surface, especially in sheltered areas such as boat slips and small coves.
“Avoid discolored or cloudy water, green streaks, foamy accumulations, etc., as these areas may contain cyanobacteria and the associated toxins,” the press release reads. “If you see suspicious conditions, report it to the NYSDEC via the online reporting tool.”
BFS officials warn that weather and lake conditions are prime for continued development of HABs,
which may be intermittent and change quickly. Lake users should check the water conditions before entering the water or allowing pets or children to do so, they advised.
“You can make decisions about how you decide to interact with the lake,” the release goes on to say.
“Remember, HABs can be dangerous to humans and animals. If we learn of additional confirmed HABs, we will use this system to notify you of that information.
For more information on HABs and related health concerns, visit the NYS DEC website.
BFS officials also noted that the New York State Department of Health recommends against the use of untreated surface waters for domestic use; during blooms, surface waters treated with individual home treatment systems should not be used for domestic use.
See the NYSDOH page, https://www.health. ny.gov/publications/2849/index.htm), to learn more.
The report from the BFS was shared in collaboration with the Otsego Watershed Supervisory Committee and the Otsego County Conservation Association, officials said.
Mobile DMV Site Planned in Town of Hartwick
HARTWICK—Otsego County
Clerk Jennifer Basile announced on Thursday, August 7 that the county’s Department of Motor Vehicles will be opening a second satellite location soon.
and 7 p.m. Volunteer tasks include setting up, breaking down, directing parking, greeting and registering attendees.
Volunteers who commit at least three
hours receive a free commemorative T-shirt, one meal ticket and one beer ticket. To register as a volunteer, visit https:// butternutvalleyalliance. org/.
Basile said that Hartwick was selected after careful consideration due to its central location within Otsego County.
“To ensure fairness and accessibility for all county residents, it was important that the second
“I am thrilled to announce the tentative opening of our second satellite location for the Mobile DMV Program,” Basile said in a press release. “In a coordinated effort with the Town of Hartwick, this new location is scheduled to launch this fall, pending final approval.”
satellite location be located near the geographic center of the county—especially considering the day and time it will operate,” Basile explained.
“I understand how difficult it can be for residents to visit the DMV during traditional weekday hours,” she continued. “To better serve our community, the Hartwick
Continued on page 6
Complete information at www.FamilyFarmDay.org including farm guide and interactive farm map
HOMETOWN Views
EDITORIaL
How Would You Allocate Your Taxes?
Charitable organizations here in Otsego County and surrounds survive, and very often thrive, because people choose to donate time, treasure and talent— sometimes all three—in support of the things most important to them.
Monetary donors are spending their hard-earned cash essentially subsidizing the work of others. Patrons of the arts donate to the gallery, orchestra or theater group that best represents them and/or their interests. Animal lovers send checks to the nearest animal shelter or rescue, sometimes all of them, because they support the work of those organizations. Proponents of education and scholarship pledge funds annually to the institutions that, again, best represent them and/or their interests. History buffs transfer funds electronically to their favorite museums. And so on.
Some folks can afford to donate more than others. Those are your “Platinum Patrons” and your “Diamond Sponsors.” Some people can’t really afford to give, or can spare only a little, but are so invested in the mission that they donate every year regardless, because they are “Friends” and “Supporters.” And in between, often dictated by income, lie the rest of these financers of various programs, projects and plans.
Wouldn’t it be great if we, as taxpayers, could, in much the same fashion, allocate some portion of our tax dollars to the things that matter to us most? And to the things that most directly affect us?
Think about it. What if there was some sort of “Top 10” list that we could choose from, or assign percentages of our tax dollars to, come April? Government. Education. Transportation. Environment. Health. Military. Scientific research. You get the idea. Programs prioritized by us. And what if we could drill down a bit further, based on geography and/or project specifics? “Restricted” funds, if you will.
An interesting concept, and one we should all be considering these days as our political divides continue to grow. Along with the Republican trifecta in the 2024 election—winning the presidency, the House and the Senate—have come a host of political hijinks on both sides of the aisle which, incidentally, come at a cost. Our cost.
Although perhaps not feasible in real life, shouldn’t we at least examine what we’re getting for our collective tax dollars—our “donation”—and quantify how it all lines up with our own priorities? If we are subsidizing these activities, are we getting the deliverables we expect and deserve? Is our money being used wisely, or is it being thrown away?
Everyone has their favorite bone to pick with our elected officials when it comes to both time and treasure. For some, it’s the $30 million military parade. For others, it’s the elected officials in Texas delaying a vote by hiding out in other states. You may believe that funds allocated to expand ICE operations is not money well spent; I may call samesies on the multiple visits by elected officials to visit Kilmar Ábrego Garcia.
Are all of us really footing these bills? Yes. Do we necessarily want to? No. This is where the paths for donors to charitable organizations and U.S. taxpayers diverge. As donors, we would have the choice to continue our support of things for which we are in favor and are priorities in our own lives. We would also have the choice to withdraw that support, if we don’t like where things are going. Being taxpayers, though, our hands are somewhat tied.
We elect officials to represent our ideals, our goals, our best interests; to be our political proxy and to ensure the responsible use of our money. And yet, we have little recourse if we do not agree with how our money is being spent and must continue to subsidize what we may see as throwing good money after bad.
Yes, it’s important that our elected representatives reflect our politics and policies. But it is equally important that they behave as responsible stewards of our hard-earned tax dollars. To that end, we should make it a point to find out where our money is going and what it’s being used for. Watch some Congressional hearings. Do a little research of your own instead of believing everything the media is telling you. Then ask yourself: “Given the choice, would I donate to this?” The results may surprise you, and not in a good way.
We can’t choose where our tax dollars are spent. But come election time, we can choose our representation. With a U.S. budget deficit of about $1.8 trillion in 2024, isn’t it time we start making sure our elected officials are being mindful of our money as well as our ideologies?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
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HaWTHORn HILL JOURnaL RICHaRD DEROSa
Who Is that Masked Man?
As a kid, I loved listening to radio shows. We now live in a predominantly visual world, which does in its own way excite the imagination, but for me nothing compares to the imaginative spark that is ignited when envisioning the action in one’s own mind. My favorite show was “The Lone Ranger.” That great line ending each episode reverberates in my mind to this day: Who is that masked man? Well, it was a man, along with his sidekick, Tonto, whose sole purpose was to battle evil. His mask, that only covered his eyes, symbolized good. When evil arose, he appeared with Tonto to take the bad guys down. Good always triumphed over evil. The Lone Ranger galloped off with great fanfare, crying “Hi-ho, Silver!” as he most surely once again would battle evil and prove once again that truth and goodness reign supreme. At least they seemed to have a fighting chance, both in that fictional world and the one I grew up in. Many years ago my wife, Sandy, gave me a collection of Lone Ranger radio tapes. What a great present. I listened to them many times on a portable cassette player while driving to work. Got me pumped up for day in the classroom. Unfortunately, when we moved to Cooperstown from Cherry Valley, the box containing the tapes never made it. Conspiracy theories abound. My delight at receiving that present is matched only by two other wonderful gifts: the 12-volume OED and the complete works of John Burroughs. An 81-year-old man now, I still feel a ripple of excitement course through my body when I replay those words in mind.
Masks are great, especially if one does not wish to contract a possibly fatal or debilitating disease. Normally, masks are worn at costume parties, garb associated with holiday rituals, and often by criminals wishing to conceal their identity. The latter seems reasonable if one wishes to escape capture, although not even that might save one, given the proclivity of most criminals to make a fatal mistake that enables “legitimate” law enforcement officials to eventually corral them. And then there is DNA. Masking has many uses in many cultures. They function symbolically. Their appearance means something; it is masking for a cultural purpose. It is not masking to conceal one’s identity. It is not, as we evidence in this country every day, an act of cowardice by so-called ICE agents lurking about the country willfully grabbing up human beings off the streets as if they were cattle to be hauled off to the slaughterhouse. Ironically, the masked ICE agent manhandling frightened human beings admits, by virtue of his masked-ness, to being afraid of being seen. When you are seen you give away yourself. Hiding behind a mask provides temporary shelter from being seen by the “other.” When one is seen, that is, unmasked, one is forced into intimate contact with another’s actuality, another’s existence. By concealing oneself behind a mask, one is offered a temporary respite from responsibility for one’s actions. It enables the most hideous of actions to escape culpability. At least for a moment or two. I suspect some of these masked marauders must have, to be kind, second thoughts about their culpability in what can only be characterized as a reign of terror. I hope so, for that is their only hope for some modicum of redemption.
I agree with the majority of Americans who believe in more efficiently managed borders. I agree that illegal immigrants who are a danger to the community or guilty of crimes should be apprehended and, if so determined by a court of law, deported or jailed. But each and every one of these individuals is entitled to due process. Not affording them due process, a right clearly stipulated in our Constitution, undermines the very foundations of our constitutional
Continued on page 9
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn
City Needs To Be Run Better
HOMETOWN ONEONTA
H o metown oneon t a 2008 - 2025 17th anniversary & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
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If we as community members are so distraught with having a city administrator who does not meet the educational criteria (having a master’s degree in engineering versus the required public administration degree) mismanaging the City of Oneonta, then we need to start a petition in every ward to either have the Common Council and/or the public get him out, hire a city manager instead that meets the education requirements via a public referendum, and have the Common Council adhere to the City Charter the way it was before, without the addendums. We need the concept of logic instead of stupidity to run the city better and more efficiently.
Andrew (AJ) Hamill Oneonta
Proposal Is Odd, Disjointed
I was a land developer in Texas, meaning I bought land, secured the entitlements on it, then sold off parcels to builders.
My largest project was 1,200 acres, which I contracted to sell to Crow Holdings, run by Harlan Crow, who collects Americana, including Supreme Court justices. Of all the land development projects that I have looked at, one of the oddest is what’s proposed at the northwest side of Lake Otsego: The Nightmare on Wedderspoon Hollow. For years, a Manhattan real estate developer has bought up much of the wilderness, forests, and wetlands between Keys Road and Wedderspoon Hollow. It’s easy to find: Where the paved roads stop, the property begins.
The owners are now proposing to subdivide six tracts into 111 lots, most of which are gerrymandered to either meet a minimum road frontage requirement or a minimum spacing for a septic and a well. These lots would be cut out of old growth forest and steep hillsides overlooking picturesque swamps, much of which is in the Glimmerglass Historic District. To access the six tracts, the developer will need to pave over three miles of dirt roads, where sediment will run off into the wetlands and lake. Since there is no
public sewer system available, all of these lots will either be on separate septic or on a treatment plant. The byproducts of septic systems are nitrates and phosphates—which will get into wetlands and the lake, driving harmful algal blooms, HABs. At build-out, the population of these tracts could be close to 300 people, which will generate a lot of septic nutrients. This could have the effect of turning the 43 wetlands and 39 streams into pea soup.
These 111 lots, none of which will be “affordable,” are located about as far away from high schools, grocery stores and fire stations as you can get without getting wet. Whoever is last off the Cherry Valley school bus will have their homework done by the time they get home. Where there is almost no traffic now, there will be upwards of 200 vehicles a day, many of which will descend onto Red Schoolhouse Road via a newlyproposed thoroughfare. If permitted, this hodgepodge could take decades to build out. The 92-year-old owner might not live to see
Compiled by Tom
HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library
110 YEARs AGo
Decline in Passenger Traffic—The number of travelers over the Delaware & Hudson lines is far below normal and the decrease is felt all over the system. Through-travel between Albany and Rouses Point, as reported on the June statement, shows a deplorable loss of 31 percent as compared with last year. The group of trains running between Albany and Rutland earned 23 percent less than they did last June. Between Albany and Binghamton, earnings are 15 percent off, while further up the line the saratoga and North Creek branch shows a decrease of 32 percent. June holiday travel from Albany and intermediate stations to Lake George was 14 percent under last year. Purely local business like the Albany to Troy Belt Line should at least hold its own—but the Belt Line business has dropped 11 percent and the Albany-Altamont showing is far worse, resulting in a 27 percent decrease. This depression gives cause for serious thought. Today, enough railroad mileage to circle the earth is under bankruptcy. securities worth 1.75 billion dollars are affected. When James J. Hill was congratulated on his great fortune, he replied: “Young man, when you talk about my fortune, remember that I owe more money than all the men in st. Paul.”
August 1915
50 YEARs AGo
The Kindergarten teachers in the oneonta school system are concerned. The Kindergarten program should not be cut to half day, they believe, because it will hurt the educational program for youngsters in the oneonta area. None of the teachers stand to lose their jobs, since all are senior teachers in the district. They will be transferred to other grades. “We’re not fighting for our jobs. That’s not it at all,” one of the teachers said. The Kindergarten teachers are Nancy Chicorelli, Joan Morgan, Anne House, Mary Benjamin, Dorothy Lawson and Betty Dean. They are hoping the school board will reconsider the half-day plan. The cutback would also eliminate the hot lunch program for Kindergarten students. The Kindergarten curriculum covers many topics in math, science, social studies, motor development, music and language arts with much emphasis on reading readiness.
August, 1955
40 YEARs AGo
Local employers do not screen job applicants or employees for traces of illegal drugs because they do not see drug use as a problem locally and because there are other ways to detect worker ineffectiveness. That attitude contrasts with a report by the U.s. Drug Enforcement Administration, estimating that 25 percent of Fortune 500 companies now screen job applicants or current employees for use of illegal drugs. Michael McNally, director of human relations at Fox Memorial Hospital in oneonta, said blood screening or urinalysis to test for signs of illegal drugs is not always reliable and raises legal and moral questions. McNally noted that drug screening tests, which the hospital does not use and has no plans to use, does not measure how effective an employee would be. The hospital uses a detailed interview process to determine how effective an employee should be. “Whether or not they will be hired should be dependent on whether they can do the job well,” he said.
August 1985
20 YEARs AGo
The oneonta Town Council amended the town’s outdoor burning ordinance to mandate a 50-yard buffer zone on private property in some rural areas of the town that abut residential areas. No outdoor burning will be allowed in the buffer zone, which is designed to prevent smoke from drifting into residential areas as well as minimize fire risks. However, some town residents are still lobbying for a burning ban in all districts.
August 2005
Solution: “Double-Header Letters” (August 7)
otsego Reuse Tackles Plastic Waste with Trex
The otsego ReUse Center has long been a local leader in sustainability, reselling building materials, furniture, books, and other household goods to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by The Arc otsego organization. since opening in 2018, the center has been on a mission to reduce waste and give usable items a second life. Now, through a partnership with Trex Company, it has taken that mission one step further.
Already a hub for recycling hard-to-process materials like fluorescent light bulbs and polystyrene, the otsego ReUse Center saw an opportunity to address another local recycling challenge: plastic film waste. Due to its stretchy nature, plastic film is notoriously difficult to recycle through traditional channels. As a result, materials such as grocery bags, newspaper sleeves and shipping pouches often are not accepted by curbside recycling programs and, ultimately, wind up in landfills.
“We saw a clear need to reduce plastic waste in our community, and NexTrex offered a smart, scalable solution,” said Faith Tiemann, chief marketing officer of The Arc otsego. “It’s a meaningful way for residents to contribute to a greener otsego County.”
According to a press release, NexTrex® is a nationwide material sourcing initiative for Trex, the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing, and one of the largest recyclers of polyethylene plastic film in North America. Each year, Trex uses more than 320 million pounds of recycled PE plastic in the making of its decking and has diverted more than five billion pounds of plastic film waste from
By MERL REAGLE
landfills over the past three decades.
The NexTrex Grassroots Movement provides eco-minded organizations, like The Arc otsego, with a way to responsibly dispose of plastic waste while earning funds for their programs, officials explained. The turnkey framework equips partners to serve as centralized drop-off sites for plastic film recycling, including all the necessary tools and support to effectively manage the collection and baling process.
once 20-40 bales are accumulated (20,00040,000 pounds of plastic film), Trex picks up the material and transports it to its manufacturing facilities in Virginia, Nevada and Arkansas, where it is used to produce high-performance, low-maintenance Trex composite decking. Trex then compensates partners for the baled recyclable films, making participation a viable source of ongoing funding for business operations or community initiatives.
“Community organizations are ideal partners for our Grassroots Movement,” explained stephanie Hicks, materials and recycling programs manager for Trex Company. “Like Trex, they are committed to bettering their communities and the world at large. It’s really inspiring to see the amount of good that can be done when like-minded people come together to preserve our planet.”
The Arc otsego joined the NexTrex Grassroots Movement in 2023, establishing the otsego ReUse Center as a public-facing plastic recycling dropoff point. Through strong community partnerships with local retailers, schools, colleges and even the local police department, nearly 100,000 pounds of
Continued on page 9
The Line King… Good thing he didn’t name her Gertrude
NOTE: A true genius of the art world left us on January 20, 2003, at the age of 99. This puzzle is in honor of him—and his practice of concealing the four-letter name of his daughter in his caricatures. (Don’t be surprised if a few of them even read backwards.).
ACROSS
1 Soccer star Mia 5 Lorne on the Galactica
Homeland airer, for short
Wile E. Coyote’s supplier of choice
Asexual reproducer
Spanish stock?
Bit of mocking laughter
Laborious chore
Like a lifelong vaude
Take out ___
Bus. card datum
More than preoccupy
What some women love
Stable newborn
Book-buyer’s dotcom
And so on, in Lat.
In a bit, once
1963 Presley film
Appear
Our Otsego: Exploring Southern Slopes and Silky Shores
By BILL BELLEN OTSEGO COUNTY
Our Otsego: This is a title I feel is very befitting of this series. As we saw in the first installment of this four-part exploration of the state parks, forests, and waterway accesses that Otsego County has to offer [https://www.allotsego. com/towering-trees-and-vast-valleys-the-beauty-ofeastern-otsego/], the eastern bounds of the county also feature plentiful natural views and vistas. The state-preserved wilderness in the county is the cherry on top of the beauty and recreational opportunities “our Otsego” has at its disposal.
Lutheranville State Forest
Ironically enough, the first stop for Maria Griswold and me took us right to the eastern fringes, at the Otsego-Schoharie county border. Not far south of I88 and East Worcester lies Lutheranville State Forest. An unassuming tract of land, the rugged roads and tall trunks of trees on all sides present a picture not unlike that of many destinations covered in our previous travelogue. However, the true prize here lies off the beaten path. Taking what appeared to be a snowmobile trail up the slopes, we eventually reached the path’s apex; but not the mountain’s. As we veered off-trail, much of the “bulldozed swath” of land described in the reports of some County Highpointers’ previous ascents in the early 2000s has certainly made a comeback. The age of these now-prevalent pines seemed to decline the higher we went, eventually reaching a point where we were squeezing through trees barely double our height. The extra sunlight passing through these lower limbs allowed for ferns to grow a couple
of feet high, creating a weird feeling of wading on dry land. After much of this wading and limb dodging, we reached what GPS confirmed to be the high point of Otsego County. Though the overgrown nature of the surroundings made pinpointing an exact spot difficult, the general area around the high point consisted of clumped-together trees and a sizable fern field adjacent. Views were unfortunately hard to come by, due to the same natural boundaries, though this exploratory error would be rectified by a special guest later in our explorations.
Robert V. Riddell State Park
Continuing along the county line, our travels took us to Robert V. Riddell State Park. Split in two by the roaring route of I-88, this barrier creates two entirely different park experiences. The northern portion of the park houses the primary parking lot, as well as numerous meandering trails through forests, along farm fields, and down to the shores of Schenevus Creek. There is even a little bridge near the rear of the loop, though this section can become quite boggy if there has been any recent rain. Jumping across the highway, the south exhibits a stark contrast to the openness of its northern counterpart. The primary trail is accessed via a road pull-off and features a much hillier journey. These trails, depending on the route you take, can go on for miles, reaching locations like Mud Pond within the park and even venturing all the way to Hartwick College’s Pine Lake Campus near Davenport Center. The highlight vista was the park’s waterfall, located a little over a mile down the Mud Lake Trail. Found just off the trail after the first fork in its path, the stream was a calm trickle at the time of our arrival—though this is definitely not the case
in the spring. The seat-sized boulders overlooking the waterfall allowed for a tranquil moment of peace, with the trickling water hitting the rocks providing the perfect white noise for a perfect picnic spot.
South Hill State Forest
With the most adventurous of the locations for this issue behind us, we drove back east to check out South Hill State Forest. Split nearly down the middle by the Otsego-Delaware county line, its lack of marked trails was made up for by the quality of its tight, but well-conditioned access roads. Small, grassy lots near bends in either of the two roads in the Otsego portion of the forest allow visitors to pull off and take a pleasant stroll along the dusty drive, with picturesque stone walls flanking the roadsides in many spots.
Hooker Mountain State Forest
Next was Hooker Mountain State Forest. Found east of Milford and north of Schenevus, this mountainous forest also features no marked trails, and roads that should probably not be traveled in poor conditions without a four-wheel-drive vehicle. To give them the credit they deserve though, the width of the roads provided a more comforting experience passing through the forest. This allowed for the drive to feel much more serene than claustrophobic.
Susquehanna State Forest
Moving southwest, the Susquehanna State Forest lies along the slopes of Crumhorn Mountain and the banks of the river from which it gets its name. The recently paved County Highway 35 provides a smooth ride through much of the forest scenery, with the southern reaches of the forest being blessed by the presence of the Crumhorn Fishing Access Site. This all-accessible boat launch has a sizable parking lot, a beautiful cove that leads into the Susquehanna and later Goodyear Lake, and a short but very scenic trail through the forest near the site. Though there has been some timber clearing closer to the main road, it does not stop this short trail from being one of the most awe-inspiring sites we have been to thus far. Despite its on-the-surface simplicity, the old-growth pines with the shoreline just yards away, and dozens
of different peepers, birds, and other forest creatures making their respective calls, immerses you in a feeling I cannot say I have quite felt anywhere else.
Goodyear Lake Waterway Access
Following the current of the Susquehanna brings you shortly to the Colliersville Dam, and the adjacent Goodyear Lake Waterway Access. Commonly referred to as Silliman Cove, a name derived from both the road and the body of water beside the site, this access is once again all-accessible and features a large parking lot for its plentiful crowds of fishers and mariners. The gravel path takes you past an ongoing New York State Department of Environmental Conservation natural restoration effort and to the end of the outlet, where a viewing platform and nearby bench allow for two exceptional views of Goodyear Lake. Easily traversable for all ages, bike accessible, and featuring numerous “desire-paths” down to the water for swimming access, it is no wonder this site sees such heavy use during the summer months by both locals and tourists.
With this access site covered, we thought that our adventures for this article had come to an end. However, keen readers will recall the earlier mentioning of an ace up our sleeve for achieving a scenic view of Otsego County’s highest point. This came in the form of the gracious help of Bill Miller. Returning to Lutheranville State Forest, and using Miller’s wonderful aerial photography skills, we were able to capture this beautiful shot of the Otsego County high point; a view that quite literally captures the peak of our county.
Southern and southeastern Otsego County has a unique and awe-inspiring blend of mighty mountains and radiant rivers that flow between their valleys, adding to the catalog of geographic and natural wonder we are recording for our county. As we continue our journey westward, the shores of Butternut Creek will come into view, where many more forests and a beautiful Gilbert Lake await us. We hope you can once again join us there!
Editor’s note: More information on the forests and parks highlighted here can be found at https://dec. ny.gov/places.
Plans Underway for ‘Art in the Park’
WEST WINFIELD
Upper Unadilla Valley artists will have an opportunity to display and sell their work next month at “Art in the Park,” an event being hosted by the Upper Unadilla Valley Association from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, September 7. The event, which will be held in the enclosed pavilion at the Town of Winfield Park in West Winfield, is open to artists who live in the region represented by the association. This region includes the villages of West Winfield and
Bridgewater and hamlets of Unadilla Forks, Leonardsville, and West Edmeston, as well as the local areas surrounding those communities.
Art in the Park is not intended as a craft show, but rather will focus on showcasing twodimensional pieces that include drawings, paintings, collage, printmaking and photography. There is no cost to participate and no artist commissions to be paid.
Artists will display their work on picnic tables available in the facility or may bring their own table for their display. No work
may be displayed on walls. Space is limited, however, and should be reserved in advance.
To reserve a spot, contact UUVA President Larraine McNulty at jlmcn@frontiernet.net or (315) 855-4368.
The nonprofit Upper Unadilla Valley Association, founded in 1969, works to preserve, protect, and highlight the Upper Unadilla Valley’s natural and historic resources. Its activities are designed to showcase the region’s positive attributes and to reflect the organization’s mission.
DMV
Continued from page 3
Mobile DMV will operate one Saturday per month, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Hartwick Town Building, 103 Town Drive.” Basile cautioned that the Saturday mobile DMV will not be open on countyobserved holidays or in the event of inclement weather. Appointments will be required for service. A link to schedule appointments will be made available on the Otsego County DMV website once all final steps
are completed.
The focus in Hartwick will mirror that of the Oneonta satellite DMV— quick, simple transactions. A complete list of the services offered here will be listed on the website when things are up and running.
“We are incredibly excited to expand this essential service and bring more convenience to the residents of Otsego County,” Basile said. “This is a true community partnership—and a big step forward in accessibility and service delivery for our region. Stay tuned for more updates!”
Photo by williamjaymiller.com
A planetary view from above the high point of Otsego County, in the Lutheranville State Forest.
Photo by Maria Griswold
A panorama of the waterfall at Robert V. Riddell State Park, located along the Mud Lake Trail.
Photo by williamjaymiller.com
A view of the high point of Otsego County, in Lutheranville State Forest, seen on the left side of the image in the shorter section of trees.
of very serious illness and injury, as part of the Emergency Medicine Team.
Dr. Hockensmith earned his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. His residency in emergency medicine took place at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospitals in New York. He also completed his fellowship training in hospice and palliative medicine at the University of Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
Victoria McKane MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as an attending physician with Pathology at Bassett Medical Center. Dr. McKane is experienced in all aspects of general pathology and cytology and will be providing services to the network.
Dr. McKane earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. Her residencies took place at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and Albany Medical Center. She completed her fellowships at the following institutions: University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington for anatomic pathology and cytopathology, and University of Minnesota in Minneapolis for pathology, blood banking and transfusion medicine. She is certified by The American Board of Pathology.
Peter Shawki, MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as an attending physician with Internal Medicine at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown. As a hospitalist, Dr. Shawki provides care to admitted adult patients, providing diagnosis and treatment of illness, prescriptions, specialist referrals upon discharge, and more.
Dr. Shawki earned
his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. His residency took place at St. Mary’s Health Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Ying Shao, DPM, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as an attending physician with orthopedics—podiatry at Bassett Oneonta Specialty Services, 1 Associate Drive, Oneonta, Bassett Tri-Town Specialty Services, 43 Pearl Street, Sidney, and O’Connor Hospital, 460 Andes Road, Delhi. Dr. Shao provides care to patients 13 years and older, with a variety of foot care needs, including foot pain, foot deformities, foot fractures, diabetic wound management, and more. She is currently welcoming new patients for appointments.
Dr. Shao earned her medical degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine in New York. Her residency took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital in Binghamton. She is certified by The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, The American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Anand Buch, PA, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician assistant with Family Medicine at Bassett Health Center Herkimer and Bassett Convenient Care in Herkimer, 321 East Albany Street. Buch provides comprehensive medical care to patients ages 18 and
above, including preventative treatment, chronic disease and acute illness management, and care coordination.
Buch earned his master’s degree as a physician assistant from SUNY Upstate College of Health Professions in Syracuse. He is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Amber Burns, PA, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician assistant with Sleep Medicine—
Virtual Health. Burns is accepting new patients for virtual MyBassett video visits. She provides care to patients, ages 18 years and older, specializing in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia.
Burns earned her master’s degree as a physician assistant from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. She is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Michael Pelcer, PA-
C, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician assistant with Anesthesiology— Pre-Admission Testing at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown.
Pelcer earned his master’s degree as a physician assistant from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
SECURITY/SAFETY GUARD
FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND
POSITION
Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum are seeking applicants for a Security/ Safety Guard. Must have a clean driving license, be able to walk considerable distances in all weather conditions and have open availability including weekends and holidays. The workday includes using computer based monitoring systems, walking extensive museum grounds, completing incident reports, and troubleshooting for potential hazards. We provide training, certification, an excellent benefit package, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick pay. $17-$20/hr. based on experience. This position is for 2nd Shift, 2:15p – 10:45p. To apply visit fenimoreartmuseum.org or fenimorefarm.org for a printable application, or contact Human Resources, at 607-547-1462, or hr@fenimoreart.org.
Nancy Wallace, FNP, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a family nurse practitioner with Neurology at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown. Wallace is accepting new patients ages 18 years and older, specializing in the treatment of migraines, seizures and other neurological conditions.
Wallace earned her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from Utica University. She is board-certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. To learn more, visit https://www.bassett. org/providers.
Fenimore Farm has an opening for a Full Time Year-Round Groundskeeper
The successful candidate will be a steady, reliable worker and enjoy working outdoors year-round. Must have sufficient strength and manual dexterity to operate power equipment and lift 50 lbs. Experience with basic construction and carpentry a plus. Duties include: maintaining grounds, soil preparation and planting, plowing and shoveling snow, and cleaning and maintaining power equipment as well as performing light carpentry and repair jobs. This is a full-time position, flexibility necessary, must be willing to work occasional overtime. $18 - $20/hour. This position offers an excellent benefit package and pleasant work environment. To apply for this position, applications can be found at fenimorefarm.org Please mail or email application to PO Box 800 Cooperstown, NY 13326, or mary.myers@fenimoreart.org
EOE
EOE
Photo provided ANAND BUCH, PA
Photo provided AMBER BURNS, PA
Photo provided MICHAEL PELCER, PA-C
Photo provided NANCY WALLACE, FNP
Photo provided YING SHAO, DPM
The Pure Joy of Hall of Fame Weekend 2025
When the early apples fall from my tree, they sound like a baseball hitting a catcher’s mitt, a pounding, cracking thump. Strike 1, 2, 3—baseball and apple trees? Can baseball ever be far from mind here in Cooperstown, or from my childhood memories of following every footfall of the New York Yankees, sweeping one World Series after the other, it seemed.
Some years it’s not this way—some years I just listen to the apples fall and let Induction Weekend come and go. But not this year. 2025 drew me— somehow its themes of inclusion and international reach to include the first Japanese player ever inducted, the incomparable Ichiro, as the public calls him, seemed like a gentle summons. Like the baseball barker selling Cracker Jack popcorn in the baseball stands—“C’mon get it, see what it’s all about!”
And so I did. I started on Main Street on Saturday morning, where both sides of Main Street looked like a festival of beach chairs, all kinds and colors already in place for that evening’s parade, still hours away. I spotted a woman alone, comfortably seated, wearing a Yankee shirt—my kind of fan.
I asked her, “Are you going to sit here until the parade tonight?”
Oh, yes,” said she. “I want to have this exact spot.”
Intrigued and always curious about the provenance of people, I asked, “Where are you from?”
A pallor of slight fear came over her face and at first she didn’t answer. Then it clicked. I had detected a slight Latina accent—perhaps she was skittish about saying where she was from, worrying I might somehow be affiliated with ICE and its agents now having a quota for deportations?
Quickly, I added, “I’m a Yankee fan from way back,
too, and it’s wonderful to have you here.”
Then she smiled and added a straightforward, “I’m from New York.”
I moved on to get my mail.
On the way back to my car, I spotted two gentlemen with a card table on the corner by the library. One quipped to the other, “Well, if she has her car’s top down, that means it won’t rain,” to which I returned the quip, “Don’t worry—it cannot rain on Induction Weekend.” Who were they? A father selling beautiful and unique baseball cards based on paintings by his son, “an artist since he was little,” said the proud dad, echoed by the artist’s grandfather, part of the sales team. The wares? An irresistible packet of cards celebrating Japanese baseball stars Ishiro Suzuki, of course, about to be inducted, and Shohei Otani, a new superstar who hits so many home runs he now flips his bat as he takes off down first base.
Sunday morning arrived. Clouds hovering. I was invited by friends to sit with them at the induction— the family of four had flown from Seattle to be here to honor the induction of Ishiro, the long-standing supreme ballplayer for the Seattle Mariners. About a decade ago, a Seattle friend had taken me to a game at Mariner stadium and we had seats along the first-base line. The crowd’s devotion to Ishiro infused the stadium like a perfume of adoration. They loved him then and they love him now.
We settled in to our places and I was again amazed at how, year after year, the Hall of Fame executes Induction Weekend perfectly—safety, cleanliness, comfort, excellent audio visuals, grace, and courtesy to locals and visitors alike. Induction Weekend is a model for efficiency in organizing
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events. Even the lines for a hot dog prepped by the Cooperstown High School were never too long. Enough staff, enough of just about everything we needed to enjoy the day.
And so I was entirely swept up in the spectacle ahead. What a roster of stars, and how notable and graceful their remarks.
Billy Wagner was first to hear the words on his brand-new HoF plaque. Taking to the stage just after that, he seemed to leave not a single person he had ever met out of his roster of thanks. Yes, at times long lists of thank you’s can become tedious, but somehow not this year. Gratitude was everyone’s theme—for the game of baseball, for the ability to play it with excellence, for all the coaches and friends and guidance over the years, for society’s evolution to at last include those fabulous and devoted players who had been formerly excluded from the mainstream for no reason other than skin color.
I hung to every word of Dave Parker II, honoring his late father, Dave Parker, who was being inducted just a month after his death, who had left a poem and asked his son to read it on Induction Day. Here was Dave Parker himself, speaking to us about all he had loved and all he had overcome—pop, beat, more sounds of baseball’s rhythms. And the wife of Dick Allen, Willa Allen, eulogizing her husband, who was also being inducted and also passed away, citing a young man Dick Allen had helped along the way who said simply, “Dick changed my life with kindness.” And CC Sabathia, as clear as a bell, kicking off his remarks by thanking all the women in his life for
Continued on page 12
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Readings and sessions by appt. Workshops and classes available.
Mountain Magic Market
Christene Springle 52 Pioneer St., Cooperstown 607-287-7278|christenespringlemountainmagic.com
Otsego County’s most interesting and entertaining read and its most diverse news source, featuring award-winning reporting, local news, insightful commentary, and entertaining columns by beloved local writers. Subscribe to AllOtsego.com by the month or annually at https://www.allotsego.com/subscribe/
deRosa
Continued from page 4
system. Their alleged illegality is irrelevant. That needs to be proven in a court of law, not determined by a bunch of unidentified street roamers claiming to be ICE agents. When police officers stop you or pull you over, they are not wearing masks. They wear clearly-marked uniforms with badges and most of the time act in accordance with standard procedures. There is no reason whatsoever for any legitimate government officer to either hide behind a mask or not identify himself/herself. That is not the way we do things here in these United States. Has the gestapo reincarnated itself in America? I hope not. Meanwhile, no lone ranger, no matter how good he is at his job, can tackle evil alone. As they
say, it takes a village. Each and every one of us, in our own way, has a duty to meet evil head on. Hi-ho, Silver! Get ‘em up, Scout! Dick deRosa’s Hawthorn Hill essays have appeared in “The Freeman’s Journal” since 1998. A collection, “Hawthorn Hill Journal: Selected Essays,” was published in 2012. He is a retired English teacher.
through the doors of our ReUse Center—boosting both foot traffic and sales,” Tiemann shared. “Those increased sales directly support our work with individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
importantly, the planet wins!”
Jim Atwell 1938-2025
“And God rest you, my friend, for walking along with me. May He save you from dismay. May yours be comfort and joy. Always.”
—Jim Atwell, “Wobbling Home”
COOPERSTOWN—
Jim Atwell’s walk through the world began on August 17, 1938 in Annapolis, Maryland, as the son of Catherine Geraci Atwell and Tilden O. Atwell and the younger brother of Tilden O. Atwell Jr. Jim was baptized at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis and received his early education at St. Mary’s Elementary and High schools, graduating in 1956.
Jim’s higher education began at LaSalle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he earned a BA in 1961 and MA in 1962. He earned a second MA from the University of Maryland in 1968 and, finally, a Doctor of Arts from the Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.) in 1979 for his dissertation, “A Propaedeutic for the Integral Teaching of Composition and Literature to Community College Freshmen.”
Beginning in 1969, Jim taught English literature and composition at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, Maryland, where he also served as vice president and dean for academic affairs. Jim developed the college’s honors program, served on the Maryland Higher Education Commission, and was instrumental in establishing and expanding AACC’s role in international education in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Japan. Jim’s work was recognized upon retirement in 1992 by a special citation from Maryland’s governor. But what mattered most to Jim were his students,
Continued from page 5
plastic film were recycled through that location in just one year. This impressive performance and the positive impact the program has had on the Otsego community earned the center a Sustainability Leadership Award from Casella Waste Systems.
“We are THE place for folks to recycle their plastic film, and that’s brought more people
the thousands of young learners with whom he walked as they embarked on their journeys of intellectual growth and selfdiscovery. In recognition of Jim’s love of teaching and influence on the lives of his students, the college will be establishing the James Atwell Prize for distinguished instruction illuminating humanities.
On July 31, 1971, Jim married Gwen Vosburgh, also a professor at Ann Arundel, who grew up in Edmeston, New York. Gwen introduced Jim to Upstate New York and, in 1977, Jim and Gwen purchased Stone Mill Acres in Fly Creek. By 1984 they were staying in the upstairs room of the barn while the main house was rented for a second income. Together, and with an abundance of love, Jim and Gwen traveled, entertained friends in Annapolis and in Fly Creek, and laid the foundation for a well-lived partnership. Tragically, their walk together was cut short when Gwen died of cancer in January 1989.
Already familiar with the soul-restoring quality
According to Tiemann, the biggest surprise has been the community’s overwhelming willingness to participate. “Whether it’s a small bag or a large tote, every contribution makes a difference,” she added.
“With the NexTrex program, everyone wins,” noted Hicks. “Our partners win by driving increased traffic and earning funds for their organizations. Communities win by knowing their household plastics are being effectively recycled. Trex wins by sourcing a key ingredient for our decking. And, most
Inquiries about The Arc Otsego recycling program can be made via e-mail to tiemannf@ arcotsego.org. For more information about the NexTrex Grassroots Movement, contact recycle@trex.com or visit NexTrex.com.
Continued from page 4
the end result. We will. The most likely scenario is that the owners will get whatever entitlements they can bargain out of the townships, then sell off the platted lots closest to the paved roads. Then the rest of this disjointed project might stall, which large, multi-year, rural subdivisions can do. (Ask me how I know.)
These remote wetlands, pristine streams, unpaved hillsides and secluded woodlands act as a nature preserve, a sanc-
OBITUARIES
of life in Leatherstocking Country, Jim moved to Stone Mill Acres alone to begin a second career as gentleman-farmer and columnist. But not quite alone, for in December 1992, while ringing a bell at a Salvation Army kettle in Annapolis, Jim met Anne Geddes, a fellow Rotarian and bell-ringer who hailed from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jim and Anne married at Stone Mill Acres on September 14, 1997. Together, with grace and flair, Jim and Anne hosted brunches, lunches, and dinners, featuring home-raised pork roasts and rack of lamb, home-grown vegetables and scrumptious desserts, all washed down with plenty of wine. Their sausage-making parties were legendary. Jim and Anne shared their kitchen talents and dining room hospitality with hundreds of guests.
Jim quickly became a valued member of the Greater Fly Creek community. He held leadership roles on the Fly Creek Cemetery Board, the Fly Creek Area Historical Society, the Cooperstown Mohican Club and the Otsego County Jail Ministry. Jim was an active Rotarian and founded and led a Parkinson’s support group. Jim put Fly Creek on the proverbial map with his weekly “From Fly Creek” column in “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Cooperstown Crier.” Collected in his two published books, “From Fly Creek: Celebrating Life in Leatherstocking
Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com
tuary. Manhattan it ain’t. Most of these 1,500 acres should be The Manocherian State Natural Area. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
Chip Northrup Cooperstown Fourth Amendment Troubling
An aspect that I find troubling concerning law enforcement. The Fourth Amendment—protection from unreasonable search and seizure—is being unfairly used to
shield criminals. Law enforcement has the right to demand finger prints from potential suspects. However, law enforcement is not allowed to demand DNA to eliminate suspects. Law enforcers have to sneak around and attempt to gather DNA from used cigarettes, spit, garbage, or from drinking glasses. Meanwhile crime is not stopped; crimes goes unpunished and the innocent are left in danger. Gerry Welch Cooperstown
Country” (2004), filled with Anne’s handdrawn illustrations, and “Wobbling Home: A Spiritual Walk with Parkinson’s” (2010), Jim’s stories of love and laughter, heartbreak and healing, faith, and farming have delighted and inspired readers throughout the world. Jim and Anne moved to Cooperstown in 2014, where they lived on Delaware Avenue and made a whole new set of front-porch friends until Anne’s death and Jim’s move to Woodside Hall, both in the summer of 2020.
Throughout his entire life journey, Jim knew and loved God. His spiritual walk began as a Christian Brother, first as a novice in 1956 and then as a full Brother from 1958 to 1969, during which time he taught religion, philosophy, and literature. Jim saw no difference between the religious and secular contexts of his teaching—both were doing the work of God for young minds in need. As a professor at Ann Arundel, Jim embraced the Quaker faith, to which he held fast for the rest of his life. The divine presence that Jim found in himself and saw in others at Quaker meetings shaped his empathy and love for other people, his respect and admiration for animals, and his tolerance for and ability to forgive human foibles. He shared his faith and spiritual knowledge in his columns and in countless conversations with
friends. As a recorded Quaker minister, he preached his wisdom on many an Otsego County pulpit. Jim was deeply involved in Cooperstown’s ecumenical ministries, guiding youth, counseling prisoners and the bereaved, and participating in the Thanksgiving and Good Friday ecumenical services.
At Woodside Hall, Jim was an unofficial chaplain, comforting those who suffered through loss and, as his time on earth came to an end, practicing the ministry of receiving. Until the very end, Jim continued to walk with others, just as they walked with him. He was always grateful for the care that the staff and friends provided. A place full of love and
comfort, Woodside Hall became his final home. Jim is survived by many nieces and nephews, and by many, many friends both far and wide. A Quaker service of reflection and remembrance for Jim will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, Pioneer and Elm streets, with light refreshments to follow in the church’s fellowship hall. Please direct all donations in Jim’s honor to Woodside Hall, 1 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Suite 1, Oneonta, NY 13820; or the Butternuts Monthly Meeting, c/o Deb Dickinson, PO Box 238, Fly Creek, NY 13337.
Photo provided JIM ATWELL
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Caleb Backus Farrier Service LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on March 14th, 2025. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Caleb Ley Backus, 190 Butternut Rd Unadilla, NY 13849. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalAug.14
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Hat Trick Homes, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on June 30, 2025. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: C/O Hat Trick Homes, LLC, 31 Pioneer Street, Suite 3, Cooperstown, NY 13326. General Purposes.
6LegalAug.14
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of GLEASON HOLDINGS LLC
Articles of org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 6/30/25. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 5445 Rt. 67, East Durham, NY 12423. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business loc: 9 Elm St., Worcester, NY 12197.
6LegalAug.14
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name:
TIM ELLIS & SON GENERAL CONTRACTING
LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1 July 2025.
Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 341 Morton Road, Cherry Valley, New York 13320. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalAug.14
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name:
TITCHENERS LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1 July 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 15 South Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalAug.14
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of The Bremo Group LLC filed Arts of org. on 07/03/2025 . Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 418 Broadway STE N, Albany, NY 12207 USA Purpose: Any Legal Purpose.
6LegalAug.21
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name: KD RISING LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 11 July 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall
mail copy of process to 12 Commons Dr, Apt 201, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalAug.21
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Mountainside Farm LLC
Office Location: Otsego County N.Y. articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on July 3, 2025. SSNY is designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to Mountainside Farm LLC located at 135 Chestnut Ridge Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. Any lawful purpose.
6LegalAug.21
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of MBHHL, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 10, 2025. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: C/O MBHHL, LLC, 295 Emmons Hill Rd, Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalAug.28
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
Name: CHERRY VALLEY ORCHARD LLC
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 22 June 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 410 Oneill Rd., Cherry Valley, NY 13320. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS
LEGALS
laws. 6LegalAug.28
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SuppLemeNtaL SummoNS aNd
Notice of object of actioN
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE
INDEX #: EF2024-916 MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, vs AARON
THOMAS LAPE
AKA AARON T. LAPE IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; SUCH UNKNOWN PERSONS BEING HEREIN GENERALLY DESCRIBED AND INTENDED TO BE INCLUDED IN WIFE, WIDOW, HUSBAND, WIDOWER, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CYNTHIA LYNNE MONCRIEF-LAPE AKA CYNTHIA L. MONCRIEFLAPE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON
BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, CAPITAL ONE, N.A., PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON BEHALF OF THE IRS JOHN DOE (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s).
MORTGAGED PREMISES: 14 High Street Morris, NY 13808
To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Otsego.
The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises.
TO Aaron Thomas Lape AKA Aaron T. Lape Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Brian D. Burns of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Eighteenth day of July, 2025 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Otsego, in the City of Cooperstown. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises
described below, executed by Aaron Thomas Lape AKA Aaron T. Lape and Cynthia Lynne Moncrief-Lape AKA Cynthia L. Moncrief-Lape dated the October 31, 2017, to secure the sum of $78,339.00 and recorded at Instrument No. 2017-5328 in the Office of the Otsego County Clerk on November 1, 2017. The mortgage was subsequently modified on January 6, 2021. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed October 13, 2021 and recorded on October 13, 2021, in the Office of the Otsego County Clerk at Instrument Number 2021-5666. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed January 18, 2022 and recorded on January 19, 2022, in the Office of the Otsego County Clerk at Instrument Number 2022-361. The mortgage was subsequently modified on April 18, 2024. The property in question is described as follows: 14 High Street, Morris, NY 13808
HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.
SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME.
PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and
non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS. NY.GOV.
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW.
FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage
company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.
YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
DATED: July 21, 2025
Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 86689
4LegalAug.21
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY Name: Gothicville Enterprises LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 12 April 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 988 County Highway 38 Worcester, NY 12197. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalSept.4
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of KEEZ Real Estate Group LLC.
Filed with SSNY on 07/21/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 104 Laurens, NY
13796. Purpose: Any Lawful
6LegalSept.4
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a Limited LiabiLitY compaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: Nick’s BBQ & Creamery, LLC (the “Company”).
The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was July 24, 2025. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served.
The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to Nick’s BBQ & Creamery, LLC, 1761 Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.
6LegalSept.4
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Limited LiabiLitY compaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: FMQ Realty, LLC (the “Company”).
The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was July 29, 2025. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served.
The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to FMQ Realty, LLC, 300 W. 55th Street, Apt. 12Y, New York, NY 10019-5170.
The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.
6LegalSept.11
LegaL nOtice Notice of formatioN of Fly Creek Honey LLC
are based out of.
Jim Forbes, a licensed professional engineer and fellow airport neighbor, spoke next. He noted his concerns for the Oneonta water supply and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation-classified streams that feed it, given potential runoff from a clearing of this magnitude. Forbes also said it has come to light that city officials were unaware of the possible necessity for eminent domain prior to their voting in favor of pursuit of the grant.
Forbes then read from his address to the Oneonta Common Council from the night prior: “Clearing for an airport is a New York State DEC regulated activity. I have verified this with the DEC. It is also amplified by the $64,000.00 fine levied by the DEC in 2012 on the city and [their partner firm].”
The DEC fined the City of Oneonta $64,000.00 in 2012 for mismanaging clearing of the airport site and causing severe sedimentation to a protected stream and the Oneonta reservoir.
Forbes went on to detail how 50 percent of the 90 acres to be cleared to the northeast of the airport are wetlands with biofilters, endangered species and protected wetland easements. He also shared that there were only 10 flights during Hall of Fame weekend, four of which were “touchand-gos.” He said his personal recommendation is to stop pursuing the FAA grant.
Karen Miritello addressed the board next and stated that she has lived on her property for 25 years. She explained the municipal complications due to the airport being owned by the City of Oneonta, located in the
organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1/10/2025.
Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 455 Keating Rd.. Fly Creek, NY 13337 Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted
Town of Laurens, and with some of the planned clearing being in the Town of Milford. She spoke about the beauty of the woods on her property, and how vital they are to her family’s way of life and those of the many creatures who live on their land. In addition, she shared concerns that Matt Kent, the owner of the new fixed-base operator at the airport, owns a timber company and could potentially use the timber from all this clearing for baseball bats and woodchips for fuel.
“Now, I take no issue with anyone making an honest living, but I do have a problem when private ambition masquerades as being in the public’s best interest,” she said.
Miritello requested that the representatives nominated to the Airport Commission by the county “ask hard questions” and respect the land around them.
Mark Pawkett came to the podium next, agreeing with the previous speakers and also criticizing recent technological mishaps with recordings of discussions about the proposed airport expansion.
Once public comments wrapped up, and with no special presentations on the docket, the meeting moved along to reports from standing committees.
Rep. Keith McCarty (District No. 9, Richfield, Springfield) spoke for the Public Works Committee and recounted that, among other requests, Tim Donahue has asked for approval to award a bid to Lancaster Development to pave the perimeter of the emergency services red barn for $164,510.00. McCarty shared that the old New Lisbon tower site is nearing completion, and that Dan Zimmerman discussed the timber sale for parcel number 12 in Middlefield.
Otsego County Board
Chair Edwin Frazier Jr. asked IT Director Brian Pokorny to make a statement on the county’s video loss on Facebook. Pokorny explained that Facebook used to keep videos on the site forever, but recently changed its policy to delete them after 30 days. He said the IT department is working with Facebook to try and retrieve those videos, but they are not optimistic due to more than 500 meetings being lost. Roughly six months of recordings are saved in Zoom and they will be put on YouTube, the main platform that the board will be using for all meeting recordings going forward.
Rep. Jill Basile (District No. 14, City of Oneonta Wards Seven and Eight) spoke for the Human Services Committee and shared that there was a request for approval to pay for a criminal court order of about $51,000.00 for the month of May. There was also a request for approval of a resolution to contract with Catholic Charities for the Rental Supplement Program Services for $125,940.00.
Rep. Daniel Wilber (District No. 10, Burlington, Edmeston, Exeter, Plainfield) spoke for Public Safety and Legal Affairs and told the board that they received a five-year grant of about $20 million. Minutes from the committee meeting clarify that $16 million is for the establishment of a specialized pharmacy at Bassett and $4 million is to support the ambulance program.
Rep. Margaret Kennedy (District No. 5, Hartwick, Milford, New Lisbon) spoke for the Administration Committee and said members had reviewed
and approved the mobile DMV program that is set to begin in Hartwick and expected to add more locations next year. She later pulled Resolution 275 on the subject from the consent agenda to make amendments to the legislation.
The board then moved on to special committee addresses. Discussion over purchasing policy and administrative streamlining was interrupted by Rep. Basile’s update regarding the county’s tiny homes. She shared that the homes are completed, but that two do not have Internet or TV. This sparked minor debate over whether those amenities were necessary in order for tenants to move in.
County Administrator Steve Wilson reported that at the end of July, about 52 percent of the county’s annual budget had been spent, with roughly $81 million remaining. Rep. Kennedy shared some information she learned about AI from a meeting she attended, including its tendency to reaffirm biases and please the user.
Upon the request of Chair Frazier, Rep. Kennedy also shared some information gathered from a meeting with farmers from nearby counties and Congressional Representative Josh Riley (19th Congressional District) regarding the addition of funding for roll over protection bars to the Farm Bill. Frazier said Congressman Riley also showed an interest in appropriating funding to replace potential cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in order to continue allowing farmers’ produce to reach food banks.
With discussion seem-
ingly complete, Res. 275 was amended to allow Otsego County insurance coverage of participating municipalities and to resolve that the board supports the mobile DMV measure. It was questioned what the cost of this would be on the county, with Rep. McCarty notably voicing his opposition. He voted no to approving the amendment and said he saw the program as a waste of resources that could be put toward the Oneonta or Cooperstown DMV offices instead.
“I feel this is very unnecessary. Anybody can be at a DMV office within a half an hour or 20 minutes from Oneonta or Cooperstown. I think this is a waste of resources. If you want more time, put more time into Oneonta.”
There was further debate between numerous board members and Rep. McCarty over logistics and the value of keeping the revenue made by the DMV program. Upon the final vote for the amended resolution, Rep. James Powers (District No. 2, Butternuts, Morris, Pittsfield) changed his vote to a no as well, althought the vote did
ultimately pass. Following this debate, Rep. Kennedy motioned to withdraw Res. 286 in order to reevaluate some of the language regarding the county’s purchasing policy. There was then discussion over whether Frazier would nominate anyone to the Airport Commission, to which he replied that nobody was willing to commit to being appointed. Concerns were raised about the time of their meetings being at 4 p.m., unlike the typical nighttime meetings for city boards and commissions. Among two late resolutions, Late Resolution A was put forth without objection as Res. 293 to appoint members to the America 250 Committee to plan and organize celebrations, with Reps. Catan, Mickle, Kennedy, Basile, and Scanlon being appointed. The remainder of the meeting was spent in executive session before board members returned briefly in order to adjourn. The next Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 3.
under NYS laws. 6LegalSept.11
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of John Henle Architecture, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 23, 2025. NY office Location: OTSEGO County.
SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: John Henle Architecture, LLC, 176 Sweet Hill Road, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalSept.11
LegaL nOtice request for ProPosals
The Village of Cooperstown seeks project consultant(s) for these NY Forward-funded projects, which may be awarded collectively or separately.
1: Improve Wayfinding Along Upper Main Street
2: Improve Access and Circulation on Fowler Way 3: Build Sidewalks on Grove Street
4: Redesign and Improve Pedestrian Conditions on Hoffman Lane
5: Improve Pedestrian Conditions on Pioneer Alley
For the full RFP go to: https://www. cooperstownny. org/news/
A Proposal Presubmission Meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2025, 9 a.m. at 22 Main Street.
Proposals must be received no later than Thursday September 18th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Village Clerk’s Office,
22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York 13326.
Dated: August 12th, 2025
Jenna Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 jutter@cooperstownny.org 1LegalAug.14
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of
109 EAST MAIN STREET LLC.
Filed with SSNY on 07/16/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 153 SIDNEY ST, OYSTER BAY, NY 11771. Purpose: Any Lawful. 6LegalSept.18
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of
10 KILFOIL ST LLC
Arts of Org. filed SSNY 7/16/2025 Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST, # 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207 General Purpose 6LegalSept.18
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of CRIMSON
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8-6-2025. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 1 Weidman St. Unadilla
13849 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalSept.18
►Need to publish a Notice of formatioN, public Notice, supplemeNtal summoNs, or Notice to bidders? Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.
Grief Camp Set for Sept. 27
HARTWICK—Beaver Valley Campground, owned by the Sharratt family, donated the use of their premises to Helios Care’s Camp Forget-MeNot, taking place on Saturday, September 27. The camp gives children ages 6-12 and teens 13-18 who are grieving the death of a loved one an opportunity to make new friends and learn to process grief in the company of peers and Helios Care grief counseling professionals. It is free for residents of Otsego, Schoharie and Delaware counties, but registration is required at helioscare.org/all-events/ camp-forget-me-not-fall/ or by calling (607) 4325525. Camp will begin at 9 a.m. and run throughout the day. Family members are encouraged to attend the Family/Guardian Support Group at 3:45 p.m., with the closing ceremony to follow at 4:30.
TNR Group Plans Block Party
LAURENS—Friends of the Feral-TNR, a nonprofit that sterilizes and releases feral cats, will hold a fundraiser block party in the Town of Laurens on Saturday, August 16. Featuring music, dancing, games and Brooks’ BBQ dinners, it will run from noon to 6 p.m. Vendors are still needed, with a table fee of $20.00. For more information, contact daipine@hotmail.com. The next feral cat spayneuter clinic will take place on Sunday, August 31; contact (607) 242-4734 for more information.
Library Art Exhibit Opens
EDMESTON—The newly renovated Edmeston Library is hosting an art exhibit that will be on display through September 6. “Radiance and Release: Works on Paper by Marcia Scanlon and Marcy Edelstein,” is open for viewing from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.
Davies Joins Springbrook BoD
ONEONTA—Springbrook’s Board of Directors welcomed Dr. Mark Davies as its newest member last year, bringing on board his three decades of experience in teacher education and community collaboration. Dr. Davies is dean of the School of Education, Human Ecology and Sports Studies at SUNY Oneonta and first encountered Springbrook in 2002 as a classroom observer. He facilitated greater collaborations between Springbrook and SUNY Oneonta during his 17-year tenure as a professor in the Department of Education. He also cites his aunt, a woman with a developmental disability who lived independently to the best of her ability and was a proud member of her community, as a major influence on his longstanding support of Springbrook. Outside of his professional career, Davies has had success as a competitive cyclist and coach, including a stint as Olympic Preparation Coach and Eastern Regional Coach for USA Cycling in the 1990s and 2000s. For more information, visit springbrookny.org.
Chamber Seeks Award Noms
UNADILLA—The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations for its annual Business of the Year and Commitment to Community awards. Community members are asked to e-mail the names of their selected nominees to unadillachamber@ yahoo.com no later than Friday, August 29. For a list of eligible businesses, visit gounadillany.wordpress.com/about/.
FCAHS Potluck, Election Set
FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will hold its next monthly meeting at 208 Cemetery Road at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to pass for the potluck dinner at 5:30, followed by the business meeting at 6:30. Officer elections will be held.
Trumpeter To Close Festival
COOPERSTOWN—Award-winning Trinidadian trumpet virtuoso Etienne Charles will perform with
DiPerna
Continued from page 8
their support and inspiration.
The young people in the audience were getting life’s lessons from each of these players in a few minutes—that not a single one of us can succeed alone, and that success comes mostly from the same basic ingredients well beyond skill itself—perseverance, humility, gratitude. Everyone in the audience had to have that takeaway—that everyone depends on someone else a bit day-to-day and we must work together.
I walked around and spotted two young men
his Creole Soul Band at the Cooperstown Music Festival’s final concert of the 2025 season. It will be held at Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Route 80, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for students and children. They may be purchased in advance at cooperstownmusicfest.org or by calling (800) 316-8559. Tickets may also be available at the door.
Art Garage To Host Workshops
COOPERSTOWN—The Art Garage will host hands-on workshops and demonstrations by artists participating in its “Samurai Baseball and More” exhibition, on display through September. Featured artist Robert Seward will give a talk at 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, with doors opening at 4:30 and refreshments available. Steph Marcus will present an interactive project using her technique with modeling clay from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, August 16. Marcie Schwartzman will demonstrate stitchery, particularly the Japanese mending embroidery technique known as sashiko, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. The program of free artists’ talks will continue with panel discussions on “Playing on the Girls Team” at 5 p.m. on August 28 and “Playing Hard Ball” at 5 p.m. on September 3. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and other days by appointment. Text or call (315) 941-9607 for more information or to make an appointment. Space is limited and reservations are recommended but not required.
Vêsucré
Celebration Planned
ONEONTA—The New York State Small Business Development Center recognized Oneonta’s Vêsucré as its 2025 Manufacturer of the Year and will honor it at a celebration on Thursday, August 28. Founded by local entrepreneur Sarah Hartmann, Vêsucré produces vegan, non-gmo, sustainable plantbased frozen desserts at the commercial kitchen of Springbrook’s Oneonta campus. It partners with Springbrook, Pathfinder Village and The Arc Otsego to provide meaningful employment to people with developmental disabilities. The ceremony will be held at the Springbrook campus, 3982 State Route 23 in Oneonta, from 2-3:30 p.m. In its short existence, Vêsucré has also won Best Confectionary Product at the Empire State Entrepreneur Expo, the Oneonta Inclusive Business Award and the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s Breakthrough Award for Innovation. It is currently a finalist for Made in New York’s “Coolest Thing Made in NY” award; visit madeinny.org/2025-popular-votecontestants for more information or to cast a vote.
WKC To Hold Herbal Workshop
EAST MEREDITH—The West Kortright Center, 49 West Kortright Church Road, will host the “Deeply Planted: Herbal Toolkits for Resiliency” workshop from 1-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Participants will receive immersive instruction in plant-based healing, create their own “resilience kits,” and have time for guided meditation and journaling. The workshop is $65.00 plus a $15.00 materials fee. For more information, contact aree@westkc.org.
Berra Plaque To Visit Museum
MONTCLAIR, NJ—Yogi Berra’s Hall of Fame plaque will visit his museum and learning center in Montclair, New Jersey for a celebration of Berra’s 100th birthday on Sunday, September 21. Berra played 19 seasons for the Yankees and Mets after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, racking up 10 World Series Rings and 18 All-Star Game appearances. He later managed both teams, earning two league pennants. Berra debuted with the Yankees on September 22, 1946, was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1972 and passed away on September 22, 2015. To register for the celebration or the Yogi’s Big Catch Challenge, an attempt at the Guinness World Record for largest game of catch, visit yogisbigcatch.org or call (973) 655-2378.
Andrews To Perform at WKC
EAST MEREDITH—Famed New Orleans
vocalist and trombonist Glen David Andrews will perform at the West Kortright Center, 49 West Kortright Church Road, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Tickets are $25.00 in advance and there is a 10 percent member discount. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit app.arts-people. com/index.php?show=294277.
SUNY O Honored for Programs
ONEONTA—FirstGen Forward recently named SUNY Oneonta one of 60 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26, recognizing its commitment to the success of firstgeneration college students. The network provides a three-phase framework to help institutions scale first-generation student programs and experience. After being selected from a competitive application process, Network members engage in monthly workshops and professional development opportunities for their first year. They can progress to Network Leader and Network Champion status through continued success. For more information, visit firstgenforward.org.
CAA Exhibition Ends Friday
COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association’s 90th Annual National Juried Art Exhibition is on display through Friday, August 15. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite works in the Viewer’s Choice challenge. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit cooperstownart.com.
GOHS Announces Trip Plans
ONEONTA—The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will offer a one-day bus trip to Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, on Thursday, September 18. The bus will board at Price Chopper, 5626 State Route 7 in Oneonta, at 6:30 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at $100.00 for GOHS members and $120.00 for non-members and include bus fare and admission. For more information or to reserve a space, call (607) 432-1385 or visit OneontaHistory. org. Registration is due by September 12.
Program Offers Tomato Tasting
COOPERSTOWN—Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties will host an evening program with Otsego Master Gardener volunteers at its new demonstration garden, 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10. Attendees can learn about the Vegetable Varieties Garden Trials program, sample heirloom and specialty tomato varieties, learn new gardening techniques and share their favorite recipes. It is free and open to the public. Guests are also invited to visit the 12-bed demonstration garden during daylight hours. For more information, visit cceschoharie-otsego.org.
NY Gas Prices Stay Parked
UTICA—The average price of a gallon of gas in New York remained at $3.17 over the week ending Monday, August 11, AAA Northeast announced. Crude oil prices dropped nearly $4.00 per barrel during the week after OPEC+ announced its fifth straight month of production increases, approaching a seasonal low point. This excess supply helped offset tightening gasoline inventories across the Northeast. Gasoline demand also dropped 12 percent to 9.04 million barrels a day, remarkably low for this time of year but still 74,000 barrels higher than this time last year. New York’s price was a penny lower than last month and 31 cents lower than it was on this day last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.
happily donning the Ishiro shirts they had just bought. One from Boston, one all the way from Japan itself. They exuded pure joy—“We just love Ishiro,” they beamed. It’s not only that Ishiro was the first baseball player from Japan to be inducted, but the contributions of Japan to the game itself were a major drawing card this year. The special and artful Japanese baseball optic is on eloquent display this summer in the “don’t miss” homage exhibition at The Art Garage, “Samurai Baseball,” a show of work by 15 local artists devoted to what Japan has brought to the international pastime. And to what does the show refer—the samurai
spirit of bushido— meaning “the way of the warrior,” but this way it feels more internal than swashbuckling.
According to Robert Seward, an artist in the show and professor emeritus at Meiji Gakuin University in Japan, bushido includes loyalty, respect, mental fortitude, discipline. And, Seward has written, an overriding pillar, perhaps, is “wa, which translates as ‘group harmony’ and is a cornerstone of Japanese society.”
And when Suzuki spoke, he epitomized this harmony, delicately weaving his own narrative with that of all the years and people he honored and who had honored him—his own early baseball heroes,
and his contemporary fans, family, team-mates. He seemed to extoll his every lived moment, speaking, it seemed, directly to the younger audience, explaining that he personally cleaned his own equipment in every single game, not only so that it would always be in perfect shape, but so that he would have no one else to blame for a failure of his own making.
“If you consistently do the little things,” said he to us all, “there is no limit to what you can do,” adding how, ultimately, the key ingredient is to pay attention to preparation and “take responsibility for yourself.”
The crowd cheered and gave him several
standing ovations. In fact, for several hours, everyone cheered for everyone, no matter which inductee had been their favorite.
And just this week, fans in Atlanta rose to their feet to cheer the first woman umpire in the regular season of Major League Baseball. Jen Pawol took the field at a game between the Braves and the Marlins, humbly acknowledged her first, and then in a nod to the history/herstory she was making, donated the cap she wore that night to the HoF. Perhaps next we can envision a return to women playing major league baseball, too, as women from all over the nation did during World War II to keep the
sport alive while men were drafted for war. The All American Girls Professional Baseball League was honored by the HoF and Gallery 53 on Main Street in 1988 and, of course, made legendary in the witty and warm movie “A League of Their Own,” partly filmed right here around Doubleday Field. Breakthroughs happen and, as it’s said, we make the path by walking.
My Yankee days seem long ago, but maybe not as far away as I think. My apple tree had a bumper crop this year. Paula DiPerna is an author and global environmental policy advisor. Her most recent book is “Pricing the Priceless...” (Wiley).
Project
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ment and zoning districts. All of the land in the Town of Otsego is in the RA1 (Residential Agriculture) District, while 12 properties in the Town of Springfield are in the Lake District, with the rest being in the town’s Residential Ag District.
Aiello highlighted the environmental surveying thus far, which indicated and demarcated all sensitive wetlands, streams and other environments. He confirmed these would be researched more heavily following the meeting and the beginning of the State Environmental Quality Review process. Using the information on hand, subdivision lines were drawn to avoid areas of incline greater than 15 percent and other environmental factors in order to mitigate environmental impact.
While viewing the existing wetlands map, Aiello shared, “We went through a layered analysis to understand the property better. We also worked with LaBella Associates. They went out and did a field delineation. They put [down] flags and they identified where there are wetlands, where there are streams, and where there are waterpurses.
“We worked with Quenzer Environmental, Aiello continued, “and they worked with us to help identify wildlife habitat and screen the property for any endangered or threatened species. In addition, we [worked] with Hartgen Archaeological Consultants, so they could do a phase 1A literature review…to understand the history of the site and to identify any historic resources.”
As Aiello presented each of the six proposed development areas individually, he made note of the applicant’s efforts to ensure the proposals were zoning compliant. He also acknowledged
that a sense of scale was difficult to comprehend, given the large acreage of the project. Aiello’s presentation wrapped up with a final overview of the map, an overlay of emergency service and school district jurisdictions, and recognition that improvements may be required on a number of the existing roads within the project’s footprint.
The team then turned things over to the Planning Board for questions. Huntsman asked Phillips what her definition of residential agriculture was, to which she replied with the legal definition. Huntsman responded with an emphasis on the necessity for low-impact development in this definition.
“This is a rural area,” Huntsman said. “It’s historically a rural agricultural [region]. This is the largest subdivision in our area, and I’ve been doing this a long time.”
Huntsman then followed up with a detailed read through of the opening of the Town of Otsego’s Comprehensive Plan, which further underscored his point.
“The Manocherian family has owned this land since the 1960s,” Allison said. “It has not been farmed. They don’t have any intention of farming it. So we believe that a low-density residential development… does accord with those fundamental principles reflected in the comprehensive plan.”
Huntsman also shared his concerns over the condition of State Route 80, a road already in poor condition that would see a large increase in local traffic following the development of these lots. Phillips acknowledged the character of Route 80 and the other roads in the project’s footprint, and said an HOA may be created to maintain new roads if they remained private and were not dedicated to the town.
Other Planning Board members provided their input and questioned various aspects of the process, including the timeline of SEQR, clustering of developments and how plats will be filed. The Manocherian sketch plan portion of the meeting concluded with Huntsman saying that the board’s status as volunteers meant that the scale of this project was infeasible for review as one proposal. He acknowledged SEQR’s requirements for comprehensive review, but requested that the applicant attempt to address the varied geography, separated properties and the multitude of tax parcels by dividing the proposal into easierto-address pieces.
Town of Springfield
As one meeting concluded, another was on the horizon. Springfield’s Planning Board meeting commenced at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 7 to a full gymnasium at the Springfield Community Center. This presentation was headed by Phillips and Caris, and covered the same information as two nights prior, with a heavier emphasis on the wetlands located within the proposed project area, as 85 percent of them are located within the Town of Springfield.
Clerk Jeanette Armstrong opened the board’s feedback strongly with, “This seems to me to be a suburban development, not a rural development…Is this like millionaires’ alley, or is it for rural families?”
Armstrong followed this up with concerns about the impacts of phosphorus runoff into the Otsego Lake watershed and the need to consult the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station, due to their specialties in understanding of local ecology. Phillips acknowledged these concerns and the project team’s responsibility—both legally and morally—to mitigate runoff and preserve the surrounding ecosystems.
Armstrong and Springfield Town Board Vice Chairman Denis Cimbal continued with a few more questions regarding traffic and potential plans to aid the town in covering the expenses of possible infrastructure improvements.
Board Chair Henry Miller pointed out that he had requested the short Environmental Assessment Form that the various firms involved in the sketch plan completed—in order to better understand what was environmentally at stake—and added that the board would be requesting a full EAF in order to begin the SEQR process.
Charlie Gottlieb, land use environmental attorney at Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, then addressed the audience as special counsel to the Town of Springfield.
“There’s a few things we’re going to do tonight,” Gottlieb explained. “One is, we’re going to classify the project—likely as a major subdivision. Two, we are going to likely entertain retaining an engineering firm to represent the town, so that what the applicant provides us can be assessed by the town’s independent consultants.
“We are also going to start soon. The SEQR process is quite convoluted,” Gottlieb continued. “There is one agency that handles the environmental review process for the entire project. The agency that does that has to have some sort of permitting authority over the project. Here, it’s either going to be the Town of Springfield or the Town of Otsego.
“New York State town law says we have to complete the SEQR process before we can have a public hearing. Out of our hands, that’s just state law. There will maybe be potential for public input before the SEQR process is over, but we can address that
in the coming months,” Gottlieb said.
Quickly following Gottlieb’s address, the board made a motion and approved the major subdivision classification. Gottlieb then discussed the prospect of being the lead agency in the SEQR process with the board, due to the Town of Springfield having more environmentally-fragile environments, something the board seemed to come to a consensus on pursuing.
“[With] 85 percent of the sensitive areas in our town, we have a responsibility to step up,” Miller said.
Gottlieb then recommended the engineering firm AKRF for the planning and environmental review. He also suggested creating an escrow account for the applicant to fund townside measures of review. This prompted Miller to make a motion to create a rolling $10,000.00 escrow account that the applicant would be required to refill once it reaches $2,000.00 remaining, which the board subsequently approved.
Miller then went over his citations and recommendations based on his review of zoning compliance for the project. When the concept of a gated community was brought up, Gottlieb clarified it would not be possible if the newlyconstructed roads were public. No representative from the Manocherian team mentioned the HOA discussed at the Town of Otsego meeting.
Following further deliberation, Miller opened the floor to public questions exclusively regarding the process to date and the SEQR process to come. Though the first audience member offered his name, this formality was quickly dropped in favor of more rapid-fire questioning. Members of the public questioned what being the lead agency entails, timing of the process, concerns over
cooperation between Otsego and Springfield, and how the special counsel for the town was hired.
In response to accusations that the Springfield Planning Board was welcoming this proposal, Gottlieb rebuked, “This board, as a municipal land-use board, is under an obligation to review every application that comes before us. This is no different [than] if someone came in with a two-lot subdivision. They have to go through the process; they have to evaluate all the impacts. This board has a fiduciary duty to both the applicant and the community to see that process through.” Public questions lasted just shy of 25 minutes. A number of queries could not be adequately addressed at this time, being that the proposal is still in the early stages of planning.
“Our website will have everything that you want to know, everything that is going on will be on it… What we’re doing, how we’re doing, all this kind of stuff,” Miller said. “There’ll be a calendar that will be constantly updated and—further down the line, as or if any of the plats change—all the plats will be on it.” The Manocherian family and their representatives will be taking the feedback from both board meetings and making modifications to their plans in order to try and accommodate the suggestions made. Phillips and Gottlieb said further progress involving aspects such as the SEQR process will take several months. Both planning boards committed to keeping their constituents in the know and will maintain communication regarding any future public meetings on the matter.
Graphic provided
Representatives of property owner Fraydun Manocherian presented sketch plans last week for proposed development in the towns of Otsego and Springfield. Above is the proposed sketch plan with wetlands delineated.
►Fri., August 15
BREAKFAST
7:45-8:45 a.m.
under. Must be eaten on site. Adult meals available for purchase. Unatego Elementary School, 265 Main Street, Unadilla.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
8-11 a.m. Otsego County Household Hazardous Waste Day 2025: Unadilla. Unadilla Highway Building, 216 County Highway 3, Unadilla. (607) 547-4225.
LUNCH 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Last day. Free lunch for children aged 18 and under. Must be eaten on site. Adult meals available for purchase. Unatego Elementary School, 265 Main Street, Unadilla.
PHOTOGRAPHY
11 a.m. “Summer Reading Program: Teen Photography Class.” Presented by Vicki Whicker. Registration required. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
LIBRARY Noon.
“Interactive Reptile Program.” REPCO Wildlife Show presents four different reptiles for education and petting (if you’re brave enough). WorcesterSchenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
POTTERY
1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. Fees apply. Held Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.
LOCAL HISTORY
3 p.m. “The Little Red Caboose: An Audio-Visual Documentary.” Presented by local historian Jim Loudon. Registration required. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
LIVE MUSIC
5:30-7 p.m. Becca Frame & The Tall Boys. Free. Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta. FIRE PIT FRIDAYS—6-10 p.m.
Live music, food and more. Featuring music by the Grateful Upstate
Toodeloo. The Tap House, Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 5441800.
THEATER 8 p.m. “The Vagina Monologues,” by Eve Ensler. Presented by Bigger Dreams Productions. Free admission. Donations of feminine products accepted. Also showing 8/16. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.
►sAt., August 16
HIKE All day. “Saturday Hike: Whaupaunaucau State Forest.” Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring your own lunch. Registration required with hike leader Tom Austin, (607) 4358107. Norwich. FUNDRAISER
7:30-11:30 a.m.
“Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department Fly-In Pancake Breakfast.” All-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, real maple syrup, sausage and beverages. Fees apply. Cooperstown/ Westville Airport, 866 State Highway 166, Cooperstown. (607) 5479007.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Otsego County Household Hazardous Waste Day 2025: Cooperstown. Meadows Office Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown. (607) 5474225.
YOGA 8:30 a.m.
“Yoga for Flexibility and Strength.” Held each Saturday by certified instructor Mira Wind. Fees apply. Butternut Valley Grange, 7 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville. (607) 287-5699.
LIVE MUSIC 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Music at the Market: Melissa Clark. Huntington Park, Wall Street, Oneonta. HULLABALOO 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Local vendors, art, games, pony rides, live music, tarot readings and much more. Old Stone House Emporium, 136 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville.
LOCAL AUTHORS
10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. “3rd
Annual Local Authors and Artists Festival.”
Presented by the Richfield Springs Public Library. Local authors, artists, vendors and food. Spring
Park, State Route 20, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.
STORY TIME 10:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. “AAC Inclusive Story Time.” For youth ages 4+, including autistic children, friends, siblings and more. All welcome. Registration required. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
PLANETARIUM Family-friendly shows open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, Oneonta. (607) 4362011.
• 10:30 a.m. “Worlds of Curiosity.”
• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
DEMO 1-3 p.m. “Create ‘Baseball Cards’ Using Clay.” Interactive demonstration for all ages with Artist-in-Residence-forthe-Day Steph Marcus. Free. On display: Marcus’ hilarious sculpted cards that feature Hall of Famers as…CATS! The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown.
READING PARTY
1-3 p.m. Bring a book, order a drink and settle in for a cozy afternoon of quiet reading. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
OPERA 1 p.m.
“Tosca.” Music by Giacomo Puccini; libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Follows the heroine as she saves her lover from a corrupt chief of police, but at what price? Presented by The Glimmerglass Festival at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, 7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2255.
RAILROAD 2 p.m.
“Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley RR.” Presentation by Jim Loudon. Learn the complete history of the railroad from 1869 to present, including the famous “Cooperstown Railroad War.” Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 293-6600.
BENEFIT 3 p.m.
“East Village Rocks for Ukraine.” A night of music, friendship and fun to show your support for Ukraine. The Roseboom Café, 3220 State Highway 166, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-3530.
HISTORY TOUR
3 p.m. “Summer Walking Tour of Riverside Cemetery.” Presented by the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. GOHS trustees lead a historic tour featuring sites of Oneon-
ta’s Civil War soldiers and famous Oneontans. Terrain may be difficult. Admission by donation. Riverside Cemetery, 16 Dietz Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0960.
CONCERT 7-9 p.m.
Concert on the lawn with Robin and Linda Williams. Bring a picnic dinner for an evening of live folk music. Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098 ext. 5.
TRAIN 7 p.m. “Summer BBQ Dinner Trains.” Brooks BBQ served aboard the train. Fees apply. Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad, 136 East Main Street, Milford. (607) 432-2429.
CONCERT 7:30 p.m.
“Barn Swallows.” Vintage rock and Americana performed by Chad McEvoy on drums, Dan Feddy on electric guitar and vocals, and Don Osterberg on bass. Admission fees apply. Windfall Dutch Barn, 2009 Clinton Road, Cherry Valley. (518) 7740134.
OPERA 7:30 p.m.
“The House on Mango Street.” Music by Derek Bermel; libretto by Sandra Cisneros and Derek Bermel. A coming of age tale following Esperanza, a young girl who discovers that storytelling is the medicine she can offer her community. Tickets required. Presented by The Glimmerglass Festival at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, 7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2255.
MILFORD STRONG
8 p.m. The Stoddard Hollow String Band. Music and more to benefit the victims of the recent Milford fire. The Elm Inn, 104 East Main Street, Milford. contactus@theelminnmilford.com.
►sun., August 17
COMPETITION 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Monster Bench and Brew.” Presented by the Clark Sports Center. Fees apply; registration required. Held at Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 5473800.
TRAIL RIDE 9 a.m.
“Elk Creek Quarter Horses Poker Trail Ride.” Fees apply; registration required. Elk Creek Quarter Horses and Sales, 182 Charlie Burton Road, Westford. elkcreekqh@outlook.com.
FARM STAND 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Laura’s Farm Stand Event.” Baked goods, 80 local vendors, flower field visits and more. Fees apply. Con-
tinues 8/18. Annuttos’ Farm Stand, 5396 State Highway 7, Oneonta.
MEDITATION
11 a.m. “Sundays at Samye: The Practical Bodhisattva—How to Be a Spiritual Hero in Everyday Life.” Meditation, study and discussion. Held Sundays through 12/21. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 5475051.
OPERA 1 p.m.
“Sunday in the Park with George.” Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; book by James Lapine. A dazzling exploration of life, love and the relentless drive to create. Tickets required. Presented by The Glimmerglass Festival at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, 7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5472255.
PRESENTATION
1-3 p.m. “Archaeology and Legends: Teachings of Onondaga Chief Paul Waterman.” Presented by Patrick McElligott. Part of the Swart-Wilcox House Museum Summer Sunday Series. Free and open to the public; accessible facilities. Bring own folding lawn chair. Front lawn of the Swart-Wilcox House Museum, Wilcox Avenue, Oneonta.
HISTORY 1 p.m.
“Pomeroy Marker Dedication.” Presented by the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society. Honoring the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad. Chase House, 6379 State Highway 7, Cooperstown.
FIBER GUILD
1-3 p.m. Held each Sunday. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
HEALTHY SNACKS
1 p.m. “Summer Reading Program: Color Me Healthy Class.” Presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties. Kids learn to make fun, healthy snacks. Held each Monday through 8/25. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
CONCERT 3 p.m.
“East Meets West: A Musical Tapestry Across Cultures.” Presented by the Friends of Music of Stamford. Featuring Chinese erhu, Japanese koto and shamisen, with a Western string quartet. Admission by donation. First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, 96 Main Street, Stamford.
MILFORD STRONG
3 p.m. Milford Fire Relief Benefit Train. Live entertainment. Proceeds go to those affected by the recent fire. Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad, Milford Depot, 136 East Main Street, Milford.
CONCERT 3 p.m.
“Teddy Bears’ Picnic Concert.” Presented by the Oneonta Community Concert Band. Large pavilion, Wilber Park, Oneonta. (607) 376-7485.
ANNIVERSARY
7 p.m.; doors open at 7:30 p.m. “10th Anniversary Concert and Gala.” Presented by Cherry Valley Artworks. Celebration in honor of the Fenimore String Quartet. Champagne reception to follow. Tickets required. The Star Theater, 44 Main Street, Cherry Valley.
►Mon., August 18
CONNECTIONS
11 a.m. to noon. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group. Presented by Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. SENIOR MEALS Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal MondayFriday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of meatloaf, rice pilaf, country-blend vegetables and pineapple. (607) 547-6454. • 11:30 a.m. Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Noon. Each Monday and Wednesday. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. BLOOD DRIVE Noon to 5 p.m. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. RedCrossBlood.org. CONNECTIONS Noon to 2 p.m. “Bounty from the Flower Garden.” Presented by Connections at Clark Sports Center. Meet in the front lobby at the Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. SUMMER FUN 1 p.m. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
HEALTHY SNACKS
1 p.m. “Summer Reading Program: Color Me Healthy Class.” Presented by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties. Kids learn to make fun, healthy snacks. Held each Monday through 8/25. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
CONCERT 5:30 p.m. Pathfinder Arts in the Community Concert. Live performance by the Crushing Midnight Duo. Free and open to the public. Pathfinder Village Pavilion, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377.
