The Freeman's Journal 04-04-24

Decision on 27 Market Street Postponed Until October

By DARLA M. YOUNGS

On the evening of Tuesday, March 26, at a special meeting of the Common

Council, City of Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek pro-posed that any action regarding the sale of cityowned property at

Flowers and All that Jazz

FRANKLIN—Helios Care has announced that its Daffodil Jazz Brunch will be held on Saturday, April 20. This event is hosted annually by Tom Morgan and Erna Morgan McReynolds at their home in Franklin. Funds raised from the brunch are unrestricted and can be used immediately to support the patients and families of Helios Care. Attendees will enjoy brunch catered by Dee Hazlett, live jazz by the Rob Hunt Trio and the spirit of springtime in their choice of time slots, either from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or noon to 3 p.m. There will be a silent auction underway until 1:45 p.m. and folks will have the opportunity for a keepsake picture taken by award-winning photographer Gerry Raymonda. Tickets for the event are available until April 13 at a cost of $70.00 for a single ticket or $130.00 for couples. Those interested in attending can register at HeliosCare.org/events.

Village Seeking Volunteer Support

spring and summer months. There are a number of ways in which volunteers can help. They can: adopt a rain garden for the season; join the village’s weekly MainTain team, which picks up trash and weeds each Tuesday morning at 7 a.m.; help with initial cleanup as the village celebrates Earth Day on April 20 from 10 a.m. to noon; donate perennials such as hostas or lilies; and/or assist with planting on June 8 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, e-mail Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk at cfalk@cooperstownny.org or leave a message with the village office at (607) 547-2411.

Water Trail Will Drive Tourism

Tourism leaders across south-central New York are announcing the name of a new water trail being developed to attract visitors to eight counties along the Chemung and Susquehanna rivers.

The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail is a conceptual trail, stretching 190 miles from Cooperstown to Corning. While encouraging healthy and responsible recreation, the new project seeks to spur environmental stewardship and economic growth along the riverfront and nearby

communities.

According to recent tourism data:

• In 2022, recreation was a $7.5 million industry in New York. (Tourism Economics)

• Over the past 12 months, the average visitor to Otsego County spent $149.00 on outdoor recreation. In Steuben County, that number was $248.00, a 62 percent increase over 2022. (Zartico)

• Central New York and the Finger Lakes saw an average increase of 27

County Appoints Lettis, Our First Otsego Female Public Defender

OTSEGO COUNTY

TThe Otsego County Board of Representatives recently appointed local attorney Susan Lettis to the position of public defender. Lettis was appointed by the board last November to complete the term of her predecessor, Aaron Dean, and has been reappointed on her own merits.

“We hired Susan in the fall,” said Margaret Kennedy, Otsego County Board vice-chair. “We had a number of qualified candidates and several rounds of interviews. She emerged as the top candidate.

“Susan has done a great job leading the department. There are a lot of responsibilities,” added Kennedy, who represents Otsego County District No. 5 (Hartwick, Milford, New Lisbon).

“I have known Susan for 12 years now, since I first began with the county,” added Board Chair Edwin Frazier (District No. 1, Unadilla). “She was an assistant county

attorney at the time of our first meeting. I worked with her on some constituent issues initially. My first impression of her was of how great a listener she was. She truly cared about ‘righting a wrong.’ Her capability to listen helps her build trust with those that she represents every day in the Public Defender’s office. Building trust and rapport with a client is crucial in the lawyer-client relationship.

“As far as the management side of her job as PD, she has gotten the office up to full staff again and continually looks for avenues to fund her office,” Frazier said.

When asked about her appointment, Lettis explained that she accepted the position as a form of public service, to improve the quality of justice in local courts and to ensure that the provision of legal counsel to the indigent does not create an enormous economic hardship to taxpayers. Lettis is the first female public

the partial observer cass harrington

Photo provided.

Photo by Chris Walters Photography, used with permission from Destination Marketing Corp.

Photo by Gerry Raymonda s U san lettis

Healthcare Network Welcomes Columbia-Bassett Class of 2026

Bassett Medical Center has welcomed 10 new students to the community, as the Columbia-Bassett Medical School Program Class of 2026 advances to phase two of their education: the clinical component. These students have

completed 18 months of pre-clinical training on Columbia University’s New York City campus and will now be based at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown for the next two and a half years. “The ColumbiaBassett program is unique in its design, giving students experi-

ence with both urban and rural patient populations at New York City’s Presbyterian Hospital and Cooperstown’s Bassett Medical Center. We are proud of our long and successful partnership with Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons to provide our students with the best possible education,” said Dr. Henry Weil, senior associate dean for the Columbia-Bassett Program, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, president of Bassett Medical Center, and chief clinical officer and chief academic officer of Bassett Healthcare Network.

According to a press release, Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has partnered with Bassett since 1947 to give students a unique clinical education. Columbia and Bassett expanded this experience by establishing the Columbia-Bassett Medical School Program, which welcomed its first class of 10 VP&S students in 2012.

The Columbia-Bassett Medical School Program is competitive in its enrollment and is structured with a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes classroom training followed by practical experience, officials said. The first year and a half of the program takes place in New York City

in pre-clinical studies. The second phase, two and a half years, begins at Bassett’s Cooperstown campus, consisting of a required one-year clinical experience. This is followed by a year and a half of electives and pursuit of an area of concentration utilizing the full array of opportunities at both the New York-Presbyterian and Bassett campuses.

The Columbia-Bassett Class of 2026 includes individuals from across the United States. They are:

Nithyashri Baskaran

Nithyashri Baskaran, known to all as Nithy, is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Baskaran graduated from Yale University in 2022 with a BS in biology. While at Yale, she became interested in how seeking patients’ stories could improve their care.

“Since joining Columbia

for medical school, I’ve been grateful to continue growing in relationshipcentered healing,” said Baskaran.

Simon Blanchard

Simon Blanchard hails from the Philadelphia area. He graduated from Villanova University with a degree in chemical and biological engineering and minors in global health and biochemical engineering. During college, he volunteered as an emergency medical technician, worked in a gene-therapy laboratory studying methods to improve the delivery of gene-therapy products, and volunteered with several tutoring and outreach organizations.

Katherine Dunkelberger

Katherine Dunkelberger is originally from rural Pennsylvania. She attended the University of Pittsburgh, where

she studied bioengineering and explored both cutting-edge biotechnology and vast health disparities. She is studying medicine in the hopes of providing care to underserved communities. “I’m more excited than ever to move to Cooperstown and begin our major clinical year at Bassett Medical Center,” said Dunkelberger.

Claire Howlett

Claire Howlett grew up in Stamford, Connecticut and moved across the country for college at Stanford University, where she studied cognitive science and became interested in medicine and public health. She completed her pre-med requirements at Bryn Mawr College and spent three years working at SIRUM, a technologybased medication access nonprofit. Through this work, she became interested in healthcare delivery and how health systems design can impact patient access and quality of care. “I’m especially interested in primary care, psychiatry and addiction medicine—I’m looking forward to exploring these areas clinically at Bassett,” Howlett said.

Madhav Nekkar

Madhav Nekkar was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021 with a BA in economics. “I’m drawn to the ColumbiaBassett program due to its unique approach to medical education, allowing students to explore how to improve healthcare delivery at all levels. I’m excited for the opportunity to gain a patient-centric under-

Continued on page 7

Photo provided

The Columbia-Bassett Class of 2026, pictured with Dr. Henry Weil (far right) is: back row, Simon Blanchard, Kyle Tower, William Rork, and Tanner Powley; and front row, Claire Howlett, Madhav Nekkar, Katherine Dunkelberger, Melissa Wang, Nithyashri Baskaran, and Georgia Payne.

Partnerships, Positions and Fundraising Moving Forward

From time to time, we check in to see how various projects and stories are progressing.

This week, we “circle back” to YMCA Specialty Fitness and the Otsego County clerk, and provide an update on fundraising efforts on behalf of Enoch Bright Ampong.

Fitness Center Getting Into Shape

Oneonta YMCA Specialty Fitness

@ FoxCare is excited to announce that, as of March 2024, membership has doubled from our startup date last June. We are very pleased to be nearing our initial membership goal of 1,000 members. In this short time, YSF has been able to add personal trainers, fitness instructors and classes, and expand pool hours. This all-in-one fitness center offers everything folks need in one location, including cardio, weight training, personal training, group exercise, lap swimming and a therapy pool.

The Oneonta Family YMCA and Bassett Healthcare Network have partnered together with a common goal of improving the wellness of our community, and things are moving forward as anticipated.

Submitted by Frank Russo, executive director, YMCA Specialty Fitness.

Clerk’s Office Moving Right Along

The past few months as Otsego County clerk have been busy and are going extremely well. I have been

working diligently to put into place the positive changes we spoke of during the campaign.

The DMV satellite services program is progressing very nicely and the shared space in Oneonta is going through modifications to meet required guidelines. The mobile equipment is currently on order with New York State. Beginning April 1, the clerk’s office will be accepting debit/credit cards for the convenience of our customers. There have been several interoffice modifications made that have improved customer service and satisfaction and our office website is in the process of being updated with new information that will better assist customers with their transactions. The two vacancies in the clerk’s office have been filled with qualified candidates and training is underway.

The transition into my new role has been seamless. I truly couldn’t be happier with the progress.

Submitted by Jennifer Basile, Otsego County clerk.

Fundraising Ongoing for Enoch

To date, just over $14,500.00 has been raised via the “Help bring Enoch to study museums in Cooperstown” GoFundMe page, from 76 donors.

Throughout its history, “The Freeman’s Journal” has encouraged, promoted and championed myriad community philanthropic initiatives,

Continued on page 8

Friends of the Parks Requests Volunteers

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Friends of the Parks requests volunteers to join them in Badger Park to put away the ice rink at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 21. Volunteers should wear waterproof shoes, gloves, and bring a push broom if they have one.

Price Chopper Announces Pet Supply Drive

SCHENECTADY—Price Chopper/Market 32 will collect pet food and supplies for local animal protective organizations at its stores throughout the month of April. Guests are encouraged to place donation items in conveniently labeled shopping carts at the front of each store.

EDITORIaL

HA Tale of Two Housing Units

ousing. A polarizing topic these days, right up there with politics and religion, it seems.

Two of the most divisive news stories in Otsego County these past months involve housing proposals. In the Village of Cooperstown, a proposal by the Templeton Foundation to build housing for Bassett Healthcare Network employees was met with strong opposition when first introduced in January 2023. That project has since gone back to the drawing board, so to speak, to address a handful of environmental concerns. In the City of Oneonta, a proposal by Rehabilitation Support Services continues to cause all kinds of hullabaloo. The vote on that project, expected to take place on April 2, has now been postponed until October.

According to an NPR report on February 17, the hottest trend in New York State cities right now is zoning reform to allow more housing. “America is facing a housing crisis,” the report begins. “The U.S. is short millions of housing units. Half of renters are paying more than a third of their salary in housing costs, and for those looking to buy, scant few homes on the market are affordable for a typical household.”

The report, written by Laurel Wamsley, says cities are finding that their current zoning rules make it too hard and too expensive to build new homes. Sound familiar?

Let’s take a look at the southern end of the county first, and Otsego’s only city. Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek and other city officials have been called to task for courting the RSS project, but their efforts appear to be in line with “Opportunity Oneonta,” the City of Oneonta Comprehensive Plan, updated in 2019 under then-Mayor Gary Herzig.

“A Comprehensive Plan is a document that enables residents to set a vision for their community’s future and then outlines the policies and projects required to achieve that vision. It helps guide decision-makers on infrastructure spending, policy decisions, land use regulations, and economic development strategies,” reads page three of the comprehensive plan.

Page 34 is specific to housing issues and needs identified as part of a housing study conducted prior to the 2019 Comprehensive Plan update. The key recommendations of that study included:

• Preserve the City of Oneonta and Otsego County’s existing single-family housing stock.

• Enhance housing and amenities in downtown Oneonta and the other villages and towns throughout Otsego County.

• Implement a voluntary inclusionary zoning policy for multifamily housing within the City of Oneonta and other areas of Otsego County.

• Create additional, good quality mixed-income housing within the City of Oneonta.

• Create additional, good quality senior housing within the City of Oneonta and Otsego County to

support the need for affordable senior housing in the next five years.

• Create additional, good quality supportive housing within the City of Oneonta and Otsego County to support the need for supportive housing.

• Educate low to moderate income households on how they can purchase homes and encourage the use of first-time homebuyer incentive programs.

• Convert unused space in the downtown area of Oneonta into live/work units for young professionals and small businesses.

It could be argued that the current city administration is working to address the above needs as per the comprehensive plan created by those who came before them. Of the steering committee and city staff named in the comprehensive plan, only Community Development Director Judy Pangman remains. However, a contingent of citizens is not pleased with the RSS proposal, in spite of the fact that it addresses two of the key recommendations: the creation of additional good quality supportive and senior housing.

Christine Nealon, RSS director of strategic partnerships, has explained that residents of the proposed housing unit—whether seniors, families or individuals—would be comprised of those whose household income falls between 30-70 percent of the area median income, or AMI, which is based on household size (e.g, for a household of two people, the AMI in Oneonta is $52,250.00). Nealon provided the following example: A single mother with one child takes a job as an office assistant at SUNY Oneonta and earns $34,152.00, which is just under 50 percent of the AMI, making them eligible for a two-bedroom apartment in this proposed building, and would pay between $900.00 and $1,000 toward their rent.

“Essentially, the demographic of individuals who we proposed to live at [27 Market Street] would be those seeking, and who are deemed eligible for, right-sized rents so they can invest the remainder of their household incomes in the same manner those of us who now can afford market rent/mortgages did to get where we are. These folks are in the beginning of their wealth building journeys. Low-income housing tax credits were created by Ronald Reagan as a way to ensure all Americans have a chance at participating in the economy,” Nealon said.

Of the 45-50 apartments planned, only 15 are earmarked for individuals who choose to engage in supportive services with RSS, Nealon clarified.

Examples of residents in other RSS-owned housing units provided by Nealon include a 23-yearold female who is healing from family trauma and anxiety through supportive services she chooses to engage with. This individual is now able to work part time at one of the RSS employment service sites, allowing 20 hours a week to attend individual and group support appointments and pursuing her next steps in her education. Another is a retired male

from a local employer who lost a significant family member and became depressed and unable to leave his home. This individual turned to RSS for assistance and is now working part time cleaning area offices while spending the balance of his time with his peers, attending group therapy, and developing new relationships and a sense of belonging.

Heading north to Cooperstown, where folks have been up in arms regarding the proposed Templeton Foundation multi-residential project on Averill Road, at the edge of the village, opposition is also a bit perplexing.

According to officials, the proposed project will support the continued operations of Bassett Medical Center and Bassett Healthcare Network with the construction of one 24-unit apartment building and two clusters of townhomes consisting of six units each, for a total of 12 townhomes. The development will be similar in design to the Templeton-owned community of 40 townhomes located on Fernleigh Drive, which houses Bassett Medical Center employees.

The Averill Road buildings will be constructed in accordance with an energy-efficient design and the site has been designed to be environmentally friendly, project leaders said, and the development will also involve improvements to the village municipal water system with the construction of a new water tank at no cost to the village, together with improvements along Averill Road in front of the project site.

It is no secret that rural hospitals are up against insurmountable obstacles right now.

“Rural hospitals and healthcare facilities face amplified financial challenges amid persisting workforce shortages, rising costs and leveling reimbursement. Reserves are dwindling and without urgent action, hundreds of facilities face closure,” according to a piece published in January of last year by “Becker’s Hospital Review.”

Housing shortages are making recruitment and retention even more challenging. An article by Brendan Stermer published by Rural Health Information Hub recounts the struggle of a small regional health center in Colorado in sourcing permanent employees, and the long list of promising candidates lost to lack of housing. “…we’d make an offer and they’d either be looking for housing on the Internet or they’d come out and not find anything — and they’d have to rescind their acceptance,” the CEO said.

Staci Thompson, named interim president and chief executive officer of Bassett Healthcare Network upon the resignation of Dr. Tommy Ibrahim in January, emphasized recruitment and retention when it was announced recently that she is now officially the head of Bassett.

“My focus will continue to be recruiting

Continued on page 8

Who Sets the Price of a Gallon of Gas?

My last column set out and busted the myths surrounding the origins of the post-COVID inflation. We discovered that the seeds of inflation were sown on both the supply (shortages of items needed by producers) and demand (high consumer spending to make up for lost time) sides of the economy. And those stimulus checks boosted the savings of many households, which meant more shortages and higher prices when we masked up and resumed spending in a frenzy.

In this column, we bust one of the biggest myths of all—the view of some that POTUS, the president of the United States, sets and/or is solely responsible for changes in the price of gasoline. Think of those little decals that mischief makers placed on gas pumps with the current president pointing and saying, “I Did That!”

The easiest way to debunk this myth is to ask a simple question: Why would any sitting president want to increase the price of gasoline? After all, a meaningful percentage of the voting population casts their ballots according to what has happened to the price of a gallon.

For some strange reason, the price of gas has become the barometer of economic wellbeing. If the price is rising in the run up to an election, some voters will vote AGAINST the incumbent president, no matter what their political party. So those little “I Did That!” stickers, although perhaps good for a chuckle,

defy common sense.

What, then, are the real causes of changes in the price of gasoline?

The first thing to understand is that the price of a gallon of gasoline is largely based on the price of a barrel of oil. A barrel of oil consists of 42 gallons, and empty metal oil barrels are sometimes deployed in these parts to float a dock or to burn garbage on the back forty.

The oil market is global, which means the price of a barrel is the same, whether it comes from Alaska, the Middle East, South America, Russia, the North Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico.

Our first Federal Reserve chart (above) shows how volatile the price of a barrel of oil has been since the onset of COVID. The left side of the chart shows the price in dollars per barrel; the bottom indicates dates from January 2020 to the present.

Continued on page 8

Compiled by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

135 YEARS AGO

Fire—About half past ten Tuesday evening the fire bell sounded an alarm, and at the same moment a large part of the village was illuminated by the flames which shot up from the old barn on the premises of Mr. B.F. Austin, on Elm Street. In it were four or five tons of baled straw and a covered buggy, which were destroyed. Loss was about $200. No insurance. Phinney Hose put the first stream of water on the fire, and Nelson Hose the second, preventing any further damage, and even leaving the frame of the barn standing. Six or eight firemen – vainly appealing for assistance from the able-bodied men running by—dragged the hook and ladder truck to the fire. The hydrants had not been flushed in a long time, and sand and gravel had consequently accumulated in them. One of the companies had two lengths of hose disabled, probably from that cause. The origin of the fire is unknown, but for some time past the barn has been slept in by one or more persons, and it is presumed they accidentally set fire to the straw.

April 5, 1889

85 YEARS AGO

Baseball fans who are planning to visit Cooperstown this summer—and what fan isn’t—will find good roads plainly marked showing the most direct routes. The Baseball Centennial Committee has been granted permission to erect special directional signs aiding motorists. These signs are a new reflecting variety and the colors comply with the regulations of the highway department. The signs are about five feet long and two feet high. The center portion is a large white baseball on which appear the words “Baseball Centennial.” Running entirely across the sign in the center of the ball in 7 inch black letters is the word “Cooperstown” with an arrow pointing the way. The signs will be erected at intersections on all important routes within 50 miles of Cooperstown.

April 5, 1939

60 YEARS AGO

The Upstate Baptist Home at Portlandville, one of the best-known charitable institutions in the area, may close its doors due to the mounting expense of operation and the difficulty of obtaining professional services in an “isolated” location. If the Board of Directors of the Home follows some of the recommendations of a report recently received from the Child Welfare League of America, the home may never be reactivated. The report states that “the present location is too isolated to make it feasible to develop a future high caliber program in view of obtaining the necessary professional services.” According to the Rev. Kenneth Simpson, children quartered at the Home were sent to their respective homes in the summer of 1962. Since that time activities of a child-treatment nature have been at a standstill.

April 1, 1964

35 YEARS AGO

The popular Market Place specialty foods store on Main Street was purchased Monday, April 2, by Bill and Jill Peper, and Jocelyn Rauscher from Barbara Mook and Mildy Selendy. After the sale was completed, the Pepers and Ms. Rauscher put in a full day of work at the store. No changes in personnel are planned, Peper said. “We plan to continue the excellence of the past and build on that for the future.”

April 4, 1984

20 YEARS AGO

The Bassett Birthing Center has been selected as a Grand Prize Winner in The Johnson’s Childbirth Nursing Awards Sweepstakes. The recognition means that a patient nominated the Bassett Birthing Center team to win a $1,000 educational grant and two complimentary registrations to the 2004 Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Conference for staff members. There are about 635 births annually at the hospital.

April 2, 2004

Reminiscences, Advice and a Fond Farewell

Now that I am officially the outgoing chief executive officer of Opportunities for Otsego, I’ve been reflecting (but not too much) on all the years

I’ve been doing this work. My first day at OFO was October 1, 1987 as an itinerant outreach worker in a high school dropout prevention program. But I got started in this business with an organization called Project 85. It was named for its address, 85 Chestnut Street in Oneonta (it later moved to 259 Chestnut Street but still kept the Project 85 name). I’m not sure when Project 85 actually started, but I think it was either 1969 or 1970. It was a 24-hour hotline and drop-in center.

I got involved in 1981, first as a volunteer and then as paid staff. When I was a volunteer, I actually lived there. I received a free room in exchange for being on call one night a week and one weekend night a month. Anyone could call and talk about anything they wanted. The organization had a plethora of information and referral services for anyone needing assistance from area nonprofits, churches, government offices, and the like. It also had what used to be called a crash pad, meaning that anyone who needed a place to stay or was passing through could spend the night, have a meal or two and then be on their way. It was actually Oneonta’s first homeless shelter.

Despite its 60s flavor, after a time the people who were staying there generally became harder to work with. The challenges of mental health made it more and more difficult to deal with them when

By MERL REAGLE

they came in for shelter. Others stayed there because they lost their housing for a variety of reasons.

This funky little nonprofit closed its doors in 1987. But some of the problems it dealt with still persist today. And, like some of the other challenges I’ve written about in the past, it can be overwhelming for local communities and governments to try and figure out solutions.

Drug addiction, mental health, affordable housing and issues of poverty have been with us for a very long time. Even as human services have grown and become a lot more sophisticated at service delivery, grant writing, and networking, the problems cost far more than the resources available.

Certainly it is important to attempt to solve these monumental challenges at the local level, but strong, comprehensive federal and state strategies are desperately needed in order for local communities to have the resources to effectively address these problems. It took a generation to get here and it could very well take another generation to overcome these challenges.

On that cheery note, as this will be my final “News from the Noteworthy” column, I want to express my personal thanks to “Hometown Oneonta,” particularly Tara Barnwell, for the opportunity to contribute. Thank you also to all who read this column and have passed on their encouragement and feedback over that last few years.

Dan Maskin is the outgoing chief executive officer for Opportunities for Otsego Inc.

Photo provided DA n m A s K in

Audubon To Host Bunting

ONEONTA—Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society will host a special live presentation by area photographer and naturalist Rick Bunting at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19. Bunting recently returned from a trip to Florida and will present photos and stories from the experience. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early. The event will also be available on Zoom; visit https://tinyurl.com/4557csfv to register.

AAA Urges Check of Recalls

UTICA—To mark Vehicle Safety Recalls Week, March 4-10, AAA Northeast urged vehicle drivers and owners to check their automobiles and related equipment, such as tires and child seats, for open recalls. New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicated that safety recalls affected more than 34 million vehicles nationwide in 2023, and that only about 65 percent of vehicles recalled in 2022 had their issues addressed. In the last two weeks alone, safety recalls affected more than 1.4 million vehicles. AAA urges owners and drivers to check for open recalls using free, easy tools like NHTSA’s Vehicle Identification Number Look-Up Tool or the SaferCar App. Vehicles with open recall notices should be taken to a dealership for free repairs immediately. Anyone wishing to report a safety issue that is not covered under a recall should contact NHTSA at nhtsa.gov or (888) 327-4236.

Aging Focus of Presentations

ONEONTA—The Otsego County Office for the Aging will host its popular “Planning for Successful Aging” presentation series again this spring, this time at The Gathering Place, 5506 State Route 7 in Oneonta. All talks will begin at 4 p.m. on Mondays and last for one hour, unless otherwise noted. The Leatherstocking Chapter of the New York State Funeral Directors Association will present “Funeral Pre-Planning” on April 8. “How to Have the Hard Talk with Loved Ones” will run on April 15, presented by Helios Care. Local lawyer Ryan Coutlee will give a 90-minute talk on advanced directives on April 22, and will return for a two-hour presentation on estate planning on April 29. OFA and the Alzheimer’s Association will present “Programs Available to Age in Place at Home” on May 6. Seats are limited and registration is required; contact (607) 547-4232 or nyconnects@otsegocounty.com to sign up.

CADE Offers Free Resources

NEW YORK STATE—The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship launched a new website last summer that features a vast array of valuable information for farmers and other producers. In addition to articles, links, worksheets, and other resources, the CADE site has a video library with many webinars to guide and educate agricultural professionals. It offers information on accessing farmland, business development, accessing capital, licensing, regulations, certifications and marketing. Visit cadefarms.org for more information or to access the free content.

Thomas To Speak at Hartwick

ONEONTA—The Hartwick Institute of Public Service and the Oneonta Area League of Women Voters will host a talk by Dr. Alexander Thomas on local issues of political economy at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. Dr. Thomas, SUNY Oneonta professor of sociology and executive director of the SUNY PLACES Institute, will discuss regional demographic and economic challenges such as deindustrialization and rural outmigration, as well as ways to address these challenges. His talk will be followed by a rejoinder from Otsego County Board of Representative Members Edwin Frazier and Margaret Kennedy, which in turn will be followed by a reception with appetizers. The event will be held in Shineman Chapel on Hartwick’s campus, 24 Hartwick Drive in Oneonta.

Art Scholarships Announced

SPRINGFIELD—The Leatherstocking Brush and Palette Club announced that it will award three $400.00 scholarships to graduating Otsego County students, including homeschooled students, this spring. Applicants should submit four samples of their best work digitally or via photograph. No originals should be submitted. Drawings, paintings or 3D art are preferred; photography and computergenerated art will not be accepted. Applicants must also send a brief statement explaining what art means to them, how they intend to use the scholarship and how they will continue their work after graduation. Applications may be sent to LBandPClub@gmail.com or mailed to PO Box 136, Springfield Center, NY 13468. Applications are due on Wednesday, May 15 and winners will be announced by Saturday, June 1.

CAA Seeks Art Submissions

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association announced that the annual regional and national juried art exhibitions will open for submission soon. The regional show, “Essential

Photo provided Conference Honors

WINTHROP, MA—Cooperstown native Meagan Schuermann put together an impressive first season on the Emmanuel College varsity basketball team. The Greater Northeast Athletic Conference released their All-Conference selections on Tuesday, February 27, and Schuermann earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team. She came off the bench in 25 of her 27 appearances, averaging 19.8 minutes per game. Scheurmann’s average of 10.3 points per game was the third highest on the team, and she was the only player in the entire GNAC to score an average of at least 10 points while playing under 20 minutes per game. She also added 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Emmanuel Saints finished the season 15-12, making their ninth consecutive GNAC Semifinals appearance.

Art,” open to New York State residents and featuring more than $2,000.00 in prizes, will accept in-person submissions between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11. Artists are allowed to submit a single piece that must be available for sale. The exhibit will be on display Friday, May 17 through Wednesday, June 26. It will be juried by Ruben Salinas and Timothy Sheesley.

The 88th National show will accept online submissions through Wednesday, May 15, and will be displayed from Friday, July 12 to Friday, August 16. This year’s juror is Thomas Sarrantonio. For more information on either show, or to view a prospectus, visit www.cooperstownart.com or call (607) 547-9777.

Dems To Discuss 27 Market St.

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Democratic Club will hold its monthly meeting at Get Fresh on the Main Cafe, 254 Main Street, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 6. Common Council Member Don Mathisen will give a brief overview of the development plans for 27 Market Street. Rehabilitation Support Services and local landlord Bryan Shaughnessy have competing bids for the city-owned property. Seating is limited; attendees should RSVP to garymaffei@gmail.com.

Esports Invitational Planned

HERKIMER—Herkimer College will host its first Esports Invitational Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament in the Recreation Gym on Saturday, April 6. It will feature high-school students from Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Otsego and Onondaga counties. Tours of the college’s new state-of-the-art Esports Center will be offered between rounds. For more information, visit www.herkimer.edu.

Hartwick Offering New Major

ONEONTA—Hartwick College will begin offering a major in sport management this fall, the school announced on Thursday, March 21. Students enrolled in this program will study team and athlete management, marketing, budgeting and analytics, contracts, and event planning. Courses will be taught by Hartwick’s business faculty, athletic staff and working industry professionals. In addition to their coursework, sport management students will complete an internship with a local, regional or national organization, and a senior capstone project.

“The sport management major is one more way we’re continuing to build on our legacy of studentathletes,” said Associate Professor Pauline Stamp, program coordinator for sport management and chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division. “We’re preparing students who are passionate about athletics and wellness for the rapidly growing, multidimensional industry of sport.”

For more information, visit hartwick. edu/sportmanagement.

Ag Discussion Announced

SCHOHARIE COUNTY—The Schoharie County Farm Bureau and Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie Otsego Counties will host two Agriculture Issues Networking gatherings to encourage constructive discussions and identify opportunities and needs

for local agricultural stakeholders and residents. The first event will take place at Carlisle Town Hall, 541 Crommie Road in Carlisle, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. The second will be held at the Middleburgh Reformed Church, 178 River Street in Middleburgh, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. Participants will have the opportunity to network with others who are interested in similar issues and to brainstorm on next steps and action items. In addition to live comments, written comments will be accepted. All residents are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, contact CCE Schoharie Otsego Executive Director Liz Callahan at Eac283@cornell.edu or (607) 4371934, or President Steve Smith of the Schoharie County Farm Bureau at ses19@cornell.edu or (518) 207-7112.

BOCES Launches Mobile App

NORWICH—DCMO BOCES is launching a new mobile app to help students, parents, and community members keep up with campus news and events from their phones. It will feature the latest announcements, offer updates on programs and services, and organize important documents in a single location. It is available to download for free on the Apple and Google app stores.

Wax Workshops Planned

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association announced two new classes for local residents interested in the arts. Kristin Stevenson will teach cold wax painting techniques on four Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The series, which will be held on April 20 and 27 and May 4 and 11, explores the basic tools, materials, and techniques of the cold wax medium. It is suitable for established artists or for beginners and costs $120.00, with a $5.00 discount for CAA members.

Regina B. Quinn will lead a one-day workshop on painting with hot wax from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19. It will provide an introduction to encaustic wax as a medium. This session costs $125.00 for members and $130.00 for nonmembers, plus a $30.00 materials fee.

For more information on either workshop or to sign up, contact gallery@cooperstownart.com or (607) 547-9777.

NY Farmers Give Generously

OMAHA—New York Farm Bureau members donated eight million pounds of food to food banks through the Harvest for All program in 2023, the American Farm Bureau announced at its annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Omaha. Once again, New York had the second highest statewide total in the country, after Florida. Additionally, NYFB’s YF&R program was recognized for providing 250 hours of volunteer service and collecting more than $25,000.00 in donations. Harvest for All is a nationwide annual farm donation partnership linking Farm Bureau and Feeding America in each state. Over the past two decades, New York farms have donated more than 130 million pounds of food, or more than 100 million meals.

“The work highlights the importance of our regional food banks in helping reduce food insecurity in the state,” a NYFB release said. “NYFB and Feeding NYS continue to advocate for full funding of Nourish NY and the Healthy School Meals for All programs in the New York State budget. The vital programs, in part, provide food banks with resources to purchase healthy, local food which benefit New Yorkers in need and the state’s farming community.”

Vendors, Food Trucks Sought

CHERRY VALLEY—Historic Cherry Valley Businesses put out a request for food trucks and vendors for the third annual Spring Into Summer Festival this Memorial Day weekend. The festival is free and open to the public, and vendors should plan to be open at least 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine. Festival planners will provide space in the downtown area of the village, advertising and marketing, and restrooms and other facilities in exchange for a reasonable space fee. Food trucks will primarily be located in the bank parking lot. All vendor applications will be reviewed for approval; no multi-level marketing vendors will be accepted. For more information or to apply, send your name, business, contact information and product description to Noelle Adamoschek at 25maincollective@gmail. com or (518) 231-3093. Applications are due by Wednesday, May 1.

Survey Is for Food Buyers

ONEONTA—The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship and the Catskills Agrarian Alliance are working to connect local food producers and consumers in New York State to strengthen regional food systems. They have more than 2,000 local farms and food businesses in their network. CADE and CAA requested that local food buyers fill out a 10-minute survey to help them better understand the local market. For more information, visit cadefarms.org.

Send news items for inclusion in “News Briefs” to darlay@allotsego.com

Report Calls for preservation of Affordable Rental Housing

AlBANY

Thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers will soon be at risk of losing their homes following the expiration of USDA-financed mortgages that provide protections and rental subsidies to tenants, according to a recent release from the Rural Housing Coalition of New York. A new report titled “Rural New Yorkers at Risk,” produced by the Regional plan Association for the RHC, was released in February and shows that as soon as 2027, hundreds of tenants in rural communities will be subject to displacement each year—with limited options for housing and support—as decades-old programs begin to lapse.

“Households that spend more than 30 percent of their incomes on rent and utilities like electricity, water, gas, and sewage are considered rent burdened,” said Michael J. Borges, executive director of the Rural Housing Coalition of New York.

“This report illustrates an urgent need and calls on the New York State legislature to take action to preserve a crucial source of affordable rental housing in rural communities—before it’s too late.”

The 10 counties that would

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Section 515 program, established in 1949 by president Harry Truman, provided low-cost financing for the construction of affordable multi-family rental housing in rural communities. The 1980s and 1990s saw a building boom of these housing developments, but now the mortgages on these properties are expiring—along with regulatory protections and rental subsidies that capped rent at no more than 30 percent of income.

lose the most USDA Section 515 properties by 2030 are: Wayne; Washington; Chenango; Cattaraugus; Seneca; Wyoming; Orange; Oneida; Tompkins and Erie.

“The Rural Housing Coalition is asking the state to invest $25 million in a program that would fund the acquisition and rehabilitation of these properties by entities that would preserve their affordability,” said Borges.

“There is a model for this effort—the Mitchell-lama Housing program, a state sponsored initiative to provide affordable housing to middleincome residents. The 2023-24 New York State budget appropriated $50 million to help preserve Mitchell-lama units. We are seeking an investment to give rural property owners an incentive to continue affordability regulations.”

The report shows that there

are approximately 12,000 USDA Section 515 units across New York State, housing 15,000 low-income seniors and families. Eighty-five percent of New York counties have at least one USDA 515 property, and the average income of a USDA 515 tenant is $18,000.00—less than half the state average. it also shows these rental properties are located in counties where an average of 72 percent of the housing stock is owner-occupied, leaving very few options for renters looking for alternative housing.

The report concludes that relying solely on the federal government to address the issue will not be enough.

According to Borges, “Ribboncuttings and groundbreaking ceremonies are exciting, but New York State needs to be as enthusiastic about preserving existing housing stock as it is

about building new. if we act quickly to help rehabilitate, preserve, and ensure permanent affordability of USDA Section 515 housing, we can help overcome some of the challenges faced by rural renters, including substandard housing options and lack of affordable housing supply.”

The Rural Housing Coalition of New York is a statewide organization dedicated to revitalizing rural New York by strengthening housing and community development providers. The coalition supports rural housing and community development providers through organizational capacity development, training, and technical assistance, and raising public awareness and advocacy.

Review the full report as a pDF at https://rpa.org/work/ reports/rural-new-yorkers-atrisk

CCS Boys Swim Team Wins Class C Sectional Championship

By ARYA pATEl COOpERSTOWN

The Cooperstown boys swim team finished its season with a great finale, winning the Class C Sectional Championship meet at Nottingham High School on February 14 for the first time since 2015.

prior to its Sectionals win, the swim team had placed second in the Tri-Valley league Championships on January 27. During that meet, sophomore Thomas Hellenthal advanced to the New York State Boys Swimming and Diving Championships competition in the 100 backstroke event, seeded 27th amongst top competitors after posting a 54.18.

Similarly, in the girls’ swim season this past fall, freshman Emily Kane qualified for the 200 individual Medley event during the State Qualifier meet, and posted a time of 2:21.82 during the New York State competition.

This year, the boys’ team consisted of three seniors, one junior, six sophomores, three freshmen, two eighth graders, and two seventh graders—a total of 17 swimmers, more than half of whom had never swum competitively. By the end of the

Decision

Continued from page 1

mayor’s suggestion comes on the heels of heated public opposition to a housing unit proposed for the property by Rehabilitation Support Services inc.

“Having watched the spirit of our community fracture during these past two months, and holding, as i do, the ideal of collaboration and respect for one another, i was forced to a difficult decision,” Mayor Drnek said in an e-mail on Wednesday, March 27.

“i firmly believe in the value of 27 Market Street’s development by RSS, but i believe even more strongly in the need for a united and trusting community. it’s one of the reasons that we’ve written and posted nearly 150 answers to questions from our town hall, and why we have placed the full timelines for the development of the Dietz Street lofts and 27 Market Street on the city website.

“On Tuesday evening, i addressed the attendees of the special meeting of the Common Council. Having reiterated my point-by-point advocacy of the development, i finished my presentation with a proposal to delay until October any consideration of purchase and sale of the property,” Drnek continued.

“in the interim, i will be asking the Common Council to determine the minimum expectations

for any development of that parcel. i will also ask that they provide a strategy through which the city can advertise the property for development. RSS and its advocates, which includes me, will benefit from that delay in the continuing pursuit of community education regarding both the building and its proposed developer. With several months in which to take a collective breath, i hope that conversations become less passionate and that consensus has an opportunity to develop and gain the support necessary to build a better Oneonta,” Drnek said.

luisa Montanti, one of the organizers of a group opposed to the RSS project who call themselves “Citizens that Care,” commented on Tuesday’s meeting. “We are extremely concerned about the financial state of Oneonta and the future of economic growth,” Montanti said.

“Although we appreciate Mayor Drnek’s decision to postpone the vote until October, it was clear that the mayor did not have a majority vote from the Common Council to sell the 27 Market Street to RSS of Altamont. The united city taxpayers also [feel] that City Administrator Greg Mattice is failing the city, and we are in a state of crisis. Mattice and his ‘elite professional staff’ wasted time on developing a low-income

season, though, some of these swimmers had gained the knowledge and skill necessary to advance them to Sectionals and to secure the win.

With regard to a team filled with so many young swimmers, sophomore captain london Kinley said, “Our team is still young, so we will only accomplish more in the years to come.”

Coach John Hodgson said, “This was an important year for Coop varsity swimming. The enthusiasm and commitment of the athletes reached levels we’ve previously observed in other teams, and now we are the ones setting the pace, we’re showing everyone what competition is all about. This was a very special group of swimmers and i could not be more proud to be a part of this team.”

The team practiced together five days a week for two hours a day. Most days were dominated with a practice full of yardage, but to keep spirits up Coach Hodgson would set aside time for the swimmers to be themselves, to which the team credits much of their success to.

Senior captain Margaret Raffo, who runs crosscountry in the fall and swims in the winter, said, “The supportive team atmosphere fostered by Coach John was incredible. i will never forget the positivity

housing model and have neglected to clean up and fix the root cause of the city’s problems.”

Of the eight Common Council members iron String reached out to for comment, only Don Mathisen, representing the Eighth Ward, responded by press time.

“Mayor Drnek did the right thing. The issue divided the city. Delaying a decision until October was the right thing to do,” Mathisen said.

Drnek said a Common Council vote to solidify the postponement could be held but he does not believe it is necessary, “as there seemed to be an informal consensus.”

Class

Continued from page 2

standing of the health system, to learn how to build strong doctor-patient relationships through the course of the longitudinal curriculum, and to understand more about healthcare challenges in both urban and rural areas,” said Nekkar.

Georgia Payne Georgia payne grew up in downtown Charleston, West Virginia. She attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where she studied biology of global health. “i felt drawn to the Bassett program because of its emphasis on learning from patient relationships and improving health systems, knowledge that i hope to bring to my future practice,” said payne.

Tanner Powley

Tanner powley was born in Germany and raised in the Ozark Mountains of Southwest Missouri. He attended Missouri University of Science and Technology and received a BS in chemical engineering with an emphasis in biochemical processes. “i am beyond excited to be in New York and begin serving and caring for a new community,” powley said.

William Rork

William Rork is originally from Dallas, Texas and grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Rice University with a degree in neuroscience and classical studies. in his gap year, he worked in a clinical psychology lab at Baylor College of Medicine, researching the psychosocial needs of individuals with brittle bone disease. “i couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of the ColumbiaBassett program and can’t wait for the opportunity to serve and learn from the Cooperstown community,” said Rork.

Kyle Tower

Kyle Tower was born and raised in the North Country, the northernmost part of New York State. Tower noted: “it’s a very rural part of the country, and a place with limited access to healthcare—a huge part of what makes Bassett so exciting to me.”

Since graduating from Columbia last year, he spent the intervening year doing social work with foster children in Brooklyn and Manhattan, something he says, “has been incredibly rewarding, revealing, and challenging.”

and determination displayed by this team. Even after a bad race, there was always someone there to cheer you on and motivate you for your next event.”

This was Raffo’s first year on the team, but she had prior swimming experience. She was a positive mentor for the other members on her team.

The younger swimmers on this team were very motivated.

Eighth-grader Shepard Olsen commented, “The team had worked well together, and because of this we had a very successful season due to the hard work, dedication, and team work from the team, no matter the circumstances.”

This season has left a positive impact on all 17 members of the team, the coach, and the manager. Hellenthal said, “it was a great season and a fun time. i’m looking forward to next year.”

At the state competition on March 1, Hellenthal placed 35th in the 100 backstroke, swimming a 54.69 in the preliminaries, about half a second off his personal record.

losing just three swimmers to graduation, and ending its season with numerous wins and a positive outlook, the CCS boys swim team is looking forward to even bigger and better things next year.

Melissa Wang

Melissa Wang grew up in Bucks County, pennsylvania. She attended Dartmouth College, where she studied biology and anthropology of global health. in college, she was involved in developmental biology research and worked for hunger relief organizations and independent food councils in Boston and Upstate New York. “i am ecstatic to receive my medical education at Columbia-Bassett, where i will learn how to enact change with my classmates and medical community across spheres of people, places, and systems,” Wang said.

Continued from page 4

physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, other clinical professionals, and the many other roles needed so Bassett can provide the care our patients and communities deserve,” Thompson said in the release. “Also, importantly, we will continue to emphasize retaining staff and creating meaningful pathways for people to build long-term careers at Bassett,” Thompson said.

The Village of Cooperstown’s $4.5

million NY Forward award further reinforced the need for housing, as public input identified housing—“housing for local employees, housing of all/any kinds, affordable housing, affordable long-term housing, housing for year-round renting, long-term rental housing”—as a priority for investment. Four residential housing projects, including both townhouses and apartments, were among those submitted by the Village of Cooperstown for possible NY Forward funding. NY Forwardawarded projects have

The job scene

inside sales - direct Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Inside Sales for its Direct division to help support Sales and its Regional Managers. Applicants have a choice to work out of our Delhi, NY or Mocksville, NC location.

Responsibilities/Duties inclu D e but not limite D to:

• Ability to successfully manage and track multiple customer projects from concept to completion, while ensuring consistent customer contact and project profitability.

• Perform quotation development and project management.

• Respond to all inquiries in a timely and accurate manner.

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Requi R e D q ualifications:

s kills:

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e xpe R ience/eD ucation:

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Salary range is $50–59k/year, DOE, great benefit package includes but not limited to: health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, life insurance, flexible spending, and paid time off.

To apply, submit application online www.sportsfield.com, fax resume to (607) 746-3107 or send resume to: Human Resources, P.O. Box 231, Delhi, NY 13753. Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. We do not sponsor employment visas.

CREDIT AND COLLECTIONS SPECIALIST

Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. (SSI) is seeking a Credit and Collections Specialist to assist in Accounts Receivable related duties for SSI and associated business units.

Responsibilities/Duties inclu D e but not limite D to:

• Assist Sales to establish credit for new customers.

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• Resolve customer credit and billing issues.

• Prepare detailed collections reports.

• Monitor State Compliance and submit required reporting.

• Work with sales and shipping to monitor & approve shipments, as necessary.

• Support Contract Administrator with special billing and subcontract agreements.

• Perform analysis as needed.

• Provide assistance to financial department as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requi R e D q ualifications: s kills:

• Outstanding communication, organizational, attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

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e xpe R ience/eD ucation:

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Salary Range $40k -45k per year DOE, great benefit package includes but not limited to: health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, life insurance, flexible spending and paid time off. To apply, submit application online, apply in person at 41155 State Highway 10, fax resume to (607) 746-3107 or send resume to: Human Resources, P.O. Box 231, Delhi, NY 13753. Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. We do not sponsor employment visas.

yet to be confirmed.

So. Need for housing of all types has been identified by the City of Oneonta in its own comprehensive plan. Need for housing of all types has been identified by the Village of Cooperstown and by the NY Forward local planning Committee. Why, then, are the RSS and Averill Road projects so controversial? And where, if not the proposed locations, could those housing developments be located?

Away. Not here. Not there.

The fate of the Averill Road and RSS projects is uncertain at this time. What has become very clear, however, is that everyone wants more housing. Everyone agrees we need more housing—for all income levels. They just want it “somewhere else.”

A functioning community needs people of all occupations, ages and incomes. it needs workers for every kind of job, and it needs them to have affordable, conveniently located housing so they have the time, space and disposable income to patronize the local economy and participate in community life. The choice facing Oneonta and Cooperstown is the choice between a socially integrated town or local landholding elites; between a living community and a dead one. To choose NiMBYism is to choose the latter.

Myth

Continued from page 4

On January 7, 2020 oil was selling for $62.70 a barrel. After COViD shut the economy down in March, oil plummeted to $18.31 on Friday, April 17. When the market reopened on Monday, April 20 the price plunged $55.29, the biggest one-day drop ever. Stranger still, the price of a barrel of oil that day was NEGATiVE, at -$36.98! Owners of a barrel of oil actually pAiD purchasers $36.98 to take a barrel off their hands that day. people weren’t driving, so there was plenty of gasoline but little demand for it. Drastic changes in the demand and supply of oil during the COViD shutdown are why a gallon of gas fell from $2.86 in May 2019 to $1.87 a year later—not because the president (Trump at that point) made it happen.

The second chart (below) shows changes in the price of a gallon of gasoline over the same time, from January 2020 to the present.

Since gasoline is refined from crude oil, it’s not surprising that changes in oil and gasoline prices (the trend lines on the charts) are mirror images.

Gasoline prices also include taxes. The

federal tax per gallon has been 18.4 cents since 1993, but state taxes vary, with California the highest at 77.9 cents per gallon. New York’s gasoline tax is 36.7 cents per gallon, with 12 other states having higher tax rates per gallon.

After declining recently from September through January, gasoline prices have been rising. is it because Biden doesn’t want to be re-elected, so he’s at it once again, raising our gasoline prices? Noooooo. The REAl reasons are the things currently affecting oil prices, including: the war in Ukraine; weather (which affects distribution costs); oil production cuts by OpEC (12 nations that control 27 percent of the market), and Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea (in response to israel’s actions in Gaza).

Changes in the demand for gasoline also have a large role in explaining recent gasoline price increases. Americans are enamored with super-sized trucks and SUVs, which are less fuel efficient and account for more than half of all passenger vehicles in the U.S. So next time you see a big F350 without a pilot and idling in a parking spot, be sure to recall the now busted myth that the president sets and/or is responsible for changes in the price of a gallon of gas.

Larry Malone is professor emeritus of economics at Hartwick College.

Circling

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from the development of the “Great Western Turnpike”—now U.S. Route 20—in the early 19th century to the support of families in need throughout Otsego County.

At present, we strive to assist Enoch Bright Ampong, a 28-year-old museum docent born and raised in the Central Region of Ghana, who dreams of being able to come to Otsego County to study at SUNY Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate program.

parishioners at St. Mary’s Episcopal in Springfield and at Cooperstown Baptist Church have generously pledged initial funds to support Ampong’s CGp education, but further financial resources are still needed. in addition to direct contributions to St. Mary’s or Cooperstown Baptist, a GoFundMe page has been developed to enable further tax-deductible donations from the community at large at this link https:// www.gofundme.com/f/ enoch-ampong-study-incooperstown.

Trail

Continued from page 1

percent in traveler spending in 2022, compared to 2021.

(Tourism Economics)

The landing page for the trail can be found at: www.paddlethe607.com. It is being developed into a full website with paddling itineraries, and information about access points and amenities as well as maps to guide visitors along the river. You can sign up for email updates at the site.

The name, “New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail,” encompasses the full area included in the trail and helps people identify where it is located. Not only does it include the Chemung and Susquehanna rivers, but, when combined with tributaries and portions of the Finger Lakes, the trail could eventually include more than 400 miles of potential water access.

“Paddle the 607” and “Fish the 607” will be used as taglines in the new trail’s branding.

The NYSBWT touches eight counties in New York State. The Chemung River flows north to south through Steuben and Chemung counties, with several tributaries in Steuben County. The Susquehanna River flows north to south through Otsego, Chenango, Broome, Tioga, and Chemung counties, with several tributaries in Cortland and Delaware counties.

The project is being led by a coalition of regional tourism organizations, including: This is Cooperstown, Visit Binghamton, Experience Tioga, Friends of the Chemung River Watershed, Chemung County and Explore Steuben.

Funding is provided by the New York State Economic Development Administration Tourism Partner Sub-Award Grant, through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Grant.

The goal of the trail is to encourage more local residents to

explore the river while also attracting visitors, including “444s,” a group of experienced paddlers who travel the entire length of the Susquehanna, from Otsego Lake to the Chesapeake Bay.

Just a few hours from all of New York’s major metropolitan areas, The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail opens up a whole new area for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Since the pandemic, the Catskills and Adirondacks have seen record visitors. Organizers are excited to invite everyone to discover the history and natural beauty we have to offer.

The trail project kicked off in 2022, when National Park Service representatives met with local stakeholders for a series of visioning workshops. The results helped shape the grant request and RFP for marketing services. The project was awarded to 2k Design of Clifton Park, who worked with the stakeholders this fall in Cooperstown and Binghamton to assess marketing opportunities and determine the toolkit needed to brand and build awareness for the trail.

The New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail is expected

to launch in 2025, in conjunction with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta. Billed as the world’s longest single day flat water canoe race, the annual event attracts hundreds of paddlers from across North and South America and Europe, who race the Susquehanna River from Cooperstown to Bainbridge every Memorial Day weekend.

Because the Susquehanna River connects New York and Pennsylvania, project leaders for New York’s new trail are coordinating efforts with the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, a similar trail project underway in the Keystone State.

Cass Harrington is president and chief executive officer of Destination Marketing Corp.

Lettis

Continued from page 1

defender in Otsego County. “As a father of four daughters, I am always excited to see ‘glass ceilings’ being broken,” Frazier said. “I did not realize that Susan would be the first female PD, gender never really

Sub S titute S needed for the following S chool di S trictS: EOE

Charlotte Valley CSD

Edmeston CSD

Laurens CSD

Milford CSD

Oneonta City SD

Schenevus

Stamford

Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD

Worcester CSD

ONC BOCES (Grand Gorge & Milford)

Sub S titute Po S ition S: Teachers LTAs

Aides & Monitors

Nurses Cleaners

Bus & Van Drivers

Clerical & Office Support

Food Service Workers

entered into the discussion. Susan’s passion and experience more than qualify her for the job. I have no doubt that she will be a fantastic public defender.”

The Public Defender’s Office of Otsego County is assigned to represent litigants in hundreds of cases every year in Family Court, County Court, and local town and village courts. The office also provides representation through postconviction and parole revocation proceedings.

Public service is not new to Lettis. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer prior to law school, worked in legal clinics through law school, served

on the Redistricting Commission in Oneonta and now volunteers as a member of the Planning Commission in the City of Oneonta.

Lettice said, “This position is not about me or my accomplishments, but rather about serving the public and helping the neediest in our community with their legal problems.”

Lettis began her legal career representing indigent litigants as a member of the assigned counsel panel. She also worked for many years for the county, protecting vulnerable children and adults in various proceedings. She transitioned to employment with the state, where she repre-

sented individuals living with mental health diagnosis and developmental disabilities.

“I took the position, in part, because I believe we can do better as a society than addressing mental health and substance use disorders by incarcerating those who suffer from these disorders. I am humbled and honored by the trust the county government has put in me by selecting me for this position,” Lettis said.

In keeping with her ideals, Lettis was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors of LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions.

$17/hour starting wage

$1500* sign-on bonus *DETAILS UPON HIRE*

The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum have openings for:

Security/Safety Guard

Full-time, year round position. Applicants 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 benefits package, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick pay.

Starting pay of $32,000 per year. To apply go to fenimoreartmuseum.org for an application or contact Human Resources at 607-547-1462.

Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum have an opening for:

Custodial Position

Full-time, Year-round

The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, NY, has an opening for a full-time Custodian. This is an entry level position with room to grow. Experience helpful, but not necessary. Excellent benefit package and a pleasant work environment. This position is 40 hours per week, including one weekend day. Some flexibility and occasional overtime required.

Hourly rate of $15 –$17 per hour.

Applications are available at farmersmuseum.org or send letter of interest and resume to Human Resources, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or email to hr@fenimoreart.org.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

City School District

City of Oneonta, New York

PLEASE TAKE

NOTICE that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Oneonta City School District, Otsego County, New York, will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Oneonta Senior High School pursuant to Section 2017 (4) (5) of the Education Law of the State of New York, for the presentation of the budget document.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Annual Meeting and a vote, by voting machine, will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at The Foothills, 24 Market Street, Oneonta, at which time the polls will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., EST, for voting on the following items:

To adopt the annual budget of the Oneonta City School District for the fiscal year 2024-2025 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable real property of the District,

To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education, each to serve three (3) year terms, commencing on July 1, 2024 and expiring on June 30, 2027, to succeed Susan Kurkowski, and Michael Iannelli, whose terms expire on June 30, 2024.

To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education, to serve the remainder of a vacated seat previously held by board member Shari Johnson Ploutz the term for this seat is July 1, 2022 and expiring on June 30, 2025.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York. Voting at said Annual Election will be by use of voting machines.

ALL VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT: THE FOOTHILLS 24 MARKET STREET, ONEONTA, NEW YORK

Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of

the Board of Education to fill two (2) expired terms of three (3) years and one (1) vacated seat for one (1) year shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at the District Office, no later than May 1, 2024 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District and state the residence of each signer; the name and residence of the candidates.

NOTICE, is also given that any person, otherwise qualified to vote, who is currently registered for any general election, pursuant to Section 352 of the Election Law, shall be entitled to vote without further registration pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law.

Military voters who are qualified voters of the School District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk.

For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid ballot application no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 3, 2024. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. The School District will transmit military ballots to military voters on May 3, 2024. Completed military ballots must be received by the School District by 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2024, in order to be counted. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District has fixed May 7, 2024 as the date on which the Board of Registration of said school district will meet at 31 Center Street, in Oneonta, New York, in said school district, for the purpose of preparing a register for each school election district for the Annual City School District Election to be held on May 21, 2024. Said Board of Registration will meet for said purposes on May 7, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

At such hours and place, any person who has not permanently registered by

May 7, 2024 or who did not register for the general election held on November 7, 2023, or who is permanently registered, but at the time of such registration resided in a school election district other than the one in which he or she presently resides or has not voted in an intervening election, must in order to be entitled to vote at said election, present himself or herself personally for registration. The register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District at the Board of Education Offices at 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York 13820 and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the district beginning May 8, 2024, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and each day, except Saturday or Sunday, prior to the day set for the election, May 21, 2024, and at the polling place on the day of the vote.

Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained by any resident of the Oneonta City School District each day of the week other than Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, during the period of seven days immediately preceding the date of the public hearing to be held on May 8, 2024.

Copies of the proposed budget will be available on said days at the Board of Education Office, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District shall provide for early voting and absentee ballots for the election of Board of Education member, the school budget and any other referenda stated in this notice. Applications for early voting and absentee ballots for said annual election are available at the Board of Education Offices, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York. Completed applications are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Board of Education at said address no later than May 14, 2024 if mailed, and May 21, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. if personally delivered. Early voting and absentee ballots are to be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. on May

21, 2024 the day of said election, to the address of the Clerk of the Board of Education.

A list of all persons to whom early voting and absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except weekends, and on the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that any other proposition not requiring official notice in the call of the Annual Meeting may be voted upon at said election, subject to the provisions of Section 2035 of the Education Law, provided a proposition is filed with the District Clerk on or before April 26, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. prevailing time; said proposition must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District: must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District; and must state the name and residence of each signer. The School Board will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, or any proposition that fails to include a specific appropriation where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition.

PROPOSITION 1 – PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES

Shall the March 20, 2024 bond resolution

authorizing the purchase of (1) one 66 passenger school bus, (1) one 30 passenger bus and (1) one 7-passenger van for student transport for the City School District of the City of Oneonta, at a maximum cost of $349,185; authorizing the issuance of up to $349,185 bonds (five year maximum maturity); providing for a tax levy therefor in annual installments; pledging the District’s faith and credit for debt service; delegating powers with respect to bonds and notes;

and providing for an estoppel procedure, be approved?

PROPOSITION

2 – Capital Reserve Fund Proposition RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Oneonta, is hereby authorized to expend $2,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund on the capital improvement project approved by the voters on December 18, 2023 which will reduce the amount of bonds to be issued therefor.

Dated: March 21, 2024

Oneonta, New York

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE ONEONTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regina Ranieri McGuinness

Regina Ranieri McGuinness, District Clerk 4LegalApr.25

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VILLAGE OF COOPERSTOWN, OTSEGO COUNTY, NY

Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Engineering Services

RFQ# 001- Preliminary Engineering Report for INFLOW & INFILTRATION (I&I)

The VILLAGE OF COOPERSTOWN in OTSEGO COUNTY, NY is requesting proposals from engineering firms to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Report INFLOW & INFILTRATION (I&I).

The project has qualified for funding from the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) Engineering Planning Grant program for the amount of $50,000. Through the EPG, the municipality is required to provide a $10,000 match.

Proposals will be reviewed and selected according to a competitive review process based on technical skills, relevant project experience and knowledge of EFC grant/loanfunded projects. Interested parties should contact Mitch Hotaling, DPW Superintendent for a complete copy of the RFQ at 607-547-2411, or mhotaling@ cooperstownny. org. Qualification Statements will be accepted until 2:00 PM on May 1, 2024.

Qualification Statements are to be mailed to:

Mitch Hotaling, DPW Superintendent, Village of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or submitted by e-mail to mhotaling@ cooperstownny. org.

Minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged to submit responses to the RFQ.

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York at a meeting thereof held on the 25th day of March, 2024, duly adopted pursuant to section 6-C of the General Municipal Law, a resolution subject to permissive referendum, the purpose and effect of which is to authorize an appropriation of $25,000 from a capital reserve fund (Buildings Reserve) to A 3410-481 to be used for the replacement of the boiler system at the Fire Department.

BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK

Jenna L. Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email)

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NOTICE OF FILING OF FINAL ASSESSMENT ROLL

PLEASE TAKE

NOTICE that the assessor of the Village of Cooperstown has prepared the final assessment roll for the 20242025 fiscal year, and that same was filed on April 1, 2024, with the undersigned Village Clerk at her office in said Village where it may be examined by any person at all times during regular business hours for a period of fifteen days from the date of publication of this notice, at the Village Office Building, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York.

Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main St., PO Box 346 Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email)

Dated: April 1, 2024

LegaL nOtice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Application for Class Change for Serial No. 2207159 has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, cider, liquor and wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 558 Beaver Meadow Road, Town of Middlefield, County of Otsego, State of New York for on premises consumption.

Carefree Gardens, LLC dba Origins Café

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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO

INDEX NO.

EF2023-764

Plaintiff designates OTSEGO as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 166 BACKUS ROAD, GARRATTSVILLE, NY 13342

Section: 158.00, Block: 1, Lot: 19.41

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff,

vs.

WILLIAM J. DESIMONE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM F. DESIMONE;

GINA MARIA PEREIRA A/K/A

GINA MARIA DESIMONE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM F. DESIMONE; UNKNOWN

HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM F. DESIMONE, 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 the following designation, namely: the 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; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF

“JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants. To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the

Audrey Waite

Ashley 1925-2024

ITHACA—Audrey

Waite Ashley, age 98, of Kendal at Ithaca, died on March 28, 2024. Mrs. Ashley was born in Yonkers, New York on April 16, 1925, the only child of Helen Guest and Stanley Byron Waite. She grew up in Bronxville, New York, spending her summers at a family home in Hyannis Port on Cape Cod.

Audrey was proud of her ancestors and the role they played in the history of our country. They included three Mayflower passengers, as well as Thomas Hinckley, the last governor of Plymouth Colony, and Benjamin Wait, whose wife and three daughters were captured by Native Americans in western Massachusetts in 1677, taken in winter to Canada, and subsequently rescued.

Audrey Waite graduated from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, a member of the Class of 1946. She majored in Spanish and minored in French. She was elected to membership in Phi

Beta Kappa. In order to help with the war effort, Audrey participated in an accelerated program that allowed her to graduate from Smith in three years.

After the war ended in the fall of 1945, Audrey went to work in New York City. She used her language skills while employed, first at an import-export firm and then as an executive assistant to the VP of RCA, who was also the managing director of RCA International.

In 1948, Audrey Waite married Dr. Charles Allen Ashley, a friend from Bronxville. Dr. Ashley was a graduate of Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences and the Cornell University Medical School. Dr.Ashley completed his military service as assistant chief of pathology at Walter Reed Army Hospital. His work then took them to Cooperstown, New York, where he was employed as an attending pathologist at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. In 1967, Dr. Ashley was appointed director and CEO of the Bassett Hospital. The couple were active members in all aspects of the Cooperstown community. Audrey was most proud of their work to provide a warm welcome to incoming hospital staff. They entertained regularly in their home on the hospital’s behalf. Audrey was an enthusiastic and gracious hostess, as well as an excellent cook.

The Ashleys raised their five children in Cooperstown. Audrey was a devoted mother. She and her husband surrounded their children with love

OBITUARIES

and support. Audrey loved her life in Cooperstown. She was a tireless volunteer who was especially devoted to Christ Church (Episcopal), the Lake and Valley Garden Club, and the Garden Club of America. She was a leader for her daughters’ Girl Scout troops and for her son’s Cub Scouts. She also served eight years on the President’s Advisory Council of the State University College of Oneonta.

Audrey and Charles Ashley were avid hikers before it was common; they were early members of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers (with all their children), and of the Northeastern 111 Club. Audrey was the 16th woman on record to have climbed all 111 peaks over 4,000 feet in the Northeast. They also hiked together extensively in Europe and America’s west. They enjoyed traveling throughout the world. After celebrating their

50th wedding anniversary with friends and family at their home in Cooperstown, the Ashleys moved in 1999 to Kendal, a continuing care community in Ithaca, New York.

Audrey’s beloved husband of 53 years died in 2001. She was to forever miss him. Audrey was active in many aspects of life at Kendal and in Ithaca, particularly enjoying bridge groups at all levels. She continued to travel with friends and family members and visited her children and grandchildren frequently, spending holidays and vacations with them. Audrey spent six weeks every winter on Gasparilla Island (Boca Grande), Florida, a place that had been special to her and her husband. She always invited her family to join her—and they loved to do so.

Audrey’s large family was her greatest joy and pride. Through her kindness and generosity, she

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home

14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

brought immeasurable happiness and comfort to all who knew her. She will long be remembered for her gracious wit, her unwavering optimism, and her open-mindedness and sincere warmth in this often divided world.

She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Dr. Stanley W. Ashley of Cambridge, Massachusetts and his partner, Dr. Esther Rhei; Charlotte Chandler and Dr. James L. Clarke of Bangor, Maine; Deborah C.A. Doro, RN of Rochester, New York; Barbara A. and Harry A. Griffith III of Wexford, Pennsylvania; and Drs. Lucy and Philip Sheils of Rochester, New York.

Also surviving are 21 grandchildren and their spouses/partners, nine great-grandsons and six great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Allen Ashley, MD., her grandson, MSG (Ret.) Harry Augustus Griffith IV, and by her infant daughter, Audrey Pennock Ashley.

Funeral Home

Those wishing to honor her memory may contribute to the Friends of Bassett Healthcare, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Cornell University Office of Donor Relations, 130 East Seneca Street, Suite 400, Ithaca, NY 14850; Weill Cornell Medical College, Office of External Affairs, 1300 York Avenue, Box 314, New York, NY 10065; or, Smith College, Development Office, 33 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01063. The family is in the

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925

Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.

Peter A. Deysenroth

82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

Photo provided AUDREY WAITE ASHLEY

►Friday, april 5

BOOK CLUB “Show & Tell Book Club.” Choose a book to read around the theme of the month and then discuss that book at meetings held the last Thursday of the month.

April’s theme is “tearjerkers,” meeting held 5:30-7 p.m. on 4/25. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

KNITTING CIRCLE

9:30 a.m. to noon. Bring knit project and work with the group. Beginners welcome. Held every Friday. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

BLOOD DRIVE

1-6 p.m. New Lisbon Town Hall, 908 County Road 16, Garratsville. RedCrossBlood.org

POTTERY 1:30-

4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters are invited to work on personal projects and hone their skills. No instruction provided. $30/session. Held Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@SmithyArts.org.

ECLIPSE STORIES

2 p.m. “Raven Steals the Sun: Native American Eclipse Stories” with master storyteller Perry Ground. Hear about the beliefs, traditions, and protocols of several Native American tribes around the sun and eclipse events. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

YARN CLUB 2-3:30 p.m. First Friday each month. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

DINNER 5-7 p.m.

Chicken Parmesan dinner of pasta, green salad, dessert and a beverage (with dine-in). $14, open to the public. Take-out available. Oneonta Vets Club, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494.

OPENING RECEPTION 5-7 p.m. “Made in Middlefield Part II: Photography and Sculpture.” The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5327.

OPENING RECEPTION 5-8 p.m. “Cape Light.” Exhibit of images of Cape Cod by Tim Shaffer. Refreshments available. Cherry Valley First Friday event. Show runs through 4/28. 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-5340

OPEN MIC 6 p.m.

Share poetry, music, stories, comedy, dance or anything that stirs the spirit. Part of Cherry Valley First Friday. The Telegraph School, 83 Alden Street, Cherry Valley.

CONTRADANCE 7:3010:30 p.m. Fun, social dance with the Otsego Dance Society, featuring music by George Wilson and Alan Thomson, with Peter Stix calling. Suggested donation, $10/ adult. First Presbyterian Church, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown.

►Saturday, april 6

BIRDING 7:30 a.m. “A

Day at Montezuma NWR & Wetlands” with the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. No charge for admission. Carpoolers meet at Dietz Street Parking Lot, Oneonta. (607) 397-3815.

FARM MARKET

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open each Saturday. Pathfinder Produce, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377.

SHREDDING 10 a.m. to noon. Shred sensitive papers with Confidata at the Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

BLOOD DRIVE

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick College Drive, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org

HISTORY CENTER

10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. “17th Annual Postcard, Book, and Ephemera Show and Sale.” Vendors, auction, 50/50 raffle, and highlights from the upcoming summer exhibition by the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. Free admission. Held in the social room of the Elm Park Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0960.

TAX PREP 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Free Tax Preparation.” Get help with taxes from IRS-certified volunteers. Held Saturdays through 4/15. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

TOURNAMENT

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inaugural E-Sports Invitational Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament. Recreation Gym, Herkimer College, 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer. (315) 866-0300.

MUSIC FESTIVAL

1-7:30 p.m. Hartwick College Jazz Festival. Includes master class, music clinic and a performance by acclaimed trumpeter Ray Vega. Free, all welcome. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta. ambrosew@ hartwick.edu.

WRITERS GROUP

1:30-3:30 p.m. Supportive group to practice writing exercises and get feedback. Session held through May 18. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

SPRING WORKSHOP

4-7 p.m. “Red Tent: Springtime, Fertility and Pysanky Workshop.” $20. The Telegraph School, 83 Alden Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-3785.

►Sunday, april 7

HEALING 11 a.m.

“Insights for Healing.” Core energetic practitioner and massage therapists Marian Burke and Ellen Cook share insights and experience on the potential of releasing emotional burdens and energy blocks. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600.

FUNDRAISER Noon to 5 p.m. (or until sold out). Annual Chicken Barbecue to support Hartwick Company #1. $15/dinner. Hartwick Company #1 Fire Department, 3088 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 293-7741.

WRITING 1-3 p.m.

“Cooperstown Writers Group.” Held each Sunday. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344. OUTDOORS 2-4 p.m. “Queer Outdoors: Em-

mons Pond Bog.” Learn about bogs, how they develop and their cultural significance. Mud expected. Presented by Otsego County Conservation Association. Meet in the parking lot. Emmons Pond Bog, 2028 White Hill Road, Oneonta. (607) 375-7280.

THEATRE 2-4 p.m.

“Next! Readings of New Works by Regional Playwrights.” Free reading of “Fall Forever” by Eva Schegulla. Free, open to the public. Auditorium, Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

►Monday, april 8

EClipSE

SENIOR WALK

10-11 a.m. Seniors walk the track and gym floor with Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

MUSIC Noon. “Midday Music at St. Mary’s: Drew Frech” Featuring original renditions of early jazz standards on vintage banjos. Free. Refreshments provided, bring a bag lunch. Sanctuary of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 7690 State Highway 80, Springfield Center. (607) 233-4523 ext. 101.

ECLIPSE Noon to 5 p.m. “Eclipse Viewing Party.” Space-themed activities, eclipse glasses available on first-come, first-serve basis, more. A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. CONNECTIONS Noon.

“Lunch & Learn: Origins Café.” Dana Leonard Sanders will share the origins of Origins. Includes a chance to sample delicious soup from this unique café. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

ECLIPSE 2-4:30 p.m. Solar Eclipse Viewing. Glasses available. Livestream in the library. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2:10-4:35 p.m. Otsego County will experience a partial solar eclipse. Maximum coverage of the sun will be achieved at 3:25 p.m. Check weather ahead of time for best experience.

AGING 4 p.m.