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County Reps Hear Anti-ICE Concerns; Talk Monument Restoration, Staffing Challenges

By BILL BELLEN OTSEGO COUNTY

Prior to the Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting last Wednesday, February 4, there were brief special meetings of the Public Safety and Legal Affairs and Administration committees. PS&LAbriefly convened to approve a few minor contract

modifications before adjourning to make way for Administration. Administration Committee Chair Margaret Kennedy began by passing the agenda to Personnel Officer Penny Gentile. Gentile presented the county’s new and hastily-created gender-based violence in the workplace policy for the county. She stated that the proposal took into account new requirements of public

Bassett CEO Talks Financial Turnaround

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL

COOPERSTOWN

After what Bassett Healthcare Network has described as a turnaround from a $60 million negative margin in 2023 to a projected positive margin for 2025, President and Chief Executive Officer Staci Thompson sat for a wide-ranging interview with AllOtsego about what went into making it happen, and what to expect in the future.

Thompson, who took on the job in 2024, attributed the turnaround to “a lot of discipline and a lot of the organization coming together to really understand that no opportunity was too small to address.”

She said it involved standardizing certain supplies, ensuring appropriate reimbursement to the organization, receipt of grants and donations.

“When we looked at [it], we had to kind of do an $80 million turnaround,” Thompson said. Around half of that “came from the growth revenue, making sure we’re getting paid for what we’re doing, getting more patients in. And then the other half came from things like expense improvement.”

She also cited a “last resort” “modest reduction in force” of around 100 non-bedside employees in October 2024, of which she said approximately 20 percent have been rehired. Thompson said it was

something “I would not reach to again, because we don’t cut our way to success.”

With six hospitals and more than 30 regional health centers across an eight-county region, Bassett is a critical component of local healthcare infrastructure.

“The whole point of being a not-for-profit is to make money to reinvest in the organization,” Thompson said. “So any money that we make really goes into, and will go into, being able to provide capital equipment, to be able to upgrade our IT, to be able to invest in our facilities.”

Multiple recent letters to the editor in “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” newspapers have expressed concern about the organization’s financial health. A Bassett spokesperson said the latest financial documents projecting the positive margin were not yet available for public review, but would be accessible following an ongoing audit.

Thompson said one of the largest growing expenses was wages.

“The cost of hiring people to come work at Bassett compared to, say, 10 years ago, has grown really exponentially,” she pointed out.

Previously, Thompson said, Bassett had a wide range of vendors for agency staffing, employees who are contracted out. Now, moving toward “more of an

entities in New York State that must now be met in order to “bid on competitive state contracts and certain grants.” Gentile noted that the Solid Waste Department’s annual hazardous waste event relied on one of the grants in question, sparking the urgency in getting the legislation passed before the February 27 funding deadline.

Continued on page 11

Ice Fishers Brave Cold and Wind on Lake Otsego

By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL SPRINGFIELD

A►new policy for submissions, page 4

►broadband, wrestling and blood, page 6

►sqspca expands footprint, page 7

►meet the glimmerglass cast, page 7

►books vs. ipads, page 10

few hundred feet from the shores of Glimmerglass State Park, three bundled-up old college friends prepare for an evening of ice fishing on Otsego Lake. They may or may not catch something from the dark depths beneath the blinding snow-covered ice, and that’s all part of the journey.

“First time ice has been safe for us to get out,” Mike Seymour says while preparing a hole to fish from. “Some days you may have a good day, get a good perch and a walleye or

two. Some days, you go home and nothing.” To be safe to walk on, the ice

needs to be at least four inches thick. Today, January 31, amidst a cold snap bringing tempera-

tures well below freezing and even 0℉ in much of the Northeast and Midwest U.S., the trio estimates it’s as much as eight inches in certain places. The group is one of several on the ice.

“We usually fish like four hours at a time,” Seymour says. “That’s about all these 65-yearold bodies can take,” he adds with a chuckle.

“I need to be outdoors,” Rob Serowski answers to what draws him to ice fishing, adding that the sunlight keeps his mood high during the winter months. Using a snowdog, a vehicle of sorts, Jim Cohen pulls equipment across the ice, including

Continued on page 11

Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel

Jim Cohen, left, drives his snowdog on Otsego Lake as Rob Serowski, right, moves equipment.

Photo by Katelyn Dwyer Frosty Winter Fun COOPERSTOWN—In spite of the frigid temperatures, the 58th annual Cooperstown Winter Carnival kicked off without a hitch on Thursday, February 5 with hot cocoa at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, followed by fireworks over Otsego Lake.

SECURITY/SAFETY GUARD FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND POSITIONS

Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum have openings for Safety/Security guards. 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. NYS Security Guard license preferred but not required. The workday includes using computer-based monitoring systems, walking extensive museum grounds, completing incident reports, and troubleshooting potential hazards. We provide training, certification, and an excellent benefit package, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick pay. $18-$20/hr. based on experience. These openings are for the 2nd and 3rd Shift. Applications are available at fenimoreart.org or fenimorefarm.org Email completed applications to: hr@fenimoreart.org, or mail to PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326. For more information or to have an application mailed to you, please call 607-547-1462. EOE

Bassett

exclusive arrangement,”

Bassett was able to negotiate better prices and “pull $12 million out of agency spend.” In the future, Thompson said she hopes to reduce the reliance on agency staffing altogether.

Bassett has also sought to expand its services.

One of the focuses of the organization’s strategic plan, Thompson said, is on growing orthopedic, cardiovascular and oncology services.

“That is all about being able to offer patients appointments when they need it,” Thompson said, citing some patients’ frustration with wait times.

“We’re trying to have the future where people who need a primary care appointment or specialty appointment can have them during the same week,” Thompson said.

Expanding in these

areas, she said, allows for fewer transfers out of the Bassett network. A team meets twice a week to look at every case that was transferred out of network and assess what could be done to keep them innetwork in the future, she explained.

Thompson said she believes the financial turnaround will also make Bassett a more appealing grant recipient.

“A lot of what the state has to do in other areas, particularly in some areas downstate, is they have to write checks to keep the organization literally from closing its doors, paying its bills in order to allow it to pay salaries,” Thompson said. “So to be in that position where we do what we say we’re going to do, use the state’s money that, thankfully, they have given to us, and to show that we have achieved what we said we were going to achieve will yield positive intent, positive funding going forward.”

On AllOtsego.com:

Trump, Johnson Endorse Oberacker for Congress

President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson endorsed state Senator Peter Oberacker in his challenge against Representative Josh Riley on February 4. In a series of endorsements in close congressional races across the country, Trump called Oberacker “a very successful ‘Meat Market’ Businessman, Dedicated Public Servant, and now, as State Senator, who has strongly served his Community with a career ‘loaded up’ with accolades and wins.”

Riley Significantly Outraises

Oberacker in Congressional Race

Representative Josh Riley (D) outraised challenger Republican state Senator Peter Oberacker (R) by hundreds of thousands of dollars in the latest campaign finance filing period. “Thousands of Upstate New Yorkers are stepping up to power our fight against corporate greed and Washington corruption,” Riley said.

Riley, All NY Congressional Dems Endorse Hochul for Governor

Along with the entirety of the New York Democratic congressional delegation, Representative Josh Riley endorsed Governor Kathy Hochul for reelection. Primary challenger Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado, who has since dropped out of the race, received support from the Otsego County Democratic Party chair.

Hochul Proposes Legislation To Bar Formal Local ICE Partnerships

Governor Kathy Hochul on January 30 proposed the Local Cops, Local Crimes Act which would bar 287(g) collaboration agreements between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It would void the one currently held by the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Richard Devlin did not respond to request for comment on the bill.

Editor’s Note: Content on our website, AllOtsego. com, often includes news articles and opinion pieces for which we do not have room in the regular paper, or which break and are reported on in the middle of our weekly news cycle. Access to all Otsego.com is included with a hard-copy newspaper subscription, but readers can subscribe independently to the website for just $35.88 annually.

COOPERSTOWN

Otsego 2000 will host Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause on Sunday, February 22 from 5:307:30 pm. The event, a community favorite which raises funds for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, will feature gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, soup, and desserts made by local chefs, and local beer, wine, and cider. It takes place in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley.

Chefs participating include Tim Searles of Doubleday Café, Brian Wrubleski of Mel’s at 22, Jesse Pascale of Rock Hill Farm, Richard Lercari from Straight from the Hive, Erika and Vince Brown from The Rabbit Hole, Erich

Continued on page 10

Continued from page 1

Photo provdied

Staci Thompson succeeded Dr. Tommy Ibrahim as Bassett Healthcare Network president and CEO in January 2024.

Giving Grows: Local Charity Keeps Beating its Own Record

By BILL BELLEN

MILFORD

Saturday, February 21 will mark the 28th annual gathering for the Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump. From 200-300 local jumpers are expected to converge on Silliman Cove to show their support for 11 fundraiser recipients. The event sees daring individuals take the plunge into the icy February waters of Goodyear Lake, being treated afterward to some welldeserved hot tub time and to chili and hot chocolate, to help get participants’ blood flowing again.

The Polar Bear Jump began nearly 30 years ago in 1996 as the brainchild of Brenda and Jamie Waters, quickly growing into a now-renowned local phenomenon and outlet of goodwill and hope for families in need. This will mark the fourth consecutive year with a jump, following a hiatus from 2020-2022 due to personal matters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding goals for the jump have been topped nearly every year— 2024 saw a record $182,000.00 raised by the event, surpassed again in 2025 with a total of $186,000.00. Brenda shared that she hopes they can continue the trend this year as well.

“We ask businesses, foundations, the fire department—the New York State Dive Team comes out,” Brenda said. “They’re there for us. It’s a pretty endless list of supporters. We don’t have many people saying no—I haven’t had anybody yet this year.”

Strong support is easy to understand with such an admirable mission at hand. Each year, the Polar Bear Jump donates 100 percent of money fundraised to children and families in need of medical-related assistance. When it comes time for the recipient selection process, Brenda reaches out to local health officials like Dr. Lisa Mooney as well as the families of previous recipients to identify people in need.

“What I have them do is just write up and mail me the information about their diagnosis. And then we reach out to them and explain to them what we look for.

We don’t ask the parents to do anything but to be there at the awards banquet and obviously allow their child to be on a poster, and then people will refer to the pbjump.com site to look up the stories on what’s up with the children and how they’re doing,” Brenda recounted.

This year, the regularly-scheduled auction has been replaced by a ticket raffle. This ancillary event to the main show helps cover the costs of any operational components of the day that are

Party Change Deadline Is Feb. 14

COOPERSTOWN

The Otsego County Board of Elections reminds all registered voters that Saturday, February 14 is the deadline to change party enrollment before the 2026 designating petition/ primary cycle culminating in the primary election on June 23.

Enrollment in a party is only required for those who want to sign a party’s designating petitions or participate in their primary elections. Party enrollment does not affect the ability to sign independent petitions or participate in the general election in November.

Enrollment change requests must be received by the Board of Elections by February 14 to be effective for the June 23 primary. Any enrollment changes received after the deadline will take effect on June 30 (seven days after the June primary). The Otsego County Board of Elections will be open Saturday, February 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. to receive any last-minute enrollment changes.

Voters may change their party enrollment by submitting a new voter registration form to the BOE using any of the following methods:

• Use the New York State Board of Elections’ Online Voter Registration Portal—learn more at elections.ny.gov. Application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on February 14.

• Use the MyDMV Customer Portal—learn more at dmv.ny.gov. The application deadline if using the DMV portal

is 2 p.m. on Friday, February 13.

• Submit a paper form to the BOE office in person or by mail: Otsego County Board of Elections, 140 County Highway 33W, Suite 2, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Paper forms are available at post offices, municipal buildings or over

the counter at the BOE. Downloadable/printable forms are available on the Otsego County Board of Election website, vote. otsegocountyny.gov.

Those needing a paper form mailed to them can call (607) 547-4247.

Voters may check their current registration status at voterlookup.elections. ny.gov.

not secured from the generous donations of community members. The ticket raffle also ensures that the money gathered in fundraising can continue to be directed in full toward the recipients and their families.

Those interested in becoming a jumper can preregister with a packet and waiver found on the Polar Bear Jump’s website. Jumpers are then given a sponsor sheet that can be used to gather signatures and donations from

other community members. As a gift for commitment to the cause, anyone who raises $100.00 or more will be invited to a meal and given a T-shirt, with those collecting over $500.00 being awarded a sweatshirt as well. Brenda encouraged higher-level sponsors to put their donations toward the top to encourage people to follow suit.

“We had a jumper and I met up with him somewhere and he said, ‘I’ve been thinking about jumping again this year…My mind keeps saying no, but my heart is saying yes,’ and I thought that’s amazing. You know, like your mind is saying no, but your heart is pushing you to jump and say yes,” Brenda recalled.

“We gave a family a wheelchair vehicle and the kid just put his head down and started crying because he was never allowed to go and visit his grandmother because they didn’t have a way to get him there. He was just so taken that he was now going to be able to go visit his grandmother because he could ride in a vehicle to her home… That was really super touching.”

Those looking to attend the Polar Bear Jump can park in or along the large field just off of Lake Shore Drive South for shuttle service to Silliman Cove, where the jump is set to take place. It is advised to not park at or along Silliman Cove Road itself, due to the limited space available. Whether a participant or an audience member, Brenda recommends dressing warmly. For jumpers in particular, she advises multiple layers, warm footwear, and to take advantage of the hot tub and warm refreshments available.

The jumper sign-up packet and information on this year’s recipients can be found on the Polar Bear Jump website or on their Facebook page, with updates provided regarding any possible changes or additional fund recipients. Jumpers can continue to sign up until the day before the event, while donations can be made electronically for the event itself, as well as year-round to the Hopeful Hearts Foundation.

Graphic provided

This year’s Goodyear Lake Polar Bear Jump seeks to raise funds for 11 individuals in need of medical-related assistance, as well as the Hopeful Hearts Foundation.

EDITORIAL

FYour Paper, Your Views, Your New Letters Policy

our years ago to the issue, we published zero letters to the editor in this paper. In the issue of October 6, 2022—the first under new leadership—there was just one letter. It was written by regular contributor Gerry Welch who, sadly, is no longer with us. From October 6 through February 9, 2023, we ran a total of 63 letters to the editor. During this same time frame in 2025-2026, we have printed 88 letters—an increase of 33 percent. And that’s not counting the letters published solely on our website, AllOtsego.com, for lack of space in the hard-copy paper.

We’re so excited by this statistic. For the last four years, our motto has been “putting the community back into the newspaper,” and the increase in submissions of letters to the editor and opinion pieces continues to grow accordingly. In fact, the interest in becoming part of “The Freeman’s Journal,” “Hometown Oneonta” and AllOtsego. com—in becoming part of the record—is such that we now have new columnists waiting in the wings to get started. What a wonderful problem to have!

These newspapers and our website exist to inform and strengthen our community by publishing accurate, fair and locally relevant news. We prioritize coverage of local government, schools, agriculture, businesses, community events, and the accomplishments and concerns of residents. We do not publish unverified allegations, gratuitous personal attacks or content that promotes hatred or discrimination, although some of our more provocative contributed pieces may be misconstrued as such. Opinions are clearly labeled, and advertising is distinguished from news. When in doubt, we err on the side of respect

FFor the last four years, our motto has been “putting the community back into the newspaper,” and the increase in submissions of letters to the editor and opinion pieces continues to grow accordingly.

for individuals’ privacy while fulfilling our responsibility to report matters of legitimate public interest.

Our opinion page—often spilling over to additional pages—is a place for neighbors to discuss issues that matter to our communities, whether as letters to the editor or as guest essays. The latter are most often labeled as “The Partial Observer,” to indicate they are opinion pieces and that the author may have a vested interest in the topic or a strong personal opinion on the subject.

We welcome clearly argued essays on local topics, including town and county government, schools, agriculture, local economy, public services, community life, and on national issues as they impact local residents. We expect opinions to be grounded in accurate, verifiable facts; writers must sign their names and provide contact information for verification. Criticism should focus on local public issues, policies, and actions, not on private lives or personal traits. We may edit for clarity, length, and legal concerns, and we reserve the right not to publish any submission.

We do not pay for guest essays, though we do have some regular paid columnists. “Advertorials,” in which the writer pays us to publish what is presented to look like news or an essay, will not be accepted without clear identification as sponsored content.

The preferred length for guest essays is 700 words. Letters to the editor should follow our overall guideline of serving a local readership with local news. Blatantly offensive, hateful or discriminatory language or content will not be printed. We require the writer’s full name, street address, and phone or e-mail contact information. Anonymous or pseudonymous letters will not be accepted (although the editor may withhold a name in special circumstances). Word count must not exceed 300 words, a change from the 250 suggested word limit, but now hard and fast. The editor reserves the right to limit each writer to one letter per month in the hardcopy paper, though additional letters may be posted online as the editor sees fit.

We also have space for columns that are personal observations concerning rural life, highlight the achievements or the foibles of local people, provide insights based upon local history, and otherwise enrich our readers or educate them on the differing perspectives in today’s society. It is important to note that the views expressed by contributors are their own and not necessarily the view of AllOtsego and its affiliates.

Yes, we are making some changes to our letters policy, and we are ramping up our opinion pieces in order to give voice to you, our readers, and also to challenge your views in the hopes that you will consider rather than condemn the opinions and viewpoint of those with whom you may not agree, because we firmly believe in finding the common ground. So, in the spirit of putting the community back into the newspaper—write on, if just a bit more succinctly, moving forward.

A Holiday Feast with Fenimore Chamber Orchestra

enimore Chamber Orchestra gave its unofficial annual holiday concert on December 6 at Christ Church in Cooperstown before a near-capacity audience. The concert was presented in the usual fashion; that is, avowed masterpieces juxtaposed with superb musical works that could be considered masterpieces, but for whom time has, for various reasons, not been as kind.

One of the most beautiful works from the pen of J.S. Bach opened the concert; “Sheep May Safely Graze” from the Hunt Cantata, BWV 208. If the swift performance did not really convey “safely grazing” moments (this herd of sheep seemed as if they were making a mad dash to a rare sale at

Bloomingdale’s), the striking beauty of the expected ensemble playing of the orchestra certainly made up for any lack of repose in the sheep.

One of the most beautiful discovery moments for this writer, and there seem to be many with this orchestra, was the Andante Moderato for String Orchestra adapted from the String Quartet No. 1 by Florence Price. That this composers’ complete oeuvre lay dormant for so many years is unfathomable! What a gorgeous and true work of genius! It was presented by everyone with joy and a palpable satisfaction that such a piece can now be restored to the active repertoire. Other works on the program by Bartók, Persichetti, Janiewicz and

Weiner were also marvelous discoveries. What linked all of this repertoire together was that they all originated from folk music. A brilliant conception and curating of a concert on the part of Maciej Żółtowski, who led the orchestra in its now very familiar brilliance. And to top it all off, was a lovely rendition, and a sing-a-long, of the famous “A Christmas Festival” by Leroy Anderson. The audience responded in kind; what a beautiful way to begin the holiday season!

T. Stephen Wager is a regular contributor to “The Freemans’ Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta.”

When was the last time you watched a Congressional hearing?

Visit https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/chrg for an eye-opening experience.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

“The Freeman’s Journal” welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper, or on topics of general local interest. They must include the writer’s name, address, e-mail and telephone/mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own. Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. Maximum length is 300 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn Church and State Must Be Separate

The separation of church and state is not a recent political slogan or an attack on faith. It is a deliberate principle established by America’s founders to protect both religion and liberty from government overreach.

Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

County

Village of Cooperstown

Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association

Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year.

Our founders were clear on this point. James Madison warned in his 1785 “Memorial and Remonstrance” that even minimal government involvement in religion inevitably corrupts both institutions. Thomas Jefferson later described the First Amendment as building a “wall of separation between church and state,” a safeguard born from experience, not theory.

Perhaps most striking is Article 11 of the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, ratified unanimously by the Senate and signed by John Adams. It states that “the government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.” This was not controversial—it was a clarification to the world that America was governed by law, not theology.

The First Amendment

states plainly that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This does not diminish religion; this preserves it by keeping belief a matter of personal conscience rather than political power.

Government neutrality toward religion ensures that no citizen is elevated—or marginalized—based on faith.

A government with the authority to promote religion today can just as easily restrict it tomorrow. Religious freedom flourishes best when the government neither endorses nor opposes belief. Defending the separation of church and state is not about erasing faith from public life. It is about preserving freedom.

M. Stanley Bugge Otego

A Change In Political Party

When I attempted to run for mayor of the City of Oneonta, I ran as a Republican who wanted a DOGE-like program to help the city. Turns out that I was dead wrong and I admit I was wrong. Thankfully, I got my head out of someplace.

As someone who believes in democracy and values, I decided to reenlist as a member of the Democratic Party, a party that adheres to my beliefs, and principles like affordable housing and healthcare, criminal justice reform, and other issues that I agree with the majority of what the Democratic Party believes. With that said, I am sticking to the Democratic Party whether as a candidate for office or as a member of the party.

Andrew (AJ) Hamill Oneonta

Taking Exception to the Editorial

In regard to the February editorial, “Was Sheriff Devlin Simply Ahead of the Curve?,” I wonder why not send a news reporter to interview Sheriff Devlin on the record to see if this is actually his motivation for signing a 287(g) agreement with ICE, rather than guessing that it could be? Better yet, given the controversy and the fact that he made the decision to sign a 287(g) agreement unilaterally, maybe a better question is why Sheriff Devlin doesn’t hold a press conferContinued on page 9

Columnists and Contributing Writers

Bill Bellen, Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Maria Griswold, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Cassandra Miller, Wriley Nelson, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin

T. STEPHEn wAgER

Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART

210 YEARS AGO

Amongst the numerous Petitions read in the house today, was one from Francis Henry, Billings Brown and Charles Mason, of the County of Otsego, complaining of irregular practices, at the late election in the Town of Pittsfield, in that county, by which they allege, that the seats of Mssrs. Judd, Crippen and Metcalf, three sitting members, for that county, be vacated, and the petitioners to be admitted in their stead.

February 15, 1816

135 YEARS AGO

Among the several notable, though diminutive, inland lakes of Central New York, possibly the lingering fragment of a once great rival of the “Ontario,” is the very small one that supplies the headwaters of the lengthened Susquehanna. Its Indian name of “Otsego” has been wisely left to it; and a liquid gem it is, of so much brightness and beauty, as to be seldom forgotten by beholders. Fringed on the west by sloping banks that bend in and out in many a graceful curve, and on the east by uplands more precipitous aspiring even to the dignity of moderate mountains, its engaging features of interest scarcely suffer in comparison with those of the much admired “Katrine” of Scotland. Also, like the latter, it has through the witchery of the pen, become quite “classic.” For as the genius of Scott hovers over “Loch Katrine,” so does that of Cooper over Otsego Lake. (Excerpt from the Illustrated Christian Weekly reprinted in The Freeman’s Journal)

February 13, 1891

110 YEARS AGO

Professor Allez was delighted Monday afternoon when he received over his wireless apparatus evidence that his new 100-foot aerial had gotten into contact with the government wireless station at Arlington, N.J. Tuesday at noon the Professor received unmistakably the official time from Arlington. Who says we are not right up-to-date in Cooperstown.

February 9, 1916

60 YEARS AGO

Horace Weeks and his seeing-eye dog have been a familiar sight on the streets of Cooperstown for the past 22 years. Always pleasant, always industrious, Horace goes about tasks that to many, less handicapped people, would seem difficult. For 12 years he manned the Chamber of Commerce Information booth at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets, answering all sorts of queries, directing tourists to points of interest throughout the area. “My, what a lot of inquiries I had those first years before identifying and directional signs were put up,” he said – “as many as 13,000.” He kept track by putting beans in a jar. Weeks was not always blind and relied entirely on memory to give directions.

February 9, 1966

35 YEARS AGO

WNavigating the Path to Probate

hen a loved one passes away, the legal path forward can feel confusing and overwhelming. During such a difficult time, the individual tasked with managing an estate must navigate a series of steps to determine the proper course of action. This process, while structured, requires careful attention to detail to ensure a smooth transition for the family.

The first essential step is to determine if the deceased had any formal estate planning in place, such as a will or a trust, and to locate the physical originals of these documents. These serve as the primary map for the administration. If no planning documents are found, the process still moves forward, but the distribution of assets will be dictated by New York State statute.

Next, you must identify the property within the estate. This includes assets owned solely in the deceased’s name that do not have designated beneficiaries, such as real property, bank accounts, vehicles, and tangible personal property—the “stuff” that makes up a home. For those researching property records locally, the Otsego County Real Property Tax Services’ LookUp tool is an excellent public resource. Bank accounts can be more difficult to uncover; it is helpful to pay close attention to incoming mail and financial records. Additionally, locating vehicle titles will confirm legal ownership, while taking photographs of household items is a practical way to document the estate’s contents.

By MERL REAGLE

Special Delivery

ACROSS

Arctic birds 5 Of the ear 9 “If ___ be so bold ...”

Alaska adjective 18 Response to a Dear John letter? (1961) 21 Ooh trailer

22 Mediterranean tree 23 What it takes to mail things? (1956) 24 The Postmaster General? (1967)

26 Spring for (dinner) 27 Armada’s milieu

29 Cigar contents, in Calais

30 Bill’s Hulk costar

32 Lonely Street address? (1956) 39 Furniture designer William 41 Of wings

Regret

Prime seat

Farmer’s name, in cartoons

Shove off

Postal carrier’s worry? (1956)

Certain women’s wear

Typewriter feature

Roughly

“Wild Bill” Donovan’s org.

Peace, to Pushkin

Monopoly imperative

Postal guy? (1968)

Court ace Andre

Backer

Green situation

Calf catcher

February 13, 1991 LAW WITH LAUREN

Solution: “Word Salad, Chunky-Style” (February 5)

By gathering the right information and utilizing available resources, you can ensure that your loved one’s legacy is handled with the care it deserves.

Once the documents and assets are identified, you can determine the correct legal path. If the estate does not include real property and the total value is less than $50,000.00, the New York Court System offers a “Small Estate Affidavit” program. This is a helpful “do-it-yourself” tool found on the NY Courts website, designed to simplify the process of becoming a voluntary administrator.

However, if the assets include real estate or exceed $50,000.00, a full court proceeding is required. This involves filing either a probate petition, which proves a will is valid, or an administration petition, which establishes who is best suited to serve in this fiduciary role. Because these are formal legal proceedings, it is often advisable to consult with an attorney before beginning.

The Surrogate’s Court is the specific body that handles these matters. While the court is open to the public and provides accessible checklists online, it is important to remember that court clerks are unable to provide comprehensive legal advice. All petitions require a certified death

Continued on page 11

Debt marker 72 Mail containing X’s and O’s? (1966) 76 Son of Adam

Broadband Workshop Planned

OTSEGO COUNTY—Otsego County will host the first in a series of broadband regulatory alignment workshops at 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 26. It will be held on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public, with wide participation from Otsego and Montgomery counties strongly encouraged. The meetings will bring together municipal leaders, regional partners and residents to discuss the local challenges of broadband expansion. Registration is encouraged but not required. Visit tinyurl.com/ yf67dzs2 for more information or to sign up.

FCA History Society To Meet

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society’s next monthly meeting will be held at 852 County Route 26 at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25. It will begin with a potluck dinner, followed by a presentation at 6:30 p.m. and then the business meeting. All are welcome.

Gardeners To Address Rotary

UNADILLA—The Unadilla Rotary Club will host Cornell Cooperative Extension Otsego Master Gardener volunteers for a presentation at 246 Main Street in Unadilla at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25. CCE volunteers and staff are trained to answer any questions about home gardening. The program is free and open to the public with no registration required. For more information, visit cceschoharie-otsego.org.

CCE Announces Spring Events

OTSEGO COUNTY—Cornell Cooperative Extension will host an eight-part webinar series on basic fruit tree cultivation. Sessions will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays from February 26 to April 2 and on Monday, March 16 and Monday, March 23. Kelley Doolin will lead a fruit tree pruning workshop at Middlefield Orchard, 2274 State Highway 166, from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. Spots are limited and registration is available at reg.cce.cornell.edu/treeprun_schots_243. Doolin will return to Middlefield Orchard for a berry pruning workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 7; register at reg.cce. cornell.edu/berryprun_schots_243

The second annual Ag Solutions and Networking Expo will be held at SUNY Cobleskill from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. Farmers, agribusinesses and partners from across the region are invited for a day of workshops and networking. Register at eventleaf.com/e/AgSolutions26. CCE will co-host a three-part webinar series on protecting farms from production risks with Annie’s Project and NY FarmNet. The webinars will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays from March 3-17. Registration is available at bit.ly/4tgcYeS. To view a full list of upcoming CCE events, visit cceschoharie-otsego.org/.

Nominees Sought for Award

ALBANY—Nominations are open for New York State’s 2026 Agricultural Environmental Management Leopold Conservation Award. The annual $10,000.00 award is presented to a farm and its nominating Soil and Water Conservation District for outstanding efforts in water, soil, and wildlife conservation. Applications must be received by May 15. For a full list of eligibility requirements or to make a nomination, visit sandcountyfoundation. org/ApplyLCA.

Field Station Seeking Interns

COOPERSTOWN—SUNYOneonta’s Biological Field Station is accepting applications for its 2026 summer internship programs, offering high-school and college students hands-on experience with lake management fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and research presentations. The application deadlines are March 4 for undergraduate interns and March 18 for high-school interns. The program is free, runs from late May through August, and offers college credits and fellowship funds of $3,000.005,000.00. For more information or to apply, visit suny.oneonta.edu/biology-department/biologicalfield-station/internships.

Albany Releases Dean’s List

ALBANY—The University at Albany released its fall 2025 Dean’s List, honoring students who achieved a grade point average of 3.25 in their first semester of study or 3.5 in subsequent semesters. Local honorees include: Ivan Latella-Chicaiza and Lydia Lusk of Cherry Valley; Tara Dilorenzo of Cooperstown; Atticus Savage of Edmeston; Eliana Minenna of Fly Creek; Hannah Pope of Mount Vision; Leah Rehrmann of Morris; Lily Lin, Gabriella Saggese, Caleb Christman, and Olivia Enck of Oneonta; Emily Russo, Elif Kaptan, and Isabella West of Sidney; and Natalie Livelsberger of Unadilla.

Military Classic Taking Shape

COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will observe the 250th anniversary of the U.S. with the Hall of Fame Military Classic on Memorial Day Weekend. Hall of Famers Wade Boggs, Rollie Fingers, Todd Helton, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre will take part in the festivities at Doubleday Field, with more participants to be announced. The seven-inning Legends Game

will feature a home run contest and fun for the whole family. For more information on Memorial Day Weekend programming, visit baseballhall. org/hofclassic.

Brown Wins Wrestling Title

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown/Milford wrestling placed fourth of 11 teams at the Section III Class D Tournament in South Lewis on Saturday, February 7. Freshman Rowan Brown won a Class D title at 118 pounds with a 3-0 record and two pins. Max Koffer went 2-1 at 132 for a second-place finish and got his 100th varsity win in the semifinals. Andrew Spaulding also placed second, going 1-1 at 144 pounds. Max Pelcer and Thomas Geertgens finished third at 132 and 157 pounds, respectively. C/M will travel to Onondaga Community College in Syracuse for the Section III Division III Tournament on Saturday, February 14.

Cemetery Association To Meet

HARTWICK—The annual meeting of the lot owners of the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery Association will be held at Hartwick Seminary Fire House, Department 2, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 22. The business meeting will include the election of trustees.

FAM Announces Programming

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum will host a virtual tour of its Cooper, Cole and Hudson River School collection from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, followed by a Women Artists tour from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24. There will be a virtual tour of the Thaw Collection of Native American Art from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3. All tours are offered with a suggested donation of $10.00. The 2026 Cabin Fever Film Series will be held in the Fenimore auditorium at 7 p.m. on Fridays, offering “The Phoenician Scheme” on February 13, “Hamnet” on March 6 and “One Battle After Another” on March 20. The movies are free to attend but donations are encouraged. For more information or to sign up, visit fenimoreart.org.

Thompson Makes Dean’s List

ONEONTA—Hartwick College released its fall 2025 Dean’s List, honoring students who achieved a GPA of at least 3.5 while carrying 12 or more credits of classwork. Among the honorees was Emily Thompson of Richmondville.

Scholarship Deadline Nearing

NEW BERLIN—The Preferred Foundation, the giving entity of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, will accept scholarship applications from high-school seniors in Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties through Saturday, February 28. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of academic achievement, leadership, community involvement and overall merit. Four awards will be granted this year. For full eligibility criteria or to apply, visit preferredmutual.com/our-difference/community.

Olympian To Lead Swim Clinic

COOPERSTOWN—Five-time Olympic medalist Josh Davis will lead two swim clinics at the Clark Sports Center on Friday, February 20. The workshop will be open to ages 9-11 from 3-5:30 p.m. and to ages 12 and up from 5:30-7:30. The cost is $150.00 per person and slots are expected to fill quickly. To register, visit clarksportscenter.com.

25 Main To Host Workshops

CHERRY VALLEY—Amanda Trumbull will lead two upcoming classes at 25 Main Collective in February. There will be a wire-wrapping workshop to make either fidget rings or a suncatcher from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18 for ages 10 and up. Another wire-wrapping class to make a sun and moon will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 21. Class sizes are limited; contact 25maincollective@gmail.com for more information or to register.

ADK Club Leads February Hikes

ONEONTA—The Susquehanna chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club has two remaining Tuesday hikes in February, at Hamden Rail Trail on February 17 and at the Susquehanna Greenway on Oneonta’s Silas Lane on February 24. The monthly meeting and potluck dinner will be held at the Greenway at 6 p.m. on February 18 and will feature a presentation by chapter Chair Donna Vogler. For more information, visit susqadk.org.

Area Facing Blood Shortage

ENDICOTT—The American Red Cross issued an urgent nationwide alert that it is suffering a severe blood shortage. Winter weather and a large number of canceled blood drives have contributed to a deficit of nearly 20,000 donations, putting cancer patients and accident victims in danger. Donors are strongly urged to give blood; walk-ins are welcome and pre-registration is available at redcrossblood. org, by calling 1-800-733-2767 or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

Upcoming blood drives in the area include: 1-6 p.m. on February 12 at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on

February 13 at Sidney High School; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 18 at 15166 State Highway 30 in Downsville; 1-5:30 p.m. at 16178 State Route 28 in Delhi; 12:30-5:30 p.m. on February 20 at 31 Elm Street in Cooperstown; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on February 21 at Southside Mall in Oneonta; 1-6 p.m. on February 24 at 104 River Street in Sidney; 2-6 p.m. on February 24 at 1444 Pines Brook Road in Walton; 1-5 p.m. on February 27 at 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta; 3-7 p.m. on February 27 at Laurens High School; and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on February 28 at Marion Avenue and State Highway 51 in Gilbertsville.

Repair Café Returns Saturday

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Repair Café will return to the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 14. Community members are invited to bring in broken lamps, small appliances, and small furniture for assistance and advice from volunteer repair experts. The café is a collaborative program of Otsego 2000, Otsego County Conservation Association and Otsego Land Trust, and will return to the farmers’ market on the second Saturday of each month. For more information or to volunteer, visit otsego2000.org/repaircafe.

Development Funds Available

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that $3 million is available through the Workforce Development Grant Program to support expanded development programs for jobs in the state’s agriculture and food sectors. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations, non-profit educational institutions, municipal government entities and public benefit corporations. Awards range from $50,000.00 to $500,000.00 with a minimum match of 20 percent. Proposals are due on April 28. For more information or to apply, visit agriculture.ny.gov/ rfp-0328-new-york-state-agriculture-and-foodsystems-workforce-development-grant-program. An informational webinar for applicants will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 23; register at meetny-gov.webex.com/weblink/register/r6f1ed9f 870928103732bad7861fef173.

Chamber Releases Calendar

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting for its newest member, MetroMatress, at 4987 State Highway 23 at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24. The State of the County address and breakfast will be held in the Otsego Grille at SUNY Oneonta’s Morris Hall from 8-11 a.m. on Friday, February 27. Registration is required by February 20. For more information or a full schedule, visit members.otsegocc.com/events.

Boys Secure Title, Undefeated

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown boys basketball blew past Sherburne-Earlville 93-53 in a Center State Conference Division III game at home on Tuesday, February 3. Miles Nelen scored 27 points and made seven assists. Jackson Crisman recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds; Ben Lewis made another with a personal record of 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Brody Murdock scored 13 points.

The Hawkeyes trounced Morrisville-Eaton 99-57 to secure the Division III title and celebrate Senior Night on Friday, February 6. Nelen scored 23 more points and had five assists. Crisman had another double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Christian Lawson recorded 20 points, seven steals and seven assists, and Murdock added eight points. Cooperstown rose to 18-0 for the season and 9-0 in their division, and will face Sauquoit Valley after press time on Tuesday, February 10.

The girls team routed Sherburne-Earlville at home on Thursday, February 5, led by Emma Johnson’s 31 points and 10 rebounds. Lanie Nelen added 14 points and eight rebounds. Deanna Wolfe scored 11 points and Sophia Johnson recorded six points and 13 rebounds.

Volleyball Finishes Strong

COOPERSTOWN—Number 5-seeded Cooperstown volleyball swept 12-seed Clinton 35-22, 25-20, 25-23 in the opening round of the Section III Class C Playoffs on Wednesday, February 4. Chloe Jubar and Mia Pelcer each made 13 kills. The season came to an end with Cooperstown’s 3-1 (25-19, 21-25, 20-25, 13-25) loss to Sandy Creek in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 6. The Hawkeyes finished the season with a record of 13-4. Sandy Creek will face top-seeded Beaver River in the semifinals after press time on Tuesday, February 10.

CCS Bowling Wins Title

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown bowling won a Center State Conference title at the tournament in Rome on Wednesday, February 4. Wyatt Butts had both high game and high series for the Hawkeyes, finishing the night at 238-201-225. Joey Paterno rolled a series of 180-214-232. Butts, Paterno, Kaden Card, and Anthony McCoy will compete individually in the Section III Shootout, which begins at the Mattydale AMF Strike and Spare on Thursday, February 26.

Touring the SQSPCA’s New Digs at Campbell Hill Farm

By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL

MIDDLEFIELD

This past fall, the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced it had acquired a farm to house many of its farm animals for potential adoption with the Safe Pasture Project initiative. Now, as efforts continue to prepare the facility for a hoped for May open house, the Campbell Hill Farm is caring for three horses (one of which is a mini horse), five ducks, three geese, two pigs, eight goats, three chickens, and one sheep.

“Everybody you see here is available for adoption,” SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes said.

While currently including a main building with an office with attached barn, another barn, and pasture for the horses, the 26-acre farm also has substantial empty space that could be used in the future. Campbell Hill Farm is managed by Samantha Ceresna.

Before securing the farm, Haynes said, the SQSPCA was heavily reliant on the generosity of locals willing to foster and was forced to send animals to other facilities for care.

“Until last year, we had farm animals in Schoharie County, Chenango County, Delaware County, and it became too much for our staff to be driving all over trying to provide care and keep things organized,” Haynes said.

She added she could think of only

two other upstate organizations with farms like the SQSPCA’s.

With an over-100-year history, the SQSPCA has remained a steadfast presence in Otsego County. In recent years, the organization has worked with the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office to assist with animal cruelty cases. Among other factors, that has led to an increase in farm animals under the organization’s care.

The SQSPCA is currently hosting a fundraising drive with a matching challenge from Ed and Carol Forman.

“If we raise $20,000.00 and we have at least 100 donors, they will give us $20,000.00,” Haynes said. The deadline is this Saturday, February 14.

“We’re really excited to have this challenge right now. We’re about halfway there with donors and funds,” Haynes said.

Curbell Plastics Syracuse, Ace Glass Support Restoration of Memorials

Thanks to a partnership between Curbell Plastics Inc. and longtime customer Ace Glass Company of Oneonta, veterans’ memorials at American Legion Post 1555 in Otego have been restored.

Officials said in a press release issued that, as part of the project, Curbell Plastics’ Syracuse location donated four 4’ x 8’ sheets of ¼” clear polycarbonate, with Ace

Glass providing an additional three sheets.

The durable, impactresistant polycarbonate was installed to protect the memorial panels from the elements, completing the restoration and ensuring that the displays honoring local service members will be preserved for years to come.

“This was a meaningful project for our team to be part of,” said Patrick Silkey, inside sales manager at Curbell Plastics

Glimmerglass Announces Casting for 2026 Season

COOPERSTOWN

The Glimmerglass Festival recently announced casting for its 2026 season, July 10 through August 17, featuring a roster of artists celebrated by critics for their vocal excellence, dramatic insight and musical intelligence. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the festival’s 2026 season explores America’s evolving identity through grand musical theater, opera classics, contemporary works and reinterpretations, and a major new regional collaboration, officials said in press release issued on January 26.

“Glimmerglass is a place where you can experience performers at the very peak of their international game as well as meet the next generation of rising stars—singers you will see in the spotlight at the Met or on Broadway in years to come,” said Rob Ainsley, Glimmerglass Festival artistic and general director.

Leading the season are Shereen Pimentel and Michael Adams, starring opposite one another as Laurey Williams and Curly McLain in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Okla-

BREA

SWIM

“All of our casts this season are singers who understand that opera and musical theater are fundamentally about storytelling...”

homa!” In “Madame Butterfly,” internationally acclaimed soprano Eri Nakamura joins the festival in one of her signature roles as CioCio-San, joined by Eric Taylor, the 2024 winner of the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.

The season also includes Colin Aikins and Joseph Lattanzi, whose performances in “Fellow Travelers” have been praised for their emotional immediacy and dramatic clarity, officials said.

The festival’s 2026 production of “Così” features a standout ensemble led by Amanda Batista, a recent graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program; Michelle Mariposa, winner of the 2025 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition; Travon Walker, a member of Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Center; and 2026 Hupper Family Festival Artists Gregory Feldmann and Keely Futterer. They are joined by bass-baritone Kevin Burdette, who also serves

—Rob Ainslie

as Artist-in-Residence for the 2026 season. The jazz-infused satire “Happy End” stars Ana Karneža, winner of the 2024 Kurt Weill Foundation’s Lotte Lenya Competition, whose performances have been described as fearless, stylish, and vocally commanding. “Happy End” is presented as part of a new collaborative partnership between The Glimmerglass Festival, Opera Saratoga, Finger Lakes Opera, and the Seagle Festival, with performances touring to communities across New York State and Western Massachusetts, and presented in the Glimmerglass Pavilion.

“All of our casts this season are singers who understand that opera and musical theater are fundamentally about story-telling—about listening, responding and connecting. These casts bring tremendous humanity and collaborative spirit to works that ask urgent questions about who we are as a nation and as individuals,” Ainsley said.

Syracuse. “Partnering with Ace Glass to help restore and protect the memorials that mean so much to the Otego community was an honor, and we’re proud that our materials can play a role in preserving that history.”

The restored memorials stand as a lasting tribute to area veterans, reflecting the community’s dedication to remembering and honoring their service and sacrifice, officials said.

Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel

Stacie Haynes, left, and Samantha Ceresna look over the SQSPCA’s small herd of goats.

Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel

Pigs are just some of the farm animals the SQSPCA is offering up for adoption at its new farm.

OTEGO

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Notice of formatioN of Michael Figliomeni LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/13/2025.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 210 Burdick Rd,, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.12

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Notice of formatioN of Hulbert Creative Group LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on November 18th, 2025.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 396 3rd Avenue, Apt. 2N, New York, NY, 10016. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of Oaks Creek Construction LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on Nov. 24, 2025. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 174 Cty. Hwy. 11c, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of 37 Church Street, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/22/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy

of any process against the LLC served upon him/ her to: The LLC, 8 Brookwood St., Glen Head, NY 11545. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of

SDD FLY CREEK, LLC Limited Liability Company (“LLC”).

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on 12/23/2025. Office location: 6225 State Route 28, Fly Creek, Otsego County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 6225 State Route 28, Fly Creek, New York 13337. Purpose: Any lawful act under New York LLC Law.

6LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of HIGH PONDS SERVICES, LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/13/26. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 8-12 Dietz St., Ste. 202, Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of Viandante LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 9, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 91 Center Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of Merry Hill Storage LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 12, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 271 Texas Road, Springfield Center, NY 13468. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of C5 EQUITY PARTNERS LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 12/17/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 16 DIETZ ST, ONEONTA, NY 13820. Purpose: Any Lawful 6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of 4542 NY LLC, filed with the Secretary of State on January 09, 2026. Office Location is in Otsego County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to P.O. Box 431, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalFeb.26

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Notice of formatioN of SARATOGA1JAS, LLC

Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 1/20/26. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 8-12 Dietz St., Ste. 202, Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.5

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Notice of formatioN of LIVING YOU VENTURES, LLC

Articles of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (SSNY) on 1/21/26. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process

LEGALS

may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 129 Blueberry Ln., Maryland, NY 12116, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalMar.5

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

The Meeting House Eatery, LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with the Department of State (SSNY) January 8, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County United States Corporation Agents, Inc. (USCA) has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and USCA shall mail copy of process to: 3522 County Highway 11, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws

6LegalMar.5

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Notice to BiDDerS

Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd., 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via the internet using https://bidx.com. A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

Electronic documents and Amendments are posted to www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/const-notices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-planholder. Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list.

NYS Finance Law restricts communi-

cation with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518) 4572124.

Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/M/WBE’s and SDVOBs.

The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET

APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Please call (518) 457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901. D265707, PIN 9TSR26, FA Proj, Broome, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie,

Sullivan, Tioga Cos., SIGN REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT 25/26 - Various Locations, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $40,000.00), Goals: DBE: 0.00% 2LegalFeb.12

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Notice of formatioN of plotlynn, llc, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: plotlynn, llc, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of

B&E BuildingServices, LLC

Art. Of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 1/27/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 773 Angel Hill Road, Burlington Flats, NY 13315. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.12

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Notice of formatioN of a LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY (LLc)

The name of the LLC is Glimmerglass

Properties LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 31, 2025. New York office location: 7569 Highway 80, Town of Springfield, County of Otsego and State of New York. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: Glimmerglass Properties LLC; 161 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook, New York 12106.

Purpose/Character of business: Any lawful business purpose permitted under the New York Limited Liability Company Law. This notification is made pursuant to Section 206 of the Limited Liability Company Law. 6LegalMar.12

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PUBLic

Notice of LaW

NOTICE is hereby given that the Board of Representatives of the County of Otsego at a meeting thereof held on the 4th day of February, 2026, duly adopted Local Law 4 of 2026 entitled: A Local Law establishing the department called Office of Assigned Counsel and designating the position Assigned Counsel Managing Attorney as a department head pursuant to section 35(e) of NYS Civil Service Law.

It is the intent of this Local Law to establish such department and position.

The full text of this Local Law of 2026 is available on the Otsego County website.

Dated: February 12, 2026

Carol D. McGovern Clerk of the Board of Representatives Otsego County, New York 1LegalFeb.12

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Notice to BiDDerS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd., 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via

the internet using https://bidx.com A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518)4572124.

not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award.

BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Please call (518) 457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.

Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901

D265720, PIN 912062, FA Proj , Otsego Co., SAFETY & MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS - NY Routes 23 & 28, Town of Oneonta., Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $375,000.00), Goals: DBE: 0.00% 2LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of BOHEMIAN NODES, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/15/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 1355 Co. Hwy. 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

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Notice of formatioN of SOS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 01/30/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 87 CHESTNUT ST., ONEONTA, NY 13820. Purpose: Any Lawful.

6LegalMar.19 continued pg. 9

ence to clarify his position with facts so the whole community could be clear on his motivations?

The editorial posits, “Could it not be that Sheriff Devlin was simply getting out ahead of the curve? That he considered the 287(g) agreement to be the best path forward to protect Otsego County from an insurgence of ICE agents and to prevent the arrest of illegal immigrants who are not the worst of the worst but collateral damage?” But, why should Otsego County need protection from an “insurgence” of ICE agents? If protecting the county from an ICE “insurgence” is the reason for partnering with ICE, isn’t that a kind of blackmail: If you sign this agreement, we won’t send an “insurgence” of agents to terrorize your county?

As the editorial states, “collateral damage” is a real issue. Thousands of people who pose no threat, many of whom have been pursuing legal means to be here, are continually swept up in indiscriminate raids.

The list of states you note are all red states. ICE’s military insurgences are all happening in blue cities. However, when ICE does want to come to the red states listed, at least a couple seem very unhappy about it. Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker is extremely unhappy at a plan by the Trump administration to establish a new ICE detention facility in his state, afraid it will hurt the local economy. He’s especially upset that “community input” was disregarded in the decision to locate the facility in his state, and he’s fighting back. Apparently, 287(g) agreements were not enough to “protect” Mississippi from the “insurgence.”

The editorial concludes, “There are clearly bad actors on both sides of this issue. We don’t think Sheriff Devlin is one of them.” Which issue is being referenced? Immigration writ large?

The issue of signing 287(g) agreements? If it’s immigration writ large, couldn’t this issue be addressed by using some of the billions of dollars granted to DHS and ICE in the “One Big Beautiful

Bill” and hiring vastly more properly credentialed immigration judges to hear the incredible backlog of immigration cases for people pursuing legal immigration?

Simultaneously, hiring more well trained and credentialed law enforcement officers and giving them the time and investigatory resources to actually pursue criminal investigations that will stand up in a court of law could replace the shoddily trained and heavily armed forces on the streets of blue cities. Then our county wouldn’t need “protection” from an “insurgence” of militarily armed agents who cause “collateral damage” in the first place. Instead of invading armies terrorizing communities and untrained agents shooting Americans on the street, we could actually strengthen the rule of law.

Virginia Kennedy Group Leader, CooperstownOneonta Indivisible

More thoughts on that editorial

Your editorial of February 5, 2026, “. . . Ahead of the Curve,” concludes by reminding us that “whether we like it or not—whether we agree or not—the United States has immigration laws and ICE is charged with enforcing those laws. There are clearly bad actors on both sides of this issue.” The issue, I would think, is the Fourth Amendment, which is short enough and important enough to cite in full: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

The Otsego County sheriff is not required to enforce immigration laws, but he is required to uphold the Constitution, which at some point he must have pledged to do. That ICE and other federal immigration authorities have been systematically violating the Fourth Amendment in their operations is self-evident to an overwhelming majority of Americans who have

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Notice of formatioN of Michelle’s Dream Farm LLC.

Arts. of Org.

filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1.24.2026. Office location, county of Otsego. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon

eyes to see. By formally associating with ICE, the sheriff gives tacit approval to unconstitutional policestate tactics. It would be courageous for him to change his mind. I would like to see our sheriff put the Constitution first. I understand his fear that this may result in local ICE operations that could disturb the peace. But should the local peace be disturbed, I would also hope that our sheriff and local and state law enforcement would be ready to restore order, and not tolerate unconstitutional violence in our communities.

adrian Kuzminski Fly Creek

Hats Off to Francesca

The Trump Slump in ticket sales and donations has caused the National Opera to leave the Kennedy Center for the first time in decades. Cooperstown’s own Francesca Zambello, the company’s artistic director, has not blamed the attendance slump on Trump, but I will. The fact of the matter is that there aren’t enough sycophants, Botox models, and MAGA grifters in D.C. to fill the house for anything other than a Kid Rock concert, a cage match or a documentary about Melania. Through Francesca’s courageous leadership, the Washington National Opera company has collaborated on productions with Glimmerglass—including “Porgy and Bess,” “La Traviata,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and of youth operas—and shared scenery and young artists with the festival. Patrons of the National Opera, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, have been patrons of Glimmerglass.

What’s bad for the National Opera is not good for Glimmerglass. Many operas and musicals—including ones that Francesca has put on at Glimmerglass—are notso-subtle acts of political defiance. The production of “The Sound of Music” is a recent example. The bad guys were the ones over-dressed in military garb, snatching people off the street without warrants and deporting them to detention centers. You know the type. Some people fought back. Some got run over or shot down on the street.

If you see Francesca

around town, shake her hand and tell her that you’re proud of her. She has been sorely victimized by this twisted regime, as have we all. chip Northrup Cooperstown end

Perversion of Justice

In a story from the Holy Bible’s Gospel of John (8:1-11), a woman is brought before Jesus by a group of religious leaders who claim that she was caught in adultery, for which the Law of Moses stated that she should be stoned to death. They were doubly wrong: The law (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22) did not prescribe death by stoning, but it did call for both people engaged in adultery to be brought to justice. So, where was the man? I believe he represents the many privileged males who have escaped earthly justice, including those whose names, faces, and crimes we find redacted from the Epstein files released by the Department of Injustice.

How many “men of respect” are sheltered in those blackened pages? Which of our legislators? …influencers? … clergymen? …Supreme Court justices?

Think about it: If our pious national officials and their enablers were God’s only ambassadors, no one would know or even suspect that ours is a God of love, mercy and justice for the oppressed. I yield to their First Amendment right to lie to us, but no writings from any faith tradition I know of grant them the moral authority to shamelessly pervert justice for women and girls.

Now is the time to tear the masks off and end this pampering of pedophiles.

ron bishop Cooperstown

Questions On Property Value

Does the state and county inflate our real property values?

On January 14, NYSAuctions.com (Absolute Auctions & Realty Inc.) listed and sold approximately 150 real properties in tax foreclosures for Otsego County. An online auction is without doubt the most level playing field for determining full market and fair market value for any item sold.

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Whereas the assessor, who is an appraiser, represents only one man’s opinion.

In the online auction, the bidders and buyers become—in a group form—the appraisers and assessors. Of these properties or parcels, there were 21 that had gains, most of which were land parcels; 14 in total. Some went slightly over the assessed value, while others had significant gains, some perhaps from bidding wars. The rest were structures, including three homes. One home in Middlefield, built in 2019 in ranch style and assessed at $37,500.00, sold for $149,000.00. This is strange, being it was owned by a former assessor. Do you think this is interesting?

Now let’s take a look at the larger percentage of the tax sale properties—all losses. We will do this by using the tax sale percentage of the full market value. First, it becomes clear to me from this total sale that older homes, because of lead paint and asbestos, have taken a nose dive. The two homes that I previously mentioned that had the gains were of much more recent construction.

The figure for percentage of loss ended up being all over the place, from 6 percent to 98 percent. Six fell in the 0-10 percent range, 16 fell in the 11-20 percent range, 16 fell in the 2130 percent range, 13 fell in the 31-40 percent range, 14 fell in the 4150 percent range, 12 fell in the 51-60 percent range, 11 fell in the 6170 percent range, 6 fell in the 71-80 percent range, 4 fell in the 8190 percent range, and 5 fell in the 91-99 percent range.

Another 10 or 11 parcels never even made an opening bid, with a starting price way below the assessed value. Do you want these assessors to do an appraisal for you? Maybe we should go back to the old threeassessor system our forefathers put in place.

Two of these properties that were sold had a strong historical value to the history of Otsego County. One was the old Unadilla House, which was assessed at $182,927.00 and sold for $83,958.10. The other was the old Caryl’s store in East Worcester,

which was assessed at $197,324.00 and sold at 18 percent, for a price of $34,626.32. Was the assessor a little bit off on this one?

On February 4, 2026, I attended the Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting and listened to their conversations regarding the homeless people of Otsego County. We now have several contracts for using hotels and motels to house these people from the weather at tax payers’ cost. Do you think we should continue to raise taxes and throw more people out of their homes? Some board members say there is no affordable housing. Do they forget when you raise taxes, landlords are also forced to raise rent?

The county and state socked the Town of Hartwick across the board with a 13.1 percent tax hike and the Town of Springfield with one of 13.4 percent. I think this is insane, being Hartwick is composed of several different assessed areas. The hamlet of Hartwick has a water district, then there is Arnold Lake, State Route 28 and the balance of the town. Also, many of our houses have some age and contain lead paint and are probably less desirable to the current buyer. Do you think an across-theboard tax hike is right and fair?

All entities of government, including schools, need to wake up and realize that they need to live within their means or people will continue to leave this state in droves. Otsego County says it wants to buy the Huntington property to expand operations. Let’s take a step back in time to 1870. The county was the same size in square miles as today. The population was only around 10,000 less than today. If we take Oneonta out of the picture, we would actually have a loss. Only seven out of all our towns have an increase since 1870. Should we or do we really need to increase operations? Do you think the county and state inflate our real property values so they and the public schools can continue their reckless spending? david petri Hartwick

Note: New letters to the editor and guest column policies. See editorial, page 4.

whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o The LLC, Box 20, New Berlin, NY 13411

Purpose: Any and all lawful activities.

6LegalMar.19

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Notice of aNNual meetiNg

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the LOT OWNERS of the Hartwick Seminary cemetery association will be held at the Hartwick Seminary Fire House, Dept. 2, in Hartwick Seminary, NY. This meeting will be held on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. to hold a business meeting, which includes

the election of Trustees. COVID restrictions, such as a mask, will be up to each individual. Bottled water will be available.

2LegalFeb.19

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Notice of formatioN of

Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 28, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, 697 Winney Hill Rd, Oneonta, NY 13820.

General Purposes. 6LegalMar.19

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Notice of formatioN of a NY limited liabilitY compaNY

Name: BROOK WILLOW PROPERTIES LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of

State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 192 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalMar.19

►Need to publish a Notice of formatioN, public Notice, supplemeNtal summoNs,

Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or

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Notice of formatioN of a NY limited liabilitY compaNY

Name: WHITETAIL LODGE PROPERTIES LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 117 Ball St., Northborough, MA 01532. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalMar.19

Graduate Program Launches New Public Lecture Series

By MEGAN HOSIE COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Graduate Program is thrilled to announce a new public lecture series: “The Cooperstown Community Classroom.”

On select Thursday evenings from February 5 to April 16, local experts will lecture on topics they’re passionate about. All lectures will be held on CGP’s campus, 5838 NY-80 just north of the Village of Cooperstown, and take place from 78:30 p.m. Admission is $20.00 per person with all proceeds going to the Cooperstown Graduate Association. No previous knowledge or experience is required to attend.

The series kicked off on February 5, when Dr. Cindy Falk gave the first half of a two-part lecture, “Post-War Refugees in Rural New York.” In this first installation, Dr. Falk explored the history and impact of the Displaced Persons Act of 1948, as well as how the post-war refugee experience shaped immigra-

tion policy in the United States. Falk’s second lecture, to be held on February 12, will focus on the European refugees who came to rural upstate New York and the local farmers who sponsored their resettlement.

Since its founding in 1964, communitycentric programming has been integral to the Cooperstown Graduate Program’s history and mission. Considering this tradition, Dr. Gretchen Sorin, director and distinguished professor at CGP, hopes the Community Classroom gives participants a chance to connect with one another and learn something new.

“I hope that this will be the beginning of many lectures, and eventually courses, that we can make available to the community, particularly during the cold winter months,” Sorin said.

Many of the lecturers are local residents themselves, which means the series is not only for the community, but also powered by the community.

The scheduled lectures

Vacation Homes Topic of Study

NEW YORK STATE—A recent study by Compare the Market found that a large proportion of vacant homes across the U.S. are used as seasonal or vacation rental properties, putting a strong upward pressure on housing prices and contributing to poverty and homelessness. In New York State, 32 percent of the nearly 850,000 vacant housing units are rental properties, and there are about 1.4 vacation properties for every home available to rent or buy. The state has a homeless population of about 160,000. Vermont led the nation with 78 percent of its vacant housing stock dedicated to short-term rentals. For more information, visit comparethemarket.com.au/.

center on a variety of topics. From Dr. Will Walker’s “American Protest Music in the 20th and 21st Centuries” to the more science-centric “Peruvian Rainforest Conservation: A Case Study in the Manu Biosphere” led by Dr. Florian Reyda, there is a community class for everyone.

Much like Dr. Falk’s lecture, Dr. Nicole de Silva’s two-part “Women at the New York State College of Home Economics and the Making of Modern Food Aid” and Dr. Mette Harder’s “Revolutionary Exiles: French and Haitian Emigration to the US, 1789-1818” will enmesh local and global history in highly relevant and interesting ways.

Some lectures will even have interactive components. For example, during Dr. Sorin’s “Drinking Culture in the 18th Century,” participants will sample alcohols with ties to early American history. Those who attend Dr. Sean Robinson’s “Wonderful World of Moss” can also expect a hands-on experience, as SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station will provide microscopes needed for a closer look at different specimens.

For the past 61 years, the Cooperstown Graduate Program has trained generations of students who strive to make museums more ethical, equitable and engaging. To inspire a life-long love of learning, build a stronger community, and make the science and history fields more accessible to all, CGP now looks forward to opening its doors to the greater public.

To see the full schedule, and to register for one or more classes, visit https:// cgpmuseumstudies. org/merchandise/thecooperstown-community-classroom.

Megan Hosie is a student of museum studies in the Cooperstown Graduate Program.

Good Books Will Lure Kids Away from Those Pesky iPads

As an individual who has worked in several libraries in Cooperstown, I hear many people talking of their children’s unwillingness to read, as they are frequently on their iPads or phones. I believe a child will read of their own volition when they are given a book they truly enjoy reading, and these are several authors which I have learned can make readers of even the most ardent iPad kids.

1. Roald Dahl (whimsical fantasy fiction)—This classic author has remained relevant for decades. Books like “Matilda” and “James and the Giant Peach” are classics which are fascinating and fun for readers of all ages. Dahl’s quirky writing style and witty young protagonists give his books a uniqueness and morality which has yet to be replicated in modern writing.

2. C.S. Lewis (fantasy fiction)— Another British author, this man is famous for his series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” These books feature excellent world building and a creative storyline, and are fantastic for beginning readers.

3. Kate DiCamillo (fiction)—The author of the popular series “The One and Only Family,” a young adult series about circus animals and the friendship between them.

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Adamoschek from Coffee & Crumb, Antoinette King of King’s Rustic Crackers, Sonia Sola from Nectar Hills Farm, and Chloe Ford of Chloe’s Bakeshop.

Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches will be made with local cheeses— including Painted Goat Farm chèvre, Byebrook Farm gouda, Harpersfield Farmstead Tilsit, and Spurbeck’s cheddar— on bread provided by Heidelberg Bread. The Stoddard Hollow String Band will perform traditional American music and feature Marvin Zachow (fiddle and vocals), Ed McGee (banjo), Frank Frazzitta (guitar and vocals), and Tom Ives (bass).

“Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause is a chance for the community to

DiCamillo’s books are whimsical and fun, while retaining emotional depth and authenticity.

4. Raina Telgemeier (autobiography, fiction)—This graphic novelist has written (and illustrated!) the popular coming-of-age novels “Smile,” “Sisters,” and “Guts.” These books are fantastic for any tween who has braces, an annoying sibling, or a phobia—or anyone who is looking for a heartwarming and hilarious read.

5. Kwame Alexander (realistic fiction)—Author of the books “The Crossover,” “Booked” and “Rebound,” Kwame Alexander is a talented poet who has fused his craft with the teenage sport experience. These books are great for children who love sports, including basketball and soccer.

I know many parents who wish their children read more. The authors I have selected are highly rated and have gained much acclaim from both professional book reviewers and avid local readers. I have the highest hopes that these books will help children become better readers and more knowledgeable people.

Annika Murray is currently a student at Cooperstown High School. She loves books and her job at the Village Library of Cooperstown.

gather and enjoy delicious comfort food midwinter. We are glad to welcome back favorite area chefs and also welcome chefs participating for the first time from The Rabbit Hole, Coffee & Crumb, King’s Rustic Crackers—a new farmers’ market vendor—and Nectar Hills Farm and Straight from the Hive, long-time market vendors,” said Otsego 2000 Executive Director Ellen Pope.

“We are grateful to our talented local chefs and cheesemakers for making fundraising for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market so delicious and fun,” Pope said, noting that last year’s event sold out in advance. “We also are very grateful to Heidelberg for donating bread.”

“This is a fun event that is an important fundraiser for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, which

is open on Saturdays throughout the year,” said Madeleine Zenir, Cooperstown Farmers’ Market manager at Otsego 2000. Zenir noted that the event will also feature a raffle of market items. Tickets to the event are $35.00 for adults and $15.00 for children aged 6-12. Children under six are admitted free of charge. Admission includes tastes of the chefs’ grilled cheese creations, soup, dessert, and one free beer, wine, or cider. Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased online at www.otsego2000.org, at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., by calling (607) 547-8881, or by stopping in between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Otsego 2000 office located at 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley.

County Continued from page 1

Rep. Daniel Wilber questioned whether this meant that businesses with sole proprietors would be challenged if they did not maintain formalized policies in such a manner, to which Gentile responded she was unsure, given she was only made aware of the need for this approval the day prior. Ultimately, committee members came to the reluctant decision that they should approve the policy so as not to hold up necessary funds for Solid Waste, while making a commitment to reviewing and possibly revising the policy’s wording in the committee meeting scheduled later this month.

After approving Isaiah Gibbs as acting director of information technologies following the recent departure of Brian Pokorny, there was a brief executive session and shortly thereafter the Administration Committee meeting was adjourned.

Following this, Board Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr. initiated a public hearing regarding the creation of a new county department. As no audience members wished to speak on the creation of the Office of Assigned Counsel, Frazier moved to the regularly-scheduled board meeting, with only Rep. Nora Mendez absent.

Mary Anne Whelan was first to address the board. Following prior appearances to discuss the same matter, Whelan said she would like to reapproach Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr.’s commitment to the 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She noted that Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced legislation at the state level which would forbid these agreements, meaning there is a chance that the current agreement may become void.

Reiterating points from prior meetings, Whelan stated, “We don’t need protection from immigrants. We need protection from ICE, as recent events have aptly demonstrated.”

Whelan urged board members to contact Devlin to discuss the policy, acknowledging that she and others had reached out numerous times to no response.

Next, Teresa Winchester came to the podium and presented the board with a petition from the “ICE Out” protest that occurred in Oneonta on Saturday, January 31. The petition was addressed to Devlin and called on him to terminate the 287(g) agreement immediately. Winchester shared that 477 signatures had been collected, highlighting that 440 of those signatures were gathered within an hour at the protest.

“We’ve all seen the chaos, violence and even murder perpetrated by ICE,” Winchester said. “Such acts could result in lawsuits with astronomical damages for which taxpayers of Otsego County would ultimately be held responsible.”

Marcie Schwartzman spoke next, jumping

immediately into her financial concerns with the 287(g) agreement and questioning how Devlin could make the claim that this arrangement would provide the funds to help construct the proposed new county jail. Editor’s note: To the best of our knowledge, Sheriff Devlin has never made such a claim.

“I’m upset. This is all about my checkbook,” Schwartzman remarked. “I don’t care where it goes. It goes. It’s gone. How many aliens are in this county to make this math work? How many murderers and rapists are running around here to make this math work? It doesn’t.”

Schwartzman also pointed to the poor recordkeeping of ICE, citing examples of the agency taking American citizens by mistake and disrupting their lives for weeks at a time. She worried that lawsuits in the event of something like this could cause the county’s insurance rates to go up, leading to eventual tax hikes to compensate.

Among other speakers, Director of Community Affairs and Government Relations for SUNY Oneonta Caroline Williams shared the only non-ICE related remarks of the morning, thanking the board for working with the university on initiating job shadowing of the county government, which she said was scheduled across multiple departments on Wednesday, February 11. With Williams’ remarks concluded, Frazier closed the privilege of the floor.

Rep. Keith McCarty spoke for the Public Works Committee and revisited the approval of County Highway Superintendent Rich Brimmer’s request to purchase four new tandem plow trucks at a cost not to exceed $1,407,952.00 and two single axle dump trucks at a cost not to exceed $480,000.00. McCarty clarified that these funds were already allocated in budgets for the year. He continued with Brimmer’s report, noting that the bid just closed for the bridge work on County Route 58A and that the low bidder for the pre-fabricated steel truss bridge came in at $898,855.00.

McCarty also spoke about a stalled effort to refurbish the Civil War monument in the Village of Cooperstown, adjacent to the Otsego County courthouse, which was discussed back in November and said, in light of this year being the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, it felt appropriate to

pursue. He said he would appreciate anyone interested in helping reach out via phone or e-mail to him or someone else on the Public Works Committee.

Rep. Andrew Marietta spoke for the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, highlighting Trevor Fuller’s requested approval to apply with Otsego Now for CDBG Microenterprise Grants. IGA approved the criteria for the Community Events Grant, which will be rolled out this year as last year’s applicants submit their reports in order for continued eligibility. The Community Events Program page is live on the Otsego County website and the deadline for requests is Sunday, February 22, with a maximum request of $2,000.00.

There was some confusion over the budget allotted for the program, as McCarty noted he was under the impression that they had been funded up to $75,000.00 rather than the $60,000.00 Marietta mentioned. County Administrator Steve Wilson said many external partners of the county saw budget cuts during the budgeting process last year, though some had been partially restored.

Rep. Adrienne Martini spoke for the Human Services Committee and said that the Department of Social Services added 10 new employees, but that there were still seven vacancies that they are actively looking for social and case workers to fill. She also recommended people get their flu shots, as 646 cases have been confirmed this year compared to 136 during the same window of time in 2025. There was discussion among the board over capacity for the warming station in Oneonta and the aim to collect data on the volume of its usage this winter. It was reported that the warming center in Oneonta will be open again from Friday, February 13 until early morning on Tuesday, February 17 to address expected cold conditions.

With this information shared, Frazier made a plea to the board and the audience at large.

“We have the unhoused population, but there are people in their own homes that have problems,” Frazier said. “I think it’s up to the community to reach out and make sure your shut-ins, your elderly, are taken care of. And that’s all on us and everyone in the audience.”

Following the PS&LA report, Rep. James

51 Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com

Powers spoke briefly regarding his thoughts on ICE.

“I’ve told my three towns this. I just think I should clear the air and tell everyone this. And it’s probably because of my background in agriculture that I’ve worked with a lot of immigrants, I’ve partied with them and I have picnics with them. So I told my three town boards I do not support ICE. I realize you have to have immigration and customs enforcement, but I won’t support it in the fashion that it is,” Powers remarked.

Frazier noted Powers’ remarks and joined with Kennedy to share their experience at County Advocacy Day in Albany the day prior before passing to Marietta again to speak for Technology and Strategic Planning. Marietta noted that the committee is in the process of getting department heads to input their 2025 updates onto ClearPlan so committee members can review them at their meeting later this month. He recalled discussion regarding integrating ClearPlan into county government further and that the plan is for quarterly updates to begin on the platform this year.

Wilson gave the county administrator’s report and shared that roughly 9 percent of the 2026 budget had been spent so far. Wilson reported the county hired 205 people in 2025, mostly filling vacancies, but lost 186, particularly noting the struggles the DSS is facing.

Wilson closed by sharing that Otsego County Budget Analyst Dayrelis Aydogan is in the process of creating a comprehensive analysis of all of the mandated programs imposed upon the county so the board can see the local costs and revenues of each.

The consent agenda began with numerous resolutions being pulled for minor corrections or due to technicalities. Of these, the pulling of Resolution 126—an amendment to a previous law enacted to remove the residency requirement for the position of county attorney—stood out as McCarty expressed his continued objection to the law before it subsequently passed again.

Numerous late resolutions were presented, largely consisting of those brought forth at the special sessions earlier that morning, most notably Resolution 135 authorizing a 20262029 contract with the Civil Service Employees Association. With this slew of individual resolutions passed and busi-

ness concluded, the board adjourned.

The next meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives will be held on Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. The February 4 meeting can be viewed in its entirety on the Otsego County New York YouTube page.

Probate

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certificate, a family tree and waivers from family members agreeing to the process. In cases involving children or disabled adults, the court may require additional legal protections to ensure their interests are guarded.

The timeline for these matters varies; some files can be completed in a few hours, while others may take months. If a family member refuses to consent, the court allows for a “citation date,” giving a judge the opportunity to determine if the objections have legal validity. Once the court is satisfied, it will issue “letters.” This legal document is the official proof that you are the authorized representative, allowing you to settle the estate’s affairs.

By gathering the right information and utilizing available resources, you can ensure that your loved one’s legacy is handled with the care it deserves. Whether you navigate the process independently or with professional guidance, these procedures provide a clear and orderly path forward for your family.

Lauren Glynn is a local attorney and town justice, dedicated to helping neighbors. She can be reached at (607) 303-6554. This is a paid advertorial.

Fishing

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a small structure called a shanty. The shanty blocks the wind and keeps in some heat while the fishermen sit, waiting for a bite. “It could be a lot colder. It’s the wind that really makes a big difference,” he says. As Seymour warms up with a propane heater, Cohen drills another hole with an auger. The group settles in, ready, and hoping, for a catch.

Otsego Lake closed on January 24, according to Matt Albright at the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station.

Volleyball Registration Now Open

ONEONTA—This summer, the SUNY Oneonta Women’s Volleyball team will host an on-campus girls’ camp from July 23-26 designed to develop and fine-tune the correct fundamentals of setting, passing, serving, hitting, and defensive play. Registration is now open for girls ages 13-18 in grades 8 through 12 with either an overnight or commuter option. Registration forms, fees and other information can be found online at www.suny.oneonta. edu/info/communitymembers/youth-campsand-programs or call (607) 436-2145.

Athletes will be coached by current college players and coaches who are excited to pass along the love of the sport.

The camp offers an opportunity for players of all levels to learn about the game and practice their all-around volleyball skills through competitive games and exercises, along with the fun of a traditional summer camp, officials said.

►Friday, Feb. 13

BIRDING All day.

“Great Backyard Bird Count.” Count the birds in the back yard, at local parks or wherever a bird is spotted and submit these observations online to create a realtime snapshot of bird populations. Held through 2/16. Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. www. birdcount.org

SENIOR COFFEE

HOUR 10:30 a.m. Coffee, tea, pastries, games, puzzles, special events and good conversation. Held each Friday. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

OUTDOORS 1-3 p.m.

“Homeschool Nature

Walk: Gilbert Lake State Park.” Presented by Otsego County Conservation Association. Registration required. Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Road, Laurens. (607) 547-4488.

ART COURSE

4-6:30 p.m. “Realizing Abstraction: Seeing, Thinking, Making.” 4-week course exploring abstract art. Tickets required. Held Fridays through 3/6. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

DINNER 4:30-6 p.m. or until sold out. Laurens Legion Turkey Dinner. Fees apply. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. yrekert@ yahoo.com

BOOK CLUB

5:30 p.m. “Book Club: A Curious Witch’s Year.” Take a year-long journey through the book “A Spell in the Wild: A Year (and Six Centuries) of Magic” by Alice Tarbuck. Free. Meets second Friday of each month. Mountain Magic Market, 52 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown. (607) 287-7278.

VALENTINE’S DAY

5:30 p.m. “Dip Your Own Valentine’s Strawberries.” Fees apply; registration required. Also held at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on 2/14. The Sugar

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

Beat, 281 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4313798.

VALENTINE’S DAY

6-7:30 p.m. “Valentine Party.” Pre-K and up. Featuring games, food, fun and more. West Oneonta Baptist Church, 2845 County Highway 8, West Oneonta. (607) 4322290.

PLANETARIUM

7 p.m. “The Life and Death of Stars.” Familyfriendly show open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. ( (607) 436-2011.

FILM SERIES 7 p.m. Cabin Fever Film Series presents “The Phoenician Scheme.” Free, donations appreciated. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

►Saturday, Feb. 14

TAXES 9 a.m. “VITA Free Tax Preparation and Filing.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers. By appointment only. Held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. First Floor Lobby, Alumni Hall, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta.(607) 436-2171.

SALE 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Indoor Garage Sale.” Craft supplies, utensils, clothing and more. Badgerface Beauty Supply, 122 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville.

TAXES 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Free Tax Preparation.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers. Held at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through 4/11 (except on 2/21, 3/14 and 3/21). Oneonta Veterans Club, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta.(607) 431-4338.

YOGA 10 a.m. “Slow Flow Yoga.” All levels welcome. Suggested donation applies. Held each Saturday. Green Earth

Time OuT OTsegO

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

Health Market, Community Room, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. hello@erinrae. yoga.

REPAIR 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Cooperstown Repair Café.” Give your things a second life with the repair expert coaches. Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street, Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. (607) 5478881.

PLANETARIUM Family-friendly shows open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. ( (607) 436-2011.

• 10:30 a.m. “Cultures in the Cosmos.”

• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”

WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Sweet or Savory Focaccia with Jen.” Fees apply; registration required. Main View Gallery and Studio, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1890.

CRAFT 11 a.m. “Sitn-Stitch.” Bring knit or crochet project to work or learn the craft. Held second Saturday of each month. Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131.

SEWING CLASS

1:30-3 p.m. All experience levels welcome. Held every Saturday. The Green Giraffe, 179 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3234.

BOOK CLUB 2 p.m.

“BYO Book Club.” Followed by book journaling club. Meets second Saturday of each month. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

DANCE 2-4 p.m.

“Body and Soul Dance.” Weekly gathering exploring the possibilities of dance. Includes warm-up, improv and group chore-

ography to be performed with monthly drum circle. Admission by donation to support food programs. Held each Saturday. First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta, 296 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 287-3888.

DRUM CIRCLE

2-5 p.m. “Oneonta Drum Circle.” Admission by donation to support local food banks. Held each second Saturday. First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main Street, Oneonta. (303) 406-1738.

FUNDRAISER

3-7 p.m. “Annual Pancake Supper.” Pancakes, sausage, hot coffee and raffle. Dinner by donation. Support the Worcester Hose Company, 36 Church Street, Worcester. (607) 397-8032.

VALENTINE’S DAY

4:30 p.m. doors open; singers start at 6 p.m. “Valentine’s Sweetheart Sockhop.” Fees apply. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494.

VALENTINE’S DAY

5-9 p.m. “Valentine’s Day Dinner.” Fees apply; reservations required. Hawkeye Bar and Grill and 1909 Restaurant, The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479931.

CONCERT 5:30 p.m. “Solo Recital.” Featuring classical pianist Aima Labra-Makk. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.

TEEN ROCK & BOWL

6-8 p.m. All-you-can-bowl, lights and music for teens in grades 7-12. Bring your own snacks and drinks. Free; registration required. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2800.

VALENTINE’S DAY

6-8 p.m. “Valentine’s Din-

ner at The Gatehouse.” Cozy, romantic evening featuring live music, wine and pre-fixe dinner. Tickets recommended. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

VALENTINE’S DAY

7-11 p.m. “Valentine’s Day Prom.” Tickets required. Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. info@ ommegang.com.

CONCERT 8 p.m.

“Winter Concert Series: Valentine’s Day.” Presented by One Day Escape. No cover charge. Richfield Bowl-A-Rama, 20 Bronner Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-2695.

►Sunday, Feb. 15

CONCERT 1 p.m.

“Otsego Music Trail 81 Brass Concert.” Free and open to the public. Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377.

MUSIC 1-3 p.m. “Sunday Sessions with the Old Masters.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

LITERATURE 2 p.m.

“Shakespeare Discussion Group.” Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

CONCERT 2 p.m.

“Fair Winds Trio.” Binghamton area woodwind ensemble presents a celebration of 250 years of America and American composers. Presented by the Otsego Music Trail. Free. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, 128 Church Street, Schuyler Lake.

TEA TIME 3-5 p.m.

“Afternoon Tea with a Twist.” Curated selection of teas paired with a creative menu. Fees apply; reservations required.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479931.

MEDITATION 5 p.m.

“Sunday Evening Meditation.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

DRUM CIRCLE 6 p.m.

Drum with the members of the Oneonta Drum Circle. Part of the Race, Equity and Justice Series of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown. Held at the Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.

►Monday, Feb. 16

DEADLINE Last day to submit works for the “4th Annual Postcard Exhibition Benefit.” Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. canoneonta.org

STORY TIME

9:30 a.m. Staff share stories, activities and play. Held Mondays through Thursdays. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

SHOP 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Vintage Clothing Pop-up.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

CONNECTIONS

10:15 a.m. to noon. Chess with Pete Mateunas. Learn the game in a one-on-one setting. Held at 10:15 a.m. each Monday. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

YOUTH 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Winter Break Art Program.” Open to kids ages 6-10. Fees apply; registration required. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. canoneonta.org

POTTERY 1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. Fees apply. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday,

Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org. TAXES 6-8 p.m. “Free Tax Preparation.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRScertified volunteers. Held from 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays through 4/15 (except on 3/16 and 3/17). 2nd Floor, Golisano Hall, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.(607) 431-4338.

PICKLEBALL

6:30-8 p.m. Fees apply; registration required. Presented by the Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School Fall 2025 Continuing Education Classes. Held each Monday. Cherry Valley-Springfield Elementary Gym, 597 County Route 54, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-3265 ext. 110. ►tueSday, Feb. 17

COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS 8-9 a.m. Local community members gather to chat about what’s happening around Oneonta. Held each Tuesday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600.

LEADERSHIP 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Neurodiversity and Leadership.” Presented by Jesse Katan, leadership coach and consultant. Fees apply; registration required. SUNY Oneonta, ExCL Center, 4 Dietz Street, Oneonta. (607) 4362831.

WORKFORCE 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Diversity in the Workforce Mini-Series: Neurodiversity and Leadership.” Fees apply; registration required. ExCL Center, 4 Dietz Street, Oneonta. (607) 436-2831.

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at Hamden Rail Trail, Hamden. (607) 4318010.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP 10-11:30 a.m. Free drop-in group open to all aged 18+. Facilitated by staff trained in grief and loss. This is a safe and confidential space to focus on understanding the grief process, make sense of strong emotions, and learn from other community members. Held third Tuesday of each month. St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-5525 to register.

STORY TIME 11 a.m. Ages 0-4. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

VETERANS 1-2 p.m. “Military Spouse Survivor’s Group.” Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 2032228.

YOUTH 1-3 p.m. “Winter Break Art Program.” Open to ages 6-10. Fees apply; registration required. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. ART TOUR 2 p.m. “Virtual Zoom Tour: Cooper, Cole and the Hudson River School.” Free; suggested donation requested. Presented by Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

SERVICES 2-4 p.m. Q&A with the Otsego County Office for the Aging on programs, services, Medicare and Medicaid insurance, and more. Held 3rd Tuesday of each month. Edmeston Free Library, 26 East Street, Edmeston. (607) 547-4232.

►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar