Local Groups Sponsor ‘No Kings Day’ Rally
ast Saturday, June 14, Cooperstown/Oneonta
Indivisible, Butternut Valley Indivisible, Cherry Valley Indivisible, Indivisible for Schoharie County, Otsego Residents for Democracy and the Otsego County Democratic Committee sponsored a No Kings Day Rally in Oneonta in the field adjacent to Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center.
According to a press release, the Oneonta rally joined more than
Arc Otsego Receives Matching Grant for Training Program
By CASSANDRA MILLER
ONEONTA
On Monday morning, June 9, Heather Worden deftly prepares and fills bag after bag with hygiene products on a three-person assembly line at Creekside Industries, a packing and shipping work center operated by The Arc Otsego.
Worden was working on a new machine, a Unibagger II, which includes a bagging apparatus and a conveyor belt. The equipment was funded by a $25,000.00 matching grant from New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc., combined with a $25,000.00 investment from The Arc Otsego.
With the funding, The Arc has also purchased a new van, which provides transportation for individuals working on the NYSID line who would otherwise struggle to reach their work location each day, according to Faith
Tiemann, Arc Otsego spokesperson.
The Arc Otsego is one of NYSID’s 140 member agencies that the Albanybased nonprofit works with to secure business contracts for workplaces where at least 50 percent of employees are individuals with developmental disabilities.
“We are deeply grateful to NYSID, not just for this grant and their ongoing funding opportunities, but for their commitment to inclusive workplaces like Creekside Industries,” said Erin Seeley, chief operating officer of The Arc Otsego, during Monday’s $25,000.00 check presentation at the work center.
The $25,000.00 grant is the largest NYSID gives each year and the highest amount The Arc Otsego has ever received from NYSID, its partner of more than 30 years.
State and local government agencies
Continued on page 9
2,000 No Kings Day events held across the country in opposition to what protestors believe are the authoritarian policies of the Trump administration, including the $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade held in Washington, D.C. the same day.
Organizers for the peaceful Oneonta rally put the attendance count at more than 1,200 people. Rally speakers spoke on issues including how they believe Trump administration policies are harming
vets, threatening programs for the aging including Medicaid, and illegally harassing immigrants. Speakers drew a contrast between organizations like unions representing and protecting workers and policies that support working families and the Trump administration’s policies they contend would cut essential services to America’s communities while providing tax breaks to the wealthy, organizers said.
RaIly organizer and leader of
Continued on page 10
Local Titanic Memorial Now Restored
By KERRY LYNCH COOPERSTOWN
The sinking of the Titanic is perhaps the most famous shipwreck in history, and the tragedy has a Cooperstown connection.
When the ship sailed on its maiden voyage, the passengers included Arthur Ryerson and his family, who spent their summers at an elegant home on the north end of Otsego Lake.
And when the “unsinkable” Titanic hit an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912, Arthur Ryerson refused a seat on a lifeboat so that women and children could be rescued. He
went down with the ship. His wife and children survived.
Soon after, the family built a memorial to Arthur Ryerson in Lakewood Cemetery, just outside the village limits. The four survivors are also buried there.
It is Lakewood’s most frequently visited lot. Two years ago, a visitor attempted to wipe lichen off several gravestones to read the inscriptions but created a smeared mess.
Now, thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Otsego County and its Cemetery Restoration Fund, plus other donations, the memorial has been
cleaned and stonework has been repaired.
The Ryersons’ Titanic story began a week before the ship hit the iceberg. Arthur Ryerson and his wife, Emily, were traveling in Europe with three of their children when they were dealt the hardest blow a parent can face—their son, Arthur Jr., had been killed in a car accident near Philadelphia. They rushed home for his funeral, booking passage on the first steamship available, the RMS Titanic.
After the ship hit the iceberg, Arthur stayed aboard while his family and their governess, Grace Bowen,
Continued on page 10
Photo provided CCS in the News
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Junior High School student Kallen Hotaling, pictured above, portrays baseball great Babe Ruth at the annual “Night of the Notables” event held on June 9. Turn to page 6 for more information from Cooperstown Central School.
Photo by Kerry Lynch
The Ryerson memorial in Lakewood Cemetery has been cleaned and repaired.
Jensen Wins State Titles
MIDDLeTOWn—Cooperstown senior Annelise jensen won Class C state titles in the 800m and 1,500m events at the nYSPHSAA Track and Field Championships in Middletown on Friday and Saturday, june 13-14. She broke her own school record in the 800 with a time of 2:12.41, placing her 12th among all classes. jensen’s 4:34.22 championship time in the 1,500 on Saturday broke another school record that she set just a month ago, beating her previous best by more than 13 seconds. It was jensen’s third trip to the state championships. Senior Cooper Bradley placed second among Class C athletes in the high jump with a personal record height of 6-6. He finished sixth overall in the state.
Stores Launch Food Drives
SCHeneCTADY—Market 32 and Price Chopper launched a summer food drive at each of their 129 store locations to assist families facing hunger. From june 15 to july 5, customers can purchase a $10.00 donation bag containing high-demand items from displays at the front of Price Chopper stores. each location has partnered with a local food bank to help people in their immediate community. For more information, visit pricechopper.com.
Community Center Events Set
RICHFIeLD SPRInGS—The Richfield Springs Community Center will hold its annual bass fishing tournament from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, july 19, with registration opening at 5:30 a.m. It will be held rain or shine at the Canadarago Lake Boat Launch, 135 Dennison Road. Cash prizes total $1,000.00 and there will be a free lunch for all participants. Registration is $30.00 per person, or $20.00 for anglers 12 and under. For more information, contact tournament coordinator Bill Kosina at (315) 7493286 or bill@richfieldzone.org. The Community Center’s 23rd annual Sundae Walk and Run will begin at the Veterans Club Pavilion, 13 Lake Street, at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, june 20. Categories include 5K and 10K races and a two-mile walk. Pre-registration is available at runsignup.com/rscc until midnight on july 17. Day-of registration will be open from 7-8 a.m. Free Stewart’s make-your-own sundaes will be offered to all in attendance. For more information, visit richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org.
FCAHS Meeting Rescheduled
FLY CReeK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society has rescheduled the monthly meeting that was announced in the june 12 edition. The meeting
will now take place at the Historical Building, 208 Cemetery Road, at 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, june 25. jessie Ravage will present on mills and manufactories of Oaks Creek, with refreshments and the business meeting following the presentation.
County Seeks Project Input
OTSeGO COUnTY—Otsego County’s Broadband Technical Assistance Project, funded by the USDA and contracted to the Vernonburg Group, has launched a survey to collect data on the community’s Internet availability, affordability and quality. The feedback will directly impact broadband planning and infrastructure investments across the county, and the public is urged to share the survey widely. It may be accessed at shorturl. at/bk79q, with a PDF version available for those without Internet access. For more information, contact the county Planning Department at broadband@otsegocountyny.gov or (607) 547-4225.
Buoy Installation, Repair Done
COOPeRSTOWn—Divers from the SUnY Oneonta Biological Field Station completed repairs and salvage work on the damaged anchors, cables and hardware of their continuous lake monitoring buoy on Sunday, june 8. The salvaged materials have a replacement value of several thousand dollars, and the work will facilitate Professor Kiyoko Yokota’s lake monitoring program. After significant delays due to the CLMB damage, the team installed no-wake zone buoys around the lake on Sunday, june 15. For more information on the station and its work, visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/biological-field-station.
Annual Art Festival Now Open
TReADWeLL—Bright Hill Press and Literary Center opened its annual Stagecoach Run Art Festival Spotlight Show at 94 Church Street in Treadwell on Saturday, june 14. The exhibition, featuring work by more than 35 local artists, will be on display through july 6. For more information, visit brighthillpress.org.
Popular Book Sale Returns
COOPeRSTOWn—Friends of the Village Library of Cooperstown’s annual Summer Book Sale will return from Saturday, june 21 through Sunday, june 29. It will be open outside the library, 22 Main Street, rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and offer a wide selection of books, DVDs, and CDs. All proceeds will support the library. There will be an ice cream social on the front porch at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, june 25 to celebrate the kickoff of the
summer reading program. The sale will remain open that day until the last ice cream is served.
Grief Camp Dates Announced
WALTOn—Helios Care’s Camp Forget-Menot, a free day camp open to children and teens ages 6-18 who have experienced the loss of a loved one, will be held at Townsend elementary School in Walton at 9 a.m. on Thursday, july 24. Lunch will be provided, and a Parent and Guardian Support Group will begin at 3 p.m. The camp provides a safe space for children to make new friends and learn to process grief in the company of peers and Helios Care grief counseling professionals. It is free, but registration is required at helioscare.org/all-events/ camp-forget-me-not/ or by calling (607) 432-5525. Camp Forget-Me-not will be held again in Oneonta on August 21 and at Beaver Valley Campground in Cooperstown on Saturday, September 27.
July Fourth Festivities Slated
OneOnTA—Hill City Celebrations will hold its annual Hometown Fourth of july Festival in neahwa Park starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, july 4. The day will begin with a parade on Main Street at 1 p.m., and the afternoon will feature games and activities, bounce houses, food trucks, craft vendors, and live music. Performers include Bobby Curious, The Michael Christopher Band, and Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra. The large basketball court will host family-friendly entertainment acts, including martial arts and dance school demonstrations. Community members are encouraged to dress their dogs in patriotic attire for a fashion contest. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m., with a rain date on Saturday, july 5. For more information, visit hillcitycelebrations.com. Craft and nonprofit vendors may contact argogc@ gmail.com to participate, and parade participation inquiries may be sent to slewis@otsegocc.com.
Franklin Stage Season Opening
FRAnKLIn—The Franklin Stage Company will open its 29th season with a production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s award winning comedy “Kimberly Akimbo” that runs from july 4-20. The play features a cast of five and follows teenager Kimberly Levaco, who suffers from a rare condition that causes her to age rapidly. Lindsay-Abaire wrote it in 2000 and adapted it into the Tony Award-winning musical of the same name in 2023. Productions take place at Chapel Hall, 25 Institute Street in Franklin. evening shows begin at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday shows at 5 p.m. For more information, visit franklinstagecompany.org.
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FAM To Unveil Full-scale Replica of notre-Dame Truss on June 24
COOPeRSTOWn
Fenimore Art Museum announced on Monday, June 16 that, next week, it will present a remarkable cultural and educational installation: a full-scale replica of Truss no. 6 from the notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. The ceremonial “raising” of the truss will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 24, officials said, and the truss will remain on public view on the museum’s back lawn through September 8.
This installation is part of the Handshouse Studio: notre-Dame Project, created in the wake of the 2019 fire that destroyed the roof of notre-Dame de Paris. In a gesture of global solidarity, Massachusetts-based Handshouse Studio launched the initiative to reconstruct one of the cathedral’s medieval trusses using traditional methods.
With access to the hand-drawn survey of notreDame’s timber roof structure by Rémi Fromont, France’s chief architect of historic monuments, Handshouse brought together historians, traditional carpenters, students and preservationists to authentically reconstruct Choir Truss no. 6. The truss has since been exhibited at significant sites across the United States, including the national Mall in Washington, D.C. and the Millennium Gate Museum in Atlanta, Georgia, officials said.
The replica truss on display at FAM was built using historically accurate tools and methods by a collaborative team that included Central new York native Jackson DuBois, executive director of the Timber Framers Guild, and Michael Burrey, a renowned preservation carpenter and instructor at north Bennet Street School in Boston. Both artisans were later invited to France to contribute to the official reconstruction of the notre-Dame spire, joining the French team at Asselin Inc.
Handshouse Studio: Notre-Dame Project representatives Michael Burrey and Peter Henrikson saw a white oak timber using a trestle saw during the project’s initial 10-day build workshop at Catholic University.
“It has been an incredible honor to be able to take part in this amazing endeavor,” DuBois said. “The rebuilding of notre-Dame de Paris is not only a physical restoration but also a symbol of resilience, cultural preservation and collective efforts to save an iconic landmark. Representing the timber framing community in this work has been an absolute privi-
Antiques expert To Appraise Items Sunday
By SARAH ROBeRTS
FLY CReeK
On Sunday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Fly Creek Area Historical Society will host an Antique Appraisal and Museum Day. Located at the former Grange in Fly Creek, at 208 Cemetery Road, the event will allow locals to bring up to two items for appraisal by Chris Brown, an antiques expert from Bainbridge, for a fee of $10.00. The
event will raise funds for FCAHS and promote awareness of local and regional history. “We want to foster more cooperation among historical societies and museums to increase historical knowledge and encourage more participation from the public,” explained Tony Kroker, FCAHS trustee. As the appraisals are happening downstairs, upstairs will feature exhibitions from the Fort Plain Museum, Hanford
Mills Museum, the Arkell Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, the Cherry Valley Historical Association, Otsego 2000 and an antique gun collection owned by FCAHS Trustee John Phillips, the event’s originator. Visitors can also explore the FCAHS regular museum. Food from Rick’s Hotdogs will be available.
A myriad of objects can be appraised. Kroker suggests items such as antique artwork, coins,
postcards, pottery, writing samples, old fishing gear, vintage toys, and musical instruments, among other items.
On May 4, the FCAHS hosted a pancake breakfast event, with another scheduled for early October. In August, the museum is planning a three-day exhibit
Continued on page 11
lege and has come with a deep sense of pride.”
“We are honored to display this magnificent example of craftsmanship and cultural exchange,” said FAM President and Chief executive Officer Paul S. D’Ambrosio. “It brings to life a historic architectural tradition while reminding us of our shared global heritage.”
The Handshouse full-scale truss installation, along with a 1:10 scale model of the medieval roof structure of notre-Dame, is on exhibition at the museum thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Fernleigh Foundation and nellie and Robert Gipson.
For more details about the “raising” of the truss on June 24 and other events and programs available at the FAM, visit FenimoreArt.org.
BOAT AUCTION
Photo provided
Perspectives
EDITORIaL
Pesticides Really?
In the last few years we have lost, here in Otsego County, way too many birds, aquatic animals, butterflies and bees. These losses should be, and are, worrisome; they are also a challenge to us and to our environment. Although it can be said that climate change, which to some of us is essentially non-existent but to others is a very real threat, loss of habitat due to human-inspired activities, and bird-sniping cats have a lot to do with the decline and depletion of our beloved wildlife, it is also true that the widespread use of pesticides, not just in the agricultural domain but residentially as well, contributes considerably to these losses.
It’s still spring around here, and spring is the time that many homeowners decide to rid themselves of what they consider bothersome, and numerous, tiny living creatures—bees, spiders, caterpillars, slugs, bugs, butterflies, mice, voles, worms, and ants, the majority of which make highly positive contributions to our environment, be it as food, fertilizer, gardener or pollinator—and weeds, many of which are beneficial to wildlife and their young. On come the pesticides, applied frequently to already green lawns well into the summer. The sprayed lawns, which in North America absorb (and spread) an astounding 80 million pounds of pesticides every year, are easy to spot, as they are marked very clearly from border to border with signage that warns any approaching runners, strollers, bikers, babies and dog-walkers to stay clear of the grass. Would that not be an obvious admission of the presence of chemical poisons?
All pesticides are designed to repel or kill pests. All pesticides, then, including organic and natural formulations, are poisons, and they have a strong capacity for harming people and animals. Pesticides can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or swallowed. They can contaminate the air, the water, and all surfaces, both living and inanimate. Anyone with feet can bring pesticides into the house, while the passing wind can spread the chemicals abroad, on and across our sidewalks, into our gutters and drains, down to the groundwater and streams and on to the lakes, our lake included, and thence to the water we drink, threatening aquatic life along the way.
In humans, mounting evidence shows that lawn pesticides are linked to a variety of health issues, including cancer, immune deficiencies, neurological disorders, liver and kidney damage, reproductive problems and birth defects. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing nervous, respiratory, reproductive and immune systems. And wildlife, birds, bees and other insects that are so beneficial to our environment are of course vulnerable as well.
And we cannot forget the effects of pesticides on our beloved canines, which can include skin irritation and nausea, respiratory distress, lethargy, and seizures as well as long-term health issues such as lymphoma and bladder cancer. Dogs can be exposed by simply walking along a sidewalk that contains pellets blown from adjacent pesticide-ridden lawns, which then nestle in between the pads on their feet, or by ingesting contaminated grass and poisoned creatures, by licking their paws or by merely sniffing the air around them. Just by walking by.
Perhaps, just perhaps, we should follow the example set by France, Luxembourg, and Denmark and ban the use of pesticides in our towns, villages, and cities. Maybe we can admire our lawns as they are, a heathy feeding habitat and grassy safe haven for our wild friends that we can nurture, with their help, into a pleasant natural surrounding that we can all enjoy.
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of William Cooper is in the Fenimore Art Museum
Who Funds Our Government?
Who pays federal taxes? In principle, you might think the answer should be simple but, in practice, not so much. I’d like to shed some light on this so my neighbors and I, whatever public policies we may disagree on, can at least settle on one set of facts to help us communicate.
According to the Tax Foundation’s latest summary, the wealthiest tenth of Americans pulled in half of all the income and paid threefourths of the federal taxes in 2022. The richest half of us earned 89 percent of the income and paid 97 percent of the taxes—and we’re not yet down to my family’s income bracket. So, when politicians of a certain party proclaim, “Rich people don’t pay their share of federal taxes,” we know what to think, right? Well, there’s more to the story.
Four-fifths of our national debt—over $36 trillion—is available for the public to own and, of that $29 trillion, over two-thirds, stays in the U.S., from Peterson Foundation data. Although there are caps on how much of this debt you can invest in each year, there is no overall limit on how much you can own. This would be a sweeter deal if the interest wasn’t taxable, but it’s only exempt from state and local taxes. Still, any citizen can hold enough national debt to pay back in interest what they spend on federal taxes (or even more). This works best for people who don’t have to spend every nickel on basic needs, but it appears to be popular with those who can do it. It’s a way for them to offset their tax payments, but those payments are real.
I hope this helps us get past some misperceptions toward a better common grasp of how our government is funded. We’ll need it to get our heads together about what to do from here.
Ron Bishop Cooperstown
CFP’s Programs Help the Hungry
As board members of the Cooperstown Food Pantry, we are committed to its mission to address issues of poverty and hunger in Otsego County. We need to let you know that our community, and our country, is facing a dangerous threat: Food insecurity is rising, and proposed cuts to SNAP and other nutrition programs will make a bad situation much worse.
The current administration abruptly canceled USDA programs that offered U.S.grown food to food banks at low or no cost, as well as programs that enabled pantries and schools to purchase food from local farmers. Last June, the pantry could select from 31 products available through USDA; this June, there are just seven available. These actions not only increase the cost of the food we need to do our essential work but also cut income for farmers. The Regional Food Bank in Latham, the source for much of the food pantry’s food, estimates that it has lost access to a million pounds of food already this year due to these cuts. This translates to
750,000 meals, gone.
The budget bill before Congress would further increase food insecurity by cutting more than $1 trillion from essential safety net programs over the next 10 years. The proposed $295 million in cuts to SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) would cause an estimated 3 million Americans to lose their SNAP benefits, and for millions more to face benefit reductions.
SNAP is a proven, costeffective program that reduces food insecurity and supports the health of children, older adults, and veterans. SNAP reduces healthcare costs, improves educational outcomes and supports local economies. The bill also recommends $700 million in cuts to Medicaid, which will throw 7.6 million Americans off Medicaid, further imperiling the health of Americans and threatening the viability of local hospitals.
Please contact Congress to let them know you support SNAP and programs that provide U.S.-grown food to Americans in need. Investing in hunger prevention and relief is essential.
According to Feeding America, there are 7,670 food insecure people in Otsego County—12.8 percent of the population. For many, an unexpected car repair or medical expense can mean there is just not enough to put food on the table. The Cooperstown Food Pantry serves all of Otsego County, plus patients from the Bassett Cancer Institute. On average each month, the Cooperstown Food Pantry serves more than 200 households, providing more than 700 people with five days of food each month. This is up 25 percent from 2023, when we served an average of 164 households/549 people each month.
The impulse to help neighbors in need is what led Ellen St. John to start the food pantry in 1977. That same impulse continues to guide us at the Cooperstown Food Pantry.
As food prices rise, and federal food and nutrition programs are canceled and threatened, we must rely even more on individual donors. Please be as generous as you can and support the vital work of the Cooperstown Food Pantry. Join the pantry as a volunteer. Even a few hours a month will make a difference, and you will be a part of a solution that strengthens our community. And, please call your representative and senators to let them know that cuts to the country’s social safety net must be stopped.
Importantly, if you are hungry and need some help, please call the food pantry at (607) 547-8902. These are difficult and challenging times, but the Cooperstown Food Pantry, with the help and generosity of many, will continue its vital role in helping those in need.
Carol Beechy, Rose Craine, Andrew Demma, Maryann Dietz, Cathy Fasanelli, Kathleen Gozigian, Jennifer Howard, Executive Director Will Kleffner, Carolyn Lewis, Angus Mackie, Karen Mihan, Audrey Murray, Maureen Murray, Board President Sharon Oberriter, Peg Odell, John A. Rudy, Stacey Smith and Bill Waller
Gaza Spending Harms U.S. Kids
Recently I received a charity solicitation regarding U.S. children going hungry, a horrible thing.
Looking at the U.S. discretionary budget, one sees that the defense budget takes money out of our children’s mouths. SNAP, school lunches, etc. are being cut.
Our defense budget has spent about $23 billion to date to help Israel destroy Gaza; a bombardment that the world demands stop.
Our tax dollars at work for another country’s diabolical land grab (or is it ours?)
Gaza’s children are dying of starvation and malnutrition (those who have survived the military bombardments).
The promised food aid is insufficient and isn’t getting to the neediest; it’s being controlled by the Israeli and U.S. defense teams, whose goals are to quash the Palestinian people’s dignity and human right to viability (again, for the land).
The dearth of potable water, healthcare/hospitals, and shelter are further weapons along with the dire intentional food shortage.
If you can’t find it in your hearts to sob (much less lose sleep) over what’s happening in Palestine, can you protest the $23 billion spent on this humanitarian travesty stealing from our own children?
Our tax money at work is destroying all children’s viable future for any but the filthiest rich.
Our defense budget is about 50 percent of the discretionary budget right now.
With the “Big Beautiful Bill,” how much will this grow? And how much of this budget will be spent on destroying the capacity for children anywhere, including here, to have a future?
Mary Finneran Cairo
Who Could Not Agree with This?
To make his bold dreams come true MLK told us what we should do.
He said our worth should be measured By the values we lived by and treasured, And not by our faith, gender or hue.
Waldo Johnston Vero Beach, Florida and Cooperstown
Please Don’t Rein in the Coltsfoot
Referring to Chris Kjolhede’s May 29 article, “Invasive Species: Pesky Plants,” I beg to differ with his condemnation of the dainty little coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara).
As a first sign of spring, yes, “swaths of golden cheer” provide hope as they appear on the roadsides, sometimes poking through the snow. Even after the footlike leaves appear, and only grow to 3-4 inches, they stay on the roadside and do not try to work themselves into garden areas. The sweet Tussilago appears in an old Swedish schoolbook as part of a play called “The Spring Flowers Festival.”
Continued on page 11
Columnists and Contributing Writers Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Cassandra Miller, Wriley Nelson, Joel J. Plue, Sarah Roberts, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin
LETTERS
by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
135 YEARS AGO
Illegal Fishing—Last week, suits were commenced by one of the Game Protectors of the State against about 40 persons living on or near Otsego Lake, who are charged with illegal fishing in its waters. Some of these parties emphatically deny the allegation, and say no evidence can be given against them that any court of law will regard. Against others the Game Protector claims to have conclusive evidence as he and several assistants spent some time on the Lake in company with these fishermen, pretending to be persons on a pleasure excursion. The suits are to be brought in the name of the People of the State of new York, and are to be tried in Delaware County.
June 20, 1890
110 YEARS AGO
The Otesaga, our big summer hotel, opened Tuesday, and there arrived that night a special car from new York with about 25 early guests. Business, however, really began on Monday, when about twenty tourists were accommodated for the night. Everything seems to point toward an excellent summer season in Cooperstown. The Otesaga and all the other hotels have an unusually large number of reservations. The unsettled conditions in Europe owing to the war will compel thousands who usually go abroad, to remain in their own country, and all the northern resorts are anticipating big business.
June 16, 1915
85 YEARS AGO
The roundhouse of the Delaware and Hudson railroad was razed this spring by the Albany Wrecking Company which took it for salvage, thus removing one of the landmarks of the village and one of the signs of a once prosperous branch line. The building was built in 1869 when the line was known as the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad. The first train passed over the tracks on July 14 of that year. The whole village turned out for the celebration and a salute of 16 guns was fired by a six-pounder, “well served.” The train was drawn by the locomotive, the E.R. Ford, and carried about 30 passengers. A fire in 1880 destroyed the engine garage and damaged a baggage car and two engines. The engine garage was quickly rebuilt but again burned to the ground in 1912, and rebuilt again. The cause of both fires was never determined.
June 19, 1940
35 YEARS AGO
Indian artifacts and signs of former life have been uncovered at the site of the Bassett Clinic project during a state-required archaeological review. Two fire pits and several arrow or spear heads have been found. A 10-month-long village review process was completed last week, but the $32 million project is still under review by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Because the project is located in the nationally registered Historic District of the village, it is considered an archaeologically sensitive area.
June 20, 1990
20 YEARS AGO
Local news—Julietta Ford, Abigail Ford, Kaitlyn Watson and Lauren Vibbard are graduates of the Little Treasures nursery Group at the Hartwick Community Center.
Rebecca Anne Rheinhardt graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cornell University with degrees in Communication and Applied Economics & Management. Rheinhardt will enter the MS/PhD program in industrial relations at Cornell this fall.
Rebecca Additon of Cooperstown received the Community Service Award from Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences as one of seven seniors selected for their excellence in various areas of scholarship. Additon was recognized for her community volunteer activities outside the university.
June 17, 2005
Great Musical Performances, new Experiences
Cooperstown Concerts wrapped up its 55th season on a high note in May, completing a vibrant and diverse lineup of eight performances that drew more than 1,350 people from across the region.
The season featured sold-out concerts, outstanding reviews from attendees, new food, drink, and lodging offers, and strong support from donors and sponsors.
The performances were held across world-class venues, including The Otesaga Resort Hotel and the newly added Fenimore Art Museum Theater and Fenimore Farm and Country Village. The 2025-2026 season opens in September.
Cooperstown Concerts, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization formerly known as the Cooperstown Concert Series, is committed to providing outstanding music close to home in upstate and central new York for people who want to come together to enjoy and explore music.
The 2024-2025 season showcased an exciting range of musical genres—from West African folk and hard-driving bluegrass to indie rock, Latin dance, progressive chamber music, and roots reggae—captivating audiences, providing musical
By MERL REAGLE
Hoochie Coochie!…
diversity, and supporting community engagement.
The season featured eight shows from October to March. It opened with the world-renowned kora virtuoso Yacouba Sissoko, whose melodies and storytelling offered a profound introduction to West African musical traditions. The season concluded in May with an evening that captured the spirit of celebration and community. The sold out island-themed party, including Caribbeaninspired food and drinks and a large dance floor, featured music by The Big Takeover—a roots reggae and Jamaican pop band with infectious rhythms and feel-good vibes.
Great Shows Enhanced by New Experiences Beyond the great performances, Cooperstown Continued on page 7
Photo by noah Beers
Cooperstown Concerts turned the ballroom of the otesaga resort hotel into a wholly immersive sound and light show on februuary 21 with Jimkata and their psychedelic electro-rock dance party.
neWS FROM COOPeRSTOWn CenTRAL SCHOOL
Created by Arya Patel, Benjamin Lewis and Thomas Hellenthal, assisted by CCS Librarian Michelle Hitchcock
‘Angels’ Assist CCS Students, Families
By ARYA PATeL COOPeRSTOWn
One of the most profound and important organizations in our area is the Angel network of Cooperstown. The Angel network is a community-run organization dedicated to helping families in the Cooperstown Central School District who face financial hardships.
Throughout the year, the Angel network helps families in a multitude of ways, such as offering gas and grocery support. This is especially true during the stressful holiday season, when the organization also holds one of its most popular and largest fund-raisers: the holiday giving program.
Through this program, families, groups or individuals can “adopt” a child. As part of this process, the child shares a wish list of what they would like for Christmas—anything from LeGOs to basic necessities. Last year, thanks to generous donors in our community, more than 120 CCS students were able to enjoy their holiday season with well wishes, gifts and essential items from the Angel network.
The efforts of this organization would not be possible without its executive Board: President Laurie Williams, Vice President Alicia Chase, Secretary Shelby MacLeish, Treasurer Matthew Monahan, Directors at Large Martha Clarvoe, Miriam Murray, Stephanie Oceguera, Tabetha Rathbone, and erin Rawitch, and member Ryan Miosek.
Additionally, the school support system consists of Stephanie nelen and Sara Mileski.
President Williams said, “The Angel network is built on the belief that when a child’s basic needs are met, they can focus on being exactly what they are meant to be—kids. Our goal is to ensure that no Cooperstown School student feels burdened by financial hardship. We work to level the playing field in any way we can, so every child has an equal opportunity to thrive.”
Currently, the Angel network is preparing for its back-to-school initiative, with hopes that all qualified Angel network families in need of school supplies can obtain these items for their children. Through this project, the Angel network will provide items
directly from the school supply lists given by the grades and deliver items to the classrooms to ensure they are there on the first day of school. not only is this available to Angel network families, but the organization offers this service to every student—at cost—to help ease families back into school.
Angel network helps families with their needs, both academically and otherwise. The Angel network offers gas cards, clothing, SAT fees, driver’s license fees, driver’s education, school supplies, tutoring and more. During senior year of high school, students are able to experience many important life events—such as prom and senior trip—thanks to funding assistance from this organization. Outside of school, the Angel network supplies furniture, sports equipment, support toward Outward Bound expenses and more.
To get involved with the Angel network, visit https://angelnetworkofcooperstown.org/, e-mail cooperstownangel@gmail.com or attend the monthly meetings, held on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Clark Sports Center. new members are always welcome!
Group Supports Music and Art education
By ARYA PATeL COOPeRSTOWn
Cooperstown Central School’s Friends of Music and Art was formed in 1994 and aims to encourage, support, and strengthen the education for music and art within the Cooperstown school district.
FoMA benefits many students, teachers and clubs. Throughout the year, the organization provides scholarships to students in kindergarten through twelfth grade who attend art- and music-related camps and lessons over the summer.
The Cooperstown Central School District is highly affiliated with art and music, including many different competitions. FoMA helps to make this possible. In the past, the Slam Poetry
prizes were funded by FoMA. Currently, the group provides art awards and new York State School Music Association medals.
Along with support to the Cooperstown Music and Art departments, FoMA assists with the annual art show. They also help host events such as Cabaret night, promoting the event and helping with refreshments.
The staff and students at CCS are profoundly impacted by the work done by FoMA.
Teacher Kerri Hogle said, “What’s great about FoMA is that you have a community group with the goal of supporting the students at Cooperstown in art and music. Whether that is advocating for the fine arts program to the school board or handing out scholarships, they
continuously help out when needed. Through this, they also never fail to ask how we may need help next, and this has become an incredibly important support group for myself and the students. We are grateful for all they have done for us.”
FoMA is largely recognized for the scholarships it offers to graduating seniors who continue their education in instrumental music, vocal music, visual art, writing, theater or dance. After completing the application form and the scholarship essay, students can win an award up to $500.00.
During this past school year, FoMA has assisted students in numerous ways. The CCS Thespians produced “James and the Giant Peach,” for which FoMA provided funds to pay the professional musicians in the pit.
Throughout the 20252026 school year, FoMA plans to continue its dedication to the fine arts, including bringing professional musicians to perform at the Cooperstown elementary School, in order to promote the arts from a young age.
FoMA is always looking for new members. Those interested in becoming involved can attend the first meeting in the fall at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 11 at the Clark Sports Center, or e-mail https:// fomacooperstown.org/ to join the e-mail list. FoMA also graciously accepts donations at https://fomacooperstown.org/donate/ or via checks mailed to Friends of Music and Art, c/o Cooperstown CSD, 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, nY 13326.
Photos provided Another Notable Year
COOP e RSTOW n —The n ight of the n otables is a long-standing Cooperstown Junior High School tradition. Students research a person from history, produce an exhibit and become that “notable” for the event. Students are evaluated on their display board, costume and presentation. Family members visit with the notables to learn more about their contributions to history. Pictured above are Ava Williams as Amelia e arhart and Logan Bachorik as Albert e instein. Visit AllOtsego.com for photos of CCS students depicting George Washington, Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone.
Assoc. Keeps Alumni in Touch
By ARYA PATeL COOPeRSTOWn
In 1969, the Cooperstown Alumni Association was created. This organization allows students to maintain relations beyond high school, enabling them to stay in contact and help each other post-graduation.
Many CCS graduates go on to do incredible things, which the association recognizes.
The organization also assists in creating vital networking opportunities for CCS alumni.
The group not only helps to maintain contacts—it also offers a yearly scholarship.
“The CCS Alumni Association is pleased to award two $1,500.00 one-time scholarships to graduating seniors each year, which are made possible through donations to our scholarship fund,” said CCS graduate
Chad Welch. These scholarships are extremely valued within the Cooperstown Central School District.
The association hopes to form further connections beyond graduation, helping to encourage class reunions, share alumni accomplishments and spread the sad news of alumni who have passed away.
The alumni association also plays a very
Continued on page 10
Shearer Receives Scholarship for educational experience Abroad
By BILL BeLLen MILFORD
With the 2025 Milford Central School Capital Project underway, it seemed that Superintendent Kristen Shearer’s schedule could not get much busier. However, this assumption was proven wrong with the announcement last week that Shearer has been selected as a scholarship recipient for the annual Global Professional Learning Tour, an organized travel experience for educators designed to enhance professional development and broaden global perspective.
“I’m just thrilled to have been chosen. You know, there’s thousands and thousands of educators in our country and I’m really excited to be one of the 35 that are getting to go on this trip,” Shearer said.
This year’s tour, sponsored by eF educational Tours and the new York Council of School Superintendents, takes recipients on an allexpenses-paid trip through Sweden, Finland,
Concerts
Continued from page 5
Concerts offered a range of exciting new features to elevate the audience experience. In partnership with The Otesaga Resort Hotel, each show at the hotel included a concert bar and lounge, where concertgoers could gather with friends and enjoy a relaxed social setting. Concertgoers also had access to exclusive discounted overnight rates at several local hotels and inns, turning an evening of music into an overnight escape. Additional features included free Latin dance lessons, free pre-show entertainment, and a VIP experience with a pre-show acoustic performance. The grand finale of the
and estonia to learn about and embrace their unique styles of education. The tour will focus on new strategies utilized by these countries and provide a firsthand experience and window into how these initiatives operate.
A statement released by MCS reads, “Shearer’s selection reflects her dedication to excellence in education and her commitment to ensuring that Milford Central School remains at the forefront of progressive learning practices. The insights gained from this experience will support future initiatives to enhance student engagement, teacher development, and overall academic achievement.”
In the lead-up to Shearer’s departure on July 7 with 34 of her colleagues, the group has had two virtual Zoom meetings in order to become acquainted with one another and to create an itinerary for their adventure abroad. They plan to visit numerous historic sites in the three countries, a highlight of which will be their visit to the nobel Prize Museum
season took things up a notch with an islandinspired celebration, featuring a festive buffet and tropical cocktails from Mel’s at 22, plus a spacious dance floor. This season was a turning point for Cooperstown Concerts, and we greatly appreciate every person who came to a show, and every sponsor, donor, and partner who supported us. In the 2024-2025 season, Cooperstown Concerts expanded its venues, reached new audiences, presented a wide range of highly acclaimed performers, offered new experiences, and consistently sold out shows, demonstrating the power of live music and great experiences to help bring people together. We want every
in Sweden. Though there will certainly be many historic locales on their tour, this will not detract from the trip’s primary focus of exposing officials to other educational environments.
“We’re going to be doing some specific learning opportunities in Finland, where we are actually meeting with school personnel and spending some time in a school to understand the Finnish educational system. What I’m particularly interested in is how they gauge their learning … The way that other countries look at education is really interesting to me,” Shearer said.
Cooperstown Concerts event to be more than a show. It’s about creating a memorable night out— from incredible artists and stunning venues to connecting with friends, meeting new people, enjoying new music, dancing, and even a place to stay. The feedback has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to building on these experiences next season.
2025-2026 Season
Opens in September
As Cooperstown Concerts looks to the 2025-2026 season, the organization is excited to continue to bring world-class live music to beautiful local venues in the region, fostering a vibrant arts scene that supports connections and community. The 2025-2026 season will
european schooling is a process with many stark differences to that of the American educational system. The Finnish system is of particular interest to Shearer, as she is intrigued by the differences in student evaluations between the two countries.
“Specifically with the Finnish educational system, there’s not a lot of standardized testing. So I’m very interested in how they build their curriculum and how they know what they have taught has been learned, and from that perspective, I’m just very interested in their curriculum. I’m interested in their benchmarking and just how they project a student’s growth moving forward.
“But I’m also just ready for a new idea. I want to be enlightened by something that I can bring back here, so I don’t have any fixed kind of knowledge right now. What I want to do is just experience it and see how some of the things that they do can fit into our culture and our educational system,” Shearer continued.
launch in September 2025. Additional season details will be announced in August.
For more information about Cooperstown Concerts and upcoming events, visit www. cooperstownconcerts. org, and join the mailing list for the latest news and updates. To donate to Cooperstown Concerts, a nonprofit organization, go to https://cooperstownconcerts.org/donate/
For volunteer opportunities with Cooperstown Concerts, contact info@cooperstownconcerts.org.
Check out our website for photos and more information about our 2024-2025 season.
Randy Smith is president of the Cooperstown Concerts Board of Directors.
With just a few short weeks to go until Shearer begins her journey overseas, there is excitement in the air over what findings she may bring back to Milford. now that the physical transformation of MCS is in progress through the ongoing Capital Project, Shearer may well
begin the push for a reinvention of the very notions of what education at the school looks like moving forward.
Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Shearer’s journey marks a historic milestone for not only herself, but the district as a whole.
Read “Gallodoro Stage in Oneonta Pays Homage to Woodwind Legend” by Cassandra Miller on AllOtsego.com
NFIB: Small Biz Group Reports
ALBAnY—The national Federation of Independent Business, a lobbying and advocacy group for small businesses nationwide, reported that their Small Business Optimism Index increased three points in May. It stands at 98.8, slightly above the 51-year average of 98, with improvements in expected business conditions and sales expectations. eighteen percent of business owners reported taxation as their highest concern, the first time this has been the top issue since December 2020. A net one percent of owners reported low inventory in May, up seven points from April in the biggest monthly increase in the survey’s history. To view the full report, visit nfib.com.
Photo provided KRISTEN SHEARER
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of VHL Properties LLC.
Articles of organization were filed with the nY Secretary of State on 3/13/2025.
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, 81 Ransom Ave., Sea Cliff, nY 11579. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
6LegalJun.19
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Pioneer energy Solutions LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of new York (SSnY) on March 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 172 Burdick Road, Milford, nY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJun.19
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Miller’s Co. Rt 17, LLC
Filed arts of org. April 24, 2025. Office: Otsego Co.
SSnY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 1277 Co. Hwy. 14, Mt. Vision, nY 13810. Purpose: Any Legal Purpose.
6LegalJun.19
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Notice of formatioN of a NY Limited LiabiLitY compaNY
name: Burren Properties, LLC.
Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State of nY (SSnY) was May 6, 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSnY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served
and SSnY shall mail copy of process to The LLC, 115 eggleston Hill Road, Cooperstown, nY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under nYS laws.
6LegalJun.26
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Notice of formatioN of Kingfisher Financial Planning LLC
Art. of org. filed with Secretary of State of nY (SSnY) 04/07/2025.
Office Location: Otsego County.
SSnY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 37 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, nY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalJun.26
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of 119 BADGeR LAne LLC
Articles of org. filed nY Sec. of State (SSnY) 05/20/2025. Office in Otsego Co.
SSnY designated Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSnY shall mail copy of process to 119 Badger Lane LLC, 6718 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, nY 13326
Purpose: Any Lawful purpose. 6LegalJul.3
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Notice of formatioN of APPLeFIeLDS 257, LLC.
Filed with SSnY on 04/21/2025. Office: Otsego County.
SSnY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 30 HenRY ST., BAYPORT, nY 11705. Purpose: Any Lawful, 6LegalJul.3
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Notice of formatioN of 278 COOPeRSTOWn, LLC.
Filed with SSnY on 04/21/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSnY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 30 HenRY ST., BAYPORT, nY 11705. Purpose: Any Lawful 6LegalJul.3
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Notice of formatioN of
SWeeTSPOT 354, LLC.
Filed with SSnY on 04/21/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSnY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 30 HenRY ST, BAYPORT, nY 11705. Purpose: Any Lawful 6LegalJul.3
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Notice of formatioN of
CCVA Legacy Development, LLC
Arts. of org. were filed with the SSnY on 5/27/2025. The office of the LLC is located in Otsego County. The SSnY is desig. as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The SSnY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: CCVA Legacy Development, LLC, 5676 State Highway 80, norwich, nY 13815. The purpose of the LLC is any lawful purpose. 6LegalJul.10
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Notice of formatioN of
5009 South Side Realty LLC.
Filed 5/27/25. Cty: Otsego. SSnY desig. for process & shall mail POB 1238, Oneonta, nY 13820. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalJul.10
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Notice of formatioN of Isabelle & Rich Homes, LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of new York (SSnY) on 02/05/2025. 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 Cherise and Aaron Tolbert, Cooperstown Hills Retreat, 186 Burdick Rd., Milford, nY 13807-1167. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.10
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Notice of formatioN of
LEGALS
SAVI AUTOCARe LLC.
Articles of organization were filed with the nY Secretary of State on 5/19/20255. 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, 675 evening Inn Rd., Oneonta, nY 13820. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.
6LegalJul.10
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Notice of formatioN of
JennIFeR L. GRIGOLI, nURSe PRACTITIOneR In PSYCHIATRY, PLLC.
Arts. of org. filed with Secy. of State of nY (SSnY) on 05/15/2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSnY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSnY shall mail process to: 55 Maple St., Oneonta, nY 13820. Purpose: to practice the profession of nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry.
6LegalJul.17
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Notice of formatioN of
Two Cheeky Lads, LLC,
a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of nY (SSnY) on June 5, 2025. nY office Location: OTSeGO County. SSnY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSnY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/ her to: C/O Two Cheeky Lads, LLC, 13 Coryelle St, Lambertville, nJ 08530. General Purposes.
6LegalJul.17
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Notice of formatioN of Oneonta House LLC,
a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of nY
(SSnY) on June 4, 2025. nY office Location: OTSeGO County. SSnY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSnY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: C/O Oneonta House LLC, 81 W. Main St., Milford, nY 13807. General Purposes.
6LegalJul.17
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Notice of formatioN of 212 PLR LLC.
Filed with SSnY on 05/09/2025. Office: Otsego County.
SSnY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 6956
STATe HWY 80, COOPeRSTOWn, nY 13326.
Purpose: Any Lawful.
6LegalJul.17
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Notice of pUbLic SaLe
Public notice is hereby given Under Sec. 182 nYS Lien Law, that property described as contents of storage unit, will be sold at public auction at 6:00 p.m. on June 25th, 2025 at Rt. 23 Self Storage of Oneonta, 8745 St Hwy. 23, Oneonta nY. The sale of such property is to satisfy the lien of Rt 23 Self Storage of Oneonta on property stored for the accounts of:
Unit # 205
Stepfanie Butler
Unit # 229
Amanda Polin Unit # 406
Jessica Pidgeon Unit # 439
Casandra Decker Unit # 444
Carlos Manuel Unit # 526
Tiana Hanlon Unit # 702
eugene Buzie Unit # 708
Joanna Barnum Unit # 711
Joel Ham Unit # 722
Claude Carnahan Unit # 906
Dana Currie Unit # 1116
Josh Anderson
2LegalJun.19
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Notice of formatioN of Zuill Landscaping, LLC.
Arts of org. filed with nY Secy of State (SSnY) on 5/23/2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSnY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against
it may be served and SSnY shall mail copy of process to 165 Zuill Lane, Schenevus, nY 12155. Purpose is any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.17
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Notice of formatioN of Fly n66 LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of new York (SSnY) on 2/13/25.
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 391 Airport Rd., Oneonta nY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalJul.24
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iNVitatioN for bidS nOTICe IS HeReBY GIVen, pursuant to Article 5A of the General Municipal Law of the State of new York that sealed bids are sought by THe VILLAGe OF COOPeRSTOWn, neW YORK
For:
ReQUeST FOR PROPOSAL FOR SeWeR MAIn RePLACeMenT
Sealed bids will be received by the Village of Cooperstown at the Conference Room of the Village Hall at 22 Main Street in the Village of Cooperstown, nY 13326, until 2:00 p.m., July 17th, 2025 at which time bids will be publicly opened, and read.
The request for Bids consists of but is not limited to the demolition and disposal of approximately 1,250 linear feet of existing sanitary sewer main on Pioneer Street in the Village of Cooperstown. new sanitary manholes will be installed and new PVC sanitary sewer main will be installed. Successful bidder shall begin the Work on receipt of the notice to Proceed and shall complete the Work within the Contract Time. Work is subject to liquidated damages. The bidder shall be aware the construction for this project must begin after September 1, 2025 and shall be completed before the end of the 2025 calendar
year.
no Prebid meeting is scheduled.
Online Procurement and Contracting Documents: Obtain after June 12th, 2025.
Complete digital sets of bidding documents, drawings and specifications, may be obtained online as a download at the following website: herrmann.biddyhq. com. Complete sets of bidding documents, drawings and specifications, may be obtained from ReVplans, 28 Church Street, Unit 7, Warwick, nY 10990, upon depositing the sum of $100 (One Hundred Dollars) for each combined set of documents. Checks or money orders shall be made payable to Village of Cooperstown. Plan deposit is refundable in accordance with the terms in the Instructions to Bidders to all submitting bids. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs.
ReVplans (herrmann.biddyhq. com) is the designated location and means for distributing and obtaining all bid package information. Only those Contract Documents obtained in this manner will enable a prospective bidder to be identified as an official plan holder of record. The Provider takes no responsibility for the completeness of Contract Documents obtained from other sources. Contract Documents obtained from other sources may not be accurate or may not contain addenda that may have been issued.
All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at (herrmann.biddyhq.com). Plan holders who have paid for hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. Bidders are responsible for the timely delivery of their Bid proposal to the proper depart-
ment as indicated in this “Invitation For Bids”. Bid proposals received after the date and time specified in the Invitation shall be considered unresponsive and will be returned to the Bidder unopened. The Village of Cooperstown does not accept bids by fax or email. Bidders must be properly licensed under the laws governing their respective trades and be able to obtain insurance and bonds required for the Work.
Bid security shall be submitted with each bid in the amount of 5 percent of the bid amount. no bids may be withdrawn for a period of 60 days after opening of bids. Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive informalities and irregularities.
This is an exempt capital improvement project, and bidders shall not include in their bid sales and compensating use taxes on the cost of materials. This Contract is subject to new York State wage rate schedules.
Jenna Utter, Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown, new York 1LegalJun.19
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Notice of formatioN of
4JAS, LLC
Articles of org. filed with nY Sec. of State (SSnY) 6/9/25. Office in Otsego Co. SSnY desig. as 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. 6LegalJul.24
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iNVitatioN to bid 2025 roof
GUtter SYStem repLacemeNt
This announcement is intended for any person or business interested in providing roof gutter replacement services to Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), located at 967 County Highway 33 in Cooperstown, nY.
project Scope
The project will encompass two buildings
and consist of removal and disposal of existing gutter systems and replacement with new on each building and its redirection away from the building structures into the adjacent wetland. proposal requirements Successful proposals will include the following • “not to exceed” itemizations of all labor and materials for each building formatted as follows: quantity x unit cost = extended cost for each item of labor and materials (SWCD is exempt from nYS sales tax), followed by the total building cost, with a total project cost at the end • a timeline for project start and completion • Proof of Liability Insurance Coverage naming the District as additional insured as follows: Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 Co. Hwy. 33 Cooperstown, nY 13326
There will be no mandatory walkthrough, but prospective bidders are encouraged to visit the site for measurements and building configurations and to direct questions to the District Manager. Requests for additional information necessary for the preparation of a proposal should be directed to Christos Galanopoulos, galanopoulosc@ otsegosoilandwater.com no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 July 2025.
Submission deadline
Submittals by USPS, commercial carrier, or email are received when they are inside the SWCD office building. Submittals will be received until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, 11 July 2025. Submittals shall be made to the following address: Christos Galanopoulos, District Manager Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 Co. Hwy. 33 Cooperstown, nY 13326
compliance with Labor Laws
The successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to, Labor Laws, Prevailing Wage Rates, and Workers Compensation.
The
Arc
Continued from page 1
purchase diapers and incontinence products from The Arc Otsego through NYSID contracts. The goods are used by hospitals, nursing homes and other programs that support individuals with disabilities.
“A lot of people don’t know what we do. Creekside lets individuals with disabilities build a foundation of job skills to prepare them to eventually work in the community,” said Sarah Paulino, assistant director of employment services at The Arc Otsego. “Heather was in the training program and did so well that she was promoted to a full-time Arc employee.”
The Arc employs more than 300 and provides support services and job training to more than 400 individuals with disabilities. At Monday’s check presentation, several employees emphasized a mission of The Arc: “Employment first.”
“We offer the full range of vocational services, including pre-vocational support, internships, job placement, a whole range of opportunities,” Seeley said.
Employment helps the people The Arc serves to live rich, fulfilling lives, contribute to the community, and have the opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy new experiences, according to Sara Hanlon, chief executive officer of The Arc Otsego.
NYSID President and Chief Executive Officer Maureen O’Brien explained that by readying individuals with disabilities to have success in the workforce, it reduces reliance on government assistance programs.
“They are going to be working and earning a paycheck and not using 100 percent of the safety net of programs,”
O’Brien said.
“NYSID works with disability service providers all over the state to ensure individuals can get to work, have
competitive wages, and put together products and services that can be sold back to the local government,” O’Brien said.
In addition to the NYSID line, Creekside packages and ships goods for several local and national businesses, including Vermont-based pool supplies company Gizzmo and TSPink, a local company that makes crystal-shaped soaps that are shipped to national parks throughout the U.S.
Participants not only gain job skills to enter the workforce, but also soft skills to be able to thrive in jobs in the community.
“They start at Creekside and develop confidence to move on to employment in the community. We’re a stepping stone. We want them to outgrow us,” Seeley said.
Paulino estimated that more than 20 businesses in the area employ individuals served by The Arc Otsego, including McDonald’s, Price Chopper, MAMCO, Custom Electronics, and the Home Depot, the
latter of which just won “Supported Employee of the Year.”
The Home Depot and other award winners were honored at The Arc Otsego’s 60th anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 5 at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. The event featured live music, dancing and a community meal.
Community service
ccDOS Opens in Schoharie
RICHMONDVILLE— Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties opened a new office at 1445 State Route 7 in Richmondville on June 9. The new space features meeting rooms, a food pantry, welcoming activity rooms and a thrift shop. Programs offered at this location will include emergency assistance, a child-at-risk response team, counseling and clinical support, housing assistance, crime victim support, residential and non-residential domestic violence services, a dispute resolution center, aging life services, and a Nutrition and Outreach Education Program.
The facility will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all other weekdays, with a lunch break from 12:301:30 p.m. each day. The thrift shop will operate from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The food pantry will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 36 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, visit charitiesccdos.org.
has been a major goal of The Arc Otsego in recent years, according to Tiemann. In addition to offering workforce training, job placements and residential services, The Arc Otsego operates the ReUse Center in Oneonta’s Sixth Ward, the Main View Gallery downtown, pop-up repair cafes, and a collabora-
tion with the Community Pantry of Edmeston that provides food for more than 150 families in Otsego County each month.
Tiemann emphasized: “We’re not just supporting individuals with disabilities, we’re here to support the greater community.”
Medicine & Wellness-Crafting Inner-Outer
Harmony
July 14-18
Calculations Astrology, Geomancy & Finances
July 21-25
Photo by Cassandra Miller
Proudly flanking their presentation check, from left: Sara Hanlon, chief executive officer, The Arc Otsego; Maureen O’Brien, president and chief executive officer, NYSID; Heather Worden, production worker, Creekside Industries; Erin Seeley, chief operating officer, The Arc Otsego; and David DiNicola, director of business operations, Creekside Industries.
Indivisible for Schoharie County, Tina Dawson, praised the success of the event in the press release.
“I was so heartened by the turnout on Saturday. People from all backgrounds came out to defend liberty and due process. We are a nation of laws, not kings. The energy in the crowd was uplifting and stayed peaceful. I am so grateful to everyone who showed up and spoke out, each in their own way. This rally, and the ones to come, are about taking back our flag and protecting our constitutional freedoms.”
Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek kicked off the rally with a statement on the values of America’s Democracy. Drnek asserted that, “The resistance is growing in small towns and big cities— Oneonta, very much included. He explained, “Few would argue with the administration’s promise to identify and deport criminals, gang and cartel members, drug dealers, and others who pose a threat to our communities. But this is not that. Being the author of the ‘the largest mass deportation operation of illegal aliens in history’ is nothing to be proud of and history will judge it harshly.”
Drnek made clear that, “the inscription on the Statue of Liberty is not meant to be ironic. We are a nation of immigrants, many of whom fled persecution and worse. Sadly, that need for asylum has not abated. People who’ve fled their homes, often leaving family and possessions behind, made that decision confident that America still offered safe haven and hope to the hopeless. The mass deportation of millions, many employed and engaged in their communities, is a blunt cudgel in
a transparent campaign of punishment and retribution aimed at those who still subscribe to the ideals that this country was founded upon. This evil will not prevail.”
Protestors with colorful signs sang, chanted, engaged with speakers, and then marched from Market Street up to Main Street and back around to the rally field. At one point, the length of the march line wrapped around the entire block.
Caitlin Ogden, chair of the Otsego County Democratic Committee, stated, “As a community member in the broader county area, I was encouraged and heartened to see such a tremendous turnout of our community members who are willing to stand up and say there are no kings in America; that we will not allow fascism to take over our country. We stand against allowing law enforcement and military tactics that harass immigrants coming to America trying to escape physical harm, and pursuing what America should offer to all, a chance to pursue the dream of America.”
Ogden encouraged people to “grow this
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.
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movement to protect democracy,” because she “loves Otsego County and America” and “will fight to make sure our democratic America perseveres.”
CooperstownOneonta member Debra Marcus drew connections between immigration and reproductive issues. Marcus stated that women make up more than half of Medicaid recipients, and Medicaid covers almost 50 percent of all births.
“When millions of people are kicked off of Medicaid, women can lose access to affordable contraception, as well as vital prenatal and obstetrical care,” Marcus said. “We are all born of women and almost all of us (those without Native American ancestry) are immigrants or the children or grandchildren of immigrants.”
Marcus continued, “We have all benefited from living in a country that, up until now, mostly cherished families and welcomed newcomers. We have, until very recently, lived in a country that recognized that our strength came from our diversity, that understood that providing a hand up to marginalized people allowed them to become independent, tax paying citizens. A hand up, not a hand out.”
The rally concluded after the march, but many rallygoers, encouraged by the energy and turnout remained at
the site talking about growing the democracy movement.
“We understand that in a democracy the idea is to debate a diversity of ideas and try to arrive at policies that will best support the wellbeing of all Americans. Of course, people have different ideas on how to do that,” rally organizer and leader of CooperstownOneonta Indivisible Virginia Kennedy stated.
“In a democracy, we debate ideas, passionately at times, but we don’t put the military on the street against other Americans, and we don’t spend our hardearned taxpayer dollars on an extravagant parade while cutting programs and funding essential to veterans and communities large and small in defiance of the law, the courts, and the separation of powers. Our movement is about supporting democratic institutions for all Americans, and our movement in resistance to authoritarian takeover is growing with peace and strength,” Kennedy said.
Alumni
Continued from page 6 active role in the ongoing events at the school.
“We make posts almost daily about all kinds of academic and extracurricular events happening at CCS. The association uses our social media pages to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of
our alumni,” Welch said. “We have a proud alumni and school community following who enjoy staying connected with our alma mater.”
Follow the Cooperstown Alumni Association on Instagram @ccs_ alumni_association and on Facebook @CoopAlums for updates on school events and news.
Memorial
Continued from page 1 boarded a lifeboat and were rescued by another ship, the Carpathia.
Days later, the U.S. Senate conducted an inquiry into the disaster and interviewed survivors. Here are excerpts from Emily Ryerson’s testimony:
“At the time of collision I was awake and heard the engines stop, but felt no jar. My husband was asleep, so I rang and asked the steward, Bishop, what was the matter. He said, ‘There is talk of an iceberg, ma’am, and they have stopped, not to run into it.’ I told him to keep me informed if there were any orders.
“It was bitterly cold, so I put on a warm wrapper and looked out the window (we were in the large cabins on the B deck, very far aft) and saw the stars shining and a calm sea, but heard no noise. It was 12 o’clock.
“After about 10 minutes I went out in the corridor, and saw far off people hurrying on deck. A passenger ran by and called out, ‘Put on your lifebelts and come up on the boat deck.’
“My chief thought and that of everyone else was, I know, not to make a fuss and to do as we were told. My husband joked with some of the women he knew, and I heard him say, ‘Don’t you hear the band playing?’
“I begged him to let me stay with him, but he said, ‘You must obey orders. When they say, ‘Women and children to the boats’ you must go when your turn comes.’
“All this time we could hear the rockets going up—signals of distress. Again, we were ordered down to A deck, which was partly enclosed. We
OBITUARIES
saw people getting into boats, but waited our turn. There was a rough sort of steps constructed to get up to the window.
“My boy, Jack, was with me. An officer at the window said, ‘That boy can’t go.’ My husband stepped forward and said, ‘Of course, that boy goes with his mother; he is only 13.’ So they let him pass. They also said, ‘No more boys.’
“I turned and kissed my husband, and as we left he and the other men I knew…were all standing there together very quietly. The decks were lighted, and as you went through the window it was as if you stepped out into the dark. We were flung into the boats.
“After the Titanic sank we saw no lights…Then, when the sun rose we saw the Carpathia standing up about 5 miles away, and for the first time saw the icebergs all around us. The Carpathia steamed toward us until it was full daylight; then she stopped and began picking up boats… The kindness and the efficiency of all the arrangements on the Carpathia for our comfort can never be too highly praised.”
In contrast to this detailed account, an epitaph is necessarily short. Arthur Ryerson’s memorial distills the disaster of that night into a few powerful words. It says he was lost on the Titanic “giving his life for others.”
Emily Ryerson’s full testimony can be found at https://www. titanicinquiry.org/USInq/ AmInq16Ryerson01.php
Kerry Lynch is secretary and treasurer of the Lakewood Cemetery Association.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more. Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com
Harry D. Swanger Jr.
1939-2025
COOPERSTOWN—
Harry Daniel “Sonny” Swanger Jr., 85, entered into eternal rest late Saturday morning, May 17, 2025, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing.
Sonny was born June 26, 1939 in Jonestown, Pennsylvania, a son of Harry Daniel Swanger Sr. and Rachael June (Gettle) Swanger.
From January 24, 1962 until January 23, 1964, Sonny proudly served his country in the United States Army.
On October 29,
leW i S, HurleY & pietrobono Funeral Home
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2011, Sonny married Patricia Ann Armstrong Young. Upon moving to Cooperstown, they settled into the Cooper Lane Apartments, and most recently they were residing in Richfield Springs.
While living in Cooperstown, Sonny was employed as a sales
clerk at The Farmers’ Museum.
Sonny is survived by his wife, Patty, and two sisters, Janice Heisy and Norma Sidle of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, on what would have been Sonny’s 86th birthday, in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Fly Creek, with the Rev. Jessica Lambert, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Photo by T. W. Collins
More than 1,200 people turned out for a “No Kings” rally in Oneonta on Saturday, June 14. The event was organized by Cooperstown/Oneonta Indivisible and supported by Indivisibles of Cherry Valley, Schoharie County and the Butternut Valley, among others.
No Defense for Trump Administration’s Violent Rhetoric, Tactics
AllOtsego’s June 12 editorial, “No Defense for Violence,” decried “the riots and violence” in Los Angeles while whitewashing and ignoring the Trump administration’s own violent tactics and rhetoric that triggered the L.A. protests and threatened to escalate situation.
The editorial board said the “riots” broke out in response to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arresting people “without formal immigration documentation” as if ICE were conducting normal, routine work. Since Trump’s inauguration, ICE has been arresting and disappearing people off streets, workplaces, farms, during court appearances, and even from their homes. They are not just those without documents, but people with the “formal” documents, who are legal residents and even U.S. citizens. Families have been torn apart, with one parent and children suddenly taken away to border cities, to be deported within hours—even a 4-year-old child with a life-threatening illness.
We just heard that happened in Oneonta on Saturday, June 14, a man getting into his car to go to work when ICE arrested him and wouldn’t let him go back inside his house to show he was here legally, with his “formal immigration documentation.”
That is violence. That is what triggered the L.A. protests. Because no one wants to find out their friends, neighbors, co-workers, favorite waitress, and especially children have been suddenly disappeared from their communities, with seemingly no recourse.
The editorial also failed to mention that hundreds of L.A. police officers and state troopers
were deployed to control the protests. The editorial board said violence the next night prompted Trump to send 2,000 National Guard troops to L.A. That is inaccurate. Trump sent 2,000 National Guards to Los Angeles because he felt like it, without California Governor Gavin Newsome’s request or consent for them. When Newsome objected to it, Trump called him “Newscum” on social media, agreed Newsome should be arrested, and then sent 700 U.S. Marines to L.A.
That is not normal. No president had sent in the National Guard without a governor’s consent since 1965. Trump did it to challenge Newsome’s authority and to inflame more violence so he could use the U.S. military to go after civilians. We know Trump has long wanted to do that and came close to it during peaceful George Floyd protests in D.C. in 2020. But the op-ed said nothing about it.
Since the op-ed was published, the administration’s threat and use of violence have escalated, which is no surprise since it has since January 20, 2025. At a news conference on June 12, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Secretary Kristi Noem said the military was “to liberate [Los Angeles] from the socialists and the burdensome leadership of the Democratic leaders of California and Los Angeles.” She labeled Californians and their leaders as “socialists” to paint them as enemies of the country and to justify removing them from power with military force.
When U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) began asking Noem about it, he was wrestled to the ground
and handcuffed. Despite what Noem, Fox News and other Republicans claimed, you can clearly hear Senator Padilla identifying himself before he spoke and see he did not lunge at her in a video clip.
Is this really where we are now in America—the president and his cabinet threatening to remove elected officials of states and cities from power, arresting senators and congressional representatives from the opposing party for speaking up and doing their jobs, and then lying about it despite clear evidence to the contrary?
The editorial board quoted an October 2024 editorial by Thomas Pullyback at length about the importance of accepting the results of the election, that the “the fabric of American society is ripped apart or patched up depends upon [it.]” Americans did accept the results, without violent protests, unlike four years earlier.
But we are beyond the election and we are seeing the Trump administration use heavyhanded, illegal and violent tactics toward immigrants, documented or not, U.S. citizens, and toward elected officials. We see Trump wanting to stoke violence and use the military to go after civilians even when they are peacefully protesting.
That is ripping apart the fabric of American society, not a week of protests, sometimes peaceful, sometimes violent, in Los Angeles. We need to stop whitewashing and normalizing the administration’s violence and instead, condemn it. There should be no defense for it.
Jennifer Hill is a resident of Oneonta.
Lakefront Property Owners Advised to Avoid Polystyrene
The Otsego Lake Association has been aware of reports from concerned citizens regarding expanded polystyrene foam (EPF, commonly known as Styrofoam) debris in Otsego Lake. They typically look blue, pink, tan, or white and have various shapes and sizes resembling pieces of popcorn. Their possible sources have been identified as deteriorating floating docks, improperly disposed coolers and containers for food, beverages, and bait, and sunken watercraft (which often has foam-filled compartments inside the hull for buoyancy).
Open (bare, non-encapsulated) EPF blocks used for dock flotation have been identified as a source of aquatic plastic pollution. States and municipalities around the U.S. and Canada have banned the use of non-encapsulated EPF blocks in docks and other floating objects in water bodies, and similar laws have been proposed in NY and VT after studies found the prevalence of EPF pollution in Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes.
EPF and other waste plastics in water are known to be mistakenly ingested by various animals and
FCAHS
Continued from page 3
featuring the photographs of Lady Ostapeck. Plans are also in the works to expand the function of the Grange building, including utilizing the stage on the second floor for performances and improving access for patrons with disabilities to the building and second floor.
The historical society holds its regular meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month, during which a guest speaker gives a presentation on local history. Recent speakers include Richard Ranieri, who presented on the Civilian Conservation Corps and the CCC Camp in Laurens on Gilbert Lake. The May meeting featured a discussion on the Battle of Cherry Valley, also known as the Cherry Valley Massacre.
interfere with their normal growth, behavior, and reproduction. There is increasing evidence that microplastics negatively affect microscopic organisms that are important food for larger animals and are critical for nutrient recycling. EPF pieces themselves can release toxic chemicals used in manufacturing into water as well as collect and transport hydrophobic (oily) contaminants such as PCB. Non- encapsulated EPF is more prone to weathering as well as wildlife (e.g., muskrats) compared to other materials, including EPF encapsulated inside a rigid 3/7 4/7 shell.
Existing docks may be retrofitted with a rigid cover to prevent leakage of EPF fragments into water. In Otsego Lake, the attachment of the inva-
sive quagga and zebra mussels to the underside of docks can weigh down floating docks over time. Encapsulated flotation with a hard, smooth surface discourages mussel attachment, and the mussels can be removed by periodic scraping without damaging the flotation. While encapsulated flotations may cost more up front, they tend to last longer and are a better investment in the long run, both financially and environmentally.
OLA encourages lakefront property owners to consider these facts when purchasing or building a new floating dock or maintaining/upgrading an existing one. For additional information, please refer to Chapters 4 and 5 of the 2009 report titled “Flotation Analysis for Boat Docks on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects.”
Those interested in becoming a member of the Otsego Lake Association, or who would like to support the organization’s work, can do so at https://otsegolakeassociation.org/join-us/
Reprinted with permission from the Otsego Lake Association’s “Our Glimmerglass” journal Volume 2025-Issue I.
The historical society was founded in the summer of 1989 and obtained state and federal recognition, achieving 501c3 status in 1998. Its newsletter, “The Fly Creeker,” is published quarterly, and a 370-page book, “Fly Creek Area History,” was published in 2022.
The FCAHS can be reached with any questions or concerns at flycreekareahistoricalsociety@gmail.com or by contacting one of its officers, whose phone numbers can be found at flycreekareahistoricalsociety.org. Additional information on upcoming events, the history of the organization and information on how to join the FCAHS can also be found at the same web address.
The FCAHS mission is to “research, record, retain, preserve, and make available for study, artifacts, relics, books, manuscripts, papers, photographs, and other records from the late 18th century to the present, items relating to the history of New York and particularly to Fly Creek and the surrounding area.”
Continued from page 4
Tussilago tells us they have been awake a long time even though it is so cold.
“Feel how the sun shines warm against the gray stones. Yet no sign of green appears in the ditch but through the dried grass, we tiny Tussilago sisters stand shining in rows, even as it is still freezing around our little bare legs.” The other spring flowers then follow Tussilago’s recitation with applause.
I join the wildflowers in applause and give thanks for this cheery prelude to spring and welcome them on the roadsides as a replacement for the giant, aggressive Japanese knotweed. Our human feet should not stomp out coltsfoot as Chris suggests.
May-Britt Joyce Cooperstown Whartons Were Role Models
Dr. Clifton Wharton
Jr. and his wife, Dolores Wharton, who died June 7th, were the two most accomplished people I have ever known. And I have known popes and presidents.
In their retirement, they were summer residents of Cooperstown. Clif was a WWII fighter pilot, PhD in economics from the University of Chicago, CEO of SUNY, TIAA, Rockefeller Foundation, and Michigan State. Dolores was equally accomplished.
Unfortunately, their accomplishments did not shield them from the ongoing cultural cancer of racism in America. Years ago, I asked Dr. Wharton to dinner at the Harvard Club in New York. He declined. Decades before, he had been denied admission because of his race, even though he was a member of the Harvard Club, Boston, and had recently retired as the under secretary of state.
Both he and Dolores got snubbed socially, including right here in Cooperstown. They were not invited to some of the “right parties” (a doubleentendre) and some of the “right” (there’s that word again) Cooperstonians refused to attend parties with them.
Dr. Wharton died a few days after America re-elected a racist Republican president. His widow, Dolores, survived him long enough
to see the renaming of major federal facilities in honor of Confederate generals by a Republican administration steeped in corruption, vainglory and incompetence.
Everything the Whartons were not. They were positive role models for all Americans, the antithesis of the current occupant of the White House and his cable news sycophants.
In Texas, in my youth, when I boarded a city bus, a Black passenger was obligated to give up their seat to me, a la Rosa Parks. There were two water fountains at the county courthouse,
one for whites, one for “colored”—including Mexicans. I know where this racial animus comes from. I assure you, it’s not about “making America great again.” And I know where it’s going. Back into the trash can of history. Starting with the midterms. It’s comforting to be on the right side of history this time around. I owe it to the Whartons. If you ever wondered what you would have done in Germany in 1936, now’s your chance to find out. Don’t chicken out.
Chip Northrup Cooperstown
froM oUr GliMMerGlass
kiyoko yokota
Photo by Kiyoka Yokota polystyrene pieces at the shoreline of otsego lake.
►Fri., June 20
AGING 10-11:30 a.m.
“Coffee and Education: Estate Planning—Do You Know Where to Begin?” Presented by local attorney Lauren Glynn. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 5474232.
SOLSTICE 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Special Event: Summer Solstice Celebration.” Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave. (518) 2968949
YOGA 10 a.m. Held each Friday. WorcesterSchenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
LIBRARY 10:30 a.m.
“Story Time.” Held each Friday. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
KIDS WORKSHOP
3:15 p.m. “Pop-Up After School Art Classes for Kids: Still Life Class.” Presented by Claire Jensen. Fees apply; materials provided; registration required. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-9777.
FIRE PIT FRIDAYS
6-10 p.m. Live music, food and more. Featuring music from Bourbon & Branch. The Tap House, Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 5441800.
MARKET 6-9 p.m.
“Friday Nights in the Park.” Historic carousel rides, ice cream, local vendors and more. Held Fridays through 6/27. Borst Field, Schenevus. (607) 638-1924.
MEDITATION 6 p.m.
“Friday Evening Meditation at the Gatehouse.” 90-minute gathering to end the week on a gentle note. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
FILM 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m. “The Goonies: 40th Anniversary Screening and Celebration.” Film, after party, cash bar for 21+ and a costume contest. Admission by donation. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic
Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.
BASEBALL 7 p.m.
Oneonta Outlaws vs. Saugerties Stallions. Damaschke Field, Neahwa Park, 15 James Georgeson Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 433-0545.
OPERA 7 p.m. “Talking Opera.” Conductor Michael Ellis Ingram discusses “Sunday in the Park with George.” Presented by The Glimmerglass Festival at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, 21 Elm Street, Cooperstown. guild.of.glimmerglass. festival@gmail.com. ►Sat., June 21
HIKE All day. “Saturday Hike: Mud Lake.” Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring your own lunch. Registration required with hike leader Tom Austin (607) 435-8107. Start at Riddell State Park, finishing at Pine Lake, Oneonta.
FUNDRAISER
7:30-11:30 a.m.
“Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department: Fly-In Pancake Breakfast.”
All-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, real maple syrup, sausage and beverages. Fees apply. Cooperstown/ Westville Airport, 866 State Highway 166, Cooperstown. (607) 5479007.
BIRDING
8-9:30 a.m. “Kirkside Park Bird Walk.” Presented by the DelawareOtsego Audubon Society. Meet at the Kirkside Parking Area, 67 Kirkside Drive, Roxbury. (607) 434-4880.
BOOK SALE 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presented by the Friends of the Village Library of Cooperstown. Held each day through 6/29. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.
GARDEN 9-11 a.m.
“Composting Workshop.” Presented by the Otsego County Conservation Association. Mohican Farm Manager Devin Merkley presents informative
discussion on the compost system at Mohican Farm and how to apply these concepts to each back yard. Registration required. Mohican Farm, 7207 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5474488.
GARDEN 10 a.m.
Plant Sale with Roaming Roots Farm. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
GARDEN 10 a.m. “Fairy Garden Workshop.” Fees apply; materials provided. Edmeston Free Library, 26 East Street, Edmeston. (607) 9658208.
ANNIVERSARY
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “75th Anniversary Celebration.” Food, demonstrations, tours and more. Hartwick Fire Department Company #2, 4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8091.
PLANETARIUM Family-friendly for the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, 112 Physical Science Building, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.
• 10:30 a.m. “Worlds of Curiosity.”
• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
FUNDRAISER 11 a.m.
Auction and bake sale to benefit the Pierstown Grange Building Fund. Featuring household goods, tools, vintage items, furniture and more. Pierstown Grange, 137 Wedderspoon Hollow Road, Cooperstown. (607) 437-4656.
KNITTING GROUP
11 a.m. Bring a project or beginners are welcome to come learn with Gloria. Free; registration required. Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131.
ART EXHIBIT 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Splendor in the Everyday.” All welcome. On view Saturdays or by appointment through July 9. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 9419607.
ART WORKSHOP
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Drypoint Printmaking Workshop for Adults.” Tickets required.
Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.
OPENING Noon to dusk. “Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage Ribbon Cutting and Celebration.” Reveal, concert and more. Mueller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta. Text (516) 939-8960.
BREAD Noon. “Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park.” Presented by Inside Insanity. All welcome; family friendly; bring your own garlic bread. Town Park, Worcester.
FESTIVAL Noon to 5 p.m. “6th Annual Oneonta Juneteenth Festival.” Family-friendly celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S., honoring Black culture, resilience and community. Day includes community yoga session, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, a Black Town Hall, free community meal, and a mini-concert finale. Free. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. oneontajuneteenth@ gmail.com
LITERATURE 1-3 p.m. “Lattes and Literature.” Presented by the Morris Village Library. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
WORKSHOP
3:30-5 p.m. “Introduction to Canva.” Presented by Laurel Ames, award-winning creative director. Fees apply; registration required. ExCL Center, 4 Dietz Street, Oneonta. (607) 436-2831.
PARTY 6-10 p.m.
“Regency Soirée.” Dancing, tea, games and a lavish dinner. Period attire encouraged. Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
PREMIER 7 p.m.
“GodSent.” A Words to Stage Production. Theatrical production exploring themes of power, dehumanization, oppression, control and healing if the tools are embraced. Tickets required. The Visionary, 2381 State Highway 205, Mount Vision. (607) 638-5119.
BASEBALL 7 p.m.
Oneonta Outlaws vs. Amsterdam Mohawks. Dam-
aschke Field, Neahwa Park, 15 James Georgeson Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 433-0545.
READING 7:30 p.m.
“The Man from Massachusetts.” Written and performed by Sam Goodyear. Recreation of the visit between John Adams and his friends on July 4th, 1826, when they honored him on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fees apply. Windfall Dutch Barn, 2009 Clinton Road, Cherry Valley. (518) 7740134.
►Sun., June 22
MEDITATION
11 a.m. “Sundays at Samye: The Practical Bodhisattva—How to Be a Spiritual Hero in Everyday Life.” Meditation, study and discussion. Held Sundays through 12/21. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 5475051.
HISTORY 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Antique Appraisal & Museum Day!” Presented by the Fly Creek Area Historical Society with Chris Brown Auction Services. Fees apply. Fly Creek Area Historical Society Building, 208 Cemetery Road, Fly Creek. (802) 345-5406.
KIDSTOCK 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Music, art and fun activities for all. Featuring Mike the Juggler, youth rummage sale, a corn pit, climbing wall and more. Suggested donation applies. West Kortright Center, 49 West Kortright Church Road, East Meredith. (607) 278-5454.
FIBER GUILD
1-3 p.m. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
OUTDOORS 2-4 p.m. “Summer Foraging Walk with AC Stauble.” Presented by the Otsego County Conservation Association. Learn about the edible and medicinal plants in our region with the Traveling Herb Farmer. Registration required. Cohosh Creek Herb Farm and Sanctuary, West Edmeston. (607) 547-4488.
►Mon., June 23
BREAKFAST WITH THE BOARD—8-9 a.m. Casual meet and greet with members of the Cooperstown Village Board. Includes coffee and donuts. All welcome. Held fourth Monday of each month. Village Board Room, Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5472411.
WALKING CLUB
8 a.m. All fitness level and abilities welcome. Held each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through 9/3. Harris Memorial
Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
SENIOR MEALS Se-
niors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal MondayFriday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of chicken marsala, rotini in sauce, lima beans and gelatin. (607) 547-6454.
• 11:30 a.m. Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Noon. Each Monday and Wednesday. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley.
►tueS., June 24
EXHIBIT Time TBA. Community invited to witness the “raising” of Truss No. 6 from the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Created with traditional methods by the Handshouse Studio. Held on the grounds of Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.
VOLUNTEER 7 a.m. Beautify Main Street with other volunteers. Clean the rain gardens, care for the trees, collect trash, weed and more. Supplies provided. Meet at the Entrance to Doubleday Field, Main Street, Cooperstown.
KNITTING CIRCLE
9 a.m. Bring a knit project and work with the group. Beginners welcome. Held each Tuesday. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
STORY TIME 9:30 a.m. Staff share stories, activities and play. Held Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980. COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike/paddle with the Susquehanna Chapter Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/ water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s activity will be at Goodyear Lake. Contact leaders Linda Pearce and Jim Austin, (607) 4328969.
GOVERNMENT 1:30 p.m. Workshop on the 2026 Budget with Committee Chair Margaret Kennedy. Budget Lab, Basement of the County Office Building, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown. LIBRARY 4 p.m. Library Board Meeting. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.
