The Freeman's Journal 07-30-26

218, No.

Reports Indicate Growing Strain Inside Hartwick Town Government

&COOPERSTOWN ONEONTA

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST

HARTWICK

Roffice, the Town Board, and department heads, culmi nating in a formal legal opinion that found the town acted improperly in a recent payroll matter.

eports provided to AllOtsego indicate rising tension inside Hartwick town government, where concerns over financial procedures, communication lapses and labor‑law compliance have prompted scrutiny of Town Supervisor Cody Moore’s administrative practices. Multiple town officials and individuals familiar with recent proceedings describe a breakdown in coordination between the supervisor’s

Bassett Convenient Care Clinic

Quickly Becomes Key Access Point for Summer Patients

By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST HARTWICK SEMINARY

Less than two months after opening its doors, Bassett Healthcare Network’s new Convenient Care clinic near Cooperstown is already seeing a surge of demand, treating more than 1,200 patients and emerging as a critical access point for both resi dents and the thousands of visitors who arrive in the region each summer.

Located at 4580 State Highway 28 inside Bassett’s Hartwick Seminary Specialty Services facility, the walk‑in clinic opened June 1 and has rapidly filled a long‑standing gap in local acute‑care options. In June alone, more than 100 of the clinic’s patients were entirely new to Bassett Healthcare Network—a reflection of the area’s heavy seasonal tourism and the influx of baseball families attending

►All StAr MeMorieS, page 2

►hAve A bAll(rooM), page 3

►triAlS And tribulAtionS, page 4

►Meet MAdeline Zenir, page 5

►blood, blAZeS And blooMS, page 6

►triptych’S lASt hurrAh, page 7

►dog dAy Afternoon, page 7

Cooperstown Dreams Park and other tournaments.

Bassett officials say the clinic has become a steady resource for baseball players, families, coaches, staff, and umpires seeking treatment for sprains, falls, hit‑by‑pitch injuries, heat‑related conditions, and other non‑life‑threat ening issues that commonly arise during tournament play. By absorbing these cases, the clinic is helping preserve emergency department capacity at Bassett Medical Center for patients with more serious medical needs.

The clinic is also seeing consistent use from year‑round residents. Tick bites, upper respiratory illnesses, minor injuries, and acute conditions make up a significant portion of daily visits—a pattern Bassett leaders say underscores the community’s need for accessible, same‑day care.

Continued on page 6

The situation centers on the handling of retirement contribution arrears for Highway Department employee James “Jimmy” Croft. According to the labor‑law opinion issued July 2 by Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux LLP, the town deducted $584.92 from Croft’s paycheck without union involvement, advance notice or Town Board approval. The attorneys concluded that “the

Continued on page 8

COOPERSTOWN—The American flag rescued by Rick Monday on April 25, 1976 at Dodger Stadium is now on display on the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s third floor, finding a home in Cooperstown through Labor Day Weekend. It will mark the longest time the flag has been in one public location for as many days and is on loan from Monday, who has preserved the flag since that day during America’s bicentennial. Monday was honored on July 25, the 50th anniversary of his rescue of the flag, as part of the Hall of Fame’s Induction Weekend festivities.

Mom’s Personal Story Drives Upcoming Short Film

By GAYANE TOROSYAN

OTSEGO COUNTY

For Cooperstown resident Heather Grace Sharpe, “Beneath the Silence” is more than a film project. It is a deeply personal story inspired by her experiences as a single mother and a reflection of strug gles many parents face behind closed doors.

“This film is almost a mirror of my journey through mother hood as a single mom raising four children,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe, who works in Bassett Healthcare Network’s Audiology Department, wears many creative hats. She owns Luna & Grace Keepsakes, a memorial jewelry business, serves as vice president of Film

Otsego, works with Otsego Media, and has built a résumé in

film as a hair and makeup artist and crew member on feature films, shorts, and music videos.

Now, she is stepping into the role of writer and director for “Beneath the Silence,” a psychological drama short film scheduled to shoot in Oneonta on October 2 4.

Sharpe’s children, ages 17, 15, 12 and 8, inspired many elements of the story. She said parts of the film, including some of the dialogue, are drawn directly from her experi ences raising two sons and two daughters.

“In my short, when it is done, when people are watching, I want it to be very raw, very

Continued on page 9

Photo by Dylan Avery

Actor Elana Juliano, left, with Heather Grace Sharpe, right, on the set of “Popeye The Slayer Man 2,” where Juliano was cast as Olivia.

Photo by Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum A Grand Old Flag

anniversary

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

All Star Village Creates a Family-centered Baseball Experience

By jOSHUA YOUNGQUIST

ONEONTA

At Cooperstown

All Star Village, the baseball games may be the centerpiece, but the experience is intentionally designed to feel much larger than what happens between the foul lines. As General Manager Dan Hooper explained, the organization looks at the week “through the eyes of the parents and siblings just as much as the players.” That philosophy has shaped everything from dining options to campus traditions to the growing list of family-focused activities.

Food is a major part of that comfort.

“We recently opened our brand-new Upper Deck restaurant, featuring an expanded menu, a full bar and panoramic views of the fields,” Hooper said. Families now have multiple choices onsite, “a full-service sit-down meal, a private suite for a team party, a casual beer garden with local food trucks, or classic conces-

sions.” The goal, he said, is simple: “We want parents to have a space where they can actually decompress and enjoy the week.”

Beyond dining, All Star Village has built a

schedule of activities that have become campus staples.

“Our Mom’s Home Run Derby fills up instantly every week with the stands packed to cheer them on,” Hooper said.

The campus also hosts goat yoga, cornhole tournaments, base running for younger siblings, and fireworks. Together, these elements make the property “feel like a village built for family memories.”

Some traditions have grown organically over the years—especially pin trading.

“Pin trading is a huge part of the experience… and not just for the players,” Hooper said. Kids trade custom pins “from the first moment they arrive until late into the night,” and some teams even launch their pins online weeks before arriving. It’s also a way for siblings to meet other kids and feel included in the week.

The emotional connection families describe, often calling the week nostalgic or once - in - a - lifetime, comes from capturing “the purest version of

why we all fall in love with baseball in the first place.” Hooper pointed to “the feeling of running onto a pristine field under the stadium lights, the sound of a dugout chanting together, and the simple thrill of playing from morning until night.” Parents see “a spark in their kids that reminds them of their own childhood love for the game.”

For baseball families, 12U is a milestone.

“It’s the final year on the small diamond before the fences move back, the baselines lengthen, and

the game transitions into something much closer to adulthood,” Hooper said.

All Star Village was intentionally built to celebrate that moment.

“By freezing this final, golden summer of childhood in a place steeped in baseball history, we give families a chance to press pause on the clock and just enjoy the game together one last time,” Hooper added.

The impact extends beyond the campus. Families spend a week or more in Otsego County, and All Star Village works to connect them with the region’s culture and businesses.

“We offer a free shuttle loop in partnership with Oneonta Public Transit… provide admission to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and encourage families to check out This is Cooperstown for local restaurant, shopping, and entertainment options,” Hooper said.

Some moments stand out more than others.

During the Ripken National Championships, All Star Village hosted an adaptive baseball Miracle League exhibition game.

“Seeing those teams and the volunteers take the field, all dressed in their uniforms…championed by the same umpires and coaches, was such a special moment,” Hooper said, reflecting “the experience that we’re trying to bring to youth baseball.”

While the core mission remains unchanged —“the foundational joy of baseball, competitive quality of play, and world-class fields —All Star Village continues to evolve. On the field, that meant converting all surfaces to premium turf and pushing the championship outfield to 225 feet. Off the field, upgrades like the Upper Deck restaurant and new Fan Appreciation Day activities ensure “the off-field memories are just as vibrant as the ones made in the dugout.”

“Ultimately,” Hooper said, “we change the amenities so that the feeling of playing here stays exactly the same, magical, premium and unforgettable.”

Photo provided

Ripken National Championship athletes walk out with a participant from All Star Village’s Miracle League partner.

Ballroom Reno Completes Historical Society’s Restoration Work

By BILL BELLEN

ONEONTA

At 6 p.m. on Friday, June 12, the Oneonta History Center and Museum nearly reached capacity as a crowd of community members gathered to witness the unveiling of the building’s newly-renovated historic third-floor ballroom.

The ballroom at 183 Main Street stands as just one of three to have ever been constructed along Main Street in Oneonta. After the building was completed in 1866, the venue served for decades as a place to gather for live music, meetings and a variety of social events. As businesses like hardware stores and dress shops came and went downstairs, the thirdfloor ballroom persisted as a point of communal gathering.

This liveliness continued into the 1940s and early 1950s, when records of events held in the space began to dry up. The final occasion celebrated in the ballroom prior to its renovation seems to have been a 1953 inauguration party for President Eisenhower, as evidenced by the dusty streamers that remained hung on the walls until the renovation work began. These banners are now a part of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s collection.

The renovation of the ballroom marks the latest chapter in an effort by the GOHS to preserve the integrity and history of the building the organization calls home.

The GOHS purchased the building in 2000, launching a restoration campaign on the first floor that lasted for five years. Further renovations were completed on the first floor and the GOHS permanent exhibit space in May 2022, followed by the repointing of the History Center’s exterior brickwork between 2023 and 2024.

With the historical display refurbished and the building’s structural integrity assured, all heads at the GOHS turned in one direction.

“From the day I started in January 2021, I got asked when we were doing the thirdfloor ballroom,” said Dr. Marcela Micucci, executive director of the GOHS. “A big goal of ours was to continue the legacy of the third-floor ballroom…because that

[was] our last culminating big project.”

Fundraising for the project began in 2024 through a combination of community donations and grant funding. Once the ballroom—which had been used as a storage room for the GOHS’ oversized collection items—was cleared out, local contractors went to work gutting the deteriorated interior structure in January 2025. Despite necessary upgrades like new lighting, plumbing and an HVAC system, great care was taken in order to preserve as much of the historic character of the space as possible. Original wood valances along the room’s windows as well as the original trim were removed during the

demolition process so as to not be damaged. Now restored and replaced, these components serve alongside the preserved bandstand and flooring as historic accents to the space. With the addition of two ADA-compliant bathrooms and a small kitchenette in the rear, the ballroom was fully restored by November, in less than a year.

Members of the GOHS team spoke proudly and excitedly about the prospects of a completed ballroom.

“Long before the renovation, as I brought visitors up to view the ballroom, I always gestured at the space and talked about its potential, and how it could be restored ‘at some point soon,’” said

GOHS Visitor Services Supervisor Bhanupratap Gaur. “I’m very glad that the vision has been realized.”

“The opening of GOHS’ third floor is a milestone for the Oneonta History Center and Museum,” GOHS Board of Trustees President Kathy Meeker said in a press release prior to the ballroom’s grand opening. “We look forward to celebrating this achievement with our local community.”

Following a successful soft launch during the annual GOHS auction in November, a grand opening gala was scheduled for the evening of June 12. The event was planned as an oppor-

Photo provided

Community members gather on June 12 to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s renovated third-floor ballroom. The ballroom was the organization’s last big restoration project.

Continued on page 7

Perspectives

EDITORIAL

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Our general manager/senior editor describes putting out the newspaper each week as giving birth. The “gestation” period for “The Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta” is six days. Six days during which countless e-mails are received, vetted and the information they contain processed for publication. Six days for our lone reporter to follow up on his story assignments—interviewing news subjects, attending or watching hourslong municipal meetings, writing the articles and then the subsequent fact checking—while juggling incoming news tips and breaking stories. Six days for the GM/SE to assign those stories, proofread and edit them, further fact check them, and sign off. Six days to sell and create advertising, to assist folks with their subscriptions, to forward news briefs to our steadfast compiler, to coordinate with columnists, guest writers, interns, and the public. Then, on the seventh day, the newspaper is “born.” And the process begins again anew, reminiscent of the movie “Groundhog Day.”

Sadly, no edition is perfect. Due to lack of time and resources, there are always things we didn’t get to. There are always typos that slip through the Tuesday afternoon proofing process, before pages are sent to the printer. There’s always that name we failed to get right, that jumps out and waves “hello” on Wednesday, when content is uploaded to our website, AllOtsego.com. And with our staff of four full-time employees and two part-time newspaper deliverers, we must juggle sick days, vacation time, and personal days. Newspaper folks don’t get a lot of paid holidays, and we have to work around a shorter week when those roll around. And of course there is the weekly newspaper’s cross to bear as a stepping stone for each budding journalist’s greener pasture. Not to mention any computer glitches or other unexpected hurdles that arise during the course of the week. And days off. Yes, we do get two days off each week. But those are offset by the late hours we often keep, the event that cannot be missed, the after-hours interview, or the back-end work necessary to run a business and keep it afloat.

Each Tuesday evening, when the pages have been finalized and sent to the printer, staff breathes a collective sigh of relief, congratulates one another on a job well done, and heads home. Sometimes we finish early, around 5:30 or so. Sometimes closer to 8 p.m. On Wednesday, we start the whole thing over.

So when our office manager collects the mail on a Wednesday, and we receive a multi-page diatribe about how a reader is “disgusted” by portions of our content and “disappointed” by other content not included, it is, well, rather deflating. We firmly believe that one of our responsibilities as an independent local news source, in addition to covering Otsego County news, is to provide our readers with a variety of opinions and perspectives from which to formulate their own opinions as they educate themselves on today’s issues.

This reader does not think “it’s a good or wise decision to give folks like [Francis] Sempa and [Waldo] Johnston a platform.” Their right-wing views are contrary to the reader’s own views, particularly with regard to President Trump. “I firmly believe The Freeman’s Journal should be smarter than the easily conned—to allow any further credence given to such an obvious and proven traitor. Supporters don’t need the Journal, non-supporters/anti-traitors do,” the reader wrote. “Do you speak for us or not? You represent whose voice?” they opined.

Well, therein lies the rub. AllOtsego and its publications do not represent or espouse any one viewpoint or opinion. We lean neither left nor right. As we see it, our job is to cover the news with original, objective reporting to the extent possible. Our job is to inform the community about upcoming events and opportunities. Our job is to celebrate the accomplishments of our friends and neighbors. Our job is to make people think. Our job is not to tell our readers what they should or must believe.

Rest assured, we did not remain deflated long. That same day, a reader walked in to renew her subscription, saying, “I rely on you for the news more than any other source. Thank you!”

Another reader wrote on their renewal form, “Thanks for your great work!”

We are blessed to have readers who appreciate our efforts and tell us so, and who understand that, while not perfect, staff is working hard each week to deliver a news source that is bipartisan and does not tell people what to think. We let them figure that out for themselves, as it should be.

It is our hope that people will continue to read our newspapers, and our website, even if they don’t agree with some of the content. That they will learn something about views which differ from their own in the process, and that politics will stop polarizing people to the extent that they wish to censor out those opinions that are different from their own and with which they do not agree.

To our disgruntled reader we say, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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

Press, Inc.

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FOR

County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District

MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association

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

Class Subscription, $155 a year.

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Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080.

Remembering the River Keeper

Several years ago I attended a memorial service for Robert Boyle, who succumbed to a long battle with cancer in his 88th year. The celebration of his life was held at the Boscobel (beautiful woods) House and Gardens overlooking the Hudson River near Garrison, New York—a spectacular location just north of and overlooking West Point.

Boyle was a leading founder of what eventually evolved into an organization called “Riverkeeper,” dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the Hudson River which, according to Boyle back in 1970, was already contaminated with PCBs. He was also involved in several other environmental campaigns. The pending termination of the Indian River nuclear plant in 2020 is largely due to Boyle’s efforts. He took on big corporations like Con Edison and General Electric that were literally poisoning the river. Boyle’s efforts resulted in a major cleanup. He was instrumental in stopping the super highway, Westway, with its proposed use of a road built on a land fill in the Hudson which would have decimated the striped bass population. Robert Hamilton Boyle was born in Brooklyn, attended Trinity College and later Yale, where he majored in history. When drafted by the military, he served as an officer in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Later, he did a brief stint as a pitcher in professional baseball. His success while working as a writer and reporter for Time Inc. eventually led to his joining the staff of a then-new magazine called “Sports Illustrated,” where in one article he coined the nickname “Broadway Joe” Namath and interviewed athletes like Mohammad Ali. He eventually became a senior editor and remained at the magazine for 38 years. Boyle authored several books. His tome on the Hudson River has been described as definitive.

After leaving Riverkeeper because of a conflict of interest concerning a staff member hired by Robert Kennedy Jr., Boyle continued to hear complaints from people about environmental abuses and violations. He had never received compensation for the many battles he fought. Inundated by whistleblowers while no longer connected to Riverkeeper, he decided to leave his beloved Hudson and move with his wife, Katya, to a farm in East Springfield, New York. There he continued to write, tie flies for fishing, and cultivate a garden—and unavoidably fight to protect the local environment.

The fact that Boyle was not only an avid fisherman but also a wild bird enthusiast prompted one of the speakers at the memorial, John Lipscomb, who captained Riverkeeper’s patrol and research vessel, to tell the following story:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR

Leadership Change for Chamber

The Otsego County Chamber Board of Directors announces that, effective July 23, 2026, Sean Lewis has resigned from his position and is no longer serving as our president and chief executive officer. We would like to thank Sean for his four years of leadership and service to our organization. We wish Sean well in his future endeavors.

The Otsego County Chamber remains dedicated to our mission of shaping a prosperous future for Otsego County by championing our members and advancing a strong, connected, and thriving economic community.

While we are currently in a period of transition, our Board of Directors is excited for what the future holds as we work together to bolster opportunities, events, networking, and other new paths forward for our current and future members. You are a vital part of our communities, and we are committed to empowering your success while strengthening the economic vitality of Otsego County.

Our priority is maintaining uninterrupted service and support for our member community. Karen Laing is overseeing administrative operations at the chamber and remains a key point of contact.

The board is executing a strategic plan to ensure the chamber’s future success and growth. Our upcoming events and services will continue as scheduled. Please stay tuned for details on our approaching networking events and fundraisers.

We appreciate your continued support, partnership and trust during this transition as we move forward together.

If you have any questions or immediate concerns, please feel free to reach out to me via our chamber office number, (607) 432-4500 or info@otsegocc.com.

Jason Tabor Chairman of the Board Otsego County Chamber of Commerce

Is Cooperstown Still Special?

Continued on page 10

What a contrast! “Bound Volumes” from July 1991 noted NBC News asked, “Why is Cooperstown so special?” Hank and Henry Nichols explained, “We’re proud of the community—we live in an informed community.” They knew it could have been different. It was in some other towns.

In July 2026 we find reports of a business owner who seems to have never learned how to share. A right of way used for decades by neighboring businesses is now disputed. Hard to understand and I can’t imagine his business is gaining local friends. And then there is Becky, the local face of friendliness and helpfulness to grocery shoppers. It is so sad to no longer see her and hear her friendly greetings to so many. What has that store lost? Why is Cooperstown so special? Makes you wonder… Robin Lettis Cooperstown

“I own no interest and no party, but my country.”

– Banner motto of “The Freeman’s Journal,” 1823 to 1827

Columnists and Contributing Writers

Tammy Awtry, Bill Bellen, Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Elizabeth Cooper, Richard deRosa, Maria Griswold, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Roberta McLain, Debra Moffitt, Trisha Muro, Wriley Nelson, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester

Photo by Katya Boyle R OBERT B OYLE

by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART

185 YEARS AGO

Advertisement—Carriage builders—The Subscriber is now receiving a very general assortment of materials for building and trimming carriages in the most fashionable style. He believes that builders will not be under the necessity of going to Utica or Albany to obtain materials for building a carriage. The assortment consists in part of the following: Axle arms, pipes and boxes, eliptic springs from 45 to 105 pounds, a very superior article warranted; hub bands, concave, beaded, silver and brass plated, very cheap; flat, oval, globe and octagon, silver plated and brass lamps; dash handles, stump joints, plated; top ornaments, malable castings, drab cloth for seats &c. rubber &c. 500 yards of broad and narrow lace, fly nets, &c, &c. E. Foote, Agent, Cooperstown July 26, 1841

110 YEARS AGO

In Our Town—William VanDeusen has purchased Ford automobile ofj Harry Cook.j Harry Cook sold a Saxon delivery car to W.H. VanDeusen of Middlefield last week.

85 YEARS AGO

July 26, 1916

July 30, 1941

60 YEARS AGO

Former Baseball Commissioner Ford C. Frick was named to the new post of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at the organization’s annual meeting Sunday afternoon. Paul S. Kerr was re-elected President of the Hall of Fame at Sunday’s meeting. Other officers named are Rowan D. Spraker and Dr.james Bordley, III, vice-presidents; Edward W. Stack, secretary; and Howard C. Talbot,jr., treasurer.

July 27, 1966

20 YEARS AGO

Glimmerglass Opera will create a climate controlled archival costume storage area with a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. “We have been very successful in renting our productions to other opera companies,” said Michael Macleod, the opera’s general director, “and as costume rentals are included in the production rental, it is crucial that they are kept in impeccable condition.

July 28, 2006

Introducing Madeline Zenir: A Familiar Face Guiding the Farmers’ Market Forward

ByjOSHUA YOUNGQUIST COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market has long been one of those places where the community feels most like itself—familiar faces, changing produce, and the weekly rhythm of people stopping to talk with one another. This year, that spirit is being stewarded by Madeline Zenir, a Cherry Valley native who stepped into the role of market manager with a mix of local roots, organizational precision, and genuine affection for the space she now helps oversee.

Zenir has been coming to the market for years, especially after returning home from college.

“What I love about the market is you’re guaranteed to run into someone you know and connect with people of all ages,” she said. “The vendors know you by name, and it’s exciting knowing the produce selection is changing every week. The atmosphere is really positive, welcoming and all around wholesome.”

That sense of belonging, and the chance to help maintain it, is what drew Zenir to the position.

Alongside her market duties, Zenir also works in research at the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health in Fly Creek, a role that has shaped her approach to managing operations.

“I love a good spreadsheet and am very organized,” she said.

Zenir already has the market schedule planned for the entire year, but she’s quick to note that things are

By MERL REAGLE

Choice Words

always evolving.

“We are always welcoming new vendors and things are always changing,” she added.

Photo provided

Otsego 2000 Farmers’ Market Manager Madeleine Zenir outside the market space with her dog, Fisher.

Red Cross Declares Shortage

NEW YORK STATE—The American Red Cross declared the second emergency national blood shortage in its history and urged the public to consider giving blood. Donors may sign up by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-7332767 or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App. Walk-ins are also welcome. Upcoming local blood drives include: 1-6 p.m. on July 30 at 24 Market Street in Oneonta; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 31 at 5588 State Route 7; 1-6 p.m. on August 3 at 111 Main Street in Worcester; noon to 5 p.m. on August 5 at A.O. Fox Hospital Levine Conference Center in Oneonta; 12:30-5:30 p.m. on August 6 at Bassett Hall in Cooperstown; 1-5 p.m. on August 7 at 86 Chestnut Street in Oneonta; 1-6 p.m. on August 10 at 5206 State Highway 23; and 1-6 p.m. on August 13 at 27 Harper Street in Stamford.

Free Rock Concert Is Friday

VAN HORNESVILLE—The Van Hornesville Community Corporation will host Spike and the Boys for their free annual concert in Van Hornesville Park at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 31. Food vendors, a raffle and other activities will open at 6 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, August 1.

Revolutionary Vets Topic of Talk

ONEONTA—Local historian Melinda McTaggart will present the next Summer Sunday presentation at the Swart-Wilcox House Museum from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. She has identified and researched more than 1,000 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Otsego County and will discuss her ongoing work. The program is free and open to the public. Lawn chairs or blankets are recommended.

Homestead Workshop Slated

MOHAWK—Mohawk Valley Economic Development District will hold a free “Refresh and Reuse” homesteading workshop at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27 at 26 W. Main Street in Mohawk. It will teach a wide variety of sustainable homesteading practices, from clothing repair to gardening. For more information or to register, visit mvedd.org.

Art Garage Exhibit Opens 7/31

COOPERSTOWN—The Art Garage’s next exhibition, “Powering the Grid,” will be on display at 689 Beaver Meadow Road from August 7 through September 12. It features a rich variety of paper and textile works by returning local artists Trevor Wilson and Ada Yonenaka and by famed illustrator, painter, and toy designer Nancy R. Pettibone. The public is invited to a preview opening from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 31 and a first Saturday opening from 2-4 p.m. on August 1. The exhibit is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and daily by appointment; contact leartgarage@gmail.com or (315) 941-9607 for more information.

World Premiere Closes Season

FRANKLIN—Franklin Stage Company will wrap up its 2026 season with the world premiere of Syracuse playwright Kyle Bass’s “The Civilities,” commissioned by FSC in 2025 under a New York State Council on the Arts grant. Set at Cornell University in 1936, the 75th anniversary of the American Civil War, the new work follows Blessah Hart, a Black graduate student of history and anthropology, as she meets elderly white poet and Confederate veteran M. Silas Jackson. It will run from August 7 to 23, with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday shows at 5 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $25.00. For more information, visit franklinstagecompany.org.

Local Film To Be Screened

ONEONTA—Local writer/director/producer Nathan Breton and producer Delacey Skinner will screen their debut feature film, “Firelight,” at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. The film was shot in

Bassett

Continued from page 1

“Bassett is taking strategic and deliberate steps to grow services and improve access—and this means connecting people with the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, president and chief executive officer of Bassett Healthcare Network. “Walk-in convenient care serves a specific purpose, and Cooperstown has felt this gap for some time.”

Local Practice Manager Lauren Marsden, who is in charge of the clinic,

Oneonta, Andes and East Branch in 2023. Tickets are free but advance reservations are recommended due to limited seating. Visit events.ticketleap.com/ tickets/foothills-1/firelight-free-film-screeningfoothills-oneonta for more information.

Otsego Lake HAB Detected

COOPERSTOWN—SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station researchers confirmed a harmful algal bloom off Clarke Point in the northern end of Otsego Lake on Friday, July 24. It cannot be determined if this is a transient event or will be followed by additional flare-ups elsewhere on the lake. Lake users are urged to exercise caution and report suspicious water conditions to the New York State DEC HAB program at dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/ notifications#Report.

Coop Meet, Greet Is August 4

COOPERSTOWN—The next Welcome Home Cooperstown monthly meet and greet will be held at the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, from 5:306:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4. It is intended to welcome newcomers to the community, share resources and build connections among established residents. All are welcome. This month’s gathering will be an ice cream social co-hosted by Bassett Medical Recruiting, featuring an update by Bassett Healthcare Network President Staci Thompson and live music by cardiac surgeon Toby Wilcox.

Genealogy Business Opens

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Genealogist Megan Culbert opened Little Owl Genealogy, an online business offering her research services. Culbert specializes in New York State genealogical records research, German citizenship-by-descent cases, lineage society research, and finding records in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and the Capital Region. She is also available to speak on the subject locally. For more information, visit littleowlgenealogy.com.

Fine Arts on the Lawn Returns

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association’s popular Fine Arts on the Lawn show and sale will return to the Village Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, September 5-6. Artists are invited to participate; space is limited and early reservation is recommended. For more information or eligibility requirements, visit cooperstownart. com/fine-arts-on-the-lawn or call (607) 547-9777.

Tour Will Explore Toddsville

COOPERSTOWN—Otsego 2000’s historic preservation walking tour series will continue with an architectural examination of Toddsville at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 16. It will be led by Dr. Cindy Falk of SUNY Oneonta and the Cooperstown Graduate Program, and will begin at 577 Greenough Road. Registration is $10.00 per person and is available at otsego2000.org.

Shakespeare To Be Featured

EAST MEREDITH—The West Kortright Center’s child and teen theater workshops will present their 39th annual Shakespeare in the Valley performances on Friday and Saturday, July 31 and August 1. Each evening begins with a performance of “Second Stage Folies” by the Introduction to Acting class at 6 p.m., followed by a picnic and a full production of “Measure for Measure” at 8 p.m., rain or shine. Attendees should bring their own seating. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended; visit westkc.org for more information.

Import Restrictions Revised

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets revised its import restrictions for pets following the detection of New World screwworm in Texas and New Mexico. Cats and dogs from impacted areas and suspected impacted areas may enter the state if they have received an FDAapproved treatment within the past 14 days. NWS

poses a serious risk to pets, livestock, and wildlife and may infect people in rare cases. Farmers and pet owners are urged to practice strong biosecurity and remain vigilant for symptoms. For more information, visit aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/ livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm.

BFS Open House Is Thursday

COOPERSTOWN—SUNYOneonta’s Biological Field Station will hold an open house to highlight recent research and lake management work from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30. Held at the Cooperstown campus, 5838 State Highway 80, the evening will feature boat tours, weather permitting. There will be a short presentation by BFS leaders at 5 p.m.

Register Now for Grief Camp

DAVENPORT—Helios Care’s popular Camp Forget-Me-Not one-day grief counseling camp for children will return to Hartwick College Pine Lake Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road in Davenport, on Thursday, August 13. Led by experienced Helios professionals, the camp provides a safe, welcoming environment for children ages 6-18 who have lost a loved one to connect with peers, express their feelings and learn healthy coping strategies. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free of charge. Registration is required by Thursday, August 6. For more information, visit helioscare. org/support-for-families/kids-camp/.

Gas Climbs as War Continues

UTICA—The average price of gasoline in New York State rose nine cents to $4.23 per gallon over the week ending Monday, July 27, AAA Northeast announced. Crude oil prices rose nearly $9.00 per barrel last week and about $20.00 over the past two weeks as the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran returned to open war. However, crude prices dropped around $6.00 per barrel overnight following a pause in strikes on Sunday, July 26. Domestic gasoline inventories remain low and demand, while high, remains slightly lower than last year. New York’s current price is 10 cents higher than a month ago and $1.07 higher than this week last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.

Honest Brook Season Closes

DELHI—Honest Brook Music Festival has two remaining concerts in the 2026 season, both of which begin at 4 p.m. Internationally renowned young saxophonist Estel Vivó Casanovas will perform on Sunday, August 2, followed by Trio Azura on Sunday, August 9. Tickets are $30.00 and may be purchased at hbmf.org.

FDs Battle Blaze at Lakefront

COOPERSTOWN—At approximately 2:29 a.m. on Thursday, July 23, the Cooperstown Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 10 Fair Street, the Lakefront Hotel and Restaurant, in the Village of Cooperstown.

According to a press release issued Thursday morning, upon arrival members of the New York State Police confirmed fire extending through the roof of the restaurant and immediately assisted in the evacuation of the hotel occupants. Approximately 30 guests were relocated as a result of the incident. One firefighter sustained minor injuries while operating at the scene and was transported by Otsego County EMS to Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. The firefighter has since been treated and released, officials reported.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services is being assisted by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, the Cooperstown Police Department, Village of Cooperstown Public Works and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office. Cooperstown Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Fly Creek, Hartwick Co. # 2, Milford and Springfield fire departments, as well New York State Gas and Electric, officials said. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

said its early momentum reflects both community need and seasonal demand.

“Bassett’s new Convenient Care clinic near Cooperstown reflects our commitment to meeting our community’s needs as well as the needs of our tourists,” Marsden said.

“We’re proud to have expanded access in the Cooperstown area and have seen more than 1,200 patients since we opened on June 1, covering issues from tick bites to viral symptoms and hit-by-pitch baseball injuries. We hope to continue to grow and be the go-to clinic for

non-emergent care in the area,” she said.

The new clinic features six exam rooms, a renovated reception and waiting area, an X-ray room, and a nurses’ station. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Deanna Charles, MHA, senior vice president and chief ambulatory officer for Bassett Healthcare Network, said the clinic’s early success reflects more than a year of planning and collaboration across the organization’s eight-county service area.

“We are grateful for

the contributions of everyone who had a hand in bringing this project to this point,” Charles said. “And we’re thankful for the caregivers who are now on the frontlines at this location, delivering seamless access to necessary care to our neighbors and those visiting our area this summer and each summer in the future.”

Before the clinic opened, Cooperstown area residents and visitors often had to travel 30 minutes or more to reach a Convenient Care location in Oneonta or Herkimer, or seek treatment at Bassett Medical Center’s Emergency

Department—where wait times could be longer due to more critical cases.

“A Convenient Care location central to our region has been a long-term need,” said Matthew Kleinmaier, MD, Bassett’s chief of emergency and trauma services. “Patients who need and want immediate care will now enjoy improved access for acute illnesses that don’t quite require an emergency visit.”

The project was supported by $7.6 million in funding awarded through New York State’s Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV, which will also help fund renovations to Bassett Medical Center’s Emergency Department and Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. Philanthropic contributions through Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network added another $140,000.00 to the effort.

With summer in full swing and tournament traffic at its peak, Bassett leaders say the clinic’s early patient volume confirms what many in the region have long known—that accessible, walk-in care near the Village of Cooperstown is not just convenient, but essential.

Historic Triptych Makes Final U.S. Appearance on August 22nd

ONEONTA

Cynthia Marsh’s monumental 15-foot triptych, “Liberty’s Harbor at Dusk: Sint Eustatius, 1776,” will make its final public appearance in the United States on Saturday, August 22 during a special reception at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta. The exhibition follows the painting’s July 2 unveiling at the Residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Washington, D.C., where dignitaries from the United States, the Netherlands, and Sint Eustatius gathered to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the First Salute.

The Oneonta event, open to the public from 4-7 p.m., will feature opening remarks by philanthropist Tom Morgan, a keynote address by bestselling historian Russell Shorto, an artist talk by Marsh, and live music by John Potocnik and Beatriz de la Torre, along with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Commissioned by Morgan on behalf of the Morgan McReynolds Charitable Foundation, the triptych is a gift to the people of Sint Eustatius in memory

of Erna Morgan McReynolds. The painting commemorates the historic moment on November 16, 1776, when Fort Oranje returned the salute of the American brig Andrew Doria, marking the first international recognition of the emerging United States.

Marsh’s work expands beyond the well-known exchange of cannon fire,

portraying the harbor as a crossroads of cultures and aspirations. Her artist statement emphasizes the enslaved African men and women whose labor sustained the island’s prosperity, the Jewish merchants who sought opportunity and religious freedom, and the Dutch and American representatives present during the era.

“The true subject of this painting is not only a salute between ships and forts,” Marsh said. “It is a meeting of aspirations.”

The Statia Government celebrated the painting’s unveiling in Washington with parallel ceremonies in the Netherlands, highlighting the island’s enduring ties to both nations. Acting Island Governor Sharon Hassell and Commissioner Reuben Merkman praised the mural as a powerful testament to Statia’s role in global history and the lasting significance of the First Salute.

Following the Oneonta exhibition, the triptych will travel to Sint Eustatius for permanent installation and will serve as the centerpiece of the island’s official 250th Anniversary First Salute Ceremony on November 16. It will be displayed in a custom carved wood frame created by Statian artisan Elroy K. Agard.

Marsh said the public is invited to attend this final U.S. viewing of “Liberty’s Harbor at Dusk: Sint Eustatius, 1776,” describing it as a unique opportunity to experience the artwork before it departs for its permanent home in the Caribbean.

SQSPCA Facility Closed After Emergency Rescue; Dozens of Animals in Quarantine

GOHS

Continued from page 3

tunity to simultaneously show off the new venue, relish in the history of the space and promote the local businesses catering the event. Food providers across Oneonta including Bella Michael’s Restaurant, the B-Side Ballroom, Hannaford, Social Eats Café and Sodexo Catering all donated plates of food that complimented light drinks and a 50/50 raffle.

Micucci recalled the gala as a rewarding experience, saying that “the community actually really pulled together for this.”

With the ballroom’s grand debut behind them, more events are already being planned in the venue. Micucci said that more of the organization’s cultural and educational programming will be taking place in the ballroom moving forward, though no events utilizing the room have been formally announced. As the historical society moves into a new chapter with a fullbuilding historic restoration under its belt, Gaur commented on what the work meant to him personally.

“The most joyful part for me is showing folks the view out of the corner window looking down over downtown Oneonta,” Gaur said. “I have witnessed so many seasons come and go before and after this renovation through these

COOPERSTOWN

The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has closed its facility to the public following an emergency rescue over the weekend in the Town of Carlisle, Schoharie County that brought in more than 30 animals, including 13 Great Dane puppies suffering from parvovirus.

Eleven of the puppies remain alive and are receiving intensive medical care, while 12 additional dogs, four horses, and five chickens

windows, and enjoyed all of it, a new perspective on the downtown I’ve grown up with and become so fond of.”

More information

exposed during the case are now quarantined at the SQSPCA. The Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley is caring for 31 birds and nine cats seized at the same time.

The rescue occurred on Saturday, July 25 as the SQSPCA assisted the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office with an ongoing investigation. Due to the risk of disease spread, the organization has temporarily closed its campus, though adoptions for animals not exposed to parvovirus will continue

about the GOHS, the third-floor ballroom and upcoming events can be found at https://oneontahistory.org/.

by appointment. Community members can view available animals on the SQSPCA website and call (607) 547-8111 to arrange safe, individual meetings.

According to shelter officials, staff are working to reschedule this week’s low-cost service appointments and encourage anyone with questions to call the shelter directly.

The organization is also asking the public to keep the affected animals—especially the critically ill puppies—in their thoughts as the medical team continues round-the-clock care.

SQSPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes expressed gratitude to the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office, the Animal Shelter of

Schoharie Valley and the Carlisle dog control officer for their roles in ensuring the animals’ safety. Needed supplies include dry puppy food, canned dog food, towels, blankets, sheets, paper towels, and garbage bags, and donations can be made through the SQSPCA website, sqspca.org.

Photo provided

Commissioned by Tom Morgan in memory of Erna Morgan McReynolds, Cynthia Marsh’s 15-foot triptych will be on view at the Foothills during a special event next month.

Photo provided SQSPCA staff helped rescue 78 animals on Saturday, July 25.

Hartwick

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recoupment process used for Mr. Croft was procedurally improper,” citing violations of the Taylor Law, Public Employment Relations Board precedent, and New York Labor Law §193.

The opinion states that because Croft is a bargaining-unit employee represented by Teamsters Local 317, the town was required to negotiate any repayment plan with the union before implementing a deduction. The attorneys wrote that “the Town should not have implemented the lump-sum deduction…without first obtaining Union involvement and Town Board approval,” adding that the individual authorization Croft signed “does not cure that defect.”

Moore said she “received the legal opinion from Courtney Heinel of Roemer Wallens Gold & Mineaux,” noting that she had requested it at a town board meeting. She added that she found it “concerning that the attorney did not interview me during the preparation of the opinion.”

Moore said she is waiting for the appointed board members to meet with the union representative to determine the appropriate course of action, stating that “going forward, all retirement matters will be addressed collaboratively with the town board and the union to ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance.”

Sources familiar with the matter say the legal determination has intensified concerns about broader administrative practices. Reports describe repeated difficulties obtaining timely responses from the supervisor’s office on routine operational questions, including vendor payments and

departmental requests. Individuals involved in town operations say these delays have affected the ability of departments to resolve outstanding financial matters and maintain communication with suppliers.

Financial oversight has also become a point of contention.

According to multiple town officials, questions have been raised about whether certain accounts were overdrawn and whether the 2025 fiscal year was properly closed. One board member, Councilman Bryan LoRusso, has been outspoken about what he describes as systemic issues in the supervisor’s handling of financial responsibilities.

“Because you lack financial understanding and awareness of how the world works, you have now overdrawn two accounts,” LoRusso said in an e-mail to Moore provided to AllOtsego. LoRusso further asserted that the missed retirement contributions for Croft originated in the supervisor’s office, saying, “You blamed Connie [Haney] and Andrea [Vazquez] for James Croft’s error… when it was you in fact who missed the proper payments.”

Moore said the first incident involved the Water Fund on March 17, when the town’s USDA loan payment of $69,400.00 was processed. She said the payment “was not included in the March 9 abstract,” and at the time she “was unaware the USDA payment was due.”

Moore said she made “the executive decision to temporarily transfer funds from the General Fund to the Water Fund to ensure the payment was made on time,” adding that the town incurred no penalties. She said the board later agreed the Water Fund would reimburse the General Fund

with interest. Moore noted she had been in office only three months and has since learned the USDA payments occur twice yearly.

She said the second incident involved “an error I made while transferring funds for the June 24 bills,” adding, “It was my mistake, and I take full responsibility for it.”

Moore said the bank contacted her immediately, the issue was corrected promptly, and “the town suffered no financial loss and all vendors were paid on time.”

Reports also indicate concern over the cancellation of certain checks, including a reimbursement intended for Croft. LoRusso stated that the cancellation occurred without proper authorization, telling Moore, “You cancelled a check intended for Mr. Croft, which he meant to cash…before getting permission.”

Councilman Thomas Murphy has also expressed frustration over the handling of Croft’s compensation. In a statement, Murphy said, “It is intolerable that Mr. Croft’s check was canceled. He has performed this duty for many years and utilizes his own money to purchase the flags.” Murphy said the situation should have been corrected immediately.

Moore said she has heard claims that vendors have gone unpaid but has not been provided specific names.

“Every invoice I have received at cmoore@ hartwickny.gov has been forwarded to the clerk for voucher processing,” she said, noting that she has asked that any missing invoices be brought to her attention.

Moore added that the town clerk served as NYSLRS system administrator until March, and prior to that she “did not have full administrative access to the retire-

ment system.” Moore said several payroll and retirement issues surfaced during Croft’s onboarding in December 2025, and while the process was not seamless, “the experience significantly strengthened my understanding of NYSLRS requirements and payroll procedures.”

The July 2 legal opinion has prompted the Hartwick Town Board to take several steps. Sources confirm that the board has directed Moore to return the deducted funds to Croft and has appointed Councilmembers JoAnn Gardner and Murphy as liaisons to negotiate a repayment plan with Teamsters Local 317.

LoRusso said he believes the town should consider covering the arrears itself, calling the situation “a learning experience for all involved that we cannot act unilaterally and we cannot treat our employees incorrectly.”

The attorneys also recommended that the town avoid making any further deductions until a full payroll audit is completed. The opinion advises the town to “negotiate a uniform recoupment procedure with Teamsters Local 317 before implementing any additional deductions for bargaining unit employees.”

Moore said she has discovered “significant accounting corrections that needed to be addressed from prior years” and has worked to learn the Williamson Law accounting system while administering a 2026 budget she “did not prepare.”

“I have made mistakes, acknowledged them, corrected them, and learned from every one of them,” Moore said, adding that leadership is “about taking responsibility, making informed decisions, and continuously improving.” She

OBITUARIES

noted that this is an election year and said her focus remains “serving the taxpayers, improving town operations, and leaving the town in a stronger position than I found it.”

Beyond the Croft matter, LoRusso says he is preparing an Article 78 proceeding challenging what he describes as “unilateral actions” by the supervisor.

“Yes, an Article 78 is being drafted as we speak on multiple levels,” he said. “I will be suing Ms. Moore [for] the multiple laws she is breaking.”

“You mark my words here, I am going to win in court,” LoRusso added.

Sources say the Town Board is expected to continue discussions on financial procedures, audit requirements and labor-law compliance in upcoming meetings.

The situation remains fluid, and officials anticipate further review of administrative processes as negotiations with the union proceed.

AllOtsego will continue to monitor developments as Hartwick officials work to address the issues raised in recent reports and the labor-law determination.

Zenir

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The market’s year-round nature means each season brings a complete shift in offerings and energy. Zenir sees part of her role as helping maintain continuity through those transitions.

“As the seasons change, the market shifts completely, but we try to always have a wide selection of vendors and other activities to bring people into the space,” she said.

Some of those activities have become staples: a monthly kids’ craft and the increasingly popular Repair Café, where volunteers fix small

broken items—clothing, jewelry, appliances, electronics—for anyone who brings them in.

Despite her organizational role, Zenir is clear that the market’s direction is not hers alone.

“Honestly, I have very little influence,” she said. “This is a vendor-run market,” she explained.

Governance and vendor selection are handled by committees made up of elected vendors, and Zenir works closely with them as well as with her colleagues at Otsego 2000.

“They are so wonderful and we all work together,” she said. The collaborative structure, she added, is part of what keeps the market grounded over the past 35 years in the needs and priorities of the people who make it possible.

“The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market has grown into much more than a weekly farmers’ market featuring fresh and local foods and artisanal wares. It has become a central weekly hub of connection and friendship between vendors, customers, staff, musicians, and visitors,” said Otsego 2000 Executive Director Ellen Pope. “This was evident during the pandemic, when it was a rare public space to escape social isolation, and even more so now as new generations of market vendors and customers arrive.”

Zenir’s perspective, rooted in community, shaped by organization, and guided by teamwork, reflects the market itself. Her role may be new, but her connection to the place is not. And as the seasons turn and the stalls shift, she’ll be one of the people helping ensure the market remains what it has always been: welcoming, familiar and unmistakably local.

Nancy J. Mercer 1940-2026

COOPERSTOWN—

On Sunday morning, July 19, 2026, Nancy J. Mercer passed from this life peacefully in her residence at the Cooper Lane Apartments in Cooperstown with family by her side. She was 85. A native of the Cooperstown area,

Nancy Anne Jarvis was born August 26, 1940 at home in the Town of Middlefield, one of five children of Fred Stanley Jarvis and Goldie May (Merritt) Jarvis. In 1942, Nancy and her family moved to Christian Hill, where she grew up on the family farm. She graduated from Cooperstown Central School with the Class of 1958.

On August 30, 1958, Nancy married John G. Mercer.

Nancy lived a very full life; she was married to her husband John for 47 years until his death in 2005. Together they raised three amazing children, started and successfully operated several businesses, traveled to many locations, and lived in different parts of New York. In 1995, John and Nancy fulfilled one of their dreams of living in Florida, where Nancy lived until the fall of 2025 when she returned to Cooperstown. She was

an avid reader, amazing quilter, had an incredible sense of humor but most importantly she was always there to support her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be truly missed, but her memories will live forever.

Nancy is survived by her three children, Pamela S. Harloff of Toddsville, John “Jay” Mercer and wife Theresa of Osceola, New York, and Jeff Mercer and wife Leah of Tucson, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Lindsay Harloff Edmondson and husband Matthew of

Braintree, Massachusetts, Christopher M. Harloff Jr. and wife Alyssa Granato of Westland, Michigan, William Harloff and girlfriend Jamie Bruce of Glens Falls, Amanda Rusin and husband Adrian of Bucharest, Romania, Nicholas Mercer and girlfriend Emily Carino of Columbia Falls, Montana, Rebecca Mercer and husband Quincy Gray of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Alexander Mercer of Phoenix, Arizona; and two great-grandchildren, Arabella and Leo Rusin of Bucharest, Romania. She is further survived

by a sister, Janice Gray and husband Ken of Cooperstown, brotherin-law Eugene “Gene” Miller of Cooperstown, and several nieces and nephews.

Nancy was predeceased by her father, Stan, who died February 9, 2002; her mother, Goldie, who died December 21, 2011; her husband, John, who died February 8, 2005; a son-in-law, Christopher Michael Harloff Sr.; and three of her siblings, brothers Theodore “Ted” Jarvis, James “Jim” Jarvis, and sister Judith C. “Judy” Miller. At the request of the family, services will be private. Nancy will be laid to rest with her husband in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery in Fly Creek. In lieu of flowers, Nancy’s family would appreciate that donations in her memory be made to Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Continued from page 1

real,” she said. “This is real life, parenthood. I believe uncomfortable conversations need to happen.”

The film centers on Maya, a mother navigating challenges that include grief, mental health struggles and the isolation that can accompany parenthood. Sharpe hopes the story will resonate with audiences who have felt unseen or unsupported.

Summer Cunningham, a professor of communication studies at SUNY Oneonta and chair of the university’s Women and Gender Studies Department, said the film’s themes echo those explored in Susan Maushart’s book “The Mask of Motherhood.”

“The social pressure to appear to be a perfect, satisfied mother is so great that mothers are compelled to put on a face of perfection and happiness all the while hiding the real struggles and challenges of parenting. In short, she says mothers are pressured to ‘fake’ motherhood,” Cunningham said. Cunningham, whose scholarship and advocacy focus on motherhood studies, said the pressure to conceal the difficulties of parenting can make mothers feel disconnected from one another.

“Ultimately, the mask alienates us from one another. The solution is to stop faking: take off the mask, break the silence—like this filmmaker is doing—to be vulnerable and open about the entirety of the enterprise, the good and the bad. Being vulnerable is not easy, but hopefully it leads to more openness and connection among all of those who undertake the challenging work of motherhood,” she said.

“The heart behind “Beneath the Silence” has always been bigger than making a film,” Sharpe said. “It’s about creating a space where someone can finally feel seen, heard, understood, loved and know they’re not alone.”

Sharpe said many parents are expected to rely on a network of family, friends and community support, but not everyone has access to that kind of safety net.

“We hear the phrase, ‘It takes a village,’ all the time,” she said. “But the truth is, so many people don’t have one. They’re navigating grief, postpartum struggles, trauma, or mental health in silence because they feel like they have no one to turn to.”

Sharpe said many

production elements are already in place. The cast, crew, locations and shooting dates have been secured, with fundraising remaining the final hurdle before production begins. She intentionally chose to keep filming in Oneonta and Otsego County.

“One of my goals is to show how versatile Otsego County can be in terms of film production,” she said.

Portraying the main character, Maya, will be Julia Knippen, a Sullivan County resident whose background is largely in voice acting and commercial voiceovers.

Knippen, who grew up in the Chicago area, studied theater at San Francisco State University, and is currently training at New York City’s Terry Knickerbocker Studio.

After living in Brooklyn for 15 years, she now resides in Sullivan County.

She first learned about the project through a Facebook casting call Sharpe posted online.

“I really liked the kind of slice-of-life realism that the writer and director is going for,” Knippen said. “I really got attracted to the character and the role because

“Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer another person isn’t a solution. It’s letting them know they’re seen.”

it is very real, and not romanticized.”

Knippen said Sharpe’s vision of the characters immediately stood out.

“The way she described the characters spoke to me because I’m a very ‘normal’ person, not a movie star,” she said.

While production has not yet begun, Knippen expects the role to be emotionally demanding.

“I think it will definitely be a challenge,” she said. “I think it will be a very emotional experience, and preparing for it without a preconceived outcome means just being very present and seeing where the character and the situation take me.”

At the same time, she finds encouragement in the story’s central message.

“The story itself has a lot of hope,” Knippen said. “It’s about someone taking the steps she needs to survive and build a life that makes her happy.”

Knippen also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on

—Heather Grace Sharp

the film despite having relatively few on-screen credits.

“I appreciate that Heather put faith in me as an actor and invited me to work on this movie as a first-time collaboration,” she said.

Joining the cast is 7year-old actor Jordan Pendino of Buffalo, who will portray one of Maya’s sons.

Despite his young age, Jordan already has an impressive list of acting credits. His mother, Andrea Pendino, said he became interested in performing before he even knew what acting meant.

“When he was 4, he started asking to be a model,” Andrea Pendino said. “He saw a mannequin at Target and wanted to be like that.”

By age 5, Jordan had signed with an agency and was regularly auditioning for various roles.

“He loves that, gets very excited about auditions, and he says he’s never quitting,” his mother said.

Since then, Jordan has appeared in several projects, including “The Devil’s Mark,” a paranormal documentary directed by television personality and filmmaker Nick Groff that uses dramatic reenactments to tell the story of a man who claims to have experienced supernatural attacks since childhood.

Andrea Pendino became interested in “Beneath the Silence” after a friend suggested she read the script. Although Jordan has previously tackled emotionally demanding roles, his mother recognizes the unique responsibility involved in portraying a character inspired by Sharpe’s own experiences.

“With Heather being through this, living through this, I want to make sure that Jordan can do her son justice,” Pendino said. “It is her personal experience, so one of the challenges would be knowing how she sees her son in this and having Jordan matching it.”

Pendino said Jordan shares several similarities with Noah, including growing up with siblings. She believes his relationship with his

11-year-old sister will help him connect naturally with the role.

“He has had some emotionally heavy roles and has done very well with them,” she said. “He has never experienced what Noah experiences, but Jordan has a joyful personality, and Noah is largely oblivious of everything his mother is going through.”

As the October production dates approach, Sharpe continues efforts to secure the remaining funding needed to bring the project to the screen.

Supporters can learn more about “Beneath the Silence” and contribute through its Indiegogo campaign at https://www. indiegogo.com/en/projects/heather-grace-sharpe/ beneath-the-silence.

For Sharpe, the goal extends beyond completing a film.

“If this film can make even one person feel less alone; if it gives them the courage to ask for help, to start a conversation, or simply reminds them that their story matters—then it’s already done what I set out to do,” she said.

“Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer another person isn’t a solution. It’s letting them know they’re seen.”

The job scene

Parks Supervisor Full-time

The Village of Cooperstown has an opening in th position of Parks Supervisor

Requirements include good knowledge of park construction and maintenance activities; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to follow oral and written instructions; ability to keep records and make reports; reliability; physical strength and endurance; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two years full time paid experience in parks and/or recreational facility and building maintenance. Possession of a valid Class D or greater NYS Driver’s license is required for employment. This position also requires plowing snow and sanding in a non-CDL required vehicle. The salary for this position starts at $24.00 per hour.

This is a full-time position with a competitive wage and attractive benefits. For further information regarding the position and to obtain an application please contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 607-547-2411 or send your resume and cover letter to:

Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown PO Box 346 Cooperstown, NY 13326

Attention

Interviewing for: Advertising Sales Agent

Applicants are currently being sought for the position of advertising sales agent to represent

“The Freeman’s Journal,” “Hometown Oneonta” and “AllOtsego” media outlets. Required skills include: Excellent communication skills essential. • Driver’s license necessary Must be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Experience preferred but not necessary; will train the right candidate.

Please send cover letter and resume to info@allotsego.com, with “Sales Position” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. $16--$18/hr + plus commission

Berkson

Continued from page 4

A flock of noisy grackles had landed in Boyle’s back yard. They were making such a racket that he couldn’t work, so he got his 12 gauge shot gun out of the closet and headed outside, where he discharged a shot into the air. The grackles took off but when Boyle looked down, a robin was lying dead in the grass. It had apparently been perched on a branch of the maple which he was under. He picked up the bird and said, “That’s what you get for keeping bad company.” Feeling a bit guilty, he later dressed and ate the bird. Besides his interest in saving the environment, Boyle, also a scholar, was chosen to present his thesis on James Joyce’s enigmatic novel, “Finnegan’s Wake,” to a literary society in Dublin where he related much of the book’s content to waterways and angling. He was truly a renaissance man. May the memory of the original Riverkeeper continue to flow.

LEGALS

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Notice of formatioN of Wild Wash N’ Wiggle LLC

Arts. Of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/15/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 910 County Highway 34, Schenevus, NY 12155. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalJul.30

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Notice of formatioN of LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

ODESSA ESTATE HOLDINGS & CO LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State on 04/08/2026.

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 post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: 525 COUNTY HIGHWAY 7, OTEGO, NY, 13825. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which limited liability companies may be organized under the law.

6LegalJul.30

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Notice of formatioN of LOCAL AFFAIRS LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 16, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Nikolai Vinokurov, 629A St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalAug.6

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Notice of formatioN of LLc

ABX Ninjas LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/15/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 575 Evening Inn Road, Oneonta, New York 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalAug.6

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Notice of formatioN of

LEJ EVENT RENTAL, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York on March 28, 2026 as Selfie Sticker Station LLC. The amendment to change the name to LEJ Event Rental LLC was filed in April and accepted May 14, 2026. The office of the LLC is located in Otsego County, New York.

The Secretary of State of the State of New York 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 to: LEJ Event Rental, LLC, 352 Main St., #1204, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of New York.

6LegalAug.6

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Notice of formatioN of GHO KINGPIN, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Dept. of State of NY on June 24, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 100 Woodbine Road, Delmar, New York 12054. LLC does not have

a specific date of dissolution. Purpose: All legal purposes. Filer: O’Connell & Aronowitz, P.C., Latham, NY 12110. 6LegalAug.6

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SUmmoNS SUPreme coUrt of tHe State of NeW YorK, coUNtY of otSeGo

GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GV TRUST 2025-1, Plaintiff, -againstEDWARD J. DOMION, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; KRISTINE MARIE DOMION A/K/A KRISTINE MARIE MONDORE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; CANDICE J. DOMION, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; BRYAN KENNETH GARNER A/K/A BRYAN KENNETH GARNER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; CHLOE MELISSA DOMION A/K/A CHLOE MELLISA FARAH STABILE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROSALIE SHIPMAN; THE UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXT-OF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, BENEFICIARIES, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS AND PARTIES HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECEDENT ROSALIE SHIPMAN, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; NEW

YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (NORTHERN DISTRICT); FRED R. GILLETTE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10” inclusive, the names of the ten last name Defendants being fictitious, real names unknown to the Plaintiff, the parties intended being persons or corporations having an interest in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants

Index No. EF2026-153

Plaintiff Designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject premises is situated in Otsego County.

To the above named Defendants

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance upon the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the date of service or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. If you fail to so appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated June 22, 2026.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court

where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY IN ITS CAPACITY AS SEPARATE TRUSTEE OF GV TRUST 2025-1) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Brian D. Burns J.S.C.

Dated: June 22, 2026

Filed: June 22, 2026.

The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 180 Hyder Road, Richfield Springs, NY 13439

Dated: February 19, 2026

Filed: February 24, 2026

Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Jordan J. Manfro, Esq., 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591

Phone: (914) 3453020 4LegalJul.30

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY:

S2KIDS LLC

Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1/13/2014. Certificate of Change filing date: 6/10/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail copy of process to 192 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. 6LegalAug.13

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Notice of formatioN of

Terry Berkson’s articles have appeared in “New York” magazine, “Automobile” magazine and many others. Reviews on his criticallypraised memoir, “Corvette Odyssey,” can be found on TerryBerkson.com.

TOWNSHEND BAY 1291, LLC (“LLC”)

Arts. of Org. of filed with Dept. of State of NY on June 23, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 122 Mill Road, Cooperstown, New York 13326, principal business address. LLC does not have a specific date of dissolution. Purpose: All legal purposes. Filer: O’Connell & Aronowitz, P.C., Latham, NY 12110.

6LegalAug.20

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Notice of formatioN of A+ PLUMBING AND HVAC, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 06/24/2026. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 470 Co. Hwy. 5, Otego, NY 13825. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalAug.20

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Notice of formatioN of PEE PAW PAINTING LLC, filed with the NY Secretary of State on July 7, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may served and shall mail process to 211 Oxbow Road, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalAug.20

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Notice of formatioN of a NY ProfeSSioNaL LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY

Name:

HILARI HEAD FAMILY HEALTH NP, PLLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 July 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 216 Main Street, Suite 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalAug.20

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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY.

Name: HOMESTEAD AUTO LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 2 July 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 2022 State Highway 205, Mt Vision, NY 13810. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalAug.20

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Notice of formatioN of ETERNAL BUILDING, LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/16/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 123 RIVER ST., ONEONTA, NY 18320. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalSept.3

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Notice of PUBLic HeariNG

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Historical Preservations and

Review Board (HPARB) for the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearing on Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard:

• Meeting to be held in the Board Room of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York.

15

Leatherstocking St – Demolition of a carport next to carriage house (for safety reasons)

The plans for this project are on file with the Village Clerk’s Office at the Village Office, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York, and may be seen during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public comments must be provided by email to the Zoning Officer at zoning@ cooperstownny. gov or by regular mail to the address below no later than Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Jenna Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326

Tele: (607) 5472411

Email: jutter@ cooperstownny. gov 1LegalJul.30

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Notice of formatioN of Back Woodlands Retreat, LLC, a limited liability company (the “LLC”).

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (the “SSNY”) on 7/23/2026. Office location: Otsego County. The SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC, upon whom process against it may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 6820 Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purposes: any lawful activity. 6LegalSept.3

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Notice of formatioN of ROGERS HOLLOW

STONE, LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 783 COUNTY HWY. 2, UNADILLA, NY 13849. Purpose: any lawful activities. 6LegalSept.3

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Notice of aPPLicatioN for aUtHoritY of SPRINGFIELD CENTER SOLAR LLC, filed with SSNY on 07/24/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: PO Box 11034, Albany, NY 12211. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

6LegalSept.3

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Notice of aDoPtioN of reSoLUtioN SUBJect to PermiSSiVe refereNDUm NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York at a meeting thereof held on the 27th day of July 2026, duly adopted pursuant to section 6-C of the General Municipal Law, a resolution subject to permissive referendum, the purpose and effect of which is to authorize an appropriation of $23,001.32 (plus interest accrued) from the WIFI Capital Account to the NY Forward Capital Account. BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK

Jenna L. Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 jutter@cooperstownny.gov 1LegalJul.30

Can Otsego’s Birds Survive Proposed Manocherian Development?

Developers have submitted sketch plans for a proposed project on the 1,525 acres of farmland, forested hills, and wetlands on the western slope of Otsego Lake in the Towns of Otsego and Springfield. The most recent sketch plans include 126 buildable lots, increasing dwellings due to 23 two-family lots. Developers of the Lake Otsego Properties subdivision on Fraydun Manocherian-owned land estimate that 55 acres will be deforested.

Impacted Habitat and Species

The impacted area is heavily forested, a healthy mix of deciduous maples, hickories, birches and oaks, and conifers like white pine and spruce. Looking closer, eastern newts meander among roots, ferns, trilliums and thistles, sifting the rich soil. Wetlands run through these forests, providing habitat for reptiles and amphibians while protecting water quality and controlling floodwaters. The land is lush with flowering plants, crawling with insects—a buffet for songbirds. The ecological value of this area is illustrated by the presence of conservation easements flanking the impacted property on all sides.

In 2002, a General Environmental Impact Statement identified 120 species of birds as breeding, or probably breeding, in Otsego County. Thirteen were listed as “threatened,” or of “special concern.”

The most current species distribution data is provided by eBird via the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in collaboration with the National Audubon Society. The nearest eBird hotspots, near the Lake View Motel and Glimmerglass State Park, highlight a total of 188 recorded species. In a given month, birdwatchers may find black-crowned night heron, the American woodcock, bobolink, cerulean warbler and New York’s state bird, the eastern bluebird, in addition to resident belted kingfishers, tufted titmice, and pileated woodpeckers.

An eclectic community of species breed in the area. According to Breeding Bird Atlas data, the three-kilometer swath of land encompassing the impacted area possibly contains 115 breeding species, with 49 species confirmed.

Migration Pathways

Otsego County lies directly within the Atlantic Flyway, one of the largest migration pathways in the country. Between mid-April and midMay, a flood of birds sweeps overhead. On May 17, 2026, Cornell’s BirdCast logged nearly five and a half million birds passing through Otsego County in a single night. The National Audubon Society’s Migration Explorer identifies 123 tagged bird species as passing through the area around Otsego Lake annually, with some traveling as far as Argentina. Snow geese, ospreys, and canvasback ducks will make the long journey to the upper reaches of Alaska and Canada; an arctic tern, boasting the longest migration on earth, was tagged passing through Cooperstown on its flight from Quebec to the Falkland Islands.

The Cornell Lab found that the country has lost nearly three billion birds since 1970, largely due to the loss of key migratory stopover areas— mainly in the Great Plains. Otsego County is not untouched in this crisis, and our environment should be prioritized given new developments such as Lake Otsego Properties.

A Birdwatching Sanctuary

On July 13, a nondescript summer morning, I packed my binoculars and drove along County

machinery. There was a grassy hill where a broad-winged falcon had been released. Nearby we admired a dense brush where, every spring, the American woodcock returns to perform its iconic mating ritual. Partly due to its stout figure, its comically large eyes and nonexistent neck, and to its reedy, explosive “peent!” call, the American woodcock has garnered international fame. Here, in the woodcock’s home and stage, Lake Otsego Properties foresees 46 multi-family dwellings, with five single-family lots across the road.

Potential Impacts

Highway 80 until I reached a grassy overlook. Here I met another birdwatcher, and we passed slowly along Thurston Hill Road, making note of the usual suspects; kestrels fought the wind, crows shouted from the fields, and common yellowthroats asked in melodic refrain, “Which is it? Which is it? Which is it?” The sun was already high at nine o’clock and the morning fog was burned away.

Crawling up a dirt road, we were skirted on our left by a flowering meadow and, to our right, wetland habitat below a mixed forest. Goldfinches zipped by, and a gray catbird. There were chipping sparrows with their rust-colored hairdos, eastern towhees calling for us to “drink your tea!” A northern yellow warbler settled in a bush, while an indigo bunting offered a flash of color in the treetops. This speciesrich valley lies within the proposed development area. I tried to imagine the dirt road paved, the ground dug up for entry to a neighborhood, and I struggled to imagine the logistics of it. The land is covered in wetland and steep slopes. More concerning yet, it is saturated with sound and color, insects, and, yes, birds. It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which they are unharmed.

The rest of our morning provided further evidence of the impacted area’s ecological significance. July is a quiet month for birdwatching, and yet we logged more than 30 species within an hour. There were wood thrushes, chestnut-sided warblers, an ovenbird, and a scarlet tanager, incandescent in its fiery plumage. We had barely traveled a half-mile when the car slammed to a halt. A red-shouldered hawk soared above us, tracing figure-eights in a clear sky. Rarely seen in the area and listed as a “species of concern” in New York, the hawk’s sudden appearance illustrated the constant surprise and joy brought by a flourishing ecosystem.

We continued our tour of the impacted habitat. Turning left onto Red House Hill Road, we stopped at a wetland area dense with cattails, flanked by birches and maples. Here we were greeted by a euphony of birdsong: the varied and forceful tunes of the American redstart; the dualtoned call of the wood thrush; the urgent whistle of the indigo bunting. This was the most diverse avian environment we visited that morning. In that specific area, the Lake Otsego Properties development has proposed five single-family units.

Further north, at another impacted area along McRorie and Buddle roads, we stopped to admire a nesting osprey with its chick, and its wetland neighbors, the great blue herons.

Along the wetland was evidence of heavy

Breeding Bird Atlas data reveals the presence of several threatened species in the three-kilometer area containing the proposed development. The peregrine falcon and golden eagle are endangered in New York; pied-billed grebe, northern harrier and the American tree sparrow are “threatened;” other “species of concern” include the osprey, common loon, sharp-shinned hawk, horned lark, Cooper’s hawk, and red-shouldered hawk.

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society has identified the following species as “Audubon priority species,” whose populations are declining and are targeted for conservation efforts: American kestrel, wood thrush, eastern meadowlark, American black duck, rose-breasted grosbeak, chimney swift, northern harrier, bobolink, blackpoll warbler, brant, black-billed cuckoo, willow flycatcher, northern yellow warbler, yellow-billed cuckoo, golden eagle, American woodcock, prairie warbler, scarlet tanager, and lesser yellowlegs.

When birds suffer, the rest of the ecosystem suffers, too. Native flora like the serviceberry and black cherry rely upon wood thrushes, cedar waxwings and other birds for seed dispersal. Hummingbirds pollenate flowers, and others fall prey to foxes and weasels.

Finally, birds play a central role in managing insect populations, by which they protect our forests and fields. Any attempt to support these populations is undermined by the destruction of habitat along the lakeshore. Given the confirmed presence of several of these species within the Lake Otsego Properties development area, conservationists have reason for concern. The revised project plan would inevitably impact these species and perhaps drive them out entirely. This is not only a loss for birdwatchers, but a loss for everyone. To lose a hawk, a bunting or a woodcock is to diminish the ecological value of the land itself.

What Can Be Done?

The important work of protecting Otsego County’s birds is conducted by groups like the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, the New York State Ornithological Association, the Otsego County Conservation Association, Butternut Valley Alliance, the Otsego Land Trust, and Otsego 2000. If you are interested in avian conservation efforts, consider supporting these groups.

Finally, a real impact can be made by simply watching and listening. Conservation efforts are largely informed by data from citizen science projects like eBird. By birdwatching around Otsego County, engaging with your local Audubon Society and uploading checklists to eBird or similar platforms, you can assist scientists and conservation organizations in their important work.

Charlie Deichman-Caswell is serving an environmental stewardship internship at Otsego 2000 this summer before pursuing a graduate degree in environmental policy and regulation in the fall.

Photo by David Held/Audubon Photography Awards according to the breeding bird atlas, the red-shouldered hawk is among the bird species that might be threatened by the proposed manocherian housing development.

►Fri., July 31

BOOK CLUB Read

“Chronicle of a Radical Hag (with Recipes): a Novel” by Lorna Landvik, then discuss with the group at 4 p.m. on August 20. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

REGISTER Sign up for Camp Forget-Me-Not. Free one-day camp and safe place for kids to make new friendships, share big feelings, and learn how to cope with grief.

Facilitated by Helios Care grief professionals. Open to children ages 6-18 who have experienced death of a loved one. Registration required by 8/6. Held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on 8/13 at Hartwick College Pine Lake Campus, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, Davenport. (607) 4326773.

OUTDOORS 10 a.m.

“Bear Cub Club: Amphibians and Reptiles.” For ages 4-6. Parents welcome. Free; registration required. Meet at the Nature Center at Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Road 31, Cooperstown. (607) 5478662.

BLOOD DRIVE

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Springbrook Community Campus, 5588 State Highway 7, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org

SENIOR ART 10-11 a.m. “Oil Painting for Seniors.” Held Fridays through 8/28. Worcester Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.

FOOD SCIENCE Noon to 2 p.m. “Preservation Station.” Discover the science behind various food preservation methods, learn to reduce food waste in the home and sample a variety of delicious snacks. A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.

RAFFLE 3 p.m. Draw -

ing for raffle fundraiser for two tickets to The

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

Glimmerglass Festival shows “Fellow Travelers” and “Cosi.” Proceeds benefit The Gathering Place 50 Plus Community Centers. (607) 267-4732.

QUILTING 5 p.m. “Friday Night Delights: Christmas in July.” A fun project that can be completed in one session. Series held the last Friday of each month. Fees apply; registration required. Leatherstocking Quilts, 155 Main Street, Suite B, Oneonta. (607) 441-3111.

OPENING RECEPTION 5-7 p.m. “Powering the Grid.” Featuring works on paper and indigo-colored textiles that incorporate visual grids. Saturday opening reception held 2-4 p.m. on 8/1. Open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting 8/8 through 9/12 or by appointment. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 9419607.

LIVE MUSIC

5:30 p.m. Randy Mirtello and the Hop City Hellcats. The Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 434-8458.

LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m.

The Lake House Summer Concert Series: Grateful Upstate Toodeloo. Back patio, The Lake House, 2521 County Highway 22, Richfield Springs. (720) 940-8377.

LIVE MUSIC

6-10 p.m. Jason Wicks Band. Includes food truck, outdoor/indoor bar and bonfire. Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. info@ ommegang.com.

THEATER 7:30 p.m.

“Dual Rivet Dance.” Free; suggested donation appreciated. Also showing at 7:30 p.m. on 8/1 and at 5 p.m. on 8/2. Franklin Stage Company, 25 Institute Street, Franklin. (607) 829-3700.

CONCERT 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.

“Saints of Sabbath: A Religious Experience in Tribute to Black Sabbath.”

Time OuT OTsegO

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

Tickets required. Foothills

Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.

►Sat., auguS t 1

TRAP SHOOT 8 a.m.

“4th Annual Smitty Buddy Trap Shoot.” Food, prizes and more. Unadilla Rod and Gun Club, 566 Butternut Road, Unadilla. (607) 316-5997.

PISTOL PERMITS

9 a.m. to noon. Saturday pistol permit services. First Saturday of each month. Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, 172 County Highway 33 West, Cooperstown. (607) 5474271.

DMV 9 a.m. to noon. DMV Saturday. Convenient and accessible DMV services. Held first Saturday of each month by appointment only. Village of Richfield Springs, 118 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (607) 547-4281.

WORKSHOP 9 a.m. to noon. “Stained Glass with Chris.” Make either a hot air balloon or a bee in your own color palette. Fees apply; registration required. Main View Gallery and Studios, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1890.

YARD SALE 10 a.m.

“Cooperstown Community Yard Sale Day.” Locals are invited to set up and sell treasures. Fees apply; registration required. Held first Saturday of the month through September. Oaks Creek Farm and Market, 4970 State Highway 28, Cooperstown. (607) 779-8580.

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

• 10:30 a.m. “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage.”

• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”

EXERCISE Noon. “Let’s Move: Come Play Capoeira.” Unique Brazilian practice that blends martial arts, dance, music and culture. All welcome. Held each Saturday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600.

LIVE MUSIC

1-4 p.m. Bone Doctor. Fees apply. Bring a beach chair and dancing shoes. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Road 31, Cooperstown. (607) 5478662.

POTTERY

1:30-4:30 p.m. Open

Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. Fees apply. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

LIBRARY 2 p.m.

“Kids Dinosaur Craft.” Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

SINGING 4 p.m.

“Finding Your Voice with Sara Albright.” An encouraging and hands-on vocal workshop for singers of all levels. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

CELEBRATION

5-9 p.m. “Bison Month Celebration.” Evening “camp style” event, featuring outdoor movie “Brother Bear,” bonfire with s’mores, raffling off of a bison blanket and more. Bison Island Ranch, 194 Engleville Road, Sharon Springs. bisonislandranch@gmail. com.

PARLOR PARTY

7-9 p.m. “Gilded Age Parlor Party.” Fun, games,

dancing, social maneuvering, extravagance and gilded age costumes recommended. Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park, Cooperstown. (607) 5475098.

LIVE MUSIC

7-10 p.m. The Lake House Summer Concert Series: Uncle Charlie and the Meatballs. Lakeside Stage, The Lake House, 2521 County Highway 22, Richfield Springs. (720) 940-8377.

FILM 7 p.m. Free screening of “Firelight,” which was filled around Oneonta and Otsego County. Donations appreciated. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.

►Sun., auguS t 2

LOCAL ART 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. First-ever “Local Art Exhibition.” Showcasing art by community members related to the New York State Parks system or conservation. All media welcome, from painting to music to sculptures. Glimmerglass State Park Nature Center, 1527 County Road 31, Cooperstown. (607) 5478662.

BBQ DINNER

11 a.m. until gone. Featuring Brooks’ barbecue chicken. Fees apply. Masonic Lodge, 394 West Main Street, West Winfield.

OX ROAST Noon. Support the Wells Bridge Fire Department. Featuring live entertainment by The Jason Wicks Band. Clam chowder at noon; ox roast at 3 p.m. Tickets required. Wells Bridge Fire Department, 114 County Highway 4, Wells Bridge. (607) 988-2542.

SUNDAY SERIES

1-3 p.m. “Oneonta’s Revolutionary Soldiers.” Presented by Melinda McTaggart. Free and open to the public. Bring your own folding lawn chair. Front lawn, Swart-Wilcox House Museum, Wilcox Avenue, Oneonta.

LIVE MUSIC 1-3 p.m.

“Sunday Sessions with Jimi Hendrix Jazz Trio.” The Gatehouse, 130 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

CONCERT 2 p.m.

“Fenimore String Quartet.” Tickets required. Cherry Valley Artworks, The Star Theater at The Foundry, 44 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643080.

TEA TIME 3-5 p.m.

“Afternoon Tea with a Twist.” Curated selection of teas paired with a creative menu. Fees apply; reservations required. The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479931.

MUSIC 7 p.m.

“Oneonta Kirtan: Interfaith Devotional Music Meditation.” Held first Sunday of each month. First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta, 296 Main Street, Oneonta.

►Mon., auguS t 3

POTTERY 9 a.m. to noon. “3 Projects—Hand Building Workshop.” Build a new project on 8/3, 8/5 and 8/7. Finish and glaze all three projects on 8/14. Fees apply; registration required. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

SOCCER 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nike Soccer Camp at SUNY Oneonta. High quality youth soccer training experience for families across Oneonta, Otsego County and Central New York. Held 8/3 through 8/7. Fees apply; registration required. Red Dragon Field, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (800) 645-3226.

BLOOD DRIVE

1-6 p.m. Worcester United Methodist Church, 111

Main Street, Worcester. RedCrossBlood.org

CONCERT 5:30 p.m.

Summer Concert: Voices of Inclusion Sing-Along. Dan’s Depot, 2102 State Highway 80, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377 ext. 147. WALKING CLUB

6 p.m. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

RELIGION 6-8 p.m.

“Vacation Bible School: The Great Jungle Journey.” Free; registration required. Continues through 8/7. Main Street Baptist Church, 333 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-5712.

LIVE MUSIC 7 p.m. Music at Meadow Links: Amanti Duo. Classical, folk and popular favorites for clarinet and cello. Meadow Links Golf Pavilion, 502 County Road 27, Richfield Springs.(315) 858-1646.

CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Florence High Memorial Chamber Music Concert by Glimmerglass Festival Musicians. Free; all welcome. Pierstown Grange, 137 Wedderspoon Hollow Road, Cooperstown.

►tueS., auguS t 4

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

OTSEGO COUNTY FAIR 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Midway opens at 2 p.m. Held through 8/9. Otsego County Fair Grounds, 48 Lake Street, Morris. (607) 263-5289.

CHANGEOVER DAY 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Avoid heavy traffic and pedestrians on State Route 205. Cooperstown All Star Village, Oneonta. COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at the College Camp, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 431-8010.

SENIOR MEALS 11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of chef’s salad cold plate, three-bean salad, dinner roll and cookies. (607) 547-6454. • Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Each Tuesday and Thursday. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs.

SUMMER FUN Noon to 2 p.m. Children ages 5-15 learn about “Stone Age Jewelry.” Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

TUESDAY MARKET Noon to 4 p.m. Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street, Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. (607) 5478881.

MINECRAFT CLUB

1 p.m. Held Tuesdays through 8/11. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

VETERANS 3-5 p.m. Tour the Oneonta Veterans Museum, featuring memorabilia, photographs and more, donated by local families. Free; donations appreciated. On view 3-5 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. American Legion Post 259, 279 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494.