The Freeman's Journal 09-04-25

County Board Approves Sales Tax Extension

By BILL BELLEN

OTSEGO COUNTY

At 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, the Otsego County Board of Representatives was called to a special meeting by Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr. With representatives receiving notice of the meeting on August 13, the board gathered that morning to approve an extension to the additional local 1 percent sales and use tax in the county.

Otsego County currently maintains a sales and use rate tax of 8 percent— 4 percent being state tax and the other 4 percent being local. The additional 1 percent in this resolution is not being added onto existing taxes, but rather is an extension of those already in effect. The base local tax rate for Otsego County is 3 percent, though the county has had an additional 1 percent renewed for years.

Carol McGovern, Otsego County clerk of the Board of Representatives, elaborated:

“Currently, every two years we have to request home rule from New York State to allow Otsego County to collect an additional 1 percent in sales tax,” McGovern wrote in an email. “Once the bills pass the state legislature and are signed by the governor, the county has to adopt the third and final resolution, which was Resolution 295.”

The 1 percent addition that was in effect at the time of the August 21 meeting was set to expire on

Continued on page 10

Oneonta Labor Day Rally To Support Workers Draws 200 People

By TERESA WINCHESTER

ONEONTA

On September 1, Labor Day, approximately 200 people showed up at Oneonta’s Muller Plaza for a “Workers Over Billionaires” rally. The principal organizer, CooperstownOneonta Indivisible, led by Virginia Kennedy of Middlefield, was joined by Butternut Valley Indivisible, Cherry Valley Indivisible and Indivisible of Schoharie County. The national sponsor, backed by the AFL-CIO, was May Day Strong, a coalition of dozens of labor and advocacy groups.

While the emphasis

►GARGASH TAKES ACTION ON POLLINATORS, page 2

►ELECTION SECURITY TO BE DISCUSSED, page 2

►MCDONALD TAVERN MARKER UNVEILED, page 3

►CNA: HOUSING, BUSINESS ARE PRIORITIES, page 4

►LOOK FOR BROCHURE ON MUSEUMS, page 4

►MANOCHERIAN PROPOSAL TO BE DISCUSSED page 6

►CONFERENCE TO EDUCATE ON ALzHEIMER’S, page 8

►CALENDAR, page 12

was on appreciation of the workers of this country, the need for strong unions, and the abuses of the billionaire class, ralliers carried signs objecting in general to the current administration and its policies: “Alexa, Change the President,” “Grow a Spine, Congress!”

“Hands Off Our Healthcare!” “No Trump, No Ice, Make This World Nice!”

Kennedy opened the rally’s program with words of gratitude for workers such as nurses, teachers, construction workers, and machinists.

“Without these folks, nothing would get done, but it’s the people at the top who make the money,” she said.

September

one to wonder what we thought,” said

Shirley Clark, chapter president of SUNYOneonta’s United University Professions, spoke of her current contract negotiations with New York State.

“We are under attack. The state always tries to take away things that workers have,” Clark said, declaring that she would work to retain worker’s healthcare and maintain current benefits.

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek spoke defiantly to the money and power he feels has taken over the affairs of the nation since the 2024 election, frequently punctuating his remarks with “No!”

“We will shame the politicians, and we will threaten the prosperity

of their enablers. And we will say no. No. Hell no. To the exploitation of fear, and the fanning of hatred. We will say no. No. To the corruption and the greed. To the lies, and to the meanness. To the vanity, and the incompetence. To the would-be autocracy. We will say no. No,” Drnek declared.

JayLynn Garelick of Oneonta spoke in response the Trump administration’s pause in operations for all 99 Job Corps centers across the U.S.

Unable to procure financial aid to further her studies, Garelick turned to Job Corps, a federally funded educational and career training

Continued on page 10

Rotary Announces Vocational Scholarship Winners

COOPERSTOWN

Earlier this month, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown announced that Madison Moore, Samantha Barrett, Kura Lynn Druse, Kara Mertz and Leah Brundege are the recipients of the John D. Ramsey Memorial Vocational Scholarship for the current academic year.

This scholarship provides a sum of $31,000.00 annually to students pursuing vocational education. Moore has been awarded the Special Recognition Scholarship due to her unwavering commitment to serving society through nursing, officials said. Barrett, Druse and Mertz are also pursuing vocational

nursing training; Brundege will be entering culinary arts.

According to a press release, the John D. Ramsey Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of John Ramsey, a longstanding member of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown and an ardent advocate for vocational training. Trained as a nurse himself, Ramsey had dedicated many years to sponsoring vocational scholarships through the Rotary Club.

“This trust bequest perpetuates his legacy as a local driving force for students pursuing vocations,” officials said. “John embodied the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and this

Continued on page 10

Photo by Teresa Winchester

Rebecca LaBarr (left) of Oneonta and Bon Zuefle of Otego attended the “Workers Over Billionaires” rally held in Oneonta’s Muller Plaza on

1. “I don’t want any-

Zuefle.

Photo provided

Rotary scholarship recipients are, from left, Samantha Barrett, Kura Lynn

Druse, Kirsten De Silva, Kara Mertz, Madison Moore, and Leah Brundege. Not pictured: Waylon Cassell and Jeremy Velasco Jr.

Election Commissioners To Speak on the Voting Process

COOPERSTOWN

The League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will hold “An Evening in Defense of Democracy” on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 p.m. in the Cooperstown Village Hall, 22 Main Street. The program will begin with a timely topic: the security of our votes. Otsego County Election Commissioners Michael Henrici and Lori Lehenbauer will describe how registration, voting, and ballot counting are carried out by Otsego County’s Board of Elections. The commissioners’ talk will explain how the Board of Elections staff work to assure that every vote is properly cast and accurately counted.

“In conversations with other Leagues throughout the state, we realized that Otsego County is, indeed, fortunate,” noted LWVCA Co-president Christina Bourgeois. “Our election commissioners have always been forthcoming and helpful as we carry out our work and we have learned much over the years working with them. We are so pleased that our election commissioners agreed to explain how this important work is accomplished.”

After the commissioners speak, LWVCA will announce its fall program. According to a press release, in April 2025, the League of Women Voters

of the United States declared that our country was in a constitutional crisis and responded to their concern with a new nationwide campaign—“Unite & Rise 8.5.” This year the Cooperstown League’s local work will focus on three aspects of Unite & Rise: public mobilization and coalition building, civic education and engagement, and democracy resilience, officials said.

“Many groups in our community are concerned about current actions of the federal government as some of those actions affect these groups’ ability to help others in our community and protect our local environment,” explained LWVCA Co-president Hudi Podolsky. “Unite and Rise is the League’s effort to help our community speak up and strengthen our democracy. We are pleased that several community organizations decided to cosponsor this event. The September 10 program will be the shared invitation to our local community for greater civic education and engagement.”

To date, the Community Foundation of Otsego County, Connections at Clark Sports Center, the Cooperstown Food Pantry, the Oneonta Area NAACP, and Otsego 2000 have agreed to be cosponsors of the initiative.

“An Evening in Defense of Democracy” is free and open to the public.

Moore To Run for Supervisor

HARTWICK

Longtime Hartwick resident Cody Moore, the owner and operator of Cooperstown Equestrian Park, has announced her candidacy for this November’s election for Town of Hartwick town supervisor.

Born in Cooperstown and raised in Hartwick, Moore brings with her experience in board and community service, having worked as a member of the Cooperstown Central School Board of Education for three years. During that time, Moore gained valuable knowledge working with other board members and the school’s faculty and staff, all while gaining insight into the

inner workings of the school district.

“As Hartwick town supervisor,” Moore explained,” I want to keep taxes stable and affordable so that young people will be motivated to stay in the area and families will maintain a desire to live in Hartwick and retire here. I am concerned about long-term housing and about issues connected to the school district, which affect Hartwick directly.”

Moore’s philosophy includes a strong belief in maintaining ways to help the youth of Hartwick.

“It is essential that we continue—and not needlessly eliminate—programs

Continued on page 8

Girl Scout Earns Gold Award for Pollinator House Project

By SARAH ROBERTS ONEONTA

Skylar Gargash, a 2025 Oneonta High School graduate and fourth-generation beekeeper from Girl Scout Troop 30043, has earned the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award for her “Take Action” project, “Pollinator Power,” which promotes awareness of pollinator habitat loss and the creation of pollinator houses for community use.

As a beekeeper, Gargash said she has been concerned about the declining pollinator populations in recent years. Through various tabling events and seminars, she has spread awareness about the issues of declining pollinator populations and provided handouts on how to build and maintain pollinator houses— structures which accommodate solitary-nesting native bees by providing cavities in natural materials for them to live in.

She also hand-built wooden frames and led workshops on how to fill the frames with natural nesting. Workshop participants were able to take their pollinator houses home, along with instructions on how to maintain them for use year after year.

Throughout the program, more than 100 pollinator houses have been built. In addition to those sent home with workshop participants, Gargash donated several pollinator houses to community gardens, as well as to local farms and garden centers.

As she wrapped up her project, Gargash was asked to lead a workshop at Girl Scout Camp Amahami’s Encampment Weekend this past April. During Encampment Weekend, many Girl Scout troops—from the youngest “Daisies” (kindergarten and first grade) through the highest-level “Ambassadors” (11th and 12th grades)—join together for camping activities and other shared experiences.

Prior to her Encampment Weekend presentation, Gargash said she was excited to be able to share her project with fellow Girl Scouts and that she hoped to inspire the younger generation of Scouts to continue through the Ambassador level and complete their own Gold Award projects.

Gargash donated a pollinator house to Camp Amahami, so her Gold Award project will be a permanent part of the camp she has enjoyed attending annually during her 13 years of scouting.

To ensure that her project continues on, Gargash has created education kits for use in programs at Oneonta World of Learning and Huntington Memorial Library. These kits include information on the importance of pollinators, instructions on how to build pollinator houses and fun related activities.

More information on Gargash’s “Pollinator Power” project and instructions on how to build and maintain a pollinator house can be found on her webpage, https://sites.google. com/view/pollinatorproject.

Phase II Roundabout Detours Begin

ONEONTA

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect Phase II construction to begin at the intersection of Lettis Highway (State Route 23) and Main Street (State Route 7) in the City of Oneonta on Tuesday, September 2, and continuing for approximately 1-2 months, weather permitting. Lettis Highway southbound will be closed to all traffic. Northbound traffic will not be able to turn onto Main Street eastbound. The remainder of the intersection will be open.

Motorists are urged to follow separate signed detours for cars and trucks. Find full detour maps at the Oneonta Roundabout project website, https://www.dot. ny.gov/oneontaroundabout. Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

The $4 million construction project, which officials say will improve the safety of the intersection of Main Street and James F. Lettis Highway, is expected to be completed in November of this year.

Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Inc.

Skylar Gargash’s “Pollinator Power” project has earned her a prestigious Girl Scout “Take Action” Gold Award.

Final Marker of the Season Commemorates McDonald Tavern

By BILL BELLEN

ONEONTA

At 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, crowds gathered for the fifth and final historical marker unveiling of the summer in the City of Oneonta. Following the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s gradual unveiling of markers commemorating the Center Street School, the Red Caboose, the Sixth Ward, and the Ford Mansion, GOHS staff welcomed viewers to the unveiling of the McDonald Tavern historical marker.

Located on the corner of Main and River streets, where Stewart’s Shops now stands, the McDonald Tavern was built in 1810 and served as one of Oneonta’s earliest operating taverns.

Seven years later, in 1817, it saw the opening of the first post office for the area. In 1829, the location even reputedly served as the birthplace of Carleton E. Watkins, who would go on to become famed for his western photography.

Unfortunately, this rich and important local history came to a close when the tavern was razed in 1961. Because of this, this historical marker was once again ineligible for funding by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a group dedicated to financing markers for still-standing structures. After extensive research into primary sources and documentation from throughout the tavern’s existence, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta Community Fund stepped in to cover the brunt of the expenses incurred.

“This marker is meaningful to me, as it helps document a much earlier period of Oneonta’s history,” Dr. Marcela Micucci, GOHS executive director, wrote in an e-mail. “Taverns in the late 18th and early 19th centuries were often used for many purposes— as post offices, polling places for local, state, and federal elections, and gathering places (and housing) for the local community. McDonald Tavern, in particular, was reportedly a focus of

community social activity in the 1830s and 1840s. The tavern and its owners (the McDonald and later the Watkins families) each played an important role in helping to develop Oneonta socially, culturally, and economically. It is also one of the few markers we have that commemorates a notable historical figure from Oneonta, Carleton Watkins.”

With research complete and funding secured, GOHS positioned the marker as the final installment in its very full summer line-up. The event itself immediately offered a pleasant change of pace from those that came before, with blue skies instead of rain for the unveiling. Bob Brzozowski—GOHS board trustee as well as a Carleton Watkins

and Watkins family researcher—spoke at the event and helped to unveil the marker. Brzozowski recounted the early history of the tavern and the family of the owners and their foundational role in what would become the City of Oneonta.

Among many other achievements, Brzozowski said “The McDonalds built

a sawmill, a grist mill and a bridge across the Susquehanna. James [McDonald] was one of the most influential and wealthy men in the tiny village that he helped found. The village was informally known as McDonald’s Bridge, and then McDonald’s Mills, and then Milfordville…In 1832, Milfordville became Oneonta.”

Brzozowski went on to explain the role of the Watkins family, and how their intertwining relationship with the McDonald family spawned the conditions necessary for Carleton to be born in the tavern.

With remarks by Micucci and Brzozowski complete, the black tarp was removed from the marker—the second one to not only have been placed in the Sixth Ward this year, but on Main Street as well.

With this, a nearly three-month span of historical commemoration was brought to a close. The unveiling events this year saw many important landmarks recognized, the roles of important people acknowledged, and the living history of Oneonta vastly expanded upon. However, the work of a historian is never complete.

“As this was our final historical marker unveiling of the season, we look forward to the markers we plan to unveil in 2026!” Micucci wrote.

Future updates on unveilings for next summer will be found on the GOHS website at www.oneontahistory.org or on any of their social media pages with the username @oneontahistoricalsociety. Those interested in the history behind the other four markers placed this summer can review coverage on AllOtsego.com.

September 2025

Every Monday Activities:

10:00-11:00: Mindfulness Monday Commun ty Room

10:15-12:00: Cribbage Origina obby

10:30-11:10: Form 73 Stud o 2

11:00-12:00:Silver Sneakers Classic Studio 1

11:20-12:00: Yoga Stretch and Live Strong Yoga stretches to warm the body followed by strength and range of motion exercises Studio 2

12:00: LUNCH ($4 suggested donation) Community Room

12:00-12:45: Connections Swim-aqua fitness; 12:00-1:00: Lap Swimming Pool

12:15-2:30: Games: Ping Pong: Squash Court Mah Jongg, Cribbage, Pitch, etc.:

12:15-2:15:

10:30-11:10: Form 73 Stud o 2

11:20-12:00: Live Strong Stud o 2 With a chair for seated exercises and support, this class works on cardiovascular and body strength, balance and range of motion

11:30-12:15: Silver Sneakers Yoga Studio 1 11:45-12:45:Senior ONLY Pickleball Tennis court

12:00: LUNCH ($4 suggested donation) Community Room

12:00-12:45: Connections Swim-aqua fitness; 12:00-1:00: Lap swimming Pool

12:30-1:30: $1.00 Bowling Bowl ng Alley

12:45-1:45: Speaking Italian with Phyllis-Or ginal obby

September 29th

12:15-1:15:Beginner Tai Chi with Russ-Studio #2

12:30-2:30: Painting with Marjorie- Sm Meet ng Rm 12:45-1:45: Speaking Italian with Phyllis-Or ginal obby September 2025

Photo provided

Greater Oneonta Historical Society Board Trustee Bob Brzozowski and GOHS Executive

Director Marcela Miccuci wrap up the historical marker season at the corner of Main and River streets with a marker commemorating the former site of the McDonald Tavern.

Perspectives

EDITORIaL

AIndustry and Housing: If Not Here, Then Where?

verill Road. Rehabilitative Support Services. The Manocherian subdivision. The Albert S. Nader Regional Airport. The EcoYotta data center. All have one thing in common: They are proposed projects that have met with, or are meeting with, strong opposition.

The first three are housing proposals. The last two speak to potential economic development. Which is somewhat puzzling, because—according to the Otsego County “2025 Community Needs Assessment” released in August by Opportunities for Otsego—housing is one of the county’s most pressing needs. And the ability to attract and retain businesses is one of our biggest long-term challenges.

The Community Needs Assessment is available on the OFO website (https://ofoinc.org/application/ files/2117/5372/9455/OFO_CNA_2025_FINAL. pdf), and it’s an interesting read.

According to OFO officials, this document “summarizes qualitative and quantitative data gathered from consumers, the community, and various data sources to identify community needs and resources.” Following a brief profile of Otsego County’s natural resources, climate, and transportation and telecommunication infrastructure, the document provides an in-depth dive into our population, employment, education, housing, nutrition, income, and health, wellness, and safety. The purpose of this data? “To determine local priorities and how best to increase self-sufficiency, improve living conditions, and strengthen family and support systems for lowincome individuals.”

With regard to housing, the report reads in part:

• Over the past 10 years, Otsego County lost 2.5% of its housing units. Of the estimated 30,011 units, nearly one-quarter are vacant with 80% deemed

Wseasonal or for recreational use.

• The median year housing was built in Otsego County was 1954. An estimated 11% of housing units were built after 2000 and 70.4% were built before the 1978 lead paint ban.

• Fair Market rate for rental housing has increased 18.1%-45.7% over the past seven years, while median home sales prices have increased 32.9% since 2020. As such, 42.7% of renters and 26.8% of [homeowners] in Otsego County are “cost burdened.”

• On the subject of economic development, OFO reports that Otsego County’s top industries with the greatest employment in 2024 are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, accommodation and food services, public administration, and manufacturing.

One respondent to the Community Needs Assessment Survey said, “Currently Otsego County economic development is focused on tourism as the main driver, which produces low-wage, seasonal jobs rather than industrial development or trying to incubate early-stage R&D/technical new business formation.”

To be clear, this editorial is intended neither to promote nor to object to any of these projects. Though, truthfully, we believe the RSS housing proposal, voted down by the Oneonta Common Council in May, to be a missed opportunity for many. What we’re getting at is this: Without the advent of additional housing of all kinds, and without thoughtful economic development, we cannot begin to address the needs of Otsego County’s low-income individuals.

Community partners and players agree. At a halfday forum conducted by OFO on April 29, five work groups were selected for further discussion based on feedback from the Community Needs Assessment Survey: employment, childcare, housing, trans-

portation and mental health/healthcare. According to OFO, “Discussion groups were prearranged to encourage discussion between a cross section of sectors within the community. Group leaders were provided with a list of questions, based on quantitative and qualitative community data, to facilitate solution focused discussions.”

The housing work group’s list of solutions and interventions to address community gaps bears out our thinking in its first five recommendations:

• Develop housing to address and alleviate increasing housing costs for year-round residents.

• Expand manufacturing jobs to bring year-round residents to the area.

• Increase inventory of low-income/subsidized housing to alleviate excessive wait lists.

• Community education/awareness campaign on benefits to supportive housing (e.g. RSS and Springbrook projects).

• Review and update county and municipal laws/ ordinances that create bottlenecks, impede progress, increase costs, and limit the inventory of multifamily dwellings and year-round housing (e.g. number of unrelated individuals in one one-unit, short-term housing, rent control laws, zoning).

Are folks saying “no” to these projects with the greater good in mind? Or are they simply saying “not in my back yard?” We suspect it is a bit of both. At the end of the day, we can’t help those in need without first helping ourselves. Before weighing in on any project, it behooves us to learn more— what need might the project be addressing? Who is it helping? Who is it hurting? Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

And, perhaps more importantly, we must ask ourselves: If “here” is not the place for new housing or new industry, then where?

Exploring Gardening as Art

hen I started gardening, I would assiduously draw up plans. That is what the gardening books I checked out recommended. All very interesting. None spoke to me. No matter how hard I tried, I could never translate what I had committed to paper into reality. A contrarian spirit would always take charge of me the minute I set foot in the garden. All that space to mess around with. Too alluring an invitation to break rules. I am not much of a rule breaker, but put me in an empty garden and ignoring precedent comes quite naturally.

Perhaps I would make a fine Supreme Court judge. Conventional gardening wisdom argues against planting certain plants next to one another.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

I have never given such things a thought and my yields on the whole have been quite ample enough for our needs. If I were a farmer and not a gardener, I might pay attention to such advice. Since I am not that ordered and disciplined in the conduct of my daily life, much as I have tried, my gardens are a reflection of my haphazard approach to getting through time generally. Just check out my study and you’ll see what I mean.

I find the closeness of clutter comforting. Were it up to me, pots and pans would be hanging from hooks over the kitchen island. I like things out in the open, not hidden in pantry closets. My taste for the unruly finds expression in my vegetable gardens. Being clearly not in charge of our

“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. 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. Preferred length is no more than 250 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.

1808

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.

kitchen’s public demeanor, I get to let loose in the garden.

As soon as things start popping up and the character of the garden reveals itself, I hear the same refrain from the love of my life: “You’ve created another jungle.” I hate wasted space.

If I see an empty spot, I fill it. So what if it is impossible to get to the lone zucchini in the corner (which, by the way, I had to sneak in after being told NOT to plant any) without bushwhacking my way through the bushy, overbearing haricots verts overshadowing a row of lettuce, itself shadowed and obscured by another row of beans. The virtue of such close planting is the virtual absence of

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn

Flyer Highlights Small Museums

In support of Otsego 250, the local America250 effort, the Otsego County Historian’s Office has released “Historic Trails—Otsego County Map.” This flyer and map lists the town, village and city museums and collections that can be found in our county.

Along with the more wellknown and publicized attractions are listed the smaller and specialized sites that highlight this area’s unique heritage and historic connections. Among the variety of these smaller historic museums, one will find the Oneonta Vets Museum, Otego’s Hesse Archaeological Museum and Unadilla’s Home of Boy Scout Troop #1.

The map will guide local and visiting tourists who may not be aware of all of the historical places in Otsego County. Our area is full of historical gems which can be found in the smaller town museums. This map will show you where in Otsego County they are located.

Coordinated by the Otsego County Historian’s Office, the

map was compiled through the collaborative efforts of Helen Rees of the SwartWilcox House Museum and the Oneonta Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, and Levi Johnson of the Otsego County Planning Department.

This brochure can now be found at tourist card racks in restaurants, and at campgrounds, bed and breakfasts, and hotels throughout Otsego County. Contact me at mackenzied@otsegocountyny.gov for more information or if you would like a copy.

Debra Mackenzie Otsego County Historian Hartwick

Moratorium Is Warranted

When a town embarks on revising its land-use plan, or when it is confronted with something that might necessitate a revision of its plan, it is standard operating procedure to adopt a moratorium on new development until such time as it can update the plan.

The guidelines and process for adopting a moratorium are clear. The Town of Otsego has

Continued on page 9

initiated a revision to its landuse plan and it has signed on to help update the Otsego Lake Watershed Plan. The town has recently received a draft proposal for the development of 1,500 acres of residential subdivisions within the Otsego Lake watershed. Any one of these factors alone would justify a moratorium on new platting and permitting. Cumulatively, they effectively require that a moratorium be put in place.

The Town of Springfield is also involved in the development of the revised watershed plan for the lake. Several of the proposed subdivisions fall within its boundaries. The Manocherian property is environmentally vulnerable in that it contains more than 40 wetlands and over 30 streams, most of which are in the Town of Springfield. Like Otsego, Springfield should adopt a moratorium on new development until the revised watershed plan is adopted and enforced.

The moratorium could be limited to land that is within the Otsego Lake watershed. Exceptions could include

Columnists and Contributing Writers

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

HaWTHORn HILL JOURnaL RICHaRD DEROSa

by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART

185 YEARS AGO

Married: In this Village on the 1st Instant, by the Rev. Mr. Potter, Mr. William H. Brainard of Exeter, to Miss Caroline Wilson, daughter of Mr. William Wilson of Cooperstown. In Middlefield on the 3rd instant, by the Rev. Mr. Raymond, Mr. Jeremiah Blend, to Miss Marsha Maxwell. Died: In Hartwick, on the 28th ultimo, Mr. Joseph Lyon, aged 79 years. In his youth he fought for the Independence of his country, and he lived to a good old age to maintain its freedom. He has left a respectable family to mourn his loss. At Richfield Springs, Otsego County, on the 13th ultimo, Dr. Edward Cheeseman, in the 66th year of his age, after an illness of 24 hours. His numerous friends have the consolation to know that he retained the full possession of his mental faculties to the last, and death had no terror for him. His beloved wife survived him only five days.

September 7, 1840

110 YEARS AGO

In Our Town—Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Ellsworth and son Charles returned Sunday from Worcester where they have spent two weeks. They were accompanied by Mrs. Ellsworth’s father, David Winne, who will remain with the Ellsworth family in the future.

Miss Ruth Root, entertained about 70 of her friends at a dance given at the Village Hall Monday evening in honor of Miss Verna Schaff of Fulton and Miss Marjorie Sturgess of South Worcester. The hall was attractively decorated with college pennants. Bronner’s orchestra furnished music for dancing.

60

YEARS AGO

September 1, 1915

Miss Leah L. Smith, senior at Cooperstown Central School, and a Rotary International Exchange student in Australia during 1964-1965, was the principal speaker at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club at the Cooper Inn on Tuesday. Miss Smith described her experiences while in Australia, and also showed colored slides of the area around Finley where she stayed. Miss Smith lived with 12 different families during her stay in Finley, a town of about 2,000 in the southeastern part of the continent. Also attending the meeting was Miss Ann L. Sheffield, Jr. of this village, who was also a Rotary Exchange student in Australia during the past year.

35

YEARS AGO

September 1, 1965

Two town ball powerhouses clashed at the Village Crossroads on Sunday, August 26, and the result was a hard-fought, closely played match that exceeded the expectations of even the most discriminating fan. When it was over, the Cardiff Giants had barely managed to eke out a 21-20 victory after building leads of 12-4, 17-12 and 20-15 over the pursuing Village Innkeepers, led by Town Ball luminary William “Old Clothes” Arlt. “Old Clothes” was in fine fettle all afternoon, and though the Giants hit him hard, “Old Clothes” remained buoyant as the Innkeepers fought back to tie the score at 20-all. Umpire Elkanah A. Watson proposed to declare the match a tie but Arlt and “Dashing Dan” Cunningham, Captain of the Giants, both insisted on one more hand. The winning tally was scored by “Amazing” Gracey for the Giants.

20 YEARS AGO

September 5, 1990

September 2, 2005

The Life of the Land: Delhi’s Birdsong Farm

Twenty thousand years ago, a half-mile thick glacier pushed south from Labrador, crushing and grinding its way through our part of New York State. A few thousand years later the melting ice unleashed torrents of water which formed our valleys and riverbeds, among them the west branch of the Delaware River. As the Delaware swelled and ebbed, it built up an alluvial plain of rich soil deposits well suited to agriculture.

to Delaware Academy’s backpack program, which provides food for students to take home for weekends to ensure they eat every day.

Along that plain, three miles west of Delhi in Delaware County, lies the expansive Birdsong Farm. It contains the Birdsong Community Garden, with more than 4,000 square feet of raised garden beds. These are dedicated to vegetables, some herbs and ornamentals, while an equally large lower garden is dedicated to flowers.

Unlike in allotment-style community gardens, some 30 volunteer Birdsong gardeners plant, weed, and harvest during weekly work sessions and get shares in the abundance. Yet most of the produce is donated to Delaware Opportunities, which distributes the food through local food banks to support community nutrition and senior dining programs. The farm also donates produce

By MERL REAGLE

Wild Man…

Calm, sit-down encounters that usually don’t involve, say, pythons and tarantulas —unless you’re talking to 120 Across (whose name, by the way, is an anagram of this answer)

Integrated circuits

“Balderdash!”

“Say, boss, how about ___?”

Birdsong Farm is the brainchild of Richard Lamson. Along with gardens, the farm includes the owner’s residence, a large horse barn, a dedicated outdoor space for the summer farmers’ market, a greenhouse, an event space where the winter farmers’ market is held, an art gallery, and other working buildings. Passing the farm on New York Route 10, seeing the collection of natural wood and stone buildings topped with shake roofs and multiple cupolas, amid dry-laid stone walls, is a remarkable sight.

Richard has spent more than 25 years building the farm. Originally imagined as an equestrian facility, it evolved into a broader community asset, the purpose of which is to offer hands-on gardening education, add to local food secu-

Continued on page 8

Photo provided

the birdsong Community garden on state route 10 in Delhi features more than 4,000 square feet of raised garden beds.

HoF Renovates General

Store

COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball Hall of Fame recently began a major renovation of the former Cooperstown General Store building, directly adjacent to the museum. After many years of vacancy, the space will be used to expand the museum store and add new back-of-house facilities to improve overall museum operations. Once the store has moved, the vacated space will provide new opportunities for activities and exhibits that previously did not fit in the museum. The project is expected to conclude some time in 2026.

Grand, Glorious Fair is Sunday

ONEONTA—Catskill Choral Society’s annual Grand and Glorious Fall Fair will return to Oneonta’s Neahwa Park on Sunday, September 7. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the park will be filled with craft vendors, food trucks, useful miscellany and community building. There will be live music by the Oneonta Community Band. For more information, visit CatskillChoralSociety.org.

Coop Concerts Series Begins

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Concerts will open the 2025-26 season with a “Pickin’ on Sunday” double-billing at Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Route 80, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. It will feature two outstanding acts, progressive bluegrass trio Follow the Muse and father-son guitar duo Loren and L.J. Barrigar. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cooperstownconcerts.org. Further 2025-26 concert announcements will be posted to the website at a later date.

Collection Available Digitally

COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced that it has digitized the materials in its Bob Wolff Collection and made many of them available on its YouTube channel. Wolff was the 1995 Ford C. Frick Award Winner, capping a broadcast career that included 13 years as the voice of the Washington Senators and four seasons calling NBC’s “Game of the Week.” He donated much of his film collection, featuring two decades of interviews with baseball’s biggest stars, to the museum in successive gifts in 1972, 1975, 1976, 2002 and 2006. Many will be made available online in the coming weeks. Additional Bob Wolff tapes are preserved at the Library of Congress. For a complete list of films in the collection, contact the Hall of Fame Library at research@baseballhall.org.

Month Highlights Child Support

ALBANY—The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance highlighted the 50th anniversary of the state Child Support Program as part of National Child Support Awareness Month, observed each August. The program has collected more than $50 billion over the last five decades, providing critical financial support to the state’s most vulnerable children. It assists parents in obtaining financial support and health coverage for their children by locating the other parents, and currently serves more than half a million children across the state. Administered by county departments of social services, it collects more than $1.67 billion each year. For more information, visit childsupport.ny.gov.

Chamber Meeting Rescheduled

UNADILLA—Due to Labor Day, the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will hold its September meeting a week late, at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9. As usual, it will be held in the Masonic Temple and William Bauer Community Center, 343 Main Street. For more information, visit the UCC Facebook page or contact unadillachamber@ yahoo.com.

Invitational Tourney Slated

COOPERSTOWN—The Pathfinder Village/ Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Invitational will return to Leatherstocking Golf Course on Monday, September 15. It will begin with an 11 a.m. shotgun start and features team prizes worth more than $6,500.00. Proceeds will benefit Pathfinder Village and the Hall of Fame’s educational programs. As is tradition, Hall of Fame pitcher Jack Morris will serve as Master of Ceremonies and keynote speaker at the fundraiser dinner. For more information or to register, visit pathfindervillage.org/tournaments?mc_ cid=1e2f32e93a&mc_eid=7ff7b2a7d0.

Red Cross Announces Collab

OTSEGO COUNTY—The American Red Cross has announced a collaboration with “PEANUTS” to celebrate the iconic comic strip’s 75th anniversary. Through Sunday, September 21, all blood donors will receive an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four limitedrun T-shirt designs. To register for a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Walkins are welcome.

Upcoming local blood drives include: Clark Sports Center, 1-5:30 p.m. on September 5; 1 Hartwick College Drive, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on September 6; 5588 State Route 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 8; 15166 State Highway 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 10; 454 Delhi Drive,

Delhi, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 12; 22 Union Street in Sidney, 1-6 p.m. on September 15; 77 Church Street in Margaretville, 12:30-5:30 p.m. on September 17; and 24 Market Street in Oneonta, 1-6 p.m. on September 18.

DVS Seeking Vet Feedback

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services recently released a short, confidential survey for female veterans across the state. It takes less than two minutes to complete and will provide valuable feedback on healthcare, mental health, childcare, employment, education and other key veterans’ issues and services. Women veterans are urged to complete the survey at https://forms. office.com/g/firLyyAz09 by the end of the year.

Sweeney To Lead Workshop

ROXBURY—Roxbury Arts Center will host local artist Kathleen Sweeney for a workshop in Kirkside Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 6. “Enchanting, Foraging and Bookmaking” will begin with a guided garden walk to forage for natural art materials, which will be used later in the day for creative writing exercises. The workshop will be offered with tiered equity pricing ranging from $20.00-60.00. Visit roxburyartsgroup.org for more information or to register.

FCO Season Begins Saturday

COOPERSTOWN—The Fenimore Chamber Orchestra will open its 2025-26 concert series at Christ Church Cooperstown at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 6. The themed concert “Sunshine and Thunderstorms” will feature Mozart’s First Symphony, Giambattista Cimador’s bass concerto and Haydn’s “La Passione” Symphony. The “Wintersong” concert, performed at Christ Church at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 6, includes Bartók’s “Dances of Transylvania,” Persichetti’s Appalachian Christmas Carols and Florence Price’s Andante moderato. “Bach in Bengal,” a musical dialogue between Indian classical music and the intricate structures of J.S. Bach and featuring sitarist Arjun Verma, will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. The season will conclude with Concerto for Chamber Orchestra, including Mozart’s Symphony no. 40, work by Brazilian composer VillaLobos and the world premiere of a piece by Stephen Lias, at 3 p.m. on June 6.

In addition to the four regular-season concerts at Christ Church Cooperstown, FCO will travel for four concerts on the road at venues across the region. These include West Fulton’s Panther Creek Arts at 3 p.m. on September 7, Utica’s Masonic Care Community at 2 p.m. on December 7, the Village Library of Cooperstown at 3 p.m. on February 7 and back at Panther Creek Arts at 3 p.m. on March 22. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fenimoreorchestra.org.

O2K To Host Public Meeting

COOPERSTOWN—Otsego 2000, in partnership with the Otsego Land Trust, SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station and the Otsego County Conservation Association, will host and lead a community meeting on a proposed new subdivision on Sunday, September 7. The meeting will be held at the Pierstown Grange, 137 Wedderspoon Hollow Road, starting at 3 p.m. The Manocherian Subdivision Proposal would involve more than 1,500 acres of farmland, wetlands, slopes, and vacant land on the west side of Otsego Lake, straddling the boundary between the Towns of Springfield and Otsego. It would provide more than 110 buildable lots and include about three miles of new road construction. For more information, visit otsego2000.org/environmental-stewardship.

FCAHS To Host Clock Show

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will present an Antique Clock Show at 208 Cemetery Road in Fly Creek from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. There will be displays and discussion of antique clocks collected by Chris Resch and handmade clocks by Tom Huntsman. Community members are welcome to bring in their own antique clocks for a brief evaluation.

Connections Announces Events

COOPERSTOWN—Connections at Clark Sports Center has released its September calendar of events for older adults, including regularly scheduled Monday and Thursday activities. These include mindfulness, pickleball, Silver Sneakers Yoga, a lunch option, Nordic walking and lap swimming. Special events include a Bluegrass Circle Jam Session and Italian lessons on Monday, September 8, each beginning at 12:45 p.m. There will be a mindful outdoor walk and a healthy eating workshop at 10 a.m. on Thursday, September 11, followed by a genealogy program from 12:30-2:15 p.m. and a Helios Care Grief Support Group from 1-2:30 p.m. For more information or to view the full schedule, visit the Connections at Clark Sports Center Facebook page or contact connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

Professor Publishes Textbook

HERKIMER—Dr. Lisa Elwood-Farber, professor of English at Herkimer College, announced the publication of her first textbook in August. Kendall Hunt Publishing has agreed to bring out “Foundations of Writing and Literature,” intended

as a guide for collegiate writing across disciplines. It covers active reading, text annotation, and analysis as a foundation for critical thinking and the creation of original ideas. Dr. Elwood-Farber began her tenure at Herkimer in 2003 and has since earned numerous accolades, including finishing a PhD in literature and criticism and receiving the 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. According to a release, her primary research work examines 19thcentury American literature through the lenses of race, feminist and post-colonial theory. For more information, visit herkimer.edu/herkimer-new.

Word

Thursday Live is Sept. 11

TREADWELL—Bright Hill Press and Literary Center of the Catskills will host local poets Mike Jurkovic and Linda McCauley Freeman for Word Thursday Live at 7 p.m. on September 11. The live poetry reading will begin in the Community Library, 94 Church Street in Treadwell, and will be livestreamed on Zoom and the Bright Hill Facebook page. There is a suggested donation of $5.00. Word Thursdays are held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. For more information or to make a donation, contact info@brighthillpress.org.

Register for Brew-to-Brew 5K

SIDNEY—Wakeman Coffee Company and Muddy River Farm Brewery will host their inaugural Sidney Brew-to-Brew 5K road race at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 6. Runners will start their morning with a coffee at Wakeman before racing to the brewery for a post-race beer or non-alcoholic beverage on the scenic lawn. Muddy River will also have live music, corn hole, local vendors and shirt tie-dyeing for visitors. All race participants will receive a drink token for each location. Runners and walkers of all ability levels are welcome. Registration is $35.00 and rises to $45.00 for sameday registration. Proceeds will benefit the Delaware Valley Humane Society and The Uplift Collective, a local nonprofit that assists children and families facing significant health crises in the Southern Tier. For more information or to register, visit runsignup. com/Race/NY/Sidney/SidneyBrewToBrew5K.

Price Chopper Raises $57K

SCHENECTADY—Market 32 and Price Chopper customers donated more than $47,000.00 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in a July round-up fundraiser, matched by $10,000.00 from the company. The money will fund the MDA’s critical work with children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases, including research funding, nationwide care centers and MDA summer camps. For more information on the fundraising campaign, visit pricechopper.com. To learn more about muscular dystrophy or to make a donation, visit mda.org.

Gas Prices Climb into Autumn

UTICA—New York State’s average price of gas rose two cents to $3.17 per gallon over the week ending Monday, September 1, AAA Northeast announced. Strong demand leading up to the holiday weekend combined with tightening inventories and refinery outages from flooding in the Midwest to push up prices. Demand reached 9.4 million barrels a day, the highest reading since midJune, and domestic gasoline inventories dropped to 222.3 million barrels, the lowest of the year. Crude oil prices have increased due to significant new fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war and market fears about the upcoming OPEC+ meeting on September 7. New York’s price is the same as a month ago and 30 cents lower than this day last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.

Two Camps Down, One To Go

ONEONTA—On Thursday, August 21, Helios Care hosted 19 children and teens for its annual Camp Forget-Me-Not at Oneonta’s Riverside Elementary School. Helios Care camps are free and welcome campers aged 6-18 who are grieving the death of a loved one. These one-day programs offer campers the opportunity to gain tools to cope with loss, support one another in community, and—most importantly—have fun!

According to a press release, this was the second of three camps Helios Care will host this year, with the third coming up on Saturday, September 27 at the Beaver Valley Campground in Cooperstown. Registration is now open, and parents and guardians may register their children by calling Helios Care at (607) 432-5525.

Over the past 20 years, Helios Care has hosted Camp Forget-Me-Not more than 50 times.

“Helios Care is grateful for the support of the community partners who make this program possible, especially the campground owners the Sharratt family, Lucky Duck Foundation, Ella Eldred Foundation, and a special thanks for the use of the facilities at the Oneonta and Walton school districts,” officials said.

In addition to Camp Forget-Me-Not, Helios Care provides a range of bereavement support programs to community members at no cost. These include individual and family grief counseling, support groups for caregivers and adults grieving a death, and an annual Healing from Grief Retreat for adults, among others.

Our Otsego: Central Scenery and Southwestern Wonders

By BILL BELLEN

COUNTY

OTSEGO

With the heights of eastern Otsego County behind us, Maria Griswold and I set our sights westward toward the many state forests of the central and southwestern regions of the county. This is part three of “Our Otsego,” a four-part series covering every nook and cranny of state and Department of Environmental Conservation-regulated wilderness in Otsego County. Having already summited the Otsego County high point and trekked to the waterfall of Robert V. Riddell State Park, it was going to take a lot to top the previous installment in this series. As always, our county did not disappoint.

Wagner Farm State Forest West of Butternut Creek and east of Dunderberg Creek lies Wagner Farm State Forest. Providing a pleasant, open drive, it offered a different feel to that of other state forests thus far. The road quality was immaculate, offering a smooth ride with scenic views of the immediate surroundings. Though there are not any notable marked trails on the property, the roads and their sizable shoulder clearings allow for ample space to walk through the forest and explore the immense greenery it has to offer.

General Jacob Morris State Forest

Just a single turn away from Wagner on either end of the forest puts you en route to General Jacob Morris State Forest. Entering from the west, drivers are met with a wall of old growth pines that immediately present a different atmosphere to this forest’s next-door neighbor. Though the quality of the roads declines slightly here, their condition is still certainly better than those of the mountainous state land roads of the east. With the protected forest being split nearly in two by private fields, the contours of Morris Brook present

both a beautiful vista and a good distinguisher of the property lines.

Calhoun Creek State Forest

Named after the creek that meanders through its northern acreage, the drive into Calhoun Creek State Forest is another with distinctly western Otsego character. The houses on one side and thick woods on the other invoke an intriguing dichotomy with the contrast between open wilderness and maintained fields. With residences both leading up to and in private property enclaves within the state forest itself, the roads here are also well maintained. In a similar manner to Wagner, these roads offer a nice substitute for the lack of marked trails on the site, though notably distinct given the tighter shoulders.

Morris Reservoir Waterway Access

After departing Calhoun Creek to the east, Maria and I were met with quite a befuddling sight. What should have been a DEC access road to the Morris Reservoir seemed to be long gone. As we continued slowly down the road, looking out across what once must have been a scenic body of water, we saw instead overgrown fields and small sprouting trees. As

of the time of this writing, the DEC Info Locator still shows the site as a waterway access, though the link to more information now simply leads to the DEC’s main page. Other websites do not elicit much more telling information on the matter. Departing back down County Highway 13, we left confused and disappointed with our findings.

Gilbert Lake State Park

Luckily, our disappointment would not last long. As we retraced our steps across Butternut Creek, we quickly found ourselves at the entrance to Gilbert Lake State Park. Neatly tucked away just east of New Lisbon, Gilbert Lake is the perfect blend between the unfiltered wilderness of state forests and the more recreational tendencies of state parks. Miles of marked trails surround the pristine Gilbert Lake and its adjacent small ponds, offering paths of varying difficulty that allow people of all ages to get the most out of their park experience. Various campsites on the hills surrounding the area connect to this network and offer both tent and cabin camping to locals and tourists who are so inclined.

Numerous playgrounds and rentable pavilions dot the shores of Gilbert Lake

itself. The main beach at the north end of the lake is a sandy haven for children, as was evident by the swarms that covered its sands during our visit. Boaters can take small, hard-bottomed boats like kayaks or canoes out and about to journey up and down the roughly halfmile-long lake, thanks to easy-to-access entry points in many locations. Though our stay at the park was not terribly lengthy due to the other destinations on our agenda, Gilbert Lake is well worth the visit or overnight stay for those who want to be able to fully embrace the extensive wilderness experiences throughout this somewhat underappreciated state park.

Milford State Forest

Stretching between Dutch Hill and Kelly Corners roads is the state land road and access to Milford State Forest. A slightly rougher drive, this is compensated for by the fact that the entire stretch is nearly one straight line. A small pull-off provides access to a very overgrown, but still traversable, foot trail that leads to a pond not too far off the main road. During our visit, the pond was nearly covered from shore to shore in lily pads of different varieties, with

a small stream and bog trailing downhill from the main water body. A pleasant forest in and of itself, one may find it difficult to decipher where Milford State Forest begins and ends, given the sparse and forested nature of many of its neighboring properties.

Arnold Lake State Forest

Our last stop of this trip, pulling into the quaint river community of Arnold Lake provided yet another experience unique to any other thus far. Though the entirety of the land around the lake itself is now an assortment of private camps and houses, the lake association manages a public access on Arnold Lake Road to the joy of local anglers who fish its annually stocked trout population. A rough road wraps around the southern end of the lake, connecting the various dwellings along it to the main route.

Beyond the private property lines, the state forest itself is equally as impressive as the vista it encompasses. Wrapping most of the way around the lake’s private lands, the forest has two main parking lots to accommodate the various starting locations of the many trails on site. These trails once

again offer miles of hiking and cross-country skiing opportunities, with the Milford Nordic Ski Trail at the Joe Cornell Road parking lot being notable as the starting point for both loop and end-to-end trails around the forest. With multiple smaller ponds throughout the woods, there are undoubtedly many beautiful sights to see both throughout these vast trail networks and off the beaten path.

Concluding Thoughts

Upon concluding our journey throughout central and southwestern Otsego County’s state forests and parks, one word continued to come to mind: unique. Each location on this leg of our travelogue seemed to present an experience that was quite unlike anything else that had come before. Whether it be the open shoulders of Wagner, the blend of housing and forests at Calhoun Creek, or the miles and miles of trails at Gilbert and Arnold lakes, each destination had its own distinct identity. This is not to say the destinations of our previous endeavors are not also each special in their own right. If anything, our experiences have made Maria and me look back and rethink our previous articles on the east of the county, wondering about the unique features we may have missed on the roads already traveled. It is our hope that readers will discover the deeper identities of these places for themselves. For those looking ahead, our fourth and final installment of this series will be venturing northward, traversing the beautiful trails of places like Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, and finally reaching the shores of the gem of Otsego County— Glimmerglass State Park. As always, we hope you will join us again soon! Editor’s note: More information on the forests and parks highlighted here can be found at https://dec.ny.gov/places.

As the hills around Cooperstown turn gold and crimson, Fenimore Farm and Country Village ushers in fall 2025 with a season of crisp-air experiences rooted in heritage, hospitality, and hands-on learning. Set beside Otsego Lake, the historic village is a living celebration of rural life—where barns creak softly, woodsmoke curls into the sky, and every weekend invites families, friends, and curious travelers to slow down and reconnect. Our working farm features a variety of animals, from our resident pigs, Lucy and Ethel, to turkeys, chickens, sheep, cows and our new calf, Annabelle. At Fenimore Farm’s historic village you can visit with our interpreters, who will share with you what life was like in the early 19th century through their commentary and engaging demonstrations on cooking, medicine, printing, blacksmithing, home life, and more. Todd’s General Store features classic candy and items made right at the Fenimore Farm, and the gift shop is filled with many gifts, toys, apparel and novelty items—all mementos of your visit.

Fenimore Farm features several family-friendly events this fall and winter. Join us September 13-14 for the highly anticipated Harvest Festival, featuring over 35 vendors including artisans, crafts, and food, with live music and entertainment throughout the day. Blacksmithing Weekend is a growing favorite, featuring our own resident blacksmiths and visiting forgers showcasing their talents in the Blacksmith Shop and on the green; you can visit with them on September 27 and 28. Tractor Fest returns October 11-12 and will feature more than 60 classic tractors and doodlebugs. Families will enjoy demonstrations, wagon rides, a tractor parade and the Kiddie Tractor Pull. Things turn spooky in October with our Things that Go Bump in the Night Ghost Tours, beginning October 11 and running Friday and Saturday evenings through October 25. The kids will love trick-or-treating at the farm on October 25.

Fenimore Farm is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Mondays). For more information about visiting, prices and to register for any of our ticketed special events, visit fenimorefarm.org and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and our new TikTok page for more interactive fun.

(Sponsored Advertorial)

Photo by Maria Griswold

Families gather to enjoy the sun and sands of the main beach at Gilbert Lake State Park.

Continued from page 5

rity, and help create community connections. According to Garden manager Jenine Osbon, “Our purpose is to engage and give back to the community.”

The farm’s practices are designed to protect people, wildlife and pollinators. It uses no chemicals to control bugs and blights; instead, it applies traditional organic practices as well as scientific innovations.

barrier controls keep voracious pests off plants and add early-season heat. Warm-loving plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and eggplants get thicker cover until early July. Cool-loving varieties are protected with fine mesh, which keeps bugs out without added heat. Companion planting uses flowering plants around the garden to draw predatory insects to control garden pests. Crop rotation uses a multi-season planting so different families rotate to maximize nutrient usage and reduce disease and pest transmission. Soil health is tested, and homemade organic compost is added as needed. Trap cropping uses tasty plants to draw pests away from the garden beds.

The goal of Richard, Jenine, the other employees, and the many volunteers is to make a difference locally in our

ever more complicated and disrupted world. They clearly enjoy doing so as they ground themselves in the earth they work while helping supply sustenance to those in need.

birdsong Farm welcomes visitors during its Saturday Farmers’ market, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., may through September. The farm is at 38480 State Highway 10, Delhi. Learn more—including how to volunteer—at birdsongfarmny.com.

“The Life of the Land” is authored by Sustainable Otsego. Since 2007, we have promoted ecologically sound practices—locally, regionally and nationally. We advocate sustainable living, economic independence, and home rule. Visit sustainableotsego.net or facebook. com/SustainableOtsego.

moore

Continued from page 2

like our Summer program, which are vital to families and their children. We also need to make progress on our new community center, so that families will have a place to go for recreation and other extracurricular activities.”

moore also has experience in the business world, having owned and operated Zemi Farm (2005-2012) prior to the purchase of and incorporation into the Cooperstown

equestrian park in 2013. In 2003, moore graduated with an associate of applied science degree from SUNY Cobleskill in equine science. She later worked as an adjunct instructor at SUNY Cobleskill from 2010-2012.

moore’s interests involve local businesses across the board and the farming industry.

“I have every intention of working to create a better environment for small businesses, while also encouraging and supporting farmers in what they do. This is all essential to Hartwick.”

As a youth, moore was active in 4-H, pony Club and Future Farmers of America. At a young age, she showed her leadership skills and dedication to national programs that develop leadership and responsibility that continue today.

As an independent business owner, moore will have more flexibility to attend governmentbased training sessions and adapt quickly to the demands of a town supervisor.

For more information on Cody moore’s candidacy for Hartwick town supervisor, visit the Facebook page, “Hartwick United.”

Letters

Continued from page 4

property that is served by municipal water and sewer and property that has already been platted and permitted for development. Neither town can afford to wait. If the nutrient loading on the lake increases beyond the tipping point, much of Glimmerglass could turn into “pea Soup,” which is a terrible name for an opera company or a state park.

Chip Northrup Cooperstown

On Bamboo and Building

perspective: Common, or should I say too common, bamboo is causing havoc, displacing other plant life, not edible and is difficult to control.

Useful solution: Grow bamboo as tall and straight and/or shape bamboo’s growth as desired. Cut to length, drill out center. Inject insulating plastic foam filling in center of bamboo.

bamboo then can be used for building materials. Strong, inexpensive, durable, light and decorative.

Gerry Welch Cooperstown

TODAY!

Alzheimer’s

Association To Hold Free Caregiver Conference at Otesaga

COOpeRSTOWN

The Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York Chapter will host a free Caregiver Conference on Tuesday, September 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown. This event aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and highlight the challenges faced by dementia caregivers. Family members and friends caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s are invited to attend and hear from local experts, ask caregiving questions, and connect with others for support. The conference will feature presentations covering key topics relevant to caregiving including:

• navigating the caregiving role

• care throughout the course of illness, presented by Helios Care out of Oneonta

• legal and financial literacy, presented by Coutlee Law out of Fly Creek

• the latest in dementia research

“many dementia caregivers refer to their journey as the ‘long goodbye,’ highlighting the ongoing and gradual loss of a loved one as the disease progresses,” Andrew DeLollo, senior director of programs for the Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern New York Chapter, said in a recent press release.

“While every caregiving journey is different, our message is the same: you are not alone,” DeLollo continued. “We are here to support caregivers at every stage of the disease. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate. This conference aims not only to educate caregivers but also connect them with vital resources right in our community.”

According to the “2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report, the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease now tops more than 7 million for the first time. In New York, 12.7 percent of adults over 65 are living with Alzheimer’s. As the size of the U.S. population age 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, officials warned.

“by learning how to manage the challenges that accompany Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, caregivers can develop better coping mechanisms for themselves, as well as improve the overall quality of care they provide,” officials said. To register for this free event, visit alz.org/crf or call (518) 675.7214.

Business Directory

deRosa

Continued from page 4

weeds. Not to mention the tomato plants behind one bed not only blocking the path to the zucchini but growing through the fence and onto the blueberry and rose bushes that line the back fence. These two tomatoes were never supposed to be planted. I just could not bear to toss them after they worked so hard to make a life for themselves. Actually, I have no idea what variety they are; tags missing.

A few days ago, while checking on the garden after the night’s welcome rainfall, I discovered a short row of carrots growing side

Helen W. Gannon 1940-2025

COOPERSTOWN—

Mrs. Helen W. Gannon, 85, passed away on August 25, 2025 in hospice care at Medina Memorial Hospital in Medina. A devoted nurse, loving mother and grandmother, and lifelong volunteer, Helen’s life was marked by compassion, dedication, and deep love for family and friends.

Born on June 25, 1940 in the Flatbush Avenue section of Brooklyn, Helen was the daughter of Ernest and Anna Walther, both of whom emigrated from Europe seeking better lives in America. Helen learned the value of hard work early on, working in her father’s grocery store and helping raise her younger brother.

Helen was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan (until Dem Bums left New York in 1957). Staying true to Brooklyn, she became a Mets fan when the team was founded in 1962 and remained one to the very end.

Helen graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, and became a registered nurse. She worked at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown in many capacities over 34 years, but was proudest of her role as head nurse of Pediatrics and the love she gave to the children there. She later became a clinical instructor at BOCES and assistant supervisor at The Meadows Nursing Home in Otsego County. Through each position, Helen touched countless lives.

Helen married Truman Gannon in 1970, with whom she shared many years until his passing. Helen took great pride in her family and found immense joy in her

by side with some long season beets. I have only a very vague recollection of sowing carrot seed there. Yet, there they are, now availing themselves of enough sunlight to recharge their batteries. Carrot seed germination this year has been abysmal. I replanted several times, all to no avail. Friends have reported similar results. Things might be looking up, though. In one bed, arugula, cilantro, and chard are planted so close together that—while showing Sandy where to harvest the arugula she wanted— I saw ferny carrot tops sticking up between the cilantro and arugula. Lo and behold, another row

of carrots I had forgotten about. Not sure how they will do, but it is all part and parcel of my garden aesthetic, which is to fill every available space with something. I believe that all plants prefer living in closely-knit communities. The itinerant tomatoes I planted were invigorated by their proximity to the blueberry and rose bushes they latched onto. A spare cucumber plant I stuck in next to the asparagus bed has hooked itself up with a few asparagus stalks, several daylilies and a beautiful yellow rudbeckia. All appear to be doing quite well.

Gardening by whim

has stood me in good stead. I guess if winning some award for garden design appealed to me, I might go about things differently. Curmudgeon that I am, I disapprove of awards generally, so who cares. Every person’s garden is his own private preserve, his canvas to fill however he pleases. It is not a public statement, nor should it ever be. That is what botanical gardens are for. I always look forward to Sandy saying, “Well, you’ve done it again, another jungle.” Hard to get to a lot of stuff, but it’s worth the effort. Besides, every artist has his signature informing principle. However, what

OBITUARIES

works for a gardening iconoclast like me does not extrapolate to the management of government. Good governance requires policies rooted in thoughtful designs informed by impeccable character. Neither of these ingredients seems at play or even valued these days.

In his journal, Thoreau writes: “How can we expect a harvest of thought who have not had a seed-time of character?” Perhaps we will return to a time when thought and character matter again. I hope I am around to see it.

Dick deRosa’s Hawthorn Hill essays have appeared in “The Freeman’s Journal”

since 1998. A collection, “Hawthorn Hill Journal: Selected Essays,” was published in 2012. He is a retired English teacher.

WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more. Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com

granddaughters. She was predeceased by her husband, Truman Gannon; her parents, Ernest and Anna (Surin) Walther; brother Herman Walther; and half-sister Anna Surin. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Richard, and daughter-in-law Shannon Welch; granddaughters Aubrey, Taya, and Kaylin Gannon; brother Ernest (Maureen) Walther; sister-in-law Virginia Walther; nephew Robert Walther; nieces Donna (Scott) Noll, Andrea (Josh) Long, Lara Smith, Stephanie (Robert) Morlino; and seven greatnieces and nephews.

Helen was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Native Daughters of Cooperstown, the St. Peter Lutheran Church Ladies’ Group, and served as treasurer and advancement coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 1254 of Cooperstown. She also volunteered, knitting caps for newborns as well as patients undergoing cancer treatment, prayer shawls, and mittens for schoolchildren. Her hands were busy when there was someone to help or comfort.

Helen’s legacy will live on in the warmth she brought to those she cared for, as a nurse, as a friend, and as family.

The family wishes to extend their thanks to Medina Memorial Hospital, the Second Floor staff, and Orleans County Hospice for their support and graciousness.

A memorial service will be held for Helen on September 28, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1355 West Avenue, Medina.

Donations can be sent to her favorite charity, Mary Cariola (Children’s) Center: Walking on Sunshine (Team Taya), 1000 Elmwood Ave., Suite 100 Rochester, NY 14620 or online at https:// marycariolacenter. salsalabs.org/walkingonsunshine2025/t/teamtaya in her honor.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Amy R. Kukenberger

1969-2025

COOPERSTOWN—

Amy R. Kukenberger, a lifelong area resident, peacefully entered into eternal life on Friday, August 29, 2025 at her home on Beaver Meadow Road. She was 55.

Born September 18, 1969 at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta, Amy was the daughter of Frank A. “Sonny” Kukenberger Jr. and Ruth Ann (Downs) Kukenberger. She was the beloved granddaughter of George “Pop” and Ruth Downs and Frank and Mary (Konchar) Kukenberger.

Raised in Cooperstown, Amy attended Cooperstown Central School and graduated with the Class of 1987. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from Utica College, graduating summa cum laude, and later earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, in 2011. During her studies she also completed an externship with the New York State Senate.

Amy was most recently employed as a real estate agent with John Mitchell Real Estate in Cooperstown, where she was known for her dedication to her clients and her love of the community she served.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Amy was a member of Christ Church in Cooperstown. She also believed strongly in community service—she had recently become a member of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown and was actively involved with the Middlefield

Historical Society.

She had a deep love for animals, especially her two beloved beagles, Dash and Candy, who brought her great joy and companionship.

Amy leaves behind her loving parents, Frank and Ruth Kukenberger of Cooperstown; her brother, Thomas Kukenberger, and his wife, Amy; and their son, Ethan, all of Cooperstown. She will also be fondly remembered by her many aunts, uncles, and cousins, along with numerous dear friends whose lives she touched with her kindness and generosity.

The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist will be offered at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025 at Christ Church in Cooperstown, with the Reverend Nathan P. Ritter, rector, officiating. The Committal Service and inurnment will follow at The Ecumenical Columbarium in the churchyard at Christ Church.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in Amy’s memory.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

R. Louise Sandoli 1948-2025

ONEONTA—R. Louise Sandoli, 76, passed away on August 30, 2025 at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, with her family at her side.

She was born December 27, 1948 in

Tuxedo Park, New York, the daughter of Kenneth and Marjorie (Stevens) Graby.

Louise spent her childhood in Walton. She moved to Oneonta when she was attending SUNY Oneonta. She married Joe Sandoli and raised their three children, Christopher, Michelle, and Monica, in Oneonta. Louise was a stay-at-home mom. Her early career she worked at Busy Bee and Red Apple, then at Fox Care Y Specialty Fitness. With all of her jobs, she looked forward to going to work. She talked about her workplace as she talked about family, coworkers, customers and members alike. They all were so very important to her.

Outside of work, Louise loved her friends dearly. They did everything together, from softball, volleyball, bowling, and playing golf, to the many trips, plays, musicals, and the dinners in between. When her children were younger their best summers, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, were spent camping, and she almost never missed a Walton Fair. In fact, Louise was the recreation coordi-

nator at the campground most years. A pictureperfect day for Louise would be at the beach swimming, and then sitting in the sun, with a favorite book in hand, her toes in the sand, and Yankee game on, of course. She was a good mother and adored her grandchildren. She made many special memories with them in Aruba and looked forward to her yearly visits to Colorado and Missouri, along with the enchanting boat rides on “the yacht.”

She is survived by her children, Chris and Kathy Sandoli, Michelle Stepp, and Monica and Mike Niles; grandchildren Devon and Mike Saxbury and their daughter, Gentry, Melissa and Billy Horn and their daughters, Summer and Hailey, Gage Stepp, and Ethan and Meghan Niles; a brother, Steve Graby; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings Jim Graby, Neal Graby, Phyllis Graby, and Janice Updyke.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. with a memorial service at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 4 at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street, Oneonta. The Rev. John Buddle will be officiating.

Donations may be made to the Huntington Library, 62 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820 or to the Helios Care Thrift Shop, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.lhpfuneralhome. com.

Photo provided Helen W. Gannon

Photo provided R. lo UIS e S an D ol I

Rally

Continued from page 1

program for low-income Americans aged 16-24. Garelick enrolled at Job Corps and completed training as a licensed practical nurse through BOCES and A.O. Fox Hospital, where she currently works as a certified nursing assistant.

Caitlyn Ogden, chair of the Otsego County Democratic Party, spoke of the need to build resistance to authoritarian government through local elections and reminded those present of OCDC’s September 27 annual fundraiser.

Debra Marcus, a founder of the Otsego Refugee Resettlement Coalition, spoke compellingly about her personal knowledge of the immigrant experience, her grandparents having been forced to leave their native Russia at the time of the pogroms—violent attacks, massacring and expulsion of Jews—in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

Like her ancestors, Marcus noted, immigrants continue to come to the U.S. to escape

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of KEEZ Real Estate Group LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 07/21/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 104 Laurens, NY 13796. Purpose: Any Lawful 6LegalSept.4

LegaL nOtice

N otice of formatio N of a L imite D L ia B i L it Y com Pa NY:

The name of the limited liability company is: Nick’s BBQ & Creamery, LLC (the “Company”). The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was July 24, 2025. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to Nick’s BBQ & Creamery, LLC, 1761 Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the business of the Company is

violence and poverty and perform tasks that nativeborn Americans do not wish to.

Marcus then took ICE to task for “taking hardworking people with no criminal records.” She gave an account of two immigrants—one living in Oneonta and another in Cooperstown. The former was apprehended by ICE at gunpoint, without a warrant or due process, moved to several different ICE facilities and denied release on bail. His sonin-law was also taken by ICE.

The Cooperstown immigrant had escaped Ecuador after witnessing a murder, thus marking him for death by remaining in his country. He was following proper procedures to apply for asylum in Albany when he was taken by ICE and eventually processed at a Louisiana detention center.

“With substantial help from the good people of Cooperstown and the involvement of Congressman Josh Riley, he has obtained an attorney and a trial date has been set.” Marcus said.

any lawful business purpose.

6LegalSept.4

LegaL nOtice

N otice of formatio N of L imite D L ia B i L it Y com Pa NY:

The name of the limited liability company is: FMQ Realty, LLC (the “Company”).

The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was July 29, 2025. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served.

The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to FMQ Realty, LLC, 300 W. 55th Street, Apt. 12Y, New York, NY 10019-5170. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose. 6LegalSept.11

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of Fly Creek Honey LLC

Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 1/10/2025. Office location: Otsego County.

“We cannot let this degradation of our principles go unanswered,” Marcus concluded, urging people to combat the ills of the Trump administration by supporting newcomers in their communities, writing letters to the editor, attending rallies, registering people to vote, contacting all their elected representatives, running for elected office, and joining Indivisible.

The Oneonta rally was one of some 1,000 such events that took place on Labor Day in all 50 states. An estimated 500,000 participated in the rallies nationwide.

Rotary

Continued from page 1 scholarship program will continue to recognize and support graduates who embody this principle.”

Candidates are selected from Cooperstown High School and Otsego Northern Catskills BOCES. Superintendents and guidance counselors compile applications, which are reviewed and forwarded to the Rotary Committee. As stipulated by Ramsey in his

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 455 Keating Rd.. Fly Creek, NY 13337 Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalSept.11

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of John Henle Architecture, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 23, 2025. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: John Henle Architecture, LLC, 176 Sweet Hill Road, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalSept.11

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of 109 EAST MAIN STREET LLC. Filed with SSNY on 07/16/2025. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for pro-

trust gift, the Rotary Committee makes final selections and presents the awards at graduation. These scholarships align with Rotary’s core principles, which emphasize the importance of basic education and literacy, economic development, and community empowerment, explained Rotary Club of Cooperstown President Bill Waller.

“Vocational training and the return of skilled workers to their communities serve as vital components of this mission,” Waller said.

In total, the Rotary Club of Cooperstown has awarded $35,500.00 to students this year. This sum included $4,500.00 awarded by the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation, the club’s 501c3 wing. CRF awarded a Special Vocational Scholarship to Kirsten De Silva, a 2025 graduate of Cooperstown who will be studying nursing; a $1,500.00 Catherine Davis Black Scholarship to Waylon Cassell, also a Cooperstown Central School 2025 graduate, for his dedicated community service; and two $1,000.00 Michael

LEGALS

cess & shall mail to: 153 SIDNEY ST, OYSTER BAY, NY 11771. Purpose: Any Lawful. 6LegalSept.18

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of 10 KILFOIL ST LLC

Arts of Org. filed SSNY 7/16/2025

Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST, # 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207 General Purpose 6LegalSept.18

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of CRIMSON DRAGON REALTY LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 8-62025. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 1 Weidman St. Unadilla NY 13849 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalSept.18

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of CSL Pristine Properties LLC.

Filed 7/1/25. Cty: Otsego.

Mayne Scholarships to two 2025 Milford Central School graduates who will be entering the military—Jeremy Velasco Jr., entering the Marines for aircraft mechanics, and Margaret Kenyon, entering the armed forces specializing in air traffic control.

Tax

Continued from page 1

November 30 of this year. With legislation on all levels completed, the new expiration date has been extended to November 30, 2027.

The special board meeting to pass the final resolution ratifying this extension was brief,

lasting a mere three minutes. In attendance were representatives Frazier, Powers, Kennedy, Mickle, McCarty, Martini, Scanlon and Basile; representatives Brockway, Catan, Bliss, Marietta, Wilber, and Mendez were absent. Standard business procedures, such as committee reports and special presentations, were waived until the regularly scheduled board meeting, to take place on September 3 at 10 a.m. All members in attendance voted in favor of the tax addition, ratifying the resolution and completing the final step in maintaining the status quo for business in Otsego County.

Quilt Show, Sale is Saturday

FLY CREEK—On Saturday, September 6, the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, 852 County Highway 26, will hold its 14th annual “Draping the Pews” Quilt Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no charge to attend. For more than 20 years, Fly Creek area quilters have been donating their creations to those less fortunate, working with Bassett Healthcare Network, the Family Service Association, and the Otsego County Office for the Aging, among others. Proceeds from this event, and the corresponding silent auction, will be used to purchase the supplies needed to continue that tradition. There will also be an opportunity to make a monetary donation to a local food bank at this event, organizers said.

SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 7228 St Hwy 7, Maryland, NY 12116. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalSept.25

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of

Little Red Barn Micro Bakery, LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secy. of State of New York (SSNY) on 8/18/25. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 386 East St., Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalOct.2

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of TRIA FRATRES LLC.

Filed 7/25/25. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: c/o Legalinc Corporate Services Inc., 1967 Wehrle Dr., Ste. 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: General. 6LegalOct.2

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatio N of WYN GIFF, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 08/21/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, 491 West Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6LegalOct.2

LegaL nOtice

N otice of a D o P tio N of re S o LU tio N SUBJ ect to P ermi SS i V e refereNDUm NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York at a meeting thereof held on the 25th day of August, 2025, 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 $20,000 from Building Reserves for the removal of asbestos flooring at 22 Main Street.

BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE

OF COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK

Jenna L. Utter, RMC Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) 1LegalSept.4

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatio N of DSJA Enterprises, LLC.

Articles of organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 8/25/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: The LLC, 142 Winney Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalOct.9

LegaL nOtice

a PPL icatio N for t H e D e B t e X c LUS

N for t H e V i LL a G e of ric H fie LD SP ri NGS

Edward Keator, Jr. Chief Fiscal Officer Village of Richfield Springs, Otsego County 1LegalSept.4

LegaL nOtice

Notice of formatio N of Golden Swan Property LLC.

Articles of organization filed with SSNY on 8/29/2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to PO Box 1469, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalOct.9

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N

The Chief Fiscal Officer of the Village of Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, filed on August 26, 2025, in the Office of the State Comptroller an Application for Exclusion of Outstanding Sanitary Sewer Indebtedness in the amount of $600,000 and Proposed Sanitary Sewer Indebtedness in the amount of $4,700,000 pursuant to Section 124.10 of the Local Finance Law. This application is on file as a public record in the office of the Chief Fiscal Officer.

of a NY Limite D Lia B i Lit Yc omPa NY

Name:

Gothicville Enterprises LLC.

Articles of organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 12 April 2025. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 988 County Highway 38 Worcester, NY 12197. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalOct.9

LegaL nOtice

Notice of f ormatio N of Yoga Strategy, LLC

Articles of organization filing date with the Department of State (SSNY) August 13, 2025. Office location: Otsego county. SSNY has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 34 West End Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS law.

6LegalOct.9

Officials Recap Another Successful Hazardous Waste Collection

OTSEGO COUNTY

The Otsego County Planning and Solid Waste Department

held its 26th Hazardous Waste Collection Event on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16.

On Friday morning, a satellite event was held in Unadilla at the town highway garage. Approximately 178 cars dropped off hazardous materials.

The main event was held on Saturday at the Meadows Office Complex in the Town of Middlefield, with approximately 348 cars dropping off hazardous materials.

A combined total of roughly 526 households took advantage of this

free disposal program.

Hazardous wastes commonly found around the home were collected throughout the day, including liquid and solid wastes such as pesticides, lubricants, paint, cleaning chemicals and solvents, flammable liquids, corrosive materials, and solid pesticide materials. Items collected were received and packaged by MXI Environmental Services, the contracted vendor for the collection event.

According to county officials, this was the 14th year pharmaceuticals and medications were collected. Officer Fetterman from the New York State Department

Prefer to read your news online?

Call 607-547-6103 TO SUBSCRIBE TO ALLOTSEGO.COM!

Subscriptions to The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta newspapers include unlimited access to AllOtsego.com

of Environmental Conservation supervised the collection of 34 fivegallon containers of pharmaceuticals prior to the transfer of custody to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office.

Other items were collected for local processing, including approximately 2,300 pounds of automotive batteries and an estimated 2,000 pounds of household batteries.

Officials said the

success of the collection event can be credited to the assistance of the Otsego County Conservation Association, which helps to organize volunteers, the Town of Unadilla, the Otsego County Highway Department, Otsego County Building Services, Otsego County Emergency Services, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, NYSDEC, and the efficiency of the crew from MXI Environmental Services.

The hazardous waste collection day is an annual public service provided by the Otsego County Board of Representatives. The NYSDEC provides

approximately half the funds to cover the costs of this event, with the remainder coming from the county’s Solid Waste User Fee.

EXPLORE CHERRY VALLEY cherryvalley.com

Cherry Valley Art Gallery Offers Local Artwork, Hosts Events

BUSINESS PROFILE

CHERRY VALLEY

25 Main Collective is an art gallery and shop run by stained glass mosaic artist Noelle Adamoschek that features a regular group of more than 30 artists and makers on display. In business now for more than four years in Cherry Valley, 25 Main Collective offers everything from handmade soap, jewelry, ceramics, and pottery, to handmade textiles and intricate glass mosaics, to fine art such as watercolors, pastels, oils, and photography.

In addition, Adamoschek curates a rotating gallery show of additional artists that opens every month on the evening of Cherry Valley’s First Friday, where visitors can find an eclectic mix of local artists either trying out new work or showcasing their tried and true medium.

This month’s First Friday exhibit opening highlights 10 photographers in the local region in a show called “Digital VS Film: a photography show (down).” The show opens on Friday, September 5 and runs through September 28. A talk on Thursday, September 28 at 5 p.m. will feature many of these photographers speaking about their process and why they take the

pictures the way they do, the pros and cons of their chosen process, and how photography has evolved and changed.

Open all year round Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 21 Main Street, 25 Main Collective invites folks to stop in and pick up something handmade for yourself or for a treasured friend or loved one.

Other upcoming Cherry Valley events include:

• Friday, September 5 and Friday, October 3: 5-9 p.m. “Cherry Valley First Friday.” Cherry Valley is the place to be the first Friday of every month! Music, gallery openings, open mics, fine dining and the stores stay open late.

• Friday, September 5 and Friday, October 3: 6-8 p.m. “First Friday Open Mic.” Presented by The Telegraph School at The Limestone Mansion, 33 Main Street. Doors open at 6 p.m.

• Saturday, September 13: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 25 Main Collective and 7even present “A Photo Walk: Learn Analog Photography.” Participants walk around Cherry Valley to take photos, learning about the use and care of the analog camera, composition, light, shutter speeds and more. Film will be developed and scanned to

provide digital versions. $45.00 ($60.00 if film is supplied). No experience is required, but participants must have their own analog camera (35 mm or 120). 25maincollective@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

• Sunday, September 21: 7 p.m. Drum Circle and Potluck at the Gazebo. 3 Main Street. The Telegraph School says, “Bring your drums and rattles and join us for a joyful evening of music and community. Bring a dish to pass for the potluck. All ages and skill levels welcome!” TheTelegraphSchool.org.

• Wednesday, September 24: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

“Gemstone Stacking Rings Workshop” with Marissa Perkins of Creative Roots Studio. Create two sterling silver stacking rings, both with a bezel-set gemstone, in this beginner-friendly class. $82.00, all materials included. 25maincollective@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

• Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5: Cherry Valley Art Trail. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can tour open studios, view art exhibits, meet the artists, watch demonstrations and shop local. www.cherryvalley. com. Also that day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Schoharie County

Arts Trail Driveabout. Schohariecountyarts.org.

• Thursday, October 16: 6-8 p.m. “Make a Kindred Spirit Tassel.” A “be inspired” class with Wendy Reich of Don’t Tell Stella Studio, hosted by 25 Main Collective. $60.00 includes materials and tools. 25maincollective@gmail.com to reserve a spot.

• Saturday, October 25: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cherry Valley Falltoberfest. Falltoberfest will feature vendors in the NBT parking lot at 16 Main Street, Oktoberfest games throughout the

village, a beer garden at The Limestone Mansion, ghost tours with Sue Miller, pumpkin carving, and other Halloweenthemed events. www. cherryvalley.com.

• Saturday, October 25: 1-3 p.m. Join Amanda Trumbull during Falltoberfest to make a beautiful moon pendant using wire, beads and findings of your choosing on black cord. No experience required. $40.00 includes all materials. 25maincollective@ gmail.com to reserve a spot.

First Friday (9/5)

(5-8 p.m.) Opening Reception: Digital VS Film: a photography show (down) 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, food

►Friday, Sept. 5

GOLF 8:30 a.m. to

3 p.m. “39th Annul Golf Outing.” Presented by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. Fees apply; registration required. Oneonta County Club, 9 County Club Drive, Oneonta. (607) 4324500.

QUILTING 1 p.m.

“Checkered Spools Quilt Class.” Fees apply. Second session held 9/12. Leatherstocking Quilts, 155 Main Street, Suite B, Oneonta.

BLOOD DRIVE 1-5:30

p.m. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. RedCrossBlood.org

YARN CLUB 2-3:30

p.m. First Friday of each month. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

OPENING RECEPTION 5-8 p.m. “Digital Vs. Film: A Photography Show(down).” First Friday event. 10 photographers exploring different processes. Show runs through 9/28. 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-5340.

LIVE MUSIC 5:307 p.m. The Ancients. Free. Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta.

FIRE PIT FRIDAYS

6-10 p.m. Live music, food and more. Featuring music by the Beadle Brothers. The Tap House, Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (067) 5441800.

OPEN MIC 6 p.m. Poems, songs, dance, stories, comedy and more. Register at the door to perform. Donations appreciated. Held first Friday of each month. Presented by The Telegraph School at the Limestone Mansion, 33 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643785.

AUDITIONS 6:308:30 p.m. Open auditions for “Birthday Candles.” Presented by Catskill Community Players. A comedy written by Noah Haidle. The Institute for Spiritual Development, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta. info@ catskillplayers.org.

DANCE 7:30-10:30 p.m. Contradance. Community dance featuring live music. Presented by the Otsego Dance Society. First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown. (607) 4336613.

FILM FEST 7-11 p.m.

“Cannabis Culture Film Fest 2025.” Presented by Film Otsego. Includes screening of “The Big Lebowski,” trivia, costume contest and more. Free

admission. Continues 1-9 p.m. on 9/6. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.

FILM 8 p.m. Frightful Friday: “Carnival of Souls (1962).” Presented by the SUNY Oneonta Activities Council. Free. Hunt Union Red Dragon Theatre, 68 Bugbee Road, Oneonta. (607) 436-3730.

PARTY 10 p.m.

“Danceland at Black Oak Tavern.” Bring dancing shoes for an evening of originals, the Grateful Dead, JGB, reggae and more. Fees apply. Black Oak Tavern, 14 Water Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-9566.

►Saturday, Sept. 6

HIKE All day. “Saturday Hike: Landis Arboretum.” Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Rescheduled from August. Bring your own lunch. Pre-registration required. Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance.

YOGA 8:30 a.m.

“Yoga for Flexibility and Strength.” Held each Saturday by certified instructor Mira Wind. Fees apply. Butternut Valley Grange, 7 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville. (607) 287-5699.

RESTORATION

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Restoring Historic Stone Walls with Patrick Ryan.” Presented by the West Kortright Center. Learn the basics of building and restoring free-standing dry-laid stone walls under the instruction of a stone wall professional with 20+ years’ experience. Fees apply; registration required. Continues 9/7. Held at the Delaware County Historical Association, 46549 State Highway 10, Delhi. (607) 278-5454.

ANTIQUE ENGINES

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Metal at the Mill—Day 1.” Antique Engine Jamboree, Continues 9/7. Hanford Mills Museum, 51 County Highway 12, East Meredith.(607) 278-5744.

BLOOD DRIVE 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood.org

QUILTING 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Acorn Love Table Runner Class: A Piecing Class for Confident Beginners.” Fees apply; registration required. Leatherstocking Quilts, 155 Main Street, Suite B, Oneonta.

EXHIBIT 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Samurai Baseball and More: a Fine-ArtsLook-at-Baseball.” Open Saturdays or by appointment through 9/13. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road,

Cooperstown. (315) 9419607.

BIG RIGS 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Big Rig Shindig.”

See the vehicles that keep our communities working. Admission fees apply. Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377, DINNER Noon to 4 p.m. “Laurens Legion Clam Bake.” All you can eat/drink. Includes raffle, live music and more. Tickets required. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens.

MOTOR SHOW Noon to 5 p.m. “4th Annual Gasoline Powered Motor Show.” Classic cars, trucks, rat rods, motor bikes, ATVs and more. Fee for show entrants applies. Free and open to the public. Continues 9/7. Windfall Dutch Barn, 2009 Clinton Road, Cherry Valley. (518) 7740134.

OPEN MIC 1 p.m.

“Poetry Open Mic and Reading.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

ORCHESTRA 3 p.m.

“Maestro Series Concert #1: Sunshine and Thunderstorms.” Presented by the Fenimore Chamber Orchestra. Tickets required. Christ Church, 46 River Street, Cooperstown. fenimoreorchestra.org.

CONCERT 3 p.m.

Kieran Kane and Rayna Geller. Presented by the Oneonta Concert Association. Tickets required. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 267-6968.

LIVE MUSIC 4-5:30 p.m. AJ Jackson. Free. Al Gallodoro Memorial Stage, Muller Plaza, Main Street, Oneonta.

FILM FEST 7 p.m.

“This Is Spinal Tap.” Presented by the 2025 Worcester Wieting Theatre Fall Film Festival. Free; donations appreciated. Worcester Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester.

►Sunday, Sept. 7

FARMERS’ MARKET

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Middlefield Farm and Flea Market, 973 Whiteman Road, Middlefield.

FUNDRAISER 9 a.m.; registration at 8 a.m. “Worcester Hose Company Golf Tournament.” Captain and crew format. Fees apply; registration required. Canajoharie Golf and Country Club, 171 Golf Club Road, Canajoharie. (607) 3978032.

FESTIVAL 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m. “2025 Grand and Glorious Fall Fair.” Music, games, food, local artisans and more to support the Catskill Choral Society. Neahwa Park, 15 James Georgeson Avenue. Oneonta.

OUTDOORS 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Butternut Fun Float.” Early autumn paddle on Butternut Creek with the Butternut Valley Alliance and the Otsego County Conservation Association. Free; registration required. Butternut Creek, 100 Spring Street, Gilbertsville.

WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “Stephen Clair Songwriting Workshop.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

MEDITATION

11 a.m. “Sundays at Samye: The Practical Bodhisattva—How to Be a Spiritual Hero in Everyday Life.” Meditation, study and discussion. Held Sundays through 12/21. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5051.

FOOD Noon to 6 p.m. “Cousins Main Lobster.” Registration required; fees apply. Fly Creek Cider Mill, 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek.

FIBER GUILD

1-3 p.m. Held each Sunday. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.

ART IN THE PARK

1-3 p.m. Artists of the Upper Unadilla Valley display and sell works in drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and photography. Presented by the Upper Unadilla Valley Association. Held in the enclosed pavilion in the Town of Winfield Park, West Winfield. (315) 855-4368.

FUNDRAISER

4-10:30 p.m. “Dine Out for a Cause.” Benefit for Helios Care. Empire House, 136 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. (607) 783-2859.

HIKE 6 p.m. “Full Moon Hike and Dinner— Corn Moon.” Guided hike, buffet dinner and more. Fees apply. The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-9931.

MUSIC 7 p.m. “Oneonta Kirtan: Interfaith Devotional Music Meditation.” Held each first Sunday. Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta.

►Monday, Sept. 8

DEADLINE Last day to submit information to ORHA for a grant to re-

pair/rehab vacant rental properties. Otsego Rural Housing Assistance Inc. (607) 286-7244.

BUSINESS 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Advanced Manufacturing Prep Program.” Held Monday to Friday through 10/3. Free; registration required.

SUNY Oneonta ExCL Center, 4 Dietz Street, Oneonta.

EXERCISE CLASS 9 a.m. Free; all welcome. Held each Monday and Thursday. Strawberry Hall, Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 3977309.

BLOOD DRIVE

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

CONNECTIONS

12:45 p.m. Bluegrass Circle Jam Session. Meets 2nd Monday of each month. In the Community Room with Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

LIBRARY 1 p.m.

“Home School Hangout.” Stories, activities, crafts and more for home school families. Held each Monday. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

POTTERY 1:304:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. Fees apply. Held Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6-9 p.m. on Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

ART 6-8 p.m.

Watercolor with Marilyn Roveland. Fees apply; registration required. Mondays through 8/29. Butternut Valley Arts and Crafts Center, 124 West Main Street, Morris. (607) 263-2150.

GARDEN 7 p.m.; social time at 6:30 p.m.

Oneonta Garden Club gathers to learn about the history of the Oneonta Greenway, how to access it and future plans for the trail. All welcome. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta.

COMEDY 9 p.m.

“Chuck’s Comedy Club: Cody Woods.” Presented by the SUNY Oneonta Activities Council. Fees apply. Hunt Union Waterfront, 68 Bugbee Road, Oneonta. (607) 4363730.

►tueSday, Sept. 9

VOLUNTEER 7 a.m.

Beautify Main Street with other volunteers. Clean the rain gardens, care for the trees, collect trash, pull weeds and

more. Supplies provided. Meet at the entrance to Doubleday Field, Main Street, Cooperstown.

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.

STORY TIME 9:30 a.m. Staff share stories, activities and play. Held Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike 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 to Clark Tower, Cooperstown. Contact hike leader Barbara LaCorte, (805) 455-7168.

SENIOR MEALS 11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests. Today, enjoy a lunch of pineapple pepper pork, seasoned rice, Japaneseblend vegetables and frosted birthday cake. (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.

SERVICES 2-4 p.m. Q&A with the Otsego County Office for the Aging on programs, services, Medicare and Medicaid insurance, and more. Held 2nd Tuesday of each month. Springfield Library, 129 County Highway 29A, Springfield Center. (607) 547-4232.

ART 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cold Wax Painting with Kristin Stevenson. Fees apply; registration required. Held Tuesdays through 9/30. Butternut Valley Arts and Crafts Center, 124 West Main Street, Morris. (607) 2632150.

RABIES VACCINES 6-8 p.m. Otsego County Rabies Vaccination Clinic. For pet dogs, cats and ferrets. Free. Previous vaccination certificate required for the three-year booster. Burlington Flats Town Barn, Burlington Flats. (607) 547-4230.

FIGURE DRAWING

6:30 p.m. Held each Tuesday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 483-8432.