Historic Gift Kicks Off Launch of Public Phase of 53 Pioneer Street Project Giving
COOPERSTOWN
The Cooperstown Art Association and The Smithy Gallery have received a transformative $1.25 million pledge from Brent and Laura Nicklas in support of the 53 Pioneer Project, the renovation and restoration of 53 Pioneer Street in downtown Cooperstown. According to officials, this gift, coupled with an additional $250,000.00 matching grant established by the Nicklas
family over the next two years, brings the project past its initial $2 million fundraising goal while expanding the project vision to include enhanced elements such as the garden, alley, and elevator, as well as addressing rising construction costs.
According to a recent press release, the restored facility will be named The Nicklas Building. Construction will begin pending final approval of a signed contract from the State of
New York for funds awarded as part of the NY Forward grant received by the Village of Cooperstown in 2023. With these milestones achieved, “the project now broadens its public fundraising phase, inviting an additional $250,000.00 in matched contributions from local businesses and community members to strengthen this exceptional investment in the region’s cultural future,”
Continued on page 9
Nearly 2,000 Locals Join Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ Day of Protest
By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
COUNTY
OTSEGO
Between Oneonta and Cherry Valley, nearly 2,000 locals participated in the second “No Kings” peaceful protest this past Saturday, October 18. Demonstrators opposed what they described as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian takeover and breakdown of the rule of law.
The Oneonta demonstration, held at 1 p.m. on the field next to the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center and then on Main Street, was organized by CooperstownOneonta Indivisible, Butternut Valley Indivisible, Cherry Valley Indivisible, Indivisible for Schoharie County, and the Otsego County Democratic Committee. Cherry Valley Indivisible organized its local event near the village’s Civil War monument at 10 a.m.
“We are not out here today for ourselves,” CooperstownOneonta Indivisible leader Virginia Kennedy
said from the stage in Oneonta. “We are out here today because we care about our country.”
Demonstrators held a wide range of signs: “No Kings,” “Peaceful Protester,” “I Too Am Anti-Fascist,” “Hate Will Not Make Us Great,” “Nothing Is More American Than Opposing Dictator
Trump,” “Healthcare Matters,” “Fire ICE,” and “Resist Tyranny With Compassion” were just a few. Many brought American flags, and some brought Palestinian ones. A handful wore costumes, including a dinosaur and a banana. Devon LaBoy and duo Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel gave
musical performances.
In the weeks leading up to the national protest, which is estimated to have had as many as seven million participants across more than 2,700 events, senior Republican leaders including Speaker Mike Johnson said the event was a “Hate America rally.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Democratic Party’s “main constituency” is “made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” Other national level Republicans described the protest as of the “terrorist wing” of the Democratic Party or claimed protesters were paid by the Jewish billionaire George Soros. “You’ve heard it all, right?” Kennedy asked the crowd. “We are the opposite of what they are saying,” she said to applause. Several later speakers hit the same theme.
Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek addressed the crowd. “On behalf of myself and the City of Oneonta and everyone who still believes in the
Continued on page 12
B&B Closes After 38 Great Years
By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL COOPERSTOWN
After 38 years, the fabled Baseball Bed & Breakfast in Cooperstown has closed.
Owners John and Suzanne Rudy, now in their 80s and ready to retire, say the time has come to close a chapter of their life that began shortly after a family trip in the 1980s.
Since then, they have hosted thousands of people from across the country and world in their bright yellow home on Chestnut Street. While its name and theme is all about baseball, the couple said their guests have been coming to the area for all kinds of reasons, from the Glimmerglass Opera to a stopping point on trips further west. A map with pins for visitors’ hometowns—hailing
from all 50 states—eventually became so heavy it fell off the wall, requiring a second pin map.
The Rudys said they became interested in the area after they and their three children came up from New York City to see Catfish Hunter’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. While continuing their vacation up to Canada, the kids still wanted to be in Cooperstown to use the batting cages.
“It occurred to me, it was just so nice and pleasant,” John said of their stay at another bed and breakfast. “I had an epiphany.”
Suzanne and the three kids agreed to run the B&B during the summer, sharing in responsibilities, with John coming up to help on the weekends.
Continued on page 9
Photo provided
Suzanne Rudy (above) and husband John are ready for the next chapter in their lives.
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
More than 1,500 people are estimated to have joined the No Kings protest in Oneonta on Saturday, October 18, filling the field next to the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center.
Young Republicans in Hateful Chat were at oberacker Launch
By ERIC SANToMAURoSTENZEL SCHENEVUS
Two Young Republican leaders involved in a hate-filled online group chat were at State Senator Peter oberacker’s congressional campaign launch on october 6 at the Schenevus fire station, eight days before Politico reported the messages last Tuesday. Bobby Walker, raised in Cooperstown, managed the small crowd and huddled with oberacker and campaign consultants before and after the event. Another Republican operative in the group chat, Peter Giunta, was present and spoke with at least one oberacker campaign consultant.
Politico’s investigation spanned thousands of private Telegram messages sent over more than seven months between leading Young Republicans across the country, prominently featuring New Yorkers including Walker and Giunta. The group chat reportedly had at least 251 appearances of epithets including “f---t,” “retarded” and “n--ga,” with multiple members making statements about violence toward their perceived political opponents.
Politico reported that Walker had been in line to become oberacker’s campaign manager, but
would not be brought on in light of the messages. Reached by e-mail last Thursday night for comment about Walker and Giunta’s attendance and involvement, an oberacker campaign spokesperson told Allotsego, without sharing their name, that the campaign “cut ties with Mr. Walker once the horrific and disgusting text messages came to our attention.”
The spokesperson wrote Walker “was never on this campaign’s payroll and was only a volunteer” and called for “all those involved in the group chat” to “immediately resign any positions held in the GoP. We must all condemn hateful and racist rhetoric in any form.”
This appears to be the campaign’s first reported call for those involved to resign. The campaign did not answer Allotsego’s questions about Giunta’s presence at the event.
launch event.
Campaign finance records show Walker was employed by oberacker’s 2020 first state senate campaign. The Casale Group also assisted that campaign, according to Allotsego’s reporting at the time.
Walker founded the otsego County Young Republicans in 2015 before climbing the political ladder to become Chair of the New York State Young Republicans (NYSYR) this past August. From 2018 to 2020, a prior NYSYR news release said, Walker worked for local political consultancy The Casale Group. The group is advising oberacker’s congressional campaign, employees Vince Casale and Lynn Krogh having staffed the Schenevus
In 2023, oberacker offered his “wholehearted endorsement” for Giunta’s candidacy for the Young Republican National Federation’s Northeast Regional Chair. oberacker commended Giunta, then NYSYR chair, for “unwavering dedication to the principles of the Republican Party.” oberacker described the Young Republicans as “instrumental” in his elections and other GoP victories across New York.
Walker, at the time NYSYR’s vice chair, reportedly described rape
as “epic.” He also reportedly mocked the late Senator John McCain for having been a prisoner of war, and joked about mismanaging NYSYR’s finances. Walker once wrote “Stay in the closet f----t,” despite, according to Politico, being “the group’s main target for the same epithet.”
Walker reportedly joked about bombing a YRNF convention, then wrote “Just kidding for our assigned FBI tracker.” Giunta, at the time NYSYR’s chair, reportedly wrote that those who did not support his candidacy to become president of the YRNF are “going to the gas chamber.” He reportedly continued, “Im going to create some of the greatest physiological torture methods known to man. We only want true believers.”
He reportedly called opposing factions within
the organization “fat stinky Jew” and “traitorous c---s who I will eradicate from the face of this planet.” Giunta reportedly responded to a message about basketball by writing “I’d go to the zoo if I wanted to watch monkey play ball.”
UPGRADE & SAVE FOR THE SEASON
In comments to Politico, each apologized for the words and expressed concern that images of the chat may have been altered. They said the leaks were intended to cause harm. The full version of this article can be found at AllOtsego.com.
Bliss To Retire, Not Seeking Re-election
By ERIC SANToMAURoSTENZEL CHERRY VALLEY, MIDDLEFIELD, RoSEBooM
After a decade as 7th District county representative, and decades more in local elected office, David Bliss is retiring. He has endorsed fellow Republican James McCartney for the seat.
Bliss will still appear on ballots under the Conservative line, having missed the deadline to be removed. McCartney will face Leslie Berliant, who is on the Democratic and Working Families lines. Election Day is November 4. Early voting begins october 25. Bliss told Allotsego he submitted a petition to be on the ballot as a Conservative Party candidate in the case a “suitable replacement” did not materialize.
By the time he decided to support McCartney and contacted the county Board of Elections “around April,” Bliss said, “the Board of Elections said it was too late.”
Reached by phone, otsego County BoE Commissioners Michael Henrici and Lori Lehenbauer told Allotsego they had not received a formal notice of declination from Bliss. They said the deadline to decline a nomination was April 7.
Sample ballots are available online at https://www.otsegocountyny.gov/departments/ a-c/board_of_elections/ sample.php.
Photos by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
Left photo: After State Senator Peter Oberacker (middle left) launched his congressional campaign, he huddled with Bobby Walker (far right), and campaign consultants Lynn Krogh (middle right) and Vince Casale (far left). Right photo: Vince Casale (left) speaks with Peter Giunta (right) before Oberacker’s campaign launch at the Schenevus fire station.
Friends of Parks Report on Capital Campaign; Not Far from Goal
By ELIZABETH COOPER
COOPERSTOWN
In May, Cooperstown
Friends of the Parks
put forth a lofty two-year goal: raise $250,000.00 for renovations and upgrades for Fairy Spring Park.
In just five months they have raised 75 percent of that.
“We are excited to have made such progress so early on in our campaign,” said Susie Lasher Knight, Project Fairy Spring coordinator and capital campaign chair.
If they can bring in the remaining 25 percent, or about $62,000.00 by midwinter, they can break ground in the spring.
The quiet, shady park on the east side of Lake Otsego has long had a dedicated following. Its pebbly beach draws a different crowd from sunny, sandy Three Mile Point, and there’s no better place to meet a friend or read a book and then take a dip in the cool waters.
“We are really hoping other people who love Fairy Spring, or just really value the importance of public spaces, will give to the project before the end of the year so we can get started,” Knight said.
Knight is a member of Cooperstown Friends of the Parks, a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the village’s public recreational spaces and is spearheading the project.
The Village of Cooperstown, which owns the park, has already allocated a separate $224,000.00 to the project, so the total funding would be close to $500,000.00. It’s also possible the State of New York will match the village contribution so even more can be done.
Village Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh said it’s no surprise so much was raised so quickly.
“Of all our parks, this is the one that is in many ways closest to the hearts of village residents and it has been for decades,” she said. “I think it’s an
Renderings provided
incredibly special park, I really do.”
The park offers public swimming and picnicking opportunities to Cooperstown and Middlefield residents, as well as to park pass holders from other locales.
The Project Fairy Spring is now in its 83rd year. The land was originally given to the Village of Cooperstown by Robert Sterling Clark and its unique Work Progress Administrationera buildings are largely intact and unchanged, contributing to the park’s unique rustic charm. Now, those buildings are in need of repair, and in some cases don’t meet the requirements of modern accessibility laws.
Also, Fairy Spring is located on a steep embankment, so its driveways, buildings and parking area are crammed together in a way that doesn’t lead visitors to use key spaces. It also isn’t easy for people with physical disabilities to navigate.
Here’s what is being
planned:
• The pavilion building would be updated and a deck with a lake view and ADA accessible ramps added. The building has always lacked its own bathrooms, making it less appealing for gatherings, so an ADA accessible one would now be added.
• The main driveway would be rerouted behind the existing pavilion building to make way for the deck and ensure that transportation lanes don’t interfere with park enjoyment.
• The existing road that winds through the park will be reconfigured to allow for a dedicated pedestrian and cyclist lane. Handicapped accessible parking spaces would also be created.
• The summer caretaker residence has never had its own bathroom, making it harder to find people willing to take the job. One would be added.
• An additional ADA bathroom, a revamped changing area and a lifeguard breakroom are also on the list.
• Depending on
funding outcomes, expanded dock space, improved emergency vehicle access to the water, and better landscaping and signage may be options. If any money is left over it would be placed in a stewardship fund for future park maintenance.
For park user and Village Parks board member Jeanne Dewey, accessibility is a key issue. She knows older people can have trouble navigating the steep and sometimes uneven terrain, but it isn’t just that. Her son uses a wheelchair.
“For anyone with mobility issues it has not got great access to the lake,” she said.
She also noted that there are no wheelchair accessible bathrooms and the pavilion isn’t accessible, either. Still, Fairy Spring has a special quality, she said.
“I love that it’s small,” Dewey said. “It’s a beautiful place with all the trees. It is sort of protected.”
Knight, who spent a summer as Fairy Spring caretaker, said the park really should be for everybody and that’s the point of this project.
“I feel fortunate to have met so many of the important people in my life at Fairy Spring, but that experience shouldn’t be limited to only those without mobility issues,” she said. “I know so many people who have grown old in the years they have come to this park. I want people of all ages and stages to be able to enjoy it as long as they can.”
“Fairy Spring defines a Cooperstown summer for me and for so many,” she said. “There are many regulars who come to meet up with a
friend or take a dip after work. It becomes its own community.”
A Family Legacy Village statistics show that 90 percent of Fairy Spring visitors are local, while busier Three Mile Point attracts people from a broader area.
One such visitor is Clay Wilcox, a native Cooperstownian who has recently returned to the area after living and working elsewhere for many years.
Starting when he was a small boy, Wilcox’s mother, Hilda, would bring her children there regularly. She had crusaded for the park to reopen after a brief period of closure, because she loved being in the water so much, and she has been a regular ever since.
Clay Wilcox grew up to work with famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and he credits his time at the park with starting him on that path.
“I was immediately fascinated with being underwater,” he said, adding that he bought a pair of $2.00 goggles at the local Farm and Home store and dedicated many hours to his explorations of the lake bottom. “I was probably the only
Continued on page 9
Perspectives
EDITORIaL
Humor and Politics?
When asked back in 1979 why he avoided controversial topics on “The Tonight Show,” Johnny Carson said that his role was not to address serious issues or to influence public opinion, but rather to entertain. He joked about personality versus policy, and did not believe comedy should be used for political gains.
“Once you start that, you start to get that self-important feeling that what you say has great import, and you know, strangely enough, you could use that show as a forum,” Carson is quoted as saying. “You could sway people, and I don’t think you should as an entertainer.”
While we agree with the king of late-night television that comedians have no place in politics, we do think perhaps politicians need to lighten up a bit.
Take Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, who is currently something of a TikTok sensation thanks to his memorable one-liners, unique sense of humor and downhome way of expressing his opinion. Anyone who has witnessed Kennedy hold forth in Congressional hearings or in press interviews knows what we’re talking about.
Whether we agree with Sen. Kennedy politically, we find his humorous candor to be a welcome respite amid all the grandstanding, shouting, cursing and finger pointing that marks much of today’s political discourse. Some of his classic comments include:
“Leadership in politics is like herding cats; everyone’s got their own bad idea.”
“Washington is where common sense goes to die.”
“Look, you just have to try harder not to suck.”
“If you hate cops just because they’re cops, the next time you get in trouble, call a crack head.”
“God created the world, but everything else is made in China.”
“I don’t know why we should give money to countries that hate us. They should be able to hate us for free.”
“Sometimes the majority just means all the fools are on the same side.”
“I would remind you the lesser of two socialists is still a socialist.”
“Because you’ve seen ‘My Cousin Vinny’ doesn’t qualify you to be a federal judge.”
“With all due respect, I am against dumb.”
“There’s some jerks. There’s some big egos. There are a few that think they’re one of the Founding Fathers…in both parties.”
“Leaders are good; circus ringmasters are cheaper. Guess which type we fund?”
“Leadership is about more than showing up. Preferably, it includes thinking, too.”
We concur with Johnny Carson that late night talk show hosts need to concentrate on plying their trade, because right now Kennedy is doing it better. He’s funnier, cleverer and he finds the humor in an otherwise bleak political atmosphere that comedians really have no business weighing in on.
You may not always like or agree with what Sen. Kennedy says, but the way that he says it will make you chuckle, and it will make you think.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
“The Freeman’s Journal” welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper. 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.
Advertising Director / Publisher Emerita Tara Barnwell General Manager / Senior Editor Darla M. Youngs
Staff Writer: Eric Santomauro-Stenzel Office Manager: Larissa Ryan Sales Consultant: Randy Christian Intern: Arya Patel Editorial Board Tara Barnwell, Faith Gay, Michael Moffat, Elinor Vincent, Darla M. Youngs
Web Architect Xander Moffat Historian Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Legal Counsel Jill Ann Poulson
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR
Otsego County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District
MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association
Subscription Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year. First Class Subscription, $155 a year. Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com
© Iron String Press, Inc.
No Kings Day Until He’s Gone
I attended the No King’s Day rally in Oneonta on October 18 because I felt the urgency to stand up and be counted there. I carried a sign that I drew on poster board and attached to a light stick from my workshop. Lots of people carried signs, nearly all patriotic and expressing love for our country with uplifting slogans. Personal favorites included, “LOVE America, LOVE Democracy, USN Veteran, NO KINGS” and “Fight Truth Decay.” No one paid me to be there or offered any incentive, and there was no evidence of such activity.
It seems strange to me now: The one time I ran for and served in a public office was as a Republican. And though I long ago moved beyond my lament for the party where I once fit in, I bear no ill will to friends and family members who can still conjure optimism about the GOP. But I will tell you that what we’ve read and heard about No King’s Day protesters from our president, speaker of the house, Cabinet members and other prominent Republicans: They’re all lies.
So, while God gives me strength, I will vote my conscience and join forces with my neighbors at the next No King’s Day, and the next… until our faux king is deposed, and his minions are flushed away by voters with freshly opened minds and hearts. It’s the least I can do for my beloved country.
Ron Bishop Cooperstown
Rivera Is the Right Choice
As current and former elected officials, we believe there are four key qualities that public servants embody: know-how, passion, integrity, and transparency. Over the course of this election cycle, one candidate for Oneonta town supervisor has embodied these traits: Will Rivera.
Mr. Rivera possesses the skill to govern. He led successful advocacy efforts against the proposed AIpowered hydroponics facility and the demolition and rezoning of the Emmons Farmhouse Restaurant. He is committed to investing in the town’s infrastructure while prioritizing financial prudence. Notably, Mr. Rivera is committed to updating the town’s bedrock planning and zoning documents.
Mr. Rivera is truly passionate about Oneonta. Through countless conversations with his neighbors all over the town, he has built meaningful connections with his future constituents. His willingness to meet people where they are to build trust regardless of political affiliation, background or belief system demonstrates a true passion for public service.
Mr. Rivera has made a career out of representing those in need. He has built coalitions at the state and national level to help victims of sexual and domestic violence. His commitment to his cause requires a tremendous amount of integrity to meet people at their most vulnerable and help them get back on their feet.
Mr. Rivera plans to cultivate
the trust of his constituents by pursuing an administration of radical transparency. Mr. Rivera will create a community board to work on quality of life issues, constituent services, and to create a space for the open exchange of ideas. He will use 21st-century technology to stream meetings, upload documents and ensure the people have a true voice in town hall.
In local elections, every vote counts. We ask that you join us and support Mr. Rivera starting on October 25 with the beginning of early voting.
Respectfully submitted, Danny Lapin former Otsego County Representative District 13 (City of Oneonta Wards 5&6)
Andrew Stammel
former Otsego County Representative District 4 (Town of Oneonta) and Deputy Oneonta Town Supervisor Nora Mendez Otsego County Representative District 11 (City of Oneonta Wards 1&2) Adrienne Martini
Otsego County Representative District 12 (City of Oneonta Wards 3&4) Jill Basile Otsego County Representative District 14 (City of Oneonta Wards 7&8)
Clark Oliver
former Otsego County Representative District 11 (City of Oneonta Wards 1&2)
Kudos for Sharing Opposing Views
I just got done reading the edition of October 16, 2025 and…WOW!
The opposing views you have published needed to be seen by your readers. These opinions are crucial to our community. How else do we communicate with each other? People can now speak in a positive or negative way. Your papers continue to offer this opportunity.
We need to see these opposing views and your readers need to keep their minds open and decide for themselves.
Susan Shepard Fly Creek
Leslie Berliant Gets My Vote
I am writing in support of Leslie Berliant’s candidacy for the 7th District representative on the Otsego County Board, representing the residents of Cherry Valley, Middlefield and Roseboom.
Our towns and our county are facing serious challenges. Groceries, housing, and healthcare are less and less affordable, and our elected leaders are pretending things are okay. They are not.
We all know about the cost of groceries. And according to rentdata.org, the median cost for a two-bedroom apartment in Otsego County is $1,259.00/ month, an 11 percent increase from last year.
More than 27 percent of Otsego county’s residents get their healthcare via Medicaid or the ACA (Obamacare). The effects of the Republican federal shutdown—particularly the cuts to healthcare and our hospitals—has been met with silence by our Republican-run county board.
We need affordable food, and we need affordable housing. How will our county represen-
tatives respond to the healthcare cuts? What will they do to protect us?
I trust Leslie Berliant, a business owner, a parent, and a community member who cares about protecting all of us, to speak up and take action. I urge everyone, particularly those who think elections don’t matter, to get involved and vote for her. Early voting runs October 25-November 2. Election Day is November 4. Kathleen Taylor Cherry Valley
Taking Sternberg Op-ed To Task
In “The Partial Observer” of the October 16 edition of “The Freeman’s Journal,” I was alarmed and saddened to read Dr. Richard Sternberg’s characterization of Charlie Kirk as “… a clearly beloved and respected political figure…” [whose] “assassination was indeed a loss for members of both sides of the political spectrum.” This about the man who stated that gay people should be stoned to death, that vaccine requirements are “medical apartheid,” that religious freedom should be terminated, that gun deaths are acceptable in order to have a 2nd Amendment, that women’s natural place is under their husband’s control, that George Floyd had it coming, and that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was a “huge mistake.”
Dr. Sternberg is, of course, entitled to his opinions and can write whatever he wants. However, as a member of the gay community whose death Charlie Kirk advocated and whose rights he believed should be denied, along with the rights of many other groups, I cannot help but now look upon Dr. Sternberg with suspicion, uncertainty and distrust about where he truly stands on some seriously pressing human issues. It’s all the more upsetting, because his comment about Charlie Kirk was totally unnecessary in the context of his column, and his choice to include it clearly makes the credibility of his criticism of Wriley Nelson dubious at best.
John Webb Cooperstown
Resolution Was Right Thing To Do
Perhaps it takes a village of less than 2,000 persons to generate a resolution so clear, historically and legally informed, and morally decent in purpose as the Resolution published August 18 of our Board of Trustees. It should have been published by every governor of all the states of America.
And it calls to mind the Village of Chamon, in the southeast of France, which for hundreds of years has sheltered persons fleeing persecution. Led by their clergy, they saved literally thousands of Jews by hiding and sustaining them during the Nazi occupation of France.
I hope our clergy, and our community, will respond in the same spirit to oppose the seizure, detention, and deportation of those among us who have only sought to live peaceful and productive lives here. That was the America in which I—most of us—grew up.
Mary Anne Whelan Cooperstown
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
LETTERS
by
Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
185 YEARS AGO
Medical & Surgical—H.S. Harper, M.D. would inform his friends and the public, that he continues the practice of the medical profession in the Village of Cooperstown, and that he holds himself ready to attend to all those who may favor him with the treatment of their diseases. Having read his profession with the most eminent Surgeon of which Otsego County can boast, the late lamented Professor Delos White, M.D., of Cherry Valley, and having attended four full courses of lectures at the medical college, and attended to dissecting private and public, he feels a confidence in offering himself to the public as a Surgeon. Patients from a distance can obtain board in this village at as cheap a rate as they may wish. H.S. Harper, M.D.
135 YEARS AGO
October 26, 1840
Personal: Robert, second son of Mr. Alfred C. Clark, a lad of about 14 years of age, while at play last Saturday, had the misfortune to fracture a bone in one of his wrists. It received the needed attention of Dr. Lathrop, and on Monday Mrs. Clark took the boy to New York.
There is said to be a demand for dwellings on Leatherstocking Street —where most of the weddings take place; four within a few months, and the supply not yet exhausted.
You probably intend to vote at the next election as that is your duty as a good citizen; therefore, see to it that you are registered.
October 17, 1890
85 YEARS AGO
At Noon on October 29th Secretary of War Stinson will draw the first number in a nationwide lottery in which nearly 17 million young men hold tickets— 800,000 of them good for a year’s service in the Army. Within three weeks after Secretary Stinson lifts the first blue number capsule from the big goldfish bowl, the initial contingent of 30,000 draftees will be on their way to training camps. By next June 15th, 800,000 men will be called to training in the order in which their numbers are drawn from the bowl, unless they volunteer without waiting to be called, or unless they are deferred from service.
October 23, 1940
60 YEARS AGO
October 20, 1965
20 YEARS AGO
Master Sergeant Michael J. Lambert of Fort Bragg, North Carolina has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge, 1st Award. Lambert, a son of Paul and Barbara Lambert of Cooperstown, and brother of James and John, has recently returned from a mission in Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border, where he led a Special Forces unit. The Bronze Star was awarded to Lambert for “exceptionally meritorious service while serving as a member of the Combined Joint Task Force 76 in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom and for Lambert’s tactical proficiency, selfless commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under extreme circumstances.”
October 21, 2005
Building Community through Membership
Over the past year, the Otsego County Conservation Association relaunched its membership program, and we are thrilled to now have more than 50 members standing with us. Each one represents the heartbeat of what OCCA is all about: community, connection and caring enough to act.
In recent years, we have focused deeply on building community by connecting people to place-based learning, to their local environment and to one another. Our hope is simple: that people will rediscover a love for the place they live and, in doing so, commit to protecting it.
Membership is the next step in that journey. It is not just about getting outside or talking about sustainability; it is about standing up to be counted as someone who goes the extra mile. It says, “I am OCCA. We are OCCA.”
We are incredibly proud of how far the program has come, and we know there is still much more ahead. There are so many people in our region who care deeply about conservation and are ready to be part of this growing movement.
To bring even more value to our members, OCCA is launching a Reciprocal Membership Program.
Here is how it works: Every OCCA member will now receive a membership card. Show it at participating local businesses to enjoy discounts, freebies or other special perks as a thank-you
By MERL REAGLE
for supporting local sustainability. We are just getting started, and we are eager to welcome more local partners who share our values—businesses committed to environmental conservation, sustainability, and keeping it local.
We are looking to connect with businesses that care about our community, those who value sustainability, source locally, support local artists and makers, recycle and upcycle, or simply believe that shopping small makes a big difference.
And because we always try to think ahead,
Bloomers I’d Like To See…
NOTE: Some words that aren’t flowers are just as flowery-sounding as real flowers. (And a big bouquet of them to fellow puzzlemaker Stephanie Spadaccini for planting this puzzle’s theme in my head.)
Flowers you don’t see too often in church?
Photo provided
oCCA Board Chair Donna Vogler leads a members-only walk at the Greenwoods Conservancy.
CANDIDATES: IN THEIR WORDS
With the General Election fast upon us, and early voting set to begin on Saturday, October 25, AllOtsego continues its pre-election coverage with questions and answers to the four candidates competing for two Town of Hartwick town council seats being vacated by Chris Briggs and Bruce Markusen. Below, in alphabetical order, are the questions and corresponding responses from JoAnn Gardner (REP, HUN), Kimberly Henderson (CON), Caren G. Kelsey (HUN), and Sarah McGuire (CSE).
1. Please describe your previous work in the community and how these experiences qualify you for a position on the town board.
GARDNER: Being a member of the Town Board requires fiscal responsibility, a willingness to work together and respecting the concerns of all residents. Prior to having children, I was a location scout/production manager in the film and television industry. This job requires teamwork, problem solving and the ability to work closely with all stakeholders, while also staying within a set budget. It demands clear communication between departments and the willingness to put the final project ahead of ego. When the assistant director yells, “Action,” everyone on that set has a sole purpose—get the shot! This kind of collaboration is crucial for a town board to be successful. When I moved to Otsego County and began working in the public school system, I brought with me that love of collaboration. I volunteered on the committee that created a school garden at the Laurens Central School. I worked with students at both LCS and Cooperstown Central School to create an award-winning distracted driving PSA for NYCM and an awardwinning documentary. I also serve on the steering committee for the Glimmerglass Film Days. Most recently I have joined both the Hartwick Conservation Committee and the Youth Advisory Committee, where we have been working with current town board members on a plan to fix up our town playground and offer community events throughout the summer. I continue to hone my negotiating and problem-solving skills as co-president of the UCCS Service Unit.
HENDERSON: I’ve held numerous positions in fields of work which required high “customer satisfaction” results. Work which required me to be organized and which has allowed me to grow
my listening and communication skills. I believe one of our biggest assets as a person is the ability to adapt. If not for the better then what for? My work now is finance. Not just running numbers, but helping our community members with household budgets, with loan payments, planning for their futures, and offering advice along the way. I grew up in Hartwick, and I intend to retire here. My goal is to allow our children to feel the same secure feeling within the community to hopefully return home after college endeavors to grow the community and enrich it even more.
KELSEY: I lived in Hartwick most of my life. I have been a member of the Hartwick Fire Department and EMS for 48 years. During this time I have served in every officer position. I understand the ins and outs of running these departments and have written budgets and grants for both departments, including a recent grant for a heart monitor that is currently in our town ambulance. I have worked closely with town government to ensure that the people of Hartwick are safe and that their first responders have all necessary resources to respond to any emergency. I worked in Career Pathways and the Health Occupation class at OAOC BOCES for 37 years. Students who graduated from Health Occupations graduated with five licenses allowing them to find well-paying jobs in the community right out of high school. My many years of service and vast knowledge of how different departments function within the town government have prepared me well to step into the role of council member on the Hartwick Town Board.
McGUIRE: My career began in local government approximately 20 years ago at the Village of Milford, where I served for five years as village clerk/ treasurer (chief financial officer). Simultaneously,
I finished my associate’s degree gaining my paralegal and later my bachelor’s degree with a concentration in finance. Around 2006, I accepted the position of asset manager at the Baseball Hall of Fame, enhancing my experience with notfor-profit accounting. In 2010, I returned to local government as the Hartwick town clerk/ collector. I proudly served the people of Hartwick for approximately eight years. I possess years of experience, a strong understanding and deep respect for local government, its many facets, roles, and responsibilities and, more specifically, governmental accounting/budgeting.
2. What do you consider to be the town’s biggest strengths currently? Biggest weaknesses?
GARDNER: I have been told by members of other town boards that they wish they had the finances of Hartwick. The 28 corridor is a true economic blessing. Do I think Hartwick should have a bigger piece of that pie? Of course! I look forward to working with town and county boards to make sure everyone is paying their fair share of taxes and that money spent in Hartwick is easing the burden of, and opening up opportunity for, Hartwick residents. Hartwick’s weakness seems to be a perceived political divide amplified by a few. Personally, I see a diverse population with a lot more unity, kindness and pride in this wonderful town.
HENDERSON: Hartwick is a town which prides itself on community. Over the years, the “one for all” mentality has seemed to fade, unfortunately. I think there are people who have been pushing forward for the greater good to regain that. Andrea Vazquez has done a fantastic job with the Halloween Hartwick Husky Trail planning, the holiday tree lighting and other various events. That being said, Hartwick’s strengths? I’d have to say resilience. The weakness? Communication/ collaboration. It seems to be a table divided. The ultimate goal is not to debate, but collaborate and discuss. If we can agree on our common goals, the rest is just common sense and teamwork.
KELSEY: The town’s biggest strength is that it is a welldeveloped community that is welcoming and supportive to all ages. Taxes are low enough to allow people of all economic levels to live comfortably. The weakness is that the Hartwick Town Board does not do enough to keep the residents informed of
what is going on. There are plenty of Hartwick residents who are not on social media and do not subscribe to a local paper. We need to take the needs of this demographic into account when we are posting vital town information. The town should be posting information on signs in front of town hall and in the post office.
McGUIRE: There are far too many current strengths to list. I believe the town’s most significant strength and/or asset is found in the deep-rooted identity, talents, and resilience of the people who live here, the residents. At 2 a.m., when an emergency call goes out, Hartwick’s team responds. During harsh winters, Hartwick’s highway crew are out at 4 a.m. maintaining roads for everyone’s safety. When one of our friends/neighbors are in need, this community pulls together. Hartwick possesses geographic and economic strengths, too. Hartwick is at the “Heart of Otsego County,” advantageous for growth if managed properly/tastefully. From Toddsville, to “The Hamlet”, to Arnold’s Lake, to the 28 Corridor, Hartwick’s unique characteristics/ diversity is found in the small communities nestled within its 40square-mile boundary. Hartwick, albeit beautiful now, abounds with untapped potential! Biggest weaknesses? I will cite two noticeable and powerfully unproductive weaknesses, which I believe are the root cause of many of the other issues currently at hand. Lack of true leadership and respect for chain of command. The town supervisor is an honorable role; the chief executive officer, responsible for day-today business, budget preparation, presiding at board meetings, chief fiscal officer, manager of departments, and the primary representative of the town. This person must possess integrity and strong leadership skills. Board members are the town’s legislative and executive body and have a responsibility to understand their positions, their roles, and behave accordingly. The term “lead by example” comes to mind, as well as the fact, elected officials are held to ethically higher standards. There should be a consistent goal by all at the table to reach this standard and/or exceed it. Lack of shared understanding in both the purpose and mission of local government or, more specifically, Hartwick’s government. I believe it is time to set clear expectations, a professional tone, and a determination in working together to create a mission and purpose
concentrating on, for example, being the best with essential services, accountable governance, and tasteful economic growth. Without this type of direction, there are no true goals to aim for.
3. A number of town meetings over the past year have been quite contentious and the current council members have clearly been at odds. If elected, how will you help to lower the temperature in these meetings if this trend were to continue? How would you prevent this from happening in future?
GARDNER: Civility, fiscal responsibility and transparency are all non-negotiables in my opinion. Board members are elected to manage the town’s budget and services. Name calling and finger pointing are not only unseemly; the dysfunction can lead to expensive economic implications for taxpayers. At Cooperstown Elementary, students use poster board and markers to create a classroom contract that they all sign and hang in their classrooms. When a student strays from the class rules, classmates calmly and kindly “check” their friend to get back on track. In addition to overseeing finances and preparing budgets, the town supervisor is tasked with running orderly meetings. The untimely resignation of our former supervisor left the board rudderless and meetings often devolved into chaos. Recently, I have seen a shift to a more respectful tone. I am hoping whoever is elected town supervisor will continue this trend, but I have my poster board and markers ready if needed.
HENDERSON: It has been overbearing at times, I have to agree. Unfortunately, we cannot control the actions of others but we do have the ability to control ourselves. The bar for the standard of communication for these meetings has been pretty low and a house divided, but if we can get the right people around the table to compromise rather than debate and argue, things should move a lot smoother in the future.
KELSEY: It is up to the town supervisor to maintain a calm and orderly meeting. Whoever is elected to the supervisor position should be able to control her own feelings and must set standards of decency and behavior at the very first meeting of her term. This goes for those attending the meetings as well. The supervisor should be able to ask anyone to leave who does not follow the rules.
McGUIRE: Board meetings have been
unnecessarily contentious. This contention is seen from not only the board but also the attendees. If elected, I would suggest the Rules of Procedure adopted by Resolution at the Annual Organizational Meeting be strengthened by adding verbiage addressing a non-tolerance policy for lack of decorum/discourse in public meetings, defining lack of decorum/discourse, outlining the consequences, and adherence to the policy. The people and board have roles, and the solution could be as simple as ensuring these roles are understood/adhered to by all in attendance.
4. If given the option, what is the first issue in the town that you would like to see addressed?
GARDNER: Absolutely the first issue that needs to be addressed is reconciling the 2025 budget and correcting errors. If we do not have a handle on actual spending, subsequent budgets will be out of whack, and we may miss out on grant money owed to the town. This is crucial, as federal funding cuts will put more financial strain on the county and subsequently our town.
HENDERSON: Working through the budget. With working in finance, it’s a bit tough to try and figure out what the town has going on. One melting pot for all of our finances and departments seems muddled. It seems to be the biggest issue at our table within all topics discussed. I’m hoping more clarity and transparency can help future discussions about projects within the town and also help bring a better sense of comradery within the board and our community.
KELSEY: I would like to see more communication between the board and the public. That is really lacking right now. The town website should be updated. It is impossible to find anything in there. There should also be a return address on anything that is being mailed out. None of the water bills had a return address and some people threw them away thinking they were trash. There was also no explanation as to why the bill went up. There needs to be an explanation.
McGUIRE: Given the option, the first issue I would like to see addressed would be the lack of civil discourse/ decorum. Without this first, nothing will be accomplished for four more years; and the people who matter most, the residents, will suffer further as any progress will be again stalled.
Waller: Reaching Milestone ‘Reflects Teamwork, Dedication’
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Scott Waller, Cooperstown Central School Class of ’93, has achieved a coaching milestone: 300 wins. Scott is the head coach for the Gonzaga College High School soccer team in Washington, D.C. Scott is the son of former Cooperstown Mayor Carol Waller and her husband, Bill. His parents attended the milestone game on September 2, which Gonzaga won 3-1. Scott’s son, Charlie, scored two of the goals. It was his 17th birthday.
Prior to the evening home game on September 4, Gonzaga Athletic Director Terry Kernan and School President Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. presented Scott with a 300 Game Plaque and a trophy soccer ball, emblazoned with “300 Wins,” and with panels
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Starview Storage LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on September 2, 2025. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 271 Texas Road Springfield Center, NY 13468 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalOct.23
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Bless Your Heart LLC
Articles of organization filed with SSNY on 8/5/2025 Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as an agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 8 Doubleday Court, Cooperstown, NY 13326. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalOct.30
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: Thorp Brook Farm, LLC (the “Company”).
featuring pictures from prior victories.
Gonzaga went on to win the September 4 game with Scott’s son, Charlie, scoring another goal—three goals in three games.
“Reflecting on the 300 win milestone, what stands out most is the people I’ve worked with,” Scott wrote in an e-mail to AllOtsego. “My foundation in coaching began with my father, then Mr. Porto (Ian Porto’s father), and continued under the late Jim Huntington, Jerry Townsend, and, most significantly, Frank Miosek.
“Frank shaped my approach not only to the tactics of the game, but to understanding and developing the players as people. I still reflect on my high school and college experiences and how they influenced my coaching philosophy,”
The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was September 17, 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 Thorp Brook Farm, LLC, 662 Rimmon Hill Road, Beacon Falls, CT 06403. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.
6LegalOct.30
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY.
Name: MOMMAS MARKET LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 23 September 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 216 Bentley Oaks Blvd., Auburndale, FL 33823. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalNov.6
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN
Scott said. Scott was a standout player at CCS and played for Coach Miosek for four years. Head coach at Gonzaga since 2005, Scott’s teams have earned 10 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championships and five District of Columbia State Athletic Association Championships. He has been honored as Coach of the Year twice by the WCAC, two times by “The Washington Post,” and four times by the DCSAA.
Scott’s teams have consistently been ranked in the top 10 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Poll and, for the 2024 season, was the fourth ranked high school soccer team in the country. His overall record as of Monday, October 20 is 308-94-56 and the team is currently 9-4-3 on the season.
“We began the year ranked fifth in the nation,” Scott wrote in an e-mail, “but after a very challenging schedule— including a trip to play a top-10 team in Colorado and a home loss to the current number one team from Cleveland, we are currently outside the top 25.”
The team is 11th in the Washington, D.C. rankings as of press time.
Under Scott’s guidance, eight Gonzaga players have been named Gatorade State Player of the Year, and 15 have been selected to the firstteam All-Met in “The Washington Post.” Many Gonzaga graduates play for Division 1 college teams and even go on to professional soccer clubs.
Scott has been a teacher at Gonzaga College High School since 1998. A former head of the math
LEGALS
of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY
Name: SACRED MEN SING LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 29 August 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 PO Box 1184, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalNov.6
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY
Name: STERLING BUR LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 23 September 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 58 Chestnut St. Apt. B, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.
6LegalNov.6
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of
DISCO MUFFIN LLC
Arts of Org. filed with SSNY 8/26/2025
Otsego Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST, # 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207
General Purpose
6LegalNov.6
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of
Charming Familiar Studio LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/02/2025.
Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: Charming Familiar Studio LLC, P.O. Box 213, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
6LegalNov.13
LegaL nOtice
SUmmoNS WitH Notice: SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK: COUNTY OF OTSEGO; Index No. EF2025-349: SIDNEY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff, -vsBERNARD J. MCCANN, Defendant.
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear in this action by serving a notice of
department, he continues to teach math and also oversees the Gonzaga Summer Learning Program and the Gonzaga Summer Sports Camps. He serves on the Board of the McLain (VA) Soccer Club.
Scott was a standout on the varsity soccer team of Castleton State College (VT), where he earned two Academic AllAmerican honors, was named a New England Small College Athletic Conference Senior AllStar, and made the AllConference First Team three times.
“I’ve been a fan of the game since childhood. I love watching soccer at every level: club, high school, and college, and if I can’t be at a live match, I usually have one on TV at home,” Scott wrote in the e-mail.
“Reaching 300 wins feels less like a personal achievement and more
like recognition of the talented athletes I’ve coached and the excellent staff I’ve been privileged to work with. It’s a milestone that reflects teamwork, dedication and a lot of people investing in the program,” he said. Scott’s older daughter, Kira, is a member of the University of Virginia Varsity Soccer team and has received Academic All-American Honors. His son Charlie plays for Gonzaga and was voted Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. His younger daughter, Naomi, plays for Alexandria Soccer Club and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Development Team Eastern Division. Scott lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Suzy, their three children and their dog, Chili.
William Waller and Darla M. Youngs contributed to this article.
appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney within thirty (30) days after service of this summons is complete and in case of your failure to appear, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Brian D. Burns, J.S.C., signed and filed in the Otsego County Clerk’s office on September 30, 2025 under the Index Number EF2025-349.
The object of this action is for breach of contract for non-payment of monies due and owing under a Loan and Security Agreements and Disclosure dated May 26, 2022, and a Consumer Credit Card Agreement and Disclosure dated June 22, 2022.
Dated: September 30, 2025,
Amanda C Shaw, Esq., Riehlman, Shafer & Shaw, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 7693 Route 281, P.O. Box 544, Tully, NY 131590544, (315) 696-6347 4LegalOct.30
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of W&M Unlimited, LLC.
Filed 7/23/25. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail to 499 St. Rt. 51, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalNov.13
Notice of formatioN of SLUGGERS LLC
Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/26/25. 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 NORTHWEST REGISTERED AGENT LLC, 418 Broadway, Ste. N, Albany, NY 12207 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalNov.13
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of Fireflies Teaching Roundtable
Articles of Organization filed with the New York Secretary of State on May 26, 2025. Office location: Otsego County. The New York Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and is directed to forward service of process to 19 Woodside Avenue, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
6LegalNov.20
LegaL nOtice
Notice of orgaNizatioN of Boldest Move LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.
1. The name of the limited liability company is Boldest Move LLC.
2. Articles of Organization of Boldest Move LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on September 12, 2025.
3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.
4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is: 87 Jomar Lane, Olivebridge, NY 12461.
5. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: Boldest Move LLC, 87 Jomar Lane, Olivebridge, NY 12461.
6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities.
6LegalNov.20
LegaL nOtice
Notice to BiDDerS
Sealed bids will be received as set forth in Instructions to Bidders (https://www.dot. ny.gov/bids-andlettings/construction-contractors/ important-info) until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 06, 2025 at the NYSDOT, Office of Contract Management, 50 Wolf Rd,
1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Maps, Plans and Specifications may be seen at Electronic documents and Amendments which are posted to www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-notices.
The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting.
Region 09: New York State Department of Transportation 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901 D265607, PIN 9WW025, Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga Cos., HIGHWAY STAND BY WHERE & WHEN SFY 26/27 - Various Locations., Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $375,000.00), Goals: MBE: 5.00%, WBE: 10.00%, SDVOB: 0.00%
D265608, PIN 9WWS25, Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga Cos., BRIDGE REPAIR, STANDBY WHERE AND WHEN - Various Routes, Various Locations., Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $40,000.00), Goals: MBE: 5.00%, WBE: 10.00%, SDVOB: 0.00% 2LegalOct.23
LegaL nOtice
Notice of formatioN of American Destiny, LLC, filed with the Secretary of State on September 2, 2025. Office Location is in Otsego County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to P.O. Box 264, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalNov.27
LegaL nOtice
Project
Continued from page 1
officials said.
Brent and Laura Nicklas have been longtime supporters of the Cooperstown community. A Cooperstown native, Brent is the founder of Lexington Partners, a New York City-based investment firm with offices across the globe. Together, the Nicklas’ commitment to the arts and to civic life reflects a deep belief in the power of creativity to invigorate and connect communities, according to the release.
“The remarkable generosity of Brent and Laura Nicklas ensures that this project will not only reach its goals but exceed them,” said Janet G. Erway, executive director of CAA and The Smithy. “Their support allows us to realize the full vision for the Nicklas Building, inside and out, while also inspiring others to join us.
“As we enter the public phase of this campaign, we invite the community to help bring this landmark project to life, creating a vibrant cultural hub that will serve artists, residents, and visitors for generations to come,” Erway said.
Charles Kieler, chair of the 53 Pioneer Project Capital Campaign Committee, added, “The incredible commitment of Brent and Laura Nicklas has moved this project from vision to reality, providing the resources needed to expand its scope and impact. Their philanthropic spirit, together with the generous local gifts already pledged, reflects the strong belief in Cooperstown’s cultural future and the power of the arts to bring people together.
“The gift from Brent and Laura Nicklas is truly significant,” Kieler continued. “The matching portion is very important going forward in our fundraising, as this will allow us to tackle additional opportunities such as adding an elevator, upgrading the garden behind The Smithy and The Nicklas Building, improving the garden access between the two buildings, and to meet the rising costs of material and labor since we first envisioned this project over two years ago.”
The scope of the renovation project at 53 Pioneer Street totals 3,072 square feet—the full three-story interior—and the exterior façade. Once completed, officials said the Nicklas Building will provide exhibition space, retail space, flexible-use classroom, a commis-
sary kitchen for teaching, and an indoor/outdoor event venue for the benefit and use of visitors and residents of the Village of Cooperstown and surrounding areas. Altonview Architects has been retained to design the new facility. Their plans emphasize green energy-efficient upgrades and the preservation of the building’s historic architectural features dating back to its original 1826 construction.
According to the press release, the building’s interior “will incorporate a flexible, modern design to elevate the visitor experience and support an expanded institutional vision.” Carmen Busch will partner with Altonview Architects to design the outdoor spaces, revitalizing the garden that connects 53 Pioneer Street with the adjacent Smithy Gallery and Clay Studio, officials said.
During the newly launched public phase— boosted now by the Nicklas family matching fund— the campaign continues to seek commitments of financial support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and government agencies, “ensuring the longterm sustainability of the project and maximizing its benefit to the community.” To contribute, make checks payable to The Smithy with “53 Pioneer Project” on the memo line and mail to: The Smithy, 55 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown NY 13326. Those interested in making a multi-year pledge are asked to call (607) 547-9777 or email gallery@cooperstownart.com.
B&B
Continued from page 1
The kids had a job wheel with assigned responsibilities, and incentives like horseback riding or ice cream (and some pay). As the kids aged, all three eventually worked at the batting cages.
“They never lost their love for the batting cage,” Suzanne said.
The kids never went to camp.
“This was camp,” John said.
The Baseball B&B’s walls are adorned with baseball photos and memorabilia, with guest rooms named for original inductees to the Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb, the recipient of the most votes in the first Hall of Fame induction, is honored with the master bedroom.
The Rudys enjoyed meeting their mix of guests, some of whom they saw numerous times over the years, and personalizing the experience. But
if no one was vegetarian or allergic, “breakfast Sunday is always bacon and eggs, and then I made a coffee cake,” Suzanne said. She’d match other meals with what she felt was the right fit for a given guest.
“I decided what I think the people wanted. I never asked them,” Suzanne said.
“It’s been a wonderful journey,” John said. Sometimes it was so wonderful the roles were reversed, with the Rudys visiting the homes of their guests.
The Rudys’ love for Cooperstown has only grown over the years.
“We’ve also made friends here in Cooperstown, and we really like this place,” Suzanne said. “My husband said there’s nowhere on Earth he’d rather be from Memorial Day to Labor Day.”
The Rudys say they’ll still be around between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, just like before.
“During that time, Suzanne will tend to gardening, John will serve as her helper,” the two said in an e-mail.
OCCA
Continued from page 5
we are exploring ways to connect our members with a larger regional network. The goal is to make your OCCA membership part of a broader web of reciprocal benefits with other conservation organizations across the country. More on that soon.
If you are a local business that embraces the “shop local, shop small” mindset, if you care about local food, sustainable practices, and community resilience, we would love to have you involved. Joining the program is free; all we ask is that you offer a small benefit or special recognition for OCCA members.
We are excited to bring this new initiative to life and will be sharing our first list of participating businesses and their member perks soon.
To become a member, visit www.occainfo. org/store. If you are a business interested in participating, reach out to shelbym@occainfo. org. Current participating businesses are: Cooperstown Coworks, Golden Swan Trading, Origins Café, Rigby Handcraft, Sybil’s Yarn Shop, The Local Bird, with more on the way.
Hope to see you out in nature soon!
Amy Wyant is the executive director of the Otsego County Conservation Association.
Park
Continued from page 2
Cousteau diver who grew up on a lake. The rest were from oceans like the Mediterranean.”
But it’s his mother’s love for the place that warms his heart.
“Going to Fairy Spring in the afternoons was probably one of her greatest joys,” he said. “She could swim and she could interface with young people and older people.”
Hilda Wilcox is now 96 and can’t go to the park anymore, but an anonymous donor has already made a large contribution in her honor. Clay Wilcox and his family are also planning to give.
Donors contributing at the $1,000.00 level or higher will be recognized on a plaque located inside the pavilion, as well as through several donor events.
Knight said people have been creative with their giving strategies. Two brothers who were former lifeguards made a two-year pledge in order
to get their names on the plaque. Another family gathered contributions from multiple members to make a gift together.
Support from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, Knight said. There have been many donations, ranging from a few hundred dollars to much more from faithful park enthusiasts and others those who value public access to Otsego Lake.
A recent large donation was made in recognition of John Odell, who served for many years as a charismatic Friends of the Parks president and Village Parks Board member. Other donations have been made in memory of other park veterans: Jonathan Ross, Dorle Sittler, longtime Friends of the Parks member Bill Ralston, and in honor of Hilda Wilcox’s heroic efforts to keep the park from closing in the 1970s. Grants have also been received from NYCM, Preferred Mutual Insurance, Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, Stewart’s
Shops and the Lucky Duck Foundation.
How To Give
An anonymous match of $25,000.00 has been pledged to encourage community giving over the next several months. Donations can be made in two ways, via a check made out to Cooperstown Friends of the Parks Inc., Attention Project Fairy Spring sent to PO Box 1008, Cooperstown NY 13326 or Venmo @ FOTP-Coop with a notation that it’s for Project Fairy Spring.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU
Promotions, births, meetings, new hires, events, milestones, grand openings, sports results, anniversaries and more. Photos welcome, too! info@allotsego.com
Community, Electeds Oppose NYSEG Rate Hikes at Hearing
By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
ONEONTA
Abipartisan group of around 70 community members gathered at the SUNY Oneonta Morris Conference Center last Wednesday, October 15 at 1 p.m. to oppose proposed utility rate hikes by New York State Electric and Gas. It was one of several Public Service Commission hearings across Upstate New York. Administrative Law Judges Ashley Moreno and Tara Kersey presided over the hearing.
NYSEG is requesting a 35 percent increase in delivery revenues, or 18.4 percent total revenues, for the rate year ending April 30, 2027. According to the New York State Department of Public Service, the rate hike could lead to a “monthly bill increase of $33.12 (23.7 percent increase to total bill) for a typical residential customer using 600 kilowatt-hours (kWh).”
All speakers, including several local public officials, opposed the proposed rate hikes. Many shared stories of already increasing electricity prices without an official hike, adding to other increases in cost of living. Some shared stories of sitting in the dark or using household appliances to stay warm to avoid spending more on electricity. Many panned NYSEG—a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., which is controlled by Spanish parent company Iberdrola—as only interested in profit. One speaker called for a return to public ownership of utilities.
Several speakers from the crowd of mostly older individuals said the hearing was held at an inaccessible time for working people, who are among those most impacted by rate increases.
“A rate increase would be detrimental to the people of my senate district,” said State Senator and new congressional candidate Peter Oberacker, a Republican. He said his office has received more than 570 complaints from residents about electricity costs.
“The average NYSEG bill reported was $582.00 a month,” Oberacker said.
Oberacker said his office has taken up hundreds of rate cases to advocate for fixes for alleged overcharging.
“NYSEG now claims 442 outreach attempts, then
NEWS BRIEFS
Wieting Presents Poe Evening
WORCESTER—The Catskill Community Players and Worcester Wieting Theater, 168 Main Street, will present “Tales of Terror: An Evening of Stories by Edgar Allan Poe” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24. Seven talented local actors will perform a selection of Poe’s work. Admission is free and donations are accepted. To volunteer as an usher for “Tales of Terror” or the upcoming show “Birthday Candles” on November 14-16, contact garyabbeykoutnik@gmail.com. The latter play follows Earnestine Ashworth from her 17th to 101st birthday. Tickets are $20.00, with a $5.00 discount for students and seniors. For more information, visit catskillplayers.org.
Pumpkin Glow Is Saturday
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association’s annual Pumpkin Glow will return on the steps of the Village Hall from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 26. All community members are invited to submit their decorated pumpkins for display. Bruce Markusen will present ghost stories starting at 6:30 p.m. The Pumpkin Glow is free and open to the public, although donations are welcome. For more information, visit cooperstownart.org.
Food Drive Results Released
COOPERSTOWN—CooperstownOneonta Indivisible has held a food drive in conjunction with each of their five rallies to date. Total donations so far include nearly $800.00 in cash and 94 prepared boxes of food for Your Safe Haven Food Pantry, Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center, and the Cooperstown and Milford food banks. For more information on Cooperstown Oneonta Indivisible or to make a donation, contact (607) 432-9243.
RAG Holds Exhibits, Workshops
ROXBURY—The Roxbury Arts Center’s fall exhibition, “Holding Artemis,” will be on display at the gallery, 5025 Vega Mountain Road in Roxbury, through December 20. It features printed works, ceramic pieces and installation work by Jody Isaacson that explore the ethos of Artemis, Greek goddess of the hunt and wilderness. There will be a Delaware County Arts Grant Celebration and Expo, highlighting 46 local art projects that received grants, at the Arts Center from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. Registration is requested. The sixth annual Pumpkin Carving Contest and Halloween Party will run from 5:30-7:30 on Saturday, October 25. Artists Andie Hope, Tracy Qiu, Ali Shockey, Kathleen Sweeney and Carol Woodin will give a public talk at noon on the final day of their joint “Botanical Impressions” exhibition, Saturday, November 1. It will be held at the Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street in Stamford. There will be a free Halloween-themed community crafting
our people report missed calls and voicemails, not fixes,” Oberacker said. He demanded a “full account level audit” of cases like these.
“Bottom line, New Yorkers deserve answers, transparency and relief,” Oberacker said.
Oberacker also touted his proposed “Ratepayer Bill of Rights,” legislation he plans to introduce that would include bans on political contributions from regulated utilities and creation of a Utility Consumer Advocate Office, among other provisions.
Later, his opponent, Democratic Rep. Josh Riley, also spoke against the hikes. Responding to prior NYSEG statements that the rate hike would be necessary for the company’s financial integrity, Riley said, “I just don’t know how else to say this: It’s bullsh*t. We know it’s not true.”
“NYSEG is telling its investors a completely
workshop at Headwaters from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. For more information or to register, visit roxburyartsgroup.org.
Village To Celebrate Al Keck
COOPERSTOWN—The Village of Cooperstown will hold a public retirement party for longstanding public servant Al Keck at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 27 in the board room of Village Hall. Light refreshments will be served.
Gas Price Slide Continues
UTICA—The average price of a gallon of gasoline in New York State declined two cents to $3.13 during the week ending Monday, October 20, AAA Northeast announced. Global crude oil prices dropped to levels not seen since 2021 on booming US production and upcoming output increases by OPEC+ member nations. Total domestic gas demand also declined by about half a million barrels to 8.4 million per day, a normal seasonal movement that put downward pressure on prices. New York’s price is 10 cents lower than last month and nine cents lower than this day last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.
Movement Class Announced
COOPERSTOWN—Andrée Baillargeon will run a somatic movement class titled “Move Like Only You Can” at Cooperstown Coworks, 6 Doubleday Court, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5. Participants can unwind with guided movements from stillness to dance and back. The class is free, but pre-registration is highly encouraged. For more information or to sign up, contact andree.baillargeon@outlook.com.
Car Care Clinic Is Thursday
ONEONTA—AAA Northeast invites drivers to a free car care clinic to get their vehicles in good condition for the winter months ahead. Members and non-members can work with trained AAA technicians on multi-point inspections, with no appointments necessary. The clinic will be held at 762 State Route 28, Suite 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. For more information, call (607) 441-5011.
Alzheimer’s Walk Coming Up
COOPERSTOWN—The Northeastern New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold its 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 1 at the Clark Sports Center. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. and the walk will start after a brief opening ceremony. This year’s event aims to raise $35,000.00 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. For more information or to register, visit alz.org/walk.
different story,” Riley said. “What we saw in NYSEG’s last quarterly report is that in the first six months of this year, it raked in $125 million in profits.”
He also read stories constituents had sent to his office, including one where an individual said they burned their foot trying to heat themselves with a hairdryer to save electricity.
Former State Assemblyman John Salka, Milford Central School Superintendent Kristin Shearer, Town of Oneonta supervisor candidate Will Rivera, councilman for the City of Oneonta’s 5th Ward Len Carson and the president of SUNY Oneonta’s CSEA Local 635, Jennifer Regg, all spoke against the hikes.
Regg said that “five, six years ago, we could pay all our bills.” Now, savings are out of reach. In those years, Regg said, she and her husband had both received promotions and raises. And yet, “we live paycheck to paycheck, and my husband just started a second job.”
“When I’m paying more for my groceries to feed my family than for my mortgage, there’s a problem,” Regg said. “And now my NYSEG bill is catching up to that? That’s a bigger problem.”
Some speakers mentioned data centers and cryptocurrency in their remarks.
“These are services that do not benefit us, and they’re actually pretty unethical,” Oneonta resident Heidi Sanford testified. If their expansion is responsible for increased electricity demand, Sanford said, “These costs should not be falling on rate payers.”
Asked after the hearing about Eco-Yotta Inc.’s proposal in the Town of Oneonta, Riley told AllOtsego, “I think one of the very first questions, if not the very first question, we should be asking around any of these projects, is, how are you going to pay for the energy?”
Riley added, “We cannot allow folks who are already getting squeezed in the community to end up being on the hook for the expenses of yet another big corporation. So if they don’t have a plan to make sure that they are handling all of their energy needs, then they shouldn’t even be looking at it.”
The PSC had two more virtual hearings on October 21, completing its scheduled hearings. The PSC will determine whether to approve the rate increase.
Panel To Discuss Pandemic
COOPERSTOWN—Bassett Healthcare Network and SUNY Oneonta invite community members to a five-year retrospective on the COVID-19 pandemic, with two options to view the panel discussion. The first will be held in the Clark Auditorium at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road in Cooperstown, from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 23. The next presentation, focusing on the perspectives of college students, faculty and staff, will take place in Lecture Hall 1 of SUNY Oneonta’s IRC Building, 108 Ravine Parkway. Livestream options will be available.
Historical Society To Meet
SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Springfield Community Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22. Guest Speaker Loree Allen will discuss the research and restoration work she has done on Revolutionary War graves in local cemeteries. The meeting is free and open to the public.
World Series Gala Is Saturday
COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will hold its annual World Series Gala in the Grandstand Theater on Saturday, October 25. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m., with Game 2 expected to begin at 8 p.m. The family-friendly evening will feature complimentary ballpark food and soft drinks, trivia, raffles and prizes in addition to the big-screen broadcast of the game. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under 12, and are available at baseballhall.org or by calling (607) 547-0397 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Halloween Open Mic Slated
MORRIS—The Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile, 129 Main Street in Morris, will hold its monthly Open Mic Night from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. The Halloween-themed event is free and open to the public. Local musician Khalil Jade will host a cozy and spooky evening of live music, poetry, storytelling and comedy. Costumes are strongly encouraged. Performers may sign up upon arrival on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit thegatehouseny.com.
Legion Offers Monthly Meal
LAURENS—The Laurens American Legion Post, 11 Main Street, announced that free community breakfasts for veterans and active-duty military, law enforcement, EMT and fire personnel will be held from 8-10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month going forward. Guests are welcome for a fee of $5.00. For more information, contact yreckert@yahoo.com.
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
State Senator Peter Oberacker (front), Rep. Josh Riley (back left), and many other locals spoke against proposed NYSEG rate hikes on October 16 at a Public Service Commission public hearing.
Breast CancerAwareness Month is a global campaign to raise awareness for breast cancer, increase screenings, and provide critical support for patients and survivors. Since 1989, increased awareness through campaigns like BCAM has helped reduce breast cancer deaths in the United States by 44%.
For 40 years, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has helped raise awareness of breast cancer across the nation. It has encouraged millions to take action, resulting in increased early detection and advancements in treatment that have saved more than half a million lives. And we’re not stopping here. Join us in helping women now, today. Visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/ for more information.
LEAF
330 PONY FARM RD. ONEONTA, NEW YORK
Early Voting Begins this Saturday at Brenner Building, Meadows
Early voting for the November 4 General Election will be underway from Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 2. Otsego County voters may cast their ballot at one of two locations: the
Brenner Building in Neahwa Park, 24 Bertus Lauren Drive, Oneonta or The Meadows Office Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
On Tuesday and Thursday, polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Sample ballots are available at vote. otsegocountyny.gov. The Brenner Building replaces the Foothills Performing Arts and Center, which will no longer be serving as an early voting location.
HawtHorn Hill journal ricHard derosa
On Forgetfulness, Marbles and the Garlic Crop that Wasn’t...
Two weeks after I would normally plant next year’s garlic crop, I realized I had completely forgotten. I cannot recall ever forgetting such a staple of our routine up here on the hill. I mean, routine is everything. Fortunately, my source was more than happy to supply me with what I needed. Normally, I plant September 15 and harvest July 15. That has been the case for the last 20 years. How to account for such an uncharacteristic oversight. Thus far I am not aware of any early signs of dementia—perhaps that’s the problem. No, I’m pretty confident that my marbles are up to the game.
We have talked about cutting back the last several years and have done so. We have always had two large vegetable gardens. We are now down to just one, which has always been ample enough for our needs. My wife, Sandy, now has her garden, the Lower Garden, where she plants flowers as well as some of the leftover vegetable starts that I find hard to toss into the compost heap. We’ve had a constant stream of beautiful flowers from her garden, especially gladiolas that just seem unable to stop. In fact, the glads that we planted along the Upper Garden fence several years ago just keep on coming back every year. The conventional wisdom has been to dig them up and then replant in the spring. Benign neglect seems to do the trick.
I probably will get a bit antsy next spring around July 15, since I’m programmed to dig up the garlic then. I’ll be a bit older and perhaps will have become a little more patient. I suspect I’ll keep an eye out for any sign of stem decay and
No Kings
Continued from page 1
American way and in being on the right side of history, welcome,” he opened.
Drnek compared Trump to Benito Mussolini, the early 20th century Italian fascist dictator. He walked through a sixpoint checklist on the warning signs of fascism with the crowd: “authoritarian leadership and a cult of personality,” “suppression of dissent and punishment of opponents,” “demonizing and scapegoating of minorities,” “media manipulation and censorship by intimi -
dation,” “militarization and violence turned inward,” and lastly, “subversion of government institutions and the erosion of the rule of law.”
“That’s what we are fighting,” Drnek told the crowd.
In an interview, Drnek told AllOtsego “we wanted to join 2,500 other groups, cities, municipalities, towns, villages and small communities in a national message to the Trump administration. So of course, we need to be here.”
Otsego County Democratic Committee Chair Caitlin Ogden and another member, candidate for Otsego County Board of Representatives
will have to force myself to hold back. Never been very good at that.
As far as the Upper Garden goes, the plan is to focus on low maintenance root/storage crops: squash, carrots, potatoes, garlic, etc. Of course, some lettuce and one of my favorite foods, peas. As a bachelor many years ago I subsisted on a diet of peas, fish cakes and coleslaw. Add a cold piece of apple pie into the mix for desert and I’m in heaven.
Years ago, when crossing the border into the U.S. late at night on the way home from Newfoundland, we stopped at an all-night diner which, at 2 a.m. was packed, for a late-night snack. My friend ordered French fries, his go-to snack, and I ordered coleslaw and apple pie. Now there’s an ideal road to heaven on earth. I like my bagels and apple pie at room temperature, certainly not heated. Ugh! Also, keep cheese and ice cream away from my pie as well. I’m an old man with adolescent tastes who abhors his pie being contaminated by either cheese or ice cream. Love ice cream standing its own ground. Love cheese on a good cracker, which is where it belongs.
I suspect come planting time next year I will have to overcome any urges to plant too many tomatoes, as well as arugula, chard, cilantro and dill. Actually, once you’ve planted dill it takes up permanent residence by reseeding itself every year, like it or not. We got a bit worried when it didn’t show up as early as we’re accustomed, so we threw a bunch of seed around and ended up with dill all over the place. Lesson learned: Be patient, nature is smarter than you are. I started growing arugula a bunch of years
7th District Leslie Berliant, urged attendees to support Democrats in upcoming local elections.
Ogden said Indivisible national had advised against cursing to keep the protests family friendly. “So I guess that that means that I’m not going to be able to quote [for] you Cooperstown’s own Bobby Walker,” Ogden added.
Walker, a longtime local GOP operative and chair of the New York State Young Republicans until it was disbanded recently, was caught in a hateful, violent group chat by a recent Politico investigation.
State Senator Peter Oberacker’s congressional campaign, which Walker had been in line to manage, cut ties with
him sometime after their launch on October 6. See page 2 for more.
Ogden said Walker offered an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of involvement in local communities and elections “because fascists like him are rising to the top of power all across the country.”
“USA, USA, let’s go out and vote today,” the crowd would later chant.
Berliant asked people to raise their hand if they were willing to volunteer to “make sure that the next Bobby Walker and those tactics that the Otsego County Republicans have paid for year after year after year, and are now pretending they’re shocked by, don’t continue to happen in Otsego County.” Many raised their hands.
ago because our downstate kids see it as an obligatory salad complement—I can easily live without it. Sorry foodies. I obliged this year and, while Sandy used some, most of it from containers on the deck, far too much sat idle in the garden. Unless asked, I was not about to offer any up. Some did, however, find its way into quite a few salads, none of my doing and I am the house salad guy. If you happen to find your way to one of my salads, chances are you’ll savor, depending on my mood, a raisin, blueberry or dried cranberry. No pomegranate seeds in my salads.
It has been a hell of a tomato year. They just never stopped coming. I have no idea why we were overrun, while some gardening friends here in town had very spare crops. My college roommate, who lives in Connecticut, with whom I chat every few months, asked about our tomato crop. Turns out they had a banner crop as well. Go figure. A friend asked if we had done anything differently. No. Same process as every year: organic, some compost and a dab of a granulated organic fertilizer. Same approach year after year.
Who knows if forgetfulness will become a staple. I would rather forget about garlic and plant arugula by mistake than forget my name on the way to the bathroom. Looking forward to a robust garlic crop next year.
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.
The Otsego County Republican Committee did not respond to requests for comment.
Speakers also included Geoffrey Doyle, Erin K. Wagner, the Rev. LaDana Clark and JayLynne Garelick.
Doyle, an organizer and local arts leader, condemned the “radical” actions of Republicans, including Speaker Johnson refusing to promptly seat Arizona Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva and “masked men in unmarked cars invading our cities and disappearing people to unknown places for indeterminate amounts of time.”
Wagner, an immigration advocate, said that the same day as the last No Kings protest, ICE came to Oneonta.
“They took members of our community away from their families to detention centers,” Wagner said. “ICE has quotas to fill, and they are active even in rural New York.”
Clark said that had President Barack Obama done what Trump is doing, he’d have been impeached already. “As a 1960s baby,” Clark said her family “all had to deal with this misguided mindset and distorted discriminatory reality.”
Invoking the Civil Rights Movement, which was also often led by Black religious leaders, Clark said, “Let us continue to come together as a human race and as keepers of humanity to do the work of removing this federal administration that is a threat to all Americans.”
Garelick, a Republican who has worked with Job Corps, a federal career training program, was met with cheers.
“There’s a lot of things that you and I are going to disagree on,” she said, but she will “live and die” by two things: the scripture of Jesus Christ and the American constitution. Scripture “tells me to conquer evil, not by doing evil, but by doing good.” The constitution “quite clearly says all men are created equal, not just the men that agree with me.”
Garelick said it appeared many of her fellow Republicans did not understand these values.
After speeches, the crowd marched up the hill to Oneonta’s Main Street, lining both sides. Many cars honked as they passed by. Demonstrators began to leave around 3 p.m. Organizers say they plan to host more events.
CDPHP Drops Otsego, Other Counties’ Medicare Advantage Coverage
MVP Also Eliminates Some Coverage
By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
UPSTATE NEW YORK
The Upstate New York health insurance provider Capital District
Physicians’ Health Plan Inc. has announced reductions in service. Come 2026, four Medicare Advantage plans will no longer be offered: CDPHP Value Rx, CDPHP Focus, CDPHP Vital Rx and CDPHP Complete Rx.
“CDPHP also carefully evaluated our Medicare Advantage service area for operational
efficiency,” a company spokesperson wrote, “and will no longer offer Medicare Advantage plans in Allegany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Monroe, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties.”
“The pressure rising healthcare costs is putting on regional, not-for-profit health plans like CDPHP has resulted in difficult but necessary changes,” a spokesperson said.
“CDPHP is committed to providing high quality, affordable healthcare coverage to
communities across Upstate New York and is proud to offer four Medicare Advantage plan options in 18 counties in 2026,” the spokesperson said. “Our plans for 2026 offer varying price points and benefit levels, including one with a monthly premium starting at $0.”
“However, across the country, rising healthcare costs—especially for hospital services and prescription drugs—continue to put pressure on Medicare Advantage plans, including CDPHP, which has required difficult but necessary changes to health plan offerings for 2026.
To ensure our long-term strength and viability, CDPHP has made
the difficult decision to reduce our plan offerings from seven plan offerings to four plan offerings for the 2026 plan year,” the spokesperson said.
Locals began posting on social media about receiving notices in the mail earlier this month.
“This leaves thousands of seniors scrambling to find replacement coverage,” one Facebook post read.
The Otsego County Office for the Aging has been receiving many calls from residents about the changes.
Tamie Reed, the office’s director, told AllOtsego, “We are also aware that MVP has
dropped several plans in our area. However, our office is happy to help people find a new plan.”
“There are other plan options available, and we are happy to assist any Medicare beneficiaries with this process,” Reed said. “We have five staff who are trained and certified as Medicare counselors who can provide unbiased information about all plans available in Otsego County.”
Reed encouraged people to call (607) 547-4232 as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. She also pointed to www.medicare.gov for Medicare beneficiaries.
Sun Sets on Springfield’s Sunflower Cafe as Property Hits the Market
By BILL BELLEN SPRINGFIELD
On Sunday, October 12, the Town of Springfield said goodbye to the Sunflower Cafe as the establishment closed its doors for the final time under current ownership.
First opened in 2017 by Cheryl Zamelis and her husband, Douglas Zamelis Esq., the cafe served numerous breakfast and lunch staples Thursday through Sunday seasonally between April and Columbus Day for the past nine years. Partnering with numerous other local businesses, Cheryl and her staff valued sourcing as many of their ingredients from local vendors as possible.
“I had gone to college for food service administration and always wanted to open a cafe. I worked hard at finding local farmers for many of the items used in our menu. Fresh, local food is very important to me,” Cheryl wrote in a recent e-mail.
Over the years, familiar faces like cook Carlin Thompson, wait staff Susan Larsen and Sarah Lewis, and plenty
of Zamelis family relatives all brought a positive energy to their little corner of town. Cheryl went on to detail the many birthday parties hosted at her cafe and how proud she was of it being a staple meeting place for people from as far as Syracuse and Albany to gather.
Cheryl and her staff proudly hosted Glimmerglass Festival staff of all professions, often recounting the songs they would break out into or the wonderful gifts some had given to the cafe.
“We have very loyal customers that come on an almost daily basis, who mean the world to the cafe staff,” Cheryl shared. “Robert Nelson, Van Broughton Ramsey, Becky Gretton (“bird lady”), Tonya Pyle, Wyatt Nyman (aka “Sweet Tea”), Rob Ainsley, Jeanette Weldon, Linda and Mike
Garrity, summer people including the Howell family, the Elkan family, Joe Colaneri, and many more—the Hages, the Mioseks, and Pat and Maureen.”
“One of the hardest parts of having the cafe was getting close with customers and then hav[ing] them pass away,” Cheryl wrote. “Gunter Smith (a real character) and Bob Schlather immediately come to mind.”
The Sunflower Café community created a unique blend of residents and summer visitors that each found a way to make the establishment their home. Unfortunately, even with the wonderful community that was fostered, it was not enough to maintain sustainable operations. Cheryl cited difficulties in outreach as a major contributing factor to the cafe’s closure, as—despite
leW i S, HurleY & pietrobono Funeral Home
51 Dietz Street oneonta, nY 607-432-1511 www.lhpfuneralhome.com
advertisements, tourist brochures, and a social media presence—many surrounding residents still had never heard of the cafe.
“My husband and I have decided to sell our property and possibly move closer to our new granddaughter, Iris, in Oswego. We would also like to travel more and to be able to visit our exchange student son, Max Bebronne, from 18 years ago and the rest of his family in Belgium,” Cheryl wrote. “I would love to find someone to carry it on because it has become a community. So many people come and visit for hours, with each other and our staff! My reviews almost always mention the friendly staff!”
As the door closes on this chapter of the Sunflower Cafe’s legacy, Cheryl and Douglas are looking ahead optimistically to a future
Heller & Skinner Funeral Home
155 Main Street Worcester, nY 607-397-9711 www.hellerskinnerfh.com
Proud to be family-owned John & Kathleen (Heller) Pietrobono
where the property’s subsequent owners may continue to operate the cafe. Regardless of the outcome of the sale, people from across
the state will be able to look back and share fond memories of when it was always sunny in Springfield.
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar. Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Respect, Tradition
Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings. Peter A. Deysenroth 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com Funeral Home
Business Directory
Photo by Achim Koedderman
►Friday, Oct. 24
DEADLINE—Last day to register for “Painting with Cold Wax” workshop with Kristin Stevenson. Fees apply; all materials provided. Workshop held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays 11/4 through 12/2. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5479777.
COFFEE & PUZZLES
10 a.m. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
SENIOR COFFEE
HOUR—10 a.m. Coffee, tea, pastries, games, puzzles, special events and good conversation. Held each Friday. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
GENTLE YOGA—10 a.m. Held each Friday. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
SENIOR MEALS—11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of fish on a bun, potato puffs, spinach and bananas. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. (607) 547-6454.
FUNDRAISER—Noon to 10 p.m. “Dine Out for a Cause.” Eat out and a percentage of the proceeds will go to Helios Care. Packing Heat Bar and Grill, 38 West Street, Walton. (607) 510-4056.
WRITERS—Noon. “Worcester Writers Meeting.” Discussion with author Chris Keefer. New writers ages 18+ welcome. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.
FUNDRAISER—Noon to 10 p.m. “Dine Out for a Cause.” Eat out and support Helios Care. Reservations required. Packin’ Heat Bar and Grill, 38 West Street, Walton. (607) 510-4056.
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
POTTERY—1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. 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. FARMERS’ MARKET 3-6 p.m. Held Fridays at the four corners, Hartwick. (607) 2937530.
HALLOWEEN—4-6 p.m. “Haunted Mansion for Kids.” Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
DEADLINE—4 p.m. Last chance to register for “Creating Portals and Painting Light” with Cynthia Marsh. Fees apply; all materials provided. Held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 10/25. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-9777.
QUILTING—5-8 p.m. “Sew a Witch’s Hat.” Fees apply; registration required. Leatherstocking Quilts, 155 Main Street, Suite B, Oneonta. (607) 441-3111.
GRANT INFO—5 p.m. “Delaware County Arts Grant Information Session.” Presented by the Roxbury Arts Group at Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford. (607) 214-6040.
HALLOWEEN—5:308 p.m. “Things that go BUMP in the Night Ghost Tours.” Fees apply; registration required. Fenimore Farm and County Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.
DANCING—6 p.m. and 7 p.m. “Intro to Line Dancing.” Led by Dorothy Penny of Empower Fitnezz. Kids’ class starts at 6 p.m.; adults at 7 p.m. Presented by the Van Hornesville Community Corporation at Millpond Community Center, Route 80, Van Hornesville. (315) 522-3131.
Time OuT OTsegO
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
HALLOWEEN—6 p.m.
“Hyde & Shriek! Candlelight Ghost Tours.” Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
SEASON FINALE—6-10 p.m. “Fire Pit Friday.” Live music, food and more. Featuring music by Without A Net. The Tap House, Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 5441800.
HALLOWEEN—6-7:30 p.m. “Pumpkin Glow 2025.” Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
MOVIE NIGHT—6:30 p.m.
Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
PLANETARIUM—7 p.m.
“Journey Through The Solar System.” Familyfriendly show open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.
HALLOWEEN—7 p.m.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Viewing Party.” Trivia, costume contest. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.
HALLOWEEN—7:30 p.m. “Tales of Terror: An Evening of Stories by Edgar Allen Poe.” Performed by the Catskill Community Players. Free; donations appreciated. Worcester Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester.
THEATER—8 p.m. “Wait Until Dark” by Frederick Knott. Presented by Bigger Dreams Productions. Also showing at 8 p.m. on 10/25 and at 2 p.m. on 10/26. Tickets required. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.
FILM—8 p.m. Frightful Friday: “The Old Dark House” (1932). Presented by the SUNY Oneonta Activities Council. Seeking shelter from a storm, five travelers stumble upon the Femm family estate, and a bizarre/terrifying night. Free. Hunt Union Red Dragon Theatre, 68 Bugbee Road, Oneonta. (607) 436-3730.
►S atUrday, Oct. 25
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.
FALL CLEAN-UP
9 a.m. to noon. Put the gardens to sleep for the season with Otsego Land Trust. Brookwood Point Conservation Area, 6000 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5472366.
COOPERSTOWN FARMERS’ MARKET
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 101 Main Street, Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. (607) 5478881.
ONEONTA FARMERS’ MARKET—9 a.m. to noon. Huntington Memorial Park, Dietz Street, Oneonta.
CONTINUING EDUCATION—9 a.m. “Basket Weaving Workshop.” Fees apply; all materials included. Cherry ValleySpringfield Central School Continuing Education, 597 County Route 54, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643265 ext. 110.
HARVEST—10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Third Annual Bison Island Harvest Fest.” Music, costume parade, car show, games, crafts and more. Bison Island Ranch, 194 Engleville Road, Sharon Springs. bisonislandranch@gmail.com.
YOGA—10 a.m. “Slow Flow Yoga.” All levels welcome. Suggested donation applies. Held each Satur-
day. Green Earth Health Market, Community Room, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. hello@erinrae.yoga.
FALLTOBERFEST
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors, makers, ghost tour/ hayride with Sue Miller, pumpkin carving and more. Main Street, Cherry Valley. 25maincollective@ gmail.com.
PLANETARIUM—Familyfriendly shows open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.
• 10:30 a.m. “Cultures in the Cosmos.” • 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
HALLOWEEN—Noon to 2 p.m. “Boo at the Bear Trunk or Treat.” Polar Bear homemade ice cream and more. 5212 State Highway 28 South, Oneonta. (607) 432-0901.
HALLOWEEN—Noon to 3 p.m. “Calvin and Hobbes Inspired Costume Contest and Trick or Treating at Fenimore Farm.” Fenimore Farm and County Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.
SKATING—1-9 p.m. “Spooky Skate Jam.” Skating of all kinds, with live music performed by local bands. Presented by Club Odyssey on Water Street, Oneonta. (607) 435-7928.
FALL CRAFT—1 p.m. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.
HALLOWEEN—1-3 p.m. Trunk or Treat. Laurens Central School, 55 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 432-2050.
LATTES & LITERATURE—1 p.m. Spooky gathering of book discussion group. Come in costume, share latest reads and get book recommendations. Presented by the Morris Village Library. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.
WORKSHOP—1-3 p.m. “Wire Wrapped Moon Pendant Workshop.” Led by Amanda Trumbull. Fees apply; registration required. 25 Main Collective, 21 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-4025.
SEWING CLASS 1:30-3 p.m. All experience levels welcome. Held every Saturday. The Green Giraffe, 179 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3234.
POTTERY—1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. 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.
HALLOWEEN—2 p.m.
“Hocus Pocus” film screening. Free. Presented by the Worcester-Schenevus Library at the Worcester Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester.
HALLOWEEN—2-3:30 p.m. “Community Trickor-Treating and Haunted Hall.” Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377 or pathfindervillage.org.
HALLOWEEN—2 p.m.
“Scary Stories with Mandy Tarbell.” Mohawk storyteller shares spine-tingling tales perfect for the season. Included with museum admission. Iroquois Museum, 324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave. (518) 296-8949.
AUDITION—2-3:30 p.m. Try out for a role in “Unnecessary Farce” by Paul Slade Smith. No experience required, all welcome. All roles are open. Presented by the Catskill Community Players. Auditions also available 2-3:30 p.m. on 10/26. Show dates will be 4/17, 4/18 and 4/19 at the Worcester Wieting
Theatre. Auditions held at the Institute for Spiritual Development, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta. info@catskillplayers.org.
RAILROAD—4 p.m. “Afternoon Train Ride.” Richfield Springs Scenic Railway, 167 McKoons Road, Richfield Springs. (315) 717-5969 or https://www.facebook. com/events.
DINNER—4-6 p.m. “Free Community Dinner.” Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, desserts, and beverages. Held 4th Saturday of each Month. Church of Christ Uniting, 22 Church Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-1553.
HALLOWEEN—4:305:30 p.m. “Husky Halloween Trail of Treats.” Husky Park, Hartwick. (607) 293-8123.
HALLOWEEN—5-7 p.m. “The Listening Hour: Ghost Tales at Twilight.” Free community gathering. Mountain Magic Market, 52 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown. (607) 287-7278.
FUNDRAISER—5-7 p.m. “Annual Otego Fire Department Auxiliary Soup Supper.” Admission is by donation. Please bring canned/non-perishable food items for the local food pantry. Includes free blood pressure checks with Otego EMS. Otego Fire Department, 3 River Street, Otego.
OPEN MIC—5 p.m. “The Gatehouse Open Mic—Halloween Edition!” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
MUSIC—5:30 p.m. “Hartwick College Honor Band Concert.” Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.
HALLOWEEN—5:308 p.m. “Things that Go BUMP in the Night Ghost Tours.” Fees apply; registration required. Fenimore Farm and County Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.
HALLOWEEN—6 p.m. “Hyde & Shriek! Candlelight Ghost Tours.” Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
FUNDRAISER—7 p.m. “Annual Turkey Raffle.” Sidney Fire Department, 74 River Street, Sidney. (607) 369-9150.
OPEN MIC—7-9 p.m. “Coffee House.” Singers, writers, musicians and more are invited to share works. 10-20 minute slots. Light refreshments available. Free, open to public. Held each 4th Saturday. Schuyler Lake United Methodist Church, 128 Church Street, Schuyler Lake. (609) 234-7769.
HALLOWEEN PAR-
TY—7-10 p.m. Open to teens and adults. Fees apply. Interskate 88, 5185 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 432-0366 or https://www.facebook. com/events/244772031 28636803/
FILM FEST—7 p.m. “Sinners.” Presented by the 2025 Worcester Wieting Theatre Fall Film Festival. Free; donations appreciated. Worcester Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester.
HALLOWEEN—7-8:30 p.m. “2025 Annual Halloween Owl Prowl.” Fees apply; registration required. Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance. (518) 875-6935. THEATER—8 p.m. “Wait Until Dark” by Frederick Knott. Presented by Bigger Dreams Productions. Also showing at 2 p.m. on 10/26. Tickets required. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.
►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar