Funeral Home Marks 100th Anniversary
By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL COOPERSTOWN
o stranger to historic milestones, Cooperstown has just hit another one: the 100th year of operation for the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc. Funeral Home.
“I’m proud of the heritage here,” said owner and operator Peter Deysenroth. “A lot of businesses don’t make a hundred years, and we have, and I’m very proud of that. A lot of it has to do with the families that we serve. They continue to call us, and I consider that a privilege.”
Deysenroth said he has around 40 years of experience in the funeral home field, joining the Cooperstown busi-
ness in 1994. Over the history of the business, he said, funeral preferences have changed significantly from burials to cremations.
According to the business’ history page, it was founded on Pioneer Street as the “Ingalls Funeral Home” in 1925 by Chester and Mildred Ingalls. A year later, they moved to Main Street and grew to include a furniture store. Mildred Ingalls would use both locations as a beauty parlor business, too. The funeral home moved to Chestnut Street in 1936, and across the street in 1952. The business gained its Connell from George L. Connell and Dow from James E. Dow in the 60s and 70s.
Deysenroth said businesses will always evolve, and
Continued on page 13
Obstruction Clearance Project Proceeds Amidst Public Concern
By BRIANNA FERGUSON
SUNY Institute for Local News
ONEONTA
The City of Oneonta Airport Commission welcomed three new commissioners and approved two budgetary motions at its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 9. The newly-appointed commissioners are Richard Brockway, Isaiah Gibbs and Michael Lynch. The motions, which are now being recommended to the Common Council for its approval, involve the construction of a partial parallel taxiway and the design of a new entry road to the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport.
Many of the more than a dozen area residents in attendance were there for another reason, however: to hear updates on, and to voice concerns about, the airport’s runway obstruction clearance project. The project has been an ongoing topic of distress within the community since April, when the Common Council approved a resolution to accept a Federal Aviation
Administration grant. A condition of that federal funding is to clear approximately 150 acres of trees that sit on privately-owned land surrounding the airport. The topic appeared on the commission’s October meeting agenda
as “on-premises clearance” and “offpremises clearance.” Airport Commission Chair Martijn Kamerbeek and Vice Chair Justin Osterhoudt repeatedly reassured the landowners of the approximately one-
dozen properties affected by the “offpremises clearance” that the city and its consultants have not yet made any decisions about forest clearance.
“There’s no ill intent. There’s no secret agenda,” Kamerbeek declared.
The meeting contained frequent back-and-forth exchanges between the commissioners and members of the public that broke from Robert’s Rules of Order. Allowing those conversations to continue, Kamerbeek argued, proves the commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The use of drones to create aerial maps of the land around the airport was one of the updates given regarding the obstruction clearance project. The Common Council previously approved a budget transfer of $15,000.00 on October 7 to collect this aerial imagery. It will be used to precisely identify trees and other obstructions that need to be removed, including whether obstructions can be mitigated through less invasive actions like tree-topping as opposed to clear-cutting.
Cider Mill Raises $3,585 for Local Cancer Support
FLY CREEK
Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard reported its most successful Big Squeeze Day yet, raising $3,585.00 in support of patient services at Bassett Medical Center’s Cancer Center. The funds were donated to the Friends of Bassett and will directly aid cancer patient support services.
“We were so very happy to surpass last year’s recordbreaking fundraiser with this year’s Big Squeeze Day supporting Bassett Healthcare,” said Bill Michaels, owner of the mill. “The weather was fantastic, and we sold over 360 gallons of fresh sweet cider, with all proceeds going to Bassett. We
thank our many visitors who came out to purchase our cider and support our mission and community.”
Held at the peak of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Big Squeeze Day also featured a partnership with the Cancer Services Program, which provided valuable information on early detection and available community resources. Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard is proud to support critical local healthcare initiatives while sharing its award-winning cider with the community, Michaels said.
The Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard, 288 Goose Street, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, December 21.
Photo by Andrew Bottomley
Bill Stevens was among the landowners with property neighboring the airport who shared his frustrations with the commission.
Photo provided
Rebecca Barringer and Monique Misner accept a $3,585.00 donation to the Friends of Bassett in support of Bassett Medical Center’s Cancer Center patient services from Fly Creek Cider Mill owner Bill Michaels.
AG Sues to Shut Down oneonta Vape Shop that Sold to Minors
By ERIC SANToMAURoSTENZEL oNEoNTA
An oneonta vape shop is facing permanent closure from a new lawsuit
The job scene
To
effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103 or email Tarab@allotsego.com
Village Assessor (part-time)
The Village of Cooperstown has an opening for a parttime Village Assessor. This is an appointed position which is responsible for all aspects of assessment of real properties within the boundaries of the Village.
The primary responsibility of the Village Assessor is to maintain a process to ensure that the Village’s assessment roll is kept up-to-date and equitable. Other duties include: preparing the tentative and final assessment rolls, handling all required reporting, communicating and keeping up-to-date with changes with New York State Department of Real Property Tax Services, arranging Board of Assessment Review meetings, managing exemptions on the assessment rolls, and tracking and recording changes in ownership.
Salary for the position is $20-$25 an hour. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Village of Cooperstown is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For further information regarding the position and to obtain an application, please contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 607-547-2411 or send your resume and cover letter to:
Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown PO Box 346 • Cooperstown, NY 13326
filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James in collaboration with the New York State Department of Public Health.
They allege Royalty Tobacco and its owners Eysa Sharhan and Ahmed Mozeb repeatedly violated the law, illegally selling flavored nicotine products to minors and twice changing its name and once its location to evade law enforcement. The business also went by Pop-In Smoke & Vape and Pufftopia.
“Despite repeated warnings, fines, and license revocations, these business owners have continued to ignore the law and endanger young New Yorkers’ health,” Attorney General James said in a statement. “our children’s health and safety are nonnegotiable. My office will not allow bad actors to put profits over people. We are taking action to shut down this store and ban its owners from the vape industry once and for all.”
Zoning Enforcement Officer (part-time)
The Village of Cooperstown, listed in the Glimmerglass Historic District on the National Register of Historic places, and a Certified Local Government, seeks qualified applicants for the position of part-time Zoning Enforcement Officer. Duties include explaining and interpreting the Village zoning ordinances to contractors and the general public, reporting to the various zoning boards and Village Board of Trustees, investigating complaints of violations, attending monthly meetings of the zoning boards and Board of Trustees, assisting the public in applying for zoning permits.
Preference will be given to applicants with experience in municipal planning, zoning enforcement, historic preservation or related field. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships between the public and Village Trustees is an essential component of this position. The salary for this position is $20-$23 per hour.
Please send resume, cover letter, and references to the Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown, P.O. Box 346, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. EOE.
“The widespread availability of e-cigarettes and vapor products poses significant public health challenges, with particularly alarming consequences for adolescents such as addiction and damage to the developing adolescent brain, lungs and overall health,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a statement. “The Department of Health remains committed to decreasing vaping among young people through education and through our investigations like this. With partners like Attorney General Letitia James, we will hold those accountable who violate the laws made to protect our children.”
Sharhan and Mozeb could not be reached for comment. A phone number included in the lawsuit is inactive.
The lawsuit said inspections and undercover purchases from June 2022 to as recently as September 2025 have repeatedly found the business illegally selling flavored nicotine. In at least one instance, the store was also found to be selling cannabis illegally. The three businesses have racked up over $195,000.00 in fines, which remain largely unpaid.
The suit said PopIn Smoke was known to local high-school students as a business that would sell flavored vapes to them. An
unnamed oneonta town board member heard high schoolers discussing the store and alerted DoH, the suit says. on April 20, 2023, the suit says, DoH conducted an adult compliance check in collaboration with the otsego County Sheriff’s office. In a pattern repeated throughout the lawsuit, though the store’s tobacco and vapor certificates were permanently revoked at the time, DoH allegedly found 1,716 flavored vape products for sale in the store’s back room. The sheriff’s deputy on scene arrested the clerk, the suit says.
otsego County Sheriff’s office Investigator Anthony Grimes told Allotsego that the individual, Mugahid A. Hassan, was charged with misdemeanor “Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and two counts of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the third degree” upon recommendation of the county district attorney. Grimes said no other arrests have been made in connection to the investigation. The otsego County DA’s office did not respond by press time to a request for comment on the outcome of the Hassan case or whether it will be pursuing charges in relation to the lawsuit. If the lawsuit is successful, James’ office said, it will “shut down Royalty Tobacco’s operations permanently, bar Sharhan and Mozeb from selling vape products in New York, and recover fines, penalties, and profits earned through the illegal sale of flavored nicotine products.”
James filed a similar lawsuit against a different shop in Ilion, Herkimer County in January. In February, her office also filed a suit against 13 vape companies for “fueling the youth vaping epidemic.” Vape industry leaders denied the claims.
WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU! Promotions, births, events, new hires, milestones, grand openings, awards, meetings, opinions, results of sporting events, personal bests, weddings and more.
Photos welcome, too. info@allotsego.com
November 2 Concert Benefits Land Trust
The first Otsego Land Trust Benefit Concert for Land and Water Conservation promises an afternoon of music, food and fellowship on Sunday, November 2 beginning at 2 p.m. in The Loft at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street.
The concert will feature jazz standards and favorites performed by Gerry and Emily Falco, Sara Albright, and Stan Fox, along with Rob Hunt, Rich Mollin, and Orion Palmer. Tickets are $50.00 per person and are available at otsegolandtrust.org/events.
According to officials, the benefit concert was organized by Oneonta resident Stan Fox to highlight the need to protect local farms, forests, and wetlands and to promote public access to nature.
“This fundraiser is a wonderful opportunity to show support for the environmental character of the Upper Susquehanna Region,” said Fox.
OLT holds conservation easements on more than 12,000 acres of privately-owned land and manages six nature preserves for free public access and enjoyment.
Sara Albright of New Lisbon, one of the featured performers, is excited to bring people together in support of the land trust.
“The program will include a variety of song styles to suit every taste,” Albright promised. “We’ll be performing pieces made famous by Eddie Cantor, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and others.”
Otsego Land Trust is a community-based nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life in the Otsego region by enhancing climate resilience. To learn more, visit otsegolandtrust.org.
State Health Dept: Water Issues Mostly Resolved
By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
HARTWICK—The Town of Hartwick’s water woes are approaching a resolution, according to the New York State Department of Health. Earlier this year, mold and mildew that did not impact drinking water safety were found in the building that houses the town’s reservoir. The state health department says upgrades to address the issue will be completed this fall.
“Although drinking water is not impacted,” state health department spokesperson Erin Clary wrote in a statement, “the Hartwick Water District continues to take action to address mold/ mildew issues within the Hartwick Reservoir structure. This includes the installation of humidity controls and other infrastructure upgrades. It is anticipated that this work will be completed this fall. Recent inspections by the State Health Department indicate previous mold/mildew issues have been resolved or are nearing resolution. The Department will continue to work with the public water supplier to ensure drinking water remains safe for public use and consumption.”
Y Specialty Fitness Lease Has Been Renewed
By LILLIAN COLEMAN
SUNY Institute for Local News ONEONTA
The Oneonta Family YMCA and Bassett Healthcare Network have extended their lease agreement to offer Y Specialty Fitness services at FoxCare Center for an additional three years. The YMCA took over management of the former FoxCare Fitness in June 2023, after Bassett announced earlier that year that it planned to shutter the facility.
This new lease extension ensures that the fitness center on Oneonta’s east end will remain accessible at least into early 2028.
“This lease was made possible because both the YMCA and Bassett understand the deep value of accessible wellness services,” said YMCA Executive Director Frank Russo.
The agreement has allowed Y Specialty Fitness to offer exercise equipment and training tools ranging from weights, cardiovascular fitness machines, a lap pool, and a therapy pool to a specialty fitness zone. Along with the workout gear and spaces, the facility will continue to offer group fitness class schedules in strength training, spinning, yoga, high-intensity interval training, aqua aerobics, and Pilates, as well as personal training options.
The goal is to provide “something for
everyone,” Russo said.
Since June 2023, gym memberships at Y Specialty Fitness have increased, with management eyeing a goal of 1,000 new members.
The facility has added more fitness classes and upgraded its spaces. In April, Bassett Healthcare installed a new privacy wall to separate the public workout room from the outpatient rehab area. Bassett’s A.O. Fox Hospital still operates physical therapy and other rehabilitation services within the same space.
Russo reflected that the transition has gone smoothly for the YMCA and “has been effective in supporting both safety and privacy for members and staff.” Just a couple of months ago, in August, an investment in new Precor cardio equipment
upgraded a large portion of the cardio floor. The member response to that addition has been highly positive.
As Russo emphasized, however, “This collaboration is about more than space or equipment—it’s about changing lives.”
It is the Y Specialty Fitness community— both its members and its employees—who have made this lease extension possible, Russo pointed out. The instructors, trainers, and staff have helped to support and create individual experiences for every member’s wellness journey, he said.
Marilyn Shaw recently found the Y Specialty Fitness staff and trainers to be quite literally life changing. After experiencing a silent heart attack and receiving a left ventricular assist device,
Shaw said she knew that joining Y Specialty Fitness was the best way to ensure she kept exercising when her cardio rehab ended at FoxCare. She has now been a member for more than a year, and she credits Y Specialty Fitness for the fact that she has not needed a return visit to the hospital.
“I never have met that many people that care about people,” Shaw remarked in a video the YMCA recently shared to YouTube. “If anything does go wrong, I have somebody there to tell me what I should do next,” she explained. Shaw hopes the Y Specialty Fitness space will always be there and encourages people to support them so their services can be around for anybody who might
Publisher Tara Barnwell at Tarab@allotsego.com.
ONEONTA
Photo provided
Performers Sara Albright, Rob Hunt and Stan Fox will host a benefit concert for Otsego Land Trust on November 2 in Oneonta.
Photo by Lillian Coleman
Members of Y Specialty Fitness use the gym’s new Precor equipment.
Perspectives
Hartwick United Gets My Vote
I am Martha B. Clarvoe, a resident of Hartwick and a long-standing registered Democrat. This year, I will be voting for the Hartwick United candidates.
I believe Cody Moore, our current deputy supervisor appointed by Interim Supervisor Connie Haney, will bring the time, organization and commitment needed as supervisor. She plans to hold regular office hours, run efficient and organized meetings, and continue to support the Hartwick recycling transfer station.
Tuesday, November 4
Early voting for the November 4, 2025 General Election continues through November 2 at the Brenner Building in Neahwa Park, 24 Bertus Lauren Drive, Oneonta, and The Meadows Office Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown.
Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday, polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Otsego County voters may use either location.
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.
Jill Ann Poulson
I am also voting for JoAnn Gardner because of her strong support for the Hartwick Conservation Advisory Committee, of which she is an active member. She believes in the town’s Clean Sweep program, supports developing a youth program and has demonstrated her dedication by attending most town board meetings this year.
Caren Kelsey has shown exceptional dedication to the Town of Hartwick, its residents and numerous community organizations. Through her leadership in many of these groups, she has demonstrated respect for the rules and processes of good governance. I trust that she will work cooperatively with her colleagues on the Hartwick United team.
These women have come together with a shared purpose: to unite Hartwick. They have already shown how well they work together and how deeply they care about our town. Hartwick United represents the positive energy and teamwork needed to keep our town government running smoothly.
Martha B. Clarvoe Hartwick
Luisa Montanti for City Mayor
I am proud to endorse Luisa Montanti for mayor of the City of Oneonta. I have known Luisa for years and have seen firsthand her deep commitment to this community. Her love for Oneonta isn’t political—it’s personal. She shows up, listens, and works hard for the people who live and work here.
In her responses to “The Townie” and other local forums, Luisa spoke with clarity and honesty about what our city needs: fiscal accountability, transparency, and a renewed sense of collaboration between City Hall and the residents it serves. She understands that Oneonta can only thrive when everyone has a voice at the table—from longtime residents to small business owners, students and newcomers alike.
Luisa’s experience in business and community service gives her the practical knowhow to make government work better for everyone. She doesn’t make empty promises—she builds relationships, finds solutions and follows through.
I believe Luisa Montanti will bring steady, thoughtful leadership to City Hall and will work every day to strengthen the community she truly loves. On Election Day, I urge my fellow residents to join me in voting for Luisa Montanti for mayor of Oneonta.
Carolyn A Marks Oneonta
Honor, Support for Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month, an opportunity to recognize the more than 63 millionAmericans (nearly one in four adults) who provide unpaid care for loved ones, often while balancing jobs (nearly 60 percent), families and their own well-being. Caregivers are the quiet backbone of our communities, offering compassion, patience and strength every day.
To bring awareness to their challenges and triumphs, two local screenings of “Caregiving,” the PBS documentary executive produced by Bradley Cooper, will be held in Otsego County. The film shares powerful real-life stories that illuminate both the struggles and rewards of caregiving in America today. Screenings will take place on Thursday, November 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center (The Loft) in Oneonta, and on Thursday, November 13 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Willis Center at Pathfinder Village in Edmeston. Light refreshments will be served and a short discussion will follow.
Helios Care joins the Alzheimer’s Association, Pathfinder Village, and the Otsego County Office for the Aging in supporting these events. Following the film, representatives from each organization will share local resources available to help caregivers find education, emotional support and practical assistance.
The screenings are free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, our organizations are available to provide caregiver education and support at any time.
This is a topic that touches everyone. Let’s take time in November to honor and support those who care so selflessly for others.
Kelly McGraw Helios Care Oneonta
To Gov. Hochul on Rail Expansion
New Yorkers deserve reliable, affordable rail. On paper, extending Metro-North service to Albany and capping Amtrak fares sounds like a win for commuters, students, and small businesses across the Hudson Valley and Capital Region. Promising ideas too often turn into costly letdowns once the MTA gets involved, leaving taxpayers to clean up the mess.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Committee and representative of upstate communities, I support better rail options done right: transparent budgeting, ironclad protections for taxpayers, and clear lines of accountability. What I will not support is yet another Albany “trust us” announcement that morphs into stealth tax hikes, shifting goalposts, or subsidies without oversight.
You have said this expansion won’t raise the commuter tax. Upstate families have heard promises like that before. If this plan is truly about service, and not revenue, then you should be willing to make concrete, written commitments and answer the basic questions posed below:
Funding & Costs
1. What is the total capital cost to extend Metro-North service past Poughkeepsie (stations, yards, power, signals, platforms, ADA upgrades, crew bases, rolling stock)?
2. What are the projected annual operating and maintenance costs for the Albany round trip(s) in FY26–FY28 and who pays the shortfall if fares don’t cover expenses?
3. Which funding sources will be used (state budget lines, MTA capital program, federal grants, congestion pricing revenue, one-time revenues), and what is the size/timing of each?
4. Will any state funds designated for upstate or upstate county dollars be tapped, directly or indirectly, for start-up or ongoing costs?
Fares & Subsidies
5. You’ve floated approximately $40.00 one-way fares pegged to Amtrak’s lowest rate. What is the per-rider subsidy at launch and at scale?
6. If costs exceed plan, will fares be raised or will taxpayers be asked to backfill? How much and from where?
Payroll Mobility Tax/ “Commuter Tax”
7. You’ve said there will be no increase in the payroll mobility tax (PMT), known as the “commuter tax” for newly served counties. Will you commit in writing to:
a) No PMT (commuter tax) rate increases tied to this project, and
b) No geographic expansion of the PMT (commuter tax) into additional upstate counties, now or in future phases?
8. Will you support statutory guardrails to prevent PMT (commuter tax) expansion north of today’s boundary for this project absent a standalone law with home-rule messages?
Governance, Representation and Oversight
9. With service north of Poughkeepsie, will newlyserved upstate communities get voting representation on the MTA Board? If not, why?
10. Will you publish a simple quarterly one-page scorecard with ridership, farebox recovery, subsidy per passenger, on-time performance, cancellations, and net taxpayer cost?
Service Pattern and Coordination
11. Will Year 1 service include both morning and evening round trips and will origination be in New York City or Albany?
12. Have final operating agreements with Amtrak been executed for slots, dispatching priority, and access fees, and will you release those MOUs?
New Yorkers don’t need glossy announcements. They need guarantees. If you cannot make these commitments, it will confirm what too many already suspect: this is a money grab to prop up a mismanaged MTA, not a serious plan to serve upstate commuters.
Peter Oberacker New York State Senator (R,C) 51st Senate District Ranking Member, Senate Transportation Committee
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 TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn
Compiled by Tom
HeiTz/SHARoN STUART
with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library
185 YEARS AGO
When the polls are open, vote yourself and then look out for the rest. Be at hand all day, and if there be a democrat missing start out after him. Possibly he may be backward with his seeding and unable to lose the time required to go to the place of voting. Send him along and work for him yourself. Do anything that is fair and honorable to get out the voters. Bear it in mind that the Democrats never have lost the contest when they all turned out to the election. Don’t forget this! Some men station themselves at the ballot box, on the day of the election, to brow beat and overawe poor men, who may happen to be in debt to them. Democrats! Will you suffer this thing to be done? No, you must never tamely bend to the tyrant oppressor’s yoke! You must be permitted to vote as precisely as you wish. Stand at the polls until the ballot box is closed, and see that the infirm Democrats are not kept away from voting by the crowd. Men are employed in some places to block up the polls and keep the Democrats away. Watch well that the way is kept clear.
110 YEARS AGO
October 26, 1840
Levant W. Seeger, the County Superintendent of the Poor, says that in his opinion there will be no necessity, for several years, of erecting new buildings at the County Farm. While it is true that the administration building was erected in 1826 and is therefore of somewhat ancient architecture, Mr. Seeger believes that with good management and the further development of some of the ideas that he has put into practice for convenience the old building will last for many years yet. This is welcome news to the taxpayers, who have been told year after year of the urgent necessity of more modern structures.
October 27, 1915
85 YEARS AGO
Five men registered with the Cooperstown Area draft board had their numbers drawn in the lottery. They are: Clifford E. Harrington, Mt. Vision, 1st #158; Frank Joseph Kavic, Jr., Schuyler Lake, 2nd #192; Morgan James Bunn, New Lisbon, 19th #105; Joseph James Gomiller, RD 3 Cooperstown, 41st #188; Norman Stanley Walter, Garrattsville, 46th #120. Some 4,881 men between the ages of 21 and 35 have registered for the first peacetime draft in the nation’s history.
October 30, 1940
60 YEARS AGO
Clyde S. Becker of this village will retire after more than 52 years in the banking business, all of them spent with the National Commercial Bank and Trust Company of Albany and the predecessor of its Cooperstown office, the Second National Bank. He joined the firm in 1913 as a messenger and file clerk. After spending the winter in Florida Mr. Becker said he plans to devote more time to his longtime hobby of dealing in and repairing antique clocks. He has about 70 such clocks in his collection, the oldest of which is an English lantern clock which he said is about 300 years old.
October 27, 1965
20 YEARS AGO
Cooperstown High School will host two quiz teams this year. “I’m very excited about this year,” said Quiz Team advisor Tom Good. “We’ve never had two teams before. Five seniors comprise the “A” or varsity team – Captain Rob Orenstein, Chris Leon, Will Carrius, Melanie Garcia and Sarah Harley. The sixth team member will be either Marissa Kaplan or Audrey Henkels. “I try to keep gender equality,” Good said. There are three boys and three girls on each team. Quinn Hoffman, Zack Mahlum, Becky Fisher, Xenia Rudenko and Wes Honnicker are on the second team.
October 28, 2005
Solution: “Bloomers I’d Like To See” (October 23)
Honoring Caregivers and Healing Together
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize and honor the countless individuals who devote their compassion, patience, and love to caring for others. At Helios Care, that spirit of service continues far beyond hospice. Through counseling, education, and community partnerships, Helios Care provides year-round support to those navigating grief, loss, and the challenges of caregiving.
Support Throughout the Year
Helios Care offers comprehensive grief and emotional support for adults, teens and children. Individual counseling is available at no cost to community members and is included as part of the hospice benefit for families under care.
Recognizing that grief touches every corner of a community, Helios Care partners with local school districts to educate staff and provide direct emotional support for students coping with loss. The organization also collaborates with local agencies, such as county Offices for the Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association, to offer training and guidance to staff who assist caregivers and older adults.
Across Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties, support groups for adults provide a safe place to share experiences and find connection—free
By MERL REAGLE
and open to all, with no registration required. A specialized Caregiver Support Group, available both in person and virtually, helps caregivers manage stress and strengthen their emotional resilience while caring for loved ones.
For younger individuals, Helios Care’s Coping Kit Program provides backpacks filled with interactive activities that encourage family conversation, memory-making and coping. Each kit fosters healing through creativity and togetherness, reinforcing that no one should face grief alone.
Seasonal Opportunities for Healing
Throughout the year, Helios Care hosts special events designed to promote reflection, community and renewal. The long-standing Camp Forget-MeNot, held for more than 20 years, offers children a joyful, supportive space to explore grief through play, art and remembrance. In 2025, three camps were held across the summer and early fall, continuing this beloved tradition of compassion.
This October, adults gathered at the Healing Grief Retreat at the Uplands Center, where art therapy and somatic healing practices helped participants process loss in nurturing surroundings.
As the holidays approach, Helios Care’s programs acknowledge the unique challenges
Continued on page 9
From the Acme Catalog…
Anything you want, they’ve got it
NOTE: In Warner Bros. cartoons, the Acme company made just about everything, from simple anvils to the always useful “Indestructo Steel Ball.” Here are some others, taken from actual WB cartoons.
ACROSS
1 Great, box office-wise
6 “Gonal” opening
10 “Gab” closing
14 Ataturk of Turkey
19 Cheech’s last name
20 Omnivorous grazer
21 Blue shade
22 Banished one
23 Call ___ to (end)
24 Birdseed additive aimed at slowing down roadrunners (from Hopalong Casualty, 1952)
27 If barnyard traps don’t work, this, naturally, is Plan B (from Easy Peckin’s 1953)
29 Aficionado
30 Mind reading?: abbr.
31 Kin of suis, in French
32 It’s packed
35 Fox-fooling “egg” (from The EGGcited Rooster, 1952)
40 Laughton, in Salome
42 Sapporo sport
43 Chopper
44 Guy’s nickname
45 Guy’s nickname
46 Erstwhile “Rumba King”
47 Like Italian, sometimes
50 Low-tech way to keep up with roadrunners— just watch out for the “backlash” (from Gee Whiz-z-z, 1956)
56 Thinks highly of
58 Short on backbone
59 French air hub 60 Spanish relation 61 Calendar page
62 Castle protection 63 Deli order 64 Celebrity 65 High-tech way to keep up with roadrunners— just avoid low-hanging rocks (from Hot Rod and Reel, 1959) 71 Death Valley’s county
Apartment restriction
Hosp. pictures
A rowing concern
Needlefish
“You are ___”
CANDIDATES: IN THEIR WORDS
With the November 4 General Election fast upon us, and early voting underway as of Saturday, October 25, AllOtsego continues its coverage with questions and answers to candidates competing for seats on the Otsego County Board of Representatives. There are contested races in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 13th districts. Not all candidates replied to the e-mailed questions. The responses from those who did are included below.
Describe your qualifications and experience for this office and explain your reasons for running. How would you be an asset?
JASON M. CIANCIOTTO (2nd District): I’ve spent my career as a leader in nonprofit social service and public health organizations that strengthen communities through collaboration, public-private partnerships, and accountability. As a foster parent to three children, I experience daily how the gaps in our county safety net harm the most vulnerable among us. I’m running because I know county government can do better. I’ll be an asset to the board by combining data-driven problem solving with empathy and a deep commitment to the well-being of our neighbors. My work on the committee that helped to bring Sidney Federal Credit Union to Morris is an example of my commitment to District 2.
JAMES P. POWERS (2nd District): Incumbent. Did not respond to e-mailed questions.
PAMELA WIK-GRIMM (3rd District): I am an Otsego County business owner with a career background in business consulting and leadership development. I also serve as a coxswain with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, which has strengthened my commitment to service, safety and teamwork. I’m running because I believe in building a stronger local economy by supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs that form the foundation of our county’s vitality. I bring a practical, problem-solving approach, transparency in decision-making, and a collaborative mindset to every challenge. My goal is to help the county grow responsibly, support local enterprise, and ensure that government remains responsive and accountable to the people it serves.
RICHARD BROCKWAY (3rd District): Incumbent. Did not respond to e-mailed questions.
MICHELLE CATAN (4th District): Incumbent. I have been the county representative for the past four years. My qualifications and experience come from my career as a business advisor (14 years), commercial banker (20 years), business owner (20 years) and my bachelor’s degree is in business economics and an AAS degree in accounting.
EAMONN HINCHEY (4th District): Service to the community has been at the center of my work and volunteer life, and this role feels like a natural continuation of that commitment. The first board I was asked to serve on was Otsego County Conservation Association, back when I was in my 20s. It was such a great experience, and it really helped me understand the natural resources we have in our region and learn solutions on how to maintain and protect them. I am currently serving on the Oneonta school board, which has been such a privilege. My professional background has been in education, land consultation and real estate. I am currently working at SUNY Oneonta as an adjunct professor as well. In my jobs, I have always offered my analytical expertise along with the courage to fight for better solutions that protect the things that matter most, in essence exactly like what Otsego County does for its residents.
JOANNE TOBEY (6th District): I am running for District 6 because I believe in public service; I want to contribute to the community. I am active in my town of Westford, currently serving as chair of the ZBA and as deputy town clerk. I’m also the treasurer of the Westford Historical Society. I have served on a number of nonprofit boards in the county and, in my professional life, have been a manager for many years, with budget responsibility. I have a master’s degree in business administration, which has trained me to be analytical, looking at the big picture as well as details. In my current position as director of development for the Community Foundation of Otsego County, I work with many community leaders and our nonprofit organizations, so I have a good sense of need in the county and the ways in which people are working together to address challenges and set Otsego County up for success.
JENNIFER MICKLE (6th District): Incumbent. Did not respond to e-mailed questions.
LESLIE BERLIANT (7th District): I worked in public and traffic safety for nearly a decade, working with government agencies, nonprofits, sports leagues, and businesses across the country to improve health and safety in order to save lives. I also worked in organized labor, helping ensure that seniors and people with disabilities could get the services they need to live independently with dignity. In addition, I was chief of staff in the New York State Senate, where I saw first-hand the challenges that county governments face, and the importance of strong advocacy for the needs of our communities. I will use that experience to contribute to the well-being of our community and a positive future for Otsego County, making sure that we can maintain our open spaces and farms, our clean water and fertile soil, and our close-knit
communities. I want to ensure that everyone here has access to quality housing, jobs, healthcare and education, with the opportunity to thrive.
DAVID BLISS (7th District): Incumbent David Bliss has withdrawn from the race, though his name remains on the ballot. He has endorsed James McCartney.
JAMES McCARTNEY (7th District): I’ve spent my career working in both the public and private sectors, giving me a strong understanding of how government functions and how it can work more efficiently for taxpayers. I’ve served on local boards and committees, where I’ve built consensus, managed budgets, and helped find solutions to real problems that affect residents’ daily lives. I’m running because I believe in a responsive, common-sense government—one that listens, acts transparently and delivers results. My experience with budgets, infrastructure, and community engagement will help ensure our county stays fiscally responsible while continuing to invest in public safety, roads, and quality of life.
MICHELE CLAPPERTON (13th District): Having lived and worked in Otsego since 2008, I have a vested interest in the success of our government at the local level. I have worked in marketing and advertising for a majority of the last 25 years, helping business grow. While doing this, I have had the opportunity to listen to the people in our area discuss what’s needed and what isn’t working for them both personally and in business. I have also served on the board of directors for several years that created Friends of Recovery, recognizing the needs and services that are needed in our area for the recovering community. I am also in my third year as a board member for Foothills Performing Arts Center, which is also woven into the fabric of this community not only bringing arts and music to our area, but a hub for other services that benefit our area. I plan to spend the remainder of my life in Oneonta, and I want to be in a position where I can, in some small way, effect change for the best interest of our county.
DONALD SCANLON (13th District): Incumbent. Did not respond to e-mailed questions.
Many residents don’t understand county government. How would you explain the county’s primary responsibilities and services?
CIANCIOTTO (2nd District): Otsego County government manages the essential services that help to make daily life possible: maintaining our roads and bridges, supporting emergency services, protecting public health, and funding social services that help families and seniors. It’s the layer of government that ensures our communities are safe, connected and cared for. Many residents don’t realize how much the county affects their lives until something goes wrong—a bridge gets washed out or federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Program cause people to go hungry and increase the need for local food pantries. As a representative, I will help demystify county operations so people know how their tax dollars are being used and how to access the services they need to help them thrive.
WIK-GRIMM (3rd District): County government provides many of the essential services that affect daily life. These include maintaining roads and bridges, supporting public health and emergency medical services, law enforcement through the sheriff’s department, and social services such as child welfare, senior programs, and mental health support. The county also guides planning, economic development and environmental stewardship. Residents deserve to understand how these services are funded and to know their tax dollars are managed responsibly. My focus is on transparency, clear priorities and fiscal discipline, so every dollar strengthens our communities.
CATAN (4th District): The county is responsible for safety through the sheriff’s department and corrections department, infrastructure, roads, and emergency services for the entire county. The county is also responsible for caring for our veterans, seniors, including the mental health and social services of those that need those services. Other responsibilities include collecting our sales, property, and occupancy taxes, county solid waste facilities, county buildings and grounds, DMV, our legal services and district attorney’s office, and much more.
HINCHEY (4th District): I think that the easiest way to understand the county’s function would be to look at the three top expenditures: department of social services, county roads and public safety. All three of these are common sense, no argument kinds of issues. The bulk of the county’s role is to maintain infrastructure, both socially and physically. The county government’s job to ensure that these vital systems are funded and achieving their goals.
TOBEY (6th District): The county board is an administrative entity. It oversees the public services
provided across the county, including public health, safety, elections, court, roads, economic development, etc. These services are investments in our people, and the board needs to make decisions about how to best accomplish our common goals and navigate trade-offs.
BERLIANT (7th District): The county government is primarily responsible for the local services we count on regularly to help our communities function, like the transfer stations, maintaining county roads, and making sure our communities are safe. In addition, the county legislature oversees areas that we don’t always need, but when we do, we’re glad they’re there, like county health and mental health services, support for seniors and kids with special needs, addiction recovery, employment and training services, and our tourism promotion that helps support our local businesses.
McCARTNEY (7th District): County government serves as the bridge between our local towns and villages and New York State. It’s responsible for services that can be too large for individual municipalities to handle—like maintaining county roads and bridges, supporting law enforcement and emergency services, managing public health and social services, administering elections, and overseeing economic development initiatives.
CLAPPERTON (13th District): The role of county government is to pass local laws or resolutions as provided for in county law and municipal home rule. That’s the official definition of the role. I feel that it’s my responsibility to listen to my constituents and bring their voices to the table when such laws are enacted. Until I decided to run, I had lived in the 6th Ward for eight years and had no idea who my county rep was...part of the onus is on me for not questioning that, but even more so my constituents need a face and a voice and someone to really hear them.
What are the main challenges facing your district within the county? How would you advocate to address those challenges?
CIANCIOTTO (2nd District): Our district’s challenges include crumbling infrastructure, limited cell and broadband access, gaps in healthcare and mental health support, and the impacts of federal budget cuts. In May, my oldest son was in a car accident—t-boned by a bus on Route 23 in an area with no cell coverage. I only learned of the crash second hand, and I had no idea how seriously injured my son was or even which hospital they were taken to. No one should face that kind of fear because we lack basic connectivity. I’ll push for public-private partnerships that increase broadband and cellular coverage. I’ll ensure funding for safer roads and invest in emergency response. I’ll also be a champion for families struggling with poverty, hunger, and untreated mental illness and substance use—issues I see firsthand as a foster parent.
WIK-GRIMM (3rd District): In Otsego County, several interconnected challenges call for attention, especially for small business owners, homeowners and young families. Small business development remains a critical need. Entrepreneurs face hurdles accessing capital, hiring skilled workers and navigating regulations. As someone who runs a business and works as a consultant in the county, I will advocate for streamlining permits, expanding outreach for start-ups, and building partnerships that help local enterprises grow and hire locally.
Property taxes and affordability are also major concerns. The median household income here is under $70,000.00, and about 14 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Local businesses, working families and retirees all feel the strain of rising costs. I will prioritize fiscal discipline, transparency in spending and targeted tax relief for those most affected, including entrepreneurs investing in our community.
To address these challenges, I’ll promote business-friendly policies, ensure tax burdens remain fair and tied to clear value, and strengthen collaboration between county departments, municipalities, and residents. My goal is to bring practical experience and public-service teamwork to the board table so our district’s voices are heard and progress continues.
CATAN (4th District): The Town of Oneonta is one of the largest sales tax collection municipalities within the county. Bringing water and sewer to the East End of Oneonta is an economic priority. I will continue to work with the town supervisor and county planning department to find infrastructure funding that can help with this project. Other challenges include smart-growth strategies, maintaining the parks and pool for the town residents, and maintaining our beautiful farm land.
HINCHEY (4th District): One of the main issues in my district, like other districts, is land use. There have been multiple attempts at rezoning lately, but Continued on page 8
CANDIDATES: IN THEIR WORDS
With the November 4 election fast upon us, and early voting underway as of Saturday, October 25, AllOtsego continues its coverage with questions and answers to candidates competing for seats on the Otsego County Board of Representatives. There are contested races in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 13th districts. Not all candidates replied to the e-mailed questions. The responses from those who did are included below.
County Rep Q&A
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what we really need is more residential neighborhoods. Another challenge we are facing is how to adapt to a growing seasonal economy in the summer that has altered our neighborhoods and strained our housing market for residents. Personally, I think that the best solution to changes in a community like this is to update our comprehensive plan (which at this point is outdated). Creative planning and thoughtful policy are the most common-sense strategies to deal with these problems.
TOBEY (6th District): Like most of the county, District 6 is challenged to fully staff road departments and its town governments. I would like to see how we might collaborate to find solutions that benefit everyone. I also think we need to be forward-looking and prepare for changes that might be coming. District 6 has 88 running through it. With that accessible transportation corridor, what development should we prepare for? Are our zoning regulations robust? Have we made sufficient investments in housing? Are we prepared for commercial solar, data centers, distribution centers? Are we aware of state funding opportunities and are we taking advantage of them? Otsego County is a great place to live and to work. What do we need to do so that we can be ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come our way?
BERLIANT (7th District): Like in other areas, folks are being priced out of housing, while the costs of food and other necessities continue to rise. We are also already seeing pressures on healthcare in our district with the future of the Cherry Valley Clinic in limbo. Roseboom continues to struggle with access to basic services, like cell and Internet, and in Middlefield, we are concerned about the quality of our roads, and the health of the lake which provides drinking water to some of our residents. In addition, cuts in federal funding— particularly Medicaid and the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit—will have an enormous impact on rural communities like ours. We must increase local resilience by investing our resources wisely, and supporting smart growth that is sustainable and lasting. The county legislature should be a resource and partner to our towns and villages, working together to find solutions. As we face challenges, I will be a voice at the table to make sure that the decisions we make about the resources we have are focused on doing the most good for the people who live here.
McCARTNEY (7th District): Our biggest challenges include rising property taxes, aging infrastructure, and the ongoing struggle to attract and retain both businesses and young families. We also face issues with rural broadband access. I’ll advocate for smarter, more efficient spending, target state and federal grant opportunities, and work closely with town and village leaders to prioritize local projects. By focusing on economic growth, responsible budgeting and infrastructure upgrades, we can make our district stronger for the next generation.
CLAPPERTON (13th District): The biggest challenges that I see in our county is the lack of affordable housing, mental health services and addiction services. While we have some services, we are sorely lacking. I would hopefully be on the Health and Human Services Committee, because that is where my passion lies. I want to be part of a comprehensive plan to address these issues—every citizen deserves a home, decent healthcare, food on the table, and services for those with mental health and addiction issues.
What will be your strategy for effectively communicating with constituents?
CIANCIOTTO (2nd District): I believe in transparent, two-way communication with constituents,
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Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. I plan to hold regular community meetings, maintain an active online presence and provide plain-language updates about county decisions. Listening is as important as informing. I want constituents to see me as their direct line to the county. I’ll also make it a priority to show appreciation for those who serve our community every day—especially our teachers, school staff and first responders. The people working in our schools and service agencies are the heart of District 2, and they deserve to know their work is valued and supported.
WIK-GRIMM (3rd District): Effective communication is essential to good representation. I plan to stay connected with residents through both modern and traditional channels. Social media offers an important way to share timely information, explain county decisions and hear directly from constituents. Used responsibly, it bridges the gap between government and the people it serves. At the same time, there’s no substitute for face-to-face connection. I will attend community meetings, local events, and neighborhood gatherings to listen and respond to concerns. Combining online communication with personal engagement ensures that every constituent has an easy way to be informed, share ideas, and hold county government accountable.
CATAN (4th District): I have attended as many Town of Oneonta board meetings as I can the past four years and given updates on the county board and committee meeting each month. I am always available to speak with town residents, follow up on any issues that are brought to my attention and maintain good working relationships with all town board members.
HINCHEY (4th District): I believe that the best way to find out about how people feel is to hear from them directly. My goal is to attend both planning board and town board meetings as often as possible. Quarterly, I would like to hold town hall meetings and produce a digital newsletter for my constituents. If these strategies aren’t effective, I am very flexible and would be happy to regroup and find new ways to connect.
TOBEY (6th District): In Westford, there’s a lot of information shared and supportive conversations going on social media, so that’s certainly a channel I would use for communication. I would also attend the town board meetings.
BERLIANT (7th District): In addition to using social media to communicate, I will hold quarterly coffees for folks to come and ask questions, share ideas and concerns. I will also have an e-mail list that folks can join to stay up to date with what is happening in the county legislature and how it might impact them.
McCARTNEY (7th District): Accessibility and transparency are key. I plan to maintain open lines of communication through newsletters and social media updates. I’ll make myself available by phone and email and will actively seek input from residents before major decisions are made. I believe government works best when people are informed, engaged, and heard— and that’s the type of representative I will be.
CLAPPERTON (13th District): I will be available not only via e-mail, but if I get the honor of serving, I will also have a dedicated direct phone line dedicated to the constituents of District 13. I would also like to have a monthly (either evening or weekend) face-to-face with my constituents, so that I am available to them. In my canvassing, most of my constituents don’t know who their representative is. I plan to change that.
If the county had an unexpected $10 million budget surplus, how would you allocate those funds?
CIANCIOTTO (2nd District): Constituents should have a say in how funds are spent—whether by increasing funding for critical programs or through
targeted and responsible tax cuts—through participatory budgeting. I’d prioritize the investments they identify, especially those that strengthen our families. To me, that includes repairing roads and bridges and ensuring local public safety, healthcare services, and food banks that can meet the increased need caused by federal budget cuts. I’m open to targeted property tax cuts, and I’d also advocate for a reserve fund to protect constituents no matter what is happening federally. Every dollar should move us closer to a healthier, safer and more connected district.
WIK-GRIMM (3rd District): If the county were to receive an unexpected $10 million surplus, I would focus on using those funds for both immediate relief and long-term benefit. First, I would direct a portion toward property tax relief to ease the burden on homeowners and retirees. Second, I would invest strategically in economic development and small business support, helping entrepreneurs expand and strengthening our local job base. Finally, I would dedicate funds to critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and broadband, to improve daily life and make our county more competitive. Together, these priorities would turn a one-time surplus into lasting value through stronger communities, a healthier economy and fairer taxes for everyone.
CATAN (4th District): I would earmark some of these funds to the county fund balance, as a way to ensure future funding streams. I would use some to purchase vehicles and additional funding for the Veterans Affairs and Office for the Aging for transportation and other needs of those vulnerable communities. I would earmark some for small businesses, economic development and workforce development. We have thousands of tourists and college students that come to our county every year, so we need a strong business economy, good roads, beautiful amenities, and an inviting community for all.
HINCHEY (4th District): My initial thoughts were to spend the money on re-establishing a department for county parks and recreation. However, with so much uncertainty in the federal government right now, I think that it would be wise to allocate the money into our fund balance, if able. Currently, Otsego County’s largest allocation is to its General Fund (82 percent of total budget) of which 8.8 percent comes from Federal Revenue, which is roughly $11.4 million. If that money were compromised in any way, the unexpected surplus could quickly turn into an unexpected shortfall.
TOBEY (6th District): I would allocate a surplus to address the priorities at the time. Is there a sufficient operating reserve? If not, invest in that. Have there been essential programs that have been underfunded for a while? If so, direct funding there to stabilize those services. Is there a capital project that, if funded, would position the county for further thoughtful growth? We could return money to towns and have them make decisions about how best to use it locally. I’d also make a decision informed by why we had a surplus. Is this a sustainable change or very short term? If we anticipate challenges in the near future, I might be more conservative in how I would recommend we use the surplus.
BERLIANT (7th District): I would engage the public in the decisions on how we allocate those funds, because it’s their money. Some projects that I would support include: raising county salaries to attract the best talent and fill critical positions like social workers and recovery staff that are currently vacant; retrofitting existing homes for energy efficiency to save people money and improve the housing stock; addressing the unhoused population from fully staffing recovery and supports services, to housing options; investments in affordable senior and workforce housing to help people live, work, and retire locally.
McCARTNEY (7th District): First, I’d want to ensure that any surplus was the result of responsible fiscal management and not short-term underfunding of essential services. I would prioritize reinvesting a portion into long-term infrastructure projects like roads, bridges and broadband—areas that benefit every resident and strengthen our economy. Another portion should go toward reducing the tax burden on property owners. Finally, I’d reserve a percentage for a rainy-day or stabilization funds to prepare for future challenges, ensuring that Otsego County remains financially sound and resilient.
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CLAPPERTON (13th District): I would want to earmark those funds for affordable housing, services for the lower income, mentally ill, and addicted populations. I was taught long ago that the only time we look down on another human being is when we are giving them a hand up.
Early voting is currently underway at the Brenner Building in Oneonta’s Neahwa Park and at The Meadows Office Complex in Cooperstown. Visit https://www.otsegocountyny.gov/departments/ board_of_elections/index.php for details.
YMCA
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need them.
Y Specialty Fitness membership remains separate from Oneonta Family YMCA membership. Members of the downtown Ford Avenue location cannot use the FoxCare Center facility, and vice versa. Starting this past summer, however, the two locations began taking steps to open many of their classes and programs to members of both facilities.
Russo said this collaboration has been “very well received, allowing more people to access wellness opportunities in a shared space.”
The Y Specialty Fitness branch is open Monday-Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adult membership costs $51.00/month or $540.00/year paid in full. Rates for couples are $88.00/month or $894.00/ year. Discounted rates are available for veterans, young adults, teens and Fox/Bassett employees.
Regardless of whether these programs are the right fit for everyone, this partnership with Bassett allows the YMCA to further continue its mission to “build strong kids, strong families and strong communities,” Russo said. The Oneonta YMCA continues to launch new programs, too, including a Blood Pressure SelfMonitoring Program, as recently reported by AllOtsego.
This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community Media Service, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.
Water
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Hartwick Town Board member and Water Supply Administrator Chris Briggs, responsible for testing the town’s water supply, did not respond to e-mailed requests for comment. Interim Supervisor Connie Haney was unavailable at press time.
Helios
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of this season. The Tree of Lights remembrance ceremonies provide a comforting way to honor those who have passed, while the Grief and the Holidays event hosted in partnership with Friends of Woodland Cemetery and the Bushel Collective in Delhi returns on November 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. This year’s theme, “Coping with Grief and the Power of Ritual,” explores how intentional acts of remembrance can bring peace during difficult times.
Looking ahead, Helios Care will debut “The Cost of Smiling Through Sorrow,” a grant-funded art therapy program led by renowned art therapist Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs. Launching in late 2025 and continuing through early 2026 in Oneonta and Cooperstown, this initiative will introduce new creative pathways for healing within local support groups.
celebrating caregivers and community
During National Family Caregivers Month, Helios Care extends heartfelt appreciation to the many caregivers who dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of others. Their devotion embodies the essence of compassionate care—offering comfort, dignity, and love when it is needed most.
At Helios Care, we believe caregiving is one of the purest expressions of love. Our mission is to stand beside caregivers and grieving families with the same compassion and strength they give to others every day. Together, we create a community where no one has to walk through loss or care alone.
To learn more about bereavement counseling, caregiver resources, or upcoming programs, visit helioscare.org or call (607) 432-5525. Helios Care remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that
LEGALS
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
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Notice of formatioN of LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: Thorp Brook Farm, LLC (the “Company”).
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
►Need to
Road, Beacon Falls, CT 06403. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.
6LegalOct.30
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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
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Notice of formatioN 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
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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
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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
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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
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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 appearance on the Plaintiff’s attorney within thirty (30) days after service of this summons is complete and
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Coop LWV Hosts Talk on Need for Civics Education
COOPERSTOWN
On Thursday evening, November 6 at 5:30 p.m., the League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area welcomes Lindsey Cormack, PhD, author of “How to Raise a Citizen (And why it’s up to you to do it)”. Cormack will discuss the importance of civics and how to help young people understand, appreciate, and participate in the democratic process at Cooperstown Coworks.
Cormack discovered in her research that the numbers don’t lie. Studies continue to reveal how little Americans know about their government. Civics instruction receives the lowest number of K-12 classroom hours out of any subject.
Her recent book provides parents, grandparents, caregivers, and educators with an engaging and practical guide to becoming better civic role models by showing how to have conversations about the important functions of government, citizen participation, and political issues with children of all ages—even in these polarizing times.
Cormack is associate professor of political science and director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The book talk will be held at Cooperstown Coworks, 6 Doubleday Court, in Cooperstown. The talk is free and open to the public. The Green Toad Bookstore will have copies of Cormack’s book available for purchase at the talk.
For further information, contact Martha Membrino at (202) 271-7619 or martha.membrino@gmail.com.
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
LegaL nOtice
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
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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
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Notice of formatioN of American Destiny, LLC, filed with the
Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.
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
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Notice of formatioN of LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY:
The name of the limited liability company is: DMAJ Holdings, LLC (the “Company”).
The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was September 5, 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 DMAJ Holdings, LLC, PO Box 614, Morris, NY 13808. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.
6LegalDec.4
LegaL nOtice
Notice of
formatioN of John Henle Architecture, LLC, a Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 23, 2025. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the PLLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to The PLLC: C/O John Henle Architecture, LLC, 1736 Sweet Hill Road, Milford, NY 13807. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.4
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Notice of formatioN of a NY LimiteD LiaBiLitY comPaNY.
Name:
HATCH OF NEW YORK LLC.
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 25 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 969 Alexandra Drive, Corona, CA 92881. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS Laws. 6LegalDec.4
Musical To Open at Hartwick
ONEONTA
Ride the Cyclone,” a darkly comedic, one-act musical written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell and directed by Marc Shaw, comes to Hartwick College’s Slade Theatre November 7–13.
AllOtsego’s Rachel Frick Cardelle chats with the director, cast and crew in her “On Stage” column this week.
Written in 2008, the musical premiered in Canada at the Atomic Vaudeville Theatre Company in Victoria, British Columbia. Then, in 2022, it went viral on TikTok when song clips from the off-Broadway production began circulating.
At the start of the play the emcee of the whole show introduces itself: The Amazing Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller whose specialty is being
able to predict the precise moment of a person’s death. The musical revolves around each of the six teens having an opportunity to explain to The Amazing Karnak why he or she should be the one person allowed to return to life.
You can watch “Ride the Cyclone,” directed by Marc Shaw, at the Slade Theater in Yager Hall on Hartwick College’s campus November 7-8 and 13–15 at 8 p.m. or November 9 at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, call 607-4314227 or e-mail theatre@hartwick.edu .
Next up: “Scapino,” written by Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop and directed by Kiara Pipino, at SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theater, November 13-16.
Frick Cardelle’s full column on “Ride the Cyclone” can be found at AllOtsego.com.
.dining&entertainment
SPORTS BRIEFS
Cross Country Teams Finish Season Strong
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown cross country faced Adirondack, New York Mills and host Waterville in a meet on Wednesday, October 8. The girls team was incomplete but put up strong individual times. Evelyn Rhodes won outright with a time of 20:50. Courtney McCarthy placed third in 22:35 and Olivia Temp was seventh in 24:44. Maggie Heavner finished 14th with a time of 27:53. The boys team swept all three opponents, including an incomplete Waterville team. Jacob Johnson led the pack in third with a time of 20:17, followed closely by Hu Agostino in fourth (20:19). Owen Flannigan finished seventh in 21:04. Brendan Heavner (10th, 22:13) and George Riesenfeld (24th, 24:28) rounded out the scoring for the Hawkeyes.
Both teams swept all competition in a meet against Remsen/Old Forge, Poland and host Little Falls on Wednesday, October 15. Evelyn Rhodes recorded another first-place finish in 19:26. McCarthy and Temp took second and third place in 22:21 and 23:29. Willow Burr and Heavner finished seventh (26:10) and ninth (28:26). The girls finished their season with a 13-2 record. Johnson (19:02) took second place in the boys’ race, followed by Owen Capozza Flannigan (fourth, 19:19) and Agostino (fifth, 19:49. Wyatt Capozza Flannigan (eighth, 20:45) and Heavner (ninth, 20:48) finished the scoring. The boys entered the postseason with a record of 15-2 and 5-0 in their division.
The boys team secured an undefeated Division II record and divisional championship in contest with 19 schools at Sauquoit Valley on Saturday, October 25. Johnson (seventh place, 19:37) and Owen Capozza Flannigan (13th, 20:26) were named all-stars. Heavner (33rd, 21:58), Wyatt Capozza Flannigan (38th, 22:15) and Agostino (41st, 22:24) rounded out the scoring. Although the girls team ran incomplete due to illness, Rhodes (second, 21:32), McCarthy (sixth, 22:46) and Temp (17th, 24:32) were named allstars. The varsity teams will compete in the Section III Championships and State Qualifier at Mount Markham on Saturday, November 8.
Cooperstown Soccer Teams Make Playoffs
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown boys soccer battled to a 3-2 division match victory over Poland on Wednesday, October 8. Sophomore Beckett Grady scored 15 minutes into the match, followed a few minutes later by junior Hayden Spencer. Sophomore Henry Ayers scored early in the second half on an assist by junior Gavin Grady, who also assisted Spencer’s goal. Senior Cooper Coleman made four saves in the net.
Cooperstown defeated Frankfort-Schuyler 3-1 in their long-awaited rematch on Wednesday, October 15. F-S took an early lead, but senior Ben Lewis tied up the game close to the end of the first half. Spencer scored shortly into the second half and Ayers rounded out the scoring on an assist from Gavin Grady with three minutes left to play. Coleman made 10 more saves.
Ayers scored twice in Cooperstown’s last game of the regular season, a 4-1 victory over Town of Webb on Friday, October 17. Gavin Grady and senior Anthony Anderson scored the other goals for the Hawkeyes, who finished the season 10-4-2 and 6-2 in their division. Coleman made one save.
Beckett Grady scored twice in the first round of the Section III playoffs, a 3-0 rout of 12-seed Syracuse Academy of Science on Wednesday, October 22. Cooperstown was seeded fifth. Lewis, Spencer and Shane Bradley recorded assists. It was Head Coach Frank Miosek’s 500th career varsity win.
Gavin Grady scored on an assist from Bradley to win an upset quarterfinal match against four-seed Westmoreland/Oriskany 1-0 on Friday, October 24. Coleman made seven more saves. The Hawkeyes will face top-seeded Bishop Ludden-Grimes (13-2-1) in the semifinals after press time on Wednesday, October 29.
The girls team romped to a 5-0 home victory against Waterville on Tuesday, October 14. Junior Sophia Johnson scored on an assist from senior Claire Baldo less than a minute into the game, followed minutes later by Baldo’s own goal. Senior Bianca Adam scored twice and senior Mia Pelcer recorded a goal and an assist. Eighth grader Emma Johnson made three saves.
Pelcer assisted both of junior Ruby Stevenson’s goals as Cooperstown battled Poland to a 2-2 tie at home on Thursday, October 16. Johnson made eight saves. The Hawkeyes finished 7-8-1 for the season and 6-2-1 in their division.
Pelcer scored both of Cooperstown’s goals in a 2-1 double-overtime nail-biter against Bishop Ludden-Grimes in the first round of the Section III playoffs on Thursday, October 23. Evie Baldo and Imogen Stevenson made assists.
The Hawkeyes’ run came to an end with a 5-0 loss to top-seeded Tully on Saturday, October 25. Further details were not available at press time.
Football Wins Season Finale Against Mills
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown football lost a contentious division game to Waterville 26-19 on Friday, October 10. Max Koffer rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries, including two touchdowns. Brenin Dempsey made 12 of 19 completions, throwing for a total of 94 yards and including a 38-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Spaulding.
Dempsey threw for two touchdowns and rushed for three more as Cooperstown defeated New York Mills 34-20 in their regular season finale on Saturday, October 24. Despite an early 12-0 deficit, the Hawkeyes rallied late in the first half and dominated the third quarter. Sophomore Matthew Duszynski scored on a 14-yard pass in the third and Dempsey found Thomas Hellenthal with a 25-yard pass in the fourth. Cooperstown finished the season 4-4 and earned the seventh seed for the playoffs. They will face two-seed Morrisville-Eaton (6-2) after press time on Thursday, October 30.
Photo by Rachel Frick Cardelle
The cast and crew of “Ride the Cyclone” are, front row from left: Rheana Cameron, Marc Shaw, and Jaylene Rodriguez; back row: Ethan Dugan, Echo Shabert, Vaughn Wagnecz, Dan Lincoln, Saniah Reeves, Emma Kargoe, Samuel Scott, Hannah Gilliand, and Oriana Letzelter.
Adorn-a-Door Set To Return
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association’s popular annual Adorn-a-Door Wreath Festival will return to the Village Hall from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 29. All participants must register by Friday, November 14. CAA will provide registrants with a plain balsam wreath, if needed, to be decorated and sold by silent auction. All proceeds support CAA, with a portion directed to their scholarship fund for local highschool seniors. The much-anticipated “Dinner’s On Us” item, a week’s worth of gift certificates to local restaurants valued at $400.00, will once again be raffled at 4 p.m. during the festival. Tickets may be purchased at the galleries any time after Friday, November 14. For more information, visit cooperstownart.com.
Kjolhede To Address FCAHS
FLY CREEK—Dr. Chris Kjolhede will present a talk titled “What Graveyards Tell Us about Life and Death” at the November Fly Creek Area Historical Society meeting, 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19 at 852 County Highway 26. Refreshments will be served at 7:30, followed by the monthly business meeting. The next quarterly meeting of the FCAHS Board of Trustees will take place at the town building at 3 p.m. on January 7. The society also seeks new members for its Archives and Research committees. Visit flycreekareahistoricalsociety.org for more information.
Contradance is November 7
COOPERSTOWN—Otsego Dance Society will hold a contradance at the First Presbyterian Church, at Elm and Pioneer streets, on Friday, November 7. It will feature live music by Contrasonics and calls by Garry Aney. This lively style is fun for singles, couples and families of all ages. Dancing runs from 7:30-10:30 p.m., with a short introduction for beginners at 7:15. Admission is free but donations are accepted. For more information, call (607) 9658232 or visit otsegodancesociety.weebly.com.
Storytelling Event Scheduled
ONEONTA—Hartwick College’s Yager Museum of Art and Culture will present “The Horror in the Museum,” its annual Halloween storytelling event, from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Hartwick students, faculty, and staff will perform dramatic readings of classic and original horror fiction and poetry. The event is free and open to the public. Due to the content, the suggested age limit is 10 and up.
AllOtsego
Sale To Support Local Shelter
ONEONTA—Super Heroes Humane Society will hold a fall rummage sale and raffle in the Southside Mall on Saturday and Sunday, November 15 and 16. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the first day and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second. Shoppers can browse hundreds of new and vintage items including holiday decor, home goods, tools, books, DVDs and CDs, lamps, baby equipment, pet supplies, and more. Donations of small items may be made at the Super Heroes Thrift Shop in Southside Mall daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule donation of a larger item, contact info@superheroeshs.org. Pet food and supply donations are also accepted, although no towels or linens are needed at this time.
Kleffner Next Up in Series
COOPERSTOWN—Will Kleffner, executive director of the Cooperstown Food Pantry, will give the next presentation in the First Baptist Church’s Race, Equity and Justice Series at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 2. Held in the upper-floor ballroom of the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, the event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Kleffner will discuss local food needs and ongoing community efforts to fight food insecurity and injustice.
American Legion Announces 5K
CHERRY VALLEY—Whiteman-Hull-Snyder American Legion Post 1360 will hold its 15th annual Veterans’ Weekend 5K run/walk at noon on Sunday, November 8. It begins and ends at the Cherry Valley Community Center, 2 Genesee Street. Registration is $25.00, with all proceeds supporting local veterans’ groups and youth scholarships. Online registration at runsignup.com is highly encouraged and ends on November 3.
Filipino Culture To Be Featured
COOPERSTOWN—Welcome Home Cooperstown’s next monthly meet and greet will be held at the Village Hall, 22 Main Street, from 5:307 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4. It is intended to welcome newcomers, share information and resources, and make connections with established residents. This month’s event will celebrate Cooperstown’s Filipino community and feature discussion, food, and music from residents Richard Manabilang, Eden Marquinez and Abigail Quintos. Additional refreshments will be provided by the mayor and village trustees, and Rich Brown will perform live music.
Cited in National Publication
NEW YORK—Reporting by AllOtsego was recently cited in a national publication, underscoring the importance of local journalism. On October 17, Politico cited AllOtsego’s reporting in its New York Playbook edition. “NY Young Republicans in Hateful Group Chat were at Oberacker Congressional Launch” read the title of AllOtsego’s same-day article by Staff Writer Eric SantomauroStenzel which heavily featured his photos. The story covered the presence and involvement of two Young Republicans at State Senator Peter Oberacker’s congressional campaign launch in Schenevus who participated in a hateful group chat. Politico’s original October 14 investigation, “‘I love Hitler’: Leaked messages expose Young Republicans’ racist chat,” included messages from Cooperstownraised Bobby Walker, who was set to become Oberacker’s campaign manager until the messages came to light. The campaign publicly called on all involved in the chat to resign GOP positions.
PC Welcomes Trick-or-Treaters
SCHENECTADY—Market 32 and Price Chopper will host a chain-wide trick-or-treat celebration from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, October 31. Families are welcome to all 129 stores for a mix of free treats and seasonal fun in a safe setting. For more information, visit pricechopper.com.
Erie Canal To Be Discussed
COOPERSTOWN—Author Mark Ferrara, PhD, will discuss the Erie Canal on the occasion of its bicentennial at the Village Library of Cooperstown’s next Sunday Speaker event at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 2. Based on his recent book, “The Raging Erie: Life and Labor along the Erie Canal” (Columbia University Press, 2024), Ferrara will discuss the canal’s key role in the urban development of New York City, the industrial past of the canal cities, and overall white settlement of the Midwest. Dr. Ferrara teaches English at SUNY Oneonta and is the author of several books. The talk is free and open to the public.
ISD To Host All Souls Fest
ONEONTA—The Institute for Spiritual Development, 297 River Street Service Road in Oneonta, will host an All Souls Spirit Fest from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. It will feature 10 psychic readers and energy healers, gifts and crafts, harvest soups and baked goods, meditation, and a number of free workshops. Private readings are $30.00. For more information, visit isdoneonta.org.
Cider Pressing Set for Saturday
FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Cider Mill invites guests to a rare Saturday cider pressing event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 1. The special weekend event will give visitors a chance to see the mill’s legendary original Boomer and Boschert waterhydraulic cider press in action. This living historic artifact was delivered from Syracuse by horse and wagon in 1889 and still runs on water power from an 1872 Lesner turbine. Admission is free. For more information, visit flycreekcidermill.com.
NYSEG Offers Shutdown Aid
BINGHAMTON—New York State Electric and Gas and its sister company, Rochester Gas and Electric, remind all customers to contact them immediately if they face any trouble due to the ongoing federal government shutdown or any other reason. For more information, visit nyseg. com/account/waystopay/helpwithbill.
CANDIDATES: IN THEIR WORDS
With the November 4 election fast upon us, and early voting underway as of Saturday, October 25, AllOtsego continues its pre-election coverage with questions and answers to Brett Holleran (REP) and William Rivera Jr. (DEM), who are running against each other for Town of Oneonta supervisor. Below, in alphabetical order, are their answers to the eight questions posed.
If elected, what will be your top priorities?
HOLLERAN: In the last year, through the efforts of my predecessor Randy Mowers and myself, the Town of Oneonta has been awarded over $6 million in both state and federal grant funding. Winning the grant awards is only the first step in the process. Now that the awards have been funded, my top priority will be to make sure the funded projects are not just started but completed without delays or cost overruns. Some of these projects include the Greater Plains Pool and park renovation, the Woodland Water District infrastructure replacement project, the Hemlock Road water main extension project, the Blanchard Avenue, Winney Hill and East Street culvert replacement projects, and the Smart Water meter replacement project. The focus and goal of these projects is to improve our infrastructure for both the residents of today and provide a robust infrastructure for future development.
RIVERA: If I receive the privilege of representing the Town of Oneonta as its next supervisor, my priorities are as follows: 1) Update the town’s Comprehensive Plan and its zoning code to balance the need for smart development with the protection of our community from harmful projects like the so-called AI-powered hydroponics facility. 2) Promote responsible spending on our infrastructure by developing a five-year capital improvement plan and hiring a town engineer. 3) Create a Community Board focused on mutual aid, government transparency and placemaking.
What are the top three challenges currently being faced by the Town of Oneonta, and how will you address these?
HOLLERAN: Our available housing stock, homelessness and energy costs are our community’s greatest challenges. All three are equally as important and interestingly tied together. Oneonta needs lowincome, moderate-income, and high-income housing. Each housing category has a symbiotic relationship in a healthy community. We are currently a Pro-Housing Community, which gives the town priority to housing grants and programs. My hope is by participating in this program to attract developers that are looking to invest in our community. The water main expansion to Hemlock Road that I secured grant funding for has already spurred two housing developments. These developments will not only increase our housing inventory but also increase our tax base, which in turn lowers everyone’s tax burden. In terms of our emerging homelessness, it is a problem that both the town and city share. Mental health services and transition housing needs to be a joint priority between the city and town, especially as the weather turns colder. The sustainability of any and all housing is tied to our energy costs. I will continue to fight for lower energy costs by working with our local state representatives to stop the requested rate hikes. Solving the housing problem would be a pointless endeavor if the cost to heat one’s home outweighs and outpaces the cost to own a home. Lower and stable energy costs, especially for our seniors, is a priority.
RIVERA: Over the course of countless hours spent on porches, at town hall events and in people’s living rooms discussing the challenges our residents face, I believe the three top challenges facing the town are: 1) affordability; 2) town leadership that has prioritized wealthy corporations over the people; and, 3) a lack of support for our small businesses. If elected, I will address the affordability crisis by prioritizing the development of housing at all income levels and the creation of jobs that pay a living wage. I will end handouts to developers by updating our bedrock planning documents. Finally, I will support our small businesses by cutting red tape and securing state/federal funding to help them succeed.
If elected, what steps would you take to put the Town of Oneonta on a firmer financial footing?
HOLLERAN: The Town of Oneonta is currently on a solid financial footing due to responsible fiscal planning and smart growth. I will continue to plan the town’s growth and budget within the means of the constituency to ensure the town remains liquid without being a burden on its taxpayers.
RIVERA: The town is fortunate to have highly competent staff, including our town bookkeeper—I will prioritize working closely with them and our town board to develop balanced budgets that keep taxes low. I will concentrate development in areas already served by infrastructure. I will foster a workplace culture focused on retention—thus reducing staff turnover. I will prioritize the implementation of transparent accounting software such as ClearGov to address the frustration residents feel with local budgeting processes. Finally, I will partner with organizations like the New York State Association of Towns to stay up-to-date on best accounting practices.
Local municipalities often rely on funding from the state to meet their needs. What are your priorities in securing funds from the state, and how will you approach that process?
HOLLERAN: In the last year, the Town of Oneonta has secured over $6 million for both state and federal grant funding. I have employed grant writers and engineering firms as well as I have worked with the Otsego County Planning Department to apply and ultimately win these awards. In the upcoming year, we will be applying for Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding with the goal of a West End revitalization project in which we will be creating a more welcoming walkable community.
RIVERA: I strongly believe in the power of relationships when it comes to securing state funding. If elected, I will regularly invite state officials to tour project sites in the town, speak to area businesses and ensure that Albany understands our needs. More importantly, the town can connect its business community to state funding by hosting regular grantwriting workshops and partnering with organizations like the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District to ensure our residents get their fair share of money from Albany.
The national political climate has grown intense, including multiple assassinations and assassination attempts over the last year. What do you believe are local answers for maintaining peaceful political engagement?
HOLLERAN: There is no place in local government for the climate the national political scene has created. The role of local government is to maintain and provide public services in an apolitical manner. Bringing the national scene into local politics is a way to polarize political races and insert narratives that have no place. Local political positions are about public service for the betterment of the community.
RIVERA: Political violence is always wrong, whether it’s an insurrection at the Capitol or assassinations of public figures. We must do better. I strongly believe that the answer to the fractures in American democracy start with meeting people where they are. The current format of community engagement in the town is through a three-minute statement during Privilege of the Floor. This prioritizes a climate of frustration, accusations and disengagement. If elected, I will host regular town hall meetings, I will direct my colleagues on the board to prioritize door-to-door outreach, and I will create a Community Board to ensure that the public’s voice is heard.
President Trump has made mass deportations one of his top priorities, often in partnership with local municipalities through arrests, detention, sharing data about immigrants, and more. Should Otsego County/the Town of Oneonta collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement? If so, how?
HOLLERAN: The rule of law relies on the principle that nobody is above the law. Municipalities are not above the law and are obligated to act in the best interests of public safety for their community. I support public safety and our law enforcement partners.
RIVERA: My first and foremost responsibility as supervisor is to protect the people of Oneonta regardless of their background, political affiliation or personal circumstances. If elected, I will develop clear policies to guide the town’s interactions with ICE. I will also convene a community response taskforce composed of law enforcement, immigrants’ rights groups and community members to ensure our constituents’ interests are represented in any town action.
Housing costs continue to be a challenge for many New Yorkers and Otsego County residents. What policies and programs do you support to keep the cost of housing available and affordable for your constituents?
HOLLERAN: The Town of Oneonta is a certified Pro Housing Community. This designation gives the town priority to housing grants and programs. By participating in this program, the goal is to attract developers that are looking to invest in our community. Our current water main expansion to Hemlock Road has already spurred two housing developments which will not only increase our housing inventory but also increase our tax base, which in turn lowers everyone’s tax burden and affordability factor.
RIVERA: I have spent my childhood growing up in public housing and know first-hand how important stable, affordable housing is for our residents. If elected, I will prioritize updating our comprehensive plan and zoning code to be flexible enough to support housing construction while protecting our residents from harmful rezoning requests. I will prioritize securing funding to redevelop vacant properties, encourage first-time homebuyer programs and develop common-sense short-term rental regulations. I will also work with our local economic development organizations to create good-paying jobs, because housing and jobs are so closely connected.
How will you improve and/or enhance the town’s relationship with the City of Oneonta?
HOLLERAN: The town and city already have numerous inter-municipal agreements and participate in shared services agreements. As supervisor, I will continue to work with the new mayor in finding additional ways that the municipalities can work together to not only save the residents money but also provide a seamless array of services between the two municipalities.
RIVERA: The secret to success in the city-town relationship begins with a foundation of trust. The city, town and county have built trust through a strong relationship between their respective highway departments. Most town residents also receive municipal water and paid fire protection through our partnership with the city. We must ensure that the town is well represented in negotiations so we are paying a fair price. One other way I would strengthen cooperation between the city and the Town of Oneonta is through the revitalization of the West End, through the pursuit of joint economic development initiatives focused on the West End and the D&H Railyards.
Festival Will Offer 30 Film Screenings on ‘Revolutions’ Theme
COOPERSTOWN
Glimmerglass
Film Days, now in its 13th season, will present a slate of independent films—28 features plus two shorts programs— November 13-17 in multiple Cooperstown locations. A program of Otsego 2000, Film Days will also offer filmmaker talks, an art exhibit, parties, film and food pairings, trivia, book tieins, lodging specials, and guided walks.
How does a village without a movie theater
host a film festival?
“Our venue partners make it possible for us to turn Cooperstown into a true festival town over the course of the long weekend,” said Xander Moffat, an independent film producer who serves as Film Days technical director/programmer.
Screenings will be held in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Grandstand Theater, the Fenimore Art Museum auditorium, and pop-up theaters in the Louis C. Jones Center at Fenimore Farm and Country Village,
Templeton Hall, and Cooperstown Coworks.
“Having our daytime screens split between the Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum makes it easy for audiences to get between the parallel tracks of screenings. And of course, the state-of-the-art Grandstand Theater at the Hall of Fame makes our screenings each night a can’t-miss,” said Moffat.
“We have some really fun screening events planned at our more unconventional venues, like Templeton Hall and
Cooperstown Coworks. We’re also appreciative of our audio-visual partner, Visual Tec, out of Syracuse, which has been helping us upgrade our pop-up venues year after year to create screening set-ups that help us match the quality of incredible films and show them in the way they deserve to be seen,” Moffat continued.
The films reflect the theme “revolutions” and were selected by Moffat and Film Days Artistic Director Peggy Parsons, founder of the film program at the
National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
“The films this year are even more eclectic than in previous years. It’s a diverse collection, and we hope the audience will be moved and find new ways to be inspired,” said Parsons.
“If you haven’t come to Film Days ever, this is the year,” said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000. “We have serious, issuedriven films that will have an impact but also light-hearted films, since we all need laughter and
joy in this day and age.” Pope said the films cover a broad range of topics, from art and architecture to civil rights and war, from memory and perception to history, journalism, and civic engagement. Other films examine humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world, a Film Days mainstay. The full schedule, including film trailers— plus information about sponsors, ticket prices, lodging specials and free films—is available at glimmerglassfilmdays.org
Continued from page 1
Kamerbeek claimed that “the goal always is to do the minimum amount necessary.” Osterhoudt argued that the data gathered by the drones will provide “better information for everybody” and “step us in the right direction.”
Some residents, however, objected to the use of drones on or near their property.
Nathaniel Schwed told the commissioners, “I think it’s dubious, the mapping out with drones... at least I can say for my grandmother on her behalf. She put out ‘no trespassing’ signs to prevent [engineers] from going in and evaluating.”
“When it comes to my family’s property,” Schwed continued, “I’m strongly opposed to any government going in and doing whatever they want with it. What’s to prevent the negotiation from being one-sided? You are basically forcing it upon us to do however you decide.”
Osterhoudt replied that any action taken will be a negotiation between the city and the individual landowners.
“It’s your property, it’s your timber,” Osterhoudt also pointed out, adding, “If you want to sell the trees you can do that. As long as the airway gets clear, that’s acceptable.”
Osterhoudt reminded everyone that safety is the main objective. He said that if an airplane were to strike a tall tree while approaching the runway and crash, then that would be bad for everyone, especially the neighbors living in the immediate vicinity.
“The issue we are really working on right now is neglect,” explained Osterhoudt. “The airport has been neglected. And that’s nobody’s fault. But it’s really exciting to see some people getting involved and pushing some energy toward the airport. We are correcting the neglect, and a lot of this is maintenance.”
Another owner of property bordering the airport is Randy
Miritello. Immediately following Thursday’s meeting, Miritello shared his concerns with AllOtsego.
“There has to be some sort of compromise,” Miritello stated. “You work at [building a home] for 30 years and someone wants to come and take it. The initial threat was to clear-cut everything, [which would] change the whole character of the property. There would be no privacy, and it’s not why I built there.”
Miritello added that he was hopeful about the new appointments to the Airport Commission and the discussions that emerged during this month’s meeting.
“There’s a little more balance on the commission now,” Miritello said, anticipating that it “will eventually draw the scope back into more realistic points of view.”
In other business, the Airport Commission also introduced two motions tied to the 2026 budget. The first proposal was a two-phase capital improvement project to build a partial parallel taxiway. The project was previously bid but not awarded, and now needs to be re-bid. It has an estimated cost of $6.6 million. Osterhoudt described this project as a “massive safety improvement for the airport [that] we can’t afford not to go through with it.” The motion to proceed with the taxiway passed 3-1.
The second budgetary motion supported a reconstructed and partially relocated access road into the airport. Osterhoudt stated that the roadway is in need of repair and relocating it now will free up space for future development. This proposal is for design only, not construction. The access road motion also passed in a 3-1 vote.
For both motions, Commissioner Lynch was the dissenting vote. Commissioner Brockway abstained, since he had not yet been officially sworn in to his position. Both projects are to be funded by 95 percent federal and 2.5 percent state grants, with the local share being only 2.5 percent. Both
of these budget recommendations will now go to the Common Council for final approval.
After the meeting adjourned, new commissioner Michael Lynch told AllOtsego that he voted against the motions because he did not have sufficient time to review them.
“I voted no on those two items today because I only read through them once. So I’m not going to vote on something that I don’t fully understand yet,” Lynch said.
His appointment by Mayor Mark Drnek was only just approved by the Common Council two days prior, on October 7. Commissioners Brockway and Gibbs were approved in September. Their terms are for three years each.
Speaking about what he hopes to achieve on the Airport Commission, former Common Council member Lynch said, “We are going to engage our neighbors around the airport in a meaningful way. A full and thorough examination of the off-site obstruction removal... and about what is in the capital improvement plan, specifically the measure to extend the runway. We need to talk about that.”
The meeting began with Lou Shields being awarded a certificate of recognition signed by Mayor Drnek. It was a gesture of appreciation for Shields’ four years of service to the Airport Commission, as well as nearly a decade of prior work with the city’s Zoning and Housing Board of Appeals. In front of the crowd, Kamerbeek said to Shields, “One thing that I always really appreciated about you, Lou, is that you’re not speaking to be relevant, you’re speaking with relevance. And there’s a big difference between the two.”
Kamerbeek expressed that he has been dealing with personal health issues and suggested that he will need someone else to take over the Airport Commission chair role soon. No volunteers emerged during the meeting.
The October monthly meeting was held in the Common Council
Chambers in City Hall. The session ended with the commission approving a motion to continue meeting at the downtown location and to move its monthly meetings to every third Wednesday at 5 p.m., in order to better accommodate members of the public.
This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community Media Service, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.
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that if the Ingalls were to walk into the home today they’d “be shaking their heads, going, ‘I can’t believe you’re doing this this way or that way’” because of how the funeral home business has changed. “But what remains the same is getting people through a difficult time and getting their deceased individual where they need to go,” he said.
To that end, Deysenroth said, he has at times skipped family events to care for grieving families.
“Every time I serve a family, I’m helping them, whether I’m here or sometimes I might be away.”
Despite the changes in ownership, including Deysenroth taking sole ownership in 2005 after more than a decade as an employee, the 1961 Buick hearse Connell drove home from its sale in Syracuse has remained. Deysenroth said the hearse has around 43,000 miles on its odometer.
“I’m having a lot of work done on it this year, just because I want to keep it going and keep it active,” he said.
Deysenroth plans to honor the legacy of those who came before him.
“Chet and Millie Ingalls and George Connell are all buried down in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery, and Jim Dow has a monument in Lakewood Cemetery, so I’m planning on putting a small wreath, just as a personal way to mark their lives,” he said.
I Will Work To Give Back
I’m running for Oneonta town supervisor. But getting elected isn’t the goal… it’s just the starting line. It’s the day you finally get a neighborhood advocate at town hall. We start strengthening our community with transparency, collaboration and heart. And we stop entertaining developers who want us to greenlight vague AI infrastructure plans.
For almost 20 years, I’ve been advocating for survivors, unhoused neighbors and working families. I graduated from SUNY Oneonta as a first-generation college student. My wife and I chose a life in Oneonta. And together, we’ve built our life around service and care for others.
This community gave me a second chance, a safe home for a family. It stood by us when I fought cancer. And I’ll always work to give back, paying forward that same hope and solidarity.
Since February, I’ve been walking this town, porch to porch, listening to what matters to you. I’ve sat at kitchen tables, heard your stories and seen the heart that holds this community together. People here still show up for one another. That’s what makes Oneonta home. I want to show up for you now. Let’s keep the conversations going, so our town government hears your voice.
Early voting is October 25 through November
2, and Election Day is November 4. This race could come down to just a few votes. I hope you’ll stand with me, and write our next chapter together. Our work’s just getting started. Onward together!
Will Rivera Oneonta
Help Fund CPB, NPR
My wife and I tithe a portion of our annual income to various religious and charitable organizations. Until now, we have not felt the need to include the public broadcasting outlets we enjoy watching and listening to daily on our list of donees.
Our reasoning has been that our support of those entities was achieved by virtue of the federal government’s using our tax dollars to provide funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and National Public Radio for distribution to our local public TV and radio stations. Sadly, that is no longer the case. As a result, we can no longer rationalize that we are “paying” to use those stations through our tax dollars.
To avoid “freeloading” our use of these outlets, we have added our local public TV and radio stations to our list of charitable donees. We urge all our fellow citizens who tune in to public media, to do likewise. Until altruism is restored as an element of federal tax revenue allocation, we have an obligation to financially support the public broadcasting stations we utilize.
John A. Rudy Cooperstown
Business Directory
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The Pine Shop
Photo by Achim Koedderman
►Fri., Oct. 31
DEADLINE Last day to register for “Intro to Figure Drawing: Focus on Artistic Anatomy” with Paul Marcellino. Fees apply; bring your own materials. Held 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays from 11/4 through 12/16 (No class 11/25). Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-9777.
FREE DAY 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. “October Free Day Pass Day.” Cooperstown Coworks, 6 Doubleday Court, Cooperstown. (607) 643-2256.
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.
CONNECTIONS
1-2:30 p.m. “HCR Home Care Presents: Home Care 101.” Led by Tracy VanderVeen, LPN. Casual discussion and Q&A focusing on eligibility, guidelines, services and the referral process. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail. com.
FARMERS’ MARKET
3-6 p.m. Held Fridays at the Four Corners, Hartwick. (607) 2937530.
HALLOWEEN
4-6:30 p.m. “Trick or Treat.” Bob’s Country Store, 102 State Highway 165, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-3007.
HALLOWEEN
4:30-5:45 p.m. “RSFD Costume Contest.” Prizes, snacks and refreshments available. Richfield Springs Fire Department, 34 East James Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 922-4881.
DINNER 4:30-5 p.m. take out; 5-6:30 p.m. eat in. “Chili or Mac and Cheese Dinner.” Walkins welcome. Proceeds benefit The Major’s Inn
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
Foundation. Butternut Valley Grange Hall, 7 Bloom Street, Gilbertsville. (607) 563-1104.
HALLOWEEN 5 p.m.
Halloween Parade. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5478344.
HALLOWEEN
5-8 p.m. “Library Spooktastic Halloween Trick-OTreat.” Games, treats, hot cocoa, hot apple cider. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.
HALLOWEEN
5-7:30 p.m. “Halloween Trick or Treat.” Candy, water and coffee. Also selling raffle tickets, (drawing to be held 11/8). Milford Fire Department and Emergency Squad, 64 South Main Street, Milford. (607) 286-9492.
HALLOWEEN
5:30-7:30 p.m. Trick or Treating in the village, haunted house at the firehouse and more. Cherry Valley.
HALLOWEEN 6 p.m.
“Hyde & Shriek! Candlelight Ghost Tours.” Tickets required. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.
FILM 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. “Sinners” by Ryan Coogler. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. “You keep dancing with the devil, one day he’s going to follow you home.” Also showing 11/1. Red Dragon Theatre, Hunt Union, 68 Bugbee Road, Oneonta. (607) 4363730.
FILM FEST 7 p.m.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” 50th anniversary celebration with live shadow cast. Presented by the 2025 Worcester Wieting Theatre Fall Film Festival. Free; donations appreciated. Encore showing on 11/1. Worcester Wieting Theatre, 168 Main Street, Worcester.
Time OuT OTsegO
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
►Sat., NOv. 1
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.
FESTIVAL
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. “All Souls Spirit Fest.” Workshops, vendors, psychic readers, energy healers, unique gifts and more. Free admission. The Institute for Spiritual Development, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta. (607) 433-2089.
WORKSHOP 10 a.m. to noon. “Gel Printing Workshop.” Fees apply; registration required. All materials provided. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
PLANETARIUM Family-friendly shows open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, Oneonta. (607) 4362011.
• 10:30 a.m. “Cultures in the Cosmos.”
• 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.”
FUNDRAISER
11 a.m.; registration at 10 a.m. “Cooperstown Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Free; registration required. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. (518) 6757203.
DRAWING 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Lines of Connections: Life Drawing at the Old School.” Part of the world’s largest celebration of drawing, The Big Draw Festival 2025. Presented by the Klinkhart Hall Arts Center at the Cherry Valley Old School, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley.
FALL BACK Noon to 4 p.m. “Annual Fall Back
Into Self Love: Self-Care and Beauty Expo.” Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.
MUSIC 1 p.m. “Junior Recitals.” Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta. WRITING 1-3 p.m. “Sacred Writing Circle: Death, Transformation, and Remembrance.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.
FUNDRAISER
3-6 p.m. “WBFD Aux Annual Turkey Supper.” Tickets required. Wells Bridge Fire Department, 114 County Highway 4, Wells Bridge. (607) 9882542.
FUNDRAISER
7-11 p.m. “!Dance 4 Democracy!” Presented by Friends with Benefits. Fees apply. Benefit to raise the roof on the theater. Star Theater, 44 Main Street, Cherry Valley.
CONCERT 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. “Fountain of Youth.” Presented by the Catskill Symphony Orchestra. Featuring the Voices of Cooperstown. Tickets required. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta.
►SuN., NOv. 2
WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. “The Art of Play: Physical Creature Acting.” Prepare for the Cherry Valley Koliada, to be held 2/6 and 2/7. The Telegraph School at the Cherry Valley Old School Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 2643785.
MEDITATION
11 a.m. “Sundays at Samye: The Practical Bodhisattva—How to Be a Spiritual Hero in Everyday Life.” Meditation, study and discussion. Held Sundays through
12/21. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 5475051.
CHILDREN Noon to 2 p.m. “Science of the Watershed: A Hands-On Event.” Interactive watershed table, water science, water pollution and prevention. Free. Oneonta World of Learning, 167 Youngs Road, Oneonta.
MUSIC 1-3 p.m.
“Sunday Sessions with Average Joey.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111.
BENEFIT 2-4:30 p.m.
“Benefit Concert for Land and Water Conservation.” Presented by Otsego Land Trust. The Loft at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.
SUNDAY SPEAKER
3 p.m. “A New Look at the Erie Canal on Its Bicentennial.” Presented by the Friends of the Village Library. Talk by author Mark Ferrara, PhD, based on his recent book, “The Raging Erie: Life and Labor along the Erie Canal.” Free and open to the public. 3rd floor ballroom, Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.
MUSIC 4 p.m. “Junior Recitals.” Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.
MUSIC 4 p.m.
“Oneonta Kirtan: Interfaith Devotional Music Meditation.” Held each first Sunday. Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, 12 Ford Avenue, Oneonta.
►MON., NOv.3
CONNECTIONS
10:30 a.m. “One-on-One Tech Support.” Get help using personal devices, from iPhones to tablets. Held each first Monday of the month. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.
LIBRARY 1 p.m. “Home School Hangout.” Stories, activities, crafts and learning for home school families. Held each Monday. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.
HALL WALKERS
4-8 p.m. Open to seniors aged 60+. Fees apply. Held school days through 6/30. Presented by Adult Education of Richfield Springs Central School. 93 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0610 ext. 2351.
PICKLEBALL
6:30-8 p.m. Fees apply; registration required. Presented by Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School Fall 2025 Continuing Education. Held each Monday. Cherry ValleySpringfield Elementary Gym, 597 County Route 54, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-3265 ext. 110.
►tueS., NOv. 4
COMMUNITY HIKE
9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at the Millbrook Reservoir, New Berlin. Contact hike leader Jenny Grimes, (607) 434-4766. CHILDREN 10 a.m. “Tiny Tots Craft and Play.” For kids ages 1-4, with a caregiver. Fees apply. Also held 11/4. Oneonta YMCA, 20-26 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 432-0010.
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 pizza burger, Italian-blend vegetables, German potato salad and
frosted birthday cake. (607) 547-6454. • Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Each Tuesday and Thursday. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs.
VETERANS Noon to 2 p.m. Free Veterans Lunch. Warm meal with fellow veterans. Veteran families welcome. Held first Tuesday of each month. Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 203-2228.
ELECTION DAY 4:30-6 p.m. “2025 Election Day Dinner.” Presented by the Laurens American Legion Auxiliary. Roast turkey and fixings, with apple or pumpkin pie. Fees apply. Eat in or take out. Benefit for the Girls State Program. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 432-6314. MEET & GREET
5:30-7 p.m. “Welcome Home Cooperstown.” Gathering to welcome new residents to the Village of Cooperstown. This month, celebrate the local Filipino community. Includes information, food samples and song. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.
FIGURE DRAWING
6:30 p.m. Held each Tuesday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 483-8432.
►Wed., NOv. 5
VETERANS BREAKFAST 8-10 a.m. Free breakfast for veterans, active military, firefighters, EMS and law enforcement. Held first Wednesday of each month. Cost for guests is $5. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. yreckert@yahoo.com
OTSEGO COUNTY 9:45 a.m. Meeting of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Michelle Catan. Purpose: Personnel. Board Chambers, County Office Building, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 5474202.
STORY TIME 10 a.m. Held each Wednesday. Springfield Library, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center. (315) 858-5802. STORY HOUR 10 a.m. Open to children ages 2-5, plus caregivers. Held each Wednesday. Cherry Valley Memorial Library, 61 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-8214. STORY TIME 10 a.m. Free. Held each Wednesday. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 3977309.
SUPPORT 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half off everything except priced jewelry and furniture. Every first and third Wednesday. Helios Care Thrift Shop and Boutique, Price Chopper Plaza, 5626 State Highway 7, Oneonta. (607) 432-5335.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT 12:30-2 p.m. “Exploring Calvin and Hobbes.” Includes lunch and a walking tour of the exhibit. Fees apply; registration required. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.
ART CLASS 6-9 p.m. “Figure This! Open Studio Life Drawing.” Non-instructional workshop with nude models for sketching. Hosted by a Cooperstown Art Association member. Fees apply, cash. Held each Wednesday. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-9777.
►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar