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celebrate fall in oneonta and the greater cooperstown region
AUTUMN s m a e r D Thursday, September 23, 2021 • FREE
► What’s in your garage?
In Middlefield, it is ART
InsiDE: FUN FALL ACTIVITIES TO GET YOU OUT OF THE HOUSE, Page B5 Home
O M C O PE
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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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ONEONTA
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
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08 - 2021
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AllOTSEGO.com
21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326 • 607-547-6103 • info@allotsego.com
B-2 autumn Dreams
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Larissa RYAN B e st B E T S
Walk to end Alzheimers
Serving you for over 70 years! Online Restaurant Curbside Delivery Catering Gift Shop Sauce Production
Thank you for your patronage! www.brooksbbq.com 607-432-1782 5560 NY Rte 7 Oneonta
Walk for a cause! The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is happening at Neahwa Park in Oneonta. Every walk around the country is planned with the health and safety of all participants. Get involved by either walking, volunteering or donating. For more information, go to www. act.alz.org/site. • Join the Otsego Dance Society for an afternoon Waltz in the Park. With contradances still canceled, this is a good opportunity to see some friends (with masks on), and enjoy contradancing music and a few waltzes as performed by local musician Peter Blue and friends. Waltzing with your significant other, or other member of your household, is allowed. Bring a lawnchair, snacks and water. There will not be any food available on site. By the Pavillion in Neahwa Park, Oneonta from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25. For info: 607965-8232 or visit www.facebook. com/OtsegoDanceSociety. • Bust out the lederhosen and dirndl dress and get ready for the fourth annual Oktoberfest. There will be polka dances, German food, Bavarian decorations and traditional Oktoberfest Lager. Live bands include Tony’s Polka Band from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday & Sunday. The Northside Sound will be performing from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. At Red Shed Brewery, 709 County Rte. 33 in Middlefield. From noon to 9 p.m., Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, Sept. 24, 25, 26. For info: 607731-6454 or visit www.facebook. com/redshedbrewing. • Jump online to hear from the author of the “The Andes Central School Faculty and Staff Kindness Journal,” Jennifer Finkle. She started the journal after watching an “Oprah” show discussing how good random kindness can feel to both the giver and receiver. She opened with “Remember, you as a human being are very powerful; remember, challenges teach us about the elasticity
of the human spirit. Use this journal to record a random acts of kindness that you do. Pass the journal to the recipient and ask them do the same. I hope you’ll be surprised to see how good random kindness can feel.” Finkle proceeded to pass the journal around her entire school and the results are being published with cooperation from Bright Hill Press. She is discussing the book and the “Kindness Is Contagious” project on this month’s Word Thursday. Presented by the Bright Hill Press and Literary Center. from 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23. Visit brighthillpress.org for information. • Get outside with the Otsego County Conservation Association and help protect our local environment. OCCA will be hosting a highway clean-up along a two-mile stretch of a local highway, so break out the sturdy shoes and long pants and be ready to give back to the planet. Equipment will be provided, courtesy of the Adopt-A-Highway program. Registration required. Meet at OCCA’s office, 7207 State Rte. 80. From 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. For info: 607547-4488 or occainfo.org/calendar/ occa-highway-cleanup/.
unique giftS!
147 Main Street CooperStown 516-996-9204
►ON THE COVER The Art Garage Photo by Greg Klein/ The Freeman’s Journal
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Autumn dreams B-3
Greg Klein/The Freeman’s Journal
The Art Garage owner Sydney Waller speaks about the art of Tom Nussbaum on Monday, Sept. 20.
Art in the garage Middlefield gallery owner showcases contemporary art from local, international artists in her garage By GREG KLEIN On a country road, in a converted garage, in the town of Middlefield, some of the most amazing works of contemporary art are on display daily. The Art Garage, owned by Sydney Waller, has spent the past 10 years displaying modern art from artists from Otsego County, as well as around the country and the world. “It is in my DNA,” Waller said. A Connecticut native, Waller grew up spending parts of her summers in Roseboom. “My mom bought this old farm in Roseboom. It had no electricity and no running water,” she said. “We spent part of every summer there and we thought it was Heaven.” After majoring in art history at Smith College, Waller moved to Otsego County. She went to graduate school at Harvard Graduate School of Education and got a master’s degree in human development, but soon returned to Otsego and the arts. Waller ran several art galleries during her career, including one in Cooperstown, Gallery 53.
However, as she neared retirement, she said she had a conundrum. She represented the estates of two local artists, Lavern Kelley from Oneonta and Alice Hudson from Norwich, and wanted to continue to represent their work. And her love of contemporary art had not subsided either. Fate intervened in the form of garage repairs. “So, I needed a garage,” she said. “I thought, ‘I love running art galleries,’ and I thought, ‘when I retire, I will just run a gallery in my garage and not have to commute.’” The Art Garage opened 10 years ago and shows and sales quickly followed. “My primary thing is not about selling,” she said. “My primary thing is about giving artists an opportunity, especially modern artists.” Waller said she is particularly fascinated by “outsider art” by self-taught artists. Her most recent show, which opened last weekend, is a prime example. The works of Adam Masava, a teacher and social activist from See GARAGE, Page B4
B-4 Autumn Dreams
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Greg Klein/The Freeman’s Journal
The work of Kenyan artist Adam Masava, highlighting the lives of people in the slums of Nairobi’s Mukuru, is on display at The Art Garage in the town of Middlefield through Nov. 13.
Art Garage exhibits reflect owner’s passion for contemporary, outsider art GARAGE/from Page B3 Nairobi, Kenya, is the feature show in the garage’s center studio, highlighting his paint on metal works depicting every-day life in the slums of Mukuru. “He wants people to know that these people are good people,” she said. “He feels like people think whoever lives in a slum must be horrible people. “And it should be noted, he is
painting on the same metal people use to build their houses,” she said. Masava learned about the Art Garage when he met Waller’s nephew, who is also living in Kenya. “That is how it happens a lot of the time,” she said, “somebody will ring me out of the blue. In fact, Adam rang me out of the blue.” Waller’s other show features the work of Tom Nussbaum, who has a home in Burlington Flats.
Both shows are part of Waller’s 2021 theme of social justice, which she also highlighted in a recent show dealing with Black Lives Matter that featured a group of artists from East Orange, New Jersey. “Like so many people in Cooperstown, I am concerned about justice in our society,” she said. “It was very important to my mother. It just seemed like, ‘what can I do? Well, I run a gallery, so I can show
art that deals with social justice in our society.’” Nussbaum’s show runs through Oct. 10. Masava’s show runs through Nov. 13. The Art Garage is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., by appointment. Call 607-547-5327 or text 315-941-9607 to view the galleries or go to The Art Garage on Facebook for more information.
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Greg Klein/The Freeman’s Journal
Tom Nussbaum’s work will be on display at The Art Garage through Oct. 10.
4841 NY-28 Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-400-1001
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Autumn Dreams B-5
Staff Picks
Our best bets for local fall activities Bear Pond offers great wine; Neahwa Park is an amazing place
Kathleen Peters Graphic Designer Apple and Pumpkin picking It’s the perfect time to get out there and pick some apples or pumpkins. We have both growing on our property — from ancient apple trees and in The Husband’s garden — but there are plenty of local places where you can pick your own. Don’t go for all of those fake apple- and pumpkin-flavored edibles and drinkables. Go for the real thing and make your own. To me, the best part about too many apples and pumpkins is making apple and pumpkin butter, and apple and pumpkin pies. I haven’t tried mixing the butters yet, but I did try a “pumple” pie that was downright tasty! (Or was it an appkin pie?)
Of course, if you’re not up for picking your own, there are plenty of local farmer’s markets and farmstands where you can cheat and buy large quantities of both. And don’t forget it’s garlic season, too. Buy some local garlic and try planting it in your garden this fall. Easy peasy, and in the summer you get a whole bulb from each clove that you plant. Some picking places include Middlefield Orchard and Windy Hill Orchard and Farm Market in Cassville. Local markets include the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Richfield Springs Farmer’s Market, and the Oneonta Farmers’ Market. Danielle Crocco Marketing Consultant Bear Pond Winery I pass by Bear Pond Winery every day on my way to work. Being new to the
area and a wine lover, I knew I wanted to check it out. I went on Sunday and it is definitely an awesome place to go! They have an awesome wine slushy, and also sell snacks, so we got to make a nice charcuterie board. They offer a selection of beers for those non-wine lovers! The people working were super helpful and friendly which is always nice. They gave us a Cooperstown Beverage Trail checklist, so the next time we are out, we can cross a winery or brewery off our list. It was such a nice day, we decided to sit outside where there is a decent amount of shaded areas, as well as some areas in the sun. There is a big field of grass where you could bring a blanket and hang out, or if you have kids let them run around! They had some
good tunes playing and it wasn’t super crowded, so you were able to really relax and enjoy your time! Kevin Limiti Reporter Neahwa Park Besides SUNY Oneonta and the Baseball Hall of Fame, Otsego County’s most well known attraction is actually its landscape and nature. There are so many beautiful mountains, hills, valleys, farms and scenery But what can people like me who are either not inclined to go out exploring the vast wilderness or otherwise have limited time do? No fear! Neahwa Park is here! Neahwa Park is impressive in its placidity, overwhelming in its beauty and full of different things to do. For those interested in history and honoring military
veterans, there is a memorial in the park paying homage to the veterans of different American wars. It is also where they hold Memorial Day celebrations. There is a skate park where you can hear the slaps of the board on pavement and the sounds of people joking and laughing in the park. Because of how close Neahwa Park is to me, I like to take a walk there with my headphones, sometimes bringing a notebook with me to record the sights and the sounds and make up little creative stories. You can also go bird watching if so inclined. Dog walking is very popular and it is not uncommon to see dozens of dogs. I try to pet as many of them as humanly possible. Neahwa Park is a great place to relax.
Candlelight Ghost Tours
October 8 & 9,
15 & 16, 22 & 23, 29, 30 & 31! 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 PM Mask Required
Purchase Tickets at HydeHall.org or Eventbrite.com
Tom SHELBY
B-6 Autumn Dreams
Thursday, September 23, 2021
The DOG CHARMER
Does my pitbull really need a muzzle? Dear Tom, My husband and I recently adopted a seven-year-old pitbull from our local shelter. He’s a happy, mellow, friendly dog who loves anyone and everyone he meets. Unfortunately, in one of his previous homes he and another dog escaped from the backyard and managed to seriously injure a neighbor’s pet rabbit. As a result, the city issued a “dangerous dog” mandate that requires him to wear a muzzle whenever he’s out in public. This seems excessive to us — he’s never shown any aggression towards other people or dogs, and we have him on a leash at all times when we’re out and about. We’re worried that the muzzle makes him appear much more dangerous than he actually is. Do you think that a muzzle is necessary in this case? Katie Dear Katie, Thank you for being one of the good guys by adopting a dog in need of a home. Depending on who you read and how you define, there are probably six to eight different types of aggression. The dog that chases a squirrel or a mouse is presenting predatory aggression which is common to most dogs. The eight-week old puppy that chases a blowing leaf is presenting predation. I’ve lost count of all the people who asked me what they should do if a dog is threatening them. The first thing I tell them is what not to do, invite the dog to give chase and bite by turning your back and running. My standard poodle Paula Jean, killed a chipmunk in the woods during a hike. Being well trained as she is, had I seen it coming I could have told her “Leave it!” and the chipmunk would have lived to see another day. Paula Jean is nothing close to a candidate for a muzzle! The fact that in your letter you mentioned it was two dogs that attacked the rabbit actually leaves the possibility that your dog was just a bystander, not to mention the rabbit survived the attack. A pitbull-size dog could kill a rabbit in a heartbeat, and yet the rabbit survived the assault of two dogs? Add to that the fact that he’s friendly toward people and dogs when you walk him tells me that muzzling him is not only unnecessary, it’s quite detrimental to his further socialization and growth. The original pitbull was bred to never bite a human but rather fight other animals in a pit as onlookers placed bets. There is no domestic animal that denotes the body language of a human better than a dog. Now picture the response of everybody who sees a muzzled dog. That dog will never experience the joy of friendly strangers and dogs as everyone backs away fearfully and suspiciously. And that in turn that will make the muzzled dog more fearful and suspicious. In this case, take the muzzle off! Dog Charmer Tom Cooperstown author Tom Shelby will answer pet owner questions on dog training. Email your questions to dogsrshelby@msn.com.
Advertise what you’ve got going on in Autumn Dreams! AUTUMN s Call 607-547-6103 for details! Dream
Thursday, September 23, 2021
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________
►Thursday, Sept. 23
with a ribbon cutting, live music, food, and wine tastings. Montezuma Winery, 4841 State Route 28 in Hartwick. For info: 607-400-1001. LIFESKILLS – From 4 to 6 p.m. Teens are invited to learn incook OtsegO COunty to with Lynn. Menu posted to FB. Seating limited, reservations required. Presented by The Oneonta Teen Center. At 50 Dietz St. in Oneonta. For info: 607 441 3999. COMMUNITY NIGHT – From 5 to 7 p.m. Residents of Richfield Springs are invited for a fun night of hot dogs, beverages, games, and prizes. Meet your local farmers, take a family portrait, sign the kids up for 4-H, scouts, sports, and more. Followed by a showing of “The One and Only Ivan.” Richfield Springs Community Center, At 6 Ann St. in Richfield Springs. For info: 315-858-0230.
the Sullivan-Clinton expedition of 150 years previously which destroyed the Iroquois Confederacy. Registration for Zoom required. Presented by the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie. For info: 518673-2317, ext 113.
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HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. Walk around the historic village, learn from the historic interpreters and enjoy the fall activities from wagon rides, to corn shelling/ grinding, and tinsmithing with the blacksmith, and more. Included with admission. At The Farmers’ Museum. For info: 607-547-1450. SENIOR HARVEST PARTY – From 1 to 3 p.m. Seniors age 60 and older and a guest are invited to sample baked goods, meet new people, learn about programs in the area. There will also be Tai Chi demonstrations, cooking demonstration, and relaxing violin music from John Potocnik. At Rustic Ridge Winery, 2805 State Route 80 in Burlington Flats. For info: 607-547-6481. OPEN HOUSE – At 7 p.m. CCS elementary parents are invited for a virtual open house to learn about the childrens teachers, expectations, and more. At Cooperstown Elementary School.
►Friday, Sept. 24 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing. TEDX ONEONTA – At 6 p.m. Speakers from all over and from all professions present on a variety of topics from sustainability, to workplace culture, and much more. Registration required. Cost is $30/person. At Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta.
►Saturday, Sept. 25 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing. GRAND OPENING – From 2 to 5 p.m. New business celebrates their grand opening
what’s fun
►Sunday, Sept. 26 ALZHEIMERS WALK – At 1 p.m. Join the Walk to End Alzheimers and help raise money to end this deadly disease. Event will include an opening ceremony at 2 p.m., and a Promise Garden Ceremony with flowers brought by participants, the colors signify your connection to Alzheimers. At Neahwa Park in Oneonta. Visit act.alz.org to signup or donate.
►Monday, Sept. 27 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing.
►Tuesday, Sept. 28 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing. HISTORY LECTURE – At 6:30 p.m. Join historian Mary Alexander for a discussion of how the villages of Upstate New York in 1929 Commemorated
►Wednesday, Sept. 29 TRAP SHOOT – At 1 & 6 p.m. Bring your shotgun and shells for fun afternoon and evening trapshoot. (Weather permitting). Cost is $1/round. Please follow all firearm regulations. At Crumhorn Rod & Gun Club, 574 Crumhorn Lake Rd. in Maryland. For info: 607-638-9379. BROADBAND – At 6 p.m. Join community discussion featuring Assemblymen Peter Oberacker, Brian Miller and John Salka on access to broadband internet in Springfield Center. The elected officials will be answering questions about NY State Pathways to Broadband internet in rural areas. At Springfield Center Community Center, 129 County Route 29A in Springfield Center. For info: 315-858-5802. GROWING GARLIC – At 6:30 p.m. Join online class to learn about planting & growing Garlic with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cobleskill. Registration required for Zoom. For info: 518-234-4303 x119.
Autumn Dreams B-7 finalist on the VOICE, and has a top release with Blake Shelton. This is the 20th annual Play It Forward. Proceeds will be going to OHS Alumni Association Music Scholarship. Tickets are $15/person. Seating is limited. At Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. For
info: 607-432-5450.
►Saturday, October 2 BAKE SALE – From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Support local fire department. . Hartwick Seminary Fire Dept., 4877 State Route 28, in Hartwick Seminary.
COOPERSTOWN October 2-3 & 9-10 10am- 4pm Years of collecting stuff and now regretting collecting all that stuff. Household, boating motors, wagon wheels, dryer, tools, video equipment, collectables, beer advertising, party tent (used once)... too long a list.
2 Beech St, Cooperstown
►Thursday, Sept. 30 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing.
►Friday, October 1 HARVEST CELEBRATION – From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate the harvest season in 1800s style. See Thurs. listing. BENEFIT CONCERT – At 7 p.m. Stop in for Ian Flannigan performing live, a top three
Don’t miss the train robberies!
September 18 and October 9 at 2 pm $22 Adults, $21 Seniors, $19 Children Ages 3-12
Thursday, September 23, 2021
B-8 Autumn Dreams
A Perfect Day on Otsego Lake The Blue Mingo Grill Lake Otsego’s only open-air lakeside dining spot offers creative grill cuisine on its Adirondack porches at the water’s edge. Inspired by a multitude of international cuisines, the Blue Mingo Offers an eclectic menu that The New York Times has calleD “the area’s most interesting dishes.” dinner reservations recommended (607) 547-7496
Sam Smith’s Boat Rentals
Spend some quality time on the lake in a rental boat at Sam Smith’s. .ZWU SIaIS[ KIVWM[ IVL Å[PQVO JWI\[ \W TIZOM IVL [UITT XWV\WWV JWI\[ ZMV\IT[ IZM available by the hour to a full day. Call for reservations (607) 547- 2581
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On your way to the dining porches of The Blue Mingo Grill, you will pass through the LMTQOP\N]T IVL M^MZ XWX]TIZ 4ISM +TI[[QK 7]\Å\\MZ[ I JW]\QY]M ÅTTML _Q\P IV MKTMK\QK collection of clothing, gifts and accessories inspired by the classic casual elegance of Adirondack Great Camp style
The Mingo Market a contemporary take on the classic country store, with a unique and wide-ranging offering of authentic products and provisions from around the world and around the corner. From gourmet foods, take-out lunches and locally-sourced grocery items and produce to kitchen and entertaining essentials, pet and garden supplies, treats for \PM SQL[ ]VQY]M KTW\PQVO TWIL[ WN PIZL \W ÅVL Q\MU[ IVL U]KP U]KP UWZM
All at one lakeside location 2 1/2 miles north of cooperstown on west lake road, 6098 state highway 80 general information: 607-547-2543 www.bluemingogrill.com