The Freeman's Journal 03-16-23

Paintings Travel to Los Angeles for Solo Exhibit

By TERESA WINCHESTER

It’s a long way from Carrie Mae Smith’s Italianate stone house in Gilbertsville to Los Angeles and Lowell Ryan Projects, a split-level art gallery with an art deco exterior. Nevertheless, Smith made the 2,764-mile trip with her husband, Greg Watson, on February 14 to open her first solo exhibit at the gallery, which welcomes artists whose work crosses disciplinary boundaries.

“It’s the most significant gallery show I’ve had to date,” Smith said.

Smith’s paintings largely feature vintage porcelain and flatware. Her work, both in its subject matter and in its soft, luminous technique, evokes a more genteel era, when tea was served formally in dainty cup and saucer sets and cream poured from a small pitcher instead of a wax carton.

Smith, in fact, lived in this more elegant world to some extent, working during summers on Martha’s Vineyard as a private chef for the same family from 1995 to 2010.

“This job was like a combination of being Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughes,” Smith laughed, referring to the iconic Downton Abbey characters.

The installation’s title, “Four Plates and Four Forks,” is taken from one of the exhibit’s 30 paintings, which are small-scale, with dimensions ranging from 12 by 14 to 14 by 17 inches. Smith paints with oil on aluminum composite material, a substrate designed for architects and sign makers.

“I like a stable substance for painting, one that doesn’t change with humidity—a hard, smooth surface,” Smith said.

Continued on page 9

K-Boy’s Little Buddy HARTWICK—Three-year-old munchkin, Nacho, is a pasture pal for the Manee family’s 23-year-old quarterhorse, K-Boy. Nacho does his job well, which is to keep K-Boy young, and we’re told “he’s a little spicy”—living up to his name. We invite you to send pictures of your furry, feathered or finned friends to darlay@allotsego.com. Every week, we’ll select at least one photograph to be highlighted in the newspapers. In the coming days, Nacho, K-Boy and a host of other beloved pets will be available for viewing on the AllOtsego.com website. Look for the link to “Furever Friends and Purrfect Pals.”

CFOC Opens 2023 Awards Cycle

$150K in FundsAvailable; First Deadline is June 15

SPRINGFIELD

As of March 1, the Community Foundation of Otsego County is accepting applications for its 2023 Awards Cycle. According to a recent press release, this year’s cycle includes the following new features:

1. $150,000.00 total to be allocated.

2.There are three categories— “Strengthening Our Community,” “Strengthening Our Nonprofits” and “Addressing Immediate Needs.”

3. Deadlines: The first-round closes June 15, 2023 and the second round closes October 15, 2023.

4. FAQs—A list of questions and answers to help applicants through the process are found on cfotsego.org under “Get Funding.” More FAQs will be added as questions come in.

The following funds are also open for applications in the corresponding communities: Advocates for Springfield Fund: A total of $1,400.00 allocated to support the health and well-being of the Springfield community is open for applications. The first deadline is May 15, 2023.

Greater Otego Library and Education fund: $12,000.00 is allocated for the enhancement and development of educational and cultural resources in the Town of Otego.

Since 2019, the Community Foundation of Otsego County has allocated $500,000.00 in grants and awards to local nonprofits. Its mission is to lead and inspire community-wide efforts that significantly improve the quality of life and the prosperity of the Otsego County, New York area by connecting people who care with causes that matter, and by using collective knowledge, creativity, and resources for greater impact.

For more information, visit the CFOC website, cfotsego.org, or e-mail contact@ cfotsego.org

By TARA BARNWELL FLY CREEK

On Tuesday, March 7, the New York Farm Bureau held a virtual press conference to voice its support for the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health and to highlight budget issues currently being faced by NYCAMH.

NYCAMH has a simple mission statement: “Enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury and illness.”

“We are known as national experts in the agricultural field,” Erica Scott, deputy director of NYCAMH, said. “We promote the health and safety in agriculture. Our mission is carried out by utilizing research, outreach, education and clinical consultation services.”

An independent department of Bassett Healthcare, the agency has been in a “flat funding” situation for years. This means the $1 million annual budget hasn’t been increased or decreased since 2009.

“Costs for everything—medical and safety supplies, labor, and transportation—have risen on average by 20 percent,” Scott said. “But our budget hasn’t.”

“We visit farms and train people on safety and health

Continued on page 6

ZBA Denies Short-term Rental Application

By CASPAR EWIG COOPERSTOWN

Last Tuesday, March 7, 2023—in front of an overflow, standingroom-only crowd—the Village of Cooperstown Zoning Board of Appeals considered and ultimately denied an application by Mark and Margaret Curley, the owners of 40 Lake Street, to permit four of the residence’s five bedrooms to be used for short-term rentals.

Prior to the hearing, the ZBA had received 24 letters and/or e-mails, all of which expressed the writers’ objection to the application. The same was true of comments made at the hearing: the residents who spoke all opposed the application. The owners, who had purchased the house also known as Averill Cottage four months earlier, were not present. Although a family member did attend and was given the opportunity to be heard, he declined.

The emotional tone of the opposition was best summarized by the impassioned plea of Hillary LaDuke who,

as an Averill descendant, said, “Averill Cottage was our homestead that was built by our family…and I can’t imagine that my ancestors, or anybody in my family, envisions this someday being a chop shop.”

At the outset of the meeting, ZBA Chairperson Susan Snell summarized the written opposition into various categories. Many opponents referred to the land-use descriptions of the Zoning Law as well as to the Village of Cooperstown’s Comprehensive Plan, which generally holds short-term rentals to be undesirable.

On a practical level, some writers pointed out that it would be inappropriate to convert an historic dwelling into a boarding house, and that the narrowness of Lake Street made it incompatible with any additional traffic. Others contended that the ambience of the neighborhood’s privacy and peace and quiet would be disturbed by the proposed additional parking area and were equally concerned by the

Photo by Samantha Manee

By CASPAR EWIG

COOPERSTOWN

Most people have procedures performed to remove an appendix, but the Village of Cooperstown is in the final stages of seeking to acquire one.

On march 22, a special public informational joint session of the Board of Trustees of Cooperstown and the Otsego Town Board will be held to discuss the transfer of just over 9-1/2 acres of land from the Town of Otsego to the Village of Cooperstown. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the auditorium of the Cooperstown Central School. At the meeting, members of both boards will explain the scope and purpose of the project and receive and consider public comments

The thin sliver of land in question, measuring approximately 350’ x 1,200’, is bordered on the east by Linden Avenue south of Walnut Street and on the west by the Leatherstocking Railroad tracks stretching from Bocca

Osteria to Ace Hardware to Community Bank. It consists of three parcels, two of which are owned by the Village of Cooperstown. The other belongs to Otsego County. These parcels presently contain a series of municipal buildings, including those housing Cooperstown’s Department of Public Works, finally ending at the Blue Parking Lot.

“The annexation will only result in formalizing the actual realities of the present situation,” mayor Ellen Tillapaugh stated. “The Village of Cooperstown not only incurred all the engineering and construction costs for the Linden Avenue improvements, but also maintains that property.

“This includes the sidewalk to the school. We clear the snow from the road and sidewalk, repaint the sidewalks each year to ensure pedestrian safety, repave when necessary, mow the grass, and operate the Blue Lot and the public trolley serving that lot.”

As to the latter, the mayor

The job scene

To

noted that the Cooperstown Intermodal Transit Center Project spent more than $3 million to construct the Linden Avenue Extension parking lot, and village taxpayers took on a 10-year debt obligation of half a million dollars.

“The village also polices and protects the area,” the mayor added, “but not having the land under its jurisdiction creates the curious anomaly that if the police see a violation in the parking lot, for instance, they cannot enforce the rule because they have no jurisdiction.”

Discussion with representatives of the Town of Otsego began in 2018, but during the time it took to survey the property and prepare the proposal, the national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with continuing discussions. Now that life seems to be getting back to normal, both the village and the town considered it a good time to finalize the discussions by having both boards approve the transaction.

Since the parcels are used solely for municipal purposes or, in the case of the railroad tracks, represent land used in an historical trust, the properties are fully tax exempt. Thus, the transfer will not affect the income of either municipality. However, some residents of the Town of Otsego have voiced their concern that if the county should sell its parcel to a private developer, the town would lose the tax income from the commercialization of the property.

When confronted with this opposition, Tillapaugh countered, “While the property tax benefit issue has been raised, any potential for that would certainly be decades in the future. Even if there were a sale, the county would need to address environmental issues, as it is a brownfield site, involving costs and possibly years to engineer and clean up.

“Finally, after all those issues are resolved—and the property sold, returned to the tax rolls and developed— any developer would more than likely seek a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes), so that there would be no tax benefit to any municipality for a minimum of 15 years after the project’s completion,” Tillapaugh added.

Following the joint session, each board will separately consider the issue at their regularly scheduled monthly meetings.

Oneonta Artist Captures Essence of Our Region Using Spray Paint

By IAN KENYON ONEONTA

On a 2015 visit to San Francisco, James mcilroy stopped to observe a work by Austrian urban and graffiti artist, Nychos. The split animal anatomy in a spray paint medium left an impression on the curious mcilroy that opened a new thought process—and inevitably would result in a major public artistic contribution to the community back home in Oneonta, bringing new life to the historic Ford Sales Building on market Street.

“This was before I was doing any kind of serious painting,” mcilroy recalled. “I was so impressed by the scale and started to pick the process apart: ‘okay, Nychos sketched this first and then came in with a flat color here and separated the values and did a complementary color scheme here’.”

A native of West Carthage in New York’s North Country, mcilroy has lived in Oneonta since 2005, first as a student at SUNY Oneonta and now as a notable figure in the region’s artistic community, together with his wife, Elizabeth.

Subject to a creative muse from the start, mcilroy points to a collection of influences from childhood to today— exposure to museums and concerts, enjoying the graphic arts elements of playing in bands and going to skateparks, awaiting the school’s perennial Scholastic Book Fair to discover and collect the latest installment in the “Goosebumps” series known for its eye-catching covers, and two years in the BOCES visual communications program. Artistic guidance continued on at home, with home life helmed by his mother, a student of fashion design, and his father, an award-winning abstract wood sculptor.

Shortly after that 2015 trip, mcilroy embarked on his first solo debut in Oneonta at the Roots Brewing Company.

my first completed works were the portraits I did at Roots in 2016. I had participated in other group shows, but that was my first truly solo gig—including paintings of Tesla, Einstein and Katherine Hepburn,” he said.

Expanding on his process and influence today, mcilroy explained, “my creative

process is based on the knowledge I’ve built through years of study and learning from the great artists. I am far from where I want to be, but receiving quality critiques from artists I admire and constantly trying to reverse engineer concepts is a smart method.”

His medium of choice, mcilroy noted, was a natural fit.

“Spray paint for me is just a medium. It’s fast and you can get a nice airbrushed look when blending.”

He cautioned there are seasonal challenges, the obvious downside being the fumes, and said wearing a mask in the heat can get pretty intense.

Expanding on major influencers and his own style and approach, mcilroy pointed to a personal list developed through years of study: the VACVVm collective, Aaron Horkey and Ken Taylor, Greg “Craola” Simkins, The Weird Crew (Nychos, DXTR and others), John Singer Sargent, Filip Leu, Rodrigo melo, Charles Burns, Ernst Haeckel, Alphonse mucha, James Jean, Emily Ding, Lauren YS, Alex Grey, and Jane Kim, among others.

With regard to street artists, mcilroy underscored Nychos, ROA, Phlegm, Ron English, Shephard Fairey, Swoon and, “of course, Banksy.”

“Copy the greats, just don’t take credit for things that aren’t yours,” mcilroy encouraged. “Try to create what’s in your head with your hand. Lectures, books, and seminars are important, but really it’s getting out there and doing it.”

An active member of the area artistic community, mcilroy cited additional influence from his peers.

“There are so many wonderful local mural artists that inspire me. Carol mandigo, Jennie Williams, Richard Barlow, Cynthia marsh, the talented artists and teachers at CANO, Hope Von Stengel, Jim maloney, Jamie Banes, Lindy Lapin, and a ton of others who have really helped me—including Kaytee Jean from the City of Oneonta—and I’m forever grateful,” he said.

mcilroy credits the foundation of his works to the “Doodle Grid” technique, a method for transferring imagery onto large surfaces without the use of a square grid or a projector. Not exclu-

sive to one single method, he embraced the technique in 2020, sketching nearly 1,000 animals on “Surprise Boxes” for his wife’s Oneonta store, The Underground Attic. He said, “That really helped me gain confidence in my skill and it was a lot of growth in a short amount of time.”

On that momentum, mcilroy hosted an exhibition of freehand drawings of animals and filigree in white colored pencil on black Bristol board at the Community Arts Network of Oneonta Gallery in 2022.

Captured in his 2022 video, “Paint the Whole City,” that year ushered in the perfect culmination of inspiration, technique, subject and medium. Building off previous experimentation with spray paint in outdoor settings, mcilroy found partnership with landlords and opportunity in remote locations to further his style.

It was ultimately the partnership with the City of Oneonta that catalyzed his larger artistic feat, as he explained: “This recent mural journey all started with the mural on the Ford building. The city put out a call for an artist to propose a mural design to help the space until the building’s scheduled demolition—a temporary installation if you will. The budget was $1,000.00, most of which I spent on paint and a ladder, but honestly they could’ve offered up anything. It was more the permission I was looking for!”

Thus inspired, mcilroy’s work continued beyond the original scope of the Ford mural. At his request and at his own expense, the City of Oneonta approved mcilroy’s continued expansion of the Ford mural. Additional opportunities came up that now complement downtown Oneonta’s aesthetic—a door commissioned by Peter Clark Student Rentals next to the Autumn Cafè and the woodpecker on the door next to the Oneonta Parking Garage. Later in the year, mcilroy was approved to expand his work with two murals on the CANO Wilber mansion Studio building.

With a resounding portfolio of work, mcilroy notes that, nowadays, it’s pretty easy to get mural gigs.

“But, as all artists starting out know, if you don’t have

Photo provided

“Spray paint for me is just a medium.

It’s fast and you can get a nice airbrushed look when blending,” said artist James Mcilroy of his mural work in the City of Oneonta.

Otsego Town Board Tables Discussion of Tax Exemption

By CASPAR EWIG FLY CREEK

At its last meeting, the Otsego Town Board reviewed the recent New York legislative rule that gave local taxing authorities the option to

grant a 10 percent property tax exemption to qualified volunteer fireman and EmT workers. After a lengthy discussion, the board voted to table the issue pending further review by the town’s attorney, Will Green.

At the meeting, Green pointed out that volunteers would have to make a choice between receiving the $200.00 per year tax credit to which they are already

entitled and exercising the option for the tax exemption. Because the difference between the credit and the amount that would result from taking the exemption was so great, it would make no economic sense for any volunteer to exercise the option when applied to the town’s real estate tax liability on the average house, Green explained.

Nevertheless, as Super-

visor Ben Bauer noted, if the other taxing authorities— such as the school district and the county—passed a similar law providing for the exemption, then the total might be sufficiently high enough to have the exercise of the option make sense, but only if applied to a very high real-estate valuation.

It was the general consensus that the real intent of the state was to shift the

cost of the volunteer tax credit from the state to the localities. However, rather than not passing the law, it was decided any final decision should await future developments. Since any option would have no effect until the 2024 tax year, there was no time pressure and the issue could be tabled until some future date.

A Syrupy Salute to Spring

Last Sunday the annual Sugaring Off celebration, heralding the evasive but long-hoped-for beginning of spring, made its first appearance of the season at The Farmers’ Museum. This event, which runs for four Sundays, offers maple syrup and everything that goes with it to myriad visitors; the village and farm buildings are open for exploration, and the animals are eager for a pat on the head. Sugaring Off Sundays anticipates the April opening of the Farmers’ and Fenimore’s doors and gates for the 2023 season.

The reason for this activity is local maple syrup, provided by the Otsego county Maple Producers. The syrup, boiled down from sap tapped from 30-year-old sugar maples, is an ancient and local phenome-non first produced by Native Americans in the mid-16th century.

Maple trees are among the most popular and abundant trees in the world, with around 128 species dating back to 100 million years ago. They give great shade, their autumn colors are spectacular, they grow in nearly every plant hardiness zone and survive a multitude of conditions. They come in all siz-es—a grand sugar, silver or red maple can reach 148 feet with a spread of 40 feet; a tiny ornamental dwarf Japanese maple may grow all the way to three feet. Maple bonsais are smaller. Many maples will live for between 100 and 400 years. The tree is native to Asia and thrives across Europe, North Afri-ca, and North America, where in canada it is the national tree as well as Toronto’s hockey team; one species grows in the Southern Hemisphere. The tree’s first acknowledgement was in 1260, when it was referred to as the “mapole;” a century later it appeared in Geoffrey chaucer’s “canterbury Tales” as the “mapul.” Maple trees yield maple syrup; they provide spectacular foliage; their wood is hard, light-colored, and used for furniture, wood products, and paper. The wood type is tonewood, which carries sound well, so maple is used as well for parts of musical instruments. Their charcoal adds to the making of Tennessee whiskey.

Although maple trees need no special attention save a careful clip or two in the spring, there are a number of fungal threats that can alter their regal appearance. Tar spot, caused by a fungus called Rhytisma acerinum, is black, mostly circular spots with yellow margins on maple leaves. Anthracnose causes large, irregular dead areas around the edges of leaves, which then shrivel and fall off, usually months before they should (handy for a diagnosis). Powdery mildew appears mid-summer when it’s hot and humid. It’s a flour-like powder that covers the tree and floats around. Scorch, caused by mid-summer drought and heat stress, can also defoliate.

None of these diseases is especially dangerous; the trees either temporarily defoliate, or their beauty is challenged. To control the fungi, rake up overwintering leaves at the tree’s foot, taking the overwin-tering fungi with them.

There is one incurable disease: Verticillium wilt. The fungus enters through damaged roots and blocks the water and nutrient passages inside the tree, killing its branches. The disease manifests itself in mid-summer, and the unseasonable appearance of fall colors followed by defoliation are a good sign of its existence. Some trees will die in a few years; others take more time. Maple trees, usually very healthy, are going to stick around.

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. The length must be 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.

No Easy Answers for complex challenges

New Developments for FoxCare Fitness

Dear Friends, Neighbors and colleagues, Our patients and communities are at the center of everything we do, as you have been for more than 100 years. We believe that the best way to do this is as a local, independently governed health system. With this goal in mind, it is vital that we are always looking at where there may be inefficiencies in our operations or redundancies in services.

Like our colleagues in healthcare around the country, we are navigating a complex set of challenges without easy answers. This is especially true for rural hospitals and health systems that grapple with seemingly impossible decisions. Over the past few weeks, you may have seen some of the news out of Bassett Healthcare Network. As we continue this transformative work, you may be wondering how these changes improve healthcare for our patients and make our community healthier.

We’re making changes that I am confident better serve the needs of our patients by ensuring that we operate more efficiently as a system, with the bigger picture in mind. Some of this means consolidating clinics that are offering the same services within a mile or two of each other. In other cases, we’re building new and improved spaces to provide streamlined care. In still other areas, like fitness, we’re seeking partners

who share our mission to step in and provide services and expertise. We are continually evaluating opportunities to ensure we invest our resources in the smartest ways possible, to ensure the next century of care for all of you. Everything we do starts and ends with that bigger picture and our mission in mind.

At Foxcare center in Oneonta, for example, we have begun construction to expand the Women’s Health clinic. The much larger space will offer more exam rooms and bring our talented group of Oneonta practitioners in obstetrics and gynecology under one roof to offer well visits, family planning care, pre-natal and post-natal care, and other specialized women’s healthcare. Also, this past fall, A.O. Fox Hospital partnered with the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs to open a new veteran’s clinic at Foxcare center. We are proud to provide this vital service to veterans in our community.

Additionally, I am pleased to share that Bassett Healthcare Network is in the early stages of discussions with the Oneonta Family YMcA to explore a potential collaboration. I am inspired and heartened by the overwhelming responses we’ve received in support of Foxcare Fitness. Many people who have taken the time to write and call have expressed their appreciation for Foxcare Fitness as a facility that helps them maintain a healthy lifestyle and build community. I am excited about this opportunity to explore a collaboration with the

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR … In THEIR OPInIOn

Coop Village Election is Next Tuesday

Elections for village trustee are coming up on March 21, 2023. There are two outstanding candidates running for two positions.

Joe Membrino is an incumbent who has diligently served residents as a trustee who approaches his work thoughtfully, with attention to detail, and a strong sense of fiscal responsibility. Joe’s leadership on the Water and Sewer Board has been especially impactful as the wastewater treatment plant upgrades were completed.

George Fasanelli is a newcomer to village government, but his steadfast attendance at board meetings in the past year has given him a thorough grounding in the issues facing our community today. George’s background in law enforcement, his volunteer work with community organizations such as Rotary, the food pantry and the library, and his passion and enthusiasm for cooperstown will make him an ideal representative for our residents. The cooperstown Democrats are proud to support these excellent candidates and encourage everyone to get out and vote at the Fire Hall from noon to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Lynne Mebust chair, cooperstown Democratic committee

Trustee Candidate Looking To Serve

Richard deRosa, caspar Ewig, Daniel Francis, Ian Kenyon, Tom Shelby, Dr. Richard Sternberg, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager and Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Ivan Potocnik Historian Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Legal Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

Editorial Board

Tara Barnwell, Faith Gay, Michael Moffat, Elinor Vincent, Darla M. Youngs

I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I graduated from Queens college of the city University in 1977 and received my MBA from St. Joseph’s college on Long Island.

I retired after 34 years of service with the Suffolk county Police Department at the rank of deputy inspector. In addition to my time on patrol, I was an investigator with the Internal Affairs Bureau, the commanding officer of the Data Services Section, the Police Academy, and the Special Services Bureau in the Detective Division. I retired in 2016 after serving as the executive officer of the Seventh Precinct, a command of approximately 80 officers.

My wife and I have been home-

YMcA, who shares Bassett’s mission to improve the health and wellness of our communities. Thank you for sharing with me how important this facility is to you and the community. Bassett aspires to be a model of rural health in the U.S. and globally. We have a strong network of hospitals, clinics, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and schoolbased health centers, among other services. These resources are essential to our communities. Beyond these important traditional pieces of the care continuum, a whole new world is opening before us around digital health. I believe digital health holds the possibility for us to transform what healthcare looks like—whether our patients are meeting with world-class cardiac care specialists in Manhattan from a Bassett clinic, receiving homebased services and monitoring, or benefiting from other creative solutions that directly address the unique challenges patients in rural settings face, like transportation barriers and wide geographic distances.

Bassett has been here for more than 100 years, and I am proud to work with our caregivers every day to honor this rich history while focusing intently on the next century of care. Good things are happening. Thank you for your engagement, passion and devotion to community health. It is a privilege and honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tommy Ibrahim President & cEO Bassett Healthcare Network

owners here in cooperstown since 2016. I am father to two girls: one who is a nurse in the Bassett Healthcare Network and a second who is a nurse practitioner in the Syracuse area. While on Long Island, I spent many years (20+) as a volunteer for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society following the death of a close friend.

Since moving to cooperstown, I have afforded my services as a volunteer at the Village Library, the Susquehanna SPcA, the cooperstown Food Pantry and, most recently, as a literacy volunteer at the First Presbyterian church.

My wife and I are members of the Rotary club of cooperstown and have been regular attendees at the meetings of the village trustees.

Although long out of school, I remain a history buff and believe in all the good things that America stands for: participative democracy, inclusion, open dialogue, hard work, and respect. And I would look to serve the citizens of the village with on open heart, a generous hand, and keen awareness of my role as a champion for the village, its residents, its history, its merchants, and its healthcare workers.

George Fasanelli cooperstown

To Bassett: Please Keep FCF Open

I have been a member of Foxcare Fitness for many years. I am asking Bassett to reconsider the decision to close the facility for the following reasons:

• It is an extremely valuable asset to our senior community, who rely upon it for essential exercise and fitness training.

• All of the staff are personable, professional, and extremely helpful and kind to all.

• The psychological element of the social connection at classes and fitness activities is much-needed, especially after our years of pandemic isolation.

• Private gyms in the area don’t offer the same benefits and environment.

• The YMcA is stretched thin logistically already (many classes are held off-site now due to lack of space); they don’t have the equipment or the

pool space to accommodate all of our members.

• Oneonta has been hoping to add many more residents (the Dietz Street lofts as one example). A state-of-theart gym and fitness center is an asset in attracting folks to relocate here.

• The interface of fitness center and physical therapy facilities is an excellent marriage of services—PT patients benefit from exercising near the gym members in a spirit of camaraderie.

Thank you.

Emma Kirsch Oneonta

Fitness Center Needs Community Support

As many have seen, there has been quite a bit of pushback regarding the announcement of Foxcare Fitness closing. I am among those who are a little dubious about my local healthcare provider when they decide that preventative care is not worth investing in. Particularly when that investment pays off most to senior citizens and other more vulnerable people in our community. I am hopeful with the pushback and news of collaboration with the YMcA that Bassett will be able to keep the facility open as is (or revitalize is so it can fully recover from the pandemic restrictions). Anything less, in my opinion, would be a failure to our community.

Plenty of letters have been addressed to Bassett leadership. I would like to address the community. We always encourage everyone to shop local to keep our community businesses thriving. We’re lucky to have some fine, locally-owned shops and restaurants in our area. We are also lucky to have facilities such as Foxcare Fitness. If you’ve ever been on the fence about joining a gym or taking a new step on your health and fitness journey, now might be a good time to do so. I get that with so many subscription services, another monthly fee is the last thing anyone wants. I can say from experience, though, that investing in your health gives amazing returns. On top of that, not only are you investing in your own health and wellness, but that of our community as well.

Randy Lynk Otego

210 YEARS AGO

Herkimer, March 4: On Monday morning, about 4 o’clock, Major General Dearborn, commander in chief of all the armies of the United States, passed through this village for Sackett’s Harbor. Yesterday afternoon, a fine looking corps of United States Light Dragoons, well-mounted, of about 120, commanded by col. Burns, arrived in this village & encamped; and this morning proceeded on their march for Sackett’s Harbor. We understand a detachment of infantry and artillery may be expected here today, destined also for Sackett’s Harbor. They are from the camp at Greenbush.

March 13, 1813

135 YEARS AGO

“How deep is the snow in your town?” was the inquiry made of a Burlington man, and he replied: “About four feet by nine!” Roads were blocked in all directions on Tuesday. It did look cheery to see the sun come out about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. The storm commenced here Sunday afternoon and continued steadily for about 44 hours. No mails have been received from the East or West since Monday last. The local mails are similarly delayed. This morning, the regular stage left for Richfield Springs expecting to get through. We delayed the publication of the Journal hoping for the arrival of the mails from the East today, but as the probabilities are against it, we go to press with the little news there is at hand. At roll call at Union School on Tuesday morning, only a small number of scholars responded and those were given a day’s vacation. The snow has not been so deep at any time since the noted storms of April 1857 on the 13th and 20th of that month. About four feet of heavy snow fell in this locality on those two days.

March 16, 1888

110 YEARS AGO

The automobile is getting to the point where to own one will cause no more sensation upon the part of one’s neighbors than the ownership of a bicycle or a wheelbarrow. Indeed, a serviceable benzene buggy can be purchased now for about what a horse and wagon cost, with less expense to keep and more convenience when one wishes to go somewhere. The possession of a modest motor car is, even, a necessity to a person whose business calls him to go about the country.

March 19, 1913

85 YEARS AGO

Last week was the fiftieth anniversary of the great blizzard of 1888, one of the historic storms in the annals of Otsego county and New York State. The snow commenced falling Sunday evening, March 11, 1888, and continued without interruption for 44 hours. When it ceased a total precipitation of 32 inches was measured.

The last two hotels in Hartwick Village have been sold to local residents. The commercial Hotel on Main Street was sold to William Peterson of North Street, an employee of the Thomas Baking co. Mr. Peterson and family will use it as a residence and Mrs. Peterson will start an ice cream parlor there April 1. It was in this hotel that Stephen Brown was shot and killed during prohibition days. The Otego Valley Hotel on the same street has been purchased by Monroe Burch of the O.S. Burch & Son store which adjoins the hotel. This building is probably one of the oldest taverns in the vicinity. Before automobile days the village had four large hotels with accommodations for scores of travelers.

March 16, 1938

60 YEARS AGO

The cooperstown Redskins basketball squad has advanced to the class B Southeast Area semi-finals of the Section III basketball tournament Saturday night at Morrisville by upending center State League rival Waterville, 59 to 36. It was the third straight victory of the season over Waterville for the cSL champion Redskins, and their 19th straight win this season without a loss.

March 13, 1963

35 YEARS AGO

The ccS girls’ basketball squad lost its first game in 24 starts to the Warriors of Westhill, 58-56, in the Section III, class c championship. ccS lost Dawn Berry, their center, with fouls with 4:02 remaining. Berry left the game with 13 points. Karen Finn led the Lady Redskins with 18 points, Laurie Fassett scored 13 points and Tammy Berry 12. ccS completes the season with 23 victories. Both Dawn Berry and Karen Finn reached the 1,000-point career scoring milestone and established a host of other school records.

March 16, 1988

Opioids: Examine the Risks, Benefits, Alternatives

Pain. It’s an unfortunate, often highly impactful, fact of life. Some pain is in the moment, like stubbing your toe or accidently touching a hot surface. Some pain can be lasting, such as back, knee, nerve and neck pain. Because of these things, most people will need a version of pain control at some point in their life. There may even be a point where a medical provider suggests an opioid (such as Percocet or Oxycontin) to manage pain on a short-term basis.

Opioids have been the focus of much media attention and public information for about the last 10 years. They are credited with sparking this country’s most devastating addiction, overdose and death crisis in known history. And although nearly every person walking the planet is aware of this, how much do we, as a culture, actually know about the medication? Let’s start with a few important things:

1) Opioids can be an effective, short-term pain management tool for many people.

2) Opioids may not be the most effective form of pain management.

3) Opioids can quickly create tolerance, causing reduced effectiveness within a relatively short period of time (days to weeks).

4) Any exposure to opioids increases the risk of longterm use, dependency, addiction and/or overdose.

5) Even when taken as prescribed by a medical provider, opioids can create physical dependence or addiction.

6) There are effective alternatives to opioids that carry less risk.

Because the medication can be effective short-term, a medical provider may offer an opioid prescription for such things as surgical pain or more serious injuries. Should this happen, it is excellent practice to have a discussion with that provider about the risks, benefits and potential alternatives to opioids. So, here are a few tips:

Talk to the doc: If your medical provider suggests an opioid for short-term pain, here are some good ques-

By MERL REAGLE

tions to ask. (This article does not contain medical advice. These are conversation starters.)

• What is the lowest effective dose I can take?

• Are there alternatives to this medication that may help me manage pain?

• What are my specific risks related to this medication?

• Should I be concerned about interactions with other medications, supplements or alcohol?

If you are seeing a medical provider about a longterm or chronic pain issue, here are some common alternatives to opioid pain medication that you may wish to inquire about:

• Over-the-counter medications

• Non-medication pain management tools such as exercise, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, counseling, weight management, yoga, tai chi and stress management

• Physical therapy

• Other prescription medications (non-opioid)

Pain is not a simple inconvenience. It can be a seriously impactful quality of life issue in the lives of many. And, often, it is a quality of life issue that is invisible. We can’t necessarily see when an individual is in pain. People who are in pain often suffer in silence because pain can be too often minimalized by people in their lives. It is not minimal—it matters.

What is important to know is that pain management has come a long way. Medical providers have a wide arsenal of tools at their disposal to help. An opioid may be the best option in the moment, and it may not be. The discussion is everything. Providers, more than anyone, know the reality of pain and its impact on overall health. They are our allies in helping us to get better and feel better.

The next time you get to talk to your provider about any pain you might be experiencing, write your list and expect to be heard.

Julie Dostal is executive director of the LEAF Council on Alcoholism & Addictions, Oneonta.

You’re Getting Warmer…It’s starting to heat up!

Compiled by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA Letters

Continued from page 4

Candidate Urges Citizens To Vote

On March 5, 2020, the League of Women Voters held a forum in the Village Hall Board Room. By luck of the draw, I was chosen among the three candidates for trustee to take the first question from the audience.

A voter asked, “What will you do to address COVID19.” At that time, we could not have known what the pandemic would mean to our families, our village and our nation. The question was prescient, though; the pandemic soon engulfed us with fear, anxiety, disruption and illness. At the time, my answer was not very useful; I suggested that our public health officials would know better than I what to do.

During the pandemic’s pre-vaccine phase, duties of the village trustees did not abate; fulfilling them just became more complicated— governing in the time of Zoom. The first civic casualty of the pandemic was the March election itself. Twice postponed, it was eventually held in September 2020.

Among our duties that spring was to prepare a village budget for the 20202021 fiscal year. We knew revenues would be a major concern because of tourism’s collapse. Trustees very soon reached a consensus that a primary commitment in budget planning would be to preserve the village’s exemplary work force. We protected the paychecks of village employees and staff, even employees like those in the Streets Department, who obviously could not work from home.

The village emerged from the worst of the pandemic on

its feet and forward looking. Today, challenges remain, but opportunities for the village abound, thanks to the vision of former mayor Jeff Katz, and the ongoing leadership and dedication of Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and Deputy Mayor Cynthia Falk.

As chairman of the Finance and Personnel Committee, I have assisted in the oversight of finance and personnel administration. Thanks to the village’s clerk, deputy clerk, public works director, treasure and deputy treasurer, our auditor has described our government’s activities as “above and beyond” many others whom they audit.

In addition, as the Board of Trustees’ representative on the Water and Sewer Board, I assisted in the oversight of the village’s successful completion of waste water treatment plant upgrades, which will serve the village for decades to come. The staff at the Municipal Water Works and Wastewater Treatment Plant have proven their capability and dedication time and again.

It is an honor to serve the village with collaborative and collegial trustees. I ask for your readers’ votes to continue my service and urge all voters to turn out on Tuesday, March 21, between noon and 9 p.m. at the Village Fire Hall.

Joseph R. Membrino Cooperstown

Health Needs Outweigh Profits

Through cardiac rehab, I came to FoxCare gym. The program changed my life after open heart surgery and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Graduating cardiac rehab on December 12, I immediately joined with my husband, paying for a year with lockers.

FoxCare gym is safe. Like so many members, I have illnesses that cause severe discomfort at regular gyms. FoxCare gym is routine, purpose, safe haven. I’m 53, with Celiac disease, chronic nerve pain, anxiety, depression, no balance from GBS, and a compromised immune system. FoxCare equipment is spaced apart, most wear masks, we clean machines. Nurses and physical therapists available for questions add to safety.

There are no good optional gyms. Many people are elderly, have illnesses. We can’t thrive at regular gyms. The gym will stay open for patients anyway; we’re begging you to let us remain. Membership will go up, people are coming back. Closing FoxCare gym has me circling the drain. It’s our only social time. We encourage each other. It helps mind, body, spirit. There’s nowhere else members are this helpful, kind, considerate. Healthy people don’t understand us.

YMCA for me is free; I paid FoxCare. My pharmacy and cardiologist are there. The pharmacy will lose business if this happens. Don’t take this away from those of us with illnesses, the elderly, the swimmers; we are also patients! We’re devastated. Please don’t let money and profit be priority over special health needs.

Thank you for your consideration.

Suzanne Peterson Oneonta

Therapool Loss a Real Concern

FoxCare Fitness closing has a hidden downside to the percentage of us who cannot just “go to another gym.” I and several like me can ONLY exercise with the therapool and were given

PT instruction on what to do when in there. We cannot go to endless PT to keep using the pool, insurance does not allow that. There are no other local options with a warm pool. It will be a huge loss for me health wise, and many like me. There should be a way those of us with long term health issues can still use the therapool. PT doesn’t use it often. I’m very upset and very disappointed and don’t think we were considered in this.

Emily Phillips Oneonta

Project Prom Seeks Support

Spring is just around the corner and the planning for Cooperstown High School’s prom and Project Prom is underway! The Class of 2023 is ready to celebrate!

Project Prom began in 1984 at Cooperstown and provides prom attendees a safe, alcohol- and drug-free, fun night of entertainment, food, and raffles. The event is held at the Clark Sports Center and ends at dawn.

We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition of keeping our seniors and their guests safe on this memorable and exciting evening.

Project Prom is made possible through generous contributions and we’re hoping you will consider helping make this year’s event a success. Gifts of any kind are appreciated, and no gift is too small.

Your tax-deductible donation can be made payable to “Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education” or “CFEE,” with “Project Prom” written in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Cooperstown Project Prom, c/o Treasurer Kara Grady, 46 Elm Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. If you have an

item to raffle, please contact

Melanie Craig.

Melanie Craig, Kara Grady and Lara Hurysz Cooperstown Project Prom Fundraising Committee

Sadness, Anger at FCF Closing

Having heard the news of our fitness center closing, it brought a lot of emotion and wondering why, after all this time, it had to happen. I am in my 90s and I doubt I would have made it this far without my regular exercise classes at FoxCare Fitness. The employees and all my fellow members are a wonderful group and enjoy being at the FoxCare facility.

It makes me sad to think that I may no longer have any classes to attend and the uncertainty of finding another fitness center is too much of a burden for me at this point. After all is said and done, I’m hoping to hear that the classes will continue at the FoxCare Fitness Center.

Shirley Walker Oneonta

NYCAMH

Continued from page 1

issues. Farming is in the top 10 most dangerous occupations in the state,” Scott said. “We need to double our funding so we can continue to be a great resource for our farmers.”

Maryann Robinson, human resources manager for Sunnyside Farm in Scipio Center, New York, is concerned about the safety of her employees.

“NYCAMH used to conduct safety walkthroughs, first aid programs, machinery-specific training and other programs for us,” Robinson said. “Now

they can’t come out for on-site visits anymore. It’s essential for us to have this training for the safety of our employees.”

Kim Skellie from El-Vi Farms in Newark, New York agreed. “We milk 2,000 cows, have 35 full-time employees and 18-part timers,” Skellie said. “NYCAMH is very important to our company to keep our people safe. They also conduct animal handling and training. The organization would be very hard to replace.”

Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Senate and Assembly—as well as members of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee— are being contacted.

“We need to get our budget increased so we can help these farmers that need our help. It pains me that our staff can’t be responsive to them,” Scott said. “Right now, we can’t give the farmers what they need. We are a great resource and we have a fully-trained staff, but without funding, they can’t physically visit farms and do the training. All we want to do is help the farmers.”

‘AI: Perils and Potential’ Discussion is Next Tuesday

ONEONTA—United University Professions Oneonta will sponsor a panel discussion program on artificial intelligence, “AI: Perils and Potential,” on Tuesday, March 21 at noon in Le Café, Morris Complex, SUNY Oneonta. The panel will consist of SUNY Oneonta President Dr. Alberto Cardelle, UUP Oneonta President and Professor of Africana and Latinx Studies and Political Science Dr. Robert Compton, and Dr. Kjersti VanSlyke-Briggs, coordinator, Ed Tech Program, and professor, English Education. Audience questions and discussion are invited after the panelist’s formal presentations. The program is free and open to the general public, including all segments of the college and Greater Oneonta community. UUP will provide a complimentary lunch. An RSVP at ONEUUP@oneonta.edu is required to allow for coordination of the lunch order. The RSVP should include your name and contact information.

Pathfinder Produce Celebrates Anniversary March 16

EDMESTON—Pathfinder Produce, a weekly greengrocer and delivery service operated by Pathfinder Village’s Adult Day Services, will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Thursday, March 16 during its regular market hours, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The story of Pathfinder Produce has been one of empowerment,” said Tina Heyduk, Pathfinder’s chief administrative officer, who oversees the Pathfinder’s Day Services. “Our market began as a project to help curb childhood obesity, address adult health concerns, and improve families’ diets in conjunction with Bassett Research Institute’s 5-2-1-0 community programs. With our weekly market, area residents have enjoyed greater access to fresh produce. In many rural communities that are in USDA food deserts, families must travel over 10 miles to buy an apple.”

“Another way Pathfinder Produce empowers people is that it offers paid employment and vocational training for people with intellectual disabilities. ADS team members have grown in knowledge through their tasks organizing the weekly market and our grant-funded food deliveries,” added Mrs. Heyduk. “They give back to their community. Each team member takes pride in serving their friends and neighbors through our produce-related programs.”

During the March 16 market celebration at the Pathfinder Village Commons, there will be recipe samples, specially-themed baked goods, and customers will receive recyclable shopping bags as part of Pathfinder’s observance of World Down Syndrome Day, an annual global event held annually on March 21. To learn more about Pathfinder Produce, customers may visit the market’s website at https://pathfinderproduce.org or its Facebook page.

Crafters Wanted for Two Popular Events

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Applications are still being accepted for two popular craft events in Richfield Springs: the 42nd Annual Friendship Craft Festival to be held on Saturday, June 10 in Spring Park and the 3rd Annual Fall Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Cullen Pumpkin, 587 Cullen Road. Both events are sponsored by the Church Of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs. For information and an application for both events, go to www. rschurchofchristuniting.com or call Carla at (315) 858-1451.

Photo courtesy NYCAMH Facebook page

Hiking Offers Temporary Distraction from the Difficulties of Today

While hiking the last few days, we have seen the first blush of spring blooms, aided by more rain in these parts than we have ever experienced at this time of year. Fairy dusters, lovely pale pink flowers, are popping up everywhere along the trails we hike. Brittlebush, whose bright yellow blooms are a staple of the desert landscape, are also getting into high gear. A birding guide I recently spent a morning with observed that this is the first real winter Tucson has weathered in quite some time. Lucky us. Good thing we packed some woolies, although forgetting any sort of rain gear suitable for hiking was not terribly prescient of us. During our first few days here it rained quite a bit. Neither of us is quite sure why we neglected to pack rain pants and, despite having exactly what we needed back home, we hightailed it to a local outfitter and bought two pair—not too cheap, I might add. Believe it or not, we never took them out of the bag and returned them the next week since the weather took an abrupt turn for the better. We figured, what the heck, save some cash and take our chances. So much for the wisdom of hasty decisions.

Last night it rained buckets, but the sun is out now so hope is on the wing. The good news is that perhaps all this rain will prompt all those wonderful desert wildflowers to put on their glorious parade of color and variety while we are still here. Few sights are more compelling than a hillside blanketed with golden poppies glistening in the desert sun. The forecast is for a bit more rain this week, and then it looks as if warmer, drier weather is right around the corner. We get periodic texts from friends back home alluding to

how “nice” the weather has been. Makes one wonder about the rationale for cross-continent treks to escape the cold. For a variety of reasons, we have decided to stick it out at home next year. Sciatica, not an ideal companion on long drives, has something to do with it, but also a bit of homesickness spiced up by a disinclination to worry too damn much about the house and all that could go awry. Although I know that worry is its own worst enemy, knowing in this case helps very little. The prevailing notion is a few short forays to warmer climes; time will tell.

One of the drawbacks of one’s mental life is the

inability to completely detach oneself from ancillary issues. Hiking, for me, is a lot of things, among them is getting away from it all. That has been difficult to do lately. I feel a strong, life-long obligation to keep up on “important” news events of the day. I was raised that way, so I guess my mother and my teachers did a good job in that regard. I try to get this stuff out of my head early on; some days it works and on others it takes quite a while. If you watch any newscasts at all—and they have become increasingly hard to stomach—it is rare not to hear about a new or ongoing investigation of some sort. More often than not an analysis is provided by a pundit who invariably describes him or herself as a “former prosecutor.” Seems to be an infinite supply of these guys. One wonders just how many investigations a society can accommodate. The possibilities appear to be endless. We have been described as a litigious society; investigations appear to be its endless cohort. Each network must have a filled-to-the-brim warehouse of “former prosecutors” at the ready to comment on every pending investigation, in-process investigation or potential investigation.

I am not sure what the answer is. For sure, miscreants of all ilks need to be held accountable. It just seems as if we spend an inordinate amount of time policing one another and precious little time obviating the need to do so. For starters, we need to solve the gun problem. And, until we do, tragedies like that at Michigan State will be the rule rather than the exception. That is a real shame. Hikes only alleviate the worry for a short time. There have to be better ways for us to live our lives.

Recently, Roger and Diane Vaughn—who operated the only small commercial poultry farm situated along the Route 20 corridor between Albany and Syracuse—retired. Theirs was one of about 15 remaining egg-laying operations in the state. At one time, there were 15 small farms like theirs within a 15-mile radius.

Then, the average setup consisted of about 300,000 birds, which made the Vaughns’ flock of poultry look rather paltry. Nevertheless, this small operation, in spite of Diane’s help, required Roger, an octogenarian, to put in a 70-hour week caring for his hens and delivering their bounty to stores and restaurants within 25 miles of the farm. Their eggs were also sold retail and wholesale out of a small shop in close proximity to the coops.

It was ironic that with every detail about the Vaughns’ 2,000 chicken operation painting a diminutive picture, a colossal egg

Daniel Lee

Schoellig

1953-2023

WEST BURLINGTON—

Daniel Lee Schoellig, 69, of West Burlington passed away doing what he loved on March 10, 2023.

Daniel was born on October 31, 1953 in cooperstown, the son of the late Fred and Anna (Gregory) Schoellig. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his in-laws, Jennie and charles Gelatt, a granddaughter, Abigail Schoellig, a sisterin-law, Jean Schoellig, and his pup, Ralph.

He is survived by his wife, Dee Schoellig, who he married on August 26, 1990 at The Major’s Inn in Gilbertsville; his children, Nick (Andrea) Schoellig, Sara (Adrian) Schoellig, Kari (Joe) Stockdale, Adam (Shannon) Schoellig, Krista cotten, Kimmy chapman, Denyse (Davin) Ruffles, Daniel Jr. (Leisa) Schoellig, and Derek (Sarah) Schoellig; his grandchildren, Patrick and Greg Schoellig, Lane Gruber, Isaiah, Ella, and Koda Stockdale, Leah, Drew, Rynn, and Trey Schoellig, Logan, Jennadee and Gabriella cotten, caden, Liam, and Maxx chapman, Allee, Emma,

was laid by one of their Rhode Island reds. The gigantic brown egg weighed in at 5-1/4 ounces, more than twice the weight of an extralarge egg, which averages about 21/4 ounces. It was 3 and 1/32 of an inch long and had a girth of eight inches. The ovate giant couldn’t even fit on their antique egg grader.

Since 1964, when Roger and Diane came to live and work on his family’s farm, more than 82 million eggs have sold directly or gone out for delivery.

Roger said, “This was the biggest egg the farm had ever produced.” He thought he knew which hen had dropped the football. “She was always laying larger eggs,” he said. Without a time-consuming search for a telltale “natural” episiotomy, there was no way of knowing for sure.

For Roger, coming home followed a degree in poultry science from cornell University and later an army stint during the Vietnam era as company commander at Fort Hamilton in

and Davin Daniel Ruffles, aka “Moose,” Brenden and Esther Schoellig, and Oaklyn Schoellig; and his siblings, Elizabeth “Betty” coutlee, Ed (Janie) Schoellig, David (Michelle) Schoellig, Mark (Alisa) Schoellig, Ann (Emil) Manzo, and Fred (cathy) Schoellig.

Daniel grew up in Garrattsville, New York and spent his entire life on Schoellig’s Fieldcrest Farm. He graduated from Edmeston central School in 1972, where he enjoyed playing football. Farming was his greatest passion. He loved the fields of wheat, hay, corn and oats. He loved harvesting grains. He would rather be working on the

Brooklyn, New York.

Roger and Diane eventually took command of what was originally called Vaughn’s Hatchery from his parents, who had been stationed there since 1932. The change from a hatchery to an egg-producing farm took place back in the late 50s, when the market for hatched chicks dried up almost overnight.

Roger thought that the age of specialization was responsible

farm more than any vacation. Whenever he found a feather, he would stick it on a bike or wagon so the kids would see it.

His family was everything to him and he was blessed with many. He had 22 grandchildren, and they meant so much to him. It must be why they are called grand-children. They were his helpers and wanted to follow in his footsteps, as he was their hero.

When someone asked something of him, he was always there to do what he could. He loved to tell stories, and he had a million of them. Dan loved his old Ranger truck, with the dust and all.

for the change. The pace of dairy farming had stepped up so much that to have chickens for home use was considered an unnecessary distraction. Back when Sidney and Katherine, Roger’s parents, were running the place, a spring order of 50 hatchlings each was the norm from surrounding farms.

According to Roger, 75 percent of the eggs consumed in New York State were shipped in from out west, where grain is cheaper, or from tax-advantaged states like Pennsylvania. The reasoning was that, “the price of eggs was very competitive, so why bother raising your own?”

The answer may have been ORGANIc. People were paying more than triple for eggs that could be labled organic. Free Range charlie, an egg aficionado from Brooklyn, touted, “egg cartons containing an assortment of naturally colored eggs: green, blue, brown, orange, pink from naturally fed, free range chickens had great appeal. Voila! You have

He will be missed dearly, and his family will carry his love and memories in their hearts. calling hours will be from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15 at the Burlington Flats Baptist church, Arnold Road, Burlington Flats. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 16 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Edmeston Emergency Squad or the Garrattsville Fire Department in Dan’s memory.

Arrangements are with Delker and Terry Funeral Home, 30 South Street, Edmeston, New York.

organic eggs at designer prices!” But for many, the quality of the egg in regard to the color of the shell remains debatable. Also, washing eggs as the Vaughns did, removed a water soluble protective coat which then required refrigeration. In many other countries, unwashed and unrefrigerated eggs are still put on the market. Maybe Roger’s colossus celebrated a relatively new and expanding age of poultry specialization and the growth in popularity of back-yard chickens in light of the specialty egg business. Of course, for most people, a good fresh egg is all that matters. The recent epidemic of avian flu has killed millions of chickens and caused prices to fly the coop, soaring to unprecedented prices— ironically, shortly after hardworking Roger and Diane retired. Back when the big egg was on display in a storefront in downtown Richfield Springs, bets were on concerning the possibility of it being a “triple yolker!”

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Funeral Home

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.

Peter A. Deysenroth

82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231

www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

©AZ Plant Lady http://www.azplantlady.com

Calliandra eriophylla, commonly known as fairy duster, is a low spreading shrub which is native to deserts and arid grasslands in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.

LIFE SKETCHES TERRY BERKSON

Retired Poultry Farmer Recalls ‘Roger’s colossus’ in Face of Avian Flu Epidemic

Photo provided

What Are We Doing? Activity at Averill Road Property Questioned

it’s common knowledge Templeton Foundation seeks to build a large housing development on its property on Averill Road in the Village of Cooperstown. The village zoning law requires a special permit prior to construction and state law requires that prior to granting approval, the Board of Trustees must assess and mitigate the project’s environmental impacts.

Because the project is in an historic district and would alter more than 2.5 acres, it’s presumed to have a significant impact and require an Environmental Impact Statement. The village zoning law does allow a certain amount of tree removal, but state law (6 NYCRR 617.3) logically prohibits a project sponsor from “segmenting” a project into smaller stages to fly under the regulatory radar, or from commencing any physical alteration until environmental impacts have been identified, reviewed, and mitigated.

In January, the Board of Trustees

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown will hold the following public hearings in the Village Office Building, 22 main Street, Cooperstown, New York on monday, march 27th, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard, to discuss the following:

Public Hearing on the Use of Cameras in Public Areas

Policy-The purpose of this policy is to enhance public safety, assist in the deterrence and investigation of crime, and protect critical infrastructure of the Cooperstown Police Department (CPD) and the Village of Cooperstown (Village) through the use of cameras mounted in public areas. It further regulates how the camera system will be deployed, operated, maintained, and monitored at locations within the Village of Cooperstown, as well as how images captured by those cameras will be stored, accessed, disseminated, and retained.

Any resident of the Village of Cooperstown is entitled to be heard upon said proposed policy at such public hearing. Disabled citizens, who require assistance in attending said public hearings, or in furnishing comments or suggestions, should contact the Village Clerk to request assistance.

Dated: march 10, 2023

By order of the Village Board Village of Cooperstown

Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooper-

identified several significant impacts but granted the special permit without requiring an EIS. m y clients, owners of the residence across Averill Road, were forced to challenge the approval in court. Because they had no defense, Templeton and the village promptly capitulated and agreed the special permit was null and void. But a week or so ago, heavy equipment arrived at the project site and the project’s footprint was quickly cleared. Not a single hay bale or silt fence was deployed to keep the exposed sediment from making its way to Otsego Lake. No new special permit had been granted and the village’s website confirms Templeton hasn’t even resubmitted an application. After our urgent inquiry, the village claimed Templeton was only doing some limited tree removal for the purpose of

ascertaining depth to groundwater and suitability for geothermal. Knowing such can be done with a small rig towed behind an ATV, we remained skeptical.

Two days later, our aerial photography confirmed Templeton had cleared the project’s entire footprint, including the road to the proposed water tower, without a proper environmental review or special permit.

LEGALS

stownny.org (email)

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF FORmATION OF O’HARA AUTO SALES & SERVICE LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/28/2023.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 345 STATE HWY 7, SIDNEY NY 13838

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF SAS 237 LLC.

Filed 10/30/22.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Sneha Patel, 16 Lakeview Dr S, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Cannaxgoats LLC.

Filed 1/9/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: P.o. Box 7, Otego, NY 13825 - 9998.

Registered Agent: Tyeshia Stevens, 115 Downey Rd Spur, Oneonta, NY 13820 - 3384.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Linenine Communications LLC.

Filed 2/28/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 657 County Hwy 17, New Berlin, NY 13411.

Purpose: General. 6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF FORmATION OF

A NY LImITEd LIABILITY COmPANY (LLC).

Name:

Royal Retreats at maho Beach, LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 march 2023.

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 393 main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF FORmATION OF A NY LImITEd LIABILITY COmPANY (LLC).

Name: All Star Baseball Rentals, LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 march 2023. 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 393 main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF A NY LImITEd LIABILITY COmPANY (LLC).

Name: DRI Destinations, LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 march 2023. 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 393 main Street Suite 104, Oneonta,

New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF A NY LImITEd LIABILITY COmPANY (LLC).

Name: Prime Oneonta Rentals, LLC.

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 7 march 2023.

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 393 main Street Suite 104, Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF SUmmIT HILL WOODWORKS LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/2/23. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 707 Summit Hill Rd., Jordanville, NY 13361.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF medic materials LLC.

Filed 12/15/22.

Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 214 S Welcome Rd, mt Vision, NY 13810.

Purp: any lawful.

6LegalApr.20

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF SULLIVAN mILLS PRODUCTIONS LLC.

Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of

State (SSNY) on 2/17/23. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 187 Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Business Filings Incorporated, 187 Wolf Rd, Ste 101, Albany, NY 12205.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF m Boyle LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/2023.

Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 310 TOWERS RD mILFORD, NY 13807.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF C.Boyle LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/2023.

Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 310 TOWERS RD mILFORD, NY 13807.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Bloomfield Technology LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/09/23.

Office: Otsego County SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon who process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of the process to the

Templeton violated state and local law with the village’s knowledge and that’s bad enough. But that there’s brand new, multiacre, clear cut on top of Irish Hill without a single hay bale, silt fence, or other stormwater control to prevent the sediment and nutrients from getting into the lake is environmentally reckless and socially unconscionable. Controlling the harmful algae bloom in our lake will require a multi-pronged approach, but denuding a lakeside hilltop and irresponsibly allowing the disturbed soil and nutrients into our lake is surely not one of them.

That this was done with the village’s knowledge and consent shocks my conscience, and should shock the conscience of anyone who relies on or appreciates Otsego Lake.

Don’t take it from me–look at the site plan and our aerial photography, take a walk or ride up Averill Road and see it for yourself, and then contact village officials and let them know what you think.

LLC, 166 HADE HOLLOW RD COOPERSTOWN, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalApr.13

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF NB23 RE Holdings, LLC.

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/27/23.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 188 Highland Terrace, West Oneonta, NY 13861.

Purpose: any lawful activities.

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Oaks Creek Farm and market LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 2/23/2023.

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 2058 County Highway 49 Edmeston, NY 13335.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF RIGHT mEOW LLC.

Fictitious Name in NY State: RmCCm, LLC. App. For Auth. filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/2/23.

Office location: Otsego County. LLC formed in massachusetts (mA) on 10/25/18. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the mA address of LLC: 232 West Canton St, Boston,

mA 02116. Arts of Org filed with mA Secy of the Commonwealth, One Ashburton Place, 17th Fl, Boston, mA 02108-1512. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6LegalApr.6

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF

David and Sons Watches LLC.

Arts of Org. filed with New York Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/15/22.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, monsey, NY 10952. The name and address of the Reg. Agent is Vcorp Agent Services, Inc., 25 Robert Pitt Dr., Ste 204, monsey, NY 10952.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

6Legalmar.30

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Preisser Systems, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 02/10/2023. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, P.O. Box 782, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6Legalmar.30

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Dabbling Acres LLC,

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of the State of New York (SSNY) on 01/26/2023. Office location:

Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 169 Brighton Road Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF New Vantage LLC.

Filed 2/2/23.

Cty: Otsego.

SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 33 Ford Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp: any lawful.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Rule Licensed Clinical Social Work PLLC.

Filed 1/20/23.

Office: Otsego Co.

SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Usacorp Inc, 325 Division Ave Ste 201, Bklyn, NY 11211.

Purpose: Licensed Clinical Social Work.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Superior Plus maintenance, LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/22/23.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202, Brooklyn, New York 11228.

Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF Preisser Development, LLC.

Articles of Organization were

filed with the NY Secretary of State on 01/31/23. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, P.O. Box 338, Unadilla, NY 13849. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF PROFEssIONAL LImITEd LIABILITY COmPANY, (PLLC)

Name: Pioneer Anesthesia Consulting, PLLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/05/2023. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 94 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown NY 13326.

Purpose: Profession of medicine.

6Legalmar.23

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORmATION OF RICRA, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/20/2022.

The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The secretary of state shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, 493 Chestnut Street, Suite 2, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act. 6Legalmar.16

Photo provided

Sorolla, whose works she saw while restoring a stone house in the Spanish village of Requijada.

“He captured atmosphere and feeling—not just light and color—but the feeling of the air,” Smith said.

John Singer Sargent, a contemporary of Sorolla, also had an impact on Smith’s technique due to his ability to capture simultaneously the ephemeral and the concrete, Smith said.

Smith, who earned an mFA in Visual Arts from the University of Delaware in 2013, moved to Gilbertsville in 2016 with Watson, a material application specialist at Golden Artist Colors in New Berlin.

“We fell in love with the stone house and the village of Gilbertsville, as we are both romantics and appreciators of historic architecture,” Smith said.

Currently teaching 3-D design at SUNY Oneonta, Smith has also taught drawing, painting, and sculpture at Ithaca College and at Indiana University, Bloomington.

along Willow Brook have put in mitigation systems… but there will be no effective filter between the parking lot and Willow Brook if you approve this plan,” Waller said.

Nearly a dozen local residents stated their views on various aspects of the plan, with Celia Oxley noting the underlying irony of the application in that, by reserving 80 percent of the bedrooms for short-term rentals, the result was making ownership incidental to short-term rentals rather than the other way around.

After concluding the public hearing, Zoning Board member marcie Schwartzman mildly chided those in attendance by reminding them that the insertion of short-term rentals into the zoning law was extensively discussed at meetings which, to her recollection, only two residents attended.

Artist

Continued from page 2

the experience it’s probably going to be hard to get the gig,” he added.

mcilroy said his work is expanding beyond Oneonta now.

“This year has been great,” he continued. “I’ve painted for businesses in Cortland, Saratoga and Burlington Flats, in addition to the 13 public murals in Oneonta. I want to lay the groundwork for other artists in the area to be able to go out and paint large-scale work,”

While he intends to go where the art takes him, mcilroy underscores that Oneonta is home and his works are part of a larger story he seeks to tell.

“The murals really came from travels around the world with my wife, seeing the wonderful street paintings

Paintings

and the stories they convey. I want to bring that same element here, to offer a positive influence and contribute to the human experience.”

In addition to wanting to bring more visitors to the area—students and travelers alike—mcilroy seeks through his works, chronicling environmental impact and local wildlife, to spotlight Oneonta on the larger Catskills map.

“It would be cool to create a ‘mural map’ and bring people to explore these awesome little communities,” he explained.

True to his craft, mcilroy summed up the experience and impact of the process: “I love that art can be a bounce point to trigger new ideas. That’s the fun of art and truly the genesis of free-thought.”

Some the objects in her paintings are derived locally. Representations of serving dishes, lusterware, and egg cups come straight from cupboards in Hyde Hall, the neoclassic mansion at the north end of Otsego Lake. The Norwich bakery La maison Blanche inspired Smith’s mouth-watering “Napoleon Pastry with Lattice Icing.”

eye-pleasing subjects, the installation also features several paintings of cuts of raw meat. A butcher’s daughter, Smith remembers “the sides of meat hanging in the refrigeration rooms, the selection of knives, watching my father sharpen them with speed and great precision. Although my father’s work wasn’t the initial reason I began painting meat, it has become one of the reasons I continue to paint it,” Smith said.

Nothing in Smith’s petite frame and tranquil demeanor suggests her experience as a member of the “Bleeding Heartland Roller Derby League” in Indiana, and, briefly, as part of Oneonta’s “Hill City Rollers.”

Nevertheless, Schwartzman said she understood and was sympathetic to the opponents’ argument that the present application was for four rooms. However, she said she could “live with” the issuance of a special permit limited to a single bedroom, though the necessity to cut down more trees on the property would have to be resolved in the event of a renewed application,

St. Pittie's Day Sal

“The aesthetic of layering, the contrast of lattice icing on top of bright yellow pastry cream, all of this caught my eye,” Smith said. In contrast to the numerous

A self-described “observational painter,” Smith strives to capture both the object and the feelings associated with it. A particular influence on Smith’s work is the Spanish painter Joaquín

“Roller derby is great fun and a terrific stress reliever,” Smith said.

Smith’s Lowell Ryan Projects exhibit runs through march 18 and is viewable online at www.lowellryanprojects.com.

Smith also recently cocurated the exhibition “milk Tongue”—”artwork about motherhood from women artists’ perspectives,” at SUNY Oneonta’s martinmullen Art Gallery.

ZBA

Continued from page 1

possibility of having “eight people and their guests partying in the back yard.”

On an environmental level, Bill Waller detailed the negative effect of cutting down trees on the property to accommodate the parking lot, as well as the polluting runoff that would occur from additional cars parked so near to Willow Brook.

“All the other neighbors

AllOTSEGO. dining&entertainment

A call to mark Curley elicited the response that he was aware of the decision but other than that had no further comment.

Continued from page 1 TickeTs:

Photo provided

Artist Carrie Mae Smith works in her Gilbertsville studio.

Photo provided

“Pork Chop” by Carrie Mae Smith, 2022. Oil on Mylar mounted on panel 15h X 9w inches.

“This year has been great...”

James mcilroy

►Thursday, March 16

CONNECTIONS 11:20

a.m. Join Heather from the library to learn about apps that cross over between Apple and Android devices. Held in the Community Room, Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com

FARM WEBINAR Noon to 1 p.m. Farmers are invited to the webinar, “Market Opportunities in Food Access Programs,’’ with Food as Medicine Coordinator Kate Miller Corcoran and 607 CSA’s Wholesale and Program Manager Cheryl Landsman. Presented by the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship, Oneonta. (607) 433-2545.

TEEN ADVENTURES

3 p.m. Teens aged 12-18 are invited for afternoon adventures with the Teen Advisory Group. Registration required. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980.

T ZONE 4-6 p.m. Teens aged 12-15 are invited for after-school program to destress, enjoy a snack and play games with peers. Held Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Visit richfieldspringscommunitycenter. org/programs/

SPRING PAINT PARTY

5 p.m. Join class to create a spring themed painting in acrylics in a fun social setting. Pre-registration required, cost is $35/participant and covers all materials. Headwaters Art Center, 66 Main Street, Stamford. (607) 214-6040.

THEATER 7 p.m. The CCS

Thespians present “Sister Act.”

Tickets, $12/adult. Auditorium, Cooperstown High School. (607) 547-8181.Also showing at 7 p.m. on 3/17 and 3/18 and at 2 p.m. on 3/19.

FLY CREEK FIRE DIS-

TRICT 7 p.m. The community is invited for the monthly meeting of the Fly Creek Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners. Held the 3rd Thursday of the month at the Fly Creek Fire House, 832 County Road 26, Fly Creek. Visit flycreekfire.com/ for info.

WRITERS SALON

7:30 p.m. Stop by for open mic followed by a presentation/reading by featured presenter, The Catskill Community Players performing “Love or Best Offer.” Free, open to the public. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. (607) 432-2070.

►Friday, March 17

GET KIDS OUT 10 a.m. to noon. The kids are off

from school: Get them out to explore this St. Patrick’s Day with the Otsego County Conservation Association. The trail will lead through woods, over streams, and near ponds where the group will play games, look for signs of spring, and see how many shades of green they can find. Hopefully, a pot of gold will be waiting at the end of the hike! Dress for the weather and plan for mud. Free and open to all. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, 133 Davis Road, Westford. (607) 547-4488.

BENEFIT DINNER 5-8

p.m. Enjoy a corned beef or ham dinner with the Hartwick Fire Department. Available for eat-in or take-out. $15/ adult. Hartwick Fire Department Company #2, 4877 State Highway 22, Hartwick Seminary. (607) 547-8091.

CAREER NIGHT 7-10 p.m.

Students, parents and guardians are invited to come learn about different careers. This week’s featured career is in the banking and finance field. Free. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. 315-8583200.

YOUTH ZONE 7-10 p.m.

Students in grades 7-12 are invited for a fun night of games and activities each Friday. Games range from air hockey to Xbox games to board games, with arts and crafts, baking, movie nights, and more also offered. Held at The Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Visit rich

fieldspringscommunitycenter. org/the-zone/

AUDUBON PRESENTA -

TION 7:30 p.m. Hop on Zoom with the DelawareOtsego Audubon Society for a special presentation on “Young Forest Birds and Young Forest Management in the NE USA” with Dr. Roger Masse. Registration required. (607) 397-3815.

►s aTurday, March 18

BOARD GAMES 10 a.m. Bring the family for a fun day with board games. Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

KIDS ACTIVITIES 10 a.m. to noon. Bring the kids and have a fun morning together making tissue paper shamrocks. Springfield Library, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center. (315) 858-5802.

GARDENING 10-11 a.m. Join Master Gardener Paul Mendelson for a discussion of grafting fruit trees held online and in person at the Cornel Cooperative Extension Education Center, 123 Lake

Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-2536.

ART EXHIBIT 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to view “True Friends: Nancy Waller Art for the Ellen St John Peacemaker Award,” a potpourri of watercolors and silk screens, some framed. Proceeds benefit the award. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 941-9607.

OPERA 12 p.m. View a performance of the Metropolitan Opera, streaming live in Oneonta. This week the Met presents “Lohengrin” by Richard Wagner, about a battle between good and evil in which a knight of the Holy Grail defends the heroine, Elsa, from an evil witch and her husband. Cost, $20/adult. Lunch available for purchase separately from Soda Jerks. Arrive by 11:15 for a pre-opera presentation on the show. Showing at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

KITTEN FOSTER TRAINING 1 p.m. Superheroes

Humane Society is seeking volunteers to learn how to foster kittens ahead of the spring kitten season. Learn the ins and outs of kitten care in the Community Room, Southside Mall, Oneonta. (607) 441-3227.

OPENING RECEPTION

4 p.m. Celebrate opening of exhibit, “Secrets, Confessions & Revelations.” For this group exhibit, the artists created works addressing the notions of what we discover during the creative process. Roxbury Arts Center, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, Roxbury. (607) 326- 7908.

►sunday, March 19

SUGARING OFF 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a full pancake breakfast in the morning then contemporary, historic demonstrations of maple sugar production. Admission, $10/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1450.

SUNDAY SPEAKER 3

p.m. Arkell Museum’s Mary Alexander and Sue Fried-

lander present on “The Commemoration of the Sullivan Clinton Campaign of 1779.” They will discuss how commemorations have changed, the counties that celebrate the campaign, and the celebrations’ impact on historic memory. Sponsored by the Friends of the Village Library. Held at the Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

►Monday, March 20

SENIOR MEALS Noon.

Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal each Monday and Wednesday. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors, $8.60 for guests accompanying a senior. This week, enjoy sweet sausage with peppers and onions on a roll, macaroni salad, three bean salad and chocolate chip cookies. Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 547-6454.

HUMAN RIGHTS 9-11

p.m. Enjoy a screening of “And Still I Sing,” as seen at the 2023 Human Rights Film Festival, about Afghan pop star and activist Aryana Sayeed as she mentors women in the show “Afghan Star,” and the story of two contestants poised to become the first female winners just as the Taliban takes over, putting their careers and lives in jeopardy. Free, open to all. Hunt Union Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta. (607) 436-3012.