Home
HOMETOWN
15
nta eo
wn on o t
th anniversary
20
08 - 2023
ONEONTA
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch Graffiti enhances Oneonta /page 2
VISIT www. Volume 15, No. 22
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, March 16, 2023 ‘Be Our Guest’
Paintings Travel to Los Angeles for Solo Exhibit
Students Raise Funds for OHS Drama Club By JOEL J. PLUE
By TERESA WINCHESTER GILBERTSVILLE t’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.
S
I
Continued on page 9 INSIDE ► E MS/firefighters still A CONTROVERSY for tax exemption? page 3 ► from changes TO consolidations— ibrAhim speaks out, page 4 ► FOXCARE FITNESS GETS PLENTY OF SUPPORT, page 4 ► opioids are good and bad, but be careful, LEAF News from the Noteworthy, page 5 ►COLOSSAL EGG LAID! page 7 ► Averill road and templeton foundation still a controverSY? page 8
Follow Breaking News On
AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA tudent cast members of Oneonta High School’s upcoming production of “Beauty and the Beast” were on hand to meet and greet members of the public at a special Disney Character Breakfast fund-raiser held in the school cafeteria on Saturday, March 4. Despite ominous clouds overhead and a snowstorm the previous evening, community members turned up in large numbers to support the students and local arts. Attendees— undeterred by their bulky winter jackets and having had to trudge through the snow—were overjoyed to interact with the brightly costumed students. Enchanting Disney music played in the background and many happy faces were seen enjoying the fresh baked goods and other breakfast items at the catered gathering. It was apparent from the preparation for this event that a tremendous amount of dedication and talent goes into the school drama club’s productions. Michaela Pawluk, president of the OHS Drama Club, attended the breakfast in support of her students. “I am very lucky to not only work with the kids here, but I am fortunate enough to head the Orpheus Theatre Starstruck Players, for other children of the community,” said Pawluk, who teaches theater at OHS and is also a kindergarten teacher at Riverside Elementary School. Pawluk, a board member of Orpheus Theatre for three years now, makes it her mission to engage young students in theater. “I advocated for our middle-schoolers to have the opportunity to work in the high school drama club,” Pawluk said during the event. Her advocacy for the students has since paid off, as a growing number of students of varying ages can now study and learn theater production under Pawluk. Ten middle-schoolers have singing, dancing, and acting roles alongside highContinued on page 9
Photo by David Oroszi
On the Prowl ONEONTA—Molly, an 8-year-old Bengal cat owned by avid photographer David Oroszi, already has a fan following. Pictures of Molly were shared online by Davenport Veterinary Clinic, where she is a patient. The photo above has received more than 13,000 views! 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, Molly 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 s 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.
A
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. Photo by Joel J. Plue For more information, visit the CFOC In the upcoming Oneonta High School production of “Beauty and website, cfotsego.org, or e-mail contact@ the Beast,” Gialina Ploutz plays Mrs. Potts (left) and Tiffany Gardner cfotsego.org is Lumiere Candlestick.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD