Hometown Oneonta 04-16-26

Hermitage To Host Summer Programming

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL

COOPERSTOWN

he Samye Hermitage, a Tibetan Buddhist center on Glimmerglen Road, is set to host its second summer immersion program this year. Participants will “live and learn in a supportive environment that integrates study, meditation, embodiment practices, nature connection, and traditional Himalayan arts,” according to the group.

Starting with arrivals on June 7, the Samye Institute Summer Immersion program for Buddhist Arts and Sciences—with participation options for a week, three weeks, or the full six weeks—is expected by organizers

to draw participants from both around the world and the surrounding area.

Samye Hermitage Director Peter Woods pitched the program to those “interested in learning how to work with not only your mind, but your speech and your body” in a way that is “grounded in a contemplative approach.” He added that “it’s not about converting people. It’s really about us learning the tools that we can use to transform ourselves and benefit others,” like meditation, Tibetan medicine, traditional arts, and philosophy.

Teachings aim to combine “Buddhist philosophy and practice with the outer arts and sciences—logic and debate, language and translation, medicine and healing,

Continued on page 9

Village of Morris Receives $4.5 Million NY Forward Grant

By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL MORRIS

The Village of Morris has received a $4.5 million NY Forward grant to strengthen its downtown and promote its natural and cultural assets. Funding was announced Wednesday, April 8 in Rome.

“[The Downtown Revitalization Initiative] and NY Forward unlock opportunities for our municipalities to engage their communities—this funding is what drives creativity and brings New Yorkers together,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “Not only will Main Streets and businesses thrive in the Mohawk Valley, the pro-housing incentive will also pave the way for housing growth in the region. I am a firm believer that New York needs more housing, and I will stop at nothing to provide people with the chance to raise their families in the best state.”

“I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the State of New York for seeing the potential and its willingness to invest in our community,” Village of Morris Mayor Michael Newell said in a statement. “This investment will help us revitalize our downtown, elevate the visitor experience and grow tourism in a way that highlights all that Morris has to offer.”

The $4.5 million offers substantial opportunities

Polar Bear: A Sweet Tradition Returns for the Season

By ESTEPHANIE GOMEZ SUNY Institute for Local News ONEONTA

With the return of warmer weather, a longtime Oneonta favorite is once again welcoming customers.

Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream & More, a local institution that traces its roots back to 1949, opened its 2026 season with a weekend celebration March 2729, continuing a tradition that has spanned generations.

The season kicked off with the shop’s popular “Ice Cream & Pancake Breakfast with the Bear” on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29, an all-you-caneat breakfast buffet that brought

families together after a long winter. For $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children, guests enjoyed pancakes, sausage, beverages, and Polar Bear’s signature homemade ice cream.

Heather Ross, owner of the family-run shop, said she looks forward each year to reopening and reconnecting with the community. Like many ice cream stands in the region, Polar Bear closes over the winter months. The shop’s longevity, Ross said, is rooted in its commitment to tradition and quality.

The business began in downtown Oneonta in 1949 under the ownership of Richard Deighton. It later changed hands to Ned and

Girls Volleyball Camp Returns to SUNY Oneonta This Summer

By JAQUELYN CARLO

SUNY Institute for Local News

The SUNY Oneonta women’s volleyball program will host its annual girls youth volleyball camp this July, offering local and regional athletes an opportunity to develop skills, experience college life, and learn directly from collegiate players and coaches.

The multi-day Oneonta All-Skills Volleyball Camp, led by SUNY Oneonta head coach Ashley Coyle and members of the Red Dragons women’s volleyball team, is designed for players ages 13–18. The program focuses on skill development, team concepts and fostering a love for the game.

Coach Coyle said the camp has been a core part of the SUNY Oneonta Athletics program since she arrived in 2017.

“It was and continues to be a goal of ours in the program to make impact in our community and to be able to spread the love of the game to people who are interested,” Coyle said.

While the camp is advertised for athletes ages 13–18, some flexibility is available. Players who are in eighth grade but are competing at a junior varsity level may be eligible with direct communication with Coach Coyle.

Campers of different ages train together while also working at appropriate skill levels.

“We try to make it specific per level, but everybody’s working on that foundational piece of what’s going to make elite and well-trained volleyball players,” Coyle explained.

Student athletes on the SUNY Oneonta women’s volleyball team volunteer their time as instructors and mentors during the camp, guiding campers through drills, game situations, and team-building activities. Players attend from throughout New York State, including areas such as Albany and Syracuse.

Sophomore Shea Landversicht is one of the student athletes helping at the camp. A middle blocker from Greenville, New York, Landversicht has played volleyball since middle school and is majoring in adolescence education with a concentration in chemistry.

She said working with campers allows her to combine her passion for the sport with her future career goals.

“I want to make an impact on some-

one’s life. At the camp I can come and meet however many athletes [who] are going to come from all ages, from all backgrounds, from all athletic ability and try to help them find this common interest of volleyball,” Landversicht explained.

She feels she can relate to the campers because she was once in their spot.

Participants will train on the SUNY Oneonta campus in the Alumni Field House.

In addition to on-court instruction,

campers will get a taste of college life. For the four-day session, resident campers will stay in residence halls and eat meals in campus dining facilities. Commuter options are also available; commuters will eat lunch and dinner in the dining hall with the rest of the group. All campers get to tour SUNY Oneonta’s facilities

Campers also have the chance to watch the women’s volleyball team practice and compete.

“We bring them on a tour and then we play in front of them, so they can see college-level play and see if they can imagine themselves in that spot,” Landversicht explained.

Program organizers say the camp is intended not only to improve volleyball skills, but also to inspire young athletes to continue playing and potentially pursue collegiate athletics in the future.

Registration for the July 23–26 camp is now open, and space is limited. Families interested in signing up can complete the registration form online at SUNY Oneonta’s Youth Camps and Programs website, https://suny.oneonta. edu/info/community-members/youthcamps-and-programs.

This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community Media Lab, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.

Milford Village Looking To Fix Nitrate Problem in Water Well

By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL MILFORD

After previously having an issue with excess nitrates in one of its two water wells, the Village of Milford is beginning the process of making fixes. The village’s water supply is currently coming from its second well, which Mayor Michael Strong said is not facing issues.

“The [Request for Qualifications] went out because we were having an issue with one of

our wells,” Strong told AllOtsego. “We need to put a system on the well to improve nitrates.”

Excess nitrates can be harmful to babies, and boiling the water can make the nitrates more dangerous.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s limit to avoid “blue baby syndrome,” an illness that reduces blood oxygen levels and causes blue skin and other health impacts, is 10.0 mg/L.

In fall 2025, Milford’s impacted Oxbow Well returned samples for 13.7 and 14.0 mg/L

nitrate, according to an October warning from the village. Strong said the village was working with the firm Delaware Engineering to “help us with the grants and funding and the whole process.” He also said he had a “very productive” meeting with state Senator Peter Oberacker on Friday, April 13 to discuss grant opportunities. Completing the work would require the funds a grant could provide, Strong said.

“We started the paperwork last month,” Strong said, adding that if completed by May “all that could be approved by the end of the year.” He estimated a timeline of close to two years before significant work could be done.

The New York State Department of Health said it is working with the village to ensure continued access to high quality drinking water.

“The Department reviews concerns related to public drinking water systems and takes appropriate action when necessary to help ensure residents have access to safe and adequate drinking water and that system operators meet health and safety require-

Continued on page 11

HOMETOWN Views

Virtual Volunteers and Citizen Archivists, Are You There?

Among our many distinguishing factors is the ability to communicate with each other, through speech, petroglyphs and the written word. Cursive handwriting, also known as joined-up writing, or script, and arguably the first use of the written word for all of mankind, is defined as any style of penmanship in which characters are written joined in a flowing manner, enabling faster, more efficient, writing without lifting the pen (or earlier, the quill). Formal cursive consists of joined letters; casual cursive is a combination of joined letters and pen lifts. It was developed by the Greeks and Romans (the term “cursive” is derived from the Latin currere, meaning to run) and it was flourishing in Old English as well as Medieval Latin before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, becoming widely used for both personal correspondence and official documents from early in the 16th century. Needless to say, in the United States all of the historical documents relating to the beginning of the country are written in cursive English.

Sadly, in this century cursive handwriting has been on a disappearing track. Although in a 2007 national survey of 200 teachers of first through third grades 90 percent said their schools required the teaching of cursive handwriting, a survey the following year found only 12 percent of elementary teachers had taken a course on how to teach it. In 2010 the Federal government removed it from the Common Core Standards for students in K through 12. Although school curricula are set at the state level, 41 states, including our own New York, dropped the teaching of cursive writing from their classrooms, prioritizing instead the development of digital skills. That left a good number of young people very comfortable with word processors, computers, keyboards, and smartphones, but seriously unable to read or write letters, papers, documents—and the signatures of influential people—written in any form of cursive handwriting. Grandparents have started sending block-printed birthday cards to their grandchildren.

Research has shown that cursive handwriting enhances brain development, increasing neural pathway activation, memory recall, and fine motor skills, improves overall cognitive growth and confidence, and aids students in a variety of academic pursuits. Its fluidity allows smoother, faster and more efficient writing, releasing the student’s attention to concentrate on content.

But wait. Cursive is coming back. Today, more than 25 states (sadly, not our own New York) require once again that cursive handwriting be taught in their elementary schools.

Last fall, in a letter to “The Freeman’s Journal,” Cooperstown native Kevin Grady asked if Cooperstown Central School would reconsider teaching cursive handwriting to its elementary-school students. That is a substantially good request, but as of now it has not come to fruition. We can only hope.

As we wait, we might consider the outreach of the Library of Congress, whose By the People program, launched in 2018, asks all of us (that is, all of us who can understand cursive handwriting) to become a Virtual Volunteer and help transcribe and review the many millions of handwritten historical documents in its collections. The National Archives, too, has a volunteer transcriber program whose Citizen Archivists work on documents dating from the Revolutionary War to the present. It would be a terrible thing for history if, down the road, no one volunteered to transcribe, and no one was taught to read cursive.

Perhaps, with the new mandates that bring cursive instruction back to our third-graders, we can outgrow our fear of losing our ability to read these pages. Perhaps Cooperstown Central School and other Otsego County school districts will help.

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THAWTHORN HILL JOURNAL

RICHARD DEROSA

On Governance, Majoritarian Rule and Numeric Supremacy

In “Gulliver’s Travels,” Jonathan Swift somewhat cynically opined that a basic principle of lawyering is the ability to call black white and white black. I had considered a career in international law at one point and, while I think that might have led to a fascinating life, I can’t imagine not having been a teacher, a choice replete with immediate and enduring rewards. I wonder now what I would think, had I taken that path. Violations of international law have been on a troublesome upswing worldwide. And here at home we experience unlawful behavior by our government daily. Unfortunately, lawless behavior, whether international or domestic, benefits no one. We put ourselves at great peril so long as this assault on lawlessness persists.

Most disheartening is what appears to be willful malpractice on the part of the one institution whose primary obligation to the commonweal is to uphold the law without prejudice and to give no sway to those who would pervert its primary function: to work on behalf of ALL the people. However, when toadies and sycophants occupy the upper echelons of the Department of Justice, we all have an obligation to be ever more vigilant. All the more reason for passionate yet lawful resistance. No matter what stage in our development as a nation we find ourselves in, and there will always roadblocks, it is an effort worth the work.

The problem with majority rule is it allows for unchecked tyranny. Or, at the very least, it allows those with the numbers to ride roughshod over whosoever might be in the minority. Walter Lippman warned against the “tyranny of the majority” quite some time ago. As he puts it, just because you have the numbers does not mean you are right. Ironically, you could be very right just as easily as you could be terribly wrong. In fact, when in the course of making decisions that affect the commonweal, perhaps neither rightness nor wrongness alone come into play. The inherent problem is that when competing ideologies come into contact that are deeply rooted

in diametrically opposed assumptions, compromise becomes nearly impossible. It can only occur when each side is willing to remove its blinders in an attempt to, as Plato put it, “walk in another’s shoes.” There is little evidence of that in the halls of a Congress that is supposed to be a deliberative body. One side sees black, the other white; there is no room for shading of any kind. Madison warned against the tyranny of factions; Jefferson abhorred parties. This notion of arrogating to yourself the right to impose your will on others is dangerous. At present, the Republican majority runs the show. It is especially dangerous because it appears to be in the thrall of perhaps one of the most flawed presidents of all or any time. To be fair, if the Democrats were in power they, too, would make every attempt to steamroll their agenda through. Biden and company did a pretty good job of that. There is enough complicity to go around. Unfortunately, we the people bear the brunt of this nonsense. As I write, we are in the midst of a “partial shutdown.” It means that many government employees work without pay. Those responsible for their predicament blithely keep on getting their paychecks. The impasse revolves around ICE’s excesses, which by any standard have been as unforgivable as they have been unlawful. I needn’t catalogue them here. The Democrats have proffered a long list of reasonable demands; the Republicans, while seemingly not as upset about ICE’s egregious behavior, pretty much refuse to budge. So we have a needless stalemate. ICE continues to operate because it is fat with bucks—our bucks, by the way. So who wins here? Nobody. The reasonable approach here would be for both sides to budge a bit and be happy with not getting all it wants. Ideological greed is inherently tyrannical. The ideal scenario is to work together to end shutdowns once and for all. Too much fighting, very little deliberation. Way too much grandstanding; far too little quiet work

Continued on page 11

Order in a Constantly Changing Microbial World

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

H o metown oneon t a 2008 - 2026 18th anniversary & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

a publication of Iron String Press, Inc.

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Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

he first warm afternoon of spring sends many of us outside. A few minutes stacking wood, clearing branches, planting seedlings, or any of the other things we do outside in March or April and it’s easy to come home with dirt under our fingernails.

What’s hard to see is that the soil is alive with billions of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. These microbes are not intruders or invaders; they are essential to the health of the soil and plants.

Something similar is happening inside us.

Most of us think of our bodies as a single organism— just us. But the story is more complicated.

Trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes live on our skin, in our mouths, and in our gut. Together, they form what scientists call the human microbiome.

They arrive during and immediately after our birth and they shift from day to day, month to month and year to year. A meal, a walk in the woods, a course of antibiotics and

even the changing seasons can change which microbes are present.

At first glance, this microscopic world may look chaotic: trillions of microbes growing, competing and constantly replacing one another. But in science, chaos does not mean disorder. It describes systems that are always shifting and competing but are shaped by underlying rules.

Systems like this, where millions of small interactions produce surprising order, are one of the puzzles this column hopes to explore this year. For the past three years, this column belonged to Jamie Zvirzdin. She chased down mysteries and she reminded us, frequently with humor, that nature doesn’t always act as expected. We’re grateful to inherit this column that uses science as a tool for understanding. As the column moves forward with new voices, our mission remains the same: Ask good questions, follow the evidence, and share thoughts about what science can and Continued on page 11

Compiled by

Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART

with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

90 Years ago

President roosevelt proposed shorter working hours and suggestion limiting jobs to men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 in an address tonight calling the nation to a period of “social pioneering” against unemployment. appearing before the cheering members of the young Democratic clubs of Maryland crowding the huge armory where he spoke, and also to the youth of the nation over the radio, the President emphasized that the government “must give and will give consideration” to length of working hours, stability of employment and minimum wages.” “Flaming youth has become a flaming question,” he said, “and youth comes to us wanting to know what we propose to do about a society that hurts so many of them. The world in which the millions of you have come of age is not the set old world of your fathers… because the facts and needs of civilization have changed more greatly in this generation than in the century that preceded us. If you are young enough in spirit to believe that poverty can be greatly lessened; that the disgrace of involuntary employment can be wiped out; that class hatreds can be done away with; that peace at home and abroad can be maintained; and that one day a generation may possess this land, blessed beyond anything we now know, with those things – material and spiritual – that make man’s life abundant. If that is the fashion of your dreaming then I say, ‘Hold fast to your dream. america needs it.’”

April 1936

50 Years ago

a move designed to end the City of oneonta’s constant parking struggle with the downtown merchants passed in the Public safety Committee last night with little discussion and no opposition. The proposal made by Committee Chairman richard McVinney, calls for all on-street parking meters to be removed downtown and replaced with 15 or 30-minute free parking zones. “It’s not fair to continue to grant customer parking spaces to some downtown businesses and not to others,” McVinney said. McVinney’s plan would place 15-minute parking zones on Main street where meters currently exist, and on one side of the Chestnut street extension. all side streets now having meters would now have 30-minute customer parking zones. The proposal calls for elimination of 26 meters on Main and Chestnut streets and 34 meters on Dietz, Ford and elm streets. The parking meters in back of Bresee’s store on Wall street will be eliminated and replaced with 30-minute zones. “Meters are expensive and in many cases they don’t pay for themselves,” McVinney said.

April 1976

40 Years ago

The New York Lottery sold a record $1.31 billion in tickets and made a record $616.3 million profit in the state fiscal year that ended March 31. state Lottery Director John Quinn said Tuesday that ticket sales in the 1985-1986 fiscal year increased by $43.8 million from the previous year and state earnings by $16.3 million. The past year was the sixth that lottery ticket sales and earnings have broken records. In the 10 years since it was reorganized the state lottery has sold $5.55 billion in tickets, earning the state $2.53 billion. New York state’s lottery ticket-sellers, of which there are more than 10,500, earned a record $78.9 million in commissions this past fiscal year.

April 1986

30 Years ago

Fifty students who plan to attend Hartwick College this fall will pick up computers and choose dormitory rooms during a visit to the oneonta campus today. The day is part of a new incentive at Hartwick to encourage prospective students to decide early to enroll at Hartwick College. Hartwick is aiming for an entering class of 435 students this fall according to Carol Clemens, Dean of admissions. admission applications at Hartwick fell five percent this year from a high of 2,360 received last year.

April 1996

Solution: “Word Building” (April 9)

Welcome to ‘the supers’: rowley, Wenck, Kuch

They have shaped young minds, led school districts through challenges and triumphs, and collectively impacted thousands of students across our region over several decades. Now, three former superintendents are stepping out of the classroom and onto the podium for the Catskill symphony orchestra’s most entertaining fundraiser of the year on May 9.

Meet “the supers”—this year’s guest Conductor Competition contenders who share a remarkable common thread: David rowley of oneonta, ramona Wenck of Laurens, and gary Kuch of Cooperstown have all served as superintendents for local school districts. and in just a few weeks, they will vie for the chance to conduct John Philip sousa’s “stars and stripes Forever” at the annual Wendy Brown Cabaret Fundraiser.

rowley previously led the oneonta City school District, edmeston Central school District, and stamford Central school District, and currently serves as president of the board at the Community Foundation of otsego County. Wenck began her career as an educator and athletic coach at Laurens, later serving as director of competitive color guard and superintendent of Laurens CsD. she’s also been a longtime coordinator of Laurens Youth soccer, served on the otsego County Chamber of Commerce Board, worked as an oNC BoCes specialist and negotiator, mentored new superintendents, and recently served as interim superintendent for Milford, Cooperstown, and edmeston CsDs. Kuch was superintendent for

By MerL reagLe

Worcester Central school District, a longtime high school principal at Cooperstown Central school District, and also directed The Clark Foundation scholarship Program.

None of them have ever conducted an orchestra before. That’s part of the magic.

This year’s cabaret theme, “gershwin, by george!” celebrates one of america’s most extraordinary musical voices as part of the ongoing america250 celebrations. george gershwin—the Brooklyn-born son of russianJewish immigrants who lived just 38 years—transformed american music by fusing jazz, blues and ragtime with classical tradition. From “rhapsody in Blue” to “Porgy and Bess,” his influence reaches across generations.

Tenor Casey gray returns to the Cso stage alongside acclaimed pianist and composer John Musto, making his Cso debut, to bring gershwin’s timeless melodies to life. The program includes beloved standards like “someone to Watch over Me,” “Fascinatin’ rhythm,” and selections from “Porgy and Bess,” plus Musto performing “rhapsody in Blue.”

Continued on page 11

My Explosive Career…

And he seems like such a nice guy walk out on ACROSS

1 Tennessee Williams’s Maggie

7 Slogs

12 Past, to Picasso

18 Proportionately

19 They are driven

20 California institute where Fritz Perls taught Gestalt

21 War lover’s justification?

23 Sound of nuclear destruction?

24 Serena Smash

25 Hombre’s home: abbr.

26 Nuclear attraction?

28 Arms buildup?

32 Win ___ nose

33 She who’s shorn

36 Like Mitty’s “life”

37 Female praying figure

39 Reagan and Sinatra

42 Rock producer Brian

43 Craft crammed with critters

44 Fly like an eagle

46 Comics sections, old-style

47 Roast host

50 Loopy Louis

51 Pipe down, Navy-style

53 Blue hue

54 ___ rat (slangy toddler)

56 Mr. Edison: abbr.

59 Iron-rich Minnesota range

62 Decorative vessel

63 Put ___ (sail)

65 With 70 Across, the trouble with fallout?

67 Riposte to a bomb advocate?

70 See 65 Across 71 Cranky conditions

72 Triennia parts: abbr.

74 Ukase

75 Slangy followers

77 The way, to Beijing

78 Really smell

79 That Stephen King feeling 81 59 Across truckful

‘Working Hands’ Set To Open

MORRIS—The Butternut Valley Arts and Crafts Center will display “Working Hands,” an exhibition of work by BVACC teaching artists, from May 3 to June 27. It will open with a reception with the artists from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. The exhibit includes work by M.J. Brunschmid (quiltmaking), Dee Hazlett (acrylic painting, silk thread weaving), Glen Noto (folk art painting), Kristin Stevenson (cold wax and oil painting) and Jim Whitaker (broom making). The BVACC gallery is located at 124 Main Street in Morris. For more information, visit bvartscenter.org.

Rotary Funding Round Opens

COOPERSTOWN—The Allocations Committee of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown will accept applications from nonprofit organizations for the spring funding cycle from Wednesday, April 1 through the end of the month. Applications and eligibility criteria are available at portal.clubrunner. ca/3556. They should be mailed to Cooperstown Rotary Club, PO Box 993, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or e-mailed to tlbhinmanhollow@gmail. com. The committee will review applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors at the May 11 meeting.

Chi Alpha Sigma Inducts 39

ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta announced the induction of 39 student-athletes into its chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, a nonprofit that recognizes excellence on and off the field. To be eligible for nomination, a student must be a junior or higher after their fifth semester, earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, contribute to their team athletically, and act as good citizens. Among the new inductees were Anya Sloth of Oneonta and Avery Leonard of Maryland. This was the Red Dragons’ 29th class inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma.

Library To Host Local Author

COOPERSTOWN—Friends of the Village Library of Cooperstown will host local author Rebecca Weil for a reading of her new book, “Shadow of a Bear: A Poem in 23 Passages,” in the third floor of the Village Hall at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. The hour-long monthly Sunday Speaker program is free and open to the public. Weil is the author of the award-winning nonfiction book “Bring Me the Ocean: Nature as Teacher, Messenger, and Intermediary.” Her work may be found at rebeccaweil.com.

Business Dinner Announced

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 2026 Annual Business Dinner at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit members.otsegocc.com/events/.

Mental Health Funds Available

NEW YORK STATE—The state Office of Mental Health announced that seven $20,000.00 grants are available to community organizations for projects that reduce the stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. Providers must be based in New York and have at least one year of experience offering services to people with mental health challenges. Proposals are due by August 31. For more information or eligibility guidelines, contact carol.swiderski@omh.ny.gov.

FCAHS To Host Breakfast

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will host its annual Spring Country Breakfast

at the Grange building, 208 Cemetery Road, from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 3. The all-you-caneat breakfast will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, home fries, biscuits and gravy, coffee, tea, orange juice, and cider. All are welcome.

CCS Art Exhibit Set To Open

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association’s cherished Annual Cooperstown Central School District Art Exhibit will be on display in the third-floor ballroom of the Village Hall from April 24 through May 8. It will open with Art and Music Night, an evening of live music and artwork by students, refreshments and community gathering from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 24. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

Noms Sought for Ag Awards

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced that nominations are open for its Third Annual Women in Agriculture Awards. Presented on Women’s Day at the Great New York State Fair, the awards honor 10 women for outstanding contributions in areas such as research, sustainability, mentorship, innovation and more. Nominations close at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22. For more information or to make a nomination, visit agriculture.ny.gov/womeninagnominations.

Trio To Perform at WK Center

EAST MEREDITH—Improvisational music trio Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl and Macie Stewart will perform at the West Kortright Center, 49 West Kortright Church Road in East Meredith, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23. Their music, produced with strings, vocals, and manual tape-effect processing, spans experimental, indie, and electronic genres. Cooperstown-based artist Graham Jones, performing as Grievous Angel, will open. For more information, visit westkc.org.

Smithy Registration Underway

COOPERSTOWN—Registration is now open for the Smithy Clay Studio’s spring classes, running from May 11 to July 2. The eight-week adult classes are $280.00. Open studio, available from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, is $180.00, or $90.00 with a class registration. New classes this session include Mold Making, Studio Skills: Making a Portable Damp Box and Perfumery 101. For more information, contact gallery@smithyarts.org.

Grobler to Teach Floral Design

STAMFORD—Marcy Grobler of Sticky Petal Farm will teach a floral design workshop at Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main Street in Stamford, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. Participants will create a seasonal arrangement with locally-grown flowers. It is offered on a tiered-pricing system. For more information, visit roxburyartsgroup.org.

Kleffner to Leave Food Bank

COOPERSTOWN—Will Kleffner, executive director of the Cooperstown Food Pantry, will leave the organization after four years in early May. He will take a position as senior director of grants at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The Cooperstown Food Pantry seeks a new executive director, with details available at cooperstownfoodpantry.org. Applications should be submitted by Monday, April 20. The Cooperstown Food Pantry served nearly 8,400 people in 2025 and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1-5 p.m. on Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Hearing on Ag District Slated

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego County Board of Representatives will hold a public hearing on the eight-year review of the county-spanning Agricultural District 1 in the County Office Building chambers at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6. The recommendations of the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board may be examined at otsegocountyny.gov/departments/planning_department/agriculture.php or in person at the Planning Department offices in the Meadows Building, 140 County Highway 33W, during regular work hours. All parties in interest will be heard by the board. The hearing will be streamed on the official Otsego County Youtube channel, youtube.com/@ otsegocountynewyork/live.

YMCA Promotes Child Safety

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Family YMCA joined YMCAs across the country to observe Five Days of Action on April 13-17, a public awareness campaign on protecting children from abuse. This year’s emphasis is digital safety. The YMCA partnered with Praesidium, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Lauren’s Kids, and the National Children’s Alliance to encourage communities to recognize warning signs, hold open conversations with children, use digital safety tools, and take the pledge to protect children. For more information or resources, visit fivedaysofaction.org.

Ringwood Manor Topic of Talk

SPRINGFIELD—The Springfield Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at the Community Center, 129 County Road 29A, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. After the meeting, Violet and Christina Ackas, the new owners of Ringwood Manor, will discuss the history and restoration of the property. The talk is free and open to the public.

Choral Society To Perform

ONEONTA—The Catskill Choral Society will perform “A Night of Glory and Grace: Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Maurice Durufle’s ‘Requiem,’” directed by Dr. Joseph Han, at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. The concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1 and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Tickets are available at The Green Earth, Cooperstown Natural Foods and catskillchoralsociety.org.

Fenimore Open for Season

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Farm and Country Village is open for the 2026 season from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Upcoming workshops include blacksmithing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, broom making from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, basket making from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 2, and natural remedies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 9. For more information or to register, visit fenimorefarm.org.

Book Sale Collection Scheduled

COOPERSTOWN—The Village Library of Cooperstown will hold its first of two book collections for the upcoming Summer Book Drive from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25. Donations of used books in good condition are welcome. Outdated travel guides, dictionaries, encyclopedias or textbooks, VHS tapes and cassette tapes will not be accepted. The next drop-off will be on Saturday, June 13 and the sale runs from June 20-28. All proceeds benefit the Village Library.

CCS Ball Teams Drop Openers

ORISKANY—Cooperstown baseball lost its season opener 1-0 to defending Class D state champion Oriskany on Monday, April 13. The Skyhawks’ Dean Koenig threw a one-hitter, struck out 13 Cooperstown batters and doubled to drive in the one run of the night. Brenin Dempsey singled with an infield dribbler in the seventh, drew a walk, and stole second both times he got on base, but the Hawkeyes could not bring him home. Elijah McCaffrey was stuck with the loss, striking out three in four innings and giving up an unearned run and error. Joey Paterno pitched three scoreless innings in relief, striking out five, giving up a hit, walking one batter and hitting another. Cooperstown will travel to Poland for a Center State Conference Division II game after press time on Wednesday, April 15. The softball team dropped a nail-biter 9-8 season opener to visiting Oriskany on Monday, April 13. Carlotta Falso went 2-for-4, batted in two runs and scored two of her own. In the circle, she struck out 10 batters and walked seven across eight innings, giving up three earned runs. Cooperstown led 8-5 after two innings but the Skyhawks rallied in the third, fifth, seventh and eighth innings. Sophia Johnson scored two runs for the Hawkeyes. Scarlett Bong, Allie Butts and Callie Paterno added a hit and run each. The team will also visit Poland for a Division II game on Wednesday, April 15.

NY Gas Prices Up Six Cents

UTICA—The average price of gas in New York State rose six cents to $4.12 per gallon over the week ending Monday, April 13, AAA Northeast announced. Oil prices dropped sharply at the end of last week on announcements of a two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, settling in the mid-$90s by Friday after falling $20.00 on Wednesday alone. However, abortive peace talks over the weekend and the Trump administration’s announcement of a U.S. naval counter-blockade of the critical Strait of Hormuz have kept markets in uncertainty and driven oil back over $100.00 per barrel. Domestic gasoline demand remains strong at 8.56 million barrels over the week, 122,000 lower than the week before but still more than 260,000 higher than the same week in 2025. New York’s gasoline price is 59 cents higher than last month and $1.02 higher than this week last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.

BVA Offers $500 Scholarship

MORRIS—Local nonprofit Butternut Valley Alliance is offering its annual $500.00 scholarship to a graduating high-school senior from the Butternut Valley who plans to attend any post-secondary education, technical training, or apprenticeship. The Visionary Scholar Award will be awarded to the best submission answering the question “What is your vision for the Butternut Valley in 25 years?” by May 1. Learn more at: www.butternutvalleyalliance.org/visionary-scholar-award.

Writrix Salon Season Ending

ONEONTA—Writrix Salon will hold its last class reading before the summer break at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 19. It will take place on Zoom. For more information, visit leslieberliant.com.

‘Dream Dance of Bees’ To Be Unveiled at CANO on Friday, April 17

ONEONTA

Anew exhibit curated by Charles Bremer, titled “Dream Dance of Bees: The World We Live In,” will open with a reception on Friday, April 17 from 5-7 p.m. at the Community Arts Network of Oneonta galleries.

Artists participating in the exhibit include Bruce Goddard, Nancy Callahan, Tim Sheesley, Jane Carr, Janet Wentworth Erickson, Allison Hill-Edgar, Edmond Rinnooy-Kan, Ashley Norwood Cooper, Bill Lee, Steff Rocknak, Charles Bremer and David Wilson. The opening reception is free and open to all, and light refreshments will be served. The Wilber Mansion is located at 11 Ford Avenue.

According to a press release, the Southern Tier Watershed Region of New York State is the home of many wonderfully skilled artists. Artists featured in “Dream Dance of Bees: The World We Live In” employ diverse techniques in mediums including painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography and found material assemblage. Their subjects are equally diverse—human portraits, studies of nature, social commentary and much more.

“The exhibition title ‘Dream Dance of Bees’ refers to a dance honeybees create to communicate with their hive about their discoveries from venturing out in the world. We do the same,” said Bremer. “This show is about looking at this world we live in, from remarkable beauty to the nightmares of human behavior, to the multitude of living creatures, human domestic life, politics, life studies to landscapes. All are portraits of our community. This artwork speaks volumes.”

“Artist Charles Bremer has explored a wide breadth of creative medium in his career, ranging

from photography, drawing and sculpture, to theater stage sets and experimental sound,” said Jenny Rosenzweig, development and program director at CANO. ”With this exhibit, Charlie also takes on the role of creative shepherd as he works collaboratively with artists to develop and present the unique point of

Bassett Healthcare Welcomes New Practitioners

COOPERSTOWN

Bassett Healthcare Network welcomed six new healthcare practitioners during the month of February.

Rami Abu-Sbeit, MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician specializing in ophthalmology retina at Bassett Medical Center, 125 Main Street, Oneonta, A.O. Fox Hospital, 1 Norton Avenue, Oneonta and Oneonta Specialty Services, 1 Associate Drive, Oneonta. He is a surgical and medical retina specialist. He sees adult patients for retinal diseases and disorders, including uveitis and inherited retinal diseases. He is also a cataract surgeon. Dr. Abu-Sbeit is accepting new patients.

Dr. Abu-Sbeit earned his medical degree at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Hamad Medical Corporation, affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine, in Doha, Qatar. He has completed three fellowships. The first was in vitreoretinal surgery at Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth, England. The second was in medical retina at Weill Cornell MedicineNew York Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Finally, he completed his third fellowship in medical retina and molecular ophthalmology at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Evan Adelstein,

MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as an attending physician with Cardiovascular ServicesElectrophysiology at Bassett Medical Center, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown. He provides heart care for patients ages 17 and older, treating conditions including atrial fibrillation, SVT, bradycardia, and ventricular tachycardia. He also performs cardioversions, cardiac ablations, pacemaker and defibrillator implantation, and lead extraction. He is accepting new patients by appointment.

Dr. Adelstein earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. His

residency took place at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed two fellowships—in cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology—at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Stanley Giddings, MBBS, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician specializing in infectious disease at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, A.O. Fox Hospital, Oneonta, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, 178 Grandview Drive, Cobleskill, FoxCare

Center, 1 FoxCare Drive, Oneonta, and Herkimer Specialty Services, 321 East Albany Street. He provides care to patients ages 18 years and older. As a part of the Infectious Disease Department, he treats HIV, hepatitis, MRSA, C. diff, tuberculosis, STDs and infections in immunocompromised patients, among others. He is accepting new

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view demonstrated through the selected works.”

“Dream Dance of Bees: The World We Live In” will remain on view at CANO through Saturday, May 2, when it will close with an artist talk beginning at 4 p.m. at the Wilber Mansion. For more information about this exhibition and other CANO programs, visit canoneonta.org or e-mail admin@canoneonta.org.

Chief of Safety and Security FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND POSITION

This position requires a minimum of 40 hours per week, a clean NYS Driver License and a NYS Security Guard Registration Card. In addition to identifying and addressing all security and safety needs of the Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm, the position includes coordinating the hiring, training and evaluating of all security staff. Scheduling, first aid and CPR training, implementing all OSHA mandated programs and ensuring there is always the minimum staff required for 24-hour coverage is required, as are other duties. Excellent written and verbal skills, management or supervisory experience and the ability to work overtime when necessary. A background in law enforcement preferred. EOE Salary range $55,000 - $65,000.

Please send a resume or letter of interest and a completed application to: Mary Myers, Fenimore Art Museum, PO Box 800, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Applications can be found online at fenimoreartmuseum.org or fenimorefarm.org.

Klezmer Concert To Highlight Temple Beth El’s 90th Anniversary

Temple Beth El of Oneonta, 83 Chestnut Street, is proud to present in concert the nationally recognized klezmer ensemble, Big Galut(e), as part of the synagogue’s 90th anniversary celebration. Capping off a weekend of special events, the ensemble will perform on Sunday, May 3 at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary following opening remarks by Oneonta Mayor Daniel Buttermann.

Klezmer refers to the joyous and soulful folk music of the Eastern European Jewish communities dating from the Middle Ages. Having all but disappeared, it has been in a spirited revival for decades with an appeal that crosses ethnic and geographic boundaries.

Since its inception in 2010, Big Galut(e) has blended history, passion, virtuosity and humor in its performances. Big Galut(e) has been featured on NPR’s “Performance Today” and WNYC’s “New Sounds,” has appeared on concert stages throughout the country—including at Stanford and Cornell universities—and was a prize winner at an international music competition. Locally, the ensemble has performed for the Oneonta Concert Association, appeared as soloists with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra and was featured twice on the Glimmerglass Festival

Morris

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back to the area.

“Economic development is one of our foundation mission components, along with supporting the arts and culture and protecting the environment,” Board Chair Maggie Brenner told AllOtsego. “This is just an outgrowth of our commitment to that leg of our mission to support all of the residents and municipalities in the valley.”

Proposed NY Forward projects included renovations and upgrades to a wide range of existing properties, like the Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile and the Morris Library. A new walking and driving tour route and streetscape upgrades like flower boxes and historic street lighting were in the application. It also included a request for a Small Projects Fund for miscellaneous items in the village. The full application can be found at: https:// www.ny.gov/sites/default/ files/2026-04/Morris_ NYF4_Application.pdf.

The village’s 2025 application for state funding described its vision as creating “a walkable, thriving, and sustainable community focusing on

Pavilion series. This will be Big Galut(e)’s first appearance in our area since before the COVID shutdown.

Big Galut(e) founding member Robin Seletsky

our historic heritage.” It included proposals for almost a dozen projects around the village, with a total request of $11.3 million in funding.

A local planning council will determine allocations for the $4.5 million received, with member appointments made by Mayor Michael Newell, Brenner said.

“One of the first steps is to, again, do more community outreach,” Brenner explained. “Really hear and listen to what the residents of the village feel they need and want.”

Letters of support for the application came from Representative Josh Riley, state Senator Peter Oberacker, Assemblymember Joseph Angelino, Otsego County representative for the area James Powers, Morris Town Supervisor Fred Schwarzhans, and a wide range of local business and nonprofit leaders. The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District and its Deputy Director Heather Devitt were also closely involved in facilitating the application.

Brenner said the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council, which was responsible for reviewing grant applica-

tions, was impressed by the quantity and quality of letters of support.

Reflecting on the bipartisan group of elected officials who wrote individualized letters, Brenner said they recognized “that we can’t let these rural communities wither and die. And I think that’s what the NY Forward program is all about.”

It’s not just cities that need investment, but “places like Richfield Springs and Cooperstown and Sharon Springs” which have also received funding, Brenner said.

State Senator Peter Oberacker celebrated the grant in a statement.

“This $4.5 million investment in the Village of Morris is a significant win for our community and the entire Butternut Valley,” Oberacker said. “It will help strengthen Main Street, support local businesses, and enhance infrastructure while preserving the character that makes Morris so special. I look forward to working with local leaders to ensure these investments reflect the community’s vision and priorities.”

The cities of Utica and Rome also received funding.

Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council Co-

Chairs Larry Gilroy and Dr. Marion Terenzio said in a statement, “Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward program, targeted investments to support community development efforts are generating dividends throughout the Mohawk Valley. On behalf of the entire Regional Council, we offer our congratulations to Rome, Utica and Morris, and look forward to celebrating their collective success.”

The Butternut Valley Alliance has set its sights on a future NY Forward grant for the Village of Gilbertsville, and the application process has already begun. BVA’s leaders see part of their role as assisting small municipalities that lack the resources of larger communities to do grant writing and planning.

Cassandra Miller, BVA’s executive director, told AllOtsego the group is thinking about the area as a region.

“A couple of the other projects we’re working on is establishing a scenic byway that goes through State Route 51” connecting Gilbertsville and Morris, “and we also have a watershed management plan to make sure that the water that’s going through

OBITUARIES

is a second-generation klezmer musician who was recognized by the “New York Times” for her “stylish” and “jazzy” clarinet playing. Big Galut(e)’s instrumentation of clarinet, violin, accordion, bass and guitar is typical of traditional klezmer bands but the group’s modest reinvention of Old World sound and style, while staying true to the spirit of the music, is unique. Big Galut(e)’s programs typically include exuberant dance melodies, reflective improvisations and joyous sing-alongs.

Temple Beth El was founded in 1936 and was first located over the Oneonta Theatre on Chestnut Street. It has been in its present location since 1956 and is fortunate to have an acoustically warm sanctuary that is perfect for musical performances.

This special family-friendly event in recognition of Temple Beth El’s 90th anniversary is a way to honor the past while celebrating the present and future. Tickets for the Big Galut(e) performance are $20.00 for adults and $5.00 for students; admission is free for children under 12. The building at 83 Chestnut Street in Oneonta is handicapped accessible. For more information, call (607) 222-5687. THIS IS A PAID ADVERTORIAL

Butternut Creek and Calhoun Creek and tributaries of the Susquehanna River is clean.”

Bassett

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patients by referral.

Dr. Giddings earned his MBBS from the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. He completed his residency at the University of Florida College of Medicine-Jacksonville. He completed a fellowship in infectious disease at the University of Utah Health Program in Salt Lake City. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Maximillian Lincoln, MD, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as an attending physician specializing in orthopedics total joint at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown. He provides care for arthritis of the hip and knee. He is accepting new patients by appointment. Dr. Lincoln earned his medical degree from Queens University School of Medicine in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Motunrayo Lanase Salaam, MD, MPH— who prefers to go by Dr. Salaam—has joined Bassett

Healthcare Network as an attending physician with Bassett Health Center in Herkimer, 321 East Albany Street. Dr. Salaam provides care to patients ages 18 and up. She is accepting new patients. Dr. Salaam earned her medical degree at the St. Vincent and Grenadines Campus of the All Saints University College of Medicine in Toronto, Ontario.

Megan Winner, MD, MS, has joined Bassett Healthcare Network as a physician and surgeon in General Surgery and Surgical Oncology at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown. She has been trained in surgical oncology and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. Working with patients ages 16 and up, Dr. Winner treats skin cancers, soft tissue tumors, and both benign and malignant tumors and conditions in the abdomen. She performs minimally invasive and open surgeries and excisions. She is accepting new patients by appointment and referral.

Dr. Winner earned her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. Her residency took place at New York Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University in New York City.

FLY CREEK—Judith Jackson, 82, entered into eternal life late Monday

Funeral Home Judith Jackson 1943-2025

morning, December 22, 2025 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, following a valiant battle with cancer. Born September 2, 1943 at the Mary

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

Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Judith Ann was a daughter of Kenneth E. and Emily (Weir) Thorn. She attended Cooperstown Central School.

Judy was first employed at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital at the switchboard, then as a receptionist in the emergency room, and then in Central Registration when it first began. Later she went to work in Oneonta, where she helped Dr. Levenstein open Oneonta Healthcare. The majority of her working years were spent as an underwriting assistant in the insurance industry, and she was employed for 20 years with State Farm in Malta. In her leisure, Judy enjoyed going to garage sales, dining at The Blue Mingo Grill on Otsego Lake, visiting the

Carrot Barn at Schoharie Valley Farms and family get-togethers.

Judy is survived by her husband of 53 years, David M. Jackson, whom she married on May 27, 1972 in a ceremony at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church. She is further survived by her daughter, Katherine Strait Nichols and her husband, Brian Nichols of Oneonta; four grandchildren, Zachary and

Kolby Strait and Emily and Kevin Nichols; her sister, Janice Gage, and husband Jerry and her brother, John B. Thorn and wife Barbara, all of Hartwick; and several nieces and nephews.

Judy was predeceased by her father, Kenneth E. Thorn, who died February 17, 1971; her mother, Emily Thorn, who died December 20, 2017; her son, Kenneth “Ken” Lysle Strait, who died June 18, 2013; and the father of her children, Charles Strait, who died October 24, 1983.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Judy’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Milford United Methodist Church, 113

North Main Street, Milford, with John Bower Thorn Jr., Judy’s nephew and pastor of the Milford Center Community Bible Church, officiating. Immediately following the service all are welcome to a reception in Fellowship Hall. Judy will be privately laid to rest in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Judy may be directed to the Susquehanna SPCA, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

“Nothing can ever take away a love the heart holds dear.”

‘Proof:’ Mathematics, Mental Illness and the Changing Times

Proof,” written by David Auburn and directed by Nikoo Mamdoohi, comes to Hartwick College’s Lab Theatre this week. In 2001, this play won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, a rare and prestigious double win. With only four characters, the play moves back and forth in time in a nonlinear storytelling style, blending past and present.

The play revolves around a young woman, Catherine, whose father, Robert, a brilliant, famous mathematician, has died after descending into mental illness. Catherine struggles with the idea that she may have inherited not just her father’s genius, but his mental health issues. The other characters include Claire, Catherine’s older, practical sister who has become concerned about Catherine’s future with the passing of their father, and Hal, one of Robert’s proteges, who has found a groundbreaking mathematical proof among Robert’s notebooks. Hal (and Claire) assume the proof was Robert’s, while Catherine claims that it is her proof.

A standard part of the curriculum still, I learned about mathematical proofs 45 years ago in my high school geometry class. I don’t know about you, but I fell completely in love with mathematical proofs and their deductive reasoning process, a reasoning process that requires going from a general principle and proceeding one logical step at a time to a specific conclusion. It felt so powerful to move from step to step to get to a fact, a certainty, an answer that could not be debated. It is a high I’ve been chasing ever since, in debates that I have had with others, as well as arguments that I have in my own head as I try to figure out the right thing to do in any given situation. The vast majority of these debates and arguments, however, have proven far messier than the mathematical proofs were all those years ago. In “Proof,” this messiness becomes

a running theme as Catherine seeks to convince Hal and Claire the discovered mathematical proof is hers. In seeking to prove the proof Hal found is hers, Catherine also seeks proof of her own sanity, and she, Hal, and Claire struggle to work through emotional proofs of trust and love…a very messy business.

The Hartwick College production of “Proof” is being staged in the round (sort of), with audience on either side of a simple, narrow set. Two of the students I interviewed, Vaughn (stage manager) and Rheana (Catherine), are using this production as part of their senior thesis and so have been very engaged in multiple aspects of the show. For Vaughn, that has meant getting deeply into the technical aspects of the show, while Rheana has delved in the dramaturgy. Along with the other four students present, they talked about different aspects of the production and the director’s intentions.

“I wanted to point out one of the biggest parts of the show,” Vaughn began. “She’s (the director) making us act out more of the psychological aspect of the play rather than the physical aspect. And that’s why our set is pretty simplistic, to say the least, compared to when you look up other productions of ‘Proof.’ Ours is very openminded,” Vaughn began. Indicating the partially finished stage set we were sitting beside, Rheana continued, “What you see right now is not how it’ll look. This is all going to be painted white, and then that papier-mâché part is supposed to be crinkly notebook paper and stuff like that. And Nikoo’s (Mamdoohi, director) intention with it was for us to be looking at the inside of Catherine’s mind. And one of the things that she stressed over and over again in production meetings is how abstract everything is…she wants the audience to never fully think they know what’s going on, or if they do think they know what’s going on, we then immediately

do something that makes them question…wait, what? There’s this whole sense of who do I trust? We don’t get any of that clarity until the very end. We’ve been focusing on that a lot. Visually with the set, but also with how the lights are going to be, and with what sound cues we’re using, just a lot of confusion, but purposeful confusion, to really take them (the audience) on this back-and-forth journey as they’re watching the show.”

“I hope [the audience] notices about how they are on two different sides of the set, and the set is in the middle. It’s very unconventional, but I think it’s a really interesting idea,” Alison (Claire) shared. “And something that we’ve really had to work on is talking to both sides, but it’s been really fun to do that. How we’re doing this show, it’s a very abstract take on what is going on in every scene.”

The students shared other aspects of how the director’s intentions for this production of “Proof” impacted not just the sets, lights, and audio, but also the rehearsal process for this intimate and emotionally intense play.

“For the first few weeks of rehearsals, we didn’t really tackle the script much. Nikoo had us focus a lot on building up our relationship as an ensemble. We did a lot of exercises that made us aware of each other’s presence, and how to cover for each other on-stage and off-stage,” Hailey (Robert) told me. “We did one particular exercise where we went up on stage and interviewed each other and answered the questions in character. And it made us think a lot about what was going on before the script, in between the scenes, as the characters were growing up, and in the gap between the flashback scenes and the present scenes.”

So given all this thought and careful preparation being put into the production, I was curious what the students hoped the audience would take away from the play.

“I’m hoping the audi-

ence will walk away with a sense of understanding toward mental health and health issues leading into their future lives,” Vaughn stated, to strong agreement from the others there.

That led to a discussion about the growing acknowledgement of the importance of mental health in our society. Part of that discussion included how differently the older generation (me, in that room) has approached the topic (“keep a stiff upper lip”) from how the younger generation (them) interacts more openly with it, and how the play handles the topic.

“I can understand where that older mentality comes from, because there wasn’t necessarily a widespread understanding of mental health, nor the resources that we have today,” Echo (Hal) posited. “It’s talked about so much, you can look up so much just on your phone on a whim. And there’s a lot of counseling and resources and medications out there that can really help people regulate their emotions and live better lives. I feel like there’s a lot more support, and people can be a lot more open about it with friends and family members. I think that is a positive.”

“I feel the show, as described earlier, is a lot

about mental health and hopefully at the end of the show the audience will do some introspection,” Xander (assistant stage manager) said. He continued, saying he hoped audience members had a “wow!” moment and “…understand the meaning of self, their self-trust, and their connection with others better.”

As I listened to these young people share their perspectives on the play, it occurred to me how much different art forms, like plays, do give us a real chance to come together as a community and find new ways to think and communicate about vital issues, like mental health.

(Sometimes those exchanges can be a wee bit painful, of course. Like during this discussion when one of them commented that some of the language in the play is “dated” because it was written so long ago, and I realized that when it was written in 2000, none of the students I was interviewing were born yet. In 2000, I already had more than 15 years in the workplace and three kids.)

The times I connect with art—performance, visual, musical, or otherwise—it can be because it helps me to shake up my understanding of a topic, and look at it in a fresh way, or it allows

me to finally clarify some of my thoughts and I get that “wow!” moment.

I am looking forward to seeing Hartwick’s final production of “Proof.” I am interested in finding out during the full performance whether the play’s themes and characters bring me a little closer to answers to some of the proofs I have been working on for a lifetime in the areas of trust, my own sanity, and love. Unlike in my high school geometry class, I don’t expect to reach any final, solid answers, but I know regardless it will be an evening well spent enjoying more of the arts that our local community offers. You can watch “Proof,” written by David Auburn and directed by Nikoo Mamdoohi, at the Lab Theater in the Bresee Hall basement on the Hartwick College campus, April 15-17 at 8 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, call (607) 431-4227 or e-mail theatre@ hartwick.edu.

Next up: “A Day in Hollywood, A Night in Ukraine,” book and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh, music by Frank Lazarus, and directed by John McCaslin-Doyle, at SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theatre, April 29 through May 2.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Hemlock Hill Homestead LLC

filed 2/26/2026. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 706 County Highway 17, New Berlin, NY 13411. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

NAME:

853 HOOSE RD. LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on JANUARY 30, 2026.

Office location:

OTSEGO County SSNY has been designated as agent of 853 HOOSE RD. LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 853 HOOSE RD. LLC, 853 Hoose Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. For any lawful purpose.

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Pasquale Enterprises LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/25/26. 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: 568 Co. Hwy. 25 Richfield Springs, NY. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

Fonda Construction LLC

filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/6/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 20 Depot St., Unadilla, NY 13849. Purpose: any lawful act.

6LegalApr.30

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NOTICE OF ORgANIzATION OF

SunnySide 217 LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law.

1. The name of the limited liability company is SunnySide 217 LLC.

2. Articles of Organization of SunnySide 217 LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on March 13, 2026.

3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.

4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is: 217 County Highway 38A, Richmondville, NY 12149.

5. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: SunnySide 217 LLC, 217 County Highway 38A, Richmondville, NY 12149.

6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

SCE MANAGEMENT, LLC,

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/09/2026. Office loc: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 49 Main St., E. Worcester, NY 12064. Reg Agent: Stephen Attard, 716 Cape Horn Rd., Stamford, NY 12167. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. 6LegalApr.30

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NOTICE OF ORgANIzATION OF SHEREEN MORKEH LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the New York Secretary of State (SSNY) on February 23, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 10 Fernleigh Dr., Apt. A7, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: all lawful purposes. 6LegalApr.30

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF H&K 449 Main Street Properties LLC.

Filed 9/16/25. Cty: Otsego. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail POB 1238, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp: any lawful. 6LegalMay.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Elkan Family Farm, LLC

Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on: March 22, 2026. 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: 2224 County Route 26, Fly Creek, NY 13337. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMay.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF MARINO & SEGAR PROPERTIES LLC.

Filed with SSNY on 03/23/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 27 WEST END AVE., ONEONTA, NY 13820. Purpose: Any Lawful. 6LegalMay.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY:

The name of the limited liability company is: CALAMA Management, LLC (the “Company”). The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was March 19, 2026. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to CALAMA Management, LLC, 38 Nokomis Avenue, Oakland, NJ 07436. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Name:

EAST HILL 95 LLC

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 2 March 2026. 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 192 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINg, BUDgET VOTE AND ELECTION City School District City of Oneonta, New York

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a Public Hearing of the qualified voters of the Oneonta City School District, Otsego County, New York, will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Oneonta Senior High School cafeteria, 130 East St., Oneonta, NY 13820, pursuant to Section 2022 (41) of the Education Law of the State of New York, for the presentation of the budget document.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the Annual Meeting and a vote, by voting machine, will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at The Foothills atrium, 24 Market Street, Oneonta, at which time the polls will be open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., EST, for voting on the following items:

To adopt the annual budget of the Oneonta City School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable real property of the District,

To elect two (2) members of the Board of Education, each to serve three (3) year terms, commencing on July 1, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed Shawn Beckerink, and Margot Reynolds, whose terms expire on June 30, 2026.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.

Voting at said Annual Election will be by use of voting machines. ALL VOTINg WILL TAKE PLACE AT: THE FOOTHILLS 24 MARKET STREET, ONEONTA, NEW YORK

Petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education to fill two (2) expired terms of three (3) years shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at the District Office, no later than April 29, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Each petition must be directed to the Clerk of the District, must be signed by at least one hundred (100) qualified voters of the District and state the residence of each signer; the name and residence of the candidates.

NOTICE, is also given that any person, otherwise qualified to vote, who is currently registered for any general election, pursuant to Section 5-100 of the Election Law, shall be entitled to vote without further registration pursuant to Sections 2014 and 2606 of the Education Law.

NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN THAT military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the School District by requesting to be registered by the District Clerk at [607-433-8200 ext. 1300] or [rmcguinness@ oneontacsd.org].

Military voters who are registered and qualified voters of the School District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk at the phone number or email address listed above. For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid ballot application no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 4, 2026. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. The School District will transmit military ballots to military voters on May 5, 2026. Completed military ballots must be received by the School District by 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026, in order to be counted.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District has fixed May 5, 2026 as the date on which the Board of Registration of

said school district will meet at 31 Center Street, in Oneonta, New York, in said school district, for the purpose of preparing a register for each school election district for the Annual City School District Election to be held on May 19, 2026. Said Board of Registration will meet for said purposes on May 5, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

At such hours and place, any person who has not permanently registered by May 5, 2026 or who did not register for the general election held on November 4, 2025, or who is permanently registered, but at the time of such registration resided in a school election district other than the one in which he or she presently resides or has not voted in an intervening election, must in order to be entitled to vote at said election, present himself or herself personally for registration.

The register so prepared pursuant to Sections 2014 and 2606 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District at the Board of Education Offices at 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York 13820 and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the district beginning May 5, 2026, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays and each day, except Saturday or Sunday, prior to the day set for the election, May 19, 2026, and at the polling place on the day of the vote.

Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained by any resident of the Oneonta City School District each day of the week other than Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, during the period of seven days immediately preceding the date of the public hearing to be held on May 6, 2026.

Copies of the proposed budget will be available on said days at the Board of Education Office, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Copies of the proposed budget may be obtained by any resident of the Oneonta City School District at each schoolhouse in the district between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day of the week other than Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday during the period of fourteen days immediately preceding the date of the annual meeting

and election, and on the date of the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Oneonta City School District shall provide for early voting and absentee ballots for the election of Board of Education member, the school budget and any other referenda stated in this notice. Applications for early voting and absentee ballots for said annual election are available at the Board of Education Offices, 31 Center Street, Oneonta, New York. Completed applications are to be submitted to the Clerk of the Board of Education at said address no later than May 12, 2026 if mailed, and May 19, 2026 if personally delivered. Early voting and absentee ballots are to be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 the day of said election, to the address of the Clerk of the Board of Education.

A list of all persons to whom early voting and absentee ballots have been issued will be available in the office of the District Clerk from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Saturdays and Sundays, and on the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/ her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election on election day.

PROPOSITION 1 – PURCHASE OF SCHOOL BUSES

Shall the bond resolution adopted by the Board of Education on March 18, 2026, authorizing the purchase of school buses, including incidental expenses, at a maximum estimated cost of $715,000, and the issuance of $715,000 bonds of said School District to pay the cost thereof, to mature over a period not exceeding five years, providing that such bonds shall be payable from amounts to be levied in annual installments on taxable real property of said School District; pledging the District’s faith and credit for the payment of such bonds; delegating powers to the chief fiscal officer with respect to the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes and such bonds, containing an estoppel clause and providing for the publication of an estoppel notice, be approved?

Dated: April 3, 2026

Oneonta, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE ONEONTA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regina Ranieri

McGuinness

Regina Ranieri

McGuinness, District Clerk 4LegalApr.23

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

Triple M Hunt Farm LLC

Articles of organization filed with the SSNY on 3/23/26. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Attilio Somma, 40 Red Creek Road, Hampton Bays, NY 11946. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY:

The name of the limited liability company is: Boundless Courage, LLC (the “Company”). The date of filing of the Articles of Organization of the Company with the Secretary of State was April 2, 2026. The county in which the principal place of business of the Company shall be located is Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the Company upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Company to Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, Attn: Christina J. Graziadei, Binghamton, NY 13901. The purpose of the business of the Company is any lawful business purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

92 MAIN ST COOP LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the SSNY on 2/25/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to 92 Main St Coop LLC, 6098 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMay.14

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF NOM NOM ENTERPRISES LLC

Article of Organizations filed with the SSNY on 2/14/2026.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to Member, 6098 State Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF PIONEER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC

Article of Organization filed with the SSNY on 3/5/2026.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copies of process to The LLC, 29 Pioneer St., Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF KTR Construction LLC, filed with the Secretary of State on April 2, 2026. Office location is in Otsego County. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail process to 639 Green Road, Otego, New York 13825. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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NOTICE OF SELF STORAgE PUBLIC SALE

Public Notice is hereby given Under Section 182 New York State Lien Law, that property described as contents of storage unit stored at North Street Storage located at 14 North St., Oneonta, NY 13820, will be sold at public online auction via www.Bid13. com on April 27th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The sale of such property is to satisfy the lien of North Street Storage on property stored for the account of:

Unit #57

Stephanie Peters 2LegalApr.23

Science

Continued from page 4

cannot tell us.

Three of us, whose interests overlap, will carry the column forward. Tammy and I work primarily in the biological, neurological, and chemical sciences, where Trisha’s background is physics and astronomy. Together, we hope to explore how order and uncertainty coexist.

The microbiome seems a fitting place to begin.

The human microbiome helps us digest food, trains our immune system, produces essential vitamins and, in short, plays an important role in our health. We are not simply hosts to these microbes. We live in partnership with them, a relationship scientists call symbiosis.

Bacteria compete for nutrients. Some release chemicals that slow their neighbors’ growth, while others produce compounds that feed them. Some helpful microbes thrive when we eat foods rich in fiber, breaking down the plant material that our own enzymes cannot. Working together, they release molecules that nourish our gut lining while maintaining conditions that benefit the microbes themselves. (Keep eating those fruits and vegetables.)

No single organism controls the system. Instead, order emerges from millions of small interactions among microbes that compete and cooperate.

For much of modern medicine, microbes were viewed as enemies. That perspective was not entirely wrong. Some bacteria and viruses can cause serious disease. But the full story is more complicated. Not only do our bodies tolerate many microbes, but some are also essential to keeping us alive and healthy.

Researchers estimate that each of us is composed of more than 30 trillion human cells. And we have at least that many microbial cells living on our skin and in our guts. We are complex communities of more than 60 trillion cells, comprising as many microbial cells as human cells.

But like any ecosystem, the microbiome can be disturbed. Antibiotics can save lives when infection strikes, but they can’t discriminate between helpful microbes and harmful ones. Other things like diet, illness, stress and medications can change the balance. The system can typically rebuild itself if our diets and environment support microbial diversity.

Ecologists have a word for this: resilience. Resilient systems reorganize rather than collapse. The microbes in our bodies do this constantly. New research suggests the process is even more dynamic than scientists once believed. Studies examining thousands of microbiome samples

found some bacterial strains persist for years, some are shared within families and others are more common in certain geographic regions. Some microbes remain long-term residents, while others come and go as our diets and daily interactions change.

The microbes in our bodies do this quietly and efficiently every day. Our microbiome is both stable and dynamic.

This kind of system may appear chaotic, but as Jamie reminded us in her final column, chaotic systems follow rules even when they appear unpredictable. Tiny differences in starting conditions can produce surprisingly different outcomes.

Our microbiomes behave much the same way. Small choices such as what we eat, where we go and what medicines we take impact which microbes thrive.

A handful of dirt in the garden contains countless microbes that exchange and compete for nutrients, moisture and space. Together, their activity helps plants grow, recycle nutrients and sustain the garden.

The microbes living inside us are doing the same.

Roberta McLain is a science writer and educator specializing in neuroscience, evolution, and the life sciences.

deRosa

Continued from page 4 toward compromise. Only in the rarest of circumstances does majoritarian rule foster thoughtful deliberation. If you don’t have the numbers under our present system, you’re screwed. The recent vote on the war powers resolution is a perfect case in point. One side votes it down because it has a few more votes than the other side, which enables it to run roughshod over approximately the same number of people on the other side who see it as a good thing and consistent with constitutional norms. Sadly, the final vote in no way represents anything other than dominance by mere numbers.

One of these days perhaps we’ll get away from a system of governance rooted in numeric supremacy. I am not sure what form that will take. If it ever happens, it will not be in my lifetime. One can only hope.

Dick deRosa’s Hawthorn Hill essays have appeared in “The Freeman’s Journal” since 1998. A collection, “Hawthorn Hill Journal: Selected Essays,” was published in 2012. He is a retired English teacher.

Polar

Continued from page 1

Gail Murtha, who built a strong following by emphasizing the quality of their soft ice cream, which they promoted as superior to most commercially sold products.

That legacy continued decades later when Ross and her late husband, Michael Ross, rebuilt

Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream, a project that took about 36 months and culminated in reopening the stand in 2018 on the Ross family’s farm in south Oneonta. Since becoming the shop’s eight owner, Heather Ross has worked to preserve the Polar Bear’s history while carrying it into a new era.

“It’s just a beloved history of the place. We have the original recipe book, and we do traditional recipes from that book,” said Ross.

For many customers, Polar Bear’s ice cream and hot foods are more than a seasonal treat.

Jeff Barlow, a longtime patron, attended the pancake breakfast on March 29 with his family and reflected on how the business has grown over the years.

“Oh, God. When they first got here, it started out with a few people coming, and all of a sudden, it just started getting swamped,” Barlow said in reference to the location at 5212 State Route 28, which is about a 12-minute drive from Oneonta’s Main Street. “And it’s been like that every year.”

Laughter and conversation filled the room as families gathered at tables throughout the morning. Polar Bear is the type of place where customers become like family. Barlow’s easy rapport with Ross was evident, a familiarity shaped by years of shared experiences at the shop.

Barlow said one of the things he values most about Polar Bear is its people and atmosphere.

“I have been friends with them forever. And the service around here is awesome. When people come here, they’re happy,” Barlow explained.

Beyond ice cream, Polar Bear has built a reputation for giving back to the community. The business regularly hosts pancake breakfasts, school field trips, and charitable events, including poker runs that support individuals and local causes.

Unsure of what a “poker run” was, Barlow explained its purpose to this reporter.

“It’s a benefit run. People with motorcycles will all have a benefit. Either a certain child, or if something happened to somebody, like, a business. They raise money to help.”

Barlow continued: “They’ll have a set tour, like a route picked out,

and you stop at all these other places. And they have to pay a certain amount to get into it, like, 20 bucks.”

Ross said the sense of mutual support between the business and the community is something she values deeply.

“I feel really fortunate because of this place, the brand, the community. We’ve rallied around the community,” she explained. “And then when my husband was sick in the hospital, the community rallied around us. They showed support.”

As the 2026 season gets underway, staff at Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream & More said they view customers as extended family—a philosophy that has helped sustain the business in different iterations for more than seven decades. With its doors open once again, the shop looks forward to welcoming both familiar faces and new visitors in the months ahead.

This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community Media Lab, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institute for Local News.

Samye

Continued from page 1

astrology and geomancy, fine arts and craftsmanship,” according to a flyer. Depending on the program and whether a student lives on the campus, tuition ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars with limited scholarships available.

The final week will bring Phakchok Rinpoche as a seminar teacher, anticipated to draw the largest audience. A spiritual leader based in the Samye Monastery in Tibet, Woods said Phakchok Rinpoche “asked me to come to Cooperstown and to help take care of the center here” around three years ago.

Woods described the vision for Samye Hermitage’s 25-acre campus as a “living laboratory” for “your mind and your learning process.”

Daily program schedules will include personal and group meditations, lessons, service activities, and meals.

Woods, himself a longtime student of Tibetan Buddhism, sees Cooperstown as a perfect college town without a college. Founded in 2009 by the name of

“Rangjung Yeshe Gomde Cooperstown,” Woods said the center has “always offered classes to the community for free.” But when it came to thinking of the future of the center as he settled into the job, “the first thought that came to mind was education.”

Water

Continued from page 2

ments,” said spokesperson Marissa Crary. “The Department remains actively engaged with the Village of Milford and will continue to provide support and ensure compliance.”

CSO

Continued from page 5

But the heart of the evening lies in the unpredictable Guest Conductor Competition.

Past competitors have rapped, danced, performed ballet, delivered speeches and created moments of pure theatrical joy in their appeals to the audience. The competition is decided by votes—with each dollar equaling one vote—and the results are never certain until the final tally.

The event takes place on Saturday, May 9 at SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union Ballroom with a reception at 6 p.m. and concert at 7:30 p.m., featuring cabaret-style seating and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The entire

concert is underwritten by Tom Morgan in loving memory of his late wife, Erna Morgan McReynolds, who underwrote the annual Cabaret in memory of her sister and longtime CSO supporter Wendy Brown. As Erna always said, “symphonies are sacred.” Thanks to the Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program, college- and school-age students attend free, and accompanying parents, chaperones, and teachers (up to two) pay just $10.00.

The CSO, now in its 72nd season, embodies its mission to “Entertain, Educate, Inspire!” through events like this—providing barrierfree access to symphonic music while celebrating our region’s education leaders.

Tickets are limited. Tables for 10 are $800.00, individual tickets are $75.00 through Friday, May 8 (rising to $110.00 on May 9). The event is sponsored by The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley in Oneonta. Grab your tickets and cast your votes at https:// givebutter.com/catskillsymphony-orchestra. Will former students be cheering from the audience as their onetime superintendent takes the podium? There’s only one way to find out.

Ian Kenyon is the general director of the Catskill Symphony Orchestra.

and programs. For

a

is

for the mini grant program. Each successful grant applicant may be reimbursed for up to $1,000.

Applicants should submit a brief (no more than two pages) description of the project or program for which they are seeking support including project or program goals, a budget, an explanation of how the program or project will achieve the goals, and a description of measurable outcomes. Mini-grant awards will be paid out as reimbursements for budgeted items of projects or programs completed within 18 months of award, after submission of a close-out report, itemized invoices, and proofs of payment. Sales tax will not be reimbursed for any reason.

Applications are due no later than May 8, 2026 and award decisions will be announced at the May Board of Directors meeting.

►Fri., April 17

GAMES 11 a.m.

Beginner Mahjong. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

CAREER FAIR

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Networking opportunities and connections with top employers across industries. The Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown.

BLOOD DRIVE

12:30-5 p.m. Cherry Valley-Springfield High School, 597 County Highway 54, Cherry Valley. RedCrossBlood.org.

ART PROGRAM

3 p.m. “Teen & Adult Art: Cloth Trinket Bowls.” Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.

OPENING RECEP-

TION 5-7 p.m. “Dream Dance of Bees: The World We Live In.” A show about today’s world, from remarkable beauty to the nightmare of human behavior. On view through 5/2. Community Arts Network of Oneonta, Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. canoneonta.org

CONCERT 7 p.m.; doors at 6 p.m. “Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’—Performed Live In Its Entirety.” Tickets required. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

TRIVIA 7 p.m.

“Disney Trivia Night.” Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

PRESENTATION

7:30 p.m. “Protecting Birds Across Their Whole Migratory Paths—Good News for Linking Habitat Conservation Across the Americas.” Presented online via Zoom by the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. doas.us AUDITIONS

7:30 p.m. Try out for role in “Come Back To The 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” by Ed Graczyk. Presented by Bigger Dreams

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

Productions. Also held at 2 p.m. on 4/18. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. biggerdreams@ biggerdreamsproductions.

org.

THEATER 7:30 p.m.

“Welfarewell.” A comedy presented by the Catskill Community Players. Tickets required. Also showing at 7:30 p.m. on 4/18 and at 2 p.m. on 4/19. Worcester Wieting Theatre, 169 Main Street, Worcester. info@catskillplayers.org.

CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Hartwick’s High School Honors Jazz Concert. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.

►S At., April 18

SATURDAY HIKE All day. Scenic excursion with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and water. Dress appropriately and bring equipment for the weather/trail conditions. Pre-registration required. This week’s hike will be at the Catskill Scenic Trail, Roxbury to Stamford. (607) 431-8010.

EDUCATION 9 a.m.

“Book Study at The Gatehouse: Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?”

Hosted by the Catskill Regional Teacher Center. Area teachers discuss the impact of race in our schools and communities based on the book by Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD. All welcome. The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111.

GARDENING 9 a.m. to noon. “Seed Sharing Saturdays.” Bring seeds, take seeds, get gardening information at the table. Held each Saturday in April. Come!Unity Garden, Milford United Methodist Church, 113 North Main Street, Milford.

RECRUIT NY Open houses and other events to recruit new firefighters.

Time OuT OTsegO

Things To Do In and Around Otsego County

• 9 a.m. to noon. View new pieces of firefighting equipment, talk to firefighters, learn about smoke alarms, practice with fire extinguishers, enter the raffle and more. Milford Fire Department and Emergency Squad, 64 South Main Street, Milford. (607) 286-9492.

• 9 a.m. to noon. Tour the firehouse, see the trucks, hang out with the members. Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company, 811 County Road 26, Fly Creek. (607) 547-5469.

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open House for anyone looking to give back to the community they live in. Worcester Hose Company, 36 Church Street, Worcester. (607) 397-8032.

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tour the firehouse, see the trucks, hang out with the members. Mount Vision Fire Department, 179 County Highway 11B, Mount Vision. (607) 4330997.

• Noon to 7 p.m. Activities, raffle, and chicken and biscuit dinner starting at 4 p.m. Richfield Springs Fire Department, 34 East James Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 922-4881.

COOKING 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. “Afternoon Tea at Strawberry Hall: A Cooking Workshop.” Prepare a lavish spread of tea-time dainties from “The Nonpareil Cook Book” compiled by the Ladies of Worcester and Vicinity. Fees apply; registration required. Strawberry Hall, WorcesterSchenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.

SHOW & SALE

10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. “GOHS 19th Postcard, Book, and Ephemera Show and Sale.” Oneonta History Center, 183 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0960.

WORKSHOP 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Blacksmith Workshop: Forge Welding.” For beginners and intermediates. Tickets required. Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450.

GAME DAYS 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends, fun and laughter for the whole family. Free; registration required. Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131.

EXERCISE Noon. “Let’s Move: Come Play Capoeira.” Unique Brazilian practice that blends martial arts, dance, music and culture. All welcome. Held each Saturday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600.

BOOK TALK Noon. Discussion on “Raging Erie: Life and Labor Along the Erie Canal.” Presented by author Dr. Mark Ferrara, professor of English at SUNY. Free and open to the public. 3rd Floor Ballroom, Oneonta History Center, 183 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0960.

WORKSHOP 1-4 p.m. Make your own abstract painting. Fees apply; registration required. All supplies included. Main View Gallery and Studio, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1890.

FAMILY HIKE 1 p.m.

Join the Moms and Little Pathfinders hiking group on a relaxed and scenic walk. Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Roads, Laurens. (607) 437-5125.

POTTERY 1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters work on personal projects. No instruction provided. Fees apply. Held 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. on

Thursday. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

PRESENTATION

2 p.m. “Attic Patrol.” Led by experienced antiquer Brian McMurray. Free. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

AUDITIONS 2 p.m. Try out for role in “Come Back To The 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” by Ed Graczyk. Presented by Bigger Dreams Productions. Production Center, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. biggerdreams@biggerdreamsproductions.org.

FOR SPORTSMEN

5:30 p.m.; doors open at 4 p.m. “1st Annual Sportsmen’s Night Out.” Presented by Gobblers United Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Featuring dinner, silent auction, raffles and more. Quality Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 4352919.

PERFORMANCE

6:30 p.m. “The Story Tour: A Night of Hope and Healing for the Hurting and Struggling.” Tickets required. Bettiol Theater, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

PERFORMANCE

7-9 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m. “Write Out Loud 2026.” Featuring an eclectic variety of poetry, prose, short fiction and more by local and regional writers. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

CONCERT 7 p.m. Jazz Day Concert Featuring Godwin Louis. Anderson Theater, Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Drive, Oneonta.

►Sun., April 19

PANCAKE BREAFAST

8-11 a.m. Unatego Trap Team Pancake Breakfast. Tickets required. Unadilla Rod and Gun Club, 566 Butternut Road, Unadilla. (607) 316-5997.

RECRUIT NY 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open houses and other events to recruit new firefighters. Unadilla Fire Department, 77 Clifton Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-9150.

WORKSHOP 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn to make soft pretzels. Fees apply; registration required. All supplies included. Main View Gallery and Studio, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1890.

CHICKEN DINNER Noon until sold out. Hartwick Fire Department Chicken Barbeque Dinner. Fees apply. Hartwick Fire Department Co. #1, 3088 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2937741.

CONCERT 3 p.m.

“Invoke Multistring Ensemble: American Voices Program. “ Presented by The Friends of Music of Stamford. Suggested donation applies. Hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, 96 Main Street, Stamford. friendsmusic.org

►Mon., April 20

VETERANS Last day for veterans to register for Free Veteran Dinner to be held at 6 p.m. on 4/22. Oneonta Elks Lodge, 84-86 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1312.

EXERCISE CLASS 9 a.m. Free; all welcome. Held each Monday and Thursday. Strawberry Hall, Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 3977309.

TECH SUPPORT Noon to 12:45 p.m. Community Room with Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52,

Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com.

CHAIR YOGA 2 p.m.

Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.

WORKSHOP 5:30 p.m. “Canva Class Series: Intro to Canva.” Free; registration required. Bring your own laptop/tablet for handson learning. Continues 5/4 and 5/18. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Road 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6:30 p.m. “Medical Practices of the Civil War.” Presented by Mark Dye. Held by the Otego Historical Society at the Otego Town Hall, 3526 State Highway 7, Otego. (607) 287-4095.

►tueS., April 21

COMMUNITY HIKE 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at the Andes Rail Trail, Andes. (607) 431-8010.

PRESCHOOL TUESDAY 10 a.m. “Animals of North America.” Toddlers make a clay animal and habitat box. Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

STORYTIME 11 a.m. For kids ages 0-4. Harris Memorial Library, 334 Main Street, Otego. (607) 988-6661.

SENIOR MEALS

11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal Monday-Friday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of chicken Alfredo with broccoli, wax beans and pineapple tidbits. (607) 547-6454. • Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Each Tuesday and Thursday. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs.

VETERANS 1-2 p.m. “Military Spouse Survivor’s Group.” Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 2032228. BLOOD DRIVE 1-6 p.m. Quality Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta. RedCrossBlood. org ART PROGRAM

3 p.m. “Kids Art: Outdoor Hanging Planters.” Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.

SOUND BATH

6-7 p.m. Hosted by Sarah and Brandon of Sacred Ojas Wellness. Bring your own yoga mat/blanket. Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown.(607) 5478344.

PUBLIC HEARING 6:30 p.m. Hearing on Library Tax Levy Vote on the School Budget Ballot. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0230.

►Wed., April 22 eArtH dAY

GRIEF WORKSHOP

10:30 a.m. “Creative Expression for Grieving Hearts.” Free workshop with journaling, drawing, painting, etc. No experience needed. Snacks and beverages provided. Registration required. Presented by Helios Care. St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-5525.

►

Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar