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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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annual eARTH FESTIVAL CHANGES LOCATION, page 3 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 218, No. 16
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, April 16, 2026
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Hermitage To Host Summer Programming
BACK TSO! BASIC
By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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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
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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
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MORRIS he 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.” Photo by Reilly Rich “I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the A large delegation from the Butternut Valley area and Otsego County traveled to Rome’s Capitol Theatre to accept a $4.5 State of New York for seeing the potential and its million NY Forward grant for the Village of Morris. willingness to invest in our community,” Village of Morris Mayor Michael Newell said in a statement. for the village of just over 600 people and the region. The nonprofit Butternut Valley Alliance played a “This investment will help us revitalize our down- The NY Forward state grant program is designed “to key role in organizing the application, facilitating town, elevate the visitor experience and grow tourism invigorate and enliven downtowns in New York’s idea generation and engaging stakeholders since in a way that highlights all that Morris has to offer.” smaller and rural communities,” according to its 2024, with earlier efforts to bring banking services Continued on page 8 The $4.5 million offers substantial opportunities website. INSIDE
► Volleyball camp planned, page 2 ► Milford works on water, page 2 ► citizen cursive, page 4 ► what’s up, new docs? page 4 ► ‘sUPER’ STARS TO COMPETE, page 5 ► AREA NEWS IN BRIEF, page 6 ► to bee or not to bee? page 7 Follow Breaking News On
Polar Bear: A Sweet Tradition Returns for the Season By ESTEPHANIE GOMEZ SUNY Institute for Local News ONEONTA ith 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 Photo by Estephanie Gomez Sunday, March 29, an all-you-can- Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream & More owner Heather Ross and friend eat breakfast buffet that brought are once again serving up sweet treats at 5212 State Route 28.
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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 Continued on page 11
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
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