State Farm on Pioneer Street in Cooperstown is having a “Good Neighbor 2022” food drive to benefit the Cooperstown Food Bank. Drop your non-perishable food items off until 5 pm today. Enjoy refreshments and giveaways while you are there!
JOB FAIR – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Workforce Development Board presents ‘A Pipeline To Apprenticeship’ virtual job fair, featuring a free chance for employers and job seekers to chat 1-on-1. Hosted by The Regional Apprenticeship And Readiness Grant. Call 315-207-6951 ext. 133 or visit working-solutions.org/news/free-virtual-job-fair
The City of Oneonta has announced that on Wednesday, September 28, the upper and lower levels of the Main Street Parking Garage will be closed to all traffic.
Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. a contractor will be working on installing structural repairs to some of the support members next to the upper level down ramp. Any cars remaining in this area of the middle level will be towed and cars on the upper and lower level will not be able to exit until after 3:30 p.m. Regular parking restrictions will not be enforced on the middle level for the duration of construction.
The closure is set to be in effect through 3:30 p.m. Thursday and tentatively on Friday.
Visit local.nixle.com/alert/9675726/?sub_id=0 to view the full announcement.
THEATER – 7:30 p.m. The SUNY Oneonta Theater department presents ‘Nord-Ost’ (North East) by Torsten Buchsteiner, with translation by David Tushingham. A play in 3 parts about the 57-hour hostage crisis in Moscow’s Dubrovka Theatre and it’s shocking conclusion as told by 3 women present for the action who find their lives and families forever altered. General admission, $5. Hamblin Arena, SUNY Oneonta. 607-436-4500 or visit https://suny.oneonta.edu/theatre-department/season-shows
COOPERSTOWN – John Poole Briggs, 85, died peacefully at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, on September 16, 2022, with his fiancé at his side.
He was born on August 9, 1937, to Harold John Poole and Edna Martha (Fredericks) Briggs of Northport. As a young boy, he spent summers on his father’s boat, the “Silver Fox,” where he developed a love for the ocean. A businessman at heart, John would sell batteries and T.V. tubes to fishermen and boaters on the dock in Northport. At 15, he opened his first T.V. repair shop behind the Midway, a newspaper & soda shop. He then proceeded to help his lifelong friend, Elsa Posey, who was also 15, open her school of dance.
In 1954, he drove his 1934 wood-side Ford across the country to Alaska. After his funds were exhausted, he returned home. The young businessman continued his T.V. repair business as he rented a shop on Main Street in Northport. One lesson he would reflect on often was when his father borrowed $1,000.00 from him and used it as a down payment to purchase a building for the business. His father’s opinion was, in business, if you have to make payments, “it is better to own than rent.”
READING SERIES – 730 p.m. The Red Dragon Reading Series returns with a presentation from author Tom Fate. Fate is a professor emeritus at DuPage Univeristy with 30 years of teaching creative writing. He is the author of several works of creative non-fiction including “The Long Way Home: Detours and Discoveries,” a travel memoir (2022), “Cabin Fever,” a nature memoir, and “Steady and Trembling,” a spiritual memoir. Presentation is free, open to the public. Craven Lounge, Morris Conference Center, SUNY Oneonta. Visit suny.oneonta.edu/english/red-dragon-reading-series
The Community Harvest Potluck Supper on Main Street in Cooperstown scheduled for this afternoon has been cancelled due to weather. There is no rain date but the committee is already planning for next year!
COMMUNITY SUPPER – 4 – 7 p.m. The Cooperstown Community is invited for family style potluck Harvest Supper. Bring a dish to share that highlights our local bounty and enjoy dinner with your neighbors. Will include live music by the Stoddard Hollow String Band. Tables will be set up on Main Street between Fair & River Street infront of the Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-6234 or visit facebook.com/GrowingCommunityCooperstown/
“The rumors are true — after a too-long hiatus due to Covid, we have decided to bring back our much beloved Community Harvest Supper on Main Street, next Sunday, September 25, from 4 to 7 p.m., in front of the Village Library,” Ellen Pope, member of Growing Community, said.
“We will have a few minor changes — tables will be spread out more to allow for more circulation, and we will have a separate table for potluck dishes to avoid folks reaching over,” Ms. Pope said.
FIBER ARTS WEEKEND – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit for demonstration and hands-on activities in everything from spinning to weaving to quilting with local groups on hand to discuss the art. Admission, $15/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1450 or visit farmersmuseum.org
FREE FISHING DAYS – All Day. Fish the freshwater of New York State. No license required. All the other freshwater fishing regulations apply. Visit otsegooutdoors.org/event/free-fishing-days/
Aimee Kelley, loving daughter, sister and aunt, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. She was 36 years old.
Aimee is survived by her mother, Kathleen Kelley, her brother Christopher and his fiancée Alanna Adams, and the light of Aimee’s life, her nephew Callum, who called her MeeMee.
Her extended family, too numerous to mention by name, includes a band of adopted brothers who always had her back, childhood and teenage friends with many stories to tell, and a supportive network of others who loved her dearly.
The 2022 exploration days at Hanford Mills are designed to give visitors a chance to explore the mill and experience a variety of engaging activities and programs.
“Our Exploration Day, Metal at the Mill, will focus on the sustainable use of metals and a variety of other materials,” Kajsa Harley, Executive Director said. “Thanks to a generous sponsorship by NCYM Insurance, admission to this Exploration Day will be free.”
SUNY Delhi’s Sustainability Program and Green Team will have representatives on site, displaying a solar-powered battery system and giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about SUNY Delhi’s bachelor of science sustainability program and why sustainability matters.
Oneonta’s Barbara Doyle is now a full-time writer. “As of January 1, I committed to writing full time,” she said. “It’s great; I can travel and write anywhere I want.”
Ms. Doyle has published 15 books under the name B. Celeste. “It feels great, this is the one thing since I was a kid that I said I wanted to do,” Ms. Doyle said. “I’ve always loved writing and reading. I’m not cut out to be a teacher or a nurse. I feel I am meant to do something more.”
Ms. Doyle’s style of writing is the romance genre. “I write contemporary romance in fiction. That’s my niche,” she said. “I’ve always gravitated toward that. But this is more real-life romance. I keep it real.”
ONEONTA – Leon K. Beach, 73 of Oneonta passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at the NYS Veterans Home, Oxford.
He was born December 8, 1948 in Oneonta, the son of Kenneth and Margaret Beach.
In the summer of 1962 he worked on his grandparents farm while his grandfather was sick with lung cancer.
Leon attended Milford and Otego schools and graduated from Unatego Central School in 1967. He was an accomplished runner on the track team and ran under a 5-minute mile.
Boy Scouts were a big part of his life and he was proud to have attended the National Jam-boree in Valley Forge, Pa., in 1964.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Karen Louise (Van Allen) Ingham, 65, of Okatie (Callawassie Island) S.C., passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5. Growing up in Richfield Springs, Karen enjoyed many long-time friendships in the area.
Karen received her undergraduate degrees from Bay Path University and American International College in Education. Karen continued her education by receiving her master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in Education, with a concentration in Reading. Karen’s love of teaching led her to give back to her community by teaching for 23 years in the Richfield Springs Central School District as a kindergarten teacher and then finishing up her career as the reading specialist for the district.