THEATER—7:30 p.m. The Starstruck Players youth troop of the Orpheus Theatre presents “Into the Woods,” which brings together the classic fairytales from Rapunzel to Little Red Riding Hood for an adventure with a Big Bad Wolf, a princess festival, and a quest. Tickets, $15/adult. Held at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 432-1800 or visit facebook.com/OrpheusTheatre/
BLOOD DRIVE—1-6 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Otego Community, 5 River Street, Otego. Register at redcrossblood.org
Nate Johnson, Nate Tessitore and Dylan Babcock are among the subjects of Heminway’s WOFD photojournal. (Photo by August Heminway)
By TED MEBUST ONEONTA
August Heminway, a SUNY Oneonta senior currently pursuing a degree in political science and criminal justice, recently introduced an individual photojournalism project documenting the West Oneonta Fire Department. In addition to his extracurricular activities as president of the college’s Taekwondo Club, Heminway serves as president of the Photo Society. The scope of his project, Heminway noted, combined his academic and personal interests to display an aspect of local life he found to be underrepresented.
By TED MEBUST ONEONTA SUNY Oneonta political science major and Maryland, New York native Andrew Hamill announced his candidacy for Oneonta Common Council in December, running as a member of his own party, “Unity for Oneonta.” Hamill hopes to bring accountability and pragmatism to the council, vowing to lead with a spirit of compromise.
“We need Common Council members who are willing, and dedicated to reason and building a consensus with their constituents,” said Hamill. “As a candidate for the Council, I intend to work with my constituents by listening to their concerns about whatever they have to say and try to work on a consensus that can bring the people together.”
Hamill, who previously ran for town council in his hometown, detailed a vast array of issues on which he plans to campaign.
SENIOR TECH SUPPORT—1:30-2:30 p.m. Seniors are invited to bring their phone or tablet to learn to get connected, use common apps, and build confidence with devices with Heather Amendolare at the Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com
FORK SHOP—Frances H. Thayer passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101 Monday, January 23, 2023, at her home in Fork Shop.
She was born March 31, 1921 at the family home on Jones Road in Oaksville, the daughter of Christina Pushlar. In 1938, her mother married William A. Semrov, and he became her stepfather.
In her youth, Frances attended schools in Oaksville and Schuyler Lake. For many years she worked in the housekeeping department at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital.
FILM SOCIETY—7 p.m. The Cooperstown Film Society presents a showing of “Eight Men Out” (1988) featuring special guest Simeon Lipman, from Antiques Roadshow, who will discuss his work with the family of Shoeless Joe Jackson (one of the players involved in the famous scandal). Village Hall Ballroom, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/events/?ref=page_internal
SMALL ART—5-7 p.m. Teens and adults are invited for open painting with the opportunity to bring the finished product home, enter into an art show, or donate the finished work to be auction to benefit the library. Canvas & paint provided, free. Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
DRAGON DATES—5-6:30 p.m. Teens are invited to hop online for a virtual cook-a-long of the FRN Chili Bowl 2023. Presented by the Family Resource Network of Oneonta. (607) 432-0001 or visit facebook.com/FamilyRN/
SUNDAY SPEAKER—3 p.m. The Friends of the Village Library present “Community Voices: Our Immigrant Stories,” in which a panel of local and regional neighbors tell their recent and not-so-recent stories of immigration experiences. Upstairs Ballroom, Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
Josh Edmonds has decided where he will work to make a difference in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
“The built environment accounts for 40 percent of global emissions,” said Edmonds in a recent interview. “Furthermore, two thirds of existing buildings will still be in use in 2050.”
Thus, the mission of Edmonds and his company, Simple Integrity, is to turn standing buildings into high-performance structures and build new ones that are carbon-neutral. With 80 percent of their projects consisting of existing retrofits, it’s clear where the passion lies.
BURLINGTON FLATS—Janet B. Fikes, 86, of Burlington Flats, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2023 in Oneonta.
Janet was born on October 1, 1936 in Burlington Flats, New York. She was predeceased by the love of her life and husband of 67 years, Arleigh Fikes, and her parents, Ward and Wilma (Cole) Baulch.
She is survived by a daughter, Cindi Sue (Phil) Mancino of Rome; a son, Terry (Nanette) Fikes of Burlington Flats; grandchildren Steven (Dawn) Patafie, Kevin (Alicia Diamond) Patafie, Cassandra (Jared) Popiel, and Matthew (Ashley) Fikes; and great-grandchildren Peyton and Rocky Patafie, Cole and Jade Popiel, and Carter and Levi Malmquist (Fikes). She is also survived by nieces, nephews and close friends.
ZUMBA-A-THON—10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dress up as your favorite superhero and join the instructors for a fun Zumba session where all the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society to help stomp out cancer. Tickets, $10/person. Includes giveaways, fun and fitness. Laurens Central School, Multi-purpose Room, 55 Main Street, Laurens. Visit facebook.com/TheOtsegoCountyChamber/
Connie Elizabeth Gregory, 74, of Garrattsville, New York returned to the arms of our Holy Father on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at her home, after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Connie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Henry C. Gregory; sons Shad (Mary) and Seth (Kiley); sister Laurie (Lenny) Mellilo; many nieces and nephews who affectionately called her “Auntie Connie”; and her beloved dog, Lily. She was predeceased by her parents, Milton D. and Elizabeth Sterusky Ward; her brother, Brian M. Ward; and her dear cousin, William Grose.
Now in its 55th year, the Cooperstown Winter Carnival blows back into our community on the cold, wintery winds that February brings year in and year out. Luckily, the volunteer-based Winter Carnival Committee has plans to warm the spirits of carnival goers with both fresh and familiar offerings throughout the duration of this year’s event.
After what felt like an eternity, albeit just two years of dormancy, the Winter Carnival returns during the first week of February. Kicking off on Thursday evening, February 2 with hot chocolate-fueled fireworks over a lakeside viewing party at The Otesaga Resort Hotel—and continuing until Sunday, February 5 with “Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause”—there is plenty fun and enjoyment to be had by all who attend. The schedule includes such fan-favorites as “The Bob Smullens 5K/10K Race” and the “Lions Club Pancake Breakfast,” as well as first-time additions “Meet Your Local Heroes” and “Open Pickleball Play.”
COMEDY—7-10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy from the North Country Comedy Tour, featuring laughs, cocktails and a roaring good time. Tickets, $20/person. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. foothillspac.org
BLOOD DRIVE—Noon to 5 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. Springbrook, 103 County Highway 44, Oneonta. Register at redcrossblood.org
