HOLIDAY CELEBRATION—3:30 p.m. Bring the kids out for the “Christmas For The Children” open house by the Richfield Springs Garden Club at the library to explore, enjoy the decoration, cookies and punch. Richfield Springs Public Library, 102 Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 977-0090 or visit facebook.com/Richfield-Springs-Public-Library-1068210423236404/
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
ONEONTA—Following a two-year, pandemic-forced hiatus, the Fokine Ballet Company’s production of “The Nutcracker” is back on the stage at SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theatre this December 16 and 17.
The return of the Fokine Ballet Company’s Nutcracker also brings the return of Oneonta native, Kouadio Davis, who will be starring in the role of Cavalier. Growing up in Oneonta, Davis was a student of the Fokine Ballet Company and the Holbrook-Wade School of Dance. He is a graduate of Ellison Ballet and is in his third professional season with Dance Theatre of Harlem.
ONEONTA—The Oneonta Region Chapter of The Compassionate Friends will observe the 26th Annual Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 11. This year, due to lessened COVID-19 concerns, the ceremony will be held in person at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 12 Ford Avenue. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the church between 6:30-6:45 p.m., and to bring a small picture of their child, if possible. A Zoom option will be available. Call (607) 746-7396 for more information.
COOPERSTOWN—The Village of Cooperstown recently received a Tree City USA Grant from the New York State Urban Forestry Council. The money was used to plant three new trees on Susquehanna Avenue between Beaver Street and the Susquehanna River—a red oak, a single oak, and a katsura tree.
Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh was joined on November 14 by second-grade students from the Cooperstown Elementary School, members of the Village Board of Trustees and Tree Committee, and students from SUNY Oneonta’s Cooperstown Graduate Program, who led a program about trees for the second graders.
Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer and more connected communities. The village is pleased to be able to expand its street tree canopy through this generous award.
Originally published in October in “Water Front,” an online blog by Peter Mantius, this article is being reprinted with permission from Mantius because of its relevance to issues currently threatening water bodies statewide, including challenges to keeping our freshwater resources clean and climate-caused threats.
GENEVA, NY – A comprehensive plan to cut phosphorus pollution in the Seneca-Keuka Watershed won final state approval this week, providing a roadmap for protecting the two lakes from toxic algal blooms and flooding driven by climate change.
The 9E report recommends that mitigation efforts focus on Seneca-Keuka Watershed subbasins that produce the most phosphorus.
The Nine Element Plan, or 9E, was a “grass roots effort led by Finger Lakes watershed communities to actively restore these prized waters,” said Basil Seggos, commissioner of the State Department of Environmental Conservation. The DEC and the Department of State jointly approved the project.
Phosphorus is identified as a “primary driver” of outbreaks of cyanobacteria, or harmful algal blooms (HABs), that have plagued the lakes for at least the past seven years.
HOLIDAY PARADE —10 a.m. Come out for some holiday cheer and celebrate Santa’s arrival in the “Home for the Holidays” Parade. Followed by the Mice on Main Scavenger hunt. Main Street Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
GINGERBREAD JUBILEE—11 a.m. Community members, organizations, businesses and others create their most creative gingerbread houses on the theme of their favorite board game. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
FESTIVAL OF TREES—11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Decorate your own 6-ft. artificial Christmas tree (must include, but not limited to, a garland, lights, tree topper, skirt, and ornaments), sponsor a tree to be decorated on your behalf ($150), and enter to win your favorite tree in the raffle. Come see the holiday creativity on display. Held at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, Oneonta. (607) 376-7599 or visit destinationoneonta.com/holiday-fun
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
COOPERSTOWN—Local soccer fans gathered at Upstate Bar & Grill to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team’s long-awaited Group Stage showdown against England at the 2022 World Cup in Al Khor, Qatar on Friday, November 25.
Though the fixture proved scoreless in the end, watchers were treated to a fast-paced, physical match-up between one of the tournament favorites in England and a scrappy, youthful U.S. squad. With their 1-0 win against Iran on Tuesday, November 29, the U.S. team finished second in Group B, advancing to the Final 16 knockout round for the first time since 2014. They play next on Saturday, December 3 against the Netherlands.
ONEONTA – At the early age of 5, a young Arjun Verma embarked on the tutelage that would ultimately shape his life. Verma, son of world-renown sitarist Roop Verma, fondly recalled the initial experiences that impressed upon him not only a curiosity but an affection for the sitar—that quickly advanced him from young enthusiast to joining his father on stage before the Yoga Society of New York in 1992 at a mere 7 years old.
Arjun recalled. “The sitar has always been part of the fabric of my life and really took off when a student of my father’s had conveniently gifted a child-size sitar to him at just the opportune moment.”
The City of Oneonta has secured a $500,000.00 grant from New York State toward improvements to the historic Oneonta Theatre. The theatre’s pre-urban renewal marquee is pictured above. (Photo provided)
ONEONTA – The City of Oneonta has been awarded a $500,000.00 grant to assist in the stabilization of the historic Oneonta Theatre by Governor Kathy Hochul and the Housing Trust Fund Corporation.
The Oneonta Theatre opened in 1897 as a vaudeville house, and later as a cinema. Recently, the New York State Preservation League listed the Downtown Oneonta Historic District, including the Oneonta Theatre, on its 2022/23 list of “Seven to Save” historic resources.
ONEONTA – First Night Oneonta has announced a name change to Hill City Celebrations and a new collaboration with the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. This expansion and re-branding better reflects the year-round events and activities First Night organizes for the community.
The mission of First Night has always been to provide healthy, alcohol-free activities and events for families, the announcement reads. Community partners include LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Five Star Subaru and dozens of generous local foundations, individuals, and businesses. Hill City Celebrations also works closely with the City of Oneonta, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College and Bassett Healthcare Network to produce events such as the Oneonta Festival of Lights, First Night at the Foothills, and the Hometown 4th of July.
HOLIDAY WEEKEND—10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the shops of Cherry Valley throughout the day with a tree lighting from 5-8 attended by Santa, The Happy Haggs, a fire juggler, as well as live music and entertainment at various locations throughout the village. Cherry Valley. Visit cherryvalley.com/events/cherry-valley-holiday-weekend
HOLIDAY MARKET—5-8 p.m. The holiday season has arrived and the gallery at 25 Main is celebrating the opening of the Holiday Marketplace (open through 12/24). Open house includes refreshments, tree and business light-up, and a kick-off for the Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend. 25 Main Collective, 25 Main Street, Cherry Valley. (607) 264-5340 or visit facebook.com/25maincollective
HOLIDAY OPEN MIC—6 p.m. Stop in for the first Friday open mic featuring local artists sharing original poems, song, dance, short story and much more. Children present first, followed by adults. The theme this month “Family Traditions.” Admission is by donation. Enjoy this vibrant evening and stop at the other art, shops, and more this first Friday. The Telegraph School, 83 Alden Street, Cherry Valley. Visit thetelegraphschool.org
BLOOD DRIVE—1:30-6:30 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Unadilla Community, 77 Clifton Street, Unadilla. Register at redcrossblood.org
BE AN ANGEL – The community is invited to adopt a family and then find Christmas gifts for each of the children listed. Gifts are due unwrapped and without tags to either the office of The Freeman’s Journal at 21 Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Church at 25 River St. in Oneonta. Visit allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details
COOPERSTOWN – Thirty-one days. That’s how long the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SQSPCA) has to raise $100,000.00 in order to earn an additional $25,000.00.
“Promise for Parkie,” the SQSPCA’s special year-end annual fund campaign, kicked off on Giving Tuesday, November 29. Traditionally the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since its inception in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a national day of giving back to good causes.
Now through December 31, shelter supporters Beth and Gary Glynn will donate an additional $5,000.00 to the SQSPCA for every $20,000.00 raised, up to $100,000.00.
Otsego County Administrator Steve Wilson is embracing his new role. (Photo by Ted Mebust)
By TED MEBUST
COOPERSTOWN – Steve Wilson, having assumed the appointed role of county administrator in August of this year, has had a rather quiet transition into Otsego County government. Having previously done the same job in Schoharie County, he’s applied learned lessons to the situation here.
COOPERTOWN – As this election cycle ends, it has become clearer that the fight for the right to vote did not end with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Claims of fraud, polling place closures and gerrymandering are rampant. Access to voting continues to depend on who we are, how we look and where we live. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v Holder that it was no longer necessary for states and local governments with a history of voter suppression to submit changes in their election laws for review; other outstanding Supreme Court cases threaten to erode voting rights even further. While New York itself has recently passed laws to protect the right to vote, de facto barriers, growing political animosity, and a feeling that one’s vote will not count continue to threaten voting in the state, clearly evidenced by the drop in voter turnout in this recent election cycle.
COOPERSTOWN – At the November meeting of the Cooperstown Village Board of Trustees, a public hearing was held on a proposed policy for the installation and operation of cameras to monitor activity occurring in public places within the village. The policy was discussed at length and, following public comments, the board took a vote which failed to pass. A committee comprised of Trustees Cindy Falk, Richard Sternberg and Joe Membrino has been tasked to rework the policy, which will then be presented again at public hearing in two months, on January 23.
