News Briefs: May 3, 2023

New Dems Meet This Saturday

ONEONTA—The new Oneonta Democratic Club will hold a meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 at Get Fresh on the Main at 254 Main Street. Town Board Member Kim Fierke and Common Council Member Luke Murphy will speak on town and city affairs. Topics of discussion on the agenda include summer outreach plans and MacGuire Benton’s campaign for county clerk. New members are always welcome. The club can be reached via its Facebook page or by e-mailing garymaffei@gmail.com.

Band To Perform Afro-Cuban Funk

COOPERSTOWN—The final Cooperstown Concert Series event of the 2022-2023 season will be held at The Otesaga Resort Hotel at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19. Ola Fresca Latin Roots Dance band, a Brooklyn-based eight-piece Latin music group, will perform their renowned blend of Cuban son, cha-cha, mambo, salsa, timba and Afro-Cuban funk. Information and tickets are available at https://cooperstownconcertseries.org/.

College Hosting Plant Sale May 6

ONEONTA—The Fernery and Native Plant Propagation Initiative will hold a native plant sale in the Johnstone Science Center greenhouse at Hartwick College from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 6. The sale will feature a variety of native perennials.

Tech Support for Seniors Offered

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Otsego County Council of Senior Citizens and Otsego County Office for the Aging will present “Tech Support for Seniors” on Thursday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Richfield Springs Community Center. Senior citizens who have questions about their new device or want to learn more about the features on their smartphone or tablet are invited to attend. One-on-one tech support will be provided at no charge. The Richfield Springs Community Center is located at 6 Ann Street. For further information, call (607) 547-4232.

Phoenix Mills History Talk Set

HARTWICK—By the mid-19th century, Phoenix Mills had evolved into the largest mill town in Otsego County. In addition to a four-story knitting mill, there was also a saw mill, a grist mill, a cheese factory, and a train depot as well as three hotels. On Thursday, May 11, the Otsego County Historical Association will host a presentation by Jim Loudon titled, “Phoenix Mills: Up from the Ashes,” recounting what was once a true company town in which the mill company provided housing, stores and a tavern. Loudon’s talk will begin at 6 p.m. at the Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. The program is free and open to all.

County OES Schedules Blood Drive

COOPERSTOWN—In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services will hold a Blood Drive in the Training Room at 140 County Highway 33W on Thursday, June 8 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Donors are asked to eat well, hydrate and bring identification. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Those giving blood in June will receive a $10.00 gift card by e-mail for their choice of merchant.

CFD Elections Are Next Monday

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Fire Department will elect officers on Monday, May 8 between 6-8 p.m. Voting is only open to CFD members. The election will take place at the Fire Hall, 24 Chestnut Street in Cooperstown.
Nominees and positions to be filled are as follows: Chief, Mark Molloy; First Assistant Chief, Billy Smith; Second Assistant Chief, Chris Satriano; Captains, Jonathan Roach, Joel Bostwick, Matt Pernat, Kevin Preston; Fire Police Captain, Jim Leslie; Fire Police Lt., Jim Tallman; President, Glenn Falk; Vice President, Scott Monington; Treasurer, Frank King; Secretary, Thomas A. Redding.

Neahwa Park Picnic Planned

ONEONTA—A. T. Socio-Judicial Consulting will hold a community picnic at the Large Pavilion in Neahwa Park on Saturday, May 6 from 1-4 p.m. The theme is “We the People: My Role in My Community.” Speakers will educate children about good citizenship. There will be food, games and activities. Children who memorize the preamble to the U.S. Constitution can win a $100.00 gift card. To RSVP or discuss dietary needs, contact (518) 430-8411 or info@atsjconsulting.com.

Hitchcock Honored at History Day

ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta hosted the state-level National History Day competition on Monday, April 24. More than 350 middle- and high-school students from across the state attended. This is the first time Oneonta has hosted the event, which was coordinated and run by volunteers from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. This year’s contest theme, “Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas,” invited students to explore topics in the history of science, art, technology, medicine, religion, politics, social change and the military. Throughout the daylong event, students presented their research as documentaries, websites, papers, exhibits or performances. Although no Otsego County students were selected for the national finals, Cooperstown High School librarian and advisor Michelle Hitchcock was named Junior Division Teacher of the Year.

Sports Boosters To Host Carnival

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Sports Booster Club is holding its inaugural Spring Athletic Carnival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. The carnival will feature food from Tickled Pink BBQ, a bounce house, games and prizes. There will also be CCS home games and meets, including modified baseball and softball at 9 a.m., JV baseball and softball at 11 a.m., varsity tennis at 11 a.m., varsity baseball and softball at 2 p.m., and the Don Howard Invitational track meet starting at 1:30. A portion of all sales will be returned to the Booster Club. Admission in $15 and includes all games and bounce houses. Most carnival events will take place on Lambert Field at Cooperstown High School, 39 Linden Avenue.

Public Invited to Ice Cream Social

ONEONTA—Vêsucré, a women-led plant-based frozen dessert company, will open its flagship location in Oneonta with a ribbon-cutting and ice cream social at noon on May 5. Vêsucré (“veh-SOOH-cray”) prioritizes its positive social impact and works with ARC Otsego to provide work opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grand opening will be hosted by the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at Muller Plaza on Main Street. The rain location will be on the fifth floor of 189 Main Street.

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