News Briefs: September 3, 2026

CFOC To Host Online Fundraising Day

SPRINGFIELD—Mohawk Valley Gives, an annual one-day online fundraiser, returns on Friday, September 18 from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Otsego County in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Mohawk Valley Gives provides more than 90 participating Otsego County nonprofits with the opportunity to raise funds and win prizes using a secure online platform. Early giving begins at 12 a.m. on Monday, September 14. Donors can visit www.givemv.org/info/otsego to view the listed nonprofits and give online to the organizations and causes that matter most to them.

‘Grand, Glorious’ Returns to Neahwa Park

ONEONTA—Neahwa Park will be the site again this year of the Catksill Choral Society’s Grand and Glorious Fall Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. The popular fall family celebration is free and open to the public and will feature vendors, live music, and children’s entertainment with seating provided, organizers said. New this year is a Golf Chipping Contest, a competitive event where players test their short-game precision by hitting chip shots toward a target hole. In a press release, organizers extended their thanks to Casella Waste Systems, Cooperstown All Star Village, Brian Fawcett, Lynn Bolstad, Reinhardt Home Heating and NBT Bank for their support. This marks the 56th year that Catskill Choral Society has been performing. This season their winter concert is scheduled for December 4 and 5. To learn more, visit www.catskillchoralsociety.org.

CAA To Host Outdoor Sale

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association will hold “Fine Arts on the Lawn,” an outdoor sale of artwork, on Saturday, September 5 and Sunday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, rain or shine. Artist-run tents on the lawn will be featured, as well as work by more than 20 members of the CAA on the front porch of the Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street.

This sale of original artwork includes oils, photography, printmaking, watercolors, pen and ink, drawings, pastels, and much more, officials said. Instructors from The Smithy Clay Studio will also demonstrate their craft on the front lawn, alongside a selection of their wares available for purchase. The event is free and open to the public.

Live music will be featured all weekend. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jim Kopp with play classic acoustic country rock, followed by “Bob’s Yer Uncle” (Ed Spencer, Brian Prescott and John Heney) from 2-4 p.m. Gus Leinhart and John Davey of “Duopoly” will play a blend of original and folk tunes on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mike Herman will perform acoustic finger-style blues from 2-4 p.m. that day. Rick’s Hot Dog Cart will be available both days, serving up hot dogs, drinks and chips.

Artists exhibiting on the porch include Margo Armstrong, Sarah Brander, Lilly Collignon, Anne DeSimone, Frank DeSimone, Christina Dischiavi, Cindy Draper, Rita Ferrugiari, Steven Flanagan, Abbey Kreh Gibson, Rhoda Harrow-Engel, Maureen Heroux, Kate Ives, Judith Snedeker Jaquith, May-Britt Joyce, Dianne Kull, Mary Nolan, Todd Pink, Esperanza Roncero, Tim Sheesley, Mevlida Sofic, Helen Truszkowski, Cheryl A. Wright and others.

New Trail Opening Slated

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway and the Oneonta Department of Public Works will celebrate the official opening of a new OSG trail in Oneonta at 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 3. The short 0.28 mile trail is now is open for walking, mountain biking and nature enjoyment off Roundhouse Road, west of the intersection with Fonda Avenue and across from Noah’s World. Those attending are asked to park along the road shoulder. For more information, call Donna Vogler at (607) 353-9286 or e-mail Oneonta.greenway@gmail.com.

BCAC To Hold ‘First Friday’

BINGHAMTON—Broome County Arts Council will host a First Friday Art Walk on September 4 from 6-9 p.m. Some locations having varying hours and most exhibitions are free and open to the public. According to a press release, patrons can now receive a special $5.00 event parking rate for six hours (4-10 p.m.) at the Water Street Parking Garage. For more information, visit https://broomearts.org/in-the-community/first-friday/.

WSC To Hold Public Meeting

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego Lake Watershed Supervisory Committee will host a second public meeting on the Otsego Lake Watershed Protection Plan on Tuesday, September 15 from 6-8 p.m. at Glimmerglass State Park, in the Lakeview Pavilion. Community members are invited to come learn about progress on the 9 Element Plan for Otsego Lake, the watershed planning process and how they can get involved. Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided. This event kicks off officially at 5:30 p.m. The WSC, a cooperative effort between the Village of Cooperstown and the Towns of Middlefield, Otsego, and Springfield, meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. For more information, visit https://cooperstownny.gov/the-otsego-watershed-supervisory-committee/.

Register Now for Farm Visit

PORT CRANE—The Southern Tier Chapter of the New York Forest Owners Association has arranged for a free, open-to-the-public woods walk at the Kutney Tree Farm on Saturday, October 10 at 10 a.m. This autumn woods walk will include lunch at noon, thanks to the efforts of Ken and Sharon Semanovich, as well as a discussion on the type of equipment used for timber stand improvement and invasive control; a viewing of this year’s cut stump invasive control activities that were performed using a brush saw and glyphosate applied with a one-quart sprayer; the use of tree tubes to prevent deer browsing; a comparison of a non-exclosure area next to a deer exclosure that was installed by Cornell University in an area that has had a TSI treatment 10 years ago; and the problems of growing an apple/chestnut orchard. The woods walk will be approximately one mile long on uneven, natural forest terrain. Hiking poles and waterproof footwear are recommended, as the trail could be wet after recent rains. Restrooms are available. The woods walk program will last two hours, depending on the number of questions. Reservations are required by calling Steve Kutney at (607) 902-4090.

Actors, Crew Members Sought

MARGARETVILLE—The Open Eye Theater has issued a call for actors to audition for director Michelle Macau’s play “Dog Mom.” They are also seeking a stage manager and a technical director. Roles include Liz, a female at least mid-30s plus; Dog, female at least mid-30s plus; Nell: female older than Liz; Ruben (dog), male close in age to Liz; and a male in his 40s-50s to play a number of ancillary roles. All positions are paid. Rehearsals will be held in September, with performances set for October 15-25. Those interested are invited to send a resume with photo (selfie is okay) and a short note of interest with the subject line “Dog Mom Casting” to michelle@theopeneyetheater.org. Auditions will be arranged with those interested. For more information, visit www.theopeneyetheater.org.

Artisan Fest Is This Weekend

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Cooperstown Artisan Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 5 and 6, on the Otsego County Campus at 193-197 Main Street, Cooperstown. Visitors can browse unique handcrafted goods from talented artisan vendors on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music, food trucks and kids’ activities will also be featured. Organizers invite folks to stop by the Cooperstown Chamber booth for the local business raffle, featuring goodies from businesses throughout the Cooperstown area. Learn more and check out participating vendors at https://www.cooperstownartisanfestival.info/.

Vaccination Event Scheduled

GILBERTSVILLE—The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Town of Butternuts will sponsor a free rabies vaccination event at Copes Corners Park, 620 State Route 51, Gilbertsville on Wednesday, September 9 from 1-3 p.m.in pavilion number two. Rabies has been detected in the Town of Butternuts and is a public safety issue. Organizers said this will be an amnesty day and no tickets will be issued for unlicensed or unvaccinated dogs, no questions asked. All dogs and cats that need a rabies vaccination are welcome to receive vaccinations at no cost. No preregistration is required, just come in with your pet. For those who do wish to license an unlicensed dog, the town clerk will be on hand to provide assistance. Any questions can be directed to Erica at the SQSPCA, (607) 547-8111.

Delhi Welcomes New Students

DELHI—SUNY Delhi is welcoming nearly 1,300 new students for the fall 2026 semester, marking the fourth-largest incoming class in the college’s history and continuing several years of enrollment growth. The college received a record number of more than 10,000 applications for fall 2026. The incoming class includes 866 first-year students, 354 transfer students and 51 new graduate students. New students represent 57 of New York State’s 62 counties and 24 states across the country, with approximately 94 percent coming from New York. Overall enrollment is up compared to last fall, with approximately 3,300 students currently enrolled. “We are excited to welcome another strong class to SUNY Delhi and to see our overall enrollment continue to grow,” said SUNY Delhi President Dr. Mary Bonderoff. “Students are choosing Delhi for programs that lead to meaningful careers and for the supportive, hands-on learning environment they find here. Whether they are coming directly from high school, transferring from another institution, or pursuing an advanced degree, our goal is to help every student find their place and succeed.” The fall 2026 semester began Monday, August 31.

OVOC Names Vet of the Month

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center has named Bernard Saberon its September “Veteran of the Month.” According to a press release, Saberon served our country in the United States Navy from January 1973 to December 1976. During his service, he worked as an electrical repairman aboard the USS Ponchatoula off the coast of Vietnam, earning the rank of EM3 (Pay Grade E4). For his service he was awarded the National Defense Medal. “Beyond his military service, Bernie is one of our organization’s biggest success stories and has turned his personal story into a mission of giving back, becoming an integral part of the Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center as one of our most active volunteers,” the press release reads. “He proudly shared his story in a TV news interview during our Stand Down event, as a testament to the life-changing services and connections provided at the Oneonta Veteran’s Outreach Center.” Saberon was honored on Tuesday, September 1 during the OVOC’s free monthly veteran luncheon. For more information about the OVOC, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

Smithy Announces Classes

COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio is offering several new eight-week pottery wheel, hand building and sculpture classes, plus two four-week beginner wheel classes and after-school classes for kids ages 6 to 14. Classes are available in the evening or daytime and suit a range of skill levels, officials said. Open Studio hours are offered five days a week for those who want to practice outside of class time or work on independent projects. The cost for the eight-week adult classes is $280.00 and $140.00 for the four-week adult classes, including clay, glaze, and firing. All classes for kids are by donation. Open Studio is $180.00 for eight weeks or 50 percent off when added to an eight-week class registration. Drop-in Open Studio is also available for $30.00 each time. Open studio includes glaze and firing, but participants must purchase clay separately from the Smithy Clay Studio. Outside clay is not allowed. Visit smithyarts.org for complete details.

Milford Focus of Walking Tour

MILFORD—Otsego 2000’s historic preservation walking tour series continues on Sunday, September 13 at 3 p.m. with “Milford Architectural Revivals.” The tour will be led by Dr. Cindy Falk, associate dean of graduate studies at SUNY Oneonta and professor of material culture at the university’s Cooperstown Graduate Program. “Have you ever had to reinvent yourself? Come learn how adaptive reuse has reinvigorated historic buildings in the Village of Milford,” said Dr. Falk. “A little creativity can help keep these buildings functioning, often in new ways. When historic buildings are lost in disastrous events like fire, the community is likewise forced to reimagine and move forward in ways that honor the past while focusing on the promise of the future.” The cost for the tour is $10.00 per person. Register in advance at otsego2000.org or by calling (607) 547-8881. The Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series will continue with a walking tour also led by Dr. Falk in Cooperstown on November 15, as part of Glimmerglass Film Days. In addition to organizing the historic preservation series, Otsego 2000 offers free technical assistance for homeowners who want to apply for the Historic Homeownership Rehabilitation Credit. New York State offers eligible owners of historic homes a 20 percent income tax credit for repairs and rehabilitations. Call (607) 547-8881 to set up an appointment.

Theater To Host Sound Baths

MARGARETVILLE—The Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street, will host a Sound Bath session on Saturday, September 19 at 3 p.m., led by renowned healer and professional percussionist Marcel Smith. The event offers a unique intersection of music and wellness, officials said, during which Smith leverages his percussive background to “translate the powerful, wide-ranging vibrations of gongs and singing bowls into a resonant experience curated to calm the nervous system, reduce modern stress, and rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.” Tickets are by donation, with a suggested price of $20.00. Visit theopeneyetheater.org or call (845) 586-1660.

Susan Lettis To Present

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Garden Club will meet on Monday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. Susan Lettis will present on “Creating a Deer-resistant Garden.” The gathering kicks off with a half-hour social time with refreshments. The presentation and meeting will begin at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Repair Café Set for Sept. 8

COOPERSTOWN—On Tuesday, September 8, the Cooperstown Repair Café will be held during the Summer Tuesday Cooperstown Farmers’ Market. Volunteer expert repair coaches will be on hand to evaluate and try to fix lamps, appliances, bicycles, wooden items, and items in need of mending. Advice on fixing things and upcycling clothes will be available, too. The Repair Café is not able to do alterations. The repairs will be done free of charge; materials needed to fix items may be available to purchase. The café will be held from 1-4 p.m. The farmers’ market is open from noon to 4 p.m. The next Repair Café will be held on Saturday, October 10 during the Saturday Cooperstown Farmers’ Market. Different items can be repaired at each Repair Café. For the listing of items you can bring to be repaired on a specific date, see //otsego2000.org/repaircafe. The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, located at 101 Main Street in Pioneer Alley in Cooperstown, is open on Tuesdays through September 29 as well as year-round on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on the Cooperstown Repair Café, or to volunteer to be a repair coach, call Peg Odell at Otsego 2000, (607) 547-8881.

Engine Jamboree Scheduled

EAST MEREDITH—Hanford Mills Museum will host the Dan Rion Memorial Antique Engine Jamboree on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring exhibitors of historic engines, doodlebugs, motors, and other machines. Museum staff and volunteers will also display and demonstrate some of the historic engines and machinery in the mill’s own collection.Visit hanfordmills.org or contact Justin Maroney at justin@hanfordmills.org to learn more.

Airport Hosts Fly-in Breakfast

COOPERSTOWN—The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department will host its next Fly-in Pancake Breakfast at the Cooperstown/Westville Airport, 866 State Route 166, on September 19 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. The price for all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, real maple syrup, sausage and beverages is $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under 12. The breakfast is made possible in part by an Otsego County Community Events Grant.