News Briefs: August 20, 2026
Aerial Dance Scheduled
MOUNT VISION—The Visionary theater, 2381 State Route 205, will present choreographer Lisa Giobbi’s aerial dance performance “A Man Made a Chair” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 29. Combining aerial movement, dance, text, and music, the show examines the extraordinary history of an olive wood chair made by Giobbi’s great-grandfather and the archaeological find he discovered beneath the tree’s roots. For more information or tickets, visit thevisionaryny.com.
Contradance Set for Sept. 4
FLY CREEK—Otsego Dance Society will hold its next community contradance at Cornfield Hall, 655 County Road 26, from 7:30-10:30 p.m. on Friday, September 4. It will be called by Casey Mullaney and feature live music by the Catskill Gamblers. No partner or experience is necessary, and there is a suggested donation of $10.00 per adult. The dances will return to the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown for the first Fridays of October, November and December. For more information, call (607) 436-8585 or visit otsegodancesociety.weebly.com.
Pine Lake Concert is Thursday
ONEONTA—Hartwick College’s Pine Lake, 1894 Charlotte Creek Road, will host an open house with a concert by Nite Train and food trucks from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, August 20. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 for non-college visitors. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.
Harvest Festival Returns
SHARON SPRINGS—The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce will host its 16th annual Harvest Festival on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 20. It will feature more than 50 vendors, ranging from local farms and artists to antique dealers and community organizations, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, kids’ activities and live music. This year’s festival will highlight the animals and landscapes of Upstate New York. Admission is free. For more information, visit sharonspringschamber.org.
Village Verses Group To Meet
COOPERSTOWN—Village Verses, Cooperstown’s multi-generational gathering of poetry enthusiasts, will meet in the Cooperstown Elementary School library from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8. All are welcome to bring a poem to share or drop in to listen.
Pettibone To Give Paint Demo
COOPERSTOWN—The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, will host famed artist, illustrator and toy designer Nancy R. Pettibone for free demonstrations of her watercolor techniques from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 22. Pettibone’s work is featured in the Art Garage’s “Powering the Grid” exhibition, on display through September 12. The other two artists in the exhibit, Trevor Wilson and Ada Yonenaka, will offer an artists’ panel at the garage at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26. Reservations are recommended. Visit the @CooperstownArtGarage Facebook or Instagram page for updates.
Bovina Farm Day Coming Up
BOVINA CENTER—Bovina Farm Day will return to Webcrest Farm on Crescent Valley Road from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 6. There will be food and craft vendors, educational displays, family activities, and demonstrations by farmers and animals. Admission is $5.00 per person and free for children under 12.
Bassett Wins Bariatric Award
COOPERSTOWN—Bassett Medical Center earned Blue Distinction Center+ designation in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Centers for Bariatric Surgery program. BDC+ recognizes medical centers that have achieved consistent excellence and safety in common weight-loss surgical procedures. For more information, visit bcbs.com/about-us/programs-initiatives/blue-distinction-specialty-care.
CAA Awards Scholarships
COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association awarded its 2026 Arts Scholarships to Joslyn Sitts of Edmeston Central School and Trenton Guyer of Mount Markham Central School. Sitts will study digital media at Mohawk Valley Community College, with a plan to transfer to SUNY Oneonta after two years, while Guyer will study visual arts at SUNY New Paltz. The scholarship is offered annually to high-school seniors pursuing studies in art or art-adjacent fields.
Garden To Be Celebrated
RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Garden Club of Richfield Springs will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Bicentennial Herb Garden at the Richfield Springs Public Library at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25. Mary Sadlon, the remaining founding member of the herb garden, will be honored and two plaques will be installed. Light refreshments will be served.
Historical Society To Meet
SCHENEVUS—The Town of Maryland Historical Society will hold its annual meeting and ice cream social at Borst Field in Schenevus at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 30. In addition to the ice cream and free carousel rides, the meeting will include annual officer elections, an update on the 99 Main Street renovation project and a presentation on the Grablewyn building. All are welcome.
Art Submissions Due Saturday
HERKIMER—The Herkimer County Community College Alumni Art Exhibition will be on display in the college’s Cogar Gallery from August 28 to October 16. Alumni may submit up to two original pieces in traditional or contemporary media, with a size limit of six feet in any dimension. Submissions must be delivered from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Friday, August 21 or from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22. Works may be offered for sale during the show, with the gallery retaining a 20 percent commission.
Stamp Club Meeting Slated
ONEONTA—The Tri-County Stamp Club will meet at The Gathering Place, 5506 State Route 7, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 3. All are welcome.
GOHS To Tour Fairgrounds
ONEONTA—Greater Oneonta Historical Society Librarian Wayne Wright will lead a walking tour of the old Oneonta Fairgrounds, near Belmont Circle on Fair Street, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 22. The tour will immediately follow the unveiling of a New York State Historical Marker on the site. For more information, visit oneontahistory.org.
25 Main Announces Events
CHERRY VALLEY—25 Main Collective will host an artists’ talk for its “Fluid Lines” exhibition at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 23. Additionally, Cherry Valley’s Folk Fest for Food will return to the NBT parking lot at 6:30 p.m. on August 20 and 27. These concerts feature food trucks, 50/50 raffles, shirts and bake sales, with all proceeds supporting the Daily Bread Food Pantry.
‘Queer Joy’ Entries Sought
ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta issued an open call for artists and writers to participate in its upcoming “Queer Joy” exhibition, scheduled to open with an evening reception on Friday, November 13. Artists and writers are encouraged to explore what it means to find, create, share or sustain joy within queer communities through any medium or perspective. Entries must be submitted by Monday, October 5. For more information or complete submission guidelines, visit canoneonta.org.
Algae Blooms Cropping Up
COOPERSTOWN—The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station confirmed multiple harmful algae blooms on both shores of Otsego Lake between August 14 and 17. The bathing beach at Glimmerglass State Park remains closed. Lake users are urged to exercise caution, avoid discolored water and report suspicious conditions at dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quality/harmful-algal-blooms/notifications#Report/. An updated map of bloom reports in the area and across the state may be found at experience.arcgis.com/experience/e5dec19912454731a308bbb7af605fb3/.
Gas Price on Downward Trend
UTICA—New York State’s average price of gasoline fell four cents to $4.12 per gallon over the week ending Monday, August 17, AAA Northeast announced. The stalemate between the U.S. and Iran in the Persian Gulf is entering its sixth month, with negotiations at a standstill and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a trickle. Crude oil prices have climbed back into the $80.00 per barrel range and domestic gasoline stockpiles declined by a million barrels in a week, ending about six percent below their seasonal average. Demand declined slightly from earlier in the summer, but high net exports continue to drain American inventories. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.
