News Briefs: August 21, 2025

Bloom Symptoms Reported

COOPERSTOWN—No harmful algae bloom conditions have been reported on Otsego Lake, although cyanobacteria abundance has increased and toxins have been detected at low but variable concentrations, SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station announced. Samples collected on Monday and Tuesday, August 4 and 5 had total microcystin concentrations of <0.3 to 4.7 parts per billion. HAB symptoms were reported in a person and pet on August 13 and 14, off Brookwood Point and near Lakeland Shores, respectively. Lake users are urged to exercise caution and avoid cloudy, discolored, green or foamy water. Exposure symptoms should be reported to odo@health.ny.gov. Weather conditions remain highly favorable to blooms. Surface waters treated with individual home systems should not be used during blooms. For more information, visit the NYS DEC Harmful Algal Bloom Reporting System website.

Watershed Meeting Announced

SPRINGFIELD—The first public meeting on the Otsego Lake Watershed Protection Plan will be held in the Lakeview Pavilion of Glimmerglass State Park from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27. Community members and stakeholders are urged to attend and learn how to get involved in the watershed protection process. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with light refreshments provided. Visit cooperstownny.org/the-otsego-watershed-supervisory-committee/ for more information.

Master Gardeners Train Vols

COOPERSTOWN—Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties will run a training program for new Master Gardener volunteers this fall, building a new class of community leaders in sustainable gardening practices, food security, and environmental stewardship. Participants will join a statewide network of dedicated volunteers and teachers. Training begins on Wednesday, October 1 and runs through March, with an extended break during the holiday season. It includes self-guided course work, live Zoom sessions from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays and up to six in-person classes or field trips. There is a fee of $250.00, payable upon acceptance. Applications may be found at cceschoharie-otsego.org and are due by Monday, September 15. There will be an information session on the program and application process at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3. Contact mkf48@cornell.edu to sign up for the Zoom webinar.

Faerie Fest Is This Saturday

ONEONTA—DOSHA and Community Arts Network of Oneonta will host their annual “A Midsummer Night’s Faerie Fest” at 11 Ford Avenue from 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. The festival is free and open to the public and will feature a wide variety of vendors, music, food, and art. An 18+ post-festival Faerie Fest Fantasy Ball will run from 8-10 p.m. with a suggested donation of $5.00. Family-friendly activities will include face painting, blacksmith demonstrations, snake charming, arts and crafts, and artisan vendors. DOSHA will award costume prizes throughout the evening. For more information, visit canoneonta.org or contact admin@canoneonta.org.

CAA Exhibits Open on Friday

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Art Association will kick off its two new exhibits with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 22. “Made in New York: The Art of Wood” is the 30th biennial Fine Craft Invitational show dedicated entirely to woodworking, while “Conserved on Canvas: Plein Air Paintings” collects paintings done at location at Hyde Hall during Otsego Land Trust’s annual plein air event. Both will be on display through Friday, September 26. Additionally, CAA’s annual Fine Arts on the Lawn show and sale will return to the Village Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31. It will be held rain or shine and feature live music, hot dogs and drinks, and craft demonstrations by artists from The Smithy Clay Studio.

Native Daughters To Meet

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Native Daughters will hold their annual meeting and luncheon at The Otesaga Resort Hotel from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. There is a fee of $45.00 and annual dues of $5.00. Seating begins at 11:30 a.m. To be eligible, women must have been born within a 10-mile radius of Cooperstown and be at least 50 years of age, or have lived within that radius for at least 50 years. Reservations will be accepted through September 10. Native Daughters meets once a year for the luncheon and regularly donates to the Cooperstown Food Bank and Cooperstown Alumni Scholarship. Contact (607) 547-8627 or (607) 547-9334 for more information on joining.

Gas Prices Tick Down

UTICA—Average New York State gas prices dropped two cents per gallon to $3.15 over the week ending Monday, August 18, AAA Northeast announced. Total domestic inventories remain high, although Northeast regional supply is considerably lower than last year. Demand remains high, but well within reach of domestic refinery capacity. Downward pressure on crude oil prices, largely due to new production expansion announcements from OPEC+, helped counteract strong demand. New York’s price is three cents lower than a month ago and 39 cents lower than this time last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.

County To Host Tai Chi Series

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Office for the Aging will offer five upcoming Tai Chi for Arthritis series. Each runs twice a week for eight weeks and is free for adults 60 and older. Donations are gratefully accepted. Upcoming series include: United Methodist Church, 113 North Main Street in Milford, 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Tuesday, September 16; The Gathering Place 50+ Community Center, 5506 State Route 7 in Oneonta, 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning Wednesday, September 17; and Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52 in Cooperstown, 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays beginning Monday, September 22. An advanced Tai Chi series will be held at the Meeting House at Pathfinder Village from 10:30-11:30 a.m. beginning on Wednesday, September 24. Participants must have completed the eight-week basic series. Another series will be planned in the Morris area based on demand. Contact the Office for the Aging to express interest. Pre-registration and a commitment to attend at least 11 of 16 sessions is required for all series. Contact (607) 547-4232 to reserve a space.

Last Call for Matsuo Award

ONEONTA—Helios Care seeks nominations for the third annual Dr. Yoshiro Matsuo Compassionate Care Award. The prestigious award honors one individual who lives or works in Otsego, Schoharie or Delaware counties and serves others in any capacity. They must exhibit Dr. Matsuo’s attributes of leadership, selfless service, benevolence and compassion. The award winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize, a commemorative award, and recognition at the Grand Oneonta Opry Country Music Fundraiser for Hospice at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Friday, October 10. Nominations must be submitted at http://helioscare.org/compassionate-care-award/ by Friday, August 22.

WAMC, CPR Hold Roundtable

ALBANY—WAMC Northeast Public Radio and North Country Public Radio announced a first-time collaboration for a live special event at Lake Placid’s High Peaks Resort on Monday, September 8. The partnership will discuss issues facing the Adirondack Park, from cross-border trade to declining population to housing and tourism issues. It is part of WAMC’s new “WAMC On the Road” initiative, which aims to share public radio experiences with communities throughout its broad listening area. The in-person event will run from 9 a.m. to noon, with the simulcast airing from 10 to noon. Tickets are available through WAMC.org.

Chamber Seeks Golf Sponsors

ONEONTA—The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host its 39th Annual Chamber Golf Outing at the Oneonta Country Club on Friday, September 5. Local businesses and organizations are sought for raffle basket donations and tee sign sponsorships. Inquiries may be sent to klaing@otsegocc.com. For more information on the event or to sign up as a participant, visit members.otsegocc.com/events/details/2025-annual-golf-outing-1130.

Historical Society Plans Tour

SCHENEVUS—The Town of Maryland Historical Society will conduct a Main Street walking tour of the old Schenevus business section at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 30. Town Historian Bob Parmerter will gather the group at the Methodist Church and wrap up at the corner of Prospect and Main streets. The rain date is the next day. For more information or to sign up, contact (607) 638-9343.

Energy, Wellness Expo Returns

HERKIMER—Cornell Cooperative Extension Smart Energy Choices—Mohawk Valley will hold a free Energy and Wellness Expo at the ARC Herkimer Business Park, 420 E. German Street in Herkimer, from 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26. Residents and businesses are invited to learn about informed energy decisions and available efficiency-boosting projects. Additionally, several community agencies will be on hand to provide information on the resources they offer, including ARC Herkimer, Connected Community Schools, Herkimer County Health Department, Herkimer Working Solutions, Resource Center for Independent Living, and RISE Recovery Community Outreach Center. Organizations wishing to table at the event should contact Josephine Roman at (315) 736-3394, extension 260, or jr2449@cornell.edu.

MVEDD Receives USDA Grant

MOHAWK—The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District Inc. announced that it has received a grant through the USDA Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, allowing it to expand its support for rural microenterprises. Upcoming MVEDD workshops include “Funding and Accessing Grants,” “Capital Stacking, Budgeting for Your Project,” “Proforma 101” and “Financial Documentation.” All are offered in a hybrid format and may be accessed at mvedd.org/usda-rmap.

September Hikes Scheduled

ONEONTA—The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club announced its hiking and meeting schedule for September. The first Tuesday hike, at Mount Utsayantha in Stamford, will be led by Laura Hurley, (607) 435-8107, on September 2. Barbara LaCorte, (805) 455-7168, will lead the next hike at Cooperstown’s Clark Tower on September 9. The September 16 hike will be in Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park and led by Linda Pearce, (607) 432-8969. Laurie Pike, (609) 713-9338, will lead a group at Gilbert Lake State Park on September 23. Tom Austin, (607) 435-8107, will lead a hike at Palmer Hill Trail in Andes on September 30. A rescheduled Saturday hike at Landis Arboretum in Esperance will take place on September 6, with registration required at susqadk.org/saturday-hikes/. The monthly meeting and potluck dinner, featuring a program by The Catskill Mountain Club, will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17. A hike at Kaaterskill Falls in Hunter on Saturday, September 20 will also require registration. For more information, visit susqadk.org.

Folk, Rock Stars Open Season

ONEONTA—Folk legends Kieran Kane and Rayna Gellert will open the Oneonta Concert Association’s 97th season at First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 6. Rock musician and classical pianist David Snyder will perform at the second concert at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $15.00 for students and free for children. Season passes for the five-concert season are available for $120.00. For more information or a full schedule of the 2025-26 season, visit oneontaconcertassociation.org.

Broadband Update Planned

OTSEGO COUNTY—Otsego County, MVEDD and the Vernonburg Group will host a public broadband community update on the Otsego County Broadband Project from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 28. It will be held at the Morris Fire Hall, 117 East Main Street, and livestreamed, with a recording made available online afterward. Topics of discussion will include results from the countywide broadband survey, updated maps highlighting service gaps and a preview of a potential new broadband infrastructure initiative. All members of the public are encouraged to attend and provide feedback. For more information, visit the project page at www.otsegocountyny.gov/broadband.php.

Pokorny: ‘Conserve Water’

MILFORD—Mayor Brian Pokorny announced on Thursday, August 14 that the Village of Milford has imposed a Mandatory Conserve Water Order until further notice. The decision comes as the result of a low water table due to the lack of rain. Village residents are being asked to conserve water, meaning to use the minimum rate necessary for drinking, cooking and bathing, Pokorny said in a press release. As of press time on Tuesday, August 19, the order was still in effect until further notice, according to officials.

Community Day, Sale Planned

FLY CREEK—The 25th Annual Fly Creek Community Day and Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, August 23. According to a press release, the Fly Creek Area Historical Society will have coffee and hold a bake sale at the old Grange on Cemetery Road beginning at 8 a.m., and Rick’s Hot Dog Cart will be on site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We are accepting donations of cookies and brownies for the terrific day of fun and bargains in our community,” organizers said. The deadline for the printing of the sale map was August 17. Those interested in learning if there is still time to participate by renting a 10’x10’ spot on the FCAHS grounds should call (607) 267-2232 or (607) 547-1275. Donations of food can be dropped off at the FCAHS on Friday, August 23 from 5-7 p.m., at which time those who signed up to hold their sale at home can also swing by to pick up sale signs and balloons.

Meetings Now On YouTube

OTSEGO COUNTY—Otsego County will now livestream its meetings on YouTube, county IT Director Brian Pokorny announced this week. Live and archived meetings are available on the channel at youtube.com/@OtsegoCountyNewYork.