News Briefs: August 27, 2026

Local Authors To Be Featured

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Richfield Springs Public Library will host its 4th Annual Local Authors and Artists Festival on Saturday, August 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Located in Spring Park, this year’s event will feature several local authors in genres including horror, true crime, and local history, as well as artists and crafters. All vendors are welcome—authors, crafts, art, artisans, jewelry, food, etc. Confirmed food vendors are Brooklyn Mike’s Hotdogs, Papa Don’s Food Truck and a Stewart’s ice cream cart. There are no fees to participate, but donations to the library are greatly appreciated. To take part, go to https://forms.gle/9NvULmtjXkwUvVeSA or e-mail rs.mindy@4cls.org.

Blood Drives Set for Sept. 2

COOPERSTOWN—Bassett Healthcare Network’s FoxCare Center in Oneonta and Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown will both host blood drives with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, September 2. In Oneonta, the drive will take place from noon to 5 p.m. in Conference Room 1 at FoxCare Center, 1 FoxCare Drive. In Cooperstown, the drive runs from 12:30-5 p.m. in the Bassett Hall Auditorium at 31 Beaver Street, on the corner of Beaver and Pioneer streets. Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), visiting www.redcrossblood.org, or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App. Donors are reminded to eat well and hydrate the day of donation, and to bring their ID. Those who give blood from September 1 through September 20 will receive an exclusive Red Cross/Hello Kitty collectible item, while they last.

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.

‘Art in the Park’ Is Sept. 6th

WEST WINFIELD—The Upper Unadilla Valley Association will hold its annual “Art in the Park” event on Sunday, September 6 from 1-3 p.m. in the enclosed pavilion at the Town of Winfield Park in West Winfield. Entry and parking are free. According to organizers, Art in the Park is not a craft show but rather a means for artists from the region represented by the UUVA— West Winfield, Bridgewater, Unadilla Forks, Leonardsville, West Edmeston, and nearby communities—to showcase and sell one-of-a-kind, two-dimensional pieces of art ranging from drawings and paintings to collage, printmaking, photography, and notecards. Artists will be on hand to display and sell their work. The association does not charge artists a fee or commission to participate. For more information or to participate, contact association President Larraine McNulty at jlmcn@frontiernet.net or (315) 855-4368.

Lutheran Parish Events Slated

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Lutheran Parish will hold a gathering for its male parishioners at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 17 at Bella Michaels Restaurant, 57 River Street, Oneonta. Those planning to attend should contact the Rev. Paul R. Messner, pastor, at PrPaul_TheoInst@hotmail.com. The next women’s event has yet to be announced. OCLP Sunday School sessions will be starting up in September. Teachers are still needed, Messner said. Confirmands will begin classes on Sunday, September 27 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Laurens, with junior high-students meeting at 3:30 p.m. followed by high-school students at 4:30 p.m.

Simonson To Present Sunday

ONEONTA—Part of the Swart-Wilcox House Museum’s Summer Sunday Series, Mark Simonson will present on “Important Events over the Last 50 Years” on August 30 from 1-3 p.m. Milestone celebrations in the City of Oneonta, several sports championships and an awakening to the importance of historic preservation will be among the topics touched upon by Simonson. The event is free and open to the public. Programs are held on the museum’s front lawn on Wilcox Avenue and are handicapped accessible. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own folding lawn chair.

CCE Announces Workshops

COOPERSTOWN and COBLESKILL—Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties invites the public to four educational community workshops this September. Hosted at CCESO facilities in both Cooperstown and Cobleskill, these programs offer hands-on training for food preservation, agricultural research and seed saving. “Tomato-Palooza!” will take place on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the CCESO Grow Garden at 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown. Participants will taste a variety of tomatoes grown locally by Master Gardener Volunteers. This program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. In collaboration with the Schoharie County Home of Ongoing Learning, Master Food Preserver Theresa Kaya will lead “Safe Canning Methods Using Boiling Water Bath” on Wednesday, September 9 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the CCESO Extension Center at 173 South Grand Street, Cobleskill. This program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. Kaya leads a second program, “Making and Preserving Jam Workshop,” on Tuesday, September 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Cobleskill CCESO Extension Center. There is a $15.00 fee to cover supplies. Class size is limited and registration is required by Friday, September 11. “Seed Saving—the Art and Science,” will be held on Wednesday, September 16 from 5:30-7 p.m., also at 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown. Participants will have a hands-on experience in the CCESO Demonstration Garden on how to select seeds and get tips for saving them for years to come. This program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required but encouraged. To register for these events visit www.ccesschoharie-otsego.org or contact Marcie Foster, horticulture and natural resources educator, at mkf48@cornell.edu or (607) 547-2536, extension 235.

Music, Arts Fest Is Saturday

GILBERTSVILLE—The GEM Sculpture Park is adding live music to its 14 acres of large-scale outdoor art. On Saturday, August 29 from 3-8 p.m., the GEM Music and Arts Festival brings four live bands, a classic-car show, and food trucks to the Gilbertsville outdoor gallery in the heart of the Butternut Valley—with free admission and free live music for all ages. It marks a milestone for Gilbertsville Expressive Movement: 10 years since the park began, and the start of what officials call “a vibrant new chapter,” with the festival as its first major event.

Live music will be performed until sundown by the Jimi Hendrix Jazz Trio, Dani Delwyn and the Kelvin Crows, the trio of Chris Riffle, Khalil Jade, and Liam Herbert, and Half a Pow. A cruise-in classic-car show, artisan vendors with handmade goods and vintage finds, and food trucks serving barbecue, plant-based, ice cream, and fair favorites will also be featured. Families will find face painting and Mike the Juggler working the grounds, plus a free water station and on-site parking with overflow at nearby Centennial Park. A free community raffle — stocked by local makers and businesses, with prizes ranging from restaurant gift certificates to original art and bath-and-beauty goods—turns a fun afternoon into a give-back. Guests check in at the ticket booth for one free raffle ticket (must be present to win), and proceeds will go to American Legion Post 1339, in support of veterans, and the Butternut Valley Food Pantry. Admission is free. Reserving a free entry ticket in advance at gemmusicfest.org helps organizers plan for the day.

“Creativity is the one thing every person carries—and it only grows when it’s shared,” said Aidan Woishnis, executive director of GEM. “This festival opens our gates to all of it: art, music and a whole community together. It’s the start of a new chapter for GEM.”

Program Focus Is on Bulk Buy

LITTLE FALLS—The Mohawk Valley Economic Development District Inc. will host a “Buying in Bulk” Homesteading Workshop on at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 3 at the Little Falls Community Co-Op. The term “homesteading” is defined as a lifestyle of self-sufficiency, including subsistence agriculture, home preservation of food, and small craft-like trades such as textile working and making common household items within the home. The epitome of homesteading is sustainability and reducing waste as a way of life, organizers said. The Little Falls Community Co-Op is located at 589 Albany Street. Check www.mvedd.org for announcements and registration links regarding this event.

State Street North Closed

BINGHAMTON—The New York State Department of Transportation announced last week that a portion of State Street North in the City of Binghamton is closed as of Wednesday, August 19 as part of the first phase of the Binghamton 363 Gateway Project. The closure will extend from the northbound side of the State Street Bridge to Susquehanna Street and is expected to remain in place for approximately three months while crews remove an existing concrete median barrier, install underground drainage and utility crossings, and place new pavement at State Route 434/State Street. Route 434 eastbound traffic heading into Binghamton via the State Street Bridge will be reduced from three lanes to one, with motorists directed onto a signed detour beginning at the existing cloverleaf off-ramp. Southbound motorists leaving downtown Binghamton will continue to have access to the State Street Bridge; however, traffic will be reduced to one lane. Motorists should follow posted signs, allow for additional travel time and use caution while traveling through the work zone.

Dining Will Benefit Helios

ONEONTA—Bella Michaels Restaurant, 57 River Street Oneonta, will host a “Dine Out for a Cause” day on Thursday, August 27 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the hospice and palliative care patients of Helios Care. For more information on Helios Care services, visit helioscare.org.

Harvest Festival Returns

SHARON SPRINGS—The Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce will host the 16th annual Sharon Springs Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. More than 50 vendors—local farms, artisan makers, distilleries, vintage dealers, and community not-for-profits—will line Main Street and the lawns of the American Hotel and Sharon Springs. The weekend also features a beer and wine garden pouring from local breweries and wineries, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live music at Chalybeate Park. Special attractions this year include a performance by The Hilltown Hags on Sunday, Montgomery County’s Traveling Therapy Pigs, the New York Wildlife Rescue Center’s “Wildlife Alive!” educational program, and information on the Schoharie County Eagle Trail, a self-guided birding route running through the heart of the county. Live music will be performed on Saturday by Doc Benson, Burnt Hills Melody Makers, and Doubting Thomas, and on Sunday by Laura Gagnon, Becca Frame and The Tall Boys, and Jeff Grippin. Free parking will be available at the Sharon Springs Central School, with shuttle buses running regularly to Main Street. For more information, visit www.sharonspringschamber.org/harvest-festival.

RAG Releases Sept. Schedule

ROXBURY—The Roxbury Arts Group has released a calendar of upcoming performances, exhibits, workshops and events. On Friday, September 4, Les Greene and his band The Swayzees will take the RAG stage, followed by The Clements Brothers, George and Charles, on Friday, September 25. An opening reception for the exhibit “Everybody’s Art” will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, September 5 at Headwaters Arts Center. These works will remain on view through October 31. Workshops at the Headwaters Arts Center include “Family Collaborative Canvas” on Saturday, August 29 from 1-3 p.m., “Welcome Blanket Quilting with Megan Avery” on Wednesdays, September 2, 9, and 16, from 5-7 p.m., and “Spoon Carving with Michael McCarthy” on Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The “Over the Tabletops” benefit event set for Saturday, August 29 is sold out, but there is still time to sign up for the Roxbury Community Potluck on Sunday, September 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Kirkside Park. For ticket information and to learn more, visit roxburyartsgroup.org.

Anniversary Event Planned

SALT SPRINGVILLE—The Windfall Dutch Barn will celebrate 50 years of musical shows and other public events on Saturday, August 29 at 4 p.m. Trish Miller and John Kirk will perform following a 5 p.m. potluck supper. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share. Past board members are invited to attend, as a group photo will be taken. Donations toward the upkeep of the barn and its programs are appreciated. The barn is located at 2009-2019 County Highway 80. For more information, call (518) 774-0134, e-mail kmacgreg@roadrunner.com or visit www.windfalldutchbarn.com.

Scarecrow Deadline Extended

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Farm and Country Village has extended the deadline for its inaugural Scarecrow Village, which will be open to the public from Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, November 1. The 2026 theme is “Once Upon a Time” and will feature artistic scarecrows surrounding three categories: fairy tales and folklore; fantasy; and history. Artists, community groups, schools, businesses, and creative makers of all ages to submit proposals. All selected artists will receive a $200.00 stipend to help cover the cost of materials, and cash prizes will be awarded for each category and an overall winner. Fenimore Farm and Country Village is located at 5775 State Highway 80. To apply, visit https://www.fenimorefarm.org/scarecrow-village/.

Park To Feature Live Music

LAURENS—SaxWest will perform an “End of Summer Blues” concert from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 at Gilbert Lake State Park. Complimentary popcorn will be served and there will be kids’ crafts that morning from 10-11 a.m. The park is located at 18 CCC Road, Laurens.

Fenimore Farm Fall Events Set

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Farm and Country Village has a number of fall events and workshops planned. On Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, the annual Harvest Festival will feature two full days of vendors, crafts, food, live music, animals, games and more, including the 20th birthday celebration of the Empire State Carousel. Blacksmith Weekend returns on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27 for two days of demonstrations and activities for the whole family, as visiting smithies join Fenimore Farms’ blacksmiths. Other dates to remember: October 3, Blacksmithing Workshop for Beginners; October 4, Build-A-Scarecrow Day; October 17 Sourdough Starter Workshop; October 24, Baking for the Holidays. Fenimore Farm and Country Village is located at 5775 State Highway 80. For more information, visit fenimorefarm.org.

Motor Show Slated for Sept.

SALT SPRINGVILLE—The Windfall Dutch Barn’s Fifth Annual Gasoline Powered Motor Show will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the show is free, but there is a $5.00 entry fee for motors, including classic cars, trucks, rat rods, motor bikes, ATVs, and hit-and-miss engines. The event will also include vendors, a 50/50 raffle and refreshments. The barn is located at 2009-2019 County Highway 80. For more information, call (518) 774-0134, e-mail kmacgreg@roadrunner.com or visit www.windfalldutchbarn.com.

Quartet To Perform Gypsy Jazz

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Concerts will present an afternoon of live Gypsy jazz with Rhythm Future Quartet on Sunday, October 18 at 3 p.m. in the Louis C. Jones Center at Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Route 80, Cooperstown. Gypsy jazz—also known as Gypsy swing or hot club-style jazz—originated in Paris during the 1930s and remains the first major jazz genre born outside of the United States. Founded by violinist Jason Anick, Rhythm Future Quartet performs arrangements of both Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions, with Emmaline O’Rourke (guitar), Henry Acker (guitar) and Greg Loughman (bass) rounding out the quartet. This is a seated concert. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with the concert beginning at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online and may be available at the door. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit cooperstownconcerts.org.

Average NY Gas Price Up 4 Cents

UTICA—Northeast pump prices are climbing as tensions remain high between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to constrain global petroleum supplies, according to a press release from AAA Northeast. Oil prices have risen for two straight weeks as markets react to the lack of progress toward a peace deal that would end the six-month war and reopen the strait to oil tanker traffic. Along with higher oil prices, pump prices are under steady pressure from tighter-than-average domestic gasoline inventories—even as demand figures from the Energy Information Administration show signs of the summer driving season beginning to slow down. The average gas price in New York is up 4 cents from last week ($4.12), averaging $4.16 per gallon. The price as of Monday, August 24 is down 5 cents from a month ago ($4.21) and up $1.01 from this day last year ($3.15). New York’s average gas price is 5 cents higher than the national average. Today, Indiana and Texas have the lowest prices in the nation at $3.50 and $3.61, respectively. California and Hawaii hold the highest prices in the nation this week at $5.62 and $5.41, respectively. New York holds the 15th place on the list of highest gas prices in the nation. Visit https://gasprices.aaa.com/ for the full report.