News Briefs: February 26, 2026

Chili Bowl Returns Saturday

ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta’s 21st Annual Chili Bowl Cook-off and Fundraiser will return to the Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 28. CANO members may arrive at noon for first picks of chili and homemade bowls. New and returning restaurants and chefs will provide a wide variety of chili recipes as they compete for the People’s Choice and Judges’ Choice awards. There will also be a cornbread contest, music, craft beer, and hand-painted bowls and other artworks for sale. All proceeds support CANO’s work to promote regional arts and culture, especially by providing scholarships for its youth Summer Arts Program. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact admin@canoneonta.org.

Donations Sought for Cat Care

COOPERSTOWN—Susquehanna SPCA issued a call for public donations to assist with their impending intake of nearly 40 cats in need of care. Dry cat and kitten food, canned cat and kitten food, bath towels, and paper towels are in especially short supply. Their online wish list of donation items may be found at chewy.com/g/susquehanna-spca_b82583932#wish-list&wishlistsortby=DEFAULT. Monetary donations to support medical care are also appreciated.

Molinaro To Run for Assembly

CATSKILL—Former Congressman and Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration Marc Molinaro announced that he will return to New York State to run for the 102nd Assembly District being vacated by Chris Tague. Molinaro was elected mayor of Tivoli at age 19, becoming the youngest mayor in the country. Before Congress, he served as an assemblymember and as Dutchess County executive.

“While I was working to move America forward, I was watching what was happening in New York,” Molinaro said in a statement. “Progressive special interests and incompetent far-left politicians like Kathy Hochul and Zohran Mamdani now have a stranglehold on our state—making it more expensive and less safe. That’s why I’m getting back in the fight—to fill the void of sensible leadership, help like-minded Republicans win, and give ordinary New Yorkers a voice in Albany on day one.”

Smithy Classes Announced

COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio will run another eight-week session of classes for children and adults from March 9 to May 2. All eight-week adult classes are $280.00, the Kid’s Clay class is $250.00 and the four-week beginner course is $140.00. There will be open studio hours from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Mairi Meehan will lead the “Exploring the Potter’s Wheel” class from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Kid’s Clay runs from 3:15-5:15 p.m. on Tuesdays. Karla Andela teaches “Centering the Potter and Clay” from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays. The intermediate class “Throwing with More Clay” with Ursula Hudak runs from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays. Thursday classes are “Hand Building” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and “Hand Building Planters” from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Laura Parker leads a hand building and sculpture class from 6-9 p.m. on Fridays. The four-week beginner clay class will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays in April, and Toni Harnett will lead a one-day scented candle workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. For more information or to register, visit smithyarts.org.

ADK Releases March Calendar

ONEONTA—The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club released its schedule of events for March. Tuesday hikes will be held at Clark Tower in Cooperstown on March 3, Pine Lake in Oneonta on March 10, the Catskill Scenic Rail Trail in Stamford on March 17, Gilbert Lake State Park in Laurens on March 24 and Whaupaunaucau State Forest in Norwich on March 31. For meeting times and places, call or text the Hike Line at (607) 431-8010. The monthly potluck dinner at Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta, will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Jim Mills will give a presentation on a new walking pilgrimage pathway in Oneonta starting at 7 p.m. For more information, visit susqadk.org.