News Briefs: July 20, 2023

Horsford Named Director of Historic House Trust

NEW YORK CITY—Historic House Trust of New York City named Meredith Sorin Horsford (right) as executive director on February 13. She will hold dual roles as HHT executive director and director of historic houses at the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Horsford has spent her career stewarding New York historic house museums, including a previous tenure as deputy director of the HHT and as executive director of Gracie Mansion Conservancy. She most recently led the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum Alliance, where she significantly expanded community engagement, fundraising and interpretation. Horsford is the daughter of Cooperstown Graduate Program Director and Distinguished Professor Dr. Gretchen Sorin. (Photo provided).

American Legion To Host Feral Cat Fundraiser

ONEONTA—Oneonta American Legion Post 259 will host a craft beer tasting joint fundraiser with Friends of the Feral TNR-Otsego from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, August 5. American Legion Feral Feline Fest, held at 279 Chestnut Street in Oneonta, is sponsored by Oneonta Hops Brew Club. Admission is free, and the $20.00 tasting fee includes a commemorative glass. Food will be served by Dirty Dawgz Food Cart, and there will be raffles. According to a release, the Legion may book a live musical performance and hold a cornhole tournament. Friends of the Feral, founded in 2021 by Traci Dilello of Laurens and Gina Colone of Oneonta, is an organization of cat lovers dedicated to controlling feral cat proliferation in Otsego County while providing a healthier environment for the animals. It has grown to include more than 200 members. FOF volunteers work with veterinary professionals to trap, spay or neuter, vaccinate and release feral cats exactly where they were caught to avoid disrupting their colonies. FOF efforts provide a safer, healthier, and more pleasant environment for cats by controlling excess population, reducing injuries due to territorial fighting and preventing urine marking. Occasionally, feral kittens are given to cat owners in Massachusetts, which has stringent health requirements for pet owners. FOF is supported by annual festivities, public donations and sales of organization logo decals. It is in the process of attaining 501c3 non-profit status. For more information, visit their Facebook page or contact friendsoftheferal@gmail.com.

Mushroom Talk Set for Saturday

HARTWICK—Kinney Memorial Library will host a forum on mushroom foraging and growing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. Mushrooms can be grown at home or foraged safely in local forests. This program is for both experienced and novice growers and foragers. The library is located at 3140 County Route 11 in the hamlet of Hartwick.

Glimmerglass Festival Welcomes Utica Youth

SPRINGFIELD—The Glimmerglass Festival partnered with the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the Oneida County Youth Bureau to host a program for underserved students from Utica community centers on Monday, July 10. Seventy-five students attended a matinee performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide.” Before the performance, the students attended a workshop on the inner workings of opera with Teaching Artist Pamela Simonson on Saturday, July 8. They were encouraged to explore topics in music or production that interested them and created their own stories using costumes and props. Glimmerglass A/V Coordinator Joel Morain gave a tour of the Alice Busch Opera Theater when the students arrived on Monday morning. General Director Rob Ainsley and Music Director Joseph Colaneri also addressed the group. “The key with young people is exposure to any and all positive things until they find which one is their passion,” explained Jawwaad Rasheed, chair of the Community Foundation. Rasheed has spent years coordinating Glimmerglass visits and other educational workshops for underprivileged youth. “Utica has over 47 languages in their high schools and we have people from every walk of life in our program, and this is just great exposure for these kids,” he concluded.

CV-S Booster Club Announces Golf Fundraiser

CANAJOHARIE—The third annual Patriot Open will be held at the Canajoharie Golf and Country Club on Saturday, September 16. Sign-in begins at noon and the shotgun start is at 1:30 p.m. Participants are asked to register by Friday, September 1. Registration is $100.00 per person, discounted for country club members, and includes 18 holes, a cart, buffet dinner, and beverages. There will be longest-drive and closest-to-the-pin contests and gift bags, as well as a $25,000.00 prize for a hole in one. Proceeds benefit the Cherry Valley-Springfield Athletics Booster Club. The Booster Club is also accepting sponsorships from businesses. For more information, contact Duane Rockwell at (518) 848-0629.

Fire Department To Host Blood Drive Next Friday

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Fire Department will host a Red Cross blood drive at the fire station, 24 Chestnut Street, from 12:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 28. Call 1 (800) REDCROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

Foothills To Host Narcan Training, Resource Fair

ONEONTA—The Narcan Initiative Team will run a resource fair at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25. Narcan is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In its nasal spray form, it is available for free from many community organizations and pharmacies. As the U.S. continues to struggle with an opioid addiction epidemic, many health organizations strongly recommend that community members acquire and learn to administer Narcan. It is not a replacement for immediate medical attention; bystanders or loved ones witnessing a potential overdose should call 911 in addition to administering Narcan. In addition to Narcan training, the fair will feature food trucks, human services connections and raffles. For more information, contact mosenthina@otsegocounty.com.

Hyde Hall Will Host Evening of Wine, Cheese, Music

SPRINGFIELD—Hyde Hall will host an evening of period music, featuring wine and cheese, from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, July 28. “That Aged Well!” will explore the many ways music was brought into the home in the 19th century, including instruments, music boxes and early recordings. Tickets are available on Eventbrite or via the Hyde Hall website.

Splash and Sizzle Bash Is Planned

ONEONTA—After Balloon Fest was canceled due to pilot scheduling conflicts, Destination Oneonta has announced a replacement Splash and Sizzle Bash from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 26.
The full day of family fun, food and live entertainment will be held in Neahwa Park. It will feature bounce houses and water slides, water balloons and water guns, lawn games, local vendors, live music, face painting and more. There will also be an outdoor movie night on Friday, August 25. Destination Oneonta called for food vendors, craft and artisan vendors, local businesses, and nonprofits to sign up for table slots. For more information, visit the Destination Oneonta Facebook page or contact director@destinationoneonta.com. The organization is already planning the 2024 Balloon Fest.