News Briefs: July 9, 2026
Ecstatic Dance Set for July 18
ONEONTA—Ecstatic Dance Oneonta will return to the Unitarian Universalist Society, 12 Ford Avenue, from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Led by Isha Now, the welcoming movement experience is intended to foster self-expression, joy and community. Advance registration is recommended; visit givebutter.com/ecstatic-dance-oneonta-dance-into-new-beginnings-lyn3ko for more information.
Grant Competition Expands
ALBANY—SUNY Chancellor John B. King announced the expansion of the Building Bridges Student Grant Competition, a program that supports student groups that promote civic engagement and community connections on campus. Following high demand for the five $5,000.00 grants in the first round in January, 25 additional awards will be made. The next application cycle will be open from September 17 to November 6. Visit suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/7-26/7-6-26/building-bridges.html for more information.
Mine Kill Summerfest Returns
NORTH BLENHEIM—Mine Kill State Park will hold its annual Summerfest with special programming to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary on Saturday, July 18. The Mine Kill Swim Meet for athletes ages 6-18 will begin at 9 a.m., with registration opening at 8 a.m. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the pool complex will host a wide variety of craft activities, games, exhibitions and vendors. All activities are free and open to the public. For more information, visit the Mine Kill State Park Facebook page.
Concert Series Announced
RICHFIELD SPRINGS—Music at Meadow Links, the free, family-friendly weekly concert series at 502 County Highway 27, will return at 7 p.m. on Mondays through August 24. Featuring a wide range of musical genres, the concerts run rain or shine. This year’s offerings include Contrasonics on July 13, Storied Winds on July 20 and the Southern Tier Brass Quintet on July 27. To view a full schedule, visit concertedworks.org/jul-aug-music-at-meadow-links/.
Carnival of Sales Is Saturday
UNADILLA—The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce’s annual Carnival of Sales will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Main Street in Unadilla on Saturday, July 11. In addition to yard sales and a chicken dinner, there will be food and craft vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment, Visit GoUnadillaNY.wordpress.com for more information.
‘12 Angry Electrics’ Slated
MARGARETVILLE—The Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street in Margaretville, will present a one-night-only performance of seven-time Emmy-winning writer, director and actor William Electric Black’s “12 Angry Electrics” solo show at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 1. Inspired by the classic courtroom drama “12 Angry Men,” the intense, intimate show stars Black as all 12 jurors. There is a suggested donation of $20.00 per adult and $10.00 per student. Seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation, visit theopeneyetheater.org.
Genealogy Program Planned
SPRINGFIELD—Springfield Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a free presentation on genealogical research and Revolutionary War lineage at the Springfield Community Center from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Preregistration is required; contact Medic4114@gmail.com for more information.
CCESOC To Host July Events
OTSEGO COUNTY—Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties will host an Otsego County Fair Entry Workshop at the fairgrounds in Morris at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 11. Contact tla47@cornell.edu to sign up. The GROW Garden, 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown, will host a family gardening workshop from 4:30-6:30 on Wednesday, July 13 and an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. The Mohawk Valley Clean Energy Stakeholder Forum will be held at Herkimer College at 6 p.m. on the same day. To view a full schedule of events or to sign up, visit cceschoharie-otsego.org/events.
El Khat Performs, Leads Class
EAST MEREDITH—Internationally acclaimed Yemeni experimental band El Khat will perform a free community concert at the West Kortright Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 17. There will be a recycled materials instrument-making workshop at 5 p.m.; space is limited and registration is required at info@westkc.org. Dinner from Good Cheap Foods will be available for purchase starting at 6 p.m. For more information, visit westkc.org.
Grand, Glorious Spots Available
ONEONTA—Catskill Choral Society’s annual Grand and Glorious Fall Fair will return to Neahwa Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. Food, craft, activity, entertainment and exhibition vendors are still needed. To reserve a vendor space, visit catskillchoralsociety.org.
Gas Prices Continue To Slide
UTICA—The average price of gasoline in New York State fell six cents to $4.05 per gallon over the week ending Monday, July 6, AAA Northeast announced. Crude oil prices dipped to the $70-dollar range by the end of the holiday-shortened trading week on increased optimism of a lasting peace deal between the U.S. and Iran. Gasoline demand and domestic production were high due to the holiday weekend and summer traveling. Stockpiles of gas and oil remain near record lows as the U.S. exports more to parts of the world more directly impacted by the conflict; gasoline inventories are seven percent below the seasonal average and crude inventories fell by 9.3 million barrels over the week to their lowest level since May 1984. New York’s current price is 42 cents lower than a month ago and 86 cents higher than this week last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.
Register Now for Kids’ Classes
COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio will host four classes for children ages 6-17 with pay-what-you-will pricing this summer. Two sessions of the ages 6-14 Clay for Kids class will run from 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays, from July 16 to August 6 and from August 13 to September 3, respectively. There will be a pottery wheel camp for ages 7-11 from 10 a.m. to noon, July 20-23, and another for ages 12-17 from 9 a.m. to noon, July 28-30. The Smithy also offers a wide range of adult classes and open studio sessions. For more information or to register, visit smithy-clay-studio.jumbula.com/.
Summer Music Fest Continues
COOPERSTOWN—Saxophonist Eddie Barbash and the Caroga Arts Ensemble’s KASA Quartet will perform the next Cooperstown Summer Music Festival concert at Fenimore Farm and Country Village at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21. The Sebastians will perform “Over the Alps,” a concert that traces the spread of Italian music styles throughout Europe in the 17th century, at Christ Episcopal Church, 46 River Street, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit cooperstownmusicfest.org/new-events for a full schedule or to reserve seats.
Fly-In Breakfast Is July 18th
MIDDLEFIELD—The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department’s Fly-In Pancake Breakfast will return on Saturday, July 18 from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Held at the Cooperstown/Westville Airport on State Route 166, it offers all-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, beverages and real maple syrup. Admission is $12.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under 12.
Tuesday Markets Now Open
COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Farmers’ Market will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays through the end of September. Tuesday markets feature a different mix of vendors from the usual Saturday set, including a larger selection of lunch, snack and dessert options. For more information, visit cooperstownfarmersmarket.org.
LWVCA Plans Orientation
COOPERSTOWN—League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will host an orientation for new and prospective members from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21. It will be held at the Old Methodist Church, 3080 County Highway 11 in Hartwick. For more information, contact hudi.podolsky@gmail.com.
Auditions Are This Weekend
MARGARETVILLE—The Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street in Margaretville, will host in-person auditions for Summer Shortcuts XVI, six original 10-minute plays, from 2-5 p.m. on Thursday, July 9 and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. Two teen roles and a number of positions for any age and gender are open, as are director, stage manager and production assistant roles. For more information, visit theopeneyetheater.org.
