News Briefs: May 14, 2026

Potsdam Recognizes Grads

POTSDAM—SUNY Potsdam will recognize the Class of 2026 in its 206th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16. Local degree candidates include Nicholas Chase of Schenevus, graduating with distinction with a master’s degree in childhood education, Jo Hanna Lindeyer of West Oneonta, graduating with distinction with a certificate of advanced study in inclusive and special education, and Chloe Munro of Milford, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English. For more information, visit potsdam.edu/commencement.

CCE Auction, Plant Sale Open

OTSEGO COUNTY—The “Spring into Giving” online benefit auction for Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties is open for bidding through 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Visit cceschoharieotsegocounties.betterworld.org/auctions/cce-auction to learn more. The CCE Master Gardener Plant Sale will be held in the Fenimore Farm’s Louis C. Jones Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. More information is available at cceschoharie-otsego.org.

Rain Garden Cleanup Slated

COOPERSTOWN—The Village of Cooperstown seeks volunteers for a Main Street rain garden cleanup starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. Volunteers should meet at the Doubleday Field Main Street entrance and are encouraged to bring gloves, trash bags, and tools if possible. For more information, contact cfalk@cooperstownny.gov.

A.O. Fox To Test Water Flow

ONEONTA—A.O. Fox Hospital will conduct a water flow test of its sprinkler system at about 5 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. The test will last one to two hours. Nearby residents may notice a drop in water pressure or discoloration during and after the test period, although water safety will not be compromised. Direct any questions to Fox Facilities Manager Amanda Schubert at (607) 431-5405.

‘Mariposa/Butterfly’ Staged

MARGARETVILLE—The Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street in Margaretville, will present the play “Mariposa/Butterfly” by José Casas and Sandra Fenichel Asher at 2 p.m. on May 23 and July 18, 19, 25, and 26. Intended for children ages 4 and up, the bilingual play follows a pair of neighbors in Texas. Each performance begins with a butterfly puppet-making workshop, immediately followed by the 30-minute production. For more information, visit theopeneyetheater.org.

Popular Tag Sale Returns

COOPERSTOWN—Rotary Club of Coopers-town will hold its annual Vintage Tag Sale at Christ Church Parish Hall, 69 Fair Street, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. There will be a wide selection of donated vintage items, including jewelry and original work by local artists. All proceeds support Rotary’s charitable work around the community.

Cherry Valley Plans Sale Days

CHERRY VALLEY—Cherry Valley’s Memorial Day community yard sales will once again run throughout the “Spring into Summer” Festival, May 23-25. Sale maps will be available at village businesses and online at cherryvalley.com. To add a sale to the map, send details and a suggested $5.00 American Legion donation to (607) 264-3129. The Whiteman-Hull-Snyder American Legion and Auxiliary will also accept donations for its 44 Main Street sale. Large furniture, clothing and books will not be accepted. For more information or to schedule a drop-off, call (607) 435-1658.

Blood Drives Scheduled

OTSEGO COUNTY—The American Red Cross issued an urgent appeal for blood and platelet donations. Donors who give between May 1-17 will receive a $20.00 Amazon gift card. Appointments may be made at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Walk-ins are also welcome. Upcoming blood drives include: Quality Inn, 5206 State Route 23 in Oneonta, from 1-6 p.m. on May 14; Deposit Central School, 171 Second Street, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 15; Margaretville Fire Department, 77 Church Street, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on May 15; Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. on May 18; Bassett Hall, 31 Beaver Street in Cooperstown, from 12:30-5:30 p.m. on May 19; American Legion Post 183, 22 Union Street in Sidney, from 1-6 p.m. on May 19; Springbrook Community Campus, 5588 State Route 7 in Oneonta, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 21; Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street in Oneonta, from 1-6 p.m. on May 21; Delhi United Ministry, 1 Church Street, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 22; Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52 in Cooperstown, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22; 1 Bridge Street in Sidney from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 23; Schenevus Central School, 159 Main Street, from 1-5:30 p.m. on May 26; Roxbury Town Hall, 56 Hillcrest Drive, from 1-5 p.m. on May 29; and Southside Mall, 5006 State Route 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 30.

James Ivory To Speak Locally

COOPERSTOWN—Hyde Hall will open its 2026 lecture series with a talk by famed film director, writer and producer James Ivory, half of the legendary Merchant Ivory Productions, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. Ivory will speak about his extraordinary career and introduce a special screening of the 1993 film, “The Remains of the Day,” based on the 1989 novel by Nobel-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. Tickets are available at hydehall.org or via EventBrite.

Trolley History To Be Discussed

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will hold its next monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27. Les Sittler will give a history and tour of the Fly Creek Trolley Station. The program will begin at the station site, 187 Cemetery Road, and proceed to the Grange Building at 208 Cemetery Road for refreshments and the business meeting. FCAHS non-members are asked to make a small donation if they attend the program.

Hazard Mitigation Draft Avail.

OTSEGO COUNTY—Otsego County’s Draft 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan is available for public review and comment. All chapters may be viewed at otsegocountyny.gov/departments/planning_department/index.php.

Pancake Breakfasts Start Sat.

MIDDLEFIELD—The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department’s Fly-In Pancake Breakfasts will resume for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 16 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.

Garden Club To Host Plant Sale

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Garden Club of Richfield Springs will hold its annual plant sale in the library parking lot, 102 West Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 6. It will feature a bake sale, a raffle, a make-and-take herb bag workshop, and a presentation by “The Mustard Seed” from Little Falls.

Hermitage Trio Performs 5/17

STAMFORD—The Friends of Music of Stamford will host a concert by internationally acclaimed Hermitage Piano Trio at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Held at the First Presbyterian Church, 96 Main Street in Stamford, the concert will have admission by donation at the door. For more information, visit friendsmusic.org.

Herb Garden, Workshops Set

COOPERSTOWN—Herbalist Gert Coleman will host an herb gardening workshop at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Grow Garden, 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown, from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. Space is limited and registration is required by Wednesday, May 20. Visit cceschoharie-otsego.org for more information. Otsego Master Gardener volunteers will lead a family gardening program at the Grow Garden from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20 and Wednesday, July 15. Registration is required in advance.

Music Festival Seeking Vols

SIDNEY—The Southern Tier Music Festival, held at the Sidney Municipal Airport on Saturday, July 4, seeks volunteers. There are three available three-hour shifts, from 12:30-3:30, 3:30-6:30 and 6:30-9:30 p.m. Volunteers will receive a general admission ticket, a parking pass and a T-shirt for their efforts. For more information or to volunteer, contact Bill at southerntiermusicfest@aol.com or (607) 761-4875.

Craft Vendors Wanted for Fairs

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Church of Christ Uniting seeks craft vendors for two popular annual fairs. The 45th Annual Friendship Craft Festival will be held in Spring Park on Saturday, June 13 and the 6th Annual Fall Craft Fair will be at 587 Cullen Road on Saturday, October 3. For more information or application materials, contact friendshipcraftfestival@yahoo.com or fallcraftfair@yahoo.com, respectively.

Tennis Falls in Quarterfinals

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown tennis swept Little Falls 5-0 in a Division I match on Friday, May 8. Henry Ayers, Alfred Hom and Hayden Spencer each swept their opponents 10-0 in the singles flights. Bianca Adam and Micah Raffo took first doubles 10-3 and the second doubles team of Rigzin Gazan and Deanna Wolfe won 10-0.

Six-seeded Manlius-Pebble Hill eliminated three-seeded Cooperstown from the Section III Class D quarterfinals on Monday, May 11. MPH swept the Hawkeyes 5-0 at the Clark Sports Center.

Baseball Rolling, Softball Falls

COOPERSTOWN—After picking up a forfeit win against New York Mills on Friday, May 8, Cooperstown baseball fought its way to a 5-4 victory over Sauquoit Valley on Monday, May 11. Joey Paterno struck out nine batters and gave up six hits and a walk over the complete game. The Hawkeyes racked up their entire score for the night in the first frame. Paterno, Braden Rawitch and Elijah McCaffrey recorded RBI and Ty Burkhart had two. The Hawkeyes will host Frankfort-Schuyler for a non-division Senior Night game after press time on Wednesday, May 13.

The softball team dropped a Division II game to Sauquoit Valley 11-2 at home on Monday, May 11. Carlotta Falso was stuck with the loss, striking out seven batters and giving up five hits and seven walks over the complete seven innings. Lanie Nelen had an RBI and Sophia Johnson and Scarlett Bong scored runs. The Hawkeyes will travel to Frankfort-Schuyler for another non-division game after press time on Wednesday, May 13.

Track and Field Starts Strong

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown’s girls and boys track and field teams both took second place in the Don Howard Invitational on Saturday, May 2, each finishing behind Cobleskill-Richmondville in fields of 11 and nine teams, respectively. Jameson Gable was named Male Track Athlete of the meet for his first-place finishes in the 100m, 200m and 400m relay. Jacob Johnson won the 400m, Owen Flannigan took third in the 3,200m and the boys 3,200m relay team took second. Kyle Patton and Joey De Sanno finished third and fourth in the long jump. Dakota Alabach finished third in triple jump, Brody Murdock took second in high jump, and Theo Spinosa, Patton, and Evan Price took first, second, and third in the pole vault. On the girls’ side, Mia Pelcer and Mia Stenzel finished second and third in the 100m hurdles. The 1,600m relay team took third, and Claire Baldo and Eleanor Walker finished second and third in the 400m. Baldo, Walker, and Olivia Temp took second place in the 200m, 800m, and 3,200m, respectively. The 400m relay finished second and the 3,200m relay was third. Full results may be found at milesplit.live/meets/740821/team-scores.

Savino Earns Master’s Degree

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA—East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania honored nearly 1,200 students at its Commencement Ceremonies on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. Among the graduates was Tiana Savino of Sidney, who earned a master’s of science in health education.