News Briefs: May 22, 2025

Transfer Station Up, Running

ONEONTA—Otsego County Waste Management and Recycling Coordinator Kyle King announced on Friday, May 16 that the Southern Transfer Station in Oneonta will resume normal operations on Monday, May 19, which includes acceptance of all scaled municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris. The Southern Transfer Station is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The Northern Transfer Station in Cooperstown will resume normal operating hours on Monday, May 19 as well, which are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to noon and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

OCCA Announces Events

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Conservation Association released its schedule of public events for the early summer. There will be a Homeschool Nature Walk at Basswood Pond at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10. OCCA and Mohican Farm, 7206 State Route 80, request volunteers for a Japanese knotweed removal effort at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11. The next invasive species removal day will be held at the Weaver Lake launch in the Town of Warren on Thursday, June 12. Participants should meet at the Mohican Farm site for transportation. Two shifts are available, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The next Get the Kids Out event will be held at Mohican Farm at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, as will a composting workshop at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 21. Local farmer and herbalist A.C. Stauble will lead a summer foraging walk at 2 p.m. the same day at 415 County Road 41 in West Edmeston. Foraging expert Shane Gardener will run a similar program for mushroom foraging at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 29. There will be a Summer Bog Walk at 800 Zachow Road in Hartwick at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. OCCA will partner with the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station for a program on freshwater ecosystems at the BFS Main Laboratory, 5838 State Route 80, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 13. To register for any program or view a full calendar, visit occainfo.org/calendar.

Youth Ensemble To Perform

ONEONTA—The Little Delaware Youth Ensemble will celebrate its 25th season with a spring concert at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. In addition to performances by the beginning violin group, preparatory orchestra, main orchestra, and visiting alumni, there will be ceremonies in honor of LDYE founder Julie Signitzer and major sponsors. For more information, visit ldye.net.

Broadband Kickoff Event Set

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego County Broadband Technical Assistance Initiative and Vernonburg Group, overseeing the county’s USDA-funded effort to improve broadband Internet access for all individuals and organizations, will hold a public kickoff event at The Meadows Office Complex from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. The meeting will introduce team members, outline the project’s goals and timeline, and offer an opportunity for resident input. It will be held in a hybrid format, with a Microsoft Teams link for remote viewing to be posted on the project website soon. For more information, visit otsegocountyny.gov/broadband.php.

CCE Schedules Workshops

NEW YORK STATE—Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties will hold a livestock fencing basics workshop at 182 County Road 11 in Oneonta from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 30. Registration is required by May 26. There will be a fiber quality workshop at Washington County Fairgrounds, 392 Old Schuylerville Road in Greenwich, from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, June 9. For more information or to register, visit https://cceschoharie-otsego.org/.

Kasterine Shows at Hyde Hall

SPRINGFIELD—Famed photographer Dmitri Kasterine will hold an exhibition of his work in the reception rooms of Hyde Hall in June, the first photography exhibit to be held in the mansion itself. Over more than 70 years of work, Kasterine has captured many of the most famous people of the 20th century and countless everyday candid shots on film. There will be an opening reception and talk featuring wine and live music by the Musicians of Ma’alwyck from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, May 31.

Clean Sweep Is May 31st

HARTWICK—The Town of Hartwick’s popular Clean Sweep event will return for its 17th year on Saturday, May 31 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Town residents may dispose of old furniture, yard trash, scrap metal, tires, mattresses and box springs at the Town Hall, 103 Town Drive. Electronics, green waste, hazardous materials and household trash will not be accepted. Mattresses and box springs may be discarded for a fee of $40.00, and there is a $20.00 fee for appliances containing refrigerants, such as air conditioners and dehumidifiers. There is also a variable fee for each tire discarded after the first four. For the first time, there will be a collection of old sneakers and athletic shoes. Residents who wish to arrange home refuse pickup should contact Martha Clarvoe at (607) 434-2946. To volunteer for Clean Sweep, contact Town Clerk Andrea Vasquez at clerk@hartwickny.gov or (607) 386-9769. Donations for the Clean Sweep yard sale, which helps offset the day’s operating costs, may be directed to Bruce Markusen at (607) 547-8070.

SUNY Preps for Free Program

ALBANY—SUNY Chancellor John B. King announced that the university system is prepared to launch Governor Kathy Hochul’s “SUNY Reconnect” free community college program this fall. Passed under the enacted FY 2025-26 state budget, the program will provide free tuition, fees, books and supplies for students ages 25-55 in high-demand fields who do not already have college degrees. Many community campuses will hold information sessions for prospective program participants over the summer. For more information, visit suny.edu/freeCC.

Ensemble Returns to Roxbury

ROXBURY—Grammy award-winning family band the Villalobos Brothers will once again perform at Roxbury Arts Center, 5025 Vega Mountain Road in Roxbury, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. Internationally recognized as a leading contemporary Mexican music ensemble, the group blends classical, jazz and Mexican folk music traditions deeply rooted in the Veracruz cultural scene. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit roxburyartsgroup.org.

Rivera Enters Supervisor Race

ONEONTA—Public policy advocate and nonprofit leader Will Rivera announced his candidacy for Town of Oneonta Supervisor on Wednesday, May 14. A first-generation SUNY Oneonta graduate, 9/11-related cancer survivor, and proud Latino husband and father, Rivera has more than 15 years of experience in advocacy for state policy reform on housing and violence survivor justice initiatives. His key platform planks include expanded affordable housing, home energy upgrades to fight utility costs, updates to the town’s comprehensive plan and initiatives for government transparency. For more information, contact willriverafornewyork@gmail.com.

SSA Reveals Top Baby Names

NEW YORK STATE—The Social Security Administration announced the most popular baby names in New York State for 2024 on Thursday, May 15. Liam was the most common name for newborn boys, followed by Noah, Lucas, Ethan and Joseph. The top five names for girls were Mia, Emma, Sophia, Olivia and Isabella. Olivia and Liam also topped the nationwide rankings. To view the full report, visit ssa.gov/oact/babynames.

Final Spring Exhibits To Open

ONEONTA—The SUNY Oneonta Art Gallery’s final exhibitions of the spring semester will be on display through June 8. “The Capstone: 2025,” in the Martin-Mullen Gallery, presents work by upper-level SUNY Oneonta art students. The gallery will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 6 and 7, from 9 a.m. to noon on June 8, and by appointment until June 5. The photography exhibit “Shapeshifters: Bodies Like Water” is open in the Project Space Gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, until June 8. There will be a reception for this exhibit from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, June 6.

Virtual Job Fair Scheduled

UTICA—The Workforce Development Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties’ Regional Apprenticeship Development and Readiness grant project will sponsor a free virtual job fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. Employers and job seekers from Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego counties may register at https://pvapi.premiervirtual.com/s/8JNgP8.

Art in Bloom Is Next Month

ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta will hold its annual Art in Bloom event at 11 Ford Avenue on June 13-15. The Oneonta Garden Club will create extensive flower arrangements to interpret and complement the artwork displayed during CANO’s Members Show. There will be an opening reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 13, and the gallery will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15.

Falk To Share Homes History

COOPERSTOWN—Otsego 2000 will offer a free “Know Your Home’s Story” drop-in program at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 24. Dr. Cindy Falk, professor of material culture at the Cooperstown Graduate Program and SUNY Oneonta assistant dean of graduate studies, will answer questions and offer resources to help uncover a home’s history. Otsego 2000 Executive Director Ellen Pope will also provide information on tax credits for homeowners in historic districts. For more information or to view other upcoming events, visit otsego2000.org.

Canoe Regatta Begins Friday

BAINBRIDGE—The General Clinton Canoe Regatta, three full days of races and festivities, will be held in Bainbridge’s Clinton Park Friday through Sunday, May 23-25. The new Paddle with a Pro tandem race and Pacman Generation Gap race will be held Friday, at 3 and 6 p.m., respectively. The popular Taste of the Regatta sampling event will take place at 6 on Friday. Saturday opens with wrestling and volleyball tournaments, and the day’s attractions will include a flea market, tractor pull, hot air balloon rides, and fireworks. The main races, beginning at the Susquehanna’s source in Cooperstown, will begin at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Carnival rides will be open from 5:30-10 p.m. on Friday and from 1-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free all weekend, but there is a $10.00 parking fee on Saturday and Sunday. For more information or to view a complete list of events, visit https://www.canoeregatta.org/events.php.

Baseball, Softball Wrapped

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown softball cruised to a five-inning 16-0 senior night shutout against Waterville on Tuesday, May 13. Senior Emmy Lippitt earned the win with five strikeouts, allowing two hits and two walks. She scored twice and batted in another run. Junior Katie Crippen went four-for-four with a triple, three doubles, three runs and three RBI. Senior Grace Sperry scored twice, hit a double and batted in two runs. Sperry, Lippitt and Bella Reich were honored for Senior Night.

Lippitt allowed only two hits and a walk in seven innings as Cooperstown beat Morrisville-Eaton 4-1 on Thursday, May 15. Crippen hit two solo home runs and a double. Reich had a double.

The Hawkeyes defeated West Canada Valley 12-5 on Friday, May 16. Reich scored a run and drove in two more. Lippitt struck out seven, walked two, and allowed four hits and an earned run to earn the win. Sperry drew three walks, stole two bases, scored three runs and had an RBI. Crippen also scored three times.

Cooperstown fell 5-4 to Herkimer’s seventh-inning comeback for their second loss of the season on Saturday, May 17. Lippitt was saddled with the loss, but recorded eight strikeouts and only one walk while giving up seven hits. Crippen stole three bases and scored two runs. Sperry had another RBI. Cooperstown fell to 10-2 for the season and remains undefeated at 6-0 in their division.

Cooperstown baseball defeated Waterville 9-3 in a Division II game at Doubleday Field on Wednesday, May 14. Sophomore Elijah McCaffrey struck out 10 in six innings, allowing four hits and one earned run. Junior Joey Paterno held Waterville scoreless in the seventh inning, striking out two and allowing one hit. He also hit a double and an RBI. Senior Aaron Katz hit a double and scored twice, and senior Adam Ubner batted in two runs.

Despite a four-run comeback attempt in the fifth inning, Cooperstown fell 6-5 to Morrisville-Eaton on Thursday, May 15. Sophomore Brody Murdock took the loss after giving up four earned runs in three innings. Senior Ben Katz drove in two runs.

The Hawkeyes fell 11-1 in five innings to West Canada Valley on Friday, May 16. Junior Wyatt Butts was stuck with the loss, giving up seven hits and seven runs in three innings. Katz scored the lone Cooperstown run of the night.

Butts scored twice and went four-for-four in Cooperstown’s 12-5 comeback Senior Night victory against Herkimer on Monday, May 20. Junior Jonathan Torres batted in three runs. Paterno and Ubner had two RBI each. McCaffrey struck out two and gave up three hits and five walks in two innings. Paterno earned the win in relief with one run, a walk and three strikeouts over three innings. Murdock rounded out the game with two shutout innings. Katz, Ubner, Paul Crowell and Owen Tedesco were honored for Senior Night. The Hawkeyes moved to 4-5 for the season and 2-3 in their division.

Tennis Competes at Sectionals

WATERTOWN—Cooperstown tennis competed at the Individual Sectional Tournament in Watertown on Monday, May 19. Third singles player Owen Marling defeated Sauquoit Valley’s Owen LoGalbo 6-7, 6-4, 6-0 in the first round and lost the quarterfinal round to top-seeded Jaasim Zaman of Manlius Pebble Hill 6-0, 6-1. Second singles Alfred Hom lost 6-3, 6-2 to Sauquoit’s Bryce Petteys in the first round. Second-seed first singles player Henry Ayers had a bye in the first round, defeated Morrisville-Eaton’s Wyatt Hitchcock 6-3, 6-2, and lost the semifinal match to MPH’s Savir Ghambhir. He qualified for the State Qualifying Tournament, which will be held at Hamilton College on Monday, May 26.

Second doubles teammates Micah Raffo and Hayden Spencer had a bye in the first round and lost in the quarterfinals to Waterville’s Edmond and Oscar Yang, 0-6, 7-5, 6-7. The first doubles team of Alexis Wolfe and Bianca Adam fell 6-4, 6-3 in the first round to Elijah Meyers and Tyler Kowalski of Hamilton.