News Briefs: October 3, 2025

Otsego Dance Society Gathers Tonight

COOPERSTOWN—Spare Parts will provide the music and Peter Blue will do the calling when the Otsego Dance Society meets this evening, Friday, October 3, for another community contradance event. The fun begins at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Pioneer Street and runs until 10:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for those 18 and under and students. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. This project is funded by Earlville Opera House’s Arts in the Community Grant Program, made possible by the New York State Senate with support from the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information on the Otsego Dance Society, visit www.otsegodancesociety.weebly.com or the ODS Facebook page.

Mertz To Present at Kinney Memorial Library

HARTWICK—On Thursday, October 9, the Otsego County Historical Association will host an educational program with Reya Mertz, the conservation technician for the Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District. Mertz will discuss the history of industrial production in Otsego County, the factors that caused its decline, and the impact on our landscape and ecosystem. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Hartwick’s Kinney Memorial Library and will include an opportunity for audience members to ask questions. The program is free of charge and a serving of light refreshments will follow the talk.

Catskills Lark in the Park Returns

NEW YORK STATE—The 22nd annual Catskills Lark in the Park, a series of events celebrating the 100-year history of the Catskill Park, will run from October 4 through 13. The Catskill 3500 Club will lead a dozen free hikes at locations across the park, and highlighted countless opportunities for independent hiking, paddling and cycling on its website. For more information, visit catskillslark.org.

DEC Forest Manager to Discuss Tax Program

BINGHAMTON—The New York Forest Owners Association will host Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Manager Nathan Funk for a discussion of forest stewardship and the 480a NY tax reduction program on Saturday, October 11. Held at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Binghamton location, 840 Front Street, at 3 p.m., the event is free and open to the public. Under the 480a program, landowners with 50 or more acres of timberland can reduce their property assessment. For more information, call (607) 902-4090.

SUNY Delhi Named Top Public College

DELHI—SUNY Delhi earned the #10 Top Public School and #15 Best Regional College in the Northeast in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges list for 2026. The ranking evaluates schools on academic quality and student success, including graduation and retention rates, outcomes for low-income and disadvantaged students and other key indicators. Delhi was also ranked 17th as a Top Performer on Social Mobility and seventh for Least Debt.

Artists to Discuss Natural Resilience

ROXBURY—Roxbury Arts Center, 5025 Vega Mountain Road, will host artists Irja Bodén and Elin Menzies for a closing discussion of the exhibit “Return: Birds, Beasts and Other Beings” from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4. The show highlights the resilience of the natural world, especially the return of wild animals to previously uninhabited spaces. The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, visit roxburyartsgroup.org.

State Awards Ag Improvement Grants

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced $8.5 million in grants to 69 farms, food processors, and distributors across the state through the New York State Grown and Certified Infrastructure, Technology, Research and Development grant program. Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to support equipment and infrastructure upgrades, bolstering state-of-the-art agriculture practices and expansion into new markets. For more information, visit certified.ny.gov.

Cooperstown Concerts To Host Diwali Celebration

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Concerts will present an evening of Diwali celebrations at Fenimore Farm and Country Village from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, October 26. The welcoming, family-friendly experience will include live music, an Indian food buffet and vibrant community dancing. Acclaimed vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia will open the celebration with a concert at 3 p.m. Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the triumph of light over darkness and is celebrated across the Indian subcontinent. Tickets are available at cooperstownconcerts.org.