News Briefs: September 11, 2025

Festival Kicks off Saturday

ONEONTA—Oneonta’s largest longstanding arts event, the City of the Hills Festival, will return to Main Street from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14. Presented by the Community Arts Network of Oneonta, the event attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate the region’s artists and organizations. Nearly 60 artists and crafters will participate this year, with a different lineup each day. Oneonta-based food trucks and restaurants will provide concessions, and there will be art and family-friendly activities presented by the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, Huntington Memorial Library, Otsego Pride Alliance, and other organizations. There will be a wide variety of live musical acts, snake charming, face painting, dance shows, and a drag, burlesque and belly dancing show to end the day on Saturday. A vendor map, timeline of activities and performances, parking directory, and other information is available at cityofthehillsfest.org.

DMC Announces Partnership

COOPERSTOWN—The Destination Marketing Corporation for Schoharie and Otsego Counties, the not-for-profit Tourism Promotion Agency for the two counties, announced the selection of Sparkloft Media to run its first unified regional marketing campaign. Sparkloft is a social-first creative agency with offices in Portland, Miami, Atlanta and Chicago. It will contract to run all three DMC brands, This is Cooperstown, We Go Otsego, and Visit Schoharie County, across traditional and digital media. For more information, visit ThisIsCooperstown.com/rfp.

Halloween Trail Set for 10/25

HARTWICK—Hartwick’s Husky Halloween Trail of Treats tradition will return at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. Families, teens and local organizations are encouraged to participate. Participants in previous years have set up a wide variety of stops along the cemetery trail, using tables, campfires, truck beds, tents and more. Early setup is strongly recommended. Community members are also welcome to come as they are and give out candy. Station volunteers should bring enough treats for about 250 people. Candy donations may be dropped off at the Town Hall at any time. To sign up, contact clerk@hartwickny.gov.

Pottery Classes Still Open

COOPERSTOWN—The Smithy Clay Studio announced that registration for its fall pottery classes will remain open through Friday, September 12. Open studio hours are Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. “Throwing with More Clay” runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays. Tuesday classes include “Handmade Lamps,” 1:30-4:30 p.m. and “Centering the Potter,” 6-9 p.m. There will be a “Creating Sets” class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays and “Creative Constructions” at the same time on Fridays. A Holiday Magic Workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 6 and 13. “Clay Cartoons,” a four-week class for children, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from October 4 to 25. For more information or to register, visit smithyarts.org.

Haynes Earns Credentials

COOPERSTOWN—Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes recently earned her Certified Animal Welfare Advancement credential, a rigorous program for top-level leaders in animal welfare agencies, through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. Haynes has been at SQSPCA for 10 years and was named one of America’s Top 10 Animal Defenders in 2020.

Garden Club To Host Speaker

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Garden Club of Richfield Springs will hold its next regular meeting at the Public Library, 102 Main Street, at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18. Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Celia Oxley will speak about native plants and pollinators. All are welcome. In other news, the garden club announced that it will participate in the Mohawk Valley Gives Day of Giving fundraiser on September 19. They hope that the community will support their beautification efforts and assist other charitable organizations in this regional fundraising drive. For more information, visit givemv.org.

Regiment To Be Discussed

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Area Historical Society will hold its next regular meeting at 208 Cemetery Road on Wednesday, September 24. Town of Milford Historian Frank Antonucci will present on Fly Creek’s 121st Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War at 6:30 p.m., followed by refreshments and the monthly meeting. All are welcome.

Chamber Announces Events

UNADILLA—The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Tampon Drive at the new Bishop Lot Pavilion, 245 Main Street, from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. There will be live music, vendors and a beer bus, rain or shine. Admission is free with the donation of one box of tampons or other period products per person. The Unadilla Mayor and Trustee Picnic will be held at the RDC Fields, adjacent to 77 Clifton Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 21. There will be a bounce house and free hamburgers and hot dogs. Fall Fest will return to 331 Covered Bridge Road from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 28. Additionally, the annual Dinner and Awards will be held at 175 Rod and Gun Club Road at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 5. Tickets are required. There will be a buffet dinner, live music and a cash bar.

Pancake Breakfast Returns

MIDDLEFIELD—The Middlefield Volunteer Fire Department will hold its next Fly-In Pancake Breakfast at Cooperstown/Westville Airport from 7:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 20. All-you-can-eat pancakes, eggs, sausage, beverages and real maple syrup are available for $12.00 per adult and $8.00 per child under 12.

Two Arrested for Animal Cruelty

EDMESTON—The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested Christopher S. Romain, 42, and Kristin M. Natterer, 41, both of Edmeston, on Thursday, September 4, following reports of animal cruelty. Numerous dogs in an emaciated condition were seized from a residence in Edmeston and turned over to the Susquehanna SPCA for medical attention. Romain and Natterer were charged with one and 11 counts of torturing/injuring/failure to provide sustenance to animals, respectively. They will return to the Town of Edmeston Court at a later date.

Free FOIL Training Announced

OTSEGO COUNTY—Experienced government watchdog Xenia Williams will present a free training on Freedom of Information Law and obtaining New York government records on September 13 and 27. The first day will cover FOIL basics, while the second will cover appeals. There are two time slots available for each session, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and all will be held on Zoom. For more information or to register, contact williamsxenia7@gmail.com.

HoF Observes Spanish Heritage

COOPERSTOWN—The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced that it will hold a series of pop-up experiences in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. In a release, the museum noted that the countries of Latin America have produced nearly a third of MLB Opening Day Rosters in recent years. These interactive experiences will explore images and items that tell the long story of Latino baseball players across the Western Hemisphere. They will run from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on each Friday of the month: September 19 and 26 and October 3 and 10. There will also be a bilingual guided tour of the ¡Viva Baseball! exhibit from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, September 19. For more information, visit baseballhall.org.

Arthritis Tai Chi Scheduled

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Office for the Aging will offer five upcoming Tai Chi for Arthritis series. Each runs twice a week for eight weeks and is free for adults 60 and older. Donations are gratefully accepted. Upcoming series include: United Methodist Church, 113 North Main Street in Milford, 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 16; The Gathering Place 50+ Community Center, 5506 State Route 7 in Oneonta, 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning September 17; and Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52 in Cooperstown, 12:15-1:15 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays beginning September 22. An advanced Tai Chi series will be held at the Meeting House at Pathfinder Village from 10:30-11:30 a.m. beginning on Wednesday, September 24. Participants must have completed the eight-week basic series. Another series will be planned in the Morris area based on demand. Contact the Office for the Aging to express interest. Pre-registration and a commitment to attend at least 11 of 16 sessions is required for all series. Contact (607) 547-4232 to reserve a space.

Lake Plan Feedback Sought

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego Lake Watershed Protection Program released a brief survey to gather public feedback as it formulates a community-based plan to protect Otsego Lake for generations to come. The 15-minute online survey will help define a collective vision for shared land and water resources, and all watershed area residents are strongly encouraged to participate. It may be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/otsego9Eplan.

GOHS Dinner, Meeting Date Set

ONEONTA—The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will hold its Annual Dinner and Meeting at Toscana Northern Italian Grill, 76 Chestnut Street, from 5:30-8 p.m. on Monday, October 13. Tickets are available for $60.00 for GOHS members and $65.00 for non-members, and include appetizers, a plated salad, choice of entree, dessert, coffee, and a beer or wine. There will be a cash bar. The dinner is also the annual business meeting and will include officer and bylaw elections and awards presentations. Registration forms and a full menu are available at https://oneontahistory.org/events-programs/. Seats must be reserved by Monday, October 6.

4CLS Design Contest Underway

VESTAL—The Four County Library System has announced its first-ever Library Card Design Contest, inviting cardholders of all 43 member libraries in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties to design a limited-edition card. The contest will run through Tuesday, September 30, coinciding with National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the winning design will debut during National Library Week, April 19-26. For more information or to make a submission, visit 4cls.libguides.com/contest.

Dinner Will Support Bob Croft

HARTWICK—Tammy Croft will hold a spaghetti dinner and Chinese auction to support Bob Croft, recently diagnosed with lung cancer, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 20. Admission is $12.00 and the auction drawing will begin at 4 p.m. It will be held at 3080 County Highway 11 in Hartwick. To make a donation, contact (607) 267-0790.

Dems To Meet This Saturday

ONEONTA—Otsego County Board Representative Adrienne Martini (D-12) will be the guest speaker at the Oneonta Democratic Club’s next meeting. It will be held at Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 13. Martini will discuss the wide-ranging local impacts of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” budget, including projected effects on SNAP, Medicaid, property taxes, healthcare access and mental health services, as well as the County Board’s response to these challenges. Charles Miller, president of the Oneonta College Democrats, will speak on campus activities, and several local candidates for office will give brief remarks. The meeting is open to the public. RSVP to garymaffei@gmail.com.

Cooperstown XC Opens Season

VOORHEESVILLE—Cooperstown’s varsity cross country teams opened their 2025 season at the Blackbird Invitational on Saturday, September 6. Sophomore Evelyn Rhodes (Milford) and junior Courtney McCarthy (Laurens) led the girls team, finishing fifth (21:07) and seventh (22:38) overall. Junior Captain Olivia Temp finished 23rd (24:33), nearly 90 seconds faster than last year, and sophomore Ada MacLeish finished 53rd (32:02) in her first race. The team was incomplete due to the temporary absence of Maggie Heavner and Willow Burr’s participation in the 1.5-mile freshman race.

The boys team fielded seven runners, as Owen and Wyatt Capozza Flannigan were absent, and finished eighth of nine teams. Senior Captain Jacob Johnson finished 16th in 19:15, 20 seconds faster than last year. Sophomore Hu Agostino followed in 30th place (20:39). Seniors Brendan Heavner (21:24) and Elias MacLeish (22:13) finished in 42nd and 50th place, respectively, and George Riesenfeld followed in 62nd (24:42).

CCS Football Wins Opener

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown football opened the season with a 65-17 pounding of Tupper Lake at Lambert Field on Saturday, September 6. Senior Quarterback Brenin Dempsey made three touchdowns, connecting with senior wide receiver Thomas Hellenthal, senior running back Andrew Spaulding and junior running back Joey DeSanto. Sophomore Sawyer McManus scored four touchdowns, rushing for 4, 27, 29 and 14 yards. Sophomore kicker and defensive back Sawyer Bridger made an interception, and senior Caden Jones and sophomore J.J. Wirchansky each recovered fumbles. The Hawkeyes will host Clinton for a non-league game on Saturday, September 13.

Soccer Season Now Underway

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown girls soccer team won its season opener against Remsen 1-0 on Friday, September 5. Senior Bianca Adam scored the lone goal. The Hawkeyes lost 4-1 to Tully the next day, with Maddy Lund scoring. They will host Frankfort-Schuyler in a non-division match after press time on Tuesday, September 9.

The boys team routed Tully 7-0 in their season opener on Saturday, September 6. Junior Shane Bradley racked up three goals and an assist, followed by sophomore Henry Ayers’ two goals. Junior Gavin Grady scored and made an assist, senior Jackson Crisman scored, and senior Jameson Gable and junior Hayden Spencer each had assists. Senior keeper Cooper Coleman made two saves in the net. The Hawkeyes will play at Little Falls after press time on Wednesday, September 10.

Hospital Wins Recognition

DELHI—Bassett Healthcare Network’s O’Connor Hospital earned its second consecutive Women’s Choice Award recognition as one of America’s best 100 hospitals for emergency room wait times. It also received recognition in a second category, excellence in patient experience. For more information or to view the complete list of winners, visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/emergency-timeliness.

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