Last Tuesday, March 7, 2023—in front of an overflow, standing-room-only crowd—the Village of Cooperstown Zoning Board of Appeals considered and ultimately denied an application by Mark and Margaret Curley, the owners of 40 Lake Street, to permit four of the residence’s five bedrooms to be used for short-term rentals.
Prior to the hearing, the ZBA had received 24 letters and/or e-mails, all of which expressed the writers’ objection to the application. The same was true of comments made at the hearing: the residents who spoke all opposed the application. The owners, who had purchased the house also known as Averill Cottage four months earlier, were not present. Although a family member did attend and was given the opportunity to be heard, he declined.
$150K in Funds Available; First Deadline is June 15
SPRINGFIELD
As of March 1, the Community Foundation of Otsego County is accepting applications for its 2023 Awards Cycle. According to a recent press release, this year’s cycle includes the following new features:
$150,000.00 total to be allocated.
There are three categories—“Strengthening Our Community,” “Strengthening Our Nonprofits” and “Addressing Immediate Needs.”
Deadlines: The first-round closes June 15, 2023 and the second round closes October 15, 2023.
FAQs—A list of questions and answers to help applicants through the process are found on cfotsego.org under “Get Funding.” More FAQs will be added as questions come in.
From left, Owen Shultz (Beast), Stephen Mendez (Gaston), Eva Leon (Belle), Tiffany Gardner (Lumiere Candlestick), and Gialina Ploutz (Mrs. Potts) stand with OHS Drama Club President Michaela Pawluk. Photo by Joel J. Plue
Student cast members of Oneonta High School’s upcoming production of “Beauty and the Beast” were on hand to meet and greet members of the public at a special Disney Character Breakfast fund-raiser held in the school cafeteria on Saturday, March 4.
Despite ominous clouds overhead and a snowstorm the previous evening, community members turned up in large numbers to support the students and local arts. Attendees—undeterred by their bulky winter jackets and having had to trudge through the snow—were overjoyed to interact with the brightly costumed students. Enchanting Disney music played in the background and many happy faces were seen enjoying the fresh baked goods and other breakfast items at the catered gathering.
GELLI PAINTING—5:30-7 p.m. Stop by the library for a fun evening of painting with gelli. Village Library of Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344 or visit facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
BLOOD DRIVE—3-7 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Lauren’s High School, 55 Main Street, Laurens. Register at redcrossblood.org
Before venturing out, call ahead to be sure the event has not been cancelled and check with your preferred weather service for road conditions. Stay safe out there!
WEST BURLINGTON—Daniel Lee Schoellig, 69, of West Burlington passed away doing what he loved on March 10, 2023.
Daniel was born on October 31, 1953 in Cooperstown, the son of the late Fred and Anna (Gregory) Schoellig. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his in-laws, Jennie and Charles Gelatt, a granddaughter, Abigail Schoellig, a sister-in-law, Jean Schoellig, and his pup, Ralph.
PHOTOGRAPHY—6:30 p.m. Explore the beauty and craft of black and white photography in three sessions hosted through Zoom on March 14, 21 and 28. Presented by the Huntington Memorial Library, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit facebook.com/hmloneonta/
TAX PREP—6-8 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick college accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338 or visit facebook.com/ofoinc/
GARDEN CLUB—1 p.m. Join the Oneonta Federated Garden Club for its March meeting all about St. Patrick’s Day. Tony Antes, from the Binghamton Garden Club, will present a program about “St. Patrick’s Day in Plants” and the legends associated with St. Patrick and Ireland. Everyone will enjoy the trivia and all are welcome. Held at St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067969369937
BLOOD DRIVE—2:30-6:30 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Register at redcrossblood.org
TAX PREP—6-8 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338 or visit facebook.com/ofoinc/
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. (right) and SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle meet with student Julia Alvarenga, a member of the university’s iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team inside the Physical Science Building. Photo provided
ONEONTA—State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited SUNY Oneonta on Thursday, February 16 to meet with students, faculty, staff, and community leaders and learn more about programs that support student success, research, economic growth, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
SUGARING OFF—8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a full pancake breakfast in the morning then contemporary, historic demonstrations of maple sugar production. Admission, $10/adult. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1450 or visit https://www.farmersmuseum.org/events/
BENEFIT BREAKFAST—8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to the Cabin Fever Breakfast, featuring eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes with real maple syrup, biscuits and sausage gravy—the works! Includes a 50/50 drawing, a lottery to win $100 in scratch-off lottery tickets and a basket raffle. Support the Laurens Fire Department, 34 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 433-2906 or visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064565867355
Last Wednesday, the Otsego County Board of Representatives heard concerns from three area residents about the threats to home rule posed by Part N of the Article VII Executive Revenue Bill contained in Governor Kathy Hochul’s Budget Proposal.
Dan Sullivan of Richfield, Nathan Seamon of Columbia in nearby Herkimer County, and Keith Schue of Cherry Valley all urged the county representatives to oppose Part N.
The current season of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra continues with a program titled “Powdered Wigs,” to be performed at Christ Church on March 18 at 3 p.m. Graphic provided
Fenimore Chamber Orchestra produced three programs in 2022. They’ve been working hard all winter to bring the community new productions in 2023.
“Much has happened since our first concerts,” said Thomas Wolf, chair of the FCO Board of Directors. “The incredible success we have enjoyed is truly amazing, especially given the whole idea of starting a new orchestra during a worldwide pandemic.”
Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh proudly displays the village’s giant check representing an award announced last week of $4.5 million from the first round of the state’s new NY Forward program. Shown with Tillapaugh, from left, are Assemblymember Chris Tague, Village of Sharon Springs Mayor Douglas Plummer and Senator Peter Oberacker. Photo provided
Villages of Sharon Springs, Dolgeville Will Receive $2.25 Million Apiece
By DARLA M. YOUNGS
COOPERSTOWN
Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh didn’t know the Village of Cooperstown was to receive $4.5 million until Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez announced the award right in front of her during a press conference last week.
State dignitaries and area officials had gathered on Thursday, March 2 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where it was revealed that the Village of Cooperstown will receive $4.5 million, and the Villages of Sharon Springs and Dolgeville will each receive $2.25 million in funding, as the Mohawk Valley winners of the first round of NY Forward.
ART EXHIBIT—11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Exhibit opening continues for “True Friends: Nancy Waller Art for the Ellen St John Peacemaker Award,” a potpourri of watercolors and silk screens, some framed. Proceeds benefit the Award. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (315) 941-9607 or visit facebook.com/TheArtGarageCooperstown/
EXHIBIT OPENING – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibit, “Wings, Stings, and other Things: An Artistic Collaboration Exploring the Life of Bugs,” features artworks by Milford Central School students. On view through March 31. Cooperstown Art Association. (607) 547-9777 or visit cooperstownart.com
SPRING CLEANING—11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Looking to start or grow your art collection? Visit the spring cleaning art sale, featuring works and supplies donated by local artists and collectors. On view through March 18. Cooperstown Art Association. (607) 547-9777 or visit cooperstownart.com
ONEONTA—A.O. Fox Hospital and Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that they have begun conversations with the Oneonta Family YMCA to explore a potential collaboration at FoxCare Fitness.
Having recently welcomed the Butternut Valley Alliance to its ranks, the Otsego Outdoors program has now grown from a trio of partner organizations to a quartet.
Otsego Outdoors, known for its seasonal Otsego Octet Challenges, connects county residents and visitors with year-round recreational opportunities.
The collaborative program was begun in May of 2017 by Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust and the Otsego County Conservation Association.
