ANNIVERSARY SCREENING—8 p.m. Celebrate the 25 anniversary of “The Big Lebowski.” Costumes strongly encouraged. Stay for the after party featuring white Russian cocktails at the bar (21+), Switch Sports bowling on the massive LED video wall, and join radio jock Will Philips for “The Dude” based trivia games. All set to the soundtrack of “The Big Lebowski.” Admission by donation. Hosted by Film COOP at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civics Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
FUNDRAISER—Pre-order deadline. Enjoy delicious chicken dinner and support the GMU Board of Education Scholarship fund. Dinners are $15/person. Includes a half chicken from Brooks’, coleslaw, baked potato, dinner roll and peanut butter chocolate bar. Pre-order by March 10. Call Jarren Hayen (607) 783-2207 ext. 140 or visit facebook.com/TheOtsegoCountyChamber/
The New York State Emergency Medical Services Council’s “2023 EMS Agenda for Future,” released last month, inspected challenges involved in supplying EMS delivery by creating topic-specific subgroups to study agencies, education, government, support, operations, hospitals and staffing.
The Center for Public Safety Management’s recent “EMS Services Delivery Report” did the same by analyzing data from the computer-aided dispatch system at Otsego County’ Emergency 911 center. Among the many challenges examined by these studies, the two main issues identified—which are not isolated to New York State—are the existing systems of funding and changing communities.
February rumors of a “big shakeup” on the horizon for Bassett Healthcare Network appeared to have been realized last week when information surfaced indicating that Jeff Joyner, senior vice president and chief hospital executive of A.O. Fox Hospital, would be leaving and some clinics would be closed. Bassett President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tommy Ibrahim addressed these reports on Tuesday, March 6 at his Cooperstown office
“Jeff Joyner has resigned to pursue other opportunities. He will be here for another three months,” said Ibrahim. No details have been released as yet regarding plans to replace Joyner.
CONCERT FOR PEACE—7:30 p.m. Hartwick College Wind Ensemble presents “Striving for Peace,” featuring music by Sousa, Ticheli, Black Shaw, Mittal and Maslanka. Free, open to the public. Foothills Performing Arts and Civics Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
BLOOD DRIVE—2-6 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Schenevus Central School, 159 Main Street, Schenevus. Register at redcrossblood.org
The Cooperstown Zoning Board of Appeals has voted this evening, following a robust public comment period, to deny the application for a four-bedroom, short-term rental at 40 Lake Street. Details to follow.
LEARN TO KNIT—5:30-7 p.m. Come learn to knit a chunky lap blanket with just your hands. All supplies provided. No experience needed. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980 or visit facebook.com/hmloneonta/
BOOK TO FILM—6 p.m. Come down to watch the film “Watership Down” and then pick up a copy of the book to discuss on March 23 at 1 p.m. Springfield Library, 129 County Road 29A, Springfield Center. (315) 858-5802 or visit libraries.4cls.org/springfield/programs-and-events/adult-programs/
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/
VENICE, FLORIDA—Jeffrey Richard Smith, son of Gayle and Jack Smith of Cooperstown, entered into eternal rest Wednesday night, March 1, 2023, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in North Venice, Florida following an extended illness. He was 60. Arrangements will be announced under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
HUMAN RIGHTS—9-11 p.m. Enjoy a screening of “Category: Woman,” as seen at the 2023 Human Rights Film Festival, asking “Who is a woman, and who gets to decide?” Follow the story of four athletes from the Global South who are required by sporting institution World Athletics to medically alter their healthy bodies if they want to continue to compete in their sport. Free, open to all. Hunt Union Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta. (607) 436-3012 or visit connect.oneonta.edu/organization/activities
At its monthly meeting on February 8, the Town Council of the Town of Otsego considered what to do with a newly enacted state law that permits each local taxing authority to pass a law granting a 10 percent real estate tax exemption for active volunteer firemen and ambulance workers.
Fire Chief Chris Voulo of the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company spoke out in favor of having the town pass the enabling law to assist in the ability of the Fire Company to attract volunteers.
GUN SHOW—9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by to buy, sell or trade with 60+ dealers with the Mid-State Arms collectors. Admission, $3/person. All regulations will be obeyed. Oneonta Elks Lodge, 84 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 748-1010 or visit gunshowtrader.com/promoter/midstate-arms-collectors/
OTSEGO COUNTY Children ages 11 through 13 throughout Otsego County have an opportunity to win a free week at a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation summer camp through a special lottery offered by the Otsego County Conservation Association. The lottery is open through the month of March, with winners announced on March 31, OCCA officials said.
“For over 75 years, DEC summer camps have offered young people so many wonderful educational experiences in the great outdoors,” said Amy Wyant, OCCA’s executive director. “We are pleased to be able to once again offer this opportunity to children in the area.”
CLUB NIGHT—7 p.m. Teens are invited for a fun night of live music featuring the Lily Soleil Band, Waiver, Plaid Jackets and Cole Fortier. Enjoy a safe night with friends and fun music. Free. Club Odyssey, 4 Academy Street, Oneonta. (607) 353-7143 or visit https://www.facebook.com/ClubOdysseyOneonta/
CANCELLED – SNOMMEGANG—2-6 p.m. Enjoy this winter beer festival featuring all your favorite, and your soon-to-be-favorite, craft breweries and a live performance from the Mountain Jam Band. Tickets, $55/person. Presented by Brewery Ommegang at Muller Plaza, Oneonta. – CANCELLED
Check the weather before traveling! Visit weather.com or your preferred weather service.
COOPERSTOWN—The 2023 Empty Bowls Luncheon will be held on Saturday, March 4 from noon to 2 p.m. at Christ Church Parish Hall, 69 Fair Street. The Empty Bowls project was begun in 1990 by Michigan art teacher John Hartom as a way for his students to raise money for a local food drive. Hartom and wife Lisa Blackburn, also an art educator, created a model for others to follow and the concept spread across the country. This is the 15th year the Empty Bowls event will be held in Cooperstown.
Potters at The Smithy Clay Studio have been busy glazing more than 300 hand-thrown bowls made especially for this event; local restaurants and individuals will donate delicious soups and breads. Guests are asked for a $20.00 donation for a simple soup lunch served in a bowl of their choosing, which they will keep as a reminder of “empty bowls” and hunger in Otsego County.
All money raised from the event is donated to the Cooperstown Food Pantry, every $1.00 of which enables the food pantry to purchase $10.00 worth of food from Feeding America. Located at 25 Church Street, the pantry is open six days a week. Visit www.cooperstownfoodpantry.org for more information. For further details on this event, contact Kathy Chase at (607) 547-2627.
ONEONTA—Beginning Friday, March 3, the SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department will present “Bernhardt/Hamlet,” a play written by American playwright Theresa Rebeck. The production shows the challenges faced by 19th-century actress Sarah Bernhardt in her role as Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The real-life Bernhardt performed as Hamlet in 1899, and this play captures both the drama and comedy of the international celebrity’s performance during this time.
The SUNY Oneonta production of “Bernhardt/Hamlet” is directed by John McCaslin-Doyle, professor of theatre history, dramatic literature and acting, with help from the Mask and Hammer theatre club, an active and dynamic campus organization that promotes opportunities for students of all majors to become involved in theatre activities.
Full-time production staff roles include the scenic designer/technical director/scene shop manager, the costume designer/costume shop manager and the lighting designer/assistant scene shop manager. “Bernhardt/Hamlet” features 10 student actors and one student stage manager.
“The play also discusses the ongoing struggle of what it means to be female in a male-dominated society,” said McCaslin-Doyle. “Does Hamlet need to be male? Is gender – and gender preference – the main thing that defines a character or a person?”
The “Bernhardt/Hamlet” production can be seen in the Hamblin Theater at SUNY Oneonta on Friday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 4, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and from March 7 to 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at https://oneonta.universitytickets.com/, in person at the Hunt Union Information Desk from Monday to Saturday between 1 and 10 p.m. and in person at the box office in the Fine Arts Center one hour before each scheduled performance.
