BIKE RACE – 10 a.m. 8th Annual Drops to Hops Bike Race. Ride 43 miles or 23 miles followed by party at the finish line for races, families. Cost, $55/person after 9/26. Brewery Ommegang, 656 Co. Hwy. 33, Cooperstown. 607-547-2800 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2019-drops-to-hops/
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Soirée was this evening, celebrating local businesses that promote a good and sustainable life in Otsego County. Information Systems Division (ISD Tech) of Oneonta received the Environmental Stewardship Award for its computer- and electronics-recycling program. The Clark Sports Center of Cooperstown received the Quality of Life Award for helping over 5,500 members live healthier, (including 37 members over 90, who get free memberships). Above, center, are chamber President Barbara Ann Heegan, Quality of Life sponsor Scott White, Bank of Cooperstown president, behind her at left, and George Busch, NBT Insurance vice president/sales. To to the left of Heegan, front row, are ISD partners Ron Ranc and Roxanna Hurlburt; behind, from right, are ISD’s Chris Ranc, Wilhemina Guest and Mike LaBarr. To the right of Heagan are Clark Director Val Paige and her managers, Erin Newkirk, Kathy Graham, Jim DiLiberto and Rich Jantzi. Inset, left, Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, reads citations from state Sen. Jim Seward, r-Milford, who was also represented by his aide, Mira Jergovich, commending the two organizations. The dinner, attended by 80, was in the middle of the Clark’s basketball court. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
SUMMER CONCERT – 7 p.m. Enjoy musical performance by Three Days Gone. Bandstand near Hodges Pond, Neahwa Park, Oneonta. 607-432-7997 or visit oneonta.ny.us/departments/parks-and-recreation/summer-concert-series/
ART EXHIBIT – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Art By The Lake 12th annual juried art exhibit celebrating relationship between artists and landscape. Also features artist demonstrations, food by Origins Cafe, music, more. Lake front Lawn, Fenimore Art Museum, Coopersotwn. 607-547-1400 or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
By JENNIFER HILL • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Jane Moyer has been exercising at the Clark Sports Center for 70 years, which may explain why she is still going strong at 99.
She is one of 36 nonagenarian members – after 90, membership’s free – and they may best exemplify why Otsego County Chamber of Commerce chose the Clark Sports Center its Quality of Life Award to be presented at its Summer Soiree Thursday, Aug. 22 – for the first time, at the Clark.
Funded by the Clark Foundation from its inception in 1891 to its renovation and expansion completed in 2017, the Clark Sports Center has, in the Chamber’s words, “significantly contributed to the quality of life in this area by providing amazing programs and opportunities for the local population to attain a healthier lifestyle.”
But for Moyer and the multiple generations of families, the Clark is part of family and community life, a place that has shaped lives, futures and connections between villagers and people living throughout the county.
COOPERSTOWN – The Clark Sports Center is seeking nominations for the annual Fetterman Award.
This award is given in memory of Patrick C. Fetterman, long-time associate director of the ACC Gymnasium/Clark Sports Center. Recipients are honored for their dedication to serving local youth, especially in the area of athletics.
Please send nominations to Brenda Wedderspoon-Gray, Clark Sports Center, Box 850, Cooperstown NY 13326. Or drop off letter of nomination at sports center. The deadline is Sept. 1.
FUN DAY – Noon. Enjoy Hot Dogs, hamburgers, refreshments. Then ride the Hot Air Balloons starting at 6:30 for $10/person. Laurens Fire Department, 34 Main St., Laurens. 607-433-2906 or visit www.facebook.com/Laurens-Fire-Department-1487028371605581/
COOPERSTOWN – The Clark Sports Center will receive the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s Quality of Life Award, and ISD Tech, the Environmental Stewardship Award, at a “Best of Otsego County” Summer Soiree Thursday, Aug. 22, at the sports center in Cooperstown.
The 2019 inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame – from left, Harold Baines, Lee Smith, Edgar Martinez, Michael Mussina, Mariano Rivera, and Brandy Halladay, accepting the plaque posthumously on behalf of her husband Roy Halladay – pose for a group photo on the stage following their Induction ceremony earlier today in the field next to the Clark Sports Center. If your eyes were good, you may have even spotted Laurentino Cortizo, right, the President of Panama, who was in the crowd with fellow Panamanians to witness and celebrate their countryman Rivera’s induction. The Hall announced this evening that 55,000 fans attended the ceremony, making it the second-largest, after the Cal Ripken Jr./Tony Gwynn weekend in 2007. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
HALL OF FAME INDUCTION – 1:30 p.m. Mariano Rivera, Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Roy Halladay, Harold Baines and Lee Smith will be inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame. Stake out your spot the lawn early. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Info, 607-547 2800 www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2019-baseball-hall-fame-induction-ceremony/
DUCK DERBY – 10 a.m. Help launch a flock of rubber duckies at the headwaters of the Susquehanna. Support Cooperstown Leo Club on day trip to the United Nations in NYC. Cost, $5/duck or $20/5-ducks at Otesaga, Mel’s @ 22, others. Finish line just South of Main St. Bridge, Cooperstown. 607-282-2956 or visit www.facebook.com/CooperstownLionsClub/
CELEBRATION – 3–4:30 p.m. Celebrate the first day of summer w/popsicles, Corn Hole and Giant Jenga. Free. Front lawn of Clark Sports Center. 124 County Hwy 52, Cooperstown. Info, 607-547-2800, ext. 103 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com
RACE – 9 a.m. Run the 4.4 mile Council Rock to Council Rock Race sponsored by Clarks Sports Center. Proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team Kid’s Camp. Registration: $25/indiv, $55/family (5 ppl max). Race starts at 11 a.m, Council Rock Park, Lake & River Sts., Cooperstown Info, www.clarksportscenter.com, 547-2800, ext 111.
Taking advantage of the first fully sunny day in weeks, hundreds shoppers, strollers and the curious at this hour are making their ways through 80 booths of arts & crafts, books, handmade clothing and much more at the Cooperstown Rotary Club’s Spring Fling, underway until 5 on the Clark Sports Center’s front lawn. (Plenty of free parking.) Above, Rick Jagels of Cooperstown tries his luck at the rubber ducky pond being operated by the Cooperstown Lions’ to raise funds for its Leo Club’s trip to the U.N. next spring. Presiding is Deirdre (Donley) Crouse, incoming Lions’ president, and veteran Lion John Saphier. Inset, Don and Rosie Hoag examine 48 gift baskets up for the asking at a Silent Auction. There’s food, and also music: Ah Coopella is performing now, followed by the O’Donnell School of Irish Dance at 2; Sky Parlor at 3, and Leroy Lytel at 4. The Clark’s spring open house is also underway: Sign up for a three-month membership and get the fourth month free. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
RELAY FOR LIFE – 4-10 p.m. Celebrate cancer survivors, remember lives lost & raise money for the American Cancer Society. Survivor Walk, family fun activities, food, live music, raffles & bake sales, w/lighting luminaria & fireworks at end. Wilber Park, 1-9 S Main St State Hwy 28 Milford. Info, www.relayforlife.org/otsegocountyny