JUNETEENTH – 3 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the 2nd annual Juneteenth, the celebration of the emancipation of the last enslaved people in the US, with food, live music, and art from a variety of local artists and authors. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. www.juneteenthoneonta.com
By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
Although COVID is starting to fade in Otsego County with towns such as Cooperstown and Oneonta lifting mask restrictions, the same cannot be said for many countries such as Nepal.
Zak Aldridge, who was born in Cooperstown, went to Milford Central School and considers himself an “honorary Oneontan,” said he didn’t intend to stay in Nepal for more than a year, but COVID-19 changed his plans.
He said he planned on staying there for two weeks. That was 15 months ago.
“I was planning to come to check out a school over here that I was thinking of coming to study languages and Buddhism,” Aldridge said. “And the lockdown happened and I wound up getting stuck. That was a year ago.”
Aldridge, who is a Columbia University graduate, has decided to help feed families in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, which is currently under a strict lockdown, causing day laborers to suffer from malnutrition.
CRAFT SHOW – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Find something for Mom made by a local artisan. There will be quilts, jewelry, tumblers and more. Enter the raffle to win a free gift and to support Supper Heroes in Ripped Jeans. Southside Mall, Oneonta. 607-432-4401 or visit www.facebook.com/southsidemall/
CONSERVATION – 7 p.m. Join the museum for discussion with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, traditional musicians and co-founders of the Ashokan Center whose composition “Ashokan Farewell,” became the musical hallmark of Ken Burn’s “The Civil War” on PBS. Presented by the Hanford Mills Museum, East Meredith. 607-278-5744 or visit www.hanfordmills.org/interactions/
FUNDRAISER – Noon – 5 p.m. Enjoy drive-thru spaghetti dinner to support the family that recently lost their home in a house fire. Donations accepted. Hartwick Fire Department, 4877 St. Hwy. 28. Cooperstown. 607-547-8091 or visit www.facebook.com/Hartwick-Fire-Department-Company-2-Hartwick-Seminary-103091843074934/
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Sundown. Enjoy drive through displays of Christmas Lights this holiday season. Open through January 3rd. Presented by First Night Oneonta & Five Star Subaru. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. firstnightoneonta@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/OneontaFestivalOfLights/
LANTERN TOUR – 3 p.m. Tour historic village in its winter finery while learning about history of Christmas, how it was celebrated in our area in the past, origin of Christmas trees, much more. Each tour limited to 8 people, leaves at 20 minute intervals to 8 p.m., face masks required. Dress warmly for 1 hour tour. Reservations required. Cost, $20/non-member. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1534 or visit www.farmersmuseum.org
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
VIRTUAL CONCERT – 7:30 p.m. Enjoy music by performer/songwriter John McCutcheon whose commitment to grassroots political organizations has put him on the front lines of many of the issues important to communities and workers. Cost, $5. Portion of proceeds support the Earlville Opera House. 315-691-3550 or visit www.earlvilleoperahouse.com/john-mccutcheon
ANGEL TREE PROGRAM – Give the Gift of Christmas this holiday season. Adopt a family in need. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ to learn how.
FILM FESTIVAL – Enjoy movies, videos on theme ‘A Road Less Traveled.’ Sign up to stream films to your home devices. Continues through 11/11. Cost, $50 for all-inclusive pass. Presented by Glimmerglass Film Days. Visit www.glimmerglassfilmdays.org for info.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Eight years in the planning, $200,000 in fundraising is beginning on an Education Center on Lake Street to expand the offerings of Otsego County’s Master Gardeners organization.
“The ‘Grow With Cornell Cooperative Extension’ plan will reconfigure our grounds into a center for garden-based learning with an impact that will reach throughout our county,” said Jason Stone, board president of the Cooperative Extension of Schoharie & Otsego Counties, who operates a topiary garden on Bissell Road, Town of Otsego.
FUNDRAISER – 1 – 4:30 p.m. Bring a friend and enjoy the Oneonta Rotary Clubs first ever Road Rally Scavenger Hunt. Follow clues, answer riddles, stop to take pictures of scenic Otsego County. Come in costume or decorate your car to be eligible for a Spirit Award. Cars must cross finish line by 4:30 to be eligible for prizes. Food available after the hunt. Cost, $25/adult aged 18+. Quality Inn, 5206 St. Hwy. 23, Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/oneontarotary for info.
RELAY FOR LIFE – 11 a.m. Join Fall Foliage Run with the American Legion Riders in memory of Robin Enck, Rider & Army Veteran who lost his life to cancer this year. Ride to support American Cancer Society in the search for a cure. Registration begins 9:45 a.m. Cost, $15/participant. American Legions, 279 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-0494 or visit www.facebook.com/alrpost259
DRIVE-IN MOVIES – 8 p.m. Come out for a fun outdoor movie experience. This week showing ‘Mary Poppins.’ Movie starts at dusk. Free admission, donations welcome. Foothills Performing Arts Center Parking Lot, Oneonta. 607-353-7143 or visit www.facebook.com/TheOtsegoCountyChamber/
GOLF TOURNAMENT – 1 p.m. With new safety protocols, the Otsego County Chamber hosts 34th annual Chamber Classic Golf Tournament featuring lunch wraps from Roundhouse Pub and Grill. Proceeds of Tournament will go to Community Foundation of Otsego County. Registration required. Hosted by The Oneonta Country Club, 9 Country Club Dr., Oneonta. members.otsegocc.com/events/details/34th-annual-chamber-golf-classic-386
COVID-19 TESTING – 9 a.m. – Noon. Healthy Otsego County residents are invited to drive-thru testing for Covid-19, free of charge courtesy of Otsego County Department of Health. Registration required. Southside Mall Parking Lot, Oneonta. 607-547-4279 to register.
POP-UP SHOP – 5 – 7 p.m. Find hand blown glass pieces ranging from functional to artistic by Hartwick College Graduate Crystal Postighone. The Autumn Cafe, 244 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-6845 or visit www.facebook.com/theautumncafe/