A group of Tom Steele’s friends visited him recently during his convalescence. Steele is a Charter Member of the Red Knights International Firefighter Motorcycle Club, New York Chapter 44, Otsego County. (Photo by Ken Gracey)
“Tommy’s like part of our family. We inherited him with the campground over 30 years ago. He’s been cutting grass and splitting wood for us ever since,” said Juli Sharratt. Juli and husband, Dwaine, own Beaver Valley Campground, where a benefit for Hartwick resident Tom Steele was held on Saturday, October 8.
In late August, Steele was in a severe motorcycle accident and had to be airlifted to Albany Medical Center; he is now recuperating at a facility in Little Falls. It was the Sharratts’ daughter, Jamie Dobrovolc, who came up with the idea for the benefit.
“I am currently raising funds for renovating our offices at 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown,” Liz Callahan, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties (CCE) said. “It’s really involved and we want to do it right.”
CCE will have its interior as well as exterior renovated.
“We want everything to be energy efficient and we need to address the issues that this 100-year-plus building has,” Ms. Callahan said. “We’re looking at plans for energy efficiency, in addition to basic structural and rehabilitation needs throughout the building. Everything from electrical service to plumbing to insulation, but those aren’t the only things that need to be looked at.”
The Glimmerglass Festival Guild held its Annual Meeting on September 19 at the Farm Credit East, where members of the volunteer organization voted to donate $25,000 to The Glimmerglass Festival, the summer opera and musical theater company known for its innovative productions.
Through volunteer services, community engagement and educational programs, the Guild provides both acts of service and financial support for the world-renowned company. The Guild raises money through the annual gala in August at The Otesaga.
Al Rubin, president, A&D Transport Services, which provides taxi and medical transport services in Central New York and the Southern Tier, took the honor of leading the The Catskill Symphony Orchestra in ‘Stars And Stripes Forever’ during this year’s Guest Conductor Competition at the SUNY Alumni Field House this evening. At right, Libby Cudmore, Managing Editor of The Freeman’s Journal, Hometown Oneonta and AllOTSEGO.com, challenged the audience to help her write the headline “Symphony Raises Record Amount” and they delivered, bringing in $46,321 by the evening’s end. Also in the competition was Cindy Donaldson, choral music director for Oneonta Middle School, director of First Presbyterian Church Choir and conductor of the Catskill Choral Society Children and Youth Choir. Laura Dohner, executive director of the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, said, “Not only was it the most money we have raised, it was the closest competition we’ve had on record.”(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Oneonta’s Tiffany Gardner, Casey Daum, Isabella Gracias, Emily Morell and Emily Thompson dance the night away at the final Sock Hop of the year at the First United Methodist Church this evening. Songs of yesteryear were alive and well for 123 attendees who raised over $2500 at the event, making it the most successful Sock Hop to date. Proceeds go to First United Methodist and Hospice. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
With Purple pinkies and tee shirts, members of David Peplinski’s 6th grade class announced their public service project today; raising funds to help eradicate Polio. The class gave a presentation to the student body at CCS this afternoon with information on polio and the movement.
Collection tables will be set up at CCS between 8-8:15am and 11am-12:30pm on schooldays. The campaign will run from January 12-16 followed by a sister campaign in the high school the following week. Money raised will be pooled and turned over to the Cooperstown Rotary. Any donations received will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill and Linda Gates Foundation. Each vaccination costs $1. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
