From my study window I can just make out the withered, bedraggled remains of one of our kale plants. Otherwise, all is snow-mantled and covered up and tucked in for the winter. Down in the barn, where I hung out for a few minutes yesterday staring at the bundled glad bulbs drooping from nails in the rafter, my thoughts turned to, well, the indescribably self-destructive instincts that humanity insists on turning upon itself. Not all that sure what dry glad bulbs and weather-beaten kale have to do with humankind’s worst inflictions upon itself, but there must be some sort of synaptic thing going on because I often find myself ruminating on things existential when in the company of produce.
It reminds me of the time quite a few years ago that I voiced an interest in attending a Buddhist retreat of some sort. My better half nixed that idea by reminding me, as if I did not know it, that I was strange enough already—no need to feed the beast.
As the days grow shorter and the nights grow colder, we begin to think of heading back to Texas. But we never leave before the closing event of the season: the plant auction at Carefree Gardens on October 10, Columbus Day.
One of our great pleasures at Cooperstown is our time spent at Carefree and at Origins Café, where, if I’m lucky, I get to shoot the breeze with my pal Brent Leonard. There are various versions of what Paradise may be like, but I prefer the Muslim one: a fragrant garden filled with bubbling fountains, with food and drinks served by beautiful women. I think I’ll convert to Islam so that when I die, if I’ve lived a good life, I’ll get to go to Origins Café and Carefree Gardens.
PHOTOGRAPHY – 6 p.m. Photographer Dmitri Kasterine presents ‘Photographs and Encounters’ featuring pictures he’s taken in his 60 years of photography, from Queen Elizabeth II to Mick Jagger, and more. Village Library of Cooperstown. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
It’s a sure sign of spring when it’s time to think about your vegetable garden for the year.
Do you struggle planning out your vegetable garden? Do your vegetable garden yields seem to decrease every year and you would like to know why? Join Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties Tuesday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. for Starting a Vegetable Garden.
Master the essentials of starting your very own vegetable garden this season. Agriculture and Horticulture Educator Jessica Holmes will discuss topics such as pH and soil needs, planning and spacing in the garden, starting seeds, buying transplants, crop rotation, and more.
PITTSFIELD – Donna Leh Black, 72, of Pittsfield passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.
Born in Oneonta, on June 18, 1949, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Marion (Harris) Keator.
She was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Oneonta. Donna was the President and Office Manager of Van’s Auto Sales & Service in Oneonta. She was the backbone behind this shop and is the reason it ran smoothly for so many years. In her leisure time she enjoyed working in her flower garden and feeding the wild animals. She made pets of them; in particular her cat, Mr. Kitty, who she tamed from the wild. Donna was a strong-willed and compassionate person. Her life revolved around her family, she was always there for us. She was always looking for ways to make our home a better place. Donna liked HGTV with all the home make over shows.
HAMILTON – On February 14, 2022, Gladys Jane Butler Graham, 84, died peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. She was a woman of deep faith and rich in love, a love she shared with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly.
Gladys was born in Westford, NY on June 2, 1937 to Gladys Elsie Austin and John Percy Butler. She graduated from Madison Central School in 1954, where she made lifelong friends. Especially dear to her and to our family are her oldest friends, Marlyn and Norm Fuess and her high school sweetheart and much later her second husband, Dick Conant, who also precedes her in death.
She married William (Bill) J. Graham from Syracuse, NY on September 1, 1956. Bill and Gladys were married for 26 years before Bill’s death in 1982. They had eight children together and began what is now a large and still growing family. We continue to feel the gifts of these two people who taught the values of hard work, kindness, humor, and the enduring power of family bonds. We are deeply grateful for their love. On February 12, 2005 she married her high school sweetheart, Dick Conant. They were happily married for eight years before Dick’s death in 2013.
Linda Ann Winchester, 64, of Ogallala, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, December 12, 2021 surrounded by her family at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. She was born September 12, 1957 in Long Island, New York to the late Harry and Mary (Monteleone) Hults.
Linda and her family later moved upstate to Westford, New York. Linda graduated from Schenevus Central School in 1975. On July 5, 1998, Linda married Thomas Winchester in Worcester, New York. Linda worked for SUNY Oneonta for over 32 years and retired in 2012. She had a genuine passion for helping others and after retirement, she opened her heart and her home for the next ten years, to many children in need in the foster care system. She had a very giving, generous heart and loved unconditionally.
GARDEN CLUB – 7 p.m. Rick Marci presents ‘Attracting Birds Throughout The Year’ on how to create bird friendly ecosystem using plants, food, feeders. Illustrated through use of Rick’s excellent pictures. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-1458 or visit www.facebook.com/Oneonta-Federated-Garden-Club-133855897358767/
COLUMBUS DAY
KIDS HIKE – 10 – 11:30 a.m. Kids explore the world of trees, learn to identify the varieties using science/senses, learn the role trees play in our world. Mohican Farm, 7207 St. Hwy. 80, Cooperstown. 607-282-4087 or visit occainfo.org/calendar/get-the-kids-out-trees-2/
CONCERT – 3-5 p.m. FLAME performs a free concert as part of the Family Resource network’s 25th anniversary. Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. www.foothillspac.org.
TOUR – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Travel the country roads and discover the landscape and how people have enhanced it with their garden schemes. This years tour will be through the Cooperstown area. Pre-registration required for directions to first garden. All must being tour before 1 p.m. Cost, $18. 607-278-5454 or visit westkc.org/event/2018-landscape-garden-tour/
BASEBALL AUTHOR – 1 p.m. Bernie Carbo and Peter Hantzis, authors of “Saving Bernie Carbo,” comes to the Baseball Hall of Fame to discuss the book and take questions from the audience, followed by a book signing in the atrium. Bullpen Theater, Baseball Hall of Fame. baseballhall.org/events/author-series-bernie-carbo-peter-hantzis?date=0
WEDNESDAY WORKSHOP – 1-3 p.m. Try a new activity in a small group setting with a knowledgeable instructor. This week its Metal Detecting on the grounds of the museum with Alex & Michelle Osterhout and Christ & Kim Altman. Reservations required. The Swart-Wilcox House Museum, Wicox ave., Oneonta. Call (607)287-7011 or visit swartwilcoxhouse.wordpress.com/wednesday-workshops-2017/
OPEN HOUSE – Noon-3 p.m. Talk to representatives of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Ladies Axiliaries, Amvets, Sons of the the American Legion, and others. Cooperstown Veterans Club, 60 Main St., Cooperstown.
GARDEN PARTY – 1-4 p.m. Treat Mom to a garden party that includes tea and treats on the veranda, a maypole and live music for dancing, activities, and a first look at a new exhibit by the Cooperstown Graduate Program. Free, all welcome. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Rd., Springfield. Info, hydehall.org/event/celebrate-mom-garden-party/ or call (607) 547-5098
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – 4-6 p.m. Pack a shoebox with items that will bring joy to children as they are delivered around the world. Collection point at Main St. Baptist Church, corner of Main and Maple Sts., Oneonta. Info, @ www.msbchurch.org/occ or email msbc@msbchurch.org or call (607)432-5712
READING CIRCLE – 6:30-8 p.m. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in New York State. Discussing “Sex Wars: A Novel of Gilded Age New York” by Marge Piercy. 5838 NY-80, Cooperstown. For info email hartj35@oneonta.edu or call (607)547-2586
GARDEN CLUB – 7 p.m. Ideas for Holiday arrangements will be presented by Gary Burman and Bob Opalecky, formerly of Gary’s Flowers. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St, Oneonta. For Info email Angie Eichler at Angie.Eichler@oneonta.edu
