HISTORY AFTER HOURS – 5 – 7 p.m. The whole family is invited for fun history activities. This month ring in Halloween with the Haunted History of Oneonta. Learn the local ghost stories and unsolved mysteries. And also enjoy making delicious fudge, some arts & crafts, and more. Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit facebook.com/OneontaHistory
BLOOD DRIVE – Noon – 5 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. Southside Mall, Oneonta. Register at redcrossblood.org
On Thursday, October 20 from 5-7 p.m., the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s “History After Hours!” series at the Oneonta History Center will feature ghost stories and unsolved mysteries, spooky treats, “cup cooking,” a reading of “The Chocolate Chip Ghost” in the Sally Mullen Children’s Corner, and arts and crafts including paper jack-o’-lantern baskets and ghost ornaments.
This “Haunted History!” event for adults and children of all ages is free and open to the public. GOHS first introduced its new monthly history-based series in September; the topic for the November 17 program is to be announced. The Oneonta History Center is located at 183 Main Street, Oneonta.
For more information, e-mail info@oneontahistory.org, call 607-432-0960 or visit www.OneontaHistory.org.
This fall, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society (GOHS) introduces a new series of events, History After Hours!
“The program series will offer a variety of events for adults and children of all ages at the Oneonta History Center (183 Main Street) from 5 to 7 p.m., once a month on September 22, October 20 and November 17,” said Marcela Micucci, Executive Director Greater Oneonta Historical Society. “This is going to be a great series.”
The first event is on Thursday, September 22 (5 – 7 p.m.), GOHS’s History After Hours will celebrate Harvest History.
ON-SITE SALE – Noon – 4 p.m. Find surplus furninshings, ephemera, and more ranging form vintage items like the Caprice Model organ by Conn, to a slab of marble, to extra display cases. All proceeds benefit the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. Held on the 3rd Floor of the Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit facebook.com/OneontaHistory/
BLOOD DRIVE – 1 – 6 p.m. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org
Growing up in Cooperstown in the 1960s and 70s meant looking forward to a drive down to Oneonta, shopping at Bresee’s, Woolworth’s, Barker’s, Jamesway, and others – made special by the fact that Main Street stores stayed open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Surely it was the same for others in the era, be they Oneonta residents or visitors from nearby villages – and it’s an era coming back to life through a summer-long exhibit open to the public at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s 183 Main Street headquarters.
“History is all around us here,” said Dr. Marcela Micucci, the Oneonta native appointed to become GOHS’s new director in February 2021. She made the comment after we had chatted briefly about the Woolworth’s door handles still remaining on the long-gone discount store’s front doors a few steps away at 203 Main Street.
“I just saw noticed those again on one of our guided walking tours around Oneonta,” she said. “When I was growing up here I can’t tell you how many times I used to go into ‘Building 203’ and never really noticed that detail. It’s just another example of how we live in this amazing historical space.”
Our discussion of all things Oneonta stemmed from a look at the Society’s Remembering Oneonta in the 1960s exhibition – a photographic and burgeoning oral history of the city during a decade of growth and transition. A photo display sparks memories of front-window displays and Bresee’s, students moving books to the new library at SUCO, buildings long gone or transformed, a city in transition.
“When we were envisioning what the 1960s exhibit could be, we wanted to do something different,” Dr. Micucci said. “Instead of writing a script, we could make the crux of the exhibition these oral history interviews, and they would become the script. Then it became a lot like our walking tours – kind of a nostalgic walk through Oneonta in the 1960s.”
On Friday, May 13, 2022, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society (GOHS) will reopen the doors to its History Center at 183 Main Street in the heart of downtown Oneonta. The reopening follows a four-month closure for renovations to the first floor, including updates to the walls, floors, and lighting.
At the grand reopening, GOHS will unveil Small Community, Big Ideas: Greater Oneonta, a new exhibition exploring the history of the town and city of Oneonta, New York. The exhibit will include modern, interactive, and digital features and a variety of different, formerly unseen objects from GOHS’s object and archival collections.
“Small Community, Big Ideas will feature five chronological modules, each shedding light on the everyday people, places, and events that have shaped the town and city of Oneonta over the past three centuries,” Dr. Marcela Micucci, GOHS Executive Director said. “It will tell the stories of how Natives, settlers, immigrants, and residents created a community, and how they built and rebuilt Oneonta to become a destination city — one that was adaptable and evolved with the changing geography, economy, culture, and society.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed David Ortiz, a member of the Class of 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees, to the museum this week. “Only one percent of all the men who ever played Major League Baseball is honored in this Hall,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Congratulations and welcome, Mr. Ortiz.” “This is my first time ever being here, and I have goosebumps. I’m so honored,” Mr. Ortiz said. “As a kid you dream of this, to be among the greatest players of the game. And here I am!” Left to right: Josh Rawitch, President of the Hall of Fame; Ms. Jane Forbes Clark and David Ortiz.
ONEONTA – David W. Brenner, 90, passed away March 4, 2022 at Cooperstown Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Home.
David was born December 20, 1931 in Blooming Grove, NY, the son of Lee D. and Henrietta (Maxwell) Brenner. He was the oldest of 10 children. The family lived in various towns in and around Newburgh NY.
David Graduated from Washingtonville High School in 1949. In 1950 he enlisted in the United States Army, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. His assignments included Germany and several posts in the United States. He was honorably discharged in 1954 at the completion of his service.
David married Lois I. Erickson on September 5, 1954 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn NY.
Following their marriage, they moved to Oneonta so that David could attend SUNY Oneonta on the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1957 and achieving a master’s degree in 1959. After graduating college, he taught at Schenevus Central School and at Clarkstown Central School in New City, NY. He then returned to SUNY Oneonta as Student Teacher Supervisor, before becoming Director of Registration and Records, and eventually Associate Dean of Students, retiring after 35 plus years. During his time at SUCO, David was very proud to have received his Ph.D. from SUNY Albany School of Public Affairs.
CHRISTMAS – Be an Angel. Sign up to give the gift of Christmas to local families in need with this years Angel Tree Program. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details.
DECORATING – 2 p.m. Join the Cooperstown Christmas Committee to help decorate Santa’s cottage and the village lampposts for the holidays. Decorations provided, bring gloves and ladders if available. Meet at Pioneer Park, Cooperstown. E-mail cooptownchristmas@gmail.com to reserve a pole.
CHRISTMAS – Be an Angel. Sign up to give the gift of Christmas to local families in need with this years Angel Tree Program. Visit www.allotsego.com/angel-tree-program/ for details.
BENEFIT AUCTION – 5:30 – 8 p.m. Come out for 15th annual auction for the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. Find cool items to bid on with auctioneer Kevin Herrick, and support this local historical society. Quality Inn, 5206 St. Hwy. 23, Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org
HOLIDAY SHOW – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Find unique holiday gifts made by local artists and artisans at the annual Holiday Show & Sale on display through December 23. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main St., Cooperstown. 607-547-9777 or visit www.cooperstownart.com
RETIREMENT RECEPTION – 6 – 8 p.m. Celebrate the 20 year tenure and recent retirement of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society’s Executive Director Bob Brzowski. Refreshments, cake will be served. A cash bar will be available. Covid safety protocols will be followed. Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit oneontahistory.org/event/bob-brzozowskis-retirement-reception/
ANNUAL DINNER – 5:30 p.m. Fundraising dinner with the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. Celebrate their accomplishments and raise money for the future. Cost, $55/non-member. Hosted at Toscana Northern Italian Grill, 76 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit oneontahistory.org/event/gohs-annual-dinner/
ILLUSIONIST – 6 p.m. Leon Etienne will be performing his jaw dropping illusions and magic tricks, which have earned him a spot on Late Night with Jimmy Falon and America’s Got Talent, live at the Lake Front park, Cooperstown. Visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
BEACH CONCERT – 7 p.m. Bring out your lawnchair to enjoy a concert by the Cooperstown Community Band. Also on hand will be the Cherry Valley-Springfield class of 2023 hosting a bake sale. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd. 31, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662 or visit www.facebook.com/GlimmerglassStatePark/
