ONEONTA—Hartwick College has announced the addition of five new minors to its academic programs. Students can now add a minor in game development, cybersecurity, data analysis, web design and digital marketing.
“These five new minors further Hartwick’s mission to provide engaging, relevant coursework that includes experiential learning opportunities for students,” said Dr. Laurel Bongiorno, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.
NYCON, Scriven Extend Deadline for Mini-Grant Applications
ONEONTA—The New York Council of Nonprofits has extended the deadline for its 2023 Otsego County Mini-Grant Program to Monday, June 5. The focus of this effort is to measurably improve the governance and management of qualifying Otsego County 501c3 charitable nonprofits. Initiated in 2004, the program is made possible with underwriting from The Scriven Foundation.The Mini-Grant Program is an important resource for local nonprofits facing significant challenges or striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational management, governance, and/or program services. “The foundation is proud to support this program as we recognize how important it is that our local nonprofits have access to high-quality advice and training as they seek to fully serve their clients and communities,” said Jane Forbes Clark, president of The Scriven Foundation. There is a total of $50,000.00 of grant funds available, with grant awards ranging from $500.00 to $2,500.00 per nonprofit applicant. Grants will be awarded competitively to qualifying nonprofits with approved project activities. It is recommended that applicants review the 2023 grant criteria before applying, at http://bit.ly/41hLV4Y. The grant application can be accessed at https://nycon.tfaforms.net/f/otsegominigrant2023.Award announcements will be made between June 1 and July 1.
SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College honored five organizations with the inaugural Oneonta Inclusive Business Award at a ceremony on May 9. Students, faculty and staff from both colleges were invited to vote for their choices from a pool of 18 businesses nominated by campus-wide surveys. In order to be nominated, a business had to provide “exceptional service to diverse populations, treat customers with utmost respect and civility, and go above and beyond in meeting the needs of its diverse customers,” a release said.
ONEONTA—The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services has announced a new daytime EMT class in Oneonta. The initial session will be held on Tuesday, May 9, with later classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays. Times and locations to be announced. For more information or to register, contact smithd@otsegocounty.com or (607) 547-4328.
Exeter Man Arrested for Unlawful Imprisonment, Assault, More
EXETER—The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tyler A. Rose, 26, of Exeter, on April 30 following an investigation of a reported assault. Deputies were dispatched to the West Exeter Fire Department after fire personnel located an adult victim with serious physical injuries. The victim was taken to the trauma center at Bassett Medical Center with multiple fractures, lacerations and contusions. Interviews revealed that they had been unlawfully held captive at the defendant’s residence for a number of days while the defendant subjected them to continuous assaults with a variety of tools and implements. Investigators secured a search warrant and discovered evidence relating to the charges at the defendant’s residence. Rose was taken into custody.
Kathryn Smith of Sidney Center, Sameerah Grant of Queens and Maddi Bowman of Newark, New Jersey will take the stage May 5-6 at Hartwick College’s Slade Theater. (Photo provided)
On Stage: Performing Arts at our Oneonta Campuses by Rachel Frick Cardelle
II had the opportunity to spend time with a few of the dancers for the upcoming show “MOVEment” at Hartwick College as they prepped. The show itself will include students from Hartwick College, SUNY Brockport, Dean College, and SUNY Potsdam, along with dancers and choreographers from Sidney and Binghamton.
Between practicing different dances, two of the Hartwick students—Maddi and Sameerah—and their instructor, Kathryn Smith, spoke to me about the work. I was struck during the rehearsal and our conversation by the quiet, joyful enthusiasm for dance and the amount of work they put in to bringing about a show like “MOVEment.”
NEW YORK STATE—New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., announced new assistance and repayment plans for customers on April 17. Pandemic-related and winter-season pauses on service disconnections have ended, as has the corporation’s late-payment charge suspension from last fall. Customers are encouraged to contact the companies’ service lines as soon as possible to learn about repayment options. NYSEG and RG&E have come under fire for billing and customer service errors. The New York Department of Public Services received so many complaints about the companies’ billing practices that it opened an investigation in December. Shortly thereafter, News10 ABC of Albany reported on NYSEG complaints in the Capital Region. Customers reported missing bills, payments and meter reading records, sudden surprise charges of thousands of dollars, and unreachable customer service lines. NYSEG and RG&E have indicated compliance with the investigation.
State, Counties To Offer Online Civil Service Exam for Corrections Officers
NEW YORK STATE—The state Department of Civil Service announced that 40 county civil service agencies will offer an online examination for corrections officer positions. For many counties, this will be the first time the test is offered online. There is a critical statewide shortage of qualified applicants for this public safety role. Candidates should apply for the exam before May 12 and complete it online from June 1-30. The state also offers an online corrections officer trainee exam for positions with New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision facilities. County sheriffs’ departments have an estimated 1,000 corrections officer openings across the state, and DOCCS has at least another 1,000. For the complete list of county positions available, visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/local/co-exam-list.cfm. The DOCCS list may be found at https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/dec-instrument/cot-overview.cfm.
HAUDENOSAUNEE STORIES—6:30 p.m. Join Perry Ground of the Turtle Clan to hear stories from the longhouses of the Haudenosaunee (The Iroquois Confederacy). Hear the traditional legends that teach about the beliefs, customs and history of the Haudenosaunee as Ground brings the stories to life with his interactive approach. Listeners of all ages will find this presentation captivating and educational. $12/non-member. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1400 or visit fenimoreartmuseum.org/
TAX PREP—6-8 p.m. Time’s up! File your taxes with the aid of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338 or visit facebook.com/ofoinc/
HISTORICAL SOCIETY—7 p.m. Join the Otego Historical Society each month to learn the history of the town. This month, Buzz Hesse will talk about the dismantling, moving and reconstructing of his 1700s house in Otego. All are welcome. Otego Town Hall, 3526 State Highway 7, Otego. (607) 287-4095.
TAX PREP—6 p.m. to 8 p.m. One day left. File your taxes with the aid of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Hartwick college accounting students, who have been certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide 1-on-1 assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338 or visit facebook.com/ofoinc/
SUNY Oneonta Baseball Sweeps Canton, Sets Program Record
ONEONTA—The SUNY Oneonta baseball team defeated SUNY Canton in a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 28. The Red Dragons won game one comfortably, 7-2, and held on for a 6-5 nail-biter in game two. Senior Jake Barrett went 2-for-4 in the first game with two runs and two RBI. Freshman Martin Thorsland, of the Town of Maryland, struck out seven batters in 4.0 innings. The sweep gave Oneonta its 12th consecutive win, breaking an 11-game program record from 2011.
SUNY Oneonta Baseball Falls to Vassar, Ends Historic Win Streak
ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta’ baseball team lost 8-3 to Vassar on Saturday, April 1, ending the Red Dragons’ program record 13-game winning streak. The score was 3-2 Oneonta at the end of the fifth inning. The Brewers scored twice in the sixth inning and four more times in the seventh. Oneonta avenged their loss on Sunday, shutting out the Brewers 2-0 in Poughkeepsie. Oneonta’s 13 consecutive wins surpassed the previous program record of 11 consecutive wins, set in 2011.
SOUTH OTSELIC—The Otselic Valley Fishing & Heritage Association is now accepting reservations for arts and craft vendors who would like to participate in the 14th annual Fishing & Heritage Day on Saturday, May 20. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Chenango County hamlet of South Otselic, located along the scenic Otselic River. Hundreds of people attend this free family event featuring local and regional artists, craftspeople, antique dealers, food vendors, musicians, and special topic presentations. Fishing & Heritage Day provides a schedule of activities that promote understanding and appreciation of the area’s rich history, including its recreational fishing, industrial, and agricultural heritage. Vendors may reserve space up until May 14 to set up in the Town Park. Space is also available for nonprofit conservation, sporting, scouting and environmental organizations at the State Fish Hatchery, adjacent to the hamlet. Call (315) 653-7490 or email sotfishingday@gmail.com for the vendor registration form.
“The Importance of Being Earnest” cast, from left: Jas Stuchel (Rev. Chausable), Logan Lumly (Miss Prism/asst. stage manager), Amber Edens (Jack), Kat Schmidt (Gwendolyn/asst. stage manager), Travis Early (Algernon) and Rheana Cameron (Cecily). (Photo by Natalie Hish)
On Stage: Performing Arts at Our Oneonta Campuses by Rachel Frick Cardelle
When I heard that the next play to be presented at Hartwick College is “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People,” by Oscar Wilde and first performed in 1895 in London, England, I could not wipe the smile off my face. I got to know this play when I was in grade school in the mid-70s. My friends and I were playing hide-and-seek on the local college campus and I hid in the theater, where it turned out students were practicing for their production of “Earnest.” I quickly became engrossed and stayed* for several hours to watch what I thought was the funniest thing I had ever seen. In the 50 years since, I have not changed my opinion much on that.
One of the benefits to living near a college that I have always appreciated has been the affordable access a college campus gives me to theater, music and dance performances. Living in Oneonta proves my point, for despite its small size there are abundant opportunities to see performing arts. I have noticed, though, that while the productions at both SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College are terrific, it can be difficult to know what is being offered unless one is on the campuses frequently. I will use this space to let the community know what is coming up in the performing arts on our two campuses and give you a peek behind the production scenes.
CCS Softball Opens Season with 11-1 Win Over Sidney
COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Central School softball team defeated Sidney 11-1 in their non-league season opener on Wednesday, March 29. According to the team Twitter page, senior Dani Seamon pitched a one-hitter with 15 strikeouts and went 4-for-4 at bat. Freshman Katie Crippen scored three runs.
GARDEN CLUB—1 p.m. Join the Oneonta Federated Garden Club for its March meeting all about St. Patrick’s Day. Tony Antes, from the Binghamton Garden Club, will present a program about “St. Patrick’s Day in Plants” and the legends associated with St. Patrick and Ireland. Everyone will enjoy the trivia and all are welcome. Held at St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. Visit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067969369937
BLOOD DRIVE—2:30-6:30 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Richfield Springs Community Center, 6 Ann Street, Richfield Springs. Register at redcrossblood.org
TAX PREP—6-8 p.m. Get ready for tax season with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Hartwick College accounting students certified by the IRS, with their professor, will be available to provide one-on-one assistance in preparing individual tax returns. Either in person or online. Held at the Golisago Hall, 2nd Floor, Hartwick College, Oneonta. (607) 431-4338 or visit facebook.com/ofoinc/
CONCERT FOR PEACE—7:30 p.m. Hartwick College Wind Ensemble presents “Striving for Peace,” featuring music by Sousa, Ticheli, Black Shaw, Mittal and Maslanka. Free, open to the public. Foothills Performing Arts and Civics Center, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080 or visit foothillspac.org
BLOOD DRIVE—2-6 p.m. Save up to three lives with the American Red Cross. Schenevus Central School, 159 Main Street, Schenevus. Register at redcrossblood.org
