The sanctuary at First United Methodist Church in Oneonta was filled with inspiring words, social commentary and song this afternoon as crowds gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 91st birthday. The event, hosted by the Oneonta NAACP, featured over a dozen speakers and performers including Yolanda Bush, seen above with Rich Mollen, as she sings “Rise Above,” written by Robin Seletsky and dedicated to the Oneonta NAACP. Mayor Gary Herzig, inset right, was also among the speakers, where he praised the NAACP and the Oneonta Police Department for their leadership in civil rights issues. He continued, encouraging vigilance, saying there was still work to do even in a “progressive and diverse” City like Oneonta: “Here in Oneonta, an individual visited our DMV and was told, ‘We cannot serve you,’ and was told to go to Cooperstown. In the year 2020 we are hearing this! As Dr. King said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ Oneonta must be open and welcome all persons.” Herzig’s reference was to the “Green Light” Law, where the state Legislature directed the issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal aliens; because of the special equipment and training required, county Clerk Kathy Sinnott Gardner has centralized processing those license applications at the main office in Cooperstown. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Anton Jenkins, Oneonta, throws his ball down the lan at Holiday Lanes in Oneonta on Saturday afternoon as he and 20 other kids took part in bowling lessons under the instruction of coach Art Rigas and Bruce Hopkins. The lessons are once a week for 10 weeks and kids can join anytime until March 28. “This is the second year we are offering this.” said Rigas, “They seem to have a lot of fun and I see a lot of smiles.” Cost is $10 per child and includes shoes and 3 games. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com
Otsego County Chamber President Barbara Ann Heegan recruited a bumper crop for the 2020 Otsego Leader class, whose program got underway this morning at Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. Over the next few weeks, the class – rising managers at local enterprises and institutions – will be visiting colleges, hospitals and other key county institutions, to “put them in the picture” as they move forward. The Class of 2020 includes, above, clockwise from front left, Mike Tranvvag, Deborah Cornell, Jackie Burke, Leslie Woodward, Anneth Nelson, Brittany Goodrich, Cynthia Saggese, Tania Cape, Danielle Rowe, Tara Bronson, Tammy Christman, Lisa Cronan, Amanda Stamas, Monica Calzolari, Jennifer Insetta, Sandra Gardner, Kyle Liner, William Rohde,Heegan, Loretta Garcia, Adam Remillard and Lonny Chin. Inset is Number 27 is Melissa Marietta, Oneonta, who introduces herself and tells how she fell in love with out area. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Over 250 brides, grooms and their families came to the 2019 Bridal Expo this afternoon in the atrium of Foothills Performing Arts Center. Guest like Danielle Dobitsch and Tim Maguire, Walton, at right, sampled cake, BBQ and hors d’oeuvres as they spoke with DJ’s, wedding vendors, photographers and more. Afterwards, brides like Marisa Gray, above, Unadilla, who was spending some quality time with her future mother-in-law Ann Marie DeForest, made her way to the Rainbow’s End After Party to try on dresses and partake in the Bag o’ Bargains event, where they could fill a bag with as much wedding attire as possible for only $100. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com
GOHS Executive Director Bob Brzozowski, Oneonta, peruses vintage postcards and papers at a booth at the Second Sunday Flea Market this morning at the Quality Inn. Whether you are on the hunt for a piece of history or looking for a new piece of art for the walls or you just like to look, you can stop by the show until 2 p.m. today. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Brian Horne, Mitchell Woodbeck, Gary Toombs, Keira Brown and 142 other brave – and chilly! – runners take off from the starting line of the starting line of the YMCA’s annual New Year’s Eve Frostbite 5K run earlier this afternoon on Market St. At right, Oneonta’s Michael Hamilton came in first place overall with a time of 18:06. The New Year’s Eve festivities continue this evening with the First Night parade at 5:30, followed by music, dancing, a poetry reading and talent show, as well as a chance to meet Oneonta’s own American Ninja Warrior, Anthony Eardley, at the free “20/20 – I Can See Clearly Now” celebration at Foothills. The fun continues until 10 p.m., when fireworks will be launched from Neahwa Park, then stick around for a blacklight after-party and Cosmic Karma fire dancers. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Over 150 friends and family, some coming from as far away as Denver, gathered this afternoon at Elm Park United Methodist Church in Oneonta to honor Everett Bassett, seen here with wife Sharon, on his retirement. Everett has served the United Methodist community for 43 years, for the past three and a half years as superintendent of the Oneonta District, overseeing 57 United Methodist churches. The Bassetts will be moving to Virginia Beach, Va. The church assembled numerous cleaning kits in their honor, which will be donated to the North East Mission Central Hub. From there, the kits will be sent out to UMCORPS operating in disaster zones. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
In celebration of the first night of Hanukkah, Jeff Rebinowitz, Temple Beth El, lights the first candle on the Menorah during the third annual Hanukkah celebration in Muller Plaza this evening. Before the lighting, Rabbi Meir Rubashkin, seen in lower left, shared his thoughts with the crowd, urging them, “Ask ourselves how we can add kindness and positivity to the world in ways that is outside the norm? You gotta be a little nuts in how you spread your light in the world. We can overcome darkness, and it will be a catalyst to something greater.” Following the lighting, guests enjoyed hot cider, apple sauce, latkes, gilt and more. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Sarah Patterson, Oneonta, gift-wraps presents for Chrsitmas shoppers at the Southside Mall Saturday afternoon at the gift-wrapping station near Bath & Body Works. It’s an annual tradition to help benefit the Catskill Symphony Orchestra and will continue until Christmas Eve. Hours are Sunday 12-6pm, Monday 10am-8pm and Tuesday 10am-5pm. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Jerry Kabat, overlooks a Living Home Nativity set he purchased at BJ’s several years ago. “The figures are porcelain and the clothes are all made of fabric. I just love this one, and I haven’t seen another like it since,” he said. The creche is one of more than a dozen from all over the world, ranging from vintage to modern, rendered in all sorts of mediums, now on display at the annual Creche Show at Cavalry Hill Retreat Center at 290 Chestnut St. in Oneonta. The show is free and open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m Saturday and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Fifty protesters gathered in Oneonta’s Muller Plaza this evening in support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump, which may be voted on by the House of Representatives tomorrow. Above, Alice Lichtenstein, Becca Brooks, Elayne Moser-Campoli and others flash their signs as passing cars while organizer Amy Pondolfino, right, read selections from Congress’ Articles of Impeachment, which charge the President with Obstruction of Justice and Abuse of Power stemming from charges that he withheld military aid as a means of pressuring Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to perform favors for him. The crowd followed by singing seasonally inspired songs like “‘Tis The Season For Impeachment.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
HOLIDAY WORKSHOP – 1 – 3 p.m. Children are invited to decorate their own Christmas bulb, sing along to Christmas carols on player piano. Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-0960 or visit www.oneontahistory.org/index.htm
After strange metallic sounds landed their car in the shop for repairs, Liza DiSavino and A.J. Bodnar found themselves on an extended layover and decided to share their musical talents alongside area hand bell choirs for this afternoon’s Christmas in the Catskills Holiday Spectacular at First United Methodist Church. Above, Liza and A.J., as their stage act is known, sing a Christmas song from Kentucky, where they now live after moving from Westford. At right, Chris Brashear, Oneonta, performs with The Buckingham Ringers alongside his son, Elias, during one of the opening numbers of the concert. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
HOLIDAY RUN – 10 a.m. Race through Cooperstown in your ugliest holiday sweater. Runners receive free coffee/hot chocolate upon completion. Registration 8:30 – 9:30. Cost, $25/individual. Start at Santa’s house, Pioneer Park, Main St., Cooperstown. 607-547-2800 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com/events/2019-rockin-around-cooperstown-ugly-sweater-runwalk/
The Nutcracker (Caio Legname, right), and Clara (Julianna Brzezinski, left) dance with Sugarplum Fairy Maya Schonbrun during the Fokine Ballet Company of Oneonta’s annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Saturday afternoon at SUNY Oneonta’s Goodrich Theater. Inset, Mouse King Evan Clark and The Nutcracker lock in a duel of swords beneath the Christmas Tree. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
