Jennifer Mickle, Chair of the Relay For Life of Otsego County Committee, pins a purple ribbon button on the vest of Chris Chase, Assistant Director of the American Legion Riders, before the start of the third annual Foliage Run to benefit the Relay for Life at the American Legion Post 259 this afternoon. “Cancer didn’t stop just because COVID happened,” said Mickle. “We can’t hold the walks right now because of social distancing, but donations are appreciated and needed now more than ever.” Another rider who drew some attention was Chase’s dog Pixel, pictured at right, who was ready to ride inside her safety harness and goggles. To donate, please call (607) 287-3588, or visit the Relay for Life of Otsego County facebook page. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
RELAY FOR LIFE – 11 a.m. Join Fall Foliage Run with the American Legion Riders in memory of Robin Enck, Rider & Army Veteran who lost his life to cancer this year. Ride to support American Cancer Society in the search for a cure. Registration begins 9:45 a.m. Cost, $15/participant. American Legions, 279 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-432-0494 or visit www.facebook.com/alrpost259
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.
The Otsego County Relay for Life – a day of resolve – ended with romance, as Christopher “Justin” Haynes – the Oneonta DJ Justino, who emceed at the Relay and handled the audio needs – proposed to his girlfriend, Deanie Lord, from the main stage at Milford’s Wilber Park, as the evening came to an end. The two are no strangers to weddings – Justin operates his own business, DJ Justino Wedding Expert & Photo Booth Specialist, and Deanie has modeled bridal gowns at the annual Bridal Expo at Foothills. (Mark Spaziano photos for AllOTSEGO.com)
At times cheerful, at times tearful, the annual Otsego County Relay for Life is underway at this hour in Milford’s Wilber Park, after guests speakers shared inspirational stories, and Heather Henderson of Schenevus, in particular, gave a rousing call to fight the scourge that has taken so many loved ones from among us. In top photo, leading off survivors on the first circuit of the track, Henderson, left, holds up the banner, joined by Tracy Baker, Cherry Valley; Art Boden, Cooperstown, and Laura Emmett, Oneonta. Inset left, Otsego County’s freshman Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, shares the story of his daughter, Emmy, who developed brain cancer and passed away in 2015 at age 22. Inset right, mom Elaine Kellogg marches with her daughter, cancer fighter Laurene Gage. The ladies, from Burlington Flats, wave at cheering passersby when family members joined survivors in the second loop. The American Legion Riders and the Elite Dance Academy, both from Oneonta, participated in this afternoon activities. The Relay continued until 10 p.m. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
RELAY FOR LIFE – 4-10 p.m. Celebrate cancer survivors, remember lives lost & raise money for the American Cancer Society. Survivor Walk, family fun activities, food, live music, raffles & bake sales, w/lighting luminaria & fireworks at end. Wilber Park, 1-9 S Main St State Hwy 28 Milford. Info, www.relayforlife.org/otsegocountyny
Laura Emmett has gained strength from Relays for Life, and plans to be walking again Saturday in Milford. (Jennifer Hill/AllOTSEGO.com)
MILFORD – For two-time cancer survivor Laura Emmett, the outpouring of support she experiences at the annual Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society fundraiser, fills her with hope.
“When you’re walking the laps of the Relay’s Survivor Walk and the crowd is cheering you on, it’s just incredible,” she said, looking forward this year’s, 4-10 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Milford’s Wilber Park. “It brings tears to my eyes.”
The value of that support cannot be measured, Emmett said. She discovered that in 2012 after her first cancer diagnosis, “Stage Zero” of breast cancer and could not find a cancer support group in Otsego County.
After Emmett underwent treatment for it in early 2013 – a double mastectomy and full hysterectomy to prevent future occurrences of cancer – she and a friend, a fellow survivor, decided to start their own support group.
Carleen Henderson, Schenevus, Jim Wolff, Fly Creek,Thatcher Handy, Cobleskill and Sallie Herrington, Cooperstown, bear the banner during the Survivor’s lap of the Relay For Life at Wilber Park in Milford this afternoon. Despite a constant rain, family, friends, survivors and care-givers came out to show their support in finding a cure for cancer. The event continues through the night and features raffles, prizes, food, events and vendors.(Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
RELAY FOR LIFE – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Otsego County Kick-Off event. Upstate Bar & Grill, 5418 NY-28, Cooperstown. Call 607-766-6925 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/OtsegoCountyNY
PUBLIC MEETING – 3:30-4:30 p.m. Discuss and comment on the Otsego county Draft Local Solid Waste Management Plan. Available for comment through Mar. 18. Huntington Memorial Library, 3rd Floor, 62 Chestnut St., Oneonta. Call 607-547-4225 or visit otsegocounty.com/depts/sw/
RELAY FOR LIFE – 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Support the search for a cure to cancer, remember the dead, and support the living. Wilber park, 1-19 S. Main St., St. Hwy. 28, Milford. Info, Lauren.Ferraro@cancer.org
BROOKWOOD POINT REOPENING – Noon-5 p.m. Enjoy food, lawn games, music, kayaking, demonstrations, and more at Brookwood Point, 6000 State Highway 80, West Lake Rd., Cooperstown. Info, otsegolandtrust.org
HISTORY REMEMBERED – 1 p.m. Unveiling Cato Freedom historical marker. In memory of Cato Freedom who gained his freedom due to his service in the Revolutionary War. Butternut Valley Cemetery, Co. Hwy. 16, Burlington Flats. Info, Deb Mackenzie, President Otsego County Historical Association, (607) 293-6635.
Cancer survivors Nelson Wells, Moira Beach and caregiver Sue Hawley, all of Oneonta, above, applaud in appreciation as over 1,100 walked at the at the ninth annual Relay For Life in the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Field House. The event had already collected $23,000 from preregisters, and has raised over $270,000 to date for the he American Cancer Society. Participants enjoyed live music from bands and DJs, games, food and guest speakers like twice Assembly candidate John Salka, Bridgewater, left, who lost his daughter Emily to brain cancer. “It’s important to not lose hope, and to give support to those in need.” said Salka, “Sooner or later we will have a cure for cancer.” (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Holding the banner at today’s Cooperstown/Northern Otsego Relay For life are, from right, survivors Ed Bellow and Jim Domion, both of Richfield Springs, and Michael Hall, West Oneonta. At the far end is Helen Gregory, executive director of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society. More than 300 survivors are scheduled to participate, Gregory said. The Relay continues until 10 p.m. at Cooperstown Dreams Park in Hartwick Seminary. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Area Cancer survivors Allison Wilber, Burlington Flatts, Joyce Boyde, Fly Creek, Janet McCarthy, East Springfield, and Susan Carpenter, Edmeston carry the survivors’ banner during the Survivors’ lap of the Relay for Life walk held at the Cooperstown Dreams Park on Friday evening. (Ian Austin/allotsego.com)
The SUNY Alumni Field House hosted the annual Relay For Life last night, which, at 11pm, had made over $51,000 dollars. Seen here are members of Team Mimi, which was formed three weeks ago to honor the late Jackie Ruff who had worked at SUNY. Under the leadership of Laurie Emmett they have started a peer lead support group for people living with Cancer and their families on the 3rd Wed. of every month at the Hunt Union. From left: Ethan Lowe, Otego, Elaine Lowe, Otego, Moira Beach, Oneonta, Diane Loveland, Otego, Laura Emmett, Maryland, Judi McWherter, Oneonta, Rachael Price, Oneonta, Kate Bronk, Oneonta, and Natalia Allen, Oneonta. (Ian Austin/ allotsego.com)
Jennifer Mickle, Chair of the Relay For Life of Otsego County Committee, pins a purple ribbon button on the vest of Chris Chase, Assistant Director of the American Legion Riders, before the start of the third annual Foliage Run to benefit the Relay for Life at the American Legion Post 259 this afternoon. “Cancer didn’t stop just because COVID happened,” said Mickle. “We can’t hold the walks right now because of social distancing, but donations are appreciated and needed now more than ever.” Another rider who drew some attention was Chase’s dog Pixel, pictured at right, who was ready to ride inside her safety harness and goggles. To donate, please call (607) 287-3588, or visit the Relay for Life of Otsego County facebook page. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
