Fred Hickein signs his heirloom muskets over to the Greater Oneonta Historical Society on Wednesday, April 21, as his wife, Eleanor, and from left, Wayne Gregory, Terry Harkenreader and George Sluti, from Oneonta American Legion Post 259, look on.
Fred Hickein wanted to make sure his heirloom muskets stayed in good hands, so the 93-year-old Oneonta resident made a major donation to the Greater Historical Society of Oneonta on Wednesday, April 21.
Hickein and his wife, Eleanor, and several of his colleagues from the Oneonta American Legion Post 259, presented GOHS with two family treasures Wednesday,: an English smooth bore rifle, circa 1800, which Hickein believes was brought to the area by an ancestor of his, Solomon Yager; and a Civil War training musket owned and used by another relative, Edward Brewer.
An Oneonta High School and Hartwick College graduate and a Navy veteran, who served in both World War II and Korea, although never overseas or at sea, Hickein said he wanted the heirlooms to be in good hands and he trusted GOHS to honor his family’s history.
“I wanted to do it before I died,” he said. “I wanted to make sure they were in a good place.”
GOHS Executive Director Marcela Micucci said the group’s history center at 181 Main St. will soon have a permanent display and it will include one or both of the musket donations.
BASEBALL – Noon. Virtual Voices of the Game to honor Hall of Fame 2020 inductee Ted Simmons who played alongside hall of famers Paul Molitor and Robin Yount for the Milwaukee Brewers. Join them as they reminisce about the Brewers team and their journey to the Hall of Fame. Visit baseballhall.org/events/virtual-legends-of-the-game-Ted-Simmons?date=0 for details.
DAY OF THE DEAD – 10 a.m. – Noon. Experience Dia De Muertos and the Latinx community by telling stories in Spanish & English, participating in family activities, enjoy traditional food, more. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-547-8344 or visit www.facebook.com/VillageLibraryOfCooperstown/
SUMMER SUNDAY SERIES – 1 – 3 p.m. Learn about local legend with Jack Ewan presenting “Timothy Murphy: Fact & Fiction” Revolutionary war soldier, sharpshooter, area resident, tall tale hero. Swart-Wilcox House Museum, Wilcox Ave., Oneonta. 607-287-7011 or visit swartwilcoxhouse.wordpress.com/calendar/upcoming-events/
LUMBERJACK FEST – Cherry Valley Outdoor Games return with lumberjack competitions, a rodeo, music and more. Alden Field, Cherry Valley. Info, www.cherryvalleyoutdoorgames.com
OPENING NIGHT PARTY – 8 – 10 p.m. Traditional opening night bash for Glimmerglass film days. Features buffet, complimentary beverage, cash bar, chance to meet artists, filmmakers. Enjoy video, sculpture exhibit by Ted Lott and Yeon Jin Kim. The Smithy, Cooperstown. 607-547-8881 or visit www.glimmerglassfilmdays.org/films-events-01/opening-night-party-and-companion-exhibition
ADOPTION DAY – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Come meet some adorable cats, kittens, & dogs, learn about volunteer & adoption opportunities. Bassett Hall Auditorium, 31 Beaver St., Cooperstown. Call 607-547-8111 or visit www.facebook.com/Susquehanna-Animal-Shelter-121696841223218/
FILM SCREENING – 6 – 8 p.m. Showing of “Screenagers: Growing Up In The Digital Age,” introduced by filmaker & pediatrician Delaney Ruston, M.D. who will moderate a thoughtful and considerate discussion following. Belden Auditorium, Oneonta Senior High School, 130 East St., Oneonta. Call 607-433-8200 or visit www.oneontacsd.org
Above, Len Pudelka, Oneonta, a former history professor at Hartwick, gives the final Sunday Series talk of the season on the lawn on the Swart-Wilcox House this afternoon. His talk was on the local skirmishes in the surrounding area during the Revolutionary War. At right, Helen Rees, Oneonta holds a stone weight that Natives used for net fishing in the area. The artifact, and others like it, are part of a collection found in the fields around the Swart-Wilcox House in the 1950’s by Emerson Horth. He later donated the collection to the Swart-Wilcox House museum where it remains on display. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
OPEN MIC POETRY – 3 p.m. The Barn welcomes those of you who would like to share your poetry with others on a summer afternoon at the Windfall Dutch Barn, 2009 Clinton Rd., Cherry Valley. www.windfalldutchbarn.com/events.html
ENGINE SHOW – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Engine enthusiasts from across the state join together to display their prized antique crank engines from the 1900s. Fly Creek Cider Mill, 288 Goose St., Fly Creek. Call (607)547-9692 or visit www.flycreekcidermill.com
To Learn How You Can Help Area Families This Holiday Season CLICK HERE.
PLANETARIUM – 7-8 p.m. Sky Talk: Leonid Meteor Shower, Fall Galaxies, and video “Wonders of the Universe” SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, 108 Ravine Pkwy., Oneonta. Reservations required. Seats free. Info, oneonta.edu/planetarium/publicshow.asp
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – 4-7 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
