News from the Heart of Otsego by Darla M. Youngs

Fundraisers, Spring Cleaning and an Open Call for Volunteers

Welcome back to another edition of “News from the Heart of Otsego,” covering happenings in the Town of Hartwick. Now that both the eclipse and the earthquake are behind us, let’s take a look at what else this month has to offer… On Saturday, April 13, Kinney Memorial Library welcomes Susan Miller, who will present on the history of the Cherry Valley Massacre. Miller is the Cherry Valley town historian and author of the book “Five Days in November: The Cherry Valley Massacre,” a 66-page history published by Plaide Palette Graphics in 2023. Her talk begins at 2 p.m. Barb Potter said of Miller, “She’s an amazing speaker.”

Also on Saturday, April 13, the Hartwick American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Post 1567, will host a spaghetti dinner and benefit auction for Guinevere Millea. A toddler diagnosed in April 2023 with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Guinevere is completing a two-and-a-half-year treatment plan at Golisano’s Children’s Hospital in Syracuse. This event is intended to raise money to assist the Millea family—Scott, Marrissa and Colton—in their support of Guinevere through her journey. The dinner will run from noon to 3 p.m., or until the food is gone. The benefit auction begins at noon. Bidding stops at 3:45 p.m.; drawing of prize winners will start at 4 p.m. Monetary donations are being sought, as are auction donations. Contact Jen Millea at (607) 287-6862 with questions and for further details.

And don’t forget—the Hartwick Literary and Zucchini Soup Society Book Club will meet on Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Kinney Memorial Library to discuss “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict. Interested in joining? The book club meets the third Wednesday of every month. Visit or call the library to learn more. Thanks for the heads up, Barb!

When was the last time you attended a Town Board meeting? I know I am woefully remiss, and will be catching up on municipal news as soon as I hire a full-time reporter… In the meantime, Hartwick residents who would like to learn what is going on in the town and perhaps weigh in on the process can catch the Town Board Work Meeting on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m. If there is anyone out there who is interested in covering and reporting on municipal meetings, including the Town of Hartwick, please give me a call or reach out to me at darlay@allotsego.com with writing samples. The next regular Town Board meeting is set for Monday, May 13. The Planning Board meets next on Tuesday, May 7.

On Saturday, May 4, the town will hold its annual Spring Clean Sweep from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stay tuned for details or check out the town website for more information at hartwickny.gov.

I received an e-mail recently from Martha Clarvoe, who owns and operates Freight Wheel Café along with husband Paul. The Clarvoes are hoping to get some of their reusable containers back. Martha wrote: “When Freight Wheel Café opened in January 2023, we hoped to use a ‘green to-go’ carryout system. By lending out the ‘green’ carry out containers, with customers returning the containers to the red collection container on our front porch, our goal is to close the loop and reduce waste. If there is a green carry-out container on your refrigerator or counter, please return it to Freight Wheel Café, next to the Hartwick Post Office. Completing this cycle will allow you and others to purchase a meal without creating waste. Thanks for your help!”

Speaking of the color green, town officials recently voted to close the green waste disposal site located on town property behind the old school building. Apparently this prompted some lively, and not always polite, discussion on social media. At the end of the day, town officials decided the cons of providing a green waste facility outweighed the pros. A Facebook post on the Hartwick, NY Facebook page on March 13 reads: “So—build or buy your own compost bin and leave the grass clippings on the lawn or around trees and shrubs as a mulch. Just stop the nasty bickering—it is a bad look for the town.”

I reached out to Bryan LoRusso regarding progress at the old school and for an update on the status of the Hartwick Arms, as I had heard through the grapevine that the gun shop might be opening soon. LoRusso said, “Yes, ma’am. Gun shop is almost full but we still don’t have a grand opening date. And the school is almost completely gutted and we’re getting ready to spray foam. Only took 100 years to get insulated.”

Don’t miss the “Paint and Snack” event at the First Baptist Church of Hartwick on Sunday, April 21. This “Crafter-Noon” event begins at 2 p.m. at the church, which is located on the corner of County Route 11 and State Route 205. Participants are asked to bring any size canvas you like, a snack to share and a friend. Donations are appreciated to cover the cost of supplies. If you plan to attend, organizers have asked that you please RSVP by April 10 at (607) 293-8168. I know this issue comes out a day later, but if you missed the deadline you can still call to see if they can squeeze you in.

I’ll end with an open call from Andrea Vazquez, who is looking for community participation in the upcoming Memorial Day parade. “We want you to be in the parade! We are seeking bands, sports teams, law enforcement, fire [departments], EMS, Scouts, horses, classic cars, tractors, business, school groups, church groups, kids with decorated bikes or bikes in general (it would be great if someone could sponsor the bike decorating activity the evening before) and any other groups that you may be a part of,” Vazquez wrote in an e-mail. “We are extremely excited about the parade this year! We are looking to grow the number of people that participate! Please feel free to share with other organizations!” Andrea’s enthusiasm for the parade is contagious!

Oops, one last tidbit: Chase Road is now open!

Darla M. Youngs is a resident of the hamlet of Hartwick, a bit of a hermit, and general manager and senior editor of Iron String Press. Those wishing to contribute to this monthly column are invited to send information and photos to darlay@allotsego.com.