Locals-People and Businesses in the News: July 6, 2023
DIGGING DEEP: In late May, Michael Jerome, a member of the Rotary E-Club of Global Trekkers, was joined by other volunteers in planting trees and shrubs on a parcel of land bordering the Susquehanna River just below Otsego Lake. The plantings included black willow, ninebark, red osier dogwood and silky dogwood. Last year, Jerome and other volunteers planted more than 200 trees along a nearby creek. The Susquehanna River, the longest river on the East Coast of the United States, begins its 444-mile southerly flow to the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland at the outlet of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown. The Susquehanna and its tributaries in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland drain over 27,000 square miles, contributing one-half of the fresh water flowing to the Chesapeake Bay. Trees for Tributaries, a program of the New York State Department of Conservation, provides trees and shrubs to plant along creeks, streams, and rivers across New York. These buffers help reduce bank erosion, increase flood protection and control sediment deposition. Other members of the Rotary E-Club of Global Trekkers also participated in planting native trees and flora in their respective countries to help preserve the environment. Rotary E-Club of Global Trekkers, based in North Carolina, features a diverse membership of professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and change-makers from other U.S. states and countries. Their numerous service projects align with Rotary International’s Seven Areas of Focus to improve the lives of people in the U.S. and around the globe. The club meets weekly on Monday at 6 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S. and Canada) via Zoom. Visit https://www.rotaryglobaltrekkers.org/ to learn more. Jerome is pictured with Marianne Bez, setting a stake near a newly planted tree along the Susquehanna River. (Photo provided)
YOUNG AT ART: On Saturday, June 10, teachers, families, and community members gathered at Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown to celebrate the achievements of young artists in Central New York. More than 300 artists in grades 6-12 participated in the museum’s annual “Young at Art!” Regional Youth Art Contest. The artworks of 38 young artists were selected to comprise the exhibition, “Young at Art! Visions of Identity,” on view at Fenimore Art Museum through July 23. Gallery viewing, artmaking activities, and a live performance by the Little Delaware Youth Ensemble under the direction of Uli Speth preceded a keynote address by Nicole Condon-Shih, dean of the School of Pratt Munson, and the announcement of winners by Michelle Bosma, manager of youth programs at Fenimore Art Museum. Special awards were given to Braeden Victory of Cooperstown Central School, whose painting, “Facets,” illustrates the diverse identities that comprise a community. The Grand Prize Award was presented to Kyra Cornelia of Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, whose digital painting, “Compulsory Assimilation,” invites us to consider how digital technologies shape our identities. The award for Outstanding Participation was presented to young artists from Owen D. Young Central School District under the instruction of Mr. John Gardner. More than 22 school districts participated in “Young at Art!” in 2023, its third year. “Young at Art!” is sponsored in part by Bank of Cooperstown, NYCM Insurance, the Black Family Foundation and Stewart’s Holiday Match.
CAMPAIGN KICKOFF: More than 65 supporters joined MacGuire Benton, candidate for Otsego County clerk, on Saturday, June 17 at Oneonta’s Maffei Manor to kick start his campaign. Guests dined on hamburgers, hot dogs and salads, played yard games, rode on a paddle boat, and listened to some political speeches. Among those in attendance were Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, Nora Mendez, candidate for county board, Don Garrison, candidate for Oneonta City Council, and Dylon Arnot, candidate for Hartwick town supervisor. Benton stated, “I am so grateful to everyone who helped make the event a success and to everyone who came. The energy is tangible. United behind a vision for the county clerk’s office and DMV, we will win in November, for all of Otsego County.”
CHEMIST CONGRATS: Jacob Keough-Villanti of Oneonta graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in chemistry on May 20. Many graduates will continue their studies after graduation at RPI and universities such as Columbia University, Stanford University, and Cornell University. Others will begin professional positions with companies such as Dow Jones, Rockstar Games, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pfizer, Volvo Group, Boston Children’s Hospital, Edwards Lifesciences, Mastercard, Consigli and WL Gore.
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFAULT EXPLORED: “Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets” is the latest book by renowned environmental strategist and writer Paula DiPerna. World traveler DiPerna brings a unique voice and optic to de-mystify and unveil today’s most fascinating financial disruption—pricing the priceless to flip conventional ideas of how we value natural assets and why. She asks the provocative question long ignored: Why do we value the indispensable atmosphere at zero, but dispensable production in the trillions? She digs into alternatives, with real-life examples from around the globe of fascinating and pioneering financial innovations—controversial and paradoxical, but essential. With a traveler’s voice, an explorer’s eye and a journalist’s quest for the facts, DiPerna journeys from rainforests to Wall Street, board rooms to the Vatican, coral reefs to mangroves to China’s carbon markets. DiPerna is a resident of Middlefield and Manhattan when not traveling, and was instrumental for a number of local initiatives as a founding member of Otsego 2000. She is a pioneer and leader at the forefront of finance and climate policy, from the Oval Office to Antarctica, coral reefs to carbon markets. She served as president of CCX International, the world’s first expansive emissions trading system to address global warming; president of the Joyce Foundation; and writer for underwater hero Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Currently, she is special advisor to CDP, the world’s only integrated environmental disclosure system.
A&M ACHIEVERS: Rileigh Mae Mumbulo of Edmeston and Bryan Ozobiani Abanonu were among the 1,100 students who graduated from West Texas A&M University in May. Mumbulo received a master’s degree in agriculture and Abanonu a bachelor’s degree in digital communications and media. WT is located in Canyon, Texas on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990.
UA GRADUATE: New Berlin’s Ashley Harrington has received a Master of Public Health degree from The University of Alabama. UA awarded over 5,885 degrees during its spring commencement ceremonies. The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university and provides numerous opportunities for service and growth to help prepare future generations through its educational, cultural, and social experiences.
LUCKY DUCKS: On Monday, June 12, representatives of the Lucky Duck golf tournament presented Helios Care with a check for $2,500.00 to be used for the Camp Forget-Me-Not Program. The Lucky Duck golf tournament, now in its 17th year, chooses to help local people or organizations that they determine can use a “helping hand.” The tournament began as a fun event and grew to include giving back to the community. Tournament funds have helped fix roofs, helped with transportation costs for a family, given the course keepers a much-needed reward for all their hard work, and more. “At first, we didn’t know how the golfers would respond to the idea, but they have been delighted to help the community,” said Kate Sullivan who, along with husband Mike, has been organizing this tournament for years. “It is so wonderful to be able to help,” Sullivan said. The unrestricted funding will be used to support Helios Cares’ Camp Forget-Me-Not in July, a one-day camp for kids 5-18 who are coping with the loss of a family member. The professional Helios Care social workers, bereavement counselors, and staff teach techniques to help the participants with their grief through art, games, fun activities, and small group sessions. “We are so grateful to community groups and individuals whose donations allow us to provide this important camp free of charge,” said Helios President Dan Ayres. “This camp has been held 49 times and we are so grateful when the community helps support the costs for this very important program. We have seen how this can help change lives. Thank you,” Ayres added. To register for the free Camp Forget-Me-Not Program, call (607) 432-6773. Pictured above from left: Mike Jastremski; Connie Jastremski, past chair of the board; Mike Sullivan and Kate Sullivan, Lucky Duck tournament founders; Helios Care President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Ayres; and Jeff Woeppel, chair of the board. (Photo provided)