News Briefs: April 3, 2025

Fundraiser Concert Announced

ONEONTA—Renowned folk singer Reggie Harris will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Society, 12 Ford Avenue, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Doors will open at 6:30, and admission is by donation. All proceeds will help supply solar panels to Youchaou’s School in Mali, which suffers from electricity shortages. Harris will lead the Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 the next morning on the theme “finding hope in a troubled time.”

Bird Flu Found in Cat Food

ALBANY—New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard A. Ball issued a consumer alert on the potential presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Savage Raw Chicken Cat Food produced by Savage Pet of El Cajon, California. The company issued a recall for product with a lot code/best by date of 11152026, distributed in November. Consumers who purchased this pet food should not feed it to any animal and should immediately return it to their retailer for a full refund. Cats who consumed this product should be carefully monitored for symptoms, including fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes or nose, difficulty breathing, tremors, stiff movements, seizure, lack of coordination or blindness.

Caving Convention Planned

COBLESKILL—The National Speleological Society will hold its 82nd annual convention at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds on June 23-27. This nonprofit, dedicated to the scientific study and preservation of caves, has about 8,000 members nationwide; 800-1,000 are expected to attend. Schoharie County boasts more than 150 known caves, including the longest one in the region. It is central to the Northeast’s “Cave Country” and hosted the 50th NSS convention in 1991.

New CAA Exhibits To Open

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Art Association’s spring season will begin with two new exhibits, on display from April 12 to May 7. “Figurative Connections,” in Gallery A, is a retrospective of printwork and paintings by Scott Magin, 2023 Regional Juried Art Show winner. Sasha Glinski’s “From Backyard to Bog,” featuring landscape oil paintings including many vistas from Otsego County, will be displayed in Gallery B. The exhibits will share an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. There will be a Meet the Artist event with Glinski from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

Blood Drive Announced

ONEONTA—A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital will host an American Red Cross blood drive in the Levine Conference Room from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments may be made by calling 1 (800) 733-2767, visiting redcrossblood.org or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor app. Donors who give blood from April 1-15 will receive a $15.00 gift card by e-mail and will be entered to win a $5,000.00 prize.

Last Call for Choir Signups

COOPERSTOWN—Registration for the Cooperstown Children’s Choir is still open for singers ages 7-12. Participants will learn classic and modern pop and rock songs, as well as basic choreography. Prior experience is not required. Rehearsals will run from 3-4 p.m. on Fridays from April 18 to June 13 at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, with performances on the weekend of June 14-15. There is a $110.00 registration fee for the spring session, although scholarships are available to singers with financial need. For more information or to register, visit CooperstownChildrensChoir.com or contact CooperstownChildrensChoir@gmail.com or (607) 304-1359.

Tree Farm Tour Scheduled

SCHENEVUS—The New York Forest Owner Association will host a free Christmas tree farm tour at 1165 County Highway 34 in Schenevus at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 26. The tour will cover forest management and cultivation. Participants should bring appropriate footwear, a lunch and something to drink. For more information, contact Steve at (607) 902-4090.

New York Gas Prices Inch Up

UTICA—AAA Northeast announced that average gas prices in New York State rose by a penny to $3.11 per gallon in the week ending Monday, March 31. The price is five cents lower than a month ago and 33 cents lower than last year. Although more expensive summer-blended gasoline is entering the market, the usual seasonal uptick has been significantly blunted by low demand, above-average domestic inventories and concerns about a broader economic downturn. Visit gasprices.aaa.com to view the full report.

Helios Fundraiser Is April 19

ONEONTA—Helios Care’s annual Daffodil Jazz Brunch Celebration fundraiser will be held on Saturday, April 19, at a location to be provided upon registration. The outdoor event will feature a catered brunch by Dee Smith Hazlett, smooth jazz by the Rob Hunt Trio and keepsake photography by Gerry Raymonda. There will be a silent auction with a drawing at 1:45 p.m. Attendees may join for the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or noon to 3 p.m. sessions. Admission is $70.00 or $130.00 for a couple, with all proceeds supporting Helios. Seating is limited. For more information or to register, visit https://www.helioscare.org/all-events/daffodil/.

FreshConnect Grants Offered

ALBANY—New funding in the amount of $250,000.00 is available for the latest round of the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program, state Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced. The program covers up to half the cost of fresh, local produce for SNAP recipients, boosting New York’s agriculture sector and improving vulnerable communities’ access to a healthy diet. Up to $50,000.00 can be provided to eligible nonprofits, Indian tribal organizations, public educational institutions and local or municipal governments. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22. For more information, visit agriculture.ny.gov/rfa-0367-freshconnect-csa-snap-program-2025.

‘Hands Off’ Rallies Planned

ONEONTA—Sustainable Otsego announced it will join a nationwide coalition of activists and organizations led by Indivisible to hold “Hands Off” rallies to protest the Trump administration’s ongoing cuts to federal education and environmental programs on Saturday, April 5. Planned actions include a protest in Oneonta’s Muller Plaza from noon to 2 p.m., one in Delhi’s Courthouse Square from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Albany’s West Capitol Park. Visit Indivisible.org for a full list of nationwide events.

GOHS Readies for Annual Sale

ONEONTA—The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will hold its 18th Postcard, Book and Ephemera Show and Sale at 401 Chestnut Street from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Admission and parking are free. GOHS and a dozen vendors will offer a wide variety of vintage local postcards, sports cards, stereo cards, magazines, posters, stamps, and other collector’s items. There will be a silent auction and a special display from GOHS’ upcoming summer exhibition on Oneonta’s musical history. Coffee, tea and donuts will be available. For more information or to volunteer, contact Bob Brzozowski at Brzozowski@OneontaHistory.org or (607) 431-9509.

Museum Opens for the Season

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum opened for the 2025 season on Tuesday, April 1, with 11 exhibitions alongside its permanent collections of fine art, folk art and Native American art. “Allies in Impressionism,” featuring work by Mary Cassatt and Berthe Morisot and on display from May 24 to September 1, will be the season centerpiece. “The Power of Photography: 19th-20th Century Original Master Prints” will run for the same dates, offering a selection of 120 iconic images by 120 different photographers. Original “Calvin and Hobbes” daily and Sunday comic strips, alongside other work by creator Bill Watterson, will be on display from September 13 to December 31. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 23, and will remain open daily until 5 p.m. beginning May 24. For more information or a full list of exhibits, visit fenimoreartmuseum.org.

Human Trafficking Report Out

ALBANY—New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski) and the co-chairs of the Minority Conference Task Force on Human Trafficking, Assemblymembers Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) and Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston), released their final report on human trafficking on Tuesday, March 25. The study features a narrative account of the crisis and action recommendations including a legislative package, and is based on testimony from more than 200 stakeholders. Their proposals include improving funding systems for survivor support nonprofits, ending statutes of limitations for sex trafficking, and requiring all migrants to register with the state. The full report may be found at https://www.nygoppolicy.com/humantrafficking.

Prevention Group Established

ALBANY—The New York State Office for the Aging, Sepsis Alliance, Association on Aging in New York, Home Care Association of New York State and END SEPSIS announced the formation of The Partnership for Sepsis and Aging on Wednesday, March 26. Organizations are urged to join the new nationwide partnership, which aims to prevent life-threatening sepsis by raising awareness of signs, symptoms and interventions. TPSA is free to join, and members are asked to widely share free prevention and awareness resources. The next national meeting will be held on Zoom at 1 p.m. EST on Wednesday, May 21. Sepsis is the number one cause of hospital deaths and hospital readmissions in the United States, as well as the second leading cause of maternal mortality. High or low body temperature, infection symptoms, mental decline, pain, discomfort and shortness of breath are all common symptoms. For more information or to join, visit https://www.sepsis.org/the-partnership-for-sepsis-and-aging-tpsa/.

‘Dance for Democracy’ Slated

COOPERSTOWN—DJ Raphael will perform at a “Dance for Democracy” fundraiser at Templeton Hall, 63 Pioneer Street, from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. There will be a cash bar. Entry is $20.00, with all proceeds supporting the American Civil Liberties Union.

Otesaga Offers Spring Options

COOPERSTOWN—The Otesaga Resort Hotel announced a slate of potential spring getaways to visitors. Options include a wellness trip, offering relaxing surroundings, golf and spa treatments; a culinary escape to enjoy the resort’s many dining options; and art tours of Cooperstown’s cultural offerings. For sports fans, The Otesaga offers a Double Play Package that includes overnight accommodations, Hall of Fame tickets and a souvenir mini-bat. The Spring Escape Special, available from April 1 to May 27, offers 20 percent off guest rooms and a choice of admission to the Fenimore Art Museum or Fenimore Farm and Country Village. For more information, visit Otesaga.com.

OGC To Discuss Pollinators

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Garden Club will hold its next monthly meeting at 305 Main Street at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14. SUNY Oneonta Biology Department Chair Dr. Jeffrey Heilveil will present a program on Otsego County’s native pollinators and ways to help them. All are welcome to attend.

Craft Vendors Needed for Popular Fair Events

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Church of Christ Uniting in Richfield Springs seeks craft vendors for its popular craft fair events. The 44th Annual Friendship Craft Festival will be held in Spring Park on Saturday, June 14, and the 5th Annual Fall Craft Fair is scheduled for Saturday, October 4 at the Cullen Pumpkin, 587 Cullen Road. For more information or to apply, visit rschurchofchristuniting.com and view the “Guild” tab.

SSA Announces Identity Requirements

WASHINGTON, DC—Acting Commissioner of Social Security Lee Dudek announced that the Social Security Administration will implement stronger identity verification procedures, effective April 14. Verification is available online via mySocial Security accounts, ssa.gov/myaccount/ or in person at an SSA office; call 1 (800) 772-1213 to make an appointment. The in-person requirement will not apply to Disability Insurance, Medicare or Supplemental Security Income recipients.

Friends of Music Concerts Return

STAMFORD—Friends of Music of Stamford launches its 2025 season with a chamber concert by Trio Wanderer at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. The internationally acclaimed French trio will perform works by Mendelssohn, Boulanger and Ravel. The concert will be held at 96 Main Street, with a suggested donation of $15.00, or $10.00 for seniors and students. Only cash or check will be accepted, and there are no advance ticket sales. For more information or a complete season lineup, visit friendsmusic.org.

Susquehanna ADK To Begin Hike Series

ONEONTA—The Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club announced that it will lead all-day hikes on the third Saturday of each month from April to October. The new series will begin with an eight-mile flat hike on the Catskill Scenic Trail in Hobart on April 19, followed by five miles of moderately hilly terrain at Landis Arboretum in Esperance on May 17. There will be a five-mile trip with about 850 feet of elevation gain starting at Robert V. Riddell State Park in Davenport on June 21. The group will travel to Thacher State Park in Voorheesville for the seven-mile Indian Ladder Trail on July 19, and will hike the challenging five-mile loop at Whaupaunaucau State Forest near Norwich on August 16. They will visit Kaaterskill Falls, the highest cascading waterfall in the state, for a five-mile trek on September 20. The season will end with a trip to Bramley Mountain Fire Tower in Bloomville on October 18. Each requires pre-registration and will be limited to about 20 participants. Hikers should bring a lunch. For more information or to register, visit susqadk.org/outing-schedule/.

Civilian Conservation Corps Topic of Talk

HARTWICK—The Otsego County Historical Association will host its first educational program of the season on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Hartwick’s Kinney Memorial Library. Presenter Richard Ranieri will share the history of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in our area. The CCC was a New Deal program created in 1933 to combat unemployment during the Great Depression while advancing environmental conservation efforts across the United States. The program employed roughly 3 million young men in a variety of conservation projects, including planting trees, constructing roads and trails, fighting forest fires, and developing parks. The program is free; all are welcome to attend.

NYS Private Sector Adds 3,700 Jobs

ALBANY—The New York State Department of Labor announced that the state’s private sector added 3,700 jobs in February. This 0.1 percent increase matched the nationwide growth rate. New York’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined from 4.4 percent in January to 4.3 percent in February. To view the full report, visit https://dol.ny.gov/news/nys-private-sector-employment-3700-jobs-february-2025.