News Briefs: August 31, 2023

Art by the Lake Winners Announced

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum held its 16th annual Art by the Lake juried art invitational on the museum grounds on Saturday, August 12. Eight awards were presented, including the prestigious Fenimore Award, which represents “best in show,” won by Matthias Kern of Andes. Kern will lead relief printmaking lessons for adults at the museum. A two-day basic linocut and woodcut class for students with little or no experience will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. The advanced class in printmaking techniques will follow on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17.

Kathryn DeZur of Oneonta won the Photography Award. Marie Sanderson of Ithaca received the Painting Award. The 2D/Mixed Media Award went to Sonoka Fukuma Gozelski of West Edmeston and the Sculpture/3D Award was awarded to John Jackson of Jefferson. Golden Artist Colors sponsored two painting technique awards: the Painter’s Award, for best use of color, went to Karen Cooper of Duanesburg and the Judge’s Award, for best technique, went to Alex Roediger of Brooklyn. Kate Sullivan, from Cooperstown, received the Viewer’s Choice Award.

Bass Tournament Attracts Devoted Anglers

RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Richfield Springs Community Center held its annual bass fishing tournament on Canadarago Lake on Saturday, July 15. The event drew 32 boats and 76 anglers. The competition was judged by the combined weight of the three largest bass caught by each boat, with a separate “lunker” contest for the largest single fish. Top honors went to Nick Brutsky and Stan Rozyla, with 12.85 pounds; Don Hoag, with 10.36 pounds; and Matt Weisbecker and Jon Czarnecki, with 10.16 pounds. Weisbecker and Czarnecki also took home the “lunker” prize with a single fish weighing 4.93 pounds.

Event organizer and Community Center Board Director Bill Kosina said the tournament was a huge success.

“The fishing tournament was my dad’s idea for a fundraiser for the Community Center many years back,” Kosina said. “He had a bait shop and was in the Susquehanna Bass Association. He passed away in 2015 and this is one way of keeping his memory going.”

Sponsor donations and 10 percent of the entry fees funded the $1,188.00 prize pot. The bass tournament is held in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For more information on the Community Center, visit www.richfieldspringscommunitycenter.org.

Cooperstown Artisan Festival To Return

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce will present the sixth annual Cooperstown Artisan Festival outdoors on the Otsego County Campus, 193-197 Main Street, on Labor Day weekend. The two-day family-friendly festival will feature more than 50 regional artists and crafters offering a wide range of handcrafted goods. It will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 2 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 3. Saturday will feature live music by The Small Town Big Band and the Mopar Cams, and Warren Sieme and The Council Rock Band will play on Sunday. Brake from the Grind, Tacocat, B&B Kettle Korn and All the Perks coffee will offer food and drinks. Children’s activities will include a craft tent by the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum, face painting by Nature’s Canvas, and an appearance by the Utica ZooMobile from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The festival will take place rain or shine and is free to attend. Visit https://www.cooperstownartisanfestival.info/2023-festival?fbclid=IwAR2U_3YjnJaKKvyYPw2qzj89bAVEcl_8nxlJ6HsWjAQuIBqZtZRTA2R81U0 or call (607) 547-9983 for a schedule and complete list of vendors. For more information, contact office@cooperstownchamber.org or call (607) 547-9983.

MEF To Host Golf Tournament Fundraiser

FRANKLIN—Milford Education Foundation, a non-profit that supports educational programming and scholarships in the Milford area, will host its 15th annual golf tournament fundraiser on Sunday, September 17 at the Ouleout Golf Course in Franklin. The captain-and-crew format tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $70.00 per person, which includes green fees, a cart, prizes and dinner, and supports the MEF. The winning team will receive a $200.00 prize. To register, visit www.milfordeducationfoundation.org or call (607) 286-7721, extension 8408.

Reception to be Held for New Art Exhibit

CHERRY VALLEY—25 Main Collective will host an opening reception for its September exhibition, “gestures,” from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, September 1. It will be part of the village-wide Cherry Valley First Fridays festival. The exhibit features recent work by local artists Christine Capuano, Donald Cook, Timeteo and Rebecca Zeh. It will be open through Sunday, October 1. The gallery is generally open for viewing 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Interpretive Arts Dance Ensemble will headline the reception with a dance performance. Refreshments will be served.

Cornfield Contradance to Return

FLY CREEK—Otsego Dance Society will present a community contradance at Cornfield Hall in Fly Creek on Friday, September 1. The social dance will begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about three hours. Traverse, featuring Bernd Neumann, Liz Brown and Carol Mandigo, will perform the music, and Katy Heine will call. There is a suggested donation of $10.00 per adult and $5.00 per teen. For more information, visit the Otsego Dance Society Facebook page or call (607) 965-8232 or (607) 547-8164. Contradance is made possible by the Statewide Community Regrants Program.

DSS Sets Foster Care Information Session

COOPERSTOWN—The Otsego County Department of Social Services will hold an information session on foster parenting from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6. There are more than 16,000 foster children in New York and there is a critical need for new families to provide this life-changing assistance. The event will be held on the third floor of the Otsego County building, 197 Main Street in Cooperstown. Call (607) 547-4355 for more information.

Meet the Candidates Event Set

ONEONTA—The Oneonta Democratic Club will hold its second Meet the Candidates Breakfast of the season at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 9 at Get Fresh on the Main Café, 254 Main Street in Oneonta. Deirdre Hay, candidate for New York State Supreme Court Sixth District, which covers much of the Southern Tier, and MacGuire Benton, candidate for Otsego County Clerk, will address the gathering and take questions from the audience.

According to a release, she “knows we need to get politics out of our courts and is eager to bring her superior courtroom acumen, community leadership and compassion to the State Supreme Court.”

Candidates for the County Board and Oneonta Common Council may also attend.

“I’m looking forward to having breakfast with community members,” Benton said. “Listening and taking questions from residents is my top priority. I’m eager to share my vision and ideas for the future of the County Clerk’s office and DMV. Many thanks to Get Fresh on the Main for hosting us.”
Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by e-mailing garymaffei@gmail.com or by visiting the Oneonta Democrats Facebook page.