Legendary American String Quartet Opens the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival’s 27th Season with Mozart, Brahms, and Basque Folk Traditions

Concert Features Artistic Director and flutist Linda Chesis in Intimate Chamber Music Evening Monday, July 21st at Fenimore Farm and Country Village

[COOPERSTOWN, NY - July 7, 2025] The acclaimed American String Quartet launches CSMF’s new season with a captivating program that ranges from Mozart's royal court elegance to folk-inspired works of the late 19th century. The evening opens with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's String Quartet in B-flat major, K. 589, from the "Prussian" Quartets (his final three), which showcase his characteristic style and refinement while giving a prominent, lyrical role to the cello, born of Mozart’s hope for the patronage of cellist-King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia.

In a special collaboration, CSMF Artistic Director and flutist Linda Chesis will join the quartet for Charles Bordes's Suite Basque, op. 6, a little-known gem which highlights Bordes's fascination with Basque folk music and features the flute, representing the traditional Basque txistu, a type of flute which came to symbolize the Basque folk revival. This performance offers a portal to the unique character and rhythmic vitality of Basque musical heritage.

The evening reaches its zenith with Johannes Brahms's String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, op. 111. Written for string quintet with two violas, this extraordinary work achieves an almost symphonic sonority in its outer movements. Exuberant, sumptuous, and unmistakably Brahms,  the work was intended by the composer to be his last, and unarguably one of the finest achievements in his chamber music. In fact, when he sent the score to his publisher, Brahms included a note to effect that Simrock Publishing now held his “last will and testament.”

For this performance, the current American String Quartet violist will be joined by the former ASQ violist, Daniel Avshalomov, for a special reunion. The quintet's exuberant finale reflects Brahms' Hungarian Dances, creating a folk music connection that pairs beautifully with the Bordes. The American String Quartet continues to set the standard for chamber music excellence, bringing decades of experience and artistic refinement to this carefully curated program that spans classical elegance, folk inspiration, and romantic grandeur.

"We're thrilled to welcome back these Festival favorites," said Artistic Director Linda Chesis. "The American String Quartet has been such an integral part of our musical community. Their return to open our season feels like a homecoming we can't wait to share with our audiences."

Program:

• W.A. Mozart - String Quartet  in B-flat major, K. 589

• Charles Bordes - Suite Basque, op. 6

• Johannes Brahms - String Quintet No. 2 in G major, op. 111

Artists:

• American String Quartet - Peter Winograd, violin; Laurie Carney, violin; Matthias Buchholz, viola; Wolfram Koessel, cello

• Linda Chesis, flute

• Daniel Avshalomov, viola

Event Details:

American String Quartet

Monday, July 21 at 7:00PM

Fenimore Farm and Country Village

5775 NY-80, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased in advance either online at www.cooperstownmusicfest.org or over the phone by calling Purplepass Tickets at 800-316-8559 and selecting Option 1. Please note there is a $2 service fee per phone order. Tickets will also be sold at the door, as available.

About the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival:

Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area for over 25 years. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter, and Jasper String Quartets, Stefon Harris, Bill Charlap, Kurt Elling, Simone Dinnerstein, Mark O’Connor, John Pizzarelli, the Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company, and many more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, Fenimore Farm and Country Village, and Christ Church (the church of author James Fenimore Cooper).

The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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Crafters Wanted for Fall Craft Fair

Crafters are invited to participate in the 5th Annual Fall Craft Fair at the Cullen Pumpkin Farm, located at 587 Cullen Road, Richfield Springs, on Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fall Craft Fair is sponsored by the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs.

The Food Booth will be provided by the Richfield Youth Sports organization.

The Cullen Pumpkin Farm, a long-time family-owned business, is a popular fall destination. Check them out at www.cullenpumpkinfarm.com

Applications for the Fall Craft Fair are being accepted until October 1. For info/application e-mail fallcraftfair@yahoo.com 

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Otsego County Conservation Association to Host Environmental Trailblazer Anne Marie Garti at Annual Dinner

Hartwick, NY – The Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) is pleased to announce its Annual Dinner, to be held on Sunday, August 24 at 5:00 p.m. at Creekside Station in Hartwick, NY. This event brings together community members, local leaders, and environmental advocates for an evening of celebration, connection, and commitment to safeguarding the region’s natural heritage.

Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated farm-to-table feast by Bee Blossom Catering, featuring fresh ingredients from local farms including Chicory Creek Farm, Sleeping Lion Farm, and Painted Goat Farm. The evening will also include the presentation of OCCA’s Conservationist of the Year award, followed by a keynote address by renowned environmental attorney and activist Anne Marie Garti.

Raised in Delhi, NY, Garti is known for her fearless advocacy and legal expertise in defending both communities and ecosystems across the Northeast. Her accomplishments include preserving the Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx and leading the successful, decade-long fight against the Constitution Pipeline. Her work exemplifies the power of grassroots organizing backed by strategic legal action—and her insights promise to resonate deeply with all who care about environmental justice and the future of our shared landscapes.

“We’re honored to welcome Anne Marie Garti as our keynote speaker,” said Shelby MacLeish, OCCA Assistant Director. “Her story is a reminder that real change starts when everyday people come together with purpose. OCCA's Annual Dinner is not just a celebration—it’s a call to action, and a vital fundraiser that fuels our year-round work to protect Otsego County’s forests, farms, and waters.”

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online or by mailing a check to OCCA at PO Box 931, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Tickets are $75/each.  For those unable to attend, there are still meaningful ways to participate—silent auction donations and event sponsorships are welcome and help ensure the continued success of OCCA’s programs.

Suggested contributions for the auction include art, wine, handmade goods, local experiences, gift certificates, and themed baskets—any offering that reflects the talent and generosity of our community.

For tickets, donations, or additional information, please contact Shelby MacLeish at coordinator@occainfo.org or call 607-547-4488.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of local food, powerful storytelling, and a shared vision for a more sustainable future.

---

About OCCA:
Founded in 1968, the Otsego County Conservation Association works to protect, sustain, and enhance the environmental quality of Otsego County through education, advocacy, and practical conservation efforts. OCCA fosters community engagement and promotes the responsible use and stewardship of our region’s natural resources.

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A Joyful Voyage Begins This Summer with South: A Nautical Musical

A Joyful Voyage Begins This Summer with South: A Nautical Musical
Bridge Street Theatre in Catskill sets sail with a brand-new production of Carmen Borgia’s award-winning musical

Catskill, NY – This summer, Bridge Street Theatre invites audiences to hoist the sails, pack their sense of adventure, and come aboard South: A Nautical Musical — a delightfully offbeat, emotionally rich, and gloriously tuneful new musical comedy making its stage debut in Catskill. Directed and choreographed by Timothy Dakin-Dunn, South opens July 24 and runs through August 3, 2025.

Originally developed as a full-length audio musical — and winner of a Platinum Award from the National Audio Theatre Festivals — South tells the story of a young sailor on a quest to find his mother, encountering pirates, queens, and coffee along the way. Set in the golden era of wooden ships and Caribbean breezes, it’s a journey filled with heart, hilarity, and a killer score of original songs by writer-composer Carmen Borgia.

Dakin-Dunn, who also serves as Bridge Street Theatre’s Assistant Artistic Director, was drawn to the project for its joyful spirit and theatrical scope. “The world feels kind of chaotic and scary right now,” he says, “and rather than shrivel up and hide, I decided, instead, that I'd much rather stand up and make some joyful noise! And that's what this show is! A celebration of musical theatre! Sailboats! Pirates! Amazonian queens! Long-lost parents! Bone jokes! It’s just one big theatrical shot of joy into the sky! A signal to others to come gather ’round, folks! We’re doing JOY over here!”

With musical direction by Borgia himself and an on-stage eight-piece band, this production transforms his award-winning audio odyssey into a fully live, richly theatrical event. Featuring a cast of local and regional performers from across the Hudson Valley and beyond, South brings together artists from Catskill, Poughkeepsie, Lexington, Croton-on-Hudson, Warwick, Saratoga, Salem, and NYC. “Not to brag,” says Dakin-Dunn, “but the talent in this show... is STACKED.”

Though filled with high-seas hijinks and tongue-in-cheek charm, South also carries deeper resonance. “It’s a simple journey,” Dakin-Dunn adds, “people moving from one place to another, one emotional state to another — told with theatrical invention, literary depth, and thrilling stagecraft. It reminds us that stuff might be tough and weird right now, but we're still alive. We still have a chance. Anything is possible. And when in doubt, always add more ukulele.”

South: A Nautical Musical
Written & Composed by Carmen Borgia
Directed & Choreographed by Timothy Dakin-Dunn
Musical Direction by Carmen Borgia

With
Arabella – Julia Chen Myers
Wheeler – Lee Hollis Bussie*
Hurley – Álvaro Medina
Captain Spar – Richard Koons*
Queen Margaret/Ensemble – M’Lanie Hunter*
Luisa/accordion – Alison Davy
Pym/piano – Jay Kerr
Ucello/Ensemble – Johnny Martinez
Pirate Captain/Ensemble – Magnus Bush
Ensemble/Arabella Understudy – Sarah Von Egypt
Ensemble/Asst Director/ Asst Choreo – Allegra Coons

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers

Performances:
July 24 – August 3, 2025
Thurs, Fri & Sat @ 7:30pm | Sun @ 2:00pm
Bridge Street Theatre, 44 West Bridge Street, Catskill, NY

Tickets:
$37 Adults | $20 Students
Available now at BridgeStreetTheatre.org

For media inquiries, interviews, or press comps, contact:
Bridge Street Theatre
(518) 943–3894 | contact@bridgest.org

 

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The Entrepreneur’s Corner

By Dr. Son Tran

Tip #1: Start with “WHY”

What It Means

Before you open a shop, buy equipment, or print business cards, ask yourself: WHY do I want to run this business?
Is it just to make money? Or do you want to provide something helpful to your neighbors? Your “WHY” is your purpose. It’s the deeper reason you get up early and work hard every day. A strong WHY keeps you going even when business is slow, and it helps your customers connect with you on a personal level.

Every successful business has a reason for existing beyond just making profit. That reason shapes your customer service, your product, your pricing—and even how you talk about your work. When you know your WHY, you can make decisions more confidently. You stop chasing every trend, and you focus on what really matters.

Think of your “WHY” as the roots of a tree. You don’t see them, but they hold up everything. The stronger the roots, the longer your business can grow.

 Stories from Business World

You may have heard of Chick-fil-A, the fast-food restaurant known for friendly service. Their founder, Truett Cathy, once said: “We’re not just in the chicken business; we’re in the people business.” That’s their “WHY”—to serve others with kindness and care.
That’s WHY their workers say “my pleasure” instead of “you’re welcome.” People go there not just for the food, but because they feel valued.
They close every Sunday, even though they lose business, because part of their purpose is giving employees time to rest and spend with family. That’s how seriously they take their “WHY.”

Another example is TOMS Shoes, whose founder Blake Mycoskie started the business to give a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. That mission helped turn a small idea into a global brand.

 How You Can Use It

Let’s say you run a small auto repair shop. Your “WHY” might be: “To help working families stay safe and keep their cars running without being overcharged.”
Or you run a hair salon: “To make people feel confident and happy when they look in the mirror.”

When your customers know WHY you do what you do, they’re more likely to trust you—and come back.

Here in Cobleskill, I know a local sandwich shop that started with the simple purpose of offering healthy food made with love. Their sign says: “Just like Mom made it.” That’s their “WHY”—and it brings people back. The owner told me: “I don’t just make sandwiches; I make people feel like home.” That’s the kind of WHY that lasts.

A Fun Example

At a farmers market, I once saw two booths selling the same honey. One man just said, “$10 per jar.” The other smiled and said, “These bees are from my family farm. I started beekeeping with my daughter during the pandemic.”
Guess who had a line of customers?
It wasn’t just honey—it was a story. A reason. A WHY.
People didn’t just buy a jar. They bought meaning. They bought connection.

 Final Thoughts

Your business is more than a job. It’s a way of helping people.
When customers see your heart, they’ll support your hands.
So before you plan anything else, take a moment to answer this simple question:
“WHY do I do what I do?”
Because your WHY is what turns a small business into something truly special.

Dr. Son Tran is a business and entrepreneurship professor at SUNY Cobleskill.

 

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THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS - An Overhanging Ledge

Last week we visited a ledge just north of the North-South Lake Campground. We discovered that it had origins dating back to a Devonian age river channel. We witnessed flood events in that ancient stream which are preserved in today’s strata. This week we will be looking at the very same strata from a different angle and seeing something entirely different. Take a look at our illustration. You will see that there is an overhanging ledge of sandstone beds at the top, the same as last week. But look below; there you will observe more sandstones. These must somehow be softer than the overhanging beds. They have thus found a way to erode more quickly and retreat farther into the hill. Now look at the very bottom of our photo. You will soon spot a heap of loose flat slabs. They used to be up above – up there as part of the overhanging strata. We can guess that, from time to time, each of them, one by one, has fallen from that “ceiling.”  Over time they have piled up right where we see them. Altogether that’s a nice image of some rather commonplace stratified rock. But we looked and began to ponder more about what we were looking at.

 

                                               

 

 

We looked at this and thought about that something very different. And that “something” was the top of a typical waterfall. Specifically, we were thinking about something called the capstone of a waterfall. That’s Ge101, introductory geology. It’s a course that almost always talks about the formation of a waterfall. The teachers speak about a sturdy, tough horizon of rock called the capstone. Below it there is always softer, easier to erode rock. Well, there’s actually nothing “soft” about any of those lower sandstones but they are subject to relatively faster rates of erosion. Horizons of the soft stuff are constantly experiencing all the physical and chemical processes of weathering. Those horizons, over time, have been retreating just a little quicker than the overlying capstone strata. That leaves a growing “ceiling,” relatively resistant to all that weathering, hanging up there above. Take a look at our photo and you will see all this. You see, those slabs up there were all only softly cemented to each other. That means that there had been a constant stress imposed by gravity. Every once in a while, a slab of capstone dropped. Then, over long periods of time, more and more blocks of capstone rock dropped, and the waterfall finds itself retreating. We geologists call this waterfall retreat.  So, we have discovered all of the elements of a typical waterfall in this typical Catskills ledge; the only thing that is missing is the water! Well, take a look at our second illustration, a print from 1873 by Winslow Homer. Theres the water. Now you can see how Kaaterskill Falls and our ledge are the products of these same processes.

                                                         

All this conjures up into question an issue that let’s call “ledge retreat.” We are asking – do ledges retreat in a manner similar to waterfalls? On the face of it – yes, they seem to. But, without the help of flowing water, hillslope retreat is a much slower process.

Contact the authors at randjtitus@prodigy.net. Join their facebook page “The Catskill Geologist.” Read their blogs at “thecatskillgeologist.com.”

 

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A Conversation about …Clover and Thyme

By Jean Thomas

It's July. The days have already begun to get shorter. There is no accompanying decrease to the heat or the rain. I am beginning to resent the weather, which, frankly happens about this time every year. So, other than record-breaking statistics, is normal. The rain has been abnormal so far, though, which has made the lawn a whole new universe. Areas that would have looked like bald patches because the grass grew so sparsely are now as lush and green as the rest of the lawn. Constellations of white clover are sprinkled everywhere. Mowing has become a competetive sport, not against other homeowners but against the next deluge. Victory is declared when I manage to mow the evening before a full day of rain. I sulk when I miss the window of opportunity, and the clover is a badge of failure. But clover is no villain. It's a pollinator supreme, nourishing millions of insects and helping them spread pollen for their neighboring flowering plants. There is a whole list of benefits to the presence of white clover in a lawn or, for that matter, garden. The roots help aerate the soil and have little nodules that retrieve nitrogen and deposit it in the soil, improving the fertility. Clover can redeem areas threatened with erosion with their network of roots. Many farmers and ecologists buy bags of the seed to do all this intentionally. I get it for free. When I mow the lawn, I trim off all the flower heads and get a temporary golf course effect of uninterrupted emerald green. I will admit, I am partial to the clover galaxy. 

When I mow, I monitor the whole lawnscape. I keep an eye out for ant hills developing (rare) and patches of wild thyme. The thyme is developing colonies of tiny round leaved plants right now. A thyme lawn is aspired to among many who love the idea of an herbal expanse of purple. In my experience, in the Catskill wilderness, a totally thyme lawn is unrealistic. It is not possible to keep grasses from invading, not to mention the clover we were just describing. Thyme lawns can be beautiful in very small gardens and among hardscape details, where constant attention is possible. The compromise is what I see in many of the yards in my neighborhood. The dry areas fill up with thyme, which spreads to the perimeter of the dry area. Nothing much infiltrates there because of the thyme's tolerance for drought. Now, any plant will appreciate a manageable surplus of water. Thyme is no exception. As I ride over the clumps of thyme, I admire the lush growth it is making this year. It is beginning to show flower buds, and soon, on a hot day, there will be scattered blotches of purple adorning the green of the lawn. The clover seems to step back briefly to give the thyme a moment of glory. I spend more time outside with my camera than I ought to trying to capture the beauty. I have yet to succeed. Like clover, thyme is credited with many virtues, but more in the herbal uses than soil amendment. They make good neighbors, to each other and to the environment. And to me. There's even a thing called a “bee lawn” that combines both of these with certain low growing wildflowers. That's what I have and it planted itself! Here's a link: https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/planting-and-maintaining-bee-lawn. 

 

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Meet Your Margaretville Hospital Board Members - Emilie Adams

By Matthew Avitabile

MARGARETVILLE — This article begins a series interviewing members of the Margaretville Hospital Board to help bring information to the public about critical services. We are starting with our first of nine board members about the hospital and board.

This week we spoke to Emilie Adams, who has been a member of the Margaretville Hospital Executive Board for five years. She has been chair for two years, previously serving as vice chair.

She paints watercolors, has chickens, ducks, dogs, children, and a husband. She said her husband describes her as “collecting living things that depend on you for survival.” Her family moved to the area in 2014. Adams’ husband is from Wales and Adams was born on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa Reservation in Minnesota. She is half Native American, but looks just like her German father. 

“Health care was not really a thing,” on the Reservation. We had tribal healers and doctors and dentists that visited the reservation every month.”

Her mother had trained to be a police officer, moving to Portland, Oregon. She had a 25-year fashion career, living and working in Paris, before moving to New York City. Adams met her husband, had kids, and moved Upstate when her kids were young.

Adams said that she is most satisfied when “helping.”

Adams joined the board after being asked to serve by Jim Howie. Her experience as a birth doula and lactation counselor was valued, especially during the pandemic. She had time to serve, working virtually during this period. Adams was interviewed and while she didn’t seek it out, it was a valuable chance to serve the community, she said. 

As a birth doula Emilie helps families navigate their healthcare throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and the first few months postpartum  She has done this over the last ten years. She provides “physical but not medical” assistance. She describes herself as a “really trained birth coach.” Emilie is also a certified lactation counselor, helping families nurse and feed their babies. 

She said that she enjoys her leadership role but it “isn’t without its challenges.” Serving as chair means that there is a considerable amount of work to ensure people are being heard and needs are being met, for employees, patients, and the broader community. 

She serves as co-chair on the Auction Committee, which takes up a significant amount of time but resulted in the very successful art auction, which raised thousands for the hospital. She cites the effort by the board members and Jim Howie’s idea in organizing the auction. Adams utilized her experience in the art world and in New York City art galleries to assist in the project.

The auction is growing annually and “we’re raising real money,” she said.

Adams has multiple conversations each week regarding the hospital and the nursing home.

Joining the board in her mid-40s, there is a significant perspective Adams brings to the table.

“The more diverse the board is,” the better the results, she said. “I’d love to see more diversity on the board.”

Volunteering on the board is a responsibility, but is not too much work for a dedicated volunteer.

The last five years has seen the board accomplish “a lot,” she said. The successes are not always as well-known and often occur “behind closed doors.”

This includes the role of bringing in a helicopter landing pad to simplify the process and shorten time to emergency services. While it was originally seen as “impossible,” the groundbreaking will happen later this summer.

Adams also cited bringing raises to all of the staff at Mountainside and the Hospital.

The board is working on making Primary Care more accessible to local residents. There is an active effort to bring another doctor to the hospital.

Sometimes there is a “lifestyle” difference that may make it more difficult to bring an outside doctor to a rural area, she said. Adams cited her own experience wanting to move from the city to raise her kids. New doctors and medical staff may also seek similar experiences.

“Staffing across healthcare is a big issue,” she said. Adams cited that being closer to New York City means that Margaretville hospital competes with medical centers in the region. Some pay more than locally, she said, which provides a significant challenge. “There’s a big difference between a massive high volume hospital in the city to a small rural critical access hospital like ours. That said, I am so proud of our staff and the services they provide.”

The board member said that the hospital offers a “great ER” and critical care access, as well as being a “safety net” for local care. She cited being part of a health network to help expand access.

“WMC is committed to rural healthcare,” she said. The hospital has a “reciprocal gateway” for certain healthcare access, including a cardiologist who comes up monthly.

“All of our accomplishments over the last few years  feel like a big victory to me,” she said. Adams added that there is always a need for increased healthcare access in the area.

The board is also seeking to refurbish the Palen Building, she added.

The role has allowed Adams to meet a number of members of the community she hadn’t known before.

The hospital board is seeking members for volunteer committees, including for the annual art auction. There is a chance to donate, including as a substitute for a birthday gift for friends or family members. Such donations can help raise funds for important facets of the hospital. Goods can also be purchased or donated to the hospital thrift shop. Members of the public are also members on the Hospital Board, which does not require medical experience.

“Basically you have to be a great person who wants to help,” she said.

There are two boards with potential openings: the executive board and the foundation board.

The hospital is a critical access facility partially funded by the government, she said. It’s important to remember that local efforts and those of WMC Health are intended to keep the hospital open and expanded further.

She called the effort to expand a part of the “commitment” by WMC.

Anyone with questions or concerns are welcome to contact Executive Director Mike Hockman anytime about the hospital or nursing home. Members of the board are open to comments and said that anyone can “flag down a board member at the grocery store. Every time I go there I run into at least one board member!.”

“The role of the board is to be the conduit for the community and the staff of the hospital in a bigger network” and a chance to disseminate information back into the community.

“We’re community members,” Adams said.

 

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