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June Events at the Landis Arboretum

Written By Editor on 6/13/21 | 6/13/21


We've planned some terrific activities for you at Landis. Click on the name of the activity to see the description and to register online using PayPal or a credit card.

June 14, Monday, 10:00 PM - 11:30 PM

June 18, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

June 19, Saturday, 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM
 
June 26, Saturday, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM 
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Live music is back at the Meeting House at Landis

Written By Editor on 6/12/21 | 6/12/21

The 2021 Landis Full Moon Music Series
Click on the band name for more information


Friday, August 20: Running the River

Friday, September 17: The Piggly Wigglies

Friday, October 8: The Menza Madison Band

Location: The Meeting House
Members and non-members: $10. Kids 12 and under free!
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Schoharie Chapter NSDAR plans free Lecture and BBQ Fundraiser

On June 13, at 1PM, there will be a Lecture on the Lawn presented by Turning Point 1777.  Local historians Jeff and Pam O'Connor from Turning point 1777 will present their flag program on the lawn of Schoharie’s Lasell Hall. The first part of the presentation will run through the evolution of the American flag – all the parts that first made up the British colors, then how the American flag developed from that, as well as a narrative about the real Betsy Ross . The second part will describe the history and myths associated with fairly well known Revolutionary War flags, plus a few non-Rev War that are relevant. Featured is a Liberty flag reproduction based on the one that flew in Schenectady and the remnants of which are in the Schenectady Historical Society Museum. Please bring a lawn chair. Covid regulations will be enforced.

At 2PM the same day, Schoharie Chapter NSDAR will also host a BBQ fundraiser until all are sold. Chicken and Ribs provided by BBQ Delights, and the sides provided by Beef and Brew. Halves and ribs are $9.00, dinners are $13.00. There are no preorders and no seating will be available onsite.



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Billboards Seek Info on What Happened to Erica Franolich

Written By Editor on 6/8/21 | 6/8/21

Family and private investigators are hoping that this billboard on Route 7 in the Town of Schoharie will unearth new evidence in the disappearance of Erica Franolich from a Middleburgh street in 1986.--Photo by Maria Avitabile. 


Disappeared in Middleburgh in 1986

By David Avitabile
Someone knows what happened to Erica Jane Franolich and investigators searching for those responsible hope that two new billboards in Schoharie County will help in getting some information.
Ms. Franolich has been gone for nearly 35 years. Ms. Franolich was last seen in public on October 13, 1986 in Middleburgh and is survived by her husband, a son, at least one sister, and several brothers. Her siblings, a private investigator, and the New York State Police continue to hope that there will be a resolution to this "cold case."
The large billboards went up on Route 7 last week and will be up for one month, according to private investigator Greg Overacker of Mohawk, Herkimer County. The billboards are located one mile east of Wetsel Hollow Road and 500 feet north of Spring Road, both in the Town of Schoharie. The large blue and yellow signs with Ms. Franolich's picture are on the north side of the road.
"We know there are people locally from our investigation that know what happened and we hope they come forward," Mr. Overacker said last week. "We know they're out there and we want them to speak out."
The billboards are being paid for by the Private Investigations for the Missing, he added.
The billboards went up just a well before Memorial Day, one of the heaviest travel weekends of the year.
"It's in a good location," Mr. Overacker said. "It should get a lot of exposure."
Nada Thompson, Ms. Franolich's sister, said Monday that she is still seeking justice.
"I just want it stated that Erica was last seen on the Franolich farm and, her husband, Richard Franolich, is the only person of interest," she wrote.
Some of the people who knew Ms. Franolich have already died.
In 2017, Ms. Franolich's brother Dana Poprafsky said he hoped to see a resolution in the case in his lifetime. He did not. He died in January in Michigan.
One of those who have picked up the mantel in the search for Ms. Franolich and the person responsible for her disappearance is another brother, Mike Poprafsky, who still lives in Michigan.
Ms. Franolich called him the night she disappeared from a Middleburgh bar. She said she feared for her life and would call him the next day. She never called back.
"She said she was afraid for her life," Mr. Poprafsky recalled last year.
At the time of her disappearance, the relationship between Ms. Franolich and her husband, Richard, was troubled, according to the State Police. During the summer of 1986, Richard took their baby son and moved to Duanesburg leaving Ms. Franolich with her family in Michigan. She went to New York to get the baby back and wound up reconciling with Richard.
Ms. Franolich, according to police, promised to call her brother the next day to make arrangements to leave, but she never did. Shortly afterwards, Richard took the baby boy and moved to Vermont.
When she disappeared, she was "hooked on cocaine," spending about $400 a week on her habit, her brother said.
There is no doubt, he added, who is responsible for his sister's disappearance.
Despite the years and the death of some of her relatives and people who may have information about her disappearance, Mr. Poprafsky believes a resolution is near and it will be solved soon, he said last year.
Mr. Popfrasky noted that Ms. Franolich was staying with her husband's family on Westfall Road in Delanson at the time of her disappearance. Members of the family still live in the red and white, two-story farmhouse on the property, which borders Cross Road.
When his sister spoke to him that night, Ms. Franolich did not mention that she was in Middleburgh. He did not know she was in Middleburgh until the next month when he received his phone bill.
Her husband Richard was working for Mr. Poprafsky when they lived in Michigan.
Mr. Poprafsky, 71, told several stories of Mr. Franolich allegedly harming his wife, including one time when Mr. Franolich allegedly "dragged her in the street with his car when they lived here."
Mr. Overacker has been investigating the details of the disappearance for several years and was in Middleburgh a few times last year interviewing people about the night Ms. Franolich went missing.
The answer is out there, he said.
"Some of the family members could put an end to this today and it's absolutely unconscionable for them to remain silent. How they sleep at night is beyond us," he said last year.
Mr. Overacker has spoken to many people involved in the case, including Ms. Franolich's husband Richard.
There are inconsistencies in his story about what happened to Ms. Franolich after October 13, 1986, according to Mr. Overacker.
At first, Mr. Franolich said he put his wife on a bus in Schenectady two or three days before Halloween, 1986, Mr. Overacker said. He did not know where she was going but had $280 on her. Then he said he put her on the bus two or three days after October 13. Then he said he put her on a bus on October 14. Mr. Franolich said he was with his wife after October 13, 1986, according to Mr. Overacker. In the four to six weeks prior to her disappearance, the Franolichs lived in several different places including his grandparents, parents, and brother's. They also stayed at the Franolich's property on Westfall and Cross Roads in Delanson.
The interviews with Mr. Franolich have been frustrating, Mr. Overacker said.
"Richard won't answer the questions. He hides behind his lawyer."
The husband, Mr. Overacker noted, "refuses to take a polygraph test. Refuses to answer any questions to the police." As anyone who has watched court drama on television knows, polygraph tests are not admissible in court, but could say whether a person is lying or not.
As of last year, Mr. Franolich lived in Highgate Springs, Vermont, a few miles from the Canadian border. He is on Facebook and a message to him from the Mountain Eagle went unanswered last year. Mr. Franolich turned 62 on May 14. His brother Joe, whom the Franolichs lives with for a time in 1986, lives near his brother in Vermont.
The interviews will continue, Mr. Overacker added.
Anyone with information about Ms. Franolich's disappearance can contact Mr. Overacker at (315) 542-7800.

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YOUNG COLLECTORS CLUB Taught by Bertha Rogers at Bright Hill

Written By Editor on 6/7/21 | 6/7/21

Bright Hill offers its first ever “Young Collectors Club” IN-PERSON PROGRAM JULY 12-16, 9 AM - 2:30 PM (daily), led by master teaching artist Bertha Rogers, founding director of Bright Hill. The program is limited to 16 children and youth in grades one through twelve.

The week will begin with an introduction by Katharine Kreisher, art professor at Hartwick College, on the importance and impact of the Bright Hill Young Collector’s Club: viewing art at museums and galleries helps people experience original art and understand the many ways that artists see the world around them. If viewers write about art, their understanding deepens. The Bright Hill Young Collectors Club provides young people with the opportunity to own original art and perhaps begin a life of collecting.

Each student will be provided with a workshop kit consisting of a collection of miniature prints by artists who have shown at Bright Hill’s Word & Image Gallery, along with a large shadowbox frame and adhesive dots, their first “art collection.”
The cost is only $160 for local students, $250 for out of town students, which includes morning & afternoon snacks (students bring their own lunch). (Delaware Academy students, full scholarships; full and partial scholarships for Delaware and Otsego County students).

To register, fill out the registration form HERE, email to info@brighthillpress.org, and purchase ticket on our website, HERE.

Or mail registration form to Bright Hill Press at 94 Church St, Treadwell, NY 13846 with payment included.
Email info@brighthillpress.org with any questions.
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Fenimore Art Museum Announces Winners of the 2021 Young at Art Regional Youth Art Contest

Cooperstown, New York – The three top prizes for Fenimore Art Museum’s Young at Art regional youth art contest were awarded Saturday, June 5 during a ceremony at the Museum.  The Grand Prize was given to Makenzie Sayers (Grade 12, Mount Markham CSD) for her painting Our Community. 

“Our Community was created in May.  It was a time in New York when few left their homes and the positive cases seemed to be getting closer to home,” said grand prize winner Makenzie Sayers.  “The shelf with jars illustrates the hoarding of non-perishable food items.  The jars themselves represent the feeling of being trapped and lonely in isolation.  Each jar tells a different story.”

 

Prize categories at the ceremony also included “Best Representation of the Theme,” awarded to Sara Hendley (Grade 10, Oneonta CSD) for her digital painting Community at Home and “Outstanding Work” awarded to Taylor Bushardt (Grade 11, Central Valley CSD) for her work titled What’s On My Mind.

 

These and works from other winners in the competition are on display at Fenimore Art Museum through June 26. They can also be seen online at fenimoreartmuseum.org/youngatart.

 

Young at Art is sponsored in part by Bank of Cooperstown, a unit of Wayne Bank; Ms. Susan Glaser and Mr. Roy Glaser; NYCM Insurance; and Stewart’s Holiday Match.

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Free Cancer Screening July 7th

The mobile screening coach will be at the Walton Bassett Clinic on Wednesday, July 7, 9am-2pm to provide NO COST mammograms and Pap tests to women 40 and over.  No insurance? High deductible/copay? No problem! Call the Cancer Services Program at 1-888-345-0225 to find out how you may be able to get FREE cancer screenings and make an appointment.  Insurance is billed for those with insurance.  Colorectal cancer screening kits are also available for men and women 50 and over.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/events/275942750848636


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Shanti Vun Drum Circle at Landis Starting June 10th

Join us every Thursday from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Beginning June 10
Come participate in an enriching evening of drumming - leave full of peace!

We will be around the pond near the Peace Pavilion, or in the case of rain, in the Pavilion. (In the case that there is a forecast of dangerous weather, check our Facebook page before coming out to the Arboretum.)

What to bring:
  • A chair
  • A drum - or, if you don't have a drum, a plastic pail that makes a good sound when you hit it
  • Insect repellent (ticks are bountiful everywhere this year)
  • An open heart!

A few notes:
  • No dogs during drumming please
  • Please leave the Arboretum as you found it; don't remove anything and take out all that you brought in with you.
  • Please refrain from tossing anything into the pond.


Location: The pond near the Peace Pavilion (or in the Pavilion in case of rain).
Facilitator: Jeseppi Trade Wildfeather
Members and non-members: Free. Donations gratefully accepted!

Questions? Contact Vijaya Luxmi, program sponsor, at Vijaya8397@yahoo.com or 518-234-8397

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A Final “Call for Artists” for Fenimore’s Annual Art by the Lake Event

Written By Editor on 6/6/21 | 6/6/21

Cooperstown, New York – Fenimore Art Museum’s annual summer art invitational, Art by the Lake, will again take place outdoors on the Museum’s expansive back lawn overlooking Otsego Lake on Saturday, August 21 from 10:00am–5:00pm. The Museum is still accepting artist submissions and has extended the deadline for registrations to June 13. To apply, please visit fenimoreartmuseum.org/news/abtl.

 

Due to the pandemic, Art by the Lake was held virtually in 2020 and it was anticipated to remain virtual this season. The decision to return to an in-person event was prompted by the recent easing of state guidelines pertaining to outdoor functions. The event will revert to a virtual event if future conditions and guidelines demand. Safety for our staff and visitors is our highest priority. Fenimore will continue to follow and enforce established COVID-19 protocols for masking and social distancing as required by New York State.

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Middleburgh woman charged with falsely reporting a crime

Troopers stationed at SP Cobleskill arrested a Middleburgh woman for Falsely Reporting an Incident 3rd degree (class A Misdemeanor) following an investigation into an alleged menacing complaint.   

Tara A. Goss, age 47, was arrested following an investigation into a report in late February she was menaced by a man with a gun.  Investigation into the incident revealed the menacing was a false claim which never occurred but was reported to police.     

Troopers charged Goss with Falsely Reporting an Incident 3rd and issued her an appearance ticket returnable in Middleburgh Town Court on June 9, 2021.  

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Local State Police Arrest Virginia Fugitive

New York State Troopers stationed in Cobleskill take a fugitive from Virginia into custody following a traffic stop in the town of Schoharie.

Robert H. Hicks Jr., age 31, was located by Troopers operating an unregistered vehicle on State Route 7 near Central Bridge yesterday evening.  During the traffic stop, it was discovered that Hicks is wanted in the Commonwealth of Virginia for felony offenses of Obtaining Money by False Pretense over $500; Contractor Operating without a License; and Destruction of Property over $1000. 

Hicks was charged with Bail Jumping 2nd degree (E Felony) and being an out-of-state Fugitive from Justice.   He was arraigned in the town of Schoharie Court where he was remanded to the Schoharie County Jail with no bail.

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Man Arrests First Responders after DWI Crash

On June 2, 2021, the New York State Police in Cobleskill arrested 37-year-old Liam M. O’Connor of Richmondville, for Assault 2nd degree (D felony), Driving While Intoxicated (misdemeanor), Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd degree (A misdemeanor), and Resisting Arrest (A misdemeanor).

At approximately 8:46 p.m. on Wednesday, state police responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of State Route 165 and State Route 10 in the town of Seward. On scene investigation determined that O’Connor had been traveling east on State Route 165 in 2007 Nissan Pathfinder, when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Route 10 and collided with a guiderail on the eastern shoulder. His vehicle then continued into a pasture where he struck a livestock fence. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the crash.

While speaking with O’Connor, the responding Trooper could smell the odor of alcohol on his breath and observed signs of impairment. While being treated by EMS, O’Connor became combative and is accused of attacking members of the EMS and fire crew that had arrived to assist him. O’Connor violently resisted arrest and attempted to kick a Schoharie County Sheriff’s Deputy and firefighters when they assisted in putting O’Connor in a patrol car for transport to SP Cobleskill.

Once at the station, O’Connor was administered the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which he failed. He provided a breath sample of .14% B.A.C.

O’Connor was arraigned in Seward Town Court and remanded to Schoharie County Jail. He is due back in court on a later date.


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Catskill Author Viviana Hall Publishes Powerful Collection of Poetry

These Unique Poems, Written in Both English and Spanish, Speak to the Human Spirit of Love

Poems of Love, a new book by Viviana Hall, has been released by RoseDog Books.
 
In challenging times as these, it is good and necessary to have books like Poems of Love, to remind us of the fundamental force of Love and its potential to transform our lives and our world.                
 
In this first bilingual edition, Poems of Love emerges as an inspiration for joy, gratitude, and compassion.  About Ms. Hall’s work, writer Cesar Tiempo says: “Viviana’s poetry reconciles us with hope, one of the few movements of the soul capable of battling despair”.
 
Viviana Hall hopes to ignite love in the hearts of readers. She says, “My passion in life is to see a world that is connected in harmony. One in which every human being without distinctions can prosper” All readers can take something from this extraordinary piece.
 
About the Author                                                                                                                       
Viviana Hall is an American writer, journalist, and clinical social worker. Her first book “Miedos” was published in her native Buenos Aires in 1977.  As a press correspondent she moved to New York, where in 1982 her second book “Poemas del Cielo y de la Tierra” and a re-edition of “Miedos” were published.  As a journalist she produced, wrote and hosted various documentaries, variety, and public service programs for broadcast television in New York. This work earned her numerous distinguished awards. She also wrote locally and abroad for several prestigious publications.  As a clinical social worker, Ms. Hall collaborated during the last decades with The State of New York, in the implementation of programs to create opportunities for underprivileged youth. Viviana is passionate about Life, which she says, it is all about Love in its multiple manifestations. 
 
Poems of Love is a 60-page paperback with a retail price of $10.00. The ISBN is 978-1-6491-3058-7. It was published by RoseDog Books of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore at www.rosedogbookstore.com.

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WIC Provides Fruits and Vegetables

Written By Editor on 6/2/21 | 6/2/21

When the WIC program is mentioned, many people automatically think formula and milk. Did you know the WIC foods offered are much more diverse? In addition to formula and milk, WIC offers infant foods, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and much more. WIC has two exciting opportunities in regards to fruits and vegetables this summer.

First, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program has begun for 2021. From now through September, each eligible WIC participant can receive twenty dollars in coupons to use at local farmers markets and farm stands. It’s a wonderful chance to buy farm fresh, locally grown produce and support local businesses at the same time.  A list of participating farms will be provided when you pick up the coupons, and you will have until the end of November to redeem the coupons. 

Second, starting this month, WIC is also offering a temporary increase in the cash value benefit for fruits and vegetables. What was $9 for children and $11 for women will now be temporarily increased to $35. This benefit offers WIC participants a chance to buy a larger amount of fresh, frozen or canned produce from the grocery store.

These 2 benefits are only for eligible WIC participants. WIC is currently offering telephone appointments. For more information, please call Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties WIC program. For the Hudson office, the phone number is 518-828-9668. For the Catskill office, the phone number is 518-943-9082.


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Upcoming Events at the Mountain Top Library

Monday, June 7th, 8 pm: Movie Mondays at Fromer Market Gardens, Screening of "Inhabit." FREE Movie Mondays kick off at Fromer Market Gardens, on Monday, June 7th, at 8 pm. The Mountain Top Library and Library of Local has partnered with the Hunter Foundation to present this awesome, family-friendly event.

Opens Monday, June 26th: "Story Walk at the Arboretum." Stop at the Mountain Top Arboretum Visitor Center, pick up your free craft kit & follow the story "The Boy and The Boy King," by A.D. Lubow, from June 26th through July 3rd. The Mountain Top Arboretum is located at 4 Maude Adams Road, Tannersville, NY.

Monday, June 28th, 10 am: "Mental Health & Wellness Workshop: Building Resilience," at the Mountain Top Library, with Abeda Khanam, Chaplain, Educator, and Mental Health Advocate.  Come as you are and leave with an opportunity to ground yourself, explore mindfulness exercises, and share best practices in self-care.

Weekly:

Tuesdays @ 9 am (Starting June 15th): "Yoga at Tannersville Lake," with instructor Mary Jude Cohen. Intended for beginner and advanced yogis,  this class will flow through gentle poses designed to release stress and elongate the muscles.




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Longyear Exhibit in Kingston

LONGYEAR GALLERY EXHIBITION AT GREEN KILL JUNE 2021
Longyear Gallery Artists will be featured at Green Kill in the month of June.
Sat June 5 - Sat June 26
Opening reception is Sat June 5, from 5-7
Gallery Hours are Tues-Sat, 3-5
229 Greenkill Ave, Kingston NY 12401

Gail Freund/Longyear Gallery
Attachments area
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Book Room Open at Landis



It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is stuffed with a trove of great reads - everything from books on gardening and nature topics to novels and biographies. We're lucky that our community thinks of us when it's time to thin their bookshelves, and that they are discerning readers who take good care of their books. The result is a wonderful selection.

We've often been asked about opening the Book Room when we are not having a plant sale, so we've gathered some of our intrepid volunteers who will open the door on second Saturdays from June through September (and possibly October, depending on weather). We'll be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, and possibly October 9. Sales are by donation, with cash or checks accepted.

We hope to see you there, finding that next great book (or books ...)
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Modular Construction Might Save Time and Money

Written By Editor on 5/26/21 | 5/26/21

Howard Kipnes, president of Cedar Knolls, a custom homebuilder located in Ronkonkoma, explains that his company specializes in modular homes on the East End. These, he says, can be built faster – typically in half the time of traditional construction – with superior, consistent quality control inside a factory. They exceed energy efficiency standards and most are priced less than stick-built homes.

“There’s little that we can’t do in modular today,” he says. “We’re doing more custom work. Features such as screened-in patios, second floor decks and balconies and smart home integration are becoming more common. With the coronavirus, more people have relocated out east. We are designing more private spaces, home offices, bedrooms with ensuite baths and children’s play and study areas.”

Great rooms and other large open gathering spaces were better suited to weekenders, Kipnes says, but people staying for extended periods want more individual space.

“We do complete turnkey construction – including architectural plans and permit expediting,” he says. “Buyers a year ago wanted something immediately, but now that they’re more committed to staying out here full time they’re willing to wait for a new custom home. We can build any features available into the house: the latest green features, smart home wiring and automation. Cameras, Wi-Fi-enabled locks and other security devices are very popular.” Every home Kipnes builds is a custom job – clients don’t have to pick a particular model.

Many favor two-story homes. Modern farmhouse designs are particularly popular now. His homes typically range from 1,000 to more than 4,000 square feet. More land is currently available on the North Fork and in the town of East Hampton, he adds.



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Master Gardeners Ready Saturday, May 29, for Gardeners

Written By Editor on 5/25/21 | 5/25/21

The annual Master Gardeners of Otsego County plant sale returns this year on Saturday, May 29th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. following the pandemic hiatus last year.  The sale will showcase familiar and many hard-to-find varieties and species difficult to find elsewhere.  The sale will be held at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Education Center, 123 Lake Street, Cooperstown. 

 

Do you enjoy vine-ripe, homegrown tomatoes picked at their peak with rich flavors and sweetness?   This year, 35 tomato transplant varieties are offered, many classified as heirlooms and others designated as All-America Selections.  Seven varieties of dwarf tomato plants, including Fred's Tie Dye, Artic Rose, and Tastywine are also offered for small gardens.  Master Gardener volunteers will be present to answer your questions on tomato variety and other plant selections.       

 

Peppers from sweet to hot, including Mad Hatter with its small hat-shaped peppers with a hint of heat,  Sugar Rush, and Cornito Giallo will be featured along with seven other varieties.  A dozen vegetable choices from beets to cucumbers, to Swiss chard, are available. 

 

In addition, 110 choices of annuals and perennials flowering plants—some of which are deer resistant--and more than 25 varieties of herbs, such as Spicy Bush basil with small leaves not requiring further kitchen preparation, will be attention-getters. 

 

The sale proceeds support outreach to local residents by volunteer Master Gardeners, including the telephone help-line, educational programs, the GROW program for community-based projects utilizing the skills of  Master Gardeners, and the redevelopment of educational gardens and improved infrastructure at the Lake Street Cooperative Extension headquarters.

 

While pandemic guidelines are being eased, CCE asks all visitors to use masks and maintain social distancing.  Hand sanitizer will be provided.  Please bring boxes to carry your purchases home.

 

Master Gardener Volunteers serve as a link between residents and the nation’s cooperative extension system, an outreach of land grant universities. For more information, visit Otsego Master Gardener Spring Plant Sale 2021 or contact Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-547-2536 ext. 228, otsego@cornell.edu or email Don Smyers at drs269@cornell.edu for more information or find us at www.facebook.com/CCESchoharieOtsegoMG and https://www.instagram.com/otsegomastergardener/.

 

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

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C-GCC, Olana Announce Partnership

Saved in 1966 by a visionary coalition of private individuals and New York State government, Olana State Historic Site opened to the public in 1967. The act of preservation that established Olana also set aside land for the creation of Columbia-Greene Community College (C-GCC), a campus of the State University of New York, establishing a historic tie that binds the two New York State institutions.  
 
As a public site, Olana is thrilled to partner with neighboring C-GCC to provide workforce development opportunities for students enrolled in C-GCC’s business, art, and environmental science classes and those interested in gaining work experience related to their course of study at a vital cultural and historic institution. “Olana State Historic Site is excited to partner with Columbia-Greene Community College and The Olana Partnership to establish this collaborative internship and work development program”, said Amy Hausmann, Director, Olana State Historic Site.  “As a New York State Historic Site, Olana is dedicated to strengthening partnerships and expanding accessibility for members of our local community and we are particularly gratified to partner with our closest neighbor to provide this rich educational opportunity.”  
 
A new collaborative three-semester program beginning in Fall 2021 will provide an opportunity for Olana State Historic Site to connect and collaborate with C-GCC faculty and students throughout the academic year. As part of this program, Olana State Historic Site and its nonprofit affiliate, The Olana Partnership (TOP), will work collaboratively with C-GCC faculty to provide an opportunity for year-long engagement that culminates in a series of workforce and internship opportunities to serve Olana’s local audience of adults attending college and those seeking career development opportunities. "As neighbors with shared origins and educational goals, Olana and Columbia-Greene Community College are natural partners,” said Dr. Sean Sawyer, Washburn & Susan Oberwager President of The Olana Partnership, “and The Olana Partnership is thrilled to partner in this initiative that will enable students of all ages and backgrounds to use Olana as a launchpad to connect their academic work with work experience and career growth.”   
 
Dr. Carlee Drummer, President of Columbia-Greene Community College, stated, “The College extends deep gratitude to the Olana State Historic Site and The Olana Partnership for their role in making this multifaceted collaboration possible. This partnership is the first of its kind in the State – and possibly the nation! – to offer students an array of learning and career opportunities intersecting the arts, business, environmental studies, marketing, and management of a non-profit arts-based organization.”  
 
Students enrolled in C-GCC’s business, art, and environmental sciences classes will be invited to engage with Olana year-round through class visits with Olana staff during the fall semester, a corresponding honors project during the spring, and paid internship and/or employment experience in the summer. Through this tiered internship and work development program, students will be given the opportunity to engage with Olana over the course of a full academic year and sustain engagement with the site through their specific course of study. 
 
These opportunities for year-long engagement will be available for all C-GCC majors with a particular emphasis on business, environmental studies, and fine arts. Students with an interest in local tours and heritage, retail sales, marketing, landscape management, the arts and/or non-profit work are preferred. Participation in the Spring and Summer 2022 portions of the internship will be based on recommendation from participating faculty. Students will be required to apply for the Summer 2022 internship through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation application portal.   
 
During the fall semester, students enrolled in Foundations of Business, Intro to Environmental Sciences, Accounting 101, and Visual Arts 2D classes will engage with Olana Staff through 1-2 staff-led informational sessions and/or class visits to Olana. The goal of the fall semester is for students to become acquainted with Olana, learn more about the history and goals of the site, and to connect with Olana staff. During the spring, students enrolled in key classes will be invited to engage in an honors project connecting their coursework with a deeper understanding of Olana and its operation as a public park and historic site focused on preservation, education, interpretation, and engagement.  
 
In the summer of 2022, students will be invited by C-GCC staff to apply for summer internship and work opportunities on site at Olana. Two to three paid project-based internships will be made available to C-GCC students for the summer semester in which participating interns will engage in specific projects, working collaboratively across the organization to complete their internship project/task. Each internship will be eligible for C-GCC credit corresponding with student’s line of study and will receive a stipend from The Olana Partnership. In addition to these select internship spots, paid seasonal employment opportunities at the Olana Museum Store and within the Visitor Engagement and Interpretation department will be shared with C-GCC community and students will be encouraged to apply.  
 
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About Olana and The Olana Partnership: Olana is the greatest masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), a preeminent American artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his advanced ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservation. Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape with five miles of carriage roads and a Persian-inspired house at its summit embraces unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains and welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually. The landscape is open for guided touring, and reservations are highly recommended. The landscape is free and open every day from 8 AM-sunset.  
 
Olana State Historic Site, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of the most visited sites in the state. The Olana Partnership, a private not-for-profit education corporation, works cooperatively with New York State Parks to support the restoration, conservation, and interpretation of Olana to make it accessible to all. 
 
About New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit parks.ny.gov, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. The free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices. To download, visit: Google Play Store, NY State Parks Explorer App or Apple Store, NY State Parks Explorer App. 

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