The Beat

Renovations to I-81 Rest Area in Broome County Include Larger Taste NY Facility and Refocus the Center on Southern Tier Tourism

Investment Complements "Southern Tier Soaring" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that work is complete on a state-of-the-art Southern Tier Welcome Center rest area on Interstate 81 northbound in Kirkwood, Broome County, approximately two miles north of the Pennsylvania state line. Building on the success of the Long Island Welcome Center, which opened last fall, the revamped Southern Tier Welcome Center will encourage travelers to visit new tourism destinations across the state and region, and promotes New York's world class food and beverage products at an expanded Taste NY facility. The renovation project complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's multi-billion-dollar investment to support economic and community growth.

Peterboro, N.Y. – The National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum (NAHOF) commemoration ceremonies for the 2016 inductees to the Hall of Fame will be held Saturday, October 21, 2017 at NAHOF, 5255 Pleasant Valley Road, Peterboro NY 13134. The inductees are Rev. John Gregg Fee, Beriah Green, Angelina Grimké, and James W.C. Pennington. This is the last year of the two year induction-commemoration cycle. Beginning in 2018 inductions and commemorations will be completed in one year.

Evening concerts August 4 and 6, and Daytime Family Music Fest on August 5

Cooperstown, N.Y. (July 23, 2017) – The Cooperstown Summer Music Festival will present three concerts the weekend of August 4-6, featuring the Jasper String Quartet, pianist Gilles Vonsattel, and flutist and Festival artistic director Linda Chesis.

On August 4 at 7:30 pm at Christ Church in Cooperstown, the Jasper String Quartet will perform a program called “Paysages,” featuring four works that convey a sense of place. Winner of the prestigious CMA Cleveland Quartet Award, Philadelphia’s Jasper String Quartet is the Professional Quartet in Residence at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians. The Jaspers (J Freivogel and Sae Chonayashi, violins; Sam Quintal, viola; Rachel Henderson Freivogel, cello) have been hailed as “sonically delightful and expressively compelling” (The Strad) and “powerful” (New York Times).

Personalized Itineraries & New Bike Paths Now Available

July 20, 2017, Rome NY — History in the Mohawk Valley has never been more alive, and now it’s easier than ever to experience historic battlegrounds and striking monuments while traveling through scenic New York.

New bike paths are available on the Mohawk Valley Path Through History website, www.BikeThruHistory.com. Cyclists can now easily navigate to culturally-significant destinations within several local counties, including Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie, and Saratoga. More than thirty bike paths are offered, featuring turn-by-turn directions, printable cue sheets, downloadable app information and GPS tracking. Cyclists can view their current location directly from the website, and the majority of the bike paths can also be driven.

Get creative this summer at the Iroquois Indian Museum!

Howes Cave, N.Y. – Starting on July 26th, Jay Havens will be at the Iroquois Indian Museum producing a 10' x 40' mural in the Children’s Museum. Jay will invite visitors from 8 years of age to elders to take part in the painting of this unique permanent installation. Related activities will be available for younger visitors. Jay will debut his collaboratively created mural during our annual Iroquois Indian Festival on September 2 & 3.

David Krakauer and Kathleen Tagg to offer dynamic evening of music July 9 in Cherry Valley

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Grammy-nominated clarinetist David Krakauer has been praised internationally as a key innovator in modern klezmer as well as a major voice in classical music. South African-born pianist, composer and producer Kathleen Tagg has performed on four continents in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall.  These two acclaimed artists will perform at Cherry Valley’s Star Theater on Sunday, July 9 at in a concert presented by the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival and Cherry Valley Artworks.

175 BOGO Ticket Promotion and New Website Debuts to Mark the Anniversary, May 22

Howes Cave, N.Y. --- May, 11, 2017 --- When farmer, adventurer and entrepreneur Lester Howe and his cow Millicent accidentally discovered the entrance to a mysterious cave on May 22, 1842, little did he know, that 175 years later, it would be the second most visited natural attraction in New York State, only preceded by Niagara Falls. Ironic, because while he was also an entertainer and eccentric genius, Howe unknowingly discovered what remains to be the largest cave opened to the public in the Northeast, and now Howe Caverns welcomes 150,000 to 200,000 visitors each year.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 13 at 1:00 pm

Utica, N.Y. – Explore the history of the Erie Canal through song with Mohawk Valley musicians Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle.  These high-spirited artists, along with their guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica, and ukulele, will examine the style of songs performed during the construction of the canal and their origins.  Don’t miss this original music program that celebrates the 200^th Anniversary of the Erie Canal. This program takes place in the center's main gallery on Saturday, May 13 starting at 1:00 PM.

Scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 1:00 pm 

Utica, N.Y. - Take a whimsical and sentimental journey through the Adirondack Park in the 1940s with John Taibi.  Taibi will tell the story of his father's trip from Utica to Lake Placid on the New York Central Railroad (today the Adirondack Scenic Railroad).  Taibi's father, a World War II veteran, was sent to Lake Placid to re acclimate to normal life after living as a POW overseas.  Period photographs will be used to illustrate what his father and other POW survivors saw along the way.

Peterboro, N.Y. - The Smithfield Community Association's Civil War Weekend Committee is preparing for the 25^th annual Peterboro NY event June 9 - 11, 2017. The event began a quarter century ago to raise funds to repair the Smithfield Community Center and to bring attention to Peterboro's history. Thanks to loyal volunteers and sponsors, the event has raised monies to continue to upgrade community buildings and acquire the Gerrit Smith Estate, as well as promote the important history of Peterboro.