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Happening in the Neighborhood
Abandoned Cat in Auburn
My hobby of trapping, neutering and returning stray cats has come face-to-whiskered-face with the library field. Someone brought a cat into Seymour Library in Auburn, flashing a badge to say it was a service animal. Then that someone left the library - leaving the cat behind! Was this covered in library school?
Here are two webinars about service animals in libraries if you just got nervous: from the Idaho Commission for Libraries, 2025 and from Info2Go & the Michigan Department of Education, 2019.
Interested in adopting a sweet, fixed cat? Here's a video to persuade you, plus contact information.
History's Hometown Homecoming
Besides being overrun with cats and crows, Auburn is rich with history. This weekend is the annual Founders Day celebration, now renamed "Summer Homecoming." Cayuga Museum and the Seward House Museum are among the many local cultural institutions participating in the weekend events.
Next week, on August 15, Linda Albrecht of the Frontenac Historical Society will give a presentation at the Cayuga Museum's Carriage House Theater about Women in the Military.
Beers, Bikes & Barges in Port Byron
On Thursday, August 7 at 6 pm, bring your bike to Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing in Weedsport for a 90-minute tour of the Erie Canal. The $20 ticket includes a beer. This is a joint event of the Erie Canal Museum (in Syracuse) and the Canal Society. Read about other Erie Canal bike programs here.
Historic Markers and Tours in Oneonta
Marcela Micucci and her staff at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society are doing great work installing historical markers all around the city. This month they'll unveil two more: the Ford Mansion and the McDonald Tavern. On August 16, they're hosting a historic tour of Riverside Cemetery, and they're also planning a bus trip to Old Sturbridge Village in September (get your tickets here!).
Cortland County Historical Society Bought a Church!
As a 100th birthday present to itself, CCHS just bought a new building: the former Free Methodist Church at 9 Grace Street in Cortland. CCHS has always struggled with its limited space and now, they even get a parking lot. Director Tabitha Scoville explained in the most recent newsletter that for the last 30 years, they've been saving up all unexpected and unrestricted gifts, so they have not had to take on a mortgage for this new property. Tabitha continued her message with a thoughtful explanation about how their funding works and why generous donations are still vital to their operations.
Walkin' and Talkin' History in Schuyler County
The Schuyler County Historical Society has had a great series of history lectures around the county this summer, with one left on August 16 at 2 pm: Jim Potter will talk about his book, Ricco 1935, and the local Italian-American community. SCHS is also hosting many walking tours in August and September, starting from locations in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, Odessa, and Burdett.
Family Fun Days at the Museum in Chenango County
Thanks to sponsorship from the Roger Follett Foundation, Jessica Moquin and her staff at Chenango County Historical Society have been able to offer free programming this summer and fall. (Having trouble finding a local foundation to fund your programs? Check out Candid's Foundation Directory through the library councils). CCHS has been posting a lot of sweet "#ThankfulThursdays" on Facebook lately to highlight all their donors, volunteers, and friends.
The Year of the Brownie in Waterloo
Speaking of sweet, the Waterloo Library & Historical Society has a fundraiser on August 16: the Cookie Fun Run (but with brownies!). Sign up for a serious 5K or a fun run to benefit WLHS. Little ones will get a copy of the book If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, and participants of all ages can have a brownie.
Railroad Documentary Showing in Delhi
Jim Loudon of Otsego County will show his 30-minute documentary, The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, at the Delaware County Historical Association this Saturday at 2 pm. DCHA is partnering with This and That in Delhi, a very cute local shop, to run a fundraising auction on August 16 at 12 pm.
"A Bunch of Old Pictures" in Bath
Every one of us has come across an unidentified photo and groaned. It's difficult to refuse donations, but it's even more difficult to be the steward of random, mysterious objects. The president of Steuben County Historical Society, Rick Bates, wrote a nice note about this for their Facebook page and you can see lots of "hear, hear!" in the comments from familiar names.
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