PVC pipe playset

May I present what I think is technically our second actual 'exhibit'! A PVC pipe building play set. Many thanks to Kris at the Oneonta Home Depot for all the great pvc materials! Lowes is also contributing to the project (I'll know to ask for more of the little connecting pieces.) I must mention http://blog.orselli.net/ (Exibitricks) for sharing the great advice and ideas with us. And enough can't be said for The Daily Star, who is generously sponsoring the ice cream social next Sunday, June 7th (1-5pm in Oneonta's Wilber Park). All the ice cream you could want, all for free, plus family friendly entertainment: The Utica Zoomobile, The Farmer's Museum (children's games), entertainment throughtout the day by various local groups, storytelling, remote control aircraft... I could go on.
I also need to thank my husband, Tom Pondolfino, for doing all the cutting and sanding. The only problem with the playset? It's a little hard to get the pvc pipe stuck into the mat, but then, it needs to stay stuck so no way around that. And my son decided that he wants one of his own!!!

Tooth Fair Saturday

Tooth Fair and poster contest

Help celebrate a day of smiles and magic for kids and families on May 30 at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta! The Tooth Fair features two performances of the new musical “A (Tooth) Fairy Tale” and a Free dental expo with games, raffle prizes, give-aways, and tons of info about oral health.

Posters from the Tooth Fair Poster Contest will be on display. Call 433-8064 for info from Opportunities for Otsego.

Weekend events +

Fri May 29, 8:30 p.m.: Summer outdoor movies series: 'The Wild' in Cooperstown at the Glimmerglass State Park West Shelter. For info: 547-8662.

Fri 4-5:30pm: Teen Fridays at the Library, Sidney Memorial Public Library presents Board Games in the Smart Community Room, info 563-1200.

Also Fri, 6 p.m. is the Second annual Blues Train fundraiser, departing from the Milford Train Station; sponsored by LIFE House program, with live music by Horseshoe Lounge Playboys.

Fri 8:30pm at the SUNY Oneonta College Camp Observatory, during a 'first light' ceremony, faculty will present the largest optical telescope in the state. Read the story in The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_147040021.html

Sat May 30 at 1:30 p.m. is a Canoe/kayak outing in Sherburne throuugh the Rogers Environmental Education Center; free, open to the public. For info: 674-4017.

Also Sat at 8 a.m. is the Basswood Pond State Forest outing in Burlington--meet at Jacobs Road parking area; presented by Otsego County Conservation Association and Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society. For info: rsdonn@yahoo.com.

Sat 9am-2pm The Oneonta Farmer's Market is Open every Saturday through Halloween at the Kim K. Muller Plaza Main St. Oneonta, info: 434-6755, www.oneontafarmersmarket.com

Sat at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. is Decoration Day celebration in Schoharie at the Old Stone Fort Museum, state Route 30. For info: (518) 295-7192 or www.theoldstonefort.org.

Sun May 31 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. is Sunday Evening in the Park, in Schenevus at Borst Field; featuring fire department carousel, band organ music, fundraisers and more. Free, open to the public.

Looking ahead:

Wed Jun 3 at 7 p.m. is a meeting of the Del-Otse-Nango Kennel Club in Laurens at the Laurens Fire Department; open to all. For info: 563-7467.

This Summer:

Cooperstown Crew, an all volunteer, competitive rowing opportunity for local, college bound high school students, is kicking off this summer! No experience or prior training is required. This is a great sport that can lead to college scholarships. Call Andrea 433-0160 to get started.

Memorial day weekend

Neahwa park rocks on a sunny day.

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Fri and Sat, 22-23 May, 2009, 9:30 p.m. Public star party in Esperance at the Landis Arboretum, Lape Road. For info: (518) 374-8460.

Sat, 10 a.m. and Sun at 9am, is a Civil War Re-enactment in Walton, with a parade through town ending at fairgrounds on Sat; live music, drills, battle re-enactment and more.

Fri May 22, 2009, 8:30 p.m. Summer outdoor movies series: 'Operation Dumbo Drop' in Cooperstown at the Glimmerglass State Park West Shelter. For info: 547-8662.

Sat 23 May 2009, Oneonta Farmer’s Market is opens for the season.

Sat at 11 a.m: Children's program: Ladybugs in Sherburne at the Rogers Center, state Route 80. For info: 674-4017.

Sat at 1 p.m. is the 'Train robbery' rail ride, departing from Milford aboard the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad. Board at the depot, 136 E. Main St., state Route 166. For info, reservations: 432-2429 or www.lrhs.com.

Here's something new: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sat is an Otsego Land Trust archaeological hike in Springfield at the Thayer Homestead; led by archaeologist David Staley. For info, reservations: 547-2366.

Sun 24 May, 10am-4pm, Saw It! Festival at Hanford Mills Museum: traditional pit sawing, horse-drawn logging, hand hewing, timber frame building, and woodworking demos; traditional music by Banshee; Wildlife Learning Co; a forest walk; wagon rides; kid's crafts; adults and children can try cross-cut sawing and nailing races; families can make wood sculptures and buzz saw toys together; Lunch available for purchase. Children 12 and under free. www.hanfordmills.org or 1-800-295-4992.

9 am Sun, is a Waterfall and wildflower walk in Hartwick from Horace and Hazel Tabor Drive, county Route 11; presented by Otsego County Conservation Association. For info: 547-4488.

Sun evening, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. is Sunday Evening in the Park in Schenevus at Borst Field; featuring fire department carousel, band organ music, fundraisers and more. Free, open to the public.

Of interest:

Clay Workshops with Elizabeth Nields, 3:30-5pm and 5:30-7pm, May 26, May 28, June 2 2009, no charge but reservations required, 783-2476, info www.ElizabethNieldsClayWorkshop.com.

Photo contest: see http://townblogger.net/oneonta/

Find out when your kids get pulled over (even if they get out of the ticket!), article from The Daily Star http://www.thedailystar.com/local/local_story_138041522.html

Sunday, June 28 - Thursday, July 2, 2009 Science Summer Camp, details at www.oneonta.edu/academics/pr2eps/.

Volunteers needed for the Ice Cream Social Sunday June 7th, 2009 in Wilber Park. Call Andrea at 433-0160 if you want to scoop ice cream, set up before, pick up after, or do children's activities during the event, which runs from 1-5pm. The Daily Star is generously sponsoring this free event!

Fun loving volunteers wanted

The ice cream social is just a little over a week away. I know you have big plans for Memorial Day weekend (I do!) but look at your calendars and consider helping out for a little while Sunday June 7th. The event is from 1-5pm. Someone's got to scoop all that free ice cream! There will be activities to do with kids, and tables to set up before and after the event. Not to mention, fun to be had!!!

Another reason to talk to your kids

CNNHealth.com posted an interesting article about how a mother's talk plays a key role in teaching social skills. Not too surprising, but interestingly, the kids who gained these key social skills also tended to be rude to their moms, unless I'm misreading the article. So just talking about feelings isn't enough! Come to think of it, I do find myself pandering to my kids when I talk about their feelings.

The article didn't go into physical concerns, such as attention deficit disorder, that might interfere with ability to interpret social clues. Read the article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/15/mother.children.social.skills/index.html

The ice cream shop in Morris opens this Friday, May 15th at 3pm!!! Pie in the Sky and Dairy Queen (Oneonta) have both already opened for the season.

Friday is also Opening Day at Hanford Mills Museum, 10am-5pm, County Route 12, East Meredith, NY 13757, Phone: 607-278-5744, http://www.hanfordmills.org.

The Unadilla Drive-In is Now Open for the 2009 Season, Friday, May 15th & Saturday, May 16th Only playing 1st Movie - Monsters vs. Aliens (PG), 2nd Movie - Hannah Montana (G), http://www.drive-in.ws/.

Fri 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Toddler Story Time, Sidney Memorial Public Library, no sign up necessary, 563-1200.

Fri 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Teen Fridays at the Sidney Memorial Public Library, play apples to apples, 563-1200.

Sat 16 May 2009, 10 am: Wounded Warriors walk-a-thon, Masonic Temple, Main and Grand streets, Oneonta 432-6596.

Also at 10am Sat: 10 a.m. Salamander program, Rogers Environmental Education Center, state Route 80, Sherberne, 674-4017.

Sat 8am is the Catskills Scenic Ride 'n' Peak benefit bike ride, Margaretville, www.centralcatskills.org/bike or (866) 775-4425.

Sat 10 am Marathon read of 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer', Bright Hill Center, 94 Church St, Treadwell.

Sat 9am-10pm Klump's Roast, bluegrass festival and benefit ride, Wrench Wranch, state Route 206, Coventryville, 223-4611.

Sat 10am Free family-rated movie, Masonville Branch Library.

Sat is also the May Big Day Bird Count in Oneonta, with Dhttp://www.drive-in.ws/elaware-Otsego Audubon Society and the Delhi Bird Club, 432-5767.

Sun May 17th 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. is the S.A.D.D. pancake breakfast at Applebee's in Oneonta.

Sun 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. is Kids' Super Sundae Sunday, Sidney Assembly of God. For info: 563-8247.

Looking ahead:

Mon May 18th, 3-4pm is a free web cast about the Multi-Platform Museum. See http://museumtwo.blogspot.com/2009/05/multi-platform-museum-coming-live-to.html.

Tues May 19th: Safe Kids of Otsego County bicycle safety education program, Schenevus Central School. For info: 547-5256.

Wed May 20th 9am, Mothers of Preschoolers, Main Street Baptist Church, Oneonta--fund raising cup social, child care provided. For info: 432-5712.

Thanks:

Thanks to TheDailyStar.com, TheOneontaCalendar.com and OneontaOnTheMap.com for listing so many great events--they are making my job easier every week!

A little love from 'Sweet Home'

I hope everybody had a happy mother's day! My parents (in their 70's and 80's) got on the web cam with us. What fun!

Sweet Home Oneonta was kind enough to give Oneonta World of Learning an interview, which also came out this weekend. What a great write up: www.SweetHomeOneonta.com. They mention our next event--the Ice Cream Social! We are taking over Wilber Park Sunday June 7th, 2009 from 1-5pm. There will be remote control aircraft on the lower level of the park, and free entertainment and ice cream on the upper level (clowns, performers, games, and more). We could use a few volunteers to help scoop ice cream and set up tables--call Andrea at 433-0160 or email me (Amy) at WorldOfLearning@live.com.

8pm Fri, 8pm Sat, and 2pm Sun May 8-9, 2009: Orpheus Theater performs Beauty and The Beast. Hurry because the shows are nearly all sold out.

Sat and Sun at 10am is a taste of Fly Creek at the Fly Creek Cider Mill, www.flycreekcidermill.com.

Today, Fri May 8th: Bicycle safety education at the Center Street Elementary School in Oneonta. Call 547-5256 (no time listed).

Sat May 9th, 10am The Wildlife Learning Co. will be at the Landis Arboretum. Also at the Arboretum is Paint-Out from 11 am-3pm call 518-868-2807.

Sat at 8am the local Audobon Society presents a spring bird walk along the Susquehanna Greenway trail. Call 434-4880.

Sat at 10 am the Rogers Environmental Education Center is presenting a Cush Hull wildflower walk. Call 674-4017.

Looking ahead:

Tues 12 May at the Oneonta YMCA is a free water fit class from 5:45-6:30pm. Call 432-0010.

Wed 13 May at 10am, the La Leche League breast feeding info group meets at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, corner of Chestnut and Church St. Call 432-5984.

Also Wed from 6-8pm, Child Care Connection presents family day-care orientation in Cooperstown at the Presbyterian Church House, 27 Church St. Call and register at 432-0061.

Summer Opportunities:

The Cooperstown Crew rowing club is launching this summer, open to college bound high school students. No previous experience is necessary and the free program includes a comprehensive coaching program. Interested students should call Andrea at 433-0160.

2009 Science Summer Camp, free thanks to funding by by the National Science Foundation, for local 10th & 11th grade students. Camp Application at: www.oneonta.edu/academics/pr2eps/

Sunny weather and the last Science Saturday

The last Science Saturday of 2009 was fun. I found myself making bracelets (some of the beads glow in the dark, others change color in sunlight) with two sisters who haven't missed a single Science Saturday. And they've done each and every craft project that was offered. They were excited to learn that Hugh Gallagher of the Science Discovery Center is going to keep some of the left over craft materials at the center, so the fun can continue over the summer.

Attendance was low. Not sure if it was just the beautiful weather or a little swine flu mania. I know the workshops were originally booked (who could pass up The Chemistry of Fireworks).

Now on to the Ice Cream Social. This may be our biggest event ever, thanks to some very generous sponsorship by The Daily Star. Be in Wilber Park Sunday June 7th from 1-5 pm (in case of rain, we'll be in the Hunt Student Union, SUNY Oneonta campus).

I almost forgot--our monthly meeting is Tuesday at 7pm... must look at the minutes. I'm sure I had some assignments....

Science saturday

Phunny putty

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