NORWICH – A free community celebration, sponsored by the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society, will be held Nov. 1.
According to a media release, the festivities will feature four guest author presentations and an evening reception to honor writers of the annual CCHS Journal. During the guest author presentations, speakers will share about their writing process and what is involved in becoming a published author. The schedule of featured writers includes:
• 1 p.m. Jim Farfaglia – “Historic Snowstorms of Central New York.” A lifelong resident of Oswego County, Farfaglia is a former educator and current author. He has published “Fulton: The Stories From Our Past That Inspire Our Future” and “Of the Earth: The Stories of Oswego County’s Muck Farm.” His poetry has been featured in Farming Magazine, The Garden & Farm Almanac, and in several anthologies.
• 2 p.m. Deirdre Sinnott – “The Third Mrs. Gallaway.” Sinnott is an independent scholar, filmmaker, author and social change activist. Her writing has appeared in The New York History Blog, the Utica Observer Dispatch, ForeWord Magazine, and the Catskill Review of Books. Her essay “Right-Sized Rats” was nominated for a Pushcart Award by Hippocampus Magazine and appeared in the publication’s anthology titled Selected Memories.
• 3 p.m. Casey Jakubowski — “Thinking About Teaching: A Rural Social Studies Teacher’s Path to Strive for Excellence.” A specialist in improvement science, Jakubowski is a consultant, educator and coach with more than twenty years of experience helping teams develop strong bonds, productive planning, creative engagement and mentoring. With academic research in rural policy implementation, Jakubowski serves the education community, the start-up community, established organizations, and nonprofits in a customized, creative, and interactive way.
• 4 p.m. Norman K. Dann — “Practical Dreamer: Gerrit Smith and the Crusade for Social Reform.” Dann is a founding member of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and serves on its Cabinet of Freedom. He is the author of five history books on social reform, with several articles and reviews for publication. An Emeritus Professor of SUNY Morrisville, he is a steward of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Landmark.
• At 5 p.m., the CCHS Journal Author’s Reception will begin. Celebrating Journal authors of all editions, those who have contributed to the 2024 issue are invited to share their insight as a writer. This year’s article authors are: Edward Danforth, Zachary Greenfield, A. Gail Merian, Richard Palmer, Jerry E. Sayles, April Thompson, Dale and Tina Utter, Richard White, Donald A. Windsor and Howard Zendle.
All activities will be held at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus at 20 Conkey Ave. in Norwich. Refreshments will be available throughout the event. For more information, email norwich@morrisville.edu or call 607-334-5144.