Wired for Success  Kyle Kelley | Owner, KK Electric   Skilled tradespeople are in high demand in communities all across the country. For Kyle Kelley, a move to Otsego County offered him the chance to start his own electrical business, KK Electric. For a year and a half, he has plied his trade as an electrical contractor, making his own hours as he spends time with his family and takes care of their farm in Morris, NY. Kyle moved to the area seeking a more enjoyable life for his wife and their two children, as well as the opportunity to … Read More

Building a Bright Future James Morris | Embedded Controls Engineer, Ioxus   At first glance, Otsego County would seem to be a beautiful, rural area in the heart of New York State. While it’s true that the spectacular landscape is a sight to behold, the county is also home to a major electronics manufacturer, Ioxus. Located in Oneonta, Ioxus is North America’s only fully integrated ultracapacitor manufacturing facility, developing, manufacturing and commercializing this technology for the military, transportation and alternative energy markets. For James Morris, the blend of rural setting and cutting edge technology suits him perfectly. He first fell … Read More

Under Otsego County Skies  Erik Stengler | Professor, Cooperstown Graduate Program (SUNY Oneonta)   Surrounded by nature, picturesque lake views, and starry nighttime skies, Erik Stengler couldn’t have curated a better setting for his work as a professor in the Science Museum Studies track at the Cooperstown Graduate Program. With a PhD from Cambridge University and a background in science communication, he prepares graduate students for careers in museums across the country.  Originally from San Sebastian, Spain, Erik and his wife Cristina moved from Bristol, England to scenic Cooperstown, which Erik compares to “living in a nature reserve.” Leaving behind … Read More

Discovering Cherry Valley’s Charms Diana Stiles | Owner, Coco & Cordelia   Maybe it’s the scenic landscape. Maybe it’s the fresh air or the close-knit community. Whatever it is, there’s something about Cherry Valley that cultivates the creative spirit. For many years, artists have been drawn to this village in the northeastern part of Otsego County, including Beat poet Allen Ginsburg who owned a farm nearby. So it’s no surprise that Cherry Valley finds itself in the midst of a creative renaissance.  For Diana Stiles, owner of the artisan boutique Coco & Cordelia, becoming a part of the artist community … Read More

Sweet Otsego County Coleman and Heather Covington | Owners, Five Kids Bakehouse   For Coleman and Heather Covington, life in Otsego County is pretty sweet. As the owners of Five Kids Bakehouse, a bakery and cafe in Gilbertsville, their breads, pastries, and coffee fuel the local community. What started with selling Heather’s homemade baked goods from their front porch grew to a retail location in June 2021, thanks to support from the Gilbertsville community. Coleman remembers the line of cars waiting by the house for their Porch Pastry Saturday, this popularity convincing him that they needed to expand the business. … Read More

An Everyday Symphony Cassandra Miller | Executive Director, Catskill Symphony Orchestra   Tucked away in the rural landscape of Otsego County is Oneonta, otherwise known as the City of the Hills. As the only city in the county, Oneonta is a hub for people looking for a break from the slower pace of rural life. One of the bright spots of the Oneonta arts and culture scene is the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, which has brought world-class music to the area since 1953. As Executive Director, native Oneontan Cassandra Miller brings her experience in public relations and marketing to continue the … Read More