The third annual “National Author’s Day” celebration features four guest author presentations and an evening reception on Nov. 1. This free community celebration is a collaboration between the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - A free community celebration, sponsored by the SUNY Morrisville Human Services Institute in collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS), will once again be hosted on Nov. 1. The festivities 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:

At 1 p.m. Jim Farfaglia – Historic Snowstorms of Central New York. A lifelong resident of Oswego County, Jim 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.

At 2 p.m. Deirdre Sinnott – The Third Mrs. Gallaway. Deirdre 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.

At 3 p.m. Casey Jakubowski - Thinking About Teaching: A Rural Social Studies Teacher's Path to Strive for Excellence. A specialist in improvement science, Casey Jakubowski is a consultant, educator, and coach with over twenty years of experience helping teams develop strong bonds, productive planning, creative engagement, and mentoring. With academic research in rural policy implementation, Casey serves the education community, the start-up community, established organizations, and nonprofits in a customized, creative, and interactive way.

At 4 p.m. Norm Dann - Practical Dreamer: Gerrit Smith and the Crusade for Social Reform

Norman K. 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, Norm 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 & Tina Utter, Richard White, Donald A. Windsor, and Howard Zendle.

All activities will be held at the SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, located at 20 Conkey Ave., Norwich. Refreshments will be available throughout the event. For more information, email norwich@morrisville.edu or call (607) 334-5144.

First established in 1939, CCHS is the primary organization dedicated to actively and comprehensively preserving the history of Chenango County. The area’s premier heritage museum, the organization celebrates local culture – the enduring traditions, noteworthy residents, and unique stories. CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The mission of CCHS is to explore the culture of Chenango County – its unique traditions and noteworthy stories – through the preservation and presentation of our local heritage.

- Information from Chenango County Historical Society & Museum