Community Calendar

Wade Catts, President of South River Heritage Consulting in Delaware, adjunct professor of history at Rowan University, and co-director of the award-winning Red Bank Battlefield Archaeology Project, will offer his personal insights and experiences from a variety of Revolutionary War military sites. Using examples from battlefields throughout the Middle Atlantic and Northeast, he will look at what the field of archaeology brings to the investigation, interpretation, and preservation of these places. He will discuss new research and how it informs our current understanding of 18th-century warfare and reflect on the role of material culture and landscape in the public’s renewed interest in our Revolutionary War as we commemorate America’s semiquincentennial. Catts is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), with 45 years of experience as an historical archaeologist specializing in history, archaeology, and historic preservation. Admission is free.

Muslim political scientist Shadi Hamid and Christian theologian Matthew Kaemingk, authors of the new book, Can Religion Save Democracy?, lead the Faith and the Future of Democracy Initiative at Georgetown University and co-host the podcast Zealots at the Gate. They explore faith, pluralism, and politics in the context of deeply held convictions, charting a new paradigm for navigating differences. Moderated by Chris Faricy, PhD, Director, Campbell Public Affairs Institute at the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs.

Utica University’s free Films on Thursday series continues its Fall 2026 season on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00pm with the documentary movie, Ghost Elephants.

This visually stunning documentary follows National Geographic Explorers and KhoiSan master trackers in their search of an elusive Ghost Elephant herd believed to be living in a remote section of Angola. Is the Ghost Elephant the descendant of the largest land mammal ever recorded? Or is it just a myth? This gripping story features amazing cinematography of beautiful African landscapes that are best experiences on the big screen.

A complete list of the Fall 2026 film series, the campus map, parking information, and more information are available at https://www.utica.edu/film.

All films are shown at 7 p.m. in Macfarlane Auditorium in DePerno Hall and are free and open to the general public.

“Communal History is American History”

The Communal Studies Association is an interdisciplinary organization for people living in intentional communities, historic site personnel and academics representing topics including history, anthropology, religious studies, sociology, political science, and others.

Each year, the CSA’s annual conference is held at the site of an historic intentional community, and this year OCMH has the privilege of hosting the event.

To learn more about the three-day program and to register for the event, visit https://communalstudies.org/annual-conference/

“Communal History is American History”

The Communal Studies Association is an interdisciplinary organization for people living in intentional communities, historic site personnel and academics representing topics including history, anthropology, religious studies, sociology, political science, and others.

Each year, the CSA’s annual conference is held at the site of an historic intentional community, and this year OCMH has the privilege of hosting the event.

To learn more about the three-day program and to register for the event, visit https://communalstudies.org/annual-conference/

Explore the unique Great Swamp Conservancy Trail System at the 3rd annual 5K Trail Run.
Runners, Hikers, Walkers are welcome to this non-competitive race!

$25 per runner, all proceeds benefit the Great Swamp Conservancy, non-profit nature center. The race will begin promptly at 9:00 AM. All runners will receive a t-shirt on race day featuring an original illustration by Aly Colasanti, previous GSC intern and light refreshments post race.

There will be hand made awards for 1st through 3rd Place for a variety of age groups.

This race will be capped at 100 runners, so register as soon as possible on RunSignUp:

https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Canastota/GreatSwampConservency5kTrailRun

Location: 8375 N. Main Street Canastota NY 13032, in the Town of Lenox

The Lorenzo Driving Competition invites you to meet the miniature horses wearing costumes, and Jason the Fjord horse disguised as a pumpkin! Tour Lorenzo’s rarely seen carriage storage, coloring pages for the kids, light refreshments, and more. The NYS Draft Horse club will be onsite offering wagon rides! Admission is free.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. invites the community to the unveiling of the 2026 Wisdom Keeper Plaque!

Join us in honoring this year’s Wisdom Keepers, Tim Fox and Evelyn C. Ingram, as we celebrate their remarkable leadership and contributions to Central New York! A new plaque will be revealed in the Wisdom Keeper Garden as a lasting tribute to their impact and vision for a stronger community.

Free Event | All are Welcome | Rain or Shine | No Registration Required

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. invites the community to the 2026 Wisdom Keeper Celebration! Join FOCUS in honoring this year’s Wisdom Keepers, Tim Fox and Evelyn C. Ingram, as we celebrate their remarkable leadership and contributions to Central New York!

The 2026 Wisdom Keeper will be held at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, an exciting setting for this beloved celebration! Wisdom Keeper is a lively, welcoming celebration where leaders, professionals, and community members from all walks of life come together to connect, converse, and be inspired!

Guests will enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and plenty of opportunities to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces! The highlight of the evening will be honoring our 2026 Wisdom Keeper Honorees, extraordinary individuals whose leadership, care, and vision continue to shape Central New York’s future.

Reserve Your Tickets Today!

April - Nov Engage With Gage
To celebrate Matilda’s 200th Birthday we will be reading her book, Woman, Church & State in sections throughout the remainder of the year. All sessions take place on the second Wednesday of the month and start at 5:30pm. Participants are welcome to attend in person at the Gage Center or online via zoom. Each session is $10/person or sign up for all sessions (Complete WCS Series) for $75.