Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol (left) presented Mohawk Valley Community College Criminal Justice student Emmett Loori with the New York State Sheriffs Association Institute’s 2011 Criminal Justice Scholarship.

(Utica, NY – Jan. 11, 2012) Mohawk Valley Community College’s Emmett Loori was the recipient of the $250 New York State Sheriffs Association Institute’s 2011 Criminal Justice Scholarship.

Loori was recognized for excellence in his field of study and will graduate this May with an Associate in Applied Science for Criminal Justice. The Certificate and scholarship was presented by Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol during a ceremony on MVCC’s Utica Campus.

Loori is a native of Cassville and graduate from Faith Christian School in Bridgewater. He is the son of Eric Loori.

(Oneida County, NY – Oct. 2011) October 2-8 is National 4-H Week, and Oneida County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Recent findings from Tufts University’s 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H’ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities.

In Oneida County, more than 300 4-H members and 120 volunteers are involved in 4‑H.  The Oneida County 4-H program reaches over 3000 total youth through after-school programs and other 4-H sponsored activities throughout the year.

Oneida county 4-H members are involved in a wide variety of projects from animals to robotics.  They actively participate in public communication events, community service and project specific shows and competitions.  4-H volunteers guide youth by using their individual expertise and mentoring them throughout the year.  An abundant amount of local, state, and national opportunities are available to those involved in 4-H.  These opportunities and more are available through the 4-H program and help us build our leaders of tomorrow.

Learn how you can become involved in 4-H by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at (315) 736-3394, extension 122 or email Kristi Cranwell at kac292@cornell.edu

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) The Central New York Region has everything a traveler could want out of a visit to New York State, from something old (historical landmarks, museums and rustic B&Bs) to something new (state-of-the-art science centers, modern theatrical performances and high-end spas). To emphasize the “something old,” the area is overflowing with quaint shops touting eclectic antiques and collectibles, offering a slice of the region’s rich past. It is truly a picker’s (and a historian’s) paradise.

For starters, the Madison-Bouckville area offers a year-round antique venue with over 30 shops featuring hundreds of dealers, plus the largest antique show in New York State every third week in August. This event, the Madison Bouckville Antique Week, draws more than 2,000 dealers for a weeklong show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20. Another superb find for antique hunters in Madison County is The Market at Oneida Commons, a neat little mall open year-round that’s packed with vintage items, crafts, jewelry, books, furniture, locally-produced Pride of NY foods and other odds and ends that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Cobbler & C. in Sharon Springs, Schoharie County, offers a treasure trove of antiques. Up on the second floor is a wide array of used, but “new to you” goods: a collection of old dishes, glassware, books, magazines and other collectibles.

In Oneida County, the Westmoreland Antique Center features 80 dealer spaces with a vast array of antiques and vintage collectibles like holiday merchandise, milk bottles, postcards and advertising collectibles, plus a vast selection of glassware, china and furniture.

Charlotte’s Antiques in Chenango County welcomes antique enthusiasts to pore over home décor, women’s clothing and jewelry, and rare collectibles, among other specialty items. For Iroquois artifacts, one-of-a-kind classics and various collectibles, Carriage Barn Antiques, Iroquois Antiques and Pheasant Farm Antiques are a few popular stops in the area.

The Little Falls Antique Center in Herkimer County showcases oldies but goodies from 18 dealers. Just a ways down the street, Stone Mill of Little Falls houses everything vintage from lighting, to clothing, to decorative arts and prints, plus local treasures like Oriental carpets from Erie Canal Carpets, sterling silver and cookbooks. The unexpected can be expected in the old factory atmosphere of this 1839 mill built on the banks of the Mohawk River, as the inventory is ever changing. Greater Binghamton’s Clinton Street, aptly named the “Antique Row,” is a hot spot for antiquing, hosting as many as 30 dealers at a given time. The locale makes perfect sense, as Clinton Street itself is an antique – it existed long before the city of Binghamton.

Cooperstown in Otsego County is saturated in antiquing opportunities. More than 50 shops line the area, from main streets to country roads, including NYS Route 7 corridor from Unadilla to Oneonta, the NYS Route 28 corridor from Oneonta to Cooperstown, and US Route 20, the road to the Madison-Bouckville Antique Show. For those seeking a myriad of vintage items, from china and glassware to historic textiles and furniture, shops like Barkley Barn Blue Ribbon Antiques, Lake Antiques and Antiques & Artifacts are must-sees. Even the antiquing venues themselves are fascinating and range from charming homes to old barns brimming with collectibles.

For some, a successful hunt for the perfect antique can take months or even years. The Central New York Region’s seemingly limitless supply of rare antiques and collectibles in dozens of shops across the area, however, can certainly help to shorten the duration of that hunt and make it quite enjoyable along the way.

For more antiquing opportunities and other information about the Central New York Region, check out:www.JustGoCNY.com.

Pictured from left, are, Officer Joseph Dare of the Utica Police Department, Riley Kohl (5 years old), Ella Lorraine (5 years old) and Edward P. Welsh, General Manager – AAA NY Central Region.

(Utica, NY- Sept. 2, 2011) The Utica Police Department and top state

and local officials have joined to urge vigorous public support of AAA’s annual “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign to help preserve the safety of children traveling to and from school.

AAA’s yearly “School’s Open—Drive Carefully” campaign alerts motorists to the special risks to school-age children from motor vehicle crashes, the leading cause of death for children from five to fourteen years old.

To encourage drivers to exercise caution, Edward Welsh, General Manager of AAA New York’s Central Region said that “AAA will be placing colorful posters bearing the “School’s Open” legend to local police departments and will display them at many busy intersections and school crossings during the month of September.”

Motorists will receive an additional reminder each time they see one of the “School’s Open” bumper stickers, also distributed by AAA New York for display on trucks, buses, official vehicles, school buses and passenger cars. Among the prominent officials who have endorsed AAA’s “School’s Open” campaign this year are: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Barbara Fiala; Commissioner of Education, John King and Acting Superintendent of State Police, Joseph D’Amico. The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police also supports the campaign.

Officer Joseph Dare similarly endorsed the efforts of AAA New York and reminded motorists, “School’s Open – Drive Carefully.”

Ed Welsh also emphasized the need to show extra caution when driving as schools reopen, since it is then that vacation-minded children are apt to be less careful.  Motorists should be particularly alert for children darting out between parked cars on busy streets.

(Aug. 30, 2011) The Cultural Resources Council has expanded its role in providing grant support for Central New York artists and public arts programs.

A regional arts agency based in Syracuse, the CRC is now accepting applications for four different arts grant programs serving nine counties.

“The arts are an important element in the vitality of our communities,” said Steven Butler, CRC Executive Director. “In this time of economic retrenchment, we are pleased to offer support for arts activity in a wider geographic area.”

While the geographic reach of the four programs differs, support is now available to artists, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities in Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Otsego and Oswego Counties. Potential applicants should check the specific program descriptions to determine eligibility.

Community Arts Grants are offered to not-for-profit organizations that sponsor community-based arts projects. Grants of $500 to $5,000 are awarded competitively for activities such as performances, arts festivals, exhibitions, public arts classes, mural projects, and many other programs that enhance local cultural life.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Community Arts Grants are: Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego. Applications must be received by November 1.

Individual Artist Grants are offered to artists in the visual, performing, literary and media arts for carrying out creative projects that strengthen their connection to the community. Grants of $1,000 are awarded for activities such as the creation of art in public places; the creation of new music, choreography or scripts for public performance; the creation and public dissemination of film or video works.

Funds are provided by the State and Local Partnership Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), through its Decentralization initiative. Counties served by CRC Individual Artist Grants are Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego.

Strategic Opportunity Stipends (SOS) are grants of $200 to $1,500 offered to working artists in all disciplines for specific opportunities that significantly benefit their career development. The CRC is one of eight regional organizations throughout New York who administer this program for the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

The CRC administers Strategic Opportunity Stipends for artists residing in Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and Otsego Counties. Applications must be received by Sept. 12 or April 5.

Art$TART Grants of $500 to $2,000 support creative teaching partnerships between schools (Pre-K through Grade 12) and arts organizations or individual artists.

With funds from the Arts Education Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, the program supports curriculum-related projects in public or private schools of Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties.  Applications must be  received by Nov. 15.

Details and application procedures for all CRC arts grant programs are available on the CRC website at www.mycnyarts.org. The website also provides a listing of currently scheduled information meetings throughout Central New York.

(Chadwicks, NY – Sept. 2011) The Tammy Twitchell Crafts Foundation will be having a Spaghetti Dinner along with a Chinese Auction on Thursday Sept. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Willowvale Fire Hall, located at 3459 Oneida St. in Chadwicks. The cost is adults $6 and children $3. Take-outs are available.

The Tammy Twitchell Crafts Foundation was formed in 2005 after Tammy Twitchell formerly of Larson Road, Cassville passed away after a life long battle with cystic fibrosis. Tammy, along with her brother Brian Jr. and Kimberly attended Sauquoit Valley Central School.

The Foundation holds fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds so that the Foundation can help other families who are affected by cystic fibrosis.

If you are unable to attend you can send a financial contribution to the Foundation at:

Tammy Twitchell Crafts Foundation

9495 Larson Road

Cassville, N.Y. 13318

(Herkimer, NY- May 1, 2011) Herkimer County Community College announces candidates for the College’s 43^rd annual commencement to be held Friday, May 20 at 5 pm in the gymnasium of the Physical Education Building. There are 640 candidates for the associate degree and 46 candidates for certificates. High honors are accorded to 64 seniors who earned a 3.80 average or higher as of the fall 2010 semester (noted with #) and honors accorded to 196 seniors who earned a 3.25 average or higher as of the fall 2010 semester (noted with *).

Candidates for degrees and certificates are:

Barneveld

Kristopher C. Hollenbeck, Criminal Justice

*Kali Rae Kraeger, Criminal Justice:  Economic Crime

*Steven Richard Winfield, Business:  Sports and Recreation Management

Blossvale

*Heather Michele Light, Paralegal

Camden

*Heather Irene Yager, Physical Therapist Assistant

Cassville

*Jason K. Gustavson, Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

Chadwicks

Justin R. Jones, Radio-Television Broadcasting

*Brandie F. Lacey, Early Childhood

Clinton

#Thomas M. Baker, Radio-Television Broadcasting

*Matthew D. Steates, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science

Deerfield

Stephen M. Cronauer, Paralegal

William Brett Wenzel, Music Industry

Forestport

Allison A. Kusel, Business:  Business Administration

Frankfort

#David S. Wilsey, Criminal Justice:  Cybersecurity

Holland Patent

Justin A. Crockett, Business:  Marketing

Rachel E. Hague, Early Childhood

Laura A. McChesney, Travel & Tourism:  Hospitality and Events Management

#Tabatha M. Miller, Criminal Justice

Lee Center

Tiffany M. Pope, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science

Marcy

Evan A. Annese, Business:  Sports and Recreation Management

Brent J. Rosky, Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

New Hartford

*Neuza A. Bauries, Paralegal

*Jaclyn V. Giordano, Criminal Justice

Marc W. Giordano, Physical Therapist Assistant

*Kristen M. Springer, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

*Carly A. Steet, Paralegal

New York Mills

Kristin Lynn Diehl, Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

*Nicole Marie Frankland, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Physical Education

*Beth A. Leviness, Criminal Justice

Oneida

Adrienne M. Owen, Criminal Justice

Miranda S. Trexler, Travel & Tourism:  Hospitality and Events Management

Prospect

Casey Alexander Clendenin, Photographic Technology

Remsen

Katelynn M. Coe, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science

*Melissa J. McGough, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science

Wanda M. Mierek, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Childhood Education

*Marissah M. Westcott, Business:  Fashion Buying & Merchandising

Rome

Ramika Shayne Cassese, Paralegal

Holly M. Cutler,             Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies and Teaching Assistant Certificate

#MacKenzie W. Evans, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Sarah A. Havener, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Hannah Joyce, Business:  Accounting

*Robert J. Lisacki, Business: Business Administration

*Katharine A. Miller, Business:  Accounting

Erin M. Ray, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Adam J. Slavin, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Social Science

*Daniele M. Trifunovski, Criminal Justice

Sauquoit

Jennifer M. Allcorn, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

#Erin L. Crowe, Travel & Tourism:  Hospitality and Events Management

*Amanda Marie Malek, Business:  Fashion Buying & Merchandising

Eric D. Verbickas, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Sherrill

#Dianne L. Walker-Martinez, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Stittville

Edward James Darrow II, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Taberg

Lauri A. Vanderwarker, Business:  Business Administration

Utica

*Essohouna Abete, Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science

Ebrima Bakarr, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Jaclyn Marie Bogdan, Human Services

#Kathie A. Brindisi, Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

Olga V. Brutskaya, Paralegal

*Gina M. Cromer, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

#Jaime M. Decker, Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

*Adam P. Fenton, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Childhood Education

Dana M. Flint, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

#Sandra D. Fries, Medical Transcriptionist Certificate

Vincent M. Gaetano, Criminal Justice A.S.

Gabriela E. Liberatore, Business: Business Administration

Renee A. LiBritz, Paralegal

Angelo M. Luak, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Cecilia Marthancho, Travel & Tourism:  Hospitality and Events Management

*Briaunna L. McKinley, Paralegal

Alexandria D. Moffatt, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

*Cassandra Marie Nellis, Criminal Justice:  Forensic Investigations

*Ah Dee Noh, Travel & Tourism:  Hospitality and Events Management

#Dolores S. Pelli, Paralegal

#Amanda E. Reinhardt, Criminal Justice

Michael W. Rickard, Business:  Marketing

*Nicole M. Rienzo, Photographic Technology

Kimberly M. Risher, Paralegal

Jennifer Adrianne Rivera, Criminal Justice

David L. Rudolph, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Amanda M. Santos, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Social Science

Gina M. Scalise, Music Industry

*Michael P. Scotellaro IV, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Physical Education

Kevin K. Simmons, Business:  Accounting

Nicole M. Sterling, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

*Joshua T. Stevens, Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

*Justine R. Sussey, Business:  Health Services Management Technology

William Wil, Radio-Television Broadcasting

Christopher Wilsey, Paralegal

#Judith Joy Zarin, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  Social Science

Vernon

Jessica M. Beauvais, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Waterville

Ashley F. Cole, Business:  Accounting

Chelsey L. Fancett, Liberal Arts & Sciences:  General Studies

Nicole L. Hinman, Business:  Marketing

Westmoreland

#Archana Nayak, Paralegal

Whitesboro

#Hannah M. Bailey, Physical Therapist Assistant

John S. Bawarski, Business:  International Business

Daniel David Dowd, Business:  Accounting

Courtney Halen Hibbard, Radio-Television Broadcasting

*Rebecca L. Misencik, Teaching Assistant Certificate

Sing Yeung, Business:  Accounting

(Herkimer, NY – Jan. 2011) One hundred eighty-one students have been named to the President’s List at Herkimer County Community College for the fall 2010 semester, and 396 students have been named to the Dean’s List.  The distinction recognizes outstanding academic achievement.

The President’s List recognizes students who have earned a minimum 3.8 average on a 4.0 scale for the past semester with the exception of those who have failures, unresolved incompletes, equivalent credit courses, or have earned less than twelve credits in that semester (President’s List students are noted with an asterisk *).  The Dean’s List recognizes students with an average from 3.25 to 3.8 for the past semester with the exception of those who have failures, unresolved incompletes, equivalent credit courses, or have earned less than twelve credits in that semester.

ONEIDA COUNTY

Barneveld

Kali Rae Kraeger

Boonville

* Lisa Evans

Camden

* Amy L. Brazie

* Beth A. Giordano

Samantha R. Link

Cassville

Alyssa Beach

Chadwicks

Brandie F. Lacey

Clinton

* Thomas M. Baker

Thaddeus Randazzo

Deerfield

* Stephen M. Cronauer

Forestport

Emily L. Washburn

Frankfort

* David S. Wilsey

Holland Patent

Wendy N. Baldanza

Marcy

Alexander C. Stronach

New Hartford

Neuza A. Bauries

* Michael L. Elleman

Jaclyn V. Giordano

Shaun Hadity

Amy M. Mathias

Jason Aaron McDonald

* Brynn A. McKeone

Kristen M. Springer

Carly A. Steet

* Candace R. Synrod

New York Mills

Nicole Marie Frankland

* Scott Richard Phillips

Oneida

Ryan C. McGrath

Oriskany

Shannon L. Shannon

Remsen

Melissa J. McGough

Alexandra M. Roberts

Cassandra M. Roberts

Marissah M. Westcott

Rome

Jennifer M. Eisinger

* Mackenzie W. Evans

April M. Finster

Tabatha N. Freelove

Sarah A. Havener

Robert J. Lisacki

Melissa Elizabeth Pisano

Sauquoit

* Erin L. Crowe

Trevor D. Goodenough

* Danielle K. Madore

Amanda Marie Malek

* Bette A. Nobles

Sherrill

* Dianne L. Walker-Martinez

Utica

Cesar E. Arcentales

Jaclyn Marie Bogdan

* Kathie A. Brindisi

Alexandria R. Deno

* Miranda Dove

Adam P. Fenton

* April D. Flynn

Sandra D. Fries

Vincent M. Gaetano

Jeffrey M. Hogan

* James C. Hunt

Heather M. Larrabee

Angelo Monylei Luak

Cecilia Marthancho

* Briaunna L. McKinley

David Edward Morgan

* Cassandra Marie Nellis

* Dolores S. Pelli

Rocco A. Piccione

* Amanda E. Reinhardt

Michael W. Rickard

Nicole M. Rienzo

Peter A. Servello

Katherine L. Tanoury

* Brian P. Zbytniewski

Westmoreland

* Archana Nayak

Whitesboro

* Hannah M. Bailey

Denise M. Deliberto

April L. Donohue

Rebecca L. Misencik

(Cassville, New Hartford, NY – Jan. 6, 2011) Freedom Guide Dogs of Cassville is holding its first banquet fundraiser on Thursday, April 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Hosted by Daniele’s Banquet Specialists on Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford. The event includes food, a silent auction and an awards ceremony honoring three top dogs.

Tickets for $30 per person will be available for purchase through Freedom Guide Dogs. Call or email to reserve tickets today.

Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Contact Nicole White, Director of Development at (315) 822-5132 or Nicole@freedomguidedogs.org.

Freedom Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. was founded by Sharon and Eric Loori in 1992. It’s is a non-profit organization committed to raising, training and placing dogs to guide the blind through a distinctive program of “Hometown Training.” This program is active throughout the Northeastern United States and allows training to take place in a familiar environment where the client lives, works and enjoys daily life.

Freedom’s services are at no charge to clients and are made possible through support from individuals and organizations dedicated to giving blind people and their families the freedom of a guide dog.