News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

(Rome, NY – Jan. 26, 2012) Nearly 200 New York Air National Guardsmen, Canadian Forces members, federal civilians and guests were in attendance at the Radisson Hotel in Utica last Friday, Jan. 20, as the Eastern Air Defense Sector recognized its outstanding performers from 2011.

“EADS’ mission of protecting the eastern U.S. airspace requires consistent excellence from all of our staff,” said Col. John Bartholf, EADS Commander. “Our 2011 award winners distinguished themselves by going above and beyond our high standards and I congratulate each of them on their outstanding accomplishments and thank them for their extraordinary efforts.”

EADS employs more than 400 active-duty military, federal civilians, civilian contractors and part-time Air National Guardsmen and the unit recognized outstanding performers in seven categories. The categories were: company grade officer (junior officers below the rank of major), senior non- commissioned officer, noncommissioned officer, junior enlisted airman, honor guard member and honor guard program manager. The outstanding civilian of the year was also recognized.

Award recipients were:

• Capt. Aaron Mahoney, Camden, Outstanding Company Grade Officer. The chief of the weapons and tactics section, Capt. Mahoney successfully facilitated more than 150 training sorties and nearly 40 alert scrambles. He also serves as the Office in Charge of the unit’s honor guard.

• Master Sgt. Edward Rojo, Clinton, Outstanding Senior Noncommissioned Officer. An assistant flight superintendent, Master Sgt. Rojo managed the operational, administrative and personnel requirements for 40 Airmen. Master Sgt. Rojo maintains a 4.0 grade point average while pursuing a master’s degree in management and volunteers at a local Feed Our Veterans food bank.

• Technical Sgt. Justin Bush, Camden, Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer. A joint interface control cell officer, Tech. Sgt. Bush plays a key role in air picture management for EADS and its higher headquarters. A youth soccer coach, he is pursuing a master’s degree in education and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

• Senior Airman Andrew Ross, Renovo, Pa., Outstanding Junior Enlisted Airman. A cyber systems operations journeyman, Sr. Airman Ross was recognized for his ability to quickly fix critical radar issues. Sr. Airman Ross recently received his college degree in applied mathematics, graduating magna cum laude, and tutors junior college students in advanced mathematics.

• Master Sgt. Thomas Whiteman, Rome, Outstanding Honor Guard Member. Master Sgt. Whiteman participated in more than 30 ceremonies and organized volunteers who contributed more than 800 off-duty hours to honor guard details. He also led a combined fire, police and military color guard for the 9-11 10th anniversary commemoration in Rome.

• Master Sgt. Jeffrey Lamarche, Deansboro, Outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager. In addition to organizing and coordinating honor guard schedules, Master Sgt. Lamarche personally participated in 65 percent of EADS honor guard details, including 35 funerals. Master Sgt. Lamarche was also named outstanding Honor Guard Program Manager for New York State for the second consecutive year.

• Krispen Dorfman, Rome, Outstanding Civilian. A resource advisor and information technology specialist, Dorfman is responsible for the operations division budget and oversees a wide variety of supporting tasks. This is the third consecutive year that Dorfman has been named EADS Outstanding Civilian.

A number of distinguished guests also attended the awards banquet. Brig. Gen. Anthony P. German, Chief of Staff, New York Air National Guard (NYANG) and Chief Master Sgt. Richard, the NYANG’s Command Chief, were in attendance. Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Guard Bureau, was the featured speaker.

The Eastern Air Defense Sector is headquartered at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Staffed by active-duty New York Air National Guardsmen and a Canadian Forces detachment, the unit supports the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) integrated warning and attack assessment missions and the U.S. Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM) homeland defense mission. EADS is responsible for air sovereignty and counter-air operations over the eastern United States and directs a variety of assets to defend one million square miles of land and sea.

(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: Paul (left) and Al Mazloom with their 1931 DeVaux; Bob Baker with his 1931 Ford Model A; A 1941 “pink” Oldsmobile; and Salvation Army Capt. Frank Picciotto with Jackie Williams, owner of the 1941 “pink” Oldsmobile.

(Utica, NY – Sept. 24, 2011)  A cavalcade of 15 classic cars wound its way up Genesee Street Saturday “symbolizing not only a ride down memory lane,” noted Honorary Chair Joe Kelly,  “but also a ride to help The Salvation Army do the most good.”

He added: “When there are problems or disasters or when times are tough, the Salvation Army has always been one of the first places people turn. It’s important that we help them so they can keep helping others.”

Dedicated to the memory of long-time Salvation Army Advisory Board Member Bill Heiderich, the 12th Classic Car Cavalcade made its way to Dibbles Inn in Vernon, where riders and drivers enjoyed a luncheon feast while listening to Big Band-era music performed by the Steve Falvo Easy Money Big Band.

“The Cavalcade is the area’s most unique fundraiser,” noted Kelly, a newspaper and TV personality.

Salvation Army officer Capt. Frank Picciotto, who had just returned from a two-week stint assisting flood victims in the Binghamton area, told participants the event supports the Utica Salvation Army’s work with people in need, such as a weekday soup kitchen and food pantry, tutoring for at-risk youth, and assistance for 600 families and 2,000 children at Christmas.

“It’s for a good cause” was a common refrain from classic car owners, such as Bob Baker of Oriskany, back with his 1931 Ford Model A four-door sedan. “I only missed one year.”

Jackie and Charlie Williams of Deansboro were there for all but one cavalcade as well. “You meet a lot of interesting people,” said Jackie. “It’s a lot of fun, and the people at the Salvation Army are wonderful.”

She said they especially enjoy seeing people’s reaction to their 1941 “pink” Oldsmobile, and they’re quick to point out, “It’s not pink. It’s tea rose pearl metallic.”

Paul and Al Mazloom were back with their unique 1931 green DeVaux. “It’s an American car, made that one year (by DeVaux-Hale Motors),” noted Paul. “That was during the Depression. My father bought a car exactly like this.”

Utica native Mike McHale was a first-time participant, driving a 1964 Buick Skylark owned by Russ Schmitt of Oriskany Garage and Tire. He has driven classic cars in weddings and other events as well as “stretch limousines, Rolls Royces, and today, a ’64 Buick.”

Cavalcade co-chair Gus DeTraglia told participants: “When word gets out about how much fun we had, riding in the cars and having lunch with a Big Band, we’ll be swamped next year.”

The other co-chair, Dr. Herb Sipp, who drove a 1947 Packard four-door sedan, summed it up this way: “You don’t have to walk anyplace, or run, or golf. You just sit in an old car and go to lunch. That’s my kind of fundraiser.”

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.

(Marcy, NY – June 3, 2011) Investigator Chad Tangorra of the New York State Police BCI in Marcy arrested the following individuals for committing a residential burglary that occurred on Cottage Street in the Village of Oriskany Falls.

The burglary occurred on May 30, 2011. Each defendant was charged with one count of Burglary in The Second Degree, a Class “C” Felony:

ROBERT A. ORELLANO, age 20, 62 Meadow Street, Clinton, N.Y.

CHRISTOPHER R. PUCKEY, age 20, 15 Earl Manor, Deansboro, N.Y.

DORIAN F. ORELLANO, age 19, 62 Meadow Street, Clinton, N.Y.

JOSEPH R. WITCHLEY , age 17, 169 Main Street, Oriskany Falls, N.Y.

All defendants were arraigned in the Town of Augusta Court and either posted bail or were committed to the Oneida County Jail on cash bail.

AGENDA

Monday, April 25, 2011

Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

in Lumbard Hall

1.  Hamilton College-210 College Hill Rd. PB Case #43-10

New Art Museum corner of Griffin Rd.      Zoning: PC

Demo of Building and Construct      Site Plan Review

New Art Museum Building

2.  Fred Pumilio/SHAR, LLC             PB Case #5-11

4865 Clinton St., Clark Mills New Store    Zoning: C

Restaurant                             Site Plan Review

Action Item:

Harry F. and Barbara A. Cresswell      PB Case #3-11

2952 State Route 12B, Deansboro           Zoning: RR

2-Lot Subdivision

Discussion Items:

David Lane on behalf of Donna Hamlin

3406 Route 12B

Tax Map #346.000-1-52.6

Natural Gas Drilling

Building Permit Revisions

AGENDA

Monday, April 25, 2011

Meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

in Lumbard Hall

1.  Hamilton College-210 College Hill Rd. PB Case #43-10

New Art Museum corner of Griffin Rd.      Zoning: PC

Demo of Building and Construct      Site Plan Review

New Art Museum Building

2.  Fred Pumilio/SHAR, LLC             PB Case #5-11

4865 Clinton St., Clark Mills New Store    Zoning: C

Restaurant                             Site Plan Review

Action Item:

Harry F. and Barbara A. Cresswell      PB Case #3-11

2952 State Route 12B, Deansboro           Zoning: RR

2-Lot Subdivision

Discussion Items:

David Lane on behalf of Donna Hamlin

3406 Route 12B

Tax Map #346.000-1-52.6

Natural Gas Drilling

Building Permit Revisions

Bishopp to Present ‘Reading the Land’

If you are a livestock or horse owner wanting to cut expenses and increase profits while improving the soil on your farm, consider joining the Hudson Mohawk Grass Masters, a farmer-to-farmer grazing group sponsored by the Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Membership is free and meeting locations rotate around the greater capital region and are often held at participants’ farms.

Several sessions are planned for this spring including one to be presented by Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District Grazing Specialist Troy Bishopp.

Bishopp will present “Reading the Land.” Bishopp will be joined by Holistic Management Educator Phil Metzger, Tuesday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a field walk that will focus on understanding ecosystem processes and how to improve forage production in pastures.

The location is to be determined.

All sessions are free (unless otherwise noted) but registration is required. To learn about upcoming sessions or to register, call (518) 828-4385 x105. Hudson Mohawk Grass Masters is funded in part by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

The Hudson Mohawk RC&D Council is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization working in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the local community on economic development and environmental conservation projects in Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, and Schenectady counties.

For more information, visit hudsonmohawkrcd.org.