(Utica, NY – Jan. 3, 2012) Mohawk Valley Community College held its 2011 Fall Commencement on Thursday, December 15, in the Robert R. Jorgensen Athletics/Event Center on the Utica Campus. Some 194 MVCC students were invited to walk across stage for the conferral of associate degrees or certificates.

Those MVCC students who were recognized for completion of their academic programs are:

Name, Hometown, State, Degree, Major

Victoria Muth, Oriskany Falls, NY, Associate in Science, LA&S: Adolescence Education

John Maine, Waterville, NY, Associate in Science, LA&S: General Study

The Commencement keynote address was delivered by Denise DiGiorgio, former Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students. Ms. DiGiorgio, who retired from the College in May after 33 years of service, was instrumental in making every student’s experience at MVCC memorable and successful. She was honored as Vice President Emerita this past Fall.

MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D., presided over the event with remarks and congratulations offered by Elaine Falvo, Chair of the MVCC Board of Trustees.

(Oriskany Falls, NY) Major General Patrick A. Murphy, the Adjutant General, announces the recent reenlistment of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.

Staff Sergeant John Scarlett from Oriskany Falls has reenlisted to continue service with the Company C Recruiting and Retention.

“Over the past three years, the New York Army National Guard has come from far below authorized strength to 100-percent strength,” Murphy said in remarks to the force. “Our priority is to provide ready forces for both state and federal missions and readiness starts with maintaining our strength. We have more than 16,000 men and women in the Army and Air National Guard with each individual member having an important role.”

(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.

(Verona, NY – Sept. 23, 2011) Oneida-based state police investigated a two car crash at the intersection of State Route 365 and State Route 31 in the Town of Verona at 4:20 p.m. Friday afternoon.

A 2011 Chrysler PT Cruiser operated by Mary L. Wilfahrt, 63, of Sartell, Minn. was northbound on Route 365 when she failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of Route 31 and attempted to turn left onto Route 31.  The Wilfahrt vehicle struck a 2000 Buick operated by Heather L. Cross, 24, of North Road in Oriskany Falls as it travelled westbound through the intersection.

Cross was transported by Vineall Ambulance to Oneida Healthcare with neck pain while Wilfahrt was treated at the scene by EMS personnel for minor cuts and refused transport to a hospital.

Wilfahrt was issued a ticket for Failure to Stop for a Red Light and Cross was ticketed for an uninspected vehicle.

Both tickets are returnable in the Town of Verona Court.

(Sept. 14, 2011) The University at Albany has recognized Alexandria Alinea of Oriskany Falls as one of its 2011 Multicultural High School Achievers.

The University is recognizing 235 outstanding high school seniors from the greater Capital District and beyond as recipients of the Awards.

Selected for exemplary academic performance and leadership in their schools and communities, the award winners are being honored at a special event on Saturday, Sept. 24. They will take part in campus tours and information sessions. The awards ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom on UAlbany’s main campus at 1400 Washington Ave.

Now in its 24th year, the recognition program is designed to honor outstanding students and encourage them to continue their leadership development in college. To date, the program has recognized more than 4,400 students of color.

Area Student Named to Morrisville State College President’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced students who were named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Added to the list was Zachary Kochanowski, a resident of Waterville, NY.

Area Students Graduate from Morrisville State College

The following area residents were among students to graduate from Morrisville State College in May.

Casey Cleveland, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Nursing B.S..

Brandon Neff, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Residential Construction.

Tiffany Terrier, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY received a degree in Individual Studies.

Sierra Haas, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Nursing – A.A.S..

Michael Williams, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Diesel Technology.

Benjamin Roorda, a resident of Waterville, NY received a degree in Horticulture.

Area Students Named to Morrisville State College Dean’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced those students who were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Kerri Braun, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Casey Cleveland, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Brandon Neff, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Mollie Carter, a resident of Oriskany Falls, NY

Jessica Perry, a resident of Waterville, NY

Stephanie Tabolt, a resident of Waterville, NY

Michael Williams, a resident of Waterville, NY

Benjamin Roorda, a resident of Waterville, NY

Jedidiah Lamont, a resident of Waterville, NY

Local Students Named to President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, N.H. (August 5, 2011) The following students from New York have been named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.  To be eligible for this honor, a student must compile an academic grade point average of 3.5-4.0.

Named to the list were:

Dominic DiMaggio of Rome, NY.

Jacqueline Sebastian of Utica, NY.

(Oriskany Falls, NY – Sept. 2011) Living Waters Parish will sponsor a 9/11 service at Douglas Park at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 11. Four pastors will be officiating. Six parishes will be represented.

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.

(Utica, NY- Sept. 2011) The public is invited to the opening reception of a photography show, “Celebrating Sculpture/ Celebrating Place” Tuesday Sept. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the 2nd floor gallery at the Utica Public Library.

The reception is hosted by the Central New York Conservancy, and will also offer an opportunity for the public to purchase the Landmarks publication by art historian Rand Carter that features sculpture found in the community through the mid-1980s. Admission is free.

The photographs in the show depict carefully placed historical 19th and early 20th century sculpture around town as well as contemporary pieces created and sited only a few years ago. Sculpture Space, the area’s international studio program, organized the show as part of its 35th anniversary celebration, and to encourage a community-wide cultural collaboration that included The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, Danella Photographic, Downtown Utica Development Association, Utica College, Utica Monday Nite, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum of Art, and the Oneida County Historical Society.

“We are thrilled there is such wide interest in this art form,” noted Sydney Waller, Executive Director of Sculpture Space. “We hope this project will increase awareness of the rich, distinguished and still growing collection of outdoor sculpture which enriches urban vistas and park settings in the Greater Utica-Rome region.”

Photographers featured in the exhibition include Michael Bosak, Cynthia Alde, Steven Max, Val de Visser and Larry Pacilio, from Utica; Lynne Browne (Rome), Ann Reichlin (Ithaca) and Jamie Young (Syracuse). Both color and black and white images are on display, as well as historical prints from the Historical Society.

The show will include a free program on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. to which the public is also invited. Panel participants will offer overviews of different aspects of the topic, and include Michael Bosak, President of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica; Virginia Kelly, art historian; Mary Rizzo, representing the new Griffiss International Sculpture Garden in Rome, and Sydney Waller, Executive Director of Sculpture Space, as well as several sculptors.

The greater Utica-Rome area includes a wealth of sculpture in public spaces, including but not limited to Utica College campus, Utica Parks system, Memorial Parkway, Utica City Hall, James and Oneida Street Parks, cemeteries, Masonic campus, area around Union Station, and the Oriskany Monument.

The exhibition will be on view during library hours through Sept. 28. Library hours are M-F 8:30AM to 8:00PM, Saturday 8:30-5PM, Sunday 1-5 p.m.

For further information please contact 315-724-8381 or info@sclturespace.org.