(Sangerfield, NY – Jan. 2012) Cornell Cooperative Extension and Whites Farm Supply are co-sponsoring this year’s Oneida County Crop Congress to be held Feb. 9 at Whites Farm Supply, 962 Route 12, Sangerfield from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The topics will include farm estate planning, rotational grazing, NYSDEC worker protection standard, weed control in corn, optimizing forage production for dairy cows and dairy policy.

Participants will earn 1.5 NYSDEC recertification credits. CCA credits are available.

To attend, preregister by calling Mary or Jeff at 841-4181 by Jan 31.

(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.

(Marcy, NY- Aug. 27, 2011)  On Aug. 26 the New York State Police in Marcy/Waterville, along with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Power Authority Security, conducted a marijuana eradication operation in Southern Oneida County. The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 120 marijuana plants from two locations.

Approximately 50 plants were located in the Town of Paris off ST-8. Investigation by the New York State Police led to the arrest of Christopher A. Roberts, 37 of Sauquoit.

He was charged with fourth-degree Criminal Possession of Marijuana and Growing Cannabis under the Public Health Law, both misdemeanors.

He was issued an appearance ticket returnable in the Town of Paris Court.

Approximately 70 marijuana plants were located in the Town of Sangerfield off Mason Road. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation.

While conducting the investigating in Sangerfield, the Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Darrick E. Wratten, 26, of Waterville for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (Violation).

He was issued an appearance ticket returnable in the Town of Sangerfield Court.

(Marcy, NY – June 3, 2011) On Friday, June 3 the New York State Police out of Marcy arrested William J. Hart, 20 of Rome, NY following a vehicle and traffic stop. Hart was traveling 75 mph in a posted 55 mph zone on State Route 20 in the Town of Sangerfield, when he was stopped by Troopers.

A vehicle search was completed by Troopers after they found probable cause within the vehicle. The search revealed Hart, the lone occupant, to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana seeds and a metal knuckle knife with a 6 inch dagger blade.

Hart was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

He was released on an appearance ticket that is returnable to the Town of Sangerfield Court.

(Oneida County, NY) If you currently prepare releases and provide public relations for your local library and are looking for another outlet to reach the public, send us your news.

We post monthly calendars of events, upcoming events and all news relating to your local library.

Pictures are always welcomed.

To send us your news, email Oneidanews@m3pmedia.com

The staff at M3P Media LLC would like to wish our contributors, readers, advertisers, family and friends a very joyous holiday season and happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Toys for Tots coordinator asking for donations

By Margo Frink

(Oneida and Herkimer County, NY) The demand for toys is high this year, according to Jim Ransom, Toys for Tots coordinator for Madison, Oneida and Herkimer counties.

“People are laid off. We’ve had so many requests and the toys are not coming in,” Ransom said.

Collection boxes have been distributed in stores throughout the three counties. Ransom is asking the public to drop new, unwrapped toys into one of these boxes. Toys collected are then distributed to needy children.

To make a monetary donation, send a check or money order to Jim Ransom, P.O. Box 413, Cleveland, NY 13042

In Herkimer County, call Dick Mayhew at 717-0079.

To become a drop-off location, visit toysfortots.org, select New York state and the county of interest.

The following are drop-off locations and upcoming Toys for Tots events.

Toys-R-Us (Commercial Drive)
Live on-site Toys-for-Tots Radio Broadcast
Dates: December 5, 2010

New Hartford, NY
& Toys-R-Us Sangertown Mall

City of Rome Christmas Tree Lighting
December 3, 2010, 5:30PM to 9:00PM
Join the fun in Rome NY at the annual tree lighting festival.
The Marines will be giving away coffee, hot chocolate & cookies.
Bring a new unwrapped toy to help fill the Marine Corps Truck
for the Toys for Tots Program

Toys for Tots Collection
Children’s Christmas Party
December 19, 2010 2:00-4:00PM
Sylvan Beach American Legion Post 1153
703 Clifford Ave
Sylvan Beach, NY 13151
315 762-4797

Herkimer Marine Corps League Toy Distribution
December 18, 2010 (by appointment only)
Call Dick Mayhew at 315 717-0079 for an appointment
Marine Corps League Phone Number 315 894-4636
(Club Opens at 3:00PM Daily)