Canajoharie seniors to host dinner

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Senior Citizens will hold their after-Christmas covered dish dinner Friday, Jan. 11, at 12:30 p.m. at Arkell Center. Each senior is asked to bring a covered dish plus a five dollar donation in lieu of a grab bag gift. The collection will go to a local charity. Annual dues of $10 each are due. The “Mystery Gift” raffle will be available for purchase at fifty cents for each ticket. All seniors are invited to attend. For more information, contact Carole Clouthier at (518) 673-5335.

School funding is meeting topic

CANAJOHARIE — The public is invited to an informational meeting on advocating for rural schools at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, in the Canajoharie High School Library. The meeting is designed to inform the public about the inequities in school funding and action they can take.

Methodist church book sale Jan. 26

FORT PLAIN — On Jan. 26, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Fort Plain Reformed Church, 165 Canal St., will host a book sale and cafe. Used books, DVDs, and CDs will be available, along with cafe refreshments. All proceeds will benefit Stop Hunger Now.

CHS band raising money for trip

FORT PLAIN — The Canajoharie High School Band will hold a fundraising spaghetti dinner on January 15, from 4-8 p.m. at Dome49, Fort Plain. Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, bread, salad, drink and dessert. Tickets are $9. Take-outs available. The event will raise money toward the band’s May, 2013 Music in the Parks trip to Disney World, Florida.

Good nutrition is workshop focus

FORT PLAIN — The Fort Plain Pacers and BlueShield of Northeastern New York will present a Nutrition for Fitness workshop at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan 31, in the Harry Hoag Elementary School cafeteria.

Diane Hart hosts the workshop, where participants will learn tips and advice regarding nutrition, how to read food labels, choose healthy food alternatives, and control portions when dining in or eating out.

Participants will also learn how to get the most nutritional value out of each food choice and learn what foods interfere with nutritional absorption, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.

The Pacers — a year-round walking program at Harry Hoag Elementary School — runs from 4:30-7 p.m. each school day through March 30. The goal of the program is to help boost physical activity for local residents and offer safe and affordable walking options during the winter. BlueShield supports the program and plans to offer more wellness programs throughout the winter.

Fort Plain prom fashion show set

FORT PLAIN — The Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School Prom Fashion Show, sponsored by the Class of 2014, will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 in the Jr./Sr. High School auditorium.

Current style, gently used prom dresses (worn only once before) will be modeled and sold for a fraction of their original cost, so it’s a great way to save money on the cost of prom.

The Class of 2014 Parent Committee is also sponsoring a gift basket raffle. Admission is $5.

Joint school board meeting Jan. 10

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The Oppenheim-Ephratah and St. Johnsville boards of education will hold a joint meeting Thursday, Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oppenheim-Ephratah cafeteria.

The St. Johnsville board will conduct its own special meeting immediately following the joint session.

For further information, please contact Oppenheim-Ephratah Superintendent Dan Russom at (518) 568-2014; or St. Johnsville Superintendent Laura Campione Lawrence at (518) 568-2011.

Retired teachers offer scholarship

CANAJOHARIE — For its thirtieth year, the Upper Montgomery County Retired Teachers’ Association will offer its annual scholarship award to a qualifying high school senior who will pursue a career in teaching.

The single scholarship will be $500. It is open to any senior in the Canajoharie, Fonda-Fultonville, Fort Plain or St. Johnsville Central School District who is entering his/her freshman year in an accredited educational institution with an intent to enter the teaching profession.

Applications for this scholarship will be available through the guidance departments of the above mentioned school systems. Completed applications must be returned to the scholarship committee no later than April 30. The winner will be announced in late June.

For any additional information, call Myrna Herb at (518) 993-4362.

Catholic Daughters celebrate 75th

ST. JOHNSVILLE — Members of Catholic Daughters’ Court Catherine Esther #1264, along with their guests, gathered on Sunday, Dec. 9 for the Court’s 75th Anniversary and Christmas Party, held at Ripepi’s Restaurant, St. Johnsville.

Spiritual Enhancement Chairman Cathy Smith gave the invocation. Regent Marlene Nalli welcomed officers, members and their guests. In attendance were Regent Nalli’s husband Rocco, Vice Regent Kathy Walsh and her husband, John, Financial Secretary Barbara Hislop, Recording Secretary Cheryl Benninger and Treasurer Terry O’Connell. Regent Nalli also introduced new member Rita Pineyro, along with husband, Alphonso, daughter and son-in-law. Annette and Frank Conover to the gathering

Before the dinner, a short meeting was held to elect delegates to the New York State Court Convention to be held in April of 2013. Regent Nalli, Cheryl Benninger, and Eileen Show were nominated and elected as the court’s delegates. Also elected to serve as alternate delegates were Judy Montanye, Cathy Smith, Doris Dutcher and Barbara Hislop.

Members enjoyed a special 75th Anniversary cake with ice cream for dessert. During the dessert, a short program honoring the court’s 75 Anniversary was presented.

Cheryl Benninger read the court history, remembering the court’s many accomplishments and its outstanding members. Vice Regent Walsh recognized Past Regents Beulah Flint, Eileen Show, Susan Everett, Doris Dutcher, Judy Montanye, Cathy Smith and Regent Nalli and presented them with yellow roses. She also remembered past regents Virginia Fox and Gloria Seligman, who were not in attendance. 50 year members Anne Clayburn, Helen Iacobucci, Grace Doyle and Eileen Show were also recognized. Terry O’Connell was presented with a pin for her 35 years of service. It was also noted that the court has gained five new members this past year.

Regent Nalli thanked members for bringing wrapped Christmas gifts for the area needy children in lieu of grab bag gifts. She noted that she would take the collection to the Fulmont Community Action Agency, Inc. in Fort Plain to be distributed before the holiday.

Michael Shariff, grandson of member Helen Shults was the winner of the drawing for a “Basket of Cheer”. John and Kathy Walsh provided musical entertainment during the social Hour, and led the group in singing Christmas Carols after the anniversary program.

Locals named to Cazenovia list

CAZENOVIA — Cazenovia College recently released names of students honored for academic achievement during the fall 2012 semester. Cazenovia College is home to about 1,000 degree-seeking students; those named to the Dean’s List have achieved a 3.5 or better grade point average for all courses attempted, and have earned 12 or more academic credits during the semester.

Among the students on Cazenovia College’s 2012 Fall Semester Dean’s List are: Taylor L. Goodell, of Saint Johnsville, a sophomore majoring in English, and a graduate of Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School; Tai L. Siver, of Saint Johnsville, a senior majoring in Management, specializing in Equine Business Management, and a graduate of Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School; Christine M. Ward, of Palatine Bridge, a senior majoring in Inclusive Elementary Education, and a graduate of Canajoharie Central School; Cassie L. White, of Canajoharie, a sophomore majoring in Studio Art, specializing in Photography, and a graduate of Canajoharie Central School.

Locals named to HVCC dean’s lists

TROY — Several local students were recently named to the Deans’ List at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY. Each fall and spring term, the college’s Deans’ List honors those students who have a term grade point average between 3.0 and 3.5.

Local students include: Lakken Corso, of Fort Plain, Individual Studies academic program; and Jediah Lansburg, of Saint Johnsville, majoring in Manufacturing Technical Systems.

Several local students were also recently named to the President’s List at HVCC.

Each fall and spring term, the college’s President’s List honors those students who have a term grade point average between 3.5 and 4.0.

Local students include: Timothy Frederick, of Canajoharie, Overhead Lineworker academic program; Dana Weber, of Canajoharie, majoring in Respiratory Care; Lindsey Guilfoyle, of Palatine Bridge, majoring in Fine Arts; Channelle Blyth, of Saint Johnsville, majoring in Mortuary Science.

Locals named to SUNYIT list

UTICA — The following students were named to the President’s List for the fall 2012 semester at SUNYIT: Matthew Aker, of Nelliston, majoring in Business Administration; and Melanie Johnson, of Saint Johnsville, majoring in Psychology.

A semester grade point average of 3.60 or above qualifies full-time, matriculated students for inclusion on the President’s List.