Dingman named art editor of newsletter

CANAJOHARIE — The Connect-Ability newsletter published by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) recently named Canajoharie High School sophomore Katie Dingman as its art editor. The newsletter — prepared by and for students — focuses on disabilities awareness.

For an upcoming issue, Katie plans to draw/design pictures while focusing on a puppetry theme. Before becoming arts editor, she helped with other tasks in the newsletter and was a drummer at its last writing workshop.

“I’m very proud of this. I have never been able to read very well because of my dyslexia, so getting into this newsletter is important,” she said. “I’m very comfortable working with the newsletter team.”

According to the newsletter, Katie’s mother (who works in the Fort Plain Central School District) saw an issue of Connect-Ability when Katie was in eighth grade and recommended her to the editorial board because she knew Katie was looking for ways to communicate that students with and without disabilities are more alike than different.

The board chose Katie as the arts editor because she likes to draw and sculpt to help focus on her school work.

“Katie is a good student and well-liked by her peers,” said high school counselor Douglas Morrissey. “This will be an excellent opportunity for her to grow as a student and raise awareness about students with disabilities.”

Free eBooks for Nook, Kindle, iPad

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Library has expanded its services and is now offering downloadable eBooks.

To help you learn about this new service, a free demo session will be held at the library on February 21 at 6 p.m.

Learn how to borrow and download an eBook to your portable device. Users can bring their e-readers if they have questions about downloading on their devices.

Library cardholders can browse the collection, check out with their library card and download eBooks to their PC, Mac, and mobile devices including iPod, iPad, Kindle, Sony Reader, NOOK, and many others.

With thousands of titles to choose from, the new collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Best-selling novels, well-known classics, biographies, popular nonfiction, children’s and teen titles, and much more are part of the collection.

Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees.

The Canajoharie Library is located at 2 Erie Blvd., Canajoharie. For additional information contact the library at (518) 673-2314 or online at www.canajoharielibrary.org.

Boys and girls to fight against cancer

FORT PLAIN — On Tuesday, January 31, the Fort Plain Lady Hilltoppers will play in order to raise money toward the fight against cancer in the annual Play 4 Kay Yow Cancer Fund Initiative Game at the Harry Hoag Elementary School. Fort Plain will play Saratoga Catholic.

The junior varsity game begins at 6 p.m., and the varsity game will follow at 7:30 p.m. The admission fee will be a donation that will go to the “Play 4Kay” fund.

The donor will receive a raffle ticket or tickets depending on the amount of their donation. This will give them an opportunity to win several prizes, including an autographed basketball signed by both school teams and coaches.

On Friday, February 3, the Fort Plain boys will host a “Coaches Vs. Cancer” game against St. Johnsville.

The junior varsity game is at 6 p.m., and will be followed by the varsity game at 7:30 p.m. The admission fee will be a donation to the “Coaches Vs. Cancer” fund sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

The donor will receive a raffle ticket or tickets depending on the amount of their donation.

This will give them an opportunity to win several prizes, including an autographed basketball signed by both school teams and coaches.

Public hearing on propositions Feb. 7

FORT PLAIN — The Fort Plain Central School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 7 will be held in the Jr. Sr. High School Auditorium.

A public hearing on the Feb. 14 proposition vote will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the regular meeting.

On Feb. 14, residents in the Fort Plain Central School District will be asked to vote on two proposals: to spend $90,000 to buy a half-size handicapped-accessible bus and security cameras for other buses; and, to extend the term length of Board of Education seats from three years to five.

Voting will take place in the Harry Hoag Elementary School gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Enrollment for farmers is now

FULTONVILLE — USDA New York Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Executive Director CED Andrew Michael reminds producers that enrollment for Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) is taking place now and runs through June 1.

Farmers in Montgomery and Fulton Counties who are interested in enrolling in Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) should contact the local county office to set up appointments.

Annual contracts are required to be signed to receive program benefits.

All signatures of producers receiving a share in DCP and ACRE payments are required by June 1.

For more information about DCP and ACRE programs or other FSA programs, contact your county FSA office or visit the state FSA website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/ny.

MRML board to begin budget work

ST. JOHNSVILLE — A special meeting of the board of trustees of the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, St. Johnsville, will be held Monday, January 30, 2012. The meeting, to begin work on the 2012/2013 budget, will start at 6:45 p.m.

Village looking for board members

PALATINE BRIDGE — The Village of Palatine Bridge is currently looking for concerned, positive, open minded residents to serve positions on the village board, the planning board and the zoning board of appeals.

Any interested resident may contact any board member or the village clerk at (518) 673-2917.

Free clothing giveaway Feb. 11

PALATINE BRIDGE — A free clothing giveaway will take place Saturday, February 11, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Valley Alliance Church, State Highway 5 east of Nelliston. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. Refreshments will be provided.

In Search of Faith discussion Feb. 22

ST. JOHNSVILLE — In Search of Faith book club will meet Wednesday, February 22 at Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, St. Johnsville, to discuss Richard Dawkins’ book “God Delusion”.

In 2006, renowned atheist and scientist Dawkins published “God Delusion” as an all-out assault on theistic religion. In it, Dawkins asserts that God, defined as “a superhuman, supernatural intelligence who deliberately designed and created the universe and everything in it, including us” is delusional. Frequently described as a “handbook for atheists” Dawkins’ book contends that religion fuels war, abuses children and foments bigotry; he buttresses his points with historical and contemporary evidence. God Delusion makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just wrong, but potentially dangerous.

The discussion is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Upcoming books to be discussed include “Traveling Mercies” and “Plan B” by Ann Lamott, “Love Wins” by Rob Bell and “Gifts of the Jews” by Thomas Cahill.

Anyone who would like to participate in the discussion is invited to contact library Director Dawn Lamphere at (518) 568-7822 to reserve a copy.