Register now for cartooning, comics

CANAJOHARIE — Sign up now for Cartooning and Comics with Ira Maracks at the Canajoharie Library, March 17, 24 and April 7, from 1-4 p.m.

Over the course of three meet-ups, students will create a short book about a journey through an imaginary world.

During this adventure, Maracks will discuss the six types of comic book transitions that comic artists use to tell better stories.

This is a great project for reigning in big ideas and making them work.

Space is limited, so sign up as soon as possible by calling the library at (518) 673-2314.

Red Cross blood drives in March

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives locally in March. One will take place March 18 at the Canajoharie High School gymnasium, 136 Scholastic Way, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. On March 25, a blood drive will be held at the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School gymnasium, West St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Art talk to focus on impressionists

CANAJOHARIE — The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie’s Chief Curator Diane E. Forsberg will present an Art Talk event, “From Giverny to the Brooklyn Bridge: American Impressionist Paintings”, on Sunday, Feb. 24, at 2 p.m.  

This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name that is currently on view at the museum. Forsberg’s talk will explore the ways that American artists such as Childe Hassam, Theodore Robinson, John Twachtman and J. Alden Weir absorbed the work of French Impressionists and then created their own unique American style of Impressionism.

This talk is free with regular museum admission.  

The exhibition From Giverny to the Brooklyn Bridge: American Impressionist Paintings from the Arkell Collections has been extended through April 28, 2013. American Impressionist paintings in this exhibition were purchased by Bartlett Arkell, the founder of the Beech-Nut Packing Company, during the 1920s-1940s for his personal collection and for the Canajoharie Gallery.

The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie is located at 2 Erie Blvd.

School funding meeting Feb. 25

CANAJOHARIE — The public is invited to an informational meeting on advocating for rural schools on Monday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., in the Canajoharie High School Library.

The meeting, a continuation of the session held Jan. 17, will invite the public to learn and speak about inequities in school funding, including information regarding action that may be taken. The group is attempting to grow, as there is strength in numbers, so bring a friend.

Register now for book workshop

FORT PLAIN — For six weeks, starting March 6 and concluding April 10, an Altered Book Workshop will be held at the Fort Plain Free Library.

The program will take place every Wednesday night, from 6-7:30 p.m., with Julie Takacs leading attendees through the process of transforming a book into a personal artistic masterpiece.

The class is free. Register at the Fort Plain Free Library, 19 Willett St.

Board meeting moved to March 12

FORT PLAIN — The Village Board of Fort Plain’s March meeting has been moved to Tuesday, March 12 at 7 p.m.

The meeting was moved from its original date of March 19 to accommodate village elections.

Nellis antique show to be held March 9

CANAJOHARIE — The 1747 Historic Nellis Tavern will hold their annual benefit Antique Show on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arkell Museum at Canajoharie, 2 Erie Blvd. Admission is $4. $7 admission includes entrance to the museum.

The event will feature 25 dealers of quality antiques. Appraisals will be available, at two items for $5. For more information, contact Show Manager Donna Reston at (518) 843-1601.

‘Shake Up the Library’ on Feb. 21

CANAJOHARIE — On Thursday, Feb. 21, at 11:15 a.m., “Shake Up the Library” will be held in the Great Hall of the Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library. Families can “get moving” with Miss Leah the Librarian and Kim Hayes, of the Canajoharie Fitness Center.

The interactive program is a blend of books, parachutes, yoga, dance and more. Drop in, no sign-up needed.

The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library is located at 2 Erie Blvd.

Arkell Hall News

CANAJOHARIE — The following news from Arkell Hall Adult Home is for the week of Feb. 7 through Feb. 14:

Ten residents went to Arkell Center Feb. 7 for the Winter Walking Program, then in the afternoon enjoyed lunch at McDonald’s in Palatine Bridge.

A crossword day was held Friday afternoon, Feb. 8, as a group activity.

A Bible Study class was held with Mary Simpson Monday, Feb. 11, followed by the quarterly resident council meeting. Feb. 11 through Feb. 14 was a very special week, starting out with exercise class on Tuesday morning, which was attended by ten residents. The weekly coffee klatch took place in the afternoon with a special entertainment program by Andrea Montayne. She played songs on her accordion, then providing a history of the instrument. Montayne and guest, Dorothy Mailoux, explained the instrument’s parts and functions.

Wednesday morning, Feb. 13, Pastor Zach Labagh led a special Ash Wednesday service, offering a message, communion and ashes to those who wished to partake.

An Orchid Society meeting took place afterward.

A group of 100 people, including 40 from the adult home and 60 attendees from the meals program, joined in fun, fellowship and love during an Arkell Center dinner. Entertainment was provided by Elinor and Friends, a singing group led by Elinor Douglass, Dorothy Mailloux and Nancy Mace (all resident advisory members), Dorothy Morrison, Carolyn Crouch, Marian Harris, Alice McEwan and Linda Klump. They sang love songs, lit up the crowd with jokes, and held a “name that tune” contest.

Other advisory members in attendance included Bonnie Kerr, chairing president, and her guest from out of town, Barbara Kramer, along with new members Carol Weaver, Susan Barker and their husbands.

Gary and Helen Shults were in to have dinner with mom, Mary Heiser. Symone and Mrs. Beaver were in to visit Ruth Austin. Mrs. Renison’s daughter-in-law, from Long Island, and daughter, Bonnie Kerr, were in to visit. Helen Krutz was in to visit with the ladies. Bernice Kelley went out to lunch with friends. Eve Fuelleman, Tony Prime and Evelyn Casler attended the Wednesday card party.

Everybody in the Arkell Hall family was definitely feeling the love during this year’s Valentine’s week.

CHS history teacher enhances lessons

CANAJOHARIE — Lots of students use text messages to communicate with one another, and Canajoharie High School History Teacher Phil Schoff continues to utilize that knowledge to enhance lessons.

For the third year, he instructed his freshman class to create a text dialogue between Charlemagne and Pope Leo III.

Using a fake texting website, the students must create a historically accurate conversation using the name “me” for Charlemagne and “you” for the pope. Since the number of texts on a page is limited, the students have to get right to the point. He said the goal was to pack as many facts into each text bubble as possible. Schoff noted that texting helps take a historical event and apply it to modern life.

“Texting is their forte and I think using it makes it more real life for them,” he said of students, adding, “Sometimes it’s hard to put yourself in the perspective of a historical figure.”

Scott Swartz said he liked the lesson because it was different.

“I like the inclusion of technology,” he said. “I joined a club so I could do things like this. Most of us have been brought up with texting and technology like this, so it makes sense.”

Ehrenreich inducted into Phi Theta Kappa

UTICA — Eric Ehrenreich of Fort Plain, majoring in Criminal Justice at Mohawk Valley Community College, was one of the 139 students inducted into the Lambda Beta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society in the Dr. Michael I. Schafer Theater on the Utica Campus recently.

This year’s event marks the 53rd Anniversary for the Lambda Beta Chapter at MVCC, which was started in 1960 with the induction of 24 students when the College was known as the Mohawk Valley Technical Institute.

Phi Theta Kappa continues to promote Leadership, Scholarship, Fellowship and Service, while becoming the largest honor society in higher education with more than 2.5 million members and 1,275 chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, and the Republic of Palau.

Frasier named to New Paltz list

NEW PALTZ — Sierra Frasier, of Palatine Bridge, was named to the Dean’s List at the State University of New York at New Paltz for the fall 2012 semester. Frasier is majoring in English.

Dean’s List designation is reserved for students who excel academically and earn at least a 3.3 grade point average in a semester with a full-time course load.

District launches email alert system

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The newly merged Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District has launched an email information service to help keep the community more in touch with what is happening with the merger.

The district’s School News Notifier (SNN) system is available to all members of the community. Parents, grandparents, alumni, taxpayers and others can sign up to receive important information about the new district right in their email inboxes.

To sign up visit: https://snn.neric.org/oesj.

You will be asked to fill in your name, your e-mail address and to select a password. Once you have created your profile, simply check the box for “merger transition news” alerts and click “subscribe.”

SNN is a free, opt-in service. Users can unsubscribe at any time. All email addresses are kept confidential.

Once the merged district is operational, additional alerts such as school news, athletic event information and board of education news will be offered through SNN.

Locals named to MVCC lists

UTICA — Mohawk Valley Community College, located in Utica and Rome, N.Y., is proud to announce the names of students whose high academic performance has qualified them for recognition as members of the President’s List for the recently completed fall 2012 semester.

Included on the list are the following students: Julia Ahrens, of Fort Plain; Gregory Campione, of Fort Plain; AnnMarie Inman, of Fort Plain; Travis Buczek, of Saint Johnsville; Marleen Smith, of Saint Johnsville; David Trombetta, of St. Johnsville.

The President’s List includes 845 students who achieved a grade-point average of 3.75 or higher (of a possible 4.00). To be eligible for these honors, full-time students must have successfully completed 12 or more attempted hours; and part-time students must have successfully completed six attempted hours.

Mohawk Valley has also announced the names of students whose high academic performance has qualified them for recognition as members of the Vice President’s List for the recently completed fall 2012 semester.

Included on the list are the following students: Eric Ehrenreich, of Fort Plain; and Brittany Lasher, of Fort Plain.

The Vice President’s List at MVCC recognizes students who achieve a grade-point average between 3.50 and 3.74. To be eligible for these honors, full-time students must have successfully completed 12 or more attempted hours; and part-time students must have successfully completed six attempted hours.