Canajoharie Music Department presents a Spring Concert March 7

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Music Department will present a Spring Concert at the Arkell Museum, 2 Erie Blvd, on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Select music groups include Jazz Band, Electric Strings, 5th and 6th All-County Chorus, George Vosburgh Memorial Handbell Choir, Chamber Choir. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. A bake sale during the concert will benefit the Richard Rose Music Scholarship Award. The monies raised go to a chosen senior in the music department at graduation.

Nellis Tavern 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.

Benefit for Pat Clark at Elks on March 9

NELLISTON — A benefit/dance will be held on March 9, at the Canajoharie-Fort Plain Elks Lodge, Railroad St., Nelliston, for St. Johnsville resident Pat Clark, who lost his home and all his belongings in a devastating fire. The event will last from 7-11 p.m., and will feature raffles, including a 50/50, food, dance, and music hosted by Clark's band Spike and the Boys, featuring many local guest musicians. Donation of $10 per person for entry.

Empty Pockets Band to play storm relief benefit on March 10

CANAJOHARIE — The Empty Pockets Band will play at St. John's and St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 99 Church St., Sunday, March 10, from 2-4 p.m. There will be plenty of coffee and refreshments for attendees. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Tropical Storms Irene and Sandy relief.

Nature-focused lecture by Charles Mitchell to be held March 10

CANAJOHARIE — The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie, 2 Erie Blvd., will present the lecture "Nature: From Howling Wilderness to Vacation Destination" by Charles Mitchell on Sunday, March 10, at 2:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Drawing on landscape painting, photography, traveler's accounts, and other sources, this presentation explores the evolution of American attitudes towards nature. Beginning with perceptions of the American landscape as a howling wilderness, a wasteland to be tamed and transformed, the lecture traces the social, cultural and economic forces that led to the perception of wild nature as something of value to be experienced and preserved. 

Key topics and figures along the way include the sublime, romanticism, Henry David Thoreau, Thomas Cole and the Hudson River School, John Muir, Ansel Adams, and the Lorax.

Charles Mitchell has been on the faculty at Elmira College since 1993. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Lynbrook (on Long Island) he still occasionally refers to everything north of Yonkers as “upstate.” He teaches a wide variety of courses in American cultural history, with specific interests in environmental history, the history of ideas about nature, and the representation of the landscape in literature and art. This has allowed him to take a tax deduction for camping equipment.

The lecture is made possible through Speakers in the Humanities, a program of the New York Council for the Humanities. Speakers in the Humanities lectures are made possible with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Massive cast to make magic in "Cinderella" March 14-16

CANAJOHARIE — The Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical "Cinderella" from March 14-16 at the Arkell Auditorium at the Canajoharie High School. All three performances, which feature a play in two acts separated by an intermission, will begin at 7 p.m.  

Cinderella brings to life the classic story of a quiet and lonely girl, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, who longs for a life outside of her house and chores. 

The production is a true joint effort between Fort Plain and Canajoharie, with the cast comprised of seasoned actors and newcomers from both districts. The role of Cinderella will be played by Caitlin Hurd, and the prince will be portrayed by Andy Haman. The Godmother will be played by Rachael Takacs, with the king and queen portrayed by Jordan Hurd and Zoe D'Arcangelis. The role of the evil stepmother belongs to Maya Gaasche, while the stepsisters will be played with great comic relief by Liz Hubbard and Maddi St. John.

The massive cast is rounded out by a chorus of townspeople and ball guests, and elementary students, ranging from grades 2-6, will also be featured, playing townspeople, students, mice, horses, and more.

This Fort Plain-Canajoharie Drama Club production is being directed by Will Ryan, of Fort Plain. Ryan previously directed "The Fantastiks" and "Nonagon" at Fort Plain High School. Lauri Dahlin serves as the assistant director. Musical direction is provided by  Julieanne Sincavage from the Fort Plain music department, accompanied by Norma Bowley, along with a small pit orchestra. Heading up the stage and set management, which features lavish pieces such as the magical pumpkin carriage, is Michael Broady. The show will feature an amazing array of costumes, created by costume designer Lisa Hill.  

Admission is $6. Students under 12 are just $3.

A Celebration of Ireland at Upstate Chapel to be held March 15

CANAJOHARIE — A Celebration of Ireland will be held at the Former Sts. Peter and Paul Church (now the Upstate Chapel), at the corner of Cliff and Walnut streets, on Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. The family-friendly recital will celebrate Irish music with performances by local ensembles, choruses and soloists. It will feature local artists such as the Valley Bog Players, Llaisons Plaisantes, Our Lady of Hope Choir, Kelsey Stockwell, Alison Wallace, The Stonehouse Piper, Susan Crua, The Sentimentalists (Mohawk Valley Chorus), Judy Sinner, Mark Hitrick, and Eric M. Stroud playing the organ. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free to all. A free-will offering to support Canajoharie arts will be accepted. Doors are at 6 p.m. For more information, visit: www.upstatechapel.com.

Third annual Stop Hunger Now event March 16

FORT PLAIN — The third annual Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event will be held March 16, 2013, at the Harry Hoag Elementary School, Fort Plain. Packaging will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will go until the goal — to package 40,000 meals, for which $10,000 must be raised — is met, or until 1 p.m. Call (518) 993-4302 or email: fortplainRCA@yahoo.com to sign up today. If you wish to donate to the cause, send a check to: Fort Plain Reformed Church—SHN, 165 Canal St., Fort Plain, NY 13339.

Fundraising Chamber lasagna dinner to be held March 20

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie-Palatine Chamber of Commerce, as part of their "Restaurant of the Month" fundraising endeavor, allowing residents to support the chamber and local businesses simultaneously, will hold a lasagna dinner at Mercato Pizza Restaurant, 38 W. Main St., Canajoharie, on March 20, from 5-7 p.m. Served will be lasagna, salad and bread. Tickets are $9 per person. Call (518) 673-4411 for reservations or to order take-out.

CYC "So You Think You Can Dance" competition March 22

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Community Youth Center has scheduled a "So You Think You Can Dance" competition for March 22, from 6:30-9 p.m. The event will take place in a multiple screen, tournament format, with five separate age groups competing. The event is free to all participants. There will be prizes awarded in each age group. Pre-registration is required. To pre-register, please contact the CYC at (518) 673-5117.

Lions Easter Egg Hunt to be held March 23

FORT PLAIN — The Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club will sponsor their 38th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Haslett Park, Fort Plain, on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m., with March 30 being the rain date at the same time and location.

There will be two different hiding areas based on age. This helps to give everyone a chance to find at least one egg. As always, there will be one dozen golden eggs hidden in each area. A special reward will be given to those in possession of a golden egg. 

In searching for eggs, the Lions ask the children to keep in mind the spirit of Lionism, which promotes cooperation and working together for the benefit of all involved. 

The Lions Club is the largest service organization in the world, with their motto being “we serve.” Anyone interested in sharing their time for the benefit of others, or those with questions about the egg hunt, should contact King Lion Anna Mae Douglass, or any Lions Club member, at (518) 673-3994.