Clouthier selected as commander

COXSACKIE — Col. Shawn A. Clouthier was recently selected as Commander of the 109th Airlift Wing.

A 30 year member of the NY Air National Guard, Col. Clouthier has held a variety of command and staff positions. His experiences as a flight crew member, Operations and Maintenance Group Commander and most recently Air Expeditionary Group Commander for Operation Deep Freeze have uniquely prepared him to lead one of the most professional and mission focused organizations in the Air Force.

Col. Clouthier will assume command of the 109th on April 15 with a change of command ceremony to be held May 5.

Clouthier is married to the former Janice Fontana, of St. Johnsville, and they reside in Coxsackie with their two daughters, Tori and Alexa. He is the son of Kenneth and Janet Clouthier, of Palatine Bridge.

Memoir writing workshop offered

CANAJOHARIE — The Canajoharie Library will offer a six part Memoir Writing Workshop throughout April and May.

This series of six free workshops is on memoir and personal writing in various forms. Marea Gordett, poet and non-fiction writer, will present the one-and-a-half-hour sessions which are open to the public and scheduled for Fridays at 1 p.m. on April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 11 and 18.

Sometimes people don’t know the treasures hidden within them. In this series of workshops, participants will have a chance to discover and give voice to these stories, mine memories of their lives and transform these moments and events into personal writing in various forms.

In this supportive setting, techniques will be introduced such as free writing and guided visualization, while drawing inspiration from the collection of art in the museum to capture personal experiences and bring form and insight to everyone’s lives. Members will write during class, and comments from the group and the instructor will gently guide revision and technique.

This event is open to the community. Space is limited to 18 participants. No writing experience is necessary, but individuals are encouraged to sign up early to ensure a spot. To register, you can stop in, call or send the library a Facebook message with your name, phone and email.

This event is funded in part by Poets and Writers, Inc. with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.

Marea Gordett was on the English faculty of Tufts University and currently is director of Big Mind Learning, an education firm serving students in the Capital Region. Wesleyan University Press issued her book of poems, “Freeze Tag”, and her writing has won the Pushcart Prize and the “Discovery”/The Nation Award. She has been awarded Artist-in-Residence fellowships in three states and is completing a book on her experiences teaching inner-city youth.

Space is extremely limited, attendance at both parts is required to sign up. Register in person at the library or by phone. There is no fee to register for this class.

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

Canajoharie Senior Citizens report

CANAJOHARIE — Beginning April 1, the Canajoharie Senior Citizens will hold meetings two Fridays a month with the meetings beginning at 1 p.m. April meetings will be held April 13 and April 27. Following the April 13 meeting, at 1:30 p.m., an informational session will be held by a representative of “You’ve Earned A Say”, leading a discussion on medicare and social security changes. Following the April 27 meeting, the Ayres Animal Shelter will put on a program that will include some of their resident dogs.

All are welcome to attend these meetings. If you have any questions, call Dorothy Morrison at (518) 673-2167.

The seniors enjoyed a bus trip to Turning Stone for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner and a show by the Irish Rovers March 16. Their next bus trip will be June 21 to the MacHayden Theatre in Chatham to see “Brigadoon.” For more information, contact Dorothy Frasier at (518) 673-5588.

The seniors also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by playing St. Patrick’s Day bingo with prizes being furnished by Doris Priddle. Edith Hall furnished a St. Patrick’s Day cake.

The Canajoharie Seniors are selling McDonald’s coupon books as a fund raiser, plus a bi-monthly mystery gift raffle.

All residents of the Fort Plain and Canajoharie School districts over 55 are more than welcome to attend meetings.

Cancer screenings offered April 25

FORT PLAIN — The Cancer Services Program of Fulton and Montgomery Counties is offering free cancer screenings to men 50 and older and women 40 and older who do not have health insurance. The Bassett Mobile Coach will provide screenings at the Fort Plain Save-a-Lot on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Screenings may include mammograms, breast and pelvic exams, pap tests for women 40 plus, and colorectal cancer screening kits for men and women 50 plus.

Health, wellness fair is April 21

FORT PLAIN — Join us for the 2nd annual Tri-Community Health and Wellness Fair. This event is sponsored by the Child Nutrition and Wellness Committees of the Canajoharie, Fort Plain and St. Johnsville Schools. It is free and open to the public.

The Health & Wellness Fair will be held on Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Fort Plain Junior/Senior High School.

Participate in a free: fitness demonstration, aerobics class, ZUMBA class, stir-fry cooking demo, and yoga class.

Receive a free: massage, facial, hand massage & paraffin wax drip, or a session of healing touch.

Enjoy a free healthy snack or take some home with you.

Learn about: bicycle safety, organic dairy and vegetable farming, fire prevention, anti-bullying, dental health, nutrition and physical activity for families, and meet a Good Citizen Dog.

Visit information booths by these community organizations: HFM Prevention Council, Family Counseling Center, Fulmont Community Action, Montgomery County Public Health, Catholic Charities, Cancer Services of Fulton & Montgomery Counties, Bassett Hospital RHENDOM, Prevent Child Abuse NY, Project ACTION, Fort Plain Paces, Fort Plain Free Library, Take Shape for Life, and Child/Family Health Plus.

Lions reschedule Easter egg hunt

FORT PLAIN — The Central Mohawk Valley Lions Club will be sponsoring their thirty-seventh annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 7, at 10 a.m. The hunt will take place at Haslett Park in Fort Plain. The hunt was rescheduled from the original date of March 31 due to inclement weather.

There will be two different hiding areas for the eggs 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. There will be a special reward for those who find them. 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.” Any man or woman interested in sharing their time for the benefit of others should contact King Lion Jeff Jones at (518) 993-5333 or any Lions Club member.

Mock trial team moves to regionals

CANAJOHARIE — For the second year in a row, the Canajoharie Mock Trial team advanced to the regional competition in Troy on March 27. During the week of March 26, the team emerged from a four-team competition at Fonda-Fultonville High School.

“They were very well-prepared and pretty confident and they knew their material well,” said Social Studies Teacher Blake Smith. “The competition reinforces logic skills and requires them to adjust on the fly. An objection could come up that messes up their scripted plan.

“I thought they were very good and handled themselves well.”

The team consists of 12 seniors from Smith’s AP Government class.

A mock trial is a hands-on exercise where students learn about the American justice system and the mechanics of litigation. Every year, the New York State Bar Association sends a fictional case — written by real attorneys — to schools. The case book includes an outline, evidence, affidavits, pictures, reference information, rules and other information. This year, students participated in a case that involved a young person being assaulted outside a nightclub.

During the “trial,” students put together the prosecution (which includes opening and closing statements and cross-examinations) and are scored on a scale of 1-5.

Senior Emily Hoffman has three years of experience in mock trial and says it comes easy for her because she enjoys the law.

“It challenges me in an intellectual way and you don’t get that from a lot of other things in school as far as competition goes,” she said. “During the regionals, I think we can do well if we get solid on the rules and procedures.”

The other students on team include: Aisha Wilson, Nick Hernigle, Sheldon Vosburgh, Andy Smith, Jenna Sierra, Taryn Jones, Katie Walther, Katie Banks, Mackenzie Stahler, and Alexis Izzo.

Survey shows insight into cell phone use

FORT PLAIN — How do the students at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High school use their cell phones?

That is what a recent survey created by the eighth grade technology class and teacher Ken Frank discovered. In February, Mr. Frank was teaching his students how to use Microsoft Excel, a spreadsheet application that allows users to calculate and format data, when he asked his students what they wanted to find out about. After discussing some ideas, they agreed on the theme of cell phone use.

The students then created a 10 question survey and gave it to 98 students from five teachers’ second period classes. At least one student from each grade participated. Questions ranged from “do you own a cell phone?” to “how many text messages do you send and receive a day?”

Frank said the survey found that almost all the students can text, they don’t talk on the phone often, and they don’t carry their phones for emergency purposes.

“It also found that almost half of them have social network applications on their phones,” he said. “And, what was interesting is that about 20 percent receive and send between 50-100 text messages daily.”

The Excel lesson became “very meaningful,” to the students, Frank said, because they were using data they helped find. “The kids gained ownership and that was good.”

Students explain computer policy

FORT PLAIN — Have you heard of Prezi?

Many of the 14 students in Business Teacher Kathleen DeKalb’s computer applications class at Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School had not before she directed them to use it for a recent project.

DeKalb was looking for a way to get the district’s computer policy in front of students in a creative and engaging way. Instead of using a linear application such as PowerPoint, she decided on Prezi, a piece of presentation software that can be used to tell stories and share ideas on a virtual canvas on a computer screen. If differs from PowerPoint because users can zoom in and out of the canvas.

“We divided the students into groups and they developed their presentations. It took them about a day to get used to Prezi because it takes a different way of thinking (to use it),” DeKalb said.

“The students collaborated and were able to work on one screen from different computers at the same time. They were all represented by little avatars and I think they learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Senior Becca Rush said she likes Prezi more than PowerPoint because it allowed her to be more creative. She also thinks it will help her in college.

“I think in college, it will give you the advantage of using something different and that will make you stand out,” she said. “Prezi isn’t set-up like PowerPoint, but I liked it a lot better. And I think we all learned a lot about it.”

During her project, Becca said she used content focusing on what students forget about in regard to the district’s computer policy.

“We didn’t want to preach to them,” she said.

When the students finished their projects, the entire class critiqued each other’s work, DeKalb said. ”We also had a panel of teachers come in to see the projects,” she said. “It’s good for everyone to learn about what technology is out there and what they’ll be using in the future.”

Retired teachers offer scholarship

FORT PLAIN — As in previous years, 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.

Sammons taking part in exhibition

CAZENOVIA — The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall is hosting the annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibitions now through May 1. The exhibition includes work by visual communications, studio art, photography and interior design degree candidates from Cazenovia College’s Division of Art and Design.

The visual communications students’ exhibition, titled “Pantone Party, an Overdose of Color,” runs from March 28 through April 10, with an artists’ reception on April 5 from 4 to 7 p.m., in the gallery.

Among the students exhibiting work is Amanda J. Sammons, of Saint Johnsville,  who is majoring in visual communications. Sammons created promotional materials for a fictional upcoming movie. The project showcases her skills in web design, advertising, branding and copywriting. Her senior portfolio and exhibition include her web design work, as well as advertising, illustration, and packaging. She says, “My goal is to be a web designer. As a Visual Communications student at Cazenovia College, I’ve become part of a family that has guided me to become both a better designer and a better person.”

The Cazenovia College Art Gallery in Reisman Hall is located on the corner of Sullivan and Seminary streets, one block from Albany Street (Route 20). Exhibitions and receptions at the gallery are free and open to the public. The building is handicap accessible.

Gallery hours during the academic year are: Monday-Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 to 6 p.m. Visit www.cazenovia.edu/art-gallery for more information.