Bowerman family holds 54th reunion

AMES — The Bowerman family held its 54th reunion on August 26 at the Ames Fire House with 80 members and four guests attending. The members are family of Silas Gifford Bowerman, born 1839 at Penfield.

The original family were the parents of ten children, all born in Farmington. The son, Silas Gifford, born in 1876 and wife, Sarah Ketchum, whom he married in 1900, were the parents of seven children. These children all settled near the Buel/Marshville area. This reunion encompassed their children and grandchildren.

It is interesting to note the first son of the Silas Gifford families retains the same name as the generations descended. Now, there are five sons with the same name.

The oldest relative present was Clifford Douglass, and the youngest was Cash Daniel Slater.

A covered dish dinner was served by the hosts, the Earl Bowerman family.

Next year’s reunion will be hosted by the Dayton Douglass family on the last Sunday of August.

Arkell Hall news

CANAJOHARIE — The following news from Arkell Hall is for the week of August 27 through Aug. 31:

A western fanfare brought summer to a close with a Labor Day Steak Bake on the porch. The western-themed picnic was served from a covered wagon. The menu consisted of chuck wagon steak, on-the-trail loaded baked potatoes, chuck wagon beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw and a cowboy cookie for dessert.

Entertainment was provided by Arkell’s very own cow-girl team, Elinor and Friends, dressed in appropriate attire and singing old time western songs such as “Back in the Saddle Again” by Gene Autry, “On Top of Old Smokey” and “Happy Trails to You”.

Exercise class was held Tuesday, Aug. 28 and a Hallmark movie was shown in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, Aug. 29, Rev. Virginia Ogden, from the Church of the Good Shepherd, provided a service, also offering communion. Also on Wednesday, at noon, residents enjoyed a lovely ride to Green Acres Drive-In in Dolgeville for lunch.

Evelyn Casler and Bernice Kelley went out for a local card game. Brian Spellman was in to visit his mom, Lela. Sue Keith was in to visit her mom, Lorraine May. Norma Alter had a visit from her son, Louie. Also, daughter Judy and Leonard Horrender were in for supper. David and Andrea Montayne, along with pet, Molly, were in to visit Ruth Austin. Bonnie Kerr was in to enjoy dinner with her mother, Mary Renison. Mrs. Brust and Mrs. Kelley went out to Sunset Corners for a birthday lunch with friends. Anna Pipola went out with family. Dorothy Mailloux was in to visit and have coffee with the residents. The family of Mary Heiser visited. Also, everyone welcomed new resident, Norma Devost.

Looking forward to fall.

Bowerman wins gold at State Fair

NELLISTON — The Palatine Valley Dairy, located on Route 5 in Nelliston, and its cheesemaker George Bowerman, returned to their winning ways recently by bringing home a first place and a gold medal in the annual cheese judging sponsored by the New York State Fair.

Bowerman accepted the awards at the “Dairy Days” on Monday, August 27, at the fairgrounds in Syracuse.

Competing against flavored cheeses from all over New York State, Palatine’s Black Olive and Roasted Red Pepper flavored cheddar cheese was given the highest marks by a team of judges present at the contest held at Cornell University in early August.

Forty varieties of flavored cheddar cheese are Palatine’s niche in the huge cheese market dominated by names like Kraft, Cabot, and Great Lakes. Though not large in comparison, Palatine has earned its way to the top through hard work and attention to detail, according to Bowerman. The Palatine label is well known in many parts of the state and the gold medal truly verifies what Palatine’s loyal customers have known all along.

Rounding out the production crew at Palatine are long time vat worker, Howard Baker, who assists Bowerman in the make process, and Joshua Hill, first year apprentice cheesemaker.

CHS Band to hold fundraiser Sept. 8

CANAJOHARIE — On Saturday, September 8, the Canajoharie High School Band will hold a car wash, bake sale, bottle drive and chicken barbecue at Ace hardware, Dutchtown Plaza, Palatine Bridge. The car wash, bake sale, and bottle drive will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, and the chicken barbecue from 1 to 5 p.m. All proceeds will support the Canajoharie High School Band Trip to Disney World, Florida, for Music in the Parks 2013.

Church block party Sept. 15 and 16

FORT PLAIN — A Church Block Party will be held September 15 and 16 at Wiles Park. The event will feature live music all day by various groups. The event will also feature inflatables, food, games, face painting, hayrides, volleyball, a horseshoe tournament, a dunking booth, and participation from local ministries.

On Saturday, the event will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. A welcome will be provided at noon, and speakers and bands will perform until 9 p.m. Featured will be headliner Derek Joseph and Isaiah6, playing from 7:30-9 p.m., and offering worship and closing message. Saturday will also feature Frankie’s Barbecue chicken, at $7 a ticket.

On Sunday, the day will open at 10:30 a.m. with an opening prayer call to worship. Various local ministries will partake in 4 ever 1: Sunday Morning Worship, which will be followed by a potluck picnic.

Order tickets for dinner and a show

NELLISTON — On Saturday, October 20, the Canajoharie-Fort Plain Elks Lodge #2621, Old Station Road, Nelliston, will host dinner and a show, featuring comedy hypnosis by Jack Hirsh, who, according to press material, asks you to imagine a world where “slipping on an ordinary pair of sunglasses gives you x-ray vision, you can speak fluent martian, napkins become $100 bills.”

Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for dinner and the show are $25. Purchase them now by calling (518) 993-2621 or 421-2969.

The Book Thief discussion Sept. 23

FORT PLAIN — Adults and teens are invited to join in a discussion of the award winning novel “The Book Thief” by Mark Zusak.

A discussion at the Canajoharie Library has already taken place, but the Fort Plain Library will host the second discussion on Sunday, September 23, at 2 p.m. The discussion will be facilitated by poet and author Mary Cuffe Perez.

In the best-selling novel, “The Book Thief”, while trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, death relates the story of Liesel, a young German girl whose book stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbors.

“We hope that this discussion will bring adults and young adults from both Canajoharie and Fort Plain together to explore the powerful themes in this novel,” said Canajoharie Library Director Leah LaFera. “There are so many amazing libraries along the Mohawk River Valley and we have a long history of working together for the benefit of our residents. We are excited to bring book lovers from Canajoharie and Fort Plain together.”

No registration is necessary. Copies of the book are available at the library circulation desk for check-out.

This program is made possible through funds from the New York State Council for the Arts and the Mohawk Valley Library system.

Lois McClure is pulling into port

OSWEGO — A complete replica of an 1862 canal schooner will enter the New York State Canal System today at Oswego September 1, embarking on a six-week tour of the waterway.

The itinerary takes the Lois McClure to 40 communities along the interconnected waterways of Lake Champlain, the Richelieu, St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers and the Rideau Canal. Following its trip through Oswego Canal, the ship will travel the eastern Erie Canal, the Champlain Canal and Lake Champlain before reaching her homeport at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in Vergennes, VT.

Stops on the ship’s journey include Fort Plain, September 18, and Canajoharie, September 20. In Canajoharie, tours of the Lois McClure will be conducted from 3-6 p.m.

The journey of the Lois McClure highlights the maritime heritage of New York and Canada, focusing on the War of 1812. This year’s bicentennial of the conflict provides an opportunity to explore this important chapter in world and regional history. Many ports along the tour were significant fortifications during the War of 1812, including Kingston, Ontario; Sackets Harbor, NY; and Oswego, NY.

American Legion meeting Oct. 11

ST. JOHNSVILLE — Morris J. Edwards American Legion Post #168, St. Johnsville, will hold their next regular meeting on Thursday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. Legion members should note the new start time.

There will not be a September meeting.

Anyone wishing further information is invited to contact Anthony Susi, commander at (518) 568-3464.

Fort Klock Craft Fair Sept. 8 and 9

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The 40th annual Fort Klock Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort Klock Historic Restoration museum complex.

More than 100 artisans and crafters from all over the Northeast will offer their unique arts, crafts and talents. The craft fair and parking are free.

Shoppers can find their favorite crafted item, or, one of a kind treasure here. This giant two day fair is noted for the diversity of only handmade items. These include folk art, jewelry, candles, pottery, knitted goods, carved and painted woodcrafts. There is also furniture, plants, floral arrangements and wreaths, unique paintings on stone or slate, and so much more.

A cornucopia of food products such as culinary herbs, pies, cookies, breads, jams, Mason jar foods and other tasty treats will be available.

On Saturday, at 11:30 a.m., Fort Klock members and friends will feature a table of homemade foods, desserts, donuts, cider and coffee down near the Fort. There will also be a food wagon next to the Dutch barn where you can buy hot dogs, fries, hamburgers and soda on both days.

Be sure to stop at the Chinese auction tent filled with items donated by the crafters. It is located on the downhill side of the barn.

This craft fair is a major fundraiser for Fort Klock restoration projects. The Fort gift shop has many unique items and books for sale. Guided tours of the Klock farmhouse are offered for a small fee.

Fort Klock is located two miles east of St. Johnsville, and five miles west of Nelliston, on New York State Route 5.

Nifty Needles to resume Sept. 19

ST. JOHNSVILLE — Nifty Needles will resume at Margaret Reaney Memorial Library, 19 Kingsbury Avenue, Wednesday, September 19 at 10 a.m. The group is open to anyone who enjoys working on handcrafts including sewers, knitters and quilters. All are welcome to gather around the table.

Nifty Needles will continue to meet the first and third Wednesday of each month throughout the fall, winter and spring.

Anyone desiring further information is invited to call the library at (518) 568-7822.