AMVETS to host spaghetti supper

FORT PLAIN — The AMVETS Riders Post 2000 will be hosting a Spaghetti Supper at the post, located at 990 State Highway 163, Fort Plain, on Nov. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and half price for children under 12. Members and the public are welcome. For more information, call (518) 993-3676.

Canajoharie lists upcoming dates

CANAJOHARIE — On Thursday, Nov. 8, there will be an early release for K-5 students at East Hill Elementary School at 11:30 a.m. for parent conferences. School will be closed for all students on Friday, Nov. 9, for a teacher in service day. School will be closed for all students on Monday, Nov. 12 in observance of Veterans Day. School will be closed for all students on Thursday, Nov. 22 and Friday, Nov. 23 for the Thanksgiving recess. School will re-open on Monday, Nov. 26.

FOFP sponsoring chicken barbecue

FORT PLAIN — The Friends of Fort Plain will sponsor a barbecue on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 3-6 p.m. at Fort Plain True Value. Chicken and ribs will be available, along with baked goods.

Harlem Superstars game is Nov. 9

FORT PLAIN — On Friday, Nov. 9, the Fort Plain “Dream Team” will play a game against the Harlem Superstars, during a Harlem Superstars Showtime Basketball game at the Harry Hoag Elementary School. Door will open at 5:45 p.m., the show will take place at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Lady Hilltoppers Basketball Program, and admission will be $7 advance for adults and students, $8 at the door. For tickets, contact any girls basketball player or call (518) 844-6943.

Village enforcing parking restrictions

FORT PLAIN — The village of Fort Plain will enforce the No All Night Parking restriction effective Nov. 1. There is no parking allowed on all village streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. until April 1. Call the village office at (518) 993-4271 with questions.

Garden rubbish pickup for the last day of the season will be Monday, Nov. 19. Residents are being asked to complete their garden clean up by that date.

November Stars take stage Nov. 2

CANAJOHARIE — For the past thirteen years, the Mohawk Valley Lions Club has had the pleasure of presenting “November Stars,” a variety show for all ages to enjoy. This year’s show will be held Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Arkell Performing Arts Center at the Canajoharie High School.

There will be a special treat again this year. The Canajoharie High School International Club will be preparing and serving a chicken and biscuit supper prior to the show from 5 to 6:30 p.m. All donations for the dinner will go directly to the International Club’s activities.

Proceeds from the Variety Show will fund scholarships for local high school students and will also provide the best possible care for people who depend on your donations for their sight and hearing needs. One hundred percent of all donations fund local, as well as worldwide projects involving Lions’ activities.

Veterans Day dance at Fort Rensselaer

CANAJOHARIE — On Saturday, Nov. 10, from 8 to 11 p.m., The Fort Rensselaer Club will sponsor a dance in celebration of Veterans Day. Music will be provided by “Chalk Dust Torture”.

The dance will be held at the Van Alstyne Homestead, 42 Moyer Street, Canajoharie. Tickets are $10 per person. Veterans and active duty service members will be admitted free. There will be refreshments and a cash bar.

Breakfast with the superintendent set

CANAJOHARIE — Monthly breakfast chats with Canajoharie Central School Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw will continue at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Village Restaurant in downtown Canajoharie.

Residents can come enjoy their own breakfast while sharing their thoughts about the school district. Grimshaw will be available to answer questions and talk about district issues.

Church to hold soup, sandwich luncheon

FORT PLAIN — On Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fort Plain United Methodist Church, located at 39 Center St., will be holding a soup and sandwich luncheon open to the public.

The menu will consist of vegetable beef soup, tomato soup, assorted sandwiches including grilled cheese, dessert and beverage.

The cost is $6. Take outs will be available. Call (518) 993-3464 with questions. There will also be a “Book Nook” table consisting of used books.

Overnight parking ban goes into effect

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The St. Johnsville police department would like to remind village residents that the overnight parking ban will go into effect Thursday, Nov. 1.

Anyone found parking all night on village streets will be ticketed. Anyone with questions may contact Chief Callen at (518) 568-2141.

School releasing students early

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The St. Johnsville Central School District will be releasing students early Thursday, Nov. 8, for professional development for teachers.

The Jr./Sr. High School will dismiss at 11:30 a.m. and the D.H. Robbins Elementary School will dismiss at 11:40 a.m. Lunch will be served early on that day.

School will also be closed Friday, Nov. 9, for professional development and Monday, Nov. 12, for Veterans Day.

Nov. 9 last day of yard debris pick-up

ST. JOHNSVILLE — The St. Johnsville Department of Public Works would like to remind village residents that Friday, Nov. 9, will be the last day for pick up of yard debris. Leaves will continue to be picked up as long as weather permits.

Patriotic/praise concert Nov. 4

ST. JOHNSVILLE — St. John’s Reformed Church, located at 68 W. Main St., St. Johnsville, will present a Patriotic and Praise Concert entitled Music-Music-Music Sunday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

Included in the program will be a Men’s Choir, Ecumenical Choir and solos on the organ, piano and flute. Dawn Lamphere will give a reading.

This concert is given in honor of veterans and to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. A free will offering will be taken and proceeds will go to the Wounded Warriors Organization.

The next rehearsal is scheduled for Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Anyone wishing to join one of the choirs, or would like more information, contact Karen Crouse at (518) 568-7539.

Arkell Hall News

CANAJOHARIE — The following news from Arkell Hall Adult Home is for Oct. 22 through Oct. 27:

A weekly Bible Study was held for eight residents on Oct. 22, led by Mary Simpson.

Joanne Resch visited Tuesday, Oct. 24, for the monthly painting class, where participants created a watercolor of fall leaves, followed by Wii bowling on the big screen television with Rachael Takacs and Linda Klump. Six ladies cheered everyone on.

On Wednesday, Oct. 25, 13 residents enjoyed a fabulous day out, featuring lunch at Sunset Corners in Ames. Some residents went shopping at Sunnycrest with advisory members Barbara Smith and Dorothy Mailloux assisting.

Speaker Ellie Sitterley came in for the weekly Wednesday morning fellowship time. In the afternoon, Eve Fuelleman and Evelyn Casler played cards. Also, ten residents filled candy bags for trick-or-treaters.

The Canajoharie Central School kindergarten class visited Arkell Hall Adult Home Friday, Oct. 26, in costume. Friday evening, six residents went to the Halloween recital at the former St. Peters and Paul’s Church in Canajoharie to hear some spooky organ and choral music.

Visitors this week were Remza Abbadessa, who was in to see new resident, Norma Clohecy. Alice Kulig went out with Sue Montayne. Bonnie Kerr and daughter, Page, were in to visit Mary Renison. Andrea Montayne and David were in to see mom, Ruth Austin. Lorraine Thomas was in to visit mom, Reva McGowan. Lorraine May was visited by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary Heiser went out to lunch with her daughter, Helen Shults, and her daughter, Doreene.

Catholic Daughters discuss plans

CANAJOHARIE — The regular business meeting of Court Catherine Esther #1264, Catholic Daughter of the Americas, was held Monday evening, Oct. 1, at Our Lady of Hope Church in Fort Plain. Regent Marlene Nalli called the meeting to order and introduced guest speaker Andrew Hislop to the court.

Hislop is the son of member Barbara Hislop, and is a member of Transfiguration Church in Rochester. He traveled last Spring to Boonville, KY along with his pastor and 20 other men of the parish as part of a week-long retreat. This ministry, known as the Men’s Transfiguration Retreat, allowed them to help make repairs to the homes of the parishioners of the Holy Family Mission Church in Boonville. Hislop recounted his experiences during the retreat, citing the extreme poverty of the people living in that area of the country.

Regent Nalli introduced guest Sue-Anne Wheadon to the court as a prospective member. After Wheadon submitted her application, she took the pledge of membership and was welcomed as a new member.  

Quality of Life Chairman Kathy Walsh reported that the WRAP Campaign (White Ribbon Against Pornography) would be held this year during the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 4. She asked those concerned about the spread of pornography throughout nation’s communities to wear a white ribbon during WRAP week and passed them to the members. She added that white ribbons would be available in the church vestibule during October for parishioners to take and wear to show their support in the fight against pornography.

Vice Regent Walsh reported on plans for the Court’s annual Christmas party. The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Ripepi’s Restaurant in St. Johnsville with happy hour at 1 p.m. and dinner at 2 p.m. She will be sending information with reservation forms and raffle tickets for the Basket of Cheer to all area members. She added that deadline for reservations is Nov. 21.

The Regent stated that the court would hold a Christmas collection of toys for area children again this year and members should bring their donations to the party or to the November meeting.

Regent Nalli reported that she had started preparations for the Christmas Collection for our Troops but that plans had not been finalized since a contact serviceperson had not been located yet. She is waiting to hear from several inquiries that she made to local military families and will have plans in place by the November meeting.

Members were asked to bring a signed Christmas card to the meeting to be sent out on Oct. 27, “Make a Difference Day”. The regent stated that she made inquiries as to where to send them and found that the Red Cross has a promotion called “Holiday Mail for Heroes” and she will send the collection of cards to them.

The Regent reported that the semi-annual financial review would be held on Oct. 22 at her home.

Before adjournment, Regent Nalli, reminded members that the next meeting would be held at Our Lady of Hope Church on Monday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. She also reminded members to bring their Christmas gifts for area needy children to the meeting. The meeting closed with prayers for living and deceased members.

State approves evaluation plan

CANAJOHARIE — The New York State Education Department approved Canajoharie Central School District ‘s teacher and principal evaluation plan — known as the Annual Professional Performance Review (“APPR”) — on Monday, Oct. 22.

The state adopted new rules for evaluating teachers and principals in order to qualify for federal Race to the Top funding and to improve student learning. All school districts in New York are required by Jan. 17, 2013 to have adopted locally and received state approval of APPR plans for teachers and principals.

“I’d like to thank the teacher and principal task force and negotiating teams for all their hard work in this process,” said Superintendent Deborah Grimshaw. “We are very happy to have an approved plan ahead of the state deadline.”

To see a copy of the approved APPR plan, please visit the school website at www.canajoharieschools.org.

Evaluating teachers and principals is nothing new. What is new is a rating system and performance indicators that educators will be expected to meet.

Every year in New York State under the new APPR rules, each teacher and principal in grades K-12 will receive a rating of highly effective, effective, developing or ineffective.

Each school district is allowed to develop its own formula for evaluating teachers and principals, within guidelines set by the state.

Board of Elections to extend hours

FONDA — The Montgomery County Board of Elections will be holding extended hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 for the purpose of absentee voting in the General Election. The Board of Elections Office is located in the Old Court House at 9 Park St. in Fonda. Voters who will be absent from the county on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6 may use this opportunity to apply for and vote with an absentee ballot.