(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 28, 2011) On August 23, the second baby patas monkey of 2011 was born at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The public was invited to submit name suggestions for the young monkey and more than 600 entries were received. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is pleased to announce the finalists in the patas monkey naming contest.

The gender of the baby has not yet been determined. As such, voters are asked to choose their favorite girl name and their favorite boy name.

The finalists for a girl name are:

Abena (A-BEE-nuh)
Submitted by Angelina Sparano, 21, of Syracuse
“It’s an African name meaning ‘born on Tuesday’ and the monkey was born on Tuesday, August 23.”

Dayo (DAY-oh)
Submitted by Charlena Janes, 36, of Syracuse
”It is a name of African origin meaning ‘joy arrives.’”

Kibibi (KUH-bee-bee)
Submitted by Allison Lyons, 9, of Syracuse
”It is a Swahili name meaning ‘little lady.’”
Shani (SHAW-nee)
Submitted by Tracie Lateef, 24, of Baldwinsville
”It is Swahili for ‘curiosity, novelty, or something unusual.’ It is an appropriate name for the monkey regardless of gender. I feel this name encompasses the curious nature of this monkey, as well as its individual uniqueness.”
Zarina (ZUH-ree-nuh)
Submitted by Marishka Biela, 6, of Bernhard’s Bay
”Me and my daddy looked it up it means ‘golden’ in African. I think the monkey’s look kinda’ like gold so I like it.”

The finalists for a boy name are:

Dakari (Duh-CAR-ee)
Submitted by Joy Bennett, 52, of East Syracuse

“It means ‘happiness.’” The name was derived from the Swahili word for happiness, “dakarai.”

Harry Patas

Vicki Feldman, 60, of Manlius

“The boy’s name ‘Harry Patas’ (as in Harry Potter) came to me when I heard patas monkey. While not a native name, I thought it was a name the kids would remember and get a kick out of.”
Jabu (jaw-BOO)
Submitted by Katharine Richman, 27, of Alexandria, Va.

“This word means ‘gift’ in Zulu. I lived in South Africa for two years and while learning the Zulu I began to appreciate that all names given to Zulu children had an important meaning within the language. Jabu was the name of one of the people in my host family.”

Nakuru (Nuh-KOO-roo)

Patricia Leach, 51, of Parish

”Nakuru is a lake and national park in Kenya.”

Tafari (Tuh-FAR-ee)
Submitted by Angelina Sparano, 21, of Syracuse
“I choose Tafari for a boy because it is an African and means ‘he who inspires awe’ which I think the baby does, if you go see all the visitors looking at the patas monkeys!”

Those interested in voting can do so by e-mailing contest@rosamondgiffordzoo.org.  The preferred names (one from the girl list AND one from the boy list) should be placed in the subject line of the e-mail.  Limit one vote per e-mail address.

Facebook fans can place an additional vote through a poll on the zoo’s Facebook page. All votes must be received by 4 p.m. on October 3.  The name that receives the highest number of votes will be the name by which the baby patas monkey will be known. The winner will receive a Patas Monkey Adopt an Animal package valued at $100.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is one of just 15 American zoos to house patas monkeys. They are part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) – a collaborative effort between the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and zoos around the world to help ensure their survival.

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 23, 2011) John G. Stone. Esq. was endorsed by the Conservative Party to be their candidate for Supreme Court Justice for the New York State Fifth Judicial District.

Stone has been the Principal Law Clerk to New York State Supreme Court Justice James P. Murphy for 7 years.  Prior to that appointment, Stone spent 17 years as a litigation attorney in private practice and as a Senior Assistant Corporation counsel for the City of Syracuse serving under Mayors Thomas G Young, Roy A Bernardi and Matthew J Driscoll .

He resides inManlius with his wife, Dr. Barbara Krenzer, and their three children, Elizabeth, John and Matthew.

(Sept. 2011) The following students have enrolled as first-year members of the Class of 2015 at Marist College in Poughkeepsie.

Myer Dixon of Manlius, NY

Emily Eisenson of Manlius, NY

Triandafilli Telonis of Manlius, NY

Laura Thomson of Manlius, NY

Gretchen Bradley of Sherburne, NY

More than 11,400 high school seniors applied for admission this fall, the largest applicant pool in the College’s history. Marist accepted 34 percent, and enrolled its most selective and diverse class ever, with students from 37 states and 17 countries.

Area Students Named to Morrisville State College President’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced those students who were named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 average for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Tanner Dewolf, a resident of Manlius, NY

Heather Madlin, a resident of Syracuse, NY

Brenda Westcott, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Silke Mahardy, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Area Students Graduate from Morrisville State College

The following area residents were among students to graduate from Morrisville State College in May 2011.

Tanner Dewolf, a resident of Manilus, NY received a degree in Renewable Resources Technology – B. Tech.

Teri Curtis, a resident of Manlius, NY received a degree in Undeclared.

Heidi Conkrite, a resident of Cuyler, NY received a degree in Equine Racing Management.

Heather Madlin, a resident of Syracuse, NY received a degree in Equine Science – B. Tech.

Wheeler Brunschmid, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Individual Studies.

Ward Coughlin, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Massage Therapy.

Loretta Goedel, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Nursing – A.A.S..

Michelle Karoll, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Business Administration.

Jenna Larson, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Business Administration.

John Lathrop, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Agricultural Business.

Cory Ray, a resident of Sherburne, NY received a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Science.

Area Students Named to Morrisville State College Dean’s List

Morrisville State College recently announced those students who were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2011 semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve an average of 3.0 to 3.99 for the semester and complete 12 credit hours.

Valerie Sargrad, a resident of Manlius, NY

Tyler Jacobs, a resident of Manlius, NY

Heidi Conkrite, a resident of Cuyler, NY

Timothy Conkrite, a resident of Cuyler, NY

Ronald Comins, a resident of Syracuse, NY

Aaron Devereaux, a resident of Syracuse, NY

Ward Coughlin, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Staci Fowlston, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Loretta Goedel, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Jennifer Green, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Jamie Gregory, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Shannon Ingalls, a resident of Sherburne, NY

John Lathrop, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Bradley McDaniel, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Heather Miller, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Sandra Rogers, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Jonathan Ryan, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Brett Shedden, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Terri Smith, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Nicholas Wilcox, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Dan Cleveland, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Penny Kuhn, a resident of Sherburne, NY

Taylor Harper, a resident of Sherburne, NY

SUNY Canton Students Recognized for Academic Achievement

SUNY Canton recently recognized students who excelled academically during the Spring 2011 semester.

To receive President’s List honors, full-time students must earn a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For Dean’s List, full-time students must receive a GPA of 3.25. Part-Time Honors are awarded to students earning at least a 3.25 GPA on six to 11 credit hours.

Among the students who earned honors for academics were:

Gregory T. Battaglia of Syracuse NY, a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major made Dean’s List. Battaglia is a 2008 graduate of Solvay High School. This student also graduated from SUNY Canton in May.

Lillian R. Brann of Syracuse, a SUNY Canton Veterinary Science Technology major made Dean’s List. Brann is a 2007 graduate of Solvay High School. This student also graduated from SUNY Canton in May.

Local Student Named to President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University

The following local student has been named to the President’s List for the spring 2011 semester at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester.  To be eligible for this honor, a student must compile an academic grade point average of 3.5-4.0.

Rachel Poppe of Syracuse, elementary education.

Area Students Win Brockport Scholarships

The College at Brockport, State University of New York, has awarded scholarships to members of its incoming freshman class who have demonstrated academic excellence.

Joel Lester of Manlius, NY was awarded the Presidential Scholarship.

Michael Natoli of Manlius, NY was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.

Sean Sorrento of Manlius, NY was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.

Emily Wisbey of Manlius, NY was awarded the Presidential Scholarship.

Joelle Clark of Sherburne, NY was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship.

Brockport awards three different types of scholarships to its incoming freshman. Freshman must live on-campus in order to be considered for the awards.

Its Presidential Scholarship is awarded to freshmen who have a high school average of 93 or higher, rank in the top 20 percent of their class and scored either a 1,200 or higher on their SAT exam or 26 or higher on their ACT exam.

Brockport’s Dean’s Scholarship goes to freshmen who are in the top 25 percent of their class, have a 90 or higher average and scored either an 1,100 or higher on their SAT exam or 24 or higher on their ACT exam.

The Recognition Scholarship is awarded to freshman who hail from outside of New York State and have demonstrated superior academic achievement throughout their high school program.

Local Students Awarded SUNY Cortland Graduate Degrees

SUNY Cortland awarded 296 master’s degrees and 24 certificates of advanced study at Commencement ceremonies on May 20. The following local residents were awarded graduate degrees.

David Clark Kerwin, a resident of Manlius, N.Y., received a Master of Arts in Teaching

Emily Rachael Smuckler, a resident of Syracuse, N.Y., received a Master of Science in Teaching

Local Students Awarded SUNY Cortland Undergraduate Degrees

The following local residents were among the 1,517 SUNY Cortland students who were awarded their baccalaureate degrees at Commencement ceremonies on May 21.

Jennifer Rachael Schuss, a resident of Manlius, N.Y., received a Bachelor of Arts.

Amy Marasia, a resident of Manlius, N.Y., received a Bachelor of Science.

Sarah Margarate Appleton, a resident of Cuyler, N.Y., received a Bachelor of Science.

John Otis Burt Jr. a resident of Syracuse, N.Y., received a Bachelor of Science.

(Syracuse, NY – Sept. 13, 2011) John G. Stone. Esq. received the highest possible rating, “qualified and commended,” given by the Central New York Women’s Bar Association in relation to his candidacy for New York State Supreme Court Justice.

Stone recently was endorsed by the Onondaga County Republican Judicial Delegates for the competitive Fifth Judicial District Supreme Court Justice race.

Stone will be the Onondaga County Republican candidate at the Fifth Judicial District nominating convention on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Stone has been the Principal Law Clerk to New York State Supreme Court Justice James P. Murphy for 7 years. Prior to that appointment, Stone spent 17 years as a litigation attorney in private practice and as a senior assistant corporation counsel for the City of Syracuse.

He resides in Manlius with his wife, Dr. Barbara Krenzer, and their three children, Elizabeth, John and Matthew.

(Fulton, NY – Sept. 3, 2011) New York State Police in Fulton arrested Ray H. Ross II, 32, of 744 County Route 10, Lot 103, Pennellville, charging him with one count of third-degree Grand Larceny, a class D Felony.

On Aug. 27 at approximately 11 p.m. a 2001 Harley Davidson, FXSTDI Softail Duece model was reported stolen from the parking area of Monirae’s bar, 688 County Route 10 in Pennellville.

The motorcycle was located the following day in the Town of Manlius, Onondaga County.  The investigation developed Ross as a suspect, who was located and arrested on Sept. 3.

Ross was taken into custody by Fulton Troopers after he was found hiding in a closet in a Village of Minoa apartment.

Ross was arraigned in Oswego County and remanded to the Oswego County Jail on $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond.

BRISTOL, RI (08/18/2011)(readMedia) Thomas R. King, a resident of Manlius, NY, has been named to the Spring 2011 Dean’s List at Roger Williams University. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester, provided that they have not received any of the following grades: F, I, NP or NS.

OSWEGO, NY (08/04/2011)(readMedia)– Kristopher Barnes of Cazenovia Road in Manlius recently presented his research project at SUNY Oswego’s ninth annual summer research presentations for the McNair Scholars program.

Barnes, a junior studying biology at Oswego presented a project titled “Analysis of Lipofuscin Accumulation with Age in Five Different Hamster Tissues Using Various Staining Techniques” prepared under the mentorship of Dr. Jenifer Cruickshank.

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a national program funded by the Department of Education that aims to increase the number of historically underrepresented students in graduate school, doctoral programs and the professoriate. Oswego receives more than $230,000 annually to support 26 talented juniors and seniors.

(Arlington, Va. – Aug. 9, 2011) The Leading Producers Round Table (LRPT) of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) is proud to announce that Kishan Perera of Benefit Design Services Corp. has qualified to receive the association’s Eagle Award.

Perera has qualified for this award due to his exceptional professional knowledge and outstanding client service. Perera is the Vice President of Benefit Design Services Corp., a Board member of the New York State Association of Health Underwriters (NYSAHU) and the Past President of the Greater Central New York Association of Health Underwriters (GCNYAHU) . Perera is an MBA graduate of Syracuse University, and a designated member of the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA).

Perera resides in Manlius with his wife Dawn and daughters Samantha and Maya.

“Perera exemplifies the qualities that make health insurance agents and brokers such important resources and advocates for American consumers,” said Deborah Crouch, president of the Greater Central NY Association of Health Underwriters. “He has worked tirelessly on behalf of countless clients to ensure they have the insurance coverage they need.”

The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. NAHU is headquartered in Arlington, VA. For more information, please visit www.nahu.org.

Sarah M. Paulus, a resident of Manlius, NY was named to the Dean’s List at Fairfield University for the spring 2011 semester. As a junior, Sarah studied in the College of Arts and Sciences.