(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.

(Parish, NY – Sept. 2011) Faith Church of the Nazarene in Parish will host an Operation Christmas Child information program as part of its 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday, Sept. 25.

This will be the first year for the church to fill shoe box gifts with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies for children in need in more than 100 countries.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org), headed by Dr. Billy Graham’s son Franklin Graham.

Patty Jennings serves as an Operation Christmas Child volunteer coordinating the New York North Central Area that includes Oswego, Oneida, Herkimer, Lewis, and Jefferson counties.

As part of her presentation at Faith Church of the Nazarene, Jennings will share photos of her trips to help distribute the shoe boxes to children in Africa and Central and South America.

The national shoe box collection week for Operation Christmas Child is always the third week in November.

Faith Church of the Nazarene is located at 2813 County Route 69 in Parish. For more information, contact Patty Jennings at 315-232-2690 or the church at 315-625-4400.

Dulles, VA – The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund recently announced that Williamstown resident Joseph Capparelli Jr. has been awarded a college scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year. Joseph is currently a freshman at the Hartwick College.  This scholarship is given to the sons and daughters of military heroes who have been killed, classified as a Prisoner of War (POW), Missing in Action (MIA), or permanently disabled as the result of an operational mission or training accident.

“This scholarship is a tribute to those who have risked life or limb to defend our country,” proclaimed Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon.  “To help the sons and daughters of military heroes achieve a college education is, for us, an honor.  We believe it is the responsibility of every American to help care for those our military heroes have left behind.”

Jospeh’s father, Joseph Caparelli Sr., was an E-4 in the United States Army when he was classified 100 percent permanently disabled as a result of a service connected incident.  He was awarded a number of medals and commendations including the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

“Growing up with a disabled dad has actually showed me how to do more things than a dad without disabilities,” explained Joseph. “I’ve learned how to work on cars, lawnmowers, and even helped build our home.”

Joseph’s attended Altmar-Parish Williamstown High School. He participated in football, track and field, weightlifting, and ski club in high school. He also achieved a High Honor Roll distinction.

The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $4 million to the sons and daughters of military heroes.  To learn more about Freedom Alliance and the Scholarship Fund please visit www.FAScholarship.com or www.FreedomAlliance.org.

(LaFayette, NY – July 2, 2011)  State Police in Lafayette are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred at 1:30pm on State Route 11 in the Town of Onondaga.

The driver of the motorcycle, 55-year-old Philip A. Contos from 45 Easy Street in Parish, was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson travelling southbound with a large group of motorcycles when he hit his brakes, began fishtailing and lost control.  Contos was ejected over the handlebars landing on the pavement and sustaining head injuries.  Contos was not wearing a helmet and was reportedly participating in a helmet protest ride.

He was transported to Upstate University Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Evidence at the scene coupled with information from the attending medical expert indicated the driver would have survived had he been wearing a DOT-Approved helmet as required by law.

We would like to remind all motorists including motorcyclists, to drive safely, soberly, and obey all rules of the road to ensure an enjoyable 4th of July Holiday.

(Hastings, NY – January 29, 2011) State Police at Hastings are investigating a two vehicle/two person fatal motor vehicle accident which occurred on Jan. 28 at approximately 11:10 p.m. on County Route 26, Town of Parish.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1990 Toyota Corolla, operated by 22-year-old Christopher S. Bullock, from 631 Rider St., Parish was traveling eastbound on County Route 26 on a snow covered roadway.

The second vehicle, a 1991 Toyota Camry, operated by 24-year-old Nathan A. Thomas, from 27 Kipp Road, Parish was traveling westbound when the two vehicles collide just left of their respective front license plates.

Both operators and sole occupants of the vehicles were pronounced deceased at the scene by SOVAC Ambulance and Parish Fire Department personnel.

The investigation is continuing at this time.

Herkimer, NY

(Herkimer, NY) Herkimer County Community College announces the candidates for the College

(Hastings, NY – May 6, 2010) -

(Upstate New York) The Salvation Army in Service Unit Areas in the smaller towns and villages still has many slots that need to be filled at Red Kettle sites around the region. There is still time to volunteer. The Salvation Army will be ringing the bells until Christmas Eve. To volunteer in the small towns and villages, call The Red Kettle Center toll free, 24/7 at 1-877-764-7259 or go to www.redkettles.org.

Many upstate cities with Salvation Army centers may also have a serious need of bellringers. Please call your local Salvation Army or the toll-free Red Kettle line to volunteer in your community.

Money raised is used to help local families and individuals suffering hardship.

Area Services and Corps areas with facilities that provide assistance to the cities and the surrounding areas: Albany, Amsterdam, Auburn, Batavia, Binghamton, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Corning, Cortland, Dunkirk, Elmira, Fulton, Geneva, Glens Falls, Gloversville, Herkimer, Hornell, Hudson, Ithaca, Jamestown, Lockport, Massena, Niagara Falls, Ogdensburg, Olean, Oneida, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Rochester, Rome, Saratoga Springs, Sayre, Schenectady, Syracuse, Tonawanda, Troy, Utica, Watertown and Wellsville.

The Service Units, run by local volunteer committees, provide assistance to the community and the surrounding areas:

In the Northern and Central part of the state: Chateaugay, Malone, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake (Franklin County); Broadalbin and Northville (Fulton County); Indian Lake and Speculator(Hamilton County); Dolgeville, Little Falls, Middleville/Newport, Old Forge and West Winfield (Herkimer County); Adams, Alexandria Bay, Cape Vincent, Carthage, Clayton and Philadelphia (Jefferson County); Lowville and Port Leyden/Lyons Falls (Lewis County); Canajoharie, Fonda/Fultonville, Fort Plain and St. Johnsville (Montgomery County); Boonville, Camden, Clinton, Holland Patent and Waterville (Oneida County); Phoenix and Pulaski (Oswego County) and Canton, Fine, Gouverneur and Potsdam (St. Lawrence County)

In the Southern tier and Eastern/Southeastern part of the state: Deposit, Whitney Point and Windsor (Broome County); Aurora, Cato, Fair Haven/Red Creek, Moravia, Port Byron, Union Springs and Weedsport (Cayuga County); Afton, Bainbridge, Greene, New Berlin, Norwich, Oxford and Sherburne