(Herkimer, NY – Oct. 2011)  Herkimer County Community College’s women’s basketball team will sponsor a “Pumpkin Basketball Clinic” Saturday, October 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in HCCC’s recreational gymnasium. The clinic is open to girls ages 7-18.

The cost is $15 per participant, payable on the day of the clinic. No pre-registration is required, however; participants are encouraged to contact Coach John Campagna at 315-866-0300 ext. 8398 or 315-866-8350 to confirm participation.

Check-in and team introductions begin at 8:45 a.m. From 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., participants will work on basketball skills in small groups.

Three on three games will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. followed by five on five games from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Pizza and drinks will be served from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Starting at 11:15 a.m. participants will have time to decorate or paint a pumpkin.

Pumpkins will be provided; participants must bring their own paint supplies or decorating materials. There will be a contest for the most creative and best decorated pumpkin.

The pool will be open for free swim to all participants from noon to 12:45 p.m.

The clinic is planned in conjunction with HCCC’s Fall Fest and Alumni Weekend. The schedule of activities is available at www.herkimer.edu/fallfest.

(Watertown, NY – Oct. 2011) During National 4-H Week, the Jefferson County program salutes all the 4-H members.

4-H gives young people the chance to explore new interests, make new friends, and discover talents they never knew they had.

Make plans to learn more about 4-H this week. Join the 4-H Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, 203 North Hamilton Street, Watertown.

Free! Fun for the whole family! Archery, pumpkins, apple cider, games, music, and more.

Call 788-8450 for more information.

(Jefferson County, NY – Oct. 2011) The Furry Friends 4-H Dog Club is hosting a Cache In – Trash Out Event at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area on Oct. 1 from noon to 2 p.m. This is being organized to kickoff National 4-H Week (10/2 thru 10/8).

This is a perfect fit for this year’s theme, ‘Join the Revolution of Responsibility.’  These events are held within the geocaching community and local cachers come and help clean up a designated area.

Black Pond WMA, located in southern Jefferson County, is a wetland complex featuring beach, dunes, marsh, and woods.  It is an important habitat for both migratory and breeding birds along the Lake Ontario shore.

For more information about 4-H or the event contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County at 315-788-8450.

To learn more about geocaching and other CITO events go to www.geocaching.com.

(Marcellus, NY) Oct. 1, 2011    Star Party:  National Astronomy Day Back-up date: October 2nd.
7:30-9:30pm
The first weekend in October is home to National Astronomy Day—celebrate and come and have a look at the skies! View the planets Uranus and Neptune through telescopes, plus the early winter star clusters such as the Pleiades, along with the king of the planets, Jupiter, rising in the east. $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Oct. 15    If These Trees Could Talk
1-2:30pm
Join Baltimore Woods Naturalist Tom Meier on a journey through time. The shape of the forests at Baltimore Woods is intimately tied to the lifestyles of all the people who came before. This hike will take an inspiring look at the history of the preserve and the ever changing relationships between people and the land, as told through the eyes of the colorful autumn trees. $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Oct. 19    Volunteer Lunch
Noon
On the third Wednesday of the month Baltimore Woods offers our volunteers a lunch of locally harvested foods at the Interpretive Center. All our volunteers are welcome! Please call ahead to register.

Oct. 22    Double Dog Dare Walk
8-9:30pm
Baltimore Woods dares you — no, double dog dares you, to walk through the woods with only the moon lighting your way! Search for creatures that go bump in the night and for treats hidden along the trails. Accommodates 10-25 participants. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

(LaFargeville, NY – Sept. 2011) Environmental Awareness Days will be held at Stone Mills Agricultural Museum in LaFargeville on Sept. 27 and 28. This will be the 21st year that Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County has sponsored the event.

This educational program is offered to sixth grade students in Jefferson County. Each student visits stations manned by Extension staff, NYS DEC staff, Soil and Water Conservation staff, and many others from the community offering environmentally relevant programs for students.

The event runs from 9:00 am to 1:30 p.m.

(Jefferson County, NY – Sept. 2011) On Sept. 20 and 21, the Agriculture Extravaganza will be held at the Thompson Park pavilion from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County and Jefferson County Farm Bureau.

The event teaches Jefferson County fourth grade students about the food and fiber system through various stations. Station topics include apples, herding dogs, equine, maple, dairy, dairy products, poultry, trees, and farm safety. There are over 1000 students coming from area schools over the two-day event.

Pictured Astronomer Bob Piekiel sets up his telescopes for a star party and Stephen Spoto caught a frog at Baltimore Woods.

(Marcellus, NY – Sept. 2011) The following events have been scheduled for the month of September at Baltimore Woods Nature Center.

Sept. 10 Art Gallery Reception 2-4pm

Everyone is invited to visit the art gallery, meet wildlife artist Bob Ripley and view the exhibit Natural Selections. Enjoy an afternoon of art and good company. Admission and parking are free; this event is open to the public.

Sept. 12 Nature’s Little Explorer’s: Bugs and Slugs 10-11:30am

Join us for a log rollin’ good time! We’ll explore The Woods on a scavenger hunt for….you guessed it! Bugs and Slugs! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration deadline is September 10th. $8/child (member); $12/child (nonmember); adults free.

Sept. 12 Home School Expeditions: Fabulous Frogs 1-2:30pm

Hop on over to Phillips Pond and explore the fabulous world of frogs! Be sure to wear clothes that will get muddy! Meet at the lower parking lot. Registration deadline is September 10th. $8/child (member); $12/child (nonmember); adults free.

Sept. 16 Star Party: Elusive Planets 8-10pm

The summer skies are sinking and the fall skies are taking over. Many distant galaxies can be viewed as distant patches of light in a telescope, plus the elusive planets Uranus and Neptune. $5 for members, $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family. Back-up date: Sept. 17th

Sept. 18 envIRONmental CHEF homegrown 4-6:30pm

Celebrity Chefs Compete in Cook-Off Competition. Four of the area’s best chefs cook-off in a culinary competition using local foods. Sous chefs are chosen from patron ticket holders, and the audience members are the judges! Sampling tables of locally grown and produced foods connect people to the abundance available in CNY. Tickets on sale now: Patron admission includes chance to be a sous-chef at the event and a mystery swag bag. This event is held in memory of Jean Graham, and is a fundraiser for Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Visit www.baltimorewoods.org for full information and tickets.

Sept. 21 Cool Bugs!: An Evening with Steven Daniels 7-8:30pm

Join Steven Daniels, an expert on butterflies, as he takes a closer look into the extraordinary lives and lifestyles of our 6-legged friends. This fascinating lecture is designed for older children and adults. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Sept. 24 Barefoot Hike 1-2:30pm

Free your feet! Come feel the earth under your soles again at Baltimore Woods, as Barefoot Bob (official member of the Barefoot Society of CNY) reconnects you to this underutilized mode of transportation. Join Bob for a half-mile barefoot hike along the Valley Trail over grass, wooden bridges, leaves and soil. Accommodates 5-20. This program is not intended for families with strollers. $5 for members; $15/family; $8 for nonmembers, $25/family.

Baltimore Woods Nature Center is located at 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY 13108. Hours: Interpretive Center is open M-F 9am-4pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, closed Sundays. The hiking trails and parking are free and open every day from dawn to dusk.

Baltimore Woods Nature in the City brings authentic natural science learning to K-6 grade urban school children. Supported by the Syracuse City School District and corporate sponsors, tied to the Syracuse City School District curriculum and New York State Science Standards, lesson content supports teachers while directly impacting students. Holding programs in parks and neighborhood green spaces as well as the classroom, students’ earliest learning experiences in the sciences are relevant, meaningful and fun.

Visit www.baltimorewoods.org for more information.

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.

Glue Sticks
Glue
Crayons
Washable Paints
Washable Markers
Colored Pencils
#2 Pencils
Large Eraser
Scissors
Spiral Notebook
Marble Composition Notebook

(Herkimer, NY- Aug. 2011) A Family Fun Day will be held at Myers Park on North Bellinger Street (behind Herb Philipson’s) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring music, games, Utica Zoombile, bounce house, snacks and prizes.

Free to the public.