(Central New York) Local campgrounds and RV parks are offering an incentive for planning your next vacation closer to home this summer. They are participating in the “Camp Two Nights, Get a Third Night Free” promotion sponsored by Campground Owners of New York, an association of privately owned campgrounds and RV parks located in New York State.

Complete details about booking a free night of camping with two paid nights – including a full list of statewide participants – are available online at www.ilovenycamping.com.

Across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, participating campgrounds include: West Canada Creek Campsites, Poland, Lake Chalet Campground & Motel, Bridgewater, Lebanon Reservoir Campground, Hamilton; Ta-Ga-Soke Campground, Blossvale; Treasure Isle RV Park, Blossvale; The Landing Campground, Sylvan Beach, Cooperstown Shadow Brook Campground, Cooperstown, and Grand Slam Campground in South New Berlin.

This special discount runs through Columbus Day, October 11, 2010.

Campground Owners of New York, founded in 1963, is an association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State. More information about the association and its campgrounds – including a free camping directory – is available at www.nycampgrounds.com.

Herkimer, NY—Online applications are available for the 34th Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair, to be held November 13 & 14, 2010 at Herkimer County Community College. You can go online to www.herkimer.edu/alumni/foundation/events.

To receive an application by mail, contact the Herkimer County College Foundation at 315-866-0300, ext. 8459.

The Fair, sponsored by the Herkimer County College Foundation for the benefit of student scholarships at HCCC, is one of the largest in Central New York. The juried show features top artisans showcasing their works including pottery, woodworking, stained glass, weaving, tole painting, dolls, textiles and more.

Photo caption: HCCC’s women’s track & field team tops the podium at the 2010 NJCAA National Championship meet.

Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College’s track & field team recently won the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Track & Field Championship in Columbia, MD.

The women’s team ended the three day competition in first place, capturing their second national title in three years. The fourth-ranked women earned a total of 112.5 points to edge out second place Mohawk Valley Community College (110 points). Eleven women competed for the Generals. Seniors Tiffany Campanian (Glenfield, NY/South Lewis Central), Emmalee Kelting (Saranac Lake, NY/Saranac Lake), Jennifer Lighthall (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) and Justine Ward (Gouverneur, NY/Gouverneur Central) and freshmen Stephanie Bergstrom (Poland, NY/Poland), Amanda Brown (Oxford, NY/Oxford Academy), Katie Maneen (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler), Melissa McGough (Remsen, NY/Remsen Central), Mollianne Parsons (Fair Haven, NY/Red Creek), Melissa Wagner (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) and Daciann Walker (Bridgeport, CT/Central).

Head Coach Sharon Howell was named Coach of the Meet and Assistant Coach Julie DelMedico was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Several of the women were named Second Team All American including Amanda Brown (400 meter relay), Jennifer Lighthall (long jump, heptathlon, 400 meter relay), Melissa McGough (pole vault, 400 meter relay), Daciann Walker (400 meter relay) and Justine Ward (high jump).

For the men’s competition, HCCC was represented by two athletes. Senior Aaron Follman (Lyndonville, NY/L.A. Webber) finished fifth in the pole vault. Senior Terrance Flowers (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) finished tenth in the shot put.

Pictured is Blair Comstock of Dolgeville who took first place.

Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College has announced the winners of the Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Show sponsored by Congressman Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24), which is on exhibit in HCCC’s Cogar Gallery through Monday, March 29. High school students from eight Herkimer County schools entered 73 pieces of artwork. The winners are:

First Place: Blair Comstock, Dolgeville (Holly Zap, teacher)

Second Place: Samantha Marquissee, Mohawk (Christina Korba, teacher)

Third Place: Tina Picente, Frankfort Schuyler (Joseph Talerico, Donna Shuster, teachers)

Honorable Mention: Cherisse Stafford, Ilion (Winnifred Dunn-Jones, teacher)

Honorable Mention: Kyle Turner, Herkimer (Leah Miller, Heather McCutcheon, teachers)

Honorable Mention: Nicole Rickard, Poland (Kara Milianta, teacher)

All six winners will be exhibited at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute/Pratt School of Art May 12-18. An awards reception will be held Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at MWPAI.

The Cogar Gallery, located in the Robert McLaughlin College Center, is open to the public free of charge, 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when the College is open.

Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College is offering a non-credit course for those who desire to improve their computer skills.

Introduction to Microsoft Word will teach participants basic word processing skills using the 2007 version of this popular program. The class will offer participants a hands-on learning experience in a relaxed atmosphere. Topics include typing a letter, cutting and pasting, editing techniques, character and paragraph formatting, tabs, page appearance and printing. Basic computer knowledge is required. The class will meet in four sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. beginning on April 6. Pre-registration is required by April 1. The fee is $59. A textbook is also required and is not included in the course fee.

Pre-registration can be completed by calling (315) 866-0300 ext. 8251, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information and/or a complete list of courses, visit our website at www.herkimer.edu/ce/

(Herkimer, NY) Herkimer County Community College’s Cogar Gallery will feature “Northeast & Southwest,” the photographs of Little Falls native Bart M. Carrig from January 20-March 5, 2010. An Artist Reception will be held Friday, January 22 from 7-9 p.m.

Carrig is a nature and landscape photographer who presents his images in prints and on canvas. An attorney and city court judge in Little Falls, NY, he travels throughout the Adirondacks and US Southwest for photography. Carrig’s work has been published in Adirondack Life Magazine, and he exhibits and sells his works at the Willman Gallery, Little Falls. He is a multiple winner of the US National Heritage Corridor, Erie Canal calendar contest.

“My goal in photography is simply to observe and capture nature in its best and natural light, and to pass on those captured exposures to the eyes and senses of all who desire to look,” Carrig said. Carrig said much of his work reflects the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, but also highlights the desert scenes and grand vistas of the Southwest that stand in stark contrast to the intimate beauty of the northeast forests.

The Cogar Gallery is located in the Hummel Corporate and Professional Education Center, at the main entrance to the McLaughlin College Center. It is open to the public free of charge Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. when the College is open. Visit online at www.herkimer.edu/ce.

Herkimer, NY—The Mohawk Valley’s premier arts and crafts event, the Herkimer County Arts and Crafts Fair, will be held Saturday and Sunday, November 14 & 15 at Herkimer County Community College.

The fair is a juried show with many unique exhibitors from throughout the northeast. A juried exhibition is one in which artwork is submitted and judges choose which exhibits can enter. This ensures that each artist’s work be original and of top quality.

The fair will feature a diverse array of arts and crafts with artisans exhibiting jewelry, pottery, metal work, stained glass and more.

Beth Smith of the Adirondack Glassmith is among the 140 vendors at this year’s show. Smith returns to the show to sell her glass work year after year for a variety of reasons. She explains, “From a vendor’s point of view, it is the most well-organized craft fair in upstate NY. Shoppers can come in and browse for awhile, stop, sit down and get a bite of food and drink at the cafeteria, walk right out and continue shopping. Another bonus of this show, and something shoppers look for, is the juried competition within categories. Ribbons are awarded to the best in a wide variety of categories (look for the blue and yellow ribbons). As a vendor, this just inspires me all the more to come up with something very new, unique and exciting every year. The result is a delightful assortment of quality products handmade by talented crafters and artisans in a show skillfully managed by expert organizers…a great time for everyone!” says Smith. 

Susy Quayle of Waterville, creator of Zookeys says, “Last year was my first year at the Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair and it was a wonderful experience. Highly organized with helpful volunteers! Friendly comfortable atmosphere! My Zookeys made many new friends!”

New to the show is Caroline Hayward of Luckalilly Ceramics in Sauquoit, NY. Hayward has been in business since December 2008 and has been working with ceramics since 2007. She said, “I have attended the fair as a customer in the past, and I am definitely looking forward to selling there for my first time this year. Meeting local customers face to face is the best part about selling at craft fairs. I’m thrilled to be a part of such an established and well-organized event!”

The Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair is sponsored by the Herkimer County College Foundation. Proceeds benefit student scholarships at HCCC. Chairperson Jean E. Stapleton says, “On behalf of the Herkimer County College Foundation, I wish to thank the public for its loyal support during the past 32 fairs. This annual event has made it possible to award many scholarships to deserving students.”

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4. Plenty of free parking is available adjacent to the show, with easy access off NYS Thruway Exit 30. Food service is available and the venue is handicapped accessible throughout.

 Shown are just two pieces of artwork from show vendors.