Funding Will Help Provide Area Youth with Critical Work Skills While Revitalizing Local Communities

(July 14, 2010) U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24) recently announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Workforce Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties $374,376 in funding to continue the WIB’s YouthBuild Program. The YouthBuild program assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs, while proving job training in the construction industry.

“Ensuring that all of the youth in our region have access to the best possible training to prepare them for the working world is critical,” said Arcuri, who supported the WIB’s grant application for funding and has toured the WIB’s past YouthBuild construction site projects. “I am a strong supporter of the YouthBuild program, and our local efforts, because the program provides our young people with the skills necessary for a great career and success in the future, while providing our region with highly skilled, homegrown talent in areas where we need them most. I am pleased to announce this funding because it helps revitalize our community and provides new opportunities for young people who can use YouthBuild as the first step to a career.”

YouthBuild is currently working with Housing Visions Consultants, Inc. (HVC) on the Kemble Square Neighborhood Revitalization Project.  HVC broke ground on the construction of 37-units of affordable housing for low-income families and veterans in the Cornhill area of Utica on June 7, 2010 after the project was jumpstarted with $3.8 million in Tax Credit Assistance Program funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Workforce Investment Board Chair Gary Scalzo said, “YouthBuild is dedicated to helping young adults who have not experienced success academically or on the job to develop the new skills they need to succeed as well as to bolster their confidence and their leadership skills. By developing the skills of these young adults, we are helping prepare them for the workforce and for successful lives.”

WIB Executive Director Alice Savino said of the WIB’s efforts help youth and the community. “We are not only transforming the lives of the young people working on the project, we are transforming a building and a community. One of the reasons why YouthBuild is such an outstanding program is that it blends academic skills with workplace skills to help the young people in the project use this as a springboard to their future. YouthBuild is giving new hope to youth, giving them the tools to rebuild their community and their lives, and fulfilling the core YouthBuild mission of revitalizing a community through adding new housing for low-income residents. This project is a great new start for the youth involved, and the community it will help to energize.”

The YouthBuild program, administered by the Workforce Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties, helps at-risk youth develop critical skills and participate in community service while building and renovating affordable housing within their communities.  Specifically, YouthBuild focuses on these critical skill areas:

Academic Skills: Training in academic skills provides functional learning in reading, writing, and mathematics. GED and remedial instruction will be provided by the region’s major provider of GED services through classes customized for older youth that will allow for youth to proceed at an individualized pace and offer life skills. Youth will spend 60% of their time in academics.

Construction Skills: Youth will learn construction skills while building two new houses in the target area, a project overseen by Habitat for Humanity, under the direction certified instructors from Mohawk Valley Community College. The curriculum is developed to meet the needs of employers and union Apprenticeship programs and provides an employer-accepted credential.

Leadership/ Life Management Skills: Leadership will include lessons from the YouthBuild USA leadership curriculum, as well as community-based efforts to support voter registration, participate and show leadership within the project, and conduct service learning on both a project-wide and individual basis. Life skills will help address substance abuse, conflict resolution and other issues that can impact retention in school or at work.

Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College is pleased to announce several non-credit youth programs.

Digital Photography for Aspiring Photojournalists will focus on using a camera to tell or illustrate a story. The class is for participants ages 16-21 and will include hands-on work outside the classroom with guidance on the appropriate place to shoot, etc. The class runs for three sessions on Thursday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning July 22. Pre-registration is required by July 19. A digital camera and compact disk/flash drive are required. The fee is $48.

Draw, Paint and Dance is an exciting class for youth ages 8-12. Participants will learn drawing and painting techniques in the morning and participate in a dance moves for fitness class in the afternoon. The class is to be held on Tuesday, July 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants should bring a lunch. Pre-registration is required by July 22. The fee is $49.00.

Hip-Hop Dance will integrate social interaction, fitness and culture through the form of dance for youth between the ages of 9-13. The class is eight sessions on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  beginning July 28. Pre-registration is required by July 22. The fee is $54.

Yoga for Kids is a great workout for young bodies and minds. This class is for youth ages 9-13 and will meet for four sessions on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. beginning July 20. Pre-registration is required by July 15. Participants should bring a non-slip mat, towel and blanket. The fee is $45.

Pre-registration can be completed by calling (315) 866-0300 ext. 8251, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information and/or a complete list of courses, visit our website at www.herkimer.edu/ce/.

By Margo Frink

(North Brookfield, NY) Award-winning children’s author Barbara Linsley recently released her second book, an “I Can Read Book,” entitled “I Can Help on the Farm,” featuring photos and children from local farms.

The hard cover book, published in large print is suitable for children aged 4 to 7. It’s vibrant, color photos show children “helping” on actual farms in Madison and Herkimer counties. It’s written as if a child is telling the story of how he or she can clean the barn, milk the cows; feed the calves and many other chores done by children around a modern-day farm.

The end of the book offers the reader 10 questions to ask on “how much do you remember” about the book, with the answers on an adjacent page, and a few “fun” facts about dairy.

Linsley said all the farms that participated received a copy.

“They were very excited,” Linsley said. “The farms that opened their doors to me and allowed me to photograph their kids helping in the barn, playing in the loft and showing cows at the dairy shows were just terrific. I heard a lot of financial hardships and frustrations that the small, family farms are going through, but the kids were so proud of their cows and so willing to share with me their lifestyle.”

Madison County’s own Dairy Princess Nicole Head is pictured in “I Can Help on the Farm,” as Headline Farm of North Brookfield was just one of the farms that opened up its barn doors to Linsley.

Linsley said the original manuscript for the farm book was written 22 years ago when she worked at BOCES in the migrant tutorial program that serves as Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) in schools. She showed the manuscript to Audrey Donahoe, director of the National Dairy Board who said, “You’ve got to do this.”  So, she updated the information, took photos of local farms and it took off from there.

Linsley, who is a fifth grade teacher at Mount Markham Middle School, has had several stories published in the Horse Tails for the Soul and Dog Tails for the Soul series of books. But her biggest achievement came last year when she was awarded the WILLA Literary Award for her book “Dreams on the Oregon Trail.” The book tells the story of two pre-adolescent girls, Jenna and Becky. Modern day Jenna and her ancestor Becky (1848) tell parallel stores while traveling the Oregon Trail.

Linsley flew to Los Angeles last September to receive the WILLA award, named after Willa Cather, author, editor and journalist (1873-1947) who became known as America’s premier female writer.

Born in Hamilton, Linsley traveled extensively as a child, here and abroad. That’s when she fell in love with history. She attended college at the University of Arizona in Tucson and while there she explored the region. Dreams on the Oregon Trail features many photos Linsley took of the places she writes about in the book.

“It took five years [to write the book] because when I started writing, I’d get to a point where I wasn’t sure how to describe a place, so I’d have to wait for summer vacation to go there,” Linsley said. “So over three summers I was driving out to see and explore various areas along the [Oregon] trail.”

Linsley was living in Michigan when her brother offered to let her live in an old farmhouse in North Brookfield. That was more than 25 years ago. Her love of history and travel continues in Central New York.

Her new book is distributed state-wide by North Country Books Inc. of Utica. The public can meet Linsley on June 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Hamilton Public Library and on June 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dunham Public Library in Whitesboro.

Herkimer County Dairy Princess

With the hot summer months approaching everyone is in need of a cool and easy to make treat. What better of a way than to cool down with dairy during Dairy Month? Enjoy this Lemon Trifle with a glass of cold milk to fulfill one of the three daily servings of dairy needed. It is important that consumers of all ages are incorporating their three servings of dairy every day, especially during these hot summer months.

A trifle is easy to make, and something the whole family is sure to love! Lemon Trifle can be found in Best of Taste of Home- the First 10 Years cookbook, a recipe submitted by Pat Stevens. Enjoy!

Lemon Trifle

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 carton (8 ounces) lemon yogurt

1/3 cup of lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 cups whipped topping

1 angel food cake (10 inches) cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups fresh raspberries

½ cup flaked coconut, toasted

Fresh mint, optional

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Fold in whipped topping. Place half of the cake cubes in a trifle bowl or 2- qt. serving bowl. Top with half of the lemon mixture. Repeat layers. Top with raspberries. Garnish with coconut and mint if desired. Yield: 14 servings.

(New Hartford, NY) The public is invited to come listen as 4-H Members from  Oswego, Madison, Herkimer and Oneida counties compete in the 4-H District Public Presentation event at the New Hartford Library 11-4:30pm on May 22.

Junior Division

11:00AM         Danielle DelConte      Canine Communication                      Oswego

11:20AM         Sophie Woods             How to give your Dog a Physical       Oswego

11:40AM         Alex Nipper                The Bang about Gun Safety               Oswego

12:40PM         Zachary Jasmin           Sweet Presentations                            Madison

1:00PM           Katie Wilson               Yummy Dog Treats                            Oneida

1:20 PM          Abigail Wratten          Magic Cookie Bars                             Oneida

1:40PM           Zach Wratten              Agriculture and the Economy             Oneida

2:00PM           Annika Brunno           Eleanor Roosevelt                               Madison

2:20PM           Laura Bruno                Five Breeds of Cats                            Madison

2:40PM           Isabella Raux              How to prepare for a Horse Show      Herkimer

3:00PM           Kayla Windecker        Dairy Farmer                                       Herkimer

3:20PM           Katelyn Reed              The Cleveland Bay                             Herkimer

Senior Division

11:00AM         Christina Born             The Evolution of Controversy            Oneida

11:20AM         Evy Crumb                  PETA vs PETA                                   Madison

11:40AM         Audrey Hale               From Pigtails to Ponytails                   Madison

12:40PM         Hannah Douglas         Teen Pregnancy                                   Herkimer

1:00PM           Christina Owens         It’s a Piece of Cake                             Oswego

1:20PM           Lyndsie Owens           The PWC                                            Oswego

1:40PM           Rachael Thorman        Buzz On                                              Oswego

2:00PM           Jasmine Wratten          Genomix                                             Oneida

2:20PM           Wayne Wratten           Pro’s and Con’s of Being a Vet          Oneida

2:40PM           Schylar Reed               Yeast: Nature’s Natural Wonder        Herkimer

3:00PM           Victoria Treadwell      Whole Milk vs. Soy Milk                    Herkimer

4-H Members ages 9-19 will be speaking on topics of their choice. Awards will be presented recognizing the top 5 speakers in each division, as well as announcing which senior participants will be representing the North Central District at the State Competition at the New York State Fair in August.

For more information about Oneida County 4-H, visit our website at

http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/oneida

There is no charge for parents to attend a workshop, but pre-registration is required. Workshops will be held on:

June 7 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, 121 Second St., Oriskany—pre-register by June 1.

June 10 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. @ Basloe Library, Herkimer—pre-register by June 3.

June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ Oneida Library, Oneida—pre-register by June 7.

For more information, or to register, contact Nicole Dillon, early childhood educator, at 223-7850 x 231.

Caption: The 2010-2011 Herkimer County Dairy Princess is Katie Upson (center) of Little Falls, First Alternate Jennifer Hula (left) of Richfield Springs and Stacy Collins (right) of Ilion. These three individuals are leading promotion of milk, cheese and yogurt and education of dairy farming for the county’s dairy farmers. (Photo courtesy of Herkimer County Dairy Promotion Committee).

(Ilion, NY) Katie Upson of Little Falls, N.Y. was selected as the 2010-2011 Herkimer County Dairy Princess at the 47th Annual Herkimer County Dairy Princess Pageant, which took place April 16 at Francesca’s Banquet Center in Ilion. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Russell Winkler and Cory Upson, and is an athletic scholar at Dolgeville Central School.

Jennifer Hula of Richfield Springs was named as the 1st Alternate Dairy Princess. She is the daughter of John and Mitzi Hula and attends Morrisville State College. The Alternate is Stacy Collins, daughter of Steve and Kelly Collins of Ilion, N.Y.

An interview, speech to a crowd of 100 people and a 3-5 minute presentation appropriate for elementary school students about the importance of milk, cheese and yogurt in their diets encompass the selection process.

The following will assist in promotion and education as Dairy Ambassadors for the upcoming year: Kelsey Collins of Ilion, Hannah Douglas of Ilion, Stephanie and Victoria Treadwell of Little Falls, Carly Sherwood of Newport and Megan Peterson of West Winfield.

Additionally, Raymond Smith, Chairman of the Herkimer County Legislature, presented outgoing Dairy Princess, Leah Davis of Poland, with a proclamation that April 20 would be Leah Davis and Court Day. This recognizes Leah and her Court’s extraordinary contributions of promoting dairy products in Herkimer County. School programs, consumer and athletic events, presentations to civic organizations and activities at Herkimer County Fair are annual milk and dairy promotion/education events.

To invite the Dairy Princess and members of her court to speak to your school, church, Rotary/Lions Club, share recipes, or participate in an event, please contact Jennifer Winkler at (315) 823-4563 or winklers@twcny.rr.com.

Herkimer County is one of many counties across New York State coordinating dairy promotion activities.

“Many children are able to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch programs offered at area schools, but don’t have access to quality food over the weekend,” said Phil Hayne Executive Director.  “This program will provide a backpack full of tasty and nutritional food choices every Friday to selected children in the two county area.  There would be enough items included to feed the siblings of the selected children as well.  However, in order to qualify for the grant from Pepsi, our proposal has to be among the top ten recipients of online votes,” Hayne explained.

In order to vote for the United Way Backpack Buddies program, area residents are asked to go online daily to vote between now and April 30.

“Once you register on the Pepsi site, you can vote up to ten times daily for our Backpack Buddies Program,” said Hayne.  “It is important to get many multiple votes so that we can land in the top ten programs at the end of the month.”

To register and to vote for Backpack Buddies use the following link: <http://www.refresheverything.com/backpackbuddies>   for additional questions about voting for the program, call United Way at 315.733.4691.

Girls are invited to bring along their favorite teddy bear or other stuffed animal to explore with them. Girls will also make a craft and enjoy a space snack.

The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 21 and the cost is $8 per girl.

For more information or to register, contact Karen Lubecki at (315) 733-2391, ext. 28 or klubecki@gsnypenn.org.

Join in the fun and friendship of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Contact the New Hartford Service Center at (315) 733-2391, visit www.gsnypenn.org, become a fan of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc. on Facebook, or follow @GSNYPENN on Twitter for more information.

Herkimer, NY—Herkimer County Community College is offering youth non-credit classes.

Teen Dance Moves for Fitness will teach participants dance moves and routines. Taught by the HCCC Dance Team Coach, fun and fitness will be combined in this program for ages 13-17. The class meets for five sessions on Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. beginning on March 26. Pre-registration is required by March 18. The fee is $49.00.

Children’s Drawing will teach students drawing techniques such as recognizing and creating shapes and lines and shading. This class is for ages 8-12 and meets for five sessions on Mondays from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m. beginning on March 22. Pre-registration is required by March 18. The fee is $49.

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/.