Community News for October 21, 2016

Fall is the time for corn mazes and Halloween frights. If you are hosting an event that is open to the public, enter it into the Observer-Dispatch’s calendar at www.uticaod.com/calendar. It will then appear online, in our daily calendar and in Scene, the O-D’s weekly entertainment section.

Send events

  • Veterans Day: The Observer-Dispatch is compiling a list of all ceremonies and events to commemorate Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11. Email your event to community@uticaod.com. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Nov. 2.
  • Thanksgiving Day: The Observer-Dispatch is compiling a list of dinners and events to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24. Email your event to community@uticaod.com. The deadline for submissions is Monday, Nov. 14.

MARCY

Bone Marrow Donor Registry Drive set

On Tuesday, the SUNY Poly Nursing Club and Health and Wellness Center Program will host a Be the Match Marrow Donor Registry Drive from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m in the lobby of the Utica campus student center.

Everyday, thousands of patients with leukemia and other blood disorders seek matches for lifesaving bone marrow transplants. Approximately 70 percent of these patients do not have a viable donor within their families and have to rely on finding an unrelated match through the donor registry. Adding more donors to the registry creates more opportunities to save a life.

Donors should be between the ages of 18 and 44.

UTICA

Experts to discuss lead poisoning

The Lead-Free MV Coalition is hosting a presentation titled “Lead: Peeling Back the Layers” at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Watson Williams Elementary School, 107 Elmwood Place.

The event will feature Gerald Markowitz, Ph.D., and David Rosner, Ph.D., authors of “Lead Wars: The Politics of Science and the Fate of America’s Children.”

The authors will discuss lead poisoning during the past half century. They will examine how the nature of the epidemic has changed and highlight the dilemmas public health agencies face today in terms of prevention strategies and chronic illness linked to low levels of exposure.

Following the authors’ presentation, a panel of local lead experts will discuss the impact of lead poisoning in Mohawk Valley communities. Panelists include:

  • Gene Allen — marketing director, Utica Urban Renewal Agency.
  • Helene Cecconi, community health nurse supervisor for Herkimer County Public Health.
  • Phyllis Ellis, director of Health for the Oneida County Health Department.
  • Melanie Goldberg — staff attorney at Legal Services of Central New York.
  • Mark Warfel — St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency program director and Director of Medical Education for Mohawk Valley Health System.

Tickets are free and can be reserved at www.LeadFreeMV.org.

OHIO

Youth Snowmobile Safety Course offered

The Ohio Ridge Riders Club is hosting a Youth Snowmobile Safety Course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov., 12, at the Town of Ohio Recreation Hall, 140 Nellis Road.

The class is a requirement for youth ages 10 to 17 years old to operate a snowmobile in New York state.

Lunch will be provided.

Class size is limited. To register, call 315-826-7565 or email mvwcjfg@yahoo.com.

REGION

Deadline to apply for FASNY tuition reimbursement nears

The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York announced that Friday is the application deadline for 2016 fall semester tuition reimbursement through its Higher Education Learning Plan. This statewide community college tuition reimbursement program is geared towards recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters throughout New York State.
Under FASNY HELP, any active volunteer firefighter in good standing, and who hasn’t already achieved a college degree, is eligible for up to 100 percent tuition reimbursement. The reimbursement is in exchange for maintaining good grades and fulfilling service requirements in one of New York’s volunteer fire companies. There is no restriction on the type of academic courses that the HELP student-volunteer can pursue, either on a full-time or part-time basis. FASNY HELP also covers online courses taken through Empire State College.
Eligible student-volunteers must maintain acceptable levels of training and volunteer activity while attending school and fulfill a service requirement after they complete their course of study. They must attend a chartered NYS community college; Empire State College’s inclusion in the program has expanded students’ location options.
For information, visit https://fasny.com/resources/fasny-help/.

ROME

Rescue Mission in need of donations

The Rome Rescue Mission is in need of 500 turkeys, plus all of the fixings, for this year’s Great Thanksgiving Basket and Banquet.
Other food items needed include: stuffing, cranberry sauce, white potatoes, sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, vegetables, corn, green beans, coffee, hot cocoa, creamer, sugar, milk, juice, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, everything for tossed salad, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, pies/desserts, snacks such as dips, chips, cheese, crackers, nuts, candy, to-go containers and gallon-size freezer zip lock bags.
Monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 337, Rome, N.Y. 13440 or online at Romemission.org.
Food donations are being accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday at the Mission Distribution Center, 280 E. Dominick St. and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Rescue Mission, 413 E. Dominick St.
Last year, the Rome Rescue Mission fed more than 350 people at its Thanksgiving community meal and distributed more than 400 meals to the poor and homeless throughout the community.

LITTLE FALLS

Hospital’s Lunch and Learn seminar set

Join Little Falls Hospital for a Lunch and Learn seminar at noon Thursday for a free presentation, titled “Medicine 101: Common Remedies from Alfalfa to the Z-Pack.” The discussion, led by Dr. Mark Winther, medical director; and Marissa Winther, pharmacist, will enlighten participants on business and production processes within the pharmaceutical industry. The presentation also will offer information about common classes of medications and supplements.
A question and answer period will follow.
The seminar will take place in Conference Room A, on the fourth floor of the hospital, 140 Burwell St.
Seating is limited. To register, call 315-823-5326.

CANASTOTA

‘See How They Run’ dinner theater set

Present Company Productions will present its dinner theater performances of the comedy-farce “See How They Run” at the Rusty Rail Party House, state Route 5.
The performances will take place Thursdays through Sundays, Oct. 27-30, and Nov. 4-6. Matinees will be offered Oct. 27, 28, 30, and Nov. 4-6.
For the matinee, a buffet will be served at noon and the show will follow at 1:30 p.m.
For evening performances, the buffet will be served at 6 p.m. and the show will follow at 7 p.m. The cost of the dinner theater is $31 per person and $29 for seniors and students.
Reservations are required for the dinner. For information or to make a reservation, call 315-363-8010.

UTICA

Call for holiday decorators, crafters

Oneida County Habitat for Humanity ReStore seeks participants for its Holiday Art Show and Silent Auction to benefit Oneida County Habitat for Humanity.
The event kicks off at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the ReStore, 494 French Road. Bidding ends at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.
Decorators and crafters are welcome to donate a holiday tree, wreath, garland or centerpiece.
All submitted pieces must have a holiday theme. The pieces will be on display and sold during the two day event and silent auction at the ReStore.
Registration is open to all skill levels and talents. Deadline for registration is Tuesday.
Art pieces must be submitted by Friday, Nov. 4.
Artists and crafters will be available to meet and greet bidders throughout the event.
For information and to register as a participant, visit www.OneidaCountyHabitat.org.

Cocktail party to benefit Hospice

Kick off your holiday season and the start of Hospice and Palliative Care Inc.’s “Light Up A Life” campaign by attending Hospice’s Cocktail & Hors d’oeuvres Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18 at the Fort Schuyler Club, 254 Genesee St.
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, spirits, desserts, holiday photos and holiday music by Dr. Tony Mandour. Valet parking will be available.
Tickets are $50 per person.
For tickets, call 315-735-6484 or email cziobro@hospicecareinc.org.

VERONA

American Girl Fashion Show tickets available

The final American Girl Fashion Show, with proceeds benefitting expansion of therapeutic horseback riding and recreation programs at The Root Farm, will take place Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.
Shows are at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The event includes a doll hair salon, photo opportunities, souvenirs, fashion show and lunch.
Girls, parents, family and friends are encouraged to attend the fun-filled day of fashion and style while at the same time making a difference in the lives of people at The Root Farm.
Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at upstatecp.org and by calling 315-724-6907, ext. 2278. Advance registration is required.