NEWS

Update 11-20-08

CCE Celebrates Successes!

More than 100 people gathered at the Quality Inn on Nov 14 to share in the celebration of Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County.

Three people were elected to serve a three year term on the Board of Directors: Diane Devlin of Lyons, Robin Hall of Ontario and Rebecca Remington of Marion. Retiring from the Board were James Miller, Craig Wert, and Marilyn Powley. Elizabeth Claypoole, Executive Director, thanked those newly elected and distributed certificates of thanks to those leaving the Board.

Board President, Robert Deemer of Palmyra, presented certificates of appreciation to Lynn Petrosino for 10 years of service to CCE and to Beth Claypoole for 20 years of service in the Cornell Cooperative Extension System.

Special volunteer awards representing Friends of Extension were distributed to volunteers who went above and beyond the call of duty for helping CCE extend their commitment to the community through educational programs. Those specially recognized include:

Marcia Plain of Newark has been involved in Eat Smart NY for many years. Last summer Marcia rounded up children from Driving Park Circle for the weekly garden and nutrition sessions. After several episodes of vandalism at the garden, Marcia helped identify those responsible for the vandalism. She agreed to help monitor the situation by making regular visits when the children were near the garden, talking to them, and showing them the proper way to treat the vegetables. Without Marcia, this project would not have been successful.

Michael Breen of Newark is a key collaborator with Eat Smart NY. As the owner of Save-a-Lot grocery store in Newark, Michael has welcomed Daisy Greene and Lisa Steitler into his store to conduct monthly food demonstrations using seasonally available foods and low-cost, nutritious recipes. He provides the needed ingredients free of charge, gives Daisy and Lisa a prime location and promotes the food demonstrations and tastings over the loud speaker. The arrangement quickly proved to be effective in recruiting families for Eat Smart NY and promoting CCE other programs. We are grateful for his enthusiastic support and the support of his family and staff.

Matt Kernan of Shortsville has been a registered volunteer for the Wayne County 4-H Horse Program for the last 8 years. For years, he has helped set up and take down the jumps at 4-H Horse shows in Palmyra, often late at night, working by the headlights of his truck as he puts the equipment away after the day’s show. He has also been a regular at horse registration days and is always there to help at horse educational events in the winter. Matt is a regular contributor in the horse program at monthly committee meetings and a Representative at Regional Horse Program Planning sessions in addition to those early mornings and late nights during horse show season. He is truly one of the behind-the-scenes heroes that make the 4-H program go!

Kathy Eckert of Newark has been a vital part of the Wayne County 4-H program for 31 years. In 1977 Kathy started the 4-H club Spirits of Tomorrow. Her spirit and dedication to the 4-H program follows her wherever she goes. Over the past several years Kathy has served on the Home Ecc PDC, Horticulture PDC and has most recently taken over the 4-H Teen Exchange program. One of Kathy’s many talents is to organize. During fair week you can usually find her organizing the blue ribbon bake sale, milk and cookies contest, teen exchange activities or just running errands for the 4-H office or her family. Kathy takes a true interest in her 4-Hers and is always willing to lend a hand in helping them succeed. Watching Kathy interact with 4-Hers, parents and fellow volunteers is a pleasure. Kathy always has a good story to share about events in the past or that one crazy idea a past 4-Her had. Kathy is priceless to the 4-H program and it’s volunteers like herself that make our program such a success. Eckert also received the special Executive Director's Award for her overall contribution to CCE Wayne County.

Ruth Schutt of Ontario has been a volunteer in the Wayne County Master Gardener Program for the past 20 years. During her years of service Ruth has faithfully attended our monthly meetings and advanced trainings. Her numerous gardening articles written for various publications reach even more people. By reading to students on Ag Literacy Day she has introduced gardening to our youth. The Holiday Greens Workshop and Master Gardener Plant Sale are two events that are essential to our educational outreach efforts in Wayne County. Ruth has been the chairperson of our plant sale for the past 7 years and chaired our holiday greens workshop for the past 5. Ruth is a very devoted volunteer and we are proud to honor her this evening. Ruth, we are very thankful to have you as a Master Gardener Volunteer in Wayne County.

Wendy Mendola of Ontario has volunteered in the Master Gardener program since 1993. Over the years some of Wendy’s creativity has been displayed in our Master Gardener exhibit at the Wayne County Fair, as door prizes for our Holiday Greens Workshop, and as posters she created for presentations and community events. This past summer Wendy worked with other volunteers to develop a presentation for youth at local libraries in collaboration with the NYS “Catch the Reading Bug” summer reading program. Wendy’s volunteerism doesn’t stop there. She spends many hours maintaining records that are essential to smooth operation of the master gardener program, writes grants and volunteers at several Master Gardener events throughout the year. She is an extremely ambitious volunteer who is always willing to help.

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Farm to Schools is a great success! Ten schools participated in this first year program. During the week of September 29 - October 3, a locally grown food product was highlighted -
Monday - apples
Tuesday - eggs and milk
Wednesday - pears
Thursday - vegetables, mainly potatoes, onions and carrots
Friday - winter squash

Coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension Wayne County, orders were placed and locally distributed. Initial feedback back was great! One school is even thinking of incorporating pears into their local menu options. Eat Well Play Hard also contributed product oriented recipes, items for newsletters and a display for each school with trivia questions about products.

Participating farms included: G & S Orchards, Mason Farms, Williams Farm, FInger Lakes Organic Growers, Ken Datthyn Farm and many apple farms, including Morgan Farm and Apple Shed.

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Pies Vie for Top Prize!
Five entries concluded the annual CCE Apple Day, held Thursday, October 9. Joanna Billings and Judy Glann walked away with first and second prize, respectively. Prizes include produce baskets from The Apple Shed in Fairville and bountiful produce donated by Orchard View Farm Market in North Rose. Pies were judged by Board of Directors Treasurer, Dave Alena from Lyons, and Executive Director Beth Claypoole of Palymra. "These pies were some of the best I have ever tasted!" commented the two judges. "We have so much to be thankful for with all of our Wayne County Apple Farms, what a great way to highlight this great food product, " said Claypoole. This event kicks of the Wayne County Apple Tour, hosted by many Wayne County Farm Markets and wineries. Visit the Wayne County Tourism website for more info or check out the tour map.

Coming this fall! Living With Diabetes Workshops! Check out these great workshops for those newly diagnosed with diabetes. You will learn how to live and eat healthy and get to sample some great recipes. Check out the attached brochure.
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