The Unit Management Plans (UMPs) for three New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Adirondack campgrounds–Limekiln Lake, Eighth Lake and Lake Durant –are now final. The final UMPs identify facilities and infrastructure to be upgraded or replaced during the next five years to improve recreational opportunities.
“These UMPs address vital infrastructure improvements that will enhance recreational access and tourism at these signature DEC campgrounds,” DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “In addition to camping these facilities provide abundant opportunities for boating, paddling, fishing, swimming and hiking.”
Limekiln Lake Campground Final UMP
The 312-acre Limekiln Lake Campground is located 1.5 miles east of the community of Inlet. It lies in both the town of Ohio, Herkimer County and the town of Inlet, Hamilton County.
For more information on the Limekiln Lake Campground and to view or download the Final UMP please visit the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24476.html.
The Limekiln Lake UMP includes the following management activities:
• Replacing two comfort stations;
• Constructing two additional trailer dump stations;
• Converting eight existing campsites to universal campsites;
• Rehabilitating overused campsites and replacing worn picnic tables and fireplaces;
• Repairing the dam;
• Replacing the registration booth;
• Rehabilitating the water distribution system, a sewage lift station and overhead power lines by moving them underground; and
• Landscaping.

Eighth Lake Campground Final UMP
The 242-acre Eighth Lake Campground is located five miles northeast of the community of Inlet in the town of Inlet, Hamilton County.
For more information on the Eighth Lake Campground and to view or download the Final UMP please visit the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24465.html. The Eighth Lake UMP includes the following management activities:
• Resurfacing campground roads;
• Constructing two new shower buildings;
• Constructing a picnic pavilion;
• Rehabilitating the Bug Lake Trail Parking Lot;
• Improving overused campsites;
• Installing a new drinking water distribution system;
• Relocating and replacing the registration booth;
• Rehabilitating the sewage system; and
• Landscaping.

Lake Durant Campground Final UMP
The 35-acre Lake Durant Campground is located three miles southeast of the community of Blue Mountain Lake in the town of Indian Lake, Hamilton County.
For more information on the Lake Durant Campground and to view or download the Final UMP please visit the DEC website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24473.html.The Lake Durant UMP includes the following management activities:
• Constructing an eight-unit shower building;
• Rehabilitating the Day Use Area and constructing a picnic pavilion;
• Rehabilitating the fishing pier;
• Restoring campsites;
• Constructing a new registration booth;
• Constructing a workshop garage;
• Upgrading the electrical system;
• Installing utility sinks; and
• Monitoring boat launch usage.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

Jackie Englert is the new Town of Webb recreation director and she is ready for the job.
“I have a lot of experience at this, and I am excited,” Englert said.
Englert is currently the administrative coordinator in Neurologic Medical Management at Rochester General Health System and has an extensive background in administration, communications, and event planning.
The recreation director is responsible for researching, planning and implementing programmed physical activities for individuals or groups, “Team building, creating activities for residents, it all takes a creative person to do this and this is in my background,” Englert said.
Englert is a Rochester native that has recently built a home in the Adirondacks.
“We built a home in the Adirondacks just last year. We started coming here to snowmobile and kept coming back. We thought why don’t we take this opportunity because we do feel very comfortable here and this is a place where we call home,” Englert said, “I want to build relationships, to be apart of expanding opportunities, and to be apart of developing partnerships for the community.” Jackie will start her position as the new Town of Webb recreation director early this November.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

A Polar Bear Ski Club Membership Meeting for the 2016 and 2017 season took place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at View. All members and those considering to become a member were invited to attend.
Friends of the Polar Bears, commonly known as the Polar Bear Ski Club is a nonprofit organization that pledges itself to provide encouragement, advancement, and improvement in the sport of skiing in its members as well as to promote good camaraderie among the skiers and ski enthusiasts within the Central Adirondacks.
“The club started as a social club for skiers in the 1930s before any organized skiing was available,” said Diane Heroux, Polar Bear Ski Club president. “There was nothing to do back then and then a man named Max Boli came along and changed that. He loved skiing and shared that love with others.”
In the 50s, Boli gave ski lessons to anyone who had interest in the sport. Boli and other skiing enthusiasts at McCauley Mountain started to hold small skiing races and interest grew. Boli’s love of the sport helped organize the Polar Bear Ski Club of today.
“We are a race program but we also support skiing,” said Heroux about the Polar Bear Ski Club. Heroux encourages all who are interested in skiing to pursue the sport.
“I have taught ski lessons for 15 years after school here, I teach preschoolers how to ski every winter. I’m passionate about kids learning how to ski. I personally don’t care if they race, I want to see kids out there everyday after school skiing; cross-country skiing too,” said Heroux.
Heroux advises anyone needing assistance with skiing should take advantage of the Polar Bear’s many resources to help get things started, “The Polar Bears have very generous members and past members to help with rentals, race skis, and anything else. Please contact a coach or myself, we’ll help you.”
The meeting opened with a call to fill the open president and treasurer positions within the club. The position of club president is a four-year term that is limited to two terms with a total of eight years. The first year of the newly elected president would be under the supervision of the former president.
No elections took place at the meeting and the Polar Bear Ski Club position of president and treasurer remains open to the right candidates. Anyone interested may apply.
This year there will be two separate series of skiing for young athletes. The development committee decided that athletes under 14 years old or U14 and equivalent in skill level would need more skill specific training time, differing from that of the U10 and U12 athletes who have other training needs.
The U14 Excelsior Cup is a new race program and will only be available for U14 athletes, the focus of the series is to promote technical and tactical skill for racer development. These athletes do not race in the Council Cup Series.
The New York Sate Ski Racing Association Council Cup Series or the NYSSRA Council Cup Series will be for U10 and U12 athletes as well as a few U14 athletes who are new to ski racing and do not wish to try to qualify for NYSSRA State Championships.
In other news, although the racing yurt, a circular tent on a collapsible framework that is used for shelter welcomes all children, the intent of the yurt is for racing athletes and video training time. Students are responsible for mannerly upkeep of their race yurt.
Please contact Diane Heroux at (315) 369-6061 for additional information.
For additional information about the ski club, go to the website PolarBearSkiClub.org.

On Monday, Oct. 17, the Beta Sigma Phi Laureate Ritual was conferred upon the following members: Barbara Ball (not pictured), Karen Beck, Hazel Dellavia, Carol Hornick, Lois Lowenberg, and Nancy Pratt. Izzie Worthen, JoAnn Meneilly and Carolyn Trimbach conducted the ceremony at the Worthen home in Thendara. Beta Sigma Phi is a social, cultural, and service organization. The group stated as Eta Rho in 1967 and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in February.

Photo submitted
Bob Stanton, President Mike Griffin and Benches Co-Chair Chris Kraft load up the benches for another season.

Each year Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks provides 12 benches, for weary travelers, along Main Street in Old Forge.
For more than 15 years, the benches have provided an opportunity for travelers, tourists and locals to sit, rest and watch the world go by. The benches are placed along Main Street in time for Memorial Day weekend in the spring and placed in storage shortly following Columbus Day in the autumn.
Each spring, a group of Kiwanis and Key Club Members clean and refurbish the benches for placement along Main Street in Old Forge.
Dee and Chris Kraft co-chairs of the Kiwanis Main Street Bench Committee said the the Kiwanis is pleased to provide the 12 benches along Main Street and have seen many weary travelers using them during the summer.
They also expressed their thanks to Town of Webb for allowing use of the Hildebrandt Recreation Center for winter storage of the benches.
If you are interested in joining Central Adirondack Kiwanis and participating in all of the child-centered service programs, you may contact membership co-chairs Doc Foley at (315) 794-9460 or Bob Teesdale at (315) 369-5425.
To make a financial contribution to the Kiwanis Kids projects, your donation may be sent to Kiwanis Club Foundation of the Central Adirondacks at PO Box 1044, Old Forge, NY 13420.

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Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks is going to be a recipient of Billy’s Charity Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 10. The shared proceeds of the dinner support HASCA in its mission to provide compassionate quality care at home.
Two dinner settings will be held; one from 5 to 5:30 p.m. and the other from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling (315) 369-2001, take outs are also available.

Photo by Joan Herrmann
The spiny puffball, its scientific name is Lycoperdon echinatum, rests on the forest floor.

by Joan Herrmann

Whereiwander… October brings many visible changes to the Adirondacks. Of course, the most notable change is to the foliage. Red and sugar maples, aspens, beech and birch merge with the spruces, pines and balsams to present an awesome “going away” party in the canopy. The understory also produces a grand display when hobblebush, ferns and wildflower leaves change from summer’s constant green to metallic gold, bonze and copper, with a bit of purple for contrast. As the days begin to shorten, animals begin changing colors too. White-tailed deer begin to molt, lighter tan and reddish hairs of spring and summer will fall off and the newly grown darker brownish hairs become the autumn and winter coat. Camouflaging and insulating hairs will also begin molting and growing on snowshoe hares and long-tailed weasels. Snowshoe hares molting, from reddish brown to white, may take several months to complete the process, while the long-tail weasels molting to winter white (except for the tip of the tail) may accomplish molting, in a matter of weeks.
Many animals have begun to “bulk up” for a long sleep in addition to growing insulating hair. Black bears are omnivores and have been eating everything, including fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, plants, insects, eggs, small mammals, fish, honey and carrion. The stored fat will be burned for fuel so there will be little loss of muscle. While hibernating black bears will not eat or drink, they do not move about, or excrete. Their heart rate and breathing will slow down. Female black bears will probably den up by late October. If she has cubs they will den up with her. The cubs stay with the mother for about 18 months. If she mated in the spring, she will den up alone and the new cubs will be born while she hibernates. The male black bears will den up about the last week in November or the first week of December.
Small mammals have been preparing for winter all spring and summer long, some by making caches. The eastern chipmunks which reside on our property have been caching unsalted peanuts and sunflowers seed for many months. The eastern chipmunks “sleep” for several weeks at a time, not a true hibernation, and wake up and eat from the cache. They have been collecting other foods sources as well, such as corn, beechnuts and berries, which will be eaten throughout the winter and early spring. On mild days in late winter or early spring I will occasionally see one or more eastern chipmunks at our bird feeders, replenishing their cache.
Insects that don’t winter over, such as grasshoppers, katydids and crickets will have deposited their eggs in leaf litter or within rock or wood crevices. The eggs wait under a blanket of snow, for the days to grow longer and warmer, then the nymphs (immature stage of some insects) will emerge.
Autumn is a great time to spend time outdoors, discovering or revisiting favorite hiking places, especially when temperatures are cooler and insects are no longer a problem. After a few days of rain many new “treasures” appear in wooded areas, such as new species of mushrooms. Even though I love eating mushrooms, I enjoy finding and photographing them even more.

Photo by Joan Herrmann
The colorful yellow orange chicken of the woods, its scientific name is Laetiporus sulphureus, grows from the side of a tree.

In October and November colorful species can be found on trees, fallen logs, and the on the forest floor. Mushrooms appear in many colorful sizes, shapes and textures. Fungi are essential and extremely important in our lives, perhaps that is something we seldom think about but, consider the role fungi play in the ecosystem.
Consider the decaying of wood, in which fungi breakdown lignin and cellulose, returning unbelievable levels of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Ganoderma applantatum, which we call artist fungus, found on trees is a wood decaying fungus. Fungi also play a big role in keeping or getting us healthy. Yeast fungi are used in both bread making and wine production. Medicines such as antibiotics used in healing and anti-rejection drugs used in organ transplants are completely dependent on fungi.
The mushroom is the fruiting body or reproductive structure of a fungus; it is the part we see. The rest is underground, and is the vegetative body of the fungus which is made up of fine filaments called hyphae. Mushrooms, for identification purposes, have been divided into groups according to their appearance of the fruiting bodies and reproductive structure. Groups that can readily be seen this time of year include jelly fungus, puffball, polypore, coral fungus, tooth fungus, bolete, stinkhorn and chanterelle. All of these are interesting to find and photograph, but I never eat any of these. They may be edible but, unless a mushroom is confirmed by a credible mycologist, do not eat it.
Some of the more interesting coral fungi that can be found in our Adirondack forests are spindle-shaped yellow coral (Clavulinopsis fusiformis) and yellowish-tan coral (Ramaria abietina) both resembling an underwater coral. In addition to artist fungus (Ganoderma applantatum) found most often on upright trees, look for chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus) a rather colorful species which looks like skinned chicken cutlets. Also look for turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) on fallen logs. To me some of the most interesting mushrooms are the chanterelles. Two favorites are scaly vase or wooly chanterelle (Gomphus floccosus) and pig’s ear (Gomphus clavatus). Both of these fungi are two to six inches in height and are vase shaped and hollow. Rain water fills the vase and birds and insects can drink the water. The outside of both fungi is scaly in appearance. Stinkhorns are great to find and photograph however you may smell them before you see them. Ravenel’s stinkhorn (Phallus ravenelii), which I discovered in a bed of roses, caught my attention first, by its nasty odor.
Classified with puffballs, which are easy to find because of their size and shape, are some of the micro fungi such as bird’s nest (Cyathus stercoreus) and the larger earthstars like fringed earthstar (Geastrum fimbriatum).
I add the genus and species names, because the common names may differ per locale, and it may help with identification if you chose to look them up or perhaps do some research. Many excellent guides are available for mushroom identification our local bookstores.

The Polar Bear Ski Club will hold its annual consignment sale from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at McCauley Mountain.
All winter sporting equipment including clothing, nordic and Alpine ski equipment, boots, outerwear, and ice skates can be dropped off for sale at the chalet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, or up until 8:30 a.m. the day of the sale.
For additional information about the ski club, go to the website PolarBearSkiClub.org.
The McCauley Mountain ticket office will be open, allowing you to purchase your season passes from 9 a.m. to noon.
The annual Trail Maintenance Day is also taking place. Everyone is welcome to help clear the trails in anticipation of a great season. Hand tools only, please.

by Dave Clark

Cross country running
In preparation for the upcoming sectional meet at Chittenango this Saturday, Nov. 5, coach, Tim Leach, entered his team in the annual Adirondack Cross Country Invitational this past Saturday, Oct. 29. The meet is always a very competitive meet with many large schools competing. Old Forge, the smallest school in the meet had to compete against over 30 schools and over 200 runners.
In the girls modified race, Maria Lutz was the only girl running and she finished in the middle of the pack of 91 runners.
In the boys’ varsity race, Brendan Kelly was the top runner for the Eskimos followed, in order, by Jack Rivet, Nick Olsen, Tyler Rudolph, Macgregor Ritz-Kenny and Ryan Johnston. The race was divided into two sections with a total of 228 runners competing.
In the girls’ varsity race, Laura Levi had the best finish of all of our runners as she placed eighth in her race and 13th in the merged two races. That is a fine showing against some large schools with a total number of runners at 185. Emily Rudolph was next in 24th place, Rachel Smith, running for the first time since her injury, placed 36th. Emily Greene was 44th and Brittany Johnston was 90th. As a team, Old Forge placed ninth in their race among 17 schools and overall in the merged race, they placed 12th among 31 schools.
After their meet at Chittenango, they will have a day of rest on Sunday and the next day, Nov. 7, they all start the winter sports season.

Soccer playoff results
To keep you posted as to how the soccer playoffs are going in Class D, both Poland teams were top seeded and both teams made it to the championship game.
The Poland boys’ team lost to McGraw, 2-0, to give McGraw their first Section III title in their school’s history. Poland had good chances to score in the first half that ended in a 0-0 tie. Once McGraw scored in the second half, they hit on another score only five minutes later. That ends the season for a fine Poland team led by eleven seniors who played their last game for their team. The game was played on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Sauquoit.
The Poland girls. varsity team also reached the final game after just getting by a tough Cincinnatus team, 2-0, in overtime in their semi-final game. That set up the final game played Saturday, Oct. 29, at SUNY Cortland. Their opponent was state ranked Sackets Harbor, ranked fifth in the state, they lost to the number one ranked team in the state, Poland, 3-0.
After a scoreless first half, Poland finally got on the scoreboard in the 49th minute of play and dominated the rest of the game. Poland went through the section III playoffs without giving up a goal. That brings back memories when in 1980, coach, Pat Farmer, led his girls team to victory in the sectionals without giving up a goal. The goalie that year was my daughter, Kathy and that is why I probably remember it so well.
Poland now goes on to play the Section IV winner, South Kortright. South Kortright is state-ranked number two and it should be a great game. This first round game of the state tournament is set for Saturday, Nov. 5, at 6:30 p.m. on the Fulton High School Field.
One last note on sectional play is about the Mount Markham soccer team. Coached by the legendary Charlie Engle, they have made it to the final game for the Section III title to be played on Tuesday, Nov. 1, against Bishop Ludden. Engle was here for an early season scrimmage and in talking with him, he announced that this is his last year. I wrote an article on Engle last year being the winningest soccer coach in New York State. Second place to him was far back.

Remsen Arts Center presents the annual talent show

The annual Community Talent Show will be at 7 p.m. on Friday Nov. 11, in the Remsen Performing and Visual Arts Center, 9627 Main St., Remsen. A variety of entertainers will present their talents on our stage. General admission is $10. Free admission for performers.
All entertainment styles are welcome to participate in the talent show.
There is still room available, if interested in performing contact info@remsenartscenter.com or call (315) 831-2787. There is a 25’ stage, microphone, speakers, and a grand piano available for use.
More event info at www.facebook.com/RemsenArtsCenter or remsenartscenter.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Remsen Arts Center programs.

For decades the Forestport Senior Recreation Program has enjoyed success. Countless pot luck dinners, exciting trips, and informative presentations have been the hallmarks of the program, coupled with the camaraderie of cards, bingo, and many other gatherings over the years.
Most recently, Sonja Skidmore has served as the Senior Recreation Director, doing so for the last ten years. Sonja has scheduled wonderful trips, coordinated the pot luck dinners, brought art programs and yoga classes to the seniors, all while looking in on some of the elderly in her free time. Sadly, Sonja is moving away, and she is bidding her group farewell. The group wishes her the best in her future endeavors, and wants her to know that is going to be difficult to replace her.
In the wake of Sonja’s departure, a committee has formed to discuss where to take Forestport’s program for the future. Ideas are being brought to light regarding new programs and trips; mini courses on gardening, kayaking, art, cooking, and other hobbies; workshops to assist seniors with estate planning and income tax preparation; health fairs for flu shots, pneumonia vaccinations, and blood pressure screenings, amid a host of other services.
However, there is one ingredient that everyone on the committee believes is missing: you. If you are over 55, live in the Forestport area, and like to have a good time, the Senior Recreation program needs you. The program thrives on participation, and the more the merrier. A questionnaire regarding interests, likes, and hobbies is available at the Forestport Town Hall, the Woodgate and Forestport Post Offices, and the Woodgate Library. Pick one up, fill it out and return it to the town clerk. The committee wants your input to make this program bigger and better than ever.
Come out and be part of a wonderful and exciting group of people, learn a new hobby, take a trip, or just come and eat and enjoy the company at the next pot luck at 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Forestport Town Hall.
Bring a friend, or come alone and make new friends.

Biggest project in the museum’s history will transform it into a truly 21st-century institution,bringing the Adirondack story to life with new opportunities for exploration and interactivity
The board of trustees of the Adirondack Museum announced the launch of the public phase of its $9.4 million capital campaign, “For Generations,” to raise critical funds to update its exhibitions, offer new opportunities for visitors to explore the museum’s extraordinary natural surroundings, enhance universal access, and bring about other improvements to better serve its public. More than $7.5 million has been raised in donations and pledges to date.
“Great museums around the world stay great because they change with the times,” explained Executive Director David Kahn. “Our job is to tell the entire story of the people and the park, and in so doing, enrich the lives of generations to come. With this project, the Adirondack Museum will deliver a stronger and more dynamic experience that will bring new visitors to our region and generate substantial economic activity that will benefit local businesses.”
The museum will transform its largest indoor space, formerly the location of the “Roads and Rails: Everyday Life in the Age of Horses” exhibition, into “The Adirondack Experience,” an 18,000-square-foot, fully immersive journey through the history of the Adirondacks and the people who have lived, worked and played there, past and present.
The “Wilderness Stories Introductory Theater” will give an overview of the major themes visitors will encounter throughout five galleries: “Call of the Wilderness” will bring a private railroad station and Pullman car to life with personal stories told through audio soundscape, while videos introduce Adirondackers from various periods, including Teddy Roosevelt, Clarence Petty, Frank Owen and Verplanck Colvin. “A Peopled Wilderness” will mark the first time in the museum’s history that the story of indigenous people is explored in depth. The highlight of “Roughing It: Living With Wilderness” will be the actual cabin of Anne LaBastille, the nationally known scientist, environmentalist, author and feminist. Visitors will meet Adirondackers who work in the great outdoors, including miners and loggers, in “Adirondack Tough: Working in the Wilderness.”
The final gallery, “Our Adirondack Park,” will explore the park today, with a walk-on floor map that will allow visitors to identify the towns, lakes and mountains that are meaningful to them.
Accessibility improvements are planned, including the addition of an elevator, and improvements to the Lake View Cafe, broadening its menu. In addition, a boathouse will be built on Minnow Pond, giving visitors the opportunity to try out guideboats, canoes, rowboats and skiffs. Picnic benches and Adirondack chairs will be available for relaxed enjoyment of the serene pond.
The campaign is co-chaired by Nancy R. Keet and Nancy Reardon Sayer. Other members of the campaign executive committee are Hilary C. McDonald and Jane Love McGraw, board co-chairwomen; Tim Delaney and Greg Wolcott, current trustees; William H. Boardman Jr. and Margot Paul Ernst, honorary trustees; Lauren Razook Roth, former trustee; and Kahn.
Sayer, a resident of Old Forge, noted, “The museum is a unifying point for all facets of Adirondack life and for people from all backgrounds who come to the park. This campaign is about telling the Adirondack stories in a way that captures and entices every generation.”
For more information about the capital campaign, or to make a donation, visit the museum’s website at www.adirondackmuseum.org or call (518) 352-7311.

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts hosts the Bob Stump Band at 7 p.m on Saturday, Nov.12. Tickets are $10 for Arts Center members, $20 for non-members, and $8 for children 12 and under and are available at the door or online at adirondackarts.org/concerts.php.
The music of this country and bluegrass band is always evolving. As Bob states, “The band is always on the move exploring and searching. It is through our many live shows that we are able to grow. We are inspired by the performances we share and the people we perform for. This band is hot!” This concert is generously funded by the Tom Fagan Fund.
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts will host an Adirondack balsam wreath and garland making workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 19. Cost is $25, and participants can register at www.adirondackarts.org/classesworkshops.php. Payment may be made at the Arts Center the day of the workshop.
Instructor Hallie Bond will guide you through the process of crafting your own garland and wreath that you can proudly display in your home. Each participant will go home with a wreath and a 4 to 6 foot length of garland.
In its upper and lower galleries, the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is featuring two new exhibits: “Handmade Pottery from the Adirondacks” by Yvonne Wild and “Somewhere Between,” an exhibit by Amanda Fehring. Both of these exhibits will run from Nov. 7 through Dec. 17. Works by Yvonne are currently for sale in the Arts Center’s Gift Shop and would make terrific Christmas gifts.
The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts is located at 3446 State Route 28 in Blue Mountain Lake. For more information on gallery exhibits, performances, events, classes, and membership, go to adirondackarts.org, or call (518) 352-7715.

Photos submitted

The Old Forge Library held its annual costume party on Friday, Oct. 28. Over 90 people attended and 46 ghouls, goblins and strawberries competed.

The judges were Louise Watson and Donna Zuckert and competition was fierce. Beverly Meeker helped with the craft items. Jennifer Hartsig documented the participants. Izzie Worthen took photos and many people brought refreshments including Beverly Meeker, Beth Pashley, Louisette Lecours, Meaghan Foley and Donna Myers.

Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church is taking orders for the Food Sense package for November. Each unit costs $20.50. This program is open to all. There are no eligibility requirements nor is there any obligation to purchase food every month.
The November package consists of a turkey pan roast, a pork tenderloin, swai fish fillets, fresh mashed potatoes, fresh turkey stuffing, turkey gravy, sweet potatoes, canned corn, mixed frozen vegetables, pie shells, and two fresh produce items.
There are also seven specials available at an additional cost: whole turkey; pork roast; onion rings; produce combo box which includes celery, onions, carrots, white potatoes, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes; breaded fish fillets; Italian meatballs; and macaroni and cheese.
Orders and payment are due in the church office by Thursday, Nov. 3. Orders are to be picked up at the church on Friday, Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m. To order, call (315) 369-3475 or stop by the church office between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Deacons of Niccolls Church coordinate this monthly program. They will purchase a unit for anyone in the community having difficulty affording groceries. This help is available by calling the church office before the order deadline.

The Covey-Pashley Post #893 of The American Legion will serve an Election Day pancake supper from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Legion Hall. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, home fries and beverages.

The Mohawk Valley Community College Cultural Series will host a performance of “Musical Theatre,” with Danan Tsan, mezzo-soprano, and Sar-Shalom Strong, piano, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Schafer Theater, Information Technology Building, at MVCC’s Utica Campus.
Back by popular demand, Tsan and Strong bring a varied and exciting program of musical theater from Rogers and Hammerstein to Sondheim to Jason Robert Brown.
Tsan’s musical career includes performing in the Soldiers’ Chorus of the US Army Field Band, fronting a ska band from Baltimore, singing solo in a rock band, and performing musical theater in New York City. A classically trained graduate of The Eastman School of Music, she teaches voice at LeMoyne College and is associate director of the Syracuse Community Choir.
For the complete series lineup and ticket sales, visit www.mvcc.edu/culture. Tickets can be purchased over the phone and in person at the MVCC Box Office, Information Technology Building 106, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday, in person at the Utica Campus Bookstores, or online at any time at www.mvcc.edu/tickets.
Most Cultural Series events are $5 or less to the general public and many are free. Events include concerts, comedians, lectures, film screenings and discussions, workshops, family fun events, and more. The Cultural Series is brought to you by MVCC’s Cultural Events Council, in collaboration with MVCC’s Program Board, with significant support from the Student Activity Fee. The series maintains a major social media presence that can be followed on Facebook at “MVCC Cultural Series.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

The athletic code at the Town of Webb Union Free School District is up for a change. Some items in the current code have been written for more clarity on what is expected of a student athlete at TOW USFD. According to the current code in the overview section, students are to understand that the athletic program of which they have chosen to participate offers them a chance to ‘grow and mature’ while also giving them the opportunity to enjoy the positive aspects of being athletes.
According to the proposed code, specific expectations for student athletes are said that they are to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively upon themselves, the school, and the community. Students who wish to participate in school-sponsored athletic activities are required to adhere to all school policies and rules.
Another proposed change of the athletic code was in the consequences for violating the interscholastic athletic code section of current code.
According to the current code in the third infraction section, consequences for breaking the rules are: removal from the team, loss of any opportunity to earn any athletic award or recognition for that season, and enrollment in appropriate educational seminars will be recommended. Some recommended seminars are in drug counseling, alcohol counseling, anger management counseling, and others.
Comparing the current code and the proposed code, the proposed code condenses the third infraction section. The rule now clearly states that a student athlete will be ineligible to participate in any school-sponsored athletic activities.
The TOW UFSD Board of Education brought together stakeholder groups last spring in May to review and make adjustments to the code. The stakeholder groups that were reviewed for input on changes to the athletic code were: the Parent Teacher Community (PTC) group for input of parents and or guardians, the Student Council group for input of the students, the Athletics group for input from the coaching staff, the Teachers group for input from the faculty, the Community Law Enforcement group, and the Board of Education (BOE) group. The BOE will help draft a policy to be presented to full BOE for review. According to the school, the Board of Education, as policy makers, ultimately will approve a code that is appropriate for the school community based on what is presented from the committee.
A representative from each stakeholder group brought opinions forward to a review committee and, together, they worked through the information gathered to guide the resulting code that was brought to the Board of Education for discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 18. During that school board meeting, while discussing the code, School Board President Joe Phaneuf said, “I think it’s our job to set idealistic goals.”
A Parent Teacher Community meeting was held on Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Distance Learning Lab of the TOW UFSD, the PTC met for an opportunity to have conversations related to the proposed changes of the athletic code that is to be finalized in November. According to PTC President Katie Langworthy, few were able to attend the meeting due to schedule conflicts and most attendees knew little about the changes, “About seven people showed up. Most of those people knew very little about the athletic code revisions so the discussion was more about catching everyone up to speed on the current athletic code and the suggested changes,” said Langworthy
Suggestions, ideas and concerns about the code, were made via a Google form provided on the school’s website. A survey on the subject of the proposed academic eligibility requirements, attendance requirements, behavioral requirements, letter of intent and participation, travel, consequences for violating the interscholastic athletic code, and appeals process asked participants for feedback. A finalization date for the proposed athletic code has not been set at this time. The deadline for the Google surgery was Oct. 29, to allow the administration to compile the feedback and get it to the school board before the Nov. 1 meeting. The meeting will be in the school library at 6:30 p.m.