In the event of rain, this event will be rescheduled for Sept. 30.

This free event kicks off National Child Passenger Safety Week, which begins Sept. 19.

Child Passenger Safety Week highlights the importance of children riding safely in vehicles and gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to have their child safety seats checked by trained staff by promoting local car seat checks.

The event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Madison County Health Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police with funding provided by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

If you want to ensure that your child’s car seat is safe and installed correctly, be sure to stop by. Trained staff will be available to check for recalls, make sure the seat is right for your child, and ensure that the child and seat are properly buckled in the vehicle. They will also teach you what you need to know to help your child ride safely.

While seats may be checked without the child present, bring the child with you if possible, so that staff can show you how the child should properly fit in the car seat. Please also make sure that you have installed the car seat in your vehicle, so that staff can check for potential errors and teach you how to make any corrections.

No appointment is necessary.

For more information, call Chrystal Johnson, Madison County Health Department, at 366-2361, and for more information on Child Passenger Safety, visit the Health Education section of healthymadisoncounty.org.

“Getting a pneumonia shot is the best way to prevent getting pneumonia,” said Eric Faisst, MPH, Public Health Director for Madison County. “It is very important for people who are high-risk for pneumonia to get this shot.”

The pneumonia shot can protect against 23 types of pneumonia. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria. These bacteria can attack different parts of the body. It can lead to serious infection of the lungs, the blood and the brain.

In some cases, it can result in longterm problems, like brain damage, hearing loss, or the loss of an arm or leg. Pneumonia is a serious illness that kills thousands of people in the United States each year. The pneumonia shot can help prevent problems from pneumonia.

Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly. Pneumonia often looks like the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever, so you may not realize you have a more serious illness. Common signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

* Fever

* Cough

* Shortness of breath

* Sweating

* Shaking chills

* Chest pain that hurts when breathing

* Headache

* Muscle pain

* Fatigue

The pneumonia shot is very good at preventing sickness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that this shot be given to adults who smoke or have asthma. These people should get a pneumonia shot, because they are more likely to have serious complications if they get pneumonia. The pneumonia shot is not the same as the flu shot. The best way to protect yourself is to get the pneumonia shot.

Are you between 19 and 64 years old? Do you have asthma or smoke? Call now to get your free pneumonia shot: (315) 366-2848.

Check out our latest headlines at www.MadisonCountyCourier.com.

(Wampsville, NY) We have a very large volume of events for the upcoming months, so I hope to see many of you at as many of these wonderful events as possible. As always, if I have missed any events, please contact me ASAP and I will update it.

Also, if you have upcoming events (for October/November/December) that are not on the list, please send them to me and I will include them in next month’s listings.

On Saturday and Sunday Sept. 11 and 12, the Madison County Historical Society will host its 46th Annual Craft Days at 435 Main St., Oneida. This year’s Craft Days will feature over 100 juried craft vendors, food, and entertainment. Visitors will also be able to tour Cottage Lawn, the 1849 Gothic Revival Cottage, and headquarters of the Madison County Historical Society during the event. Entertainment both days and live demonstrations from vendors.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, September 12 at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark in Peterboro, Carl and Mary Kimberly will present a program on Gerrit Smith and the Founding of the New York Central College.

This presentation is part of a series of 2010 programs at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark, 4543 Peterboro Road, Peterboro. The Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark is a designated site on the county, state and national Underground Railroad Trails.

Heritage NY Underground Railroad exhibits, a program of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Peterboro Mercantile are open 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 12. Admission is $2, and free for stewards, students and registered Smithfield residents. For more information, the complete program schedule, and how to become a steward, contact smithfieldcommunityassociation@centralny.twcbc.com, 315-684-1058, peterboro.org, or gerritsmith.org.

On Sept. 13, the Seventh Annual Mansion House Classic golf tournament will be held at the Oneida Community Golf Club. The cost is $75 per person and that includes your golf, cart, refreshments on the course, a tee prize, and dinner. This is one of two fund raising events we host each year and all proceeds benefit educational programs for children and adults and the Mansion House. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20.

On Sept. 17, the Madison County Historical Society will be opening Hop Fest. There is no admission to attend the Hop Fest.

On Sept. 18, the Quincy Square Museum in Earlville will be hosting Michael Kicinski at 1:30 p.m. Kicinski will be speaking about past Earlville businesses.

On Sept. 23, the Oneida Community Mansion House will be hosting the first event of their Adult Enrichment Series: “A Woman’s World: Work, Wear, and Will in the 1800s,” at 7 p.m. by Curator Tony Wonderly. At the start of the famous utopian experiment in 1848, women engaged in traditionally feminine work as women did elsewhere. But times changed and, over the next 20 years, employees and machines took over much of the household drudgery. With more leisure and more choice, Community women organized their own cooperative work projects. By the 1870s, standards for women’s equality in the Oneida Community were among the nation’s highest.

On Sept. 25, the Oneida Public Library will be hosting “Madison County Carved in Stone” with Sandra Wilsey at 10:30 a.m. Sandy Wilsey, co-editor of the Guide to Madison County Cemeteries (2009), will review the latest research on Madison County cemeteries, discuss how grave markers aid research and show how the 19th century is revealed in cemeteries of the period. Sign up at the library or by phone (363-3050) by Sept. 17.

In the Kitchen Tea! On Sept. 26, join us for an afternoon tea with Susan B. Anthony at 12:30 p.m. at the Smithfield Community Center in Peterboro. Our third annual tea will celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s special connection to Peterboro and her friendship with Elizabeth Smith Miller. Barbara Blaisedell of Rochester portrays the most remembered woman of the 19th century. For more information, including reservations, visit inthekitchentea.com.

On Sept. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m., the Friends of Lorenzo will sponsor “Community Day” at Rippleton Schoolhouse. Enjoy a “return to the past” as families and children of all ages are invited to partake of 19th century games, live music, square dancing, fall refreshments, wagon rides, country school activities and more. For more information, visit lorenzoNY.org or call (315) 655-3200.

On Sept. 30, the Oneida Community Mansion House will host the second event of their Adult Enrichment Series: ”UnderWhere?: A Lecture and demonstration of Women’s Clothing in the 1860s,” at 7 pm. The speaker, Kjirsten Gustavson (Curator of Education at Clermont State Historic Site) will discuss the many layers and meanings of middle and upper-class women’s clothing.

On Oct. 2, the Oneida Library will host Madison County’s Military Past with Susan Greenhagen at 10:30 a.m. Sue Greenhagen, historian for the town of Eaton and village of Morrisville and Morrisville College librarian, relates the county’s participation in 19th-century wars and offers a thorough guide to tracing military ancestors. Sign up at the library or by phone (363-3050) by Sept. 17.

On Oct. 3, the Smithfield Community Association will host Peter Wisbey who will give his talk “Never Was There A Family…More Worth of the Affection of Others: Gerrit Smith and the Backus Family,” at 2 p.m.

On Oct. 4, New York State Archivist Suzanne Etherington will be hosting a class entitled “Organizing Your Historical Records,” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eaton Town Hall in Morrisville. Anyone interested in learning about historical records is invited to attend, however seating is limited so you must sign up online at  iarchives.nysed.gov/WorkShops/workshopsDetailServlet?id=1522&cat=0.

On Oct. 9, the Oneida Library will be hosting a genealogy forum at 10:30 a.m. I will lead group of genealogists and historians from the Madison County Historical Society, Mansion House, city of Oneida and village of Hamilton on a talk of how to find family records and trace prominent citizens of Madison County.

On Oct. 14, the Oneida Community Mansion House will welcome Christian Goodwillie, Goodwillie is the Special Collections Librarian at Hamilton College and will speak on Shaker Women at 7 p.m.

On Oct. 20, Madison County will be hosting “Archives Day” at the DMV building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured speakers include myself, Gerrit Smith Biographer Norman Dann and New York State Archivist Suzanne Etherington.

Certified Appraiser Ed Becker will be on hand to evaluate personal treasures and there will be displays featuring the paintings recently discovered, and documents from the early part of the county featuring Gerrit Smith. The event will be located in the DMV building.

On Oct. 22, the Oneida Community Mansion House will have an opening reception for their new exhibit “Oneida Community Women in the Material World,” from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit features objects expressive of those who created or used them.

On Oct. 22, the Abolitionist Hall of Fame will be hosting a dramatic recreation of the state Anti-Slavery Society by Hugh C. Humphreys at 7 p.m. at the Smithfield Community Center. The cost of this event is $5.

On Oct. 23, the National Abolition Hall of Fame & Museum Commemorates the 2009 Inductees Lewis Tappan and Theodore Dwight Weld at the Smithfield Community Center. This will be followed by the National Abolition Hall of Fame & Museum Annual Dinner (reservations required).

On Oct. 24 at 2 p.m., the Smithfield Community Center will be opening the Underground Railroad Heritage Sites in Peterboro. The program is offered by the state Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.

Check out our latest headlines at www.MadisonCountyCourier.com.

David Kowalczik’s Kettle Corn of Whitesboro will be popping corn all weekend long at the 46th Annual Craft Days, Sept. 11 and 12.

By Sydney Loftus, executive director

(Oneida, NY) Are you looking for a fun filled activity to do with your family on the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12? If so, then come to one of the longest running Craft Shows in the region at the Madison County Historical Society in Oneida.

There will be free face painting by Sue Flint of Oneida on Saturday from 1- 3pm. Sue is a former second grade teacher who taught at North Broad Street Elementary for 34 years. Sue is very active in the community lending her hand to many of the Oneida High School musicals as their Art Director. Sue painted a mural for the historical society in the DeBarber Tobacconist and Confectionary exhibit located inside the carriage barn.

The kid-friendly event continues with craft activities for children on Sunday from 1-3 pm. Elaine Clark from the Oneida Library will be making sun catchers and sand art with every child who stops by her booth.

In its 46th year the weekend event continues the tradition of having over 100-juried crafters on site. Whether you browse, buy, or a little of both, there is truly something for everyone. The range of crafters offering their wares is as wide as ever with potters, furniture makers, clock makers, watercolorists, knitters, quilters, jewelers, folk artists, blacksmiths, soap makers, candle makers, and so much more!  Many of our craft vendors will be demonstrating, so stop and chat with them about their skilled artistry.

For those looking for shopping break treat, check out our food vendors: Promotion Plus Roasted Nuts of Saratoga Springs who will be serving hot roasted nuts; David Kowalczik’s Kettle Corn of Whitesboro will be popping corn all weekend long; Blue Barbecue of Chittenango will be serving great barbecue; R & V Concessions of Rome will be serving a variety of grill items; Tim McLaughlin of Oneida Castle will be serving sandwiches and baked beans; Pastry Pantry of Endwell will be making pastries; and of course there will be ice cream from Buck and Ruthie’s Ice Cream of Fulton!

The Olde Tyme Fiddlers will be entertaining the crowd with their fiddle music on Saturday from 1-3 pm. The Olde Tyme Fiddlers are part of a group of fiddlers called the New York State Old Tyme Fiddler’s Association of Osceola, New York. Their purpose is to preserve, promote and perpetuate the art of old time fiddling and the dances pertaining to this art.

On Sunday, Ed Smith featuring Werner Kogest, both of Sherrill, will be performing from 1-3 pm. Ed is an original songwriter, singer, and guitar player who has 70 plus songs copyrighted in the Library of Congress.  Ed’s passion for music began when he was 12 years old writing music. He is self-taught and has played in several bands over the years honing his talent. Ed describes his music as upbeat folk rock. His songs are about family, friends, and nature- more specifically the Adirondacks and New England.

Werner Kogest accompanies Ed with his talent of playing the stand up bass and vocals. Ed and Werner have been performing together for over 20 years. When Werner and Ed are not performing, Werner is at his Violin Shoppe where he is well known for his sales and repairs of string instruments, and Ed is a real estate agent in Utica.

Come tour the Higinbotham’s family home and learn about Madison County’s history inside the society’s beautiful headquarters, Cottage Lawn, an 1849 Gothic Revival home.

So the place to be on Sept. 11 and 12 is at the Madison County Historical Society’s 46th Annual Craft Days located at 435 Main Street in Oneida. The event on Saturday, September 11th runs from 10 am- 5 pm and on Sunday, September 12th from 10 am-4pm.

Don’t forget to purchase raffle tickets to win some fantastic handmade craft items. A free park and ride service will be provided in a new location throughout the weekend from the Glenwood Plaza on Route 46 in Oneida to the historical society.

Admission is $4 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Purchase a weekend pass for $6 and join us both days! No animals are permitted on the grounds, and there is no smoking.  For more information, please contact the Madison County Historical Society at 315-363-4136, 315-361-9735, or visit us at www.mchs1900.org.

Check out our latest headlines at www.MadisonCountyCourier.com.

The class size is limited to students who have never played Bridge. The series will be held in the Lawson Community Room, located on the lower level of the Canastota Public Library for eight consecutive Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 30, Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 4, 11 and 18.

The cost for this eight week program is $25 per person and the fee must be paid by Friday, Sept. 24 to participate in the program.  Space is limited on a first come basis. Checks should be made payable to The Canastota Public Library.  You can call the library to reserve your spot at (315) 697-7030.

Please feel free to contact the library with any questions.  This program is being sponsored by the Friends of the Library, Canastota Public Library, at 102 E. Center Street.

There will also be brief comments and a moment of silence for the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, in honor of the occasion.

The positions for nomination in the special election are town clerk/tax collector and town justice.

All registered Democrats in the town of Lebanon are welcome to attend and participate. For more information, contact Jim Goldstein at 691-3311.

Town caucuses are held at the expense of the Town of Lebanon Democratic party.

Submitted by Dot Willsey

(Peterboro, NY) At 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark in Peterboro, Carl and Mary Kimberly will present a program on Gerrit Smith and the Founding of the New York Central College.

In 1848 Gerrit Smith of Peterboro began supporting the New York Central College, an interracial institution being formed in McGrawville in Cortland County NY. Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Horace Greeley, Wendell Phillips, and representatives from the Baptist College (later to be Colgate University) in Hamilton were also among the supporters of the new venture in education. The New York State Legislature attacked Smith for his amalgamationist policies, and the Syracuse Star condemned the college as a “nigger Institution.” In 1858 when the NYCC faced bankruptcy, Smith purchased the property and sold it back to the college trustees in 1860 to protect its foreclosure.

William C. Allen was the second African American hired to teach at the NY Central College and became the first African American to head a predominantly white college. In 1844 Allen had graduated in the first class at the Oneida Institute in Whitesboro, and then assisted Henry Highland Garnet in Troy. In 1846 Gerrit Smith deeded Allen property in Peterboro.

Mary and Emily Edmonson enrolled in the college in 1851 after the ordeal of the failed attempt of The Pearl to bring 77 slaves from Washington D.C. to freedom. The Edmonsons also attended the Anti-Fugitive Slave Law Convention in Cazenovia in 1850. This famous meeting was recently commemorated by the citizens of Cazenovia on Aug. 20, 2010 with a sign dedication at the site and a program with song and a portrayal of Frederick Douglass directed by Hugh C. Humphreys.

Carl (President of the McGraw Historical Society) and Mary (Village of McGraw Historian) Kimberly have assembled images for the PowerPoint presentation. Information on Smith, Allen, Douglass, Garrison, and Phillips will also be provided by the Gerrit Smith Estate Stewards.

This presentation is part of a series of 2010 programs, partially supported by a PACE grant from the Central New York Community Foundation, at the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark, 4543 Peterboro Road. The Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark is a designated site on the county, state, and national Underground Railroad Trails.  Heritage NY Underground Railroad exhibits, a program of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and the Peterboro Mercantile are open 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 12.

Admission is $2, and free for stewards, students and registered Smithfield residents.

For more information, the complete program schedule, and how to become a steward, contact smithfieldcommunityassociation@centralny.twcbc.com, 315-684-1058, www.sca-peterboro.org, or www.gerritsmith.org