wood
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economyTRANSCRIPT
Sunny with highs in thelower 70s.
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Comics . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Classifieds . . . . . . .17-21
Happenings . . . . . . .9-10
Entertainment . . . .24-25
Lottery numbers . . . . . .7
Nation/world . . . . . . . . .2
Opinion . . . . . . . . .12-13
Sports . . . . . . . . . .27-40
Inside
WEEKENDMay 31-June 1, 2014
Paying respectHundreds attend ex-GASDchief Cotugno’s funeral.
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Check it out
Coming Sunday at
WWW.RECORDERNEWS.COM:
MCSPCA ANNUAL DOG WALK
Success storyLegislator Weitz adds ‘col-lege grad’ to his resume.
• Page 4
Magical mileAmsterdam 4x400 relay headed to states.
• Page 40
‘Why not us?’Braves seek state playoff berth.
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AMSTERDAM, N.Y. A PORT JACKSON MEDIA PUBLICATION $1.00
TheRecorder
Nicole Antonucci/Recorder staff
SMI’S GOT TALENTSt. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam held a talent show Thursday. Third graders Kyra Reynicke, MelissaSapia, Alexandra Jablonski and Kasia Derrico tap dance to “Tea Party.” For more photos, see page 8.
By NICOLE [email protected]
TOWN OF AMSTERDAM —Liberty ARC is embarking on anew endeavor that will serve adual role in the community.
T h eL i b e r t yF r e s hMarket is setto open onRoute 30 inJuly, but theco-op stylestore will not only serve freshlocal products to the community,it will also provide training toindividuals with developmentaldisabilities.
“It was an idea of someone onour board of directors whothought it might be a good proj-ect for our organization, becausewe are looking to find differenttypes of training programs forour individuals,” spokeswomanBarbara Wool said Friday. “Atthe same time, it fills a niche inthis community that isn’t cur-rently being filled.”
Liberty Fresh Market will be abulk-food store, highlightinglocal products such as fresh milk,yogurt and cheeses, produce,eggs and meats.
It will also have foods and drygoods such as baking items,spices, snack foods, and rice andgrains. A deli will feature slicedmeats and cheeses.
Wool said that 19 of Liberty’sclients will work in the store tolearn the necessary skillsrequired in a retail environment.By performing different tasks —bagging, weighing and measur-ing, rotating products, restockingshelves, assisting customers —they will learning how to takeresponsibility, interact with peo-ple and the proper behaviors tomaintain a job.
“We want to give individualsthe training they need to be com-petent and confident when theygo out into the community toseek employment,” Wool said.“It helps them become self-suffi-cient, financially and personal-ly.”
The purpose is to have at leastseven of the 19 find long-termemployment, while the otherscontinue to build upon theirskills.
“This is a real-life situation inthe community where people cansee them and interact so it fulfillsroles that you don’t find in asheltered situation,” Wool said.
Liberty toopen co-op
By CASEY [email protected]
Mayor by day, artist by night.From acting as chief execu-
tive of the city to paintingmurals in parks, AmsterdamMayor Ann Thane lives a dou-ble life.
“I’ve just always had a pas-sion for art and I can’t let itgo,” Thane said.
Thane, who studied fine artand art history in college, spentmany years in the artistic fieldbefore being elected mayor.She was a graphic artist formany years, and then the direc-tor of the Walter ElwoodMuseum for a time beforebecoming mayor.
“Art is an outlet for mebecause this business of gov-ernment can get pretty seriousand nonsensical and verystressful, so I’ve got to haveother avenues to explore.
Burning loveMayor’s artistry includes wood burning technique
Casey Croucher/Recorder staffAmsterdam Mayor Ann Thane shows her wood burning artworkon a tabletop at her home Friday.
Please see CO-OP, Page 7
Please see ART, Page 7
InsideComing to a
market near you... the Libertytomato.
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