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rehabilitation (inpatient and outpatient), long-term
care, assisted living and enriched housing (Cedarbook),
NeuroCare, residential care for people with intellectual
disabilities and medically complex conditions, medical
and social model adult day program, military program,
adaptive sports, (STARS Program), a Wellness and
Aquatic Center, orthopedic injury program, concussion
management, child care, and dental clinic.

B Sharp Music Club Celebrates
80+ Years of Music Scholarships

(by giving out more scholarships!)
On Saturday, May 4, B Sharp held its annual
Scholarship Competition at Munson. A record 33
area students took part, competing for awards in four
Sitrin Gan Kavod resident Austin parlayed his volunteer categories: Piano, Voice, Strings, and Winds, Brass &
position at the Humane Society of Rome – and his love for Percussion. Twenty students received awards, ranging
animals – into a paying job. from a first prize of $600 to honorable mention prizes of
$150 each. A total prize pool of $6,600 was distributed.
Working with Man’s This year marks more than 80 years for the
Best Friend(s) competition, a hallmark program for B Sharp. Judges

Sitrin Gan Kavod Resident Finds Perfect Job at for this year’s competition include:
Humane Society of Rome Just the right fit. That’s what Ronald Caravan (Winds, Brass & Percussion)
Austin Ramocki feels about his job at the Humane David Rudari (Voice) Genesis Group Drone
Society of Rome. Ubaldo Valli (Strings)
Ramocki, 28, lives in one of Sitrin’s six Gan Kavod Alex Wronka (Piano) Education Program
residences – homes with 24-hour care for persons with Scholarship awards honor many area musicians, By Maria Smith, Co-Chair
developmental disabilities. Since April of 2020, Austin including Vera Brindisi, Joanna LaFaro Moore, Vivien Starting its third season, The Genesis Group Drone
has been under Sitrin’s care, all the while showing the Harvey Slater, Joseph Witt, Louis Scalise and many more Education Program, provides more-than-basic, hands-
world what persons with disabilities can do. who dedicated their lives to the cultural enrichment of on drone instruction to area teachers and their students
Austin began volunteering at the Humane Society of our community through music. in fourth through 12th grades and to adults seeking
Rome (HSR) in January 2023; they liked his work so A public Winners Recital will be presented on Sunday, knowledge and skill with drone technologies. Single or
much that they hired him. A kennel attendant, he works May 19, 2024 at 2 pm in Munson’s Sinnott Family/Bank multi-day camps enable participants to improve their
closely with kennel manager Erin Schivas in the daily of Utica Auditorium, and a post-concert reception will manual flight skills or learn to fly for the first time.
care of the dogs – power washing the kennels, walking follow at Fountain Elms. Drone safety, building & repair, programming, the
the dogs, making sure that water and food bowls get science of flight, and Federal Aviation Administration
properly sanitized, and much more. Remsen Barn Festival of the (FAA) rules of the airspace are components of the
He also performs other duties as needed, including curriculum that “launch” participants into the world of
filling in at one of the society’s cat rooms. He refers to Arts Announces 2024 Dates this engaging technology. Genesis Drones has hosted
the HSR’s residents as “our babies,” and loves and treats The 45th Annual Remsen Barn Festival of the Arts will single- and multi-day camps with area schools for its
them as such. be held September 28-29, 2024; Sat. 10-6; and Sun. 10- students and teachers and camps for adults wishing to
“I never met a dog I didn’t like,” Austin says. “When 5. Admission to the Festival is free and there is plenty explore the potential of drone technology.
I first came here, I knew that this was the right place of parking. No pets allowed. Remsen's Main Street is Presentations are provided by professionals utilizing
for me.” While he loves them all, he does have a few closed to vehicles and transformed into a shopping, drone technologies in their work, many from the
favorites – among them Pork Chop, Truce, King, and eating, and entertainment adventure. More than 225 Mohawk Valley “drone corridor”. Instructors for Genesis
Skye. quality artists and crafters offer art, jewelry, textiles, Drones include experts in various drone technologies,
While it’s difficult to see these “babies” walk out the fashion accessories, woodcrafts, soaps, pottery, holiday such as drone building, drone racing, and 3-D printing.
door with adopters, it’s easier knowing that they will items, furniture, glass, candles, and more. A variety of They are professional educators and/or FAA Part 107
begin a new life, Schivas says. food vendors offer everything from hearty meals to licensed UAS pilots.
“We love to hear how they are doing in their new sweet snacks. “Genesis Drones” Co-chairs, Jeff and Maria Smith,
homes,” she says. From its humble beginnings, when the Festival have many years’ experience in drone education,
Shelter manager Robin Genovese-Kaminski says included tours of local barns and handmade quilts, it having conducted dozens of camps for schools
and organizations in Herkimer, Oneida, Madison,
that in addition to being a good worker, Austin is a has become one of the northeast’s premier festivals. Onondaga, and Oswego Counties.
wonderful communicator. The staff calls each other via Visit the free quilt show at the Remsen Arts Center or
walkie-talkie, and Robin can always count on Austin at The Remsen Depot find your way through the Corn The goal of the Genesis Group Drone Education
to answer. Maze, Sat. and Sun. from noon to 5. On Sunday at 2:30, Program is to introduce students and interested adults
“If I need another staff member, he will find them for all are welcome to the Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh song fest) to drone technologies, support teachers in the use of
drones for educational purposes, and make participants
me,” she says. “He never ignores my calls, and always in the Stone Church on Prospect St. aware of drone innovations and opportunities within
volunteers to help.” Fun for the whole family fifteen miles north of Utica, the Mohawk Valley and Central New York.
It’s a very busy place, as the staff may care for as just off Rt 12 in the charming Welsh town of Remsen. For more information contact
For more information visit www.remsenbarnfestival.
many as 100 homeless pets at one time. Austin came org.
dronesedu@thegenesisgroup.org
to Utica with his mother about five years ago, but his The Genesis Group Drone Education Program is an affiliate of
mom needed nursing home care until she passed away. The Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley Region. © 2024
Originally from Florida, he has a few family members, DONALD A. FLIHAN, DDS, MD
spread out among the southern states.
The mission of Gan Kavod, says program director Lisa Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Give Your Child The Best…
Frank, is to support people of all abilities, ethnicities, ….Right from the Start!
and genders in having a quality life and becoming an Jewish Community Center ’s
integral part of society. And Austin exemplifies this, Board Certified: Preschool Program
Frank says. American Board of Oral Fosters a sense of: •Achievement
• Self Reliance
“The Humane Society of Rome gives Austin the ….Interested? • Self Esteem •Self Discipline
opportunity to thrive within his community and lead a and Maxillofacial Surgery Please call • Classes are held from 9 a.m.-12
rewarding, fulfilling life,” Frank says. (315) 733-2345 noon. Monday through Friday
for children ages 2 to 5.
It’s clear that the staff and volunteers at HSR recognize www.FlihanOralSurgery.com The Jewish Community Center • Lunch program is available
and nurture potential for both two- and four-legged 2310 Oneida St. • from 12 – 2 p.m..
Before Care starts at 8 a.m. and
residents of this planet. Staff members at HSR have Utica, NY 13501 After Care ends at 4 p.m.
a nickname for Ramocki; it’s “Awesome Austin.” We 315-624-0707 Www.jccutica.net • The school follows the local
think that fits perfectly. * we are open to children of all public school schedule,
September - June
races, religions and nationalities
ABOUT SITRIN: Sitrin, a not-for-profit corporation, 130 Lomond Court, Utica
provides a variety of services for people of all ages Lomond Place Office Park
and abilities, including comprehensive medical * now accepting fall registration applications