OVID — The Ford Memorial Library has received a $1,300 youth summer programming grant from Seneca Meadows.

Enhanced activities will include weekly stories, space-themed hands-on activities and projects for youth, ages 5-plus, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays in July. On July 17 and 24, Claire Fox, Ithaca Free Science Workshop, will provide hands-on experiments; on July 31 library staff will host a space-themed wrap-up party.

Activities for youth ages 10-plus will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, July 11, 18 and 25. Lily Foust will lead art projects related with space. There will be snacks, art and a chance to hang-out.

Registration is appreciated for the YA Summer Reading Program.

For more information, contact@ovidlibrary.org or (607) 869-3031.

CANANDAIGUA — The Emergency Department at UR Medicine Thompson Hospital recently earned Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians recognition of excellence in care for older patients.

The voluntary program provides specific criteria and goals for emergency clinicians and administrators to target. The accreditation process provides more than two dozen best practices for geriatric care. A Level 3 accreditation – which Thompson holds – requires many of these best practices, along with providing interdisciplinary geriatric education and having geriatric-appropriate equipment and supplies available.

For details, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com.

Yates County 4-H has scheduled a range of summer activities, including cupcake decorating, cooking, geocaching, sewing, shooting sports, outdoor art, and community service projects.

• Cupcake Decorating, 2 to 4 p.m. July 19, Yates County Building Auditorium, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan. This workshop is free to enrolled 4-H members, but non-enrolled youth are welcome to attend for $3 per youth, or $5 per family. Registration is required by July 16.

• Geocaching, July 24 and Aug. 8. To participate, youth must be enrolled 4-H members. Youth ages 5 to 7 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

• Intro to Geocaching, 4 to 5:30 p.m. July 24, at the Yates County Fairgrounds, 2370 Old Route 14, Penn Yan. Learn how to use GPS units, and find caches at the fairgrounds to prepare for the all-day excursion in August. Registration is required by July 19. (Rain date is July 31.)

• Geocaching Day Trip, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Youth will adventure around Yates County to find various caches hidden around the area. Youth lead the way and learn how to read maps, and follow GPS units explore for caches in a real world setting. Registration is required. (Rain date is Aug. 15.)

• Sewing Camp, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6 at the Yates County Office Building Auditorium, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan. Learn how to sew aprons. Youth must be enrolled 4-H members. Youth 5 to 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and fills quickly. Register by July 29. Sewing machines can be provided.

• Shooting Sports, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10. Learn about shooting muzzleloaders at the Branchport Rod and Gun Club. Youth must be 12 years old or older and enrolled 4-H members to participate. Enrollment can be easily completed prior to the workshop. Registration is required by Aug. 2.

• Outdoor Art, Aug. 13 and 14. Learn about Cyanotype and other forms of art from local artist Marnie Lersch. Registration is due by Aug. 6.

• Cooking, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Yates County Building Auditorium, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan. Learn how to make macaroni and cheese, then enjoy lunch. Open to all youth, free for 4-H members and $3 per youth for non-members. Space is limited. Registration is required by Aug. 12.

• Community Service, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 27 at the Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty St., Penn Yan. Paint #YatesCounty4H rocks and then place them throughout the community. Open to enrolled 4-H members. Youth 5 to 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required by Aug. 20.

Please call the 4-H office to learn how to enroll in the Yates County 4-H program, or to register for any of these events at (315) 536-5123. Or stop by our office located in the Yates County Office Building at 417 Liberty Street in Penn Yan. Come out and see 4-H members shine at the Yates County Fair, July 9th-13th while they show their animals, and display projects in the Exhibit Hall!

Facebook: @YatesCounty4-H

http://yates.cce.cornell.edu/

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

PENN YAN — The 100 answers that prospective citizens must learn before becoming U.S. citizens can be daunting: 13 are numbers, 13 are proper names, and the breadth of topics ranges from history to government to geography. Then there are all the dates and other information from a 21-page application.

Talk about tough. But not for Delfino Ortiz Castillo.

“We couldn’t believe how fast he mastered it. He had most of the information down within two weeks,” said volunteer Nancy Richardson, who tutored Castillo and leads Literacy Volunteers of Ontario-Yates’ ESL program at 117 Elm St.

His moment of glory came June 25 when he was sworn-in as a U.S. citizen at Rochester City Hall.

There to celebrate with Castillo were Richardson; his interpreter, Ita Vasquez; Scott Osborn, owner of Fox Run Vineyards, where he’s worked since leaving Mexico 19 years ago; and vineyard manager John Kaiser.

Castillo and his wife are the parents of three grown children. He’s probably best known around town for his bike riding, which includes cycling back and forth to work. Because Castillo is over age 55 and has been a permanent resident of the United States for more than 15 years, he was eligible to take the test in his native language, Spanish.

Jerome Singletary from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services welcomed the 48 new citizens from 28 countries, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Marion W. Payson administered the oath of allegiance.

“America strives toward the goal of freedom, liberty, and justice for all,” Payson said, telling the new citizens, “Voting and serving on a jury are privileges of citizenship. America always was and is a country of people from many different cultures, races, and identities.” We are a country of immigrants, and it enriches our ideals.

“Immigrants come because they believe in the hopes and opportunities this country offers. I’m proud of you; your family and friends are proud of you. Our country embraces you as new citizens.”

A League of Women Voters representative explained the voter registration process, encouraged all the new citizens to register, and provided the necessary forms.

The American Legion Auxiliary passed out small flags and explained flag etiquette and proper respect for the flag.

“Delfino is SO happy to be a citizen!” Richardson said, noting he is grateful to Literacy Volunteers for the help he received, especially assistance with all the paperwork involved.

SAVANNAH – Michaila L. Larsen has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at the State University College at Cortland.

A Clyde-Savannah High School graduate, she is studying sociology.

SODUS POINT — Abigail O’Neill has been named to the president’s list for the spring semester at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

She is studying psychology.

GENEVA – Joseph Arruda has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.

He is studying communication/sport journalism.

To be named to the dean’s list, a student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Local students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at State University College at Oneonta, Otsego County.

To be named to the dean’s list, students must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Dundee: Brooke Howell.

Geneva: Nicolette Nault.

Penn Yan: Elenita Feria-Ortiz.

CLIFTON SPRINGS — Alexis Baxter has received a master’s degree in forensic science from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa.

PHELPS — Michelle Greek-Rouse has received an associate degree in nursing from Cayuga Community College in Auburn.