Immediate Release

Monday, June 9, 2008 
For Information Contact

(315)  798-5800

Picente: Volunteers To Plant Flowers at County Building

            Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced that the Oneida County Office Building will blossom with flowers thanks to an outstanding intergenerational and community planting project organized by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County.

            On Tuesday, June 10th, at 11 a.m., Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County’s Master Gardeners will be joined by participants in the BOCES Triad Program and the Court Street Children’s Center to plant flowers in the flower boxes located around the exterior of the downtown Utica landmark.

            “I want to thank Cornell Cooperative Extension and their partners for once again volunteering their time to help make the Oneida County Office Building more attractive,” said Picente, who noted that Cooperative Extension volunteers planted flowers at the County Office Building last year. “The County Office Building is one of the most heavily visited buildings in downtown Utica . As such, it is very important that we keep it attractive. Beautification efforts are just one way that we help keep up the image and appearance of downtown Utica . Having the Master Gardeners and their community partners plat flowers will not only be a wonderful way to brighten the landscape, but also be an enjoyable intergenerational experience for everyone involved.”

            “Our Master Gardener program is one of the many ways Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County helps to make this area a more enjoyable place to live,” said Ronald Bunce, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. “The Master Gardener program exists so that we can give back to the community. To beautify a landmark such as the County Office Building , and to do it in an intergenerational project that helps children learn about nature, is all part of our mission.”

            For information on the Master Gardener program, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County at 736-3394.