Sunny with

highs in the
lower 70s.
Page 27
Comics . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Classifieds . . . . . . .17-21
Happenings . . . . . . .9-10
Entertainment . . . .24-25
Lottery numbers . . . . . .7
Nation/world . . . . . . . . .2
Opinion . . . . . . . . .12-13
Sports . . . . . . . . . .27-40
Inside
WEEKEND
May 31-June 1, 2014
Paying respect
Hundreds attend ex-GASD
chief Cotugnos funeral.
Page 3
Check it out
Coming Sunday at
WWW.RECORDERNEWS.COM:
MCSPCAANNUAL DOG WALK
Success story
Legislator Weitz adds col-
lege grad to his resume.
Page 4
Magical mile
Amsterdam 4x400 relay headed to states.
Page 40
Why not us?
Braves seek state playoff berth.
Page 40
AMSTERDAM, N.Y. A PORT JACKSON MEDIA PUBLICATION $1.00
TheRecorder
YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SlNCE 1832
Nicole Antonucci/Recorder staff
SMI S GOT TALENT
St. Marys Institute in Amsterdam held a talent show Thursday. Third graders Kyra Reynicke, Melissa
Sapia, Alexandra Jablonski and Kasia Derrico tap dance to Tea Party. For more photos, see page 8.
By NICOLE ANTONUCCI
nicole.antonucci@recordernews.com
TOWN OF AMSTERDAM
Liberty ARC is embarking on a
new endeavor that will serve a
dual role in the community.
T h e
L i b e r t y
F r e s h
Market is set
to open on
Route 30 in
July, but the
co-op style
store will not only serve fresh
local products to the community,
it will also provide training to
individuals with developmental
disabilities.
It was an idea of someone on
our board of directors who
thought it might be a good proj-
ect for our organization, because
we are looking to find different
types of training programs for
our individuals, spokeswoman
Barbara Wool said Friday. At
the same time, it fills a niche in
this community that isnt cur-
rently being filled.
Liberty Fresh Market will be a
bulk-food store, highlighting
local products such as fresh milk,
yogurt and cheeses, produce,
eggs and meats.
It will also have foods and dry
goods such as baking items,
spices, snack foods, and rice and
grains. A deli will feature sliced
meats and cheeses.
Wool said that 19 of Libertys
clients will work in the store to
learn the necessary skills
required in a retail environment.
By performing different tasks
bagging, weighing and measur-
ing, rotating products, restocking
shelves, assisting customers
they will learning how to take
responsibility, interact with peo-
ple and the proper behaviors to
maintain a job.
We want to give individuals
the training they need to be com-
petent and confident when they
go out into the community to
seek employment, Wool said.
It helps them become self-suffi-
cient, financially and personal-
ly.
The purpose is to have at least
seven of the 19 find long-term
employment, while the others
continue to build upon their
skills.
This is a real-life situation in
the community where people can
see them and interact so it fulfills
roles that you dont find in a
sheltered situation, Wool said.
Liberty to
open co-op
By CASEY CROUCHER
casey.croucher@recordernews.com
Mayor by day, artist by night.
From acting as chief execu-
tive of the city to painting
murals in parks, Amsterdam
Mayor Ann Thane lives a dou-
ble life.
Ive just always had a pas-
sion for art and I cant let it
go, Thane said.
Thane, who studied fine art
and art history in college, spent
many years in the artistic field
before being elected mayor.
She was a graphic artist for
many years, and then the direc-
tor of the Walter Elwood
Museum for a time before
becoming mayor.
Art is an outlet for me
because this business of gov-
ernment can get pretty serious
and nonsensical and very
stressful, so Ive got to have
other avenues to explore.
Burning love
Mayors artistry includes wood burning technique
Casey Croucher/Recorder staff
Amsterdam Mayor Ann Thane shows her wood burning artwork
on a tabletop at her home Friday.
Please see CO-OP,
Page 7
Please see ART,
Page 7
I nsi de
Coming to a
market near you
... the Liberty
tomato.
Page 7