Our Town

Onondaga

BY AMY BLEIER LONG

The Town of Onondaga offers a relaxed lifestyle for those who want to be close to downtown Syracuse and other retail areas but enjoy a more suburban or rural setting. Several hamlets (including Onondaga Hill) comprise the vast town; miles of farmland and orchards in the southern areas provide agricultural bounty and agritourism. Onondaga Community College is part of the landscape and residents are served by six school districts.

Grab a bite

Start your day at Finally Ours, Sweetgrass Diner or Crazy Daisies’ Garden Café. Fill up on Pita Pita on the Hill’s pitas and wraps. Gemelli’s Pizzeria has a large selection of specialty pies. Chow down on Original Italian Pizza’s chargrilled wings. Sardo’s Pizza and Fish Fry serves a haddock dinner. Try a chicken tender sub at Velasko Pizzeria and Deli or J-D Pizza and Grill’s quesadillas and burgers. Stop at Lorenzo’s Cash ‘n Carry for fresh seafood and specialty items. Find authentic Mexican at Boom Boom Mex Mex Taqueria, Caribbean comfort food at Jamaican Lick Finger Restaurant and Chinese favorites at Dragon China. Enjoy fine dining at The Cider Mill, School and Vine Kitchen & Bar and Inn of the Seasons. Chelsea’s Restaurant & Bar is now open. Treat yourself to Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Bailey’s Dairy Treat and Gannon’s Isle Ice Cream.

Beers and a growler at Red Hawk Brewing Co., which specializes in Belgian-style ales.

Chicken Supreme at Chelsea’s Restaurant & Bar on Onondaga Hill.

Have a drink

Red Hawk Brewing specializes in Old World and Belgian styles. At

Beak & Skiff’s 1911 Established

Distillery, the hard ciders, spirits and wine are made with their own locally grown apples. Shady Brook Liquors features more than 100 pre-chilled wines and champagnes. Watch the game and have a cold one at Burdick’s Tavern and DannO’s.

Shop local

The Gift Box Shoppe highlights several local artisans. Explore Rummage Heaven Antiques & Vintage for furniture and decorative accessories. The Fabric Mill’s offerings go well beyond fabric and window coverings. Pick up fresh local produce, gifts and décor at Silver Spring Farm Market. Participate in Stone’s Throw Farm’s CSA. Enhance your home with supplies and expert advice from Marcellus Nursery and Sollecito Landscaping Nursery. Crazy Daisies has expanded beyond its greenhouse to become a day-out destination. Delaney Farms is known for its sweet corn. Sweeten the deal at Cedarvale Maple Syrup Co. Stock up on meatball mix and sausage at Cummo’s Meat Market. Make Green Hills Farms your grocery and get their famous donuts. Get equipped for boating season at Brinson Marine. Find the perfect tree at Syracuse Christmas Tree Farm.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE MILLER, DON CAZENTRE

Get outside

Anthony J. Santaro Memorial Park

offers sports fields, tennis courts and in-line skate and bike area. Howlett Hill Park features softball and soccer fields and a basketball court. Kelley Brothers Memorial Park has a tennis court and a beach volleyball court. King Memorial Park provides athletic courts and fields. All four parks have pavilions for rent, grills and playgrounds. The Parks & Recreation department runs adult softball

and pickleball leagues and several

youth programs. The Central New York Land Trust’s Bigsby Drumlin Preserve provides a panoramic view of Syracuse and has well-maintained trails.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GREENLAR

Young dancers perform at the St. Elias Middle Eastern Cultural Festival.

Annual events

Celebrate Arabic and Macedonian culture through music, dance, and food at St. Elias Orthodox Church’s Middle Eastern Cultural Festival and St. George Macedonian Orthodox Church’s Syracuse Macedonian Festival, respectively. Howlett Hill Fire Department hosts an Easter Bunny Brunch, Mother’s Day Chicken BBQ, King’s Feast and Halloween Party. Taunton FD puts on a Reno Night. Navarino FD holds a Memorial Day Chicken BBQ. South Onondaga FD has a Beef BBQ and celebrates Santa Super Sunday with holiday shopping. Southwood FD invites all for Breakfast with Santa.

“We love this area and the warm, welcoming community who have supported us throughout the years. We are proud to be a part of such a historical town!”

JAN CONSTAS, OWNER OF THE GIFT BOX SHOPPE

Things to do

Visit the country store and u-pick at Burrell’s Navarino Orchard. Named the #1 Orchard in America by USA Today 10Best, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards is an area attraction. For fall fun, head to The Pumpkin Hollow and Rohe Farms. Onondaga Free Library enhances the community. The Onondaga Senior Center includes a dance studio and billiards room. Visit the Town of Onondaga Historical Society Museum at Town Hall for displays, including Onondaga Nation culture and arts. Learn to ride at Denise Vespa Stables or take a guided horseback ride at Route 80 Quarry Ridge Stables. Get healthy at Trufitness Health Club. Dancers of all ages can learn at the McDonald School of Irish Dance. Get a reciprocating membership at public courses Orchard Vali Golf Club or Tanner Valley Golf Course. From the links to social activities, joining Bellevue Country Club will keep you busy. Special functions take place at SRC Arena and Events Center. Experience two spots on the Haunted History Trail of New York State: the “13 Curves” of Cedarvale Road, a scenic road said to be haunted, and hike or bike around Split Rock Quarry’s stone crusher and underground tunnel.