Bob Years Ago in History

By Cindy Bell ToBey

10 Years Ago – Jan. 23, 2013

There has been a slow, steady and excited buzz permeating Cazenovia in recent weeks that can all be boiled down to the fact that the nationally-known “Fabulous Beekman Boys” – bestselling authors, farmers, entrepreneurs and recent winners of the television’s “The Amazing Race” – are coming to town on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The two-hour event, sponsored by the Historic Cazenovia Business District committee of the chamber of commerce, will feature Josh Kilmer-Purcell and his partner Brent Ridge giving a special book signing of their “Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook” and Kilmer-Purcell’s New York Times best-selling non-fiction book, “The Bucolic Plague, How two Manhattanites became gentleman farmers An unconventional memoir.”

8 Years Ago – Jan. 28, 2015

The village of Cazenovia extends an open invitation to a public meeting at which Saratoga Associates consultants will present the first drafts of conceptual drawings for a master plan for Lakeland Park.

The meeting is the second of three public meetings to be held in conjunction with this project.

The first occurred on Sept. 29 and was well attended by stakeholders and residents. Saratoga led the group in focused brainstorming and generated a large amount of input and feedback on various visions for both preserving and enhancing the park, as well as Carpenter’s Barn.

Discussion topics included a potential pathway system to increase walkability within the park, enhancements to the swim and diving areas including addressing the failing walls, a potential visitor dock, a tree assessment and planting plan, evaluating the traffic flow and parking pattern, reviewing the sitting and conditions of the bandstand and maximizing the use of the park and barn for public events, just to name a few.

6 Years Ago – Jan. 25, 2017

On Sunday, Jan. 22, Cazenovia 12-yearold Isabella Uzcategui played a major part in the newest episode of Food Network’s show “Worst Cooks in America” as she mentored show recruits through a skill drill to make unconventional pizza.

Uzcategui, the niece of show co-host Anne Burrell, who is also a Cazenovia native, is an enthusiastic amateur cook who is making her television debut.

“It was really fun; I couldn’t stop smiling,” said Uzcategui, who is a seventh grader at Cazenovia Middle School. “At first I was scared to tell [the adult contestants] what to do, but once I got past that it was really fun.”

2 Years Ago – Jan. 27, 2021

Last year, the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia hosted 12 blood drives, collecting a total of 414 units of life-saving blood that potentially helped up to 1,292 patients in need.

According to Stephanie Mahoney, American Red Cross account manager in Herkimer and Madison counties.

Cazenovia is one of the top blood collecting locations in the area. “The reason Cazenovia has been a top location is 100 percent due to the community,” Mahoney said. “It’s their loyalty and their awareness. A lot of donors, when they come out to donate, preemptively schedule their next appointment, because that’s how committed they are. It really comes down to the citizens in the Cazenovia community stepping up. I don’t have to do a lot of extra marketing and awareness, because they just know, and they have made it part of their routine. It’s a great community to be working in.” drive that is absolutely perfect for what McKenney is facing. Anyone who’s gone through a cancer battle or knows someone who’s faced it – which is just about everyone – will say that attitude is critical. The more we fight, the better our chances.

Oh, and the timing is poignant.

We’re near the 30-year mark of when we lost Jim Valvano. In biological terms, to compare the two stories is impossible since the cancer that took Jimmy V’s life was far more virulent and advanced, and in a different part of the body, too.

Still, we all know how Valvano spent the last year of his life – battling, fighting, inspiring, and ultimately laying the groundwork for the V Foundation for Cancer Research that has saved countless others, young and old.

Whether they accept the premise or not (and most do), coaches are leaders, especially at the scholastic level. Far beyond the games, wins and losses, what they teach, and how they behave, will leave a permanent impression on young people, so it’s crucial for them to set as good an example as possible.

Thus, seeing McKenney continue an astonishing level of activity in the middle of a cancer battle must convey a message of hope and resilience, both to his team and to anyone else paying attention.

Plus it’s something we can all agree on. Back when McKenney was coaching at J-D, it was easy to say that his titles were a byproduct of having supreme talent on hand. The way his tenure ended at J-D and his subsequent chapter at Grimes left hard feelings that have decreased, but not gone away.

Cast all of that aside, though. Certainly rival schools, coaches and officials have done so, all sending their best wishes to McKenney in recent months, understanding that this transcends basketball.

Good thing, too, because if you didn’t know better, whenever you head out to watch Bishop Grimes as they move toward another post-season appearance, Bob McKenney is still there, working as hard as ever, seeking every possible edge as fans cheer and boo in response.

When it comes to cancer, though, everyone is on the same team, facing the same common opponent, and praying for a bigger victory than anything you can find on a scoreboard.

Phil Blackwell is sports editor at Eagle News. He can be reached at pblackwell@ eaglenewsonline.com.