Cazenovia Republican Digital Edition - April 4, 2023

oPEninG hEr homE

Caz resident hosts Palestinian, bulgarian exchange students

By kAtE hill Staff Writer

Since mid-October, Cazenovia resident, business owner, and activist Pat Carmeli has been hosting two foreign exchange students, Medhat al-Rubei from Gaza City, Palestine, and Andy Topchiev from Sofia, Bulgaria.

al-Rubei, who turned 16 last May, is a junior at Cazenovia High School (CHS), and Topchiev, who turned 16 in December, is a sophomore.

The students came to Cazenovia through Greenheart Exchange, a nonprofit organization that offers cultural exchange programs in the United States for people all around the world.

Carmeli, who owns the Pewter Spoon Café and Eatery on Albany Street, got involved with Greenheart after her daughter Dana mentioned that she kept seeing appeals for someone to host a foreign exchange student from the Gaza Strip.

Carmeli lived in Israel from 1992 to 2004 and, while there, became an activist for Palestinian human rights. She has continued that work in the US and is a founding member of the Syracuse-based group Justice for Palestine.

“We hold events, sponsor speakers, show films, [and] have discussions with the aim of educating others about the inhumanity of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands,” said Carmeli.

Having never heard of Greenheart or considered being a “host mom” before, Carmeli contacted local Greenheart coordinator Catherine Jeannin, who lives in Erieville.

When Jeannin explained that the organization was looking for a host family with kids, Carmeli figured she was “off the hook.” Several weeks later, however, Jeannin was still in

VillAgE Of CAzENOViA

the landing at

Burke

Meadows

draws concerns board approves tentative village budget

By kAtE hill Staff Writer

During the April 3 Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees meeting, a group of Burton Street area residents voiced their concerns regarding The Landing at Burke Meadows, an incoming affordable senior and family housing complex on 14.96 acres of land east of Burton Street.

Several of the individuals who live in the vicinity of the development brought up such topics as the impact of the project on the area’s vegetation and foliage, privacy issues, property damage, the potential strain of the development on existing infrastructure, drainage issues and flooding, a loss of their neighborhood’s charm and character, resident safety, unanticipated changes to the scope of the project over the years, and contractors starting construction too early in the morning.

Submitted photoS

For the past several months, Pat Carmeli, of Cazenovia, has been hosting foreign exchange students medhat al-rubei from the Gaza Strip, and Andy topchiev, from Bulgaria.

search of a host for the student from Gaza.

Eventually, Jeannin reached out to Carmeli to request that she take in not one but two young men.

“With a certain amount of trepidation, I said I’d give it a try,” said Carmeli. “She brought them over to meet me and then brought them to my home sometime later.”

This trip is al-Rubei’s first experience outside of the Gaza Strip.

“Medhat is from Gaza, which is also known as the largest open-air prison in the world — called that because Israel controls the borders

and rarely allows people out,” said Carmeli. “. . . It’s a sad fact that I have seen so much of his ancestral homeland, and he has seen none of it. Despite this, his English is excellent. I guess it’s the wonder of kids all over the world watching US television. . . He’s a smart kid, and when I think of the explosions he has had to hear raining down from F-16s, I shudder. Of course, I’ll have his face in front of me every time I hear of new conflicts in Gaza.” al-Rubei said he decided to study in the US because he likes to try new things and wants to

Exchange l Page 14

Carpenter’s Barn, library to host free theater arts classes

By kAtE hill Staff Writer

This spring, theater artist and author Barbara Gregson and musician Eric Porter will present free theater arts classes for adults at Carpenter’s Barn and the Cazenovia Public Library.

The theater and music classes and performances will be held from April 17 through May 20 under the direction of Gregson and with music by Porter.

Gregson and Porter, who both live in Chenango County, work with people of all ages and abilities to create original shows featuring mime, improvisation, storytelling, masks, and live music.

With funding from a CNY Arts grant, the pair plans to present workshops for two groups of people in Cazenovia this spring. On Mondays, starting April 17, Gregson and Porter will work with adults ages 18 and older, including those with disabilities. On Wednesdays, starting April 19, the pair will work with adults ages 40 and older.

According to Gregson, each group will have five classes/rehearsals and then perform a final live show.

The inclusive adult group will meet from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Cazenovia Public Library Community Room on April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 15. A pre-show rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carpenter’s Barn leading up to a 1

p.m. final performance in the same location.

The 40 and older adult group will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. at Carpenter’s Barn on April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, and May 17. The group will hold a final rehearsal on Friday, May 19 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. before performing for friends and families at 6:30 p.m. at Carpenter’s Barn.

Both adult groups can accommodate 20 people.

“I love the theater because it is a collaborative art form and combines so many different art forms,” said Gregson. “In order to create an original piece with a group, everyone needs to participate, n the acting techniques, [and then] work in a small group and create their vignettes/pieces for our show. Everyone has to use their imaginations and creativity and then ‘play.’ I have so much fun and love seeing everyone’s creativity and artistry unfold as we write our show. For many adults and seniors, they have never had this arts opportunity before or not for many years. It is never too late to ‘Imagine, Create, Play!’”

Gregson has been a professional theater artist since 1975. She studied acting, playwriting, and storytelling in London, mime in Paris, and mask-making in Italy and the US. According to Gregson, she uses ancient theater traditions and methods, such as mime, acting, improvisation, storytelling, and maskmaking techniques, accompanied by live music, to create her theater performance pieces and shows.

Submitted photoS

theater artist and author Barbara Gregson (left) and musician Eric Porter (right) will present free theater-making classes for adults at Carpenter’s Barn and Cazenovia Public library from April 17 through may 20.

“Since 1983, I have received state and local Arts Council grants to work with groups of people of all ages and abilities, in prisons, schools, institutions, senior centers, and [professional] theaters, so they may learn this accessible theater-making process in order to create their own community theater pieces and productions.”

Gregson is the author of “Theater Artists

Theater l Page 13

Developed by Housing Visions Unlimited, Inc., the 49-unit project includes a two-story, 33-unit building (19,500 square feet) at the top of the hill and four townhomes (2,420 square feet), each containing four units.

Twenty-seven of the units in the large building are reserved for seniors ages 60 and older.

The development’s remaining 22 units are not age-restricted, and a senior could live in them as well.

Ten of the total units — six in the large building and four spread out in the townhomes — are set aside for individuals and families who are at risk of homelessness and in need of supportive services.

Support will be provided by Community Action Partnership for Madison County (CAP), which will have an office onsite.

The development’s supportive housing units will specifically serve individuals with mental illness, survivors of domestic violence, and young adults ages 18-24.

Construction on the development began in early January 2023.

During the meeting’s public comment period, Emick Lane resident John McDermott, who moved to Cazenovia with his wife in February 2021, read a letter outlining some of the concerns that he and many of his neighbors have regarding the development.

“We believe there was a lack of adherence to and/or inadequacy of the review process and due diligence by our village representatives in regard to this project,” he said. “Environmental impacts were not provided enough consideration, traffic studies were superficial and done in haste, sewage and water system capacity issues were ignored, and municipal services, such as fire, police, and ambulance corps, do not have plans to scale in order to meet the new demands provided by this new development. It is evident that an external business entity and its corporate agenda was prioritized over the well-being of the existing village residents. In order to address this and avoid it happening again, a critical assessment of all the events leading up to the approval of this development plan should be done.”

McDermott explained that he does not Village l Page 14

‘Seussical’ makes a return as Cazenovia College’s final musical production

By kAtE hill Staff Writer

After 16 years, Cazenovia College Artist-in-Residence David Lowenstein is bringing “Seussical” back to the stage of the Catherine Cummings Theatre as the college’s final musical production.

Directed and choreographed by Lowenstein, the show will run April 20-23, with performances Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Seussical” is a musical comedy by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty based on the many children’s stories of Dr. Seuss, including favorites like “Horton Hears a Who!,” “Horton Hatches the Egg,” and “Miss Gertrude McFuzz.”

“‘Seussical’ was the first show I directed/ choreographed in Caz,” said Lowenstein, who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theater from Syracuse University. “I wanted to bookend my experience.”

Lowenstein added that the show is also special to him because he was involved with it from the very first time it was read aloud, and it represents the first time in his performing career that a Broadway writing team created a role for him.

“I got a call from Lynn Ahrens saying she and Stephen Flaherty were writing a

musical based on the works of Dr. Seuss,” he said. “They wrote the Bass Wickersham with me in mind. They invited me to join the first reading of the show. Over the next two years, we did two industry readings in NYC and a fully staged workshop in Toronto. Because of a shift in the balance of power regarding decisions made for the Broadway production, I ended up as a Swing in the Broadway production, meaning I understudied the role that was written for me. I covered all the men in the ensemble, including the featured roles of The Grinch, Judge Yertle the Turtle, and General Genghis Kahn Schmitz.”

The upcoming production of “Seussical” will feature Cazenovia College faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members.

According to Lowenstein, one of the reasons the college brought him on as an artist-in-residence 16 years ago was to help create a bridge between the theatre and the local community.

“I have been extremely lucky to have a group of talented and enthusiastic community members who have been in many of our shows and have become dear friends,” he said.

Lowenstein pointed specifically to Beth Ann Kempf, Eric Feola, Maggie Dough-

If you live in Madison County, your local Boy Scout Troops and Packs are benefiting from support services, character development programming and leadership training funded by donations to The Leatherstocking Council.

On average, our Eagle Scouts alone (4% of all Scouts) are providing 190 community service hours to more than sixty other local nonprofit organizations each year!

If you would like to help recruit or support more Scouts in Madison County, please text the word LOCALSCOUTS to (844) 615-4269.

LeatherstockingCouncil.org

erty, Renee Joseph, John Melvin, Kevin Mann, Jim Tobey, and Cindy Bell Tobey, who will be making her debut in “Seussical.” He also extended gratitude to the Cazenovia College faculty and staff members who have lent their talents to his productions, including Colleen Prossner, Sue Berger, Stewart Weisman, Roxy Spano, and Maureen Louis, and to the many middle school and high school students involved in the shows over the years.

“As bittersweet as it may be with the college closing, we are so pleased to be a part of David’s ‘full circle’ production of ‘Seussical,’” said Tobey. “Not the least of our excitement is the fact that our youngest daughter, Glenn, was in the cast of David’s first production, which was the same musical 16 years ago. . . Aside from a real appreciation of David’s interest, experience, and talent, what strikes me most is his uncanny ability to work past obstacles, cast, crew, staging, always in a positive, feel-good manner. He is a real joy to be in the theater with.”

For his first nine years at the college, Lowenstein directed a play and a musical each year. When he was hired for a full-time position at Syracuse University, the number of productions was scaled back to one.

“I’ve done one musical a year except for the COVID year when we did a virtual play that we recorded on Zoom,” he said.

In addition to putting on the annual

LIFEGUARDS NEEDED

Cazenovia Joint Youth Recreation

Lakeland Park Waterfront

Lifeguard: $17/hour

Head lifeguard: $18/hour

Aquatics Director: $20/hour

Looking for responsible and dedicated members

Flexible schedule, part and full time available, work outdoors, opportunities for movement

Applications available upon request or picked up at Village Office (90 Albany Street)

Contact: cazyouthrec@gmail.com

show, Lowenstein teaches two classes per semester that rotate between effective speaking, acting workshop, and theater production.

Lowenstein and his husband, Al An-

Troop 18 out of Cazenovia, NY, as well as Scouts from Troop 7 in Munnsville, NY, Troop 2 in Oneida, NY, and Troop 25 in Verona, NY, who raised money to attend Philmont Boy Scout Reservation in Cimarron, New Mexico

Submitted photoS

“Seussical” will return to the Catherine Cummings theatre stage April 20-23 as Cazenovia College’s final musical production. The show is directed by Cazenovia College Artist-in-Residence David Lowenstein. ‘Seussical’

‘Future of Cazenovia’ website launched

Are you interested in the future of the Cazenovia College campus?

Do you have an idea for a future use?

A website has recently been launched to help communicate the latest news and offer a space to share ideas.

Following the December 2022 announcement of the closure of Cazenovia College following the Spring 2023 semester, community stakeholders began to meet to discuss paths forward for the campus.

The goal is to identify desirable future uses that are compatible with the village character and offset the lost economic activity that will result from the college

closure. While the timing of any property sales is still unclear, the collaborative planning process that is underway will help to proactively identify positive paths forward.

The website, futureofcazenovia.org was developed with assistance from local resident Matt Cashatt.

“We are fortunate to have had many community members step up to offer assistance in various ways”, said CACDA Executive Director Lauren Lines. “The donation of time and resources by many individuals and organizations will help tremendously towards a positive outcome.”

The website provides the latest information, as well as opportu -

nities to ask a question, submit an idea, or sign up to get involved.

CACDA enhances economic vitality and preserves the rural, historic character of our region through education, consensusbuilding and project implementation.

Projects have included enhancements at Lakeland Park and Carpenter’s Barn, development of Creekside Park, establishment of GoCaz.com and Caz CoWorks, and significant grant funding for local infrastructure and small businesses.

For more information, visit cacda.net or contact Lauren Lines, Executive Director, at lines@cacda.net.

l From page 2

notto met doing theater in Syracuse in 1982 and moved to Cazenovia in the summer of 2006.

“After 25 years working in NYC on many Broadway shows, we wanted to raise our children in a more rural setting,” Lowenstein said. “We always loved Cazenovia and are grateful to have built a life here.”

Last December, Cazenovia College announced its decision to permanently close its doors following the spring 2023 semester.

As the time to say goodbye to the college nears, Lowenstein said he hopes to have

entertained and enlightened his audiences and to have provided an outlet to students at the college who are passionate about theater.

“I have gained far more than I have given,” he said.

“I am and will always be grateful to the college and the community for the support and encouragement I have received throughout the years.”

Reserve tickets for “Seussical” online at signupgenius. com/go/30e084aaeac2aa7fd0suessical - / General seating ticket prices are $3 for Cazenovia College students, $10 for seniors (65+) and children (12 and under), and $15 for adults.

Quiet Countryside Getaway

The Farmhouse Suite

Sleeps Four Guests

Nightly, Weekly and Monthly Rates

By Cindy BEll toBEy

110 years Ago – April 3, 1913

The spring removals in Cazenovia show an increase in number over last year although rented houses are very scarce. About the usual number of real

estate changes have been transacted. One man in town, who was going to make a change this spring, thought he was provided for some four weeks ago, but the deal fell through at the last moment and the man and his family were left without a home. He thought at first he would

have to live in a tent, but later found a few rooms in which he and is being sheltered from the cruel elements. The list of changes made this spring follows: James Morse and family moved into his house on Nelson street formerly occupied by Henry Allen. He is making some repairs on the place. Mr. Allen has moved into his newly purchased house on Sullivan street, vacated by Gardner Church, who has taken possession of his house on Liberty Street.

80 years Ago – April 8, 1943

It is a great honor that has been earned by a Cazenovia Service Man, Pvt. Joseph D. Sullivan serving with the United States tank forces in Tunisia, North Africa. Cited for “bravery in action” in helping save the

life of a wounded comrade, though himself severely burned from shell fire, he has been awarded the Silver Star. The medal was pinned on his breast by Assistant Secretary of War Patterson. In so far as we know, Sullivan is the first Cazenovian to be cited for bravery in action during the war, and the first to be awarded the Silver Star. Sullivan spent several weeks in the hospital recovering from his burns but is now back in service. He is a graduate of the Cazenovia Central School in the class of 1932.

50 years Ago – April 4, 1973

“Let’s Do It,” is the slogan for a new effort to find funds to build a recreational sports center that will serve residents of

Question:What to do with the golf ball?

Many times over four days at Augusta National this week, a top golfer will bring out the driver, take a big swing and send a projectile 300 to 350 yards, maybe more depending on the conditions.

Spectators – no, wait, patrons , this is Augusta

– will gasp and clap. TV viewers, golfers and otherwise, will shake their heads knowing they can’t ever pull that off in their lifetimes.

And the debate will

Advertise Here!

surface again – do we need to dial back the golf ball?

Both the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient, which governs the sport in the rest of the world, announced last month

that, starting in 2026, their signature events, the U.S. Open and the Open Championship, will feature a standard ball that every player must use.

As part of the local rules, each competitor

in these majors will use balls designed specifically not to travel as far as they do now, maybe 15 or 20 yards shorter on average.

This followed years of research by golf’s governing bodies and coin -

cided with an explosion in how far top players hit drives, forcing many older courses, including Augusta, to add length in an attempt to combat all of it.

Making a difference

Many local communities are served, especially at times when they are needed most, by those who give their time to their community as volunteer firefighters.

This is a service that is anything but a nine to five situation and volunteers give their time at all hours of the day and night, responding to all kind of calls from medical situations to accidents to, of course, fires.

According to the Firefighter Association of New York (FASNY), these volunteers save not only lives and property, but also billions in taxpayer dollars. According to an economic impact study released by FASNY these dedicated volunteers help New York taxpayers save $4.7 billion annually through their services.

FASNY goes on to report volunteers play a critical part in safeguarding New York’s communities and helping to save lives. The 80,000 volunteer firefighters in the state provide vital protection and services during emergencies and contribute significantly to their communities through continuous training, outreach, and fire safety education. They also play a critical role in the statewide response plans to major emergencies and natural disasters, according to FASNY.

On the economic side, the report, prepared by Resolution Economics (ResEcon), the “Economic Study of The Tax Savings Generated by New York’s Volunteer Fire Service” is the second study in the past decade to examine the economic impact of New York’s volunteer firefighters. Volunteer firefighters keep local taxes and expenses low by eliminating the need to pay career firefighters wages, benefits, and related costs. New York State relies heavily on volunteer fire departments, and a conversion to paid departments would cause a severe economic burden and require a massive increase in property taxes.

“This report underscores the importance and value of the volunteer firefighting service to New York,” said FASNY President Edward Tase, Jr. “Without the dedication and service of the brave volunteers throughout the state, local taxpayers would face a significant financial burden to fund the type of emergency response they are accustomed to. Our volunteer firefighters train extensively to be able to respond to their neighbors in a time of need, and we are proud to do our part to keep this great state safe and taxpayer costs for fire protection low.”

Among the findings in the report: Fully paid career departments would cost New York taxpayers $4.7 billion annually in pay, benefits, operating, maintenance, and capital costs; 31,058 full-time paid firefighters would need to be hired; Of New York State’s 1,640 fire departments, 93.2% are all-volunteer or mostly volunteer.

If NYS switched to an all-paid fire service: Local government property taxes would rise an average of 28.4% absent volunteer firefighters (taxes would increase between 5.8% and 133.8% depending on the county); and There would be a one-time cost of $8.17 billion to acquire existing structures, vehicles and equipment, according to FASNY.

As critical a service as they provide, volunteer fire departments are facing challenges with recruitment and retention.

Departments are comprised of older members and often find it difficult to find and retain younger members.

According to FASNY, the past several years have been challenging for volunteer fire departments throughout New York, and many are faced with decreased membership and increased call volume. It is estimated that there are 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters than there were 20 years ago, and it has become increasingly challenging to recruit new firefighters and retain existing ones due to the turbulent economy, busy lives and schedules and other factors.

But departments across the state will be hosting events to try to inspire more people to consider volunteering.

Volunteer fire departments across New York State will open their doors to residents Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23, as part of the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend.

RecruitNY is a major initiative of the Firefighters Association of New York (FASNY) designed to help increase volunteer membership in local fire departments, according to FASNY.

Individuals looking to find out if their fire department is participating in RecruitNY, visit recruitny.org/participation-area /

For more information, contact your local volunteer fire department via a non-emergency phone number or its website and if you have ever considered serving, this is a good opportunity to learn more about the volunteer fire service.

It’S, LIkE, LANGuAGE

Duncan Donuts.

She sat there, dressed casu ally, as most college students are. I can’t remember why she was in my office. I do remember the uneasy feeling that remained about that conversation.

This was a young woman, as I remember, a few months away from graduation, an embarkation into an adult experience, trying out her college-acquired 1,000word vocabulary which apparently included 5,000 “likes.”

“Like, I loved my poly sci botany classes, especially like those where we like could get like involved.”

I wondered how her writing fared? How did she make up for the use of the word “like”?

Now, I know that language changes. For instance, in Latin, the word egregius means distinguished, meritorious, but somehow it has come to mean the opposite. Someone who is described as egregious is someone who is conspicuously bad. In my lexicon, the word “like” has several connotations. Among them, like expresses preference, e.g. I like to read nonfiction. It is used as the introduction to a simile, e.g. Her speech was like a broken record. What function does the ubiquitous “like” perform for this young

Guest commentAry

By HEAtHER WAtERS AND SARA BOLLINGER

We have almost completed The town of Manlius’ first comprehensive plan (“comp plan”). Thank you to everyone who has helped to shape our land use priorities and inform how our town can thrive over the next decade.

Beginning with listening sessions during the pandemic, we conducted more than 20 activities with stakeholders, surveyed and gathered data, and held focus groups, study groups, and expert panels. Kudos to our steering committee, speakers, focus group leaders, Town staff, and colleagues at Barton & Loguidice for their efforts.

The town has also pursued, in parallel to the comprehensive plan, a significant climate action plan, which will also benefit from your feedback.

Though we are moving steadily

Chapman thanks Manlius voters

To the editor:

Thank you to the voters of the Village of Manlius for electing me for another four years as village trustee. We have a lot of work to do, but I am excited to have the opportunity to continue the progress we have made to date. I am confident over the next couple years we will all see a much improved Main Street to go along with our already top quality services our employees provide to residents every day.

Congratulations to Rob Oley on being elected as Trustee for the first time. I’m confident that Rob will bring many fresh new ideas to our board and I look forward to working with him.

Many thanks to Scott McGrew for his 16 years of selfless service to the village board. Scott has been an integral part of many positive changes for our village during his tenure and he will be missed. It was great getting to know so many people over the course of the campaign. Please always feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

HANk CHAPMAN

TrusTee, Village of Manlius

Ferro

woman and so many others? Is it a more verbal form of … uh … a kind of place holder in speech while your brain processes your next thought? What?

Needless to say, my antiquated knowledge of the English language prevented me from staying on task and I completely lost the train of whatever thought it was she shared.

And then, how would you diagram a sentence with all of those likes? Talk about an antiquated activity … but one I loved.

Then she went past whatever border her language barrier created. She described the bus ride to my office as “awesome.” God, speaking to Moses through the burning bush is awesome; a spectacular sunset is awesome. Riding a Centro bus is not. Please!

This enthusiastic college senior is not the only trespasser in language land. Someone has stolen the power of hyperbole. Now, for those of you who have forgotten, hyperbole is the use of language to exaggerate. In that sense there is good hyperbole and bad hyperbole. The use of the word awesome, which should be associated with truly spectacular awe-filled occurrences, has been relegated to a much-diminished usage as the way to describe a smoothie at

Another sadly diminished use of a word is that currently being adopted by Americans seeking to copy their Irish and British cousins use of “brilliant.” Einstein was brilliant. My English professor at SU was brilliant. The morning sun is brilliant. Yet, I hear Americans using this word to describe even the most pedestrian, the most ordinary events.

When a job well done is described as amazing, one has to ponder whether the speaker expected less, and therefore was bowled over by an adequate performance, or whether he or she has fallen into the habit of demeaning the power of words.

A paint job is only amazing or awesome if it was done by Leonardo Da Vinci. Otherwise a good job is a good job.

As the range of meaning for such words expands, their initial power is diminished. So I have to search for words that can convey that specialness, that out of the ordinary, that breathtaking quality that should be set apart by words.

Like, say … like, incredible.

Ann Ferro is a mother, a grandmother and a retired social studies teacher. While still figuring out what she wants to be when she grows up, she lives in Marcellus with lots of books, a spouse and a large orange cat.

Manlius nears completion of comprehensive plan

toward adopting the comp plan, you can still lend your voice before the final public hearing and vote. The draft considers our three villages and the county’s recent conversations about future development, including Micron, and implications for our housing needs.

Some key recommendations include: performing a town-wide stormwater analysis; improving our safe walking and cycling routes, and working with our senior centers to improve transportation options. Whether you’re concerned about affordable housing, our roads, public safety, waste management, or any other issue, this is your chance to make a difference.

Following the March 28 Steering Committee open house and public hearing, the town board will hold a workshop to discuss the plan on April 12 at 5 p.m. April 24 is the town planning board’s review during their regular

School shootings

To the editor: Here we are again, reeling after another school shooting. Each time, I ask myself: How many more children and school workers need to die before we make a change? Why are we willing to live this way? I am sickened and brokenhearted. We have had far too many moments of silence since Sandy Hook. Our children and community deserve real action to stop the epidemic of gun violence in our country. We’re not alone and we’re not helpless. There are many seemingly simple, yet powerful things we can do today!

More and more of our neighbors are uniting to bring the change we need. The phones in Congress are ringing off the hook with calls for commonsense gun reform, peaceful rallies are growing in numbers in cities across the country, and families and friends are gathering in their own living rooms to talk about bringing violence prevention programs to their schools. The movement is growing, and we must keep growing it.

There is reason to have hope that we can prevent gun violence before it happens through sensible gun safety laws and programs in our schools and com-

Legal Advertising: Luba Demkiv, ext. 303, ldemkiv@eaglenewsonline.com

Publisher: David Tyler, ext. 302, dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

Creative Director: Gordon Bigelow, ext. 331, art@eaglenewsonline.com

meeting at 6:30 p.m.; on April 26 we will share the draft with the Onondaga County Regional Planning Board; and May 24 is the final public hearing with the town board at 6:30 p.m. - all at Manlius Town Hall, 301 Brooklea Drive.

Please take a moment to review the plan at townofmanlius.org or view a copy in the town clerk’s office. Comments may also be made *anytime* before 5/24 via the website or by emailing us at comprehensiveplanning@ townofmanlius.org or calling 315-637-3414.

By participating, you’re shaping the future of Manlius, Minoa, Kirkville, Fayetteville, and Fremont, and you’re contributing to a more engaged and vibrant Central New York.

Editor’s note: Heather Waters and Sara Bollinger are councilors on the Manlius Town Board.

munities that help us identify the signs and signals before a shooting happens and intervene.

To keep this hope alive and bring the change we need, I am asking everyone to take one simple action today. Make the Promise at sandyhookpromise. org/take-action/promise/ and help bring Sandy Hook Promise’s no-cost, violence prevention programs to our schools and community.

Please, at the very least, donate to Sandy Hook Promise today.

MAGGIE

NERz IRIBARNE DeWiTT

What if we did something amazing?

To the editor:

For nearly 200 years, Cazenovia College has helped define the identity of our community as a center of progress and thought leadership. Its impending closure will indeed leave a void in the heart of our town. But what if we could repurpose this cherished space and transform it into a beacon of innovation and opportunity? What if we rallied together and did something amazing?

Imagine a revitalized Cazenovia College offering rapid training for the jobs Letters l Page 7

Ramblings from the empty nest Ann

FROM THE MAILBAG

of the future, such as semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy. The world is changing rapidly and technology is at the forefront of that transformation. With Micron building a semiconductor plant nearby, artificial intelligence and biomedical innovation rapidly reshaping industries, we have a unique opportunity to make Cazenovia a hub for cutting-edge education and thought leadership.

Indeed with the closure of Cazenovia College, we not only have an opportunity but a charge to do so and to ensure that our vibrant community - full of hard working and compassionate citizens - not only retains its integrity but flourishes.

Innovative ideas like the example above are just the start. Make no doubt, there will be skeptics. However, it is important to remember that all great things start as long shot ideas. The people who change the world are those who are crazy enough to believe they can make a difference –and that can include you, the reader.

The website FutureOfCazenovia.org, is a platform for sharing thoughts, ideas, and offers to volunteer. It’s understood that not everyone has the time to commit to large-scale projects, but in today’s interconnected world, there are myriad ways to contribute in bite-sized pieces through virtual meetings and online collaboration.

The potential to revitalize Cazenovia College as a vibrant new entity is within our reach, but it requires the collective efforts and passion of our community.

So we ask you: What if we did something amazing? What if we asked Why Not Cazenovia? The answer to this question will always be unknown unless we try. Let’s come together, share our ideas, and take action to shape the future of Cazenovia. Let’s dare to be the community that embraces change and creates a lasting legacy for generations to come.

We call on you to join the conversation and offer your thoughts, ideas, or volunteer your time, please visit FutureOfCazenovia.org. Together, we can redefine the future of our beloved college and our community.

MAtt CASHAtt CazenoVia

Fayetteville leaders concerned with police

To the editor:

As the elected leaders of Fayetteville, we take seriously the responsibility of maintaining public safety for our community.

Nearly 40 years ago the three villages and town reached a ground breaking agreement to share our police department.

We worked together to provide one united police force to serve all four communities.

For the last 39 years the Town of Manlius, Village of Manlius, Village of Minoa and the Village of Fayetteville have worked together to ensure our united police force provided efficient and effective public safety throughout the greater community.

Very recently there has been a shift in the

town’s position that has caused a breakdown in this collaborative relationship. We are very concerned and troubled by this.

Although we have sought an explanation, we have received no information.

Historically, the Police Committee has operated with full transparency and accountability.

But recently the Town of Manlius has made significant decisions regarding the public safety and welfare of our communities without input from any of the three village.

Why? What was the impetus the lead the Manlius supervisor and councilors’ refusal to operate under the time honored agreement of collaboration for 38 years of working together?

We deserve an explanation for the town’s unilateral decision to manage the united police force independently of the three villages.

We pride ourselves on being transparent and accountable, especially when addressing issues that directly involve our communities’ public safety.

As elected officials for the Village of Fayetteville residents, we want to affirm our commitment to work with the town and two other villages to strengthen our municipal collaboration when it comes to the safety of our residents.

MARk OLSON, MAyOR, DANIEL kINSELLA, tRuStEE, MICHAEL SMALL, tRuStEE, MARk MAtt, tRuStEE, JANE RICE, tRuStEE fayeTTeVille

There he goes again

To the editor:

I have read with interest the recent story in you’re the Syracuse newspapers as well as their Sunday editorial about the lack of transparency on the part of Supervisor John Deer and the members of the Manlius Town Board.

My immediate neighbors in Fayetteville and East Syracuse have experienced it first-hand. John Deer preaches transparency but does the opposite. He bypasses questions from the residents’ claiming “personnel matters”. But he has bypassed residents in the pass. One case was when his pet solar project was rejected by the existing Town process. Syracuse newspaper article “How a solar project in a CNY town has led to accusations of government railroading” syracuse. com/news/2022/03/how-a-solar-project-in-a-cnytown-has-led-to-accusations-of-governmentrailroading.html

Even though the planning board was not going to pass it and at his public hearing over 260 residents showed up to talk against it, Deer and his board just changed the law to get what he wanted. Just changed the law.

Will he do the same with the police department. Now he is playing with our safety. As senior residents we see the increased crime in the villages and town, yet he bypassed any input from the Village Mayors and let the Police Chief go.

What exactly is this new direction he is going in? How can we get answers and the truth.

Like I said, there he goes again…

CONNIE WHIttON fayeTTeVille

Quite a divide has formed on this issue. Some stars, like Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm, hate the proposal. Others, like Rory McIlroy, say it’s about time.

What makes it far more complicated is that there really is no right or wrong answer here. It’s all a matter of how we, as golfers and golf fans, wish to see the sport played at its highest level.

For most of the 20 th century, this wasn’t a problem. Even as equipment got better (steel shafts replaced hickory, metal drivers replaced persimmon), driving distance increased at a gradual rate, and courses of all sizes could challenge them.

A new millennium, though, brought several new factors. One was Tiger Woods and his complete domination of golf, rendering Augusta and other courses inadequate.

Another was all the guys Tiger inspired, getting bigger, faster and stronger.

Also, ball technology brought even more distance.

Among the many problems this created was courses having to use more land to keep up, which meant more costs for maintenance that was far from earth-friendly. Worse yet, many great courses fell out of favor.

This is what the USGA and R&A is trying to address.

Their reasons for a standard ball include, most critically, their belief that if everyone started out with a ball that only carried so far, it would force them to (1) get in better shape to hit it further and (2) hone their skills in order to draw and fade it on longer shots.

In other words, all of a golfer’s skills would be emphasized again, not just brute strength.

Then, in terms of hosting future championships, courses could get judged on their overall merit, not whether it’s 7,500 yards or more from the tips.

Countering all this is the argument that fans and players love to see the drives go deep, that golf has far bigger problems than the distance balls fly and that maybe more emphasis should be placed on facing those issues, such as inclusion.

They also (correctly) point out that, no matter how far anyone hits it, it still comes down to the short game, holing putts and chipping and getting it up and down from bunkers and other tough situations.

Lastly, they’ll say that golf’s allure comes from the fact that recreational players can use the same equipment as the pros, if they so desire. Take away that aura, and some of the appeal might go away.

Everyone remotely connected to golf has their own take on this, and feels like they must take sides, either defending the value of the game’s historic venues or deciding that advances in the sport are too far along to turn back.

For me, thoughtful, intelligent change is always good. There’s nothing wrong with keeping golf just as it is, balls and equipment alike, for us types who don’t play for a living and want to have as much fun as possible.

If this ultimately requires two different sets of rules and establishing one for the professionals, then fine. They’re good enough to adjust their games and their bodies for a time where tradition and progress can coexist and, more importantly, all-around skill will determine who’s victorious.

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

CROSSWORD

Earth Corps

Date: 4/15/23, 6/24/23, 8/19/23, 10/21/23

Time: 9 AM – 1 PM

Site of Collection: Fayette Manor, Cashin Drive/ Brookside, Huntleigh Park and Southfield Drive

Event Coordinator: Pieter Keese 315-289-6776, Greg Michel 315-632-0080

Instructions to Bottle/Can Donors: Bottles and cans can be dropped off at the locations below or leave them by your mail box for pick up by 12:00PM

• 160 Brookside Lane

• 208 Redfield Ave

• 318 Fayette Drive 20th Anniversary

All proceeds benefit Onondaga Earth Corps, a not-forprofit organization based in Syracuse whose mission is to empower young people to be active participants in creating positive change for their communities and the environment.

Empowering Youth | Building Community

Help Onondaga Earth Corps celebrate our 20th anniversary! www.onondagaearthcorps.org

Village of Baldwinsville Employment Position: Automotive Mechanic

The work involves responsibility for performing skilled work in repair and maintenance of automotive and construction equipment. An employee in this class does skilled mechanical work in the maintenance and repair of automobiles, trucks, tractors and a wide variety of other construction equipment. Two (2) years of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in the repair and maintenance of automotive equipment is preferred. A NYS CDL Class B will be required by the end of the first year of employment per the union contract. A valid NYS Driver’s license is required. A more detailed job description and application is available upon request. Please call 315-635-9665 for more information.

PENNY SAVER

HELP WANTED

Cazenovia College to hold job fair for employees Thursday

Cazenovia College in collaboration with the Department of Labor will hold a Job Fair on Thursday, April 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Hubbard Hall.

The event will be focused on connecting employers with

current job openings with Cazenovia College employees.

“Connecting our talented workers with employers looking to hire is a critical part of our efforts as we approach the closing of the College,” stated Dr. David Bergh, president,

possess some delusion of being able to reverse the course of the project. Instead, his intention was simply to start a pragmatic, solution-oriented dialog with his village leadership and to request that the board members work with the residents to hold Housing Visions accountable as they execute their development plan.

“Help mitigate the damage already done by this Housing Visions development project, work to proactively solve for the near-certain disasters this project is bound to create, and avoid putting our community members in similar situations moving forward,” he said.

In response to McDermott’s remarks about insufficient vegetation for privacy, Mayor Kurt Wheeler said that Housing Visions has agreed to meet with the concerned residents and work on reevaluating their screening plan once the spring vegetation has started to come in.

“This would not be a prudent time to try to evaluate screening right now since everything is bare,” he said.

Wheeler also said that Public Works Administrator Bill Carr has been up to the site multiple times to ensure that the plan, as approved, is being carried out in terms of vegetation.

Wheeler next addressed McDermott’s comments that his neighborhood lost access to clean running water multiple times in December, including on Christmas Day, and that he is concerned that the new development units will put even more strain on the existing water system.

According to Wheeler, the disruption in drinking water was due to environmental factors and had nothing to do with the project. The village also experienced water main breaks on Clark Street and East Lake Road around that time.

Carr assured the residents that Dunn & Sgromo Engineers reviewed the water system and determined that it is “very adequate” to accommodate the development. He also stated that the project was reviewed by Jim Cunningham, who operates the Cazenovia Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“We follow the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, and all the documentation is part of the public record and has been available since this process began five years ago,” Wheeler said.

Burton Street resident Suzanne Munger then asked the mayor to explain the relatively recent changes made to the scope of the project, specifically the introduction of the development’s supportive housing units for individuals with mental illness, survivors of domestic violence, and young adults.

According to Wheeler, the original proj-

culture.”

Cazenovia College. “Just as we are working to ensure that our students will be placed at another institution for the Fall 2023 semester, we want our workforce to have the opportunity to find new positions for the next phase of their ca-

ect proposal back in 2018 included affordable housing for seniors and families.

“That went through the process and was approved,” he said. “As Housing Visions went through the very comprehensive funding process — looking at tax credits and other mechanisms that they used to fund this, to make it affordable — [the supportive housing] element was added.”

The village was informed of the addition around December 2020.

“We reviewed that,” Wheeler said. “With our zoning, we can control use. We can say a site can be used for single-family housing, multi-family housing, commercial uses. That’s what our zoning covers. Our zoning does not cover who lives in a residential unit. So, for us to reverse the approval and say, ‘OK, you can have residential multi-family housing, but you can’t have person X, Y, or Z living in that housing,’ that does not fall within our legal scope.”

Wheeler also stated that, with respect to the residents with mental illness, no one who is a danger to themself or to others will be eligible for this housing.

“It’s people who are very high functioning and who are going to be able to live independently, but they are going to get support from CAP,” he said.

He also emphasized that all the populations that will be served by the supportive housing are part of the greater Cazenovia community already.

The board heard from several other residents before wrapping up the public comment period.

“We are here to listen,” said Wheeler. “We are your elected board, and we are here to hear your concerns. I do want to dispel the misconceptions that somehow this didn’t follow an appropriate process, a thorough process. We follow a legal systematic process for everything that comes before us that is bound by local law and by New York State law. We have a very good planning board that is also very diligent. We have professional experts, like engineers and attorneys, who guide us in that process. We do our utmost, as people who are essentially volunteers, to be the watchdogs and to manage those processes on behalf of the community. And all of us care deeply about the community. I say that sincerely. And it doesn’t mean that reasonable people aren’t going to disagree and people aren’t going to have different perspectives on one project or another project.”

He concluded by saying that he will be sure to follow up with the residents who had specific questions and that the village will continuously work to ensure that the development is well managed, well run, safe, and a wonderful place to live.

“I hope that when it’s done and every-

reers after the College closes.”

With the announcement of the College closing prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester, the department of labor has assisted with services for employees including resume development, employ-

ment counseling, civil service information, and job market information.

The college anticipates approximately 30 companies from a variety of employers from both the public and private sectors in the area to

thing is replanted and everything is complete, [there] will be a sense of tranquility restored to the neighborhood,” Wheeler said. “I truly hope that. I know that is [Housing Vision’s] intention.”

To learn more about Housing Visions, visit housingvisions.org. For more information on CAP, visit capmadco.org. In other news

The board held a public hearing to receive input relating to the tentative budget for the year 2023-2024. The total budget for the upcoming fiscal year will be $3,383,321.61 with a two percent tax levy increase. The tentative budget represents a $118,000 increase over the previous year’s budget.

“[A 3.6 percent increase] is certainly more than we would want to have under normal conditions, but in a year with an average 6.2 percent inflation throughout the year — including times when there was 8 percent inflation during the year — holding the cost increase to 3.6 percent is pretty good. We certainly tried to tighten our belts and shave any budget lines that we could.”

A copy of the tentative budget is on file in the office of the village clerk.

After no comments were made during the public hearing, the board voted to approve the tentative budget.

Wheeler and Lauren Lines, executive director of the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, Inc. (CACDA), provided a brief update on the community’s ongoing planning for the future of the Cazenovia College campus.

Wheeler reminded everyone that the New York State Police are very interested in using the campus as a location for a temporary, secondary training academy.

While that particular use would keep the campus occupied and would be compatible with the property’s existing educational use, it would not be a permanent solution.

The mayor explained that it would serve as a bridge solution since most of the viable long-term options for the campus that the village is exploring are probably going to take a couple of years to develop and bring to fruition.

“We are certainly continuing to engage other institutions of higher learning to bring in another college-type use, which would be probably the highest and best use,” said Wheeler. “We have a number of planning groups in the community that are active at really digging into the details of other potential uses as well.”

Wheeler also reported that he believes 100 percent of Cazenovia College’s students will either graduate this spring or have negotiated a transfer agreement with another

next bus to take him to the main street where the school is located.

participate.

The event is free to exhibitors.

If you are looking to hire, contact Janis Romagnoli, director of Human Resources, Cazenovia College at jaromagnoli@cazenovia.edu

college. Also, a very high percentage of the college’s employees have secured future employment, according to the mayor.

“The people are being taken care of, so now we are really trying to make sure the community is also taken care of,” Wheeler said.

Lines reported that CACDA was able to use the funds that the village and town have committed to the planning process to leverage a state grant through Empire State Development.

“We have a state grant awarded for $46,000 for planning, in addition to what the town and the village have,” said Lines. “Then we are leveraging all of that to apply [for a U.S. Economic Development Administration] grant that is specifically for communities that have lost a major employer. We fit really well in with that, and I think we have a solid chance of getting that funding. All combined, we will have close to $200,000, if that is awarded, to use for planning. We don’t yet know exactly how those funds will be spent. We are trying to do as much of the initial planning locally [as possible].”

According to Lines, there are six or seven working groups that have started meeting surrounding certain ideas for future uses for the campus.

“The goal is to spend the next couple of months, while we are waiting to hear about the federal funding, continuing these working groups and doing fact-finding, and then kind of picking the three or four ideas from that process that we think are the most viable,” said Lines. “Then we will hire experts to do that next-level research on those couple of ideas.”

During the board’s public comment period, Wheeler offered an update on the status of the Happy Mart convenience store at 63 Albany St.

He reported that, to his knowledge, the store has ceased operations but still has a lease with the landlord of the building.

“I think it’s just a matter of when they clear out the contents [of the store] and when the landlord leases the space to a new tenant,” he said.

The Village of Cazenovia Police Department has the following found property: a pair of boots and sneakers found at Lakeland Park, a child’s toy cell phone, three pairs of glasses, a necklace found behind Buyea’s, and a Volvo key found on Lincklaen Street. Please contact the department at 315-6553276 to claim the property.

The Village of Cazenovia Board of Trustees typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Village Municipal Building, 90 Albany St.

get a good education.

“Education in my country is not a really good education, and when I study it will give me more opportunities for higher education,” he said. “Since I have always wanted to study abroad, I found going on an exchange year is a really good idea, especially in the USA.”

al-Rubei joined the CHS varsity soccer team last fall and said he made great memories with the team.

According to the student, one difference between his school in Gaza City and CHS is the number of students. He noted that a single classroom back home might have 40 kids, while even the most packed classroom in Cazenovia does not have more than 20 students.

al-Rubei said he was impressed to discover how calm and quiet it can be out in the countryside versus in Gaza City, where it is “always loud.”

“When I go to sleep, I do not hear anything — no cars, no people chattering in the street [in the] late hours, nothing,” he said. “So, I really like [Cazenovia], but still, I am a city person.”

According to al-Rubei, not much else about living in the USA has surprised him.

“In 2023, with all the stuff on the internet, we can get information about almost everything,” he said. “. . . When I watch shows on Netflix, I learn lots of things about many cultures, especially the American

Although he will miss the countryside, the friends he has made, and, most of all, his host family, al-Rubei is looking forward to enjoying the activities, food, and architecture of his home city.

“Gaza city is a really interesting place,” he said. “You will find modern architecture, and you can find old places — really old, like the Great Mosque of Gaza, a place with a history of 2,000 years, and the Orthodox Church of St. Porphyrius, a 1,650-year-old beautiful church.”

For Topchiev, who is in the US for the first time, the differences in his everyday life in Cazenovia versus in Bulgaria’s capital city are significant.

In the city, he lives primarily in a second-floor apartment with his mother and younger brother. About once a week, he stays with his father in an apartment on the 14th floor.

“Right outside my apartment building is a 24/7 shop where I can go to buy juice or snacks,” he said. “Where I live in Cazenovia, I’d have to walk 3.5 miles for snacks.”

Topchiev added that, like Cazenovia, the people in the quieter section of the city where he lives tend to know each other.

A notable difference in his daily routine has been his commute to school. In Bulgaria, the multi-step journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes with no traffic and involves catching a bus, taking a short walk to get the subway to the city center, switching subway lines to head out of the city, and then waiting for the

“If I attended the public school, it would only have taken me a couple of minutes, but my mother thought the private school was better,” he said. These days, his morning commute takes just six minutes via yellow school bus.

“From the movies, I never thought yellow buses were a real thing, and I remember my surprise when I first saw one coming down the road,” he said. “Houses and cars unlocked — the level of trust was [also] a big surprise. Tax on top of stated price in stores surprised me. When I went to buy something for two dollars and the clerk asked for $2.16. In general, the prices [for technology products, like] phones, are less expensive by a lot.”

Another change in Topchiev’s life recently has been his participation in school sports, which are not offered at his Bulgarian high school.

Since arriving last fall, he has participated in CHS’s football, hockey, and lacrosse programs.

“In the US, high school sports are supported by the community,” he noted. “I love sports. In Bulgaria, I had to travel two hours to the stadium for rugby practice. Here, sports are either next to the school or you get a bus to go there — for instance, hockey in Morrisville. . . The coaches have been great, and I feel I have been supported by them. They want me to improve and get playing time.”

Having grown to love American

football, Topchiev is looking forward to playing the sport back in Bulgaria, despite its small teams.

“My most memorable time was after our first football quarter-final victory and the feeling in the locker room afterward,” he said. “We were all so happy, playing music, and seeing the coaches super happy.”

According to Topchiev, he plans to bring home as much gear as his suitcase will allow, making sure to pack the new football he got for Christmas and his new football helmet and cleats. He also hopes to fit his hockey helmet and a plaque he received at the hockey banquet to remember the great times he had in that program as well.

“I will miss most the kids I became friendly with and the coaches I became close to,” said Topchiev. “I loved taking the classes Studio Photography and Food and Nutrition. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, friends, and dog in Bulgaria, but honestly, I’d rather stay in Cazenovia because I like it here. I just like how the people treat me and each other. People are super kind and trusting. I’m hoping to go to a college in the area — SU, Colgate, LeMoyne? Unfortunately, it won’t be Cazenovia College, which I think would have been a good choice. I would like to thank the people at Greenheart International, the [Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study program], Catherine Jeannin, my local coordinator, and my host mother, Pat Carmeli.”

According to Carmeli, al-Rubei and Topchiev are sure to return home

after the school year with memories of her chickens running around; her horse, mini-donkey, and two minischnauzers; her cats that have been sleeping with them nightly; and their trip down to New York City.

“When I took the boys to NYC, Andy was so excited about having a hotdog from a street vendor,” Carmeli recalled. “Medhat lamented that he couldn’t have one, because it would probably contain pork and not be hallal, [the] Muslim version of kosher. Well, as soon as we arrived at ground level outside Penn Station, we saw that all the food trucks were hallal. What a pleasant surprise for Medhat. He and Andy both got hotdogs but were actually pretty disappointed in the taste. But they had a great time and loved NYC.”

al-Rubei described the trip as the best memory of his time in the US.

“[New York City] is my favorite place I have been to in my life, and I got to speak Arabic multiple times,” he said. “It was a wonderful trip.”

The students, who are scheduled to head home on June 4, will depart with not only the memories of their experiences but also photo albums that Carmeli made with pictures from their New York City trip.

Carmeli said that although it will be nice to get her house back to herself and watch what she wants on the television, she knows how much she will miss the students and she will keep them in her thoughts.

To learn more about Greenheart Exchange, visit greenheartexchange. org

Life lessons for better golf…

Caz lacrosse combines with Chittenango for 2023

By Phil BlACkwEll

Anew and potentially exciting era for Cazenovia High School boys lacrosse began with unqualified success.

It was decided, prior to the 2023 season, that Cazenovia would combine its program with the one next door in Chittenango, along with other neighboring schools such as Oneida and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill.

Once assembled, the Lakers would move from Class D, where it reached the Section III finals a year ago before falling to LaFayette, to Class C, joining a lineup that includes Westhill, Jamesville-DeWitt, Carthage, New Hartford and Homer.

For its season opener last Thursday night, Cazenovia faced Cortland and, patient in the early going, showed its best stuff in the latter stages of a 15-5 victory over the Purple Tigers.

Though not spectacular in the first three quarters, the Lakers still built an 8-2 margin anchored by its defense as goalie Tucker Ives would finish with six saves.

Then Cazenovia scored seven times in the final period led by one of those new players from Chittenango, Brendon Barnard, who finished with five goals and one assist.

Forrest Ives piled up five assists to go with his pair of goals and picked up 14 ground balls. D.B. Falge scored twice and got three assists, with Tom Navin also getting two goals.

Of the 22 face-offs he took, Bryson Weaver won 17 of them. Alex Kuper, Ben Bianco, Basil Sayre and Bobby Livingston each had one goal as Kuper and Navin got single assists.

History

l From page 4

the school district year-round. Sponsored by Cazenovia Young People’s Ice Education Assn., formerly Cazenovia Youth Hockey Assn., the structure to be built on four acres of land donated by Robert Riedl on Burton Street, will house not only an ice rink, but tennis courts, volleyball and basketball and other sports. The cost of the center is estimated at $200,000 to be raised through taxdeductible contributions from community residents.

20 years Ago – April 2, 2003

Through an enrichment program developed and presented by Pat Hill

The season’s first big test came on Saturday at Christakos Field against Marcellus, who had opened with an impressive 12-1 win over Auburn.

And the Lakers would find out, quickly, that the Mustangs were still in top form, falling by an 18-6 margin. Marcellus steadily built a 9-3 lead by halftime, then added eight goals in the third quarter to settle it.

Falge got three goals and Forrest Ives two goals, with Kuper netting the other goal. Chris Doshna (six goals, one assists) and Nick Rayfield (four goals, three assists) paced Marcellus.

The girls lacrosse programs at Cazenovia and Chittenango remain separate, with the Lakers quite impressive in last Saturday’s season opener, a 19-5 romp over Homer.

Between her 12 draw controls and four goals, Charlie Prior led a Cazenovia attack that saw Riley Knapp score five times and Madison DeAngelis step up with three goals and three assists.

Katie Rajkowski put in a pair of goals, with Julia Reff and Maren Smith each earning one goal and two assists. Sally Hughes had one goal and one assist as Izzy Stromer-Galley and Hayden Bubble also converted.

Two days earlier, Chittenango opened its season an 11-7 defeat to Jordan-Elbridge.

Tomi Newkirk, Brooke Walters and Cailtyn Sgambellone each scored twice for the Bears, Newkirk gaining two assists as Cara Kielbasa had the other goal. Abby Penfield made eight saves, but J-E had Kelsey Brunelle lead the way, nearly matchin the Bears by herself by netting six goals.

and Julia Smith, Burton Street second grade and multi-age classes participated in hands-on history lessons at the Cazenovia Public Library. The program consisted of four lessons bringing library museum artifacts directly in the classrooms. Children explored pre- and post-contact Iroquois culture, the founding of the library and museum and early Cazenovia history. The program culminated with a field trip to the library and museum where students reviewed previous lessons, observed a spinning demonstration by local spinner Joan Horton, participated in a craft project, played a “find the artifact” game and learned specifics about the mummy and other special museum treasures.

Share your milestone celebrations!

Eagle Newspapers is here to help readers share their milestone celebrations, including birth announcements, engagements, weddings, anniversaries and milestone birthdays. The deadline to submit an announcement is 10 a.m. the Friday before publication. Announcements of up to 250 words with a photo cost just $50, with an additional 15 cents per word over 250 words. Announcements will be posted to eaglenewsonline.com within 24 hours of receipt of payment. To submit a milestone announcement, email Alyssa Dearborn at adearborn@eaglenewsonline.com, or call 315.434.8889 ext. 305.

As I was browsing YouTube for a few words of wisdom for this column, I stumbled upon the following sayings from an unknown author that made me think about how I could take advantage of the knowledge and experience the author was sharing with us when he wrote…”Life Lessons For A Better Life”.

As you know, I o en write about life and golf and the special relationship avid golfers have with a game we can literally play for as long as we have the desire to do so. I decided to take the liberty of applying my personal thoughts to what the unknown author had to say that might make sense to those of us who have had to endure the process of learning how to establish our own unique relationship with golf. And, for those of you who don’t play golf, do not underestimate the wisdom in what the author has to say about your relationship with life. e word’s “Life” and “Golf” are synonymous throughout this article and therefore, the thoughts are interchangeable. Admittedly, this article is more about “Life” than “Golf” but as golfers, it is important that we learn as much about ourselves as possible in order to accept who we are and why it is critical for us to, as the author says, “Learn To Be Alone”.

e Unknown Author, with contributions from yours truly…

* It is always the ones who know the least about our golf game who judge us the most.

* Don’t compare yourself with any other golfer. If you do, you are insulting yourself.

* Play every round of golf as if it were going to be your last….one day you are sure to be right.

* A real golf friend is one who “walksin”, when the rest of them, “walk-out”.

* One of the greatest mental freedoms is truly not caring what anyone else

thinks about your game.

* I would rather be alone with dignity than in a relationship that requires me to sacri ce my self-respect.

* Do things for other golfers not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.

* Prayer without faith is not answered.

* Learn to be alone because not everyone will stay.

* No one knows how you treat yourself, but it is the most important relationship you have.

* Rejection is a common occurrence. Learning that early and o en in your golf career will help build up the tolerance and resistance to keep going and keep trying.

ank you “unknown author”. I am trying to pick my favorite. How about you? Which one strikes that mental cord we look for in every golf article we read that has the potential to save us a few strokes during our next round of golf?

All “11” are wonderful thoughts and lessons about “life” and “golf”. I believe the longer we live, the more we will appreciate every one of them.

I have made my decision…my favorite is:

PLAY EVERY ROUND OF GOLF AS IF IT WERE GOING TO BE YOUR LAST…ONE DAY YOU ARE SURE TO BE RIGHT.

What’s your favorite?

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