Cazenovia Republican digital edition - April 10, 2024

board authorized the purchase of the equipment from CD3, General Benefit Corporation, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, for a total price not to exceed $47,450, including shipping. The town will receive a grant for the station that will cover most of the cost.

According to Supervisor Kyle Reger, the town is waiting on the grant agreement.

The adopted resolution explains that the town has previously implemented various measures and protections to “advance the integrity and quality of the waters of Cazenovia Lake,” including the use of an aquatic weed harvester to control the invasive species Eurasian watermilfoil; the banning of pesticides within areas of the Town of Cazenovia Lake Watershed; the periodic chemical treatment of targeted areas of Cazenovia Lake; the introduction of a benthic mat program; and other similar measures, including educational materials.

Recognizing that the launching of boats into Cazenovia Lake could facilitate the introduction of harmful invasive species into the lake, the town partnered with the Cazenovia Lake Association (CLA) to investigate the purchase of a boat decontamination station.

The town and CLA conducted an extensive review and search for vendors and manufacturers of boat decontamination stations and determined that the desired equipment is of extremely limited availability.

CD3 was the only provider found for such equipment.

According to Town Councilor Jimmy Golub, the town is purchasing a dry station.

“We talked a lot about different systems,” Golub said. “A hot water system is probably the gold standard, but there is more infrastructure necessary to put something in like that at that location. We thought this was the path of least resistance, and it also is quite effective. It’s like a giant vacuum cleaner, basically. There is no water involved, so we don’t have to hook up to water. If used properly, it’s supposed to be almost as effective as hot water.”

Golub added that the town is hoping to get the station in two to six weeks.

During the meeting, the town board also authorized the supervisor to enter an inter-municipal agreement (IMA) for the use of the boat launch facilities at Lakeside Park.

The Village of Cazenovia previously adopted a policy to make the boat launch available, free of charge, to resi-

The United Climate Action Network (UCAN) recently announced the schedule of Earth Day events presented by various community organizations.

“As stewards of this beautiful landscape, it’s our collective responsibility to honor and preserve it.” said Monica Palmer of Caz Life.

“This collaboration with UCAN, Caz Life, the Village of Cazenovia, various environmental organizations and energy-related local businesses, is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainability, environmental awareness, and the well-being of our beloved community. Let’s join hands, local businesses and residents alike, to make Earth Day 2023 a resounding success for our community and our planet.”

Cazenovia celebrates Earth Day weekend with a variety of events hosted by local organizations from clean-up activities to informational workshops.

The weekend will feature a tree planting with the Village of Cazenovia Tree Commission, a ‘Native Plants and Pollinators’ workshop with Madison County Cooperative Extension, an electric vehicle show and a ‘Trash to Treasure’ competition at the Earth Day Fair. The public is invited to attend.

All events are free and located in Cazenovia. There is something for everyone being offered throughout the weekend and even a workshop on Tuesday.

Some of the events planned include the following:

Energy Efficiency

Tuesday, April 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cazenovia Pub -

lic Library Community Room

Energy Efficient Homes, Zero Net Housing, a Panel

Discussion: Three panelists who have built net zero homes, will discuss what their houses are like and what it was like building an energy efficient home.

sustainable Gardening

Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. at New Woodstock Free Library Native Plants & Pollinators Workshop: Horticulturist Patty Stimmel from Cornell Cooperative Extension will speak on how to create a thriving garden space and build a mini-self-sustaining ecosystem.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Sunday, April 21, 10 to 10:45 a.m. at Lakeland Park, Forman St., Cazenovia EV’s will be parked at Lakeland Park from 1010:45 for people to see and then the Cazenovia Village Police will escort the cars to the American Legion for viewing, talking to owners

and guest rides from 11 to 3 p.m. hosted by Drive Electric Earth Mont h Earth Day Fair

Sunday, April 21, 11 to 3 p.m. at Legion Hall, 26 Chenango St., Cazenovia. At the Earth Day Fair you can test drive an EV, learn how to save on energy costs with heat pumps, geothermal, solar and wind. Visit with 26 energy and environmental exhibitors, have lunch at the Vietnamese food truck and more.

Featured presentations at the Earth Day Fair 11:30 a.m. Opening Cer -

emony – Brian Patterson, Oneida Nation & Phil Rose, UCAN Steering Committee Noon Bubble Mania Goes

Green with Doug Rougeux –A bubble show for the young and young at heart presented by a former Ringling Circus Clown and decades-long bubbleologist. 1 p.m. Ecological Gardening with Julie Poplaski, Cooperative Extension Master Gardener.

named First Team All-State. Cazenovia Varsity Boys Ice Hockey is a combined athletic program with players from multiple school districts.

According to Donlin, the 2023-24 team had athletes from Cazenovia, Chittenango, Hamilton, Madison, Waterville, Sherburne-Earlville, and Canastota. In previous years, the team has also had student-athletes from Morrisville-Eaton.

“This is why we play with the larger schools in Division I,” Donlin noted.

Coached by Seth Howard and assistant coach Chris Cannizzaro, the team’s 26 players finished out its most recent season with a record of 13-7-1. Following the regular season, the coaches in Section III voted on the player of the year, and coaches across New York State voted to select the AllState teams.

Tree City

Donlin said he was honored to receive the coaches’ recognition.

“I’ve played high school hockey since eighth grade and have seen several great players given awards like these,” he added. “I am grateful to also have been selected.”

Donlin learned to skate at SUNY Morrisville IcePlex, and he has been playing hockey since he was five years old.

“I played youth hockey and traveled all over the northeast, Minnesota, [and] Michigan, and up into Canada,” Donlin said, adding that his favorite part of participating in high school hockey was getting to play in front of crowds of friends and family at every home game.

On April 3, CCSD Athletic Administrator Mike Byrnes described Donlin as one of the finest student-athletes the school has ever had. “He puts in the work in his off-seasons, and he leads by example and by presence and action in-season in all his sports,” Byrnes said. “Younger students in our community look up to Jack as a local superstar. What’s really awesome

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Thomas Tait accepted the award on behalf of Cazenovia.

Tait is a village trustee, tree commissioner, ISA certified arborist, and founder of the tree commission in 2007.

Jim Maloney (is an ISA certified arborist and manager of distribution forestry for the Central Division at National Grid and a founding member of the Cazenovia Tree Commission.

Tait recognized Maloney during his acceptance speech, noting his selflessness, generosity, and vast knowledge of arboriculture which profoundly benefits Cazenovia and many other communities and green industry organizations.

about Jack being named the D1 Ice Hockey Player of the Year and making First Team All-State is that Jack’s primary year-round sport has evolved as he has aged [into] baseball, the

Tree City USA is a program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation with the goal of maintaining and growing the municipal tree cover in a community.

The Village of Cazenovia recognizes the importance of trees in Cazenovia and the tree commission is credited with planting nearly 200 trees total in the village every year since its inception.

Great care is placed on selecting the right tree for the right spot and ensuring that the trees are planted correctly with appropriate aftercare. It does not end there though.

According to Tait, the Village of Cazenovia cares for their tree canopy throughout the life of the tree, including pruning, root collar work, periodic

sport he will play in college.

It is a remarkable accomplishment to be considered the best of the best in a sport that he would tell you is not his number one sport [all] year-round.

fertilization, insect and disease assessment and tree removal when the tree knowingly becomes hazardous beyond remediation and/or is in irreversible decline.

The Village of Cazenovia Tree Commission is a volunteer group that an -

swers to the village board and is always looking for new members regardless of one’s knowledge of trees or residency. Anyone interested in learning more or wishes to contribute to the tree planting fund is asked to contact Thomas Tait at ttait@twcny.rr.co m

Jack is a refreshing example [of how] a student-athlete can be so accomplished [while] being a multisport standout and an accomplished classroom

Submitted Photo

Jack Donlin, a cazenovia High school senior, was recently selected as the section iii Division i ice Hockey Player of the year and named First Team All-state.

Hockey l Page 7

number of years,

Cazenovia Heritage plans May 5 event

The Cazenovia Heritage organization hopes to develop the next generation of those who care about protecting Cazenovia’s historic architecture with an event for parents and children on Sunday, May 5.

On that date, one hundred thousand LEGO blocks will arrive at the Burton School Gym. From 1 to 3 p.m. participants will select one of 60 historic buildings to re-create on an enlarged map of the village and town.

Cazenovia Heritage is working with Building Blocks Workshops, Inc. to conduct the event.

The company has conducted similar programs over the last f15 years for other cities, large and small, including Princeton and Montclair NJ; Rye NY, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington DC.

Families will receive basic architectural principles to recreate specific buildings in Cazenovia, such as Lorenzo, the library, the business district, as well as other well-

known and less-known historic homes in the town.

Once built, the buildings will be placed on a 20’ x 35’ map, providing a large aerial view of the town and village. At the end of the session, participants will receive a LEGONOVIA map to take home.

“This looks to be both a fun and educational program, as well as an opportunity for the community to recognize the importance of protecting Cazenovia’s historic architecture for the next generation,” said Mike MacHugh of Cazenovia Heritage and co-coordinator of the event. “We’re encouraging everyone, in addition to participating families, to get into the spirit of LEGO®NOVIA by decorating shop windows or contributing a sponsorship.”

There will be a maximum of 50 teams, with each team comprised of two to four members.

All teams must include at least one adult and one child. A recommended minimum age of a child is eight years.

Tickets are $10 each and went on sale April 1 and will sell out at a maximum of 200 tickets. Purchases must be made in advance. Doors will open at 1:45 p.m. on the fifth.

Sponsorships of individuals and businesses are available from $50 - $1,000 with varying publicity levels. Both tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at cazheritage.org or by mailing a check to Cazenovia Heritage at P. O. Box 103, Cazenovia NY.

Given space limitations, attendees are limited to sponsors and to participating adults and their spouses/partners and children. Photos of the event will be posted on the cazheritage website.

“Selection of the buildings was not easy,” said Anne Ferguson, president of Cazenovia Heritage, “first, because what appears to be an obvious selection may not be great for reproducing in LEGO® blocks, and second, because Cazenovia has

Cazenovia Forum to welcome Corey Ponder on May 1

In recent years, building relationships has increasingly happened online: on social media platforms, in digital spaces, and behind screens. As users, how can we connect deeply and authentically with others, while maintaining necessary levels of trust and safety? And how can the online spaces and products we’re in and on every day be developed to support users?

Empathy is the key, says Corey Ponder. His focus on empathy and working with others stems from a simple belief: “Nothing is simply someone else’s problem.”

Ponder will explore the theme Wednesday, May 1, in a talk presented by the Cazenovia Forum. Titled “Being Online Today: Empathy and Trust in a Hyper Digital World,” the talk will be at 7 p.m. at Cazenovia High School, 31 Emory Ave.

The presentation is free and open to the public with a reception at the Brewster Inn to follow.

With more than a decade of professional experience as a policy analyst in the public sector and a policy leader in the tech sector, Ponder knows that an emphasis on emotional intelligence—self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills—leads to a more committed, productive, and engaged product and workforce. He has provided inclusion initiatives across several companies, including the CIA, Google and Meta.

His focus on empathy was sparked by an interaction with his manager in 2016 when two Black men, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling had been killed by police officers.

“I saw myself in these men and their untimely deaths shook me,” he writes.

When he got to work, and his manager asked him how he was, she wouldn’t accept the automatic response we give when we think others are not really interested.

The Cazenovia Art Trail’s 2024 New Artist Application is available on-line at www.art-trail.org.

The deadline to participate is April 30th

The Cazenovia Art Trail is an annual self-guided tour of artists’ studios which is a unique opportunity for the public to meet artists in their working environments. This event is free and open to the public.

We hope you will join us for the 2024 Art Trail scheduled for September 28th & September 29th from 10 am to 5 pm both days - for one weekend only.

She pursued it and acknowledged the news about Castile and Sterling and in that moment, Ponder says, “she created an opportunity for processing, reflecting and empathizing together.”

It was then that he realized that he was part of something bigger and that what affected him affected us all.

Since then, he has made empathy a daily habit.

“The idea is straightforward,” he writes. “Every day commit to one action that helps you understand someone better.”

The Cazenovia Forum hosts a regularly scheduled public affairs lecture series that offers citizens from Cazenovia and surrounding areas an opportunity to hear nationally and internationally known experts on a variety of key issues and to engage in thoughtful discussion.

For more information, go to: cazenoviaforum.com.

such a large and rich inventory of historic homes to choose from. There will be a good assortment of places that should be recognizable to children and their parents, along with, perhaps, some new discoveries.”

LEGONOVIA is one of two events planned by Cazenovia Heritage for May, which is National Preservation Month. The second is a free architecture walking tour conducted by Ted Bartlett of Cazenovia Heritage of the lower Fenner Street neighborhood on Sunday, May 19.

“We can think of no better way to kickoff National Preservation Month than to put a spotlight on the abundance of Cazenovia’s historic architecture that hopefully, the next generation will inherit,” said Ferguson. “LEGO®NOVIA is a great way for residents of all ages to become stewards of our buildings and community.”

For information on LEGONOVIA or to purchase tickets and sponsorships, visit cazheritage.org

corey Ponder

Did you know

That any prearranged or prepaid funerals

Tel: (315) 655-8101

Doors open at 12:45 PM 125265

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 kinds 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, a 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.

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 allvolunteer 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.

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.

According to FASNY, volunteer departments will be opening their doors April 13 and 14 as part of the 15th annual RecruitNY weekend in an effort to increase membership.

Coinciding with RecruitNY this year, the Association is adding a little color into the mix.

To publicize the need and increase staffing at the state’s volunteer departments, FASNY will launch the “Fire Up NY Red” (#FireUpNYRed) campaign from April 1 to 14. During this time, FASNY is asking that residents including businesses, landmarks and government buildings turn their lights red to spotlight the need for volunteer firefighters across the Empire State.

Among those planning to participate is the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

For more information visit FASNY.com or reach out to your local volunteer fire department to learn more about what they do and ways you can lend your support.

mAkiNG ‘sENsE’ oF iT All

What do you do when the only grocery store in your village closes? A group of 95 individuals, some from the village of Marcellus, many from outside the village but concerned about the looming threat of a food desert (no fresh meat or produce), joined together to explore what options, what creative solutions exist that could mitigate the loss of that grocery store and the changes that loss will bring to the area.

Ramblings from the empty nest

ann Ferro

Food Sense March package

Facebook and word of mouth were the engines that recruited stakeholders to meetings that identified, discussed and researched both long and short term issues. Those issues concentrated how to determine what the changes meant for access to food which was previously available at the local grocery store. Short term involved identifying what resources already exist in the community including food pantries, Meals on Wheels, CSA’s, delivery services, public transportation, Laker Limo and more. Long term solutions were wrapped around the question: What do we want our community food supply to look like 10 to 20 years from now?

Members of the group undertook research into a wide variety of both existing and creative out-of-the-box solutions. As one of the organizers stated on Facebook, “We were there to look forward, not back. Our focus was on creating ideas and visions as we face a near future without a true grocery store in our village”

As so often happens, an existing resource provided an interesting opportunity about which most of the community was unaware. It ticked, to quote a British idiom, many of the boxes. Known as Food Sense, it is a monthly food box from the Food Bank of Central New York. Food Sense is described by the Food Bank as a “monthly food co-op for everyone,” with the emphasis on everyone. There are no income requirements.

Here is how the Food Bank describes the program: “One of the Food Bank’s longest running programs, Food Sense is a monthly food buying co-op for anyone who wants to stretch their grocery dollars. Food Sense provides a monthly box of 12-15 staple grocery items at a discounted price.”

There are no qualifications, no subscriptions, and no requirements to participate in Food Sense

The Food Bank partners with a number of host sites across our 11-county service area. Please note: Food Bank of Central New York does not take direct orders for Food Sense. All orders are to be placed through your host site.

this is what participants received in their March box: Pork tenderloin, 1 8 lbs (avg ) Chicken Drumsticks, 2 4 lbs (avg ) Marinated beef Portions, 1 lb Pollock Fillets, 1 lb Ground turkey, 1 lb stuffed rigatoni, 12 oz Peas and Carrots, 1 lb Frozen strawberries, 1 lb elbow Macaroni, 1 lb applesauce, 15 oz Cabbage, 1 head Mushrooms 8 oz

Each package costs $20.50 without limitation to the number of packages you may buy. While the items vary from month to month, the package always includes: 4-5 meat items like chicken, ground beef or fish

4-5 staple pantry items like pasta, soup, and rice 2 fresh produce items like apples, carrots or oranges

Rotating monthly specials like stuffed pork chops, American cheese, meatballs, lasagna and chicken tenders can be purchased in addition to the basic unit.

Participants can also order a pantry box weighing 10 pounds for $11.50 which contains a variety of shelf stable items such as breakfast cereals, peanut butter, etc.

Specific directions about how to participate in this program are published online at the Food Bank of Central New York website. More information about the local effort to establish a site for pickup of the boxes in Marcellus is available on the Food Security for the Village of Marcellus NY and its neighbor s Facebook page. The closest pick-up site for Marcellus is now in Camillus.

Food Sense is not the whole solution to the fallout from the loss of a long time village grocery store, but it can be a part of any number of options.

And now, from that part of this columnist who will always be a social studies teacher: This group of concerned citizens is demonstrating what cool heads, engaged minds and the passion for their community can do. Kudos to all who have and will continue this demonstration of what it means to be a participatory citizen.

Bravo!

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.

Town

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dents of municipalities that have entered an IMA with the village. The town and village entered such IMAs in past years.

According to the 2024 IMA, the village will make the boat launch available to residents of the town in exchange for financial assistance with the maintenance and upkeep of the boat launch and the enforcement of applicable regulations pertaining to the boat launch.

The town has agreed to increase its fee to the village from $13,000 to $14,177 for the 2024 season to raise the stewards’ rate of pay.

“It has been recognized [that] the stewards at the boat launch are some of the first lines of defense to ward off invasive species from entering the lake through their inspection of boats and enforcement of regulations,” the adopted resolution states.

in other news

The CLA is holding a community outreach event on Sunday, April 14 at Our Farm, 1590 Peth Rd., Manlius. The event is intended to keep everyone up to date on the CLA’s activity and to discuss any lakerelated concerns people might have.

Reger announced that he will be holding his next monthly office hours on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to allow community members to sit down with him and discuss any town issue.

John Langey, attorney for the Town

of Cazenovia, reported that the proposed Remington Park Drive solar project is headed toward a public hearing.

The project site is located behind Cazenovia Equipment Company.

“The applicants have done everything so far that the planning board has asked for, so [the public hearing] will be at our [planning board] meeting next month, which is the first Thursday of the month, if people are interested in going to it,” Langey said.

Langey added that he suspects the project won’t be voted on that night.

During her report, Councilor Sheila Fallon commented that the reason the town has been so involved with the Remington Park Drive solar project is because its proposed capacity is less than 25 megawatts (MW).

A few years ago, New York State enacted a significant overhaul of large-scale renewable energy project permitting.

All large-scale renewable energy projects 25 MW or larger are now required to seek a siting permit from New York State’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting for new construction or expansion.

“Because it’s less than 25 MW, the town can be involved in it,” said Fallon. “If it was more than that, we wouldn’t [really] have any say at all.”

The town board typically meets on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Gothic Cottage. For more information, visit towncazenovia.digitaltowpath.org or call the town office at 315-6559213.

years Ago in History

By ciNDy BEll ToBEy

80 years Ago – April 13, 1944

Mrs. Floyd Hart of North Cazenovia, while looking out the window Sunday morning saw something down in the lot which appeared to be red. She told her husband and their son-in-law, H. Newell of Rochester who was visiting them.

They investigated and what they found was a balloon, a red silk parachute and a box of meteorological instruments for registering temperatures at various altitudes.

The balloon on reaching the predetermined height had burst, and the parachute landed the instruments undamaged.

The “Radiosonde,” as the apparatus is called, carried instructions for the finder to mail the box of instruments to Washington, and the parachute and balloon to Buffalo. The balloon was sent up from Buffalo at 10:45 p. m. Sunday and was discovered by Mrs. Hart the following morning.

60 years Ago – April 9, 1964

Plans for an 18-hole golf course and swimming pool with clubhouse and dining room to be located in Cazenovia have been announced by Nick Zupan, R.D. 3, Cazenovia, owner of a farm south of the village. Mr. Zupan states that he and a group of Cazenovia businessmen plan to build a 18-hole golf course and swimming pool on his farm and adjoining property. Considerable preliminary work has already been done.

The course layout has been designed by a prominent golf architect. The problems of terrain and methods of operating courses have been thoroughly investigated. The golf course itself will be 6,215 yards long, par 71.

The swimming pool will be Olympic size with cabanas. The clubhouse will have a bar and dining room in addition to the usual clubhouse facilities.

40 years Ago – April 11, 1984

“It started out as doing something in my spare time and now I don’t have any spare time.” To Dan Weiskotten, that’s not a lament – it’s just the natural consequence of doing what, for him, comes naturally: historical research. At 24, he may be one of the youngest town historians around – and he was appointed at 22. He concedes that he’s heard people say he’s just a young kid, but he’s been doing the research since he was nine years old. “The facts are there for anyone who wants them.” Mr. Weiskotten said. He works at Lorenzo historical site as a groundskeeper, though he said he fills in for others – “I’ve done everything but give the tours,” he said. The day after he graduated from high school, he stepped into his job, and he’s been there ever since, enjoying the outside work and doing special historical projects whenever he can. How did someone so young develop such a burning interest in local history? At age nine, he began doing research on the Weiskotten family home on Ridge Road and continued all through high school. Mr. Weiskotten was appointed town historian in 1982 when Roberta Hendrix retired.

20 years Ago – April 7, 2004

Madison County officially kicked off its 2006 Bicentennial Celebration March 25 with the unveiling of the new county logo. Logo contest winner Kevin Mann of Cazenovia, revealed his designs during the ceremony held in the lobby of the county courthouse building.

According to bicentennial planners, the logo concept was not just one logo to represent all of the diverse aspects of the county, but a “system” of logos that will family together and be recognized as the county’s logo, even if the center image is specific to one aspect.

Mann kept certain aspects consistent, which included the colors blue and tan – also the colors in the state seal; the font, which made reference to the history of the county; the wrapping around the circle in the logo representing the county seal and the hop cones that bookend the words “New York,” recognizing Madison County’s heritage as the former hops capital of the world.

Random Thoughts

Phil blackwell

You might hear their choruses swell to even cornier heights in 2024, if that’s possible. Anything to drown out the chatter about golf at the highest level that, these days, entirely centers around vast amounts of wealth.

Whether it’s the hundreds of millions spent by LIV Golf to lure many of the sport’s biggest stars – Dustin Johnson, Brooks Kopeka, Jon Rahm – or the enhanced events and increased purses the PGA Tour has responded with, the best will get paid. A lot.

Only four times a year does prestige take precedent over profit. It happens here, at Augusta, and will again at the other three majors at Valhalla (PGA Championship), Pinehurst (U.S. Open) and Royal Troon (Open Championship).

Here, and nowhere else, are most, if not all, of golf’s best players truly squaring off, each of them an unintentional referendum on the two tours and their very different formats and philosophies.

Yet no one wants this to keep going.

Ten months have passed since the PGA Tour announced its intent to merge its operations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that runs LIV, but with regulators watching closely,

Hockey

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student. On top of all this, Jack is a tremendous human being [who always acts] with kindness and is respectful to others.”

This spring, Donlin is playing his final baseball season as a Cazenovia Laker. He has committed to play the sport at the University of Maine.

“They are Division I, and they won the America East championship in 2023, beating Binghamton University to make it to the [National Collegiate Athletic Association] Tournament,” said Donlin, who is a pitcher and first baseman.

The future of c azenovia ice hockey comes into question

Cazenovia Central School District (CCSD) is currently facing a significant budget gap for the 2024-25 school year due to multiple factors, including a reduction in state aid as outlined in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024-25 executive budget proposal.

The district has already gone through its budget line-by-line and made an estimated $700,000

no real resolution is in sight.

Meanwhile, players like Rory McIlroy, who once drew a hard line against the LIV defectors, wants to welcome them back in a revamped “World Tour” format even more exclusive than what the PGA Tour wants. Other players, tired of the ultrarich getting richer, was more of a chance to break into that club.

All of this is exhausting and disheartening to anyone who really cares about the sport. It’s tough to get enthused about any tournament outside the major quartet, either because the money is stupid or the fields are weaker.

Then, when the majors do arrive, there’s as much talk about the golf divide as there is about the golf itself, forcing participants to take sides and then defend their own while bashing the others as greedy, short-sighted or both.

What we ought to focus on this week is whether Scottie Scheffler can continue his tear at the top, or if Rahm can repeat, or can McIlroy finally complete the career Grand Slam, or whatever happens to a frail Tiger Woods.

Getting back to that point, though, will require golf’s powers-that-be to do something difficult, something opposite from what they are hard-wired –namely, look beyond themselves.

Not doing this is what got us into the mess in the first place.

First, the PGA Tour, in an attempt to dominate the sport, tried to kill all its competition or buy it out, not seeking partners, but subordinates.

in position cuts and financial reductions. It is also already proposing to use $500,000 in fund balance.

Even with the $500,000 in fund balance and $700,000 in budget reductions, the district is still facing a $1.85 million gap between its expenses and revenue based on the governor’s budget proposal.

On March 20, CCSD held a community discussion on the challenges facing the district this budget season and potential options to close the budget gap.

Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio explained that there are four ways to close the gap: cutting expenses further, increasing revenue through the tax levy, using fund balance, or doing a combination of those options.

During the presentation, DiFulvio described what it could potentially look like if the district were to decide to cut $1.85 million in programs and services to close the budget gap. He presented a list of specific staff and programming that are being considered for reduction or elimination and explained that to balance the budget, all

Instead of accepting PIF support at the outset, they opened the door for the Saudi group to form LIV. Then, once poached, they got around to “enhanced events” and $20 million purses that priced out long-time sponsors of some tournaments (goodbye, Honda) and relegated other long-time events to a minor-league feel.

About the only thing that keeps the PGA Tour from Bond villain-type stuff is the awful human-rights record of the Saudi government and their belief that propping up sports leagues will make you forget it.

But here, just as in the political realm, you don’t make peace with your friends. Everyone, on both sides, will have to accept some kind of concession. Maybe LIV goes to conventional 72-hole tournaments. Perhaps the PGA Tour trades temporary suspensions of LIV defectors for full restoration of playing rights.

There reaches a point where everyone just gets tired of the drama off the course and wants the focus back to the course and the wondrous talents of these players. Yet we could be years from seeing this, with the two sides dug in, billions in reserve, neither even close to admitting defeat or scaling back from their conflict.

At the very least, four days at Augusta, and all the memories it evokes and emotions it stirs, provides temporary relief. And no matter who puts on the green coat Sunday evening, they’ll find a treasure no amount of physical riches can equal.

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

the listed cuts would have to be made in addition to the assumed cuts estimated at $700,000 and the planned $500,000 in fund balance.

One of the cuts proposed on the list was the hockey program. “Hockey is specifically mentioned, [not] because the district has anything against hockey,” DiFulvio said during the March 20 event. “It’s up there because of the expense of the program. We had some other information, and when we read it, it spelled out hockey. . . . It doesn’t mean that we would [necessarily] cut hockey.”

Donlin said he attended the budget discussion in his role as student body president.

“All I can say is that I hope the athletes following me get the same opportunities to play with ‘Cazenovia’ on their chest,” he said. “Hockey makes Cazenovia a unique and special place. How many small towns have a great guy like Mark Costello operating an outdoor rink in the middle of their village?”

To learn more about CCSD’s athletic programs and the district’s March 20 budget discussion, visit cazenoviacsd.com.

Cazenovia lacrosse teams take defeats to CBA

By PHil BlAckWEll

With rain on hand for most of last week, it benefited each of the Cazenovia lacrosse teams to have its new artificial turf field in full use to host games.

Alas, it didn’t translate into victories, especially for the boys Lakers, who welcomed Christian Brothers Academy last Tuesday and took a 13-6 defeat to the Brothers.

Unable to add to its win total after blanking Vernon-Verona-Sherrill in the March 27 opener, Cazenovia got little production outside start attacker D.B. Falge, who had five of the team’s six goals.

Only Alex Kuper converted otherwise, joining Paul Mitchell in the assist column as Tucker Ives, in goal, recorded 12 saves. CBA’s depth proved too much as Ben Anderson (four goals) and Jack Ludington (three goals, one assist) paced the Brothers.

That night, Cazenovia’s girls team visit-

ed CBA and, at Alibrandi Stadium, found itself overwhelmed by the Brothers’ attack as it lost by a score of 19-3.

It was 12-2 by halftime, with Charlie Prior involved in all three Lakers goals – two she scored, the other assisting on Hayden Bubble’s tally. For CBA, Maeve Mackenzie and Lilah Kirch each scored five times, Mackenzie adding four assists, while Sydney Vaughn finished with four goals.

A far closer game on Saturday had Cazenovia fall 14-11 to Clinton, who got six goals and one assist from Dakota Deveans. Prior did net five goals for the Lakers as Bubble scored four times and Sally Hughes added a pair of goals. Chittenango split its two games last Tuesday night, with the girls Bears prevailing 22-4 over Mexico with one of its highest goal totals in program history. What made it even better for the Bears was the way it was spread around. Four

l From page 1 Nelson Farms

cream; coffee; chocolates and candy; beef jerky; and gifts.

The 4 Corners Tap Room, which is currently closed, offered select, locally sourced craft brews.

Located less than eight miles from SUNY Morrisville, Nelson Farms serves as the college’s small-scale, FDA-inspected food processing incubator, providing entrepreneurial agribusiness opportunities for specialty food processors, farmers, growers, and producers.

Throughout the years, the commercial kitchen facility has been made available to local users on a contract or time-share basis, giving users access to production-scale food processing equipment in an inspected environment.

The Nelson Farms website explains that shareduse clients are responsible for providing their own ingredients and production staff and are given the option of ordering bottles through Nelson Farms. The facility provides one trained team member to set up, assist with production, and supervise cleanup following production.

Throughout the years, students in several SUNY Morrisville programs of study have also utilized Nelson Farms as an experimental laboratory, enabling them to gain real-world experience in agritourism, marketing, entrepreneurship, dietetics/nutrition, and value-added agriculture and development.

“Students in agriculture business development took a class on product development, and the learning lab has been used by courses in hospitality management and business courses focused on marketing,” said Bowden.

According to the SUNY Morrisville website, Nelson Farms has helped form some 1,000 businesses and developed more than 600 food products.

The kitchen facility is currently used to produce Farmstead 1868’s culinary lavender; Doug’s Fish Fry sauces; Landmark Tavern’s dressings, cornbread, and scone mixes; Our Farm’s rhubarb sauces; Pumpernickel’s Deli pasta sauces; Tom’s Bootleg Barbeque Sauce; Streaking Moose BBQ Sauce; Stone Chimney BBQ Sauce; Miss Sydney’s sauces, etc.; and dozens of products developed by SUNY Morrisville students in agri-business classes, such as slather sauces, hot cocoa mix, mar-

inades, dressings, jams, and mustards. “It’s been at least 12 years since we first came to Nelson Farms to develop a recipe schedule and then process and sell our rhubarb sauce,” said Jimmy Golub, owner of Our Farm at 1590 Peth Rd., Manlius. “Nelson Farms was a local facility in close proximity to us with a commercial kitchen that was equipped to handle our scale of production. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to develop and produce this product. We realize that for us, this product is something extra we can offer, so [the closure] won’t change much for us, but we probably won’t be able to offer this product after we run out of inventory. We will try to find another source for production, but for us, Nelson Farms was a perfect fit. The staff there has changed over the years, but they’ve all been helpful, especially Marge Wilcox. Thank you, Nelson Farms. We’ll miss you.”

In the past, Nelson Farms also served as a production facility for In My Father’s Kitchen’s pasta sauce; Larry’s All Natural salsas; Farmer Street Pantry mincemeat and salad dressings; Bella Cucina’s marinara; Collins Creamery products; and Juanita’s Soul Classics spices and sauces.

According to Bowden, the reasons for the past clients’ departures included moving to a co-packer, closing their business, or opening a commercial kitchen of their own.

The final day of kitchen production for shared-use clients is May 24. Monica Cody, who owns the Farmstead 1868 lavender farm in Fenner, said she plans to schedule as many runs to Nelson Farms as possible until the kitchen closes to meet her current demand.

“I started using Nelson Farms to process my culinary lavender as soon as I was ready to bring it to market,” Cody said. “The staff, support, knowledge, connections, and programming were indispensable. To have that resource in our backyard and lose it is a huge loss for all the small-batch manufacturers either trying to begin a new agri-business in the community or [trying] to learn how to scale what they’ve started to something bigger. . . . I will need to either create my own 20-C kitchen space or find a contract manufacturer to take over

different players – Tomi Newkirk, Persephone Rohrer, Gracie Brazell and Caitlyn Sgambellone – had five goals apiece, with Newkirk tacking on three assists.

It didn’t stop there, though. Reese Ferstler and Anna Lazzaro both gained one goal and one assist, Chittenango improving to 2-0 overall in the first of three games during a four-day stretch.

Meanwhile, Chittenango’s boys fell to Tully 15-4 in its season opener, Brendon Barnard earning two of the goals and assisting on the other two, by Henry Miller. The Black Knights got six goals from Tristan Hendricks and three-goal hat tricks from Jacob Verbanic (who also had three assists) and Dan Shetler.

A close game on Friday saw Chittenango’s girls improve to 3-0 with a comefrom-behind 9-8 win over Southern Hills, the combined team from LaFayette, Tully and Onondaga. The Storm led 5-4 at halftime and

stretched the margin to 8-6 late in the second half, but the Bears stayed close, then charged down the stretch.

Newkirk’s third goal cut the deficit to one and Rohrer tied it, 8-8. Then, with two minutes left in regulation, Bella Nastri picked up a ground ball, broke through the Southern Hills defenders and netted the eventual game-winner, her first goal of the season.

Sgambellone was the only other Bears player besides Newkirk with multiple goals, converting twice. Brazell and Reece Ferstler joined Nastri and Rohrer with single goals. Chittenango overcame 13 saves by Storm goalie Kierra Reed.

Chittenango’s boys team lost 9-6 to Lowville on Saturday afternoon. Barnard, with three goals and two assists, accounted for most of the production, with the other goals going to Miller, Cole Dawkins and Macksen Cliff and Connor Bradbury making 25 saves.

the production if the economics don’t support my immediate investment into creating a space in our facility or if I run out of product before a new location can be qualified.” According to its website, Nelson Farms is no longer accepting new shared-use clients.

Bowden described working at Nelson Farms as an extremely rewarding experience.

“Our facility has helped the next generation of agribusiness entrepreneurs get hands-on, real-life experience,” she said. “We have enabled local producers to take their product from an idea to a value-added product. The genuine connections we’ve made, as well as seeing dreams come to fruition, has been heartwarming.”

Launched over a decade ago, Taste NY highlights the quality, diversity, and economic impact of food and beverages grown, produced, or processed in New York State. Taste NY aims to create new opportunities for producers through events, retail locations, and partnerships.

“Nelson Farms was part of the Taste NY program at its inception, proudly highlighting and promoting NYS food and drink items while offering opportunities for NY growers to produce in our kitchen,” said Bowden. “Nelson Farms also operated the Taste NY Marketplace [at the NYS Fair] prior to COVID and has been involved in other Taste NY initiatives and events.”

In a March 21 Facebook post announcing the upcoming closure of the store

For many years, the store has been a member of Taste NY, the official eatlocal, drink-local program for NYS.

and kitchen, Nelson Farms said it has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of Taste NY and to serve the greater Central New York Community. “Because of your support, we have been able to help local entrepreneurs add value to their product and share our love of New York State food, drink, and gifts with you for over 20 years,”

Friday, April 19, 2024

Cazenovia Earth Day Weekend

Friday, April 19th, Saturday, April 20th & Sunday, April 21, 2024

Schedule of Events

10:00 am Cazenovia Garden Club Clean-up

• Route 20 Rest Stop, (at the south end of Cazenovia Lake)

Saturday, April 20, 2024

• Commission

9:00 am Tree Planting, Village of Cazenovia Tree

The Tree Commission will plant two trees on Mill St. at the corner of Riverside Dr. to commemorate the work of Bob and Bobbi Constable.

10:00 am Chittenango Creek Clean-up

• Cazenovia Area Scout Troops will go to Buyea’s Hardware parking lot to organize into groups for creek clean-up.

10:00 am Project Cafe Clean-u

• p Meet at Buyea’s Hardware

10:00 am Native Plants & Pollinators Workshop

• Horticulturist Patty Stimmel from Cornell Cooperative Extension will speak at the New Woodstock Free Library.

10:00 am

• Cazenovia Artisan’s Earth Day Spring Cleaning Stop by the gallery (next to Kinney’s in Caz) to grab some gently or never-used art supplies! * FOR FREE * Take what you want to inspire your creativity. (while supplies last!) WE AIM TO REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE.

2:00 pm “The New Old House” with Pat Carmeli

• Hosted by Cazenovia Heritage at the Cazenovia Library. Pat will discuss how she built her house and interiors using salvaged materials from historic homes, encouraging sustainability and re-use.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

10:00 am Electric Vehicle Show at Lakeland Park

• EV’s will be parked at Lakeland Park from 10-10:45 for people to see and then the Cazenovia Village Police will escort the cars to the American Legion for viewing, talking to owners and guest rides from 11 am – 3 pm.

10:00 am Electroshock Boat

• Lakeland Park for public viewing and rides if weather permits – hosted by Cazenovia Lake Association 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Earth Day Fair

• The American Legion Hall, 26 Chenango St, Cazenovia. Electric Vehicles, 24 exhibitors and vendors, an Upcycle/Repurpose Trash to Treasure competition, informational presentations and a food truck featuring Vietnamese Food. Sponsored by United Climate Action Network. (UCAN)

UCAN Earth Day Fair • Schedule of Events

Presentations:

Noon –‘Bubble Mania Goes Green’

• with Doug Rougeux – A bubble show for the young and young at heart presented by a former Ringling Circus Clown and decades-long bubbleologist.

1:00 pm – ‘Ecological Gardening’

• with Julie Poplaski – Cooperative Extension Master Gardener. Learn ways to turn your garden or lawn into a healthy and rich habitat with the principles of Ecological Gardening. Julie will discuss how timing, diversity and healthy soil will yield the best results for your yard and the planet.

2:00 pm – ‘Carbon Offsets: What Role do they Play in Achieving Climate Action Goals?‘

• Dr. Aaron Strong, Professor of Environmental Studies, Hamilton College. In order to avoid dangerous climate change, we need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many states, corporations and institutions have adopted ‘net zero by 2050’ climate targets. Most plans for achieving these targets rely not just on replacing fossil fuels, but also on the use of carbon offsets. Dr. Strong will discuss key principles for the use of carbon offsets and some of the concerns that their use raises.

Earth Day Fair Exhibitors:

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE)

Cazenovia Area Scout Troops

Cazenovia High School Environmental Club

Clean Communities of Central New York

Climate Change Awareness & Action (CCAA)

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County (CCE)

Cazenovia Preservation Foundation (CPF)

Dizzie Lizzie’s Farm

Farmstead 1868, Lavender

FREE Center (Fenner Renewable Energy Education)

HALCO Energy Systems

Izaak Walton League

League of Women Voters

Madison County Tourism

Outside Exhibitors:

Electric Cars, Electric Bikes, Vietnamese Food Truck

Madison County Solid Waste & Recycling

National Grid

Nelson Preservation Association

New Woodstock Free Library

Nickels Energy Solutions/ Solar energy systems

NP Environmental, Heat Pumps & Geothermal

PRISM of the Finger Lakes (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management)

Sierra Club Mid-Atlantic

Simply Installs/ Heat Pumps

Trash to Treasure Competition

Trout Unlimited

UCAN (United Climate Action Network)

UCAN’S THIRD ANNUAL TRASH TO TREASURE COMPETITION AT THE EARTH DAY FAIR

Bring

*If too large, you can bring a photo of your submission

In Business

By kATE Hill Staff Writer

This past fall, local restaurateur Jonathan Phillips opened Pearl’s Bar and Bistro at 126 Nelson St. in Cazenovia.

The restaurant offers casual dining, familyfriendly food options, a laid-back atmosphere, and a full bar with cocktails, wine, and beer.

The kitchen is led by Head Chef Pauline Drumm, who attended culinary school in Portland, OR, and has more than two decades of experience in fine dining. She recently cooked at The Century Club in Syracuse and the Cazenovia Club. Phillips, who also owns Mad Tacos in Nelson, said his goal for Pearl’s was to create a unique, cozy environment where guests could enjoy a casual dining experience.

“I wanted people to walk in and immediately catch a vibe that is fresh to the area,” he said. “There is a ‘Bistro’ essence with finer wines, cocktails, and menu items, but Pearl’s also offers ‘pub-style’ items. So, you can come in for a date night, family night, or just a quick bite.”

Phillips named his new restaurant in memory of his golden retriever, with whom he shared many major life moments.

“She traveled all over the country with me and got to experience so much,” Phillips said. “She was a special pup, and I thought it only fitting to name this special place after her. You can cheers a framed picture of her at the bar.”

Phillips grew up in California until the age of 12 when he moved to Cazenovia. After graduating from Cazenovia High School, he lived in Colorado, Boston and Hawaii before returning to town with his wife, who is also from Cazenovia, to raise a family.

He spent several years in the craft beer industry before opening Mad Tacos — a relaxed craft beer and handcrafted taco spot at Nelson Corners — in 2019.

Phillips said the decision to open another restaurant in the area was sparked by his enjoyment of the creative process.

“It’s very rewarding, personally, to see the community come and appreciate the experience Pearl’s has to offer,” he said. “This area is so unique, so I think it only helps us grow as a whole to have diverse options. This is my

home, and I felt like I could help add to the success of our area.”

Pearl’s officially opened on Oct. 8, 2023.

On Jan. 4, 2024, Phillips reported that the feedback on the quality and creativity of the restaurant’s menu offerings and specials has been great.

“We feel like our guests are really enjoying Cazenovia’s newest offering, and it’s really great to see the support,” he said.

According to the restaurant’s website, current menu offerings range from a hummus plate appetizer, breadcrumb-topped macaroni and cheese, and hand-breaded chicken tenders, to shrimp scampi with house-made pasta, petite tenderloin, and pan-seared salmon, plus daily specials, such as Chicken Cordon Bleu or pasta Bolognese.

“It’s a nice casual atmosphere,” said Barb Axelson, a Cazenovia resident who recently dined at Pearl’s. “Great drink options and the burger was very good.”

According to Phillips, keeping the machine running with both his businesses requires a lot of work behind closed doors.

“Any business owner knows that one is challenging enough, two or more is a different game,” he said. “[I’ve] been fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people who have given a lot to help Mad Tacos and Pearl’s succeed.”

To view the full Pearl’s Bar and Bistro menu visit pearlscaz.com. Follow the restaurant on Instagram @pearlscaz and Facebook for daily specials and other updates. To learn more about Phillips’ other business, Mad Tacos, visit madcotacos.com

Barber celebrates 60 years in Fayetteville

Though Vic stepped away from the haircutting business in 1968, Al kept the shop going with Rocky until his retirement around the turn of the century, about three years before his death from cancer.

to fit more than two barbers.

“My father was old-fashioned Italian,” Rocky said. “He wanted to make sure if I didn’t go to school that I had a trade. It was normal in my family to follow the path taken by your father.”

Though he was sticking firmly to his father’s line of work, he decided to branch off and follow his cousins Al and Vic, the brothers who originally began the Fayetteville shop as DiFlorio’s in 1960.

Rocky, now 78, came on board at their shop in 1964, soon after completing high school.

“The people of Fayetteville have been great to me,” Rocky said. “I’ve gotten to know entire families here through the generations.”

In addition to new faces, the shop has a base of longtime patrons, including some who have been coming in since the 1960s. Rocky has cut the hair of local politicians, police officers, firefighters, Syracuse University athletes and coaches, writers, actors in town for Fayetteville’s community playhouse among others.

“My cousin Al was the best, and I even tell customers it’s too bad they never met him,” said Rocky. “He was a World War II Navy veteran and he also happened to be one of the better bowlers in the city of Syracuse.”

About a dozen years ago, Rocky’s sister-inlaw Teresa Eller relocated from Minnesota to cut hair in the shop and keep it a family business after her first husband passed away.

Sometime during the last half-century-plus, the shop became better known as “Rocky’s,” but it retains the inviting, comfortable atmosphere that dates back to when its namesake was a teenager.

“This is what Americana is right here when you come to an old shop like this,” Rocky said. “A lot of things have happened here over 60 years. It’s gone by fast, that I can tell you. Real fast.”

Rocky said he has no plans to hang up his clippers anytime soon.

“Cutting hair has just come instinctively to me,” he said. “I’ve done this all my life. It’s like second nature.”

root & Wander PhotograPhy mad Tacos owner last year opened Pearl’s Bar and Bistro in cazenovia.